Floor Statements

Madam President, in mid-June, I asked Idahoans to share with me how high energy prices are affecting their lives, and they responded by the hundreds. The stories, numbering well over 1,200, are heartbreaking and touching. While energy prices have dropped in recent weeks, the concerns expressed remain very relevant. To respect the efforts of those who took the opportunity to share their thoughts, I am submitting every e-mail sent to me through an address set up specifically for this purpose to the Congressional Record. This is not an issue that will be easily resolved, but it is one that deserves immediate and serious attention, and Idahoans deserve to be heard. Their stories not only detail their struggles to meet everyday expenses, but also have suggestions and recommendations as to what Congress can do now to tackle this problem and find solutions that last beyond today. I ask unanimous consent to have today's letters printed in the Record.

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 President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to speak in morning business for up to 10 minutes.

Mr. President, as the 110th Congress comes to a close this fall, a chapter in Idaho politics also comes to a close. After serving in public office, first in the Idaho State Legislature from 1975 to 1981, then in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1981 to 1990, and finally in the U.S. Senate from 1991 to 2009, my colleague Senator Larry Craig is retiring from elective office. Over the years, he has doggedly pursued initiatives important to Idahoans and staunchly defended Western values.

Our colleagues in the Senate know about Senator Craig's work over the years ensuring that the U.S. agricultural community has the support needed to thrive and continue ensuring our food security and playing a major role in the global economy.

Our colleagues know about Senator Craig's consistent stand on public lands, his unflinching defense of private property rights and reliably supporting those who are caretakers of this invaluable national resource.

Our colleagues know Senator Craig's stalwart defense of our second amendment rights and his tireless call for a balanced budget and lower taxes.

Our colleagues in the Senate know that Senator Craig has, on a number of occasions, reached across the aisle to promote bipartisan legislation.

Our colleagues in the Senate know and have depended on the leadership exhibited over the years by a man with humble beginnings, born in a small Idaho town, on a family farm where he returned after college until the people of Payette and Washington Counties elected him to represent them in the Idaho State Legislature.

What may not be so well known about the senior Senator from Idaho is his commitment to adoption, to our youth, to community service, to our veterans, and to our seniors.

Senator Craig's three children are adopted. Over the years, he became a congressional leader in promoting adoption and working on policy initiatives that help adoptive parents and young children needing to find loving homes. He also helped found the Congressional Coalition on Adoption.

Senator Craig did not only champion adoption in Congress, he took a strong leadership role in the Congressional Awards Foundation. This is an outstanding program that encourages young people to set high goals, to work toward them, and then when they have achieved these goals, it gives this body the opportunity to recognize their extraordinary accomplishments. The sense of community service this program grows in young people imparts a lifelong sense of civic duty and responsibility. In short, it grows great Americans.

Speaking of great Americans, Senator Craig has been a champion of veterans as well, prioritizing their changing needs over the years and helping remind all of us that when a man or a woman defends the United States of America, that individual deserves to have this Nation care for them in their return and in their time of need.

A believer in bringing Washington to Idaho, Senator Craig has hosted over 300 townhall meetings since his election to the Senate. He has also made national priorities that involve Idaho and his priorities; namely, Department of Energy and defense operations and research at the Idaho National Laboratory, the Mountain Home Air Force Base, and Gowan Field for the home of the Idaho National Guard.

Senator Craig has not only supported children, young people, the military, and our veterans, he has also worked to champion the cause of the aging, serving on the Special Committee on Aging and keeping important senior issues at the forefront of our legislative policy.

Senator Craig's public service demonstrates a rich history of strong, conservative leadership, characterized by an unapologetic defense of democratic ideals of private property and personal liberty, woven together with an abiding and proactive concern for those without a voice in Washington. Idahoans across the State have come to know they can depend on Senator Craig to defend their economic well-being and their values.

It has been a privilege for me to serve with Senator Craig during my time in the Congress. I wish him and his wife Susan well as they enter this new chapter in their lives.

