Floor Statements

Mr. President, today I invite my colleagues to join me in congratulating Adia Mathies from Iroquois High School, Lousiville, KY, for receiving Kentucky's Miss Basketball award. There is only one recipient annually for this award.

Kentucky's Miss Basketball Award is given to students who show excellence in their basketball career. To be eligible for the award, students must show consistent top performance on the court.

Adia Mathies has shown superior basketball skills as a high school senior and throughout her young career. This season alone, she averaged 17.1 points, 11.4 rebounds, 3.9 steals and 3.8 assists, aggressively pushing Iroquois' final record to 33-1 and the win of the State Championship. As a professional athlete, I appreciate the hard work and dedication it takes to perform at a higher level, which she has displayed.

I am impressed by the excellence this student has demonstrated. I am confident that she will have success in greater challenges in the future and perform outstandingly at University of Kentucky.

Mr. President, I would like to thank Adia Mathies for her contributions to

the Commonwealth of Kentucky and wish her the best of luck in her future endeavors.

Mr. President, today I congratulate the winners of the 2009 Kentucky History Awards, which was held at the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History. These awards are sponsored by the Kentucky Historical Society and recognize exceptional achievements by individuals, business and civic leaders, communities, museums, and history organizations throughout the commonwealth in the field of history. Several projects and individuals that have demonstrated tremendous efforts to promote the preservation, awareness, and appreciation of state and local history were honored at this ceremony.

These awards serve as an opportunity to recognize the dedication and hard work of those who cherish Kentucky history. This year the Madison County Fiscal Court received the Government Award for their Civil War Battlefield Preservation and Interpretation. The Larue County Herald News received the Media Award for the Lincoln Bicentennial. These two organizations have done the Commonwealth a great service by being advocates for our history.

Dr. Kenneth Carstens of Calloway County was also a recipient of one of these prestigious awards. Dr. Carstens received the Lifetime Dedication To History Award for his service. During the time leading up to this award, Dr. Carstens received numerous teaching recognition awards, chaired many significant committees on Murray State University's campus, and conducted research for the college's contract archaeology program. He has published nine books and is currently working on six more.

Mr. President, I would like to thank these people for their contributions to the State of Kentucky, and I wish them well as they continue to enhance the history of our great State.

Mr. President, today I invite my colleagues to join me in congratulating Jane Brannen and Adam Horn from Woodford County High School, Versailles, KY, for receiving the Achievement Award in writing. This year only 525 students around the country were recipients of this award.

The Achievement Award in writing is given to students who show excellence in English and writing. To be eligible for the award, students must submit a previously written paper and then be invited to participate in a timed essay.

Jane Brannen and Adam Horn both have shown great analytical and writing skills in their submitted papers. I am impressed by the excellence these two students have displayed, and I am confident that they will have success in greater challenges in the future.

Mr. President, I would like to thank Jane Brannen and Adam Horn for their contributions to the Commonwealth of Kentucky and wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors.

Mr. President, today I invite my colleagues to join me in congratulating Kyle Darpel from Covington Catholic High School, Park Hills, KY, for receiving the Achievement Award in writing. This year only 525 students around the country were recipients of this award.

The Achievement Award in writing is given to students who show excellence in English and writing. To be eligible for the award, students must submit a previously written paper and then be invited to participate in a timed essay.

Kyle Darpel has shown great analytical and writing skills in his submitted paper. I am impressed by the excellence Kyle has displayed, and I am confident that he will have success in greater challenges in the future.

Mr. President, I would like to thank Kyle Darpel for his contribution to the Commonwealth of Kentucky and wish him the best of luck in their future endeavors.

Mr. President, today I invite my colleagues to join me in congratulating J. Mari Lynn Thompson from Sacred Heart Academy, Louisville, KY, for receiving the Achievement Award in writing. This year only 525 students around the country were recipients of this award.

The Achievement Award in writing is given to students who show excellence in English and writing. To be eligible for the award, students must submit a previously written paper and then be invited to participate in a timed essay.

J. Mari Lynn Thompson has shown great analytical and writing skills in her submitted paper. I am impressed by the excellence she has displayed, and I am confident that she will have success in greater challenges in the future.

Mr. President, I would like to thank J. Mari Lynn Thompson for her contribution to the Commonwealth of Kentucky and wish her the best of luck in her future endeavors.

Mr. President, I rise today to speak on the nomination of Dean Elena Kagan of the Harvard School of Law to be Solicitor General of the United States. It is with regret that I announce that I will not be able to support this nomination.

