Floor Statements

Mr. President, today I would like to take the opportunity to honor the service of 1LT Robert Henderson II of Alvaton, KY. His death while performing his duty to his country is a great loss to us all.

On April 17, 2004, LT Henderson was leading a convoy near Diwaniyah. As they were passing through, they were ambushed and LT Henderson was wounded. He later died at a field hospital. I offer my sincerest condolences to LT Henderson's family and loved ones.

His service with the Kentucky Army National Guard's 2123rd Transportation Company was exemplary and duly appreciated. Lieutenant Henderson, according to reports, showed bravery by continuing to drive his lead vehicle toward safety after he was wounded. As one of the U.S. Senators from Kentucky, I know that Lieutenant Henderson served as a fine example of what it means to be a true patriot and an American of the highest caliber.

We are humbled and honored by the sacrifice Lieutenant Henderson has made. His loss reminds us of the heavy cost exacted for our freedom. We must remember that the American way of life has been made possible by the bravery of men and women like Lieutenant Henderson. When freedom has been challenged many like him have answered the call to arms. We must never forget that.

Mr. President, I would like to take a moment today to pay tribute to Mr. Tom DiBello of Covington, KY who has served with great distinction as the Executive Director of the Covington Community Center since 1995.

Tom has strong roots in Covington, KY, even though he first came to the community as a 1-year VISTA, Volunteers in Service to America, worker. Mr. DiBello then worked his way through the Covington Community as an outreach worker, community organizer and program director. As he rose through the ranks, his dedication to the community and list of achievements only grew.

Some of Mr. DiBello's early accomplishments include organizing grassroots efforts for welfare reform and developing the Covington Neighborhood Action Coalition, now known as the Covington Neighborhood Collaborative.

Mr. DiBello is responsible for marked growth of the Community Center, transforming it from a small organization on the west side of Covington to a truly city-wide support and development organization. From developing partnerships to running a capital campaign, Tom's leadership has been integral to the success of the Covington Community Center.

Congratulations again, Mr. DiBello, on your dedicated service to the Covington Community Center. You are an inspiration for all of us throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky. We look forward to your continued success and achievement.

Madam President, today I would like to take the opportunity to remember Judge John Robert Perry. He passed away tragically last Monday at age 72 and will be greatly missed by his surviving family and all the residents he served as the 36th District Court Judge of Wyoming.

Judge Perry was known in the legal community for his wit, his dedication to the law and his willingness to share his legal knowledge with up-and-coming attorneys and fellow judges. His friends considered him ``even-tempered, level-headed and down-to-earth.'' He was a shining example of what makes this country great. Judge Perry will be missed, and our hearts go out to his family during this time.

Mr. President, I understand that the conference report to H.R. 3108 before us today includes a provision repealing Section 809 of the Internal Revenue Code. I support repeal of this arcane provision of the tax code relating to the taxation of mutual insurance companies. I also support the repeal of another equally arcane provision of the tax code--Section 815 which affects stock insurance companies. This provision, which triggers a tax on a fictitious account under certain circumstances and unduly ties up needed capital, is unnecessarily complex and antiquated. Repeal of this provision will allow the affected companies to gain access to these idle funds and use them to expand their businesses and hire more employees. I am pleased that the JOBS Act, which we are also considering on the floor of the Senate, contains a temporary repeal of Section 815 and I urge the Senate to consider full repeal of this provision at the earliest possible opportunity.

Mr. President, today I would like to take the opportunity to honor Mrs. Alisa Barton of Hopkinsville, KY. Salvation Army welfare coordinator Alisa Barton was honored nationwide with an Award of Excellence in Social Service at the National Social Services Conference in Pittsburgh on Tuesday, March 20.

As former military child and wife, Mrs. Barton knows firsthand the hardship Army families can experience, especially during times of deployment. Mrs. Barton has continuously worked to help alleviate the needs of families remaining at home while their loved ones serve this country in Afghanistan and Iraq.

She developed a program called Homefront War Relief, which has received national recognition for helping the families of deployed Fort Campbell soldiers. The Homefront War Relief program, partnered with Wal-Mart, allowed the Salvation Army to assist 743 military families resulting in the largest military assistance effort the Salvation Army of Hopkinsville has ever done. Throughout 2003, 5,000 military personnel and their families received assistance in the form of comfort kits to deployed soldiers, food and clothing, holiday meals, and Bibles and inspirational books to troops.

Mrs. Barton is dedicated to helping those who come to the Salvation Army in need. She began working with the Salvation Army by ringing donations bells and describes her work as a labor of love spreading the Christian faith and helping people. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Mrs. Barton. She is a wonderful asset to Kentucky and an inspiration to us all.

Mr. President, today I would like to take the opportunity to honor the Marshall All-Star Cheerleaders for their recent success at the national championships in Indianapolis.

The Marshall All-Star Cheerleaders is made up of girls from grades 1- 12 competing in three age levels, Peewee grades 1-4, Youth 3-6, and Senior 6-12. They are from Marshall, Graves, Lyon, and McCracken counties and students at Melissa's Gymnastics in Benton, KY.

