Floor Statements

Mr. President, I appreciate the opportunity to be here today to highlight my support for a program that is improving life in Idaho and across the Nation--the Violence Against Women Act.

I appreciate joining my colleague Senator Leahy, who will be here on the floor in a few minutes, to formally open debate on this legislation, and hopefully we will be able to get this over the finish line this year, as it is so critical to so many people in this country.

For nearly two decades, the Violence Against Women Act has been the centerpiece of our Nation's commitment to ending domestic violence and dating and sexual violence. The Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence uses vital funds, among many other things, to promote the awareness of healthy relationships in middle and high schools in Idaho. It is heartening to hear that the number of Idaho high school students reporting that they have experienced dating violence has dropped by 5 percent from 2007 to 2011. However, I am sad to report that since just January 1 of this year, four deaths have occurred in my State from the result of domestic violence. And even one is too many. These tragic events serve as a reminder that while we are improving, we are far from ending this terrible abuse.

I am a lifelong champion of the prevention of domestic violence because I believe that while we are improving, we can and will do better. I stand behind this act as it provides critical services to victims of violent crime as well as agencies and organizations that provide important aid to those who are often victims in their own homes. This legislation provides access to legal and social services for survivors. It provides training for law enforcement, prosecutors, judges, attorneys, and advocates to address these crimes in our Nation's communities. It provides intervention for those who have witnessed abuse and are more likely to be involved in this type of violence. It provides shelter and resources for victims who have nowhere else to turn.

There is significant evidence that these programs are working not just in Idaho but nationwide. The U.S. Department of Justice reported that the number of women killed by an intimate partner decreased by 35 percent between 1993 and 2008. In 2012 it was reported that in 1 day alone, 688 women and their children impacted by violence sought safety in an emergency shelter or received counseling, legal advocacy, or children's support.

While we may not agree on all of the specifics of this reauthorization--and there are portions we will continue to negotiate on and to refine--we all do agree on one very important idea; that is, violence should not happen to anyone. This critical legislation is very effective in helping to address that abuse in our society.

As I said, there are parts of this legislation about which there are still concerns. I am committed, as is Senator Leahy, to working with those who have concerns to make the bill better and more workable so we can move it through to become law in this session of Congress. But after we debate and after we have worked and refined the legislation, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the authorization of this program and to continue the life-changing work this Chamber has been committed to for so many years.

I see my colleague Senator Leahy is on the Senate floor. I started a little before he got here. I know he is here to open the debate on this legislation. I again thank him for his work on this issue and look forward to working with him in this Congress as we move forward.

I have concluded my remarks. I yield my time.

Mr. President, today I wish to congratulate James E. Hogge on his upcoming retirement from serving as State director of the Idaho Small Business Development Center, SBDC, and recognize his remarkable career.

As State director of the Idaho SBDC for nearly 18 years, Jim has led the center with distinction and helped shape it into a highly regarded resource for small business consulting and training. He has provided strategic planning and financial and programmatic oversight and guided the center through challenges, including limited budgets. During his time leading the center, the Idaho SBDC was one of the first SBDCs in the country to be accredited and has received the highest accreditation possible in the past two reviews. The Idaho SBDC has also been in the top 10 percent of SBDCs in the country based on productivity and impact, which includes the growth of sales and jobs, capital raised, and return on investment.

Jim recognizes the immense value of partnerships in assisting businesses and has worked to utilize the expertise of individuals and organizations for the benefit of the entrepreneurs and businesses seeking assistance and all those involved in the partnerships. Some of his collaborative achievements during his time as State director include the development of a partnership with Boise State University, the University of Idaho, and Idaho State University to help Idaho's manufacturers increase their sales and reduce costs. Jim also planned and developed funding for the Technology and Entrepreneurial Center at Boise State University. Additionally, he developed collaborative projects with the University of Idaho Law School, the Idaho National Laboratory, the city of Boise, the Idaho Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Zions Bank, and the U.S. Forest Service.

Prior to his work at the Idaho SBDC, Jim spent 20 years serving our Nation in the U.S. Air Force as a weapons systems operator in F-111 and EF-111 aircraft. He has also provided significant service to the community and Nation through volunteering and serving on various local and national boards. This includes his service on the board of the Association of Small Business Development Centers, ASBDC, and his service as ASBDC Accreditation chair. He also served on the board of directors for Drug Free Idaho and the Idaho GemStars and was a founding board member for the Idaho Non-Profit Center. In addition, he was appointed to the Governor's Rural Task Force to help develop long-term strategies to help Idaho's rural communities, and he served on the Criminal Justice Council and as president of the Boise Sunrise Rotary Club.

Outstanding service has been the hallmark of Jim's career. I congratulate Jim on his many successes and thank him for his service to the community, State and Nation. I wish him a very happy retirement.

Mr. President, I wish today to commemorate Francis James Butterfield's 92nd birthday and pay tribute to his remarkable life.

Francis, who was born on November 2, 1920, to Millard E. and Margaret C. Payne Butterfield in Franklin County, NE, has led a positive life of dedicated service. His devotion to his country started early. His mother was active in the women's suffrage movement and looked forward to voting for the first time. Margaret was in labor with Francis on election day and braved the labor pains to cast her ballot before giving birth to Francis. As Francis describes it, ``So, that's how I got here--my Mom voted first, then she went home and had me.''

