Floor Statements

Mr. President, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today to honor the life and heroic service of SPC Dylan T. Reid. Specialist Reid, who was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, in Fort Carson, CO, died on October 16, 2010. Specialist Reid was serving in support of Operation New Dawn in Amarah, Iraq. He was 24 years old.

A native of Missouri, Specialist Reid graduated from Desert Technology High School in Lake Havasu City, AZ, in 2005 and entered the Army in September 2008. He joined his current unit in April of last year and deployed to Iraq this past March. He was serving his first tour of duty, and quickly showed his commitment and skill.

During more than 2 years of service, Specialist Reid distinguished himself through his courage, dedication to duty, and willingness to take on any job. He was given numerous awards and medals, including the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, and the Overseas Service Ribbon.

Specialist Reid worked on the front lines of battle, serving in the most dangerous areas of Iraq. He is remembered by those who knew him as a consummate professional with an unending commitment to excellence. Friends and loved ones remember how proud Specialist Reid was of his new daughter, Avery. They also remember his love for fixing things and working on cars.

Mark Twain once said, ``The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.'' Specialist Reid's service was in keeping with this sentiment--by selflessly putting country first, he lived life to the fullest. He lived with a sense of the highest honorable purpose.

At substantial personal risk, he braved the chaos of combat zones throughout Iraq. And though his fate on the battlefield was uncertain, he pushed forward, protecting America's citizens, her safety, and the freedoms we hold dear. For his service and the lives he touched, Specialist Reid will forever be remembered as one of our country's bravest.

To Specialist Reid's parents, his wife, his daughter, and his entire family I cannot imagine the sorrow you must be feeling. I hope that, in time, the pain of your loss will be eased by your pride in Dylan's service and by your knowledge that his country will never forget him. We are humbled by his service and his sacrifice.

Mr. President, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today to honor the life and heroic service of Specialist Dale J. Kridlo. Specialist Kridlo, assigned to the 27th Engineer Battalion, based in Fort Bragg, NC, died on November 7, 2010, of injuries sustained when his dismounted patrol encountered small arms fire. Specialist Kridlo was serving in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Kunar Province, Afghanistan. He was 33 years old.

A native of Pittston, PA, Specialist Kridlo graduated from Pittston Area High School. After managing his own painting business for several years, Specialist Kridlo enlisted in the Army and served a tour of duty in Afghanistan with decoration. He followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, both of whom served in the Armed Forces.

During almost 2 years of service, Specialist Kridlo distinguished himself through his courage, dedication to duty, and the high standards to which he held his fellow soldiers. Family members recall his overwhelming pride when he used to describe the accomplishments of his combat unit in Afghanistan. Commanders recognized Specialist Kridlo's extraordinary bravery and talent, promoting him one week before his passing.

Specialist Kridlo worked on the front lines of battle, serving in the most dangerous areas of Afghanistan. He is remembered by those who knew him as a consummate professional with an unending commitment to excellence. His family remembers him as a dedicated son, husband, and loving father to two young daughters. In his free time, Specialist Kridlo enjoyed fishing. He was also an avid Philadelphia sports fan.

Mark Twain once said, ``The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.'' Specialist Kridlo's service was in keeping with this sentiment--by selflessly putting country

first, he lived life to the fullest. He lived with a sense of the highest honorable purpose.

At substantial personal risk, he braved the chaos of combat zones throughout Afghanistan. And though his fate on the battlefield was uncertain, he pushed forward, protecting America's citizens, her safety, and the freedoms we hold dear. For his service and the lives he touched, Specialist Kridlo will forever be remembered as one of our country's bravest.

To Specialist Kridlo's entire family--I cannot imagine the sorrow you must be feeling. I hope that, in time, the pain of your loss will be eased by your pride in Dale's service and by your knowledge that his country will never forget him. We are humbled by his service and his sacrifice.

Second Lieutenant Robert M. Kelly

Mr. President, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today to honor the life and heroic service of SGT Aaron B. Cruttenden. Sergeant Cruttenden, assigned to the 27th Engineer Battalion, based in Fort Bragg, NC, died on November 7, 2010, of injuries sustained when his dismounted patrol encountered small arms fire. Sergeant Cruttenden was serving in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Kunar Province, Afghanistan. He was 25 years old.

A native of Mesa, AZ, Sergeant Cruttenden earned his graduate equivalency diploma and worked for 2 years as an apprentice electrician. He then enlisted in the Army in March 2008. Sergeant Cruttenden hoped to defend his country, make a better life for his family, and pursue opportunities for higher education. He served a tour of duty in Afghanistan with decoration.

During his 2\1/2\ years of service, Sergeant Cruttenden distinguished himself through his courage, dedication to duty, and willingness to take on one of the most dangerous and skillful jobs in the Army-- detecting and eliminating improvised explosive devices. Throughout Sergeant Cruttenden's time in the Army, family members recall that his foremost concern was protecting the men and women under his command.

Sergeant Cruttenden worked on the front lines of battle, serving in the most dangerous areas of Afghanistan. He is remembered by those who knew him as a consummate professional with an unending commitment to excellence. His family remembers him as a dedicated son and loving father to his young daughter. Both in service and civilian life, Sergeant Cruttenden's warmth and caring for others were always on display.

Mark Twain once said, ``The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.'' Sergeant Cruttenden's service was in keeping with this sentiment--by selflessly putting country first, he lived life to the fullest. He lived with a sense of the highest honorable purpose.

At substantial personal risk, he braved the chaos of combat zones throughout Afghanistan. And though his fate on the battlefield was uncertain, he pushed forward, protecting America's citizens, her safety, and the freedoms we hold dear. For his service and the lives he touched, Sergeant Cruttenden will forever be remembered as one of our country's bravest.

To Sergeant Cruttenden's entire family--I cannot imagine the sorrow you must be feeling. I hope that, in time, the pain of your loss will be eased by your pride in Aaron's service and by your knowledge that his country will never forget him. We are humbled by his service and his sacrifice.

Mr. President, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today to honor the life and heroic service of SSG Carlos A. Benitez. Staff Sergeant Benitez, who was assigned to the 10th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, in Fort Carson, CO, died on October 14, 2010, from injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. Staff Sergeant Benitez was serving in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. He was 24 years old.

A native of Carrollton, TX, Staff Sergeant Benitez graduated from Creekview High School and joined the Army in October 2004. He served three tours of duty: two in Iraq and one in Afghanistan--all with decoration. His wife and young daughter and son moved to Colorado for Staff Sergeant Benitez's most recent assignment.

During 5 years of service, Staff Sergeant Benitez distinguished himself through his courage, dedication to duty, and willingness to take on any job. He was awarded numerous awards and medals, including two Army Commendation Medals, the Valorous Unit Award, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, and the Iraq Campaign Medal with four Campaign Stars.

Staff Sergeant Benitez worked on the front lines of battle, serving in the most dangerous areas of Iraq and Afghanistan. He is remembered by those who knew him as a consummate professional with an unending commitment to excellence. Friends and loved ones remember his commitment to his wife. His mother, Imelda, remembers how her son wanted to enlist in the Army when he was just 17. She made him wait an extra year.

Mark Twain once said, ``The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.'' Staff Sergeant Benitez's service was in keeping with this sentiment--by selflessly putting country first, he lived life to the fullest. He lived with a sense of the highest honorable purpose.

At substantial personal risk, he braved the chaos of combat zones throughout Iraq and Afghanistan. And though his fate on the battlefield was uncertain, he pushed forward, protecting America's citizens, her safety, and the freedoms we hold dear. For his service and the lives he touched, Staff Sergeant Benitez will forever be remembered as one of our country's bravest.

To Staff Sergeant Benitez's wife, their children, and his entire family--I cannot imagine the sorrow you must be feeling. I hope that, in time, the pain of your loss will be eased by your pride in Carlos's service and by your knowledge that his country will never forget him. We are humbled by his service and his sacrifice.

Mr. President, I congratulate the Broomfield Composite Squadron for being named the 2010 Civil Air Patrol Squadron of Distinction. This honor speaks to the dedication and hard work of each cadet and senior member, as well as the squadron's leadership in providing outstanding programs and recruitment.

The Broomfield Composite Squadron was selected as the squadron with the best performance from all 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico for its excellence in cadet programs, rapid increase in membership, and high percentage of cadet progression through the program.

Communities across Colorado and the country have come to depend on the Civil Air Patrol in times of emergency for search and rescue expertise, but CAP's development and education of young leaders is equally important. The Broomfield Composite Squadron's success in this area, and its recognition as the best in the country, means that Colorado is especially lucky to have so many young people willing to serve their community, learn about aerospace technology, and prepare for their futures.

All of Colorado is proud and grateful for the Broomfield Composite Squadron's commitment to serving as a model for CAP squadrons across the country.

Mr. President, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today to honor the life and heroic service of Captain Dale A. Goetz. Captain Goetz, assigned to the 4th Infantry Division, based at Fort Carson, CO, died on August 30, 2010, of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. Captain Goetz was serving in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in the Arghandab River Valley, Afghanistan. He was 43 years old.

A native of White, SD, Captain Goetz graduated in 1995 from Marantha Baptist Bible College in Watertown, WI, with a bachelor's degree. After serving in White for several years as a pastor, Captain Goetz enlisted in the Army in 2004 and served tours in Japan, Iraq and Afghanistan-- all with decoration.

During his years of service, Captain Goetz distinguished himself through his courage, dedication to his soldiers, and unremitting devotion to his faith. His skillful ministry comforted troops and made them more effective in the field, and he never hesitated to engage and counsel others who held beliefs different than his own.

Captain Goetz worked on the front lines of battle, serving in the most dangerous areas of Iraq and Afghanistan. He is remembered by those who knew him as a consummate professional with an unending commitment to excellence. His family remembers him as a dedicated husband and as a loving father to his three children.

