Floor Statements

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the

Senate proceed to a period of morning business with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 1079, which is at the desk.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be read the third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate, and that any statements relating to the measure be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 114, submitted earlier today.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 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 that any statements relating to the measure be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 30; that following the prayer and 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; that following any leader remarks, there be a period for the transaction of morning business for 1 hour, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each, with the time equally divided or controlled between the two leaders or their designees, with the Republicans controlling the first half and the majority controlling the final half; further, that following morning business, the Senate resume consideration of S. 493, the small business jobs bill.

Mr. President, rollcall votes in relation to amendments to the small business jobs bill are expected during tomorrow's session. Senators will be notified when votes are scheduled.

Mr. President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that it adjourn under the provisions of S. Res. 114 as a further mark of respect to the memory of Congresswoman Geraldine A. Ferraro.

Mr. President, I rise to speak on a matter that is a real concern to me and many in this body but, most importantly, to the citizens of this country. It has to do with efforts to climb out of this long recession. There are still pockets of the United States--the Presiding Officer's home State, my State--that feel as if we have not made any progress. When I talk with business owners in my State, I know they are still weathering the storm, looking to invest in a down economy, and they want to start hiring again. That is why I am glad we are, once again, debating a small business bill and that I have a chance to reintroduce the bipartisan Small Business Lending Enhancement Act as an amendment.

I have to say, this is a little like ``Groundhog Day.'' I am looking at my friend from the State of Louisiana. In October of last year, a report by the New York Federal Reserve said three-quarters of small businesses looking for credit last summer were turned down or received only some of the financing they requested.

In this report from the Federal Reserve, they stated: ``Reports from small-business owners of a credit gap have been both vocal and frequent.''

We in Congress have decided to act on and try to extend additional credit to small businesses because more credit means additional growth and, therefore, increased job creation.

Unfortunately--I should say ``fortunately'' we created a $30 billion lending fund for banks. The unfortunate part of that is we did not simultaneously allow credit unions to do more. Since that time, banks have been reducing credit availability. Even after receiving $30 billion of taxpayers' money in last year's Small Business Jobs Act, banks still are not meeting demands for small business loans.

I am still very committed to taking the commonsense step to allow credit unions to increase the amount of money they can lend to small businesses. I, once again, introduced the Small Business Lending Enhancement Act, which would open additional credit to small businesses without costing taxpayers a dime. Let me say this again--without spending a dime of taxpayer money.

We have to acknowledge credit unions know the small businesses in their communities that need loans to expand and hire. The credit unions have money to lend to those businesses. Right now, Federal law limits the amount of small business loans a credit union can extend to 12 percent of their assets. Nearly 350 credit unions, accounting for approximately 60 percent of all business loans subject to the 12 percent cap, are facing their cap and will have to dramatically slow their business lending.

It is hard for me to believe the government is telling these financial institutions they cannot help create jobs in their local communities. That is why my amendment would double the amount of money credit unions can offer small businesses.

We all know these small business owners. I wish to touch on two stories. I was particularly compelled by a small businesswoman in Colorado by the name of Stacy Hamon. She is a small business owner in Thornton, CO. She started her own business, 1st Street Salon. She initially went to a bank for a loan and was turned down because credit was in short supply. To make her dream of owning her small business come true, she went to her credit union, and they gave her the loan she needed through a second mortgage on her home.

The success story of Stacy unfolds in pretty dramatic and wonderful ways. When I visited her, she had plenty of business and even hired more workers. These are real American jobs and a shining example of economic expansion that would not have been possible if it were not for a credit union stepping up and offering her a loan.

Another Coloradan, Lisa Herman of Broomfield, e-mailed me her success story of securing a credit union loan to expand her business. She is co-owner of

Happy Cakes Bakeshop in Denver's Highland Square neighborhood. She has been in business since 2007. Despite the troubled economy, her business blossomed. Her revenues were up 27 percent by the summer of 2009. She is booking 20 weddings a month and had to expand her retail operations and move into a new shop.

Same story: When she wanted to secure a loan through a traditional bank, it did not happen. It did not pan out. But a local credit union was able to provide her with a loan for her to grow her business. That meant more business and more jobs for her community. That is the American way.

