Jon Tester

Mr. TESTER

Mr. TESTER. And that the filing deadline for all second-degree amendments to the joint resolution be 10:30 a.m. tomorrow.

Mr. TESTER

Mr. TESTER. I ask unanimous consent that all time be yielded back.

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 Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. TESTER. I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. TESTER

Mr. TESTER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to speak as in morning business.

Mr. TESTER. Mr. President, I rise today to speak about the need to invest in research to fight pancreatic cancer. Just six percent of Americans diagnosed with pancreatic cancer live more than 5 years--6 percent. Sixty-five percent of folks with colon cancer survive that long; 90 percent live 5 years with breast cancer and nearly every man diagnosed with prostate cancer is still living after half a decade. Why is pancreatic cancer a different story? It is because we do not have a reliable way to detect this deadly disease in its earliest stages. As a result, nearly 40,000 Americans will die from pancreatic cancer in 2013. But despite being a leading cause of cancer death, pancreatic cancer receives far less support--and far fewer research dollars--than other forms of cancer. This must change because support for cancer research saves lives. Supporting pancreatic cancer research will lead to breakthroughs in treatment. It will lead to needed advances in early detection. And it will show the American people that we are serious about saving the lives of their closest family and friends. For Leigh Enselman, it will make it clear that we are standing with her and her mother. Leigh lives in Bozeman, MT while her mother, who suffers with pancreatic cancer, lives in Seattle. Leigh works hard to support her mom during chemotherapy and radiation treatments. She also volunteers her time to support pancreatic cancer patients and raise awareness about the disease. But Leigh worries what is in store for her and her mom. She prays every day that her mom will be among the 6 percent of pancreatic cancer patients who survive. Myra and Ed Pottratz from Great Falls, MT know what Leigh and her mom are going through. Together, they are fighting Ed's cancer. Ed recently had surgery, but the tumor spread to his liver. He now faces painful chemotherapy treatments, something far too many cancer patients experience. Supporting pancreatic cancer research will also honor the life of Lanny Duffy of Darby, MT. Lanny and his wife Deborah were not born and raised in Montana. They came west from Chicago so in retirement Lanny could be closer to his beloved fly fishing. But Lanny was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and he only got to enjoy the State he loved for a year before the disease took his life. Congress took a big step forward last year to support folks such as Leigh, Ed and Lanny. We passed the Recalcitrant Cancer Research Act. This bill--supported by a bipartisan majority--increased research into pancreatic cancer. It gave the National Cancer Institute the tools it needs to tackle this lethal disease. But the sequester is taking back our promise. The sequester cut funding to the National Institutes of Health--which does most of our country's research into this form of cancer--by 5 percent. That 5 percent cut eliminated 250 million dollars-worth of funding for cancer research. Talk about sending mixed messages. One moment, we are telling Leigh and her mom that we're fighting cancer with them. The next moment, we are telling them they are on their own. Just last week, the Senate Appropriations Committee restored the funding that was cut by sequestration so NIH could beat pancreatic cancer. This is my first year as a member of the subcommittee that funds the NIH. It has been an honor to work with Chairman Harkin to ensure that the NIH and medical research all over the country is well funded by this bill. But this measure--which I wholeheartedly support--has a long way to go before becoming law. We need to rein in our spending. We need to get our budget in order. But we cannot hurt our neighbors in the process. We owe that to people like Leigh, and Ed and Deborah. For their sake, we need to find a responsible solution to our budget problems. Folks around the country are skeptical right now in Congress' ability to make smart, responsible decisions. And cutting funding to fight deadly diseases like pancreatic cancer only adds to their frustration. That is because they know it will slow down the progress we have made toward detecting pancreatic cancer early on and saving lives. This disease touches me and my office personally. Two members of my office have lost relatives to pancreatic cancer. Chances are I am not alone in this regard. Chances are each of my Senate colleagues knows a Leigh, an Ed, or a Deborah. In support of those we know, those we've met, and those we love, I urge my colleagues to support increased research into pancreatic cancer, to support the Appropriations Committee's recent NIH budget plan, and to stand for smart and responsible measures to balance our budget. Government Surveillance I also want to talk about the need to protect our civil liberties and our Constitutional rights. When I joined the Senate in 2007, I was a bit of an outlier. But I am not referring to my status as the only working farmer in the Senate or to my haircut. I am referring to my opposition to the Patriot Act. Montanans elected me to the U.S. Senate after I made it clear that I didn't just want to fix the Patriot Act, I wanted to repeal it. I still do. But recent events have focused many of us in the Senate on my concerns with the Patriot Act and some parts of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act or FISA. A recent national survey reveals Americans are shifting in favor of reining in government surveillance programs. In fact, since 2010, nearly twice as many Americans say government spying is going too far and restricting our civil liberties. Folks like me are now mainstream. Support for