Floor Statements

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 President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. President, I come to the Senate floor this morning to pay tribute to Marine LCpl Robert F. Eckfield, Jr., from Cleveland, OH. On October 27, 2005, Lance Corporal Eckfield died from injuries sustained in Iraq. He was 23 years of age at the time.

Lance Corporal Eckfield is survived by his father Robert, his mother and stepfather Virginia and Norman Taylor, and younger siblings Nathan, Rachel, and Norman, Jr.

Even from a very young age, Robert knew he wanted to serve in the Marines. He was adventurous, loved being outdoors, and had a strong sense of duty and patriotism. In addition, Robert's family had a long tradition of military service. His grandfather had been a marine and fought in World War II and Korea. His Uncle Bill served in the Marines at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. And Marine Cpl Derek Wright is Robert's cousin and the two enlisted together after the terrorist attacks on September 11. According to Corporal Wright, Robert wanted to be in the Marines ever since he was 12 years of age.

Robert worked hard for the privilege of wearing the Marines uniform. While working odd, part-time jobs, he enrolled in Cleveland Christian Academy and attended night classes so that he could earn his high school diploma. Immediately after graduating in 2002, Robert joined the Marines. As his mother said:

Right from the start, he wanted to [fulfill] his duty. He

went right into boot camp after graduation.

Virginia was worried about Robert's decision, but she supported him because she knew how important the military was to her son. Their family drove down to Parris Island, SC, to celebrate his graduation from boot camp.

Robert was a truly brave marine. According to his family, he had his mother promise that he would be buried in Arlington if anything ever happened to him in Iraq during his third tour of duty. Robert served willingly and never questioned his duty.

In Iraq, Robert served with the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force based in North Carolina. Robert was an outstanding marine, someone who always gave it everything he had. He served with passion, honor, and dedication.

Two fellow marines who served with Robert in Iraq wrote the following to their friend on an Internet tribute Web site:

[Eckfield] was one of the most outstanding marines we had.

. . . [We] want everyone to know that Eckfield had something

no other junior marine had . . . and that was heart. Eckfield

never complained about anything, and he was one of the best

we had.

Robert fell in love before he left for Iraq. His girlfriend was Beth Dunkle. She wrote the following words of tribute to Robert:

Bobby was a great man. We were only together for a short

time, but it felt like we knew each other our entire lives.

There was a connection the moment we met. Our journey started

there, and my love for him will never die. He is a true hero.

Words can't express how much I love him and miss him.

Robert and Beth were able to spend some time together before he left on his third deployment. Beth visited him at Camp Lejeune where Robert filled a room with rose petals, champagne, bouquets, and chocolate- covered strawberries. Beth said they talked about everything--from Robert's ambition to be in law enforcement after leaving the service to the future in general and them sharing it together for a lifetime.

In the words of Robert's mother:

He just fell in love with a wonderful woman named Beth. . .

.When he was home in September, they talked about how happy

they would be when he could return home for good in April,

and they could be together. He sent her roses on Sweetest

Day.

When Robert died, although Virginia would have liked to have had her son closer to her in Ohio, she honored his last request to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery. On November 5, 2005, nearly 60 family members and friends traveled there for the service where Marine GySgt Barry L. Baker presented Robert's mother a flag in her son's honor.

Robert was a young man who had a bright future before him. He planned to attend college when he returned from Iraq and aspired to a career with either the Central Intelligence Agency or the State Department.

Robert will be dearly missed by everyone who knew him. Teachers who knew him when he attended John Marshall High School in Cleveland were so proud of his accomplishments as a marine and devastated when they heard of his death.

According to family friend Steve Dever, all activity at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport halted when Robert's body arrived. In Steve's words:

I'm glad to see he's getting a hero's funeral.

Before he was buried at Arlington, a memorial service was held in Robert's honor at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Cleveland. Robert's cousin, Richard Samkas, said he and Robert grew up like brothers, and that he remembers him as a ``fun, outgoing kid [who] always had some things funny to say.'' After the memorial service, these were Richard's words:

If there is any way I'd want someone to remember him, it's

his honor--the way he honored the military every time he put

on that uniform.

The world is a better place because Robert lived among us. He was a young

man of courage and compassion, someone who served our Nation with honor and distinction. My wife Fran and I will continue to keep his family in our thoughts and in our prayers.

Lance Corporal Jeremy Shock

Mr. President, this morning I come to the Senate floor to honor Marine LCpl Jeremy Shock. This Green Springs, OH, native died on November 19, 2006, when the vehicle he was riding in hit an improvised explosive device near Fallujah, Iraq. He was 22 years of age at the time.

Jeremy had only been in Iraq since mid-September when the incident occurred. He served as a machine gunner while in Iraq and also repaired weapons in the armory.

Friends and family said Jeremy always put others before himself. One of his former roommates Seth Mahon said this of Jeremy's selflessness:

Jeremy was the greatest guy I ever met. . . . He was the

guy who, if he only had $5 and you needed it, he was going to

give it to you. He never asked for help. If you were having a

bad day, he would make it a good day.

A 2002 graduate of Clyde High School, Jeremy was a lineman on the football team and set an example for his fellow classmates and teammates. During Jeremy's funeral, his uncles carried his football jersey and a football. The flag hung at half staff at the high school where his brother Zack is a sophomore and his sister Sara is a freshman. Jeremy's High School principal, Joe Webb, said this of Jeremy shortly after his funeral:

Jeremy was a great kid. He was the type of kid that was a

leader through example. He would give you a great effort

every time. Whatever you asked him to do, you know he would

give his maximum effort and get it done. There's just no

better young man who's come through Clyde High School than

Jeremy Shock.

That is what his high school principal said.

After graduating from high school, Jeremy enrolled in Tiffin University. His friend Lacey Cherry remembers the first time she met him, a few days after they moved in at school. Jeremy, a large football player, would run around the dorms introducing himself to every person he met. Lacey said, ``Ever since then, we had been really, really close.''

