Gordon Smith

Mr. SMITH

Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, I rise today to speak about the need for hate crimes legislation. On May 1, 2003, Senator Kennedy and I introduced the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act, a bill that would add new categories to current hate crimes law, sending a signal that violence of any kind is unacceptable in our society. One such crime occurred in Fort Wayne, IN, on March 29, 2002. John Runner, a 34-year-old gay man with disabilities, was found severely beaten in his home. He had also suffered substantial burns caused by hot bacon grease. Part of his brain had to be removed during emergency surgery. Law enforcement agents allege that Runner's cousin and roommate, Maurice Ellis, found Runner in bed with another man and an argument ensued. Investigators say that Ellis proceeded to beat and torture Runner over a 12-hour period. Runner was unable to defend himself due to his disability. I believe that Government's first duty is to defend its citizens, to defend them against the harms that come out of hate. The Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act is a symbol that can become substance. I believe that by passing this legislation and changing current law, we can change hearts and minds as well.

Mr. SMITH

Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, I rise today to speak about the need for hate crimes legislation. On May 1, 2003, Senator Kennedy and I introduced the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act, a bill that would add new categories to current hate crimes law, sending a signal that violence of any kind is unacceptable in our society. In 1999, a 37-year-old man was the target of a brutal anti-gay attack on a cruise ship off the California coast. The victim was assaulted in a hallway of the ship by two other passengers who called him a ``faggot'' several times. He sustained injuries including a broken nose, three skull fractures around his eyes, chipped teeth and multiple contusions. I believe that Government's first duty is to defend its citizens, to defend them against the harms that come out of hate. The Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act is a symbol that can become substance. I believe that by passing this legislation and changing current law, we can change hearts and minds as well.

Mr. SMITH

Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, I rise today to join my colleagues in cosponsoring the National Guard and Reserves Reform Act for the 21st Century. I am proud of Oregon's citizen-soldiers, and I firmly believe we need the Guard and Reserves more today than we have in decades. Forces of the United States National Guard and Reserves make essential and effective contributions to Operation Iraqi Freedom and other ongoing military operations. Oregon units have been on the vanguard of these operations. While our dependence on the reserves has increased, their basic pay and benefits structure remained largely unchanged until last year. Through a strong bipartisan effort Congress passed a bill to extend TRICARE benefits to National Guard and Reservists. We need to assure our military that as we continue to support their readiness capabilities, we remember the personal well-being of Oregonians in uniform as well as that of their families. This bill will improve the medical readiness of our Reserve and Guard forces, increase recruiting and retention, and offer faster and less cumbersome mobilizations. Healthier citizen-soldiers make our military more effective. As we continue the war on terror, we need a healthy and motivated fighting force. This legislation will work toward that end. The Guard and Reserves in my State have selflessly responded to the call of our country, and we cannot forget that part-time soldiers have full-time health needs. In order to ensure our citizen-soldiers are healthy when they are needed, I urge my Congressional colleagues to pass this bill to continue health care coverage to our Reservists and Guardsmen.

Mr. SMITH

Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, I rise today to join my colleagues in cosponsoring the National Guard and Reserves Reform Act for the 21st Century. I am proud of Oregon's citizen-soldiers, and I firmly believe we need the Guard and Reserves more today than we have in decades. Forces of the United States National Guard and Reserves make essential and effective contributions to Operation Iraqi Freedom and other ongoing military operations. Oregon units have been on the vanguard of these operations. While our dependence on the reserves has increased, their basic pay and benefits structure remained largely unchanged until last year. Through a strong bipartisan effort Congress passed a bill to extend TRICARE benefits to National Guard and Reservists. We need to assure our military that as we continue to support their readiness capabilities, we remember the personal well-being of Oregonians in uniform as well as that of their families. This bill will improve the medical readiness of our Reserve and Guard forces, increase recruiting and retention, and offer faster and less cumbersome mobilizations. Healthier citizen-soldiers make our military more effective. As we continue the war on terror, we need a healthy and motivated fighting force. This legislation will work toward that end. The Guard and Reserves in my State have selflessly responded to the call of our country, and we cannot forget that part-time soldiers have full-time health needs. In order to ensure our citizen-soldiers are healthy when they are needed, I urge my Congressional colleagues to pass this bill to continue health care coverage to our Reservists and Guardsmen.

