Floor Statements

Mr. President, I rise today with my friend Senator Dodd to introduce a resolution regarding National Character Counts Week. Our resolution says the week of October 16 through 22 of this year will be known across the country as National Character Counts Week.

I have risen many times on this Senate floor to speak about the importance of character in our everyday lives. Over this past year, there have been many instances when our individual and our country's character have been challenged. These situations have compelled us to evaluate our core beliefs, our ethics, but most of all our character. I ask that everyone take some time during October 16-22 to stop and reflect upon their individual core character beliefs.

The Character Counts program identifies the following values as the Six Pillars of Character. They are: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship. Character Counts includes support from forty States and 500 municipalities, school districts, and business groups. But not only is this program promoting the six tenants nationwide, it is becoming utilized on an international level as well. Last year in 2004, celebrations for Character Counts Week included Bangkok, Thailand; Busan, Korea; and Cholutecta, Honduras.

Since my initial involvement with Character Counts in 1993, I have always had a specific interest in the programs run in my home State of New Mexico, especially how these programs have influenced students. From its start in Albuquerque, it has expanded statewide to areas such as Grants, Shiprock, Roswell, Laguna, Portales, Farmington, Carlsbad, Ramah, and Los Alamos. I am proud to say that many of the staffers in my personal office are graduates of the initial chartering program of Character Counts New Mexico. It is extremely rewarding to hear how this program impacted their lives growing up and I look forward to continual development of this program not only in my home State but nationally and internationally.

I believe we can all learn a lot from the Character Counts program. While the Character Counts program specifically focuses on youth, I would like to share some of the simple lessons that are taught under the Six Pillars of Character. These words might be simple but they speak with magnitude.

Trustworthiness: Be honest. Don't deceive, cheat or steal. Be reliable--do what you say you'll do. Have the courage to do the right thing. Build a good reputation. Be loyal--stand by your family, friends and country.

Respect: Treat others with respect; follow the Golden Rule. Be tolerant of differences. Use good manners, not bad language. Be considerate of the feelings of others. Don't threaten, hit or hurt anyone. Deal peacefully with anger, insults and disagreements.

Responsibility: Do what you are supposed to do. Persevere: keep on trying. Always do your best. Use self-control. Be self-disciplined. Think before you act--consider the consequences. Be accountable for your choices.

Fairness: Play by the rules. Take turns and share. Be open-minded; listen to others. Don't take advantage of others. Don't blame others carelessly.

Caring: Be kind. Be compassionate and show you care. Express gratitude. Forgive others. Help people in need.

Citizenship: Do your share to make your school and community better. Cooperate. Get involved in community affairs. Stay informed; vote. Be a good neighbor. Obey laws and rules. Respect authority. Protect the environment.

The bottom line is that I believe the Character Counts program is working in New Mexico and other parts of the country. Today, we salute the efforts already underway and encourage even more character education across our country.

So today, Senator Dodd and I are here to introduce a resolution to accomplish just that and hopefully our renewed effort will bring together even more communities to ensure that character education is a part of every child's life.

I hope that my colleagues will support this effort.

Mr. President, I would like to announce for the information of the Senate and the public that a hearing has been scheduled before the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

The hearing will be held on Thursday, October 20, 2005 at 2:30 p.m. in Room SD-366 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building.

The purpose of the hearing is receive testimony on S. 1016, to direct the Secretary of Energy to make incentive payments to the owners or operators of qualified desalination facilities to partially offset the cost of electrical energy required to operate the facilities, and for other purposes; and S. 1860, to amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to improve energy production and reduce energy demand through improved use of reclaimed waters, and for other purposes.

Because of the limited time available for the hearing, witnesses may testify by invitation only. However, those wishing to submit written testimony for the hearing record should send two copies of their testimony to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, United States Senate, Washington, DC 20510-6150.

For further information, please contact Nate Gentry (202) 224-2179 or Steve Waskiewicz at (202) 228-6195.

Mr. President, today I join my colleague, the Ranking member of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, Senator Bingaman, in introducing three bills, by request, to make necessary changes to law regarding the U.S.-affiliated islands.

Briefly, the bills include: First, legislation requested by the Attorney General of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). This bill accomplishes two objectives--to provide the Commonwealth with the same ownership and jurisdiction over offshore submerged lands as has been provided to other United States territories and to provide a less formal mechanism for the Governor of the CNMI to raise issues with the Federal Government than the procedures under section 902 of the Covenant that established the Commonwealth in political union with the United States.