repeal--or at least changes--to the Patriot Act is up among both Democrats and Republicans. As a result, more Members of Congress are expressing their concerns about the extent of the government's spying programs, and the Nation is finally talking about how to fundamentally balance our civil liberties with our national security. Of course, the recent NSA scandal is at the heart of Washington's newfound interest in standing up for our civil liberties. And lawmakers should be outraged, because the secret collection of our phone and internet records is a perfect example for what happens when government ignores our Constitutional rights. We didn't need Edward Snowden to tell us the Federal Government is circumventing our Constitutional rights. Whatever one thinks of Edward Snowden--and I think what he did was wrong and hurt our country--the reality is that he was not blowing the whistle on illegal activities. He disclosed information about programs that were perfectly legal. And that is the problem. The NSA is using bad laws to undertake massive data collection on American citizens. Just over 2 years ago--here on the Senate floor--I said the Patriot Act is compromising the very liberties and rights that make our Nation great and respected around the world. At that time I said the Patriot Act gives our government full authority to dig through our private records and tap our phones-- without even having to get a judge's warrant. It did not take rocket science to figure it out, it is in the law. And now it is time to have a full, open debate about the Patriot Act and the FISA amendments. The Patriot Act is an invasion of privacy. The FISA Amendments Act is no better. Both are an affront to our freedoms, and--to me--they raise constitutional questions. I am not a lawyer, so I do not know if they are unconstitutional. But I can tell you that they do not represent the values and the privacy rights of law-abiding Americans. That is why I have voted to repeal it. And it is why I voted against extending the FISA Act in December. But we can not go back in time. We can only move forward and take action now to better balance our civil liberties with our national security. To get our intelligence policy back on track in a way that is true to our values, here is what we need to do: First, we have to fix our laws. We need to do more than just put the government's spying programs under the microscope and we need to rein them in. That is why I am also supporting a bill that makes it harder for the government to obtain phone call records and forces Federal officials to prove that sought-after records can be linked to a foreign terrorist or group. The Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee wrote this bill. I certainly would not call the senior Senator from Vermont an outlier. We must have increased transparency and accountability about how these programs are being implemented and why they are being run the way they are. That is why I joined with one-quarter of the Senate to call on the Director of National Intelligence to justify the collection of Americans' phone and personal information. It has been 3 weeks, and we have not gotten a response yet. We need answers, and they need to be truthful. That is also why a bipartisan group of Senators has once again introduced legislation to declassify important Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court opinions. Americans deserve to know what legal arguments the government is using to spy on them, and this bill will do just that. We need a functioning Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board. The Privacy and Civil Liberties Board is charged with making sure national security measures do not violate the rights of law-abiding Americans. For years, seats on the panel sat empty. But soon after I called on the panel to investigate the NSA, board members found themselves at the White House meeting with the President. That is a good thing. And they need to continue to have the access and the ear of the President to do their job effectively on behalf of the American people. It is a new day. Times are changing. The American people are taking a hard look at what Federal officials are doing in the name of national security, and what it means for them and their families. The question is whether this body will live up to the American people's new expectations. After the attacks of September 11, Congress approved the PATRIOT Act and our Nation went to war. We stamped out Al Qaeda cells and put terror on its heels around the world. Then and now, our military and intelligence communities performed bravely. They are better trained, stronger, smarter, and more effective than any other force on the planet. I thank them for their service. From top to bottom, I thank each and every one of them for doing their difficult jobs each and every day. Congress did not give our intelligence community a blank check to walk all over the constitutional rights of law-abiding Americans and Montanans. I am confident American citizens can be kept safe without snooping around in our private lives. Americans and Montanans are concerned about the government right now. They have seen the recent news about the government missteps, overreach and scandals and wonder where Washington's priorities lie. They wonder whether anyone is looking down the road to see where this country is going. Every measure I have outlined today will help restore the balance between national security and privacy, and every one of them has strong bipartisan support. I will keep working with Democrats, Republicans, Independents, and anyone else to defend our civil liberties and for the ideals of our Founding Fathers. Freedom, privacy, and a government controlled by the people are the principles on which our forefathers founded our Nation, and they are the principles that led Montanans to send me to Washington and represent them. Our constitutional rights are what make us the greatest country in the world, and we cannot let them be taken away one new law at a time. Pancreatic Cancer

