Floor Statements

Mr. President, I come to the Senate floor today in remembrance of a brave Ohioan from Willowick--Army SPC Allen James Knop. On November 23, 2005, Specialist Knop died while serving our Nation in Iraq. He was serving with the 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, based at Fort Campbell, KY. He was 22 years old.

Specialist Knop is survived by his mother Eileen D'Ercole, his father William Knop, and his siblings Brandon, Rachel, Max, Natalie, and Alison.

Allen graduated from North High School in Eastlake, OH, in 2002. He loved sports--especially golf. His mother Eileen remembers that Allen was extremely charismatic and that he willingly would make sacrifices that helped others. She said, ``Blessings come from the heart, and my son had the most wonderful heart of anyone I know.''

As a high school student, Allen developed a strong work ethic. He relished responsibility. His father William does masonry work and often would hire Allen during his summer vacations. William said, ``[Al] would work with me in the summer. He was strong. He was thin. And, he was fast. Sometimes my guys would come up to me and say, `Hey! That kid works harder than we do!' ''

Allen's father remembers that it was the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, that motivated his son to enlist in the Army immediately after high school. William worried about the decision, but was deeply impressed by Allen's responses to his questions. This is what Allen said: ``Just think, Dad. If everyone thought like you, there wouldn't be anybody over there fighting now.'' Recalling this conversation, William said, ``That's probably the bravest thing I've ever heard anybody say.''

Al's mother Eileen remembers how proud her son was to be in the Army. She said, ``He could have gone to any college in the country, but he chose to join for a cause he truly believed in.''

His father also recalls that Allen didn't have any delusions about war. He understood the danger of combat, but willingly enlisted because he felt such pride in our country. That is simply the kind of person he was.

Allen spent 13 months on combat duty in Iraq--and then reenlisted. His second tour began in August of 2005. His father said that ``that tour was hard on him, but he was so proud to serve that he re-enlisted to go back. It meant everything to him. He was a true patriot.''

Still though, Allen knew that re-enlisting worried his family--and nothing meant more to him than his family. So he decided to use a family golfing trip to get a few laughs with them before he left. He showed up dressed in a light-blue leisure suit and talked his younger brother Max into dressing up like Johnny Cash, the Man in Black. William always laughs at the memory. ``It's Al,'' he said. ``Always goofing around. . . . That's one of the best memories I'll have of him.''

It was during this same golf outing that Allen gave his brother Max a special gift. Even though Allen was careful with money and didn't like to spend it freely, he had recently bought an expensive new golf set and driver for himself. William remembers, however, that when Allen said goodbye and went to drive away, he stopped, turned around, and summoned his brother Max. This is how William describes what happened next:

So he got out of the car and walked over to [me]. He had

that driver with him and he said, ``Here, Max. Keep an eye on

this until I get back.''

Allen's family and friends will always remember him as someone who was extremely generous, caring, and selfless. Once, during his first tour of Iraq, Allen got a pass to come home for a visit. But he didn't use it for himself. Instead, he gave it to a fellow soldier whose wife and children were eager to see him. His mother Eileen remembers, ``It broke my heart, but he did what was right. How could you argue with that?''

Hundreds of friends, colleagues, and family members attended Allen's funeral, which took place on a snowy day in Ohio. U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Christopher Davis, Allen's squad leader during his 2003 tour of duty in Iraq, spoke at the service. This is what he said of Allen:

Rest assured, he will live forever in the tales of heroism

that we brothers will tell. . . . Today, Al's band of

brothers are here to pay tribute to one of our own.

Staff Sergeant Davis also recalled that while Allen exhibited tremendous leadership abilities, he also had the ability to make his fellow soldiers laugh and possessed a unique ``light-heartedness and boundless energy.'' He said this of Allen:

He was a fierce fighter, and he was quick with a joke. Our

unit suffered some very difficult times, but Al was like a

beacon. He was the only one that could make me laugh.

During the funeral, Pastor Larry Bogenrief spoke of Allen's strong faith in God and his commitment to military service. He said that he ``was a young man who found a cause he was willing to put his life on the line for.'' The Pastor also recalled conversations between Allen and his mother Eileen about the dangerous conditions in Iraq. He remembers how Allen would say, ``We've been through some pretty close scrapes, Mom. Keep praying for us. I know God is watching over us.''

U.S. Army BG Michael J. Lally III, also spoke at the funeral. ``He was a born leader,'' he said of Allen. ``He had integrity, and he knew what was right.''

Mr. President, Allen Knop will never be forgotten by the friends and family who all loved him so much. He was simply fun to be around. His step-mother Francine Knop remembers he was so close to his family and always happy when with them. She said, ``We were absolutely a close family. He was with us during a lot of good times.''

Allen's father remembers the joy with which his son lived. He said, ``Oh, [Al] was always joking, always pulling pranks. He was just a happy-go-lucky guy, and he would do anything in the world for you.''

Allen was close to his grandmother, Alberta Knop. She lived down the street from him, and he'd often ride his bike to see her. ``He was just such a good boy, just a good person. He's just such a sweetheart,'' she said. ``He's my hero. I'm very, very proud of him.''

Mr. President, I conclude my remarks with the words of Allen's father. This is what he said:

I want people to know my son was a brave and honest man,

and he was loved by so many people--but nobody more than by

his father.

Mr. President, Allen Knop lived his life with a selflessness that is rare. His loss is truly a loss for each and every one of us. My wife Fran and I will continue to keep his family in our thoughts and in our prayers.

Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to an extraordinary young man who gave his life in

service to our Nation--Marine Sgt Mark T. Smykowski from Mentor, OH. On June 6, 2006, Sergeant Smykowski died when a roadside bomb exploded near his military vehicle in Fallujah, Iraq. He was 23-years-old.

