Floor Statements

Mr. President, last week I introduced legislation in the Senate that would prohibit the use of racial profiling by Federal, State, or local law enforcement agencies. The End Racial Profiling Act, S. 1670, had been introduced in previous Congresses by our former colleague, Senator Russ Feingold of Wisconsin, and I am proud to follow his leadership. I thank my colleagues, Senator Blumenthal, Senator Durbin, Senator Gillibrand, Senator Kerry, Senator Lautenberg, Senator Levin, Senator Menendez, Senator Mikulski, and Senator Stabenow, for joining me as original cosponsors of this legislation.

Racial profiling is ineffective. The more resources that are spent investigating individuals solely because of their race or religion, the fewer resources that are being directed at suspects actually demonstrating illegal behavior.

In response to a question about the December 2001 bomb attempt by Richard Reid, Former Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff stated:

The problem is that the profile many people think they have

of what a terrorist is doesn't fit the reality . . . and, in

fact, one of the things that the enemy does is to

deliberately recruit people who are Western in background or

in appearance, so that they can slip by people who might be

stereotyping.

Racial profiling diverts scarce resources from real law enforcement. In my own State of Maryland in the 1990s, the ACLU brought a class action suit against the Maryland State Police for illegally targeting African-American motorists for stops and searches along Maryland's highways. The parties ultimately entered into a Federal court consent decree in 2003 in which they made a joint statement that emphasized in part:

The need to treat motorists of all races with respect,

dignity, and fairness under law is fundamental to good police

work and a just society. The parties agree that racial

profiling is unlawful and undermines public safety by

alienating communities.

Racial profiling demonizes entire communities and perpetuates negative stereotypes based on an individual's race, ethnicity, or religion.

I agree with Attorney General Holder's remark to the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee where he stated:

In this Nation, security and liberty are--at their best--

partners, not enemies, in ensuring safety and opportunity for

all . . . In this Nation, the document that sets forth the

supreme law of the land--the Constitution--is meant to

empower, not exclude . . . Racial profiling is wrong. It can

leave a lasting scar on communities and individuals. And it

is, quite simply, bad policing--whatever city, whatever

state.

Using racial profiling makes it less likely that certain affected communities will voluntary cooperate with law enforcement and community policing efforts. Minorities living and working in these communities may also feel discouraged from traveling freely, and it corrodes the public trust in government.

I wish to thank the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights for their endorsement of this legislation. I ask unanimous consent that the endorsement letter of September 14, 2011, from over 50 different organizations be printed in the Record.

The bill I introduced last week, the End Racial Profiling Act, would build on the Department of Justice's current ``Guidance Regarding the Use of Race by Federal Law Enforcement Agencies'' issued in 2003. This official Department of Justice guidance certainly was a step forward, but it does not have adequate provisions for data collection and enforcement for State and local agencies. The Department of Justice guidance also does not have the force of law.

The legislation I introduced would prohibit the use of racial profiling by Federal, State, or local law enforcement agencies. This bill clearly defines racial profiling to include race, ethnicity, national origin, or religion as protected classes. It requires training of law enforcement officers to ensure they understand the law and its prohibitions. It creates procedures for receiving, investigating, and resolving complaints about racial profiling. It would apply equally to Federal, State, and local law enforcement, which creates consistent standards at all levels of government.

The vast majority of our law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line every day handle their jobs with professionalism, diligence, and fidelity to the rule of law. However, Congress and the Justice Department can still take steps to prohibit racial profiling and root out its use. I look forward to working with my colleagues to enact this very important legislation.

Mr. President, I yield the floor.

Mr. President, today I wish to recognize and congratulate the Pennsylvania Avenue African Methodist Episcopal, AME, Zion Church in Baltimore as the congregation celebrates the church's 170th anniversary. Founded on May 31, 1841, Pennsylvania Avenue AME Zion Church has flourished for many decades under the guidance and spiritual leadership of its anointed pastors since it was founded on May 31, 1841.

Records from 1904 reveal that Reverend B.J. Bolding and 200 church members purchased Zion's first building at 1125 Pennsylvania Avenue for $16,000. Reverend Bolding served for 27 years until Rev. George Marion Edwards became the pastor in May 1931. Twenty-eight years later, on October 4, 1959, Rev. Clinton Rueben Coleman was chosen as Zion's new spiritual leader and served during the tumultuous years of the civil rights movement. Reverend Coleman was responsible for the renovation of the old Zion Church building and started the course toward planning and building a new church building. On May 12, 1972, he was elected to the AME Zion Church's 12-member Board of Bishops, the denomination's 72nd bishop in succession.

In 1972, Rev. Marshall H. Strickland was selected to lead Zion, and the journey continued towards constructing a new church. Three years later, Reverend Strickland led the groundbreaking ceremony at the southwest corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and Dolphin Street. On Sunday, April 10, 1977, after 16 years of vision, perseverance, and hard work, a jubilant congregation marched into the new church building. Eleven years later, on May 15, 1988, the mortgage note for the church was burned. On July 31, 1992, Reverend Strickland was elected the 88th bishop in succession in the AME Zion Church.

In September 1992, continuing the legacy of an historic church with great spiritual leaders, the Reverend Dr. Dennis Vernon Proctor was appointed pastor of the Pennsylvania Avenue AME Zion Church. Dr. Proctor's leadership and pastoral abilities, steadfastly applied for over a decade, increased the church's membership to over 1,800 congregants. After 16 years of faithful service to Zion Church, Dr. Proctor was elected the 97th bishop in succession during the Quadrennial Convention in Atlanta, GA, on July 18, 2008.

On September 14, 2008, less than 2 months before our Nation elected its first African American President, the Right Reverend Warren M. Brown, presiding prelate of the Mid-Atlantic II Episcopal District, announced the current pastor of the Pennsylvania Avenue AME Zion Church, Rev. Lester Agyei McCorn, to a standing-room-only congregation.

Pennsylvania Avenue AME Zion Church, located in Baltimore's Upton community, is committed to providing spiritual leadership and support to help people overcome the political, social, and educational struggles affecting them in the communities that the church serves. It is a Kingdom-focused church, whose legacy continues with a renewed vision to make new disciples, help believers to mature in their faith, and multiply outreach and service ministries.

I encourage all Senators to join me in congratulating Pennsylvania Avenue AME Zion Church on its 170th anniversary and its even brighter future.

Mr. President, today I am proud to introduce the Water Infrastructure Resiliency and Sustainability Act of 2011 along with my colleagues, Majority Leader Reid and Senator Boxer. This legislation will allow local communities to improve their water infrastructure in the face of changing hydrological conditions.

Improving our water infrastructure is a major challenge to my constituents living in Maryland and to all Americans. It is no secret that America's current water infrastructure systems are in poor condition. Our water and wastewater systems have been given a D-, the lowest possible grade. In the United States, close to 250,000 water mains wasting 1.7 trillion gallons of water break each year.

Unfortunately, Marylanders have experienced this crisis first hand. In July of this year, a water main break in Cumberland, Maryland, caused close to $300,000 in damage to a local, family-owned business. Last January, a Prince George's County water main break shut down a portion of the Capital Beltway, closed local businesses and schools, and required 400,000 residents to boil their drinking water to ensure its safety.

The EPA has estimated that traditional necessary repairs and replacement costs over the next twenty years will cost over $600 billion.

We, as a Congress, have stepped up in the past to assist communities in fixing aging water infrastructure systems. The Safe Water Drinking Act Amendments of 1996 established the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. The fund helps public water systems finance infrastructure projects needed to comply with Federal safe drinking water regulations.

But we need to do more. EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson told Congress that adapting to changing hydrological conditions is a ``significant issue'' that water and waste water systems must address soon. These hydrological changes will likely result in ``too little water in some places, too much water in other places, and degraded water quality'' in other areas across the country.

According to a recent study by the National Association of Clean Water Agencies and the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, the costs in dealing with this new recognized problem could approach $1 trillion through 2050.

