S10426 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE October 2, 2008 

athlete who represented Michigan and 

the United States in Beijing. I wish 

each athlete future success as they 

continue to strive for excellence. 

Mr. DURBIN. I am honored today to 

recognize the achievements of the 

American athletes who competed in 

the 2008 Summer Olympic and 

Paralympic Games in Beijing, China. 

The Beijing Games were remarkable. 

More than 11,000 athletes representing 

over 200 countries competed in this 

year’s Olympic Games. The United 

States won 110 medals total at the Beijing Olympics, more than any other 

country represented. 

The Paralympic Games, the competition for elite athletes with physical 

disabilities, immediately followed the 

Olympic in Beijing. More than 4,200 

athletes from 148 countries competed, 

the largest number of nations ever represented at a Paralympic Games. 

American Paralympic athletes won 99 

medals overall, 36 of them gold. The 

International Paralympic Committee 

has declared these the best Paralympic 

Games in history. 

Americans from coast to coast were 

electrified by swimmer Michael Phelps, 

who broke the record for most gold 

medals in one Olympics and for most 

gold medals for an Olympian. I had the 

opportunity to admire the two gold and 

two bronze medals of American swimmer Ryan Lochte this week. Ryan dedicated his performance and a portion of 

his winnings to eradicating Duchenne 

muscular dystrophy, and he was on 

Capitol Hill this week to raise awareness of this cruel and fatal disorder. 

Joining U.S. medalists in swimming 

was a Lake Forest, IL son—Matt 

Grevers who won a silver medal in the 

men’s 100m backstroke. 

In addition to Matt, I would like to 

commend the outstanding athletes 

from my home State of Illinois who 

represented the United States in the 

Olympic and Paralympic Games. NBA 

star Dwyane Wade, a native of Chicago, 

helped lead the U.S. Men’s Basketball 

Team, often called ‘‘The Redeem 

Team,’’ to their first gold medal since 

2000. Sean Rooney of Wheaton, IL, also 

took home a gold medal as part of the 

U.S. Men’s Volleyball team, and 

Ogonna Nnamani of Bloomington, IL, 

won a silver medal along with the U.S. 

Women’s Volleyball team. 

Illinois athletes were on the medal 

stand during the Paralympic Games, 

too. Jaclyn Barnes of Wadsworth, IL, 

won a gold in Women’s Goalball. Emily 

Hoskins of Mascoutah and Jennifer 

Ruddell of Champaign also brought 

home gold as part of the Women’s 

Wheelchair Basketball team. Nichole 

Millage of Champaign and Hope 

Lewellen of Palos Park helped earn the 

silver for the Women’s Sitting 

Volleyball Team. At least thirty athletes and coaches who competed at the 

Paralympics have direct ties to Illinois. 

Last but far from least, I would like 

to congratulate Dawn Harper, a native 

of my hometown of East St. Louis, IL, 

for her captivating performance at the 

Beijing Olympics. Ms. Harper, a graduate of East St. Louis High School and 

UCLA, was a part of the U.S. Women’s 

Track Team. Dawn took the gold 

medal in the 100 meter hurdles, and I 

couldn’t be more proud. 

The Olympics and Paralympics are 

inspiring. They allow us to watch athletic performance at its very best. 

They also remind us of the enduring 

human spirit that drives these athletes 

to sacrifice, train and prepare for these 

moments of camaraderie and competition with peers from countries around 

the world. The State of Illinois would 

be proud to host these games in 2016. 

We are preparing in the hope that, 8 

years from now, the Summer Olympic 

and Paralympic Games will take place 

in the heartland of the United States— 

in beautiful Chicago, IL. 

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. I ask 

unanimous consent that the resolution 

and preamble be agreed to en bloc, the 

motions to reconsider be laid upon the 

table en bloc, that any statements be 

printed in the RECORD, without intervening action or debate. 

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without 

objection, it is so ordered. 

The resolution (S. Res. 704) was 

agreed to. 

The preamble was agreed to. 