Mark was an outstanding marine who had a true sense of compassion for others. He cared deeply for his family and friends, and they remember him as someone who struck a chord with everyone he met. Although Mark was only 23-years-old when he died, he unquestionably lived life to the fullest.

Mark grew up in Mentor, OH, graduating from Mentor High School in 2000. He was the oldest member of a group of young Marines known as the ``Mentor Seven.'' The seven of them were a close and tight-knit group, and all but one had skated together on the Mentor High School hockey team. Mark inspired his fellow marines from Mentor, and they in turn inspired him.

Friend, Brian Halan describes Mark as someone who was simply ``cut from a different cloth.'' He said:

I'll always remember that no matter what we were doing,

Mark could make the best of anything.

According to Jack Smeltz, Mark's hockey coach at Mentor High School, Mark was ``an example of what a young person should be, as far as appreciation of freedom and all it stands for.''

Mark's father, Bert, recalls that when it came time to get things done, no one was more diligent and focused than Mark. As a marine, he took the toughest assignments--paratrooper school and sniper school. And, after enlisting for a second time, he began training with a reconnaissance unit. Reconnaissance is one of the most difficult jobs in the military, involving scout swimming, helicopter and submarine insertion and extraction techniques, and assault climbing. But for Mark, it was just another challenge--and another opportunity to serve his Nation.

Those who knew Mark all agree that he was the model of what a marine should be. Fittingly, that is what he actually became--after boot camp he was selected to be a poster model for the Marines Corps. Naturally, his younger brothers teased him ruthlessly about it.

According to his mom, Mark was good looking--and knew it. During a career fair in high school, Diana saw two Marines recruiters. ``Couldn't you just see Mark in that uniform?'' she asked her husband, Ken. Apparently, Mark could because by the time Diana and Ken reached the table, he had already signed up.

Mark was so much more, though, than an outstanding marine and a handsome face. His compassion for others was unparalleled. He was simply one of those people who cares deeply and passionately about the needs of those around him. His comrades in Iraq recall the special bond he formed with Iraqis--particularly the Iraqi children. He became something of an ambassador and would distribute toys and clothes to the Iraqi children. His unit often joked that when it came time for the Iraqi elections, it would be Mark's name at the top of the ballot.

``Mark was one of those marines who cared about the impact he had on the people of Iraq,'' said 1LT Craig Q. Reese, Mark's platoon commander. ``I cannot count the number of times when I was with him when an Iraqi would recognize him from his last deployment and smile. I saw first hand the influence he had on this culture. He was truly attempting to make a difference.''

Mark's mother Diana has pictures of Mark with his arms around Iraqis, and one in which he is surrounded by almost 25 children. But, what she recalls most is a moment that she calls ``life changing.'' Worried about Mark's safety, she had demanded to know ``what the plan is over there?''

Mark's reply had been quiet and confident. ``This mission is going to take us years, Mom,'' he'd said. ``These people have been brutalized for years. We have to work with the children. We have to get the kids to trust us.''

Mark's friends gave him many nicknames--``Tango'' because he was tall and gangly and ``Jacks'' because he always wore a jacket of the Cleveland Lumberjacks, the city's International Hockey League team. But, perhaps the most meaningful name is the one given to him by the Iraqi children. To them, he was simply ``Mr. Ski.''

Throughout his time in Iraq, Mark was undoubtedly supported by his strong sense of faith. The last time Diana spoke with her son, she asked him if he were scared, and he said yes. She then asked, ``Mark, are you OK with God?'' He replied, ``Mom, you don't have to worry. I'm good to go with God.''

Mark will be missed by all who knew him. His friends and family repeatedly describe him as an extraordinary individual, who was so devoted to the Marines Corps. Pastor Tim Davis, speaking at Mark's memorial service, described him as ``a gentleman who loved his country and really believed in what he did.''

Mark's service to our Nation earned him many awards, such as the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device, Combat Action Ribbon, and the Meritorious Unit Commendation. But, the highest honor he earned was the respect and admiration of those who knew him. Mark's life has truly been an inspiration for others. His younger brother, Darren, a Marine scout sniper, said, ``I always did everything he did and went everywhere he went.'' And just this past summer, Mark's younger brother Kenny followed in his footsteps and also enlisted in the Marines.

Indeed the world is a better place because Mark Smykowski was in it, and I am honored that I was able to attend his burial service at Arlington National Cemetery. He will forever be known for his sincere desire to help others, his willingness to act, and his dedication to his friends, family, community, and country.

I conclude with the words of Mark's close friend, Matthew Neath:

I know if he had to do it all over again, regardless of the

outcome, he wouldn't change a thing.

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

Private First Class Timothy J. Hines, Jr.

Mr. President, this evening I rise to remember a brave young man, who gave his life in service to our Nation--Army PFC Timothy J. Hines, Jr., from Fairfield, OH. Private First Class Hines was wounded on June 19, 2005. He was riding in a military vehicle when a roadside bomb exploded near his convoy in Baghdad, Iraq. Severely injured, he was transferred to the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC, for treatment. Tragically, he passed away from his injuries a month later on July 14, 2005. He was 21 years of age at the time.

Growing up in Fairfield, Tim, as he was known by friends and family, came to love two things: basketball and Katy Wessel. He and Katy met while they were both high school freshmen at Cincinnati Christian School. Katy's father Jim remembers that when he first met Tim, he could immediately tell that the boy was ``smitten'' with his daughter. In Jim's words, that made Tim ``public enemy number one.''

But, that didn't stop Tim. Before long, he and Katy were high school sweethearts. And Jim, himself, came to view Tim as a friend and as a son.