Banks and credit unions are competitors. They do not always get along. But this is not about them. This is about small business. For perspective, credit unions today only represent 4.5 percent of all business loans at depository institutions. If we take this commonsense step I am proposing and double small business lending by credit unions, it would still leave 91 percent of the small business market to banking institutions. Again, this is a smart, no-cost way of increasing lending without drastically changing the composition of the small business lending market.

Since some of my colleagues I know have been visited by folks who do not want credit unions to lend more to small businesses, I wish to make one thing clear. Credit unions have been making small business loans since their inception in the early 1900s. That is 100-plus years ago. It was not until 1998 that there were any limits whatsoever on what they could loan. That means, for 90 years, credit unions were free to help small businesses in their communities without the Federal Government necessarily getting in the way. That meant uninhibited small business support, growth, and job creation. But right now, the Federal law, whether initially intentioned, is keeping these jobs from Americans who are out searching for work.

It is estimated that the average credit union small business loan is approximately $220,000 and that each $92,000 in additional lending on the part of the Nation's credit unions will create one additional job. In the next year, I am going to say when we adopt this concept, credit union business lending could increase to over $10 billion, which conservatively would create 100,000 new jobs. All we have to do is increase the statutory cap on credit union business lending.

I wish to state again for the record: These small, simple statutory changes would not cost taxpayers a cent, but they would dramatically increase the capital available to small businesses to help make payroll, buy inventory, expand, and innovate.

Moreover, the proposed statutory changes are safe and fully supported by the National Credit Union Administration, which is the credit union regulator. They are the product of an agreement reached last year by the Senate Banking Committee and the Treasury Department.

As I begin to close, I wish to note all the organizations that support increasing credit union small business loans: Americans for Tax Reform, the National Association of Realtors, the National Small Business Association, the National Association of Manufacturers, the Heartland Institute, the Competitive Enterprise Institute, the League of United Latin American Citizens, the National Cooperative Business Association, National Farmers Union, the Hardwood Institute, National Council of Textile Organizations, and many others.

I urge my colleagues to do what is right and let's finally fix this unnecessary Federal limit on small business loans and support a small, focused, bipartisan amendment to increase job growth and support for our local small businesses.

I believe my amendment is at the desk. I ask unanimous consent that the pending amendment be set aside and that the Udall amendment No. 242 be called up and I ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. President, if I may ask my colleague, through the Chair, the nature of the objection given that this would be so important to expanding business opportunities when our economy is in a troubled state.

Mr. President, I know the Senator from Louisiana has an interest in the possibilities of this legislation. I also see my colleague from Maine, who has graciously joined me in cosponsoring this important bill and, as well, understands the way in which we would trigger innovation, lending, and job creation. I thank her.

I yield the floor.

Madam President, I rise today to recognize the life and achievements of Cesar Estrada Chavez, a man who led our nation in the struggle for civil rights and whose efforts helped create a better future for all Americans.

On March 31, 2011, we will celebrate Cesar Chavez Day to remember his courageous fight for justice and the lessons he taught us about the power people have when they join together to face the challenges before them.

Colorado's Hispanic community heard that message loud and clear during the days of the civil rights movement. Our State was an important stage for engaging Mexican-Americans in that time. Not only did Chavez-led efforts bring better living and working conditions to farm workers of all backgrounds in Colorado, from the Eastern Plains to the San Luis Valley and the Western Slope, but this movement also ignited service veterans, students and community leaders in Colorado to champion a cause that promoted equality, justice and empowerment. Leaders like Colorado's own Rodolfo ``Corky'' Gonzales, who as a young student labored in the beet fields and later became a respected poet and leader in the civil rights movement, joined an effort to speak for those who felt they had no voice and empowered those who felt helpless. Gonzales found strength in youth empowerment, and he dedicated his life to helping Hispanic youth in Colorado and the Southwest realize their value in their communities. The legacy of these leaders can be seen today in the many organizations that grew from this movement and which continue to inspire youth and veterans of all backgrounds to develop their talents and skills for a brighter future.

Our Western heritage is richer for the hard fought contributions of Rodolfo Gonzalez, Cesar Chavez and others. These figures drew on their determination and hard work to cultivate a more informed youth and sow the seeds of civil justice in the West. Chavez embodied an unparalleled commitment to millions who worked the land to provide for their families and for a growing country. With his father unable to work, Chavez himself labored in the fields to support his family and provide a better life for them. He worked under poor conditions and earned low wages, facing the same struggles as so many migrant workers. Chavez's story serves as a testament to a community searching for justice. It was his resolute leadership that brought national attention to the unacceptable working conditions and unfair pay faced by farm workers in the West and across America.