This dedication and resolve runs deep in Francis. He grew up during the Great Depression in a happy, resourceful, and grateful family despite the challenges. He helped with his two brothers' mechanic operation and worked retail sales before volunteering for the U.S. Army in 1942. He completed Officer Candidate School and served in the Pacific Theater during World War II. He was assigned to an Amphibian Tractor Battalion that served in Okinawa. He also served as a Tank Destroyer Unit commander and rose to the rank of captain before his honorable discharge from Active Duty in 1946. The military honors he earned for his service to our Nation include the American Theater Service Medal, Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, and World War II Victory Medal. He continued to serve in the U.S. Army Reserves until his honorable discharge from Reserve service in 1953.

On October 18, 1959, Francis married Doris Jo Runge, and they were blessed with two daughters: Georgia Jo and Virginia Jo. Francis had a 23-year career with the U.S. Postal Service. He served as a mail carrier, and he walked 25-30 miles per day delivering mail in Sidney, NE. Since Doris' passing in 1998, Francis spends time traveling to visit his family, including his daughters and granddaughter, Aleah. His daughters keep him busy fixing things, and he also enjoys shopping.

Francis is a positive, outgoing, friendly, and patriotic American. He is a problem solver with a ``can do'' spirit who does not let challenges get in his way. I commend him for his example of optimism and devotion and wish him great happiness.

Mr. President, my colleague Senator Jim Risch joins me today in paying tribute to ADM Kirkland Donald, U.S. Navy, as he prepares to complete a naval career that began with his graduation from the Naval Academy in 1975 and concludes with his past 8 years of service as Director of the Office of Naval Reactors.

As Director of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, Admiral Donald

has had stewardship of every aspect of the nuclear navy, from fleet operations and training to reactor design and ultimate disposition of spent nuclear fuel. The dedication required of this mission is extraordinary, and our Nation has benefited from Admiral Donald's steadfast leadership.

Over the course of his career, Admiral Donald excelled as an undersea commander. He served as the commanding officer of the nuclear-powered attack submarine USS Key West, commander of the elite Submarine Development Squadron Twelve and Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, and Allied Submarine Command, Atlantic. Other highlights include tours at the Bureau of Naval Personnel, the Joint Staff, and as commander of all U.S. submarine forces.

While at Naval Reactors, he has ensured the safe operations of the nuclear navy. Nuclear-powered warships have safely steamed over 150 million miles and operated for more than 6,400 reactor years without an accident. The most recent 20 million miles and 800 reactor-years have been achieved under Admiral Donald's leadership.

Among his many achievements, one of the most impressive is the consistent and quiet success of the Naval Reactors Facility, NRF, in Idaho Falls. The highly complex and scientific work done at NRF requires not only a highly skilled, diligent workforce but the trust and confidence of the people of Idaho. As a result of Admiral Donald's work, that confidence has flourished.

Admiral Donald has been instrumental to the future of the Navy, having overseen the highly successful construction of many Virginia- Class attack submarines, the final design and construction of the next- generation USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier, and the initial design of the Ohio-class replacement ballistic missile submarine. All three platforms incorporate impressive new technologies into the nuclear propulsion plants that have proven to be safe and reliable for nearly 70 years. These ships will allow the Navy to continue to protect America and our interests around the globe and would not be possible without the steadfast leadership of Admiral Donald.

Admiral Donald's selfless commitment to serving our Nation has left us safer and better prepared to respond to threats around the world. He leaves a legacy of service, dedication to the Navy, and commitment to the environment. With our deepest gratitude, we wish him the very best in retirement after an impressive and impactful career.

Mr. President, today I wish to acknowledge the second year of the presentation of the Idaho Hometown Hero Medal and congratulate the 2012 recipients of this esteemed honor.

This award was established by Drs. Fahim and Naeem Rahim, who, in addition to their professional and medical service, have a belief in community service and a desire to give back to the community and our country. After receiving the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, they decided to return to Idaho and start the Idaho Hometown Hero award to recognize and celebrate individuals who embody the spirit of philanthropy while showing remarkable commitment in both their personal and professional lives. Their efforts to recognize those working for the betterment of our communities play an important role in inspiring all of us.

I am honored to be among the 2011 recipients of this medal, and I congratulate the 2012 award recipients and recognize the efforts of the Rahim brothers, the award's committee members, the cosponsors, volunteers, and other organizations supporting this honor. Ten extraordinary individuals are 2012 Hometown Hero award recipients: Don Aslett, a businessman, author, and builder of Pocatello's Museum of Clean; Cpl Phillip Baldwin, a marine veteran of Afghanistan now training for the Paralympics; Jonathan Cree, M.D., a physician and medical educator; Patti Farrell, a women's advocate and founder of the Drive for the Cure; Warren E. Nyer, a nuclear energy expert and last survivor of the Manhattan Project; Jody Olsen, a lifelong athlete and promoter of the Southeastern Idaho Senior Games; Rudolfo M. Pena, a teacher, coach, and advocate for Latino education projects; and Bonnie Stoddard, newspaper writer and expert in the history of Clark County. In addition to these awards, there were two honorary medals awarded posthumously to Steve Appleton, the past chief executive officer of Micron Technology and founder of the Micron Foundation, who is survived by his wife and four children, and SGT Ryan Sharp, an Army veteran of Afghanistan, who passed away in December 2011 from injuries received in Kandahar Province.