Tim graduated from Cincinnati Christian School in 2002. Headmaster Wayne Beaver remembers that he was always positive--someone whose ``classmates all liked him.'' Tim and Katy got married after graduation, and Tim then enlisted in the Army in 2003. He was assigned to the 720th Battalion, 89th Military Police Brigade, 64th Military Police Unit, based in Fort Worth, TX.

Tim's unit shipped out to Iraq in February 2005. Although he found it hard to leave his family and friends, he knew he was doing the right thing. According to Katy, ``he knew the obligation he had to his country.''

Indeed, Tim was a soldier devoted to his mission and to our Nation. But, he also joined the Army out of a desire to protect those whom he loved. In the words of a sergeant in Tim's unit:

I knew that I'd come upon a special soldier with great

potential, whose character and values were rooted in his love

of his family, god, and friends. I believe he wanted to go to

Iraq not out of duty, but out of love for others.

Tim's twin sister, Jenni, remembers that he was a great brother and friend--someone who was always looking out for her. And that is also what Tim was doing as a soldier--looking out for his friends, his family, and his country. His service to our country

earned him the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, and the Army Good Conduct Medal.

Those who knew Tim remember him as someone who always wanted to make others laugh. His wife Katy says that he packed a lot of love into his life and simply had a spark that drew people close to him. In photos, you can see he was always smiling or trying to make someone else smile.

Tim enjoyed playing basketball. It was a passion he shared with his best friend, Tim Hester. While in Iraq, Tim would e-mail Hester about the one-on-one games they would play when he returned. Hester describes Tim as someone who was funny, kind, and loving. He said:

Tim was always making people laugh. He was always joking

around. That was one of my favorite parts about Tim. We could

always just joke around. But, we also had serious times

together. You know, when things were going wrong, we were

there for each other.

Tim's father-in-law says it was a treat to watch Tim with the family he loved so much. He said:

Timothy James Hines, Jr. was a true hero. He's my hero. His

faith in God, his dedication to his family, his love of life,

his courage and strength, and his service to his country have

profoundly and forever impacted me.

Even in Tim's darkest hour, he was thinking of his family first. His mother-in-law Kathi tells the story of when Tim was wounded in Iraq:

A buddy who stayed with him while they waited for help said

all he talked about was [his wife] Katy, [his 2 year-old

daughter] Lily, and the coming baby. He's very devoted to his

family. He's the kind of young man any mother would want her

daughter to marry.

Tragically, Tim died before the birth of his son, Noah.

As Ohioans have done so often in the past, the community has rallied around Tim's family, offering comfort and support. More than 400 mourners attended his funeral to pay their respects to this fallen soldier. And an anonymous donor gave a full scholarship to Cincinnati Christian School, Tim and Katy's alma mater, for the education of their children.

I would like to share with my colleagues the words of Army BG Patrick O'Reilly, who spoke at Tim's funeral. This is what he said:

It's soldiers like Timothy Hines who serve and guard our

way of life. But, it's not just the soldier who pays the

price for freedom. The families also give so much, and you

too have sacrificed.

I would also like to share what Tim's wife Katy has said about her husband--truly the love of her life:

Tim was a fighter. He fought hard for his country, family,

and ultimately, his life. He was a loyal husband and father

and an incredible American. There is a price for freedom, and

Tim paid the ultimate price. Now he is in the loving arms of

God.

I am honored that I had the opportunity to attend Tim's funeral, where his family and friends talked about his warmth, his humor, and his desire to protect those he loved. He was a man we all aspire to be--someone devoted to his family, his community, and his country. My wife Fran and I will continue to keep his family in our thoughts and in our prayers.

Lance Corporal William Brett Wightman

Mr. President, this evening I rise to honor a fallen hero who gave his life during Operation Iraqi Freedom--LCpl William Brett Wightman, from Sabina, OH. He died on August 3, 2005, when a roadside bomb exploded under his military vehicle in Iraq. He was 22 years of age at the time.

Brett--as he was called by family and friends--was a true example of what it means to be a ``hometown hero.'' Sabina is a small village in Clinton County, OH, not too far from my home. The high school Brett attended--East Clinton High School--is carved out of surrounding fields, fields of farmland. Brett will never be forgotten there. He was prom king, a star on the basketball and track and field teams, and captain of the school's football team, the Astros. He played fullback. He wore No. 44.

Everyone who knew Brett agrees that he died doing what he wanted to do--serving our Nation. Becoming a member of the military had been his dream ever since he was a little boy. Brett's aunt Missy said that Brett ``would play with those G.I. Joes and he'd say `I'm going to grow up and be one of those guys.' All of his life, that's all he would talk about.''

Brett joined the Marines while he was still a junior in high school-- young enough that he needed his parents to come with him to enlist and give their permission. The Reserves unit Brett served with was Lima Company--Marine Force Reserve's 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, based in Columbus, OH. Their story, of course, is one that I have talked about on this Senate floor before and one that has touched hearts in Ohio and all across our country. On the day Brett died, 13 other men in his unit died alongside him. It was a tragedy felt by the entire State, and by our Nation.

Family members said Brett was proud of being a marine and was planning to reenlist. His goal was to rise to the very top of the service. As his stepsister Stephanie Finley said:

When I talked to him a month ago, he said he loved what he

was doing. He said he would go back if he had to.

According to his mother, Pam, she received a letter from her son that she will cherish forever. In it, he described finding a child while searching Iraqi houses for material to make improvised explosive devices. The child was chained to the wall, and it was Brett and his fellow marines who rescued him. It was a day of the utmost importance for Brett, and this is how he described it:

One of the kids was chained up to a wall by his ankle with

a dead lock. He looked like he had been there for months. If

anyone tells you we shouldn't be over here they should have

seen how happy this kid was when I cut him loose.

