Floor Statements

Mr. President, I rise today to speak about the Renewable Energy Market Access Program Act, or REMAP Act, which I introduced to help grow American renewable energy and energy efficiency exports abroad. This bill would help small- and medium-sized renewable energy businesses promote, export and ultimately penetrate foreign markets.

I know my colleagues are well aware of the importance of exports to our Nation's economy, as evidenced by their support for efforts to increase American competitiveness abroad. I am also encouraged by the President's National Export Initiative and its goal to double American exports over the next five years. This effort will be critical to a full economic recovery and I encourage the administration to continue its work; however, I believe that we need to do more to support a sector that shows tremendous growth potential.

In 2009, $162 billion was invested in clean energy worldwide, and it is estimated that this investment will increase to $200 billion in 2010. Additionally, 90 percent of worldwide investments in renewable energy goods occur in G-20 countries and the developing world is projected to comprise 80 percent of the world's future energy demand. While I continue in my belief that the United States must remain competitive in both public and private domestic investments in renewable energy, I also believe that we cannot ignore the growing potential for American businesses to access markets abroad. Growing private and public investment in the global economy means

growing markets for American companies of all sizes here at home--which translates into sustainable, well-paying jobs. In this economic climate, I know the most important thing on everyone's mind--Democrats and Republicans alike--is putting people back to work. However, those small- and medium-sized businesses and companies, which are the engine for our domestic economy, are likely to need more assistance in accessing these growing foreign renewable energy markets. This is why I have filed legislation that focuses on equipping small- and medium- sized enterprises with the tools they need to access foreign markets and thereby strengthening our domestic economy and creating jobs.

My legislation would support the promotion of American renewable energy and energy efficiency products abroad by creating a Renewable Energy Market Access Program or REMAP. Through REMAP, trade associations and State-regional trade groups would apply to the U.S. Department of Commerce and enter into cooperative agreements to provide marketing and trade assistance to small and medium-sized companies in the renewable energy and energy efficiency sectors. The assistance would help facilitate the export of their goods to existing and new foreign markets. The agreements would also offer eligible participants an opportunity to share the costs related to innovative marketing and promotion activities. The public funding for any one application would never exceed 50 percent of the total cost of the proposal, ensuring buy-in from the applicant and an ongoing working relationship with the Department of Commerce. In sum, this bill will help streamline access to the global marketplace for small business and help promote American renewable energy and energy efficiency products overseas.

I would like to highlight a sector in the renewable energy industry that could make good use of the REMAP program and in turn help strengthen the American clean energy manufacturing sector. The small wind sector is just one renewable energy area that has recently experienced strong growth and has great potential. According to industry statistics, the U.S. small wind market grew by 15 percent in 2009 despite our economic challenges. What has been even more encouraging is that approximately 95 percent of units sold in the U.S. in 2009 were produced by U.S. manufacturers. Not only is the U.S. small wind industry working to meet our growing domestic appetite for small- wind generation, it is also poised to be a growing force in the global market. In 2009, U.S. manufacturers accounted for 47 percent of global small wind sales and exports accounted for approximately 36 percent of U.S. manufacturers' sales, which represents an eight percent increase from 2008. As countries develop energy policies that drive investment in their renewable energy economy, our domestic renewable energy industry will see its potential to export grow. The question that remains is: how do we ensure that American small wind producers realize their full potential to help meet the global demand for the goods they produce? The answer is through efforts to promote U.S. renewable energy and energy efficiency products abroad. I believe that the U.S. can grow as a leader, not just in small wind, but in all sectors of renewable energy and I believe that REMAP can help take us there.

I want to be clear that I strongly believe that this legislation is an important step in the right direction to support a growing industry, but I want to acknowledge that there is more that needs to be done to ensure that our country's renewable energy goods have fair access to foreign markets. Congress must find sensible policy mechanisms to address the unfair trade barriers and other anti-competitive tactics that are used to keep our goods from the shores of other nations with which we have stable relations, and we should continue having conversations on how these matters can be best addressed. But no matter the situation, we must stand in support of our domestic small businesses and provide them the resources they need to help them access new and growing markets, while we fight to ensure fairness in the global economy. I urge my colleagues 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 ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order with respect to H.R. 4173 and the motions to instruct be modified to provide that the Senate consider the motions beginning at 4:45 p.m., Monday, May 24, and that the Senate proceed to vote on the motions after the use or yielding back of all time available for debate with respect to both motions, and that the other provisions of the previous order remain in effect.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 5139, which was received from the House and 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 related to the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 536, 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 action with respect to the reporting of H.R. 3951 be vitiated.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 2 p.m. on Monday, May 24; 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, and there then be a period for the transaction of morning business until 3 p.m., with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each; that at 3 p.m., the Senate proceed to the consideration of H.R. 4899, the emergency supplemental appropriations bill.