Those honored through the 2012 Hometown Hero Medal have demonstrated a commitment to hard work, self-improvement, and community service. It is a great privilege to help recognize their outstanding talent and dedication to fellow Idahoans and Americans. I congratulate and thank all of the award recipients for your efforts to strengthen our communities and commend Fahim and Naeem and all those involved with this effort on the second anniversary of the award.

Mr. President, I would like to discuss a provision of the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 which reaffirms that private flood insurance can be used to satisfy a mandatory purchase requirement. This provision defines the term ``private flood insurance,'' and the definition makes a specific reference to private flood insurance from a surplus lines insurer in connection with nonresidential commercial property coverage. I would note, however, that insurance provided by surplus lines insurers also can cover residential properties--particularly when licensed and admitted insurers are unwilling or unable to provide the desired coverage--and this is authorized under state insurance law. The provision defines private flood insurance to include insurance provided by an insurer ``licensed, admitted, or otherwise approved'' to engage in the business of insurance by a State. Surplus lines insurers, also sometimes known as nonadmitted insurers, are approved to conduct such business by States. Is it the understanding of the Chairman that the ``private flood insurance'' definition includes surplus lines flood insurance coverage?

I thank my friend from South Dakota for this important clarification. This is an important issue, particularly in those limited high-risk areas where surplus lines insurance serves as an essential part of the homeowners insurance market. I agree with his reading of the statute, because state law already sets the parameters as to when surplus lines insurance is acceptable.

Mr. President, my colleague Senator Jim Risch joins me today in congratulating fellow Idahoan Kristin Armstrong, who won her second consecutive gold medal in the Olympic cycling time trial. Kristin's perseverance and drive is an inspiration.

In the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Kristin, who is a Boise resident and graduate of the University of Idaho, took home the gold. She returned to racing in 2011 after a retirement to give birth to her son, Lucas.

Throughout her racing career, Kristin has demonstrated remarkable dedication and strength. Despite breaking her collarbone in the Exergy Tour in Idaho 2 months ago and sustaining minor injuries from a crash just a few days before her London win, Kristin did not let these difficulties hold her back. She surpassed many skillful competitors to once again achieve the gold medal while also becoming the oldest champion in a road cycling event. Kristin's time of 37 minutes and 34.82 seconds for the 18-mile course was more than 15 seconds faster than the silver medalist. These are considerable accomplishments.

We join the many Idahoans and Americans who applaud Kristin's commitment and excellence. We also commend Kristin's friends and loved ones, including her husband, Joe Savola, and son, Lucas William Savola, who have supported Kristin. Kristin is truly a gifted athlete with immense abilities and talents. Her capacity to push forward beyond the challenges provides encouragement to all of us, and we congratulate her on this, and her many, extraordinary achievements.

Mr. President, today I wish to honor the life of Dick Eardley, who will be remembered as a man who cared deeply about his loved ones and community and worked hard to make a difference on their behalf.

As mayor for more than a decade, he was the longest serving mayor of Boise and was successful in enriching the city. During his time as mayor, he focused on revitalizing the city and worked extensively with business and community leaders to draw more commerce into downtown Boise. Those efforts led later to both a vibrant downtown core and to the development of the Boise Towne Square Mall, preservation of Boise's historic North End, creation of the Boise Arts Commission and bringing the World Center for Birds of Prey to Boise. He was also involved in many other local advancements, including the Greenbelt, the Senior Citizens Center, the parks, and Warm Springs Golf Course.

In addition to his public service, Dick had a career as a newsman. In his hometown of Baker City, OR, Dick worked in radio before moving to Idaho, where he went to work as a reporter covering sports and news for the Idaho Statesman. He then went on to work for KBOI-Channel 2 and KBOI-670. He announced high school sports and worked as a sportscaster and news executive. His reporting and work as city councilman and mayor earned many honors and recognitions.

Dick was an extraordinary individual who moved forward from a modest, Depression-era beginning in pursuit of his dreams. He had an exceptional way of connecting with people, which is likely why he had so many friends and acquaintances who admired and respected him. He had a deep love and devotion for his wife, Pat, of 57 years, who passed away 5 years ago, and he was a caring, giving and supportive father. Dick was also a natural athlete, who played semi-pro baseball and was known for his fondness and knack for golf.

I extend my condolences to Dick's loved ones, including his three sons, Randy, Rick and Ron; six grandchildren, and two great- grandchildren. Dick's example of respectful sincere, humble, benevolent service and hard work will endure.

Mr. President, today I wish to honor the life of Richard Lueking Bauer, a distinguished Idahoan who will be greatly missed.

Dick has been an involved Idahoan since he and his family moved to American Falls in 1963 when he purchased Bauer Chevrolet and Oldsmobile. Dick owned the business for 22 years and was recognized as a dedicated member of the community. Prior to moving to American Falls in 1963, Dick Bauer studied economics at Westminster College in Salt Lake City, Utah, served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Germany in 1954-1956 and married his wife of 55 years, Lois Saathoff.