The legislation also provides a general authorization for the Commonwealth to raise issues arising under provisions of the Covenant with the Secretary and for the Secretary to resolve those issues with assistance from other agencies as appropriate. This would provide a less formal approach than the more elaborate procedures for issue resolution set forth under section 902 of the Covenant which require, among other items, the formal appointment of negotiators. Section 902 is unique to the Commonwealth and legislative approval of a less formal approach may serve to improve Federal-commonwealth relations and the ability of both sides to reach agreements. As with the submerged lands issue, further legislation may be required, but such legislation will likely be easier to achieve if both sides are not either tied up in the processes of 902 or at opposite sides in court.

The second bill, requested by the House Delegate from the United States Virgin Islands, Representative Donna M. Christensen, came as a result of Federal court rulings which invalidated many of the Real Property tax provisions of the Virgin Islands Code. The bill would repeal sections l401-l401e of Title 48, of the United States Code to provide the Government of the United States Virgin Islands the ability to fully regulate real property tax matters in the territory.

Finally, the last bill would make several changes to the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act (CFAAA) of 2003 P.L. 108-188, which was enacted in December, 2003. Because of the 2003 deadline on the term of the original Compact assistance, several issues were left unresolved. One of these unresolved issues was whether the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) and the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) would continue to receive disaster assistance from FEMA. Since the passage of P.L. 108-188, the Administration has transmitted language to Congress that would provide authority for the RMI and FSM to obtain disaster assistance. In addition to this new authority, the bill makes several technical changes to P.L. 108-188

I look forward to working with my colleagues, the Administration, and officials from the RMI, FSM, and the U.S. Virgin Islands to move these bills through the process.

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

Mr. President, I would like to announce for the information of the Senate and the public that a hearing has been scheduled before the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

The hearing will be held on Tuesday, October 25, 2005 at 10 a.m. in Room SD-366 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building.

The purpose of the hearing is to receive testimony on S. 1829, to repeal certain sections of the Act of May 26, 1936, pertaining to the Virgin Islands; S. 1830, to amend the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2003, and for other purposes; and S. 1831, to convey certain submerged land to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and for other purposes.

Because of the limited time available for the hearing, witnesses may testify by invitation only. However, those wishing to submit written testimony for the hearing record should send two copies of their testimony to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, United States Senate, Washington, DC 20510-6150.

For further information, please contact Josh Johnson (202) 224-5861 or Steve Waskiewicz at (202) 228-6195.

Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests

I move to lay that motion on the table.

The motion to lay on the table was agreed to.

Amendment No. 1933

Mr. President, let me begin by complimenting my friend from Alaska, the chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, for producing a terrific bill. H.R. 2863, the fiscal year 2006 Defense appropriations bill, is a strong piece of legislation that supports the men and women of the Armed Forces and strengthens our security. I would also like to recognize my colleague, the junior Senator from New Mexico, who joins us today.

I want to raise the issue of the F-117 Stealth Nighthawk aircraft. Report 109-69 to S. 1042, the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2006, recommends a provision prohibiting retirement of F- 117 aircraft in fiscal year 2006. I know that my colleague from New Mexico is aware of this recommendation as well.

I agree with my colleague's assessment about the strategic value of the F-117 and note that this recommendation is further validated by the House-passed H.R. 2863 which retains the President's budget request for F-117 upgrades and adds $11.1 million in operations and maintenance funding to retain the 10 aircraft scheduled for retirement. I would like to ask the distinguished chairman for his views concerning the Air Force's recommendation to retire 10 F-117s in fiscal year 2006.

I thank the distinguished chairman for his views on this important matter.

Mr. President, I would like to announce for the information of the Senate and the public that a hearing has been scheduled before the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

The hearing will be held on Tuesday, October 18, 2005, at 3 p.m. in Room SD-

366 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building.

The purpose of the hearing is to consider our national capacity for producing innovation in energy technologies and the importance of this innovation to our global economic competitiveness. The Committee will also hear testimony describing the results of a forthcoming National Academy of Sciences report on this same topic.

Because of the limited time available for the hearing, witnesses may testify by invitation only. However, those wishing to submit written testimony for the hearing record should send two copies of their testimony to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, United States Senate, Washington, DC 20510-6150.

For further information, please contact Dr. Kathryn Clay (202) 224- 6224 or Steve Waskiewicz at (202) 228-6195.

Mr. President, fresh water is a substance that we as Americans assume will be available when and where we want it. However, the disruption of water and wastewater services following Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita has shown how fragile those assumptions can be. The resulting fear, panic and instability are what we rarely experience in this Nation. However, as we look around the globe, those same fears, sense of panic, and sense of instability is a daily occurrence for over 1 billion people across the globe who have little or no hope for a speedy resolution of their concerns.

We must help solve the expanding problems of insufficient clean drinking water and inadequate wastewater treatment. These are matters of international importance for several reasons. First, we are a member of an increasingly international economy, and the expansion or contraction of economies the world over affects our industry and economy. Furthermore, disease knows no borders and can spread through water. Most importantly, we care about the well being of others. All these national policy goals are intimately related to adequate water and wastewater treatment across the world.

There are many ways that we can help address this world-wide problem. However, lasting solutions require that local individuals and institutions have the capacity to maintain and expand their own services.

This point has been hammered home by a report to be released by the Center for Strategic and International Studies and Sandia National Laboratories today. The report reinforces what any organization addressing international water issues already knows: the local community must accept, embrace, maintain and take responsibility for the solution to their water issues. There are several initiatives in place in our country that are helping local communities across the globe in this regard.

The Department of Energy National Laboratories have tested tools and techniques for improving our domestic capacity in the desert southwest. The labs have shared that information with institutions around the globe to help strengthen local capacity.

As an example, Sandia National Laboratories' efforts to create new technologies to address major U.S. water issues are being applied to critical water issues in the strategically important Middle East. Ongoing interactions with Iraq, Jordan, Libya and Israel are helping address water safety, security and sustainability issues with technologies in water management modeling, water quality monitoring and desalination.

Sandia is also working to rebuild Iraq's science and technology capacity in collaboration with the Arab Science and Technology Foundation and the Departments of Energy and State. Just last week in Amman, Jordan, Sandia co-hosted a meeting where proposals developed by Iraqi scientists and their international collaborators were reviewed and presented to international funding agencies. Two such proposals for improving water resources management in Iraq were presented by Sandia staff and their Iraqi counterparts.

Separately, Sandia is working with the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization to develop a proposed planning framework for water management in Iraq. This framework will utilize an advanced water management model developed at Sandia coupled with training of Iraqi water managers and scientists. This proposed framework is expected to be presented to Iraq's Ministry of Water in November.

In other areas, Sandia has reached a preliminary agreement with the Royal Scientific Society, RSS, in Jordan to pilot test a new technology for real-time collaborative development of water management models over the Internet. This technology will enable U.S. and Jordanian water experts to jointly assemble, test and deploy water management models, working in real time while half a world apart. Sandia has also developed a proposal with the Jordanians to pilot test real-time water quality monitoring technology utilizing Sandia's chem-lab-on-a-chip technology.

In Libya, Sandia is working on a program with the Departments of Energy and State to refocus former Libyan weapons scientists on development of peaceful technologies that will enable Libya to develop a strong, internationally-engaged economy. Water is a very high priority for the Libyans, and they are reconfiguring their former weapons development laboratory into a facility they have named the Renewable Energy and Water Desalination Research Center. Sandia is helping identify desalination technologies for use in Libya, with particular attention to technologies for treating the brackish water that is produced as a by-product of pumping oil and gas.

Further, Israeli water experts came to Sandia in 2003 to learn about water security. The trip led to a series of visits between Israeli water security experts, the Environmental Protection Agency's National Homeland Security Research Center, and Sandia. These interactions resulted in a collaborative proposal to test Sandia's real-time, chem- lab-on-a-chip water quality monitoring technology in Israel's water supply system.

Congress helped develop these tools by allowing the Department of Energy Laboratories to use part of their resources for laboratory directed research and development. In the case of Sandia, these seed funds have produced sensor technologies to test water for contaminants and terror agents, numerical models to help groups jointly manage and plan for the future and reduce conflict, water treatment technologies that may reduce costs and make impaired water available for beneficial uses, and tools to detect and respond to terrorist attacks in our municipal drinking water systems. These seed projects have then been extended and are coming to fruition under direct funding we have provided through the Department of Energy, DOE.

