S10552 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE November 17, 2008 

the enemy’s location is often difficult 

to acquire, Sergeant Clark played a 

vital role as the eyes and ears of his 

team. 

Sergeant Clark’s dedication and talent earned him a number of awards, including the Global War on Terrorism 

Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign 

Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, and 

the Combat Action Badge. He was also 

a two-time recipient of the Army Commendation Medal, which recognizes exemplary service. 

Sergeant Clark and his team were 

charged with maintaining security in 

the eastern portion of Mosul, which is 

Iraq’s second largest city and one of 

the remaining centers of operation for 

al-Qaida in Iraq. They carried out their 

mission—one of the most dangerous 

and important of the war—with courage and tenacity. 

As a result of their efforts, security 

conditions in Mosul have markedly improved, and neighborhoods in the city 

that were once under control of extremists have been reclaimed and 

turned over to the Iraqi people. Two 

days before Sergeant Clark’s death, 

American forces in Mosul killed Abu 

Qaswarah, the second-in-command for 

al-Qaida-in-Iraq who coordinated operations in the region. Thanks in large 

measure to the incredible courage and 

skill of Sergeant Clark and his men, 

the tide in Mosul is turning. 

Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote that, 

‘‘the characteristic of genuine heroism 

is its persistency. All men have wandering impulses, fits and starts of generosity. But when you have resolved to 

be great, abide by yourself, and do not 

weakly try to reconcile yourself with 

the world. The heroic cannot be common, nor the common heroic.’’ 

Sergeant Clark possessed the persistence and dedication to duty that is the 

mark of a genuine hero. He enlisted at 

a young age. He deployed and he redeployed. He served every day in Iraq 

committed to his country, his men, and 

his mission. He carried out his mission 

with distinction and honor. He was 

anything but common, and we are all 

better for it. 

To Sergeant Clark’s mother Cherie, 

his father Bradley, his wife Nalini, his 

son Lucas, and all his friends and family, I cannot imagine the sorrow you 

must be feeling. I hope that, in time, 

the pain of your loss is assuaged by 

your pride in Michael’s service and by 

your knowledge that his country will 

never forget him. We are humbled by 

his service and his sacrifice. 

CORPORAL ADRIAN ROBLES

Mr. HAGEL. Madam President, I rise 

to express my sympathy over the loss 

of United States Marine Corps Corporal 

Adrian Robles of Scottsbluff, NE. Corporal Robles died on October 22 from 

injuries he sustained while supporting 

combat operations in Helmand province in southern Afghanistan. 

A graduate of Scottsbluff High 

School, Corporal Robles, who was 21 

years old, was an exemplary marine. 

Throughout his service, which included 

a tour in Iraq during 2006, Corporal 

Robles received three medals of Good 

Conduct from the Marine Corps; two 

Sea Service Deployment Ribbons; the 

Afghanistan Campaign Medal; the Iraq 

Campaign Medal; the Global War on 

Terrorism Service Medal; the National 

Defense Service Medal; and the Purple 

Heart. 

All of Nebraska is proud of Corporal 

Robles’ service to our country, as well 

as the thousands of brave men and 

women serving in the U.S. Armed 

Forces. 

Corporal Robles is remembered as a 

devoted son and brother. He is survived 

by his parents Cesar and Yolanda; sister Beatriz; and stepsiblings Cesar and 

Ricardo Robles and Yovana Chaparro. 

I ask my colleagues to join me and 

all Americans in honoring U.S. Marine 

Corps Corporal Adrian Robles. 

f 

NATIONAL MENTORING MONTH 

Mr. CARPER. Madam President, I 

rise today to recognize National Mentoring Month. The designation of January as National Mentoring Month allows us to focus national attention on 

the need for mentors, as well as how 

each of us—individuals, businesses, 

schools and community groups—can 

work together to ensure brighter futures for our young people. 

Mentors serve as role models, advocates, friends and advisers. Numerous 

studies show that mentors help young 

people augment social skills, enhance 

emotional well-being, improve cognitive skills and plan for the future. 

For some children, having a caring 

adult mentor to turn to for guidance 

and encouragement can make the crucial difference between success and 

failure in life. 

As a longtime mentor myself, I certainly know that there are few things 

more rewarding than making a difference in the life of a child. Mentoring 

programs are not only advantageous to 

our students, but they are also rewarding to the mentor. In Delaware, mentoring has become an integral part of 

our school system and is one of the 

keys to improving academic achievement among at-risk students. 

As Governor, I helped recruit 10,000 

mentors as part of a statewide effort 

and was actively involved in encouraging individuals, churches, service 

clubs, students and corporations to 

help mentor Delaware’s at-risk children. However, at the national level, 15 

million children are still in need of 

mentors, and it is imperative that we 

continue to expand grant programs. 

I am proud that Congress has been 

working toward increasing the funding 

for mentoring. I have cosponsored two 

pieces of legislation that support mentoring including the Mentoring America’s Children Act, which was introduced by Senator CLINTON. This bill is 

based on joint recommendations of the 

MENTOR/National Mentoring Partnership, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and the National Collaboration for 

Youth. The act would broaden the 

reach of mentoring programs to include a number of specific populations 

of young people—including children in 

foster care and those living in communities with high rates of youth suicide. 

