Floor Statements

Mr. President, I rise today on Human Rights Day. Now,

there are a plethora of days in this Nation known for various causes, for issues, and for historical occurrences. Human Rights Day is fundamentally American.

The rights of human beings are the reason this Nation was founded and the motivation for the war that was fought to make us free. Human Rights Day is about advancing equality, and the U.S. Constitution as it has expanded over the years to include new groups of people and strike down barriers of race, gender, ethnic background, and national origin. It is about the progress of human rights and equality, the noblest of causes for this Nation. It is about what brings us together as Americans, the fight for freedom, the search for equality and justice.

I want to talk about three specific ways we can advance the cause of human rights in this Chamber, in this session, through measures that are now before us. The first concerns human trafficking. I have been particularly interested in the rampant human trafficking problems on American military bases abroad in places such as Iraq and Afghanistan. Victims are recruited from developing countries like Bangladesh and the Philippines. They are charged exorbitant, illegal fees to travel to their worksites, often misled about where they are going, what their salaries will be, and what their living conditions will be like. Frequently, their passports are confiscated so they cannot return home, even if they are able to scrape together the money to make that journey.

This kind of human trafficking is no less than modern-day slavery, subsidized by our government with taxpayer money. It is reprehensible. But, for me, the number one issue is the safety of our American troops on these bases. That safety is compromised if our bases are filled with unauthorized, potentially unsafe foreign workers.

That is why I introduced the End Trafficking in Government Contracting Act of 2012, which provides the most comprehensive legislative approach to solving this problem ever undertaken by the United States Congress. It is bipartisan legislation, which now is included in the Defense Reauthorization bill that passed the Senate last week, and I am hopeful that this provision will be retained in conference committee and signed into law soon with strong bipartisan support from my colleague, Senator Portman of Ohio.

In addition, I want to thank Senator Leahy for advancing the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act, a broader measure known by its initials, TVPRA, which takes an even more inclusive view of this problem to make sure America stands against human trafficking rather than be complicit in it.

The second issue I want to raise is the VAWA, or the Violence Against Women Act, which continues to be stalled in the House of Representatives. Tragically, incomprehensibly, and passed by this body, VAWA still has not been approved in a form that is acceptable by the House of Representatives. Reauthorizing VAWA is a top priority for me, and I know for many in this body, as well. My hope is that the House of Representatives will act in the final weeks of this session.

VAWA is a landmark statute aimed at combating domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. It provides billions of dollars to support investigations and prosecutions of vicious, heinous acts, and it provides remedies and protection for assaulted women.

On this day, when we celebrate human rights, what better way than to commemorate the advances that VAWA made in fighting violence against women and to broaden its provisions to protect Native Americans, immigrants in this country, and the gay and lesbian community. That is the nature of our democracy: we advance human rights, we make them more inclusive, and we broaden their provisions. The reauthorization of this legislation is badly needed.

Finally, I want to talk about the DREAM Act, which should be part of immigration reform in this country. I think the vast majority of the Members of the Senate have accepted and indeed espoused the need for thorough, comprehensive immigration reform. That kind of reform should include the DREAM Act. I have spoken about it on many occasions, and on many of those occasions I have presented to this body an individual story as I have, for example, about Solanlly Canas.

I brought her photograph with me today. She is a young woman of enormous promise who simply wants to stay in this country, and have a path to citizenship. Having been brought here at the age of 12, she didn't choose to come, she was brought here through no fault or doing of her own, and this is her country. This is where her friends are; this is the language she speaks. She lives in East Haven, Connecticut, where she attended school, and she has thrived there. She became a member of the National Honor Society. She is on the executive board of the student council. She is president of the Interact Club.

She was born in Colombia, but her roots are in America. She has dreams and goals for the future like any young woman her age, and she is proud of her connection, her roots in this country. She wants to go to college, but for so long has feared that she would not be able to go.

She is eligible to apply for the Deferred Action Program announced by the administration, but that program would simply give her a reprieve without the security and certainty that she needs to advance and continue her schooling. That is the path to citizenship that our Dreamers need and deserve so that they can go to school, serve in our military, give back to this country, and earn their citizenship through deeds--not just words, but deeds--that make us all proud, and contribute to the quality of life in our Nation.

That is what they want to do is to earn the citizenship that so many of us take for granted. So many people in this country have this as a birthright--without the effort that she will devote to becoming a U.S. citizen. We have great citizens born here who value and prize their citizenship. But Solanlly is one who deserves a path and the ability to earn it through her deeds and her accomplishments in school and afterwards.

On this Human Rights Day, I thank this body for giving me the honor of speaking about these issues. It is an extraordinary honor to say how much human rights mean in this country. We are the paragon of equality, freedom, and rights. We are the greatest Nation in the history of the world, and we are still a work in progress. We still have progress to make, and these three measures will help us to do it.

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

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

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

Mr. President, today I wish to remember Lieutenant Russell Neary, a brave volunteer firefighter who was killed in the line of duty during Hurricane Sandy. He served the Town of Easton as President of the Easton Volunteer Fire Company and volunteer EMT and worked in Stamford as a vice president of General Reinsurance Company. He was deeply respected as a friendly and compassionate resident and beloved father and husband. I know his family well.

When Sandy struck Connecticut the evening of October 29, Lieutenant Neary responded to a call without hesitation--one of the many evenings over the past 13 years when he put himself in harm's way to respond to a resident in need. Tragically, when clearing the road of a fallen branch, he was fatally injured. Lieutenant Neary was the first firefighter in Easton's history to die in the line of duty. His family has a history of public service, including his brother Fire Marshal Peter Neary.

In the following days after this tragedy, members of neighboring fire departments and emergency responders volunteered their time to assist Easton Fire Company firefighters, allowing them to mourn the death of their colleague and friend--a demonstration of brotherhood and solidarity across Connecticut public safety personnel.

Regarded as family by Chief James M. Girardi and fellow members of the Easton Volunteer Fire Company, Lieutenant Neary was tearfully mourned and remembered for days after his tragic death as ``a powerful force of good will and compassion to all who met him.'' He was recalled by many as a sincere member of the community who genuinely cared for and enjoyed helping others. I joined more than 1,000 people--gathered from around Connecticut, the Nation, and even Canada to pay tribute to this remarkable public servant. His legacy will live on through this spirit of giving that has touched and inspired so many.

I am honored to salute Lieutenant Neary and invite my Senate colleagues to join me in commemorating the life of this gracious first responder, friend, and family member, who lost his life while keeping others safe from harm.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that at a time to be determined by the majority leader, in consultation with the Republican leader, the Senate proceed to executive session to consider the following nominations: Calendar Nos. 762 and 829; that there be 30 minutes for debate equally divided in the usual form; that following the use or yielding back of time, the Senate proceed to vote without intervening action or debate on Calendar Nos. 762 and 829 in that order; the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate; that no further motions be in order; that any related statements be printed in the Record; that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action, and that the Senate then resume legislative session.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 3187, which was received from the House and is at the desk.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be read three times and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate, and that any statements related to the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 612 submitted earlier today.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate, and that any statements related to the resolution be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 10 a.m. on Tuesday, December 11, 2012; that following the prayer and pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the morning hour be deemed expired, and the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day; that following any leader remarks, the Senate be in a period of morning business for 1 hour, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each, with the time equally divided and controlled between the two leaders or their designees, with the majority controlling the first half and the Republicans controlling the final half; that following morning business, the Senate resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S. 3637, the TAG extension legislation, with the time until 12:30 p.m. equally divided and controlled between the two leaders or their designees; further, that the Senate recess from 12:30 p.m. until 2:15 p.m. to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.

Mr. President, at 2:15 p.m. tomorrow, there will be a cloture vote on the motion to proceed to S. 3637, the TAG extension legislation.

If there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that it adjourn under the provisions of S. Res. 612 as a further mark of respect to the late Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania.

Mr. President, let me first thank my colleague, Senator Lieberman, for the extraordinary work he and my predecessor, Senator Dodd, have done in filling our U.S. District Courts with some of the most eminent jurists in the United States.

As he has remarked so eloquently, part of the living legacy of the Senate and of individual Senators is, in fact, the men and women whom we recommend to serve in this critically important decision.

As someone who has been a trial lawyer, who has practiced for a few decades in the Federal district courts of our country, I know personally that these men and women for most Americans are the voice and face of justice in our Federal courts. The U.S. Supreme Court may be the highest Court in the land, but most litigants go no higher than the U.S. District Court, and for them fairness and justice is the voice and face of the U.S. district judge.

So I thank the Senator for the great work he has done. In decisions based on merit, without regard to personality or politics, he has participated in recommending some of the best of the best men and women to serve on our Federal bench.

Michael Shea epitomizes that quality of fairness, intellect, and dedication to public service. He is a native of Connecticut, but his experience is national and international in scope. I am not going to repeat all of the extraordinary credentials that Senator Lieberman has described so well. I just want to say that on a level that is as important as any professional credentials in terms of temperament, he is the kind of person we want on our bench. He is unpresuming, unassuming, self-effacing, understated, but powerfully attentive to individual facts and personal circumstances.

He has compassion and conviction, principle and impeccable honesty and integrity, and he has an empathy for people who are in distress, who are in need of somebody to listen. That may be a quality that is preeminently important on the bench, the ability to listen and the attention to detail.