The resolution, with its preamble, 

reads as follows: 

S. RES. 704 

Whereas the 2008 Summer Olympic Games 

were conducted in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008; 

Whereas 10,500 athletes from 204 countries 

participated in 302 events in 28 sports and inspired people around the world with their 

dedication, discipline, athletic achievement, 

and spirit of fair play, representing the best 

traditions of Olympic competition; 

Whereas 596 men and women represented 

the United States in the 2008 Summer Olympic Games as members of the United States 

Olympic Team; 

Whereas those United States Olympians 

competed in 27 sports and continued the 

great legacy of athleticism and sportsmanship that has characterized the history of 

United States Olympic competition; 

Whereas, in the 2008 Summer Olympic 

Games, the United States sustained and increased its clear dominance as the most successful country in the history of the Olympic 

Games; 

Whereas athletes from the United States 

won more medals in the 2008 Summer Olympic Games than athletes from any other 

country; 

Whereas swimmer Michael Phelps of Maryland earned recognition as one of the greatest athletes of all time by winning an extraordinary 8 gold medals in the 2008 Summer Olympic Games to surpass the previous 

single-year record of 7 Olympic gold medals 

by Mark Spitz, also a swimmer from the 

United States; 

Whereas Michael Phelps now also holds the 

record for the most Olympic gold medals 

ever won by a single athlete, with a remarkable 14 gold medals; 

Whereas, in the 2008 Summer Olympic 

Games, the United States demonstrated its 

continued preeminence in team sports, with 

the men’s and women’s basketball teams, the 

men’s volleyball team, the women’s soccer 

team, and the men’s and women’s 4x400- 

meter relay teams winning gold medals; 

Whereas more than 200 athletes from the 

United States competed in 18 sports on behalf of the United States in the 2008 Summer 

Paralympic Games in Beijing, China, from 

September 6 to September 17, 2008; 

Whereas the United States Paralympic 

Team earned 99 medals, including 36 gold 

medals, reminding the world that physical 

challenges are no limit to human achievement; 

Whereas United States Army First Lieutenant Melissa Stockwell, who lost her left 

leg to a roadside bomb in Baghdad in 2004, 

became the first veteran of the war in Iraq to 

compete in the Paralympic Games when she 

swam in the women’s 100-meter butterfly, 

100-meter freestyle, and 400-meter freestyle; 

Whereas the people of the United States 

stand united in respect and admiration for 

the members of the United States Olympic 

and Paralympic Teams, and the Teams’ athletic accomplishments, sportsmanship, and 

dedication to excellence; 

Whereas the many accomplishments of the 

United States Olympic and Paralympic 

Teams would not have been possible without 

the hard work and dedication of many others, including the United States Olympic 

Committee and the many administrators, 

coaches, and family members who provided 

critical support for the athletes: 

Whereas the Olympic movement celebrates 

competition, fair play, and the pursuit of 

dreams; 

Whereas the United States and, in particular, the city of Chicago, Illinois, celebrate those same ideals; and 

Whereas Chicago has never hosted the 

Olympic and Paralympic Games: Now, therefore, be it 

Resolved, That the Senate— 

(1) extends congratulations for a job well 

done to all members of the United States 

Olympic and Paralympic Teams and to everyone who supported the Teams’ efforts at 

the 2008 Summer Olympic and Paralympic 

Games; and 

(2) encourages the International Olympic 

Committee to choose Chicago, Illinois, as 

the site of the 2016 Summer Olympic and 

Paralympic Games and offers support and cooperation in ensuring successful Olympic and 

Paralympic Games in Chicago in 2016. 

f 

NATIONAL METHAMPHETAMINE 

AWARENESS MONTH 

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. I ask 

unanimous consent to proceed to the 

consideration of S. Res. 703, submitted 

earlier. 

The PRESIDING OFFICER. The 

clerk will report the resolution by 

title. 

The legislative clerk read as follows: 

A resolution (S. Res. 703) Designating November 2008 as ‘‘National Methamphetamine 

Awareness Month,’’ to increase awareness of 

methamphetamine abuse. 

There being no objection, the Senate 

proceeded to consider the resolution. 

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. I ask 

unanimous consent the resolution be 

agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, 

the motions to reconsider be laid upon 

the table, with no intervening action 

or debate, and that any statements be 

printed in the RECORD. 

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without 

objection, it is so ordered. 

The resolution (S. Res. 703) was 

agreed to. 

The preamble was agreed to. 

The resolution, with its preamble, 

reads as follows: 


rfrederick on PROD1PC67 with SENATE
October 2, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S10427 

S. RES. 703 

Whereas methamphetamine, an easily 

manufactured drug of the amphetamine 

group, is a powerful and addictive central 

nervous system stimulant with long-lasting 

effects; 

Whereas the National Association of Counties reported in 2007 that methamphetamine 

is the number 1 illegal drug problem for 47 

percent of the counties in the United States, 

a higher percentage than that of any other 

drug; 

Whereas 4 out of 5 county sheriffs report 

that, while local methamphetamine production is down, methamphetamine abuse is not 

(the National Association of Counties found 

that 1⁄2 of the Nation’s sheriffs report abuse 

of the drug has stayed the same and nearly 

1⁄3 say that it has increased); 

Whereas the highest rates of methamphetamine use among all ethnic groups occur 

within Native American communities; 

Whereas the consequence of methamphetamine use by many young adults in the Native American community has been death, 

including methamphetamine-related suicides; 

Whereas sheriffs report increases in crime 

directly related to the presence of methamphetamine in their communities; 

Whereas most illegal methamphetamine 

available in the United States is produced in 

large clandestine laboratories in Mexico and 

smuggled into this country; 

Whereas methamphetamine labs are costly 

to clean up in that every pound of methamphetamine produced can yield up to 5 

pounds of toxic waste, representing a public 

danger to adults and children; 

Whereas the profile of methamphetamine 

users is changing, as 3⁄5 of the Nation’s sheriffs report increased methamphetamine use 

by women and 1⁄2 of the Nation’s sheriffs report increased use by teens; 

Whereas, in surveys on the abuse of methamphetamine among teens, many of the respondents said that the drug was easy to get 

and believed there is little risk in trying it; 

Whereas other National Association of 

Counties surveys have shown that methamphetamine also places significant burdens 

on local social service and health care resources, increasing out-of-home placements 

for children, sending more people to public 

hospital emergency rooms than any other 

drug, and producing an ever-growing need for 

methamphetamine treatment programs; and 

Whereas the establishment of a National 

Methamphetamine Awareness month would 

increase awareness of methamphetamine and 

educate the public on effective ways to help 

prevent methamphetamine use at the Federal, State, and local levels: Now, therefore, 

be it 

Resolved, That the Senate— 

(1) designates November 2008 as ‘‘National 

Methamphetamine Awareness Month’’ to increase awareness of methamphetamine 

abuse; and 

(2) encourages the people of the United 

States and interested groups to observe National Methamphetamine Awareness Month 

with appropriate educational programs and 

outreach activities. 

f 

APPOINTMENTS 

The PRESIDING OFFICER. The 

Chair, on behalf of the majority leader, 

pursuant to Public Law 96–114, as 

amended, appoints the following individual to the Congressional Award 

Board: Kathryn Weeden of Washington, 

D.C. 

APPOINTMENTS AUTHORITY 

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. I ask 

unanimous consent that notwithstanding the recess or adjournment of 

the Senate, the President of the Senate, the President of the Senate pro 

tempore, and the majority and minority leaders be authorized to make appointments to commissions, committees, boards, conferences, or interparliamentary conferences authorized 

by law, by concurrent action of the two 

Houses, or by order of the Senate. 

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without 

objection, it is so ordered. 

f 

AUTHORITY TO SIGN ENROLLED 

BILLS 

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. I ask 

unanimous consent that during recess 

or adjournment of the Senate from Friday, October 3, 2008 through Sunday, 

October 5, 2008, the Senator from Virginia, Mr. WEBB, be authorized to sign 

all duly enrolled bills and joint resolutions. 

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without 

objection, it is so ordered. 

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. I suggest 

the absence of a quorum. 

The PRESIDING OFFICER. The 

clerk will call the roll. 

The legislative clerk proceeded to 

call the roll. 

Mr. LEVIN. I ask unanimous consent 

that the order for the quorum call be 

rescinded. 

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without 

objection, it is so ordered. 

f 

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE 

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I understand that there is not a real possibility that the House of Representatives is going to take up an unemployment insurance extension bill tomorrow. I hope it does. I hope it passes. I 

would also fervently hope that this 

body will take up this bill immediately 

upon our return in mid-November when 

I understand we will be in session for 2 

or 3 days. Passing an unemployment 

insurance extension is essential. The 

unemployment insurance extension 

which was signed into law on June 30 

as part of our supplemental war appropriations bill included a 13-week extension of unemployment benefits for all 

States. This is less of an extension 

than we provided during economic 

downturns in the last 25 years because 

it does not include additional benefits 

for high-unemployment States. 

Currently, workers who started receiving the 13-week extension in midJuly, under the current program, will 

have their benefits cut off in October, 

and 775,000 workers across the Nation 

are going to be cut off, including 42,000 

in Michigan alone. By the end of this 

year, the number of individuals who 

will have exhausted their unemployment benefits will rise to 1.1 million 

nationally and 58,000 in Michigan. We 

must ensure that those individuals who 

have lost their jobs, who are looking 

for work during a time when our companies are reducing the number of jobs 

and during a time when the price of 

food and energy is going up, that these 

people are not also struggling to put 

food on the table, to pay their utility 

bills, and to cover their mortgage payments. 

We have a bill in the Senate, which I 

cosponsored, which will provide this 

much needed unemployment insurance 

extension. The extension would ensure 

that out-of-work Americans have an 

additional 7 weeks as they continue to 

look for jobs. In high-unemployment 

States such as Michigan, the States 

will receive an additional 13 weeks. In 

August, Michigan’s unemployment rate 

rose from 8.5 percent to 8.9 percent. 

The Nation’s unemployment rate increased by almost half a percentage 

point to 6.1 percent. That is the highest 

since 2003. 

These are very hard economic times. 

Unemployment rates are rising. Since 

January of 2001, we have lost over 3.6 

million manufacturing jobs nationally 

and over a quarter million manufacturing jobs in Michigan. The numbers 

of unemployed are rising all over the 

country. We must act to protect American workers and their families. 

The Congress needs to act before we 

adjourn. That means during that window, that 2- or 3-day window in midNovember. We must seize that opportunity to do what we have done in prior 

downturns; that is, to give greater protection to workers who are unemployed 

and desperately looking for work. 

I ask unanimous consent that a chart 

comparing the unemployment benefits 

in this downturn to previous downturns 

be printed in the RECORD. 

There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in the 

RECORD, as follows: 

CONGRESS HAS EXTENDED BENEFITS FOR HARD-HIT 

STATES IN EVERY OTHER RECESSION OF THE LAST 25 

YEARS 

Date 

Temporary unemployment benefits granted 

to all States 

Additional benefits 

granted to high unemployment States 

1982 ............................. 8 weeks ..................... Up to 14 weeks. 

1991 ............................. 26 weeks ..................... 7 weeks. 

2002 ............................. 13 weeks ..................... 13 weeks. 

2008 ............................. 13 weeks ..................... None. 

Source: Congressional Research Service. 

Mr. LEVIN. I suggest the absence of 

a quorum. 

The PRESIDING OFFICER. The 

clerk will call the roll. 

The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll. 

Mr. LEVIN. I ask unanimous consent 

that the order for the quorum call be 

rescinded. 

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without 

objection, it is so ordered. 

f 

TRIBUTE TO SENATORS 

JOHN WARNER

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I come to 

the floor today to pay tribute and to 

wish my warmest regards to my dear 


rfrederick on PROD1PC67 with SENATE