Mark Twain once said, ``The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.'' Captain Goetz's service was in keeping with this sentiment--by selflessly putting country first, he lived life to the fullest. He lived with a sense of the highest honorable purpose.

At substantial personal risk, he braved the chaos of combat zones throughout Iraq and Afghanistan. And though his fate was uncertain, he pushed forward, counseling our soldiers and promoting the ideals we hold dear. For his service and the lives he touched, Captain Goetz will forever be remembered as one of our country's bravest.

To his wife Christina, his sons Landon, Caleb, and Joel, and his entire family--I cannot imagine the sorrow you must be feeling. I hope that, in time, the pain of your loss will be eased by your pride in Dale's service and by your knowledge that his country will never forget him. We are humbled by his service and his sacrifice.

Staff Sergeant Casey J. Grochowiak

Mr. President, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today to honor the life and heroic service of SSG Casey J. Grochowiak. Sergeant Grochowiak, assigned to the 4th Infantry Division, based in Fort Carson, CO, died on August 30, 2010, of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his patrol. Sergeant Grochowiak was serving in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Malajat, Afghanistan. He was 34 years old.

A native of San Diego, CA, Sergeant Grochowiak graduated from Horizon Christian Fellowship Academy, where he met Celestina, his future wife, whom he married in 1995. After several years working in the construction industry, Sergeant Grochowiak changed direction to commit his life to defending his country. He enlisted in the

Army in 2000, serving two tours in Iraq and two tours in Afghanistan-- all with decoration.

During nearly 11 years of service, Sergeant Grochowiak distinguished himself through his courage, dedication to duty, and absolute commitment to his troops. Despite having received a medical waiver for his last tour in Afghanistan, Sergeant Grochowiak shipped out and fought on anyway, citing his obligation to protect his young soldiers.

Sergeant Grochowiak worked on the front lines of battle, serving in the most dangerous areas of Iraq and Afghanistan. He is remembered by those who knew him as a consummate professional with an unending commitment to excellence. His family remembers him as a dedicated son, husband, and as a loving father to his two children.

Mark Twain once said, ``The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.'' Sergeant Grochowiak's service was in keeping with this sentiment--by selflessly putting country first, he lived life to the fullest. He lived with a sense of the highest honorable purpose.

At substantial personal risk, he braved the chaos of combat zones throughout Iraq and Afghanistan. And though his fate on the battlefield was uncertain, he pushed forward, protecting America's citizens, her safety, and the freedoms we hold dear. For his service and the lives he touched, Sergeant Grochowiak will forever be remembered as one of our country's bravest.

To Edward and Barbara, Sergeant Grochowiak's parents, Celestina, his wife, Matia and Deegan, his children, and his entire family, I cannot imagine the sorrow you must be feeling. I hope that, in time, the pain of your loss will be eased by your pride in Casey's service and by your knowledge that his country will never forget him. We are humbled by his service and his sacrifice.

Specialist Faith R. Hinkley

Mr. President, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today to honor the life and heroic service of SPC Faith R. Hinkley. Specialist Hinkley, assigned to the 502nd Military Intelligence Battalion, based in Fort Lewis, WA, died on August 7, 2010, from wounds sustained during a firefight. Specialist Hinkley was serving in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iskandariya, Iraq. She was 23 years old.

A native of Monte Vista, CO, Specialist Hinkley enlisted in the Army in 2007, much to the surprise of her friends and family. Having completed 1 year of classes at the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs, Specialist Hinkley changed course and became the family's fourth generation to serve in the military.

During her nearly 3 years of service, Specialist Hinkley distinguished herself through her courage, dedication to duty, and exceptional intelligence. Commanders recognized her extraordinary bravery and talent. In fact, on the day of her passing, Specialist Hinkley had just been promoted.

Specialist Hinkley worked on the front lines of battle, serving in the most dangerous areas of Iraq. She is remembered by those who knew her as a consummate professional with an unending commitment to excellence. Her family remembers her as a dedicated daughter who loved to serve her country. Her friends remember her loyalty, her willingness to listen, and her lifelong involvement in the community. From an early age, as a student in Monte Vista, Specialist Hinkley's talents were always on display as a mentor to younger girls.

Mark Twain once said, ``The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.'' Specialist Hinkley's service was in keeping with this sentiment--by selflessly putting country first, she lived life to the fullest. She lived with a sense of the highest honorable purpose.

At substantial personal risk, she braved the chaos of combat zones throughout Iraq. And though her fate on the battlefield was uncertain, she pushed forward, protecting America's citizens, her safety, and the freedoms we hold dear. For her service and the lives she touched, Specialist Hinkley will forever be remembered as one of our country's bravest.

To David and Annavee, Specialist Hinkley's parents, Matthew, her brother, and her entire family, I cannot imagine the sorrow you must be feeling. I hope that, in time, the pain of your loss will be eased by your pride in Faith's service and by your knowledge that her country will never forget her. We are humbled by her service and her sacrifice.

