Floor Statements

I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. President, I rise to speak on the bill that is going to be dealt with here at the bottom of the hour, S. 3525, the sportsmen's package. This is a landmark bill. It includes ideas from members of both parties and from both Chambers. Over 50 national sports and conservation organizations support this bill, ranging from the Nature Conservancy to the NRA. Some 20 provisions included in this bill will help expand access to public lands, support additional habitat conservation, and preserve the hunting and fishing rights millions of Americans cherish. There has been much discussion about this bill, with many people weighing in. The fact is that this is a responsible bipartisan bill that will reduce the deficit by $5 million while expanding hunting and fishing opportunities for millions of Americans.

I appreciate the perspective of the ranking member of the Budget Committee on the issue of whether to raise a point of order. I know he has to defend the Budget Act. However, the reality is this: This bill reduces the debt by $5 million over 10 years. Those aren't my figures; those are the figures of the Congressional Budget Office. Unfortunately, a vote to sustain the point of order made by Senator Sessions is a vote to kill this important bipartisan legislation. We have had plenty of partisanship already here today on the Senate floor. I think it is time to do something in a bipartisan fashion and do something that is good for some 90 million Americans who consider themselves hunters and anglers.

I urge my colleagues to waive the budget point of order and then approve this important bill.

Mr. President, I want to thank the ranking member of the Budget Committee for his comments.

Look, folks, this is a bill about habitat. It is a bill about access. It is a bill about opportunity for people who enjoy our outdoors in this country. The outdoor economy is some $600 billion a year.

I have heard many times spoken on the Senate floor, if we are going to get the deficit and the debt under control, we have to grow our economy. This is about growing our economy. How? By allowing hunters, fishermen, outdoor activists the opportunity to go out and utilize the great outdoors this country has to offer in Montana and throughout this country.

We are losing habitat every day. We have lost access to habitat for hunting and fishing and hiking. This bill will fix that.

I will go back to the point Senator Sessions made. When I go back home, folks talk to me about the debt. They talk to me about the deficit. They ask what we can do to fix it. Quite frankly, this is one of those things we can do to fix it. By increasing opportunities for our outdoorsmen and women in this country, we have the opportunity to increase our economy in a very positive way.

Like I said, when we talk about the duck stamps, those dollars go in to be used for promoting opportunities in duck hunting. Those moneys will not be going into funding the war in Afghanistan. The money coming in basically goes out for a specific purpose.

By the way, the folks who utilize the duck stamp want this money bumped up. That is why we give the Secretary this discretion.

With that, I yield the floor back to the Senator from Alabama.

Mr. President, pursuant to section 904 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 and the waiver provisions of applicable budget resolutions, I move to waive all applicable sections of that act and applicable budget resolutions for purposes of this pending amendment.

I ask for the yeas and nays.

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

Mr. President, I rise today to urge support on the motion to proceed to my bipartisan Sportsmen's Act. Outdoor traditions are a deep and important part of our heritage in Montana and across our Nation.

Two years ago, when I became chair of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus, I made it my goal to do something significant, something historic, something responsible that will help this country's hunters and anglers.

Mr. President, this week we have that opportunity. This Sportsmen's Act is the biggest package of sportsmen's bills in a generation. It combines nearly 20 different bills, all important to those who know we must never take our outdoors for granted.

These bills increase access for recreational hunting and fishing. They support land and species conservation, and they protect our hunting and fishing rights. Most importantly, they take ideas from both sides of the political aisle. This bill isn't about Democrats and it isn't about Republicans or Independents. This bill is about Americans and the great outdoors we all share as a nation. This bipartisan bill is supported by nearly 50 different conservation wildlife groups ranging from the Nature Conservancy, the National Wildlife Federation, to the NRA. It earned their endorsement because it includes responsible provisions that are important to sportsmen and women across America.

