Floor Statements

I do, but not on this topic.

Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to a dedicated and decorated Ohio soldier, Army 1SG Charles Monroe King from Cleveland. 1SG King was killed in Iraq by a roadside bomb on October 14, 2006, during a convoy mission to send supplies to Baghdad. He was 48 years old at the time of his death.

1SG King's last mission captures the essential character and selflessness of this man. A 19-year veteran of the Army, Charles was the senior officer on a resupply mission near Baghdad. According to others, Charles did not have to accompany the convoy, but, true to form, Charles went to offer his experience to the younger soldiers on the mission.

His friend and fellow soldier, Captain Jon Schaeffer, said this about what happened:

He did not have to go on that resupply mission, but

Sergeant King loved his soldiers. He would not let them do

anything that he would not do, so he was right there with

them.

His heartbroken fiancee, Dana Canedy, added:

He said he could not, in good faith, send his soldiers on a

mission unless he did it himself. He made sure that each one

of his soldiers took leave before he would take his leave.

That selflessness--that willingness to always put his men first--is a measure of Charles' leadership and courage. That Saturday in October, America lost a true hero.

A career soldier, Charles was scheduled to return home last month. He was a member of a unit from Fort Hood, TX, that was deployed to Iraq last November. As a veteran of the first Gulf War and one of the Army's very best soldiers, Charles was highly decorated. His numerous awards include the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, and the Army Valorous Unit Award. This list of awards, impressive as it is, tells only part of the story of this remarkable man.

As his sister Gail said, ``My brother was very humble about his military experience and all the things he had accomplished.'' Charles was born and raised in the Cleveland neighborhood of Lee-Miles, where his parents Charlie and Gladys still live.

Friends and family remember Charles as a soft-spoken, helpful little boy, who could be counted on to do more than his share of the work.

His former church Pastor, Vern Miller, recalled the day he asked for volunteers to build a three-foot concrete block wall for a needy neighbor. Charles was only a child, but he already had that natural impulse to help and to serve. Pastor Miller said that ``Chuckie was the first to arrive. He was ready to work. Of course, he was too little to carry the heavy blocks, but he brought the workers water all day.'' In that giving little boy, we can see clearly the loving man he would become.

Charles was also a person with wide-ranging interests and passions. He was especially interested in art. When Charles was about 13, his mother enrolled him and his sister in an art class at a nearby community college. Gail said that, while she ``failed miserably,'' Charles fell in love with art.

Upon finishing high school, Charles attended the heralded Art Institute of Chicago. Upon graduation in 1983, he worked as a fashion ad illustrator in Alabama. Known as a hard worker with a meticulous eye for detail, Charles created illustrations for advertisements, as well as for news stories.

His artistic talent continued to play a significant role in Charles' life long after he traded in a civilian career in art for a life of military service. While serving in the military, Charles became fascinated with the history of the 761st Tank Battalion, an African American unit that served in World War II. Ultimately Charles was so inspired that he drew a collection of illustrations of the unit in battle. His collection was put on display at the Pentagon in 1998, as part of the Black History Month celebration. More of his work is now on exhibit at military museums at Fort Lewis, WA, and Fort Knox, TN.

Charles King could have lived comfortably as a professional artist, but his strong sense of duty led him to enlist in the Army. ``My brother was very much into service and serving others, and that was the driving force [for joining the military],'' Gail said.

Charles joined the Army in 1987 and married shortly after. He soon became a dad, when daughter Christina was born. She was the light of her father's life.

While in the military, Charles served honorably in Iraq from 1990 to 1991, as part of Operation Desert Storm. Later, he was able to continue his education, attending Cuyahoga Community College and receiving an associates degree from Chamberlain Junior College in Boston.

Charles was remembered by his fellow soldiers as the consummate professional. Captain Schaeffer remembers how the normally soft spoken and gentle man was also a very capable leader, able to guide his troops in times of chaos. He said that ``we all learned one thing: When Sergeant King yelled, you moved. He only yelled when there was good reason.''

Before his last deployment to Iraq, Charles became engaged to Dana Canedy, a Pulitzer-prize winning journalist who worked for the Cleveland Plain Dealer and now serves as an editor at the New York Times. While Charles was in Iraq this last year, Dana gave birth to their son, Jordan. Charles was ecstatic.

During a 2 week leave in September, he got to see his 6 month-old son for what would, tragically, be the first and the last time. He could hardly put his baby boy down.

Although it was terribly difficult to be separated from his family, Charles came up with a unique and heartwarming way to communicate to his infant son Jordan. Miles away, Charles began keeping a journal addressed to Jordan. The journal, which reached 200 pages, was a collection of everything from short stories from his childhood to excerpts of his time as an artist. Mostly though, the journal laid out detailed guidelines and fatherly advice about what Jordan would need to know growing up.

Dana said this about that journal:

It was therapy for [Charles]. He wanted his son to know

everything he could tell him. Everything from his favorite

Bible verses, why he wanted to have a baby, why he wanted to

be a soldier, and how to treat women.

Leafing through the pages, there are instructions for everything from how to deal with disappointment to letting his son know it was OK for boys to cry. As Dana said, ``Charles was this big, muscular guy, but he was like a big pussycat.'' Charles ended his journal to

his young son, saying, ``I will do my best to make you and your mother proud.''

Indeed, Charles King made everyone who had the privilege to know him very proud.

News of Charles' death was devastating to his family, friends, and community. Since his death, phone calls have poured in to his family's home. ``God is just continuing to work miracles in our lives,'' said Gail.

In a funeral service held in Cleveland at Lee Heights Community Church on October 23, friends eulogized Charles. They told stories about him that prompted a sea of smiles and nods from the friends and family packed into the tiny church, whose walls were covered with Charles' paintings.

Those in attendance remembered the boy who had grown up to be such an accomplished man. They remembered the brave soldier, the talented artist, and the loving son, brother, father, and friend. They remembered an American hero.

My wife Fran and I continue to keep all of Charles' family--his parents Gladys and Charlie, his sister Gail, his fiancee Dana, his son Jordan, and his daughter Christina--in our thoughts and in our prayers.

If the Senator will yield.

I thank my colleague, who has pointed out to my colleagues in the Senate that he and I came here together in the election of 1982 and came to the House in 1983. We have been dear friends ever since. I will miss working with him. He is someone who I believe exemplifies what this institution is all about, and that is getting things done, working in a bipartisan way, making a difference. He has done that and will continue to do that.

I wish him well.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent on behalf of the leader that the Committee on Agriculture be discharged from further consideration of S. 1120 and that the Senate then proceed to its immediate consideration.

I understand there is an amendment at the desk, and I ask unanimous consent the amendment be considered and agreed to, the bill, as amended, be read three times and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, the title amendment, which is at the desk, be agreed to, and any statements be printed in the appropriate place in the Record.

Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to a brave soldier who died while serving his country in Iraq. On December 3, 2006, Army CPT Shawn English was killed when his humvee struck a roadside bomb. Captain English, who served as an Army deep sea diver, was based in Panama City Beach, FL, but news of his death reverberated in his hometown of New Albany, OH. Captain English leaves behind his wife Tricia and three sons, Nathan, Noah, and Austin. Captain English was 35 years old.

Shawn spent nearly his entire adult life in the military--first as an enlisted soldier and later as a commissioned officer. He grew up in New Albany. As a boy, he raised 4-H sheep and played football for New Albany High School, where he graduated in 1990. Shawn joined the military when he was 18 and went on to attend college at Wright State University, receiving his degree in 1999.

Shawn joined the Army after high school and by the time he deployed to the war in Iraq, he was already an experienced combat veteran. He had served his country bravely years before in the gulf war in an armored cavalry unit. He later joined a Ranger battalion before becoming a diver.

Shawn's middle school teacher Debbie Smith says that he was always energetic and a delight to have in the classroom--that he was a student with a wonderful personality. He simply loved to learn. ``He was dedicated to defending our country,'' Debbie remembers, ``and particularly making sure that children were safe.''

Those closest to Shawn remember him as a family man. ``He was a very loving father and a wonderful brother,'' said his sister Dawn. ``I received an e-mail from him at around noon on the Saturday before he died,'' said his brother-in-law, Todd. ``It was in response to the pictures of the Buckeyes game that I sent him. He was very short (in the e-mail), but said that he was tired and that things were really intense. He asked that I pray for him.''

Shawn's father-in-law Curt expressed his grief at learning the news of Shawn's death. ``It's just so hard for us to comprehend,'' he said. ``We're heartbroken. I could not--do not--love my own sons more than I loved that man. He was such a good man. He believed in his country and had a deep faith in God.''

Shawn was in Iraq to train and lead Iraqi soldiers. He had been in- country since February 2006. As his brother-in-law said:

Shawn had the option to come home, but said he had an

obligation to his men and wanted to finish what he started. .

. . He

told me that when he came back that this was it. He had

served 15 years and was going to look at other options to be

closer with his family.

When they moved to Florida, Shawn and his wife Tricia quickly became active members of the community there. They belonged to the Woodlawn United Methodist Church, and Shawn coached youth soccer.

Shawn was able to return home to Florida on a short leave, during which he visited his son Nathan's elementary school class. During that visit, he discussed his deeply held beliefs about our country.

Shawn's father-in-law explained that ``he stressed to [the students] how fortunate we are to be living in America, with the freedoms we have.'' In that meeting, Shawn talked about his work in Iraq and told the kids how much little things, like soccer balls, meant to the children in Iraq. The class collected soccer balls to send to the Iraqi children so that, like Shawn, they, too, could help make a positive difference in the country.

Shawn's friends loved him. Captain Nathan Surrey, one of Shawn's best friends, met him when they were both involved in Army management training in Missouri. In Captain Surrey's words:

We just clicked. We were fanatical Ohio State fans. We

loved sports [and liked to talk about] our ideas on life. Our

personalities were the same.

Captain Surrey also remembers what an excellent soldier Shawn was. Reflecting upon his friend's courage and dedication, he said that ``you have to be in phenomenal physical shape and be pretty much fearless to be able [to be] anywhere in the world, any time.'' Echoing that sentiment, CPT Robert Newbauer, who served with Shawn for 6 years, said that ``anything he did, or set forth to do, he was full of pride and passion.''

Shawn was a dedicated soldier, but most importantly, he was a loving husband and father. His mother-in-law, Bev Daily, remembers how much his children meant to him. ``Those kids idolized their dad,'' she said.

Shawn's family was able to see him one last time--just hours before his tragic and untimely death--when they spoke over video phone. In that conversation, Shawn joked and laughed with his sons. His family was grateful for this last opportunity to speak with him.

Shawn's life impacted so many people in so many ways. His family and friends will always remember his smile and strong sense of compassion. He served his country with courage and honor and pride--and for that, he will always be remembered.

My wife Fran and I continue to keep CPT Shawn English's family and friends in our thoughts and in our prayers.

Specialist Marco Miller

Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to a brave and dedicated soldier--Army Specialist Marco Miller, originally from Warren, OH. Just this past weekend, Specialist Miller was on guard duty in Baghdad, when a nearby military vehicle was hit by a mortar round. Specialist Miller was wounded by the resulting shrapnel and was transferred to a military hospital in Germany. On December 5, 2006, surrounded by family members, Marco died from his wounds. According to his mother Renee Daniels, the Army has awarded him the Purple Heart and will be promoting him to Sergeant in recognition of his bravery. Marco was 36 years old.

Marco's sister remembers that her brother loved to be active. He enjoyed sports and spent a lot of time working out in the gym. Though a star athlete in high school, he also had a passion for the arts. His mother remembers him as someone who had a lot of heart. ``I am very proud of him,'' she said. ``Very, very proud.''

Marco grew up in Warren and graduated from Warren G. Harding High School in 1988, where he played baseball for the Panthers and was a running back for the football team. A serious student in high school, he always tried harder than anyone else. He attended the University of Akron and the University of Central Florida. An entrepreneur, Marco wanted to retire early, so that he could live ``the good life.''

Marco's close friend since before kindergarten, Mahar Hameed, said they had been playing football together since they were 8 years old. Marco was a tailback, and Mahar was a fullback. ``I blocked for Marco for 10 years,'' he recalls. Even though Marco had moved to Florida, the two friends kept in touch throughout their adulthood. Mahar saw Marco as he was preparing to leave for Iraq. ``I wouldn't say he was nervous,'' he said. ``[Rather,] he just knew he had an obligation to fulfill. That's the kind of person Marco was. . . . I can only say he was one of the best people I ever knew.''

