Floor Statements

Mr. HELLER: Madam President, I wish to congratulate Lieutenant Governor Brian Krolicki, of Stateline, for his decades of service to the State of Nevada. After most recently serving as Nevada's lieutenant governor for 8 years, he will be retiring on January 5, 2015. It gives me great pleasure to congratulate my friend and colleague on his 24 years of hard work and dedication to the Silver State.

While serving as Nevada's Secretary of State, I came to know Lieutenant Governor Krolicki not only as a trusted colleague, but also as a dear friend. While attending Stanford University, Lieutenant Governor Krolicki fell in love with Lake Tahoe, NV. After earning a bachelor's degree in political science, he moved to Nevada. While maintaining his Silver State residence, he went on to become an investment banker in New York City and San Francisco. Lieutenant Governor Krolicki's public service career began in 1990 when he was tapped to serve as chief deputy treasurer to then-State treasurer Bob Seale. His many years of financial experience made him an ideal candidate for State treasurer after the retirement of Treasurer Seale. Upon being sworn in as treasurer in 1999, he began to tirelessly devote his efforts to the people of Nevada. He created the Nevada college savings plans, and was responsible for the successful rollout and administration of the Governor Guinn Millennium Scholarship. Under his leadership, Nevada saw its first upgrade in credit ratings in nearly 30 years.

After serving 8 years as treasurer, he sought the lieutenant governorship in 2006 and won by a sizeable margin. During Lieutenant Governor Krolicki's two terms of service, he has ably focused on advancing the Silver State's tourism industry all over the Nation and around the globe. Lieutenant Governor Krolicki has served as chairman of the Reno Tahoe Winter Games Coalition since 2006, and is actively fighting for northern Nevada to host the 2026 Olympic Games. This year, my wife Lynne and I were honored to participate in Nevada's 150th anniversary celebrations. As chairman of the Nevada Sesquicentennial Commission that successfully carried out over 500 events, Lieutenant Governor Krolicki has once more shown his dedication to the State of Nevada.

As a devoted husband and proud father to three girls, Lieutenant Governor Krolicki stands as a shining example of someone who has dedicated his life to serving his community. I am grateful for his dedication and commitment to the people of the State of Nevada. He exemplifies the highest standards of leadership and community service and should be proud of his long and meaningful career. Today, I ask that all of my colleagues join me in thanking Lieutenant Governor Krolicki for his service to the Silver State and I offer my deepest appreciation for all that he has done to make Nevada an even better place. I offer my best wishes for many successful and fulfilling years to come.

Mr. President, I rise to speak in support of some of the public lands provisions that were included in this year's National Defense Authorization Act. Before I do so, I wish to recognize the work Senators Levin and Inhofe have put into this bill and their dedication to reach an agreement with the House so that this bill could move forward on time, as it has done over the past 50 years.

As a member of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, I hear every day about the sacrifice our servicemembers make to protect our country. Passing the authorization bill that helps ensure they have the equipment they need and the resources required to meet the mission they are tasked with is very important.

While I am pleased the Senate will be moving forward on this bill, I wish to note that the bill's reduction in servicemembers' benefits concerns me. I do believe Members should have had the chance and the right to debate and amend it, and I hope the Senate will have the opportunity to do so in the future.

This year the final Defense bill includes several Nevada public land priorities that will spur economic development and job creation in our State while enhancing U.S. national security. I have been working on many of those proposals since I was first elected to Congress in 2006.

I thank incoming Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee chair Lisa Murkowski for her leadership and work on this public lands package. We have been working together for many years on many of the bills included in the package, and I am pleased to see they are finally getting across the finish line.

Let me first clarify that just because some of these bills are related to public lands does not mean they have a direct relationship to defense and protecting our national security. My Nevada Copper bill will protect domestic production of copper--the second most used mineral at the Department of Defense--as well as directly benefit two bases that are located in the State of Nevada.

As the Presiding Officer knows, roughly 85 percent of the land in Nevada is controlled by the Federal Government. This presents our local and State governments with many unique challenges. Our communities' economies are directly tied to the way the Federal Government manages those lands. They often work closely with me to develop legislative solutions to their problems.

Whereas out East local governments can acquire land on their own to build public works projects, out West, unfortunately, we have to get the permission of Congress. That is why reducing the Federal estate and increasing access to our public lands has been one of my top priorities in Congress, and this package goes a long way toward accomplishing these goals. It resolves over 60 of these types of issues throughout the West. In total, over 110,000 acres of land will be removed from Federal ownership and utilized for mineral production, timber production, infrastructure projects, and other community development. In addition, it releases approximately 26,000 acres of current wilderness study areas, which unlocks lands to be used for multiple use.

It is very important to discuss the eight Nevada provisions today to show my colleagues in the Senate the many hoops our western communities have to go through to take the same steps many eastern communities can accomplish in a single day.

The Lyon County Economic Development and Conservation Act is a jobs bill I first introduced while in the House, but it has been held up by the Senate for many years because of gridlock.

This bill allows the city of Erring to partner with Nevada Copper to develop roughly 12,500 acres of land surrounding the Nevada Copper Pumpkin Hollow Project site to be used for mining activities, industrial and renewable energy development, and recreation.

Senate passage is the final hurdle to more than 1,000 new jobs at an average wage of over $85,000 per year. The mine will contribute nearly $25 million in property and net proceeds taxes per year that would be distributed to the State, to Lyon County, their schools, the hospital district, and the Mason Valley Fire Protection District.

In addition, Nevada Copper plans to invest $80 million in infrastructure for the mine and processing facilities that can be utilized to support other land uses and economic development.

This bill will transform the local economy of one of the counties in our Nation that are struggling most during this recent economic downturn.

As I said before, copper is the second most used mineral at the Department of Defense and is considered an essential mineral for weapons production. Copper is also the primary mineral from which other strategic and critical metals, such as rhenium, are derived. A domestic supply of this important resource greatly benefits our national security.

Second, there is a provision in this package that will allow Naval Air Station Fallon to acquire over 400 acres of BLM land for a safety arc for an explosive ordnance-handling facility and to construct much needed family housing at the station. Both of these plans will greatly benefit mission operations and the quality of life for our brave servicemembers serving there. The station first asked for these lands over 20 years ago. I am pleased their wait can finally come to an end.

Third, the package includes the Pine Forest Recreation Enhancement Act--a proposal that has been in the works in Humboldt County for nearly a decade. Just north of the Black Rock Desert, the Pine Forest offers a diverse landscape of sagebrush, aspen, and rock formations. Scenic lakes and reservoirs offer world-class trout fisheries. From the ranchers who make their livelihood on grazing allotments to conservationists intent on preserving a rugged landscape, anyone familiar with the place agrees it is special.

In addition to conserving these areas, the bill releases areas from wilderness that needs watershed restoration and treatment due to a high wildfire threat. It also provides for the construction of additional campsites and accommodations for motorized camping.

The initial work on the Pine Forest bill was grassroots-driven, transparent, and ultimately supported unanimously by all stakeholders and local governments in this county.

Fourth, the package includes the Elko Motocross and Tribal Conveyance Act--another bill I first introduced in the 111th Congress as a Member of the House. The commonsense bill conveys 275 acres of BLM lands to Elko County for a public motocross park. Additionally, it provides 373 acres to the Elko Band of Te-Moak Tribe for housing and tribal economic development.

Outdoor recreation and tourism are such important parts of life in Nevada. Opening up this land will benefit the residents of northern Nevada for years to come.

Fifth, this land package also includes the Las Vegas Valley Public Land and Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument Act, which is the culmination of several years of effort to conserve the ancient Tule Springs fossil beds while providing job-creation opportunities and critical civilian and military infrastructure that will be necessary to meet the needs of the Las Vegas Valley.

After working with stakeholders at every level, I am pleased that we can navigate a path forward for southern Nevada.

While serving in the House, I also introduced legislation in both the 110th and 111th Congresses to convey parcels of BLM land to the Nellis Air Force Base to create an off-highway vehicle park in the Nellis Dunes and to convey land to the Nevada System of Higher Education to expand educational opportunities for southern Nevadans.

Those smaller bills were ultimately included in S. 973 in this Congress, so I am pleased that 6 years of work on this Tule Springs legislation will finally become a reality.

The final three Nevada bills included in the lands package are newer proposals but achieve long-term economic development objectives that the affected communities have long asked for.

The Fernley Economic Self-Determination Act provides Fernley the opportunity to purchase up to 9,114 acres of Federal land within the city boundaries for the purpose of economic development.

Fernley was incorporated in 2001. Since incorporation, the city has been

working with private business partners and State and Federal regional agencies to develop a long-term economic development plan. These parcels have significant potential for commercial and industrial development, agricultural activities, and the expansion of community events.

Similarly, the Carlin Economic Self-Determination Act allows Carlin to purchase up to 1,329 acres of BLM lands. This city, located in Elko County, is completely landlocked by the Federal Government. Without this legislation, it would be impossible for their leaders to meet the demands for the expansion of their growing population needs.

Finally, the Storey County provision conveys over 1,700 acres of BLM lands to Virginia City. These properties have been occupied for decades by individuals who purchased them or acquired them legally; yet their continued residency is trespass, according to the Federal Government.

It is a very burdensome oversight by the Federal Government that must be resolved for the sake of my constituents. They have struggled for years, haunted by this error that is the result through no fault of their own.

These small public lands proposals are going to make a major impact on Nevada's economy. They have been developed at the local level and signed off on by the local communities.

I understand my colleagues' concerns that they would have liked the opportunity to debate and vote on more amendments to this bill. I, too, filed a number of amendments that I wished to see considered, and I will continue pushing those priorities next year. But right now Congress has a rare opportunity to pass this public lands package that enables important mining, energy development, ranching, and timber work to go forward, generating economic and employment opportunities for my State, other States, and local residents.

Let's get the government off these Nevadans' backs and allow them to do what they do best; that is, create jobs.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I am opposed to the nomination of Joseph S. Hezir for the position of Chief Financial Officer, CFO, at the Department of Energy, DOE. The CFO position plays an influential policy role within the DOE, overseeing all financial matters and ensuring the successful implementation of Departmentwide policies. Given that Mr. Hezir, as recently as 2 years ago, lobbied the Obama administration and Congress in favor of Yucca

Mountain, an issue my State vehemently opposes and I have diligently fought to block and defund in Congress, I simply cannot support his nomination.

I have worked closely with our congressional delegation over the past 8 years to fight efforts from outsiders to force nuclear waste on the State of Nevada. That includes defunding DOE efforts to advance the project and diligently questioning all DOE and Nuclear Regulatory Commission, NRC, nominees on their perspective regarding long-term nuclear waste storage. The 2012 Blue Ribbon Commission Report on America's Nuclear Future provides a path forward for safe, responsible nuclear waste storage so our Nation can move beyond Yucca Mountain once and for all. My litmus test for any nominee involved in nuclear waste disposal programs is support of the consent-based approach recommended in that report.

Mr. Hezir's nomination comes before the Senate today without one hearing in the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. It is the unique responsibility we hold as United States Senators to carefully examine nominees for influential positions in the executive branch, like the CFO at the DOE--providing advice and consent. As a member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, that has jurisdiction over this position at the Department of Energy, I take this responsibility seriously and deeply regret that I was not afforded that opportunity given the importance of this position.

Nevadans have the right to be safe in their own backyards. I recognize the need to address the problem of spent nuclear fuel, but Nevada, a State without any nuclear powerplants, should not bear the sole burden of long-term storage of the Nation's nuclear waste. I have strong concerns about the high amount of uncertainty that could create a dangerous situation for the surrounding communities and environment, and I simply do not trust the Federal Government to appropriately manage the proposed Yucca Mountain facility.

Without the opportunity to carefully question Mr. Hezir in the nomination process, I can only assume he will continue his advocacy on behalf of Yucca Mountain within the DOE. For this reason, I oppose Mr. Hezir's nomination to be Chief Financial Officer at the Department of Energy and encourage my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. President, I wish to congratulate Mayor Bob Cashell, of Reno, on his retirement. After serving as the mayor of Reno for 12 years, Mayor Cashell presided over his last city council meeting on November 12, 2014. It gives me great pleasure to congratulate him not only as a colleague but also as a friend on his retirement after more than 35 years of hard work and dedication to the Silver State.

A devoted husband and proud father of four, Mayor Cashell stands as a shining example of someone who has dedicated his life to serving his community. Upon graduating from the Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX, with a bachelor's degree in business, Mayor Cashell moved to Reno to work as a truckdriver and salesman for a small refining company in 1961. Several years after moving to Nevada, Mayor Cashell and his colleagues were able to purchase a small casino- restaurant in 1967, which would later become known as Boomtown Casino and Hotel. His impressive business expertise has allowed him to continue on to manage and own several large properties across Nevada and the United States. Serving as the chairman of the board for his business, Cashell Enterprises, a hotel casino and management company, he quickly became a business leader within the local gaming community. After a long and distinguished career in gaming, Mayor Cashell decided that he also wanted to pursue a new endeavor and give back to his community.

Mayor Cashell's public career began in 1979 when he ran for the University of Nevada System Board of Regents and was subsequently elected chairman by his peers. After his tenure as a respected member of the board, Mayor Cashell was then elected Lieutenant Governor for the State of Nevada in 1982. In his role as Lieutenant Governor, he was instrumental in the founding of the Nevada Commission on Economic Development and the Nevada Commission on Tourism--both of which he served on as chairman. Upon being sworn in as mayor on November 13, 2002, Mayor Cashell worked diligently to ensure the city continues to thrive and to make Reno the renowned place for gaming that it is today. His roles in establishing the Truckee River Whitewater Park, opening the Community Assistance Center for the homeless, helping to extend the Reno Bowler's Convention contract, and founding the YMCA Youth Soccer League are just a few of the accomplishments that exemplify the legacy that Mayor Cashell will leave behind upon his retirement.

His service to the Reno community goes far beyond the many positions he has held in the Silver State over the years. Mayor Cashell also served his country in the U.S. Air Force. I extend my deepest gratitude to Mayor Cashell for his courageous contributions to the United States of America and to freedom-loving nations around the world. His service to his country and his bravery and dedication to his family and community earn him a place among the outstanding men and women who have valiantly defended our Nation. As a member of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, I recognize that Congress has a responsibility not only to honor these brave individuals who serve America but also to ensure they are cared for when they return home.

I am grateful for his dedication and commitment to the people of Reno and to the State of Nevada. He personifies the highest standards of leadership and community service and should be proud of his long and meaningful career. Today, I ask that all of my colleagues join me in congratulating Mayor Cashell on his retirement, and I offer my deepest appreciation for all that he has done to make Nevada an even better place. I offer my best wishes to Mayor Cashell and his wife Nancy for many successful and fulfilling years to come.

Mr. President, I wish today to congratulate Bill Deist, of Winnemucca, NV, on his retirement. After serving the community of Humboldt County for over 15 years, Bill will be retiring in December 2014. It gives me great pleasure to congratulate him on his retirement after many years of hard work and dedication to Humboldt County and the Silver State.

Bill stands as a shining example of someone who has devoted their life to the betterment of their community. He started serving the Silver State in 1997 when he moved to Carlin, NV. His experience of over 19 years as the city manager in John Day, OR, made him an extremely qualified candidate to become the Carlin city manager--a position that he held for 2 years. After his years as the city manager, Bill became the Humboldt County administrator, a position that he has held with integrity for the past 15 years.

Upon becoming the Humboldt County administrator, Bill became a person known for getting things done. He always worked well with all city, county, and State governments throughout his career. His consistent priority was to create initiatives geared toward the betterment and improvement of the lives of the Humboldt County citizens. Among his many accomplishments, Bill has been credited with the creation of a strong county budget and upon his retirement, he will be leaving the county debt free and fiscally strong.

While representing Humboldt County for 4 years in the U.S. House of Representatives, and now as its U.S. Senator, I have had the distinct pleasure of working closely with Bill on important Northern Nevada priorities. Bill was an integral part of the Pine Forest review and assessment working group that worked for years to develop recommendations that were ultimately included in the Pine Forest Range Recreation Enhancement Act, legislation I have fought to enact as a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. This bill, which would greatly benefit Humboldt County once enacted, has near unanimous support among residents because of the indepth work done prior to introduction. In fact, it is frequently looked to in Congress as a national model for how public lands bills should be developed at the grassroots level. Public input and local support is critical to all my public lands work in the Energy and Natural Resources Committee on behalf of the State, and Bill's input has been vital in nearly every effort I have been involved in benefiting the county.

Bill exemplifies the highest standards of leadership and community service and should be proud of his long and meaningful career. I am grateful for his dedication and commitment to the people of Humboldt County and to the State of Nevada. Today, I ask that all of my colleagues join me in congratulating Bill on his retirement, and I offer my deepest appreciation for all that he has done to make the Silver State an even better place. I offer my best wishes for many successful and fulfilling years to come.

Mr. President, I wish to congratulate Councilman Mike Carrigan, of Sparks, on his retirement. After serving as a member of the Sparks City Council for 15 years, Councilman Carrigan retired on November 10th, 2014. It gives me great pleasure to congratulate him on his retirement after many years of hard work and dedication to the City of Sparks and the Silver State.

Councilman Carrigan stands as a shining example of someone who has devoted their life to serving their country and community. Graduating from the Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD, he went on to serve in the U.S. Navy for 20 years as a naval aviator around the world. I extend my deepest gratitude to Councilman Carrigan for his courageous contributions to the United States of America and to freedom-loving nations around the world. His service to his country and his bravery and dedication earn him a place among the outstanding men and women who have valiantly defended our Nation. I am both humbled and honored by Councilman Carrigan's service to the community and am proud to call him a fellow Nevadan.

After his many years of service, Councilman Carrigan moved to Nevada in the early 1990s with his wife Cora and their two daughters Ashley and Molly. He attended the University of Nevada, Reno and earned his master's degree in journalism and soon began work as a newspaperman in Fallon. With his experience and expertise, Councilman Carrigan began teaching part-time in the Reynolds School of Journalism at his alma mater, where he taught journalism courses for several years. His desire to make positive changes in his community soon led to his first run and subsequent win in office on Sparks' City Council.

Upon being elected to the Sparks City Council in 1999, he has worked on numerous projects for the City of Sparks and has always strived to ensure that Sparks stayed family-oriented. Councilman Carrigan has remained committed to being a voice for the people of Sparks and has been a constant advocate for initiatives that meet the needs of Sparks' families. Among his many accomplishments, one of his proudest was the construction of Golden Eagle Regional Park in his ward, which was built without the use of taxpayer funds.

I am grateful for his dedication and commitment to the people of Sparks and to the State of Nevada. He exemplifies the highest standards of leadership and community service and should be proud of his long and meaningful career. Today, I ask that all of my colleagues join me in congratulating Councilman Carrigan on his retirement, and I offer my deepest appreciation for all that he has done to make Nevada an even better place. I offer my best wishes for many successful and fulfilling years to come.

Mr. President, today I wish to recognize a national nonprofit organization within Las Vegas known as Horses4Heroes for being awarded the American Horse Council Time to Ride 100-Day Horse Challenge by introducing the most newcomers to horses in just 100 days. This unique program works to improve the lives of more than 6 million Americans who serve in the military, National Guard, as first responders and their families, by making horseback riding more affordable and accessible. As a longtime horse owner and horse enthusiast myself, I recognize the importance horses play as both companion animals and to our Nation's economy.

The brave men and women who have served the United States and fought to protect our freedom have often come home suffering from the effects of post-traumatic stress, PTS. Veterans faced dangerous situations in order to protect Americans from harm, and we owe them a debt of gratitude. Horses4Heroes is a shining example of the kind of initiatives that will help to reintegrate our veterans into civilian life, combat the effects of PTS, and help reduce the rates of suicide, while also providing comfort to grieving families.

There is no way to adequately thank the men and women that lay down their lives for our freedoms, but the founders and volunteers at Horses4Heroes are working to assist our Nation's veterans by giving them the opportunity to use horses to help reconnect and get reacquainted with their families. The organization was founded by Sydney Knott in 2006 operating out of her backyard and has now grown to incorporate affordable recreational, instructional, and morale-boosting health & wellness programs at more than 200 therapeutic equestrian centers across the country. This organization's continued dedication to serving veterans in the Silver State and the country is commendable.

As a member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, I know the struggles that our veterans face after returning home from the battlefield. Congress has a responsibility not only to honor these brave individuals, but to ensure they receive the quality care they have earned and deserve. I remain committed to upholding this promise for our veterans and service members in Nevada and throughout the Nation. I am very pleased that veterans' service organizations like Horses4Heroes are committed to ensuring that the needs of our veterans are being met.

Today, I ask my colleagues and all Nevadans to join me in recognizing Horses4Heroes, an organization whose mission is both noble and charitable. I am both humbled and honored to recognize Horses4Heroes and I wish them the best of luck in all of their future endeavors.

Mr. President, I wish to congratulate Mayor LeRoy Goodman, of Fernley, on his retirement. After serving as the mayor of Fernley for several years, Mayor Goodman will be retiring on November 19, 2014. It gives me great pleasure to congratulate him on his retirement after 42 years of hard work and dedication to the Silver State.

Upon graduating from the University of Nevada, Reno, with a bachelor's degree in business, Mayor Goodman went on to earn his master's degree in education and became a basketball coach and teacher at Fernley High School in 1965. Aside from dedicating his time educating the youth in Fernley, he has devoted much of his time and efforts to the betterment of his community through his roles as a board member of the Northern Nevada Development Authority, a member of the Fernley Town Board, sitting on the board of directors for a multitude of Nevada organizations, and as Lyon county commissioner. His many years of experience made him an ideal candidate for Fernley Mayor after the resignation of former Mayor Todd Cutler. Upon being sworn in as mayor on August 5, 2009, he immediately began working on improving the functioning of the council and city operations. His main focus remained his constituency and ensuring their needs and priorities were met.

I have been fortunate during my time in Congress to be able to work closely with Mayor Goodman on Federal legislation--the Fernley Economic Self-Determination Act, S.1983, which will provide the city of Fernley the option to purchase Federal lands within the city's boundaries that are currently landlocked by checkerboard parcels of Federal land. Working alongside private business partners and State and Federal regional agencies, we are seeking to develop a long-term sustainable economic development plan that will enable all parties to benefit from the use of private land within the city. This bill will greatly help the city and will clear the way for thousands of high-paying, private sector jobs. The progress we have made in Congress on this initiative would not be possible without the mayor's strong leadership.

His service to the Fernley community extends far beyond the many positions he has held in the Silver State over the years. Mayor Goodman also served his country as a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Air Force. I extend my deepest gratitude to Mayor Goodman for his courageous contributions to the United States of America and to freedom-loving nations around the world. His service to his country and his bravery and dedication earn him a place among the outstanding men and women who have valiantly defended our Nation.

As a member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, I recognize that Congress has a responsibility not only to honor these brave individuals who serve America but also to ensure they are cared for when they return home. I remain committed to upholding this promise for our veterans and servicemembers in Nevada and throughout the Nation.

I am grateful for his dedication and commitment to the people of Fernley and to the State of Nevada. He exemplifies the highest standards of leadership and community service and should be proud of his long and meaningful career. Today, I ask that all of my colleagues join me in congratulating Mayor Goodman on his retirement, and I offer my deepest appreciation for all that he has done to make Nevada an even better place. I offer my best wishes for many successful and fulfilling years to come.

Mr. President, I wish to congratulate David Sousa on his being elected the Veterans of Foreign Wars, VFW, Nevada Department Commander for 2015. I am proud to honor a Nevadan who has dedicated his life to serving our country and is committed to ensuring that our Nation's heroes receive the care that they deserve.

Commander Sousa has had a long and decorated military career in the United States Army for over 25 years. During his service, he has served missions in Kenya and Somolia and went on to serve in ``Operation Iraqi Freedom'' in Abu Ghraib, Iraq, as a member of the 72nd Military Police Company. He also went on to serve in ``Operation Enduring Freedom'' in Kandahar, Afghanistan, as a member of the 422nd Expeditionary Signal Battalion. I want to extend my deepest gratitude to Commander Sousa for his courageous contributions to the United States of America and to freedom-loving nations around the world. His service to his country and his bravery and dedication earn him a place among the outstanding men and women who have valiantly defended our Nation.

As a member of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, I recognize

the important role the Veterans of Foreign Wars plays for combat veterans and military servicemembers from the active, Guard, and Reserve forces. This distinguished national group of veterans has been a constant influence, furthering the voice of all of our Nation's heroes. On July 22, 2014, at the 115th National Convention, David Sousa was elected Nevada Department Commander. Commander Sousa has served and held many roles within the Veterans of Foreign Wars organization for the past 10 years and has previously been named the VFW Outstanding Veteran for 2006. His work for the VFW is exemplary, and I expect great things from him as he assumes his role as Nevada's Department Commander.

Commander Sousa's focus of his work for this year is suicide prevention and awareness for veterans, as well as working towards a safer community for veterans. I commend Commander Sousa on this important goal and look forward to working with him to achieve this. As a member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, I recognize that Congress has a responsibility not only to honor these brave individuals who serve our Nation but also to ensure they are cared for when they return home. I am concerned about the needs of Nevada's veterans, especially those suffering one of the most common injuries from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars--post-traumatic stress. I believe Congress has a responsibility to enact policies that will help veterans overcome these difficulties and ensure that the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs have the resources necessary to meet the growing needs of Nevada and our Nation's veteran communities. I remain committed to upholding this promise for our veterans and servicemembers in Nevada and throughout the Nation.

I am both humbled and honored by Commander Sousa's service and am proud to call him a fellow Nevadan. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Commander Sousa for all of his accomplishments and wish him well in all of his future endeavors.

Mr. President, today I wish to recognize and congratulate the Washoe County School District's Air National Guard for receiving the Secretary of Defense Freedom Award.

Former Secretary of Defense, William Perry, developed the Secretary of Defense Freedom Award under the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve office in 1996. Each year, up to 15 awards are presented to employers in three categories: large business, small business, and the public sector. The award honors employers who have shown exceptional support to their Guard and Reserve employees and have gone above and beyond what is federally mandated to ensure that their military employees are well taken care of. This esteemed award is the highest in a series of Department of Defense employer awards, and I congratulate Washoe County School District's Air National Guard on being selected as one of only 190 employers to receive this award.

Washoe County School District's Air National Guard's extraordinary level of support they provide to their servicemembers is admirable, and I am both humbled and honored to acknowledge Washoe County School District's Air National Guard here today. During deployment, the school district takes the time to send emails and care packages to our brave men and women. Its support services also extend to the members' families. Washoe County teachers volunteer their own time to help children and spouses who are in need of assistance by babysitting, housecleaning, and running errands. The school district has also been commended for the support it showed after a fellow Guardsman and teacher, Michael Landsberry, was killed defending students during a shooting at Sparks Middle School last year.

Each and every day, our troops are serving the United States to protect the freedoms we enjoy today. They dedicate their lives to serve this great Nation and constantly make grave sacrifices to ensure the safety of our country. Our servicemembers and their families deserve our gratitude and thanks, and as a member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, I am committed to keeping our Nation's promise to care for them. There is no way to adequately thank the men and women that lay down their lives for our freedoms, but Washoe County School District's Air National Guard has shown an unwavering dedication and commitment to ensuring that our servicemembers and their families are getting the support that they deserve.

I ask my colleagues and all Nevadans to join me in congratulating Washoe County School District's Air National Guard and know that they serve as an example for the rest of the Silver State.

Mr. President, today I wish to recognize Veteran's Village in Las Vegas, NV, for its commitment and dedication to providing our veterans with transitional and permanent housing. Veteran's Village is the only 24-hour, 7-day-a-week social service facility for veterans in Las Vegas.

The brave men and women who served the United States and fought to protect our freedom have often come home to a struggling economy. A number of veterans are unable to find a job or afford to buy or rent a home. As the demographics of our Armed Forces have changed throughout the years, so too have the needs of homeless veterans. As a member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, this is an issue I have been personally involved with and have introduced legislation to address. Organizations like the Veteran's Village serve to help those in need in an environment of respect and dignity within the Las Vegas community. This organization is a shining example of the kind of initiatives that will help get our veterans back on their feet.

There is no way to adequately thank the men and women that lay down their lives for our freedoms, but the Founders and volunteers at the Veteran's Village are working to assist our Nation's veterans by giving them shelter while they try to rebuild their lives. The organization was founded by Dr. Arnold Stalk, who envisioned turning the old Econo Lodge into a facility to house our homeless veterans. With the help of public and private collaborative partnerships, Veteran's Village has created a home environment for our Nation's heroes who need a helping hand. This organization's continued dedication to serving veterans through providing skills training, nutrition, employment training and referrals, continuing education and degree programs, medical services, mental health counseling and much more is commendable, and I am proud to honor this organization here today.

As a member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, I know the struggles that our veterans face after returning home from the battlefield. Congress has a responsibility not only to honor these brave individuals, but to ensure they receive the quality care they have earned and deserve. I remain committed to upholding this promise for our veterans and servicemembers in Nevada and throughout the Nation. I am very pleased that veterans' service organizations like the Veteran's Village are committed to ensuring that the needs of our veterans are being met.

Today, I ask my colleagues and all Nevadans to join me in recognizing the Veteran's Village, an organization whose mission is both noble and charitable. I am both humbled and honored to acknowledge the Veteran's Village and its work to end homelessness for veterans throughout the United States, and I wish it the best of luck in all of its future endeavors.

Madam President, I wish to congratulate Elvira Cenoz on her retirement from the Overland Hotel in Gardnerville, NV. Despite the name, the Overland is not actually a hotel, but one of the finest places for a traditional Basque meal in Nevada.

Since its construction in 1908, the Overland Hotel has been a stopping point for many travelers making their way through Nevada. Conveniently situated on America's First Transcontinental Highway, the Lincoln Highway, the Overland Hotel has a long history of welcoming local ranchers, politicians, civic leaders, and weary travelers. The Overland Hotel has since become a place for the Basque culture to be celebrated in Gardnerville. Nevada has a proud Basque history, and the Overland Hotel and Saloon embodies that long and rich tradition. The Basque people originally settled in Nevada due to our proud ranching traditions. Their hearty cooking and family-centric meals quickly became a staple of Nevada's local cuisine.

The Overland Hotel is known throughout the State and to all of its patrons for its authentic Basque cuisine and charm, which is greatly attributed to Elvira and her late husband Eusebio Cenoz. Eusebio bought the Overland Hotel in 1972 after many years as a sheep herder. He and Elvira were married in 1980, and she joined her husband to run the restaurant. She soon worked her way back to the kitchen, where she has remained until her retirement this year. Her love of cooking is exemplified in the menu of the Overland Hotel, which changes daily. The Overland Hotel is not just known for its great food, but also for its friendly service, further embodying the spirit of the Silver State. Patrons are often pleasantly surprised when Elvira herself greets them warmly at their table and takes their orders.

Throughout her years owning and operating the Overland Hotel, Elvira has demonstrated a commitment to preserving and sharing the Basque tradition. I am both humbled and honored by her many years of hard work and am proud to call her a fellow Nevadan. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Mrs. Cenoz on her much deserved retirement.

Madam President, I congratulate Juan Guzman on his retirement from his career as Carson City's open space manager. As a longtime resident of Carson City, I have had the pleasure of getting to know and work with Juan and have seen the impact his contributions have made within the Carson community. It gives me great pleasure to congratulate him on his retirement after 14 years of hard work and dedication to the Silver State.

Juan, a native of Puerto Rico, earned his degree in geography from the University of Puerto Rico and then went on to complete his graduate studies in the geography department with an emphasis on urban studies at the University of California. Upon the completion of his studies, Juan began his career as a planner in California. After a trip to

the Sierra Nevadas, Juan decided to make the move to Nevada, where he became an associate planner in the community development department. He worked in Douglas County for 5 years before eventually settling in Carson City, where he began work in a similar capacity. His diligent work and commitment to the betterment of the Carson community did not go without public recognition, and when the position of open space manager was created in 2000, he transitioned from the community development's planning division to open space within the parks and recreation department.

During his tenure, Juan is credited with opening up 14 areas for recreational purposes and for natural preservation as well as acquiring several land transfers from the Federal government. I had the privilege of working closely with Juan on the Carson City Community Vital Act, public lands legislation I introduced while serving in the U.S. House of Representatives that enhanced open space opportunities, strengthened flood control measures, and ensured easy public access to Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service lands surrounding Carson City. That bill, which became law in 2009, still serves as an example in Congress on how an intensive collaborative process between the public and officials at the local and Federal levels can yield positive results for an entire region. Without Juan, this legislation would have never come together, let alone become law.

While we will all miss Juan, his impact in the Carson City community will live on. He exemplifies the highest standards of leadership and community service and should be proud of his long and meaningful career. Today, I ask that all of my colleagues join me in congratulating Juan on his retirement, and I offer my deepest appreciation for all that Juan has done to make the great State of Nevada an even better place. I offer my best wishes for many successful and fulfilling years to come.

Madam President, let me begin, if I may, by thanking my friend and colleague, Senator Booker, for partnering with me on this critical piece of legislation that helps our Nation's veterans, especially those suffering from traumatic brain injuries. I would urge him to participate in that meal from that veteran. I assure the Senator that in this city where the food is so rich, he will probably find the meal much healthier--much healthier. I know that is important to the Senator. Having said that, I know that Senator Booker and I have always viewed veterans issues to be truly a bipartisan issue. I am pleased we were able to work together and we were able to accomplish this work as partners.

I would also like to applaud my other colleagues, Senators Sanders, McCain, and Burr, for their work on the conference report, and also House Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Miller and the rest of the conference members for reaching an agreement to ensure that Congress keeps its promise to our Nation's veterans.

The conference committee's bill is a good start to address problems with appointment wait times, VA scheduling practices, accountability, and overall quality of care provided at VA's medical facilities.

As my colleague Senator Booker discussed, there is a very critical provision in the conference report legislation that he and I took a lead on addressing; and that is the extension of the Assisted Living Program for Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury. I applaud my friend. I applaud my colleague for the ability and the opportunity to work together. So I thank him for that.

As a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs' Committee, I was eager to resolve this issue because of its impact on Nevada's and our Nation's veterans, and together we were proud partners.

This program operates in two locations in Nevada and serves wounded warriors who are trying to restore their quality of life.

As the battlefield has changed over the years, so have the injuries that servicemembers and veterans sustain, including traumatic brain injuries. TBI is a complicated injury to treat because the effects can be both mental and physical--from headaches, dizziness, and irritation, all the way to speech difficulties, visual impairment, loss of memory, and severe depression.

Every traumatic brain injury is different, which is why some veterans need more advanced care to rehabilitate and regain their full independence.

That is why Congress created the assisted living TBI pilot program in 2008. Under that program, veterans can access a full range of rehabilitation services in a residential setting, including physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and other activities to prepare veterans to return home and live a productive life.

When I found out the program would be expiring and the VA was prepared to start kicking veterans out, I teamed up with Senator Booker to introduce legislation to extend authorization of this program for another 3 years.

At a time when the VA is facing a health care crisis and access to timely care, it would have been unacceptable to let this critical program expire, leaving veterans in Nevada without a comparable alternative to treating this serious injury.

I wish to thank the conference committee for listening to us when we expressed the urgency of extending this program so veterans could continue receiving residential rehabilitation. I am also pleased the conference committee provided a 3-year extension so veterans can have the certainty that this program will remain in place for the next few years.

I also wish to thank Representative Cassidy from Louisiana for his work in pushing this issue in the House of Representatives, as well as the veterans service organizations that fought alongside of us for this extension. It is our responsibility in Congress to ensure veterans across this Nation receive timely and quality care from the Veterans' Administration. Senator Booker and I share this commitment.

I am pleased we were able to work together to get our legislation into the final compromise. As the Senate prepares to vote on final passage of this critical VA reform bill, I hope my colleagues recognize the importance of this compromise bill at a time when veterans are losing faith in the VA system and need certainty that Congress will be there to provide oversight, accountability, and legislative action to approve the care they receive from the Nation they sacrificed for and served.

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

Madam President, I wish to recognize and congratulate Boulder Station Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on 20 years of business and excellence. Boulder Station's dedication to providing quality service and bettering its community is commendable, and I am proud to recognize it here today.

Since its grand opening on August, 23, 1994, Boulder Station has been an integral part of the Las Vegas community. Boulder Station not only contributes to the Nevada economy by bringing tourists to our great State, but it also serves as a large employer of residents of Las Vegas, currently employing 1,115 Nevadans, some of whom have worked for the property since its opening day. The Boulder Station team members strive to make the entire staff feel like a family. Their level of corporate care and devotion is demonstrated through their exemplary guest service and generosity to local philanthropic causes. They believe it is both a privilege and responsibility to help build and maintain a happy and healthy community, and by giving back they strive to assist others who may simply need a helping hand.

Boulder Station has worked to help improve education in Southern Nevada as well. For 13 years, the property has partnered with Laura Dearing Elementary, an at-risk elementary school, as part of the Smart Start Program. The partnership program has five components: the school receives an annual award; a student incentive program is set up to improve an area of need; the company sponsors a recognition program for teachers and staff; team members from the Boulder Station volunteer their time to help with school events and support teachers in the classrooms; and the casino donates surplus computers and computer equipment to the partner schools. Boulder Station's commitment to bettering the community's local educational system is admirable, and I am proud Nevada is home to a business that has taken such an active role in helping our youth.

The gaming industry plays an integral role in Nevada's economy. Casinos have also generated over 100,000 jobs for Nevadans and continue to be one of the largest employers in the State. Plain and simple, the tourism and hospitality industry is the lifeblood for businesses and job creation in Nevada.

I ask my colleagues and all of my fellow Nevadans to join me in recognizing Boulder Station Hotel and Casino on 20 years of business and dedication to the Las Vegas community.