Mr. President, I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, I came down here to pay a tribute to our senior Senator from Idaho, Senator Larry Craig, and you can see the caliber of man he is--he came down and paid tribute to me. That is the way he is.

I want to add to my remarks by thanking Senator Craig personally for his tremendous assistance to me. From the very first day that I stepped foot on the floor of the Senate--in fact, before that, when I was trying to get elected to the Senate--Senator Craig was there to help. And once I was elected, Senator Craig set about making sure I could be successful.

As he has indicated by his gracious remarks, that is the kind of man he is. He is a tremendous friend and he is a tremendous advocate and he has the kind of principles and values that have helped him to represent the people of Idaho so well over the years. He has committed his life to public service and has shown the people of Idaho and the people of this Nation the kind of leadership we should have in this country, fighting for those kinds of principles that I have mentioned--whether it be private property rights, a balanced budget, lower, smaller government, protecting those without a voice, working for the veterans, working for senior citizens, and his commitment to working for our newest citizens of our world, those who need adoption. The list goes on and on and on.

I want to personally thank you, Larry, for the opportunity to serve with you here in the Senate, and to tell you that I and all of us in Idaho will miss you and look forward to continuing to work with you as you enter this new chapter of your life.

Mr. President, I yield the floor, and I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, in mid-June, I asked Idahoans to share with me how high energy prices are affecting their lives, and they responded by the hundreds. The stories, numbering well over 1,200, are heartbreaking and touching. To respect their efforts, I am submitting every e-mail sent to me through an address set up specifically for this purpose to the Congressional Record. This is not an issue that will be easily resolved, but it is one that deserves immediate and serious attention, and Idahoans deserve to be heard. Their stories not only detail their struggles to meet everyday expenses but also have suggestions and recommendations as to what Congress can do now to tackle this problem and find solutions that last beyond today. I ask unanimous consent to have today's letters printed in the Record.

Mr. President, in mid-June, I asked Idahoans to share with me how high energy prices are affecting their lives, and they responded by the hundreds. The stories, numbering well over 1,200, are heartbreaking and touching. To respect their efforts, I am submitting every e-mail sent to me through an address set up specifically for this purpose to the Congressional Record. This is not an issue that will be easily resolved, but it is one that deserves immediate and serious attention, and Idahoans deserve to be heard. Their stories not only detail their struggles to meet everyday expenses, but also have suggestions and recommendations as to what Congress can do now to tackle this problem and find solutions that last beyond today. I ask unanimous consent to have today's letters printed in the Record.

Mr. President, as an Idahoan, I have many reasons to be proud of the accomplishments of fellow Idahoans, and today, I have yet another: in early September, the Federal Aviation Administration notified the Boise Air Traffic Control Tower--BOI ATCT-- that it had been selected as National Facility of the Year for fiscal year 2007. In a category that included 112 other facilities nationwide, the BOI ATCT scored higher than the others on safety metrics, employee focus, innovation and customer service. I congratulate Gordon Stewart, BOI ATCT manager and his staff for their teamwork, positive, winning attitudes and overall excellence. As Gordon noted recently, he and his team are ``ever cognizant of the public trust bestowed upon our profession, and with that knowledge we constantly strive to move the bar of excellence higher. . . . The greatest tool at our disposal is communication.'' This award comes on the heels of a regional award that the BOI ATCT team won for fiscal year 2006.

I wish BOI ATCT continued success in its service and its highly effective partnerships with the Boise Airport, Idaho Air and Army National Guard, National Interagency Fire Center, passenger and cargo airlines and corporate and general aviation. It is good to know that an airport that I frequently use abides by such high standards of safety and service.

Mr. President, in mid-June, I asked Idahoans to share with me how high energy prices are affecting their lives, and they responded by the hundreds. The stories, numbering well over 1,200, are heartbreaking and touching. To respect their efforts, I am submitting every e-mail sent to me through an address set up specifically for this purpose to the Congressional Record. This is not an issue that will be easily resolved, but it is one that deserves immediate and serious attention, and Idahoans deserve to be heard. Their stories not only detail their struggles to meet everyday expenses, but also have suggestions and recommendations as to what Congress can do now to tackle this problem and find solutions that last beyond today. I ask unanimous consent to have today's letters printed in the Record.

