To extend the designation of Liberia under section 244 of the Immigration and Nationality Act so that Liberians can continue to be eligible for temporary protected status under that section.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 3311, which was received from the House.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the amendment that is at the desk be agreed to, the bill, as amended, be read a third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any statements relating to the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, my colleague from Minnesota is here. I will yield to her if she wishes to proceed first.

Mr. President, I yield the floor.

Mr. President, my colleague from Minnesota has described the spirit of a people confronted with great tragedy. It was horrible to be there by that bridge and see those cars, some in the water, others that had burst on fire--a tractor trailer--to see a school bus on the precipice. I think it had dropped 20 feet. Had it gone a little further to the side, it would gone over the edge. Had it gone a little further forward, it would have been caught between crashing portions of steel and concrete. Had it gone another distance, it would have been in the water. Yet every one of those 60 kids walked away.

We saw tragedy. There are those who have lost their lives and suffered great pain, but we also saw miracles. We saw the reaction of a community that came together at every level--the first responders, the citizens who came together to jump in the water to try and help folks who were in situations that were hard to understand.

In addition to that, when Senator Klobuchar and I got there early in the morning, we sat in on a briefing with the Governor and the mayor and the first responders, the county commissioners, city council members--some Democrats, some Republicans. It didn't matter.

I sat there as a former mayor remembering what it was like on 9/11, remembering how unprepared we were on 9/11. And after 9/11, as a city, we tried to take stock and recognize that our first responders weren't tied into what was going on at hospitals, and various police and fire from different communities could not communicate. What we did is we went about the process of training and training and training, preparing and preparing and preparing, and it came together. I watched in the city of Minneapolis, and as a former mayor I took pride in the way the people responded.

I think the Nation saw it, I think the world saw it, and it made me proud to represent Minnesota.

I say that because I saw the same spirit in the Senate tonight. The people in Minneapolis have some great needs. My colleague in the House, Congressman Oberstar, put forth a plan that would provide authorization to rebuild the bridge. There was also provided some extra money on the table to deal with some very immediate needs.

I was there when the Secretary of Transportation made the pledge that ``we are going to be there to help,'' and we had some challenges then in moving that forward. There were some technical issues. But what I found along the way was my colleagues on both sides of the aisle simply said, how can we help? How can we get this done? The chairman of the Budget Committee a little while ago discovered there was one minor technical issue. He said, we are going to take care of this.

I got a call today from the director of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Administrator. I got a call yesterday from the head of the SBA. At the scene yesterday we had the head of the Transportation Safety Board. We had the Secretary of Transportation, the highway administrator. They were all there. Everyone had come together. And on the floor of the Senate I saw that tonight, that spirit, and I simply say thank you to my colleagues. On behalf of the people of Minnesota and the

people of Minneapolis, I say thank you for the support you have shown and the spirit in which you have come together.

At times, there is so much rancor in our Nation today--this partisan divide. It is so uplifting to be in this Chamber to see my colleagues on both sides of the aisle come together, and so I say thank you.

Let me end by asking that we not forget there has been a great tragedy; that lives have been lost. Let us keep the families of those who have lost loved ones in our prayers. Let us make sure we continue in the effort to ensure that the resources are there to rebuild, and let us do it quickly. Let us do those things to expedite the process. This is a major thoroughfare, a major piece of the transportation system in the State of Minnesota. We need to get the money back to Minnesota and get the people on the ground who can get the work done.

We can do it, and we can do it quickly. We will rebuild this bridge, we will rebuild quickly, we will find out what caused this terrible, terrible tragedy, and we will keep those who have suffered loss in our prayers.

Mr. President, I yield the floor.

Mr. President, let me first begin by commending Senators Coleman and Klobuchar for their very aggressive and appropriate response to a crisis in their home State of Minnesota. We were proud, all of us, to join with the Senators in helping their people in the face of great need.

This is interesting, because I rise for the moment to speak about another measure which both Senator Coleman and Senator Klobuchar have joined with me as cosponsors of, and that is the temporary protective status for Liberians. The Presiding Officer, Senator Whitehouse, is also a cosponsor, along with Senators Kerry and Leahy. It is a bipartisan measure. It is in response to a situation where there are thousands of Liberians here legally, but they are in danger of being deported because their status could change by October 1.