Jeremy's roommates at Tiffin, Seth Mahon and Jake Tidaback, remember how Jeremy was smart, how he worked hard, and how he always would make them laugh. They recall how important joining the Marines was to him. According to Jake, there was no one who could serve our country better than Jeremy. In his words:

Jeremy was simply the typical best friend, the kid who

would be there whenever you needed him. He was always happy.

If you would be having a bad day, he would make it a good

day.

Jeremy enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserves prior to his senior year at Tiffin. He decided to join while he was interning for the International Criminal Police Organization in the summer of 2005. He then graduated with a degree in criminal justice in the spring of 2006.

Jeremy always had a positive outlook on life--an attitude he maintained while serving in Iraq. He kept in touch with his former Tiffin roommates Seth and Jake through e-mail. They remember that while Jeremy would say that serving in Iraq had its ``ups and downs,'' he always concluded that things ``didn't seem too bad.'' As Seth said, ``Jeremy just wasn't a very negative person.''

Last April, Jeremy married Clara, his college sweetheart. The two met while they were both attending Tiffin. They were married while Jeremy was home for a 3-day leave. Bonnie Tiell, former assistant athletic director and tennis coach at Tiffin University, remembers how caring Jeremy was and how he loved Clara completely. Jeremy's family and friends remember how much he was looking forward to returning home so he could spend more time with her.

During Jeremy's funeral, Clara read the last letter she wrote to him, and I would like to read an excerpt from that letter:

You've made me the happiest woman on Earth. You always give

me support when I need it. Even when you're far away, you're

here for me. I really don't know yet what I'm going to do

without you in my life.

Jeremy will be missed by all who knew him and all who loved him. As his former roommate Seth said:

He will definitely be missed. He's taking a lot of hearts

with him.

Jeremy was a humble man who never wanted to be in the spotlight. He took pride in serving his country, and he was someone full of purpose with a strong sense of duty. The military recognized Jeremy's leadership and his drive. He was honored with a National Defense Service medal and a certificate of commendation.

I would like to conclude my remarks with the words from a prayer that was posted on an Internet tribute Web site in Jeremy's honor, and this is what it said:

O Lord, into your hands, we humbly entrust our brother. In

this life, you embraced him with your tender love; deliver

him now from evil and bid him enter into eternal rest.

My wife Fran and I continue to keep Jeremy and his wife Clara, his father and mother, Duane and Sherry, and his brother and sister, Zack and Sara, in our thoughts and in our prayers.

Mr. President, I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I congratulate my colleague from Illinois for his very eloquent statement. He, along with Senator Brownback and others, has been very much involved in this issue. We say ``issue,'' but it is a lot more than an issue. It is something that is truly one of the great tragedies of our era. I salute him for his passion. I salute him for his intellect and his drive and his determination to do something about it. We have made some progress and have a special envoy appointed. This was something Senator Biden and I worked on, along with others, urged the administration to do. I am delighted that Andrew Natsios is in that position. He is a man of great talent. But we in Congress--and I will be leaving the Congress--and the American people, we all have to continue to speak out. We all have to continue to make this a priority. We all have to remember, as my colleague from Illinois has so eloquently pointed out, the history of atrocities such as this in the past and that when good people do not speak up and do not, more importantly, take action, these tragedies not only occur but they continue.

I salute my colleague from Illinois.

Mr. President, I rise to take a moment to congratulate my colleague from Pennsylvania, Senator Santorum, who spoke very eloquently about the world threat that we face today. Rick Santorum is someone of great passion. He is someone who is fearless. He is someone who, frankly, does not care whether people agree with him or do not agree with him.

I will say this: This Senate is going to be a lesser body without Rick Santorum's great passion and his great drive, his great creativity. He will take those attributes out of this body, but I know that we will hear from him. He will be vocal. He will be concerned. He will be involved in whatever role he decides to assume after the first of January.

Mr. President, I come to the Floor today to honor a brave Ohioan, Marine LCpl Michael Cifuentes, from Fairfield, who was killed in the line-of-duty when his vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device in Iraq on August 3, 2005. Michael is survived by his parents, Gregory and Carolyn, his brother Daniel, and his fiance Tara Reynolds.

Friends, family, and fellow marines remember Michael, first and foremost, for his kind and generous spirit. A 1998 graduate of St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati and then a 2002 graduate of my alma marter, Miami University, Michael chose to postpone his upcoming graduate studies in math education in order to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Michael was known as having a soft spot in his heart for children, and eventually, he wanted to become a math teacher. To make the most of his time before graduate school, Michael was a substitute teacher at Talawanda Middle School in Oxford, OH. Principal Sharon Lytle remembers that he was an excellent teacher, who was well liked by his students and who exhibited a special willingness to help those requiring special instruction. She said the following about Michael:

He was always willing to take the toughest cases. He was a

real team player [and] unfailingly polite and respectful. A

lot of college kids come in here just more relaxed. He was

just more mature.

Mark Hinkle, Michael's uncle, said that Michael was a great teacher-- a teacher who also always wanted to be a Marine. Michael taught Mark's 10-year-old daughter at Talawanda Middle School. His uncle said that Michael ``just loved the kids.''

Michael held a graduate assistantship through iDiscovery, an online program for teachers, until he was called for duty in the Marine Corps

Reserve. Sara Hayes, coordinator of this teaching program, said that ``Michael was a bright, funny, caring personality, and he would have made an excellent math teacher.'' Hayes' sentiments are frequently echoed by friends and family alike.

Michael was always a wonderful friend, and he made an impact upon everyone whom he met. St. Xavier marching band member Kyle Metzroth recalls a particularly humorous moment with Michael:

I only knew Mike for a year. I was a freshman in the

marching band the year he was a senior. I can remember him

for always having a smile, and I remember a lot of laughs.

But, the one solid, concrete memory I have of Mike was a trip

up to Cleveland for the St. Ignatius football game that fall.

