October 2, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S10471 

reveal massive cheap energy misuse and 

waste in the agriculture system; considering 

community design around live-work-play 

areas as opposed to commuting; and raising 

concerns that short-term greed in the energy 

economic system will lead to further economic class division and injustices. Congress 

cannot allow our economy to decline to a 

survival of the richest over the general public without inciting class warfare. We are 

seeing the beginnings of mass protest worldwide—trucker strikes, etc. 

Thoughts on Congressional priorities. 

Short-term: Get the Department of Energy 

to be pro-active. US–DOE has lots of information on their web site but little seems to 

be circulating in terms of press releases, supplements to K–12 or university education, advice to businesses about how to conserve and 

make better energy investments leading to 

sustainability. 

Do not give blanket permission to energy 

companies to use non-renewable resources 

(e.g. drilling on land, off-shore, sensitive 

areas, dirty coal, etc.) until a parallel energy 

use reduction for sustainability system is 

working. Using our children’s and grandchildren’s resources to feed the pig of US energy consumption levels and obscene energy 

company profits now would be immoral. 

Do more to expand public education 

around energy and resource conservation for 

a sustainable US energy future. This should 

be a crash project. I wrote to you, Sen. Craig 

and Rep. Simpson recommending that the 

2005 Federal Energy Bill include funding for 

education. There is not a penny. So market 

forces (AKA Greed) are driving the energy 

train now. Coordinate all the players in the 

energy mess: governments (federal, state, 

and local); corporations and other businesses; non-government/non-profit organizations (information and advocacy, compassionate action for impacted people); and, organized crime (like Enron-thinking companies who are taking windfall profits). Use 

principles of social marketing that uses commercial advertising/marketing tools to sell 

products but for common good purposes 

(anti-smoking, AIDS prevention, etc.) 

Longer/long-term: Get the Department of 

Energy to be pro-active in developing policy 

and programs. These folks have not developed viable federal energy policy or jawboned to reduce corporate greed for decades. 

For example, technology and policy for nuclear power developed into the 70s simply 

died in favor of status-quo non-renewable resource use and shift of food production (corn) 

to energy. If the nation could build nuclear 

bombs and nuclear submarines in crash 

projects in the past, the nation can do it 

again! 

Support the next President of the United 

States in collaborating with other nations 

about energy sustainability worldwide 

through the United Nations. Revitalize and 

support treaties and alliances among groups 

willing to sacrifice and change to achieve 

sustainability on the planet. Without this effort there will be conflict and violence over 

competition for dwindling non-renewable resources. Competition for Iraq oil is the tip of 

the iceberg here. 

Actively promote public education, research and development for the two major 

non-polluting energy sources: nuclear power 

and solar power. Support renewable energy 

research into smaller make-a-difference energy contributions such as wind, tidal, geothermal, etc. Support research in related 

technology such as: high-MPG vehicles, innovative mass transit, and improved batteries to store solar/wind energy, easy-to-use 

sensors for home and business energy audit 

(thermal/electrical waste). Pay for energy research by cutting back on spending for fear 

reduction by violence—reduce military missions in Iraq and Afghanistan and shift to political, diplomatic, economic efforts with 

other nations involved. 

Use the national energy crisis as a lever to 

re-think the role of corporations. Once corporations were set up to help remove liability from individuals so they would take risk, 

invest, and build enterprise for America and 

Americans. Over the past few decades, corporations have lost their social responsibility and think of top management and 

shareholders as the only stakeholders worthy of decisions. But corporations are the 

nation’s best hope for good jobs and ‘doing 

well by doing good.’ If you folk cannot help 

get corporations back into part of the American dream for all Americans then the 

masses will push for government shift toward socialism. I lived and worked in the UK 

for many years and know the stifling effect 

of an entitlement mentality. 

LAURENCE. 

I am a Federal Police Officer, and I work 

at the Department of Veterans Affairs hospital in Boise. I live 50 miles from the VA, so 

I have a daily commute of 100 miles. My wife 

and I would consider moving closer to Boise; 

however, she is a federal employee at the 

Mountain Home Air Force Base. She has a 

20-mile daily commute (roundtrip). I prefer 

for her to have a shorter commute than me. 