The Mentoring America’s Children Act 

would also help students gain professional skills by implementing internship programs during the school year. 

The second piece of legislation I have 

cosponsored is the Mentoring for All 

Act. This bill, introduced by Senator 

KERRY, would create a competitive 

grant fund to strengthen and grow 

mentoring infrastructure across the 

country and provide additional support 

and funding to direct service mentoring organizations, both at the national and local levels. 

In addition to cosponsoring these two 

bills, I also signed onto a letter to Senators HARKIN and SPECTER encouraging 

increased funding for mentoring to be 

added into the fiscal year 2009 budget. 

The letter encourages the Senate Subcommittee on Labor, Health and 

Human Services, and Education to include $100 million in their appropriations bills for mentoring. 

There are literally millions of students in our schools who would benefit 

greatly from having another positive 

role model in their lives. I pledge to 

continue to fight for increased funding 

of mentoring programs all year, not 

just during National Mentoring Month. 

I am proud and grateful to our Nation’s 

mentors who realize that less than an 

hour of our time each school week can 

make a lifetime of difference to a child 

and to each of us. 

f 

IN RECOGNITION OF TIM LITVIN 

Mr. GREGG. Madam President, today 

I rise to make a few comments about a 

longtime staffer in my office, Tim 

Litvin. 

A native of Manchester and a graduate of Central High School, Tim came 

to work for me first as an intern from 

Colgate University and then joined the 

office full time in 2001. Through his 7 

years of service, Tim rose through the 

ranks from manning the front desk to 

becoming a legislative aide on critical 

defense and military issues, as well as 

on other matters. From making sure 

our veterans and soldiers received the 

highest level care and attention, to his 

work with the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Tim gained respect from all those 

who crossed his path. 

In my office, Tim always came to 

work with a smile, a willingness to 

help, and a good sense of humor. At office functions in the conference room 

or on the softball field, Tim would always crack a few jokes among his coworkers, sometimes at his own expense 

to add a bit of levity. This low-key, 

low-ego approach helped keep things in 

the office light and upbeat. Where 

there was laughter in my office, Tim 

was usually there and we all appreciated it. 

mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY

November 17, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S10553 

But humor aside, Tim’s passion for 

public service and military matters, especially defense appropriations, has 

been his strongest attribute. While 

working full time in my office, Tim attended evening classes at the Naval 

War College and obtained a master’s 

degree. When Granite State servicemembers were recuperating at Walter 

Reed, Tim would often drive out there, 

visit them, and make sure that they received the best care possible. Time and 

again, he went above and beyond the 

call of duty. 

Although Tim’s new job will not be 

taking him too far from the Hill, he 

will be missed. Whether it be his good 

cheer, his expertise, or his dedication 

to service, Tim will be hard to replace. 

Fortunately, it is good to know that 

the Federal Government will still benefit from his talents as he works for 

our men and women in the Armed 

Forces at the Pentagon. I am sure Tim 

will make us all proud there and I wish 

Tim best of luck on this new chapter in 

his life. 

f 

TRIBUTE TO LYNN BAKER 

Mr. LIEBERMAN. Madam President, 

I wish today to express my deep gratitude and heartfelt best wishes to my 

administrative director, Lynn Baker, 

who will be retiring at the end of the 

month after 27 years of distinguished 

service in the U.S. Senate. 

Lynn is a perfect example of the 

countless people who serve the Senate 

as dedicated, nonpartisan employees. 

Whether it has been as a member of 

committee staff or in personal offices, 

the Senate could not function without 

professional staff such as Lynn Baker. 

Over the past 27 years, Lynn has 

worked with many staff and interns, 

all of whom have benefitted from her 

experience, wisdom, and guidance. 

When asked about Lynn, many current 

and former staffers will tell you that 

she is always willing to listen and offer 

advice. She takes great pride in encouraging junior staffers to develop 

their abilities and pursue their goals. 

One former staffer remembers that 

Lynn made her feel like part of the 

family when she opened her home to 

this staffer until appropriate housing 

could be found. It is no wonder that 

Lynn stays in touch with so many of 

those with whom she has worked 

throughout her tenure in the Senate. 

Lynn graduated with a degree in history from Lake Forest College in Illinois, including a semester abroad in 

Florence. She subsequently worked in 

a Washington law firm for 2 years before joining Senator Charles H. Percy 

of Illinois’ staff on the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. During a 

7-year period on Senator Percy’s staff, 

Lynn also served as office manager for 

his personal office before she became 

chief clerk of the Subcommittee on Energy, Nuclear Proliferation and Government Process. 

Following a 4-year absence from the 

Senate, Lynn returned in 1987 as executive assistant and scheduling director 

for Senator KENT CONRAD of North Dakota. When she became office manager 

for Senator Mark O. Hatfield of Oregon, Lynn worked closely with senior 

Disbursing Office staff to develop the 

first electronic financial management 

system and time and attendance system for personal Senate offices. Following Senator Hatfield’s retirement, 

Lynn worked as office manager for 

MAX BAUCUS of Montana before returning to the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs as chief clerk in 1998. 

