Floor Statements

Mr. President, on August 25, 2008, Idahoans residing on the Boise bench in the area of the Oregon Trail and Columbia Village subdivisions experienced immense devastation caused by a brush fire that became a residential nightmare. With the combination of 50 m.p.h. winds, dry sage brush, high heat, sloped terrain and homes with cedar shake shingles and wooden decks, a small grassfire exploded, claiming the life of one woman, destroying 10 homes and causing extensive damage to nine others. Mary Ellen Ryder, a professor at Boise State University, beloved wife of Peter Ryder and a friend to the community, was the single fatality. My thoughts and prayers and those of many Idahoans are with the Ryder family.

Although the fire caused great devastation, many lives and homes were saved because of the efforts of several courageous Idahoans. I would like to formally recognize one homeowner, two Boise police officers, one firefighter and one local humanitarian. Without their selfless service and personal sacrifices of physical safety, expense and time away from families and careers, the outcome and aftermath of the fire would have been much harder to endure. Thanks to homeowner Kent

Hallamore, a survivor of the fire, my office gained key insight into the contributions of these five citizens.

The first Idahoan I would like to acknowledge is Rod Poe. When the fire reached Rod's subdivision, he quickly alerted neighbors and evacuated the surrounding homes. Even before emergency assistance arrived, Rod was hosing down houses within the fire's path and putting out new blazes as they emerged. He stayed on the scene for the entire night and for many subsequent evenings inspecting the area for hot spots and patrolling for looters. His leadership in the community extended beyond physical service. He comforted the suffering, acquired household goods for those who had none, and contacted Boise's mayor to discuss future fire prevention solutions for the bench area.

Like Poe, officers Jason Rose and Chris Davis of the Boise Police Department were among the first to begin working at the location of the fire. These two men ran door-to-door urging residents to leave their homes. As homes ignited, the inferno-like conditions worsened and took their toll on the men. Their clothing caught fire; their vision blurred; and both suffered from smoke inhalation. Yet they faced these risks with valor, persisted in their duties and saved the lives of many residents.

Firefighter Charlie Ruffing is the sole coordinator of the Firefighters Burn-out Fund, a collection fund for the immediate needs of fire victims. In the aftermath of the Oregon Trail Fire, Ruffing responded on his personal cell phone around the clock. He worked diligently to collect cash and household goods and distribute them. To date, he has collected over $110,000 in cash and gift-card donations. He displayed tremendous compassion and individual care for each family he assisted. He exceeded his responsibilities and earned the trust and respect of those he sought to assist.

Finally, Pattie Wagstaff organized an assistance network and coordinated a community donation event which amassed even more personal and household goods than the fire victims needed. Since the coordinator of her church's disaster relief program was among the victims of the fire, Wagstaff heroically filled the void. Taking 2 weeks off from her job to help in the relief efforts, Wagstaff quickly came to play an integral part in helping the affected families begin to return to normal life. Her presence inspired many during times of great shock and emotional upheaval.

Many hands played valuable roles in quelling the flames and caring for the people who survived the Oregon Trail Fire. To these five individuals and members of the Boise Police and Fire Departments as well as the others who so selflessly served their community, I join with family, friends and neighbors to offer my sincere gratitude.

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 over 1,000, are heartbreaking and touching. To respect their efforts, I am submitting every e-mail sent to me through [email protected] .gov 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 that today's letters be printed in the Record.

You asked for comments on how the fuel costs have affected

me. It has been good for my health. The high fuel prices have

gotten me back on my bicycle, and I am enjoying it very much.

I put baskets on my bike to carry supplies and groceries, and

it works very well. When I see people driving three or four

blocks to get coffee or ice cream or beer or whatever, and

then listen to them complain about how much fuel costs them,

I have a hard time with that. I drive a lot less than I used

to, and am hoping the rest of the country will follow suite.

