Floor Statements

Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, I rise today to recognize The City Club of Cleveland, the oldest continuously operating free speech forum in the country.

Often referred to as a ``Citadel of Free Speech,'' The City Club offers an unbiased setting for dynamic discussions and exchange of ideas on important issues of interest to citizens and communities throughout Ohio and the United States. The City Club has succeeded in its mission to inform, educate and inspire citizens by presenting significant ideas and providing opportunities for dialog in a collegial setting, and has secured its place in history as an impartial, vital center for discussion of diverse topics.

The City Club forums encourage active debate and participation by the audience. Over the years, local, national and international leaders have been featured as speakers and have addressed a wide variety of subjects which have impacted our region, state and Nation. These sessions encourage nonpartisan, spirited debate and discussion about important topics. I have been honored to speak at the City Club on several occasions and have enjoyed the robust dialog.

I would like to congratulate The City Club of Cleveland on 100 years of success.

Mr. President, we have just heard from a number of my colleagues about issues with our jobs and the economy. We have heard about the $16 trillion deficit. Unemployment has been over 8 percent for over 43 months. These are unprecedented problems. We have again learned a lesson we have learned time and time again in America: You cannot tax and regulate your way to prosperity.

Republicans in the Senate have provided an alternative. As this chart shows, this is the Republican Senate jobs plan. All 47 Republican Senators have supported it. We have introduced legislation that incorporates these

ideas, and yet we have not gotten a hearing on the Senate floor.

It is pretty simple. We believe we ought to live within our means. Fiscal discipline is part of getting the economy back on track. Reforming the Tax Code to spur economic growth--we know we can create millions of new jobs in this country by getting the Tax Code straightened out. The economic situation will not be improved in this country until we deal with regulatory relief. My colleagues have talked about that. Our ideas include having a more competitive force, changing the worker retraining program in this country, improving education to have a competitive workforce, increasing exports to create more jobs but also to level the playing field, powering America's economy by using the energy in the ground in America, and, finally, commonsense approaches to health care to get the costs down. These are the solutions that Republicans have offered that have not gotten a fair hearing on this floor for us to begin to turn this economy around and get America back on track.

Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the 100th anniversary of Cleveland Catholic Charities and its mission to serve people in need throughout the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland.

Catholic Charities was established in Cleveland in 1912 under the direction of Bishop John Farrelly during a time when there were few organized charities in the United States. It was founded in response to challenging economic conditions that existed for the poor and orphaned of the day. Throughout the organization's 100-year history, its work, programs and family centers have touched the lives of many people throughout northeast Ohio.

Over the years, Catholic Charities' leaders, employees, supporters and volunteers have cared for their neighbors and provided guidance to address the social needs of our community. Their charitable mission is inspirational and their generous work has had great impact, helping millions of people. Their efforts provide meals, shelter, emergency assistance, counseling services, training and employment for many throughout the 8 northeast Ohio counties in the diocese.

On this occasion I would like to congratulate Bishop Richard Lennon,

Cleveland Catholic Charities, and the Catholic community and thank them for their leadership, kindness, commitment and collective effort to serve the community and improve the lives of those in need. It is a privilege to recognize this centennial anniversary, and wish Cleveland Catholic Charities all the best for the future.

Mr. President, today I wish to recognize Terrance C.Z. Egger for his many contributions to the news industry over the past 30 years. Mr. Egger will be retiring early next year from The Plain Dealer in Cleveland, OH, where he has served as publisher, president, and chief executive officer since 2006. I would like to recognize his accomplishments, his contributions to journalism, and his commitment to the Greater Cleveland community.

Terry enjoyed an early start in the news business, when as a young man, he started his first newspaper job as a 6-year-old paperboy. Egger is a native of Rock Island, IL, and became the first in his family to attend college. He received a bachelor's degree from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD, and a master's degree from San Diego State University.

