Floor Statements

Mr. President, we need reform of the NSA program but not in this manner. Let's remember why this intelligence tool was put into place. It was enacted in the wake of the worst terrorist attack in our country that took the lives of nearly 3,000 people. We have testimony from the former Director of the FBI and from the former Deputy Director of the CIA telling us that had this tool been in place, it is likely-- most likely--that the plot that killed nearly 3,000 people would have been uncovered. Why would we weaken the ability of our intelligence community at a time when the threats against this country have never been greater?

Let me address to my colleagues the privacy issue that has been raised--an issue that all of us care about. These data are far more safe, far more subject to privacy protections if they are held by the Federal Government where only 22 vetted and trained government employees have access to them instead of nearly 150 telecommunications companies that employ thousands of workers, and the government is going to have to go to those companies and ask for the data. That greatly exposes the privacy of individual Americans far more than the current system.

So for both of those reasons, I urge my colleagues to oppose the bill of the distinguished Senator from Vermont. It is a mistake. It would make us less safe, and we have expert testimony telling us that.

Thank you, Mr. President.

Mr. President, I wish to commend Turner Elementary School of Turner, ME, on being named a 2014 National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. This year, Turner Elementary was one of only 337 schools across the country and the only school from Maine to receive this prestigious recognition of high accomplishment by the U.S. Department of Education.

Created in 1982, the Blue Ribbon Schools Award honors schools that are either academically superior in their States or that demonstrate significant gains in student achievement. The schools singled out for this national recognition are models of high educational standards and accountability.

This award recognizes the remarkable progress that Turner Elementary has made over the past several years in closing student achievement gaps. These outstanding improvements can be attributed to the school's emphasis on professional development opportunities for its teachers and to its commitment to educating the whole child. Turner Elementary has strengthened its curriculum initiatives in math, reading, and writing and has also benefited greatly from its talented and dedicated leadership team, which helps students, parents, and educators set and reach their goals.

I am pleased that the U.S. Department of Education has selected Turner Elementary School for this well-deserved honor and congratulate not only the students but also the administrators, teachers, staff, and parents on this outstanding achievement. Together, they are making a difference in the lives of hundreds of students by helping them become energetic learners and engaged citizens.

Mr. President, today Senator Nelson and I are introducing legislation to limit the amount the Federal Government can garnish from Social Security benefits for unpaid student loan debt. Our bill would adjust the current $750 garnishment floor for inflation and index it going forward, to make sure that garnishments do not force seniors into poverty.

According to a recent study by the Government Accountability Office, GAO, the number of borrowers who have experienced garnishments to Social Security retirement, survivor, or disability benefits to repay student loans has increased over time. In 2001, about 31,000 Social Security beneficiaries had part of their benefits garnished to pay defaulted student loans. In 2013, this number had grown to approximately 155,000 beneficiaries, an increase of 400 percent.

The Debt Collection Improvement Act limits the amount the federal government can garnish from monthly Federal benefits. In 1998, this amount was set at $750 per month, and since then, it has not been raised or adjusted for inflation. This means that the federal government can garnish Social Security benefits so long as the beneficiary is not left with less than $750 per month. Fifteen years ago, this was above the poverty line, but as a result of inflation, the $750 limit now represents just 81 percent of the poverty threshold for a single adult 65 or older.

GAO found that if the garnishment limit had been indexed to match the rate of increase in the poverty threshold, in 2013, 68 percent of all borrowers whose Social Security benefits were garnished for Federal student loan debt would have kept their entire benefit. This means that in more than 2/3 of all cases involving the garnishment of Social Security benefits for unpaid student loan debt, the senior was forced into poverty. Indexing the floor to keep up with cost of living would keep this from happening.

I urge my colleagues to support this legislation to protect the financial security of seniors facing garnishment for unpaid student loan debt.

Mr. President, today Senator Nelson and I are introducing legislation to limit the amount the Federal Government can garnish from Social Security benefits for unpaid student loan debt. Our bill would adjust the current $750 garnishment floor for inflation and index it going forward, to make sure that garnishments do not force seniors into poverty.

According to a recent study by the Government Accountability Office, GAO, the number of borrowers who have experienced garnishments to Social Security retirement, survivor, or disability benefits to repay student loans has increased over time. In 2001, about 31,000 Social Security beneficiaries had part of their benefits garnished to pay defaulted student loans. In 2013, this number had grown to approximately 155,000 beneficiaries, an increase of 400 percent.

The Debt Collection Improvement Act limits the amount the federal government can garnish from monthly Federal benefits. In 1998, this amount was set at $750 per month, and since then, it has not been raised or adjusted for inflation. This means that the federal government can garnish Social Security benefits so long as the beneficiary is not left with less than $750 per month. Fifteen years ago, this was above the poverty line, but as a result of inflation, the $750 limit now represents just 81 percent of the poverty threshold for a single adult 65 or older.

GAO found that if the garnishment limit had been indexed to match the rate of increase in the poverty threshold, in 2013, 68 percent of all borrowers whose Social Security benefits were garnished for Federal student loan debt would have kept their entire benefit. This means that in more than 2/3 of all cases involving the garnishment of Social Security benefits for unpaid student loan debt, the senior was forced into poverty. Indexing the floor to keep up with cost of living would keep this from happening.

I urge my colleagues to support this legislation to protect the financial security of seniors facing garnishment for unpaid student loan debt.

Mr. President, I wish to speak in support of the Apprenticeship and Jobs Training Act, legislation

that I have introduced with my colleague Senator Cantwell. Few issues are as important to the American people as the availability of good jobs in our communities. Unemployment in Maine and across the country remains unacceptably high. We must continue working together to identify ways to improve job training initiatives to help people find jobs in fields where jobs exist.

I have met with many business owners in Maine who have jobs available but cannot find qualified and trained workers to fill these vacant positions. One way for employees to acquire the skills needed to thrive in in-demand fields is through apprenticeship programs. Apprentices get hands-on experience that is invaluable to employers and can help workers secure a good-paying job.

According to the Congressional Research Service, approximately 44,000 individuals graduated from apprenticeship programs in 2013 nearly 1,000 of those individuals were from Maine. However, that number is likely insufficient to meet tomorrow's needs. One manufacturer in Maine estimates that nearly 2.7 million manufacturing employees are expected to retire in the next decade. We must do all we can to ensure that an adequate pool of skilled workers is available to fill these good-paying jobs.

Our bill helps achieve this goal by giving tax credits to businesses that hire apprentices. To ensure that workers are given adequate time to prove their value, the apprentice must be employed for 7 months in order for a business to claim the credit. Our bill also provides incentives for experienced workers who spend at least 20 percent of their time passing their hard-earned knowledge on to the next generation. These workers would be allowed to receive some retirement income early, without facing tax penalties. Finally, our bill ensures that the brave men and women who defend our country are given credit for the skills they learn while serving. Training received while serving in the Armed Forces would count toward an apprentice's training requirement.

This bill would help better align the needs of our Nation's employers with potential employees to promote hiring and the creation of new jobs. I encourage all my colleagues to support this bill, and I am pleased to join Senator Cantwell in introducing it.

Madam President, I rise today to recognize the 60th anniversary of Down East: The Magazine of Maine. From the inaugural August, 1954, edition of 5,000 copies assembled around a kitchen table in Camden, ME, Down East has grown to become one of America's most successful regional publications with a circulation that exceeds 90,000 and a devoted readership of people around the country who love the beauty and culture of the State of Maine.

Down East was founded by Duane Doolittle, a native Mainer who left a secure teaching position at Syracuse University at the age of 42 to return home in pursuit of his dream to publish a magazine dedicated to, as he wrote in his first message to readers, ``honestly reflecting the beauty, the spirit, the unique and special qualities that make this corner of the world like no other place under the sun.'' For six decades, that statement of purpose has been fulfilled by talented photographers and engaging writers, today under the leadership of publisher Bob Fernald.

The name of the magazine was taken from the historic practice of sailing downwind to head east along the coast of Maine, and Down East continues to celebrate the heritage of Maine. At the same time, the magazine has expanded its scope to cover with expertise and insight contemporary trends in the arts, food, fashion, business, and politics. In addition to its award-winning print publication, Down East has a strong digital presence with a global readership of more than 900,000 and a popular interactive kiosk at the Portland Jetport that offers the best in Maine-made products.

Down East goes beyond recording life in Maine to enhancing it. From charities and land conservation to the arts and festivals, the company is a generous supporter of efforts that strengthen our communities.

Capturing the essence of Maine in print is no easy task. Duane Doolittle put it this way: ``To attempt to crack the mystery of what those things are that make a Downeaster different from a Texan or a Hoosier would be as unavailing as pondering the imponderables. All we can honestly say is that we are tuned to this particular parcel of earth and we like its music.''

That mystery may never be cracked, but for 60 years Down East: The Magazine of Maine has made the attempt entertaining and enlightening. I congratulate the leadership and staff of Down East on this milestone anniversary and wish them continued success for years to come.

Mr. President, in 1614, 6 years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth, Captain John Smith--explorer, soldier, navigator, and adventurer--landed at Monhegan Island off the coast of Maine. I wish to commemorate the 400th anniversary of that discovery and to congratulate the people of a truly remarkable community as they celebrate their quadricentennial.

In the very first sentence of his remarkable journal of that voyage, Captain Smith names the ``Isle of Monhegan,'' the Wabanaki Indian word for ``island of the ocean.'' In reference to the shared latitude with his home country, he coined the term ``New England.''

As the Wabanaki had known for centuries, the fish were plentiful. In addition, Captain Smith used the stands of timber to make small boats to explore the inlets and rivers on the mainland coast. So, Monhegan can rightly claim to be the birthplace of three industries that built the State of Maine--fishing, boatbuilding, and logging.

Certainly, there were disappointments. The whales proved elusive, and the gold Captain Smith sought was nonexistent. But the potential was everywhere.

In addressing the question of what it would take to settle the untamed region, the captain's log contains these lines that define Monhegan today. It would take, Captain Smith wrote, ``the best parts of art, judgment, courage, honesty, constancy, diligence, and industry.''

Maine's island communities are an essential part of our State's identity. They survive and thrive because of the qualities Captain Smith so wonderfully described.

The island's lobster industry is a shining example. More than 90 years ago, long before conservation was a watchword, Monhegan's lobstermen voluntarily established their own ban on harvesting small lobsters. To the list of Monhegan's firsts--fishing, boatbuilding, and logging--we can add lobster management.

By mutual agreement, rather than government edict, Monhegan lobstermen set trap limits to prevent overfishing. They established their own management zone to ensure that this generations-old fishery will sustain the generations to come. Most remarkable of all is the tradition of Trap Day, now October 1, when all boats, captains, and crews wait for each other and head to their fishing grounds together at the crack of dawn. The ethic that ``no one goes until everyone goes'' is the very definition of community.

For more than a century, Monhegan also has been a magnet for artists. In 1902, Samuel Triscott became the first artist to live there year- round, and he found the subject matter enticing enough to stay the rest of his life, nearly one-quarter century. From Rockwell Kent to Andrew and Jamie Wyeth, this singular place has inspired some of the best artists to create their greatest work.

There is no question that the magnificent scenery is part of the attraction. But as we look at the powerful works of art the island has inspired, it is clear that the people of Monhegan, their judgment, courage, honesty, constancy, diligence, and industry, enhance the natural beauty of the island so that it represents something more profound than crashing surf on rocky shores.

Captain Smith concluded his journal of that voyage four centuries ago with these words: ``We are not born for ourselves, but each to help the other. Let us imitate the virtues of our predecessors to be worthily their successors.'' Those words are fitting for a celebration of the past that looks with confidence to the future, and I congratulate the people of Monhegan, Maine, on this landmark anniversary.

Mr. President. I wish to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Roosevelt Campobello International Park. This beautiful and historic park preserves the summer home that Franklin Delano Roosevelt enjoyed both as a boy and as president. It was established by treaty between the United States and Canada and is the only memorial to an American president on Canadian soil.

The 2,800-acre park on Campobello Island, New Brunswick, was opened on August 20, 1964, by Canadian Prime Minister Lester Pearson and American President Lyndon Johnson. It is jointly owned and managed by both countries and is a beautiful and historic testament to a legacy of friendship. Like all true friendships, the friendship commemorated at Roosevelt Campobello International Park is based not upon expedience or self-interest, but upon shared values.

It is a legacy of friendship between two men: one of America's greatest presidents and one of Canada's greatest prime ministers. Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Mackenzie King could not have been more dissimilar in personality--one gregarious and outgoing, the other reticent and intensely private--yet they saw beyond the superficial traits and into the depths of character. Together, they led their nations out of the Great Depression. Together, they led their nations through the Second World War and made North America the arsenal of democracy so crucial to victory. Although only one lived to see the peace, together they forged an alliance that has allowed that peace to endure.

It is a legacy of friendship between two communities. By land, Campobello Island is accessible only from Lubec, ME, our Nation's easternmost town, via the FDR Memorial Bridge, itself a stunning example of international cooperation and friendship. The people of eastern Maine and western New Brunswick share a past, a present, and the future. They are bound together by a rugged yet rewarding way of life, by personal and family ties, by commerce and by mutual assistance. They earn their livelihoods from the land and from the sea, and they care for this special place so that those livelihoods may continue for generations to come.

It was at Campobello, his ``beloved island,'' that young Franklin Roosevelt learned to guide a sailboat through the challenging Lubec Narrows and developed the inner strength and self-reliance that enabled him to meet any challenge. Among the proud and determined people on both shores of the narrows, he felt the power of committed individuals working together in common cause.

In 1933, during his first return visit as President, with First Lady Eleanor at his side, FDR recalled his happy childhood memories and again thanked the islanders who taught him to sail. Then, in words that still ring true today, he described the region as, ``The finest example of friendship between Nations--permanent friendship between nations-- that we can possibly have.''

The United States and Canada share the world's longest undefended border, a common history and culture. In trade, we are each other's best customers. We are, as one of the park's permanent exhibits declares, ``Good Neighbours--Best Friends.''

George Washington wrote that, ``True friendship is a plant of slow growth, and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity.'' The friendship between the United States and Canada is the hardiest of plants with the deepest of roots. The adversities are but minor shocks; they are no match for the values of freedom, human rights and the rule of law that bind us together.

Those values are the foundation of this legacy, and they are our guarantee that this friendship will endure. They are what make the 50th anniversary of Roosevelt Campobello International Park an event so worthy of celebration.

Mr. President, as the founder and co-chair of the Senate Diabetes Caucus, I have learned a great deal about this devastating disease affecting nearly 29 million Americans. Fortunately, due to the Special Diabetes Program and increased investments in diabetes research, we have seen some encouraging breakthroughs and are on the threshold of a number of important new discoveries.

This is particularly true for the estimated 3 million Americans living with type I diabetes. Advances in technology, like continuous glucose monitors, are helping patients control their blood glucose levels, which is key to preventing costly and sometimes deadly diabetes complications. We are also moving closer and closer to our goal of an artificial pancreas, which would control blood glucose levels automatically and revolutionize diabetes care.

The National Institutes of Health and the Food and Drug Administration have been extremely supportive of these innovations in diabetes care. I was therefore surprised and extremely troubled to learn that insulin-dependent Medicare beneficiaries are being denied coverage for continuous glucose monitors, or CGMs, because the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, CMS, has determined that they do not meet the Medicare definition of durable medical equipment and do not fall under any other Medicare category. As a consequence, we are seeing situations--similar to what we saw with insulin pumps in the late 1990s--where individuals with type 1 diabetes have had coverage for their continuous glucose monitor on their private insurance, only to lose it when they age into Medicare.

A CGM is a physician-prescribed, FDA-approved medical device that can provide real-time readings and data about trends in glucose levels every five minutes, thus enabling someone with insulin-dependent diabetes to eat or take insulin and prevent dangerous low or high glucose levels. As demonstrated by extensive clinical evidence, adults using a CGM have had improved overall glucose control and have reduced rates of hypoglycemia or low blood glucose levels. Professional medical societies, including the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and the Endocrine Society, recognize this clinical evidence and have published guidelines recommending CGM be used in appropriate patients with type 1 diabetes. Today, about 95 percent of commercial insurers provide coverage for CGM devices.

The ironic thing is that it is only because of advances in diabetes care like the continuous glucose monitor that people with type 1 diabetes can expect to live long enough to become Medicare beneficiaries. I am particularly concerned given the implications that this coverage decision will have for future decisions regarding artificial pancreas systems, which will combine a continuous glucose monitor, insulin pump, and sophisticated algorithm to control high and low blood sugar around the clock.

I am therefore joining my colleague from New Hampshire and my Co- Chair

of the Senate Diabetes Caucus in introducing the Medicare CGM Access Act of 2014 to create a separate benefit category under Medicare for the continuous glucose monitor and require coverage of the device for individuals meeting specified medical criteria.

Mr. President, as the founder and co-chair of the Senate Diabetes Caucus, I have learned a great deal about this devastating disease affecting nearly 29 million Americans. Fortunately, due to the Special Diabetes Program and increased investments in diabetes research, we have seen some encouraging breakthroughs and are on the threshold of a number of important new discoveries.

This is particularly true for the estimated 3 million Americans living with type I diabetes. Advances in technology, like continuous glucose monitors, are helping patients control their blood glucose levels, which is key to preventing costly and sometimes deadly diabetes complications. We are also moving closer and closer to our goal of an artificial pancreas, which would control blood glucose levels automatically and revolutionize diabetes care.

The National Institutes of Health and the Food and Drug Administration have been extremely supportive of these innovations in diabetes care. I was therefore surprised and extremely troubled to learn that insulin-dependent Medicare beneficiaries are being denied coverage for continuous glucose monitors, or CGMs, because the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, CMS, has determined that they do not meet the Medicare definition of durable medical equipment and do not fall under any other Medicare category. As a consequence, we are seeing situations--similar to what we saw with insulin pumps in the late 1990s--where individuals with type 1 diabetes have had coverage for their continuous glucose monitor on their private insurance, only to lose it when they age into Medicare.

A CGM is a physician-prescribed, FDA-approved medical device that can provide real-time readings and data about trends in glucose levels every five minutes, thus enabling someone with insulin-dependent diabetes to eat or take insulin and prevent dangerous low or high glucose levels. As demonstrated by extensive clinical evidence, adults using a CGM have had improved overall glucose control and have reduced rates of hypoglycemia or low blood glucose levels. Professional medical societies, including the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and the Endocrine Society, recognize this clinical evidence and have published guidelines recommending CGM be used in appropriate patients with type 1 diabetes. Today, about 95 percent of commercial insurers provide coverage for CGM devices.

The ironic thing is that it is only because of advances in diabetes care like the continuous glucose monitor that people with type 1 diabetes can expect to live long enough to become Medicare beneficiaries. I am particularly concerned given the implications that this coverage decision will have for future decisions regarding artificial pancreas systems, which will combine a continuous glucose monitor, insulin pump, and sophisticated algorithm to control high and low blood sugar around the clock.

I am therefore joining my colleague from New Hampshire and my Co- Chair

of the Senate Diabetes Caucus in introducing the Medicare CGM Access Act of 2014 to create a separate benefit category under Medicare for the continuous glucose monitor and require coverage of the device for individuals meeting specified medical criteria.

Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act with Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Leahy. This bill would reauthorize the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act, which expired last September. The programs supported by this Act have provided lifesaving services and housing for America's homeless and human trafficked youth for forty years and are a vital tool in addressing the problem of homelessness among young people in our country.

Homelessness is affecting youth in unprecedented numbers. According to the Health Resources and Services Administration, there are approximately 1.6 million homeless teens in the United States. Some advocacy groups estimate that 39 percent of the homeless population is under the age of 18. Some of these youth may stay away from home for only one or two nights, while others have been living on the street for years.

Of the 1.6 million homeless youth, the National Alliance to End Homelessness estimates that, in any given year, there are approximately 550,000 unaccompanied, single youth and young adults up to age 24 who experience a homelessness episode of longer than one week. Approximately 200,000 youth each year live permanently on the street--a life that is extremely difficult, often dangerous, and unhealthy. Sadly, 5,000 teenagers are buried each year in unmarked graves either because they are unidentified or unclaimed.

Teens run away and become homeless for many reasons. A study conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found that 46 percent of homeless youth left home because of physical abuse and 17 percent because of sexual abuse. This population is at greater risk of suicide, unintended pregnancy, and substance abuse. Many are unable to continue with school and are more likely to enter our juvenile justice system.

As the Ranking Member of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee on Appropriations, I have made addressing homelessness a priority. Since 2010, we have seen a 16 percent drop in chronic homelessness. We must build on this success and ensure our nation's homeless youth have opportunities to succeed just as other youth. The Administration has set a goal, which I fully support, to prevent and end youth homelessness by 2020.

The programs reauthorized by this bill serve homeless youth by meeting

their immediate needs and providing long-term residential services for youth who cannot be safely reunified with family. In 2013, 94 percent of the minors who entered Basic Center Programs exited these programs safely and appropriately, and 72 percent were reunited with their families. Similarly, 88 percent of youth in Transitional Living Programs made safe and appropriate exits.

In Portland, Maine, the Preble Street Resource Center has used Runaway and Homeless Youth Act resources to connect with youth who need food, a safe place to sleep, health services, and education support. Over 200 individual youth were served at the Joe Kreisler Teen Shelter last year, and dozens received the support they needed to return home, find independent living options, and deal with trauma, substance abuse, and mental health challenges. The Street Outreach Program allows Preble Street to operate a Drop-In center and helps caseworkers and social workers connect with youth who appear homeless or in distress. This support often translates into powerful success stories. In fact, Preble Street has seen some of its youth go on to become physicians, attorneys, film makers, and social workers.

Mr. President, homeless youth are at high risk of victimization, abuse, targeting by human traffickers, criminal activity, and death. Research shows that 40 to 60 percent of homeless youth have experienced physical abuse. Without a safe place to stay, young people suffer and remain disconnected from education, the workforce, and community involvement, and they struggle to enter adulthood successfully.

The Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act will support the critically needed services for young people who run away, are thrown out, or are disconnected from families. A caring and safe place to sleep, eat, grow, and develop is critical for all young people, and the programs reauthorized through this legislation help extend those basic services to the most vulnerable youth in our communities.

I urge my colleagues to join Senator Leahy and me in supporting this bill.

Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act with Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Leahy. This bill would reauthorize the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act, which expired last September. The programs supported by this Act have provided lifesaving services and housing for America's homeless and human trafficked youth for forty years and are a vital tool in addressing the problem of homelessness among young people in our country.

Homelessness is affecting youth in unprecedented numbers. According to the Health Resources and Services Administration, there are approximately 1.6 million homeless teens in the United States. Some advocacy groups estimate that 39 percent of the homeless population is under the age of 18. Some of these youth may stay away from home for only one or two nights, while others have been living on the street for years.

Of the 1.6 million homeless youth, the National Alliance to End Homelessness estimates that, in any given year, there are approximately 550,000 unaccompanied, single youth and young adults up to age 24 who experience a homelessness episode of longer than one week. Approximately 200,000 youth each year live permanently on the street--a life that is extremely difficult, often dangerous, and unhealthy. Sadly, 5,000 teenagers are buried each year in unmarked graves either because they are unidentified or unclaimed.

Teens run away and become homeless for many reasons. A study conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found that 46 percent of homeless youth left home because of physical abuse and 17 percent because of sexual abuse. This population is at greater risk of suicide, unintended pregnancy, and substance abuse. Many are unable to continue with school and are more likely to enter our juvenile justice system.

As the Ranking Member of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee on Appropriations, I have made addressing homelessness a priority. Since 2010, we have seen a 16 percent drop in chronic homelessness. We must build on this success and ensure our nation's homeless youth have opportunities to succeed just as other youth. The Administration has set a goal, which I fully support, to prevent and end youth homelessness by 2020.

The programs reauthorized by this bill serve homeless youth by meeting

their immediate needs and providing long-term residential services for youth who cannot be safely reunified with family. In 2013, 94 percent of the minors who entered Basic Center Programs exited these programs safely and appropriately, and 72 percent were reunited with their families. Similarly, 88 percent of youth in Transitional Living Programs made safe and appropriate exits.

In Portland, Maine, the Preble Street Resource Center has used Runaway and Homeless Youth Act resources to connect with youth who need food, a safe place to sleep, health services, and education support. Over 200 individual youth were served at the Joe Kreisler Teen Shelter last year, and dozens received the support they needed to return home, find independent living options, and deal with trauma, substance abuse, and mental health challenges. The Street Outreach Program allows Preble Street to operate a Drop-In center and helps caseworkers and social workers connect with youth who appear homeless or in distress. This support often translates into powerful success stories. In fact, Preble Street has seen some of its youth go on to become physicians, attorneys, film makers, and social workers.

Mr. President, homeless youth are at high risk of victimization, abuse, targeting by human traffickers, criminal activity, and death. Research shows that 40 to 60 percent of homeless youth have experienced physical abuse. Without a safe place to stay, young people suffer and remain disconnected from education, the workforce, and community involvement, and they struggle to enter adulthood successfully.

The Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act will support the critically needed services for young people who run away, are thrown out, or are disconnected from families. A caring and safe place to sleep, eat, grow, and develop is critical for all young people, and the programs reauthorized through this legislation help extend those basic services to the most vulnerable youth in our communities.

I urge my colleagues to join Senator Leahy and me in supporting this bill.

Madam President. I wish to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Town of Boothbay, ME. Boothbay was built with a spirit of determination and resiliency that still guides the community today, and this is a time to celebrate the generations of hard-working and caring people who have made it such a wonderful place to live, work, and raise families.

The year of Boothbay's incorporation, 1764, was but one milestone in a long journey of progress, a journey that is inextricably linked to the sea. For thousands of years the Boothbay Peninsula was a fishing grounds of the Etchemin Tribe, and the extensive shell middens and other archeological sites are today a treasure trove of this ancient history.

Drawn by one of the finest natural harbors in New England, English settlement began within a few years of the Pilgrims landing at Plymouth in 1620. The early English influence is underscored by the fact that some of the first deeds granted to the settlers were signed by the Etchemin Sagamore, who was called Chief Robinhood by the newcomers. By 1764, Boothbay was a growing town with an economy driven by

fishing, shipbuilding, and tidal-powered sawmills. The wealth produced by the sea and by hard work was invested in schools and churches to create a true community.

Boothbay was a vital center for revolutionary activity during America's fight for independence. The strategic importance of the harbor put the small town under frequent enemy attack, and more than 100 patriots rose to its defense. During the war Captain Paul Reed established himself as one of our young nation's ablest and most courageous naval commanders. The Reverend John Murray was an eloquent and fearless voice for freedom, and his powerful words called many to its cause.

In the decades that followed, Boothbay became a place of industry and innovation with such endeavors as fish processing, canning, and fish- oil production. During the 1830s, Boothbay's bracing sea breezes and crystal-clear waters made it an early health spa, and by the end of the 19th century the town became a favorite destination for vacationers and summer residents.

Today the people of Boothbay continue to build on those traditions. Fishing and lobstering are mainstays of the economy. Fine hotels, inns, and restaurants support a thriving tourism industry. Boatyards build luxury yachts, fishing boats, and advanced vessels for military and law-enforcement purposes. Since its founding in 1974, the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences has become a global leader in oceanographic research. Lobster boat races, the annual Windjammer Days, and the Fishermen's Festival celebrate the town's maritime heritage, and the restored Opera House provides a beautiful venue for arts and entertainment.

This 250th anniversary is not just about something that is measured in calendar years. It is about human accomplishment, an occasion to celebrate the people who for more than two and a half centuries have pulled together, cared for one another, and built a community. Thanks to those who came before, Boothbay has a wonderful history. Thanks to those who are there today, it has a bright future.

Mr. President, I wish to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Town of Mount Chase, ME. Mount Chase was built with a spirit of determination and resiliency that still guides the community today, and this is a time to celebrate the generations of hard-working and caring people who have made it such a wonderful place to live, work, and raise families.

While this sesquicentennial marks Mount Chase's incorporation, the year 1864 was but one milestone in a long journey of progress. For thousands of years, the land surrounding Mount Katahdin, Maine's highest peak, was the hunting and fishing grounds of the Penobscot and Maliseet tribes. In the 1830s, the first White settlers were drawn by the fertile soil, vast stands of timber, and fast-moving streams, and the young village became a center of the Maine North Woods' lumber industry. The wealth produced by the forests and saw mills was invested in schools and churches to create a true community. The incorporated town that followed was named for the prominent mountain peak, Mount Chase, which towers more than a half-mile above the farms and forests below.

The arrival of the railroads in the aftermath of the Civil War further secured Mount Chase's prominence in the lumber industry, and the town was home to the largest cold-storage plant on the line for wild game and other perishable food products. By the end of the 19th century, modern transportation and the region's spectacular scenery and abundant wildlife combined to create a new economic opportunity--great sporting camps and lodges that drew outdoor enthusiasts from around the world. Today, the people of Mount Chase continue to honor the strong land use traditions and love of the outdoors that have helped make such places as Shin Pond a favorite recreation destination for residents and visitors.

In the early 20th century, the history, industry, and beauty of the Mount Chase region were made immortal by the great Swedish-born artist Carl Sprinchorn, who spent many years at Shin Pond. From his paintings of the strenuous daily life of lumberjacks to his evocative landscapes, the artist recorded a very special time in Maine history and a place that remains special today.

This 150th anniversary is not just about something that is measured in calendar years. It is about human accomplishment, an occasion to celebrate the people who for generations have pulled together, cared for one another, and built a community. Thanks to those who came before, Mount Chase has a wonderful history. Thanks to those who are there today, it has a bright future.

Mr. President, I rise today in support of the Bipartisan Sportsmen's Act, S.2363. This legislation aims to support outdoor recreation by improving access for anglers, hunters, and recreational shooters. It would also advance conservation by reauthorizing programs that protect wildlife species and habitats, wetlands, migratory birds, and waterfowl.

Hunting, angling, outdoor recreation, and conservation are important economic contributors and support jobs in communities across the country, including many across the State of Maine. The Federal Government is an important partner in preserving our natural treasures, enhancing recreation, promoting economic growth, and helping to protect the environment, which are all components in sustaining our Nation's outdoor heritage and traditions.

While I understand the concerns that have been raised about the need to strengthen the bill's conservation measures, on balance S.2363 would benefit hunting, fishing, outdoor recreation, and conservation. One provision would promote hunting, fishing, and recreational shooting on Federal public lands, preventing arbitrary closures. Another would help States construct and maintain public shooting ranges by allowing a larger proportion of Federal funding to be used for this purpose. Additionally, the bill would reauthorize the North American Wetlands Conservation Act and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, which leverage funding for critical wetlands, migratory birds, native fish and wildlife species, and habitat projects. A permanent authorization of electronic duck stamps, the proceeds of which go to the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund, is also included in the bill.

I am also pleased to be the sponsor of a bipartisan amendment that highlights the many important contributions of the Land and Water Conservation Fund over the last 50 years. In addition to calling for the reauthorization of this landmark conservation program, the amendment calls for full, permanent, and dedicated funding, making good on the promise that was made to the American people in 1964 to take the proceeds from natural resource development and invest a small portion in conservation and outdoor recreation. I am deeply concerned about the continued annual diversion of these funds from their original conservation intent to other purposes. We will not balance our Nation's books today by shortchanging our future.

Upholding Maine's strong tradition of outdoor recreation, including hunting and fishing, and protecting access to the great outdoors for the enjoyment of all Americans continue to be priorities of mine. I also strongly support conservation programs and actions to preserve wildlife and natural habitats. The people of Maine have always been faithful stewards of our environment because we understand its tremendous value to our way of life. The Bipartisan Sportsmen's Act would have a positive impact on hunting, fishing, outdoor recreation, and conservation, and I support its passage.