We do see the effects of the higher gas 

prices. I drive a 2002 Ford Ranger 4X4. I never 

wanted to own a full-size truck, and I am 

glad I bought the Ranger. However, the best 

mileage I can get is about 21 mpg. I would 

hate to sell my truck, because we need it for 

working on our land. Besides that, it is 

tough to get a load of lumber at the Home 

Depot in a little economy car. So, I eat the 

gas prices and continue to work at my good 

federal job. We are cutting back on some of 

the things we like to do, such as go out to 

dinner, golf, and travel. These are all things 

that help the economy, and we enjoy doing 

them. But something has to be done, hence 

the cutbacks. I am also spending the night in 

Boise at least one night a week so I can 

avoid the commute, and the gas station. I do 

not like being away from my family, but it 

is another sacrifice I have to make to save at 

the pump. 

I hate to think about the future, as the 

price of gas will be passed down to food, 

clothing, and other essential elements of 

life. I pray that the government will open up 

drilling, build more refineries, and start 

building more nuclear plants. We need to cut 

our ties with OPEC and other corrupt oilproducing countries. 

Congress, please help us! 

GREG, Mountain Home. 

I am happy to see you working on the renewable energy efficiency caucus. For 28 

years before recent retirement, I founded and 

owned the first solar electricity equipment 

business in Idaho, providing electric systems 

for homes located beyond the reach of power 

lines, of which there are many in our state. 

My own home has been primarily powered by 

solar and wind since 1978. 

I would like to point out that Idaho drivers 

actually do have some important choices 

available which you did not mention at the 

start of your newsletter where you said we 

have no choice but to keep driving. The 

choice of exactly what vehicle we drive, as 

well as consolidating travel for efficiency 

can cut family fuel costs by 25% or more. 

Traveling in Europe and Central America 

one sees many fuel-efficient vehicles that are 

not even available to Americans: the small 

diesel flatbeds that carry more weight than 

a pick-up truck and use less fuel to do it 

(they are slower going up hills). While traveling in Ireland and England for a month last 

year, we did not see even one standard pickup truck, for the reason of fuel efficiency. 

And I did see many quality small cars and 

scooters that are not imported to the US, 

such as a motor scooter with seat back and 

roof by BMW. 

I would also question whether your efforts 

to stifle climate change legislation in trade 

for avoiding high fuel costs in the short term 

make economic sense in the long-term interests of US citizens. If what is said of climate 

change effects comes to pass, those with credentials to know have shown that taking no 

action to mitigate those effects now may not 

be in the best interests of the country or our 

descendents. Please consider the long range 

balance of benefit here. 

I have watched inventors working on their 

own electric cars (Orin Bridges, now deceased, here in Sandpoint converted his car 

to electric plug-in and drove it 15 miles to 

town and back in the 1990s, and recharged it 

from solar panels on the roof of his mountain 

house). I have seen buses of college kids 

come through teaching classes on bio-diesel, 

which powered the bus they traveled in, also 

around year 2000. And for decades I sold and 

installed solar electric modules as the most 

economical power option for people living 

over half a mile from the nearest power line. 

Now that world fuel production has not increased for three years running and fuel demand and prices are rising, we are seeing tremendous mainstream progress in looking at 

sustainable fuel sources and independence 

from imported oil. Please check the January 

edition of Scientific American for a national 

solution for the electric grid that uses technology available today, and costs no more 

than the Iraq war has cost to date. 

f 

STEVE. 

TRIBUTE TO CENTRAL HIGH 

SCHOOL 

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I have the 

honor of rising today to recognize an 

important part of Detroit’s public education, my alma mater, Detroit Central High School, which is celebrating 

the 150th anniversary of its opening. 

Since 1858, when the first 24 students 

entered a single classroom, thousands 

of students have passed through its 

doors. It was originally conceived to 

help prepare students to study at the 

University of Michigan, then just a few 

decades old itself. Today, Central has 

been continuously accredited by the 

University of Michigan for more than 

135 consecutive years. 