Mr. President, Senators should expect two rollcall votes beginning at approximately 5:30 p.m. Those votes will be in relation to the Brownback and Hutchison motions to instruct conferees with respect to H.R. 4173, the Wall Street reform legislation.

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

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

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that at 5:30 p.m. today, the Senate proceed to vote in relation to the following amendments in the order listed; that after the first vote there be 2 minutes of debate prior to the succeeding votes, with the succeeding votes limited to 10 minutes in duration: the Crapo amendment, No. 4020; the Cornyn amendment, No. 3986; the Udall of Colorado amendment, No. 4016; provided further that no amendment be in order to any of the amendments covered in this agreement prior to a vote in relation thereto.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, we have had a lot of spirited debate on the floor about the Wall Street Accountability Act, and there have been some differences. One area we all agree on is that we ought to empower consumers with this important piece of legislation.

The amendment I am offering with Senator Lugar does just that. It provides that if you are turned down for credit because you have applied for a loan or you have a higher loan rate, you will have access to your credit score, your FICO score.

I believe this will empower consumers, increase financial literacy in our country, and it is a win-win across the board. I want to thank the group of Senators--some 20-plus--who supported this amendment. I particularly thank the chairman, Senator Dodd, for his yeoman's work. I urge an ``aye'' vote on this important amendment.

I yield the floor.

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

Mr. President, before I ask a unanimous consent on an amendment, I will comment on Senator Casey's remarks that were just delivered so powerfully and eloquently. He is right on point that the efforts underway in Afghanistan are crucial to our country's national security.

It was important, as well, that he talked about the three main factors that are in play there in our ultimate success. This week, we had President Karzai and much of his Cabinet in Washington. I certainly appreciate the effort President Karzai made to show his respect for those who have fallen in Afghanistan in the war there. I also note General McChrystal was here briefing many of us. I think the Presiding Officer, as well, heard from him on the state of the situation in Afghanistan.

This isn't going to be easy. I am heartened by what I heard. I express my appreciation for the valor, commitment, and honor that our forces in Afghanistan have displayed.

Amendment No. 4016 to Amendment No. 3739

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the pending amendment be set aside, and I call up my amendment No. 4016.

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

Mr. President, Senator Lugar and I introduced this modified amendment in working with Senator Dodd, the Treasury Department, and the Federal Reserve to find a way to increase Americans' access to their credit scores.

Before I talk about the amendment, the chairman of the committee, my friend and colleague from Connecticut, is on the floor. I thank him for working with me and a group of about 20 bipartisan Senators to provide greater access to consumer credit scores. Senator Dodd had a thoughtful, incisive idea about how we might be able to move this amendment to the floor, and that was to provide a credit score on a transactional basis.

That is exactly what this amendment does. A credit score affects consumers' interest rates and monthly payments on home loans and can even influence a consumer's capacity to buy a car or rent an apartment, even get phone or Internet service.

Our amendment would take the two consumer notices that the Federal law requires lenders to give consumers and makes sure the credit score used to evaluate the consumer is disclosed to that individual.

Right now--and I found this out in the process of researching what we are trying to do--if you receive a general notice of your credit application being turned down or if you are offered credit at less favorable terms, you don't receive a disclosure of the credit score used to determine that outcome.

Under our amendment, if you are turned down for a loan or you are given a higher interest rate because of a low credit score, you now have the right to see the credit score that was used. I know of the Presiding Officer's interest and long experience in the world of housing and providing access to people in that way. I know this is something he has followed with great interest.

There is a fundamental principle at stake. If your credit score is being used against you, you ought to have the right to at least see it.

I know every single American would want to improve that credit score and understand how they could have a greater financial opportunity, greater financial standing.