Frank Thomas, Marco's high school football coach, remembers that Marco was extremely personable and had an infectious smile. He always worked to the best of his ability and took his goals seriously. As Coach Thomas put it, ``He represented his country and family well.''

On an Internet posting, one of Marco's former schoolmates remembers him as his guardian angel in school since 7th grade, even though they haven't seen each other in over 12 years. ``We drifted in and out of each other's orbits through junior high and high school,'' he wrote. ``I can't tell you how many times he magically appeared when I was in need of some support.''

Marco moved to Florida in 1994, with his younger brother Demond. ``We went to Florida with nothing,'' he recalled. ``Marco was building a business.'' After graduating from Full Sail, a media arts college in Orlando, Marco put together a production company which did audio-visual work, commercials, and other marketing tools for Disney and Universal Theme Parks, as well as local car and motorcycle clubs. Marco was also putting together DVDs for his Army buddies, and was hoping to combine his two careers in the future.

Marco's oldest sister remembers her brother's extraordinary sense of fun. ``The last time he was home,'' she said, ``he made sure he went to Cedar Point, so he could ride all of the rides [and] not just once. He loved the roller coasters. He loved sports cars, jet skis, and anything that was fast.''

Marco's love of adventure was one of the things that made him decide to be a paratrooper when he joined the Army. Although this was his first tour in Iraq, he had served in the area during the first gulf war. His mother said that she wanted the public to know that Marco was a good son and a dedicated soldier. ``He was proud to be in the military,'' she said.

Marco served in the military for nearly a dozen years--6 while on active duty in the early 1990s, and the last 5 as an Army Reservist. He enlisted in the Reserves after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

According to his mom:

Marco knew what he was doing. He volunteered to be in the

military. He was considering signing up for another six-year

term.

Tamia Michelle, Marco's daughter, was born just this past August, after he had been deployed to Iraq. Tragically, he was never able to meet her. Marco's sister Kim noted that Marco ``was looking forward to being a father. He looked forward to doing all of the things that a father does with a daughter.''

This has been a hard year for Marco's family. The last time they were all together was for the funeral of Marco's stepfather Anthony Daniels just this past May. Marco was helping his mother cope with the loss.

Marco's family does take some solace in knowing that he died doing what he wanted to be doing what he loved doing. They will always remember his patriotism and devotion to duty. As his brother said:

Marco lived a full life. He did everything he wanted. He

traveled from the East Coast to the West and back. . . . He

really lived up to his potential and lived life the way he

wanted to do. He just felt that if he was going to serve his

country, this was the best way for him to do it.

My wife Fran and I will keep the family of Marco Miller--his daughter Tamia Michelle, his mother Renee, his sisters Meka and Kim, his brothers Demond and Christoff, and his stepsister Carrie--in our thoughts and prayers.

Staff Sergeant Shamus O. Goare

Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to Army SSG Shamus Goare from Danville, OH, who was killed on June 28, 2005, when his helicopter was shot down over Afghanistan. He was serving as the MH-47/Chinook flight engineer in the 3rd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment,

based out of Hunter Army Airfield in Georgia. He was 29 years old. He leaves parents Judy and Charles and his brother Kortney.

Shamus graduated from Danville High School in Knox County in 1994. He became a flight engineer because he loved math, science, and engineering--and he excelled at all three. Shamus's father described his son as ``a real quiet guy, but when he said something, you knew you really had to pay attention.'' His friends and family knew him to be pretty quiet unless he was talking about something he loved--such as cars and the military.

On August 1, 2005, Shamus would have celebrated 11 years in the Army as a special operations engineer. Being a member of the 160th Special Ops Aviation Regiment (Airborne) that flew Blackhawks and Chinooks, meant that Shamus took on very dangerous missions. On a special operations mission that would become his last, the Night Stalkers of the 160th were attempting to rescue Navy Seals who went missing in mountains near the Pakistani border.

Shortly before his death, Shamus had received a medal of valor for humanitarian work in Afghanistan. He was working with children, which was something his father said he loved. His eagerness to serve his community and his country was apparent when Shamus managed to trick his mother into signing the enlistment forms before he had even graduated from high school. He was 17, at the time, and according to his father, he thought ``he'd get to see the world before he went to college.''

Life in the military was a good fit for Shamus. It led him to a series of selfless and compassionate acts of heroism, many of which, he could not divulge to his family due to the nature of his work with the 160th's Night Stalkers. And true to their motto, Shamus never quit-- even to the very end.

His father said that ``Shamus really believed in what he was doing. He would always say if we don't fight over there, we'll have to fight ere.'' His dedication to his duty would not allow him to tell his family where he was or what he was doing, but that didn't stop him from talking about home and what he would do when he got back to the United States.

One of his many hobbies was to drive around in his all-terrain vehicle. He would talk about his restoration project of a 1966 Buick Skylark a classic car that needed a new engine. Shamus also like to find time to restore old computers.

A quick study, he was mostly self-taught. His father recalls that ``nobody told him how to do things--he just figured it out.'' Even in high school, his 40 classmates could see Shamus's analytical mind at work.

On a field trip to Wright Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton with his high school physics teacher, recalls seeing Shamus' mind at work. ``He was calculating the estimated time of arrival to see how it matched up to the teacher's time.''

Another of Shamus's high school classmates, Missy Duncan, remembers being shocked when she found out that he had enlisted. ``He was just so quiet,'' she said.

Stephanie Fritz, another classmate, said this about her friend:

We knew he was out of the country for the last two

reunions, but we didn't know that he had done four tours over

there. We're really proud of him. He was just the nicest

person.

Missy and Stephanie were among the many students who paid tribute to the heroism of their fallen classmate by placing a flag display on the front lawn of Danville High School. A former history teacher of Shamus', Jim Holmes, first came up with the idea for the flag display. He talked about the display this way:

What Shamus said about us fighting over there, so we

wouldn't have to fight over here, really touched me. I

thought of all the men and women giving their lives so we can

be free. I just thought it would be nice if we do something

to [pay tribute] to them.

Helping to place the eight dozen flags that the American Legion and the local cemetery association donated, Missy said this, ``Though we are all doing different things now, it's nice that we can still come together as classmates and honor one of our own.''

Among Shamus's family members who came together to watch the flag display were his cousins Kim, Marsha, and Keith. Kim said that ``It's so nice to see them come together and do something like this for Shamus.'' The pride and honor that they felt as the Danville High School alumni placed their flags in front of their school reminded the family of how Shamus had found his niche in life when he joined the military. Marsha recalled that ``when Shamus would come home, he would stand so tall and so proud.''

In the words of U.S. Army Chaplain Father Jim McNeely, as he remarked on Shamus's heroism:

There are two very important qualities necessary to be a

hero--humility and self-sacrifice. The life of Shamus Goare

embodies those two virtues, and that's why he is a hero. He

was an unassuming young man. He did not seek fame and

fortune. He didn't require his name to be spread in

headlines, nor did he demand recognition for his

achievements. His greatness lies in his quiet professionalism

and love for others that drew him to military service. To

him, doing his duty with excellence was satisfaction. And

Shamus's duty as a soldier was to serve.

And now, it is our duty to remember and to honor Army Staff Sergeant Goare. My wife Fran and I continue to keep his family in our thoughts and prayers.

Sergeant Bradley Harper

Mr. President, this afternoon I wish to honor Marine SGT Bradley Harper, a native of Dresden, OH. Sergeant Harper was killed in Iraq on August 3, 2005, in a roadside bombing. The 25 years old sergeant was a communications specialist assigned to the Marine Reserve's 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion, 4th Marine Division, based out of Norfolk, VA. He is survived by his wife Kendra, his parents Steve and Janet Harper, his sister Jenny, and his brother Daniel.

Brad--as family and friends called him--grew up in Dresden, where he attended Tri-Valley High School. Brad's friends and classmates remember him as an all-around good guy who was very well liked.

According to Kyle Powell, a former classmate:

There isn't one bad thing anyone could say about Brad

Harper. Everybody knew him and everybody liked him. He always

had a smile on his face. He always laughed. He was never in a

bad mood.

Kim Waaland, athletic director at Tri-Valley Local Schools, remembers Brad from when he played on the offensive line for the school football team. He said:

He was a solid young man. [He was] a good friend and a good

teammate. He made the most of his ability. He could always be

counted on. He always wanted to do the right thing.

He also remembers that Brad was always interested in learning more or doing more to make the team better. He was not surprised when he learned that Brad had decided to become a marine.

Brad joined the Marines Corps Reserves as a teenager in Ohio and then went on to earn a degree in criminal justice from Zane State College. Tom Holdren, a criminal justice instructor at Zane State, said this about Brad:

I had a number of conversations with Brad while he was at

school here. He often talked about wanting to be on the right

side. He wanted to fix the things that were wrong in the

world. I am sure he had a brilliant career ahead of him [and

that] he served with honor. He was just that kind of young

man.

After earning his degree, Brad moved to Virginia Beach in January 2004 to become a police officer. At the police academy, he graduated second in his class, and his peers selected him to serve as sergeant- at-arms. This was the beginning of a career dedicated to serving and protecting others.

Rene Ball, a Virginia Beach Police Department spokesperson, describes Brad this way:

[He was a stellar candidate. He was superb in the academy.

He was one of those guys who, if another recruit fell behind,

he'd go back and make sure that they were all right. Everyone

on the force thought he was a great guy.

Those who worked with Brad remember him as an upbeat, eager policeman. Master Officer Harry McBrien was one of Brad's instructors during his time at the Police Academy. He said that Brad was often relied on to work with the recruits who were struggling. And, when the Academy staff tried to ``stress him out a little bit,'' Master Officer McBrien remembers that Brad ``just smiled'' and kept going. He said the following about Officer Harper: Brad was an awesome guy who could handle anything. He was always smiling, had a great mood, and a positive

attitude. He was a role model for everyone else in the Academy.

Brad was upbeat before being deployed to Iraq. In an interview with The Virginian-Pilot, Brad said that ``this is my chance to go, to do my part.''

Brad's devotion to military service impressed everyone with whom he came into contact. Nick Beach, a fellow marine and friend, said that Brad was always an inspiration--someone who joined the Marines and decided to serve his country because of his caring heart. Nick said:

I think the reason there were so many junior Marines who

looked up to Brad is because he was a true Marine. He led

from the front and never let anyone fall behind. He would go

back and give them a hand and bring them back up to the

front.

Brad was dedicated to his marines and his job as a police officer, but he was also devoted to his family and friends. He loved his wife Kendra, whom Brad met while she was studying at Ohio University in Zanesville. According to Brad's sister Jenny, ``Kendra was his world.'' They would have been celebrating their third wedding anniversary 2 weeks after Brad's death. After his passing, Kendra released the following statement about her husband:

In the eyes of those who knew and loved Brad, he is a real

hero. He gave 100 percent in whatever assignment he

undertook. He was proud to be a Marine and considered it an

honor serving as an officer for the City of Virginia Beach

2nd Precinct Oceanfront. He will live on forever in our

hearts.

Jason McBride met Brad while they were both in grade school. The two boys grew up together and both played football in high school. Jason was the best man in Brad's wedding, and there was no man better than Brad Harper in Jason's mind. While Brad was in Iraq, Jason heard from him about every 2 weeks through email. Jason received an email from Brad shortly before his death. Jason said that he was looking forward to coming home they could go out to a Buckeyes football game.

Jason said:

Brad was the best friend any guy could ever have. He would

always go out of his way to help you. He'll always be my best

friend and nothing will ever change that.

Brad's dedication to military service will never be forgotten. In the words of his sister:

Brad's bravery and courage, like all the others before him,

will never be forgotten. He was a high achiever. Anything he

ever wanted to do, he tried, and he achieved. He wanted to

serve his country. He wanted to be a marine. He wanted to be

a police officer. He had high hopes, and he wanted to go far.

Indeed, everyone who knew Brad misses him. Virginia Beach police officers memorialized his death by ``draping the badge''--a traditional show of honor and brotherhood by police who place a black swath across their shields when a fellow officer is killed.

At Brad's funeral, MG David Bice said that Brad Harper ``changed the world before our very eyes.'' Indeed he did.

Fran and I continue to keep the family of Marine SGT Bradley Harper in our thoughts and in our prayers.