Mr. SMITH

Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, I rise today to submit a resolution welcoming the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to the United States. Prime Minister Erdogan is visiting this week for important meetings with President Bush and other senior Administration officials to discuss significant issues that affect both of our countries. I am pleased that my colleagues Senator Biden and Senator Allen have joined me in offering this resolution at this time. Prime Minister Erdogan represents a country of great importance to the United States, one with whom we have a shared history of fighting Soviet aggression as partners in NATO, and one with whom we are joined in fighting terrorism today. Turkey has shown its willingness to support American objectives in Afghanistan--where it commanded the International Security Assistance Force for seven months, and where its soldiers continue to serve side-by-side with American troops--and in post-war Iraq, where it has authorized sending peacekeeping troops and has contributed humanitarian supplies for the Iraqi people. Furthermore, Turkey shares our democratic values and love of freedom. These ideals have brought enormous benefits to its people and serve as an excellent example for its neighbors that secular Islam and democracy can coexist peacefully and constructively. I am confident that the visit of Prime Minister Erdogan will further cement the strategic partnership between Turkey and the United States. I welcome him to the United States.

Mr. SMITH

Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, I rise today to honor one of Oregon's unsung heros, Dean Azule. For more than three decades, Mr. Azule has dedicated his life to educating and enriching the lives of countless young Oregonians. He is an educator in both mind and spirit and has dedicated his life to ensuring the success of Oregon's youth. While attending Oregon College of Education, OCE, now know as Western Oregon State University, Mr. Azule worked as a family liaison with an American Indian youth program funded by the Indian Education Act. As a family liaison, he tutored and counseled hundreds of American Indian youth, providing career guidance and helping them to explore their career opportunities. Upon graduation from OCE, Mr. Azule joined the Northwest Regional Educational Lab and worked on their Indian Reading Language Development Program. This program has been invaluable in helping American Indian youth keep their indigenous languages alive. Mr. Azule next established the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde's extremely successful Education Department. With his invaluable assistance, the Department now includes Head Start, Youth Education, Higher Education, and Vocational training programs which has served to help the lives of hundreds of tribal members. The Grand Ronde Education Department has become a model of success across the county--much to the tireless efforts of Mr. Azule. After almost 10 years with the Grand Ronde Tribes, Mr. Azule joined the Salem-Keizer public school system in 1999. Active in community outreach programs, he has helped disadvantaged children continue their education despite facing social and economical hardships at Washington Elementary, Keizer Elementary, and Miller Elementary School. Most recently, he has taken a behavioral health position at the new West Salem High school. Mr. Azule is a true champion for Oregon's children, and I know he will continue to play a vital role in educating and making a difference in the lives of children in our State. His tireless spirit serves as an inspiration to us all. Today, I am proud to honor Dean Azule as an education hero for our great State of Oregon.

Mr. SMITH

Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, I rise today to speak about the need for hate crimes legislation. On May 1, 2003, Senator Kennedy and I introduced the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act, a bill that would add new categories to current hate crimes law, sending a signal that violence of any kind is unacceptable in our society. I would like to describe a terrible crime that occurred in Leawood, KS. Gary Raynal, an openly gay man, was found dead under an apartment deck after being tortured and severely beaten. Raynal had been sexually tortured with a metal rod, his ears had been burned and his throat showed signs of strangulation. I believe that Government's first duty is to defend its citizens, to defend them against the harms that come out of hate. The Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act is a symbol that can become substance. I believe that by passing this legislation and changing current law, we can change hearts and minds as well.

Mr. SMITH

Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, I rise today to speak about the need for hate crimes legislation. On May 1,2003, Senator Kennedy and I introduced the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act, a bill that would add new categories to current hate crimes law, sending a signal that violence of any kind is unacceptable in our society. Leonard ``Lynn'' Vines, a cross-dresser and native of East Baltimore, was attacked in front of his cousin's home and shot six times by a group of people asserting ``we don't allow no drag queen faggots in this neighborhood.'' Fortunately, Vines survived the attack. I believe that Government's first duty is to defend its citizens, to defend them against the harms that come out of hate. The Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act is a symbol that can become substance. I believe that by passing this legislation and changing current law, we can change hearts and minds as well.