The Water Infrastructure Resiliency and Sustainability Act aims to help local communities meet the challenges of upgrading water infrastructure systems to meet these hydrological changes. The bill directs the EPA to establish a Water Infrastructure Resiliency and Sustainability, WIRS, program. Grants will be awarded to eligible water systems to make the necessary upgrades. Communities across the country will be able to compete for federal matching funds, funds which in turn will help finance projects to help communities overcome these threats.

Improving water conservation, adjustments to current infrastructure systems, and funding programs to stabilize communities' existing water supply are all projects WIRS grants will fund. WIRS will never grant more than 50 percent of any project's cost, ensuring cooperation between local communities and the federal government. The EPA will try to award funds that use new and innovative ideas as often as possible.

A healthy water infrastructure is as important to America's economy as paved roads and sturdy bridges. Water and wastewater investment has been shown to spur economic growth. The U.S. Conference of Mayors has found that for every dollar invested in water infrastructure, the Gross Domestic Product is increased to more than $6. The Department of Commerce has found that that same dollar yields close to $3 worth of economic output in other industries. Every job created in local water and sewer industries creates close to four jobs elsewhere in the national economy.

This legislation would create jobs throughout the economy today, while helping water and wastewater systems make improvements to keep water clean and safe for tomorrow. I believe that by investing in water infrastructure, we can make progress for the American people on both jobs and clean, safe water.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, today I am introducing legislation in the Senate that would prohibit the use of racial profiling by Federal, State, or local law enforcement agencies. The End Racial Profiling Act, ERPA, had been introduced in previous Congresses by former Senator Russ Feingold of Wisconsin and I am proud to follow his example. I want to thank Senators Blumenthal, Durbin, Gillibrand, Kerry, Lautenberg, Levin, Menendez, Mikulski, and Stabenow for joining me as original co- sponsors of this legislation.

Racial profiling is ineffective. The more resources that are spent investigating individuals solely because of their race or religion, the fewer resources are being directed at suspects actually demonstrating illegal behavior. Former DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff stated in response to questions about the December 2001 bomb attempt by Richard Reid that ``the problem is that the profile many people think they have of what a terrorist is doesn't fit the reality . . . and in fact, one of the things the enemy does is to deliberately recruit people who are Western in background or in appearance, so that they can slip by people who might be stereotyping.''

Racial profiling diverts scarce resources from real law enforcement. In my own state of Maryland, in the 1990's, the ACLU brought a class- action lawsuit against the Maryland State Police for illegally targeting African-American motorists for stops and searches along Maryland's highways. The parties ultimately entered into a federal court consent decree in 2003 in which they made a joint statement that emphasized in part ``the need to treat motorists of all races with respect, dignity, and fairness under the

law is fundamental to good police work and a just society. The parties agree that racial profiling is unlawful and undermines public safety by alienating communities ``

Racial profiling demonizes entire communities and perpetuates negative stereotypes based on an individual's race, ethnicity, or religion. Earlier this year, I spoke out on the Senate floor and in the Senate Judiciary Committee to share my thoughts on the hearings held in the House of Representatives entitled ``The Extent of Radicalization in the American Muslim Community and that Community's Response'' chaired by Congressman Peter King. This hearing served only to fan flames of fear and division. This spectacle crossed the line and chipped away at the religious freedoms and civil liberties we hold so dearly. Radicalization may be the appropriate subject of a Congressional hearing but not when it is limited to one religion. When that is done, it sends the wrong message to the public and casts a religion with unfounded suspicions.

I agree with Attorney General Holder's remarks to the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, where he stated that ``in this nation, security and liberty are--at their best--partners, not enemies, in ensuring safety and opportunity for all . . . I've spoken to Arab- Americans who feel that they have not been afforded the full rights-- or, just as important, the full responsibilities--of their citizenship. They tell me that, too often, it feels like `us versus them.' That is intolerable . . . In this Nation, the document that sets forth the supreme law of the land--the Constitution--is meant to empower, not exclude . . . Racial profiling is wrong. It can leave a lasting scar on communities and individuals. And it is, quite simply, bad policing-- whatever city, whatever state.''

Using racial profiling makes it less likely that certain affected communities will voluntarily cooperate with law enforcement and community policing efforts. Minorities living and working in these communities may also feel discouraged from travelling freely, and it corrodes the public's trust in government.

The bill I am introducing today, the End Racial Profiling Act, would build on Department of Justice's current ``Guidance Regarding the Use of Race by Federal Law Enforcement Agencies'' issued in 2003. This official DOJ guidance certainly was a step forward, but it does not have adequate provisions for data collection and enforcement for state and local agencies. The DOJ guidance also does not have the force of law.

ERPA would prohibit the use of racial profiling by Federal, State, or local law enforcement agencies. The bill clearly defines racial profiling to include race, ethnicity, national origin, or religion as protected classes. It requires training of law enforcement officers to ensure that they understand the law and its prohibitions. It creates procedures for receiving, investigating, and resolving complaints about racial profiling. It would apply equally to Federal, State, and local law enforcement, which creates consistent standards at all levels of government.

The vast majority of our law enforcement officials that put their lives on the line every day handle their jobs with professionalism, diligence, and fidelity to the rule of law. However, Congress and the Justice Department can still take further steps to prohibit racial profiling and root out its use. I look forward to working with my colleagues to enact this legislation.

Mr. President, today I am proud to introduce the Water Infrastructure Resiliency and Sustainability Act of 2011 along with my colleagues, Majority Leader Reid and Senator Boxer. This legislation will allow local communities to improve their water infrastructure in the face of changing hydrological conditions.

Improving our water infrastructure is a major challenge to my constituents living in Maryland and to all Americans. It is no secret that America's current water infrastructure systems are in poor condition. Our water and wastewater systems have been given a D-, the lowest possible grade. In the United States, close to 250,000 water mains wasting 1.7 trillion gallons of water break each year.

Unfortunately, Marylanders have experienced this crisis first hand. In July of this year, a water main break in Cumberland, Maryland, caused close to $300,000 in damage to a local, family-owned business. Last January, a Prince George's County water main break shut down a portion of the Capital Beltway, closed local businesses and schools, and required 400,000 residents to boil their drinking water to ensure its safety.

The EPA has estimated that traditional necessary repairs and replacement costs over the next twenty years will cost over $600 billion.

We, as a Congress, have stepped up in the past to assist communities in fixing aging water infrastructure systems. The Safe Water Drinking Act Amendments of 1996 established the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. The fund helps public water systems finance infrastructure projects needed to comply with Federal safe drinking water regulations.

But we need to do more. EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson told Congress that adapting to changing hydrological conditions is a ``significant issue'' that water and waste water systems must address soon. These hydrological changes will likely result in ``too little water in some places, too much water in other places, and degraded water quality'' in other areas across the country.

According to a recent study by the National Association of Clean Water Agencies and the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, the costs in dealing with this new recognized problem could approach $1 trillion through 2050.

The Water Infrastructure Resiliency and Sustainability Act aims to help local communities meet the challenges of upgrading water infrastructure systems to meet these hydrological changes. The bill directs the EPA to establish a Water Infrastructure Resiliency and Sustainability, WIRS, program. Grants will be awarded to eligible water systems to make the necessary upgrades. Communities across the country will be able to compete for federal matching funds, funds which in turn will help finance projects to help communities overcome these threats.

Improving water conservation, adjustments to current infrastructure systems, and funding programs to stabilize communities' existing water supply are all projects WIRS grants will fund. WIRS will never grant more than 50 percent of any project's cost, ensuring cooperation between local communities and the federal government. The EPA will try to award funds that use new and innovative ideas as often as possible.

A healthy water infrastructure is as important to America's economy as paved roads and sturdy bridges. Water and wastewater investment has been shown to spur economic growth. The U.S. Conference of Mayors has found that for every dollar invested in water infrastructure, the Gross Domestic Product is increased to more than $6. The Department of Commerce has found that that same dollar yields close to $3 worth of economic output in other industries. Every job created in local water and sewer industries creates close to four jobs elsewhere in the national economy.