After signing his letter, Brett wrote ``P.S.--Hang in there.'' This was typical of Brett, according to his family. Even while serving his country overseas, he was more concerned about others than himself. Brett's friends and former teammates describe him as a person who would do anything for you. His stepsister Stephanie said:

It didn't take Iraq for him to be a hero to me. He'll

always be my hero.

Brett was committed to the Corps and the other marines in his unit. While serving in Iraq, he received the news that his grandmother had passed away. Although deeply saddened, Brett wrote that he would have to wait to take the time to grieve. In his words, he had ``to watch out for my Marines.'' According to his mother, this letter encapsulated everything that Brett was about. ``He would do anything for anybody at any time,'' she said.

Brett's father, Keith, agreed:

Things like that just make you feel that your child has

grown up to be responsible,'' he said. ``He did what he had

to do. Not many kids his age take on the responsibilities of

the world. Every man and woman in the service is taking that

on.

Brett's Aunt Missy said that Brett's life ``was just beginning, with a lot of ambition and a lot of hope. Unfortunately, it's been cut short . . . [but] we know that he [was] happy, doing what he wanted to do all his life.''

Mr. President and Members of the Senate, Brett's death was truly a loss for the entire Sabina community, the entire Clinton County community. In a local bar named The Crow Bar, a lone can of beer stands on a shelf. ``This beer is for Brett,'' reads an attached sign.

Before his Reserve unit was activated, Brett was working as a carpenter for a local home construction company. He was close to his coworkers, one of whom was a fan of Michigan-Ohio State's football team. Before a Michigan/Ohio State game, Brett made a bet with him that the Buckeyes would win. They did win, and Brett enjoyed his winnings-- the privilege of frying his friend's Michigan shirt on the grill.

Barb Howard is the mother of one of Brett's hometown friends. She remembers Brett and other neighborhood youngsters lounging around her house after their pee-wee sports games, eating food and watching movies. This group of boys remained friends while playing high school sports, and Brett became like a son to her. ``It's like a piece of you is gone,'' Barb reflected.

Justin Stewart plays football for the Astros. He said he had admired Brett ever since the third grade, when the older Brett would help him with his pee-wee football drills. ``I am proud of him,'' Justin said. ``I am just happy he was over there fighting.''

As captain of the East Clinton football team, Brett was more than a supportive teammate--he was a leader

with responsibility. This focus on teamwork and this commitment to helping others explain Brett's desire to become a marine, and also explains what kind of marine he became.

Brett's funeral was on the football field at East Clinton High School, and over 1,000 mourners attended to salute the young marine. Rev. Carey Hilterbran, who had known Brett since he was a boy, assured the crowd that it was not a day for sorrow--Brett had died living his dream. ``[Brett] wasn't afraid,'' he said. ``He had a good mindset, and he knew what he wanted to do.'' While Reverend Hilterbran was speaking, the members of the Astros football team--wearing their red and white jerseys--stood silently at attention.

Schuyler Streber was one of Brett's football teammates. In his words, the world is going to be a lesser place without Brett Wightman in it. Standing on the East Clinton football field, Schuyler said that ``sometimes you want to laugh because of some of the things we did out here together, and [sometimes] you want to cry because of the more emotional times. And to think I'm here right now and he's not--that's something that's hard to face. . . . We'll all miss him very much.''

Duane Richard is a young artist who did not personally know Brett Wightman. But he was so moved by the young Marine's sacrifice that he painted a 30-foot-wide mural of Brett on the side of Duane's parents' barn. He lined the image with 13 American flags--one for each of the Lima Marines killed during the roadside bombing. The barn is along Snow Hill road in Sabina, and people stop everyday to gaze at the mural and take pictures.

The artwork reflects Brett's honor and courage, as well as the great respect that his fellow Americans have for his sacrifice. In Duane's words, Brett was a ``true American hero.''

Brett Wightman put his life on the line to preserve the freedoms that we Americans hold dear. He cherished hometown values and the importance of helping those around him. His family and friends will never forget him. ``Brett will never be in the past,'' as his mother Pam so beautifully said.

Indeed, Brett will never be forgotten. My wife, Fran, and I continue to keep Brett and his family in our thoughts and prayers.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H.J. Res. 100, which was received from the House.

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

Mr. President, this afternoon I come to the Senate floor to pay tribute to Marine LCpl Christopher Lyons from Mansfield, OH. On July 28, 2005, Lance Corporal Lyons was killed when his unit encountered hostile fire in Iraq. He was only 24 years old.

Lance Corporal Lyons is survived by his wife Bethany and their daughter Ella; his mother Phyllis Lyons; his father and step-mother, Paul and Debbie Lyons; his grandmothers Irmil Humphreys and Joyce Lyons; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Christopher's family and friends remember him as an exceptional young man, someone who was always full of fun. With a quick wit and an infectious smile, his own love of life always brought happiness to those around him. Caring, selfless, loving, and extremely intelligent, Christopher had the gift of bringing out the best in everyone. He was simply the type of person who stood out in a crowd.

Christopher graduated in 1999 from Shelby High School, where he was enrolled in the Tech Prep Program at Pioneer Career and Technology Center. His vice-principal, Tim Tarvin, describes him as a ``big- hearted kid, who always wanted to do the right thing for people.''

Kevin Adkins, Christopher's youth pastor, remembers the impact that Christopher had on everyone who knew him. He said this:

As a teenager, [Christopher] was the type of man that I

have always strived to be. I'm not so sure how much I

actually taught him, but just by his life, alone, he has

taught me volumes. As a pastor, I was both humbled and

uplifted by Chris's excellence and tenacity toward life. His

example will live on in the many lives (like ours) that he

has touched. I hope to raise my own two sons to be of such

caliber.

After completing school, Christopher became a sales representative in the advertising department at the News Journal in Mansfield, Ohio. Advertising Director Scott Miller describes him as a polite young man who always took his obligations seriously. And Tom Brennan, publisher of the News Journal, said this about him:

Christopher was an outstanding young man. He was the

ultimate professional. Simply put, he was polite and

positive. Any employer would have found a spot for him. The

staff here will surely miss him.