Madam President, in mid-June, I asked Idahoans to share with me how high energy prices are affecting their lives, and they responded by the hundreds. The stories, numbering well over 1,000, are heartbreaking and touching. To respect their efforts, I am submitting every e-mail sent to me through an address set up specifically for this purpose to the Congressional Record. This is not an issue that will be easily resolved, but it is one that deserves immediate and serious attention, and Idahoans deserve to be heard. Their stories not only detail their struggles to meet everyday expenses, but also have suggestions and recommendations as to what Congress can do now to tackle this problem and find solutions that last beyond today. I ask unanimous consent to have today's letters printed in the Record.

Mr. President, in mid-June, I asked Idahoans to share with me how high energy prices are affecting their lives, and they responded by the hundreds. The stories, numbering well over 1,000, are heartbreaking and touching. To respect their efforts, I am submitting every e-mail sent to me through an address set up specifically for this purpose to the Congressional Record. This is not an issue that will be easily resolved, but it is one that deserves immediate and serious attention, and Idahoans deserve to be heard. Their stories not only detail their struggles to meet everyday expenses, but also have suggestions and recommendations as to what Congress can do now to tackle this problem and find solutions that last beyond today. I ask unanimous consent to have today's letters printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I rise today to recognize and honor Idaho's first responders.

I have been joined by a bipartisan group of my Senate colleagues in passing a resolution that designates today, September 25, 2008, as National First Responder Appreciation Day. I would like to celebrate this day by showing my appreciation for the brave men and women who have risked life and limb and sacrificed family time and personal comfort to perform a task that is critical to citizens of the State of Idaho.

I would like to recognize the heroic efforts of all of Idaho's first responders, our firefighters, EMTs, medical personnel, and law enforcement officers. Thousands of first responders have made the ultimate sacrifice and have proven critical in leading the Nation through national tragedies like September 11 and natural disasters such as Hurricanes Ike and Gustav, through flooding in the Midwest, Hurricane Katrina and wildfires across the Western United States.

In Idaho, fire is a way of life. During the 2007 fire season, over 2 million acres burned, more than at any other time in Idaho's recorded history. Generally, Idaho's fire season begins in mid-July and extends into September, but in 2007, the Cascade Complex fire burned until the snow fell. The Cascade Complex fire was only one of several very large fires last year. The East Zone Complex fire in central Idaho burned over 300,000 acres, and the Murphy Complex fire in south-central Idaho burned over 600,000 acres. During this trying time, our first responders and firefighters went above and beyond the call of duty. Incident management teams and area command teams worked for weeks on end, battling flames and working to protect homes and lives. I have had the opportunity to visit fire camps and speak to these heroes who, like our veterans, often endanger their own lives to save the lives of others. Staff at the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, ID, is to be commended for their tireless response coordination efforts.

While the severity of this fire season has not risen to the level of last year's fire season in Idaho, firefighters and other first responders have remained vigilant. The Oregon Trail fire in Boise, ID, began on August 25, 2008, when a brush fire, fed by 50 mph. winds, dry sage brush, high heat, and aided by sloped terrain, spread to the nearby Oregon Trail and Columbia Village subdivisions. The fire caused the destruction of ten homes, damage to nine others, and claimed the life of Mary Ellen Ryder, a professor at Boise State University. During this trying time, my thoughts and prayers go out to the Ryder family and others who have homes that have been lost or damaged. Thankfully, preplanning and preparation enabled Boise firefighters to avert the possibility of greater damage and loss. Firefighters arrived at Sweetwater Drive within 2 minutes of the first call, and they proceeded to risk their lives to draw a fire line between the burning houses and the other nearby subdivisions, protecting more than 1,000 homes and countless families.

The example of professionalism, strength, and bravery displayed by the Boise Police and Fire Departments during the events of the Oregon Trail fire is just one of many examples I could cite to illustrate the invaluable service wildland, municipal, and volunteer firefighters provide to our communities. Likewise, our EMTs, medical personnel, law enforcement, and others put their lives on the line daily to help others. Today, these efforts will receive recognition before the United States Senate and the American people.

