Floor Statements

Mr. President, I rise today to honor the life of Sgt John Kenneth Rankel of the U.S. Marine Corps. Sergeant Rankel was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA.

Sergeant Rankel was only 23 years old when he lost his life on June 7 while serving bravely in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. He was deployed on his first tour of duty in Afghanistan, having reenlisted after completing two tours in Iraq.

Sergeant Rankel was from Speedway, IN. He enlisted in the Marine Corps immediately after graduating from Speedway High School in 2005. Though he was a star athlete on his high school football team, he chose to serve rather than play football in college. A fellow marine described John as ``the greatest guy I knew, and the best friend anybody could ask for.''

Today, I join John's family and friends in mourning his death. He is survived by his mother Trisha Stockhoff; his stepfather Don Stockhoff; his father Kevin Rankel; his stepmother Kim Rankel; and his brothers Nathan Stockhoff and Tyler Rankel. He will forever be remembered as a loving son, brother, and friend.

While we struggle to express our sorrow over this loss, we take pride in the example of this American hero. We cherish the legacy of his service and his life.

As I search for words to honor this fallen marine, I recall President Lincoln's words to the families of the fallen at Gettysburg: ``We cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.''

It is my sad duty to enter the name of Sgt John Kenneth Rankel in the official Record of the U.S. Senate for his service to our country and for his profound commitment to freedom, democracy, and peace.

I pray that John's family finds comfort in the words of the prophet Isaiah, who said: ``He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces.''

Mr. President, I rise today to speak in favor of the nomination of Judge Tanya Walton Pratt. I joined together with Senator Lugar to recommend Judge Walton Pratt because I know firsthand that she is a highly capable lawyer who understands the limited role of the Federal judiciary.

Before I speak to Judge Walton Pratt's qualifications, I would like to comment briefly on the state of the judicial confirmation process generally. In my view, this process has too often been consumed by ideological conflict and partisan acrimony. This is not, I believe, how the Framers intended us to exercise our responsibility to advise and consent.

During the last Congress, I was proud to work with Senator Lugar to recommend Judge John Tinder as a bipartisan, consensus nominee for the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. Judge Tinder was nominated by President Bush and unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate by a vote of 93-0. It was my hope that Judge Tinder's confirmation would serve as an example of the benefits of nominating qualified, non-ideological jurists to the Federal bench.

In selecting Tanya Walton Pratt, President Obama has demonstrated that he also appreciates the benefits of this approach. I was proud to once again join with Senator Lugar to recommend her to the President, and I hope that going forward other Senators will adopt what I call the ``Hoosier approach'' of working across party lines to select consensus nominees.

I would also like to personally thank Senator Lugar for his extraordinary leadership and for the consultative and cooperative approach he has taken to judicial nominations. During my time in Congress, it has been my great privilege to forge a close working relationship with Senator Lugar across many issues. This has been especially true on the issue of nominations--when a judicial nominee from Indiana comes before the Senate, our colleagues can be confident that the name is being put forward with bipartisan support, regardless of which political party is in the White House or controls a majority in the U.S. Senate.

I should also note that Judge Walton Pratt is a historic nominee. If confirmed, she will be our State's first African-American Federal judge. While this day is long overdue, I hope that her confirmation will inspire Hoosier children of all backgrounds to pursue their dreams and show them that, in America, anything is possible if you study hard and play by the rules.

On the merits, Tanya Walton Pratt is an accomplished jurist who is well-qualified for a lifetime appointment to the Federal judiciary. She has extensive trial experience, having served as, a judge on the Marion Superior Court since 1997. For much of this time, she served in the criminal division, handling major felonies and presiding over dozens of jury trials per year. More recently, she has played a critical role in the probate division, presiding over adoption cases and placing children in loving homes.

During this time, Judge Walton Pratt has been recognized as a leader among Indiana jurists. She has served as chair of the Marion County Bar Association and on the executive committee of the Marion Superior Court System. Among other accolades, she has been honored as ``Outstanding Judge of the Year'' by the Indiana Coalition Against Sexual Assault.