Through nonviolent protest, Chavez mobilized and improved the lives of millions, and he is a role model for Coloradans, and all Americans. This March, communities throughout Colorado will once again come together to honor his legacy and the continued fight for justice. Today, I am proud to rise on behalf of Coloradans, to honor those continuing his work and to acknowledge Chavez and the vision captured in his own uniting words, ``We have seen the future, and the future is ours.''

Mr. President, today I wish to recognize Charles ``Chuck'' Wielgus of Colorado Springs, a recipient of the 2010 Great Comebacks Award for the Western Region. This award honors 12 individuals throughout the United States who have struggled with a chronic intestinal condition and have exhibited extraordinary strength and courage in fighting to ensure that this condition does not affect their ability to live life on their terms.

Chuck was serving as executive director of USA Swimming in 2006 when he was diagnosed with stage III colorectal cancer. His diagnosis required radiation and chemotherapy therapy, as

well as ostomy surgery. With the constant support of his swimming family, as well as the inspiration given him by his wife Nancy, Chuck was quickly able to regain his fighting spirit.

Four years removed from his ordeal, Chuck is as active as ever. In 2008, Chuck traveled to China with the U.S. Swim Team for the Beijing Olympic Games. Aside from his role with USA Swimming, Chuck is the chief executive officer of the USA Swimming Foundation, and is looking forward to taking on the responsibility of helping others through sharing his personal story of triumph.

There are thousands of brave Coloradans who share Chuck's story, and it is an honor for me to be able to tell that story here, for the record. I congratulate Chuck and the other Great Comebacks Award recipients for 2010, and I urge my colleagues to take the time to learn more about the struggles brave citizens such as Chuck face in your own respective States. Their stories, like Chuck's, are inspirational; with help from all of my colleagues here today, we can together begin to heighten awareness about some of the huge strides being made by people living with intestinal diseases or recovering from ostomy surgery.

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

Mr. President, I wished to rise to speak on the legislation that is currently before the Senate, the America Invents Act of 2011. I wish to applaud the work of Judiciary Committee Chairman Leahy and Ranking Member Grassley for working so hard to bring this complex, bipartisan legislation to the Senate floor.

As we work to rebuild our economy, get Americans back to work, and win the global economic race, we should all appreciate this effort to spur innovation and create jobs. Patent reform is an important issue for Colorado's economy and, of course, our national economy. High-tech innovators represent over 12,000 jobs in Colorado, and they are an important part of our economic recovery.

In addition, Colorado has a vibrant biotech, clean energy, and aerospace set of industries. That is why I believe getting patent reform right and achieving consensus on provisions such as inter partes reexamination is so important.

Inter partes reexamines a proceeding at the Patent Office that allows for the validity of a patent to be challenged in an administrative proceeding. These proceedings are intended to serve as a less-expensive alternative to courtroom litigation and provide additional access to the expertise of the Patent Office on questions of patentability.

Inter partes reexam is often the preferred method of examination because a panel of experts is more likely to reach the correct decision on a technical question compared to a jury composed of laypeople. The inter partes process is not frequently used today because of procedural restrictions in the existing law. Rather than expanding the opportunities to use the inter partes reexamination process, the America Invents Act before us today imposes standards that are more restrictive than current law and are not supported by top high-tech innovators.

We need a patent reform bill that is fair to America's innovative technology companies and all users of the patent system.

By failing to provide any relief from the huge burden abusive patent lawsuits impose on technology companies and instead reducing the protections in current law, I fear this legislation will force these companies to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on frivolous lawsuits. These are dollars that otherwise would be used to employ engineers, produce and market new goods and services, and help Colorado and America win the global economic race.

As this legislation moves to the House, we must work to achieve consensus on inter partes reexamination. While I do not believe we have the right balance quite yet, I do believe this bill is a good faith effort to improve our patent system, and I am going to support moving it forward because we cannot let job-creating patents languish any longer.

