Floor Statements

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 9:55 a.m., Wednesday, June 24; that following the prayer and the pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the morning hour be deemed expired, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and the Senate proceed to the impeachment proceeding under the previous order; that upon the conclusion of the impeachment proceedings, the Senate proceed to executive session, with the time until 11 a.m. equally divided and controlled between the two leaders or their designees, and that at 11 a.m. the Senate proceed to vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Harold Koh to be Legal Adviser of the Department of State.

Mr. President, under a previous order, tomorrow at approximately 10 a.m. the Senate will proceed to impeachment proceedings and will conduct a live quorum call. Senators are encouraged to be in the Chamber and seated at their desks at 10 a.m. When a quorum is ascertained, the Senate will receive the House managers, who will deliver the articles of impeachment, and the Senators will be sworn in as a body in order to proceed with the impeachment of Samuel B. Kent, a Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. The Senate will then consider two resolutions by consent.

At 11 a.m., the Senate will proceed to the cloture vote on the Koh nomination.

If there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent it adjourn under the previous order.

Thereupon, the Senate, at 7:11 p.m., adjourned until Wednesday, June 24, 2009, at 9:55 a.m.

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 President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Armed Services be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, June 10, 2009, at 11 a.m.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on June 10, 2009 at 2:30 p.m.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Environment and Public Works be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, June 10, 2009.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Relations be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, June 10, 2009, at 9:45 a.m.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, June 10, 2009.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, June 10, 2009, at 10 a.m.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate, on June 10, 2009, at 10 a.m., in room SD-226 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, to conduct a hearing entitled ``The Continued Importance of the Violence Against Women Act.''

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Rules and Administration be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, June 10, 2009, at 2:30 p.m.,

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Rules and Administration be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, June 10, 2009, at 3 p.m.,

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Veterans' Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, June 10, 2009. The Committee will meet in room 418 of the Russell Senate Office Building beginning at 9:30 a.m.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Contracting Oversight of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, June 10, 2009, at 2:30 p.m., to conduct a hearing entitled, ``Allegations of Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in Security Contracts at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul.''

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, June 10, 2009, at 2:30 p.m., in room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 70, S. 407.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the committee-reported substitute amendment be agreed to, the bill, as amended, be read a third time and passed; that the committee-reported title amendment be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate, and any statements related to the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill S. 1122

be discharged from the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and that it be referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Mr. President, I understand there are two bills at the desk, and I ask for their first reading en bloc.

Mr. President, I now ask for a second reading en bloc, and I object to my own request en bloc.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

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

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 10 a.m., Thursday, June 11; that following the prayer and the pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the morning hour be deemed expired, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and that there be a period of morning business until 2 p.m., with Senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each, with the first hour equally divided and controlled between the two leaders or their designees, with the Republicans controlling the first 30 minutes and the majority controlling the second 30 minutes; that following morning business, the Senate resume consideration of H.R. 1256, the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, with the time until 2:30 p.m. equally divided and controlled between Senators Dodd and Enzi or their designees; that at 2:30 p.m., all postcloture debate time has expired, the Senate proceed to vote on the passage of the bill, with no intervening action or debate.

Mr. President, tomorrow at approximately 2:30 p.m., the Senate will proceed to a rollcall vote on passage of the FDA tobacco legislation.

Mr. President, following the remarks of Senator Chambliss, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate adjourn under the previous order.

Mr. President, it is my pleasure to rise today in honor of the military men and women serving our country across the country and overseas. As Memorial Day approaches, I want to personally recognize the sacrifice these service men and women and their families are making for our Nation.

In 233 years of American history, the struggle for freedom has remained ever present. During this time, our Nation has surrendered its bravest men and women to liberate the oppressed and to ensure freedom for future generations. In doing so, battle lines were drawn and blood was spilled on both U.S. and foreign soil.

I am certain the dedicated service and sacrifice of our men and women who met the challenges defined by those battle lines safeguarded the freedom and democracy we all cherish. In recognition of that fact, we pause each year on Memorial Day to recognize and honor those who have given their all on the field of battle.

There is simply no greater service and no braver act than a warrior willing to stand in the face of evil and selflessly make the ultimate sacrifice.