Judge Walton Pratt has shown that she is deserving of the public trust. She has demonstrated the highest ethical standards and a firm commitment to applying our country's laws fairly and faithfully. She understands that the appropriate role for a judge is to interpret our laws, not to write them.

Tanya Walton Pratt is also a recognized leader in our community. She has also been honored with numerous awards including the Career Achievement Award from the Archdiocese of Indianapolis and the Key to the City of Muncie.

I can say with confidence that Tanya Walton Pratt is the embodiment of good judicial temperament, intellect, and evenhandedness. If confirmed, she will be a superb and historic addition to the Federal bench. I am pleased to give her my highest recommendation.

I urge my colleagues to join me--and Senator Lugar--in supporting this extremely well-qualified and deserving nominee.

Mr. President, I wish to speak in favor of the nomination of Magistrate Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson. I joined together with Senator Lugar to recommend Judge Magnus-Stinson because I know firsthand that she is a highly capable lawyer who understands the limited role of the Federal judiciary.

Before I speak to Judge Magnus-Stinson's qualifications, I would like to comment briefly on the state of the judicial confirmation process generally. In my view, this process has too often been consumed by ideological conflict and partisan acrimony. This is not, I believe, how the framers intended us to exercise our responsibility to advise and consent.

During the last Congress, I was proud to work with Senator Lugar to recommend Judge John Tinder as a bipartisan, consensus nominee for the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. Judge Tinder was nominated by President Bush and unanimously confirmed by the Senate by a vote of 93 to 0. It was my hope that Judge Tinder's confirmation would serve as an example of the benefits of nominating qualified, nonideological jurists to the Federal bench.

In selecting Jane Magnus-Stinson, President Obama has demonstrated that he also appreciates the benefits of this approach. I was proud to once again join with Senator Lugar to recommend her to the President, and I hope that going forward other Senators will adopt what I call the ``Hoosier approach'' of working across party lines to select consensus nominees.

I would also like to personally thank Senator Lugar for his extraordinary leadership and for the consultative and cooperative approach he has taken to judicial nominations. During my time in Congress, it has been my great privilege to forge a close working relationship with Senator Lugar across many issues. This has been especially true on the issue of nominations--when a judicial nominee from Indiana comes before the Senate, our colleagues can be confident that the name is being put forward with bipartisan support, regardless of which political party is in the White House or controls a majority in the United States Senate.

On the merits, Jane Magnus-Stinson is an accomplished jurist who is well-

qualified for a lifetime appointment to the federal judiciary. She has extensive trial experience, having served as a Judge on the Marion Superior Court from 1995 to 2007. Judge Magnus-Stinson also has valuable experience presiding in federal court, having served as a federal Magistrate Judge in the Southern District of Indiana since 2007.

During this time, she has been recognized as a leader among Indiana jurists, serving on the Board of Directors of the Indiana Judicial Conference and the Board of Managers of the Indiana Judges Association.

Judge Magnus-Stinson's devotion to the fair and efficient administration of justice has been recognized by her fellow Hoosiers. She has been honored as ``Judge of the Year'' by the Indiana Coalition Against Sexual Assault and as an ``Outstanding Judge'' by the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Judge Magnus-Stinson has also shown that she is deserving of the public trust. She has demonstrated the highest ethical standards and a firm commitment to applying our country's laws fairly and faithfully.

In recommending Judge Magnus-Stinson, I have the benefit of being able to speak from personal experience, as she served as my Counsel while I was Governor of Indiana.

If you ask Hoosiers about my eight years as Governor, you will find widespread agreement that we charted a moderate, practical, bipartisan course. As my counsel, Jane Magnus-Stinson helped me craft bipartisan solutions to some of the most pressing problems facing our state.

In addition to her insightful legal analysis, I could always count on Jane for her sound judgment and her common-sense Hoosier values. Like most Hoosiers, she is not an ideologue.