I turned my thermostat down this past winter, and my bills

went down even with rising costs. Putting a sweater on is

easy. As people comment when they see my baskets full of

groceries, most of them say they should do that. I am

wondering why they are not. Instead they go to the gym and

burn gas getting there and back to get a workout. Why not

walk or ride a bike? Hopefully, folks will start thinking

about how far away their job is and try to live within a

short commute or bike ride away. There are lots of things

people can do to consume less. More public transportation is

a must and would be a lot cheaper in more ways than one, than

more nuclear power plants. More bike-friendly places and bike

paths would get people riding. The communities/cities of

Idaho would be a much better place to live that have walk/

bike friendly road/ shoulders. So this is how high fuel

prices have affected me in Idaho. We all need to get out of

our cars and enjoy the scenery!

Thanks,

Lynn, Rathdrum.

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 over 1,000, are heartbreaking and touching. To respect their efforts, I am submitting every e-mail sent to me through [email protected] .gov 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, it is my great honor to recognize Principal Deborah Long of Betty Kiefer Elementary School in Rathdrum, ID. Deborah has been recognized as Idaho's 2008 recipient of the National Distinguished Principals Award. The award is given jointly by the National Association of Elementary School Principals and the U.S. Department of Education. Deborah is being recognized for her exemplary leadership in her job and in her community and contributions to her profession, including professional association affiliations.

Deborah has established strong ties with parents and local businesses in Rathdrum. She has demonstrated exceptional leadership at Betty Kiefer Elementary and in the community. She promotes a goal-oriented learning environment for her students and expects great things from her students and her staff. In fact, under her leadership, Betty Kiefer Elementary is both an Idaho School of Merit and a recipient of the A+ Excellence in Education Award. In today's world, young students need and benefit from a good role model and someone who cares for them. She cares about the learning environment itself the school is decorated with floor-to-ceiling, hall-length murals that tell the story of a school focused on principles, patriotism, pride in their State and kindness to others. Deborah has gone above and beyond the call of duty in her service as principal of Betty Kiefer Elementary School, in her words, making her school ``safe, secure and caring.'' Students in this rural Idaho school are fortunate, indeed, to have the gift of Deborah's wisdom, encouragement and expectations of moral behavior and high integrity. It says a lot about a principal when close to 100 percent of parents attend parent teacher conferences and a full 25 percent of parents volunteer at the school.

I am certain I share the sentiments of her students, their parents and her staff when I wish her congratulations and the best for continued excellence in her career.

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 over 1,000, are heartbreaking and touching. To respect their efforts, I am submitting every e-mail sent to me through the e-mail address set up 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 over 1,000, are heartbreaking and touching. To respect their efforts, I am submitting every e-mail sent to me through [email protected] 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, the Olympic Games has always been a time for the world to celebrate the triumph of the human spirit and personal qualities that determine excellence: discipline, commitment and a positive, winning attitude. Athletes from all over the world bring pride to their countries, friends and family during the Olympic Games. Most importantly, they achieve the distinction that can come when an individual applies determination and hard work to develop a God-given talent. Motivated to get up early, often before work, to pound the pavement, ride the roads and trails, shoot baskets, hit balls, lift weights or swim laps, these women and men are committed to improving their strength, agility, speed and stamina. I am especially proud of the Idahoans who competed in the 2008 Olympics, representing their teams, their Nation and their families with skill and pride.

As you may know, Boise resident Kristin Armstrong won the gold in the women's cycling time trial. Kristin is well known around the Boise area: many have seen her cycling or at the local YMCA where she is an instructor. She is an inspiration to those who know her and she has made Idaho proud. Bishop Kelly High School graduate Nick Symmonds advanced to the preliminary round in the 800 meter run. Georgia Gould, a one-time Ketchum resident competed in the women's mountain bike race. Team USA also included Idahoans: Matt Brown, a graduate of Coeur d'Alene High School, played third baseman for Team USA in baseball. Debbie McDonald, from Hailey, competed for Team USA in dressage. Idahoans excelled on teams from other nations as well. Clare Bodensteiner, a graduate of Minico High School, played for the New Zealand basketball team. Angela Whyte, a former University of Idaho runner and now assistant coach competed for Canada in the 100 meter hurdles and, Joachim Olsen, also a University of Idaho athlete, competed in the shot put for Denmark. Emerson Frostad, a former Lewis- Clark State College baseball player played for Team Canada as a catcher/first baseman. Eric Matthias, a Boise resident and in graduate school at Boise State University, competed for the British Virgin Islands in the discus throw.