Christopher's widow Bethany recalls her husband's ability to make everyone laugh and the way that he would tickle her to get her to smile. They were married in September 2003. Christopher's youth pastor remembers meeting Bethany for the first time. He remarked, ``I will always remember that I thought you two were the cutest couple I have ever seen. It would take a very special person to catch Chris's eye.''

Christopher was inspired to join the military by the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. His unit was called to active duty in 2005, and Christopher was sent to California for training. In March of that same year, he was deployed to Iraq.

Months before his deployment, Christopher and Bethany became expectant parents. For Christopher, who was so devoted to his family, it was a momentous occasion, and he was so proud of a t-shirt he wore with the word ``Daddy'' on the front of it.

Christopher's daughter Ella was born while her father was serving in Iraq. Although he was overseas, Christopher was able to see his new daughter on a web camera and in the many photos that his wife and his mother sent to him. And as she grows up, Ella will have numerous emails and photos from Christopher to treasure.

Christopher regularly wrote to family and friends from Iraq. Two of these letters were sent to the News Journal in Mansfield and were published in their editorial pages. The letters told about Christopher's experience in Iraq, and what it was like to lose a sergeant in his unit during combat. ``When all is said and done,'' he wrote, ``the greatest act is when one of our own gives his or her life in service [to] our country and each other.''

This, of course, is the sacrifice that Christopher, himself, made for our Nation and for the ideals of freedom and democracy that we all hold dear. Christopher believed in his mission in Iraq. And, while paying tribute to eight of his Marine brothers who had fallen in combat, he wrote the following in one of his letters:

The Corps values of honesty, courage and commitment have

served as our cornerstone as we press on to put down the

insurgency and win the war on terror.

The people [in the] villages were grateful for our

presence, often showing gratitude and appreciation by

offering tea, blankets, or simply a smile and wave.

Seeing this reaffirms that we have a purpose working toward

a greater good in this country. Honoring our fallen brothers,

we will continue the fight upholding the highest standards

and working to break this dark oppressive force that lingers

over the Iraqi citizens.

These are very impressive words, Mr. President, from a young man who was just 24-years-old.

Christopher's widow remembers that Christopher realized he could be killed while in serving in Iraq. But, she also remembers that Christopher, after being deployed, ``saw how much good the United States was doing for Iraq.''

Christopher's first person accounts of Lima Company's heroism spread to the

families and friends of readers eager to hear from one of their own. In Greenwich, OH, Christopher's 9 year-old cousin Devin Back wrote of Christopher's heroism in a poem entitled, ``My Hero:''

My hero is my cousin, Christopher.

He is nice.

He is playful.

He is in Iraq.

My cousin is very smart.

Christopher, my cousin, is not afraid of anything.

He is cool. He is happy a lot.

He writes to us from Iraq.

He takes a lot of risks.

Christopher's aunt Gwen Gwinner remembers that he never said anything bad about anyone. And his cousin Amy Blevins remembers that he was the definition of honorable, even before he joined the Marines. Throughout his entire life, Christopher was simply the kind of person who was respectful of and considerate to everyone.

Christopher's mother describes her son as her best friend, as someone who was always ``kind, gentle, caring, compassionate, and giving.''

``People have said to me how proud I must be of him,'' she said. ``I was proud of him before he entered the military because of his integrity and his ability to let things roll off his back.''

At an early age, Phyllis taught her son the importance of honesty, hard work, and respect. Christopher used an acronym to encompass his beliefs and values. The acronym was ``WHO:'' W- for willingness--to always be willing to do what you must and what is asked of you; H- for honesty and integrity--to be honest about what and why you do what you do; and O for obedience--always obey those who have rule over you, including God first and your mother.

From boot camp and Iraq, Christopher would write his mother Phyllis to say that he would keep the faith and be alright--and that he knew ``WHO'' he was. Phyllis says it is Christopher she now turns to for comfort. ``He is now my strength and guidance,'' she said.

I am honored that I had the opportunity to meet Christopher's family and friends during a memorial in his honor, all of whom remember him as a special and unique person. He will never be forgotten by those who knew him. Christopher was an avid Scrabble player, and there was a message for him spelled out in Scrabble letters at his funeral. It read simply: ``B-E-L-O-V-E-D'' beloved.

The spirit of LCpl Christopher Lyons will never be forgotten. He had an insight into life and a sense of humor that was truly unique. He understood the importance of service, and was a man who was dedicated to family, community, and country.

My wife Fran and I continue to keep the family of LCpl Christopher Lyons in our thoughts and prayers.

Mr. President, I thank my colleague and tell him that I have enjoyed working with him very much. We have worked on things together. You can work across the aisle in this body and get things done. I thank him for his very kind and generous words.

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

I ask unanimous consent to speak as in morning business.

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

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

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, I want to commend the service of David Hansen, who is ending his term on the Northeast-Midwest Institute's board of directors. David served as the institute's vice chair, provided stable leadership, offered a wealth of ideas, and advanced the organization's credibility. He now directs the Buckeye Institute for Public Policy Solutions, based in Columbus, OH. The Northeast-Midwest Institute provides policy research for the bipartisan Northeast-Midwest Senate Coalition and its Great Lakes Task Force, which I cochair with Senator Carl Levin of Michigan. I thank David Hansen for his service on the board of the Northeast-Midwest Institute. People from Ohio and the entire Northeast-Midwest region appreciate his valued counsel.