Throughout his life, he devoted considerable time to community service and served in leadership roles on numerous boards, commissions and organizations. This includes his service on the Power County Airport Board, the Idaho Board of Aeronautics and the Board of Directors of the Idaho Housing and Finance Association. He was also a committed Lutheran, who was actively involved in Lutheran churches in his communities, and he was a member of the Board of Regents of Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington.

His efforts in the Republican Party included his service as national committeeman; State party chair, secretary and treasurer; county, regional and district chairman; mentor to political candidates; and member of the Ada County Lincoln Day Association. He also served as an elector for President Reagan and Vice-President Bush. President George H.W. Bush appointed Dick to serve as Regional Administrator for Region X of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Dick Bauer leaves behind a legacy of devoted service. He was a person that people turned to for assistance and leadership, and he touched the lives of many people. I extend my deep condolences to his wife, Lois, and their family. Dick will be missed but not forgotten.

Mr. President, today I wish to honor the life of Patricia Rae McCoy Rohleder. An Idaho native, Pat has been an integral part of the Idaho agriculture community for many years.

Pat had a remarkable 40-year career as a newspaper reporter that included many years of covering agricultural issues through the Capital Press. The value she placed on agricultural production was evident in her activity in this field. She was involved in many related efforts, including the Julia Davis Ag Pavilion project, Idaho Food Producers legislative meetings, and work on the Ag Pavilion Committee. The long list of awards and honors she received for her work includes three Conservation Writer of the Year honors from the Idaho Association of Soil Conservation Districts; two media awards from the Idaho Grain Producers Association; an Idaho Farm Bureau award for outstanding reporting of agriculture; an honorary life membership received in 2009 from the Owyhee Cattlemen's Association; and a special award for dedication and service to Idaho's agricultural industry received at the 2010 A. Larry Branen Idaho Ag Summit.

In addition to her writing, Pat had many other talents and interests including sewing, needle arts, playing the piano, and genealogy, and I understand her favorite title was ``Grandma.'' She was also an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Pat's action reflected her values. She always lived her life the way a person ought to and served as a great example to many. I extend my condolences to Pat's husband, Erwin Ralph Rohleder, her mother, Edna L. McCoy, and her many other family members and friends. Pat will be greatly missed.

Mr. President, today I wish to honor the life and legacy of Joseph ``Perry'' Swisher. A third-generation Idahoan, Perry committed much of his life to service to our State and Idahoans.

Perry was born in Bruneau, IA, and educated at Pocatello High School, University of Idaho Southern Branch and Idaho State University. He had an extensive career as a journalist and in elected office. This included his work as the Pocatello News Bureau manager for the Salt Lake Tribune, editor and publisher of the Intermountain, and assistant managing editor for the Lewiston Morning Tribune. In the late 1960s through mid 1970s, Perry owned The Book Arcade in Pocatello. For 7 years, he served as director of special services at Idaho State University and was involved in helping low-income and minority students succeed in college. He also served as a member and president of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, as Idaho State representative of Bannock County, Idaho State senator for Bannock County, and as a member of the Pocatello City Council. Perry received many awards and honors for his work and served on a number of boards and commissions.

His immense experience in many aspects of the communities he lived in and the State contributed to his deep understanding of Idaho and Idahoans. Perry was known for his ability to simplify complex issues and make them understandable. He was sharp and inquisitive and had a propensity for debate and thought-provoking discussions. Perry had a comprehensive knowledge and sense of Idaho history, which he was willing to share if asked. Although his political partisan affiliations were famously known to shift according to the cyclical vagaries of political thought, his own view of the world remained consistent. His view of current events, always stated in the context of Idaho history, was of enormous value to many, including to those in my office. He also had an innate kindness and fabulous sense of humor that made the lessons he delivered particularly enjoyable.

I extend my heartfelt condolences to Perry's wife of 64 years, Nicky Swisher, his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and many other family members and friends. Perry was truly exceptional. His steadfast determination and efforts in support of and to better our state will always be remembered.

Mr. President, I rise today to support and underscore the points just made by Senator Enzi in support of the U.S. Sugar Program, which, as he indicated, has operated successfully at no cost to the American taxpayers, consumers, or food manufacturers.

As you know, the sugar beet industry is very important to my State of Idaho, bringing in approximately $1.1 billion in revenue every year. History has shown that grocers and food manufacturers do not pass their savings from lower ingredient prices along to consumers.

For example, from the summer of 2010 until now, producer prices for sugar have dropped nearly 20 percent. In fact, the U.S. Sugar Program remains crucial because other nations are implementing trade-distorting subsidies for their otherwise uncompetitive sugar industries. The world sugar price, as is so often debated in these Halls, suffers from government-backed dumping that protects sugar producers overseas to the detriment of American sugar producers--hence, the need for the U.S. Sugar Program.

Consumers in the rest of the world pay, on average, 14 percent more for sugar--in the developed world, 24 percent more--than American consumers pay. In America, sugar is a readily available and affordable product.

Critics of U.S. sugar policy make the argument that the program causes disastrous shortages in U.S. sugar supply, which flies in the face of reality. U.S. farmers and producers have proven themselves, time and again, to be the most efficient in the world, but they cannot be left alone to face a trade market undermined by foreign government manipulation.

Nothing could be further from the truth, and the latest numbers released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture underline that. The USDA now estimates that there is enough sugar surplus to give every man, woman, and child in this country nearly 12 pounds of sugar on top of what they already consume. This is enough surplus sugar to fill the Capitol Dome 55 times.

I strongly encourage my colleagues to oppose any attempts at repealing this program. At risk would be 142,000 American jobs generated by the U.S.

sugar-producing industry. Many of these jobs would be lost to subsidized foreign producers who are generally less efficient and less reliable and produce sugar far less safely and responsibly than American sugar producers.

I support Idaho's sugar beet growers as well as sugar growers throughout the country. I am committed to ensuring that they have access to the tools they need to produce an affordable and abundant sugar supply.

The bottom line is not only is this program not a cost to the U.S. taxpayer, it generates revenue to help us reduce our deficit. These are the kinds of programs we need to protect American producers.

I encourage all of my colleagues to oppose the Shaheen amendment.

Mr. CRAPO: Mr. President, my colleague, Senator Jim Risch, joins me today in highlighting the career of one of Idaho's most distinguished football players, Jerry Kramer.

Jerry graduated from Sandpoint High School, in the northern part of our State, and attended college at the University of Idaho on a football scholarship. He was a standout player there, garnering selections to both the East-West Shrine Game and College All-Star Game.

After being drafted 39th, he signed on to play for the Green Bay Packers in 1958, and as football fans know, was part of a championship dynasty during his 11 playing years. He was an integral part of the famous ``Packer Sweep'' as the lead blocker for a running back going around the end.

Jerry Kramer is perhaps most famously known for ``The Block'' where he led quarterback Bart Starr into the end zone as time ran out in the 1967 NFL Championship game, defeating the Dallas Cowboys in what is known as the ``Ice Bowl.''

Jerry Kramer was a five-time All-Pro, a member of five championship teams, including the first two Super Bowls, and a member of the NFL's 50th Anniversary All-Time team. He was named to the NFL's All-Decade Team of the 1960s at offensive guard and led the NFL in field goal percentage in 1962.

Surprisingly, Jerry Kramer is the only player selected to the NFL's 50th Anniversary team who has not been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, OH.

It is time for this oversight to be corrected. Jerry Kramer is highly regarded. Sixteen current members of the NFL Hall of Fame, many who played against Kramer, have endorsed his nomination and election to the Hall. That list of players includes such greats as Roger Staubach, Frank Gifford, Alan Page, Bob Lilly, Jan Stenerud, Gino Marchetti and Coach Joe Gibbs, to name just a few.

There is no doubt in my mind, and certainly not in the mind of my colleague, Senator Risch, who highly favors his native State's Green Bay Packers, that Jerry Kramer's NFL career clearly qualifies him for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Besides his contributions on the football field, Jerry is a highly regarded citizen of Idaho who gives his time to worthy causes. Idahoans are very proud of his accomplishments and football fans throughout the state support his induction.

As Idaho's U.S. Senators, we support Jerry Kramer's selection to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Mr. President, my colleague Senator Herb Kohl joins me today in congratulating the 2011 winners of the Alfred P. Sloan Award for Excellence in Workplace Effectiveness and Flexibility, which recognizes companies that have successfully used flexibility to enhance both business results and employee goals. The Sloan Awards are presented by the When Work Works initiative, which is a project of the Families and Work Institute and the Society for Human Resource Management. In 2011, the When Work Works initiative was sponsored by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.

We want to draw your attention to the Sloan Awards because these organizations are to be commended for their

excellence in providing workplace flexibility practices that benefit both employees and employers. Achieving greater flexibility in the workplace, to maximize productivity while attracting and retaining talented individuals, is one of the key challenges facing organizations in the 21st century.

Organizations in the following 25 communities were eligible for recognition through the 2011 Sloan Awards: Arizona, statewide; Aurora, CO; Boise, ID; Charleston, SC; Chicago, IL; Dallas, TX; Dayton, OH; Durham, NC; Georgia, statewide; Houston, TX; Long Beach, CA; Long Island, NY; Louisville, KY; Melbourne-Palm Bay, FL; Michigan, statewide; Milwaukee, WI; Morris County, NJ; New Hampshire, statewide; Oregon, statewide; Providence, RI; Richmond, VA; Rochester, MN; Salt Lake City, UT; Twin Cities and St. Cloud, MN; and Winona, MN. In addition, there are several winners recognized in the at-large category. In these communities, organizations applied for, and winners were selected for, the Sloan Awards through a process that included employees' views as well as employer practices.

We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the 2011 winners of the Alfred P. Sloan Award for Excellence in Workplace Effectiveness and Flexibility. These organizations are to be commended for their excellence in providing workplace flexibility.