In my role as the chairman of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus, outdoorsmen and women constantly tell me about the importance of access to public lands. What good does it do to protect land for hunting, fishing, and hiking if folks are unable to get to it? Right now there are some 35 million acres of public land that sportsmen can't access. That is why this bill requires 1.5 percent of annual funding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund that is set aside to increase public access to public lands, ensuring sportsmen access to some of the best places to hunt and fish in the country.

Right now, the Congress delegates all power to determine land and water conservation priorities to the executive branch. We can add or subtract money from the President's budget request, but Congress cannot determine how that money gets spent. This provision ensures that this administration and the next one must authorize, must prioritize access to public lands.

My bill also reauthorizes the North American Wetlands Conservation Act. This voluntary initiative provides matching grants to landowners who set aside critical habitat for migratory birds such as ducks. Over the past 20 years, volunteers across America have completed more than 2,000 conservation projects. They protected more than 26 million acres of habitat under this successful initiative. The North American Wetlands Conservation Act is a smart investment in both our lands and our wildlife, and it needs to be reauthorized.

This widely supported bill also reauthorizes the Secretary of the Interior to reevaluate the price of duck stamps to keep up with inflation. Revenue from duck stamps has been used to purchase and release more than 6 million acres of wetlands, preserving a viable waterfowl population. It funds new shooting ranges while encouraging Federal land agencies to cooperate with State and local authorities to maintain existing ranges. This is a responsible bill. It takes into account the needs of the entire sportsmen's community.

Why is this important? It is important because hunting and fishing and hiking is a way of life in places such as Montana.

One in three Montanans hunt big game and more than half of us fish. An outdoor recreation economy across this country contributes some $646 billion in direct spending to this U.S. economy. Fishing and hunting is not just recreation, it is a critical part of our economy. In Montana, hunting and fishing alone brings $1 billion a year to our economy, nearly as much as the State's cattle industry. It drives and sustains jobs. With hunting season in full swing and thousands of Montanans headed out to hunt in Montana's back country over Thanksgiving weekend, this bill is as timely as ever.

The Sportsmen's Act of 2012 is balanced, it is bipartisan, and it is widely supported. It is also fiscally responsible. The bill has no cost. Before the Senate went out of session, we voted to move forward with this bill by a vote of 84 to 7--84 to 7. It was a resounding approval to conserve some of our most productive habitat to pass on our hunting and fishing tradition to future generations and to entrust them with the land and water we share.

Now it is time to get this bill across the finish line, to approve a bill with widespread support that preserves our outdoor economy and secures our outdoor heritage for our kids and our grandkids.

We need to take some good Democratic ideas and some good Republican ideas and pass them. We need to do something for the more than 90 million sportsmen and sportswomen in this country and for our economy.

The time is now. I urge all Members to support this bill.

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

Mr. President, today I wish to honor John V. Klobofski, a veteran of World War II. It is my honor to share the story of John's military service because no story of heroism should ever fall through the cracks.

John was born in Cleveland, MT, in 1919. After graduating from Chinook High School, he enlisted in the National Guard, where he served for 3 years.

He then attended classes at Northern Montana College and worked for the Weather Bureau in Havre.

John reenlisted in 1940 and was assigned to the 41st Infantry Division, made up of guardsmen from across the West. As a member of the 163rd Infantry Regiment, John was a part of the campaign to capture New Guinea, which was then under Japanese control. Dubbed Operation Persecution, his unit landed ashore at Aitape on April 22, 1944. Within a number of days, the unit had captured and secured two airfields, and supplies were being delivered to the island.

Because of how quickly they were able to seize these airfields, John's unit was awarded a Presidential Unit Citation.

But fighting continued in the region for several days and many men, including John, were killed. SSG John Klobofski died on April 30, 1944.

On October 16, 2012, in the presence of his family, it was my great honor to finally present to John's family his Bronze Star Medal, a Purple Heart, and a Presidential Unit Citation.