Lynn was financial clerk of the committee when I assumed the chairmanship in 2001, and then moved to my personal office as administrative director 

in 2003. 

As administrative director, Lynn has 

made a number of contributions that 

have helped my office better serve Connecticut. Always open to new ideas, 

Lynn implemented the acquisition and 

use of new technologies that enabled 

my staff to perform their duties more 

efficiently. She also took the initiative 

to update and rewrite my office policy 

manual, and played a leading role in 

integrating my office with a new software system that will revolutionize the 

way my staff communicates and works 

together. Lynn was instrumental in 

the redesign of my Senate office in 

2005, which resulted in an attractive, 

comfortable, and functional work 

space. 

Lynn has formed many lasting 

friendships throughout the Senate 

community, where she is beloved and 

respected for her character, judgment, 

and professionalism. I know I speak for 

my staff and many in the Senate family when I say how difficult it will be 

for us to bid a fond farewell to Lynn. 

Her patience, warmth, and wise counsel 

will be greatly missed. However, we all 

wish Lynn good health and happiness 

always as she begins her well-deserved 

retirement. I know that she has much 

to look forward to with her loving husband, Steve Nousen, and their son, 

Daniel Baker. 

I extend to Lynn Baker my personal 

thanks and congratulations for 27 

years of exemplary public service to 

the U.S. Senate. 

f 

IDAHOANS SPEAK OUT ON HIGH 

ENERGY PRICES 

Mr. CRAPO. Madam President, in 

mid-June, I asked Idahoans to share 

with me how high energy prices are affecting their lives, and they responded 

by the hundreds. The stories, numbering well over 1,200, are heartbreaking and touching. While energy 

prices have dropped in recent weeks, 

the concerns expressed remain very relevant. To respect the efforts of those 

who took the opportunity to share 

their thoughts, I am submitting every 

e-mail sent to me through an address 

set up specifically for this purpose to 

the CONGRESSIONAL RECORD. This is not 

an issue that will be easily resolved, 

but it is one that deserves immediate 

and serious attention, and Idahoans deserve to be heard. Their stories not 

only detail their struggles to meet everyday expenses, but also have suggestions and recommendations as to what 

Congress can do now to tackle this 

problem and find solutions that last beyond today. I ask unanimous consent 

to have today’s letters printed in the 

RECORD. 

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

RECORD, as follows: 

We are glad to hear that at least one of our 

politicians is concerned about how the gasoline prices are affecting the middle class. 

Most of us feel that our government is extremely out of touch with the majority of 

the country. 

We are retired on a fixed income and we 

worked hard all our lives and saved to get a 

motor home for vacations, but unfortunately 

we now cannot use it because of the price of 

gasoline and it just sits there. We try to go 

out shopping for groceries and any other necessities just once a week, making a list of 

items and stores, color coding so we do not 

forget anything. The cost of energy also has 

increased the price of groceries tremendously, so basic foods and produce are the 

norm—doing away with any treats. We have 

never seen the price of gasoline increase day 

by day and a nickel to a dime at a time. 

We desperately need to have alternate 

sources of energy, such as coal, windmills, 

solar and nuclear. We should have been 

building new refineries and recovering oil off 

all of our coasts since the 1970s when this 

same problem came up at that time, but, to 

our shame, we did not. 

Automobiles should get a lot more than 

the 35 mpg that we have heard mentioned for 

future vehicles. It should be at the very least 

60 mpg, and there is no reason in this world 

with our technology that this could not be a 

reality. Something should be done to increase the mileage on all of the vehicles that 

are already on the road. This is never mentioned. We cannot just go out and buy a hybrid or other fuel efficient vehicle at the 

drop of a hat to help the situation. We drive 

our 2002 Honda 4 cylinder between 55 and 60 

mph on the highway to increase our fuel efficiency and you should see the bad looks we 

get. Highway mileage should be lowered to 55 

mph like in the 70s to help conserve. 

We do hope that our government does 

something quickly to improve this situation 

and that it is not handled like it was in the 

70s—all talk and no action. We need to be dependent on no one but ourselves for our energy needs. No one is going to take care of 

the USA and its citizens but the USA itself. 

We need some action now—please. 

ROBERT & ROBERTA, 

Idaho Falls. 

Thanks for the opportunity to respond to 

your e-letter regarding energy costs and gasoline prices. I agree that we in the US are far 

too dependent on petroleum for energy. But 

I think it is a selfish and short-sighted view 

to defeat the climate change legislation. Our 

focus should be, as you mentioned, on using 

less petroleum, not searching for petroleum 

everywhere we can, no matter the ecological 

cost. It is true; we do not have good mass 

transit in Idaho and especially in the more 

densely populated Treasure Valley. I think 

tax dollars would be well spent to improve 

the mass transit situation in the Valley. 

We need to give tax incentives to clean, renewable energy sources and rescind the tax 

breaks given to the huge oil companies who 

have been reaping record profits at the expense of all Americans. The answer is in conservation which includes improved mass 

mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY