January 14, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S383 

fails to do so, will inevitably take until 

the eve of the next deadline to try 

again. And I am willing to predict that 

after a semester with Rich, his students will know well that a gorilla in 

an idiom should always weigh 800 

pounds and that they will pay close attention to the President’s appraisal of 

the State of our Union. 

For one more glimpse of Rich’s great 

accrued wisdom, look at his office. Inside Rich’s office, he has posted a quote 

from Confucious. It reads: ‘‘When you 

know a thing, to hold that you know it; 

and when you do not know a thing, to 

allow that you do not know it—this is 

knowledge.’’ 

That is the brand of excellence that 

Rich brought to all his work in the 

Senate, and that approach is why he 

has been such a trusted and important 

adviser to me, as well as to other Senators. And when he does not know a 

thing, he figures it out. Rich, thank 

you for your work on behalf of the people of the State of Michigan, mastering 

their issues, applying your legislative 

skills to their benefit. Thank you for 

your service to the Nation in the Senate, advancing the spirit of thoughtful 

bipartisanship that makes this body 

work. Thank you helping me navigate 

the murky waters of Senate procedure 

and precedent for all these years. And 

thank you for your friendship and for 

being—day-in and day-out—the kind of 

staff member that a Senator can be 

proud of. 

f 

IDAHOANS SPEAK OUT ON HIGH 

ENERGY PRICES 

Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, in midJune, 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: 

I am a college student in Pocatello at ISU 

in the Physician Assistant Program. My husband is a real estate agent and we own a few 

rentals in town. I wanted to comment on the 

effect that rising energy prices have had on 

the real estate market. Generally spring and 

summer are boom time in Idaho’s real estate 

market. But we have noticed a sharp downturn in the market in Pocatello this spring. 

There are a glut of homes on the market and 

nothing is moving. It is as if everyone is 

holding their breath, glad to have a home, 

and not ready to move. I am sure things will 

move, but prices have dropped significantly. 

I am glad to hear you are concerned about 

this. Both my husband and I agree. Drill 

here, drill now. If we have untapped energy 

reserves in the United States . . . we are 

fools! We need to be accessing our own resources, creating jobs, growing our economy, 

and saving ourselves money. I am sure we 

can do it in a responsible way with minimal 

effect on the environment. I do not want to 

damage our environment, but if it costs us 

our economic liberty to do it . . . I say drill. 

ANNIE and JASON DIXON. 

Thank you for your email. Most citizens do 

not feel that Washington is aware of our concerns or listening . . . and here you are asking . . . thank you. 

To Whom It May Concern: 

Our family is a 5th generation Idaho family. We have worked hard for 40 years to 

teach our family to accept responsibility for 

themselves and their success. There are no 

free-loaders in our family. Now, because of 

the current economic trend, we are all very 

concerned about our future in spite of our 

hard work and sacrifices. Higher energy 

prices have caused concern in every corner of 

our lives and every time we go to the pump 

or pay our utility bills our concerns are 

heightened and reaffirmed. Fear is a great 

motivator . . . unfortunately it is a negative 

motivator and we are seeing the results dramatically. 

We have seen the negative impact in every 

household in our family. Our son-in-law is a 

very successful Realtor and his business is 

off 50% from last year. Another son-in-law 

has his own construction company. His business is off 40% from last year. My son and I 

have a very successful commercial real estate business and typically earn over $400,000 

a year. We have only had one closing this 

year. Buyers are hesitant to move forward 

because of the current economic concerns. 

Our youngest son was planning on starting 

his own business using the degree he obtained from college but now he feels he must 

find employment elsewhere. Another son 

began building his own home this winter and 

is now questioning whether he should move 

into his dream home or sell it and find something much smaller. 

These are not minor inconveniences. These 

are life changing concerns and we can do 

nothing to change or control them. 

The economic status of our country is 

critically out of control because of poor 

judgment and planning on the part of the 

policy makers in Washington. Because of 

years of doing nothing to plan and prepare 

for the future the security and success of our 

entire family is now being threatened. We 

are fearful, we are disappointed and we are 

angry. 