Mr. TESTER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. TESTER

Mr. TESTER. Madam President, today I wish to honor the life and legacy of Gordon Belcourt, the executive director of the Montana- Wyoming Tribal Leaders Council. Gordon passed away on July 15 in Billings, MT. Gordon was a tremendous leader and advocate for Indian Country. A trusted and experienced voice, Gordon could always be counted on to use common sense to get to the heart of the issue and find a solution. He leaves big shoes to fill, and he will be missed by all Montanans. Sharla's and my heart goes out to all of Gordon's friends and family who are mourning his loss. Gordon grew up on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation and graduated from Browning High School. He attended the University of Santa Clara in California, where he participated in the ROTC Program, before becoming a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. He earned a master's degree in public health from the University of California at Berkeley and returned to the Big Sky State to attend law school at the University of Montana. He also served as president of the Blackfeet Community College. Gordon, who was honored by the State of California and the University of California Berkeley as a Public Health Hero, received an honorary doctorate from the University of Montana for his work to improve Native American health. Gordon built the Montana-Wyoming Tribal Leaders Council from the ground up, serving as executive director beginning in 1998. He gave the council a powerful voice--both throughout the region and across the Nation. He worked tirelessly to improve life in Indian Country through infrastructure projects, the permanent reauthorization of the Indian Healthcare Improvement Act, and the creation of the Tribal Law and Order Act. He also created the regional Tribal Institutional Review Board for the protection of the rights of Native Americans. Gordon was a courageous leader on issues of alcoholism and suicide in Indian Country. Due to Gordon's leadership, the Tribal Leaders Council received $5 million in 2009 to combat alcohol abuse among American Indians. His extensive knowledge of the issues facing the community and his commitment to doing what was right made him an outstanding advocate for Native Americans. As we bid farewell to Gordon, we recognize that he was a true warrior for Indian Country. His given Blackfeet name, Mixed Iron Boy, was in remembrance of the combat his uncle endured in World War II, and it will serve as a reminder to all of us of Gordon's remarkable strength, unwavering courage, enduring compassion, boundless vitality, and lasting legacy. Our thoughts and prayers are with Gordon's widow, Cheryl, and all of his family and many friends.

Mr. TESTER

Mr. TESTER. I yield to the Senator.

Mr. TESTER. Mr. President, I thank my friend from Ohio. I just want to say this: I am not going to speak a lot about the amendment. I think Senator Portman has laid it out very well. I just want to say that we have immigration problems in this country that need to be fixed, and they have needed to be fixed for some time. I think the Gang of 8 has done a great job coming forth with a good- faith effort, with a good bill that heads us in that direction. I think this amendment makes a good bill even a better bill. I thank Senator Portman for his work in a bipartisan way to put forth an amendment that makes the bill better, that makes the bill work better. I will tell you, at some point in time there will be a unanimous consent request offered on this amendment to get a vote on it, and I will hope that both sides agree that we can get a vote on this amendment. I will tell you why. It makes the bill better, and it will pass. That is what we are here to do. So I thank my friend from Ohio, and I will encourage, as he did, both sides to come together to make a good bill an even better bill so we can pass it through Congress and get it to the President's desk. Thank you, Mr. President.