Mike was a sousaphone player in the band, and if I remember

correctly, he had forgotten it on this trip, or it was

broken, or something of that nature. The important fact was

that he was unable to march with it.

The band director was going to allow him to march anyway

without an instrument. But I guess to some true bandsmen,

marching without an instrument, just doesn't cut it. There

was one extra instrument lying around among the band. The

difficulty with this instrument was the fact that it had

strings--[it was] a banjo. One of the other bandsmen must

have brought it with him as something to do on the bus ride.

Little did we know that we were about to witness St. Xavier

High School's very first marching banjo! To this day, people

I know in the band still talk about it.

At Miami University, Michael continued to play in the marching band-- tuba, actually--and was actively involved in the Acacia fraternity, was the head manager for the women's basketball team, and was a member of Miami's Naval ROTC.

Miami University Marching Band Director David Shaffer said this about Michael:

[He] always gave 100 percent. He loved Miami football and

was the team's loudest voice from the stands. With great

enthusiasm, he was always the first in line for the tuba

snake and the one to ring the President's doorbell during the

Band Day parade. I know Mike was a very proud Marine and a

true American. We can only be thankful that Mike was with us

for 25 years. He was our friend, our brother, and our

defender.

It was at Miami University that Michael met his fiance Tara Reynolds. Michael's friends say that one of the happiest moments of Michael's life was when Tara agreed to be his wife.

Friend Janice Hughes said that ``Michael was always looking for the right girl. When he met her, they clicked, (and) he was really excited to talk about her.''

Michael planned for the perfect proposal. In fact, he puts most people to shame when it comes to creative proposals. After going over the details for weeks with his fraternity brothers as a way to quell his nervousness, Michael sat with Tara on an outdoor wooden bench with a packet of recent photos. Mixed into the pile was a snapshot of him holding a sign reading: ``Will You Marry Me?'' She, of course, said ``yes.''

A few months after their engagement, Michael's Marine reserve unit was activated and left Oxford for Iraq.

Tom Fennell, president of the Acacia fraternity, said this about Michael:

Spending time with Mike in formal and social situations

immediately led us to understand his love for his friends,

family, fiance, and country. . . . The best word to describe

Michael was `committed.' He was committed to his fiance, and

he was committed to the Marines.

Pride is another recurring word used to describe Michael. Chris Rhoton, assistant principal at Talawanda Middle School, said that pride ``was how he felt about being called up. Michael was patriotic, mature, and respectful. He was a great role model. Students and anyone who met him just respected him immediately. He enhanced the lives of several kids here.''

The Reverend John Ferone perhaps summed it up best when he said, ``Michael was a lover, a reconciler . . . a person who was able to give everything away so that this world would be a better place.''

Michael's parents included a tribute to their son as part of the program distributed to attendees of his memorial service. This is what they wrote:

We will celebrate Michael's life for the good that he

brought to this world. With his buddies and fellow Marines,

he was trying to bring a better life to a people who have

suffered for too long.

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

Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to LCpl Ryan E. Miller of Gahanna, OH. Ryan was killed on September 3, 2006, by an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations in the Al Anbar province of Iraq. When he died, he was 2 months into his second tour of duty. He was 21 years old.

Long before he was old enough to enlist in the Marines, Ryan was a courageous protector. He was always looking out for his family and friends--especially his younger sister Tara.

Ryan's aunt Kathie Masters remembers how even when Ryan was just 4 years old, he was always protecting Tara. One day, she had toddled toward the end of the driveway. As she got close to the road, 4-year- old Ryan raced toward her to keep her from crossing into the street. As Kathie recalls:

Tears were streaming down his face and he was screaming,

`No, Tara! No!' He ran to shield her from harm's way.

That story sums up the type of person Ryan Miller was throughout his entire life--selfless, caring, and always concerned first and foremost about others.

Ryan graduated from DeSales High School in 2003, and enlisted in the Marines December of that same year. He told his parents that ``he thought he would come out of it a stronger, better person with lifelong friendships.'' As Ryan told his father, Ed: ``There's nothing negative here, Dad. This is all good.''

When Ryan was a child his father taught him how to shoot a pellet gun in the backyard. Even at an early age, Ed could see that Ryan was a good marksman. Years later--after enlisting in the Marines--Ryan went to the School of Infantry at Camp Pendleton, CA, and graduated with the Military Occupational Specialty for rifleman.

Ryan's uncle Michael remembers that his nephew welcomed the challenge of the Marines. ``He wanted to be tested,'' he recalls. ``He wanted to serve as three past generations of the Miller family did so proudly. He wanted to be the best.''

Ryan was so proud of serving his Nation in the military, and his father remembers that the Marines had made Ryan more confident, mature, and focused. Ryan was first deployed to Iraq in February 2004. After returning that following September, he would give slide shows for anyone interested in what the experience had been like. And although Ryan's second tour was more volatile than his first, he always maintained his positive attitude--always told his parents not to worry. ``I can handle anything they can throw at me,'' his father remembers Ryan saying. ``I'll have a lot of good stories to tell you when I get back.''

Ryan was, indeed, an excellent Marine. He served with pride, honor, and dedication. Joseph Rivera, a fellow marine who had served with Ryan, wrote the following message to Ryan's family on an Internet tribute Web site:

I'm very sorry for your loss. I knew Ryan shortly after he

got to the 3-2. I stood a lot of post with him. He was a good

Marine and an even better friend. He was one of the best guys

I've ever had the privilege of serving with. He will be

missed--but never forgotten.

Five days before his death, Ryan called his parents Ed and Mary. After 10 days of being in the field, he told them he was eager for a shower and a good meal. Assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force out of Camp Lejeune, NC, Ryan anticipated heading out again soon.

For those who knew Ryan, it is easy to remember his sparkling blue eyes, his ``trademark smile,'' and his love of athletics--especially baseball, Ohio State football, and the Minnesota Vikings. People also remember his ``quiet work ethic'' and how his military service deepened his maturity, focus, and confidence. They also will recall his strong Catholic faith and how he leaned on it during times of trouble.