This legislation would create jobs throughout the economy today, while helping water and wastewater systems make improvements to keep water clean and safe for tomorrow. I believe that by investing in water infrastructure, we can make progress for the American people on both jobs and clean, safe water.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, today I am introducing legislation in the Senate that would prohibit the use of racial profiling by Federal, State, or local law enforcement agencies. The End Racial Profiling Act, ERPA, had been introduced in previous Congresses by former Senator Russ Feingold of Wisconsin and I am proud to follow his example. I want to thank Senators Blumenthal, Durbin, Gillibrand, Kerry, Lautenberg, Levin, Menendez, Mikulski, and Stabenow for joining me as original co- sponsors of this legislation.

Racial profiling is ineffective. The more resources that are spent investigating individuals solely because of their race or religion, the fewer resources are being directed at suspects actually demonstrating illegal behavior. Former DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff stated in response to questions about the December 2001 bomb attempt by Richard Reid that ``the problem is that the profile many people think they have of what a terrorist is doesn't fit the reality . . . and in fact, one of the things the enemy does is to deliberately recruit people who are Western in background or in appearance, so that they can slip by people who might be stereotyping.''

Racial profiling diverts scarce resources from real law enforcement. In my own state of Maryland, in the 1990's, the ACLU brought a class- action lawsuit against the Maryland State Police for illegally targeting African-American motorists for stops and searches along Maryland's highways. The parties ultimately entered into a federal court consent decree in 2003 in which they made a joint statement that emphasized in part ``the need to treat motorists of all races with respect, dignity, and fairness under the

law is fundamental to good police work and a just society. The parties agree that racial profiling is unlawful and undermines public safety by alienating communities ``

Racial profiling demonizes entire communities and perpetuates negative stereotypes based on an individual's race, ethnicity, or religion. Earlier this year, I spoke out on the Senate floor and in the Senate Judiciary Committee to share my thoughts on the hearings held in the House of Representatives entitled ``The Extent of Radicalization in the American Muslim Community and that Community's Response'' chaired by Congressman Peter King. This hearing served only to fan flames of fear and division. This spectacle crossed the line and chipped away at the religious freedoms and civil liberties we hold so dearly. Radicalization may be the appropriate subject of a Congressional hearing but not when it is limited to one religion. When that is done, it sends the wrong message to the public and casts a religion with unfounded suspicions.

I agree with Attorney General Holder's remarks to the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, where he stated that ``in this nation, security and liberty are--at their best--partners, not enemies, in ensuring safety and opportunity for all . . . I've spoken to Arab- Americans who feel that they have not been afforded the full rights-- or, just as important, the full responsibilities--of their citizenship. They tell me that, too often, it feels like `us versus them.' That is intolerable . . . In this Nation, the document that sets forth the supreme law of the land--the Constitution--is meant to empower, not exclude . . . Racial profiling is wrong. It can leave a lasting scar on communities and individuals. And it is, quite simply, bad policing-- whatever city, whatever state.''

Using racial profiling makes it less likely that certain affected communities will voluntarily cooperate with law enforcement and community policing efforts. Minorities living and working in these communities may also feel discouraged from travelling freely, and it corrodes the public's trust in government.

The bill I am introducing today, the End Racial Profiling Act, would build on Department of Justice's current ``Guidance Regarding the Use of Race by Federal Law Enforcement Agencies'' issued in 2003. This official DOJ guidance certainly was a step forward, but it does not have adequate provisions for data collection and enforcement for state and local agencies. The DOJ guidance also does not have the force of law.

ERPA would prohibit the use of racial profiling by Federal, State, or local law enforcement agencies. The bill clearly defines racial profiling to include race, ethnicity, national origin, or religion as protected classes. It requires training of law enforcement officers to ensure that they understand the law and its prohibitions. It creates procedures for receiving, investigating, and resolving complaints about racial profiling. It would apply equally to Federal, State, and local law enforcement, which creates consistent standards at all levels of government.

The vast majority of our law enforcement officials that put their lives on the line every day handle their jobs with professionalism, diligence, and fidelity to the rule of law. However, Congress and the Justice Department can still take further steps to prohibit racial profiling and root out its use. I look forward to working with my colleagues to enact this legislation.

Madam President, I rise to urge my colleagues to support the Currency Exchange Rate Oversight Reform Act, S. 1619, of which I am proud to be an original cosponsor. I wish to thank my colleague and friend, Mr. Brown, the Senator from Ohio, for his leadership in bringing forward this very important legislation.

This legislation is about jobs. We all talk about ways we can increase job opportunity in America. Yes, we have to do a better job in our infrastructure and rebuilding America, our roads, our bridges, our schools, our energy infrastructure, our water infrastructure. That is a very important part of job growth in America. We have to help our small businesses.

The President is right to focus a program that will help small businesses because that is the job growth energy in America. But another area that is critically important for us on job growth is trade.

I represent the State of Maryland. The Port of Baltimore is an economic engine of our State, where we employ many people because of the Port of Baltimore. We want to see products that not only come into America, but we want to see products that leave America for the international marketplace. American manufacturers, producers, and farmers can outcompete their competition anywhere in the world as long as we have a level playing field. If we have a level playing field, we will not only keep jobs in America, we will create new jobs in America because we can outcompete the world. But we can't do it if we give away a huge advantage to other countries. Currency manipulation allows other countries to have unfair competitive advantage over American manufacturers, producers, and farmers. That is what this bill is aimed at: to give us a level playing field, to allow us to be able to compete fairly.

I also wish to acknowledge that this legislation is bipartisan. I think it is nonpartisan. This is legislation that makes sense for our country to keep jobs and create jobs. The legislation provides necessary mechanisms to help halt currency manipulation committed by any country. Currency manipulation is an unfair trade practice that reduces the price of imported goods while raising the price of American goods.

We are talking about giving a discount to our competitors. How do we expect an American manufacturer to be able to compete with an imported product if they get a discount on the price? That is what happens when they arbitrarily undervalue their currency as a foreign competitor, and that is what is happening to American manufacturers. Trying to end this practice is just common sense and will finally allow us to address our net exports, helping us reduce trade imbalances and, most importantly, create jobs in America.

Of course, China is one of the largest abusers of this type of manipulation. Despite a pledge from China in 2001 to adhere to open and fair trade, it continues to violate global trade rules which, in turn, erodes the U.S. manufacturing base and economy.

One of these market-distorting practices is China's effort to keep its currency severely undervalued. Unlike other currencies, the Chinese yuan does not fluctuate freely against the dollar but is artificially pegged in order to boost China's exports. Bringing the Chinese yuan to its equilibrium level at 28.5 appreciation is essential to creating much needed jobs in this country as well as a fair and global marketplace.

Let me repeat this. Because of what China does on pegging its currency to ours, not allowing it to freely fluctuate, Chinese products, in effect, get a 28.5-percent discount. If a company is manufacturing a product and trying to compete with an imported Chinese product, how can they do that if their competitor gets a 28.5-percent discount? That is what is happening in America today.

This legislation would allow those who are being harmed by this unfair trade practice to be able to bring a trade remedy against that unfairly imported product.

Inexpensive Chinese imports have caused a great deal of harm to the U.S. manufacturing sector. New studies show that 2.8 million American jobs, including 1.9 million manufacturing jobs, were lost or displaced over the past decade due to the growing U.S. trade deficit with China, fueled, in part, by currency manipulation.

So we have documented millions of jobs that we have lost and that have been lost because we have allowed, without challenge, China to give discounts to its manufacturers bringing products into America. Again, if it is a level playing field, American manufacturers and producers can compete. But they can't compete with such an unfair trading practice.

Many U.S. industries have been hard hit by unfair trade practices and currency manipulation, impeding their ability to compete here and abroad. The Alliance for American Manufacturing says that addressing this currency manipulation would lead to the creation of up to 2.25 million American jobs, an increase in the U.S. gross domestic product of $285.7 billion, a 1.9-percent--or $190 billion--reduction in our annual trade deficit; finally, an annual deficit of $71 billion, or between $600 to $800 billion over the next 10 years, if sustained.

No wonder this is bipartisan. No wonder this is nonpartisan. Here, by just standing up for American manufacturers and allowing them to be on a level playing field, we can not only increase jobs in America, we can not only reduce the trade imbalance, we can also reduce the budget imbalance. All that can be done if we can establish a level playing field to give our manufacturers, producers, and farmers the opportunity to challenge this unfair practice. That is what this legislation does.