Staff Sergeant Curtis A. Mitchell

Mr. President, I rise this afternoon to pay tribute to Army SSG Curtis Mitchell from McConnelsville, OH, who was killed on December 12, 2005, when an improvised explosive device exploded near the tank that he was commanding. He was 36 hours away from ending his second tour in Iraq while serving with the 3rd Squadron, 7th U.S. Cavalry, Company C, based at Fort Stewart, GA. He was 28 years old.

Staff Sergeant Mitchell leaves his wife Frances, his son Curtis, Jr., his stepsons Eric, Sean, and Alexander, his stepdaughter Keauna, his parents Edward and Regina, his brothers Charlie, Edward, Wayne, and William, his sisters Angie, Betsy and Regina, and his grandfather Buddy Cunningham.

Friends and family lovingly referred to Curtis as ``Tony.'' He was born in Columbus and moved with his father and mother, just after kindergarten, to Malta, OH, in Morgan County, about 80 miles southeast of Columbus. He was a member of the Future Farmers of America at Morgan High School and went straight into the Army when he graduated in 1995.

Brian Smith of Los Angeles, CA, went to high school with Tony. He paid tribute to his road trip and FFA camp friend by saying:

He was a great guy, and I, for one, will be forever

grateful for his service to America.

Martha Koon of Reynoldsburg, OH, describes her high school friend by also saying:

Curtis was a great guy. [He was] like a brother to me in

high school. We shared a lot of fun times. He will be greatly

missed.

Three of the Mitchell boys joined the military. Tony and Edward-- known to family and friends as ``Jimmy''--enlisted as marines, and William entered the Air Force. Charles said:

I worried more about Jimmy, but figured he was okay because

Tony was with him.

Being stationed together, Tony and Jimmy were patrolling with the same unit in Iraq when the IED exploded that took Tony's life.

Tony Mitchell liked hunting, target shooting, fishing, playing video games, and anything at all that had to do with his children. He was a big Ohio State and Notre Dame football fan, but hadn't told his family which team he was rooting for in the 2005 Fiesta Bowl.

Tony's brother William graduated from Air Force basic training on December 9, 2005--a week before his brother's passing. He said Tony's death hasn't softened his decision to join the military. William said that ``I'm going to do what my brother would have wanted me to do,'' which, was to stay in the military and serve his country.

William posted the following message to his late brother on an online tribute site. This is what he wrote:

You are my big brother, and I miss you. I just know that

you are watching Jimmy and me in our military career. I think

about you all the time and how you inspired me to join the

Air Force, because you thought about joining, but you went to

the Army. I will never forget how much you loved your job,

and it makes me love mine [even] more.

Tony was one of the first servicemembers to enter Baghdad at the start of the war and was part of the operation that killed Saddam Hussein's sons. His fellow soldiers knew him as a great leader, a great fighter, and a great man. He received a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart and was one of the most ``squared-away'' soldiers in his unit, according to SSG Travis Wiley, a Company C member, who served with Tony during his first tour in Iraq.

Staff Sergeant Wiley said:

Tony always knew what needed to be done. All he'd say was

``I got it,'' and you knew the mission would be complete. He

took care of everyone else. He was a joyful guy. He didn't

want to see anyone mad. He'd get mad, but only for about two

or three minutes.

Tony served in Bosnia, Kosovo, and Somalia, along with the two tours in Iraq. Tony planned on spending the rest of his career with the Army. He had recently signed an extension contract. Tony had been stationed for a few years at Fort Stewart, GA, where he lived with his wife of 1 year, Frances. Tony loved his family, was a good husband, and adored his young son Curtis, Jr.

Ronda Mitchell, Tony's sister, said that her brother ``was a wonderful dad, son, brother, and uncle. He was always nice to people. I loved him because he was a good brother to me. He was funny and good to get along with.''

Lora Thayer of Rolla, MO, paid tribute to her high school with the following message:

My heart grieves for the loss of such a wonderful and kind

person. I graduated with Tony in 1995 and was a friend of his

through youth group. My heart hurts, and I will never forget

the wonderful person he was to all of us. He will be

remembered, not just for his valiant death, but for the man

he eventually became. He truly was the kind of person to put

others before himself. He is a . . . hero, and I will never

forget him.

No one will forget Army SSG Curtis ``Tony'' Mitchell. My wife Fran and I continue to keep his family and friends in our thoughts and prayers.

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

Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to Army PFC Joshua A. Ramsey from Defiance, OH, who died in Iraq on December 12, 2004. He was 19 years old.

Joshua leaves behind his father and stepmother Bruce and Le'Ann, his mother Joy, and his brothers Brad and Ty. He is also survived by his grandparents Robert and Margaret Ramsey and Jerry and Nancy Buckles.

Born in Norman, OK, Josh moved with his family to Ohio when he was 10 years old. He attended Ayersville Elementary School and joined the Boy

Scouts. He graduated from high school and the Four County Career Center in 2003, and joined the Army just 2 days later. He did not hesitate. He simply knew it was time to serve his country. Josh was assigned to the 95th Military Police Battalion based in Mannheim, Germany.

One of Josh's teachers at the Career Center, Tonya Fisher, remembers that ``Josh was a good student and a good classmate. He worked really hard in class and was really dedicated. He knew he wanted to go into the military.''

After graduating, Josh returned one August to talk to the students in the public safety class. ``He gave us hugs,'' Tonya remembers, ``and told teachers, `Everything you said was right.' ''

Josh Ramsey will be remembered for his compassion and his love of children. While serving in Iraq, his favorite job was distributing soccer balls and school supplies to the kids he met. He would often stop his humvee, just so he could get out and talk to people. He told his father Bruce that Iraqis simply wanted the same thing that we all do--just to get by and to take care of their families. And that was Josh--always reaching out to others, always building bridges.

``[Josh] loved his job,'' his mother Joy remembers. ``I know he died doing what he wanted to do, and I find comfort in that.''

Josh had a passion for cars and one car, in particular--a fully- loaded silver Grand-Am GT that he bought while home on a 2-week leave. He was going to have his brother Brad ``hot-rod it up'' for him. According to his stepmother Le'Ann, he couldn't wait to return home and show it off to all his friends.

Josh's parents made a car payment for him as a Christmas gift, and Josh, himself, was making double payments on it with his Army salary. He planned to have it paid off entirely in 2 years. A gasoline card for him to bring home and use to fill up his gas tank was included in one of his care packages. On Josh's weekly phone calls home, he didn't want to talk about the war all that much--he wanted to talk about his car.

Josh's grandmother Margaret said that ``when it's 150 degrees, you need something to dream about and to plan for. If it helped him through the tough times, it was well worth it. We took pictures of him with his new car, so he could show his buddies.''

Josh was a very family-oriented young man, and so hated to leave them. He had a special relationship with his grandparents, and his mother Joy remembers the quiet times they shared during Josh's visits home. He would go fishing and golfing. For dinner, he would ask Joy to ``fry up those little brown things.'' These were chicken livers--one of Josh's favorite meals.

Josh always remained calm about the dangers he faced in Iraq, even when he admitted conditions were getting rough. As he told his mother Joy, ``Mom, I have one of the most dangerous jobs in the Army, but I wouldn't have it any other way.'' Josh also believed in his job--he believed in what he was doing. ``I think we're doing some good over there, Dad,'' he told his father.

Josh had a bright future before him. He was interested in police work and had joined the Army partly because of the experience of working with the military police. He also talked about becoming an American history teacher.

Josh was loved by all who knew him. He had so much energy and zest for life. One friend, Christy, remembers that he drove a long way while on leave just to see her and give her a hug. And another friend, David Streeter, wrote the following in an Internet tribute to Josh:

Josh was my best friend, and I loved him like a brother. I

first met him while I was in basic training and by some

strange luck, we where stationed in Mannheim together, then

in Iraq. Not a day goes by that I don't think about him, Rest

in peace Private First Class Ramsey.

Josh's cousin, Brooke Westcott, left this message for Josh:

Josh was my cousin, and we were like brother and sister. He

was always there for me when I needed him. He told me that we

would go graduation and birthday shopping for me. I miss him

so much and he will always be in my heart.

With his compassion and bravery, Josh truly made this world a better place. He was devoted to his country, his fellow soldiers, and his family. His mother wears his military dog chains around her neck. Her son will never be forgotten.

My wife Fran and I continue to keep the family of Josh Ramsey in our thoughts and prayers.

staff sergeant zach wobler tribute

Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to Army SSG Zachary Wobler, from Wheelersburg, OH, who died on February 6, 2005, when his dismounted patrol encountered small arms fire in Iraq. He leaves his wife Corissa, his daughter Trinity, his mother and stepfather Jeannette and Tim Poston, and his father Anthony Wobler. Zach--as his friends and family called him--was 24 years old at the time of his death.

Growing up in Ohio, Zach's parents taught him strong values--values that Zach would carry with him throughout his entire life. He was always hard-working, disciplined, and honest.

Zach, himself, once commented on how important honesty was to his family. In his words, ``My father was big on honesty when I was young. That's one thing that was drilled into our family when I was young.'' Zach's mother Jeannette said that he never caused her a moment's worry growing up. He was so friendly--he never met a stranger. ``People loved him when they met him,'' she recalls.

Zach graduated from Ottawa-Glandorf High School in 1998, where he played football, competed in track and field, and was named the school's senior homecoming attendant. After graduating, Zach studied at Bowling Green University and joined the National Guard. He also took classes at Owens Community College. Zach joined the Army in 2000. As his father, said, ``My son was a true soldier. He was definitely a hero, and he was admired. He was truly a great person.''

Zach was very successful in the Army. He took advantage of every training opportunity available to him and quickly rose in the ranks. In 2002, he was even named Paratrooper of the Year at Fort Bragg. As his stepfather Tim said, ``If Zach did any thing, he wanted to do it completely. He didn't do anything halfway.''

Zach was deployed to Iraq in 2003. While serving there, there was nothing more important to him than the men under his command. He always wanted to be on the front lines, and he always cared more about his comrades' safety than his own. During his first deployment, his superiors wanted him to leave earlier than his troops, but Zach refused. As his mother said, Zach ``was a natural sergeant. The men in his unit loved him. He stayed with them, and they loved hanging out with him.''

Even though during his first deployment to Iraq Zach suffered a knee injury that required surgery, he decided that it was more important for him to be with his men in Iraq than any place else. And so, he returned for a second deployment. According to his mom, ``Zach's men weren't going without him.''

Zach was more than just an admired leader to the men he served with, however. He was also a friend and confidante. He could simply talk to anyone. Regardless of rank, they would come to him with problems--both personal and professional. According to SPC Ryan Logue, a sniper in Zach's scout team, ``Zach always put his men first, and took care of our needs both professionally and personally. He was my mentor. [He was] like my older brother.''

SSG Mike Beal remembers Zach's cheerful nature and constant willingness to help. He said: ``I couldn't find the words to describe how I never heard Zach complain about anything or about how he was always there for his friends.''

While Zach was, indeed, a committed soldier, he was also a devoted family man. According to his mother, the only thing that mattered to him more than his job was his 3-year-old daughter, Trinity. ``[Zach] told me that should anything happen to him,'' his mom said, ``He hoped that his little girl would understand when she grew up that he did it for her.''

Zach had a bright future before him. His dream was to eventually work in government intelligence. Based on his success throughout life, I have no doubt he would have succeeded.

I would like to share something Zach said when talking about the challenges of facing deployment. He said:

Nobody knows `til it comes down to it whether you are ready

or not.

Well, Mr. President, Zach was ready. He always had been.

Army SSG Zachary Wobler was buried at Arlington National Cemetery. As his father said:

He wanted to be buried there, because he has other friends

buried there. If it ever happened to him, he wanted to be

with the people who gave their lives in all of the wars.

Zach's father also remembers the dedication with which his son served our Nation. He said:

If Zach were here today, and you asked him if he would do

it again knowing what the outcome would be, he would say yes.

. . . He was excellent. He was a fantastic guy. I tell you

now, I miss him so badly.

Zach will never be forgotten. His wit and charm will always make his friends and loved ones smile. They will remember how one of his quips was once featured on the David Letterman Show. It was No. 3 on a list of ``Top Ten Questions To Ask Yourself Before Jumping Out of a Helicopter.'' Zach had replied: ``Am I really in that much of a hurry to get to the ground?''

