Floor Statements

Mr. President, I commend Senators Reed and Bond for bringing up the HEARTH Act in the form of their amendment, and for all the commitment they have shown to addressing homelessness in our Nation. While this amendment seeks to protect the homeless by expanding the definition of homelessness used by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, HUD, to a certain degree, it also places many unfortunate limitations on people living in several circumstances common to those who find themselves or their families temporarily without permanent lodging.

For instance, the definition proposed by my colleagues, Senators Reed and Bond, would seem to exclude those who are sharing the housing of others due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reasons, and those who are staying in motels due to the lack of adequate alternative accommodations. It would include people staying in motels if they only have enough money to stay for 14 days, and people in doubled-up situations only if there is ``credible evidence'' that the owner/renter of the housing will not then stay for more than 14 days. More troubling is the fact that children, youth, and families who meet other federal definitions of homelessness are included in the HUD definition only if they have been without permanent housing for a long period of time, and have moved frequently over that time, and can be expected to stay without permanent housing due to numerous barriers.

Over 70 percent of the homeless children and youth identified by public schools across the country last year--more than 500,000 students--were doubled-up or in motels, and therefore ineligible for HUD Homeless Assistance. In my home State of Alaska, the Anchorage School District, the largest in our State, has seen a quantum leap this school year in one category for which no school superintendent or resident can be proud: The number of school children in this State of being ``doubled-up'' numbers have increased 100 percent over last school year. Don't think for a moment that doubled-up families have more stable housing than those in shelters. Doubled-up families change locations 3-12 times in the course of a school year. Families are in shelters generally for 30-90 days.

The Reed-Bond amendment would have the unfortunate effect of continuing to exclude most of these children and youth from HUD services and attention. The failure of the HUD definition to include these families and youth compounds educational problems and makes the task of providing a stable education much more difficult. I hope we can continue to work on this issue to ensure that HUD adopts a definition of homelessness that matches the reality of homelessness among families and youth, and is similar to definitions used by the U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the U.S. Department of Justice.

Mr. President, I am proud to announce a class from West Anchorage High School represented the State of Alaska by winning national distinction at the National We The People: The Citizen and the Constitution National Finals. These outstanding students, through their knowledge of the U.S. Constitution, won Alaska's statewide competition and earned the chance to come to our Nation's Capital and compete at the national level.

This competition involved a 3-day academic competition simulating a congressional hearing in which students demonstrate their knowledge and skills as they evaluate, take, and defend positions on historical and contemporary constitutional issues.

The students from West Anchorage High School were the Nation's top performers in the competition's unit on How the Values and Principles Embodied in the Constitution Shaped American Institutions and Practices. This year is the 50th year of Alaska's statehood and while we may be one of the youngest States, the performance of these students is indicative of the unique contributions Alaska has made to America's institutions and practices.

I had the distinction of meeting these students so it makes me even more proud to recognize them on behalf of the State of Alaska. The names of these outstanding students from West Anchorage High School are: Grace Abbott, Sinivevela Aho, Spencer Bailly, Gizelle Baylon, Colby Bleicher, Blake Young, Jacqueline Braden, Santina

Chamberlain, Caitlin Cheely, Jon Derman Harris, Christa Eussen, Christina Hendrickson, Ryan Hunte, Terra Laughton, Logan Miller, Jasmine Neeno, Madeleine Overturf, Luke Park, Kassandra Smith, Krista Soderlund, Chelsea Thompson, Luicia Valencia, Stacy Wheeler, Sophie Wiepking-Brown, Amanda Xayasane, and Ethan Zinck.

I also commend the teacher of the class, Pamela Orme, who is responsible for preparing these young constitutional experts for the national finals. Also worthy of special recognition are Maida Buckley, the State coordinator, and Todd Heuston, the district coordinator, who are responsible for implementing the We the People program in Alaska.

I congratulate these young ``constitutional experts'' on their outstanding achievement and for their proud representation of the State of Alaska.

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

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order with respect to a vote in relation to amendment No. 999 be vitiated, that the amendment be agreed to, and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table.

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 Senate now proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 110, which was submitted earlier today.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Con. Res. 18, submitted earlier today.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the concurrent resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate, and any statements related to the measure be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 61, the nomination of Ladda Tammy Duckworth to be an Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs; that the nomination be confirmed and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table; that no further motions be in order; that any statements relating to the nomination be printed in the Record; that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action, and the Senate then resume legislative session.

Mr. President, I understand that H.R. 1664 has been received from the House and is at the desk.

Mr. President, I ask for its second reading and object to my own request.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 9:30 a.m. tomorrow, Thursday, April 23; 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 resume consideration of S. 386.

Mr. President, tomorrow, the Senate will resume consideration of the Fraud Enforcement Recovery Act, and rollcall votes are expected to occur throughout the day in relation to the pending amendments. Earlier today, the majority leader announced if the Senate is unable to complete action on the bill tomorrow, the Senate would remain in session through the weekend.

