E PL UR UM IB N U U S Congressional Record United States of America PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE 106th CONGRESS, SECOND SESSION

Vol. 146 WASHINGTON, TUESDAY, MAY 23, 2000 No. 65 House of Representatives The House met at 9 a.m. The Los Alamos fire was a so-called gether. Environmental extremists have f controlled burn set by Federal bureau- had such an impact that many school- crats that simply got out of control. Of children have almost been brainwashed MORNING HOUR DEBATES course, we all know that no Federal bu- about these things. They never hear The SPEAKER. Pursuant to the reaucrat has ever made a mistake, or the other side. If I went to any school order of the House of January 19, 1999, at least one that they have been held in Knoxville and told them I was the Chair will now recognize Members accountable for. against cutting any trees in the na- from lists submitted by the majority The leading environmental extrem- tional forests, they would probably and minority leaders for morning hour ist, Secretary Babbitt, said on tele- think that was a really good thing. debates. The Chair will alternate rec- vision last week that our forests are They never stop to think that we have ognition between the parties, with each now 100 times more dangerous than to cut trees if we want to build houses party limited to not to exceed 25 min- they were 100 years ago, but it is be- or furniture, or have books, news- utes, and each Member except the ma- cause of the very policies that he has papers, toilet paper, and many, many jority leader, the minority leader or been advocating. If we do not start cut- other products. the minority whip limited to not to ex- ting more trees in the national forests Also, it we keep limiting and re- ceed 5 minutes, but in no event shall soon, then in the very near future we stricting where and how trees are cut, debate continue beyond 9:50 a.m. are going to see forest fires that make it will drive the prices for homes and f the Los Alamos disaster look like pea- many other items much higher than nuts in comparison. they already are. Even now, lumber WE MUST USE OUR NATURAL RE- Yet some of these environmental ex- dealers tell me they are having to im- SOURCES IN AN ENVIRON- tremists want the forests to be thinned port all kinds of Canadian lumber be- MENTALLY BALANCED WAY only by forest fires because that is the cause we have cut out or halted so The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. ‘‘natural way,’’ and the way it occurred much U.S. lumber production. MORAN of Kansas). Under the Speaker’s before man started populating the When extremists get our lumber pro- announced policy of January 19, 1999, Earth, and, according to the extrem- duction in our national forests reduced the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. ists, messed things up. so drastically, it helps big businesses DUNCAN) is recognized during morning Last year in the subcommittee we and other countries, but it destroys hour debates for 5 minutes. were told that the Congress in the mid jobs and drives up prices in this coun- Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, the for- 1980s passed what was then proclaimed try. The people it hurts the most are est fires in Los Alamos and Nevada as a great pro-environment law that we the lower-income and working people have highlighted what may have be- would not allow cutting of more than in this country. come a much bigger problem. One of 80 percent of the new growth in the na- I know most of these environmental the subcommittees on which I serve is tional forests. Since then, we have re- extremists come from very wealthy the Subcommittee on Forest and For- peatedly reduced that percentage, stop- families, and I know they are more or est Health of the Committee on Re- ping it altogether in some places. From less insulated from the harm that they sources. the pro-environment law of 80 percent do. But I think it is really sad that We heard testimony a few months 15 or 16 years ago, we now allow har- they destroy so many jobs and drive up ago that almost 40 million acres of vesting of less than one-seventh of the prices for so many people who really Federal land out West was in imminent new growth in our national forests. cannot afford it. danger of catastrophic forest fires. This National forests have about 23 billion I am not talking about cutting any is because environmental extremists board feet of new growth each year. trees in our 356 national parks, I am fanatically, sometimes even violently, Today we cut less than 3 billion board talking about cutting trees in our na- oppose cutting any trees in our na- feet, or only about 12 or 13 percent of tional forests so they can grow and be tional forests. the new growth. There are about 6 bil- healthy and keep lumber prices down. Forestry experts tell us that we have lion board feet of dead or dying trees in Our national forests cover 191 million to cut some trees to have healthy for- the national forests, yet these extrem- acres. I know when people look at a ests, yet some of these extremists op- ists will not even permit the removal map of the United States on one page pose even the removal of dead and of these dead trees. in the book, the country looks small. dying trees, thus causing huge fuel Now we are cutting less than half of Yet, 191 million acres is equal to about buildups on the floors of these forests, the dead and dying trees, and unbeliev- 325 Great Smoky Mountain National leading to forest fires. ably, some people want it stopped alto- Parks. Most people who go to the Great

b This symbol represents the time of day during the House proceedings, e.g., b 1407 is 2:07 p.m. Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor.

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VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A23MY7.000 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 H3528 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 23, 2000 Smokies think it is huge. Yet I am during morning hour debates for 5 min- destrians, yet only 1 percent of the talking about forests that cover more utes. highway safety money from the Fed- than 300 times the Great Smokies, and Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, my eral government is used for pedestrian this does not count any of the land in goal in Congress is for the Federal gov- safety. our national parks or the land the Bu- ernment to be a better partner in mak- It is important for us to use the tools reau of Land Management controls. ing our communities more livable, to that we have available, that we are The Federal government owns over 30 make our families safe, healthy, and sensitive to putting people into the percent of the land in this Nation economically secure. planning process to make our commu- today. State and local governments One of the indicator species of a liv- nities more livable and make our fami- and quasi-governmental agencies own able community is the pedestrian. Ear- lies safer, healthier, and economically another 20 percent. Half of the land is lier this week, people in Montgomery secure. in some type of public ownership. County were shocked, I am sure, to f What is most disturbing, though, is read that in their community pedes- KOSOVO AND BOSNIA how government at all levels has been trian deaths were as high as homicides. taking over private land at such a In 1998 and 1999, 25 people were killed in The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under rapid rate in the last 30 years, and per- pedestrian accidents, the same as those the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- haps even more dangerous, putting so that were killed in homicides. uary 19, 1999, the gentleman from Flor- many rules, regulations, restrictions, Really, this is not news. The statis- ida (Mr. STEARNS) is recognized during and red tape on the shrinking amount tics are that Americans are 160 percent morning hour debates for 5 minutes. Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, 1 year of land that still remains in private more likely to be killed by a car than ago the United States and many of our lands today. to be shot and killed by a stranger. It NATO allies were engaged in an air Yet, there are some of these environ- is the equivalent of an airline crash campaign against Yugoslav forces. mental extremists who are not satis- every 2 weeks in this country, and for Next month will mark the 1-year anni- fied with half of the land and want every person who is killed, there are versary of the agreement providing for even more. another 20 who are injured; 6,000 dead the withdrawal of Yugoslavian troops in all, and 110,000 injured. There is something known as the Wildlands from Kosovo and the deployment of The seniors of our community are at Project, which I first read about in the Wash- international peacekeeping forces. the highest risk, almost twice a likely ington Post, which advocates taking half the Mr. Speaker, it is vital that we not private land in the U.S. and placing it in public to be killed or injured. Walking for forget the American troops who con- ownership. them is more important, not just as a tinue to languish in Kosovo, or those in This may sound OK until some bureaucrat form of exercise, but it is an important Bosnia, and other fellow citizens scat- comes and takes your home or your property. part of their transportation system, be- tered throughout the world on various Also, we could not emphasize enough that cause many of them no longer drive. deployments. We should also consider private property is one of the main keys to our Mr. Speaker, it is important because the cost of these deployments both in freedom and our prosperity. It is one of the everyone at some point in their jour- dollars and in reduction of our military main things that has set us apart from coun- ney is a pedestrian. But there are les- capability. tries like Russia and Cuba and other socialist sons to be learned from our experience. President Clinton’s decision to at- or communist nations. We are finding that some of the sprawl- tack Yugoslavia and to maintain These national forests are not national ing unplanned communities that are peacekeeping forces in Kosovo were monuments. They are natural resources, re- primarily auto-oriented are the most based upon the mistaken notion that newable resources. dangerous places for people to walk, military forces can turn ethnic and re- Whenever some of these extremists are places like Fort Lauderdale and Miami; ligious hatred into peaceful coexist- confronted by loggers who have lost jobs or Atlanta, that we have talked a lot ence. communities that have been devastated, they about on the floor of this House is sort As a participant in the Kosovo peace- always say just promote tourism. of a poster child for unplanned growth keeping operation known as KFOR, the Well tourism is an industry filled with min- and sprawled; and Tampa, St. Peters- United States has 5,000 troops in imum or low wage jobs. Even more impor- burg, and Dallas, Texas. Kosovo, 450 in Macedonia, and 10 in tantly, it is just not possible to turn our whole Ironically, many of the older, more Greece. While working to achieve this country into tourist attractions or base our pedestrian-oriented are the safest. harmony, U.S. troops have been fired whole economy on tourism. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, by one ac- upon and assaulted in many instances. I know these environmental groups have to count, is the safest place to walk in Census figures collected by the U.N. scare people and continually raise the bar so America. High Commission for Refugees and the that their contributions will keep coming in. It does not have to be this way. There Yugoslavian government indicate that I know, too, that many big companies, and are opportunities for us to plan for peo- 93 percent of the population of Kosovo particularly big multi-national corporations are ple, not just for cars; to put uses closer is ethnic Albanians now and 5 percent helped by extreme environmental rules be- together, not mandate that they be Serbs. In essence, American troops are cause they drive so many small and medium- separated from where people work, in Kosovo to protect the Serbs from an sized businesses out of business or force where they live, and where they shop. angry majority. This makes the Presi- them to merge. So many contributors for these The Federal government itself can be dent’s plan to build a peaceful, multi- groups come from these big companies, often a partner by not taking an historic ethnic state all the more daunting. headquartered in other countries. Post Office in downtown small town This situation begs the question, But, Mr. Speaker, if we want to continue America and locating it by a strip mall when will our troops leave Kosovo? If having a strong economy, with good jobs and out at the edge of town without even the Clinton administration has its way, half-way reasonable prices, and especially if paved sidewalks. the answer is, no time soon. All we we want to have a free country, we must use There is a whole philosophy that has need to do is to look at Bosnia to ex- our natural resources in an environmentally developed, an engineering approach plain this conclusion. balanced way. that is called ‘‘traffic calming’’ that we Remember Bosnia? In 1996, the We cannot stop cutting trees, digging for had great success with in our commu- United States sent 16,500 troops to Bos- coal, and drilling for oil and continue to have nity in Portland, Oregon, to be able to nia and some 6,000 support troops to the good life that we fortunately enjoy today. make a difference for the way that peo- neighboring nations. The President f ple live. stated that the deployment would last The Federal government in the about 1 year. Mr. Speaker, the troops LIVABLE COMMUNITIES AND ISTEA–T–21 legislation has set aside are still there, and the administration SAFETY FOR PEDESTRIANS significant funds for traffic safety, but has requested $1.4 billion for the next The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under sadly, many of the States are not using fiscal year to continue this 1-year mis- the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- those resources in ways that will make sion to Bosnia. uary 19, 1999, the gentleman from Or- pedestrians safe. Fourteen percent of Mr. Speaker, it seems that much the egon (Mr. BLUMENAUER) is recognized all motor vehicle-related deaths are pe- same is expected for Kosovo. Two

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.002 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 May 23, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3529 American camps in that region are Strictly on the issue of security, the There is a reason that the proponents of being expanded to house and support proponents of permanent trade rela- this flawed deal have been touting the national American soldiers for at least 3 to 5 tions with China, normal relationships, security and ``theoretical'' reform benefits they more years. whatever we wish to call them, they see in this package. Because they know that More troubling is the assessment of have been talking first about the jobs the argument that this bill is good for our the top U.S. commander in Kosovo. Ac- that would be created, and then when working families is just plain wrong! cording to the Boston Globe, that com- they could not win that battle, they As China seeks entry to the World Trade mander, Brigadier General Sanchez, switched to the issue of national secu- Organization, and as our trade deficit with stated that the mission will require rity. China soars to record heights, our manufac- NATO peacekeepers to remain there for Three points. turing jobs are being sucked from our shores, at least a generation. Can we expect My main thrust is jobs this morning. away from our workers. some of these NATO troops to be Amer- We know that in these past 10 years, Those jobs are going to places like China ican? China has targeted up to 18 interconti- where there is no regard for labor, safety, en- We should also consider the cost of nental ballistic missiles at the United vironmental or health standards. these deployments. Up to last year, States. When dealing with issues such as this, I find $9.08 billion has been appropriated for Two, during this same period of time, that it is best to take a step back and look at Bosnia operations. With the expendi- we signed an export control waiver exactly what we are doing. What does this ture for this fiscal year and the next, which allowed the top campaign fund- vote mean? the Bosnian mission will accumulate raisers in aerospace companies to Day after day I try to work with firms, be costs exceeding $12 billion. transfer sensitive missile guidance they manufacturing, or textile, or other small According to the Department of De- technology to China. businesses, to see what I can do to assist the fense, the Kosovo operation costs $3 Number three, during the same pe- business in reaching its fullest potential. billion last year, and the estimate for riod we shifted the prime satellite ex- How can I vote on Wednesday to send FY 2000 is about $2 billion. Our peace- port responsibility from the State De- these businesses and jobs overseas? keeping operation in the Balkans is ap- partment to the Commerce Depart- Normal Trade Relations? This does not proaching $20 billion in total expenses. ment. In the sequel to ‘‘sleeping with seem normal to me! In reading a Heritage Foundation re- the enemy,’’ I would imagine this is I cannot stress enough, the mistake we will port on this issue, I discovered that pretty consistent. This in no way is make by passing this bill later this week. I un- ‘‘The Pentagon believes that it missed going to strengthen the security of the derstand that unemployment is at its lowest, its procurement targets for the past 5 United States. This deal is a bad deal. and that the economy is soaring. years because of unexpected costs asso- The worst part of the deal is for the But workers are making less money than ciated with the military operations in American workers. As China seeks ever. After NAFTA, we saw tens of thousands Kosovo and Bosnia.’’ entry to the World Trade Organization, of good jobs, with benefits, and security go This means that we have not met our and as our trade deficit with China South to Mexico. What has increased has goals for modernizing our weaponry be- soars to record heights, $70 billion by been the number of temporary workers. Com- cause of our peacekeeping operations the end of this year, at least, our man- panies have been hiring people to work full in the Balkans. By making Bosnia and ufacturing jobs are being sucked from time jobs, without health plans, without protec- Kosovo safer for their citizens, we have our shores away from our workers. tions, not on salary. made America less safe for our citizens. This is critical to understand, be- The bottom line is that this is not a govern- Is that really the policy results this ad- cause if we are not going to help ment in China that we have been able to trust. ministration is seeking? produce more jobs in America and sus- It has broken every commitment it has made Congress must take steps to ensure tain the economy, the robust economy with the United States of America. that America’s national security inter- that we have, then where will jobs be It has broken every trade agreement it has ests are paramount in conducting our created, if not in America? These jobs signed with the United States over the past 10 military and diplomatic missions. are going to places like China, where years. f there is no regard for labor, where Supporters of PNTR claim that China will there is no regard for human safety, buy our imports. But I do not see the infra- CHINA TRADE and where there is no regard for envi- structure or the wealth in China to accept any The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under ronmental or health standards. substantial amount of American merchandise. the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- I find that it is best to take a step Business does not want to sell cars to China, uary 19, 1999, the gentleman from New back and look at exactly what is hap- they want to build cars in China. Jersey (Mr. PASCRELL) is recognized pening. Granting PNTR to China would Over the past ten years, our trade deficit during morning hour debates for 5 min- strip America’s ability to keep check with China has ballooned from 7 billion dollars utes. on the Communist regime. Granting to 70 billion dollars! There is currently a 6-to- Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, this PNTR to China says that China has 1 ratio of imports to exports. morning I would like to address some- gained our trust and approval, and I Supporters of this flawed bill claim that we thing we started to talk about last would be saying that I believe this need PNTR to see our economy grow. That evening, and that is the vote we will be trade deal is the best thing for the peo- fact is however, that China has had NTR over taking probably tomorrow on China ple of my district. the past twenty years, and things continue to and our trade relations with China. But as I mentioned last night, I did get worse. We are taking a bad deal and mak- The minority leader wrote a book have a nightmare on Thursday evening, ing it permanent. last year, An Even Better Place, Amer- after standing with the 60 dissidents In the United States, we have seen a dan- ica in the 21st Century, where he dis- east of the Capitol here. I dreamt with gerous shift from a production to service missed as ludicrous the contention horror that there was an uprising in based economy. This deal threatens the tre- that expanded trade fosters democracy China, as there are many dissidents mendous creative spirit of our nation with the in China. ‘‘America has to stand for who are afraid to speak up at this mo- prospect of exploitation overseas. something more than money,’’ the Mi- ment, and that this great country, this I will not vote for a proposal that is down- nority Leader said, and I agree with pillar of democracy in the world, the right dangerous to our society at large. him wholeheartedly. greatest democracy that the world has We can and will not surrender our manufac- It seems to sum up what we have ever known, stood alongside of the au- turing base, our production, our jobs. been saying, we opponents. We are not thoritarian, totalitarian Chinese gov- Manufacturing is tremendously important to or do not wish to cut off relationships ernment to put this insurrection down. my district. There are 1,114 manufacturing with China and the Chinese people. In That is a horror show. firms who employ 57,000 workers in the fact, our argument is not with the Chi- Mr. Speaker, I would like to start by thank- Eighth District, and these firms are critical to nese people, our argument is with the ing my colleague from Oregon, Mr. DEFAZIO, our infrastructure. authoritarian government which has for his tremendous leadership, in standing up Granting PNTR to China would strip Amer- tortured, which has beaten down any for working people worldwide. I am pleased to ica's ability to keep check on the communist dissidents, any opposition. join him here today. regime in China. Granting PNTR to China

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.011 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 H3530 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 23, 2000 says that China has gained our trust and ap- problem the world faces, an ocean of Let us compare and contrast their at- proval, and I would be saying that I believe fluctuating fiat currencies. titude about Cuba to their attitude this trade deal is the best thing for the people For the past decade, with sharp ad- about China. Tomorrow those same Re- of my district. justments in currency values such as publican leaders are pushing as hard as I will not do that, because this is a bad deal occurred during the Asian financial cri- they can to have a truncated 3-hour de- for our workers. sis, the dollar and the U.S. consumers bate on the issue of so-called perma- The numbers do not lie. If PNTR is granted, benefitted. But these benefits will nent normal trade relations for China. New Jersey will see 22,276 jobs lost over the prove short-lived, since the unprece- They want to sell them anything and next ten years. The United States as a whole dented prosperity and consumption has everything: aerospace technology. will suffer a net job loss of 872,000 jobs over been achieved with money that we bor- They have already stolen the warhead the same ten years. row from abroad. technology. Missile technology. We are Proponents like to talk about job creation, Our trade imbalances and our sky- helping them improve their missiles, but they do not like publicizing the job loss on rocketing current account deficit once That little flurry we had about pre- our side. again hit a new record in March. Our venting that last year? Well, that died The real job creation will be in China, where distinction as the world’s greatest in the conference committee. We are U.S. businesses will flock with their factories. debtor remains unchallenged. But that selling them missile technology. They They will go there to pay thirty-three, thir- will all end when foreign holders of dol- have targeted us with 19 missiles, but teen, even three-cents per hour in sweatshops lars become disenchanted with financ- they are not very accurate. We want to that are basically workshops from a maximum- ing our grand prosperity at their ex- help them with their accuracy, any- security penitentiary. pense. One day, foreign holders of our thing they might want to buy. Big business in America wants to exploit a dollars will realize that our chief ex- They are not a threat, somehow. We labor force that cannot go on strike for higher port has been our inflation. are going to engage them. But Cuba, wages, or for better conditions. It wants to The Federal Reserve believes that Cuba is such a threat that food, we take advantage of a labor force that is op- prosperity causes high prices and rising cannot sell food to Cuba. Do not worry, pressed by its government. In fact, China has wages, thus causing it to declare war they might throw those eggs back at prison labor camps listed among its manufac- on a symptom of its own inflationary us. turing companies! policy, deliberately forcing an eco- A leader on the other side said, it is Why is this year any different? Why is this nomic slowdown, a sad and silly policy, very easy to see the distinction be- trade deal any different? What has China indeed. The Fed also hopes that higher tween the two cases. If we cannot see done to gain our trust, besides stealing of our interest rates will curtail the bur- it, I do not know, maybe we are just nuclear secrets? geoning trade deficit and prevent the blind to it. China is not all of a sudden going to play by serious currency crisis that usually re- Let us just look at the distinctions in the rules. They will not limit their imports. sults from currency-induced trade im- the State Department report. I have China will not be a good trading partner, be- balances. And of course, the Fed hopes blanked out the countries. See if Mem- cause there is no enforcement or reason to to do all this without a recession or de- bers can guess which is an authori- be. pression. tarian state. With permanent NTR, we will have thrown That is a dream. Not only is the dol- The blank is an authoritarian state in our last chip on keeping China in check. lar due for a downturn, the Chinese in the blank Communist party is the This deal is bad for my district, New Jersey, currency is, as well. When these adjust- paramount source of power. Citizens and the country. I stand with environmental- ments occur and recession sets in, with lack both the freedom to peacefully ex- ists, veterans, human rights activists, and rising prices in consumer and producer press opposition to the party-led polit- most importantly, working families, to oppose goods, there will be those who will ical system and the right to change this legislation. argue that it happened because of, or their national leaders or form of gov- The timing is wrong, and the deal is wrong. the lack thereof, of low tariffs and free ernment. Prison conditions at most fa- Now is not the time we should not vote to trade with China. cilities remain harsh. rubber-stamp a failed trading arrangement into But instead, I suggest we look more That is one of these countries. Here infinity. carefully for the cause of the coming is the other. The blank is a totalitarian Trade rights should be a privilege to be currency crisis. We should study the state controlled by blank who is chief earned, not a right merely handed out! nature of all the world currencies and of state, head of government, first Sec- f the mischief that fiat money causes, retary of the Communist party, and and resist the temptation to rely on Commander in Chief of its armed INTERNATIONAL TRADE the WTO, the IMF, the World Bank, forces. Citizens do not have the right The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under pseudo free trade, to solve the prob- to change their government peacefully. the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- lems that only serious currency reform Prison conditions remain harsh. uary 19, 1999, the gentleman from can address. One of those countries the United Texas (Mr. PAUL) is recognized during f States will trade anything and every- morning hour debates for 5 minutes. thing with, and the other one we will Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, this week TRADE WITH CHINA BUT NOT not even sell them food, but they kind there will be a lot of talk on the House WITH CUBA of sound identical, do they not? They floor about international trade. One The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under oppress their people, they have harsh side will talk about pseudo free trade, the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- prison conditions, political prisoners, the other about fair trade. Unfortu- uary 19, 1999, the gentleman from Or- religious prisoners, prisoners of con- nately, true free trade will not be dis- egon (Mr. DEFAZIO) is recognized dur- science. cussed. ing morning hour debates for 5 min- One of them presents a threat to the Both sides generally agree to sub- utes. United States of America so grave they sidies and international management Mr. DEFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, today cannot buy food. The other, a country of trade. The pseudo free trader will the House will not consider the agri- of 1 billion people that is selling sen- not challenge the WTO’s authority to culture appropriations bill because the sitive nuclear technology to terrorist force us to change our tax, labor, and leadership on the Republican side of nations, that has violated every trade environmental laws to conform to WTO the aisle so vehemently opposes one agreement it has entered into with the rules, nor will they object to the WTO tiny provision of that bill. That is the United States of America, that hor- authorizing economic sanctions on us provision that would allow the sale of ribly oppresses its people, that crushes if we are slow in following WTO’s direc- food, food, to Cuba. students with tanks, well, they are tives. Cuba is such a threat to the United okay. We want to engage them, and we What is permitted is a low-level con- States of America that the sale of food will sell them anything and everything tinuous trade war, not free trade. The could jeopardize our national security. they want. current debate over Chinese trade sta- Sell them eggs? They might throw We will be allowed 3 puny hours to tus totally ignores a much bigger trade them back at us. debate this issue tomorrow because the

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A23MY7.004 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 May 23, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3531 Republicans have a big dinner. The big- trouble in the past, we have just said, that finding the money to repay this trust fund gest trade issue before the United well, we are going to raise the tax on debt means taxes will have to be raised, States Congress this year, and 3 hours American workers. So the problem is, spending cut, or borrowing increased. As he of debate. It sounds like the deal is cut how do we do it without raising taxes? said, reform proposals that do not change the on that side of the aisle, and it is cut Increase borrowing? Probably! program's obligations or take actions to pro- for one thing, campaign contributions Director Crippen of the CBO pointed mote growth in the economy are an empty from the big business that is pushing out in Thursday’s Washington Post gesture. this stuff through this body. that finding the money to repay this Governor Bush has shown true leadership f trust fund debt means taxes will have by taking on this issue. He is not willing to ac- to be raised, spending cut, or borrowing cept the status quo, and we shouldn't be, ei- SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE increased. As he said, reform proposals ther. The only way to get to real solutions is The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under that do not change some of the pro- to discuss the facts and work together on a bi- the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- gram’s basic principles are not going to partisan basis to build a solution. uary 19, 1999, the gentleman from solve the problem. Another alternative f Michigan (Mr. SMITH) is recognized is getting a better return on some of THE WHAT IF ORGANIZATION AND during morning hour debates for 5 min- those taxes paid in. THE POSSIBILITY GENERATION utes. Right now, a young worker 20 years Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Mr. Speak- old going to work and paying social se- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under er, social security, as we see on this curity can expect at the most a 1.2 per- the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- chart, now is the largest expenditure of cent inflation-adjusted return on what uary 19, 1999, the gentleman from the Federal Government. It uses 20 per- he or she and their employer pay in. So Pennsylvania (Mr. GREENWOOD) is rec- cent of all Federal Government funds. if that young worker can take some of ognized during morning hour debates Medicare is 11 percent, but within the their tax and get a better return than for 5 minutes. next 35 years Medicare, the way it is Social Security’s 1.2 percent by invest- Mr. GREENWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I growing, will actually grow faster and ing in bonds, CDs maybe some of it in have the pleasure today of hosting an organization of young people in from be a larger percentage of the budget indexed stocks, they can have more re- my district who call themselves ‘‘What than social security. tirement income. They now own that 2 Over the last 6 years I have intro- If?’’ or 3% of their wage plus the com- What if young people knew how to duced three social security bills, each pounded earnings. It is part of their es- create their future every day through one scored by the social security actu- tate if they might die early. the goals they set and the decisions aries, to keep social security solvent We do not need Vice President GORE they make? for the next 75 years. I am very con- saying, we are just going to simply add What if today’s youth were given op- cerned what is happening in this presi- giant IOUs to the Social Security portunities to become team members, dential campaign. Trust Fund and pretend somehow we to solve problems and to resolve dif- The Wall Street Journal reports that are going to come up with the money ferences clearly and effectively? the chairman of the Democrat House in the future. It is our biggest, most What if the youth of today created an campaign committee has sent a memo important program in this country. expectation for leadership and account- urging Democrat candidates to bash Let us talk realistically, because the ability, and in doing so, create a shift and criticize Governor Bush for pro- ultimate solution is going to require in the way they view themselves and posing social security reforms. These that Republicans and Democrats get the way they are viewed by others? election year tactics I think are very together on a bipartisan basis to do What if a generation, this generation, dangerous because it will discourage this. decided to empower itself by giving fact-centered dialogue about what the Demagoguing it, criticizing it, hav- itself a meaningful name, the Possi- real problem is: How we are going to ing memos go out that say, bash Gov- bility Generation? keep social security solvent to pay ben- ernor Bush for any proposal he makes What if the mass youth movement to efits for future retirees. Instead, they on social security, is not the way to spread that name around the globe use fear-based rhetoric to reduce this move ahead on a bipartisan solution. I taught participants in that movement important issue to demagoguery for po- urge the President of the United to produce actions founded on choice, litical gain. I think American workers States, I urge the Vice President, to personal and social empowerment, in- deserve better. stop it and to talk in a cooperative, tegrity, and responsibility? Many will have payroll taxes taken factual manner about the real problem In a world where young people feel from their paychecks for 40, maybe and how we might save Social Security that the road ahead is so bleak as to even up to 50 years. When it is time for and keep it solvent for our kids and require dramatic and violent means of them to retire, the promises made by grand-kids. self-expression, in a fast-paced world of candidates who demagogued during the Mr. Speaker, Thursday's Wall Street Journal uncertainty and change greater than 2000 elections will not produce the reports that the chairman of the Democrat's any other time in history, we must em- money to pay benefits at the levels House Campaign committee has sent a memo power youth to become visionaries, and that current retirees receive. Only real urging Democrat candidates to bash Gov. to invite new choices for their future, reform is going to do that. Bush for proposing Social Security reforms. to make responsible choices, and to As we see by this chart, this is the These election year tactics will discourage take responsibility for the choices that predicament of social security. Social fact-centered dialogues about the reforms they make. security in 2016 is going to run out of needed to keep Social Security strong for gen- In a world in which the mere sustain- funds, a cash flow problem, so there is erations. Instead, they use fear-based rhetoric ability of our planet cannot be taken less money coming in from social secu- to reduce this important issue to demogoguery for granted, we must encourage and rity taxes than is needed to pay bene- for political gain. produce socially, environmentally, po- fits. So somehow we have to come up American workers deserve better than this. litically, and commercially conscious with money in those future years to Many will have payroll taxes taken from their youth leadership. pay for the benefits that have been paychecks for forty and even fifty years. When The What If Organization, founded to promised. it is their time to retire, the promises made by address these very issues, is an an edu- There are only three or four ways to candidates who demagog during the 2000 cational, training, and networking or- do that: We either cut existing pro- elections will not produce the money to pay ganization which provides unique emo- grams, and probably that is not going benefits at the levels that current retirees re- tional and intellectual development to happen in this Chamber; we can in- ceive. Only real reform that sets cash aside through innovative programs that crease taxes, and I think that is a very for the future will do this. Starting in 2016, So- train youth and young adults to be- bad idea, because 72 percent of Amer- cial Security starts to draw down its trust come productive in the workplace, in ican workers today pay more in social funds, and the Treasury must find the cash to their lives, and in their communities. security tax than they do in income meet these obligations. CBO Director Crippen The skills acquired through What If taxes. Every time we have been in pointed out in Thursday's Washington Post, interactive programs provide long-

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.013 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 H3532 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 23, 2000 term solutions with broad implications uary 19, 1999, the gentleman from Colo- Help us this day to achieve Your holy by training students to make respon- rado (Mr. TANCREDO) is recognized dur- will by setting aside all selfish gain. sible choices and consciously operate ing morning hour debates for 23⁄4 min- Make us Your instrument of peace and as the CEOs of their lives. utes. justice that our faith in You may not Youth leaders of the What If organi- Mr. TANCREDO. Mr. Speaker, yes- bring us shame but give You alone the zation have renamed their generation. terday marked the beginning of Na- glory now and forever. Formerly known as Generation Y, the tional Small Business Week. With over Amen. Possibility Generation. They are cre- 117,000 small businesses in Colorado, f ating history as the first generation to not to mention the 184,000 self-em- THE JOURNAL name itself, and through that act, they ployed individuals, small businesses are declaring their leadership. Unwill- have become the backbone of our ro- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The ing to be labeled by others, these youth bust economy. Chair has examined the Journal of the are creating a shift in the way they It is imperative that we continue to last day’s proceedings and announces view themselves and the way they are foster the growth of small businesses in to the House his approval thereof. viewed by others. America by reducing and eliminating Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Jour- Representatives of the What If Orga- many of the burdensome regulations nal stands approved. nization, founders of the Possibility the Federal government imposes on f Generation, and their peers are here them, such as those put out by OSHA PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE today to share in the creation of new that cost small business millions of possibilities for generations to come. dollars each year. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Will the As I read the Possibility Generation, Congress should also heed the calls of gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. TERRY) written by these young people,. businessmen and women throughout come forward and lead the House in the ‘‘The Possibility Generation Procla- the Nation and eliminate the death Pledge of Allegiance. mation: tax, which would allow more small Mr. TERRY led the Pledge of Alle- We, the youth and leaders of the fu- businesses to be passed on from one giance as follows: ture, hereby proclaim our self-fulfilling I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the right to choose our name, to be ac- generation to another, and continue to pass laws allowing small businesses to United States of America, and to the Repub- countable for how we are perceived, lic for which it stands, one nation under God, and to be responsible for the manner in increase retirement benefits for them- indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. which we relate to ourselves and oth- selves and their employees. f ers. Earlier this year, the House passed We are shaping our future by naming four small business bills to reduce pa- PAYING DOWN THE DEBT ourselves the Possibility Generation, a perwork requirements and limit liabil- (Mr. PITTS asked and was given per- name consistent with the future we are ity. I urge my colleagues in the Senate mission to address the House for 1 creating. We are actively forming the to pass this legislation. minute and to revise and extend his re- Possibility Generation by taking own- I hope my colleagues will join me marks.) ership of the future today. We know this week in thanking America’s small Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, in 1981, through our own initiative we can de- businesses for their efforts in making while the Nation celebrated the 200th sign our lives and future, building on America the leader in the world’s econ- anniversary of the British surrender at the knowledge and experiences from omy. Yorktown, President Reagan joked previous generations. f that ‘‘our enemy is no longer Red We willingly seek partnership in cre- RECESS Coats, but red ink.’’ ating our future based on the recogni- For 40 long years, this country sank tion of our unlimited possibilities and The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- deeper and deeper into debt. Congress what we can accomplish by virtue of ant to clause 12 of rule I, the Chair de- seemed addicted to spending money on our strengths, our openness, our quest clares the House in recess until 10 a.m. every project imaginable. But never to explore uncharted territory, our Accordingly (at 9 o’clock and 41 min- during the 8 years of Reagan’s presi- willingness to accept and to be proud of utes a.m.), the House stood in recess dency did the Congress ever send him a who we are, and our ability to accept until 10 a.m. balanced budget, not once. others for who they are. f Never during the Carter, Ford, or We commit to being a model for the b 1000 Nixon administrations did the Demo- generations to follow, thus creating a cratic Congress ever send the President future for our children and providing a AFTER RECESS a balanced budget, nor during the Bush choice to lead a life by a path of self- The recess having expired, the House administration. determination and celebration. We was called to order by the Speaker pro The same was true the first 2 years commit to creating a world that ac- tempore (Mr. EWING) at 10 a.m. that President Clinton enjoyed one- cepts all people and provides an equal f party rule in this town, no balanced budget. right to explore given potential. In so PRAYER doing, we become the possibility of The Constitution clearly states that goodness, peace, and humanitarianism The Chaplain, the Reverend Daniel P. only Congress can appropriate money for all. Coughlin, offered the following prayer: for spending. Within 3 years of taking We, the members of the Possibility Lord God of the ages, You love each over Congress, the Republicans not Generation, pledge to each live our pos- of us in singular fashion. You deal with only balanced the budget but also sibilities in the manner that will em- us justly. In differing ways, You draw began paying down the debt. power us as individuals and thus posi- us to Yourself to achieve Your own For decades, the other side had the tively influence society as a whole.’’ purpose. chance to balance the budget but never I am delighted, Mr. Speaker, to host Those who have only tasted Your did. The Republican Congress did it, this group of fine young people in goodness, O Lord, are like newborn in- and now we are reaping the rewards. Washington today, where they will fants longing for pure spiritual milk. f meet leaders from our Congress and Those who have been cut out by Your PERMANENT NORMAL TRADE from the administration, and wish Word and hewed by Your spirit are like RELATIONS WITH CHINA them well as they take on these glo- living stones being built into a spir- rious endeavors. itual house, called to be a holy priest- (Mr. ROEMER asked and was given f hood offering spiritual sacrifice accept- permission to address the House for 1 able to God. minute and to revise and extend his re- NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS Those wholly animated by Your Spir- marks.) WEEK it are like branches on a vine, one in Mr. ROEMER. Mr. Speaker, we cast a The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under life, one in activity, one in producing lot of votes in this body that are often- the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- lasting fruits. times quickly forgotten, but tomorrow

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.005 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 May 23, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3533 we will cast one that will be indelibly Her father forced her to assume many or not Chinese communists have com- etched in the history books, whether or identities to hide and alienate her from promised our national security. not this Congress supports the current her mother. Cecilie learned the truth Unbelievable. status quo of too many human rights from a family friend. And if that is not enough to throw abuses and too many trade deficits She now has a relationship with her wild rice on this China marriage, check with China or whether we want to mother but expressed to me the dev- this out. Congress is about to reward change that policy. astating effects that abduction has on China for buying and spying on Uncle I will vote for permanent trade with the child victims. Sam. China because it benefits America. We At an event I held in March, Cecilie, Beam me up. do not want to support the status quo on behalf of herself and all abducted When the Justice Department spends with China. children, appealed to Congress to do ev- millions of dollars to investigate Bill Just Friday, the European Union ne- erything in its power to discourage Gates of Microsoft but not one dime to gotiated a new agreement with China international parental child abduction investigate the Red Army of China, where they will get certain benefits to by taking action to motivate foreign something is wrong in America. get into those markets in China. Under countries to comply with the spirit and I yield back what looks like treason this agreement, America does not open the intent of the Hague Treaty on the to me. its markets one bit more to China; but Civil Aspects of International Child f we pry open markets for telecommuni- Abduction. IN SUPPORT OF GRANTING PER- cations, agriculture, manufacturing, My colleagues have that chance. Sup- MANENT NORMAL TRADE RELA- and across the board. port H. Con. Res. 293 and help me pre- TIONS TO CHINA Our policy, Mr. Speaker, should be to vent this tragedy from happening pry open and penetrate those markets again. (Mr. TERRY asked and was given so that we export products, not jobs. f permission to address the House for 1 f minute and to revise and extend his re- INS DATA MANAGEMENT marks.) SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR TAX IMPROVEMENT ACT Mr. TERRY. Mr. Speaker, China is (Mr. HEFLEY asked and was given (Mr. GIBBONS asked and was given the third largest military power in the permission to address the House for 1 permission to address the House for 1 world. It has a huge conventional arms minute.) minute and to revise and extend his re- arsenal and developing missile and nu- Mr. HEFLEY. Mr. Speaker, the Fed- marks.) clear capabilities. eral Government is notorious for being Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise Quite frankly, China is a powerful cumbersome and slow to change. When today in strong support of H.R. 4489, threat. But China can be a powerful it comes to making improvements in the INS Data Management Improve- ally. There is no more powerful tool for our 17,000-page Tax Code, this is par- ment Act, which will be coming before a positive change in China than trade ticularly true. this Chamber later today. with America. So it is no great surprise that there The bill will support our border law I worry that this trend towards isola- is a 102-year-old temporary tax law on enforcement objectives without ad- tionism will lead us into another Cold the books which became obsolete less versely affecting U.S. commerce, trade, War, an ugly time of an era gone by, than a year after it became law. That or tourism. where many of my colleagues seem to is right, the Spanish-American War H.R. 4489 does not create a new, cum- long for the old policy of mutually as- tax, which charges Americans a 3-per- bersome inspection system. It does not sured destruction. cent excise tax on their phone line mandate additional documents be re- Mr. Speaker, I urge them to instead usage, was passed by Congress in 1898 quired for entry into the United States. explore the option of mutually assured to pay for the Spanish-American War. H.R. 4489 simply requires that the improvements. Well, the war is over, folks, but the INS develop and maintain an elec- Granting China normal trade rela- tax is still with us. It is hurting 94 per- tronic database of information already tions will have a tremendous impact on cent of Americans who use phone lines collected at our borders. It also estab- our diplomatic relations. This will en- either for personal or business use. lishes a joint public-private sector task hance our ability to improve condi- Why has it not changed? It has not force to evaluate and report on ways to tions in China even more. changed because of the insatiable appe- improve the flow of traffic at all ports f tite of Government for every single tax of entry. IN CELEBRATION OF SMALL dollar it can get its hands on. This sensible legislation supports our BUSINESS WEEK This is wrong. Congress needs to dis- border law enforcement efforts, as well ´ connect the American people from the as the travel and tourism industries of (Ms. VELAZQUEZ asked and was outdated Spanish-American War tax. many States, including Nevada. given permission to address the House f I urge all of my colleagues to support for 1 minute.)´ the INS Data Management Improve- Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, INTERNATIONAL CHILD ment Act. George Bernard Shaw once said, ‘‘Some ABDUCTION f people look at the world and say, (Mr. LAMPSON asked and was given ‘Why?’. Others look at the world and permission to address the House for 1 JUSTICE DEPARTMENT HAS NOT say, ‘Why not?’ ’’. minute.) INVESTIGATED WHETHER CHI- To me, this one statement captures Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise NESE COMMUNISTS HAVE COM- the essence of what it means to be a again today to talk about inter- PROMISED OUR NATIONAL SECU- business owner and entrepreneurs of national child abduction, but this time RITY America. I will tell the story from a different (Mr. TRAFICANT asked and was I rise today in celebration of Small perspective. I am going to tell my col- given permission to address the House Business Week and acknowledge our leagues about Cecilie Finkelstein, a for 1 minute and to revise and extend Nation’s most enduring image and its victim of international parental child his remarks.) greatest legacy, our small businesses. abduction who I have spoken with Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, a Small businesses account for 99.7 per- about the effects that this crime has on memo now proves that the FBI urged cent of America’s employers. They em- the abducted child. Janet Reno to stop investigating ille- ploy 52 percent of the private sector During our discussions, Cecilie ex- gal Chinese campaign contributions to workforce. And they are responsible for pressed to me that parental abduction the Democratic Party. Janet Reno was 47 percent of all sales of goods and can and often does cause tremendous told she would lose her job. Janet Reno services throughout this country. harm to the children involved. In her did not lose her job. But small business is not just about case, she lived on the run for 14 years, Until this day, the Justice Depart- these numbers. These companies rep- living in three countries and 34 States. ment has never investigated whether resent the investors, entrepreneurs,

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.008 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 H3534 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 23, 2000 technical wizards, and dreamers of our China, many with the Motorola brand. RECOGNIZING SOUTH FLORIDA’S business community. And as we com- If Congress passes PNTR, Motorola JIM BROSEMER ON A DISTIN- memorate Small Business Week and could basically take these Chinese GUISHED BROADCASTING CA- the entrepreneurs, we are celebrating plants and use them as an export plat- REER these individuals and we honor those form to disadvantage the American (Mr. FOLEY asked and was given per- who always say ‘‘why not?’’. people, American jobs. mission to address the House for 1 f Vote against PNTR. minute and to revise and extend his re- REPEAL TAX ON TALKING marks.) f Mr. FOLEY. Mr. Speaker, May 28 will (Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas asked mark the end of a long and distin- and was given permission to address INTERNET PRIVACY guished broadcasting career for an icon the House for 1 minute and to revise of south Florida television. Since 1967, and extend his remarks.) (Mr. HUTCHINSON asked and was Jim Brosemer has been a familiar face Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. given permission to address the House delivering the news to the people I rep- Speaker, in 1898 the Federal tax on for 1 minute.) resent. After 17 years as an anchor in telephone service, the tax on talking, Mr. HUTCHINSON. Mr. Speaker, yes- Miami at WTVJ, Jim spent the last 7 was first levied as a temporary meas- terday the Federal Trade Commission years in a variety of capacities at ure to fund the Spanish-American War. released a report to Congress. This re- WPTV channel 5, the NBC affiliate in That war lasted only a few months, and port dealt with the issue of online pri- west Palm Beach. yet the taxes lasted for over a hundred vacy. The report stated: ‘‘Ongoing con- While his regular appearances in years. sumer concerns regarding privacy on- front of the camera are coming to an Unfortunately, in 1990 a Democratic- line and the limited success of self-reg- end, he will now share the same skills controlled Congress made it perma- ulatory efforts to date make it time for that won him four local Emmy awards nent, which just goes to show us one the government to act to protect con- behind the camera as a teacher helping thing about Washington: once there is sumers’ privacy on the Internet.’’ to educate the next generation of jour- a tax on the books, it is almost impos- The important impact of this report nalists. As Jim begins his new duties in sible to get rid of it. is that it urges action by Congress. It teaching and as the government and But this week we are going to is time that we do not simply leave it media liaison for college of commu- achieve the impossible. We are going to to the regulators but that we take leg- nications at Lynn University joins an- get rid of this Federal telephone tax islative action on the issue of privacy. other icon of broadcasting, Irving R. once and for all. This will provide tax The best vehicle for this purpose is the Levine, at their Boca Raton campus, I relief to the nearly 95 percent of Amer- privacy study commission bill that I join the communities of south Florida ican households who have telephone have introduced along with the gen- in wishing Jim Brosemer well, wishing service, and it will help keep the Inter- tleman from Virginia (Mr. MORAN). It him success, and thanking him for his net free from direct taxation. is a bipartisan bill patterned after the years of community service to Palm Teddy Roosevelt and his Rough Rid- privacy study commission of 1974 that Beach County and all of south Florida. ers fought valiantly in the Spanish- gave us hallmark legislation. We need f American War, but we have long since to address it again. It is comprehen- cleared the ledger on that victory. It is sive, it is bipartisan, it is a thoughtful SOCIAL SECURITY a hundred years later and way past approach to the issue of privacy. It is (Ms. DELAURO asked and was given time to repeal this outdated tax on set for markup in the committee on permission to address the House for 1 working Americans. government reform. minute and to revise and extend her re- f I urge my colleagues to take a look marks.) at it because it is time that we were Ms. DELAURO. Mr. Speaker, there MOTOROLA AND TELECOMMUNI- able to go back to the voters and say has been a lot of talk over the past few CATION PRODUCTS IN CHINA we are going to do something about the weeks about competing plans to handle (Mr. KUCINICH asked and was given issue of privacy. Social Security. Since 1935, Americans permission to address the House for 1 have been able to count on an assured minute and to revise and extend his re- f income when they retire through So- marks.) cial Security. Social Security has been there to lift millions of seniors out of Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, a recent NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS poverty, give them the ability to live ad placed by Motorola, and this is the WEEK ad, says, ‘‘China is finally open for with independence and dignity. We business, and America’s factories are (Mr. DAVIS of Illinois asked and was should be working to strengthen Social ready to respond to this historic oppor- given permission to address the House Security, not to undermine it. There is tunity to boost exports to China and for 1 minute and to revise and extend no doubt that we need to reform Social support jobs at home.’’ his remarks.) Security, but it must be the right kind Now, Motorola wants Congress to be- Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I of reform. The wrong kind of reform in- lieve that it will increase jobs and in- rise today in honor of National Small troduces risk, takes money away from vestment at the American factories for Business Week. This is the week we Social Security and undermines that export to China. honor the small business owners across assured income that has served as a A Chinese newspaper gets a different the Nation who have done so much to solid foundation during retirement story. Motorola is telling the Chinese, make our country strong and pros- years. Plans to privatize Social Secu- we are going to invest another $2 bil- perous. America’s 23 million small rity would particularly harm American lion in China once China enters the businesses employ more than half of women because they earn less, live World Trade Organization, which would our country’s private workforce, create longer, take time out to raise children follow this permanent MFN vote, on two out of every three new jobs, and and are more likely to work part time. top of the $1.1 billion that Motorola generate a majority of American inno- Mr. Speaker, we should take this his- has already invested in Chinese produc- vations. In my district, we are experi- toric opportunity to invest our surplus tion. So here is Motorola going to build encing tremendous growth as a result in protecting and strengthening Social a new factory to produce telecommuni- of small businesses. I would hope as we Security instead of gambling it on the cation products in China. get an opportunity in a few days to ups and downs of the stock market. If vote on new market initiatives and the we act now, we can use the budget sur- b 1015 American Community Renewal Act plus to pay down the debt and use the Motorola did not export a single cell that we, Mr. Speaker, would recognize interest saved to strengthen Social Se- phone to the U.S. from China. Last the value of small businesses and vote curity. This plan is a sound investment year the U.S. imported almost $100 mil- this legislation in honor of our small for America’s future and for all Ameri- lion in cell phones that were made in businesses in the country. cans, young and old.

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.010 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 May 23, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3535 REPUBLICAN B.E.S.T. AGENDA SEQUENTIAL VOTES POSTPONED IN COMMITTEE Etheridge Lewis (GA) Porter OF THE WHOLE Evans Lipinski Price (NC) (Mr. KINGSTON asked and was given Farr Lofgren Rangel permission to address the House for 1 The CHAIRMAN pro tempore. Pursu- Fattah Lowey Rivers ant to House Resolution 506, pro- Filner Luther Roemer minute and to revise and extend his re- Ford Maloney (CT) Rohrabacher marks.) ceedings will now resume on those amendments on which further pro- Frank (MA) Maloney (NY) Rothman Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, the Re- Frost Manzullo Roybal-Allard publican Party continues to work on ceedings were postponed in the fol- Ganske Markey Rush Gephardt Mascara Sabo the B.E.S.T. agenda for the American lowing order: amendment No. 1 by the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. ROEMER); Gonzalez Matsui Sanchez people. B stands for building up the Goode McCarthy (MO) Sanders military and looking after our veterans amendment No. 3 by the gentleman Goodlatte McDermott Sandlin and military retirees and active duty from Ohio (Mr. TRAFICANT); amend- Green (TX) McGovern Sawyer ment No. 4 by the gentleman from Ohio Gutierrez McKinney Schaffer personnel. E stands for excellence in Hastings (FL) Meek (FL) Schakowsky (Mr. TRAFICANT). education, local control, where the dol- Hill (IN) Meeks (NY) Serrano lars go to the teacher in the classroom, The Chair will reduce to 5 minutes Hilliard Menendez Sherman Hinchey Metcalf Slaughter not Washington bureaucrats. The S is the time for any electronic vote after the first vote in this series. Hoeffel Millender- Smith (WA) for preserving and strengthening Social Holden McDonald Snyder Security. A major accomplishment of AMENDMENT NO. 1 OFFERED BY MR. ROEMER Holt Miller, George Spratt The CHAIRMAN pro tempore. The Hooley Mink Stabenow Republicans in Congress was to say to Inslee Moore Stark the President, don’t just preserve 62 unfinished business is the demand for a Istook Moran (VA) Strickland percent of the surplus, preserve 100 per- recorded vote on the amendment of- Jackson (IL) Morella Tanner cent. And let’s quit spending that fered by the gentleman from Indiana Jackson-Lee Myrick Tauscher (TX) Nadler Thompson (MS) money on roads and bridges. Also, let (Mr. ROEMER) on which further pro- Jefferson Napolitano Thurman us protect Medicare and pay down the ceedings were postponed and on which Johnson, E. B. Neal Tierney debt. Our budget pays down the public the noes prevailed by voice vote. Kanjorski Obey Towns The Clerk will redesignate the Kaptur Olver Udall (CO) debt by the year 2013. As a father, I Kennedy Owens Udall (NM) think that is one of the best things amendment. Kildee Pallone Upton that I can go home and talk about. The text of the amendment is as fol- Kilpatrick Pascrell Velazquez Then the T in the word ‘‘best’’ stands lows: Kind (WI) Pastor Vento Kucinich Paul Visclosky for tax relief. After we fulfill our obli- Amendment No. 1 offered by Mr. ROEMER: LaFalce Payne Waters gations in Social Security, Medicare At the end of title III add the following Lampson Pelosi Watt (NC) and debt reduction, let us return the new section (and conform the table of con- Lantos Peterson (MN) Wexler tents accordingly): Leach Petri Weygand overpayment in government to the Lee Phelps Woolsey American people. They work 50 and 60 SEC. 306. ANNUAL STATEMENT OF THE TOTAL Levin Pomeroy Wynn hours a week. Money does not grow on AMOUNT OF INTELLIGENCE EX- PENDITURES FOR THE PRECEDING NOES—225 trees. It does not come from Wash- FISCAL YEAR. Aderholt Dunn Jones (NC) ington. It comes from hardworking Section 114 of the National Security Act of Andrews Edwards Kasich taxpayers. Let us return the money to 1947 (50 U.S.C. 404i) is amended— Archer Ehlers Kelly them. (1) by redesignating subsection (c) as sub- Baca Ehrlich King (NY) section (d); and Bachus Emerson Kingston f (2) by inserting after subsection (b) the fol- Baker English Kleczka lowing new subsection: Ballenger Everett Klink INTELLIGENCE AUTHORIZATION Barr Ewing Knollenberg ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2001 ‘‘(c) ANNUAL STATEMENT OF THE TOTAL Barrett (NE) Fletcher Kolbe AMOUNT OF INTELLIGENCE EXPENDITURES FOR Bartlett Foley Kuykendall The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. THE PRECEDING FISCAL YEAR.—Not later than Bass Fowler LaHood EWING). Pursuant to House Resolution February 1 of each year, the Director of Cen- Bateman Franks (NJ) Largent 506 and rule XVIII, the Chair declares tral Intelligence shall submit to Congress a Bentsen Frelinghuysen Latham Bereuter Gallegly LaTourette the House in the Committee of the report containing an unclassified statement of the aggregate appropriations for the fiscal Biggert Gejdenson Lewis (CA) Whole House on the State of the Union Bilbray Gekas Lewis (KY) for the further consideration of the year immediately preceding the current year Bilirakis Gibbons Linder for National Foreign Intelligence Program Bishop Gilchrest LoBiondo bill, H.R. 4392. (NFIP), Tactical and Intelligence and Re- Bliley Gillmor Lucas (KY) b 1022 lated Activities (TIARA), and Joint Military Boehlert Gilman Lucas (OK) Intelligence Program (JMIP) activities, in- Boehner Goodling McCollum IN THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE cluding activities carried out under the Bonilla Gordon McCrery budget of the Department of Defense to col- Bono Goss McHugh Accordingly, the House resolved Boswell Graham McInnis itself into the Committee of the Whole lect, analyze, produce, disseminate, or sup- Brady (TX) Granger McIntyre House on the State of the Union for the port the collection of intelligence.’’. Burr Green (WI) McKeon RECORDED VOTE Burton Greenwood McNulty further consideration of the bill (H.R. Buyer Gutknecht Mica 4392) to authorize appropriations for The CHAIRMAN pro tempore. A re- Callahan Hall (OH) Miller (FL) fiscal year 2001 for intelligence and in- corded vote has been demanded. Calvert Hall (TX) Miller, Gary telligence-related activities of the A recorded vote was ordered. Camp Hansen Mollohan Canady Hastings (WA) Moran (KS) United States Government, the Com- The vote was taken by electronic de- Cannon Hayes Murtha munity Management Account, and the vice, and there were—ayes 175, noes 225, Cardin Hayworth Nethercutt Central Intelligence Agency Retire- not voting 34, as follows: Castle Hefley Ney Chambliss Herger Northup ment and Disability System, and for [Roll No. 214] Clement Hill (MT) Norwood other purposes, with Mr. HUTCHINSON AYES—175 Coble Hilleary Nussle Coburn Hinojosa Ortiz (Chairman pro tempore) in the chair. Abercrombie Boyd Danner Collins Hobson Ose The Clerk read the title of the bill. Allen Brady (PA) Davis (FL) Combest Hoekstra Oxley Baird Brown (FL) Davis (IL) The CHAIRMAN pro tempore. When Cook Horn Packard Baldacci Campbell DeFazio the Committee of the Whole rose on Cox Hostettler Pease Baldwin Capps DeGette Cramer Houghton Peterson (PA) Monday, May 22, 2000, a request for a Barcia Carson Delahunt Crane Hoyer Pickering Barrett (WI) Chabot DeLauro recorded vote on amendment No. 4 Cubin Hulshof Pickett Becerra Clay Deutsch printed in the CONGRESSIONAL RECORD Cunningham Hunter Pitts Berkley Clayton Dicks Davis (VA) Hutchinson Portman by the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Berman Clyburn Dingell Deal Hyde Pryce (OH) TRAFICANT) had been postponed and the Berry Condit Dixon DeMint Isakson Quinn Blagojevich Conyers Doggett bill was open for amendment at any Diaz-Balart Jenkins Radanovich Blumenauer Costello Dooley point. Doolittle John Rahall Bonior Coyne Duncan Doyle Johnson (CT) Ramstad Are there further eligible amend- Borski Crowley Engel Dreier Johnson, Sam Reyes ments to the bill? Boucher Cummings Eshoo

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.017 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 H3536 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 23, 2000 Reynolds Shuster Thomas ligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year Maloney (NY) Phelps Smith (WA) Riley Simpson Thompson (CA) 2000 (Public Law 106–120, 113 Stat. 1613) (re- Manzullo Pickering Snyder Rogan Sisisky Thornberry lating to a description of the effects of espio- Markey Pickett Souder Rogers Skeen Thune Mascara Pitts Spence Ros-Lehtinen Skelton Toomey nage against the United States, conducted Matsui Pombo Spratt Roukema Smith (MI) Traficant by or on behalf of other nations, on United McCarthy (MO) Pomeroy Stabenow Royce Smith (NJ) Turner States trade secrets, patents, and technology McCollum Porter Stark Ryan (WI) Smith (TX) Vitter development). McCrery Portman Stearns Ryun (KS) Souder Walden McDermott Price (NC) Stenholm RECORDED VOTE Salmon Spence Walsh McGovern Pryce (OH) Strickland Sanford Stearns Wamp The CHAIRMAN pro tempore. A re- McHugh Quinn Stump Saxton Stenholm Watkins corded vote has been demanded. McInnis Radanovich Sununu Scott Stump Watts (OK) McIntyre Rahall Sweeney Sensenbrenner Sununu Weldon (FL) A recorded vote was ordered. McKeon Ramstad Talent Sessions Sweeney Weldon (PA) The CHAIRMAN pro tempore. This McKinney Rangel Tancredo Shadegg Talent Weller will be a 5-minute vote. McNulty Regula Tanner Shaw Tancredo Whitfield Meehan Reyes Tauscher Shays Tauzin Wicker The vote was taken by electronic de- Meek (FL) Reynolds Tauzin Sherwood Taylor (MS) Wilson vice, and there were—ayes 407, noes 1, Meeks (NY) Riley Taylor (MS) Shimkus Taylor (NC) Wolf not voting 26, as follows: Menendez Rivers Taylor (NC) Shows Terry Wu Metcalf Roemer Terry [Roll No. 215] Mica Rogan Thomas NOT VOTING—34 AYES—407 Millender- Rogers Thompson (CA) Ackerman Fossella Regula McDonald Rohrabacher Thompson (MS) Armey Jones (OH) Rodriguez Abercrombie Cubin Hayes Miller (FL) Ros-Lehtinen Thornberry Barton Larson Scarborough Aderholt Cummings Hayworth Miller, Gary Rothman Thune Blunt Lazio Stupak Allen Cunningham Hefley Miller, George Roukema Thurman Brown (OH) Martinez Tiahrt Andrews Danner Herger Mink Roybal-Allard Tierney Bryant McCarthy (NY) Waxman Archer Davis (FL) Hill (IN) Moakley Royce Toomey Capuano McIntosh Weiner Baca Davis (IL) Hill (MT) Mollohan Rush Towns Chenoweth-Hage Meehan Wise Baird Davis (VA) Hilleary Moore Ryan (WI) Traficant Cooksey Minge Young (AK) Baker Deal Hilliard Moran (KS) Ryun (KS) Turner DeLay Moakley Young (FL) Baldacci DeFazio Hinchey Moran (VA) Sabo Udall (CO) Dickey Oberstar Baldwin DeGette Hinojosa Morella Salmon Udall (NM) Forbes Pombo Ballenger Delahunt Hobson Murtha Sanchez Upton Barcia DeLauro Hoeffel Myrick Sanders Velazquez b 1050 Barr DeMint Hoekstra Nadler Sandlin Vento Barrett (NE) Deutsch Holden Napolitano Sanford Visclosky Messrs. SHIMKUS, WAMP, and BUR- Barrett (WI) Diaz-Balart Holt Neal Sawyer Vitter TON of Indiana changed their vote Bartlett Dickey Hooley Nethercutt Saxton Walden from ‘‘aye’’ to ‘‘no.’’ Bass Dicks Horn Ney Schaffer Walsh Mr. CAMPBELL changed his vote Bateman Dingell Hostettler Northup Schakowsky Wamp Becerra Dixon Houghton Norwood Scott Waters from ‘‘no’’ to ‘‘aye.’’ Bentsen Doggett Hoyer Nussle Sensenbrenner Watkins So the amendment was rejected. Bereuter Dooley Hulshof Obey Serrano Watt (NC) The result of the vote was announced Berkley Doolittle Hunter Olver Sessions Watts (OK) Berman Doyle Hutchinson as above recorded. Ortiz Shadegg Weldon (FL) Berry Dreier Hyde Ose Shaw Weldon (PA) Stated against: Biggert Duncan Inslee Owens Shays Weller Mr. FOSSELLA. Mr. Chairman, I am not re- Bilbray Dunn Isakson Oxley Sherman Wexler Bilirakis Edwards Istook Packard Sherwood Weygand corded on rollcall No. 214, an amendment to Bishop Ehlers Jackson (IL) H.R. 4392. I was unavoidably detained and Pallone Shimkus Whitfield Blagojevich Ehrlich Jackson-Lee Pascrell Shows Wicker was not present to vote. Had I been present, Bliley Emerson (TX) Pastor Simpson Wilson I would have voted ``no'' on rollcall No. 214. Blumenauer Engel Jefferson Paul Sisisky Wolf Boehlert English Jenkins Payne Skeen Woolsey ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE CHAIRMAN PRO Boehner Eshoo John Pease Skelton Wu TEMPORE Bonilla Etheridge Johnson (CT) Pelosi Slaughter Wynn The CHAIRMAN pro tempore (Mr. Bonior Evans Johnson, E. B. Peterson (MN) Smith (MI) Young (FL) Bono Everett Johnson, Sam HUTCHINSON). Pursuant to House Reso- Peterson (PA) Smith (NJ) Borski Ewing Jones (NC) Petri Smith (TX) lution 506, the Chair announces that he Boswell Farr Jones (OH) will reduce to a minimum of 5 minutes Boucher Fattah Kanjorski NOES—1 the period of time within which a vote Boyd Filner Kaptur Shuster Brady (PA) Fletcher Kasich by electronic device will be taken on Brady (TX) Foley Kelly NOT VOTING—26 each amendment on which the Chair Brown (FL) Ford Kennedy Ackerman DeLay Rodriguez has postponed further proceedings. Burr Fossella Kildee Armey Forbes Scarborough Burton Fowler Kilpatrick AMENDMENT NO. 3 OFFERED BY MR. TRAFICANT Bachus Larson Stupak Buyer Frank (MA) Kind (WI) Barton Lazio Tiahrt The CHAIRMAN pro tempore. The Callahan Franks (NJ) King (NY) Blunt Martinez Waxman unfinished business is the demand for a Calvert Frelinghuysen Kingston Brown (OH) McCarthy (NY) Weiner recorded vote on Amendment No. 3 of- Camp Frost Kleczka Bryant McIntosh Wise Campbell Gallegly Klink Capuano Minge Young (AK) fered by the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Canady Ganske Knollenberg Cooksey Oberstar TRAFICANT) on which further pro- Cannon Gejdenson Kolbe ceedings were postponed and on which Capps Gekas Kucinich b 1059 Cardin Gephardt Kuykendall the ayes prevailed by voice vote. Carson Gibbons LaFalce So the amendment was agreed to. The Clerk will redesignate the Castle Gilchrest LaHood The result of the vote was announced amendment. Chabot Gillmor Lampson as above recorded. Chambliss Gilman Lantos AMENDMENT NO. 4 OFFERED BY MR. TRAFICANT The text of the amendment is as fol- Chenoweth-Hage Gonzalez Largent lows: Clay Goode Latham The CHAIRMAN pro tempore (Mr. Amendment No. 3 offered by Mr. TRAFI- Clayton Goodlatte LaTourette EWING). The unfinished business is the CANT: Clement Goodling Leach demand for a recorded vote on amend- At the end of title III, insert the following Clyburn Gordon Lee Coble Goss Levin ment No. 4, offered by the gentleman new section (and conform the table of con- Coburn Graham Lewis (CA) from Ohio (Mr. TRAFICANT) on which tents accordingly): Collins Granger Lewis (GA) further proceedings were postponed and SEC. 306. UPDATE OF REPORT ON EFFECTS OF Combest Green (TX) Lewis (KY) on which the ayes prevailed by a voice FOREIGN ESPIONAGE ON UNITED Condit Green (WI) Linder STATES TRADE SECRETS Conyers Greenwood Lipinski vote. By not later than 270 days after the date of Cook Gutierrez LoBiondo The Clerk will redesignate the the enactment of this Act, the Director of Costello Gutknecht Lofgren amendment. Cox Hall (OH) Lowey The text of the amendment is as fol- Central Intelligence shall submit to Con- Coyne Hall (TX) Lucas (KY) gress a report that updates, and revises as Cramer Hansen Lucas (OK) lows: necessary, the report prepared by the Direc- Crane Hastings (FL) Luther Amendment No. 4 offered by Mr. TRAFI- tor pursuant to section 310 of the Intel- Crowley Hastings (WA) Maloney (CT) CANT:

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A23MY7.001 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 May 23, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3537 At the end of the bill, add the following Maloney (CT) Petri Smith (TX) legislation (H.R. 4392) this morning, my vote new section: Maloney (NY) Phelps Smith (WA) Manzullo Pickering Snyder was not recorded on several rollcall votes. SEC. l. The Director shall report to the Markey Pickett Souder Had I been present, I would have voted House Permanent Select Committee on In- Mascara Pitts Spence ``aye'' on rollcall 214; I would have voted telligence within 60 days whether the poli- Matsui Pombo Spratt ``aye'' on rollcall vote 215; and I would have cies and goals of the People’s Republic of McCarthy (MO) Pomeroy Stabenow China constitute a threat to our national se- McCollum Porter Stark voted ``aye'' on rollcall vote 216. curity. McCrery Portman Stearns PERSONAL EXPLANATION McDermott Price (NC) Stenholm RECORDED VOTE Mr. MINGE. Mr. Chairman, on rollcall Nos. McGovern Pryce (OH) Strickland 214, 215, and 216, I was physically ill and un- The CHAIRMAN pro tempore. A re- McHugh Quinn Stump able to vote. Had I been present, I would have corded vote has been demanded. McInnis Radanovich Sununu McIntyre Rahall Sweeney voted ``aye'' on all said votes. A recorded vote was ordered. McKeon Ramstad Talent The CHAIRMAN pro tempore. If The CHAIRMAN pro tempore. This McKinney Rangel Tancredo there are no other amendments, the will be a 5-minute vote. McNulty Regula Tanner Meehan Reyes Tauscher question is on the committee amend- The vote was taken by electronic de- Meek (FL) Reynolds Tauzin ment in the nature of a substitute, as vice, and there were—ayes 404, noes 8, Meeks (NY) Riley Taylor (MS) amended. not voting 22, as follows: Menendez Rivers Taylor (NC) Metcalf Roemer Terry The committee amendment in the [Roll No. 216] Mica Rogan Thomas nature of a substitute, as amended, was AYES—404 Millender- Rogers Thompson (CA) agreed to. McDonald Rohrabacher Thompson (MS) The CHAIRMAN pro tempore. Under Abercrombie Crane Hansen Miller (FL) Ros-Lehtinen Thornberry Aderholt Crowley Hastings (FL) Miller, Gary Rothman Thune the rule, the Committee rises. Allen Cubin Hastings (WA) Miller, George Roukema Thurman Accordingly, the Committee rose; Andrews Cummings Hayes Mink Roybal-Allard Tierney and the Speaker pro tempore (Mr. Archer Cunningham Hayworth Moakley Royce Toomey SHIMKUS) having assumed the chair, Armey Danner Hefley Mollohan Rush Towns Baca Davis (FL) Herger Moore Ryan (WI) Traficant Mr. Ewing, Chairman pro tempore of Bachus Davis (IL) Hill (IN) Moran (KS) Ryun (KS) Turner the Committee of the Whole House on Baird Davis (VA) Hill (MT) Moran (VA) Sabo Udall (CO) the State of the Union, reported that Baker Deal Hilleary Morella Salmon Udall (NM) that Committee, having had under con- Baldacci DeFazio Hilliard Murtha Sanchez Upton Baldwin DeGette Hinchey Myrick Sanders Velazquez sideration the bill (H.R. 4392) to au- Ballenger Delahunt Hinojosa Nadler Sandlin Vento thorize appropriations for fiscal year Barcia DeLauro Hobson Napolitano Sanford Visclosky 2001 for intelligence and intelligence- Barr DeLay Hoeffel Neal Sawyer Vitter Barrett (NE) DeMint Hoekstra Nethercutt Saxton Walden related activities of the United States Barrett (WI) Deutsch Holden Ney Schaffer Walsh Government, the Community Manage- Bartlett Diaz-Balart Holt Northup Schakowsky Wamp ment Account, and the Central Intel- Bass Dickey Hooley Norwood Scott Waters ligence Agency Retirement and Dis- Bateman Dicks Horn Nussle Sensenbrenner Watkins Becerra Dingell Hostettler Obey Serrano Watts (OK) ability System, and for other purposes, Bentsen Dixon Hoyer Olver Sessions Weldon (FL) pursuant to House Resolution 506, he Berkley Doggett Hulshof Ortiz Shadegg Weldon (PA) reported the bill back to the House Berman Dooley Hunter Ose Shaw Weller Berry Doolittle Hutchinson Owens Shays Wexler with an amendment adopted by the Biggert Doyle Hyde Oxley Sherman Weygand Committee of the Whole. Bilbray Dreier Inslee Packard Sherwood Whitfield The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under Bilirakis Duncan Isakson Pallone Shimkus Wicker the rule, the previous question is or- Bishop Dunn Istook Pascrell Shows Wilson Blagojevich Edwards Jackson (IL) Pastor Simpson Wolf dered. Bliley Ehlers Jackson-Lee Paul Sisisky Woolsey Is a separate vote demanded on any Blumenauer Ehrlich (TX) Payne Skeen Wu amendment to the committee amend- Blunt Emerson Jefferson Pease Skelton Wynn ment in the nature of a substitute Boehlert Engel Jenkins Pelosi Slaughter Young (FL) Boehner English John Peterson (MN) Smith (MI) adopted by the Committee of the Bonilla Eshoo Johnson, E. B. Peterson (PA) Smith (NJ) Whole. If not, the question is on the Bonior Etheridge Johnson, Sam Bono Evans Jones (NC) NOES—8 amendment. The amendment was agreed to. Borski Everett Jones (OH) Bereuter Houghton Shuster Boswell Ewing Kanjorski Coyne Johnson (CT) Watt (NC) The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Boucher Farr Kaptur Frank (MA) Kolbe question is the engrossment and third Boyd Fattah Kasich NOT VOTING—22 reading of the bill. Brady (PA) Filner Kelly The bill was ordered to be engrossed Brady (TX) Fletcher Kennedy Ackerman Lazio Stupak Brown (FL) Foley Kildee Barton Martinez Tiahrt and read a third time, was read the Burr Ford Kilpatrick Brown (OH) McCarthy (NY) Waxman third time, and passed, and a motion to Burton Fossella Kind (WI) Bryant McIntosh Weiner reconsider was laid on the table. Buyer Fowler King (NY) Capuano Minge Wise f Callahan Franks (NJ) Kingston Cooksey Oberstar Young (AK) Calvert Frelinghuysen Kleczka Forbes Rodriguez AUTHORIZING THE CLERK TO Camp Frost Klink Larson Scarborough Campbell Gallegly Knollenberg MAKE CORRECTIONS IN EN- Canady Ganske Kucinich b 1107 GROSSMENT OF H.R. 4392, INTEL- Cannon Gejdenson Kuykendall Capps Gekas LaFalce So the amendment was agreed to. LIGENCE AUTHORIZATION ACT Cardin Gephardt LaHood The result of the vote was announced FOR FISCAL YEAR 2001 Carson Gibbons Lampson as above recorded. Mr. GOSS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unani- Castle Gilchrest Lantos PERSONAL EXPLANATION Chabot Gillmor Largent mous consent that in the engrossment Chambliss Gilman Latham Mr. TIAHRT. Mr. Chairman, I was unavoid- of the bill, H.R. 4392, the Clerk be au- Chenoweth-Hage Gonzalez LaTourette ably detained today and missed rollcall vote thorized to make such technical and Clay Goode Leach Nos. 214±216, Rollcall vote No. 214 was a Clayton Goodlatte Lee conforming changes as necessary to re- Clement Goodling Levin Roemer amendment to H.R. 4392, the Intel- flect the actions of the House. Clyburn Gordon Lewis (CA) ligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001; The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Coble Goss Lewis (GA) rollcall vote Nos. 215 and 216 were Traficant EWING). Is there objection to the re- Coburn Graham Lewis (KY) amendments to H.R. 4392. Had I been Collins Granger Linder quest of the gentleman from Florida? Combest Green (TX) Lipinski present, I would have voted ``no'' on rollcall There was no objection. Condit Green (WI) LoBiondo vote number 214 and ``aye'' on rollcall votes f Conyers Greenwood Lofgren 215 and 216. Cook Gutierrez Lowey PERSONAL EXPLANATION GENERAL LEAVE Costello Gutknecht Lucas (KY) Cox Hall (OH) Lucas (OK) Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Chairman, during the Mr. GOSS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unani- Cramer Hall (TX) Luther consideration of the Intelligence Authorization mous consent that all Members may

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A23MY7.007 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 H3538 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 23, 2000 have 5 legislative days within which to ing stations, water treatment facilities, res- ments of the water supply project during the revise and extend their remarks and in- ervoirs, and pipelines up to the point of de- period beginning on May 1 and ending on Oc- clude extraneous material on H.R. 4392, livery of water by the water supply system tober 31 of each year. the bill just considered and passed. to each member entity that distributes (b) QUALIFICATION TO USE PICK-SLOAN water at retail to individual users. POWER.—For operation during the period be- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there (6) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ objection to the request of the gen- ginning May 1 and ending October 31 of each means the Secretary of the Interior. year, for as long as the water supply system tleman from Florida? (7) WATER SUPPLY PROJECT.— operates on a not-for-profit basis, the por- There was no objection. (A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘‘water supply tions of the water supply project constructed f project’’ means the physical components of with assistance under this title shall be eli- the Lewis and Clark Rural Water Project. gible to receive firm power from the Pick- ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER (B) INCLUSIONS.—The term ‘‘water supply Sloan Missouri Basin program established by PRO TEMPORE project’’ includes— section 9 of the Act of December 22, 1944 (i) necessary pumping, treatment, and dis- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- (chapter 665; 58 Stat. 887), popularly known tribution facilities; as the Flood Control Act of 1944. ant to the provisions of clause 8 of rule (ii) pipelines; XX, the Chair announces that he will (iii) appurtenant buildings and property SEC. 106. NO LIMITATION ON WATER PROJECTS IN STATES. postpone further proceedings today on rights; each motion to suspend the rules on (iv) electrical power transmission and dis- This title does not limit the authorization which a recorded vote or the yeas and tribution facilities necessary for services to for water projects in the States of South Da- nays are ordered, or on which the vote water systems facilities; and kota, Iowa, and Minnesota under law in ef- fect on or after the date of enactment of this is objected to under clause 6 of rule (v) such other pipelines, pumping plants, and facilities as the Secretary considers nec- Act. XX. essary and appropriate to meet the water SEC. 107. WATER RIGHTS. Any record votes on postponed ques- supply, economic, public health, and envi- Nothing in this title— tions will be taken after debate has ronment needs of the member entities (in- (1) invalidates or preempts State water law concluded on all motions to suspend cluding water storage tanks, water lines, and or an interstate compact governing water; other facilities for the member entities). the rules. (2) alters the rights of any State to any ap- (8) WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM.—The term f propriated share of the waters of any body of ‘‘water supply system’’ means the Lewis and surface or ground water, whether determined LEWIS AND CLARK RURAL WATER Clark Rural Water System, Inc., a nonprofit by past or future interstate compacts or by corporation established and operated sub- SYSTEM ACT OF 2000 past or future legislative or final judicial al- stantially in accordance with the feasibility locations; Mr. DOOLITTLE. Mr. Speaker, I study. move to suspend the rules and pass the (3) preempts or modifies any Federal or SEC. 103. FEDERAL ASSISTANCE FOR THE WATER State law, or interstate compact, governing bill (H.R. 297) to authorize the con- SUPPLY SYSTEM. struction of the Lewis and Clark Rural water quality or disposal; or (a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall make (4) confers on any non-Federal entity the Water System and to authorize assist- grants to the water supply system for the ability to exercise any Federal right to the ance to the Lewis and Clark Rural planning and construction of the water sup- waters of any stream or to any ground water Water System, Inc., a nonprofit cor- ply project. resource. poration, for the planning and con- (b) SERVICE AREA.—The water supply sys- tem shall provide for the member entities SEC. 108. COST SHARING. struction of the water supply system, safe and adequate municipal, rural, and in- (a) FEDERAL COST SHARE.— and for other purposes, as amended. dustrial water supplies, mitigation of wet- (1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in The Clerk read as follows: land areas, and water conservation in— paragraph (2), the Secretary shall provide H.R. 297 (1) Lake County, McCook County, Minne- funds equal to 80 percent of— Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- haha County, Turner County, Lincoln Coun- (A) the amount allocated in the total resentatives of the United States of America in ty, Clay County, and Union County, in project construction budget for planning and Congress assembled, southeastern South Dakota; construction of the water supply project (2) Rock County and Nobles County, in under section 103; and TITLE I—LEWIS AND CLARK RURAL southwestern Minnesota; and (B) such amounts as are necessary to de- WATER SYSTEM (3) Lyon County, Sioux County, Osceola fray increases in development costs reflected SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE. County, O’Brien County, Dickinson County, in appropriate engineering cost indices after This title may be cited as the ‘‘Lewis and and Clay County, in northwestern Iowa. September 1, 1993. Clark Rural Water System Act of 2000’’. (c) AMOUNT OF GRANTS.—Grants made (2) SIOUX FALLS.—The Secretary shall pro- SEC. 102. DEFINITIONS. available under subsection (a) to the water vide funds for the city of Sioux Falls, South In this title: supply system shall not exceed the amount Dakota, in an amount equal to 50 percent of (1) FEASIBILITY STUDY.—The term ‘‘feasi- of funds authorized under section 108. the incremental cost to the city of participa- bility study’’ means the study entitled ‘‘Fea- (d) LIMITATION ON AVAILABILITY OF CON- tion in the project. STRUCTION FUNDS.—The Secretary shall not sibility Level Evaluation of a Missouri River (b) NON-FEDERAL COST SHARE.— obligate funds for the construction of the Regional Water Supply for South Dakota, (1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in Iowa and Minnesota’’, dated September 1993, water supply project until— paragraph (2), the non-Federal share of the that includes a water conservation plan, en- (1) the requirements of the National Envi- costs allocated to the water supply system vironmental report, and environmental en- ronmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 shall be 20 percent of the amounts described hancement component. et seq.) are met; and in subsection (a)(1). (2) a final engineering report and a plan for (2) INCREMENTAL COST.—The term ‘‘incre- (2) SIOUX FALLS.—The non-Federal cost- mental cost’’ means the cost of the savings a water conservation program are prepared share for the city of Sioux Falls, South Da- to the project were the city of Sioux Falls and submitted to the Congress not less than kota, shall be 50 percent of the incremental not to participate in the water supply sys- 90 days before the commencement of con- cost to the city of participation in the tem. struction of the water supply project. project. (3) MEMBER ENTITY.—The term ‘‘member SEC. 104. MITIGATION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE SEC. 109. BUREAU OF RECLAMATION. entity’’ means a rural water system or mu- LOSSES. nicipality that meets the requirements for Mitigation for fish and wildlife losses in- (a) AUTHORIZATION.—At the request of the membership as defined by the Lewis and curred as a result of the construction and op- water supply system, the Secretary may Clark Rural Water System, Inc. bylaws, eration of the water supply project shall be allow the Commissioner of Reclamation to dated September 6, 1990. on an acre-for-acre basis, based on ecological provide project construction oversight to the (4) PROJECT CONSTRUCTION BUDGET.—The equivalency, concurrent with project con- water supply project for the service area of term ‘‘project construction budget’’ means struction, as provided in the feasibility the water supply system described in section the description of the total amount of funds study. 103(b). needed for the construction of the water sup- SEC. 105. USE OF PICK-SLOAN POWER. (b) PROJECT OVERSIGHT ADMINISTRATION.— ply project, as contained in the feasibility (a) IN GENERAL.—From power designated The amount of funds used by the Commis- study. for future irrigation and drainage pumping sioner of Reclamation for oversight de- (5) PUMPING AND INCIDENTAL OPERATIONAL for the Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin program, scribed in subsection (a) shall not exceed the REQUIREMENTS.—The term ‘‘pumping and in- the Western Area Power Administration amount that is equal to 1 percent of the cidental operational requirements’’ means shall make available, at the firm power rate, amount provided in the total project con- all power requirements that are necessary the capacity and energy required to meet the struction budget for the entire project con- for the operation of intake facilities, pump- pumping and incidental operational require- struction period.

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.026 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 May 23, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3539 SEC. 110. PROJECT OWNERSHIP AND RESPONSI- the precise amount to be determined by the The Lewis and Clark Rural Water BILITY. Secretary through a cost allocation, to the System bears tremendous significance The water supply system shall retain title unpaid capital obligation of the City of Rose- to the States that eventually will be to all project facilities during and after con- ville, California (in this section referred to served by the delivery of water from an struction, and shall be responsible for all op- as the ‘‘City’’), as such obligation is cal- eration, maintenance, repair, and rehabilita- culated in accordance with applicable Fed- aquifer near the Missouri River at tion costs of the project. eral reclamation law and Central Valley Vermillion, South Dakota. My con- SEC. 111. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. Project rate setting policy, in recognition of stituents have expressed the signifi- There is authorized to be appropriated to future benefits to be accrued by the United cance of this project in no uncertain carry out this title $213,887,700, to remain States as a result of the City’s purchase and terms to me; and, as a result, H.R. 297 available until expended. funding of the installation of additional was the first bill that I introduced this TITLE II—SLY PARK UNIT CONVEYANCE pumping plant facilities in accordance with Congress and has been one of my top SEC. 201. DEFINITIONS. a letter of agreement with the United States legislative priorities since serving in For the purpose of this title, the term— numbered 5–07–20–X0331 and dated January Congress. (1) ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Secretary of the 26, 1995. The Secretary shall simultaneously I would also like to thank the gen- add an equivalent amount of costs to the Interior; tleman from Minnesota (Mr. MINGE), (2) ‘‘Sly Park Unit’’ means the Sly Park capital costs of the Central Valley Project, and such added costs shall be reimbursed in the cosponsor of this legislation, and Dam and Reservoir, Camp Creek Diversion the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Dam and Tunnel, and conduits and canals as accordance with reclamation law and policy. authorized under the American River Act of (b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The credit under sub- LATHAM), both of whose districts will October 14, 1949 (63 Stat. 853), including those section (a) shall take effect upon the date on be served by this water project. used to convey, treat, and store water deliv- which— I would also like to thank the gen- ered from Sly Park, as well as all recreation (1) the City and the Secretary of the Inte- tleman from California (Chairman DOO- facilities thereto; and rior have agreed that the installation of the LITTLE); the gentleman from Alaska facilities referred to in subsection (a) has (3) ‘‘District’’ means the El Dorado Irriga- (Chairman YOUNG); the Speaker; the tion District. been completed in accordance with the terms majority leader; the majority whip; the and conditions of the letter of agreement re- SEC. 202. TRANSFER OF SLY PARK UNIT. ferred to in subsection (a); and gentleman from California (Mr. (a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall, as (2) the Secretary of the Interior has issued GEORGE MILLER), the ranking member; soon as practicable after date of the enact- a determination that such facilities are fully and the staffs of those committees and ment of this Act and in accordance with all operative as intended. the leadership staff, particularly Tom applicable law, transfer all right, title, and interest in and to the Sly Park Unit to the The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Pyle in the House majority whip’s of- District. ant to the rule, the gentleman from fice; and the gentleman on my staff, (b) SALE PRICE.—The Secretary is author- California (Mr. DOOLITTLE) and the Jafar Karim, for the hard work that ized to receive from the District $2,000,000 to gentleman from California (Mr. they have put in making this bill be- relieve payment obligations and extinguish GEORGE MILLER) each will control 20 come a reality. the debt under contract number 14–06–200– I would also like to recognize, Mr. 949IR2, and $9,500,000 to relieve payment obli- minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman Speaker, the project sponsors, those gations and extinguish all debts associated community leaders, the Lewis and from California (Mr. DOOLITTLE). with contracts numbered 14–06–200–7734, as Clark Rural Water System, who have amended by contracts numbered 14–06–200– b 1115 4282A and 14–06–200–8536A. Notwithstanding fought hard and been so persistent in the preceding sentence, the District shall Mr. DOOLITTLE. Mr. Speaker, I moving this project forward. continue to make payments required by sec- yield myself such time as I may con- It has been a long process. This bill tion 3407(c) of Public Law 102–575 through sume. was introduced back in 1994. It has year 2029. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from been refined and reworked to where we (c) CREDIT REVENUE TO PROJECT REPAY- South Dakota (Mr. THUNE) introduced are today. MENT.—Upon payment authorized under sub- Let me just very briefly state why I section (b), the amount paid shall be credited H.R. 297, the Lewis and Clark Rural Water System at the beginning of this believe it is so important and why this toward repayment of capital costs of the is important that this bill move at this 106th Congress. The legislation is de- Central Valley Project in an amount equal time. First off, this helps fulfill prom- to the associated undiscounted obligation. signed to provide replacement or sup- ises made by the Federal Government SEC. 203. FUTURE BENEFITS. plemental water supplies in the Mis- to South Dakota in the Flood Control Upon payment, the Sly Park Unit shall no souri River, the portions of South Da- Act of 1944, wherein South Dakota gave longer be a Federal reclamation project or a kota, Iowa, and Minnesota, serving in up over half a million acres of prime unit of the Central Valley Project, and the total about 180,000 people, of which ap- bottom land in exchange for irrigation District shall not be entitled to receive any proximately 150,000 people reside in further reclamation benefits. benefits and other benefits, many of Sioux Falls metropolitan area. SEC. 204. LIABILITY. which never materialized. Except as otherwise provided by law, effec- The estimated cost of the project is Secondly, the legislation authorizes tive on the date of conveyance of the Sly $283 million in 1993 dollars with a 10 construction of a water system that, Park Unit under this title, the United States percent State share and 10 percent when built, will meet critical water shall not be liable for damages of any kind local cost share based on the willing- needs of 22 communities in South Da- arising out of any act, omission, or occur- ness-to-pay analysis. kota, Iowa, and Minnesota. Over 180,000 rence based on its prior ownership or oper- We have been working with the gen- ation of the conveyed property. people will be served with clean drink- tleman from South Dakota (Mr. ing water. TITLE III—TREATMENT OF PROJECT THUNE) on a number of the issues. As Mr. Speaker, this legislation is im- COSTS FOR SLY PARK UNIT currently presented, the bill addresses portant because this is a health issue. SEC. 301. TREATMENT OF PROJECT COSTS. several other issues of concern to the This is a safety issue, and this is an To the extent costs associated with the Sly gentleman from California (Mr. Park Unit are included as a reimbursable economic development issue for these cost of the Central Valley Project, the Sec- GEORGE MILLER) and me. communities. retary is authorized to exclude such costs in Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the Finally, it is important, Mr. Speaker, excess of those repaid by the Sly Park Unit gentleman from South Dakota (Mr. that we do this now because of the beneficiaries from the pooled reimbursable THUNE), the author of the bill, to more growing sense of urgency when it costs of the Central Valley Project until fully explain his legislation. comes to the water needs of this area such time as the facility is operationally in- Mr. THUNE. Mr. Speaker, I do appre- and because this legislation has been tegrated into the water supply yield of the ciate the opportunity to speak on this around and been refined and reworked Central Valley Project. bill, which is so important to my State over four sessions of Congress. The TITLE IV—CITY OF ROSEVILLE PUMPING of South Dakota. H.R. 297 would au- time for action is now. PLANT FACILITIES thorize appropriations for construction I want to express my appreciation to SEC. 401. CREDIT FOR INSTALLATION OF ADDI- of the Lewis and Clark Rural Water those who have helped us bring it to TIONAL PUMPING PLANT FACILITIES IN ACCORDANCE WITH AGREEMENT. System which, when complete, will this point and the opportunity to move (a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the In- supply water to 22 communities in this legislation forward, and so I en- terior shall credit an amount up to $1,164,600, South Dakota, Iowa, and Minnesota. courage all my colleagues to support

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A23MY7.010 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 H3540 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 23, 2000 the legislation; and on behalf of the from the water level uncertainties associated named the islands ‘‘L’Archipel des people of South Dakota, I thank my with shallow aquifers in the future. That cer- Navigateurs,’’ and for generations thereafter the colleagues. tainty not only lends peace of mind to local entire Samoan island group was known to the Western World as the ‘‘Navigator Islands’’; Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. citizens, but is also crucial to the area's eco- Whereas in 1787, Frenchman Jean Francois Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time nomic development plans. The business cli- La Perouse landed on the shores of these islands as I may consume. mate cannot flourish when the water supply is and thus began the ‘‘opening’’ of Samoa to the Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the questionable. West, with American whalers as the principal committee amendment to H.R. 297, the The Senate has already passed legislation group to engage the people of Samoa in trade bill to authorize the Lewis and Clark authorizing the Lewis and Clark Rural Water and commerce, followed from 1830 on by English Rural Water System. missionaries; System Act. Time is of the essence for this Whereas in 1839, as part of a congressionally The Lewis and Clark Rural Water project and it is my hope that any differences authorized trip to the Pacific, United States System is designed to provide replace- with the Senate can be quickly resolved. Navy commander Charles Wilkes visited the is- ment or supplemental water supplies Mr. Speaker, I again ask my colleagues to land of Tutuila and later reported favorably in from the Missouri River to areas in support H.R. 297. support of establishing a structured relationship southeastern South Dakota, north- Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. between the island and the United States; western Iowa, and southwestern Min- Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance Whereas on March 2, 1872, Richard Meade, nesota serving up to about 180,000 peo- commander of the U.S.S. Narragansett, visited of my time. Pago Pago, and, on his own responsibility, ple. Mr. DOOLITTLE. Mr. Speaker, I urge made an agreement with High Chief Mauga en- This region has seen substantial passage of the bill, and I yield back the titled ‘‘Commercial Regulations, etc.,’’ which growth and development in recent balance of my time. was submitted to, but never ratified by, the Sen- years, and we know that future water The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. ate; needs in the area will be significantly EWING). The question is on the motion Whereas on February 13, 1878, a ‘‘treaty of greater than the current available sup- friendship and commerce with the people of offered by the gentleman from Cali- Samoa’’ was proclaimed ratified; ply. Many residents in the project area fornia (Mr. DOOLITTLE) that the House Whereas on June 14, 1889, a treaty known as have water of such poor quality it does suspend the rules and pass the bill, the General Act of 1889, between the United not meet present or proposed standards H.R. 297, as amended. States, Germany, and Great Britain, and as- for drinking water. Many communities The question was taken. sented to by the Samoan Government, ‘‘to pro- rely on shallow aquifers as the primary Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. vide for the security of the life, property and source of drinking water, aquifers Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas trade of the citizens and subjects of their respec- which are very vulnerable to contami- tive Governments residing in, or having commer- and nays. cial relations with the Islands of Samoa,’’ was nation by surface activities, including The yeas and nays were ordered. concluded and later ratified; large hog farms. Why do we not clean The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Whereas on December 2, 1899, a tripartite trea- up the hog farms? ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the ty between the United States, Germany, and Lewis and Clark Rural Water System Chair’s prior announcement, further Great Britain, which provided for the division of will provide a reliable source for sup- proceedings on this motion will be the several islands of Samoa, was signed by the plemental drinking water. I urge my postponed. three parties in Washington, D.C.; colleagues to support the authorization Whereas on April 17, 1900, by treaty of ces- f sion, the traditional chiefs of the South Pacific of this project with a ‘‘yes’’ vote on Islands of Tutuila and Aunu’u agreed to become H.R. 297. GENERAL LEAVE a part of the United States in return for protec- Mr. Speaker, the committee amend- Mr. DOOLITTLE. Mr. Speaker, I ask tion of their land and culture, and the United ment includes several additional provi- unanimous consent that all Members States flag was raised on what is now known as sions affecting water resource activi- may have 5 legislative days within the United States Territory of American Samoa; Whereas on July 14, 1904, by treaty of cession, ties of the Bureau of Reclamation in which to revise and extend their re- Northern California. I have no objec- His Majesty the King of Manu’a and his tradi- marks and include extraneous material tional chiefs from the Islands of Ta’u, Ofu, and tion to these provisions. on H.R. 297, as amended. Olosega, agreed to become part of the United In fact, I want to thank the com- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there States in return for the protection of their land mittee for including title 3, the ‘‘Treat- objection to the request of the gen- and culture; ment of Project Costs For Sly Park tleman from California? Whereas since that time, the residents of Unit,’’ which will provide for the Sec- There was no objection. American Samoa have been proud of their affili- retary to exclude these costs in excess ation with this great Nation and have dem- f to be repaid by the Sly Park Unit bene- onstrated their loyalty and patriotism in count- less ways; ficiaries from the pooled reimbursable SENSE OF HOUSE REGARDING Whereas April 17 is known as Flag Day in costs of the Central Valley Project RAISING OF UNITED STATES American Samoa and is the biggest holiday in until such time as the facilities are in- FLAG IN AMERICAN SAMOA the territory, and is celebrated not only in tegrated into the water supply yield to Mr. DOOLITTLE. Mr. Speaker, I American Samoa, but throughout the United the Central Valley project. move to suspend the rules and agree to States wherever there is a sizable Samoan com- This will provide a correction of an munity; the resolution (H. Res. 443), expressing Whereas American Samoans in Hawaii, Cali- inadvertent oversight that could prove the sense of the House of Representa- costly to a number of urban water dis- fornia, Nevada, Utah, Alaska, Washington, and tives with regard to the centennial of other parts of the United States pause each year tricts in California. I think that this is the raising of the United States flag in on this important date to celebrate this monu- a proper resolution of this issue. American Samoa, as amended. mental occasion in American Samoa’s history; Mr. MINGE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to The Clerk read as follows: Whereas the per capita rate of enlistment in urge my colleagues to support H.R. 297, the the Armed Forces among American Samoans is H. RES. 443 Lewis and Clark Rural Water System Act, among the highest in the United States, with which has been reported out of the House Whereas the people of American Samoa have hundreds of American Samoans enlisting annu- inhabited Tutuila and the Manu’a Islands for ally; Committee on Resources. at least 3,000 years and developed a unique and Whereas for decades American Samoa served The Lewis and Clark Rural Water System autonomous seafaring and agrarian culture, as a Naval coaling station for United States Act will serve a number of communities in governing themselves through their own form of ships in the Pacific, providing the Nation with Minnesota, Iowa and South Dakota. Currently government; what is commonly referred to as the best deep- these communities are served by shallow Whereas in 1722, Dutch explorer Jacob water harbor in the entire Pacific—a harbor aquifers that are vulnerable to contamination. Roggeveen became the first European to sight— where American ships are protected from severe Many of these towns have tried repeatedly to but not land on—the shores of the Samoan Is- and sudden tropical storms by natural, high, dig new wells. Unfortunately, they have had lit- lands, islands which remained isolated for an- sloping mountains—a harbor which, in the Na- other 46 years because Roggeveen miscalculated tion’s youth, served as a critical and crucial re- tle luck. their location; fueling and replenishing port for military and The area that would be served by H.R. 297 Whereas in 1768, French explorer Louis commercial interests, enabling the United States is currently experiencing a drought with no im- Antoine de Bougainville, the second European to pursue its foreign and commercial policies, mediate relief in sight. This bill will not allevi- to sight the Samoan islands, became so im- logistically unrestrained, throughout the Asian ate the current crisis but protect the region pressed with the sailing skills of the natives he Pacific region;

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 6333 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.029 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 May 23, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3541 Whereas during World War II, American (Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA asked and the islands of Hawaii using no modern Samoa was the staging point for 30,000 United was given permission to revise and ex- navigational equipment. We were guid- States Marines involved in the Pacific theater, tend his remarks.) ed only by the winds and the seas and with American Samoans serving both as hosts Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, and as fellow soldiers to these Marines via the the stars. We ate the fruits of the sea revered Fita Fita Guard; I thank the gentleman from California and drank what the good Lord provided Whereas American Samoa was the first land (Mr. DOOLITTLE) for his management of through rain. astronauts from numerous Apollo missions came this legislation. Mr. Speaker, April 17, Today, Mr. Speaker, the experts have to upon returning to Earth—including astro- 2000 marked the 100th anniversary of reconsidered and Polynesia is once nauts from Apollo 10, Apollo 12, Apollo 13, Apol- the first raising of the U.S. flag in the again experiencing a renewal of culture lo 14, and Apollo 17; territory that has since become known and tradition. You might be interested Whereas American Samoa produces more Na- tional Football League players per capita than as American Samoa. As best we can de- in knowing that the first real links be- any other State or territory of the United States, termine, it was some 3,000 years ago tween Samoa and the United States with approximately 15 Samoans currently play- that my ancestors first set foot on the began as early as 1839, when, as part of ing professionally; Samoan Islands. As you know, Polyne- a congressionally authorized trip, a Whereas April 17, 2000, will mark the 100th sian navigators did not use satellite U.S. Naval lieutenant by the name of anniversary of American Samoa joining in polit- navigation, or even sextants to guide Charles Wilkes visited the island of ical, military, and economic union with the them. United States; Tutuila and later reported favorably in Whereas local government leaders in Amer- They found their way across the vast support of an establishment of a struc- ican Samoa have been preparing for this centen- Pacific by following the stars, the tured relationship between the islands nial celebration for the last three years; and winds, and the seas. In 1768, the French of Tutuila and the United States. Whereas although 100 years have elapsed explorer by the name of Louis Antoine It was 39 years later before a treaty since the formation of this mutually beneficial de Bougainville, the second European of friendship and commerce with the relationship, American Samoans today—as did to sight the Samoan Islands, became so their forebears in 1900—remain deeply thankful people of Samoa was proclaimed rati- and appreciative of the benefits they have re- impressed with the sailing skills of the fied. For the next 20 years, there were ceived and continue to receive as a result of the Samoans that he named the islands disagreements between the United unique relationship American Samoa shares L’Archipel des Navigateurs. For gen- States, Germany, and Great Britain with this great Republic, and they are proud erations thereafter, the entire Samoan over the administration of the Samoa that in return for the benefits received under Island group was known to the Western Islands. The three countries tried a this relationship, they actively contribute eco- world as the ‘‘Navigator Islands.’’ condominium approach of administra- nomically, militarily, and culturally to the Captain Cook once made the remark tions set forth in the treaty known as health and well-being of this great Nation: Now, that he had never been more impressed therefore, be it the General Act of 1889, but the effort Resolved, That the House of with the fact that from as far North as failed miserably. Representatives— the Hawaiian Islands, and as far south In December 1899, a tripartite treaty (1) recognizes the historical significance of as Aotearoa, New Zealand, and as far between these same three countries di- the centennial of the raising of the American East as Rapa Nui or the Easter Islands vided the several islands of Samoa and flag over the United States Territory of that the settlements were made by the agreement was signed in Wash- American Samoa; Polynesians. I might also note, Mr. ington, D.C. Four months later, on (2) acknowledges 100 years of American Sa- Speaker, with all due respect, Colum- April 17, 1900, by treaty of cession, the moa’s loyalty and service to the United bus got lost trying to find the new States; and traditional chiefs of the islands of (3) reaffirms its commitment to the United world and mistakenly named the na- Tutuila and Aunu’u agreed to become a States citizens and nationals of American tive inhabitants of the Islands of the part of the United States in return for Samoa for improved self-governance, eco- Caribbeans as Indians, because he protection of their land and culture, nomic development, and the expansion of do- thought he landed in India. At the time and the United States flag was raised mestic commerce, consistent with the de- of Columbus, we were transversing the on what is now known as the United sires of the people of American Samoa. islands of Oceania—islands that are States Territory of American Samoa. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- thousands of miles apart but that form b ant to the rule, the gentleman from the base of our culture and our tradi- 1130 California (Mr. DOOLITTLE) and the tions. In 1904, again by treaty of cession, gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. We had to be good navigators, Mr. His Majesty, the King of Manu’a, and FALEOMAVAEGA) each will control 20 Speaker, because Samoa is truly in the his traditional chiefs from the islands minutes. middle of the South Pacific Ocean. It is of Ta’u, Ofu, and Olosega agreed to be- The Chair recognizes the gentleman so remote that Europeans did not sight come part of the United States in re- from California (Mr. DOOLITTLE). the islands until 1722. It is said that the turn for the protection of their land Mr. DOOLITTLE. Mr. Speaker, I Dutch explorer, Jacob Roggeveen, first and their culture. yield myself such time as I may con- sighted the Samoan Islands. I note The United States has honored its sume. here, Mr. Speaker, he did not discover end of these agreements, and the Sa- Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to the islands. He just sighted the islands moan culture remains vibrant and support the resolution offered by the because we were there already. Iron- strong in Samoa today. The United gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. ically, though, he miscalculated the lo- States has also protected the territory FALEOMAVAEGA), which commemorates cation of the islands and they were not from foreign invasion when it was the centennial of the raising of the seen by another European for another threatened in World War II. In fact, United States flag over our South Pa- 40 years. Even still, the experts did not Samoa was a major staging area during cific territory. The resolution also me- believe it was possible for my ancestors World War II for U.S. troops. morializes the long-term United Samoans have also been active par- States-American Samoa relationship to sail the great distances needed to ticipants in this U.S.-Samoan relation- and reaffirms the United States sup- travel between Samoa, the islands of ship. In the early years of the relation- port for improved self-governance and Tahiti, the islands of Tonga, and the is- economic self-sufficiency. lands of Hawaii. But, as so often hap- ship, American Samoa served as a The people of American Samoa have pens, the experts were proven wrong. naval coaling station for the United been loyal to the United States for the In 1987, Mr. Speaker, I played a small States ships in the Pacific. For dec- past century. I believe this resolution part in demonstrating how my ances- ades, American Samoa served as a crit- is one way to recognize their con- tors traveled between the island groups ical refueling and replenishing fort for sistent loyalty, and I urge all Members when I sailed on the voyaging canoe military and commercial interests, en- to approve the resolution. Hokule’a. Our navigator for this voy- abling the United States to pursue its Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of age was a native Hawaiian by the name international and commercial policies. my time. of Nainoa Thompson, probably our first During World War II, when foreign Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, Polynesia navigator in about 300 to 400 powers were aggressively expanding I yield myself such time as I may con- years. Mr. Speaker, he led us spheres of influence in the Pacific, sume. unerringly from French Polynesia to American Samoa was a staging area for

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A23MY7.014 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 H3542 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 23, 2000 some 30,000 Marines, and American I support the passage of this resolu- this anniversary with the people of American Samoans served also as fellow Marines tion, which expresses the sense of the Samoa. Through a treaty of cession, American during World War II. To this day, I con- House on the occasion of American Sa- Samoa was brought into the American family tinue to receive warm letters from moa’s centennial celebration of the and has remained a valuable asset to this na- World War II veterans trying to look raising of the U.S. flag in their terri- tion. Their service, sacrifice, and contribution up a Samoan friend from that period tory. I am delighted to be a cosponsor, to the continuing experiment of democracy is and reminiscing about the warm wel- and I know many of our colleagues ex- to be commended. In turn, our nation con- come Samoans provided for them. press their support for this resolution. tinues to assist the development of their econ- American Samoans not only partici- Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the omy while always being mindful of the impor- pated in World War II, but in every gentleman for all of the work that he tance of tradition and culture to their people. other conflict the United States has does in the Congress, not just on behalf American Samoan society of years past re- been involved in since World War I, of the people of American Samoa and mains, much as it is today, with the leadership with enlistment rates as high as any this resolution and so many other ac- and affairs of the island and people entrusted State or territory in our Nation. tivities that he has engaged in, but he to elders and high chiefs. They are the politi- Our remote location has at times, also shoulders a large responsibility in cians and the negotiators for the people. The even in recent decades, been of value to our Committee on Resources, both on our Nation. Before the space shuttle, respect and trust accorded to their elders is an many, many Native American issues aspect of their culture that has stood the test astronauts from Apollo 10, 12, 13, 14, and on our public lands issues, and I and 17 all first set foot on soil in Amer- of time. Despite the influence of western- thank him for bringing this resolution ization, the wisdom and leadership of their el- ican Samoa before returning home. Our to the floor. clean air has even been beneficial to ders has kept their culture, traditions, and lan- Mr. Speaker, today I rise to greet the people guage intact. our Nation. NASA has conducted laser of American Samoa with a warm Talofa and As members of our American family, men tests between Earth and the moon from offer my support for the passage of H. Res. and women of American Samoa have served American Samoa, and the National 443 which expresses the sense of the House in our military, contributed to the cultural diver- Weather Service maintains in Amer- of Representatives on the occasion of Amer- sity of our American community, and they con- ican Samoa one of four stations in the ican Samoa's centennial celebration of raising tinue to play a part in the political discourse of world used to establish how clean air the U.S. flag in their territory. I am delighted our nation. As much as American Samoa has really can be. to be a cosponsor to this resolution and con- Culturally, our songs and dances are enjoyed its relationship with the U.S., we gratulate people of American Samoa on their known throughout the United States, should be equally grateful for their participa- continuing relationship with the United States. and our local artists are developing One hundred years ago, the flag of the tion in our democracy. Surely, America would their own following. Athletically, I feel United States of America was raised on the not be who she is today without the contribu- we are up to the best. With a popu- South Pacific Islands of Tutuila and Aunu'u, tions made from the people of American lation of only 64,000 people, there are what is now widely known as American Samoa. approximately 16 Samoans playing pro- Samoa. It was an act of friendship and under- It is an honor and a personal privilege to fessional football in the United States. standing on behalf of the traditional chiefs of join the people of American Samoa in their I see a growing number of talented those islands that a new relationship with centennial celebration and I commend them teenagers, boys and girls, becoming America would be beneficial for their people. for their demonstrated patriotism throughout successfully diverse in a number of For America, the sentiment was mutual. the past one hundred years. sports throughout our country. The warmth and charm of American Samoa I encourage full support from my colleagues Over the last 100 years, American was not first witnessed however by Ameri- for the passage of H. Res. 443. Samoa has moved from a decentralized form of government. Now we have an cans. Archeologists estimate that the settle- Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, elected governor and a congressional ment of the islands that comprise American I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman representative in this great body. Samoa occurred six hundred years before from New York (Mr. GILMAN), the House Resolution 443 recounts the Christ. And for the next three thousand years, chairman of the House Committee on history of American Samoa’s historical the inhabitants became stewards of the land International Relations, and I thank relationship with our Nation. Mr. and masters of the seas. In 1768, a French the gentleman from California (Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the Chairman explorer was so impressed with the sailing GEORGE MILLER) for his kind com- of the Committee on Resources, the skills of the natives that he named the islands ments. gentleman from Alaska (Mr. YOUNG), ``L'Archipel des Navigateurs'' or the Navigator (Mr. GILMAN asked and was given and the senior democrat on the com- Islands. permission to revise and extend his re- mittee, the gentleman from California In 1785, French navigator Jean Francois La marks.) Perouse commanded an expedition to explore (Mr. GEORGE MILLER), for their support Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the Pacific. Two years later, in 1787, he land- on this legislation and all those col- the gentleman from American Samoa ed on the shores of the northern coast of leagues who agreed to be cosponsors. for yielding me this time, and I am Tutuila. This is the first recorded landing of Samoans are a proud people, and pleased to rise in support of the gentle- foreigners on the islands of American Samoa. American Samoans are very proud to man’s resolution celebrating the inde- This encounter marked the ``opening up'' of be part of the United States. We hope pendence of American Samoa and the American Samoa to the outside world and we have given to our Nation as much raising of the flag, the American flag, they became regular stops along trade routes as we have received. The resolution we over 100 years ago. are considering today recognizes that of whale products, sandalwood, and beche-de- American Samoa has been an impor- unique 100-year relationship between mer to China. the two parties. I am honored to be In 1839, the U.S. began to formally ac- tant outpost for our Nation in many American Samoa’s representative here knowledge the need for a relationship with the ways. Too often we forget about our in the House of Representatives, and I islands of Samoa. Recommendations from Pacific friends as we concentrate on urge my colleagues to support this res- Navy Commander Charles Wilkes, who visited some of the European problems and olution. Samoa, to have a structured relationship with some of the problems in other parts of Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the Samoa gave rise to increased visits from the the world. The gentleman from Amer- gentleman from California (Mr. U.S. military. Eventually, in 1878, a ``treaty of ican Samoa (Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA) GEORGE MILLER). friendship and commerce'' with the people of hosted our congressional delegation (Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California Samoa was ratified by the U.S. Senate. Thus, not too long ago when we all visited, asked and was given permission to re- the beginnings of America's connection with and we had a very warm visit to Amer- vise and extend his remarks.) the people of Samoa were rooted in peace, ican Samoa, my first visit, and he Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. friendship, and an interest towards improving helped to educate a number of our Con- Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my col- their economy. gressmen with regard to the impor- league for yielding me this time, and I One hundred years ago, on April 17, 1900, tance of American Samoa. join with my colleagues in congratu- this relationship deepened. It is why we are on So I am pleased to join with the gen- lating the people of American Samoa. this floor todayÐto recognize and celebrate tleman in his resolution, Mr. Speaker.