As we all know, the Patent Office has an enormous backlog of nearly 700,000 applications, in addition to a half million new applications every year. Each of these pending applications will create on average 3 to 10 jobs. But while these applications collect dust in America, other countries are getting a head start on technologies that can revolutionize the way we live. I am very pleased the America Invents Act will address the funding challenges faced by the Patent Office. This legislation will allow the Director of the Patent Office to set fees as necessary, but it will also ensure that those fees stay at the Patent Office--all without any cost to taxpayers. This legislation will allow the Director to finally clear the backlog and create needed jobs through innovation. It is my hope that the funding provisions in the America Invents Act stay in this legislation as it moves to the House.

I am also pleased that this legislation includes an amendment I cosponsored with Senator Bennet to establish additional satellite patent offices around the country. It is no secret that we believe Colorado is well situated to house a regional satellite patent office because of the combination of our rich and diverse innovative economy, our strong research universities and the fact that Colorado is a great place to live. I am confident that Colorado will be competitive in the process of selecting these new satellite patent offices.

In the end, I believe the America Invents Act goes a long way to help unleash America's innovative spirit, but we need to make sure that we don't make changes that could have unintended consequences for some of our most innovative companies. Let's get patent reform right. Let's move it forward, and let's continue working to make our patent system fair, efficient and supportive of innovators as we seek to compete in the global economy.

I thank the Presiding Officer for his attention and interest in his own State of Montana.

I yield the floor.

I would also like to thank the chairman for helping us pass this important amendment. Right now, the European Union uses four geographically diverse patent offices. By only having one patent office, we are at a competitive disadvantage. We need to have these regional offices in order to connect innovators and businesses across the country.

The current lack of regional satellite offices is even more of a problem when you consider all of the recruitment and retention issues the USPTO is having with its patent examiner workforce. USPTO is unable to hire and retain over 6,000 examiners at its single location in Alexandria, VA. This has resulted in one-third of patent examiners having been with the USPTO for less than 3 years. USPTO should be recruiting examiners from across the country. Establishing satellite offices will help the USPTO develop expertise from all regions of the country--and I know that a satellite office in Denver, CO, would attract highly qualified examiners.

There really are a number of objective reasons for choosing Denver. First, opening an office in Colorado will permit USPTO to recruit and hire from a pool of the best candidates the U.S. has to offer. Colorado is home to a great number of technology workers who would be excellent long-term patent examiners for an office located in Colorado. The technology workforce in Colorado is consistently ranked in the top-10 in the U.S. in many important categories. According to a report by Pew Research, Colorado is ranked: third for percent of workers with a bachelor's degree or more; fifth for number of workers with science and engineering degrees per capita; fifth for number of scientists and engineers as a percent of the labor force; and second for number of patents per 1,000 workers. Additionally, other Federal agencies have found Colorado to be a great place to locate an office. Outside of the Washington metro area, Denver has the highest number of Federal employees per capita.

Because Colorado is a very desirable place to live, locating a satellite office in Colorado would allow the USPTO to dramatically improve its ability to recruit and retain its most valuable employees. According to the report by Pew Research, Colorado is ranked first for percent of U.S. workers who say they want to live there; and sixth for the percentage of sunny days. Colorado is also well known for its reasonable cost of living, especially in comparison to cities located on the east and west coasts, and Chicago.

Colorado is also centrally located in the U.S. and easily accessible to the entire country. Our location in the middle of the country provides convenient access for the technology centers of the West, Midwest, and Rocky Mountain regions.

I look forward to working closely with the Senator to advocate for an office in Denver. I think a Western office will go a long way toward ensuring the success of our patent system.

Mr. President, while our economy is beginning to show signs of recovery, there is still a long way to go. This is especially true in our rural communities. That is why I am reintroducing a bipartisan bill that would help provide new economic opportunities in mountain communities across this country--the Ski Area Recreational Opportunity Enhancement Act.

The outdoors and recreation industries have been a bright spot in the economic downturn. More Americans are spending time outside, enjoying the natural world and getting exercise. I have long felt it is in the national interest to encourage Americans to engage in outdoor activities that can contribute to their health and well being. Our public lands already play a key role by providing opportunities for hiking, skiing, mountain biking and a range of other activities.

In Colorado and across the country, for example, many ski areas are located on National Forest lands. However, under existing law, the National Forest Service bases ski area permits primarily on ``Nordic and alpine skiing'', a classification that does not reflect the full spectrum of snowsports, nor the use of ski permit areas for non-winter activities. This has resulted in uncertainty for both the Forest Service and ski areas as to whether and how other activities, such as summer-time activities, can occur on permitted areas.