My first reason is that it appears that Dean Kagan's nomination process is not yet complete. My colleague, the ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee Senator Arlen Specter, has already spoken on this at some length, but I agree with his thoughts. He asked Dean Kagan, in writing, to expand upon responses she supplied to the Judiciary Committee. In the estimation of several committee members and others, such as myself, she did not provide an adequate response to these requests. I find that it is not possible for me to vote to advance the nomination of someone who has not yet completed the nomination process.

However, we do know some things about Dean Kagan's beliefs. For one thing, she has shown a disdain for the policy contained in the Solomon amendment. The Solomon amendment bars federal aid to universities that prevent military recruitment on campus. This is a good policy and fairly supports our military and the men and women that are a part of it. Dean Kagan defends her position by saying that she opposes the recruiters because of the ``Don't Ask, Don't Tell'' policy. Whatever her concerns with that policy, it does not seem wise or fair to shut out our nation's military recruiters. By denying recruiters access to America's colleges and universities, our military is weakened. This is the kind of wrongheaded approach that I thought had died out years ago. Unfortunately, it is still alive in the person of the President's nominee to head one of the top positions in the Department of Justice.

Dean Kagan has also expressed an unsettling attitude towards religion and religious organizations. In a memo as a law clerk on the subject of which organizations should receive funding to counsel teenagers on pregnancy, she wrote ``It would be difficult for any religious organization to participate in such projects without injecting some kind of religious teaching.'' She added ``When government funding is to be used for projects so close to the central concerns of religion, all religious organizations should be off limits.'' This seems like an incredibly insensitive, insulting, and impractical view to hold. Does Dean Kagan feel that only atheists are fit to handle government funds? Would she support some sort of a ``religious commitment'' litmus test? This seems like an attitude that would be unfit for a high ranking member of our government.

It is for these reasons that I cannot support this nomination. I urge my colleagues to join me in opposition.

Mr. President, today I am reintroducing an important piece of legislation that I have worked on for several years with Senator Mikulski from Maryland. I am pleased that she is joining me in introducing this bill today, and I look forward to working with her to get it passed.

The bill we are introducing today, the Equity and Access for Podiatric Physicians Under Medicaid Act, will ensure that Medicaid beneficiaries in all States have access to the services of top-quality podiatric physicians.

Having healthy feet and ankles is critical to keeping individuals mobile, productive and in good long-term health. This is particularly true for individuals with diabetes.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, over 23 million Americans have diabetes, which amounts to over seven percent of the total population. Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in this country.

If not managed properly, diabetes can cause several severe health problems, including eye disease or blindness, kidney disease and heart disease. Too often, diabetes can lead to foot complications, including foot ulcers and even amputations. In fact, the CDC estimates that in 2004, about 71,000 people underwent an amputation of a leg, foot or toe because of complications with diabetes.

Proper care of the feet could prevent many of these amputations.

The bill we are introducing today recognizes the important role podiatrists can play identifying and correcting foot problems among diabetics. The bill amends Medicaid's definition of ``physicians'' to include podiatric physicians. This will ensure that Medicaid beneficiaries have access to foot care from those most qualified to provide it.

Under Medicaid, podiatry is considered an optional benefit. However, just because it is optional, does not mean that podiatric services are not needed, or that beneficiaries will not seek out other providers to perform these services. Instead, Medicaid beneficiaries will have to receive foot care from other providers who may not be as well trained as a podiatrist in treating lower extremities.

Also, it is important to note that podiatrists are considered physicians under the Medicare program, which allows seniors and disabled individuals to receive appropriate care.

I urge my colleagues to give careful consideration to this important bill. It will help many Medicaid beneficiaries across the country have access to podiatrists that they need.

Finally, I want to thank the Senator from Maryland for helping me reintroduce this legislation today. I hope that by working together we can see this important change made.

Mr. President, today I am reintroducing an important piece of legislation that I have worked on for several years with Senator Mikulski from Maryland. I am pleased that she is joining me in introducing this bill today, and I look forward to working with her to get it passed.

The bill we are introducing today, the Equity and Access for Podiatric Physicians Under Medicaid Act, will ensure that Medicaid beneficiaries in all States have access to the services of top-quality podiatric physicians.

Having healthy feet and ankles is critical to keeping individuals mobile, productive and in good long-term health. This is particularly true for individuals with diabetes.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, over 23 million Americans have diabetes, which amounts to over seven percent of the total population. Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in this country.