At Ryan's funeral, his aunt Kathie remembered the dedication with which he served his country, and the way he inspired all he knew with his courage. This is what Kathie said:

The one thing I can say about Ryan for sure [is that] Ryan

didn't sit out. For as long as he was able, he shielded us

from harm's way. He willingly put others before himself. He

died a hero--protecting us, our children, [and] our

grandchildren.

The Reverend Anthony P. Lonzo, speaking of Ryan's commitment to service, said this about him:

[Ryan] was a man of God, a man of honor, a man of respect.

These are the values that made him the man he is and [the man

he] was when he joined the Marine Corps and made the ultimate

sacrifice of his life.

At a service held at a chapel in Iraq, SGT Jeff Weaver, who served with Ryan, said the following:

Miller came with one of the greatest attitudes possessed by

any man. . . . [He] had a quiet demeanor, combined with a

powerful presence that was a source of inspiration for anyone

around him. . . . [Ryan]--you will not be forgotten and your

memory will be carried on by each and every one of us.

Ryan was a young man with a bright future before him. After returning from Iraq, he planned to go to college and

then work in law enforcement. He was looking forward to playing in a softball league with his father and spending Christmas 2007 at home. He was making plans to pay down his Nissan Altima--the car that was his pride and joy. Ryan was simply the type of person who was always looking forward to the future.

Ryan's death has been a loss to his entire community. There was a special prayer for his family at the DeSales High School chapel. School Principal Dan Garrick said that ``we're deeply, deeply saddened. There's a very strong void in his community.''

Principal Garrick continued, his words summing up the sense of loss felt by the entire Gahanna community. This is what he said:

We should all be so blessed at the end of our lives for

someone to use the word hero to describe us, and that's what

Ryan was. Sometimes our society uses that term too loosely.

Ryan truly lived the credo of the hero.

Ryan was a brave and courageous man who will always be

remembered for his strength and decency. He was a person of

both honor and respect--a devoted son, a protective older

brother, and a truly outstanding marine. As his father said,

``I couldn't have asked for a better son.''

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

Mr. President, I know the majority leader will be on the floor, and I will tell my colleagues that I will give another tribute which should last about 6 or 7 minutes, at which time the majority leader will be in the Senate.

Mr. President, just over 3 years ago, on September 30, 2003, I held a hearing as chairman of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Subcommittee on the problem of underage drinking. Senator Dodd, who later joined me in crafting a bill to help combat the problem, joined me at that hearing. We were there to discuss this serious problem affecting the health and well-being of our Nation's young people--a problem that has been ignored for too long--a problem that kills thousand of America's teenagers.

We all know that underage drinking is a significant issue for youth in this country. We have known that for a very long time. We have known that underage drinking often contributes to the 4 leading causes of deaths among 15 to 20-year-olds--that 69 percent of youths who died in alcohol-related traffic fatalities in the year 2000 involved young drinking drivers--that in 1999, nearly 40 percent of people under age 21 who were victims of drownings, burns, and falls tested positive for alcohol.

We have known that alcohol has been reported to be involved in 36 percent of homicides, 12 percent of male suicides, and 8 percent of female suicides involving people under 21. And we have known that underage drinking accounts for 6.5 times more deaths among young people than illicit drug use.

How did we get here? How did our Nation reach this point--a point where today, 12 percent of eighth graders--12 and 13-year-olds--binge drink? These statistics are frightening. Too many American kids are drinking regularly, and they are drinking in quantities that can be of great harm to them.

As a nation, we clearly haven't done enough to address this problem. We haven't done enough to acknowledge how prevalent and widespread teenage drinking is in this country.

We haven't done enough to admit that it is a real problem with very real and very devastating consequences. We haven't done enough to help teach America's children about the dangers of underage drinking. We talk about drugs and the dangers of drug use, as we should, but the reality is that we, as a society, have become complacent about the problem of underage drinking. This has to change. The culture has to change.

In reaction to these problems, I worked with my friend and colleague from Connecticut, Senator Dodd, to write a bill that will provide some of the tools our communities need to combat underage drinking.

The Sober Truth on Preventing, STOP, Underage Drinking Act would be an important step toward reducing underage drinking on our college campuses and in our schools and communities. This bill will provide authorization for funding to encourage parental awareness of the problem, such as the ongoing Ad Council campaign on underage drinking. It will also provide authorization for grants on college campuses and in surrounding communities to change the culture of drinking that so permeates our institutions of higher education. It will also provide grants to our communities to specifically target underage drinking reduction, as well as authorize additional research that is so important to helping us to further understand this problem and prevent the negative consequences associated with it.

I want to thank Senator Dodd for his hard work on this bill. He has been a great champion for the prevention of underage drinking. He is a tireless fighter for America's children and youth. He cares about kids. He cares about their well-being. I am privileged to have had the opportunity to work with him on many pieces of legislation to help protect children and promote their health and welfare. I know that combating teenage drinking has been and continues to be very important to him, and I thank him for his interest in this area. I also thank Chairman Enzi and Ranking Member Kennedy for their help in passing this important legislation.

Kids are beginning to drink earlier and earlier--at younger and younger ages--and they are doing so in ways that could negatively affect their bodies, their minds, and their futures. I urge swift passage of this legislation and look forward to seeing the good work that comes from it.

Mr. President, during my 12 years in the Senate, I have always fought to increase our Nation's commitment to children's health and safety. One of the areas where I have had the privilege of working together with Democrats and Republicans on children's issues is highway safety. Whether the matter at hand was making school buses safer or enacting new motor vehicle safety standards that protect small children in crashes, I have always been fortunate to find fellow Senators committed to crafting legislation that will make a difference in children's lives.

One of the things I have learned over the years is that the research, testing, and public awareness programs operated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration--NHTSA--play a major role helping prevent injuries and saving lives on our roads. We lose over 42,000 lives each year in motor vehicle crashes, but that total would be astronomically higher without the work done by NHTSA and its partners. As vehicles have changed, technologies

have matured, and the safety challenges facing the driving public have shifted over time, NHTSA has responded by instituting new programs. Sometimes, however, it takes a little action by Congress to get NHTSA moving on these important safety objectives.