In effect, this means that ski areas on National Forest lands are primarily restricted to use for winter recreation, as opposed to year- round recreation.

The legislation I am introducing with Senator Barrasso of Wyoming would clarify this ambiguity. It would ensure that ski area permits could be used for additional snowsports, such as snowboarding, as well as specifically authorizing the Forest Service to allow additional recreational opportunities--like summer-time activities--in permit areas.

I should note that this authority is limited. The primary activity in the permit area must remain skiing or other snowsports. And there are specific types of development, such as water parks and amusement parks, that are specifically prohibited.

This is a narrowly targeted bill that will lead to additional opportunities for seasonal and year-round recreational activities at ski areas on public lands--and most importantly help create more sustainable, year round jobs.

I would like to thank Senator Barrasso for his continued support of this legislation and his efforts to work with me in the last Congress to pass this bill. I know we were both disappointed that the objections of just two Senators prevented this common-sense legislation from becoming law. Hopefully we will have more success this year--because our mountain communities should be given every opportunity to thrive, as this legislation would help do.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I rise today to address an issue that affects both our economic and national security--critical minerals and materials. These materials are used in everything from wind turbines to cell phones to weapons guidance systems. However, these materials are primarily imported--many from China--and not always readily available. For example, several clean energy technologies-- including wind turbines, batteries and solar panels--require materials that are at risk of supply disruptions. According to the Department of Energy, clean energy technologies currently constitute 20 percent of global consumption of critical materials. As clean energy technologies are deployed more widely in the decades ahead, demand for critical materials will likely grow.

Furthermore, these materials are needed for a number of products essential to protecting our Nation's security, including precision- guided munitions systems, lasers, communication systems, radar systems, avionics, night vision equipment, and satellites. Many of these materials are produced primarily in other countries, and some are not produced in the United States at all.

One group of critical minerals with very high importance today is rare earth elements. The United States was once the primary producer of rare earth materials according to the U.S. Geological Survey, but over the past 15 years we have become 100 percent reliant on imports, with 97 percent coming from China.

When the rare earth industry left the United States, our rare earth materials workforce dwindled as well, leaving very few experts with experience in processing these materials. Currently, there are no curricula in U.S. universities that are geared toward training a new expert workforce; rather, most of the expertise resides in China and Japan. In addition, the U.S.-developed intellectual property for making many of these materials is owned by Japan.

Rare earth materials are not the only critical materials in demand today. Similar supply problems are imminent for other types of minerals and materials that will be essential for the increased deployment of technologies like batteries, solar panels and electric vehicles. Both the Department of Energy and the National Academy of Sciences have identified minerals and materials--such as lithium, manganese and rhodium--that are now or could become critical in the near future.

Today, I am introducing the Critical Minerals and Materials Act of 2011, a bill intended to help build up the supply chain of minerals and materials that are vital for the development of a clean energy economy and for our national defense.

The National Academy of Sciences recommended improved data-gathering by the Federal Government along with research and development to encourage domestic innovation in the area of critical minerals and materials. My bill specifically would direct the Department of Energy to begin research and development on critical minerals and materials in order to strengthen our domestic supply chain. It would also direct the Department of the Interior to lead in gathering information on the current supply chain and to forecast what materials we might need in the future as our clean energy economy develops.

Finally, my bill would build up the workforce necessary for the United States to regain its leadership in the critical minerals and materials industry. Fellow Coloradans in this industry have told me that it is difficult to find qualified workers to hire in the minerals and materials sector. There are good-paying jobs out there waiting to be filled, and more will become available as these industries grow. But we need to make sure our workforce is properly trained to be able to take advantage of these opportunities and retain U.S. expertise in this industry. My bill will provide for such training in the Nation's colleges and universities, as well as in our technical and community colleges.

While there are a great many minerals and materials that are important for our economic and national security, my bill will focus on only the small portion of minerals and materials that have become critical due to their highly vulnerable supply chain. These critical minerals and materials are in danger of becoming simply unavailable or extremely expensive and I believe these deserve extra attention.