Most importantly, Zach had a deep commitment to helping others. His compassion touched so many people, and his family has received an outpouring of support. As his father said, ``I never realized there are so many people who cared so much.''

Mr. President, we do, indeed, care.

My wife Fran and I continue to keep the family and friends of SSG Zachary Wobler in our thoughts and prayers.

Mr. President, I have been drafting my farewell comments, and I had a little section in there about my friend Bill Hoagland, but I will just take this opportunity now to add my voice to those who have been talking about Bill.

I cannot tell you how many times in the last few years I have gone up to Bill in the corner of the Chamber over here and asked him what was really going on around here. And Bill Hoagland always knows what is really going on around here. Not only is he an expert on the budget, he is an expert on the Senate, and he is an expert, quite bluntly, in strategy as well as an expert in tactics.

So I thank Bill for his good and wise counsel to me. I know he has supplied that counsel to so many other people in the Senate as well. But I, from a personal point of view, have appreciated Bill very much.

Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to Army PFC Jacob D. Spann from Columbus, OH, who died on February 6, 2006, when a roadside bomb detonated beneath his military vehicle in Iraq. Jacob was 21 years of age at the time.

PFC Spann leaves his father and stepmother Larry and Libby, his mother and stepfather Deborah and Dennis, brothers Derek, Adam, Joe, Josh, and Chris, sisters Sonni, Sarah, Erin, and Helen, and grandmother Jean.

Jacob Spann--known to family and friends as Jake, Jakey, and sometimes even Jake the Snake--graduated from Westerville North High School in 2003, and was known for his way of walking into a room and lighting it up with his smile and big blue eyes. He had a talent of being serious one minute, and fun-loving and light-hearted the next.

While at North High, Jake participated in wrestling, track, and football. He had a natural athletic ability and was always looking to immerse himself in something new and exciting. Dean of students and head football coach at North High Chad Williams was assistant coach when Jake was a linebacker. He remembers Jake as ``an extremely hardworking, dedicated football player.'' In his words, ``[Jake] was a kid who knew he was going to do everything he could for the team.''

Always most important for Jake were his family and friends. He was a true and loyal friend to his high school classmates. It was here that Jake met and started dating the love of his life, Abby Van Huffel.

After graduating, Jake took courses at Columbus State Community College and worked in an autobody shop. The auto-body shop allowed him to express a love of art that he had ever since he was a child, when he would spend hours drawing and painting. If he didn't make the Marines, he was thinking of opening his own shop. But Jake felt compelled to join the Marines.

Jake joined the Corps in January 2005. He was assigned to Battalion Landing Team's 1st battalion, 2nd Regiment, 22nd Expeditionary Unit, 2nd Expeditionary Force, based at Camp Lejeune, NC. Jake was well-liked by those who he worked with in the military. His senior drill instructor wrote the following to Jake's family on an Internet tribute Web site:

I would like to express my deepest sympathies to the Spann

Family. I was your son's Senior Drill Instructor while he was

in Boot Camp. I have spoken to two of the Drill Instructors

who worked that Platoon with me, and your son's death has had

a profound impact on all of us. I was deeply saddened when I

saw it in the Marine Corps Times. Your son was a very good

recruit, and I know he was a good Marine.

Jake deployed to Iraq in November 2005. As always, however, before he left, he was thinking more of others than of himself. With the few days he had before leaving, he returned to Westerville for a visit and took Abby out for a special birthday dinner. Abby's birthday wasn't until December, but Jake would be far away then, and he didn't want to miss celebrating with the girl he loved.

Before leaving, Jake also gave his mother Deborah a special present. It was a pendant on a chain--a Marine Mother's Medal of Honor. Deborah has worn it everyday since. ``We have a large and loving family,'' she said, speaking of her son's love for those in his life. ``His family came first and his Abby came first, and he loved us more than anything. And he loved his country, and we respect that.''

According to his older sister Sonni, Jake was very proud when he left for Iraq. The Marines had given him the confidence he had been searching for. In conversations with his stepfather, he had even spoken of becoming a drill sergeant one day.

It was typical of Jake that when he called home from Iraq, he wanted to talk more about the ones he cared about than himself. He wanted all the news he could get about his family--particularly his five brothers, four sisters, and four nieces and nephews. Jake loved to call and talk to his mom, whom he loved with all his heart.

Jake Spann was an excellent marine. Fellow platoon brother Lance Corporal Monhollen said this about Jake:

I was in the same platoon as Spann in Boot Camp. He was a

leader then and was a leader before he died. He was also a

great friend.

Jake will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. He is an inspiration to many students at Westerville North High School. In the words of Chad Williams:

While a lot of our kids don't have a personal connection

with Jake, they really feel he's a part of the Warrior

football family, and they've asked me a lot about him. I

think that's kind of the best way to honor someone. A lot of

young kids are asking about him and want to live up to the

same honor and characteristics he had.

After Jake died, the lettering outside his old high school was changed to proclaim: ``Jacob Spann--An Ultimate Warrior.''

Jake's mother finds it comforting that he did not return home from Iraq alone. She tells a story of how six of the family's best friends were out of the country when they heard the news that Jake had died. When traveling home, their return trip was full of delays. The pilot finally came on and informed the passengers that there

would be one final delay, as the plane was waiting for a ``very special passenger"--a fallen soldier. ``Our friends realized it was our son,'' Deborah said. ``Things happen for a reason. They brought him home to us and he was escorted by a Marine who would not leave his side until he was where he needed to be.''

This was a fitting, final journey for a young man who had always been surrounded by loving family and friends. Countless mourners attended Jake's funeral and burial services to pay their respects and offer comfort to Jake's family. According to Jake's mom, the toughest challenge Jake would have faced returning home would have been selecting the perfect ring for the planned engagement and wedding to Abby.

At the funeral, Jake's brother read a letter from Abby, who said she had been expecting to write wedding vows--not a eulogy. The letter ended with the line, ``I will always be here loving you.'' On the marble of Jake's tombstone, Abby is remembered as his ``soul mate.''

Marine PFC Jacob Spann was a fine man of whom we can all be proud. He was loved by his community, his family, his friends, and his Abby. His life and the sacrifice he made for our Nation will never be forgotten.

My wife Fran and I continue to keep Jacob's friends and family in our thoughts and prayers.

Major Guy Barattieri

Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to Army MAJ Guy Barattieri, originally of the Pleasant Ridge neighborhood of Cincinnati, OH. A member of the National Guard's Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group, based in Buckley, WA, Major Barattieri was working in a civilian contract capacity on October 4, 2006, when he was killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq. He was 36 years of age at the time.

Guy--known fondly by friends and family as ``Bear''--was born on June 21, 1970, and raised in Pleasant Ridge. He attended Nativity School and was a linebacker on the 1986 State Champion Purcell Marian High School football team.

Cliff Pope, a teammate of Bear's and his closest friend, remembers him as someone who ``had a passion and intensity that was infectious to us all.''

According to his uncle Larry Wheatley, Bear had always loved the military--had loved it ever since he was just a small boy. When he was accepted into the United States Military Academy at West Point, it was a dream come true for him. Once at West Point, however, injuries kept Bear from continuing to play football.

Chris Jenks is one of Bear's former classmates and teammates from West Point. He remembers the ``never-quit'' attitude with which Bear approached his injury. He wrote the following in Bear's memory on an Internet tribute Web site:

Army doctors told Bear that he could no longer play

football. Bear took that in stride, and . . . decided that,

technically, the doctors never said he couldn't play Rugby,

[so] he started playing rugby, [instead].

After graduating from West Point in 1992, Bear attended the Infantry Officer's Basic Course Ranger School and the Mortar Course before being stationed in Baumholder, Germany. He later attended the Intelligence Officer Advanced Course and branched out to the Special Forces. His friend Chris Jenks remembers how impressed he always was by Bear's ``innate'' infantry leadership skills. ``Some things you can train or teach,'' he said. ``Some things you are born with.''

In 2001, Bear joined the Seattle Police, where he was president of his academy class. Bear's friend Detective Nick Bauer, who was his field-training officer, described Bear with the following words:

[He was an] absolutely distinguished soldier, and a

distinguished officer--an extraordinary man, one of those

guys who won the hearts and minds of everyone he came in

contact with.

Bear remained with the Seattle Police Department until 2004.

In 2002, Bear went on active duty as a detachment commander in Kuwait. When the 101st Infantry Division entered Baghdad in March 2003, Bear's team was at the lead. For the role that he played, he received a Bronze Star and Combat Infantryman's badge.

Without question, Bear made an impact in Iraq. He participated in multiple missions, during which he captured three of the most wanted members of Saddam Hussein's government--individuals who had been depicted on the deck of playing cards issued by the U.S. Military.

Bear was a dedicated and excellent soldier. But he was also something more--a loving and devoted family man. For Bear, those he loved always came first. On December 11, 2005, Bear married the love of his life-- Laurel. They adored each other. He was a loving father to his two girls--his 6-year-old stepdaughter Rees, and Odessa, who was born on July 19, 2006. He loved his family more than anything else in the world.

Family friend Mary Mascarella remembers that Bear was a doting father. He would take Rees to swimming lessons, make her lunch, and take her to school. And, when Odessa was just 3 weeks old, the family was visited by Bear's stepmother Barbara. Barbara remembers how excited he was about their new daughter. ``It was his first baby,'' she said, ``and he did it all--diapers and everything.''

I had the privilege of seeing several photos of Bear with his family. One is from his wedding, with a beaming Laurel on one arm and Rees cradled in the other. Another picture shows Bear with the newborn Odessa in his arms. It is clear from looking at these pictures, how incredibly happy Bear's family made him.

Even when he was away from home, Bear's pride and delight in his family was apparent. In a tribute to Bear created by FOXNews, John Fiegener remembers the way Bear lit up at the mention of his family. He wrote:

[His] quick smile was one of the things that struck me most

about Bear, and his biggest smiles were reserved for the many

frequent mentions of his family back home. He never hesitated

to show pictures of his wife, his daughter, and eventually,

his newborn baby girl.

In Iraq, Bear was the head of the security team at the FOX Baghdad office, and was there in October 2005 when car bombs destroyed the hotel where they were located. On the FOXNews tribute Web site, Gordon Robinson remembers how important Bear was at that time. He wrote this about him:

Bear was the person who held all of us together, both as

individuals and as a news bureau. . . . Throughout it all, he

remained calm. When it was over, he was confident and

smiling, and that attitude helped the rest of us to

understand that we, too, were going to make it through.

Cliff Pope had met Bear during their freshman year of high school at Purcell Marian. He remembers how committed Bear was to the ideals of freedom and democracy. In Cliff's words:

Bear believed in America, he believed in democracy, and he

believed in his heart that God put him on this earth to

protect this country. And, he lost his life serving out what

he felt was his life's mission, which was protecting others.

There are perhaps no better words than those to describe the type of man that Bear was. He was simply someone who cared. His friends, his family, and his Nation are all proud of his service, and we owe him our eternal gratitude.

My wife Fran and I continue to keep the family of MAJ Guy Barattieri--his wife Laurel and his daughters Rees and Odessa, his mother Patricia Wheatley, his father and stepmother Dick and Barbara Barattieri, and his sisters Nicole, Becky, and Gina--all in our thoughts and in our prayers.

Sy Jason Lucio

Mr. President, I rise today to honor the memory of a brave man from Clyde, OH--Sy Jason Lucio. Sy was working as a civilian technician in Afghanistan, when on April 6, 2005, he boarded a transport helicopter bound for Bagram Air Force Base. Less than 100 miles from their landing spot in Afghanistan, rough weather forced his Chinook helicopter to the ground, killing all onboard.

Sy leaves his son Lars, his mother Sally, his father Stanley, and his sister Hannah.

Sy attended Clyde High School, where he was known for his energy and intelligence. After moving to Toledo and graduating from Swanton High School, he decided to attend Penta Career Center. Over the next few months, he quickly absorbed whatever his instructors threw at him. Sy was well on his way to becoming an electrician of international caliber.

Being the skilled technician that he was, he was an avid motorcycle enthusiast and bought himself a Buell, which he rode whenever he got the chance. He, like many young men before him, enjoyed the sound of the engine, the freedom, and the exhilaration.

Sy also loved camping. In his youth, his parents took him on many trips to the countryside. Perhaps it was there that his sense of adventure was born. More than anything, though, Sy loved spending time with his son Lars.