The squads spent hours in preparation for the fierce competition they faced in Indianapolis. Other squads were from Indiana, Kansas, Illinois, Missouri, Tennessee, Ohio, Michigan, West Virginia, Maryland, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Kentucky. They competed in dance, cheering, and tumbling, and came out on top in the end.

The Marshall All-Star Cheerleaders were the national champions in all three age levels. They are to be commended for this high honor. Their hard work and dedication paid off, and I join

my fellow Kentuckians in congratulating these fine young ladies.

Mr. President, I would like to take a moment today to congratulate Ms. Kelsey Tamayo of Radcliff, KY, for her selection to the From the Top radio showcase.

Ms. Tamayo was chosen to represent the Hardin County Schools and the Commonwealth of Kentucky in this national recognition program. Though she is only 15 years old, Ms. Tamayo is an accomplished percussionist. For this showcase, she traveled to Emory University in Atlanta to tape her performance and interview along with other accomplished musicians from around the country.

In November, Ms. Tamayo was named one of six winners of the Young Classical Artists Competition sponsored by the School of Music at the University of Louisville.

While Ms. Tamayo plays more than 20 instruments, she choose to play the Vibraphone in both the University of Louisville competition and on the From the Top broadcast.

Public Radio International's From the Top is a weekly radio series that showcases the nation's most exceptional pre-college age classical musicians. This show has been broadcast since January of 2000 and currently reaches 130 public radio stations and over 240 stations nationwide. The show's slogan is celebrating ordinary kids who do extraordinary things. I would like to congratulate the show and public radio for highlighting the musical successes of our youth.

Congratulations again, Ms. Tamayo, on being selected to perform on From the Top. You are truly an inspiration for all of us throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky. We all look forward to your continued success and achievement.

Mr. President, I pay tribute and congratulate Elsie Atherton on her reception of the 2004 Champion for the Aging award given to her by ElderServe of Louisville, KY.

Ms. Atherton has dedicated herself to helping improve the lives of senior citizens in Kentucky. Her devotion to this cause was put to great work during her time at Metro United Way and United Way of Kentucky. She has done a wonderful public service through her efforts to combat elder abuse and financial exploitation of seniors. She has also been active in delivering meals to homeland senior citizens.

The citizens of Kentucky are fortunate to have the leadership of Elsie Atherton. Her example of dedication, hard work and compassion should be an inspiration to all throughout the Commonwealth.

She has my most sincere appreciation for this work and I look forward to her continued service to Kentucky.

Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to Chad Benham of Brandenburg, KY. Recently Mr. Benham has been named as the national winner of the Agricultural Mechanics Energy Systems- Entrepreneurship/Placement Proficiency Award for the Future Farmers of America.

The Proficiency Awards recognize achievement by students who have excelled in developing specialized skills that will apply toward a career goal in agriculture. The awards also consider community service and leadership activities of a student.

The citizens of Brandenburg, KY are fortunate to have Mr. Benham living and learning in their community. His example of hard work and determination should be followed by all in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

I would like to congratulate Mr. Benham for his success. But also, I want to congratulate all his peers, teachers, administrators, and his parents for their support and sacrifices they have made to help Mr. Benham reach his goal and fulfill his dreams.

Mr. President, it is a pleasure to be here today with our colleagues from the House Veterans Affairs Committee and the members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The VFW has a rich tradition in enhancing the lives of millions through its community service programs and special projects, and I am proud to have their services in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

The work of our committees is as important as ever because of the thousands of new wartime veterans leaving the service and the increasing needs of our aging veterans. We owe all our veterans a debt of gratitude and I am committed to making sure we provide them with ample benefits and quality medical care.

President Bush has proposed significant increases in spending for our veterans, but it is important to keep in mind that his budget is only a starting point. Each year he has requested increases in funding for the VA and Congress has provided even more beyond those requests.

The last 2 years Congress has provided unprecedented increases in funding for VA health care. I support another substantial increase for VA health care this year and I am confident we will deliver. In fact, the budget resolution currently before the Senate provides for an extra $1.3 billion for the VA and rejects the proposed co-pay increases and enrollment fees.

VA conducts some of the most specialized medical research in our Nation. That research is especially important to disabled veterans. I oppose the proposed cut in VA research. The Budget Committee rejected that cut and I added an additional $101 million for research, a 25 percent increase.

Now that the CARES process is wrapping up, VA can begin new construction projects. We will be watching to make sure the Secretary carefully considers all proposed closings. I look forward to seeing new hospitals and clinics opened in Kentucky and around the Nation.

Last year I told the Secretary that VA had come a long way in fixing its problems but there was still a long way to go. I am glad to say that the system is stronger this year, but we must not let up. We must keep working to make sure our veterans receive the assistance they need in a timely and convenient manner. I am committed to doing just that.

Finally, I recognize all the Kentucky veterans in the hearing room. I had a good visit with some of you in my office earlier this week. Thank you for making the trip today and thank you for your service to our Nation and your fellow veterans.

Mr. President, today I take the opportunity to honor Mrs. Alisa Barton of Hopkinsville, KY. Salvation Army welfare coordinator, Alisa Barton, was honored nationwide with an Award of Excellence in Social Service at the National Social Services Conference in Pittsburgh on Tuesday, March 20th.