It is alarming to think that the policies of 

our government leaders have caused such a 

life altering situation. Wouldn’t you think 

that the country who championed capitalism 

would understand the law of supply and demand? Wouldn’t you think that the brightest 

and best that have been sent to Washington 

would have seen this crisis coming? 

We do not blame the oil companies. The 

government has kept their hands tied for 

years. We blame you . . . the policy makers 

and leaders of this nation. Now the light of 

truth is shining brightly and we can all see 

the results of listening to the special interest groups who only care about their own 

selfish interests. Washington has put this 

country and its citizens in a perilous and 

fearful situation. Fear leads to anger. Anger 

leads to anarchy. 

It is time for Washington to stop ‘‘looking’’ at the situation like spectators and 

start ‘‘fixing’’ the problems with real solutions that work. It is time for Washington to 

wake up to the reality of where we are at and 

the impact of their neglect. Washington has 

neglected reason and ignored the writing on 

the wall. At what price? 

Americans can make this country strong 

and independent again if the bureaucrats and 

the special interest groups will just get out 

of our way. 

We are very grateful that we have our faith 

and our family. We will weather this unnecessary storm but what about the rest of the 

people who call this nation home? I guess if 

Washington fails to stop the insanity we can 

always feed our children spotted owls and 

polar bears. 

Please Senator Crapo. Do not let us down. 

This is just the tip of the iceberg. If we do 

not do something now who knows what the 

next crisis will be and how far this country 

will fall into chaos. 

DENNIS and JANETTE STEVENS, Idaho Falls. 

I am 22 years old and when I first started 

driving only a short 7 years ago, at that time 

it cost me 35–40 dollars to fill my truck, 

today it cost just over 100 dollars. Do the 

math that is a huge increase and most of 

which has been in the past few years. I am 

currently spending 400+ dollars a month on 

gas. This new cost is taking a big hit on me 

and my savings account which I am relying 

on since I will never see all that money I pay 

into social security. You guys in Congress 

just don’t seem to get how angry the American people are at your lack of caring on how 

we feel. Remember we are the ones who 

elected you to represent us not your own interests or lobbyists. Please start doing your 

jobs and look out for the interests of the 

greatest country in the world. Drill for our 

own oil now. I know it will not be an immediate help but imagine if we do nothing, we 

apparently never learned from the 70s. 

Thanks for at least asking our opinion and 

please relay the messages to the rest of Congress. 

ANDREW. 

I’m a bit disappointed in the way you have 

phrased your plea. You are only asking for 

horror stories and looking for support to find 

ways to decrease fuel costs and increase fuel 

supplies. I am affected by fuel costs as much 

as the next person, but I try to look at the 

larger picture and I wish you would to. Easily available and cheap fossil fuels has been 

a major problem for our country and for humanity in general. It got us through the industrial revolution and was responsible, in 

no small way, for much that is good in our 

society. Unfortunately, it also causes much 

harm. Some examples: 

(1) Global warming 

(2) International policy driven by a need to 

ensure a continuing oil supply 

(3) The loss of great public transportation 

systems, such as the light rail system that 

served the treasure valley for decades 

(4) The loss of our freight rail system in 

favor of an enormously powerful trucking industry that is much more costly to the environment and dangerous to the public. 

I am sure the list could go on. 

So, I propose that we look at the opportunities created by high oil prices—the opportunity to develop alternative energy sources, 

the opportunity to emphasize public transportation, the opportunity to begin weaning 

ourselves from dependence on foreign 

sources of fuel. I know that my opinion is 

not popular, but I believe we have not yet 

got to the point where fuel costs are painful 


rfrederick on PROD1PC67 with SENATE
S384 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 14, 2009 

enough to effect the changes we need. I 

would be happier if you put your considerable weight behind legislation for real 

change rather than patching a bad system. 

Thank you for your concern, Senator. I 

just wish you shared mine. 

DAVE. 