Sy's mother Sally remembers how he was happiest rolling around on the floor with Lars and the other children in the family. She said that ``he was such a good daddy. I knew he'd be a good father, but he exceeded my expectations.''

It was hard for Sy to leave his family behind him, but he knew there was plenty of work for a skilled electrician in Afghanistan. To support his family, to see the world, and to help his fellow countrymen, Sy joined on with a U.S. contractor, and in early January 2005, he traveled to their Texas headquarters for training. From there, he flew to Afghanistan.

Sy entered this strange new world with confidence. He knew he had the skills, and he knew he could make a difference in the lives of our servicemembers and the lives of the Afghan people.

Sy's supervisor shared his memories of the brave young man. These are his recollections:

Sy [sigh] had great electrical skills. He was a quiet man,

but very personable, and he often talked about his son. He

really cared about what he was doing and he was proud of the

contributions he was making. . . .

Indeed, Sy had so much about which to be proud. He traveled to operating bases in far-flung parts of Afghanistan. Whatever the harsh environment did to the military's equipment, Sy was there to fix. Day- in and day-out, our servicemembers rely on the best hardware and technical support in the world. Sy's knowledge and ability gave our American military confidence in their equipment. There is no doubt that his work saved lives.

Mr. President, those who knew Sy remember him more for how he lived, than for how he left this earth. They remember his intelligence, his kindness, his adventurous spirit, and his strong moral convictions. They remember how he never wanted anyone to worry about him.

Indeed, Sy left an indelible mark on this world, in the memories of his loved ones, and in the lives he changed through his great work. As his cousin, Sarah Wilson, said, ``He was a hardworking guy, a very loving guy, and a great father. He would do anything for anybody.''

Sy was a thoughtful and quiet man. He had a soft half-smile, which relatives said he often wore instead of a grin so that people wouldn't see his dimples.

Mike Urbine, Sy's instructor at Penta Career Center, knew that he was enthusiastic about his career, and he saw Sy's intelligence reflected in his work. This is what he said about Sy:

He seemed to have a clear head on his shoulders and was a

highly energetic individual. He was a pleasure to work with.

He was adventurous. I can see him going to foreign lands and

working for a big contractor.

Sy's father Stanley remembers his son as a strong family man. He remembers Sy the patriot, and Sy the man, who--despite his youth--was elected to the central committee of the Lucas County Democrat party. Stanley said the following of his son, ``He believed in the union. He believed in his son and taking care of him. He believed in God.''

Mr. President, Sy Lucio may not have worn a uniform, but he was serving his Nation. He worked alongside our service members, he traveled with them, and he worked to protect them by ensuring the good working order and safety of their equipment. His death makes it abundantly clear that he shared many of the same risks. Whatever titles he held, career-wise, though, he was first and foremost a loving father, an adventurer, and a brave American. He died a hero.

My wife Fran and I continue to keep Sy's family in our thoughts and prayers.

Private First Class Samuel Bowen

Mr. President, I rise today to honor and remember a fellow Ohioan-- Army PFC Samuel Bowen, from Cleveland, who lost his life on July 7, 2004, while serving our country in Iraq.

Private First Class Bowen leaves his wife Melanie, their three children Tiust, Darius, and Breonna, his mother Elsie, and his two sisters Consuella and Tamatha.

Samuel--Sam to friends and family--was loved by everyone he met. Known for his friendly face, Sam was the ``big man with a big heart, intimidating in size, but soft-spoken and kind.''

His demeanor made him a favorite among those who knew him. He was well-liked by the patrons who frequented the restaurants where he cooked. And he was loved by his fellow Ohio National Guardsmen, who fought by his side.

Sam spent most of his life in Berlin, MD, before moving to Cleveland. He was the middle child between two sisters. His mother described Sam as a typical boy who liked to take things apart and put them back together. At 8 years old, he would tag along with the local electrician who gave him his own tool belt. Other fond memories include one when Sam was 3 years old and liked to stand on the kitchen stool to cook a scrambled egg breakfast for his sisters.

Four years after graduating from Stephen Decatur High in Berlin, MD, Sam enlisted in the Army where he honed the cooking skills he had practiced as a young boy. After retiring from active duty, Sam joined the Reserves and was stationed in Iraq this past December as a member of the Ohio Army National Guard's 216th Engineering Battalion based in Akron, OH.

Although he was on the other side of the world, Sam made sure to keep in touch with his family, especially his wife Melanie and their children. Sam's sister Consuella remembers that Sam would often leave messages on her answering machine--messages she has not erased.

Consuella described her brother with these words: ``nice and always doing [things] for others. That was his thing--always doing for others, trying to take care of everybody else.'' That's exactly what he did.

While in Iraq, Sam risked his life to save another soldier in his unit, his comrade Ron Eaton. On June 16, 2004, Sam and Ron were outside an Army PX store in the intense Iraqi heat, buying Gatorade, when grenades were thrown at them. Several rounds came their way and shrapnel flew through the air injuring Ron and forcing him to the ground. Without regard for his own safety, Sam grabbed Ron and pulled him to safety while explosions erupted around them. Ron credits Sam with saving his life in the incident that claimed the lives of three soldiers and injured 25.

Sam was one of the first to call Ron following his surgery for the injuries he sustained before Sam pulled him out of danger. Ron recalled that Sam wanted to hear his voice to make sure his ``battle buddy'' was okay. Ron was looking forward to meeting Sam's family and wanted to thank him in person for saving his life.

Tragically, Ron will never have that chance, as Sam was killed when a rocket-propelled grenade exploded near his vehicle in Samarra, Iraq on July 7, 2004.

Sam Bowen was a hero--an American hero, whom we should remember the same way his family will--as ``always doing the right thing.''

Just like Ron Eaton, we will never be able to fully thank Sam for his selflessness. We will never be able to adequately express our respect for this man, who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

At times like this, I am reminded of something that President Reagan said almost 20 years ago at a Veteran's Day Celebration:

There is a special sadness that accompanies the death of a

serviceman, for we're never quite good enough to them--not

really; we can't be, because what they gave us is beyond our

powers to repay. And so, when a serviceman dies, it's a tear

in the fabric, a break in the whole, and all we can do is

remember.

Today, I stand here so that we may all remember Army PFC Samuel Bowen and the sacrifice he made for our country.

I had the privilege of meeting Sam's family and friends at Sam's calling hours, and I know that they will forever remember his smiling face, his friendly demeanor, and giving attitude.

My wife Fran and I continue to keep Sam's family and friends in our thoughts and prayers

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

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

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. 4115, which was introduced earlier today.

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 Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 6338, which was received from the House.

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 suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, I rise this evening to pay tribute to Jerko Zovko, a civilian contractor from Cleveland, who was killed on March 31, 2004, while doing his security work in Iraq.

Jerko--or ``Jerry,'' as he was known by his family and friends--could be described as many things. He was a family man who maintained a close relationship with his parents, brother, and others in his Croatian community outside Cleveland. He was extremely bright, being fluent in five languages. He was extraordinarily brave, having served as an elite Army Ranger in Bosnia and Kuwait and then as a private security agent in Iraq.

Perhaps best described by his mother, Danica, ``Jerry was a man with a principle and ideals. . . . He loved people. He wanted the world to be without borders, for everyone to be free and safe.'' Jerry gave his life for what he believed in, for a people who he thought deserved their freedom.

Born in Cleveland and raised in Euclid, OH, Jerry and his younger brother Tom cultivated their Croatian heritage through their tight-knit family and community. Jerry attended St. Christine School and then Euclid High School, where he played soccer. In his free time, he worked with his father at the family auto body shop. Known as a skinny kid growing up, no one could have predicted that he would grow into the hulking military man as his family lovingly described him.

Following high school, Jerry went to Ohio State University with the intention of becoming a doctor. However, his aspirations changed after a life-altering trip to his family's homeland of Croatia when the country was achieving its independence from the former Yugoslavia. Jerry predicted correctly that conflict was about to erupt in his family's homeland, and he wanted to be ready. He returned to the United States and enlisted in the Army when he was 19 years old.

Jerry was dedicated to the idea of universal freedom and he lived his life in pursuit of that goal. Jerry spent 8 years in the Army as a member of the elite Army Rangers and served mostly overseas, including in Bosnia and Kuwait. His personality shone through in whatever he did. Army buddies remembered with fondness how Jerry built a swimming pool on the roof of the barracks and how he would zip around the base on a motorcycle with a sidecar.

Not wanting to worry his family, Jerry used to tell his parents that he never saw combat because he was ``just a cook.'' Though he knew his parents constantly feared for his safety, Jerry continued to risk his life for the good of others.

After being discharged as a Sergeant from the Army in 2001, Jerry joined Blackwater Security--a private security company--and worked for some time in Dubai. Jerry then decided that the Iraqi people needed his help. His family pleaded with him not to go, but in their hearts they knew that Jerry would do what he believed was right.

His brother Tom recalled Jerry's independent streak and that no one could stop him from doing what he set out to do. His mother remembered a talk they had before Jerry left in which he told her that he was needed in Iraq and that we all need to support our troops and stay united.

While working in Iraq, the newly freed people were Jerry's first priority. He started to learn and speak Arabic, because as he said, he wanted to help the Iraqis and he wanted to do it on their terms. Jerry worked in a number of hotspots in Iraq and never shied away from a tough job.

Jerry eventually lost his life while guarding a food truck in Fallujah. Like the way he lived his life, Jerry lost his in the service of others.

I had the privilege of attending the calling hours for Jerry and am grateful for the chance to talk to Jerry's family about their son, brother, and friend. I thank them for sharing their memories with me.

We will never forget Jerry Zovko. It became apparent, in talking with his family, that Jerry will forever live on in the hearts and minds of his parents Danica and Jozo and his brother Tom. Jerry touched the lives of everyone he met, whether they were family, members of the Croatian community, Army buddies, or people living on the other side of the world.

May we all remember this great American hero.

My wife Fran and I continue to keep his family in our thoughts and in our prayers.

Mr. President, since February 2002, I have come to this floor to honor and to remember the brave Ohio men and women who have died fighting for our country in Iraq and Afghanistan. It has been my very sad duty to give 153 of those speeches.

These courageous servicemembers--with the many faces of Ohio, the many faces of America--came from the smallest villages in our State and came from the largest cities. Some came from our farms. Some were born in Ohio and in America. But others were born in foreign lands far away. Some were 18 or 19 years old. Some were in their forties. Some were privates and lance corporals, while one was a lieutenant colonel. Some joined the military as a result of the September 11 attacks, while others planned on a career in the military from their youngest days, marching around as small children in their fathers' uniforms.

Some, Mr. President, Members of the Senate, had seen a lot out of life, while for others--most of them, really--their lives had just begun. All of them, though, shared something in common. All of them changed lives in countless ways, leaving enormous impacts on their families and their friends and their loved ones. Their absence leaves a gaping hole in the lives of those left behind. And while that makes it very hard, we also know that the world is a better place because these brave men and women were a part of it. It is a better place because they lived.

We are all so very fortunate to have had them in our lives for the all-too-brief time that we did. And for that, we are eternally grateful. We, as citizens, will never be able to repay these Ohioans for their service. We know when we lose a servicemember there is, as Ronald Reagan said, a tear in the fabric that holds us all, holds us all as Americans, and holds us together, and that there is really no way to repair it.

President Theodore Roosevelt perhaps put it best when he said:

Their blood and their toil, their endurance and patriotism,

have made us and all who come after us forever their debtors.

We are, indeed, in their debt.

As John F. Kennedy once said:

A Nation reveals itself not only by the men [and women] it

produces, but also by the men [and women] it honors [and]

remembers.

That is exactly what I have tried to do these past few years, speaking about these brave and courageous Ohioans. It is about honoring and remembering each of these truly unique, wonderful souls. Our Nation is proud of them. They lived their lives well, with great purpose and commitment and love of family and country. And for that, we will never forget them.

I would say to the families of those who have died in Iraq, Afghanistan, training exercises, service to our country, that I will remember them and I will think about them until the day I die.

Mr. President, early on Thanksgiving day, Mary Frances Darling was born. She is our 10th grandchild and the 6th child of our daughter Jill and her husband Bill. As I said on election night this year, I am a very lucky man. I am blessed with a wonderful family.

I am also blessed because for the last 30 years--30 years--the people of Ohio have given me the opportunity to represent them, first as Green County prosecuting attorney, then as State senator, then as a Congressman for four terms from the seventh congressional district, then Lieutenant Governor, and now, for the past 12 years, in this wonderful body as a U.S. Senator. For that opportunity, I will be eternally grateful.