We must never forget these brave Americans and their actions which have earned them a place in our hearts and their names on the role of honor for this State and this Nation.

This year we also pause to specifically honor those Alaskans who have given the last full measure of devotion on the battlefield in defense of freedom and democracy. We recognize them with the Alaska Decoration of Honor.

Alaska celebrates the 50th anniversary of its statehood this year. There will be hundreds of events and celebrations to mark this anniversary, but one of the most important ones is this weekend in Anchorage when every Alaska soldier killed in action is presented with the Alaska Decoration of Honor.

I thank the families of these soldiers for traveling to Alaska to be part of the ceremony, and again honor our current service men and women on this Memorial Day.

2008 Alaska Decoration of Honor Medal Recipients

Shawn G. Adams, Jesse Bryon Albrecht, Christopher M.

Alcozer, Eugene Henry Eli Alex, Charles D. Allen, Carl

Anderson Jr., Thomas Edward Andrson, Kurtis Dean Kama-O-

Apelila Arcala, Brian D. Ardron, Michael Dean Banta, Edward

Nasuesak Barr, Thomas M. Barr, Daniel D. Bartels, Richard

Gene Bauer, Ryan J. Baum, Shane R. Becker, Larry LeRoy Betts,

Jeffrey Dean Bisson, Alan R. Blohm, Jeremiah J. Boehmer.

Matthew Charles Bohling, Matthew T. Bolar, John G.

Borbonus, Christopher Robert Brevard, James L. Bridges, David

Dee Brown Jr., Charles Edward Brown, William F. Brown, Gary

Edwin Bullock, Jaime L. Campbell, William Steven Childers,

Johnathan Bryan Chism, Donald Georg Chmiel, Donald V. Clark,

Brad A. Clemmons, Adare William Cleveland, Ryan D. Collins,

Clinton Arthur Cook, Jason Jarrard Corbett, Daniel Franklin

Cox.

Shawn R. Creighton, Eric B. Das, George W. Dauma Jr.,

Carletta S. Davis, David J. Davis, Michael W. Davis, Wilbert

Davis, Dustin R. Donica, William Bradley Duncan, Scott

Douglas Dykman, William Albert Eaton, Michael Ignatius

Edwards, Cody J. Eggleston, David Henry Elisovsky, Robert

Thomas Elliott III, Shawn Patrick Falter, Sean Patrick

Fennerty, David Lynn Ferry, Sean P. Fisher, Nick Ulysses

Fleener.

Victor M. Fontanilla, Phillip Cody Ford, Kraig D. Foyteck,

Lucas Frantz, Grant B. Fraser, Jacob Noal Fritz, Charles F.

Gamble Jr., Brennan Chriss Gibson, Micah S. Gifford, Dale

Anthony Griffin, Howard Wayne Gulliksen, Daniel Lee Harmon,

Dustin J. Harris, Raymond L. Henry, Irving Hernandez Jr.,

Adam Herold, Patrick W. Herried, Kenneth Hess, William Earl

Hibpshman, Michael Thomas Hoke.

Jaron D. Holliday, Jerry Verne Horn, Michael R. Hullender,

Christian P. Humphreys, Kurt Int-Hout, Sam Ivey, Steven R.

Jewell, Christopher C. Johnson, Jeremiah Jewel Johnson, Wayne

Elmer Jones, Alexander Jordon, Jason A. Karella, Adam P.

Kennedy, Gilbert Ketzler Jr., George Gregory Kilbuck,

Jeremiah C. Kinchen, Donald Harry Kito, Howard Mark Koslosky,

Russell A. Kurtz, Kermit Harold La Belle Jr.

Jason K. LaFleur, Mickey Daniel Lang, Jason Lantieri, David

Alen Lape, Michael H.

Lasky, Aaron Latimer, Robert Edward Lee, Henry W. Linck,

James T. Lindsey, Norman Lewis Lingley, Joseph I. Love-

Fowler, Jeremy M. Loveless, Bryan C. Luckey, Bradley W.

Marshall, Thomas M. Martin, Brian McElroy, Jackie L.

McFarlane Jr., Patrick M. McInerney, Jacob Gerald McMillan,

Phillip David McNeill.