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.034 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 May 23, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3543 Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, The SPEAKER pro tempore. The suant to section 3 under such regulations as I certainly would like to thank my col- question is on the motion offered by the Secretary may prescribe, and at a price league, the gentleman from New York, the gentleman from California (Mr. sufficient to cover the costs thereof, includ- ing labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, for his kind comments. DOOLITTLE) that the House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, overhead expenses, and the cost of the gold Mr. Speaker, I have no further re- medal. quests for time, and I yield back the House Resolution 443, as amended. SEC. 5. NATIONAL MEDALS. balance of my time. The question was taken. Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. The medals struck pursuant to this Act are GENERAL LEAVE national medals for purposes of chapter 51 of Mr. DOOLITTLE. Mr. Speaker, I ask Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas title 31, United States Code. and nays. unanimous consent that all Members SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS; The yeas and nays were ordered. may have 5 legislative days in which to PROCEEDS OF SALE. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- (a) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.— revise and extend their remarks and to ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the include extraneous material on H. Res. There is hereby authorized to be charged Chair’s prior announcement, further against the Numismatic Public Enterprise 443. proceedings on this motion will be Fund an amount not to exceed $30,000 to pay The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. postponed. for the cost of the medal authorized by this EWING). Is there objection to the re- f Act. quest of the gentleman from Cali- (b) PROCEEDS OF SALE.—Amounts received fornia? POPE JOHN PAUL II CONGRES- from the sales of duplicate bronze medals There was no objection. SIONAL GOLD MEDAL ACT under section 4 shall be deposited in the Nu- mismatic Public Enterprise Fund. Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, permit me to Mr. LEACH. Mr. Speaker, I move to take this opportunity to express my thanks to suspend the rules and pass the bill The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- the gentleman from Alaska, Chairman DON (H.R. 3544) to authorize a gold medal to ant to the rule, the gentleman from YOUNG, and the gentleman from American be awarded on behalf of the Congress to Iowa (Mr. LEACH) and the gentleman Samoa, Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA, for bringing H. Pope John Paul II in recognition of his from Minnesota (Mr. VENTO) each will Res. 443, the Centennial Raising of the Amer- many and enduring contributions to control 20 minutes. ican Flag in American Samoa, to the floor of peace and religious understanding, and The Chair recognizes the gentleman the House of Representatives today. for other purposes, as amended. from Iowa (Mr. LEACH). The United States first made contact with The Clerk read as follows: Mr. LEACH. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- the Samoan Islands in 1839 as a part of a H.R. 3544 self such time as I may consume. congressionally authorized naval expedition to Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- Mr. Speaker, on rare occasions Con- the South Pacific, led by Commander Charles resentatives of the United States of America in gress awards the Congressional Gold Wilkes. From this expedition a number of Congress assembled, Medal to persons who have contributed agreements and treaties were formed that re- SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. significantly to making the world more sulted in President McKinley issuing an execu- This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Pope John humane. This bill authorizes that such Paul II Congressional Gold Medal Act’’. tive order on February 19, 1900 placing the a medal be struck for the Pope. SEC. 2. FINDINGS. John Paul II’s dedication of his Pon- Eastern Group of Samoan Islands under the The Congress finds that Pope John Paul control of the Department of the Navy, estab- II— tificate to the freedom and dignity of lishing the authority of the United States to (1) is the spiritual leader of more than one every individual human being, his use give the islands protection. billion Catholic Christians around the world of moral authority to hasten the fall of On April 17, 1900 the leaders of the Islands and millions of Catholic Christians in Amer- totalitarian regimes, his efforts to rec- of Tutuila and Anunu'u signed instruments of ica and has led the Catholic Church into its oncile Christendom and reach out with cession to the United States, and the United third millennium; respect to people of all faiths, and most States flag was raised at the United States (2) is recognized in the United States and of all his commitment to the teachings abroad as a preeminent moral authority; of Jesus Christ provide a model of naval station. Roughly four years later the (3) has dedicated his Pontificate to the King of Manu'a and the chiefs of the Manu'a freedom and dignity of every individual grace to all peoples of the world. Islands that now comprise the easternmost is- human being and tirelessly traveled to the In his first letter to the Corinthians, lands of American Samoa signed the last in- far reaches of the globe as an exemplar of the Apostle Paul wrote, ‘‘I have be- strument of cession. In 1929 Congress recog- faith; come all things to all, to save at least nized these acts of cession in law and dele- (4) has brought hope to millions of people some. All this I do for the sake of the gated the authority for the administration of all over the world oppressed by poverty, hun- gospel, so that I too may share in it.’’ ger, illness, and despair; the islands to the President of the United Last Thursday, John Paul II cele- (5) transcending temporal politics, has brated his 80th birthday, and Saint States. used his moral authority to hasten the fall of As Japan began emerging as an inter- godless totalitarian regimes, symbolized in Paul’s observation is an appropriate national power in the mid-1930's, the U.S. the collapse of the Berlin wall; summary of Karol Wojtyla’s extraor- Naval Station on Tutuila began to acquire new (6) has promoted the inner peace of man as dinary trajectory on this earth, from strategic importance. By 1940, the Samoan Is- well as peace among mankind through his the small town of his birth in Southern lands had become a training and staging area faith-inspired defense of justice; and Poland, Wadowice, through the war for the U.S. Marine Corps. It was this massive (7) has thrown open the doors of the Catho- years in Cracow, leadership of Cracow’s influx of Americans that gave Samoans a sud- lic Church, reconciling differences within Archdiocese during the difficult Com- Christendom as well as reaching out to the munist times, finally to the Ministry den taste of the benefits of a modern western world’s other great religions. of Peter in Rome. In this journey, he society. SEC. 3. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL. Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 443 recognizes the (a) PRESENTATION AUTHORIZED.—The has left an indelible mark on his historical significance of the centennial raising Speaker of the House of Representatives and Church and the history of our times. of our flag over the United States Territory of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate With the world watching, John Paul American Samoa and reaffirms our commit- shall make appropriate arrangements for the II has begun to show burdens of age, ment to improved self-governance, economic presentation, on behalf of the Congress, of a but he has lost none of the extraor- development and expansion of domestic com- gold medal of appropriate design to Pope dinary vigor that has characterized the John Paul II in recognition of his many and 211⁄2 years of his Pontificate, one of the merce for the United States citizens and na- enduring contributions to peace and reli- tionals of American Samoa. gious understanding. longest in church history. One-hundred years later, the flag of our na- (b) DESIGN AND STRIKING.—For the purpose On New Year’s eve, for instance, he tion remains a beacon of hope to the troubled of the presentation referred to in subsection celebrated a long, formal Te Deum in countries of the South Pacific and stands as a (a), the Secretary of the Treasury (hereafter Saint Peter’s basilica, had dinner in his symbol of freedom and justice in the world. in this Act referred to as the ‘‘Secretary’’) quarters with Vatican aides and Mr. DOOLITTLE. Mr. Speaker, I have shall strike a gold medal with suitable em- friends, after which they all sang car- blems, devices, and inscriptions, to be deter- no further requests for time, and I mined by the Secretary. ols. At midnight, he appeared in his yield back the balance of my time, and SEC. 4. DUPLICATE MEDALS. window and delivered his traditional urge the Members to support the reso- The Secretary may strike and sell dupli- New Year’s greeting to an adoring lution. cates in bronze of the gold medal struck pur- crowd in Saint Peter’s Square below.

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.036 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 H3544 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 23, 2000 Then he celebrated yet another mass, centration camps. Upon her release in that he has done and the tremendous his first of the new millennium, in his 1945, she was placed on a train to re- contributions he has made over the private chapel. His staff was exhausted, turn to her home in Cracow. When she past 2 decades as we have seen the star- but by 9 the next morning he was in an- arrived, barely able to stand, with tling changes occur around the globe. other basilica in Rome leading another hardly any flesh on her bones, she He has been instrumental in his role in mass. stumbled onto the station platform, terms of leadership, positive leader- From the moment he became a priest and there a strong young man in ship. in Cracow, Karol Wojtyla has conceived priestly garb picked her up in his arms I have had the privilege when visiting his role as a pastor, a representative of and carried her two miles to a place in Rome with other Members of Con- Christ on Earth who has to be seen by where she could be nurtured back to gress to have audiences with the Pope, the faithful. Since he became Pope in health. The priest was Karol Wojtyla. as so many of my colleagues have, and October of 1978, he has made 92 pastoral b 1145 I am sure that they have been as im- trips abroad to 123 countries and terri- pressed as I have been by his breadth of tories, meeting more leaders and bring- In times singularly bereft of leaders vision and leadership and the charge ing the message of God to more people of high moral stature, John Paul II that he admonished us with with re- than any other Pontiff before him. stands out, a Pontiff whose presence gards to our responsibility as elected This year alone, he has been to fills the great basilica of Saint Peter officials, as well as, of course, our re- Mount Sinai in Egypt, followed in and radiates out beyond. In voting for sponsibility as citizens of the world. Christ’s footsteps in the Holy Land, this Congressional Gold Medal, we are He has certainly exemplified that and prayed at the Shrine of the Virgin honoring a historic figure, an indi- role in his much-traveled work, his Mary in Fatima, who he believes vidual whose conviction and morality wonderful solidarity in spirit from his interceded to save his life when he was have infused mankind with renewed native Poland, one the first non-Italian shot in Saint Peter’s Square in 1981. self-confidence. popes to have served in a long time. As a leader of a billion members of In closing, I would like to quote And, of course, being an Italian-Amer- his faith, John Paul II is generally con- these words by John Paul II that I ican, I’m very keenly aware of that an- sidered the preeminent religious leader think express his soaring nobility: cestry and the special role that he had in the world. But his moral authority ‘‘At the end of the second millen- played. goes beyond his church. It extends to nium, we need perhaps more than ever But to observe and to witness the all who seek a message of love and the words of the risen Christ: ‘Be not types of changes that have occurred in compassion, of dignity that defies ma- afraid!’ Man who, after Communism, central Europe under the guidance and terialism, of freedom of thought uncon- has stopped being afraid and who truly under his leadership and his contribu- strained by political oppression. has many reasons for feeling this way, tions has really been a joy for all of us Above all, he has urged people all needs to hear these words. Nations to behold. over the world never to give up hope. need to hear them, especially those na- I might point out that, while much He likes to recall that his first words tions that have been reborn after the traveled, he has obviously been a pio- in Saint Peter’s Square were an echo of fall of the Communist empire, as well neer. His visit most recently I think in Christ’s exhortation, ‘‘Be not afraid.’’ as those who witnessed the event from the last few years to Cuba, as an exam- Wherever he has traveled, John Paul II outside. Peoples and nations of the en- ple, pointed out that he is a great risk- has championed human rights and indi- tire world need to hear these words. taker in terms of being willing to trav- vidual dignity, both of which, in his Their conscience needs to grow on the el and to try and challenge the various view, include freedom of worship. With certainty that Someone exists who governance and human rights ques- this definition of liberty, he turned the holds in his Hands the key to death and tions around the world. And in our Church in his native Poland into a pro- the netherworld, Someone who is the hemisphere, as well as in others, in Af- tector, not only of Catholics but of all Alpha and the Omega of human his- rica, his encyclicals with regards to so- citizens oppressed by communism, no tory, be it the individual or collective cial and economic justice, as well as matter their religion, if any. In so history. And this Someone is Love, with regards to life, have been of much doing, he helped discredit the Com- Love that became man, Love crucified use as we have tried to look for guid- munist system in Poland and bring and risen, Love unceasingly present ance and look for the finest values of about its downfall elsewhere in the among men. It is Eucharistic Love. It our society and of humanity and spir- world. is the infinite source of communion. He ituality. It used to be said in Poland that alone can give the ultimate assurance So I strongly rise in support of this while he was the Archbishop of Cracow, when He says ‘Be not afraid!’ ’’ measure. I commend the chairman and the country’s Communist leaders con- Mr. Speaker, John Paul II has sun- the sponsors. I have been pleased to sidered him their greatest threat. Like- dered depotism and ennobled faith by join as sponsor myself in this measure. wise, in Moscow, once he became Pope. displaying to fellow mortals the cour- I urge my colleagues to strongly sup- It is no accident that China’s leaders age of conviction. port this measure. have so far refused to allow him to con- Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of Mr. Speaker, I include for the duct a pilgrimage in their country. my time. RECORD a detailed statement of our In traveling the world, John Paul II Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- ranking member, the gentleman from has reached out to the other great reli- self such time as I may consume. New York (Mr. LAFALCE), and a state- gions. Last month, he sought to bridge Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. ment by the gentleman from Pennsyl- the historic divide between Christians 3544, and I associate myself with the el- vania (Mr. KANJORSKI) of the Com- and Jews. In a gesture of breathtaking oquent remarks of our distinguished mittee on Banking, both of whom ad- eloquence in its simplicity, he placed a chairman, the gentleman from Iowa mire and strongly support this resolu- sheet of paper in a crack in Jerusa- (Mr. LEACH), with regard to the award- tion. They have been called to the lem’s Western Wall: ‘‘God of our fa- ing of a Congressional Gold Medal to White House on a meeting. But for thers,’’ he wrote, ‘‘we are deeply sad- Pope John Paul II. that, they would surely be here in dened by the behavior of those who, in Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I, of honor to make this presentation by our the course of history, have caused course, as I said, rise in support of this side. these children of yours to suffer; and legislation. Mr. LAFALCE. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to asking your forgiveness, we wish to Mr. Speaker, I would point out that rise today to honor a man whose enduring commit ourselves to genuine brother- Pope John Paul II chose his name from contributions to humanity will forever be hood with the people of the covenant.’’ his two predecessors that reigned very etched in history: His Excellency, Pope John To exemplify his personal compas- briefly, Pope John Paul XXIII and Pope Paul II. As a spiritual leader of 1 billion Catho- sion, an elderly Israeli woman came Paul VI. He has, of course, for the past lic Christians all over the world (millions of forth during this historic pilgrimage. 2 decades been the leader of a billion them in the United States), and an inspiring She recalled how she was one of the Catholics in the world, including my- force for peace to people of all faiths, it is only lucky ones who survived Hitler’s con- self. We are very proud of the work fitting that we pay tribute to the Holy Father's

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.039 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 May 23, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3545 remarkable contributions to humanity. Pope Pope John Paul II has already left us a sub- has served not only as a spiritual leader to John Paul II has touched the lives of many stantial body of written work that will nourish Catholic Christians in the United States and and continues to be a powerful and enduring future generations with the wisdom and be- around the World, but also as a political cham- force in fostering peace among nations, and in nevolence of this moral philosophy. In fact, his pion for human rights. reconciling the three great religious faiths of writings fill nearly 150 volumes. Through his In the more than 20 years of his papacy, the children of Abraham: Christianity, Judaism, encyclicals, homilies, letters, and other John Paul II has been an exemplar of the and Islam. I am honored to stand before this writings, this ``Pope of Letters'' has inspired power of faith against the forces of intolerance House today, joining Catholics from my dis- the world to embrace universal principles of and corruption. His support of the Solidarity trict, the U.S., the rest of the world, and peo- human dignity and human rights. In 1994, his trade union in his native Poland in the early ple of all faiths, in recognizing this remarkable popular volume of philosophical and moral 1980s, combined with his unwavering support man's monumental contributions to humanity. ruminations, Crossing the Threshold of Hope, of Catholics living in the former Soviet Bloc Karol Joseph Wojtyla was born 80 years became an immediate best-seller in 12 coun- nations and his steadfast opposition to the ago in an industrial town near Cracow in Po- tries. communist regimes suppressing their beliefs, land. In fact, the Holy Father just celebrated The most traveled Pope in history, Pope contributed immeasurably to the eventual col- his 80th birthday this past Thursday, May John Paul II has brought his message of lapse of those oppressive systems. 18th, during which he celebrated Mass, ate peace and reconciliation to 117 countries. In Pope John Paul II has additionally been a lobster with senior clergy in the Vatican, and his most recent visit to Israel, for example, the tireless worker for international peace, trav- sang songs with Polish compatriots. As a Holy Father prayed at the Western Wall, one eling hundreds of thousands of miles in order teenager during the Second World War, Karol of Judaism's holiest sites. His prayer, an un- to share his spiritual messages with millions of Wojtyla experienced, first-hand, the horrors of precedented act of contrition on behalf of individuals like myself. In October 1995, during Nazism, the Holocaust, and soon thereafter, Catholic Christians, read as follows: ``We are his visit to the United States and the United Communist totalitarianism. ``I have carried with deeply saddened by the behavior of those Nations, I had the opportunity to meet with the me the history, culture, experience and lan- who in the course of history have caused Pope John Paul II and learn firsthand more guage of Poland,'' said the Pope once. ``Hav- these children of Yours to suffer and, asking about his good work. ing lived in a country that had to fight for its Your forgiveness, we wish to commit our- The Pope's effort have also proven instru- existence in the face of the aggressions of its selves to genuine brotherhood with the people mental in virtually all of the World's major con- neighbors, I have understood what exploitation of the Covenant.'' And how can we forget his flicts of the past two decades. He brought his message to Central America in the 1980's dur- is. I put myself immediately on the side of the groundbreaking trip to Cuba in 1998? On that ing its period of revolution and bloodshed. He poor, the disinherited, the oppressed, the papal visit, he condemned the dehumanizing spread his message to fight apartheid in South marginalized and the defenseless,'' said the and immoral aspects of both Cuban com- Africa, tribal war in Central Africa, and geno- Pope. munism and the outdatedÐand senselessÐ cide in the Balkans. In an effort to relieve After considering a career as an actor, and U.S. trade embargo. As customary, his words them of their pain, he has traveled to these even petitioning three times to become a echoed in the farthest corners of the world. Catholic monk, he was persuaded by the then- Pope John Paul II understands one of the places to show them he shares in their loss Archbishop of CracowÐwho recognized his most fundamental Christian principles that has and despair. Most recently, Pope John Paul II served as counsel in bringing together Israelis charisma, oratorical talents, and potential to become a hallmark for fostering reconciliation: and Palestinians in a non-denominational ef- help people directlyÐto pursue the priesthood. forgiveness. In one of the most remarkable fort to cease the brutal conflict that has He was ordained as a Catholic priest in 1946, acts of forgiveness ever witnessed publicly, became Archbishop of Cracow in 1958, Car- plagued these two peoples for far too long. the Holy Father confronted the man that at- This legislation is appropriate in light of the dinal in 1967, and was elected Pope by the tempted to assassinate him and forgave him fact that many entities around the world that Vatican's college of Cardinals in 1978 at the for his grave sin. have similarly honored the Pope. From being age of 58Ðthe first non-Italian Pope since The Holy Father's acts of compassion stem designed as the Time Magazine's ``Man of the 1522. from his inherently benevolent nature. His Year'' in 1994 to serving as the namesake of The Holy Pontiff, by his own description, is compassion, charisma and moral authority are a Catholic grade school in my hometown of a moral leader who believes in the sanctity of celebrated by leaders of other faiths. For in- Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, Pope John Paul II the human being. Over the years, he has de- stance, the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of has received many honors. I coincidentally nounced the excesses, and affronts to human the world's Buddhists, has said of the Pope: have the good fortune of being visited today dignity, of the two major competing social sys- ``He really has a will and a determination to by 28 students in the graduating 8th Grade tems of the 20th century, communism and help humanity through spirituality. That is mar- class at Pope John Paul II School. I am there- capitalism. He has condemned the atheistic velous. That is good. I know how difficult it is fore very pleased that we are at this time tak- and dehumanizing forces of Communism, for leaders on these issues.'' Rev. Billy ing up this legislation to honor the great man which he experienced in Poland. And he has Graham, a spiritual adviser to many U.S. for whom their institution is named. denounced the more unsavory aspects of presidents, has also said about the Pope: In closing, Mr. Speaker, in recognition of his modern capitalism, such as greed, abject pov- ``He'll go down in history as the greatest of our 80th birthday and his leading the Catholic erty, selfishness, and secular atheism. Accord- modern Popes. He's been the strong con- Church into its Third Millennium, we should ing to his spokesman, the Holy Pontiff's goal science of the whole Christian world.'' acknowledge the important accomplishments is to establish a mode of Christian thinking to Mr. Speaker, when Pope John Paul speaks, Pope John Paul II has made to our World dur- serve as a meaningful alternative to the hu- whether to those gathered at St. Peter's ing his lifetime. I encourage all Members of manist philosophies of the 20th century, such Square at the Vatican, or in a Mass delivered the House to support this bill. as Marxism and post-Modernism. His moral in the backwaters of Cuba, the world listens. Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I reserve philosophy, and its impact on world affairs, The world listens because he is the most pow- the balance of my time. earned him the honor of Time magazine Man erful moral force in our lifetimes, an apostle for Mr. LEACH. Mr. Speaker, let me of the Year of 1994, which described him as social justice, a champion of the poor, and a thank my good friend, the gentleman ``The most tireless moral voice of a secular harbinger of peace. I urge the Congress to from Minnesota (Mr. VENTO), for his age.'' move swiftly on this legislation, so that we can thoughtful observations. Pope John Paul II's moral philosophy has bestow this well deserved gold medal to His Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to my brought much needed attention to the plight of Holiness Pope John Paul II, at the dawn of the distinguished friend, the gentleman the world's poor. In this vein, the Pope has New Millennium and the Jubilee 2000 celebra- from New York (Chairman GILMAN). called for substantial reduction or outright can- tion. (Mr. GILMAN asked and was given cellation of the international debt that seriously Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise to ex- permission to revise and extend his re- threatens the future of many of the poorest press my strong support for H.R. 3544, the marks.) nations. Inspired in part by the Pope's exam- Pope John Paul II Congressional Gold Medal Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank ple, we are proud to have contributed to the Act. I am a cosponsor of this notable legisla- the gentleman for yielding me the enactment of international debt relief legisla- tion that would award Pope John Paul II with time. tion last year, which was facilitated by the Ju- a gold medal in recognition of his many pow- Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise; bilee 2000 MovementÐthrough which the Holy erful and enduring contributions to inter- and it is an honor and privilege to asso- Father has nurtured meaningful ecumenical national peace and religious understanding. ciate myself with the legislation of- cooperation. This bill is also necessary to honor a man who fered by the gentleman from Iowa (Mr.

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A23MY7.011 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 H3546 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 23, 2000 LEACH), which honors one of the most (Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA asked and Mr. BACHUS. Mr. Speaker, I appre- remarkable individuals alive today, was given permission to revise and ex- ciate the kind words of the gentleman who is also one of most influential per- tend his remarks.) from Minnesota (Mr. VENTO). sons in all of world history. Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker, I would like to asso- His Holiness Pope John Paul II cele- I, too, would like to stand here to ex- ciate myself with the remarks of the brated his 80th birthday just last week. tend my warmest congratulations and gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. The entire world expressed fellowship expression of appreciation to the chair- FALEOMAVAEGA). The people of Ala- and congratulations upon his reaching man of the committee, the gentleman bama and the people of American this milestone. It is an appropriate from Iowa (Mr. LEACH), for his leader- Samoa both share a love for Pope John time, therefore, to pay tribute to him ship in bringing this important legisla- Paul II. by this measure. tion before our colleagues for their ap- Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this The minting of a gold medal in his proval. bill introduced by my good friend, the honor is a timely way that we in the I also want to thank our ranking gentleman from Iowa (Chairman Congress, on behalf of all of the people member, the gentleman from New York LEACH), to award the Congressional in our Nation, can thank this saintly (Mr. LAFALCE), and our good friend, Gold Medal to Pope John Paul II. man for his guidance and inspiration the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Pope John Paul II was born in Poland throughout the years. His pontificate VENTO), for this legislation. on May 18, 1920, and is said to be the was the longest of the 20th century and Mr. Speaker, it is only appropriate most recognized person in the world. is a beacon of leadership as we begin that we honor one of the greatest spir- He is by far the most traveled Pope in the 21st century. itual giants of the world today, Pope the 2000-year history of the Roman His Holiness was born in Wadowice, John Paul II but not only because he is Catholic Church, having visited almost Poland, in 1920, just a short time after a spiritual leader to some one billion every continent and country where he his homeland gained its long-sought Catholics around the world but also for personally addressed tens of millions of independence. the fact that he stands as an example people on almost each visit. Karol Joseph Wojtyla, as he was of a great Christian in teaching spir- Pope John Paul II is one of the most known then, suffered under the Nazi itual values which cut through polit- important statesmen, diplomats, and occupation of his nation, as did all of ical ideology, which is something that political figures of our time. But he is his generation. He was active in an un- I have always admired about this great far more. He is a great pastor, evan- derground organization which helped Christian leader of the world. gelist, and witness of Christianity. As Jewish people seek refuge from the Mr. Speaker, long before he became the spiritual leader to the world’s one bil- Nazis. It was his actions at that time, Bishop of Rome, Pope John Paul II was lion Catholics, the Pope has com- what he observed and what he learned known as Karol Jozef Wojtyla, a young boy menced a great dialogue with modern during World War II, that inspired him from Poland. According to biography, Wojtyla's culture that transcends the boundaries to enter the priesthood. He was or- childhood was not happy. By the age of of political or economic ideologies that dained on November 1, 1946 and, in Oc- twelve, he had lost his mother, brother and has dominated the world since the be- tober 1978, was elected the first non- sister. Before he was ordained to the priest- ginnings of modernity in the 1700s. He is one of the most prolific writers Italian Pope since 1522, taking the hood, he lost his father. In the interim, World in this century. His writings have made name John Paul II to honor his three War II ravaged Europe. When the Germans great contributions in the area of the- immediate predecessors. began rounding up Polish men, Wojtyla took ology, philosophy, sociology, politics, In 1981, His Holiness was a victim of refuge in the archbishop of Krakow's resi- culture, and science. Having witnessed a dastardly assassination attempt. Al- dence. He remained there until the end of the firsthand the brutal inhumanity of though he was hospitalized for 21⁄2 war. Nazi and Communist regimes, the Pope months, his steely courage, coupled In 1946, Wojtyla was ordained to the priest- understands the true dignity of each with his splendid physical condition hood. He earned two master's degrees and a human being. He has heroically op- honed by a lifetime of athletics, al- doctorate. In 1978, the Sacred College of Car- posed the offences against human dig- lowed his full recovery. dinals chose Wojtyla as the next pope after nity that have tragically marked the Throughout the past 22 years, Pope the death of John Paul I. 20th century. John Paul II has been an inspiration to Mr. Speaker, Pope John Paul II became the As much as any single person of this first pope to visit a synagogue and the first to all of us and is universally beloved. century, John Paul II has worked to Mr. Speaker, the coinage of a gold visit the Holocaust memorial at Auschwitz. Ac- protect the rights of each individual medal in Pope John Paul’s memory is cording to one report, in ending the Catholic- and to promote respect and under- an appropriate way to begin this new Jewish estrangement, he calls Jews ``our elder standing between cultures, nations, century. I strongly urge our colleagues brothers.'' I would like to offer even a little ges- and peoples. to fully support this measure. To truly find world peace, the Pope ture to our majority leadership by ex- Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- encourages all people to answer the tending an invitation to Pope John self such time as I may consume. most important question we face: What Mr. Speaker, I wanted to mention Paul II to have a joint session of the is the ultimate truth about man and that my colleague, the gentleman from Congress and have this great leader ad- his relationship to God? Pennsylvania (Mr. KANJORSKI), was dress us, because I think we all need As part of his pastoral work, the hoping, as I said, to be here to speak in his guidance and certainly some of the Pope has consistently identified the support of the bill and was unexpect- examples that he will share with us, moral challenges facing free societies edly summoned to the White House, as and perhaps a few words or a sentence and the importance of resolving those I indicated. If he had been here, the can be added into this resolution to ex- challenges. The Pope has tirelessly gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. tend that invitation to Pope John Paul preached against the dangers of unrea- KANJORSKI) would have mentioned that II to address this great body and to our sonable and unfettered license that Pope John Paul II is the namesake of a Nation. pays no respect to the dignity of each Catholic grade school in his hometown Mr. Speaker, again, I want to thank person. His prophetic voice in the de- of Nanticoke, Pennsylvania. my good friend, the chairman of the fense of the unborn, the aged, and the Coincidentally, he has the good for- committee, for his leadership in bring- marginalized is well known. His de- tune of being visited today by 28 stu- ing this legislation. I urge my col- fense of the dignity of all persons dents in the graduating 8th grade class leagues to support this bill. serves as a guideline for all Americans at Pope John Paul II School, who may Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I am on how to treat each other with re- have been here earlier but may have pleased to yield 4 minutes to the gen- spect, based not on mere sentiment but had to leave. tleman from Alabama (Mr. BACHUS), on the deep and true respect for the In any case, I wanted to mention who has been one of our leaders on the image of God in each person. that. debt relief program championed by the Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the Jubilee 2000, which is, of course, one of b 1200 gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. the major initiatives of Pope John His ability to harmonize faith and FALEOMAVAEGA). Paul II. reason sheds light on difficult public

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.043 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 May 23, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3547 and ethical issues that plague modern or euthanasia, it is therefore never licit to Pope John Paul II should also be recog- society. John Paul’s pastoral leader- obey it, or to ‘‘take part in a propaganda nized for his written works that inspire the ship gives hope and courage for mil- campaign in favor of such a law, or vote for world to embrace universal principles of it.’’ lions of Catholics and countless others human dignity and human rights. Some of his in America who struggle to sanctify In the Kingdom of God, that civilization of famous works include ``Notificationes,'' pub- their lives in the midst of the modern life which John Paul II has so fervently sought lished in 1971. In 1981, he published the En- secular world. to build, there is no place for the systematic cyclical Letter, Laborem Exercens on Human In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, there is killing of unborn children. Work. In 1982, he published the Apostolic Let- no question the Pope has been a beacon My family and I have had the awesome ter, Caritatis Christi about the role of the of light and witness to hope for count- privilege of meeting the Holy Father: in New- church in China. In 1984, he published the Ap- less millions. It is only appropriate to ark, New Jersey, in the crowd in 1979 at New ostolic Letter, Salvific Doloris on the Christian recognize these accomplishments and York's Shea Stadium, and most recently in Meaning of Human suffering. to show our appreciation by awarding Guatemala. I have personally witnessed and Pope John Paul II worked tirelessly with the him the Congressional Medal of Honor. been inspired on numerous occasions by his Solidarity movement in Poland to oppose com- Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- power that comes from being so rooted in munism. In 1980 and 1981 he met with Lech self such time as I may consume. God, and so devoted to the service of others. Walesa of the Polish Independent Syndicate I want to belatedly wish the Pontiff a Pope John Paul II is truly the Vicar of Christ Solidarnosc. He also traveled to Poland on happy birthday. His 80th birthday was on earth, a man who has, and continues, to several occasions to encourage democracy in last week. This is an appropriate way faithfully and courageously walk in the shoes his birthplace. In 1991, he met with Lech for us to recognize that as well. We of the Fisherman, Peter. Walesa again, as the new President of the hope he has many more. It is said that the Holy Father has had no Polish Republic. Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, personal bank account since being ordained a Pope John Paul II has also worked tirelessly today we honor Pope John Paul II, who in his priest over 50 years ago. He has truly stored to bring his message of peace and reconcili- 20 years as leader of the Catholic Church has up treasure in heaven, and we are all better ation to the world. In 1969, he visited the par- become pastor to the world, boldly proclaiming people for his untiring work here on earth. ish of Corpus Domini and made a visit to the the GospelÐthe Good News of Jesus ChristÐ Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in Jewish Community and the Synagogue in the and its message of love, hope, and reconcili- strong support of legislation, H.R. 3544, that Kazimierz section of Krakow. He has traveled ation. The Holy Father walks the path to would provide a Congressional Gold Medal, to 117 countries to pray with Catholics around peace that surpasses understanding, the road on behalf of Congress, to Pope John Paul II. the world. He recently traveled to Jerusalem in that leads to Heaven. How appropriate it is As a cosponsor of this legislation and a mem- Israel to the Western Wall. In 1998, he trav- that we honor him with a Congressional Gold ber of the House Banking Committee, I be- eled to Cuba to celebrate mass with that na- Medal, as he just celebrated his eightieth lieve that this Congressional medal would be tion's Catholic parishioners. birthday last week. Even after eight decades an appropriate honor for Pope John Paul II I urge my colleagues to support this initia- of doing the Lord's work here on earth, the who has served as the leader of the Catholic tive to honor Pope John Paul II, the Holy Fa- Pope's charisma and steadfast faith shine Church since 1978. ther, with a Congressional Gold Medal. brightly, giving hope to millions of people of all In order to be fiscally prudent, this legisla- Mr. BLILEY. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to co- faiths. tion also includes a provision stipulating that sponsor and support H.R. 3544, the Pope During his pontificate the Holy Father has the cost of this medal should come from the John Paul II Congressional Gold Medal Act. made an astonishing 176 visits to 117 different Numismatic Public Enterprise Fund and can- Over the years, Pope John Paul II has be- countries, he speaks some eight languages, not exceed $30,000. In addition, this legisla- come one of the world's greatest moral and and has written 13 incisive encyclicals. He is tion authorizes the sale of duplicate coins to spiritual forces of all time. I admire His Holi- truly a world leader, and an unparalleled be deposited into the Numismatic Public En- ness' efforts to foster peace and promote jus- champion of those who cannot speak for terprise Fund to repay it for this donation. tice, freedom, and compassion throughout his themselves: the poor, the unborn, those con- On May 18, 2000, the Holy Father cele- life. In his travels around the world, Pope John demned to death, and those whose basic brated his 80th birthday. This Congressional Paul II has inspired millions of people of all rights as children of God are trampled upon by Medal will help ensure that Pope John Paul II faiths and races because of his strong desire oppressive regimes. He waged an unrelenting receives recognition for the public service that for peace and brotherhood. crusade against the forces of atheistic Com- he has provided to all Catholics around the I had an opportunity to attend a private munism, and continues to preach the mes- world. From his boyhood home of Krakow, Po- mass with His Holiness. Afterwards, His Holi- sage of life, hope, and love amid the oppres- land, Pope John Paul II has never forgotten ness remarked to me, ``Congressman, God sive tide of the culture of death. Pope John his roots. As a young man during World War bless Ronald Reagan.'' Those five words Paul II's encyclical ``The Gospel of Life'' II, he witnessed the deportation of tens of speak volumes about a collaborative partner- (Evangelium vitae) reminds all of usÐespe- thousands of Polish Jews and Christians to ship between Pope John Paul II and President cially those in public serviceÐthat the gift of Nazi death camps. This experience made an Reagan to rid the world of the evils of Soviet human life is so precious, so full of dignity, indelible impression on the man who would communism. that it must remain inviolable and be defended become Pope John Paul II. Just this year, in Without the help of His Holiness, America against all manner of violence. his first trip to the Holy Land, he eloquently and her allies would not have been successful The Pope writes in that important document addressed survivors of the Holocaust. At in our efforts to free the world from Soviet that: Israel's Holocaust memorial, Yad Vashem, communism. Millions of citizens around the This is what is happening also at the level Pope John Paul II assured the Jewish people world owe Pope John Paul II a debt of grati- of politics and government: the original and that the Catholic Church is deeply saddened tude for his valiant efforts. inalienable right to life is questioned or de- by the hatred, acts of persecution and displays I want to thank His Holiness for his life and nied on the basis of a parliamentary vote or of anti-Semitism directed against the Jews by apostolate because he is a man of peace the will of one part of the people—even if it Christians at any time and in any place. whose words for a more just society inspire us is the majority. This is the sinister result of Pope John Paul II has made great contribu- all. His Holiness is a deserving recipient of the a relativism which reigns unopposed: the tions to mankind. For example, this year the Congressional Gold Medal because he has ‘‘right’’ ceases to be such, because it is no Holy Father lead an effort to reduce the pov- done so much to help our troubled world. longer firmly founded on the inviolable dig- erty among the poor by calling for the reduc- Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support nity of the person, but is made subject to the will of the stronger part. tion or outright cancellation of the international of awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to debt that is burdening the world's poorest na- Pope John Paul II. It is difficult to talk briefly And elsewhere in Evangelium vitae Pope tions as part of the Jubilee 2000 project. I am about a man who has done so much since John Paul II states in unambiguous terms: pleased that Congress, with my support, in- being elected to succeed Pope John Paul I in Abortion and euthanasia are thus crimes cluded this international debt relief legislation 1978. So, let me make these few comments. which no human law can claim to legitimize. There is no obligation in conscience to obey in last year's omnibus appropriations bill. This Pope John Paul II has worked tirelessly to such laws; instead there is a grave and clear law will ensure that the world's poorest nations unite the people of different countries and dif- obligation to oppose them by conscientious have much of their debt forgiven and instead ferent religions, regardless of their color or objection . . . In the case of intrinsically un- invest their scarce funds to rebuild domestic their politics. He did this as a youth, as a pro- just law, such as a law permitting abortion health and education programs. fessor at Catholic University of Lublin, as the

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.048 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 H3548 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 23, 2000 Archbishop of Krakow and continues to do so On October 16, 1978, Cardinal Wojtyla was The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. as the head of the Roman Catholic Church. elected Pope. He took the name of his prede- BARRETT of Nebraska). The question is He is said to be the most recognized man cessors, and became the first Polish leader of on the motion offered by the gen- in the world. In fact he was named ``Man of the Roman Catholic Church and the youngest tleman from Iowa (Mr. LEACH) that the the Year'' in Time magazine in 1994. But, that Pope in this century. In this capacityÐas our House suspend the rules and pass the is not why I stand before you. I stand before society has grappled with serious social ques- bill, H.R. 3544, as amended. you because this man has dedicated his life to tions, Pope John Paul II has dealt with them The question was taken. the salvation of others. in such a way as to maintain a peaceful and Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, on that I I still remember when he was chosen by the fair world order. In fact, over the last 50 years, demand the yeas and nays. College of Cardinals. There was a great deal he has remained a dedicated servant to the The yeas and nays were ordered. of discussion about him, not because he was world. Throughout his many travels, he has The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- selected to become the Pope, but rather be- promoted peace, nuclear disarmament, and ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the cause he was the first non Italian Pope since the conquering of world hunger among other Chair’s prior announcement, further 1522 and because he was only 58 years old. things. In addition, he has remained a beacon proceedings on this motion will be Now, twenty-two years later, neither his birth of strength and hope for every world citizen he postponed. place nor his age are part of the discussion. comes into contact with. f I think that there is a lesson for all of us in that As a result, I fully support this act and urge GENERAL LEAVE fact. my colleagues to authorize the Congressional Mr. LEACH. Mr. Speaker, I ask unan- I support this award because Pope John Gold Medal in honor of Pope John Paul II. imous consent that all Members may Paul II has reached out to the people of this God bless you and God Bless America. have 5 legislative days within which to planet. He encourages fraternity and encour- Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise revise and extend their remarks on ages people to live the gospel. And, in the today as a proud cosponsor and strong sup- final analysis, he has made the world a better H.R. 3544. porter of H.R. 3544, to award a Congressional The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there place for us to live. I cannot think of a better Gold Medal to Pope John Paul II for his out- objection to the request of the gen- reason for this body to give this or any award. standing leadership in promoting peace and Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Speaker, I rise tleman from Iowa? understanding across the globe. Pope John There was no objection. today to honor a great man, Karol Jozef Paul II is one of the greatest humanitarians of f Wojtyla. Now known to the world as Pope all time and this special award is a testament John Paul II, this leader of the Catholic to his successful life's work in making the VETERANS AND DEPENDENTS Church has championed the cause of pro- world a better and safer place. MILLENNIUM EDUCATION ACT moting human rights and eliminating poverty Pope John Paul II has been a revolutionary Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I move to and hunger around the world. Called by some in the world of religion. He has been a spiritual suspend the rules and pass the Senate the man of the century, John Paul II has been leader to over one billion Catholic Christians bill (S. 1402) to amend title 38, United unafraid to articulate his vision of a better around the globe. He has served as an inspi- States Code, to enhance programs pro- world and has the passion and integrity to ration to millions of American Catholics and viding education benefits for veterans, work toward that goal. The bottom line in the non-Catholics alike. and for other purposes, as amended. debate over the nature of truth and freedom, Pope John Paul II has led the charge to The Clerk read as follows: he argues, is the sanctity of all humans who unify not only diverse sects of Christianity, but S. 1402 are created equal and are endowed by their also to bridge the gaps between all respected Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- Creator with certain unalienable rights, includ- religious peoples throughout the world. resentatives of the United States of America in ing life and libertyÐas written in our very own Over the years, Pope John Paul II has trav- Congress assembled, Declaration of Independence. eled the world as a ``warrior of peace.'' His Strike all after the enacting clause and in- He was also a key figure at a pivotal junc- tireless effort to bring people together of dif- sert the following: ture in world history. As a Cardinal in Poland, ferent faiths has demonstrated to the rest of SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS; REFERENCES TO TITLE 38, UNITED he was a shrewd and unflinching opponent of the world the wonderful possibilities of the STATES CODE. communism, advancing the church's agenda good that can and will prevail when people of (a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as without allowing outright hostility and repres- diverse, sometimes seemingly bipolar back- the ‘‘Veterans and Dependents Millennium sion to develop. grounds begin to listen to one another too Education Act’’. As Pope, his support of the Solidarity move- long. (b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of con- ment was instrumental in the downfall of the From the United States to developing na- tents of this Act is as follows: government. tions, Pope John Paul II has traversed the Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents; ref- Today, just over nineteen years after a globe with a message of hope and freedom as erences to title 38, United States Code. would-be assassin shot him on May 13, 1981, our New Economy's prosperity continues to Sec. 2. Increase in rates of basic educational we vote to award Pope John Paul II with the beat down the plight of poverty. assistance under Montgomery Congressional Gold Medal. I ask all Members Pope John Paul II should be commended GI Bill. and the world to acknowledge his faith, his in- for his work in promoting democracy and for Sec. 3. Additional opportunity for certain tellect and his wonderful contributions. the demise of communism throughout Europe. VEAP participants to enroll in Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, Being such an outspoken leader in the battle basic educational assistance I rise in support of H.R. 3544, the Pope John of good versus evil enabled Pope John Paul under Montgomery GI Bill. Sec. 4. Increase in rates of survivors and de- Paul II Congressional Gold Medal Act. As you II to play a critical role in the debate which pendents educational assist- know this bill would authorize a gold medal to lead to the fall of the Berlin Wall. Time and ance. be awarded on behalf of the Congress to time again, Pope John Paul II spoke up and Sec. 5. Adjusted effective date for award of Pope John Paul II in recognition of his many defended liberty and justice wherever totali- survivors’ and dependents’ edu- and enduring contributions to peace and reli- tarian regimes have arisen. cational assistance. gious understanding. Mr. Speaker, thank you very much for bring- Sec. 6. Revision of educational assistance Born Karol Wojtyla in Wadowice, Poland in interval payment requirements. ing consideration of this legislation to the Sec. 7. Availability of education benefits for 1920, Pope John Paul II has remained a lead- House Floor. Pope John Paul II is a deserving payment for licensing or cer- ing champion of human rights around the recipient of this special award, as he has been tification tests. world, and a strong moral leader for us all. Or- a leader in promoting peace and democracy Sec. 8. Extension of certain temporary au- dained in 1946, Pope John Paul II spent eight throughout the world. With that said, I am priv- thorities. years as a professor of social ethics at the ileged to join my colleagues in support of Sec. 9. Codification of recurring provisions Catholic University of Lublin, Poland. In 1964, awarding Pope John Paul II the Congressional in annual Department of Vet- he was named the archbishop of Krakow and erans Affairs appropriations Gold Medal. Acts. only three years later he was appointed car- Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I have no Sec. 10. Preservation of certain reporting re- dinal by Pope Paul VI. As the Archbishop of further requests for time, and I yield quirements. Krakow, he would prove himself to be a noble back the balance of my time. (c) REFERENCES TO TITLE 38, UNITED STATES and trustworthy pastor in the face of Com- Mr. LEACH. Mr. Speaker, I yield CODE.—Except as otherwise expressly pro- munist persecution. back the balance of my time. vided, whenever in this Act an amendment

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A23MY7.030 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 May 23, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3549 or repeal is expressed in terms of an amend- Treasury of the United States as miscella- (2) The amendment made by paragraph (1) ment to, or repeal of, a section or other pro- neous receipts. shall take effect on October 1, 2002, and shall vision, the reference shall be considered to ‘‘(B)(i) The Secretary concerned shall pro- apply with respect to educational assistance be made to a section or other provision of vide for an 18-month period, beginning on the allowances paid under section 3534(b) of title title 38, United States Code. date the qualified individual makes an elec- 38, United States Code, for months after Sep- SEC. 2. INCREASE IN RATES OF BASIC EDU- tion under paragraph (1), for the qualified in- tember 2002. CATIONAL ASSISTANCE UNDER dividual to pay that Secretary the amount (3) In the case of an educational assistance MONTGOMERY GI BILL. due under subparagraph (A). allowance paid for a month after September (a) ACTIVE DUTY EDUCATIONAL ASSIST- ‘‘(ii) Nothing in clause (i) shall be con- 2000 and before October 2002 under section ANCE.—(1) Section 3015 is amended— strued as modifying the period of eligibility 3534 of such title, subsection (b) of such sec- (A) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ‘‘$528’’ for and entitlement to basic education as- tion shall be applied by substituting ‘‘$600’’ and inserting ‘‘$720’’; and sistance under this chapter applicable under for ‘‘$485’’. (B) in subsection (b)(1), by striking ‘‘$429’’ section 3031 of this title. (c) SPECIAL RESTORATIVE TRAINING.—(1) and inserting ‘‘$585’’. ‘‘(C) The provisions of subsection (c) shall Section 3542(a) is amended— (2) The amendments made by paragraph (1) apply to individuals making elections under (A) by striking ‘‘$485’’ and inserting ‘‘$720’’; shall take effect on October 1, 2002, and shall this subsection in the same manner as they (B) by striking ‘‘$152’’ each place it appears apply with respect to educational assistance applied to individuals making elections and inserting ‘‘$225’’; and allowances paid for months after September under subsection (a)(5). (C) by striking ‘‘$16.16’’ and inserting 2002. ‘‘(4) With respect to qualified individuals ‘‘$24’’. (3) In the case of an educational assistance referred to in paragraph (3)(A)(ii), no amount (2) The amendments made by paragraph (1) allowance paid for a month after September of educational assistance allowance under shall take effect on October 1, 2002, and shall 2000, and before October 2002 under section this chapter shall be paid to the qualified in- apply with respect to educational assistance 3015 of such title— dividual until the earlier of the date on allowances paid under section 3542(a) of title (A) subsection (a)(1) of such section shall which— 38, United States Code, for months after Sep- be applied by substituting ‘‘$600’’ for ‘‘$528’’; ‘‘(A) the Secretary concerned collects the tember 2002. and applicable amount under subparagraph (I) of (3) In the case of an educational assistance (B) subsection (b)(1) of such section shall such paragraph, or allowance paid for a month after September be applied by substituting ‘‘$487’’ for ‘‘$429’’. ‘‘(B) the retired or retainer pay of the 2000 and before October 2002 under section (b) CPI ADJUSTMENT.—No adjustment in qualified individual is first reduced under 3542 of such title, subsection (a) of such sec- rates of educational assistance shall be made subparagraph (II) of such paragraph. tion shall be applied by substituting— ‘‘(5) The Secretary, in conjunction with the under section 3015(g) of title 38, United (A) ‘‘$600’’ for ‘‘$485’’; Secretary of Defense, shall provide for notice States Code, for fiscal years 2001 and 2003. (B) ‘‘$188’’ for ‘‘$152’’ each place it appears; to participants in the educational benefits SEC. 3. ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITY FOR CERTAIN and program under chapter 32 of this title of the VEAP PARTICIPANTS TO ENROLL IN (C) ‘‘$20’’ for ‘‘$16.16’’. BASIC EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE opportunity under this section to elect to be- (d) APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING.—(1) Section UNDER MONTGOMERY GI BILL. come entitled to basic educational assist- 3687(b)(2) is amended— (a) SPECIAL ENROLLMENT PERIOD.—Section ance under this chapter.’’. (A) by striking ‘‘$353’’ and inserting ‘‘$524’’; 3018C is amended by adding at the end the (b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section following new subsection: 3018C(b) is amended by striking ‘‘subsection (B) by striking ‘‘$264’’ and inserting ‘‘$392’’; ‘‘(e)(1) A qualified individual (described in (a)’’ and inserting ‘‘subsection (a) or (e)’’. (C) by striking ‘‘$175’’ and inserting ‘‘$260’’; paragraph (2)) may make an irrevocable elec- and SEC. 4. INCREASE IN RATES OF SURVIVORS AND (D) by striking ‘‘$88’’ and inserting ‘‘$131’’. tion under this subsection, during the one- DEPENDENTS EDUCATIONAL ASSIST- year period beginning on the date of the en- ANCE. (2) The amendments made by paragraph (1) actment of this subsection, to become enti- (a) SURVIVORS AND DEPENDENTS EDU- shall take effect on October 1, 2002, and shall tled to basic educational assistance under CATIONAL ASSISTANCE.—(1) Section 3532 is apply with respect to educational assistance this chapter. Such an election shall be made amended— allowances paid under section 3687(b)(2) of in the same manner as elections made under (A) in subsection (a)(1)— title 38, United States Code, for months after subsection (a)(5). (i) by striking ‘‘$485’’ and inserting ‘‘$720’’; September 2002. ‘‘(2) A qualified individual referred to in (ii) by striking ‘‘$365’’ and inserting ‘‘$540’’; (3) In the case of an educational assistance paragraph (1) is an individual who meets the and allowance paid for a month after September following requirements: (iii) by striking ‘‘$242’’ and inserting 2000 and before October 2002 under section ‘‘(A) The individual was a participant in ‘‘$360’’; 3687 of such title, subsection (b)(2) of such the educational benefits program under (B) in subsection (a)(2), by striking ‘‘$485’’ section shall be applied by substituting— chapter 32 of this title on or before October and inserting ‘‘$720’’; (A) ‘‘$437’’ for ‘‘$353’’; 9, 1996. (C) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘$485’’ (B) ‘‘$327’’ for ‘‘$264’’; ‘‘(B) The individual has continuously and inserting ‘‘$720’’; and (C) ‘‘$216’’ for ‘‘$175’’; and served on active duty since October 9, 1996 (D) in subsection (c)(2)— (D) ‘‘$109’’ for ‘‘$88’’. (excluding the periods referred to in section (i) by striking ‘‘$392’’ and inserting ‘‘$582’’; (e) PROVISION FOR ANNUAL ADJUSTMENTS TO 3202(1)(C) of this title), through at least (ii) by striking ‘‘$294’’ and inserting ‘‘$436’’; AMOUNTS OF ASSISTANCE.— April, 1, 2000. and (1) CHAPTER 35.—(A) Subchapter VI of chap- ‘‘(C) The individual meets the require- (iii) by striking ‘‘$196’’ and inserting ter 35 is amended by adding at the end the ments of subsection (a)(3). ‘‘$291’’. following new section: ‘‘(D) The individual is discharged or re- (2) The amendments made by paragraph (1) ‘‘§ 3564. Annual adjustment of amounts of leased from active duty with an honorable shall take effect on October 1, 2002, and shall educational assistance discharge. apply with respect to educational assistance ‘‘With respect to any fiscal year, the Sec- ‘‘(3)(A) Subject to succeeding provisions of allowances paid for months after September retary shall provide a percentage increase this paragraph, with respect to a qualified 2002. (rounded to the nearest dollar) in the rates individual who makes an election under (3) In the case of an educational assistance payable under sections 3532, 3534(b), and paragraph (1) to become entitled to basic allowance paid for a month after September 3542(a) of this title equal to the percentage education assistance under this chapter— 2000 and before October 2002 under section by which— ‘‘(i) the basic pay of the qualified indi- 3532 of such title— ‘‘(1) the Consumer Price Index (all items, vidual shall be reduced (in a manner deter- (A) subsection (a)(1) of such section shall United States city average) for the 12-month mined by the Secretary concerned) until the be applied by substituting— period ending on the June 30 preceding the total amount by which such basic pay is re- (i) ‘‘$600’’ for ‘‘$485’’; beginning of the fiscal year for which the in- duced is $2,700; and (ii) ‘‘$450’’ for ‘‘$365’’; and crease is made, exceeds ‘‘(ii) to the extent that basic pay is not so (iii) ‘‘$300’’ for ‘‘$242’’; ‘‘(2) such Consumer Price Index for the 12- reduced before the qualified individual’s dis- (B) subsection (a)(2) of such section shall month period preceding the 12-month period charge or release from active duty as speci- be applied by substituting ‘‘$600’’ for ‘‘$485’’; described in paragraph (1).’’. fied in subsection (a)(4), at the election of (C) subsection (b) of such section shall be (B) The table of sections at the beginning the qualified individual— applied by substituting ‘‘$600’’ for ‘‘$485’’; and of chapter 35 is amended by inserting after ‘‘(I) the Secretary concerned shall collect (D) subsection (c)(2) of such section shall the item relating to section 3563 the fol- from the qualified individual, or be applied by substituting— lowing new item: ‘‘(II) the Secretary concerned shall reduce (i) ‘‘$485’’ for ‘‘$392’’; the retired or retainer pay of the qualified (ii) ‘‘$364’’ for ‘‘$294’’; and ‘‘3564. Annual adjustment of amounts of edu- individual by, (iii) ‘‘$242’’ for ‘‘$196’’. cational assistance.’’. an amount equal to the difference between (b) CORRESPONDENCE COURSE.—(1) Section (2) CHAPTER 36.—Section 3687 is amended by $2,700 and the total amount of reductions 3534(b) is amended by striking ‘‘$485’’ and in- adding at the end the following new sub- under clause (i), which shall be paid into the serting ‘‘$720’’. section:

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A23MY7.015 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 H3550 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 23, 2000 ‘‘(d) With respect to any fiscal year, the the enrollment of the eligible veteran or eli- graph (3), the amount of educational assist- Secretary shall provide a percentage in- gible person on an individual term basis if (i) ance payable under this chapter for a licens- crease (rounded to the nearest dollar) in the the period between such terms does not ex- ing or certification test described in section rates payable under subsection (b)(2) equal to ceed eight weeks, and (ii) both the terms pre- 3452(b) of this title is the lesser of $2,000 or the percentage by which— ceding and following the period are not the fee charged for the test. ‘‘(1) the Consumer Price Index (all items, shorter in length than the period.’’. ‘‘(2) The number of months of entitlement United States city average) for the 12-month (b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment charged in the case of any individual for period ending on the June 30 preceding the made by subsection (a) shall apply with re- such licensing or certification test is equal beginning of the fiscal year for which the in- spect to payments of educational assistance to the number (including any fraction) deter- crease is made, exceeds under title 38, United States Code, for mined by dividing the total amount paid to ‘‘(2) such Consumer Price Index for the 12- months beginning on or after the date of the such individual for such test by the full-time month period preceding the 12-month period enactment of this Act. monthly institutional rate of the edu- described in paragraph (1).’’. SEC. 7. AVAILABILITY OF EDUCATION BENEFITS cational assistance allowance which, except (3) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments FOR PAYMENT FOR LICENSING OR for paragraph (1) of this subsection, such in- made by this subsection shall apply with re- CERTIFICATION TESTS. dividual would otherwise be paid under this spect to fiscal year 2002 and each fiscal year (a) IN GENERAL.—Sections 3452(b) and chapter. beginning on or after October 1, 2003. 3501(a)(5) are each amended by adding at the ‘‘(3) In no event shall payment of edu- SEC. 5. ADJUSTED EFFECTIVE DATE FOR AWARD end the following new sentence: ‘‘Such term cational assistance under this subsection for OF SURVIVORS’ AND DEPENDENTS’ also includes licensing or certification tests, such a test exceed the amount of the individ- EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE. the successful completion of which dem- ual’s available entitlement under this chap- (a) IN GENERAL.—Section 5113 is amended— onstrates an individual’s possession of the ter.’’. (1) by redesignating subsection (b) as sub- knowledge or skill required to enter into, (4) CHAPTER 35.—Section 3532 is amended by section (c); maintain, or advance in employment in a adding at the end the following new sub- (2) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘sub- predetermined and identified vocation or section: section (b) of this section’’ and inserting profession, provided such tests and the li- ‘‘(f) PAYMENT AMOUNT FOR LICENSING OR ‘‘subsections (b) and (c)’’; and censing or credentialing organizations or en- CERTIFICATION TEST.—(1) Subject to para- (3) by inserting after subsection (a) the fol- tities that offer such tests are approved by graph (3), the amount of educational assist- lowing new subsection: the Secretary in accordance with section ance payable under this chapter for a licens- ‘‘(b)(1) When determining the effective date 3689 of this title.’’. ing or certification test described in section of an award of survivors’ and dependents’ (b) AMOUNT OF PAYMENT.— 3452(b) of this title is the lesser of $2,000 or educational assistance under chapter 35 of (1) CHAPTER 30.—Section 3032 is amended by the fee charged for the test. this title for an individual described in para- adding at the end the following new sub- ‘‘(2) The number of months of entitlement graph (2) based on an original claim, the Sec- section: charged in the case of any individual for retary shall consider the individual’s appli- ‘‘(g) PAYMENT AMOUNT FOR LICENSING OR such licensing or certification test is equal cation (under section 3513 of this title) as CERTIFICATION TEST.—(1) Subject to para- to the number (including any fraction) deter- having been filed on the effective date from graph (3), the amount of educational assist- mined by dividing the total amount paid to which the Secretary, by rating decision, de- ance payable under this chapter for a licens- such individual for such test by the full-time termines that the individual is entitled to ing or certification test described in section monthly institutional rate of the edu- such educational assistance (such entitle- 3452(b) of this title is the lesser of $2,000 or cational assistance allowance which, except ment being based on the total service-con- the fee charged for the test. for paragraph (1) of this subsection, such in- nected disability evaluated as permanent in ‘‘(2) The number of months of entitlement dividual would otherwise be paid under this nature, or the service-connected death, of charged in the case of any individual for chapter. the spouse or parent from whom the individ- such licensing or certification test is equal ‘‘(3) In no event shall payment of edu- ual’s eligibility is derived) if that date is to the number (including any fraction) deter- cational assistance under this subsection for more than one year before the date such rat- mined by dividing the total amount of edu- such a test exceed the amount of the individ- ing decision is made. cational assistance paid such individual for ual’s available entitlement under this chap- ‘‘(2) An individual referred to in paragraph such test by the full-time monthly institu- ter.’’. (1) is a person who is eligible for educational tional rate of educational assistance which, (c) REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSING AND assistance under chapter 35 of this title by except for paragraph (1) of this subsection, CREDENTIALING TESTING.— reason of subparagraph (A)(i), (A)(ii), (B), or such individual would otherwise be paid (1) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 36 is amended by (D) of section 3501(a)(1) of this title who— under subsection (a)(1), (b)(1), (d), or (e)(1) of inserting after section 3688 the following new ‘‘(A) submits to the Secretary an original section 3015 of this title, as the case may be. section: application under such section 3513 for such ‘‘(3) In no event shall payment of edu- educational assistance within one year of the cational assistance under this subsection for ‘‘§ 3689. Approval requirements for licensing date that the Secretary issues the rating de- such a test exceed the amount of the individ- and certification testing cision referred to in paragraph (1); ual’s available entitlement under this chap- ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—(1) No payment may be ‘‘(B) claims such educational assistance for ter.’’. made for a licensing or certification test de- an approved program of education for (2) CHAPTER 32.—Section 3232 is amended by scribed in section 3452(b) or section 3501(a)(5) months preceding the one-year period ending adding at the end the following new sub- of this title unless the Secretary determines on the date on which the individual’s appli- section: that the requirements of this section have cation under such section was received by ‘‘(c) PAYMENT AMOUNT FOR LICENSING OR been met with respect to such test and the the Secretary; and CERTIFICATION TEST.—(1) Subject to para- organization or entity offering the test. The ‘‘(C) would have been entitled to such edu- graph (3), the amount of educational assist- requirements of approval for tests and orga- cational assistance for such course pursuit ance payable under this chapter for a licens- nizations or entities offering tests shall be in for such months, without regard to this sub- ing or certification test described in section accordance with the relevant provisions of section, if the individual had submitted such 3452(b) of this title is the lesser of $2,000 or this part and with such regulations promul- an application on the effective date from the fee charged for the test. gated by the Secretary to carry out this sec- which the Secretary determined the indi- ‘‘(2) The number of months of entitlement tion. vidual was eligible for such educational as- charged in the case of any individual for ‘‘(2) To the extent that the Secretary de- sistance.’’. such licensing or certification test is equal termines practicable, State approving agen- (b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments to the number (including any fraction) deter- cies may, in lieu of the Secretary, approve li- made by subsection (a) shall apply to appli- mined by dividing the total amount paid to censing and certification tests, and organiza- cations first made under section 3513 of title such individual for such test by the full-time tions and entities offering such tests, under 38, United States Code, that— monthly institutional rate of the edu- this section. (1) are received on or after the date of the cational assistance allowance which, except ‘‘(b) REQUIREMENTS FOR TESTS.—(1) Subject enactment of this Act, or for paragraph (1) of this subsection, such in- to paragraph (2), a licensing or certification (2) on the date of the enactment of this dividual would otherwise be paid under this test is approved for purposes of this section Act, are pending (A) with the Secretary of chapter. only if— Veterans Affairs or (B) exhaustion of avail- ‘‘(3) In no event shall payment of edu- ‘‘(A) the test is required under Federal, able administrative and judicial remedies. cational assistance under this subsection for State, or local law or regulation for an indi- SEC. 6. REVISION OF EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE such a test exceed the amount of the individ- vidual to enter into, maintain, or advance in INTERVAL PAYMENT REQUIRE- ual’s available entitlement under this chap- employment in a predetermined and identi- MENTS. ter.’’. fied vocation or profession, or (a) IN GENERAL.—Subclause (C) of the third (3) CHAPTER 34.—Section 3482 is amended by ‘‘(B) the Secretary determines that the sentence of section 3680(a) is amended to adding at the end the following new sub- test is generally accepted, in accordance read as follows: section: with relevant government, business, or in- ‘‘(C) during periods between school terms ‘‘(h) PAYMENT AMOUNT FOR LICENSING OR dustry standards, employment policies, or where the educational institution certifies CERTIFICATION TEST.—(1) Subject to para- hiring practices, as attesting to a level of

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A23MY7.015 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 May 23, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3551 knowledge or skill required to qualify to ‘‘(I) Upon request of the Secretary, the or- ‘‘(5) The Committee shall terminate De- enter into, maintain, or advance in employ- ganization or entity furnishes such informa- cember 31, 2006.’’. ment in a predetermined and identified voca- tion to the Secretary that the Secretary de- (2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of tion or profession. termines necessary to perform an assessment sections at the beginning of chapter 36 is ‘‘(2) A licensing or certification test of- of— amended by inserting after the item relating fered by a State, or a political subdivision of ‘‘(i) the test conducted by the organization to section 3688 the following new item: the State, is deemed approved by the Sec- or entity as compared to the level of knowl- ‘‘3689. Approval requirements for licensing retary. edge or skills that a license or certificate at- and certification testing.’’. tests, and ‘‘(c) REQUIREMENTS FOR ORGANIZATIONS OR (d) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments ENTITIES OFFERING TESTS.—(1) Each organi- ‘‘(ii) the applicability of the test over such made by this section shall take effect on Oc- zation or entity that is not an entity of the periods of time as the Secretary determines tober 1, 2000, and apply with respect to li- United States, a State, or political subdivi- appropriate. censing and certification tests approved by ‘‘(2) With respect to each organization or sion of a State, that offers a licensing or cer- the Secretary on or after such date. tification test for which payment may be entity that is an entity of the United States, a State, or political subdivision of a State, SEC. 8. EXTENSION OF CERTAIN TEMPORARY AU- made under this part, and that meets the fol- THORITIES. that offers a licensing or certification test lowing requirements shall be approved by (a) ENHANCED LOAN ASSET SALE AUTHOR- for which payment may be made under this the Secretary to offer such test: ITY.—Section 3720(h)(2) is amended by strik- part, the following provisions of paragraph ‘‘(A) The organization or entity certifies to ing ‘‘December 31, 2002’’ and inserting ‘‘De- (1) shall apply to the entity: subparagraphs the Secretary that each licensing or certifi- cember 31, 2008’’. (E), (F), (G), and (H). cation test offered by the organization or en- (b) HOME LOAN FEES.—Section 3729(a) is tity is required to obtain the license or cer- ‘‘(d) ADMINISTRATION.—(1) Except as other- wise specifically provided in this section or amended— tificate required to enter into, maintain, or (1) in paragraph (4)(B)— advance in employment in a predetermined part, in implementing this section and mak- ing payment under this part for a licensing (A) by striking ‘‘2002’’ and inserting ‘‘2008’’; and identified vocation or profession. and ‘‘(B) The organization or entity is licensed, or certification test, the test is deemed to be a ‘course’ and the organization or entity that (B) by striking ‘‘2003’’ and inserting ‘‘2009’’; chartered, or incorporated in a State and has and offered such tests for a minimum of two offers such test is deemed to be an ‘institu- tion’ or ‘educational institution’, respec- (2) in paragraph (5)(C), by striking ‘‘Octo- years before the date on which the organiza- ber 1, 2002’’ and inserting ‘‘October 1, 2008’’. tion or entity first submits to the Secretary tively, as those terms are applied under and for purposes of sections 3671, 3673, 3674, 3678, (c) PROCEDURES APPLICABLE TO LIQUIDATION an application for approval under this sec- SALES ON DEFAULTED HOME LOANS GUARAN- tion. 3679, 3681, 3682, 3683, 3685, 3690, and 3696 of this title. TEED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AF- ‘‘(C) The organization or entity employs, FAIRS.—Section 3732(c)(11) is amended by or consults with, individuals with expertise ‘‘(2) The Secretary shall use amounts ap- propriated to the Department in fiscal year striking ‘‘October 1, 2002’’ and inserting ‘‘Oc- or substantial experience with respect to all tober 1, 2008’’. areas of knowledge or skill that are meas- 2001 for readjustment benefits to develop the systems and procedures required to make (d) INCOME VERIFICATION AUTHORITY.—Sec- ured by the test and that are required for the tion 5317(g) is amended by striking ‘‘Sep- license of certificate issued. payments under this part for a licensing or certification test, such amounts not to ex- tember 30, 2002’’ and inserting ‘‘September ‘‘(D) The organization or entity has no di- 30, 2008’’. rect financial interest in— ceed $3,000,000. ‘‘(e) PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION AND LI- (e) LIMITATION ON PENSION FOR CERTAIN RE- ‘‘(i) the outcome of a test, or CENSURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE.—(1) There is CIPIENTS OF MEDICAID-COVERED NURSING ‘‘(ii) organizations that provide the edu- established within the Department a com- HOME CARE.—Section 5503(f)(7) is amended by cation or training of candidates for licenses mittee to be known as the Professional Cer- striking ‘‘September 30, 2002’’ and inserting or certificates required for vocations or pro- tification and Licensure Advisory Com- ‘‘September 30, 2008’’. fessions. mittee (hereinafter in this section referred SEC. 9. CODIFICATION OF RECURRING PROVI- ‘‘(E) The organization or entity maintains to as the ‘Committee’). SIONS IN ANNUAL DEPARTMENT OF appropriate records with respect to all can- ‘‘(2) The Committee shall advise the Sec- VETERANS AFFAIRS APPROPRIA- TIONS ACTS. didates who take such a test for a period pre- retary with respect to the requirements of scribed by the Secretary, but in no case for organizations or entities offering licensing (a) CODIFICATION OF RECURRING PROVI- a period of less than three years. and certification tests to individuals for SIONS.—(1) Section 313 is amended by adding ‘‘(F)(i) The organization or entity prompt- which payment for such tests may be made at the end the following new subsections: ly issues notice of the results of the test to under this part, and such other related issues ‘‘(c) COMPENSATION AND PENSION.—Funds the candidate for the license or certificate. as the Committee determines to be appro- appropriated for Compensation and Pensions ‘‘(ii) The organization or entity has in priate. are available for the following purposes: place a process to review complaints sub- ‘‘(3)(A) The Secretary shall appoint five in- ‘‘(1) The payment of compensation benefits mitted against the organization or entity dividuals with expertise in matters relating to or on behalf of veterans as authorized by with respect to a test the organization or en- to licensing and certification tests to serve section 107 and chapters 11, 13, 51, 53, 55, and tity offers or the process for obtaining a li- as members of the Committee, of whom— 61 of this title. cense or certificate required for vocations or ‘‘(i) one shall be a representative of the Co- ‘‘(2) Pension benefits to or on behalf of vet- professions. alition for Professional Certification, erans as authorized by chapters 15, 51, 53, 55, ‘‘(G) The organization or entity furnishes ‘‘(ii) one shall be a representative of the and 61 of this title and section 306 of the Vet- to the Secretary such information with re- Council on Licensure and Enforcement, and erans’ and Survivors’ Pension Improvement spect to a licensing or certification test of- ‘‘(iii) one shall be a representative of the Act of 1978. fered by the organization or entity as the National Skill Standards Board (established ‘‘(3) The payment of benefits as authorized Secretary requires to determine whether under section 503 of the National Skill under chapter 18 of this title. payment may be made for the test under this Standards Act of 1994 (20 U.S.C. 5933)). ‘‘(4) Burial benefits, emergency and other part, including personal identifying informa- ‘‘(B) The Secretary of Labor and the Sec- officers’ retirement pay, adjusted-service tion, fee payment, and test results. Such in- retary of Defense shall serve as ex-officio credits and certificates, payments of pre- formation shall be furnished in the form pre- members of the Committee. miums due on commercial life insurance scribed by the Secretary. ‘‘(C) A vacancy in the Committee shall be policies guaranteed under the provisions of ‘‘(H) The organization or entity furnishes filled in the manner in which the original ap- article IV of the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil to the Secretary the following information: pointment was made. Relief Act of 1940 (50 U.S.C. App. 540 et seq.), ‘‘(i) A description of each licensing or cer- ‘‘(4)(A) The Secretary shall appoint the and other benefits as authorized by sections tification test offered by the organization or chairman of the Committee. 107, 1312, 1977, and 2106 and chapters 23, 51, 53, entity, including the purpose of each test, ‘‘(B) The Committee shall meet at the call 55, and 61 of this title and the World War Ad- the vocational, professional, governmental, of the chairman. justed Compensation Act (43 Stat. 122, 123), and other entities that recognize the test, ‘‘(C)(i) Members of the Committee shall the Act of May 24, 1928 (Public Law No. 506 and the license of certificate issued upon serve without compensation. of the 70th Congress; 45 Stat. 735), and Public successful completion of the test. ‘‘(ii) Members of the Committee shall be Law 87–875 (76 Stat. 1198). ‘‘(ii) The requirements to take such a test, allowed reasonable and necessary travel ex- ‘‘(d) MEDICAL CARE.—Funds appropriated including the amount of the fee charged for penses, including per diem in lieu of subsist- for Medical Care are available for the fol- the test and any prerequisite education, ence, at rates authorized for persons serving lowing purposes: training, skills, or other certification. intermittently in the Government service in ‘‘(1) The maintenance and operation of hos- ‘‘(iii) The period for which the license or accordance with the provisions of subchapter pitals, nursing homes, and domiciliary facili- certificate awarded upon successful comple- I of chapter 57 of title 5 while away from ties. tion of such a test is valid, and the require- their homes or regular places of business in ‘‘(2) Furnishing, as authorized by law, in- ments for maintaining or renewing the li- the performance of the responsibilities of the patient and outpatient care and treatment cense or certificate. Committee. to beneficiaries of the Department, including

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A23MY7.015 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 H3552 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 23, 2000 care and treatment in facilities not under of the Department which are necessary be- (B) The table of sections at the beginning the jurisdiction of the Department. cause of loss or damage caused by a natural of such chapter, as amended by section ‘‘(3) Furnishing recreational facilities, sup- disaster or catastrophe; and 9(2)(B), is further amended by adding at the plies, and equipment. ‘‘(2) temporary measures necessary to pre- end the following new item: ‘‘(4) Funeral and burial expenses and other vent or to minimize further loss by such ‘‘117. Reports to Congress: cost informa- expenses incidental to funeral and burial ex- causes.’’. tion.’’. penses for beneficiaries receiving care from (2)(A) Chapter 1 is amended by adding at (2) EFFECTIVE DATE.—Section 117 of title the Department. the end the following new section: 38, United States Code, as added by para- ‘‘(5) Administrative expenses in support of ‘‘§ 116. Definition of cost of direct and guaran- graph (1) of this subsection, shall apply with planning, design, project management, real teed loans respect to any report submitted by the Sec- property acquisition and disposition, con- ‘‘For the purpose of any provision of law retary of Veterans Affairs after the end of struction, and renovation of any facility appropriating funds to the Department for the 90-day period beginning on the date of under the jurisdiction or for the use of the the cost of direct or guaranteed loans, the the enactment of this Act. Department. cost of any such loan, including the cost of The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- ‘‘(6) Oversight, engineering, and architec- modifying any such loan, shall be as defined ant to the rule, the gentleman from Ar- tural activities not charged to project cost. in section 502 of the Congressional Budget izona (Mr. STUMP) and the gentleman ‘‘(7) Repairing, altering, improving, or pro- Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 661a).’’. viding facilities in the medical facilities and from Illinois (Mr. EVANS) each will con- (B) The table of sections at the beginning homes under the jurisdiction of the Depart- trol 20 minutes. of such chapter is amended by adding at the ment, not otherwise provided for, either by The Chair recognizes the gentleman end the following new item: contact or by the hire of temporary employ- from Arizona (Mr. STUMP). ees and purchase of materials. ‘‘116. Definition of cost of direct and guaran- GENERAL LEAVE ‘‘(8) Uniforms or uniform allowances, as teed loans.’’. Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I ask authorized by sections 5901 and 5902 of title 5. (b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—Subsections (c) unanimous consent that all Members ‘‘(9) Aid to State homes, as authorized by through (h) of section 313 of title 38, United may have 5 legislative days within section 1741 of this title. States Code, as added by subsection (a)(1), which to revise and extend their re- ‘‘(10) Administrative and legal expenses of and section 116 of such title, as added by sub- the Department for collecting and recov- section (a)(2), shall take effect with respect marks and include extraneous material ering amounts owed the Department as au- to funds appropriated for fiscal year 2002. on S. 1402. thorized under chapter 17 of this title and SEC. 10. PRESERVATION OF CERTAIN REPORTING The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there Public Law 87–693, popularly known as the REQUIREMENTS. objection to the request of the gen- Federal Medical Care Recovery Act (42 (a) INAPPLICABILITY OF PRIOR REPORTS TER- tleman from Arizona? U.S.C. 2651 et seq.). MINATION PROVISION TO CERTAIN REPORTS OF There was no objection. ‘‘(e) MEDICAL ADMINISTRATION AND MIS- THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.— Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- CELLANEOUS OPERATING EXPENSES.—Funds Section 3003(a)(1) of the Federal Reports self such time as I may consume. appropriated for Medical Administration and Elimination and Sunset Act of 1995 (31 U.S.C. (Mr. STUMP asked and was given Miscellaneous Operating Expenses are avail- 1113 note) does not apply to any report re- permission to revise and extend his re- able for the following purposes: quired to be submitted under any of the fol- marks.) ‘‘(1) The administration of medical, hos- lowing sections of title 38, United States pital, nursing home, domiciliary, construc- Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, the com- Code: sections 503(c), 529, 541(c), 542(c), 3036, mittee amendment to S. 1402 is H.R. tion, supply, and research activities author- and 7312(d). 4268, the Veterans and Dependents Mil- ized by law. (b) REPEAL OF REPORTING REQUIREMENTS ‘‘(2) Administrative expenses in support of TERMINATED BY PRIOR LAW.—Sections lennium Education Act. This bill was planning, design, project management, ar- 8111A(f) and 8201(h) are repealed. favorably reported by the Committee chitectural work, engineering, real property (c) SUNSET OF CERTAIN REPORTING REQUIRE- on Veterans’ Affairs on May 11. acquisition and disposition, construction, MENTS.— Last year, the report of the congres- and renovation of any facility under the ju- (1) ANNUAL REPORT ON EQUITABLE RELIEF sional commission on service members risdiction or for the use of the Department, CASES.—Section 503(c) is amended by adding and veterans transition assistance, bet- including site acquisition. at the end the following new sentence: ‘‘No ter known as the Principi Commission, ‘‘(3) Engineering and architectural activi- report shall be required under this sub- ties not charged to project costs. indicated that substantial increases in section after December 31, 2004.’’. veterans’ education programs are need- ‘‘(4) Research and development in building (2) BIENNIAL REPORT OF ADVISORY COM- construction technology. MITTEE ON FORMER PRISONERS OF WAR.—Sec- ed. The Committee on Veterans’ Af- ‘‘(f) GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES.—Funds tion 541(c)(1) is amended by inserting fairs agreed with that assessment. H.R. appropriated for General Operating Expenses ‘‘through 2003’’ after ‘‘each odd-numbered 4268 would take our first steps to im- are available for the following purposes: year’’. prove veterans’ education benefits as ‘‘(1) Uniforms or allowances therefor. (3) BIENNIAL REPORT OF ADVISORY COM- recommended in the commission re- ‘‘(2) Hire of passenger motor vehicles. MITTEE ON WOMEN VETERANS.—Section ‘‘(3) Reimbursement of the General Serv- port. It would increase the Mont- 542(c)(1) is amended by inserting ‘‘through gomery GI Bill from $536 to $600 per ices Administration for security guard serv- 2004’’ after ‘‘each even-numbered year’’. ices. month on October 1, 2000, and to $720 a (4) BIENNIAL REPORTS ON MONTGOMERY GI ‘‘(4) Reimbursement of the Department of month on October 1, 2002. Educational BILL.—Subsection (d) of section 3036 is Defense for the cost of overseas employee amended to read as follows: assistance benefits for survivors and mail. ‘‘(d) No report shall be required under this dependents would be raised at the same ‘‘(5) Administration of the Service Mem- section after January 1, 2005.’’. amount. bers Occupational Conversion and Training (5) ANNUAL REPORT OF SPECIAL MEDICAL AD- H.R. 4268 would also furnish individ- Act of 1992 (10 U.S.C. 1143 note). VISORY GROUP.—Section 7312(d) is amended uals still on active duty the option to ‘‘(g) CONSTRUCTION.—Funds appropriated by adding at the end the following new sen- for Construction, Major Projects, and for convert to Montgomery GI Bill eligi- tence: ‘‘No report shall be required under Construction, Minor Projects, are available, bility if they were eligible for the post- this subsection after December 31, 2004.’’. with respect to a project, for the following Vietnam era Veterans’ Educational As- (d) COST INFORMATION TO BE PROVIDED purposes: sistance Program. More needs to be ‘‘(1) Planning. WITH EACH REPORT REQUIRED BY CONGRESS.— (1) IN GENERAL.—(A) Chapter 1, as amended done on this to bring the Montgomery ‘‘(2) Architectural and engineering serv- GI Bill benefits in line with the rising ices. by section 9(2)(A), is further ‘‘(3) Maintenance or guarantee period serv- amended by adding at the end the following cost of education, but this bill is a good ices costs associated with equipment guaran- new section: start. We have worked closely with the tees provided under the project. ‘‘§ 117. Reports to Congress: cost information Committee on the Budget on this legis- ‘‘(4) Services of claims analysts. ‘‘Whenever the Secretary submits to Con- lation, which is paid for under the pay- ‘‘(5) Offsite utility and storm drainage sys- gress, or any committee of Congress, a re- go requirements of the Budget Act. I tem construction costs. port that is required by law or by a joint ex- want to personally thank the gen- planatory statement of a committee of con- ‘‘(6) Site acquisition. tleman from Ohio (Mr. KASICH) for his ‘‘(h) CONSTRUCTION, MINOR PROJECTS.—In ference of the Congress, the Secretary shall addition to the purposes specified in sub- include with the report— support of this proposal and for work- section (g), funds appropriated for Construc- ‘‘(1) a statement of the cost of preparing ing to include it in the budget resolu- tion, Minor Projects, are available for— the report; and tion. ‘‘(1) repairs to any of the nonmedical fa- ‘‘(2) a brief explanation of the methodology I urge my colleagues to support pas- cilities under the jurisdiction or for the use used in preparing that cost statement.’’. sage of S. 1402, as amended.

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A23MY7.015 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 May 23, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3553 Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of gomery GI Bill basic monthly benefit and make $100 per month pay reduction during the first my time. other improvements to his important veterans' 12 months of service, for a total contribution of Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- readjustment program. I also want to recog- $1200. Once their initial term of service has self such time as I may consume. nize the gentleman from Mississippi, RONNIE been honorably served, a veteran is eligible to First, I want to thank the gentleman SHOWS, for his determined advocacy for vet- receive the basic educational benefit of $536 from Arizona (Mr. STUMP) for his lead- erans. He is a leader on veterans' educational each month he or she is enrolled in full-time ership on this legislation before us benefits and health care for our military retir- college study. The benefit continues for up to today. I am optimistic that the House ees. On behalf of our veterans, I thank him for 36 months. Assuming he or she is enrolled for will enact legislation to increase the his leadership on these and so many other im- Montgomery GI Bill basic monthly portant issues. a typical nine-month academic year, the vet- benefit and make other improvements Mr. Speaker, I also welcome support from eran's total benefit for that year is $4,824. to this important veterans’ readjust- the Administration for needed benefit in- With this modest amount he or she is ex- ment program. I am very pleased that creases in the Montgomery GI Bill. The Ad- pected to pay for tuition, fees, room and the person who provided the inspira- ministration has proposed to increase the board. tion for this program, Sonny Mont- basic monthly benefit to $670 per month effec- The average annual cost of tuition and basic gomery, has joined us today. We appre- tive October 1st this year. This would provide expenses at a four-year public college is ciate his attendance. We are very a very significant 25% increase in the monthly $8,774 for commuter students and $10,909 for pleased that he came up with the idea benefit. I believe every Member of the Com- students who live on campus. Not surprisingly, of the new GI Bill, and we will work mittee on Veterans Affairs believes this in- with him in the future. crease is needed, long overdue, and rep- the same annual costs for four-year private I also want to recognize the other resents a step in the right direction. I look for- colleges are even higher: $20,500 for com- gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. ward to working with the Administration in the muter students and $23,651 for residents. the SHOWS) for his determined advocacy for future as we move forward with the subse- disparity between these ever-increasing costs veterans. He is a leader on veterans’ quent steps necessary to restore the original and a veteran's ability to pay for them is clear. educational benefits and health care purchasing power to the GI Bill. This disparity recently prompted key military for our retirees. On behalf of our vet- Last year, Chairman STUMP and I introduced and veteran organizations to join together with erans, I want to thank him for his lead- separate measures to improve the Mont- organizations representing colleges to form ership on these and many other impor- gomery GI bill. The legislation which I au- the ``Partnership for Veterans' Education.'' The tant issues. I also welcome the support thored with Congressman DINGELL, H.R. 1071, coalition launched an energetic campaign call- of the administration for needed ben- is cosponsored by 143 members of the ing for Congress to at least go as far as in- efit increases in the Montgomery GI House. H.R. 1071 provides the meaningful in- creasing the basic benefit under the MGIB to Bill. The administration has proposed crease in educational benefits I believe our $975 per month, enough to cover the $8,774 to increase the basic monthly benefit nation should provide the women and men average annual cost of attending a four-year to $670 per month effective October 1 of who serve our country in the Armed Forces. public college as a commuter student. this year. That would provide a very Historically, the MGIB program has been the significant 25 percent increase in the most important recruiting incentive for the As I've stated already, H.R. 4268 will not monthly benefit. armed services. But the value of these bene- meet these overwhelming education costs I think every member of our com- fits has failed to keep up with the spiraling standing on its own. It is an important step in mittee believes that this increase is costs of higher education. Enhancements to the right direction, though, as Congress seeks needed, long overdue, and a step in the rectify this problem with the MGIB are long to find ways to fully restore the GI Bill's pur- right direction. The administration’s overdue. I strongly agree with the report of the chasing power to what was originally intended. support for benefit increases in the GI Congressional Commission on Service mem- As introduced, section two of H.R. 4268 would Bill is very welcome, and I look for- bers and Veterans Transition Assistance, increase the basic benefit under the GI Bill ward to working with them in the fu- which concluded ``. . . an opportunity to obtain from $536 to $600 per month on October 1, ture. the best education for which they qualify is the 2000 and to $720 per month on October 1, Last year, the gentleman from Ari- most valuable benefit our Nation can offer the 2002, for full-time students, with proportionate zona and I introduced separate meas- men and women whose military service pre- increases for part-time students. Section three ures to improve the Montgomery GI serves our liberty.'' I applaud the Commis- would furnish individuals still on active duty Bill. The legislation I authored with sion's bold, new plan for the MGIB. This pro- who either turned down a previous opportunity the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. DIN- posal, however, must be further strengthened to convert to the MGIB or had a zero balance GELL), H.R. 1071, is cosponsored by 143 and enhanced if the MGIB is to fulfill its pur- in their Vietnam era Veterans' Education As- Members of our House of Representa- poses as a meaningful readjustment benefit sistance Program (VEAP) account, the option tives. This includes a large representa- and as an effective recruitment incentive for to pay $2,700 to convert to MGIB eligibility. tion of the Members, and it is a great our Armed Forces. Since implementation of Section four would increase survivors' and honor to support the gentleman from the Montgomery GI Bill on July 1, 1985, there dependents' educational assistance benefits Arizona’s leadership on this issue. H.R. have been major changes in the economic 1071 would provide the meaningful in- and sociological landscapes that make revi- for full-time students from $485 to $600 per crease in educational benefits I believe sions in the structure and benefit level of this month effective October 1, 2000, and $720 our Nation should provide to the program imperative. per month effective October 1, 2002, with pro- women and men who serve our country Of immediate concern is the ineffectiveness portionate increases from part-time students. in the Armed Forces by restoring the of the MGIB as a readjustment program for An annual cost of living adjustment is also au- GI Bill’s purchasing power. Mr. Speak- service members making the transition from a thorized. er, we know H.R. 4268 is only the first military to a civilian workforce. Although costs Section five would permit the award of Sur- step toward improving the Mont- of education have soared, nearly doubling vivors' and Dependents' Educational Assist- gomery GI Bill program in a meaning- since 1980, GI Bill benefits have not kept ance payments to be retroactive to the date of ful way. This legislation does comply pace. In fact, during the 1995±96 school year, VA's adjudication of a service-connected with pay-go. Congress can enact it. It the basic benefit paid under the MGIB offsets will provide real benefit increases for only a paltry 36 percent of average total edu- death or a 100% disability rating. Section six veterans and their dependents. That is cation costs, and the disappointingly low would solve a problem that faces a small num- why I hope the House will approve this usage rate of 51% for 1998 confirms the inad- ber of students whose schools have different unanimously today. equacy of the current program's benefit levels. schedules. It would allow for monthly edu- Mr. Speaker, first, I want to thank Chairman Under current law, young men and women cational assistance benefits to be paid be- STUMP for his leadership on the legislation be- who serve in our Armed Forces have the op- tween term, quarter, or semester intervals of fore us today. I am optimistic that Congress tion of enrolling in the MGIB when they enter up to 8 weeks in duration. Section seven will enact legislation to increase the Mont- the military. This includes their agreement to a would allow the use of Montgomery GI Bill

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.052 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 H3554 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 23, 2000 benefits to pay for fee associated with a vet- fully compete in the challenging 21st century GAO notes that it costs at least $35,000 to re- eran's civilian occupational licensing or certifi- workforce, they simply have to have the ability place a recruit who leaves the service pre- cation examination. to obtain the education and training critical to maturely. The report states these findings un- To offset the costs of H.R. 4268, section their success. As noted by the Transition derscore the need for education benefits that eight of the bill as introduced, would extend Commission, ``. . . education will be the key will attract college-bound youth who need temporary authorities to 2008 that would oth- to employment in the information age.'' money for school, a segment of American erwise expire on September 30, 2002. These According to the 1997 Department of De- young people we conclude are not opting to include a VA enhanced loan asset authority fense report entitled ``Population Representa- take advantage of the many other sources of guaranteeing the payment of principal and in- tion in the Military Services,'' 20% of the new federal education assistance. The current terest on VA-issued certificates or other secu- enlisted recruits for that year were African structure and benefit level of the MGIB must rities; VA home loan fees of three-quarters of American, 10% were Hispanic, 6% were other be significantly amended if these high quality 1 percent of the total loan amount, procedures minorities, including Native Americans, Asians, young men and women are to be attracted to applicable to liquidation sales on defaulted and Pacific Islanders, and 18% were women. service in our Armed Forces. home loans guaranteed by VA; VA/Depart- The report further notes that, although mem- ment of Health and Human Services income bers of the military come from backgrounds The Army has been missing its enlistment verification authority in which VA verifies the somewhat lower in socioeconomic status than goals several times now. Additionally, for the eligibility of, or applicants for, VA needs-based the U.S. average, these young men and first time since 1979, the Air Force may be benefits and VA means-tested medical care by women have higher levels of education, meas- missing its targets too. Although the Navy and gaining access to income records of the De- ured aptitudes, and reading skills than their ci- Marine Corps are currently meeting their en- partment of Health and Human Services/So- vilian counterparts. These young people, most listment goals, they will likely miss them in the cial Security Administration and the Internal of whom do not enter military service with fi- future unless we take quick and effective ac- Revenue Service; and limitation on VA pen- nancial or socioeconomic advantages, have tion. The CINC, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, Admiral sion on veterans without dependents receiving enormous potential, and it is in the best inter- Paul Reason, recently reported to the Senate Medicaid-covered nursing home care. ests of the nation they be given every oppor- Armed Services Committee that the last three In addition, section nine of the bill would tunity to achieve their highest potential. Ac- carrier battle groups have deployed with codify recurring provisions in annual VA ap- cess to education is the key to achieving that forces below the required manning level. Spe- propriations acts, and section ten would rein- potential. It is also important to remember that, cifically, the U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt battle state the requirements that the Secretary pro- through the sacrifices required of them group deployed last year with 9% of its posi- vide periodic reports. Specifically, these con- through their military service, this group of tions unfilled. These are strong indications of cern reports on equitable relief granted by the young AmericansÐmore than any otherÐ a coming readiness crisis, and we must not ig- Secretary to an individual beneficiary (expires earns the benefits provided for them by a nore these disturbing signals. December 31, 2004); work and activities of the grateful nation. Many factors have come together to create Department; programs and activities examined Of equal concern to me as a member of the what could soon develop into a recruiting by the Advisory Committees on Former Pris- Armed Services Committee is the MGIB pro- emergency. First, our thriving national econ- oners of War and Women Veterans (expires gram's failure to fulfill its purpose as a recruit- omy is generating employment opportunities after biennial reports submitted in 2003); oper- ment incentive for the Armed Forces. Findings for our young people. Additionally, young ation of the Montgomery GI Bill educational of the 1998 Youth Attitude Tracking Study Americans increasingly see a college edu- assistance program (expires December 31, (YATS)Ðconfirm that recruiters are faced with cation as the key to success and prosperity. In 2004); and the activities of the Secretary's serious challenges, and these challenges are 1980, 74% of high school graduates went to special medical advisory group (expires De- likely to continue. This survey of young men college but, by 1992, that percentage had cember 31, 2004). In addition, section ten re- and women, conducted annually by the De- risen to 81% and is increasing. As a result, quires the Secretary to include with any report partment of Defense, provides information on the military must compete head-to-head with an estimate of the cost of preparing the report. the propensity, attitudes and motivations of colleges for high-quality youth. As I have men- The current structure of the MGIB served young people toward military service. The lat- tioned already, the percentage of young Amer- the veterans of the second half of the 20th est YATS shows the propensity to enlist icans who are interested in serving in the century very well. However, the MGIB must among young males has fallen from 34% in Armed Forces is also shrinking. Make no mis- now be re-examined in the context of a Janu- 1991 to 26% in 1998, in spite of a generally take about itÐthe strength of our Armed ary, 1999 report by he Departments of Com- favorable view of the military. In addition to a Forces begins and ends with the men and merce, Labor, and Education, the Small Busi- thriving civilian economy, which inevitably re- women who serve our nation. Just as edu- ness Administration, and the National Institute sults in recruiting challenges, the percentage cation is the key to a society's success or fail- for Literacy. This report, entitled ``21st Century of American youth going to college is increas- ure, it is also key to the quality and effective- Skills for 21st Century Jobs,'' has important ing and the young people most likely to go to ness of our military forcesÐand the MGIB in- implications for veterans entering the civilian college express little interest in joining our creases included in this substitute budget res- workforce. Emphasizing the importance to the Armed Forces. Interestingly, these same youth olution are a step in the right direction toward nation of investing in education and training, note that if they were to serve in the military, providing that key. the report concluded changes in the economy their primary reason for enlisting would be to and workplace are requiring greater levels of earn educational assistance benefits. Veterans are not using the MGIB benefits skill and education than ever before. It pre- The study concluded the propensity to enlist they earned through honorable military serv- dicted eight of the ten fastest growing jobs in is substantially below pre-drawdown levels ice, and high-ability, college-bound young the next decade will require college education and, as a result, the services will probably not Americans are choosing not to serve in the or moderate to long-term training, and jobs re- succeed in recruiting the number of young, Armed Forces. Significant changes in the pro- quiring a bachelor's degree will increase by high-quality men and women they need in FY gram will increase program usage and will en- 25%. The report also noted workers with more 1999. High-quality youth are defined as those able the military services to recruit the smart education enjoy greater benefits, experience who have a high school diploma and who young people they need. Accordingly, several less unemployment and, if dislocated, re-enter have at least average scores on tests meas- bills have been introduced in both the House the labor force far more quickly than individ- uring mathematical and verbal skills. The De- and the Senate during the 106th Congress uals with less education. It also reports that, partment of Defense tells us about 80% of that would significantly improve the MGIB. The on average, college graduates earn 77% more these recruits will complete their first three Senate has twice passed legislation that in- than individuals with only a high school di- years of active duty while only 50% of recruits cluded numerous changes designed to en- ploma. If America's veterans are to success- with a GED will complete their enlistment. hance educational opportunities under the

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A23MY7.019 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 May 23, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3555 MGIB, and other bills have been introduced. In be known as VEAP, to the Montgomery is an excellent example of their strong the House, MGIB legislation has been intro- GI Bill or who had a zero balance in bipartisan leadership on behalf of our duced by Mr. STUMP, Chairman of the House their VEAP account previously. For a Nation’s service members and veterans. Veterans' Affairs Committee, Mr. SHOWS, and $2,700 buy-in, these individuals will re- Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 me, the Ranking Democrat on the Committee. ceive full Montgomery GI Bill benefits. minutes to the gentleman from Cali- H.R. 4268 is the most likely of these legisla- We have also structured in the bill the fornia (Mr. FILNER). tive initiatives to be passed by the House and buy-in so service members who retire Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I thank move forward. Mr. Speaker, we know H.R. as of April 1 of this year and later will the gentleman for yielding me this 4268 is only the first step that needs to be also be eligible. time. taken to improve the MGIB program. H.R. We will help about 48,000 survivors I have to be honest with my col- 4268 does comply with pay-go and should be and dependents of veterans who died or leagues, Mr. Speaker. I am dis- enacted by Congress. It will provide real ben- are permanently disabled as the result appointed in this bill. I know the deep efit increases for veterans and their depend- of military service. We will increase commitment that the gentleman from ents. For this reason, Mr. Speaker, I strongly their monthly benefits to go to college Arizona (Mr. STUMP), the gentleman urge the House to vote unanimously in favor from $485 per month to $600 per month from Illinois (Mr. EVANS), and the gen- of the Veterans and Dependents Millennium effective this October and to $720 per tleman from New York (Mr. QUINN), Education Act. month 2 years in the future. We will chairman of the Subcommittee on Ben- Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of also help about 360 veteran-students at- efits, have for the veterans of this Na- my time. tending Ohio University and hundreds tion. I know they want to do what is Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I yield of veterans at other colleges around best for our veterans. But the Veterans such time as he may consume to the the country. These are colleges that and Dependents Millennium Education gentleman from New York (Mr. QUINN), take an extended term break between Act, S. 1402, does not come even close the chairman of the Subcommittee on Thanksgiving and New Year’s, for ex- to where we need to be for an effective Benefits. ample. educational benefit for our veterans Mr. QUINN. I thank the gentleman This measure would allow veteran- today. If this is a bill for the millen- from Arizona for yielding me this time. students to be paid for the 40-day term nium, it is a bill for the last millen- Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise interval just as student-veterans with nium. today in support of the amendment to a 30-day interval or less. Lastly, we Let me try to show that through the S. 1402. On April 13, the gentleman will help about 25,000 service members history that our committee has gone from Arizona (Mr. STUMP), the gen- who are discharged from the military through. The previous speakers have tleman from Illinois (Mr. EVANS), and each year who need a civilian license talked about the congressional Com- 21 members of the Committee on Vet- or certification to enter, maintain, or mission on Service Members and Vet- erans’ Affairs introduced the Veterans advance their vocation or profession. erans Transition Assistance, which re- and Dependents Millennium Education They will be able to use their Mont- ported its work to the Congress more Act, H.R. 4268, which was the culmina- gomery GI Bill benefits to pay for than a year ago. That commission said tion of over 16 months of effort. these examinations, which sometimes that the biggest single thing we can do Mr. Speaker, I would like to take average to be $150 each or more. All for our veterans in terms of benefits is some time now to be specific about told, about a half a million, 519,000 vet- to make the Montgomery GI Bill really what is in this bill and how it helps al- erans, survivors and service members relevant to their education and pick up most immediately close to a half a mil- will benefit from this measure during the full cost of college education plus a lion of our veterans and their families. the first year of its enactment. decent stipend. This excellent bipartisan bill improves Mr. Speaker, the spending associated b the veterans’ readjustment and mili- with the bill is budget neutral over 5 1215 tary recruitment aspects of the Mont- years. We have identified offsets by In fact, that would be a great induce- gomery GI Bill. In fact, I believe it eliminating sunset dates on certain ment to recruitment, which, as we all builds on the wisdom and foresight of provisions, including veterans home know, is falling behind today. the revered individual and our friend, loan fees, liquidation sales on defaulted Everybody on our Committee on Vet- Sonny Montgomery, who is with us home loans, authority for VA to access erans’ Affairs applauded that rec- this morning for whom Congress named IRS data for determining eligibility for ommendation and said we ought to the all-volunteer force Educational As- veterans’ pension benefits and limita- move forward with it. The gentleman sistance Program back in 1987. tions on pensions for some veterans in from Illinois (Mr. EVANS), the ranking S. 1402, as amended, then will help nursing homes who are eligible for member of the committee, introduced hundreds of thousands of veterans, Medicaid coverage instead. H.R. 1071, which said that the rec- service members and their families; Forty-two veterans, military service ommendations of that Transition Com- and it will do so right now. For over and higher education organizations mission were accepted. That bill would 300,000 veteran-students now using the have supported and endorsed the bill. pay for the full cost of tuition, fees, Montgomery GI Bill and young Ameri- In closing, this morning’s bill is only books, and supplies, and, in addition, a cans contemplating service in our all- the first step. Indeed, we had lengthy stipend of $800 a month. The gentleman volunteer force, effective October 1 of discussions at the full committee dur- from Arizona (Mr. STUMP) put forward this year, the bill increases the basic ing the markup that it is not all that a bill which was almost as good. His Montgomery GI Bill benefit from $536 we want to do, but it is what we can do bill, H.R. 1182, would have paid for 90 per month, as was mentioned, to $600 right now and make a difference. We percent of a veteran’s tuition cost. per month. On October 1, 2002, it in- look forward to continuing our work When those of us on the committee creases this basic benefit to $720 per with veterans, military, and higher and the veterans and education com- month. Each of these improvements education associations in the partner- munity recognized we would have to have proportional increases for part- ship for veterans’ education to find take steps toward that and could not time students and for those who enlist ways to continue to improve Mont- do it all at once, the gentleman from for only 2 years. Currently, the Mont- gomery GI Bill benefits. Mississippi (Mr. SHOWS) introduced gomery GI Bill provides $19,296 in bene- Mr. Speaker, I strongly encourage H.R. 4344, which had a broad coalition fits over 4 years. Over the next 4 years, my colleagues this afternoon to sup- backing of 47 organizations which rep- our bill increases this amount to port S. 1402, as amended. I also want to resented veterans of our Nation, the $23,760, an increase of over $4,400. close by thanking the gentleman from military and the higher education com- This bill will be welcome news for Illinois (Mr. EVANS) and the gentleman munity. The bill of the gentleman from 137,000 active-duty service members from Arizona (Mr. STUMP) who have Mississippi (Mr. SHOWS) would reim- who either previously turned down an served together on the Committee on burse veterans for the cost of attending opportunity to convert from the post- Veterans’ Affairs now for almost 19 a 4-year public college as a commuter Vietnam era Veterans Educational As- years for their enduring commitment student, and that worked out for this sistance Program, which has come to on veterans issues. Today’s bill we see year to a monthly stipend of $975.