When I came to the Senate in 1995, it had been a little over a year since our daughter Becky had been killed. I was, quite candidly, still numb. We as a family had been through a lot. But I knew that our time here on Earth is short, and I wanted as best I could to spend my time in the Senate, whatever time I had, working on tangible things, getting concrete results that impact the lives of families in Ohio and in our Nation. I have tried to do that, but I have not done it alone. Whatever I have achieved has been with the help of so many people.

Over the past 12 years, I have worked with every Member of this Senate, and I consider each Member of this Senate a friend. I have had the privilege to work with two Republican leaders and one who in January will become the Republican leader.

Trent and Tricia Lott were two of the first people Fran and I met when we came to the House in 1983. Tricia is Fran's best friend here in Washington, and Trent is my dear friend. I have benefited from his counsel, from his advice, and from his help, now for well over 20 years.

Bill Frist and I came to the Senate together in 1995. Karyn and Bill are very good friends. Bill has been an unbelievably accessible leader. We share a passion for fighting the spread of AIDS. Bill's public role in that cause is obvious and apparent to everyone. But what is not so obvious and what is little known is what Bill Frist has done behind the scenes, what his role has been in working with so many people, working with the White House and others to get this job done. No one has played a bigger role. And when the history is written, Bill Frist's name will be there in bold print as someone who has saved so many, many lives.

Mitch McConnell. Mitch and Elaine are dear friends. When I faced the tough challenge of getting a bill or amendment passed, I went to Mitch. I have done it for 12 years. I did it as recently as yesterday. Mitch McConnell is tough. He is strong. He is wise. He will be a great leader. His advice as to how to thread the legislative needle is responsible for so much of what I have passed. He also has a big heart, as was demonstrated time and time again when I would go to him. He is chairman of the Foreign Operations Subcommittee. After I talked to him, he would, at my request, put money into things which saved children's lives, child survival or to save little children, little babies in Haiti. He did it. He got it done. He made a difference.

I have been lucky enough to serve on the Judiciary, Appropriations, HELP, and Intelligence Committees, and I want to thank the chairmen who have led those committees over the past 12 years. I was the first Ohio Senator to serve on the Appropriations Committee since 1945. With the help of Chairman Stevens, Chairman Cochran, and their staffs, I was able to secure well over $1 billion for projects throughout Ohio that make a difference.

I particularly thank Arlen Specter. I thank his clerk and my good friend, Bettilou Taylor. They have both been so helpful to me in securing millions of dollars for programs through Labor-HHS appropriations. These two dedicated public servants helped me provide funding for important programs, things such as the Children's Hospital Graduate Medical Education Program and projects in Ohio to build facilities and provide services for people with disabilities. They also helped me fund projects to help meet the health needs

of seniors and low-income communities throughout the State. Because of them, I have been able to secure over $12 million for Ohio's children's hospitals.

Senator Specter, Bettilou, let me tell you from the bottom of my heart and on behalf of Ohio's sick and poor kids and their families, I thank you.

I also sincerely thank Judiciary Committee Chairmen Specter and Hatch; HELP Committee Chairmen Enzi, Gregg, and Jeffords; and Intelligence Committee Chairmen Roberts and Shelby. I have been fortunate to have passed dozens of bills and amendments in my career in the Senate, and most of them were provisions that I worked along with these chairmen to pass. It would never have happened without them. I appreciate their help.

I appreciate all the help Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley has given me--a dear friend--especially when it came to passing my bills to improve the foster care and adoption system. I have worked with many Members of the Senate on this very important issue, foster care and adoption, including Senators Jay Rockefeller, Mary Landrieu, Larry Craig, Daniel Patrick Moynihan, John Chafee, Jesse Helms, Bill Roth, Jim Jeffords, Dan Coats. They all shared a passion for foster care children. They all shared a passion for the adoption issue.

I also thank my good friend from Pennsylvania, my friend who keeps the candy drawer over there, Rick Santorum. Like so many who spoke about him yesterday, I applaud Rick for his passion and his absolute fearlessness in standing up for what he believes. I recall being on this floor many nights late at night during the debate over partial- birth abortion. Some nights it was just Rick and me, and we closed this place. He got it done. I thank him for that.

I also remember how Senator Santorum stood with Senators Lindsey Graham and Sam Brownback to help me pass my unborn victims of violence bill and see it signed into law. It took several years to pass this legislation, and Congressman Graham had been the sponsor and was the sponsor of the bill in the House. I applaud his determination to get this done. When it comes to foreign policy issues, I share an interest in Western Hemisphere issues with my friends Senator Norm Coleman, the chairman, and Mel Martinez. Mel, thank you. Senator Coleman has admirably served this body as chairman of the Western Hemisphere subcommittee. I sincerely enjoyed travel with him to Haiti.

I also enjoyed traveling to Africa with the good Senator from Tennessee, Lamar Alexander. Lamar has contributed a great deal to this body. He will contribute more, especially in the area of education policy, where he is clearly the expert.

Senator Judd Gregg and I also worked on a very important education issue. He started it. He worked it. I helped him. We got it done. That is the School Choice Program here in Washington, DC. We broke the logjam. We got it done. I applaud his commitment to the children of this, our Nation's Capital.

I thank my friends Chuck Hagel and Lindsey Graham for the good conversations they have shared with me on foreign policy issues. Speaking of that issue, I thank my neighbor on the floor and my neighbor to the west in Indiana, Dick Lugar, for being the rock that he is on foreign policy and for giving me good counsel and advice.

I want to thank my dear friend John McCain, with whom I came to the House of Representatives in 1983 and who has been my friend since. I thank him for his courage. I thank him for his wise counsel on military and foreign relations issues.

I also thank a dear friend of mine who does not now serve in this body, former Senator and Secretary of Energy Spence Abraham. He did a lot of things. One of the things that took guts and courage is he fought with me and others to protect legal immigration while he served in the Senate. He took a lot of flack for it.

I was honored to work with Senator Gordon Smith, Senators Harry Reid, Jack Reed, and Chris Dodd, to pass the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act. I applaud Senator Smith and his wife Sharon for having the courage to take the tragedy of their son Garrett's suicide and do so many wonderful things with it. They are wonderful people.

Last year, I was extremely proud to be one of 14 bipartisan Members of this great body who decided to work together to break what had become a gridlock in the Senate over judicial nominations. In the grand tradition of the Senate, individuals from both political parties came together that time to solve a problem which threatened not only the judicial nomination process but was threatening to shut the Senate down completely. I want to thank my friends with whom I was proud to stand in that effort: John McCain, John Warner, Lindsey Graham, Olympia Snowe, Susan Collins, Lincoln Chafee, Joe Lieberman, Senator Byrd, Ben Nelson, Mary Landrieu, Daniel Inouye, Mark Pryor, and Ken Salazar. They got it done.

I thank my friend, my colleague, my partner, Senator George Voinovich. George and I have worked together in the Senate on so many things for Ohio, from NASA Glenn to the Great Lakes. We first got together in 1989. We joined up as partners in 1989 when I decided to leave the U.S. House--it was a tough decision for me--and join him as his Lieutenant Governor candidate. I have not regretted it. It was the right decision, and we have worked together ever since then. I thank him and I thank his wonderful wife Jan for their friendship and love.

I also want to thank all the members of the Ohio congressional delegation with whom I have sincerely enjoyed working over the years. I have worked with every one of them. They have all made a difference. They are all my friends, Democrats and Republicans. Specifically, I extend my appreciation to my Congressman, my dear friend Dave Hobson. He is a savvy man. I have gone to him many times for advice, and I have gone to him to get things done for Ohio.

I would be remiss if I didn't thank the wonderful staff people in addition to my own staff whom I have had the pleasure to work with in the Senate. I thank the outstanding Senate floor staff: Dave Schiappa, Laura Dove, and all the other floor staffers who are such wonderful professionals and who serve us all so well. Thanks to the staff of the Republican leadership: Eric Ueland; Bill Hoagland, whom I talked about earlier today and whom I go to for advice a lot; Kyle Simmons, Malloy McDaniel, Laura Pemberton, and on and on.

I also thank all the committee staff with whom I had the pleasure to work. They are too plentiful to name, but I cannot leave this body without thanking my dear friend Mary Dietrich, clerk of the DC Appropriations Committee. I saw Mary on the floor last night. I so enjoyed working with her. She is a pro. She is great. I also thank Paul Grove, clerk of the Foreign Operations Subcommittee, who worked with me in helping increase funding for the various humanitarian aid programs. I know he got tired of seeing me coming, but he was always gracious and got the job done.

If there is one thing I have learned in the Senate, it is that you must work together with members of both parties, Democrats and Republicans. I see my friend on the floor, Senator Paul Sarbanes, who will be leaving. I have worked with him over the years. I have worked with many Democratic Senators over the years. I want to take a few minutes to thank them for their willingness to set aside party politics to make a difference and to get tangible results.

First, I thank my very good friend Senator Chris Dodd. Senator Dodd and I have worked together on many bills that have become law. We worked together--not once, not twice, but three times--to pass three bills into law to expand the research and testing of drugs prescribed for children. Senator Hillary Clinton also joined us in this effort, and I thank both of them for their dedication and dogged determination in helping to ensure our children have access to the medicines they need.

Senator Dodd and I also came together to create a national toll-free poison control hotline--I will remind my colleagues one more time of that number: 1-800-222-1222.

Senator Dodd and I also share a commitment to providing additional resources for our Nation's firefighters and first responders. We know that these men and women have the responsibility of looking out for us and our

families, and we, in turn, have a responsibility to provide them with the resources they need to do their jobs. Together, Senator Dodd and I passed the Fire Act in 2000, and that law has provided over $3.1 billion for grants to fire departments around the Nation for needed equipment, training, and communications technology. I am proud of the over $100 million in Fire Act grants that my home State of Ohio has received.

Finally, Senator Dodd and I worked together with a wonderful American statesman--Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan--to pass the Nazi War Crimes Disclosure Act, which has led to the declassification of countless U.S. Government files containing information about Nazi war criminals. The American people deserve to have access to this information. For all of our work together, Senator Dodd, thank you.

Mr. President, I want to thank Senator Jay Rockefeller for joining me in fighting to make our adoption system work better for children around the country. My good friend Senator Rockefeller was the lead cosponsor of two of my bills that we got signed into law, and I was the lead cosponsor of one of his bills that also became law. These laws have helped minimize the amount of time children spend in foster care and increased the number of adoptions across the country.

Those laws are making a difference every day. They are changing children's lives.

As members of the Senate Steel Caucus, Senator Rockefeller and I also worked successfully together to impose tariffs against foreign countries that were dumping steel in the United States. The dumping by these countries was hurting our steel industry and, therefore, it was hurting families throughout Ohio and West Virginia. Senator Rockefeller and I also teamed up to increase automobile and highway safety. He is a champion there, too.

Last year, Senator Rockefeller was the lead co-sponsor of several bills with me that will save lives on our roads. Together, we passed these bills into law as part of the last Highway bill. We will never know the names or faces of the people whose lives will be saved by these laws, but it is enough for both of us to know those men, women, and children are out there. Senator Rockefeller--it has been a pleasure to work with you. Thank you.

Mr. President, I want to thank Senator Mary Landrieu. Senator Landrieu and I share a profound concern for low-income students around the country and for the welfare of young people here in the District of Columbia. In 2001, we worked together to amend the No Child Left Behind Act to make sure that additional funding went toward low-income schools and the students who attend those schools. Since passage of our amendment, low-income schools in Ohio have received $259 million. I applaud Senator Landrieu for her commitment to these children.

I also want to thank Senator Landrieu for the excellent work we did together on the District of Columbia Appropriations Subcommittee. We worked together on this subcommittee from 2001 to 2004, and again, our focus was on improving the health and well-being of children. We improved the city's long-troubled foster care system and helped fund various improvements to Children's Hospitals in the District. It was truly a pleasure working with the good Senator from Louisiana.

Mr. President, I have had the great fortune to work closely on the Judiciary Committee with my friend Senator Pat Leahy. I am proud of the many things that we worked on together. Specifically, we both know that our State and local law enforcement officers need to have the best technology available to protect our families and loved ones. I thank Senator Leahy for working with me in 1998 to pass the Crime Identification Technology Act, known as CITA. We worked together to develop, pass into law, and provide funding for this critical bill, which has included over $500 million to help law enforcement officials purchase cutting edge forensic and communication technology and improve their crime labs--all in an effort to help local law enforcement fight crime and make our communities safer.