Staff Sergeant Kevin J. Kessler

Mr. President, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today to honor the life and heroic service of SSG Kevin J. Kessler. Sergeant Kessler, assigned to the 4th Infantry Division, based in Fort Carson, CO, died on August 30, 2010, of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his military vehicle. Sergeant Kessler was serving in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in the Arghandab River Valley, Afghanistan. He was 32 years old.

A native of Canton, OH, Sergeant Kessler enlisted in the Army in 2004, eager to serve his country. In 1996, he graduated from East Canton High School. After spending several years as a truck driver, Sergeant Kessler decided to commit his life to military service. He served three tours of duty: two in Iraq and one in Afghanistan, and all with decoration.

During his 6 years of service, Sergeant Kessler distinguished himself through his courage, skillful leadership, and perhaps most importantly, an unflagging dedication to his troops. Sergeant Kessler's unyielding sense of duty was heightened still by the brave efforts of the soldiers under his command.

Sergeant Kessler worked on the front lines of battle, serving in the most dangerous areas of Iraq and Afghanistan. He is remembered by those who knew him as a consummate professional with an unending commitment to excellence. His family remembers him as a dedicated son, husband, and as a proud expectant father. They remember that, from an early age, he loved football and cheered for his favorite teams, the Denver Broncos and the Cleveland Browns.

Mark Twain once said, ``The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.'' Sergeant Kessler's service was in keeping with this sentiment--by selflessly putting country first, he lived life to the fullest. He lived with a sense of the highest honorable purpose.

At substantial personal risk, he braved the chaos of combat zones throughout Iraq and Afghanistan. And though his fate on the battlefield was uncertain, he pushed forward, protecting America's citizens, her safety, and the freedoms we hold dear. For his service and the lives he touched, Sergeant Kessler will forever be remembered as one of our country's bravest.

To Sergeant Kessler's father and stepmother, Lawrence and Sue, his mother and stepfather, Kristine and Rodney, his wife, Adrian, and his entire family--I cannot imagine the sorrow you must be feeling. I hope that, in time, the pain of your loss will be eased by your pride in Kevin's service and by your knowledge that his country will never forget him. We are humbled by his service and his sacrifice.

Private First Class diego M. Montoya

Mr. President, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today to honor the life and heroic service of PFC Diego M. Montoya. Private Montoya, assigned to the 89th Military Police Brigade, based in Fort Hood, TX, died on September 2, 2010, of injuries sustained from indirect fire. Private Montoya was serving in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Laghman Province, Afghanistan. He was 20 years old.

A native of Texas, Private Montoya graduated in 2009 from Taft High School in San Antonio. He was an active participant in the school's ROTC program, and he always looked forward to the day when he could finally wear a service uniform. Private Montoya enlisted in the Army after graduation, and he deployed for Afghanistan in April 2010.

During his 13 months of service, Private Montoya distinguished himself through his dedication to duty and extraordinary strength of character. Even as an ROTC student in San Antonio, Private Montoya's instructor recognized his remarkable maturity and unwavering loyalty to his classmates, family and friends. These characteristics foreshadowed his excellence as a soldier.

Private Montoya worked on the front lines of battle, serving in the most dangerous areas of Afghanistan. He is remembered by those who knew him as a consummate professional with an unending commitment to the uniform. His family remembers Private Montoya's courage as a soldier, but also his warm heart and willingness to do anything to help those close to him.

Mark Twain once said, ``The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.'' Private Montoya's service was in keeping with this sentiment--by selflessly putting country first, he lived life to the fullest. He lived with a sense of the highest honorable purpose.

At substantial personal risk, he braved the chaos of combat zones throughout Afghanistan. And though his fate on the battlefield was uncertain, he pushed forward, protecting America's citizens, her safety, and the freedoms we hold dear. For his service and the lives he touched, Private Montoya will forever be remembered as one of our country's bravest.

To his parents, his brothers and sisters, and his entire family, I cannot imagine the sorrow you must be feeling. I hope that, in time, the pain of your loss will be eased by your pride in Diego's service and by your knowledge that his country will never forget him. We are humbled by his service and his sacrifice.

Staff Sergeant Matthew J. West

Mr. President, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today to honor the life and heroic service of SSG Matthew J. West. Sergeant West, assigned to the 71st Ordnance Group, based in Fort Carson, CO, died on August 30, 2010, of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his military vehicle. Sergeant West was serving in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in the Arghandab River Valley, Afghanistan. He was 36 years old.

A native of Gaylord, MI, Sergeant West graduated from Northern Michigan University with a bachelor's degree in 1997. After returning home for several years, Sergeant West enlisted in the Army in 2004 and served three tours of duty: two in Afghanistan and one in Iraq, and all with decoration.

During his 6 years of service, Sergeant West distinguished himself through his courage, dedication to duty, and willingness to take on one of the most dangerous and skillful jobs in the Army--defusing bombs. Even as a student at Gaylord High School, Sergeant West exhibited this same extraordinary character by assuming any role needed of him on the football field. Although he was one of the team's smallest players, Sergeant Kessler never hesitated to punch above his weight, even when the coach put him on the offensive line.

