Arlen Specter: “I would like to add several other accomplishments of Congress for which Jim should feel a great sense of pride. In 2002…”

“I would like to add several other accomplishments of Congress for which Jim should feel a great sense of pride. In 2002, Congress completed a doubling of the NIH budget over a 5-year period. Jim's thorough knowledge of the bill and the budget was instrumental in securing the doubling. If there was a way to write bill language that would save money or change a date to free up some cash, Jim knew how to do it. When Jim started working at the Department of Labor in 1967, the Job Corps program was in its infancy, just 3 years old. Today, it is a $1.6 billion enterprise widely touted for its performance standards and student outcomes, helping more than 60,000 youths each year. After the Quecreek coal mine accident, I held a hearing in Pennsylvania to look into the mine safety issues related to that situation. We have held two mine safety hearings since the Sago and Alma disasters in early 2006. Jim organized and staffed those hearings. What's more, he helped craft legislation that I introduced last year which contributed to the development of the MINER Act. This act passed last year and is now the law of the land. It is the most significant piece of mine safety legislation passed in more than 30 years and its effective implantation will save lives. Jim should feel very good about the work he did to support that legislation, as well as other worker protection programs.”