A concurrent resolution expressing the sense of Congress that an artistic tribute to commemorate the speech given by President Ronald Reagan at the Brandenburg Gate on June 12, 1987, should be placed within the United States Capitol.

Madam Speaker, on May 3, 2007, I requested and received a leave of absence from May 3 to May 9, 2007, due to my presence at previous commitments in my district. Had I been present, I would have voted as follows:

Improving Head Start Act of 2007 (H.R. 1429): Rollcall No. 277, the Price of Georgia Amendment, ``no''; rollcall No. 278, the Sestak of Pennsylvania Amendment, ``aye''; rollcall No. 279, the Hirono of Hawaii Amendment, ``aye''; rollcall No. 280, the Mica of Florida Amendment, ``no''; rollcall No. 281, the Putnam of Florida Amendment, ``no''; rollcall No. 282, the Carnahan of Missouri Amendment, ``aye''; and rollcall No. 283, the Shuler of North Carolina Amendment, ``aye''.

Rollcall No. 284, on Motion to Recommit with Instructions, ``no''; rollcall No. 285, on Passage, Improving Head Start Act, H.R. 1429, ``aye''; rollcall No. 286, on Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree, H. Res. 243, ``aye''; rollcall No. 287, the Sullivan (OK) Amendment to Honda (CA) Amendment, ``no''; rollcall No. 288, the Honda of California Amendment, ``aye''; rollcall No. 289, the Campbell of California Amendment No. 5, ``no''; rollcall No. 290, the Campbell of California Amendment No. 4, ``no''; and rollcall No. 291, the Garrett of New Jersey Amendment No. 11, ``no.''

Rollcall No. 292, the Flake of Arizona Amendment, ``no''; rollcall No. 293, the Matsui of California Amendment, ``aye''; rollcall No. 294, the Price of Georgia Amendment, ``no''; rollcall No. 295, on Passage, National Science Foundation Authorization Act, H.R. 1867, ``aye''; rollcall No. 296, on Ordering the Previous Question, H. Res. 364, ``aye''; rollcall No. 297, on Agreeing to the Resolution, H. Res. 364, ``aye''; and rollcall No. 298, on Motion to Recommit with Instructions, ``no.''

Rollcall No. 299, on Passage, To provide Federal assistance to States, local jurisdictions, and Indian tribes to prosecute hate crimes, H.R. 1592, ``aye''; rollcall No. 300, on Motion to Recommit with Instructions, H.R. 1868, ``no''; rollcall No. 301, on Passage, Technology Innovation and Manufacturing Stimulation Act, H.R. 1868, ``aye''; rollcall No. 302, on Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended, H.R. 407, ``aye''; rollcall No. 303, on Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, H.R. 1025, ``aye''; rollcall No. 304, on Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree, H. Res. 371, ``aye''; rollcall No. 305, on Agreeing to the Resolution, H.R. 1294, ``aye''; and rollcall No. 306, on Agreeing to the Resolution, H. Res. 370, ``aye''.

Rollcall No. 307, on Agreeing to the Resolution, S. Con. Res. 1, ``aye''; rollcall No. 308, on Motion to Instruct Conferees, S. Con. Res. 1, ``no''; rollcall No. 309, on Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended, H.R. 1595, ``aye''; rollcall No. 310, on Ordering the Previous Question, H. Res. 382, ``aye''; rollcall No. 311, on Agreeing to the Resolution, H. Res. 382, ``aye''; rollcall No. 312, on Agreeing to the Resolution, H. Res. 383, ``aye''; rollcall No. 313, on Agreeing to the Resolution, H. Res. 383, ``aye''; and rollcall No. 314, on Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended, Student Loan, H.R. 890, ``aye''.

Mr. President, today we start the 110th Congress of the United States. We embark on a 2-year journey to submit, consider, debate, improve, and eventually pass legislation on behalf of the greater good of our constituents and the American people. Accordingly, I have here today a package of legislative proposals which I believe will benefit Colorado and the country. This package is the first chapter of what I hope becomes a legislative agenda for Colorado and the Nation. These 15 bills address matters from healthcare to housing, land usage to veterans, and Homeland Security to drug trafficking prevention.