The House of Representatives earlier this week passed unanimously by voice vote H.R. 3123, which would extend for 1 year their temporary protected status. In fact, the minority leader, Mr. Blunt, was the key leader in this effort, along with our colleague from Rhode Island, Congressman Patrick Kennedy, and I again thank Senators Coleman and Klobuchar, and all the cosponsors.

The Liberian individuals we are talking about were in the United States in the late 1980s and early 1990s when a brutal civil war broke out in Liberia. They could not go home, and this country granted them protective status. That status, in one form or another, has been continued for now almost 15, 16 years. There are many families of Liberians in this country whose children are American citizens--in fact, who are about on the verge of college or even older.

Today, Liberia has made some progress. It has a democratically elected president. She is a remarkable woman, leading her nation. But, still, it is not a country that is ready to accept individuals who are in the United States, who are part of our community, who have American children, and who are contributing to our communities. We should, I think, give them the opportunity to make a choice of whether they should stay here or go back to their homeland of Liberia.

Every year they face a precipice that comes on October 1, when they worry whether their status will be extended; when they worry whether they will have to leave children behind, give up their jobs, leave their community and be lifted up, literally, to go back to a country which is, quite frankly, not ready to accept them and to use their talents. So each year we have been able to, either through administrative decision or through our efforts here, extend their stay. I urge that my colleagues consider taking up H.R. 3123, and I requested on behalf of my cosponsors a unanimous consent to do that. I am told that on the Democratic side there were no objections, but, apparently, there are some objections on the other side. I want to make it clear to all my colleagues I will renew this request time and time again when we return in September.

We have to act before October 1. It would be unfair, unjust, and unwise not to grant this exemption. It was accepted on a bipartisan basis overwhelmingly in the other body, and I think we should do the same here in the Senate. I urge any of my colleagues who have questions--and I think at this juncture there are many who might have legitimate questions--please, I would be happy to answer them. I would be happy to respond. I believe I can make a compelling case that in terms of fairness, in terms of equity, in terms of recognizing what these individuals have done to contribute to communities all across this country, they should be granted at least 1 more year. This is not a permanent adjustment, this is an additional year.

Let me stress one thing also. We have had a great deal of discussion in this Congress about immigration. These individuals are legally here in the United States, and they have been given the opportunity to work, they pay taxes, and they are not qualified for any social benefits. I am very proud of Rhode Island because we have a large community, relatively speaking, and they have become extraordinarily productive members of our community. So I feel very strongly, and I know my colleague, the Presiding Officer, does, that we are going to do all we can over the several weeks before October 1 to make sure this is adopted; that we follow the other body in doing so. I don't want anyone to mistake my objection to other provisions that are going forward. I am sincerely committed to getting this done. I hope we get it done, and I thank the Presiding Officer for his cosponsorship and leadership.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senator be added as a cosponsor.

Madam Speaker, let me thank the gentlelady from California (Ms. Zoe Lofgren) for her leadership on the Judiciary Committee as a member of the Judiciary Committee and cosponsor of this legislation.

Might I add my appreciation to Mr. Kennedy for his leadership and the bipartisanship of this bill.

I pay tribute also to the Liberian community in Houston, Texas, and ask my colleagues to recognize the long history of suffering that Liberians experienced under the presidency of Charles Taylor. The horrific and heinous crimes, the mutilation of young children, the using of child soldiers all speak to the importance and the crucialness of extending the temporary protective status for these who are here in this country who fled because of political persecution and fled because of the atrocities that they would experience.

This is a temporary protective status of individuals who have been in this country working, paying taxes, and raising their children. We've experienced this over the years of the past administration, looking to try to find some way to provide permanent status for these refugees who have fled persecution. We have not done that yet. However, this is a very good step to recognize their contributions to the United States.

I hope that my colleagues, in reflection of the atrocities that Liberia experienced, will recognize that there is a very, very difficult pathway for them to return back to Liberia.