We must also recognize that the raw minerals for these critical materials are often on Federal land and are a valuable resource owned by U.S. citizens. Mining for them must be done in a safe and environmentally responsible way--and that is why I continue to support mining law reform. However, we simply cannot be so dependent upon China or any other nation to provide these critical materials. My bill would ensure that the U.S. is armed with a robust domestic supply chain and a skilled workforce needed to produce these materials. I urge my colleagues of both parties to join me in supporting this legislation.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, while our economy is beginning to show signs of recovery, there is still a long way to go. This is especially true in our rural communities. That is why I am reintroducing a bipartisan bill that would help provide new economic opportunities in mountain communities across this country--the Ski Area Recreational Opportunity Enhancement Act.

The outdoors and recreation industries have been a bright spot in the economic downturn. More Americans are spending time outside, enjoying the natural world and getting exercise. I have long felt it is in the national interest to encourage Americans to engage in outdoor activities that can contribute to their health and well being. Our public lands already play a key role by providing opportunities for hiking, skiing, mountain biking and a range of other activities.

In Colorado and across the country, for example, many ski areas are located on National Forest lands. However, under existing law, the National Forest Service bases ski area permits primarily on ``Nordic and alpine skiing'', a classification that does not reflect the full spectrum of snowsports, nor the use of ski permit areas for non-winter activities. This has resulted in uncertainty for both the Forest Service and ski areas as to whether and how other activities, such as summer-time activities, can occur on permitted areas.

In effect, this means that ski areas on National Forest lands are primarily restricted to use for winter recreation, as opposed to year- round recreation.

The legislation I am introducing with Senator Barrasso of Wyoming would clarify this ambiguity. It would ensure that ski area permits could be used for additional snowsports, such as snowboarding, as well as specifically authorizing the Forest Service to allow additional recreational opportunities--like summer-time activities--in permit areas.

I should note that this authority is limited. The primary activity in the permit area must remain skiing or other snowsports. And there are specific types of development, such as water parks and amusement parks, that are specifically prohibited.

This is a narrowly targeted bill that will lead to additional opportunities for seasonal and year-round recreational activities at ski areas on public lands--and most importantly help create more sustainable, year round jobs.

I would like to thank Senator Barrasso for his continued support of this legislation and his efforts to work with me in the last Congress to pass this bill. I know we were both disappointed that the objections of just two Senators prevented this common-sense legislation from becoming law. Hopefully we will have more success this year--because our mountain communities should be given every opportunity to thrive, as this legislation would help do.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I rise today to address an issue that affects both our economic and national security--critical minerals and materials. These materials are used in everything from wind turbines to cell phones to weapons guidance systems. However, these materials are primarily imported--many from China--and not always readily available. For example, several clean energy technologies-- including wind turbines, batteries and solar panels--require materials that are at risk of supply disruptions. According to the Department of Energy, clean energy technologies currently constitute 20 percent of global consumption of critical materials. As clean energy technologies are deployed more widely in the decades ahead, demand for critical materials will likely grow.

Furthermore, these materials are needed for a number of products essential to protecting our Nation's security, including precision- guided munitions systems, lasers, communication systems, radar systems, avionics, night vision equipment, and satellites. Many of these materials are produced primarily in other countries, and some are not produced in the United States at all.

One group of critical minerals with very high importance today is rare earth elements. The United States was once the primary producer of rare earth materials according to the U.S. Geological Survey, but over the past 15 years we have become 100 percent reliant on imports, with 97 percent coming from China.

When the rare earth industry left the United States, our rare earth materials workforce dwindled as well, leaving very few experts with experience in processing these materials. Currently, there are no curricula in U.S. universities that are geared toward training a new expert workforce; rather, most of the expertise resides in China and Japan. In addition, the U.S.-developed intellectual property for making many of these materials is owned by Japan.

Rare earth materials are not the only critical materials in demand today. Similar supply problems are imminent for other types of minerals and materials that will be essential for the increased deployment of technologies like batteries, solar panels and electric vehicles. Both the Department of Energy and the National Academy of Sciences have identified minerals and materials--such as lithium, manganese and rhodium--that are now or could become critical in the near future.

Today, I am introducing the Critical Minerals and Materials Act of 2011, a bill intended to help build up the supply chain of minerals and materials that are vital for the development of a clean energy economy and for our national defense.