Mr. TESTER. I thank the Senator. I want to get back to the amendment for a second here since it was objected to. We wonder why we have a single-digit approval rating in Congress. The people out here that I represent aren't Democrats first, they are not Republicans first, they are Americans first. This amendment was objected to by somebody who actually agrees with the amendment. If you are home watching this on TV, you are saying what is going on in Washington, DC? We have an amendment that people agree is going to make this bill better, but yet it is objected to. Why? Is it because there will be one or two more votes for this bill in the end? Is that why? If it is, that is not a good reason. Look, we all live in this country. We all want this country to work. We all want it to continue to be a leader in the world. This amendment makes a good bill better. I want to kick it to the Senator from Ohio for his closing comments on this amendment.

Mr. TESTER. Mr. President, I wish to talk a little bit about amendment No. 1634 very quickly. The good Senator from Ohio has talked about it and explained it very well, but I wish to talk about a few things. This amendment substantially improves privacy protections in the E- Verify Program. That is a good thing. It ensures no Federal database will be created using the Photo tool or other data from a State DMV database. That is a good thing. It ensures no other Federal Government agency can access information made available under E-Verify. That is a good thing. It increases privacy protections using established techniques, such as requiring an individual to be notified when their Social Security number is used for purposes of employment verification in a manner that is potentially fraudulent. That is a good thing. It requires new regular reporting of suspected fraudulent use of the E-Verify process. This is a good amendment. It will make a good bill better. For that reason I ask unanimous consent that amendment No. 1634 be in order for the purpose of a vote on the Senate floor.

Mr. TESTER

Mr. TESTER. Mr. President, this amendment will include the tribal representatives on the DHS Border Task Force. In this country within 100 miles of the border we have 13 Indian reservations, some of them right on the border. If we are going to make sure the borders are secure in the north and the south, Indians need to be a part of the conversation, our Native American friends. They have a unique government-to-government status. As I said before, their input is critically important. This amendment would not be costing anything, has bipartisan support, and it will add tribal representatives--two on the north and two on the southern region--to the Department of Homeland Security Border Task Force. I encourage a ``yea'' vote on this amendment.

Mr. TESTER

Mr. TESTER. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that I be recognized to speak for up to 5 minutes in order to call up my amendment, that Senator Vitter then be recognized for up to 8 minutes in order to call up his amendment, and then Senator Hirono be recognized to speak for up to 20 minutes.

Mr. TESTER. Madam President, I call up amendment No. 1198.

Mr. TESTER. Madam President, I am proud to be joined by Senators Murkowski, Crapo, and Murray in offering this bipartisan amendment. Border security is one of the most important aspects of this bill, and on both sides of the border, especially the northern border, the only way to secure the border is to involve State, local, and tribal law enforcement in that effort. Native-American lands and people are a vital but, unfortunately, an often overlooked part of our border security plan. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Right now, drug smuggling and trafficking in persons is happening on Indian reservations on our border, moving virtually unnoticed into America. The problem, as the GAO told me in a recent report on this very topic, is a lack of communication and coordination between tribal and U.S. border officials. This amendment adds four tribal voices to the Department of Homeland Security Task Force, two from the northern border region and two from the southern border region. As drafted, this task force included border security experts from various government entities and is responsible for solving problems related to border security. But somehow the tribal perspective was left out. Yet in Montana, the Blackfeet Reservation is bigger than the entire State of Delaware and it directly borders Canada for 50 miles. The Fort Peck Reservation sits less than 30 miles from the Canadian border. This amendment will increase communication and improve coordination between the Federal and tribal governments that it relies on to secure these borders. Adding a tribal representative to that task force is the right thing to do and it is just plain common sense. I urge my colleagues to support it, and I yield the floor.

