Floor Statements

Mr. President, today I recognize four young Arkansans who have represented our State during Boys Nation and Girls Nation events in Washington, DC. These students represent the best of our State, and I was proud to visit with them during their trip to our Nation's Capitol.

Arkansas's Boys Nation delegates for 2010 are Alex Geiger from North Little Rock and Joseph Kieklak from Fayetteville. Arkansas's Girls Nation delegates for 2010 are Brittany Webb of Jonesboro and Devika Menta of Conway. These students were also a part of Boys State and Girls State, held earlier this summer in Arkansas.

I commend our Boys and Girls State delegates for their dedication and commitment to learning about our Nation's legislative process on the local, State, and Federal levels. The knowledge they gain will benefit them for the rest of their lives.

As a former delegate, I can say that attending Girls State was one of several experiences that heightened my passion for public service. It was a huge part of my overall process of growing up and learning to respect our country, government, and fellow man.

Sponsored by the American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary, Boys and Girls Nation brings together high school students from across the country to learn about government and citizenship.

I also comment the American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary, of which I am a member, for their efforts to educate and inform our Nation's youth.

Mr. President, today I congratulate recipients of the 2010 Arkansas Community Service Awards. I am proud of their dedication to helping fellow Arkansans, and I commend their spirit of volunteerism, community involvement, and service. These men and women represent the best of Arkansas, and I congratulate them on this prestigious recognition.

This year's winners are:

Individual

Neta Stamps of Berryville

James Brown of Norphlet

Lorrie Lindeman of Heber Springs

Raul Blasini of Pochontas

Theodoshia Cooper of Little Rock

Stella Lowe of Little Rock

Youth Humanitarian

Matt Eckess of Maumelle

Small Corporate Humanitarian

Reynolds Forestry Consulting and Real Estate of Magnolia

Large Corporate

CenterPoint Entergy

For 32 years the Arkansas Community Service Awards have recognized individuals and businesses for their dedication and commitment to supporting volunteerism throughout Arkansas. The awards are sponsored by the Department of Human Services-Division of Volunteerism, DOV, KARK Channel 4, the Governor's Office, and Duncan Law Firm.

We all know the challenges that face our State and Nation. Community service is a critical component of tackling these challenges and making us stronger. I encourage all Arkansans to embrace the spirit of volunteerism and community service on display by this year's Community Service Award winners. Working together, we can make a difference in our local communities and across our great State.

Mr. President, today I recognize two Arkansas historic sites that have been added to the National Register of Historic Places. These Arkansas landmarks help define our State's history and heritage, and I am

proud to see them included on the National Register.

The newly listed properties are:

West Memphis City Hall

West Memphis City Hall at 100 Court Street in West Memphis

in Crittenden County was constructed in 1938 through the

Public Works Administration program and opened July 18, 1939.

Antioch Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery in Sherrill

Antioch Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery in Sherrill in

Jefferson County, a Black cemetery behind the church,

predates the existing church and is the oldest structure on-

site. The earliest documented burial in the cemetery, the

grave of the Rev. Louis Mazique, was in 1885.

Along with all Arkansans, I congratulate these communities for receiving this national recognition. I also salute the local officials and residents of our State for their efforts to maintain the beauty and history of their communities.

Mr. President, today I recognize the staff, board members, and volunteers of Open Arms Shelter in Lonoke County for their steadfast efforts to provide a home for abused or neglected children.

Over 25 years, more than 2,100 children have found a temporary home at Open Arms until they are able to be placed in a relative's home, a foster home, or a long-term facility.

Under the leadership of executive director Susan Bransford, the shelter served 177 children in 2009 and expects to serve at least that many this year.

Open Arms provides children with the resources and care they need to be successful in school and life. The children attend school in Lonoke and have access to afterschool tutors if needed. Open Arms provides food, clothing, medical care and housing, while also offering recreational and educational outings and lessons, all within a structured, disciplined environment.

The shelter employs 11 staff members, 2 of whom live at the shelter, along with 2 part-time cooks, a case coordinator, a part-time bookkeeper and 2 relief workers.

The Open Arms board of directors includes individuals from throughout Lonoke County. They are: Shelby Hillman, Kathy Millard and David Woods of Carlisle; Peggy Anderson, Merritt Holman, Kaye Anderson and Betty Wilson of Lonoke; Leann Hanshaw, Rhonda Harps, Rhonda House and Patrick J. Hagge of Cabot; Pam Foster, Gary Canada and Sherry Sandage of England; and LuAnn Ashley of Little Rock, member at large.