Mr. Shea has served as counsel for criminal defendants. He has argued 20 appeals, including 6 to the Second Circuit. He has tried 9 cases to verdict. He has served as counsel to the Bridgeport Roman Catholic Diocese in first amendment matters. I worked with him personally in a professional capacity when I was attorney general of the State of Connecticut. I know him as someone who will do justice and love mercy.

He is a man whom we can be proud to support. I am proud to support him. I thank President Obama for nominating him and the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Patrick Leahy, for his leadership on our committee in making sure he had a hearing and a vote, and now this vote is here.

I thank also our ranking member, Senator Grassley, for his graciousness in stating that he would support him. My hope is that the U.S. District Court of Connecticut, which faces a backlog now, will have the good fortune to have remaining vacancies filled at the earliest possible date by lawyers as eminently qualified as soon-to-be judge Michael Shea. I thank this body in advance for approving him.

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

Mr. President, I want to join in thanking the chairman of the Armed Services Committee, Senator Levin, and the distinguished ranking member, Senator McCain, for the extraordinary bipartisan work they have done on this measure, and also the accommodation and consideration they have given to all of us who have proposed amendments, as well as to their staff and the majority leader.

On behalf of Connecticut, which produces many of the key products that are affected by this bill, such as the Joint Strike Fighter, our submarines, and the Sikorsky helicopter, we have a great deal of pride in the support that the U.S. Senate has given today to our national defense and the production of these products.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. 1947, and that the Senate proceed to its consideration.

I ask unanimous consent that the Blumenthal amendment, which is at the desk, be agreed to and that the bill, as amended, be read a third time.

Mr. President, I recognize that the hour is late. I wish to take a very brief moment to thank my colleagues, beginning with Senator Kirk and Senator Brown--my distinguished colleagues from Illinois and Massachusetts--who have done such great work on this measure over many months, as well as Senator Cantwell of Washington and other colleagues who have cosponsored this measure, including Senators Collins, Feinstein, Gillibrand, Kerry, Landrieu, Merkley, Mikulski, Murray, Vitter, and Wyden. They are all tireless advocates for animals.

This bill is about ending animal fighting which, plainly and simply, is a blood sport. It is cruel and inhumane. It leaves animals scarred and disabled. And, it is associated with many other criminal activities. People who attend animal fights are often also engaged in drug dealing, extortion, assault, and a variety of other crimes, and the enabling activity is animal fighting.

That is why this bill increases the penalties for knowingly attending an animal fight with a child and, indeed, makes it a crime to knowingly attend an animal fight. These stricter penalties are contingent upon a purposeful support for this cruel and inhumane sport.

Very simply, this legislation provides new tools to law enforcement for eliminating not only animal fighting, but also the activities that may be attendant to them.

Animal fighting is a Federal matter, and it requires a Federal response. This is particularly important because an animal fighting ring often involves players from many different States. Under current law, a county sheriff or a local prosecutor simply lacks the authority to root out, apprehend, and effectively prosecute such an operation.

This bill has the support of many law enforcement organizations whom I thank, including the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association and Fraternal Order of Police. County sheriffs from across the country have also signed on as supporters, along with the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Humane Society of the United States. I hope it will have support from this Chamber.

Mr. President, I ask for a voice vote.

Mr. President, I rise to pay tribute to one of Connecticut's most dedicated and admired public officials, former Stonington first selectman, James Spellman, Sr., who passed away at the age of 92.

Mr. Spellman's legacy of public service is remarkable. Elected 12 times over a span of 24 years, he made history as Stonington's longest serving first selectman. And he retired as Connecticut's longest serving municipal executive. At age 80, he received a rare, lifetime public service award from the town of Stonington. His lasting impact will be measured by the local landmarks erected under his leadership that will endure for generations.

As first selectman, Mr. Spellman was an expert manager during a time of tremendous growth, and he guided historic development in infrastructure. Most especially, he oversaw construction of the portion of Interstate 95 connecting Stonington with the rest of the State and east coast, and the development of several schools and shared recreational spaces. Mr. Spellman always stayed true to the core values of his hometown. Born and raised in the area, he considered the town his family.

Mr. Spellman's loved ones are quick to point out he never asked for-- or expected--a local namesake. In fact, town officials quickly chose to dedicate Spellman Drive at a time when Mr. Spellman was physically unable to decline the honor while hospitalized.

His work was his life and his job was his personal pride. In this way, one of his shining accomplishments--the preservation of the Stonington Town Dock and commercial fishing for Stonington--is both personal and public. He was a courageous and highly decorated veteran of the U.S. Navy during World War II, and he led deliberately, kindly, and with stellar intuition.