With figures such as this, this bill is seemingly a noncost, bipartisan, long-term jobs measure. This would not only spur economic growth but economic stability that would ensure a better and more secure future for U.S. manufacturers, workers, and communities. This is to keep jobs here in America but also give us the opportunity to create more jobs, helping our economy grow. Simply put, this legislation will allow U.S. manufacturers the ability to use existing countervailing duty laws to obtain relief from injury caused by imported goods which benefit from currency manipulation as export subsidies while also providing the U.S. Treasury a new framework by which to identify misaligned currency.

In September 2010, the House adopted a similar measure with overwhelming bipartisan support. Passage here in the Senate will lead to real consequences for countries that abuse currency manipulation, and empower the United States to create a more level economic playing field.

We can get this done. This is something that can get done. The House has already passed it. We have bipartisan support in the Senate. We have the votes to pass it. I urge my colleagues, let us get this done. Don't try to put other amendments on it. All they are going to do is make it difficult for us to achieve something great for our economy and great for American production. Let's get this matter up for a vote and not try to do all these unrelated amendments.

I applaud my colleague Senator Brown from Ohio. He is on the floor. I mentioned earlier I thank him for his leadership for not only bringing this bill together but keeping the bipartisan group together so we can show we can get this done. Now we need the Members of the Senate to say it is time for us to vote on this bill. Let's get it done. Let's send it to the President for the President to sign it. Let's do something that will not only create jobs but help us deal with our trade imbalance and deal with our budget imbalance.

Madam President, I yield the floor.

Mr. President, today I wish to congratulate the University of Maryland, UMD, for winning the U.S. Department of Energy's 2011 Solar Decathlon competition. The competition is organized by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, America's premier laboratory for research and development regarding renewable energy and energy efficiency. This biennial event challenges collegiate teams from around the world to design, build, and operate solar-powered houses that are affordable to build and operate, energy-efficient, and aesthetically attractive. Nineteen teams representing the United States, China, New Zealand, Belgium, and Canada competed in this year's event, which was held at the National Mall's West Potomac Park.

I am so proud of the collaborative efforts of more than 200 UMD students, faculty, and mentors from diverse disciplines across the campus who participated in making their entry, WaterShed, such a resounding success. Students, faculty, and mentors came from the College of Agriculture & Natural Resources; the School of Architecture, Planning & Preservation; the College of Computer, Mathematical & Natural Sciences; the A. James Clark School of Engineering; the University of Maryland Libraries; the National Center for Smart Growth Research & Education; and the Center for the Use of Sustainable Practices. Over ten academic courses were offered as part of WaterShed's development since the spring 2010 academic semester.

WaterShed was inspired by concern for the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem, so the project wasn't just a successful model for energy efficiency; it also implemented practical solutions to preserve our precious water resources and manage stormwater runoff, a particularly damaging form of pollution to the bay.

The Chesapeake Bay is Maryland's greatest natural resource. For Marylanders, this national treasure is the cornerstone of our economy and part of the fabric of our communities. Its restoration and protection have been the focal point of my work on environmental issues in the Senate. The University of Maryland's work in publicizing and promoting sustainable housing options like WaterShed for the residents of the Chesapeake Bay region will go a long way toward preserving this treasured resource. I cannot think of a more appropriate effort for the University of Maryland to be engaged in, and I applaud everyone's hard work during the past two years towards this common cause and successful outcome.

The success of WaterShed is the pinnacle of a long history of achievement for the University of Maryland in the Solar Decathlon competition. The University of Maryland's initial design for the inaugural Solar Decathlon competition in 2002 became the foundation for subsequent entries. In 2002, Maryland's entry placed fourth. In 2005, Maryland's solar house won the People's Choice and Solar Innovation Awards while placing eighth overall. In 2007, Maryland's LEAFHouse won the People's Choice Award and received a host of other awards from industry and professional associations. The acronym LEAF stands for ``Leading Everyone towards an Abundant Future.'' LEAFHouse placed second in the overall scoring.

The UMD team gained valuable knowledge from the 2005 design and LEAFHouse, both of which are still in use for educational purposes. This year, the team took its vision to an even higher level with WaterShed. The forms of the house highlight the path of a water drop. The split butterfly roofline collects storm water into the core of the house for use. WaterShed also features a holistic approach to water conservation, recycling, and storm water management. These features include a modular constructed wetland that helps filter and recycle greywater from the shower, washing machine, and dishwasher; a green roof that slows rainwater runoff to the landscape while improving the house's energy efficiency; and a garden, composting system, and edible wall system to illustrate a complete carbon cycle program.

So many people are involved in the Solar Decathlon. I would like to acknowledge several of them, including Richard J. King, Solar Decathlon director, and Betsy Black, sponsorship manager, at the U.S. Department of Energy, DOE. Other DOE personnel involved include Marilyn Burgess, John Chu, Sheila Dillard, Kerry Duggan, Nicole Epps, Peter Gage, Cassie Goldstein, David Lee, Howard Marks, Martha Oliver, Erin Pierce, Roland Risser, Phil West, and Janie Wise. At the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Carol Anna, Susan Bond, Bob Butt, Mike Coddington, Rebecca Dohrn, John Enoch, Sara Farrar-Nagy, Michael Gestwick, Amy Glickson, Pamela Gray-Hann, Sheila Hayter, Mary Ann Heaney, Henri Hubenka, Terri Jones, Ron Judkoff, Alicen Kandt, Stephen Lappi, Kamie Minor, Susan Moon, Ruby Nahan, Michael Oakley, Sean Ong, Alexis Powers, Joe Simon, Jeff Soltesz, Blaise Stoltenberg, Byron Stafford, Lee Ann Underwood, Amy Vaughn, Mike Wassmer, and Andrea Watson all lent their support to the Decathlon. Contractors and other contributors include Aquilent, Cecile Warner, Colorado Code Consulting, D&R

International, Eberle Construction, Hargrove, Carolynne Harris, Linder & Associates, Navigant, Norton Energy R&D, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Showcall, Stratacomm, and Studio Ammons.

Yesterday, a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives said that the United States ``can't compete with China to make solar panels and wind turbines,'' and suggested that the Federal Government shouldn't subsidize green-energy programs. I guess he didn't visit West Potomac Park to see what is going on. The many creative entries in the 2011 Solar Decathlon demonstrate to the wider public the cost effectiveness of houses that combine energy efficient construction and appliances with renewable energy systems that are available today. And even better homes and appliances and systems are just around the corner. Investing in green technologies creates jobs. Diversifying our energy sources creates competition, which will help to stabilize and lower energy prices. Thinking beyond fossil fuels buried in unstable or unreliable countries strengthens our national security.

I think the Solar Decathlon represents all that, and much more. At this critical juncture in our nation's history, we face significant economic, energy, and environmental challenges. It is easy to be discouraged or cynical. But for each person who says, ``it can't be done,'' there are scores of people--especially young people--out in our universities and communities, in workplaces and laboratories across America, who reject defeatism and cynicism, who demonstrate the ``can- do'' spirit that made America great and will restore our fortunes. Competitions such as the Solar Decathlon and entries such as the University of Maryland's Watershed provide sparkling evidence of the innovative and practical solutions to the intertwined problems we face. More importantly, they provide hope and inspiration.