I thank Chairman Dodd and Senators Lugar, Levin, Bond, Scott Brown, Schumer, Begich, Lautenberg, and all the 20-plus Senators who helped push for this important issue.

I especially thank Senator Pryor for working with us to find something everyone could agree to in this modified version. I am appreciative that we were able to work it out.

I understand that the amendment is scheduled to be addressed Monday night. I hope we can perhaps accept it on a voice vote at the proper time as well.

With that, I yield the floor.

Let me again thank the chairman of the Banking Committee for his willingness to work with those of us in a bipartisan coalition. His comments are right on point, as always.

I think the Senator from Connecticut is right when he suggests that, as Americans have access to credit scores, they are going to be more interested, as time goes on, in understanding how to build and strengthen that score and be more financially literate, if you will.

The chairman has been remarkable in the time he has spent on the floor and the strength he has shown, with the lack of sleep he has endured. His product, which many of us have contributed to, will be seen by historians as a seminal moment, when we put Wall Street on a more accountable basis.

Under the chairman's leadership, we have also given consumers more recourse and access. In the end, I think that is what the chairman wanted to do, and will do, to protect consumers all over our great Nation. This is one small but important way to do that.

Again, I thank the chairman and look forward to the vote on Monday night. I agree this will have widespread support. I will continue to ask for those votes, and I know we will work to have a successful outcome Monday.

Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to our wounded warriors. This week at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, more than 200 wounded warriors from every branch of the military are competing in the inaugural Warrior Games. This event is the brainchild of Brigadier General Cheek, with whom I spent the day at Fort Carson last week visiting the Warrior Transition Unit there.

These soldiers do so much in defense of our country, yet we are not often in a position to cheer their performance. This week, we can. Although I am not able to be in Colorado to cheer them myself, I wanted to cheer them on here, from the Senate floor.

These games are a partnership between the Department of Defense, the U.S. Paralympics, and other organizations that are working together to give our wounded warriors an opportunity to push themselves, set goals, and demonstrate their abilities. The Army sent 100 competitors--chosen out of a pool of almost 9,000 wounded warriors--the Marine Corps sent 50, the Air Force 25, and the Navy and Coast Guard 25 combined. These military members and veterans have physical injuries as well as mental wounds of war, and they are competing in swimming, cycling, wheelchair basketball, archery, track, and sitting volleyball, among other events.

This week's Warrior Games is about the abilities of these warriors, not their disabilities. And it is about goal-setting, which can expedite the recovery process.

This mindset is important for all our wounded warriors, not just those competing in the Games this week. General Cheek has said that ``While we've made enormous progress in all the military services in our warrior care . . . it's not enough. . . . What we have to do with our servicemembers is inspire them to reach for and achieve a rich and productive future, to defeat their illness or injury to maximize their abilities and know that they can have a rich and fulfilling life beyond what has happened to them in service to their nation.''

I agree with General Cheek and believe that today the Army is working hard to help our wounded warriors in their difficult transition back to service or to life in the civilian world. But the Army acknowledges that it has faced some serious challenges when it comes to caring for our injured troops, especially those who have experienced brain injuries and psychological wounds. While I have seen real improvements in the quality of care, I also know that many of those same challenges still exist.

After my visit to the Warrior Transition Unit at Fort Carson last week, I am especially concerned about reports of overmedication and substance abuse among injured service members and

about delays in the disability evaluation process. I spent a few hours talking with separate groups of WTU soldiers, cadre, and clinicians in very frank discussions about their experiences and concerns. I heard positive stories too--of men and women facing life-changing injuries who said they couldn't have gotten back to active duty without the help of the WTU.

Our young men and women have a heavy burden--they are fighting two wars, often serving multiple tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. We owe them the best care possible when they are injured, and I know the Army--from General Casey to the youngest privates who are watching out for their team mates--are working hard to provide this care.

This will be especially important now at Fort Carson as the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th ID begins to come home. A few hundred of the brigade's 3800 soldiers have returned so far, with another few hundred due home today and more due home in the coming weeks. These soldiers have been in Afghanistan for the last year, assisting the Afghan National Army with security, governance and peacekeeping operations in Kunar province, on the Pakistani border.