In Arizona, the winners are Arizona Foundation for Legal Services & Education; Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, AHCCCS; Autohaus Arizona, Inc.; Children's Dental Village; Custom Accounting & Tax-Cave Creek; Henry & Horne, LLP; Infincom; Keats, Connelly and Associates LLC; Microchip Technology Inc.; Omega Legal Systems, Inc.; Point B; Rio Salado College; Scottsdale Healthcare; Southwest Institute of Healing Arts, SWIHA; Verde Valley Sanctuary; and Wist Office Products.

In Aurora, CO, the winners are Arapahoe/Douglas Works! and Aurora Mental Health Center.

In Boise, ID, the winners are Alliance Title & Escrow Corp.; American Geotechnics; Givens Pursley LLP; Mountain States Group, Inc.; Red Sky Public Relations; and TitleOne Corporation.

In Charleston, SC, the winners are Barling Bay, LLC; Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce; Community Management Group; McKesson Corporation; and MMP School, Inc.

In Chicago, IL, the winners are AzulaySelden Law Group; Bryan Cave, LLP; Frost, Ruttenberg & Rothblatt, P.C.; Manpower; NCH Marketing Services-A Valassis Company; Ocean Tomo, LLC; Ounce of Prevention Fund; Perspectives, Ltd.; Recruit Training Command Great Lakes; Sanchez Daniels & Hoffman LLP; The Habitat Company; True Partners Consulting; Turner Construction Company; and Verizon Wireless.

In Dallas, TX, the winners are A. Miller Consulting Services, Inc.; Abernethy Media Professionals; Aguirre Roden Inc.; Dallas Convention & Visitor's Bureau; Delta Dallas; MHBT Inc.; Operation Kindnexx; and The Center for American and International Law.

In Dayton, OH, the winners are Azimuth Corporation; Barco, Inc.; Brower Insurance Agency LLC; Cornerstone Research Group; EAGLE Registrations Inc.; Eastway Behavioral Healthcare; Evanhoe & Associates Inc.; Greater Dayton Area Hospital Association; Macaulay-Brown; Premier Community Health; Radiance Technologies Inc.; Sebaly Shillito + Dyer; and Shumsky Enterprises, Inc.

In Durham, NC, the winners are American Institute for Certified Public Accountants (AICPA); American Journal Experts, LLC; Durham Convention & Visitor's Bureau; Hill, Chesson & Woody Employee Benefit Services; ICF International; McKinney; Rho, Inc.; Shodor Education Foundation, Inc.; and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-RTP.

In Georgia, the winners are Hancock Askew & Co., LLP; Mom Corps; Synergis; and WellStar Health System.

In Houston, TX, the winners are Abel Design Group, Ltd.; Binkley & Barfield, Inc.; ContentActive, LLC; Fronterra Integrated Geosciences; Houston Academy of Medicine-Texas Medical Center Library; Klotz Associates Inc.; McDonald's USA LLC; Memorial Hermann Healthcare System; Null-Lairson, P.C.; PKF Texas; Skylla Engineering Ltd.; The Dow Chemical Company; The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston; The VIA Group; University of Phoenix-Houston Campus; Vinson and Elkins; and Xvand Technology Corporation Provider of IsUtility.

In Long Beach, CA, the winners are Bryson Financial Group; La Strada; Molina Healthcare (Arco Location); and Molina Healthcare (Hughes Way Location).

In Long Island, NY, the winners are Albrecht, Viggiano, Zureck & Company, P.C.; America Institute of Physics; American Heart Association; Brookhaven Science Associates, LLC; Cerini & Associates, LLP; Creative Plan Designs, Ltd.; Jackson Lewis; P.W. Grosser Consulting, Inc.; and YES Community Counseling Center.

In Louisville, KY, the winners are Autodemo LLC; Emergint Technologies; Greater Louisville Inc.; Harding Shymanski and Company PSC; KIZAN Technologies LLC; Louis T. Roth & Co.; Lyndon Fire Protection District; McCauley Nicolas, CPAs & Advisors; Mediaura; Prestige Healthcare; Strothman & Company; The Tellennium Group; and Valassis Communication Inc.

In Melbourne-Palm Bay, FL, the winners are Courtyard by Marriott Melbourne; Early Learning Coalition of Brevard County, Inc.; Hoyman Dobson; Residence Inn by Marriott; and SunGuard Public Sector.

In Michigan, the winners are Altair Engineering; Brown & Brown of Detroit; Educational Data Systems, Inc.; E IT Professionals Corp.; Farbman Group; Frank Haron Weiner; Kapnick Insurance Group; Menlo Innovations LLC; Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration; National Multiple Sclerosis Society; Peckham, Inc.; Public Policy Associates Inc.; Visteon Corporation; and Work Skills Corporation.

In Milwaukee, WI, the winners are Kforce Inc.; Kolb+Co SC; ManpowerGroup; Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce; MGIC; and Robert W. Baird & Co.

In Morris County, NJ, the winners are Piemonte & Liebhauser, LLC and Solix, Inc.

In New Hampshire, the winners are Families in Transition and MeetingMatrix International.

In Oregon, the winners are FMYI, Inc.; Full Access; gDiapers; Innovative Care Management, Inc.; Isler CPA; Mercy Corps; Metropolitan Family Service; NPC Research; Oregon Environmental Council; Oregon Research Institute; Our House; Portland State University; PREM Group, Inc.; Ride Connection; River Network; Rose City Mortgage; Stoel Rives LLP; and Swift Collective.