If we are going to solve our problems, we need to roll up our sleeves and collaborate with each other--just like the UMD team did. Scores of students worked on WaterShed. I am so pleased their hard work paid off and so proud of them. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and salute them on this watershed accomplishment. UMD student team leaders included Jay Chmilewski, Major: Civil Engineering, Spring 2012; WaterShed Disciplines: Engineering, Construction; David Daily (Majors: Electrical Engineering & Nanotechnology, Spring 2012), WaterShed Disciplines: Engineering, Construction; Leah Davies (Major: Graduate Architecture Student, Fall 2011), WaterShed Disciplines: Architecture, Living Systems/Landscape, Construction, Communications; Steve Emling (Major: Mechanical Engineering, Spring 2013), WaterShed Disciplines: Engineering, Construction; Isabel Enerson (Major: Environmental Science & Technology, Spring 2013), WaterShed Disciplines: Living Systems/Landscape, Communications; Tamir Ezzat (Major: Graduate Architecture Student, Spring 2013), WaterShed Discipline: Architecture; Michael Feldman (Major: Civil Engineering, Spring 2011), WaterShed Disciplines: Engineering, Construction; David Gavin (Major: Graduate Architecture Student, Spring 2012), WaterShed Disciplines: Architecture, Construction; Jeff Gipson (Major: Graduate Architecture & Real Estate Development Student, Spring 2012), WaterShed Disciplines: Architecture, Communications; Newton Gorrell (Major: Graduate Architecture Student, Spring 2012); WaterShed Disciplines: Architecture, Construction, Communications; Joseph Ijjas (Major: Master of Architecture, Spring 2011), WaterShed Disciplines: Architecture, Construction, Communications; Moshe Katz (Major: Computer Science, Spring 2012), WaterShed Disciplines: Communications, Computer Science; Yehuda Katz (Major: Computer Science, Spring 2012), WaterShed Disciplines: Communications, Engineering, Computer Science; Lynn Khuu (Major: Master of Architecture, Spring 2011), WaterShed Disciplines: Architecture, Communications; Zachary Klipstein (Major: Master of Architecture, Spring 2011), WaterShed Disciplines: Architecture, Construction; Parlin Meyer (Major: Graduate Architecture Student, Spring 2012), WaterShed Disciplines: Architecture, Construction; Jeff Rappaport (Major: Bioengineering, Spring 2013), WaterShed Disciplines: Engineering, Construction; Matt Sickle (Major: Graduate Landscape Architecture Student, Spring 2012), WaterShed Disciplines: Living Systems/Landscape; Evan Smith (Major: Civil and Environmental Engineering, Spring 2012), WaterShed Disciplines: Engineering, Construction; Scott Tjaden (Major: Environmental Science& Technology, Spring 2012), WaterShed Disciplines: Living Systems/Landscape, Construction; Kevin Vandeman (Major: Graduate Architecture & Real Estate Development Student, Spring 2012), WaterShed Disciplines: Architecture, Construction; Nick Weadock (Major: Materials Science & Engineering, Spring 2013), WaterShed Disciplines: Engineering, Construction; Allison Wilson (Major: Master of Architecture, Spring 2011), WaterShed Disciplines: Project Management, Architecture, Communications, Construction; and Veronika Zhiteneva (Major: Environmental Science & Technology, Spring 2013), WaterShed Disciplines: Living Systems/Landscape, Construction, Communications.

Student team members include Ali Alaswadi, Benjamin Bates, Amy Chen, Brennan Clark, Linda Clark, Michael Craton, Natalya Dikhanov, Eric Gellman, James Han, Justin Heil, Justin Huang, Erik Kornfeld, John Kucia, Allen Meizlish, Jeffrey Sze, and Andrew Taverner.

Extended team members included Ali Alaswadi, Sahin Arikoglu, Alex Atahua, Rishi Banerjee, Justin Bare, Katherine Beisler, Jacob Bialek, Paul Bilger, Christoper Binkley, Ian Black, Andrew Bruno, Victoria Chang, Wen-Hui Chen, Ethan Cowan, Justin Cullen, Diana Daisey, Adam Davies, Aleron Dsilva, Mariam Eshete, Eric Faughnan, Ryan Fitch, Meredith Friedman, Holman Gao, Louis Gbone, Philip Geilman, Phil Geiman, Marisa Gomez, Karen Hillis, Ananya Hiremath, Vanessa Hoffman, Amy Hudson, Phil Jacks, Peter James, Eric Joerdens, Christine Kandigian, Jacob Kunken, Christopher Leung, Arik Lubkin, Christopher Luther, Ryan Maisel, Bracha Mandel, Maria Martello, Zachary Martinez, Abe Massad, Mark Matovich, Shakira Mccall, Kenneth Morgan, Christopher Myers, Zachary Nerenberg, Matthew Newman, Yuchen Nie, Albert Palmer, Daniel Perdomo, Robert Pettit, Chau Pham, Georgina Pinnock, Kaitlin Pless, Olga Pushkareva, James Ramil, Mark Reese, Raheena Rehman, Nicolas Roldos, Boateng Rosemond, Michele Rubenstein, Michael Satoh, Charles Schupler, Juliet Serem, Valerie Smith, Jacob Steinberg, Michael Taylor, Alexander Tonetti, Marcela Trice, Katherine Vocke, Nader Wallerich, Luxi Wang, Amy Weber, Sofia Weller, Christine Wertz, Kiley Wilfong, Christine Wirth, Fawna Xiao, Diane Ye, and Jesse Yurow.

The UMD team benefited from a lengthy list of mentors, including Deborah Bauer, a freelance architectural consultant who collaborated with communications team members for various endeavors including tour guide training, residents interviews, and general strategy development; Grant Baxter, Baxter Floors, who worked with the team to craft and install the bathroom woodwork and grate; Charlie Berliner, Berliner Construction, a ``cornerstone'' of the architecture and construction team; Dan Blankfeld, John J. Kirlin, LLC, who provided 30 hours' worth of Occupational Health & Safety Administration (OSHA) training for the core construction team; Joe Bolewski, Whiting Turner, who provided construction and carpentry mentorship to the team; Brian Borak, Booz Allen Hamilton, who provided expertise and assistance to the DC electric team; Erin Carlisle, EYP Architecture & Engineering, who provided Revit training and technical assistance to the drawing and documentation team; John Cartagirone, American Power and Light, a three-time UMD solar decathlon mentor and friend who worked side-by- side with the electrical team to wire the house and install light fixtures; Chris Cobb, Robert Silman and Associates, who worked in partnership with UMD's 2007 Solar Decathlon's LEAFHouse team and returned this year to provide his expertise in the integration of architecture and structural systems; John Coventry, Coventry Lighting, who provided mentorship as the architecture team developed the lighting design; Adam Eurich, Robert Silman and Associates,

who worked with the team to develop structural design, analysis, details, and drawings; Taz Ezzat, Maryland Custom Builders, Inc., who collaborated with the team on the construction, transport, assembly, and pick/set strategies; George Fritz, Horizon Builders, who hosted visits from the construction team to his demonstration and mock-up facility where he shared best practices for building craft, construction, and vapor management; Julie Gabrielli, Gabrielli Design Studio, who provided input to the communications team on the development of its strategy and concept; Aditya Gaddam; Jennifer Gilmer, Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen and Bath, who worked with the architecture team to design WaterShed's kitchen; Anne Hicks Harney, Ayes Saint Gross, who worked with the drawing and documentation team to finalize the project manual; Maggie Haslam; Ray Hayleck, PMSI Consulting, who provided cost estimating mentorship to the affordability team during the initial phases of estimating; Joan Honeyman, Jordan Honeyman Landscape Architecture, who collaborated with the landscape team on the landscape and plant selection; Ming Hu, HOK, who provided energy modeling assistance to the engineering team; Adam Keith, Whiting Turner, who provided construction and carpentry mentorship to the team; Peter Kelley, American Wind Energy Association, who provided media training to the team and worked with the communications team to develop the target market; Benson Kwong, enVErgie Consulting, who provided mentorship to the engineering cost estimating team during the design development phase; Mike Lawrence, National Museum of Natural History, who worked with the communications team to develop the house tour strategy; Dale Leidich, MTFA Architecture, who provided project management guidance, insight, and advice to the team; John Love, Love's Heating and Air, who consulted with the team on the heating, ventilation, and air-condition, HVAC, design and implementation; Kristen Markham, Simpson Gumpertz & Heger, who consulted with the team on building envelope construction means and methods; Evan Merkel, Greenspring Energy, who worked with the electrical team to design and integrate the photovoltaic (PV) and micro inverter system; John Morris, Perkins Eastman, a veteran of UMD's 2007 LEAFHouse entry and a practicing architect with a background in construction who provided mentorship and assistance to the construction team; Frank Plummer, Tremco, who served as a trusted mentor for the construction team and provided expertise related to construction means and methods for liquid applied membranes for the building envelope and the constructed wetlands; Don Posson, Vanderweil, a long-time teaching partner at UMD who reviewed the engineering and living systems design; Kristin Potterton, Robert Silman and Associates, who worked with the team to develop structural details and drawings; Tyler Sines, who provided mentorship to the engineering team developing the liquid desiccant wall; Niklas Vigener, Simpson Gumpertz & Heger, who consulted with the team on building envelope construction means and methods; Dan Vlacich, Accenture, who provided expertise, assistance, and power tools to the DC electric team; Fred Werth, Kensington Plumbing and Heating, Inc., who provided master plumbing expertise and assisted the team in the design and installation of the solar thermal and HXEST systems and domestic plumbing system; Bill Wiley, the Potomac School, who collaborated with the engineering team to design and build WaterShed's smart house controls system; Jay Williams, marketing and design specialist for the solar home industry, who provided marketing assistance to the communications and marketing teams; Dan Zimmerman, Shapiro & Duncan, a veteran of two previous decathlons who provided experience and advice to the HVAC and solar thermal teams, facilitated donations, and provided the engineering team with his can-do perspective on the value of figuring things out through hands-on experience.