If not managed properly, diabetes can cause several severe health problems, including eye disease or blindness, kidney disease and heart disease. Too often, diabetes can lead to foot complications, including foot ulcers and even amputations. In fact, the CDC estimates that in 2004, about 71,000 people underwent an amputation of a leg, foot or toe because of complications with diabetes.

Proper care of the feet could prevent many of these amputations.

The bill we are introducing today recognizes the important role podiatrists can play identifying and correcting foot problems among diabetics. The bill amends Medicaid's definition of ``physicians'' to include podiatric physicians. This will ensure that Medicaid beneficiaries have access to foot care from those most qualified to provide it.

Under Medicaid, podiatry is considered an optional benefit. However, just because it is optional, does not mean that podiatric services are not needed, or that beneficiaries will not seek out other providers to perform these services. Instead, Medicaid beneficiaries will have to receive foot care from other providers who may not be as well trained as a podiatrist in treating lower extremities.

Also, it is important to note that podiatrists are considered physicians under the Medicare program, which allows seniors and disabled individuals to receive appropriate care.

I urge my colleagues to give careful consideration to this important bill. It will help many Medicaid beneficiaries across the country have access to podiatrists that they need.

Finally, I want to thank the Senator from Maryland for helping me reintroduce this legislation today. I hope that by working together we can see this important change made.

Mr. President, today I invite my colleagues to join me in congratulating Nathan Horrell and Will Spence from St. Xavier High School, Louisville, KY, for receiving the Achievement Award in writing. This year only 525 students around the country were recipients of this award.

The Achievement Award in writing is given to students who show excellence in English and writing. To be eligible for the award, students must submit a previously written paper and then be invited to participate in a timed essay.

Nathan Horrell and Will Spence both have shown great analytical and writing skills in their submitted papers. Each student entered an analysis of Mary Shelley's 1818 novel ``Frankenstein,'' which they both wrote during their junior year in high school. At the contest, Nathan wrote his timed essay on the connection between the Internet and politics and Will wrote a short story.

I am impressed by the excellence these two students have displayed. I am confident that they will have success in greater challenges in the future.

Mr. President, I would like to thank Nathan Horrell and Will Spence for their contributions to the Commonwealth of Kentucky and wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors.

Mr. President, it is with great admiration and respect that I take this time to memorialize one of Kentucky's most cherished citizens, Mrs. Emma Jean Guyn Miller. Unfortunately, Mrs. Miller passed away at the age of 107. However, her life story should serve as an inspiration for people in central Kentucky and around the entire United States.

Mrs. Miller was born in Woodford County on September 29, 1901, and moved with her family to Nicholasville in 1902. Since she was young Mrs. Miller knew that she wanted to gain an education and better her community. However, since Kentucky schools were still segregated during this time period, Mrs. Miller could only attend the Nicholasville Colored School, that only served students through the eighth grade. This situation did not stop Mrs. Miller. Her mother, making only $4.50 a week, and her local church saved enough money to send Mrs. Miller to Russell High School in Lexington where she graduated in 1920.

After graduating from high school she attended Turner Normal School in Shelbyville, TN, and earned her teaching certificate. She then returned to Nicholasville and began a teaching career that lasted over 40 years. Mrs. Miller began her career teaching in a one room schoolhouse and did not retire until segregated schools were ended in Nicholasville. Her students remembered Mrs. Miller as a kind but strict teacher who always had their best interest at heart.

In 1940 she married William Miller, and although they did not have any children, the Millers opened their home to numerous young people in the community who needed a place to stay. She also continued to be active in Bethel AME Church, now Bethel Methodist Church, and was a member for over 80 years. This church was the same congregation that helped pay for her education at Russell High School.

Mrs. Miller's life story should serve an inspiration to every American. Her uniquely American story should give us hope that we can make a difference in our local communities and change the world one person at a time.

Mr. President, today I invite my colleagues to join me in congratulating the University of Kentucky's DanceBlue student organization and 24-hour dance marathon. This organization operates through the support and leadership of UK students, faculty, and staff as well as the Lexington community. The organization improves the lives of children and families suffering from childhood cancer through the Golden Matrix Fund, and helps serve the Bluegrass by assisting those treated at the University of Kentucky Pediatric Oncology Clinic. In just 4 years of operation, the DanceBlue organization has raised over $1 million towards research in childhood cancer. I would like to take this time to recognize the student leadership behind DanceBlue: Erin Priddy, Caitlin Mullen, Betsy Cooper, Joshua Rupp, Carson Massler, Townsend Miller, Colin Wheeler, and Tyler Bolin.

