Floor Statements

Mr. President, I rise today to thank Rev. Don Longbottom for accepting Senate Chaplain Barry Black's and my invitation to join us in the U.S. Senate and offer the opening prayer. I also would like to recognize his wife, Lori, who has accompanied him to Washington from Nebraska.

Reverend Longbottom is currently the Senior Minister at Countryside Community Church United Church of Christ in Omaha, NE. He ministers to more than 2,000 members of Countryside Community Church in Omaha, including my dear friends Ron and Lois Roskens and former Nebraska Congressman John Y. McCollister and his wife Nan.

In addition to his leadership in faith communities in Kansas, Ohio, and California, Reverend Longbottom continues to dedicate himself to the spiritual and community needs of many Nebraskans. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the United Church of Christ Nebraska Conference and has taught college courses in Environmental and Business Ethics.

I again thank Reverend Longbottom for leading today's prayer for my colleagues and I in the U.S. Senate and for guiding us in reflecting upon the tremendous responsibilities we have as lawmakers.

Mr. President, I express my sympathy over the loss of Linda Tarango-Griess of Sutton, NE, a Sergeant First Class in the Nebraska Army National Guard. SFC Tarango-Griess was killed on July 11, 2004 near the city of Samarra in Iraq when a roadside bomb exploded near her convoy. She was 33 years old.

SFC Tarango-Griess was originally from North Platte and graduated from Kearney High School. She was a full-time soldier for 14 years in the Nebraska Army National Guard and was deployed to Iraq in February of this year. Tarango-Griess was assigned to the 267th Ordnance Company based in Lincoln and was responsible for direct support maintenance for coalition forces in the region, including the installation of additional armor protection on military Humvee vehicles to make them safer. Tarango-Griess was one of thousands of brave American service women and men serving in Iraq.

SFC Tarango-Griess is survived by her parents, Augustin and Juanita Tarango of North Platte; and husband, SSGT Douglas Griess, of Sutton. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this difficult time. America is proud of Linda Tarango-Griess' service and mourns her loss.

For her service, bravery, and sacrifice, I ask my colleagues to join me and all Americans in honoring SFC Tarango-Griess.

Sergeant Jeremy Fischer

Mr. President, I express my sympathy over the loss of Jeremy Fischer of Lincoln, NE, a Sergeant in the Nebraska Army National Guard. SGT Fischer was killed on July 11, 2004 near the city of Samarra in Iraq when a roadside bomb exploded near his convoy. He was 26 years old.

SGT Fischer will be remembered as a hard-working, positive individual. He joined the Nebraska Army National Guard in 1999 and was deployed to Iraq in February of this year. He was assigned to the 267th Ordnance Company based in Lincoln and was responsible for direct support maintenance for coalition forces in the region, including the installation of additional armor protection on military Humvee vehicles to make them safer. Fischer was one of thousands of brave American service men and women serving in Iraq.

SGT Fischer is survived by his parents, James Fischer of Hastings and Kathy Fischer of Lincoln; and wife of nearly 8 months, Sarah Fischer, of Lincoln. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this difficult time. America is proud of Jeremy Fischer's service and mourns his loss.

For his service, bravery, and sacrifice, I ask my colleagues to join me and all Americans in honoring SGT Jeremy Fischer.

Sergeant Robert E. Colvill, Jr.

I understand the State Department expects to fund the Embassy-Baghdad operations using emergency spending in Fiscal Year 2005. It is also my understanding that Senate Appropriations Committee agrees with the State Department on this issue.

The House version of the Fiscal Year 2005 Defense Appropriations bill includes $665 million in emergency spending for the Department of State to fund Embassy-Baghdad operations, IT costs, logistical support, and security requirements. Chairman Stevens and Senator Gregg, and I understand that the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee will accept the House position on funding Embassy-Baghdad operations, IT costs, logistical support, and security requirements during the upcoming conference. I appreciate the support from Chairman Stevens and Senator Gregg on this matter.

Mr. President, I rise today to join my colleague Senator Jack Reed in introducing an amendment to the fiscal year 2005 Defense authorization bill to increase the size of the United States Army by 20,000 additional troops.

Over the last year the Congress has expressed grave concern that our Armed Forces are too small to meet the extraordinary demands being placed on them today. These demands will be with us well into the future.

Senator Reed and I are proposing this amendment to formally increase the size of the United States Army by 20,000 troops in the coming year.