Benjamin E. Mejia, Jacob Eugene Melson, Kenneth Bruce

Millhouse, Johnathon Miles Millican, Robert J. Montgomery,

Trista L. Moretti, Christopher R. Morningstar, Shawn Matthew

Murphy, Jason L. Norton, Toby Richard Olsen, Warren Paulsen,

Joshua M. Pearce, Coty J. Phelps, William Francis Piaskowski,

Heath K. Pickard, Larry Joe Plett, David Shelton Prentice,

Cody A. Putman, Lloyd Steven Rainey, Daniel F. Reyes.

Stanley B. Reynolds, Andrew William Rice Jr., Floyd Whitley

Richardson, Norman Franklin Ridley, Michelle R. Ring, Timothy

J. Roark, Donald Robert Robison, Jessy S. Rogers, Jonathan

Rojas, Donald Ray Sanders, Daniel R. Sexton, Frederick M.

Simeonoff, Nicholas R. Sowinski, Donald Walter Sperl,

Clifford A. Spohn III, Lance Craig Springer II, Derek T.

Stenroos, Joseph A. Strong, Stephen Sutherland, William

Arthur Thompson.

Douglas L. Tinsley, Chester William Troxel, Colby J.

Umbrell, Joe Wayne Vanderpool, John S. Vaughan, Dustin S.

Wakeman, Mark A. Wall, William Francis Walters, Shannon

Weaver, Mason Douglas Whetstone, Arthur Joseph Whitney Jr.,

Jamie Duggan Wilson, Daniel Eugene Woodcock, Shane William

Woods, James R. Worster, David Reese Young Jr.

Mr. President, I pay tribute to a Mr. David D. Rasley, Sr., who passed away on May 8, 2009. Mr. Rasley was a 50-year resident of Alaska. Working in the construction field, he was highly regarded in the Fairbanks labor community. He also gave tirelessly to community causes before and after his retirement. Dave was very proud of his Army service.

I have included his obituary below and ask that it be printed in the Record. Interior Alaskans mourn the loss of Dave Rasley and join in offering condolences to his wife of nearly 58 years, Luella, sons David, Ron and Brian and his grandchildren, Michael and Carolyn.

The information follows:

David Dale Rasley Sr. died May 8, 2009, after a long battle

with cancer.

He was born on December 2, 1928, in Deer River, MN. Dave

lived in Fairbanks for more than 50 years and came to Alaska

for good in 1959 shortly after statehood.

Dave had come first to Alaska in 1948 with some family and

friends to work on post-World War II projects in Anchorage,

Kodiak and Fairbanks. He returned to Minnesota and was

drafted into the Army in 1950.

Dave married his wife, Luella, June 7, 1951, in Port

Townsend, WA, while he was in the Army. He loved Luella very

much, and they were married for almost 58 years. He was proud

of his military service and was stationed at Camp Desert

Rock, NV, and participated in at least three atomic bomb

tests during the early 1950s. His unit helped build some of

the test facilities and participated in what are now known to

be dangerous post blast tests.

Shortly after moving to Alaska in 1959, he worked on the

Cold War DEW line installations at Barter Island and Clear

Air Force Station. In 1961 he was diagnosed with myasthenia

gravis, a rare neuromuscular disease and was told he might

not survive long, or would be wheelchair-bound. He underwent

experimental surgery at the University of Washington and with

medication was able to function normally.

He began classes at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and

graduated with a bachelor of science degree in business in

1966. He worked in the construction industry for two years,

then took a job with the Operating Engineers Union Local 302

as a field agent. He eventually became the head agent for the

northern region of the state and was involved in the trans-

Alaska oil pipeline and related work contract agreements for

IUOE Local 302 until his retirement in 1989.

Dave was also proud of his 32 years of work as a board

member of the Fairbanks Memorial Hospital and a past

president of the board. He was involved in FMH projects such

as the Denali Center, Imaging Center, Cancer Treatment Center

and several general hospital expansions.

Dave and Luella were big sports fans supporting UAF hockey,

men and women's basketball, volleyball, and other UAF

activities. They were fixtures and season ticket holders for

Gold Kings, Ice Dogs, UAF hockey teams and Fairbanks

Goldpanners baseball team. Dave was a Goldpanner board member

for many years and was not afraid to get involved when a

volunteer was needed.