The National Academy of Sciences recommended improved data-gathering by the Federal Government along with research and development to encourage domestic innovation in the area of critical minerals and materials. My bill specifically would direct the Department of Energy to begin research and development on critical minerals and materials in order to strengthen our domestic supply chain. It would also direct the Department of the Interior to lead in gathering information on the current supply chain and to forecast what materials we might need in the future as our clean energy economy develops.

Finally, my bill would build up the workforce necessary for the United States to regain its leadership in the critical minerals and materials industry. Fellow Coloradans in this industry have told me that it is difficult to find qualified workers to hire in the minerals and materials sector. There are good-paying jobs out there waiting to be filled, and more will become available as these industries grow. But we need to make sure our workforce is properly trained to be able to take advantage of these opportunities and retain U.S. expertise in this industry. My bill will provide for such training in the Nation's colleges and universities, as well as in our technical and community colleges.

While there are a great many minerals and materials that are important for our economic and national security, my bill will focus on only the small portion of minerals and materials that have become critical due to their highly vulnerable supply chain. These critical minerals and materials are in danger of becoming simply unavailable or extremely expensive and I believe these deserve extra attention.

We must also recognize that the raw minerals for these critical materials are often on Federal land and are a valuable resource owned by U.S. citizens. Mining for them must be done in a safe and environmentally responsible way--and that is why I continue to support mining law reform. However, we simply cannot be so dependent upon China or any other nation to provide these critical materials. My bill would ensure that the U.S. is armed with a robust domestic supply chain and a skilled workforce needed to produce these materials. I urge my colleagues of both parties to join me in supporting this legislation.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I rise to urge my colleagues to support legislation I am introducing today to name the Veterans Telehealth Clinic in Craig, Colorado, after Medal of Honor recipient Major William E. Adams. I am pleased that Senator Bennet will join with me in introducing this bill.

Our bill isn't the first effort to honor Major Adams. My good friend Congressman John Salazar introduced this legislation last year in the House of Representatives with the support of the entire Colorado delegation. I would like to see this bill through to passage in this Congress in part to honor John and his efforts to commemorate the heroism of Major Adams and to get the VA clinic established in northwest Colorado.

I'd also like to honor Larry Neu, a local business owner and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4265 quartermaster, who has been the architect of efforts to commemorate Major Adams. With Larry's leadership and the help of other Craig residents, the Colorado state legislature passed a resolution renaming part of Colorado Highway 13 the ``Maj. William Adams Medal of Honor Highway.'' I know he worked closely with Congressman Salazar in the last Congress to develop the legislation I am introducing today.

Above all, this bill is intended to honor Major William Adams himself and his ``conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.''

A resident of Craig, Major Adams served and lost his life in the Vietnam War. He was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously, after distinguishing himself while serving as an Army helicopter pilot. In May 1971, he volunteered to fly a lightly armed helicopter in an attempt to evacuate three seriously wounded soldiers from a small base that was under attack. He made the decision with full knowledge that numerous antiaircraft weapons were positioned around the base and that the clear weather would make him visible to enemy gunners. As he approached the base, the enemy gunners opened fire, but he continued his approach, directing the attacks of supporting gunships while maintaining control of the helicopter he was flying. He picked up the wounded soldiers, but his aircraft was then struck and damaged by enemy anti-aircraft fire and crashed.

I was pleased to learn that many of his family members attended the ceremony in November dedicating part of Colorado Highway 13 to Major Adams. I want to pay tribute today to his wife Sandra and his daughter Jean, both Colorado residents, and his son, Col. John Adams, an intelligence officer in the Marine Corps, recently back from Afghanistan. I hope this bill serves to reinforce what they already know--that Major Adams is a real hero to this county, to Colorado and to Craig. He is part of a special class of American heroes who will forever be remembered for their service and sacrifice. His story will continue inspiring generations to come, while reminding us all about the contributions and sacrifices of America's greatest.

I have introduced this legislation not only to recognize the sacrifice of Major Adams, but also to recognize the service of our Vietnam veterans and especially all veterans in Northwest Colorado. The Telehealth Clinic in Craig is on track to have nearly 1700 visits from area veterans this year, and I will always fight to make sure our veterans get the health care they earned and deserve.

As Larry Neu said about Major Adams, ``The man made the ultimate sacrifice for his country--he should not be forgotten.'' Passage of this bill will help us remember Major Adams and so many other brave veterans who have sacrificed their lives for our country. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation and to continue to support our dedicated men and women in uniform.