S10756 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE November 20, 2008 

first time to directly administer foster 

care and adoption programs offered by 

the Federal government, allowing 

tribes to continue strengthening their 

communities by ensuring safe and caring homes for their Native children. 

Congress passed the Native American 

$1 Coin Act, which recognizes the contributions of Native Americans to the 

development of the United States 

through an annually changing image 

on the reverse of the Sakakawea $1 

coin that is now in circulation. 

Congress also passed into law a joint 

resolution designating November 28, 

2008 as Native American Heritage Day, 

honoring the contributions and 

achievements of our First Americans. 

The Treaty of Fort Laramie and 

other treaties acknowledged the specific obligations that the United States 

owes to the Tribes located in my State 

of North Dakota. Much has been done 

this Congress to begin to fulfill this 

legal responsibility and the more general trust responsibility that Congress 

owes to all Indian Tribes. 

However, as is evident with Congress’ 

failure to pass the Indian Health Care 

Improvement Act of 2008, much still remains to be done. The resolution before 

the Senate today would simply honor 

the hard work, traditions, culture, and 

contribution of the First Americans. 

I ask that this resolution be adopted 

quickly and that it act as an encouragement to all people of the United 

States to observe the month of November as National American Indian and 

Alaska Native Heritage Month. 

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SENATE RESOLUTION 720—SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND 

IDEALS OF PANCREATIC CANCER 

AWARENESS MONTH 

Mrs. CLINTON (for herself, Mr. 

CASEY, and Mr. SPECTER) submitted the 

following resolution, which was referred to the Committee on Health, 

Education, Labor, and Pensions: 

S. RES. 720 

Whereas approximately 37,680 people will 

be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this 

year in the United States; 

Whereas pancreatic cancer is the 4th most 

common cause of cancer death in the United 

States; 

Whereas Randolph (‘‘Randy’’) Frederick 

Pausch, who was diagnosed with pancreatic 

cancer in 2006, delivered his ‘‘Last Lecture’’ 

on September 18, 2007, which gave a voice to 

victims of pancreatic cancer, and inspired 

people to live life to the fullest; 

Whereas the lecture by and advocacy of 

Randy Pausch have brought, and will continue to bring, renewed advocacy and commitment to the field of pancreatic cancer research and treatment; 

Whereas the lecture by and advocacy of 

Randy Pausch have touched countless people 

throughout the United States and the world 

and encouraged them to change their lives 

for the better; 

Whereas 75 percent of pancreatic cancer 

patients die within the first year of their diagnosis and only 5 percent survive more than 

5 years, making pancreatic cancer the deadliest of any cancer; 

Whereas there has been no significant improvement in survival rates in the last 30 

years and pancreatic cancer research is still 

in the earliest scientific stages; 

Whereas there are no early detection methods and minimal treatment options for pancreatic cancer; 

Whereas when symptoms of pancreatic 

cancer present themselves, it is generally 

too late for an optimistic prognosis, and the 

average survival rate of those diagnosed with 

metastasis of the disease is only 3 to 6 

months; 

Whereas the incidence rate of pancreatic 

cancer is 40 to 50 percent higher in African 

Americans than in other ethnic groups; and 

Whereas it would be appropriate to observe 

November as Pancreatic Cancer Awareness 

Month to educate communities across the 

Nation about pancreatic cancer and the need 

for research funding, early detection methods, effective treatments, and treatment programs: Now, therefore, be it 

Resolved, That the Senate supports the 

goals and ideals of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. 

f 

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 106—COMMENDING THE 

GOVERNMENT OF SWITZERLAND 

FOR ONGOING ASSISTANCE IN 

THE CASE OF ROBERT 

LEVINSON, URING THE GOVERNMENT OF THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN TO INTENSIFY COOPERATION WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF SWITZERLAND AND 

THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION ON THE CASE OF 

ROBERT LEVINSON, AND EXPRESSING SYMPATHY TO THE 

FAMILY OF ROBERT LEVINSON 

Mr. NELSON of Florida submitted 

the following concurrent resolution; 

which was referred to the Committee 

on Foreign Relations: 

S. CON. RES. 106 

Whereas United States citizen Robert 

Levinson is a retired agent of the Federal 

Bureau of Investigation, a resident of Florida, the husband of Christine Levinson, and 

father of their 7 children; 

Whereas Robert Levinson traveled from 

Dubai to Kish Island, Iran, on March 8, 2007; 

Whereas, after traveling to Kish Island and 

checking into the Hotel Maryam, he disappeared on March 9, 2007; 

Whereas neither his family nor the United 

States Government has received further information on his fate or whereabouts; 

Whereas March 9, 2009, marks the second 

anniversary of the disappearance of Robert 

Levinson; 

Whereas the Government of Switzerland, 

which has served as Protecting Power for the 

United States in the Islamic Republic of Iran 

in the absence of diplomatic relations between the United States Government and the 

Government of Iran since 1980, has continuously pressed the Government of Iran on the 

case of Robert Levinson and lent vital assistance and support to the Levinson family during their December 2007 visit to Iran; 

Whereas officials of the Government of 

Iran promised their continued assistance to 

the relatives of Robert Levinson during the 

visit of the family to the Islamic Republic of 

Iran in December 2007; and 

Whereas the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, stated during an interview with NBC News 

broadcast on July 28, 2008, that officials of 

the Government of Iran were willing to cooperate with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the search for Robert Levinson: 

Now, therefore, be it 

Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That Congress— 

(1) commends the Embassy of Switzerland 

in Tehran and the Government of Switzerland for the ongoing assistance to the United 

States Government and to the family of Robert Levinson, particularly during the visit by 

Christine Levinson and other relatives to 

Iran in December 2007; 

(2) expresses appreciation for efforts by 

Iranian officials to ensure the safety of the 

family of Robert Levinson during their December 2007 visit to Iran, as well as for the 

promise of continued assistance; 

(3) urges the Government of Iran, as a humanitarian gesture, to intensify its cooperation on the case of Robert Levinson with the 

Embassy of Switzerland in Tehran and to 

share the results of its investigation into the 

disappearance of Robert Levinson with the 

Federal Bureau of Investigation; 

(4) urges the President and the allies of the 

United States to engage with officials of the 

Government of Iran to raise the case of Robert Levinson at every opportunity, notwithstanding other serious disagreements the 

United States Government has had with the 

Government of Iran on a broad array of 

issues, including human rights, the nuclear 

program of Iran, the Middle East peace process, regional stability, and international terrorism; and 

(5) expresses sympathy to the family of 

Robert Levinson during this trying period. 

Mr. NELSON of Florida. Mr. President, I am introducing a resolution in 

the Senate that touches on one of the 

tragic cases of a Floridian, Bob 

Levinson, who has been missing in Iran 

since he visited Kish Island off the 

coast of Iran in the Persian Gulf in 

early 2007. I have spoken on this issue 

ad infinitum before to call the attention of the Congress to the plight of 

Mr. Levinson as well as to the difficulties that are faced by his wife Christine 

and their seven children. 

Bob Levinson, a businessman and a 

former FBI agent, vanished after 

checking out of his hotel on the resort 

island of Kish on March 9, 2007. It is no 

doubt the wish of everyone who knows 

this man that Bob Levinson be reunited with his loved ones. It has been 

very difficult to get information out of 

the Government of Iran. The State Department has delivered a number of requests for information and cooperation 

to the Iranian Government through our 

diplomatic intermediary, which is the 

Government of Switzerland. Unfortunately, Iran continues to claim it has 

no information on the fate of Bob 

Levinson. 

Mrs. Levinson and her eldest son, 

Daniel, and her sister, Ms. Halpin, 

traveled to Tehran and Kish Island in 

December of last year in the hopes of 

finding information about Bob 

Levinson’s disappearance. The Iranian 

authorities, to their credit, extended 

courtesies to her and they promised 

her at the time they would help in the 

case, but those promises have not been 

fulfilled. 