Mr. SMITH

Mr. SMITH. Madam President, I rise today to speak about the need for hate crimes legislation. On May 1, 2003, Senator Kennedy and I introduced the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act, a bill that would add new categories to current hate crimes law, sending a signal that violence of any kind is unacceptable in our society. Terrianne Summers, a 51-year old transgender activist was shot in the back of the head while getting out of her car in her driveway. Summers, a retired Navy Lieutenant Commander, organized a local protest against the Winn-Dixie supermarket chain in January after an employee was fired for cross-dressing off-duty. I believe that Government's first duty is to defend its citizens, to defend them against the harms that come out of hate. The Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act is a symbol that can become substance. I believe that by passing this legislation and changing current law, we can change hearts and minds as well.

Mr. SMITH

Mr. SMITH. Madam President, I rise to speak about the need for hate crimes legislation. On May 1, 2003, Senator Kennedy and I introduced the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act, a bill that would add new categories to current hate crimes law, sending a signal that violence of any kind is unacceptable in our society. In May 2002, two young male assailants targeted a Washington, D.C. resident after he left a local gay bar. The victim suffered severe face wounds, including a broken nose. Later that night, and in the week that followed, several more gay men were attacked by an unidentified group of young men. I believe that Government's first duty is to defend its citizens, to defend them against the harms that come out of hate. The Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act is a symbol that can become substance. By passing this legislation and changing current law, we can change hearts and minds as well.

Mr. SMITH

Mr. SMITH. Madam President, I rise today on behalf of the almost 44 million Americans who have no health insurance. This number has continued to grow--last year alone, the number of people who lost their insurance grew more than any other year in the past decade. The number of uninsured Americans now exceeds the cumulative population of 24 states and the District of Columbia. I know we can reverse this trend because we have done it in the past. During my first year in the U.S. Senate, I helped create the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). Today, all 50 States have SCHIP programs covering millions of needy children who do not qualify for Medicaid. Last night in his State of the Union address, President Bush highlighted the need to make insurance more affordable for working Americans. I couldn't agree more. He also asked Congress to give lower- income Americans a refundable tax credit to allow millions to buy basic health coverage. Last year, the President's ten-year refundable tax credit proposal to cover the uninsured would have helped up to 14 million people with increased access to care: 6 million previously uninsured Americans could gain health care insuranced and 8 million could improve their coverage. This would be a great start. But we must act, and we must act now, before health insurance coverage erodes even further. Last year, Congress set aside $50 billion to cover the uninsured--less than in previous years--and once again, Congress failed to act. Helping provide health care for working families and children is not a partisan issue. Having access to health insurance is the best predictor of access to health care. Without access to preventive care, millions of people suffer needlessly every year, and often require more expensive, less effective emergency care. But suffering is only part of the equation. Eighteeen thousand Americans die every year for lack of access to health care. That translates to two people dying every hour because they were uninsured. I ask my colleagues to come together to help solve this problem that has affected so many of our friends and neighbors. I ask my colleagues to make it a priority to preserve and expand access to health care coverage in the United States, and I ask that we do it before the end of this Congress. It is the right thing to do, and the right time to do it. Thank you, Mr. President, I yield the floor.