Sergeant West worked on the front lines of battle, serving in the most dangerous areas of Iraq and Afghanistan. He is remembered by those who knew him as a consummate professional with an unending commitment to excellence. His family remembers him as a dedicated son, husband, and as a loving father to his three children. They remember his warm nature and broad smile.

Mark Twain once said, ``The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.'' Sergeant West's service was in keeping with this sentiment--by selflessly putting country first, he lived life to the fullest. He lived with a sense of the highest honorable purpose.

At substantial personal risk, he braved the chaos of combat zones throughout Iraq and Afghanistan. And though his fate on the battlefield was uncertain, he pushed forward, protecting America's citizens, her safety, and the freedoms we hold dear. For his service and the lives he touched, Sergeant West will forever be remembered as one of our country's bravest.

To John and Marcia, Sergeant West's parents, Carolyn, his wife, Tyler, Joseph, and Annalise, his children, and his entire family, I cannot imagine the sorrow you must be feeling. I hope that, in time, the pain of your loss will be eased by your pride in Matthew's service and by your knowledge that his country will never forget him. We are humbled by his service and his sacrifice.

Madam President, today I was proud to vote for final passage of the amendment offered by Senators Murray, Harkin, Schumer and Reid to the FAA authorization bill. This amendment brings long overdue good news to teachers and kids in Colorado and those worried about losing access to the health care they need. I was elated to see the Senate break through the usual gridlock and pass this important legislation.

The package will save thousands of jobs and protect health services for kids and vulnerable populations across Colorado and the country. During this savage economy that is hurting families all over our state and our country, as we work to get our ship righted, our kids and our schools should be at the top of our list of priorities.

If we are going to ensure that we leave more opportunity for our kids than we ourselves have had then we must remain committed to education-- to set the table for our kids' futures; to prepare them for the competitive world that awaits them; and to enrich their lives with a better education than the one that was offered to us.

I have tried to be a leader in the fight for the Medicaid Federal Medical Assistance Percentage, FMAP, funding and saving teachers' jobs. I was an original cosponsor of the Keep Our Educators Working Act of 2010, introduced by Senator Tom Harkin. In February, I also led a group of 43 of my Senate colleagues in submitting a letter urging the majority leader to provide States with an additional 6-month FMAP extension.

The Medicaid FMAP extension passed today by the Senate was crucial in the effort to keep public servants at work across the country. Without it, States would be forced to layoff tens of thousands of more teachers and other public employees, cut education funding even further, and further reduce payments to health care providers. More than 900,000 public and private sector jobs could be lost.

Colorado alone would lose more than $200 million if the FMAP extension fell victim to Washington politics. Cuts could include eliminating state aid for full-day kindergarten for 35,000 children, eliminating preschool aid for 21,000 children, and increasing overcrowding in juvenile detention facilities, according the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. The education jobs funding would prevent the loss of between 2,000 and 3,000 teacher jobs in Colorado alone.

I am glad to see this package is paid for. However, I was very concerned about the House package which paid for teacher jobs in part by cutting education reform programs. I joined 15 of my colleagues in signing a letter requesting that we find other offsets to pay for this important measure. I am very pleased that we were able to avert the cuts to critical education programs and save teachers' jobs--all without raising the deficit.

Additionally, while I strongly support the measure, in no small part because it is completely paid for and does not add one dime to our deficit, I would like to raise a strong concern with one of the pay- fors in this package. A rescission of $1.5 billion from the Department of Energy's, DOE, renewable energy loan guarantee program was used to help offset this amendment.

In Colorado this important program has helped foster tremendous growth in the clean energy economy. Just last month, President Obama announced a conditional loan guarantee for a solar manufacturing facility in my home state and there are dozens of job creating renewable energy projects across the country waiting for approval from

Mr. President, I rise in strong support of the President's nomination of Solicitor General Elena Kagan to be Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.

The Senate has no more important responsibility than to advise and consent on nominations to our Nation's highest Court. It will be an honor on behalf of the people of my State to cast my vote to confirm Elena Kagan.

Ms. Kagan is a distinguished lawyer with a remarkable legal background. She brings very diverse experiences to the Court that I believe will add to the important perspective of the high Court as it reviews cases of critical importance to the American people.

Throughout her career she has been a legal trailblazer and a role model. She will be the fourth woman to serve on the high Court, and for the first time in history, three women will be serving on the bench when oral arguments are heard this fall. Her nomination marks an historic milestone of progress for women in the legal profession and in serving as leaders for our Nation.

A graduate of Harvard Law School, Ms. Kagan began her career as a law clerk to former Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, who like her, served as Solicitor General prior to being promoted to the high Court. Justice Marshall made history as the first African-American Solicitor General at the time and Ms. Kagan has followed suit as the first female Solicitor General.