Last but not least, I would like to congratulate the UMD faculty and staff, starting with the University's President and Chancellor, Dr. Wallace D. Loh and Dr. William E. Kirwan, respectively. Faculty team members included: Mike Binder, AIA LEED-AP, Lecturer in the School of Architecture, Planning & Preservation; Patricia Kosco Cossard, M.A., M.L.S., Librarian and Lecturer in the School of Architecture, Planning & Preservation; Amy Gardner, AIA LEED-AP, Associate Professor in the School of Architecture, Planning & Preservation and Director of UMD's Center for the Use of Sustainable Practices, Brian Grieb, AIA LEED-AP, Lecturer in the School of Architecture, Planning & Preservation and a Partner with GriD Architects in Annapolis; Dr. Keith Herold, Associate Professor of Bioengineering in the A. James Clark School of Engineering; Madlen Simon, AIA, Associate Professor and Architecture Program Director in the School of Architecture, Planning & Preservation, and a Principal at Simon Design; Dr. David Tilley, Associate Professor of Ecological Engineering in the College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, and President of the International Society for the Advancement of Energy Research; and Brittany Williams, Associate AIA LEED-AP Lecturer in the School of Architecture, Planning & Preservation, Project Designer for MTFA Architecture in Arlington, Virginia, and a 2007 Solar Decathlon team leader.

What an outstanding accomplishment! Go Terps!

Mr. President, today I wish to honor the memory of Ambassador Stephan Minikes, and send my condolences to his wife Dede and their family. Born in Berlin, Germany, and

immigrating to the United States as a young boy, Stephan exemplified the American spirit through a life of hard work and public service. I worked closely with Stephan while he served as the U.S. Ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe from 2001 until 2005. During that period, he made significant advances in Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia on a wide range of security-related concerns, including counterterrorism, arms control, human rights, democratization, and economic development.

Prior to his appointment, Ambassador Minikes practiced law for more than 30 years in Washington, DC and New York. He worked in public law and policy strategy, while more recently he represented clients in national defense, energy, transportation, and international trade. A well known member of the Washington political, legal and diplomatic communities, Ambassador Minikes combined knowledge of business and government from the perspectives of the White House, the U.S. Congress and Federal agencies, as well as of the roles of U.S. embassies and foreign embassies in Washington, DC.

Ambassador Minikes was a 1961 graduate of Cornell University and a 1964 graduate of Yale Law School. He was a member of the bars of the District of Columbia, the State of New York, the U.S. Supreme Court and various other Federal courts, including the U.S. Court of Military Appeals, and a member of the American Bar Association, the District of Columbia Bar Association, the Federal Bar Association, the American Society of International Law and the Association of the Bar of the city of New York.

Along with these bar association memberships and his impressive educational background, Stephan was a wonderful public servant throughout his lifetime. He lectured to students around the world on issues ranging from foreign policy to national defense, traveled to more than 100 countries representing the U.S. Government and private interests, served as the director of the Washington Opera at the Kennedy Center, was a member of the Executive Committee of the Yale Law School and a member of the board of directors of the American Council on Germany.

Ambassador Minikes was devoted not only to his country, the promotion of human rights and the improvement of global policies, but to his family. Colleagues, please join me in honoring and remembering of Ambassador Stephan Minikes, a true leader and patriot.

Mr. President, today I am proud to introduce the Justice Thurgood Marshall's Elementary School Study Act. The elementary school that Justice Marshall attended, known as PS 103, located in my hometown of Baltimore, is a place of national significance because it marks the site where one of our Nation's greatest legal minds began his education.

Thurgood Marshall is well known as one of the most significant historical figures of the American civil rights movement. By the time he was 32, he was appointed the chief legal counsel for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, NAACP. He served at the NAACP a total of 25 years and was a key strategist to end racial segregation throughout the United States.

Perhaps the greatest illustration of this effort was his victory before the Supreme Court overturning the Plessy doctrine of `separate but equal' and ending school segregation with the landmark decision in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, KS in 1954. Not only did this case open up educational opportunity and sparked the civil rights movement in this nation, it also established Thurgood Marshall, still a young attorney from Baltimore, as one of the greatest legal minds in all the land. This case was just one of the 29 cases he won before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Fittingly, Marshall was the first African American confirmed to the Supreme Court. He was nominated by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1967 and served 24 years, until 1991. On the high court, Marshall continued his fight for the Constitutional protection of individual human rights.

But Thurgood Marshall was not always a legal giant. He was once a young boy growing up in West Baltimore. He received the first 6 years of his public education at PS 103. An apocryphal story goes that a young Thurgood Marshall studied the U.S. Constitution in the basement of the

building while serving detention. Regardless of whether or not this is true, the building powerfully tells the story of racial segregation in America, PS 103 was a ``blacks only'' school when Justice Marshall was a student there, and the rise of one of the country's paramount thinkers and pioneers in the civil rights movement.

The building is located at 1315 Division Street in the Upton Neighborhood of Old West Baltimore. The building is part of the Old West Baltimore National Register Historic District, and is listed as a contributing historic resource for the neighborhood. The Old West Baltimore historic district is one of the largest predominately African American historic districts in the country, and its significance is centered on the African American experience in the area.

In Baltimore, we are fortunate to have the National Park Service operate two historical sites, Fort McHenry and the Hampton Mansion. Adding PS 103 is a unique opportunity for the National Park Service to work in Baltimore's inner-city and to expand its ability to engage people around African American history.

Needless to say, Thurgood Marshall's legacy is one that should be preserved. He was one of our country's greatest legal minds and a prominent historical figure of one chapter of our country's great history--the civil rights movement. This bill authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study of PS 103 to evaluate the suitability and feasibility of establishing the building as a unit of the National Park Service. Preserving the building that was Justice Marshall's elementary school will give Americans insight into Justice Marshall's childhood.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, today I am proud to introduce the Justice Thurgood Marshall's Elementary School Study Act. The elementary school that Justice Marshall attended, known as PS 103, located in my hometown of Baltimore, is a place of national significance because it marks the site where one of our Nation's greatest legal minds began his education.

Thurgood Marshall is well known as one of the most significant historical figures of the American civil rights movement. By the time he was 32, he was appointed the chief legal counsel for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, NAACP. He served at the NAACP a total of 25 years and was a key strategist to end racial segregation throughout the United States.

Perhaps the greatest illustration of this effort was his victory before the Supreme Court overturning the Plessy doctrine of `separate but equal' and ending school segregation with the landmark decision in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, KS in 1954. Not only did this case open up educational opportunity and sparked the civil rights movement in this nation, it also established Thurgood Marshall, still a young attorney from Baltimore, as one of the greatest legal minds in all the land. This case was just one of the 29 cases he won before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Fittingly, Marshall was the first African American confirmed to the Supreme Court. He was nominated by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1967 and served 24 years, until 1991. On the high court, Marshall continued his fight for the Constitutional protection of individual human rights.