The need to provide resiliency training and specialized care for our soldiers continues before, during, and after deployments. Fort Carson's Mobile Behavioral Health Teams have already identified about 920 soldiers of the 4th BCT--approximately one-quarter of the brigade--as having risk factors for depression or anxiety, exacerbated by their sustained combat, who will receive additional evaluations after returning home. About 100 of the Brigade's soldiers are expected to join Fort Carson's Warrior Transition Unit upon their return. Major General Perkins and his team at Fort Carson have worked hard to get in front of behavioral health issues, initiating this program to put behavioral health teams in with the units and work with them even before they return home so that we can identify soldiers who need help.

As the 4th BCT comes home, I want to take a moment to remember the heroes that we lost in Afghanistan. Fifty brave soldiers from this unit and supporting units have died in the past year. Those who have fallen, their families, and their fellow soldiers will not be forgotten. Here are their names:

Steven Thomas Drees

Gregory James Missman

Jason John Fabrizi

Randy L.J. Neff, Jr.

Joshua James Rimer

Patrick Scott Fitzgibbon

Richard Kelvin Jones

Jonathan Michael Walls

Matthew Lee Ingram

Matthew Everett Wildes

Youvert Loney

Randy Michael Haney

Tyler Edward Parten

David Alan Davis

William L. Meredith

Justin Timothy Gallegos

Christopher Todd Griffin

Joshua Mitchell Hardt

Joshua John Kirk

Stephan Lee Mace

Vernon William Martin

Michael Patrick Scusa

Kevin Christopher Thomson

Kevin Olsen Hill

Jesus Olar Flores, Jr.

Daniel Courtney Lawson

Glen Hale Stivison, Jr.

Brandon Michael Styer

Kimble Andrus Han

Eric Nathaniel Lembke

Devin Jay Michel

Eduviges Guadalupe Wolf

Jason Adam McLeod

Kenneth Ray Nichols Jr.

Elijah John Miles Rao

Brian Robert Bowman

John Phillip Dion

Joshua Allen Lengstorf

Robert John Donevski

Thaddeus Scott Montgomery, II

Bobby Justin Pagan

John Allen Reiners

Jeremiah Thomas Wittman

Michael David P Cardenaz

J.R. Salvacion

Sean Michael Durkin

Michael Keith Ingram, Jr.

Grant Arthur Wichmann

Nathan Patrick Kennedy

Eric M. Finniginam

Each of these soldiers served with honor, valor, and pride in the mission. While we mourn those who fell, we will forever honor their memories, and we take great pride in the courage, determination, and heroism of the entire 4th Brigade Combat Team and its supporting units. Under the exemplary leadership of Colonel Randy George and Command Sergeant Major Sasser, the 4th BCT has achieved remarkable success in some of the most hostile terrain on earth. Their efforts clearly illustrate why Fort Carson is known as ``The Home of America's Best.'' On behalf of all Coloradans, I say ``welcome home, heroes, and thank you.''

Mr. President, today I pay tribute to a great American who I have had the great pleasure of knowing and working with for a number of years. General Victor Eugene Renuart, Jr., is preparing to retire from the U.S. Air Force after nearly 39 years of distinguished military service, and it is fitting that we should honor his achievements.

Through peacetime and multiple armed conflicts and operations, General Renuart has embodied the core values of the Air Force: integrity, service, and excellence. He courageously demonstrated his dedication to our Nation and served us honorably as a leader, warrior, and teacher. I want to also express our deepest thanks to his wife Jill, and their sons Ryan and Andrew, for serving as the epitome of a dedicated military family. As you know, military families like the Renuarts are America's unsung heroes, and we owe them a tremendous debt.

Gene Renuart enlisted in the Air Force while our Nation was still engaged in the Vietnam war and received his commission from the Officer Training School in 1972. In the four decades since that day, he has amassed nearly 4,000 flying hours in seven aircraft types and piloted 69 combat missions in major operations. The call to service has led Gene and his family all over the world, and he has commanded units at every level through conflicts in Iraq, Bosnia, and Afghanistan. The long list of awards and decorations that General Renuart has earned during his career are a testament to his years of exemplary leadership and unrelenting focus on mission accomplishment.