I also appreciated working with Senator Leahy to pass my bill in 2003 that eliminated the statute of limitations for child abduction and sex crimes and required child pornographers to register as sex offenders. Finally, Senator Leahy and I worked together, along with Congressman Ted Strickland in the House, to pass my Mentally Ill Offenders bill and get it signed into law in 2004. This law goes a long way toward providing mental health services for criminals desperately in need of those services. Thank you, Senator Leahy. And, of course, neither of these laws would have happened without the help of Judiciary Chairmen Specter and Hatch.

Mr. President, since 1997, I have been a member of the Judiciary Antitrust Subcommittee. During my time in the Senate, sometimes I chaired the Committee, and sometimes my friend Senator Herb Kohl chaired the committee. But, no matter who had the gavel, we ran it the same way--as a bi-partisan committee, which shined a light on competition issues and helped consumers and businesses get a fair shake in the marketplace. Both of our staffs planned the subcommittee agenda together, organized hearings together, and held meetings together. That is exactly the way it should be, and I am proud that Senator Kohl and I were able to achieve and promote a bipartisan consensus on important antitrust issues in many critical parts of our economy.

Senator Kohl and I also worked together to write and pass into law the DNA Analysis Backlog Elimination Act in 2000. We worked on this bill after learning that many law enforcement agencies did not have the funding to process DNA material from crime scenes and those DNA samples ended up just sitting on shelves and not getting analyzed. Our law provides funding to process these samples, identify criminals--such as rapists--and get them off the streets. It has truly been an honor and a privilege to work with Herb Kohl.

Mr. President, I also have had the distinct pleasure to work together with Senator Mikulski on the Retirement Security and Aging Subcommittee and the Aging Subcommittee. I always knew that my good friend from Maryland was a tough negotiator, but over the last Congress, I was reminded of just how determined and tough she can be when she knows she's in the right. Thank heavens, she and I were on the same side.

Senator Mikulski and I worked together this year and in 2000 to reauthorize the Older Americans Act, and we also joined forces to fight against efforts to weaken the pension plans of millions of manufacturing retirees and employees. It was during these negotiations that I was glad to have a partner as tough as Senator Mikulski, and I thank her.

Since 1999, I have been the co-chairman of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force with the senior Senator from Michigan, Carl Levin. Together, Senator Levin and I have fought--side-by-side--to pass laws and increase funding to help restore and protect the Great Lakes. We passed the Great Lakes Legacy Act, which has brought over $60 million to clean up contaminated rivers flowing into the lakes, including $25 million to clean up the Ashtabula River.

Senator Levin and I also recently won Senate passage of the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act to increase the authorization of grants to protect the Great Lakes, and we worked together to prevent invasive species from entering the Great Lakes by authorizing and funding a barrier in Chicago, where Asian carp might enter the Lakes. I thank Senator Levin for his dedication to this unique natural resource.

I have spent a great deal of my time here in the Senate fighting for those who are less fortunate and who cannot fend for themselves--not only here in the United States, but also throughout the world. Over the years, I have sponsored and passed several provisions that have increased funding for humanitarian programs.

I want to thank my good friend Senator Dick Durbin for working with me to increase funding by $100 million for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS and to increase funding by over $60 million for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS. Senator Durbin has also worked with me to help provide assistance to the poorest

nation in our hemisphere--and that is Haiti. Dick, Fran and I traveled together to Haiti and I thank him for joining me in efforts to provide a better life for the people of Haiti. He is a good and compassionate man, and I thank him for his work and for his friendship.

Once again, these things would not have happened but for Mitch McConnell, Pat Leahy, and the people on the subcommittee who provided the money.

While I am talking about Senator Durbin, I also want to thank him for joining me in passing legislation that guaranteed that the children of service members who die in service to their country don't lose their free health care coverage. Before our law, children of service members who died serving their country would lose their free health care after 3 years. But, children whose parents were in the military and did not die would receive health care until they turned 21. That just wasn't right, and Senator Durbin agreed with me. Together, we changed that law. I thank him for working with me on that effort, and I thank Chairman Warner for working with us on this bill, it could not have happened without him.

Mr. President, I also had the pleasure of working with Senators Durbin, Corzine, Biden, and Brownback, as we have tried help bring a stop to the terrible genocide that is occurring in Darfur.

Together, we have increased funding for humanitarian relief and security efforts in this war-torn region, where so many innocent victims continue to suffer. I was proud to join my friends in this effort, and I know they will continue this fight.

Mr. President, none of these important increases to these HIV/AIDS and humanitarian aid programs could have happened without the help of the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee--Senators McConnell and Senator Leahy. To both of them and to their able staffs, thank you.

I want to thank Senator Frank Lautenberg for working with me to set a national .08 blood alcohol content standard for alcohol-impaired drivers.

This was a tough fight, and Senator Lautenberg is a good man to have with you in such a fight. I am proud to say that in 2000, we successfully got our bill passed and signed into law.

Mr. President, I want to thank Senator Byrd, not only for the legislation that we have worked on together, but more importantly for the outstanding service he has given this body and this country. Senator Byrd and I worked together years ago to pass the Continued Dumping Subsidy Offset Act--a law that helped bring hundreds of millions of dollars to U.S. manufacturing companies that were the victims of illegal dumping by foreign companies. This law brought over $315 million to manufacturers in Ohio. Thank you Senator Byrd for the work we've done together and for your outstanding service to this Senate and to this Nation.

Mr. President, I want to wish the best to all of my fellow Senators who were defeated this fall or who are retiring this year--Senators Frist, Santorum, Talent, Burns, Allen, Chafee, Dayton, and Jeffords. They are all good people and all good friends. I wish them well.

Mr. President, I want to take a moment to say that I still miss my good friend Senator Paul Wellstone. Senator Wellstone was a determined and outstanding public servant. In 1998, Paul and I worked closely together to write the law that reformed and improved the effectiveness of job training programs. It was always a pleasure to work with Paul Wellstone--such a passionate and committed and dedicated public servant.

Mr. President, as my colleagues all know, none of us could get anything done here in this body if it were not for the extremely dedicated, hard-working people on our staffs. I am grateful for the men and women who work for me now and those who have worked for me all through my time in the United States Senate. I didn't say thank you often enough, but I ant each of you to know how much I sincerely appreciate all you have done for me--all you have done to help the people of Ohio and the people of this Nation. I say to them: You have done such great work. You have helped people. You have improved their lives and, in some cases, you have saved lives through your efforts. You have made a difference, and you all should be very proud. I know I am proud of each and every one of you.

I have been so fortunate to have had so many qualified, talented people working for me over the years. Time will not permit me to name each one, but I thank all of them collectively for their efforts.

Thank you to all the schedulers who through the years got me where I needed to go and kept me on track. I would be lost, literally, without you.

Thank you to all my personal assistants and executive assistants. You all have taken such good care of me, which, admittedly, has been tough to do. I have not made it easy.

Thank you to my press team--all my past press secretaries and press assistants. You have helped spread the word about the good things this team has done for the people of Ohio. I thank you for your diligence and dedication.

I thank my legislative staff--all my legislative assistants, professional committee staff, legislative aides, legislative correspondents, researchers, and writers. You have been the best team any Senator could ever ask for. I am proud of you. You have worked so hard, so tirelessly, and with such commitment. You got things done. You have made a difference.

Thank you to all my current and past staff assistants, receptionists, and interns. You have been on the front lines every single day. You have heard a lot. You manned the phones. You greeted all of our constituents. You have helped me in countless ways. You have done your job so well with great respect, grace, and patience.

Thank you to our mail team. One thing is certain in this business: the letters and e-mails never stop coming. That is a good thing. Thank you for opening all the correspondence, sorting it, taking care of it, and making sure responses got out. I bless you for that.

Thank you to all my past office managers and system administrators. You have kept my office running. Without each of you, we couldn't open our doors each business day. You are great.

Thank you to my entire team in Ohio--to all my current and past regional directors, district representatives, staff assistants, and caseworkers. You are the best Ohio has to offer. I am proud to have worked with each one of you. I couldn't have done my job without you. You all know our State so very well. You have been so caring and kind to our constituents. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

While it would be impossible for me to talk about each of my past staff members individually, I would like to take a moment to say a few things about some of my key advisers over the years. I will dearly miss working with each one of you. Bluntly, I don't know how I am going to get along.

Thank you to my past and present finance team. They are the ones who got me here: Mary Sabin, Rachel Pearson, Amy Ford Bradley, and last, but certainly not least, Brooke Bodney, who has taken me through the last few years. You all have amazed me over the years. You have pushed me, prodded me, you made me do something I don't like to do: make phone calls and ask people for money. Please know how grateful I am to each one of you. Your jobs were not easy, and you did a phenomenal job.

Thank you to my past campaign managers--Curt Steiner in 1992, Laurel Pressler Dawson in 1994, Josh Rubin in 2000, and Matt Carle from my 2006 race. Curt has been my friend for over a quarter of a century. He is smart and political savvy. Laurel was a great campaign manager in 1994. I will have more to say about her in a minute. Josh has been a permanent fixture in the DeWine family since the early 1990s. I have always appreciated his advice and wise counsel. Matt did a fine job this past election cycle. He knows Ohio very well.

I would also like to mention my friend Chuck Greener who has been a friend for over 25 years. I am grateful for his friendship and wise counsel. He always takes my calls. He always calls back. He is there for me. He is there for Fran.

Thank you to each of the individuals who have served as staff directors of my subcommittees. Louis Dupart served as staff director for our Antitrust Subcommittee. Louis always came to me with such great legislative

ideas. He is the one who came to me with the idea of the Nazi war crime legislation. I will forever be grateful for that.

Pete Levitas also served for several years now as staff director for the Antitrust Subcommittee. Pete is a brilliant lawyer. He has been one of my most dedicated staff members, and he is one of the funniest people I have ever met. He can always make me laugh, and we always need people around us, Pete, to make us laugh.

Dwayne Sattler served as staff director for our Employment and Training Subcommittee. He worked tirelessly to help reform this country's job training program. A lot of the bill was his work product. I thank him for that.

Last, but certainly not least, Karla Carpenter, who has served as the staff director for three of my subcommittees: Aging, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services, and Retirement Security. What in the world will I do without her? She has been with me since 1994. She is, as she likes to say, ``the smartest person she knows.'' Mr. President, let me tell you, she is certainly one of the smartest persons I know. She got our Adoption and Safe Families Act signed into law, as well as the Older Americans Act and pensions bill. Thank you, Karla.

I would also like to thank my able Intelligence Committee designee, John Pack, and my excellent former designees Jack Livingston and Jim Barnett. You have been great advisers.

I have been most fortunate to have had the chance to work with three of the smartest, hardest working legislative directors around. My first Senate legislative director and chief counsel was Nick Wise. He was also legislative director for me in the House of Representatives. Nick always had a unique ability to analyze an issue and drill it down to the essence of the matter, and then explain it to me. Unique talent.

My next legislative director was Robert Hoffman. He came to my office from Senator Larry Pressler's office, where he was the Senator's legislative director. Robert did a fantastic job for me. He has an unstoppable work ethic. He was so dedicated and had such a solid understanding of the legislative process. I thank Robert.

My current legislative director is Paul Palagyi. What will I do without Paul, who is my go-to guy on so many things? He has been my LD for nearly 6 years and has built an extraordinary legislative team. Paul has put up with a lot. He is also an adviser for my two dogs at home.

During my time in the Senate, I have had two speechwriters. My first Senate speechwriter was Mike Potemra. I can say with honesty Mike is one of the most intelligent people I know. He is just so knowledgeable. In his own words, Mike is an ``unusual guy.'' That he is, but he is also deeply endearing, and I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with him. I thank Mike.

Now, Mr. President, I come to the point in my speech where it is not scripted, and that is because it is about Ann O'Donnell. Ann O'Donnell has been my speechwriter. Ann O'Donnell has been someone who has made an unbelievable difference in my life. She is a tireless worker. She is a compassionate person. Fran and I have traveled with Ann to Haiti. I have seen her compassion for the children of Haiti. She is someone who never stops working.