Mr. President, in mid-June, I asked Idahoans to share with me how high energy prices are affecting their lives, and they responded by the hundreds. The stories, numbering well over 1,000, are heartbreaking and touching. To respect their efforts, I am submitting every e-mail sent to me through an address set up specifically for this purpose to the Congressional Record. This is not an issue that will be easily resolved, but it is one that deserves immediate and serious attention, and Idahoans deserve to be heard. Their stories not only detail their struggles to meet everyday expenses, but also have suggestions and recommendations as to what Congress can do now to tackle this problem and find solutions that last beyond today. I ask unanimous consent to have today's letters printed in the Record.

Mr. President, in mid-June, I asked Idahoans to share with me how high energy prices are affecting their lives, and they responded by the hundreds. The stories, numbering well over 1,000, are heartbreaking and touching. To respect their efforts, I am submitting every e-mail sent to me through an address set up specifically for this purpose to the Congressional Record. This is not an issue that will be easily resolved, but it is one that deserves immediate and serious attention, and Idahoans deserve to be heard. Their stories not only detail their struggles to meet everyday expenses, but also have suggestions and recommendations as to what Congress can do now to tackle this problem and find solutions that last beyond today. I ask unanimous consent to have today's letters printed in the Record.

Mr. President, late this fall, my longest-serving staff member, Linda Norris, will be retiring from my staff. Linda has provided 18 years of professional, tireless and dedicated service to the people of Idaho, first as a member of my first House campaign staff in the early 1990s, then as my regional director in Twin Falls, ID, and my State director of constituent services on my Senate staff while retaining her position as Twin Falls regional director. She spent the last few years here in my Washington, DC, office, finishing her time on my staff in her function as State director of constituent services. Linda has consistently worked long hours over the years, and helped me immeasurably by her excellence in the field of constituent and community services and military and veteran relations.

When I met Linda in 1991, I was beginning my bid for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing the Second Congressional District of Idaho. She asked me very direct questions about my stand on issues, my goals were I to be elected, and my priorities. She vetted me. Once she was satisfied that I met her standards, she offered to take over regional operations for my campaign in south central Idaho in the Magic Valley and Sun Valley area. That began what was to be a highly successful working relationship of close to two decades, and a close personal friendship of a lifetime for me, my wife and family.

Linda has worked diligently on every task that she took on, either given to her or ideas she pursued independently. She has been involved in land issues, helping as we negotiated sensitive access and conservation policies with the tribes, the Air Force, the Idaho Department of Lands, private entities and the counties in the 1990s. She was my office liaison for the Harriman hiking trail in Sun Valley that finally was completed just a few years ago. A nurse by training, Linda is the reason why I became so closely involved in domestic violence issues. She was the first to crystallize the issue by arranging for me to visit a safe house where I met two children physically and emotionally devastated by brutality in their home. At that moment, I pledged to do all I could to work toward eliminating this terrible violence that occurs in too many homes across the United States and beyond.

Linda has a special place in her heart for the military and for veterans. As an Army spouse, she brought a special sense of empathy to her work, together with an extraordinarily perceptive understanding of protocol that goes a long way in ensuring that a Member of Congress's office maintains a positive relationship with Department of Defense officials. The importance of this cannot be understated when it comes to helping Idaho military members and veterans when they have questions or concerns about military and veterans' affairs issues. Linda leaves my office held in very high esteem by both Idaho and national military and veterans affairs officials. Linda also has been solely responsible for the past 15 years for the military academy nomination process in my office. The other members of the Idaho delegation have even advised new staff members to talk to her about the proper procedures and protocol for this complicated and very important process. And, close to 10 years ago, Linda suggested that I create the Spirit of Idaho and Spirit of Freedom awards. The Spirit of Idaho award recognizes extraordinary efforts of Idahoans for community service performed outside of their work life. The Spirit of Freedom Award is one that I present annually to veterans and volunteers for their service to our country and to veterans.