Mr. TESTER

Mr. TESTER. Mr. President. On June 16th, a group of World War II veterans from Montana will be visiting our Nation's Capital. With a great deal of honor and respect, I extend a hearty Montana welcome to each and every one of them. Together, they will visit the World War II Memorial and share stories about their service. This journey will no doubt bring about a lot of memories. I hope it will give them a deep sense of pride as well. What they achieved together almost 70 years ago was remarkable. That memorial is a testament to the fact that a grateful nation will never forget what they did or what they sacrificed. To us, they were our greatest generation. They left the comforts of their family and their communities to confront evil from Iwo Jima to Bastogne. Together, they won the war in the Pacific by defeating an empire and liberated a continent by destroying Hitler and the Nazis. To them, they were simply doing their jobs. They enlisted in unprecedented numbers to defend our freedoms and our values. They represented the very best of us and made us proud. From a young age, I remember playing the bugle at the memorial services of veterans of the first two World Wars. It instilled in me a profound sense of respect that I will never forget. Honoring the service of every generation of American veterans is a Montana value. I deeply appreciate the work of the Big Sky Honor Flight, the nonprofit organization that made this trip possible. To the World War II veterans making the trip, I salute you. We will always be grateful, and we will never forget your service or your sacrifice.

Mr. TESTER

Mr. TESTER. Mr. President, today I wish to honor David McCullen, a veteran of the war in Vietnam. David, on behalf of all Montanans and all Americans, I stand to say thank you for your service to this Nation. It is my honor to share the story of David's service because no story of heroism should ever go unrecognized. David was born in Miles City, MT, in February of 1949. Soon after, his family moved to California, where he attended Asuza High School near Los Angeles. While in high school, David was a wrestler, lettering in the sport his senior year. After graduating from high school, David joined the famed 101st Airborne Division--known as the Screaming Eagles--and began training at Fort Ord. David then attended advanced individual training at Fort Gordon and jump school at Fort Benning--both in Georgia. On May 8, 1969, David left for Vietnam. Just 2 days later, David's regiment was assigned to Operation Apache Snow and took part in the mission that became known as the Battle of Hamburger Hill. This hard- fought offensive became the basis for several movies and books about the Vietnam war. For over a week, American forces attempted to take Hill 937. Seventy-two American soldiers were killed in the battle, and more than 300 were wounded. For its heroism, David's battalion was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation. After a 2-year tour in the military, David returned to California, living there and in Iowa for many years. David moved back home to Miles City in 2000. Today, in our presence, it is my honor to present David with his Presidential Unit Citation; Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm Device and Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal Unit Citation, First Class. These decorations are small tokens, but they are powerful symbols of true heroism, sacrifice, and dedication to service. These medals are presented on behalf of a grateful nation.

Mr. TESTER

Mr. TESTER. Mr. President, today I wish to honor William Lee Rich, a career Navy man. Bill, on behalf of all Montanans and all Americans, I stand to say thank you for your service to this Nation. It is my honor to share the story of Bill Rich's service in the U.S. Navy, because no story of heroism should ever fall through the cracks. Bill was born in Jamestown, NY, in 1947. After moving around the country with his family, he graduated from Spring Valley High School in New York and enlisted with the U.S. Navy in Poughkeepsie in 1966. Bill trained with the Seabees in Davisville, RI, before transferring to Mobile Construction Battalion 121 at Seabee Headquarters in Gulfport, MS. From there he was deployed to Phu Bai with MCB 121, just south of Hue City in Vietnam. While in Vietnam, Bill's unit was responsible for transporting South Vietnamese refugees out of Hue. In February 1968, his unit saw heavy action during the Tet Counter Offensive. They were responsible for transporting a group of South Vietnamese out of Hue to the refuge center at Phu Bai. It was for their time in Hue that the MCB 121 received the Presidential Unit Citation. Bill also earned his Combat Action Ribbon. Bill's deployment ended after 9 months, and his unit returned to Gulfport, MS before going back to Vietnam, this time to Camp Eagle in the Gia Lai Province. During his 8 months at Camp Eagle, Bill worked on various construction and electrical projects, both around the camp and in Hue. He also worked with the American-Vietnamese Civic Action Program to help construct engineering projects in the region. After his two tours in Vietnam, Bill transferred to Naval Reserve Construction Battalion 19 for 4 years before returning to Active Duty. Back with the Seabees, Bill was assigned to Italy and New Zealand before spending a year in Antarctica as part of Operation Deep Freeze. He was then assigned to Harold E. Holt station in Australia where he married his wife, Debby, a Helena native. From Australia, Bill went to Winter Harbor, ME, and then to MCB 74 in Gulfport. He deployed from Gulfport to Japan and Puerto Rico. From battalion he went to Manama, Bahrain, in the Persian Gulf as a contract inspector. From Bahrain, Bill went to the Naval Headquarters in London, England, for 4 years where his daughter Mariah was born. Bill's last assignment was part of a five-man Active-Duty staff for Reserve Construction Battalion 13 at Camp Smith, Peekskill, NY. Before he retired, Bill received both the New York State Conspicuous Service Cross and the Long and Faithful Service Medal. Upon his retirement, he received both the Navy and Army Achievement Medals. Bill retired with the rank of E-6, construction electrician first class. Bill transferred to Fleet Reserve and retired after a 30-year naval career. Petty Officer Bill Rich moved to Helena to start his new life with his wife and daughter. He currently works for the State of Montana Department of Military Affairs here at Fort Harrison as an electrician. After his service, Bill never received all of the medals he earned from the Navy. Earlier this month, in the presence of his friends and family, it was my honor to finally present to Bill his Vietnam Campaign Medal with 1960 Device, Navy Expert Rifle Medal with Three Bronze Stars, Navy Expert Pistol Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, and his Navy & Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon with One Silver and Four Bronze Stars. It was also my honor to present the Antarctica Service Medal with Bronze Clasp, the Vietnam Service Medal with One Silver and Two Bronze Stars, the Navy Good Conduct Medal with Four Bronze Stars, the Naval Reserve Meritorious Service Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal with One Bronze Star. Earlier this month I also presented to Bill the Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon with one Bronze Star, and the Meritorious Unit Commendation with One Bronze Star. These decorations are small tokens, but they are powerful symbols of true heroism, sacrifice, and dedication to service. These medals are presented on behalf of a grateful nation.

Mr. TESTER

Mr. TESTER. Mr. President, today I wish to honor PO1 Michael Merrill, a sailor who fought in Vietnam. Michael grew up in Outlook, MT, and went to Butte in 1961 to enlist in the U.S. Navy. He was sent to Millington, TN, for training at the Naval Support Activity Mid-South base. In Tennessee, he met his future bride, Barbara, whom he married in 1964. Barbara said she always wanted to be in the service, and for her, helping take care of Michael was her way of contributing to our country. Michael traveled back and forth between San Diego and Millington until 1969 when he received orders to deploy to the aircraft carrier USS Shangri-La as a jet mechanic. The Shangri-La was posted in the South China Sea during the Vietnam War. For his service during the war, Michael earned the Vietnam Service Medal with four Bronze Service Stars. After Vietnam, Michael and Barbara headed back to Miramar Naval Air Station before a tour on the USS Midway in Japan. Michael's last posting was to Whidbey Island in Washington where he worked with a helicopter squadron. In 1981, after 20 years in the Navy, Michael retired and moved home. In Billings, he worked various jobs, including working at a tire supply company. Michael passed away in 2009, but it was my honor to present the honors he earned to his widow Barbara. On behalf of a grateful nation, I presented PO1 Michael Merrill's Navy Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Vietnam Service Medal with four Bronze Service Stars. I also had the honor of presenting to Michael's widow Barbara, the Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon, the Navy ``E'' Ribbon, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal with the 1960 device. These decorations are small tokens, but they are powerful symbols of true heroism. Sacrifice. And dedication to service. They are presented on behalf of a nation that will never forget Michael Merrill's heroism.