In Providence, RI, the winner is Rhode Island Housing.

In Richmond, VA, the winners are Heritage Wealth Advisors; Vaco Richmond; and VCU Health System.

In Rochester, MN, the winners are Cardinal of Minnesota, Ltd.; Custom Alarm/Custom Communications, Inc.; Express Employment Professionals; markit; Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce; Rochester Community and Technical College; Rochester Public Library; Southeast Service Cooperative; United Way of Olmsted County Inc; University of Minnesota Rochester; and Xylo Technologies.

In Salt Lake City, UT, the winners are 1 800 CONTACTS; AAA Fair Credit Foundation; Big Brothers Big Sisters of Utah; Cafe Rio Mexican Grill; Christopherson Business Travel; DigiCert; Equitable Life & Casualty Insurance Company; Futura Industries; Intermountain Healthcare; McKinnon-Mulherin, Inc.; Software Technology Group; Thompson Ostler & Olsen; and Vivint, Inc.

In Twin Cities and St. Cloud, MN, the winners are Dorsey & Whitney LLP; Health Dimensions Group; LaBreche; Mahoney Ulbrich Christiansen Russ PA; Netgain; Prevent Child Abuse Minnesota; TURCK Inc.; and Western National Mutual Insurance Company.

In Winona, MN, the winners are Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Winona; Eastwood Bank; Hiawatha Broadband Communications, Inc.; Home and Community Options; Mediascope, Inc.; Merchants Bank; Sport & Spine Physical Therapy of Winona Inc.; and Winona Work-force Center.

The At-large winners are ACS-Madison, WI; Anneken Huey & Moser PLLC; Averett Warmus Durkee Osburn

Henning; Bader Martin P.S.; Bottom Line Systems, Inc.; Career Path Services; Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc.; Center for Seabees & Facilities Engineering; Cornell University; cSubs; Decision Toolbox; Fesnak and Associates; Frankfort Regional Medical Center; Gallagher, Flynn & Company, LLP; George Mason University; Humanix; JA Counter & Associates, Inc.; Lexmark International; Miklos Systems, Inc.; MorganFranklin Corporation-McLean, VA; Navy Air Logistics Office; Next Wave Systems LLC; Northeast Editing, Inc.; NPower Northwest; OCLC; OpenEye Scientific Software Inc; PatchPlus Consulting, Inc.; People for Puget Sound; Personnel Detachment Afloat West; Pride, Inc.; Social Dynamics, LLC; Sturgill, Turner, Barker & Moloney, PLLC; Technology Transfer Services; Technomics, Inc.; Training Squadron Ten; U.S. Navy EODTEU TWO; and WithinReach.

Organizations with winners in multiple cities are BDO; Bon Secours; Booz Allen Hamilton; Capital One; Clifton Gunderson; Deloitte, Ernst & Young; GoDaddy.com; Intel Corporation; KPMG; Laughlin Constable; McGladrey; Microsoft; PricewaterhouseCoopers; Ryan LLC; Service Express Inc.; and The Novo Group.

Again, we congratulate the 2011 winners of the Sloan Award and encourage their community leaders to recognize these best practices.

Mr. President, I appreciate the efforts by our Republican leader, Mitch McConnell, and by the ranking member of our Senate Budget Committee, Jeff Sessions, to give the Senate a chance today to do its job. It has been more than 3 years since the Senate has passed a budget, almost 1,100 days, $4 trillion in increased debt since we last had a budget. Yet it seems as if the current majority are the only ones who do not think passing a budget is part of our job.

I have to stop here for a moment and commend the chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, Senator Conrad. I know he has fought mightily to get a budget to this floor. But the politics he faces have not allowed him to do so. As of today, for 1,100 days we have not been able to see a budget proposal reach the Senate floor from our committee.

I have worked with Senator Conrad long and hard and will continue to do so, trying to get a broad, bipartisan solution brought forward. But today we need to take action on the Senate floor. Everyone else has a budget. The President has offered a budget. The House Republicans have offered a budget. The House Democrats have offered a budget. The Senate Republicans have introduced several budgets, which we will vote on here today.

Every American family and every American business has to develop a budget. Previous Congresses, including those that enacted the Congressional Budget Act last year, clearly saw the importance of Congress enacting a budget every year. In fact, it was that congressional budget act that we were able to get in place last year that put into effect the mechanism we are employing today which says if the majority party leadership fails to bring a budget forward by the statutory deadline, then any Senator has the right to call for consideration of any budget on the Senate Calendar.

Let's look at the budgets we will be voting on today. First we have the President's budget. At a time when our national debt is more than $15.6 trillion, well more than 100 percent of our gross domestic product, the President's budget seemingly makes no acknowledgment of the dramatic and predictable fiscal crisis we face. Instead of embracing the comprehensive work of his own fiscal commission, the Bowles-Simpson commission on which I served, or any of the other key bipartisan proposals that are available such as the Ryan-Wyden proposal or the Domenici-Rivlin plan or even coming up with a true reform plan of his own, the President's budget regrettably remains within the old discredited framework of trying to tax and spend our way into prosperity.