In addition, the Senate will turn to the consideration of the House message to request a conference with respect to the budget resolution when it is available. Senators should expect rollcall votes in relation to motions to instruct the conferees during tomorrow's session.

Mr. President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that it adjourn under the previous order following the remarks of Senator Durbin.

Mr. President, I was not able to be present in the Senate at the time of the confirmation votes on the nominations of Tony West, Lanny Breuer, and Christine Varney, to be Assistant Attorneys General of the United States, and the cloture vote on the nomination of Christopher Hill, to be our Ambassador to Iraq.

Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on the confirmation of each of the Assistant Attorneys General nominees, as well as ``yea'' on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Christopher Hill.

I ask that the Record reflect how I would have voted had I been present at the time of the votes.

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

Mayor Curt Menard passed away March 3, 2009, after a long battle with myeloma.

Mayor Menard was the embodiment of a true Alaskan. Honorably serving in our Nation's Air Force took him to our State where he left his mark. Curt and his wife Linda purchased one of the original homesteads in the Matanuska-Susitna--Mat-Su--valley and Curt became one of the first dentists in the area. He devoted his life to the people of the Mat-Su, and for that we are all grateful to this remarkable man.

On behalf of his family and his many friends, I ask today we honor Curt Menard's memory. I ask that his obituary, published March 5, 2009, in the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman, be printed in the Record.

The information follows:

[From the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman, Mar. 3, 2009]

Curtis Delbert Menard, 64, died March 3 at Mat-Su Regional

Medical Center, from complications of multiple myeloma.

A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at

Wasilla High School with Pastor Larry Kroon of Wasilla Bible

Church officiating. The following are pallbearers: Curtis C.

Menard, Larry, Sgt. Maj. Ret. Ritchie, Nancy, Jim, Gabrielle,

Tanner, Harrison, Sullivan, Brock, Grant, Jack, Alexandra,

Jane and Charles Menard, and Lewis Bradley. Burial will take

place later in the spring at the Menard homestead.

Dr. Menard was born June 16, 1944, in Detroit. He graduated

from L'Anse High School in 1962, received his undergraduate

degree at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wis., and

graduated from Marquette University School of Dentistry Class

of 1968.

He had served with Habitat for Humanity, The Alaska

Railroad Board, American Legion, Salvation Army Board, and as

chairman of the Multi-Use Sports Complex, and was a member of

Wasilla Bible Church. He was an honorary member of the

Wasilla Rotary Club, was the Wasilla Chamber of Commerce

Citizen of the Year, and the Frontiersman Mat-Su Dentist of

the year. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, flying, marathons,

farming, coaching, politics, and well wishing.

His family wrote, ``Curt Menard was raised in L'Anse,

Mich., born to June and Curtis Menard. At 15 years old he met

the love of his life, Linda. Linda and Curt moved to

Milwaukee, to pursue his life-long dream of becoming a

dentist. In 1968 he graduated as class president from

Marquette University School of Dentistry. He joined the

United States Air Force and was stationed at Elmendorf Air

Force Base in Anchorage. He worked exclusively with Vietnam

soldiers in preparation for the war. During that time he

learned to fly and there his love affair with planes

commenced. He flew a 206, Supercub, Citabria and a PA 14. In

1972 he purchased one of the original homesteads in the Mat-

Su Valley and built the first professional building and

dental office in Wasilla. He especially loved his dental

contract in the village of Togiak. Three years later Curt

lost his dominant right arm in an electrical accident. With

unsurpassed determination, Curt learned to practice dentistry

with his left hand. Sen. Curt Menard's public service began

as a school board member. Encouraged by his experience, he

ran for office and became a state legislator. By this time,

he had two thriving dental offices, Palmer and Wasilla Dental

Center, 33 employees, five children, and was a respected

community leader and politician. He had a love for farming

and not only baled 55 acres of hay every summer, but enjoyed

cows, chickens, turkeys, homing pigeons, pigs, horses, a cat

and many dogs. In 2001, tragedy again struck the family.

Curt's son, Dr. Curtis C. Menard II passed away in a plane

crash.

``Curt was diagnosed in 2003 with multiple myeloma, an

aggressive and painful cancer of the bone. In 2006, in true

Curt fashion, he took on the task of running and being

elected Mat-Su Borough Mayor. In 2007 he went through a stem

cell transplant at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. In a

selfless manner he put his community before himself and

carried out his mayoral responsibilities until the very end.

And if you met `Doc' today, his hook would not be the first

thing you would notice. You'd see the twinkle in his eye,

feel his zest for life and compassion for his fellow man,

share his love of his countryside and then, maybe, you'd

notice the hook. But by then you'd be so hooked on the man,

it wouldn't matter.''