Following her clerkship, Ms. Kagan worked in the private sector where she handled first amendment, commercial and criminal litigation. She then served in the highest ranks of academia as a law professor. This ultimately led to her becoming dean at the Harvard Law School, one of our nation's most prestigious institutions. Her ascension to dean marked the first time in Harvard Law School's 186-year history that a woman held this position. As dean, Ms. Kagan bridged ideological divides among faculty, recruiting professors from across the ideological spectrum, managing the largest and most prestigious law school in our nation and improving the quality of life for students.

Prior to becoming dean, Ms. Kagan served in high legal and policy positions in the Clinton administration, where she learned the operations of the executive and legislative branches of our government, which will help the Court better understand how policy judgments are made and the effect that the decisions of our government and courts have on the lives of everyday Americans.

Most recently, Ms. Kagan has dutifully served our Nation as the U.S. Solicitor General. The Solicitor General is often referred to as the 10th Justice because of the frequency that he or she appears before the Court on behalf of the United States. This experience exposed Ms. Kagan to nearly every case that has come before the current Court and she has had to weigh all of the same legal considerations as the current Justices prior to deciding the position of the U.S. Government. Few positions provide better preparation for the high Court.

While she has not previously served as a judge, though she was previously nominated to be one, I see her varied background as an asset. We need different life experiences on the Supreme Court. If confirmed, Ms. Kagan will be the first nonjudge since former Chief Justice William Rehnquist was nominated by former President Richard Nixon.

Her mix of professional experience will help ensure that we do not have a Court out of touch with the American people. Ms. Kagan has taught the law in the classroom, practiced in the public and private sector, worked in the judiciary as a clerk and crafted the policies of the executive branch. Everywhere she has worked, Ms. Kagan has excelled. Her experience is the kind of experience we should aspire for all of our justices to have before serving on the high Court.

The Supreme Court is too important to not hold our justices to high standards of intellect and achievement--a standard Ms. Kagan meets. It is our best and brightest who should serve in these important positions. We need Justices who respect precedent, hew closely to the text of the law and do not pursue an agenda from the bench.

We do not need activist judges whether they come from the right or left. The American people do not want an ideologically driven Supreme Court that is pursuing a political agenda. We want a Court that respects precedent and helps resolve the legal questions of our time as they affect our daily lives.

I would like to close by thanking outgoing Justice John Paul Stevens for his service to our country. Justice Stevens presided on the Court during a period of great change and accomplishment for our nation. He is a member of the Greatest Generation and is a true patriot for his service during World War II. Justice Stevens has been an intellectual heavyweight on the bench and provided a voice of reason even while we have seen the Court drift so heavily in favor of the most powerful interests. He has left large shoes to fill and will be missed.

President Obama has nominated someone who can fill these shoes. Because of the breadth and diversity of her experience, Elena Kagan has a profound understanding of the law and effect the Supreme Court has on the lives of all Americans. She is an intellectual heavyweight in her own right and will help the Court bridge the divides of recent years.

I am proud to commit my vote in favor of this nominee.

Madam President, I am thrilled that today the Senate has passed what must be a top Senate priority every day: the health and well being of our children.

The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act reauthorizes child nutrition programs before they expire on September 30. This bipartisan, completely paid-for legislation will make the most historic investment in child nutrition programs since their inception. And I am proud to support this bill.

At a time when childhood obesity rates are skyrocketing and child poverty is increasing, this bill couldn't be more important. For kids to be successful in the classroom they must be well nourished--kids who eat right, learn better.

More than 390,000 Colorado kids and millions more nationwide--rely on school meals, and this bill will make sure that those meals--and other foods kids have access to while at school--are nutritious and healthy. And that is just one example of the important investments this bill makes.

Coloradans know the value of healthy living--perhaps that is one reason why my State is the fittest State in the Union--but we too are struggling with rapidly increasing obesity rates, particularly among children.

Colorado is tackling the concurrent problems of child hunger and childhood obesity head-on with a State-led effort of ending childhood hunger by 2015 and a roadmap to do it. Simultaneously

Colorado has school districts and communities that are leading the Nation in piloting innovative models that put healthy eating and active living at the top of their priority list.

I am thrilled that the bill we passed today builds on and supports the work that my State is already doing, while challenging Colorado and other States to go even further, to eliminate childhood hunger, to tackle childhood obesity, to emphasize wellness, and to build a healthy foundation for all kids.

Chairman Lincoln, Ranking Member Chambliss, thank you for your leadership and diligent work on this historic bill. Passage of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act is an example of the Senate doing exactly what it should--delivering for our kids.

Madam President, I yield the floor.

Mr. President, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today to honor the life and heroic service of PO2 Justin McNeley. Petty Officer McNeley, a member of Assault Craft Unit One, ACU-1, based in San Diego, died from wounds sustained during a firefight that occurred on July 23, 2010. Petty Officer McNeley was serving in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Logar Province, Afghanistan. He was 30 years old.

A native of Wheat Ridge, CO, Petty Officer McNeley enlisted in the Navy in 2001, following in his father's footsteps. Although his initial term of service had already finished, Petty Officer McNeley decided to stay in the Navy and continue to serve his country.

