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

Vol. 145 WASHINGTON, TUESDAY, JULY 27, 1999 No. 107 House of Representatives The House met at 9 a.m. and was and corruption of the gov- to sit back helplessly as we look at called to order by the Speaker pro tem- ernment, headed by Chiang Kai-Shek. forces in but nonetheless it pore (Mrs. WILSON). We chose to support that effort dur- seems to me important that we do not f ing World War II. We ended up making use heavy-handed, clumsy behavior, as- some unfortunate decisions perhaps suming that the United States can iso- DESIGNATION OF SPEAKER PRO only history will judge, but the recent late China and make it bend to our dic- TEMPORE evidence suggests that we did not have tates. It is important that we use trade The SPEAKER pro tempore laid be- to make as much of an enemy of Mao and our economic relationship as tools. fore the House the following commu- Tse-Tung and the communists. There is no turning back. Our his- nication from the Speaker: This tragic miscalculation came into tory, both of the United States and of WASHINGTON, DC, fore during the , when Gen- the West in general, has been mixed July 27, 1999. eral MacArthur defied President Tru- with the Chinese and there is much to I hereby appoint the Honorable HEATHER man and enlarged the conflict and ulti- make them apprehensive, but the WILSON to act as Speaker pro tempore on mately cost thousands of United States United States has paid a heavy price this day. lives that was unnecessary. At the for miscalculating during World War J. DENNIS HASTERT, time, of course, in the well of this Con- II, during the Korean War and Viet- Speaker of the House of Representatives. gress, MacArthur was viewed as a hero nam. f and Truman was vilified. The United States and China spies on History has shown that President MORNING HOUR DEBATES each other continuously but we really Truman was, in fact, a visionary in a do not know each other very well. I am The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- number of respects; one of our greatest hopeful that this week on this floor ant to the order of the House of Janu- presidents, praised by no one less than Congress will reject the notion that we ary 19, 1999, the Chair will now recog- Ronald Reagan, but we have seen the ought not to treat China as we do 180 nize Members from lists submitted by ebb and flow on this floor where Con- other countries, with normal trade re- the majority and minority leaders for gress simply has not exercised proper lations, because if we are able to take morning hour debates. The Chair will perspective. that important step, it is only going to alternate recognition between the par- We saw where Richard Nixon, who hasten the further change and progress ties, with each party limited to 25 min- was characterized during his early ca- within China, strengthening our coun- utes, and each Member, except the ma- reer as a red baiter, as someone who try, strengthening the Chinese people jority leader, the minority leader, or was against the Communist Chinese, and their economy, and ultimately the the minority whip, limited to 5 min- yet he was able during his presidency, world itself will be a better place. utes, but in no event shall debate ex- one of the most enduring and lasting f tend beyond 9:50 a.m. contributions was to swing the balance The Chair recognizes the gentleman of power towards a more strategic alli- A DEBT MONEY SYSTEM from Oregon (Mr. BLUMENAUER) for 5 ance with China, and that hastened the The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under minutes. collapse of the former Soviet Union. the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- f We have seen China behave as a na- uary 19, 1999, the gentleman from tion of what appears to be to us in ex- Washington (Mr. METCALF) is recog- LIVABLE COMMUNITIES IN A cess. The great leap forward, costing nized during morning hour debates for GLOBAL ECONOMY millions of lives of their own people, 5 minutes. Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, the cultural revolution of the seven- Mr. METCALF. Madam Speaker, one aspect of the livable community in ties, the current turmoil that is in this there is a fundamental flaw in our a global economy is the struggle of this context is perhaps a little more under- money system that allows money to be Congress to understand the huge and standable, but one thing is very clear, created as a debt instrument. It is complex nation, that is China. An an- that we are seeing unprecedented ac- called a debt money system, and cient society, over 4,000 years old, and cess to the Chinese people, more and money must never be created and a large country, almost beyond our more educated abroad, particularly in loaned into circulation. The reason comprehension, more than four times the United States. this must be avoided at all costs is that the United States, a quarter of the Even with the Internet access, it is when interest is charged on money at world’s population. In my lifetime, we transforming the internal dynamics of the point of issue, the interest is math- have turned a blind eye to the cruelty China. The United States does not have ematically unpayable.

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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. H6428 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 This can be illustrated. Let me give The result is that this system builds other post in the State Department. just a quick example. It is an over- more and more debt which cannot be Mr. Keyser, our third special nego- simplification. Let us say that five peo- repaid, resulting ultimately in mone- tiator, played a major role in shaping a ple design a money system. They cre- tary problems, anything from a minor new plan to settle the conflict, known ate $50 in currency without intrinsic recession to a major hair-curling de- as the Common State proposal. value, paper currency, say. Each one pression such as we experienced in the Despite their substantial reserva- borrows $10 and agrees to repay the $10 1930s. These things are the result or tions, both Armenia and Nagorno in one year and, of course, they will can be the result of a flawed monetary Karabagh agreed to the Common State pay interest on it. They will each pay system. proposal as a basis for negotiations. $1 in interest. The point I make is that we must un- Unfortunately, Azerbaijan flatly re- Now, this is obviously a flawed sys- derstand the danger of relying on the jected this proposal. tem because if only $50 is created, a issue of debt money. It is the responsi- Mr. Keyser worked very hard to move year later it is impossible for $55 to be bility of Congress to understand this this process forward, so his departure repaid. Someone in the system is going issue and its ramifications, and change leaves a major void. At this critical to lose their collateral that they the way we issue the Nation’s money. juncture, we must get another perma- pledged for the loan. More on this later. nent special negotiator in place with- Unfortunately for us, this is the kind f out delay, preferably either a very sen- of system which has been imposed on ior diplomat or perhaps another Amer- this country. The deeper problems do A PERMANENT NEGOTIATOR TO ican recognized for leadership in public come to light as we look carefully at FACILITATE DIRECT TALKS ON policy and public life, someone who can our monetary system. NAGORNO KARABAGH MUST BE command the respect necessary to win Now, there will always be some peo- APPOINTED the confidence of all parties to the con- ple who are better managers, just good The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under flict. at business or just lucky in their the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- To echo and amplify the language in choices. That is the first group. They uary 19, 1999, the gentleman from New the foreign ops bill, I will be circu- will prosper in any system. Then there Jersey (Mr. PALLONE) is recognized lating amongst our colleagues here a is the upper middle class who will man- during morning hour debates for 5 min- letter to President Clinton and Sec- age a satisfactory standard of living. utes. retary Albright urging that they move Then next is the lower middle class, Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, the to appoint a special negotiator imme- who may manage a satisfactory stand- foreign operations appropriations bill, diately. ard of living by working two jobs or which this House is expected to begin Madam Speaker, two weeks ago Ar- being frugal in their spending or so debating later this week, contains an menia’s ambassador to the United forth. important provision that is extremely States, Ambassador Rouben Shugarian, Number four, there are the working timely and deserves our support. Lan- came to Capitol Hill to brief Members poor who really do work hard but at guage in the foreign ops legislation ad- of Congress and our staff about the low paying jobs they can never get dresses the need for a negotiated set- Nagorno Karabagh peace process, and ahead at all. tlement to the Nagorno Karabagh con- Number five, at the bottom are the one of the most positive developments hopeless poor who may work some or flict; noting that the important posi- of late has been the increase in direct are on some sort of welfare but have tion of special negotiator for Nagorno contacts between the presidents of Ar- little chance to better their situation Karabagh and NIS, the Newly Inde- menia and Azerbaijan. The presidents in the real world. They are the last pendent States of the former Soviet of the two countries recently met pri- hired in good times and the first fired Union, regional conflicts is currently vately in Geneva. when the economy is slipping. vacant. The surprise announcement that Now, it is easy to say this group does The Committee on Appropriations came out of the meeting was a ten- not have the skills, probably true; does urged the Secretary of State to move tative agreement to have Nagorno not want to work, probably not true, forthwith to appoint a permanent spe- Karabagh participate directly in the but in any event there is strong evi- cial negotiator to facilitate direct ne- next session of face-to-face talks. dence that the system, the system we gotiations and any other contacts that While it may be too soon to talk of a have, plays a critical role in their lack will bring peace to the long suffering breakthrough, Armenian President of success. people of the South Caucasus. Kocharian stated that he believes Azer- Let us suppose there are five heads of Madam Speaker, Nagorno Karabagh baijan’s President Heydar Aliyev is se- families that live on a new continent. is an historically Armenian populated rious about achieving a solution to the We will just invent a situation. Again, region that declared its independence Karabagh conflict. Ambassador they work hard, bartering for things. as the Soviet Union was breaking up. Shugarian spoke at our recent meeting The plan proposed would be to issue The neighboring Republic of Azer- with cautious optimism about other the certificates, as I mentioned, and baijan, which claims Nagorno avenues for direct talks, and it is im- they would be the medium of exchange. Karabagh as part of its own territory, portant for this process to continue They issue fifty pieces of paper or fifty went to war to prevent Karabagh, and indeed to be accelerated as much certificates and they have to each known to the Armenian people as as possible. repay one certificate at the end of the Artsakh, from achieving its independ- That is why today I want to stress year, and thus the interest on it is im- ence. that the presence of a permanent U.S. possible to be paid. That is, if money is The people of Karabagh prevailed in special negotiator to facilitate direct issued as a loan, the interest is impos- battle and Azerbaijan agreed to a negotiations and other contacts is ex- sible to be repaid. cease-fire in 1994 but, Madam Speaker, tremely important at this time. I urge Now, it is easy to see in a simple sit- a permanent negotiated settlement ac- the administration to act quickly to uation like that, or example, but it is ceptable to all sides has been elusive. appoint a new and permanent special impossible to see in our huge national The U.S. has played a leading role in negotiator. monetary system with hundreds of bil- the effort to resolve this conflict, as a f lions of dollars constantly being cre- co-chair of the Minsk Group, under the ated and extinguished. Actually, it is auspices of the Organization for Secu- BUDGET PRIORITIES estimated that about $20 billion is ex- rity and Cooperation in Europe. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under tinguished and created each day in The U.S. has had three of our dip- the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- America, causing the fundamental flaw lomats serve in the post of special ne- uary 19, 1999, the gentlewoman from in our system. The fact of creating gotiator to try to resolve this conflict. Georgia (Ms. MCKINNEY) is recognized money out of thin air and loaning it Madam Speaker, the position of spe- during morning hour debates for 5 min- into circulation at interest makes the cial negotiator recently became vacant utes. interest mathematically impossible to with the departure of Donald Keyser, a Ms. MCKINNEY. Madam Speaker, in be paid. career diplomat who moved on to an- the 1980s, at the height of the so-called July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6429 Reagan revolution, Congress passed a today and tomorrow. Instead, we are cisco is viewed across the globe as one Budget Act which made trickle down layering unrealistic demands on top of of the most spectacularly beautiful economics the policy of the land. Under Cold War needs. As a result, the emer- places on Earth, but its real beauty the banner of fiscal conservatism, that gency supplemental appropriations bill comes not from its location and topog- budget provided for large increases in became a Christmas tree, laden with raphy and buildings but from the rich- military spending, along with sweeping gifts of pork for everyone, and the rate ness of the cultural variety of its citi- tax cuts that mainly benefited the of the increase in military spending zens. wealthy. The theory was that the now threatens Social Security, low in- In recent days, our Chinese American money would trickle down to regular come housing and nutrition programs. population has been intimidated, at- folks, but we regular folks only got It is clear to me that our national se- tacked, assaulted, with hate literature trickled on. curity cannot be measured in bombers of the most pernicious type. I stand In fact, we got so tired of being trick- alone. I believe our national security here, Madam Speaker, calling on these led on that we voted George Bush out depends equally on our domestic pro- merchants of hate to stop their nefar- of the White House and put grams and on constructive foreign pol- ious and hideous business. in. The result, as was predicted by the icy initiatives. We can no longer con- San Francisco’s Chinese American liberals at the time, was the largest tinue to spend nearly half of all of our community is one of the most law abid- debt in the history of the world. Federal discretionary dollars on mili- ing, industrious, hard working, patri- However, let us fast forward to the tary programs. This misplaced priority otic segments of our society. They de- 1990s where the Republican Contract on compromises our national security by serve our respect and our recognition; America has been totally discredited shortchanging our investments in pro- not the oozing of hate literature and and they would like us to forget that grams that make for real security: A the threats of thugs who are in the they shut down the government in healthy, well-educated, properly process of attempting to intimidate a order to force our President to accept housed citizenry. population which for generations has their twisted priorities. Instead, be- Does the U.S. really need a military contributed so richly, not only to the cause Democrats stood up to the Re- that is big enough to simultaneously cultural variety but also to the eco- publican bullying, we are now experi- fight two major regional wars alone? nomic vibrancy of our city. encing Bill Clinton’s economy where Why does the U.S. need to continue to This attack on San Francisco’s Chi- job growth is up, unemployment is station 100,000 troops in Europe? Eu- nese American community must stop. I down, homeownership is up and inter- rope cannot defend itself? Why is the call upon the major law enforcement est rates are down. The deficit is down United States spending $35 billion per agencies at all levels to be ultra vigi- and the budget surplus is up. year to maintain over 6,000 nuclear lant in seeing to it that these mer- Unfortunately, the Republican Con- weapons on high alert against an chants of hate will not go beyond their gress’ response to all of this is predict- enemy that no longer exists? Why threats and, in fact, engage in physical able. Increase military spending and go should the U.S. spend another $11 bil- actions of intimidation against the back to the same old trickle down lion on a missile defense system that is Chinese American population. theories that produced the largest debt technologically infeasible and strategi- San Francisco prides itself, and just- in the history of the free world; this cally destabilizing? Why not close the ly so, in providing a secure, safe and time a trillion dollar tax cut to their military bases that the Department of civilized haven to all its citizens. The wealthy fat cat buddies and an increase Defense no longer needs and support Chinese American population of the in military spending as they embark converting them into profitable com- City of San Francisco is entitled to upon a desperate effort to recapture mercial and industrial centers? Why nothing less. the glory days of Ronald Reagan’s should the DOD get more money when I intend to meet with the leadership trickle down. it cannot even find over $9 billion of that community to reassure them Amazingly, they think we have for- worth of inventory and continues to that my colleagues in this body and in- gotten. They figure that by changing give away millions in over payments to deed our Federal Government is fully the name to compassionate conserv- contractors? prepared to protect them in all their atism they can fool us, but that is just More money is not the answer to rights and privileges as American citi- not so. In the FY 2000 budget, the Pentagon waste. Instead, we should end zens. United States will spend more on the the obsolete U.S. Cold War military, f interest on Ronald Reagan’s debt than invest instead in developing multilat- on the entire Medicare program. The eral civil institutions such as the orga- RECESS FY 2000 budget also commits half of all nization for cooperation and security The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Federal discretionary spending to mili- in Europe. These steps will reduce the ant to clause 12 of rule I, the Chair de- tary programs. cost of the U.S. Government by more clares the House in recess until 10 a.m. Now, there are some good things in than $40 billion a year. Accordingly (at 9 o’clock and 25 min- the military budget that I strongly f utes a.m.), the House stood in recess support: Cooperative threat reduction until 10 a.m. programs, increases in pay for mem- THREATS OF HATE MUST STOP f bers of our uniformed services, and in- AGAINST SAN FRANCISCO’S CHI- creased benefits for America’s vet- NESE-AMERICAN POPULATION b 1000 erans. However, the tremendous ex- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under AFTER RECESS cesses in the military budget com- the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- pelled me to oppose it. The current de- uary 19, 1999, the gentleman from Cali- The recess having expired, the House fense strategy calls on the military to fornia (Mr. LANTOS) is recognized dur- was called to order at 10 a.m. be prepared to fight two significant ing morning hour debates for 5 min- f wars at the same time, without any al- utes. lies, and while maintaining a credible Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, some PRAYER military reserve. The bottom line is time back I rose in the well of this The Chaplain, the Reverend James that we maintain a Cold War era mili- House to denounce the burning of David Ford, D.D., offered the following tary and its incumbent costs irrespec- Black churches in the south. A few prayer: tive of any realistic assessment of the weeks ago, it was my duty and the Let us pray using the words of Psalm threat to our national security. We duty of my like-minded colleagues to 100: also maintain at tremendous expense a denounce the burning of three syna- Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all Cold War nuclear arsenal. gogues in . Today it is my the lands. I strongly believe we must leave be- painful duty to speak out against a Serve the Lord with gladness. hind the military structure and devices new and different incipient hate crime. Come into His presence with singing. that we depended upon to win the Cold I am proud to represent the City of Know that the Lord is God. War and prepare for the real world of San Francisco in this body. San Fran- It is He that made us, and we are His. H6430 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 We are His people, and the sheep of S. 1402. An act to amend title 38, United Montgomery bus, Judge Johnson ruled His pasture. States Code, to enhance programs providing that the regulation that required her Enter His gates with thanksgiving education benefits for veterans, and for other to stand in order that a white pas- and His courts with praise. purposes. senger might sit was in violation of the Give thanks to Him, and bless His f 14th Amendment. name. ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER Following the savage beating of civil For the Lord is good. PRO TEMPORE rights marchers, who included our own His steadfast love endures forever, colleague the gentleman from Georgia The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. and His faithfulness to all generations. (Mr. LEWIS) by Alabama state troopers Amen. GILLMOR). The Chair will entertain 15 as they attempted to march from one-minutes on each side. f Selma to Montgomery, Judge Johnson f moved that those marchers should be THE JOURNAL 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF LEGAL allowed to express their grievances The SPEAKER. The Chair has exam- SERVICES CORPORATION through a peaceful demonstration. ined the Journal of the last day’s pro- In his ruling, he said that those ceedings and announces to the House (Mr. ARMEY asked and was given marchers were doing nothing more his approval thereof. permission to address the House for 1 than exercising their Constitutional Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Jour- minute and to revise and extend his re- right to assemble peaceably to seek re- nal stands approved. marks.) dress of grievances. Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, pursuant Mr. ARMEY. Mr. Speaker, today the He struck down laws that prohibited to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote on White House is holding a party cele- African-Americans from serving on ju- agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of brating the 25th anniversary of the ries, signed the order to force the inte- the Journal. Legal Services Corporation. gration of the University of Alabama, The SPEAKER. The question is on Mr. Speaker, this is no time to cele- took part in the case that led to the the Chair’s approval of the Journal. brate. We now know that the Legal one man, one vote ruling by the Su- The question was taken; and the Services Corporation massively mis- preme Court and had a hand in scores Speaker announced that the ayes ap- represented its caseload to Congress. In of other cases that led to desegregation peared to have it. fact, according to a recent study, LSC of public facilities throughout the Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I object to misreported a full one-third of its cases South. the vote on the ground that a quorum to Congress. That kind of waste and Mr. Speaker, I believe this great man is not present and make the point of mismanagement are hardly causes for did indeed yield true justice. The coun- order that a quorum is not present. celebration. try has lost a great man. The SPEAKER. Evidently a quorum LSC was inflating numbers. LSC was f is not present. giving Congress misleading informa- tion. LSC was wasting taxpayer LANCE ARMSTRONG, AN Pursuant to clause 8, rule XX, fur- INCREDIBLE COMEBACK ther proceedings on this vote will be money. And worst of all, it was ne- (Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas asked postponed. glecting the very people it claims to and was given permission to address The point of no quorum is considered help. the House for 1 minute and to revise withdrawn. Mr. Speaker, we cannot reward poor and extend his remarks.) f performance and misleading informa- tion. No birthday celebration can paper Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE over the fact that the Legal Services Speaker, we have got a new hero named Lance Armstrong as a profes- The SPEAKER. Will the gentleman Corporation is not helping as many sional cycler. from New York (Mr. MCNULTY) come people as it claims. Now that the false cases have been In October of 1996, he was diagnosed forward and lead the House in the with cancer, threatening not only his Pledge of Allegiance. exposed, it is clear that LSC does not deserve the funding it has been getting. career but his life. Last Sunday after- Mr. MCNULTY led the Pledge of Alle- noon, he conquered both. Lance, who giance as follows: In fact, Mr. Speaker, perhaps they should make their case before the false grew up in Plano, Texas, in our dis- I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the trict, won the Tour de France by 7 min- United States of America, and to the Repub- claims court. Mr. Speaker, given LSC’s habit of in- utes, 37 seconds. lic for which it stands, one nation under God, Armstrong’s triumph over the France indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. flating numbers by a third, I would not landscape is a testament to the f be surprised if that birthday cake at the White House today has 33 candles strength of human mind, body, and MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE on it. spirit when put to the test and a testa- ment to faith in God that miracles do A message from the Senate by Mr. f Lundregan, one of its clerks, an- happen. nounced that the Senate had passed TRIBUTE TO JUDGE FRANK M. The fact that an American won the with an amendment in which the con- JOHNSON race for the first time in 9 years is rea- son enough for national celebration. currence of the House is requested, a (Mr. FROST asked and was given per- But Armstrong’s victory over cancer bill of the House of the following title: mission to address the House for 1 gives a very real, very special hope to H.R. 2280. An act to amend title 38, United minute and to revise and extend his re- States Code, to provide a cost-of-living ad- those who are struggling with cancer. marks.) Today we say bravo and congratula- justment in rates of compensation paid for Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, on July 23 service-connected disabilities, to enhance tions, Lance, for a victory that will go the Nation lost a great American when down as one of the most incredible the compensation, memorial affairs, and Judge Frank M. Johnson died at his housing programs of the Department of Vet- comebacks in history. erans Affairs, to improve retirement authori- home in Montgomery, Alabama. America is in your debt. God bless ties applicable to judges of the United States Judge Johnson was truly an Amer- you. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, and ican hero, a man of decency and cour- f for other purposes. age, and whose dedication to the prin- The message also announced that the ciples of the Constitution ensured that AMERICA MUST NOT TOLERATE Senate has passed bills of the following all Americans might enjoy the rights MURDERERS titles in which concurrence of the and privileges accorded to the citizens (Mr. TRAFICANT asked and was House is requested: of this Nation by that great document. given permission to address the House S. 296. An act to provide for continuation His most celebrated decisions came for 1 minute and to revise and extend of the Federal research investment in a fis- in the early years of the civil rights his remarks.) cally sustainable way, and for other pur- movement in this country. After Rosa Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, the poses. Parks refused to give up her seat on a Yosemite murderer confessed to four July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6431 brutal killings. Cary Stayner said he than the 1981 excesses. You have to go for 1 minute and to revise and extend beheaded one victim. Cary Stayner back to 1948, when the Republican 80th his remarks.) then said he had killed the mother and Congress sent a kindred bill to Presi- Mr. STRICKLAND. Mr. Speaker, it her 15-year-old daughter. Cary Stayner dent Harry Truman. Harry Truman ve- troubles me that sometimes in this then said he killed their 16-year-old toed it, calling the Republicans ‘blood- Chamber we stand and say things that friend as well. Then Cary Stayner suckers with offices in Wall Street.’ we ought not to say. We criticize peo- apologized. My colleagues, Cary Not only did he win reelection, but the ple that we have no right to criticize. Stayner said, ‘‘I’m sorry.’’ Democrats recaptured Congress.’’ We recently voted to condemn a sci- Beam me up, Mr. Speaker. I say it is House Republicans have also proved entific study and an organization, an time for a jury to tell Cary Stayner, that they are more concerned about big organization that has done as much as Goodnight, sweet Prince. It is time to tax cuts for the wealthy than providing any organization in this country to meet the devil. relief for America’s school districts by fight child abuse. An America that tolerates murderers failing to take a prime opportunity to I wonder how many of us read the like Cary Stayner is an America that include a real school construction ini- study before we were willing to vote to say that the methodology was flawed. I will have more murderers like Cary tiative. wonder how many of us were tech- Stayner. The tunnel vision by Republicans on nically competent to make that deci- I yield back the record number of vic- a big tax break for the rich senselessly blocks commonsense tax incentives sion. tims laid to rest in cemeteries all over that would provide crucial aid to I believe that we ought to observe America. America’s schools. the Ten Commandments. One of those f Republican priorities put wealthy Commandments says, you ought not to THREE CORNERSTONES OF Americans over the needs of our chil- bear false witness against your neigh- REPUBLICAN BUDGET PROPOSAL dren. Mr. Speaker, we must put our bor. children before the wealthy in this When we say things about an organi- (Mr. PITTS asked and was given per- country. zation or about an individual scientist mission to address the House for 1 f that are untrue or unsubstantiated, in minute and to revise and extend his re- my judgment, we have violated that marks.) AMERICANS SHOULD HOLD ON TO Commandment. Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, the Repub- MORE OF THEIR HARD-EARNED We ought to have the decency not to lican budget proposal contains three MONEY vote to condemn something until we important provisions, some of which (Mr. HAYWORTH asked and was know what it is we are voting to con- our friends on the other side appear to given permission to address the House demn. be ignoring. for 1 minute and to revise and extend f First, it contains a Social Security his remarks.) and Medicare lockbox requirement Mr. HAYWORTH. Mr. Speaker, it is GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT KEEP which locks away 100 percent, every very interesting to come to the well of TAXPAYERS’ HARD-EARNED dime of the money collected from FICA this Chamber; and we can always de- MONEY taxes and requires that it all goes to- pend on something. It is as predictable (Mr. CHABOT asked and was given wards Social Security, Medicare. as the swallows returning to San Juan permission to address the House for 1 Secondly, it provides for substantial Capistrano and the buzzards going back minute.) debt reduction. Debt held by the public to Hinckley, Ohio. We always hear Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, Repub- would be reduced by over $2 trillion from my liberal friends every excuse in licans are proposing a tax cut. In fact, over the next 10 years. the book as to why the American peo- we passed it in the House of Represent- And third, it provides for tax relief ple should not keep more of their hard- atives here just last week. Democrats they are debating. earned money. criticized it, and now they say they Social Security and Medicare, debt I appreciate my good friend from New want to target a tax cut. But there is reduction, and tax relief. Those are the York and his lesson in revisionist his- a big difference. Republicans are tar- three cornerstones of our budget pro- tory. It is always interesting to hear geting all taxpayers. If they pay taxes, posal. It seems that Social Security the rationale of those doomed to defeat they get a tax cut. To liberal Demo- and Medicare and debt reduction are because they fail to recognize that, if crats that is not fair. To their way of being forgotten in all of the debate given a choice, we believe Americans thinking only if the government de- about tax relief. should hold on to more of their hard- cides whether they are worthy of some social engineering should they get a But to ignore our plan to strengthen earned money instead of sending it to tax cut. And if they are carrying most Social Security and Medicare, to ig- Washington bureaucrats to waste. While we are on the subject and talk- of the tax burden, they are the last per- nore the $2 trillion in debt reduction ing about children, I am curious as to sons the liberal Democrats here in the that our plan calls for simply does not why my liberal friends think that House want to give a tax cut to. For do it justice. those working Americans who earn most taxpayers, when a liberal wants Our plan is fair, balanced, and re- $40,000 a year are somehow rich. Be- to give a targeted tax cut, well, this is sponsible. It protects seniors, begins cause it turns out those who make a euphemism for ‘‘you are not getting paying down the national debt, and $40,000 a year pay nearly four times as one.’’ gives taxpayers a break. much in taxes as those who earn $20,000 Let me say again what the Repub- f a year. lican approach to tax cuts is, if one is MASSIVE REPUBLICAN TAX BREAK Finally, Mr. Speaker, I point this a taxpayer, one gets to keep some of IS OUTRAGEOUS AND EXCESSIVE out: It is real simple what we want to one’s hard-earned money. It is not the do with the surplus, the overcharge. We Government’s money. It belongs to the (Mr. CROWLEY asked and was given want to take $2 of that surplus and put people who had labored and worked permission to address the House for 1 it away, lock it away for Social Secu- hard to earn it in the first place minute and to revise and extend his re- rity and Medicare. And then with the Yes, it is a question of fairness and it marks.) other dollar that remains, we want to sends an important signal to the Amer- Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, the give it back to the American people be- ican people that hard work will be re- massive House Republican tax break is cause it is their money and in that way warded. outrageous and excessive, threatening we will secure America’s future and the f opportunities to strengthen Social Se- majority in this Chamber. REPUBLICAN BUDGET BETTER AT curity, Medicare, and education. f Just listen to Republican analyst DEBT REDUCTION THAN DEMO- Kevin Phillips in comments made DO NOT VOTE TO CONDEMN UNTIL CRAT PROPOSALS today: ‘‘We can fairly call the House WE KNOW WHAT IT IS (Mr. BALLENGER asked and was legislation the most outrageous tax (Mr. STRICKLAND asked and was given permission to address the House package of the last 50 years. It is worse given permission to address the House for 1 minute.) H6432 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 Mr. BALLENGER. Mr. Speaker, I STOP THE ANTI-MINING GREED LANCE ARMSTRONG: THE REAL want to reiterate. The Republican (Mr. GIBBONS asked and was given MCCOY budget contains $200 billion more in permission to address the House for 1 (Mr. KASICH asked and was given debt reduction than does the Democrat minute and to revise and extend his re- permission to address the House for 1 proposals. You heard that right. Our marks.) minute.) budget is better on debt reduction than Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, well, Mr. KASICH. Mr. Speaker, Sunday the Democrat budget is according to here we go again. The left-leaning, afternoon I took the time to sit and the Congressional Budget Office. anti-mining zealots want a Federal tax really celebrate vicariously, as much b 1015 on all mining operations on an esti- as it would be appropriate, as Lance mated, hypothetical, or proposed value Armstrong pedaled the final 2,300 miles But one would never know it from of a mine. Moreover, the proposed val- into Paris. What an amazing story for listening to some of my colleagues on ues that are given to these mines are a man who many had given up on. the other side of the aisle, many of nothing but sheer guesses that always Given less than a 50–50 chance to even whom seem to be positively incapable grossly overexaggerate the worth of survive the cancer that wracked his of describing our tax cut proposal accu- the mineral deposit. body, he had incredible steely deter- rately. For example, some of these mining mination, and he was able to not only Republicans call for both tax relief opponents cite the Stillwater Mine in overcome cancer, but also to prove so and debt reduction in our proposal. In- Montana as a taxpayer giveaway of $38 many of the sponsors who had given up deed, our plan would reduce the debt billion. Grossly exaggerated, Mr. on him wrong. held by the public by slightly over $2 Speaker. $38 billion could fund a hos- As my colleagues know, this is a trillion over the next 10 years. To call tile takeover of the Ford Motor Com- time in America when we are all in that irresponsible is reckless or a bit pany. This amount of money could pur- search of heroes, all in search of the odd. We have a balanced and fair plan chase the entire metal mining industry real McCoy. As my colleagues know, I that not only provides for debt reduc- in the United States and Canada. think Lance Armstrong is the real tion and tax relief, but insists on a So- Some claim that patents to Barrick McCoy. When he crossed that victory cial Security and Medicare lockbox Gold Mine have a value of $10 billion. stripe and he was interviewed by the provision for the first time. One hun- Keep in mind that the supposed 10 bil- network, he had not prepared some big dred percent of the retirement surplus lion is wrapped up in a small acreage of braggadocio speech. In fact, it took would go to Social Security and Medi- desert rock. Using their irrational him 2 or 3 questions to finally get care. logic, one could say that the raw land Lance Armstrong to say that with In other words, all FICA taxes would beneath the Washington Post printing human beings many times we get a sec- actually go towards the programs they plant would be worth several billion ond chance, and the second chance may were designed to go towards, Social Se- dollars itself. even be better and greater than the curity and Medicare. In 1556 Georgious Agricola stated the first chance. Lance Armstrong is humble, deter- Do Democrats really think that is miners should start mining operations mined and an inspiration and should be reckless? in a district only where it is friendly. a hero to everyone who lives not just in f This quote still holds true today. Stop the boundaries of the United States but the anti-mining greed. PORKER OF THE WEEK AWARD around the globe to adults, to our sen- f (Mr. HEFLEY asked and was given iors, and to children alike. permission to address the House.) MOURNING THE PASSING OF REV. God bless you, Lance Armstrong, for Mr. HEFLEY. Mr. Speaker, to pre- BOOKER T. SEARS OF your accomplishment. vent potential catastrophic nationwide SPARTANBURG, SOUTH CARO- f computer meltdown, the Securities and LINA PRESCRIPTION POLITICS Exchange Commission, or the SEC, is (Mr. DEMINT asked and was given (Mr. SMITH of Michigan asked and fighting brokers and firms to ensure permission to address the House for 1 that their computers actually read was given permission to address the minute and to revise and extend his re- House for 1 minute and to revise and ‘‘00’’ as of January 1 of 2000. marks.) Recently an 87-year-old broker who extend his remarks.) Mr. DEMINT. Mr. Speaker, every Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Mr. Speak- has spent 50 years in the investment community has citizens that strive to er, the President has proposed that the business was fined $5,000 for not being improve the way of life for all those Medicare program provide free drug Y2K compliant. There is only one prob- around them. They serve others be- prescription. Now anyone with a basic lem. This particular gentleman does cause they want to, not because they understanding of how markets work not own a computer. His operation is have to. knows that the President’s proposal so small, he does not actually sell them One such man was Reverend Booker will increase demand and ultimately mutual funds; he just gives advice. He T. Sears of Spartanburg, South Caro- drive up the price of prescription drugs. never touches any money at all. lina. Last week Reverend Sears, a pio- This in turn will cause insurance rates Mr. Speaker, that has not stopped neer civil rights leader and respected to rise for everyone who has prescrip- the SEC from demanding a yearly community leader, passed away at his tion drug coverage and further worsen audit of his firm which costs him an- home. Reverend Sears was pastor of the burden of those who do not have other $5,000. He went ahead, and he Thompson Street Baptist Church for drug coverage. paid the original Y2K fine because he nearly 50 years. His efforts within the As the price of drugs rise, Medicare’s could not afford the money to fight the community helped integrate public financial position will worsen, and this bureaucracy. schools, desegregate public transpor- will lead to higher tax costs for every- He will not be without a computer tation, and develop many community one and pressure from the government for long, however. New SEC regulations improvement projects. to put price controls on prescription insist that all brokers have a computer Reverend Sears will be remembered drugs. This will lead to shortages of so they can receive e-mail notices from as a man who truly cared about all prescription drugs and a slowdown in the agencies. those around him. During his career, research for new and better drugs. Here we have a legitimate business- he was a mentor to young pastors and Eventually bureaucrats in Washington man being harassed and intimidated by a servant to everyone in the commu- will be telling seniors what prescrip- his own government agency paid for by nity. tion drugs they are going to be allowed his own tax dollars. Outrageous. It is Reverend Sears is a testimony of one to have. inexcusable and a waste of taxpayers’ man making a difference in the lives of Now the President is proposing free time and money. thousands, Mr. Speaker. We will miss prescription drugs because at first The Securities and Exchange Com- Reverend Sears. It is now our time to glance it appears to give seniors some- mission gets my porker of the week carry on his mission off love and serv- thing for nothing. But he and his advis- award and my disgust. ice. ers know as well as I do the harm that July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6433 it will do seniors and the rest of us. He in tax relief, and as liberal Senator BOB mium on national security, and that is is proposing this to play politics, to try KERREY says, it is not reckless; it is why I have introduced my bill, H.R. to thwart tax cuts, and try to have a not irresponsible when you are looking 2411, which would eliminate this multi- bigger, more powerful government. at the surpluses that we are. billion-dollar bureaucracy with con- f I hope that the demagoguery in fused missions and questionable prior- Washington will stop and we can pass ities. Frankly, these are responsibil- RETURN THE BUDGET SURPLUS this very important bill for the sake of ities that should be handled again by TO THE PEOPLE IT BELONGS TO Social Security, Medicare, and the the Department of Defense. We should (Mr. SCHAFFER asked and was given debt. abolish this agency. permission to address the House for 1 f It is time we stopped the Department minute and to revise and extend his re- STOP THEM BEFORE THEY SPEND of Energy from turning our national marks.) AGAIN labs into garage sales. I urge my col- Mr. SCHAFFER. Mr. Speaker, gov- leagues to take a closer look at this ernment or the people; that is the ques- (Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California risk to America’s national security in- tion. Should the projected budget sur- asked and was given permission to ad- terests. pluses be kept in Washington, D.C., or dress the House for 1 minute and to re- f should it be returned to the people it vise and extend his remarks.) belongs to? Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. TRADE POLICY TOWARD THE On the liberal side of the aisle, they Mr. Speaker, it is a rather interesting COMMUNIST REGIME IN CHINA say, trust politicians. We won’t spend argument that the Republicans make (Mr. ROHRABACHER asked and was it. We’ll invest it wisely for you. so that they can pass their tax bill to given permission to address the House On the conservative side of the aisle, give the vast majority of its benefits to for 1 minute and to revise and extend we look at human nature. All of our the wealthiest people in this country, his remarks.) history, and especially the track record and that is they must give the money Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, in of these very same people making to the wealthy so that the Congress a few brief minutes this House will con- these promises and we say, nice try. will not spend the money. It is inter- sider the issue of what trade policy we Let’s give it back to the taxpayers be- esting because there can be no expendi- shall have towards the Communist re- fore politicians in Washington spend it. tures of that money without Repub- gime in China. The idea that the same people who lican votes. Last time I looked this morning, the b 1030 blocked Ronald Reagan’s attempts at Republicans controlled the Senate and It is a bipartisan issue. It is an issue cutting spending and then blamed the Republicans controlled the House, in which there are some Republicans Reagan for budget deficits, the same but they keep saying, You have to stop on one side and some Republicans on people who call Republicans extremists me before I spend again. It is the Re- the other; some Democrats on one side, every time we try to cut spending, the publicans’ Committee on Appropria- some Democrats on the other. same people who become hysterical tions that is coming up with phony I would ask the American people to every time Republicans insist on fiscal emergencies. They now want to say pay close attention to the debate that discipline are now asking us to trust that the census was an emergency. We we will have on this issue. This debate they will not spend the budget surplus. could not predict it, we could not see will determine whether or not this I find that completely absurd, and in it, we did not know it was coming. country is remaining true to its prin- any case, that money belongs to the That is funny; it has come every 10 ciples as stated by our Founding Fa- people, not to the government. years. For the last 200 years of this thers; whether or not that is indeed our f country we have had a census in this highest value, that freedom and democ- THREE THINGS WE HAVE TO DO country, but somehow now it is an racy and human rights remain the WITH THE SURPLUS emergency spending so that they can highest value for the American people. Mr. Speaker, if we are not committed (Mr. KINGSTON asked and was given break the caps, so they can spend the to those fundamental principles, we permission to address the House for 1 surplus supposedly there for Social Se- will lose in the end, because not only minute and to revise and extend his re- curity. Every day now they are dipping will we not prosper, but our country marks.) into the Social Security Trust Fund to will be put in jeopardy, our national se- Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, we now spend more and more money. So the Republicans are saying, You curity will be compromised. This, per- have a surplus for the first time since got to give a tax cut to the wealthiest haps, is one of the most important 1969, and there are two reasons for this: people, otherwise they will spend the issues that we will discuss this year, number one, Congress has brought in money. Sort of like the son of Sam who and I would hope that the American the rein on spending; but number two, was saying, Stop me before I kill again. people pay close attention to the up- and more importantly, hard-working Stop them before they spend again. coming debate. Americans have worked their tails off, f and tax revenues have increased as a f result of it. ABOLISH DOE THE JOURNAL I believe there are three things we (Mr. ROYCE asked and was given per- The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. need to do with that surplus and there mission to address the House for 1 GILLMOR). Pursuant to clause 8 of rule are three things that the Republican minute.) XX, the pending business is the ques- bill did do last week. Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, $30,000 tion of agreeing to the Speaker’s ap- Number one, protected and preserved should be enough to purchase a nice proval of the Journal of the last day’s Social Security and Medicare. This bill car or make a down payment on a proceedings. set aside $1.9 trillion in Social Security house or pay for a couple of years of The question is on the Speaker’s ap- and Medicare and used a lockbox de- college, but $30,000 should not be proval of the Journal. vice. Keep in mind the President not enough to buy a $9 million supercom- The question was taken; and the only wanted to preserve 62 percent of puter especially when the technology Speaker pro tempore announced that Social Security, the Republican bill has the potential to be exported for nu- the ayes appeared to have it. preserves 100 percent. clear weapons research. But that is ex- Mr. MCNULTY. Mr. Speaker, I object The number two thing this bill does actly what the Department of Energy to the vote on the ground that a is pays down the debt. For 40 years, lib- has allowed to happen, and when the quorum is not present and make the eral Washington spending programs DOE officials realized their mistake, point of order that a quorum is not have given us a $5.4 trillion debt. This they scrambled to buy the computer present. bill pays it down by over $2 trillion. back for three times the sales price. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Evi- And then number three, it gives Now this just does not compute. dently a quorum is not present. Americans their refund for overcharge The Department has proven time and The Sergeant at Arms will notify ab- on the government. It gives 792 billion time again that it does not put a pre- sent Members. H6434 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 The vote was taken by electronic de- Rothman Simpson Tiahrt Congress assembled, That the Congress does vice, and there were—yeas 352, nays 53, Roukema Sisisky Tierney not approve the extension of the authority Roybal-Allard Skeen Toomey contained in section 402(c) of the Trade Act answered ‘‘present’’ 1, not voting 27, as Royce Skelton Towns of 1974 recommended by the President to the follows: Rush Slaughter Traficant Ryan (WI) Smith (MI) Turner Congress on June 3, 1999, with respect to the [Roll No. 337] Ryun (KS) Smith (NJ) Udall (CO) People’s Republic of China. YEAS—352 Salmon Smith (TX) Upton The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Sanchez Smith (WA) Velazquez Ackerman Ehrlich LaTourette Sanders Souder Vento GILLMOR). Pursuant to the order of the Allen Emerson Lazio Sandlin Spence Vitter House of Thursday, July 22, 1999, the Andrews Engel Leach Sawyer Spratt Walden gentleman from Texas (Mr. ARCHER) Archer Eshoo Lee Saxton Stabenow Walsh and a Member in support of the joint Bachus Etheridge Levin Scarborough Stearns Wamp 1 Baker Evans Lewis (CA) Schakowsky Stenholm Watt (NC) resolution each will control 1 ⁄2 hours. Baldacci Everett Lewis (GA) Scott Stump Watts (OK) Is the gentleman from California Baldwin Ewing Lewis (KY) Sensenbrenner Sununu Waxman (Mr. STARK) in favor of the joint reso- Ballenger Farr Linder Serrano Talent Weiner lution? Barcia Fletcher Lipinski Sessions Tanner Weldon (FL) Barr Foley Lofgren Shadegg Tauscher Wexler Mr. STARK. I am in favor of the Barrett (NE) Forbes Lowey Shaw Tauzin Weygand joint resolution, Mr. Speaker. Barrett (WI) Fossella Lucas (KY) Shays Taylor (NC) Whitfield PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY Bartlett Frank (MA) Lucas (OK) Sherman Terry Wilson Barton Franks (NJ) Luther Sherwood Thomas Woolsey Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, par- Bass Frelinghuysen Maloney (CT) Shimkus Thornberry Wu liamentary inquiry. Bateman Frost Maloney (NY) Shows Thune Wynn The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- Becerra Gallegly Manzullo Shuster Thurman Young (FL) Bentsen Ganske Martinez tleman from Ohio (Mr. TRAFICANT) will Berkley Gejdenson Mascara NAYS—53 state his inquiry. Berman Gekas Matsui Aderholt Hefley Riley Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, if all Berry Gibbons McCarthy (MO) Baird Hill (MT) Sabo of these Members who are controlling Biggert Gilchrest McCarthy (NY) Bilbray Hilleary Sanford time favor normal trade relations for Bilirakis Gillmor McCollum Borski Hilliard Schaffer Bishop Gilman McCrery Brown (FL) Hutchinson Stark China, I would ask unanimous consent Blagojevich Gonzalez McHugh Brown (OH) Johnson, E. B. Strickland to control half of the time on this side Bliley Goode McInnis Clay Kucinich Stupak in opposition to normal trade relations Blumenauer Goodlatte McIntosh Clyburn LoBiondo Sweeney Blunt Goodling McIntyre Costello Markey Taylor (MS) for China. Boehlert Goss McKeon Crane McGovern Thompson (CA) The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Boehner Graham McKinney DeFazio McNulty Thompson (MS) Chair would advise the gentleman from Bonilla Granger Meehan English Miller, George Udall (NM) Ohio that the time has already been di- Bonior Green (TX) Meeks (NY) Fattah Moran (KS) Visclosky Bono Green (WI) Menendez Filner Neal Waters vided, half in favor and half opposed to Boswell Hall (OH) Metcalf Ford Pallone Weller the joint resolution. Boucher Hall (TX) Mica Gephardt Pastor Wicker GENERAL LEAVE Boyd Hansen Millender- Gutierrez Peterson (MN) Wolf Mr. ARCHER. Mr. Speaker, I ask Brady (PA) Hastings (FL) McDonald Gutknecht Ramstad Brady (TX) Hastings (WA) Miller (FL) unanimous consent that all Members Bryant Hayes Miller, Gary ANSWERED ‘‘PRESENT’’—1 have 5 legislative days in which to re- Burr Hayworth Minge Tancredo Buyer Herger Mink vise and extend their remarks and in- Callahan Hill (IN) Moakley NOT VOTING—27 clude extraneous matter on House Calvert Hinojosa Mollohan Abercrombie Deutsch Oberstar Joint Resolution 57. Camp Hobson Moore Armey Edwards Peterson (PA) The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there Canady Hoeffel Moran (VA) Bereuter Fowler Pickett objection to the request of the gen- Cannon Hoekstra Morella Burton Gordon Pryce (OH) Capps Holden Murtha Campbell Greenwood Snyder tleman from Texas? Capuano Holt Myrick Chenoweth Hinchey Watkins There was no objection. Cardin Hooley Nadler Collins Kilpatrick Weldon (PA) Mr. ARCHER. Mr. Speaker, I ask Carson Horn Napolitano Cramer McDermott Wise unanimous consent to yield one-half of Castle Hostettler Nethercutt Davis (FL) Meek (FL) Young (AK) Chabot Houghton Ney my time to the gentleman from New Chambliss Hoyer Northup b 1051 York (Mr. RANGEL) in opposition to the Clayton Hulshof Norwood Clement Hunter Nussle So the Journal was approved. joint resolution, and that he be per- Coble Hyde Obey The result of the vote was announced mitted to yield further blocks of time. Coburn Inslee Olver as above recorded. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there Combest Isakson Ortiz Stated for: objection to the request of the gen- Condit Istook Ose Conyers Jackson (IL) Owens Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, dur- tleman from Texas? Cook Jackson-Lee Oxley ing rollcall No. 337 I was unavoidably de- There was no objection. Cooksey (TX) Packard tained. Had I been here I would have voted Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I ask unan- Cox Jefferson Pascrell imous consent that I be allowed to Coyne Jenkins Paul ``yea.'' Crowley John Payne f yield half of my time in support of the Cubin Johnson (CT) Pease joint resolution to the gentleman from Cummings Johnson, Sam Pelosi DISAPPROVING EXTENSION OF California (Mr. ROHRABACHER), and Cunningham Jones (NC) Petri NONDISCRIMINATORY TREAT- that in turn, he be allowed to yield Danner Jones (OH) Phelps MENT TO PRODUCTS OF PEO- Davis (IL) Kanjorski Pickering blocks of that time so yielded. Davis (VA) Kaptur Pitts PLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there Deal Kasich Pombo Mr. ARCHER. Mr. Speaker, pursuant objection to the request of the gen- DeGette Kelly Pomeroy to the previous order of the House, I Delahunt Kennedy Porter tleman from California? DeLauro Kildee Portman call up the joint resolution (H.J. Res. There was no objection. DeLay Kind (WI) Price (NC) 57) disapproving the extension of non- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- DeMint King (NY) Quinn discriminatory treatment (normal ant to the order of the House of July 22 Diaz-Balart Kingston Radanovich and the unanimous consent agreement Dickey Kleczka Rahall trade relations treatment) to the prod- Dicks Klink Rangel ucts of the People’s Republic of China, of today, the gentleman from Texas Dingell Knollenberg Regula and ask for its immediate consider- (Mr. ARCHER), the gentleman from Dixon Kolbe Reyes ation in the House. California (Mr. STARK), the gentleman Doggett Kuykendall Reynolds Dooley LaFalce Rivers The Clerk read the title of the joint from New York (Mr. RANGEL), and the Doolittle LaHood Rodriguez resolution. gentleman from California (Mr. ROHR- Doyle Lampson Roemer The text of H.J. Res. 57 is as follows: ABACHER) each will be recognized for 45 Dreier Lantos Rogan H.J. RES. 57 minutes. Duncan Largent Rogers Dunn Larson Rohrabacher Resolved by the Senate and House of Rep- The Chair recognizes the gentleman Ehlers Latham Ros-Lehtinen resentatives of the United States of America in from Texas (Mr. ARCHER). July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6435 Mr. ARCHER. Mr. Speaker, I yield increase on the average American fam- among the world’s oldest civilizations, myself such time as I may consume. ily of four. Costs of goods used as in- but today those wonderful people are Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposi- puts in U.S. factories would also sky- lead by barbarious fascists. tion to the resolution, which would cut rocket, reducing the competitiveness The gentleman from Texas (Mr. AR- off normal trade relations between the of finished American manufactured CHER), chairman of the Committee on U.S. and China. products worldwide. The question is: Ways and Means, asked: Who is hurt? I The relationship between China and Who will be hurt? The answer is: Not can give my colleagues a list of the the U.S. is very fragile now, as we all the Chinese, it will be American fami- people who are hurt now by our current know, perhaps more fragile than ever. lies. relationships with China: Millions of A number of developments have con- It is less easy to quantify how dan- Tibetans, 6 million having been killed tributed to the precarious position in gerous H.J. Res. 57 would be to U.S. na- since the Chinese occupation in 1949; which we find ourselves today: the con- tional security interests in this turbu- 2,000 political prisoners, these are just cern about Chinese espionage, esca- lent region of the world. By throwing religious dissidents; 30 to 40 million lating tensions between China and Tai- thousands out of work, revoking NTR Muslims have suffered; women and wan, the mistaken bombing of the Chi- would deal a devastating blow to the children; women pregnant outside of nese embassy in Belgrade, and more re- people of Hong Kong as they struggle cently, the repression of Chinese civil- family planning rules have been ab- to maintain their way of life and au- ians who wish to practice their faith. ducted and forced to have sterilization. In no way should we discount the tonomy following the territory’s rever- The inhumane treatment of human gravity of these developments, nor sion to China. ’s economy, too, beings in China is documented over and their impact on the U.S.