David is survived by his wife, Luella; sons, David Jr.

(Beverly), Ron (Stephanie), Brian; and by his grandchildren,

Michael and Carolyn. David was a true Alaskan and will be

missed.

Mr. President, I wish to commemorate the life of a very special resident of my home State of Alaska, Peggy Burgin.

Mrs. Burgin was the embodiment of a true Alaskan. While living in Alaska, she witnessed such historical events as the 1964 earthquake and the construction of the Trans-Alaska pipeline. Mrs. Burgin devoted much of her life to volunteering for many community groups. She leaves behind many friends who are grateful to have known this remarkable woman.

On behalf of her family and her many friends, I ask today we honor Peggy Burgin's memory. I ask that her obituary, published May 12, 2009, in the Anchorage Daily News, be printed in the Record.

The information follows:

[From the Anchorage Daily News, May 12, 2009]

Peggy Arlene Burgin, 89, died peacefully May 5, 2009, at

Alaska Regional Hospital, where she received exceptional

loving care from the entire staff. A celebration of life is

being planned for June. Born Aug. 16, 1919, in Bellingham,

Wash., to Michael and Minnie Burns, she worked from an early

age to help her widowed mother and younger brother. She went

to business college, was president of the Alpha Chapter of

Beta Sigma Phi sorority and was a lifelong Democrat. She

moved to Anchorage in July 1947 to marry Lee Morrow, a

veteran Air Force pilot with postwar Alaska dreams. Ten

months later the small plane he was co-piloting disappeared

in the Susitna Valley and was never recovered. Shaken, she

returned briefly to Washington, but her love for Alaska drew

her right back. Working for an air cargo firm and later First

National Bank of Anchorage, she made an impact as a single

determined woman in a rough young town. She met and married

another Alaska enthusiast, Fred Burgin, and together with

their children, Salli, Jim and Judi, they experienced many

adventures including the 1964 earthquake, pipeline

construction and homesteading in Point MacKenzie. There she

homeschooled the kids, shot a bear that tried to join them in

the cabin and ran the homestead while Fred was away at

construction jobs.

As a Teamster, Peggy was hired to start the Teamster Credit

Union (now Denali Alaskan Federal Credit Union), where she

achieved her goal of helping members start businesses and buy

homes. Politically involved, both Peggy and Fred received

their territorial voter registrations from Senator E.L.

``Bob'' Bartlett and often canceled each other's vote. Peggy

was one of the founding members of the Bartlett Democratic

Club, rarely missing the weekly meetings. She chaired and

worked on many campaigns and was a delegate for Alaska at

Clinton's presidential caucus.

Although busy with career and family, she was the ultimate

volunteer and contributor with this partial list of

organizations that benefited from her enthusiasm: Inlet View

PTA, Alaska Regional Hospital Auxilliary, Alaska Native

Hospital gift shop, Anchorage Senior Activity Center,

Anchorage Unitarian Fellowship, Teamster 959 Retirees,

Alaskan Commission on Aging, Pioneers of Alaska, STAR,

Victims for Justice, Blood Bank of Alaska, women's equality

groups and several credit unions. Peggy was a devoted friend

to people of all ages and walks of life, always willing to

give kids a hand up or a haven. She valued education, writing

and courtesy and was described by one friend as one of the

last true pioneer ladies--elegant, gracious, generous and as

tough as nails. She loved traveling to Hawaii, Washington and

New York and even toured China. She enjoyed staying connected

to her myriad friends, watching Alaska politics on cable and

getting her hair ``fluffed'' (her word) at Trendsetters.

Peggy was predeceased by her daughter Judi, and her

husbands, Lee and Fred. She is survived by her son and

daughter-in-law, Jim Burgin and Janice Ray, daughter, Salli

Burgin; grandchildren, Erin Malone (Jason Dallman), Devin

Malone, Dante Modaffari, and Bryant Burgin; great-

granddaughters, Ava and Lena Malone-Dallman, all of Alaska

and Washington; and by her brother, Robert Burns and family

of Idaho. The family wishes to thank Peggy's doctors,

Kathleen Case and Vernon Cates, for her many years of

energetic health.