It was also my honor to present an American Defense Service Medal, an Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with Two Bronze Stars, a World War II Victory Medal, and a Combat Infantryman Badge First Award.

These decorations are small tokens, but they are powerful symbols of true heroism. Sacrifice. And dedication to service.

These medals are presented on behalf of a grateful nation.

Mr. President, today I also wish to honor Alan R. Shennum, a veteran of the Vietnam war. It is my honor to share the story of Alan's military service because no story of heroism should ever fall through the cracks.

Alan was born in Helena, MT, in 1946. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the Army and trained at Fort Wolters in Texas before attending flight school at Hunter Army Airfield in Georgia.

Alan was sent to Vietnam in September of 1968, where he flew helicopters as part of the Fourth Army Division.

In October of 1968, Alan was wounded while flying a combat operation. Because his injuries were not severe, he returned to duty and flew over 30 missions in all. Warrant Officer Alan Shennum retired from service in 1971 but never received his medals.

On October 17, 2012, in the presence of his family, it was my great honor to finally present to Alan the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Aviator Badge, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Vietnam Service Medal.

It was also my honor to present an Air Medal with 32 Oak Leaf Clusters, a Vietnam Campaign Medal, and two Overseas Service Bars.

These decorations are small tokens, but they are powerful symbols of true heroism. Sacrifice. And dedication to service.

These medals are presented on behalf of a grateful nation.

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

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate recess until 11:30 p.m. today.

Mr. President, as the majority leader pointed out, this Sportsmen's Act is a compilation of 19 bills. Hunting season has already started. This bill benefits 90 million Americans who hunt, fish, and watch wildlife,

supported by 56 groups from the Nature Conservancy to the NRA. It reduces our deficit by some $7 million due to net gain over 10 years. This is an economic driver of outdoor industry, some $646 billion in direct spending to our economy. I urge a ``yes'' vote on the motion to proceed and since it is 20 after 1, I would like to have a voice vote on it.

Mr. President, I rise to discuss the Sportsmen's Act. The Sportsmen's Act is a good piece of legislation. It is a piece of legislation where, quite frankly, it would be one of the few times in this body Democrats and Republicans could come together and actually do something that is good for this country and not play politics with it.

The outdoor traditions in this country are deep and are an important part of our heritage. That is why 2 years ago, when I became chair of the Sportsmen's Caucus, I made it a goal to do something, something significant, that would help this country's hunters and anglers.

This week we have an opportunity to play politics as usual or to get something done. This Sportsmen's Act is the biggest package of sportsmen's bills in a generation. It combines, as the majority leader said, nearly 20 different bills--all important to the sportsmen community.

These bills increase access for recreational hunting and fishing. They support land and species conservation. They protect our hunting and fishing rights. Most important, they take ideas from both sides of the political aisle. It is not about Democrats. This bill isn't about Republicans or Independents. This bill is about Americans and the great outdoors we all share as a nation.

This bipartisan bill is supported by 56 different conservation and wildlife groups, ranging from the Nature Conservancy and the National Wildlife Federation to the NRA. It earned their endorsement because it includes a wide range of responsible provisions that are important to sportsmen and women across America.

In my role as chairman of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus, sportsmen continually tell me about the importance of access to public lands. Right now there are 35 million acres of public land that sportsmen cannot access. That is why this bill requires 1.5 percent of the annual funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund set-asides to increase public land access, ensuring sportsmen across the country access to some of the best places to hunt and fish in this country.

This bill also reauthorizes the North American Wetlands Conservation Act. This voluntary initiative provides matching grants to landowners who set aside critical habitat for migratory birds such as ducks. Over the last 20 years, volunteers across America have completed more than 2,000 conservation projects and protected more than 26 million acres of habitat under this successful initiative. The North American Wetlands Conservation Act is a smart investment in both our lands and our wildlife, and it needs to be reauthorized, as this bill does.

My widely supported bill authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to reevaluate the price of duck stamps to keep up with inflation. Revenue from these duck stamps has been used to purchase or lease more than 6 million acres of wetlands and preserve a viable waterfowl population. This bill also funds new shooting ranges while encouraging Federal land agencies to cooperate with State and local authorities to maintain existing ranges.

This is a responsible bill that takes into account the needs of the entire sportsmen community. Some folks around Washington are asking: Why is this important? But hunting and fishing is a way of life in places such as Montana. One in three Montanans hunt

big game, and over 50 percent of Montanans fish. Outdoor recreation contributed $646 billion in direct spending to the economy in this country just last year. Hunting and fishing is not just recreation, it is a critical part of our economy.

In Montana, hunting and fishing brings $1 billion a year to our economy, nearly as much as our State's cattle industry. It is big business. It drives and sustains jobs. With bow hunting season open and rifle hunting season opening in just a few days, this bill is as timely as ever.

The Sportsmen's Act of 2012 is balanced, it is bipartisan, and it is widely supported. It is also fiscally responsible. The bill has no cost.

I have been chairman of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus for 2 years. In that time I have had folks from all over the country telling me why they love to hunt and fish. They have also told me how outdoor activities support our economy and create new jobs while sustaining old ones. But they have also told me about how much their outdoor heritage means to their families and about how concerned they are about losing those traditions.

Frankly, they have told me about how frustrated they are with Washington and how too many good ideas--ideas from both parties--get left behind because of political gridlock right here. By approving this sportsmen's package, we will conserve some of our most productive habitat, pass on our hunting and fishing traditions to future generations, and entrust the lands and water we share to them.

Sportsmen from across the West have been waiting for a bill such as this for a generation--a bill with widespread support that preserves our outdoor economy and secures our outdoor heritage for our children and grandchildren. I know it is getting close to election season, but we have time left.

The time we are working on is the taxpayers' dime, and I think we ought to get something done. Let's take some good Democratic ideas and some good Republican ideas and pass them. Let's actually do something for the 90 million sportsmen and women who reside in this country and build our economy. Now is the time.

We have an opportunity to take a bill that does good things for this country across the board that, quite frankly, if a vote was held on this bill today, I am confident would pass with a large bipartisan majority. But as long as we are going to play political games and as long as we are going to hold up legislation, we will never get to the point where we can do what is right by the American people.

I urge we get to work and get it done.

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

Mr. President, I would like to ask the chairwoman of the Agriculture Committee if she would be kind enough to stay for a few questions.

I came to talk today about the Veterans Jobs Corps Act, but agriculture and food security is very important to this country.

First of all, I wish to commend the chairwoman of the Senate Agriculture Committee for putting out an agriculture bill that I think really meets the needs of this country and definitely the agricultural community.

First of all, I just have to ask--the Agriculture bill sent out of the Senate provides a good safety net for those in production agriculture. I know the Senator took that into account. Whether you are a dairy producer, a corn producer, a wheat producer, or whatever, it is there.

The Senator comes from the State of Michigan. That is a little different from Montana, but we both know the Midwest has been under incredible drought. There have been fires all over this country. I talked to the ranking member on the train yesterday, and he was talking about fires in Kansas, and we have had fires in Montana.

Is there disaster assistance in this bill, if the House were to take it up and pass it? Would we have to worry about that being taken care of in the farm bill?

So if we combine that with the safety net, if we don't do a farm bill, as the House wants to do, and just have an extension, what will happen to that $23 billion in taxpayer savings?

And if it is extended, would it, in fact, cost the taxpayers? That $23 billion would not only go away, but wouldn't the taxpayers have to pay for any kind of disaster extension?

One more point. If this farm bill goes away in 17 days, the farmers out there who need help from the bank to get an operating loan to continue on the next year, what will happen to those folks?