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A23MY7.022 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 H3556 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 23, 2000 That stipend of $975 should be com- shape and prioritize the very serious its citizen soldiers; and we in this Con- pared with the $600 that is in the cur- constitutional missions that we have. gress are, for the first time, beginning rent bill. We can do better. The gen- Mr. Speaker, I believe it is important to reverse decades of declining re- tleman from New York (Mr. QUINN) for this Congress to reaffirm support sources dedicated to equipping our sol- said this is something we can do right for men and women in uniform who diers, sailors, airmen and Marines for now, we can do the bill of the gen- confront shortages in terms of ammu- their combat roles. This bill now under tleman from Mississippi (Mr. SHOWS) nition, in terms of training, in terms of consideration does the same for equip- right now. We have the funds to do their dependence, and those are other ping them in advancing their edu- that. questions with which we must deal. cational goals. The bill before us just will not ac- Would, Mr. Speaker, that all of us This budget-neutral bill will increase complish what the Montgomery GI Bill here could show the same allegiance to the Montgomery GI stipend by a third set out to do and what the Transition those currently wearing the uniform as over 2 years, it will increase the mon- Commission recommended. The $536 we profess for veterans. But let us turn ies available to surviving families of that a veteran gets now does not go to the question of those currently in deceased service members, and it will very far considering the cost of higher uniform and one of the reasons I rise in provide the licensing or certification of education. In fact, the increase to $600 strong support of this legislation. It is funds for veterans who are integrating has already been eaten up by the infla- something that my colleague from New into the civilian workforce. tionary pressures that are faced by our York, the chairman of the sub- Mr. Speaker, I join the gentleman colleges. If you compare that with the committee, pointed out; the fact that from Arizona (Chairman STUMP); the $300 a month that was the benefit back now we have provided provisions for ranking member, the gentleman from in 1985, you can see how the benefit has those service members who are unable Illinois (Mr. EVANS); and the chairman not kept up with current demands. to convert their funds to the Mont- of the Subcommittee on Benefits Today, when America’s economy is gomery GI Bill during the 1997 open (Chairman QUINN) in urging your sup- booming, when our budget is in great window to do so with this. First, indi- port for the strong and much deserved surplus, I have a hard time looking vet- viduals who had no money in their bipartisan Veterans and Dependents erans in the eye and telling them to VEAP accounts, often because their Millennium Education Act. pursue a degree with the kind of money service branch advised them to transfer Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I am that the Montgomery Bill gives them their VEAP dollars to an interest-bear- pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gen- today. It comes up short when you ing account; and secondly, those who tleman from New York (Mr. GILMAN), compare it to the cost of higher edu- had some money in their VEAP ac- the chairman of our Committee on cation. All our veterans know it, we count and did not convert because they International Relations. know it, the committee knows it, and did not know of the opportunity. (Mr. GILMAN asked and was given So it is in this spirit that we take all of you here said that you know it. permission to revise and extend his re- that step today, not only mindful of You see this as a first step. marks.) Now, I know that, as I said, our lead- our good friend from Mississippi who Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank ership on the Committee on Veterans’ joins us, the former chairman of this the gentleman for yielding me time. Affairs, the gentleman from Arizona committee, but also speaking volumes Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong about the leadership of my good friend (Mr. STUMP), the gentleman from New support of S. 1402, the Veterans and De- from Arizona and the ranking member York (Mr. QUINN), the gentleman from pendents Millennium Act, and I thank from Illinois, and that we do not let Illinois (Mr. EVANS) on the Democratic the distinguished chairman of our com- the perfect become the enemy of the side, we all want to do more, and I cer- mittee on Veterans’ Affairs, the gen- good, but we stand tall for this impor- tainly will work with both of you, all tleman from Arizona (Mr. STUMP) for tant legislation to help current service of you, in the months ahead to provide his continual support of our veterans members and veterans receive the edu- the kind of education benefits that our and for bringing this measure to the cational benefits they deserve. floor at this time; along with the sub- veterans deserve and this new millen- Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, I have no committee chairman, the gentleman nium demands. further questions for time, and I yield from New York (Mr. QUINN); and the People have said that our former back the balance of my time. member, Sonny Montgomery, great Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 ranking minority member, the gen- chairman of the committee, is with us minutes to the gentleman from Nevada tleman from Illinois (Mr. EVANS) for in the Chamber. We salute him, we sa- (Mr. GIBBONS), a member of the com- giving us the opportunity to consider lute the bill to which he gave his name, mittee. this measure. the Montgomery GI Bill. Let us really (Mr. GIBBONS asked and was given I want to add my compliments to the honor Sonny Montgomery by signifi- permission to revise and extend his re- former Congressman, the former chair- cantly, in the months ahead, improving marks.) man of the Committee on Veterans’ Af- this benefit for our veterans. Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I would fairs, Mr. Montgomery, who has been Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I yield 21⁄2 like to thank the chairman of the full the father and major proponent of the minutes to the gentleman from Ari- committee, the gentleman from Ari- GI Bill. We are pleased he is here with zona (Mr. HAYWORTH), a member of the zona (Mr. STUMP), a veteran himself, us today. committee. who has been a dedicated individual for The purpose of this bill is to bring Mr. HAYWORTH. Mr. Speaker, I veterans rights, for granting me the the various education benefits afforded thank the chairman of the full com- time to speak on this bill. to veterans to a level more in line with mittee, the dean of our delegation, for Mr. Speaker, I am honored to rise today’s increasingly expensive higher yielding me time. today in support of S. 1402 and this im- education opportunities. Specifically, Mr. Chairman, I rise as the vice portant update to the historic Mont- the legislation increases the monthly chairman of the Subcommittee on Ben- gomery GI Bill, a bill which was origi- Montgomery GI Bill rate from $536 a efits, thanking the chairman of the nally sponsored by my good friend, month to $600 a month, beginning in subcommittee for his comments, Sonny Montgomery from Mississippi, October of this year. That amount in- thanking the ranking member for his who is present with us today. creases to $720 a month starting in Oc- comments, and acknowledging that, in I think it is an honor for all of us to tober of 2002. The bill also increases a free society, dealing with difficult have an opportunity to help educate survivors and dependents educational questions, at times there are those who hundreds of thousands of veterans and assistance, which is so important. are frustrated because, in their minds, service members and their families. Mr. Speaker, the GI Bill is arguably perfection is alluded. Let me suggest, This bill will go a long way, especially the most profound and far-reaching Mr. Speaker, to all those within the addressing some of the needs of our piece of legislation enacted by Con- sound of my voice, and especially my guard and reserve members as well. gress in the 20th Century. It has helped colleagues here today, we will never Best of all, it will help them now. many of us here in the Congress. The achieve perfection. Indeed, one of the Mr. Speaker, America is proud, and program, first implemented after challenges we confront is how to best rightly so, of its tradition of defense by World War II, single-handedly afforded

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.055 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 May 23, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3557 a college education to millions of both a readjustment and recruitment tool. The that is truly earned with sweat equity, and yes, working class men and women who amount available under the MGIB is not sometimes blood or loss of limb. served during the war, and, in doing so, enough to compensate youth for the time For these reasons, improving GI bill edu- it helped to transform America in the spent and risk involved in military service. In cation benefits and increasing access to these post-war years, leading to the baby- fact, since 1985, about 95 percent of service benefits is extremely important. Not only do GI boom and the rise in middle-class sub- members have paid $1,200 to participate in bill educational benefits assist veterans as urbia. the MGIB; nevertheless, only about half of they transition back into the local communities This measure is the latest of several these members have used their MGIB. Clear- that they willingly left to serve this nation, bills passed in the last 50 years to bring ly, the time has come for Congress to inter- these benefits also reflect the gratitude of a the benefits of the GI Bill to levels that vene and make this bill viable again for our grateful nation. I believe GI bill benefits, and reflect the contemporary costs of high- military members, their dependents and our this amendment represent a fitting and proper er education. Consequently, current nation. way to say thank you for your sacrifice and and future generations are going to be S. 1402 will make this meaningful program unselfish commitment in protecting America's able to enjoy the tangible benefits of a viable once. Specifically, this bill will increase cherished freedoms and liberties. college education as a result of their the MGIB from $536 to $600 per month on Mr. Speaker, this amendment holds true to service in the military of their coun- October 1, 2000, and $720 per month on Oc- the spirit of the original GI bill that Congress try. Accordingly, I urge my colleagues tober 1, 2002, for full-time students, with pro- passed in 1944. It will improve and increase to support this worthy and timely leg- portionate increases for part-time students. access to veterans educational assistance, islation. Second, this bill will equip individuals still on and allow veterans the opportunity to make a Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- active duty, who have turned down a previous more complete transition as they leave the self such time as I may consume. opportunity to convert to the MGIB or have military and enter the civilian workforce. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank had a zero balance in their Post-Vietnam Era Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Veterans' Educational Assistance Program speak in support of S. 1402, the Veterans Mil- EVANS), the ranking member on the (VEAP) account, the option to pay $2,700 to lennium Education Bill. Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, for all convert to MGIB eligibility. Third, the bill will I am proud to be an original cosponsor of of his hard work on this bill, and also increase survivors' and dependents' edu- this legislation, which is a long overdue step to his own bill, which would have bene- cational assistance benefits for full-time stu- address the serious erosion of our veterans fitted the veterans very much. I would dents from $485 to $600 per month, and au- educational benefits. Through this bill we raise like to thank the gentleman from New thorize an annual cost-of-living adjustment for the educational benefits our veterans deserve York (Mr. QUINN) and the Sub- them. Finally, S. 1402 will allow MGIB benefits and provide the recruitment incentive our committee on Benefits for the work to pay the fee for a veteran's civilian occupa- Armed Forces need. they have done on this bill. My appre- tional licensing or certification examination. Montgomery GI Bill benefits allow our Na- ciation is extended to the leadership Nevertheless, I hope this Congress will soon tion to extend its gratitude to veterans for their for allowing us to present this bill move to fully fund our veterans who desire to service, compensate them for their time away today. It is fitting we have a veterans seek opportunities for higher education. from family and careers, and gives them the benefits bill on Memorial Day for our I believe that S. 1402 will assist our nation opportunity to gain valuable knowledge and ceremonies throughout the country. in securing educated and highly skilled military skills through attendance at our Nation's col- This is a bipartisan bill, and I urge recruits. In addition, this bill will secure the fu- leges and universities. Members to support it. ture of our military as well. As a result, I urge With the opportunities it provides to obtain Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, my colleagues to pass this vital bill and make an education, the GI bill has been considered I rise in support of S. 1402, The Veterans and this worthwhile program viable once again. the most significant reason for our country's Dependents Millennium Education Act. As you Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong high educational attainment and post-World know, this bill will assist veterans and their support of the amendment offered to S. 1402. War II economic leadership and success. family in attaining enhanced educational as- This truly bipartisan effort addresses many of Over time, however, the value of GI bill ben- sistance. the problems service members face with re- efits has not kept pace with the rising costs of Since inception in 1944, educational bene- gard to accessing adequate GI bill education higher education. In fact there is a gross dis- fits for our nation's veterans have opened the benefits. parity between current benefits and the costs doors to post-secondary education opportuni- Over the last several years, veterans and of going to school. In an environment where ties for millions. Specifically, The Montgomery their families have called on Congress to in- there are greater sources of private scholar- GI Bill (MGIB) has been one of our nation's crease veterans education assistance, and ships and funding, along with a strong econ- leading and most effective programs. Millions equally important, correct the injustices that omy, our best recruits no longer see the same of our nation's military personnel and their de- have prevented many of the VEAP era vet- value in the GI bill. This has seriously hurt pendents have been able to afford a post-sec- erans from receiving GI bill education benefits. military recruiting efforts. ondary education, who might otherwise not Congress, through the leadership of House Our veterans deserve better, and from a na- have been able to if not for the MGIB. Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman STUMP tional security standpoint, we cannot afford to Under the Montgomery GI Bill, military offi- and Ranking Member Mr. EVANS have an- allow our military to be without necessary cers accept a reduction in their base pay of swered their call by offering this amendment. manpower and strength. With a strong econ- $100 per month for 12 months. In exchange, While this legislation may not fully address omy and large budget surpluses this situation they become entitled to 36 months of edu- the concerns of the veterans community, it is has been unacceptable. cation benefits after they complete their period clearly another giant step in our continued ef- As a result, I am proud that this bill en- of service or receive an honorable discharge forts to improve GI bill education benefits. hances educational assistance amounts by al- from the Armed Forces. Rest assured, that my colleagues and I on the most 30 percent over 3 years, and at the This program has enhanced our nation's House Veterans Affairs Committee will con- same time addresses a long time injustice, by competitiveness and military readiness by tinue to fight for improved and increased GI allowing for those men and women still on ac- helping to develop a more educated and pro- bill educational benefits. tive duty to convert to the Montgomery GI Bill ductive workforce and assisted the Armed Leaving the active military can be a very dif- from their Vietnam Era Veterans' Education Services in recruiting and retaining the high ficult time period for veterans and their fami- Assistance Program [VEAP]. quality individuals they need to attract to the lies. It is filled with uncertainty, apprehension, The benefit increases in H.R. 4268, raise military. According to the Secretary of Vet- and trepidation. Unfortunately, the current GI the monthly amount from $536 to $600 per erans Affairs, Togo D. West, ``new recruits to bill education benefit has failed to keep pace month on October 1, 2000 and to $720 per the Armed Forces cite money for college as with the rapidly changing economy. In fact, month on October 1, 2002 for full-time stu- the major reason given for enlisting.'' As a many veterans have found that current edu- dents. matter of fact, some 96% of new recruits to cational assistance does not meet their transi- While further increases in benefits are need- the Armed Forces sign up to participate spe- tion needs. ed, this bill creates a strong foundation for cifically in the GI Bill. Furthermore, many other Federal programs bringing the educational and training benefits However, despite the wisdom and foresight offer far greater benefits for little or no commit- to the level for which our veterans are entitled. of this meaningful educational assistance pro- ment. In fact, veterans educational assistance We must never fail in our efforts to maintain, gram, the MGIB has lost its effectiveness as is one of the few Federal educational benefits enhance, and improve the benefits entitled to

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.058 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 H3558 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 23, 2000 our veteran population. By doing this, we full-time students from $485 to $600 per the preservation and continuation of Amer- honor their service, and adequately provide for month at the start of fiscal year 2001, and to ican democracy; their needs and the recruiting requirements of $720 per month at the beginning of fiscal year Whereas the United States called upon all its citizens, including the most oppressed of our Armed Forces. 2003. Importantly, today's bill makes these its citizens, to provide service and sacrifice I therefore stand in support of this bill, and benefits retroactive to the date of the veteran's in that war to achieve the Allied victory ask my colleagues to join in voting for its pas- service-connected death or 100 percent serv- over Nazism and fascism; sage. ice-connected disability rating. It is worth not- Whereas the United States citizens who Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in ing that H.R. 4268 also provides an annual served in that war, many of whom gave the enthusiastic support of S. 1402, the Veterans cost-of-living adjustment for survivors' and de- ultimate sacrifice of their lives, included and Dependents Millennium Education Act of pendents' educational assistance, which is more than 1,200,000 African Americans, more than 300,000 Hispanic Americans, more than 2000 which would increase the amount of currently available only for MGIB benefits. 50,000 Asian Americans, more than 20,000 Na- educational assistance to veterans under the The veterans and Dependents Millennium tive Americans, more than 6,000 Native Ha- Montgomery GI Bill. This is a bipartisan bill Education Act also fills an important gap in our waiians and Pacific Islanders, and more than that is long over due and I complement Vet- military's education assistance program for 3,000 Native Alaskans; erans Committee Chairman STUMP and Rank- some 137,000 active duty personnel. For Whereas because of invidious discrimina- ing Democrat EVANS for their leadership in these service men and women who either tion, many of the courageous military ac- bringing it to the floor today. turned down an earlier opportunity to convert tivities of these minorities were not reported to the Montgomery G.I. bill program, or who and honored fully and appropriately until Mr. Speaker, we continue to fail our vet- decades after the Allied victory in World erans in repaying them for their service to have no funds in their Vietnam-Era Veterans' War II; their country. We send them off to fight in our Education Assistance Program [VEAP] ac- Whereas the motto of the United States, defense and yet when they return we break countÐthe educational assistance program in ‘‘E Pluribus Unum’’ (Out of Many, One), pro- many of the promises that were made to place before MGIBÐa payment of $2,700 en- motes our fundamental unity as Americans them. This bill is a start in the right direction ables them to receive full MGIB benefits. This and acknowledges our diversity as our great- important provision will be a major help to est strength; and in reversing this trend. We owe our veterans Whereas the Day of Honor 2000 Project has much more than we have been giving them. many senior non-commissioned officers who, enlisted communities across the United If it becomes law, the Veterans and De- after leaving the service, often attend college States to participate in celebrations to pendents Millennium Education Act, would in- part time while working. honor minority veterans of World War II on crease the current Montgomery GI Bill benefit Finally, H.R. 4268 accommodates students May 25, 2000, and throughout the year 2000: from $536 to $600 a month on October 1, who attend a college or university that has ex- Now, therefore, be it 2000 for full time students and to $720 on Oc- tended breaks, by permitting MGIB or similar Resolved by the Senate and House of Rep- resentatives of the United States of America in tober 1, 2000. There would also be propor- benefits to be paid between intervals of up to 8 weeks. The Veterans and Dependents Mil- Congress assembled, That Congress— tional increases for part-time students, as well. (1) commends the African American, His- The bill would also increase survivors' and lennium Education Act provides added flexi- panic American, Asian American, Native dependents' educational assistance benefits bility by permitting these benefits to be used American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Is- for full-time students from $485 to $600 a for civilian occupational licensing or a certifi- lander, Native Alaskan, and other minority month starting October 1, 2000 and to $720 a cation examination. veterans of the United States Armed Forces month on October 1, 2000. It would also per- I would like to point out that the legislation who served during World War II; mit the award of survivors' and dependents' which we are considering today is deficit-neu- (2) especially honors those minority vet- erans who gave their lives in service to the educational assistance payments to be retro- tral. By reauthorizing programs already in place that either save or generate revenueÐ United States during that war; active to the date of the service-connected (3) supports the goals and ideas of the Day such as the VA home loan fee of 3¤4 of 1 per- death or award of 100 percent disability rating. of Honor 2000 in celebration and recognition Mr. Speaker, I look forward to the many Vir- centÐwe can provide these improved benefits of the extraordinary service of all minority gin Islands veterans being able to take advan- to veterans and their families. I urge my col- veterans in the United States Armed Forces tage of the increased benefits offered by this leagues to support the Veterans and Depend- during World War II; and bill to further their education. In today's world ents Millennium Education Act. (4) authorizes and requests that the Presi- Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I have no where a high premium is placed on our work- dent issue a proclamation calling upon the further requests for time, and I yield people of the United States to honor these force being highly skilled, this bill makes such back the balance of my time. minority veterans with appropriate pro- training and higher education more affordable The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. grams and activities. to our veterans. BARRETT of Nebraska). The question is The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, on the motion offered by the gen- ant to the rule, the gentleman from Ar- today I am proud to be an original sponsor of tleman from Arizona (Mr. STUMP) that izona (Mr. STUMP) and the gentleman the Veterans and Dependents Millennium Edu- the House suspend the rules and pass from Illinois (Mr. EVANS) each will con- cation Act [H.R. 4268]. the chairman and rank- the Senate bill, S. 1402, as amended. trol 20 minutes. ing members of the Veterans' Affairs Com- The question was taken. The Chair recognizes the gentleman mittee, and others, have worked tirelessly to Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, on that I from Arizona (Mr. STUMP). craft this important bill in a collaborative and demand the yeas and nays. GENERAL LEAVE bipartisan fashion. The yeas and nays were ordered. Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I ask Passage of the Veterans and Dependents The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- unanimous consent that all Members Millennium Education Act will benefit more ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the may have 5 legislative days within than 500,000 people immediately, and its in- Chair’s prior announcement, further which to revise and extend their re- crease of Montgomery G.I. Bill [MGIB] benefits proceedings on this motion will be marks and include extraneous material will go a long way toward recruitingÐand re- postponed. on House Joint Resolution 98. tainingÐmore young Americans to serve our f The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there country in uniform. Mr. Speaker, as we pre- objection to the request of the gen- SUPPORTING DAY OF HONOR FOR pare to honor those who have died in service tleman from Arizona? to our country on Memorial Day, we must also MINORITY WORLD WAR II VET- There was no objection. remember our obligation to help those who ERANS Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- continue to defend our country. Increasing Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I move to self such time as I may consume. education benefits for those who have re- suspend the rules and pass the joint Mr. Speaker, H.J. Res. 98 commends sponded to the call of duty is the least we can resolution (H.J. Res. 98) supporting the minority veterans of the United States do. Under this legislation, Montgomery G.I. Bill Day of Honor 2000 to honor and recog- Armed Forces who served during World benefits for full-time students will rise from nize the service of minority veterans in War II. I commend the authors of this $536 to $600 per month on October 1, 2000, the United States Armed Forces during resolution for promoting recognition of and to $720 per month on October 1, 2002. World War II. minority World War II veterans during The bill also authorizes proportional increases The Clerk read as follows: this millennium year. for part-time students. H.J. RES. 98 Some of the groups that deserve Similarly, H.R. 4268 increases survivors' Whereas World War II was a determining greater public recognition for their he- and dependents' educational assistance for event of the 20th century in that it ensured roic service in World War II include the

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A23MY7.059 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 May 23, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3559 Tuskegee Airmen, who flew 15,533 mis- Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. sions in World War II and earned 150 my time. Speaker, might I add my appreciation Distinguished Flying Crosses along Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 to the chairman of the Committee on with other high decorations; the 442nd minutes to the gentleman from New Veterans’ Affairs, the gentleman from Nisei Regiment of Japanese-Americans York (Mr. GILMAN), the chairman of Arizona (Mr. STUMP), and as well to the became the most decorated group of the Committee on International Af- distinguished gentleman from Illinois soldiers in American history. The Nisei fairs. (Mr. EVANS), the ranking member of troops overcame considerable prejudice (Mr. GILMAN asked and was given the committee. I first want to pay trib- and suspicions while writing one of the permission to revise and extend his re- ute to them for always advocating on most glorious pages in American mili- marks.) behalf of veterans in a unified and pro- tary history. Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank found way that many across this Na- Another important story is that of the gentleman for yielding me this tion recognize. the Navajo code-talkers, many from time. I think it is important, first of all, as my home State of Arizona. Few units Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise we move toward honoring the first Me- had more vital duties than these Na- today in strong support of H.J. Res. 98, morial Day in the new millennium to tive Americans, whose unique language a measure supporting a day of honor thank all of those families whose loved led logically to assigning them as com- for our minority veterans of World War ones gave the ultimate sacrifice, and municators. The enemy was never able II. I thank our distinguished chairman we will honor them this coming week. to break their code, an achievement of the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, It is important to acknowledge that which contributed greatly to our final the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. the legislation that we have before us victory. STUMP), for recognizing how important does not in any way substitute for the In the Pacific Theater, the 158th Reg- this issue is. great appreciation that Americans imental Combat Team, known as the As the primary sponsor of legislation have for all of those who gave the ulti- Bushmasters, an Arizona National to restore benefits that were once mate sacrifice and, of course, our vet- Guard Unit, was comprised of a high stripped away from Filipino World War erans whom we honor. percentage of Hispanic and American II veterans by an ungrateful Congress I am very honored to have been able Indian soldiers. This unit saw heavy in 1946, I am fully aware of how our Na- to bring to the floor of the House, with combat in the Philippines and was re- tion has shamefully treated its minor- the help of some 91 cosponsors, H.J. ferred to by General Douglas Mac- ity veterans in years gone by. From Res. 98. I was so moved when this par- Arthur as ‘‘the greatest fighting com- the Civil War through Korea, before ticular opportunity came to my atten- bat team ever deployed for battle.’’ going into action, African American tion in my district in Houston with the Hopefully greater recognition of mi- soldiers had to first battle against an leadership of Dr. Smith. The ceremony nority veterans will become a regular ingrained prejudice among white com- honoring those many minority vet- part of future Memorial Day and Vet- manders that they were somehow sub- erans of World War II, in particular, erans Day celebrations across this par or otherwise incapable of engaging was a challenge to keep from feeling country, enhancing the magnitude of on equal terms as their white counter- the emotion that was in that room of those two days so special to our vet- parts. These veterans always proved veterans who were so very proud of erans. their worthiness in battle, only to find their service, yet asking that we bring Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to this lesson lost on the military com- to the attention of America that when support the passage of this bill. mand staff by the time the next war they did return, they were not given Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of broke out. the honor that we knew they deserved. my time. Even more distressing was the fact So I rise today in support of House that contributions made by African b 1230 Joint Resolution 98 that I introduced American veterans were soon forgotten on April 12, 2000. I am delighted by the Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- or glossed over since the fighting bipartisan support for this joint resolu- self such time as I may consume. ended. President Clinton should be tion in both the United States House of Mr. Speaker, I join with many of my commended for his initiative to award Representatives and the United States colleagues today to honor and give the Medal of Honor to eight black vet- Senate. The efforts of Representatives thanks to America’s minority vet- erans who had initially been passed such as the gentlewoman from Florida erans, the soldiers and sailors and men over for this commendation. (Ms. BROWN), the gentleman from Okla- and women of our armed forces and, of This legislation also honors the ac- homa (Mr. WATTS), the gentleman from course, my fellow Marines. More of the complishments and contributions made South Carolina (Mr. SPENCE), the gen- world is free today than ever before, by Hispanic Americans, Asian Ameri- tleman from Arizona (Mr. STUMP), as I thanks in no small part for their valor cans, and Native American veterans. Of mentioned, the chairman of the Com- and sacrifice half a century ago. We these groups, two specifically bear mittee on Veterans’ Affairs, and the sometimes do not remember that mentioning. Many Japanese American gentleman from Illinois (Mr. EVANS), World War II was before the armed veterans served with distinction during the ranking member of the Committee forces were desegregated and that proc- the Pacific War. They did that despite on Veterans’ Affairs, have all been in- ess really took us solidly to Vietnam. having their loyalties questioned by strumental in bringing this resolution So there were many years in which the many in command, as well as many to the floor. men and women of the armed forces did having their families back home living I personally come to the floor in not serve together on an integrated in internment camps. honor of my uncles, Eric Jackson, basis and did not get really the breaks Moreover, Native Americans from Allan Jackson Bernard Bennett, Sam- perhaps that the majority of Ameri- several tribes played a vital role as uel Jackson, all of whom fought or cans have received throughout the code operators during the Korean War. served during the time of World War II, time of this desegregation. As I said, In this they were naturals, since the and, of course, my very special now-de- more of the world is free now because chances of any axis code-breakers ceased father-in-law, Philip Ferguson of their efforts. being fluent in a Native American lan- Lee, who was one of the honored It is altogether fitting and appro- guage was highly remote. Tuskegee Airman. priate that this valor and sacrifice of a Mr. Speaker, this measure is long The joint resolution designates May half a century ago be commemorated overdue, timely, and quite appropriate 25, 2000, as a national Day of Honor to on May 25, 2000. I particularly com- as we approach Memorial Day. Accord- honor minority veterans from World mend my colleague, the gentlewoman ingly, I urge my colleagues to give War II. In fact, the resolution calls from Texas (Ms. JACKSON-LEE), for her their full, wholehearted support to this upon communities across the Nation to leadership on this issue. I thank her for measure. participate in celebrations to honor the well-deserved recognition which Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, I yield minority veterans on May 25, 2000, and the Day of Honor 2000 will provide such time as she may consume to the throughout the year 2000. Because this America’s minority veterans with the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. JACK- recognition is long overdue, it is appro- respect that they deserve. SON-LEE). priate that we honor and celebrate the

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.061 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 H3560 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 23, 2000 memories of the veterans that served jected to at home, they fought honor- the fact that these veterans served and or fought throughout the year. ably along with all other Americans, many sacrificed their lives. There are many that deserve thanks including other nations. As we have Mr. Speaker, I would ask my col- for making this day, and I again thank noted in the honor that President Clin- leagues to join us in supporting this Senator EDWARD KENNEDY of Massa- ton has given to some even in these resolution, both H.J. Res. 98 and H.J. chusetts for joining me for introducing last years, we realize that some were Res. 44. Might I just add for a moment an identical resolution in the United serving and gave much of their life to a note of thanks to so many of our staff States Senate. That resolution passed this country by sacrificing their health that helped this come to the fruition by unanimous consent in the United and subjecting themselves to injuries that it has come. Oliver Kellman, Mark States Senate on May 19, and I must and yet were not honored when they re- Carrie, and Earl Smith, in my office say this has certainly been a wonder- turned. An African American was worked long and hard on this legisla- fully collective effort that has inspired obliged to answer a call to duty, indeed tion. Also, the wonderful staff that veterans and children alike to follow possibly sacrificing his life, yet he or worked with the many members, Carl the progress of this resolution through she enjoyed separate, but in many Commenator, chief counsel and staff Congress. I likewise am proud by the times unequal, status back at home. director of veterans affairs; Michael superb grass-roots support offered by Too often, when basic issues of equal- Durishin of the Democratic staff; Jean- the Day of Honor 2000 Project, a non- ity and respect for their service in the nine McNally, Debbie Smith, Minda profit organization based in Marl- war arose, Jim Crow and racial dis- Fife, Stoval White, Rene Davidson, borough, Massachusetts. crimination replied with a resounding Linda Shealy, Craig Metz, Nick Through Dr. William A. Smith’s lead- ‘‘no.’’ This is a sad, but very real, chap- Martinelli, all of whom made this very ership, the project’s executive director, ter of our history. This all happened, of possible, I thank them all. Again, I ask movement for the resolution took on a course, before the emergence of Dr. my colleagues to please support this life of its own. He traveled across this Martin Luther King, Jr. in America. As very important resolution. Nation with an enormously moving a Nation, we have long since recognized Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support film that I hope all of America will get the unfair treatment of minorities as a of House Joint Resolution 98 that I in- a chance to see. His involvement in travesty of justice. The enactment of troduced on April 12, 2000. I am de- this effort reflects a greater sense of fundamental civil rights laws by Con- lighted by the bipartisan support for unity among Americans, that we must gress over the past half century has this joint resolution in both the United make amends for the past and we must remedied the worst of these injustices, States House of Representatives and do it together. and this has given us some hope. I have the United States Senate. The efforts of Representatives such Mr. Speaker, the resolution is an- hope, we all have hope for America as as CORRINE BROWN of Florida, Rep- other way of saying that we have not we move together in the 21st century. resentative J.C. WATTS Jr., of Okla- forgotten those who fought or served in But, as we all know, we have yet to homa, Chairman FLOYD SPENCE of World War II, while simultaneously give adequate recognition to the serv- South Carolina, Chairman BOB STUMP discriminated against while at home. ice, struggles, and sacrifices of the vet- of the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, The resolution brings closure to the erans, all of the brave veterans. and Ranking Member of the Committee families of many veterans, and none of For many of these minority veterans, on Veterans’ Affairs LANE EVANS have us can underestimate that phenomenon the memories of World War II never all been instrumental in bringing this for each individual. The Day of Honor disappear. When we lose a loved one, resolution to the floor. 2000 project helped enlist the support of whether it is a mother, father, sibling, The joint resolution designates May countless Americans to make this reso- child, or friend, we often sense that we 25, 2000, as a national Day of Honor to lution possible. Without its support, lose a part of ourselves. For each of us, honor minority veterans from World the resolution would have probably the loss of life, whether expected or War II. In fact, the resolution calls never come to fruition. not, is not easily surmountable. upon communities across the nation to Our goal is that the Nation will heal Minority veterans had to overcome a participate in celebrations to honor and will have an opportunity to pause great deal after the war. They not only minority veterans on May 25, 2000, and on May 25 and throughout the year to came back to a Nation that did not throughout the year 2000. Because this express our gratitude to the multicul- treat them equally, but they were recognition is long overdue, it is appro- tural, multiracial veterans of all mi- never recognized for the uniqueness of priate that we honor and celebrate the nority groups who served the Nation so their efforts. Like many of us, they memories of the veterans who served or well. adapted to changes or were the engines fought throughout the year. When we look to the harrowing days of social change, but they have suffered There are many that deserve thanks of World War II, we remember and re- and sacrificed so much that few of us for making this day a reality. I want to vere the acts of courage and personal will ever understand. extend my special thanks to Senator sacrifice that each of our veterans gave Veterans are dying at a rate of more EDWARD KENNEDY of Massachusetts for to their Nation to achieve the allied than 1,000 a day. It is specially impor- joining me by introducing an identical victory over Nazism and Fascism. In tant, therefore, for Congress and the resolution in the United States Senate. the 1940s, minority were utilized in the administration to do their part now to That resolution passed by unanimous allied operations, just as any other pay tribute to these men and women consent in the U.S. Senate on May American. In fact, it is well known how who served so valiantly in World War 19th. I must say this has certainly been many of them rose to the occasion of II. The minority veterans from World a wonderful collective effort that has volunteering and seeking out the op- War II represent a significant part of inspired veterans and children alike portunity to serve in the United States what is being called America’s Great- who have followed the progress of the military. They wanted to go and fight est Generation. They are American he- resolution through Congress. for their beloved America. roes that deserve recognition for this I am also proud, of course, by the su- During the war effort, at least 1.2 efforts. For this reason, the resolution perb grassroots support offered by The million African American citizens ei- specifically asks President Clinton to Day of Honor 2000 Project, a non-profit ther served or sacrificed their lives. In issue a proclamation ‘‘calling upon the organization based in Marlborro, Mas- addition, more than 300,000 Hispanic people of the United States to honor sachusetts. Americans, more than 50,000 Asians, these minority veterans with appro- Through Dr. William H. Smith’s lead- more than 20,000 Native Americans, priate programs and activities,’’ and I ership, the Project Executive, move- more than 6,000 Native Hawaiians and ask my colleagues to do so in their re- ment for the resolution took on a life Pacific Islanders, and more than 3,000 spective districts. of its own. His involvement in this ef- Native Alaskans also served their Winston Churchill once said that it is fort reflects a greater sense of unity country in protecting democracy and important for all of us to build wisely among Americans that we must make freedom. and surely, not for the moment, but for amends for the past. Despite the invidious discrimination the years to come. I am so very grati- Mr. Speaker, the resolution is an- that most minority veterans were sub- fied that my freedom was based upon other way of saying that we have not

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.099 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 May 23, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3561 forgotten those who fought or served of us, they adapted to changes or were the Our veterans, no matter their race, during World War II while simulta- engines of social change. But they have suf- color, or national origin, are a minor- neously discriminated against while at fered and sacrificed so much that few of us ity. Few who benefit from our life and home. Mr. Speaker, the resolution will ever understand. our liberties each day have ever had oc- brings closure to the families of many Veterans are dying at a rate of more than casion to serve our flag, have ever put veterans. And none of us can underesti- 1,000 a day. It is especially important, there- themselves in harm’s way for our Na- mate that phenomenon for each indi- fore, for Congress and the Administration to tion. vidual. do their part now to pay tribute to these men Mr. Speaker, I stand here today with The Day of Honor 2000 Project helped and women who served so valiantly in World humility and a deep sense of gratitude enlist the support of countless Ameri- War II. for those men and women who fought cans to make this resolution possible. The minority veterans from World War II and who sacrificed themselves for the Without its support, the resolution represent a significant part of what has been freedom of this country to preserve the would have probably never come to fru- called America's Greatest Generation. They principle of having one nation under ition. are American heroes that deserve recognition God, with liberty and justice for all Our goal is that the nation will have for their efforts. For this reason, the resolution people. an opportunity to pause on May 25th specifically asks President Clinton to issue a Mr. Speaker, for our minority vet- and throughout the year to express our proclamation ``calling upon the people of the erans, for our veterans’ minority, let gratitude to the veterans of all minor- United States to honor these minority veterans us remember the service, the sacrifice ity groups who served the nation so with appropriate programs and activities.'' of all, especially for this day of honor ably. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote for minority soldiers. When we look back to the harrowing in favor of this resolution. I thank all my col- Mr. Speaker, I am very grateful that days of World War II, we remember and leagues, in both Houses of Congress, for their I have had an opportunity to speak on revere the acts of courage and personal assistance in helping bring closure to the lives this resolution. sacrifice that each of our veterans gave of so many deserving Americans. Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, I have no to their nation to achieve Allied vic- Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 further requests for time, and I yield tory over Nazism and fascism. In the minutes to the gentlewoman from Indi- back the balance of my time. 1940s, minorities were utilized in the ana (Ms. CARSON), a tireless and effec- Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- allied operations just as any other tive advocate for our veterans. self such time as I may consume. American. Ms. CARSON. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Speaker, I did an injustice to the During the war effort, at least the gentleman for yielding me this Tuskegee Airmen. I misspoke a mo- 1,200,000 African Americans citizens ei- time. ment ago when I said they flew 1,500 ther served or sacrificed their lives. In I thank the chairman of the com- sorties. Actually, they distinguished addition, more than 300,000 Hispanic mittee and certainly the gentleman themselves by flying 15,533 sorties, and Americans more than 50,000 Asians, from Illinois (Mr. EVANS), the ranking I want to correct the record. more than 20,000 Native Americans, member, the outstanding veteran him- Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, more than 6,000 Native Hawaiians and self, and certainly the gentlewoman today the House will vote on H.J. Res. Pacific Islanders, and more than 3,000 from Texas (Ms. JACKSON-LEE), for the 98, which will designate May 25, 2000 as Native Alaskans also either served eloquent, articulate, and thorough the Day of Honor to celebrate minority their country in protecting democracy presentation on behalf of this needed veterans throughout the country. This and freedom. resolution. day will be set aside to recognize the Despite the invidious discrimination I remember, Mr. Speaker, the her- service of African Americans, Native that most minority veterans were sub- oism of the Buffalo soldiers serving in Americans, Asian Americans, and His- ject to at home, they fought honorably the vast West as our Nation grew to panic Americans in World War II. The along with all other Americans, includ- the Pacific many years ago, a fine tra- service and sacrifice of these men and ing other nations. An African Amer- dition. women is all the more moving because, ican was obliged to answer a call to Today, it is altogether fitting that in many cases, they fought to protect duty, indeed possibly sacrifice his life, we honor and recognize the service of freedoms that they themselves did not yet he or she enjoyed separate but minority veterans in our armed forces fully enjoy. equal status back home. during World War II. All together, Today, we understand that part of Too often, when basic issues of equality some 1.2 million African Americans what makes a community livable is re- and respect for their service in the war arose, served alongside 300,000 Hispanic Amer- spect for diversity and an appreciation Jim Crow and racial discrimination replied with icans; and 50,000 Asian Americans of our differences. Understanding our a resounding ``no.'' This is a sad but very real served during World War II, shoulder- history, even when it contains difficult chapter of our history. to-shoulder with other Americans, in memories, is an important part of This all happened, of course, before the the common cause of defeating the bridging the ethnic and cultural divi- emergence of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Axis powers. sions that still trouble us. America. As a nation, we have long since rec- The ordinary ground-pounding sol- African Americans were the largest ognized the unfair treatment of minorities as a diers served uncommonly well, with group of minority Americans to serve travesty of justice. The enactment of funda- great courage, in segregated units. in World War II. More than a million mental civil rights laws by Congress over the African American men and women b 1245 past half-century have remedied the worst of served in the United States Armed these injustices. And this has given us some The trials and tribulations of the Forces in the war. The famed 332nd hope. But, as we all know, we have yet to give black men who wanted to fly, our Fighter Group of the Tuskeegee Air- adequate recognition to the service, struggles, Tuskegee Airmen, who grew wings to men never lost a bomber under their and sacrifices of all our brave veteran Ameri- show the way for a generation; the ex- escort to an enemy fighter in 200 mis- cans. traordinary valor of our soldiers of sions. For many of these minority veterans, the Asian descent, fighting fiercely in Eu- The Day of Honor was celebrated in memories of World War II never disappear. rope, even as many of their families Portland last Saturday at Reflections, When we lose a loved one, whether it is a were imprisoned in camps in our West; a coffee and book store in my district. mother, father, sibling, child, or friend, we our Native American code-talkers who African American servicemen from all often sense that we lose a part of ourselves. used their languages to puzzle and de- branches of the United States military For each of us, the loss of lifeÐwhether ex- feat Japanese eavesdroppers, far from were recognized for their sacrifice and pected or notÐis not easily surmountable. their tribal lands. Those who served so heroism on the battlefield. I was espe- Minority veterans had to overcome a great well truly deserve our special honor cially pleased that Mr. Edgar L. Bold- deal after the war. They not only came back but, Mr. Speaker, the happy result of en, who served with the Tuskeegee Air- to a nation that did not treat them equally, but relative peace for us in these times is, men and now lives in the district I they were never recognized for the unique- at the same time, a sort of sad fact for serve, was the guest speaker at the ness of their efforts during the war. Like many America. event. Mr. Bolden trained as a fighter

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A23MY7.062 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 H3562 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 23, 2000 pilot with the Tuskeegee Airmen, serv- bound by a love of the principles of duty to I strongly urge my colleagues to support this ing his country honorably, and then God and county. They lived in a separate legislation and to honor those who have went on to receive an engineering de- component of American society that was de- served in your communities. gree and work for the Federal Aviation fined by an unfortunate climate of prejudice. Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I stand in strong Administration and in the private sec- African-Americans, Hispanics, native Hawai- support for H.J. Res. 98, Honoring WWII Mi- tor. ians, Chamorros, Samoans, Asian Americans, nority Veterans. Another outstanding group of Afri- Filipinos, American Indians, and Native Alas- This legislation honors their service and can Americans who served our country kans all served honorably in many capacities sacrifice. in World War II was the 555th Para- with the U.S. military to combat the hegemonic Despite suffering from inequality and dis- chute Infantry Battalion, the Army’s forces of Germany, Italy and Japan. crimination back home and in the military, they only all-African American parachute In segregated units, often led by white offi- did not hesitate to defend America with cour- infantry unit. Born within an armed cers, these noble men distinguished them- age and dedication. forces that had typically relegated Af- selves in combat and proved to the entire na- Our World War II veterans whether His- rican Americans to menial jobs and tion that they too were willing to lay down their panic, Native American, Asian, Hawaiian, Pa- programmed them for failure, the 555th lives for freedom. The Tuskeegee Airmen, the cific Islander or African-American, participated or ‘‘Triple Nickels’’ as they were famed 442nd Regimental Combat Team, the in combat operations around the globe to stem called, received new orders as the war 100th Infantry Battalion, the Navaho Code- the tide of fascism with pride and distinction. was drawing to a close—a change of Talkers, the U.S. Navy's Fita Fita Guard (a Their bravery, dedication, and commitment station to Pendleton Air Base in Pen- U.S. Navy auxiliary unit in American Samoa), was unwavering as reflected in the dispropor- dleton, Oregon. the 1st Samoan Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps, tionate number of Medal of Honor winners The 555th acquired a new nickname, and the Guam Combat Patrol (a U.S. Marine among their ranks. the ‘‘Smoke Jumpers’’ and they were Corps auxiliary unit in Guam) are just a few of Furthermore, as shown by our Native Amer- on emergency call to fight forest fires the organizations where minorities fought val- ican Navajo soldiers, their particular and in any of several western states. Their iantly in some of the most difficult combat as- unique skills in the war effort directly contrib- other mission was ‘‘Operation Firefly’’ signments anywhere in World War II. uted to the early success and ultimate victory in which they would parachute into This Joint Resolution commends the Afri- of our armed forces. areas where there were suspected Japa- can, Hispanic, Asian, and Native Americans, Clearly, our minority World War II veterans nese ‘‘balloon bombs—incendiary de- Native Hawaiians and Alaskans, Pacific Is- are patriots and heroes of the highest order. vices that had traveled across the Pa- landers and all other minority veterans, espe- They put their lives on the line for America, cific on hydrogen balloons and posed cially those who lost their lives. It also author- while segregation and prejudice persisted in the risk of setting fires and were a dan- izes and requests that the President issue a their homes and toward their families. ger to people. Indeed, a woman and five proclamation calling upon the people of the Their efforts and service in defense of our children were killed by one of these United States to honor minority veterans with Nation, broke stereotypes and the prejudice bombs near Bly, in southern Oregon. appropriate programs and activities. I want to they endured served to breakdown the doors The Triple Nickels carried out the haz- thank both Congresswoman JACKSON-LEE and of segregation for future generations. None- ardous mission of locating and dis- Senator KENNEDY for bringing this Joint Reso- theless, far too many of these veterans re- posing of these bombs. Two years later lution to the floor and ensuring that all Pacific turned to a Nation that did not fully recognize in 1947, the 555th became the unit that Islanders were accounted for within the lan- their service, nor welcome them back like integrated the Army when they became guage of this bill. We are all humbled and other American soldiers who had defended members of the 82nd Airborne. honored by their service and sacrifice. I urge our freedom and liberty. These are just a few of the many ex- all my colleagues to vote for its passage. It is long overdue that we give them the rec- amples of sacrifice and bravery dis- Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, as an original ognition and accolades they deserve. played by minority veterans in World cosponsor of H.J. Res. 98, I rise today in Our minority veterans should be celebrated, War II. I’d like to take this oppor- strong support of legislation that would honor honored, and recognized for their exceptional tunity to thank all of our veterans. It those minority World War II veterans who contributions to the war effort as part of is because of them that we were able to served our nation when duty called. On May ``America's Greatest Generation.'' exercise the freedoms that are central 25, 2000, the Day of Honor Project, will be They fought against fascism abroad, and to our Nation’s character. honoring those minority servicemen and racism and segregation at home. They are Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I rise in women made to help our nation during World veterans of war and veterans of the struggle strong support of H.J. Res. 98 offered by Con- War II. for freedom and civil rights. gresswoman JACKSON-LEE and sponsored by It is estimated that more than 1.2 million Af- I therefore am pleased that we commend senator KENNEDY in the Senate. As a co-spon- rican-Americans, more than 300,000 Hispanic- these veterans for their service and sacrifice sor I welcome this long over due resolution, Americans, more than 50,000 Asian-Ameri- with this Joint Resolution. which calls for a presidential proclamation cans, more than 20,000 American Indians, This bill will honor those minority veterans designating May 25, 2000 as a national Day of more than 6,000 Native Hawaiians and Pacific who gave their lives, support the goals of a Honor for minority veterans of World War II. Islanders, and 3,000 Native Alaskans served Day of Honor in celebration and recognition of This resolution is an important and fitting in the Armed Forces during World War II. their extraordinary service, and authorize and tribute to the tens of thousands of minority I believe that these men and women de- request a Presidential proclamation to honor Americans who set aside political, economic serve our thanks for courageous service and these veterans with appropriate programs and and social disenfranchisement, to answer the sacrifice on behalf of our nation. In many activities. call to arms against the forces of tyranny. cases, these minority veterans did not receive These veterans deserve this recognition and In the beginning of the war, many minority proper recognition or awards for their valor we owe them a tremendous debt of gratitude servicemen were relegated to serve only in and courage during wartime efforts. that can never be repaid. ``rear echelon'' positions or support positions This Sense of the House resolution is part However, with this resolution let us salute during the war. They served as munitions of the national effort to enlist communities and thank our minority World War II veterans. men, truck drivers, cooks, stewards, and in around the nation to honor these World War II I therefore ask that my colleagues join me cleaning and repair details. Minorities also la- minority veterans as part of their Memorial day to overwhelmingly support this bill. bored in the factories and farms throughout celebrations. This legislation also requests that Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank the Vet- the United States working towards the war ef- the President of the United States issue a erans' Affairs Committee for bringing this im- fort. In many cases, when in combat zones, proclamation calling upon the people of the portant resolution before the House of Rep- the men in these positions manned weapons United States to honor these minority veterans resentatives this week. The committed service and fought honorably side-by-side with white with appropriate programs and activities. of the veterans of World War II, especially that soldiers and sailors during furious engage- On May 25, 2000, I will be remembering of minority veterans, can never be noted too ments. these men and women who gave their lives in often. For minority veterans, their desire to Later in the war, after much lobbying efforts some cases for our freedom. As we all re- serve this country was a monumental move- by minority leaders, combat units were estab- member, freedom is not free and we all must ment in democracy and social change. lished for minorities. These brave men and never forget the sacrifices that these men and While many people pinpoint the 1960s, and women came from all walks of life but were women made to ensure our freedom today. the civil rights movement in that decade, with

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A23MY7.064 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 May 23, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3563 moving the nation closer to social progress, it About one-third of their members volunteered There was no objection. was WWII and the minority veterans who dis- from U.S. relocation camps to which they had The Clerk read the Senate joint reso- tinguished themselves so often and so val- been sent as ``enemies'' of America. lution, as follows: iantly who gave us the opportunity to move In four weeks of heavy combat in October± S.J. RES. 44 forward as a community and a nation. November 1944, the 442d RCT liberated Whereas World War II was a determining Let me tell you a little bit about one of the Bruyeers and Biffontaine and rescued a ``lost event of the 20th century in that it ensured most important and influential members of the battalion'' that had become cut off from the the preservation and continuation of Amer- WWII generation. Those Hispanics who fought 36th Division. For this the 100th, 2d, and 3d ican democracy; against the Nazis and Imperial Japan showed Battalions, 442d Infantry, and the 232d Engi- Whereas the United States called upon all their bravery and courage time and time neer Company were each awarded the Distin- its citizens, including the most oppressed of guished Unit Citation [later re-designated as its citizens, to provide service and sacrifice again. They came home from the war that in that war to achieve the Allied victory equalized the rich and poor, educated and the President Unit Citation]. over Nazism and fascism; uneducated, to a country which still openly Two soldiers of Asian ancestry, Army Pfc. Whereas the United States citizens who discriminated against them because of their Sadao Munemori and Jose Calugas of the served in that war, many of whom gave the ethnicity. Philippine Scouts, received the Medal of ultimate sacrifice of their lives, included Probably the best-known WWII veteran His- Honor, the nation's highest military accolade, more than 1,200,000 African Americans, more panic descent in South Texas was Dr. Hector during the World War II era. than 300,000 Hispanic Americans, more than P. Garcia. Dr. Garcia came back to South At least 20 Asian-American heroes of World 50,000 Asian Americans, more than 20,000 Na- War II will belatedly receive the Medal of tive Americans, more than 6,000 Native Ha- Texas and was, with many Hispanic veterans, waiians and Pacific Islanders, and more than treated with familiar contempt by people in the Honor in the White House ceremony on June 21. Only 441 such awards were given during 3,000 Native Alaskans; country for which they had shed blood in a Whereas because of invidious discrimina- great war and a just cause. WWII. This tribute completes an effort ordered tion, many of the courageous military ac- What crystallized the cause of civil rights for by Congress to identify Asian-Americans and tivities of these minorities were not reported so many Hispanic veterans and Hispanic Pacific Islanders who had won the second- and honored fully and appropriately until Americans was the treatment of Army Private highest medal, the Distinguished Service decades after the Allied victory in World Felix Longoria, a soldier lost in WWII. Cross, and to recommend Medal of Honor up- War II; grades to President Clinton in deserving Whereas the motto of the United States, Longoria's family wanted to bury him at Three ‘‘E Pluribus Unum’’ (Out of Many, One), pro- Rivers near their home, but the cemetery was cases. Sen. Daniel Inouye, D±Hawaii, will be among those recipients. Many others cited motes our fundamental unity as Americans for whites only. and acknowledges our diversity as our great- Dr. Garcia, and all veterans who were com- were killed in action or have died since the est strength; and ing home were shocked by the blatant racism war, and family members will accept the Whereas the Day of Honor 2000 Project has that was still so prevalent in their home. They awards posthumously. enlisted communities across the United Primary among Pacific Islanders serving in believed in fighting for the cause of democracy States to participate in celebrations to WWII were the Filipino Vets. As members of honor minority veterans of World War II on and for the United States. They also believed Philippine army scouts and guerrilla units at- May 25, 2000, and throughout the year 2000: that their service would bring them the respect tached to U.S. forces during World War II, Now, therefore, be it that had elluded them in everyday life before they fought alongside Americans at Bataan, Resolved by the Senate and House of Rep- the war. resentatives of the United States of America in survived the infamous ``Death March,'' hid and Dr. Garcia called the funeral home and Congress assembled, That Congress— fed U.S. soldiers who escaped capture and asked them to reconsider. The funeral home (1) commends the African American, His- helped Gen. Douglas MacArthur's army lib- owner refused. Dr. Garcia and other South panic American, Asian American, Native erate their homeland, then an American col- Texas veterans were not deterred. They took American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Island- ony. These deserving veterans are in a fight, ers, Native Alaskan, and other minority vet- their case to the federal level via telegrams even now, to obtain the benefits they deserve erans of the United States Armed Forces and correspondence. Longoria was buried two from the United States government. who served during World War II; months later in Arlington National Cemetery This is a record of stellar service. So, it is (2) especially honors those minority vet- with the help of then-Senator Lyndon Johnson. fitting that we pass H.J. Res. 98 today to erans who gave their lives in service to the Out of all this came the American GI Forum, honor those who served as well during that United States during that war; (3) supports the goals and ideas of the ‘‘Day the first Hispanic civil rights organization. His- war and who have never truly been recog- panics in the United States have proudly of Honor 2000’’ in celebration and recognition nized for their effort and their sacrificesÐoften of the extraordinary service of all minority served their country from the American Revo- the ultimate sacrifice, their lives. lution to our NATO activity in Kosovo. In the veterans in the United States Armed Forces Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I have no during World War II; and course of that service, 38 Hispanics have further requests for time, and I yield (4) authorizes and requests that the Presi- been awarded the Medal of Honor, our coun- back the balance of my time. dent issue a proclamation calling upon the try's highest award for military bravery and The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. people of the United States to honor these service. That is the highest number of Medals BARRETT of Nebraska). The question is minority veterans with appropriate pro- of Honor among ethnic minorities. I appreciate on the motion offered by the gen- grams and activities. the efforts of the House of Representatives tleman from Arizona (Mr. STUMP) that The Senate joint resolution was or- today in honoring these minority veterans. the House suspend the rules and agree dered to be read a third time, was read Mrs. MINK of Hawaii. Mr. Speaker, I rise in to the joint resolution, H.J. Res. 98. the third time, and passed, and a mo- support of H.J. Res. 98, the Day of Honor The question was taken; and (two- tion to reconsider was laid on the 2000 to honor and recognize the service of thirds having voted in favor thereof) table. minority veterans in the United States Armed the rules were suspended and the joint A similar House joint resolution Forces during World War II. I am an original resolution was agreed to. (H.J. Res. 98) was laid on the table. cosponsor of H.J. Res. 98. A motion to reconsider was laid on f Since the days of the Buffalo Soldiers the table. (1866), minorities have served with bravery Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I ask CONSIDERING MEMBER AS FIRST and distinction in the United States Military unanimous consent to take from the COSPONSOR OF H.R. 1202 with little or no recognition. There were twen- Speaker’s table the Senate joint reso- Mr. FRANKS of New Jersey. Mr. ty-three Medal of Honor recipients from the lution (S.J. Res. 44) supporting the Day Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that four African American army regiments that of Honor 2000 to honor and recognize I may hereafter be considered as the came to be known as the Buffalo Soldiers. the service of minority veterans in the first sponsor of H.R. 1202, a bill origi- Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Na- United States Armed Forces during nally introduced by Representative tive Hawaiians also served their country hon- World War II, and ask for its imme- Brown of California, for the purpose of orably and with great distinction during World diate consideration in the House. adding cosponsors and requesting War II. The Clerk read the title of the Senate reprintings under clause 7 of rule XII. Many Japanese-Americans served with the joint resolution. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there Army's much-decorated 442nd Regimental The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gen- Combat Team or 100th Infantry Battalion. Or- objection to the request of the gen- tleman from New Jersey? ganized in Hawaii, the units fought in Europe. tleman from Arizona? There was no objection.

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A23MY7.067 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 H3564 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 23, 2000 URGING COMPLIANCE WITH HAGUE Whereas some contracting states fail to It is obvious from the circumstances, CONVENTION ON CIVIL ASPECTS order or enforce normal visitation rights for that it is necessary to do so, and I want OF INTERNATIONAL CHILD AB- parents of abducted or wrongfully retained to commend the gentleman from Ohio children who have not been returned under (Mr. CHABOT), a member of our Com- DUCTION the terms of the Hague Convention; and Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to Whereas the routine invocation of the Ar- mittee on International Relations, suspend the rules and agree to the con- ticle 13 exception, denial of parental visita- who, on behalf of 132 cosponsors, intro- current resolution (H. Con. Res. 293) tion of children, and the failure by several duced this measure. urging compliance with the Hague Con- contracting parties, most notably Austria, I would also like to thank the gen- Germany, Honduras, Mexico, and Sweden, to vention on the Civil Aspects of Inter- tleman from Texas (Mr. LAMPSON), who fully implement the Convention deprives the is the chairman of the Caucus on Miss- national Child Abduction, as amended. Hague Convention of the spirit of mutual The Clerk read as follows: ing and Exploited Children. He has de- confidence upon which its success depends: voted a great deal of his time to raising H. CON. RES. 293 Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the House of Representatives (the our level of awareness of the growing Whereas the Department of State reports problem of international child abduc- that at any given time there are 1,000 open Senate concurring), That Congress urges— cases of American children either abducted (1) all contracting parties to the Hague tion. from the United States or wrongfully re- Convention, particularly European civil law We are taking action on this measure tained in a foreign country; countries that consistently violate the on behalf of the parents of our ab- Whereas many more cases of international Hague Convention such as Austria, Germany ducted and wrongfully-retained chil- child abductions are not reported to the De- and Sweden, to comply fully with both the dren. These left-behind parents have partment of State; letter and spirit of their international legal put their faith and trust in an inter- Whereas the situation has worsened since obligations under the Convention; (2) all contracting parties to the Hague national agreement, the Hague Conven- 1993, when Congress estimated the number of tion, which is clear and explicit on the American children abducted from the United Convention to ensure their compliance with States and wrongfully retained in foreign the Hague Convention by enacting effective obligation of signatory governments to countries to be more than 10,000; implementing legislation and educating return an abducted or wrongfully-re- Whereas Congress has recognized the grav- their judicial and law enforcement authori- tained child to his or her country of ity of international child abduction in enact- ties; habitual residence. Nevertheless, we ing the International Parental Kidnapping (3) all contracting parties to the Hague found that in a number of nations, for Crime Act of 1993 (18 U.S.C. 1204), the Paren- Convention to honor their commitments and a variety of reasons, this does not tal Kidnapping Prevention Act (28 U.S.C. return abducted or wrongfully retained chil- occur and the resultant frustration, dren to their place of habitual residence 1738a), and substantial reform and reporting the heartbreak, and outrage has led us requirements for the Department of State in without reaching the merits of any under- the fiscal years 1998–1999 and 2000–2001 For- lying custody dispute and ensure parental to act on the measure before us today. eign Relations Authorization Acts; access rights by removing obstacles to the I should also add that we need to Whereas the United States became a con- exercise of such rights; have our State Department do more to tracting party in 1988 to the Hague Conven- (4) the Secretary of State to disseminate to promote compliance with the Hague tion on the Civil Aspects of International all Federal and State courts the Department Convention. The return of an abducted Child Abduction (in this concurrent resolu- of State’s annual report to Congress on or illegally-retained child should be on tion referred to as the ‘‘Hague Convention’’) Hague Convention compliance and related the top of the Secretary’s meetings and adopted effective implementing legisla- matters; and with any official of a country involved tion in the International Child Abduction (5) each contracting party to the Hague in such cases. Remedies Act (42 U.S.C. 11601 et seq.); Convention to further educate its central au- This is not a problem that should be Whereas the Hague Convention establishes thority and local law enforcement authori- mutual rights and duties between and among ties regarding the Hague Convention, the se- handled as a routine exchange of diplo- its contracting states to expedite the return verity of the problem of international child matic notes or by phone calls by any of children to the state of their habitual resi- abduction, and the need for immediate ac- junior U.S. official to their foreign dence, as well as to ensure that rights of cus- tion when a parent of an abducted child counterparts. We need to see some con- tody and of access under the laws of one con- seeks their assistance. cern and some concrete actions by the tracting state are effectively respected in The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- highest levels of our government to re- other contracting states, without consider- ant to the rule, the gentleman from dress what is evidently a growing ation of the merits of any underlying child international problem. custody dispute; New York (Mr. GILMAN) and the gen- Whereas Article 13 of the Hague Conven- tleman from Florida (Mr. HASTINGS) It is our hope, Mr. Speaker, that by tion provides a narrow exception to the re- each will control 20 minutes. adopting this resolution we will be quirement for prompt return of children, The Chair recognizes the gentleman sending a strong signal to those gov- which exception releases the requested state from New York (Mr. GILMAN). ernments which fail to honor consist- from its obligation to return a child to the GENERAL LEAVE ently their international commit- country of the child’s habitual residence if it Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask ments. This is an issue that we care is established that there is a ‘‘grave risk’’ unanimous consent that all Members deeply about. We need to focus the at- that the return would expose the child to may have 5 legislative days within tention of the governments of Ger- ‘‘physical or psychological harm or other- many, of Sweden, Austria, Mexico, and wise place the child in an intolerable situa- which to revise and extend their re- tion’’ or ‘‘if the child objects to being re- marks on House Concurrent Resolution Honduras on this issue to make them turned and has attained an age and degree of 293. understand that they cannot expect maturity at which it is appropriate to take The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there the Hague Convention to be a one-way account of [the child’s] views’’; objection to the request of the gen- street. Whereas some contracting states, for ex- tleman from New York? Accordingly, Mr. Speaker, I urge the ample Germany, routinely invoke Article 13 There was no objection. House to unanimously agree to this as a justification for nonreturn, rather than Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield resolution. resorting to it in a small number of wholly myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of exceptional cases; (Mr. GILMAN asked and was given my time. Whereas the National Center for Missing Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. and Exploited Children (NCMEC), the only permission to revise and extend his re- institution of its kind, was established in the marks.) Speaker, I yield myself such time as I United States for the purpose of assisting Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in may consume. parents in recovering their missing children; strong support of H. Con. Res. 293. This Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support Whereas Article 21 of the Hague Conven- resolution urges compliance with the of the resolution. Many of us have read tion provides that the central authorities of Hague Convention on the civil aspects press accounts of children stolen from all parties to the Convention are obligated to of international child abduction. It is their American mothers or fathers and cooperate with each other in order to pro- regrettable that we are in a position in whisked away to a foreign country by mote the peaceful enjoyment of parental ac- this resolution of the need to criticize the noncustodial parent. The heart- cess rights and the fulfillment of any condi- tions to which the exercise of such rights by name several nations with whom we break of the left-behind parent is too may be subject, and to remove, as far as pos- have otherwise had friendly relations: often compounded by the realization sible, all obstacles to the exercise of such Germany, Austria, Sweden, Honduras, that the country to which the abduct- rights; and Mexico. ing parent has fled is actually helping

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.069 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 May 23, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3565 that parent to hide the children. This severity of the problem of inter- bring Carina home has been met with assistance to the abductors by coun- national child abduction and the need rejection by Austria. tries like Germany, Austria, Sweden, for immediate action, when a parent of Every attempt to seek justice from and Mexico is contrary to the letter an abducted child seeks their assist- the Austrian government has been and spirit of the Hague Convention on ance. stonewalled, and it is time that Tom the civil aspects of international child This is the very least we can do to Sylvester got his daughter Carina back abduction. address the heartbreak of thousands of to the United States. That is where she In at least 30 cases in Germany, for American left-behind parents, and I belongs. example, German judges have flouted strongly urge its adoption. b 1300 the basic tenets of the Hague Conven- Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of tion and have allowed the fleeing par- my time. During a hearing on the Committee ent to continue to hide the children Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 on International Relations in March of from their American parents and even minutes to the gentleman from Ohio this year, I had the opportunity to dis- to deny them the most minimal con- (Mr. CHABOT), the original sponsor of cuss Tom Sylvester’s case with Sec- tact with their children. Germany is a this measure. retary of State Madeline Albright. The signatory to the Hague Convention. Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, first let Secretary promised to bring up the Resolutions like the one we have be- me express my thanks to the gen- case during her discussions with the fore us, and I compliment the chairman tleman from New York (Mr. GILMAN) Austrian government, and she com- of the committee for expediting this for his long-standing leadership in this mitted to a meeting with Mr. Syl- matter and the fine work done by my issue. He has been a real advocate for vester, myself, and my colleague, the colleagues, particularly the gentleman those families who have been victim- gentleman from Cincinnati, Ohio (Mr. from Ohio (Mr. CHABOT) and the gen- ized by international parental child ab- PORTMAN). Hopefully, that meeting will tleman from California (Mr. OSE) and duction. All of us who have worked on take place soon. the gentleman from Texas (Mr. this issue appreciate his stewardship. By personally engaging in this issue, LAMPSON). Resolutions like the one we I also want to thank the gentleman the Secretary will be expressing her have before us today are one way that from Florida (Mr. HASTINGS) for his solidarity with all of those parents Congress can send a message to these leadership on this very important throughout the country who face the countries, most of which are friends issue; and I want to particularly thank same painful ordeal that Tom Syl- and allies of the United States, that we my friend, the gentleman from Texas vester faces every day, and she will be will not be silent in the face of these (Mr. LAMPSON), the principal cosponsor sending a strong message to those of- tragedies. of the bipartisan resolution. As the fending countries who fail to honor Mr. Speaker, make no mistake, these founder and chairman of the Congres- their obligations under the Hague Con- cases are tragedies, tragedies of broken sional Caucus on Missing and Exploited vention that the United States Govern- families, traumatized children, bereft Children, he has worked tirelessly on ment is serious about bringing our mothers and fathers who are left be- behalf of abducted children. He comes children home. hind with precious little hope of ever down here every single day and gives a House Concurrent Resolution 293 is seeing their children again. These cases speech on a different particular case very straightforward. We are urging all are, sadly, not rare. Every year it is es- that has happened and he has devoted a contracting parties to the Hague Con- timated that at least 1,000 boys and lot of time and a lot of effort on this vention on the Civil Aspects of Inter- girls are taken from their American issue and to the families and he has national Child Abduction to comply parents. There are as many as 10,000 been a very effective partner in this fully with both the letter and the spirit cases of children wrongfully retained legislative effort. of their international legal obligations by their noncustodial parents cur- More than 130 cosponsors have joined under the convention; to ensure their rently on file. The Hague Convention in this effort to bring attention to the compliance by enacting effective im- clearly states that custody disputes tragedy of international parental child plementing legislation and educating should be decided in the country in abduction. I know the families of those their judicial and law enforcement au- which the child habitually resides, but children appreciate the support of thorities; and to honor their commit- time and again foreign courts have in- Members of Congress like the gentle- ments and return wrongfully abducted tervened and decided custody cases, woman from Florida (Mrs. FOWLER); children to their place of habitual resi- even though the children in question the ranking member of the Committee dence and ensure parental access rights are American-born and have spent on International Relations, the gen- by removing obstacles to the exercise their lives up to the point of their ab- tleman from Connecticut (Mr. GEJDEN- of those rights. duction in America. SON); the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Mr. Speaker, thousands of American In the case of Joseph Cooke, whose PORTMAN); the gentleman from Cali- parents wake up each morning with a story was so movingly described re- fornia (Mr. OSE); and so many others. glimmer of hope that they will soon be cently in the Washington Post, German I would also particularly like to reunited with their abducted children. courts even gave the German foster thank my legislative director Kevin Most of those parents go to bed again parents of his children greater rights Fitzpatrick who spent many, many that night broken-hearted. Sadly those than they accorded Mr. Cooke himself, hours working on this issue and talk- left-behind parents all too often believe the children’s father. ing with someone in my district who that they have nowhere to turn and Mr. Speaker, the resolution before us has been hit with this on a personal that is truly a tragedy. urges our friends, neighbors, and allies basis. Today, we are sending a message to to live up to their commitments in I first became aware of this issue on our State Department that the return signing the Hague Convention on the a personal level when a gentleman by of our children is a national priority. civil aspects of international child ab- the name of Tom Sylvester from my Today, we are saying to those nations duction. It asks countries to enact ef- hometown of Cincinnati, his daughter who routinely ignore their obligations fective implementing legislation; to Carina was abducted by her mother in under the Hague convention: send our educate their judicial and law enforce- 1995 and taken to Austria where she re- children home. ment authorities; to return abducted mains today. Despite a number of court Mr. Speaker, those long suffering and wrongfully-retained children to orders in both the United States and in left-behind parents need to know that their place of habitual residence with- Austria, including an order by the Aus- their government is behind them, and out reaching the merits of any under- trian Supreme Court that clearly ruled that their government will keep fight- lying custody dispute; and to ensure that the child should be returned to ing for them until the last stolen parental access rights by removing ob- Tom Sylvester, Carina has not been re- American child comes safely home. stacles to the exercise of such rights; turned to her father. Let us have a resounding show of sup- and to further educate its central au- During the last 5 years, he has only port for this resolution. thority and local law enforcement au- been able to see her briefly and in a su- Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. thorities on the Hague Convention, the pervised setting. Every attempt to Speaker, I am privileged and honored

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.071 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 H3566 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 23, 2000 to yield 5 minutes to the distinguished lowed his child from Sweden to Norway not abiding to the Hague Treaty. This resolu- gentleman from Texas (Mr. LAMPSON), to Spain and finally to Scotland; and tion does just that. As I said in March, I would who has been a tireless worker in this Mr. Marinkovich won his case last Fri- like to issue a challenge to each of you to help effort to bring this matter to fruition. day in Scotland after 31⁄2 years on the carry this message forward and help us ``Bring (Mr. LAMPSON asked and was given run. His child was located with the our Children Home.'' permission to revise and extend his re- child’s mother there in Scotland, and it The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. marks.) was only after involvement by this KUYKENDALL). Does the gentleman Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I thank government, by this Congress, by our from California (Mr. OSE) seek to claim the gentleman from Florida (Mr. State Department and high-ranking the remaining time of the gentleman HASTINGS) for giving me the oppor- administration officials that this case, from New York (Mr. GILMAN)? tunity to speak in support of House his case, took a turn for the better. Mr. OSE. Yes, Mr. Speaker. Concurrent Resolution 293. As chair- It was televised in Sweden; someone The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without man and founder of the Congressional saw it and recognized Gabriel, who had objection, the gentleman from Cali- Missing And Exploited Children’s Cau- moved to Spain. The case was inves- fornia (Mr. OSE) will control the re- cus, I am very, very pleased that the tigated in Spain, and he was located in maining time allotted to the gen- House Committee on International Re- Scotland. His ex-wife was arrested. Ga- tleman from New York (Mr. GILMAN). lations and the gentleman from New briel was in the care of social services, There was no objection. York (Chairman GILMAN) and the gen- and Paul won the Hague case on Fri- Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the tleman from Connecticut (Mr. GEJDEN- day. That is a thrill to me to know balance of my time. SON) have recognized the importance of that this Congress made a difference. Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. an issue that the gentleman from Ohio Another gentleman named Jim Speaker, I yield 31⁄2 minutes to the gen- (Mr. CHABOT) and the gentleman from Rinaman, Jim was a father who I met tleman from California (Mr. OSE) to California (Mr. OSE) and I have been back in February and March. He saw speak to the issue because we have a pushing on for quite a long time of his daughter for the first time in 5 considerable amount of time, but more international parental child abduction. years in Germany. The pressure that importantly because the gentleman has The bill that this body will vote on the German government is feeling is been tireless in his efforts to bring this today calls on the signatories of the becoming apparent. The German press matter to fruition. Hague Convention of Civil Aspect of has picked up on this issue and is put- Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I want to ex- Child Abduction to abide by the provi- ting pressure on families over there. press my appreciation to the gen- sions of the Hague Convention. Mr. Speaker, I have to read a part of tleman from New York (Chairman GIL- Three months ago, I came before that an e-mail that came. While it was di- MAN) and the gentleman from Florida committee, with a number of parents, rected to me, I share and feel that it (Mr. HASTINGS) for their efforts here. I to announce to Congress and to the should be shared with every Member of also want to memorialize the efforts of American people that it was time for Congress who has touched this issue in the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. CHABOT) America and our foreign counterparts the last several months. He says: and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. to sit up and take notice of the 10,000 ‘‘Thank you so much for all of your LAMPSON) in bringing this matter to American children that have been ab- help. I really admire you and the other the attention of the Congress. ducted overseas, and that time has Members for the way that you have What we are really talking about come. taken on this issue. You can count on here is how one defines a country of ha- We are pointing fingers today at me for any assistance I might be able bitual residency and putting the chil- those countries who have not lived up to provide for your continued efforts. dren in the position where they can to their side of the deal, and I know As difficult as my situation still is, I live in those countries. that the United States is not perfect, am very much relieved, and I know As others have spoken so eloquently that we still have much educating to there are solutions still to be found for about the fact of this matter, about the do of the judges who deal with this other parents and children and Cath- relative rates of return by our country issue, but the return rate by the United erine. I believe that the German gov- to others as opposed to those of other States to other Hague countries is up- ernment, for one, is learning a new countries to us, I will not spend a lot of wards of 89 percent. We know that kind of respect for the United States time on that. American children are returned at a because of the principal people like you But I do want to make a couple rate far less than what the United and other Members of Congress who points, and that is I am new here, if States returns, only about 24 percent. have presented and refused to com- you will. I have asked for recognition These parents’ children have been ab- promise. There will be many parents from the gentleman from Florida (Mr. ducted to Hague countries all over the and children who will always deeply HASTINGS) from the other side of the world. This issue is one that is non- appreciate what you are doing. I have aisle, and I have come to the lectern partisan and one that none of us can attached photos of Julia. As you can that is typically reserved for Members afford to ignore. I am truly pleased to see, she is well, and, thankfully, she of the other side, to highlight that this have introduced this resolution with will grow up with the opportunity to be issue is not a partisan issue. This is an my friend, the gentleman from Ohio equally proud of being American and issue that touches every single district (Mr. CHABOT). Our resolution urges all German.’’ in this country. It touches constituents contracting parties to the Hague Con- Well, to me, that is what this is from Portland, Maine; to San Diego, vention, particularly European civil about. And I want to take just a California; to Binghamton, New York; law countries, that consistently violate minute to commend the people like to Seattle, Washington. Every single the Hague Convention, such as Austria, John Herzberg on the committee and district. That is why it is important. Germany and Sweden, to comply fully Abby Hochberg Shannon on my staff Now, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. with both the letter and the spirit of and others on the staff like Khristyn LAMPSON) highlighted a success story their international legal obligations Brimmeier and so many others who that we recently had. I am hopeful that under this convention, in addition to have spent so much of their time and that gentleman and his child are home urging all contracting parties to ensure effort. This issue would not have been now. I am hopeful that the second case their compliance with the convention brought to where it is today without so that the gentleman mentioned comes by enacting effective implementing much work on the part of our staffs. to a successful fruition, also. I am will- legislation and educating their judicial Mr. Speaker, I support this and only ing to take these cases one at a time, law enforcement authorities. ask to bring our children home. just case by case. I want to start on Mr. Speaker, we know that this is As I stated in my press conference three June 2 and June 3 by having the Presi- making a difference. We know that our months ago, we need to raise awarenessÐ dent of the United States speak to the voices are being heard. I know that last parents from across the country have been chancellor of Germany about specific Friday, a gentleman whose name is contacting their Members of Congress. And cases in Germany that they can both Paul Marinkovich, had a case in the we must continue to put pressure on other together reach out and change, the courts in Scotland after he had fol- countries that are Hague signatories, that are Cooke case in particular.

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.073 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 May 23, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3567 It is possible for two people, Presi- tion to be our resounding statement ment of parental access rights,'' there is no dent Clinton and Chancellor Schroeder, that we pride and love our children and excuse for countries such as Germany, Aus- to get together and change the course that we will work with America’s par- tria and even Sweden for allowing such a trav- of the future of that family for the ents to ensure their safe return to esty of justice to take place. positive, consistent with the treaty them. I urge my fellow members of Congress to that both countries have our adherence Mr. Speaker, as a cosponsor of House Con- pass this most important resolution that urges to, consistent with the case law and current Resolution 293, I rise in support of compliance with the Hague Convention. the family law in both countries. urging member nations of the Hague Conven- We can no longer stand idly by as American Before I came to Congress, I once tion on the Civil Aspects of International Child parents are subjected to the torture of not heard that it takes a village to raise a Abduction to comply with this most important being allowed to see the most precious gift child. I do not say that in any means to treaty. God has given them, their children. belittle it, because it is true. We collec- This Resolution urges the United States and The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without tively raise our children. There are member nations to implement legislation in the objection, the gentleman from New times when I am not home, and my International Child Abduction Remedies Act York (Mr. HOUGHTON) will control the neighbor helps raise my kids. and establishes reciprocal rights and duties remaining time of the majority side. What we need to have is for the between contracting states to expedite the re- There was no objection. President to stand and speak for the turn of children to the state of their habitual Mr. HOUGHTON. Mr. Speaker, I re- parents and children who are Ameri- residence. serve the balance of my time. cans. The purpose of the Hague convention is to The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. ensure that the custody rights under the laws tleman from New York (Mr. HOUGHTON) Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the dis- of one contracting state are effectively re- has 12 minutes remaining, and the gen- tinguished gentlewoman from Texas spected in other contracting states. tleman from Florida (Mr. HASTINGS) (Ms. JACKSON-LEE) and note that she, Although the Hague Convention provides a has 6 minutes remaining. too, has been tireless in her efforts and narrow exception to the requirement of the b 1315 is a cosponsor of the measure before us prompt return of children that releases the today. member state from its obligations, but this is Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked only if it has been determined that returning Speaker, I yield myself the balance of and was given permission to revise and the child would impose a ``grave risk'' of my time. extend her remarks.) ``physical or psychological harm'' among other Mr. Speaker, I would simply like Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. simply to thank the majority staff of Speaker, let me, first of all, thank the things. Unfortunately, member states have abused the Committee on International Rela- gentleman from Texas (Mr. LAMPSON) this exception and are condoning the illegal tions for their handling of this matter, and the great work that I have en- and, of course, the minority staff, with joyed, him leading out on and being separation of children across the country from their biological parents. specific reference to Sean Carroll and able to be part of the Caucus for Miss- Kathleen Moazed, and my legislative ing and Exploited Children, as it has For example, Joseph Cooke of New York, lost his two children to strangers in Germany director, Fred Turner, and all of us worked with the caucus that I have that are associated with this matter. chaired, the Congressional Children’s after his ex-wife abducted them and placed Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today Caucus. them in the care of the German Youth Author- to express my support for the House Concur- I wanted to rise today because this is ity. such an important piece of legislation The fact that Joseph was awarded custody rent Resolution, H. Con. Res. 293, which calls to advocate for the importance of chil- by a U.S. Court and the fact that the Hague on parties to the Hague Convention on Civil dren in America and the importance of Convention, of which Germany is a member, Aspects of International Child Abduction to the sanctity and the sacredness of our requires that custody be determined in the abide by the provisions of that agreement. children. child's home country, the German courts The State Department reports that nearly Let me briefly suggest that America awarded custody to the foster family. 1,000 children a year are abducted by a par- has watched over the last couple of The State Department claims that is cannot ent and taken outside of the United States. months the unfolding of an enormous enforce the Hague Convention or interfere in According to a report recently released by the drama of a child and his parent. With decisions overseas, but there are ways in General Accounting Office, despite the efforts that emphasis, I can understand the which the United States can urge compliance of the Federal Government, Americans have pain that has been experienced by so with this treaty and I, along with the 132 co- little chance of regaining custody of children many American parents who have sponsors of this resolution, hope that the Sec- abducted by a parent and taken to a foreign asked the question, why not us? If not retary of State will make the commitment to country. Success in these tragic situations is now, when? help rectify this continual tragedy occurring often elusive because it largely depends on So this is an important resolution to across the world today. the willingness of foreign governments to co- say to countries like Germany and The State Department has 1,148 open inter- operate. Austria and Sweden and other coun- national custody cases, including 58 in Ger- The 1980 Hague Convention outlines proce- tries around the world that we pride many. But that number represents only a frac- dures for resolving international child abduc- the children of American citizens who tion of the children abducted abroad because tion disputes among 54 countries. However, have been abducted and kidnapped most families never file their cases with the international child abduction remains a serious around the world; we will not stand for State Department. problem. The denial of parental visitation of their misuse and abuse and not having The discrepancy between the United State's children, and the failure of several contacting them reunited with their families. compliance and that of other countries like countries to fully implement the Convention, I simply say that the Hague Conven- Germany is alarming! deprives the Hague Convention of the spirit of tion is an important part of the inter- From 1990 to 1998, the State Department mutual confidence upon which its success de- national arena; and, therefore, it is received 369 Hague applications from parents pends. Countries that deny parents access to enormously important that the Hague whose children had been abducted to Ger- their own children merely reward abducting Convention is adhered to to ensure many. Yet, only 80 children, including those parents and endangers the well-being of ab- that the custody rights and the laws of that have been voluntarily returned by the ab- ducted children for the rest of their lives. one contracting state are effectively ducting parents, have come back. On the Several families in my Congressional District respected with other contracting other hand, U.S. courts return 90 percent of in New York have personally experienced the states. This is all that the parents ask the children in Hague cases. terrible psychological and financial strains of for. This is all that Joseph Cooke want- The National Center for missing and Ex- international child abduction. The wrongful re- ed, to be able to see his two children ploited Children has done a tremendous job in tention of American children abroad touches that were abducted from him and from assisting distraught parents retrieve their chil- not only left-behind parents and their families this country and taken as strangers to dren, but they need help. but also our entire Nation. Germany. Since Article 21 of the Hague Convention Mr. Speaker, it is time that we all focus our I would simply ask my colleagues to obligates member states to cooperate with collective attention on missing children and allow this opportunity for this legisla- each other to promote the ``peaceful enjoy- support H. Con. Res. 293

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.075 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 H3568 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 23, 2000 Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZA- General or the Secretary of State under any support of H. Con. Res. 293, which calls on TION SERVICE DATA MANAGE- other provision of law. nations that are signatories to the Hague Con- MENT IMPROVEMENT ACT OF ‘‘(d) DEADLINES.— vention on the Civil Aspects of International 2000 ‘‘(1) AIRPORTS AND SEAPORTS.—Not later than December 31, 2003, the Attorney General Child Abduction to live up to their treaty obli- Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I shall implement the integrated entry and gations. I am an original cosponsor of this leg- move to suspend the rules and pass the exit data system using available alien ar- islation, and I commend the gentlemen from bill (H.R. 4489) to amend section 110 of rival and departure data described in sub- Texas [Mr. LAMPSON] and Ohio [Mr. CHABOT] the Illegal Immigration Reform and section (b)(1) pertaining to aliens arriving in, for their work on this issue. Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, or departing from, the United States at an This issue was brought home to me by one and for other purposes. airport or seaport. Such implementation of my constituents, Tom Sylvester of Blue The Clerk read as follows: shall include ensuring that such data, when collected or created by an immigration offi- Ash, Ohio. Tom's daughter Carina was taken H.R. 4489 cer at an airport or seaport, are entered into by his Austrian-born wife on October 30, 1995. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- the system and can be accessed by immigra- Although both the Austrian Central Authority resentatives of the United States of America in tion officers at other airports and seaports. and the Austrian Supreme Court ruled that Congress assembled, ‘‘(2) HIGH-TRAFFIC LAND BORDER PORTS OF Carina should be returned to the United States SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. ENTRY.—Not later than December 31, 2004, and to Tom's custody, the ruling was never This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Immigration the Attorney General shall implement the enforced. The only contacts Tom has had with and Naturalization Service Data Manage- integrated entry and exit data system using his daughter are a few brief supervised meet- ment Improvement Act of 2000’’. the data described in paragraph (1) and avail- SEC. 2. AMENDMENT TO SECTION 110 OF IIRIRA. able alien arrival and departure data de- ings in Austria, and his phone calls to her are scribed in subsection (b)(1) pertaining to always placed on a speaker phone, undoubt- (a) IN GENERAL.—Section 110 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Respon- aliens arriving in, or departing from, the edly being monitored. sibility Act of 1996 (8 U.S.C. 1221 note) is United States at the 50 land border ports of Although the Hague Convention has helped amended to read as follows: entry determined by the Attorney General to in getting a just decision rendered, the United ‘‘SEC. 110. INTEGRATED ENTRY AND EXIT DATA serve the highest numbers of arriving and de- States currently has no way to force another SYSTEM. parting aliens. Such implementation shall country to enforce its own laws and judicial ‘‘(a) REQUIREMENT.—The Attorney General include ensuring that such data, when col- shall implement an integrated entry and exit lected or created by an immigration officer decisions within its own borders. In fact, the at such a port of entry, are entered into the United States has no recourse if another par- data system. ‘‘(b) INTEGRATED ENTRY AND EXIT DATA SYS- system and can be accessed by immigration ticipating member country does not live up to TEM DEFINED.—For purposes of this section, officers at airports, seaports, and other such its obligations under the Convention. the term ‘integrated entry and exit data sys- land border ports of entry. I have been working with the State and Jus- tem’ means an electronic system that— ‘‘(3) REMAINING DATA.—Not later than De- tice Departments on Mr. Sylvester's behalf ‘‘(1) provides access to, and integrates, cember 31, 2005, the Attorney General shall alien arrival and departure data that are— fully implement the integrated entry and since July of 1998, and I can tell you that it exit data system using all data described in has been a difficult and discouraging process. ‘‘(A) authorized or required to be created or collected under law; subsection (b)(1). Such implementation shall What is most frustrating is that Mr. Sylvester ‘‘(B) in an electronic format; and include ensuring that all such data are avail- has done everything correctly under the terms ‘‘(C) in a data base of the Department of able to immigration officers at all ports of of the Hague Convention, and still, more than Justice or the Department of State, includ- entry into the United States. four years later, he has been able to spend ing those created or used at ports of entry ‘‘(e) REPORTS.— only a few precious minutes with his young and at consular offices; ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than December daughter. He cannot even get the Austrian au- ‘‘(2) uses available data described in para- 31 of each year following the commencement thorities to grant him an agreed upon visitation graph (1) to produce a report of arriving and of implementation of the integrated entry and exit data system, the Attorney General schedule, and have instead subjected him to departing aliens by country of nationality, classification as an immigrant or non- shall use the system to prepare an annual re- a number of indignities. immigrant, and date of arrival in, and depar- port to the Committees on the Judiciary of We owe it to Tom Sylvester and thousands ture from, the United States; the House of Representatives and of the Sen- of other parents who have suffered the same ‘‘(3) matches an alien’s available arrival ate. difficulties as he has to pass this resolution data with the alien’s available departure ‘‘(2) INFORMATION.—Each report shall in- today. And I urge my colleagues to let this be data; clude the following information with respect the first of many steps needed to return these ‘‘(4) assists the Attorney General (and the to the preceding fiscal year, and an analysis of that information: American children to their rightful homes. Secretary of State, to the extent necessary to carry out such Secretary’s obligations ‘‘(A) The number of aliens for whom depar- Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. under immigration law) to identify, through ture data was collected during the reporting Speaker, I have no further requests for on-line searching procedures, lawfully ad- period, with an accounting by country of na- time, and I yield back the balance of mitted nonimmigrants who may have re- tionality of the departing alien. my time. mained in the United States beyond the pe- ‘‘(B) The number of departing aliens whose departure data was successfully matched to Mr. HOUGHTON. Mr. Speaker, I have riod authorized by the Attorney General; and ‘‘(5) otherwise uses available alien arrival the alien’s arrival data, with an accounting no further requests for time, and I and departure data described in paragraph (1) by the alien’s country of nationality and by yield back the balance of my time. to permit the Attorney General to make the the alien’s classification as an immigrant or The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. reports required under subsection (e). nonimmigrant. KUYKENDALL). The question is on the ‘‘(c) CONSTRUCTION.— ‘‘(C) The number of aliens who arrived pur- motion offered by the gentleman from ‘‘(1) NO ADDITIONAL AUTHORITY TO IMPOSE suant to a nonimmigrant visa, or as a visitor under the visa waiver program under section New York (Mr. GILMAN) that the House DOCUMENTARY OR DATA COLLECTION REQUIRE- 217 of the Immigration and Nationality Act suspend the rules and agree to the con- MENTS.—Nothing in this section shall be con- strued to permit the Attorney General or the (8 U.S.C. 1187), for whom no matching depar- current resolution, H. Con. Res. 293, as Secretary of State to impose any new docu- ture data have been obtained through the amended. mentary or data collection requirements on system or through other means as of the end The question was taken. any person in order to satisfy the require- of the alien’s authorized period of stay, with Mr. HOUGHTON. Mr. Speaker, I ob- ments of this section, including— an accounting by the alien’s country of na- ject to the vote on the grounds that a ‘‘(A) requirements on any alien for whom tionality and date of arrival in the United the documentary requirements in section States. quorum is not present and make the 212(a)(7)(B) of the Immigration and Nation- ‘‘(D) The number of lawfully admitted non- point of order that a quorum is not ality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(7)(B)) have been immigrants identified as having remained in present. waived by the Attorney General and the Sec- the United States beyond the period author- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- retary of State under section 212(d)(4)(B) of ized by the Attorney General, with an ac- ant to the provisions of clause 8, rule such Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(d)(4)(B)); or counting by the alien’s country of nation- XX, and the Chair’s prior announce- ‘‘(B) requirements that are inconsistent ality. ment, further proceedings on this mo- with the North American Free Trade Agree- ‘‘(f) AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO SYS- ment. TEM.— tion will be postponed. ‘‘(2) NO REDUCTION OF AUTHORITY.—Nothing ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subsection The point of no quorum is considered in this section shall be construed to reduce (d), the Attorney General, in consultation withdrawn. or curtail any authority of the Attorney with the Secretary of State, shall determine

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00042 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A23MY7.070 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 May 23, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3569 which officers and employees of the Depart- (1) How the Attorney General can effi- agency shall furnish that information to the ments of Justice and State may enter data ciently and effectively carry out section 110 Task Force. into, and have access to the data contained of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immi- (g) REPORTS.— in, the integrated entry and exit data sys- grant Responsibility Act of 1996 (8 U.S.C. 1221 (1) DEADLINE.—Not later than December 31, tem. note), as amended by section 2 of this Act. 2002, and not later than December 31 of each ‘‘(2) OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS.— (2) How the United States can improve the year thereafter in which the Task Force is in The Attorney General, in the discretion of flow of traffic at airports, seaports, and land existence, the Attorney General shall submit the Attorney General, may permit other border ports of entry through— a report to the Committees on the Judiciary Federal, State, and local law enforcement of- (A) enhancing systems for data collection of the House of Representatives and of the ficials to have access to the data contained and data sharing, including the integrated Senate containing the findings, conclusions, in the integrated entry and exit data system entry and exit data system described in sec- and recommendations of the Task Force. for law enforcement purposes. tion 110 of the Illegal Immigration Reform Each report shall also measure and evaluate ‘‘(g) USE OF TASK FORCE RECOMMENDA- and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (8 how much progress the Task Force has TIONS.—The Attorney General shall continu- U.S.C. 1221 note), as amended by section 2 of made, how much work remains, how long the ously update and improve the integrated this Act, by better use of technology, re- remaining work will take to complete, and entry and exit data system as technology sources, and personnel; the cost of completing the remaining work. improves and using the recommendations of (B) increasing cooperation between the (2) DELEGATION.—The Attorney General the task force established under section 3 of public and private sectors; may delegate to the Commissioner, Immi- the Immigration and Naturalization Service (C) increasing cooperation among Federal gration and Naturalization Service, the re- Data Management Improvement Act of 2000. agencies and among Federal and State agen- sponsibility for preparing and transmitting ‘‘(h) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.— cies; and any such report. There are authorized to be appropriated to (D) modifying information technology sys- (h) LEGISLATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS.— carry out this section such sums as may be tems while taking into account the different (1) IN GENERAL.—The Attorney General necessary for fiscal years 2001 through 2008.’’. data systems, infrastructure, and processing shall make such legislative recommenda- (b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of procedures of airports, seaports, and land tions as the Attorney General deems contents of the Illegal Immigration Reform border ports of entry. appropriate— and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 is (3) The cost of implementing each of its (A) to implement the recommendations of amended by amending the item relating to recommendations. the Task Force; and section 110 to read as follows: (d) STAFF AND SUPPORT SERVICES.— (B) to obtain authorization for the appro- ‘‘Sec. 110. Integrated entry and exit data sys- (1) IN GENERAL.—The Attorney General priation of funds, the expenditure of receipts, tem.’’. may, without regard to the civil service laws or the reprogramming of existing funds to and regulations, appoint and terminate an SEC. 3. TASK FORCE. implement such recommendations. executive director and such other additional (2) DELEGATION.—The Attorney General (a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 6 personnel as may be necessary to enable the may delegate to the Commissioner, Immi- months after the date of the enactment of Task Force to perform its duties. The em- this Act, the Attorney General, in consulta- gration and Naturalization Service, the re- ployment and termination of an executive sponsibility for preparing and transmitting tion with the Secretary of State, the Sec- director shall be subject to confirmation by retary of Commerce, and the Secretary of any such legislative recommendations. a majority of the members of the Task (i) TERMINATION.—The Task Force shall the Treasury, shall establish a task force to Force. terminate on a date designated by the Attor- carry out the duties described in subsection (2) COMPENSATION.—The executive director ney General as the date on which the work of (c) (in this section referred to as the ‘‘Task shall be compensated at a rate not to exceed the Task Force has been completed. Force’’). the rate payable for level V of the Executive (j) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.— (b) MEMBERSHIP.— Schedule under section 5316 of title 5, United There are authorized to be appropriated to (1) CHAIRPERSON; APPOINTMENT OF MEM- States Code. The Attorney General may fix carry out this section such sums as may be BERS.—The Task Force shall be composed of the compensation of other personnel without necessary for fiscal years 2001 through 2003. the Attorney General and 16 other members regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and appointed in accordance with paragraph (2). SEC. 4. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING INTER- subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5, United NATIONAL BORDER MANAGEMENT The Attorney General shall be the chair- States Code, relating to classification of po- COOPERATION. person and shall appoint the other members. sitions and General Schedule pay rates, ex- It is the sense of the Congress that the At- (2) APPOINTMENT REQUIREMENTS.—In ap- cept that the rate of pay for such personnel torney General, in consultation with the pointing the other members of the Task may not exceed the rate payable for level V Secretary of State, the Secretary of Com- Force, the Attorney General shall include— of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 merce, and the Secretary of the Treasury, (A) representatives of Federal, State, and of such title. should consult with affected foreign govern- local agencies with an interest in the duties (3) DETAIL OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES.— ments to improve border management co- of the Task Force, including representatives Any Federal Government employee, with the operation. of agencies with an interest in— approval of the head of the appropriate Fed- (i) immigration and naturalization; The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- eral agency, may be detailed to the Task ant to the rule, the gentleman from (ii) travel and tourism; Force without reimbursement, and such de- Texas (Mr. SMITH) and the gentleman (iii) transportation; tail shall be without interruption or loss of (iv) trade; civil service status, benefits, or privilege. from Michigan (Mr. CONYERS) each will (v) law enforcement; (4) PROCUREMENT OF TEMPORARY AND INTER- control 20 minutes. (vi) national security; or MITTENT SERVICES.—The Attorney General The Chair recognizes the gentleman (vii) the environment; and may procure temporary and intermittent from Texas (Mr. SMITH). (B) private sector representatives of af- services for the Task Force under section GENERAL LEAVE fected industries and groups. 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code, at rates (3) TERMS.—Each member shall be ap- Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I for individuals not to exceed the daily equiv- ask unanimous consent that all Mem- pointed for the life of the Task Force. Any alent of the annual rate of basic pay pre- vacancy shall be filled by the Attorney Gen- scribed for level V of the Executive Schedule bers have 5 legislative days within eral. under section 5316 of such title. which to revise and extend their re- (4) COMPENSATION.— (5) ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES.— marks, and to include extraneous ma- (A) IN GENERAL.—Each member of the Task Upon the request of the Attorney General, terial on the bill under consideration. Force shall serve without compensation, and the Administrator of General Services shall The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there members who are officers or employees of provide to the Task Force, on a reimbursable objection to the request of the gen- the United States shall serve without com- basis, the administrative support services tleman from Texas? pensation in addition to that received for necessary for the Task Force to carry out its their services as officers or employees of the There was no objection. responsibilities under this section. Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I United States. (e) HEARINGS AND SESSIONS.—The Task (B) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—The members of Force may, for the purpose of carrying out yield myself such time as I may con- the Task Force shall be allowed travel ex- this section, hold hearings, sit and act at sume. penses, including per diem in lieu of subsist- times and places, take testimony, and re- Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4489 represents a ence, at rates authorized for employees of ceive evidence as the Task Force considers bipartisan collaborative bill. Many agencies under subchapter I of chapter 57 of appropriate. people deserve credit, including Sen- title 5, United States Code, while away from (f) OBTAINING OFFICIAL DATA.—The Task ator SPENCER ABRAHAM and the gen- their homes or regular places of business in Force may secure directly from any depart- the performance of service for the Task ment or agency of the United States infor- tleman from Michigan (Mr. UPTON), the Force. mation necessary to enable it to carry out gentleman from New York (Mr. (c) DUTIES.—The Task Force shall evaluate this section. Upon request of the Attorney MCHUGH), the gentleman from New the following: General, the head of that department or York (Mr. LAFALCE), the gentleman

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00043 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A23MY7.035 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 H3570 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 23, 2000 from New York (Mr. QUINN), the gen- 110 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Im- that the INS needs to integrate its entry and tleman from New York (Mr. HOUGH- migrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (IIRIRA), to exit data system so that INS officers and in- TON), the gentleman from New York require the implementation of an integrated spectors and State Department consular offi- (Mr. REYNOLDS) and the gentleman entry and exit data system at airports, sea- cers can assess any entry and exit information from Michigan (Mr. CONYERS). ports, and land border ports of entry at new, with respect to an alien before them. Also, I want to thank the Travel In- specified deadlines, and to establish a task In addition, the bill creates a task force to dustry of America, Americans for Bet- force to assist the Attorney General in imple- study and recommend methods to continu- ter Borders, the U.S. Chamber of Com- menting section 110. ously improve and update the INS' database merce, the American Trucking Asso- BACKGROUND system as technology advances. This infra- ciation, the Canadian/American Border In 1996, the Congress overwhelmingly structure in support of the INS integrated sys- Trade Alliance, the INS, the Canadian passed IIRIRA. Section 110 of IIRIRA called tem development allows for private-public rec- Embassy, the Mexican Embassy, the for an automated entry-exit control system no ommendations, a major contribution of the bill. Border Trade Alliance, and the U.S. later than two years after the date of enact- THE BILL Caucus of Mayors for giving us their ment of IIRIRA, which was September 30, H.R. 4489 requires the Attorney General to valuable input and support. 1996. Without defining the control system, implement an integrated entry and exit data Over a dozen meetings were held over section 110 required that the system collect a system. The intent behind this system is that several months’ time with the inter- record of departure for every alien departing any arrival and departure data that the INS ested parties. The efforts of John the United States and match the departure and the State Department are authorized or Lampmann, chief of staff for the 21st records with the record of the alien's arrival required to create or collect must now be en- Congressional District, and Lora Ries, into this country. The system also required tered electronically into a database. In addi- Counsel for the Subcommittee on Im- that the Attorney General be able to identify tion, the database must be integrated and pro- migration of the Committee on the Ju- electronically lawfully admitted nonimmigrants vide access to other ports of entry, internal en- diciary, were crucial to obtaining the who remain in the United States beyond their forcement, and consular offices. As technology desired results. authorized period of stay. improves, so should the data system improve. H.R. 4489 focuses on an integrated In addition to the entry-exit control system, The bill is different from the current section entry and exit data system that will be section 110 required the Attorney General to 110 of IIRIRA because it now defines the funded, developed, and implemented by submit to the congressional Judiciary Commit- entry/exit system. This system is to: (1) pro- 2005. This bill will integrate all INS tees annual reports on the system. The re- vide access to and integrate alien arrival and and State Department databases that ports should include the number of departure departure data; (2) use this data to produce a support the entry and exit of aliens at records collected; the number of departure report of arriving and departing aliens by airports, seaports, and land border records successfully matched to records of the country of nationality, classification as an im- ports of entry. migrant or nonimmigrant, and date of arrival The database systems that the INS alien's prior arrival in the United States; and in, and departure from the United States; (3) currently use are often independent the number of aliens who arrived as non- from each other. As a result, INS offi- immigrants or under the Visa Waiver Program match an alien's arrival data with the alien's cers and inspectors and State Depart- for whom no matching departure record has departure data; (4) assist the Attorney General ment consular officers are unable to been obtained as of the end of the alien's au- and the Secretary of State to identify electroni- learn an alien’s prior U.S. travel activi- thorized period of stay. cally lawfully admitted nonimmigrants who ties from the INS and State Depart- Finally, section 110 required information re- overstayed their visas; and (5) permits the At- ment consular offices. Without this in- garding aliens who have overstayed their torney General to make reports. Nothing in this bill should be interpreted as formation, aliens can slip through the visas to be integrated into data bases of the requiring the Attorney General or the Sec- cracks, as we saw in the case of Mr. INS and State Department, including those Resendez, the recently convicted rail- used at ports of entry and at consular offices. retary of State to collect new types of docu- road killer. Subsequently, section 110 was amended to ments or data from aliens, particularly aliens This bill emphasizes that the INS change the deadlines of the automated entry who have had document requirements waived needs to integrate its entry and exit and exit control system. The deadline for the under section 212(d)(4)(B) of the Immigration data system so that INS officers and system at airports was changed to October and Nationality Act by the Attorney General inspectors and State Department con- 15, 1998, and the deadline for land border and the Secretary of State acting jointly on the sular officers can access any entry and ports of entry and seaports was changed to basis of reciprocity with respect to foreign con- exit information with respect to an March 30, 2001. tiguous territories or adjacent islands. How- alien before them. With the March 30, 2001, deadline less than ever, this bill does not affect the authority of Once the INS implements the entry a year away and the INS no closer to having the Attorney General or the Secretary of State exit data system, the Attorney General a control system at land border ports of entry, to create new documentary or data collection is required to submit an annual fiscal various Members of Congress and interest requirements in other provisions of law. year report to the Committees on the groups grew concerned. They wanted to re- The integrated entry and exist data system Judiciary of the House and Senate. A peal section 110 out of fear that trade and is to be implemented at airports, seaports, and task force will be funded to examine tourism would be hurt by new data collection land border ports of entry. However, because specific ways to further the develop- requirements at the land border ports of entry, each type of port of entry has different infra- ment of the integrated entry and exit causing delays at the border to grow. structure and processing procedures, it does data system. The Attorney General is This bill focuses on the task the INS faces not make sense to have one uniform deadline expected to update and improve the in- in implementing an entry/exit system. The idea for implementation. Since section 110 was en- tegrated entry and exit data system as is that it should be an electronic data base acted in 1996, the INS is already imple- technology improves and as rec- system. With technology advancing so rapidly, menting such a system at airports and sea- ommendations of the task force are re- technology will drive the INS' ability to collect ports. Thus, implementation of the data sys- ceived. information on who are entering and exiting tem at airports and seaports is due by Decem- The task force will examine how the U.S. and who are overstaying their visas. ber 31, 2003. technology can facilitate the flow of As such, H.R. 4489 focuses on the INS' ability Land border ports of entry will require addi- people through ports of entry, whether to use technology to improve its current collec- tional time to implement the entry/exit data by air, sea, or land. By using the speed tion database systems and to integrate its sys- system. Also, traffic, infrastructure, and re- of technology and the Nation’s immi- tems. The database systems that the INS cur- sources used at all of the land border ports of gration system, the bill both speeds the rently uses are often independent from each entry vary greatly. While some land ports re- flow of the traffic through ports of other. As a result, INS officers and inspectors, ceive heavy traffic and use a significant entry and contributes to the develop- and State Department consular officer are amount of resources, other ports receive mini- ment and usefulness of the integrated often unable to learn an alien's prior travel ac- mal traffic and have few resources. Because entry and exit data system over time. tivities in another part of the United States or the former group of land ports will require less Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to in another country. Without this information, time and resources to implement the entry/ support this bill. aliens can slip through the cracks, as in the exist data system that the latter group, the H.R. 4489, the ``INS Data Management Im- case of Mr. Resendez, the recently convicted former group has an earlier deadline. The 50 provement Act,'' is intended to amend section ``railroad killer.'' Therefore, this bill emphasizes land border ports of entry determined to serve

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00044 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.079 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 May 23, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3571 the highest numbers of arriving and departing The Congressional Budget Office has indi- collected or created by an immigration offi- aliens are to have the system implemented by cated that this bill will not cause direct spend- cer at a port of entry, is entered into the sys- December 31, 2004. The entry/exit data sys- ing. tem and can be accessed by immigration offi- cers at airports, seaports, and other land SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS tem is due at the remainder of the land border border ports of entry. ports of entry by December 31, 2005. Imple- SEC. 2. AMENDMENT TO SECTION 110 OF IIRIRA Section 110(d)(3) requires the Attorney menting at the land ports of entry with the Section 2 amends section 110 of IIRIRA General to fully implement by December 31, highest traffic first is also an efficient method through the sections that follow. 2005, the integrated entry and exit data sys- of gathering arrival and departure information. Section 110(a) requires the Attorney Gen- tem, using all of the data described in sub- eral to implement an ‘‘integrated entry and Once the INS implements the entry/exit data section (b)(1). This implementation should exit data system.’’ Section 110(b) defines ‘‘in- include ensuring that all data are available system at a defined group of ports of entry, tegrated entry and exit data system’’ as an to immigration officers at all ports of entry the Attorney General is required to submit an electronic system of alien arrival and depar- into the United States. annual fiscal year report to the Judiciary Com- ture data that is integrated and provides ac- Once the Attorney General begins imple- mittees of the House and Senate. These re- cess to INS ports of entry, the INS interior menting the integrated entry and exist data ports will include and analyze the following in- inspection sites, interior offices, and State system, section 110(e) requires the Attorney formation: (1) The number of aliens for whom Department consular offices. The arrival and General to submit an annual fiscal year re- departure data used in the system is com- port to the Judiciary Committees on the departure data was collected, including coun- posed of that which is authorized or required House and Senate by December 31. These re- try of nationality; (2) the number of departing to be created or collected by law. The elec- ports will include and analyze the following aliens whose departure data was successfully tronic system uses the data to create a re- information: (1) the number of aliens for matched to the alien's arrival data, including port of arriving and departing aliens by whom departure data was collected during country of nationality and an alien's classifica- country of nationality; classification as an the reporting period, including the departing tion as an immigrant or nonimmigrant; (3) the immigrant or nonimmigrant, and date of ar- alien’s country of nationality; (2) the num- number of aliens who arrived with a non- rival in, and departure from the United ber of departing aliens whose departure data immigrant visa or under the visa waiver pro- States. The system is also required to match was successfully matched to the alien’s ar- an alien’s arrival data with the alien’s avail- rival data, including country of nationality gram for whom no matching departure date able departure data. It should assist the At- and an alien’s classification as an immi- was obtained as of the end of the alien's au- torney General and the Secretary of State to grant; or non immigrant; (3) the number of thorized stay, including the country of nation- identify, electronically, lawfully admitted aliens who arrived with a nonimmigrant visa ality and date of arrival in the U.S.; and (4) the nonimmigrants who may have remained in or under the visa waiver program for whom number of nonimmigrants identified as having the United States beyond their authorized no matching departure date was obtained as overstayed their visas, including the country of period. Finally, the system should enable the of the end of the alien’s authorized stay, in- nationality. Attorney General to create the annual con- cluding the country of nationality and date gressional reports required in section 110(e). of arrival in the U.S.; and (4) the number of The Attorney General, in consultation with Section 110(c) explains that nothing in sec- nonimmigrants identified as having over- the Secretary of State, will determine which of- tion 110 should be interpreted as requiring stayed their visas, including the country of ficers and employees of the Justice and State the Attorney General or the Secretary of nationality. Departments may enter data into and have ac- State to collect new types of documents or Section 110(f) permits the Attorney Gen- cess to the data contained in the entry/exit data from aliens, including those aliens who eral, in consultation with the Secretary of data system. Likewise, the Attorney General have had either or both of the requirements State, to determine which Justice and State Department officers and employees may has the discretion to permit other federal, of section 212(a)(7)(B)(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act waived by the Attorney enter data into, and have access to the data state, and local law enforcement officials to General and the Secretary of State acting contained in, the integrated entry and exit have access to the data for law enforcement jointly on the basis of reciprocity with re- data system. The Attorney General, in his or purposes. spect to nationals of foreign contiguous ter- her discretion, may also permit other Fed- The Attorney General is expected to con- ritory or of adjacent islands and their resi- eral, State, and local law enforcement offi- tinuously update and improve the integrated dents have a common nationality with such cials to have access to the data contained in entry and exit data system as technology im- nationals. In addition, section 110 does not the data system for law enforcement pur- poses. proves and using the recommendations of the permit the Attorney General or the Sec- retary of State to require documents or data Sectiono 110(g) requires the Attorney Gen- task force. from aliens that are inconsistent with the eral to continuously update and improve the H.R. 4489 requires the Attorney General, in North American Free Trade Agreement. integrated entry and exit data system as consultation with other involved Secretaries, to While section 110 restricts the Attorney Gen- technology improves and using the rec- create a task force made up of government eral and the Secretary of State from impos- ommendations of the task force created in and private sector representatives of agencies ing new documentary or data collection re- section 3 of this bill. quirements upon aliens, section 110 does not Section 110(h) authorizes appropriations to and industries interested in port of entry carry out section 110 such sums as may be issues. The primary duty of the task force is reduce the authority of the Attorney Gen- eral or the Secretary of State from creating necessary for fiscal years 2001 through 2008. to evaluate how the Attorney General can effi- new documentary or data collection require- SEC. 3. TASK FORCE ciently and effectively carry out section 110. ments in any other provision of law. Section 3(a) Establishment. Section 3(a) re- Advancing technology should drive such an Section 110(d) imposes staggered deadlines quires the Attorney General to consult with evaluation. As the INS uses advanced tech- upon the Attorney General to implement the the Secretary of State, Secretary of Com- nology at ports of entry, the flow of traffic at integrated entry and exit data system at the merce, and Secretary of Treasury to estab- ports of entry will improve, thereby increasing different types of ports of entry. By Decem- lish a task force no later than six months trade and tourism, a universal goal. ber 31, 2003, the Attorney General is to be after the date of enactment of this Act. using available alien arrival and departure Section 3(b) Membership. Section 3(b) estab- In this study, the task force is encouraged to data described in subsection (b)(1) with re- lishes that the Attorney General will be the examine how to simplify the entry/exit docu- spect to aliens arriving in, or departing chairperson of the task force and will ap- ments currently collected by the INS and State from, the United States at an airport or sea- point the other 16 members. In appointing Department, without decreasing the quality of port. This implementation includes ensuring the task force members, the Attorney Gen- the information obtained. For example, in re- that the data collected or created by an im- eral shall include representatives of federal, viewing how to improve the flow of traffic at migration officer at an airport or seaport are state, and local agencies with an interest in ports of entry, the task force should examine entered into the system and is accessible by the duties of the task force, including agen- immigration officers at other airports and cies with an interest in immigration and the current documentary requirements for seaports. naturalization; travel and tourism; transpor- business people and tourists entering the Section 110(d)(2) requires the Attorney tation; trade; law enforcement; national se- United States, including those entering from General to implement the integrated entry curity; or the environment. In addition, the Mexico by air. After completing such review, and exit data system using the data already Attorney General must include private sec- the task force may develop recommendations implemented at airports and seaports, com- tor representatives of affected industries and concerning how these requirements can be bined with available alien arrival and depar- groups as members of the task force. Each streamlined to improve the flow of persons be- ture data described in subsection(b)(1) per- member of the task force will be appointed taining to aliens arriving in, or departing tween the United States and Mexico in ac- for the life of the task force. Any vacancy from, the United States at the 50 land border should be filed by the Attorney General. cordance with the substantial growth in goods ports of entry serving the highest numbers of Members of the task force will not be com- and services trade that has occurred since en- arriving and departing aliens. Such imple- pensated for their service on the task force. actment of the North American Free Trade mentation is due no later than December 31, Section 3(c) Duties. Section 3(c) requires the Agreement. 2004, and should ensure that when the data is task force to evaluate the following: (1) how

