The United States has experience and tradition in this respect from past wars that provide precedent and guidance. The amendment I am offering today with Senator BOND and Senator COLEMAN is not a conventional amendment for an emergency supplemental. but because it has a direct impact on the missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. we are hopeful this can be included in the package. By virtue of a provision crafted by former Congressman John Hostettler of Indiana. the 2006 Defense authorization bill established a program to allow 50 Iraqis and Afghans who have worked for the U.S. military as translators for at least 12 months to come to the United States on a special visa. The program has been underway now for just over a year and has been met with success and approval by all of the agencies who work with it. Since instatement. 445 applications have been received. 377 have been approved. 10 denied and 58 are pending.