In addition to his leadership of town hall, Mr. Spellman chaired the Water Pollution Control Authority and guided the creation of an intermunicipal sewage system. He also donated his time serving on the school board, and volunteering with the Pawcatuck Fire Department, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, and the Connecticut Judicial Selection Commission. In 1955, he was one of the first Connecticut residents to be given a real-estate brokerage license, and from 1956 to 1961 was appointed by then-Governor Abraham Ribicoff as judge of the Stonington Town Court--the only appointee without a law degree.

Even in retirement, Mr. Spellman demonstrated his truly heartfelt care and concern for Stonington. He was generous with sage advice for local leaders throughout Connecticut, checking in frequently at town hall, and writing to the local newspaper.

Mr. Spellman was deservedly proud of all his family, including his son Steve, a friend and former colleague in the State senate. He will be missed for his caring courage, sense of humor, and good heart. A true statesman, he will never be forgotten.

Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to one of our Nation's most preeminent legal minds and dedicated public servants, who recently passed away. U.S. District Judge Mark Kravitz was known throughout Connecticut and our Nation's highest courts as a respected judicial authority, experienced appellate litigator, legal scholar, and community leader.

Judge Kravitz was deeply regarded and admired for his extraordinary analytical mind and trial expertise. He devoted his vast experience--27 years at New Haven firm Wiggin and Dana as a trial and appellate lawyer--to public service. Just out of law school, he emerged as a leader, clerking for Chief Justice William Rehnquist, who, in 2003, swore him in as a U.S. district judge. In 2001, and then again in 2007, he was appointed by Chief Justice Roberts to serve on the Committee on the Rules of Practice and Procedure and to chair the Advisory Committee on Civil Rules. Over the years, he engaged in vital national discussions, writing for the National Law Journal and serving as an American Law Institute Fellow and a board member of the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers. In addition, he taught at the University of Connecticut School of Law, Yale Law, and the University of Melbourne Graduate School of Law.

I knew Judge Kravitz personally and professionally, on and off the bench. As attorney general, I appeared before him, arguing positions and causes that did not always prevail. Win or lose, I felt that the result was fair and well-reasoned. And that view of him was common to almost all litigants in his courtroom. Judge Kravitz presided and ruled on important national issues, including the constitutionality of No Child Left Behind, free speech and property cases, and recently first amendment rights cases raised by the movement to ``occupy Wall Street'' on the New Haven Green. Even when diagnosed with ALS, he continued relentlessly and tirelessly to work full time, demonstrating his passion for the law and dedication to his country.

As a footnote, I spent many hours with Judge Kravitz, even before he became a judge. He headed a moot court team that prepared me for Supreme Court arguments.

More importantly, I consistently witnessed Judge Kravitz's commitment to the philosophy of equality under the law, while remaining carefully attuned to the facets of each legal question before him. He was trustworthy, and loyal in his relationship with others, especially his beloved family--and my dear colleague and friend.

Outside of the law, he gave back to Connecticut as founding director of both the Yale Children's Hospital and Connecticut Food Bank. In addition, he volunteered his time on the boards of several nonprofit organizations, including the Connecticut Foundation for Open Government, Guilford Library Association, and Board of Ethics for the Town of Guilford. Judge Kravitz cared deeply about morality and integrity--and lived according to the highest principles.

I was inspired and moved by a recent unveiling of his portrait, commissioned by the Connecticut Bar Foundation, which will be hung in New Haven's Federal courthouse. I invite my Senate colleagues to join me in paying respect to Judge Mark Kravitz and sending condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues, who mourn his loss, and remember a man who made his life's work contributing to the world around him.

Mr. President, I thank my distinguished colleague, the chairman of the Armed Services Committee, as well as the ranking member, Senator McCain, for their leadership on this issue and ask unanimous consent that my amendment 3124 be made

pending, as modified with the changes that are at the desk.

Very simply, this amendment involves commonsense reforms that will ensure the performance of overseas contracts, paid for by our taxpayers, involving money in this very Defense budget, consistent with the values that we hold dear as Americans.

The Department of Defense has a special responsibility to lead in preventing human trafficking overseas, as this amendment would do. It is not only a matter of humane and moral values, it is a matter of getting value for the dollars we spend in protecting our national security.

The United States has and ought to have a zero-tolerance policy against government employees and contractor personnel engaging in any form of human trafficking. These values are transcendent of party lines, of any other interests. I am very proud to offer this amendment, in fact, with strong support across the aisle, led by my colleague Senator Portman who has joined me in forming a human trafficking caucus to lead the way on these issues. This amendment is the result of efforts we have led and very simply represents the most comprehensive legislative effort ever undertaken in the Congress to stamp out human trafficking in overseas contracting.

I am happy to yield to my colleague from Ohio, Senator Portman.