I do, however, want to applaud the leadership of the new president of Liberia and to recognize the work that she has done. But she, too, has admitted that they are making steps, step by step, and the importance of providing the sanctity and safety of the individuals here in the United States is crucial.

I rise to support H.R. 3123, and would ask my colleagues to support it.

And again, I salute the Liberian community for the suffering but yet the contributions they've made to the United States

Madam Speaker, I am honored to rise in support of H.R. 3123, which addresses the plight of displaced Liberian nationals, a group of people that is of great regional and global importance. H.R. 3123 recognizes the importance of extending the designation of Liberia under section 244 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. I thank the gentleman from Rhode Island, Mr. Kennedy, for excellent work in bringing this legislation forward.

H.R. 3123 extends the designation of Liberian refuges under section 244(b)(1) of the Immigration and Nationality Act through September 30, 2008 and expands the designation of Liberia under the Immigration and Nationality Act as a country whose nationals are eligible for temporary protected status and work authorization in the United States. In addition, H.R. 3123 sets forth eligibility requirements for Liberian nationals or persons having no nationality whose last habitual residence was Liberia.

Madam Speaker, let us remember that from 1989 to 1996 the Liberian civil war claimed the lives of more than 200,000 Liberians and further displaced a million others into refugee camps in neighboring and distant countries, including our own. The United States and other countries have provided relief to Liberians. By supporting this bill we can show our affection and commitment to people of Liberia.

The United States has a historical connection to all Liberians, but we also have a moral responsibility to end the killings and mass displacement of innocent citizens. The termination of TPS designation of Liberia would place many Liberians that fled to our country for refuge at risk of being returned prematurely.

Madam Speaker, the elimination of TPS designation means that on October 2, 2007, former TPS beneficiaries will return to the same immigration status they maintained before registering for TPS, or to any other status they may have acquired while registered for Temporary Protection Status. Accordingly, if an individual did not have lawful immigration status at the time of receiving TPS benefits, and did not obtain any other status during the TPS designation period, he or she will revert to being without lawful status. Such individuals are expected to depart the United States on or before October 1, 2007. Those who do not comply with this requirement may be subject to removal.

The Liberian people living in our country deserve better treatment and protection than the current Immigration and Nationality Act can afford. Congress needs to permit the extension of section 244 which enables the people to re-register for temporary protection status and work authorization.

Let us give the Liberian people the respect and protection they need by supporting H.R. 3123.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3123) to extend the designation of Liberia under section 244 of the Immigration and Nationality Act so that Liberians can continue to be eligible for temporary protected status under that section.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

H.R. 3123 extends Liberia's current temporary protected status designation, which is due to expire on September 30 of this year, for 1 year.

As many of us know, Liberia was founded by former American slaves with the help of our government. Since 1989, however, the country has been ravaged by two brutal civil wars which have displaced hundreds of thousands of people and destroyed Liberia's economy and infrastructure.

In recognition of these intolerable conditions, the United States for the past 16 years has accorded special protection status to prevent approximately 3,600 Liberians residing in our Nation under temporary protected status from having to be returned to their homeland in the midst of those wars. Recently, the Department of Homeland Security has determined to terminate these temporary protections in light of the fact that Liberia's civil wars have finally ended and in anticipation of the political stability that Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, its newly elected President, will bring.

While there is no question that President Johnson-Sirleaf has put Liberia on the road to recovery, that road will unfortunately be rather long. Currently, 85 percent of Liberians are unemployed. The country is suffering from severe shortages in electricity and running water. As for medical care, Liberia has only 26, yes, that is only 26, physicians who must serve a population of 3.4 million people.

Recognizing her country's fragile state, President Johnson-Sirleaf has acknowledged that Liberia is unable to accept and absorb the 3,600 Liberian nationals currently residing in the U.S. under TPS. I am sure we all recall President Johnson-Sirleaf's visit and address to this body and our interest in making sure that she succeeds in bringing peace and democracy to her country. Accordingly, we are deeply concerned about the consequences that could result if thousands of Liberians in the United States are forced to return to their homeland before it is ready and able to accept them.

For these reasons, I ask that you join me in supporting H.R. 3123, which simply extends this protection status for 1 year. I should also note that this bipartisan measure is supported by President Johnson- Sirleaf and the Liberian Government.

