Floor Statements

Mr. President, I rise today to talk about the Energy bill conference report.

I have spoken on this floor many times before on Energy bills. I hope the bill before us is the last one I come to the floor to speak on for a long time.

While not perfect, this is a good bipartisan bill.

I want to thank Chairmen Domenici and Grassley and Ranking Members Bingaman and Baucus for working hard in a bipartisan manner to produce the bill before us.

This Energy bill strikes a balance between conservation and production.

And while passing an Energy bill might not help energy prices in the short term, it will make a difference over the long term by affecting how much our energy costs increase. This bill's increased domestic energy production, coupled with increased conservation provisions, will slow the astronomical price increases we have seen lately.

Without a new national Energy policy, though, there is not much we can do about the rising energy prices.

Many oil producers are working at full capacity.

And with China and India starting to increase their demands for oil, the world's oil supply will continue to decrease while prices continue to increase.

This means that we cannot just try and conserve our way out of any kind of energy problem.

We have to reduce our reliance on foreign oil and do a better job of taking care of our own energy needs.

The bill contains some good policy provisions.

It includes electricity provisions that are a good start to help update our electricity grid.

America has outgrown its electricity system and some changes need to be made to it.

One of the provisions included in the bill is PUCHA repeal, which will go a long way in helping our electricity system meet increasing demands.

The bill also makes strides to increase the reliability of the electricity grid.

We also desperately need new transmission lines built, and I hope that the provisions in this bill will ensure that this happens.

It also contains an incentives title which will encourage the design and deployment of innovative technology to increase energy supply and also protect the environment. These incentives cover projects such as clean coal, electric transmission and generation, and fuel efficient vehicles.

I am glad that the Senate Energy bill contains clean coal provisions which I wrote to help increase domestic energy production while also improving environmental protection.

Coal is an important part of our energy plans. It's cheap and plentiful, and we don't have to go far to get it.

For my home State, this means more jobs and a cleaner place to live. Clean coal technology is estimated to create 62,000 jobs nationwide and cut emissions from coal drastically.

The Energy bill encourages research and development of clean coal technology by authorizing over $1 billion for the Department of Energy to conduct programs to advance new technology that will significantly reduce emissions and increase efficiency of turning coal into electricity.

Almost $2 billion will be used for the clean coal power initiative, where the Department of Energy will work with industry to advance efficiency, environmental performance, and cost competitiveness of new clean coal technologies.

And $3 billion will be used to help coal companies comply with emission regulations by providing funding for pollution control equipment.

The energy tax package also contains tax credits for companies to implement clean coal technology.

The bill provides $1.6 billion in tax credits for investment in clean coal facilities. It also provides over $1 billion in tax credits for amortization of pollution control equipment to help clean up the emission from existing coal facilities.

Coal plays an important role in our economy, providing over 50 percent of the energy needed for our Nation's energy.

The 21st economy is going to require increased amounts of reliable, clean, and affordable electricity to keep our nation running.

With research advances, we have the know-how to better balance conservation with the need for increased production.

I think this bill makes a good start in ensuring that coal remains a viable energy source that can provide cheap power to consumers.

And the other tax provisions from the Finance Committee will do a good job to promote conservation and energy efficiency further by encouraging the use of cleaner burning fuels.

I am pleased the bill contains ethanol and biodiesel tax credits. These expanded tax credits will further encourage the use of these alternative fuels to help increase domestic production and lessen our dependence on foreign oil. This also is good for farmers and is good for jobs.

We have deliberated and discussed for far too long the need for America to follow a sensible, long-term energy strategy.

I am glad the Senate acted to pass an Energy bill.

This is good for our environment, economy, and national security.

Thank you, Mr. President.

Mr. President, I rise to congratulate Mr. Edward Brown of Albany, KY. In the winter of 2005, Edward won the Kentucky competition for the 2005 Voice of Democracy Patriotic Audio Essay Contest.