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00045 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A23MY7.039 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 H3572 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 23, 2000 the Attorney General can efficiently and ef- Section 3(j) Authorization of Appropriations. Michigan alone, more than 1.2 million fectively carry out section 110 of HRIRA, as Section 3(j) authorizes appropriations such Canadians visited for one night or more amended by this bill; (2) how the U.S. can sums as may be necessary for fiscal years and added $216 million to the State’s improve the flow of traffic at airports, sea- through 2003. economy. H.R. 4489 will obviously help ports, and land border ports of entry by bet- SEC. 4. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING INTER- protect that flow of business and tour- ter use of technology, resources, and per- NATIONAL BORDER MANAGEMENT COOPERA- ism. sonnel; increasing cooperation between the TION So my thanks, Mr. Speaker, to the public and private sectors; increased co- Section 4 states that the Attorney General, operation among federal and state agencies; in consultation with the Secretary of State, chairman of the Subcommittee on Im- and modifying information technology; and the Secretary of Commerce, and the Sec- migration, the gentleman from Texas (3) the cost of implementing each of its rec- retary of the Treasury, should consult with (Mr. SMITH), and our friend, the gen- ommendations. affected foreign governments to improve bor- tleman from Michigan (Mr. UPTON), Section 3(d) Staff and Support Services. Sec- der management cooperation. and our ranking member on the sub- tion 3(d)(1) permits the Attorney General to appoint and terminate an executive director Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of committee, the gentlewoman from and any other additional personnel necessary my time. Texas (Ms. JACKSON-LEE). Their leader- to enable the task force to perform its du- Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield ship on this bipartisan legislation was ties. The employment and termination of an myself such time as I may consume. important, and I too would urge a executive director is subject to confirmation Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin by ‘‘yes’’ vote. by a majority of the task force members. thanking everyone that has worked on Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of Section 3(d)(2) establishes a compensation this measure. This is a very positive my time. rate ceiling for the executive director at ending to what was originally a very Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I level V of the Executive Schedule. The At- torney General may fix the compensation of rancorous matter in our committee be- yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from other personnel, except the pay rate may not cause H.R. 4489 would eliminate the Michigan (Mr. UPTON). exceed level V of the Executive Schedule. entry-exit data collection system re- Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, this bill is Section 3(d)(3) permits any federal govern- quired by section 110 of the immigra- brought up under suspension of the ment employee, with approval by the head of tion law for the U.S. and Canadian and rules, and usually those measures are the appropriate federal agency, to be de- Mexican borders. brought up when they are non- tailed to the task force without reimburse- I have long opposed the section 110 controversial. Until about a month or ment and without interference or loss of entry and exit system because of the two ago this issue was very controver- civil service status, benefits, or privilege. Section 3(d)(4) allows the Attorney General adverse impact it would have on the sial. In fact, a year ago there were to obtain temporary and intermittent serv- people and businesses of Michigan and probably some of us on both sides of ices for the task force at compensation rates other border States. Implementation of the aisle that were ready to do battle, not to exceed level V of the Executive Sched- this section at land ports of entry with swords. ule. would cause massive traffic This has been a tough battle, and I Section 3(d)(5) requires the Administrator congestions along our borders, bringing want to particularly commend the of General Services to provide, at the Attor- personal and business travel at many thoughtfulness and the hard work of ney General’s request, administrative sup- my colleague, the gentleman from port services necessary for the task force to border points to stands still. This carry out its responsibilities. would have a crippling effect on trades Texas (Mr. SMITH). There were a num- Section 3(e) Hearings and Session. Section and tourism. ber of us that were able to get together 3(e) permits the task force to hold hearings, For example, at the Ambassador with the gentleman from Texas on both sit and act at times and places, take testi- Bridge in Detroit, more than 30,000 sides of the aisle. We had a number of mony, and receive evidence as the task force crossings per day take place. As little associations across the country as well, deems appropriate. as a fraction of a minute added to the whether they be the White House, Section 3(f) Obtaining Official Data. Section whether they be the Governors Asso- 3(f) allows the task force to directly secure processing time of each of these vehi- from any United States department or agen- cles would result in miles and miles of ciation, the Chamber of Commerce, or cy information necessary to perform its du- snarled traffic on both sides of the bor- Republicans and Democrats. The gen- ties. It also requires the head of the depart- der. Tourists would be less likely to tleman from New York (Mr. LAFALCE) ment or agency to furnish the information to visit our border towns, and businesses, and I headed up the charge, on our side. the task force upon the request of the Attor- particularly those dependent on just- And I had the privilege over the last ney General. in-time delivery, would suffer. couple of years, with others in this Section 3(g) Reports. No later than Decem- These prices are far too high to pay body that are on the floor now, of par- ber 31, 2002, and no later than December 31 of each year thereafter in which the task force for a data collection system that, ticipating jointly with our Canadian is in existence, the Attorney General must sadly, is unlikely to achieve its pri- counterparts, our colleagues from Can- submit a report to the Judiciary Committees mary objective, dealing more effec- ada. of both the House of Representatives and the tively with persons who come to this This has been the number one issue Senate containing the findings, conclusions, country as visitors and overstay their the last number of years. Why is that? and recommendations of the task force. Each visas. Under section 110, the INS would In my home State of Michigan, we have report will also measure and evaluate how know who these individuals are but more than a billion and a half dollars much progress the task force has made, how they would not know where they are. of trade that literally goes across the much work remains, how long the remaining bridge into Canada every day. Every work will take to complete, and the cost of The information would probably have completing the remaining work. In addition, very little enforcement value. day. We have thousands of Americans the Attorney General may delegate to the By contrast, H.R. 4489 would replace and Canadians that cross the border to INS Commissioner the responsibility of pre- the entry-exit data collection system work, whether it be at hospitals or paring and transmitting these reports. with a system for making use of the other places. And, sadly, under the old Section 3(h) Legislative Recommendations. vast quantity of information we al- rules, I guess those that are still Section 3(h) requires the Attorney General ready gather on individuals entering present today until this legislation be- to make such legislative recommendations and exiting this country. The informa- comes law, under that section 110, had as the Attorney General deems appropriate to implement the task force’s recommenda- tion would be entered into a database it been allowed to come into play, it tions and to obtain authorization for the ap- that would allow U.S. immigration of- would have meant a delay for days, propriation of funds, the expenditure of re- ficials and consular officers based over- perhaps, for people to go simply from ceipts, or the reprogramming of existing seas to access it. More importantly, it one side of the border to the other, funds to implement such recommendations. would not lead to new border delays. whether it be for dinner, for a job, or The Attorney General is permitted to dele- Canada and the United States benefit whatever it might be. gate to the INS Commissioner the responsi- from an outstanding relationship be- Thanks to the leadership of people on bility of preparing and transmitting any tween citizens and businesses. Last this floor today, particularly my col- such legislative recommendations. Section 3(i) Termination. Section 3(i) termi- year, more than 13.4 million Canadians league, the gentleman from New York nates the task force on a date designated by came to the United States to do busi- (Mr. HOUGHTON), the gentleman from the Attorney General once the task force ness, shop, visit our restaurants and New York (Mr. MCHUGH), the gen- work is completed. tourist sites. In my home State of tleman from Florida (Mr. STEARNS),

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00046 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A23MY7.041 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 May 23, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3573 and others, we were able to have a b 1330 base would eventually be accessible at all air- meeting of the minds. And in fact, we If this was in place at that time, we ports, seaports and land border ports, as well have legislation now that, when it is would have had all of the data that as U.S. consular offices. This new system passed this afternoon, and thanks to would have suggested that this was, in would not create new data collection authority the leadership of many in the Senate as fact, a bad actor in anyone’s definition to impose documentary requirements. More well, instead of coming to war over this and, hopefully, at that time would have importantly, this system would allow the bil- issue, like we almost did last year, in been able to save lives. lions of dollars of U.S. trade and travel which essence we are able to come shoulder to Let us hope perspectively that we streams through our ports of entry to continue shoulder and do something for the will now be able to save lives. But, at to flow uninterrupted. American good that will help both the same time, I think it is important Texas has one of the longest international countries, and Mexico as well, but our to note of a tragedy that is occurring borders of any U.S. state that borders Canada interest certainly has been Canada, for at the border that I hope that we will or Mexico. With eleven ports of entry, Texas those of us from Michigan. But we are be able to resolve perspectively, and is the largest U.S. state in exports to Mexico. going to resolve this issue by using our that is the tragic killings of individ- Exports from Texas to Mexico reached $41.4 heads and our minds and our words. uals that is increasing by those who billion in 1999. Many of these goods flowed I just want to commend again my live along the border who are fright- through Houston ports of entry. Nearly $6 bil- colleague from Texas for allowing us to ened and fearful of those who do come lion of total merchandise flowed to and from take this bill on a fairly rapid course across the border illegally seeking a Mexico through Houston. The metropolitan through his subcommittee, our leader- better opportunity. area of Houston alone exports well over $2.4 ship by getting it to the floor today, We know that all of those individuals billion in goods to Mexico in 1998. and, in essence, getting away next are not criminals. We have to address H.R. 4489 also protects the free flow of peo- year, instead of having that date come that, and I hope that we will have an ple through our ports. Texas ranks 4th in the into play, when literally our borders opportunity to address that in a way nation in overall visitor spending. Nearly 19 would be locked and sealed and folks that provides the safety of a commu- million visitors traveled to the Greater Houston would be unable to cross the border for nity but, yet, does not make those of area in 1997, and in 1996 visitors spent just whatever purpose. In fact, this opens us who live in this country predators under $5 billion, which resulted in 85,000 tour- the door in a meaningful way; and one and causing the loss of life of individ- ism-related jobs in the area. that I think was certainly the intent of uals who certainly would do us no H.R. 4489 provides for continued input from the legislation that was passed. harm. government, business and border commu- Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 This legislation, however, brings into nities. Under this legislation, the Attorney Gen- minutes to the gentlewoman from balance the necessity of protecting the eral would be required to create a task force Texas (Ms. JACKSON-LEE), the ranking United States and, as well, balancing made up of public and private representatives member on the Subcommittee on Im- the business and tourism issues and in- to evaluate and report on how the U.S. can migration and Claims. terests that we might have. ``improve the flow of traffic at airports, sea- Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. I ask my colleagues to support this ports, and land ports of entry.'' The Attorney Speaker, I thank the gentleman from legislation and help us move further General must make legislative recommenda- Michigan (Mr. CONYERS), and I thank into solving other problems that we tions to implement the findings of the task the chairman of the subcommittee. incur on a regular basis at our respec- force. This bill would increase our security and Who said that this could not be done; tive borders. use of technology while not increasing delay fixing section 110? I want to thank the Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am pleased to or congestion at U.S. ports of entry. I am also gratified that this new system will members of the Committee on the Ju- come to the floor today to address an issue prevent fugitives like Angel Resindez-Ramirez, diciary, the gentleman from Michigan that has been controversial over the years as a result of the 1996 Immigration law, and that the infamous railway killer from entering this (Mr. CONYERS), the ranking member of country undetected. This is very important. the full committee, and the chairman is Section 110 of that law. Section 110 of the '96 law currently requires Just a short list of the business and commu- of the subcommittee for what I think is the Immigration and Naturalization Service to nity organizations in support of H.R. 4489 is a very good resolution, along with the establish an automated entry and exit control impressive. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, many others who have worked on this system at all airports, seaports and land bor- the National Association of Manufacturers, the improvement of section 110. der ports of entry by March 30, 2001. The sys- American Trucking Associations, the Travel In- Let me briefly just suggest that tem is to collect a record of the departure for dustry Association of America, the American being an original cosponsor of H.R. every alien departing the U.S. and matching Immigration Lawyers Association and our 4489, I am glad now that it provides for the records of departures with the record of friends to the north and south, Canada and continued input from government, the alien's arrivals in the United States. Mexico support this legislation. I agree and business, and border communities. I am pleased to be an original co-sponsor of urge my colleagues to support this bill. Now, under this legislation, the Attor- H.R. 4489, the Immigration and Naturalization Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I ney General would be required to cre- Service Data Management Improvement Act. I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from ate a task force made up of public and want to commend Subcommittee Chairman New York (Mr. HOUGHTON). private representatives to evaluate and SMITH and his staff for working with me and (Mr. HOUGHTON asked and was report on how the U.S. can improve the my staff to make the appropriate changes to given permission to revise and extend flow of traffic at airports, seaports, and Section 110 of the Illegal Immigration Reform his remarks.) land ports of entry. The Attorney Gen- and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996. Mr. HOUGHTON. Mr. Speaker, I have eral must make legislative rec- These changes will encourage and expand just two points to make here. First of ommendations to implement the find- trade, tourism and commerce to the United all, I am from New York, and I guess ings of the task force. States while at the same time achieving im- we have a lot of New Yorkers around This bill would increase our security portant U.S. border law enforcement objec- here. But this is really important not and use of technology, while not in- tives. only economically but in terms of all creasing delay or congestion at U.S. H.R. 4489, a bill drafted through com- the relations we have with Canada. So ports of entry, therefore bringing to- promise, bipartisan and bicameral negotia- that is number one. gether the distinctive and disparate tions, eliminates the Section 110 requirements But number two, I have just been needs of our northern border and our for implementing an entry and exit control sys- with my friend, the gentleman from southern border. tem by March 30, 2001. Instead, H.R. 4489 Michigan (Mr. UPTON), at a Canadian Let me also say that this spreads a would create an ``integrated entry and exit American delegation meeting. We whole new light on the enormous trag- data system'' to enable INS to develop a com- talked about many issues, free trade to edy that Angel Resendez-Ramirez puterized database of the information currently the Americas, the issue of trade with brought on this country, with coming required to be collected by law at U.S. ports the European Union. We talked about in on the southern border with very of entry. agricultural issues, the whole variety limited information and the tragedy H.R. 4489 sets out a plan for this system to of things. As we left yesterday that that occurred. be implemented in stages so that the data- delegation, they said, do not forget

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00047 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.082 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 H3574 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 23, 2000 that the single most important issue is cord so that eventually we can fulfill Mr. Speaker, I am going to return this sword of section 110 hanging over at least what I have as a vision, and our time. We have no further speakers. our heads. that is not a border where we have dif- I want to thank the Judiciary staff- So I just want to say to my col- ficulties, but a border between our ers Perry Apelbaum, Noland Rappa- leagues, as I am sure others have said countries similar to the border between port, and Leon Buck for the long, hard far more eloquently, this is very impor- the District of Columbia and Maryland work they have put in in negotiating tant and I am enthusiastically sup- and Virginia, a border similar to the with other Members and staffers to portive of H.R. 4499. borders that exist in Europe with the reach what I think is a very useful ac- Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I am European Union, where we can have cord. pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gen- not simply interstate commerce, we tleman from New York (Mr. LAFALCE), can have truly internation commerce, I think that this will hold our com- a distinguished colleague of mine and expeditious, free. This would be the mittee in good stead. We have come to the ranking member of another com- best thing we could ever do to the a very good ending on this matter, and mittee. economies of our border regions. so I am very happy to have played a (Mr. LAFALCE asked and was given Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I small role in it. permission to revise and extend his re- yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong marks.) New York (Mr. MCHUGH). support of H.R. 4489, the Immigration and Mr. LAFALCE. Mr. Speaker, I give Mr. MCHUGH. Mr. Speaker, I thank Naturalization Service Data Improvement Act. special thanks to my colleague, the the gentleman for yielding me the This bipartisan legislation represents a good gentleman from Michigan (Mr. UPTON), time. balance between the legitimate need to pre- for working so closely with me over the Mr. Speaker, this bill is, as we have vent visitors from overstaying their visas and past several years and especially to the heard, the product of literally months the need to ensure efficient cross-border traf- gentleman from Texas (Mr. SMITH), the and months of study and negotiations fic. I do not oppose the goal of establishing an chairman of the Subcommittee on Im- and also, as we have heard, at times entry-exit system to monitor visa overstays. migration and Claims. He has at all more than just a little patience. But What I do oppose is establishing such a sys- times been a scholar and a gentleman the positive outcome has been and is tem with little disregard for its impact on trade with respect to this issue. I do not today that really the product before us and tourism. In my home state of Arizona, the want to praise this bill too much be- represents a balance, a very delicate Section 110 system, as originally devised, cause I am afraid he might change his balance, but I think a very important simply will not work. At the same time, it mind. one, between the critical objective of would have had a devastating impact on our When the gentleman from Michigan ensuring that our borders are secure economy. That is why I worked very hard to (Mr. UPTON) was up here, he said that against all kinds of illegal activities ensure that Section 110 not be implemented we are almost at sword’s point over regardless of their design, with the in- until it could be shown that it would not bring this issue, section 110. That is true. But escapable reality that, in today’s travel and tourism to a virtual standstill. the biggest sword was the Damoclean world, as we have heard so many say sword that was hanging over the heads here today, the free flow of tourism I want to commend Chairman SMITH for tak- of the border communities along both and trade and commerce of all descrip- ing these concerns into account in drafting to- our northern and southern borders tions and people of good will, is not day's compromise. H.R. 4489 amends Section since passage of the 1996 immigration just something that is positive; it is, 110 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Im- law. frankly, something that is absolutely migrant Responsibility Act of 1996 by replac- Our largest trading partner is Can- essential. ing the current requirement that by March 30, ada. Our second largest trading partner A lot of good folks, many of whom 2001, a record of arrival and departure be col- is Mexico. It was my judgment that im- have spoken here directly, my friend lected for every alien at all ports of entry with plementation of section 110, while not the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. a requirement that INS develop an ``integrated intended to do so, would have had the UPTON); the gentleman from Michigan entry and exit data system'' that focuses on primary effect of basically stopping (Mr. CONYERS); my good colleagues, the data that the INS already collects. Using this commerce and virtually all forms of gentleman from New York (Mr. QUINN) data, the Attorney General will implement the intercourse amongst our nations. That and the gentleman from New York (Mr. integrated entry and exit data system by De- was not intended, but I fear that would HOUGHTON); and, of course, the gen- cember 31, 2003, at airports and seaports and have been the primary effect. tleman from New York (Mr. LAFALCE); not later than December 31, 2004, at 50 land Today, by working together, we are and so many others have had the op- border ports of entry. This is a careful com- removing that Damoclean sword. But portunity to come together on this. promise which helps balance our need to that is playing successful defensive But I certainly want to pay par- monitor visa overstays with the need to pre- football. We need to go beyond that ticular attention to the gentleman serve the smooth flow of trade and tourism. now after passage of this bill. We have from Texas (Mr. SMITH), the sub- This bill is broadly supported by the Immi- to go on the offensive. And what does committee chairman. No Member any- gration and Naturalization Service (INS), the that mean? That means that we have where in this House on either side of American for Better Borders, the U.S. Cham- to improve things. the aisle has been a more valiant fight- ber of Commerce, the Travel Industry Associa- We need more personnel on both our er for our secure borders. But, at the tion of America, the National Association of northern and our southern borders in same time, his sensitivity and under- Manufacturers, the American Council of Inter- order to expedite the flow of commerce standing in this issue has been exem- national Personnel, the American Trucking As- and people. We need more technology plary. He took the time to travel from sociation, the American Immigration Lawyers in order to expedite the flow of com- his home to the 1,000 Islands in the bor- Association, the Canadian/American Border merce and people. We need infrastruc- der crossing there at Alexandria Bay to Trade Alliance, the Border Trade Alliance, the ture improvements with the Federal help himself better understand the Canadian Embassy, and the Mexican Em- Government involved to expedite the challenges and the need that we have. bassy. I am pleased to be able to support this flow of people and commerce with re- Thanks to his leadership, we have this bill. spect to the northern border and my afternoon what I think is a very fair, a communities of Buffalo and Niagara very effective product that can take Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in sup- Falls and Lewiston and surrounding another important step in technology port of H.R. 4489, the Immigration and Natu- areas so affected. aspects to making our borders even ralization Service Data Management Improve- Prime Minister Chretien and Presi- more secure, while at the same time ment Act of 2000. dent Clinton a few years ago agreed ensuring that that free flow of tourism This measure is vital to tourism, trade and upon what we call the Shared Border and trade continues in a way that industry in Western New York State; and I am Accord. We call upon the President, we enures to the benefit of every citizen of pleased to join Chairman SMITH in sponsoring call upon the Prime Minister to be this country. this legislation, and am grateful for all his hard more aggressive in pursuit and imple- Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield work to ease border congestion while ensuring mentation of that Shared Border Ac- myself 30 seconds. safety and efficiency.

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00048 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.083 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 May 23, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3575 H.R. 4489 amends Section 110 of the Illegal with the most efficient and effective ways to gration and Naturalization Service Data Man- Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsi- safe and lawful border crossing. agement Improvement Act of 2000. bility Act of 1996, replacing the current re- The people living on our borders will benefit Tourism, trade, and border communities will quirement that a record of arrival and depar- from this legislation, as it will facilitate expe- be devastated if Section 110 is not changed. ture be collected for every alien at every point dient, safe and lawful cross border trade and This is our chance to make it right. of entry. tourism. We can patrol our border effectively if we Section 110 was an attempt to identify visa Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in give the INS and Customs Service the re- overstays in the U.S. Neither Canadian nor strong support of the bipartisan agreement sources they need to do their jobs well. U.S. citizens require visas. However, the im- reached on Section 110 and presented to the Let's use the opportunity we have today to plementation of this part of the law had the House as H.R. 4489. I am proud to be an correct this major flaw. Please join me in vot- potential to cause more problems than it original cosponsor of this bill and ask all of my ing for H.R. 4489. solved. colleagues to support this legislation. This Mr. SWEENEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong In 1998 alone, there were more than 76 mil- compromise legislation will achieve the en- support of this consensus legislation, H.R. lion entries and exits to the U.S. by Canadian forcement goals of Section 110 without pun- 4489, the INS Data Management Improvement citizens. ishing communities along the border. Act. As a Representative of a region highly de- Some of the largest of those crossing points H.R. 4489 eliminates the Section 110 re- pendent upon economic ties with Canada, I are along the New York-Ontario border. In quirements of implementing an entry/exit con- have long been concerned that the implemen- fact, Western New York is the largest port in trol system by March 20, 2001 and instead re- tation of Section 110 of the 1996 Immigration the state of New York. quires the INS to automate its ability to collect reform Act would adversely affect commerce, More than $85 billion in goods and services information on who is entering and exiting the trade, and tourism for the North Country re- moved back and forth between Western New U.S. This is good news for communities like El gion of New York. York and Southern Ontario in 1998 alone. And Paso that would have been devastated by the I note that New York City and Montreal are about $140 million per day moves across its full implementation of Section 110. Our ports- the two largest metropolitan areas on the border crossings. of-entry, which are already stressed, would Eastern Seabord. The 22nd Congressional It was anticipated that stopping every vehi- have become parking lots. Business would district of New York lies directly between cle entering and exiting the U.S.Ðas Section have suffered and tourism would have dis- them, providing tremendous economic oppor- 110 requiredÐwould have caused 30 hour appeared. Trade, which is so important to my crossing delays at busy international border tunities for our residents. district and others along the border, would The compromise today allows for increased points. Business and industry in Western New have suffered greatly. data collection and monitoring at our borders York hoping to grow from increased trade and I commend Chairman SMITH for this efforts without compromising the flow of goods and commerce simply could not afford those types during these negotiations. The goals of Sec- tourists that are essential to the New York- of delays. tion 110 are admirable. This bill allows us to Montreal trade corridor. As NAFTA continues to encourage trade be- make use of the information that we already New York exported $10 billion in goods to tween the U.S., Canada and Mexico, the gather on people entering and exiting this Canada in 1998 and hosted 2.2 million Cana- growth in traffic across the U.S./Canada bor- country. That is an important first step we dian visitors. der is expected to continue its 4%±7% annual must take prior to adding additional require- This exchange is already hampered today growth rate over the next decade. ments to an already overwhelmed agency. by the outdated facilities and lack of resources Commercial vehicles must cross the north- What this entire debate has shown us is and our border crossings in New York. ern border quickly and efficiently for U.S. com- that we must do a better job of providing the This agreement today ensures that this situ- panies to remain globally competitive and at- INS and Customs with additional personnel to ation of gridlock at our borders will not be tract new foreign investment. man the ports-of-entry. We must make it a pri- worsened by the implementation of Section Congress must correct the problems associ- ority to staff the ports-of-entry along the 110. ated with Section 110 as currently written to Southwest Border so that we can have all I thank the Subcommittee Chairman, Mr. facilitate international commerce and promote lanes open for traffic. Additional personnel will SMITH and the cosponsors for their hard work continuing economic development in New allow us to better manage our borders, en- on this legislation. York State and across the country. This legis- force our laws, and facilitate the flow of com- Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong lation does that and, on behalf of Western merce. This is a good bill and I urge my col- support of H.R. 4489, the Immigration and New York residents and businesses, I urge its leagues to support this compromise. Naturalization Service Data Management Im- adoption. Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, when Congress provement Act. As you all know, we have Mr. BONILLA. Mr. Speaker, I am very passed the immigration reform bill in 1996, no been grasping for a solution to the Section pleased to see we have fixed the Section 110 one in this body thought they were voting for 110 problem for several years now. And now, problem by removing the cumbersome re- a bill that would tie up our borders with Mexico through months of hard work and negotiations, quirements made under the Illegal Immigration and Canada. I am pleased to lend my full support to this bi- Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of But that's what could happen unless we partisan solution to this vexing problem. 1996. This is a very important issue to me, my pass this corrective legislation today. This legislation will amend Section 110 of constituents and all Americans living on our Section 110 of the 1996 immigration bill was the 1996 Illegal Immigration Reform and Immi- nation's borders. I have always made it a pri- interpreted as requiring Canadian and Mexi- grant Responsibility Act in two ways. First, this ority to see that no unnecessary burdens are can citizens to obtain entry and exit docu- bill will create a database to integrate and placed on border residents. The implementa- ments when traveling to the United StatesÐ centralize the information that is already col- tion of Section 110, as proposed in 1996 even though the authors of the bill acknowl- lected about aliens entering and leaving the would have crippled and severely restricted edged that was not its purpose. United States. This solution will impose no cross border trade, tourism and the environ- For communities at the border, Section 110 new information collection requirements. ment. of the immigration bill is a disaster waiting to Second, the bill establishes a task force that It should be highlighted that H.R. 4489 does happenÐclogged bridges, tunnels, and will issue findings and recommendations on not create any new documentary require- roadsÐimpacting commerce and tourism. enhancing data collection. The task force will ments. We have amended section 110 to cre- I know that at the Blue Water Bridge, at Port also study and make recommendations on ate an integrated entry and exit database sys- Huron in Michigan, delays can already lead to how to improve congestion at border points tem. We have allowed our advanced tech- hours waiting in line at our border with Can- and facilitate border crossings. This task force nology to direct our policy. The new system, ada. But improvements are being made to re- will be made up of representatives of the pub- once implemented, will match an alien's arrival lieve the congestion. lic sector including agencies with interests in data with their departure data. It will also All the efforts that have been made to im- trade, tourism, transportation, immigration, law produce a report of an alien's country of na- prove our borders will be for naught if the visa enforcement, national security and the envi- tionality and identify any non-immigrant who requirement is implemented. ronment. The task force will also include pri- may have overstayed their visas. The bill also We don't need an onerous, unnecessary re- vate sector representatives from affected in- creates a task force to study and recommend quirement that will further congest our borders. dustries. methods to continuously improve and update That's why we should pass this sensible Section 110, as written in the 1996 Immigra- the INS' database system as technology ad- compromise legislation today. I'm pleased to tion Reform law, would have had a dev- vances. This will ensure we are always current join as a cosponsor of H.R. 4489, the Immi- astating impact on the economies of border

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00049 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A23MY7.042 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 H3576 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 23, 2000 communities. By requiring a record of every Senate amendments: provide helpful input regarding the military person entering and leaving the US, border Page 4, line 6, strike out ‘‘In’’ and insert records of those Hmong and Lao veterans crossings would have been effectively shut ‘‘(a) In’’. who served in the U.S. Secret Army in Laos during the Vietnam War. As the nation’s down. The lengthy delays that are already ex- Page 4, strike out all after line 15, down to and including line 25 and insert: largest Hmong and Lao non-profit veterans perienced at border crossings would have (3) may request an advisory opinion from organization, as well as the first such organi- been increased to a near stand still. This leg- the Secretary of Defense regarding the per- zation to be established and incorporated in islation today, accomplishes the laudable goal son’s, or their spouse’s, service in a special the United States (some ten years ago), we for section 110, without effecting border traffic. guerrilla unit, or irregular forces, described maintain the nation’s largest repository of Tracking aliens in the United States is some- in section 2(1)(B); and such records. The original records were de- thing we need to facilitate. This bill will do that. (4) may consider any documentation pro- stroyed in Laos at the end of the Vietnam I am thrilled that we have come to this impor- vided by organizations maintaining records War. We are, therefore, pleased to have been with respect to Hmong veterans or their mentioned in the original legislation as an tant compromise. example of an organization that might be I would like to take a moment to thank families. (b) The Secretary of Defense shall provide helpful with such records for the implemen- Chairman SMITH, for his willingness to sit any opinion requested under paragraph (3) to tation of the bill’s mandate. It is indeed, down and spend the hours and days that it the extent practicable, and the Attorney honorable to have been cited in this way by took to reach this solution. I would also like to General shall take into account any opinion so many in the House and Senate who helped thank Congressmen UPTON, LAFALCE, that the Secretary of Defense is able to pro- draft and officially sign on as cosponsors to MCHUGH, HOUGHTON, REYNOLDS and all of the vide. H.R. 371/S. 890. Thank you for your thought- other members and staff who spent so much Mr. SMITH of Texas (during the read- fulness and kind consideration in this re- time and effort to reach this compromise. I gard. It is, indeed, fundamentally important ing). Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous for Hmong and Lao veterans organizations, urge my colleagues to support this bill. consent that the Senate amendments Ms. STABENOW. Mr. Speaker, I rise to join including organizations such as the Lao Vet- be considered as read and printed in erans of America, to have input with regard this bi-partisan effort to improve the provisions the RECORD. to the military service records of the Hmong of section 110 of the Illegal Immigration Re- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there and Lao veterans, since the U.S. CIA, De- form and Immigrant Responsibility Act of objection to the request of the gen- fense Department, and Department of Jus- 1996. This much needed revision of section tleman from Texas? tice have, apparently, only a very limited 110 seeks to ensure that the law enforcement There was no objection. number of records regarding those who actu- ally served and fought in the U.S. Secret objectives of the 1996 law are preserved with- Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I out adversely impacting Michigan's strong Army in Laos. include for the RECORD the following Third, with regard to Congressman Vento’s tourism and Trade industry. Mr. Speaker, to letter from Philip SMITH, Director of heroism, it is our hope that this legislation those of us who always opposed the provi- Lao Veterans of America, Inc.: will help to serve as an enduring tribute to sions of section 110 that would produce enor- Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to him when he leaves office at the end of the mous backups at our borders, this bill rep- place the following letter in the RECORD. 106th Congress. Great men are those, who in resents a much needed and long awaited time of crisis, rise above their personal cir- LAO VETERANS OF AMERICA, INC., compromise. The people of the great State of cumstances to lead for the common good and Washington, DC, May 22, 2000. help people overcome the common enemies Michigan, some of whom cross the inter- Hon. HENRY HYDE, national border to Canada every day, are well of mankind, such as injustice, ignorance and Chairman, Judiciary Committee, despair. It is important, from our perspec- served by this revision. I look forward to find- House of Representatives, Washington, DC. tive, to stress that the Congressman Bruce ing further ways we can improve our security DEAR CHAIRMAN HYDE: Thank you for at- Vento’s personal challenge with cancer could and ensure the free flow of tourists and goods tending our National Recognition Cere- easily, and understandably, have caused him through the state of Michigan. monies, and serving as one of the keynote to shrink from assisting us further with the Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield speakers, to mark the 25th anniversary of passage of the Hmong veterans legislation. back the balance of my time. the end of the Vietnam War in Laos. We wish Instead, he redoubled his efforts, at that of Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, we to express to you our deepest gratitude for his staff, even from his hospital bed. We are had an additional speaker on the way, your leadership role in the House of Rep- humbled and privileged to have had the resentatives on behalf of the plight of the the gentleman from New York (Mr. honor to fight this battle on behalf of citi- Hmong and Lao veterans who served bravely zenship for the Hmong and Lao veterans to- QUINN), and he has not yet arrived. with U.S. clandestine and military forces in gether with Congressman Bruce Vento and Without the presence of the gentleman, Laos during the Vietnam War. We would also you. For us, the struggle for this legislation I will go on and say to the Speaker, I like to respond to the inquiry by your office began some 10 years ago, when we first began have no requests for additional time, about our current position regarding the to work with Congressman Vento to develop and I yield back the balance of my newly amended version of H.R. 371/S. 890, the this legislation. Indeed, it has been a noble time. Hmong Veterans Naturalization Act of 1999, endeavor, at its essence an issue of justice The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. that passed the Senate on Thursday, May 18. and honor for America and the Hmong vet- First, the unanimous, bipartisan vote for KUYKENDALL). The question is on the erans. We feel honored to have worked with passage, on May 2, in the House of Rep- motion offered by the gentleman from so many great men, and giants, in Congress resentatives, of H.R. 371, was made possible to press this long-overdue legislation for- Texas (Mr. SMITH) that the House sus- largely because of your extraordinary leader- ward to passage in the House and Senate. pend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. ship in helping to forge a bipartisan coali- Providentially, it comes some 25 years, to 4489. tion along with that of Congressman Bruce the month, after the exodus of the Hmong The question was taken; and (two- Vento, the bill’s courageous and determined and Lao veterans of the U.S. Secret Army thirds having voted in favor thereof) sponsor, and Congressman George Radano- from Laos in those bloody final weeks of the rules were suspended and the bill vich, the bill’s key Republican activist. At 1975. Like Congressman Vento, we share in was passed. the time of passage in the House, 109 bipar- the conviction that this is one of our crown- A motion to reconsider was laid on tisan Members of Congress were officially ing achievements that will for generations signed on as cosponsors to H.R. 371. Many the table. bless communities across America. It will veterans organizations have also endorsed it, honor the name of those Hmong and Lao vet- f including the American Legion, U.S. Special erans of the U.S. Secret Army and their HMONG VETERANS’ Forces Assoc., National Vietnam Veterans American allies, and friends, who fought so Coalition, BRAVO, and Counterparts. We are NATURALIZATION ACT OF 2000 valiantly in this difficult struggle, both in grateful for your work with Subcommittee the jungles of Southeast Asia as well as in Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I Chairman Lamar Smith as well as Minnesota the halls of Congress in Washington, D.C. ask unanimous consent to take from Governor Jesse Ventura, who both deserve Fourth, with regard to your office’s con- the Speaker’s table the bill (H.R. 371) significant credit for the ultimate success of cern about the amended version of S.890/H.R. to facilitate the naturalization of the legislation in the House, by weighing-in 371 that passed the Senate last week, we con- aliens who served with special guerrilla at the critical time and helping to move the sider this legislation’s passage historic and a bill forward. great victory for the Lao and Hmong vet- units or irregular forces in Laos, with Second, with regard to the issue of the erans of the U.S. Secret Army and their ref- Senate amendments thereto, and con- lack of records maintained by the U.S. gov- ugee families across the United States. The cur in the Senate amendments. ernment on the Hmong and Lao veterans, Lao Veterans of America was pleased to The Clerk read the title of the bill: the Lao Veterans of America was very hon- work to assist in playing a leadership role in The Clerk read the Senate amend- ored to be cited by name in the legislation as the passage of this important legislation. We ments, as follows: an example of an organization that could laud its Senate sponsors, Senators Paul

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00050 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A23MY7.045 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 May 23, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3577 Wellstone, Feingold and Robb, for their un- ship role and ask you to expeditiously seek who currently reside in the United States who flagging leadership and support. Like its to bring the amended version of the bill to would fall under the legislation. This cap is House counterpart (H.R. 371), S. 890 achieved the House floor under unanimous consent for supported by the Hmong veterans in the overwhelming bipartisan support with over immediate passage. 17 Senators officially signing on the legisla- Sincerely, United States and is considered to be a gen- tion. The only exception was the alternative PHILIP SMITH, erous cap. I support this legislation to provide legislation introduced by Senator Rod Washington, D.C., Director. relief to the Hmong heroes. Grams. The Lao Veterans of America was Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, I am a proud origi- Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, The Hmong able to work with a bipartisan coalition of nal cosponsor of H.R. 371, the Hmong Vet- Veterans' Naturalization Act of 1999, was in- U.S. Senators and Hmong and Lao veterans eran's Naturalization Act, and I am pleased to troduced by Representative VENTO. It provides from across the United States to help de- see that this bill will be sent to the President's long overdue assistance for the naturalization velop a compromise amendment regarding requirements of U.S. citizenship to a valiant Senator Grams’ legislation. The final lan- desk for his signature. This bill will allow the guage of this amendment was forged just last Hmong veterans who fought with the United group of people who fought for our country week. States against the communist forces in South- many years ago. Between 130,000 and The Lao Veterans of America was particu- east Asia and their families to be naturalized. 150,000 Laotian Hmong have entered the larly grateful to have been consulted, and in- The measure will speed up the process by United States as refugees since 1975. Many cluded, in helping to negotiate and work out waiving the usual English proficiency and have found it difficult to naturalize because of the final compromise regarding the amend- cultural obstacles to learning how to read ment offered to the legislation prior to the civics test requirements. bill’s final passage in the Senate last week. Passage of this legislation ensures that we English. This is due in part to the fact that the Chairman Hatch as well as Senators Leahy, as a nation will never forget the toll the Viet- culture of the Hmong did not include a written Wellstone, Feingold, McCain, Kohl, Grassley, nam War took on our allies and friends in form of their language until recent decades. Kyl, and Specter were particularly helpful in Southeast Asia. Tremendous sacrifices were H.R. 371 would exempt the Hmong natu- building bridges and reaching across the made by the Hmong people, with nearly ralization applicants from the English language aisle during the vigorous negotiations that 20,000 Hmong killed and over 100,000 fleeing requirements if they have served with special led to hammering out the final language to refugee camps in other nations to survive. guerrilla units or irregular forces operating that was acceptable to all parties, including Thankfully, due to the generosity, strength of from bases in Laos in support of the United Senator Grams’ office. Fifth, Mr. Chairman, with regard to the se- will and compassion of the American people, States during the Vietnam War (or were rious issue of timing, all along the major approximately 49,000 Hmong-Americans re- spouses or widows of such persons on the concern of the Lao Veterans of America re- side in Wisconsin today, of which, approxi- day on which such persons applied for admis- garding this legislation, was the concern mately 9,000 live in my district in western Wis- sion as refugees). that we know that you share: the Hmong consin. This legislation passed the House by voice Veterans Naturalization Act is long overdue. Therefore, it is with immense gratitude, I vote on May 2 and I have no problem with the Time is not an unlimited commodity for commend the Hmong for their loyalty and Senate amendments concerning the certifi- anyone. When one confronts one’s own mor- faithfulness to the United States and thank cation requirement which were technical in na- tality, and considers the personal plight of the two original sponsors of this legislation, them for the sacrifices they made to fight for ture. both Congressman Vento in his battle with democracy and justice. For this, we owe them Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support cancer, as well as Senator Paul Wellstone a large debt of gratitude that can never be of the Senate amended H.R. 371, The Hmong and his legislative director’s, Michael adequately repaid. Veterans Naturalizaton Act. Epstein’s, battle with cancer, the limitations Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the distinguished gen- of time become crystal clear. this is an important bill because the Hmong tleman from Texas, Representative, LAMAR One of our key points to members of the have stood by the U.S. at a crucial time in our SMITH for his leadership throughout this proc- Senate was the grave concern shared by history and now is the time to repay and honor ess and his support on the House floor today. many across the political spectrum that the In addition, I would like to acknowledge the ef- Congress was running out of the necessary the loyalty of Hmong veterans. The Hmong legislative time in the 106th Congress to pass were a pre-literate society. They had no writ- forts of Senator PATRICK LEAHY, Senator RUSS the bill, especially if significant changes ten language in use when the United States FEINGOLD, Senator PAUL WELLSTON, and Sen- were made to the original language of the recruited them during the Vietnam War. The ator HERB KOHL. Their support and determina- Vento/Radanovich legislation (H.R. 371) that best symbol of why H.R. 371 is necessary is tion in working out the final language of the bill passed the House. We believe that you and the Hmong ``story cloth,'' the Pandau cloth, helped secure passage of H.R. 371 last week the Hmong veterans successfully helped to that is their embroidered cloth record of impor- in the Senate. Moreover, I would like to men- communicate this point when nearly 5,000 of tant historical events and oral traditions. tion the support of the Lao Veterans of Amer- our members converged on Washington, DC, ica, the largest Lao-Hmong organization in the on May 10th for the Lao Veterans of Amer- I approve of the Senate language which ican National Recognition Ceremonies mark- simply states that the Attorney General ``may nation, which has been actively working on ing the 25th anniversary of the end of the consider any documentation provided by orga- this legislation for over 10 years. Vietnam War in Laos. nizations maintaining records with respect to Today, we finally honor the Lao-Hmong pa- Mr. Chairman, it is important to note that Hmong veterans or their families.'' I am also triots for their sacrifice and service to the the Hmong and Lao veterans of the U.S. Se- gratified that it was made clear in the other United States during the Vietnam War. It has cret Army waited twenty-two years, for na- body that the dropping of the Lao Veterans of been twenty-five years since the fall of Saigon tional recognition in 1997 at the Vietnam America does not reflect adversely on that or- and the last American troops pulled out of Memorial and Arlington Cemetery. This was far too long and painful. Likewise, they have ganization. Southeast Asia. Events that have been relived worked nearly a decade for this legislation, I join Chairman SMITH in commending Lao these past months, harsh memories of Viet- working hard and waiting far too many years Veterans of America for its tireless efforts for nam that are unpleasant to all Americans. for H.R. 371/S. 890 to be passed by Congress. the Hmong. I too also commend our col- While the Vietnam War is over for America, Indeed, since I first began working on this league, the gentleman from Minnesota, Mr. the plight of our friends and allies within this legislation nearly ten years ago, I have at- VENTO, for his sponsorship of this legislation region and Laos must be remembered. tended too many funerals for the Hmong and and urge my colleagues to pass it. Lao-Hmong soldier, as young as ten years Lao veterans, who have passed away without The Hmong were critical to the American old, were recruited, fought and died along side the dignity of being citizens in the country war strategy in S.E. AsiaÐespecially the U.S. 58,000 U.S. soldiers, sailors, and airmen in that they gave the best years of their lives fighting to assist. air strategy. Mr. Speaker this legislation pro- Vietnam. As a result of their bravery and loy- Final, Mr. Chairman, but by no means vides for the expedited naturalization of alty to the U.S., the Lao-Hmong were trag- least, the passage of S. 890/H.R. 371, as Hmong veterans of the U.S. Secret Army cur- ically over run by the Communist forces and amended by the Senate, is first and foremost rently residing in the United States (as legal lost their homeland and status in Laos after a matter of sacred honor that is long-over- aliens) who served with U.S. clandestine and the Vietnam War. Between 10,000 and 20,000 due. The Hmong and Lao veterans of the U.S. special forces during the Vietnam War by al- Lao-Hmong were killed in combat-related inci- Secret Army are not honored by continuing lowing them to take the citizenship test with a dents and over 100,000 had to flee to refugee to live in limbo without a country, as mere aliens with green cards. Having been flown translator since the Hmong are a tribal people camps and other nations to survive. into battle for the United States by the with no written language, thus relying solely In the Minnesota area today, approximately CIA’s and the Defense Department’s, ‘‘Air on the ``story cloths''. The bill is capped at 60,000 Lao-Hmong know the Minnesota re- America,’’ they wish to live and die as Amer- 45,000, in terms of the total of number of gion as their new home. Many of the older ican citizens. We thank you for your leader- Hmong veterans, their widows and orphans Lao-Hmong patriots who made it to the U.S.

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00051 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A23MY7.051 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 H3578 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 23, 2000 are separated from their family members and The Clerk read as follows: (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘section have had a difficult time adjusting to many as- H.R. 3637 3(f)(1)’’ and inserting ‘‘section 3(g)(1)’’. pects of life and culture in the U.S., including Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- SEC. 3. DELETION OF AMBIGUOUS REFERENCES passing aspects of the required citizenship resentatives of the United States of America in TO RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGES. (a) TERMINATION OF PRIVATE MORTGAGE IN- Congress assembled, test. Learning to read in English has been the SURANCE.—Section 3 of the Homeowners Pro- greatest obstacle for the Lao-Hmong because SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. tection Act of 1998 (12 U.S.C. 4902) is This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Private written characters in the Hmong language amended— Mortgage Insurance Technical Corrections (1) in subsection (c), by inserting ‘‘on resi- have only been introduced in recent years. In and Clarification Act’’. addition, their long participation and service to dential mortgage transactions’’ after ‘‘im- SEC. 2. CHANGES IN AMORTIZATION SCHEDULE. posed’’; and U.S. forces in the Southeast Asian military (a) TREATMENT OF ADJUSTABLE RATE MORT- (2) in subsection (g) (as so redesignated by conflict significantly disrupted any chance Lao- GAGES.—The Homeowners Protection Act of section 2(c)(1)(A) of this Act)— Hmong patriots may have had to learn a writ- 1998 (12 U.S.C. 4901 et seq.) is amended— (A) in paragraph (1), in the matter pre- (1) in section 2— ten language. ceding subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘mort- (A) in paragraph (2)(B)(i), by striking ‘‘am- The Hmong Veterans Naturalization Act gage or’’; ortization schedules’’ and inserting ‘‘the am- would help the process of family reunification (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘mortgage and finally ease the adjustment of the Lao- ortization schedule then in effect’’; (B) in paragraph (16)(B), by striking ‘‘am- or’’; and Hmong into our U.S. society. Specifically H.R. ortization schedules’’ and inserting ‘‘the am- (C) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘mortgage 371 would waive the English language re- ortization schedule then in effect’’; or’’ and inserting ‘‘residential mortgage or quirement for Lao-Hmong who served in spe- (C) by redesignating paragraphs (6) residential’’. (b) DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS.—Section 4 cial Guerrilla Units in Laos during the Vietnam through (16) (as amended by the preceding of the Homeowners Protection Act of 1998 (12 provisions of this paragraph) as paragraphs War. This legislation would effect individuals U.S.C. 4903(a)) is amended— (8) through (18), respectively; and who today reside legally in the United States. (1) in subsection (a)— (D) by inserting after paragraph (5) the fol- It would not open new immigration channels (A) in paragraph (1)— lowing new paragraph: nor would the bill give the Lao-Hmong vet- (i) by striking ‘‘mortgage or’’ the first ‘‘(6) AMORTIZATION SCHEDULE THEN IN EF- eran's status to make them eligible for veteran place it appears; and FECT.—The term ‘amortization schedule then benefits. Moreover, the bill establishes strict in effect’ means, with respect to an adjust- (ii) by striking ‘‘mortgage or’’ the second criteria for approval and sets a cap of 45,000 able rate mortgage, a schedule established at place it appears and inserting ‘‘residential’’; to who may benefit from this legislation. the time at which the residential mortgage and This is an historic opportunity to recognize transaction is consummated or, if such (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘mortgage and in some small way honor the loyalty and schedule has been changed or recalculated, is or’’ and inserting ‘‘residential’’; the most recent schedule under the terms of (2) in subsection (c), by striking ‘‘para- address a key problem of the older Lao- graphs (1)(B) and (3) of subsection (a)’’ and Hmong family members who are continuing to the note or mortgage, which shows— ‘‘(A) the amount of principal and interest inserting ‘‘subsection (a)(3)’’; and have a difficult time adjusting to life here in the that is due at regular intervals to retire the (3) in subsection (d), by inserting before USA. Fortunately, there is something positive principal balance and accrued interest over the period at the end the following: ‘‘, which we can do to help the process of family reuni- the remaining amortization period of the disclosures shall relate to the mortgagor’s fication and finally ease the adjustment of loan; and rights under this Act’’. Hmong into U.S. society. It is time to move ‘‘(B) the unpaid balance of the loan after (c) DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS FOR LENDER- PAID MORTGAGE INSURANCE.—Section 6 of the forward with action and grant citizenship to the each such scheduled payment is made.’’; and (2) in section 3(f)(1)(B)(ii), by striking ‘‘am- Homeowners Protection Act of 1998 (12 U.S.C. Lao-Hmong patriotsÐwho have after all 4905) is amended— passed a more important test than a language ortization schedules’’ and inserting ‘‘the am- ortization schedule then in effect’’. (1) in subsection (c)— test. They risked their lives for American val- (b) TREATMENT OF BALLOON MORTGAGES.— (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), ues and to save U.S. service personnel. Paragraph (1) of section 2 of the Homeowners by striking ‘‘a residential mortgage or’’; and The Lao-Hmong people stood honorably by Protection Act of 1998 (12 U.S.C. 4901(1)) is (B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ‘‘trans- the United States at a critical time in our Na- amended by adding at the end the following action’’ after ‘‘residential mortgage’’; and tion's history. Today, we should stand with the new sentence: ‘‘A residential mortgage that (2) in subsection (d), by inserting ‘‘trans- Lao-Hmong in their struggle to become U.S. (A) does not fully amortize over the term of action’’ after ‘‘residential mortgage’’. the obligation, and (B) contains a condi- SEC. 4. CANCELLATION RIGHTS AFTER CAN- citizens and to live a good life in the United tional right to refinance or modify the CELLATION DATE. States. The Lao-Hmong already passed the unamortized principal at the maturity date Section 3 of the Homeowners Protection hardest test of their lives in service to the of the term, shall be considered to be an ad- Act of 1998 (12 U.S.C. 4902) is amended— United States. Now, their dedication and serv- justable rate mortgage for purposes of this (1) in subsection (a)— ice deserves proper recognition. Act.’’. (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there (c) TREATMENT OF LOAN MODIFICATIONS.— by inserting after ‘‘cancellation date’’ the objection to the original request of the (1) IN GENERAL.—Section 3 of the Home- following: ‘‘or any later date that the mort- gentleman from Texas? owners Protection Act of 1998 (12 U.S.C. 4902) gagor fulfills all of the requirements under There was no objection. is amended— paragraphs (1) through (4)’’; A motion to reconsider was laid on (A) by redesignating subsections (d) (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘and’’ at through (f) as subsections (e) through (g), re- the end; the table. spectively; and (C) by redesignating paragraph (3) as para- f (B) by inserting after subsection (c) the fol- graph (4); and GENERAL LEAVE lowing new subsection: (D) by inserting after paragraph (2) the fol- ‘‘(d) TREATMENT OF LOAN MODIFICATIONS.— lowing new paragraph: Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I If a mortgagor and mortgagee (or holder of ‘‘(3) is current on the payments required by ask unanimous consent that all Mem- the mortgage) agree to a modification of the the terms of the residential mortgage trans- bers may have 5 legislative days within terms or conditions of a loan pursuant to a action; and’’; and which to revise and extend their re- residential mortgage transaction, the can- (2) in subsection (e)(1)(B) (as so redesig- cellation date, termination date, or final ter- marks on H.R. 371. nated by section 2(c)(1)(A) of this Act), by mination shall be recalculated to reflect the striking ‘‘subsection ‘‘(a)(3)’’ and inserting The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there modified terms and conditions of such objection to the request of the gen- ‘‘subsection (a)(4)’’. loan.’’. SEC. 5. CLARIFICATION OF CANCELLATION AND tleman from Texas? (2) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—Section 4(a) TERMINATION ISSUES AND LENDER There was no objection. of the Homeowners Protection Act of 1998 (12 PAID MORTGAGE INSURANCE DIS- f U.S.C. 4903(a)) is amended— CLOSURE REQUIREMENTS. (A) in paragraph (1)— (a) GOOD PAYMENT HISTORY.—Section 2(4) PRIVATE MORTGAGE INSURANCE (i) in the matter preceding subparagraph of the Homeowners Protection Act of 1998 (12 TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS AND (A), by striking ‘‘section 3(f)(1)’’ and insert- U.S.C. 4901(4)) is amended— CLARIFICATION ACT ing ‘‘section 3(g)(1)’’; (1) in subparagraph (A)— Mrs. ROUKEMA. Mr. Speaker, I move (ii) in subparagraph (A)(ii)(IV), by striking (A) by inserting ‘‘the later of (i)’’ before ‘‘section 3(f)’’ and inserting ‘‘section 3(g)’’; ‘‘the date’’; and to suspend the rules and pass the bill and (ii) by inserting ‘‘, or (ii) the date that the (H.R. 3637) to amend the Homeowners (iii) in subparagraph (B)(iii), by striking mortgagor submits a request for cancellation Protection Act of 1998 to make certain ‘‘section 3(f)’’ and inserting ‘‘section 3(g)’’; under section 3(a)(1)’’ before the semicolon; technical corrections. and and

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00052 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A23MY7.073 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 May 23, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3579 (B) in subparagraph (B)— GENERAL LEAVE are determined should be prepared in (i) by inserting ‘‘the later of (i)’’ before Mrs. ROUKEMA. Mr. Speaker, I ask accordance with the actual note. ‘‘the date’’; and unanimous consent that all Members b 1345 (ii) by inserting ‘‘, or (ii) the date that the may have 5 legislative days within mortgagor submits a request for cancellation which to revise and extend their re- The effect is to conform the require- under section 3(a)(1)’’ before the period at ments of cancellation and termination the end. marks on H.R. 3637. (b) AUTOMATIC TERMINATION.—Paragraph The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there to the uniform methodology used in (2) of section 3(b) of the Homeowners Protec- objection to the request of the gentle- the industry to calculate ARM amorti- tion Act of 1998 (12 U.S.C. 4902(b)(2)) is woman from New Jersey? zation schedules. amended to read as follows: There was no objection. The bill also ensures that ‘‘defined ‘‘(2) if the mortgagor is not current on the Mrs. ROUKEMA. Mr. Speaker, I yield terms’’ such as ‘‘adjustable rate mort- termination date, on the first day of the first myself such time as I may consume. gage’’ and ‘‘balloon mortgages’’ are month beginning after the date that the Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support used consistently and appropriately. mortgagor becomes current on the payments The bill also defines several terms, required by the terms of the residential of H.R. 3637, the Private Mortgage In- mortgage transaction.’’ surance Technical Corrections and such as ‘‘refinanced,’’ ‘‘midpoint of the (c) PREMIUM PAYMENTS.—Section 3 of the Clarification Act. amortization period,’’ and ‘‘original Homeowners Protection Act of 1998 (12 U.S.C. This Act is a very important bill be- value.’’ These and other terms are used 4902) is amended by adding at the end the fol- cause it will eliminate the confusion in the law but were not defined and, lowing new subsection: that has resulted from implementation therefore, could be subject to different ‘‘(h) ACCRUED OBLIGATION FOR PREMIUM interpretations. I also want to note PAYMENTS.—The cancellation or termination of the Homeowners Protection Act of under this section of the private mortgage 1998. that the bill solves some of the oper- insurance of a mortgagor shall not affect the In this bill, we will clarify the can- ational difficulties that have surfaced rights of any mortgagee, servicer, or mort- cellation and termination issues to en- since the 1998 law related to measuring gage insurer to enforce any obligation of sure that homeowners will be able to a borrower’s payment history and de- such mortgagor for premium payments ac- cancel private mortgage insurance as termining his right to cancel. Addi- crued prior to the date on which such can- Congress intended in the original bill tionally, the bill clarifies the rights of cellation or termination occurred.’’. of 1998. lenders to enforce collection of PMI SEC. 6. DEFINITIONS. premiums that were owed by the bor- (a) REFINANCED.—Section 6(c)(1)(B)(ii) of I want to thank the gentleman from the Homeowners Protection Act of 1998 (12 Ohio (Mr. LEACH), chairman of the rower prior to the time that the mort- U.S.C. 4905(c)(1)(B)(ii)) is amended by insert- Committee on Banking, who is a co- gage insurance was canceled. ing after ‘‘refinanced’’ the following: ‘‘(under sponsor of this bill, and certainly the In summary, H.R. 3637 specifically the meaning given such term in the regula- ranking member, the gentleman from addresses the problems that have oc- tions issued by the Board of Governors of the New York (Mr. LAFALCE), for their con- curred since implementation of the Federal Reserve System to carry out the tributions and their support as cospon- Homeowners Protection Act to make Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1601 et sure that no one continues to pay for seq.))’’. sors. (b) MIDPOINT OF THE AMORTIZATION PE- I also wish to thank the gentleman PMI because of ambiguities in the cur- RIOD.—Section 2 of the Homeowners Protec- from Minnesota (Mr. VENTO), the rank- rent law. tion Act of 1998 (12 U.S.C. 4901) is amended by ing member of the Subcommittee on I would also like to note that the inserting after paragraph (6) (as added by Financial Institutions, who is a co- provisions of the bill were included in section 2(a)(1)(D) of this Act) the following sponsor of this bill and with whom I title IX of H.R. 1776, the American new paragraph: have worked closely on this and many Homeownership and Economic Oppor- ‘‘(7) MIDPOINT OF THE AMORTIZATION PE- other issues. tunity Act of 2000. We passed that bill RIOD.—The term ‘‘midpoint of the amortiza- tion period’’ means, with respect to a resi- Mr. Speaker, I also want to espe- in April of this year with a resounding dential mortgage transaction, the point in cially thank the gentleman from Utah vote, 417–8; but at this point in time, time that is halfway through the period that (Mr. HANSEN) for his support as an there seems to be no Senate action begins upon the first day of the amortization original cosponsor of this bill and for contemplated. I do want to recognize period established at the time a residential his strong leadership in this area. the leadership that the gentleman from mortgage transaction is consummated and The bipartisan support of this bill, New York (Mr. LAZIO) gave as chair- ends upon the completion of the entire pe- along with the support of both industry man of the Subcommittee on Housing riod over which the mortgage is scheduled to as well as consumer groups, reflects at that time and for his continuing be amortized.’’. (c) ORIGINAL VALUE.—Section 2(12) of the the importance and the need for the support for PMI issues in particular. Homeowners Protection Act of 1998 (12 U.S.C. corrections and clarifications of H.R. Mr. Speaker, we all remain strong in 4901(10)) (as so redesignated by section 3637. our support of not only H.R. 1776 and 2(a)(1)(C) of this Act) is amended— Mr. Speaker, the Homeowners Pro- want to see that enacted, but in the (1) by inserting ‘‘transaction’’ after ‘‘a res- tection Act of 1998 included important meantime we must deal with the issues idential mortgage’’; and provisions regarding consumers’ ability in this suspension. (2) by adding at the end the following new to cancel PMI. Most of the reforms in- Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of sentence: ‘‘In the case of a residential mort- corporated in that law have worked my time. gage transaction for refinancing the prin- cipal residence of the mortgagor, such term very well. However, the law has created Mr. LAFALCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield means only the appraised value relied upon some uncertainty relating to the can- myself such time as I may consume. by the mortgagee to approve the refinance cellation and termination of PMI for (Mr. LAFALCE asked and was given transaction.’’. adjustable mortgage rates, or ARMs as permission to revise and extend his re- (d) PRINCIPAL RESIDENCE.—Section 2 of the they are known, balloon mortgages, marks.) Homeowners Protection Act of 1998 (12 U.S.C. and loans whose terms or rates are Mr. LAFALCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise as 4901) is amended— modified over the life of the loan. a primary cosponsor in support of H.R. (1) in paragraph (14) (as so redesignated by section 2(a)(1)(C) of this Act) by striking To address these ambiguities and the 3637, the Private Mortgage Insurance ‘‘primary’’ and inserting ‘‘principal’’; and problems that have arisen, I, along Technical Corrections and Clarifica- (2) in paragraph (15) (as so redesignated by with the distinguished group of cospon- tion Act. I specifically commend the section 2(a)(1)(C) of this Act) by striking sors that I have just mentioned, intro- gentlewoman from New Jersey for her ‘‘primary’’ and inserting ‘‘principal’’; duced this bill on February 10 of this excellent leadership and work on this The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- year. It ensures that the terms of the technical corrections bill. ant to the rule, the gentlewoman from cancellation of PMI on these types of Two years ago, we enacted, on a bi- New Jersey (Mrs. ROUKEMA) and the variable rate mortgage products will be partisan basis, the Homeowners Pro- gentleman from New York (Mr. LA- unambiguous. tection Act of 1998. That legislation set FALCE) each will control 20 minutes. The bill describes in greater detail out reasonable provisions giving home- The Chair recognizes the gentle- the original intent of the 1998 law that owners who utilize private mortgage woman from New Jersey (Mrs. ROU- the amortization schedule upon which insurance, frequently called PMI, the KEMA). the cancellation and termination dates right to cancel their PMI insurance

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00053 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A23MY7.056 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 H3580 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 23, 2000 and stop paying monthly PMI pre- of the original act to the detriment of homeowner that has such a loan with miums once they have paid their mort- consumers. For example, the act re- private mortgage insurance is in fact gage loan down to levels where private quires PMI termination once a mort- being treated fairly in terms of this in- mortgage insurance is no longer need- gage reaches a ‘‘midpoint,’’ an unde- surance and given the right to can- ed. The concept is relatively simple. fined term. The act’s clear intent is the cellation and to exercise the option to PMI is only required on loans where halfway point between the first date of drop such insurance once the loan-to- the loan-to-value, or LTV, exceeds 80 the loan and the last day of the period value ratio of down payment and eq- percent. Therefore, once a borrower over which the loan is scheduled to be uity has been exceeded. That is exactly pays down a mortgage loan to the amortized. However, with adjustable what the basic law did that was en- point where the LTV is less than 80 rate or balloon loans, without this defi- acted. In fact, it was brought to our at- percent, there is no need for the bor- nition the midpoint could unfairly con- tention by, as has been pointed out, the rower to continue to pay for PMI. The tinue to be moved back simply by a re- gentleman from Utah (Mr. HANSEN), bill from last Congress sets out terms setting of the amortization schedules. who has had an active interest in this and conditions under which borrowers And so this bill clarifies that for loans as a consumer and as a Representative have the legal right to cancel PMI. As for the purpose of refinancing when es- from Utah. What we have before us a result, the borrower now has the tablishing LTV ratios, the value will be today, of course, is the technical cor- right to cancel PMI and stop making determined at the time of the refi- rections. payments once the loan balance has nance, not at the original time of home I know that the Members of Congress fallen below certain LTV ratios, gen- purchase. This avoids unfairly penal- would be surprised to learn that we do erally either 80 percent or 78 percent. izing the borrower when the home has not write perfect laws, that from time This will save consumers in this posi- risen in value. to time we have to go back and make tion hundreds or even thousands of dol- Finally, the legislation before us some modifications to clarify intent lars. today includes a number of provisions and to eliminate ambiguity. That is However, as is often the case with ef- that address ambiguities and correct really what has happened in this case forts to conference different House and other problems. Most notably, our bill with Congress, coming back to this law Senate versions of the same bill very clarifies that in the case of adjustable which we passed a couple of years ago late in a session, the final bill could rate mortgages, balloon mortgages, or to try and clear up some of the mis- have been drafted better from a tech- loan modifications, LTV calculations understandings. This is really Congress nical point of view. The PMI bill that are made based on the most recent am- at its best or this House at its best, was signed into law did include some ortization schedule, not based on an trying to deal with those ambiguities ambiguities, some inconsistencies, outdated schedule. This was the origi- or dealing with some of the issues. This some omissions. The bill we are consid- nal intent of the legislation. And while has been done in such a way as to pro- ering today cleans up these technical the original act did not provide that vide for a common sense policy path problems. At the same time, I want to clarity, today’s bill provides that clar- that will in fact ensure that the rights make it very clear that is all we are ity. to exercise and cancel this insurance, doing. We are not changing policy or Finally, the bill before us today cor- and I might comment to my colleagues adding new provisions but only con- rects drafting relating to terms like that these payments could be anywhere forming language to preserve or, in ‘‘refinanced,’’ ‘‘primary residence,’’ from $50 to $100 difference a month in most instances really, clarify the bill’s ‘‘residential mortgages,’’ et cetera. The terms of what the homeowner actually original intent. I believe it is impor- bill clarifies common sense interpreta- pays in terms of mortgage insurance. tant to pass this legislation this year tions of the act, for example, that can- This is no small matter for those that for the benefit of consumers, for the cellation or termination does not might be canceling such insurance to millions of Americans who will take eliminate the borrower’s obligation to have the benefit of making this sav- out loans in the next few years. With- make PMI payments legally incurred ings. This permits them to repair their out such action, there are ambiguities prior to the date at which the borrower credit, it permits them at midpoint to which could be invoked unfairly to the is entitled to cancel PMI. avoid this type of insurance when it is detriment of borrowers. In short, this is a good, common not necessary, and we all know that For example, section 3 of the PMI act sense bill, and I would urge its adop- translates into homeownership; it gives consumers the right to cancel tion. translates into more Americans being PMI insurance and stop making pay- Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he able to take advantage of the American ments once their loan falls below 80 may consume to the distinguished gen- dream of homeownership. percent of value. However, as drafted, tleman from Minnesota (Mr. VENTO), Really, I think that our committee the act technically permits cancella- ranking member of the Subcommittee has prided itself in terms of obtaining tion only on the date that 80 percent on Financial Institutions and Con- and being part of the goal that had threshold is first reached but not later. sumer Credit, who really did the bulk been enunciated by this administration Thus, unless the borrower submits a re- of the work on this issue. and for others for many years and, that quest for cancellation on or before that (Mr. VENTO asked and was given is, obtaining one of the highest rates of date and meets certain other require- permission to revise and extend his re- homeownership in our history. Today, ments on that date, the borrower could marks.) of course, we are in the high-60 range technically lose that cancellation right Mr. VENTO. I thank the gentleman in terms of homeownership. Some forever. We cure that potential dif- for yielding me this time. States because of lower costs are doing ficulty, because that clearly was not Mr. Speaker, I concur in the ranking much better, such as my State of Min- the intent of the bill. Therefore, the member’s remarks and the sub- nesota. Others are challenged because bill before us today explicitly confers committee chairman’s remarks con- of the high cost of housing and home- cancellation rights on the date when cerning this bill. In return, I want to ownership in those States. But, never- the loan first reaches 80 percent LTV just thank her for her leadership on theless, this bill will help maintain and or any later date that the borrower this issue. It is a very important mat- provide the stability, provide the pre- meets the conditions required for can- ter. dictability, and provide the cheaper cellation. Frankly, private mortgages insur- mortgage insurance and these impor- The bill also includes language to ance is a major basis to provide for tant tools which are making it possible allow borrowers without a good pay- lower interest rates and affordable to obtain the dream of homeownership ment history on the cancellation date housing for many, many homeowners in this country. itself to cancel at a later date once that otherwise would not be able to ac- I commend this bill to my colleagues. they obtain a good payment history. quire the loan they need to purchase a Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3637, This is what we intended, but tech- home. And so keeping this particular the PMI Technical Corrections and Clarifica- nically the act was not clear on that. product in place is enormously impor- tion Act. As one of the architects of the recent Our bill today also clarifies other am- tant. But also we need to be vigilant to law that affords people the right to stop paying biguities that could subvert the intent make certain that the individual for costly private mortgage insurance when

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00054 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.093 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 May 23, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3581 they no longer need it, I am pleased that we Mrs. ROUKEMA. Mr. Speaker, I yield Mrs. ROUKEMA. Mr. Speaker, I have are finally moving this technical corrections bill myself such time as I may consume. no further requests for time, and I that will benefit consumers and the industry. We have worked closely with the gen- yield back the balance of my time. I joined my colleagues in cosponsoring this tleman from New York (Mr. LAFALCE) The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. needed Private Mortgage Insurance Technical and the gentleman from Minnesota KUYKENDALL). The question is on the Corrections and Clarification Act so that we (Mr. VENTO) on a fine bipartisan basis. motion offered by the gentlewoman can clarify some meanings and make correc- I deeply appreciate their contribution from New Jersey (Mrs. ROUKEMA) that tions to terms, rights for consumers and re- and their work. But I also want to ac- the House suspend the rules and pass sponsibilities for mortgage lenders under the knowledge again with more specificity the bill, H.R. 3637. Homeowners' Protection Act of 1998. We the leadership of the gentleman from The question was taken; and (two- worked together then, as we did today, with Utah (Mr. HANSEN), who was the first thirds having voted in favor thereof) interested consumer and mortgage industry to identify and act upon the issue. I the rules were suspended and the bill groups to come up with a bill that worked to think it is very important that he was passed. the benefit of all parties. brought it to the forefront and to our A motion to reconsider was laid on Unfortunately, when we passed the Home- attention and the need for the changes the table. owner's Protection Act, we were unable to here. f prevail on one issue, and that was to actually Fundamentally, I do want to under- have a regulator to work out some of the de- score, in conclusion, that not only do ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER tails of the statute and the underlying policy. we have bipartisan support here; but PRO TEMPORE That has left us with the need to clarify some we have real action about real money The SPEAKER pro tempore. Debate smaller points in the statute, as is being pro- on a monthly basis for Americans to posed in this bill before the House of Rep- has concluded for the time being on recognize and take part in the Amer- motions to suspend the rules. Pursuant resentatives today. This point in highlighted by ican dream, which has always been fun- provisions such as those in Section 6, where to clause 8, rule XX, the Chair will now damental to our American democracy, put the question on each of the first we are coming back to define what the term namely, homeownership, a home of ``refinanced'' means. That clearly is a definition three motions on which further pro- their own. I am pleased to have accept- that the Federal Reserve Board or the Depart- ceedings were postponed earlier today ed the strong support on a bipartisan ment of Housing and Urban Development in the order in which that motion was basis. could have handled without further Congres- entertained. Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, as a member sional action. There are more meaningful and Votes will be taken in the following of the House Banking Committee, I rise in key clarifications contained in H.R. 3637. order: For example, the bill, H.R. 3637, will clarify strong support of H.R. 3637, legislation that H.R. 297, by the yeas and nays; that PMI cancellation rights exist not only on will make technical corrections and clarifica- H. Res. 443, by the yeas and nays; and the cancellation date, but on any later date as tions to the Homeowners Protection Act. This H.R. 3544, by the yeas and nays. well, so long as the borrower meets all the law ensures that homeowners have the right The Chair will reduce to 5 minutes other cancellation requirements (including to cancel their Private Mortgage Insurance the time for any electronic vote after being current on loan payments). This was (PMI) on their home mortgages once the the first such vote in this series. homeowner attains a certain level of equity in clearly our intent and is a needed fix resolved f in this measure. H.R. 3637 also will make the home (usually 22%, but in some cases clear that a good payment history should be 20%). Provisions included in this legislation LEWIS & CLARK RURAL WATER calculated on the later of the cancellation date were also included in H.R. 1776 which was SYSTEM ACT OF 2000 approved by the House, with my support, on or the date the borrower requests cancellation. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The April 3. In this way, the borrower cannot be frozen in pending business is the question of sus- This legislation clarifies that PMI cancella- a category of not having a good payment his- pending the rules and passing the bill, tion rights for adjustable rate mortgages tory at the first cancellation date, and therefore H.R. 297, as amended. (ARMs) are based on the amortization sched- never eligible for cancellationÐeven if he or The Clerk read the title of the bill. ule that is currently in affect. This will ensure she had repaired and improved their payment The SPEAKER pro tempore. The that consumers get full benefit of any adjust- history. question is on the motion offered by ments that have been made based upon re- The bill eases lenders' burdens by assuring the gentleman from California (Mr. cent calculations. In addition, this legislation a timely, yet sensible termination time of the DOOLITTLE) that the House suspend the ensures that balloon mortgages are also treat- first day of the following month after a bor- rules and pass the bill, H.R. 297, as ed as ARMs so that consumers will receive rower become current. This change eliminates amended, on which the yeas and nays the full benefit of any interest changes that are the need for a lender to check and cancel PMI are ordered. favorable to them. every day of the month following a consumer's The vote was taken by electronic de- This bill ensures that consumers with a potential eligibility. It also clarifies that can- vice, and there were—yeas 400, nays 13, ``good payment history'' have the right to can- cellation/termination rights are based on most not voting 21, as follows: recent amortization schedule for Adjustable cel their PMI. In the past, there has been Rate Mortgages and other products where the some confusion about what this term means. [Roll No. 217] amortization schedule may change over the This legislation would make technical correc- YEAS—400 course of a loan's life. tions so there is less ambiguity about this Abercrombie Berry Calvert Two other important technical corrections in- term. This measure includes a proviso that Aderholt Biggert Camp Allen Bilbray Canady clude assuring that the goal post cannot con- clarifies that these PMI cancellation rights only Andrews Bilirakis Cannon tinually be shifted by changing a currently un- apply to mortgages originated after the 1998 Armey Bishop Capps defined ``midpoint.'' H.R. 3637 will clarify that law's enactment date. Finally, this bill ensures Baca Blagojevich Cardin the midpoint is the halfway point between the Bachus Bliley Carson that consumers can cancel their PMI after the Baird Blumenauer Castle first date of the loan and the last day of the cancellation date as long as they have paid all Baker Blunt Chabot period over which the loan is scheduled to be of their PMI charges. The original law did not Baldacci Boehlert Chambliss amortized. Finally, our bill also makes clear provide their consumer protection provision. Baldwin Boehner Clay Ballenger Bonilla Clayton that the appraised value at the time of the refi- As a result, consumers had only one oppor- Barcia Bonior Clement nancing, and not the value at original pur- tunity to cancel their PMI. Barr Bono Clyburn chase, should be is used to determine the I strongly urge my colleague to support this Barrett (NE) Borski Coburn loan to value ratio and cancellation/termination Barrett (WI) Boswell Collins corrective legislation that will protect con- Bartlett Boucher Combest rights. sumers and improve the Homeowners Protec- Barton Boyd Condit Mr. Speaker, I want to express my thanks to tion Act. Bass Brady (PA) Conyers my Democratic and Republican colleagues Bateman Brown (FL) Cook b who have all worked together to bring this 1400 Becerra Bryant Cooksey Bentsen Burr Costello technical corrections bill before the House Mr. LAFALCE. Mr. Speaker, I have Bereuter Burton Coyne today and I urge other Members to support no further requests for time, and I Berkley Buyer Cramer this necessary legislation. yield back the balance of my time. Berman Callahan Crane

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00055 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A23MY7.057 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 H3582 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 23, 2000 Crowley Inslee Ose Traficant Walsh Whitfield [Roll No. 218] Cummings Isakson Owens Turner Wamp Wicker YEAS—417 Cunningham Istook Oxley Udall (CO) Waters Wilson Danner Jackson (IL) Packard Udall (NM) Watkins Wise Abercrombie Diaz-Balart Johnson, E. B. Davis (FL) Jackson-Lee Pallone Upton Watt (NC) Wolf Aderholt Dickey Johnson, Sam Davis (IL) (TX) Pascrell Velazquez Watts (OK) Woolsey Allen Dicks Jones (NC) Davis (VA) Jefferson Pastor Vento Weldon (FL) Wu Andrews Dingell Jones (OH) Deal Jenkins Payne Visclosky Weldon (PA) Wynn Archer Dixon Kanjorski DeFazio John Pelosi Vitter Wexler Young (AK) Armey Doggett Kaptur DeGette Johnson (CT) Peterson (PA) Walden Weygand Young (FL) Baca Dooley Kasich Delahunt Johnson, E. B. Petri Bachus Doolittle Kelly DeLauro Johnson, Sam Phelps NAYS—13 Baird Doyle Kennedy DeLay Jones (NC) Pickering Campbell Paul Sensenbrenner Baker Dreier Kildee DeMint Jones (OH) Pickett Chenoweth-Hage Peterson (MN) Shadegg Baldacci Duncan Kilpatrick Deutsch Kanjorski Pitts Coble Royce Shays Baldwin Dunn Kind (WI) Diaz-Balart Kaptur Pombo Gutknecht Salmon Ballenger Edwards King (NY) Dickey Kasich Pomeroy Hostettler Sanford Barcia Ehlers Kingston Dicks Kelly Porter Barr Ehrlich Kleczka Dingell Kennedy Portman NOT VOTING—21 Barrett (NE) Emerson Klink Dixon Kildee Price (NC) Ackerman Forbes Nethercutt Barrett (WI) Engel Knollenberg Doggett Kilpatrick Pryce (OH) Archer Larson Pease Bartlett English Kolbe Dooley Kind (WI) Quinn Brady (TX) Martinez Rodriguez Barton Eshoo Kucinich Doolittle King (NY) Radanovich Brown (OH) McCarthy (NY) Stupak Bass Etheridge Kuykendall Doyle Kingston Rahall Capuano McCollum Waxman Bateman Evans LaFalce Dreier Kleczka Ramstad Cox McIntosh Weiner Becerra Everett LaHood Duncan Klink Rangel Cubin Napolitano Weller Bentsen Ewing Lampson Dunn Knollenberg Regula Bereuter Farr Lantos Edwards Kolbe Reyes b 1422 Berkley Fattah Largent Ehlers Kucinich Reynolds Berman Filner Latham Ehrlich Kuykendall Riley Messrs. CAMPBELL, GUTKNECHT, Berry Fletcher LaTourette Emerson LaFalce Rivers SALMON and SHAYS changed their Biggert Foley Lazio Bilbray Ford Leach Engel LaHood Roemer vote from ‘‘yea’’ to ‘‘nay.’’ Bilirakis Fossella Lee English Lampson Rogan Bishop Fowler Levin Eshoo Lantos Rogers Mr. EHLERS and Mr. BARR of Geor- Blagojevich Frank (MA) Lewis (CA) Etheridge Largent Rohrabacher gia changed their vote from ‘‘nay’’ to Bliley Franks (NJ) Lewis (GA) Evans Latham Ros-Lehtinen ‘‘yea.’’ Blumenauer Frelinghuysen Lewis (KY) Everett LaTourette Rothman So (two-thirds having voted in favor Blunt Frost Linder Ewing Lazio Roukema Boehlert Gallegly Lipinski Farr Leach Roybal-Allard thereof), the rules were suspended, and Boehner Ganske LoBiondo Fattah Lee Rush the bill, as amended, was passed. Bonilla Gejdenson Lofgren Filner Levin Ryan (WI) The result of the vote was announced Bonior Gekas Lowey Lewis (CA) Fletcher Ryun (KS) as above recorded. Bono Gephardt Lucas (KY) Foley Lewis (GA) Sabo A motion to reconsider was laid on Borski Gibbons Lucas (OK) Ford Lewis (KY) Sanchez Boswell Gilchrest Luther Fossella Linder Sanders the table. Boucher Gillmor Maloney (CT) Fowler Lipinski Sandlin Stated for: Boyd Gilman Maloney (NY) Frank (MA) LoBiondo Sawyer Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall Brady (PA) Gonzalez Manzullo Franks (NJ) Lofgren Saxton Brady (TX) Goode Markey Frelinghuysen Lowey Scarborough No. 217 I was, unavoidably detained in a con- Brown (FL) Goodlatte Mascara Frost Lucas (KY) Schaffer stituent meeting. Had I been present, I would Bryant Goodling Matsui Gallegly Lucas (OK) Schakowsky have voted ``yea.'' Burr Gordon McCarthy (MO) Ganske Luther Scott Burton Goss McCrery Gejdenson Maloney (CT) Serrano f Buyer Graham McDermott Gekas Maloney (NY) Sessions Callahan Granger McGovern Gephardt Manzullo Shaw ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER Calvert Green (TX) McHugh Gibbons Markey Sherman PRO TEMPORE Camp Green (WI) McInnis Gilchrest Mascara Sherwood Campbell Greenwood McIntyre Gillmor Matsui Shimkus The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Canady Gutierrez McKeon Gilman McCarthy (MO) Shows KUYKENDALL). Pursuant to clause 8 of Cannon Gutknecht McKinney Gonzalez McCrery Shuster Capps Hall (OH) McNulty Goode McDermott Simpson rule XX, the Chair announces that he Cardin Hall (TX) Meehan Goodlatte McGovern Sisisky will reduce to a minimum of 5 minutes Carson Hansen Meek (FL) Goodling McHugh Skeen the period of time within which a vote Castle Hastings (FL) Meeks (NY) Gordon McInnis Skelton Chabot Hastings (WA) Menendez Goss McIntyre Slaughter by electronic device will be taken on Chambliss Hayes Metcalf Graham McKeon Smith (MI) each additional motion to suspend the Chenoweth-Hage Hayworth Mica Granger McKinney Smith (NJ) rules on which the Chair has postponed Clay Hefley Millender- Green (TX) McNulty Smith (TX) further proceedings. Clayton Herger McDonald Green (WI) Meehan Smith (WA) Clement Hill (IN) Miller (FL) Greenwood Meek (FL) Snyder f Clyburn Hill (MT) Miller, Gary Gutierrez Meeks (NY) Souder Coble Hilleary Miller, George Hall (OH) Menendez Spence Coburn Hilliard Minge Hall (TX) Metcalf Spratt SENSE OF HOUSE REGARDING Collins Hinchey Mink Hansen Mica Stabenow RAISING OF UNITED STATES Combest Hinojosa Moakley Hastings (FL) Millender- Stark FLAG IN AMERICAN SAMOA Condit Hobson Mollohan Hastings (WA) McDonald Stearns Conyers Hoeffel Moore Hayes Miller (FL) Stenholm The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Cook Hoekstra Moran (KS) Hayworth Miller, Gary Strickland pending business is the question of sus- Cooksey Holden Moran (VA) Hefley Miller, George Stump pending the rules and agreeing to the Costello Holt Morella Herger Minge Sununu Cox Hooley Murtha Hill (IN) Mink Sweeney resolution, House Resolution 443, as Coyne Horn Myrick Hill (MT) Moakley Talent amended. Cramer Hostettler Nadler Hilleary Mollohan Tancredo The Clerk read the title of the resolu- Crane Houghton Napolitano Hilliard Moore Tanner Crowley Hoyer Neal Hinchey Moran (KS) Tauscher tion. Cummings Hulshof Ney Hinojosa Moran (VA) Tauzin The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Cunningham Hunter Northup Hobson Morella Taylor (MS) question is on the motion offered by Danner Hutchinson Norwood Hoeffel Murtha Taylor (NC) the gentleman from California (Mr. Davis (FL) Hyde Nussle Hoekstra Myrick Terry Davis (IL) Inslee Oberstar Holden Nadler Thomas DOOLITTLE) that the House suspend the Davis (VA) Isakson Obey Holt Neal Thompson (CA) rules and agree to the resolution, Deal Istook Olver Hooley Ney Thompson (MS) House Resolution 443, as amended, on DeFazio Jackson (IL) Ortiz Horn Northup Thornberry DeGette Jackson-Lee Ose Houghton Norwood Thune which the yeas and nays are ordered. Delahunt (TX) Owens Hoyer Nussle Thurman This will be a 5-minute vote. DeLauro Jefferson Oxley Hulshof Oberstar Tiahrt The vote was taken by electronic de- DeLay Jenkins Packard Hunter Obey Tierney vice, and there were—yeas 417, nays 0, DeMint John Pallone Hutchinson Olver Toomey Deutsch Johnson (CT) Pascrell Hyde Ortiz Towns not voting 17, as follows:

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00056 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A23MY7.075 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 May 23, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3583 Pastor Sawyer Taylor (NC) Barrett (NE) Eshoo Lampson Rivers Simpson Tierney Paul Saxton Terry Barrett (WI) Etheridge Lantos Roemer Sisisky Toomey Payne Scarborough Thomas Bartlett Evans Largent Rogan Skeen Towns Pelosi Schaffer Thompson (CA) Barton Everett Latham Rogers Skelton Traficant Peterson (MN) Schakowsky Thompson (MS) Bass Ewing LaTourette Rohrabacher Slaughter Turner Peterson (PA) Scott Thornberry Bateman Farr Lazio Ros-Lehtinen Smith (MI) Udall (CO) Petri Sensenbrenner Thune Becerra Fattah Leach Rothman Smith (NJ) Udall (NM) Phelps Serrano Thurman Bentsen Filner Lee Roukema Smith (TX) Upton Pickering Sessions Tiahrt Bereuter Fletcher Levin Roybal-Allard Smith (WA) Velazquez Pitts Shadegg Tierney Berkley Foley Lewis (CA) Royce Snyder Vento Pombo Shaw Toomey Berman Ford Lewis (GA) Rush Souder Visclosky Pomeroy Shays Towns Berry Fossella Lewis (KY) Ryan (WI) Spence Vitter Porter Sherman Traficant Biggert Fowler Linder Ryun (KS) Spratt Walden Portman Sherwood Turner Bilbray Frank (MA) Lipinski Sabo Stabenow Walsh Price (NC) Shimkus Udall (CO) Bilirakis Franks (NJ) LoBiondo Salmon Stark Wamp Pryce (OH) Shows Udall (NM) Bishop Frelinghuysen Lofgren Sanchez Stearns Waters Quinn Shuster Upton Blagojevich Frost Lowey Sanders Stenholm Watkins Radanovich Simpson Velazquez Bliley Gallegly Lucas (KY) Sandlin Strickland Watt (NC) Rahall Sisisky Vento Blumenauer Ganske Lucas (OK) Sanford Stump Watts (OK) Ramstad Skeen Visclosky Blunt Gejdenson Luther Sawyer Sununu Weldon (FL) Rangel Skelton Vitter Boehlert Gekas Maloney (CT) Saxton Sweeney Weldon (PA) Regula Slaughter Walden Boehner Gephardt Maloney (NY) Scarborough Talent Weller Reyes Smith (MI) Walsh Bonilla Gibbons Manzullo Schaffer Tancredo Wexler Reynolds Smith (NJ) Wamp Bonior Gilchrest Markey Schakowsky Tanner Weygand Riley Smith (TX) Waters Bono Gillmor Mascara Scott Tauscher Whitfield Rivers Smith (WA) Watkins Borski Gilman Matsui Sensenbrenner Tauzin Wicker Roemer Snyder Watt (NC) Boswell Gonzalez McCarthy (MO) Serrano Taylor (MS) Wilson Rogan Souder Watts (OK) Boucher Goode McCrery Sessions Taylor (NC) Wise Rogers Spence Weldon (FL) Boyd Goodlatte McDermott Shadegg Terry Wolf Rohrabacher Spratt Weldon (PA) Brady (PA) Goodling McGovern Shaw Thomas Woolsey Ros-Lehtinen Stabenow Weller Brady (TX) Gordon McHugh Shays Thompson (CA) Wu Rothman Stark Wexler Sherman Thompson (MS) Wynn Brown (FL) Goss McInnis Roukema Stearns Weygand Sherwood Thornberry Young (AK) Bryant Graham McIntyre Roybal-Allard Stenholm Whitfield Shimkus Thune Young (FL) Burr Granger McKeon Royce Strickland Wicker Shows Thurman Burton Green (WI) McKinney Rush Stump Wilson Shuster Tiahrt Buyer Greenwood McNulty Ryan (WI) Sununu Wise Callahan Gutierrez Meehan Ryun (KS) Sweeney Wolf NAYS—1 Calvert Gutknecht Meek (FL) Sabo Talent Woolsey Camp Hall (OH) Meeks (NY) Paul Salmon Tancredo Wu Campbell Hall (TX) Menendez Sanchez Tanner Wynn NOT VOTING—17 Canady Hansen Metcalf Sanders Tauscher Young (AK) Cannon Hastings (FL) Mica Ackerman Larson Pryce (OH) Sandlin Tauzin Young (FL) Brown (OH) Martinez Rodriguez Sanford Taylor (MS) Capps Hastings (WA) Millender- Cardin Hayes McDonald Capuano McCarthy (NY) Stupak NOT VOTING—17 Carson Hayworth Miller (FL) Cubin McCollum Waxman Castle Hefley Miller, Gary Forbes McIntosh Weiner Ackerman Martinez Pickett Chabot Herger Miller, George Green (TX) Pease Brown (OH) McCarthy (NY) Rodriguez Chambliss Hill (IN) Minge Capuano McCollum Stupak b 1440 Chenoweth-Hage Hill (MT) Mink Cubin McIntosh Waxman Clay Hilleary Moakley Forbes Nethercutt Weiner So (two-thirds having voted in favor Clayton Hilliard Mollohan Larson Pease thereof) the rules were suspended and Clement Hinchey Moore the bill, as amended, was passed. b Clyburn Hinojosa Moran (KS) 1431 Coble Hobson Moran (VA) The result of the vote was announced So (two-thirds having voted in favor Coburn Hoeffel Morella as above recorded. Collins Hoekstra Murtha thereof) the rules were suspended and Combest Holden Myrick The title of the bill was amended so the resolution, as amended, was agreed Condit Holt Nadler as to read: To authorize a gold medal to. Conyers Hooley Napolitano to be presented on behalf of the Con- The result of the vote was announced Cook Horn Neal gress to Pope John Paul II in recogni- Cooksey Hostettler Nethercutt as above recorded. Costello Houghton Ney tion of his many and enduring con- A motion to reconsider was laid on Cox Hoyer Northup tributions to peace and religious under- the table. Coyne Hulshof Norwood standing, and for other purposes. Cramer Hunter Nussle A motion to reconsider was laid on f Crane Hutchinson Oberstar Crowley Hyde Obey the table. POPE JOHN PAUL II CONGRES- Cummings Inslee Olver f Cunningham Isakson Ortiz SIONAL GOLD MEDAL ACT Danner Istook Ose AUTHORIZING THE CLERK TO The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Davis (FL) Jackson (IL) Owens Davis (IL) Jackson-Lee Oxley MAKE CORRECTIONS IN EN- KUYKENDALL). The pending business is Davis (VA) (TX) Packard GROSSMENT OF H.R. 297, LEWIS the question of suspending the rules Deal Jefferson Pallone AND CLARK RURAL WATER SYS- and passing the bill, H.R. 3544, as DeFazio Jenkins Pascrell TEM ACT OF 2000 amended. DeGette John Pastor Delahunt Johnson (CT) Payne Mr. DOOLITTLE. Mr. Speaker, I ask The Clerk read the title of the bill. DeLauro Johnson, E. B. Pelosi unanimous consent that in the engross- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The DeLay Johnson, Sam Peterson (MN) ment of the bill, H.R. 297, the Clerk be question is on the motion offered by DeMint Jones (NC) Peterson (PA) Deutsch Jones (OH) Petri authorized to make technical correc- the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. LEACH) Diaz-Balart Kanjorski Phelps tions and conforming changes to the that the House suspend the rules and Dickey Kaptur Pickering bill, specifically on page 10, line 17, the pass the bill, H.R. 3544, as amended, on Dicks Kasich Pickett contract number should read, ‘‘14–06– which the yeas and nays are ordered. Dingell Kelly Pitts Dixon Kennedy Pombo 200–949IR3.’’ This will be a 5-minute vote. Doggett Kildee Pomeroy The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there The vote was taken by electronic de- Dooley Kilpatrick Porter objection to the request of the gen- vice, and there were—yeas 416, nays 1, Doolittle Kind (WI) Portman Doyle King (NY) Price (NC) tleman from California? not voting 17, as follows: Dreier Kingston Quinn There was no objection. [Roll No. 219] Duncan Kleczka Radanovich Dunn Klink Rahall f YEAS—416 Edwards Knollenberg Ramstad Abercrombie Armey Baldacci Ehlers Kolbe Rangel ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER Aderholt Baca Baldwin Ehrlich Kucinich Regula PRO TEMPORE Allen Bachus Ballenger Emerson Kuykendall Reyes Andrews Baird Barcia Engel LaFalce Reynolds The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Archer Baker Barr English LaHood Riley ant to the provisions of clause 8 of rule

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00057 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A23MY7.076 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 H3584 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 23, 2000 XX, the Chair announces that he will to defibrillators, combined with appropriate ‘‘(e) DEFINITIONS.—For purposes of this sec- postpone further proceedings today on training, maintenance, and coordination tion: each motion to suspend the rules on with local emergency medical systems, have ‘‘(1) The term ‘automated external dramatically improved the survival rates defibrillator device’ has the meaning given which a recorded vote or the yeas and from cardiac arrest. such term in section 248. nays are ordered, or which the vote is (8) Automated external defibrillator de- ‘‘(2) The term ‘Federal building’ includes a objected to under clause 6 of rule XX. vices have been demonstrated to be safe and building or portion of a building leased or Any record votes on all postponed effective, even when used by lay people, rented by a Federal agency, and includes questions will be taken after debate since the devices are designed not to allow a buildings on military installations of the has concluded on the remaining two user to administer a shock until after the de- United States.’’. motions to suspend the rules. vice has analyzed a victim’s heart rhythm SEC. 4. GOOD SAMARITAN PROTECTIONS RE- and determined that an electric shock is re- GARDING EMERGENCY USE OF f quired. AUTOMATED EXTERNAL PERSONAL EXPLANATION (9) Increasing public awareness regarding DEFIBRILLATORS. automated external defibrillator devices and Part B of title II of the Public Health Serv- Mr. WATKINS. Mr. Speaker, due to encouraging their use in Federal buildings ice Act, as amended by section 3 of this Act, an airplane mechanical problem, I was will greatly facilitate their adoption. is amended by adding at the end the fol- delayed in my arrival back to Wash- (10) Limiting the liability of Good Samari- lowing section: ington yesterday afternoon from my tans and acquirers of automated external ‘‘LIABILITY REGARDING EMERGENCY USE OF district and I was unable to record my defibrillator devices in emergency situations AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATORS votes on rollcall votes 211, 212 and 213. may encourage the use of automated exter- ‘‘SEC. 248. (a) GOOD SAMARITAN PROTEC- Had I been present on those votes I nal defibrillator devices, and result in saved TIONS REGARDING AEDS.—Except as provided lives. in subsection (b), any person who uses or at- would have voted aye on those three SEC. 3. RECOMMENDATIONS AND GUIDELINES OF tempts to use an automated external votes. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND defibrillator device on a victim of a per- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there HUMAN SERVICES REGARDING ceived medical emergency is immune from objection to the request of the gen- AUTOMATED EXTERNAL civil liability for any harm resulting from tleman from Oklahoma? DEFIBRILLATORS FOR FEDERAL the use or attempted use of such device; and BUILDINGS. in addition, any person who acquired the de- There was no objection. Part B of title II of the Public Health Serv- f vice is immune from such liability, if the ice Act (42 U.S.C. 238 et seq.) is amended by harm was not due to the failure of such CARDIAC ARREST SURVIVAL ACT adding at the end the following section: acquirer of the device— OF 2000 ‘‘RECOMMENDATIONS AND GUIDELINES REGARD- ‘‘(1) to notify local emergency response ING AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATORS personnel or other appropriate entities of the Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, I move FOR FEDERAL BUILDINGS most recent placement of the device within a to suspend the rules and pass the bill ‘‘SEC. 247. (a) GUIDELINES ON PLACEMENT.— reasonable period of time after the device (H.R. 2498) to amend the Public Health The Secretary shall establish guidelines with was placed; Service Act to provide for rec- respect to placing automated external ‘‘(2) to properly maintain and test the de- ommendations of the Secretary of defibrillator devices in Federal buildings. vice; or Such guidelines shall take into account the ‘‘(3) to provide appropriate training in the Health and Human Services regarding extent to which such devices may be used by the placement of automatic external use of the device to an employee or agent of lay persons, the typical number of employees the acquirer when the employee or agent was defibrillators in Federal buildings in and visitors in the buildings, the extent of the person who used the device on the vic- order to improve survival rates of indi- the need for security measures regarding the tim, except that such requirement of train- viduals who experience cardiac arrest buildings, buildings or portions of buildings ing does not apply if— in such buildings, and to establish pro- in which there are special circumstances ‘‘(A) the employee or agent was not an em- tections from civil liability arising such as high electrical voltage or extreme ployee or agent who would have been reason- heat or cold, and such other factors as the from the emergency use of the devices, ably expected to use the device; or Secretary determines to be appropriate. ‘‘(B) the period of time elapsing between as amended. ‘‘(b) RELATED RECOMMENDATIONS.—The the engagement of the person as an employee The Clerk read as follows: Secretary shall publish in the Federal Reg- or agent and the occurrence of the harm (or H.R. 2498 ister the recommendations of the Secretary between the acquisition of the device and the Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- on the appropriate implementation of the placement of automated external occurrence of the harm, in any case in which resentatives of the United States of America in the device was acquired after such engage- Congress assembled, defibrillator devices under subsection (a), in- cluding procedures for the following: ment of the person) was not a reasonably SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. ‘‘(1) Implementing appropriate training sufficient period in which to provide the This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Cardiac Ar- courses in the use of such devices, including training. rest Survival Act of 2000’’. the role of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. ‘‘(b) INAPPLICABILITY OF IMMUNITY.—Immu- SEC. 2. FINDINGS. ‘‘(2) Proper maintenance and testing of the nity under subsection (a) does not apply to a The Congress finds as follows: devices. person if— (1) Over 700 lives are lost every day to sud- ‘‘(3) Ensuring coordination with appro- ‘‘(1) the harm involved was caused by will- den cardiac arrest in the United States priate licensed professionals in the oversight ful or criminal misconduct, gross negligence, alone. of training of the devices. reckless misconduct, or a conscious, flagrant (2) Two out of every three sudden cardiac ‘‘(4) Ensuring coordination with local indifference to the rights or safety of the vic- deaths occur before a victim can reach a hos- emergency medical systems regarding the tim who was harmed; or pital. placement and incidents of use of the de- ‘‘(2) the person is a licensed or certified (3) More than 95 percent of these cardiac vices. health professional who used the automated arrest victims will die, many because of lack ‘‘(c) CONSULTATIONS; CONSIDERATION OF external defibrillator device while acting of readily available life saving medical CERTAIN RECOMMENDATIONS.—In carrying out within the scope of the license or certifi- equipment. this section, the Secretary shall— cation of the professional and within the (4) With current medical technology, up to ‘‘(1) consult with appropriate public and scope of the employment or agency of the 30 percent of cardiac arrest victims could be private entities; professional; or saved if victims had access to immediate ‘‘(2) consider the recommendations of na- ‘‘(3) the person is a hospital, clinic, or medical response, including defibrillation tional and local public-health organizations other entity whose purpose is providing and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. for improving the survival rates of individ- health care directly to patients, and the (5) Once a victim has suffered a cardiac ar- uals who experience cardiac arrest in non- harm was caused by an employee or agent of rest, every minute that passes before return- hospital settings by minimizing the time the entity who used the device while acting ing the heart to a normal rhythm decreases elapsing between the onset of cardiac arrest within the scope of the employment or agen- the chance of survival by 10 percent. and the initial medical response, including cy of the employee or agent; or (6) Most cardiac arrests are caused by ab- defibrillation as necessary; and ‘‘(4) the person is an acquirer of the device normal heart rhythms called ventricular fi- ‘‘(3) consult with and counsel other Federal who leased the device to a health care entity brillation. Ventricular fibrillation occurs agencies where such devices are to be used. (or who otherwise provided the device to when the heart’s electrical system malfunc- ‘‘(d) DATE CERTAIN FOR ESTABLISHING such entity for compensation without selling tions, causing a chaotic rhythm that pre- GUIDELINES AND RECOMMENDATIONS.—The the device to the entity), and the harm was vents the heart from pumping oxygen to the Secretary shall comply with this section not caused by an employee or agent of the entity victim’s brain and body. later than 180 days after the date of the en- who used the device while acting within the (7) Communities that have implemented actment of the Cardiac Arrest Survival Act scope of the employment or agency of the programs ensuring widespread public access of 2000. employee or agent.

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00058 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.107 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 May 23, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3585 ‘‘(c) RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.— lated to employment, medical expense loss, My colleagues, automated external ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The following applies replacement services loss, loss due to death, defibrillators, or AEDs, are small, port- with respect to this section: burial costs, and loss of business or employ- able medical devices regulated by the ‘‘(A) This section does not establish any ment opportunities) to the extent recovery Food and Drug Administration, that cause of action, or require that an auto- for such loss is allowed under applicable mated external defibrillator device be placed State law. can measure a victim’s heart rate, de- at any building or other location. ‘‘(iii) The term ‘noneconomic losses’ means termine whether the victim is suffering ‘‘(B) With respect to a class of persons for losses for physical and emotional pain, suf- from ventricular fibrillation and if an which this section provides immunity from fering, inconvenience, physical impairment, electric shock is necessary, and can civil liability, this section supersedes the mental anguish, disfigurement, loss of enjoy- even instruct the layperson whether law of a State only to the extent that the ment of life, loss of society and companion- and when to shock the victim and when State has no statute or regulations that pro- ship, loss of consortium (other than loss of to perform CPR. vide persons in such class with immunity for domestic service), hedonic damages, injury I have a chart here called ‘‘The Chain civil liability arising from the use by such to reputation and all other nonpecuniary of Survival.’’ Clearly, my colleagues persons of automated external defibrillator losses of any kind or nature.’’. devices in emergency situations (within the can see from the chain of survival the meaning of the State law or regulation in- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- four links are early access to emer- volved). ant to the rule, the gentleman from gency care, early cardiopulmonary re- ‘‘(C) This section does not waive any pro- Florida (Mr. STEARNS) and the gentle- suscitation, early defibrillation, and tection from liability for Federal officers or woman from California (Mrs. CAPPS) early advanced life supports. employees under— each will control 20 minutes. While defibrillation is the most effec- ‘‘(i) section 224; or The Chair recognizes the gentleman tive mechanism to revive a heart that ‘‘(ii) sections 1346(b), 2672, and 2679 of title from Florida (Mr. STEARNS). has stopped, it is also the least 28, United States Code, or under alternative benefits provided by the United States where GENERAL LEAVE accessed tool we have available to the availability of such benefits precludes a Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, I ask treat victims suffering from heart fail- remedy under section 1346(b) of title 28. unanimous consent that all Members ure. ‘‘(2) CIVIL ACTIONS UNDER FEDERAL LAW.— may have 5 legislative days within My colleagues, these devices are very ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The applicability of sub- which to revise and extend their re- safe, effective, and they do not allow a sections (a) and (b) includes applicability to marks and insert extraneous material shock to be administered until after any action for civil liability described in the device has measured the victim’s subsection (a) that arises under Federal law. on H.R. 2498. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there heart and determined whether a shock ‘‘(B) FEDERAL AREAS ADOPTING STATE is required. LAW.—If a geographic area is under Federal objection to the request of the gen- Earlier this month, the Sub- jurisdiction and is located within a State but tleman from Florida? out of the jurisdiction of the State, and if, There was no objection. committee on Health and Environment held a very moving hearing on H.R. pursuant to Federal law, the law of the State Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2498, and many of my colleagues said it applies in such area regarding matters for myself such time as I may consume. which there is no applicable Federal law, was the best hearing they have ever then an action for civil liability described in b 1445 seen. We heard from Dr. Richard Hard- subsection (a) that in such area arises under man, who helped design and implement the law of the State is subject to subsections Mr. Speaker, between 200,000 to 300,000 American lives are lost every an AED program in Las Vegas. Dr. (a) through (c) in lieu of any related State Hardman helped train over 6,500 secu- law that would apply in such area in the ab- year to sudden cardiac arrest in the sence of this subparagraph. United States. It is estimated that over rity officers to achieve an average in- ‘‘(d) FEDERAL JURISDICTION.—In any civil 30 percent of these victims could be ternal emergency medical response action arising under State law, the courts of saved if they had access to immediate time of less than 3 minutes. the State involved have jurisdiction to apply medical response, including With over 200 sudden cardiac arrests the provisions of this section exclusive of the occurring in covered locations in this jurisdiction of the courts of the United defibrillation. A large number of sudden cardiac ar- region of Las Vegas, this AED program States. was able to save an astounding 57 per- ‘‘(e) DEFINITIONS.— rests are due to an electrical malfunc- cent of the victims. ‘‘(1) PERCEIVED MEDICAL EMERGENCY.—For tion of the heart called ventricular fi- Dr. Hardman showed the sub- purposes of this section, the term ‘perceived brillation, VF. Now, when VF occurs, medical emergency’ means circumstances in committee a videotape of an actual the heart’s electrical signals, which cardiac arrest victim, who was treated which the behavior of an individual leads a normally induce a coordinated heart- reasonable person to believe that the indi- with an AED device from lay bystand- vidual is experiencing a life-threatening beat, suddenly become chaotic, and the ers in the casino and was successfully medical condition that requires an imme- heart’s function as a pump abruptly shocked back to life within minutes. diate medical response regarding the heart stops. Unless this state is reversed, This could happen to any one of us. or other cardiopulmonary functioning of the then death will occur within a few min- For example, we heard moving testi- individual. utes. The only effective treatment for mony from Robert Adams, a 42-year- ‘‘(2) OTHER DEFINITIONS.—For purposes of this condition is defibrillation, the this section: old attorney, younger than many of us, electrical shock to the heart. an NCAA referee, an outstanding col- ‘‘(A) The term ‘automated external For the last several years, I have defibrillator device’ means a defibrillator de- lege athlete, captain of his basketball vice that— been working closely with the Amer- team, in the prime of health, who had ‘‘(i) is commercially distributed in accord- ican Heart Association, the American recently passed several extensive phys- ance with the Federal Food, Drug, and Cos- Red Cross, and local emergency med- ical exams with flying colors; and yet metic Act; ical systems to develop bipartisan con- he, too, suffered a sudden cardiac ar- ‘‘(ii) is capable of recognizing the presence gressional legislation to encourage the rest on the July 3rd weekend in Grand or absence of ventricular fibrillation, and is widespread use of automated external Central Station in New York City. capable of determining without intervention defibrillator devices to help save our By the grace of God, fortunately, the by the user of the device whether lives. We have been successful, and defibrillation should be performed; station had just received delivery of an ‘‘(iii) upon determining that defibrillation that is why we are here on the House AED the day before. A couple of nearby should be performed, is able to deliver an floor today. construction workers saw Mr. Adams electrical shock to an individual; and I want to thank the chairman of the fall to the ground, they grabbed the ‘‘(iv) in the case of a defibrillator device Subcommittee on Health, the gen- AED which was still in its packaging, that may be operated in either an automated tleman from Florida (Mr. BILIRAKIS), still in the box, and they hoped and or a manual mode, is set to operate in the for his efforts, his coordination and his prayed that batteries were part and automated mode. support and encouragement. I also parcel of that box. They hoped they ‘‘(B)(i) The term ‘harm’ includes physical, want to thank the chairman of the sub- nonphysical, economic, and noneconomic were installed and charged and ready losses. committee, the gentleman from Vir- to go. Indeed, they were and they ‘‘(ii) The term ‘economic loss’ means any ginia (Mr. BLILEY), for his support in shocked Mr. Adams back to life. pecuniary loss resulting from harm (includ- bringing this forward through the com- Mr. Adams has three children, the ing the loss of earnings or other benefits re- mittee. youngest of whom was only 1 year old

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00059 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A23MY7.084 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 H3586 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 23, 2000 at the time. Those children would not for Respiratory Care, the International This moving story is a sure indication have their father today had Grand Cen- Association of Fire Chiefs, and many, of the lifesaving capabilities that this tral Station not procured this AED and many more. bill will unleash. been willing to publicly install an AED Even President Clinton talked about Currently, I serve as the cochair of device and, of course, that the unre- it last week in his radio address and the Heart and Stroke Coalition in the lated bystanders been willing to use it promoted the use of defibrillators and House, so I have a special interest in to save his life. talked about this bill. I commend the the area of heart disease. Working Let me move to this other chart, President for recognizing and bringing closely with the American Heart Asso- ‘‘Every Minute Counts.’’ This is a very it to the public’s attention through his ciation, the American Red Cross, this important chart. We can see that for presidency. coalition is a bipartisan and bicameral every minute that goes by, we can see This helps saves the lives of almost group which is concerned with height- the effects that it will have on a person 250,000 Americans who annually are af- ening awareness of heart attack, who suffers from ventricular fibrilla- fected with sudden cardiac arrest. So I stroke, and other cardiovascular tion; and surely, surely, if we can save hope my colleagues will support and diseases. this many lives with just having this pass the Cardiac Arrest Survival Act of Additionally, the coalition works to very small inconspicuous device, this 2000. promote research opportunities in the bill will promote and save lives. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of area of heart disease and stroke and Do my colleagues know that for my time. acts as a greater resource on key every minute of delay in returning the Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I yield issues, such as public access to auto- heart to its normal pattern of beating, myself such time as I may consume. matic external defibrillators. it decreases the chances of that per- I rise today in strong support of a The American Heart Association es- son’s survival by 10 percent? lifesaving piece of legislation, the Car- timates that, with increased access to Unfortunately, according to the tes- diac Arrest Survival Act. I would like AEDs, up to 50,000 lives could be saved timony of Dr. Hardman and AED legal to commend the gentleman from Flor- each year. That is reason enough for us expert Richard Lazar, AEDs are not ida (Mr. STEARNS) for introducing this to pass this legislation. being widely employed because of the legislation, for working hard to ensure So I urge my colleagues to support perception, the simple perception that it would receive a full hearing in H.R. 2498, the Cardiac Arrest Survival among us that would-be purchasers and the committee level. Act. users of AED would get sued. I want also to commend the gen- Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of This is a lot like the debate with the tleman from Michigan (Mr. DINGELL), my time. fire extinguishers 100 years ago; but the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. BROWN), Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 our bill, H.R. 2498 removes a barrier to the gentleman from Virginia (Chair- minutes to the gentlewoman from adopting AED programs. If a Good Sa- man BLILEY), the gentleman from Flor- Maryland (Mrs. MORELLA). maritan, like someone in the Bible, or ida (Mr. BILIRAKIS), my colleagues on Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, I a building owner or a renter of the the Committee on Commerce, for mov- thank the gentleman for yielding the building acts in good faith and he or ing it through our committee struc- time to me, and I rise today to urge she uses the AED to save someone’s ture. support for H.R. 2498, the Cardiac Ar- life, this bill will protect them from The Cardiac Arrest Survival Act does rest Survival Act. unfair lawsuits. two key things. First, it instructs the I certainly want to commend him for We may not want to force people to Secretary of Health and Human Serv- his leadership and sponsorship of this provide medical care to someone hav- ices to make recommendations to pro- resolution which is so important to all ing a heart attack; but, my colleagues, mote public access to defibrillation of us in this country. I also want to if they are willing to do so, we should programs in Federal buildings and commend the gentlewoman from Cali- not put them at risk of being sued for other public buildings across the coun- fornia (Mrs. CAPPS) for her constant at- unlimited damages if something goes try. These recommendations would en- tention to health issues, and this is in- wrong. sure the health and safety of all Ameri- deed a situation of public health. This legislation directs the Secretary cans by encouraging ready access to This legislation that the gentleman of Health and Human Services to de- the tools needed to improve cardiac ar- from Florida (Mr. STEARNS) has intro- velop guidelines for the placement of rest survival rates. duced places automatic external defibrillators in Federal buildings. It is Second, this act extends Good Sa- defibrillators, AEDs as they call them inexcusable that we do not have these maritan protections to Automatic Ex- in the acronym, in Federal agencies. It live-saving devices widely available in ternal Defibrillator users and the would help with public access. What it Federal buildings across the United acquirers of the devices in those States does is it establishes the Federal Gov- States. who do not currently have AED Good ernment as a role model. Guidelines We need, Mr. Speaker, to be a role Samaritan protections. This protection will be established, in the hopes that model for the private sector by dem- will help encourage lay persons to re- the private sector will also follow and onstrating our commitment to pro- spond in a cardiac emergency by using State governments will follow. tecting the lives of Federal employees, the external defibrillation device. Public access to AEDs, in the words military personnel, and private citizens These devices, AEDs, are small, easy of Dr. Tom Aufderheide, an associate who are visiting our museums, our pub- to use and laptop size. They can ana- professor of emergency medicine at the lic buildings throughout the United lyze the heart rhythms of a person in Medical College of Wisconsin, Mil- States, including Social Security of- cardiac arrest to determine if a shock waukee, represents potentially the sin- fices and, of course, parks and recre- is necessary; and when it is necessary, gle greatest advance in the treatment ation areas. they will automatically deliver a life- of cardiac arrest since the development H.R. 2498 does not impose any new saving shock to the heart. of CPR. regulation or obligations on the pri- Every minute that passes before a b vate sector. It does not preempt State cardiac arrest victim’s heart is 1500 law where the State has provided im- defibrillated or shocked back into Approximately 350,000 Americans die munity for the person being sued. rhythm, every minute that passes, his annually from sudden cardiac death. If Almost 150 bipartisan Members have or her chance of survival decreases by we can make the use of AEDs more now cosponsored this bill. This legisla- as much as 10 percent. As a result, less widespread, that tremendously high tion passed in both the subcommittee than 5 percent of out-of-hospital car- loss of life will indeed diminish. and full committee by unanimous voice diac arrest victims will even survive. More and more people are taking vote. We have received letters of sup- Recently, I was very fortunate to courses to familiarize themselves with port by the National Safe Kid Cam- hear the testimony of Mr. Robert both CPR and the use of an AED. In ad- paign, the National Fire Protection As- Adams, describing how his life was dition, the machine is not difficult to sociation, the American Academy of saved in Grand Central Station in New use. It automatically analyzes heart Pediatrics, the American Association York City by a publicly available AED. rhythm and decides whether to shock.