Mr. SMITH

Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, today as my first legislative action of the new session, I am introducing important legislation that would require a higher standard for the science used in administering the Endangered Species Act. The Sound Science for Endangered Species Act Planning Act of 2004 would require independent scientific peer review of certain actions taken by the regulatory agencies under the Endangered Species Act. In addition, it would require the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Commerce to give greater weight to scientific or commercial data that is empirical or has been field-tested or peer- reviewed. In recent years, we in the northwest have experienced a number of situations in which Federal agency scientists either demanded actions not supported by scientific data, or actually fabricated the data itself. In December 2001, it was revealed that Federal employees had submitted hairs from a captive Canada lynx as though they had been recovered during field surveys in several national forests to determine the range and habitat of this threatened species. It was also revealed in an Oregon newspaper that a Forest Service biologist criticized his own agency for shoddy work. This employee called into question much of the information collected over 18 years on one national forest, claiming that determinations for projects were based on sketchy information that was not accomplished according to protocol, or not collected at all. Rather than denying these charges, the Forest Service acknowledged that they had some validity, and launched an investigation. The most egregious example of decisions not based on scientific evidence, however, occurred in the Klamath Basin in 2001. As many of you may recall, I have come to the floor of the Senate on many occasions over the last several years to plead the case of the farmers and ranchers in the Klamath Basin. In 2001, field-level biologists with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service developed two separate biological opinions on the operation of the Klamath Project, as it related to suckers and coho salmon, respectively. Taken together, these two biological opinions sought to both raise the lake of level of Upper Klamath Lake and increase flows in the Klamath River, at the time the basin was experiencing a severe drought. On April 6, 2001, the Bureau of Reclamation announced that the agency would deliver no water to most of the agricultural lands that had received irrigation water from the Federal project for almost 100 years. I cannot begin to describe the human toll that these biological opinions exacted on the farmers and ranchers in the Klamath Basin. Those who still have their farms lost most of their farm income that year. Many depleted their life savings just to hold onto their land. Ranchers were forced to sell off livestock herds that year. Stable farm worker communities were decimated as families moved to find work. The real tragedy is that none of this had to occur. Late last year, scientists with the National Research Council found that the two key decisions regarding the operation of the Klamath Project that deprived farmers of their water lacked ``substantial scientific support.'' This situation should never be repeated. Decisions of this magnitude under the Endangered Species Act must be peer reviewed, and some standard for the science used in these decisions must be established. I was in Klamath Falls the day after the decision was made to cut off water to the farmers. I will never forget the anguish on the faces of the people I met with that day. Many were World War II veterans who received homesteads in this Basin after the war or their children, none of whom could believe that this action was being taken by a government ``of the people, for the people, and by the people.'' Our constituents deserve better from their Government. They will get it if this bill is enacted. There is an identical bill in the House that has bipartisan support, and 63 cosponsors. I urge my colleagues to join me in cosponsoring this reasonable bill to help restore sound science to agency decisionmaking.

Mr. SMITH

Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, yesterday, we celebrated Martin Luther King Day. For many of us, this day was a time to reflect on the progress we have made in protecting civil rights and the work that remains. Dr. King once said: Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. No matter how far our Nation has come, we must never rest contented with the mistaken notion that we have done enough to protect our fellow citizens. In 1998, a young man named Matthew Shepard was brutally beaten and left for dead simply because he was gay. He lived for 6 days in the hospital, just long enough for his family to gather and say goodbye. Matthew's story, and the heinous dragging murder of James Byrd 6 months earlier, brought hate crimes to the forefront of the national discourse. It taught us a profound lesson about the hatred that still lives in some of our citizens. Hate crimes are violent acts intended by their perpetrators to send a message of animus and intimidation towards those whose religion, race, or sexual orientation might differ from their own. They are a violation of everything our country stands for. As Attorney General Ashcroft has said: Criminal acts of hate run counter to what is best in America--our belief in equality and freedom. Sadly, the number of reported hate crimes continues to grow at an alarming rate. The FBI catalogued over 9,700 hate crimes in 2001. That is an average of 26 hate crimes a day. At that pace, in the last 5 years, more than 47,000 hate crimes have been committed. The current hate crimes law was enacted after the assassination of Dr. King, and it is woefully outdated. It does not apply to hate crimes based on sexual orientation, gender, or disability. Even in cases of crimes based on race, religion, or ethnic background, the law only protects victims who were attacked when engaged in ``federally protected activities'' such as jury service, interstate travel, or voting. It is time to update this law, and I believe we have finally developed compromise legislation that can pass Congress. The Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act, LLEEA, is a bipartisan bill that will provide support to local authorities investigating and prosecuting hate violence. LLEEA requires the Attorney General to appoint a Federal prosecutor to promote cooperation between Federal and local law enforcement. In addition, the bill recognizes that not all violence constitutes a hate crime, and provides that only those motivated by bias, with the intent to terrorize the victim, may be prosecuted as hate crimes. LLEEA has been endorsed by more than 175 law enforcement, civil rights, and religious organizations, including attorneys general for 22 States, the National Sheriffs' Association, the International Association of Chiefs of Police; and the U.S. Conference of Mayors. Nobody should live in fear because of who they are. Congress cannot continue to sit silently by while hatred spreads. And as Americans, it is time for us to send a message that we are prepared to confront this national plague and take another step closer to making Dr. King's dream a reality.