This nationwide competition is sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars and is now in its 58th year. The competition requires high school student entrants to write and record a 3- to 5-minute essay on an announced patriotic theme. The theme for 2005 is ``Celebrating Our Veterans' Service.''

Mr. Brown's accomplishment has also earned him the ``$1,000 Department of Wyoming and its Ladies Auxiliary

Scholarship Award.'' A student of Clinton County High School, Edward also finds time to pursue academic and cultural interests such as political science, music, and art.

The Albany Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1952 and its Ladies Auxiliary can be proud to sponsor Mr. Edward Brown. Being recognized by this organization is truly an honor. I congratulate Edward for his hard work and achievement.

Regular order, Mr. President.

Mr. President, I rise to introduce the Kentucky Competitive Access Program (KCAP) bill that would allow Kentucky electric distribution companies to purchase cheaper power. This means lower rates for many Kentucky consumers served by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). I am pleased Senator McConnell has joined me in introducing this bill.

Kentucky has some of the cheapest electric power available in the Nation. However, some Kentucky consumers in TVA are paying higher electricity rates than Kentucky consumers outside of TVA.

Kentucky electric distribution companies served by the TVA can not provide their customers with access to Kentucky's inexpensive power. This is because under existing federal law the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has limited authority over TVA and can not require it to transmit the cheaper power to most, if not all, of the Kentucky distributors. The legislation removes this restriction and provides the FERC with the authority to require TVA to transmit power to all Kentucky distributors.

In addition to allowing Kentucky customers to access less expensive power, the legislation would not harm TVA or result in higher rates to TVA's remaining customers. The Kentucky distributors, in total, constitute only about 6 percent of TVA's revenues and load. Further, TVA is experiencing load growth of about 3 percent per year which should quickly result in the replacement of any load lost in Kentucky. Thus, the departure of some portion of the Kentucky distributors should not result in any significant cost shift to remaining TVA system customers.

All Kentuckians deserve to choose where they receive their power. This bill will not only give them that choice, but it will also create a more competitive environment among Kentucky distributors and allow our businesses and residential consumers to keep more money in their pockets.

Mr. President, I rise to introduce the Kentucky Competitive Access Program (KCAP) bill that would allow Kentucky electric distribution companies to purchase cheaper power. This means lower rates for many Kentucky consumers served by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). I am pleased Senator McConnell has joined me in introducing this bill.

Kentucky has some of the cheapest electric power available in the Nation. However, some Kentucky consumers in TVA are paying higher electricity rates than Kentucky consumers outside of TVA.

Kentucky electric distribution companies served by the TVA can not provide their customers with access to Kentucky's inexpensive power. This is because under existing federal law the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has limited authority over TVA and can not require it to transmit the cheaper power to most, if not all, of the Kentucky distributors. The legislation removes this restriction and provides the FERC with the authority to require TVA to transmit power to all Kentucky distributors.

In addition to allowing Kentucky customers to access less expensive power, the legislation would not harm TVA or result in higher rates to TVA's remaining customers. The Kentucky distributors, in total, constitute only about 6 percent of TVA's revenues and load. Further, TVA is experiencing load growth of about 3 percent per year which should quickly result in the replacement of any load lost in Kentucky. Thus, the departure of some portion of the Kentucky distributors should not result in any significant cost shift to remaining TVA system customers.

All Kentuckians deserve to choose where they receive their power. This bill will not only give them that choice, but it will also create a more competitive environment among Kentucky distributors and allow our businesses and residential consumers to keep more money in their pockets.

Mr. President, today I rise to congratulate Ms. Shannon Murphy of Louisville, KY. Ms. Murphy recently completed the 2004-2005 United States Holocaust Memorial Museum's Teacher Fellowship Program.

The Museum Teacher Fellowship Program develops a national corps of skilled secondary school educators who will serve as leaders in Holocaust education in their schools, their communities, and their professional organizations. In August of 2004, Ms. Murphy participated in a summer institute at the Museum designed to immerse

teachers in advanced historical and pedagogical issues connected to the Holocaust.