The additional troops are urgently required to give the Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army the tools he needs to fight the war on terrorism, stabilize Iraq and Afghanistan, and meet the global demands being placed on the total force today.

Under emergency authority, the U.S. Army has already exceeded its authorized end strength by around 15,000 soldiers. This amendment provides straightforward congressional approval for these additional troops. It also puts the future funding of these troops on the record, not masked in the emergency supplemental appropriations process.

The size and cost of the Army must be transparent to the American people, our allies, and to those that would oppose us in the war on terrorism.

This amendment gives General Schoomaker, the Chief of Staff of the United States Army, the additional manpower he has told us he needs to transform the total force . . . the active duty Army, the Army Reserve, and the Army National Guard.

The amendment recognizes the fact that the Army needs 20,000 more troops now. In the future the Army must also be authorized to add 10,000 more soldiers.

The amendment increases the approved Army end strength personnel floor from 482,400 to 502,400 troops. It tells the soldiers in the Army that we strongly support increasing the size of the Army to meet the increased demands being placed on the service.

I commend Chairman Warner and ranking member Levin for their outstanding work on this Defense authorization bill. Members of our Armed Forces are currently engaged in combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Hundreds of thousands of American men and women in uniform are serving around the world defending the freedoms we hold dear.

Chairman Warner and ranking member Levin are tireless supporters of our men and women in these dangerous times. Our Nation owes them both, and their staffs, a debt of gratitude for their service.

I also appreciate the Chairman's contribution to this effort with his second degree amendment.

And finally, I wish the U.S. Army a happy 229th birthday.

Mr. President, I offer my strong support for John C. Danforth's nomination to be Representative of the United States to the United Nations.

Jack Danforth's career in public service dates back to 1969, when he became Missouri's Attorney General. He served in that position until 1976. He went on to serve three distinguished terms in the United States Senate, where he was chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee.

Since retiring from the Senate in 1995, Presidents of both political parties have called upon Jack to tackle complex problems. In 1999, then-Attorney General Janet Reno appointed him as a special counsel to investigate the 1993 deaths of 80 Branch Davidians in Waco, Texas. In 2001, President Bush appointed him as a special envoy to Sudan to help achieve peace between long-warring factions in that country. His service in Sudan reflects his varied talents and great capacity for diplomatic accomplishments.

Jack Danforth has earned the respect of both national and international leaders. His strong character, broad experience and varied accomplishments make him an excellent choice to once again serve America, this time in the United Nations at one of the most challenging times in history.

I endorse John C. Danforth's nomination and encourage the Foreign Relations Committee and Senate to offer their full support to this nomination.

Mr. President, I rise today to offer my strong support for Anne W. Patterson's nomination to be the U.S. Deputy Representative to the United Nations.

Anne has served the United States with distinction over the past 31 years, both at home and abroad. Anne began her career in 1973 as an economic officer in Ecuador, later rising to become U.S. Ambassador to Colombia and El Salvador. She has achieved a diverse set of accomplishments, which include mastering both Spanish and Arabic. Anne has served as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Inter-American Affairs and as office director for the Andean countries. She is currently the Deputy Inspector General of the Department of State.

Anne's commitment to excellence has been recognized by her colleagues and superiors at the State Department. She twice received both the State Department's Superior Honor Award and its Meritorious Honor Award. The Government of Colombia awarded her with the Order of the Congress and the Order of Boyaca. She was also recognized by the Government of El Salvador with the Order of Jose Matias Delgado.

Anne's wide array of experiences and commitment to service make her an excellent choice to serve America at the United Nations. I endorse Anne W. Patterson's nomination and encourage the Foreign Relations Committee and Senate to offer their full support to this nomination.

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

Mr. President, on January 20, 1981, Ronald Reagan, after being sworn in as the 40th President of the United States, looked out over The Mall and addressed the Nation. He told us that the challenges of our day required:

Our best effort, and our willingness to believe in

ourselves and to believe in our capacity to perform great

deeds; to believe that together, with God's help, we can and

will resolve the problems which now confront us. And, after

all, why shouldn't we believe that? We are Americans.

I remember the celebrations that evening as if they happened yesterday. It was a bitterly cold evening. As our Nation celebrated a new beginning, it was as if the cold January winds swept away a nation's doubts and fears and replaced them with a renewed American spirit.