Terry began his 30-year career at a small biweekly newspaper in Southern California. Before joining the Plain Dealer in 2006, he worked for Copley Los Angeles Newspaper, Tucson Newspapers in Arizona, and as publisher and president of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

He is known not only for his professional leadership, but also for his civic engagement. He has faced the challenges of the news industry and provided steady and confident direction during a crucial time. He has a reputation for being deeply committed to the mission of a daily newspaper and the important role it plays in the community and in the democratic process. As an executive and manager, he is known for connecting with employees on a personal level and taking great interest in their professional success and family lives.

Beyond his work in news, Terry brought with him to Cleveland a longstanding commitment to civic involvement. He quickly integrated himself into the Greater Cleveland community, serving as an active member of several area boards including: the Greater Cleveland Partnership, the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, the Musical Arts Association, and the Cleveland Museum of Art. He is a member of the United Way of Greater Cleveland Board and served as the organization's board chairman from 2010 to 2012.

Terry and his wife of more than 24 years, Renuka, have three children and live in Bay Village, OH. I would like to congratulate Terry on his many contributions to the news industry and to the Plain Dealer and wish him and his family all the best for the future.

Mr. President, today I wish to congratulate Nationwide Children's Hospital of Columbus, OH for being ranked seventh in the country on the 2012 US News and World Report's Honor Roll for Children's Hospitals.

Nationwide Children's Hospital earned this distinction after receiving top 50 hospital distinctions in ten different departments. Its gastroenterology, cardiology and heart surgery, pulmonary, and neurology and neurosurgery departments were all ranked on the top ten lists in their respective categories.

Since 1892, Nationwide Children's Hospital has been serving the pediatric needs of millions of young buckeyes across Central Ohio. Children's Hospital provides an invaluable service for many Ohio families every year and continues a unique Ohio tradition of excellence in the healthcare industry.

This well-earned commendation arrives at an appropriate juncture for Children's Hospital as it is about to dedicate a new 2.1 million square feet expansion of its clinical and research departments. This expansion is the largest of its kind in US medical history.

Mr. President, I would like to again congratulate the staff of Nationwide Children's Hospital on this tremendous honor.

Mr. President, today I wish to commend Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center for being ranked third in the country on the 2012 US News and World Report's Honor Roll for Children's Hospitals.

The hospital began as The Hospital of the Protestant Episcopal Church in 1883 and has since transformed into one of the nation's leading pediatric care facilities. Through its outstanding

clinical care, research and education, CCHMC serves children and families in the greater Cincinnati community and has improved child health around the Nation and throughout the world.

Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center has grown significantly over the past 127 years, becoming one of the five largest employers in the region. Not only does the hospital provide outstanding patient care, but it is also responsible for many medical and research breakthroughs that have changed medicine forever. These breakthroughs include the oral polio vaccination and the invention of the first heart-lung machine, among many others.

Cincinnati Children's Hospital ranked in the top 10 in all pediatric specialty areas listed in the US News and World Report survey, and earned a top three spot on the survey's honor roll. The hospital treats patients from all over the region as parents bring their children to Cincinnati to ensure the best treatment available. It is an honor to have such a prestigious and dedicated hospital in my hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio.

I would like to recognize Cincinnati Children's Hospital for this tremendous accomplishment, which is a result of the hard work and dedication of many within the organization and community.

Mr. President, I rise to talk about a couple of amendments that were included in the legislation we voted on here this afternoon in the Senate. I am speaking of the Food and Drug Administration legislation. That legislation included two very important amendments that deal with combating legal drug abuse here in this country.

I want to start by thanking my colleagues, Senators Schumer, Klobuchar, Grassley, and Enzi, for helping to develop and promote this legislation over many months. The legislation addresses what is called synthetic drugs. I also want to thank them for helping see it through to passage as an amendment today.

Senator Grassley actually shared with me a story a few weeks ago of a young man from Iowa, David Mitchell Rozga, an 18-year-old, who sadly took his life after using this synthetic drug known as K2, or spice. It is synthetic marijuana. He had purchased it legally at a local shopping mall.