This resolution I am introducing 

urges Iranian officials to fulfill their 

promises of assistance to the 

Levinsons. It calls for Iranian investigators to meet with the FBI to discuss the Levinson case. It calls for the 

U.S. Government and our allies to 


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November 20, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S10757 

press Iran on this case at every opportunity and at every level—something I 

think the U.S. Government is beginning to do. Also, this resolution thanks 

the Swiss for their continued assistance in the case. It furthermore expresses appreciation for the efforts of 

Iranian officials who have ensured the 

safety of the family during their visit 

of December of last year. This resolution also expresses sympathy to the 

Levinson family during this trying period. This is a wife and seven children 

of a missing former FBI agent in the 

country of Iran, missing now since the 

early part of 2007. 

In this year, on July 28, the President 

of Iran stated during an interview with 

NBC that Iranian officials were willing 

to cooperate with the FBI on this case. 

Why is the FBI involved? The FBI is involved because he is a former FBI 

agent. This resolution calls upon the 

Tehran government to make this meeting happen as soon as possible to discuss the evidence the Iranians have uncovered about Mr. Levinson’s disappearance. 

Now, I wish to underscore that because on July 28 of this year the President of Iran stated in an NBC interview 

that Iranian officials were willing to 

cooperate with the FBI on this case. 

They have not. 

I wish to be blunt. We obviously have 

serious disagreements with Iran on its 

nuclear program and a whole range of 

other issues. I haven’t hesitated over 

the years, as a member of the Senate 

Armed Services Committee, the Senate 

Intelligence Committee, and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, to 

express my opposition to a number of 

Tehran’s policies—and I will continue 

to press for change in Iran’s positions 

and activities—but I am calling on the 

Government of Iran out of human compassion and humanitarian assistance to 

a family of a wife and seven children to 

come forth and cooperate in trying to 

find and get evidence of the whereabouts of Bob Levinson. 

We want to see an Iran where individuals are respected, not locked up in 

Evin Prison—we want to see an Iran 

that is respected—for signing a petition calling for women’s rights. We 

want to see an Iran that champions the 

Middle East peace process rather than 

supporting terrorist groups such as 

Hamas and Hezbollah. We want to see 

an Iran whose leaders do not make despicable threats to ‘‘wipe Israel off the 

map.’’ 

We clearly have our differences with 

Iran, and those differences, especially 

under a new administration, can start 

to be bridged with Iran stepping forth 

with discussions regarding the safe return of an American citizen whose family desperately wishes to be reunited 

with him, that American citizen being 

former FBI agent Bob Levinson. 

So this resolution calls upon the U.S. 

Government and our friends and allies 

to engage with Iranian officials to raise 

Mr. Levinson’s case at every opportunity and at every level. I understand 

many of our allies already have raised 

Mr. Levinson’s case on our behalf, and 

I wish to encourage them to continue 

to do so. This Senator has done it as 

well, both publicly and privately, and I 

will continue to do so. 

The resolution I have filed additionally commends the Swiss for their ongoing assistance to the U.S. Government and to the family of the 

Levinsons. The assistance of the Swiss 

Ambassador and his staff at the American Interests Section in Tehran was 

essential during Mrs. Levinson’s visits 

in the past, and will be, I think, to her 

visits in the future. 

I wish to express—the word ‘‘sympathy’’ does not conjure up what I am 

trying to express to Christine Levinson 

and to her family. No one should have 

to experience what they have been 

through. I have met with her on a number of occasions. She is a loving mother. She is clearly an eloquent advocate. 

She is a tough fighter on behalf of her 

husband. She is relentless. She is not 

going to give up, nor should she. I deem 

it a great privilege that I may in some 

little way try to assist her and her 

family. 

I want to bring more of our colleagues into this issue of trying to find 

Bob Levinson in Iran and get the 

world’s attention focused on this missing American. I am going to ask Mrs. 

Levinson to come back in January 

when we reconvene, and I want some of 

our colleagues to meet her. 

Remember, Senators, that as representatives of the American people, 

that means we have to help individual 

American citizens in distress. This is 

clearly a family who is in distress. We 

cannot—and I believe I can speak for 

the Senate—we are not going to forget 

Bob Levinson and his family. 

f 

AMENDMENTS SUBMITTED AND 

PROPOSED 

SA 5696. Mr. MARTINEZ submitted an 

amendment intended to be proposed by him 

to the bill H.R. 6867, to provide for additional 

emergency unemployment compensation; 

which was ordered to lie on the table. 