Mr. President, I also want to commend the service of Timothy Cosgrove who is ending his term as chairman of the board of directors for the Northeast-Midwest Institute. Tim has offered exceptional service to the institute and in the process helped to improve our region's economic development and environmental quality. The Northeast-Midwest Institute provides policy analysis for the bipartisan Northeast-Midwest Senate Coalition and its Great Lakes Task Force. Tim is with the Cleveland-based law firm of Squire Sanders & Dempsey. I thank Tim Cosgrove for his leadership on the Northeast- Midwest Institute's board of directors. He has provided valued service and helped to increase that organization's reputation and effectiveness.

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

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

Mr. President. I am extremely proud to come to the Senate today to recognize the passage of a very important piece of legislation for our Nation's seniors. Democrats and

Republicans came together over the past 2 years to reauthorize the Older Americans Act and that's simply good news for seniors across the country.

I thank Chairman Enzi and our Democrat colleagues Senators Mikulski and Kennedy for joining me in this effort. This bill is an excellent example of the positive things we can accomplish when members of both parties work side by side towards a common goal. Over the past 2 years, as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Retirement Security and Aging, I have worked with my colleagues--particularly Senator Mikulski--to bring together experts in the aging community at hearings, roundtables, and listening sessions. We have listened to the problems facing our seniors and to ideas about what we can do to make their lives better. I rise today with my colleagues on the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee as we join in passage of the Older Americans Act Amendments of 2006, a bill which we all believe will make the lives of seniors better.

Senator Mikulski and I worked together to draft and pass the Older Americans Act Amendments of 2000. I am proud to have worked with her again to improve and update these vital programs for seniors. Her hard work and experience has been invaluable.

This bill comes about through the dedication and compromise of members in both the Senate and the House. I would like to take this moment to thank everyone on both sides of the aisle who worked on this bill--particularly my colleague from Ohio, Representative Tiberi. They have been dedicated to the passage of this important legislation, and I thank them for their hard work.

The Older Americans Act is so important for my home state of Ohio. More than 2 million persons over the age of 60 in Ohio are eligible for services under the Older Americans Act. Let me say that again, there are over 2 million Ohio seniors who will have the opportunity to take advantage of the programs in this bill. The bill will bring more than $44 million to programs in Ohio. This vital funding will go to wonderful organizations such as Meals on Wheels, which provides important nutrition programs at senior centers and in senior's homes.

This funding will also help programs preventing injury and illness to seniors, as well as programs supporting families who are caring for disabled loved ones, including the elderly and adult children with disabilities, and grandparents who are caring for their grandchildren. So many Ohioans need these services. In my state 87 percent of those in need of care by a family member are at age 50 or older. Seventy percent of those persons are women. Ohioans caring for a disabled family member spend an average of 4.2 years in this role--time impacting their job, their emotions, and their health.

The Older Americans Act also provides funding and support for the 12 Area Agencies on Aging that serve older Americans living in Ohio. These 12 agencies do a wonderful job of organizing the services I just described, as well as many more. They serve all 88 counties in Ohio and work with State and local providers of services to ensure that all seniors in their areas maintain proper health and nutrition and are aware of the services available to them.

Nationwide, older Americans are a vital and rapidly growing segment of our population. Over 36 million people living in the United States-- about 12 percent of the population--are over the age of 65. The Census Bureau projects that 45 years from now, people 65 and older will number nearly 90 million in the United States and will comprise 21 percent of the population.

The Older Americans Act is an important service provider for these Americans, and I strongly believe that the reauthorization bill we just passed updates and strengthens the Act in so many ways. Plans to prepare for changes to the aging demographics will be incorporated into the Act. A Federal interagency council responsible for ensuring appropriate planning for baby boomer-related needs and population shifts across agencies will be created. And grants and technical assistance will be provided to local aging service providers to plan for the baby boomer population.

Our bill will also increase the Federal funding levels for the National Family Caregiver Support Program over the next 5 years. This important program helps families care for loved ones who are severely ill or disabled, yet want to remain in their homes and community. Our bill expands this program so that all of those caring for loved ones with Alzheimer's become eligible for support services. Our bill also clarifies that this program will serve elderly caregivers who are caring for their adult children with developmental disabilities and expands that provision to include all adult children with disabilities who are being cared for by an elderly parent. Lastly, it clarifies that grandparents caring for adopted grandchildren are covered under the National Family Caregiver Support Program and lowers the age threshold for grandparents to 55 years old. These important changes will improve the quality of life for so many who are struggling under the pressures of caring for loved ones--including more than 1,700 Ohioans annually.

Other provisions of the bill encourage seniors to make voluntary contributions to help defray the costs of these programs if they want to which will allow the program to reach out to even more seniors. This will help programs such as Meals-on-Wheels to expand their activities and will enable them to more effectively take contributions from those older Americans willing and able to pay for services. Annually, more than 125,000 Ohioans are served nearly 10 million meals by these important programs. The number of seniors in our population is increasing--and as it does, we need to modify our programs to ensure that they are economically sustainable and equipped to grow.

We know that most Americans wish to live independently in their own homes as they age. Our amendments will help them do so by providing funding so that the Department of Health and Human Services can award grants for the improvement of assistive technology that will allow older Americans to monitor their health while they remain in their homes. This bill also creates a new program awarding grants for the creation of innovative models for the delivery of services to those who remain in their homes. The need for this grant program was discussed at length in a hearing I held on models for aging in place--specifically, Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities or NORCs. NORCs are areas in which large concentrations of people live and stay as they age. Essentially, NORCs allow individuals to grow old while living in the communities they love. Programs like NORCs will allow Americans to remain in their homes and communities, the places where they believe they will stay happier and healthier. As I stated before, Americans want to stay in the places they love as they age. This bill will help them do just that.