Ronald Reagan was a unique American leader who understood the greatness and the goodness of America. He knew who he was and what he believed. Over the last century, no American President was as well grounded as Ronald Reagan. He had faith and confidence in the people of America, and that trust was reciprocated.

As much as anyone who came before or after him, Ronald Reagan possessed an innate understanding of the significance of the American Presidency. Ronald and Nancy Reagan set the gold-standard for grace, dignity and class in the White House. Reagan understood the weight and consequences of his office beyond the borders of the United States. The world looked to him as a standard bearer of freedom. Reagan also understood the importance of the Presidency to young people. The responsibility of being a role model to a nation's youth rested easily on his shoulders.

Ronald Reagan is known as the great communicator. While he certainly was one of the best communicators ever to hold the Presidency, he was far more than just a talented communicator. Reagan was a thinker and a writer. He was constantly writing beautiful letters and his speeches in long-hand. Today, these speeches and letters are national treasures. Reagan thought deeply about the great issues of his time without getting dragged down into the underbrush of detail and trivia. He was not a superfluous man. Our Nation was guided by his clarity of purpose, understanding of the purpose of power and the limitations of government.

Since President Reagan left the American political stage, we have missed his imagination and creativity. Since his days of sitting in a radio studio doing play-by-play broadcasts for baseball games from news wire service copy, he had a genuineness that served him well. He was a masterful story-teller. In today's age of processed politics and politicians, President Reagan's candor and humor are sorely lacking.

Ronald Reagan was a child of humble beginnings who never forgot the little guy. He believed every American had something special to contribute. Reagan let people know that each thread of the American fabric mattered. In late September of 1980, I was working as an adviser on the Reagan-Bush campaign.

One evening, I was part of a group invited to an estate near Middleburg, VA, where then-Governor and Nancy Reagan were staying. They wanted to thank us for the work we had done for the campaign with a wonderful dinner. As the evening was ending, an aide to Governor Reagan asked me to remain after the dinner because Governor Reagan wanted to speak with me. I was taken into the house where Governor Reagan was staying. He sat down next to me and told me he wanted to talk about Vietnam. He wanted to know about my experience and what I thought about the war. That was the kind of man he was. He wanted to understand things. He wanted to know things and he wanted to make the world better than it was.

Though his individual accomplishments are great, Ronald Reagan will be remembered for something far greater than the sum of his individual accomplishments; he will be remembered for renewing the American spirit. He was a true American original. We will never see one like him again.

Over the last decade as we struggled to meet the challenges of our time, Ronald Reagan slipped away from us. He now belongs to the warmth of eternity and the pages of history. However, he has not left us to meet our challenges alone. The lessons of his leadership and the strength of his spirit that swept across our country on a cold day in January 24 years ago, guide us still today.

I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Madam President, I thank you.

Akaka, Hollings, Inouye, Lautenberg--veterans of World War II. Stevens, U.S. Army Air Corps, a veteran of World War II; Warner, Navy veteran of World War II. All unique men, men of decency, men of character, plainspoken, humble and generous in spirit, noble in purpose.

Their lives have been about hope. They transformed a world and framed the future. This institution and the world have been touched by each one. We in the Senate watch them. We key off of them. We have learned much from these six distinguished Americans.

These men are not angels. We are not here to canonize them, but we are here to recognize one of the most unique times in the history of man. That time was not squandered by unique individuals who understood the great purpose and challenge of their time.

I am connected to this generation, as millions of Americans, not just because I had the privilege of serving with them in the Senate, my father was a veteran of World War II with the Army Air Corps in the South Pacific, the 13th Army Air Corps. He was a radio operator tailgunner on a B-25. He spent almost 3 years overseas.

If he were alive today, I don't know if he would have found a prouder moment than what happened in Washington last weekend and what is happening in the Senate today as we honor these unique Americans.

They lifted us up. They continue to lift us up. Yet they never asked for anything in return for their service. I congratulate and thank our distinguished colleagues.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I rise to express my sympathy over the loss of Kyle W. Codner of Shelton, NE, a lance corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps. Corporal Codner was killed on May 26, 2004, in the Anbar province in Iraq while performing security and stability operations. He was 19 years old. CPL Matthew Henderson of Lincoln, NE, a good friend of Codner, was killed in the same explosion.

