S6258 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE June 11, 1998 Many of our schools, however, are to the FCC this year from schools and year savings to the companies from another not giving our children the kind of edu- libraries seeking to tap into the new e- aspect of the 1996 bill, a drop in the access cation they will need to compete in rate. Those applications represent mil- fees long-distance carriers must pay to local this kind of economy. An estimated 60 lions of American children counting on ones.) percent of all new jobs created in the Much of the debate over the complex tele- our help to gain the skills they need to communications bill concerned the balance year 2000 will require skills held by remain competitive in the next cen- to be struck between deregulating the com- only 22 percent of new workers. Ac- tury. What are we going to tell them if munications industry—thus opening up the cording to the Wall Street Journal, the e-rate crumbles under the weight of chance for phone companies to make lots ‘‘Thousands of people are being turned partisan politics? How are we going to more money—and imposing some obligations down for factory work by companies explain to them why they do not know on them in return. One such obligation was that are actively recruiting,’’ because how to use a computer? to safeguard equal access, including to new they lack the requisite math, commu- I hope we will not have to do that. I technologies. After endless maneuvering and nications, and computer skills. hope we can all come together, with a veto threat by President Clinton if the bill Given these facts, one would think emerged without them, provisions mandat- the same bipartisanship and coopera- ing ‘‘access to advanced telecommunications that on the eve of the implementation tion we shared two years ago, to fix services for schools, health care and librar- of the e-rate we created two years ago, this program, resolve legitimate con- ies,’’ explicitly including ‘‘classrooms,’’ were policy makers would be rallying cerns, and ensure that the e-rate be- made part of the subsidies for ‘‘universal around the new discounts for schools comes available to schools and librar- service.’’ Telephone companies understand- and libraries and celebrating the pro- ies across the country. ably balk at any creeping enlargement of the gram’s inauguration. Instead, duplicity Members of both parties have criti- universal service concept, which requires and political opportunism have com- cized the FCC for the way it has imple- them to offer phone service at average rates bined to cast doubt on the future of the even in high-cost, hard-to-wire rural areas— mented the program, and I do not and, inevitably to absorb the cost by charg- e-rate. doubt that mistakes have been made. I The duplicity began when certain ing slightly higher phone rates across the only hope we can put aside the partisan board. telephone companies decided to add a sniping and figure out a constructive One thrust of deregulation was to make new line item to customers’ phone solution to the problem we face. We those subsidies more explicit—an advantage bills—a ‘‘national access charge,’’ or a ought to be proud of what we accom- for companies, which could compete more ‘‘universal connectivity fee.’’ When plished two years ago when we created openly on basic rates, and also for consum- customers call their phone companies the e-rate. Let us not now trade that ers, who could see where their money was going. But spelling out a long-hidden subsidy asking about this new charge, it is my accomplishment for short-term politi- understanding they are often told it also exposes it to political debate. Such de- cal gain. bate need not doom the e-rate, which pulls was the FCC who mandated that this Mr. President, I ask that an editorial new charge appear on their phone bills, considerable support in opinion polls, any from yesterday’s Washington Post on more than it is likely to doom the popular or that it was the Congress who levied this subject be printed in the record. rural subsidies. Nor should it. Squelching it this new tax on them. The editorial follows: would be the real ‘‘stealth’’ move.∑ Mr. President, that is disingenuous [Washington Post, Wed., June 10, 1998] f at best. The FCC did order long dis- SHOULD WE WIRE SCHOOLS? SISTER MONICA KOSTIELNEY tance phone companies to pay into the Sometime this week the Federal Commu- universal service fund, in part to pay nications Commission will vote on whether CELEBRATES 25 YEARS WITH for the new discounts for schools and to suspend a small program, passed as part of MICHIGAN CATHOLIC CON- libraries. The FCC also, however, or- the 1996 Telecommunications Act, that col- FERENCE dered a reduction in the access charges lects money from long-distance phone com- ∑ Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise long distance companies must pay for panies and uses it to offer discounts on the today to recognize and honor a very using local phone networks—fees that cost of hooking up schools and libraries to the Internet. The program, known as the ‘‘e- important woman in the Michigan reli- can account for 40 or 50 percent of the gious community. Sister Monica cost of every long distance call. The re- rate,’’ has been contentious from the start, but lately, as it prepares to begin actually Kostielney, R.S.M. is celebrating 25 ductions in access charges were greater considering applications for the $650 million years with the Michigan Catholic Con- than the new universal service charges. collected so far, it has become the focus of ference this year. Presently, she serves One would think, therefore, that long intense pressure. as President and Chief Executive Offi- distance bills would drop as a result. Four senators with a say over the FCC’s cer of the Conference, however, her list Have