As a lieutenant colonel during Operation DESERT STORM, General Renuart commanded the 76th Fighter Squadron ``Vanguards,'' who were trusted with a mission critical to the safety of the entire region. They hunted the Iraqi landscape in search of SCUD missile sites and protected Coalition troops from attack. General Renuart's squadron flew hundreds of combat missions and fought at the famed ``Highway of Death,'' leading to the liberation of Kuwait and defeat of the Iraqi Republican Guard.

It was clear to everyone who knew him that Gene Renuart was a leader of the highest caliber, and he quickly rose through the ranks. On September 11, 2001, then-Major General Renuart was serving as the Director of Operations for United States Central Command, and his leadership and experience were instrumental as our nation rapidly

transitioned from peace to war. General Renuart was soon providing operational orchestration for the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq as our armed forces quickly eliminated those repressive regimes.

In March 2007, General Renuart was promoted to the rank of four-star general and appointed Commander of the North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command. The general and his command were given the no-fail responsibility of protecting the United States and Canada against all threats in the air and on the seas, while leading the Department of Defense's support of civil authorities to save lives during both natural and manmade disasters.

With General Renuart's leadership, NORAD and USNORTHCOM widened its focus to anticipate threats to the United States and respond where necessary. The significant improvements of the unified national response to Hurricane Ike were born from the lessons learned from Hurricane Katrina and were a direct result of General Renuart's emphasis on anticipating our Nation's needs in times of disaster.

For this effort and many others, General Renuart and his team collaborated with over 120 mission partners representing Federal, State, and local governments, nongovernmental organizations, and private industry to quickly and responsibly execute key Department of Defense responsibilities in the National Response Framework.

He fostered synergy with the interagency community and collaborated with the militaries of Mexico and Canada to ensure North America's security. Whether expediting the transfer of helicopters and equipment to the Mexican military for counternarcotic operations or partnering with our northern neighbors under the Canada-United States Civil Assistance Plan to support the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver, General Renuart set and achieved tremendous goals for theater security cooperation.

Working together to defend the homeland, NORAD and USNORTHCOM have delivered unparalleled security for our Nation. Not only did NORAD achieve a huge milestone--surpassing 55,000 accident-free sorties flown defending our homeland under Operation NOBLE EAGLE--but more importantly, there has not been a single successful foreign terrorist attack on American soil. That success has been the result of the extraordinary diligence, cooperation, and dedication that have exemplified General Renuart's leadership.

On behalf of Congress and the United States of America, I thank General Renuart, Jill, Ryan, and Andrew for their commitment, sacrifice, and contributions to this great Nation. I am also especially pleased to say that General Renuart and Jill will be calling Colorado Springs home for many years to come. We Coloradans are honored to have them as neighbors and friends. I congratulate him on a truly remarkable career and wish him nothing but the best as he transitions from decades of service into his truly well-earned retirement.

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

I ask unanimous consent that Senators Schumer and Levin be added as original cosponsors to amendment No. 4016.

I thank them for their support. I also want to first thank Senators Lugar and Bond for the efforts they brought forth, along with those on our side, for this important amendment.

This amendment will make it a fact of life that individual Americans can more easily access their credit score. I have come to the floor of the Senate on a number of occasions over the last week to push for an important change in the world of credit bureaus and credit reports and now credit scores.

A credit score impacts consumers' interest rates, monthly payments on home loans, and can even affect a consumer's ability to buy a car, rent an apartment, and get phone or Internet service. I have been working with Chairman Dodd, the Treasury Department, the Federal Reserve, and other colleagues in the Senate to reach a compromise that will help us achieve those objectives I just outlined.

I am very pleased to say I think at this fairly late hour on a Thursday that we have agreed to an approach that will give millions of Americans unsolicited access to their genuine credit score. I have talked about the difference between the score and the report. The report is a valuable tool, but unless people have their score they do not know where they stand.

Our bipartisan amendment will build upon existing law and require disclosure of credit scores to consumers whenever their credit score is used against them. So under our amendment, if they are turned down for credit because of their credit score, which is not an unusual occurrence, frankly, they have the right to see the credit score that was used against them.

Under this amendment, if they are charged a higher interest rate or get less favorable terms on a loan because of their score, they will also receive notification of that score.

So this amendment, again, for which we have bipartisan support, corrects one of the inequities in our financial system which keeps Americans from accessing this very important tool that, frankly, I think is as important as their health statistics: their blood pressure, heart rate, and so on. But people have not been able to access that credit score.