The President's budget would raise taxes by $2 trillion. This is in addition to the $1.2 trillion of tax increases in the health care law which are just beginning to take effect and will continue to roll out over the next few years. Perhaps even more remarkable, the President's budget actually increases spending by $1.2 trillion more than current law. So another $1.2 trillion in new spending, another $2 to $3 trillion in new taxes, no structural entitlement reform, and no discretionary spending reform.

Even though it is widely acknowledged that the current paths of our entitlement programs are unsustainable

and even though they are on track to soon become insolvent, the President's budget has no comprehensive reforms to our entitlement programs--none. The modest amount of health care savings he does propose would not even be enough to offset the extension of the doc fix or the other increases in the health care spending he proposes.

This is a dangerous approach, and it should be noted that this budget failed by a vote of 0 to 414 in the House. Yet we have no other pending proposal from the other side to consider.

Today the Senate will also have an opportunity to reject the President's approach to the Federal budget, and I expect it will do so, just as it did last time. Because the Democratic majority here in the Senate has failed to produce their own budget, we will also have the opportunity to vote on some important budget proposals offered by the House Budget Committee chairman and by our own colleagues here in the Senate, Senators Toomey, Paul, and Lee. Each of these proposals would include true comprehensive reforms to our entitlement programs to prevent the impending insolvency and to protect the programs for current and future generations, and would put us on a sustained pathway to balancing our Federal budget.

These budgets also call for comprehensive tax reform which takes us out of the old paradigm of Congress debating whether to raise or cut taxes and, instead, these proposals would each in their own way dramatically streamline the Tax Code, reduce the tax rates, and unleash significant economic growth in our economy. A byproduct of this robust economic growth would be an increase in revenues to help us deal with our pending debt crisis.

I again commend the chairman, Senator Conrad, for his effort to bring forward a comprehensive plan, a solution--one that originated with Bowles-Simpson on which he and I sat and one which has then been worked on by the so-called Gang of Six for a significant amount of time now to improve and bring forward, and one which the chairman is prepared to move when the opportunity is available. I have encouraged him to do it now. I believe we ought to have it on the floor today for this debate. But whenever the time becomes available, it is a proposal such as this that we need to be dealing with. We need to develop the bipartisan support that is necessary to pass it.

What is it? First of all, as we worked on the Bowles-Simpson commission, we made some basic decisions. We concluded that spending was the major problem--that is where the major part of the solution should be--but that revenue was also critical to the solution and that growing our economy was an important part of anything Congress should do. We first discussed putting together a strong approach to entitlement reform, structural entitlement reform. We put strong spending caps in place and we made clear that our spending patterns in the Federal budget would be brought under control. In addition, recognizing the importance and need for strong growth, we concluded that our Tax Code must be reformed and not on the traditional battleground of whether to raise taxes on one group or lowering taxes on another but in a complete paradigm shift to focus on the reforming of both our corporate and individual tax codes.

If you went about trying to create a Tax Code that was more unfair, more complex, more expensive to comply with, and more anticompetitive to our own American business interests, you would be hard pressed to do it different or worse than we have done with our own Tax Code. We concluded that we ought to reform that code to develop a strong, dynamic tax code for America to go forward with. That is why we proposed broadening the base, reducing the rates, and reforming the way we tax in America by simplifying our Tax Code and making America a strong, powerful, and robust economy as it historically has been.

Then we put together what is critical for any plan to succeed, and that is an enforcement mechanism. Congress has a perfect record of violating its own budgets. Congress has a record of ignoring the budgets, simply getting 60 votes to waive the Budget Act whenever Congress wants to spend in excess of a budget. Literally in every budget for the last two decades or more, Congress has done so; Republican or Democratic, the Congresses have done so. What we put together in our negotiations was an enforcement plan that would keep Congress within the walls of the budget we adopt. It would have a series of points of order to protect against the declaration of emergencies unjustifiably and would then force even emergency spending, that usually is conducted outside the budget, to be done in the face of a sequestration backed up by 67-vote points of order on the floor of the Senate. This kind of strong enforcement is also critical to what we must do to protect our Nation.

We need a comprehensive plan, we need to have entitlement reform, we have to have discretionary spending reform, and we need to have budget enforcement that is solid. We need to strengthen our revenue stream and enforce our Tax Code by lowering taxes. That gives American businesses the opportunity to compete aggressively across the globe.

If we do so, we will see a strong revenue component to our reform measures, and we will see strong growth coming out of the fact that we put together effective spending controls. But we have to get there. We have to do it.

I appreciate the opportunity to work with Senator Conrad as we try to put this kind of broad, comprehensive reform package together and build bipartisan support for it. But I am very discouraged still that we cannot get a budget proposal onto the floor of the Senate that we can work on.

I also appreciate the leadership of Senator McConnell and Senator Sessions, who have given the Senate the opportunity today to debate this issue and have votes, at least, on meaningful proposals that move us down the path I have discussed, and put us onto a pathway for economic prosperity and growth for all.

America is at a terrible crisis point. Our national debt is now exceeding over 100 percent of our GDP and threatens our economy. We must take action. We cannot let another year go by without adopting a budget on the floor of the Senate.

I yield the floor.