As former military child and wife, Mrs. Barton knows first hand the hardship Army families can experience, especially during times of deployment. Mrs. Barton has continuously worked to help alleviate the needs of families remaining at home while their loved ones serve this country in Afghanistan and Iraq.

She developed a program called Homefront War Relief, which has received national recognition for helping the families of deployed Fort Campbell Soldiers. The Homefront War Relief program, partnered with Wal-Mart, allowed the Salvation Army to assist 743 military families resulting in the largest military assistance effort the Salvation Army of Hopkinsville has ever done. Throughout 2003, 5,000 military personnel and their families received assistance in the form of comfort kits to deployed soldiers, food and clothing, holiday meals, and Bibles and inspirational books to troops.

Mrs. Barton is dedicated to helping those who come to the Salvation Army in need. She began working with the Salvation Army by ringing donation bells and describes her work as a labor of love spreading the Christian faith and helping people. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Mrs. Barton. She is a wonderful asset to Kentucky and an inspiration to us all.

Mr. President, today I would like to take the opportunity to honor the Earle C. Clements Job Corps

Center in Morganfield, KY. One of Job Corps' oldest centers, Earle C. Clements, and its dedicated staff will be marking their 39th anniversary on Wednesday, April 7.

The shining record of the Earle C. Clements Job Corps Center is a strong example of the way Job Corps works. When I visited this center in August of 2002, I had the pleasure of witnessing firsthand the competent dedication with which the staff at this Job Corps Center approach the problems of men and women looking for a job and a way to better their lives. The work carried on at the center fills me with confidence that the Federal Government can rely on these men and women to train the American workforce for the needs of the economy and of the American people.

The importance of Job Corps and of the Earle C. Clements Center cannot be underestimated. A skilled workforce is the key to a strong economy, to happy and prosperous citizens, to a well-run government, and to a strong nation. The men and women who make our economy work are the backbone of America. Without them our great Nation would be forced to collapse on itself. Training the workforce of America is not simply an isolated act of kindness: every worker also makes an important contribution to the United States that enables it to succeed economically. I believe that a prosperous United States is not only good for the American people but good for the world.

I ask that may colleagues join me in honoring the 39 years of excellence and dedication of the Earle C. Clements Job Corps Center in Morganfield, KY. Their years of service and dedication have earned the praise and gratitude of the Senate. I hope for the very best in their continued years of service.

Mr. President, I pay tribute and congratulate Tyler Brown of Louisville, KY, on his reception of the Lyman T. Johnson Distinguished Leadership Award given to him by the Louisville Central Community Centers. This award is given to an adult and a youth for outstanding volunteer work.

Tyler Brown has proven himself to be an ideal volunteer. While he is only 16 years old, he has already done more volunteer work than many people will do in their whole life. He has worked with Habit for Humanity in Colorado, Florida, and even in Canada. He is also very active in his church, Bethlehem Baptist, where he gives his time to their Dare to Care program in addition to numerous other projects.

The citizens of Louisville are fortunate to have a young man like Tyler Brown in their community. His example of dedication, hard work, and compassion should be an inspiration to all throughout the entire Commonwealth.

He has my most sincere appreciation for his work and I look forward to his continued service to Kentucky.

Mr. President, today I wish to pay tribute to Danielle Miller, of Louisville, KY. Recently, Ms. Miller has been named a State honoree for Prudential Spirit of Community Award program for Kentucky based on her outstanding volunteer services.

Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program names only one high school student and one middle-level student in each State and the District of Columbia. As a junior at Louisville's Sacred Heart Academy, Ms. Miller was selected from more than 20,000 students for this honor. Ms. Miller received this honor because she founded a service organization called the ``National Awareness Committee'' to provide clothing, books, and other needed items to members of the Lakota Sioux Nation living on reservations in South Dakota.

The citizens of Louisville, KY are fortunate to have Ms. Miller living and learning in their community. Her example of hard work and determination should be followed by all in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

I congratulate Ms. Miller for her success. But also, I congratulate all her peers, coaches, teachers, administrators, and her parents for their support and sacrifices they've made to help Ms. Miller reach this goal and fulfill her dreams.

Mr. President, today I wish to pay tribute to Whitton Montgomery, of Louisville, KY. Recently, Ms. Montgomery has been named a State honoree for Prudential Spirit of Community Award program fro Kentucky based on her outstanding volunteer services.

Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program names only one high school student and one middle-level student in each State and the District of Columbia. As an eight grader at Louisville Collegiate School, Ms. Montgomery was selected from more than 20,000 students for this honor. Ms. Montgomery received this honor because she founded ``Kids Acting Against Cancer,'' a performing arts group that has raised more than $40,000 for research and children with cancer.

The citizens of Louisville, KY are fortunate to have Ms. Montgomery living and learning in their community. Her example of hard work and determination should be followed by all in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

I congratulate Ms. Montgomery for her success. But also, I congratulate all her peers, coaches, teachers, administrators, and her parents for their support and sacrifices they have made to help Ms. Montgomery reach this goal and fulfill her dreams.