So there is a fundamental principle that is at stake. If their credit score is being used against them, they ought to have the right to at least see it. This Wall Street accountability package we are considering, at the heart of it--I think the Senator from New Hampshire knows this--we want to give Americans more tools so they are more financially literate. They can take control of their financial future.

So the best part of this amendment is that consumers will receive notification of their score without any red tape. This is good government. It is pure transparency reform that will empower Americans, as I have said, with critical information about their financial health. This makes common sense.

Let's put Americans in charge of their financial future. So as I close, I thank, in turn, Chairman Dodd, Senator Lugar, Senators Levin, Bond, Schumer, Begich, Lautenberg, and all of the 20-plus additional Senators who helped push for this important reform.

I especially thank Senator Pryor who has worked with us to find something everyone can agree on. I look forward to this amendment being called up later, and I urge all colleagues to support this commonsense reform that will give Americans control over their financial futures.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, today I am introducing a bipartisan bill along with my colleague Senator Collins entitled the Streamlining Energy Efficiency for Schools Act of 2010. This bill is designed to streamline the Federal Government's efforts to improve the health and efficiency of our schools, while creating much-needed jobs in the process.

I am pleased that Senators Burris, Merkley and Murray are also joining us as original cosponsors of this bill.

For the past year I have been travelling across Colorado as part of a work force tour to talk directly to Coloradans and hear their innovative policy ideas to create jobs. These ongoing efforts help me identify ways the Federal Government can help or is not as effective as it can be in supporting economic development and meeting our national energy goals. The Streamlining Energy Efficiency for Schools Act of 2010 comes directly from visiting with Coloradans. This bill is just one of several job-creation proposals developed after I hosted an Energy Jobs Summit in February in Colorado.

There are numerous Federal programs and funds already available to schools to help them become more energy efficient. However, schools face a morass of programs and agency offices across the government and it is challenging for schools to take full advantage of them. This bipartisan bill will force the government to coordinate their efforts so that schools are less confused and they can better navigate the existing federal programs and financing options available to them. Put simply, it will streamline the Federal Government while still leaving decisions to the states, school boards and local officials to determine what is best for their schools.

I have had a longstanding interest in energy efficiency technologies. These technologies further our national goals of broad-based economic growth, environmental protection, national security, and economic competitiveness.

I have also been a long-time champion of energy efficiency in our schools, introducing and co-sponsoring many bills over the years in the House of Representatives that promoted the efficient use of energy by our schools.

I have seen these energy efficient buildings first hand when traveling in Colorado. It is good to see that there are schools in my state that are already incorporating this technology into their buildings. For example, the Cherry Creek School District in Greenwood Village, CO, has incorporated day lighting techniques and ice storage to cool the buildings during the day. Because of these innovative improvements, the school district has enjoyed significant cost savings. This is good news not just for Colorado students, but also for Colorado taxpayers.

In another example, Colorado's Poudre School District in Fort Collins, CO, actively promotes sustainable design guidelines, calling it their ``Ethic of Sustainability.'' This program includes an elementary school in Fort Collins that actually uses recycled blue jeans as insulation for the school buildings. This school has a ``Truth Wall,'' an exposed cross-section where kids can see the denim at work, look at pipes and electrical systems, and check school energy use.

I hope that in passing this bill we will see more examples of these successful and creative projects across the country--projects that will increase the efficiency of our schools and teach our students about the importance of saving energy.

Through effective use of existing Federal Government programs and financing options, schools can reduce costs and create jobs at the same time becoming more energy efficient. Though it is often overlooked, energy efficiency is a huge job creator. Not only does it create jobs through the purchase and installation of efficient materials, it frees up scarce school finances to retain teachers and important programs.

What excites me most about this bill is that it will create jobs for Americans in every neighborhood where schools improve their energy efficiency. Right now, creating jobs is priority one for all of us.

But additionally, this bill helps reduce barriers to schools wishing to incorporate innovative energy efficiency measures, and creates a simple, streamlined structure to allow schools

to more effectively use existing Federal funds and programs--at a low cost. These cutting edge actions--which we are all seeing across our states--are making government more efficient and saving taxpayer dollars, a goal we all share. I urge my colleagues--of both parties--to join me in supporting this bipartisan legislation.