I commend the entire Open Arms community for their dedication to helping children in need with compassion and a loving heart.

Mr. President, I am pleased to be joined by my colleagues, Senators Chambliss and Grassley, to introduce legislation that would reauthorize mandatory price reporting for another 5 years. This bill will guarantee transparency of the livestock marketing sector and help improve producers' timely access to market prices so that they can make the best decision on when to sell the livestock they have worked hard to bring to market.

To address producers' concerns regarding low livestock prices, industry concentration, and the unavailability of accurate market information, Congress passed the Livestock Mandatory Reporting Act in 1999 to help improve market transparency.

Producers tell me that Mandatory Price Reporting yields valuable information, helps to keep the markets honest, and helps take the guess work out of business decisions for producers and packers.

This legislation, which is supported by producers and packers alike, will extend for an additional 5 years the reporting requirements of livestock daily markets. This bill makes two important changes from existing law.

First, as specified in the 2008 Farm Bill, this bill will require Mandatory Reporting of Wholesale Pork, MRWP, cuts. A study on MRWP, required by the 2008 Farm Bill and published earlier this year, will help guide the new regulations. This legislation also included negotiated rule making that requires the Secretary of Agriculture to bring stakeholders, as well as representatives from industry and the Department of Agriculture together to design the regulations for reporting MRWP cuts. The bill requires that a final rule be completed no later than 18 months after it is signed by the President. This important addition, once completed, would simply expand transparency to the pork industry that was not previously required and further protect producers.

Second, the bill instructs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish within 1 year an electronic price reporting system for dairy products. Published reports will be required on a weekly and monthly basis. This is a first critical step in continuing to assist our producers as they make decisions that impact their businesses. Furthermore, on a weekly basis, the Secretary of Agriculture must publish a report disclosing milk prices from the previous week. This too was included in the Farm Bill, and I am hopeful it will be another tool for dairy farmers across the country.

This bill represents several months of negotiations by all interested stakeholders who worked hard to find compromise on these critical issues. I want to thank everyone involved in this process for working together to reach consensus. Those groups supporting the reauthorization bill include:

American Farm Bureau Federation, American Meat Institute, American Sheep Industry Association, National Cattlemen's Beef Association, National Farmers Union, National Pork Producers Council, National Meat Association, and the United States Cattleman's Association.

I look forward to moving this critical reauthorization through Congress so we do not disrupt the critical reporting

on livestock markets and so that family farmers and ranchers in Arkansas can have confidence that they are receiving fair market value.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that a letter of support be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I am pleased to be joined by my colleagues, Senators Chambliss and Grassley, to introduce legislation that would reauthorize mandatory price reporting for another 5 years. This bill will guarantee transparency of the livestock marketing sector and help improve producers' timely access to market prices so that they can make the best decision on when to sell the livestock they have worked hard to bring to market.

To address producers' concerns regarding low livestock prices, industry concentration, and the unavailability of accurate market information, Congress passed the Livestock Mandatory Reporting Act in 1999 to help improve market transparency.

Producers tell me that Mandatory Price Reporting yields valuable information, helps to keep the markets honest, and helps take the guess work out of business decisions for producers and packers.

This legislation, which is supported by producers and packers alike, will extend for an additional 5 years the reporting requirements of livestock daily markets. This bill makes two important changes from existing law.

First, as specified in the 2008 Farm Bill, this bill will require Mandatory Reporting of Wholesale Pork, MRWP, cuts. A study on MRWP, required by the 2008 Farm Bill and published earlier this year, will help guide the new regulations. This legislation also included negotiated rule making that requires the Secretary of Agriculture to bring stakeholders, as well as representatives from industry and the Department of Agriculture together to design the regulations for reporting MRWP cuts. The bill requires that a final rule be completed no later than 18 months after it is signed by the President. This important addition, once completed, would simply expand transparency to the pork industry that was not previously required and further protect producers.

Second, the bill instructs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish within 1 year an electronic price reporting system for dairy products. Published reports will be required on a weekly and monthly basis. This is a first critical step in continuing to assist our producers as they make decisions that impact their businesses. Furthermore, on a weekly basis, the Secretary of Agriculture must publish a report disclosing milk prices from the previous week. This too was included in the Farm Bill, and I am hopeful it will be another tool for dairy farmers across the country.