The work at Sandia National Laboratory does not represent a comprehensive list of all the achievements within the DOE. In fact, twelve of our national laboratories, all of whom have worked to expand and protect water supplies in some way, have worked jointly for three years to develop an outline of the ways water and energy resources are inter-related. These institutions are now working under DOE direction to develop a report to Congress on this interdependency, which I believe will help us determine which programs will most effectively ensure sufficient water supplies to support our energy needs and sufficient energy supplies to meet our water needs.

Additionally, these national laboratories are now working with both Federal and non-Federal institutions around the U.S. to develop a technology development roadmap. This effort will clearly identify our highest priority investments in research, development and commercialization so we can expand our nations' water supplies.

The success of these investments led us to authorize a new DOE program as part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. That program is broad. I believe that overall it will help resolve problems related to water just as we are working to resolve our energy supply problems. I am particularly interested in the technology development aspects of the program and therefore plan to introduce a bill soon to instruct the DOE to focus attention on technology development and commercialization. A similar bill was introduced last Congress in partnership with Members from the House, and I have high hope that working together we can pass legislation this Congress.

I must note that DOE efforts are not the only activities that can assist the U.S. in addressing international water issues. The Bureau of Reclamation has a 30-year history of developing desalination technologies that have a significant international impact. The Bureau's reputation and capabilities in this area cannot be underestimated, and I hope the administration will develop a long-term strategy for use and expansion of those resources. Further, I have supported the Office of Naval Research's efforts to develop mobile water treatment technology for our troops. This technology has proven its worth by being deployed to Mississippi in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Additionally, my colleague and friend, Majority Leader Frist, introduced legislation this spring entitled the ``Safe Water Currency for Peace Act of 2005'', S.492, which directs the Department of State to develop a cohesive international water development policy and then to begin to implement that strategy. This policy effort holds strong promise for the future of water as well.

I believe and remain a champion of the need to look ahead, to see the future of water supplies in this nation and the world and to actively prepare for that future. I have said before, and I still believe, that there is no more important or essential substance to us than water. It is the source from which life springs. It also has the potential to be the source of incredible conflict at both local and international levels. Fresh water supplies are coming under pressure all over the globe. Seriously confronting this problem before it leads to tremendous burdens on this nation and the world is an endeavor as worthwhile as any I can contemplate. The need is great. The goal is good. The initiatives I have discussed today, and others like them, can help us confront this problem.

Is it appropriate now for the Senator from New Mexico to speak?

Is there a time limit?

I thank the Chair.

Mr. President, it is, indeed, a privilege to come to the Senate Chamber to speak on behalf of such a distinguished nominee for Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. I have a unique perspective on Judge Roberts because I practiced law for 16 years before I came to the Senate, during which time I got to meet and try cases, and read opinions by many judges. I have also been here for 33 years, during which time I have had the luxury and privilege of hearing from, reading transcripts of, and voting for 10 Supreme Court nominees. So everyone sitting on the Supreme Court now I have had the luxury of considering through the confirmation process, which means I have heard what each of those eight justices said, and I have seen what qualifications they came before the Senate with.

Based upon my previous experiences, it is almost as if Judge Roberts were destined to be a Supreme Court Justice. As I have listened to him, read what he has written, reviewed his background, and watched his conduct before the Judiciary Committee, it has become clear to me that he exemplifies many great qualities. When I look at him in comparison with nominees of the past, considering those men and women that I have previously voted for, it has become clear to me that he was born to serve his nation on our highest court.

Frankly, in all deference to the judges I have voted for heretofore, I have never been more confident that the President picked the right person for the right job at the right time as I am today.

If there is a perfect judge that can be visualized based upon all of the judges I have seen, listened to, read about, and voted for, this man seems to me to be extremely close to such a picture. He will be a judge for whom I will be extremely proud to have voted for.

Many people have described the message I am trying to convey about Judge Roberts in different ways, and there have been some excellent analyses of his qualifications. The largest newspaper in my home state of New Mexico wrote: ``In addition to his encyclopedic fluency in constitutional law and the flesh and blood history behind it, Roberts exhibited a fine quality for a Chief Justice: collegiality. Justices, like Senators, disagree. Roberts showed he can disagree without disrespect, leaving open the door to work toward consensus. If Democrats cannot accept Roberts, is there any suitable Republican nominee?''