-China rela- would suffer with severe disruption. Se- over and over again. As far as national tions. Rather, we should respect the curing Chinese cooperation on dan- security, it has been documented re- significance of each and resolve to im- gerous issues such as North Korea and cently by the Cox committee that prove the situation. We should cer- the weapons proliferation will never China is stealing military secrets from tainly not take steps that would cause happen without a functioning trade re- us in preparation for nuclear war and relations to deteriorate even further, lationship between the U.S. and China. has violated the proliferation and non- lest we risk far greater consequences China is one of the world’s oldest and proliferation agreements and does not for America, for China, and for the en- most influential civilizations. I recog- deserve our trading partnership. tire world in the future. nize that progress toward a more demo- Whatever help may go to Boeing and Mr. Speaker, denying normal trade cratic and open society is slow, agoniz- Hewlett-Packard and whoever wants to relations to China at this volatile stage ing, irregular; but it is common sense sell a bunch of roam phones and air- would be such a step, and that is why to appreciate that China will not re- planes to China is paid for by the blood I strongly oppose this resolution. spond positively to draconian trade and sweat that makes the cheap T- House Joint Resolution 57 proposes to sanctions. Advancement of human shirts and cheap shoes that are sold by subject all Chinese imports to prohibi- rights, religious freedom, and demo- Wal-Mart and others who import the tive duty rates averaging about 44 per- cratic principles will not be achieved if slave labor produced goods. cent. Of our 234 trading partners, only we cut ties completely with the Chi- We cannot continue this. This is just six, countries such as Cuba, Laos, and nese people. a matter of will Americans do business North Korea, receive this exclusionary American political business and reli- with murderers, with torturers, with tariff treatment. gious leaders need to remain engaged child molesters, with people who are As a practical matter, China would in China in order to further our values being lead by leaders who have no likely retaliate with mirror sanctions there. The most valuable American ex- spark of humanity. This cannot go on. against U.S. exports of goods and serv- port to China is American ideals. Reli- The only message they understand is ices to China totalling $18 billion and gious freedom is increasing in China, profit. They care not one whit for de- growing. Exports to China support and we even see free elections in Chi- cency. The only thing we can do is cut 200,000 U.S. jobs. These are high caliber nese villages where non-Communist into our profit at some small risk to high-paying jobs, paying about 15 to 18 candidates have been elected. The the richest manufacturing companies percent above the average manufac- question is: Would this be happening in this country. Let us do it. Let us turing wage. without the impact of Americans and make a statement for human rights. American firms and workers have American society on China: The answer Let us make a statement for childhood competitors in Japan and Europe with is: No, it would not. suffrage. Let us make a statement for a keen interest in this dynamic mar- The open lines of communication decency. Let us make a statement for ket. China’s infrastructure needs re- that accompany a basic trade relation- all the American values and suggest quire a total of $744 billion over the ship with China support the economic that we are rich enough and strong next decade, including transportation, and foreign policy interests of the power generation, telecommunication, enough in this country to support Boe- United States in a strategically impor- and many, many other services. They ing and Hewlett-Packard and all of tant and dangerous region of the world. must be sourced abroad. Japan and Eu- We cannot undermine U.S. political, those people, and McDonald’s fran- rope will be more than happy to re- economic, and security interests by un- chises, all of those people who would place the United States as a reliable raveling the trade relations that ben- supposedly be hurt if we do not. supplier to China, capturing the busi- efit both countries. We cannot turn our Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure and ness Americans would be forced to for- backs on the Chinese people who com- privilege to yield 5 minutes to the gen- feit. promise one-fifth of the world’s popu- tleman from Oregon (Mr. WU), one of The question is, who will be hurt? the leading Members of the freshman The answer is, not the Chinese. It will lation. I urge a ‘‘no’’ vote on H.J. Res. 57. class of the House of Representatives be American workers losing high-paid in the Democratic Caucus who has manufacturing jobs. Mr. Speaker, I yield the remainder of my time to the gentleman from Illinois much experience and knowledge in this House Joint Resolution 57 penalizes area. U.S. consumers, as well. China supplies (Mr. CRANE), and I ask unanimous con- Mr. WU. Mr. Speaker, I thank the low-priced consumer goods such as toys sent that he be permitted to distribute gentleman from California for yielding and games, apparel, shoes, and simple it as he sees fit. me this time. electronics. Americans, particularly The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. those in lower-income brackets, depend GILLMOR). Is there objection to the re- Mr. Speaker, as the first Chinese on access to these reasonably priced quest of the gentleman from Texas? American to stand in this House, as a items for their families, to improve There was no objection. trade and international trade lawyer, I their family’s standard of living. Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- feel a special responsibility in this de- self such time as I may consume. bate. But special responsibilities run b 1100 Mr. Speaker, I oppose renewing nor- deep in this House, because the Rep- Revoking China’s NTR status would mal trade relations with the People’s resentatives of the United States of amount, in effect, to a $300 a year tax Republic of China. Indeed, it may be America in Congress assembled almost H6436 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 exactly 223 years ago committed them- vored nation status for the Chinese Mr. Speaker, as the author of this selves to the path of liberty and com- Government. legislation that we are discussing mitted to each other their lives, their Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield today, I dedicate this bill to Ginetta fortune, and their sacred honor. myself as much time as I may con- Sagan, a champion of human rights, America has lead the way for 223 sume. who has inspired me for many, many years on the path of freedom, some- Mr. Speaker, I oppose this resolution, years. times with a certain stride and some- and I call on my colleagues to vote The legislation we are talking about times through great adversity, but al- against it. We, as Americans on the will deny normal trade relations, for- ways leading the way and shining a bridge of going into the next century, merly Most Favored Nation status, to light for others to follow. while we have a boom in our economy, Communist China. This preferential What this debate is about, it is about there is no question that, in order to trade status should not be granted to a who we are as a free people, what we sustain this economic boom, we are despotic regime. It should not be grant- stand for as a country, the courage of going to have to continue to maintain ed to regimes that are engaged in ag- this Congress, and the integrity of each our technological leadership and ex- gression, militarism, proliferation, and of us as individuals. What this debate pansion in trade. The whole thing for a systematic abuse of human rights of is not about is engagement. Of course the next century is going to be trade, their own people. we must engage China, 1.2 billion peo- trade, trade, and more trade. I certainly disagree with the last It is true that we have lost a lot of ple. speaker who suggested that the United our low-skilled jobs here, and we have We are engaged with China, and we States of America is in some way mor- to do more to protect those people that will be engaged with China. We must be ally equivalent to this dastardly, das- have been dislocated and placed out of engaged with China culturally. There tardly tyrannical regime, the world’s work. There is no question that, as a are 6,000 Chinese on cultural exchange result of our important leadership role worst human rights abuser. By ignor- visas here in the United States. We in the world, that more and more is ex- ing the nature of the Communist re- must be engaged with China education- pected of us to protect the human gime that rules China with an iron ally. There are 14,000 Chinese on stu- rights and political rights of other peo- hand we are doing no favor to the dent visas in the United States. We ple. American people and we are doing no must be engaged with China on envi- But I think that there is a lot of hy- favor to the Chinese people. ronmental issues, on labor issues, on pocrisy in terms of America’s ability to Mr. Speaker, we will be told time and human rights issues. We must be en- monitor these things all over the world again during this debate that bestow- gaged with China on issues where we and, at the same time, to ignore many ing this preferential trade status on agree and where we disagree. of the same inequities that exist in our Communist China will tend to civilize Of course we must be engaged with country. and moderate the gangster-like rulers China in business and trade. But the I was among those who lead the fight there. All empirical evidence suggests business of America must be more than in sanctions against South Africa be- the opposite. Since Tiananmen Square business alone. An engagement must be cause the whole world saw exactly 10 years ago, which was a massacre of through more than just the cash reg- what was happening to majority rule democracy advocates that the Beijing ister. Let me give my colleagues the there. But, now, America has singled regime still denies, but since then the difference between cash register en- out sanctions and trade punishment genocide continues in Tibet and the re- gagement and real engagement. when most of the time we stand alone, pression throughout China has esca- Cash register engagement would have Cuba being an example of how just lated. us see the Chinese people as workers wrong trade policy can get. We have just heard today someone and as consumers, as 2 billion strong- It would seem to me that we have an say that freedom of religion has never arms to do our work, as 2 million legs obligation for the next generation to been greater in China. Yet, in fact, in to wear American jeans. say what we have done to prove that the last few weeks a new generation of Real engagement recognizes the Chi- America leads the way in moral leader- victims are being rounded up and bru- nese people as real people, people who ship; that we never have to explain how talized, many disappearing into the have hopes and aspirations, people who we get on the Amnesty International Lao Gai prison camps, which are the would walk the path of freedom with- list in terms of violation of human Chinese version of the Nazi concentra- out. rights; that we should not have to ex- tion camps, or the gulag system of the Cash register engagement would say plain why 1.8 million Americans are former Soviet Union. The latest vic- they are not ready for freedom. Real locked up in jail, why 90 percent of tims are part of a meditation and exer- engagement recognizes that freedom is them are locked up for nonviolent cise movement, a religious minority young everywhere. It is only 220 years crimes, and how we find that most all based purely on Chinese cultural and old here in America. It is 150 years old of them came from the most terrible spiritual traditions. This has grown to in Britain. It is 100 years old in France, schools that we have in America. some 70 million practitioners, includ- 50 years old in Germany and Japan. We have to make certain that this ing some members of the Communist I stand here as living proof that the new technology, that we have invest- party and their families. Chinese people can fully participate in ments in it, and that we move forward Yet these innocent people, who have democracy. I stand here as proof that and turning away from countries that no political agenda, have now joined all people deserve to walk the path of we trade with, but to take advantage of the Tibetans, the Chinese Muslims, and freedom. our power, our influence, to make cer- the Christians, who refused to register Where have we been walking in the tain that, by example, we show the in their registered churches, in that past 10 years? Through two administra- people that we protect human rights they are all becoming enemies of the tions, we have been walking, not the and political rights in this country and state. path of freedom, but the moral wilder- throughout the world. The leaders of this same tyrannical ness. We have been called off the path Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of regime that is persecuting these reli- of freedom by the siren song of the my time to the gentleman from Michi- gious people still boasts in their meet- gan (Mr. LEVIN), and I ask unanimous cash register, and we have closed our ings, and it has been quoted in their consent that he be allowed to allocate ears and our hearts and we have last meeting just a month ago, that that time. they will ‘‘destroy capitalism.’’ I think walked away from those who had The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there walked the path of freedom with us. objection to the request of the gen- we can read that the United States of What has it gained us? What has it tleman from New York? America is who they want to destroy. gained us? A larger trade deficit, more There was no objection. This is the same regime that is using people in jail than ever. We have tried its annual $70 billion trade surplus, and it the wrong way for 10 years. Let us b 1115 we are permitting them that trade sur- try it the right way for this 1 year. Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, I plus with our irrational policy that we I ask my colleagues to vote in favor yield myself such time as I may con- are talking about today, they are using of this resolution and against most fa- sume. that to modernize their military. They July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6437 are building nuclear-armed missiles clear weapons that are aimed at the missionaries. And speaking of mission- based solely on American technology, United States and our cities. aries, I might note that we had a visit and stolen American technology, mis- I am asking my colleagues to join me here on the Hill with Ned Graham, siles that are aimed at the United in changing a policy that is out of con- Billy Graham’s son, and they have been States and that could incinerate mil- trol and self-destructive. Our current engaged in missionary activity in lions of Americans. policy is not good for the American mainland China for several years and After 10 years of debating this issue people, it is not good for the Chinese have distributed literally millions of in Congress, as their trade surplus with people, it is not making peace more Bibles in their missionary efforts. They the United States continues to grow, likely, and America’s technology is have even contracted with a publishing there is absolutely no sign of modera- flowing to a regime that is very similar firm in mainland China to print their tion or liberalization on the mainland to the Japanese militarists of the 1930s. Bibles. These contacts would be threat- of China. This is simply emboldening. Just like ened if we revoked NTR. Secondly, Mr. Speaker, we will hear our trade policy did with the Japanese Since the economic opening of China that China must be given this pref- back in the 1920s and 1930s, we are sim- by in 1978 and the tran- erential trade status because we can- ply emboldening the bully boys in Bei- sition in China from centrally planned not isolate or refuse to trade with this jing to continue their repression, their socialism to a more capitalist system, vast potential market. Glassy-eyed aggression, and their belligerency. 200 million Chinese citizens have been businessmen can overlook any crime, This immoral policy of accommo- lifted out of absolute poverty. Like- shut their ears to any pleas for mercy dating the Japanese back in the 1920s wise, while restrictions on organized in their quest for the China market. did not work and did not lead to peace religion remain, there has been a Well, China is the market of the future, or freedom, and it will not give us marked growth in religious activity in it always has been, and as long as it is peace and freedom in our time. I ask China during the last decade. To be under Communist Chinese rule, it al- my colleagues to join with me in stand- sure, there are several severe problems ways will be. The Communist rulers ing up for democracy, for the economic remaining, but listen to Reverend Pat are playing Americans as saps. Little interests of our people, and for a ra- Robertson, who has urged Congress ‘‘to Taiwan, with 20 million people, buys tional approach to world peace. keep the door to the message of free- more from us than all of mainland Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of dom and God’s love’’ open, not shut. China with its 1.2 billion people. So my time. ‘‘Leaving a billion people in spiritual does tiny Singapore. Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- darkness punishes not the Chinese Gov- This debate, no matter how the other self such time as I may consume. ernment but the Chinese people,’’ he side may claim otherwise, is not about Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposi- wrote. ‘‘The only way to pursue moral- isolating China or cutting it off from tion to H.J. Res. 57, which would termi- ity is to engage China fully and openly trade. Americans will still be free to nate normal trade relations with China as a friend.’’ trade with China at their own risk. But 60 days after enactment. By raising those are the operative words we are tariffs to the prohibitive levels that ap- In the past few years we have ob- talking about today. They will be trad- plied before 1980, and thereby prompt- served democracy beginning to take ing at their own risk. The reason these ing mirrored retaliation on the part of root in the form of functioning elec- powerful business lobbies are pushing the Chinese against $18 billion of U.S. tions at the village level in China. To for normal trade relations status is exports, this resolution would effec- date, one in three Chinese citizens have that it will permit wealthy financial tively extinguish trade relations be- participated in local elections where interests to invest in Communist China tween our two countries. many successful candidates have been with the benefits of subsidies provided And for my distinguished colleague non-Communists. by the American taxpayer. and friend from California who was just Many observers believe that freedom In short, American businessmen will on the floor, I would remind him that in China is greater now than at any be able to close down their factories in his State exported $2.5 billion worth of time in its long history. The Chinese the United States, as they have been goods. And these were not all those Government has allowed an unprece- doing, and they will be able to move powerful interests, although maybe in dented increase in the ability to own them to China with a subsidy by the the scrap and waste industry, because property, a home or a business, to trav- taxpayers of the United States of the gentleman’s State exported $124 el and to keep profits. In a few years, America. And that is what this debate million worth of scrap and waste. And more than half of the state-run indus- is really all about. Because people will I am glad that China was willing to tries will be privatized. still be free to sell their products over take it instead of dumping it in my in China, no matter what happens in back yard. While preserving NTR trade status this particular debate. But in addition to that, manufac- offers hope for improving the welfare of This debate is not about free trade. tured goods out of the State of Cali- the Chinese people, it is also squarely Obviously, it is about subsidy, as I just fornia were $2.5 billion, and that trans- in the U.S. national interest. Revoking said. But if it was truly about free lates into roughly 40,000, almost 50,000 NTR would be interpreted by the Chi- trade, I would be on the other side. I domestic jobs that pay, on average, 15 nese as an act of hostility. This would believe in free trade. Free trade be- to 20 percent more than most jobs. strengthen the hand of those in China tween free people. What we have is ma- During the debate today, proponents who oppose further reform and opening nipulated trade on their side and free of the bill will urge Members to send a to the West. It would jeopardize Chi- trade on ours. That ends up benefiting signal to China in order to protest vio- na’s new willingness to embrace the the Communist Chinese and their lations of human rights. Unfortu- market-oriented trade disciplines of clique that rules that country. It is not nately, revoking normal trade rela- the WTO as evidenced in the April 8 free trade; it is just a masking phrase tions is a rash policy that offers no package of concessions put on the table for a totally insane policy that permits practical plan for bringing the political by Premier Zhu Rhongji at the summit huge tariffs on any American product and economic change to China that we meeting with President Clinton. that they are trying to sell into China all seek. I urge my colleagues to sup- U.S. negotiators secured progress to- versus low tariffs on the Chinese goods port a more pragmatic policy which ac- ward an expansive bilateral market ac- that are flooding into the United knowledges that a nation of 1.2 billion cess agreement, along with Chinese States and putting our people out of people is more likely to imitate our commitments to adopt WTO rules re- work. powerful example over time than it is lating to such issues as technology There has been a short-term profit. to bend as a result of our threats. transfer, subsidies, product safeguards, Sure, there has been a short-term prof- My goal in maintaining normal trade and state enterprises. China also it, to a few billionaires in the United relations is to support the continued agreed to end sanitary and States. But it is not in the long-term presence of Americans throughout Chi- phytosanitary bans on the importation interest of the American people, who nese society, whether they be entre- of United States wheat, meat, and cit- are now in the shadow of Chinese nu- preneurs, teachers, religious leaders, or rus products. H6438 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 If implemented, these commitments reeducation camps simply because they Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- could represent substantial new oppor- spoke about their faith or their right self such time as I may consume. tunities for U.S. exports to China, be- to form a union or their right to seek Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to cause Chinese markets, already huge, justice in their country. H.J. Res. 57. will grow even further in areas such as By any measure, any measure con- Our relationship with China indeed agriculture and information tech- ceivable, this is an abysmal record. faces many major challenges. The nology. And what is our response today? Well, question in each case is whether using Unlike any other major trade agree- some say we need to give the Chinese this annual review to withdraw NTR ment, this is a one-sided set of conces- authorities more time, we need to give will confront the challenges. sions. In exchange for steep tariff re- them more time by way of economic I want to focus today on two of these ductions and wholesale reforms of the incentive to change. We are told to be aspects, our trade relationships and Chinese trading system, the United patient. our human rights relationships. States gives up nothing. At the same Ten years is long enough to see that First is the trade. Clearly, there are time, we preserve our positive influ- nothing has changed. In fact, it has major problems to confront in our trade relationship with China. The ence over the direction of the turbulent gotten worse. The current regime con- large and growing current trade deficit; change that is occurring in China. tinues to abuse human rights and polit- how we integrate a huge economy that I urge the administration to get back ical rights without the slightest hesi- remains nonmarket-based in many to the table with the Chinese as soon tation. vital respects and that does not oper- as possible. The United States has a The authorities even arrested a man ate within a clear rule of law into a unique opportunity at this point in recently in downtown Beijing for wear- world trading order based on free mar- time. In my view, the President should ing a T-shirt and on the T-shirt were ket rules and the rule of law. have seized this historic opportunity to the words ‘‘labor rights.’’ They ar- rested him and threw him in prison for Neither of these problems is easily lock China into a binding WTO agree- solved. The current trade deficit re- ment. Clearly, a protectionist move to wearing a T-shirt. Even as we speak, Nike is negoti- sults, in part, because China restricts revoke normal trade relations with ating a deal with a sweatshop in China market access and because it exploits China would permanently derail the that pays teenage girls 16 cents an hour and manipulates its nonmarket mecha- potential WTO deal. History in Asia to make gym shoes that sell for $120 a nisms, both capital and labor. and the political evolution in China pair. They work 12 hours a day for 16 It is imperative we address these will be entirely different if we allow cents an hour. And they have no power, problems in negotiations with the Chi- this deal to slip through our fingers. no power to speak up for a better deal nese in the bilateral WTO access talks. Maintaining normal trade relations or to organize or no right to basic dig- Some were addressed before the nego- is in the economic interest of all Amer- nity, no hope at all in this situation tiations broke off, but others were not. icans because it preserves 200,000 U.S. they find themselves in. And they were reasons the U.S. could jobs which are directly supported by That is unless we do something about not sign off on an agreement with the U.S. exports to China. it, unless we use our courage to lever- Chinese a few months ago. b 1130 age our economic strength to enact The answer on key trade issues is not real reform. We could give the people to withdraw NTR today but to insist on My home State of Illinois sold almost clearly adequate terms and conditions a billion dollars of products to China in of China a chance to help themselves. Our policy of granting China special before NTR is granted on a permanent 1992. These are jobs that pay wages, as trade status no matter what they do basis. Enactment of today’s resolution I indicated earlier, 15 to 20 percent year after year has failed. would bring further trade negotiations higher than jobs supported by sales to How long are we going to ignore Chi- with the Chinese to a halt, to a com- the domestic market. They would be na’s policy of slave labor, of prison plete halt. It would indeed lower our the first casualties in a war of trade re- labor, of forced abortions, of ethnic trade deficit. It would do so by termi- taliation. persecution, of religious persecution? nating most of our trade rather than Mr. Speaker, trade is the one area And what are we ignoring it for? A $67- by addressing the structural issues, where the mutual advantage for China billion trade deficit? issues which are helping to create the and the United States is clear; and, for Now, this is really surreal when we trade deficit today, which must be ad- that reason, I strongly urge a ‘‘no’’ think about it. We sell more to Bel- dressed as we look at the longer run vote on H.J. Res. 57. gium than we do to over a billion Chi- when China will increasingly be a com- Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of nese. So let us adopt a common-sense petitor as well as a consumer of Amer- my time. approach, a new approach. Let us de- ican made products and services, and Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I am hon- mand proof of progress before we grant issues which must, as I said, be fully ored to yield 3 minutes to the gen- China special trade status. addressed before permanent NTR is tleman from Michigan (Mr. BONIOR) the Let us not, as the gentleman from even considered. distinguished minority whip. Oregon (Mr. WU) so eloquently spoke Now let me, if I might, address Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, I see just a few minutes here, engage in a human rights issues, which indeed nothing clear in the advantage of trade system of cash register engagement must be addressed. Recent events in with China. with China. Let us be beyond that. Let China demonstrate that the U.S. must Ten years ago, the Chinese tanks us be bigger than that. Let us stand for bring sustained pressure on China on rumbled into Tiananmen Square to the ideals for which our Founding Fa- human rights. The recent suppression crush an historic call for freedom and thers came before this country and be- of followers of Falun Gong dem- reform. Despite that danger, many fore the world. onstrates once again that, however demonstrators stood their ground. I urge my colleagues to vote ‘‘yes’’ more open in some respects Chinese so- Hundreds were beaten; they were ar- on the resolution to deny China MFN ciety is today compared to a decade rested; and they were shot. status. ago, and it is, when it comes to any Now, 10 years later, many of those ar- Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, may I in- perceived threat to communist author- rested that grim day are still in prison. quire as to how much time there is re- itarian control, the power of central One of them, Zhang Shanguang, served maining on all sides. authority will trample individual 7 years. After Tiananmen Square, he The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. rights. was released, only to be rearrested be- GILLMOR). The gentleman from Illinois The problem with the use of this an- cause he dared to speak out on behalf (Mr. CRANE) has 31 minutes remaining. nual debate as a main tool is that it in- of laid-off workers. The gentleman from Michigan (Mr. volves an instrument, withdrawal of Just over the past week, Chinese au- LEVIN) has 42 minutes remaining. The NTR, which, absent a cataclysmic thorities arrested more than 5,000 peo- gentleman from California (Mr. ROHR- event, everybody knows in the end will ple solely on the basis of their religious ABACHER) has 371⁄2 minutes remaining. not be invoked. beliefs. They joined countless others The gentleman from California (Mr. On the one hand, I agree with those already locked away in dark cells and STARK) has 331⁄2 minutes remaining. who say that withdrawal of an NTR is July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6439 not a sufficiently relevant or effective with China. Ohio has got a deficit with former government officials that know mechanism to press ahead on human Japan. The Nation has a $70-billion def- how the machinery of government op- rights. On the other hand, I agree that icit, and we are in fact threatening the erates, including former Secretary of the operation of a normal trade eco- future of each and every one of our State Henry Kissinger, former U.S. nomic relationship will not likely by constituents and citizens. Trade Representative Carla Hills, and itself transform China on human rights I do not know what it is going to former Commerce Secretary Mickey and Democratic values. take. I do not think Congress will wise Kantor. In a word, we need to find an alter- up until there is a Chinese dragon eat- This fall, Mr. Speaker, ‘‘Fortune’’ native instrument. ing our assets around here. I think that magazine is sponsoring a 3-day busi- I realize it is not easy to find such, is what it is going to have to take. ness trip to China. This gala, which but I urge that we have not worked I want a reciprocal trade agreement CEOs by invitation only of the largest hard enough in its search. We debate with China, with Japan. Engagement is companies in America will attend, will once a year and then mainly wait for fine if it is not a one-way toll bridge feature dinner with the world’s leading the next year. for American companies. Communist, Jiang Zemin, and will fea- We, the administration and the Con- I think it is time for our committees ture lunch with Henry Kissinger. It gress, do not spend sustained time try- who have jurisdiction over trade to concludes just prior to the celebration ing to persuade other nations to join start bringing out the trade measures. on October 1 of the 50th anniversary of themselves with us on human rights That is the most significant problem the founding of the People’s Republic issues. There is no certain answer. But facing our country. of China, the 50th anniversary of the quite clearly, the withdrawal of NTR is Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 victory of communism, the 50th anni- not, partly because idle threats rarely minutes to the gentleman from New versary of the ‘‘who-lost-China’’ de- create much, if any, pressure. York (Mr. HOUGHTON) our distinguished bate. So, in both respects, both as to trade colleague. These CEOs from America’s largest and human rights, a ‘‘no’’ vote on this (Mr. HOUGHTON asked and was companies, many of them will travel resolution is in order. But, and I say given permission to revise and extend from to Beijing on October 1 this with the full depth of conviction, his remarks.) to watch a parade in Tiananmen it must not be the end of this work on Mr. HOUGHTON. Mr. Speaker, I do Square. As this military hardware from trade and human rights but a stimulus not know why we are doing this to our- the People’s Republic of China goes by to further vigorous efforts. selves. I mean, every single year we and is viewed by America’s most pros- Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of come up and beat the tambourine and perous and successful CEOs, most pros- perous capitalists as they watch this my time. hit the drum. Communist parade go by, as ludicrous Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, I This is not going to go anyplace. We as this all sounds, it is safe to say there yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from cannot cut off our relationship with probably will not be much discussion Ohio (Mr. TRAFICANT). China. We do not want to do it. It is by these CEOs to each other or to Com- (Mr. TRAFICANT asked and was the wrong thing to do. There are hun- munist leaders about the forced abor- given permission to revise and extend dreds of ways to make China an enemy. tions in China, probably not much dis- his remarks.) This just happens to be one of them. cussion about nuclear weapons sales, Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, I sup- Now, it is very easy to get into spe- technology sales to Pakistan, probably port the resolution. I oppose these so- cifics here, but I have been to China. I not much discussion about persecution called normal trade relations with have done business there. I know what of Christians, probably not much dis- China. they are doing. We have a trade deficit. cussion among these capitalists and Trade with communist China is a It is not going to get turned around one-way street. It now exceeds $1 bil- Communists about China’s slave labor soon. There are human rights prob- camps or its child labor or all of its lion a week. Experts say it will exceed lems. There are labor problems. There $70 billion this year. human rights abuses. are environmental problems. Mr. Speaker, we should vote ‘‘yes’’ on I want the Members to know that But I can remember talking to one of this Rohrabacher resolution. We should China, with money from Uncle Sam, is the people in one of our plants over demand to see if China, for only 1 year, buying attack aircraft, nuclear sub- there who said, You can be philosophic can stop its human rights abuses; we marines, and intercontinental ballistic about trade relations with China. You should demand to see if China, for only missiles. can cut it off or increase the tariffs. 1 year, can stop its use of slave labor And we are continuing to simply talk Let me tell you something, my job is and child labor; we should demand if about a trade scenario. Unbelievable. on the line; and I want you to remem- China, for only 1 year, can stop threat- The record is clear. China has al- ber that, because I am trying to have ening the democracy, the democracy ready threatened to nuke Taiwan. And an impact here not only with my com- next door, Taiwan; and we should de- we are now kow towing to China with pany but also with my family. mand, if only for 1 year, that China a one-China policy. b open up its markets so that instead of China, as we debate this measure, has 1145 a $65 billion trade deficit, persistent 14 intercontinental ballistic missiles We must be able to relate and to talk trade deficit we have with that coun- pointed at American cities according and share ideas and to trade. How else try, that maybe we could deal on an to the Central Intelligence Agency. do things change? Just by shutting off equal footing. China is arming terrorist nations who things? No. So to cut off the normal Mr. Speaker, a ‘‘yes’’ vote on H.J. hate Uncle Sam. And we are today vot- trade status with China, I think, is Res. 57 is an opportunity to send a mes- ing again to continue a policy that is wrong, and I think we must oppose H.J. sage to the American business commu- anti-American and threatens our na- Res. 57. nity and most importantly to the tional security. Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 thugs that run the Communist Party in The bottom line of this debate: Con- minutes to the gentleman from Ohio China. It is an opportunity to send a gress is financing the greatest threat (Mr. BROWN). message that this kind of behavior that in our Nation’s history. Mr. BROWN of Ohio. I thank my they have exhibited is no longer ac- We have got to be dumb, my col- friend from California for yielding me ceptable. leagues. This is not just a trade mat- this time. Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 ter. This is much more. The records Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.J. minutes to the distinguished gen- show over the last several years China Res. 57, to deny trading privileges to tleman from California (Mr. MATSUI), is spying and buying America right out the People’s Republic of China. an expert on trade matters. from under us while Congress is grant- Every year when we debate this Mr. MATSUI. I thank the gentleman ing Chinese officials gallery passes. issue, America’s CEOs stream into from Michigan for yielding me the I heard about all of the trade sur- Ronald Reagan Airport seeking special time. pluses. I am sure I am going to hear favors for the world’s worst abuser of Mr. Speaker, there is no question one from Ohio. Ohio has got a deficit human rights. They are helped by that if you look at China’s record on H6440 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 human rights, on the whole issue of es- If my resolution passes today, people I urge my colleagues to vote for the pionage, the trade deficit, one would will still be able to trade with China all bill to disapprove NTR for China. have to say that our relationship with they want. They can sell all their Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, I include China is a very difficult one, it is an goods, they can try to set up their fac- for the RECORD the article referred to uncertain one, and it is one that obvi- tories, but they have to do so at their by the gentleman from California (Mr. ously has a lot of ups and downs. own risk. The reason the business com- MATSUI). It was an L.A. Times article I think the gentleman from Cali- munity is fighting this is because we that was written by the chairman of fornia (Mr. DREIER) recently in an op- are then, by taking away normal trade the Committee on Rules. ed piece in the Los Angeles Times de- relations with China, taking away [From the L.A. Times] scribed it as a roller coaster ride that their right to get government subsidies END THE U.S.-CHINA ROLLER COASTER we have with China. But in spite of all when they close factories here and set (By David Dreier) this, I think, as the gentleman from them up in Communist China. It does Twists and turns, slow and measured as- New York (Mr. HOUGHTON) mentioned, not isolate China. People can continue cents followed by stomach churning plunges. we are going to continue on our trade in engagement. We are just not going A roller coaster at your local theme park? relations with China. to subsidize them and subsidize the No, U.S.-China relations over the last few It is somewhat unfortunate that we years. And it’s a bad way for two enormous people who are providing them what and important countries on opposite sides of have this debate tied with trade, be- they need to build their infrastructure the Pacific Rim to deal with one another. cause what eventually happens here is to outcompete us. That makes all the The U.S. should seize the upcoming oppor- the fact that trade continues on and to sense in the world. tunity to fashion common-sense trade rules some extent the comments made by Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the that will offer the American and Chinese the opponents of trade with China be- gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. ROS- peoples greater hopes for stability, pros- come diminished. We should really LEHTINEN). perity and freedom. Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I The U.S.-China relations roller coaster will highlight the issues of human rights, crest this summer as the annual trade debate the whole issue of proliferation, but it rise in support of this bill for a simple over normal trade relations—sometimes should be in a different forum, one in reason. This is not the time to reward called ‘‘most favored nation’’ status—is which we can all join together and deal a government which poses a threat to merged with the more debate about China’s with. U.S. national security, which closes its admission to the World Trade Organization. The reason we must continue on markets to American products, which These intricate trade negotiations and rules trade with China is pretty simple. not only steals nuclear secrets from that are the stuff of lawyers and government China is 22 percent of the world popu- our labs but violates U.S. intellectual officials are vitally important because prices, product quality, consumer choice, lation. One out of every five individ- property rights. Before we extend nor- jobs and investments are ultimately tied to uals on this planet is Chinese. Over the mal trade relations to the PRC, we trade. Trade with Asia is critical to Califor- next 20 or 30 years, China will become should ask ourselves what trading with nia’s and America’s continued economic one of the most dangerous players in this regime, an abuser of human rights, growth. the world if we begin to try to isolate has accomplished thus far. The American people have been exposed to them; or, on the other hand, if we en- Has it accomplished the overall goal China in the last year like never before. Un- gage the Chinese, perhaps, not cer- of changing unacceptable behavior by fortunately, much of this attention has been the negative headlines of espionage, protests tainly but perhaps, we can enter into a the Chinese Government? Are the Chi- against the tragic mistaken bombing of the period where the U.S. and China and nese people any freer? Are they able to Chinese embassy in Belgrade and illegal other countries of the free world begin exercise their rights as individuals and campaign activities. Though these all de- to operate and work together. This is a as citizens of the state without repris- serve to be discussed and examined in full, strategic issue for the United States. als? Do American businesses have un- what has not received enough attention has This is an important issue for the limited access to Chinese markets? Or been the truly revolutionary change sweep- are they subject to barriers and wide- ing across China. United States. China is literally revamping its entire eco- Let me address, if I may, the issue of spread discrimination? Are the Amer- nomic system, an enormous undertaking. human rights just for a moment in con- ican people any safer? It’s the equivalent of the people switching to clusion. Yes, there is political repres- Reports by the Central Intelligence driving on the other side of the road, repudi- sion in China and there is very little Agency show that 13 of China’s 18 long- ating their whole political ideology and political rights in China. On the other range strategic missiles have single nu- changing their economic language all at hand, with the continuing engagement clear warheads aimed at U.S. cities. once. This type of economic and political of the U.S. and other countries with China also has an array of strategic revolution can’t happen overnight. If it did, there could be such instability and shock to the Chinese, there are probably more missiles that U.S. military and intel- the system that retrenchment, bloodshed personal freedoms than we have ever ligence officials say are targeted on and political repression might reappear. had. Hopefully that middle class in U.S. forces deployed in Asia. When China tried swift, radical change dur- China will begin to understand that it Defense and intelligence experts ing the Cultural Revolution and the Great must, over time, change its own gov- show that China continues to transfer Leap Forward, 60 million people died. ernment. That is the key to trade with dangerous technology to Iran and But things are changing in China, and China and that is the key to make Pakistan and is actively involved in mostly for the better. We can be under no il- the transfer of nuclear, chemical, and lusions about the fact that the Beijing gov- China a more open form of government, ernment is a repressive, authoritarian dicta- along with the open economy it is try- biological weapons and missiles to torship. Yet although political rights are ing to achieve at this time. other rogue states. The PRC is sub- largely nonexistent, there is no question I urge a strong ‘‘no’’ vote on this res- sidizing Chinese missile and nuclear in- that personal freedom is on the rise, due in olution. dustries and prolonging the status quo. large part to market reforms. Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, I We have all read with grave concerns Year after year, the United States has ex- yield myself 1 minute. the report by the Select Committee on tended normal trading relations to China Let me again state, this is not about U.S. National Security and Military/ over the objections of those who think that isolating China; this is not about not curtailing trade will solve our problems with Commercial Concerns with the Peo- China. I have never understood the argument trading with China. Those arguments ple’s Republic of China. that limiting Chinese interaction with are irrelevant. Those arguments are Looking at the issue from a strictly America’s vibrant free market, democratic not what this is about. Normal trade commercial perspective, looking at it institutions and renowned individual spirit relations, by providing this privileged as if trade is the most important as- of free enterprise would somehow strengthen status for Communist China, simply pect, affording China normal trade re- democratic activists and weaken entrenched says that if we provide that, and I am lations also makes no sense whatso- hard-liners. Trade with China is not a gift or saying we should not, and those voting ever. It would be rewarding China for reward that should be given and taken away; for this resolution are saying we should its closed markets which in just the it is a crucial tool needed to foster change and reform in a very old, proud and different not, provides that we can subsidize the first 4 months of this year has resulted culture. investment in China by the American in an $18.4 billion trade deficit for the This annual debate over commercial rela- taxpayers. United States. tions with China will end once that country July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6441 is admitted to the WTO and agrees to take That was the first shipment of Amer- poseful, principled engagement with the painful steps necessary to bring its econ- ican breeding stock to China. We our eyes open. omy in line with world standards and prac- learned the advantage personally at Do not take my word for it, it is in tices. China’s WTO membership will bring that time. But for thousands of Illi- major benefits to Americans, by fully open- their book: Purposeful, principled en- ing China’s vast market to American manu- noisans, free trade means jobs. gagement with our eyes open. facturers, farmers and service industries. Of When you think about it, this vote Mr. Speaker, that is a refreshing particular importance to my state of Cali- today could jeopardize over 17,000 jobs change from with our eyes closed, fornia will be the protections of intellectual in Illinois. I urge my colleagues when blinded to the atrocities in China and property rights of our world-class enter- they consider how to cast their vote as the unfair trade practices and the pro- tainers and high-tech industries. What a win- to which of their neighbors will lose liferation of weapons. And I am just win scenario this is for American workers, their job if this resolution succeeds. I businesses and consumers. waiting for next year when I think As Americans, we must pursue China for urge a ‘‘no’’ vote. maybe it will be called purposeful, our own self-interest as much as to help Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I would principled engagement with China with China get better, with the top priority being just like to suggest that while there our eyes wide open and the wax cleaned the safeguarding of our national security. were $14 billion of stuff that we ex- out of our ears. China is a business partner, but we cannot ported to China, you figure 20,000 jobs Because then, maybe then, the ad- confuse that with a strategic relationship. per billion, that is 280,000 jobs. That is ministration and the proponents of this We do share some mutual interests that it is hardly as many as the Chinese have hoped would be increased as friendly ties im- absolute concession to China, maybe killed in Tibet since their horrid reign. then with the wax cleaned out of their prove. But just as a business wouldn’t share It is how you decide you want to take its confidential marketing strategies or cost ears, they will hear the pleadings of structure with a competitor, the U.S. gov- care of people. the monks and nuns in Tibet who have ernment and American businesses must take Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the been tortured for decades by the Peo- care not to leak sensitive material to the distinguished gentlewoman from Cali- ple’s Liberation Army. They will hear Chinese government. China is simulta- fornia (Ms. PELOSI), the leader in the them over the sound of the army of neously our business partner and our com- fight for human rights in China, for lobbyists here in Washington, D.C. here petitor. sensible and reasonable trade negotia- to lobby on this issue. And maybe then What we must do is approve normal trade tions that will lead to nonproliferation relations and its entry into the WTO for the with the wax out of their ears, they sake of both our nations. A stable and open and workers’ rights and human rights. will hear the crying of the Panchen trade relationship, divorced form the wild I ask unanimous consent, Mr. Speak- Lama, the baby chosen by His Holiness roller coaster ride of yearly fights and polit- er, at the conclusion of her remarks to be the next Dalai Lama, kidnapped ical trends, will increase prosperity and im- that she be allowed temporarily to con- by the regime. And we have said noth- prove the lives of the American and Chinese trol my time. ing. people. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Maybe then they will hear that baby Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the GILLMOR). Is there objection to the re- cry over the clinking of champagne gentleman from Illinois (Mr. WELLER). quest of the gentleman from Cali- glasses as they toast the abusers of (Mr. WELLER asked and was given fornia? human rights in China. And maybe permission to revise and extend his re- There was no objection. with the wax out of their ears they will marks.) b 1200 Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in hear the cries of people still in prison opposition to this resolution and urge a Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I have to for speaking freely. Maybe then they ‘‘no’’ vote. husband the time very carefully be- will hear the pleadings of the families I stand here today in support of free cause we proudly have so many people and the prisoners still in prison, hun- trade with China, our globe’s most pop- who want to come to the floor today to dreds of them, for speaking freely in ulous nation, our fourth largest trad- speak on behalf of human rights in Tiananmen Square, and the thousands ing partner. When we have issues such China, fair trade for the United States, who are in jail because of their reli- as this before this House, I am often and a safer world. gious beliefs. asked, as I travel throughout the di- Mr. Speaker, we are here today be- Mr. Speaker, I want to put in the verse district that I have the privilege cause the President must request a spe- RECORD the statement of the U.S. of representing, what does this all cial waiver to grant what is now called Catholic Conference of Bishops oppos- mean. What does this debate that we normal trade relations to China. He ing renewing MFN and in support of are having today mean to the folks on must request a special waiver for nor- this resolution: the South Side of Chicago and in the mal trade relations to China. What we DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL south suburbs of Illinois? are not here about today is to isolate DEVELOPMENT AND WORLD PEACE, Exports to China total almost $1 bil- China or any discussion of it. So any- Washington, DC, June 30, 1999. lion from the State of Illinois. An econ- one who is on the other side of this DEAR REPRESENTATIVE: The upcoming vote omist will tell you that for every $1 bil- issue who wishes to characterize those on extending ‘‘normal trade relations’’ sta- tus to the People’s Republic of China pre- lion in exports, it is over 17,000 jobs of us who want to help the Chinese peo- sents the Congress with a significant oppor- that are at stake. Illinois sent over 775 ple as isolating them do a grave dis- tunity and challenge to send an unmistak- million dollars’ worth of manufac- service to the debate. ably clear message about our national con- turing exports, tractors made in the The issue is not whether bringing cern for the protection of basic human Quad Cities, industrial heavy equip- this issue every year is productive or rights. ment made in Joliet, food products, constructive or has improved human Each time over the past several years when textile mill products, apparel, lumber rights in China. The issue before this the issue has arisen, it has been our convic- and wood products, furniture, paper body is: Is the present policy, the Bush- tion that no Administration has been suffi- products, printing goods, chemical Clinton China policy, working? ciently committed to pressing the Chinese authorities on their systemic violations of products, rubber and plastics, leather We were told when they delinked certain fundamental human rights. Our Con- products, stone, clay and glass prod- trade and human rights that it would ference has focused particularly on the ucts, fabricated metal products, trans- lead to improvement in both. Wrong, it issues of religious freedom and we have re- portation equipment, electronic equip- has led to failure in both. peatedly cited the persecution of religious ment, farm goods, corn, soybeans, Now we are calling this normal trade groups, such as the unregistered Protestant wheat, pork, beef, all from the State of relations because we changed the name and Catholic churches, and the intrusive in- Illinois. last year. There have been all kinds of terference by the state in the internal life of I learned firsthand in the late 1970s name changes. For example, this policy the ‘‘open’’ or recognized churches. The per- secution and control of Tibetan Buddhism is what it means for free trade with was called constructive engagement especially shameful and known to all. China. After President Nixon opened up before. It was neither constructive nor We acknowledge that the present Adminis- China, we sent a shipment of breeding true engagement, so then they changed tration has made efforts to raise these issues stock, breeding swine from Illinois to it to a strategic partnership. It was not with the Chinese authorities, but little, if China and they came from our farm. that either, so now they call it pur- anything, has changed on the human rights H6442 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 front in these last years of increased engage- the nuclear nonproliferation treaty; Earlier this year, I met Premier Zhu Rongji at ment. Indeed, the continued detention of re- they have signed a chemical weapons the Blair House and wrote a follow-up letter ligious figures as well as of democracy advo- convention; they have signed the bio- that was signed by ten Members of the House cates only point up the necessity for unre- lenting official U.S. firmness on issues of logical weapons convention; they have of Representatives who support NTR in which human rights and religious freedom. signed the Comprehensive Test Ban we called for their immediate release. The trade status debate may not be the Treaty; and they have signed the Inter- Clearly, trade encourages human rights, and best forum, but it does offer the Congress an national Convention on Civil and Polit- it has facilitated the work of Western religious important opportunity to raise the priority ical Rights. ministries active in China. For example, East of human rights and religious liberty. There- Now there are some successes. Have Gates International, headed by Ned Graham, fore, I urge you to send as clear a message as they made enough progress on human son of evangelist Billy Graham, has been able possible by voting to overturn the Presi- to distribute 2.5 million Bibles legally in China dent’s waiver of the relevant sanctions of the rights? Absolutely not, and that is one 1974 Trade Act. A strong vote to deny MFN/ of the reasons why we need to engage since 1992. This organization can commu- NTS status to China should strengthen the them, and I had a meeting with a host nicate freely with its contacts in China be- Administration’s commitment to putting of my colleagues at Blair House with cause of the proliferation of information-ex- human rights at the top of the China agenda Premier Zhu Rongji a few months ago, change technology such as e-mail, faxes, and and send a strong signal that the status quo and we pushed him and we pushed him cellular telephonesÐa development made is not acceptable. and we asked questions and we tried to possible by trade and economic reform. As Sincerely yours, Billy Graham has written, ``Do not treat China MOST REVEREND get him to do more and more and more on the human rights issue. as an adversary but as a friend.'' THEODORE E. MCCARRICK, Revoking NTR would rupture our relation- Archbishop of Newark, Chairman, Inter- But the choice is clear. Are we going national Policy Committee, U.S. Catholic to have a constructive engagement pol- ship with a third of the world's population and Conference. icy with China or a new evil empire jeopardize our political and economic security. So, Mr. Chairman, I plead with my with China? Please vote down this pol- Such an action would make China more de- colleagues who have voted on the other icy on the floor today. fensive, isolated and unpredictable, weakening side of this issue. Ten years is enough. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to the forces of change and nullifying the The trade deficit has gone from 3 bil- H.J. Res. 57, disapproving the President's re- progress achieved so far. Moreover, revoking lion to 56 billion. It will be $67 billion quest to provide ``Normal Trade Relations'' NTR would undermine our efforts to engender constructive Chinese participation in inter- for this year. (NTR) in 1999 with products made in China. national organizations that will promote Chi- It has not led to better trade rela- Since I have served in Congress, I have sup- na's adherence to international standards on tions, it has not led to more U.S. prod- ported ``constructive engagement'' with China human rights, weapons of mass destruction, ucts going into China. Quite the re- as a method of improving our critically impor- crime and drugs, immigration, the environ- verse. A $67 billion trade surplus for tant bilateral relationship and pursuing our for- ment, economic reform and trade. Indeed, the regime to consolidate its power, eign policy goals to advance human rights and constructive engagement means advancing the proliferation of weapons of mass religious freedom. While progress at times re- destruction continues, the human U.S. interests in tangible ways. mains slow and painful, continued talks and As Brent Scowcroft said in a recent New rights violations continue. And this diplomacy are key aspects of this important bi- past week, they have arrested between York Times article, ``The U.S. has at least an- lateral relationship. other two decades to encourage China's re- 10 and 20,000 people for the practice of Ten years ago in Tiananmen Square, Chi- their self-help, for their own self-help sponsible development before it presents us nese students courageously demonstrated in with a direct military challenge. As China's in- group. Ten to 20,000 people, no food, no support of democracy, but they were met by water. Do not give the regime a waiver tentions are clarified by its actions, the U.S. violence from a regime fearful of change. We and its regional partners will be able to make to abuse human rights, abuse trade continue to stand for human rights in China, practices, and proliferate weapons of constant course adjustments.'' To be sure, we and I firmly believe that a continued policy of will keep a close eye on China, particularly in mass destruction. principled and purposeful engagement rein- Vote for the Rohrabacher amend- the wake of its recent moves in the disputed forces our efforts to move China toward ment. This is not normal. Spratly Islands where it has unilaterally in- Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 broader freedoms and openness. We have stalled military facilities, and its hostile pos- minutes to the gentleman from Indiana successfully influenced China to make signifi- turing against Taiwan. cant progress, but much more must be (Mr. ROEMER). While the Cox Report uncovered troubling (Mr. ROEMER asked and was given achieved. lapses in security at the U.S. national labora- permission to revise and extend his re- We continue to have serious differences tories, we must maintain perspective on Chi- marks.) with China on human rights, their efforts to ac- na's limited but emerging military capability. Mr. ROEMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in quire sensitive information, nuclear non- To that end, we should continue to engage strong support of normal trade rela- proliferation, regional stability and China in easing tensions on the Korean Penin- tions with China and do so because we transnational threats such as drug trafficking, sula, as well as cooperative efforts to combat are confronted with two choices. The terrorism, and smuggling people across bor- terrorism, drug trafficking and intellectual prop- choices are clear and simple. We can ders. We will continue to deal directly with erty piracy. As a result of our engagement pol- have a constructive and purposeful en- these differences. As the President stated icy, China has joined the Nuclear Nonprolifera- gagement policy with China or we can when he announced his decision to extend tion Treaty and Zangger Committee, the have a new Cold War with a new evil NTR: ``We pursue engagement with our eyes Chemical Weapons Convention, and the Bio- empire with new costs to our taxpayers wide open, without illusions.'' logical Weapons Convention. Additionally, for a larger defense budget. Accordingly, we should continue to speak China signed the Comprehensive Test Ban Now I think that we have made some and negotiate frankly about our differences Treaty and pledged to ratify it soon, and has limited progress with China, probably and to firmly protect our national interests. ceased nuclear cooperation with Iran. the most important bilateral relation- However, a policy of disengagement and con- Furthermore, maintaining NTR with ChinaÐ ship that we are going to have with any frontation would serve only to strengthen as every President has requested since country in the world over the next 50 those in China who oppose greater openness 1980Ðis good for U.S. farmers, workers, years. What are some of the things and freedom. Through constructive engage- small businesses, and the economy. Last that we have done where we have been ment, we will remain sensitive and respond year, we exported $14 billion worth of goods, successful? We hear a lot of the prob- quickly to ongoing human rights violations, in- making China our largest growing market lems on the floor today. Well, one ex- cluding China's recent massive crackdown on abroad. Revoking NTR would invite retaliation ample is the East Gates International members of Falun Gong and religious sup- against U.S. exporters and investors, as tariffs headed by Ned Graham, the son of the pression in Tibet and against Protestant on imports from China would immediately in- Reverend Billy Graham, has been able ``house churches'' in Henan. crease from an average 6 percent to 44 per- to distribute 2.5 million Bibles legally In particular, we should call for the imme- cent. In turn, China would immediately start in China since 1992 and help us work to- diate release of three Chinese activistsÐXu buying from our European and Asian competi- ward some more religious freedoms. Wenli, Qing Yongming and Wang YoucaiÐ tors. This would seriously jeopardize more With respect to proliferation and who received stiff prison sentences for advo- than 400,000 U.S. jobs which currently de- arms control efforts, China has joined cating the China Democracy Party last year. pend on exports to China and Hong Kong. July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6443 Moreover, withdrawing from our constructive Reagan said in 1983 with regard to the people. When we took MFN away from engagement policy will preclude us from pur- Soviet Union. Ceausescu, the people told us that they suing opportunities to open new markets to There are 13 Catholic bishops in jail heard the news on Radio Free Europe, American products. Earlier this year, the U.S. in China today. I would change my and I want to send a message to the negotiated far-reaching market access for agri- vote if they set those bishops free. Chinese people on Radio Free Asia that cultural and industrial goods as well as a wide Bishop Su, who has been in jail because the Congress stood with them on behalf range of service sectors. Additionally, signifi- he gave holy communion to the gen- of the persecuted church in China. cant agreements were reached on important tleman from New Jersey (Mr. SMITH); There are good and decent men and rules of commerce, but differences remain on he has been in jail for over 20 years. women on both sides. For me, this is a the implementation and duration of provisions Thirteen Catholic bishops, a large vote of conscience and I urge support of governing dumping and product safeguards. number of Catholic priests are in jail. the Rohrabacher resolution. We also successfully negotiated tariff reduc- There is the gentleman from New Jer- Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.J. tions with China from 80 percent to 25 percent sey (Mr. SMITH). He can tell my col- Res. 57, the resolution disapproving normal in the year 2005, with auto tariffs decreasing leagues; go up and ask him. Bishop Su trade relations (NTR)Ðformerly called Most- to an average of 10 percent. However, without is in jail because of giving him holy Favored-Nation (MFN) statusÐwith the Peo- NTR, we cannot reasonably hope to pursue communion. ple's Republic of China. I commend my col- additional tariff reductions to further open Chi- So the next time on Sunday the call league from California, Representative ROHR- nese markets to U.S.-made automobiles, nor comes to go forward to the rail when ABACHER, for sponsoring this legislation. I also improvements to improved consumer financing colleagues take holy communion, want to applaud the valiant and always stead- so that more autos can be purchased. We think about Bishop Su. I hear all these fast efforts of Representative NANCY PELOSI. must also encourage China to update its anti- missionaries quoted. Does anyone ever She is a consistent voice for freedom in China quated distribution system which penalizes for- quote Bishop Su any more? Does any- and a true advocate for human rights around eign competitors. one even ask to see Bishop Su any the world. Improving trade relations is similar to peel- more? Today, while we debate this issue on the ing an onion, as numerous layers must be There are a large number of Catholic floor of the House of Representatives, the Chi- pared before the job is finished. I am hopeful priests in jail. There are a large num- nese government is suppressing and perse- that the Chinese will approach improving fu- ber of evangelical house church people cuting practitioners of Falun Gong. In the past ture trade relations with a view to the whole that are in jail. Muslims in China are several weeks, China has been engaging in picture, rather than making small adjustments being persecuted like my colleagues one of the largest crackdowns of a group of one layer at a time. At the same time, China will not believe. I have a letter talking people since the Tiananmen massacre of must demonstrate progress for individual lib- about electric volts and shocks being 1989. Thousands of Falun Gong practitioners, erties by releasing arrested political, religious used on the Muslims. including many of its leaders and government and human rights activists, if they hope to Then there’s Tibet. I am the only officials, have been arrested. It is estimated continue to enjoy strong relations with the Member of Congress who has been to that over 40 million people in China practice United States. Tibet for years. When I was there, and Falun Gong, many of them poor or unem- Mr. Speaker, I am confident that construc- we came in not as a Member of Con- ployed. They are not involved in politics, but tive engagement with China will lead to posi- gress, but as a tourist, I was told of un- the Chinese government has chosen to crack tive results, advancing our trade interests and believable persecution. Lhasa is a Chi- down harshly on this movement. foreign policy goals of religious freedom and nese city. It is no longer a Tibetan This illustrates perfectly why I continue to improved human rights. I strongly encourage city. The Chinese government has de- oppose NTR for China. Many argue that the my colleagues to support constructive engage- stroyed 4,000 monasteries, not 4 mon- way to improve human rights in China is to ment and vote against this resolution to dis- asteries, but 4,000 monasteries. keep giving China NTR status. The problem is approve Normal Trade Relations with China. There are more slave labor camps in that this has been our policy for the past ten Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, I China today than when Solzhenitsyn years, but human rights have not improved. am happy to hear about all these wrote the book Gulag Archipelago. The China's human rights record is as bad today agreements Communist China has book was a best seller. We all went out as it was in 1989, when the Chinese govern- signed. and hailed it, and it broke the world ment killed and injured hundreds of students Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the open. There are more gulags, more who were peacefully demonstrating for political gentleman from Virginia (Mr. WOLF). gulags in China today than there were reform on Tiananmen Square. (Mr. WOLF asked and was given per- when Solzhenitsyn wrote the book on The persecution of the underground Chris- mission to revise and extend his re- the evil empire in Russia. If you don’t tian church continues. marks.) believe it, call the CIA; they can share Many Protestant pastors, Catholic bishops Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I rise in op- the pinpoint maps. and priests are still being arrested, fined, beat- position to MFN. I know it is a dif- Then there are forced abortions. en and imprisoned. Some have been in prison ficult vote for a lot of Members and They track women down and throw for many, many yearsÐeven decades. I will there is a lot of soul searching, so I them on the table. The gentleman from insert for the RECORD a partial list of Chinese just want to tell people why I am New Jersey (Mr. SMITH) can tell my Christians currently detained or imprisoned for strongly opposed to MFN. colleagues about forced abortions. In religious reasons. For me it is an issue of the soul; it is some respects this ought to be a major House church Christians and laypeople are an issue of conscience; it is an issue pro-life vote. Steve Mosher of the Pop- still being arrested, fined, beaten and impris- that 10 years from now when I look ulation Research Institute told me the oned. back, I want to know that I did maybe other day there were 12 to 15 million Churches are still being destroyed. not what was right, maybe people dif- abortions last year in China, and it is Bibles are still being confiscated. fer, but what I think my God told me basically the abortion capital of the The Tibetan culture and religion are still to do. world. I do not understand, frankly, being systematically destroyed. Tibetan Bud- Now I think we maybe in a situation why this is not a pro-life vote. dhist monks and nuns are being arrested and similar to the Parliament in the 1930’s Then there is slave labor. There are tortured. Tibetan Buddhist monasteries are still in Great Britain when Winston Church- Chinese workers, slave laborers, in being controlled by cadres of Chinese com- ill tried to alarm people about what Sudan building a pipeline, and in munist security officials. The Tibetan people was taking place, and yet they still Sudan every major terrorist group in are still being deprived of their freedom, their wanted to trade with Nazi Germany, the world, Abu Nidal, Hamas are all livelihood and their culture. and Nazi Germany went on to do hor- there. I have seen the repression in Tibet with my rific things. My sense is, and I hope I What would my colleagues tell own eyes. It is frightening. am wrong, but that is what is going to Bishop Su if we could see him today? I Muslims in the Northwest portion of China happen today with China. want to tell him that I know we will are still being persecutedÐAmnesty Inter- And I would say to my friend from not take away MFN, but I wanted to national issued a comprehensive report on Indiana, they are the evil empire and send a message with my vote. I urge persecution of Muslim Uyghurs earlier this they are the evil empire like Ronald my colleagues to talk to the Romanian year. Uyghurs are being arbitrarily detained. H6444 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 Thousands of Uyghur political prisoners are in think twice about continuing our business-first human rights in 1994, Wei was moved to a jail and are being tortured. Recently, a group policyÐundisputed evidence of China's espio- harsh prison where conditions were very bad. of Uyghurs shared with the Congressional nage in U.S. nuclear labs and its acquisition of He as kept there until he was released on Human Rights Caucus how they had been tor- knowledge about some of America's most ad- medical parole in 1997 after intense inter- tured in prison. I am submitting for the vanced nuclear warheads. national pressure. RECORD the testimony of Mr. Abdugheni As I look at this issue and the Cox report, I submit for the RECORD a copy of his state- Musa, who was arrested and tortured in 1995 I am concerned that the United States will be ment. for organizing a peaceful youth rally. providing China the economic means through Nobody has been released in the last few Democracy activists are still being watched, trade to develop missiles on which to attach weeks in China. Quite the opposite. China is arrested, imprisoned, held under house arrest advanced nuclear warheads designed with in- engaged in one of the harshest crackdowns and sent to reeducation through labor camps. formation stolen from the United States so on dissent this decade. Scores of individuals associated with the De- these missiles can then be used to hit our China knows they have nothing to fear from mocracy Party have been arrested and given grandchildren, or even our children. this Congress. Beijing is confident that trade long sentences just in the last few months. the report of the bipartisan Select Com- will trump everything else and the American Over one hundred Tiananmen Square pro- mittee on National Security and Military/Com- government will continue to make any conces- testers are still in prison. mercial Concerns with the People's Republic sions necessary to ensure favorable condi- Those wishing to remember the 10th anni- of China chaired by Representative CHRIS COX tions for trade. versary of the tragic events of spring 1989 found clear evidence that design information This Congress must stand up for the values when hundreds of protesters were brutally stolen from the United States will enable of freedom and democracy. We must be on massacred at Tiananmen Square were pre- China to build thermonuclear warheads and the side of those fighting for freedom, not vented by the Chinese government from doing attach them to ICBM missiles sooner than standing with the oppressors. The hundreds of so. The families of the dead, wounded and ex- would have otherwise been possible. It said political and religious prisoners in jail in China iled who are demanding an apology from the ``the PRC has the infrastructure and the tech- today are counting on this Congress to speak government of China for its actions in 1989 nical ability to use elements of U.S. warhead out for them. It may be the only thing that are being persecuted. design information in the PLA's next genera- saves their life or wins their freedom. The Chinese government allowed and en- tion of thermonuclear weapons. . . . The PRC Trade has not brought freedom to China de- couraged protesters to destroy the U.S. Em- could begin serial production of such weapons spite ten years of unconditional NTR, but this bassy in Beijing. They bused in people. The during the next decade. . . .'' It also con- debate and vote is not actually about restrict- Chinese Ambassador insulted the intelligence cludes, ``The Select Committee judges that ing trade with China. We all know that at the of the American people on Sunday talk shows elements of the stolen information on U.S. end of the day the status quo will not change. with his demands. thermonuclear warhead designs will assist the But if the House were to disapprove NTR for China still runs a massive system of gulag PRC in building its next generation of mobile China, it would send a powerful message to slave labor campsÐthe laogai. The State De- ICBM's, which may be tested this year.'' Chi- BeijingÐone the Chinese government will not partment's 1998 report on human rights in na's mobile ICBM missiles will have the ability forget. China said 230,000 people were detained in to hit the United States. Let's change our courseÐlet's vote for one ``re-education through labor camps'' in China We are giving China the economic means to year not to renew NTR. at the end of last year. People are sent to re- develop these weapons. Think about the Catholic bishops, the education through-labor camps without a trial While it may be painful for some if we re- Catholic priests, the Tibetan Buddhist monks or any kind of judicial proceeding. strict China's ability to trade on favorable and nuns, the Falun Gong practitioners, the China still has a program in which the kid- terms with the United States, China is now a Uyghur Muslims, the democracy activists and neys, corneas and other organs are taken greater threat to the U.S. national security the many, many others who are sacrificing from executed prisoners and sold to foreign than it has ever been in the past. their freedom for their beliefs. Think about buyers for tens of thousands of dollars. Some We also need to remember that China has them when you cast your vote. Our current of these organs are being peddled in the deliberately tried to influence our political proc- policy has done nothing to help them. This United States, against U.S. law. ess through illegal campaign donations. vote may be the only hope they have. It still engages in coercive population prac- Our current policy has yielded very little PERSONAL TESTIMONY ticesÐincluding forced abortions and steriliza- progress on issues that the American people Dear honorable congressmen and congress- tions. There are 7 to 15 million abortions a care about. Some 67 percent of Americans women, year in China, 6 to 12 times more than in the surveyed by Zogby earlier this year said that Today I thank you very much for giving United States. According to the Population Re- they would like the U.S. to put increased re- me this precious opportunity to testify be- fore you. My name is Abdugheni Musa. I am search Institute, most of these abortions are strictions on trade with China because of Chi- a Uyghur from Ghulja City in the Xinjiang performed under duress, with threats, bribes na's human rights abuses. Many Americans Uyghur Autonomous Region of P.R. China. I and sanctionsÐand sometimes outright are concerned about China's nuclear espio- want to testify on the brutal torture meth- forceÐused to elicit compliance. nage as well. ods of the Chinese government through my So nothing has really changed with regard It is interesting to note that in years past, personal accounts of suffering in the Chinese to human rights in China. when the Chinese government actually feared prison. Our policy has done nothing to improve Chi- that MFN would be taken away by this Con- In February 1995, some young Uyghur busi- na's behavior regarding proliferation. Accord- gress, people were released on their treatment nessmen and I organized The Ili Youth Mashrap, a traditional Uyghur cultural ing to Director of Central Intelligence George in prison improved. Wei Jingsheng, one of event, in order to improve morality, say no Tenet, China remains a ``key supplier'' of tech- China's most noted dissidents, wrote in a re- to drugs, strengthen our religious faith and nology inconsistent with our nonproliferation cent message to Congress, ``Although the lack build local economy. This traditional event goalsÐparticularly missile and chemical tech- of willpower and consistency in U.S. policy had a very strong social impact on the nology to Pakistan and Iran. On April 15, have prevented effective pressure on China to Uyghurs in Ghulja City and was welcomed 1999, the Washington Times cited intelligence democratize, the effectiveness of the use of everywhere. reports that the Chinese are continuing to sell the MFN issue to improve conditions for polit- However, the social impact of Mashrap weapon technologies. ical prisoners and limit arrest of dissidents has shocked and worried the Chinese authorities. Thus, it became the very reason for the Chi- Finally, our policy has resulted in no im- been clearly shown.'' nese government to suppress the Mashrap provement in ending China's unfair trade prac- He has a personal example. In late 1993, and its participants. tices. The U.S. trade deficit with China con- after serving 14 years in jail, he was released First of all, the Chinese government la- tinues to skyrocket (approaching over $60 bil- from prison at a time when China wanted to beled Mashrap as illegal and then started ar- lion), U.S. goods are shut out of China's mar- be selected to host the year 2000 Olympics resting the Uyghur youth that organized and ket and U.S. jobs continue to be lost to cheap and President Clinton had publicly threatened participated this event. Chinese labor. In 1989, at the time of the now to renew MFN again unless human rights The Ghulja municipal police arrested me Tiananmen massacre, our trade deficit with improved. He was arrested again in early on June 7, 1996 and detained me in Yengi Hayat prison. In jail, I constantly and re- China was only $6 billion. today it is 10 times 1994, but kept in a guest house where he was peatedly faced physical and mental torture that. free to go out for dinner with a police escort. from the Chinese prison guards. This year a new element has been thrown Once President Clinton assured the Chinese Two days after my arrest at 12:30 a.m., the into the mix that should make this Congress privately that he would delink trade from Chinese prison guards dragged me into a July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6445 basement interrogation cell and started in- Yusuf and I were put into the same cell at Totdukan neighborhood in Ghulja City. He is terrogating and torturing me. Since then, that time. Today he is still serving prison still missing. the Chinese guards started a habit of tor- terms in the Chinese prison. 7. Kahar, 26, religious student, arrested in turing me every night. To get his confession, the Chinese guards May 1998 as a ‘‘separatist’’. He was from All of these Chinese guards spoke very tortured my friend Abdusalam Keyim on a Totdukan neighborhood in Ghulja City. He is good Uyghur language. These Chinese guards high voltage electric chair. Then he was still missing. put me in the electric chair for seven times. stripped naked and forced into an extremely 8. Ablikim Muhammadjan, 24, religious For five times, they put a high voltage elec- low degree freezer. Later, the Chinese guards student, arrested in April 1998 as a ‘‘sepa- tric shocker on my head that caused extreme nailed metal sticks into his fingers and ratist’’. He was from Dong neighborhood in convulsion all over my body. My heart irreg- pulled out his nails one by one. In the end, Ghulja City. He is still missing. ularly pounded and my eyes blackened. I they hit the back of his head with an electric 9. Mirzat, 25, religious student, arrested in fainted several times during the tortures. bar and permanently damaged his brain. April 1998 as a ‘‘separatist’’. He was from the Exactly on the seventh day of my arrest, Since then, be became mentally insane and Watergate neighborhood. He is still missing. again the Chinese guards dragged me to the released from the jail. Abdusalam was from 10. Zulpikar Mamat, 26, religious student, basement for confession in the middle of the the Watergate neighborhood in Ghulja City. arrested in March 1998 as a ‘‘separatist’’. He night and inserted a wire with horsehair on My friend Muhammad Eli Mamatimin was from Aydong neighborhood in Ghulja top into my genital. The more the guard in- faced the most brutal torture in jail. One day City. He is still missing. serted the more he wound it. This caused se- he was forced to confess his crimes by the 11. Ilyar, 26, religious student, arrested in vere damage to my urinary system. As a re- Chinese guards. He denied every single May 1998 as a ‘‘separatist’’. He was from sult, my genital swelled up and I urinated charge. To punish him, the guards put a wine Urumqi Nenming neighborhood. He is still blood for more than a month. bottle into his anus and kicked the bottle missing. During the torture, one of the Chinese every time he denied one charge. Imme- 12. Dawud, 28, religious student, arrested in guards pointed his finger at me and said, diately he internally bled and fainted. Then, May 1998 as a ‘‘separatist’’. He was from ‘‘We will castrate the inferior masculinity of we has taken into the cell. We was what the Azatyuz village at Jeliyuz County in Ghulja. your turban-heads and prostitute your girls. Chinese guards did to him and all of us cried. He is still missing. What can you turban-heads do to us great Since then, Muhammad couldn’t sit or sleep 13. Ablet Karihaji, 53, a religious mullah, Chinese nation? With our spit, your will all on his back and walk straight. arrested in December 1996 as a ‘‘separatist’’. drown.’’ Then, they used electric club and The most shocking and heinous crime the He was sentenced for 20 years. He was from knocked me down again and again. Chinese prison guards committed in jail is Kepekyuz village at Jeliyuz County in For three times, the Chinese guards al- that they allowed the Chinese inmates to Ghulja. Due to severe torture, he was taken lowed the Chinese inmates to brutalize me. rape the Uyghur girls by taking turns. On 27 out with a handcart to meet his wife and For many times, the Chinese inmates kept in June 1996, the Chinese prison guards kids when they came to visit him in prison. me standing awake for several days. I fainted brought Peride, a 21-year old pious Uyghur 14. Muhammadjan Karim, 29, religious almost every time when they did this to me. Muslim girl, from the ladies cell into the teacher, arrested in June 1997 as a ‘‘sepa- They forced me to squat and put my hands men’s jail. The Chinese guards striped her ratist’’. He was from Topadeng neighborhood back to kiss the wall from a meter apart. naked and told her to ask her God to save in Ghulja City. He is still missing. The Chinese inmates kicked me, hit me and her. Later, they put her naked into a cell 15. Sultan Tursun, 25, religious student, ar- punched me whenever I failed to kiss it. I with six Chinese inmates. These six Chinese rested in February 1997 as a ‘‘separatist’’. He bumped into the wall and my nose started criminals took turn and raped her one by was Dong neighborhood in Ghulja City. bleeding. one. Dear ladies and gentlemen, all of these We heard Peride’s painful cries coming out The Chinese prison guards seriously tor- people are my good friends. The Chinese gov- of the Chinese cell. We yelled, cried, kicked tured, brutalized and severely injured me for ernment has imprisoned a person from al- the metal bars and the wall. Instead of pun- more than one and a half-month. In the end, most every Uyghur family in Ghulja City ishing the Chinese inmates, the guards furi- I collapsed because of fever, coughing with since 1996. At present, the Chinese govern- ously rushed into our cell and beat us up blood, sweating, frailty, lung problems and ment is still arresting hundreds of Uyghurs with electric bars. Then, they held Peride genital pain. I could stand and go to the rest- and mercilessly torturing them in the pris- out of the Chinese cell since she was already room only with the help of others. I was bed- ons. The Chinese human rights violation of fainted. Peride was from the Konqi neighbor- ridden for many days in the cell. the Uyghur people is nowhere to be found in hood in Ghulja City. the world. On July 20, The Chinese prison doctor When I escaped to Kazakhstan, a friend of It is my sincere hope from the bottom of came to see me. He was shocked to know my mine who was put in this jail told me the fol- my heart that the United States, the United physical problems. Then, for fear of my lowing account. One day in January 1997, the Nations, and the international community death in jail, he ordered the jail to send me Chinese prison guards stripped Rena, a 23- take necessary measures to guarantee the to the municipal military hospital on July year old Uyghur girl, naked and put her into fundamental human right of the Uyghur peo- 25th. Chinese cell. Like Peride, Rena was group- I stayed for only a week in the hospital. ple and help free all the Uyghur political raped by the Chinese inmates. Rena was And then I escaped the hospital on August 3. prisoners in the Chinese prisons. from Kepekyuzi village at the Jilyuz County. Thank you, Later, I successfully escaped to Kazkhstan Now I want to give a list of names of my Abdugheni Musa. via Korghas border on August 5. Uyghur friends and acquaintances that suf- While I was in Chinese prison, the Chinese fered and continually suffered in the Chinese police but six of my Uyghur friends and me DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL prisons. Some of their whereabouts are still into the same jail. Like me, all of them faced DEVELOPMENT AND WORLD PEACE, unknown or missing today. serious tortures from the Chinese prison 1. Turghan Tursun, 27, religious student, Washington, DC, June 30, 1999. guards to confess. We were all forced and tor- arrested on February 5, 1997 as a ‘‘sepa- DEAR REPRESENTATIVE: The upcoming vote tured to confess that Mashrap was organized ratist’’. He was sentenced to 5-year in jail. on extending ‘‘normal trade relations’’ sta- to carry out anti-Chinese government activi- Currently, Turghan is serving his prison tus to the People’s Republic of China pre- ties and separating Xinjiang from China. terms in Ili Prefecture Jail. He was from sents the Congress with a significant oppor- However, in the face of extremely painful Ghulja tannery. tunity and challenge to send an unmistak- tortures, all of us denied these charges. 2. Iminjan, 29, teacher, arrested after Feb- ably clear message about our national con- On July 5, the Chinese guards dragged all ruary 1997 as a ‘‘separatist’’. He was sen- cern for the protection of basic human of us into the basement interrogation cell tenced to 15-year in jail. Currently, Iminjan rights. and forced us to confess our crimes. We told is serving his prison term in Ili Prefecture Each time over the past several years when the guards that we had nothing to confess Jail. He was from Ghulja tannery. the issue has arisen, it has been our convic- since we didn’t break any law. The angry 3. Yusufjan Eysa, 29, private businessman, tion that no Administration has been suffi- Chinese guards stripped Yusuf naked and arrested in January 1997. He was missing for ciently committed to pressing the Chinese forced him to confess. Since he denied all the one year. Later found by his father in Qapqal authorities on their systemic violations of criminal charges and said Mashrap was a tra- jail. Yusufjan was sentenced to 5-year in jail. certain fundamental human rights. Our Con- ditional and cultural Uyghur event aimed at Currently, he is serving his term at Ghulji ference has focused particularly on the improving moral and social values. municipal prison. issues of religious freedom and we have re- The Chinese guards couldn’t find a way for 4. Seydehmet Yunus, 24, religious student, peatedly cited the persecution of religious him to confess, and also hoping to teach all arrested in April 1998 as a ‘‘separatist’’. He groups, such as the unregistered Protestant of us a lesson, brought in two German shep- was from Erkin Street in Ghulja City. He is and Catholic churches, and the intrusive in- herds in the cell and started using the dogs still missing. terference by the state in the internal life of to bite naked Yusuf. One of the dogs vi- 5. Ablet, 26, religious student, arrested in the ‘‘open’’ or recognized churches. The per- ciously attacked him and bit his genital. He April 1998 as a ‘‘separatist’’. He was from secution and control of Tibetan Buddhism is fell and crawled on the floor holding his pri- Mashrapbay Street in Ghulja City. He is still especially shameful and known to all. vate area. But the ruthless Chinese guards missing. We acknowledge that the present Adminis- continued to molest him with the dogs hop- 6. Tursun, 26, religious student, arrested in tration has made efforts to raise these issues ing to annihilate our will of resistance. April 1998 as a ‘‘separatist’’. He was from with the Chinese authorities, but little, if H6446 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 anything, has changed on the human rights GENERAL BOARD OF CHURCH AND SO- religious groups because they consider them front in these last years of increased engage- CIETY OF THE UNITED METHODIST heresies. Wang has been transferred to ment. Indeed, the continued detention of re- CHURCH, Henan’s Xuchang Labor Reform Center to ligious figures as well as of democracy advo- Washington, DC, July 26, 1999. begin his third prison term at a labor reform cates only point up the necessity of unre- DEAR REPRESENTATIVE: This week’s vote camp. lenting official U.S. firmness on issues of on whether to extend most favored nation 4. Zheng Yunsu. Leader of popular Jesus human rights and religious freedom. status to the People’s Republic of China pre- Family religious community in Duoyigou, sents Congress with a basic choice about province, Christian Zheng was ar- The trade status debate may not be the human rights. rested in June 1992 with thirty-six other best forum, but it does offer the Congress an Every year when the issue has been voted, community members, including his four important opportunity to raise the priority we have watched carefully for signs of im- sons. Their arrests are thought to be in part of human rights and religious liberty. There- provement in China’s human, labor, and en- the result of the community’s May 1992 ef- fore, I urge you to send as clear a message as vironmental rights record. Last year, we did forts to prevent security forces from tearing possible by voting to overturn the Presi- not urge Congress to withhold this trading down their church. The elder Zheng was dent’s waiver of the relevant sanctions of the status from China. We were waiting to see if charged with holding ‘‘illegal’’ religious 1974 Trade Act. A strong vote to deny MFN/ the Administration’s overtures to China lead meetings, ‘‘leading a collective life,’’ dis- NTS status to China should strengthen the to changes in China’s actions. In the past turbing the peace and resisting arrest. Sen- Administration’s commitment to putting year, however, despite promises from the tenced to 12 years of imprisonment, he is human rights at the top of the China agenda Clinton Administration, that China’s poli- thought to be held at the Shengjian Motor- and send a strong signal that the status quo cies were improving, we have observed slip- cycle Factory labor camp near Jinan city. is not acceptable. page in the most basic rights in China. Other community members received sen- Sincerely yours, The persecution of indigenous people and tences of five years (another source says MOST REVEREND THEODORE E. their religions is of special concern to me. three). Public Security Bureau officials raid- MCCARRICK, The situation of the Tibetans is most well ing the church compound in June 1992 lev- Archbishop of Newark; Chairman, known, but all of the 50 or so indigenous peo- eled the church and confiscated personal International Policy Committee, U.S. Catholic ples in China experience restrictions of their property. Conference. freedoms. 5. Pei Zhongxun (Korean Name: Chun The Clinton Administration has made an Chul). The 76-year-old ethnic Korean Protes- effort to raise issues of human rights, labor tant leader from Shanghai, Pei, was arrested FRC URGES HOUSE TO TAKE A STAND FOR rights, and religious freedom with the Chi- in August 1983 for counter-revolutionary ac- HUMAN RIGHTS AND FREEDOM, REJECT ‘‘AB- nese, but little has changed. The current de- tivities. Accused of spying for Taiwan (be- NORMAL TRADE RELATIONS’’ WITH CHINA tention of members of the Falun Gong sect cause of ties to Taiwanese Christians) and of suggested that the Chinese policies have distributing Bibles and other Christian lit- WASHINGTON, DC.—‘‘On June 3, President changed in the wrong direction. Other reli- erature to others in the house-church move- Clinton with callous audacity commemo- gious leaders and democracy activists still ment, he was charged with rated the eve of the 10th anniversary of the languish in jail. ‘‘counterrevolutionary crimes,’’ and sen- Tiananmen Square massacre by asking Con- I urge you to deny what is now called ‘‘nor- tenced to 15 years of imprisonment. He is re- gress once again to reward China with re- mal trading status’’ to China until the Ad- portedly imprisoned in Shanghai Prison No. newal of its Normal Trade Relations (NTR) ministration can certify that China is re- 2. His family is permitted to visit him for status. A strange thing to do, considering specting the basic human rights of all groups half-an-hour each month. that there’s nothing ‘normal’ about U.S. re- in China. A ‘‘no’’ vote to this status will sig- 6. Wang Xin Cai. Evangelical Wang was ar- lations with China,’’ said Bill Saunders, For- nal that the US Congress makes respect for rested with Pastor Peter Xu Yongze and im- eign Policy and Human Rights Counsel for human rights a priority. prisoned on March 16, 1997, in Zhengzhou, Family Research Council (FRC), on Thurs- Sincerely, Henan. There is no further information on day. ‘‘What is normal about conducting busi- DR. THOM WHITE WOLF FASSETT, his legal situation. ness as usual with a Chinese regime that lies General Secretary. 7. Qin Musheng. Evangelical Qin was ar- to its people about NATO’s accidental em- rested with Pastor Peter Xu Yongze and im- bassy bombing and virtually holds our am- THE CENTER FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM, FREE- prisoned on March 16, 1997, in Zhengzhou, bassador hostage in the U.S. embassy by DOM HOUSE, PRIORITY LIST—CHINESE CHRIS- Henan. He has been sentenced to two and a staging riots around him?’’ TIANS PERSECUTED FOR RELIGIOUS REASONS, half years of education through labor. While the President insists that the Ad- JULY 14, 1999 8. Qing Jing. Qing, the 30-year-old wife of Pastor Peter Xu Yongze, was arrested along ministration’s policy of ‘‘constructive en- PROTESTANTS gagement’’ is having a positive impact in with her husband on March 16, 1997, in 1. Peter Xu Yongze. Pastor Peter Yongze Zhengzhou, Henan. She has been sentenced China, all of the evidence shows that this is Xu, China’s most prominent underground to one year of education through labor. not true. The State Department’s annual Protestant leader, was sentenced to three 9. Sister Feng Xian. Evangelical Feng was Human Rights Report released in February years of labor camp on September 25, 1997, in arrested with Pastor Peter Xu Yongze and found that human rights deteriorated signifi- Zhengzhou, Henan province, for ‘‘disrupting imprisoned on March 16, 1997, in Zhengzhou, cantly in China in the past year. Along with public order.’’ His trial was closed to the Henan. She has been sentenced to two and the ongoing crackdown on political dis- public and he was denied a defense lawyer. one half years of education through labor. sidents, the report highlighted religious per- Pastor Xu, the 56-year-old leader of the 10. Su Yu Han. The 37-year-old evangelical secution of Protestant and Catholic groups, three- to four-million-strong New Birth was imprisoned on July 25, 1996, and sen- continued abusive reproductive policies in- Movement of evangelicals, was arrested on tenced to a reeducation labor camp for one cluding forced abortion, and persecution of March 16, 1997, as he was meeting with other and a half years. He is from the Tongnan ethnic minorities. The Cox Report reveals leaders of large evangelical churches in neighborhood in Wu Tong town in Tong that espionage can occur and national secu- China. His wife and several of his associates Xiang Country, Province, an area rity can be threatened when we treat an au- were also imprisoned. that has been targeted for severe repression thoritarian regime as if it’s a democratic 2. Liu Fenggang. A 37-year-old active mem- by a specific Party directive. His house ally sharing American interests. ber of a unofficial Protestant house-church church with eight rooms was destroyed com- ‘‘The last time America seriously debated in Beijing, Liu was arrested on August 9, pletely on the night of his arrest. All of his China’s trade status, two years ago, it went 1995, at his home as part of a general crack- property was confiscated. by another name, Most Favored Nation down on the dissident community in Beijing 11. Wu Bing Fang. The 22-year-old brother (MFN). Changing MFN’s name can’t change prior to the UN Fourth World Conference on of imprisoned evangelical Su Yuhan was im- the fact that there is less reason for normal Women. In early December 1995, Liu was sen- prisoned on July 25, 1996, and sentenced to a trade with China today than there was in tenced to 2.5 years of ‘‘re-education through re-education labor camp for one and a half labor.’’ 1997,’’ said Saunders. ‘‘The situation in China years. He is from Xin Ku neighborhood, Hong 3. Wang Changqing. A 52-year-old house- has gone from bad to worse, and the U.S. Yong town, Jia Xing district, Zhejiang Prov- church leader of the Zhoukou Prefecture, government is enabling the Chinese regime ince. All of his property was confiscated. Henan province, Wang and five other Chris- to continue its stranglehold on the Chinese 12. Cao Wen Hai. Evangelical Cao was im- tian house-church leaders were sentenced prisoned on August 10, 1997, in Ping Ding people. without trial to three years of ‘‘re-education Shan, Henan. His hometown in Fang Cheng ‘‘The Congress must take a stand for the through labor’’ on August 14, 1995. The county, Henan Province, is known as the self-evident truth that all people, including house-church leaders were accused of belong- ‘‘Jerusalem of China’’ where the Chinese the Chinese people, are endowed by their ing to outlawed religious organizations and House church movement was initiated in the Creator with certain unalienable rights. The scheming to overthrow the Communist 1980’s. He was helping in the ministries of Congress must turn rhetoric about freedom Party with foreign religious groups. Wang millions of Christians in China. into action to secure freedom. The Congress and the other Christian house-church leaders 13. Zhang Chun Xia. Evangelical Zhang was must reject NTR for China.’’ denied belonging to any of these ‘‘outlawed’’ imprisoned on August 10, 1997 in Ping Ding July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6447 Shan, Henan. Her hometown in Fang Cheng China Evangelistic Fellowship, is being de- 43. Wu Guifang. Wu Guifang, a Protestant county, Henan Province, is known as the tained in Shayang Labor Educational Camp from Xingiang province, affiliated with ‘‘Jerusalem of China’’ where the Chinese in Hubei. China Evangelistic Fellowship, is being de- House church movement was initiated in the 26. Huang Zhihai. Huang Zhihai, a Protes- tained in Urumqi Labor Educational Camp in 1980’s. She was helping in the ministries of tant from Hebei province, affiliated with Xinjiang. millions of Christians in China. China Evangelistic Fellowship, is being de- 44. Guei Chuan-Lun. Guei Chuan-Lun, a 14. Zhao Song Yin. Evangelical Zhao was tained in Tangshan Labor Educational Camp Protestant from Feng Yang, Anhui province, imprisoned on August 10, 1997, in Ping Ding in Hebei. is being detained in Baofeng Labor Edu- Shan, Henan. His hometown in Fang Cheng 27. Fan Jinxia. Fan Jinxia, a Protestant cational Camp in Xuanzhou, Anhui. county, Henan Province, is known as the from Hebei province, affiliated with China 45. Liu Hai-Kuan. Liu Hai-Kuan, a Protes- ‘‘Jerusalem of China’’ where the Chinese Evangelistic Fellowship, is being detained in tant from Feng Yang, Anhui province, is House church movement was initiated in the Tangshan Labor Camp in Hebei. being detained in Baofeng Labor Educational 1980’s. He was helping in the ministries of 28. Yang Xiaofang. Yang Xiaofang, a Camp in Xuanzhou, Anhui. millions of Christians in China. Protestant from Hebei province, affiliated 46. Zhang Wan-Bao. Zhang Wan-Bao, a 15. Philip Guoxing Xu. Philip Xu is a 43- with China Evangelistic Fellowship, is being Protestant from Feng Yang, Anhui province, year-old evangelical traveling preacher and detained in Tangshan Labor Camp in Hebei. is being detained in Baofeng Labor Edu- Bible teacher based in Shanghai, was ar- 29. Liang Fujuan. Liang Fujuan, a Protes- cational Camp in Xuanzhou, Anhui. rested on June 16, 1997, and is presently in tant from Hebei province, affiliated with 47. Lin Ke-Wei. Lin Ke-Wei, a Protestant solitary confinement. Since late 1997, he has China Evangelistic Fellowship, is being de- from Li-Xin, Anhui province, is being de- been allowed family visits and was allowed tained in Tangshan Labor Educational Camp tained in Nanhu Agricultural Labor Edu- to send a letter from prison in May 1998. His in Hebei. cational Camp. legal situation is uncertain. He was sen- 30. Huang Xiaojuan. Huang Xiaojuan, a 48. Peng Shu-Xia. Peng Shu-Xia, a Protes- tenced without a trial to 3 years of labor Protestant from Hebei province, affiliated tant from Chang Feng, Anhui province, is camp (with labor at day and solitary confine- with China Evangelistic Fellowship, is being being detained in Women Labor Educational ment at night) in DA FUNG in northern detained in Tangshan Labor Educational Camp in Hefei, Anhui. Province. His wife was turned away Camp, in Hebei. 49. Wang Chuan-Bing. Wang Chuan-Bing, a 31. Zhu Qin. Zhu Qin, a Protestant from when she tried to visit him on October 22, Protestant from Qing-gang, Heilongjiang Beijing, affiliated with China Evangelistic 1997, after traveling 20 hours by bus from province, is being detained in Qing-gang De- Fellowship, is being detained in Tongxian Shanghai. Previously, he had been arrested tention Center in Heilongjiang. Labor Educational Camp in Hebei. 50. Wang Xincai. Wang Xincai, a Protest on March 14, 1989 for a ‘‘thorough investiga- 32. Zheng Fang. Zheng Fang, a Protestant from Lushan, Henan province, is being de- tion.’’ At that time the authorities found from Xinyang, Henan province, affiliated tained in Qiliyan Labor Educational Camp in ‘‘no political motivation, no intention for with China Evangelistic Fellowship, is being Zhengzhou, Henan. collecting money, and no sexual mis- detained in Shibalihe Labor Educational 51. Wu Juesheng. Wu Juesheng, a Protes- conduct,’’ he was released. He had also been Camp in Zhengzhou, Henan. arrested on November 6, 1989 while teaching 33. Xu Ying. Xu Ying, a Protestant from tant, is being detained in Da-an Labor Edu- a Bible study class, and was sentenced with- Xinyang, Henan province, affiliated with cational Camp in the Biyang Prefecture of out trial to three years of labor camp. After China Evangelistic Fellowship, is being de- Henan province. completing that sentence, Guoxing was re- tained in Shibalihe Labor Educational Camp 52. Zhang Chunxia. Zhang Chunxia is being leased. He is married, and now has a young in Zhengzhou, Henan. detained in Shibalihe Female Labor Edu- daughter. His birthday is March 16, 1955. He 34. Ye Kensheng. Ye Kensheng, a Protes- cational Camp in Zhenghou, Henan province. lived in California between 1980 and 1982. tant from Xinyang, Henan province, affili- 53. Xu Dajiang. Xu Dajiang, a Protestant 16. Huang Dehong. Huang Dehong, a ated with China Evangelistic Fellowship, is from Xinyang, Henan province, affiliated Protestant from Baokang, Hubei province, being detained in Xinyang Municipal Labor with China Evangelistic Fellowship, is being affiliated with China Evangelistic Fellow- Educational Camp. detained in Xinyang Municipal Labor Edu- ship, is being detained in Baokkang Prefec- 35. Xiao Minghai. Xiao Minghai. a Protes- cational Camp. tural Labor Educational Camp. tant from Xinyang, Henan province, affili- 54. Zhao Wu Na. Zhao Wu Na is a 50-year- 17. Huan Debao. Huan Debao, a Protestant ated with China Evangelistic Fellowship, is old (born 1948) evangelical Christian woman from Baokang, Hubei province, affiliated being detained in Xinyang Municipal Labor from Shanghai who was arrested on Decem- with China Evangelistic Fellowship, is being Educational Camp. ber 28, 1997, and detained in a labor camp. A detained in Wuwei Labor Educational Camp 35. Zhang Jinchen. Zhang Jinchen, a graduate of the government-sponsored East in Gansu. Protestant from Xinyang, Henan province, China Theological Seminary, she resigned 18. Hei Qunhu. Hei Qunhu, a Protestant affiliated with China Evangelistic Fellow- from the Patriotic Three-Self movement and from Lushi, Henan province, affiliated with ship, is being detained in Xinyang Municipal began to evangelize independently. Her hus- China Evangelistic Fellowship, is being de- Labor Educational Camp. band has disappeared and she believes that tained in Wuwei Labor Educational Camp in 36. Wang Xuchua. Wang Xuchua, a Protes- he has been kidnapped by government agents Gansu. tant from Xinyang, Henan province, affili- in a covert operation. 19. Dai Chenggang. Dai Chenggang, a ated with China Evangelistic Fellowship, is ROMAN CATHOLICS Protestant from Baokang, Hubei province, being detained in Xinyang Municipal Labor 55. Bishop Zeng Jingmu. [Transferred to affiliated with China Evangelistic Fellow- Educational Camp. house arrest on May 9, 1998]. The 78-year old ship, is being detained in Zhenglin Labor 37. Li Zhongchang. Li Zhongchang, a Roman Catholic Bishop of Yu Jiang, Jiangxi Educational Camp, in Zhaoyang, Hubei. Protestant from Henan province, affiliated province, Bishop Zeng was sentenced without 20. Zhang Shangkui. Zhang Shangkui, a with China Evangelistic Fellowship, is being a trial, in March 1996 to three years of ‘‘re- Protestant from Zhaoyang, Hubei province, detained in Nanhu Labor Educational Camp education through labor’’ in the laogai for affiliated with China Evangelistic Fellow- in Anhui. ship, is being detained in Zhenglin Labor 38. Zhan Guohua. Zhan Guohua, a Protes- his religious activities for being arrested the Educational Camp, in Zhaoyang, Hubei. tant from Henan province, affiliated with previous November. He had already spent 21. Li Qingshu. Li Qingshu, a Protestant China Evangelistic Fellowship, is being de- about two decades in communist prisons for from Zhaoyang, Hubei province, affiliated tained in Hefei Labor Educational Camp in his faith. Reportedly, Bishop Zeng was weak- with China Evangelistic Fellowship, is being Anhui. ened by a serious case of pneumonia which detained in Zhenglin Labor Educational 39. Li Liya. Li Liya, a Protestant from Huo he had contracted during a short prison de- Camp, in Zhaoyang, Hubei. Qiu, Anhui province, affiliated with China tention in October 1995. In 1994, he had been 22. Zhang Jun. Zhang Jun, a Protestant Evangelistic Fellowship, is being detained in arrested on August 14, one day before an As- from Zhaoyang, Hubei province, affiliated Nanhu Labor Educational Camp in Anhui. sumption Day raid by Public Security offi- with China Evangelistic Fellowship, is being 40. Hou Feng. Hou Feng, a Protestant from cials from the town of Yu Jiang and held detained in a local township educational Jianchuan, Anhui province, affiliated with without charge until December 1994. He has camp in Hubei since April 6, 1999. China Evangelistic Fellowship, is being de- been adopted by Amnesty International as 23. Brother Song. Brother Song, a Protes- tained in Nanhu Labor Educational Camp in a‘‘prisoner of conscience.’’ tant from Zhaoyang, Hubei province, affili- Anhui. 56. Bishop An Shuxin. Bishop An was ar- ated with China Evangelistic Fellowship, is 41. Tian Lin. Tian Lin, a Protestant from rested in February 1996 as a preemptive being detained in Shayang Labor Edu- Jianchuan, Anhui province, affiliated with strike against the popular annual May 24 cational Camp in Hubei since April 6, 1999. China Evangelistic Fellowship, is being de- Catholic Pilgrimage to the shrine of Mary in 24. Hu Shoubin. Hu Shoubin, a Protestant tained in Nanhu Labor Educational Camp in village of Donglu in Hebei. Police crushed all from Qianjiang, Hubei province, affiliated Anhui. commemorations, other clergy from the area with China Evangelistic Fellowship, is being 42. Meng Qingli. Meng Qingli, a Protestant were imprisoned or placed under house ar- detained in Shayang Labor Educational from Shangqiu, Henan province, affiliated rest, and some churches and prayer houses in Camp in Hubei. with China Evangelistic Fellowship, is being the area were desecrated. He remains in de- 25. Jia Ping. Jia Ping, a Protestant from detained in Shangqiu Labor Educational tention. He is an auxiliary bishop to Bishop Xiantao, Hubei province, affiliated with Camp in Anhui. Su. H6448 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 57. Bishop James Su Zhimin. Bishop Su hai, is under ritual house arrest at his apart- now the treasurer of the prison. According to Zhimin, 65, the Roman Catholic bishop of ment in Shanghai. During Easter Week, press accounts, the sentencing procedure cir- Baoding in Hebei Province who respects the Bishop Fan’s residence was ransacked and cumvented the need for his name to appear authority of the Vatican, has spent twenty his Bible, catechism, code of Canon Law, and on any legal documents, thereby preventing years in Chinese prisons. During one prison meager diocesan treasury were confiscated him from being officially recognized as a stint lasting 15 years, he was subjected to ex- by police. He has been previously imprisoned ‘‘prisoner.’’ It is not known if he has been re- treme torture. In one incident, the board, for his faith for 25 years between 1957 and leased but if he has he probably was returned which was used to beat him, was reduced to 1982. He had also been arrested on June 10, to his previous status as an ‘‘employee de- splinters. The police then ripped apart a 1991, reportedly in response to the Vatican’s tainee’’ for the State. He had been pre- wooden door and continued to beat Bishop elevating to Cardinal another Chinese viously, arrested on April 21, 1994, while cele- Su until it also disintegrated into splinters. bishop, Ignatius Kung. On August 19, 1991, he brating Mass, and released on August 29, Other tortures used against him included was transferred to a form of house arrest in 1994. Beginning in 1955, he served 13 years of being hung from his wrists while being beat- Shanghai, which was confirmed by a Free- imprisonment because of his refusal to re- en on his head, and on another occasion dom House delegation in mid-1997. nounce ties with the Vatican. Upon comple- being placed in a cell which was partially 62. Bishop Casimir Wang Milu. The 55-year- tion of prison term, he was transferred to a filed with water. The Bishop was left there old Bishop of Tianshui diocese, Gansu prov- labor camp as an ‘‘employee detainee’’ to for days, unable to either sit, lie down or ince, Bishop Wang was arrested April 1984 for make bricks at No. 4 brick factor in Xining. sleep. He suffered extensive hearing loss as a counter-revolutionary activities, including After another 13 years of this forced labor, result. In 1996, Bishop Su wrote a courageous ordaining priests (after his own secret con- he was refused government permission to re- letter of protest about religious violations of secration as bishop by Bishop Fan Xueyuan turn to his home in Shanghai. He was forced Chinese government authorities. He was ar- in January 1981), having contact with the to continue working at the No. 4 brick factor rested most recently on October 8, 1997 for Vatican and other Chinese Roman Catholics, in Xining until his re-arrest in April 1994. He religious reasons after 18 months in hiding. and criticizing government religious policy was secretly ordained a priest in 1986 and On October 24, the U.S. State Department re- and the Catholic Patriotic Association. In carried out his apostolic work in the prov- ported that it had received word from Chi- 1985 or 1986 he was sentenced to ten years of ince of Qinghai. nese authorities that the bishop had been re- ‘‘reform through labor’’ and four years of 70. Rev. Liao Haiqing. Rev. Liao is a 68- leased from jail, but this turned out to be deprivation of political rights. He was im- year-old priest in Fuzhou, Jiangxi province. false and local Catholics report that govern- Arrested in August 4, 1995, he was last known ment agents are now blocking access to the prisoned for a time at labor camp in to be detained at Lin Chuan City’s detention bishop’s residence. Bishop Su is believed to Pingliang, Gansu and then transferred to a center. Father Liao has a heart condition be in detention. Reliable reports indicate labor camp near Dashaping in Lanzhou. Re- and high blood pressure, but he is not al- that on November 7, 1998 he was transferred leased on parole on April 14, 1993, he remains lowed to receive medication from his family, from Qingyuan prison to a government guest under severe restrictions of movement, that house or apartment building in Qingyuan are a form of house arrest. He was previously who are barred from visiting him. Previously where he was held incommunicado and kept imprisoned for his faith during the Cultural arrested on August 11, 1994, on unspecified under strict 24-hour police surveillance. The Revolution. charges and held in detention until mid-No- transfer probably occurred to defuse protest 63. Bishop Cosmas Shi Enxiang. The 71- vember 1994. Prior to that, he had been ar- during the Chinese president’s state visit to year-old auxiliary Bishop of Yixian, Hebei rested while celebrating Mass, on August 16, Washington. The American religious delega- province, Bishop Shi was originally arrested 1992, and held until March 1993. He has also tion that traveled to China in February 1998 in December 1990 and held by Xushui County previously served a ten-year term, which were refused permission by the government Public Security Bureau. His whereabouts re- ended in July 1991. 