Floor Statements

Mr. President, I rise today to honor and congratulate an Idaho student who has achieved national recognition for exemplary volunteer service in her community. Jacqueline Sandmeyer of Boise has been named one of the Nation's top youth volunteers by the 2004 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program. This honor is conferred on only one high school student and one mid-level student in each State. I applaud Jacqueline's efforts to improve her community.

Jacqueline, an eighth-grader at St. Joseph's School, has collected more than 1,000 pounds of food and 200 coats, mittens, and hats for the homeless over the past 4 years. When she was nine, Jacqueline noticed a group of children shivering in the cold outside of a rescue mission. Moved by the experience, Jacqueline packed up her winter clothes for donation, along with her saved-up allowance of $275 to take to the shelter. With the help of her parents, she then placed collection boxes in her school and government buildings. She also solicited donations from her neighbors and appealed to her entire community for help through the news media. Jacqueline summed up my feelings well, when she said, ``I know that no matter what age you are, you can make a difference.''

Jacqueline has demonstrated an extraordinary level of commitment and accomplishment and deserves our admiration and respect. She has played an important role in her community and serves as an example to her peers. I join with her family and friends in honoring her commitment to the State of Idaho.

Mr. President, I rise to honor Lt. Col. Marc Sukolsky, a long time Idaho resident, upon his retirement from 24 years of service in the U.S. Air Force. Mark has served his country well, in peacetime and in war. Idaho is proud to be represented by such a dedicated soldier.

Marc Sukolsky received his master's degree in music pedagogy and then taught at Idaho State University. After 4 years of teaching, Marc began his extensive military leadership career in logistics in the Ninth Air Force and 363rd Fighter Wing. Exhibiting strong leadership early in his career, Marc was chosen as a senior logistics and resource inspector to develop future military base locations in Southwest Asia. In this position his inherent abilities as a negotiator and diplomat became well known. As his expertise grew, so did his influence. Mark's advice was solicited by the most senior officials including the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

In 1993, while stationed at the U.S. Embassy in the Netherlands, Marc played an important role in organizing logistical agreements between the U.S. and the Netherlands. This involved organizing troop and equipment movement both within the Netherlands and throughout Europe. As a military representative for the U.S. Secretary of State, Marc was also able to negotiate with foreign officials for permanent troop positions in Europe.

In the mid 1990's, he was called to assist NATO Allied Forces during the crisis in the Balkans. He drafted and implemented strategies for all logistical arrangements between the U.S. and Allied forces. In addition, he provided guidance and training for those nations seeking NATO membership.

His abilities to plan and execute defense, economic, and trade policy were tested and proven, when as a Commander he led the deployment of over 1.5 million pounds of equipment and 3,400 personnel to sensitive areas including the Persian Gulf. He managed to save the government over $19 million with new budgetary and finance programs. Leading the quality assurance of flying wing he recorded over 28,000 sorties and over 49,000 hours of flawless flying. In this position he was the principal advisor to the U.S. Ambassador of U.S. European Command on all armament matters. While serving in this capacity, he negotiated over $135 million in arms sales in 2002. He also contracted an $800 million aircraft development deal with the Netherlands.

In all of this, the role of his wife Ellen should not be understated. During 25 years of marriage, she has made tremendous sacrifices during Marc's time in the military. Together, they have spent 11 years overseas, relocated eleven times, and even spent 2 years apart during two 2-year separations.

I would like to honor Lt. Col. Marc Sukolsky and Ellen Sukolsky for their selfless service and sacrifice for their country. It is especially appropriate during this time of conflict to recognize a couple who have done so much for the freedom and stability of their country and the world. I wish both of them the best as they approach this new chapter of life together.

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

Mr. President, on behalf of the majority leader, I ask unanimous consent that at a time determined by the majority leader, after consultation with the Democratic leader, the Senate proceed to the consideration of Calendar No. 271, S.J. Res. 1, a joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to protect the rights of crime victims.

Mr. President, the majority leader has been attempting to clear this request to allow us to proceed to the consideration of the constitutional rights for victims resolution. Given the objection, and on behalf of the majority leader, I now ask unanimous consent to withdraw the request.

Mr. President, I now move to proceed to S.J. Res. 1, and I send a cloture motion to the desk.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the mandatory quorum under rule XXII be waived.

I now withdraw my motion.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to a period of morning business with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to the consideration of H.R. 2489, which is at the desk.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be read the third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any statements relating to the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the EPW Committee be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 3118 and S. 1814, en bloc, and the Senate move to the consideration of these two bills, en bloc.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bills be read the third time and passed, the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any statements relating thereto be printed in the Record, en bloc.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of Calendar No. 408, H.R. 1274.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be read the third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon table, and that any statements relating thereto be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, April 21. I further ask that following the prayer and the pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, and following the time for the two leaders, the Senate then begin a period for morning business for up to 60 minutes, with the majority leader or his designee in control of the first 30 minutes, and the Democratic leader or his designee in control of the final 30 minutes; provided that following morning business, the Senate resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S. 2290, the asbestos bill.

Mr. President, tomorrow, following morning business, the Senate will resume debate on the motion to proceed to the asbestos bill. The majority leader is hoping to find a way to begin consideration of the asbestos litigation. However, the cloture vote on the motion to proceed to the bill will occur Thursday, unless an agreement is reached during the interim.

Also, as a reminder, the Senate will conduct a cloture vote on the motion to proceed to the victims' rights amendment this week as well. Again, the majority leader has been working on an agreement to begin consideration of the victims' rights amendment. However, this procedural vote will be necessary unless that consent is granted.