Mr. TESTER

Mr. TESTER. Mr. President, today I wish to honor CPL George Ames, a hero from the Korean War. George was born in Pennsylvania and at age 16, he talked his mother into signing a form so he could enlist in the Army Cavalry. In 1951, George was deployed to Korea where he fought for 2 years. He was wounded three times and eventually was flown to a military hospital in Japan. George did not talk much about his time in Korea but did show his daughter a flag he had made when he was in the hospital in Japan. The flag had a map on it which showed all of the places in Korea where he had fought. When he returned home, George spent 16 years as a military police officer in El Paso, TX. In 1971, he moved to Montana and served as the sheriff of Sweet Grass County in Big Timber for 20 years. George was one of the first sheriffs in Montana to bring the Drug Abuse Resistance Education--DARE--program to his county schools. He also was one of the first sheriffs to bring the FBI's Child Find program to help schools put kids' fingerprints and pictures into a booklet for parents. George passed away in 2011, but it was my honor to present the honors he earned to his widow Clara and his granddaughter Meggin. On behalf of a grateful nation, I presented CPL George Ames' Army of Occupation Medal with Japan Clasp, National Defense Service Medal, and Korean Service Medal with three Bronze Service Stars. I also had the honor of presenting George's widow Clara and his granddaughter Meggin the Combat Infantryman Badge 1st Award and the United National Service Medal. These decorations are small tokens, but they are powerful symbols of true heroism, sacrifice, and dedication to service. They are presented on behalf of a nation that will never forget George Ames' heroism.

Mr. TESTER

Mr. TESTER. Mr. President, today I wish to honor TSgt Norman Leonard, a hero from World War II and the Korean War. Norman was born in 1925 in North Jackson, OH. In 1943, Norman enlisted in the Marine Corps. He served on the aircraft carrier USS Bunker Hill. During his 2 years in the South China Sea, Norman was involved in 11 major battles. Two days after he left the Bunker Hill, the carrier was hit by two kamikazes and over 400 servicemen were killed. Private First Class Leonard returned to the United States and joined the Air Force. He deployed to Germany where he served with the Allied Forces from 1948 until 1951. From Germany, Norman was Deployed to Taegu, Korea, from 1953 to 1954. In Korea, Staff Sergeant Leonard worked on the F86 fighter bombers. Twenty years after he enlisted in the Air Force, Norman retired. He went to Bible school and worked as a pastor in Nebraska, Colorado, and Minnesota. Norman and his wife moved to Billings 15 years ago to be close to their son and grandchildren. Earlier this month, it was my honor to present Norman his Korean War Service Medal and his Official Citation from the Republic of South Korea on the 50th Anniversary of the War. These decorations are small tokens, but they are powerful symbols of true heroism, sacrifice, and dedication to service. They are presented on behalf of a nation that will never forget Norman Leonard's heroism.

Mr. TESTER

Mr. TESTER. Mr. President, on May 19, 89 World War II veterans from Montana will be visiting our Nation's Capital. With a great deal of honor and respect, I extend a hearty Montana welcome to each and every one of them. Together, they will visit the World War II Memorial and share stories about their service. This journey will no doubt bring about a lot of memories. I hope it will give them a deep sense of pride as well. What they achieved together almost 70 years ago was remarkable. That memorial is a testament to the fact that a grateful nation will never forget what they did or what they sacrificed. To us, they were our greatest generation. They left the comforts of their family and their communities to confront evil from Iwo Jima to Bastogne. Together, they won the war in the Pacific by defeating an empire and liberated a continent by destroying Hitler and the Nazis. To them they were simply doing their jobs. They enlisted in unprecedented numbers to defend our freedoms and our values. They represented the very best of us and made us proud. From a young age I remember playing the bugle at the memorial services of veterans of the first two World Wars. It instilled in me a profound sense of respect that I will never forget. Honoring the service of every generation of American veterans is a Montana value. I deeply appreciate the work of the Big Sky Honor Flight, the nonprofit organization that made this trip possible. I say to the World War II veterans making the trip, I salute you. We will always be grateful, and we will never forget your service or your sacrifice.