they? Have the phone companies own budget sent a letter demanding that it of accomplishments extends far beyond refund the program entirely. Some have passed the savings from the access her work in this capacity. charge reductions on to their cus- hinted that the commission risks having its own budget zeroed out unless it kills the Prior to joining the Catholic Con- tomers? ference, Sister Monica taught elemen- No. The companies have not passed schools and libraries program. Others threat- en investigation of what they call a ‘‘stealth tary and secondary school for thirteen on all the savings from the access tax’’ imposed with questionable legality by years. She began her career with the charge reductions, and have instead an unelected agency or, alternatively, a Catholic Conference of Michigan as a raised customers’ bills in order to gen- ‘‘Gore tax’’ designed to advance the vice staff member in 1972. She served as Ex- erate revenue for the universal service president’s presidential prospects. fund. They then blame the FCC or Con- Why the sudden fuss over a $2 billion pro- ecutive Vice-President for public af- gress, and customers are understand- gram that passed all the usual legislative fairs from 1983 until 1994, and has ably confused, concerned, and upset. hurdles in orthodox fashion two years ago? served as President and CEO since The chorus of customer complaints The flurry began when several long-distance then. For 25 years, in addition to her now appears to be rattling the biparti- telephone providers said they would begin service to the Michigan Catholic Con- adding a ‘‘universal connectivity fee’’ to in- ference, Sister Monica has advised san coalition that came together two dividual monthly telephone bills to cover the years ago to create the e-rate. Repub- many on important issues affecting all schools and libraries program and other sub- facets of society. She has given self- lican leaders have derided the new sidies, such as the generations-old (and wide- charge on phone bills as an ‘‘illegal ly supported) subsidy for keeping phone serv- lessly of her time to many other orga- FCC tax,’’ or a ‘‘Gore tax,’’ trying to ice affordable in hard-to-serve rural areas. nizations and charities including, the pin the phone bill increases on the Vice The appearance of what looks like a new tax Midwest Hispanic Catholic Commis- President. on phone bills—even if it only spells out sub- sion, the Michigan Department of Edu- I am disappointed. We have gone sidies previously included in the overall cation Legislative Advisory Council, from partnership to partisanship. We bill—unnerves many legislators who support the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Welfare have gone from cooperation to con- the subsidies in theory. Not everyone real- Reform Committee and the Board of izes that the schools and libraries fund con- Directors of St. Lawrence Hospital and frontation. We have gone from think- stitutes only a third of the new fee. (The ing about our children and our future FCC and the companies are still sparring Healthcare Services Divisional Board. to trying to score political points. over whether the extra charges were even From 1980 to 1984, Sister Monica co- We can do better than that. Thirty justified; the commission says the fees were hosted ‘‘Reel to Reel,’’ a weekly Sun- thousand applications have poured in specifically calibrated to balance year-by- day television show produced by the June 11, 1998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6259 Diocese of Lansing. These are just a who is retiring at the end of June, 1998. dented target-by-target scrub of the few examples of Sister Monica’s un- Since 1996, General Habiger has served Single Integrated Operational Plan wavering devotion to her community as the Commander in Chief of United (SIOP) helped shape the conceptual and and the entire State of Michigan. States Strategic Command, Offutt Air practical character of post-Cold War I want to join with Sister Monica’s Force Base, Nebraska. US nuclear weapons policy that will be friends and family in congratulating General Habiger’s career in the mili- instrumental in decisions for years to her on this very special occasion. She tary began in 1959 when he enlisted as come. is a remarkable woman whom the state an infantryman in the U.S. Army. Convinced that the Nation’s security of Michigan is fortunate to benefit After his tour in Fort Benning, Geor- is best served by a stable strategic re- from. ∑ gia, he attended the University of lationship with Russia, General f Georgia earning a Bachelor of Science Habiger was a forceful spokesman for degree in 1963. After college, Gene the START II Treaty and Defense De- TRIBUTE TO FRANKIE WELCH joined the Air Force and upon comple- partment Cooperative Threat Reduc- ∑ Mr. HOLLINGS. Mr. President, I wish tion of Officer Training School in Sep- tion activities. Twice, he accompanied to bring to the Senate’s attention a tember 1963, he was selected as a dis- the Secretary of Defense to Moscow to milestone that has particular relevance tinguished graduate. meet with the Russian Defense Min- to this body. Mrs. Frankie Welch, who Soon after leaving Officer Training ister and Commander-in-Chief of the is nationally recognized for her artistic School, as a young Captain and B–52 Strategic Rocket Forces stressing the and original scarf and tie designs, is Aircraft Commander, Gene flew 150 political, economic, and military im- celebrating 30 years of fashion design combat missions and participated in portance of ratifying START II for this month. Frankie was born in Geor- the B–52 Arc Light operations during both the United States and Russia. gia, but I am pleased to say she has the Vietnam War. In the early 1980s, he Gene’s work on a post-START II nu- strong ties to South Carolina, where commanded the 325th Bombardment