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00060 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.111 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 May 23, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3587 It also gives verbal prompts at each Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I yield also includes a critically important step, and it even has pictures on the myself the balance of my time, and I provision to ensure that any person pads to show where to attach them to want to remind and encourage all of who uses these devices is provided lim- the chest. our colleagues to support this life- ited immunity from civil liability. I want to share with my colleagues saving piece of legislation, the Cardiac Automatic External Defibrillators one story that appeared in the Amer- Arrest Survival Act. By setting the ex- (AEDs) have been found to save lives ican Medical News that conveys the ample through authorizing the use of and reduce health care costs. Accord- importance of this legislation. On Au- automatic defibrillators in public ing to the American Heart Association, gust 20 of last year, a Ms. Sherry buildings, in Federal buildings, we will in cities where Emergency Medical Caffrey was on the phone at Chicago’s do our part in saving additional lives. Systems (EMS) response is rapid, the Midway Airport when a man nearby We will also be setting a great example survival rate increased from 9 percent fell to the ground. Fortunately, an for this country in the way we want to to 30 when AEDs were available to first AED was mounted on the wall near her move forward. responders. Yet only 30 percent of EMS and she administered a single elec- Again, I commend my colleague for have AEDs to treat heart attack vic- trical shock to his heart which saved bringing forward the bill and urge its tims. This legislation would ensure his life. And this is not an isolated epi- passage. that AEDs are more widely available. sode. Since this incident last year, Mr. Speaker, I have no further re- Recently, many airlines have started there has been at least one save almost quests for time, and I yield back the to keep AEDs for their crews to assist weekly at Chicago’s Midway Airport balance of my time. passengers and they have been proven using one of the 42 defibrillators which Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to save lives. This legislation would are placed throughout the airport. myself the balance of my time, and I build upon this trend by providing By increasing training and the avail- want to thank the gentlewoman from AEDs in all federal buildings where ability of these life-saving devices, we California (Mrs. CAPPS) for her support many Americans work and visit. AEDs can dramatically reduce the number of and the support of my colleagues in the are easy to use and do not require ad- individuals who die each year from car- Committee on Commerce. vanced training to operate. In fact, diac arrest. This legislation makes I would just conclude by telling a they automatically calculate whether that goal more attainable. I strongly quick story of a good and close friend it would be appropriate to treat an in- urge my colleagues to support H.R. of mine. He and his wife are a member dividual or not and then determine 2498, Mr. Speaker. of our church, and they have four chil- what is the appropriate level of treat- Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 dren. He was in his early 60s and he ment to use. They are also much less minutes to the gentlewoman from Indi- went to the golf course. As my col- cumbersome than in the past. The lat- ana (Ms. CARSON). leagues know, in Florida there are lots est models of AEDs weigh less than 10 Ms. CARSON. Mr. Speaker, I thank of golf courses; and people are there all pounds, an amount that most individ- the gentlewoman from California for the time. It was in the morning, and he uals can carry and maneuver without yielding me this time, and I express my was playing golf when suddenly he had much effort. appreciation for those responsible for a cardiac arrest. Unfortunately, there This measure also provides immunity bringing into fruition and to the House was not an automated external from civil liability for those who pro- today the Cardiac Survival Act of 1999. defibrillator there. He died. And I felt I would like to indicate in my re- vide emergency medical assistance to marks that heart disease, of course, is it was very sad for he and his family, heart attack victims through the use the leading cause of death among and that made the commitment on my of an AED. These ‘‘Good Samaritans’’ women in this country, and anything part and the people who supported this would not be liable to any ‘‘personal we can do as a body politic to allay fu- bill even stronger to get this through injury or wrongful death’’ that might ture problems with health and heart the House. result from providing care for a heart Of course, after it is approved by the attacks among women that take them attack victim. With this protection, I out, we need to do that. Senate it will then go to the President believe more Americans will be willing Each year more than 250,000 adults to be signed. So I think it is a great to help each other in their time of suffer cardiac arrest, and more than 95 day for all the organizations that have need. This bill also exempts any person percent of them die. The Cardiac Sur- supported us, been with us for these who maintains, tests, or provides train- vival Act of 1999 increases access to many, many years as we have garnered ing in the use of these devices. In order defibrillators in public buildings, and support and attempted to convince our to protect heart attack victims, the certainly it will save lives. Every colleagues that, one, the good Samari- immunity granted in this bill does not minute that passes before returning tan clause was innocuous, that there apply to any person who engages in the heart to a normal rhythm after a was nothing to worry about; that much gross negligence, willful, or wanton cardiac arrest causes the chance of sur- like fire extinguishers the day has misconduct. vival to fall by 10 percent. That is for come for automated external This legislation is an important part every minute. defibrillators. We need to have these of our effort to educate more Ameri- It is clear that in cases of cardiac ar- not only in the public Federal build- cans about the need to treat and help rest, time is of essence. For instance, ings but all the local buildings. And, of heart attack victims. In 1997, heart at- in my hometown of Indianapolis, Indi- course, hopefully, some day they will tacks are the single leading cause of ana, I remember hearing about a very be just as apparent and obvious as fire death in America. Today, one in five frightening incident of a middle-aged extinguishers, and they will save at deaths are related to heart attacks and man who was in full cardiac arrest least 50,000 lives every year. more than 450,000 Americans died of while jogging at the National Institute And remember, 50,000 lives is an enor- heart attack in 1997. Clearly we must For Fitness and Sports, where I am mous amount of savings of health care do more to prevent and treat these also a member. Thanks to the quick costs. So just this small little device heart attack victims so that there will and heroic efforts of the staff at NIFS, that automatically tells someone what be better outcomes. this legislation is a who had access to a defibrillator, were to do, is very safe, and for which the good first step in meeting this chal- trained in its operation, the man’s life cost is coming down, could save any lenge. was saved. one of our lives in this House today. So I urge my colleagues to support this Mr. Speaker, we have seen to it that I urge my colleagues’ support. legislation. we have these devices here for our safe- Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, as a co- Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support ty and for the safety of those who visit sponsor of this bill, I rise in strong sup- of H.R. 2498, the Cardiac Arrest Survival Act here. It is fitting that we act to extend port of the Cardiac Arrest Survival of 2000, which was reported by voice vote by this benefit to more Americans in Act, HR 2498. This legislation ensures the Committee on Commerce. I want to take every place that we possibly can. I am that Automatic External Defibrillators this opportunity to commend the Chairman of pleased to support this legislation, Mr. will be placed in federal buildings to the Subcommittee, Mr. BILIRAKIS, the Chair- Speaker, because it increases access to assist heart-attack victims within 90 man of the full Committee, Mr. BLILEY, and the vital lifesaving technologies. days of enactment. This legislation author of the bill, Mr. STEARNS, for their work

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00061 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.113 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 H3588 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 23, 2000 in bringing this legislation to the floor. This leg- proper personnel in the use of the AED, noti- H.R. 2498 directs the Secretary of Health islation has 130 cosponsors, including 13 fying local emergency medical services of the and Human Services to issue regulations to Democratic members of the Committee on placement of AEDs, and ensuring proper med- provide for the placement of AEDs in federal Commerce. It is also supported by the Amer- ical oversight and proper maintenance of the buildings. The bill also establishes protections ican Red Cross, the American Heart Associa- device. Furthermore, this bill seeks to fill in from civil liability arising from the emergency tion, and the Administration. this gaps with respect to States that have not use of the devices. Mr. Speaker, testimony before the Com- acted on AED legislation by extending good During committee consideration of the bill, it mittee showed that returning the heart to its samaritan liability protection to people involved was amended to give the Secretary of Health normal rhythm quickly is the single most im- in the use of the AED. and Human Services greater flexibility to up- portant thing needed to improve the chance of I commend Representative CLIFF STEARNS date the guidelines over time and greater survival from cardiac arrest. In Las Vegas, for introducing this life-saving piece of legisla- guidance as to what types of assistance and where automated electronic defibrillators have tion. And I urge all my colleagues to vote in involvement Congress intends. The amend- been placed in casinos and casino employees support of the Cardiac Arrest Survival Act, ments also clarified the liability provisions and have been trained in their use, the out-of-hos- which could save up to 50,000 lives each year incorporated standards for AED use and train- pital survival rate from cardiac arrest has in- by increasing access to Automated External ing. creased dramatically. Prior to the widespread Defibrillators. The bill before us enjoys the strong support deployment of these devices, the cardiac ar- I also want to take the opportunity to recog- of the American Red Cross and the American rest survival rate in Las Vegas was only 10 nize a very special group of high school stu- Heart Association, as well as many Members percent; it is now 57 percent. dents from my district who have been working on both sides of the aisle. It is rare that a so- Defibrillation clearly saves lives. The pur- feverishly in support of H.R. 2498. The 341 lution to a problem so readily presents itself. pose of H.R. 2498, therefore, is to encourage members of the Distributive Education Clubs We must seize this opportunity to reduce the Federal agencies to install automated external of America (DECA) Chapter at Robinson Sec- number of lives tragically lost to cardiac arrest. defibrillators in their buildings and to give so- ondary School launched a dual campaign last I urge all Members to join me today in sup- called ``Good Samaritan'' protections from li- fall to not only work towards the successful porting this important legislation. ability for people who use or acquire these de- passage of H.R. 2498, but to also educate the Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, I have vices. The bill's liability protections do not public about the benefits of AEDs. no further requests for time, and I apply if the harm was caused by a person's Robinson's DECA Chapter recognized that yield back the balance of my time. conscious, flagrant indifference to the rights or a group of potential sudden cardiac arrest vic- The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. CAL- tims have been ignored by the public: teen- safety of the victim. Nor does it apply if it is VERT). The question is on the motion agers. These energetic members sought to being used by a doctor or nurse or other li- offered by the gentleman from Florida rectify this situation by initiating a public rela- censed professional in their scope of employ- (Mr. STEARNS) that the House suspend tions campaign to raise general awareness ment, or if it is being used by a hospital or the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2498, as about the benefits of AEDs and to outfit high other health care entity. Certain other limited amended. schools with these valuable devices. In a exceptions apply. The question was taken. school as large as Robinson Secondary As reported by the Committee on Com- Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, on that School, with 5,000 teachers, students, admin- merce, H.R. 2498 is consistent with legislation I demand the yeas and nays. istrators, and community members, the need which passed the Senate by unanimous con- The yeas and nays were ordered. for an AED is particularly evident. In order to The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- sent last year. I might add that the Department acquire the first student-purchased AED in the ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the of Justice, in a letter to Chairman BLILEY dated country, Robinson DECA held the Heart Start Chair’s prior announcement, further May 8, 2000, stated that it, too, supports this Shopping Night and raised the needed $3,500. proceedings on this motion will be legislation with the changes adopted by the In working with the American Heart Associa- postponed. Committee on Commerce in the reported bill tion and a professional adult advisor com- f before us today. mittee, Robinson DECA also realized that not Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote every state currently has legislation to provide HARRY S TRUMAN FEDERAL for this legislation. Good Samaritan protection for operators of the BUILDING Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise AED. This motivated DECA to work in support Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I move today in support of H.R. 2498, the Cardiac Ar- of the passage of H.R. 2495, the Cardiac Sur- to suspend the rules and pass the bill rest Survival Act. This critical piece of legisla- vival Act. Their lobbying efforts included devel- (H.R. 3639) to designate the Federal tion would improve survival rates for victims of oping a slogan and logo, researching H.R. building located at 2201 C Street, cardiac arrest by expanding access to cardiac 2495 in order to write a research paper, per- Northwest, in the District of Columbia, defibrillators in federal buildings. sonally lobbying all 435 House of Representa- currently headquarters for the Depart- Everyday 1,000 Americans suffer from sud- tive members and staff, staging a rally on the ment of State, as the ‘‘Harry S Truman den cardiac arrest, usually outside of a hos- steps of the United States Capitol, holding a Federal Building’’, as amended. pital setting. Unfortunately, more than 95 per- press conference, and designating and oper- The Clerk read as follows: cent of these victims die because life-saving ating an internet home page. H.R. 3639 equipment is not readily available or arrives Mr. Speaker, I applaud Robinson DECA's Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- too late. When a defibrillator is used to deliver enthusiasm and dedication in helping others resentatives of the United States of America in a shock to a heart with an abnormal rhythm, understand the great need for AEDs. And I Congress assembled, survival rates for cardiac arrest sufferers in- share their pride today in seeing this vital bill SECTION 1. DESIGNATION. creases to as much as 20±30 percent. Every coming to a vote on the House floor. The Federal building located at 2201 C minute of delay in access to defibrillators Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in sup- Street, Northwest, in the District of Colum- leads to a ten percent decrease in life expect- port of H.R. 2498, the Cardiac Arrest Survival bia, currently headquarters for the Depart- ancy. Therefore, it is vital that Automated Ex- Act of 2000. This bipartisan bill was authorized ment of State, shall be known and des- ignated as the ‘‘Harry S Truman Federal ternal Defibrillators (AEDs) be made available by my Florida colleague, Congressman CLIFF for use in public areas and the public should Building’’. STEARNS. It was unanimously approved by the SEC. 2. REFERENCES. be educated on how to operate this user- Health and Environment Subcommittee on Any reference in a law, map, regulation, friendly life saving equipment. May 9, and it was reported favorably by the document, paper, or other record of the H.R. 2498 directs the Secretary of Health Commerce Committee on May 17. United States to the Federal building re- and Human Services to develop recommenda- Mr. Speaker, a quarter million Americans ferred to in section 1 shall be deemed to be tions for public access to defibrillation pro- die each year due to cardiac arrest. Many of a reference to the ‘‘Harry S Truman Federal grams in Federal buildings in order to improve these victims could be saved if portable med- Building’’. survival rates of people who suffer cardiac ar- ical devices called automated external The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- rest in Federal facilities. Federal buildings defibrillators or ``AEDs'' were used. AEDs can ant to the rule, the gentleman from throughout America will be encouraged to analyze heart rhythms for abnormalities, and if Pennsylvania (Mr. SHUSTER) and the serve as examples of rapid response to car- warranted, deliver a life-saving shock to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. OBER- diac arrest emergencies through the imple- heart. Experts estimate that 20,000 to 100,000 STAR) each will control 20 minutes. mentation of public access to defibrillation pro- lives could be saved annually by greater ac- The Chair recognizes the gentleman grams. The programs will include training cess to AEDs. from Pennsylvania (Mr. SHUSTER).

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00062 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A23MY7.080 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 May 23, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3589 Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield sionary and great American, and I am When 1948 came along and he was myself such time as I may consume, very pleased to be able to bring this running for election as President, he and I am very pleased to move this legislation to the floor today. had taken some very strong positions. measure directly to the floor today to Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of And, as we all know, he had asked for honor a truly great American. my time. a fair employment practice commis- Harry Truman was an improbable Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I yield sion and asked for a permanent com- president, who never sought this high myself such time as I may consume. mission on civil rights and was told, if office, but who rose to the occasion I want to express at the outset my he did that, if he persisted with his when asked by circumstance beyond great appreciation to the chairman for plan, some Southerners would walk his control. moving so expeditiously on this mat- out. And ‘‘I said,’’ Mr. Truman com- If anyone has any doubt whatsoever ter. The naming of the building has mented, ‘‘if that happened, it would be about him being a great president, I been requested by a number of our col- a pity. But I had no intention of run- would suggest that they read David leagues and, in particular, by the Sec- ning on a watered-down platform that McCullough’s biography, Truman, retary of State, Madeleine Albright, said one thing and meant another; and which is an extraordinary biography, who has been a vigorous advocate for the platform I did run on and was and which makes it very, very clear naming the State Department building elected on went straight down the line that this American rose from very after one of our truly great heroes in on civil rights. People said I ought to humble beginnings to make some of American history. pussyfoot around, that I shouldn’t say the most significant decisions of the On April 12, 1945, most of us can re- anything that would lose the Wallace 20th Century. member, those who remember back vote and nothing that would lose the He grew up in Missouri in a farm that far, what we were doing on that Southern vote. But I didn’t pay any at- family, was a farmer himself for many particular day. I know exactly where I tention to that. I said what I thought years. During World War I, he became was sitting in my little hometown of had to be said. You can’t divide the an artillery officer and served at the Chisholm. Vice President Harry Tru- country up into sections and have one front for over 6 months. Indeed, in Mr. man was just off the House floor, one rule for one section and one rule for an- McCullough’s wonderful book he de- floor below, in what was known as the other. And you can’t encourage peo- scribes how Harry Truman was having Board of Education Room, sharing a ple’s prejudices. You have to appeal to difficulty passing the eye test and so moment with Speaker Sam Rayburn. people’s best instincts, not their worst Word came from the White House he memorized the eye chart so he could ones. You may win an election or so by Press Secretary, Steve Early, to get serve his country. doing the other, but it does a lot of over to the White House immediately. During the 1920’s, and until his elec- harm to the country.’’ Truman saw the urgency of that mes- tion to the United States Senate, he That is Harry Truman, plain speak- sage, left, and there at the White House was a county judge, the equivalent of ing, plain and simple, one of America’s he learned from First Lady Eleanor what in many of our States we call great heroes. Roosevelt of the President’s unex- county commissioners. He championed Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of pected and untimely death. a road construction program in his my time. After a few silent moments, he asked Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I am county and, indeed, later, when he was Eleanor Roosevelt if there was any- pleased to yield 5 minutes to the dis- elected Senator, he helped draft the thing he could do for her. tinguished gentleman from Missouri Transportation Act of 1940 as well as b 1515 (Mr. BLUNT). the Aeronautics Act of 1938. Mr. BLUNT. Mr. Speaker, I thank During the time he presided as presi- Shaking her head, she said, ‘‘Is there the chairman for yielding me the time dent, he indeed presided over the fall of anything we can do for you? You are and for bringing this bill to the floor. Germany, the ultimate surrender of the one in trouble now.’’ Well, that un- Mr. Speaker, I was pleased to join the Japan, and he made the historic deci- derscored or maybe in a very quiet way gentleman from Missouri (Mr. SKEL- sion to drop the bomb on Hiroshima stated what a lot of people believed TON) to introduce the bill to name the and Nagasaki, which many say saved that maybe Harry Truman was not Headquarters Building of the U.S. as many as a million American lives. ready to be President. State Department for our Nation’s 33rd While the world was recovering from There is a companion story that President and Missouri’s favorite son, the war, he urged the creation of the when Truman was elected and took his Harry S Truman. United Nations and set forth the Tru- seat in the United States Senate, he The ‘‘Man From Independence’’ was a man doctrine, a policy that supports said to friends, I looked around and I man from middle America, a man like free people who resist communism. And saw names like Carter Glass, Robinson, millions of others at the beginning of Greece is free today probably because Patman, this Patman in the House, the 20th century. He reflected Amer- of his decision. others, and he said, what am I doing ica’s farms and small towns. He under- During his first administration, he here? And after about 6 months on the stood poverty and hard work. He val- presided over the massive Berlin air- floor of the United States Senate, he ued education and read book after book lift. And I saw on a TV show just in the looked around and he said, what are from the Independence Public Library. past few weeks where his whole cabinet they doing here? That was Harry Tru- He later would observe that there was was virtually unanimously opposed to man. not much left in human nature that continuing the Berlin airlift, but he There was one subject that Harry one could not find in Plutarch’s Lives made this decision by himself and over- Truman’s lifetime biographer Merle in a community where not lots of peo- ruled his cabinet so that we could keep Miller wrote in Plain Speaking, one ple had read Plutarch’s Lives. that city free. subject on which Mr. Truman was not He valued his parents. His love for He approved the Marshall Plan to re- going to have second thoughts: it was his wife Bess and their daughter Mar- build Europe, urged the recognition of the bomb. garet was unquestioned. His family was Israel, promoted the four-point pro- The bomb had ended the war. ‘‘If we most important to him. gram for foreign aid, and authorized had had to invade Japan, half a million He was a man who understood cour- our entry into the Korean conflict. soldiers on both sides would have been age, not as a philosophical abstraction, He has earned the praise of both Re- killed and a million more would have but by facing, along with those he com- publicans and Democrats. And it seems been maimed for life. It was simple as manded, artillery fire at night, in the as each year goes by, as historians that. That was all there was to it. And mud, in the rain in France during measure this American, he rises in the Mr. Truman had never lost any sleep World War I. judgment and in the eyes not only of over that decision.’’ Truman was a farmer and a small historians but of the American people. Well, yes. And since Mr. Truman had businessman who struggled to make a There is no monument to this great made the decision to drop the bomb all living on the farm and from a retail president and designating the State by himself, no one else was around store. Then this farmer, small busi- Department headquarters in Wash- when he made up his mind. And that nessman, volunteer soldier helped cre- ington is most fitting for this true vi- also characterized Harry Truman. ate a vision for America’s place in the

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00063 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.117 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 H3590 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 23, 2000 world that was far different from that souri (Mr. SKELTON), who is the prin- President Truman spoke eloquently to imagined by those who had gone before cipal advocate and relentless advocate the American people about the lessons him and shaped American foreign pol- for this legislation. of history and the responsibilities of icy for decades. Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I am leadership. If there is one word that describes pleased that H.R. 3639 has come before In 1947, Truman said, ‘‘We have this native of Lamar, Missouri, it was the House. This bill, which I introduced learned by the costly lessons of two ‘‘courage.’’ Physical courage allows along with my fellow Missourian (Mr. world wars that what happens beyond one to rally his troops late at night in BLUNT), would name the State Depart- our shores determines how we live our the face of open fire the way he did in ment Headquarters Building in honor own lives. We have learned that, if we the forests of France. He proved he had of our 33rd President, Harry S. Tru- want to live in freedom and security, that kind of courage. But Truman also man. we must work with all the world for had the courage of his convictions. I especially thank the gentleman freedom and security.’’ It was his courage of convictions that from Pennsylvania (Mr. SHUSTER) and America is truly grateful that the catapulted him to the ranks today of the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. right leader was in the right place one of the greatest Presidents of our OBERSTAR) for bringing this bill to the when President Franklin Roosevelt’s history. He willingly rejected conven- floor. extraordinary life ended. Associating tional wisdom at the end of World War I came to personally know President Harry S. Truman’s name with the II and led the free world to provide for Truman through my father, Ike Skel- United States Department of State is a the effective rebuilding of Japan and ton, Sr., who developed a friendship fitting tribute to him. He contributed Germany rather than trying to crush with him some 71 years ago at the dedi- so much to the American people and to their national identities. cation of the Pioneer Mother Statue, the citizens of the world. I am proud to Truman knew the sacrifices and her- the Madonna of the Trail, located in say he will always be Missouri’s favor- oism of African American soldiers, my hometown of Lexington, Missouri. ite son. sailors, and airmen. His convictions Through the years, I developed my own Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I re- said that these men and women were friendship with this genuinely nice per- serve the balance of my time. not being treated properly. His courage son we call the ‘‘Man From Independ- Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I yield allowed him to cast aside decades of ence.’’ 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from prejudice to order that the U.S. Armed President Truman was a man of Missouri (Ms. MCCARTHY). Forces would be no longer segregated, strong personal character who held (Ms. MCCARTHY of Missouri asked a decision he made more than 20 years deep regard for his country and for the and was given permission to revise and before the Civil Rights Act passed this American people. He was a man of extend her remarks.) House. great devotion to his wife and life-long Ms. MCCARTHY of Missouri. Mr. The ‘‘Man From Independence’’ was sweetheart Bess and to his daughter Speaker, I am honored to rise today in known for being a leader to defend the Margaret Truman Daniel. He was po- support of this measure. I join my col- Constitution. His courage allowed him litically courageous, and during the leagues in saluting Missouri’s favorite to stand toe to toe with General Doug- critical years that ended and followed son and one of this Nation’s most pop- las MacArthur and ensure that con- World War II, Harry Truman was faced ular Presidents, Harry Truman. stitutional separation of civilian and with many difficult and often politi- I have a deep personal interest in the military power was upheld. life and legacy of President Truman be- Even in this age when it has become cally unpopular decisions. However, he cause I represent Independence, Mis- fashionable to denounce the decisions faced these obstacles head on and es- souri, where Truman launched his ca- of past leaders, I believe it was the tablished a foreign policy that guided reer in public service as Jackson Coun- courage of Truman’s convictions that the United States of America through allowed him to make one of the most the duration of the cold war. ty presiding judge. His famed presi- far-reaching decisions of the 20th cen- Most importantly, Truman guided dential library and his childhood home tury, which the gentleman from Min- the United States away from our estab- and farm are located in my congres- lished pattern of peacetime isola- sional district. nesota (Mr. OBERSTAR) has already mentioned, and bring an end to World tionism in order to assist European Harry Truman distinguished himself War II. economic recovery and security. as a plain spoken leader who cared As America enters the new century During his presidency, Truman about people. He has been a model to as the undisputed leader of the world, launched the Marshall Plan and estab- me in my service to the people of Mis- our foreign policy must be driven by lished the North Atlantic Treaty Orga- souri. our convictions about peace, about jus- nization under which Western Europe I have a replica of the message that tice, about freedom. But conviction remains protected to this day. President Truman had on his presi- alone is never enough. President Harry President Truman also displayed sig- dential desk, which reads, ‘‘The buck Truman had convictions, but he also nificant courage in standing up to the stops here.’’ It is a constant reminder had the courage to put those convic- communist aggression that marked the of his goal to maintain common sense tions into practice, even when others beginning of the cold war. The Truman and service to the people and helped doubted and criticized him. Doctrine made it clear that the United him to prevail during the many dif- Commemorating the memory of this States would not stand idly by in the ficult global situations he faced during great President by naming the head- face of communist aggression. Tru- his presidency. quarters of the State Department can man’s commitment to the democratic In his inaugural address, he outlined send an important signal to the rest of rights of free people was also made an unprecedented foreign policy agen- the community of nations. First, clear as the U.S. provided essential da. Last year, I was able to join in wit- America is built on a strong bedrock of supplies to the people of Berlin during nessing the expansion of the Truman convictions which come from all its the Soviet blockage and when Truman foreign policy legacy at the Truman citizens, not just from those born rich made the agonizing decision to use Presidential Library. We commemo- and powerful. Second, we do have the American troops to lead the United Na- rated the 50th anniversary of NATO, courage to put those convictions into tions resistance to the communist in- which he created. And in the spirit of practice; and both our determination vasion of South Korea. These actions Harry Truman, NATO was expanded to and our courage need to be understood earned the praise of British Prime Min- include representation from the Czech by the nations of the world. ister Winston Churchill, who said to Republic, Hungary, and Poland. Naming the headquarters of the Truman, ‘‘You, more than any other The naming of the U.S. State Depart- State Department after my fellow Mis- man, have saved Western Civilization.’’ ment Building after President Truman sourian, Harry Truman, is another way Harry Truman understood well the is really one the most appropriate and to send that message to the world. I importance of America’s effective di- meaningful tributes this Congress can urge my colleagues to vote for this bill. plomacy as a complement to our strong make in his memory. May every indi- Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I yield economy and military forces. Time and vidual who enters the State Depart- 31⁄2 minutes to the gentleman from Mis- time again during his presidency, ment Building be inspired by the many

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00064 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.119 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 May 23, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3591 national and foreign policy accom- memorated the 50th anniversary of meant so much to him and to the Na- plishments of Harry Truman. NATO in the spirit of Harry Truman, tion. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to NATO was expanded to include rep- b 1530 join me in supporting H.R. 3639, and I resentation from the Czech Republic, ask that we honor President Truman, Hungary, and Poland. This is a man who led us out of the this legendary leader, who has left such I am extremely proud to have sup- darkness of war and into the dawn of a tremendous great legacy to those of ported this legislation because I firmly peace. He leaves a legacy that those in us who continue to work so hard to believe that naming the U.S. State De- Missouri and indeed our entire Nation make possible the leadership and the partment building after President Tru- are very proud of. greatness that our country commands man is one of the most appropriate, Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I yield today. meaningful tributes this Congress can 2 minutes to the gentleman from Ten- Mr. Speaker, I am honored to rise make in his memory. May every indi- nessee (Mr. CLEMENT). today in support of H.R. 3639, a bill to vidual who enters the State Depart- Mr. CLEMENT. Mr. Speaker, I want designate the U.S. State Department ment building be inspired by the many to congratulate the gentleman from building as the Harry S. Truman Fed- national and foreign policy accom- Missouri (Mr. SKELTON) as well as the eral Building. I join my colleagues in plishments of Harry Truman. gentleman from Missouri (Mr. BLUNT) saluting Missouri’s favorite son and Finally, I want to make part of the record a for introducing H.R. 3639, to name the one of this Nation’s most popular beautiful collection of words which the Presi- State Department headquarters build- Presidents, Harry Truman. dent carried in his wallet from the time he ing in honor of our 33rd President, Choosing to name the U.S. Depart- graduated from high school. According to the Harry S. Truman. I remember that ex- ment of State after President Truman Truman Library, the President attributed the pression that was shared just a while is a fitting tribute to the man who words to a poem by Alfred Lord Tennyson en- ago about the buck stops here, because helped end isolationism and establish titled ``Locksley Hall.'' The words are powerful he took full credit as well as at times this country’s dominant role in inter- and I hope my colleagues find the words as took the heat for what occurred during national relations. inspiring as I do. his watch. He offered a lot of what I I have a deep personal interest in the For I dipt into the future, far as human eye call political courage and will always life and legacy of President Truman be- could see, be remembered as one of the greatest cause I represent Independence, Mis- Saw the vision of the world, and all the won- Presidents in the history of this souri, where Harry Truman launched der that would be; country. Saw the heavens fill with commerce. Argo- I met President Truman in the 1950s his career in public service as Jackson sies of magic sails, County Presiding Judge. His famed Pilots of the purple twilight, dropping down when my father, Governor Frank G. Presidential Library and his home and with costly bales; Clement, was governor of Tennessee, farm are located in my Congressional Heard the heavens fill with shouting, and and he visited the governor’s residence District. there rain’d a ghastly dew in Tennessee. We had him for dinner as Harry Truman distinguished himself From the Nations’ airy navies grappling in well as he spent the night. I will never as a plain spoken leader who cared the central blue; forget the next morning. My father about people. He has been a model to Far along the world-wide whisper of the went to his room knowing that Presi- me in my service to the people of Mis- south-wind rushing warm, dent Truman had a habit of getting up With the standards of the peoples plunging souri. His honest, matter of fact ap- thro’ the thunderstorm; early in the morning. My father went proach to all issues is one all public Till the war-drum throbb’d no longer, and to the guest quarters at the governor’s servants can aspire to. In my congres- the battle-flags were furl’d residence, no Harry Truman, and could sional office I have a replica of the In the parliament of man, the federation of not find him. He went downstairs and message that President Truman had on the world, asked the security people, where is the his desk which reads ‘‘The Buck Stops There the common sense of most shall hold former President? Where is President Here.’’ It is a constant reminder of his a fretful realm in awe, Truman? None of the security people goal to maintain common sense in And the kindly earth shall slumber, lapt in had seen him. They found him walking universal law. service to the people and helped him to down Curtiswood Lane all by himself in prevail during the many difficult glob- Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join front of the governor’s residence. He al situations he faced during his Presi- me in supporting H.R. 3639 to name the U.S. would always be one of those kinds of dency. State Department building in honor of Presi- people to surprise people and do what President Truman’s career was high- dent Harry S. Truman, a legendary leader in he wanted to do because he was just lighted by many accomplishments: The matters of state whose lasting vision made that kind of person. I will say my fa- famous Truman Committee of the possible the international leadership and ther just about fired three or four secu- early 1940’s; victory in world war II; the greatness our country commands today. rity people right there on the spot, Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I re- recognition of the new state of Israel; having the former President here at serve the balance of my time. and most notably his vision for the fu- Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I yield the governor’s residence; and we could ture of foreign policy. President Tru- not find where he was. 11⁄2 minutes to the gentlewoman from man demonstrated the compassion and He made a difference. He is respon- Missouri (Ms. DANNER). courage admired by the world through Ms. DANNER. Mr. Speaker, we are sible and launched the Marshall Plan. his strategic action in employing the here today to discuss the possibility of He helped end World War II, NATO, the Berlin Airlift and his commitment to honoring Harry S. Truman by naming a Truman Doctrine. He will always be re- ‘‘support free peoples who are resisting building after him. And indeed, he was membered as one of the greatest Presi- subjugation . . .’’ which became known a truly remarkable man. dents in the history of this country. as the Truman Doctrine. A prior speaker, former State senator God bless President Truman. Truman in his inaugural address out- now, the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I yield lined an unprecedented foreign policy SKELTON), quoted Churchill in saying 4 minutes to the gentleman from New agenda calling for the ongoing support that Truman had saved Western Civili- York (Mr. HINCHEY). of the United Nations, the continued zation. Well, he had done that. And yet Mr. HINCHEY. Mr. Speaker, I am support for the Marshall Plan, the cre- he was such a remarkable and humble very happy to say a few words in strong ation of a collective defense for the man that when the press asked former support of H.R. 3639, the legislation to North Atlantic Region—NATO (North President Truman at that time after he name the State Department building Atlantic Treaty Organization), and had returned to Independence, Mis- for President Harry S. Truman. It is a ‘‘Point IV—a bold new program’’ to souri, what was the first thing he did most appropriate tribute to our 33rd help the underprivileged peoples of the as the former President, he paused for President to engrave his name on the world. Last year I was able to join in just a moment and he said, ‘‘I carried building that houses our diplomatic witnessing the expansion of the Tru- the grips up to the attic.’’ corps. man foreign policy legacy at the Tru- That was Harry S. Truman. He never Harry Truman, as we all know, rose man Presidential Library. As we com- lost those small-town values that from humble beginnings to become the

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00065 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.134 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 H3592 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 23, 2000 leader of our Nation during a time of not. I traveled altogether 31,700 miles, I be- In closing, I want to emphasize that great crisis. When Franklin Roosevelt lieve, and it was the last campaign in which getting this legislation here today was died 80 days into his fourth term, his that kind of approach was made. Now, of not an easy task but it was a very wor- Vice President had been ill-prepared to course, everything is television; and the can- thy task. It is the gentleman from Mis- take over. Not part of Roosevelt’s didates travel from one place to another by jet airplane. And I don’t like that.’’ souri (Mr. SKELTON) and the gentleman inner circle, Truman had to learn most from Missouri (Mr. BLUNT) who really of his foreign policy on the fly. The I think the American people do not deserve enormous credit for our being country was still at war in Europe and like it much, either. I think they would here today to honor this great Amer- the Pacific, the atomic bomb was being like a return to the plain speaking of ican. While it is true that Harry Tru- developed in secret, and Joseph Stalin Harry Truman and to the personal con- man was a plain speaking man, he cer- was backing away from the agreements tact that he made with people. If we tainly was not a plain thinking man. In reached at Yalta. could all live up to the very simple fact, he made some of the most lonely Barely within Truman’s first month ideals by which he lived his life, ran and historic decisions of our century. in office, Germany surrendered. While the White House, steered us through He also was a much more sophisti- confronting the need to rebuild Europe the end of World War II and into the cated man than many might think. He and control Stalinist governments in postwar period, we will all be a better was a classical pianist. He not only Yugoslavia and Poland, the new Presi- country. That is why we are taking the could play the Missouri Waltz, he could dent also had to wage war in the Pa- step of naming the Department of play Chopin and the other great clas- cific. When Japan refused uncondi- State building for a man who is truly a sical composers. He did that in the tional surrender, Truman had to decide statesman. White House as well as in other places. whether to keep fighting by conven- Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of Harry Truman was a quintessential tional means, which course he knew my time. American. This is so very deserving. I would cost hundreds of thousands of Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I am strongly urge the support for this legis- American and Japanese lives, or to use pleased to yield 3 minutes to the dis- lation. the atomic weapon. tinguished gentlewoman from Missouri Mr. GEPHARDT. Mr. Speaker, I rise in sup- After weighing the cost of prolonging (Mrs. EMERSON). port of H.R. 3639, which names the head- the war, he opted to drop a devastating Mrs. EMERSON. Mr. Speaker, I quarters of the Department of State after a bomb he did not even know existed 4 speak in support today of H.R. 3639, great American from my home state of Mis- months earlier. The aftermath of the designating the Harry S. Truman Fed- souri the 33rd President of the United States, war was a time of great political up- eral Building. I really want to com- Harry S Truman. And I commend my good heaval at home. Faced with a country mend the gentleman from Missouri friend and colleague IKE SKELTON for his lead- that was tired of the sacrifices of war, (Mr. SKELTON) who is a very dear, close ership in spearheading this important effort. Truman watched as Republicans won personal friend. He has worked tire- It is appropriate that we name the State De- majorities in both houses of Congress. lessly over the past few years in Con- partment's headquarters after Harry Truman, Given no chance to win reelection in gress to make sure that the only Mis- for he truly was a statesman of world stature. 1948, Harry Truman took his case to sourian ever elected to serve as Presi- He was a visionary who inspired generations the people. In his famous whistle-stop dent of the United States is duly recog- worldwide with his pursuit of peace through di- campaign, he traveled almost 22,000 nized for his great work to this coun- plomacy, and with his defense of free peoples. miles by train, stopping in small towns try. From his unwavering support of establishing and cities all across the country. In an I commend the gentleman for the the United Nations as the best hope for upset victory over New York Governor dedication and commitment he has peace, to the fateful decisions ending the Sec- Thomas Dewey, Truman was elected made. I want to thank him for that. I ond World War, to the heroic effort of the Ber- President in his own right. also want to say that I find it very fit- lin airlift, President Truman demonstrated time During this term in office, Harry ting that we are debating the naming Truman had his great foreign policy and again his greatness. of the headquarters of the State De- Yet at the same time, Harry Truman never successes, the Truman Doctrine to stop partment in honor of President Harry forgot his roots in Missouri, where he had the spread of totalitarianism in Eu- Truman. Many of President Truman’s learned the virtues of loyalty, hard work, per- rope, the Marshall Plan to rebuild Eu- greatest legacies center around foreign rope, and the Berlin Airlift to resupply severance and personal responsibility. He not policy, from winning the war to win- only talked about these Americans values, he West Berlin in the face of a Soviet ning the peace to helping negotiate blockade. These programs established lived them. His life story, the rise from farmer NATO and the creation of the National and haberdasher to judge to United States the willingness of the United States to Security Council, to the writing of the remain engaged in world affairs and Senator, to Vice President, and finally to Marshall Plan which assisted in the re- President of the United States, still inspires us not to retreat into isolationism as we building of Europe following World War had done after World War I. with the truth of the old adage that anyone II. Harry Truman was a great man who can grow up to be President. Through it all, Back in 1899, Congressman William was underappreciated in his time. His- Harry Truman showed us by example the tory has shown the wisdom of his vi- Duncan Vandiver, who was my prede- value he placed on family and friends through sion for America and for the world. Mr. cessor in Congress, defined what it the loyalty and honor he bestowed on those Speaker, I am proud to support this ef- meant to be from Missouri when he close to him, no matter how lofty his office be- fort to designate the State Department said, ‘‘I come from a State that raises came. building as Harry S. Truman Federal corn and cotton and cockleburs and Harry Truman's character and accomplish- Building and commend the sponsors of Democrats, and frothy eloquence nei- ments stand as benchmarks by which public this legislation. ther convinces nor satisfies me. I am servants are measured to this day. Honesty, Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I yield from Missouri. You have got to show integrity and the courage to make the toughest myself such time as I may consume. me.’’ No one better exemplified this decisions were the hallmarks of his presi- I close with an observation about the sentiment than our own plain speaking dency. Whether facing foreign aggression in last campaign of President Truman Harry S. Truman. Let me again thank Korea, pushing for civil rights at home, or about which he reminisced in Plain the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. standing against the divisiveness of McCar- Speaking: SKELTON) and the gentleman from Min- thyism, Harry Truman was a leader who Another thing about that election, I won it nesota (Mr. OBERSTAR) and, of course, served as an example to the whole world of not because of any special oratorical effects the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. the greatness of our democracy. He reached or because I had any help from what you SHUSTER) for working to ensure that across racial barriers, party lines, and inter- would call the Madison Avenue fellows but Missouri’s brightest son gets the honor national boundaries pursue the causes he be- by a statement of fact of what had happened that he so greatly deserves. lieved in. in the past would happen in the future if the Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I yield fellow that was running against me was The immortal sign that sat on is desk ``The elected. back the balance of my time. Buck Stops Here'' says it all. On so many I made 352 speeches that were on the Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield hard decisions affecting the fates of so many record and about the same number that were myself such time as I may consume. people, the buck truly did stop with Harry S

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00066 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.123 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 May 23, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3593 Truman. He used the power of his office and ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING DE- which further proceedings were post- the power of his character to lead the Amer- BATE ON H.R. 4444, AUTHORIZING poned earlier today in the order in ican people and the world into a new and un- EXTENSION OF NONDISCRIM- which that motion was entertained. certain future, the foundation of peace and INATORY TREATMENT (NORMAL Votes will be taken in the following prosperity that we enjoy today. And he charted TRADE RELATIONS TREATMENT) order: a course for America of active engagement TO PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF S. 1402, by the yeas and nays; with the world grounded in the values that CHINA House Concurrent Resolution 293, have made this nation great. (Mr. Dreier asked and was given per- de novo; I am truly proud to rise in support of this bill. mission to address the House for 1 H.R. 2498, by the yeas and nays; and Harry S Truman was a great American and a minute.) H.R. 3639, by the yeas and nays. great Missourian who made our country and Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, in an ef- The Chair will reduce to 5 minutes the world better by his deeds and his exam- fort to maximize the amount of time the time for any electronic vote after ple. for the House to debate the important the first such vote in this series. Mrs. EMERSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today issue of commercial relations with the f to speak in support of H.R. 3639, designating People’s Republic of China, I intend to VETERANS AND DEPENDENTS the Harry S. Truman Federal Building. I want propound a unanimous-consent request MILLENNIUM EDUCATION ACT to first commend Congressman IKE SKELTON, to begin debate on this issue this a close dear friend of mine. He has worked evening with 2 hours of debate equally The SPEAKER pro tempore. The tirelessly over the past few years in Congress divided between the bill’s proponents pending business is the question of sus- to ensure that the only Missourian ever elect- and opponents from both sides of the pending the rules and passing the Sen- ed to serve as President of the United States aisle. ate bill, S. 1402, as amended. is duly recognized for his great work to this Furthermore, the Committee on The Clerk read the title of the Senate country. Rules will meet later today to grant a bill. I find it fitting that we are debating the nam- rule on H.R. 4444 which will provide for The SPEAKER pro tempore. The ing of the headquarters of the State Depart- further consideration, debate, and a question is on the motion offered by ment in honor of President Truman. Many of vote on this very important issue. the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. President Truman's greatest legacies center f STUMP) that the House suspend the around foreign policy, from winning the war to rules and pass the Senate bill, S. 1402, winning the peace, to helping negotiate NATO MAKING IN ORDER AT ANY TIME as amended, on which the yeas and and the creation of the national security coun- CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 4444, AU- nays are ordered. cil to the writing of the Marshall Plan, which THORIZING EXTENSION OF NON- The vote was taken by electronic de- assisted in the rebuilding of Europe following DISCRIMINATORY TREATMENT vice, and there were—yeas 417, nays 0, World War II. (NORMAL TRADE RELATIONS not voting 17, as follows: TREATMENT) TO PEOPLE’S RE- In 1899, Congressman William Duncan [Roll No. 220] Vandiver, who was my predecessor in Con- PUBLIC OF CHINA YEAS—417 gress, defined what it meant to be from Mis- Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I ask souri, when he said, ``I come from a state that Abercrombie Campbell Dunn unanimous consent that it be in order Aderholt Canady Edwards raises corn and cotton and cockleburs and at any time for the Speaker as though Allen Cannon Ehlers Democrats, and frothy eloquence neither con- pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XVIII to Andrews Capps Ehrlich vinces nor satisfies me. I am from Missouri. Archer Cardin Emerson declare the House resolved into the Armey Carson Engel You have got to show me.'' No one better ex- Committee of the Whole House on the Baca Castle English emplified this sentiment than our own plain state of the Union for consideration of Baird Chabot Eshoo speaking President Harry S. Truman. the bill (H.R. 4444) to authorize exten- Baker Chambliss Etheridge I want to thank Mr. SKELTON and Chairman Baldacci Chenoweth-Hage Evans sion of nondiscriminatory treatment Baldwin Clay Everett SHUSTER for working to ensure that Missouri's (normal trade relations treatment) to Ballenger Clayton Ewing brightest son gets the honor that he so greatly the People’s Republic of China; that Barcia Clement Farr Barr Clyburn Fattah deserves. the first reading of the bill be dis- Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield Barrett (NE) Coble Filner pensed with; that all points of order Barrett (WI) Coburn Fletcher back the balance of my time. against consideration of the bill be Bartlett Collins Foley The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. CAL- waived; that general debate proceed Barton Combest Ford VERT). The question is on the motion Bass Condit Fossella without intervening motion, be con- Bateman Conyers Fowler offered by the gentleman from Penn- fined to the bill, and be limited to 2 Becerra Cook Frank (MA) sylvania (Mr. SHUSTER) that the House hours equally divided among and con- Bentsen Cooksey Franks (NJ) Bereuter Costello Frelinghuysen suspend the rules and pass the bill, trolled by the chairman and ranking H.R. 3639, as amended. Berkley Cox Frost minority member of the Committee on Berman Coyne Gallegly The question was taken. Ways and Means, the gentleman from Berry Cramer Ganske Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, on that Biggert Crane Gejdenson California (Mr. Stark), and the gen- Bilbray Crowley Gekas I demand the yeas and nays. tleman from California (Mr. Rohr- The yeas and nays were ordered. Bilirakis Cummings Gephardt abacher) or their designees; that after Bishop Cunningham Gibbons The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- general debate the Committee of the Blagojevich Danner Gilchrest ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the Bliley Davis (FL) Gillmor Whole rise without motion; and that no Chair’s prior announcement, further Blumenauer Davis (IL) Gilman further consideration of the bill be in Blunt Davis (VA) Gonzalez proceedings on this motion will be order except pursuant to a subsequent Boehlert Deal Goode postponed. Boehner DeFazio Goodlatte order of the House. f Bonilla DeGette Goodling The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there Bonior Delahunt Gordon GENERAL LEAVE objection to the request of the gen- Bono DeLauro Goss tleman from California? Borski DeLay Graham Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I ask Boswell DeMint Granger unanimous consent that all Members There was no objection. Boucher Deutsch Green (TX) may have 5 legislative days within f Boyd Diaz-Balart Green (WI) Brady (PA) Dickey Greenwood which to revise and extend their re- b 1545 Brady (TX) Dicks Gutierrez marks and include extraneous material Brown (FL) Dingell Gutknecht on H.R. 3639, as amended, the measure ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER Bryant Dixon Hall (OH) PRO TEMPORE Burr Doggett Hall (TX) just considered by the House. Burton Dooley Hansen The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. CAL- Buyer Doolittle Hastings (FL) objection to the request of the gen- VERT). Pursuant to clause 8, rule XX, Callahan Doyle Hastings (WA) tleman from Pennsylvania? the Chair will now put the question on Calvert Dreier Hayes Camp Duncan Hayworth There was no objection. each motion to suspend the rules on

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00067 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A23MY7.087 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 H3594 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 23, 2000 Hefley McKeon Saxton the Senate bill, as amended, was Chenoweth-Hage Hill (IN) Moakley Herger McKinney Scarborough Clay Hill (MT) Mollohan Hill (IN) McNulty Schaffer passed. Clayton Hilleary Moore Hill (MT) Meehan Schakowsky The result of the vote was announced Clement Hinchey Moran (KS) Hilleary Meek (FL) Scott as above recorded. Clyburn Hinojosa Moran (VA) Hilliard Meeks (NY) Sensenbrenner The title of the Senate bill was Coble Hobson Morella Hinchey Menendez Serrano Coburn Hoeffel Murtha Hinojosa Metcalf Sessions amended so as to read: Collins Hoekstra Myrick Hobson Mica Shadegg Amend the title so as to read: ‘‘An Combest Holden Nadler Hoeffel Millender- Shaw Act to amend title 38, United States Condit Holt Napolitano Hoekstra McDonald Shays Conyers Hooley Neal Holden Miller (FL) Sherman Code, to increase amounts of edu- Cook Horn Nethercutt Holt Miller, Gary Sherwood cational assistance for veterans under Cooksey Hostettler Ney Hooley Miller, George Shimkus the Montgomery GI Bill and to en- Costello Houghton Northup Horn Minge Shows hance programs providing educational Cox Hoyer Norwood Hostettler Mink Shuster Coyne Hulshof Nussle Houghton Moakley Simpson benefits under that title, and for other Cramer Hunter Oberstar Hoyer Mollohan Sisisky purposes.’’. Crane Hutchinson Obey Hulshof Moore Skeen A motion to reconsider was laid on Crowley Hyde Olver Hunter Moran (KS) Skelton Cummings Inslee Ortiz Hutchinson Moran (VA) Slaughter the table. Cunningham Isakson Ose Hyde Morella Smith (MI) f Danner Istook Owens Inslee Murtha Smith (NJ) Davis (FL) Jackson (IL) Oxley Isakson Myrick Smith (TX) ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER Davis (IL) Jackson-Lee Packard Istook Nadler Smith (WA) Davis (VA) (TX) Pallone Jackson (IL) Napolitano Snyder PRO TEMPORE Deal Jefferson Pascrell Jackson-Lee Neal Souder The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. CAL- DeFazio Jenkins Pastor (TX) Nethercutt Spence DeGette John Paul Jefferson Ney Spratt VERT). Pursuant to clause 8, rule XX, Delahunt Johnson (CT) Payne Jenkins Northup Stabenow the Chair announces that he will re- DeLauro Johnson, E. B. Pelosi John Norwood Stark duce to a minimum of 5 minutes the DeLay Johnson, Sam Peterson (MN) Johnson (CT) Nussle Stearns period of time within which a vote by DeMint Jones (NC) Peterson (PA) Johnson, E. B. Oberstar Stenholm Deutsch Jones (OH) Petri Johnson, Sam Obey Strickland electronic device will be taken on each Diaz-Balart Kanjorski Phelps Jones (NC) Olver Stump motion to suspend the rules on which Dickey Kaptur Pickering Jones (OH) Ortiz Sununu the Chair has postponed further Dicks Kasich Pitts Kanjorski Ose Sweeney Dingell Kelly Pombo Kaptur Owens Talent proceedings. Dixon Kennedy Pomeroy Kasich Oxley Tancredo f Doggett Kildee Porter Kelly Packard Tanner Dooley Kilpatrick Portman Kennedy Pallone Tauscher URGING COMPLIANCE WITH HAGUE Doolittle Kind (WI) Price (NC) Kildee Pascrell Tauzin Doyle King (NY) Pryce (OH) Kilpatrick Pastor Taylor (MS) CONVENTION ON CIVIL ASPECTS Dreier Kingston Quinn Kind (WI) Paul Taylor (NC) OF INTERNATIONAL CHILD AB- Duncan Kleczka Radanovich King (NY) Payne Terry DUCTION Dunn Klink Rahall Kingston Pelosi Thomas Edwards Knollenberg Ramstad Kleczka Peterson (MN) Thompson (CA) The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Ehlers Kolbe Rangel Klink Peterson (PA) Thompson (MS) pending business is the question of sus- Ehrlich Kucinich Regula Knollenberg Petri Thornberry pending the rules and agreeing to the Emerson Kuykendall Reyes Kolbe Phelps Thune Engel LaFalce Reynolds Kucinich Pickering Thurman concurrent resolution, House Concur- English LaHood Riley Kuykendall Pitts Tiahrt rent Resolution 293, as amended. Eshoo Lampson Rivers LaFalce Pombo Tierney The Clerk read the title of the con- Etheridge Lantos Roemer LaHood Pomeroy Toomey Evans Largent Rogan Lampson Porter Towns current resolution. Everett Latham Rogers Lantos Portman Traficant The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Ewing LaTourette Rohrabacher Largent Price (NC) Turner question is on the motion offered by Farr Lazio Ros-Lehtinen Latham Pryce (OH) Udall (CO) the gentleman from New York (Mr. Fattah Leach Rothman LaTourette Quinn Udall (NM) Filner Lee Roukema Lazio Radanovich Upton GILMAN) that the House suspend the Fletcher Levin Roybal-Allard Leach Rahall Velazquez rules and agree to the concurrent reso- Foley Lewis (CA) Royce Lee Ramstad Vento lution, H.Con.Res. 293, as amended. Ford Lewis (GA) Rush Levin Rangel Visclosky Fossella Lewis (KY) Ryan (WI) Lewis (CA) Regula Vitter The question was taken. Fowler Linder Ryun (KS) Lewis (GA) Reyes Walden RECORDED VOTE Frank (MA) Lipinski Sabo Lewis (KY) Reynolds Walsh Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I demand a re- Franks (NJ) LoBiondo Salmon Linder Riley Wamp Frelinghuysen Lofgren Sanchez Lipinski Rivers Waters corded vote. Frost Lowey Sanders LoBiondo Roemer Watkins A recorded vote was ordered. Gallegly Lucas (KY) Sandlin Lofgren Rogan Watt (NC) The SPEAKER pro tempore. This is a Ganske Lucas (OK) Sanford Lowey Rogers Watts (OK) Gejdenson Luther Sawyer Lucas (KY) Rohrabacher Weldon (FL) 5-minute vote. Gekas Maloney (CT) Saxton Lucas (OK) Ros-Lehtinen Weldon (PA) The vote was taken by electronic de- Gephardt Maloney (NY) Scarborough Luther Rothman Weller vice, and there were—ayes 416, noes 0, Gibbons Manzullo Schaffer Maloney (CT) Roukema Wexler not voting 18, as follows: Gilchrest Markey Schakowsky Maloney (NY) Roybal-Allard Weygand Gillmor Mascara Scott Manzullo Royce Whitfield [Roll No. 221] Gilman Matsui Sensenbrenner Markey Rush Wicker AYES—416 Gonzalez McCarthy (MO) Serrano Mascara Ryan (WI) Wilson Goode McCrery Sessions Matsui Ryun (KS) Wise Abercrombie Becerra Boucher Goodlatte McDermott Shadegg McCarthy (MO) Sabo Wolf Aderholt Bentsen Boyd Goodling McGovern Shaw McCrery Salmon Woolsey Allen Bereuter Brady (PA) Gordon McInnis Shays McDermott Sanchez Wu Andrews Berkley Brady (TX) Goss McIntyre Sherman McGovern Sanders Wynn Archer Berman Brown (FL) Graham McKeon Sherwood McHugh Sandlin Young (AK) Armey Berry Bryant Granger McKinney Shimkus McInnis Sanford Young (FL) Baca Biggert Burr Green (TX) McNulty Shows McIntyre Sawyer Bachus Bilbray Burton Green (WI) Meehan Shuster Baird Bilirakis Buyer Greenwood Meek (FL) Simpson NOT VOTING—17 Baker Bishop Callahan Gutierrez Meeks (NY) Sisisky Ackerman Larson Pickett Baldacci Blagojevich Calvert Gutknecht Menendez Skeen Bachus Martinez Rodriguez Baldwin Bliley Camp Hall (OH) Metcalf Skelton Brown (OH) McCarthy (NY) Stupak Ballenger Blumenauer Campbell Hall (TX) Mica Slaughter Capuano McCollum Waxman Barcia Blunt Canady Hansen Millender- Smith (MI) Cubin McIntosh Weiner Barr Boehlert Cannon Hastings (FL) McDonald Smith (NJ) Forbes Pease Barrett (NE) Boehner Capps Hastings (WA) Miller (FL) Smith (TX) Barrett (WI) Bonilla Cardin Hayes Miller, Gary Smith (WA) b 1605 Bartlett Bonior Carson Hayworth Miller, George Snyder Barton Bono Castle So (two-thirds having voted in favor Hefley Minge Souder Bass Borski Chabot Herger Mink Spence thereof) the rules were suspended, and Bateman Boswell Chambliss

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00068 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A23MY7.083 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 May 23, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3595 Spratt Thornberry Watkins Condit Holt Nadler Tancredo Towns Watts (OK) Stabenow Thune Watt (NC) Conyers Hooley Napolitano Tanner Traficant Weldon (FL) Stark Thurman Watts (OK) Cook Horn Neal Tauscher Turner Weldon (PA) Stearns Tiahrt Weldon (FL) Cooksey Hostettler Nethercutt Tauzin Udall (CO) Weller Stenholm Tierney Weldon (PA) Costello Houghton Ney Taylor (MS) Udall (NM) Wexler Strickland Toomey Weller Cox Hoyer Northup Taylor (NC) Upton Weygand Stump Towns Wexler Coyne Hulshof Norwood Terry Velazquez Whitfield Sununu Traficant Weygand Cramer Hunter Nussle Thomas Vento Wicker Sweeney Turner Whitfield Crane Hutchinson Oberstar Thompson (CA) Visclosky Wilson Talent Udall (CO) Wicker Crowley Hyde Obey Thompson (MS) Vitter Wise Tancredo Udall (NM) Wilson Cummings Inslee Olver Thornberry Walden Wolf Tanner Upton Wise Cunningham Isakson Ortiz Thune Walsh Woolsey Tauscher Velazquez Wolf Danner Istook Ose Thurman Wamp Wu Tauzin Vento Woolsey Davis (FL) Jackson (IL) Owens Tiahrt Waters Wynn Taylor (MS) Visclosky Wu Davis (IL) Jackson-Lee Oxley Tierney Watkins Young (AK) Taylor (NC) Vitter Wynn Davis (VA) (TX) Packard Toomey Watt (NC) Young (FL) Terry Walden Young (AK) Deal Jefferson Pallone NAYS—2 Thomas Walsh Young (FL) DeFazio Jenkins Pascrell Thompson (CA) Wamp DeGette John Pastor Paul Sanford Thompson (MS) Waters Delahunt Johnson (CT) Payne NOT VOTING—17 NOT VOTING—18 DeLauro Johnson, E. B. Pelosi DeLay Johnson, Sam Peterson (MN) Ackerman Larson Rodriguez Ackerman Larson Pease DeMint Jones (NC) Peterson (PA) Brown (OH) Martinez Royce Brown (OH) Martinez Pickett Deutsch Jones (OH) Petri Capuano McCarthy (NY) Stupak Capuano McCarthy (NY) Rodriguez Diaz-Balart Kanjorski Phelps Cubin McCollum Waxman Cubin McCollum Stupak Dickey Kaptur Pickering Forbes McIntosh Weiner Forbes McHugh Waxman Dicks Kasich Pickett Hilliard Pease Hilliard McIntosh Weiner Dingell Kelly Pitts Dixon Kennedy Pombo b 1623 b 1615 Doggett Kildee Pomeroy Dooley Kilpatrick Porter So (two-thirds having voted in favor So (two-thirds having voted in favor Doolittle Kind (WI) Portman thereof) the rules were suspended and thereof) the rules were suspended and Doyle King (NY) Price (NC) the bill, as amended, was passed. the concurrent resolution, as amended, Dreier Kingston Pryce (OH) The result of the vote was announced was agreed to. Duncan Kleczka Quinn Dunn Klink Radanovich as above recorded. The result of the vote was announced Edwards Knollenberg Rahall A motion to reconsider was laid on as above recorded. Ehlers Kolbe Ramstad the table. A motion to reconsider was laid on Ehrlich Kucinich Rangel f the table. Emerson Kuykendall Regula Engel LaFalce Reyes Stated for: English LaHood Reynolds HARRY S TRUMAN FEDERAL Mr. MCHUGH. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. Eshoo Lampson Riley BUILDING Etheridge Lantos Rivers 221, I was inadvertently detained. Had I been The SPEAKER pro tempore. The present, I would have voted ``aye.'' Evans Largent Roemer Everett Latham Rogan pending business is the question of sus- f Ewing LaTourette Rogers pending the rules and passing the bill, Farr Lazio Rohrabacher H.R. 3639, as amended. CARDIAC ARREST SURVIVAL ACT Fattah Leach Ros-Lehtinen Filner Lee Rothman The Clerk read the title of the bill. OF 2000 Fletcher Levin Roukema The SPEAKER pro tempore. The The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Foley Lewis (CA) Roybal-Allard question is on the motion offered by Ford Lewis (GA) Rush pending business is the question of sus- Fossella Lewis (KY) Ryan (WI) the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. pending the rules and pass the bill, Fowler Linder Ryun (KS) SHUSTER) that the House suspend the H.R. 2498, as amended. Frank (MA) Lipinski Sabo rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3639, as Franks (NJ) LoBiondo Salmon The Clerk read the title of the bill. Frelinghuysen Lofgren Sanchez amended, on which the yeas and nays The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Frost Lowey Sanders are ordered. question is on the motion offered by Gallegly Lucas (KY) Sandlin This will be a 5-minute vote. the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Ganske Lucas (OK) Sawyer The vote was taken by electronic de- Gejdenson Luther Saxton STEARNS) that the House suspend the Gekas Maloney (CT) Scarborough vice, and there were—yeas 413, nays 0, rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2498, as Gephardt Maloney (NY) Schaffer not voting 21, as follows: amended, on which the yeas and nays Gibbons Manzullo Schakowsky [Roll No. 223] Gilchrest Markey Scott are ordered. Gillmor Mascara Sensenbrenner YEAS—413 This is a 5-minute vote. Gilman Matsui Serrano Abercrombie Blagojevich Chambliss The vote was taken by electronic de- Gonzalez McCarthy (MO) Sessions Aderholt Bliley Clay vice, and there were—yeas 415, nays 2, Goode McCrery Shadegg Allen Blumenauer Clayton Goodlatte McDermott Shaw not voting 17, as follows: Andrews Blunt Clement Goodling McGovern Shays Archer Boehlert Clyburn [Roll No. 222] Gordon McHugh Sherman Armey Boehner Coble Goss McInnis Sherwood YEAS—415 Baca Bonilla Coburn Graham McIntyre Shimkus Bachus Bonior Collins Abercrombie Berkley Burr Granger McKeon Shows Baird Bono Combest Aderholt Berman Burton Green (TX) McKinney Shuster Baker Borski Condit Allen Berry Buyer Green (WI) McNulty Simpson Baldacci Boswell Conyers Andrews Biggert Callahan Greenwood Meehan Sisisky Baldwin Boucher Cook Archer Bilbray Calvert Gutierrez Meek (FL) Skeen Ballenger Boyd Cooksey Armey Bilirakis Camp Gutknecht Meeks (NY) Skelton Barcia Brady (PA) Costello Baca Bishop Campbell Hall (OH) Menendez Slaughter Barr Brady (TX) Cox Bachus Blagojevich Canady Hall (TX) Metcalf Smith (MI) Barrett (NE) Brown (FL) Coyne Baird Bliley Cannon Hansen Mica Smith (NJ) Barrett (WI) Bryant Cramer Baker Blumenauer Capps Hastings (FL) Millender- Smith (TX) Bartlett Burr Crane Baldacci Blunt Cardin Hastings (WA) McDonald Smith (WA) Barton Burton Crowley Baldwin Boehlert Carson Hayes Miller (FL) Snyder Bass Buyer Cummings Ballenger Boehner Castle Hayworth Miller, Gary Souder Bateman Callahan Cunningham Barcia Bonilla Chabot Hefley Miller, George Spence Becerra Calvert Danner Barr Bonior Chambliss Herger Minge Spratt Bentsen Camp Davis (IL) Barrett (NE) Bono Chenoweth-Hage Hill (IN) Mink Stabenow Bereuter Campbell Davis (VA) Barrett (WI) Borski Clay Hill (MT) Moakley Stark Berkley Canady Deal Bartlett Boswell Clayton Hilleary Mollohan Stearns Berman Cannon DeFazio Barton Boucher Clement Hinchey Moore Stenholm Berry Capps DeGette Bass Boyd Clyburn Hinojosa Moran (KS) Strickland Biggert Cardin Delahunt Bateman Brady (PA) Coble Hobson Moran (VA) Stump Bilbray Carson DeLauro Becerra Brady (TX) Coburn Hoeffel Morella Sununu Bilirakis Castle DeLay Bentsen Brown (FL) Collins Hoekstra Murtha Sweeney Bishop Chabot DeMint Bereuter Bryant Combest Holden Myrick Talent

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00069 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A23MY7.085 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 H3596 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 23, 2000 Deutsch Kaptur Phelps Vento Watts (OK) Wise The Chair recognizes the gentleman Diaz-Balart Kasich Pickering Visclosky Weldon (FL) Wolf RCHER Dickey Kelly Pickett Vitter Weldon (PA) Woolsey from Texas (Mr. A ). Dicks Kennedy Pitts Walden Weller Wu Mr. ARCHER. Mr. Chairman, I yield Dingell Kildee Pombo Walsh Wexler Wynn myself such time as I may consume. Dixon Kilpatrick Pomeroy Wamp Weygand Young (AK) Mr. Chairman, I say to my fellow Doggett Kind (WI) Porter Waters Whitfield Young (FL) Members that this debate today is like- Dooley King (NY) Portman Watkins Wicker Doolittle Kingston Price (NC) Watt (NC) Wilson ly the most important debate that we Doyle Kleczka Pryce (OH) will make, not only in this Congress, NOT VOTING—21 Dreier Klink Quinn perhaps in our entire careers. Duncan Knollenberg Radanovich Ackerman Hilliard McIntosh I rise in strong and full support of Dunn Kolbe Rahall Brown (OH) Hutchinson Pease Edwards Kucinich Ramstad Capuano Jones (OH) Rodriguez this legislation which grants normal Ehlers Kuykendall Rangel Chenoweth-Hage Larson Spratt trading relations to China and helps to Ehrlich LaFalce Regula Cubin Martinez Stupak open its borders to the enterprising su- Emerson LaHood Reyes Davis (FL) McCarthy (NY) Waxman Engel Lampson Reynolds Forbes McCollum Weiner periority of American workers, Amer- ican businesses, and American farmers. English Lantos Riley b Eshoo Largent Rivers 1634 This historic legislation serves two Etheridge Latham Roemer So (two-thirds having voted in favor critical American interests: first, it Evans LaTourette Rogan Everett Lazio Rogers thereof) the rules were suspended and creates potentially hundreds of thou- Ewing Leach Rohrabacher the bill, as amended, was passed. sands of new higher-paying jobs for Farr Lee Ros-Lehtinen The result of the vote was announced American workers; second, it helps our Fattah Levin Rothman as above recorded. children and our grandchildren to live Filner Lewis (CA) Roukema Fletcher Lewis (GA) Roybal-Allard A motion to reconsider was laid on in a more peaceful world and enhance Foley Lewis (KY) Royce the table. our national security. Ford Linder Rush f Human rights, so important to us Fossella Lipinski Ryan (WI) Americans, will be helped because we Fowler LoBiondo Ryun (KS) REPORT ON H.R. 4516, LEGISLA- know from the testimony of many Chi- Frank (MA) Lofgren Sabo TIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS Franks (NJ) Lowey Salmon nese dissidents that continuing normal Frelinghuysen Lucas (KY) Sanchez ACT, 2001 trade with China is a plus. Frost Lucas (OK) Sanders Mr. YOUNG of Florida, from the The environment is important, and Gallegly Luther Sandlin Ganske Maloney (CT) Sanford Committee on Appropriations, sub- this legislation will help improve envi- Gejdenson Maloney (NY) Sawyer mitted a privileged report (Rept. No. ronmental protection. This vote will be Gekas Manzullo Saxton 106–635) on the bill (H.R. 4516) making the most important vote that we as Gephardt Markey Scarborough Members of this House will cast, as I Gibbons Mascara Schaffer appropriations for the Legislative Gilchrest Matsui Schakowsky Branch for the fiscal year ending Sep- said, in this Congress and perhaps in Gillmor McCarthy (MO) Scott tember 30, 2001, and for other purposes, our congressional careers. Gilman McCrery Sensenbrenner which was referred to the Union Cal- While the bill itself may be small, Gonzalez McDermott Serrano the issue surrounding NTR for China is Goode McGovern Sessions endar and ordered to be printed. Goodlatte McHugh Shadegg The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. CAL- massive. As chairman, I have worked Goodling McInnis Shaw VERT). Pursuant to clause 1, rule XXI, hard to accommodate Members on both Gordon McIntyre Shays all points of order are reserved on the sides to produce a bill that addresses Goss McKeon Sherman Graham McKinney Sherwood bill. their concerns on issues, such as Granger McNulty Shimkus f human rights, prison labor, environ- Green (TX) Meehan Shows ment, and anti-surge protections; and I Green (WI) Meek (FL) Shuster AUTHORIZING EXTENSION OF NON- am pleased that we can include that Greenwood Meeks (NY) Simpson DISCRIMINATORY TREATMENT Gutierrez Menendez Sisisky language for consideration by the Gutknecht Metcalf Skeen (NORMAL TRADE RELATIONS House. Hall (OH) Mica Skelton TREATMENT) TO PEOPLE’S RE- This parallel bill, as it is called, is bi- Hall (TX) Millender- Slaughter PUBLIC OF CHINA Hansen McDonald Smith (MI) partisan; and both the gentleman from Hastings (FL) Miller (FL) Smith (NJ) The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Michigan (Mr. LEVIN) and the gen- Hastings (WA) Miller, Gary Smith (TX) ant to the order of the House today and tleman from Nebraska (Mr. BEREUTER) Hayes Miller, George Smith (WA) rule XVIII, the Chair declares the deserve enormous credit for its accom- Hayworth Minge Snyder Hefley Mink Souder House in the Committee of the Whole plishment. Herger Moakley Spence House on the State of the Union for the Mr. Chairman, China represents over Hill (IN) Mollohan Stabenow consideration of the bill, H.R. 4444. one-quarter of the world’s population. Hill (MT) Moore Stark Over 1 billion people will not be ig- Hilleary Moran (KS) Stearns b 1636 Hinchey Moran (VA) Stenholm nored in the international market- Hinojosa Morella Strickland IN THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE place. Yes, we can agree that China’s Hobson Murtha Stump Accordingly, the House resolved human rights do not measure up to our Hoeffel Myrick Sununu Hoekstra Nadler Sweeney itself into the Committee of the Whole own standards; we can agree that their Holden Napolitano Talent House on the State of the Union for the environmental and labor conditions Holt Neal Tancredo consideration of the bill (H.R. 4444) to need to be improved. Hooley Nethercutt Tanner authorize extension of nondiscrim- But how does suffering our economic Horn Ney Tauscher Hostettler Northup Tauzin inatory treatment (normal trade rela- relations with China help us to bring Houghton Norwood Taylor (MS) tions treatment) to the People’s Re- about the positive and monumental Hoyer Nussle Taylor (NC) public of China, with Mr. LAHOOD in change which opponents to this bill say Hulshof Oberstar Terry Hunter Obey Thomas the chair. they want? Mr. Chairman, no opponent Hyde Olver Thompson (CA) The Clerk read the title of the bill. has been able to show me how we will Inslee Ortiz Thompson (MS) The CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to the be better off in accomplishing these Isakson Ose Thornberry order of the House today, the bill is goals if we turn down normal trading Istook Owens Thune Jackson (IL) Oxley Thurman considered as having been read the first relations with China. If we fail today, Jackson-Lee Packard Tiahrt time. it will certainly play into the hands of (TX) Pallone Tierney Under the order of the House today, the hardliners in China, and that can- Jefferson Pascrell Toomey Jenkins Pastor Towns the gentleman from Texas (Mr. AR- not be good for our national interests. John Paul Traficant CHER), the gentleman from Michigan I have said that it would be unthink- Johnson (CT) Payne Turner (Mr. LEVIN), the gentleman from Wis- able for the Congress not to approve Johnson, E. B. Pelosi Udall (CO) consin (Mr. KLECZKA), and the gen- this historic legislation. Johnson, Sam Peterson (MN) Udall (NM) Jones (NC) Peterson (PA) Upton tleman from California (Mr. ROHR- The American people are with us. By Kanjorski Petri Velazquez ABACHER) each will control 30 minutes. the most recent polling data, they

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00070 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A23MY7.089 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 May 23, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3597 overwhelmingly support this bill be- There is weak rule of law today in promising approach to take advantage cause they know it is good for jobs in China. How are we going to make sure of the opportunities and to meet the America and good for human rights that China complies with its agree- challenges. It allows us to both engage and the environment in China. ments? The gentleman from Nebraska China and to confront. It recognizes Much of this debate has focused on (Mr. BEREUTER) and I have put together the internal forces for change in China exports, on crops and computers and legislation to address this challenge as and reinforces them with external pres- cars and other material goods, and well as others, and there are some sures by us. they are important. But the greatest meaningful compliance provisions in I want to refer briefly, as I close, to American exports to China are those our proposal. One relates to the USTR two comments in recent articles, one yet to come, the freedom of choice and review, an annual review within our by Dai Qing, who is perhaps China’s the freedom of opportunity. own ranks, detailed, meaningful. most prominent environmentalist and History has shown us that no govern- Perhaps it is important granting re- independent political thinker, and here ment can withstand the power of indi- sources to our agencies China specific, is what he said recently in a report in viduals who are driven by the taste of China specific, to enforce their agree- The Washington Post. In quotes. freedom and the rewards of oppor- ment. And also there is, in essence, an ‘‘There is a battle here between open- tunity. We need to pass this bill. instruction to our USTR that in the ing to the West and closing to the Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance protocol discussions that will ensue West. This fight is not over. One of the of my time. now that the EU has reached agree- main economic and political problems Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Chairman, I yield ment with China, that she will insist, in China today is our monopoly sys- myself such time as I may consume. she will work actively for an annual re- tem, a monopoly on power and business Mr. Chairman, trade issues are never view within the WTO of the agreement monopolies. Both elements are mutu- easy. They become more difficult as by China. ally reinforcing. The WTO’s rules globalization has become global. It now That is the first aspect in terms of would naturally encourage competition includes the largest nation in the the challenge. The second one relates and that’s bad for both monopolies.’’ world. It is destined, according to to the potential surges in products And then an article just this last World Bank estimates, to have the sec- from China. It is going to compete with Sunday in The New York Times. This ond largest national economy in the us. That is what trade is. It is competi- is a report, not an editorial, and it is world in 20 years. tion. And there could be harmful entitled ‘‘Chinese See U.S. Trade Bill So China’s integration into the world surges from China into the U.S. that as Vital to Future Reforms.’’ And after trading system inevitably presents would hurt our workers and hurt our quoting a large number of people in both opportunities and challenges producers. China, including one who recently lost both. What we have to do is to take ad- I will not go into detail now, but I his job as a reformer, this is what all of vantage of the benefits in the agree- can say, as someone who has worked on them in this article say. ‘‘Chinese say ment that we negotiated with China these issues now for 15 years and their country is at a tipping point in and also actively address the problems fought to keep the antidumping provi- its history. A yes vote on normal trade in our relationship. sions in U.S. law in the Uruguay can propel it forward to greater liberal- Briefly, the benefits, and there will Round, and successfully, with the help ization and engagement with the West. A no vote from Congress will be seen as be more discussion of this, the distin- of the gentleman from New York (Mr. a slap in the face, throwing China back guished gentleman from Texas (Mr. AR- HOUGHTON), this provision, this specific into conservatism and anti-American CHER), chairman of the committee, has provision as to surges from China and handling them, is the strongest anti- hatred.’’ laid out some of them. Lower tariffs, Rejecting PNTR now that it has been surge provision that will be in U.S. dramatically lower tariffs over time combined with the proposals in our leg- law. for both agricultural and industrial islation would likely be a catalyst not Third relates to human rights, in- products. Service, a dramatic break- for change but for chaos in the rela- cluding international core labor stand- through for our service industries. tionships between the U.S. and China. ards in the U.S. law. First of all, in the Telecommunications, China is explod- It would make both active engagement legislation that the gentleman from ing in terms of telecommunications. So and constructive confrontation by the Nebraska (Mr. BEREUTER) and I have vital barriers that now exist, for exam- U.S. much more difficult. ple, local content requirements, they proposed and will be before us tomor- There is a better course, colleagues, are out the window under this agree- row, what we do is to set up a task in this distinguished body at this dis- ment. Restrictions on distribution of force, and a meaningful one, to pull to- tinguished moment. It is passage of our products made in the United gether the agencies of the U.S. Govern- PNTR, now combined with a frame- States, they are gone over time under ment to work with Customs to make work, with a plan of action, with a this agreement. Technology transfers sure that our law on forced and prison strategy to assess the advantages and that were required by China up to this labor products from China, that that address the problems. point would no longer be available to law is implemented. I was in China 10 days in January, in the Chinese. And then the commission that we Beijing and then Hong Kong. After The point is clear: if we do not grant have proposed; high level, at the execu- talking to students, after talking to in- PNTR to China, it is going into the tive-congressional level, full time, tellectuals, to artists, as well as gov- WTO in any event. In any event. fully staffed, patterned after the Hel- ernment officials, I came to the conclu- sinki Commission, 25 years old. That b 1645 sion indelibly that change in China is commission was effective in Eastern irreversible but its direction is not in- The U.S. has no veto power over their Europe. This commission that we have evitable. We must be activists in this entry. And if we do not grant PNTR, put together on paper, if we work at it, process of change. We, the United most of the benefits that we negotiated will be effective in reality. There will States, cannot isolate China and its 1.2 with the Chinese Government will not be nine Members from the House, nine billion people; and we must not isolate be available to us but they will be to from the Senate, five from the execu- ourselves from impacting on China’s our competitors. tive at the highest levels. We will rep- future direction. There has been some talk these resent the majority on that commis- Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance months about the 1979 agreement be- sion. of my time. tween the U.S. and China giving us all The Helsinki Commission worked and Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Chairman, I yield of the benefits that we have since nego- this can work. It will work because we 2 minutes and 10 seconds to the gentle- tiated. I have read the documents will be determined to make it work. woman from California (Ms. PELOSI). many times, and that is simply incor- So, the provisions that the gen- Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Chairman, I thank rect. But I want to focus right now on tleman from Nebraska (Mr. BEREUTER) the gentleman for yielding me this the challenges, because there are chal- and others and I have worked on com- time. lenges as well as opportunities. One of bines PNTR with this framework, with Mr. Chairman, every now and then them is the issue of compliance. this plan of action that is the most this Congress has the opportunity to

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00071 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.137 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 H3598 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 23, 2000 associate our country with the aspira- tary buildup of the Communist Chi- China. My colleagues will hear that tions of people who sacrifice their lives nese? They now have the capability of over and over and over again in this de- and their livelihood for freedom. The murdering millions of Americans with bate. That is a ruse. It is not true. It is PNTR vote that we are debating today nuclear weapons that they did not have trying to get us off what this debate is gives us that challenge. It challenges the capability for 10 years ago, based really about. the Congress to stand with the man be- on our technology and our money. I What are we going to achieve by this fore the tank, who courageously, cou- consider that a disastrous policy. decision today on permanent normal rageously, stood his ground for free- And morally, morally, has this trade relations with China? What we dom. It challenges us to speak out worked in our benefit to have this rela- are talking about is continuing to against the brutal occupation of Tibet tionship, which people now want to allow our big businessmen to massively and against the serious repression in make permanent? That is what this is invest in China with government guar- China. about, making a disastrous relation- antees to the Export-Import Bank and We have been told over the last dec- ship with Communist China perma- subsidized loans and guaranteed loans. ade that human rights in China would nent. What has it done morally? Today, That is the bottom line. That is what improve if we had unconditional trade the Democratic movement in China, is pushing this. benefits for China. Not so. More people which used to be healthy, has been We have people closing factories in are imprisoned for their beliefs in smashed. Religious believers are being the United States and opening them up China today than at any time since the persecuted, even to the point where to use slave labor in China, and they cultural revolution. people who believe in meditation and want the taxpayers to guarantee that. We were told that unconditional yoga are being thrown into prison by They do not care about morality. They trade benefits for China would stop the thousands. do not care about human rights. This is China’s proliferation of weapons of In Tibet, the genocide goes on. The a joke. mass destruction to rogue states. Communist Chinese could drop an Even with the proposal of the gen- Again, not so. Not only does China con- atomic bomb on Tibet and murder mil- tleman from Michigan (Mr. LEVIN), we tinue to proliferate chemical, biologi- lions of people, and our business com- are taking away our ability to enforce cal, and nuclear technology, and the munity would still be up here saying, any type of human rights standards delivery systems for them to rogue well, how are we going to cut off that we have been trying to push on states, they have added Libya as one of progress by trying to confront them Communist China. And they know it. their customers, as recently as this with this. No, we have to maintain our They know that we are taking away March 2000. engagement. our rights even to discuss it on the But even if we could ignore the seri- PNTR basically says that we are floor of the House every year, which ous repression and the dangerous pro- going to make permanent the relation- has been one of the only things that liferation of weapons of mass destruc- ship that we have had for the last 10 have held them back. And even with tion, there is serious reason to reject years with Communist China. Freeze that type of control or, at least, influ- this proposal on the basis of trade it. We are going to freeze it. Now, my ence on them, they have gone in the alone. Mr. Chairman, China has never colleagues may say, oh, no, that is opposite direction. honored any of its trade agreements wrong; they are going to bring down Let me close by saying this: I realize with the United States, including its their unfair tariffs that they have had. people who believe on the other side of agreements for market access over the No, I am afraid not. What will happen this are sincere; they believe they are last 20 years; over and over again is, these tariffs, which have been dis- trying to better the prospects for peace agreements on stopping the violation proportionate, monstrously dispropor- in this world and better the prospects of intellectual property, and the piracy tionate, will be brought down a little. for freedom, which I think is nonsense. continues; and stopping prison labor They will still have a huge tariff dis- We do not treat tyrants that way. But exports from coming into the United parity between the United States and we have tried this before. The world States. China. has tried this before. Indeed, the U.S. International Trade In other words, they will continue We remember Neville Chamberlain as Commission said in their own analysis, flooding our market with their goods, the man who gave away Czecho- projecting the China deal will result in but what will happen? If we have a dis- slovakia to Hitler and Munich, but we the loss of 872,000 American jobs over pute with them in the future, if we pass do not remember what Neville Cham- the next decade. On the basis of trade PNTR, we have taken all of our bullets berlain did in the years prior to Mu- alone, I urge my colleagues to vote out of our gun to enforce our decisions. nich when Hitler had taken over Nazi against this resolution. We are giving it to the World Trade Or- Germany. Neville Chamberlain led up Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Chairman, ganization. Instead of being able to en- to Munich by creating an economic I yield myself such time as I may con- force our agreements with China, task force designed to invest in Ger- sume. which we have not been able to enforce many so that the Germans would have Mr. Chairman, our economic rela- before, and they have broken their so many economic ties they would tionship with Communist China has agreements with us, we are going to never think of violating the peace. It been a disaster for the United States of rely on panels and commissions of the reads almost verbatim the argument America, a disaster; and it is in the World Trade Organization. that we are getting today. making and we can see it coming, We have been told that if we engage We do not make a liberal by hugging though we have people trying to pre- with China, that we will liberalize a Nazi. We do not treat gangsters as if vent the American people from under- China. We will make them more like they are democrats and expect them to standing the significance of what has us. They will become more Democratic. be democratic people. No. We must been going on for these last 10 years. stand together with the people in b Economically we have had year after 1700 China who long for freedom and jus- year after year of a massive trade sur- It has gone the opposite direction. tice, and we will not do that by kow- plus with Communist China. What does We have been dealing with gangsters, towing to these dictators in Beijing that mean for the people of the United and right now we are talking about and giving them what they want. States? We are just going to laugh that putting gangsters into the chamber of Do not give me this, the hardliners off, where they have a trade surplus? commerce. What makes my colleagues do not want us to give them this. The They allow us to import all of their think that dealing with a gangster is hardliners want to continue to have goods while they put restrictions on going to do anything but corrupt their the type of trade surpluses that they our goods? people rather than making them any have had and want us to have to only In terms of our national security, better? rely on the WTO if they break their they have used that trade surplus, The debate is not about isolating word to us. which will be $80 billion this year, to China. Do not let anybody fool us. This This whole idea of permanent normal build up their military. And who do we is not about isolating China. It is not trade relations with China is against think is being threatened by this mili- about severing our relations with the interest of the people of the United

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00072 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.140 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 May 23, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3599 States, against our moral position, and most important votes of the century in Today, China has gone from virtually has undermined our national security Congress. And by passing permanent no phones to about 130 million phones. as we wake up to find that we have normal trade relations with China, They talk about freedom of speech. built a monster that is capable, with Congress will be doing more to expand That is what phones, especially digital the weapons systems and technologies our economy and create jobs than any- cell phones, help facilitate. that we have provided them, of killing thing else we could possibly do.’’ Today, China has gone from virtually millions of Americans. Mr. Chairman, the governor of Min- no newspapers whatsoever to millions I call on my colleagues to oppose nor- nesota got it right. I just hope we get of users of the Internet, the greatest mal trade relations with this mon- it right. democratizing tool the world has every strous regime in Communist China. Under the terms of the agreement, known, for it opens people to news, to Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance China’s tariffs will fall from an average ideas from every corner of the world. of my time. tariff of 25 percent to 9 percent. That is That is progress. Mr. CRANE. Mr. Chairman, I yield what it means to knock down trade In fact, President Carter and I shared myself such time as I may consume. barriers so that we can export more the thought that China, despite all its Mr. Chairman, I respect the passion goods, expand our economy, and create still existing problems, has probably that my distinguished colleague, the more jobs. advanced the human condition more in gentleman from California (Mr. ROHR- As cultural tariffs will fall from an the past 20 years than any other nation ABACHER), has. But I would remind him average of 32 percent, it is no wonder in history. that he should go back to reexamining our farmers cannot sell grain to China, But let us turn to this agreement. It what his former governor, Ronald fall from an average of 32 percent to 15 should be a no-brainer. We give no tar- Reagan, did with regard to our Carib- percent by the year 2004. iff reductions or additional market bean neighbors when the Caribbean Well, what do these tariff reductions entry whatsoever. They lower their neighbors were subject to the possi- mean? They mean that members of tariffs drastically and open their mar- bility of communist expansion and tyr- Minnesota’s Medical Alley, America’s kets. That is a clear winner for our ex- anny and Ronald Reagan initiated the Medical Alley, from big companies like ports. Caribbean Basin Initiative, which was Medtronic to small manufacturers like Last week we negotiated the strong- to make that economic outreach in American Medical Supplies can im- est anti-surge controls ever legislated. hopes that economic improvement prove and save and better Chinese We can now stop surges of Chinese ex- lives. It means Minnesota’s companies, ports. We could not before. That is a would lead them down the path to America’s companies, like Cargill, winner. democratic institutions. It was a mar- Pillsbury, General Mills, Jennie-O, This is a historic vote. We can draw velous program, and it worked superbly Hormel, and others can sell more food a circle that either includes China or well. and other products in China. excludes China, almost one quarter of I would remind my distinguished col- That means that efficient Minnesota the people of the planet Earth. We can league, too, that we have the missile farmers, America’s farmers, corn grow- maximize our influence or decimate capability to kill millions of Chinese ers, pork producers, soy bean farmers our influence. The choice is ours. His- people; and we do not want that to hap- can export more food to the growing tory demands a ‘‘yes’’ vote. pen and we do not want China to con- population in China. Mr. Chairman, the Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Chairman, I yield sider using their capabilities against bottom line, it means a better quality 2 minutes to the gentleman from Geor- us, either. The best way we move down of life for the Chinese people and a bet- gia (Mr. LEWIS), a member of the Com- the path of guaranteeing that these ter quality of life for the American mittee on Ways and Means. things do not happen is establishing people. Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Chair- those better relations. What some critics do not understand man, I thank my friend and my col- I would suggest to my colleague from is that trade is not a zero-sum game; it league from Wisconsin (Mr. KLECZKA) California, talk to Dr. Billy Graham is a win-win for both economies, for for yielding me the time. about it. His son has been doing mis- both countries. It means Minnesota’s Mr. Chairman, I am opposed to grant- sionary activity over there for several jobs, America’s jobs will continue to ing permanent normal trade relations years and has distributed literally mil- grow, our economy can expand, good to China. We cannot reward China with lions of Bibles in mainland China over jobs. PNTR while she continues to violate the past several years, and they are ac- So I urge our colleagues to support the human rights of her people. We are tually printing their Bibles in the this historic, momentous, critical sending the wrong message to the rest mainland right now. issue. Vote ‘‘yes’’ on permanent normal of the world. The spirit of history is So we have a chance to exert that trade relations with China. upon us, and we must be guided by the personal contact and move it in a con- Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Chairman, I yield 21⁄2 spirit of history to do the right thing. structive direction. minutes to the gentleman from New Granting PNTR allows China to con- 1 Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 ⁄2 minutes to York (Mr. LAFALCE). tinue the terrible abuses without any the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. (Mr. LAFALCE asked and was given consequences. RAMSTAD) to elaborate a little further permission to revise and extend his re- I ask my colleagues, how much are on this issue. marks.) we prepared to pay? Are we prepared to Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Chairman, I Mr. LAFALCE. Mr. Chairman, on sell our souls? Are we prepared to be- thank my chairman for yielding me the January 1, 1979, I was one of the rep- tray our conscience? Are we prepared time and for his strong, effective lead- resentatives of the United States and to deny our shared values of freedom, ership on this historic issue. President Carter at the ceremonies in justice, and democracy? Mr. Chairman, it is a great day in Beijing reestablishing normal relations Where is the freedom of speech? Congress when we can do something with China. Where is the freedom of worship? this positive for the American people. Last week, I chatted with President Where is the freedom of assembly? It is a great day in Congress when we Carter; and we reminisced about what Where is the freedom to organize? can work together, both sides of the had happened in the 2 decades in be- Where is the freedom to protest? Where aisle, Democrats, Republicans, and tween. We share virtually identical is the freedom? It is not in China. independents alike, in a bipartisan, views. Can we forget Tiananmen Square, 11 pragmatic, and common sense way on Twenty years ago, China was a closed years ago, June 4, 1989? We cannot for- something so important to America’s society, virtually no phones, no news- get, and we must not forget. future. papers, no access to the outside world, Some of us have worked too long and My governor, Jesse Ventura, is not no private enterprise, no relations with too hard for civil rights and human one to mince words; and he talks plain citizens of the United States, no hope, rights here at home and other places in talk. When I invited him to testify be- and no future. And today that has the world not to stand up for human fore the Committee on Ways and Means changed, in large part because we have rights in China. on this important issue, he put it like had normal relations with China, be- Mr. Chairman, I believe in trade, free this: he said, ‘‘This will be one of the cause we engage China. and fair trade. But I do not believe in

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00073 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.142 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 H3600 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 23, 2000 trade at any price. And the price of Do my colleagues remember money. All I can say to my colleagues granting PNTR for China is much too Tiananmen Square? I think the gen- is there are a million reasons not to ap- high. It is a price we should not be pre- tleman from Georgia (Mr. LEWIS) cited prove this and only one to approve it. pared to pay. that very thoroughly and very well. I submit that we should not approve it. So, Mr. Chairman, I urge all of my There are 10 million people in slave Mr. CRANE. Mr. Chairman, I yield colleagues to oppose normal trade rela- labor camps making tennis shoes and myself such time as I may consume. tions for China. other things for nothing but a bowl of I would like to remind my distin- Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Chairman, gruel a day. And we talk about human guished colleague from Indiana that I yield myself 1 minute. rights. there is nothing about this action we Mr. Chairman, let me just say that They are taking people who are alive are about to take that is irrevocable by we heard about reference to Ronald in prisons and if you or I want a kidney any future Congress. Permanent trade Reagan and China. I worked with and we are willing to go to China, for relations can be granted today and President Reagan on some of the 30 to $35,000 they will take that person taken away tomorrow. This is an ac- speeches that he gave when he went to and they will kill him today, they will tion that Congress can take any time China; and we should not forget that, extricate their kidney, take it out of that it is so inclined to do so. I would during Ronald Reagan’s time, Ronald them, and they will immediately trans- like to remind my colleague, too, that Reagan strategized in order to develop plant it into you if you need it. If you he made reference to the fact of the $68 a democratic movement in China, have the money, you can go to China billion trade deficit we have with which, after Ronald Reagan left office, and get it. They will make a match, China. was smashed, yes. But during Ronald they will check your blood type and If you lock yourself out of the Chi- Reagan’s time, when he supported ex- immediately you will get a kidney out nese market, how do you plan to ad- panding our relationship with China, of a live human being, guaranteed dress that? What the existing relation- he also supported and was very active fresh. That goes on today. ship does is guarantee that we do not in making sure that there was a demo- They have tried to influence our po- have access to their market. Perma- cratic movement. litical process. We know that Liu Chao nent normal trade relations with China That was a force within China. Now Ying met with Johnny Chung in Hong gives us access to their market as they that that has been destroyed by the Kong and the head of the People’s Lib- have access to our market at this time. Communist Chinese Government, there eration Army intelligence service, Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Chair- is no excuse for continuing those same comparable to our CIA or DIA, Mr. Ji, man, will the gentleman yield? strategies. came in and said, we like your Presi- Mr. CRANE. I yield to the gentleman When it came to the Soviet Union, dent, we want to see him reelected and from Indiana. Ronald Reagan made himself very he gave $300,000 to them. Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Chair- clear; we never provided anything like Millions of dollars came in from that man, real briefly let me just ask the that. He tried to undermine the eco- part of the world to try to influence gentleman this. Does he really believe nomic strength of the Soviet Union to our elections. Does that sound like after American industry invests plant bring about peace and democratization. they want to work with us? They now and equipment and money over there That is what worked, because there control or will control both ends of the that they are going to allow us to with- was not a democracy movement in the Panama Canal. Li Ka Shing who is tied draw permanent trade status? Soviet Union. in with the People’s Liberation Army Mr. CRANE. If I can reclaim my Let us read history, and let us learn and the Communist hierarchy in China time, they have already invested. from it. What we have now is we are now has ports at both ends of the Pan- Mr. BURTON of Indiana. But there going in the opposite direction. ama Canal and in the not too distant will be more. Mr. Chairman, I yield 4 minutes to future they will be able to stop us from Mr. CRANE. I have the headquarters the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. BUR- using it. of Motorola in my district. Motorola TON). Today we just found out the other has a plant they have had in Shanghai Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Chair- canal in the world, the Suez Canal that for some time. I was over there. I had man, I thank the gentleman for yield- is so important to all of us and to the opportunity to visit with the head ing me the time. of the Motorola plant in Shanghai. He Mr. Chairman, we talk about checks transportation of commerce, they now made reference to the fact that in their and balances. What kind of checks and have the same organization headed by plant, they provide the employees balances will we have on China if they Li Ka Shing and the People’s Libera- clean working conditions, they provide get permanent trade status? tion Army, they are going to have Port We have been reviewing them once a Said on the Suez Canal. They are mov- overtime pay for more than a 40-hour year and, because of that, they know ing around the world pieces of influ- workweek, they provide health care that once a year we are going to vote ence like chess pieces and they are benefits to their employees. on it and we can withdraw that favor- going to checkmate us if we are not And I said, gee, did you bring that all able status that they have. very careful and we are giving them over from the United States and they the money and the influence to do it. said, no, those are the guidelines of the b 1715 Their trade surplus with us was $68 Chinese government to foreign compa- They have 35 to 40 percent of our billion last year; and I submit if we nies doing business there. I thought market. Thirty-five to 40 percent of pass this, it is going to be greater. about it for a moment because there their exports come to the United Once American commerce goes over were some grungy Chinese factories in States. They are not going to cut off there and finds they can get labor for Shanghai that I had seen when I was their nose to spite their face if we do 50 cents an hour or less, you think they walking around neighborhoods. And I not go along with them on this perma- are going to want to pull out, espe- thought about it for a moment, that if nent trade status today. It means too cially if the human rights problems get the gentleman from Indiana is working much to them. worse and worse over there or they in a grungy Chinese factory and I am What I want Members to do right start trying to block our shipping if we working for Motorola and we are hav- now is to look back and see what has do not do what they want? Of course ing our Tsingtaos together at the end happened in China just recently and not. of a long workday and the gentleman is what they have been doing. They stole We are getting pressure today by moaning about the grungy working our nuclear secrets. They were in- many business interests. What do you conditions and no overtime pay and no volved in espionage at Los Alamos and think it is going to be like when they health care benefits, it is only logical Livermore Laboratories and they now start moving their plants over there that I am going to say, hey, why do have the ability to kill 50 million peo- and paying slave wages to people over you work there? Come work for Motor- ple in this country with one missile on there to produce goods and services? ola. a mobile launch vehicle with 10 W–88 They are going to go along with what- Ben Franklin made the observation, warheads. They did not have that be- ever it takes because it means the al- a good example is the best sermon. We fore. This just happened recently. mighty dollar. They are going to make provide that good example and the best

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00074 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.145 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 May 23, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3601 sermon. It is something that has an ef- and the oppressive regime, but let us trade relations with China. China fect that goes beyond just the paro- not abandon the American people just should not be rewarded for its domestic chial interests of that company. to salve our own consciences. and international record of abuses of Mr. Chairman, I yield 21⁄2 minutes to Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 workers, religious leaders and democ- the distinguished gentleman from Ari- minutes to the distinguished gen- racy activists, nor for its repeated ab- zona (Mr. SALMON). tleman from Oregon (Mr. rogations of international treaties. Mr. SALMON. Mr. Chairman, I thank BLUMENAUER). An annual review of this Nation’s the gentleman for yielding me this Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Chairman, I trade status as opposed to permanent time. Twenty-three years ago I was 19 thank the gentleman for yielding me certification such as this bill would years old and I was peddling a bike this time, and I thank him for his lead- provide is a critical means by which around in Taiwan. I was sent there as a ership in this issue. The world’s most China and other nations can be held ac- missionary for the Mormon church. important relationship over the next 20 countable for their actions. We need to One of my responsibilities was to go years will be between the United do this since as The New York Times around and knock on people’s doors to States, the world’s greatest military noted today, China is not known for its try to spread the gospel of Jesus power and economic power, and China, strict adherence to trade agreements. Christ. the world’s oldest culture and largest In fact, it is known for exactly the It is interesting, this Friday I will be population. The change in China since opposite. going back to Taiwan a lot less humble Nixon began diplomatic and economic Granting permanent normal trade re- and lowly than I was 22 years ago. I engagement has been nothing short of lations with China as well as the coun- will be meeting with the newly elected phenomenal. try’s accession to the WTO represent President, President Chen Shui-bian, The forces of change and reform will another missed opportunity to incor- who by the way is a strong advocate of win out sooner if the United States is porate strong protections for human permanent normal trade relations be- engaged than if we play into the hands rights, worker rights, and environ- tween China and the United States. I and forces of repression. Isolation sim- mental rights in trade agreements. I made these comments because I re- ply does not work. In South Africa, it agree that expanded trade under the member in the 1970s when I lived in took all of the world’s developed pow- right terms can raise standards of liv- Taiwan. We have had some examples of ers coalesced against a relatively small ing for all; but I will continue to fight history. country to change apartheid. for fair agreements that ensure that Let me tell my colleagues about the The rest of the world does not agree standards to protect the environment, history of Taiwan. I know. I lived with us on China. We cannot even force workers, and human rights are not there. I speak the language. I know the change in Cuba, a tiny country with an compromised in the process. people. In the 1970s, Taiwan was any- aging dictator and a population about Unfortunately, granting PNTR will thing but the free democracy we see the size of Michigan. The United States only exacerbate the race to the bottom today. We just saw with this recent could accelerate change in China, and where corporations can circle the globe election, a free and democratic election that will not just have significant ben- looking for and pressuring for the low- in Taiwan, the second of its kind in efits for our businesses, it will also est standards, setting up low-wage 5,000 years. But it was not always that benefit the environment. But that sweatshops, dumping their pollution, way. takes modern technology and invest- and creating unsafe conditions for the In fact, Taiwan had a very oppressive ment, services that the Chinese need public. governmental regime. There was not that we are good at and that will im- This race to the bottom pus countries with freedom of speech. There was not free- prove their environment while it pro- higher standards at a disadvantage and dom of the press. In fact, I remember vides us with economic opportunities. makes new environmental and workers protec- talking with an individual in the park Over half a century ago, the Marshall tions harder to enact. one day, he was being critical of the Plan invested not just in our dev- Most supporters of PNTR and WTO accept- government, we never saw him again; astated allies but in our defeated en- ance for China admit that China continues to and we were told that he went to pris- emies in Europe. The Russians, how- be a rogue nation. on. The fact is Taiwan was not a free ever, denied us a partnership in East- Even the Clinton Administration's own brief- society. But they engaged with the ern Europe because they knew it would ing book in favor of PNTR for China says: West, they adopted economic reforms. hasten the emergence of democracies ``China denies or curtails basic freedoms, in- If we can use history, let us use the and free enterprise. cluding freedom of speech, association, and history of that region. Today, after having spent trillions of religion.'' The fact is, they adopted market re- American tax dollars to win the Cold But proponents argue that economic en- forms as China has and they moved to War, we have an opportunity to accept gagement will ultimately result in a more political reforms which go hand in an offer from the forces of Chinese re- democratic system there. I disagree. hand with market reforms. I know we form. Approval of normal trade rela- China's pattern of violating the rights of its want changes now; we want them im- tions will not change China overnight. own people has continued despite the in- mediately. Let me tell my colleagues We will have to remain vigilant to creased economic ties of most favored nation about the people, the Chinese employ- make sure we use every tool we have to status that Congress has granted year after ees of American companies who were in make sure the Chinese adhere to the year. my office last week and talked about agreement, but it will give us firmer The State Department's most recent Annual their conversion to Christianity and footing in the Chinese economy, it will Country Report of Human Rights report states the conversions were made while they give us beachheads and inroads of the that China's human record has ``deteriorated worked at American companies. type that so terrified Stalin and con- markedly throughout the year as the govern- In talking to their American coun- tinue to terrify the Chinese dictators. ment intensified efforts to suppress dissent.'' terparts who were Christians, they got A vote for permanent normal trade re- The first report of the congressionally char- an opportunity to believe. One of the lations will hasten human rights, envi- tered United States Commission on Inter- Chinese employees talked to me about ronmental protection and a stronger national Religious Freedom noted that ``Chi- how she joined a house church 2 years economy in China and the United nese government violations of religious free- ago, five people in that church, now States. dom increased markedly during the past over 200. She told me the fact that in Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Chairman, I yield year.'' The Commission recommended against 1994, China allowed to be printed 400,000 1 minute to the gentleman from Cali- Congress granting PNTR until China makes Bibles into the Chinese language. The fornia (Mr. GEORGE MILLER). demonstrated and substantial progress in re- number this year is 4 million. The fact (Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California spect for religious freedom. is there are good changes. No, they are asked and was given permission to re- The National Labor Committee issued a re- not perfect but there are good changes vise and extend his remarks.) port on May 10 that gives a picture of the un- happening. Let us not abandon these Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. acceptable working conditions that flourish in- people. Let us maintain our skeptical Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong opposi- side many factories in China making goods for nature with the Chinese government tion to granting permanent normal US companies like Wal-Mart, Nike and Huffy.