Further, this bill creates a new momentum towards the provision of consumer-driven choices with respect to long-term care. As we all know, too many older Americans become disabled without the ability or the insurance to pay for their care. Too often, their only choice is to live in a nursing facility away from home. This ends up being more costly and ultimately not what the person would prefer--which is to remain in their home and their community. This bill will facilitate access to long-term care choices and opportunities. It will also enhance the ability of local providers and area agencies on aging to provide advice on the range of options they have available. Older Americans will then have the flexibility to decide for themselves which is the best place for them to age.

The Senior Community Service Employment Program is a federally funded jobs program geared specifically for older Americans. In Ohio alone, it provides more than 2,000 jobs for low-income Americans age 55 and older. Our bill updates this program to ensure additional stability in those who provide these services for older low-income Americans. This stability will limit the disruption for seniors employed in the program and will also help low-income older Americans get the training they need to move on to better paying jobs.

The Senior Community Service Employment Program has a dual nature, containing provisions that address both community service and job training for low income individuals. Our bill

provides a Sense of the Senate supporting this dual approach. Furthermore, our bill limits the time period of participation in the program to 4 years, with an exemption for certain hard to serve individuals. This provision balances the need for a limit to the time a person spends in this employment program with the recognition that certain populations have special needs.

Of great importance to me, this bill also amends the Older Americans Act to focus attention on the mental health needs of older Americans. The amendments establish grants for the mental health screening of older Americans and for increased awareness of the effects of mental health needs on the elderly population. Too often the mental health needs of older Americans are overlooked--but they can be as serious and life-threatening as any other illness. The mental health needs of our seniors must be taken more seriously. We must deal with them more aggressively. I believe that these provisions move us significantly forward in this struggle.

Finally, this bill will help address the terrible problem of seniors who suffer abuse in their homes or while in nursing homes. Elder abuse is a serious problem that we know exists but is not well documented. This bill increases the profile of these issues while providing important resources for improving the data collection of incidents and outreach to those who may be suffering abuse. I believe that these new grants will move us forward tremendously in our fight against elder abuse. I know that this was an important provision for Chairman Enzi, and I am glad that we were able to include this important program for at-risk seniors.

Once again, I want to thank Senator Enzi and Senator Kennedy for making this reauthorization a priority for the HELP Committee. Over the months we have negotiated this bipartisan bill, I have greatly appreciated their thoughtful and steady work to get the Older Americans Act to this point. Together, we have worked to get it done.

Today's passage of the Older Americans Act Amendments of 2006 is incredibly important to older Americans, both in Ohio and across the Nation. I would like to commend everyone involved.

Mr. President, it is a well-known fact that people with disabilities face a great risk of abuse and victimization--in fact, studies indicate that disabled adults experience violence or abuse at least twice as often as those without disabilities. This shameful situation is made even worse by the fact that far too often these crimes are not reported, or if they are reported, they are not effectively prosecuted--with the result that crime victims with disabilities are left vulnerable to further victimization. This is a tragic situation and one which requires action.

The good news is that we have a model to follow, a response which works. Massachusetts has set up an excellent program to enhance cooperation and coordination between law enforcement and the State officials and programs which provide services and care to the disabled, and this coordination has greatly improved the ability of the criminal justice system to prosecute these offenders and protect those with disabilities from crime. In fact, since the implementation of the program, criminal referrals in these types of cases in Massachusetts went up from 32 before the program began to 880 in 2004, the most recent year for which we have statistics.

We should try to extend the success of the Massachusetts program around the country. Accordingly, today I am introducing the Crime Victims with Disabilities Act of 2006. This legislation would establish a $10 million Federal grant program to make money available to States and localities which are

interested in setting up similar programs to enhance training, coordination, and cooperation within the law enforcement and disabilities services communities order to address this problem.

The legislation would require a State or local government to design a cooperative plan to improve the reporting and prosecution of crimes against people with disabilities, including within the system at least one criminal justice agency and at least one agency or organization which provides services to individuals with disabilities. The legislation encourages local innovation; as long as the application meets the basic goals of protecting people with disabilities from crime and prosecuting those who attempt to victimize them, it can be designed in whatever way the applicants decide will work best in the affected community. The grants would be for a maximum of $300,000 over 2 years, with a potential for a one-time renewal.

I have worked closely with the creators of the Massachusetts program and many others who work in law enforcement and who provide services to crime victims and people with disabilities, and I believe this legislation will help States and localities create programs that can address the problem of violence against people with disabilities. This is a serious problem, and I encourage my colleagues to support this effort to help address it.

Mr. President, it is a well-known fact that people with disabilities face a great risk of abuse and victimization--in fact, studies indicate that disabled adults experience violence or abuse at least twice as often as those without disabilities. This shameful situation is made even worse by the fact that far too often these crimes are not reported, or if they are reported, they are not effectively prosecuted--with the result that crime victims with disabilities are left vulnerable to further victimization. This is a tragic situation and one which requires action.

The good news is that we have a model to follow, a response which works. Massachusetts has set up an excellent program to enhance cooperation and coordination between law enforcement and the State officials and programs which provide services and care to the disabled, and this coordination has greatly improved the ability of the criminal justice system to prosecute these offenders and protect those with disabilities from crime. In fact, since the implementation of the program, criminal referrals in these types of cases in Massachusetts went up from 32 before the program began to 880 in 2004, the most recent year for which we have statistics.

We should try to extend the success of the Massachusetts program around the country. Accordingly, today I am introducing the Crime Victims with Disabilities Act of 2006. This legislation would establish a $10 million Federal grant program to make money available to States and localities which are

interested in setting up similar programs to enhance training, coordination, and cooperation within the law enforcement and disabilities services communities order to address this problem.