Today, I rise to introduce a measure that I hope my colleagues will consider in the future as they continue to work on highway safety issues. I also hope that this bill might spur additional action by

Mr. President, today I join my colleague Senator Dodd to introduce a bill designed to help protect our Nation's children. Simply put, our bill would help ensure that our children have access to lifesaving medical devices that are designed specifically for their small bodies. Since the beginning of my career, my No. 1 priority has been to ensure that our children are healthy and safe. There is no other issue more important to me.

Today, many medical devices used by pediatricians are not designed for children. That means that doctors have to fit adult sized devices into children's bodies. This is not right. We need to encourage the development of devices that are sized appropriately for children. According to pediatricians, medical devices sized appropriately for children are developed sometimes 5 to 10 years behind those for adults. The Pediatric Medical Device Safety and Improvement Act takes a step towards fixing this problem by providing incentives for manufacturers to develop devices for children while also ensuring the safety of new products once on the market.

By introducing this bill, we are saying that we care about our children. We are saying that we care that children have access to lifesaving medical devices that are designed specifically for their small bodies. We are saying that we know we can do better for our children and this bill will do just that.

We all want to see better health care options for our sick children. I believe that with this bill we are taking the first step to resolve a serious national health problem. While this legislation obviously will not pass this year, I know that Senator Dodd will continue to work on it next year and encourage my Republican colleagues to take a close look at this bill and support it in the 110th Congress.

I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, during my 12 years in the Senate, I have always fought to increase our Nation's commitment to children's health and safety. One of the areas where I have had the privilege of working together with Democrats and Republicans on children's issues is highway safety. Whether the matter at hand was making school buses safer or enacting new motor vehicle safety standards that protect small children in crashes, I have always been fortunate to find fellow Senators committed to crafting legislation that will make a difference in children's lives.

One of the things I have learned over the years is that the research, testing, and public awareness programs operated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration--NHTSA--play a major role helping prevent injuries and saving lives on our roads. We lose over 42,000 lives each year in motor vehicle crashes, but that total would be astronomically higher without the work done by NHTSA and its partners. As vehicles have changed, technologies

have matured, and the safety challenges facing the driving public have shifted over time, NHTSA has responded by instituting new programs. Sometimes, however, it takes a little action by Congress to get NHTSA moving on these important safety objectives.

Today, I rise to introduce a measure that I hope my colleagues will consider in the future as they continue to work on highway safety issues. I also hope that this bill might spur additional action by

Mr. President, today I join my colleague Senator Dodd to introduce a bill designed to help protect our Nation's children. Simply put, our bill would help ensure that our children have access to lifesaving medical devices that are designed specifically for their small bodies. Since the beginning of my career, my No. 1 priority has been to ensure that our children are healthy and safe. There is no other issue more important to me.

Today, many medical devices used by pediatricians are not designed for children. That means that doctors have to fit adult sized devices into children's bodies. This is not right. We need to encourage the development of devices that are sized appropriately for children. According to pediatricians, medical devices sized appropriately for children are developed sometimes 5 to 10 years behind those for adults. The Pediatric Medical Device Safety and Improvement Act takes a step towards fixing this problem by providing incentives for manufacturers to develop devices for children while also ensuring the safety of new products once on the market.

By introducing this bill, we are saying that we care about our children. We are saying that we care that children have access to lifesaving medical devices that are designed specifically for their small bodies. We are saying that we know we can do better for our children and this bill will do just that.

We all want to see better health care options for our sick children. I believe that with this bill we are taking the first step to resolve a serious national health problem. While this legislation obviously will not pass this year, I know that Senator Dodd will continue to work on it next year and encourage my Republican colleagues to take a close look at this bill and support it in the 110th Congress.

I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I rise today to honor the Marine SGT Jeremy E. Murray, from Atwater, OH. On November 16, 2005, Sergeant Murray was killed when a roadside bomb hit his military vehicle in Iraq. He is survived by his wife Megan and his young son, Ian. Twenty- eight-year-old Sergeant Murray was also the devoted son of Harold and Pam Murray, and the brother of Lisa Murray.

Jeremy lived a life that was a model of commitment and bravery. At the time of his death, Jeremy was serving his third tour of duty in Iraq. But before leaving, this is what he told his father Harold:

If I don't come home, Dad, you know I died proudly. I died

for what I wanted to do. This is my lifetime dream.

Serving his Nation in the military was, indeed, the childhood dream of SGT Jeremy Murray--something that had been ingrained in him at a young age through a love of the outdoors. Born on February 5, 1978, Jeremy was only 2 years old when his father started taking him into the woods. From there, he never once looked back.

Jeremy's strong appreciation for and love of the outdoors translated into a childhood obsession with all things Daniel Boone--who Jeremy believed was the greatest hunter of all time. Indeed, Jeremy wanted to be Daniel Boone.

His parents made him a Daniel Boone hunting outfit, complete with a raccoon skin cap and a rabbit pelt vest. A family friend contributed by making Jeremy a metal Bowie knife. And, his dad even made a replica flintlock for him.

Jeremy loved his Daniel Boone outfit. But, when he outgrew it, he found another uniform waiting for him--military fatigues. And according to his father, Jeremy ``never was out of those. Never.''

Jeremy's mother remembers that her son grew up talking constantly about joining the military. He joined the Army after graduating from Waterloo High School in 1996. After his enlistment ended, Jeremy came home and worked for awhile. But, only a few months later, he joined the Marines. It was simply the career Jeremy was meant to have. According to his father, Jeremy ``wasn't happy with anything but the military.''

Jeremy's mother agrees. ``He really joined [the military] at birth,'' she said. Pam also remembers how ready her son was for the military. She tells the following story:

[Jeremy] was so prepared for military service that when he

entered boot camp, he broke down a rifle faster than his

drill sergeant. The drill sergeant didn't like that!