Corporal Codner grew up on a farm east of Shelton, NE, and graduated from Shelton High School in 2003. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps in June 2003, and was deployed to Iraq in February of this year. He was assigned to 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Pendleton, CA. Codner was one of thousands of brave American service men and women serving in Iraq.

Corporal Codner is survived by his parents, Dixie and Wain Codner of Shelton; sister, Melissa; and fiancee, Megan Kirkover. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this difficult time. America is proud of Kyle W. Codner's service and mourns his loss.

For his service, bravery, and sacrifice, I ask my colleagues to join me and all Americans in honoring Lance Corporal Codner.

Hesley Box, Jr.

Mr. President, I rise to express my sympathy over the loss of Matthew C. Henderson of Lincoln, NE, a corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps. Corporal Henderson was killed on May 26, 2004, in the Anbar province in Iraq while performing security and stability operations. He was 25 years old. LCpl Kyle Codner of Shelton, NE, a good friend of Henderson, was killed in the same explosion.

Corporal Henderson graduated from Palmyra High School and went on to play football at Nebraska Wesleyan for 2 years before joining the Marines. He was assigned to 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Pendleton, CA. Henderson was one of thousands of brave American service men and women serving in Iraq.

Corporal Henderson is survived by his father, Owen Henderson of Bennet; mother, Becky and sister, Kellie Henderson of Lincoln; and wife, Jaimie of Lincoln. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this difficult time. America is proud of Matthew C. Henderson's service and mourns his loss.

For his service, bravery, and sacrifice, I ask my colleagues to join me and all Americans in honoring Corporal Henderson.

staff sergeant joseph garyantes

Mr. President, today I congratulate the international architecture and engineering firm Leo A. Daly for its direction, construction and design of the National World War II Memorial. The completion of the National World War II Memorial, which was dedicated last weekend, would not have been possible without the Leo A. Daly firm. I am particularly proud of this firm since it was founded 89 years ago in my home State of Nebraska.

The National World War II Memorial acknowledges the service and sacrifice of those who served our country during World War II. According to The Commission of Fine Arts, the memorial is ``an eloquent statement worthy of the subject and the site.''

I congratulate and thank the Leo A. Daly employees who have honored the service of our Nation's ``greatest generation'' through the construction of this National World War II Memorial.

Mr. President, I thank my colleague, the distinguished Senator from Iowa, for his years of effort and leadership and focus on this issue.

I rise this morning to join with Senator Harkin in introducing this amendment to S. 1248, the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act, IDEA, reauthorization. Our amendment will provide mandatory increases in funding of $2.2 billion per year to fully fund part B of the IDEA Program over the next 6 years.

This amendment will allow us to reach our Federal funding commitment to IDEA by fiscal year 2010 and fulfill our nearly 30-year-old Federal commitment to the States, our schools, our children with disabilities.

In 1975, Congress guaranteed children with disabilities the right to a free and appropriate public education. This means whatever the cost, States and local school districts are mandated by Federal law to provide necessary services to educate a child with a disability. Congress understood this Federal mandate would be costly. As a result, Congress agreed over 30 years ago to provide States with 40 percent of the cost of educating these children. Unfortunately, States have been bearing the bulk of the costs associated with IDEA for this time. States have upheld their part of the deal. Congress has not. This is why Senator Harkin and I and others believe mandatory funding is warranted for the IDEA Program.

IDEA is one of the largest unfunded mandates imposed on the States. As a matter of fact, I recall in a speech on the Senate floor earlier this year the junior Senator from Tennessee, the former Governor of Tennessee, Mr. Alexander, talking about unfunded mandates that he dealt with in his 8 years as Governor of Tennessee. He pointed out specifically that IDEA was one of those unfunded mandates.

Everyone in this body has heard from their Governors, school boards, administrators, teachers and parents about the importance of this issue. Unfortunately, instead of making IDEA funding a priority, Congress continues to pass new education programs that require more money, more resources, and more responsibility from the States. So we continue to force down upon the States, more unfunded mandates. Even though the purpose is noble, the cause is right, and we say on the floor of the Congress that we will help, we will provide those resources and those funds--in the case of IDEA, for 30 years we have not done that. We have not fulfilled the statutory commitments that we made to the States and the school districts--and ultimately to our children.

For the past 7 years, I have worked on a bipartisan basis with Senators Harkin, Dodd, Kennedy, Jeffords, Warner, Collins, Chafee, Snowe, Coleman, Roberts, and others to accomplish this task. Three years ago, as was noted by my distinguished colleague from Iowa, the Senate agreed to an amendment that Senator Harkin and I offered to the No Child Left Behind Act. The amendment provided mandatory funding for the IDEA program. Unfortunately, this amendment was removed during a House-Senate conference in 2001.

Today we have another opportunity to show the Senate's support for mandatory IDEA funding by passing the Harkin-Hagel amendment. Although we have had great success in increasing IDEA appropriations from $2.3 billion in fiscal year 1996 to $10.1 billion in fiscal year 2004, we still have a long way to go before meeting our total Federal IDEA funding responsibilities. The cost of special education is high. We understand that. But it is the thing that is most important for the parents, the teachers, and the children. By underfunding the Federal Government's portion of IDEA, States and local school districts are forced to pick up the additional costs, adding to their already heavy tax burdens.

Our amendment has nothing to do with expanding the Federal role. It has nothing to do with expanding the Federal role in education. It is about meeting the existing commitments of the Federal Government under the current law.

While I share the same budgetary concerns as others in this body--we all

must share those concerns and act as prudent, wise stewards of the people's money--I remind my colleagues that despite our recent progress on IDEA, we are still only about halfway to meeting our Federal obligation that we made to the people of this country 30 years ago. We are not now meeting those statutory commitments. Although we made budget promises year after year, we continue to fail in meeting our annual discretionary funding goals for IDEA.

Last year the Senate adopted a budget amendment that would have increased IDEA funds by $2.2 billion in fiscal year 2004. Unfortunately, we came up $1 billion short, even though we had passed it in the Senate, by the time we finished the appropriations process. This is just another example of why mandatory funding is absolutely necessary to fulfill the commitment of Congress to IDEA. Meeting our Federal commitment to IDEA would help school districts fund additional education priorities such as facility improvements, teacher salaries, and purchasing upgraded hardware and software for the classroom.

On another point that needs some clarification, the Harkin-Hagel amendment, this amendment that we debate this morning, would not take away the authority of Congress to reauthorize this program. There seems to be some misunderstanding about that issue. In fact, our amendment includes language that states that nothing shall prevent future reauthorizations.

I urge my colleagues to vote today to fulfill America's commitment to IDEA funding. I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I rise today to congratulate the International Republican Institute on the 20th anniversary of its founding. As an IRI Board member since 1999, I have witnessed IRI's tremendous success in helping build democracy across the globe.

The International Republican Institute was founded in response to a 1982 speech by President Ronald Reagan, in which he called for a broad commitment to helping developing countries build democratic institutions. IRI began its work in Latin America. When the cold war ended, IRI expanded its programs to the states of the former Soviet Union.

Through its work today in more than 50 countries, IRI reinforces the American belief that all people can achieve freedom through the development of democratic political parties, good governance, and transparent election processes. IRI's success in teaching those in emerging democracies to build and manage democratic institutions does not stop at these countries' borders. Volunteers from Romania, Serbia, and other countries where IRI has worked are now helping to build a civil society in Iraq.

IRI also provides citizens from across the U.S. the opportunity to volunteer their skills to assist countries undergoing democratic transition. IRI volunteers teach others how to run political campaigns, increase the participation of women and youth, monitor elections, deliver government services, and communicate effectively with the public.

I congratulate and thank the International Republican Institute for its commitment to helping strengthen democracy around the world.

Mr. President, Gov. Frank Morrison was quoted in the December 5, 1975 Lincoln Evening Journal:

As long as Frank Morrison's alive, I'll never retire, even

though I'm flat on my back. There are too many problems in

this world which need attention.

Much has already been said about the late Gov. Frank B. Morrison and his remarkable life. However, I would like to add a couple of thoughts from the perspective of a Nebraskan, a U.S. Senator, and a Republican.

The first time I had the opportunity to meet Frank Morrison, I was a young radio station reporter in Omaha during the 1970 Nebraska Senate campaign. In my first interview with him, I was drawn to his passion and sense of purpose. Frank Morrison believed he could make the world better--and he succeeded. His political career and life were about enhancing the world around him and solving problems.