Mr. TESTER

Mr. TESTER. Mr. President, today I wish to honor William Lee Rich, a career Navy man. Bill, on behalf of all Montanans and all Americans, I stand to say ``thank you'' for your service to this Nation. It is my honor to share the story of Bill Rich's service in the U.S. Navy, because no story of heroism should ever fall through the cracks. Bill was born in Jamestown, NY in 1947. After moving around the country with his family, he graduated from Spring Valley High School in New York and enlisted with the U.S. Navy in Poughkeepsie in 1966. Bill trained with the Seabees in Davisville, RI before transferring to Mobile Construction Battalion 21 at Seabee Headquarters in Gulfport, MS. From there he was deployed to Phu Bai with M-C-B 21, just south of Hue City in Vietnam. While in Vietnam, Bill's unit was responsible for transporting South Vietnamese refugees out of Hue. In February 1968, his unit saw heavy action during the Tet Counter Offensive. They were responsible for transporting a group of South Vietnamese out of Hue to the refuge center at Phu Bai. It was for their time in Hue that the M-C-B 21 received the Presidential Unit Citation. Bill also earned his Combat Action Ribbon. Bill's deployment ended after 9 months, and his unit returned to Gulfport, MS before going back to Vietnam, this time to Camp Eagle in the Gia Lai Province. During his 8 months at Camp Eagle, Bill worked on various construction and electrical projects, both around the camp and in Hue. He also worked with the American-Vietnamese Civic Action Program to help construct engineering projects in the region. After his two tours in Vietnam, Bill transferred to Naval Reserve Construction Battalion 19 for 4 years before returning to active duty. Back with the Seabees, Bill was assigned to Italy and New Zealand before spending a year in Antarctica as part of Operation Deep Freeze. He was then assigned to Harold E. Holt station in Australia where he married his wife, Debby, a Helena native. From Australia, Bill went to Winter Harbor, ME and then to M-C-B 74 in Gulfport. He deployed from Gulfport to Japan and Puerto Rico. From battalion he went to Manama, Bahrain in the Persian Gulf as a contract inspector. From Bahrain, Bill went to the Naval Headquarters in London, England for 4 years where his daughter Mariah was born. Bill's last assignment was part of a five-man active duty staff for Reserve Construction Battalion 13 at Camp Smith, Peekskill, NY. Before he retired, Bill received both the New York State Conspicuous Service Cross and the Long and Faithful Service Medal. Upon his retirement, he received both the Navy and Army Achievement Medals. Bill retired with the rank of E-6 Construction Electrician First Class. Bill transferred to Fleet Reserve and retired after a 30-year naval career. Petty Officer Bill Rich moved to Helena to start his new life with his wife and daughter. He currently works for the State of Montana Department of Military Affairs here at Fort Harrison as an electrician. After his service, Bill never received all of the medals he earned from the Navy. Earlier this month, in the presence of his friends and family, it was my honor to finally present to Bill his Vietnam Campaign Medal with 1960 Device, Navy Expert Rifle Medal with Three Bronze Stars, Navy Expert Pistol Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, and his Navy & Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon with One Silver and Four Bronze Stars. It was also my honor to present the Antarctica Service Medal with Bronze Clasp, the Vietnam Service Medal with One Silver and Two Bronze Stars, the Navy Good Conduct Medal with Four Bronze Stars, the Naval Reserve Meritorious Service Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal with One Bronze Star. Earlier this month I also presented to Bill: the Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon with one Bronze Star, and the Meritorious Unit Commendation with One Bronze Star These decorations are small tokens, but they are powerful symbols of true heroism. Sacrifice. And dedication to service. These medals are presented on behalf of a grateful nation.

Mr. TESTER

Mr. TESTER. Mike Mansfield served Montanans in Congress as a fair player who was focused on building consensus. He recognized the importance of fostering relationships between the United States and our friends across the Pacific. For 30 years, his vision for U.S.-Asia relations has continued through the work of the Mansfield Foundation. We are pleased to recognize the Foundation's 30th anniversary and to commend the Foundation for its continued efforts to build bridges of understanding with the region that Mike and Maureen Mansfield long recognized as the place ``where our future lies.''