Jeremy made the military his career, and he gave it his all. He was serving his third tour of duty in Iraq when he died. SGT John McLemore was a friend of Jeremy's who served with him in Iraq. This is what John had to say about Jeremy's service overseas:

He was an uncompromising legend. We live in a world today

where people compromise for their own comfort and give in

just to accommodate other people. My friend Jeremy didn't do

that. When we were in Iraq, he was by far the most competent

leader for our section. He didn't hesitate to take the lead,

and he definitely went out there and put himself directly in

the line of fire on every patrol. . . . He knew what he had

to do, and he got out there and did it. That's what makes him

a legend. He'll be remembered forever.

Indeed, Jeremy served his country with heroic bravery. His leadership has earned him more awards than I could name here, but they include the Purple Heart, a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with a Gold Star for heroic achievement.

But Jeremy was much more than a dedicated marine. He was also a devoted husband, father, son, and brother, who loved his family deeply. His 10-

year-old niece Torey showed her love by writing Jeremy the following in a letter, ``I know he's a hero in my heart. I will always miss you.'' And his sister Lisa wrote: Jeremy was my hero all my life. I looked up to him my whole life and miss him greatly every day.

Jeremy's wife Megan was simply his soul mate. And his mother remembers that Jeremy's son Ian could always make him laugh. Perhaps Jeremy's love for his wife and son is best captured in a picture that was displayed at his funeral. In it, he could not stop gazing at Ian, who was then a newborn, and his wife Megan--not even to look at the camera. You can just see the deep devotion he felt for them.

Jeremy's funeral was held at his old high school on a Monday when it was already closed for the first day of hunting season--fitting, considering Jeremy's great love for the outdoors. Along with her class, his niece Torey decorated the cafeteria and auditorium with colored flags and yellow ribbons. On that day, Jeremy's dad took time to watch the tree line of the woods he had once scouted with Jeremy. He said:

I told my wife if any deer came up, I would pull up a chair

beside him and watch it. Jeremy would have liked that.

Jeremy's dad presided over his son's funeral. In his eulogy, he remembered both Jeremy's strong faith and his love of the outdoors. He said:

I know right now, as he's standing at the right hand of

God, he's looking down on his grandfather and me because

today is the first day of hunting season, and we're not out.

He's gonna give me heck for that next time I see him.

Jeremy was a young husband and father with a bright future ahead of him. He was a shining example of not only a marine but also of a human being. He will always be remembered.

My wife Fran and I continue to keep the family of SGT Jeremy Murray in our thoughts and prayers.

I yield to my colleague for 10 minutes.

Mr. President, I come to the Senate floor this afternoon to honor Army SFC Gregory Rogers. Gregory Rogers was from Deer Park, OH. He was killed on April 9, 2006, when a roadside bomb detonated near his humvee in Iraq. He was serving in his third tour of duty in Iraq with the 101st Airborne Division's 4th Brigade Combat Team. He was 42 years of age when he died.

Gregory Rogers grew up in Deer Park and graduated from Deer Park High School. During his 22-year career in the Army, he received dozens of service medals, including the Meritorious Service Medal and the Army Achievement Medal.

After high school, Gregory worked with his uncle in vending. Although Gregory initially tried this career path, he could not ignore his passion--to serve in the U.S. Army. So he joined the military. His brother Kevin recalls that ``It's what he lived for.''

A career soldier, Gregory played an integral role in the first gulf war in 1991 and had also spent time serving in Afghanistan and in South America. He was in the initial invasion force in Iraq and spent a few years as a drill instructor and as an airborne Ranger, jumping out of combat helicopters.

He was highly regarded by all who knew him. Army BG John Bartley said, ``We tried so hard to bring Gregory home unharmed. He will always be in our hearts and prayers. He will always be an American hero.'' Many of Gregory's comrades wrote letters about him, calling him ``a true soldier in every sense of the word.''

Gregory's father, Luther Rogers, said this about his son's commitment to service:

Being a soldier was what he always wanted to do, and he

always did his job.

Gregory's brother Kevin echoed this sentiment, saying:

[Gregory] liked traveling the world; he was dedicated to

his country.

Gregory came from a large family and was extremely close to his father and his mother Donna, as well as his two brothers, Jeff and Kevin, and his sister Tammy. His brothers communicated with Gregory almost daily through e-mails and instant messages. His older brother Jeff wants Gregory to know that ``We're very proud of him, we miss him, and we love him.''

Although he intended to retire in 2003, Gregory received orders to stay in the service and ended up serving two additional tours of duty. His brother Jeff remembers that ``[Gregory] believed in what he did-- [and that was] making a difference.''

Once he completed his last tour in December 2006, Gregory was finally going to retire. He would be able to spend more time with the love of his life, his wife Sandy, and their two daughters, Whitney and Chelsea. Tragically, however, in 2005, Sandy died. Although she had suffered from type I diabetes since childhood, Sandy had just received a new insulin pump and her sugar levels were coming under control. Connie Root, a caretaker for Sandy during her illness, said her passing came as a shock. ``Greg loved his wife very much,'' recalls Connie, ``and he took care of her and was always very supportive.''

Even in the face of his beloved wife's death, Gregory wanted to give hope to another family. Before his wife Sandy died, she and Gregory had agreed to donate her insulin pump to a child who needed it. Gregory wrote that if Sandy would have had the pump when she was a child, she would still have been alive today. Beth Smith, a senior diabetes management consultant for MedTronic, which manufactured insulin pumps, said that in the many years of working with diabetic patients, she has never known anyone to donate a pump specifically to a child.