This bill represents several months of negotiations by all interested stakeholders who worked hard to find compromise on these critical issues. I want to thank everyone involved in this process for working together to reach consensus. Those groups supporting the reauthorization bill include:

American Farm Bureau Federation, American Meat Institute, American Sheep Industry Association, National Cattlemen's Beef Association, National Farmers Union, National Pork Producers Council, National Meat Association, and the United States Cattleman's Association.

I look forward to moving this critical reauthorization through Congress so we do not disrupt the critical reporting

on livestock markets and so that family farmers and ranchers in Arkansas can have confidence that they are receiving fair market value.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that a letter of support be printed in the Record.

Madam President, I join Arkansans and all Americans to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, known as ADA. This legislation has literally opened doors for countless Arkansans living with disabilities.

ADA protects the civil rights of all people with disabilities by expanding opportunities for Arkansans and all Americans with disabilities and by reducing barriers, changing perceptions and allowing all Americans to go to the schools of their choice, gain meaningful employment, and fully participate in community life.

This week, communities across Arkansas will commemorate the 20th anniversary of ADA with events and celebrations, including construction of wheelchair ramps by volunteers and a 5K Roll n' Walk Run event on the Fayetteville trail system in northwest Arkansas.

I commend these volunteers and participants for their dedication to ensuring that Arkansans with disabilities have full access to the resources they need, in addition to promoting ADA's anniversary.

On the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, I join my fellow Arkansans to celebrate this historic legislation that has touched the lives of so many in our State and Nation.

Madam President, today I honor Sergeant David Collins of Maumelle, who was recently named Officer of the Year for 2009 by the Maumelle Police Department. Sergeant Collins has worked for the department since 1992. I commend his commitment and dedication to protecting Maumelle residents.

Along with all Arkansans, I recognize the courage, bravery, and dedication of our Arkansas law enforcement, who risk their lives each day to keep our citizens safe. I thank these public servants for their service and sacrifice.

Madam President, today I congratulate Carolyn W. Mosley of Fort Smith for her outstanding contributions to the field of nursing education in our state. In recognition of her efforts, she will be inducted as a fellow into the National League for Nursing's Academy of Nursing Education in October in Las Vegas. Ms. Mosley currently serves as dean of the College of Health Sciences at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith.

Only 86 nurses worldwide have achieved the recognition. Ms. Mosley is among 19 new fellows from 17 nursing schools to be inducted this year. She is the only fellow chosen from Arkansas. The association itself has 31,000 individual and 1,200 institutional members.

Ms. Mosley has also served as a human rights expert for the International Council of Nursing, received the Rosalyn Carter Caregiving Recognition Award, and the Robert Wood Johnson Executive Nurse Fellow Award. She serves as Good Samaritan Health Clinic Board vice president, Sparks Regional Medical Center Investigational Review Board chairwoman, Sparks Board trustee, and St. James Missionary Baptist Church Board president.

Madam President, Ms. Mosley serves as a role model for anyone aspiring to make a difference in nursing education and the field of health care. She represents the best of Arkansas, and I am proud of her achievements. Along with all Arkansans, I commend her for this extraordinary accomplishment.

Madam President, today I recognize six Arkansans who were recently honored by the Arkansas Gospel Announcers Guild for their contributions to gospel music and the community. I commend them for their dedication to this beloved American art form, which has a strong tradition in Arkansas.

Honorees were: Elijah and Belinda Mondy, KJIW Radio, Radio Broadcast Excellence; Charles Moore, Arkansas Gospel Mass Choir, Gospel Music Excellence; Irene Perkins, Irene's Productions, Gospel Promotions; C. Michael Tidwell, Centre for the Dansarts, Inspired Excellence-- Liturgical Dance; and Deacon Alvin White, KITA/KOKY, Lifetime Achievement.

As a farmer's daughter from Helena, AR, who grew up in the heart of the Mississippi Delta, I have been surrounded by the unique traditions of gospel music all my life and am appreciative of its importance to the faith community in my State. With its roots in African-American culture, gospel music has grown beyond the church walls and is now firmly rooted in the American music tradition.