It is truly an honor to have Ms. Murphy join the other 185 Museum Teacher Fellows who work throughout the country to provide teachers and communities with opportunities to learn about the Holocaust and the ongoing threats of genocide in the world today. I heartily applaud Ms. Murphy's hard work and achievements.

Mr. President, earlier this week I introduced the Professional Sports Integrity and Accountability Act. This is not a bill I relish introducing, and I wish Congress did not have to get involved in this issue.

Unfortunately, this might be the only way to get professional sports to finally clean up their act. As a former major league baseball player and a member of The Baseball Hall of Fame, protecting the integrity of our national past time is a matter near and dear to my heart. I know it is near and dear to the hearts of so many fans across America.

I do not have any personal experience with steroids. I never encountered them during my years in the major leagues. But I can tell you this--players who use steroids are cheaters. When I played ball, if you got caught cheating--whether it was by sharpening your spikes or corking your bat--you were suspended. The same should hold true for those athletes who use illegal performance enhancing drugs.

Something needs to be done to strike out drugs in sports. Some sports leagues have taken baby steps in an attempt to implement a new or improve a current testing program. While I can appreciate their efforts, I just do not think they have done enough. For example, the penalties under baseball's current drug testing program are--at best-- puny.

My bill would not only toughen baseball's standards, but it would apply to a host of professional sports leagues, such as Major and Minor League Baseball, Arena and National Football Leagues, men's and women's National Basketball Associations, Major League Soccer, and the National Hockey League.

Under my legislation, players would be tested at least three times a year. Tests would be conducted randomly with no advance notice to the athlete. Substances tested would include all those substances that are prohibited for all sports by the Olympics. Players testing positive would be suspended without pay from all leagues for two years on their first offense. If they test positive a second time they are banned from all sports forever.

These are the kind of hard-nosed penalties that will finally wake players up to the reality that the need to stop doping up and risking losing their entire livelihood. It is going to be up to the players. I do not think too many of them will risk playing with fire. Because if you play with fire, you will get burned.

In this legislation, leagues would also be required to disclose to the public the names of those players who violate the testing policy, the penalty they receive, and the substances involved. Any athlete who refuses to take a drug test will be immediately penalized the same as if he or he failed the test. These penalties would also apply to anyone who assists in a violation of the drug testing policy.

Tests will be conducted by an independent entity not controlled by any league. This is necessary to ensure the integrity of the tests. This independent entity will be responsible for the collection, transport, and analysis of all samples. Lab analysis will be conducted at a lab in the United States that meets Olympic standards. All leagues will be required to keep records of these tests which will be subject to inspection by the Federal Trade Commission.

It is important that people realize this is not about conducting a witch hunt, and that is why my bill also includes some protections for these athletes. As a former player, I recognize that training and playing a sport can take a tremendous toll on the body. Therefore, my bill would allow athletes exemptions for substances prescribed by their doctor.

My bill requires that leagues provide violators with a hearing and fair appeals process upon testing positive. These results must be disclosed to the public. However, no information about an athlete's health is required to be disclosed. In order to ensure that leagues are in compliance, the Federal Trade Commission is designated with oversight of the drug testing program. Leagues can be fined up to $1 million per day if they do not enforce this testing policy.

This legislation also encourages--but does not require--leagues to invalidate the records of any athlete who is caught using performance enhancing drugs. History is an important part of any sport and records should mean something. Yes, records are made to be broken. But it does not mean you should be able to cheat to do so.

I was blessed to play 17 years in the major leagues. I never saw a player hit more home runs at age 40 than he was hitting at age 25. Unlike a good wine, professional athletes generally do not get better with age. The body breaks down and you become more prone to injury. You just do not recover as quickly from the grind of playing day after day--year after year.