It has occupied the current location 

at Tuxedo Avenue and La Salle Boulevard for more than 80 years. I was fortunate to study and walk the halls 

there for 4 of those years. 

Central alumni have gone on to win a 

Nobel Prize and win Grammy Awards; 

make countless contributions to the 

Detroit community and to Michigan; 

own professional sports teams and play 

professional sports; and fight on behalf 

of our Nation in war, sometimes making the ultimate sacrifice. 

In all these pursuits and many more, 

Central alumni have been challenged 

to live up to our school’s motto, adopted in 1861: Carpe Diem, ‘‘seize the day.’’ 

Our experiences at Central have helped 

prepare us to do that. 

Recently, Central has faced challenges unparalleled in the school’s history. School budgets are tighter than 


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S10472 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE October 2, 2008 

ever, standardized tests offer frustrating assessments of progress, and 

dropout rates and graduation rates 

alike moved in the wrong directions. 

But, thanks to the hard work and commitment of over 1,000 current students 

and teachers, in the past few years 

Central has begun an impressive turnaround that is heartening to us alumni. 

I offer my congratulations on this 

150th anniversary and every hope that 

Detroit Central High School will continue to provide excellent education 

and imbue students with the skills and 

outlook to seize the day and find success in school and in the years that follow. 

f 

TRIBUTE TO JUDGE AVERN COHN 

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I rise 

today to recognize a great citizen of 

Michigan, the Honorable Avern Cohn. 

Avern has distinguished himself as a 

leader among leaders in Michigan’s 

legal community and the Michigan 

community at large. Later this month 

Avern’s synagogue, Congregation 

Shaarey Zedek, will offer a tribute to 

him and I am honored to join in recognizing his many accomplishments and 

contributions to our community life 

that he has so strengthened and supported. 

Professionally, for nearly three decades Judge Cohn has served on the U.S. 

District Court for the Eastern District 

of Michigan. He currently serves as the 

Senior Judge, a position he has held for 

the past nine years. His quick wit and 

sharp mind have left a lasting impression on the countless attorneys who 

have argued before him. Throughout 

his career, Avern’s guiding beacon has 

been justice, and his legacy is one of 

true independence and impartiality. 

Avern’s commitment to justice in 

Michigan has extended well beyond his 

courtroom. He is a past director of the 

Detroit Bar Association, a former 

trustee of the Detroit Bar Foundation, 

and served as director of the American 

Judicature Society. Before he was appointed to the court, he led a successful private practice that continues to 

flourish today. He also served the people of Michigan in an array of positions 

including as chairperson of the Michigan Civil Rights Commission, chairperson of the Detroit Board of Police 

Commissioners, and as a member of the 

Michigan Social Welfare Commission. 

As a member of the board of trustees 

of Shaarey Zedek, a former president of 

the Jewish Welfare Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, and a past vice president of the American Jewish Committee, Avern has used his intellect 

and drive to the great benefit of our 

Jewish community. He has also helped 

bring the focus and resources of these 

organizations to the fight for the poorest and most vulnerable among us. He 

is a mensch in the truest sense: his 

wholehearted dedication to a host of 

noble causes has marked his character 

and his life. 

I should mention as well that it was 

Avern’s father who introduced my parents to each other. I am proud to call 

Avern my cousin. 

Avern is recognized far and wide as a 

rarity. All who have known him, who 

have had the good fortune to work with 

him, or who have come before him are 

appreciative of his unique commitment 

to doing what is right. Many who have 

never heard his name have benefited 

and will continue to benefit from his 

lifetime of good deeds. Barb joins me in 

offering our thanks and congratulations to Avern. Mazel Tov! 

f 

ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS 

SACRAMENTO RIVER CATS 

TRIPLE-A CHAMPIONSHIP 

∑ Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I am 

pleased to recognize the 2008 Minor 

League Triple-A baseball champions, 

the Sacramento River Cats. 

On September 16, 2008, the Sacramento River Cats, of the Pacific 

Coast League, PCL, defeated the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees, of the International League, 4 to 1 in the 

Bricktown Showdown to become backto-back Triple-A champions. Sacramento is the Triple-A affiliate of the 

Oakland Athletics. 