Gospel music is an integral part of our Nation's history and heritage. Along with all Arkansans and all Americans, I honor these individuals who have dedicated so much of their time, energy, and talents to promoting gospel music in our State.

Madam President, today I recognize the men and women of the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management for their tireless dedication to keeping the residents of our State safe and secure.

Because of their efforts, the department was recently granted full accreditation by the Emergency Management Accreditation Program, known as EMAP. Arkansas is one of only 22 other States and jurisdictions with accredited programs.

Mr. President, I commend all of our emergency responders for their commitment to protecting the citizens of our State.

Along with all Arkansans, I thank the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management for their work to identify and lessen the effects of emergencies, disasters and threats to Arkansas through effective prevention, preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery actions for all disasters and emergencies.

I congratulate the entire team at the Department of Emergency Management for achieving this prestigious accreditation.

Madam President, today I am proud to recognize 10 Arkansans who are currently competing in the National Horseshoe Pitchers Association 2010 Pitching Championships in Cedar Rapids, IA. The 2-week event is held each summer and features eight divisions in which pitchers compete for $170,000 in prizes and scholarships.

Arkansas has a strong horseshoe pitching tradition, with tournaments held throughout the State from March to November. These tournaments bring together Arkansans of all ages to enjoy wholesome recreation and learn new techniques to improve their skills to be more successful in horseshoe pitching. It is one of the few sports that has a national champion for men, women, boys and girls and can still be played in one's backyard by young and old alike.

I commend the entire Arkansas Horseshoe Pitchers Association for promoting the sport and art of horseshoe pitching. I also applaud our Arkansas representatives in this year's national championship for their spirit of competition and their commitment to their sport.

I join all Arkansans in wishing them the best of luck as they represent our State.

I would like some clarification on that last comment, please, from the minority leader. There is no objection now on the UC?

That is not my question.

My question is what is the pending issue and is the question on whether there is an objection to the supplemental; is that correct?

I would like to wage my objection until I can further discuss it with the majority leader.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record a letter dated June 30, 2010, from Senator Dodd and me to House Chairmen Peterson and Frank regarding the treatment of end users in the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, H.R. 4173.

Mr. President, today I honor a true Arkansas and American hero, 1SG Nick Bacon, who passed away this weekend. First Sergeant Bacon, 64, was a Medal of Honor recipient and former director of the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs. He served in the U.S. Army from 1963 to 1984 and was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during a 1968 battle in Vietnam, along with countless awards and decorations including two Distinguished Service Crosses, the Legion of Merit, the Combat Infantry Badge, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.

With his passing, Arkansas has lost one of its finest citizens, and his death is a tremendous loss to our State. First Sergeant Bacon served our State and Nation honorably, fighting valiantly in Vietnam. He took command of two platoons after the leaders of each were wounded during a battle near Tam Ky, Vietnam, on Aug. 26, 1968. Using grenades, he destroyed an enemy bunker before singlehandedly killing an enemy gun crew and disabling an antitank weapon. He then helped rescue several wounded and trapped soldiers.

After 20 years of military service, he returned to Arkansas to serve his fellow veterans as the director of Veterans Affairs for the State from 1993 through 2005. It was an honor to be able to work with him serving the State of Arkansas. As director of the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs, he helped establish the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery and the Arkansas Veterans Coalition. He was also active in establishing a Veterans Cemetery Beautification Program. In addition, First Sergeant Bacon served as Commander, American Legion Post 1, Little Rock, after retiring as the director of the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs.

First Sergeant Bacon was a true ``Arkansas son,'' born Nov. 25, 1945, in Caraway in northeast Arkansas. He moved with his family as a child to Arizona, where he joined the Army, but he returned to Arkansas in 1990 and most recently lived in Rose Bud. First Sergeant Bacon's legacy will live on through projects such as the Nick Bacon VFW Special Veterans Scholarship for selected children and grandchildren of veterans who have a 60-percent or more service-connected disability.

Along with all Arkansans, I am grateful for First Sergeant Bacon's service and for the service and sacrifice of all of our military servicemembers and their families. These men and women have shown tremendous courage and perseverance through the most difficult of times. As neighbors, as Arkansans, and as Americans, it is incumbent upon us to do everything we can to honor their service and to provide for them and their families, not only when they are in harm's way but also when they return home. It is the least we can do for those whom we owe so much.