During her service in state government, Judge Magnus-Stinson also developed a deep appreciation for the separation of powers and the appropriate role of the different branches of government. If confirmed, she will also bring to the federal bench a special understanding of the important role of the States in our federal system and will be ever mindful of the proper role of the federal judiciary. She understands that the appropriate role for a judge is to interpret our laws, not to write them.

As someone who personally knows and trusts Judge Magnus-Stinson, I say to my colleagues that she is the embodiment of good judicial temperament, intellect, and even-handedness. If confirmed, she will be a superb addition to the federal bench. I am pleased to give her my highest recommendation.

I urge my colleagues to join me--and Senator Lugar--in supporting this extremely well-qualified and deserving nominee.

Mr. President, on behalf of myself and Senator Lugar, I would like to bring to the Senate's attention the service of Niel Ellerbrook, who is retiring as chief executive officer of Evansville-based Vectren Corporation after more than 30 years of service with the company and its predecessor. Mr. Ellerbrook's accomplishments as a business leader in Indiana are well documented and too numerous to mention. Suffice it to say, Niel has been a strong and positive force for change in the State for many years. He successfully engineered the merger between two utility companies and built the resulting company Vectren Corporation into one of Indiana's largest publically traded corporations with more than 3,700 employees and operations encompassing half of the United States. Under Niel's leadership, Vectren has embarked on an impressive campaign to provide consumers cleaner energy and cost-saving energy conservation programs all of which have become models for others in the industry to follow.

Niel's business acumen tells only a part of the story, however. The son of a minister and elementary schoolteacher, Niel was born into a household that put a premium on sacrifice and doing for others. Niel's generous commitment of time and resources to civic endeavors in Evansville has benefited untold numbers of Hoosiers. Niel is an active supporter of the United Way and devotes significant energies toward education serving as chairman of the board of trustees at the University of Evansville, on the board of Signature Learning Center in Evansville, and as cochair, with his wife Karen, of the fundraising campaign that led to the opening of the Koch Children's Museum of Evansville in 2006.

Born in Rensselaer, growing up in Franklin and graduating from Ball State University, Niel is a born-and-bred Hoosier success story. Fortunately for us Hoosiers, he decided to remain in the State and place his significant mark on the history of Indiana business and civic leadership.

Speaking for my colleague Senator Lugar, I can say how fortunate we are to call Niel a friend.

It is with great appreciation that Senator Lugar and I congratulate Niel Ellerbrook on his remarkable career, and wish him and his wife Karen the very best in their future endeavors together.

Mr. President, today I wish to honor the life of Marine LT Brandon Barrett from Marion, IN. Brandon was only 27 years old when he lost his life on May 5 while serving bravely in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

Lieutenant Barrett was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Lejeune.

Today, I join family and friends in mourning his death who will forever remember him as a loving son, brother, and friend. He is survived by his mother, Cindy Barrett, his father, Brett Barrett, his sisters, Ashley and Taylor Barrett and his brother, Brock Barrett.

Brandon was a native of Marion. Prior to entering the Marine Corps in 2006, Brandon graduated from Marion High School and attended the U.S. Naval Academy. His family and friends describe him as a bright student, a gifted football and baseball star, and a proud Hoosier who courageously refused to take freedom for granted.

Brandon was deployed on his second tour of duty in Afghanistan. During his service, Brandon earned an array of awards, including the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal and NATO International Security Assistance Force Medal.

While we struggle to express our sorrow over this loss, we take pride in the example of this American hero. We cherish the legacy of his service and his life.

As I search for words to honor this fallen Marine, I recall President Lincoln's words to the families of the fallen at Gettysburg: ``We cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.''

It is my sad duty to enter the name of Brandon Barrett in the Record of the U.S. Senate for his service to our country and for his profound commitment to freedom, democracy, and peace.

I pray that Brandon's family finds comfort in the words of the prophet Isaiah who said, ``He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces.''

Mr. President, I rise today to join my colleagues in support of S. 3295, the Democracy Is Strengthened by Casting Light On Spending in Elections, DISCLOSE, Act. I would like to thank Senators Schumer, Feingold, Wyden, Franken, and Bennet for their hard work in crafting this legislation and their efforts to help protect the integrity of our political process.

I rise today to clarify the intent of our legislation. Opponents of our efforts have asserted that our bill is intended to chill political speech and discourage participation in the electoral process. Nothing could be further from the truth. Our bill is about disclosure and transparency. It is premised on the idea that democracy functions best when citizens are fully informed. We trust the wisdom of the American people and believe that they deserve to know all of the facts.

Throughout my career, I have supported efforts to increase participation in our political process and worked to eliminate barriers that unduly burden the fundamental right vote. That is why I cosponsored legislation to make it easier for military and overseas voters to vote in our elections, opposed Indiana's misguided voter identification requirements, and cosponsored legislation to help prevent the use of deceptive practices and voter intimidation.

I hope that our colleagues on both sides of the aisle will join us in quickly passing this important legislation.

I now yield for my colleague, Senator Franken, who is deeply committed to protecting the first amendment.

Mr. President, today I honor Butler University's 2010 Men's Basketball team for its historic season which culminated in last week's NCAA championship game in Indianapolis.

Although the Bulldogs narrowly lost to the Duke University Blue Devils, 2010 was a season for the record books.

This was Butler's first-trip to the NCAA ``Final Four'' and the best performance by a school of Butler's size in 40 years. Butler entered the championship game with a 25-game winning streak, the longest in the Nation.

The championship was especially meaningful as the team played in Indianapolis, nearby the university's home court, the storied Hinkle Fieldhouse.

I particularly want to recognize the work of Butler's coach, Brad Stevens. Under the leadership of this native Hoosier, the Bulldogs have become a national power. In his first three seasons, Coach Stevens has won 89 games--a Butler record.

Much of that success can be attributed to the Bulldogs' guiding philosophy, the ``Butler Way'' which emphasizes the importance of working as a team, both on and off the court.

Dr. Bobby Fong, the university's president, and the faculty and administration of Butler all deserve credit for maintaining the right balance between athletics and academics. Butler has one of the highest graduation rates of all the schools in this year's NCAA Tournament, and 2 of this year's 15 Academic All-Americans were players for the Bulldogs.

Butler's commitment to both academic and athletic excellence embodies the best of college athletics. I am proud to recognize their winning combination of talent and determination.

The Butler University Bulldogs have proved once again that an underdog team from the Hoosier State can capture America's heart.

Mr. President, included within this budget reconciliation bill are provisions that make significant changes to the federal student loan programs. Like others, I strongly support the provisions that increase funding for Pell grants. These grants form the foundation of Federal student aid, and do much to increase college access.

Other provisions in the bill and the Higher Education Act also are important to students. As students increasingly look to Federal student loans to cover the costs of their college education, they are in need of federally supported services that help students to make well- informed financial decisions. In this bill, section 2103 extends and roughly doubles the authorization, to $150 million annually, for the college access challenge grants, CACG. The CACG authorizes States who receive funding under the CACG to provide subgrants to guaranty agencies to assist students and families with such services as early awareness and outreach, financial literacy, debt management, and loan counseling to impact the ability of students to successfully manage their student loan obligations and start off their postcollege and professional lives on the right foot. Congress should encourage the States to continue to work with their designated guarantors to use the opportunity of continued authorization and increased funding of the CACG to utilize the expertise of guaranty agencies in providing such services. I agree with the comments of the chairman of the House Committee on Education and Labor during House consideration of this bill--Congress intends that states receiving grants under the college access challenge grant program should partner with entities, including guaranty agencies and their nonprofit subsidiaries, to provide financial literacy, delinquency and default aversion activities, and other loan counseling activities for borrowers.