Once again I wish to thank the chairwoman of the Senate Agriculture Committee for such a great job passing a responsible bill out of committee and getting it through the Senate itself. The only thing I would like to say is, to my knowledge, the House works on majority rule. I doubt it would even take 1 day. If they want to roll up their sleeves and get after this, they could get the Senate farm bill passed there.

Remember, this farm bill saves $23 billion, it provides a safety net for agriculture, has a great disaster component to it, and provides the kind of certainty for people to know, when they go to the bank, which is most farmers, and get that operating loan, they have a backstop that the bankers can depend on to offer that loan. So I thank the Senator for her great work.

Veterans Jobs Corps Act

Mr. President, I rise today to call on the Senate to pass the Veterans Jobs Corps Act. Veterans and their families make great sacrifices so we can live freely in the greatest Nation in the world. Too many of our veterans return home and struggle to find good jobs. Our veterans deserve better. They earn our everlasting respect with their service and our best efforts to help them get good jobs when their service ends--jobs that will improve the communities they live in and jobs that will help us grow our economy.

This bill takes good ideas from both sides of the aisle and does just that. It increases training and hiring opportunities for veterans using proven job-training initiatives, and it will give local governments the resources to hire qualified veterans as police officers, firefighters, and other first responders. At a time when local budgets around the country are tight, putting qualified veterans to work protecting our communities is smart policy.

The Veterans Jobs Corps Act also helps rural America by training and hiring veterans to help restore and protect America's forests, parks, refuges, and veterans cemeteries. This is an important step forward, but investing in rural America must also mean investing in the veterans who are from rural America. That is why I added a provision to the bill that would bring more veterans jobs counselors to rural States across this country, including Montana.

Job counselors work closely with veterans and local employers to connect former servicemembers with good jobs close to home. These counselors develop extensive knowledge of local job and training opportunities and maintain a list of resources that prepare veterans to enter the workforce. Right now the Labor Department allocates job counselors based solely on population without taking into account the distances that folks have to travel in rural America. That often means veterans in my State of Montana travel hundreds of miles for the employment assistance they have earned, and it leaves the six job counselors we have to cover tens of thousands of veterans over an area the size of the entire northeast border.

My provision will fix this imbalance. It will give large and rural States such as Montana enough job counselors to serve all parts of the State and help to ensure that they are developing relationships with veterans and employers that will put more veterans back to work.

The Veterans Jobs Corps Act is fully paid for, and it shouldn't be controversial at a time when our veterans continue to struggle or at a time when more and more veterans continue to return from the battlefields in Afghanistan. Our veterans fought hard for this country, and their families have sacrificed much. We owe it to them to put aside political differences and to pass this bill. It is a responsible measure that will make our communities safer, preserve our most treasured places, and will move this country forward. Our veterans earned nothing less.

I especially want to thank Senator Bill Nelson for his leadership on this important bill. It deserves the support of the Senate.

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

Mr. President, On September 23, nearly 100 World War II veterans from Montana will be visiting our Nation's Capital.

With a great deal of honor and respect, I extend a hearty Montana welcome to each and every one of them.

Together, they will visit the World War II Memorial and share stories about their service. This journey will

no doubt bring about a lot of memories. I hope it will give them a deep sense of pride also.

What they achieved together almost 70 years ago was remarkable. That memorial is a testament to the fact that a grateful nation will never forget what they did nor what they sacrificed. To us, they were the greatest generation. They left the comforts of their family and their communities to confront evil from Iwo Jima to Bastogne. Together, they won the war in the Pacific by conquering an empire and liberated a continent by defeating Hitler and the Nazis.

To them, they were simply doing their jobs. They enlisted in unprecedented numbers to defend our freedoms and our values. They represented the very best of us and made us proud.

From a young age I remember playing the bugle at the memorial services of veterans of the first two world wars. It instilled in me a profound sense of respect I will never forget.