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00075 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.147 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 H3602 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 23, 2000 The NLC found factories making goods for tensified efforts to suppress dissent, brought about a global village. Now American companies where workers were particularly organized dissent. Docu- people from every corner of the planet being held under conditions of indentured ser- mented human rights abuses include are only a phone call, a satellite hook- vitude, forced to work 12 to 14 hours a day, extrajudicial killings, torture and mis- up, an e-mail away from each other. seven days a week, with only one day off a treatment of prisoners, forced deten- But in the wrong hands, technology has month, while earning an average wage of 3 tions, arbitrary arrest and detention, the potential to do great harm. As cents an hour. lengthy incommunicado detention and weapons of mass destruction continue Even after months of work, 46 percent of denial of due process. to proliferate, every nation now faces the workers surveyed earned nothing at all-in They continue to steal our intellec- the prospect of nuclear, chemical, or fact they owed money to the company. The tual property rights as they ignore biological attacks from a rogue state workers were allowed out of the factory for copyrights and patents. Slave labor that is just a half world away, or a ter- just an hour and a half a day. And when the goes on, perhaps intensified. I am par- rorist group that has no fixed location. workers protested being forced to work from ticularly concerned about the theft of Confusion could reign in a world with 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., seven days a week, technology. They have stolen our mis- such promise and peril. But that does for literally pennies an hour, 800 workers were sile secrets. They have stolen our bomb not have to be the case, if America fired. secrets. Contrary to our Constitution maintains its position of world leader- There is no credible reason to believe that and in violation of our laws, they ship. Throughout this last century, we conditions like these will be improved by giv- sought to and perhaps were successful set the example for the world. Our vi- ing up our right to review to China's trade sta- in buying the last presidential election. sion helped to bring to this planet an tus. The U.S. bilateral negotiating position with They threatened to nuke us if we ob- unprecedented era of peace and pros- China would be crippled if the country were ject to their intentions with Taiwan. It perity at its end. granted PNTR and admitted to the WTO. Our is simplistic and naive to believe that International trade has connected large trade deficit with China, expected to be either the PNTR or membership in our world’s economies as never before over $60 billion this year, potentially gives the WTO will move China toward inter- and has made our people more depend- U.S. significant bargaining power to enforce national development, as President ent upon each other. This inter- and strengthen our existing trade laws. But Clinton says, in the right direction. connectedness gives every nation a this bargaining power would be further limited b 1730 giant incentive to keep the peace. It by the WTO. has worked in the past, just look at Certainly what they are going to do Some have argued that parallel legislation how far we have come; and it will work is what every major power does; they or a side agreement will remedy the problems in the future, if the United States con- are going to do what is in their own I have discussed. But, we have been down tinues to lead. best interests, advancing their own that side agreement road before and it is not Mr. Chairman, America cannot main- pretty. It is filled with the raw sewage and strategic interests. Finally, I am particularly concerned tain its leadership role by refusing to other environmental destruction that lines the trade with the world’s largest econ- border with Mexico under the NAFTA side about the effect of this on our national security. Last year we had a $68 billion omy. PNTR is in our economic self-in- agreement. terest, there can be no doubt about Finally, China's history of failing to comply trade deficit. This is money which they could and did use to arm themselves. that, but it is also vital for peace and with trade agreements leads me to view new freedom throughout the world. If we agreements with a skeptical eye. Those arms may very well be used against our people. choose to abdicate our leadership, the China has broken nearly every agreementÐ consequences are dire. from market access to prison labor to intellec- For two very good reasons, a no vote Will America continue to show tual property rightsÐit has made with the is the right vote. First of all, we need through the power of its example that United States. For example, in 1992 and to send the message that this is unac- representative government and free 1994, China signed agreements that it would ceptable international behavior; sec- trade lead to stability, peace, and pros- not export products made by slave labor to the ondly, it is really not very bright to perity? That is the real issue we are US and would allow visits of US officials to arm your enemy. dealing with today. any suspected site. Mr. CRANE. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 I believe America has a mission. It is But, the State Department's Human Rights 2 ⁄2 minutes to the gentleman from Ari- our duty to show that freedom works, Report specifically finds that: ``in all cases [of zona (Mr. KOLBE). and that is why I support PNTR; and I forced labor identified by US customs], the Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I thank urge my colleagues to do the same. [Chinese] Ministry of Justice refused the re- the gentleman for yielding me time. quest, ignored it, or simply denied it without Mr. Chairman, this evening we are Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Chairman, it is my further elaboration. beginning what I believe is a very his- pleasure to yield 2 minutes to the gen- This is not a record worthy of further trust. toric debate in this body. I know that tleman from Missouri (Mr. SKELTON), I believe that China should be held account- is sometimes an overworked word; but the very distinguished senior Member able for its widespread abuses. Granting I think one has to go back to the last and expert on security issues. China special status as a trading partner is the century, to the early part of the last Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I urge wrong way to accomplish that goal. I urge my century, and look at the vote and de- my colleagues to support permanent Colleagues to join me in opposition to PNTR bate on the League of Nations, or the normal trade relations for China. I will for China. middle of the century to look at the de- vote in favor of it, not only because of Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Chairman, bate on lend-lease, or towards the end the benefits that American farmers and I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman of the century to look at the debate on businesses stand to gain in terms of in- from Maryland (Mr. BARTLETT) who is Desert Storm, to find issues and for- creased trade, which are substantial, one of the few Ph.D.s and scientists we eign policy that really were pivotal to but also because of the impact approval have with us here in the United States the future of this country. of PNTR will have for U.S. national se- Congress. I say pivotal to the future of this curity and stability in Asia. Mr. BARTLETT of Maryland. I thank country, because I believe, as impor- A solid trade relationship with China the gentleman for yielding time. tant as the issues about trade and with its huge potential markets is im- Mr. Chairman, when I came here sev- human rights and economic advantages portant to Missouri. In 1998, China was eral years ago, I bought the argument are, this issue is not really about Missouri’s sixth most important export that if we engage with China that they China, it is about America. As we em- market, and the United States’ fourth would change and so I voted for most- bark on this century and this new mil- largest trading partner. From 1991 to favored-nation trading status. lennium, the United States has to de- 1998, U.S. exports to China more than Well, China did change. They got cide what role it is going to play in the doubled. The agreement that the ad- worse. Our own State Department says world. There is this much discussed ministration reached with China last that their already poor human rights ‘‘death of distance’’ that we hear about November concerning China’s acces- record deteriorated markedly through- today, but it is real. State-of-the-art sion to the World Trade Organization out the last year as the government in- telecommunications systems have commits China to eliminate export

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00076 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A23MY7.092 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 May 23, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3603 subsidies and lower tariffs dramati- tiful words. That is the statement of returned from Nazi Germany and said, cally, reduce its farm supports, and their own chief negotiator. ‘‘We have peace in our times, go home play by the same trade rules as we do. It is about trust. It is about broken and get a good sleep,’’ and then the Further concessions recently gained trust. They have broken it again and bombs began. by the European Union would increase again, and now we are saying, ‘‘Oh, we Vote no and give it an opportunity. the benefits, as the agreement would trust them this time.’’ For the handful of undecideds that apply to all parties to the World Trade It is about the environment. There is have not made a decision, how will you Organization. not one word, not one word, in this feel about this vote 5 and 10 and 15 Congressional approval of PNTR also agreement about the environment. The years from now? How will you feel has implications for U.S. national secu- Chinese are the greatest producers of about it if after this vote takes and rity. Early this year, I led a small ozone-depleting chemicals in the world. they invade Taiwan and American men House Committee on Armed Services Not one word. The Chinese are the and women are killed? delegation on a trip to the Asia Pacific greatest producers of global warming Vote no tomorrow when you are region. Although we did not visit gases. Not one word. The Chinese are given a chance. China, we found in our meetings with the greatest violators of the CITES Mr. CRANE. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 officials how much they told us the Agreement. The last Siberian tiger, the minutes to the distinguished gen- value of America’s presence and en- last Asian rhinoceros, will die to go tleman from Illinois (Mr. WELLER). gagement to the region is important. into their medicines. Not one word in Mr. WELLER. Mr. Chairman, I com- The state of U.S.-China relations is this agreement. mend my colleague from Illinois, the critical to the future stability, pros- No to so-called permanent normal chairman of the Subcommittee on perity, and peace in Asia. Encouraging trade relations for a nation that does Trade, for his leadership on this his- China to participate in global eco- not act normally. toric moment here as we debate the nomic institutions is in our interests Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Chairman, issue of trade with China. because it will bring China under a sys- I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman Some have stood here in this well, tem of global trade rules and draw it from Virginia (Mr. WOLF). There has and more will, saying we should vote into the world community. It is in our been no stronger voice for human no as a sign of moral superiority over long-term interests to develop a rela- rights in this body than this gen- the Chinese. Some will say we should tionship with China that is stable and tleman. vote no because they dislike the polit- predictable. China will enter the World Mr. WOLF. Mr. Chairman, I am a free ical views of the Chinese leadership, Trade Organization based upon the trader. I voted for NAFTA. I was one of and some will vote no because they say votes of all 135 WTO members. the 30 Republicans that voted to bomb that we should close the door, essen- Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Chairman, I yield Kosovo, so I am kind of tired with the tially build a trade wall around China. 2 minutes to the gentleman from Or- argument with regard to isolationists. Well, what this is all about is wheth- egon (Mr. DEFAZIO). What about the eight Catholic er or not we as Americans want to en- Mr. DEFAZIO. Mr. Chairman, I thank bishops, and now we know from the gage in trade and sell our products to the gentleman for yielding me time. CIA briefing there are more? What the world’s most populous nation, a na- The President and the Republican about the 50 evangelical house pastors tion of 1.3 billion people. We are going leaders and Wall Street say this agree- that are in jail? What about the over to be casting the vote, not whether or ment is about jobs. Well, it is about 400 Buddhist monks and nuns that have not we want to sell our products made jobs, job gains in China, and lost jobs been persecuted and are suffering in in States like my home State of Illi- for American workers. We are running that dirty jail in Lasa? What about the nois, or other States in our Nation to, a 60 billion trade deficit with China, Muslims that are being persecuted in 1.3 billion people. And who gets hurt if and the President’s own analysts, in the northwest portion of the country? we say no? Clearly those involved in looking at this agreement, the Inter- What about the fact that there are manufacturing products, those who are national Trade Commission, say it will more slave labor camps in China today involved in creating new technologies, reach a $120 billion deficit in 10 years than there were in the Soviet Union as well as those who provide food and under this agreement, if they live up to when Solzhenitsyn wrote the book fiber. it. That is if they live up to the agree- Gulag Archipelago? What about the 500 I am proud to say that my State of ment. women a day in China that commit sui- Illinois leads in all three areas as a Does anyone really believe that the cide, 56 percent of all the women in the major exporting State. Illinois ranks Chinese workers at 20 cents an hour world that commit suicide, because of third in exports in technology, Illinois constitute a huge market for U.S. forced abortions and their population ranks third in exports in agricultural goods? No. They represent a huge pool policies? What about the organ pro- products, and Illinois ranks at the top of cheap, oppressed labor that U.S. gram, where they will kill people to in manufacturing exports. China is a firms hope to better exploit under this sell the organs? tremendous market. agreement. It is about U.S. capital flee- I ask our side, and our side is forget- Think about it. The new economy, ing to China, manufacturing fleeing to ting the legacy of Ronald Reagan, I ask technology today, the average wage for China, to exploit cheap labor. our side, I wrote our side seven letters, our technology jobs in Illinois are 77 They say it is about trust, this agree- get the CIA briefing; go find out who percent higher than traditional busi- ment is about trust. The Chinese have they are selling the weapons to. Only ness sector jobs. China now has the po- broken every trade agreement they 45 Members took the time to get the tential, because of its huge population have ever signed with the United briefing, and yet every major defense and the desire by the average Chinese States of America. They are violating organization and veterans group came to go online and have a computer at them today, the 1979, the 1992, the 1994, out against this: The VFW, the Amer- home, China next year has the poten- the 1996. ican Legion, the Purple Heart. tial not only to be the second largest They are saying, oh, they are going What about the missiles directed PC market for personal computers on to lower tariff barriers. Guess what? against the United States? What about the globe, but also the second largest The Chinese do not use tariffs to keep the Cruise missiles they just purchased market for semiconductors. our goods out. They have a host of non- from China? What about the assault Ronald Reagan won the Cold War and tariff barriers that are constantly mu- weapons they put into this country? brought down the Berlin Wall and tating, unwritten rules to keep out What about it? brought freedom into the former Soviet U.S. goods, and, guess what? Their If this Congress, a Republican Con- Union because of the television and the leaders have gone on the radio and in gress, votes to give MFN, we will be on fax machine, and, of course, his leader- the press and television and told their the wrong side of the American people, ship. Today we have the opportunity, people not to worry, they can and will and we will be on the wrong side of his- because of the Internet, to expand our maintain those barriers against U.S. tory, and we, those who vote this way, values of freedom. Let us vote aye on manufacturers under this agreement. if this PNTR passes, will have the same permanent normal trade relations with They have given up nothing but beau- feelings that Chamberlain had when he China.

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00077 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.151 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 H3604 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 23, 2000 Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 empowering the people within China furniture in 96 different countries around the minutes and 10 seconds to the gen- with the free flow of information and world. The Trane Company, which has gone tleman from Wisconsin (Mr. KIND). ideas to make the changes that have to so far as to merge its domestic and inter- (Mr. KIND asked and was given per- be made by them to improve human national administrative units into one unified mission to revise and extend his re- rights, labor conditions and hopefully worldwide operation, exports 30±40% of their marks.) for a free and democratic society. total products. Trade is clearly a crucial part of Mr. KIND. Mr. Chairman, I thank my Now, those on the other side oppos- these companies' business, and that is only friend from Michigan for yielding me ing this, I think, do so for legitimate the tip of the iceberg. time. reasons: job security at home, concern FARMERS AND TRADE Mr. Chairman, we are here today to about human rights and political free- The fate of our farmers is also linked to con- begin debate on the most important doms abroad. I share these same con- tinued exports in world markets. American piece of legislation pending before this cerns. I think we merely differ over the farmers are the most efficient and productive Congress in this session, and probably best strategy on how to achieve these farmers in the world. At the same time, the for many years to come, whether to very important objectives. United States has less than 4% of the world grant PNTR to China and pave the way Mr. Chairman, I will vote yes for population, while China has 20%. U.S. agri- for their entry into the World Trade PNTR for many of the same reasons I culture productivity is increasing, but domestic Organization. vote for most of the issues in this Con- demand for its products is stagnant. We must I am supportive of PNTR because I gress, through the eyes of my two little be able to export more of our agricultural believe its passage is crucial to our boys, Johnny who is going to be 4 in products to relieve the oversupply of products long-term economic prosperity, as well August and Matthew who is going to be in our nation which is driving prices down. as our strategic and national security 2 this Saturday. They both, God will- The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture projects U.S. interests in the 21st century. I also be- ing, will live through and see most if farm exports will increase by $2 billion annu- lieve in what former Secretary of State not all of the 21st century. That is why ally by 2005 with passage of the China trade Cordell Hull was famous for saying, in my heart and with my conscience, I agreement. China has agreed to reduce dairy and that is, ‘‘When goods and products support PNTR. I do so because I believe tariffs from 50% to 12% enabling west coast cross borders, armies do not.’’ this legislation today gives us our best dairy producers to export more of their prod- But I do not want to stand up here opportunity to provide our children for ucts. Those exports should relieve the supply and oversell the merits of PNTR. I tomorrow the most prosperous, stable, pressure on our own domestic market which is think the rhetoric on both sides has and peaceful world in which to live as suppressing commodity prices. If Congress been overblown on this issue from time they embark upon their marvelous fails to pass this legislation, U.S. farmers and to time. journey through the 21st century. other workers will lose out on a vast new mar- b 1745 So I urge my colleagues to support ket in an economy that has grown about 10% passage of PNTR tomorrow, if for noth- annually over the last 20 years. But I do believe that the passage is ing else, for the sake of the future of MARTIN LEE vitally important to our long-term re- our children in the 21st century. lationship with the world’s most popu- In my conversation with Martin Lee, he ex- lated nation. And I also believe that we THE WTO AGREEMENT pressed to me his sincere belief that, given are at the crossroads of our relation- This trade agreement with China is truly his- China's almost certain accession to the WTO, ship with China. We can go one of two toric because it is one-sided. In October of it is in the best interest of the Chinese people directions. We can either continue to 1999, the United States and China reached a for Congress to approve PNTR. He believes a isolate and demonize and pursue a trade agreement that drastically and unilater- vote for PNTR will ensure that the United failed trade policy, a policy that is fail- ally lowers China's trade tariffs to our manu- States remains a full partner in the world com- ing our American workers and Amer- factured goods and farm products. The United munity's engagement with China, and will ican farmers today, and even failing States did not lower a single tariff to Chinese strengthen our position as a leader of reform. the people in China themselves; or we goods. China made this agreement in an effort The status quo, he said, will have no effect on could pursue a new policy through en- to gain America's support for its admission human rights in China, and in fact, may result hanced trade and, through strategic en- into the World Trade Organization (WTO). in entrenching hard-line, anti-reform positions. gagement with China, offer what I view Along with our support for China's entry into Making it easier for U.S. products and serv- is the best hope for peace and pros- the WTO, we must grant the same trade sta- ices to reach Chinese markets will force the perity and hopefully greater stability tus as we do all other WTO member nations. Chinese government to strengthen its legal in this world for our children. But let me be clear, this trade agreement system and respect the rule of law, which will But there are more notable and ex- will not make it any easier for China to export only serve to protect the political, labor and pert people than I on China that have more products into our country. This agree- civil rights of individuals in China. We empha- weighed in on this. Former President ment will not make it any easier for any com- sized that through the power of the Internet Jimmy Carter made this statement in pany to close a plant here to relocate in and the free flow of information and ideas that regards to PNTR, ‘‘When I became China. This trade agreement will, however, increased trade brings, faster progress can be President, one of the greatest chal- make it easier for U.S. firms to sell products made on human rights, labor conditions and lenges that I had to face was whether I in Chinese markets. eventually, a free and democratic China. should normalize diplomatic relations AMERICAN TRADE WORKER RIGHTS with China. There is no doubt in my The United States is the world's largest ex- Former United Auto Workers president, mind that a negative vote on this issue porter, selling over 26% more products abroad Leonard Woodcock, is also urging Congress in Congress will be a serious setback than our nearest competitor. International to pass PNTR and support China's entry into and impediment for the further democ- trade has been crucial in maintaining the long- the WTO. He argues that increased access to ratization, freedom and human rights est economic expansion in American history. Chinese markets eventually will improve con- in China.’’ The jobs of millions of American workers and ditions for Chinese workers. ``American labor And perhaps the foremost human the growth of thousands of American busi- has a tremendous interest in China's trading rights activist in China today, Martin nesses, large and small, are tied to global on fair terms with the United States,'' Lee, had this to say in support of trading and the accessibility of worldwide mar- Woodcock said. ``The agreement we signed PNTR during a discussion that I per- kets. with China this past November marks the larg- sonally had with him: ‘‘in short bring WISCONSIN TRADE est single step ever taken toward achieving China into the international forum and Companies large and small in my home that goal.'' hold her to the agreement rather than state of Wisconsin benefit from international IMPORTANCE OF VOTE exclude her. How can human rights im- trade. Companies like Accelerated Genetics in We face an important decision in Congress, prove by keeping China out? You pun- Westby, who have 215 employees and sell a decision that will shape our relationship with ish the government, but you punish the $20 million in annual sales, export over 45% the world's most populous nation. If you sup- people even more.’’ of their total business. The Turkey Store in port greater economic opportunities here at In fact, Mr. Lee also talked about the Barron County exports almost 20% of their tur- home, as well as the advancement of human power that the Internet provides by key products. Ashley Furniture in Arcadia sells rights and labor conditions in China, you

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00078 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.152 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 May 23, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3605 should support granting permanent normal happened in NAFTA; it is going to van- who support engagement with the trade relation status for China. ish. West, who have introduced the free en- While I do not want to oversee the merits of We want to talk about helping farm- terprise system to a limited degree, this trade agreement. I refuse to support the ers, the gentleman from Washington and who encourage following the rule current policy which is failing American work- (Mr. NETHERCUTT) has a bill, where is of law on the one hand, versus reac- ers and farmers, and in allowing repressive that bill? All of the sudden, we have to tionary elements, in particular in the conditions to continue in China. I support pas- have sanctions and cannot engage military, who would revert to the old sage of the China trade agreement because I countries. Do my colleagues know why ways of Mao Tse-type communism. believe it gives us the best hope for a more the bill of the gentleman from Wash- If anyone is being rewarded in China prosperous, safe and secure future for our ington (Mr. NETHERCUTT) is not here on with a vote for permanent normal children as we embark upon our marvelous the floor? Because Wall Street does not trade relations, it is the reformers who journey into the 21st century. want that bill. There is not enough have been catalysts for change, for Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Chairman, I yield money to be made, but Wall Street progress for the good. What have these 2 minutes to the gentleman from wants this bill. A few on Wall Street reformists accomplished so far? I be- Vermont (Mr. SANDERS). want this bill, not the entire American lieve they have put China on a voyage Mr. SANDERS. Mr. Chairman, I business community, but a few on Wall thank the gentleman for yielding me in the direction towards freedom. Street because they want to go over There is a long way to go, but there has this time. there, manufacture the products and Mr. Chairman, after all is said and been substantial progress. President sell them back here. Bush himself said that the people of done, this debate is all about two The U.S. Chamber says we are going words, corporate greed. The largest China enjoy much greater freedom to get jobs out of this? That is like say- today than when we lived in China, and multinational corporations in this ing that you are going to send Jesse country are spending tens of millions that is the trend that we can be re- James to bring in the Dalton brothers. warding. of dollars on campaign contributions, We are not going to get a single job out In China today, local villages are advertising, and lobbying for one major of this. The American worker is on a having democratic elections for munic- reason, they must prefer to hire des- treadmill; they are strangled. They can ipal leaders. Millions of Chinese are perate Chinese workers at 10 cents, 15 barely make it, and what is going to practicing religions, including Chris- cents or 20 cents an hour than higher happen with this agreement is that tian religions. Workers can choose American workers at a living wage. Wall Street is going to take over. And Why would they want to hire an where they work for. Travel is open, in- it is not going to be Main Street; it is American when they can employ Chi- cluding travel abroad, and almost half nese women at 20 cents an hour and going to be Wall Street. Mr. Chairman, I hope the undecided of economic output in China is now pri- force them to work seven days a week, Members of this Congress realize they vately owned. Millions of Chinese citi- 12 hours a day and arrest them when have a choice today to stand up for zens have access to the Internet, and they try to form a union? That is a American workers. All we are asking there they have unlimited information good place for a large multinational for is a level playing field, not an ad- and ideas, including ideas about per- corporation to do business. sonal freedom, political freedom, the Mr. Chairman, American workers vantage, just a level playing field. That is what this is about. rule of law, all of the values that we today are working longer hours for cherish. lower wages than they were 25 years I hope the undecided Members, Mr. Chairman, realize that this is the most A vote for permanent normal trade ago. We do not need to punish them relations with China reinforces the re- further and by expanding the already critical vote in 50-some years, if we want to support American workers, formers; it reinforces this trend. China huge trade deficit that we have with has a long way to go, but I urge my col- China and costs us hundreds of thou- their families and their communities. We are not helping a single Chinese in- leagues to vote to help further em- sands of more jobs and push wages power the Chinese citizens to achieve down lower in this country. dividual by this bill. All we are doing is Mr. Chairman, this agreement is op- ripping down the American work struc- the freedoms that we take for granted. posed by unions representing millions ture. Do not permanentize this. If this Help the Chinese people on the begin- of American workers, by environ- is forced to be renegotiated, let me tell ning of this voyage towards freedom. mental organizations concerned about my colleagues, the American worker Vote yes for permanent normal trade the fragility of this planet’s environ- will win. Vote no. relations. ment, by religious groups such as the Mr. CRANE. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Chairman, I yield 21⁄2 U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops minutes to the gentleman from Penn- minutes to the gentleman from Texas who are concerned about religious free- sylvania (Mr. TOOMEY). (Mr. BENTSEN). Mr. TOOMEY. Mr. Chairman, I would dom and human rights, by veterans or- (Mr. BENTSEN asked and was given like to ask my colleagues today, whom ganizations, like the American Legion permission to revise and extend his re- are we rewarding in China by opening and the VFW who are concerned about marks.) up China to our products and services? the issues of national security. Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Chairman, I Mr. Chairman, let us have the guts to Clearly, we are awarding American workers and farmers who will be able thank the gentleman for yielding me stand up to the big money interests this time. who are more concerned about their to sell their products in China, but whom in China are we rewarding? Let me tell my colleagues, I rise in bottom line than the best interests of strong support of this bill, and I want the American people. Let us vote no on Some opponents of PNTR seem to think that this arrangement would re- to speak to the opponents of this bill. this issue. I think it is important that we note Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Chairman, ward the government in Beijing which that my colleagues’ concerns are im- I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman they believe is unworthy. Mr. Chair- portant, and I do not disagree with my from Ohio (Mr. NEY). man, I lived in Hong Kong, and I have (Mr. NEY asked and was given per- traveled extensively and repeatedly colleagues’ concerns when it comes to mission to revise and extend his re- throughout Southeast Asia, including job loss through trade, and I do not dis- marks.) China; and I think that is the fun- agree with the concerns with respect to Mr. NEY. Mr. Chairman, this debate damentally wrong way to view this human rights. My colleagues are right could not occur today in China without deal. about the ailments; but they are wrong both sides being arrested, and this bill First of all, it assumes that the Chi- about the cause, and they are wrong does not make a difference to change nese political leadership is a unified about what prescription they would use that. I am for engagement, but this bill monolith of some sort. In fact, there to try and deal with this. engages the throats of the American are many factions in Chinese leader- We cannot stop the world and get off, workers. My colleagues talk about ship, many factions in Beijing, tensions and we cannot go back to the 17th cen- farmers and the great 9 percent tariff. between Beijing and the provinces and tury, we cannot go back to mer- Well, as soon as this bill passes, the fundamental world view differences be- cantilism, because it does not work. We currency is going to be manipulated, tween reformers in China who have ini- are a Nation of 4 percent of the world’s and it is going to vanish like that. It tiated economic and political reform, population. We consume 20 percent of

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00079 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A23MY7.096 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 H3606 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 23, 2000 the world’s goods and services. The al- sands in Harris County and throughout Texas. United States, we must consider whether ternative to a bill like this that lowers The petrochemical industry is the most pro- those of us who regret such actions can effec- tariffs against U.S. goods and services ductive in the world, even though it pays com- tively change them through engagement or is to lift tariffs against imports coming paratively higher wages and is subject to strict disengagement. into this country. That might work in worker and environmental safety laws. While I believe walking away from China would be the very short run, but it would fail we lead the world in exports of petrochemical a failure which would free not a single political miserably in the long run, and Amer- products, United States market share in China prisoner, would not ease tensions with Tai- ican workers would pay dearly for that, is almost nonexistent at $2 billion, or less than wan, and would only strengthen the resolve of as would the American consumer. 5 percent. The elimination of state subsidies those in the Chinese People's Liberation Army Mr. Chairman, the best thing we can for domestic Chinese producers, along with a who oppose this agreement and any economic do is to adopt bills that open more reduction in tariffs against United States ex- liberalization as well. markets to U.S. goods and services ports, will allow United States producers to Furthermore, the Levin-Bereuter provision abroad and allow the American worker enjoy our comparative advantage and create contained in this bill ensures that the United to compete on a level playing field jobs at home. This holds true for the huge States will maintain public pressure on China's where productivity, which we have the Texas agriculture production market and oil treatment of its own people and its labor pol- most productive workforce in the fields services too. icy. This Helsinki-style congressional commis- world, bar none, is the key factor. We This agreement also includes significant sion will bring to light abuses, rather than cannot change the rules of economics safeguards against unfair Chinese imports and allow them to foster in the shadows under dis- in the modern world. Anything we try failure by the Chinese to move toward market engagement. to do on this floor, it will not work. liberalization. Chinese imports will be subject The WTO bans child and slave labor, and Second of all, with respect to the fact to countervailing duties, or tariffs, for 12 years the United States and other industrialized na- that the Chinese have an authoritarian after entry into the WTO against import surges tions must remain vigilant to enforce sanctions dictatorship, we understand that; but if that threaten to disrupt United States markets, against such practices in China and every- the United States is to walk away from and for 15 years against imports ``dumped'' on where else in the world. Greater economic ties not only benefit the that, our trading partners throughout the U.S. market as a result of predatory pric- United States, but will help bring social and the rest of the world, the European ing actions. In some cases, this language is political change in China. Few can deny that Union, the other countries in Asia, are tougher than current law. And, I want to com- only too happy to pick up the slack consumerism has changed the former Soviet mend our colleagues, Mr. LEVIN and Mr. BE- and trade with them. This is not South bloc, Europe or even America, putting greater REUTER for their work in putting these provi- Africa. This is not apartheid. This is freedom in the hands of individuals. If the sions into law and lessening the discretion in much different than that. We do much Congress fails to adopt PNTR and the United their implementation. States walks away, change in China will hap- better by engaging the Chinese than The agreement also will open up the Chi- pen less quickly and at our expense. walking away. Not passing PNTR will nese consumer market to United States tele- not free one political prisoner, and it Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Chairman, I yield communication, automobile and financial serv- 2 minutes to the gentleman from New will probably stall a move towards de- ices industries where we have been locked Jersey (Mr. PASCRELL). centralization of the Chinese economy, out. Imagine the power of the Internet to pro- market liberalization and political lib- Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Chairman, I am mote democracy in China, or the lack of eralization. at the same podium, but this is a ter- power by the state to control free speech, Mr. Chairman, it would be a grave rible deal. We have lost our moral com- mistake not to pass this. The United thought and expression through the Internet. pass. We really have. It is a bad deal We currently have a trade deficit with China States will be much better off in the for the United States, and it is cer- due in large part to the fact our markets are long run, American workers and Amer- tainly a bad deal for New Jersey and open to their goods and China's markets are ican consumers, and ultimately, the my district, the 8th Congressional Dis- restricted to ours. Failing to pass PNTR will do Chinese people as well. trict. Mr. Chairman, I ask my colleagues to nothing to reduce this trade deficit, and in fact, We are expected to lose, according to support this bill. may make it worse. Alternatively, raising U.S. the government’s own reports, over Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this legis- barriers to trade would fail in a trade war 22,000 jobs. We have been granting NTR lation granting China permanent normal trade greatly at our own expense. A nation such as each and every year for the past 20 relations, or PNTR, as a part of a bilateral the United States which represents 4 percent years, and what have we seen? What trade agreement between the United States of world population, but consumes 20 percent has happened? Human rights, labor and China. This agreement will allow for Chi- of the world's goods and services, cannot long rights, environmental rights, national na's entry into the World Trade Organization prosper in a closed market. Only gaining security interests have gotten worse and significantly reduce tariffs and other bar- greater access to other markets can the year after year; and it has been docu- riers to United States goods and services. United States continue to grow and create mented. So with this vote, the down- This agreement is in the best interest of Amer- jobs. ward spiral will continue to plummet. ica, including our workers and businesses. It is true that in some areas, cheap labor Mr. Chairman, 875,000 jobs lost, PNTR will accomplish much more for the puts U.S. manufacturing at a disadvantage; sucked out of the economy. Not only United States than it will cost. The agreement but again, whether we pass PNTR or not will has NTR been disastrous, but our in- reduces Chinese tariffs on United States ex- not alleviate the disadvantage. On balance, creasing trade with China has done ports to China, on average, by more than 50 however, we know that trade creates more nothing to foster this so-called reform. percent. Currently U.S. exports are subject to jobs than it costs, particularly in those indus- Last week, the World Bank, over tariffs of 25 percent on industrial products, 13 tries where the United States is more produc- United States objections, agreed to percent on information technology products, tive. But we should also be concerned about provide $232 million in loans to the and nearly 32 percent on agricultural products. those who lose their jobs due to trade. government of Iran against our wishes. These tariffs price our goods out of the mar- My support for PNTR is conditioned on the b 1800 ket. Conversely, since the United States mar- establishment of a Presidential commission to ket is virtually wide open, most Chinese goods look at our trade adjustment assistance pro- The State Department stated that are not subject to tariffs. grams and make recommendations to the giving support to Iran will, quote, send The United States-China Bilateral WTO Congress on how we might better provide the wrong signal, the State Depart- Agreement lowers tariffs against United States workers with the tools to make the shift to ment said, to their government. That exports but not against Chinese imports. Per- other high-paying jobs. Tariffs and other bar- government which is regressive, intol- haps even more significant are the provisions riers provide only a short-term remedy and erant, non-Democratic, aggressive. in the agreement which require elimination of should be reserved for punitive action, not as Does that sound familiar? state subsidies and allow for United States ex- a long-term solution. The irony, of course, is that these are porters to conduct trade and distribution with With respect to whether the United States the same people in the State Depart- private parties in China, rather than state- should enter into such an agreement with ment who are spending night and day owned and controlled trading companies. China given its record on human rights, use of trying to send the Chinese Government Take, for example, the United States petro- slave and child labor, and sometimes bellig- the wrong signal about PNTR. We need chemical industry, which employs tens of thou- erent attitudes toward its neighbors and the a no vote for America tomorrow.

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00080 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.154 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 May 23, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3607 Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Chairman, fense University, and the Institute for rights as a condition to granting permanent I yield 41⁄2 minutes to the gentleman Defense Analysis on China Nuclear normal trade relations. The Spokeswoman of from New York (Mr. GILMAN), the Weapons and Arms Control noted that the Chinese Foreign Ministry said that such a chairman of the Committee on Inter- the U.S. Government remains con- watchdog body constituted interference in Chi- national Relations. cerned about China’s arms control per- na's internal affairs. She noted that ``This is (Mr. GILMAN asked and was given formance, reporting that China has not something we can by no means accept''. permission to revise and extend his re- brought its biological warfare activi- In short, there are no indications that this marks.) ties into accord with its international commission can play an effective role in pro- Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Chairman, I rise in treaty obligations; and its continued moting human rights inside China. I would opposition to the legislation before us support to Pakistan’s weapons program note, furthermore, that this proposal is in the today authorizing the extension of non- has been a source of mounting concern jurisdiction of the International Relations Com- discriminatory treatment to the Peo- as well. mittee and should receive full and ample re- ple’s Republic of China. Congress I submit to my colleagues, by grant- view by our panel before it is brought to the should not give up the leverage we ing PNTR to China we will be sacri- floor of the House. presently have which provides for an ficing much of our ability to affect China's enormous trade deficit with us of annual review of normal trade rela- public scrutiny on China’s human some $70 billion has fueled its military build- tions with China. We have ongoing sig- rights practices. up and has emboldened the dictators in Bei- nificant concerns in our relations with I would also note that the recent re- jing to claim areas of the Philippines and other China with regard to trade enforce- port of the United States Commission democratic neighbors in the region. China's il- ment, with regard to violations of on International Religious Freedom in- legal occupation of Tibet and brutal repression human rights, with regard to religious cluded a recommendation by all 9 com- of the Tibetan people continues unabated. freedom, with regard to China’s nu- missioners that the Congress not grant We are told today by many of our col- clear proliferation and other important PNTR to China until substantial im- leagues that by giving Permanent Normal issues. provements are made in respect for re- Trade Relations to the People's Republic of These issues can and must be ad- ligious freedom in that country. China, we will be granting significant benefits dressed before we approve the measure While the nine voting members of the to American businesses without giving away before us today. Yes, let us consider U.S. Commission on International Reli- anything to China. business with China in the days ahead, gious Freedom include strong free I strongly disagree with that contention. I be- but first let us take a good, hard look trade proponents and who represent a lieve that supporting PNTR will give china at these violations. Extending normal wide diversity of opinion and religions, something it desperately wants: relief from the trade relations to China on a perma- they are unanimous that China needs spotlight on its poor human rights record. nent basis will send a powerful message to take concrete steps to release all Under the current annual review arrangement, determining China’s role in the global persons imprisoned for their religious we in the Congress are able to open a door economy and in the community of na- beliefs, to ratify the International Cov- to examine the human rights situation in China tions for years to come, but it is a mes- enant on Civil and Political Rights and each and every year. Along with our attention comes the attention sage we can ill afford to send so long as to take other measures to improve re- of the world. Our hearings and debates focus there is no freedom of speech there, no spect for religious freedom. the cameras and tape recorders and word freedom of association, and no freedom Accordingly, Mr. Chairman, I urge processors of the news media. We have the of religion in China. our colleagues to oppose this measure. bully pulpit on this issue, and I am very con- Mr. Chairman, China’s enormous Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the leg- cerned that once we give it away, we will trade deficit with us of some $70 billion islation before us today authorizing the exten- never get it back. has fueled its military build-up and has sion of nondiscriminatory treatment to the I ask my colleagues, are Chinese human emboldened the dictators in Beijing to People's Republic of China. rights and labor practices important to us? I claim areas in the Philippines and Congress should not give up the leverage believe that they are the most important in the other Democratic neighbors in the re- we presently have which provides for an an- world today. China has the world's largest gion. China’s illegal occupation of nual review of normal trade relations with population and one of the fastest growing Tibet and its brutal repression of the China. We have ongoing significant concerns economies. If China is allowed to trample on Tibetan people continues unabated. in our relations with China with regard to trade individual freedoms, then how can we tell In- We are told today by many of our enforcement, human rights, religious freedom, donesia or Malaysia or Nigeria or Sudan or colleagues that by giving permanent nuclear proliferation and other important any other nation that they cannot? normal trade relations to the People’s issues. These issues canÐand mustÐbe ad- The Beijing regime has fought a vigorous Republic of China we will be granting dressed before we approve the measure be- public relations battle to win this philosophical significant benefits to American busi- fore us today. argument. They have manipulated prisoner re- ness without giving anything away to Extending ``normal trade relations'' to China leases, effectively blackmailed dozens of China. I strongly disagree with that on a permanent basis will send a powerful countries and nearly corrupted some of very contention. I believe that supporting message determining China's role in the glob- own American corporations with their efforts. PNTR will give China something it des- al economy and in the community of nations We cannot shrink from this battle of values. perately needs and wants, relief from for years to come. But it is a message we can Public opinion polls show that many Ameri- the spotlight of its poor human rights ill afford to sendÐso long as there is no free- cans have deep reservations about our poli- record. dom of speech, no freedom of association, cies toward China and the proposal to extend Under the current annual review ar- and no freedom of religion in China. normal trade relations to that country. rangement, we in the Congress are able On May 10th, our International Relations A recent joint report by the Council on For- to open a door to fully examine the Committee held a hearing on extending PNTR eign Relations, the National Defense Univer- human rights situation in China each to China including Representatives CHRIS COX sity and the Institute for Defense Analysis on and every year. and SANDER LEVIN who argued for the consid- China, Nuclear Weapons, and Arms Control I ask my colleagues, are Chinese eration of so-called parallel legislation. It is my noted that the U.S. government remains con- human rights and labor practices im- understanding that the study group advocated cerned about China's arms control perform- portant to us? I believe they are. I be- in this legislation, including the Congressional- ance. It reports that china has not brought its lieve they are the most important in Executive Commission on the People's Re- biological warfare activities into accord with its the world today. China has the world’s public of China, is now contained in the bill treaty obligations. And its continued support to largest population, one of the fastest before us today, H.R. 4444. Pakistan's weapons programs has been a growing economies. If China is allowed It is my understanding that this Commission source of mounting concern as well. to trample on its individual freedoms, has no enforcement mechanism and largely By granting PNTR to China, we will sacrifice then how can we tell Indonesia or Ma- duplicates existing human rights monitoring much of our ability to affect public scrutiny on laysia or Nigeria or Sudan or any other and reporting requirements. In a press report Chinese human rights practices. I would also nation that they cannot? from China on May 12th, shortly after our note that the recent report of the United States A recent joint report by the Council hearing, China said it opposed any plans by Commission on International Religious Free- on Foreign Relations, the National De- the U.S. to set up a group to monitor human dom included a recommendation by all nine

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00081 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.156 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 H3608 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 23, 2000 commissioners that the Congress not grant then we will come in. You come in and about protectionism versus free trade. PNTR to China until substantial improvements fix it and help them work through this, It is not about business versus labor. It are made in respect for religious freedom in that has been my experience. is not even about China haters versus that country. I just wanted to share that. China apologists. While the nine voting members of the U.S. Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 No, it is a vision of the world trade Commission on Intn'l Religious Freedom in- minutes to the gentleman from Ten- worthy of America in the 21st century. clude strong free trade proponents and who nessee (Mr. TANNER). It is about whether 21st century glob- represent a wide diversity of opinion and reli- (Mr. TANNER asked and was given alism will have any guiding principle gions, they are unanimous that China needs permission to revise and extend his re- or whether it will be an aimless trading to take concrete steps to release all persons marks.) frenzy with no consideration of work- imprisoned for their religious beliefs, to ratify Mr. TANNER. Mr. Chairman, I was ers’ rights, of human rights, of reli- the International Covenant on Civil and Polit- over in the office listening to the de- gious rights, of environmental protec- ical Rights and to take other measures to im- bate and I know, as anyone here knows tion. prove respect for religious freedom. that has been listening, that the oppo- Yes, it is about engagement. This Accordingly, Mr. Chairman, I urge our col- nents of this legislation feel very whole debate is about whether to bring leagues to oppose this measure. strongly about it. We understand, China into a rule-based trade regime. Mr. CRANE. Mr. Chairman, I yield those of us who support it, those feel- The great irony of all of this is that myself such time as I may consume. ings; and it is tough. the proponents of PNTR insist on the Mr. Chairman, I would remind our Let me just say this: Number one, need for rule-based trade agreements, distinguished colleague that the esti- nothing around here is permanent. If backed up with sanctions. mates are that in less than 5 years, 230 one believes that, we can change the So, I ask, why do we need rule-based million Chinese will be classified as law tomorrow if the Chinese mis- trade agreements in trade but we do middle-income consumers with an an- behave, as some have said. not need rule-based agreements in any nual retail sales rate exceeding $90 bil- More important than that, this is not other area that we think is important? lion, almost $1 trillion, a year; and I about China. I hear people talking Real engagement extends beyond would urge him also to try and have an about what is going on in China: China, trade. Trade in the 21st century will be opportunity to speak with Billy China, China. This is about what is and must be about more than how Graham’s son who has been involved in good for us. This is a trade bill for the many widgets enter and leave a port. the missionary activities in Mainland United States, not for China. A no vote is not a retreat. A no vote China for several years. Know what is important in this bill is a vote for engagement, if we have Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to that nobody has thought about it and the wisdom to have real engagement. our distinguished colleague, the gen- talked about, and I think is very cru- I urge my colleagues to oppose this tleman from New York (Mr. HOUGH- cial? It is that as good as the tariffs bill. TON). coming down so our stuff can go over Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Chairman, I yield Mr. HOUGHTON. Mr. Chairman, one there and go in that is made in this 2 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio of the advantages of old age is not nec- country providing jobs for our citizens, (Mr. KUCINICH). essarily wisdom but a lot of experience, but the second thing is that the Chi- (Mr. KUCINICH asked and was given and I do not pretend to try to convince nese, in this agreement, agree to do permission to revise and extend his re- those who are already convinced of away with their government-owned marks.) their position. I just want to say how I corporations that limit the amount of Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Chairman, the feel about this particular issue. exports by that mechanism to go in book of Genesis tells the sad story of I am very strongly in favor of perma- there. Esau, son of Isaac, who sold his birth- nent normal trading relations with So what we can have with this agree- right for a mess of pottage. China, and I will say why. I have found, ment for us, not for China, I do not As Americans, our birthright is life, in my experience, that for every job much care what happens in terms of liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. that goes overseas that there are two China other than how it affects the The tradition of our country has been jobs that are created in this country. citizens of this country, and what is the unfolding of those liberties, includ- One can say 850,000 have left. I do not good for us is we have private enter- ing freedom of speech, freedom of reli- know what the number is, but I bet prise in this country doing business gion, including workers’ rights and many fold have come back into this with private enterprise in China. human rights. This is our birthright. country. That has been my experience. My colleagues say they want to The Chinese people do not enjoy One does not send a job abroad to change the status quo in China? That is these freedoms. They suffer under slave make a product primarily to send back going to change the status quo in labor, prison labor, no workers’ rights, into the United States. Sometimes China more than any other single no human rights. They suffer from reli- that happens, but it is mostly to take thing, in my judgment, we could pos- gious repression. They do not have, as care of that market. sibly do. we do, above their center of power, the Secondly, we are not standing here So I say this is a trade bill not for words, ‘‘In God We Trust.’’ making a decision in isolation. There China but for us. It is good for the Those words, if we stand by our val- are other people out there who do not United States. It is good for our citi- ues, infuse us with powerful moral want us to have this agreement. They zens. leadership. That is why we need to hold want us to stay absolutely still in the I will say one other thing. China can- the moral high ground with annual re- water so their businesses, whether it is not be isolated by voting no. Know who view of human rights and labor prac- the South Koreans or the Germans or is going to be isolated if my colleagues tices of China. It is access to our mar- the Japanese, can get in there and take vote no? They are going to isolate us, ket which enables us to hold the moral the lead on this, and once one has been because the EU, the European Union, high ground. in business there, in established rela- the South Americans, Japan, and the The multinational corporations with tionships, it is very difficult to get in. rest of Asia are going to take that mar- their single-minded dedication to prof- Lastly, from a very practical stand- ket and they are going to isolate us, it at all costs cannot be expected to de- point, I have set up about four plants not them, if my colleagues vote no. fend workers rights anywhere, let in China, and the experience which we Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Chairman, I yield alone in China. It is our duty to defend have had has been we have moved in, 2 minutes to the gentleman from New workers’ rights and human rights, and we have given people dignity, good pay- Jersey (Mr. HOLT). we have no right to abdicate that re- ing jobs, benefits. They have then gone Mr. HOLT. Mr. Chairman, I thank sponsibility ever. out into their community and changed the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. b the democratic, the political, the KLECZKA) for yielding me this time. 1815 human rights, the environmental as- Mr. Chairman, it is unfortunate that Chinese workers are paid as little as pects of those communities. One does so many observers have gotten it 3 cents an hour. Whose values are not stand back and say, you fix it and wrong. The China trade vote is not those? The Chinese government which

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00082 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A23MY7.098 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 May 23, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3609 uses slave labor; the global corpora- human rights, how wonderful it would agreement with the Chinese Govern- tions which capitalize on slave labor. be to improve workers’ rights, religious ment and will now be codified. The How many hours do Chinese people freedom, all those things would be Levin-Bereuter provisions, not only en- have to work to account for a $70 bil- great. But what is all of our primary sure that Chinese play by the rules in lion trade deficit with the United responsibility as representatives of the trade; but, more importantly, they States? How many American manufac- people of the United States? Is it to, in strengthen U.S. law to provide quick turing jobs will go to China’s workers fact, insure human rights across the and effective weapons if there is a vio- who are paid 3 cents an hour? world? As laudable as that goal is, no, lation. The bill includes language from There is a myth that if one digs a that is not our prime responsibility. Is Levin-Bereuter, urging that the WTO hole deep enough, one will reach China. it to, in fact, insure workers’ rights? approve both the PRC’s and Taiwan’s We have dug the hole deep with a $70 No, that is not our primary responsi- accession in the same General Council billion trade deficit. We will learn to- bility. It is not even our primary re- session. morrow if we have reached China. If in sponsibility to insure religious free- All of these provisions are major im- that hole we put our jobs, decent dom. provements that make this overall wages, workers’ rights, and human We have one responsibility, the prime package a good bill. We are entering rights, will we cover up that hole and directive: protect and defend the people into a trade agreement with China that claim victory? of the United States. will create a more balanced relation- But, Mr. Chairman, peace and justice Vote no on this bill. ship than any initiative to date. This is already our birthright. Freedom of Mr. CRANE. Mr. Chairman, I yield debate should be about ensuring that speech and freedom of religion are al- 31⁄2 minutes to the distinguished gen- China plays by the rules in trade, and ready our birthright. Workers’ rights tleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. that they honor commitments made in and human rights are already our ENGLISH). this agreement. birthright. Will we, like Esau in Gen- (Mr. ENGLISH asked and was given Mr. Chairman, a China disengaged is esis, sell our birthright for a mess of permission to revise and extend his re- more likely to be a rogue country in pottage which multinational corpora- marks.) the new century. A China engaged is tions offer? Mr. ENGLISH. Mr. Chairman, this more likely to move down the sunlit What is the price of freedom? Do we debate that we undertake today is path of human rights. I challenge every so little value freedom that we are pre- about better, stronger, fairer trade one of my colleagues to vote to engage pared to sacrifice our lives, our for- with China, which in time will pave the China, a China to which we can export tunes, our sacred honor? Vote against way for social and political reforms. our goods along with our values. PNTR. Some of these reforms are already evi- Mr. Chairman, I include two edi- Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Chairman, dent today. torials from my district in favor of nor- I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman Pennsylvania has exported more than mal trade relations, as follows: from Colorado (Mr. TANCREDO). $297 million in goods to China in 1998. [Editorial Column—The Erie Morning News, Mr. TANCREDO. Mr. Chairman, I am Voting for this agreement forces China May 21, 2000] going to bring my colleagues tonight a to take down tariff barriers and non- If we can believe the American business hypothetical bill. This bill has three tariff barriers that have prevented even community, windfalls will follow if the Con- parts: part one provides billions of dol- larger Pennsylvania exports. Increas- gress goes along with President Clinton and lars of aid to Beijing in order to sta- ing the amount of exports to China will approves permanent normal trade relations bilize the regime; part two provides only help in creating jobs, not only in with China. American labor—which has support for the Chinese military infra- Pennsylvania, but also throughout our never met a free trade measure it liked—sees structure as it prepares to attack its country. PNTR as another job-killer. As usual, nei- ther forecast tells the full truth. neighbors; part three provides direct Last November, the U.S. Trade Rep- Opening the huge China market by allow- aid to the PLA. Now, that is my hypo- resentative Ambassador Barshefsky ing the Communist nation to join the World thetical bill I bring to my colleagues completed historic negotiations with Trade Organization will undoubtedly be lu- tonight. I ask my colleagues, Mr. the People’s Republic of China and crative—in time. No windfalls. Chairman, who would vote for this bill? managed to craft an agreement that As with the equally contested North Amer- If we clear away everything else that would provide access to the Chinese ican Free Trade Agreement with Canada and we have talked about, it does boil down market while requiring no concessions Mexico, some American jobs will vanish with to this, because I will tell my col- by the U.S. Let us be clear about this. free and open trade with China. But no one will hear giant sucking sounds as American leagues, Mr. Chairman, I was, in fact, This is no NAFTA. We do not make a jobs are lost to China, as labor preaches. one of the Members that went to the single job-killing concession in this Similar divisions afflict Congress as it pre- CIA briefing. When one goes to the CIA legislation. pares to vote on PNTR later this week. The briefing and when one asks specific The bill we consider today would U.S. Senate is expected to back PNTR with questions about these issues, this is allow the U.S. to benefit from those ne- little fuss, but war has begun in the always what one comes back with; that, in gotiations. The bill will not determine fractious House of Representatives. fact, doing what we are about to do whether or not China enters the WTO. The Republican leadership is guiding will provide aid to the regime in order China is entering the World Trade Or- PNTR despite loud opposition from some GOP members who seek leverage to force to stabilize it. It will provide aid to the ganization with or without this legisla- China to end human rights abuses. military in order to attack its neigh- tion. House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt bors. It will provide direct aid to the I must admit, Mr. Chairman, that I is against PNTR, as is the bulk if the Demo- PLA, to the People’s Liberation Army. entertained serious concerns when this cratic caucus. So labor still threatens pas- How is this, my colleagues ask? It is issue was first raised. I was concerned sage. simple. The PLA owns the business. about human rights and fair trade, We find China’s recent behavior offensive. When the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. which are critical to building a long- We also realize the 20-year Most Favored Na- tion Status charade did nothing to moderate KUCINICH) talked about private busi- term stable relationship with China. Beijing’s repeated rights abuses. nessmen doing private business with Luckily, through the bipartisan leader- Our support for PNTR is based on simple other private businessmen, Mr. Chair- ship of my friends and colleagues, the reality. China is not Cuba. It is the most man, the PLA, they own 100 percent of gentleman from Michigan (Mr. LEVIN) populous nation in the world, with the the telecommunications business in and the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. globe’s fastest growing economy. It is sense- China. They own most of the signifi- BEREUTER), many of these issues have less for the United States to treat the Asian cant businesses, either surreptitiously been addressed convincingly. colossus as anything else than a superpower or directly. Yet this is the bill I bring Let us look at the facts. The Levin- likely to emerge later this century. Bereuter plan provides better oversight With China’s markets open, with American to my colleagues tonight. goods—and American popular culture—flow- If my colleagues could just escape all for human rights and protections than ing throughout this giant nation, dramatic of the other things, erase all of the exist under current law. It provides reforms will eventually follow. The old Com- other thing we talk about, and how strong and enforceable anti-surge pro- munist leadership will be just as powerless wonderful it would be to improve tections, which are part of the original to stop these forces as its decreased former

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00083 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.160 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 H3610 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 23, 2000 Soviet and Eastern block comrades (and as commerce is responsible for nearly one- economy to the imperatives of a chang- Fidel Castro would be in Cuba if American fourth of America’s gross national product. ing world and once more assert our policy weren’t based on Cold War myths). American labor leaders, fearful as they are leadership.’’ These words hold truth for We understand these are difficult votes for about the effects of the trade bill, also us today. many in Congress, who despise the Chinese should recognize that Chinese leaders are This legislation, I believe, is good for Communists or who fear labor. But then, just as worried although for different rea- Congressman didn’t seek office merely to sons. the American worker; and it opens the vote on popular, easy issues. As pointed out in the New York Times by greatest market for the products they Side legislation creating a commission to Beijing reporter Elisabeth Rosenthal, private make to a much greater market. monitor China’s performance offers political enterprise that has grown in China over the This House and our Nation, I think, cover for nervous Democrats. Even Erie’s last decade has taught ever greater numbers really owe a debt of gratitude to the 21st District Republican Congressman Phil of Chinese that they can live independent of gentleman from Michigan (Mr. LEVIN) English ‘‘emphasized the importance of the the government. Nurturing that growing and the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. proposal’’ to the Wall Street Journal after sense of confidence is the Internet, with its Bereuter). Refusing to turn their backs voting with the Ways and Means Committee promise of unfettered worldwide communica- on history, they, instead, chose to to approve PNTR and send it to the House tion, which carries voices of opposition and make history by writing legislation floor last week. democracy in China out to the rest of the English will vote for PNTR because he un- world despite the communists’ determina- that brings the framework of the fa- derstands the stakes China has agreed to tion to hold onto power. Such steps toward mous Helsinki courts to our relation- join the world community and play by its prosperity, confidence and freedom deserve ship with China. trade rules with entry into the WTO. as much support as possible. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues That is where America’s influence is, with Instead of opposing the China trade bill, to support this legislation. I believe China as a full trading partner—not some labor leaders should see exciting possibilities that we will seize a historic oppor- junior member of the world community who in the opportunity to compete for the busi- tunity, not only for our country and its must be monitored like a troubled child. ness of 1.2 billion potential buyers for every workers, but that future generations The United States tried that approach kind of American product from grain, meat, will say that we took an important with China and Most Favored Nation Status livestock, fruits and vegetables to computer step, seized the opportunity for our the last 20 years. It’s time to join the real hardware and software, medicine, machinery world. and construction equipment and consumer people. goods of every description. So I thank my colleagues for this op- [Our View—The Herald, Sharon, Pa., May 21, Seeking to boost trade with China won’t, portunity, and I thank especially the 2000] as labor leaders fear, diminish America’s gentleman from Michigan (Mr. LEVIN) CONGRESS SHOULDN’T LET ORGANIZED LABOR willingness to fight for its interests, as we for the work that he has done. DERAIL U.S.-CHINA TRADE VOTE have seen over and over. The most recent ex- Mr. Speaker, today our nationÐand this Approval of the China trade bill Wednesday ample came Tuesday when the U.S. Inter- CongressÐstand at the beginning of a new by two key legislative panels, the House national Trade Commission levied punitive century and with it comes a new opportunity to Ways and Means and Senate Finance com- duties on apple juice concentrate following a export our products to the largest emerging mittees, bodes well for next week when the determination that China was dumping the market in the world. House is expected to take up the thorny product here at prices below the cost of pro- Today America is enjoying unparalleled eco- duction. There’s no reason to think that issue of permanent normal trade relations nomic success. We're the envy of the world. for China. after normalization of trade with China that American business interests and officials Economic growth is sustained. Unemployment Bipartisan support for the historic meas- is low. Inflation has been kept at bay. The ure has been building although the final will be any less insistent on fair trade of vote, by all accounts, will be close. Most steel, pipe, machinery or other industrial New Economy has brought new wealth and House Democrats, particularly those most goods as for agricultural products. new opportunities to our nation and its work- closely allied with organized labor in indus- It’s been three decades since Richard Nixon ers. trial states, are stubbornly resisting pleas visited Beijing in 1972 and established cordial I'm proud to represent a district which is for their votes from both Republican leaders relations with China. Since then, each suc- home to Silicon Valley and where the high and the Clinton Administration. ceeding administration has worked toward a technology industries are the primary contribu- Congressmen still opposed or sitting on the closer partnership between the two countries tors to the economic engine of our New Econ- and it’s time to take the next big step. fence should vote for the historic measure omy. that rightfully should be seen as having as Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Chairman, it is my But this issue is larger than any one indus- many benefits for workers as for businesses, privilege to yield 2 minutes to the gen- try or any one Congressional District. Presi- manufacturers, farmers, consumers and tlewoman from California (Ms. ESHOO). dent Kennedy said, lovers of personal freedom. Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Chairman, today our Passage of the bill into law—it’s expected Economic isolation and political leader- to have an easier time in the Senate—would Nation, and I believe this Congress, ship are wholly incompatible. The United end the annual exercise of renewing China’s stand at the beginning of a new cen- States has encouraged sweeping changes in trade status and grant the world’s most pop- tury; and with it comes the new oppor- free world economic patterns in order to ulous nation the same normal trade rela- tunity to export our products to the strengthen the forces of freedom. But we tions and lower tariffs that the United largest emerging market in the world. cannot ourselves stand still. We must adapt our own economy to the imperatives of a States extends routinely to nearly every America today is enjoying unparal- other country. The bill also would assure changing world and once more assert our leled economic successes. We are the leadership. China’s entry into the Geneva-based World envy of the world. Economic growth is Trade Organization which overseas world These words hold true for us today. This trade and provides mechanisms to resolve sustained. Unemployment is low. Infla- legislation is good for the American worker. It disputes among members. tion has been kept at bay. The new opens the greatest market of this new century Organized labor, desperate to defeat the economy has brought new wealth and to American products and American values. bill, has trumpeted such already well known new opportunities to our Nation and its I want to salute our colleagues, Congres- criticisms of China as its poor record on workers. I am proud to represent a dis- sional LEVIN and BEREUETER for refusing to human rights and denial of religious freedom trict which is home to Silicon Valley turn their backs on history and instead choos- as well as its history of economic piracy and and where the high technology indus- ing to make history by writing legislation that disregard for environmental standards. tries are the primary contributors to However, labor and other opponents should brings the framework of the famous Helsinki take another look at what the record shows the economic engine of our new econ- Accords to our relationship with China. and stop refusing to accept that easier omy. Mr. Speaker, China's outdated politically- trade—and the growing prosperity it brings— But this issue is larger than any one decrept political system has shown over fifty is the most effective cure for the repression industry or any one congressional dis- years that it can repress its people by keeping and other ills of communism. The higher trict. President Kennedy said, ‘‘Eco- them closed off from the rest of the world. I standard of living increased trade can pro- nomic isolation and political leader- doubt they can succeed with this economic vide for China’s 1.2 billion people is the most ship are wholly incompatible. The and political repression in the face of an Inter- powerful tool to promote democracy there United States has encouraged sweeping and continued prosperity for American work- net society where millions of computers and ing families. changes in free world economic pat- wireless telephones will connect China to the More trade would add to the 1.3 million terns in order to strengthen the forces rest of the world. An Internet society punches new American jobs attributed to growth in of freedom, but we cannot ourselves a thousand holes in the dike of political re- imports and exports since 1993. International stand still. We must adapt our own pression. China not only will be exposed to

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00084 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A23MY7.102 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 May 23, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3611 American values, but it will become part of the that show that we need to negotiate a China’s size makes China special. It community of nations. better deal. is a monster that can greatly distort I urge my colleagues to vote yes to extend First, the International Trade Com- the economics of world trade. But more permanent normal trade relations to China and mission and the official authoritative importantly, with China’s centralized thus seize this historic opportunity. body of the Federal Government issued authority, the totalitarian control of Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Chairman, I yield a report. It says this deal will increase both the consumers and the workers 2 minutes to the gentleman from New our $70 billion trade deficit and cost and the means of production, every- Jersey (Mr. MENENDEZ). America 872,000 jobs over the next 10 thing is under control, and that also is (Mr. MENENDEZ asked and was years. That is right. Permanent NTR a danger to world trade. given permission to revise and extend does not just make the trade deficit No one in this government is willing his remarks.) permanent, it makes it bigger. to give us an honest study and an hon- Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Chairman, I be- Second, the gentleman from Cali- est assessment of the damage that has lieve in free trade. But to me, free fornia (Mr. BERMAN) and the gentleman already been done by NAFTA with its trade is not just about the products we from Pennsylvania (Mr. WELDON) pre- monstrous drain on manufacturing jobs are trading. It is also about the people sented an amendment to the Com- on this country’s economy. But China who make them. If after more than a mittee on Rules this afternoon which has the capacity to do 100 times more quarter century of engagement, the would simply state that China will lose damage than Mexico did with the success of our human rights and de- its access to our markets if it invades NAFTA blunder. mocracy efforts in China can be meas- or blockades Taiwan. This amendment China’s trade is great for our retail ured in forced abortions, arrest of dis- is consistent with GATT. But I expect establishment. Yes, they like to go and purchase items for a few pennies and sidents, Tiananmen Square, religious that the Committee on Rules will re- sell them for many dollars at a tremen- persecution, ethnic cleansing in Tibet, ject it because the administration will dous profit in our retail stores. China’s child labor, slave labor, aggression reject it because China will not accept trade is great for our manufacturing against Taiwan, and the arrests of the it. concerns, to take their plants and pick Falun Gong, then our record is not a Now, who is to blame? China? If it in- them up and have products manufac- success at all but a dismal failure. terprets the proceedings of this House tured in China and brought back here The victims of this failure are not as a green light to blockade or invade and sold in a standard in line with our just the Chinese people. The adminis- Taiwan, and if this House is willing to tration and American companies con- quality of life. grant permanent NTR, even if China For the managers, the executives, tinue to accept displaced American blockades or invades Taiwan, what workers as inevitable casualties of eco- and the investors profits leap upward would the other body do? What would forever in this China deal. But for ordi- nomic war for which there is virtually the proponents of trade suggest? no assistance. I know I will not. nary Americans, the statistics and the We must insist that the Berman- records tell the tragic side of the story. Our trade deficit with China con- Weldon language is included in this tinues to grow, from a $6 billion deficit Already world trade has cost us a great statute. If it is not, then we are being deal. The gap between workers and the a decade ago to an almost $70 billion vague when clarity is called for. We deficit today, all while the Chinese people on the top keeps growing. China will be at fault if China is misinter- is a disaster. Vote ‘‘no’’ on this trade Government continues to break prom- preting our mood, and we will be the ise after promise, agreement after bill. precipitators of those in China who say Mr. Chairman. I am strongly opposed to agreement. That $70 billion benefit to they are free to invade Taiwan or granting permanent normal trade relations to China is what they have, in essence, blockade Taiwan. China and, knowing the strong feelings on been investing in their military budg- Keep in mind how easy it is to block- both sides of the issue, will explain the rea- et. ade Taiwan. It just takes a press re- sons for my objection. Free trade exists when two countries lease saying that the next freighter Permanent normal trade relations with open up their doors to compete on a into Taipei or into Taiwanese ports China will increase America's trade deficit, level playing field, not when one coun- will be hit by a Chinese missile, and contrary to what many believe. In 1999, Amer- try, the United States, opens its doors that economy shuts down. We cannot ica exported one-third less of agricultural prod- wide while the other, China, cracks its allow misinterpretation. We need the ucts to China than in the previous year and door open an inch while reserving the Berman-Weldon language. Otherwise, the resulting deficit affected two-thirds of all right to slam it shut if we ever dare this bill becomes the Taiwan blockade agricultural commodities exported to China. In ask for what they consider to be too authorization act. fact, America's 1998 cotton export surplus to much. Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Chairman, I yield China of $118 million turned to a $12 million Have we gotten to the point where we 2 minutes to the gentleman from New trade deficit in 1999. From 1995 to 1999, will throw all of our values out the York (Mr. OWENS). American export of fresh apples to China fell window, even protecting children from (Mr. OWENS asked and was given by 79 percent, while we imported twice the forced labor, in order to maximize cor- permission to revise and extend his re- dollar amount of dried apples from China than porate profits? marks.) we exported in fresh apples. While we ex- Our leadership, our international b 1830 ported no peanuts to China in 1999, we im- leadership, comes from these values, ported peanuts from China for the first time in not just our profits. That is the Amer- Mr. OWENS. Mr. Speaker, in trade 1998 and exported only $14,000. This was a ica I believe in. That would be the kind agreement after trade agreement the drop from $60,000 worth of peanuts exported of true free trade bill that would be U.S. negotiators have allowed them- to China in 1994. worth fighting for. This is a bill that selves to be swindled before. Now we How can we believe that simply giving needs to be soundly defeated. are dealing with a very different kind China permanent normal trade relations status ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE CHAIRMAN of animal. China does not have a mar- will reverse this very clear trend? This in- The CHAIRMAN. The Chair will re- ket economy. It has an economy that crease in agricultural imports from China to mind all persons in the gallery that has no name. It is a complex situation the United States has occurred simultaneously they are here as guests of the House, where we are about to be swindled while overall United States exports to China and that any manifestation of approval again. has steadily decreased. The result is a signifi- or disapproval of proceedings or other Without a doubt, the totalitarian cant agricultural trade deficit for the United audible conversation is in violation of government of China has the world’s States. Granting permanent normal trade rela- the rules of the House. largest workforce. China also has the tions status to China will not automatically re- Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Chairman, I yield most oppressed and most thoroughly calibrate the balance of trade between our two 2 minutes to the gentleman from Cali- manipulated urban workforce on the countries. And historically, China has failed to fornia (Mr. SHERMAN). face of this Earth. In the country that honor trade agreements with the United Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Chairman, I wish promised to be the paradise for the pro- States. What makes proponents of permanent to bring two new developments to the letariat, there are no free unions. normal trade relations believe that it will be attention of this House, developments Workers cannot organize. any different after approval then it is now?

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00085 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A23MY7.105 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 H3612 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 23, 2000 But of equal concern to me is the well- legislation to fix two problems with national Operations and Human Rights known record of China in human rights viola- legislation that I have prepared on the of the Committee on International Re- tions. This extends to the workers in China Trade Act of 1934 and the Trade Adjust- lations. We have looked at this at who will be the recipients of American jobs ex- ment Assistance Act of 1974 to provide every angle. Another commission is ported there under the misguided belief that that equity and that fairness that I am nice, but it should not be done in lieu permanent normal trade relations with China asking for in international trade. It of substantive action. will be a positive thing. At the current 25 cents has not been forthcoming in this legis- Let me also point out that I too chair an hour in manufacturing wages for the aver- lation. the Helsinki Commission. This does age worker in China, the temptation for multi- I have not been uncommitted but not look like the Helsinki Commission. national corporations to move business from very clear about my position. If we can Let me just remind Members that the America to China will only be exacerbated by fix the problem and help the workers U.S.S.R. and the Warsaw Pact nations granting it permanent normal trade relations face an uncertain future, I would vote all signed the Helsinki Final Act in status. Right now, a few multinational corpora- for this. But if not, I will vote against 1975. It was a process. China is not tions are draining away assets from Federal, it. going to be signing this pact. Let me state and local coffers and taking their busi- Symptomatic of what lies ahead are also point out that MFN was denied to ness to other countries that have less ethical the defective issues in the U.S. agree- the U.S.S.R. while we had this accord and stringent standards under which their citi- ment with China that are reflective of called the Helsinki Final Act. zens earn a living. Are we to condone and the broader pattern of international And, finally, we have commissions. support this trend by making it easier for those trade where we have failed to enforce The U.S. Commission on International multinational corporations to export jobs away existing law. What hope do workers in Religious Freedom has come out unani- from America? American industry have about the fu- mously admonishing Members of Con- This negative trend for American trade will ture of a broader trade agreement when gress to vote ‘‘no’’ on PNTR because of not be helped by granting China permanent existing law is not vigorously, effec- the deteriorating situation on religious normal trade relations status. It will simply in- tively enforced? We ask only for that. freedom. crease our dependency on foreign imports and It has not been forthcoming. I see no Let me just conclude, Mr. Chairman. set in motion a dangerous precedent that hope that it will. I am voting no. My colleague, the gentleman from Ten- could see the eventual disappearance of the Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Chairman, nessee (Mr. TANNER), said nothing is prosperity and productivity that America has I yield 21⁄2 minutes to the gentleman permanent. If they misbehave, he said, built to an incredible degree over the last 8 from New Jersey (Mr. SMITH), a human maybe something could be done. Let years. rights advocate who has earned that me just point out the fact is that this International concerns that should give pro- reputation through many years of dictatorship is misbehaving on a grand ponents of permanent normal trade relations human rights work in this body. scale. It does beg the question, is there with China pause is China's unchanged rep- Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Chair- anything that they can do, any abuse utation for support of radical factions; like Iran, man, I thank the gentleman for yield- they can perpetrate that does not lead Iraq, and Libya and for bullying Taiwan. ing me this time, and I rise in strong to the loss of PNTR? I urge a ‘‘no’’ vote By granting permanent normal trade rela- opposition to PNTR, and tonight I es- on this resolution. tions status to China, we send a message to pecially urge the remaining undecided Mr. CRANE. Mr. Chairman, how multinational corporations that it is OK to si- Members to look at China’s ever-wors- much time do I have remaining? phon money from American communities and ening human rights record and look The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman move assets abroad with impunity. We say to long and hard at the compelling threat from Illinois (Mr. CRANE) has 3 minutes China: ``It is OK to practice human rights viola- that PRC poses to Taiwan on both the remaining. tions and aid and abet rogue nations in the short and intermediate term as they Mr. CRANE. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 international arena. build up with U.S. missile and com- minutes to the gentleman from Oregon The proper course of action for the United puter technology and Russian ships, (Mr. WALDEN). States Congress is to deny permanent normal and the threat to the U.S. itself. The Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Chair- trade relations to China. We must not allow VFW and the American Legion have man, I thank the gentleman for yield- American jobs to disappear and resurface taken a long look at this issue and ing me this time. abroad. We must not turn a blind eye to Chi- they have urged a ‘‘no’’ vote on PNTR. Brent Scowcroft, U.S. Air Force lieu- na's intransigence on world security issues. Mr. Chairman, a few moments ago tenant general, retired, and former Na- Let us not turn back the clock on what we the gentleman from Texas (Mr. BENT- tional Security Adviser, said of this have been able to accomplish over the last SEN), who takes the view that is con- vote, ‘‘Denying permanent normal eight years. We must say no to permanent trary to my own, rightly called China a trade relations will remove none of the normal trade relations for China. We must say dictatorship. Our business partners, blemishes that China’s opponents have no to the betrayal of slave-wage workers in Mr. Chairman, in Beijing indeed are identified.’’ China and to workers in America. Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Chairman, I yield dictators, and they are directly respon- Denying PNTR will not fix the prob- 2 minutes to the gentleman from Min- sible for heinous crimes against hu- lem in China. None of us is here to de- nesota (Mr. OBERSTAR). manity, including the systematic use fend the abysmal human rights record Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Chairman, I of torture, the laogai or slave labor, of the Chinese, but, frankly, it is better thank the gentleman for yielding me where hundreds of thousands of people, today than it was during the cultural this time. thousands of gulags or laogai are used revolution. Things are improving. Ren Mr. Chairman, the question before to make goods that are then exported Wanding, leader of the 1978 Democracy the House is permanent normal trade to the United States. And the MOU Wall Movement in China said, ‘‘Before relations for China. But the previous that we have with them is not even the sky was black. Now there is a light. question, the larger question, the larg- worth the paper it is printed on. This can be a new beginning.’’ er issue is fairness for domestic indus- They have given new meaning to the I was in China at the beginning of tries and our workers, equity for Amer- word union busting. Those brave Chi- this month with the Secretary of Agri- ican workers. nese who speak up and try to organize culture and several Members of this When subsidized goods from foreign are thrown into jail and they too are Congress, two of whom just today fi- sources flood our markets, not protec- beaten. As a result of the one child per nally made up their minds to support tion but prompt, vigorous, efficient en- couple policy, brothers and sisters are PNTR after much serious discussion. forcement of our existing trade laws, illegal. Forced abortion, properly con- PNTR vote is a vote about what hap- has not happened in the steel industry strued as a crime against humanity by pens here in this country as much as it in the United States. We have lost the Nuremberg War Crimes Tribunal is the hopes of some of us to change 350,000 jobs in basic steel and 10,000 jobs are going on in China on a massive that country. in the iron ore mining country of my scale today. There is no toleration of Today, in my home State of Oregon, district. dissent in the PRC. they are preparing the first shipment For the past 4 months, I have asked I have had 18 hearings, Mr. Chair- of wheat to go to China in 26 years, be- the administration and backers of this man, in my Subcommittee on Inter- cause until this bilateral agreement

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00086 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A23MY7.099 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 May 23, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3613 came along, China used one of those We must ensure China lives up to its Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong opposi- nontariff barriers, called TCK SMUT, commitments in this agreement. We tion to this trade agreement. When with a zero tolerance to preclude us must encourage American companies people talk about this, the first thing from ever selling wheat into China. to uphold the very best of our values in they say is, we ought to have a trade And they were successful for 26 years. China. We should not shrink from this agreement so we can engage with That changes tomorrow when the ships challenge and this opportunity by re- China. Well, if this theory is so smart, leave Portland, Oregon, with 50,000 fusing to engage with China. We must why do we not try with Cuba first? Be- metric tons of wheat. continue to highlight China’s human cause some of the same people who That is important. My farmers are rights shortages and encourage the have dramatic opposition to engage- suffering. If there is one thing I have voices of progressive change in that ment with Cuba, our neighbor 90 miles heard over and over again as I have country. away, think that this is the greatest gone around my district is about bad I urge my colleagues to support this thing since sliced bread. past trade agreements that left us on important legislation. I have severe questions about this the wrong side. This one forces China Mr. KLECZKA. Could the Chairman agreement. It seems to me we have to open its markets, reduce its tariffs, inform the sides how much time is re- come to a point in our history where and puts us on a better playing field maining. we worship at the altar of new markets when it comes to trade. And that is so The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman to the total exclusion of all other for- important to people who are facing from Wisconsin (Mr. KLECZKA) has 7 eign policy objectives, and I do not bankruptcy and disruption of their minutes remaining, the gentleman think that makes good sense. markets. from California (Mr. ROHRABACHER) has Let us talk about engagement. We And, my colleagues, if we do not pass 21⁄2 minutes remaining, the gentleman have been engaged with China, and the PNTR, we give the European Union, from Illinois (Mr. CRANE) has 1 minute report card is abysmal. They have not who we know subsidizes their farmers remaining, and the gentleman from complied with the provisions of GATT, and ranchers to an extraordinary Michigan (Mr. LEVIN) has 21⁄2 minutes something that is already in place. We amount, our bilateral agreement, and remaining. annually renew our trade relations we stick it to American farmers. And Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Chairman, I yield with China. Let us see the results. that is wrong, Mr. Chairman. 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Human rights violations continue to Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 California (Ms. WOOLSEY). proliferate. They have not been re- minutes to the gentlewoman from Cali- (Ms. WOOLSEY asked and was given duced. fornia (Mrs. CAPPS). We look at our trade deficit. It is the Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Chairman, I rise in permission to revise and extend her re- worst in the history of the United support of this legislation. I thank the marks.) Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Chairman, I rise States. They outnumber us six to one gentleman from Texas (Mr. ARCHER), in terms of our trade relationship. the Chairman of the Committee on today in opposition to granting perma- They have a distinct advantage in our Ways and Means, and the ranking nent normal trade relations to China. member, the gentleman from New York Entering into a trade agreement with relationship with them; our engage- ment with them certainly has not (Mr. RANGEL), for their leadership in China, given their current record on bringing this bill to the floor. human rights and workers’ rights, to helped. I acknowledge the hard work and me, is like marrying someone we hope When we look at piracy of intellec- passion of good friends on both sides of to change. After the vows are taken, tual property and when we look at the issue; leaders on one side elo- we then tell that person what is not every element of our relationship, we quently stating the challenges that re- right with the relationship and what see we have not benefited from this so- main in our relationship with China, needs to be done differently. It does not called engagement. others highlighting the opportunities work. I urge rejection of the trade agree- this agreement presents for Americans Today, the U.S. imports 36 percent of ment. and the China people. I believe we all Chinese exports, but working condi- Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Chairman, I yield share the same goals. tions remain horrible. They are bad in 1 minute to the gentleman from New We all want to expand our economy the factories, where the sneakers are Jersey (Mr. ROTHMAN). and to increase opportunities for all made, where the TVs are made. Yet we (Mr. ROTHMAN asked and was given Americans. And we all want to encour- buy those products, and U.S. compa- permission to revise and extend his re- age reform in China, nurturing freedom nies in China and the Chinese manufac- marks.) for over 1 billion people, making the turers have done nothing to improve Mr. ROTHMAN. Mr. Chairman, I world a safer place for everyone. This workers’ rights. thank the gentleman for yielding me debate has shown that people of good What is most alarming is that many the time. intentions can strongly disagree on a of these products are made by very, Mr. Chairman, today we are deciding means to achieving the same ends. very young children, who work more United States trade policy with the I am convinced that passing perma- than 12 hours a day for very small People’s Republic of China. Given the nent normal trade relations and engag- wages; and they work 7 days a week. fact that China is a communist nation ing with China is the best course for and that it regularly violates the b 1845 our economy, our national security, human rights of its own citizens, the and the Chinese people. I know that in- It is pitiful that the U.S. is ignoring United States Congress, rightfully, creased exports of wine, citrus, beef, the awful conditions that these chil- every year decides whether to treat and other farm products will benefit dren face. PNTR with China would be a China that year with restrictive or nor- the families of my central coast dis- bad marriage. After the honeymoon mal trade relations. trict in California. And I know the hype fades away, we would be left with This year Congress is being asked to high-tech industry, so critical to our nothing except the same old China, give up this annual review. And the economic future, will gain critical ac- where children work in virtual slavery. question is, should we do so? cess to Chinese markets. But I also The United States must not say ‘‘I While I believe in free trade because strongly believe the Chinese people do’’ to China until the Chinese people it can be in America’s national secu- will, in the long run, win as well. have freedom and the American people rity and economic interest, and while I note the recent statements by the have responsible trade policy. China’s leaders have made some Dalai Lama endorsing China’s entry I urge my colleagues to vote ‘‘no’’ to- progress from their days as an inward- into the World Trade Organization and morrow. looking regime, China has broken by Taiwan’s new president in support Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Chairman, I yield every one of the six trade agreements of PNTR. These are calls for continued 1 minute to the gentleman from Mary- it has signed with the United States engagement with China, and they are land (Mr. WYNN). since 1992. calls we should heed. Mr. WYNN. Mr. Chairman, I thank It is clear to me that not enough But passing PNTR is only the first the gentleman for yielding me the progress has been made or even at- step. The real work now lies before us. time. tempted in the important areas of

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00087 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.168 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 H3614 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 23, 2000 human and worker rights and in pro- forced abortion in China. So one could Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Chairman, I yield tecting the environment in China. ask, well, why are we here giving per- myself the balance of the time. I hope the time will come when the manent trade status to China? What is Mr. Chairman, the annual review great nation of China will earn the this issue all about? process has been, basically, a failure. right to permanent normal trade rela- My colleagues, the issue is all about We need both to gain the benefits from tions with the great Nation of the money. The issue tonight is money, what we negotiated and find a better United States. They have not done so corporate profits for our industry and way to impact China. yet. corporate boards. That is what it is all The Helsinki Commission worked not I urge my colleagues to vote ‘‘no’’ on about. because the USSR agreed; but because PNTR for China. Now, we have heard from the pro- we, the U.S., persevered. If we per- Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 ponents that, gosh, we cannot isolate severe with the provisions in the bill minutes to the gentleman from Vir- China, we cannot refuse to trade with that the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. ginia (Mr. MORAN). them, we should not be protectionist. BEREUTER) and I and many others have Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Mr. Chair- And it is all nonsense. Because every- put together, the best interests of our man, I can understand the trends with- one talking on the floor, be they for or workers and our producers will prevail. in this country. They are historic to- against this resolution, know that we Mr. CRANE. Mr. Chairman, I reserve wards protectionism and isolationism. are going to continue, like today, trad- the balance of my time. But they have not prevailed. And we ing with China. Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Chairman, have benefited as a result of our con- So what is the big deal? The big deal I yield myself the balance of the time. fidence in the future, our ability to is do we give China tomorrow perma- Mr. Chairman, today we have heard compete. nent trading status with our country? many things that do not really rep- But if we look at who in China is op- Do we throw open the doors to prom- resent a real analysis of what PNTR is posed to this treaty, who wants us to ises of hundreds of thousands of new all about. We have been told that reject it tomorrow, certainly the mili- jobs? Or should we, like we have for al- PNTR means there are no concessions tary wants us to reject it, because they most the past 20 years, review this on our part. Give me a break. I mean, want their people to believe that they country and their abuses on an annual no concessions? We have frozen into should be putting their resources into basis and then on this floor make a de- our reality unfair trade tariffs from gearing up for a military confrontation cision? now to forever. with the United States. So they want That is the question. It is not protec- Let me give my colleagues an exam- us to reject it. tionism. It is whether or not Congress, ple of PNTR. Car tariffs are going to be The people who run the state-owned the elected officials, will continue to 25 percent. They are going to say, oh, enterprises want us to reject this trea- review this. well they are higher now. Yeah, they ty because they are afraid of competi- I was told about the hundreds of are higher now, but then they are going tion with the United States. They do thousands of jobs when NAFTA was to bring them down and freeze them not want to have to worry about pro- passed, the trading agreement with forever at an unfair level. Car tariffs 25 viding better working conditions for Mexico. My colleagues, I come from percent. Motorcycles 35 percent. VCRs their people, worrying about the envi- Milwaukee, Wisconsin. A short time 30 percent. Color TVs 30 percent. Corn ronment, providing the kinds of bene- ago, Master Lock, little bicycle locks 65 percent. Rice 65 percent. Sugar 65 fits that we provide in higher standard and big locks, small locks, they an- percent. of living to the people who work for nounced that they were going to close These are the tariffs that they are American corporations. the plant, lay off 400 workers in the going to have on our goods while our And certainly the Communist Party Milwaukee area, and move that to tariffs are just going to, again, as we wants a no vote. They want a no vote Mexico where the average wage we are have had for these last 10 years, almost because they know if they are put told is about 50 cents an hour. down to nothing. This freezes us into under the international rule of law and We cannot compete with that. Well, an unfair economic relationship with if they have almost unfettered Internet that is not going to happen in China. the world’s worst human rights abuser. access to their people, if they cannot Baloney. The average wage in China is The Levin-Bereuter proposal that in control what their people read and see 13 cents. Master Lock should have some way just eliminates our review is and believe, they, the Communist waited for this and then ran to China. going to do some good for the people of Party, lose control over their people; Well, but we are going to have trade China; we are eliminating the review the people of China will be liberated; and they are going to buy American that we have. Their only restraint on the people of China will be able to deal goods. The per capita income in China their violations of human rights we are with us. That free enterprise will pre- is about $750 a year, $750 a year. How taking away by permanent normal vail, that democracy will prevail, that many Jeep Cherokees can the Chinese trade relations. human rights will prevail. buy from us? How many refrigerators? What is this again? As I started out, All of these hardliners in China want How many computers? this whole debate is about what? It is a no vote. But America needs a yes My colleagues, the issue here is about whether or not we are going to vote. This may be the most important money, money, money. continue the subsidies of American thing we can do for our children’s chil- We were told when we had a hearing businessmen through the Export-Im- dren, from a military standpoint, from before the Committee on Ways and port Bank who are making their in- an economic standpoint, and from a Means that, under this agreement, in- vestments in Communist China to take moral standpoint. vestment in China is going to become advantage of that slave labor at the China needs to be an economically more secure and more profitable. And taxpayers’ expense by the taxpayers independent ally, not an isolated mili- that sent up a red flag for this fellow guaranteeing that investment. That is tary threat. They need to be an eco- because that means American capital what is fueling this whole debate nomic opportunity, not someone who is is going to go over there in droves and today. Nobody wants to recognize it. closed off. And certainly, the people of instead of shipping products, they are What we are doing is building the in- China need an opportunity to under- going to be made there; and we are frastructure, the technological and stand that we have it right, that indi- going to be shipping machine tools and manufacturing infrastructure, of the vidual freedoms is what the human production equipment, only to have the world’s worst human rights abuser and condition is all about. widgets and the tires and the auto the country that poses the greatest Give the Chinese people a chance. parts come back here displacing Amer- threat to us militarily in the future. Vote ‘‘yes.’’ ican workers. We are creating a monster with blood Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Chairman, I yield All we are asking today is let us re- on its hands. The blood on its hands is myself the balance of the time. view this and see if China is worthy of dripping from the hands of this terrible Mr. Chairman, over the last couple permanent. Let us look at it year to totalitarian regime. They have been re- hours we are told about slave labor, year. Congress comes back every year pressing their religious believers and child labor, human rights abuses, like the swallows to Capistrano. people who believe in democracy. And

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00088 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.170 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 May 23, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3615 we want to have a permanent normal ers in April to ``rally the troops,'' so to speak. My vote ensures we give American workers trade relationship with them to help Joined by the CEO of Honeywell, Michael the tools to compete with the world, and win. them build up their technological capa- Bonsignore, we articulated five main points Moreover, by extending a permanent trading bilities. that are deciding factors in my support of relationship with China, we ensure that China Such immoral policy-making will trade with China. adheres to our rules in the global marketplace, come back and hurt the United States. First, extending permanent normal trading and that along with our goods and services, This is Neville Chamberlain’s strategy relations with China is a win for fairnessÐthis we export American values and democratic with Adolph Hitler, build up his econ- agreement forces China to adhere to our ideals. omy that he will not dare to commit rules-based trading system. Without an agree- b 1900 aggression. ment, there are no rules, and we have no say We will be hurt very badly if we pass whatsoever in how China conducts its busi- The CHAIRMAN. All time allotted this. Oppose PNTR. ness with the rest of the world. for general debate has expired. Mr. CRANE. Mr. Chairman, I yield Second, it's a win for U.S. workers and Under the order of the House of myself the balance of the time. businessesÐChina is an incredibly important today, the Committee rises. Mr. Chairman, I would like to read a emerging market with more than a billion con- Accordingly, the Committee rose; quote of President Chen Shui-bian, the sumers. America's world class businesses, and the Speaker pro tempore (Mr. newly inaugurated President of Tai- large and smallÐmanufacturers, high tech/ BURR of North Carolina) having as- wan: ‘‘We would welcome the normal- biotech companies, entertainers, farmers, fi- sumed the chair, Mr. LAHOOD, Chair- ization of U.S.-China trade relations, nancial institutionsÐknow that being shut out man of the Committee of the Whole just like we hope the Cross Strait rela- of China, especially as China opens its doors House on the State of the Union, re- tions between Taiwan and China can to the rest of the world, is a very big mistake. ported that that Committee, having also be normalized. We look forward to Third, trade with China is a win for Amer- had under consideration the bill (H.R. both the People’s Republic of China’s ican values inside ChinaÐthrough free and 4444) to authorize extension of non- and Taiwan’s accession to the WTO.’’ fair trade, America will not only export many discriminatory treatment (normal The next quote is from the EU Trade products and services, but we will deliver a trade relations treatment) to the Peo- Commissioner Pascal Lamy, who said, good old fashioned dose of our democratic ple’s Republic of China, had come to no ‘‘WTO entry has benefits for China, as values and free-market ideas. These ideals resolution thereon. it has benefits for EU companies, and it are already percolating in China Ðinterest- f will enhance EU-China relations and ingly, today there are more Chinese share- that has just been concluded.’’ holders in private companies in China than SPECIAL ORDERS And finally, ‘‘American businesses there are members of the Chinese Communist The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under and religious leaders need to remain Party! the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- engaged in China as an example and as Fourth, international trade, whether with uary 6, 1999, and under a previous order a voice for our values. Rejecting the China or any other nation, means jobs for of the House, the following Members constructive bilateral trade agree- New Jerseyans, and continued prosperity for will be recognized for 5 minutes each. our state. That's the bottom line. Out of New ments offered by the Chinese and deny- f ing normal trade relations would mean Jersey's 4.1 million-member workforce, almost 600,000 people statewideÐfrom Main Street The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a severing ties that would take genera- previous order of the House, the gen- tions to repair.’’ to Fortune 500 companiesÐare employed be- cause of exports, imports and foreign direct in- tleman from Indiana (Mr. BURTON) is I would remind colleagues, this may recognized for 5 minutes. be the most critically important vote vestment. China ranked as New Jersey's 9th largest (Mr. BURTON of Indiana addressed they will cast in their entire career in export destination in 1998, an increase from the House. His remarks will appear the Congress of the United States. 13th in 1993. Our Garden State exported $668 hereafter in the Extensions of Re- Mr. Chairman, I yield back the bal- million in merchandise to China in 1998, more marks.) ance of my time. than double what was exported five years ear- Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chairman, f lier. With a formal trade agreement in place, American business men and women have The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a imagine the potential as access to China's eyed China for years, knowing that the sky is previous order of the House, the gentle- vast market is improved! Enormous opportuni- the limit when it comes to selling American woman´ from New York (Ms. ties exist for New Jersey's telecommuni- VELAZQUEZ) is recognized for 5 min- made goods and services to the world's larg- cations, environmental technology, healthcare, est market. But Americans have found it dif- utes. ´ agriculture and food processing industries. (Ms. VELAZQUEZ addressed the ficult to trade with China since complete ac- Fifth and finally, in the interests of world House. Her remarks will appear here- cess to this vast market has been restricted. peace, it is absolutely a mistake to isolate after in the Extensions of Remarks.) In today's global market, we can no longer China, a nation with the world's largest stand- afford any restrictions on trade with the world's ing army, an estimated 2.6 million-member f largest population. We must engage China, force. America's democratic allies in Asia sup- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a and ensure that American companies and port China's entry into the World Trade Orga- previous order of the House, the gentle- American workers have the tools to compete nization because they know that a constructive woman from Idaho (Mrs. CHENOWETH- with other nations in Chinese markets. Re- relationship with China in a stable Asia offers HAGE) is recognized for 5 minutes. member, when America competes, we win. the best chance for reducing regional tensions (Mrs. CHENOWETH-HAGE addressed That's why I voted for a permanent trading re- along the Taiwan Strait, and for avoiding a the House. Her remarks will appear lationship between the United States and new arms race elsewhere in Asia. hereafter in the Extensions of Re- China. I am fully aware of the controversy sur- marks.) In fact, over the past year I have taken an rounding my vote. Indeed, humanitarian and f active role in promoting America's free trade environmental issues remain important to me The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a with China. Specifically, in Washington, as a in our dealings with China. But I refuse to be- member of the House Leadership's China previous order of the House, the gen- lieve that if we walk away from China our na- tleman from Washington (Mr. Trade Team, I have worked with House Rules tional interests would be better served. In fact, NETHERCUTT) is recognized for 5 min- Chairman DAVID DREIER and my colleagues in I am positive to do so would deter from our utes. support of extending permanent normal trade ability, and our credibility, to push reform in relations, PNTR, with China. (Mr. NETHERCUTT addressed the China and around the globe. House. His remarks will appear here- Back at home, I have met with hundreds of As General Colin Powell said, ``From every after in the Extensions of Remarks.) people in New Jersey's business community standpointÐfrom a strategic standpoint, from to encourage them to organize and help the standpoint of our national interests, from f spread the word about the benefits increased the standpoint of our trading interests and our The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a trade with China will bring home to the Garden economic interestsÐit serves all of our pur- previous order of the House, the gen- State. In fact, Chairman DREIER and I assem- poses to grant permanent normal trading rela- tleman from North Carolina (Mr. bled a group of New Jersey's business lead- tions with China.'' ETHERIDGE) is recognized for 5 minutes.

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00089 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.172 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 H3616 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 23, 2000 (Mr. ETHERIDGE addressed the years of history, while fulfilling their Jewish would expand for my 5 minutes’ worth House. His remarks will appear here- identities. Efforts to portray these individuals a little bit on the points that have been after in the Extensions of Remarks.) as participants in a ``Zionist spy ring'' are ludi- made today. f crous. They are innocent and should be re- I think it was vital that people not The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a leased immediately. miss the point that the gentleman previous order of the House, the gen- Since the beginning of the Islamic revolu- from Colorado (Mr. TANCREDO) stressed when he gave his speech, and that was tleman from Virginia (Mr. DAVIS) is tion, the government has claimed that it re- that many of the companies that we recognized for 5 minutes. spects Jews and the Jewish community. In- are talking about that have been (Mr. DAVIS of Virginia addressed the deed 25,000 Jews still live in Iran. But this has opened up and that people are talking House. His remarks will appear here- been a difficult 20 years for the Jewish com- about doing business with in Com- after in the Extensions of Remarks.) munity in Iran. The government has consist- munist China are companies that are f ently articulated anti-Israel and anti-Zionist propaganda. A number of Jews have been ex- owned by the People’s Liberation The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a ecuted on charges of spying. Jewish property Army. previous order of the House, the gen- has been confiscated, and there are other re- What a travesty it is that what we tleman from Missouri (Mr. HULSHOF) is ports of other discrimination. have got, and this is as I have repeated recognized for 5 minutes. Still, the Iranian government has consist- in that debate several times, the es- (Mr. HULSHOF addressed the House. sence of what is being decided is wheth- His remarks will appear hereafter in ently asserted that it is not anti-Jewish and that the Jewish community is an integral part er or not major businessmen in the the Extensions of Remarks.) United States can invest in building of Iranian society and plays a legitimate reli- f manufacturing facilities in Communist gious and social role. And the worst fears China, while what they do when they The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a about excesses by the Islamic regime against build these manufacturing capabilities previous order of the House, the gentle- the Jewish community have generally not in China, these manufacturing centers, woman from Florida (Ms. BROWN) is come to pass. they have to go into business, they recognized for 5 minutes. However, by charging these innocent mem- have to go into business with a Chinese (Ms. BROWN of Florida addressed the bers of the Jewish community, the regime partner. Who is that Chinese partner? House. Her remarks will appear here- seems to be going beyond anything previously More often than not, the Chinese part- after in the Extensions of Remarks.) witnessed, reactivating some of those long- f ner is the People’s Liberation Army. held fears. Thus we are providing the capital IRANIAN JEWS I urge the President to make a strong state- through the American taxpayer, sub- ment demanding the release of the Iran thir- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a sidizing the loans that these business- teen. I believe it is imperative that Iran imme- previous order of the House, the gentle- men get, guaranteeing the loans so diately release these innocent individuals and woman from New Jersey (Mrs. ROU- that people will give them the loans to stop its anti-Semitic behavior. KEMA) is recognized for 5 minutes. they need to create these manufac- f Mrs. ROUKEMA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today turing jobs, manufacturing centers in to firmly state my outrage at the behavior of The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a Communist China. They go over there the government of Iran regarding the thirteen previous order of the House, the gentle- and set them up and who is their busi- members of the Iranian Jewish community woman from North Carolina (Mrs. ness partner? Who is splitting the prof- who are currently incarcerated by Iranian au- CLAYTON) is recognized for 5 minutes. it with them? The People’s Liberation thorities. It is a moral outrage, innocent people (Mrs. CLAYTON addressed the House. Army. are being held against their will just because Her remarks will appear hereafter in The People’s Liberation Army that of their religion. the Extensions of Remarks.) builds missiles with the technology Iran has a terrible record of human rights f that they steal from us and the tech- nology that they get from us through violations. According to the State Department The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a this economic relationship they have and several internationally recognized human previous order of the House, the gen- with our businessmen, and they build rights organizations such as Human Rights tleman from Washington (Mr. these missiles. Who are those missiles Watch and Amnesty International, religious mi- METCALF) is recognized for 5 minutes. aimed at? Today because of our poli- norities in the Islamic Republic of Iran have (Mr. METCALF addressed the House. cies toward Communist China, the been the victims of human rights violations His remarks will appear hereafter in Communist Chinese regime has the ca- solely because of their status as religious mi- the Extensions of Remarks.) pability of killing tens of millions of norities. These include Sunni Muslims, Chris- f Americans, and they did not have that tians, and Jews. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a capability 10 years ago. More specifically, the Iranian Jewish com- previous order of the House, the gen- This is not the type of policy that we munity has been in especially terrible danger. tleman from Oregon (Mr. BLUMENAUER) should make permanent. It has worked In just the past five years, the Iranian govern- is recognized for 5 minutes. against the American people. Why ment without having been tried has executed (Mr. BLUMENAUER addressed the should the American people subsidize a five Jews. There has been a noticeable in- House. His remarks will appear here- businessman for closing a company crease recently in anti-Semitic propaganda in after in the Extensions of Remarks.) here and setting it up in China? We are the government-controlled Iranian press, and f told over and over again the debate is many Jews have been forced to flee the coun- about selling American products over- try. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a seas. Most recently, as I have mentioned, Iranian previous order of the House, the gen- Please listen to that debate when you authorities arrested thirteen Jews, including tleman from Minnesota (Mr. GUT- hear that. It is not about selling Amer- community and religious leaders in the city of KNECHT) is recognized for 5 minutes. ican products. Almost none of our eco- Shiraz. Iran has charged these Jews with es- (Mr. GUTKNECHT addressed the nomic activity with Communist China pionage on behalf of the United States and House. His remarks will appear here- is the selling of American products. Israel, and has pursued their executions. They after in the Extensions of Remarks.) What we are sending over there are have been denied visitation privileges during f manufacturing units. What we are sell- their months of detainment and their fate looks ing to China is the ability to manufac- VOTE NO ON PNTR increasingly perilous as time passes. ture high technology goods. These Jews, including rabbis, religious The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a We heard it today in the home dis- teachers and community activists, have com- previous order of the House, the gen- trict of the gentleman from Illinois mitted no such crime. The United States and tleman from California (Mr. ROHR- (Mr. CRANE). Motorola has set up a chip Israel have adamantly denied any connection ABACHER) is recognized for 5 minutes. manufacturing company there. Why to these prisoners. Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, should the people in his district not be All the Jews of Iran want is to be able to live we have just witnessed a very fine de- in those jobs, building those chips, in in their country, where they have thousands of bate on PNTR, and I thought that I Illinois or in other places?

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00090 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.180 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 May 23, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3617 By the way, just to let Members woman from Ohio (Mrs. JONES) is rec- AGAINST PNTR know, I was in Cambodia a few years ognized for 5 minutes. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a ago, and they were having trouble with Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, previous order of the House, the gen- the millions of land mines that are today, May 23, the steamship William tleman from California (Mr. SHERMAN) sown throughout Cambodia. Somebody G. Mather marks the 75th anniversary is recognized for 5 minutes. actually had changed the nature of the of its launching. The Harbor Heritage Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am land mine, and our U.S. military team Society, the Mather’s nonprofit parent against isolationism, against protec- was finding they were up against a organization, is hosting a rededication tionism, and I am against this deal. smart land mine that would blow up if ceremony that began today at 2 p.m. Trade with China should not end, but the land mine could sense that some- The rededication will take place we need to go back to the drawing one was trying to defuse it. board. We accept over 43 percent of Our people finally got it open. They aboard the Mather which is moored at the Cleveland East 9th street pier. China’s exports. They accept only .7 found a chip inside the land mine. The percent, less than 1 percent of our ex- land mine, of course, was designed to The Mather has had a presence on ports. blow the legs off children and women Cleveland’s waterfront for nearly 75 Under those circumstances, we can and terrorize that society in Cambodia. years, first as a working Great Lakes negotiate a better deal. This deal is What was the little chip? The chip freighter and, since 1991, as a floating good for profits, but it is bad for Amer- came from a Motorola factory that was maritime museum. One of the only four ican working families. It is good for built by the United States in Com- Great Lakes freighter museum ships in the Chinese Communist party. That is munist China, perhaps the one that existence, the Mather exemplifies why they want this deal so badly. And was built there by the businessmen northeast Ohio’s proud heritage as a it is bad for those who want to unravel from the gentleman from Illinois’ dis- major maritime industrial shipping the power of the Communist party elite trict. center. in China. This deal is good for the Peo- The fact is we should not be sub- A former flagship of the Cleveland- ple’s Liberation Army and bad for sidizing businessmen to build factories American security interests. Cliffs fleet, the 618 foot William G. even in democratic societies, much less First let us turn to the balance of subsidizing the building of factories Mather was state-of-the-art technology trade. This deal will make permanent a and high technology transfers to the in Great Lakes freighters when system that has led to the most unbal- world’s worst human rights abuser. launched in 1925. The Mather is named anced trade in the history of affairs be- Neville Chamberlain had that strat- for longtime Cleveland-Cliffs president tween nations, a $70 billion trade def- egy with Adolf Hitler. We all remember and leading Cleveland businessman and icit as contrasted to just a $13 billion in Munich where Neville Chamberlain, philanthropist, William Gwinn Mather. market for our exports. the British prime minister, gave away During its 55 years of service, the b Czechoslovakia to the Nazis. We think Mather made hundreds of trips, trans- 1915 that was the sellout. No, that sellout porting iron ore from the upper lakes There is tremendous economic power started years before when Chamberlain to Cleveland’s waiting steel mills. For here on Capitol Hill pushing this deal, said, we will build up Hitler’s economy this reason, the Mather was nicknamed but it is not from people who think and have so much investment there, he the ship that built Cleveland. they can make money by producing goods in the United States at labor will never be able to commit aggres- The William G. Mather had a long sion because it would have such a dele- costs of $20 and $30 an hour and sell and distinguished Merchant Marine ca- terious effect on the German economy. them to China where people make 12 That was his strategy. That mirrors reer. To supply the Allied need for cents an hour; in fact, it is the reverse. exactly what we are being told now of steel, the Mather led a convoy of 13 The big profits, the big corporate push why we must, quote, engage the Com- freighters in early 1941 through the ice- comes from those who would like to munist Chinese. No one is talking choked upper Great Lakes to Duluth, pay workers 12 cents an hour and bring about isolating Communist China. No Minnesota, setting a record for the those goods and sell them to Ameri- one is talking about stopping trade. first arrival in a northern post. It was cans at American prices, American Our people would still be free to do one of the first commercial Great prices on which they can make tremen- that. But why should we subsidize the Lakes vessels to be equipped with radar dous profits. investment there? And why should we in 1946. The Mather has been des- This deal makes China safe for U.S. give up our rights here in Congress for ignated a national historic landmark investment, because, you know that an annual review of what our policy to- by the American Society of Mechanical whatever is produced in that factory by wards China does for the people of the Engineers for the following Great an American corporation with Chinese United States? Lakes industrial firsts: workers can be brought to the United Making it permanent and giving up First single marine boiler system States at huge profits permanently and our review, is that going to be seen by built by Babcock & Wilcox in 1954, its without interruption, but I would like the Communist Chinese as a commit- computerlike automated boiler system to bring to the attention of this House ment on our part to human rights and built by Bailey Meter Company in 1964, a new report issued by the government to protect our own interests? No, it is and the dual propeller bow thrusters agency that is responsible for ana- going to be looked at exactly the way built by the American Shipbuilding lyzing these trade agreements, the U.S. they have been looking at our policy company in 1964. International Trade Commission, for 10 years. The Communist Chinese which reported today that this deal leadership thinks we are a bunch of The Mather retired in 1980. In 1987, will increase our already enormous saps, that we do not believe in freedom Cleveland-Cliffs donated the Mather to trade deficit and cost America 872,000 and liberty and justice, that it is just a be restored and preserved as a mari- jobs over the next 10 years. matter of cliches. They see us as people time museum and educational facility. I should point out that this report who are weak. After an extensive 3-year restoration, was officially requested by U.S. Trade We must be strong to protect the in- the Steamship William G. Mather Mu- Representative Charlene Barshefsky, terests of the people of the United seum arrived at its permanent lake- the primary mover in the administra- States, to protect our national secu- front berth in downtown Cleveland’s tion to get us to vote for this deal. She rity. That means a vote against perma- North Coast Harbor Park. Since its asked for the report. When the report nent normal trade relations with May 1991 opening, hundreds of thou- said this deal kills American jobs, she China. sands of visitors and many area school said it was premature. f children have come aboard and toured I can understand why she would have the historic Mather. To date, the great- preferred that the report be issued only CLEVELAND STEAMSHIP WILLIAM er Cleveland community has invested after we vote. I prefer to get informa- G. MATHER’S 75TH ANNIVERSARY more than $2.5 million and 250,000 vol- tion before we vote. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a unteer hours in ‘‘the ship that built Second, on the issue of human rights; previous order of the House, the gentle- Cleveland.’’ there are those that say that through

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00091 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.189 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 H3618 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 23, 2000 engagement, we are going to under- international institutions that were established glot productsÐgoods and services produced mine the power of the Communist Chi- at the end of World War II. They give only in a number of countries and those goods and nese party, but you know who does not token recognition to the changes that are services are exchanged in large part for other believe that? The heads of the Com- needed in these essential but antiquated insti- goods and services of the same nature. munist Party of China. They know this tutions. (2) As trade between highly developed, high deal will make them stronger; that is At the end of World War II, visionary world wage countries and underdeveloped low wage why they want it so badly. leaders saw Europe in ruins because of Hit- countries has become a larger and larger As for the dissidents in China, we do ler's mad rampage through the middle of the share of the mix, negative side effects have not know what they think, they have 20th Century. They correctly understood three appeared in high wage countries like ours. A got a gun pointed to their head. Are things: downward pressure on wages because of that they free to tell us? But most of the (1) That Hitler's rise to power in the first expanded trade between very unlike econo- dissidents who have served time in place was driven by the fear and chaos that mies has reinforced other economic trends China prisons and escaped to the accompanied the collapse of first Europe's and policy actions, producing an ever-wid- United States are against this deal. and then America's banking systemÐa col- ening income gap between the investing class Finally, I would like to move to the lapse that fed the downward spiral of national and the working class. A rising tide no longer newest development of all, because it economies on both sides of the Atlantic and lifts all boats. In fact, the ability of those with happened this afternoon. Two of our produced catastrophic levels of unemployment large amounts of capital to pay any price nec- colleagues, the gentleman from Cali- and panic. essary for what they wanted has, in the global fornia (Mr. BERMAN) and the gentleman (2) That Europe must once again be made economy and local neighborhood alike, driven some costs far above what can be afforded by from Pennsylvania (Mr. WELDON) went safe for democracy by rebuilding its political to the Committee on Rules with an institutions. those whose boats are anchored to low amendment that is fully legal under (3) That America's long-term economic and wages. That has happened with the price of GATT, and that amendment provides, political health depended upon rebuilding Eu- housing. It has happened with the price of as follows: Normal trade relations rope's economy in order to rebuild world com- educationÐespecially at private institutions. It has happened with the price of medical care. treatment shall be withdrawn if China merce and create markets for our own goods. (3) Downward pressure on wages in econo- invades or imposes a blockade on Tai- To accomplish all of that, the Wise Men, as they were called, organized the Bretton mies like our own have been accompanied by wan. greater incentives to minimize environmental Mr. Speaker, I believe that the Com- Woods conference which established a new costs that go into any product because we are mittee on Rules will not make this in set of institutionsÐthe International Monetary told those products are in competition with order, because it is not accepted by the Fund and the World BankÐin order to help re- products produced in countries with much less administration, because, of course, it is build a new global economy and a new trading concern for either well-paid workers or well- not accepted by China. So we will be order. The mission of the Fund was to insure protected environments. That has made it asked to pass this bill without the Ber- stability in monetary exchange. The mission of more difficult to protect gains that industrial man-Weldon amendment, and that will the Bank was to assist nations in the task of countries have made in raising worker living signal China that it can continue to economic development and reconstruction. standards or cleaning up the environments in enjoy access to the American market Those institutions helped to produce phe- nomenally successful results. The world es- which they live. even if it blockades Taiwan. And now we find in this new era that institu- caped the kind of global recession in the years We ought to make the opposite clear tions which were established 50 years ago to immediately following World War II that had to them, but without the Berman- promote world recovery and world tradeÐinsti- historically followed other great conflicts. In the Weldon amendment, what is the mes- tutions which at the time undoubtedly pro- decade that immediately followed Bretton sage? That amendment was brought be- duced winners across the boardÐnow often Woods, most of the war-torn European econo- fore this House or brought before its of- use their influence to push underdeveloped ficial Committee on Rules, it is part of mies bounced back above their pre-war levels. countries to follow practices that attract and the record of these proceedings. We In subsequent decades, the world's economy retain investment at the expense of those asked that we be allowed to make it in more than tripled in size and continued an ex- other economic and social values. order. If it is rejected, then who is to pansionÐwith temporary interruptions to be There's no question that in macro economic blame China for believing that this sureÐthat has now lasted for more than 50 terms totally open trade can produce more House has endorsed permanent trade years. goods at lower costs worldwide. And normally with China, even if they blockade Tai- That happened despite the fact that nearly that would be a blessing. wan. This is now the Taiwan Blockade half of the world's population continued to But when that becomes the only goal or at Authorization Act. Vote no. struggle under the yoke of communism for times the only result, it carriers a high price for most of that period. In fact, the powerful con- WHO ARE THE TRUE DINOSAURS those who do not possess large amounts of trast between the prosperity of open market ON TRADE? capital because their wages cease to rise. And economies in the West and the desperate situ- the communities they live in come under pres- The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. ation faced by those condemned to live under sure to allow corporations to do less and less SWEENEY). Under a previous order of centrally-planned economies ultimately contrib- to clean up pollution, all in the name of re- the House, the gentleman from Wis- uted greatly to the demise of the Soviet Em- maining globally competitive in a world where consin (Mr. OBEY) is recognized for 5 pire. there are almost no restraints on the move- minutes. That success was accompanied and abetted ment or the power of capital and ever increas- Mr. OBEY. Mr. Speaker, The Washington by expanded trade which also contributed to ing restraints on the power of everything and political establishment is looking down its col- prosperity of both America and our trading everyone elseÐgovernments, consumers, and lective elitist nose at those of us who are say- partners. The result was that at least through labor. ing no to legislation that would provide perma- the mid-70's a rising tide lifted all boats. Al- Capitalist economies cannot by definition nent Most-Favored-Nation trading status for most all families, whether they were headed produce equal income for all people. Each so- China. In their newspaper columns and at by a corporate CEO or a janitor at the com- ciety needs risk takers who can amass wealth their cocktail parties they tut-tut that those of pany run by that CEO, shared in that expand- so that accumulated wealth can be invested to us raising a challenge to that legislation are ing prosperity. produce economic growth for the entire soci- simply trying to stop economic progress that But in the last two decades, changing reali- ety. That is bound to produce income inequal- comes from globalized trade and are, there- ties have also changed results. First, the na- ity. But as Pope John Paul once observed, fore, hopelessly old fashioned. The fact is just ture of trade itself has changed in three funda- there are certain ``norms of decency'' that the opposite. mental ways: must be respected in order to produce eco- Those who say that we must accept the re- (1) Fifty years ago, as my colleague BARNEY nomic justice and the social cohesioin that is ality of globalized trade and support perma- FRANK has pointed out, when the post-war necessary for any economic system to func- nent favored nation status for the Chinese rules of the trading game were first estab- tion. The last two decades have produced just without a major transformation of trading rules lished, products produced almost entirely in the oppositeÐthe widest gap between the are in fact the ones stuck in the past. They one nation were exchanged with other prod- wealthiest 1% of our people and the least are defending a set of absolutist trading ar- ucts largely produced in a different nation. wealthy 20% of any time since the birth of the rangements and a set of useful but creaky Today, multinational companies produce poly- 20th Century.

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00092 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.194 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 May 23, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3619 Since new globalized trading realities have safety net. And it means all of those things be- of Mexico, taking our markets in helped produce that problem, they must also fore and not after we give away our leverage Asia’s Rim and sending the glut of be part of the effort to fix it. to obtain them. sweatshop goods back here to our In our society the gap in incomeÐin edu- Demonstrators in Seattle and Washington shores. cation, in housing, and in medical careÐhas may have aimed their protests at some of the When NAFTA passed, the proponents grown disgracefully worse. Those who in this wrong targets, but that should not obscure the said it would result in a huge export economy suffer most from that factÐlargely injustice which produced those demonstra- market for the United States and Mex- manufacturing workers in industries with de- tions. As BARNEY FRANK has said, ``the choice ico and that Mexico’s workers’ wages clining employment or workers with less than is not between isolation and integration, but would go up and there would be no average skillsÐcannot be expected to roll between a global new deal and a global ex- downward pressure on wages and bene- over and say, in the words that Walter tension of the trickle down theory.'' fits in this country. Look what has Cronkite used to sign off his CBS news broad- Those who want us to approve their rules happened, Mexico now exports more cast, ``That's the way it is.'' As my colleague without first changing the rules of the trading cars and trucks to the United States BARNEY FRANK has noted, Alan Greenspan, game that contribute to this injustice are the than the United States does to the en- the Chairman of the Federal Reserve, has true troglodytes and dinosaurs. It shouldn't be tire rest of the world. said that we must not allow our ``inability'' to too hard to find common ground, but first you Our Nation has hemorrhaged tens of help workers who are being injured to reduce really have to want to. When those who want thousands of jobs, of living wage jobs, our support for open trade. But, in fact, as us to get on with the game are willing to to Mexico, and now the China drain BARNEY says, ``the problem we face is not in- change the rules to minimize the brutality of will accelerate if this measure passes. ability, but unwillingness to do so.'' the game for those in our society who are not Mexico has turned into a major export The issue here is not really China. China economic superstars, then they will find a lot platform, not an export market. Just just happened to be the country that triggered more of us willing to play it. look at the label on your television or this debate. The issue is whether America's f your car engine or your truck or your policymakers who have helped magnify the in- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a electronic gismo, everything coming in come gains of the most well off in our society previous order of the House, the gen- here; the only thing America is export- by squeezing the economic positions of the tleman from New Jersey (Mr. HOLT) is ing to Mexico is our middle-class jobs. most at risk families will recognize their moral recognized for 5 minutes. And they are not getting paid middle- obligation to change course. The issue is (Mr. HOLT addressed the House. His class wages. whether those in this societyÐthe investing remarks will appear hereafter in the In the end, this fight on China is a class, the managing elite, the venture capital- Extensions of Remarks.) heroic fight. It is a fight for democratic ists, the multinational corporations who have f values in the harsh countryside and in so much to gain by further globalization will be the industrial sweatshops where most willing to see a tiny fraction of that increased OPPOSING PERMANENT NORMAL Americans will never be allowed to wealth used to help those who will otherwise TRADE RELATIONS WITH CHINA travel in the Nation of China. It is a be caught in the prop wash of their incredible The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a fight indeed for the Chinese people, and prosperity. previous order of the House, the gentle- the fight most of all for American prin- When a doctor administers cancer fighting woman from Ohio (Ms. KAPTUR) is rec- cipals. Will we side with the chauf- drugs, he knows that he must also deal with ognized for 5 minutes. feured limousine class, the advertisers, the side effects of those drugs or his patient Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise in the retailers, the global companies who will not be able to tolerate the drug and will the strongest opposition to the pro- soothingly tell us, Everything will be die. Isn't that just as true of the negative side posal for permanent trade privileges just fine? But by their shear power and effects of globalization on the lower paid, with China. Trade does not bring free- money, they hold sway over the visual underskilled workers caught in the wake of dom, only enforceable laws in demo- and printed media in this country. economic change? cratic republics bring and carry and as- For those fighting permanent trade If we are to embrace the change that sure freedom. Trade does not build a privileges for China on the basis of globalized 21st Century trading produces, we middle class, only laws governing democratic values, I say hurrah. Praise must reshape the institutions that will regulate workers rights to organize undergird freedom lovers and the imprisoned and govern that commerce. We need a redefi- middle-class wages and benefits. China Democratic Party leaders for nition of the role of the IMF, the World Bank, Before World War II, Nazi Germany’s whom we speak here on this floor to- and other international financial institutions, largest trading partner was England, night. and never institutions such as the World Trade and for the United States, Japan, did For those fighting permanent trade Organization, so that the interest of labor and that stop totalitarianism’s rise? Trade privileges for China on the basis of reli- the environment are represented at the table with Communist countries does noth- gious freedom, I say God bless them. when trading decisions are madeÐnot just the ing to assure that those doing the work And for those fighting permanent trade interests of capital and governing elites. reap any of the benefits; that is why privileges for China on the basis of We need a second Bretton Woods con- the United States for so many years freedom of assembly, whether it is for ference to both modernize and humanize trad- has held sacred its special laws gov- the Falun Gong or the murdered free- ing relationships or we will lose in the 21st erning trade with Communist nations. dom fighters in Tiananmen Square, I Century the gains we have made in the 20th And now that the United States has say history will judge you as righteous. in establishing a balance of decency between been victorious in defeating Com- America’s values are freedom and the needs of the corporate-based market munist regimes in most corners of the valor. As we move into this Memorial economy and the needs of a family-based so- world, some will choose to abandon the Day week, let us renew our promise as ciety! legal structure that we held in place the world’s premier freedom fighters. That means a new set of trading rules, a called most favored nation replacing it Vote for freedom. Vote ‘‘no’’ on perma- new set of power relationships, a wider rep- with the toothless normal trade rela- nent normal trade status for China. resentation of interests at the table. And it tions statute that we are about to de- Mr. Speaker, I include for the means a new commitment on the part of this bate tomorrow. RECORD a letter sent by Wei Jinh Congress and this society to much greater Trade with Communist countries Sheng, who spent nearly 2 decades of educational opportunity and training opportuni- does nothing to assure that those who his life in Chinese prisons. Why? Be- ties for workers and children in working class do the work reap the benefits. Perma- cause he fought to be an independent families. It means a willingness to do more nent trade status for China will only democratic political leader in his own with the tax code to provide as much reward serve to lock in the exploitative sys- country. for the work of the lower income working class tem of agricultural and industrial ser- He says to us, ‘‘Supporters of this as we provide for the highest income venture vitude that is China today; this is not agreement are wrong. The United capitalists. It means rebuilding a health care a fight about expanding America’s ex- States is giving up something of pro- safety net for the families of workers whose port markets. found importance if they were to ap- corporate employers are being squeezed by This is a fight about China becoming prove this agreement. Please help us the pressures of globalization to shrink that a vast export platform 12 times the size fight Chinese tyranny.’’

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00093 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A23MY7.121 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 H3620 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 23, 2000 Please read his words in the RECORD, Those who have experienced brutal oppres- because it was an awful lot to accom- and tomorrow vote ‘‘no’’ on permanent sion and insidious threats understand their plish just to get the physician coverage trade status for China. quandary. We can, and must, express sym- and the hospital coverage. At that pathy for their deplorable and excruciating Supporters of Permanent Normal Trade time, prescription drugs were not near- plight. My criticism is not directed at them ly as utilized as they are today. But, Relations (PNTR) for China tell us the US is personally, but at the tiresome propaganda giving up nothing in its trade deal with the regularly doled out by the Chinese Com- today, the miracles of modern pharma- regime in Beijing, that China is making all munist Party and their supporters in the ceutical industry, the miracles pro- the concessions. This claim is false. United States. vided by the work on the human ge- The US is giving up something of profound Still, the basic principle against PNTR is nome and biological products have importance—its ability to aid people every- very simple: if PNTR is granted, the US sur- where in their struggle for human rights and brought us to a point where if you do renders its power to be a force for positive democracy. The US has enormous power, due not have access to a pharmaceutical change in China—its power to promote to its economic leverage. Although the US drug benefit, you do not have access to human rights, to deter China’s increasingly has been reluctant to use this power against first rate health care, you do not have aggressive military posture, and as well, to Chinese tyranny, the power exists; Beijing compel the regime to live up to its economic access to the best health care in the recognizes this fully, even if the US does not. promises. How can anyone call this nothing? world. The annual renewal of China’s ‘‘driver’s li- Wei Jingsheng has spent 18 years in prison For years, we folks in Washington in cense’’ on trade may have become routine, for insisting on speaking the truth to power. the Congress and White House have but the power to grant the license remains These comments are based on Chinese gov- talked about how terrific it would be if critical. That is why Beijing is desperate to ernment honoring its commitment that they obtain PNTR, and rid itself of this power. we could create and add a prescription will do, but they don’t. That is why both Rep. Levin and Cox’s pro- drug benefit to Medicare, but it has posals, no matter their very fine points, are COMMENTS been all talk for a lot of years, and now ‘‘toothless’’ if this power is not retained. The There are reports of ‘‘dissidents’’ in China it is time for action. hope that the World Trade Organization who support PNTR. First, we’ll know that The reason it was all talk and no ac- (WTO) and the World Bank will place limits without freedom of speech and press, the tion heretofore was because this coun- on China will amount to little, for multi- Chinese government controls what they try was not in any state financially to national financial institutions are woefully want Chinese people to know. Secondly, provide a Medicare benefit. We were inadequate to take over responsibility of the please put yourself into their shoes—when adding a $250 billion to the national US Congress. It may not follow the US lead the hostages speak kindly of their captors debt every year, we were spending in any event. and ask you to believe what the captors say Framing the debate on WTO and PNTR as that they will follow their promises would money like drunken sailors in this ‘‘keeping the door open’’ is misleading. you believe that? town, and there was no way that we America’s door is open. The door to China is f could continue that practice and then only half-open. However, the Chinese people add to it the addition of a prescription have learned that they lack the rights other GENERAL LEAVE drug benefit. people enjoy. If this were not so, the enor- Mr. GREENWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I But, since 1994, the Republicans in mous uprising in hundreds of Chinese cities the Congress have changed the direc- known as the 1989 Tiananmen movement ask unanimous consent that all Mem- bers may have 5 legislative days within tion of the country. We have reformed would never have occurred. Yet the door to Medicare itself to make sure that it China remains and will remain half-closed, which to revise and extend their re- because that is the way to retain power marks on H.R. 4444. will last well into the future. We have under tyranny. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there reformed welfare, removing ultimately Trade alone simply cannot open the rest of objection to the request of the gen- half of the welfare recipients from de- China’s door. If the US Congress grants tleman from Pennsylvania? pendency to work and to independence. PNTR now, it legitimizes this half-open/half- There was no objection. We have balanced the Federal budget closed status. To certify Communist China for several years in a row now. And in f as ‘‘normal’’ in its abnormal state would de- the current fiscal year, we have taken prive reformers within the government of MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG Social Security off budget and made needed pressure to push for change. The claim that PNTR gives American ac- BENEFIT sure that never again would the Social cess to the ‘‘vast Chinese market’’ is spe- The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Security surplus be spent for other cious, because it does not exist. Simply put, SWEENEY). Under the Speaker’s an- causes than Social Security. we cannot construct the ‘‘vast Chinese mar- nounced policy of January 6, 1999, the We are now finally paying down debt. ket’’ without first the rule-of-law being in- gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. By the end of the current fiscal year, stituted, as President Lincoln put it, ‘‘by a we will have paid down $250 billion in GREENWOOD) is recognized for 60 min- government of the people, by the people, and debt; and we expect, at the rate we are utes as the designee of the majority for the people.’’ going, to have the United States na- leader. In fact, the multinational business commu- tional debt paid off by about the year Mr. GREENWOOD. Mr. Speaker, this nity is making an unholy alliance with Chi- 2015, if not sooner. nese tyranny. The Communist government evening my colleague, the gentleman We have done all of this, and still we uses brutality to subjugate Chinese workers from North Carolina (Mr. BURR), and I while U.S. corporations use the threat of have a surplus, so this millennial year are going to do a special order on the is the year we can step up to the plate; moving their businesses to undercut Amer- Medicare prescription drug benefit. As ican workers’ demands. Businesses in China’s and we can provide a prescription drug neighboring countries—Japan, South Korea, most Americans know, 1965 was a crit- benefit to America’s elderly and Amer- Thailand, Taiwan, and Hong Kong—will use ical moment in America’s health care ica’s disabled. ‘‘slave labor’’ to China to flood the U.S. mar- history. That was the year that the While two out of three Medicare ket. PNTR is a loss-loss proposition for most United States Congress and the Presi- beneficiaries in this country do have workers in Asia and America, but especially dent of the United States enacted access to some kind of prescription for China’s. The business community should Medicare. drug benefit, that coverage is often not be so complacent, because Chinese tyr- Prior to that time, if you were elder- scant and shrinking. Many of our sen- anny will redirect Chinese people’s anger ly or if you were disabled, you could against them toward the outsiders. iors on Medicare-Plus Choice have seen The majority of pro-democracy organiza- not provide for your health care. You that their plans have had to pull back tions are against PNTR, yet a few prominent did without health care. You had no their benefit and now, for instance, are individuals in China have announced their regular doctor’s care. You had no ac- only providing for generic coverage and support. Why such contradiction? The ques- cess to hospitalization and you suffered not providing for the brand coverage, tion we must ask is how much can we credit and you died early. unless there is a very expensive extra the words of kidnaped victims when they are In 1965, America proved its humanity payment paid by the beneficiary. at the mercy of their captors? The answer is and proved the level of its civilization For those without coverage, the not much. We simply cannot take the cur- by caring for its elderly and eventually rent opinions of Bao Tong and Dai Qing to choices are grim. There are miracle represent their true thoughts, nor can they extending that Medicare benefit to the drugs available to humanity today, but represent the opinions of others, when Bao disabled. if you are an elderly woman, an elderly and Dai have long been in the grip of a ty- When it did so, it did not include a widow, living on a small Social Secu- rannical government. prescription drug benefit. It did not, rity stipend, and you have Medicare

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00094 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.197 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 May 23, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3621 but you have no access to prescription big contributor to savings or quality of the pharmaceutical industry wants us drug coverage, there is no miracle in care, but we are clearly on the road to to do it. Everyone is for this. What that miracle cure. If you are an elderly new therapies that we have not had in there is is a legitimate set of dif- gentleman in the same position, there the past. ferences of opinion. The gentleman is is no miracle in the miracle cure for Mr. Speaker, let me say to my col- talking about one right now. you. That is the same with the disabled league that I think it is important The question is, do we want to give in this country. that, when we talk about adding a drug this program, this new benefit, to the same bureaucracy that has been ad- b 1930 benefit to Medicare, most people think of seniors. But we have a large group of ministering the current one? I do not These folks are pressing their faces disabled Americans who qualify for think there is a beneficiary on Medi- up against the glass windows of the Medicare benefits. We cannot do a pro- care who can tell us or anyone else, drugstores knowing that while inside a gram that leaves them behind. Every- they certainly do not tell me at the prescription that their physician could body that is eligible for Medicare has senior centers, that they understand write for them exists that could relieve to be included under the umbrella of the paperwork that they get related to their suffering, that could extend their coverage for pharmaceuticals. It has their Medicare and they would like to lives, that could improve the quality of been very challenging for us as we have have more paperwork related to their their life, that is not available to them. designed a program also to make sure Medicare and they would like the deci- This is the year for the United States that it dovetails with the 14 States sions made about their health care to Congress to act and to do it in a bipar- that currently offer it. take as long as ones do today. tisan fashion. Pennsylvania is a great example. It The fact of the matter is that what is Mr. Speaker, I would like to now probably has one of the most generous available at the drugstore is changing yield time to my friend, the gentleman plans in the Nation. at the speed of light. Every day, prac- from North Carolina (Mr. BURR), who Mr. GREENWOOD. Mr. Speaker, we tically, we can find new products out has been working with me and other have 300,000 participants in our pro- there in the drugstore. What we are members of the Committee on Com- gram. concerned about, the gentleman and I merce as well as the Committee on Mr. BURR of North Carolina. And I are, is that we do not want it to be the Ways and Means to craft this proposal think it goes up to 225 percent of pov- case that the Food and Drug Adminis- that we hope to have introduced in the erty. tration approves a new cure for arthri- very near future. Mr. GREENWOOD. All supported by tis or a new treatment for colon cancer Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman our lottery. or a new medicine that will relieve suf- from North Carolina (Mr. BURR). Mr. BURR of North Carolina. All sup- fering. The doctor says to the Medicare Mr. BURR of North Carolina. Mr. ported by the lottery. If every State recipient, boy, this is a great drug for Speaker, I thank my good friend from had a plan, we probably would not be you, I wish I could give it to you, but Pennsylvania. The gentleman makes a here tonight. We would probably have the bureaucrats in Washington, it is good point, and that is that if Medicare seniors with coverage that needed it. going to take them a long time, as it were a program that we developed But there is still a greater need, and would a bureaucracy, to get around to today, certainly drug benefits would be that is to produce a value for those in- figuring out how much to reimburse for part of the coverage given the access dividuals who do not have the option of this product and so forth. So we are that drug benefits have to private sec- insurance. They may have more looking at a different system, a system tor plans that every employer offers to money, but the plans just are not that would create a separate board their employees. But the fact is that in available. And what we are trying to do that could make those decisions quick- the 1960s, that was not a common part is we are trying to create new options ly so that these beneficiaries do not of health care coverage, because very through the private sector, which I be- have to wait and suffer in hospitals, or few new pharmaceuticals hit the mar- lieve is the single most important maybe die, while they are waiting for a ketplace, and most of the antibiotics thing. Federal bureaucracy to get around to were around for years and years. We We have some disagreements between making sure that this product is avail- worked to reform the Food and Drug Republicans and Democrats. They are able for them. Administration, and we started in 1995 becoming smaller and fewer. One of the Mr. BURR of North Carolina. Mr. and we completed that task, I believe, major ones that will continue, though, Speaker, if the gentleman would yield, in 1996 or 1997, with a signature by the is currently the Health Care Financing I am not sure that there are very many President, an agency that controlled 25 Administration administers the Medi- seniors, if any, in the country that cents of every dollar. care benefit. I am not sure of very would tell us the creation of a new The reason that we modernized the many seniors or health care profes- agency whose sole function it is to Food and Drug Administration was we sionals or hospitals, even my mother make sure that the Medicare drug ben- understood the great task that was be- understands the problems that exist at efit is run effectively and efficiently is fore them. The FDA is an industry that the Health Care Financing Administra- a bad thing. But clearly, that is a dif- this year will put $21 billion, and that tion, because she has been in the hos- ference that we have in Washington. It is with a ‘‘b’’, into research and devel- pital lately. The reality is does Con- is a difference that will probably exist opment. We understood that if we gress really want to turn a new benefit until this bill becomes law. My hope is could unleash this industry as the that is so vitally important, over 38 that it is this year; that, in fact, that human gene was mapped, that through million Americans, over to an agency long list of individuals that you talked these pharmaceutical companies, we that cannot even figure out what to do about, Republicans, Democrats, the could find cures to terminal and chron- with the technological change of intra- President, the bureaucracy, when they ic illnesses that currently in our sys- venous drugs that can now be delivered say that they are interested in a drug tem today we treat and, at best, main- at home with a self-injection method? benefit, I hope that they are talking tain through a very expensive delivery Mr. GREENWOOD. Mr. Speaker, that about today, this year, the 106th Con- system. But we owed it in a quality-of- is one of the problems. They say, where gress, not the 107th, because clearly, care way to make sure that if we could there is a will, there is a way. There is we know individuals who do not have reach cures for cancer, for AIDS, for di- a will to get this done. Republicans the capabilities to pay for their pre- abetes, that we put every incentive in want to do it. We happen to be Repub- scriptions today, who go without that the system to make sure that the pri- licans; we have been working hard with prescription. vate sector invested their money, their our Republican colleagues. Democrats As the gentleman and I both know, time, to hopefully find these break- on the other side of the aisle sincerely because we deal in Medicare from a throughs. want to do it. House Members want to standpoint of the big picture of Medi- Now, we are on the verge of break- do it, the Senate wants to do it, the care, when those individuals make a throughs. This year alone, the FDA President wants to do it, the elderly decision not to take their antibiotics will approve over 30 new drug applica- want us to do it, the disabled want us or not to take some drug that has been tions. Not every one of them will be a to do it, their families want us to do it, prescribed, the likelihood is that the

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00095 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.198 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 H3622 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 23, 2000 result is that they end up in the hos- ployer in your retirement, you do not plan is no good or nothing is being pital. When they end up in the hos- have to, you do not have to buy into done, or I distrust the motives; I think pital, we have a greater cost to our the Federal plan. It is an option. It is this special interest is being served or Medicare system than the $100 pre- a vast difference in approach from the that special interest. scription that they should have taken catastrophic debate of 1993 or 1994 when I would hope that as this debate for 2 weeks. we, or it may have been earlier than moves on and as we hopefully get to Mr. Speaker, for the first time, I be- that, when we asked seniors to pay the point where we can put a product lieve that the Congressional Budget Of- more for something they were already on the President’s desk and that hope- fice recognizes there is a savings to getting for nothing. fully he will sign it, that those who are making sure that everybody has a ben- Mr. GREENWOOD. They were not frequent callers to C–SPAN, for those efit. The gentleman and I went through very happy about that. We all remem- who are frequent correspondents to the expansion of Medicare coverage ber Chairman Rostenkowski’s car their Members of Congress or phone several years ago when we included being rocked by a group of seniors be- their Members of Congress, that they mammograms, PSAs for prostate can- cause essentially what the Congress call to task any Member of Congress or cer, and diabetes daily monitoring, and was saying is that if you already have the President, if they see those Mem- we now cover those under the normal this benefit, we are going to make you bers or those politicians try to take po- Medicare coverage. But it took us a pay for it anyway. As we said earlier, litical advantage on this issue. This is long time to convince people that it two out of three beneficiaries already not the time to do this. This is the was actually less expensive to supply a have some kind of coverage. time for bipartisanship. This is the daily monitoring strip for diabetics Mr. BURR of North Carolina. One time for putting our heads together than it was to pay for amputation or thing that we learned is that not every and getting something good done for blindness. Put the quality of life aside employer planned for their retirees’ the benefit of the country, and I think for a second; the sheer dollars were coverage. It may cover a very narrow we can do that. more beneficial. Bring the quality of set of generics or certain areas of the Mr. BURR of North Carolina. I have life in; and clearly, this is something drug industry. We have designed this to think that if an administration that that we should have done much sooner Medicare benefit to say to employers, is Democrat and a Congress that is Re- than 2 years ago. But we are finally if you made a promise to retirees, why publican can get together and be on the there. do you not look at this new plan which same side of a trade bill with the Peo- Now, we are talking about the expan- might be better coverage and less ple’s Republic of China, that surely a sion of an area of Medicare which will money and buy your employees, pay Democrat President and a Republican give us a new treatment method for the the premium for them to be a part of Congress could get together in a bipar- majority of the problems that seniors this, supply the deductible for them. tisan way to design a drug benefit for and the disabled run into, where hope- Let them be part of a larger plan where the seniors and eligible disabled in fully, we can eliminate the hospital we really leverage the volume of indi- America. Clearly, the trade deal has to stay. Hopefully, this is a method of viduals in the Medicare plan by pooling be more difficult to put together. We treatment where an individual can them all into these private sector enti- know, because we are here, that it is take it at home, and we do not have ties, companies that are willing to cre- not partisan. There are Democrats on the transportation needs that are a ate different options because of the size one side along with Republicans, and problem with many seniors. Clearly, of the pool they are interested in par- there are Republicans and Democrats this is a benefit that we have a respon- ticipating, interested in designing a on the other side, and at one time the sibility to find a way to get it into law. benefit package that might fit the dif- administration was split. To some de- Mr. GREENWOOD. Mr. Speaker, ferent health care needs. gree, it is regional across the country. there is no reason why we cannot do Mr. GREENWOOD. Mr. Speaker, our Health care is not regional. Health that. It is oh so easy in politics to staff, and we with our staffs, have been care is something that we ought to point fingers and bash the other guy working very hard at this for a long make sure is the best for every person for political gain, but the fact of the time. The goal is clear, but the way to who is eligible. matter is that the gentleman and I get there is complex and it is difficult One of the additional tasks that we have both discovered that all of the in- and it requires some very complex cal- were given, though, is not only did we telligence does not lie in one party or culations about if we raise the eligi- have $40 billion to work with over the another here in Washington. It is not bility level, for which the Federal Gov- next 5 years, we were also given that all in the House or all in the Senate. It ernment will pay for anything, what task that says make sure that the is not all in the Congress or all in the does that do to the cost, and where can long-term solvency of Medicare is pro- White House. But in fact, there are we put the stop loss benefit for the in- tected. Make sure whatever is done good, decent thinking people in all of surance industry so that it is willing to does not bust the bank down the road. those places that really want to get sell the product at a price that every- We know, as seniors know probably this job done. one can afford. That is complicated more than we do, that health care To the extent that we can recognize stuff. But we can get there, and we can costs, specifically pharmaceutical that we have some different ideas, get there working across the aisle; we costs, are rising. If they have 30 new some people want to go strictly to a can get there working with the White drugs next year and 11 of them are tar- price control mechanism, some people House. geted toward illnesses that seniors are want to attack the issue of what hap- I would hope that anybody watching prone to have, we know that our phar- pens when one goes across a border to C-SPAN this evening would take from maceutical cost in this country is Canada or Mexico, some people, as the listening to us this evening that num- going to continue to rise; and hope- gentleman and I do, want to create an ber one, it is time to do this; number fully, we have taken that into account. insurance model where we think for a two, the country is financially in a po- That is one of the reasons that we have very reasonable amount we can create sition to do it; number three, there is chosen the private sector to produce a system where every American, re- universal desire and commitment to do the plans because clearly they have a gardless of income, will be able to af- it in Washington. better history of the efficiencies in ford this benefit, and for the lowest in- health care than does the Health Care b come, the Federal Government would 1945 Financing Administration or any Fed- pay for all of it. Number four, it is complex. eral agency, and I would include Con- Mr. BURR of North Carolina. Mr. Number five, anyone who dema- gress in that as well. Speaker, let me make this point here. gogues this issue is really doing a dis- Mr. GREENWOOD. If I can refer to A voluntary plan, a plan where we cre- service to his country. this chart here, the gentleman referred ate the benefit and say to the 38 mil- I have heard so many speakers, un- to the difference between us and the lion seniors and eligible disabled, it is fortunately on this floor, pointing fin- seniors, and despite the color of my your choice. If you currently have cov- gers at one party or the other saying hair I am hoping to continue to be able erage that was extended by an em- their plan is better than ours or our to see that difference between myself

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00096 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.200 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 May 23, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3623 and my parents. And yet if we look at ing between 1993 and 1999, the annual and I know some of the viewers across this chart, we will see that in 1999, and increase in those costs, continues to go the country watching this tonight are this is probably very much the case up. maybe trying to decipher all of this now, medication is used by about 33 So it is not just, if we look at these language and sometimes we in Wash- percent of seniors today. So about 1 pink indications here, the CPI, the ington use language that is a little dif- out of every 3 beneficiaries needs a Consumer Price Index per year, has ficult to decipher. drug product on a regular basis. been pretty low; but because of the ad- Let me try to give some perspective By the time this gentleman is about dition of new products on to the mar- as to how different folks around the 80 years of age, and I expect to be alive ket, the increases in some of those country might see this. First off, if one and kicking at that time, 51 percent of products once they get on the market, is retired now or soon to retire, and the seniors, of our generation, will be what is being spent, the costs for all they have a good prescription drug ben- medication dependent. So this is not an pharmaceuticals paid by individuals efit because they work for an em- issue of importance only for those who and hospitals and insurers continues to ployer, a government employer or a are above 65 years of age today or who skyrocket. It is a situation that de- large Fortune 500 employer that pro- are retired. It is an issue for us because mands our response. vides coverage, and they are in pretty they are our parents today. We love Mr. BURR of North Carolina. Not good shape, they do not need to worry them, and we care about them. But it only are we faced with a situation about this because they are not going is also an issue because in the rel- where pharmaceutical costs continue to be forced to buy anything they do atively near future it will be, the gen- to increase at double digit rates, we not need. They are in good shape. tlemen and I, in our retirement, very also look at a growth in the senior pop- If that changes at any time, we think much not only in need of these pre- ulation. We know from looking at the we are going to create some products scription drugs but having available to demographics that really do not lie, as in the market that they want to avail us prescriptions that certainly are not seniors grow older, as one reaches that themselves of but no one is going to available to our parents today. magical age of 65 long before I do, then force anything on them. If they are re- Mr. BURR of North Carolina. One in fact the population eligible for Medi- tired or disabled today and they are thing we have both seen is that any- care over the next 15 years will grow one of that one out of three who does thing that we do in the Medicare model from somewhere in the neighborhood of not have access to a prescription drug is usually replicated at some point not 38 million today to somewhere in the benefit, what we are saying to them is too far down the road in the private neighborhood of 75 million. we are going to make one available to sector plans that employers provide for So if this were a company we were at them and one that they can afford. And their employees. and we were trying to do long-term we think we can do it very soon. I know that the gentleman is famil- planning as it related to our costs, we If one is low income, if they are at iar with a frustration that we have had would look at some of the things down that 135 to 150 percent of poverty level over the years in Medicare, which is the road that we knew were going to and they do not already qualify for their policy as it relates to organ happen and we would try to address Medicaid or a State-run lottery pro- transplants for seniors. Under any those as early as we could so, in fact, gram, the Federal Government will pay organ transplant in the world, the rec- the impact was more predictable, our all of their premium. So this is really ommendation is that the recipient options were greater and the cost was a great benefit for them. It is at no takes an immunosuppressant drug for less. That simply is what we are talk- cost and it is real coverage and they do the rest of their lives to make sure ing about doing with the drug benefit not have to wait until they get to some that the rejection of the organ does not in Medicare. catastrophic level. It is there. take place, but our current policy in We know that the senior population If, on the other hand, they do not Medicare is that we will pay for the will double over the next 15 years. We have the coverage or they expect that immunosuppressant drug for a 3-year know that pharmaceutical costs are by the time they retire they will not period after the transplant. going to continue to rise, in part, be- have the coverage and they are middle- It is an amazing thing that when sen- cause we have the gold standard in the or upper-income, they just want access iors go off of the drug, because the cost world in the FDA of drug approvals. We to it, they just want to find something is high, that maybe in the 4th year or know when drugs come through that they can afford, we think that some- 5th year or 6th year they begin to re- they have passed the safe and efficacy where at a cost of about $50 a month, ject the organ. But what is our health standards. That does not mean that we as a Medicare beneficiary they will be care policy in Medicare? We will actu- do not have some after-market ap- able to buy this coverage just like they ally pay for another transplant, but we proval problems, but hopefully we have do now, through their part B premium, will not pay for the immunosuppres- an FDA that is on top of that and mon- pay for the extra coverage to go to the sant drug any longer than 3 years. itoring it and getting a lot better. physician and the outpatient care and So it really does make a lot of sense The reality is that as we see the pop- so forth. why we are here today talking about a ulation increasing, as we see the cost So from many of those perspectives, drug plan that even some of the enti- of drugs increasing, is not the smart it is a good deal. ties that oversee Medicare are not en- thing for Congress and the administra- Let me make one other comment be- thusiastically out front leading the pa- tion to do this year to pass a drug ben- fore I yield back to the gentleman. If rade saying we have to have this ben- efit to watch that benefit to make sure one is a taxpayer out there and they efit and it needs to look like this. Be- that in fact it is the type of benefit are looking at this saying, yes, it is cause clearly they cannot make the de- that seniors need; that it has the cost great for Congress to provide this cov- cisions today to extend drug coverage controls that we know we have to have erage; but we do not want to see the even in the cases where we know it for the long-term; that we begin to ac- budget broken again, it has been bro- makes a difference in the quality of life cumulate some information about ken before. This is not free drugs for but where we know also the option is whether we have chosen the right op- all, this is a prudent, affordable plan another very expensive transplant that tion up front before the senior popu- that tries to make it affordable at the makes the solvency of the Medicare lation doubles, in case we guessed low-income level and make it afford- Trust Fund even shorter than where it wrong, and we could go back and able at the middle- and upper-income is today. change the way the benefit is offered or level with those folks contributing Mr. GREENWOOD. These prescrip- how the benefit is paid for while the something out of their pocket so that tion drugs, as miraculous as they are size of that senior population is 38 mil- they understand this is a shared re- and as beneficial as they are, are in- lion versus when it becomes 70 million sponsibility between the Federal Gov- creasingly expensive. Not only are they and our options are so few? ernment and the Medicare beneficiary. expensive, it is not simply that the Mr. GREENWOOD. That is an issue Mr. BURR of North Carolina. The price of a particular medicine goes up for our children. How they are going to gentleman is exactly right, and I think and up and up; but as this chart here be able to pay for the costs of our re- for the average American who watches shows, the total pharmaceutical spend- tirement. This issue gets complicated, the nightly news or reads the morning

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00097 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.202 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 H3624 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 23, 2000 paper, they would probably go away Mr. GREENWOOD. Mr. Speaker, se- happen to be Republicans; and we can from that news show or from that arti- curity is what all seniors want. It is say, because we work more closely and cle in the paper thinking, my gosh, Re- what we will want when we are seniors, more frequently with our Republican publicans are over here and Democrats and that is the security, the peace of Members on our side of the aisle, from are over here as to who they are trying mind to know that I do not have to the Speaker of the House to the major- to help, and the reality is that we are worry about whether I can afford the ity leader to the Whip to all of the offi- both right here. drugs that my doctor says I need. It is cers and leaders in our party down to We are targeting the same people as simple as that. I do not have to every Member, freshman on up, there is who do not have an annual income that worry about whether I can afford the a complete commitment and a desire is big enough to afford housing and drugs, the medicines that my doctor to get this job done. I think that is food and health care costs, where we says I need. That is what we ought to true on the Democratic side of the are going to supply a government sub- be about providing for Americans. aisle, and I think it is true in the sidy. We are looking at a group right I have what I call my Medicare pre- White House. above that where we are trying to fig- scription drug advisory group at home. But we know we cannot get it done ure out how can we do some type of I have seniors, I have disabled folks, I by ourselves. We can bring a Repub- phase-in subsidy to help them? have the local pharmacists. We sit lican bill out here, a purely Republican Then we are looking at the group around and meet regularly and talk bill, and if the Democrats in the House above that saying they are not all high about this issue and talk about where and the Senate tell the President it is income, but they have the capabilities the hardships are and talk about the a bad bill, he will veto it. That has not to buy into a plan to have coverage. people. Particularly, the druggist is an helped a single senior. The discrepancies between the plans interesting participant because he So we have to try to get a bill that are being floated in Washington talks about the people who come into through the Congress that Republicans are not about who is being covered. We his little store, his corner store, and and Democrats like. We have to be able are using the same $40 billion pot of try to buy a prescription drug, and he to do what most Americans want us to money. It may be configured slightly has to turn them away if they do not do, compromise, find the middle, ac- differently. The President gives a sub- have a plan or they are shocked by the cept each other’s positive suggestions, sidy to everybody on the front end. He cost of this. For those people, there is get that job done, put the bill on the lowers the price of everybody’s pre- no peace of mind; there is no security President’s desk. I believe that this mium so it is more attractive. We that the American dream afforded by President, as he leaves town, can say choose to have a market value on the these miracle products is for them. that is one thing I got done; and I But the bottom line is that we can do premium, and we go to what we refer think this Congress can say, come the it. We can do it as Republicans. We can to as the stop loss, a certain dollar election, come what may, we got that do it as Democrats. We can get the job amount on an annual basis where we job done. done, and we can get the job done this Because the odds are, even if we did say to a senior if they reach this, if year. not get this done this election, this they really get sick and they reach this Mr. BURR of North Carolina. Mr. year, wait till the next election, we point, they do not have any additional Speaker, the gentleman from Pennsyl- will be back in the same position. cost past that. Their plan picks up 100 vania is exactly right. Let me take this There will still be Republicans and percent of it. There is no co-insurance. opportunity in closing my part of this Democrats in town. The Congress may There is no copayment, once they out to say, for the first 5 months, there be divided. The difference between the reach that point. has been a tremendous amount of White House and the Congress will still The President’s plan does not do work, not only work by Republicans, be there. that. He subsidizes the premium costs. but by Democrats, a tremendous So there is no point in waiting. The We subsidize the high risk so that, in amount of work by the administration time to do it, as the gentleman from fact, we can say to seniors and disabled and by Congress to try to figure out North Carolina (Mr. BURR) said, is now. who are eligible for Medicare they will what the right plan is, to try to figure The will is here. The financial situa- never lose everything that they have out exactly what the benefit should tion is here to do it and certainly the because in any given year they have a look like and what value we can extend need to do it is. significant illness. to seniors under a drug benefit. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman I think that is the role of the Federal Will it be perfect? No. But there is no from North Carolina for his participa- Government. That is the definition of a substitute for the commitment of this tion in the Special Order this evening. safety net when things get tough, they institution to say we need it and not do f are there. What we have tried to do is it today. This is not a time where we design a plan that says let us put can delay another year, another gen- ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER value, let us be honest on what the cost eration, another Congress, another ad- PRO TEMPORE is, let us give people confidence in who ministration. We do not get a better The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. they deal with, which is usually not opportunity than this where we have SHIMKUS). The Chair reminds all Mem- the Federal Government, that is why shown fiscal restraint, we have accu- bers that debate should be addressed to we chose the private sector, and let us mulated some additional money over the Chair and not to the viewing audi- say at what point their exposure stops, and above Social Security surplus, over ence. at what point do they reach where they and above every other trust fund that f do not have any additional costs. we have got. These are real dollars. STOP RISING PRESCRIPTION b 2000 As I said to my constituents, when we get to real dollars, when we know MEDICATION COSTS FOR SENIORS To some degree, it is criminal for us that we are paying down debt in a re- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a to ever present a plan that would sug- sponsible way, and we have got real previous order of the House, the gen- gest to individuals when they really dollars, we will look at real problems tleman from Washington (Mr. BAIRD) is get sick and they exceed a certain that we think we can solve. This is a recognized for 5 minutes. amount that the burden falls 100 per- real problem today. This is a real prob- Mr. BAIRD. Mr. Speaker, I came be- cent on them, when they have reached lem today that we can solve. fore this body about a month ago to ad- that point where they might have 100 All it takes is the will of Repub- dress the problem of prescription medi- prescriptions filled in a year. That is licans, Democrats, the administration cations, which my colleagues were ad- when they need us to kick in. and Congress. It takes every American dressing. I pledged at that time to go We are trying to design a plan that out there that is listening to us tonight back to my district and carry the gives them coverage underneath and that can benefit from these, calling voices of the people of my district back security underneath, but more impor- their Members and saying, do it now. to this body. tantly, security for what is unexpected. Do not wait. What we did was we visited senior We know in health care that happens Mr. GREENWOOD. Mr. Speaker, the citizen centers; and we asked the peo- many times. gentleman from North Carolina and I ple there, please share with us your

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00098 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.204 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 May 23, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3625 personal stories, your stories of what ries of people who are suffering, stories thinkable numbers, Armenians in the you are paying for prescription medica- of people who depend on medication to Ottoman Turkish Empire during World tions. We asked them to bring in their alleviate that suffering. War I and European Jews during World prescriptions, bring in their receipts. I Mr. Speaker, I call upon this body to- War II, most of the rest of the world can tell my colleagues the stories they night and in the remaining months of was looking the other way, although told were tremendously moving. this Congress to hear the pleas of the many knew what was happening. This pill bottle symbolizes the rising constituents of my district and the After the Holocaust, the Jewish peo- costs of prescription medication. Let constituents throughout this country. ple built the State of Israel into a pros- me share with my colleagues a couple Do not let prescription medications perous democracy, despite being sur- stories. A woman from Cinebar, Wash- continue to grow larger as this pill bot- rounded by hostile neighbors. Since the ington, who told me that they make tle indicates. Let us work together; let collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, just barely under $1,000 they receive in us stop the rising escalation of pre- the Armenian people have worked to their Social Security and other bene- scription medication costs. Let us build democracy and economic reform fits, but they pay well over $500, $500 in work together and establish a real and in the Republic of Armenian, despite prescription medication costs. effective and affordable prescription being surrounded by hostile neighbors. Another woman who had been moni- medication benefit. One of the hostile neighbors who has toring the bimonthly bill she is paying f threatened Armenia since its independ- for her medications for the last year, in ence a decade ago is Turkey. It was, of one year, she saw a 20 percent increase, A TRAGEDY OFFSTAGE NO MORE course, in the territory of the present- a 20 percent increase in one year in the The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a day Republic of Turkey and in the drug costs. previous order of the House, the gen- name of Turkish nationalism that the My own father who shared with me tleman from New Jersey (Mr. PALLONE) genocide against the Armenians took that a pill he took 8 years ago had cost is recognized for 5 minutes. place during the waning days of the $1 a pill at that time now costs $4 a Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, last Ottoman Empire. Yet Turkey con- pill. That is 400 percent inflation in 8 month a landmark decision was an- tinues its unconscionable official pol- years. nounced, marking an important rec- icy of denying that the genocide ever Mr. Speaker, this body has been in ognition of one of the most horrible took place. In today’s world, Turkey, a session now about 16, 17 months. We crimes against humanity of the 20th member of the NATO alliance, con- have named post offices. We have done century, the Armenian Genocide. What tinues to blockade its much smaller some worthy things for sure. But we was particularly important was that and more vulnerable neighbor, Arme- have not addressed this absolutely crit- the action came from the State of nia, despite Armenia’s standing offer to ical issue. Israel, the homeland of the Jewish peo- normalize relations without pre- While American citizens are doing ple who were victims of the Nazi Holo- conditions. without the medications that their caust. In the aforementioned Jerusalem physicians have prescribed, this body Israel’s education minister, Yossi Post article, Turkey’s official policy of has not acted. It is time to act. We are Sarid, made the historic decision to in- denial was described as ‘‘outrageous’’ capable of acting. clude the Armenian Genocide in the by Deborah Lipstadt, the American We need to do two things. We need to historian who defeated Holocaust de- cap the rising costs of prescription national curriculum. Mr. Sarid an- nounced his decision on April 24, the nier David Irving in a highly publicized medications. It is just not right for our libel trial in London court last month. senior citizens to travel to Mexico or traditional day of commemoration of the Armenian Genocide, at a ceremony Professor Yehuda Bauer, academic di- to Canada to buy medications that rector of Yad Vashem, Israel’s Holo- they cannot afford within their own in the Armenian Quarter of Jerusa- lem’s Old City. Expressing regret that caust memorial, stated, ‘‘If you accept country, even though those very medi- the U.N. 1948 definition of genocide, cations were funded by their taxpayer Israeli students know very little of the genocide that began in 1915, in which which we and many other nations have dollars. done, then there can be no argument It is even worse when seniors who some 1.5 million Armenians, one-third of the Armenian people, were killed by about calling this a genocide,’’ refer- cannot make that journey do without ring to Armenia. Turkish forces, Mr. Sarid said, ‘‘I will the medications they need, medica- Yet the decision by Israel’s education do everything so that Israeli pupils will tions to improve the quality of their minister was a difficult one. Israel has lives, medications to save their lives. study and learn about the Armenian been working to steadily improve its But they are faced with that terrible Genocide.’’ relations with Turkey at the same Mr. Speaker, the issue of Israeli rec- choice between paying the rent or pay- time that Israel works to improve rela- ognition of the Armenian Genocide re- ing for their medication. tions with Armenia. Mr. Sarid’s deci- ceived extensive coverage in an article The current policy is not acceptable. sion on including the Armenian Geno- that appeared in the May 12, 2000, It is not acceptable to put American cide in the Israeli curriculum prompted Internet edition of the Jerusalem Post citizens in that condition. It is not ef- an outcry in Turkey that included a titled ‘‘A Tragedy Offstage No More,’’ ´ fective because, when seniors do with- protest to Israel’s charge d’affaires in by Leora Eren Frucht. out their medication today, we will pay Ankara. higher costs tomorrow. As the article noted, ‘‘When Hitler Indeed, Mr. Speaker, Turkey fre- So the first thing we must do is cap ordered his death units to ‘exterminate quently has shown its willingness to the rising costs of prescription medica- without mercy or pity, men, women play hardball to intimidate other na- tion, and there are various ways to do and children belonging to the Polish- tions into not recognizing the Arme- it. But I call on this body today. Let us speaking race,’ he was confident that nian Genocide. When the National As- work together. This is not a partisan the world would overlook the mass sembly in France adopted a bill in 1998 issue. It does not matter whether a murder. ‘After all,’ he asked rhetori- to acknowledge the genocide, Turkey senior citizen is a Democrat or a senior cally on the eve of the 1939 invasion of promptly suspended the signing of a citizen is a Republican. They are enti- Poland, ‘who remembers the extermi- $145 million defense contract. tled to be able to take the medication nation of the Armenians?’ ’’ By the b their doctor says they need. time that the Nazis were finally 2015 The second thing we must do is es- stopped 6 years later, 6 million Euro- Thus, Mr. Speaker, considering tablish a meaningful and affordable pean Jews had been murdered, as well Israel’s vulnerable position in the Mid- prescription Medicare benefit so that as millions of other innocent victims of dle East and its need to cultivate rela- senior citizens can pool their resources other nationalities. tions with Muslim nations, the action and have predictable manageable costs Mr. Speaker, the Armenian and Jew- by Education Minister Sarid was a true when it comes time to get a prescrip- ish peoples are united in a common profile in courage, a real statement of tion filled by their doctor. bond of suffering and in the struggle to principle. This pill bottle is filled, not just with overcome the tragedies of the past. In closing, Mr. Speaker, I wanted to receipts, but with personal stories, sto- While they were being massacred in un- cite a letter dated May 22, 2000 that the

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00099 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.207 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 H3626 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 23, 2000 Armenian Assembly of America has re- families of America because it is going Chinese economy for American know- ceived from Israeli Education Minister to take away many of the jobs that how and for American high-tech ma- Yossi Sarid, and I quote, ‘‘I fully in- people at the lower levels have. chinery. If that is the case, then there tend to allow Israeli pupils to learn the Trade with China is definitely going will be jobs created in America in the lessons of your tragedy, which is ours to be as bad or far worse than the trade high-tech area. At the same time we and the world’s, as well. Israelis are agreement with Mexico, which imme- are making a trade agreement, then let the last people who can afford to forget diately began to drain away certain us guarantee that the thousands and the tragedies of this magnitude.’’ manufacturing jobs. China is so much thousands of workers who are going to f bigger. China’s economy is controlled lose jobs are also given an opportunity and manipulated, and the likely danger to get some training in these high-tech THE MILLION MOM MARCH AND that our economy will be greatly im- areas. Let them learn how to be the SETTING AGENDAS pacted by China is even greater than people who hook up the technology. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. anything that happened in the case of Some might even travel to China. Let SHIMKUS). Under the Speaker’s an- Mexican cheap labor destroying jobs in them learn how to manufacture the nounced policy of January 6, 1999, the America. gadgets and the gears and the switches gentleman from New York (Mr. OWENS) The question is, what does all this and the lines that might require skills is recognized for 60 minutes as the des- have to do with the million moms that are different from the manufac- ignee of the minority leader. marching? What does it have to do turing skills that the people who make Mr. OWENS. Mr. Speaker, I would with the setting of the agenda here in cars have, or the people who make re- like to begin by congratulating the this Capitol for the next few months? frigerators, or the various consumer Million Mom March. The Million Mom What does it have to do with the $2 products that are going to now be made March took place on May 14. I think trillion surplus we expect over the next in China. Let the people who lose the the moms marching had a lot to do 10 years? It all comes together because, jobs making those products begin to with our agenda here in Congress today as we lose those jobs that are going to make the products for the high-tech fly away to China, inevitably corpora- and tomorrow and our agenda for the revolution. They cannot do it without tions will pick up and they will go lo- rest of the year. I just hope that the some more training. They need train- cate plants where the cheapest labor moms realize that their power, the ing immediately. power of mothers marching, is great market is, where there are 25-cent-an- I do not know of any place where enough to have an impact and an influ- hour workers in China, where in some there is any legislation on the drawing ence on what we do here, in many cases they use prison labor. board which says we are going to have Already our economy and our stores ways. a massive emergency training program are flooded with goods from China be- Their immediate objective was gun for workers who lose their jobs as a re- cause everybody can make a killing. control, but there are many other sult of the China trade bill passing. In Companies can go and manufacture items that I would like to see placed on the long run, however, we do talk and goods at dirt cheap prices and then their agenda. I would like to see the have talked a great deal about revamp- mothers set the agenda for what is come back into our advanced economy and sell them at very high prices, rel- ing our school system, improving the going to happen here in Washington in atively speaking, and make a big prof- way we educate young people, so that the next few months. in the long run the young people who Mr. Speaker, there is a secret, almost it. So no industry, no corporation is going to back away from the oppor- are in school now will get an education a secret, that nobody wants to talk which allows them to fill those high- about that I think the million moms tunity to make these big profits. They will be chasing dollars at the expense tech jobs. And at least the China trade and the fathers too ought to be con- of the loss of many jobs. bill will not take away jobs in the fu- cerned with and should be discussing. So, what is one of the possible an- ture because the young people will be Fathers as well as mothers, and all of swers to the problem that will be cre- able and capable of stepping out of us, are concerned about the future and ated if the people who want to pass the school and commanding the jobs that concerned about the Nation’s future as trade bill prevail, and the rumor is do exist in the high-tech industry. it impacts upon our immediate chil- that they have enough votes and they They predict that there may be as dren and our grandchildren. We want will probably prevail tomorrow and many as 1.5 million job vacancies in to see a greater America, we want to there will be a China trade agreement? the high-tech industry in the next 5 see a better world, and we have a gold- There will be a huge loss of jobs. A years because of the fact that we are en opportunity here in this United country that has 1.2 billion people has not training enough people in com- States of America right now with the a lot of customers, they say, and they puter sciences and related sciences in surplus of $2 trillion over the next 10 want to get those customers. But be- our colleges so that vacancies are years as a possibility. It is possible fore they get to the customers, they going to be there. So our schools, then, that we may have a surplus of $2 tril- have a lot of workers who need jobs must rise to meet the occasion and pre- lion. and who will work for almost nothing pare youngsters for these guaranteed This year’s surplus is definitely, by and will undercut the workers here in jobs. the most conservative estimate, going this country. In the absence of any special edu- to be about $200 billion, $200 billion this So one possible answer immediately cation effort, what we are doing is year, and it will probably be no less is in the same breath that as we create going abroad. And one item that is than $200 billion for the next 10 years. jobs in China, as we lose jobs here and going to be on the agenda in this Con- I think the million moms marching create more jobs in China, let us re- gress in the next few weeks is the H–1B ought to know about that. I think they spond to the argument that so many of program. The H–1B section of the im- ought to be involved in a discussion of the proponents of the China trade bill migration law allows us to bring in for- what happens with that $2 trillion over have made, and that is that, yes, we eigners to fill the vacancies that are the next 10 years to impact upon their will lose jobs in manufacturing; yes, we created in the high-tech industry. And lives and their children’s lives. will lose jobs at the lower level of the primarily that is the target. They are I think the most comprehensive, the economy, but we will gain tremendous not bringing in these people for any- longest and the loudest discussion ever number of jobs and sales in the high- thing else. The great need is in the held in the history of our democracy tech industry. We are going to take off high-tech industry, information tech- should focus on this window of oppor- where a new boom, a new surge in the nology industry. So what we did not tunity that we have at this point. We sale of PCs and in the sale of services train our youngsters for in the past, started the debate today on permanent to established Web sites and all of the will now be taken care of by foreigners. trade with China. The relationship telecommunications, high-tech tech- And that will keep going. with China is relevant here in terms of nology that is necessary. We will be How are we going to deal with the the fact that some of us believe that the suppliers of that. vacuum created by the movement of the trade with China agreement will It may be true that for a while there manufacturing jobs to China if the have a great impact on the working will be this great surge of need in the only source of the manpower to fill the

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00100 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.209 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 May 23, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3627 jobs that do exist is going to be the for- I thought was very appropriate, where [From the New York Times, May 14, 2000] eign countries, foreign countries who they applauded the activism on Moth- ACTIVISM ON MOTHER’S DAY have information technology expertise er’s Day. ‘‘No matter how simple it No matter how simple it looks, Mother’s and will send the personnel here? looks, Mother’s Day is a complicated Day is a complicated holiday. It has its roots Weaving this story together may, at holiday. It has its roots in mid-19th in mid-19th-century women’s activism, the beginning, sound very complicated, century women’s activism, championed championed first in 1858 by Anna Reeves Jar- vis and then in 1872 by Julia Ward Howe. but it really is not. It is quite simple. first in 1858 by Anna Reeves Jarvis and Their causes, honored locally on various Mothers should be aware of the fact then in 1872 by Julia Ward Howe. Their mother’s days in mid-spring, were improved that the best way they can take care of causes, honored locally on various sanitation, first aid and world peace. But ac- their children is to have an impact on mother’s days in mid-spring, were im- tivism is about the last thing Mother’s Day the policies that are made here in proved sanitation, first aid, and world called to mind in the 20th century. Washington, on the bills and the legis- peace. Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the first offi- lation that come to this floor. Mothers cial Mother’s Day on May 8, 1914, fulfilling a joint resolution of Congress that authorized should have an impact. b 2030 the president to proclaim the second Sunday I congratulate the mothers for under- in May as Mother’s Day and to request the standing the relationship between their ‘‘But activism is about the last thing flying of the American flag as a token of marching and the possibility of making Mother’s Day had begun to call to that fact. The patriotism has filtered out of their schools safer, of making their mind in the 20th century. Woodrow Mother’s Day over the past 86 years, making neighborhoods safer, of ridding our so- Wilson proclaimed the first official it hard to think of this holiday as an ac- ciety slowly of a menace that has Mother’s Day on May 8, 1914, fulfilling knowledgment, as the joint resolution put it, a joint resolution of Congress that au- of ‘‘the service rendered the United States by grown over the years because mothers the American mother.’’ have not been active in attempting to thorized the President to proclaim the The day has instead been formalized, com- end that menace. We have more than second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day mercially, into a festival of flowers and femi- 200 million guns in our society. Those and to request a flying of the American nine gifts and, perhaps, a few minutes of guns out there are menacing. Those flag as a token of that fact. The patri- hard-earned leisure. But it has also been guns out there represent danger to our otism has filtered out of Mother’s Day informalized, made a more intimate and less over the past 86 years, making it hard civic display of feeling. children. They recognize that, and There is something a little ambivalent, a their immediate focus in marching to think of this holiday as an acknowl- little archaic, about the formulaic ways we here on May 14, Mother’s Day, was to edgment, as the joint resolution put it, celebrate this day, if only because the status deal with the menace of the gun, the of the service rendered in the United of mothers has never been more complex. In immediate threat to the lives of chil- States by the American mother.’’ 1914, a mother’s service outside the home dren. Continuing to read from the New was mainly inferential. ‘‘The American I think that is appropriate, and I con- York Times editorial of May 14: ‘‘The mother,’’ Congress wrote, ‘‘is doing so much gratulate them for focusing on some- for the home, for moral uplift, and religion, day has instead been formalized, com- hence so much for good government and hu- thing very concrete. It is possible to mercially into a festival of flowers and manity.’’ There is a lot in that one word get some results if the mothers stay or- feminine gifts and perhaps a few min- ‘‘hence.’’ But these days there is no inference ganized. It is possible we will get some utes of hard-earned leisure. But it has about it at all. Mothers are as likely to work basic legislation passed which will also been informalized, made a more in good government as they are in the home. make the world of our children safer intimate and less civic display of feel- Perhaps the best fate for this holiday would be to make it, again, a day of open ac- with respect to guns. We have very lim- ing. There is something a little ambiv- ited objectives this year, and we ought tivism, as it is for the women marching on alent, a little archaic, about the behalf of gun control in many cities across to be able to meet those objectives. formulaic ways we celebrate this day, the country today. Not everyone believes, as But beyond that, mothers need to set if only because the status of mothers Julia Ward Howe did, that if mothers could a larger agenda. I think that The New has never been more complex. only come together somehow, world peace York Times certainly had it right when ‘‘In 1914, the mother’s service outside would ensue. But the second Sunday of every they said that perhaps the best fate for May could come to symbolize a powerful re- the home was mainly inferential. The ality of contemporary American politics. the holiday, Mother’s Day, would be to American mother, Congress wrote at make Mother’s Day again a day of open Women united behind a cause can be a pow- that time, is doing so much for the erful force for progressive social policies, activism as they did on this May 14. home, for moral uplift and religion, better child care, broader health coverage Mother’s Day has an interesting his- hence so much for good government and fully equal opportunity for them and tory, a very interesting history. and good humanity. There is a lot in their children. People say it is very unusual, very that word ‘hence.’ But these days there Mr. Speaker, there is a second edi- nontraditional, very unorthodox to is no inference about it at all. Mothers torial that was done the next day by have mothers marching on Mother’s are as likely to work in government as The New York Times, and it reads as Day, May 14. In my community, there they are in the home. follows: ‘‘The surge of energy was pal- were large numbers of mothers who pable yesterday as hundreds of thou- thought it was an insult. We did have ‘‘Perhaps the best fate for this holi- day would be to make it again a day of sands of marchers gathered on the Mall one bus load of mothers who came from in Washington to demand stiffer gun my district. They actually left the city open activism, as it was for the woman marching on behalf of gun control in control measures, and additional from my office, and they were mothers crowds joined in the demonstration at many cities across this country today. mostly of children who had been in- other sites around the country. jured or killed by guns. There were Not everyone believes as Julia Ward ‘‘The event may not have reached the large numbers of other mothers who Howe did, that if mothers could only million mom goal set by some alliter- were really more traditionalist and come together somehow, world peace ation-loving promoters, but the turn- said, no, I am not ready yet. would ensue. But the second Sunday of out, estimated at more than 750,000, But I think I would urge all mothers every May could come to symbolize a was nonetheless impressive, especially to rethink the possibility that Moth- powerful reality of contemporary on a day traditionally devoted to fam- er’s Day should be a day of activism, American politics. Women united be- ily gatherings. There is a real hope and maybe fathers should take note hind a cause can be a powerful force for that the seed planted by this march too and make Father’s Day a day of ac- progressive social policies, better child could blossom into a movement that tivism. If we care about the next gen- care, broader health coverage and fully could change the dynamics of the na- eration, our children, our grand- equal opportunity for them and their tional struggle to achieve sensible gun children, one of the ways we should ex- children.’’ That was the New York control.’’ press our concern for their survival is Times editorial of May 14, the year I am quoting from The New York to try harder to have an impact on 2000. Times editorial. I am not going to read what happens in our government. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous con- the entire editorial, but another sec- Now, let me just read from The New sent to enter the statement in its en- tion of it reads as follows: ‘‘The march- York Times editorial on May 14, which tirety in the RECORD. ers offered a sound agenda ranging

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00101 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.210 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 H3628 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 23, 2000 from the registration of all handguns broadcast media denigrating the event and conventional wisdom that prevails here and the licensing of all handgun owners offering its own tepid alternative, a program in Washington. to mandatory safety locks and full to teach gun safety in every elementary I am not going to set female rea- background checks before all gun school classroom in America. A full-page soning up against male reasoning. I N.R.A. ad in The Times on Friday derided know there was a recent article in the sales.’’ the march as ‘‘a political agenda This is a very limited, very practical, masquerading as motherhood’’ and called it New York Times that talked about the very reasonable agenda of the mothers ‘‘shameful to seize a cherished holiday for fact that women may have a chemical who came here on May 14. They are political advantage.’’ That seemed a dis- hormone that makes them more nur- asking for very little. I think it is pos- ingenuous complaint from an organization turing; and they may be more useful to sible that if they still organize they that regularly uses its lavish campaign con- civilization, because their immediate could gain this. I will just reread what tributions to seize the political process and response to danger and response to can be the summary of what they came thwart the will of the American people. challenges to the survival of them- The marchers offered a sound agenda, for: ‘‘The marchers offered a sound ranging from the registration of all hand- selves and their children is to close agenda, ranging from the registration guns and the licensing of all handgun owners ranks and to organize and to help each of all handguns and the licensing of all to mandatory safety locks and full back- other. handgun owners to mandatory safety ground checks before all gun sales. By con- I am not going to get into that kind locks and full background checks be- trast, the solutions offered by the N.R.A. of scientific basis that is being at- fore all gun sales. That is an agenda were laughably insufficient—safety edu- tempted to establish the fact that that mothers set to make their chil- cation in the elementary schools, better par- mothers are more suitable for main- dren safer in a very immediate and enting and better enforcement of existing taining our civilization and that laws, riddled as they are with loopholes. practical way.’’ Those are all laudable goals but would not women are more suitable for maintain- The editorial of the New York Times come close to stemming the epidemic of gun ing our civilization. Now men, I would on May 15, the day after the march violence. like to appeal to men to march also, ends as follows: ‘‘It is not yet clear how Even worse ideas came from some partici- since I was very much impressed, I was the gun control issue will play out po- pants in a countermarch staged by gun advo- down here for the Million Moms March, litically. Even as mothers were mobi- cates. They argued for the arming of teach- very impressed at the way that they lizing for their march, a new poll ers and other citizens and the right to carry turned this traditional holiday into a showed that the gender gap on guns is concealed weapons on the theory that if temporary movement, and I was very more of the ‘‘good’’ people owned guns for growing with men more apt to support self-protection, the ‘‘bad’’ people would be impressed by the editorials in The New the rights of gun owners and women deterred from attacking them. That sounded York Times that call for the mothers more interested in gun restrictions. more like a recipe for shootouts than for to make the temporary movement a The challenge for the marchers will be crime control. permanent movement. to turn the event into a sustained po- It is not yet clear how the gun control I only say that the permanent move- litical movement. issue will play out politically. Even as the ment should set a larger agenda; let ‘‘Many speakers held this as a histor- mothers were mobilizing for their march, a the mothers set the agenda for Wash- ical turning point in the gun control new poll showed that the gender gap on guns ington. Let the mothers set the agenda is growing, with men more apt to support the struggle, but it will only become so if rights of gun owners and women more inter- for the House of Representatives, for the marchers keep up the pressure on ested in gun restrictions. The challenge for the Congress. Let the mothers set the Congress to pass the modest but useful the marchers will be to turn the event into agenda for the end game negotiations gun control measures that remain a sustained political movement. Many that take place every budget year at blocked in a conference committee and speakers hailed this as a historic turning the White House. There is going to be on candidates running in the fall elec- point in the gun control struggle, but it will an end game negotiation where the de- tions to support strict gun control only become so if the marchers keep up the cisions will be made about how to laws. pressure—on Congress to pass the modest but spend some of that surplus. Nobody useful gun control measures that remain ‘‘The hands that rock the Nation’s blocked in a conference committee, and on wants to talk about it now. cradles have the potential to rock its candidates running in the fall elections to The Committee on Appropriations political institutions, but only if they support strict gun control laws. The hands process is moving forward with no dis- keep rocking hard.’’ That is the conclu- that rock the nation’s cradles have the po- cussion of the surplus. They are acting sion of the New York Times May 15 edi- tential to rock its political institutions—but as if we are still in a period of des- torial on the day after the Million only if they keep rocking hard. perate deficits. The Committee on Ap- Moms March. The hands that rock the Mr. Speaker, as my colleagues can propriations and the authorizing com- Nation’s cradles have the potential to see, I want to go further than gun con- mittees act that way in all cases, ex- rock its political institutions, but only trol. I think that the practical objec- cept one. Mothers need to know that, if they keep rocking hard. tives of the Million Moms March on last week, last week mothers, we Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous con- May 14 are realizable. I think they passed a defense authorization bill sent to submit the entirety of the New should strive to see those objectives, which was $309.9 billion. The authoriza- York Times editorial of May 15 into since they are so limited, realized this tion bill already was $21.1 billion great- the RECORD. year. Why not? They are very modest er than the amount spent for the last [From the New York Times, May 15, 2000] goals. I would like to appeal, however, year on defense. However, the Repub- THE POWER OF MOTHERS MARCHING to the million moms and all the moms lican majority added an additional $4.5 The surge of energy was palpable yesterday and moms organizations everywhere to billion to the bill. as hundreds of thousands of marchers gath- go further and set a larger agenda, be- So if you want to know where the ered on the Mall in Washington to demand yond gun control, to make your chil- surplus is likely to go, if you want to stiffer gun control measures—and additional dren safe in this world, beyond gun know what the temperament is and crowds joined in the demonstration at other control to guarantee that your chil- what the likely manner in which it will sites around the country. The event may not dren have a reasonable opportunity to be wasted, you watch the defense budg- have reached the ‘‘million mom’’ goal set by some alliteration-loving promoters, but the pursue happiness. It will have the tools et. There is no great war on right now. turnout—estimated at more than 750,000 by and the capability to be employed in There is no evil empire to defend our- the organizers—was nonetheless impressive, the industries that are going to be very selves against, but it is the first place especially on a day traditionally devoted to complex and demanding in the future the extra money has been utilized. family gatherings. There is real hope that with respect to training and intellec- H.R. 4205, the defense authorization the seed planted by this march could blos- tual capabilities. bill, increases the defense budget to som into a movement that could change the Let us set the agenda so that they $309.9 billion. If we do not have the de- dynamics of the national struggle to achieve have a chance. Let us set the agenda so bate, if you are not aware throughout sensible gun control. That possibility clearly has the National that at a point in history where there the entire country that there is a win- Rifle Association running scared. It tried to is a $2 trillion surplus anticipated over dow of opportunity that right now we neutralize the impact of the march in ad- a 10-year period that $2 trillion surplus have an opportunity to use revenue vance with advertisements in print and is not squandered by the traditional that is available in constructive ways,

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00102 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.212 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 May 23, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3629 I do not say that the defense authoriza- mean more Federal control? We need sault on education now as they were 6 tions are not constructive, I just think the money from the Federal Govern- years ago, but here is an assault. they have enough money already be- ment to revamp our schools now. The In this letter from the NEA, it states fore the additional amounts were window of opportunity is now while we that the $1.3 billion in emergency grant added. have this great Federal surplus. There and loan programs proposed by the There is plenty of money to meet the are some States that have some sur- President for school repairs has been agenda that the defense and military plus. There are some cities that have cut from the budget, cut from the ap- establishment have set, the legitimate some surplus, but there is no surplus propriations. They did not put one agenda. I would like to see them ex- like the tremendous surplus that is penny in to replace that. There is no pand the agenda and use some of the being projected over the 10 years for school modernization and construction tremendous resources of the defense the Federal Government. money in the bill that is passed out of and military establishment to do more There is no place where we are going the Committee on Appropriations, the to help with disaster relief, disaster re- to find over the next 10 years a projec- subcommittee, by the Republican ma- lief in this country, disaster relief any- tion of sums like $2 trillion, this year, jority. where in the world. We have this huge $200 billion. So I think the mothers The possibility of reducing class sizes apparatus of equipment and men and who marched here ought to know and is cut down drastically when you do know-how and I think we ought to ex- ought to join the debate. not have the classrooms, when you do not have the infrastructure improve- pand the mission of the defense to be a b 2045 mission to help with natural disasters ments. The NEA study estimates that throughout the world. Mothers, keep the pressure on for there are $268 billion in unmet school We can spend the money well there, gun control, but, mothers, if you want infrastructure needs. Now, we are talk- but even then they have too much to save your children and want to ing about infrastructure, buildings, money. At the same time that they are allow them to join the 21st century that are needed to service the enroll- authorizing an additional amount for revolution which moves into a kind of ment right now. The population of the defense, the Republican majority and a cyber-civilization, a digital world, schools right now is being made to op- the appropriation committees have led where you have to have special skills, erate in inadequate facilities. We are the fight to cut education drastically. if you want all the children to be able not talking about projections over the Education has been cut, despite the to keep up with the rapid changes in next 10 years of enrollment, we are fact that we no longer have a desperate our digital society, then we have got to talking about the needs right now. $268 deficit. have the education revamping now. We billion is needed, according to the Na- They cannot argue, as they argued have to have the reform in education tional Education Association study, under the Newt Gingrich Contract with now. We need the computers in the yet, the cuts that were made by the America, that they had to cut school schools now. We need the teachers that Subcommittee on Appropriations for lunches and they had to destroy the know how to use computers to teach. education have wiped out any possi- Department of Education, they had to We need many of the items that were bility of even entering $1.3 billion for cut Head Start, they had to deny in- cut by the Republican majority in the emergency repairs. creases in higher education grants, be- Committee on Appropriations. They have eliminated the Class Size cause we had a deficit, the country was At this point, I would like to read Reduction Program, which was going on the verge of bankruptcy. That was portions of a letter that was submitted forward without the extra classrooms. the illusion that they painted. That from the National Education Associa- We started that last year by appro- was the picture that they painted. tion. It is headed by Robert Chase, who priating money for additional teachers. The country is not on the verge of I heard speak a few months ago, and he The assumption is if you have addi- bankruptcy now. So why are the Re- talked about the fact that our schools tional teachers, the ratio of pupils to publicans leading these tremendous have a great deal of needs operation- teachers will be smaller in each class. cuts in education? Why at a time when ally, but there are even greater needs The problem is that if you do not we are opening trade with China, trade in terms of the infrastructure. Our have the classrooms, you can give with China, which will draw out our school buildings, our school equipment, money for more teachers, but there is manufacturing jobs, the jobs for entry- our laboratories, there is a great need no way to reduce the class size. In the level persons who do not have an edu- for an investment there. case of New York City and a few other cation? Why at a time like this are we I want to congratulate Mr. Chase and places across the country, they have going to cut back on the education the National Education Association, put an additional teacher in the class- budget? Yes, it is true the Federal Gov- because following their statement of room. When you have young children ernment only gives a small portion. that need, they went out and they did in the elementary grades, a teacher at It provides a small portion of the an in-depth study, a thorough study one end of the room and a teacher at education budget. Most of the edu- from State to State of what the needs the other end of the room trying to cation budget is provided by the States were for our school infrastructure. In- teach 2 different classes is definitely an and by the localities, but the Federal frastructure means buildings, it means adventure slated to not be successful. Government’s 7 percent or 8 percent is gyms, it means laboratories and cafe- Various other adaptations of the a key amount, and the fact that it is terias, it means classroom space. That teaching takes place when you do not only 7 percent or 8 percent is unfortu- is what infrastructure means. In addi- have the classroom space. But, never- nate. There is no reason why it could tion to infrastructure, they also stud- theless, I certainly support the pro- not be larger. ied our technology needs in the gram to have more teachers. The dogma has been over the years schools, computers and the hookups We wanted to put 100,000 new teach- that the Federal Government should you need for the computers in terms of ers in our classrooms over a 3- or 4- not spend more money for education, wiring, et cetera. year period. The successful class size because we want to keep our schools So the National Education Associa- reduction program has already helped under local and State control. But if tion is certainly qualified and has schools to hire 29,000 highly qualified there is only a 7 percent investment in earned the right to criticize the recent new teachers. Just last November, Con- the schools, there is certainly no way cuts that the Committee on Appropria- gress agreed on a bipartisan basis to you are going to take over the schools. tions has made in the education bill. continue and strengthen this critical And if we increase the 7 percent invest- Let us remember now that the major- program as part of the consolidated fis- ment from the Federal level to 25 per- ity party, the Republican majority, is cal year 2000 appropriations bill. Elimi- cent, there still is only a 25 percent the same party which 6 years ago pro- nation of targeted funds for class size power, 25 percent of the power, the posed that we abolish the Department reduction will not only jeopardize the other 75 percent of the power would of Education. They proposed that we gains already realized, but will prevent still be at the local and State level. cut Head Start, they proposed that we the schools from hiring an additional What is this great myth that more cut school lunches. They are not as 20,000 qualified teachers to serve an- State, more Federal money would bold and as open and honest in their as- other 2.9 million children. We urge the

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00103 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.214 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 H3630 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 23, 2000 committee to restore funding for this to other reforms. The debate about $253.8 billion, about $254 billion, for in- critical program. what the other reforms should be frastructure other than technology. The Teacher Empowerment Act might continue for some time, but the They conclude that just for tech- Block Grant, the subcommittee bill money would be there when we reach nology, we need $53 billion additional. provides for $1.7 billion for a block consensus on programs that do work. They have mapped it out quite thor- grant consolidating the Eisenhower We know that there are some pro- oughly. Unmet needs, school mod- Professional Class Reduction Program. grams that do work. Head Start works. ernization funding, totals, when you Because the bill provides only a mini- We know that. The TRIO programs add technology and infrastructure to- mal increase above the current fund- work; we know that. There are a num- gether, $307.6 billion. They break it ing, schools seeking to hire additional ber of different programs that we agree down in two areas, school infrastruc- teachers to reduce class size will have work. They should be the recipients of ture and technology. to do so at the expense of programs to the increased funding first. Then addi- School infrastructure means deferred recruit and train teachers. In other tional programs that are designated as maintenance, take care of that, new words, the Republican majority has programs that work can be funded also construction, renovation, retrofitting, folded in other programs into the out of the second half of the 10 percent additions to existing facilities, major money and into the program that was of the surplus. improvements. The results would be designed to get additional teachers. What is 10 percent of the surplus this that we would have to bring it up to Insufficient funding for the teacher year? It would mean $20 billion; $20 bil- par, spend that $254 billion that I spoke quality programs, they have cut that lion into education this year. $10 bil- about. also. They have frozen the funds for the lion of that goes toward school con- Educational technology, they define critical Title I programs. The sub- struction and infrastructure improve- that. A comprehensive definition of committee bill not only eliminates tar- ment. Then you would you have $10 bil- educational technology according to geted funding to help low-performance lion left for other reforms and edu- the NEA study is multimedia com- schools maximize student achieve- cation improvements. puters, peripherals, software, ment, but the subcommittee bill denies I am certain that there are many connectivity, networks, technology in- additional math and reading services who dismiss this proposal right away frastructure, equipment, maintenance to 260,000 disadvantaged children. as being too ambitious, out of harmony and repair, professional development Just last fall, the House passed a bi- with what is practical and acceptable, and support. partisan Student Results Act setting but those of us who are Members of b 2100 the Title I authorization level at $9.85 Congress know better. We authorized a billion, yet the subcommittee bill pro- $218 billion program for a 6-year pro- All of that goes into the physical vides almost $2 billion below this level, gram for highways just a year ago, so needs for technology. They do not talk something like $7.8 billion. So there is $218 billion for highways over a 6-year about training teachers. That was a another cut in a critical program. period was not unthinkable. We can different bill, and we still need that. There is no program that has been think big when it is necessary. What does it all add up to in terms of more critical than Title I, which is a We have just increased the defense the States? They break it down accord- basic thrust of the Federal Government budget, as I said before, increased it to ing to the needs of each State. One in elementary and secondary edu- $309.9 billion. Just as an afterthought, might be interested to know that at cation. Title I provides funds to schools we added $4.5 billion to last year’s the very top of the States in terms of where the poorest youngsters are at- budget. The President had already infrastructure needs stands the great tending, and it is designed to enhance added $21 billion to it. So we think big, Empire State of New York. New York, the school program with extra services. and we think in the billions. There is according to the National Education They have eliminated $20 million for no reason why we cannot think about Association study, New York’s infra- elementary school councils, frozen $20 billion for education improvements structure needs total $47.6 billion. New funds for bilingual school programs, re- in one year, especially if half of that York has the greatest infrastructure, fused to give additional funding for goes toward construction. they call it unmet needs, greater mod- Head Start. All of this adds up to a hos- School construction and infrastruc- ernization of unmet needs in New tile Republican majority attacking ture expenditures for wiring schools, York, the infrastructure is $47.6 billion, education again through the budget ac- for technology, et cetera, those are technology is $3 billion. tion. All of this is an indication that items which do not involve inter- According to the survey and the there is no concern about the fact that ference by the Federal Government in standards supplied by the National we have a surplus, a $2 trillion surplus the operation of a local school. Those Education Association, the total need over a 10-year period. are capital budget items. The Federal in New York is $50.6 billion to bring We are not going to spend the money Government gives the money, let us do their schools up to par, to meet the on education if we continue to follow the construction, let us revamp the needs of the 21st century in infrastruc- the leadership of the Subcommittee on schools, repair those schools, let us ture and technology combined. New Education which passed out this appro- wire the schools so they can have York is so bad off, they are in such ter- priations bill. They refused to discuss Internet access, let us buy computers, rible shape, that the second State in the surplus. But the million moms out let us do the capital improvements terms of need is about half that there who marched on March 14 ought necessary, and then the Federal Gov- amount. to wake up and ask the question, what ernment can get out. The operation of Now, California is the second State are you going to do with the surplus? the school goes on, and you actually in terms of infrastructure need, tech- And the second question is, what are free up additional dollars so that the nology need. California is number two. you going to do about education with State and the Federal Government dol- Even though California has a much the surplus? lars, more of them can be spent on larger population, their infrastructure There is no reason why we cannot operational activities instead of cap- need is only $22 billion, not even half of simplify matters. I think we should ital budget activities. New York State’s $47.6 billion. Their make it easy on ourselves and dedicate That is a simple formula. The technology needs are greater because 10 percent of the surplus, no matter amount of money spent for construc- New York, according to the survey, has what it is. If it goes down, then it is 10 tion is no threat to local control at all. done more in terms of computerization percent of whatever that is; if it goes It is an easy way to relieve the burden than California, so the technology up, it is 10 percent of that. Ten percent at the local level. needs of California are $10 billion, for a of the surplus over the next 10 years If these amounts seem too great, let total of $32,901,000 that California needs ought to be dedicated to education, to me just go back for a moment to the versus New York’s $50,675,000. I am educational improvements. Half of it National Education Association study. talking big figures, these are big num- can go in the form of the improvement The National Education Association bers. Let us not run away from them. of the infrastructure for schools all study is very revealing because they Do we know the cost of one nuclear across America; the other half can go conclude, as I said before, that we need aircraft carrier? We do not run away

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00104 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.216 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 May 23, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3631 from the cost of a nuclear aircraft car- Mr. Speaker, there are a lot of argu- Roman technology and the Roman en- rier. It is more than $4 billion. Do we ments that make sense, and yes, they gineers and the Roman scientists were know the cost of a Sea Wolf sub- have gone forward; but suddenly there at their height, they invented concrete. marine? It used to be around $2.1 bil- is silence about even the President’s They built magnificent structures. lion. It has probably gone up by now. In proposals which he made in the State They were way ahead of the rest of the weapons technology, the Star Wars, of the Union address are not getting world at that time. the new missile defense system that we any great amount of discussion here on At the same time the Roman engi- are going to construct, I think we Capitol Hill. The Senate and the Con- neers and the scientists and the crafts- added almost $6 billion more to play gress are moving at this point as if men were doing such great work, the with that some more. We have spent there is no surplus. If there are discus- Roman politicians were so backward billions of dollars over the years to get sions of a surplus, and there are, I am that they were feeding the Christians a missile defense against terrorism. We sure, they are all behind the scenes to the lions in the colosseum. The engi- are willing to throw away additional getting ready for D–Day when the neers built a magnificent colosseum, money on that. Democratic President and the White but the Roman politicians determined Common sense tells us that a ter- House will have to sit down with the who died, who was fed to the lions. So rorist does not need a long-range mis- Republican-controlled Congress, and the savagery and the backwardness of sile to throw a bomb into a crowded they will dole out what happens to por- the politicians, of the policymakers, of city, or to bring a bomb into a crowded tions of the surplus that they are going the people in charge was the beginning city. There are many, many ways other to spend this year. of the downfall of Rome. than the firing of a long-range missile. Mr. Speaker, it is our duty to send Mr. Speaker, we have so much going So a system which is designed to stop them a message. Public opinion is still for us economically, scientifically, long-term missiles where we have al- vitally important. It is not as impor- militarily. Why is it that we cannot ready spend hundreds of billions of dol- tant as it used to be because there was make decisions in this case in response lars, we do not need to spend more bil- a time when public opinion was used as to our own electorate, in response to lions of dollars. But my argument is a barometer for a lot of decision-mak- the mothers and fathers out there who that this is the way it will be thrown ing and people would say well, I have answer the polls? The pollsters tell us away. It will just be flushed down the to do it because the public wants it. I they want more money spent for edu- drain, all of the surplus money, in one cannot do it because the public is cation. When they questioned the peo- foolish project after another by policy- against it. Never before has public ple more closely within the category of makers who ought to know better, opinion been as strong as it is now in education, they said they want us to under pressures from lobbyists and favor of the Federal Government pro- fix up the schools. How much more in- from corporations and from hundreds viding more assistance to education. formation do we need? How much more of people who will make millions of For the last 5 years, public opinion has instruction from the people do we dollars as a result of our wasting our told us that education ranks as one of need? money. the top five priorities of the public for Mr. Speaker, there is a stubbornness The best defense for America is in the use of government money, govern- which is dangerous. There is a stub- brain power, developing maximum ment funds. For the last 2 years, edu- bornness which is deadly. There is a brain power so that when the China cation has been number one. Indis- stubbornness which we see in the fig- trade agreement begins to siphon off putably, this year education ranks as ures related to gun control. We are a the jobs for our young people, the brain the number one priority according to Nation of savages when it comes to the power that has been developed in those the public. The polls that are taken by number of people who die from gunshot young people to step forward and take the Republicans show the same as the wounds every year. Compared to the those high-tech jobs that we still have polls that are taken by the Democrats. other industrialized nations, Germany, left. We do not have to bring foreigners Why is our leadership fully aware Japan, France, we have 100 times more in with an H 1 B program to take the that education is a number one pri- people dying from guns, being killed by jobs that our own youngsters should be ority of the public refusing to respond guns. No other nation allows 200 mil- trained for. It all comes together. by dedicating more of our resources to lion guns to circulate in their society. Let the mothers set the agenda. Let education? Our leaders who read these The mothers were late, the mothers the mothers have the common sense to public opinion polls, we pay large were late, but at least they are there do what so far the policymakers here amounts of money to pollsters to do on gun control. are not willing to do. Let the mothers the polls. Some of them come free from There are other kinds of savage acts in on the discussion. Let us not keep objective sources that have no stake in that are taking place that need to be proceeding toward September when the politics. Why are they not listened to? challenged. There was a book written end game negotiations will take place Now, we are like the Roman Empire called Savage Inequity, which was a and decisions will be made about what right now in terms of the rest of the book describing the way the school re- we should do with the surplus. Yes world. We sit on top of the world as the sources are allocated in New York there have been some proposals by the only superpower; and it is to our credit City. They compared the best schools President, and I support all of his pro- that we are a superpower not only in in certain neighborhoods with the posals. He proposes to use some of the military terms, but in terms of influ- worst schools in other neighborhoods. I money to deal with the Medicare prob- ence of our popular culture, in terms of am sorry, it was not just New York lems, the problems of Medicare, the our compassion. Probably no nation City, it was other cities as well. They possible deficit in Medicare in 15 or 20 can match our overall compassion called it savage inequities in the way years. Some of the money can be used when it comes to international emer- we are educating our children. That to deal with that. gencies. The history of defending de- was almost 20 years ago. The savage in- The President is proposing we use mocracy far from our shores is written equities in the way we allocate our re- some of the surplus to deal with a pre- in the blood of the young men who died sources for education have gotten scription drug benefit. That is one of on the beaches at Normandy and on it worse, not better. Now we have the re- the possibilities. Another possibility goes. So we have a lot to celebrate, and sources. We have a $200 billion surplus has been, of course, that we pay down if there is any empire that exists now this year, and over a 10-year period, a the debt, the most popular one; and I in the modern 21st century, then the $2 trillion surplus. Why not end the am all in favor of paying down the empire of America is one that we can savage inequities? Why not end the debt. But we are not in a situation be proud of, not an empire built on savage inequities? Do we need the where all of the funds have to be used blood, but the empire can fall. mothers to come here and tell us what to pay down the debt at once. Why not Mr. Speaker, we are in the same piv- to do? invest in education, because the invest- otal position as the Roman Empire I think in 1990, March 27, 1990, I made ment in education will only increase was. Science and technology, military a speech on the floor of this House the surplus and increase the health of might has brought us to this point. But which was called, ‘‘Keeping Our Eyes the economy. let us remember, at the same time on the Real Prize: The Child Care Bill.’’

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00105 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.218 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 H3632 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 23, 2000 At that time we were considering a bill nounced policy of January 6, 1999, the very difficult in this Nation, but our for child care, and again, we were nick- gentleman from Colorado (Mr. country came together. The President, el and diming the situation, looking at MCINNIS) is recognized for 60 minutes. at the time, felt that we needed to have ways in which to cut pennies from the Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, before I some type of system to assist our sen- program at the same time the savings begin my remarks, and I plan extensive ior citizens who could no longer work. and loan swindle was raging. Billions of remarks this evening in regards to So- So in 1935, the President signed in a dollars were going down the drain from cial Security, I think it is a very im- system called Social Security, which the taxpayers to take care of the portant subject and I hope that as was designed for the individual. crooked savings and loan swindles and many as can will stay so that they can In 1939, the United States Congress deals, and we were nickel and diming hear these comments. I look forward to broadened the new program from a the child care program. a debate in the future on these com- focus strictly on an individual to a There was a meeting held here, I will ments in regards to the Social Security focus on the family. Now, is Social Se- not go into the details of that meeting, system. I think it is awful critical, but curity in trouble? And why is Social and Marian Wright Edleman was in- before I get there I have a very special Security in trouble? And to the extent vited to that meeting. She is the head announcement this evening. Social Security is in trouble, we should of the Children’s Defense Fund. The Thursday of this week, at 9:00 in the discuss that this evening. discussion that took place at that morning, in Grand Junction, Colorado, Clearly, Social Security on a cash meeting and the way in which they re- our little baby, Andrea, graduates from basis, that means the money in the sponded to her, the negative way in high school. I never imagined that I bank today, the money in the bank which many of the persons at that would see my youngest child all of a today, Social Security has a huge sur- meeting, Congress persons, responded sudden now a fine, beautiful, intel- plus, but it would be like a pilot flying to her simple plea for more money for ligent woman. I mean, she grew up through the clouds coming to the con- child care upset me to the point where overnight. So as soon as the vote on clusion that because they have not hit I wrote my first rap poem and found China is finished tomorrow night, I will a mountain they have clear sailing that rap poems are a good way to get depart promptly for Colorado. ahead. Social Security does not have off your frustration here in this place. I do want to say how proud I am. I clear sailing ahead. There are moun- I called that rap poem, ‘‘Let the am sure all of you have experienced tains in those clouds; and all of us, the Mothers Lead the Fight.’’ I dedicated it this as well, but my wife and I now face people of this country, are in that air- to Marian Wright Edleman and the the empty nest syndrome. We are not plane. And, frankly, we are flying with Children’s Defense Fund. It is very ap- looking forward to that. We have had instruments that are not appropriate propriate now. The mothers are leading awful good years with Daxon, Tessa, to get that airplane through those the fight, they came to Washington, and Andrea, but we will adjust. clouds without hitting those moun- and I just want to close out by reading We are pleased to announce that all tains. this rap poem that was put into the three of the children will be in college; Right now the plane is flying fine. On CONGRESSIONAL RECORD on the 27th of unfortunately all at once so as one can a cash basis Social Security has a huge March, 1990. It is relevant. see, our budget does not have a lot of surplus of money, but on an actuarial Let the mothers lead the fight; sisters fluff to it. basis, meaning we look into the future, snatch the future from the night. Dangerous Now let us move on to Social Secu- we figure out what our liabilities are dumb males have made a mess on the right, rity, the subject of which I really want and we figure out what our assets are, macho mad egos on the left swollen out of and as we go further and further into to focus on this evening. I am going to sight. the future we find that our assets dwin- talk about several things in regards to Let the mothers lead the fight. Drop the dle and our liabilities increase, and at linen, throw away the lace, stop the murder, Social Security, but let me make some point about 2035 as we know it sweep out the arms race. Let the mothers something very clear at the beginning lead the fight. today, about 2035 those two will meet. of this speech, and that is the speech is In other words, the assets equal the b 2115 not intended to be partisan but it is liabilities. Immediately thereafter, the Use your broom. Sweep out the doom. Do necessary to distinguish between gen- liabilities, in other words the cash not fear the mouse. Break out of the house. erally what the Republicans feel about going out, exceeds the cash coming in. Rats are ruining the world. Let the mothers Social Security and generally what the Now one good thing about the United lead the fight. Democrats feel about Social Security. States Congress, one good thing about Fat cats want to buy your soul. Saving the There is a dramatic difference be- other policymakers in this country, children is the mother’s role. Cook up some tween the policies in regards to Social and the various senior citizen organiza- cool calculations. Look some of new recipes. Security of the Vice President, Mr. Lock the generals tight down in the deep tions, is that, for a change, Congress is freeze. Let the mothers lead the fight. GORE, and the policies of the governor looking into the future. Instead of Human history is a long ugly tale. Tragedy of the State of Texas, George W. Bush. waiting for the crisis to actually beat guided by the frail monster male. Babies So as I go through my comments this at our doorsteps, we are looking at a bashed with blind bayonets. Daughters evening, I hope to distinguish for those crisis that is 35 years out. Now that trapped in slimy lust nets. Across time hear out there in this audience here, Mr. does not mean we can wait for a very our loud terrified wail. Holocaust happens Speaker, because there are two distinct long period of time, because at some when the silly males fail. Let the mothers directions that we can go in hopes of lead the fight. point that actuarial liability is accel- Snatch the future back from the night. doing something with Social Security. erating at such a fast speed that if one Storm the conference rooms with our rage. So, again, let me repeat it once more. does not catch it early on they cannot Focus x-rays on the Washington stage. The My comments are not intended to be a stop the momentum. But we have some world is being ruined by rats. Rescue is in partisan attack, but I fully intend to time if we act on a reasonable and the hands of the cats. Scratch out their lies. distinguish between the Republican po- prompt basis. That is why the discus- Put pins in smug rat eyes. Hate the fakes. sition and the Democratic position in Burn rhetoric at the stakes. Enough of this sion of Social Security should play a endless bloody night. Let the mothers lead general as it regards Social Security very predominate role in the elections the fight. and the future of Social Security. this fall. Holocaust happens when the silly males I think a way to begin a discussion Now let me visit just for a moment fail. March now to end this long ugly tale. about Social Security is to talk just a why Social Security is in trouble. It is Let the mothers lead the fight. little about the history of Social Secu- really pretty simple. It is called demo- Stand up now to the frail monster male. rity. As many people know, Social Se- graphics. Look at these numbers. In Let the mothers lead the fight. Snatch the future back from the night. Let curity was started in 1935. Now, it was 1935, in 1935 when the Social Security the mothers lead the fight. not an idea that just sprung up over- system started, we had 42 workers for f night. It was an idea that was created every one worker who was retired. So as a result of many years of the in 1935, 42 workers were in the work- SOCIAL SECURITY harshest economic times this country place. One person was retired. Today The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. has ever faced, the Great Depression, that ratio is no longer 42. Look how TOOMEY). Under the Speaker’s an- 1929. In the 1930s, things were very, dramatically that number changes.

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00106 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.219 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 May 23, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3633 Today, instead of being 42 that num- Let me say that, first of all, what we evening, let us start with an example. ber is 3. So, in other words, in our have is not a dangerous situation for Let us start by putting ourselves in a workplace today, we have three work- people today that are on Social Secu- place of, all of a sudden, coming upon a ers for every person who is retired. rity. Any individual out there who great deal of money. For example, let Within the very near future that num- today is collecting a Social Security us say one of my colleagues here in the ber will drop to two. This is one of the check faces no risk as a result of the Chamber won the Lotto, and one won a problems that we have. factors I just told them about. In fact, great deal of money. Let us just say Now that problem is one of the fac- really anybody over about 40 years of one won $10 million. So one decided tors we have to consider that has cre- age does not really face any kind of wisely that one is going to put a per- ated the demographical situation with risk of losing their Social Security centage of that $10 million aside for Social Security. The other problem benefits. It is that other generation, it one’s retirement. So one decides one is really is pretty good news for all of us. is the generation of my Andrea or my going to take a million dollars and put That is the American health care sys- Tessa or my Dax, those three children it aside for one’s retirement. tem. Because of preventive medicine, of Lorie and mine, that is the genera- Let me ask my colleagues, would any because of the fact that we have made tion which faces that risk. of them in this room send that $1 mil- successful assaults on many different If our generation fails to act for that lion to the United States Government diseases since 1935, the life expectancy generation, we should hold our heads in Department of Social Security to in- has increased dramatically. In 1935, the disgrace. There has been a generational vest it with the other funds in Social average male could expect to live until trade-off in Social Security, and what Security? Any one of them? Of course he was 61 years old and the average fe- has occurred is that the younger gen- they would not. There is not a one of male could expect to live until she was eration, frankly, is now subsidizing the my colleagues in these chambers, there 65. Now, today, look at how that has older generation. That is okay if there is not one of them in these chambers changed. This has gone up to about 74 is a system that when the subsidizing that would take a million dollars of years, and this has gone up to about 78 generation moves up the generation be- their own cash and invest it in the cur- years. hind them can actually subsidize and rent Social Security system. Now what has happened in the mean- Why? Because they know that the time is, no adjustment that is propor- on an actuarial basis subsidize the gen- chances of them seeing that on the tionate to that increase in age has oc- eration in front of them. That is not other end are diminished significantly. curred in regards to the Social Secu- what is happening today. What is hap- They know that almost any other man- rity system. So we have these dynam- pening today is that the average couple agement policy, including the lowest ics. We have people living to an older on Social Security takes out about paying savings account at any bank, age. We have people healthier, and we $118,000 out of the system more than the lowest paying at any bank in this have more people in the retirement they put into the system. country, find the lowest paying savings category than we do in the work stage. b 2130 account that one can and one will still When we put those elements together, That is being subsidized by this one can see that there is a collision do a whole lot better putting one’s younger generation. course that is going to occur out there money in there than one will into the So the older generations in our coun- at some point in the future. We can Social Security system. try, say from 40 up, and I fit in that So how do we change this? What are avoid that by putting proper instru- the plans out there? It has been very mentation into the airplane. category, their Social Security will be Now, what do I think is the most safe. But those generations from 40 and clear to me, and I am sure it is very dangerous risk that we have with So- under, they have a right to demand of clear to my colleagues that, in the last cial Security today? What would we, as every one of us in these chambers, of 2 weeks, 2 different paths have elected Members of the United States every elected Federal official in this emerged; that the policy of the Vice Congress, as Members who have fidu- country, not what are you going to do President and that the policy of the ciary duties to our constituents, what for us, but what are you going to do for governor of the State of Texas, who is do I think we have the most to fear? our generation, especially when it the Republican nominee, obviously, for What risk would we put the people that comes to Social Security. President. The Vice President obvi- we represent, what would be the most Let me read a letter that I received ously is the Democratic nominee for dangerous risk that we could place from a gentleman, a friend of mine, President. For one of these two people them in in regards to Social Security? named Roger Zion. He belongs to the is going to be leading this country. One It is very simple, two words: Do noth- 60-plus senior citizens organization. It of those two paths would be advocated ing. is a brief letter, but I think it is suc- by that individual when they become Mr. Speaker, we will break a bond cinct. President. with the people that we have com- I want to talk about Social Security. So let us take a look at them. The mitted to serve; we will be in breach of Thanks to the lockbox provision, which by Vice President’s policies, in my opin- our fiduciary duty to the people that the way was Republican activated, ‘‘my So- ion, what we have seen in the last sev- we represent and to the next genera- cial Security, such as it is, is assured. But I eral months are simply fear tactics of, tion that follows the older generation am interested in my children. They should oh, my gosh, the sky is going to fall have a chance to choose between the Gore we now have, if we sit here and we do down if we dare try and do something plan in which they invest in a government different with Social Security. The nothing. That is why I think it is so plan that grows slower than the rate of infla- important for me to be here this tion or the Bush plan where they invest in Vice President’s policy has been to sup- evening and have the kind of discussion the market. Just think of the boost the mar- port the status quo. If one dares even that we are going to have, because I do ket would get with thousands of new inves- talk about changing the status quo, not believe that we can afford to sit tors. why, for some reason, one has com- idle and do nothing. To me that is just Under the Gore plan, at my children’s mitted an assault on senior citizens. as dangerous as sitting in that airplane death the money goes to the U.S. Treasury. Remember, that senior citizens, and flying through the clouds saying, look, Under the Bush plan, it is left to my grand- this is a fact that should be disclosed children. They can invest it to stimulate the in their commercials, senior citizens we know we do not have the right in- market, or they can spend it to stimulate strumentation but let us just relax. the economy, or they can contribute it to face zero threat, no threat of losing Let us talk about it. We cannot do it the Boy Scouts or the Girl Scouts or some their Social Security dollars. Persons and we will not do it, and I will say other charity. over 40 years of age face no threat of why we will not do it because there are I wish I could have had that choice 50 years losing their Social Security dollars. enough of us in here that understand ago. I would be a rich man. Now I want my So, the status quo means the the dangers that face Social Security, children and my grandchildren to have that generational trade-off, that is what I that understand the option of do noth- choice. call it, the generational trade-off. That ing is, in fact, no option at all. So what As we begin the detailed assessment is a do-nothing policy. It means that do we do? What kind of differences do of both of these plans that I am going the older generation is fine, but the we have? to address my colleagues with this younger generation is at risk.

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00107 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.221 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 H3634 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 23, 2000 We need a man that keeps the older The question comes up to all of us, do Democrats jump up and immediately generation safe and allows the younger we want a President who is going to try and convince, in my opinion, generation who have 20 or 30 or 40 years stay the status quo, or do we want a through their policies that the seniors left in their working career, give them President that is going to take a bold are going to lose their Social Security. an opportunity to have something a move and do something and move? Let me reiterate it very clearly. That little better than what our seniors That point comes out here in the last 2 is not what is happening here. I have have today. weeks. The governor of the State of not seen a plan by anyone on either We are not asking for dramatic Texas has proposed that the members, side of the aisle that threatens seniors change. In fact, I do not think we have people who work out there, have a sys- who are currently on Social Security to guide the plane, so to speak, the air- tem very similar to what the Federal in any way whatsoever. It does not plane dramatically to avoid hitting Government has, that is, that they be happen. The real threat comes for that that mountain. But if we do not change allowed to own, literally own a portion generation under 40. the direction of the plane ever so of their Social Security, only 2 percent Frankly, the Vice President’s poli- slightly, we are going to hit that of their withholdings. So one takes 2 cies throw people under 40, our young mountain. My colleagues know what percent of the withholdings, and one people in this country, my colleagues the results are. would allow the worker out there to better tell their constituents who are Back to the Vice President’s policies. own a piece of the action. under 40 to take a very careful look at They have no choice, if they continue What has the response been? Now, by the present Social Security system. on the course of which they have sup- the way, as I will get into the further They also ought to take a very careful ported, but to raise payroll taxes. That details, that proposal is voluntary. We look at who is going to make the first is the highest tax one sees on one’s are not saying to the worker, they have move, the bold move to protect Social check today. to join this system. It is the same Security for those under 40. By the way, I heard, I got an e-mail thing as the Federal employees. I can tell my colleagues that to pro- the other day that Members of Con- The people of America need to know, tect the people under 40 they cannot gress and Federal Government do not Mr. Speaker, that the system we are accept the status quo. This airplane, pay Social Security tax. We pay Social under allows us ownership, that the re- referring to the Social Security sys- Security. I faxed out a copy of my pay tirement system that every Federal tem, is headed for a mountain. It is not stub today to some people who said, employee can participate in addition to going to get there for a few minutes. It how can you talk about Social Secu- Social Security allows choice by the is not going to get there for the people rity. You do not even pay Social Secu- employee. It allows one to go to very, that are 40 and above. But for those rity. We do pay Social Security. Our very conservative guaranteed invest- people 40 and below, if we do not retirement system, by the way, in the ments or to direct a small percentage change the course of this airplane, it is United States Congress is the same as of one’s salary towards high-risk in- going to hit a mountain. other Federal employees. vestments. One gets to participate. Let us talk about a quote that the But back to my point. As we begin to We do it for 21⁄2 million Federal work- Vice President himself made in Janu- reach that actuarial basis where we ers. Why not take a look at that sys- ary of 1999. The Vice President said, need to have cash and we do not change tem which has proven highly popular ‘‘One of the single most important sa- the system, the only answer we have, and highly successful? Why not take lient facts that jumped out at every- we are never going to be able to shut what we have learned from that sys- body is that, over a 10-year period in the people off, nor should we. tem, says the governor of the State of American history, returns on equi- The only response that we have is Texas, and move it over to Social Secu- ties,’’ that refers to the market, the one of several things. One, we start to rity. stock markets, ‘‘are just significantly tax the benefits. We go out to these The response has been interesting. higher than these other returns.’’ At seniors and we say, Look, we have got Some of the negative arguments that any given 10-year period of time, those a cash crisis. We have got a crisis. We have surfaced, i.e., it is stock market returns are significantly higher. should have planned for it 30 years ago, roulette, one could lose all one’s but we did not. So we have to tax the money. Well, one has got to talk about Now, the Vice President’s policy ig- benefits. a concept that I think is very impor- nores that today. But the fact is his The other course of action that we tant, and it is called dollar cost aver- statement that he made in January of are going to have to do is raise the pay- aging. The only way that one would 1999 is, in fact, accurate. roll tax. Both of those are approaches lose all of one’s money on the stock Let us take a look at what the rate of which I think are punitive to the work- market investment like this is that return has been in Social Security. For place out there. one puts all one’s money in the market today, for those people under 40 years The other thing that we would have one day and one loses it all the next old, let us say, for example, we have a to do, we would have to raise the re- day. young working couple, let us pick a tirement age. Now, there are some ar- My position is that one goes into couple, 30 years, 35 years old. They guments in raising the retirement age. what is called dollar cost averaging, have got children. Do my colleagues If we do increase retirement age far and that is one invests, it is a very know what their return is averaging enough out as people begin, as their small percentage, just like we do with today on Social Security? 1.23 percent. life span begins to increase, perhaps the Thrift Savings with the Federal Find me one savings account, Mr. there is some basis for that type of ar- Government employees, one invests Speaker, anywhere in this country at gument. those dollars over time. Through time, any bank, at any credit union, any sav- But the first two policies of the Vice one has cycles, one has up days or, like ings and loan, find me one bank that President, raising the taxes and taxing today on the market, one has a down pays interest rates that low. the benefits, are not the answer. We day. But over time, it is the average of That is exactly what a young couple, have got a better answer. that dollar that brings one the return. the people that I am talking about this The other way, some other things We are going to talk about returns evening, the professional women, the that we can do that we have heard dis- here in a moment. But the clear mes- professional men, the young couples, cussed, reducing the cost of COLA’s, sage that we have here is that the So- the homemakers, that is what they are adjusting the benefit formula. cial Security, the people who partici- facing. Now, in the last couple of weeks, we pate in the system, could actually get Now, let me tell my colleagues some- have heard some discussion, maybe that opportunity to participate with- thing else a little more alarming. For what we ought to do with Social Secu- out the kind of risk and the fear tac- those of my colleagues who are par- rity, maybe what we ought to do is do tics that are being thrown out there. ticularly adept at minority issues, be- what Federal employees do, what Mem- Do my colleagues know what we hear cause the life span of some minorities bers of the United States Congress do. about when we talk about change, and, in this country statistically is lower This is nothing new. The Vice Presi- frankly, this is a difference, when the than others, that return actually is dent’s plan stays the course. Republicans talk about change, the below that.

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00108 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.222 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 May 23, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3635 b 2145 of that advertising. Do not be fright- my remarks, I have yet to find one They deserve more. They deserve bet- ened as we get into a political season that is disgusted with this system; that ter. And, frankly, those of us who are by those advertisements, which were is afraid the system endangers their fu- over 40, our generation is enjoying the primarily run by the Democratic Na- ture retirement; that believes any kind benefits of the previous generation. It tional Committee last time talking of fear tactic about this system. It is is an obligation of ours to do some- about our policies and trying to drive not there. The system works, and it thing with that return. It is not their the seniors’ thoughts and decisions can work for Social Security. That is job, the under 40, to change the direc- through fear tactics. Let us drive it what the Governor says. tion of that plane, it is our job. That is through simple arithmetic. Let us Now, how does thrift savings work? our job to do and we should do it. And drive it through the math. Let us take an example: Myself. I get a we have a plan that I think will work. The plan would take about 2 percent paycheck once a month from the Fed- Now, take a look at stocks. Take any of payroll-taxed income and would set eral Government. I am a Federal em- 10-year period of time. On average, we up personal-managed accounts. Now, ployee. I do pay into the Social Secu- should expect stock returns around 7 what does that mean? That means that rity System; but on top of that, we percent. Now, remember that is dollar Social Security takes a certain per- have the Thrift Savings program. And averaging. Around 7 percent. Now, tell centage out of our payroll checks, and what that does is it allows for me to me what kind of rocket scientist does out of that amount of money, let us designate up to 10 percent of my salary it take, with a small amount of money, just imagine it in a pot. Here is an in- and put it into a plan called the Thrift not the entire retirement, but to be dividual’s pot of money. The govern- Savings Plan. If I put in 5 percent, the able to just take a small amount of ment takes it from that person’s check Federal Government will match it with money, a small percentage, 2 percent of and puts it into Social Security. Out of a 5 percent put-in as well. Now, I can money that is earning 1.23 percent, and that pot there would be a huge safety contribute up to 10 percent, but the moving it into an account that is earn- net. In other words, most of the money Federal Government only matches the ing 7 percent over a 30- or 40-year pe- in that pot would go into the Social Se- first 5 percent. riod of a work career. That makes a big curity System so that no matter how When it goes into the Thrift Savings difference. And that is the difference an individual’s own personal-managed Plan, I then own that. I own that plan. that these young people in our country account did, they would always be It is under my name. If something hap- deserve. guaranteed at least a minimum retire- pens to me, there is an amount of If we want to talk about doing some- ment supplement. money that can be transferred to who- thing for the children, look at the plan As it is today, it is a supplement. It ever I would like; to my family, in this that the Governor of the State of is not intended to be a full retirement, case. Texas, George W. Bush, has put for- and I should have mentioned that when So once it goes into the system, then ward. If we really want to not just be I talked about the history of Social Se- what do I do? Basically, we have three talking out there, buffaloing people curity. It takes the majority of that choices as a Federal employee. The about doing something for the chil- money and puts it into the safety net, first choice that we have is to put it dren, if we really want to do something but it takes a small percentage of that into an investment that is absolutely for the children, look at this Social Se- money, which, over time, can really, on safe, has 100 percent guarantee by the curity System and look at that plan a cumulative basis, add up, and it government, but the rate of return is that the Governor of the State of Texas takes that small percentage of money very small. I think last year, and has proposed. and allows the worker, the person pay- maybe I have got the return figure Let us go into a few details about ex- ing the bill, the person that is getting here, very small, maybe 4 or 5 percent, actly what the Governor of the State of stuck with the tab, it allows them to but it has a 100 percent guarantee. So Texas has proposed. Let me explain manage the account. For younger ac- those of us that want to participate in first of all the attitude that we can see counts, for the younger generation, it thrift savings but do not want any- in the plan, the attitude that comes makes that generational reverse. It be- thing to do with the risk, we can go out, that just beams out of that plan. gins to come back. It begins to be fair- ahead and designate our personal ac- First of all, it is a can-do attitude. We er to our children, to our people, to our count that is in our name and put it in can do something. It is a can-do atti- young couples under 40. that ultra safe investment. tude. We can do it. We can come up Now, how would the system work? Or we have two other choices. Those with a system that, without putting at The individual, very similar to what we choices are we can go into the bond risk an individual’s retirement, we can have at the Federal system, would take market or we can go into the stock give them a better return than 1.23 per- that small percentage of money. And, market. Now, the bond market has no cent. We can do it. by the way, they do not keep it in their guarantees to it, but it has a higher re- We see it. We see the feeling of that, pocket. The worker does not keep it in turn. Remember, the higher the risk, let us do something attitude. My col- their pocket. They are simply assigned the higher the return. The lower the leagues, we cannot just sit here, and an account of which they own. Which risk, the lower the return. So in our this is exactly what the Governor of means, by the way, if they die, they first account option that we have as the State of Texas’s policy is, we can- can pass that on to the next genera- Federal employees, we get a low return not sit here with the status quo. Those tion. They can give it to the local char- but we have low risk. who are not willing to participate ity. So they actually have ownership of And by the way, the Thrift Savings should move aside, because we have to that small percentage, and they get to Plan, just like the proposal for Social try something. And here is something, direct how it should be invested. Security, is voluntary. None of us in by the way, that has already been tried Now, let me explain very briefly just this room have to participate. Not one and tested and has been successful. exactly how our Thrift Savings Plan Federal employee out there has to par- This plan tracks the plan that, my works, because the Bush plan, the plan ticipate in this. But if we want to in- guess would be, every one of us in these of the governor of the State of Texas, crease our risk a little, then we can go Chambers participates in and 21⁄2 mil- as I said repeatedly throughout my into the bond market or we can go into lion Federal employees also participate comments so far this evening, tracks the stock market. in. It works. And it took somebody to very closely the Thrift Savings Plan Now, in the stock market fund, for make a bold move to put us into that. that is offered to all Federal employ- example, over the past 10 years, the av- I think it is very interesting. ees. Now, currently, today, as I men- erage rate of return from the stock- Now, let me go through what the tioned several times, 21⁄2 million Fed- based option under that plan has been Vice President has said; that seniors on eral employees take advantage of this 18 percent. Now, that sounds like a Social Security and people close to re- plan. I have yet to find one Federal em- great return. It is a wonderful return, tiring would stay in the current sys- ployee, I have yet to find one of my but there is risk involved there. And tem. I have mentioned that several colleagues, including any of them on everyone who invests in the Thrift Sav- times. The seniors should have no con- the floor, and I look forward to dis- ings Plan signs a statement. They go cern, and they should not listen to any cussing this with them after I conclude over very carefully what the risks are

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00109 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.225 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 H3636 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 23, 2000 of the three different options. They lay it out in as simple terms as we can. your retirement is still in place, be- give the historical average of what the Let me point out, before I go on a little cause you are only managing a small returns have been. There are no secrets further in that regard, one way to help portion of it. It is the same thing with in this plan. It is a very employee-ori- us understand this. There are some this proposal on Social Security. We ented plan. Web sites on the Internet, and actu- are not talking about 100 percent of On the bonds, over the last 10 years, ally, some of these Web sites actually your Social Security goes under your their rate of return, the government have calculators on them so we can go management, but what we are talking bonds was 7 percent and corporate to these Web sites, take our own per- about is that you are going to be able bonds was 71⁄2 percent. Last year’s re- sonal examples and we can look and de- to take a small percentage of your in- turn was 20.95 percent. This is the termine what happens to us if we stay vestment and invest it; and I think you Thrift Savings Plan. This is the plan under Social Security under the Vice are going to do a lot better than 1.23 that the Governor of the State of Texas President’s policy of maintaining the percent, but if you did not, the bulk of has said we should take a look at for status quo, of keeping a system that is your Social Security for those of you 40 Social Security. Why can we not apply crippled, a system that is actuarially and under will at least still be pro- those principles, what is good for gov- bankrupt, and we can actually look at tected. ernment employees, what is good for this site and determine what our re- Now, the question we face tonight the United States Congress, to Social turn, a pretty good guess of what our and the questions the American people Security? return is going to be. And it also allows face tonight is do we go ahead and bury The minute that the Governor of the the option to look at the proposal by our heads in the sand in regards to So- State of Texas proposed that, we heard the Governor of the State of Texas, cial Security, or should we accept some generally from most of the Democrats, George W. Bush, which is, as I said, bold leadership that is willing to set oh, my gosh, the sky is going to fall in. very similar to the Thrift Savings sail in a storm; that is, willing to step Even though, in fact, they are bene- Plan, and figure out what the return forward and say, look, do not accept ficiaries. The Democrats are bene- would be there. the status quo, move aside. If you do ficiaries of the plan that we are pro- Let us look at these very carefully. not want to work on it, move aside, but posing to give to the workers at large. The first Web site, 60plus.org/SavingSS/ do not prevent me from coming up with Why should this sort of plan be re- savings.htm. I will leave this up here a plan that will be viable for the Amer- stricted to us? Why restrict it to Fed- so my colleagues can have an oppor- ican people, and that is exactly what eral Government employees? Why not tunity to write it down. The second the governor of the State of Texas, let the entire country share the bene- site that I will put right here is em- George W. Bush, is saying. fits of it? Now, keep in mind my comments ear- The Democrats are the first ones to power.org/html/, and the third one is lier that this is not a new invention. jump up and criticize, oh, my gosh, socialsecurity.org/index.html. This is not something that a rocket what happens if we change the status b 2200 scientist suddenly came up with. This quo? We cannot change the status quo. I will keep these up here for a few is kind of a copycat. We have had Let us get out there with the people minutes, colleagues, so my colleagues somebody else break the snow through that are most dependent with Social can write it down, and what I would the mountain forest; somebody else al- Security and let us scare them. My col- urge my colleagues to do is pass these ready has a path through the forest. We leagues, we owe more to the people we Web sites on to your constituents. Be have been following this path and, represent. Let us lay out both of these straightforward with your constitu- frankly, we followed it for 40 years plans, as I am attempting to do this ents, and I do not doubt that my col- under Democratic leadership, and they evening. leagues are all going to be that way, Let me tell my colleagues, the leader would not change it. but do not let politics drive us into in objections to the Governor’s plan So for 40-some years under the Demo- putting out propaganda or into slant- has been the Vice President. Do we cratic leadership, we followed that ing the people out there and letting want a new president that decides to path, but now we have discovered an- them believe that the status quo is keep things status quo? I want a presi- other trail. Somebody has showed up in going to be good for those people 40 and dent that is going to be dynamic. I the horizon; it happens to be the gov- under. want a president that is willing to take ernor of the State of Texas. He says Clearly, as I said earlier, and it is a bold moves. I want a president that can why do you not try this path? And by statement I repeated numerous times, look at a system that needs to be fixed the way, it is not a new path. Who has but we need to repeat it, for those of and fix it. And fix it. walked in the path before? That is a le- And how interesting. I did a little re- you who are 40 and over; the status quo gitimate question for you to ask. search this evening. I found something will protect you, the proposal by the Before you go through the forest very interesting. In 1988, when the governor of the State of Texas does not with this person, it is a legitimate rea- Members of the United States Congress threaten anyone age 40 and over. What son, a question for you to say now, decided that they wanted to secure it does is enhances the opportunity for wait a minute, governor of the State of their future a little better than Social those who are 40 and under, it enhances Texas, what kind of path are you going Security secured it for them, that they their opportunity to avoid the moun- to lead us through? We are going wanted to get out of this category of a tain that this plane is headed towards. through some pretty tough mountain 1.23 percent return, they created the It allows those 40 and under to actu- country here. What kind of path? Any- Thrift Savings Plan that allowed them ally have a piece of the pie, to own body else been on this path? And the that ownership. And guess who one of some of the action, to be involved in answer would be yes, 21⁄2 million Fed- the supporters of that was? The Vice the investment decisions. Now, it is eral employees have walked through President. The Vice President’s policy true that some will make careless deci- this path. They have plowed the snow; at that point in time, when he was a sions, that some may decide to put all that is a plan that Federal employees Member of Congress, was to allow Con- of their 2 percent into the stock mar- get to participate in, and 21⁄2 million of gress and Federal employees to have ket, and they may lose it. them have chosen to do so. this thrift savings system where they Let us say over a short period of time And you know what, they are coming get the option of individual choice. on dollar averaging, the return could out on the other side of the mountains. How interesting that in 1988, the Vice come out shorter. The beauty of this And you know what, when they come President’s policy was that this is a plan and the beauty of the Thrift Sav- out, to date, those Federal employees good viable plan and today, even ings Plan is, no matter how badly you since 1988 have said, hey, this is a good though the plan has been a tremendous mess up in Thrift Savings because of system, including the Vice President of success, the Vice President says, oh, your own personal management, and the United States, who in 1988 endorsed my gosh, it is too volatile, we cannot you have the opportunity, I mean, you going on that different path. He sup- do this kind of thing. want higher risk, you get a higher re- ported it. And in January, he also ac- It is very, very simple, in my opin- turn, you have higher risk. No matter knowledged the returns were better, al- ion. It is very simple, and we should how bad you mess it up, the bulk of though today, the Vice President’s

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00110 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.226 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 May 23, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3637 policies are do not dare go on a new they deserve more. We owe them more. And in that Declaration, which is our path. We have got to stay on the same So colleagues, I hope all of you partici- heritage, it goes on to say we hold old path through these mountains. pate with me in this Social Security these truths to be self-evident that all Well, what we are saying is that debate. men are created equal, that they are same old path is bringing some pain to I look forward to debating any one endowed by their creator with certain some people. Those people 40 and over that wants to discuss the subject; but if inalienable rights that among these are are going to be able to walk the old you are a Federal employee, and I am life, liberty and the pursuit of happi- path just fine, because they are most of referring to all of the Congress people ness, that to secure these rights, gov- the way down it. They are almost to here today, if you are a Federal em- ernments are instituted among men de- the other side of the mountains, but ployee when you get ready to debate riving their just powers from the con- the young people in our country, those me, you better justify with me at the sent of the governed. people that are out there in the work- beginning of the debate, you better jus- Mr. Speaker, this Congress exists as place 40 and under, and those who are tify why it is okay for you to have a part of a continuum of representatives not old enough yet to work, they are Thrift Savings Plan that allows you who have come here throughout the going to have to start on this side. And management and ownership and inher- ages, and so many of us raised our the conditions are worsening on the itance rights under that plan, but it is right hand to say the words of our de- path. not good enough for the average work- sire to protect and defend the Constitu- Those 40 and over have missed the er, American out there, unless they are tion of the United States as my good snowstorm. There is now snow coming a Federal employee. friend, the gentleman from Colorado down on that path. We have got treach- If you cannot justify that at the be- (Mr. TANCREDO), spoke so well a few erous weather ahead, but we had an op- ginning of the debate, I win by default. hours ago, our purpose as Members of tion. And that, again, is what I stress I win the debate by default. I win the Congress, our first and foremost to de- to all of us tonight, put your politics argument by default. You know that fend the interests of the United States aside just for a little while and say and I know that. of America. does the Thrift Savings Plan work for In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, I urge all Now, certainly as Members of Con- me as a Federal employee? of you to go back to the American peo- gress, we can make the decision to see And there is not a one of you in this ple and say, look, it is time for new whether it is the interest of the Amer- room that will not say yes to that. Of leadership on Social Security. It is ican people to engage in trade with na- course, it works for you, or you would time for a slight change, not a dra- tions of the world, and we have done not be participating in it. And by the matic change. The sky is not going to that. Indeed, this House of Representa- way, you do not have to participate in fall down, but it is time we look be- tives has taken the position time after it. yond our blinders; it is time that we time that we should use trade as a Then the next question you would moved it just a little. Because if we means of exchange among the nations, logically asks if it works for me, why move it just a fraction, over a period of but at no time has this House ever do not we apply it to Social Security? time that angle becomes dramatically stood back and renounced its obliga- Why do we not try and take a plan that different and our airplane will not hit tion to uphold the highest of principles allows a worker to direct and partici- those mountains. pate in the management, a small per- Let us follow through with the fidu- upon which this country is based. centage of the money that is taken out ciary obligation we have to our people. I do not think there is a Member of of their payroll check and put it into Let us save Social Security, not just this House who came to Washington the Social Security system. for the next two generations, but for without being animated by those lively I intend to have several more discus- the next 15 generations so that those sentiments of faith in America, of hope sions with my colleagues on the floor generations can in turn save it for the in our country, of a belief in the Amer- in regards to Social Security. I think it next 15. ican dream, of wanting to share that is probably one of the top four issues f with everyone. And so when we cast a that should be discussed in every elec- vote on trade issues, we may do so with tion and every debate this season. PERMANENT MOST FAVORED the highest expectations, but we must And as it is brought up in debates, I NATION STATUS FOR CHINA do so with the proper dose of reality. would urge my colleagues, put aside The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. That is why, Mr. Speaker, I think it is the fear tactics, talk the numbers. We SWEENEY). Under the Speaker’s an- important that when we are looking at know factually that this plan, Social nounced policy of January 6, 1999, the all the promises and claims that are Security, if we stay on the same path, gentleman from Ohio (Mr. KUCINICH) is being made about the benefits of per- that in 2035, this plan will be actuari- recognized for 55 minutes. manent most favored nation trading ally bankrupt; we know that. You do Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, tonight status for China, that we look at the not argue it; we do not argue it. It is a I am going to be speaking about the recent history of the implementation fact. So use that in your debate. permanent most favored nation status of a major trade agreement which some We know that the seniors who are for China. And in the time that follows, Members of this Congress had the op- currently on the Social Security today I hope to demonstrate to the Members portunity to vote on, a major trade and those who are 40 and above face no of Congress why this legislation ought agreement which was promoted by the danger of losing their Social Security to be defeated tomorrow and why this current administration, a major trade benefits. You know that on this side; Congress needs to return to the roots of agreement known as the North Amer- we know that on this side. That is a our country, the historic roots which ican Free Trade Agreement, NAFTA, fact. Put it in there; list your facts in have been the result of people really that took effect with such great fan- this debate. caring about human rights, caring fare on January 1, 1994. We know that somebody has to about the rights of all people. change. Now, that is debateable. The When this country was founded, it b 2215 Democratic leadership, the Vice Presi- was founded by people who felt that, as dent’s policies are continuing down the the Declaration of Independence indi- In this report by Charles McMillion, same path. Our policies, our new pro- cates, it was necessary for people to he said it was ‘‘the first ever experi- posal is let us just change the path a dissolve the political bands which have ment in rapid and sweeping deregula- little. We are not saying change the connected them with another, and to tion of investment and trade policies path drastically; we are saying change assume among the powers of earth the between a low-wage developing country it a little. Go on the trail that has been separate and equal station to which the and highly industrial countries.’’ traveled before. Go on the trail that laws of nature and of nature’s God en- That seems at this moment as an has been successful. title them. A decent respect to the echo of what we are hearing in this de- Go on the trail that when those opinions of mankind require that we bate today over China, that it is still young workers get to 2035, they do not should declare the causes which impel another experiment in rapid and sweep- have to look at a return of 1.23 percent; them to the separation. ing deregulation of investment and

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00111 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.228 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 H3638 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 23, 2000 trade policies between a low-wage de- The calculations of NAFTA’s strong- are looking for. Recent history shows veloping country and a highly industri- est supporters show that even before that the current Chinese regime is alized country, the United States of NAFTA, wages associated with U.S. ex- completely incapable of reform on its America. ports to Mexico paid less than jobs dis- own. Consider the case of the 1992 Over 6 years later, we have the re- placed by U.S. exports from Mexico. memorandum of understanding be- turns from all the promises that were NAFTA’s investor guarantees, threats tween the United States and China on made from NAFTA. We remember of relocation and the size and growth of prison labor when China agreed to take those promises. As Mr. McMillion the Mexican labor force had an even measures to halt the export of products states in his report, ‘‘NAFTA advo- greater effect in depressing U.S. wages made with forced labor. According to a cates insisted that the agreement and profits. recent State Department report, and would create good U.S. jobs by pro- Now, I use this as a prologue to the this is a quote, ‘‘In all cases,’’ and that viding the U.S. a total trade surplus,’’ discussion about China, because trade is of forced labor identified by U.S. cus- and hear that word, they promised ‘‘a with China dwarfs trade with Mexico. toms, ‘‘the Chinese Ministry of Justice surplus in goods with Mexico of $50 bil- At this very moment, the United refused the request, ignored it, or sim- lion accumulated over NAFTA’s first 6 States annual deficit for trade with ply denied the allegations without fur- years.’’ But in the first 6 years, the Mexico is $70 billion. Since 1992, our ther elaboration.’’ U.S. has accumulated a trade deficit in trade deficit with China is over $350 bil- If America gives up its annual review goods with Mexico of about $93 billion. lion. Those are American jobs, and of China’s trade status, Congress will That deficit translates into a loss of they are not just shoes, they are not be unable to do anything about worker American jobs. So the promises of a $50 just handbags, they are high-tech jobs, rights there. Furthermore, giving billion surplus suddenly are turned which I am going to get into in a mo- China permanent MFN will be harmful into a $93 billion deficit. ment. to the U.S. economy, since the record McMillion goes on to say that What about permanent MFN status trade deficit with China and attendant NAFTA advocates expected the agree- with China? Contrary to what certain problems such as loss of U.S. jobs and ment to provide U.S. advantage over special interests are saying to Capitol lower average wages in the United the rest of the world in Mexico trade, Hill, it is neither necessary nor desir- States will worsen. For 1999, the trade assuring a U.S. trade surplus far into able to grant China permanent MFN deficit is likely to be nearly $70 billion. the future. During the first 6 years of trading status. Instead, Congress can Once China is awarded permanent MFN NAFTA, the U.S. suffered total current and should continue to review China’s and WTO membership, the trade deficit account losses to Mexico of $118 billion. trading status on an annual basis. Per- will worsen. The rest of the world enjoyed a surplus, manent MFN is not necessary. We In its September 30 report, the Inter- a surplus from Mexico, of $190 billion. know the WTO does not require that national Trade Commission concluded In his study, he points out that Mex- the U.S. grant China permanent MFN. that China’s accession to the WTO ico exported 621,000 cars, just to the In fact, the international trade agree- would cause an increase in the U.S. U.S., in the 12 months to June 1999, ment only requires that China receive trade deficit with China. As a matter of while the U.S. base producers were able MFN, but it does not specify that the fact, the news today is that this deal to export only 477,000 cars to the entire award be on a permanent basis. may actually hurt the trade deficit, world. The U.S. net export deficit with We could continue to review China’s and we all know that, that it will make Mexico for cars, light trucks and parts trading status on an annual basis and America’s already huge trade deficit reached $16.6 billion in 1998 and could satisfy the WTO. So long as the U.S. with China worse, rather than better. exceed $20 billion in 1999. The deficit does not allow the status to lapse, we This report from the Associated Press with Mexico for computers and com- would be in compliance without inter- economics writer, Martin Crutsinger, puter components reached $2.2 billion national trade obligations. There is no says opponents have gleefully seized on in 1998, and may reach $4 billion in legal reason requiring Congress to give the report by the U.S. International 1999. China permanent MFN status. That is Trade Commission to do their own Now, Mr. Speaker, I represent Cleve- just not my legal opinion, it is that of analysis, projecting the China deal will land, Ohio, in the Congress of the the Secretary of Commerce, William result in a loss of 872,000 American jobs United States. My community is a city Daley. At a news conference on Decem- over the next decade. of auto workers, of steelworkers, of ber 16, 1999, Secretary of Commerce That is 872,000 American jobs pro- people who work in industries con- Daley admitted to a reporter for a jected to be lost over the next decade. nected to aerospace, of small machine Washington trade journal that perma- Will those be jobs in Cleveland, Ohio? shops. It is a city which has a growing nent MFN is not legally necessary. Will those be jobs in New York? Will medical industry. It is a city which is However, the administration emphati- they be jobs in New Jersey? Will they trying to move towards high-tech. It is cally wants permanent status. be jobs in Pennsylvania, in Michigan, a city that I am proud to represent in Let me say why permanent status is throughout Ohio, in Wisconsin? Will the Congress of the United States, a not desirable. Permanent MFN for they be jobs in California? Will they be city which is an investment banking China will cost the U.S. the best lever- jobs in Texas? They will be jobs from and also insurance growth community. age we have to influence China to all over this country. But the jobs that made Cleveland, enact worker rights, human rights and A little bit later on, Mr. Speaker, I Ohio, great, indeed the jobs that made religious rights and protections. At the am going to address categorically this Nation a great Nation, were the current time, the U.S. buys about 40 where our high-tech industries are at jobs in steel, in automotive and in percent of China’s exports, making it a risk in this China trade deal. I will ad- aerospace, jobs which helped to protect consumer with a lot of clout. It is hard- dress categorically where labor rights this country through two world wars, ly that we are in a position of being a violations are taking place, and I will jobs which are part of our strategic in- helpless nation here. We still can and address categorically where human dustrial base, jobs which now we are should set the agenda. So long as the rights and religious persecution, finding through a single trade agree- U.S. annually continues to review Chi- human rights violations and religious ment, the North American Free Trade na’s trade status, we have the potential persecution is taking place. Agreement, jobs which began to slip ability to use access to the U.S. mar- Concluding for the moment, there is away, not only from Cleveland, but ket as leverage for gains in worker and no legal requirement to award China good paying jobs slipping away all over human rights. But once China is given permanent MFN. Permanent MFN the country. permanent MFN, we lose that leverage, would be a drag on the U.S. economy The U.S. net export losses to Mexico and China will be free to attract multi- and cost us the best leverage we have trade suggest a displacement of 378,000 national capital on the promise of to promote justice in China and higher wage U.S. goods producing jobs super low wages, medieval workplace throughout the world. So let us avoid a shifted to service producing jobs where conditions and prison labor. travesty. The President and the Speak- weekly wages are 38 percent lower, ac- Indeed, and unfortunately, that is er of the House and everyone should cording to the McMillion report. what some of our global corporations chime in and ask Congress to continue

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00112 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.231 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 May 23, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3639 its annual review of China’s trade sta- China. This deal is good for the Peo- wan, that it loses access to our mar- tus, and even at this late moment I ple’s Liberation Army of China, with- kets, they lose the PNTR. China will say, we can come together and approve out whose consent China could not not accept this; hence, it is unlikely unanimously of an annual review, but have made this deal. But while it is that the administration will accept it, China should not be given permanent good for the PLA, it is bad for Amer- and hence, it is unlikely that the Com- MFN status. ican security interests. mittee on Rules will accept it. I would At this point I would like to recog- There are three new developments. like to be pleasantly surprised in an nize my good friend the gentleman The first was brought up by the distin- hour or two, although I do not think it from California (Mr. SHERMAN), Mr. guished gentleman from Ohio, and that will happen. Speaker, if I may yield for a moment, is the report issued by the U.S. Inter- What does this mean to the Chinese? from Sherman Oaks, California, who so national Trade Commission. This is the It is sometimes said that China is in- ably represents not only that district, official government entity designed to scrutable to the United States, that it but the State of California in this Con- evaluate trade agreements. The study is hard for us to know what their sys- gress. I am honored to have the gen- was requested by U.S. Trade Represent- tem is doing. Trust me, we are at least tleman here this evening, and I am so ative Charlene Barshefsky, the chief as inscrutable to them. But how will grateful to have the opportunity to administration point person on negoti- they interpret the proceedings this share this forum with the gentleman. ating this deal. She asked for the week in this House? Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank study. The study came in and said, this An amendment was offered to say the distinguished gentleman from does not just make our trade deficit that if they invade Taiwan or blockade Ohio. with China permanent, it makes it big- Taiwan, they lose their trade privi- Mr. Speaker, I am for trade. I am for ger. Upon the release of the study, Ms. leges. That amendment, if it is re- engagement with China. I am for Barshefsky instead says that the study jected, sends the exact opposite signal. American involvement in international was premature. Well, that is obvious. A Who is to blame the Chinese hard-lin- organizations that took the lead in study that helps Congress reject this ers if they regard our decision this keeping us involved in the IMF. But I agreement is premature unless it is re- week to pass PNTR and not condition am against isolationism, I am against leased after we vote. it on whether Taiwan is blockaded or protectionism, and I am against this Mr. Speaker, this study came in right invaded, how are they to interpret deal. at the right time. It was commissioned that? They are educated in a Marxist I want to focus in the minutes that I by a trade representative who thought approach which says that corporations have on three new developments that it would show that this deal was good are all powerful. They look at this occurred today, that I hope Members for American working families. It House where they might see just a lit- listening at home or back in their of- proves the opposite. As the gentleman tle support for that proposition, and fices will focus on. But, before I do, I from Ohio clearly demonstrates, it they may very well conclude that their want to make a couple of comments costs us 872,000 jobs, but that is an new corporate allies will defend them building on what my distinguished col- underestimation, because all of the and defend open access to America’s league had to say. analysis of the U.S. Trade Commission markets even if they blockade Taiwan. The gentleman pointed out that this was done on the basis that China would They could reach that conclusion even whole WTO thing could take place at least adhere to the written docu- if some of us here who know this House without granting permanent most-fa- ment. They have not adhered to their better might reach the same conclu- vored-nation status to China. In doing other documents, and in a control and sion. so I think the gentleman focused on command economy like China, they do What conclusion will they reach what this deal is really about. It is not not have to. when their trade grows, not to $100 bil- about us getting access to their mar- Mr. Speaker, here in the United lion or $120 billion? They will reach the kets, it is about them having perma- States, we publish laws, and businesses conclusion that American corporations nent access to our markets. are free to do what they want as long are even more dependent and more Corporate America does not see as they do not violate those published powerfully willing to defend access to China as a great place to sell things; laws; and if our published laws violate the American markets, and that that they see it as a great place to make the WTO agreements, we get taken to access will continue even if they in- things to sell here. The best example of WTO court. In China, a telephone call vade or blockade. If they reach that that is the fact that India is virtually in the middle of the night from a conclusion, it is not their fault for mis- as large as China, and I have gone the commissar is all that it takes to get a interpreting us. It is our fault for being last 3 months without a single business business to do something else, and you ambiguous, because this House this organization saying, ‘‘Oh, my God, cannot take a late-night phone call to week can stand up and say that no ac- there are a billion consumers in India,’’ WTO court. You cannot even prove it cess to American markets will be because China offers not a billion con- ever existed. All that happens is that available if Taiwan is invaded or block- sumers, but the largest pool of near that Chinese businessperson decides aded, or we can do the opposite by re- slave labor available to those who want not to buy American goods. maining silent. to manufacture there and exploit the So the first and major development So assuming this bill comes to this market here. of the day is that the official govern- floor under a rule that does not allow consideration of the Berman-Weldon b ment agency that our trade representa- 2230 tive, the chief architect of this deal, amendment, we should expect that They are not willing to make the asked to evaluate the deal says this China will interpret this as a green major corporate investments in fac- deal is bad for American working fami- light and blockading Taiwan, bringing tories unless they are sure that they lies. It is going to cost 872,000 jobs, and Taiwan to its knees is relatively, un- will have permanent access to the I believe far more. fortunately, easy. American market. Those factories The second major development was During World War II, Hitler sent a ought to be built here. We should not the submission to the Committee on fleet of submarines to try to strangle be facilitating the construction of Rules of this House of the Berman- another island nation, Great Britain. them in China. Weldon amendment. The Committee on He was almost successful. But what Mr. Speaker, this deal is good for Rules is meeting now. I have been told does China have to do to blockade Tai- profits; it is bad for working American to expect that they will not allow that wan? All it needs is a press release. families. It is good for the central com- amendment to come before this House. Imagine a press release from Beijing mittee of the Communist Party of Why is that amendment so impor- announcing that the next oil tanker ar- China, which runs that country and has tant? The amendment simply states riving in a Taiwanese port will be a monopoly of power and endorses that that if China, after this agreement in struck by a Chinese missile. One press agreement; it is good for the Central joining trade relations with the United release, one missile. They may even de- Committee of the Communist party; it States, easy access to our markets, stroy one ship. Would you want to be is bad for those who seek freedom in that if China invades or blockades Tai- the captain of the second freighter or

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00113 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.232 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 H3640 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 23, 2000 oil tanker on its way to Taiwan? The the Yankees scored 6 runs in a ball b 2245 blockade is so easy for China to do, the game, could we conclude that the Mr. SHERMAN. Absolutely. We do only reason they do not do it is fear of Yankees won? not know how much worse things could American reaction, and if they can be Mr. SHERMAN. Not with today’s get in China. Yes, they are pressing confident of access to the American juiced baseball, you could not. bishops and Catholic and Protestant market. Well, I think we could call this Mr. KUCINICH. Right. Everyone workers in China now, but they have bill the Taiwan blockade authorization knows we have to know how many runs not publicly executed any of them be- act, because that is how it will be in- the Yankees’ opponents scored to know cause they are subject to annual re- terpreted in Beijing. if the Yankees’ 6 runs were enough to view. Mr. Speaker, we cannot put this win. If one is a Cleveland Indians fan If they have permanent trade rela- genie back in the bottle. The issue has one would, for sure. tions with the United States, then 3 or come before this House, and if we delib- Mr. Speaker, whether it is baseball or 10 or 20 executions, whether it be of erately cover our eyes to the possi- trade flows, people need to see both those practicing Christianity or those bility that trade relations would con- sides of the ledger. So what is the eco- practicing Buddhism in Tibet, would tinue while Taiwan was blockaded, nomic score? The U.S. imports from subject China not to the possibility of that is the green light the hard-liners China, much more than the exports to losing its trade relationship but only are waiting for. China, according to data collected by to a harshly written letter from the Mr. Speaker, we should be explicit in the U.S. Department of Commerce, the United States, a report outlining just this bill. Confusion and mis-com- U.S. has a trade deficit of upwards of how terrible these violations were. munication has started wars in the $70 billion for 1999 alone. So while it is When we look at China today and see past, even among trading partners. true that U.S. exports to China have how bad it is, we should not just look Look at World War I, for example. So increased, it is also true that imports at how bad it is or how much better it there is nothing but danger for our na- from China have increased much more. might get but how much worse it tional security interests bypassing a Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, if the might get. bill that implies without ever stating gentleman will yield, I will point out Mr. KUCINICH. Reclaiming my time, it that China will have access to our that we have given China most favored the gentleman is absolutely correct. markets even if it begins hostilities. nation status on an annual basis sev- Even with annual review, now think So this is an issue before this House; eral years in a row. Their 1999 imports about this because we have talked we cannot ignore it. from the United States are $1 billion about these things many times, even I see that the gentleman from Ohio less than 1998. So while their exports to with annual review, as our friend, the has a number of other points to make, the United States grows and grows and gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. KAPTUR) and I yield back to him. grows exponentially every year, our ex- has pointed out, the right to freedom of Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I thank ports to them actually shrunk. belief is explicitly denied to 60 million the gentleman for his learned presen- Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, re- members of the Communist party of tation. Certainly, the Berman amend- claiming my time, the gentleman has a China. The Falun Gong, thousands of ment would add a considerable element good point, and we know that there is their practitioners have been arrested. to this debate so as to indicate our in- more to the U.S.-China relationship I heard the gentleman from Virginia terest in seeing the aggressive nature than meets the eye. We have to look at (Mr. WOLF) on the floor today saying of Chinese military policy tamed. I the kind of goods the U.S. imports that eight Catholic bishops were ar- might add that our colleague, the gen- from China. rested. Now here we are on the very day we are talking about a medal for tleman from Virginia (Mr. WOLF), sent Now, contrary to the myth, the the Pope, who I greatly admire, cele- a communication today which shows United States does not just import brating his force for spiritual good in that China has recently received cruise shoes, but high-tech products from the this world, China is arresting Catholic missiles from Russia, a deployment of industries of tomorrow. In almost every major category of traded goods, bishops. 24 SSN 22 antiship cruise missiles on a Now, is it going to get better if we from agricultural commodities to ad- Chinese Sovremenny class destroyer as have no review, I would ask the gen- vanced technology products, the U.S. the most significant recent weapons tleman? What does the gentleman has a deficit with China. development by the People’s Libera- think? tion Army naval forces, according to We wonder, what does all of this Mr. SHERMAN. Well, right now the Navy officials, and this is in a mean? Well, China’s surpluses in every- China has been emboldened in a way Washington Times dispatch. These thing from corn to disk drives means that I did not think would occur this weapons, according to the headline, that there is not a market in China for particular month. Clamping down on give Beijing a boost in firepower. any American-made products. Lower the religious group that the gentleman I believe in what President Kennedy tariffs and nontariff trade barriers do pronounces so well, clamping down on said years ago when he said, ‘‘We not change the fact that China already both Catholics and Protestants, a thou- should not negotiate out of fear, but grows and manufactures more than sand nuns and monks expelled from let us never fear to negotiate.’’ So we their population consumes. So we can- their monasteries in Tibet, all in the need to negotiate with China. We need not expect current trends to reverse. weeks before we are supposed to vote. to engage with China, but perhaps Exports to China will increase; imports Imagine if this is the last vote. How what is in line here is a very long en- from China will increase much more. I many more Christian practitioners, gagement. think that when we consider why we how much more will they clamp down? Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, perhaps have this big push here for permanent Keep in mind the proponents of this we should have a long engagement be- trade status, let us look at it. deal postulate the idea that with in- fore we have a permanent marriage. Mr. Speaker, the large U.S. corpora- creased trade there will be a challenge Mr. KUCINICH. Precisely the point, I tions are the ones behind the push. to the monopoly power of the Com- say to the gentleman. Proponents of They want it so that they can invest in munist party of China. Now I do not permanent MFN for China like to say new factories in China, use China as think that challenge will occur, but if that once the U.S. gives permanent their export platform, low wages, no it does they will clamp down and do MFN to China, exports are going to worker rights, no human rights, no re- whatever it takes to maintain that mo- continue to grow. Since industries ex- ligious freedoms, no freedom of speech, nopoly power, and no matter how many porting to China employ Americans, no labor voice. They want to sell their executions occur, the worst the Ameri- permanent MFN must be good for products back to the U.S. with con- cans can do to them is a really tough America, that is what we are told. But fidence that Congress will not levy tar- letter and a really long report, but I really wonder if it is that simple. iffs or erect trade barriers in the fu- they will not lose a single penny. That For example, if the gentleman were ture. I mean, let us face it. Our ability is not a situation that is conducive to told, or if we were told that the to influence labor rights and human human rights in China. Yankees, I will say Yankees because rights depends on having an annual re- Mr. KUCINICH. I agree with the gen- they are in our American League, if view, I say to the gentleman. tleman. At the same time, we have to

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00114 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.234 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 May 23, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3641 look at the Chinese to know that the in which they hold up a cellular tele- admitting to me openly that the price Chinese people are our brothers and phone and say that China has 1.2 bil- of entry into the market in China was sisters. They are not cut off from the lion people who might use cellular tele- for Boeing to give China its prototypes grace of God. They are our brothers phones, implying that American work- for the most advanced aircraft manu- and sisters. And because they are our ers from coast to coast will be making facturing. So much for the tens of brothers and sisters, because they are cellular telephones and shipping them thousands of American jobs on the line people in China who are suffering under to China. at Boeing and now McDonnell Douglas. inhumane working conditions, slave I think the gentleman would agree The gentleman made a comment labor conditions, working for 3 cents that it is more likely that what Motor- about cellular phones. In this report, an hour making handbags, or a little ola sees there is 1.2 billion potential which talks about advanced technology bit more than that making electronic slave workers. They do not need them trade losses, they mentioned cellular equipment, we have a responsibility to all. They do not need slave workers, phones. In 1999, America imported stand up for human rights to review but 1.2 billion people anxious to work $98,517,366 worth of cellular telephones the conduct of their government. Now for 10 or 15 cents an hour who can make from China. the development of a new economic the cellular phones and ship them here. The gentleman from California (Mr. model in any government has to be Which does the gentleman think is SHERMAN) is an astute gentleman. How challenging, we recognize that, but more likely, that Motorola plans to much does the gentleman think the U.S. corporations have great power. make something here, paying union United States exported to China? We What is happening when they go to wages or high American wages, $10, $15, bought close to $100 million in cell China, it is as if they are averting their $20 an hour, and then sell the product phones from China. How much did eyes. They do not want to see what is to people who make 15 cents an hour? China buy from the U.S. in cell phones, happening, and yet when we see Motor- Or does the gentleman think there I would ask the gentleman? ola, figures available from 1996, now it might be more profits in making some- Mr. SHERMAN. I do not think we ex- is billions more since then, Motorola thing for 15 cents an hour and selling it port cell phones to China. I think we investing $1.2 billion in China; Atlantic to those Americans who still have good only export jobs to China. Richfield, $625 million; Coca Cola, a jobs? Mr. KUCINICH. So the gentleman’s half a billion dollars; Amoco, $350 mil- Mr. KUCINICH. As usual, the gen- answer would be none? lion; Ford Motor, $250 million; United tleman is right on the mark. We know Mr. SHERMAN. Zero. Technologies, $250 million; Pepsi Cola, that these major corporations are look- Mr. KUCINICH. The gentleman is $200 million; Lucent Technologies, $150 ing at China as a labor pool of 1.3 bil- correct. Is that your final answer, million; General Electric, $165 million. lion. though? Now granted, make multiples of that Here are some quotes that we pulled Mr. SHERMAN. That is my final an- and we will know the investment out from some of our major corpora- swer. If I can make a comment or two today. tions. Coca Cola Systems in China here. My first question is what is wrong spends about $600 million each year in Mr. KUCINICH. Please do. with investing in America? My father sourcing all of its raw materials and Mr. SHERMAN. Up until recently it fought in World War II, had his leg shot packages within China. Delphi Auto- was low-tech factories going to China out at a place called Bougainville, motive Systems aims to eventually to make low-tech products, the hand- spent all of his life with a limp and a close the gap between the Chinese bags the gentleman talked about. That silver plate in his leg like so many peo- automotive component industry and was because one could not invest a lot ple in that generation who fought for the world. Dow Chemical seeks to cre- of money in China if they were not sure this country, who fought for that flag, ate in China the large scale production that the products could come back to they did not fight for it so their grand- required to be a major supplier to cus- the United States because that was children would not be able to get a de- tomers in China and beyond. In East- why they were building the factory. cent job. They did not fight for it so man Kodak’s view, in a market such as Mr. KUCINICH. Correct. American corporations would forget China with the value of businesses ex- Mr. SHERMAN. Now that we give the red, white and blue and begin to pected to grow rapidly, local manufac- guaranteed permanent entry to the worship the great green god of the dol- turing is simply a better business U.S. market, multibillion dollar fac- lar bill as if that is the only value we model. Eastman Kodak’s China manu- tories, the kind that make the high- need to be worried about. facturing operations reflect Beijing’s tech products that we are still as of People fought to defend this country determination to create professional today competitive in, those can go to because we believe in basic human dig- enterprises which could displace im- China as well and pay 15 and 20 cents nity, because we believe in human ports and boost tax revenues. an hour. So it used to be that I was rights, because we believe in basic free- GE Shanghai Silicone’s factory will only worried about the capital flight, dom, because we believe in human lib- replace imports from the United that a billion dollar low-tech factory erty. That is something that we have States, and on and on and on. would be built in China when that believed in through more than 200 Now in the 10 minutes which we have same money might be available here to years of our existence as a Nation. left, I would like to continue this col- build a different kind of factory that That is something that men and loquy and as the gentleman was talk- could employ American workers and women have died for, and we are going ing about the cellular telephones, I perhaps even making a different prod- to give it away just with the signature looked at the index to this report by uct. and the stroke of a pen. Charles McMillion. It is a report which Especially our Republican colleagues That cannot happen. We cannot talks about China’s rapid leap into ad- are always talking about how we need stand here and watch while China is vanced technologies. It is really the more capital, how we have to encour- being used with all of its anti-demo- rapid leap of U.S.-based multinational age savings. Well, we could pass the cratic tendencies as an export platform corporations into the advanced tech- biggest tax bill designed to increase back to the United States, wiping out nologies. They talk about in the ad- savings and if it leads to another $30 millions, eventually, of American jobs, vanced technology products, the U.S. billion in savings, all of which are cor- good-paying jobs. And then where do now imports 64 percent more than it porations borrowing and investing in American workers stand when they exports. China, then we are exporting capital fight for their rights? Now everyone knows about the dif- for the purpose of exporting jobs, and Mr. SHERMAN. If the gentleman will ficulties we have had in steel, auto- we can imagine what effect that has on yield, I think he makes an excellent motive and aerospace. As a matter of wages. We have enough jobs in Amer- point. fact, when I first came to Congress, ica, but we need a situation where Mr. KUCINICH. Certainly. representatives from Boeing were there is the labor shortage that causes Mr. SHERMAN. The gentleman men- among the first in my office already those jobs to be paying a living wage. tioned Motorola, which is bombarding laying the groundwork for permanent Mr. KUCINICH. The gentleman is the country now with an advertisement trade status for China; and they were right. When the gentleman considers

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00115 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.236 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 H3642 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 23, 2000 where we are going in the future with rizing why it is essential that this ica are powerful enough to give them this 64 percent difference in imports amendment be included in anything permanent most-favored-nation status, and exports with China, earlier I men- that passed this House; otherwise, we at least that status will disappear tioned the score, let us look at some would be giving the green light to should they begin military action scores here. Camcorder, $176 million China to blockade Taiwan. against Taiwan. from China; $58,000 to China. Laser A second dear colleague I would like f printers, $101 million from China; zero to mention, this was delivered, I be- IMPACT OF ILLEGAL NARCOTICS that we sent to China. lieve, to every Democrat in the House, Mr. SHERMAN. So it is not just toys it is a letter that arrived just hours The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. and tennis shoes. ago from the President of the United SWEENEY). Under the Speaker’s an- Mr. KUCINICH. Oh, no. States, and I want to, time permitting, nounced policy of January 6, 1999, the Mr. SHERMAN. This is the kind of respond to a few comments in it, re- gentleman from Florida (Mr. MICA) is stuff that Americans could make com- spectfully, because they are from the recognized for 55 minutes. petitively. I have laser printers made President. Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased in the United States on my desk now. The one comment I would like to re- to come before the House again tonight This is not like little toys that sell for spond to is the argument that this is to apologize to the staff that is work- a buck or two. going to lead to higher wages in China. ing late into the evening, and appre- Mr. KUCINICH. Exactly. Here is an- The letter states, ‘‘More Chinese work- ciate the Speaker’s indulgence and other one. Laser printers with control ers will find jobs with foreign compa- other Members who are listening to- and printer mechanisms, $88 million nies where they will get better paying night. from China; zero from the United conditions, and Chinese companies will I always try to come before the States. More scores here. Radio be forced to compete. In China, you are House on Tuesday nights during these transceivers, $62 million from China; dealing with upwards of 700 million Special Orders to bring to the atten- zero from the United States. Going on, workers. How many more jobs would tion of the Members of the House of fax machines, $35 million from China; our investments in China have to cre- Representatives the Congress and also zero purchased in the United States. ate before we had an effect on the price the American people, the number one And it goes on and on and on in this re- of laborer the compensation of labor in social problem that we face, and that is port where all of these jobs where China?’’ the problem of drug abuse, illegal nar- China is being used as this export plat- My fear is that it is not when the cotics, and drug addiction in this coun- form for all of this high-tech but the President says that more Chinese try. real thing that will get, I think, every workers will find jobs in American- Over and over, I have repeated some American, listen to this. owned factories in China, that means of the statistics, and the statistics are fewer American workers will find jobs mind boggling. The National Office of b 2300 with American factories in the United Drug Control Policy and our Drug Czar Turbo jet aircraft engines, $3.7 mil- States. Barry McCaffrey have estimated that, lion from China, zero from the United Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, here is each year, over 52,000 Americans die di- States. Turbo prop aircraft engines, the point that comes off of what the rectly and indirectly as a result of nar- $1.5 million from China in 1999, zero gentleman from California is making cotics abuse in this country; that in from the United States. Radar designed in this few minutes that we have re- the last recorded report to the Con- for boat or ship installation, $1.5 mil- maining. We are all for the people of gress in 1998, in fact, 15,973 Americans lion from China, $8,000 from the United China being able to have workers’ lost their lives as a direct result of nar- States. Reception apparatus for radio, rights and have a decent living. It is cotics abuse. I have not yet seen the $1.3 million from China, zero from the pretty hard, though, when we have 1999 figures, but I am sure they are United States. labor activists that, the minute that even worse. Then we get into the military. Listen they start to organize, they go to jail. The situation is basically out of con- to this. Parts of military airplanes and I have a list here, a pretty long list, trol with 70 percent of those behind helicopters, we are buying this from of individuals who, the minute they try bars in our prisons and jails, incarcer- China, almost a half a million dollars, to start speaking about trying to get ated across this land are there because zero sold from the United States. Parts better wages out of these U.S.- multi- of some drug related offense. of aircraft gas turbines, almost $1 mil- national corporations based in China, The cost to our economy is in the lion from China, zero from the United they end up in jail. quarter of a trillion dollars a year States. Binoculars, almost $1 million, So I think that, again, Mr. Speaker, range. The destruction of lives, not zero from the United States. Rifles I want to thank the gentleman from only lost, but those left behind in fami- that eject missiles by release of air and California (Mr. SHERMAN) for his par- lies torn apart in the agony of drug gas, over $1 million, zero from the ticipation in this last hour. I think abuse, an addiction that so many fami- United States. that what we have been able to estab- lies have experienced, is devastating. Concluding on this part, and some- lish is that this Congress tomorrow Almost every report that we have thing that would really frost most ought to be voting to defeat permanent that comes before us today in our Americans, we are buying from China trading status for China. We should media, the account of a 6 year old kill- bombs, grenades, torpedoes, and simi- have an annual review. Let us keep ing a 6 year old, drugs were at the lar munitions of war. China engaged, but let us not turn heart of the problem of that family, Where are we going with this China away the only real lever that we have, and that 6 year old coming from a trade? It is time for America to pull and that is our ability to set the rules crack house. A 12 year old taking a gun back here and to reassess where we are through annual review. to school and threatening his class- going, how our national security is at Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman mates wanted to be with his mother risk, how our stand for human rights from California (Mr. SHERMAN) if he who was in jail on a prison charge. A 17 and workers’ rights is at risk, and how, would like a final word. year old who attacks at the National if we are to stand for anything as Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, one Zoo during the recent holidays, crowds Americans, we ought to stand for the other thing our colleagues should do of people, innocent bystanders, he interest of the United States first and when they first wake up tomorrow comes from a family involved in drugs, foremost. morning is ask their staff, is the Ber- a father and gangs involved in illegal Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, if I can man-Weldon amendment made in order narcotics. This story goes on and on. interject, I want to commend to our by the rule? If not, then if we go for- We can place the blame on a weapon colleagues, and I thank them for ward tomorrow, we are giving the or something else, but we do not pay watching us instead of those Friends green light for a blockade of Taiwan. attention, as I have stated before, to reruns on television, a dear colleague The least we could do to avoid the root problem in many, many of that I have addressed dealing with the miscommunication with China is to these instances, which is illegal nar- Berman-Weldon amendment, summa- tell them that, if their friends in Amer- cotics, drug abuse, and addiction.

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00116 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.238 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 May 23, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3643 Tonight, I want to pick up from spread of heroin has also affected other and not too many people will publicize where I left off last week and talk a bit parts of our population that have real- this, particularly at a sensitive time, about some of the impact of illegal ly not seen the ill effects of heroin in with elections in Mexico and elections narcotics. Now, we know in our land the past. This headline is from May 9 in the United States, but from 1997 to that nearly half of Americans have in USA Today and it says Heroin’s Re- 1998, in the most recent statistics we tried some type of form of illegal nar- surgence Closing Gender Gap. This ar- have of heroin seized in the United cotic, and we know that, in fact, using ticle says that girls are now becoming States, Mexican black tar deadly her- some illegal drugs such as marijuana the victims. Again, previously, this oin has increased some 20 percent in does lead to use of other types of ille- was limited to inner city populations just a 1-year period, again a dramatic gal narcotics. We have seen the results and also a male drug of choice. increase in heroin coming from our which are devastating in our commu- Let me quote from that USA Today neighbor to the south. nities. article, if I may. ‘‘Heroin’s reemer- According to the Drug Abuse Warn- I come from Central Florida. I rep- gence comes at a time when girls, far ing Network, again the acronym resent the area between Orlando and less likely than boys to drink, smoke DAWN, heroin-morphine related emer- Daytona Beach, probably one of the marijuana, or use harder drugs, such as gency department mentions in the most economic prosperous growing heroin, now appear to be keeping pace southern United States increased 165 areas in our country and one of the with them, says Mark Webster, a percent between 1990 and 1997. Heroin- most beautiful areas across our land, spokesman for the Federal Substance related drug treatment admissions in and that area has also been ravaged by Abuse and Mental Health Administra- the southern United States increased illegal narcotics, particularly heroin tion. Webster’s agency, after finding 13 percent between 1992 and 1997, ac- abuse. Heroin in the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s that existing drug prevention programs cording to DAWN’s treatment episode was somewhat limited to the inner cit- helped reduce drugs only among boys, data report. ies, to lower socioeconomic and minor- recently helped create an advertising Heroin use in the north central ity population abuse. It was intra- campaign called Girl Power to deliver United States is also on the increase. venously abused by drug addicts. The antidrug messages to girls.’’ So this is not just a regional problem, availability of heroin was really not Fortunately, in the billion dollar a limited regional problem to Florida that extensive in Central Florida or in campaign that Congress has funded to and the southeast or the Southwest, most areas of our Nation, again mostly deal with the emerging narcotics prob- but this report also details what is an inner city problem. lem on a multifaceted basis, we are going on in the north central States. starting to address this. But, nonethe- b 2310 Heroin-morphine related emergency less, there is an incredible explosion of department mentions increased some Most people did not pay attention to use among the female population and 225 percent in the major cities in the it. also among the youth population. north central United States in the pe- But in 7 short years of this adminis- I also began a week or two ago citing riod between 1990 and 1997. Chicago her- tration, we have seen the tide of heroin part of a report, and I wanted to refer oin-morphine related incidents in- coming into our States from the for- to it tonight. It is an interagency do- creased 323 percent in that same pe- eign production, predominantly Colom- mestic heroin threat assessment that riod. bia, in unprecedented quantities. In just came out about a month or two b 2320 fact, in 1992–1993, the beginning of this ago from the National Drug Intel- administration, there was almost no ligence Center in Johnstown, Pennsyl- St. Louis morphine and heroin-re- production of heroin in the country of vania. That interagency domestic drug lated deaths increased some 350 percent Colombia, and today Colombia ac- assessment had some interesting new from 105 in 1990 to 472 in 1997. And then counts for 75 percent of the heroin. data that I would like to make part of this report also details the Northeast That heroin is finding its way into our the record tonight and also call to the United States statistics and what is streets and our neighborhoods, our attention of the American people and been happening with heroin in that schools, and now our young population. the Congress. area of the country. According to this I have a copy of a recent May 8 head- First of all, this report talked about report, heroin-related emergency de- line, and it says Suburban Teen Heroin heroin use in the United States of partment admissions increased 116 per- Use on the Rise. So what was confined America and particularly in the West. cent between 1990 and 1997 in the to our inner cities, what was confined According to the Drug Abuse Warning Northeast United States. to hard addicts is now really becoming Network, which is also known as Heroin-related drug treatment ad- a plague upon our teenagers and those DAWN, heroin-related emergency de- ministrations increased 50 percent be- in our suburban communities. partment mentions in the western tween 1992 and 1997 according to the In my area of Central Florida, we United States increased some 28 per- DAWN episode data report. The most have had headlines that have blurted cent in recent years; heroin-related significant increase according to this out that heroin overdose deaths and deaths between 1993 and 1996 rose in all report was in Buffalo, New York, where drug deaths now exceed homicides. And 12 States of the western region during heroin-related emergency department the same, unfortunately, is true in that time frame. In Oregon, the State mentions increased some 344 percent many other areas of our land. Medical Examiner’s office reports an from 106 in 1990 to 471 in 1997. Part of this article, which is just sev- average of five people a week died of I think a very interesting report that eral weeks old, says, and let me quote, heroin-related causes in the first 6 does show the dramatic increase of ‘‘Heroin is back. It’s cheaper, more po- months of 1999. drug use and abuse particularly heroin tent, and more deadly than ever, said To further look at some of the more across the United States and that dead- Bob Weiner, an aide to White House recent statistics and data in this re- ly substance and what its effect is hav- drug policy director Barry McCaffery.’’ port, and again focusing on the western ing in cities that my subcommittee has And what he is saying is, in fact, that part of the United States, the report examined is quite remarkable. I want the heroin on our streets today, as op- says that seizures at the southwest to use tonight the example again of posed to the heroin in the 1970s, even border increased from 52 events and Baltimore, Maryland. Our Sub- the 1980s, is of a much purer, much 103.8 kilograms seized in 1997 to 80 committee on Criminal Justice, Drug more deadly content, sometimes reach- events and 145.9 kilograms in 1998. Policy and Human Resources recently ing 70, 80 percent purity. What is interesting about the heroin conducted an oversight and investiga- In my area in particular they are get- that we see coming in from this area is tions hearing in Baltimore. ting very pure heroin, and that is dead- not only do we have the Colombian Baltimore is really one of the most ly heroin. That is why it is killing our heroin that almost did not exist at the historic and beautiful cities on our young people and others in such incred- beginning of this administration, we eastern coast, and Baltimore for nearly ible numbers. now have, in double digits, very strong, a decade had a mayor with a very lib- Unfortunately, this report talks very pure, very deadly black tar heroin eral attitude towards illegal narcotics, about teenagers, but, in fact, the coming from Mexico. Mexico, in fact, a liberal needle exchange program, a

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00117 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.240 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 H3644 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 23, 2000 lack of enforcement of narcotics laws tion, a Vice Presidential task force these lines on the chart in fact show that are on the books of not only Balti- lead by former Vice President Bush, in the trends here with illegal narcotics more but also this State of Maryland which they went after illegal narcotics use. This line, the top line, is lifetime and a lack of cooperation in going after as they were leaving the source coun- use. The red center line is annual use. drug users and abuser. That type of ac- tries in a tough interdiction policy, The third line is 30 day use. tion has related in an incredible record utilizing in fact in a war against drugs Again, if we take this back to the of drug addiction in Baltimore. all the resources of the United States, Reagan-Bush era, we are coming with a Baltimore is an example of a city and we see that in the Reagan adminis- reduction in 1992, with the election of whose population has gone down, down, tration. the President Clinton, with the just- and down from over 900,000 to some- And again this is untouched. I have say-maybe, with the appointment of a where in the 600,000 range, while the only added the names of the adminis- Surgeon General, the chief health offi- addiction population has gone from tration and put a little divider in here cer of the United States, saying just- somewhere about 39,000 in 1996 to some to show where they began and ended. say-maybe, with a White House which estimated 70,000 or 80,000. In fact, one But you see a successful multifaceted had so many people in its employ that of the city council members was re- war on narcotics. Again, the source had recent drug abuse histories and cently quoted saying that one in eight country, reduction, interdiction, use of problems that the Secret Service in- individuals, citizens of Baltimore are all of our resources in that effort, a sisted on a drug testing program. That now addicted and primarily to heroin. President that said, in fact, we will was one of the reasons that they in fact This is a city whose experiment is a have a full war on drugs, two Presi- wanted to do away with some of the failure. This is a mayor whose legacy is dents that said that, and we see the background checks for White House death and destruction and addiction. If success. employees, is because they were not this was replicated across the United Now, many will tell you that the war passing them, and only after the Secret States, we would have tens and tens of on drugs is a failure, but I submit that Service insisted on instituting a drug millions of our population addicted. the war on drugs began failing at the testing program for White House em- Again, a liberal policy possibly well in- beginning of the Clinton administra- ployees did we see any change there. tended, but the liberalization in fact tion, when we saw the dismantling of But in fact some of these people were did not work, and it has addicted an in- the source country programs, the gut- setting the policy. credible percentage of the population ting of the Andean strategy, the dis- You see again upward movement in of Baltimore. mantling of use of the military against all of these areas through the Clinton I am pleased that after the hearing illegal narcotics, the closedown of sur- Administration of 12th graders in drug that we conducted there and after the veillance operations that provided in- use. Here again you see the leveling off, testimony of the police chief, the po- formation to our allies in the war on the beginning of the period in which lice commissioner of the city of Balti- drugs. So we see the total failure and the Republicans took control of both more who really had a lackadaisical at- the very direct closedown of a war on the House and the Senate and some of titude towards enforcement and going drugs. the efforts that were put into place in after open air drug markets and after If you want to talk about a war on restarting some of those programs. So his testimony was heard by the mayor drugs that was a success, you need only you see a beginning of a leveling off in and others that he was, in fact, dis- look at the Reagan/Bush era. If you that period. missed. It is my hope that the new look at when you had a failure on the This again is a statistic that I cited mayor, Mayor O’Malley, and I am war of drugs, it is when you dismantle tonight in the news report about subur- pleased to see that he is considering a piece by piece directly the war on ille- ban teen heroin use, and gave the head- new policy, a cleanup campaign for gal narcotics. line from a few weeks ago. This shows Baltimore that I hope will be unprece- The only change we see here is with in 1996, again, when we took over the dented. the coming of the Republican-con- House of Representatives, the situation Baltimore has suffered this level of trolled, the new majority in Congress, that we inherited as far as suburban addiction, has also consistently experi- that we began putting some of these teen use. This is the situation we are enced a high level of deaths per popu- programs back together again. And we now faced with, a flood of heroin com- lation, over 300 deaths in each of the have only begun to see a leveling off ing in, predominantly from Colombia, last 3 years in Baltimore. And we com- with that effort. but also from Mexico, as I mentioned. pare that to New York City, some 650, But, in fact, one of our major prob- Colombia and Mexico are probably two 670 deaths, the last several years. New lems is that even authorizations by the of the crowning failures of this admin- York City with a zero tolerance policy Congress are ignored by this adminis- istration and resulting in the incred- has cut the murders by some 60 per- tration. Let me just put up a couple ible volume of heroin coming into the cent. They cut the overall top felony more charts, if I may. United States. record in that city by some 58 percent Tonight I was talking about update Time and time again, this adminis- with Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s zero-toler- on heroin, heroin use and its preva- tration has thwarted, as I said, both ance policy. lence. Again, you see a leveling and legislative directives and appropria- But, in fact, Baltimore is an example some decline during the Reagan admin- tions to stop heroin production in Co- of a city who attempted a severe legal- istration. During the Bush administra- lombia. The entire Colombia scenario ization and liberalization of drugs and tion, you see a concerted effort and a started in 1994 when this administra- experienced, in fact, an unmitigated reduction. And then you see a dramatic tion closed off information sharing disaster. increase practically off the chart in the with Colombia. That measure, which That is a little bit of where we are Clinton administration. When you do was opposed, I must say by even Demo- and an update of what is happening not have a multifaceted approach, crats and all of the people on my side with the heroin across our land. when you do not stop illegal drugs at of the aisle, but it outraged everyone, Again, I would like to point out to their source or before they come to our because it brought an end to informa- my colleagues and the American people borders, these statistics cite what hap- tion sharing with our allies, Colombia, that, in fact, we know what does work pens and very graphically show why we Peru and other countries, and was the in the area of drug abuse. I am sure the have an incredible amount of heroin on beginning of the end of a policy that liberal colleagues all choke when they our streets, why we have the reports had begun to make some dramatic see this chart come up, because the like I just read. changes in Colombia. chart is probably the most graphic evi- If you remember in Colombia, steps b dence of a policy of success in the 2330 had been taken to dismantle some of Reagan and Bush administration when The same thing happens with our the drug cartels, and we were on our there was a real multifaceted war on il- young people. This shows 12th grade way to bringing that Nation into some legal narcotics. When we had source drug use. The first chart we showed balance. All that fell apart with the be- country programs, an Andean strategy was lifetime prevalence of drug use. ginning of ending surveillance informa- devised under the Reagan administra- But each of these charts and each of tion sharing.

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00118 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.242 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 May 23, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3645 The next mistake by this administra- the tremendous volume of heroin com- maritime actions and surveillance op- tion was in fact to decertify Colombia ing across our borders, I wanted to re- erations were cut by some 62 percent. without a national interest waiver, port some of the other statistics that So that is why we have a flood of her- which meant that even equipment and we found relating to this new phe- oin coming into this area. We do not resources which the Congress had ap- nomena. have these locations that are starred here and circled here, which we in- propriated would be denied to Colom- b 2340 bia. In fact, when you do not have any tended as substitutes for the Panama war in Colombia or effort by the United The number of heroin users in the operation in place or fully operational. States to stem the production of illegal United States has increased, again, ac- At this time we have in Manta, Ecua- narcotics, when you do not have equip- cording to the last chart I showed, dor an air strip. We have just signed a ment and resources going in to that re- from 500,000, half a million in 1996 to 10-year agreement after a year delay; gion to eliminate the production of the 980,000 in 1999; and we know exactly but unfortunately, there is somewhere crop, to eliminate the transshipment where that heroin is coming from. We in the neighborhood of $80 million to from the source zone, and you do not know why that heroin is coming into $100 million in work that has to be use the military and others to provide the United States. done, and an outdate of the year 2002 information and surveillance back to One of the interesting statistics in before this operation will become fully the source country to stop the illegal this report was that the rate of first capable of functioning. We have in Cu- narcotics and interdict them as they use by children age 12 to 17 increased racao and Aruba a limited amount of come out, this is the result that we see, from less than 1 in 1,000 in the 1980s to coverage from that location, and the is an incredible volume of heroin com- 2.7 in 1,000 in 1996. First-time heroin star here in El Salvador, we have no ing into the United States at lower users are getting younger, from an av- operations in that location. We are just cost, at higher and more deadly purity erage age of 26 years old in 1991 to an in the process of concluding an agree- levels, and we see now suburban teen average age in 1997 of only 17 years of ment which must be presented to their heroin use on a dramatic rise in the age. legislature. United States. Again, it can be traced Again, I have cited the failure of this When we get through with this, we to Colombia and also to Mexico. administration’s policy in curtailing are probably looking at $150 million. Another failure in this administra- some 60, 70 percent of the heroin com- Now, we lost $10 billion in assets to tion’s policy, which in fact certified ing in, which is produced in Colombia Panama, were kicked, basically, out of Mexico as cooperating when Mexico now and, again, almost none produced Howard Air Force base, so we have no has done everything to the contrary there in 1992, through 1993; 17 percent drug operations in that location. We but assist the United States, failing to of the heroin in the United States now only have a fraction of the former drug extradite even a single Mexican drug coming from Mexico. We know, looking surveillance flights, so there is a frac- dealer after dozens and dozens of extra- at this map, we have Colombia, which tion of the information getting to stop dition requests, failing to sign or nego- is the source of most of the heroin; we illegal narcotics. Of course, we know tiate a maritime agreement, which this know that it is leaving this area. the history of the administration Congress just several years ago insisted We also know that since we have in- blocking aid and equipment to Colom- that Mexico do as a part of its coopera- stituted very successful programs in bia. Repeated requests for 5 years to tive effort to eliminate narcotics traf- Peru and Bolivia where they have cut get Black Hawk helicopters to Colom- ficking, failing to allow our agents to coca production and cocaine produc- bia which can operate in high alti- adequately arm and protect them- tion by some 50 to 60 percent in this tudes, eradicate crops, go after drug selves, and also keeping a limit of just area through a successful program set traffickers, and we know that the a handful of DEA agents in that coun- up by the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. narco-traffickers who were involved in try. They do not want drug agents in HASTERT), the previous Chair of the drug production are also financing the that country, because the corruption Subcommittee on Drug Policy, those civil war in that country in which from the police level to the President’s successful programs, coupled with the some 35,000 people have been slaugh- office and throughout the states of failure of the administration’s program tered; 5,000 police, elected officials, su- Mexico has in fact run rampant, and in to institute the same type of actions in preme court members, members of fact Mexico has thwarted again all of Colombia, again, even though the Con- their congress have been slaughtered; our efforts at enforcement, going so far gress appropriated funds; even though and yet we have not been able to get as in the largest operation in the hemi- the Congress directed those programs even basic equipment in there in the sphere, probably the history of this to take place in Colombia, we now have form of helicopters that have been hemisphere, to go after corrupt money some 80 percent of the cocaine pro- promised for some number of years laundering in Mexico, operation Casa duced and coca produced in Colombia. now. Even when that equipment was Blanca, where Mexican officials threat- So we know we need Colombia covered delivered at the end of last year, after ened the arrest of United States cus- as far as surveillance information, as numerous delays, it was delivered there toms officials and others involved in far as knowing where drugs are coming without the proper armoring and with- bringing to justice Mexican and U.S. from, as far as going after drugs at out the proper ammunition. and other banking officials who were their source. Mr. Speaker, we found that some of involved in that huge money laun- Unfortunately, in May of last year, the ammunition that we had been re- dering scheme. the surveillance flights stopped from questing for years to get down to Co- So, another failure, a failure in Co- our major forward operating location lombia to go after the drug traffickers lombia, now a source of 70 to 80 percent in the Caribbean, that was in Panama, was, in fact, delivered to the loading of the heroin. Again, almost zero was and of course the United States, it is dock of the State Department during produced in 1992–1993. Further, Mexico, now history, was forced to remove all the Christmas holidays; and now we after giving Mexico incredible trade of its operations, turn over $10 billion find, even more disturbing, that some benefits, financial benefits, opening in assets to Panama, close down its of the bulk of the ammunition that has our borders to Mexico, in fact this ad- antinarcotics flights from that area. been supplied to Colombia is outdated, ministration had failed to gain their This chart that I have here shows the possibly dangerous, 1952 ammunition cooperation in the devastation that is patchwork that is being put together that was purchased by the State De- raining on our communities, and a 20 by the administration in trying to re- partment in a bungled procurement. percent increase in black tar Mexican place what we had in Panama. Panama This is a very sad picture, but it is a heroin on our streets in a 1 year period had a strategic location and could very true picture of what has taken of time. cover all of this region with flights out place. Again, this is not in place, this Mr. Speaker, as I continue talking of that area. Unfortunately, between is what is proposed, but this accounts about the drug narcotic problem and I 1992 and 1999, one of our more recent for the flood of heroin coming into the focus some on heroin tonight and also reports that we requested showed that United States out of that transit on teen use of heroin, which we have the administration had cut these through Mexico, through the Carib- seen a dramatic increase in, and also flights some 68 percent. Additionally, bean. Much of it, we found in recent

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00119 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.244 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 H3646 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 23, 2000 hearings, is transshipped through major failures of U.S. foreign policy, there have been some serious mistakes Haiti. Here is another incredible fail- some of it through Haiti, another fail- made by this administration, by the ure of this administration, spending ure of policy, we now have an incred- Congress when it was controlled by the some $3 billion, one of the most far- ible meth and crack epidemic in many other side from 1992 to 1994. cical foreign policy adventures in the parts of our country. The chemical It is a difficult task to pick up hump- history of the entire Western Hemi- that helps produce this, and meth ty-dumpty, so to speak, and put it back sphere. gangs in our hearings have produced together. It is a difficult task to con- Mr. Speaker, after repeated pleas some incredible results and docu- duct a war on drugs after a war, in fact, with President Clinton, I came to this mentation, the meth dealers and the has been dismantled. floor many times saying, we cannot meth product is coming out of Mexico I am pleased that the Republican- impose an economic embargo on a to communities like Iowa and we will controlled Congress has dramatically country where people are making less be going out there to do a hearing increased the funding of programs than a dollar a day, where the country shortly, our subcommittee. We held across the board in a very balanced is basically operating with 60,000 to hearings in Sacramento, in that area of fashion. The success that we knew in 80,000 manufacturing jobs by U.S. busi- the State, and San Diego. Meth the Reagan and Bush administration nesses who have invested in that coun- epidemics, incredible tales of how when drugs were going down, according try, imposing an embargo that closed methamphetamines destroys people’s to charts not produced by me but uni- down industry, manufacturing, private lives, causes them to abandon their versities and others, very competent sector activity through the entire pop- children. It is far worse than the crack sources, showed that that was a suc- ulation on to a Clinton-style welfare epidemic that we had in the 1980s, and cessful program. So this Republican- program which we are now supporting, meth does incredible damage to people, controlled Congress has increased and Haiti is a country in which tax- causes them to commit bizarre acts. source country programs back to the 1992 levels, the 1991 levels. payers of the United States not only What was interesting, again these Interdiction, we are trying to bring got into this subsidization and welfare two charts show the meth epidemic and crack epidemic across this country, is the military back in to this program. because the Clinton policy destroyed The military does not arrest anyone. It the economy, but we now see Haiti as that we have had in our Subcommittee on Drug Policy criminal justice drug merely provides surveillance informa- the major transshipment point through tion. And reinstitute forward operating policy scientists who show us what the Caribbean in a lawless society locations which have been dismantled which, just within the last number of meth does to the brain. Tonight, as we get towards the end, I under this administration and allowed hours, has conducted an election and that incredible volume of hard, deadly, we will see how that goes. In the mean- wanted to show a little bit to the Mem- bers of Congress and others who are more pure drugs come in to our border. time, the puppets that we have put in We have begun a billion dollar un- watching what takes place. This is a place have slaughtered people in un- precedented match by a billion dollars scientific brain scan presented again to precedented numbers; and chaos reigns in donated time; a national media cam- our subcommittee. It shows the normal on the island, which is now open to paign which is one year underway; and brain here, and we see a lot of the yel- drug traffickers. we are working to improve that. We low here. This would be the normal b 2350 are trying to fund treatment and pre- brain pattern. Then it shows a gradual vention programs at an unparalleled We had before our subcommittee reduction in dopamine, which is so im- level, in fact have dramatically in- some videotapes of drug traffickers portant to brain function, because of creased the Federal funding for treat- landing at will and transshipping her- meth use. This is additional meth- ment programs and again put in place oin and other illegal narcotics, co- amphetamine use. The only thing a ha- hopefully a balanced approach to the caine, through Haiti, again where we bitual methamphetamine user has dif- problem of illegal narcotics. spent hundreds of millions of dollars ferently from this last brain scan, if we It is my hope, Mr. Speaker, that we supposedly building judicial institu- look at that, is a tiny bit of brain capa- can work, as we conclude the 13 appro- tions, police forces and other expendi- bility left. The last scan is severe priation bills, in funding a real effort tures to so-called nation build that Parkinson’s’s disease. So meth de- against illegal narcotics, a real war have been a complete failure. stroys the brain and brain function. It against illegal drugs as a multifaceted So this is why we have unprecedented is not something that regenerates, ac- project in the Congress because we quantities of heroin coming into the cording to the scientists. have 13 appropriation bills and many of United States. It would be bad enough This is a very graphic illustration of them deal with pieces of this puzzle. if we just had heroin and cocaine, but the destruction of the human mind, the Putting it back together, in fact, is im- these charts which I showed last week, brain, and it accounts for the incred- portant. We have stalled in getting the I would like to bring up again tonight, ible acts of violence, the spouse abuse, money to Colombia and that is a hor- and again I did not produce them. The the child abuse, the abandonment of rible mistake and shame on both sides administration’s own Commission on family and life as we know it when peo- of the aisle. Shame on this administra- Sentencing brought these to our sub- ple become addicted and their brain is tion and this President for not getting committee and it shows crack in yel- destroyed by methamphetamine. that package here in a timely fashion low and the darker color here is meth- Unfortunately, as I said also, heroin, and acting on it. We know that heroin amphetamine and it shows 1992 almost which has such a glamorous connota- is coming from Colombia and Mexico not on the charts. The prevalence in tion today, is more deadly than it has and we must stop illegal narcotics at 1993 begins to increase with the advent ever been. In the 60, 70 percent purity their source. of this administration; 1994, it becomes levels, when mixed with other sub- f an even broader pattern across the stances, it is accounting for incredible United States; 1995, spreads even fur- record numbers of deaths across the REPORT ON RESOLUTION PRO- ther. One would think this was some- United States. When used sometimes VIDING FOR FURTHER CONSID- thing put out by the Republican Na- by first-time users it results in fatali- ERATION OF H.R. 4444, AUTHOR- tional Committee here as propaganda ties and drug-related deaths at record IZING EXTENSION OF NON- but, in fact, these are the charts that levels. The only thing that has kept DISCRIMINATORY TREATMENT were given to us by the administra- our level of heroin deaths at a gradual (NORMAL TRADE RELATIONS tion’s own Sentencing Commission. increase in deaths and not even higher TREATMENT) TO PEOPLE’S RE- Look at the prevalence of crack in records is the ability now to provide PUBLIC OF CHINA 1996 and methamphetamines, 1997; 1998 anecdote medical treatment, emer- Mr. SESSIONS, from the Committee reaching epidemic proportions. We not gency treatment. However, admissions on Rules, submitted a privileged report only have heroin epidemics in parts of for overdoses are, in fact, soaring, as I (Rept. No. 106–636) on the resolution (H. the country, an increase as a result cited, throughout every region of the Res. 510) providing for consideration of again of this huge influx coming from United States. Unfortunately, it is not the bill (H.R. 4444) to authorize exten- Colombia and also from Mexico, two a very pretty picture. Unfortunately sion of nondiscriminatory treatment

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00120 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.246 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 May 23, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3647 (normal trade relations treatment) to Mr. ROHRABACHER, for 5 minutes, ting Cumulative report on rescissions and the People’s Republic of China, which today. deferrals, pursuant to 2 U.S.C. 685(e); (H. Doc. No. 106—246); to the Committee on Appro- was referred to the House Calendar and f ordered to be printed. priations and ordered to be printed. ENROLLED BILLS SIGNED 7777. A letter from the Acting General f Counsel, Department of Defense, transmit- Mr. THOMAS, from the Committee ting proposed legislation, ‘‘to Reimburse REPORT ON RESOLUTION PRO- on House Administration, reported Military Recruiters, Senior ROTC Cadre, and VIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF that that committee had examined and Military Entrance Processing Personnel For H.R. 3916, TELEPHONE EXCISE found truly enrolled bills of the House Certain Parking Expenses’’; to the Com- TAX REPEAL ACT of the following titles, which were mittee on Armed Services. 7778. A letter from the Secretary of De- Mr. SESSIONS, from the Committee thereupon signed by the Speaker: fense, transmitting the approved retirement on Rules, submitted a privileged report H.R. 154. An act to allow the Secretary of and advancement to the grade of general on (Rept. No. 106–637) on the resolution (H. the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture the retired list of General Lloyd W. Newton, Res. 511) providing for consideration of to establish a fee system for commercial United States Air Force; to the Committee the bill (H.R. 3916) to amend the Inter- filming activities on Federal land, and for on Armed Services. other purposes. 7779. A letter from the Executive Director, nal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the H.R. 834. An act to extent the authoriza- Emergency Oil & Gas Guaranteed Loan excise tax on telephone and other tele- tion for the Historic Preservation Fund and Board, transmitting the Board’s final rule— communications services, which was the Advisory Council on Historic Preserva- Emergency Oil and Gas Guaranteed Loan referred to the House Calendar and or- tion, and for other purposes. Program; Conforming Changes (RIN: 3003– dered to be printed. H.R. 1832. An act to reform unfair and anti- ZA00) received April 25, 2000, pursuant to 5 competitive practices in the professional U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on f boxing industry. Banking and Financial Services. 7780. A letter from the Assistant Secretary, f LEAVE OF ABSENCE Occupational Safety and Health Administra- By unanimous consent, leave of ab- SENATE ENROLLED BILL AND tion, Department of Labor, transmitting the sence was granted to: JOINT RESOLUTION SIGNED Department’s final rule—Nevada State Plan; Mr. CAPUANO (at the request of Mr. Final Approval Determination [Docket No. The SPEAKER announced his signa- T–033] received April 18, 2000, pursuant to 5 GEPHARDT) for today on account of at- ture to enrolled bills of the Senate of U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Edu- tending Congressman WEINER’s broth- the following titles. cation and the Workforce. er’s funeral. 7781. A letter from the Director, Regula- S. 1836. An act to extend the deadline for Mr. LARSON (at the request of Mr. tions Policy and Managment Staff, FDA, De- commencement of construction of a hydro- partment of Health and Human Services, GEPHARDT) for today on account of at- electric project in the State of Alabama. transmitting the Department’s final rule— tending Congressman WEINER’s broth- S.J. Res. 44. An act supporting the Day of Code of Federal Regulations; Technical er’s funeral. Honor 2000 to honor and recognize the serv- Amendments [Docket No. 00N–1217] received Mr. PEASE (at the request of Mr. ice of minority veterans in the United States April 13, 2000, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. ARMEY) for after 11:00 a.m. today until Forces during World War II. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Commerce. 4:00 p.m. May 24 on account of personal f 7782. A letter from the Director, Office of reasons. Congressional Affairs, Nuclear Regulatory BILLS PRESENTED TO THE Commission, transmitting the Commission’s f PRESIDENT final rule—Energy Compensation Sources for SPECIAL ORDERS GRANTED Mr. THOMAS, from the Committee Well Logging and Other Regulatory Clari- on House Administration, reported fications (RIN: 3150–AG14) received April 24, By unanimous consent, permission to 2000, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the address the House, following the legis- that that committee did on the fol- Committee on Commerce. lative program and any special orders lowing date present to the President, 7783. A communication from the President heretofore entered, was granted to: for his approval, bills of the House of of the United States, transmitting Progress (The following Members (at the re- the following titles: toward a negotiated settlement of the Cy- prus question covering the period February quest of Mr. KLECZKA) to revise and ex- On May 22, 2000: H.R. 3707. To authorize funds for the con- 1–March 31, 2000, pursuant to 22 U.S.C. tend their remarks and include extra- 2373(c); (H. Doc. No. 106—247); to the Com- neous material:) struction of a facility in Taipei, Taiwan suit- ´ able for the mission of the American Insti- mittee on International Relations and or- Ms. VELAZQUEZ, for 5 minutes, today. tute of Taiwan. dered to be printed. 7784. A letter from the Assistant Secretary Mr. PALLONE, for 5 minutes, today. H.R. 3629. To amend the Higher Education for Legislative Affairs, Department of State, Mr. ETHERIDGE, for 5 minutes, today. Act of 1965 to improve the program for Amer- transmitting certification of a proposed li- ican Indian Tribal Colleges, and Universities Mr. BAIRD, for 5 minutes, today. cense for the export of defense articles or de- under Part A of title III. Ms. BROWN of Florida, for 5 minutes, fense services sold commercially under a today. f contract to Australia [Transmittal No. DTC Mrs. CLAYTON, for 5 minutes, today. ADJOURNMENT 010–00], pursuant to 22 U.S.C. 2776(c); to the Mr. BLUMENAUER, for 5 minutes, Committee on International Relations. today. Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I move that 7785. A letter from the Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs, Department of State, Mrs. JONES of Ohio, for 5 minutes, the House do now adjourn. transmitting certification of a proposed li- today. The motion was agreed to; accord- ingly (at 12 o’clock a.m.), the House ad- cense for the export of defense articles or de- Mr. SHERMAN, for 5 minutes, today. fense services sold commercially under a Mr. OBEY, for 5 minutes, today. journed until tomorrow, Wednesday, contract to Japan [Transmittal No. DTC 011– Mr. HOLT, for 5 minutes, today. May 24, 2000, at 10 a.m. 00], pursuant to 22 U.S.C. 2776(c); to the Com- (The following Members (at the re- f mittee on International Relations. quest of Mr. GREENWOOD) to revise and 7786. A letter from the Assistant Secretary EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS, for Legislative Affairs, Department of State, extend their remarks and include ex- ETC. traneous material:) transmitting certification of a proposed li- cense for the export of defense articles or de- Mr. NETHERCUTT, for 5 minutes, Under clause 8 of rule XII, executive communications were taken from the fense services sold commercially under a today. contract to Saudi Arabia [Transmittal No. Mr. DAVIS of Virginia, for 5 minutes, Speaker’s table and referred as follows: DTC 002–00], pursuant to 22 U.S.C. 2776(c); to today. 7775. A letter from the Chairman and Chief the Committee on International Relations. Mr. HULSHOF, for 5 minutes, today. Executive Officer, Farm Credit Administra- 7787. A letter from the Assistant Secretary Mrs. ROUKEMA, for 5 minutes, today. tion, transmitting the Administration’s final for Legislative Affairs, Department of State, rule—Loan Policies and Operations; Partici- transmitting certification of a proposed li- Mr. METCALF, for 5 minutes, today. pations (RIN: 3052–AB87) received April 24, cense for the export of defense articles or de- Mr. GUTKNECHT, for 5 minutes, today. 2000, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the fense services sold commercially under a Mr. BUYER, for 5 minutes, May 24. Committee on Agriculture. contract to Germany [Transmittal No. DTC Mr. LAZIO, for 5 minutes, May 24. 7776. A letter from the the Director, the Of- 009–00], pursuant to 22 U.S.C. 2776(c); to the Mr. REGULA, for 5 minutes, May 24. fice of Management and Budget, transmit- Committee on International Relations.

VerDate 24-MAY-2000 06:28 May 24, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00121 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23MY7.249 pfrm06 PsN: H23PT1 H3648 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 23, 2000 7788. A letter from the Assistant Secretary mitting the Department’s final rule—Air- system, and for other purposes; with amend- for Legislative Affairs, Department of State, worthiness Directives; Various Transport ments (Rept. 106–633). Referred to the Com- transmitting certification of a proposed li- Category Airplanes Equipped With Certain mittee of the Whole House on the State of cense for the export of defense articles or de- Honeywell Air Data Inertial Reference Units the Union. fense services sold commercially under a [Docket No. 2000–NM–83–AD; Amendment 39– Mr. BLILEY: Committee on Commerce. contract to French Guiana or Sea Launch 11683; AD 2000–07–27] (RIN: 2120–AA64) re- H.R. 2498. A bill to amend the Public Health [Transmittal No. DTC 025–00], pursuant to 22 ceived April 28, 2000, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. Service Act to provide for recommendations U.S.C. 2776(c); to the Committee on Inter- 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transpor- of the Secretary of Health and Human Serv- national Relations. tation and Infrastructure. ices regarding the placement of automatic 7789. A letter from the Assistant Secretary 7800. A letter from the Program Analyst, external defibrillators and Federal buildings for Legislative Affairs, Department of State, FAA, Department of Transportation, trans- in order to improve survival rates of individ- transmitting certification of a proposed li- mitting the Department’s final rule—Stand- uals who experience cardiac arrest in such cense for the export of defense articles or de- ard Instrument Approach Procedures; Mis- buildings, and to establish protections from fense services sold commercially under a cellaneous Amendments [Docket No. 29997; civil liability arising from the emergency contract to Japan [Transmittal No. DTC 005– Amdt. No. 1988] received April 28, 2000, pursu- use of the devices; with an amendment (Rept. 106–634). Referred to the Committee of 00], pursuant to 22 U.S.C. 2776(c); to the Com- ant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee the Whole House on the State of the Union. mittee on International Relations. on Transportation and Infrastructure. 7790. A letter from the Assistant Secretary Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina: Com- 7801. A letter from the Program Analyst, mittee on Appropriations. H.R. 4516. A bill for Legislative Affairs, Department of State, FAA, Department of Transportation, trans- making appropriations for the Legislative transmitting certification of a proposed li- mitting the Department’s final rule—Stand- Branch for the fiscal year ending September cense for the export of defense articles or de- ard Instrument Approach Procedures; Mis- 30, 2001, and for other purposes (Rept. 106– fense services sold commercially under a cellaneous Amendments [Docket No. 29996; 635). Referred to the Committee of the Whole contract to Egypt [Transmittal No. DTC 004– Amdt. No. 1987] received April 28, 2000, pursu- House on the State of the Union. 00], pursuant to 22 U.S.C. 2776(c); to the Com- ant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee Mr. DREIER: Committee on Rules. House mittee on International Relations. on Transportation and Infrastructure. Resolution 510. Resolution providing for fur- 7791. A letter from the Assistant Secretary 7802. A letter from the Program Analyst, ther consideration of the bill (H.R. 4444) to for Legislative Affairs, Department of State, FAA, Department of Transportation, trans- authorize extension of nondiscriminatory transmitting certification of a proposed mitting the Department’s final rule—Stand- treatment (normal trade relations treat- Manufacturing License Agreement with ard Instrument Approach Procedures; Mis- ment) to the People’s Republic of China Japan [Transmittal No. DTC 006–00], pursu- cellaneous Amendments [Docket No. 29995; (Rept. 106–636). Referred to the House Cal- ant to 22 U.S.C. 2776(c); to the Committee on Amdt. No. 1986] received April 28, 2000, pursu- endar. International Relations. ant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee Mr. LINDER: Committee on Rules. House 7792. A letter from the Assistant Secretary on Transportation and Infrastructure. Resolution 511. Resolution providing for con- for Legislative Affairs, Department of State, 7803. A letter from the the Legislative Spe- sideration of the bill (H.R. 3916) to amend the transmitting certification of a proposed cial Assistant, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the Manufacturing License Agreement with of the U.S., transmitting proceedings of the excise tax on telephone and other commu- Japan [Transmittal No. DTC 007–00], pursu- 99th National Convention of the Veterans of nication services (Rept. 106–637). Referred to ant to 22 U.S.C. 2776(c); to the Committee on Foreign Wars of the United States, held in the House Calendar. International Relations. San Antonio, Texas, August 29–September 4, Mr. LEACH: Committee on Banking and 7793. A letter from the Comptroller of the 1998, pursuant to 36 U.S.C. 118 and 44 U.S.C. Financial Services. H.R. 2764. A bill to li- Currency, transmitting the 1999 Performance 1332; (H. Doc. No. 106—245); to the Committee cense America’s Private Investment Compa- Report; to the Committee on Government on Veterans’ Affairs and ordered to be print- nies and provide enhanced credit to stimu- late private investment in low-income com- Reform. ed. 7794. A letter from the Managing Director, munities, and for other purposes; with an 7804. A letter from the Deputy Executive Federal Housing Finance Board, transmit- amendment (Rept. 106–638). Referred to the Secretary, Health Care Financing Adminis- ting the Board’s final rule—Amendments to Committee of the Whole House on the State tration, Department of Health and Human the Freedom of Information Act Regulation of the Union. Services, transmitting the Department’s [No. 2000–19] (RIN: 3069–AB02) received April final rule—Medicare Program; Suggestion f 24, 2000, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to Program on Methods to Improve Medicare the Committee on Government Reform. PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS Efficiency [HCFA–4000–FC] (RIN: 0938–AJ30) 7795. A letter from the Director, Office of received April 18, 2000, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. Under clause 2 of rule XII, public Government Ethics, transmitting the An- 801(a)(1)(A); jointly to the Committees on bills and resolutions of the following nual Program Performance Report for FY Ways and Means and Commerce. titles were introduced and severally re- 1999; to the Committee on Government Re- 7805. A letter from the Deputy Executive ferred, as follows: form. 7796. A letter from the Secretary, Secretary, Office of the Inspector General, By Mr. GONZALEZ (for himself, Ms. Premerger Notification Office, Bureau of Department of Health and Human Services, VELAZQUEZ, Mr. RODRIGUEZ, and Mr. Competition, Federal Trade Commission, transmitting the Department’s final rule— HINOJOSA): transmitting the Commission’s final rule— Health Care Fraud and Abuse Data Collec- H.R. 4515. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- Premerger Notification: Reporting and Wait- tion Program: Reporting of Final Adverse enue Code of 1986 to reduce the interest rate ing Period Requirements [Billing Code: 6750– Actions—received April 18, 2000, pursuant to on installment payments of the estate tax on 01P] received April 5, 2000, pursuant to 5 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); jointly to the Commit- closely held business interests; to the Com- U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on the tees on Ways and Means and Commerce. mittee on Ways and Means. Judiciary. 7806. A letter from the Secretary and Exec- By Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina: 7797. A letter from the Program Analyst, utive Director, Pension Benefit Guaranty H.R. 4516. A bill making appropriations for the Legislative Branch for the fiscal year FAA, Department of Transportation, trans- Corporation, transmitting the 25th Annual ending September 30, 2001, and for other pur- mitting the Department’s final rule—Air- Report of the Corporation, which includes poses; House Calendar No. 350. House Report worthiness Directives; Eurocopter France the Corporation’s financial statements as of No. 106–635. Model AS–350B, BA, B1, B2, C, D, and D1, and September 30, 1999, pursuant to 29 U.S.C. By Mr. SUNUNU (for himself and Mr. AS–355E, F, F1, F2 and N Helicopters [Docket 1308; jointly to the Committees on Education BASS): No. 98–SW–82–AD; Amendment 39–11681; AD and the Workforce, Ways and Means, and Government Reform. H.R. 4517. A bill to designate the facility of 86–15–10 R2] (RIN: 2120–AA64) received April the United States Postal Service located at f 28, 2000, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to 24 Tsienneto Road in Derry, New Hampshire, the Committee on Transportation and Infra- as the ‘‘Alan B. Shepard, Jr. Post Office structure. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES ON PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS Building’’; to the Committee on Government 7798. A letter from the Program Analyst, Reform. FAA, Department of Transportation, trans- Under clause 2 of rule XIII, reports of By Mr. DOOLEY of California (for him- mitting the Department’s final rule—Air- committees were delivered to the Clerk self and Mr. SMITH of Washington): worthiness Directives; Fokker Model F27 Se- H.R. 4518. A bill to amend the Elementary ries Airplanes Equipped With Rolls-Royce for printing and reference to the proper calendar, as follows: and Secondary Education Act of 1965, to re- 532–7 ‘‘Dart 7’’ (RDa-7) Series Engines [Dock- authorize and make improvements to that et No. 2000–NM–95–AD; Amendment 39–11684; Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: Committee on Re- Act, and for other purposes; to the Com- AD 2000–07–28] (RIN: 2120–AA64) received sources. H.R. 297. A bill to authorize the con- mittee on Education and the Workforce. April 28, 2000, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. struction of the Lewis and Clark Rural By Mr. FRANKS of New Jersey: 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transpor- Water System and to authorize assistance to H.R. 4519. A bill to amend the Public Build- tation and Infrastructure. the Lewis and Clark Rural Water System, ings Act of 1959 concerning the safety and se- 7799. A letter from the Program Analyst, Inc., a nonprofit corporation, for the plan- curity of children enrolled in childcare fa- FAA, Department of Transportation, trans- ning and construction of the water supply cilities located in public buildings under the

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control of the General Services Administra- By Mr. FATTAH: MCDERMOTT, Mr. LANTOS, Mr. ROTHMAN, and tion; to the Committee on Transportation H. Res. 509. A resolution recognizing the Mr. TIERNEY. and Infrastructure, and in addition to the importance of African-American music to H.R. 3710: Ms. DANNER, Mr. CRAMER, Mr. Committee on Government Reform, for a pe- global culture and calling on the people of DICKS, Mr. FORD, Mr. ENGEL, and Mr. BAIRD. riod to be subsequently determined by the the United States to study, reflect on, and H.R. 3915: Mr. CAMPBELL and Mr. Speaker, in each case for consideration of celebrate African-American music; to the GILCHREST. such provisions as fall within the jurisdic- Committee on Education and the Workforce. H.R. 3981: Mr. LANTOS. tion of the committee concerned. H.R. 4013: Mr. GANSKE. f By Mr. GOODLING (for himself, Mr. H.R. 4034: Mr. NORWOOD. KILDEE, and Ms. WOOLSEY): ADDITIONAL SPONSORS H.R. 4041: Mr. BALDACCI, Mr. BONIOR, Mr. H.R. 4520. A bill to amend the Richard B. LIPINSKI, Mr. OLVER, Mr. RANGEL, Ms. Russell National School Lunch Act to im- Under clause 7 of rule XII, sponsors SCHAKOWSKY, Mrs. TAUSCHER, and Mr. EVANS. prove program integrity of the child and were added to public bills and resolu- H.R. 4042: Mr. BONIOR, Mr. LIPINSKI, Mr. adult care food program; to the Committee tions as follows: OLVER, Mr. RANGEL, Ms. SCHAKOWSKY, Mrs. on Education and the Workforce. TAUSCHER, Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon, Mr. SHER- H.R. 8: Mrs. TAUSCHER. By Mr. HILL of Montana (for himself, MAN, and Ms. PELOSI. H.R. 347: Mrs. CHENOWETH-HAGE. Mr. KASICH, Mr. YOUNG of Alaska, H.R. 4132: Mr. PALLONE, Mr. ABERCROMBIE, H.R. 363: Mr. PAUL. Mr. HANSEN, Mr. SOUDER, Mr. CAN- and Mr. WICKER. H.R. 460: Mr. SANDLIN, Mr. BLAGOJEVICH, NON, Mrs. CUBIN, Mr. TAUZIN, Mr. H.R. 4168: Mr. BARCIA, Mr. SISISKY, and Mr. and Mr. PACKARD. GILCHREST, Mr. COOKSEY, Ms. DUNN, LUCAS of Kentucky. H.R. 827: Mr. ALLEN. Mr. PITTS, Mr. THUNE, Mr. WATKINS, H.R. 4204: Mr. GARY MILLER of California. H.R. 828: Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. COOK, Mr. JONES of North Caro- H.R. 4206: Ms. LEE, Mr. ROMERO-BARCELO, H.R. 860: Mr. VISCLOSKY. lina, Mr. MANZULLO, Mr. DOOLITTLE, and Mrs. JONES of Ohio. H.R. 904: Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island. Mr. NETHERCUTT, Mr. RILEY, Mr. H.R. 4214: Mr. SHIMKUS and Mr. GILCHREST. H.R. 920: Mr. STARK, Mr. EVANS, and Ms. PORTMAN, Mr. POMEROY, Mr. HUTCH- H.R. 4219: Mr. ADERHOLT, Mr. MANZULLO, WOOLSEY. INSON, Mr. LUCAS of Kentucky, Mr. Mr. LARSON, Mr. FOLEY, Mr. TIERNEY, Mr. H.R. 1020: Mr. EHRLICK, Mrs. MEEK of Flor- BLUNT, Mr. GIBBONS, Ms. GRANGER, NETHERCUTT, Mr. HASTINGS of Florida, Mr. ida, Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island, and Mr. Mr. SESSIONS, Mr. ABERCROMBIE, Mr. BLUMENAUER, Mr. BORSKI, Mrs. KELLY, Mrs. BRADY of Pennsylvania. POMBO, Mr. SUNUNU, Mr. HASTINGS of THURMAN, and Mr. MALONEY of Connecticut. H.R. 1046: Mr. HINCHEY, Mr. BALDACCI, Mr. Washington, Mr. SHIMKUS, and Mr. H.R. 4245: Mr. SHIMKUS. LEWIS of Kentucky, and Mr. MORAN of Kan- SIMPSON): H.R. 4257: Mr. NORWOOD, Mr. DICKEY, Mr. sas. H.R. 4521. A bill to direct the Secretary of SOUDER, Mr. GREEN of Texas, and Mr. SCHAF- H.R. 1057: Mr. EVANS. the Interior to authorize and provide funding FER. for rehabilitation of the Going-to-the-Sun H.R. 1063: Mr. DELAHUNT. H.R. 4259: Mr. TERRY, Mr. LARSON, Mr. Road in Glacier National Park, to authorize H.R. 1102: Mrs. MCCARTHY of New York. CONDIT, Mr. OBERSTAR, Mr. TOWNS, Mr. funds for maintenance of utilities related to H.R. 1179: Mrs. CHENOWETH-HAGE. ABERCROMBIE, Mr. GEORGE MILLER of Cali- the Park, and for other purposes; to the H.R. 1228: Mr. CLAY. fornia, and Mr. MORAN of Kansas. Committee on Resources. H.R. 1247: Mr. WATTS of Oklahoma. H.R. 4274; Mr. BONILLA, MR. GREENWOOD, By Mr. PETERSON of Minnesota: H.R. 1322: Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas, Mr. Mr. KUYKENDALL, Mr. GILCHREST, Mr. GOODE, H.R. 4522. A bill to amend title 38, United BRADY of Texas, Mrs. CHENOWETH-HAGE, Mr. Mr. BURTON of Indiana, Mrs. FOWLER, Mr. States Code, to provide a presumption of HANSEN, Mr. MORAN of Kansas, Mr. WATKINS, QUINN, and Mr. SALMON. service connection for certain specified dis- Mr. REYNOLDS, Mr. DIAZ-BALART, Mrs. H.R. 4303: Mr. SOUDER. eases and disabilities in the case of veterans BIGGERT, Mr. EWING, Mr. ETHERIDGE, Mr. H.R. 4320: Mr. EVANS. who were exposed during military service to BARRETT of Wisconsin, Mr. ANDREWS, Mr. H.R. 4329: Mr. SMITH of Washington. carbon tetrachloride; to the Committee on RADANOVICH, and Mr. DOOLITTLE. H.R. 4357: Mrs. THURMAN and Ms. Veterans’ Affairs. H.R. 1505: Mr. BISHOP. MILLENDER-MCDONALD. By Mr. SMITH of Michigan: H.R. 1560: Mr. MCINNIS and Mr. EHLERS. H.R. 4453: Mr. TIERNEY and Mr. LANTOS. H.R. 4523. A bill to amend the Agricultural H.R. 1592: Mr. LARGENT. H.R. 4479:´ Mr. DEUTSCH and Mr. ROMERO- Market Transition Act to permit a producer H.R. 1621: Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of BARCELO. to lock in a loan deficiency payment rate for Texas, Mr. BISHOP, and Mr. RODRIGUEZ. H.R. 4489: Mr. RODRIGUEZ, Mr. KNOLLEN- a portion of a crop; to the Committee on Ag- H.R. 2613: Mr. GREEN of Wisconsin, Mr. BERG, and Mr. PETERSON of Minnesota. riculture. GONZALEZ, Mr. HUTCHINSON, and Mr. BAIRD. H.J. Res. 98: Mr. BECERRA. By Mr. SMITH of Michigan: H.R. 2660: Ms. BERKLEY. H. Con. Res. 133: Mr. HOLT. H.R. 4524. A bill to amend the Agricultural H.R. 2720: Ms. PRYCE of Ohio, Mr. MAN- H. Con. Res. 275: Mr. SPRATT. Market Transition Act to increase the num- ZULLO, and Ms. MCKINNEY. H. Con. Res. 285: Mr. BALDACCI, Mr. WOLF, ber of farmers eligible for nonrecourse mar- H.R. 2774: Mr. OLVER and Mrs. MINK of Ha- and Mr. ETHERIDGE. keting assistance loans or loan deficiency waii. H. Con. Res. 305: Mr. PETERSON of Pennsyl- payments and the amount of production for H.R. 2814: Mr. LIPINSKI. vania, Mrs. TAUSCHER, Mr. BOEHNER, Mr. which such loans and payments are avail- H.R. 2892: Mr. EHRLICH. SKEEN, Mr. YOUNG of Alaska, Mr. LAHOOD, able; to the Committee on Agriculture. H.R. 2953: Mr. WATKINS and Mr. CLEMENT. Mr. RYUN of Kansas, Mr. CANADY of Florida, By Mr. STARK: H.R. 3006: Mr. EVANS. Mr. BILIRAKIS, Mr. DEAL of Georgia, Mr. H.R. 4525. A bill to amend the Public H.R. 3055: Mr. BALDACCI. CUNNINGHAM, Mr. EHLERS, Mr. PACKARD, Mr. Health Service Act to establish a program H.R. 3083: Mr. FORBES. NUSSLE, Mr. WICKER, Mr. CALLAHAN, Mr. under which the Secretary of Health and H.R. 3132: Mr. WEYGAND. CALVERT, Mr. EVERETT, Mr. ROHRABACHER, Human Services makes cash awards to pri- H.R. 3144: Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. WATTS of Oklahoma, Mr. SPENCE, Mr. vate entities that discover drugs that cure or H.R. 3192: Mr. KUCINICH, Mr. JEFFERSON, HULSHOF, Mr. RILEY, Mr. STUMP, Mr. prevent diseases whose cure or prevention is Mr. SAWYER, Mr. ANDREWS, Mr. SABO, Mr. METCALF, Mr. CRANE, and Mr. BURR of North designated by the Secretary as a national DIXON, Ms. DELAURO, Mr. GEORGE MILLER of Carolina. priority; to the Committee on Commerce. California, and Mr. WEYGAND. H. Con. Res. 306: Mr. PALLONE, Mr. HOLT, By Mr. TRAFICANT: H.R. 4526. A bill to provide for the issuance H.R. 3198: Mr. BISHOP and Mr. COLLINS. Mr. MENENDEZ, Mr. HINOJOSA, Ms. BERKLEY, of a semipostal for the American Battle H.R. 3256: Mr. UPTON. Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts, Mr. SHOWS, Mr. Monuments Commission; to the Committee H.R. 3315: Mr. LANTOS. BROWN of Ohio, Mr. BACHUS, Mr. GREEN of on Government Reform. H.R. 3463: Mr. MENENDEZ. Texas, Mr. INSLEE, Mr. KUCINICH, Mr. By Mr. UDALL of New Mexico (for H.R. 3518: Mr. KOLBE. CAPUANO, Mr. CUMMINGS, Ms. BROWN of Flor- himself and Mr. UDALL of Colorado): H.R. 3544: Mrs. ROUKEMA, Mr. COOKSEY, Ms. ida, Mr. TIERNEY, Mr. DEFAZIO, Mrs. H.R. 4527. A bill to authorize the President MCCARTHY of Missouri, and Ms. GRANGER. CHRISTENSEN, Mr. STARK, Mr. SHAYS, Mr. to present a gold medal on behalf of the Con- H.R. 3569: Ms. DEGETTE. EVANS, Mr. CLAY, Mr. LIPINSKI, Mr. HASTINGS gress to the Navajo Code Talkers in recogni- H.R. 3575: Mr. STENHOLM. of Florida, Mr. OLVER, Mr. EHRLICH, Mrs. tion of their contributions to the Nation; to H.R. 3578: Mr. ROGAN. TAUSCHER, Mrs. BIGGERT, Mr. RODRIGUEZ, Mr. the Committee on Banking and Financial H.R. 3593: Mr. HOUGHTON. NETHERCUTT, Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas, Mr. Services. H.R. 3625: Mr. JEFFERSON, Mrs. MYRICK, COSTELLO, Mr. DIXON, Mr. LAFALCE, Mr. By Mrs. CUBIN: and Mr. KOLBE. MANZULLO, Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts, Mr. H. Con. Res. 333. Concurrent resolution H.R. 3628: Ms. RIVERS and Mr. MCHUGH. SNYDER, Mr. DICKS, Mr. ANDREWS, Mr. FIL- providing for the acceptance of a statue of H.R. 3634: Mr. BAIRD. NER, Mrs. MINK of Hawaii, Mr. KIND, MR. Chief Washakie, presented by the people of H.R. 3677: Mr. HYDE. PORTER, Mr. UDALL of Colorado, Mr. DIAZ- Wyoming, for placement in National Stat- H.R. 3688: Ms. SLAUGHTER, Mr. DAVIS of BALART, Mr. PAYNE, Ms. EDDIE BERNICE uary Hall, and for other purposes; to the Virginia, Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island, Ms. JOHNSON of Texas, Mr. DELAHUNT, and Mrs. Committee on House Administration. VELAZQUEZ, Mr. ABERCROMBIE, Mr. MCCARTHY of New York.

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H. Con. Res. 307: Ms. STABENOW, Mr. FROST, which shall be owned by the borrower and until expended: Provided, That the entire Mrs. MORELLA, Mr. PASCRELL, Mr. FRANKS of occupied by the borrower as the principal amount under this paragraph shall be avail- New Jersey, Mr. STARK, Mr. ENGEL, Mr. residence of the borrower. able only to the extent that an official budg- MCGOVERN, Mr. TIAHRT, Mr. MCNULTY, Mr. ‘‘(C) AMOUNT.—The principal obligation et request for a specific dollar amount, that SHAW, and Mr. FILNER. under the refinancing loan shall not exceed includes designation of the entire amount of H. Con. Res. 311: Mrs. NORTHUP. an amount equal to the sum of the balance of the request as an emergency requirement as H. Con. Res. 321: Mr. REYES, Mr. CRAMER, the loan being refinanced and such closing defined in the Balanced Budget and Emer- Mr. BACHUS, Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of costs as may be authorized by the Secretary, gency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amend- Texas, Mr. RUSH, Mr. ORTIZ, Mr. which shall include a discount not exceeding ed, is transmitted by the President to the BLUMENAUER, Mr. SANDLIN, Mr. KENNEDY of 2 basis points and an origination fee not ex- Congress: Provided further, That the entire Rhode Island, Mr. PRICE of North Carolina, ceeding such amount as the Secretary shall amount under this paragraph is designated and Mr. NETHERCUTT. prescribe. by the Congress as an emergency require- H. Con. Res. 322: Mr. COBLE and Mr. LAN- The provisions of the last sentence of para- ment pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of the TOS. graph (1) and paragraphs (2), (5), (6)(A), (7), Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit H. Con. Res. 323: Mr. KILDEE, Mrs. and (9) shall apply to loans guaranteed under Control Act of 1985, as amended. MORELLA, Mr. STARK, Mr. CUMMINGS, Mr. this subsection, and no other provisions of COOK, Mr. MCGOVERN, Mr. MCNULTY, and Mr. paragraphs (1) through (12) shall apply to H.R. 4461 LANTOS. such loans.’’. OFFERED BY: MS. KAPTUR H. Res. 187: Ms. WOOLSEY. H.R. 4461 H. Res. 347: Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. OFFERED BY: MR. CAPUANO AMENDMENT NO. 15: Page 85 after line 15, H. Res. 458: Mr. MCNULTY. insert the following new section: f AMENDMENT NO. 13: Page 95, after line 19, insert the following: SEC. ll. The Secretary of Agriculture AMENDMENTS SEC. 809. REPORTS. shall use not more than $80,000,000 of the Under clause 8 of rule XVIII, pro- Not later than 1 year after the date on funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation which the President terminates an existing posed amendments were submitted as for equity capital and grants to establish unilateral agricultural sanction or medical farmer-owned cooperatives composed of follows: sanction pursuant to section 803(b), and not small- and medium-sized producers and other H.R. 4461 later than 1 year after the date on which a cooperatives that create opportunities in OFFERED BY: MR. ANDREWS new unilateral agricultural sanction or med- rural America, for feasibility studies, busi- AMENDMENT NO. 12: At the end of title VII ical sanction is terminated pursuant to sec- ness development strategies, restructuring of the bill, add the following new section: tion 806, the President shall prepare and small- and medium-sized enterprises, and the SEC. 753. Section 502(h) of the Housing Act transmit to Congress a report that contains processing and marketing of agricultural of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1472(h)) is amended by add- a description of any occurrence of food or commodities (including livestock), which ing at the end the following new paragraph: medicine that has been prevented from amount shall remain available for such pur- ‘‘(13) GUARANTEES FOR REFINANCING reaching intended populations by the foreign pose until expended: Provided, That such LOANS.—Upon the request of the borrower, country or foreign entity involved, any oc- amount is designated by the Congress as an the Secretary shall guarantee a loan that is currence of stockpiling of food or medicine emergency requirement pursuant to section made to refinance an existing loan that is by the country or entity involved, and any 251(b)(2)(A) of the Balanced Budget and made under this section or guaranteed under effort by the country or entity involved to Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 as this subsection, and that the Secretary de- foster distribution of food and medicine to amended: Provided further, That the entire termines complies with the following re- the population. amount shall be available only to the extent quirements: Page 95, line 20, redesignate section 809 as that an official budget request that includes section 810. ‘‘(A) INTEREST RATE.—The refinancing loan designation of the entire amount of the re- shall have a rate of interest that is fixed H.R. 4461 quest as an emergency requirement as de- over the term of the loan and does not ex- OFFERED BY: MS. KAPTUR fined in the Balanced Budget and Emergency ceed the interest rate of the loan being refi- AMENDMENT NO. 14: Page 21, after line 4, in- Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended, is nanced. sert the following new paragraph: transmitted by the President to the Con- ‘‘(B) SECURITY.—The refinancing loan shall For an additional amount to prevent, con- gress. The total amount of equity capital be secured by the same single-family resi- trol, and eradicate pests and plant and ani- and grants provided to a single entity under dence as was the loan being refinanced, mal diseases, $53,100,000, to remain available this section shall not exceed $10,000,000.

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