During this past week, because I am leaving the Senate, because I would not be here in January, I have tried to finish giving tribute speeches to all soldiers and troops who died in Iraq and Afghanistan. It was an unbelievable task. Ann put it together. She got it done. We did 75 speeches this week. It wouldn't have happened without her. A lot of things I have done would not have happened without her. I thank her. I thank her for being who she is.

I have had two communications directors during my time in the Senate. First was Charlie Boesel. Everyone loves Charlie. His personality is as flamboyant as his taste in colorful clothes. Charlie was a pleasure to work with and did a fine job for us. I will tell you, it was great fun to have Charlie join us for a few days on the campaign trail. Fran and I were so happy to see Charlie back.

My current communications director is Mike Dawson. I first met Mike when I was running for Governor in 1989. Mike, whom I did not know, came to me and kept coming to us and said: Hey, I want to work for you, I want to help you on your campaign. We finally said yes, and he was on the campaign. He worked on my Governor's race and then my Lieutenant Governor's race when I joined George in his bid for Governor. Mike worked in the Voinovich administration, he worked for Senator Voinovich, and he has been my communications director for the last 5 years. I am grateful for his wise counsel. He is my friend. I will always remember what he has done for me.

I have had one State director while I have been in the Senate. That has been Barbara Schenck. Barbara worked with me when I was Lieutenant Governor. She is truly one of the finest individuals I have ever known. She is smart; she is articulate; she is spirited; yes, she is feisty; and she is passionate. She is also extremely compassionate. She has been my right hand in Ohio. I talked to her many days six, seven, eight times. I can't imagine not working with her in the days ahead, but I know she is going to do some amazing things. Barbara, you are the greatest. Thank you.

Finally, my chief of staff, Laurel Pressler Dawson. I truly believe-- I have not checked this--that she has been chief of staff to a Senator and a Congressman probably longer than anybody in this body. Laurel has been my chief of staff since January 1983 when I entered the U.S. House of Representatives. We have seen and been through so much together in our personal lives, as well as professional. She has been there during the great tragedies in my family. She has always been there. When our daughter Becky died, she was at the hospital. She was the one who came.

She was the one person who had the ability to tell me no, and I would listen to her. Everybody needs someone who tells them ``no'' and listens to them. I have been privileged to have her be my most trusted adviser for over two decades. She always just got it done. She managed my organization with great skill. I cannot thank her enough for all she has done for me and for my family.

As my colleagues in the Senate are well aware, Fran and I have a big family. We are blessed. We are parents of 8 children, now the grandparents of 10 grandchildren. I would like to take a couple minutes to talk about my family before I end.

First I thank my oldest child, my son Patrick. I always turned to Pat for his thoughts on policy and politics and have so appreciated his help in my campaigns and his keen advice and his input. Pat's three boys--Michael, Matthew, and Brian--are a delight. They are a delight every day. They were a delight to have on the campaign trail. I thank each of them for all their hard work and their efforts.

I thank my daughter Jill, her husband Bill, and their children, Albert, Isabelle, David, Caroline, Justin, and newborn Mary Frances. Jill and Bill and the kids walked in so many parades this summer and fall and throughout the years, as all our kids have. I can't count them. They have always been so helpful and supportive. I thank Bill for his expertise on issues regarding persons with disabilities. He has helped me understand the needs of those with disabilities. He has helped me do more to help them.

Our son John recently completed his Ph.D. in ecology. Fran and I are so proud of him. He and his wife Michele and their sweet little daughter Josie Jean have recently moved to West Virginia, where John is now working on river restoration.

Our son Brian is engaged to Kalie Spink. They are planning their wedding for this coming April. Fran and I are so looking forward to that and looking forward to having Kalie join our family. Brian works in the best job probably in the family. He works for a minor baseball team, the Carolina Mudcats. I envy him every day.

I thank my daughter Alice for the sacrifices she made this year to help with our campaign. She is a law student at Ohio Northern University--my alma mater--and took the fall semester off to work on the campaign where she was in charge of coalitions. Thank you, Alice. You did a great job.

Our son Mark is a sophomore at the College of Wooster, where he runs cross-country and track. Mark is a good person, a person who is very compassionate. For his Eagle Scout project, he traveled to Haiti, a place my colleagues know is very important to Fran and myself. He planted trees

there. He worked with Father Tom Hagan and helped with the reforestation project.

Our daughter Anna is a freshman in high school. She is a runner like all her brothers and sisters. She is a sweet, quiet, caring young woman. She has put up with a lot this past year with her mom and dad being gone quite a bit of the time, going back and forth between Washington and Ohio. But she has handled it so well. We are very proud of her.

To each of my children and grandchildren, Mr. President, I simply want to say thank you and I love you.

As an only child growing up, I was dating Frances in high school and I used to love going over to her house because she had a big family. There was always something going on. I want to thank Fran's brothers and sisters and their families for all they have done for us over the years, their friendship and love and help and support. We are so very fortunate to have all of them in our lives. I want to thank Fran's parents, especially, Bill and Mary Struewing. You are great. No one could have a better mother-in-law and father-in-law. You have put up with me since Fran and I started dating in high school, for a long time, and for that I am very grateful.

Of course, I want to thank my parents, Dick and Jean DeWine. I have talked about my dad on the Senate floor many times in regard to the K- Company and what he did during World War II. I could not have asked for two more wonderful parents. They always believed in me. They gave me my interest in politics. They gave me their values. They gave me their work ethic, and I owe them everything, and I love them very much.

Finally, every day I think of our daughter Becky who died in 1993. Becky was a compassionate, honest, caring young woman who would have done so much with her life. I think of her every day. The things that Fran and I do for children, we do in her memory.

In conclusion, I love Ohio. I love our country. I see a great future for both my State and for America. I am an optimist. My wife Fran says that anybody with 8 kids by definition is an optimist, and I am an optimist. Throughout my career in the Senate and after I leave, I will continue to care about the health and education and welfare of our kids. I will continue to care about stopping the spread of AIDS around the globe. I will continue to help improve the lives of our world's most impoverished men, women, and children. I will continue to care about highway safety and the importance of making our cars and roads safer. I will continue to care about making our communities safe for our families, safe from crime, safe from terrorism.

As I leave the Senate, however, I leave behind unfinished business, as we all do, and I encourage my colleagues to continue the work we shared on so many different issues.

Just this week I introduced the Pediatric Medical Device bill with Senator Dodd, a bill that will help ensure that our children have access to lifesaving medical devices that are designed specifically for small bodies. I hope someone will take up that cause.

I thank my colleague Ted Kennedy for working with me, and I was working with him, on the bill to give the Food and Drug Administration the authority to regulate tobacco. It is long past due. It needs to happen. It has not passed, but it will. I know it will pass. I know it will pass, because it is the right thing to do.

Two days ago I introduced a bill to make cars and roads safer for our families, especially our children. That bill would simply direct the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration to research new ways to keep pregnant women and their unborn children safer in our cars. I hope someone will take that up as well.

I will finally conclude my remarks by thanking the most important person in my life, my bride of 39 years, Fran. As most people know, I would be literally lost without her. She takes care of me. She takes care of our family. She is our rock. Fran is my partner in all things. She is my best friend. She is the passion of my life. She is my love. She is everything to me. We met in the first grade. It took me until the seventh grade to talk her into going out on a date with me, and it took me 7 more years to convince her to marry me. I am a persistent man. We got married between our sophomore and junior years at Miami. We tell people it was a productive 4 years at Miami. We ended up with two degrees and two children by the time we left. I could not have done any of this without her by my side.

She has been through every one of my campaigns. She has done everything. Thirty ice cream socials for 2,500 people who just dropped by her house on a Sunday. She has done that for 30 years. She does anything and everything. She is smart, she is witty, she is organized, and she is very compassionate. She accomplishes more than anyone I know, and she never stops working. I love her more than anything else in the world. Someone said to me earlier this year that if I lost my reelection bid, it wouldn't be so bad, because even if I lost my Senate seat, Fran would still be there by my side. They were right. And for that, I am very fortunate.

Mr. President, my colleagues, my friends, come visit us in Ohio. That is where we will be. After this month, we will be in our home in the county where we grew up, the county where we were born, the county where we live. We will be home in Greene County. Come see us. You are always welcome.

I thank the Chair for his indulgence, and my colleagues.

I yield the floor.

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

Mr. President, I will be very brief. I have spoken a lot in the last week, but I want to talk very briefly about the bill that will be before the Senate in a few minutes, and speak about one particular provision, the antitrade bill.

I thank Bill Thomas, I thank Bill Frist, Senator Grassley, Senator Baucus, Charlie Rangel, Kendrick Meeks. I thank the Chair, I thank Senator Durbin, the leadership in the House and the Senate of both parties, for including this provision in the bill.

Bill Thomas told me a moment ago, as I congratulated him and thanked him, that this should have passed 4 years ago. I think it should have. We worked on it for a long time.

The good news is that it will make a difference. It will create many jobs in Haiti, a country that has about 70-percent unemployment, gross underemployment, a country that Fran and I visited again last week, where we saw Paul Farmer's hospital in the central part of Haiti, with children who were grossly malnourished, children who do not have enough to eat, children who would have died but for getting into Paul's hospital, children whose hair was turning orange because of malnutrition. When we went to Sisters of Charity in Port-au-Prince, we saw twins who had been brought in by their dad who did not have enough to eat; they were clinging to life. That is replicated all over Haiti.

This bill will not solve all the problems of Haiti, but it will begin to do the one thing that is needed: Create jobs. The Haitian people are an industrious people. They are hard working. They line up for jobs. Jobs in Haiti are what the country needs. It is what the new Government, that has been duly elected, needs--to be able to show some progress, to be able to give the people of Haiti some hope.

I thank my colleagues. I thank all of them for including this provision. I thank my friend Lindsey Graham and others who represent textile interests. I know they had problems with this bill. We tried to work out some of those problems. They represented their constituents well. But they also had the heart for the people of Haiti.

This is not just a question about humanitarian concern; it is also about our national interests. It is about our foreign policy. Haiti, as the Presiding Officer knows, being from Florida knows, is very close to Miami. It is probably an hour and 20 minute flight from Miami. Boat people come up there time and time again. We have had

United States Marines, United States troops in Haiti twice in the last decade. It is a country that we need to care about. It is very important to us.

I thank the Chair. I thank my colleagues for including this provision. It is a provision that will make a difference. It is a provision that will save lives. I thank my colleagues for this.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, I say to my neighbor in West Virginia, my friend and my colleague, first of all, that the poem he just recited is one that my wife Frances and I learned in the seventh grade in Yellow Springs. The Senator reciting it brings back very good memories, not only of the poem but of being in the seventh grade with my friends.

There will be many things about this Senate that I will miss, and certainly one that I will miss is having the opportunity to sit here and to listen to my colleague from West Virginia as he speaks. It is a great privilege. It is a great thrill.

I must tell him, however, that there is C-SPAN in Cedarville, OH. I suspect the library does get the Congressional Record at Cedarville College and other places, so I will have the opportunity to listen to him and read what he has to say. He is a great treasure of this Senate.

I might also tell my colleague, as I told him personally yesterday, that I will carry around with me and keep with me and prize the small Constitution that I know is in his pocket right now that he gave me. I deeply appreciate that. And I know he gave one to the Presiding Officer as well.

One of the first things I did when I came to the Senate in January of 1995 was walk across the hall to see Senator Byrd. Senator Byrd was kind enough to give me his ``History of the Senate.'' I have cherished that, have read it. That will be going back with Frances and myself to Ohio. If I do, I say to my colleague from West Virginia, do what I hope to do--do a little teaching at the college level--I am sure those books will certainly come in very handy.

I thank my colleague for his friendship and for his great service now beginning this January his ninth term in the Senate.

One final note. I will tell my colleague, and I don't know if I have told him this, but my son and my daughter-in-law and our new granddaughter now live in West Virginia, so they are constituents of my colleague.

I am pleased to yield.

I thank my colleague for his very generous and kind comments. One final comment to say that it was his great leadership, along with the great leadership of Senator McCain and others, which allowed us--group is the word I would prefer--a group of 14 Senators to make an agreement that I think was in the best interests of the Senate, and it has proved to be in the best interests of the Senate, in regard to our judges and how we confirm them. It has worked so far. My wish for you and my other colleagues as you go on is that you will continue to keep that agreement and it will continue to work. That is my wish.