The legislation would require a State or local government to design a cooperative plan to improve the reporting and prosecution of crimes against people with disabilities, including within the system at least one criminal justice agency and at least one agency or organization which provides services to individuals with disabilities. The legislation encourages local innovation; as long as the application meets the basic goals of protecting people with disabilities from crime and prosecuting those who attempt to victimize them, it can be designed in whatever way the applicants decide will work best in the affected community. The grants would be for a maximum of $300,000 over 2 years, with a potential for a one-time renewal.

I have worked closely with the creators of the Massachusetts program and many others who work in law enforcement and who provide services to crime victims and people with disabilities, and I believe this legislation will help States and localities create programs that can address the problem of violence against people with disabilities. This is a serious problem, and I encourage my colleagues to support this effort to help address it.

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

Mr. President, I rise today to remember a fellow Ohioan, a young man who lost his life in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Army SSG Sean Landrus died on January 29, 2004, of wounds he suffered when a roadside bomb exploded next to his convoy in Iraq. He was 31 years old.

Sean Landrus will be remembered for many things and in many ways. He was an exceptional soldier who enjoyed and took pride in military life. More than that, he was a loving son, brother, husband, and father, a man who was completely dedicated to his family.

Sean was born in January of 1973 in Painesville, OH, to loving parents Ken and Betty Landrus. The youngest of six children, Sean was very close to his entire family and remained so throughout his life. Sean attended Ledgemont High School where he excelled in football, basketball, and track. A highly competitive athlete, Sean hated to be taken out of any game, even if he was injured. According to his mother Betty:

One of the managers said that he just didn't play the same

without Sean because he was the spark plug.

Sean carried that dedication and competitive spirit with him throughout all that he did. After graduating in 1991, Sean attended Kent State University while working for C&K Industrial Service, an industrial cleaning company in Cleveland. Although she didn't enjoy it at the time, Betty now fondly recalls how grubby her son would be when he got home from work. Despite the dirt, she loved her ``iron teddy bear.''

On December 2, 1995, Sean married his high school sweetheart Chris, and they made their home in Thompson Township. Sean reported for boot camp just 1 month later. He was assigned to Company B, First Engineer Battalion, First Brigade Combat Team, First Infantry Division. Sean spent 8 years in the Army, including deployments to Bosnia and Kuwait.

Sean was a devoted family man who found it difficult to leave his wife Chris, his son Kenneth, and daughters Khrista and Kennedy for his overseas tours. He was very sorry to be away from them for that period of time. His deployment to Iraq was particularly emotional. Kennedy was then just a few weeks old. At the time, Sean and his family were living in Fort Riley in Kansas. Sean was offered a desk job at the base, but he declined it in favor of going to a combat zone.

In the words of his mother Betty, ``Sean just hated being behind a desk.''

In September 2003, Ken and Betty drove to Fort Riley both to meet their new granddaughter and to say good-bye to their son before he left for Iraq. Because Sean was busy making preparations for deployment, they weren't able to see him very often. But for Sean, it was important that he made sure everything for which he was responsible was in the right order. That is simply the kind of man he was. Betty and Ken woke up very early and stayed up very late to spend as much time with him as possible. Sean found it difficult to leave his family again, and as he said in his own words, ``It is my job.''

Sean's deployment to Iraq would have been his last. Before going overseas, he told his family that it would be the final time he went away. He just didn't want to leave them anymore. Unfortunately, Sean's convoy was ambushed after a roadside bomb exploded next to the truck he was in. Two days later, he passed away from his injuries.

Mr. President and Members of the Senate, that day our Nation lost a great soldier. The Landrus family lost a loving brother, son, husband, and father. Perhaps most heartbreaking, Sean was never able to hear his youngest daughter's first words: ``Da Da.''

As Ohioans have done so often in the past, the members of Sean's community rallied around the Landrus family to offer their support. During Sean's final trip home to the Cleveland area, color guards from the area's veterans posts lined the processional route. Others wishing to pay their respects gathered in freezing temperatures to wave American flags, and nearly 400 people crowded into St. Patrick Catholic Church to celebrate Sean's life. County flags were flown at half-staff and a resolution honoring Sean was passed at the Thompson Township trustee meeting. His death was a loss felt by the entire community.

SSG Sean Landrus was a great man. I know he will live on in the hearts and minds of all those who were privileged to have known him. My wife Fran and I continue to keep the Landrus family in our thoughts and prayers.

Mr. President, today I pay tribute to a wonderful Ohioan who has recently been ill. Rolla Nolting McClanahan never asked for anything special, but she deserves to be recognized today for the years she has spent generously serving others. Throughout her life, Rolla has been a productive, giving member of her community who quietly contributed a great deal both to her hometown of Cincinnati, and to her home county, Hamilton County. Rolla is the kind of American who makes up the backbone of our country.

Rolla is the beloved wife of Donald E. McClanahan, mother of Michele L. McClanahan, and sister of John A. Nolting.

As a student, Rolla was very bright. She graduated with honors from both Withrow High School and the University of Cincinnati, where she was active in Mortar Board, Delta Delta Delta, the Cincinnatus Society, and the Union Committee.

After graduation, Rolla became involved in her community as a member of Kindervelt, a volunteer organization that serves as the largest auxiliary of Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. She was also Chairman of the Board of Directors of Deaconesses of the Mt. Washington Presbyterian Church and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Tri Deltas House Board Corporation.

Since 1973, Rolla has been a Salvation Army volunteer for the Salvation Army Federation of Women's Auxiliaries, where she served in several official positions, including President of the Board and President of the Toy Shop Auxiliary. In 1987, she was a featured speaker at the Salvation Army's National Advisory Organization Conference in Dallas. In May of 1993, she was presented with the William Booth Award, bestowed by the Salvation Army for commitment and dedication.

Mr. President, Rolla Nolting McClanahan is a wonderful person who has spent a great deal of her life working to improve the lives of those less fortunate. Today, I want to thank Rolla for her selflessness and commitment to others, and wish her well.