Survivors are his wife Linda of Wasilla; sons and

daughters-in-law, Robert and Gretchen Menard of Milwaukee,

Steven Menard of Wasilla, Dr. Dirk and Alicia Menard of

Fairbanks; daughter and son-in-law, McKenzy and Jared Boyd of

Milwaukee; daughter-in-law, Dr. Carole Menard of Wasilla;

grandchildren, Brock, Grant, Jack, Alexandra, Gabrielle,

Tanner, Harrison, Sullivan, Jane, and Charles; father, Curtis

C. Menard of L'Anse, Mich.,; brothers and sisters-in-law,

Larry and Virgie Menard of L'Anse, Sgt. Maj. Ret. Ritchie and

Maj. Ret. Joyce Menard of L'Anse, and Jim Menard of Nome; and

sister, Nancy Menard of Germantown, Wis. He was preceded in

death by his mother, June Menard; and son, Curtis C. Menard

Mr. President, I wish to commemorate the life of a very special resident of my home State of Alaska, longtime political activist Joe Sonneman.

Dr. Sonneman passed away March 8, 2009, from Lou Gehrig's disease. He was 64.

He made his unique mark on Alaska beginning in 1971, when he first visited to research a doctoral dissertation on the relationship between oil revenues and state government. He returned after graduate school and lived in the 49th State for most of the rest of his life. In true Alaskan fashion he proved himself to be a jack of many trades. Dr. Sonneman--known most often around his adopted hometown of Juneau only as ``Joe''--was a photographer, postal worker, public policy analyst and taxi driver. He also earned a law degree from Georgetown University and was a frequent candidate for Congress.

On behalf of his family and his many friends I ask today that we honor his memory. I ask that his obituary, published March 10, 2009, in the Juneau Empire, be printed into the Congressional Record.

The information follows:

[From the Juneau Empire, Mar. 10, 2009]

(By Joseph Sonneman)

Longtime Juneau political activist Dr. Joseph Sonneman died

early March 8, 2009, at Providence Regional Medical Center in

Everett, Wash., after a three-year struggle with ALS,

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's

disease. He was 64.

He was born in Chicago in 1944, and attended Chicago public

schools.

After serving in the U.S. Army from 1963 to 1966, including

service as a radar repairman in Korea, he earned a Bachelor

of Science in economics from the University of Chicago, and

master's and doctorate degrees from Claremont graduate

school. While in the master's program in government finance,

he was an intern at the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston.

He first came to Juneau in 1971 to conduct research for his

doctoral dissertation on the effect of oil income on Alaskan

government financial decisions.

When he finished graduate school, he returned to Alaska

where he worked as a photographer, budget analyst, taxi

driver, heavy equipment oiler on the Alaska pipeline, postal

worker, and university instructor. He became interested in

the law and earned a J.D. degree from Georgetown School of

Law in 1989. He was a member of the Alaska, Hawaii and

Washington, D.C. Bar Associations and conducted a law and

legal research practice in Juneau.

He was active in politics all his life, and served on

numerous local and state Democratic Party committees and as

Alaska Democratic Party treasurer. He ran for Mayor of Juneau

in 1973. He also ran in the primaries for the U.S. House in

1974, and for the U. S. Senate in 1978, 1992, 1996, and in

1998 succeeded in becoming the Democratic Party nominee for

U.S. Senate but lost the election to Republican incumbent

Frank Murkowski.

He was a member of Veterans of Foreign War Post 5559;

Pioneers of Alaska Juneau Igloo Number 6; Juneau World

Affairs Council; Juneau Chapter of AARP; and Paralyzed

Veterans of America, and served on the Juneau Commission on

the Aging.

As a photographer, he followed the example of Klondike Gold

Rush photographer A. E. Hegg, and documented the construction

of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline with an 8-by-10-inch view

camera. Over his career, he had one-person shows at the San

Jose Museum of Art, the University of Oklahoma Museum of Art,

the Alaska State Museum, the Chicago Museum of Science and

Industry and Harper Hall at Claremont Graduate University.

After his diagnosis of ALS, he moved to Washington to be

closer to family members. He lived for two years at the

Washington State Veterans Home near Seattle and was also an

intermittent patient at the Veterans' Administration hospital

in Seattle.

Survivors include his mother, Edith Sonneman of Chicago;

and sisters Eve Sonneman of New York, Toby Sonneman of

Bellingham, Wash., and Milly Sonneman of Sausalito, Calif.

Burial will be at the Sitka National Cemetery with Jewish

graveside services at a date yet to be determined.

Arrangements are also pending for a Juneau memorial service.

Donations in Dr. Sonneman's memory may be made to the Joe

Sonneman Prize In Photography Endowment c/o David Carpenter,

Claremont Graduate University Advancement Office, 165 10th

St., Claremont, CA 91711.

I move to lay that motion on the table.

The motion to lay on the table was agreed to.

Amendment No. 674