Honoring the service of every generation of American veterans is a Montana value. I deeply appreciate the work of the Big Sky Honor Flight, a nonprofit organization that made this trip and the first trip in June possible.

To the World War II veterans making the trip, I salute you. We will always be grateful, and we will never forget your service or sacrifice.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that Nick Artuso, an intern in the office of Senator Blumenthal, be granted the privilege of the floor for the duration of this afternoon's session.

Mr. President, today I wish to honor William E. Schulze, a veteran of World War II.

It is my honor to share the story of William's service in World War II, because no story of bravery--and especially not one from our ``greatest generation''--should ever be forgotten.

Bill was born in Milwaukee, WI. A Golden Glove Boxing Champion, Bill was working for the Pacific Bridge Company at Pearl Harbor as a welder when our Nation came under attack on December 7, 1941. Bill soon joined the Navy and put his skills to use in the

302nd Construction Battalion--known as the Sea-Bees. Bill and his unit went from island to island across the Pacific building floating bridges from cargo ships to landing areas so that supplies could reach American troops onshore. When one mission was complete, Bill and the Sea-Bees packed up their bridges and moved to the next island in support of America's victories in the Pacific. Bill supported U.S. troops in Guam, Saipan, New Guinea and the Philippines, just to name a few. Without Bill's efforts, our troops would have been left without needed arms and supplies as they battled Japan's Imperial Army.

Bill earned the medals we will present today for his service during World War II, but I would be remiss not to mention his service in support of veterans long after the war concluded.

After World War II, Bill headed back to Wisconsin, started a family, and worked for 45 years as an engineer and a welder.

After his wife's passing, his love for the outdoors brought him to Billings where he remarried and made the lives of his fellow veterans a little easier.

Mind you, Bill was getting up in years himself by this point, but that didn't stop him from volunteering as a driver for Disabled American Veterans. In fact, Bill's last award before retiring once again was for driving more than 10,000 miles, taking veterans back and forth to their medical appointments all over Montana.

But today we honor Bill's heroic service during World War II.

After his service, Bill Schulze did not receive all the medals he earned from the Navy. Earlier this month, it was my honor to finally present William's widow Betty with the American Campaign Medal, the Combat Action Ribbon, and the Sharp Shooter Rifle Ribbon.

It was also my honor to present the Navy Discharge Button, the Honorable Service Lapel Pin, and an additional Bronze Star to the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal.

These decorations are small tokens, but they are powerful symbols of true heroism, sacrifice, and dedication to service.

They are presented on behalf of a grateful nation.

Mr. President, today I wish to honor Lewis W. Holzheimer, a veteran of World War II. Lewis, on behalf of all Montanans and all Americans, I thank you for your service to this Nation.

It is my honor to share the story of Lewis Holzheimer's service in World War II because no story of heroism should ever fall through the cracks.

Lewis was born in Neihart, MT.

He was working as a lineman's apprentice in Cascade County when Pearl Harbor was attacked. He tried to enlist in Seattle but was turned away, because he did not have his birth certificate. He successfully enlisted in Montana and was sent to Fort Benning, GA, where he was trained to operate heavy weapons and was assigned to operate a Browning automatic rifle.

He was assigned to Company G, of the 60th Regiment of the 9th Infantry Division. He arrived in Normandy in early July 1944 on D-day plus 30. On August 8, 1944, Lewis was participating in the Battle of the Hedge Rows when he was wounded in the foot. After recovering, he headed back to his unit, only to find that they had been wiped out by what was believed to be a V-2 rocket attack. It turned out to be friendly fire.

Lewis said the blast made a hole in the ground that looked like a deep mine crater.

Lewis was reassigned to Company B in the same regiment. On December 12, his unit was responsible for an attack on the town of Hoven in Belgium for which they were awarded the Presidential Unit Citation.

Lewis demonstrated outstanding bravery during that attack and was promoted to staff sergeant.