And in the Paralympics--the second-largest sporting event in the world after the Olympics--that are concluding in Beijing this week, Idaho native Barbara Buchan took the gold in the 3,000 meter cycling event. Barbara was the 1972 high school mile run State champion from Mountain Home High School and went on to graduate from Boise State University. She was severely injured in a cycling accident in 1982, suffering almost fatal wounds. In addition to terrible physical injuries, she was in a coma for 2 months and had surgery to remove the damaged parts of her brain. After years of physical and mental rehabilitation, Barbara came back, her passion for cycling unchanged. A five-time Paralympics competitor at 52 years old, Barbara embodies the Olympic spirit.

To all these courageous, gifted and dedicated Idaho athletes, I offer my heartfelt congratulations for a job well done. You continue to make Idaho proud.

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 over 1,000, are heartbreaking and touching. To respect their efforts, I am submitting every e-mail sent to me through [email protected] 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 over 1,000, are heartbreaking and touching. To respect their efforts, I am submitting every e-mail sent to me through [email protected] 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, it is an honor for me to recognize the remarkable achievement of a group of Idaho citizen soldiers, the 938th Engineer Detachment from Driggs. The 938th was recently awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation, one of the U.S. Army's highest honors. According to BG Alan Gayhart, an Idaho unit has not won this award since the days of World War II, over 60 years ago. The 938th Engineer Battalion participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom from February 2003 to March 2004. The unit operated in the capacity of fire prevention and combat aircraft protection for the 101st Airborne Division in northern Iraq. This was a difficult mission, and one that they executed with professionalism, skill, and excellence. The firefighters worked tirelessly in their protection and prevention efforts in defense of freedom, and I am happy for their safe return to family and friends. I also keep the families and friends of those who made the ultimate sacrifice in prayer as they continue on without their loved ones.

Idaho has a proud history of military service. Her sons and daughters have been serving our Nation in uniform far from home since the days of the Spanish American War in the early 20th century. The Meritorious Unit Commendation which the 938th Engineer Battalion received is awarded to military commands that display exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service, heroic deed or valorous actions. The unit was recommended for the award by the U.S. Army's higher headquarters and was selected by the Pentagon for the commendations.

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 over 1,000, are heartbreaking and touching. To respect their efforts, I am submitting every e-mail sent to me through [email protected] .gov 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 early August, I was informed that an Idaho Army National Guard Unit from eastern Idaho was awarded one of the U.S. Army's highest commendations, the Meritorious Unit Commendation. The First Battalion, 148th Field Artillery Unit based in Pocatello served as part of the Idaho Army National Guard's 116th Cavalry Brigade combat team in 2004 and 2005 in Iraq. Although part of a combat brigade, these citizen soldiers are doctors, dentists, electricians, lawyers, and other occupations as Idaho civilians. BG Alay Gayhart, Assistant Adjutant Army General for the Idaho Army National Guard, has rightly noted that these men and women utilized their civilian occupational skills in Iraq to help restore civic and governmental services to the country. I am honored to call myself a fellow Idahoan of these brave men and women, some of whom I had the pleasure of meeting prior to their deployment when they were at Fort Bliss, TX, at the end of the summer in 2004. I congratulate them on their professionalism, commitment to our mission, and am happy for their safe return to family and friends. I also keep the families and friends of those who made the ultimate sacrifice in prayer as they continue on without their loved ones.

Idaho has a proud history of military service. Her sons and daughters have been serving our Nation in uniform far from home since the days of the Spanish American War in the early 20th century. The deployment of the 116th Cavalry Brigade combat team from 2004 to 2005 was the largest deployment of the Idaho Army National Guard in history.