The Sacramento River Cats finished 

the regular season atop the Pacific 

Coast League Southern Division with a 

record of 83 wins and 61 losses. The 

River Cats were assisted this season by 

their always faithful fan base, which 

has led Triple-A in attendance for nine 

consecutive seasons. 

In the opening playoff series between 

the River Cats and the Salk Lake City 

Bees, the River Cats excelled by scoring 39 runs en route to a 3-games-to-1 

series victory. The series victory demonstrated the River Cats’ depth of talent as four starting pitchers, four relief 

pitchers, two infielders, and one outfielder were called up to the Oakland 

Athletics before the series began. 

In the Pacific Coast League Championship Series, the River Cats defeated the Texas Rangers Triple-A affiliate Oklahoma City Red Hawks, winning the series three games to one to 

repeat as PCL champions. During this 

series, the River Cats proved their ability to perform on the road by achieving 

two of their three victories in Oklahoma. The win also earned the River 

Cats their fourth Pacific Coast League 

Championship in the last 6 years. 

In the Triple-A championship game, 

River Cats manager Todd Steverson 

showcased his talented pitching staff. 

The River Cats used six pitchers who 

combined for nine strikeouts while 

only giving up a single run. The victory gave the Pacific Coast League all 

three of the Triple-A championships 

since the Triple-A championship game 

was reinstated 3 years ago. 

As the River Cats’ fans, players, and 

staff gather to celebrate this remarkable accomplishment, I would like to 

congratulate them on an outstanding 

season.∑ 

NORTH CAROLINA AZALEA 

FESTIVAL 

∑ Mr. BURR. Mr. President, I recognize 

the 62nd North Carolina Azalea Festival, NCAF, which will be held from 

April 1–5, 2009, in the Greater Wilmington area. 

The Azalea Festival is a showcase for 

Wilmington’s rich array of artwork, 

gardens, history and a testimony to 

the rich heritage of coastal Carolina. 

This year’s celebration marks the 50th 

anniversary of the Azalea’s Festival’s 

name being changed from the Wilmington Azalea Festival to the North 

Carolina Azalea Festival. 

The NCAF is Wilmington’s annual 

community celebration and the largest 

festival of its kind in the State. This 

festival encourages volunteerism and 

civic participation as it contributes to 

the region’s economy and promotes the 

unique qualities of Wilmington’s riverto-the-sea community. 

The festival’s concerts, fairs and special events are viewed by more than 1 

million people each year, in person and 

through media coverage. More than 

200,000 people are estimated to attend 

the annual 2-day street fair, while 

more than 100,000 gather to watch the 

festival parade. 

It takes an extensive volunteer network to run the NCAF. More than 1,000 

volunteers are needed to stage over 125 

events ranging from concerts to art 

shows, a street fair with interactive 

displays, home and garden tours, a parade, special exhibits, a circus, and a 

variety of other entertainment and 

events. 

The NCAF generates an additional 

approximate $5 million to the area’s 

economy and the Southeast Tourism 

Society selected the NCAF as one of its 

top 20 events for the second year in a 

row. 

I am pleased to recognize the unique 

cultural and historical contributions of 

the 62nd annual North Carolina Azalea 

Festival.∑ 

f 

RECOGNIZING GULFSTREAM 

AEROSPACE CORPORATION 

∑ Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. President, I 

wish to acknowledge an important occasion in the history of Savannah, GA, 

and the business-aviation industry— 

the 50th anniversary of Gulfstream 

flight. 

Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation 

got its start in 1958 when Grumman 

Aircraft Engineering Company, a company known for military aircraft production, developed the first aircraft 

specifically designed for business travel. 

On August 14, 1958, Grumman test pilots Carl Alber and Fred Rowley took 

that aircraft—the twin-engine turboprop Gulfstream I—on its maiden flight 

over the company’s headquarters in 

Bethpage, NY. After 800 hours of additional testing, the G–1 received Federal 

Aviation Administration certification 

on May 21, 1959. 


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