Frank's dedication to Nebraska was, and still is, seen and felt statewide. As Governor, he and his wife Maxine encouraged Nebraskans to take pride in their State. It was his vision and pride in Nebraska that eventually led to the completion of the Great Platte River Road Archway spanning Interstate 80 outside of Kearney. He was dedicated to recognizing Nebraska's role as an important crossroads in the Nation's development and westward migration.

I stayed in touch with Frank over the years, but it wasn't until I came to the Senate in 1997 that I communicated with him on a regular basis. He would write or call me, offering suggestions, observations, and thoughts on issues of the day. I last spoke with him a week after Maxine's death when Frank knew he had very little time left. In our last conversation, he never once mentioned his battle with cancer, his pain, or his impending death. Our conversations were always about the future.

I told my Senate colleague and Frank's former colleague, Senator Fritz Hollings (D-SC), that Frank did not have much time left. Frank and Fritz were Governors together during the 1960s. I gave Fritz Frank's phone number and he called him. They had a wonderful 45 minute conversation as they said their last goodbyes.

Frank Morrison was a remarkable man for many reasons. The ultimate compliment that can be paid to any of us at the end of our lives fits him well--he left the world better than he found it.

Frank's unyielding commitment to his family, State, and country is a model for all Nebraskans. He was a dedicated public servant who inspired others through his personal conduct and respect for others. All of Nebraska thanks Governor Frank and Maxine Morrison for their contributions to our State and humanity.

Mr. President, I rise to express my sympathy over the loss of PVT Noah L. Boye, a Nebraskan serving in the United States Marine Corps. Boye was killed on April 13 when he came under enemy fire near Fallujah, Iraq. He was 21 years old. Boye served in the 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force based in Camp Pendleton, CA.

A resident of Grand Island, NE, Private Boye was a proud and dedicated soldier who was committed to his country. Private Boye enlisted in the Marine Corps when he was 17 years old. He died courageously performing his duty. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time. All of America mourns Noah Boye and is proud of his service.

Private Boye and thousands of brave American service men and women confront danger every day in Iraq and their tremendous sacrifices must never be taken for granted or forgotten. For his service, bravery, and sacrifice, I ask my colleagues to join me and all Americans in honoring PVT Noah L. Boye.

Mr. President, I rise to express my sympathy over the loss of SP Dennis Morgan, a Nebraskan serving with the South Dakota National Guard. Specialist Morgan was killed on April 17 south of Baghdad, Iraq when a roadside bomb exploded as a convoy passed. He was 22 years old. Specialist Morgan was a member of the 153rd Engineer Battalion based in Winner, South Dakota.

Specialist Morgan, of Valentine, NE, worked to protect others by finding and disarming explosive devices along the roads. He died courageously performing his duty.

Specialist Morgan is survived by his wife, Cassie; his mother, Diane Mangelson; and his grandmother, Doris Morgan. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of them at this difficult time. All of America mourns Dennis Morgan and is proud of his service.

Specialist Morgan and thousands of brave American service men and women confront danger every day in Iraq and their tremendous sacrifices must never be taken for granted or forgotten. For his service, bravery, and sacrifice, I ask my colleagues to join me and all Americans in honoring SP Dennis Morgan.

Mr. President, I rise to express my sympathy over the loss of David M. McKeever, a sergeant in the United States Army. Sergeant McKeever was killed on April 5, 2004, in Baghdad, Iraq, when his Army unit was ambushed while guarding a hospital. He had 15 days left in Iraq when he was killed. He was 25 years old.

Sergeant McKeever was assigned to the 1st Armored Division and had been recently promoted from the rank of specialist to sergeant. He was stationed at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs, CO before later moving to the Army base at Giessen, Germany in September 2002. He was one of thousands of brave American service men and women serving in Iraq who confront danger every day. Their tremendous risks and sacrifices must never be taken for granted.

His wife, Niki, grew up in Kearney, NE. Last October, Sergeant McKeever, a Buffalo, NY native, visited family in Kearney while on leave. Sergeant McKeever leaves behind his wife; son, Dylan, now 1 year old; parents, David T. and Carol of Buffalo; brother, Thomas; and four older sisters. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of them at this difficult time. America is proud of David M. McKeever's service and mourns his loss.

Sergeant McKeever will be buried in Kearney. He will be remembered as a dedicated soldier with an optimistic outlook on life.

For his service, bravery, and sacrifice, I ask my colleagues to join me and all Americans in honoring Sergeant McKeever.

u.s. army pfc cleston c. raney