Floor Statements

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation be authorized to hold a hearing during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, April 10, 2007, at 11 a.m., in Room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building. The purpose of the hearing is to review the Federal Trade Commission Reauthorization Act.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, April 10, 2007, at 3 p.m., in both closed and open sessions, to receive testimony on overseas basing plans, military installation, environmental and base closure programs in review of the Defense authorization request for fiscal year 2008 and the future years Defense program.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that Nicole Knoll and Grant Gustafson of my staff be granted floor privileges for the duration of today's session.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that Guy Clifton, a fellow in Senator Hatch's office, be granted floor privileges during the stem cell debate.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 143, 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, and that any statements relating to the resolution be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 144 submitted earlier today.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any statements relating to the resolution be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to consideration of S. Res. 145, which was submitted earlier today.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table.

Mr. President, as long as I do have the floor, I thought I might at least talk about the resolution we just considered, S. Res. 145. Senator Grassley and I cosponsored it. It is congratulating Zach Johnson on his victory in the 2007 Masters tournament. Basically, I might as well read it. It is not that long:

S. Res. 145

Whereas, on April 8, 2007, Zach Johnson, a native Iowan,

won the Masters Tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club

in Augusta, Georgia;

Whereas, the Masters has been won by some of golf's

greatest champions, including Byron Nelson, Sam Snead, Ben

Hogan, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger

Woods, Phil Mickelson, and many others;

Whereas, Zach Johnson's final round of three-under-par 69

for a total score of 289 was two strokes better than that of

any other competitor;

Whereas, in a final day on which six different players led,

Zach Johnson showed great skill, patience and will to

withstand the challenge of the weather and the course;

Whereas, Zach Johnson is the first Iowan to win the

Masters, and the first Iowan to win a major championship in

golf since Jack Fleck's playoff victory over Ben Hogan in the

1955 U.S. Open; and

Whereas, Zach Johnson has brought great pride and honor to

his family, friends, and the citizens of Iowa with his

victory: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate congratulates Zach Johnson on his

outstanding accomplishment in winning the 2007 Masters golf

tournament.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed en bloc to the consideration of Calendar No. 105, S. 521, Calendar No. 106, S. 801, and H.R. 753, which is at the desk.

I ask unanimous consent that the bills be read three times, passed, the motions to reconsider be laid on the table en bloc, the consideration of these items appear separately in the Record, and any statements be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the Senate now proceed to Calendar No. 91, H.R. 137.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be read three times and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid on the table, and any statements relating thereto be printed in the Record, without further intervening action or debate.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand adjourned until 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, April 11; that on Wednesday, 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 the Senate then resume debate concurrently on S. 5 and S. 30, as provided for under a previous order.

If there is no further business today, and if the Republican leader has nothing further, I now ask unanimous consent the Senate stand adjourned under the previous order.

Mr. President, today I introduce the Promoting Wellness for Individuals with Disabilities Act. This important legislation will help ensure that people with disabilities have the same health and wellness opportunities as everyone else--through increasing access to accessible medical equipment, creating a health and wellness grant program, and improving the competency of medical professionals in providing care to patients with disabilities.

The health and wellness of America's citizens has long been one of my top priorities. Too often, many Americans don't know about or lack access to health screenings and preventive services. As Ben Franklin said, ``An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.''

However, it is often difficult for many people with disabilities to access this ounce of prevention. Visits to physicians' offices often do not include accessible examination and diagnostic equipment, such as accessible examination tables, weight scales, and mammography machines for people with mobility or balance issues. The presence of these physical barriers can reduce the likelihood that persons with disabilities will receive timely and appropriate medical services.

For example, one woman--a physician herself--told me that she has not had a complete physical examination since her spinal cord injury more than a decade ago because the tables are too high for her to get onto. She has not had a mammogram or colonoscopy because, as she puts it, it seems like such an effort to have to explain to the technicians her needs, to get them to lift her, and so on. These issues, which many of us take for granted, represent significant barriers to people with disabilities.

Further, health and wellness programs on topics such as smoking cessation, weight control, nutrition, or fitness may not focus on the unique challenges faced by individuals with disabilities. And it may be difficult for persons with particular disabilities, such as those with intellectual disabilities, to find physicians or dentists who are willing to take them on as patients. All of these factors can also increase the incidence of secondary conditions for people with disabilities.

I believe that the ``Promoting Wellness for Individuals with Disabilities Act'' is a good first step toward addressing these problems. The bill would: authorize the U.S. Access Board to establish accessibility standards for medical diagnostic equipment--including examination tables, examination chairs, weight scales, and mammography equipment, x-ray machines, and other radiological equipment commonly used for diagnostic purposes by medical professionals; establish a national wellness grant program that will help fund programs or activities for smoking cessation, weight control, nutrition or fitness that focus on the unique challenges faced by individuals with disabilities; preventive health screening programs for individuals with disabilities to reduce the incidence of secondary conditions; and athletic, exercise, or sports programs that provide individuals with disabilities an opportunity to increase their physical activity; and improve education and training of physicians and dentists by requiring that medical schools, dental schools, and their residency programs provide training to improve competency and clinical skills in providing care to patients with disabilities, including those with intellectual disabilities.

I invite my fellow Members to join me in support of this legislation. Together, we can make certain that people with disabilities are not limited in their access to quality medical care, or in their opportunities for health and wellness.

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

Mr. President, today I introduce the Promoting Wellness for Individuals with Disabilities Act. This important legislation will help ensure that people with disabilities have the same health and wellness opportunities as everyone else--through increasing access to accessible medical equipment, creating a health and wellness grant program, and improving the competency of medical professionals in providing care to patients with disabilities.

The health and wellness of America's citizens has long been one of my top priorities. Too often, many Americans don't know about or lack access to health screenings and preventive services. As Ben Franklin said, ``An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.''

However, it is often difficult for many people with disabilities to access this ounce of prevention. Visits to physicians' offices often do not include accessible examination and diagnostic equipment, such as accessible examination tables, weight scales, and mammography machines for people with mobility or balance issues. The presence of these physical barriers can reduce the likelihood that persons with disabilities will receive timely and appropriate medical services.

For example, one woman--a physician herself--told me that she has not had a complete physical examination since her spinal cord injury more than a decade ago because the tables are too high for her to get onto. She has not had a mammogram or colonoscopy because, as she puts it, it seems like such an effort to have to explain to the technicians her needs, to get them to lift her, and so on. These issues, which many of us take for granted, represent significant barriers to people with disabilities.

Further, health and wellness programs on topics such as smoking cessation, weight control, nutrition, or fitness may not focus on the unique challenges faced by individuals with disabilities. And it may be difficult for persons with particular disabilities, such as those with intellectual disabilities, to find physicians or dentists who are willing to take them on as patients. All of these factors can also increase the incidence of secondary conditions for people with disabilities.

I believe that the ``Promoting Wellness for Individuals with Disabilities Act'' is a good first step toward addressing these problems. The bill would: authorize the U.S. Access Board to establish accessibility standards for medical diagnostic equipment--including examination tables, examination chairs, weight scales, and mammography equipment, x-ray machines, and other radiological equipment commonly used for diagnostic purposes by medical professionals; establish a national wellness grant program that will help fund programs or activities for smoking cessation, weight control, nutrition or fitness that focus on the unique challenges faced by individuals with disabilities; preventive health screening programs for individuals with disabilities to reduce the incidence of secondary conditions; and athletic, exercise, or sports programs that provide individuals with disabilities an opportunity to increase their physical activity; and improve education and training of physicians and dentists by requiring that medical schools, dental schools, and their residency programs provide training to improve competency and clinical skills in providing care to patients with disabilities, including those with intellectual disabilities.

I invite my fellow Members to join me in support of this legislation. Together, we can make certain that people with disabilities are not limited in their access to quality medical care, or in their opportunities for health and wellness.

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

Mr. President, this spring, the new community health center in Burlington, IA, officially opened for business. Having secured funding for the center and attended the groundbreaking ceremony last June, I know how important this health care facility is to Burlington and the surrounding communities. At long last, Des Moines County has a permanent, unified medical and dental clinic, which has been sorely needed for many years.

This is a truly unique community health center. It is housed on the grounds of Southeastern Community College, and there is an agreement between the CHC board and the community college to allow nursing and health aide students to do some of their training in the center. This gives the center an edge in recruiting staff, and it gives students hands-on training opportunities right there on campus. Clearly, this is a win-win-win arrangement for the center, for the community college, and for the entire Burlington community.

I salute Ron Kemp and others who had the vision to create this new community health center, and the persistence to transform their vision into bricks and mortar. The facility is welcoming, modern, and well- equipped. The staff members are truly an inspiration. They have a special passion for their work, and take pride in the fact that they are providing first-rate health care to underserved communities.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., used to say that ``Life's most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?'' The staff members at the community health centers of Southeast Iowa have answered that question in powerful ways. They have committed themselves to providing high-quality health care to all comers, regardless of ability to pay. All are welcomed equally. All are served with professionalism and excellence. As chair of the Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee, I am 100 percent committed to securing appropriate funding for community health centers all across America. One thing I know for certain: Every dollar Congress appropriates for centers like the one in Burlington is a dollar spent wisely and frugally. It never ceases to amaze me how their staff members are able to do so much--and to serve so many people--with such limited resources.

I dare say that no one in the health care profession faces greater challenges than those who choose to work in community health centers. These challenges include chronic illness, cultural and linguistic differences, geographical barriers, and homelessness, to name just a few. Nothing stops these dedicated professionals.

And one more thing: community health centers have a well-deserved reputation for caring and kindness. They offer a direct and personal style of health care. They follow up. They care about prevention and wellness.

So I am deeply grateful to Executive Director Ron Kemp, to President Beverly Simone of Southeastern Community College, to the center's dedicated board members, to Ted Boesen, executive director of the Iowa/ Nebraska Primary Care Association, and to all the other people who made this new facility possible. They work their hearts out to provide the very best health care to some of our most needy citizens. I deeply appreciate their passion, their compassion, and their dedication to public service.

Mr. President, today, Senator Bond and I are introducing the National Institute of Food and Agriculture Act of 2007. The 2002 farm bill created a Research, Education and Economics Task Force within the Department of Agriculture (USDA)to evaluate agricultural research. A key recommendation of this task force was to create a National Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA) within USDA in order to support fundamental food and agricultural research to ensure that American agriculture remains competitive now and in the future. This bill does exactly that. The NIFA would be a grant-making agency that funds food and agricultural research through a competitive, peer- reviewed process. These funds would be in addition to, not as a substitute for, current research programs at USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES).

American agriculture must ensure that our Nation continues to produce safe and nutritious food for an increasing population.

Other challenges include renewable energy production, rural development, food safety, nutrition and quality, and conserving the environment. The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry held a hearing on agricultural research on March 7 of this year, and it became clear to me that what we need in agricultural research is not only more resources, but also more competitive funding while at the same time, preserving the capacity funding necessary for intramural research, extension and education at USDA and at our land- grant institutions. The NIFA Act of 2007 contains $3.4 billion of mandatory funding for the next 5 years to provide the food and agriculture sector with the innovation needed to confront these and other challenges facing American farmers and consumers of food and agriculture products now and in the future. Over a 10-year period, this legislation would provide for research a little over 1 percent of total mandatory funding at the Department of Agriculture. One percent is certainly a relatively modest investment given the public benefits of agricultural research, the results of which we reap every day as we consume a safe and affordable food supply, and as we look to increase farm-based renewable energy and biobased products. If we do not invest in research

now, increased globalization and competition from foreign markets will become real threats to U.S. agriculture. I encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting the National Institute of Food and Agriculture Act of 2007.

Mr. President, today, Senator Bond and I are introducing the National Institute of Food and Agriculture Act of 2007. The 2002 farm bill created a Research, Education and Economics Task Force within the Department of Agriculture (USDA)to evaluate agricultural research. A key recommendation of this task force was to create a National Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA) within USDA in order to support fundamental food and agricultural research to ensure that American agriculture remains competitive now and in the future. This bill does exactly that. The NIFA would be a grant-making agency that funds food and agricultural research through a competitive, peer- reviewed process. These funds would be in addition to, not as a substitute for, current research programs at USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES).

American agriculture must ensure that our Nation continues to produce safe and nutritious food for an increasing population.

Other challenges include renewable energy production, rural development, food safety, nutrition and quality, and conserving the environment. The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry held a hearing on agricultural research on March 7 of this year, and it became clear to me that what we need in agricultural research is not only more resources, but also more competitive funding while at the same time, preserving the capacity funding necessary for intramural research, extension and education at USDA and at our land- grant institutions. The NIFA Act of 2007 contains $3.4 billion of mandatory funding for the next 5 years to provide the food and agriculture sector with the innovation needed to confront these and other challenges facing American farmers and consumers of food and agriculture products now and in the future. Over a 10-year period, this legislation would provide for research a little over 1 percent of total mandatory funding at the Department of Agriculture. One percent is certainly a relatively modest investment given the public benefits of agricultural research, the results of which we reap every day as we consume a safe and affordable food supply, and as we look to increase farm-based renewable energy and biobased products. If we do not invest in research

now, increased globalization and competition from foreign markets will become real threats to U.S. agriculture. I encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting the National Institute of Food and Agriculture Act of 2007.