I also share the House chairman's view that the Secretary of Education has existing tools to ensure students have access to borrower and school services for financial literacy and default prevention. Under the Direct Loan Program, the Secretary is authorized to contract with guaranty agencies for services that ensure the successful operation of the program. As we move to require all institutions of higher education to participate in the Federal Direct Loan Program, students should continue to have access to the borrower and school services provided so well over the past 40 years by guaranty agencies. In my State of Indiana, our guaranty agency has a distinguished history of providing comprehensive services to help borrowers repay their loans and avoid default. Along with the House chairman, I, too, expect the Department of Education to ensure the availability of these services by exercising the Secretary's authority to contract with guaranty agencies for the provision of these services for students and schools.

Madam President, I rise with a heavy heart to honor the life of Marine LCpl Joshua Birchfield from Westville, IN. Joshua was 24 years old when he lost his life on February 19 while serving in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, CA.

Today, I join family and friends in mourning his death. Joshua will forever be remembered as a loving son and a friend to many. He is survived by his parents, Bruce Birchfield and Michelle ``Shelley'' Hacker; his grandmother, Frances Birchfield of La Porte; two sisters, Rachael and Emily Birchfield, both of Westville; his stepfather, Ron Hacker, stepgrandparents, Howard and Martha Hacker, and step-great- grandmother, Mary Dickinson, all of Westville; and countless family and friends who were privileged to know him.

Joshua was a Westville native. Prior to entering the service in 2008, Joshua graduated from Westville High School in 2004. A talented athlete, Joshua excelled at baseball in high school. Friends remember Joshua's contagious passion for life.

Joshua served as a rifleman and was awarded the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, and the NATO Medal.

While we struggle to express our sorrow over this loss, we can take pride in the example Joshua set as a marine, a son, and a brother. Today and always he will be remembered by family, friends, and fellow Hoosiers as a true American hero. We cherish the legacy of his service and his life.

As I search for words to honor this fallen marine, I recall President Lincoln's words to the families of soldiers who died at Gettysburg: ``We cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.''

It is my sad duty to enter the name of Joshua Birchfield in the official Record of the U.S. Senate for his service to this country and for his profound commitment to freedom, democracy, and peace. I pray that Joshua's family finds comfort in the words of the prophet Isaiah who said, ``He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces.''

May God grant strength and peace to those who mourn, and may God be with all of you, as I know He is with Joshua.

Mr. President, I rise with a heavy heart to honor the life of PFC Brian R. Bowman from Waveland, IN. Brian was 24 years old when he lost his life on January 3 when insurgents attacked his unit in Ashoque, Afghanistan. Brian was serving as a medic in the 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, Colorado, as a part of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Today, I join Brian's family and friends in mourning his death. Brian will forever be remembered as a loving son and friend to many. Brian is survived by his devoted wife Casie, his father Robert Bowman and mother Paula J. Gerdes, two sisters and countless friends and relatives.

Brian was a Crawfordsville native who grew up in Waveland. Prior to entering the service in August of 2006, Brian graduated from Southmont High School in 2004. A gifted musician, he played the baritone for the Royal Mounties who were perennial contenders in the Indiana State Fair's band competition. His father said that he gave up sports to be in the band because he loved music.

While we struggle to express our sorrow over this loss, we can take pride in the example Brian set as a soldier, a husband, a son and a brother. Today and always he will be remembered by family, friends and fellow Hoosiers as a true American hero, and we cherish the legacy of his service and his life.

As I search for words to honor this fallen soldier, I recall President Lincoln's words to the families of soldiers who died at Gettysburg: ``We cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.''

It is my sad duty to enter the name of Brian R. Bowman in the Record of the U.S. Senate for his service to this country and for his profound commitment to freedom, democracy and peace. I pray that Brian's family finds comfort in the words of the prophet Isaiah who said, ``He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces.''

May God grant strength and peace to those who mourn, and may God be with all of you, as I know He is with Brian.