But Thurgood Marshall was not always a legal giant. He was once a young boy growing up in West Baltimore. He received the first 6 years of his public education at PS 103. An apocryphal story goes that a young Thurgood Marshall studied the U.S. Constitution in the basement of the

building while serving detention. Regardless of whether or not this is true, the building powerfully tells the story of racial segregation in America, PS 103 was a ``blacks only'' school when Justice Marshall was a student there, and the rise of one of the country's paramount thinkers and pioneers in the civil rights movement.

The building is located at 1315 Division Street in the Upton Neighborhood of Old West Baltimore. The building is part of the Old West Baltimore National Register Historic District, and is listed as a contributing historic resource for the neighborhood. The Old West Baltimore historic district is one of the largest predominately African American historic districts in the country, and its significance is centered on the African American experience in the area.

In Baltimore, we are fortunate to have the National Park Service operate two historical sites, Fort McHenry and the Hampton Mansion. Adding PS 103 is a unique opportunity for the National Park Service to work in Baltimore's inner-city and to expand its ability to engage people around African American history.

Needless to say, Thurgood Marshall's legacy is one that should be preserved. He was one of our country's greatest legal minds and a prominent historical figure of one chapter of our country's great history--the civil rights movement. This bill authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study of PS 103 to evaluate the suitability and feasibility of establishing the building as a unit of the National Park Service. Preserving the building that was Justice Marshall's elementary school will give Americans insight into Justice Marshall's childhood.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Will the Senator yield?

Let me thank my colleague from Virginia. He is absolutely right. We went through a pretty tough time a month ago when we reached an agreement on the funding levels. It should be a very simple process to get a continuing resolution passed that will extend the government based upon the agreement that was reached just a month ago.

The Senator from Virginia is right about our Federal workforce. Our Federal workforce is doing more work with less people. They are subjected to a 2-year pay freeze, which they were subjected to before we had an agreement to deal with the deficit. For the sake of our Federal employees, for the sake of the people who depend upon their service, and for the sake of our economy and for good governance, the passage of what we call a clean continuing resolution that allows us to work out the individual appropriations bills should be beyond any disagreement.

I thank the Senator from Virginia for his leadership not only on behalf of Federal employees, but also on behalf of sensible budgeting so we do not have to go through this type of ordeal and put people through this unnecessary anxiety.

Madam President, today I wish to recognize and pay tribute to a dear friend, fellow Marylander and 16-year member of the Maryland House of Delegates, Shirley Nathan-Pulliam. Shirley has been a tireless advocate for eliminating health disparities throughout her career as a public servant. The Maryland Department of Health & Mental Hygiene is appropriately honoring her on October 4 by announcing the establishment of the ``Shirley Nathan-Pulliam Health Equity Lecture Series'' at this year's annual Maryland Health Disparity Conference.

Shirley has strong convictions and has often stated: ``In a country as rich and powerful as the United States of America, no person should be without a basic plan of health care.'' As a registered nurse and former faculty associate at the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, Shirley has seen firsthand how minorities are disproportionately harmed by certain diseases and the inequality in care across racial and ethnic lines. Her belief that health care is a basic human right, and not a privilege, has compelled her to serve in public office--a decision that has benefited all Marylanders and has helped improve health equality in our State.

Shirley has had many successes as a legislator, but one of the most important has been her work in establishing the Maryland Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities in 2004. This office is charged with promoting health equity for African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans, and other groups experiencing health disparities. Another key legislative accomplishment of Shirley's was her success in providing health care coverage to more than 100,000 children in Maryland.

Shirley is not a woman who idly witnesses society's inequities. Her compassion and empathy drive her to come up with solutions for the problems she sees. As a sponsor or cosponsor of hundreds of bills that have been signed into law, Shirley has been instrumental in improving the lives of Marylanders in countless ways. When Shirley discovered Maryland had the third highest oral cancer rate for African-American men in the Nation, she secured $500,000 to fight the disease. She also was lead sponsor of legislation providing $2.6 million annually for breast cancer treatment for low-income women living in Maryland.

Shirley has been an indispensable partner and an inspiration in my efforts to address health disparities at the federal level. We worked together to codify the National Institute for Minority Health and Health Disparities, correcting a long-standing bias in our health care system that was ill-equipped to deal with disparities among different populations.

I wish the University of Maryland's Center for Health Equity and the State Office of Minority Health great success in their stewardship of the ``Shirley Nathan-Pulliam Health Equity Lecture Series.'' There is still a great deal of work to be done in achieving Shirley's dream of erasing health disparities and making health care a right for every human being. But with her leadership and legacy to follow, I am confident her dream will one day become a reality.

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

Mr. President, I take this time to bring to the attention of my colleagues activities that will take place this week in New York at the United Nations and the request that has been made by the Palestinians that they seek status as an independent state with full membership in the United Nations.

It is clearly the position of the United States, it is clearly I think the position of the international community, that there needs to be two states, a Jewish State of Israel along with an independent Palestinian State, living side by side in peace. But the only way that will take place is through direct negotiations between the Palestinians and the Israelis. Prime Minister Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, was here in Washington and spoke before a joint session of Congress. He laid out very clearly how peace in the Middle East needs to evolve, through the recognition by the international community of the Jewish State of Israel and an independent Palestinian State through direct negotiations between the Palestinians and the Israelis.

Israel has been one of our strongest allies. They have been a loyal ally to the United States. We share common values. It is strategically critical to the United States, particularly in that part of the world. It is clear to all that the only way we will achieve the two states will be through direct negotiations between the Palestinians and the Israelis. The Palestinians have been reluctant to have these direct negotiations and tried to use intermediaries. They need to do it directly. Sit down with the Israelis. Negotiate the issues. That is the way to move forward to accomplish their goal.

The action they are seeking in the United Nations will be counterproductive. We have gone on record, every single one of us in the Senate of the United States, in S. Res. 185, a resolution I brought forward with my colleague from Maine, Senator Collins. It was passed unanimously by the Senate. It stated very clearly that if the Palestinians were to pursue this unilateral action through the United Nations, that would not advance the peace process, that it would be counterproductive to the objectives of the Palestinians to establish an independent state.

This past week, Senator Collins and I sent a letter to President Abbas, the President of the Palestinian group. We told him that we believed trying to go directly to the United Nations, circumventing the peace process, would be a lack of good faith in peace negotiations and that it would have repercussions on United States foreign policy.

What we have been told by the Palestinians is they will seek full membership as a state in the United Nations, going to the Security Council. That is not going to succeed. We hope the Security Council will recognize the inappropriateness of such action and will not take it up or will not provide the necessary support to forward it to the General Assembly. In the unlikely case that it were to get the necessary support in the Security Council, the United States has made it clear that it would veto any such action, for good reason--because it would be counterproductive to achieving the objectives of two states living side by side in peace.

The Palestinians may go to the General Assembly. Although they cannot get full membership, they could try to advance a resolution within the General Assembly in the United Nations. We know the numbers. We know what could happen. But I must tell you, seeking some form of recognition through the General Assembly, circumventing the peace process and the Security Council, will be harmful to advancing the peace process and the objectives of the Palestinians for an independent state.

Let the parties negotiate directly, in good faith. Israel has indicated they are prepared to do that. We have been prepared to do that--negotiate in good faith through direct negotiations. There are no shortcuts to achieving this. Moving through the United Nations will not achieve those objectives.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Madam President, I am not sure it is good stuff, but it is what has happened in our State. I thank the Senator from Florida for his leadership on so many of these issues and his comments on the floor of the Senate.

About 2 weeks ago, right before Hurricane Irene struck, I was at the Maryland Emergency Management Center located in Reisterstown, MD. I was with Governor O'Malley, the Governor of our State, and other leaders. I saw our team there to prepare the people of Maryland for the onslaught of Irene and later from Tropical Storm Lee. I saw Maryland preparing the best it possibly could to minimize the risk to the people of our State from a natural storm. I saw the local officials do the right thing and tell people in our coastal areas to evacuate their homes because of the potential risk to life and property from this massive storm.

I also saw another agency that was located right there, side by side with the Maryland agencies, and that was FEMA, the Federal officials. These were people I met for the first time. They were not from Maryland. They had come in from other States to help the people of Maryland and provided the expertise to our State officials so we could properly prepare for this storm that was potentially damaging to the people of Maryland. They were there.