Some may ask why congress would be getting involved in the business of trying to regulate major league sports. Well, the answer is really quite simple. It is not just about the integrity of the game. It is partly about the health of the athlete. But really, it is about the kids.

The game of baseball has been tarnished by the use of steroids. Unfortunately, this not only affects players taking these substances. But it also sends the wrong message to kids who see players as role models, and who also feel such pressure to perform so well at a young age. It is very important that we understand just how harmful steroids can be on a person's health.

Side-effects of steroids include fatal liver cysts, liver cancer, kidney disease, blood clotting, and they can even lead to heart attack or stroke. Our children look up to players as heroes. And it is important that players set a good example.

As Members of Congress we can play an important role in educating the public on the terrible health effects from steroids. Illegal performance-enhancing drugs have become a serious problem in professional sports and it needs to stop.

Fans expect it to stop and former professional athletes expect it to stop. My friend and fellow baseball Hall of Famer--Dave Winfield--wrote me recently. He sent me a copy of an opinion piece he wrote on the steroid issue. In his piece, Dave outlines not only the negative physical health effects steroids cause. But he touches on the negative psychological effects, too. Dave also cites a recent survey by a national healthcare provider that nearly one million kids in America are using steroids and other substances to boost their athletic performance.

Finally, he raises the important question to athletes: ``How do you want to play your sport--clean and fair, or by cheating with drugs?''

The fans and former athletes do not want our national pasttime and favorite sports to end up with black eyes because of this mess. Everywhere I go I hear sports fans and former athletes whistling for an end to the use of drugs in sports. I and others in this body are listening. Players and leagues must be held accountable for the State of their respective sports. And this legislation demands accountability by putting real penalties on those who cheat.

It is time to restore some integrity to the sports we all watch, pour our hearts out to, and love. I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting this important cause. I recognize that other senators, including Senator Stevens, Senator McCain, and Senator Rockefeller, have helped to highlight this issue, and I look forward to the Senate

moving this debate and legislation forward to clean this mess up in a bi-partisan way.

Before I yield the floor, I want to share a letter I received last month from a young boy--Joseph Mattingly--from Louisville, KY. Joseph writes:

Dear Senator Bunning, my name is Joseph Mattingly. I am a

Boy Scout from Troop 327. At this year's summer camp, I am

working on a merit badge that requires me to write a letter

to a Member of Congress representing my State--Kentucky. This

letter was required to be about a national issue which I

share the same view with you. I wrote you because I am a fan

of Major League Baseball and I would agree that Congress

should get involved in the steroids scandal. I say this for

many reasons. One is that Major League Baseball needs some

help. If they cannot clear up this problem, Congress could.

Another reason is that taking performance enhancing drugs is

cheating. Cheating should not be the American way of doing

things. A third reason is that steroids are drugs.

Performance enhancing drugs should be made illegal for sale

without a prescription. Finally, you are a Hall of Famer with

much baseball experience. For this reason, Major League

Baseball should let you help them with their problems. These

are my views on why Congress should get involved in bringing

down the steroids scandal in baseball and all other sports.

Sincerely, Joseph Mattingly.

This is the voice from a young fan--a child who loves the game of baseball. He echoes the thoughts and words of so many others across America. There is passion in this young boy's heart, and wisdom in his words.

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

Mr. President, I have spent many hours examining and discussing the agreement before us today.

As my colleagues know, my vote has never been a rubberstamp for trade agreements.

I take my responsibility to examine these agreements very seriously. My constituents deserve no less. In the past, I have supported trade agreements, and I have opposed trade agreements, as their merits demanded.

After long and careful thought, I have decided that I will support the agreement with Central America which is before the Senate today.

This agreement is not perfect--far from it.

The phaseout times on many of the agricultural products are too long. We should not be waiting for 10, 15, sometimes 20 years for duty-free access to

sell our farm products in these countries. It is my understanding that the protection of one particular American product was largely responsible for the negotiating situation that led to the long tariff elimination schedules for so many of our farming products.