Madam President, I wish to begin by complimenting my friend and colleague from Arkansas. We entered this body together, and she has consistently advocated on behalf of small businesses, not only across Arkansas but across the country. We both want to reform the health care system. We know this has a major impact on small businesses. They create most of the new jobs in our society. So if we care about job creation, we need to care about how health insurance costs affect businesses. They are going up too fast, and Senator Lincoln has consistently advocated for doing what we can to get those cost increases down and, in fact, lower the burden on our small businesses. So this is not only a health issue, it is a jobs issue. She has been a real leader for many years.

So it is a privilege to work with the Senator on these important issues. Our class is doing well.

I also wish to say how much I am privileged to work with my friend from Oregon, Senator Wyden, who has been one of the most innovative thinkers in the area of health reform. Once again, he is leading the way on an issue I am going to speak to for just a second.

I am happy to see my colleague from Maine is with us. It saddens me to say that, regrettably, this is one of the few examples of bipartisan cooperation where we have come together across the aisle, Democrats and Republicans, working together to figure out how in a practical way we can help solve the problem our country faces.

Here we have an issue of what to do about the 7 percent of Americans who are the individual insurance market but are receiving no subsidies from the government. According to the CBO, they are at risk of having their premiums go up. That is not right, particularly at a time when even people who are making more than $88,000 very often are struggling. So the question is, What can we do about it?

Senator Collins, Senator Wyden, and myself focused on these individuals because we wanted to do what we could, in the words that my colleague from Oregon emphasizes so often, to provide choice and encourage competition to improve both price and quality. That is what our amendments are all about.

I wish to read a very brief statement and then turn it over to my colleagues.

When I go home to Indiana, the health care concern I hear the most about from ordinary Hoosiers, particularly middle-class Hoosiers, is what are we going to do to make their coverage more affordable. Many people in my State already have insurance, but they are struggling to keep up with the skyrocketing increases and the cost of that care.

We began our health care debate and these deliberations in this body this past spring. In mid-October, months into our debate, some of us were struck by the fact that we had not answered the most basic question: How much is this going to cost, and what do we do to bring those costs down? So I, along with some others, submitted in writing

that question to the Congressional Budget Office. What will this do for people in the small group markets such as small business owners, what will this do for individuals in the large group markets who work for larger employers, and what will it do for individuals who are out there struggling on their own to provide health insurance for themselves and for their loved ones?

When they released their report, I was pleased to see that the current legislation before us would either contain or lower costs for 93 percent of the American people. For 83 percent of those in small group and large group plans, it is about holding even or modestly lower. For the 17 percent in the individual marketplace, about 10 of that 17 percent get subsidies sufficient to actually bring their prices down, which leaves us with the 7 percent of those individuals in the individual market who get no subsidies and may see serious cost increases if nothing is done. The Wyden-Collins-Bayh amendments accomplish just that.

Our first amendment promotes more health choices for both employers and workers who would otherwise have few, if any, choices. It would help individuals who would be forced to buy their own insurance at higher rates than they currently pay. It would give them the option to purchase low-cost plans that offer essential, basic coverage. It would ensure that Congress does not mandate that anyone buy a more expensive plan than they currently have.

Our second amendment is a market-based reform that would pressure insurance companies economically to lower premiums and penalize them if they try to raise rates before the new exchanges are fully up and running. It would immediately adjust the insurer fee in the bill to give insurance companies a strong financial incentive to keep premiums down. It would do this by making it economically smart for companies to hold the line on overhead and executive salaries and to root out administrative inefficiencies.

Our third amendment would offer vouchers to give consumers who have health insurance but aren't satisfied with it access to more choices to meet their health care needs. It would offer vouchers that individuals could use to shop in the new insurance exchanges we are creating. Those who prefer their current plan to what is offered in the exchange could return the voucher and keep their existing coverage.

If we pass these amendments, we can credibly tell the American people that our long efforts will have addressed rising health insurance premium costs for everyone, and that is at the heart of this effort we have undertaken.

In closing, I will say that Americans are not looking for a Democratic solution or a Republican solution to our health care challenge. They are looking for us to come together to pass a reform bill that works in practical terms in their daily lives. More choices, premium cost increases under control, eliminating preexisting conditions--those are the things that will help middle-class families in my State and others across the country.

I am proud that the Wyden-Collins-Bayh affordability package will represent one of the few bipartisan efforts in this body. As I was saying, I regret the fact that it is one of the few, but I am proud we have come together to work to address this important challenge. I hope my colleagues will agree that we have a responsibility to restrain premium costs for all American families by encouraging consumer choice and robust competition in the private marketplace. I hope we will pass these amendments because they accomplish exactly that.

Madam President, thank you for your patience. I yield the floor.

Madam President, I will be brief. I compliment Senator Collins on an excellent presentation. She summarized it very succinctly and in a way that was compelling.

I hope our colleagues will take note that among the three of us, we have the east coast represented, the west coast represented, and the Midwest represented. So we span the country and this body. I hope that will cause our colleagues to take some note.

The Senator from Maine focused on the letter from the NFIB. This helps small businesses at a time when they are struggling to create jobs. I hope our colleagues will take note of this letter.

The Senator from Maine also pointed out, why should we control the health care choices of individuals who are receiving no subsidies. That ought to be up to them. We accomplish all of those things.

It is a pleasure doing business with Senator Collins. This is a practical approach to solving these problems. I hope our colleagues will take notice.

The last thing I will say is, I repeatedly have people come up to me and say: Boy, Ron Wyden has some great ideas. We need more of these ideas in this bill. And this is accomplishing that. Senator Wyden has been a true leader for many years in this area. I am glad choice and competition is being introduced, and it is because of his good work.

Madam President, I rise today to honor the life of LTC James Gentry, commander of the 1st Battalion, 152nd Infantry of the Indiana National Guard.

Jim was only 52 years old when he tragically lost his long and heroic battle with cancer on November 25, 2009, the day before Thanksgiving.

A native of Mitchell, IN, he served two tours of duty in Iraq. It was in Iraq in 2003 where Lieutenant Colonel Gentry and the more than 600 soldiers he bravely led were exposed to the lethal chemical sodium dichromate while guarding the Qarmat Ali water treatment facility in Basrah.

In 2006, Lieutenant Colonel Gentry was diagnosed with terminal cancer and given 2 months to live. He not only valiantly fought this debilitating illness--and survived much longer than doctors expected-- but he also fought to bring crucial details about the tragedy at Qarmat Ali to the Nation's attention.

With his quiet courage, he advocated for justice for the soldiers under his command until his final days. Due in large part to his efforts, the Department of Defense is now investigating why so many service men and women were exposed to this deadly chemical.

As Americans, we take pride in the example Lieutenant Colonel Gentry set as a soldier, a leader, and a patriot. I had the privilege of speaking with him on the phone a little more than a month ago. Even in what turned out to be his final days, he remained steadfast in his dedication to his troops and in his efforts to ensure they received proper care.

Jim is survived by his devoted wife LouAnn Grube Gentry, five children Sarah Clark, Jason Newman, Emily

Gentry, Jennafer Newman, and Ellen Gentry, his parents George and Brenda Sue Gentry, brother Sanford Gentry, and sister Carolyn Hodges.

Lieutenant Colonel Gentry was a brave man who put his soldiers before himself, both on and off the field of battle. Today and always, he will be remembered by family and friends, fellow soldiers and all Hoosiers as a true American hero. We cherish the legacy of his service and his life.

It is my sad duty to enter the name of LTC James Gentry in the Record of the U.S. Senate for his service to this country and for his profound commitment to freedom, democracy, and peace.

Mr. President, I thank you very much for allowing me to express my support for Anne Slaughter Andrew.

The strong relationship between the United States and Costa Rica is one of mutual respect, shared democratic principles, and a commitment to protecting Costa Rica's abundant natural resources. Costa Rica is a worldwide leader in green energy and sustainability--it currently generates more than 90 percent of its electricity from sustainable sources and has committed to being carbon neutral by 2021.

In recommending my fellow Hoosier, Ms. Andrew, I have the benefit of being able to speak from personal experience. When I was Governor of Indiana, I appointed her to the Indiana Natural Resources Council, an organization which engages in the conservation of Indiana's natural resources and park lands. That is one of many positions in Ms. Andrew's professional life that demonstrates her strong commitment to environmental conservation and clean energy initiatives.

Although Costa Rica covers only 0.01 percent of the Earth's landmass, it is home to approximately 5 percent of the Earth's biodiversity. The United States is committed to protecting this biodiversity through conservation efforts that contribute to the stabilization of Costa Rica's economy.

Ms. Andrew's leadership and involvement with The Nature Conservatory, TNC, in multiple capacities, including as a member of the President's Advisory Council, has spanned a decade and is a strong testament to her unwavering commitment to the preservation of Costa Rica's--and our planet's--natural resources.

Her most recent endeavor as principal of New Energy Nexus has placed her at the cutting edge of the clean energy economy. These combined experiences render her uniquely qualified to represent the United States as it looks to strengthen partnerships with Costa Rica in the field of green energy initiatives. Her service also includes founding and directing Anson Group LLC, a biotech consulting company that she co-led towards sustained growth and national recognition.

The post of Ambassador to Costa Rica carries with it the significant responsibility of managing the diplomatic personnel in country and overseeing the safety of the estimated 1 million Americans who visit Costa Rica each year and the thousands of Americans who live there full time. In her career, Ms. Andrew has demonstrated herself to be a skilled manager who is highly capable of undertaking this responsibility.

I have confidence that Ms. Andrew, if confirmed, will uphold our country's strong relations with Costa Rica.

Mr. President, I rise today with a heavy heart to honor the life of SSG Justin M. Decrow. He was a member of the 16th Signal Company, 62nd Expeditionary Signal Battalion. Justin was only 32 years old when he was killed in the tragic November 5 shooting spree at Fort Hood, TX, that took the lives of 13 Americans and left 31 others wounded.

Those who enlist in our Armed Forces make an extraordinary sacrifice, agreeing to routinely face life-threatening dangers abroad as they carry out missions on our behalf. The risks they endure to protect our freedom are never expected to follow them from the theater of war to the safety of American soil, making Justin's death all the more painful and troubling.

Today, I join Justin's family and friends in mourning his untimely death. Justin will be remembered as a loving husband, father, son and friend to many. He is survived by his wife Marikay; his daugther Kylah; and his parents Rhonda Thompson and Daniel Decrow. Justin had returned over the summer from a year's deployment in South Korea before being stationed at Fort Hood.

A native of Plymouth, IN, Justin enlisted in the Army immediately after graduating from high school. At the time of his passing, he was a resident of Evans, GA, where he lived with his high school sweetheart and 13-year-old daughter in a house he built just a few years ago. Justin was planning to become an Army contractor at nearby Fort Gordon, working within his specialty of satellite communications training. At Ford Hood, he had been training soldiers to help new veterans with paperwork. Justin is remembered by family and friends as a very loving man, who enjoyed working with his hands.

While we struggle to express our sorrow over the loss of Justin, we can take pride in the example he set as a soldier, a husband, a father, and a son. Today and always, he will be remembered by family, friends and fellow Hoosiers as a true American hero, and we cherish the legacy of his service and his life.

It is my sad duty to enter the name of Justin M. Decrow in the Record of the U.S. Senate for his service to this country and for his profound commitment to freedom, democracy and peace.

I pray that the Decrow family, and the families of all the victims of this incomprehensible act, can find comfort in the words of the prophet Isaiah who said, ``He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces.''

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