I thank President Obama for declaring, before the storm hit, emergency declarations to Maryland so we could utilize Federal resources and we could take maximum steps to minimize the loss of life and property. It was the right thing to do.

I take this time on the floor--I am going to talk a little bit about the damages that occurred in my State--to point out that we have always come together as a nation to stand by those who have been devastated through these natural disasters. This has been a particularly rough year. We have seen hurricanes and storms and tornadoes and flooding and even an earthquake on the east coast of the United States. This has challenged our ability to respond in a timely way. We have a responsibility to make sure our Federal agencies have the resources to respond--how they were able to be about Maryland before the storm, during the storm and after the storm and they are there now to help the people of Maryland. Our governments--our local governments, our businesses, and our residents are counting on that continued Federal purpose to get us through this very difficult period.

Hurricane Irene caused severe storms, flooding, and strong winds in the State of Maryland. It was followed by Tropical Storm Lee, which aggravated the flooding and other damage throughout the State, including damage to roads, water treatment plants, and agriculture. Our agricultural community was hit hard. Our water treatment facilities, the plants we depend upon to keep our waters clean and to keep our neighborhoods safe, were damaged severely by this storm. I have talked to our transportation people. Roads were knocked out. Damage was caused.

On the Eastern Shore of Maryland, as I have already indicated, there was a mandatory order for evacuation of Ocean City the weekend before the Labor Day weekend, resulting in heavy economic losses during one of the most profitable periods during the summer for that city. The flooding in Queen Anne's County destroyed railroad tracks. I have a photograph. This is, by the way, railroad tracks. They have been knocked out by the hurricane. As you can see, this required emergency attention.

Multiple roads were closed and numerous homes were flooded in the town of Millington after the Chester River flooded over its banks. In Millington, the wastewater treatment plant was disabled, also affecting the residents in Kent County. The storm in Talbot County caused roads and pipeline damage.

Let me show you this photograph, if I might, because I think it points out the problem. When that amount of water goes through the storm pipes, it can cause significant damage because these pipes were not able to handle the amount of water that was brought down by the hurricane and tropical storm. As a result, the pipes burst, causing the road which the pipe was under to give way, bringing about a road closure. That was terribly inconvenient, of course, to the people of that area, the businesses, et cetera. I am showing an example in Talbot County, MD, on the Eastern Shore. We could show numerous other examples of the failure of stormwater management pipes as well as roads that had to be closed for public safety. In Caroline County, the towns of Federalsburg and Greensboro experienced major flooding of the Choptank River, including the malfunctioning of a wastewater treatment plant. In Cecil and Harford Counties, Irene led to the opening of a significant number of floodgates at the Conowingo Dam, due to rising water levels feeding in from the Susquehanna River. This was the first time the engineers took such measures since Tropical Storm Isabel hit Maryland in 2003. Opening the floodgates led to flooding and property damage in many areas, and mandatory evacuation orders were issued for Port Deposit and Havre de Grace, in Maryland.

People had to leave their homes. The streets were underwater. When the water receded, there was muck and damage to the towns.

In southern Maryland, damage from metal on a roof that was blown into a transformer forced the shutdown of a reactor at Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant. In Calvert County, many of the substations were damaged and rendered inoperable during Irene, resulting in widespread power outages for many customers and that forced businesses to close for several days. You heard about power outages. We had whole counties where everyone was out of power--everyone. In most of our counties the majority of people lost their power, not for a couple hours, for many days, causing major disruptions to our businesses, to our families, to schools that could not open and, therefore, parents who could not go to work because they had to deal with the unexpected news that the schools would be closed because there was no power in the schools themselves.

In the Washington metro region, Irene and the additional storms caused severe power outages and flooding in Montgomery and Prince George's Counties. In Prince George's County, the loss of power caused thousands of basements to flood. As you know, without power you cannot use your sump pumps. Without that, there is significant damage.

Frankly, because the water came in from the low level rather than from the roof, these property owners are now being challenged as to whether their insurance will cover this damage. That raises the importance, I might say, of the Federal protections that are available when a disaster is declared an emergency by the President because of the altercations over what insurance does not cover. All the more reason why the Federal Government must be there in its traditional role to help communities when a storm or emergency occurs.

Hurricane Irene and subsequent storms required governments to incur additional expenses due to overtime needed for first responders who save lives and property after the storm. I must tell you, I saw those first responders. I saw them out there working 24-hour shifts in some cases. They didn't get home to their families because they were there to help us maintain order and help reduce the loss of life and the loss of property. I thank President Obama for making a timely major disaster declaration for the State of Maryland in advance of the hurricane. Maryland is now eligible for Federal disaster recovery dollars through the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The State budget has already been very much impacted. We all understand our States do not have the flexibility of our country. It is during emergencies that our State and local leaders look to Washington, look to their Federal Government to be there as a partner to deal with this issue that States cannot deal with.

Congress has always acted in a bipartisan manner to help Americans and their communities recover from natural disasters. Congress has never insisted that disaster fund being offset.

Let me explain this issue because it may be confusing to the people who are watching. Yes, the Federal Emergency

Management Agency has a budget. FEMA has a budget. But you cannot predict the number and scope of natural disasters. No one had predicted this storm would be as widespread as it was. Hurricane Irene affected the entire east coast of the United States. FEMA did not have in its budget that type of a scenario, along with the tornadoes we had, along with what has happened in the Midwest. During this period, we have seen 48 of our States declared eligible for FEMA assistance. This affects our entire country. Now the people on the east coast of the United States are looking to the Federal Government to be there. We have always done this, as I said, in a bipartisan manner, without the requirement that if additional moneys are needed, those moneys will be appropriated by Congress. We will not ask other agencies to have to contribute toward that because that was not anticipated when we did the budget. I might point out that we had a very contentious fight over the Budget Control Act. That is the bill we passed that allowed us to increase our debt ceiling and set our budget allocations for fiscal year 2012, the year that will start on October 1.

As you know, there was an agreement in that Budget Control Act that permits the modification of the fiscal year 2012 discretionary cap to be adjusted to accommodate additional disaster relief funding without an offset. That is what we did. We came together as one entity recognizing we cannot predict the next hurricane, storm, earthquake, flood, or tornado. We just cannot predict that. Therefore, Democrats and Republicans said adjust the cap. Meet whatever disaster is out there. Whether it was Katrina in Louisiana, whether it is a bridge falling down in Minnesota that the Presiding Officer had to deal with, whether it is tornadoes as we had in the Midwest, droughts and floods that occurred in our country, we will be there to help the people of America. We helped rebuild countries around the world. We want to make sure we help the communities.

I was with my colleagues from Vermont, and they shared with us the number of bridges that had been wiped out, people who have been isolated as a result of Hurricane Irene and then Tropical Storm Lee. We have a responsibility, and we recognize that in the budget agreement, that we adjust the caps without setoffs so the Federal Government can be there as a true partner in dealing with these issues. We were there for preparation. It is now time to help restore the communities. In some cases it will take months before we are back to normal. We know that, the people know that, but they have a right to expect that the Federal Government will be there to help.

I commend Senator Landrieu, the chair of the Homeland Security Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee; Senator Inouye and the members of the Senate Appropriations Committee. They recognize that. They have given us a budget that will accommodate the extra needs so FEMA will have the resources it wants.

I thank President Obama. His budget request to us reflects the resources we need so we have the recommendation from our Appropriations Committee. We have the leadership from the White House. Now it is time for us to act. We have the vehicle on the floor of the Senate. It is time for us to give the resources to the Federal agencies so they can be there in all parts of this country--including helping the people of Maryland cope with the disaster of Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee and the other natural disasters that have happened in other parts of the country by--taking up this issue now, passing it at this moment so the funds are there and the resources are there.

We can live up to the historical mission of the United States to always be there to help any part of our Nation affected by a natural disaster. I hope we will be able to bring up this issue quickly. As the vote in the Senate Appropriations Committee indicated, it should not be delayed because of offset issues. We should get the needed funds and resources to the agency, working with our State and local governments, working for our local communities so we can try to restore and rebuild those areas that have been devastated by these natural disasters. I would urge us to do that as quickly as possible.

Mr. President, I would yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum.