[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 1] [Issue] [Pages 411-415] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov][[Page 411]] SENATE--Friday, January 18, 2008 (Legislative day of January 3, 2008) The Senate met at 10 a.m., on the expiration of the recess, and was called to order by the Honorable Benjamin L. Cardin, a Senator from the State of Maryland. ____________________ APPOINTMENT OF THE ACTING PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will please read a communication to the Senate from the President pro tempore (Mr. Byrd). The assistant legislative clerk read the following letter: U.S. Senate, President pro tempore, Washington, DC, January 18, 2008. To the Senate: Under the provisions of rule I, paragraph 3, of the Standing Rules of the Senate, I hereby appoint the Honorable Benjamin L. Cardin, a Senator from the State of Maryland, to perform the duties of the Chair. Robert C. Byrd, President pro tempore. Mr. CARDIN thereupon assumed the chair as Acting President pro tempore. ____________________ RECESS UNTIL 10 A.M. TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2008 The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Under the previous order, the Senate stands in recess until Tuesday, January 22, 2008, at 10 a.m. Thereupon, the Senate, at 10:00:27 a.m., recessed until Tuesday, January 22, 2008, at 10 a.m. [[Page 412]] HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES--Friday, January 18, 2008 The House met at 10:30 a.m. and was called to order by the Speaker pro tempore (Mrs. Boyda of Kansas). ____________________ DESIGNATION OF THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE The SPEAKER pro tempore laid before the House the following communication from the Speaker: Washington, DC, January 18, 2008. I hereby appoint the Honorable Nancy E. Boyda to act as Speaker pro tempore on this day. Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House of Representatives. ____________________ PRAYER The Chaplain, the Reverend Daniel P. Coughlin, offered the following prayer: Forty years ago, President Lyndon Johnson said: ``This I do believe. The dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. has not died with him. People who are white, people who are black, must and will now join together as never in the past to let all the forces of divisiveness know that America shall not be ruled by the bullet but only by the ballot of a free and just nation.'' Lord our God, keep the dream of Dr. King alive in another generation of Americans. Bring an end to violence as the way to settle our differences and our difficulties. May the gospel he preached and the message he brought to the world inspire all citizens, especially politicians and military, to become agents of reconciliation, nation building, and peace. This we ask, calling upon Your holy name. Amen. ____________________ THE JOURNAL The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair has examined the Journal of the last day's proceedings and announces to the House her approval thereof. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved. ____________________ PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair will lead the House in the Pledge of Allegiance. The SPEAKER pro tempore led the Pledge of Allegiance as follows: I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. ____________________ RESIGNATION FROM THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES The SPEAKER pro tempore laid before the House the following resignation from the House of Representatives: House of Representatives, Washington, DC, January 17, 2008. Hon. Nancy Pelosi, Speaker, House of Representatives, Washington DC. Madam Speaker: Earlier today I informed Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal that I am resigning my position as United States Representative for the Sixth Congressional District of Louisiana effective February 2, 2008. I have been humbled to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives for the past 22 years. I want to thank all members for their friendship during this time and willingness to sacrifice to serve this great nation. In particular, I want to thank the Louisiana Congressional delegation for always keeping the best interests of our state as our highest priority. I also want to thank President Bush, the U.S. Congress, and the American people for their generosity in Louisiana's most pressing time of need. The people of Louisiana are indeed grateful for the support of the nation in the aftermath of the 2005 hurricane season, and on their behalf I once again express our deep gratitude. With warmest personal regards, I remain Sincerely yours, Richard H. Baker. ____ House of Representatives, Washington, DC January 17, 2008. Hon. Bobby Jindal, Governor, State of Louisiana, Baton Rouge, LA. Dear Governor Jindal: On January 15, 2008, I announced to the people of Louisiana's Sixth Congressional District my decision to accept an offer to serve as the President & Chief Executive Officer of the Managed Funds Association. I am hereby resigning my position as the United States Representative for the Sixth Congressional District of Louisiana, effective February 2, 2008. I count it a high privilege to have served the people of the Sixth District in the U.S. House of Representatives and to have worked with my colleagues in the Louisiana Congressional delegation to advance the interests of the great State of Louisiana. I want to wish you well as you begin your first term as governor and offer my support as your administration continues the work of building a better Louisiana for future generations. With warmest personal regards, I remain Sincerely yours, Richard H. Baker. ____________________ ADJOURNMENT The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the House stands adjourned until 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday next for morning-hour debate. There was no objection. Accordingly (at 10 o'clock and 35 minutes a.m.), under its previous order, the House adjourned until Tuesday, January 22, 2008, at 12:30 p.m., for morning-hour debate. ____________________ EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS, ETC. Under clause 8 of rule XII, executive communications were taken from the Speaker's table and referred as follows: 5051. A letter from the Secretary, Department of Transportation, transmitting the annual report of the Maritime Administration (MARAD) for Fiscal Year 2006, pursuant to 46 U.S.C. app. 1118; to the Committee on Armed Services. 5052. A letter from the Under Secretary for Personnel and Readiness, Department of Defense, transmitting a letter on the approved retirement of Vice Admiral Terrance T. Etnyre, United States Navy, and his advancement to the grade of vice admiral on the retired list; to the Committee on Armed Services. 5053. A letter from the Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Personnel and Readiness, Department of Defense, transmitting authorization of the enclosed list of officers to wear the insignia of the grade of brigadier general in accordance with title 10, United States Code, section 777; to the Committee on Armed Services. 5054. A letter from the Assistant Secretary for Installations and Environment, Department of Defense, transmitting notification of the decision to cancel the public-private competition for the Naval Supply Systems Command's ocean terminal operations and maintenance services; to the Committee on Armed Services. 5055. A letter from the Secretary, Department of Energy, transmitting the Department's annual report on the status of efforts to secure material in Russia and the former Soviet States, pursuant to Public Law 106-398, section 3171; to the Committee on Armed Services. 5056. A letter from the General Counsel, Department of the Treasury, transmitting the Department's final rule--Identify Theft Red Flags and Address Discrepancies Under the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003 [Docket ID OCC-2007- 0017] (RIN: 1557-AC87) received December 20, 2007, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Financial Services. 5057. A letter from the General Counsel, Department of the Treasury, transmitting the Department's final rule--Fair Credit Reporting Affiliate Marketing Regulations [Docket ID. OCC-2007-0010] (RIN: 1557-AC88) received December 20, 2007, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Financial Services. 5058. A letter from the Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, transmitting the Commission's final rule-- ACCEPTANCE FROM FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUERS OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS PREPARED IN [[Page 413]] ACCORDANCE WITH INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL REPORTING STANDARDS WITHOUT RECONCILIATION TO U.S. GAAP [RELEASE NOS. 33-8879; 34-57026; INTERNATIONAL SERIES RELEASE NO. 1306; File No. S7- 13-07] (RIN: 3235-AJ90) received January 4, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Financial Services. 5059. A letter from the Assistant Associate Administrator, SNP, Department of Agriculture, transmitting the Department's final rule--Applying for Free and Reduced Price Meals in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program and for Benefits in the Special Milk Program and Technical Amendments [Docket No.: FNS-2007-0023] (RIN: 0584-AD54) received December 20, 2007, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Education and Labor. 5060. A letter from the Deputy Assistant Administrator For Regulatory Programs, NMFS, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, transmitting the Administration's final rule--Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Regulatory Amendment to Modify Recordkeeping and Reporting and Observer Requirements; Correction [Docket No. 071106654-7655-01] (RIN: 0648-AW20) received December 20, 2007, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Natural Resources. 5061. A letter from the Deputy Assistant Administrator For Regulatory Programs, NMFS, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, transmitting the Administration's final rule--Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Temporary Haddock Size Limit Extension [Docket No. 070709299-7300-01] (RIN: 0648-AV75) received December 20, 2007, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Natural Resources. 5062. A letter from the Deputy Assistant Administrator For Regulatory Programs, NMFS, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, transmitting the Administration's final rule--Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Groundfish and Halibut Fisheries of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area and Gulf of Alaska, Seabird Avoidance Measures Revisions [Docket No. 070705262-7683-03] (RIN: 0648-AV38) received January 4, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Natural Resources. 5063. A letter from the Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs, transmitting a copy of a draft bill, ``To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish within the Department of Veterans Affairs, the position of Assistant Secretary for Acquisition, Logistics, and Construction, and for other purposes.''; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. 5064. A letter from the Director, Office of Personnel Management, transmitting the Office's Fiscal Year 2006 annual report on Veteran's Employment in the Federal Government; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. ____________________ REPORTS OF COMMITTEES ON PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS Under clause 2 of rule XIII, reports of committees were delivered to the Clerk for printing and reference to the proper calendar, as follows: Mr. CONYERS: Committee on the Judiciary. H.R. 3971. A bill to encourage States to report to the Attorney General certain information regarding the deaths of individuals in the custody of law enforcement agencies; with an amendment (Rept. 110-512). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union. ____________________ PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS Under clause 2 of rule XII, public bills and resolutions were introduced and severally referred, as follows: By Mr. TIM MURPHY of Pennsylvania: H.R. 5070. A bill to extend the suspension of duty on Polyfunctional aziridine; to the Committee on Ways and Means. By Mr. TIM MURPHY of Pennsylvania: H.R. 5071. A bill to extend the suspension of duty on Poly(toluene diisocyanate); to the Committee on Ways and Means. By Mr. TIM MURPHY of Pennsylvania: H.R. 5072. A bill to suspend temporarily the duty on Arcol Catalyst 3; to the Committee on Ways and Means. By Mr. TIM MURPHY of Pennsylvania: H.R. 5073. A bill to extend the suspension of duty on Crelan VP LS 2147; to the Committee on Ways and Means. By Mr. TIM MURPHY of Pennsylvania: H.R. 5074. A bill to extend the suspension of duty on Desmodur RF-E; to the Committee on Ways and Means. By Mr. TIM MURPHY of Pennsylvania: H.R. 5075. A bill to extend the suspension of duty on Desmodur R-E; to the Committee on Ways and Means. By Mr. TIM MURPHY of Pennsylvania: H.R. 5076. A bill to suspend temporarily the duty on Mondur M Flaked; to the Committee on Ways and Means. By Mr. TIM MURPHY of Pennsylvania: H.R. 5077. A bill to extend the suspension of duty on TSME; to the Committee on Ways and Means. By Mr. TIM MURPHY of Pennsylvania: H.R. 5078. A bill to extend the suspension of duty on Desmodur BL XP 2468; to the Committee on Ways and Means. By Mr. TIM MURPHY of Pennsylvania: H.R. 5079. A bill to extend the suspension of duty on Trimethylopropane tris(3-aziridinylpropanoate); to the Committee on Ways and Means. By Mr. TIM MURPHY of Pennsylvania: H.R. 5080. A bill to extend the suspension of duty on Desmodur HL BA; to the Committee on Ways and Means. By Mr. TIM MURPHY of Pennsylvania: H.R. 5081. A bill to extend the suspension of duty on Desmodur VP LS 2253; to the Committee on Ways and Means. By Mr. TIM MURPHY of Pennsylvania: H.R. 5082. A bill to suspend temporarily the duty on Desmodur VP LS 2253/1; to the Committee on Ways and Means. By Mr. TIM MURPHY of Pennsylvania: H.R. 5083. A bill to extend the suspension of duty on Desmodur E 14; to the Committee on Ways and Means. By Mr. SHAYS: H.R. 5084. A bill to require the Secretary of State to conduct ongoing assessments of the effectiveness of sanctions against Iran, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, Oversight and Government Reform, Ways and Means, and Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. By Mr. BAKER (for himself, Mr. McCrery, Mr. Jefferson, Mr. Alexander, Mr. Boustany, and Mr. Melancon): H. Res. 933. A resolution commending the Louisiana State University Tigers football team for winning the 2007 Bowl Championship Series national championship game; to the Committee on Education and Labor. ____________________ ADDITIONAL SPONSORS TO PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS Under clause 7 of rule XII, sponsors were added to public bills and resolutions as follows: H.R. 1398: Mr. Tim Murphy of Pennsylvania. H.R. 5036: Mrs. Capps, Mr. Price of North Carolina, Ms. Sutton, Mr. Ellison, and Mr. McGovern. H.J. Res. 76: Mr. Becerra, Mr. Berry, Mr. Bishop of New York, Mr. Boren, Ms. Corrine Brown of Florida, Mr. Burton of Indiana, Mr. Butterfield, Mr. Capuano, Mr. Cardoza, Mr. Conyers, Mr. Cramer, Mr. Davis of Illinois, Mr. Doyle, Mr. Emanuel, Mr. Frank of Massachusetts, Mr. Garrett of New Jersey, Mr. Hill, Ms. Hooley, Mr. Jackson of Illinois, Ms. Jackson-Lee of Texas, Mrs. Jones of Ohio, Mr. Kanjorski, Mr. Kennedy, Ms. Kilpatrick, Mr. Larson of Connecticut, Mr. Lewis of Georgia, Mr. Loebsack, Ms. Zoe Lofgren of California, Mr. Mahoney of Florida, Mr. Meek of Florida, Mr. Meeks of New York, Ms. Moore of Wisconsin, Mr. Pallone, Mr. Peterson of Minnesota, Mr. Porter, Mr. Rogers of Michigan, Mr. Serrano, Mr. Sires, Ms. Slaughter, Mr. Smith of New Jersey, Mr. Terry, Ms. Velazquez, Mr. Waxman, Mr. Wilson of Ohio, and Mr. Young of Alaska. H. Con. Res. 198: Mr. Doyle. H. Con. Res. 280: Mr. Markey, Mrs. Napolitano, Ms. Jackson- Lee of Texas, Mr. Wynn, Mr. Jackson of Illinois, and Mr. Ellison. H. Res. 909: Ms. Corrine Brown of Florida, Mr. Burton of Indiana, Mr. Lincoln Diaz-Balart of Florida, and Mr. Sherman. H. Res. 932: Mr. Wu, Mr. Hare, Ms. Matsui, Mrs. Tauscher, and Mr. Etheridge. [[Page 414]] EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS ____________________ TRIBUTE TO CRATER LAKE SUPERINTENDENT CHUCK LUNDY ______ HON. GREG WALDEN of oregon in the house of representatives Friday, January 18, 2008 Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a very special public servant of extraordinary ability and dedication, Crater Lake National Park Superintendent Chuck Lundy. This weekend I will attend in picturesque Klamath County, Oregon, a celebration in honor of Superintendent Lundy's retirement after 33 years of exemplary service to the National Park Service and millions of park visitors from around the world. As Superintendent Lundy officially hangs up his Park Service ranger hat for the last time, I want to share with you, Madam Speaker, and our colleagues some background about this special leader. Chuck Lundy was raised in the small farming town of Swartz Creek, Michigan, which cemented early in his life his affinity for rural areas and the natural beauty of our open spaces. Chuck's parents instilled in him at an early age the virtues of public service and hard work. His father, Frank, served in the U.S. Marine Corps and was a decorated veteran of the Pacific Campaign, and sustained serious wounds on the initial landing at Iwo Jima. Chuck himself enlisted and served in the U.S. Air Force from 1967-1971, and then graduated second in his class from Northern Arizona University with summa cum laude honors. Chuck actually began his professional career while still in college as a seasonal park ranger. After graduating, Chuck continued what ultimately would be a tremendous 33-year career of service in the National Park Service which concluded with nearly 10 years as Superintendent of Crater Lake National Park, which I'm proud to represent in Congress. During the course of Chuck's career at many national parks and monuments, he was presented many challenges and opportunities. It is well known among his peers, supervisors and local community leaders that each time Chuck accepted a new assignment, he left his prior one having solidly achieved the guiding principle of the Park Service: ``Leave the Park better than you found it''. I can personally attest to the amazing progress made at Crater Lake National Park under Chuck's leadership, and I believe there is not a more dedicated or capable steward of our natural gems in the National Park Service than Chuck Lundy. In November of 1998, Chuck came to Crater Lake National Park as Superintendent. This is the same month I was first elected to Congress. As an avid park and outdoor recreation enthusiast myself, and having secured a seat on the Resources Committee my first term in the House, Chuck and I had the opportunity to work closely together early on. We became fast friends as Chuck constantly kept me posted on his vision to bring resources for the public to Crater Lake, one of the most spectacular natural wonders in the world. President Theodore Roosevelt in 1902 signed the bill into law giving Crater Lake national park status. Crater Lake is located in southern Oregon on the crest of the Cascade Mountain range and it lies in a caldera, or volcanic basin, created when the 12,000 foot high Mt. Mazama collapsed 7,700 years ago following a massive eruption. It is a place of immeasurable beauty, and an outstanding outdoor laboratory and classroom. At 1,943 feet deep, it is the deepest lake in the United States. At Crater Lake, Chuck had a great ``product'' to offer and showcase to the public, but maximizing the financial resources and procedural challenges to provide the public the best experience possible at an affordable price while still preserving this natural gem was no small task. Chuck's creativity, thoughtfulness and dedication to addressing all of these aspects resulted in great success. The list of major developments under Chuck's watch at Crater Lake is a long one, I'd like to note just a few of them: A fantastic Centennial Celebration for the park in 2002, which provided the springboard to launch the Crater Lake Trust, the park's distinguished philanthropic group; the creation of the Crater Lake license plate, a smashing success that led to the creation of a multi-million dollar endowment fund to support future operations at the park's new Science and Learning Center; keeping the Rim Redevelopment Project moving to relocate the parking lot away from close proximity to the lake along with beautiful architectural improvements; completion of an incredibly accurate bathymetry, map of the lake, which yields tremendous insights into the eruption of Mt. Mazama and the formation of the lake; and completion of a progressive general management plan for the park to replace a nearly 30-year-old predecessor. Chuck would deflect praise for these substantial accomplishments to others, and while he has benefited from the support of many great people, these successes would not have reached the heights they have without Chuck's leadership and deep involvement. My colleagues, Superintendent Chuck Lundy has been a tremendous servant to the National Park Service and the millions of people who enjoy our parks and monuments. On behalf of our country, I thank Chuck for all that he has done. Chuck will be sorely missed, and I wish him and the entire Lundy family many happy years to come. ____________________ SALUTING BARB OBERSHAW'S VISIONARY LEADERSHIP OF MINNESOTA'S DYNAMIC TWIN WEST CHAMBER ______ HON. JIM RAMSTAD of minnesota in the house of representatives Friday, January 18, 2008 Mr. RAMSTAD. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a very special business and civic leader in Minnesota. Barb Obershaw, president of the Twin West Chamber of Commerce, recently announced her retirement, and her many outstanding accomplishments deserve special recognition. Barb has served as Twin West president for five dynamic years after serving five years as president of the Burnsville Chamber of Commerce. Under Barb's dynamic and visionary leadership, the Twin West Chamber has grown and become the most active chamber of commerce in the region, with scores of dedicated members who serve on its committees, board of directors and foundation board. Madam Speaker, through Barb's leadership, Twin West successfully persuaded state officials to accelerate the Highway 100 expansion, established an emerging-leaders program for young professionals, and awarded more than $400,000 in scholarships to local high school students and adult learners through the Twin West Foundation. These are just a few of the many accomplishments during Barb's term as president. Madam Speaker, Barb's hard work and strong stewardship have done so much to promote our area's businesses and to grow and develop good jobs. Barb, thank you for all you have done for the people of our area and, on a personal level, for your wise counsel, friendship and support through the years. Congratulations again Barb, on your retirement and many thanks for your outstanding leadership of the Twin West Chamber of Commerce! ____________________ HONORING THE LIFE AND MEMORY OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. ______ HON. JOHN B. LARSON of connecticut in the house of representatives Friday, January 18, 2008 Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to the significant accomplishments and contributions of the great Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who fought tirelessly throughout his life against injustices not only towards African- Americans, but for all members of society, [[Page 415]] in order to promote community amongst all citizens. As the Nation takes pause on Monday to honor the late Martin Luther King, Jr., we will remember the portrait of his life. Americans across the country will reflect on how the great Dr. King dedicated his life to making this Nation a more tolerant place. We will remember his critical role in the Civil Rights Movement--the Montgomery Bus Boycott, his involvement in the formation of the Southern Christian Leadership Coalition, his arrest in Birmingham, the march on Washington, his outspoken stance on the war in Vietnam--a collection of heroic acts that forged change in this great Nation. As we reflect, we must remember this great leader's words that he delivered 40 years ago, ``If any of you are around when I have to meet my day . . . Tell them not to mention that I have a Nobel Peace Prize, that isn't important. Tell them not to mention that I have three or four hundred other awards, that's not important. I'd like somebody to mention that day that Martin Luther King Jr. tried to give his life serving others . . . I'd like for somebody to say that day, that Martin Luther King Jr. tried to love somebody. I want you to say that I tried to love and serve humanity.'' Though these statements spoke to the memory he wanted us to have of him at the time of his death, these words still linger as we consider his beginnings. We can still remember his humble outlook on life. We are truly saddened each time we hear these words, yet we can be grateful for his presence, even for such a short time. As we remember his legacy, it is important to realize the work of Dr. King is not complete. He dedicated his life to serving others and humanity. He believed in nonviolence. He believed in the greater good of mankind. What would Dr. King say about the violence plaguing cities across the country, in cities like Hartford, in my home State of Connecticut? Our children are growing up in war zones. Families are being devastated and a generation is lost. Madam Speaker, this year on Martin Luther King Day, I urge my colleagues and this Nation to remember Dr. King and his message of nonviolence. I urge all of us to realize his work of service and compassion to humanity. This year, let us truly remember Dr. King the way he asked--let us bring his message of compassion and nonviolence to our city streets.