Mr. SMITH

Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, I rise today to speak about the need for hate crimes legislation. On May 1, 2003, Senator Kennedy and I introduced the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act, a bill that would add new categories to current hate crimes law, sending a signal that violence of any kind is unacceptable in our society. In early May 2003, Jessica Mercado, a Latina transgender woman was found dead in her apartment. According to police reports, Mercado was stabbed twice in the neck in her New Haven, CT apartment which was then set on fire in a possible attempt to cover up the crime. I believe that Government's first duty is to defend its citizens, to defend them against the harms that come out of hate. The Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act is a symbol that can become substance. I believe that by passing this legislation and changing current law, we can change hearts and minds as well.

Mr. SMITH

Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, today as my first legislative action of the new session, I am introducing important legislation that would require a higher standard for the science used in administering the Endangered Species Act. The Sound Science for Endangered Species Act Planning Act of 2004 would require independent scientific peer review of certain actions taken by the regulatory agencies under the Endangered Species Act. In addition, it would require the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Commerce to give greater weight to scientific or commercial data that is empirical or has been field-tested or peer- reviewed. In recent years, we in the northwest have experienced a number of situations in which Federal agency scientists either demanded actions not supported by scientific data, or actually fabricated the data itself. In December 2001, it was revealed that Federal employees had submitted hairs from a captive Canada lynx as though they had been recovered during field surveys in several national forests to determine the range and habitat of this threatened species. It was also revealed in an Oregon newspaper that a Forest Service biologist criticized his own agency for shoddy work. This employee called into question much of the information collected over 18 years on one national forest, claiming that determinations for projects were based on sketchy information that was not accomplished according to protocol, or not collected at all. Rather than denying these charges, the Forest Service acknowledged that they had some validity, and launched an investigation. The most egregious example of decisions not based on scientific evidence, however, occurred in the Klamath Basin in 2001. As many of you may recall, I have come to the floor of the Senate on many occasions over the last several years to plead the case of the farmers and ranchers in the Klamath Basin. In 2001, field-level biologists with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service developed two separate biological opinions on the operation of the Klamath Project, as it related to suckers and coho salmon, respectively. Taken together, these two biological opinions sought to both raise the lake of level of Upper Klamath Lake and increase flows in the Klamath River, at the time the basin was experiencing a severe drought. On April 6, 2001, the Bureau of Reclamation announced that the agency would deliver no water to most of the agricultural lands that had received irrigation water from the Federal project for almost 100 years. I cannot begin to describe the human toll that these biological opinions exacted on the farmers and ranchers in the Klamath Basin. Those who still have their farms lost most of their farm income that year. Many depleted their life savings just to hold onto their land. Ranchers were forced to sell off livestock herds that year. Stable farm worker communities were decimated as families moved to find work. The real tragedy is that none of this had to occur. Late last year, scientists with the National Research Council found that the two key decisions regarding the operation of the Klamath Project that deprived farmers of their water lacked ``substantial scientific support.'' This situation should never be repeated. Decisions of this magnitude under the Endangered Species Act must be peer reviewed, and some standard for the science used in these decisions must be established. I was in Klamath Falls the day after the decision was made to cut off water to the farmers. I will never forget the anguish on the faces of the people I met with that day. Many were World War II veterans who received homesteads in this Basin after the war or their children, none of whom could believe that this action was being taken by a government ``of the people, for the people, and by the people.'' Our constituents deserve better from their Government. They will get it if this bill is enacted. There is an identical bill in the House that has bipartisan support, and 63 cosponsors. I urge my colleagues to join me in cosponsoring this reasonable bill to help restore sound science to agency decisionmaking.