Erin Priddy is a senior from Louisville, KY, and is the DanceBlue overall chair for this year. She is the fourth individual to preside over DanceBlue operations. Erin has spent many of her days and nights planning this year-long fundraising process which builds up the actual dance marathon, as well as being a full time student. The success of this organization would not be possible without the dedication and hard work of Erin.

Caitlin Mullen is the vice chair for the DanceBlue organization and is also in her senior year at the University of Kentucky. Caitlin's hard work this entire year on the budget for the organization, as well as maintaining the organization's committees and keeping them together are a value to the entire university.

Betsy Cooper is a senior from Paducah, KY, and is the dance marathon programming chair. Betsy's role with DanceBlue involves planning, organizing, and orchestrating the entire 24-hour period of which the Dance Marathon consists including overseeing 650 student dancers that will dance for 24-hours.

Joshua Rupp is a senior from Louisville, KY, and is involved with many organizations on campus. His role with DanceBlue is the rules, regulations and operations chair. He is in charge of the logistics for the dance marathon which took place this past weekend. Josh's influence and presence on the University of Kentucky is a benefit to the school and the community.

Carson Massler is a senior from Louisville, KY, and graduate of Sacred Heart Academy. Her role with DanceBlue is the family relations chair. Her position is vital to the organization since she serves as a liaison between the UK Pediatric Oncology Clinic and Golden Matrix Fund families and DanceBlue. The partnerships she has created serve as a sign of hope that this organization will continue to flourish for many more years.

Townsend Miller is a senior from Lexington, KY, and is the corporate relations chair. Townsend's role with DanceBlue this year involves maintaining relationships with corporate sponsors of DanceBlue, and he is the representative of DanceBlue to local and national businesses.

Colin Wheeler is from Bowling Green, KY, and serves as the marketing chair for DanceBlue. Colin's work on public relations, press releases, press kits and promotional materials is one of the main reasons why the organization and 24-hour dance marathon is such a big success.

Tyler Bolin is a senior from Owensboro, KY, and serves as the special events chair. Tyler has worked hard throughout the entire year planning events that help build up to the dance marathon. His hard work and motivation are truly an inspiration to all who meet him.

I am grateful that these students serve the people of the Commonwealth. I am confident that the children, families, and students whose lives they touch are all thankful for the opportunity to know them. The money that is raised through DanceBlue helps patients receive better care while improving the lives of children and their families suffering from childhood cancer. The funds are also going directly to pediatric cancer research initiatives that are helping to find a cure.

Mr. President, I would like to thank these individuals for their contributions to the Commonwealth of Kentucky, the University of Kentucky, and the Lexington community. I wish them well in all their future endeavors.

Mr. President, today I invite my colleagues to join me in congratulating eight members of the Kentucky State Police. These brave individuals went above and beyond to help keep the Commonwealth safe. The Excellence in Highway Safety Awards are given to troopers who have the highest numbers in driving under the influence, occupant protection, speed, and commercial vehicle citations written in 2008.

Trooper Chris Steward from the Dry Ridge Post received the award for the highest number of speed citations. Trooper Steward was praised by the Dry Ridge Post Commander for his dedication to saving lives on Kentucky's roads.

Sergeant Steve Walker from the London Post received the award for the highest number of DUI arrests in 2008. DUI related fatalities numbered 175 in Kentucky in 2008 and Sergeant Walker's extra effort to remove impaired drivers from the road has made Kentucky roadways a safer place to travel.

Trooper Walt Meachum from the Harlan Post received the award by hosting 484 community education events relative to highway safety issues. Trooper Meachum's vigorous commitment to educating younger people about unsafe driving is something every Kentucky citizen is grateful for.

Sergeant Derris Hedger from the Campbellsburg Post received the award for the highest number of seat belt citations in 2008. This area has seen a 50-percent reduction in highway fatalities compared to 2007, and Sergeant Hedger's efforts are playing a direct role in those reductions.

Officer Anthony Bersaglia from the Pikeville Commercial Vehicle Enforcement division received the award for the highest number of Commercial Motor Vehicle citations in 2008. Officer Bersaglia's work ethic and dedication are unmatched.

Officer Travis Rogers from the London Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Region received the award for the highest number of Commercial Motor Vehicle safety inspections. Officer Rogers continually strives to make Kentucky's roads a safer place and he is a credit to the division.