As a full time student working two jobs, 

paying outrageous prices that continue to 

rise makes it difficult to manage. College 

education is extremely important to my future and my success in life, yet with the increases of gas prices and school tuition work 

is a priority over education. Many, including 

myself, are feeling the pressures of paying 

bills, working, and going to school forces us 

to choose work over our education. Some 

ideas to decrease the prices of gas (oil) would 

be to drill off the coast line, provide better 

public transportation in and around Boise 

(trains, metros, etc), better access to roads 

for bicycles, or use some of our oil reserve. I 

also think that we need to hold oil/gas industry accountable. I also think that banning 

plastic bags would help with energy and the 

environment. Promoting closer vacations or 

trips within Idaho would be a good idea. 

Through a mass transit system (trains, etc) 

that would link our cities together would 

help increase tourism and would help encourage our own to venture out without the 

worry of high costs. 

REBEKAH WEST. 

Sometimes it appears that the United 

States Congress, charged with taking care of 

the needs of the People of the country, is instead preoccupied with representing the few 

and the extreme—the special interests and 

the so-called environmentalists. I cannot believe that we would prohibit our own country from drilling for oil off of our own 

shores, but other countries are doing so. 

Where is the logic behind barring oil exploration in Alaska while our nation is bleeding 

economically due to buying oil from our 

avowed social and political foes abroad? 

Other, equally destructive policies arise 

from the hoax of global warming and the 

thought that, even if it is real, that we can 

combat it unilaterally. Considering that 

China, for instance, is ramping up its energy 

demands with no concern for it unbridled 

pollution. We are frittering away our competitive edge on the economic and political 

theaters. Our irrational fear of nuclear 

power and the thought that hydrogen powered cars will cure our need for fossil fuels 

(where do we believe the electrical power to 

accomplish this inefficient process comes 

from?) will continue to bankrupt us. 

Now, for the direct, personal impact of our 

irresponsible energy policies: We are a middle class family with six children. Our standard of living is being constantly driven 

downward by the rising costs that energy 

imposes on food, heating, travel, and just the 

cost of doing business. While the buying 

power of my dollar continues to fall, and 

many necessities have recently risen in cost 

by double digit percentage points, my salary 

has remained stagnant. Even such an important event as visiting my elderly parents in 

an adjacent state has been curtailed due to 

outrageous gas prices. We live in Idaho and 

my parents moved from California to northern Utah to be closer to us. While in the 

past, our visits to look in on and help them 

were typically monthly, now we visit them 

only a couple of times a year. We feel that 

we are not meeting our obligations and this 

situation is prone only to further deterioration. We are struggling with keeping our oldest son in college and the prospects for higher education for his siblings are dwindling, 

although this is a priority for our family. 

Everywhere we look, we observe negative 

trends. Where can we look to for help aside 

from our government, which appears not to 

hear our pleas? In fact, our understanding of 

the energy and trade intentions of Congress 

convinces us that things will get far worse. 

We are striving to live responsibly and within our means. We do not note the same disciplined approach from our national and 

local governments. 

ERIC and MELANIE KUNS. 

I am contacting you with a story I thought 

would be of significant value to the people of 

the Treasure Valley. The outrageous gas 

prices are killin’ everyone—us included (Boy 

Howdy.). Remember a few months ago, a 

story hit the news about a guy in Weiser trying to develop a ‘‘green technology’’ device 

to place inside your engine? He’s hoping to 

have his research done in one year, then 

begin the developing process. Boy, do I have 

some news for you. 

Living Green Hybrid Kits (that’s us) is 

proud to offer a Complete, Ready-To Install 

Water-Burning Hybrid Unit. Now. Today. We 

are running a unit right now, in my husbands’ POJ (piece of junk) work truck . . . 

all I can say is wow. We are so excited about 

what this will mean to countless others . . . 

Just imagine increasing your Miles Per Gallon 37 percent to 150 percent while preventing pollution and the resulting global 

warming. 

Want more, how about a $2,000.00 Tax Refund for using ‘‘Green Technology’’ in your 

vehicle. Please visit our website: 

buyhybridkits.com for more info. Feel free 

to call me at 549–8083. I look forward to 

speaking with you. 

Have a Green Day. 

DONNA DRUMHELLER. 

I think we all know that our government 

has done nothing for long enough. My son is 

a finish-carpenter and has to spend the night 

in his truck at jobs he has not completed because he cannot afford the gas to go back 

and forth. If we had a government concerned 

about us, we wouldn’t need to send emails to 

tell you how much poor people are suffering. 

And another thing—My house and barber 

shop were reappraised this year, so my taxes 

could be increased. 

Don’t you think it is about time the government cut some jobs and programs like the 

rest of us are having to? 

Thanks for listening. 

TOM SMITH, Parma. 

The Country’s present economic condition 

mandates immediate action. The oil companies have had consecutive years of record 

breaking earnings. It is time for the industry 

to reinvest some of those earnings in the 

country and the people that have ‘‘Demanded the Supply’’. The United States 

needs to show that we are capable not only 

of producing but producing a quality product 

that will aid the environment and provide 

jobs for the population at the same time. I 

grew up in the Southern California area 

where the undulating pumps helped to 

produce the oil that was refined into the end 

product. Again we are hearing we must 

maintain a global economy. It is very hard 

to think global when local (friends, family, 

and neighbors) are working twice as heard 

and ending up with half as much. 

PAT, Middleton. 

As an Idaho public educator, the increases 

in energy and food costs have made life increasingly difficult. I may have to give up 

my career in public education and seek employment in the private sector to be able to 

meet my financial obligations (such as student loan payments). 

I have not seen any benefit from the government’s expenditures on alternative fuel 

sources (such as bio-diesel). I believe that we 

should work to end our dependence on foreign oil by taking advantage of our domestic 

resources. I believe we should increase domestic drilling (using environmentally responsible practices). I appreciate you seeking the opinion of your constituents. I hope 

that our opinions will be taken into account 

on a national level and that action will be 

taken soon. 

ERICA HARDY. 

I would love for you to have Congress and 

those who are opposing drilling for our own 

resources what a low income family faces. 

My family has struggled to make ends meet 

and when we finally figure it out gas prices 

go up, or someone needs to go to the doctor. 

My husband drives 150 miles a week for 

work, we are now looking at $200 plus, a 

month on gas just for work forget running to 

the store to get things we need. We have received help from our church but they can 

only help so far. We just barely make too 

much to get food stamps or health care help. 

Our level pay on our power and gas keep 

going up whenever we get behind and finally 

get it caught up again. I do not understand 

why Obama and other Democrats will not 

drill for oil because ‘‘it takes too long’’ as I 

have been told they were saying the same 

thing about ten years ago and if they didn’t 

have their heads up a certain body part then 

we probably wouldn’t be in this position. 

Senator you have asked us for our opinion 

please don’t let those who have voted for you 

and have taken some faith in your interest 

down. My family lives in the South Eastern 

part of the state and when we traveled down 

the first of March we were paying $2.97 in gas 

and now that we are looking at another trip 

down we are looking at paying over $4.00 a 

gallon for gas. My mom is paying our way. 

Not to mention that where she lives gas is 

the first to go up and the last to go down because the closest town for gas is 30 miles 

away. You asked us now please try to make 

a difference I want someone in Congress to 

please show me how I am supposed to make 

ends meet with DAILY rising fuel prices. If 

they refuse to do what is needed to help because it will take too long then by all means 

please come to my house and live on my income for a few months and show me how I 

am supposed to make ends meet. 

KIM, Meridian. 

This was an email sent to me by my father, 

a former Idaho resident who now lives in Nebraska. You may even be familiar with his 

name. He was quite an advocate for you. I 

have an Expedition that we purchased only 

this past December. It cost us $60 to fill it 

then, now it costs me over $100. I know that 

the answer to high fuel costs will not come 

immediately, but we must act now. Or we 

will not have a future. We must start drilling. The ANWR in Alaska must be opened to 

us. This country is filled with oil rich deposits. We must increase our refining capacity, 

we must create new oil fields. The level of 

environmental awareness is so far beyond 

that of 30 years ago that the concerns of big 

business doesn’t exist the way it did then. 

The oil spills of the 70’s aren’t our future. 

Times have changed and the environmentalists have to be made to see that and that 

they are destroying our freedom and way of 

life. I have five grown sons and I fear for 

their future. I am grateful that I am not 

raising children in this day and age, but I am 

sorry for my children that they have to face 

such a future. The liberals and environmentalists of Washington D.C. are destroying our future, you must be counted and 

stand up and fight for us. I no longer vote for 

the lesser of the evils, I now vote for the person who I believe is the best leader for our 


rfrederick on PROD1PC67 with SENATE
January 14, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S385 

future. That means I’m voting for Ron Paul. 

Will he win? Not a chance, but will I vote for 

someone that will continue the selling of 

this country down the river? Not a chance! 

Please help be a part of changing our future. 

f 

SONJA STRONG, Payette. 

ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS 

FASHION WEEK CLEVELAND 

∑ Mr. BROWN. Mr. President, I would 

like to take the opportunity to recognize the importance of an upcoming 

event in my State—Fashion Week 

Cleveland—and its unique contributions to Ohio. 

Fashion Week Cleveland is an annual 

convention and conference that will be 

held May 1–9, 2009, at cultural institutions throughout northeast Ohio, including Cleveland, Akron, Canton, 

Elyria, and Lorain. 

The event, known as an educational 

fashion week, incorporates traditional 

runway shows, as well as exhibits, lectures, films, and seminars, to inform 

consumers and industry leaders about 

the history, cultural importance, and 

economic contributions of the fashion 

industry. Its educational events will be 

held at area galleries, libraries, museums, theaters, and universities, bringing positive attention to many northeast Ohio locations. 

This year, Fashion Week Cleveland 

will highlight ‘‘green-sustainability’’ 

in a special show that coincides with 

the United Nations’ Year of the Natural Fibre. This event will feature garments made of natural fibers produced 

in Ohio. 

The Cleveland Fashion Show, the 

central event of Fashion Week Cleveland, is recognized across the country 

as a distinctive showcase for American 

designers. Fashion Week Cleveland is 

also nationally recognized as the third 

largest fashion industry event in the 

United States, after events held in New 

York and Los Angeles. 

I am proud that Fashion Week Cleveland will contribute significantly to 

the economic growth of Ohio. Restaurants, hotels, stores, and other retail establishments will benefit tremendously from the patronage of Fashion Week Cleveland attendees. This 

event will serve a positive catalyst for 

achievement in fashion design, manufacture, education, and retail growth, 

as well as an important occasion to 

showcase northeast Ohio as a center of 

vibrant innovation and creativity.

f 

∑ 

TRIBUTE TO COLONEL ROBIN E. 

SQUELLATI 

∑ Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I would 

like to recognize a great American and 

a dedicated Air Force officer who has 

diligently served in my office for the 

past year. 

Colonel Squellati was born in San 

Rafael, CA, and entered the Air Force 

in 1986 after earning her bachelor of 

science in nursing from New York 

State University. She earned her master of science in nursing from California State University, Dominguez 

Hills. Her assignments include commander, 47th Medical Operations 

Squadron, 47th Medical Group, 

Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas; commander, 321st Expeditionary Medical 

Group, Masirah, Oman; commander, 

72nd Medical Operations Squadron, 

72nd Medical Group, Tinker AFB, Oklahoma; and deputy group commander, 

72nd Medical Group, Tinker AFB, Oklahoma. 

Colonel Squellati served as a principal legislative adviser to myself and 

the congressional committee staff on 

health, nursing and defense health. She 

drafted health related authorization 

and appropriations language for introduction to the Senate. She collaborated with committee staffers, constituents, and Tri-Service military personnel, attended committee hearings, 

prepared background information and 

questions for witnesses, and coordinated the development of Senate bills 

and amendments through Senate committees and conference committees. In 

addition, she made recommendations 

to the Senator on floor proceedings, 

funding requests, report language, and 

cosponsorship legislation. 