I appreciate those words from the Albuquerque Journal, and I agree with the question they raise. Democrats who want a Democratic nominee who fits their mold and agrees with their positions will have to wait until there is another Democratic President for such a nominee to come before the Senate. That is the way it has always been, and my friends from the other side of the aisle cannot expect a Republican President to nominate an individual who will carry their beliefs onto the court. Such a belief is not consistent with history or with tradition.

I will close by saying that I have great confidence that in 5 years, God willing, in 10 years, God willing, I can look back at Judge Roberts' performance as our Chief Justice and say: I was right in how I analyzed what he has been, what he is today, and what he will be as a Supreme Court Justice. I don't think I will be surprised or let down.

And I know, looking back at nominees for whom I voted, that such is not an ordinary expectation. Some judges for whom I voted did not turn out to be what I expected. But I am quite confident that Judge Roberts will not be anything but the great judge I expect as I look back on his tenure in the ensuing years.

I congratulate the Judge on his nomination. I hope he will remain loyal to what he has said and the way he has said it when he pledged what he wanted to be and what he would be. I wish him the very best because if he is successful, it will be good for America. His success in this job is correlated with good relationships under our Constitution between the great powers of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches.

I yield the floor and thank the Senate for listening.

Mr. President, I would like to announce for the information of the Senate and the public that a hearing has been scheduled before the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

The hearing will be held on Thursday, October 6, 2005 at 10 a.m. in Room SD-366 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building.

The purpose of the hearing is to receive an update on Hurricanes Katrina and Rita's effects on energy infrastructure and the status of recovery efforts in the Gulf Coast region.

Because of the limited time available for the hearing, witnesses may testify invitation only. However, those wishing to submit written testimony for the hearing record should send two copies of their testimony to Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, United States Senate, Washington, DC 20510-6150.

I would also like to announce that the hearing to evaluate and receive a status report on the Environmental Management programs of the Department of Energy which was previously scheduled before the Committee for this date and time has been postponed and will be rescheduled at a later date.

For further information, please contact Lisa Epifani 202-224-5269 or Shannon Ewan at 202-224-7555.

Mr. President, I rise today with my colleague, Senator Bingaman, to introduce a historic piece of legislation. I call this bill historic because its purpose is to implement the final settlement to be entered into under the Indian Claims Commission Act of 1946. I understand that passage of this legislation will complete the final chapter in the history of that act.

The Indian Claims Commission Act of 1946 was enacted to allow the Indian Claims Commission to hear certain tribal claims filed between 1946 and 1951. Nationally, the act has involved more than 600 claims by tribes. With the passage of this legislation, we will complete the process begun in almost sixty years ago.

The specific claim being resolved by the Pueblo de San Ildefonso Claims Settlement Act of 2005 involves the San Ildefonso Pueblo's 7,700-acre ancestral land claim against the Federal Government. This bill marks the successful culmination of a long-awaited settlement agreement between the San Ildefonso Pueblo and the United States and involved much hard work by all of the parties involved. The introduction of this legislation marks an important day for the San Ildefonso Pueblo and others in my home state of New Mexico. This is a necessary bill, and I hope that my colleagues will act quickly to resolve the final claim filed under the Indian Claims Commission Act of 1946.

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

Mr. President, I rise today with my colleague, Senator Bingaman, to introduce a historic piece of legislation. I call this bill historic because its purpose is to implement the final settlement to be entered into under the Indian Claims Commission Act of 1946. I understand that passage of this legislation will complete the final chapter in the history of that act.

The Indian Claims Commission Act of 1946 was enacted to allow the Indian Claims Commission to hear certain tribal claims filed between 1946 and 1951. Nationally, the act has involved more than 600 claims by tribes. With the passage of this legislation, we will complete the process begun in almost sixty years ago.

The specific claim being resolved by the Pueblo de San Ildefonso Claims Settlement Act of 2005 involves the San Ildefonso Pueblo's 7,700-acre ancestral land claim against the Federal Government. This bill marks the successful culmination of a long-awaited settlement agreement between the San Ildefonso Pueblo and the United States and involved much hard work by all of the parties involved. The introduction of this legislation marks an important day for the San Ildefonso Pueblo and others in my home state of New Mexico. This is a necessary bill, and I hope that my colleagues will act quickly to resolve the final claim filed under the Indian Claims Commission Act of 1946.