Officer Glenn Perry of the Louisville Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Region has received this award for the highest percentage of Commercial Motor Vehicle ``Out of Service'' inspections. The work Officer Perry performs on a daily basis and his professionalism on the roads is unmatched.

Inspector Marty Young from the Georgetown Commercial Vehicle Region received the award for the number of ``Out of Service'' inspections by a civilian employee. Investigator Young's success is evident in the Georgetown Region and his eye for detail has made a significant impact on highway safety.

I am humbled and grateful of the men and women who serve this agency every day by patrolling our roadways and keeping the Commonwealth safe. I am also confident that the coworkers of these eight individuals are proud to work along side of them.

Mr. President, I would like to thank these individuals for their contributions to the State of Kentucky and I wish them well as they continue to protect the citizens of the Commonwealth.

Madam President, I call up Bunning amendment No. 665 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the reading of the amendment be dispensed with.

Madam President, I would like to send a modification to the desk, if possible.

Then I will speak on the original amendment No. 665.

Madam President, we have had sanctions against Iran on our books since 1987. They, along with other multilateral efforts, have served to put a financial chokehold on Iran's rogue behavior. Now is the time to enforce these sanctions and deny Iran the financial capital it needs to fund its nuclear proliferation and support for international terrorism. This is why I have offered an amendment requiring the State Department to provide Congress with the report of potential violations of existing Iranian sanctions under the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996.

Under the act, a company is found in violation of our sanctions if it invests more than $20 million in 1 year in Iran's energy sector. Since enactment, companies have invested more than $29 billion in Iran's energy sector. This does not include the $70 billion in pending transactions that are known about, most of which are long-term contracts to purchase Iranian gas and oil.

As it stands, the State Department is not required to provide any type of report to Congress or publish in the Federal Registry a list of potential violations of our sanctions against Iran. Time and time again, I have asked the State Department for transparency on this issue, as well as imposing some sort of timeline on ruling on pending investigations of existing sanctions. The State Department has no enforceable guidelines on these sanctions and, thus, gives them little or no teeth. As it stands, pending investigations of companies in violation of our sanctions laws have gone on as long as 10 years. Furthermore, since enactment, there has only been one found violation of the Iran Sanctions Act by a French company. Through the use of a Presidential waiver, this violation was totally waived.

My amendment is in no way seeking to change or remove this flexibility. It simply asks the State Department for a report on pending violations of our existing sanctions laws against Iran.

I have long said that the danger of a nuclear Iran poses one of if not the greatest threat to our national security. As this rogue nation continues to ignore three U.N. Security Council resolutions, the time for Congress to act is now. I ask my colleagues to join me and support the Bunning amendment. Now more than ever, we need to tighten our economic chokehold on Iran.

I ask for the yeas and nays in a timely fashion.

I yield the floor.

Madam President, today I would like to recognize the Ashland-Boyd County and Catlettsburg Police Athletic League. The League, a community youth center, strives to improve the lives of children through a variety of activities. The League's goal is to prevent young people from immersing themselves in drugs and other unruly behaviors, as well as giving them a safe place to go.

The Ashland-Boyd County and Catlettsburg Police Athletic League was formed 6 months ago and invites young people from Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia. The League introduces young people to many different activities, including exercise, sports and video games, and hopes to incorporate dance, martial arts, and the fine arts into its curriculum.

Currently more than 50 teenagers have registered with the organization and more are interested in joining. The League also has plans of opening a second facility due to a growing interest.

Again, I thank the Ashland-Boyd County and Catlettsburg Police Athletic League for giving young Kentuckians a safe place for mental and physical growth. I wish all the best in the future.

Madam President, today I congratulate the University of the Cumberlands. The Corporation for National and Community Service awarded the University of the Cumberlands with a place on the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, the highest Federal recognition a school can achieve for dedication to community-based service projects. Honored institutions are chosen from a series of factors, including the extent to which the school offers academic service-learning and the percentage of student participation in service activities.

The University of the Cumberlands encourages student involvement in nearby communities by asking that each student complete forty hours of community service by graduation. Students with two hundred hours of community service are eligible to be named Hutton Scholars at Commencement. The university's student run organization, the Mountain Outreach program, has built 125 homes for local families in need of assistance, in the last 25 years.

Again, I congratulate the University of the Cumberlands for being named to the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll. I hope that its leadership in community outreach serves as an inspiration to others in Kentucky and in the Nation.