clear arms control agenda was re- she graduated with a degree from Squadron and later served as assistant flected in national policy, and helped Furman University in Greenville. It deputy commander for operations, 92nd form the basis for portions of the was at Furman that she met her late Bombardment Wing, Fairchild Air START III framework announced at husband, William Welch. One of their Force Base, Washington. the Presidential Summit in Helsinki, daughters chose to continue the family In the late 1980s, Gene commanded in March 1997. tradition and also received a Furman the 379th Bombardment Wing at Undoubtedly, General Habiger has diploma. Wurtsmith Air Force Base, Michigan, been the unparalleled leader in expand- Frankie Welch has designed many and the 2nd Bombardment Wing at ing military-to-military contacts with memorable scarves and ties. In the Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. Russian counterparts, particularly the 1980s, she designed a patriotic scarf for In the 1990s, Gene’s command experi- Strategic Rocket Forces. These actions the United States Senate. She has de- ence served him well as vice com- established a more stable relationship signed ties for Presidents Lyndon mander, Headquarters Air Education with Russian leadership. As evidence of Johnson, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, and Training Command at Randolph the high regard and confidence in Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George Air Force Base, Texas; and as Deputy which General Habiger is viewed in Bush, and Bill Clinton. Mrs. Welch also Chief of Staff for Personnel, Head- Russia, he was the first non-Russian to designed a gown for First Lady Betty quarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, enter a Russian nuclear weapons stor- Ford, which Mrs. Ford donated to the D.C. age area. His ceaseless efforts in estab- Smithsonian Institution’s First Ladies The apex of General Habiger’s career lishing good relations with Russia have Collection in 1976. Frankie and Mrs. came with his current assignment as significantly improved communication Ford remained good friends; last Commander in Chief, United States and understanding. For the first time month, on the occasion of Betty Ford’s Strategic Command, Offutt Air Force in history, as Commander in Chief of 80th birthday, Frankie was one of the Base, Nebraska. The command has re- the US nuclear arsenal, he can pick up speakers at the Ford Museum in Grand sponsibility for all U.S. Air Force and the phone and talk directly to senior Rapids. U.S. Navy strategic nuclear forces. Russian military leadership. Frankie Welch is no ordinary fashion These powerful forces act as this Na- General Habiger and his wife, Bar- designer. She often employs her talents tion’s strategic deterrent. bara, have two sons, Karl and Kurt. I to produce patriotic garments, and her During his command at am sure Gene and Barbara have ambi- designs demonstrate an exemplary love USSTRATCOM, General Habiger made tious plans for their life after military of our country. She has produced origi- major contributions to the national se- service and I hope they make the most nal and widely admired fabric designs curity of the United States by estab- of this time. From a private in the U.S. for such revered institutions as the St. lishing the parameters for future stra- Army to a four star general in the U.S. Paul’s Cathedral in London, the Cor- tegic forces and possible arms control Air Force, General Habiger has served coran Gallery of Art, the White House, agreements. His leading role in manag- our military and the Nation with great and the U.S. Capital. Frankie is also a ing a stable drawdown of nuclear forces honor and distinction. I have the pleas- philanthropist: she recently began the helped foster mutual understanding ure of calling Gene Habiger a friend Frankie Welch Scholarship for out- and cooperation with Russia. In addi- and I want to thank him for his con- standing students of fashion design. tion, his cooperative efforts with the tribution to our nation’s security.∑ Mr. President, I think it appropriate Department of Energy shaped the proc- f to honor a woman who has so often ess by which the United States will turned her talents to patriotic themes maintain the long term safety and reli- DOVER HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER and who has attained national and ability of its nuclear weapons stock- AND NATIONAL FEDERATION OF international accolades. It is with pile. As the Department of Energy’s PRESS WOMEN AWARD WINNER— great pride that I thank Frankie Welch customer, General Habiger insured the PATTY RICHARDSON HINCHEY for honoring our country and congratu- Stockpile Stewardship Program is pro- ∑ Mr. BIDEN. Mr. President, as we late her on thirty years of success.∑ grammed and funded to develop the focus on improving our education sys- f new tools, technologies, and concepts tem on the national state and local lev- to ensure our strategic forces remain els, it is my pleasure to offer congratu- THANKING GENERAL EUGENE E. safe, effective, ready, and responsive to lations to an award-winning teacher HABIGER FOR CAREER SERVICE changing needs. from Dover, Delaware who exemplifies IN THE UNITED STATES AIR In addition, Gene was a premier play- excellence in education for her stu- FORCE er in shaping our strategic force struc- dents, her community, my home state ∑ Mr. KEMPTHORNE. Mr. President, I ture. His team completed a very de- of Delaware, and indeed, this nation. rise to say thank you to a patriot and tailed analysis of United States’ Stra- For the second consecutive year, one of this nation’s finest military tegic Force Structure options reaching Patty Richardson Hinchey received the leaders, General Eugene E. Habiger, far beyond START II. This unprece- second place award in the category of