Before Gregory Rogers could choose a recipient for his wife's insulin pump, and just 2 months after her death, he was deployed to Iraq. While there, Gregory received information about Jessica Burkhart, a young girl in need of Sandy's insulin pump, and he decided to donate it to her. He chose Jessica as the recipient of his wife's pump. Just 13 years old, Jessica Burkhart had been diagnosed with type I diabetes and needed the pump to regulate her blood sugar levels. Her family could not afford a new pump, which costs around $6,000. When Jessica heard the news that she would receive Sandy's insulin pump, she could not wait to thank the man who was giving her new hope in life. Jessica and Gregory then became pen pals. In her first e-mail, an elated Jessica wrote:

Thank you so much for choosing me over so many people.

Thank you so much again.

Rogers responded a week later, writing:

I know you must hate shots. I know I hated my wife

struggling with her sugar and having to take sometimes up to

14 shots a day, so I know what a pain it must be.

It turned out that Jessica and Gregory shared something other than the struggle against diabetes. They both loved softball. Gregory told Jessica he loved the game and looked forward to coming home so he could play again. In every e-mail, Jessica thanked Gregory for the pump. She updated him on how it was already changing her life for the better. He always signed his letters to her ``Your friend Greg.'' Gregory's father Luther learned about the donation after his son died. He said:

I'm really proud of my son for doing that.

Mr. President, Jessica Burkhart is just one of many who will miss Gregory Rogers. No sacrifice was too great for the man who dedicated his life to protecting his country, his family, and the life of an unknown child in one of his darkest hours.

He was a good son, husband, brother, and father. Though he will be missed tremendously, he will never be forgotten.

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

(Mr. COCHRAN assumed the Chair.)

Staff Sergeant Gordon G. Solomon

Mr. President, I rise today to honor a fellow Ohioan and a brave Marine who gave his life in service to our Nation. On August 24, 2006, Marine SSG Gordon G. Solomon was killed by an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in the Al Anbar Province of Iraq. He was 35 years old.

Growing up in Fairborn, OH, Gordon was eager to begin serving his country in the military. He graduated from Fairborn High School in 1990 and joined the Marines in June of that same year. For Gordon, there was simply no time to waste.

In April 2006, before leaving for Iraq, Gordon joined the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force, based out of Camp Lejeune, NC. Once in Iraq, he was selected to work with the Iraqi Army as a part of the Military Transition Team.

As an infantry unit leader in charge of a platoon, Gordon left a great legacy. His heroism and leadership were evident to all, and his service earned him many awards and medals. His decorations are too numerous to list here, but they include a Purple Heart with a gold star, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, a Combat Action Ribbon, an Iraqi Campaign Medal, and a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

Those who knew and loved Gordon will always remember him for his dedication to his friends. Back in 1920, MG John A. Lejeune stressed the importance of camaraderie in the Marines Corps. He wrote that ``the spirit of comradeship and brotherhood in arms, which has traditionally existed throughout the ranks of the Marines Corps, is a vital characteristic of the Corps. It must be fostered and kept alive. . . .''

Over 85 years later, those words still hold true today. Looking at the lives of Marines, like Gordon, we can truly say that they have never lost the spirit of comradeship and brotherhood. It is certainly alive today.

On September 8, 2006, Gordon's life was honored--along with six of his Marine brothers--at a memorial service held at a chapel in Iraq. More than 200 Marines and sailors attended the service, where the seven rifles were placed in front of the chapel, each inverted

with the helmets resting on top. Identification tags for each Marine hung from the rifles.

Gordon's friend and fellow Marine, SSG Frank Lipcsak from Lima Company, spoke about Gordon during the service. He remembered how Gordon became known for always being a team player. That's simply the type of person Gordon was--always willing to work with others, always willing to do his best for the greater good. ``He and I became pretty good friends in the short time that he was with us,'' the Staff Sergeant recalled. ``When you talked to Gordon Solomon you were dealing with a man, a Marine, and a staff non-commissioned officer--in that order.''

He also said that even after Gordon left Lima Company, he still made time to come back and visit with his old company. This is what he said:

[Gordon] would come back to our company area from time to

time to hang out with us and see how things were going with

our Marines. I have faith that Gordon is in a better place.

He was our brother, and we miss him dearly. Our prayers are

with his wife, son, and the rest of his family.

At the memorial service, LT Todd S. Desgrosseilliers, the battalion's commanding officer, spoke of the bravery and courage that Gordon and his fellow fallen Marines exhibited.

Look no further for heroes. We know seven of them. . . . We

memorialize them because, in the end, they were true to their

word. They swore an oath that they would follow orders and

defend our Nation against all enemies foreign and domestic.

They gave a part of themselves to be a part of something

larger than themselves. We honor their sacrifice and their

courage in the face of danger. They will forever be with us.

Unquestionably, Gordon Solomon was a man who believed in the greater good. He served America selflessly--more concerned for the safety and well-being of others than for his own. He defined bravery and courage.

When I think of the sacrifice made by SSG Gordon Solomon, I think of words once spoken by one of our country's greatest leaders, President Dwight D. Eisenhower, when he said:

Neither a wise man nor a brave man lies down on the tracks

of history to wait for the train of the future to run over

him.

Indeed, Gordon Solomon never lied down on those tracks. Instead, he was moving into the future, making history as he went. He was wise, and he was brave. With his life and actions, he changed the world so that we all live in a better and safer place. He did not sit idle. He did not rest. Rather, he willingly chose to serve our Nation the best way he knew how--as a United States Marine.

We are eternally grateful for the incredible service that Gordon provided during his time with the Marines. It is clear that he had a great impact on the men and women with whom he served. A dedicated Marine, who loved his family and his friends, Gordon will be deeply missed. His death is a loss to us all.

As 1LT Barry Edwards noted, ``[When] losing a Marine, especially a well-decorated one like this, the loss will be felt by the unit and Marine Corp-wide.''

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

Sergeant Adam Knox

Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to Army Sergeant Adam Knox, who was killed on September 17, 2006, when his patrol encountered small-arms fire during combat operations in Baghdad, Iraq. Sergeant Knox was assigned to the 346th Psychological Operations Company, based in Columbus, OH. He was 21 years old.