Linda has worked behind the scenes, helping countless constituents when they encounter difficulties with federal agency processes and procedures. She has done everything from facilitate a faster passport application, to helping a number of Idahoans receive Purple Hearts and other military awards, and even helped family members obtain them for relatives long deceased. Linda has celebrated with people who have had long-term problems resolved and cried with mothers who have gotten frightening, desperate calls from a son or daughter deployed overseas and going through bouts of depression or worse. Through it all, she has maintained her composure, professionalism and judicious compassion. Linda also has a reputation for being a patient teacher and mentor. She has provided new staff members with effective training and advice

In all the years Linda has worked for me, she has put Idahoans first and strictly adhered to the ethical and moral requirements of congressional staff work. I could ask for no better service nor could Idahoans. Linda Norris will be missed by staff and constituents alike, and I will miss her professional counsel and hard work. Fortunately, my wife and I have years of her friendship to look forward to, and she knows that Susan and I wish her the best as she begins a new and different journey in her life.

Madam President, in mid-June, I asked Idahoans to share with me how high energy prices are affecting their lives, and they responded by the hundreds. The stories, numbering well over 1,000, are heartbreaking and touching. To respect their efforts, I am submitting every e-mail sent to me through an address set up specifically for this purpose to the Congressional Record. This is not an issue that will be easily resolved, but it is one that deserves immediate and serious attention, and Idahoans deserve to be heard. Their stories not only detail their struggles to meet everyday expenses, but also have suggestions and recommendations as to what Congress can do now to tackle this problem and find solutions that last beyond today. I ask unanimous consent to have today's letters printed in the Record.

Madam President, it is an honor for me to recognize a man who has made it his life's work to recognize the contributions of Idaho veterans and educate the next generation of Idahoans about the sacrifices made by those who have fought for our great Nation. Stewart Portela, a teacher at Firth High School, is the author of three books on Idaho veterans. He has arranged no fewer than eight student tours back here to Washington, DC,

and to area Civil War battlefields himself, in order to make the trip more affordable for his students. He accompanies his students on these educational tours. He has held graduation ceremonies in conjunction with the Firth High School graduation ceremonies to graduate local veterans who enlisted in the military prior to graduating from high school. Named ``Operation Veteran,'' this idea has spread to at least 10 neighboring high schools.

Stewart is responsible for the display of photos of all the local veterans in the high school hallways, complete with unit designation, years, branch, and wars. There are over 200 veterans whose photos are displayed at Firth High School. He conducts the Veterans Day program at the high school every year. In 2007, 87 veterans and 600 people from the local community attended the ceremony.

As a teacher, Stewart brings history to life. With close to 40 students in his military history class every year, Stewart is proud to be able to share experiences firsthand with them, like earlier this year when an 87-year-old veteran who served aboard the USS Pennsylvania at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, told his story to Stewart's class. In fact, Stewart's extraordinary efforts were recently rewarded when he was honored as one of three Idaho recipients of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Idaho Teacher of the Year for 2007-2008.

Stewart has been the featured speaker at more than 40 veterans, civic, or church groups, talking about veterans and their influence on our Nation. He has devoted many years, much energy, and great passion to remind us, young and old, that freedom is not free and that those who have made tremendous sacrifices for our freedom are a heartfelt thank-you away.

I am glad to recognize and thank Stewart for his ongoing contributions to inspire patriotism, recognize veterans, and promote the civic education of our children.

Mr. President, in mid-June, I asked Idahoans to share with me how high energy prices are affecting their lives, and they responded by the hundreds. The stories, numbering well over 1,000, are heartbreaking and touching. To respect their efforts, I am submitting every e-mail sent to me through an address set up specifically for this purpose to the Congressional Record. This is not an issue that will be easily resolved, but it is one that deserves immediate and serious attention, and Idahoans deserve to be heard. Their stories not only detail their struggles to meet everyday expenses, but also have suggestions and recommendations as to what Congress can do now to tackle this problem and find solutions that last beyond today. I ask unanimous consent to have today's letters printed in the Record.