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

Mr. President, this is a special day for New Mexicans. Earlier today, Congress accepted the statue of Po'pay, a man from San Juan Pueblo who played an important role in New Mexico's colonial history. The acceptance of this work marks the 100th contribution to the Statuary Hall Collection. On behalf of my home State, I give special recognition to sculptor Cliff Fragua, from Jemez Pueblo, for a job well done. He should be proud of his work. Cliff is the first American Indian artist to sculpt a statue for the Statuary Hall Collection. I also thank the New Mexico Statuary Hall Commission and Foundation for all their dedication and tireless effort in making this endeavor a terrific success.

New Mexico's first statue in the collection is that of the late Senator Dennis Chavez. Unlike Senator Chavez, Po'pay was a leader of a different era. Po'pay was a leader among the Pueblo people during the latter part of the 17th century. He united the Pueblos and led the Pueblo Revolt of 1680. This revolt made apparent the Pueblo Indians' desire to maintain their dignity and culture--both socially and spiritually. The Po'pay-led insurrection against the Spanish conquerors was at its core a basic human and American need to challenge oppressors. Yes, there have been incidences of intolerance in our State's more than 400-year history. Those early days were hard and oftentimes brutal. Wrongs were done, and the Pueblo Revolt--represented with this statue--was the Native peoples' response to those hardships.

In the end, the Pueblo Revolt served as an important lesson for the Spaniards, who returned to New Mexico a dozen years later. The Pueblo Revolt forever shaped the history of the State of New Mexico and the American Southwest. The result of that uprising is still evident today as the Pueblo Indians continue to live a distinct lifestyle. The Pueblo culture of New Mexico draws visitors from around the world. The American people should take the time to visit and enjoy these ancient cultures that are alive today. Their lives give our State its name: ``The Land of Enchantment.''

My own life has been made richer by my many Indian friends. My lifelong friend, Herman Agoyo, and his beautiful family are with us today. As well noted in the history of this event, Herman's leadership has been inspiring and tireless. Herman leads the Turtle Dance at San Juan Pueblo on December 26 of each year. This year, Herman and San Juan Pueblo Governor Garcia will have a special reason to celebrate this beautiful event. This is the year of Po'pay--from San Juan Pueblo--who is now honored here in our Nation's Capitol.

Today's Indian Pueblos are a cultural haven from ancient times. However, for all New Mexicans who came after, the revolt taught us an enduring lesson of tolerance and acceptance. It is this lesson that has resulted in New Mexico having one of the best and richest multicultural societies in the United States. As my friend Benny Atencio, of Santo Domingo Pueblo, observed:

I strongly feel that the selection of Po'pay to be placed

in the nation's Statuary Hall along with that of the late

Senator Dennis Chavez, who was my personal friend, would

serve as a unique reminder to the world that two unique

cultures can coexist without destruction of their traditional

cultural values and beliefs.

I could not have stated it better.

Mr. President, I would like to announce for the information of the Senate and the public that a hearing has been scheduled before the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

The hearing will be held on Thursday, October 6, 2005 at 10 a.m. in room SD-366 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building.

The purpose of the hearing is to evaluate and receive a status report on the Environmental Management programs of the Department of Energy.

Because of the limited time available for the hearing, witnesses may testify by invitation only. However, those wishing to submit written testimony for the hearing record should send two copies of their testimony to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, United States Senate, Washington, DC 20510-6150.

For further information, please contact Clint Williamson 202-224-7556 or Steve Waskiewicz at 202-228-6195.

Mr. President, I rise to address Hurricane Katrina--- what we have been doing and what we should do next. Much has been said on this floor about good, and bad, responses to Hurricane Katrina.

This morning I would like to reflect on the good responses. I would like to mention a few stories of self-sacrifice and generosity made by some people from my home State of New Mexico. A team from Sandia National Laboratory's and Los Alamos National Laboratory's National Infrastructure Simulation Analysis Center is helping to determine the impact of Hurricane Katrina on electric power infrastructure and oil and gas infrastructure. The Office of Naval Research deployed an Expeditionary Unit for Water Purification from Alamogordo to create potable water from brackish water in Mississippi. Evacuees have been welcomed to our State. In one of the many shows of financial generosity by New Mexicans, the Sandia Pueblo has donated $1 million to the American Red Cross. As another example, earlier this month two Dona Ana County Commissioners plan to donate their salaries for the rest of this year, totaling almost $12,000, to Katrina victims.