SA 5697. Mr. DODD (for himself and Mr. 

MARTINEZ) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill H.R. 

6867, supra; which was ordered to lie on the 

table. 

SA 5698. Mr. DORGAN (for Mr. ROCKEFELLER (for himself, Mrs. HUTCHISON, and Mr. 

DORGAN)) proposed an amendment to the bill 

S. 3663, to require the Federal Communications Commission to provide for a short-term 

extension of the analog television broadcasting authority so that essential public 

safety announcements and digital television 

transition information may be provided for a 

short time during the transition to digital 

television broadcasting. 

f 

TEXT OF AMENDMENTS 

SA 5696. Mr. MARTINEZ submitted 

an amendment intended to be proposed 

by him to the bill H.R. 6867, to provide 

for additional emergency unemployment compensation; which was ordered 

to lie on the table; as follows: 

At the appropriate place, insert the following: 

SEC. lll. TEMPORARY EXTENSION OF LOAN 

LIMIT INCREASE. 

(a) FANNIE MAE AND FREDDIE MAC.—Section 201(a) of the Economic Stimulus Act of 

2008 (Public Law 110–185, 122 Stat. 619) is 

amended by striking ‘‘December 31, 2008’’ and 

inserting ‘‘December 31, 2009’’. 

(b) FHA LOANS.—Section 202(a) of the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 (Public Law 110- 

185, 122 Stat. 620) is amended by striking 

‘‘December 31, 2008’’ and inserting ‘‘December 31, 2009’’. 

SA 5697. Mr. DODD (for himself and 

Mr. MARTINEZ) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him 

to the bill H.R. 6867, to provide for additional emergency unemployment 

compensation; which was ordered to lie 

on the table; as follows: 

At the appropriate place, insert the following: 

SEC. ll. MANDATORY LOAN GUARANTEES AND 

CREDIT ENHANCEMENT EFFORTS. 

Section 109(a) of the Emergency Economic 

Stabilization Act of 2008 (division A of Public 

Law 110-343) is amended— 

(1) by striking the last sentence; 

(2) by striking ‘‘To the extent’’ and inserting the following: 

‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—To the extent’’; and 

(3) by adding at the end the following: 

‘‘(2) LOAN GUARANTEES AND CREDIT ENHANCEMENTS REQUIRED.— 

‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—In addition to actions 

required under paragraph (1), the Secretary 

shall, not later than 15 days after the date of 

enactment of this paragraph, designate the 

Corporation, on a reimbursable basis, to design and carry out a plan to use loan guarantees or credit enhancements to facilitate 

loan modifications to prevent avoidable foreclosures. 

‘‘(B) AGGREGATE AMOUNTS.—The Secretary 

shall make and fund guarantees and credit 

enhancements developed under this paragraph in amounts of— 

‘‘(i) $10,000,000,000 in aggregate estimated 

subsidy costs, and amounts specified under 

paragraph (2) of section 115(a) shall be reduced by the subsidy cost of any guarantees 

or credit enhancements funded by the Secretary under this clause; and 

‘‘(ii) an additional $15,000,000,000, in aggregate estimated subsidy costs, and amounts 

specified under paragraph (3) of section 115(a) 

shall be reduced by the subsidy cost of any 

guarantees or credit enhancements funded 

by the Secretary under this clause. 

‘‘(C) CONTRACTING AUTHORITY.—In carrying 

out this paragraph, the Corporation may use 

its contracting authority under section 9 of 

the Federal Deposit Insurance Act.’’. 

SA 5698. Mr. DORGAN (for Mr. 

ROCKEFELLER (for himself, Mrs. 

HUTCHISON, and Mr. DORGAN)) proposed 

an amendment to the bill S. 3663, to require the Federal Communications 

Commission to provide for a short-term 

extension of the analog television 

broadcasting authority so that essential public safety announcements and 

digital television transition information may be provided for a short time 

during the transition to digital television broadcasting.; as follows: 

Strike out all after the enacting clause and 

insert the following: 

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Short-term 

Analog Flash and Emergency Readiness 

Act’’. 


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