If not for the fact that, almost without exception, the Central American countries have enjoyed duty-free access to our markets for their agricultural exports for years, these long tariff phaseout schedules might well have forced me to oppose this agreement.

The truth is, due to existing trade relationships, the various parties did not start out this trade negotiation on similar footings: We paid to export to them and they did not pay to export to us.

While this agreement absolutely does not even this relationship as quickly and fairly as I would like, it does eventually get the job done. While our farmers are often forced to wait far too long for duty- free acess, that duty-free access does eventually go into place. The opportunity for new export markets for our farmers will be-- ultimately--beneficial to the folks in Kentucky, particularly the rural parts of my State.

While I have concerns about other parts of the agreement, particularly some textile issues, there are also aspects of the agreement which are especially good for Kentucky.

Important to my State of Kentucky is the treatment of the exportation of tobacco products under the agreement. I was particularly pleased to see that the report of the Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for Cotton, Peanuts, Planting Seeds and Tobacco, which included a member of the Kentucky Farm Bureau, found the agreement to be fair regarding tobacco trade.

I was also pleased to see that this agreement immediately eliminates tariffs on bourbon and whiskeys exported from America. Furthermore, agreement for the recognition of ``bourbon'' as an exclusively Kentucky-made product is important to an industry employing over 30,000 Kentuckians.

I also want to bring the attention of my colleagues to the fact that this agreement, while obviously primarily a trade agreement, also represents an opportunity for us to show our support to a region that has come a long way in the area of democracy.

Not so long ago, most of us here will remember, democracy was not assured in this part of the world. In Central America--our own backyard--communism was a threat. The United States has worked hard over the years and we have seen the menace of communism recede and the democracies and economies of El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Honduras begin to flourish.

We must not lose track of the message that the approval of this agreement will send to these new democracies on our doorstep. Without this agreement, the democracies we have helped build in Central America will be less prosperous in the increasingly competitive global marketplace. We must allow these fledgling democracies the access they need to compete with the overwhelming wave of Chinese imports.

It is the development of strong trade in goods and services that will help these countries to oppose a return to corrupt regimes that promote trade in illegal drugs.

We in this body have done so much to foster democracy and economic stability in Central America. The approval of DR-CAFTA is another chance for us to show our support of these democratic governments.

I have come to believe after long and careful examination, that this agreement is good for the United States and for the future of Central America. I urge my colleagues to support the agreement before us today.

As my good friend and fellow Hall of Famer Yogi Berra once said, ``Its deja vu all over again.'' Once again, Chairman Greenspan and the Federal Open Market Committee, FOMC, are taking us down an economic path that is fraught with peril by unnecessarily raising interest rates.

Surveys show that Americans are much more worried about filling their gas tank than fitting into their swimsuit this summer, which may be a first. But nonetheless, despite record high energy prices, the Chairman Greenspan continues to raise rates. He is fighting an inflationary boogeyman that does not exist. Meanwhile, there is a very good chance his policies will lead us into the third recession of his tenure and American workers will suffer from his antics.

This reminds me of the summer of 2000, when all signals pointed toward a recession, but Chairman Greenspan refused to cut interest rates. When he finally did cut rates on January 3, 2001, in an emergency meeting after refusing to cut at the FOMC's regularly scheduled on December 19, 2000, the damage was done. And the recession that was greatly exacerbated by September 11 was already underway.

I am very concerned with the Federal Reserve's continued raising of interest rates. The Federal Reserve, it seems to me, continues to fix an economy that just is not broken. It is almost as if the Federal Reserve is frightened by success. They are once again throwing a wet blanket on an inflationary fire that does not exist.

As I have said before, I do not believe the Federal Reserve's economic models are factoring in the impact of new technologies on the economy. They do not account for our increase in productivity. I also do not believe they take into account the psychological effects of higher energy prices. Chairman Greenspan, probably doesn't have to fill up his own car very often, but families all over Kentucky and across the United States are feeling the sting of record gas prices, and it troubles them greatly.

We are coming to a crucial point in our economy, a point where it can not sustain higher and higher interest rates. As our interest rates rise like helium, our economy will suffer, housing starts will be down, and we will lose

the economic momentum we have enjoyed. Apparently Chairman Greenspan wants to do to the housing market what he did to the stock market, and once again the average American on Main Street USA will suffer.

Sometimes, I feel like a voice crying out in the wilderness, but somebody has to tell Alan Greenspan and the FOMC that prosperity is not the enemy. I hope it will not take another recession for Chairman Greenspan to learn that lesson. The American people have already learned those lessons during his tenure in very painful ways.

Mr. President, today I rise to congratulate Miss Kennedy Womack, a 10-year-old student of Russell-McDowell Intermediate School in Flatwoods, KY.

The Kentucky Association for Gifted Education in cooperation with the National Association for Gifted Children

awarded Miss Womack the Nicholas Green Distinguished Student Award during the KAGE 25th Annual Conference on February 8, 2005. The award is designed to recognize excellence in young children and is given to one student per State each school year. Award recipients are between ages 8 and 12 and have achieved excellence in one of the following areas of endeavor--leadership, visual/performing arts, and academic achievement. The student selected is one who makes a contribution to the community at a level beyond what is expected of the student's age group.

While spending time with her grandfather who is the jailer for the Greenup County Detention Center, Miss Womack became aware of the needs of the inmates, as well as the children who come to visit them. She observed inmates who needed to read or write to their families, but for some reason they were not able to do so. Kennedy tried to find a way to help. Through various means, Kennedy has also tried to help the young children who come to visit their relatives. She hopes her efforts will help the children make wise choices and not follow a path of crime. Chief Tomas E. Kelly, Ashland Chief of Police, says of Miss Womack, ``Kennedy has a keen interest in bettering her community, stopping the chain of crime and being a young advocate for victims of crime, and clearly demonstrates her leadership traits and initiative while doing so.''

National recognition by this organization is truly an honor to Greenup County and the Commonwealth of Kentucky. I congratulate Miss Womack for her hard work and achievement. I encourage her to keep up the hard work and commitment to improving her community.

Mr. President, I wish to pay tribute to Jada Trabue, Ashlyn Wilson, and Charles Clark as three truly outstanding students from the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

In the fall of 2005, Reading is Fundamental, Inc. held a national poster contest in which more than 25,000 children created artwork reflecting the 2005 theme, ``Celebrate the Joy of Reading.'' Out of 365 posters submitted to the national competition, a panel of judges selected Jada Trabue of Louisville, KY, as the National Winner. Ashlyn Wilson of Louisville, KY, and Charles Clark of Hopkinsville, KY, were selected as Honorable Mention winners.

Being recognized by this organization is truly an honor. I congratulate these three students for their hard work and their achievement.

Mr. President, I congratulate and honor two young Kentucky students who have achieved national recognition for exemplary volunteer service in their communities. Brandon Harvey of Breeding and Craig Peden of Henderson have just been named the top two honorees in Kentucky by the 2005 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program, an annual honor conferred on the most impressive student volunteers in each State, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

Mr. Harvey, a senior at Adair County High School, is being recognized for raising nearly $1,000 to purchase smoke detectors for the families of all 175 students at a local elementary school. Mr. Harvey organized a special Fire Prevention Day at the school, during which he taught the students fire prevention and safety techniques and issued every child a smoke detector.

Mr. Peden, an eighth grader at Henderson County North Middle School, is being recognized for leading an effort by his school's Junior Optimist Club to raise money to help support the operating budget of Riverview School, a preschool for special needs students. With Mr. Peden's help, Riverview School was able to pay off its mortgage, and now Craig hopes to expand his efforts to directly benefit the handicapped children at Riverview.