Adam was born on January 26, 1985. As a life-long resident of the Columbus area, he developed strong relationships with his family and friends. Friends describe Adam as a ``man's man,'' who loved rebuilding and taking care of cars, especially his prized possession--a Z28 Camaro that he would ``scrub inside and out every weekend.'' Friends say that Adam's inclination to precision and order made him well-suited for the Army.

Adam graduated from Westland High School in Galloway, OH, and shared with his friends and family his love for the Ohio State University Buckeyes football team. In fact, Adam was probably one of the Buckeye's biggest fans--he would cheer so loudly during football games that his friends said ``people two counties over could hear him.'' Adam even missed his homecoming dance at Westland High School to watch an Ohio State football game. While living in Columbus, Adam was also a dedicated worker at a Meijer store, Skyline Chili and, just before he mobilized with his unit, at a business-products wholesaler operation.

Adam loved his family and was very proud that his father, Jay Knox, had served in the Army. In fact, it was his father's service and influence that played a major part in Adam's own decision to join the Army Reserves in 2003, just after he graduated from high school. Although Adam's father Jay was sick with an inoperable spinal tumor when his son enlisted, he lived long enough to see Adam complete most of his training. After the loss of his father, Adam sought to continue his father's legacy of fighting for our country.

In March 2006, Adam deployed with the 346th Psychological Operations Company to Iraq. Part of the company's job is to help the United States develop relationships with the Iraqi people. Adam handed out candy and soccer balls to Iraqi children, and he ate dinner with Iraqi officials. Adam loved his mission and truly believed in what the military was doing in Iraq.

Indeed, Adam touched countless lives through his service to America and his support of the Iraqi people. Adam would often tell friends that people should focus on the good that individual soldiers were doing in Iraq. It was this optimism and strength that made Adam so special.

Even while serving in Iraq, Adam was still a die-hard fan of Ohio State football. During the Ohio State versus Texas game, he eagerly stayed up until 2 a.m., so he could watch. Adam also scheduled his leave around the Ohio State versus Michigan game, so he could be in Columbus at the time. Adam's goal was to attend The Ohio State University after his military service. I am certain that Adam would have reached this goal, and that his family and friends would have been very proud.

The same qualities that made Adam an outstanding human being made him an exceptional soldier. He was a dedicated and courageous soldier, who was greatly respected by his comrades. When his patrol team found a weapons cache, he was the first person to go through the entrance to the building. Adam's fellow soldiers looked to him for his bravery and support.

Because of his hard work and commitment in the field, Adam was quickly promoted to Sergeant on September 15, 2006, after only three years in the Army. He had told his mother that he had only about another week left of dangerous missions in Baghdad, and then he would be sent back to his unit to train other soldiers.

For his bravery and service to our Nation, Adam received multiple awards, including the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal.

MG Herbert Shuler, who commands the Army's Psychological Operations and Civil Affairs and who served with Adam, said this about him: ``Every generation has its heroes. Adam Knox is a hero for this generation.''

One of Adam's friends and fellow Marines, SGT Travis Watson, spoke at a memorial service in Adam's honor in Iraq. And on an Internet tribute website, Travis left the following message for Adam's family:

I send my sympathies for your loss of Adam. He was a dear

friend of all of us at the 346th, and he will be terribly

missed. I feel extremely fortunate to have spent the time I

did with him and to have deployed with him. He was a very

good soldier, and an even better friend.

Adam was an outstanding person--someone who was loved dearly by his family and friends, his fellow servicemembers, the children of Iraq, and simply anyone else who came in contact with him. Adam truly is a symbol of bravery, sacrifice, and honor. We owe it to him to celebrate his life--a life devoted to helping others and keeping us safe. It is in these good deeds that his memory lives on.

Adam Knox was a caring, brave, and selfless man. He will be remembered as a devoted son, a kind brother, and a beloved friend. The world is a better place because of him.

My wife Fran and I continue to keep Adam's mother Deborah and his brothers Tom and Tony in our thoughts and prayers.

Senator Voinovich has stated, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal Plant Health Inspection Service emergency Federal order banning the interstate shipment of several species of fish is having a crippling effect on Ohio's aquaculture industry. While my colleague and I recognize APHIS' attempt to stop the spread of a damaging disease and their readiness to make amendments to the emergency order, many Great Lakes States, such as Ohio, lack sufficient testing programs and facilities to fully comply with the new testing regulation.

It is appropriate to make our Senate colleagues aware of this issue during FY2007 Agriculture appropriations debate, as resources are needed to assist State and Federal agencies to establish additional testing facilities, monitor the spread of VHS throughout the region, and conduct research on the disease. At this time, it is difficult to

fully quantify the financial needs of the entire Great Lakes region in light of these new amendments. The aquaculture industry operates on a short time-frame, and our aquaculture producers and sportsmen need assistance, or their livelihoods will be in jeopardy. Mr. President, Senator Voinovich and I are committed to working with APHIS officials and State departments of agriculture and departments of natural resources to provide them with resources to resume commerce responsibly and combat this disease. We are hopeful that FY2007 Agriculture appropriations conference negotiations will provide an opportunity to allocate much-needed funding to Ohio and other Great Lakes States.

I appreciate the chairman's attention and collaboration on this issue.

Delaware Agricultural Museum and Village

Mr. President, I thank my dear friend--the now junior Senator from Ohio, who in January will become the senior Senator from Ohio--for those very generous and kind comments.

George Voinovich and I first got to know each other in 1989. I will not repeat the story the Senator recounted, but we got together and formed a partnership that has lasted until today. I gave up my run for Governor and joined with George as his Lieutenant Governor candidate. We won and, as they say, the rest is history. George was a great Governor for 8 years. I was his Lieutenant Governor for the first 4 of those years. We worked very closely during that period of time, of course, and after I went to the Senate, when he was still Governor. We have worked even closer since he has been a Senator from Ohio. So I thank him. George Voinovich and Janet are dear friends. They are people whom we care very much about. George is a great public servant, and I appreciate him very much and am touched, frankly, by his very kind comments.