Mr. SMITH

Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, today I rise to honor an Oregon veteran who has gone above and beyond the call of duty in service to her country and to her State. Blanche Osborn Bross was born on July 21, 1916, and has lived in Oregon since the age of 8. In 1943, Blanche heeded the call to duty by joining the Women's Air Force Service Pilots, WASP, an experimental program developed to compensate for the lack of men available for pilot training; when American men were critically needed for combat duty during World War II, important piloting jobs across the country were left vacant. WASPs like Blanche spent countless hours training to assume piloting jobs, deliver planes from factories to their domestic bases, tow targets for gunnery practice, and train cadet pilots. More than 25,000 women applied for the prestigious WASP program, and while 1,830 were chosen for training, a select 1,074 women graduated from the rigorous program. After graduating, Blanche became one of 17 women sent to Columbus, OH, to learn to fly four-engine aircraft. In Ohio, Blanche became a pilot of the legendary B-17 ``Flying Fortress,'' ferrying the enormous aircraft between bases. Fortunately, at 5 feet, 8 inches tall, Blanche was just tall enough to reach the rudder pedals. After her first assignment in Ohio, Blanche was sent to Fort Myers, FL, to assist in gunnery training. As a pilot, she took gunners up in the air where they fired at targets towed by a B-25. Many of the gunners had been in male-dominated combat and were shocked to greet women pilots in the cockpit. One soldier even exclaimed, ``I have to write home about this!'' After spending close to a year at Fort Myers, Blanche and three other WASPs were transferred to the Las Vegas gunnery school where they were used in the engineering squadron to test repaired aircraft. The program generated significant publicity during the war, and Blanche was featured in a famous picture of female pilots walking off of the ``Pistol Packin' Mama,'' a B-17 bomber. The photograph has since been used in advertisements for clothing lines, fashion magazines, and historical chronicles. Blanche lived to fly, and is quick to point out she always felt accepted by the men in the military. On December 20, 1944, however, a bill sent before Congress that would have allowed women to enter the Air Force did not pass, and the WASP program was dismantled. After being deactivated from the WASPs, Blanche joined the American Red Cross and was sent to Kunming, China where, although she did not fly planes, she was heavily involved in operating clubs for service members stationed overseas. Following her tour in China, Blanche returned to the U.S. to begin a family. In 1957, she married William H. Bross with whom she had a son, Charles. Together, they moved to Portland, OR, where she developed a seaplane flying base. Later in life, Blanche received a commercial pilot license and flew construction crews to work sites. For many years, one distinct honor alluded Blanche and the other female pilots. The WASPs had retained their civilian status while flying aircraft in World War II, and therefore, were not considered ``veterans'' after the war. At long last in 1977, Blanche and other female pilots were finally recognized for their invaluable service to their country when the WASPs were finally designated as veterans. Today, Blanche resides with her husband in Bend, OR, where she plays golf on a regular basis, and continues to enjoy the outdoors. When asked what one thing she would want others to know about her, she replied simply, ``I want people to know I'm proud to be an Oregonian and proud to have served this country.'' For her selfless service to others, and to the United States in times of war, I salute Blanche Osborn Bross as an Oregon Veteran Hero.

Mr. SMITH

Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, I wish to speak about the need for hate crimes legislation. On May 1, 2003, Senator Kennedy and I introduced the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act, a bill that would add new categories to current hate crimes law, sending a signal that violence of any kind is unacceptable in our society. On November 11, 2003, a religious fundamentalist was arrested as a suspect in an alleged plot to bomb abortion clinics and gay bars throughout the eastern United States. On the day of his arrest, the suspect had purchased gasoline cans, flares, propane tanks and starter fluids, in addition to pistols and silencers. Thankfully, the suspect was arrested before he was able to commit multiple crimes of hate. I believe that Government's first duty is to defend its citizens, to defend them against the harms that come out of hate. The Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act is a symbol that can become substance. I believe that by passing this legislation and changing current law, we can change hearts and minds as well.