I would also like to extend a special thanks to Republican Whip Roy Blunt who, in talking to Democratic Whip Jim Clyburn last week, agreed that we should proceed in this manner. Mr. Blunt is a cosponsor of this bipartisan bill, along with the prime sponsors, Representatives Kennedy and Jim Ramstad, Representatives Pence and Tiberi, myself, Mr. Langevin, Mr. Diaz-Balart, Mr. McCotter, Tim Walberg, John Conyers, Ms. Jackson-Lee, and Representative Wynn. So this is a thoroughly bipartisan bill, and I would urge my colleagues to support it.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Kennedy), the prime author of the legislation.

Madam Speaker, at this time I yield 4 minutes to one of the co-authors of the bill, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Wynn).

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes now to a cosponsor of the legislation, the gentlelady from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee)

Madam Speaker, if we allow the temporary protective status for Liberia to expire this September, more than 3,000 Liberians living in the United States will be forced to immediately return to a country that lacks housing, jobs, health care, education, and other necessary services. Such a result would be inhumane to these men and women, but it would also be destabilizing to their country, a country that we want to support in their efforts to achieve peace and a democracy.

So I urge my colleagues to please join in supporting passage of this important legislation

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3123 and want to thank the gentleman from Rhode Island, my friend Congressman Kennedy, for his leadership and hard work on this issue. This bill provides support and assistance to our ally Liberia, during a critical time in its social and economic reform and recovery.

Specifically, this bill extends until October 1, 2008, the designation of Liberians living in this country under Temporary Protected Status, TPS. The Department of Homeland Security estimates that only 3,600 Liberians are currently eligible for TPS. Many of these Liberians have been in the U.S. for more than 16 years, and all of them have been here for a minimum of 5 years.

TPS is a temporary immigration status granted to eligible nationals of designated countries. In 1990, as part of the Immigration Act of 1990, Congress established a procedure by which the Attorney General, and now DHS, may provide TPS to people in the United States who are temporarily unable to safely return to their home country because of ongoing armed conflict, an environmental disaster, or other extraordinary and temporary conditions. During the period for which a country has been designated for TPS, TPS beneficiaries may remain in the United States and may obtain work authorization. However, TPS does not lead to permanent resident status, and TPS holders are not illegal immigrants.

Since 1989, Liberia has been ravaged by two brutal civil wars, which have destabilized the region, displaced hundreds of thousands of people, and destroyed the country's economy and infrastructure. In recognition of these conditions, the United States has protected some 3,600 Liberians in the U.S. from having to return to Liberia.

Recently, DHS has decided to terminate these temporary protections in light of the fact that Liberia's civil wars have finally ended and in anticipation of the political stability that newly-elected President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf will bring. However, while there is no question that President Johnson Sirleaf has put Liberia on the road to recovery, that road will unfortunately be very long.

According to a 2006 United Nations report, Liberia is currently enduring an 85 percent unemployment rate and it continues to be one of the poorest countries in the world. Improvements to the country's infrastructure following the war have come slowly, and it continues to suffer from severe shortages in electricity and running water. The country also lacks adequate medical care, as a mere 26 physicians currently practice medicine for a population of some 3.4 million people.

According to Liberian Government officials, their nation is not yet in a position to provide returnees with employment, housing, health services, education services, and other necessary amenities and services. Due to these and other issues, the Liberian Government has stated that the country cannot absorb and provide for the estimated 3,600 Liberians who would be required to return to their homeland.

As an aside, Liberians in the U.S. also provide financial assistance, including remittances averaging about $6 million monthly, to the Liberian economy. These transfers constitute a vital source of financial assistance and economic stability during the country's still- nascent period of recovery.

President Johnson Sirleaf stated during her address to Congress in March 2006: ``For those unable to come back home now, we must appeal to you to grant them continuing protection status, and residency where appropriate, to put them in a condition to contribute to their country's reform and development.''

For these reasons, and in order to support Liberia as it emerges from two decades of dictatorship and civil war, I strongly support H.R. 3123 and urge its passage.