Mr. President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate stand in adjournment under

the previous order, following the remarks of Senator Durbin.

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

Mr. President, I rise today with great sadness and tremendous gratitude to honor the life of a brave young soldier from Idaho. U.S. Army PFC Cleston C. Raney of Rupert was only 20 when, on March 31, 2004, he lost his life in Iraq. Private Raney was killed by a roadside bomb doing what he considered his duty: fighting for the freedoms we all hold dear. Today, I recognize his service and express my sincere condolences to the family and friends of this exceptional young man.

Private Raney was born in Twin Falls, ID, and attended school in Rupert and Burley. Driven by a strong sense of purpose, he joined the Army in November of 2002 and began his military career as a combat engineer in Fort Riley, KS, in April 2003. In September 2003 he was deployed to Iraq. He served honorably until his death.

Private Raney's death was part of the deadliest day of the war for the Army's 1st Infantry Division, stationed at Fort Riley, KS. Four fellow soldiers from the same division were also killed. This fact underscores the great threats that continue to face our young men and women in the Armed forces. It is also a testament to their great bravery, commitment, and resolve. Private Raney's death was the ultimate sacrifice by a brave young America, made so that we and others around the world can live in freedom.

His family is very private and has asked that the media allow them to grieve without the glare of cameras and the insistent questioning from reporters, but they did share some thoughts publicly about Cleston and his love of life and family. He was a young man at the beginning of so many opportunities in his life. He loved his family and enjoyed participating in activities with them, particularly beating his cousin Gina at pool. He was so typical of many 20-year-old young men, and yet his sacrifice for his country is anything but typical.

Private Raney's decision to serve our country places him in my highest esteem. With gravity and sincerity, I honor him. My thoughts and prayers are with his grieving loved ones as they work to find peace in this difficult time. I know my colleagues here in Congress and many Americans throughout our country do the same.

Mr. President, I call up the amendment.

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

Mr. President, this is an amendment that deals with one of the most critical environmental issues in our Nation today. That is the infrastructure needs of our cities and counties across the Nation. We have a very significant unmet need in our water infrastructure that is critical for the clean water and safe drinking water promises we have made to our people. Accordingly, this amendment will add approximately $3.2 billion to the clean and safe drinking water revolving loan funds, giving them the ability to significantly enhance the opportunities for our communities across this Nation to assure clean and safe water.

Madam President, I rise today to honor some good friends who will retire later this month from the Idaho State Senate after a long history of public service.

Laird Noh is completing his twelfth term, representing District 24, Twin Falls County. Presently he serves as the chairman of the Senate Committee on Resources and Environment; he is also a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture Affairs and the Senate Committee on Education. Throughout his career, Senator Noh has provided reasoned stability, civility and wisdom to a wide range of issues confronting the State of Idaho for all these years.

Since he began his tireless service to Idaho in 1980, he has set a high standard for public service. Since I was elected to the Idaho State Senate in 1984, Laird has been a friend and mentor to me. I have always appreciated his thoughtful insights and measured manner. In countless meetings with Laird, he has paid incredible attention to the information given and followed that up with salient questions and real action. He has had remarkable foresight on a number of legislative issues, and been able to ascertain how an issue or piece of legislation will affect Idahoans down the road. He is truly a statesman who followed his own moral compass and set a course that he felt would best benefit Idahoans. He has been dedicated to giving his all as he has carefully listened to the needs of Idahoans. His leadership and institutional knowledge will be greatly missed as he retires after 24 years of service.

I am certain that his wife Kathleen and his children, John and Susan, will be pleased to have him back home, but I fully expect that he will stay involved in his community. Idaho is a better place to live because of Laird Noh's fine service to the State and its people. I know they join with me in thanking him and wishing him well in his future endeavors.

Sheila Sorensen is completing her sixth term representing District 18 in Ada County. She has been a significant force in the Idaho State Senate, and is completing her tenure as the chairman of the State Affairs Committee. She has also served this session on Judiciary and Rules.

Public servants like Sheila are hard to come by. She has demonstrated a strong commitment to her community and her ideals as she has represented District 18. Sheila is known for her political courage. She has been willing to work across party lines and develop solutions that will make Idaho a better place to live and work. Her medical training has given her unique insight into many issues that have come before the Idaho State Senate.

Her contributions to Idaho will be felt long after she retires from the State senate. Sheila and her husband Dean are longtime friends and supporters of mine, and I will personally miss having them in Idaho and look forward to their return to our State. I appreciate her service, and know that many others in District 18 and across the State join with me in wishing her the best as she moves to the next challenges in her life.

Cecil Ingram is also completing his sixth term representing District 16 in Ada County. He is finishing up his service in the State senate as chairman of the Transportation Committee. His service on the Health and Welfare Committee and the Local Government and Taxation Committee has also been admirable.

He has provided leadership to our State in so many areas, and has been an example of a great public servant. Cecil is known for his independent streak that has advanced the debate on many public policy issues in Idaho, and we are better for that contribution. His efforts have extended beyond the Idaho State Senate to various community organizations, including the Western Idaho Fair, the Salvation Army, the United Way, Junior Achievement, and the Mountain States Tumor Institute. Cecil's wife, Lois Ann, and his three children, Cynthia, William, and Christopher, have provided him with strong support from home, and I know that without that kind of backing, it would be impossible for him to work as tirelessly as he has for the betterment of our State. His contributions will be greatly missed, and I send my best wishes as he moves into the next phase of his life.

All three of these senators have carved their own mark on our State. They have done it in an admirable and memorable fashion, and I know that their efforts have not gone unnoticed and will likely be felt for years to come.