Mr. SMITH

Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, I rise today to acknowledge the passing of Joseph W. McCracken on October 26, 2003. For over 4 decades, Mr. McCracken represented the forest products industry in Oregon and other western States, as the Executive Vice President of Westen Forest Industries Association. Mr. McCracken represented a sector of the industry that I hold in particularly high esteem--a sector comprised of small, family-owned sawmills and plywood plants. These are the mills that traditionally depended on our Federal forest lands for their supply of timber. These are the mills that are located in small rural communities where they provide the backbone of the local economy. During his years of service to his industry, Joe McCracken was a fixture in his town and served as an advisor and mentor to many of our predecessors in this body. Warren Magnusen, Scoop Jackson, Mark Hatfield, Bob Packwood, Frank Church, Jim McClure, Jim Melcher, and other stalwarts of our western Senate delegation looked to Joe for counsel and advice on public land issues affecting his constituents. He represented them with a passion and commitment that was exemplary. Joe McCracken was a visionary and was responsible for creating and influencing countless pieces of legislation and regulations that benefitted his industry, the people that work in it and the communities that depend on it. The Small Business Set Aside Program, as just one example, assured small, family-owned mills a fair share of the Federal timber sold from our national forests and lands manager by the Bureau of Land Management. Joe McCracken was a pioneer in crafting the policies and regulations affecting the Oregon and California Railroad lands in western Oregon, today known as the ``O & C'' lands. He did this both as a professional staff person for the Department of the Interior and as an advocate for his trade association. Under Joe McCracken's representation, the small, family-owned mills throughout the west prospered. Many of them are under second and even third generation management. Unfortunately, many of them no longer exist. After Joe's retirement in the early 90s, a sea change in Federal policies regulating the management of public forests unfolded to the point that very little timber is being provided from these forest lands and many of the mills have closed. Unfortunately, these were the mills Mr. McCracken fought so hard to preserve. Those that have survived owe their existence largely to Joe McCracken. Joe was born in Butte, MT in 1925. He served his country as a lieutenant in the United States Marines. He attended Princeton University where he earned a masters degree in political science. He had a distinguished career with the Department of Interior, and specifically, the Bureau of Land Management prior to taking the leadership position with the Western Forest Industries Association. Joe McCracken was a unique individual who left a profound imprint on the growth and evolution of public forest policy and the industry that is so closely dependent on public forest lands. His contributions to this body in assisting us in the thoughtful debate and deliberation of these important matters are worthy of our formal recognition. I extend my heartfelt sympathy to Joe McCracken's wife Janet and his two children, Jon and Tamsen.

Mr. SMITH

Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, I rise today to speak about the need for hate crimes legislation. On May 1, 2003, Senator Kennedy and I introduced the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act, a bill that would add new categories to current hate crimes law, sending a signal that violence of any kind is unacceptable in our society. On Saturday, October 25, 2003, an off-duty officer in Austin, TX, was attacked in an apparent anti-gay hate crime. The victim, his partner, and a friend were at a stop sign in a vehicle with a rainbow sticker on the license plate. Two pedestrians in the crosswalk blocked the vehicle while six to eight other men approached and began pounding the car. Witnesses say one man struck the victim in the face and pulled him from the passenger seat while yelling, ``faggot.'' The officer fell to the ground, and the attackers picked him up only to beat him again. He suffered broken teeth and puncture wounds on his lower lip. I believe that Government's first duty is to defend its citizens, to defend them against the harms that come out of hate. The Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act is a symbol that can become substance. I believe that by passing this legislation and changing current law, we can change hearts and minds as well.