The Meritorious Unit Commendation is awarded to military commands that display exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service, heroic deed, or valorous actions. The unit was recommended for the award by the U.S. Army's higher headquarters and was selected by the Pentagon for the commendations.

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 over 1,000, are heartbreaking and touching. To respect their efforts, I am submitting every e-mail sent to me through [email protected] .gov 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, on August 20, America lost one of her bravest heroes, and I am honored to say he was an Idahoan. Ed ``Too Tall'' W. Freeman, U.S. Army, retired, was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for actions undertaken during the battle of Ia Drang in Vietnam in November, 1965. Recounted in the book by Joseph Galloway, ``We Were Soldiers Once . . . And Young,'' Ed's bravery became legend. American forces were heavily engaged with North Vietnamese soldiers and the medical evacuation helicopters refused to fly into the battle zone to retrieve soldiers--it was deemed too dangerous. The infantry commander asked for volunteers, and young Captain Freeman, followed by LTC Bruce Crandall, stepped forward and offered to fly, unarmed, to the battlefield to bring supplies and carry out the wounded. Ed flew 14 separate missions and his actions, literally under fire, saved life and limb of 30 soldiers--all in a landing zone that was within 100 to 200 meters of the defense perimeter set up to engage the North Vietnamese Army at close range. Many of us have been to the Vietnam Wall--that tragic list is dozens of names shorter for Ed's extraordinary valor. Imagine the children and grandchildren that are here today because he saved the life of their father or grandfather. Incidentally, Ed himself had two young boys--preschool and elementary school-aged at the time.

When he retired from the Army in 1966, Ed continued flying helicopters, this time for the U.S. Department of the Interior, conducting animal censes, herding horses and fighting fires. In 2001, Ed was presented the Congressional Medal of Honor by President George W. Bush for his actions during the Battle of Ia Drang.

Ed was laid to rest in the Idaho State Veteran's Cemetery, a beautiful place that overlooks a vista bounded to the south by the Snake River Valley and distant mountains, to the east and west by a vast expanse of open sky, and behind to the north, by foothills rising to meet their less-weathered relatives. The wind blows with reassuring regularity, and it seems that in this western meeting place of land and sky, at once comfortingly familiar and awe-inspiring, it is indeed an appropriate place for Ed.

In a tribute written upon Ed's death, author, former war correspondent and friend Joseph Galloway said:

Too Tall Ed was 80 years old when he died in a hospital in

Boise, Idaho, after long being ill with Parkinson's disease.

He turned down a full dress hero's funeral in Arlington

National Cemetery in favor of a hometown service and burial .

. . close to the rivers he loved to fish and the mountains he

flew through in his second career flying for the U.S. Forest

Service . . . Now Too Tall Ed Freeman, a much larger than

life-size hero . . . and a much better friend than we

deserved, is gone, and we are left with too large a hole in

our hearts and in our dwindling ranks.

When Ed spoke to a reporter in Idaho back in 2000, he recounted those 14 harrowing hours. He said, ``That Huey helicopter was my tool, and I was trained to use it. It was capable of flying into that hell hole, and I was capable of making it do that.'' When asked if he was afraid he said he ate ``franks and beans'' and chain-smoked. ``God knows how many I smoked. Till I had a blister on my tongue.'' When asked about why he volunteered for this dangerous duty, he said: ``You don't think, `I'm going to go out and win the Medal of Honor.' You're going to win a body bag if you're not real lucky.''

And, in a testament to Ed's humble nature, his comment on his heroism was simply: ``I did think I possibly did a little more than was required of me. But again, I had a job to do.''

It is a tremendous honor for me to pay tribute to Ed W. Freeman, and my condolences go to his wife Barbara, his sons, and their families at this difficult time.

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 over 1,000, are heartbreaking and touching. To respect their efforts, I am submitting every e-mail sent to me through an email address set up for these stories 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.