Many law enforcement officers, firefighters, and other first responders from across the country are aiding in recovery efforts. One such group is from Bernalillo County, NM. The Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office and Fire Department sent 43 individuals to New Orleans, including 3 civilians and my good friend Darren White, who is the Sheriff in Bernalillo County. The Bernalillo County team spent several days on airboats, searching for survivors. At one point, the Sheriff was thrown from the boat into the toxic floodwaters covering New Orleans. He was sent to a decontamination center, but the experience did not deter him from his mission. Instead, he stayed in New Orleans to continue helping with the team's rescue efforts, which saved more than 200 people. Stories like this make me extremely proud of New Mexico's brave law officers.

The list does not end there. The New Mexico Disaster Medical Assistance Team provided medical care in Louisiana. Task Force New Mexico, made up of 412 National Guardsmen, is helping a Louisiana parish get back on its feet. New Mexico Task Force One, an elite search and rescue team, assisted in recovery efforts. This team may sound familiar because New Mexico Task Force One was sent to the Pentagon following the September 11 attacks to help with rescue and recovery efforts there.

Finally, I would like to quote a September 12, 2005 USA Today news clipping I found particularly striking. A ``disaster response director for the San Juan County Red Cross watched as two young boys from Farmington emptied their piggy banks . . . the boys were determined to send their money, $32 total, to victims of Hurricane Katrina.'' The parents of these two Farmington, New Mexico boys should be very, very proud of their sons. I certainly am.

This, of course, is not an exhaustive list of New Mexico's contributions to Hurricane Katrina relief efforts, and I know that these stories are not unique to my home State. Many people across the country have responded with similar acts of courage and kindness. I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to all of the people from New Mexico and from across the country who are helping with Katrina relief and recovery efforts.

I would also like to mention a few of the many Federal actions taken in response to Hurricane Katrina. Mr. President, 50,000 people have been rescued, and 53 million liters of water and 22 million meals have been distributed. U.S. military personnel, Federal law enforcement officers, and other Federal employees have gone to the gulf coast to help people like Sheriff White with rescue, recovery, and security efforts. Federal agencies have provided millions of dollars in grants for emergency energy assistance, agricultural aid, Head Start programs, and job creation. The Federal Government has done much more, including appropriating more than $62 billion in emergency funding for the gulf coast region.

It should be noted that these billions of dollars are being provided for immediate needs; the monies do not include funds for any long term rehabilitation or reconstruction projects along the gulf coast. However, such sums will be needed soon, as we face the most difficult long-term situation that America has ever confronted on her own soil. Rehabilitating and reconstructing the Gulf Coast will take several years and several billions of dollars. I believe the proper way to organize and coordinate these efforts is by creating an office that will work with leadership in the affected area to coordinate Federal, State, and local actions and report on reconstruction efforts.

I am not asserting that control should be taken away from the States and cities that were directly impacted by Katrina. Nor am I advocating that this person should play any role in reviewing the local, State and Federal responses to Katrina or in recommending any policy changes that may need to be made because of those responses.

However, I do believe we need someone who can oversee the numerous Federal projects and Federal funds that will be associated with the rebuilding efforts.

Creating such an office is not without precedence. I was here in 1972 when the Mid-Atlantic States were flooded by rainfall from Tropical Storm Agnes. These floods caused the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history at the time. President Nixon had the foresight to appoint Frank Carlucci, his Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget, to serve as his ``personal representative'' to the disaster area created by Agnes. Mr. Carlucci coordinated the multistate, multi-agency rebuilding efforts associated with Tropical Storm Agnes.

I believe that a similar office is needed now to oversee the long- term, multi-state rebuilding efforts associated with Katrina, and I have urged President Bush to create such an office by Executive Order. We are facing an important time in this country, and we must carefully choose how to proceed. I am convinced that the creation of a central office to coordinate the gulf coast rehabilitation is the proper way to move forward.

Mr. President, I would like to announce for the information of the Senate and the public that the following hearings have been scheduled before the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

The hearing will be held on Tuesday, September 27, 2005 at 10 a.m. in room 366 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington, DC.

The purpose of the hearing is to receive testimony on the following bills: S. 1701, a bill to amend the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 to improve the reclamation of abandoned mines; and S. 961, a bill to amend the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 to reauthorize and reform the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program, and for other purposes.

Because of the limited time available for the hearing, witnesses may testify by invitation only. However, those wishing to submit written testimony for the hearing record should send a copy of their testimony to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, United States Senate, SD-364 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510-6150.

For further information, please contact Karen Billups or Amy Millet.