Mr. SMITH

Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, I rise today to salute a trio of Oregon Health Care Heroes. Three agencies, El Programa Hispano, the Desarrollo Integral de la Familia, and the Oregon Council for Hispanic Advancement, are working together to provide much needed mental health services to Oregon's growing Latino community. Their combined effort is helping clients improve relationships, find a listening ear and access the services they need to live healthier lives. Funded by a grant from Multnomah County, the agencies work with Latino families and individual clients facing a variety of challenges: from depression and anxiety to post-traumatic stress and domestic abuse. Part of the success of this project is that counselor and client share language and culture. Before these agencies began serving clients, finding a counselor who speaks Spanish or understands Mexican and Latin American cultures was next to impossible. In a recent profile published by the Portland Oregonian, counselor Marcos T. Sanchez discussed the importance of sharing language and culture with clients. It makes such a big difference when you come in and the receptionist can speak to you in Spanish. People walking by can say, ``Have you been helped?'' When you go to the clinic, you're already feeling alienated. But if you don't have to risk as much to get these services, you are much better off. The project is also successful because it networks within the Latino community and employs nontraditional methods to help clients. Therapists conduct home visits to work with whole families and to better understand the needs of individual clients. This individualized approach to care, combined with culturally sensitive services, will ensure that quality care reaches those who need it most. As the service expands, it will serve as a national model for bringing together the best in community care and mental health services. Through the vision of the Latino Network and the resources of Multnomah County, these agencies are reaching people in need. They connect with people and care for clients in a unique way that is making a real difference in the lives of Latino Oregonians. I thank El Programa Hispano, the Oregon Council for Hispanic Advancement and the Desarrollo Integral de la Familia for their excellent work. They are heroes to the people they serve and to all Oregonians.

Mr. SMITH

Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to speak for 5 minutes.

Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to proceed to the immediate consideration of S. 1839, to provide additional Federal benefits for the unemployed.

Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, for the information of my colleagues, Senator Clinton and I are going to speak briefly and make a unanimous consent request with which I think he would agree. Having listened to my colleague from Minnesota, I think many of us come to this historic day on this vote on Medicare with some trepidation but, frankly, with a lot of hope. Everyone knows that Medicare, as it is currently constituted, does many good things for our senior citizens. We also know they need a prescription drug benefit. And we also know we are just about to add $400 billion for that purpose. There are reforms in this we hope will work, but reforms which will make us enlightened as to how best to preserve Medicare in the future. I believe that is the bipartisan motive behind all of this. Unanimous Consent Request--S. 1839

Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, I sought recognition to talk about our economy and, frankly, the need to extend unemployment benefits. It is a fact that long-term unemployment reached a 20-year high and the job outlook for the future, though improving, still leaves an awful lot of people wanting and unemployed as this holiday season approaches. For example, in my State of Oregon, we are down from 8 percent now to 7.6 percent. This is simply too high. Despite this economic reality, the Federal program that provides Federal unemployment benefits is set to run out next month unless we provide an extension. We have extended these benefits several times since it was created in March 2002. I believe we need to do so again. Millions of unemployed workers have reached the end of their benefits without finding work, and thousands more continue to run out of their State unemployment benefits at the highest rate on record. My concern is that Congress is going to recess and go home without providing the assistance jobless Americans need and deserve. This month, Senator Clinton and I introduced the Temporary Extended Unemployment Compensation Program for an additional 6 months of unemployment benefits. She and I have introduced this bill because the current unemployment insurance program will run out in June, unless we do this. It would then run out in June and phase out by September 30. This is a modest extension for Congress to pass, but it is vital to many unemployed Americans, particularly those who have lost not only their jobs but their homes, health care, and more. We simply cannot leave families out on a limb while they are looking for jobs. This is a bill that will help them provide for their basic needs while making their job searches a little easier. I urge my colleagues not to leave Washington for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays without passing legislation to lend a helping hand to those Americans most in need. Before I propound a unanimous consent request, I yield time to my colleague, Senator Clinton of New York, for her comments, and then would make my request.

Mr. SMITH

Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, I rise today to speak about the need for hate crimes legislation. On May 1, 2003, Senator Kennedy and I introduced the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act, a bill that would add new categories to current hate crimes law, sending a signal that violence of any kind is unacceptable in our society. I would like to describe a terrible crime that occurred in Naples, FL. In May of 2003, a 17-year-old reportedly drove around the parking lot of a downtown bar, yelling homosexual epithets while attempting to run one man down and to attack another. Michael R. Schmaeling was later arrested and charged with two counts of aggravated assault and one count of evidencing prejudice during an offense. I believe that Government's first duty is to defend its citizens, to defend them against the harms that come out of hate. The Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act is a symbol that can become substance. I believe that by passing this legislation and changing current law, we can change hearts and minds as well.