In recent weeks, we have seen lots of news accounts of some of the savage acts committed by people high on these synthetic drugs, such as the widely reported cannibalism in Miami, FL. I saw today another horrible story about another man in Waco, TX. We have seen lots of deaths reported in my home State of Ohio due to synthetic drugs. Very recently we had a report of the Columbus, OH, police having to shoot two men who were high on what are called bath salts. One was shot fatally. There is synthetic marijuana out there, but also synthetic stimulants and synthetic hallucinogens. Unfortunately, people don't know they are dangerous because they are not illegal. So we need to act and act now, and we are doing so through this legislation today.

As I said, one of the drugs is called spice. It sounds like an ingredient you would find in a kitchen, something benign you would find on a shelf somewhere. The same with bath salts. Unfortunately, they are not benign at all. They are not what you think they are. They are dangerous compounds that can cause tremendous devastation, and we need to be sure we get the word out.

Users are led to believe they are getting a legal version of something that mimics marijuana, cocaine, LSD, or any other illegal street drug that is under what is called Schedule I of the Federal Food and Drug Administration. This means they are illegal drugs. But because these synthetic drugs are legal, again, users think they are safe. But they produce adverse reactions that are truly unexpected and sometimes bizarre. And like the street versions that are on Schedule I at the Federal level, the Drug Enforcement Agency and the FDA have both concluded none of these drugs has any currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States.

It seems to me it is appropriate for us to list them under Schedule I. And again, that is what the Senate did today, following the House of Representatives. Because they are legal, they are accessible, particularly on the Internet. I have Googled a number of them, including K2, and it is alarming to see how easy it is to purchase them and how they are advertised. It is time to put them on Schedule I, just like street drugs, and by doing so we give the DEA the ability to prevent these drugs from being distributed or imported into the United States, and also allows them to pursue the manufacturers of these drugs.

A lot of families have suffered from synthetic drugs, and sometimes those families come to me. I have done a lot of work over the years in prevention and education of substance abuse. I started a coalition back home that continues to do great work in the greater Cincinnati area. I have been involved in encouraging community coalitions around the country, and I am hearing more and more about these synthetic drugs. Families come to me because they are hoping something positive will come out of the tragedies they have experienced; that the word will get out through these tragedies and other young people and adults won't lose their lives.

I heard one such story in the Senate about the family of Caleb Tanner Hixson in Riceville, TN.

Tanner was a student at Lee University in Cleveland, TN, majoring in exercise and health science. After graduating, he wanted to study for an advanced degree in physical therapy. Besides studying in that field, he was an avid athlete and outdoorsman. He had played competitive baseball his whole life, and he was also into hiking and canoeing. But all that promise was cut off on March 8 of this year when Tanner died as a result of a cardiac arrest after ingesting alcohol and a synthetic drug at a party in Chattanooga, TN. He was 22 years old. That drug is easily purchased on the Internet. In fact, it is identified on the Internet as being a ``research chemical.''

His cousin, Brandi White, was the one who told me about this incident on the Senate floor. Brandi actually works in the leadership office. I appreciated her sharing this story with me, and my heart goes out to her family. She said she called Tanner's mom to tell her about the legislation when we got it onto the bill, and she called her again today to tell her the legislation had passed. Although it is little comfort when you have lost a son, it is some comfort. I appreciate the fact that her family was willing to share that story so that other young people will not make that same mistake.

This legislation puts these dangerous drugs on what is called schedule I. We don't want one more young person to make one more bad decision and to die or have a serious health problem as a result of thinking these synthetic drugs are safe because Washington hasn't put them on the list to tell people they are unsafe.

If we want to do right by the safety and health of our children as well as our communities, closing this loophole, of course, was just something commonsense--and, by the way, something bipartisan, along the lines of what my colleague said earlier about how we ought to be operating in the Senate.

I am also proud to see bipartisan support for passage of another amendment today. This is legislation that I introduced with Senator Whitehouse along with Congressman Hal Rogers from Kentucky. This deals with the prescription drug problem we have. There is a prescription drug abuse problem throughout the country, but in Ohio we have been hit hard. One of the issues I found in going to a townhall in southern Ohio was the fact that the State prescription drug monitoring programs couldn't communicate and operate across State lines.

I did a townhall where Director Gil Kerlikowse of the Office of National Drug Policy kindly came to Portsmouth, OH, about 1 year ago in July 2011, which is in southern Ohio on the banks of the Ohio River, an area that has been in the center of prescription drug abuse and interstate drug trafficking. It is also right across the river from Kentucky and right near West Virginia, so it is an interstate area.

Prescription drug abuse has devastated the county in which Portsmouth sits, Scioto County, as well as other counties in the area. But because of the hard work of family members, community leaders, and Federal, State, and local law enforcement, there has been some momentum and we are beginning to turn things around. Pill shops are being closed. One critical tool they told me they needed was prescription drug monitoring programs that could work across State lines. This is a database that a lot of States use to monitor prescription drug abuse so when someone goes to ask for a prescription, the person responsible for implementing the program or someone at a pharmacy or a doctor knows what prescriptions this person has already received. These are very effective programs.

Forty-eight States have them, one territory has it, and they work well within the State but they don't communicate well within the States, between each other. Again, in a place such as Scioto County, where we have interstate traffic, this legislation will now protect our community and ensure that if someone gets a prescription in Ohio and then goes across to Kentucky to fill it once they have reached their

limit in Ohio, that there will be a monitoring program and a database available. So it succeeds by getting States' different programs to work together securely, reliably, and efficiently.

I would also like to thank the Alliance of States with Prescription Monitoring Programs, which has played a pivotal role in promoting national interoperability standards.

These are examples where the Senate acted to try to make our communities safer and to help ensure that young people can achieve their God-given potential. Working together, we have been able today to help ensure the health and well-being of our communities.

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

Mr. President, I rise today to honor Mr. Kenneth Freiberg, Deputy General Counsel at the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR). Mr. Freiberg is retiring from USTR after more than 24 years of extraordinary service to our country.

Since 1988, Ken Freiberg has passionately promoted US trade interests around the world. His service has improved the lives of countless Americans. During his tenure, Ken served as the chief U.S. lawyer in charge of negotiations on several important trade negotiations. Further, he was the chief negotiator for the General Agreement on Trade in Services during the Uruguay Round.

Ken has worked under eight US Trade Representatives and five Presidential administrations. Ambassador Kirk and several former U.S. Trade Representatives, including myself, recently sent Ken a letter to recognize his achievements. Let me read an excerpt and I quote ``each of us benefited greatly from your tireless work ethic, immense knowledge, wise counsel and excellent judgment.'' I was proud to have Ken on my team at USTR. He was a source of tremendous institutional knowledge at USTR, and was a terrific mentor to many young attorneys on the USTR staff.

Mr. President, I would like to recognize Ken Freiberg, my former colleague, on his retirement from public service and I would like to wish him well in all of his future endeavors.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent to enter into a colloquy for 15 minutes with my colleague from Connecticut, Senator Lieberman, about the new legislation we just introduced, S. 3078, the World War II Prayer Act of 2012.

Madam Portman, this bill will lead to the placement of a plaque or inscription at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, DC, with a prayer that Franklin Delano Roosevelt shared with the Nation by radio address 68 years ago today. The occasion was D-day, June 6, 1944.

On D-day American troops, joined by allied forces, carried out an amphibious and airborne landing on five

beaches on the heavily fortified coast of France's Normandy region. Some have termed those Normandy landings as the beginning of the end of the war in Europe. I believe that is true because courageous Americans were willing to risk their lives on the coast of France that day. Thousands made the ultimate sacrifice that day.

With the invasion underway, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt asked our Nation to come together in prayer for the men who were engaged in this dangerous but very important battle. His powerful and ecumenical prayer, drawing on our Nation's rich Judeo-Christian heritage and values, brought strength and inspiration to many during what was a challenging time for our country.

Today I have the honor, along with Senator Lieberman, to introduce this legislation to commemorate that prayer and that day. His words, of course, brought comfort to the many families and friends of the brave men who were killed in action. Those words of Franklin Roosevelt are etched in our history and in our minds, and we hope soon in stone. Our bill ensures that the prayer becomes a permanent reminder of the sacrifice of those who fought in World War II and in the power of prayer through difficult times.

We worked closely with the National Park Service to ensure that the plaque or inscription does not disrupt the World War II Memorial or bypass the Commemorative Works Act process, which governs monuments in Washington. The placement and design of the plaque would be assigned to a commemorative works approval and review process, which makes it consistent with legislation that was passed by previous Congresses.

It is adding some historical context to this beautiful memorial-- adding a layer of commemoration, not taking anything away from the memorial that is already in place.

My friend in the House of Representatives, Congressman Bill Johnson of Ohio, introduced a House companion bill to this legislation, which has passed the House earlier this year with an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 386 to 26.

Today, on the 68th anniversary of this historic battle known as D- day, we hope to inspire the Senate to follow suit and tell the story of this powerful prayer that moved the Nation in honor of heroes by placing a marker with the prayer at the World War II Memorial.

Madam President, I would like to now turn things over to Senator Lieberman, my cosponsor of this legislation, and a leader in the Senate and in our country for his thoughts. After that we will join to recite parts of this incredibly powerful extraordinary Presidential prayer from World War II.

I thank my colleague from Connecticut. As he said so well, the power of prayer in this case, as was true in our Nation's great history, is a comfort and inspiration to the country.

As I noted earlier, we would like to recite the prayer. I would ask those in the gallery and on the floor today to join us in this prayer. I will start by reading the first half, including some words that President Roosevelt said prior to the prayer, and then Senator Lieberman will read the second half.

Franklin Roosevelt started off by saying:

My fellow Americans: Last night when I spoke with you about

the fall of Rome, I knew at that moment that troops of the

United States and our allies were crossing the Channel in

another and greater operation. It has come to pass with

success thus far.

And so in this poignant hour, I ask you to join me in

prayer.

Almighty God: Our sons, pride of our Nation, this day have

set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our

Republic, our religion, and our civilization, and to set free

a suffering humanity.

Lead them straight and true; give strength to their arms,

stoutness to their hearts, steadfastness in their faith.

They will need Thy blessings. Their road will be long and

hard. For the enemy is strong. He may hurl back our forces.

Success may not come with rushing speed, but we shall return

again and again; and we know that by Thy grace, and by the

righteousness of our cause, our sons will triumph.

They will be sore tried, by night and by day, without

rest--until the victory is won. The darkness will be rent by

noise and flame. Men's souls will be shaken with the

violences of war.

For these men are lately drawn from the ways of peace. They

fight not for the lust of conquest. They fight to end

conquest. They fight to liberate. They fight to let justice

arise, and tolerance and goodwill among all Thy people. They

yearn but for the end of battle, for their return to the

haven of home.

Some will never return. Embrace these, Father, and receive

them, Thy heroic servants, into Thy kingdom.

I would now like to turn to Senator Lieberman to read the second half of the prayer.

Madam President, I thank my friend. I tell the Senator that I am proud to stand by his side in this small effort to commemorate what happened 68 years ago today, which was the President calling the Nation in prayer and invoking the Almighty to help protect our sons and daughters in battle.

I just came back from Afghanistan yesterday morning, and I would agree with my friend from Connecticut that so much of what we are facing today would also be relevant to these words. I think, particularly, these words in the prayer:

For these men are lately drawn from the ways of peace. They

fight not for the lust of conquest. They fight to end

conquest. They fight to liberate. They fight for tolerance

and goodwill among all Thy people. They yearn but for the end

of battle, for their return to the haven of home.

That certainly describes our great young men and women in uniform who are in Afghanistan protecting us and encouraging tolerance, goodwill, and justice not just for us but for that country and, indeed, for the world.

I thank my colleague again for his being willing to join me in this effort. I hope my other colleagues will join us in encouraging that this important, extraordinary prayer and this example of the power of faith in our Nation's history be added to the World War II Memorial.

With that, I yield the floor, and I note the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, today I wish to honor the Croatian Cultural Garden committee of the Croatian Heritage Museum and Library in the city of Cleveland. This garden will serve both to celebrate the rich cultural achievements and contributions of people of Croatian heritage, as well as to create an educational legacy which future generations may enjoy for years to come. Cleveland's Croatian community has worked to make this garden a reality for the past 3 years, and the first phase of this project was completed and dedicated on June 3, 2012.

Since 2009, the Croatian community has worked diligently to raise the funding necessary to realize this goal, as well as to design, plan, and establish this garden in Cleveland's Rockefeller Park.

With this dedication, the Croatian Cultural Garden will join others in the chain of the Cultural Gardens along Martin Luther King Boulevard in Cleveland. These gardens were dedicated over 75 years ago with the goal of recognizing and preserving the diversity of culture that has enriched northeast Ohio and our county.

Mr. President, for the continuing support of the Croatian community, I would like to recognize the Croatian Cultural Garden Committee and join in celebrating the dedication of this project.

Madam President, today I wish to honor Danny Bare of Batavia, OH. Mr. Bare is retiring from his position as Executive Director of the Clermont County Veterans' Service Commission on May 31, 2012.

Mr. Bare began his career in the military in 1967 as a member of the U.S. Army. He served one year in Vietnam and was injured twice in one day. For his bravery, he received a Purple Heart, a Bronze Star, and the Army Commendation Medal of Valor.

After his service in the military, Mr. Bare went on to have a 30 year career at First National Bank of Cincinnati, married his wonderful wife, Connie, and raised his family in Batavia. He served on the Batavia School Board for four years, including two years serving as president. He also served his community as a Batavia Township Trustee and Clermont County Board of Elections director.

Mr. Bare became executive director of the Veterans' Service Commission in 2007. He is credited with implementing outreach programs to educate veterans on the many benefits for which they are eligible. Mr. Bare helps to ensure that veterans are able to obtain employment, medical services, and any other services they may need. His dedication to his country and his community are admirable.

Mr. President, I would like to recognize Mr. Danny Bare on his retirement from a lifetime of public service.

Madam President, I thank the ranking member and congratulate him for the good work today on this legislation.

There are a couple of amendments that are part of the bill I want to speak about. First is on prescription drug abuse--a problem we all face as representatives of our States. I particularly thank Senator Whitehouse for his partnership on this important bill.

In the last decade, unfortunately, prescription drug abuse has reached epidemic proportions in States such as Ohio, and in so many other States around the country. In doing so, it has devastated the lives of so many individuals but also the well-being of our communities, and of course affected their families, affected our economy, and it has caused a big spike in crimes, including theft, as addicts look for ways to support their addictions. This crime, of course, has doubly strained law enforcement, which has already had to contend with the increase in drug trafficking with constrained budgets. It has also served as a gateway to other drug use, including heroin use, which tends to be less expensive and causes additional public health challenges.

Amazingly, since 2007, drug overdoses have now moved ahead of car accidents as the leading cause of accidental death in my home State of Ohio. Again, we have seen this, unfortunately, too often around the country. We have had record levels of hepatitis C infection from needle sharing. In one county on the Ohio River, in southern Ohio, 10 percent of the babies born in 2010 had drugs in their system.

The good news is progress is being made in places such as Scioto County and around the country thanks to the good work of health professionals, law enforcement, local, State, and Federal officials, along with community groups, families, schools, churches, and others. But they need some help. More work needs to be done, and one critical tool they are looking for in the fight against prescription drug abuse is a better way to monitor prescription drug use. There are databases around the country called prescription drug monitoring programs. They allow States to monitor and track the dispensing of prescription drug medications by health care providers to be able to identify and stop the abuse of people getting prescriptions for these drugs in various different doctors' offices and in what have been called pill mills. Preliminary research has shown monitoring programs are highly effective in stemming the tide of abuse. That is why 48 States and 1 territory

now have them, with 41 of them operational.

There is a problem, however. Different States' monitoring programs can't communicate with one another, so one State doesn't know what the other State is doing, and drug trafficking is an interstate problem. This is especially true in places such as Scioto County in southern Ohio, right across the river from Kentucky and bordering West Virginia. We want these States to be able to work together, and that is why Senator Whitehouse and I have offered this amendment, No. 2145, as a Federal solution to providing a framework for monitoring programs to participate in data sharing across State lines.

This amendment also supports collaboration between the Department of Health and Human Services and the Bureau of Justice Assistance in order to further their research to assess challenges that have an impact on States' interoperability.

Some have called for a national monitoring program--one Federal program. I don't think that is necessary. I don't think it will work as well. A lot of States have programs that are working extremely well and they have put a lot of money into them. There are differing protected health standards State by State. So rather than trying to federalize it, our amendment gets these disparate programs to work together securely, reliably, and efficiently without undermining or jeopardizing the State's autonomy in this area. States should remain free to establish laws that determine user eligibility and reporting requirements. So this amendment is to help, again, give these communities the tools they need to fight this prescription drug abuse.

Finally, I would say that our amendment has no effect on direct spending or revenues over the 10-year period.

The other amendment I want to mention also has to do with substance abuse--about the dangers of what we unfortunately all here in this Chamber have heard about--and that is synthetic drug abuse, including K2 Spice, bath salts, and herbal incense. Today we have an opportunity to do something about this problem. Let's prohibit these drugs from getting into the hands of our children, our service men and women, and others.

This amendment addresses the growing use and misuse of synthetic drugs by placing 15 cannabinoids, 2 stimulants, and 9 hallucinogens in Schedule I to expose those who manufacture, distribute, possess, import, and export synthetic drugs without proper authority to the full spectrum of criminal, civil, and administrative penalties, sanctions, and regulatory controls.

I want to give special thanks to the people who led this effort over the years--Senators Grassley, Schumer, and Klobuchar. They have worked hard on this issue, and we are all pleased this is part of the underlying legislation. It was Senator Grassley, as well as the folks from the Community Anti-Drug Coalition, who originally introduced me to the prevalence of designer drugs. I was told of the story of David Mitchell Rozga and many others who have suffered, and of some of the deaths that have occurred around the country.

This amendment, again, would have no significant effect on direct spending or revenues over a 10-year period and is a good, commonsense approach to trying to get our hands around this issue and help the constituents we represent and help our communities fight to stem this particular substance abuse that is affecting us all.

Madam President, I yield the remainder of my time, and I yield the floor.

Mr. President, today I wish to honor Walnut Hills High School of Cincinnati, OH, for being named the No. 1 high school in Ohio by U.S. News and World Report and the American Institutes for Research. This achievement highlights the hard work and dedication of the staff, students, and parents of Walnut Hills.

Walnut Hills High School first opened its doors in 1895. By 1918, the school had dedicated itself to preparing students for college admission in the liberal arts. The Walnut Hills High School program became so popular that the school was expanded in 1931 to accommodate more students. My dad was a proud graduate.

Walnut Hills High School prides itself on a diverse faculty and student body striving for excellence in education. The school's motto best reflects its attitude toward education: Sursum ad Summum, ``Rise to the Highest.''

Mr. President, I recognize Walnut Hills High School for the honorable achievement of being named the No. 1 high school in Ohio.

Mr. President, today I wish to recognize Patrolman Ben Campbell of Copley, OH, for being honored as a 2012 National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO) TOP COPS award recipient for the brave and heroic actions he has displayed in the line of duty.

On August 7, 2011, Officer Ben Campbell responded to a report of shots fired in a Copley Township neighborhood and he found a very grisly scene. An armed suspect had shot eight people, killing seven, and was still at large in the neighborhood. Without waiting for backup, Officer Campbell took off on foot after the suspect. As he scoured the area, he heard more gunshots and ran in their direction. Suddenly he found himself in an open area, with no protection, but surrounded by trees and houses, any one of which could be concealing the shooter. Moments later, the suspect stepped out from behind a house and pointed an automatic pistol directly at Officer Campbell. Officer Campbell commanded the shooter to drop his weapon, and when the man refused, the Officer had no choice but to shoot, killing the suspect.

It was a horrible tragedy, but without Officer Campbell's unhesitating courage, it would have been far worse. A subsequent investigation confirmed this when more than 200 rounds of ammunition were discovered in the suspect's car.

For his commitment to the Copley community, as well as his tremendous acts of bravery on August 7, 2011, I would like to recognize and thank Mr. Campbell for his service and congratulate him on receiving the National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO) TOP COPS award.