These bills are:

The Methamphetamine Trafficking Enforcement Act of 2007;

the Medicare Cost Contract Extension and Refinement Act of 2007;

the Mark-to-Market Extension Act of 2007;

the National Domestic Preparedness Consortium Expansion Act of 2007;

the National Trails System Willing Seller Act of 2007;

the Pikes Peak Regional Veteran's Cemetery Act of 2007;

the Pinon Canyon Expansion Citizen's Input Act of 2007;

the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act;

the Increase Computer Efficiency Study Act of 2007;

the Mesa Verde National Park Boundary Expansion Act of 2007;

the Baca National Wildlife Refuge Purpose Act;

the Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area Technical Amendments Act of 2007;

the Satellite and Cable Access Act of 2007;

the Granada Relocation Center National Historic Site Act of 2007;

and a Ronald Reagan U.S. Capitol Artistic Tribute Resolution.

Mr. President, this agenda of 15 bills represents many hours of work with Colorado citizens, officials, interested parties, and stakeholders. It is a set of fairly controversy-free proposals that will solve problems and offer solutions.

I intend to return to this floor with a second round of legislative proposals, proposals that I am now working on with colleagues, State officials, and Colorado stakeholders. Other measures I plan to address this session include Good Samaritan mine cleanups, bark beetle eradication legislation, Rocky Mt. National Park Wilderness, National ID theft/Social Security number protection, renewable energy tax credits, reverse mortgages, the need for public health veterinarians, oil shale royalties, and manufactured housing reform.

I look forward to working with my colleagues on getting these bills through the legislative process and being able to tell Coloradans that we in Washington are engaged on their behalf.

(The remarks of Mr. ALLARD pertaining to the submission of S. Con. Res. 1 are located in today's Record under ``Submission of Concurrent and Senate Resolutions.'')

(The remarks of Mr. ALLARD pertaining to the introduction of S. 124,

Mr. President, I would like to note that exactly 20 years ago, on June 12, 1987, President Ronald Reagan stood at the Berlin wall, at the Brandenburg Gate, and issued his--issued liberty's--famous challenge to Soviet tyranny:

General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek

prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you

seek liberalization: Come here to this gate! Mr. Gorbachev,

open this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!

Although that speech was deeply rooted in the Cold War, and is indeed seen as a significant milestone in that war, it also spoke larger truths. President Reagan also said:

Freedom leads to prosperity. Freedom replaces the ancient

hatreds among the nations with comity and peace. Freedom is

the victor.

President Reagan was not just addressing West Berlin, and the Soviet General Secretary, he was addressing the world, and posterity. He was expounding on the American ideal of liberty and justice for all. He was not addressing a regional problem, but mankind's aspirations. It was a triumphant moment for Americans and our ideals.

Accordingly, I have previously submitted a resolution, S. Con. Res. 1, calling for an artistic rendering of that moment in time to be painted into the Capitol, along with the other significant scenes of our Nation's past. As we walk through the building today, we can see scenes from the Nation's founding, from the Civil War, our westward expansion, even the Moon landing and Challenger astronauts. I would like to also see Reagan at the Brandenburg Gate. I think it would be entirely appropriate to have this image added. It would be an important reminder of the struggle this Nation undertook. It would stand for the millions of Americans who did their part for nearly half a century in that struggle, both military and civilian. And it would testify to the greatness of our Nation, and the greatness of our 40th President.

Today I am adding cosponsors to that resolution. I urge my remaining colleagues to join me as well. This is worth doing.

Mr. President, finally, I would like to note that nearly 20 years ago, on June 12, 1987, President Ronald Reagan stood at the Berlin Wall, at the Brandenburg Gate, and issued his--issued liberty's--famous challenge to Soviet tyranny:

Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this Wall!

I am submitting a resolution today calling for an artistic rendering of that moment in time to be painted into the Capitol, along with the other significant scenes of our Nation's past. As we walk through the building today, we can see scenes from the Nation's founding, from the Civil War, our westward expansion, even the Moon landing and Challenger astronauts. I would like to also see Reagan at the Brandenburg Gate. I think it would be entirely appropriate to have this image added. It would be an important reminder of the struggle this Nation undertook. It would stand for the millions of Americans who did their part for nearly half a century in that struggle, both military and civilian. And it would testify to the greatness of our Nation, and the greatness of our 40th President.

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