His unit went on to see heavy action in the Battle of the Hurtgen Forest from late 1944 until early 1945. On the 1st of February 1945, Lewis's company was cut off from the rest of his regiment and was pinned down by sniper fire. The members of the company took turns running back toward the nearest American forces. When Lewis ran, he was shot under his left arm. When he informed his scout that he was wounded and would have to seek medical attention, a shell exploded near them. Despite being severely wounded, Lewis insisted that his scout be taken to the hospital first. He was informed that the scout was dead, was carried to a jeep, and was then taken to the nearest field hospital.

Lewis nearly lost his leg and underwent several years of surgery and rehabilitation. He still carries the shrapnel in him today.

After his service, Lewis Holzheimer never received the medals he earned from the Army.

Last month, in the presence of his family, it was my honor to finally present to Lewis his Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, Combat Infantryman Badge, and his Presidential Unit Citation.

These decorations are small tokens, but they are powerful symbols of true heroism, sacrifice, and dedication to service.

These medals are presented on behalf of a grateful Nation.

Mr. President, today I wish to honor Herbert S. Kindsfater, a veteran of World War II. Herb, on behalf of all Montanans and all Americans, I thank you for your service to this Nation.

It is my honor to share the story of Herb Kindsfater's service to our Nation. Herb was born in Rocky Fort, CO. At the age of 17, he tried to join the Navy, but was turned away. He was told he could join the Army or work in the Butte silver mines, and he chose the Army.

Herb was a machine gunner in Company H, 172nd Regiment, 43rd Infantry Division--the ``Green Mountain Boys'' of Vermont. Herb's unit served in the Pacific Theater. He engaged in combat in the Solomon Islands and New Guinea, where he suffered injuries from shrapnel.

In the Philippines, Herb and his fellow soldiers fought mile-by-mile to reach Manila. They then took the island of Luzon. At Ipo Dam, Herb was badly wounded in both arms, and he spent months recuperating in a hospital.

After his military service, Herb moved to Billings where he married his wife Betty and worked for the railroad. During the first several years of their marriage, he still suffered from malaria that he had contracted in the war.

After serving his country with honor, Herb never received all of the medals he earned from the Army.

Earlier this month, in the presence of his wife Betty and his son Bruce, it was my honor to finally present to Herb his Bronze Star, a Purple Heart, and a Good Conduct Medal.

It was also my honor to present a Presidential Unit Citation, an Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with three Bronze Service Stars, and a World War II Victory Medal.

Earlier this month, I also presented to Herb a Combat Infantry Badge First Award, a Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one Bronze Service Star, and a Honorable Service Lapel Button.

These decorations are small tokens, but they are powerful symbols of true heroism, sacrifice, and dedication to service.

These medals are presented on behalf of a grateful nation.

Mr. President, today I wish to honor Nicholas J. Wells, a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Nicholas, on behalf of all Montanans and all Americans, thank you for your service to this Nation.

It is my honor to share the story of Nicholas Wells' service in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

After graduating high school in Darby, MT, Nicholas completed basic training at Fort Knox and trained at Camp Irwin, CA. He became an Army scout assigned to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, 2-9 Cavalry Regiment.

Nicholas arrived in Iraq in October 2005. He served in the north and central zones near Baghdad, Mosul, Adwar and

Tikrit. While in country, Nicholas survived gunshots, 24 I.E.D. blasts, and a helicopter crash. He continues to be treated for injuries that he suffered in the war.

Since retiring from the Army in 2008, Nicholas attended the University of Montana and now drives trucks in North Dakota.

After serving his country with honor, Nicholas Wells never received all of the medals he earned from the Army.

Earlier this month, in the presence of his family, it was my honor to finally present to Nicholas his Iraq Campaign Medal with two Bronze Stars. This decoration is a powerful symbol of true heroism, sacrifice, and dedication to service. This Iraq Campaign Medal is presented on behalf of a grateful nation.