A bill to amend the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to improve that Act, and for other purposes.

Mr. President, I rise today to express my profound gratitude and heartfelt best wishes to a dear friend and dedicated American, William B. Bonvillian, who has served as my legislative director and chief counsel since I first took office in the U.S. Senate in January 1989. It is truly a bittersweet occasion to bid farewell this week to an outstanding and valued staff member with whom I have worked for 17 years in this hallowed institution that we both dearly cherish and respect. I can only say that, as Bill embarks on his new venture as director of federal relations for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MIT, my loss is most surely MIT's gain.

Bill came to my Senate office as an accomplished and respected attorney who had previously served in the executive branch from 1977- 1980 as Deputy Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation, where he was involved in major legislation relating to transportation deregulation and funding issues. However, our long association actually goes back much further than that, to the early 1970s. Bill was my first intern when I was elected to the State Senate; we rode from New Haven to the State Capitol in Hartford

in my old copper-colored Pinto several times a week after his classes at Yale Divinity School. Later, I hired him for a summer position with our State Senate committee investigating State construction issues. After I was elected to my first term here in the U.S. Senate, I sought to rehire Bill, who was by then a partner at a national law firm working on corporate, real estate, transportation, and administrative law matters. I was beyond delighted when Bill agreed to leave his partnership to reenter public service.

Bill's record of service in the U.S. Senate has been one of enormous distinction. When I look back with pride on the many legislative initiatives I undertook with Bill's advice and assistance, I recall with great admiration his determination, tenacity, and passionate involvement in crafting legislation. He built a stellar reputation on both sides of the aisle for his skill in nurturing innovative ideas and negotiating and advancing measures through an often complex legislative process. Bill's intuitive skills and strong leadership abilities have helped result in the successful passage of many crucial policy initiatives for which I have fought. Bill has played a key role in formulating and enacting vitally important legislative policy in the areas of science and technology; economic growth; innovation, research, and development in the fields of defense, manufacturing, health, and bioterrorism protection programs; and ensuring America's global competitiveness.

In addition, Bill's extensive and tireless work has resulted in many other significant legislative victories in our years together, including those pertaining to environmental and wilderness protection; energy security; defense and foreign policy; health and social welfare; campaign finance reform; media safeguards for children; education; and transportation and our Nation's infrastructure. Bill also had a firm hand in the landmark law that led to the creation of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and new intelligence reform initiatives to ensure the protection of our citizens. His ability to forge a consensus on these and countless other complex issues is unequaled. Bill's influence has been felt throughout the halls of Congress, and he has left a great legacy here.

I would like to highlight key legislation, grouped by subject area, on which Bill and his legislative team have assisted me over the years. I note that many of these bills or parts of them have gone on to become laws:

Economic Growth--National Innovation Act, S. 2109 (2005); National Nanotechnology R&D Act, P.L. 108-153 (2003); R&D Doubling Act, S. 2046 (2000) and predecessor bill, S. 1305 (1997); Individual Development Accounts, S. 2023 (2000); Enterprise Zone Act, S. 1032 (1991)

Defense, Homeland Security, and Foreign Policy--Rebuild the Army (increasing Army end-strength), S. 1397 (2005); Intelligence Reform Act, P.L. 108-458 (2004); 9/11 Commission Act, P.L. 107-306; Homeland Security Department Authorization, S. 2452 (2002); Establishment of the Quadrennial Defense Review, S. Amdt. 4156 to S. 1745 (1996); Bosnia Intervention, S.J. Res. 44 (1995); Gulf War Resolution, H.R. 2100 (1991)

Environment, Conservation, and Energy Security--Vehicle and Fuel Choices for America Act, S. 2025 (2005); Climate Change Act, S. 1151 (2005) and prior climate bills dating back to 1991; Clean Air Act of 1990, S. 1630 (1990); Conte Connecticut River National Fish and Wildlife Refuge Act, S. 821 (1991); Weir Farm National Historic Site,

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on May 23, 2006, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing on ``Improving Financial Literacy in the United States.''

Mr. President. I ask unanimous consent that the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation be authorized to meet on Tuesday, May 23, 2006, at 10 a.m. on price gouging.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, May 23 at 10 a.m.

The purpose of this hearing is to receive testimony on the National Research Council Report, ``Managing Construction and Infrastructure in the 21st Century Bureau of Reclamation'' and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Report, ``Managing for Excellence: An Action Plan for the 21st Century.''

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Environment and Public Works be authorized to hold a Business Meeting on May 23, 2006 at 9:30 am to consider the following agenda:

S. 2735 To amend the National Dam Safety Program Act to reauthorize the national dam safety program, and for other purposes.

S. 2832 The Appalachian Regional Development Act Amendments of 2006.

S. 2430 Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act of 2006 with amendment.

S. 1509 Captive Primate Safety Act.

S. 2041 Ed Fountain Park Expansion Act.

S. 2127 To redesignate the Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge in the state of Virginia as the ``Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge''.

S. Res. 301 Commemorating Audubon Society's 100th Anniversary with amendment.

S. 2781 Wastewater Treatment Works Security Act of 2006.

S. 2650 To designate the Federal courthouse to be constructed in Greenville, South Carolina, as the ``Carroll A. Campbell, Jr. Federal Courthouse.''

S. 801 To designate the United States courthouse located at 300 North Hogan Street, Jacksonville, Florida, as the ``John Milton Bryan Simpson United States Courthouse.''

S.__ Great Lakes Coordination and Oversight Act of 2006.

S. 2023 To amend the oil pollution act of 1990 to improve that act, and for other purposes.

GSA Resolutions: To authorize the majority of the General Services Administration's FY 2007 Capital Investment and Leasing Program; To authorize seven new courthouse construction projects.

Army Corps Study Resolutions: Committee Resolution on Cedar River, Time Check Area, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Committee Resolution on Pawcatuck River, Little Narragansett Bay, and Watch Hill Cove, Rhode Island and Connecticut; Committee Resolution on Kansas River Basin, Kansas, Colorado, and Nebraska; and Committee Resolution on Port of San Francisco, San Francisco, California.

Nominations: Molly O'Neill to be an Assistant Administrator--EPA; Dr. Dale Klein to be a member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission; Dr. Gregory Jaczko to be a member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission; and Dr. Peter Lyons to-be a member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Finance be authorized to meet during the session on Tuesday, May 23, 2006, at 2:30 p.m., in 215 Dirksen Senate Office Building, to hear testimony on ``Encouraging Economic Self- Determination in Indian Country''.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Relations be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, May 23, 2006, at 2:15 p.m. to hold a business meeting.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Select Committee on Intelligence be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on May 23, 2006, at 2:30 p.m. to hold a closed mark-up.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Intellectual Property be authorized to meet to conduct a hearing on ``Perspectives on Patents: Post-Grant Review Procedures and Other Litigation Reforms'' on Tuesday, May 23, 2006, at 2 p.m. in room 226 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building.

Witness List: Panel I: Andrew Cadel, Managing Director, Associate General Counsel and Chief Intellectual Property Counsel, JP Morgan Chase, New York, NY; Philip S. Johnson, Chief Patent Counsel, Johnson & Johnson, Newbrunswick, NJ; Nathan P. Myhrvold, Chief Executive Officer, Intellectual Ventures, Bellevue, WA; John R. Thomas, Professor of Law, Georgetown University Law Center, Washington, DC; and Mark Chandler, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Cisco Systems, Inc., San Jose, CA.