During over 9 years of service, Petty Officer McNeley distinguished himself through his courage, dedication to duty, and willingness to take on any challenge--no matter how dangerous. Commanders recognized his extraordinary bravery and talent. They described him with the words ``hardworking'' and ``dedicated,'' and noted that he regularly volunteered for hazardous duty.

Petty Officer McNeley worked on the front lines of battle, serving in the most dangerous areas of Afghanistan. He is remembered by those who knew him as a consummate professional with an unending commitment to excellence. His family remembers him as a dedicated father, who loved to serve his country. Friends and neighbors remember him as a motorcycle enthusiast with undeniable charisma. He even traded pen pal letters with students from an elementary school in Arizona, where he used to live.

Mark Twain once said, ``The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.'' Petty Officer McNeley's service was in keeping with this sentiment--by selflessly putting country first, he lived life to the fullest. He lived with a sense of the highest honorable purpose.

At substantial personal risk, he braved the chaos of combat zones throughout Afghanistan. And though his fate on the battlefield was uncertain, he pushed forward, protecting America's citizens, her safety, and the freedoms we hold dear. For his service and the lives he touched, Petty Officer McNeley will forever be remembered as one of our country's bravest.

To Petty Officer McNeley's entire family, I cannot imagine the sorrow you must be feeling. I hope that, in time, the pain of your loss will be eased by your pride in Justin's service and by your knowledge that his country will never forget him. We are humbled by his service and his sacrifice.

Madam President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, today I recognize and congratulate the Colorado Trust, as this year marks the 25th anniversary of the Trust's opening.

With the complex goal of advancing the health and well-being of all Coloradans, the Colorado Trust has strived to assure affordable, superior, and easily accessible health care to Coloradans of all ages. From its inception in 1985 the Trust has addressed a variety of community needs by giving more than $300 million in grants to an array of individuals and groups.

By developing an understanding of the State's most difficult health care concerns, the Trust has been able to bring the many diverse voices on health care reform together to work towards a solution that improves the lives of all Coloradans. Their shared goal is to achieve access to health care for all Coloradans by 2018, and they are well on their way. Recently, to give one example, the Trust was able to bring 911 emergency medical assistance to 38 of Colorado's counties.

As a result of last year's Colorado Healthcare Affordability Act and Federal health care reform, more than 100,000 uninsured Coloradans will have coverage. But rather than simply ensuring that these Coloradans are covered, the Colorado Trust is ensuring that the care they receive is truly affordable while still top notch and accessible. The Colorado Trust serves as the exemplar to all of us, demonstrating that by working together with a strong commitment to the betterment of others, we can tackle the most complex and pressing situations.

Madam President, I also rise today in support of Bill Martinez's nomination to serve on the Federal district court in Colorado.

Before I talk about that, I wish to take a moment to address this small business bill that is before the Senate because people are watching this in my State, and they are saying to themselves: We have spent 18 months with credit frozen--longer than that for small businesses--and Washington cannot seem to do anything for us.

Today is the day Washington could do something for small businesses in my State and across the country. And it is not a case of Democrat against Republican; this feels to me like a case of Washington politics against the rest of the country. So I lend my voice to the Senator from Florida and say that I hope the leadership can get it together.

I wish to add my push today for the unanimous consent request of the senior Senator from Colorado to consider this nomination of Bill Martinez. We need him confirmed so he can begin serving our State.

Bill appeared before the Judiciary Committee in March, where I had the privilege of introducing him. His nomination passed the committee with votes to spare in April. The Martinez nomination, like so many others, has gotten stuck because of the obstructionist tactics of a few.

So this man with a breadth of public and private sector legal experience that makes him more than qualified to serve on the Federal bench is being held up month after month.

Like my senior Senator, I am frustrated with the secret delays in this body. The purposeless shelving of nominations such as this one and even of important legislation affects real lives and poisons the atmosphere in the Senate.

There are 99 vacancies in the Federal court right now. To date, the President has nominated 39 individuals to fill these vacancies. For the sake of judicial efficiency and ensuring fair access for all of our people to our courts, I think it is time to move ahead on outstanding nominees who have cleared the Judiciary Committee easily. For the nominees, careers and families are being put on hold. If a nominee is unqualified or unfit for office, then let's have those concerns registered for public consumption.

Like far too many Coloradans, I am so frustrated with our broken politics. Instead of making sure qualified candidates are confirmed to key government posts, the Senate has secret holds and stall tactics. It is painful to watch, and it is painful to the American people to live through.

Bill Martinez, for one, has earned better treatment through a lifetime of professional achievement. He has a stellar reputation and credentials in Denver and possesses rare intangibles too. His career spans the legal profession and represents a true immigrant success story on which this country is founded. Bill was the first in his family to attend college. His experience is an inspiration to all Coloradans.

Is there any reason this attorney with an expertise in employment law and civil rights, coupled with years of courtroom experience, should not receive an up-or-down vote? I, for one, would like to know, as would the people of Colorado. I ask my colleagues to end the delay of consideration of Bill Martinez. Let's have an up-or-down vote on Bill Martinez and then move forward and go through other remaining nominees being needlessly upheld.

Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act

With the indulgence of my colleague from Minnesota, I wanted to mention one last thing. While I am here, I would also like to call attention to another priority that languishes as the Senate wastes time wrangling over nominees and partisan politics: the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, a fully paid for, bipartisan bill that unanimously passed out of committee last March. This bill will make a tangible difference in the lives of millions of children.

It is high time the Senate begin doing the people's business again.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I rise today to urge this body to get our priorities straight. During this trying moment for struggling families all over America, as we work to get our economic ship righted, it is our kids and schools that should be at the top of our list.

And moving forward with a more lasting agenda, this body must make good on our commitment to ensure that we leave more opportunity for our children than we ourselves have had. It starts with our commitment to education.

We have a very American responsibility--to set the table for our kids' futures; to prepare them for the competitive world that awaits them; and to enrich their lives with a better education than the one that was offered to us. This is our central calling.

As I have discussed many times before back in Colorado and here on the Senate floor, we must be willing to make the hard choices necessary to jumpstart our economy and put the country on a path that will return us to fiscal responsibility. This means recognizing how we got into this fiscal mess--by not paying for our priorities, not planning for future emergencies, taking on more than we can afford, and damaging, expensive bailouts.

Yet we cannot fight our way out of this fiscal hole riding on the backs of our kids. It is wrong, and it is a disservice to them.

I support legislation to preserve teacher jobs. And the full Senate must do the same. In so many areas, our children are taking the brunt of our economic downturn. School is one place we have to try to inoculate from economic hardship.

Hundreds of thousands of teachers across the country--including an estimated 3,000 teachers in Colorado--are in jeopardy of losing their jobs if we do not act. Districts have already cut their budgets substantially. The education jobs package would preserve thousands of these middle-class jobs.

I am the first person to say that we cannot simply continue to do the same thing in education and expect a different result. We need to improve the system so it does a better job of supporting our teachers and educating students.

However, we cannot stand by while schools are devastated by layoffs. Allowing this would be a shortsighted blow against our communities.

The education jobs package would keep people working, and ensure that students can continue learning. This will actually spur economic recovery in the short run, preserving thousands of good jobs, and by laying the groundwork for our kids' success, it would foster prosperity in the long run.

Preserving teaching jobs is a commonsense investment. Yet inside the Beltway the livelihood of our teachers has become a political pawn. We have seen people using this money as a negotiating tool. And we have seen people force false choices between jobs and critical education reforms. Let's not play politics with our children's future.

I call on our colleagues to move quickly to pass an education jobs package and keep our teachers in the classroom so our kids have the tools they need to succeed.

Mr. President, I would like to recognize a treasured Coloradan, Mrs. Lena Archuleta, a champion of Hispanic rights who is celebrating her 90th birthday this year. Lena represents the true spirit of commitment to the greater good. Her dedication to education and public service demonstrates the change that we can inspire through hard work, sympathy, and kindness.

Lena was born in Raton, NM, in 1920. She was awarded a scholarship at the University of Denver where she studied Spanish and education and later received a master's in library science. In 1951, she joined the Denver Public Schools' Department of Library Services were she maintained her belief that a high-quality education should be accessible to all students regardless of gender, race, or nationality. This belief led Lena to work with the Denver Public Schools' Federal Project to promote and jumpstart programs for bilingual education. In 1974, she used her vast experience in the education field to become the principal at Fairview Elementary and the first Hispanic principal in Denver public schools' history. In addition to this honor, she later became the first Hispanic woman appointed to a central administrative position. Mrs. Archuleta dedicated and accumulated 17 years to New Mexico and Colorado classrooms, as well as 14 years as a school administrator.

While I am pleased to have the honor of recognizing Mrs. Archuleta and her great accomplishments, this is not the first time her dedication and commitment to serving others has been recognized and I doubt that it will be the last. In 1963 the Latin American Educational Foundation appointed her to be the first woman to serve as president of its board of directors. In 1986, she was inducted into the Colorado Women's Hall of Fame as the first Hispanic inductee. In addition to these and other honors, both regional and national, Denver's Lena Lovato Archuleta Elementary School was named after her in 2002. This was perhaps, the most fitting of all of her honors as this elementary school nurtures the same environment of discovery and lifelong learning that Mrs. Archuleta herself created and passed along to fellow educators, students, and community members. Truly representative of her spirit and life's work, Mrs. Archuleta didn't merely accept the honor, she went on to raise $20,000 for the school's library.

Mrs. Lena Archuleta continues to recognize and nurture the skills of her students and those around her. Through continued volunteer work with organizations such as the AARP in Colorado, she inspires others to achieve their goals using entrepreneurship, dedication, and compassion. Working in schools, Lena has inspired many of us through her example. She has shown Coloradans that with humility, devotion, and empathy we can improve the lives of others. For these reasons, today, we recognize Mrs. Lena Archuleta.