Colonel Squellati served with valor 

and profoundly impacted Federal nursing issues within the 110th Congress. 

Her performance reflects exceptionally 

on herself, the Air Force, the Department of Defense, and the United States 

of America. I extend my deepest appreciation to Colonel Squellati on behalf 

of a grateful Nation for her year of 

dedicated service in the 110th Congress.∑ 

f 

TRIBUTE TO CALDWELL AUTO 

PARTS & TOWING 

∑ Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, there are 

many ways in which businesses can and 

do give back to their local communities. From companies whose employees volunteer at food pantries to firms 

that sponsor teams in their town’s Little League program, America’s small 

enterprises are magnanimous forces in 

the cities and towns where they operate. I rise today to highlight the tremendous gift of one business, Caldwell 

Auto Parts & Towing, to the town of 

Limestone, a small town of roughly 

2,400 in far northern Maine. 

Caldwell Auto Parts & Towing has 

been in Limestone for the last 10 years, 

under the ownership of brothers Scott 

and Robbie Caldwell. Prior to that, the 

company was located in Caswell, one 

town north of Limestone, on the U.S. 

border with New Brunswick, Canada. A 

family-owned small business, the company is dedicated to providing quality 

auto parts to its clientele, as well as 

responsive and safe towing. 

Caldwell’s has long been known for 

its generosity within town, but its latest act of kindness was a true surprise. 

Robbie and Scott Caldwell, wanting to 

celebrate the tenth year of their business’ operation in town, decided to give 

back to the community in a unique and 

lasting manner. They determined that 

donating one of their vehicles—a 2006 

Ford Explorer—to the Limestone Police Department would represent an 

unparalleled gift. After contacting the 

town manager and police chief to make 

the gift a reality, the Caldwells fitted 

the vehicle with a full police package, 

making it ready to use without any investments by the town. 

What makes the vehicle even more 

special is that it is replacing one of 

Limestone’s police cruisers that suffered significant damage during 

whiteout conditions last winter. The 

new vehicle has four wheel drive and 

studded tires, making it more effective 

to drive during the long and snowy 

winter months in Aroostook County. 

People in Limestone have long 

known the Caldwells for their kindness 

and charity. Active members of their 

community and the local chamber of 

commerce, Caldwell’s has been critical 

in assisting the town’s recreation department, including sponsoring Tshirts for youth basketball teams. Additionally, Caldwell’s has made significant donations to Project Graduation, 

a Maine-wide program that promotes 

safe, drug-free graduation parties, including contributing one of their vehicles for the group’s use in the Limestone Fourth of July parade. 

Caldwell Auto Parts & Towing understands the meaning of being a good 

neighbor. Over the years, they have 

sought new and distinctive ways to 

make a difference in their community, 

and have garnered much good will. As 

Donna Bernier, Limestone’s town manager, noted, ‘‘The Caldwells have made 

significant impacts on the community 

and they continue to do so.’’ I wish 

Scott and Robbie Caldwell and everyone at Caldwell Auto Parts & Towing 

the very best, and thank them for their 

contributions to a safer and stronger 

Limestone.∑ 

f 

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT 

A message from the President of the 

United States was communicated to 

the Senate by Mrs. Neiman, one of his 

secretaries. 

f 

EXECUTIVE MESSAGE REFERRED 

As in executive session the Presiding 

Officer laid before the Senate messages 

from the President of the United 

States submitting nominations which 

were referred to the Committee on 

Armed Services. 

(The nomination received today is 

printed at the end of the Senate proceedings.) 

f 

MESSAGES FROM THE HOUSE 

ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION 

SIGNED 

At 9:33 a.m., a message from the 

House of Representatives, delivered by 


rfrederick on PROD1PC67 with SENATE