In light of numerous statistics that indicate Americans today are less involved in their communities than they once were, it is vital that we encourage and support the kind of selfless contribution these young citizens have made. People of all ages need to think more about how we, as individual citizens, can work together at the local level to ensure the health and vitality of our towns and neighborhoods. Young volunteers like Mr. Harvey and Mr. Peden are inspiring examples to all of us, and are among our brightest hopes for a better tomorrow.

The program that brought this young role model to our attention--the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards--was created in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals in 1995 to impress upon all youth volunteers that their contributions are critically important and highly valued. Since its inception, the program has become the Nation's largest youth recognition effort based solely on community service, with more than 170,000 youngsters participating.

Mr. Harvey and Mr. Peden should be extremely proud to have been singled out from such a large group of dedicated volunteers. I heartily applaud Mr. Harvey and Mr. Peden for their initiative in seeking to make their communities a better place to live, and for the positive impact they have had on the lives of others. They have demonstrated a level of commitment and accomplishment that is truly extraordinary in today's world, and deserve our sincere admiration and respect. Their actions show that young Americans can play important roles in our communities, and that America's community spirit continues to hold tremendous promise for the future.

Mr. President, today I rise to congratulate the hard work of fellow Kentuckians to establish the Kentucky Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States.

The Military Order of the Loyal Legions of the United States was established by a group of Federal officers formed to act as an honor guard for the remains of President Abraham Lincoln. These officers later met to form a society to commemorate the events and principles of the War of the Rebellion. MOLLUS became the first military society based upon the War of Rebellion to be formed.

Over 125 officers of Kentucky regiments, as well as over a dozen general officers and admirals of Kentucky birth, were original companions of MOLLUS. At the MOLLUS National Congress in October of 2004, the dedicated efforts of the Kentucky members paid off, as the Commonwealth of Kentucky was granted full Commandery status.

I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the members of the Kentucky Commandery for their hard work and dedication to their principles.

Mr. President, today I rise to congratulate Officer Duane Harper of Owensboro, KY. Officer Harper was recently awarded the Owensboro Police Department's citation for officer of the year.

Officer Harper, a vehicle crash reconstructionist, is a 14-year veteran with an eye for detail and a steady, meticulous investigative technique. As a reconstructionist, Harper is called on to conduct investigations not only for his department, but others as well. Chief John Kazlauskas describes Harper as committed to conducting his investigations thoroughly and professionally.

The officer of the year award is given annually to an officer selected solely by the Chief of Police based on performance and merit. Officer Harper was also the recipient of the Chief's Award, the department's second highest honor.

It is very important to have members of our law enforcement dedicated to the safety and well being of our communities. I am very proud to have Officer Harper as a member of local law enforcement in Kentucky. I heartily applaud his hard work and commitment to serving his community.

I hope that you will join me today in both recognizing and congratulating Officer Harper in his achievement. He serves as an example to the rest of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. I wish him continued success in the future.

Mr. President, the provisions in the Energy bill will greatly improve the ability of electricity transmission operators to ensure the reliability of our grid, especially with the help of new technologies.

I want to make the Department of Energy and Federal Government aware that there is a company in my State that currently provides independent real-time energy information. This company's patented technology collects power supply information using a network of remote, wireless devices to monitor multiple points on the transmission grid. This information is provided to utilities, Federal agencies, and others responsible for monitoring our critical energy infrastructure and the markets associated with that infrastructure. I applaud them for their ingenuity and efforts to further increase the reliability of our electricity transmission grid.

It is my understanding that the Federal Government is looking at developing monitoring technology similar to the technology of other companies such as the one in my State and other States. I want to implore to the Department of Energy and other Federal Government agencies to not choke out these new innovations already being developed and deployed in the private marketplace. I ask that the Federal Government consider the new technologies already commercially deployed when examining the role the Federal Government should play when developing these new abilities.

I move to lay that motion on the table.

The motion to lay on the table was agreed to.