71. Rev. Peter Cui Xingang. The 31-year-old to visit Bishop Su. Chinese Ambassador Li mained unknown for close to three years. He Pastor of the Church of Our Lady of China in Zhaozing continues to spread disinformation was thought to have been held in a ‘‘reeduca- Donglu village, Hebei province, the site of about the Bishop; on May 18, 1998, he wrote tion through labor’’ camp near Handan or in the famous underground Catholic procession, to Congressman Vince Snowbarger denying an ‘‘old age home.’’ On November 31, 1993, he was arrested in late March 1996 and detained that Bishop Su was under detention, stating was released and permitted to return home. along with Bishop Su Zhimin. He had been he ‘‘is a free man.’’ His whereabouts and Although reportedly in poor health, he re- reportedly in and out of detention since then well-being are not known. He is in state cus- sumed duties as Auxiliary Bishop of Yixian, and at last report in mid-1997 was behind tody, presumably in a labor camp. thought under police surveillance and re- 58. Bishop Julias Jia Zhiguo. The 58-year- strictions of movement. bars once again. He had been previously, ar- old Bishop of Zhengding, Hebei province, and 64. Bishop Han Dingsiang. Bishop rested on July 28, 1991, and held without trial secretary-general of the underground Chi- Dingsiang was arrested in Yong Nian. He has until being released in August 1995. nese Bishop’s Conference, Bishop Jia was ar- been arrested and released several times and 72. Rev. John Wang Zhongfa. Rev. Zhongfa, rested on August 27, 1995, and held at a de- it is believed he is currently in jail. a is a 67 year-old Roman Catholic priest of tention center in Yong Nian until being re- 65. Bishop Han Jingtao. Bishop Jingtao has diocese, Zhejiang province, was ar- leased two months later. He had been sub- been prevented by police from exercising his rested on November 24, 1997, and sentenced in jected to frequent short detentions at the ministry. January 1998 to one year of re-education hands of the Public Security Bureau. He was 66. Bishop Liu Guandong. Bishop through labor for ‘‘disturbing the peace.’’ He arrested on January 7, 1994, and but released Guandong, of Yixian, is under strict surveil- Wenzhou city council, which imposed the shortly thereafter, and re-arrested January lance by Chinese security forces. sentence, reportedly said that his sentence is 20, 1994, but subsequently released in early 67. Bishop Zhang Weizhu. Bishop Weizhu to expire on November 23, 1998. The priest, February. He was arrested again on February was arrested in Xianxian on May 31, 1998. labelled ‘‘Number One Evil’’ by security offi- 68. Rev. Guo Bo Le. A Roman Catholic 9, 1994, and reportedly released in one month cials, was arrested for organizing an unau- priest from Shanghai, Rev. Guo was sen- later. He had been arrested on April 5, 1993, thorized Marian event last October. Accord- tenced in January 1996 to two years of im- with eight other priests, all of whom were re- ing to a report from a Catholic source in prisonment at a ‘‘reform through labor’’ leased later that year. He is currently under Hong Kong, Fr. Wang is out of 15,000 yuan camp because of ‘‘illegal religious activity.’’ police surveillance and severe restrictions of (US$1,800) bail but must report regularly to movement that are a form of house arrest. He was arrested while celebrating Mass on a police. He was arrested while conducting a 59. Bishop Joseph Li Side. In his 60’s, the boat for about 250 fishermen. Guo’s other ‘‘il- private funeral service for a nun. Bishop of Tianjin diocese was arrested May legal’’ activities included administering the 73. Rev. Shi Wende. Rev. Wende, of Yixian 25, 1992, exiled in July 1992 to a rural Liang Sacrament of the Sick, establishing under- diocese, Hebei province, was arrested on Zhuang, Ji county, and forbidden to leave. ground evangelical church centers, orga- March 14, 1998, while visiting the home of an According to most recent report, he is being nizing catechetical institutes, teaching Bible underground Catholic in Liu Li Quao, ac- held under a form of house arrest on the top classes and ‘‘boycotting’’ the Catholic Patri- cording to the Cardinal Kung Foundation. of a mountain. He had previously been de- otic Association. Fifty-eight-year-old Guo His whereabouts are not known. tained several times, including 1989, when he has already spent thirty years—over half his 74. Fr. Deng Ruolun. Fr. Ruolun, a first ap- was arrested for playing a role in the under- life—in Chinese prisons because of his faith. ostolic Administrator of the Diocese of ground episcopal conference and reportedly 69. Rev. Vincent Qin Guoliang. Rev. Qin, a Yujiang, was arrested in Jiangxi province on tried in secret. 60-year-old Roman Catholic priest, was ar- August 14, 1997, while celebrating Mass at a 60. Bishop Gu Zheng Mattia. The Bishop of rested on November 3, 1994, in the city of private home. His father was later detained Xining diocese, Qinghai province, was ar- Xining, Qinghai province, on unknown on August 20, along with five others whose rested on October 6, 1994, but released some- charges by Public Security officials. He was names remain unknown. time in early December 1994. He has been arbitrarily sentenced to two years’ ‘‘reeduca- According to a report by Amnesty Inter- placed under police surveillance and restric- tion through labor’’ at Duoba labor camp 20 national released on March 31, 1998, over 200 tions of movement. Church sources report as kilometers from Xining. Father Qin was Roman Catholics were detained in Jiangxi of July 1997, he was again placed under de- forced to carry rocks and blocks of ice in the province in 1997. The arrests were apparently tention by Public Security organs. camp, but after one month of this hard labor carried out in two separate incidents: the 61. Bishop Joseph Fan Zhongliang. Bishop he became seriously ill. In March 1995, he first in August 1997; and the second, between Fan, the 74-year-old acting bishop of Shang- was allowed to perform light duties and is mid November and December. Some of those July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6449 arrested were jailed or tortured. Their cur- 100. Li Xin. Li Xin, a Catholic, was arrested democracy faction to carry out public activi- rent whereabouts and legal status are un- in 1996 and sentenced to three years in pris- ties and buy banks and newspapers, and re- known. The following 11 names are those on. leasing another group of prisoners, such as identified as detained: 101. Pan Kunming. Pan Kunming, a Catho- Hu Shigen and Zhou Guoqiang. Because U.S. 75. Zhang Jiyu. Zhang Jiyu is a 48-year-old lic from Yu Jiang, was arrested in 1996 and President Clinton decoupled MFN from Catholic woman, who are arrested and de- sentenced to five years. human rights considerations, many people tained in Jiangxi province on August 13, 1997, 102. Rao Yanping. Rao Yanping, a Catholic inside the CCP decided that there was no after protesting the arrest of her 17-year-old from Yu Jiang, was arrested in April 1995 and need to continue to keep the promises they daughter, who herself had been detained for sentenced to four years. had made. religious reasons. 103. Wang Chengqun. Wang Chengqun, a I found out in prison that the treatment of 76. Liu Haicheng. Lui Haicheng was ar- Catholic from Baoding, was arrested in April political prisoners followed the political at- rested in Jiangxi on August 15, 1997, for al- 1996 and sentenced to three years. mosphere, changing as the atmosphere lowing a private mass at his home (where Fr. 104. Wang Yungang. Wang Yungang, a changed. The most important elements in Deng Ruolun had been arrested). Police re- Catholic, was arrested during Christmas 1996, the political atmosphere were U.S.-China re- portedly tortured Haicheng in order to ex- and sentenced to two years and currently is lations and the question of MFN. tract a confession of guilt to criminal at Shandong Changle Reeducation Camp. In 1994, after my secret negotiations with charges. 105. Xie Suqian. Xie Suqian, a Catholic the CCP’s representative, I was put under 77. Zhou Xiaoling. Zhou Xiaoling, like Liu from Baoding, was arrested on August 15, house arrest in a high-level guesthouse. Liv- Haicheng, was arrested in Jiangxi province 1998. ing conditions were quite good, and it was on August 15, 1997, and then tortured for al- 106. Yao Jinqiu. Yao Jinqiu, a Catholic possible to go out to eat in the company of lowing a private mass in his own home. from the village of An Jia Zhuang, was ar- a policeman, for example; the only thing I 78. Xiao Lan. Xiao Lan, a 32-year-old rested in 1996 and sentenced to three years. could not do was have contacts with the out- Catholic nun, was arrested in Jiangxi prov- 107. Yu Qixiang. Yu Qixiang, a Catholic side world. They were obviously planning to ince in mid August of 1997. from Yu Jiang, was arrested in April 1995 and release me after a short time, because they 79. Long Mei. Long Mei, a 24-year-old sentenced to two years. were concerned that my opinion could influ- Catholic nun, was arrested in Jiangxi prov- 108. Yu Shuishen. Yu Shuishen, a Catholic ence the future of MFN. They had no control ince in mid August of 1997. from Yu Jiang, was arrested in April 1995 and over the future of MFN, and so they treated 80. Yuan Mei. Yuan Mei, a 20-year-old sentenced to three years in prison. Catholic nun, was arrested in Jiangxi prov- me a high degree of courtesy. 109. Zhou Quanxin. Zhou Quanxin, a Catho- But about a month after Secretary of ince in mid August of 1997. lic layman, was arrested in Baoding, Hebei 81. Cheng Jinli. Cheng Jinli, a 24-year-old State Christopher returned to the U.S., they Province, during an underground Holy Mass suddenly sent me to a place where conditions Catholic nun, was arrested in Jiangxi prov- on Pentecost Sunday, May 23, 1999, while aid- ince in mid August of 1997. were even harsher than in a prison. It was ing the escape of the presiding priest. damp, there were no facilities for washing, 82. Hua Jingjin. Hua Jinglin, a 30-year-old 110. Zhou Zhenpeng. Zhou Zhenpeng, a Catholic nun, was arrested in Jiangxi prov- and I could not even go to the toilet without Catholic layman, was arrested in Baoding, being under the scrutiny of a guard. There ince in mid August of 1997. Hebei Province, during an underground Holy 83. Jun Fang. Jun Fang, a Catholic nun, was no access to newspapers, TV or radio. Mass on Pentecost, May 23, 1999, while aiding was arrested in Jiangxi province in mid Au- Not only did I have no contact with the the escape of the presiding priest. outer world, but even my sources of news gust of 1997. 111. Zhou Zhenmin. Zhou Zhenmin, a 84. Zhang Jiehong. Zhang Jiehong, a 50- were cut off. This occurred because, although Catholic layman, was arrested in Baoding, year-old Catholic laywoman, was arrested in the delinking of MFN with human rights had Hebei Province, during an underground Holy Jiangxi province in mid August of 1997. not been made public, the Chinese govern- 85. Fr. Lin Rengui. Fr. Rengui, of Pingtan Mass on Pentecost Sunday, May 23, 1999, ment had already received reliable assur- county, was arrested during Christmas of while aiding the escape of the presiding ances of this from the American side. At the 1997. His sentence is unknown. priest. time I guessed that this was the situation, 112. Zhou Zhenquan. Zhou Zhenquan, a 86. Fr. Ma Qinguan. Fr. Qinguan, a priest and after I came to the U.S. in 1997 I received Catholic layman, was arrested in Baoding, from Baoding, is being pursued for capture. proof that confirmed my earlier suspicions. 87. Fr. Wang Chengi. Fr. Chengi, was ar- Hebei Province, during an underground Holy While the Chinese government began to rested in December of 1996. He was sentenced Mass on Pentecost Sunday, May 23, 1999, lobby in the U.S. for permanent MFN status, to three years’ imprisonment. He is cur- while aiding the escape of the presiding I was sentenced to 14 years and was sent to rently at Shandong Jining Reeducation priest. prison. From the end of 1996 until early 1997, Camp. Sources: Cardinal Kung Foundation; as lobbying for ‘‘permanent MFN status’’ for 88. Fr. Wei Jingkun. Fr. Jingkun, of Church sources in China; Family members of China was called for openly in the U.S. Con- Baoding, was arrested on August 15, 1996. religious prisoners; Compass Direct; Fides gress, the CCP convened a meeting on poli- 89. Fr. Xiao Shixiang. Fr. Shixiang, was ar- (news agency under the auspices of the Vati- tics and law, and the ranking politics and rested in June, 1996 and given a three-year can’s congregation for mission countries, law committee member, Luo Gan, publicly sentence. He is currently at Tianjin #5 pris- Propaganda Fides); Information Center of called for a crackdown on resistance, hunger on. Human Rights and Democratic Movement in strikes and other activities by political pris- 90. An Xianliang. An Xianliang, a Catholic China (Hong Kong); The Oregonian; Reuters; oners. from the village of An Jia Zhuag, was ar- U.S. State Department Human Rights Re- Conditions for political prisoners in Chi- rested in 1996. ports on Countries (1999); Zenit; Christian na’s jails quickly became more oppressive. 91. Di Yanlong. Di Yanlong, a Catholic Solidarity Worldwide; Amnesty Inter- Almost all conditions necessary to sustain from the village of An Jia Zhuang, was ar- national; Union of Catholic Asian News. life disappeared, many more were beaten and rested in 1996 and sentenced to three years in See Center’s Web site for further informa- the use of handcuffs and punishment cells be- prison. tion: www.freedomhouse.org/religion. came more common. I also received this type 92. Gao Shuping. Gao Shuping, a Catholic of treatment. For details, please see the citizen of Lin Chuan, was arrested in Novem- THE EFFECT OF MFN ON CHINA newspaper reports from the first part of 1997. ber 1996. (By Wei Jingsheng) In June and July of 1997, revelations about 93. Gao Shuyun. Gao Shuyun, a Catholic The reason that a representative of the the conditions of Chinese political prisoners from Chongren County, was arrested in April highest level of the Chinese Communist were comparatively frequent. During discus- 1995. 94. Huang Guanghua. Huang Guanghua, Party (CCP) met with me in 1994 was that sions about MFN in the U.S. Congress, this from Chongren County, was arrested in April many in the inner circles of the CCP believed issue was often discussed. Demands to sus- 1995. that I could influence the future of MFN, due pend MFN increased, and, in China, the gov- 95. Huang Tengzong. Huang Tengzong, from to my meeting with Secretary of State War- ernment ceased carrying out oppressive Chongren County, was arrested in April 1995. ren Christopher. measures against political prisoners. The use 96. Jia Futian, from the village of Among the conditions which were prom- of shackles and punishment cells stopped, Yangzhuang, was arrested in 1996 and sen- ised to me at that time, some were met very prisoners were returned to their normal tenced to three years in prison. faithfully. Even though I had been illegally cells, and the most necessary items for daily 97. Li Lianshu. Li Lianshu, a Catholic, was taken into custody, they scrupulously ful- life were restored. arrested during Christmas of 1995. He was filled two agreements: one was the freeing of The events described above show clearly sentenced to four years and is currently at Wang Juntao, Chen Ziming and several other that the strategy of using MFN to put pres- Shandong #1 Reeducation camp. political prisoners. The other was that after sure on the Chinese government is highly ef- 98. Li Quibo. Li Quibo, a Catholic, was ar- I agreed to their conditions they would not fective. Although the lack of willpower and rested in Easter 1996. He was sentenced to arrest my associates, including Wang Dan, consistency in U.S. policy have prevented ef- three years and is currently at Shandong #1 Liu Nianchun, Liu Xiaobo and many others fective pressure on China to democratize, the Reeducation camp. who fell within the protective scope of the effectiveness of the use of the MFN issue to 99. Li Shengxin. Li Shengxin, a Catholic agreement. improve conditions for political prisoners from An Guo, was arrested in 1996 and sen- However, there were promises that they and limit arrests of dissidents has been tenced to three years in prison. did not keep. These include not allowing the clearly shown. H6450 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 In other words, if the pressure of the MFN west. It should certainly not obscure and fair trade practices. We must encourage issue is lost, it means collusion with the our common interest in the growth of this progress toward a more open market hardliners of the CCP as they persecute and trade between our nations based on the economy because with it will come the oppor- oppress China’s opposition. principles that undergird the WTO re- tunity for American companies to distribute Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, I urge my lationships. By renewing NTR and their goods in China far more broadly and the colleague from Virginia to consult with working with China to enter WTO we lower Chinese tariffs will make our goods the Reverend Billy Graham and Pat can help China adopt free and fair competitive in that growing market. It should Robertson. trade policies. Lower tariffs make our certainly not obscure our common interest in Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the goods more affordable. Distribution the growth of trade between us based on the distinguished gentlewoman from Con- rights under WTO will provide access principles that undergird WTO relationships necticut (Mrs. JOHNSON). to customers. Good for China, good for (transparency of law and regulation, equal Mrs. JOHNSON of Connecticut. Mr. us. treatment of foreign and domestic producers, Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to I urge renewal of the normal trade lower tariffs and reduced non-tariff barriers, in- this resolution. Denying NTR to China relations with China and opposition to tellectual property protection and dispute set- will undermine our interests, United this resolution of disapproval. tlement through a fair process.) By allowing States economic interests. It is our I rise in strong opposition to this resolution. NTR and working with China to enter the twelfth largest market and increased Denying NTR to China will undermine our en- WTO, we can help China ``adopt free and fair'' imports from the United States 11 per- tire U.S. economic interests. It is our 12th larg- trade practices and assure the growth of our cent last year all on products made by est market and increased imports from the economy. The lower tariffs required by WTO highly skilled workers earning high U.S. 11% last year. With a population of 1.2 will make our goods more affordable and the wages. billion, China imported approximately $18 bil- distribution rights under WTO will provide us Connecticut exports to China in 1998 lion worth of U.S. goods and services in 1998, access to customers good for us and good for totaled more than 301 million ranking supporting thousands of high-wage, high-skill, China. it tenth in the Nation. Connecticut export-related American jobs. This represents Denying normal trade relations with China businesses and its workers have a di- an increase of more than 11% from the pre- will only limit our ability to influence and work rect interest in maintaining normal vious year, making China the 12th largest U.S. with China in other areas of mutual concern. trading relations with China and with export market. Only a policy of principled and persistent en- further opening China’s markets. With Connecticut exports to China in 1998 totaled gagement will promote American interests on a quarter of the world’s population and more than $301 million, ranking it 10th in the all issues from economic security to non-pro- the third largest economy, China’s nation. Connecticut businesses and its work- liferation, the rule of law, and human rights. buying power will grow tremendously ers have a direct interest in maintaining nor- I urge the renewal of normal trade relations in the years ahead. If we do not engage mal trade relations with China and in further with China and opposition to this resolution of this emerging major market, other na- opening its markets. disapproval. tions will replace U.S. companies and With a quarter of the world's population and b 1215 these significant profits gained as a third largest economy, China's buying power Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 competitive advantage over us. That will grow tremendously in the years ahead. If minutes to the gentleman from Geor- has already happened in the helicopter we do not engage this emerging major market, gia (Mr. LEWIS), a champion for human and other markets through short- other nations will replace U.S. companies and rights throughout the world and at sighted American policy. use the significant profits gained as a competi- home. Mr. Speaker, it is just a fact that tive advantage over us. That has already hap- Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, China is making quiet but significant pened in the helicopter market with U.S. pro- the supporters of Most Favored Nation progress in many areas. Unlike Russia, ducers guilty of short-sighted policy. status may have changed the name to China has recognized the need to re- It is just fact that China is making quiet but ‘‘Normal Trade Relations,’’ but the sit- capitalize their state-owned businesses significant progress in many areas. Unlike uation in China has not changed. In and has gradually sold many to foreign Russia, China recognized the need to recapi- fact, the conditions are getting worse. companies. They are modernizing their talize their state-owned businesses and has Just a few days ago, the Chinese gov- economy without the level of unem- gradually sold many to foreign companies. ernment conducted its largest crack- ployment, crime, and turmoil that has They are modernizing their economy without down since Tiananmen Square. Thou- plagued other nations faced with this the level of unemployment, crime and turmoil sands of religious worshippers were ar- challenge. that has plagued other nations faced with this rested. Chinese soldiers took people Furthermore, western companies challenge. Furthermore, western countries from their homes and places of wor- have brought management practices to have brought stringent management practices ship. Some were beaten. The human China that develop individual initia- to China that develop individual initiative and rights abuses continue, and yet there tive and respect workers’ ideas. They respect workers' ideas, have brought manage- are those who would reward China with have brought more stringent health ment health, safety and environmental stand- MFN. safety and environmental standards ac- ards, accomplishing goals like reducing indus- Business as usual, trade as usual, and complishing goals like reducing indus- trial waste 35% and harmful air emissions by China does not change. We are sending trial waste 35 percent and harmful air 36% as did Carrier since 1995 and western the wrong message. We have a moral emissions 36 percent, as did Carrier companies have brought new opportunities to obligation, a mission, and a mandate to since 1995. workers like Otis Elevator home ownership stand up for human rights and for de- And western companies have brought programs. mocracy. We must send a strong mes- more opportunity to workers like Otis In addition China has held direct election in sage that China must change its ways Elevator’s home ownership program. half its villages, gaining experience with secret if it wants to continue doing business In addition, China has had direct ballots and multi-candidate elections. In some with the United States. Our foreign elections in half its villages, gaining provinces, 40% of the candidates are young policy, our trade policy must be a re- experience with secret ballots and entrepreneurs and not communist party mem- flection of our ideals and values. Re- multicandidate elections. In some bers. (They seek better schools and roads, newing MFN allows China to continue provinces, 40 percent of the candidates and are cracking down on corruption.) In its terrible abuses without repercus- are young entrepreneurs and not Com- 1997, as part of a rule of law initiative, the sion. That is not right. munist Party members. In 1997, as part training of legal aid lawyers began. Where are our morals? Where are our of the rule of law initiative the train- In sum, China is modernizing its economy values? Where are our principles? I be- ing of legal aid lawyers began. and governance through a process that is har- lieve in free and fair trade, but it must In sum, China is modernizing its monious with her cultural traditions, but that not be trade at any price, and the price economy and governance through a should not obscure the growth of values of renewing MFN for China is too high. process that is harmonious with her shared by people in the West. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to long history and cultural traditions, China is now on the verge of gaining mem- support this resolution. I want to but that should not obscure the growth bership in the World Trade Organization. WTO thank the gentlewoman from Cali- of values in common with people in the membership requires a country to adopt free fornia (Ms. PELOSI) for taking the lead July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6451 in standing up for human rights and for and knows full well the price that we Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise democracy in China. pay as a country for an unrealistic pol- today to urge my colleagues to oppose Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 icy towards a militaristic regime. the resolution revoking Normal Trade minutes to the gentleman from Massa- (Mr. GILMAN asked and was given Relations for China. chusetts (Mr. NEAL), a member of the permission to revise and extend his re- Many of my colleagues have said that Committee on Ways and Means. marks.) this body should signal our disapproval (Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts asked Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank of Chinese policy by denying NTR. I and was given permission to revise and the gentleman for yielding me this would caution those who seek to send extend his remarks.) time. such a signal to first answer one very Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Mr. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support basic question: Will your vote to re- Speaker, we should continue normal of H.J. Res. 57, a resolution dis- voke NTR for China today actually trade relations with China. This is a approving granting MFN, now called change the behavior of China tomor- very important issue to the United NTR, to the People’s Republic of row? Think about it. Will ending NTR States of America, as well as to the fu- China. free the political prisoners, reverse the ture of China. It has been 10 years since the mas- abuse of human rights, and stop the sacre of Tiananmen Square, and since As is the case with almost all impor- persecution of religious groups? Will then, the world has witnessed a marked tant legislation, the rhetoric is heated denying NTR teach the youth of China deterioration of human and religious and the arguments are exaggerated. the values of democracy, the principles rights in the People’s Republic of That is only natural, because the de- of capitalism, and the merits of a free China and in occupied Tibet and in bate we are involved in is a complexity and open society? East Turkestan. Since 1989, our trade that oftentimes is far beyond the im- Make no mistake; ending NTR for deficit has grown from $6 billion to a mediate issue in front of us: trade. China will not achieve these goals. It projected $67 billion. China’s bold The debate ranges on both sides to will portend, however, the end of U.S. threats against democratic Taiwan and economic, political, strategic, security, trade with China and the end of our in- its naval actions against the Phil- and humanitarian issues. Yet, we have fluence in China. ippines directly reflect its new-found this one vehicle to express our opin- Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to wealth and its military prowess. Both ions, our positions, and even our frus- retain our influence and our trade rela- give unrestricted access to our U.S. trations about our relationship with tions with China by voting against the China. markets. U.S. industry estimates of intellec- resolution today. China is the largest emerging market tual property losses in China due to Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my col- in the world, and it is increasingly im- counterfeiting and due to trademark leagues to vote against the resolution to re- portant politically and militarily to piracy have continually exceeded $2 voke Normal Trade Relations (NTR) for China. the United States. China’s leadership billion over the past several years. Many of my colleagues have said that this will, whether we like it or not, shape Some U.S. companies estimate losses body should signal our disapproval of Chinese much of what happens throughout Asia from counterfeiting account for 15 to 20 policy by denying NTR. and the Pacific. We must try to influ- percent of their total sales in China. It Mr. Speaker, I would caution those who ence what happens inside of China. We is my understanding that Microsoft seek to ``signal'' China by ending NTR to think must influence the course of conduct alone has lost an estimated $1 billion for just one moment today about the likely by China’s influence and leadership, in software piracy by China over the consequences and first answer one very basic and, of course, we must take the oppor- past 10 years. question. tunity to see how best we can influence Mr. Speaker, the administration’s Will your vote to end NTR for China today how China emerges as a greater eco- transfer of American resources and actually change the behavior of China tomor- nomic and military power. wealth through our so-called ‘‘engage- row? Think about it. But how do we influence China if we ment policy’’ with the dictators in Bei- Will ending NTR free the political prisoners, refuse to trade with them and they re- jing has led to serious long-term con- reverse the abuse of human rights, and stop taliate against us? How do democratic sequences. The engagement policy fail- the persecution of religious groups? values emerge? How do they learn to ure has fueled an enormous trade im- Will denying NTR bolster the moderates or tolerate dissent? How do they come to balance that dwarfs all reason. China’s will it strengthen the hands of the hard-liners respect human rights and religious lib- enormous foreign currency reserves as they struggle to control the future course of erties? Do we sit back and hope that permits Beijing to belligerently dis- China policy? the Europeans are willing to dem- miss U.S. protests of its transfer of Most importantly, will revoking NTR teach onstrate these values, or do we actively deadly weapons of mass destruction to the youth of China the values of democracy, engage the Chinese at all levels and pa- terrorist nations. So-called engage- the principles of capitalism, and the merits of tiently work for change within that ment has cleared the way for China’s a free and open society? country? regional hegemony. Mr. Speaker, if I thought that ending NTR I do not think there is anybody who China’s experts within the adminis- would achieve these goals in China, I too is willing to say that there has been no tration have presided over this Na- would cast my vote of disapproval today. change in China during the last 20 tion’s singular greatest foreign policy But make no mistake: denying China NTR years. I do not think anyone would say disaster. It has led to the thefts of our denies the U.S. the ability to influence China's that that change has been sufficient. In nuclear weapons designs, the weak- workers, China's human rights policies, Chi- fact, it seems painstakingly slow, but ening of our national security and stra- na's politics, and perhaps most importantly, it is occurring, and we must see to it tegic alliances, and the trivialization China's future. that it continues to occur. of respect for our American interests. Make no mistake: ending NTR for China will We must not lose site of the penalty Last week, it was reported that a effectively end all hope of gaining WTO acces- here. It is to deny to China what we Protestant worshipper was killed by se- sion. It will end our best hope of getting China give to almost every other nation in curity forces; and this week, thousands to open its markets and live by the world's the world: normal trade relations, ex- of followers of Falun Gong, the spir- trade rules. And it will effectively put an end to actly what the term implies. The aber- itual movement that was recently out- our trade with China. ration is not with those who would lawed, were arrested. In short, revoking NTR for China will send grant NTR to China; it is with those Accordingly, Mr. Speaker, I support much more than a signal: it will portend the who would apply the Smoot-Hawley H.J. Res. 57 and I urge my colleagues end of U.S. trade with China, and the end of Tariff Act to China. to support this important resolution. our influence in China. Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, I Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 I urge my colleagues to vote to retain our in- yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from minute to the gentlewoman from Illi- fluenceÐand our trade relationsÐwith China New York (Mr. GILMAN), the chairman nois (Mrs. BIGGERT), my neighbor. by voting against the resolution today. of the Committee on International Re- (Mrs. BIGGERT asked and was given Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 lations and a Member of this body who permission to revise and extend her re- minutes to the gentleman from Mary- served in World War II in the Pacific marks.) land (Mr. HOYER), who has been a H6452 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 champion of human rights, particu- Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 obsolete industries. We should do this larly in the New Independent States minutes to the distinguished gen- as a moral imperative. Lastly, it is to and in eastern and central Europe, and tleman from (Mr. BERRY). protect a nation’s national security. a champion throughout the world for (Mr. BERRY asked and was given I submit to this body today, the ques- human rights. permission to revise and extend his re- tion on this resolution is one of our na- Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I thank marks.) tional security. We cannot continue to the gentlewoman from California for Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, trade with do trade with a country that is arming yielding to me, who herself has been China is absolutely essential. We face itself to the teeth with our money, has such a great leader on this issue. the challenges that trade with China provided missiles to Iran and nuclear I rise today in strong support of press, or we can turn our back and face technology to Pakistan, has fired mis- House Joint Resolution 57 disapproving the consequences: lost markets for siles towards Taiwan to intimidate its the extension of Normal Trade Rela- America’s farmers and the possibility government, has launched the greatest tions to the People’s Republic of China. of food shortages in China. China does military buildup in Asia since Japan in We have, of course, none of us a quar- not have enough food to feed its popu- the 1930s. It is continuing to warn rel with the 1.2 billion citizens of lation. They have 25 percent of the Japan and trying to intimidate it. China. But in extending this trading world’s population and 7 percent of the Mr. Chairman, this is a country that status we have to ask ourselves, what world’s arable land. We have an agri- is arming for war. It has stolen U.S. has the Chinese Government done, one culture trade surplus with China that satellite missile technology, has tar- of the last Communist dictatorships on is absolutely essential to our agri- geted 13 of its 18 intercontinental bal- earth, to deserve, to merit this consid- culture community. In 1997, U.S. agri- listic missiles at the United States of eration? culture sales to China totaled $4 bil- America. It has ignored our protests of The Chinese Government’s record lion. We have a huge trade surplus in the persecution of Christians and polit- reads, frankly, more like an indict- agriculture with China, 250 percent in ical dissidents. ment. China flagrantly violates the our favor. They are one of our largest Are we being prudent? Are we going to turn our back on all the sacred her- human rights of its own citizens and wheat customers. internationally recognized labor stand- China is a growth market. They are itage of our country for the dollar sign? I submit that China itself is dys- ards. It fomented anti-American hatred increasing food imports. NTR is crit- functional, it is going to have a cur- after our clearly accidental bombing in ical to our market access. As the Chi- rency collapse soon and we should not Belgrade. It recently began saber rat- nese economy improves, more value- go forward with this most favored na- tling against Taiwan, and it repeat- added goods will be bought. China will edly, repeatedly has been unwilling to tion status for China. have to play fair to enter the World In the sixth century B.C., Chinese make vital democratic reforms. Trade Organization. China must show This past June marked the 10th anni- general Sun Tzu wrote, ‘‘The oppor- improved access to U.S. agriculture tunity to defeat the enemy is often versary of the Chinese Government’s products and revoking NTR will derail provided by the enemy himself.’’ Are crackdown on the advocates of democ- this progress. we providing China this opportunity? I racy in Tiananmen Square. Has the in- b 1230 urge the approval of this resolution. justice stopped since Tiananmen? No, not at all. Over the past few months Engagement will result in improve- ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. the government has once again de- ments. We want a peaceful and pros- SHIMKUS). The Chair will remind Mem- tained dissidents, handing down sen- perous China. One billion hungry peo- bers that all graphs and charts to be tences of up to 4 years in prison for, ple does not lead to a stable democ- used on the floor should be put in place and I quote, ‘‘subverting State power, racy. The U.S. is well-positioned to at the beginning of the speaker’s pres- assaulting the government, holding il- help feed their people while maintain- entation and then removed at the end legal rallies, and trying to organize ing positive relations. Turning our of the speaker’s presentation, so the workers laid off from a State-run back on China today would be a huge Chair would ask Members to take down firm.’’ I suggest all of those are values mistake. charts that are not utilized at that that America holds dear. I urge Members to vote to maintain trade with China. Vote no on House time. The Washington Post reported this Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 Joint Resolution 57. past Sunday that Chinese security minute to our distinguished colleague, Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, I forces have rounded up in this month the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. 4,000 people in Beijing alone during a yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from FRELINGHUYSEN). massive nationwide crackdown against Florida (Mr. STEARNS), a great cham- (Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN asked and the popular Buddhist-based spiritual pion of American values. was given permission to revise and ex- movement, Falun Gong. But the (Mr. STEARNS asked and was given tend his remarks.) human rights and labor standard viola- permission to revise and extend his re- Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, tions are only one in a series of provoc- marks.) I thank the gentleman for yielding ative acts by the Chinese Government. Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise time to me. China’s recent threat of military ac- this afternoon to support House Joint I rise in opposition to this resolution tion against Taiwan threatens the very Resolution 57, to disapprove the exten- and in support of continuing trade rela- security of that region. In addition, the sion of what I call most-favored-nation tions with China. For my part, I do not breach in security at American nuclear trading status for China. believe that isolating China economi- weapons labs over the past 20 years To my colleagues on both sides of the cally will do anything to improve their threatens us. aisle, I say that we as Americans are human rights record. We must not I say to my colleagues, reject Normal not being true to our heritage if we make the mistake of now believing we Trade Relations, adopt this resolution. continue to do business with people can isolate one quarter of the world’s Send a clear, clear message of Amer- who are tyrants, who trample upon all population and then expect to have any ican values. that we hold sacred. Let me repeat influence on their social and political Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, could we be that, we are foolish to do business with institutions. informed of the time on all sides. tyrants who trample upon all that this I, too, am outraged by the political The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. great Nation holds sacred. and religious oppression that has taken SHIMKUS). The gentleman from Michi- Adam Smith wrote the Wealth of Na- place in China, but shutting the few gan (Mr. LEVIN) has 30 minutes remain- tions, and we all use it as a guide in openings in China that exist cannot ing; the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. trade relations. He quotes three rea- stop it. Rather, I believe that the more CRANE) has 24 minutes remaining; the sons to put up tariffs and protect involved we become, the more we are gentleman from California (Mr. ROHR- American companies. One is for retal- commercially engaged with China, the ABACHER) has 25 minutes remaining; iation of unfair trade practices, which more results we can achieve in secur- and the gentlewoman from California has been occurring. Two is to phase out ing greater political and religious free- (Ms. PELOSI) has 22 minutes remaining. trade tariffs in our country to protect doms for the people of China, as well. July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6453 Mr. Speaker, trade does open the For my State of New Jersey, China is now nuclear weapons proliferation, which window of the world to the Chinese our fifth largest trading partner. Our exports to we have not tolerated in other nations. people and to our American ideals. We China amount to over $350 million and that We still see a widening trade deficit need to keep that window open. Closing trade employs some 5,000 to 8,000 residents every year. it hurts us more than China. of my state. And the potential for growth is The annual exercise of reviewing and Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.J. Res. enormous. renewing China’s NTR status has been 57 and in support of continuing Normal Trade Here are a few examples. a complete failure. It is an annual exer- Relations (NTR) with China. One New Jersey company that has been cise in futility. America needs a new This debate over China NTR gives focus to active in China for twenty years, signed a con- approach. The data tells us what we our economic, as well as strategic relations, tract for the largest single boiler project in Chi- need to do today. We are told we need with China. And this debate allows Members nese history. This project alone will yield $310 to engage China in order to achieve our to express the deep concerns of all Americans million in orders for American goods and serv- economic goals. Let us get beyond the about political and religious oppression that ices, including sales for many small and me- rhetoric and look at the facts. occurs in China. dium sized companies. We are on track to surpass last year’s For my part, I do not believe that isolating Another New Jersey infrastructure company deficit with China, not close the gap. If China economically will do anything to im- projects a market of $18 billion for its products the trend continues, our trade deficit prove their human rights record. We must not in China over the next decade. And their sales would reach $66 billion. What does this make the mistake now of believing we can have already increased 100% over the past huge imbalance mean to American tax- isolate one-quarter of the world's population five years. payers, American workers? China has and then expect to have any influence on their One of our energy companies anticipates a engaged that strategy to manage trade, social and political institutions. $13 billion market in China over the next ten not normalize trade. It ignores intel- I, too, am outraged by political and religious years. lectual property rights, it evades re- oppression that has taken place in China, but For one of our insurance companies, 40% strictions on Chinese textile exports, shutting the few openings in China that exist of their new premiums were sold in China in and has put the Great Wall up to pro- cannot stop it. Rather, I believe that the more 1998. hibit foreign products from entering involved we become, the more we are com- It is clear from just these few examples that the market. mercially engaged with China, the more re- failing to extend Normal Trade Relations Sta- The U.S. levies an average NTR tariff sults we can achieve in securing greater polit- tus to China will slam the door shut for Amer- rate of 2 percent on the Chinese. They ical and religious freedoms for the people of ican products and services in the world's most levy a 17 percent rate on NTR trade. China as well. populous market. It only serves to leave China This is a one-way street. We should Trade does open the window to the world open to our foreign competitors who all have think about the families in America, for the people of China. normal trade relations with China. American and stop holding our noses and allow- In that regard, just let me talk briefly about companies and their employees would be pun- ing this unfairness to continue. just one industryÐthe telecommunications in- ished by this shortsighted action, not the Chi- Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 dustryÐand what its greater presence will do nese government. minutes to the gentleman from Texas for the people of China. All of our lives are Again, renewal of NTR is as much an eco- (Mr. STENHOLM). being changed dramatically by the ``informa- nomic decision as it is a key component of our (Mr. STENHOLM asked and was tion'' revolution. And, all of us realize that in- national strategy to integrate China more fully given permission to revise and extend creased access to information for the people into the family of nations. We need to maintain his remarks.) of China from sources outside China is one of a stable political and economic relationship Mr. STENHOLM. Mr. Speaker, I rise the best ways we have of exposing Chinese with China. in strong opposition to the resolution citizens to new ideas, to broader horizons, and I believe that the best way to promote the that would end normal trade relations to new opportunities and choices for their fu- cause of human freedom and democracy and with China. With normal trade rela- ture. our American ideals is our very presence, eco- tions, our farmers and ranchers can Our American telecommunications compa- nomically and otherwise, in China. sell their products in China on the nies are at the forefront of building the infra- Therefore, I urge my colleagues to vote same terms as their competitors from structure that makes information available to against this resolution and in support of ex- Canada, Australia, South America, and people around the globe. tending Normal Trade Relations with China. Europe. So, let's look at China's market for these in- Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I am Last year U.S. agricultural exports formation technologies. pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gen- to China exceeded $3 billion, making it China is adding the equivalent of one million tleman from New Jersey (Mr. the fourth largest market in the world cell phones per month. PASCRELL), who has been so very hard for U.S. agricultural products. Demand China is adding the equivalent of one Bell at work on behalf of human rights in for agricultural products is likely to company per year. In 1998, only ten percent of China's popu- China and a fair deal for the American increase as China’s economy continues lation had a telephone in their home. worker. to grow at a rate of about 8 percent an- In the U.S., roughly one half of all house- (Mr. PASCRELL asked and was given nually. That is why our competitors holds have access to the Internet. In Brazil, permission to revise and extend his re- are eager for us to give up on the Chi- one out of 70 families has access. In China, marks.) nese market. only one out of 400 families has access. Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise In recent years the Canadian Wheat Yes, this is a vast untapped market for U.S. today in strong support of House Reso- Board has worked tirelessly to promote companies. And, I can assure that if we are lution 57. I find it interesting that its products in China. not in China, all of our foreign competitors will many of the same folks who talk about The Australians hold an 8 percent be. political espionage are here defending stake in a flour and feed mill in But it is also much more than an untapped trade. Shenzen, China, and it brought to- market. Expanding access to information for To those who argue for us to con- gether a consortium to upgrade China’s the Chinese people is an untapped opportunity tinue putting the leaders of Beijing grain handling and storage facilities to expose them to our ideals and our free- above the workers of America, I ask with $1 billion worth of projects. doms. them to please listen for a moment. Our farmers are facing record low There are so many other examples of both This is hypocrisy. After years of hear- prices. While our competitors are out the economic and strategic opportunities in ing the same arguments for most-fa- building market share in China, we sit China. vored-nation trading status, it is time here and debate whether we even want And those economic opportunities are sig- for this Congress to say enough is to have a normal trade relationship nificant. enough. with its 1,237,000,000 customers. Last year alone, the United States exported Extending this status to China has We must continue to work towards $18 billion in goods and services to China, failed to produce the results we want. WTO membership for China. However, now our fourth-largest trading partner. Already, We still see unconscionable human we have consistently told China that hundreds of thousands of American jobs are rights abuses, which we would not tol- its entry to the WTO depends upon a supported by trade with China. erate in other countries. We still see commercially meaningful agreement. H6454 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 China cannot expect to maintain in- called Yugoslavia, the great enemy call it a ritual because each year we definitely the $1 billion per week trade Yugoslavia, that perpetrated such ter- walk through the same steps in which surplus it currently enjoys with the rible acts on the Kosovar Albanians. many of us criticize China’s political United States. We spent billions bombing them. and social repression. Then the major- In agriculture, the message seems to The other country, country B, is ity decides we must continue NTR as have been received. China is changing China, which we have elevated and said our best hope for creating change in slowly, but it is changing surely. In we must trade with, regardless of what China. connection with its bid to join the they do to their people. We are schizo- b 1245 WTO, China has agreed to reduce over- phrenic if we do continue to have nor- all average tariffs for agricultural mal trade relations with China. Why It certainly seems to make sense ex- products from the current 30 to 50 per- would we bomb one that has an iden- cept for one thing. It has not been cent to 17 percent by 2004. For priority tical record, and say the other must be working. Since 1980 when we began this U.S. products, the rate will be even our best trading partner? NTR renewal ritual, we have seen some reforms. However, no similar progress lower, 141⁄2 percent. USDA estimates It has to do with money, Mr. Speak- is being made on human rights, labor that with entry into WTO, China’s net er. Is America going to sell its soul? standard, and democratic reform. agricultural imports would increase by Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 Therefore, I urge my colleagues to join over $8 billion annually. That is a ben- minute to our distinguished colleague, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. me in voting in favor of H.J. Res. 57. efit to the United States workers, men Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 KNOLLENBERG). and women producing the tractors, minutes to the distinguished gen- Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Speaker, I making the fertilizer, making all of the tleman from Oregon (Mr. products that are utilized here in the thank the gentleman for yielding time BLUMENAUER). United States. to me. Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong I urge my colleagues to join me in thank the gentleman from Michigan support of extending normal trade rela- supporting normal trade relations with for his courtesy in yielding me this tions to China. Trade between the China by voting no on this disapproval. time. Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, I United States and China is a net plus Today, the United States and China yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from for the American people. It supports spend hundreds of millions of dollars Oklahoma (Mr. COBURN), a healer, a hundreds of thousands of high-paying spying on each other. But despite all doctor, a person concerned about jobs. It creates competition in the the spying, I do not think we really human health and human beings. economy. It results in the American know each other very well. Mr. COBURN. Mr. Speaker, I thank people receiving better goods and serv- China is in fact a study in contradic- the gentleman for yielding time to me. ices at more affordable prices. tions. Today, it is more modern and Mr. Speaker, I have put a sign I know During today’s debate, and I have open than ever before in its 4,000-year that not everybody can read, but this is heard much of it already, there has history. Yet, it is in fact reacting de- a contrast between two countries, been a lot of talk about the trade def- fensively in an agitated fashion regard- country A and country B. It is the icit, about nuclear espionage and ing the continued controversy with exact representation made by the State human rights. These are all very im- Taiwan. Department as far as human rights in portant issues. They deserve our imme- We have our demonstrators outside those two countries as of the end of diate attention. However, disrupting here on the grounds of the Capitol deal- 1998. our economic relationship with China ing with the local religious movement, I want to share with the Members will not do anything to solve these Falun Gong, that has captured so much just a minute what our own govern- problems. It will only add more ten- interest in China. ment says about these two countries. sions to an already tense relationship It is an ancient nation that is mod- Then I am going to tell Members what with the Chinese and create bigger ernizing rapidly, but this society filled these two countries are. The govern- problems in the long run. with state-run activities is paying a ment human rights record worsens sig- Mr. Speaker, I therefore urge my col- substantial price as it downsizes its bu- nificantly, there were problems in leagues to protect the economic inter- reaucracy, modernizes its institutions, many areas, including extrajudicial ests of the United States by supporting and privatizes it its state-owned indus- killings, disappearances, torture, bru- normal trade relations with China. try. tal beatings, arbitrary arrests, and de- Vote no on House Joint Resolution 57, The United States has paid a terrible tention. That is country A. and yes for better paying jobs and price in the past for misunderstanding Country B, the government’s human greater economic opportunities for the China. During World War II, we bet on rights record deteriorated sharply be- American people. the wrong horse. Barbara Tuchman’s ginning in the final months of the year Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I am brilliant biography of Joe Stillwell with a crackdown against organized po- pleased to yield 1 minute to the gentle- makes clear the waste of resources for litical dissent. Abuses included in- woman from Wisconsin (Ms. BALDWIN), the corrupt Kuomintang government of stances of extrajudicial killings, tor- who has been a hard worker for human Chiang Kai-Shek, who was not inter- ture, mistreatment of prisoners, forced rights throughout the world and a star ested in fighting the Japanese, when confessions, arbitrary arrests, deten- in the freshman class. we could have done something more tion, lengthy incommunicado deten- (Ms. BALDWIN asked and was given constructive with Mao Tse-Tung. tion, and denial of due process. permission to revise and extend her re- During the Korean War, we had thou- One other area let us look at, dis- marks.) sands, tens of thousands, of needless crimination and violence against Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise American casualties because General women remain serious problems. Dis- today in opposition to renewing normal McArthur, in flagrant disregard of or- crimination against women and ethnic trade relations with China. I do believe ders and common sense, overplayed his minorities worsened during the year. that the United States needs to engage hand. Yet, the Cold War was won more Country B, discrimination against with China in an ongoing dialogue quickly in part because Richard Nixon women, minorities, and the disabled. about joint economic concerns, but our had the courage to reverse his course of Violence against women, including co- dialogue cannot be limited to a discus- action and engage in a strategic alli- ercive family planning practices, which sion of trade. America’s agenda needs ance with China. sometimes include forced abortion, to be broadly based, reflecting our Lots of countries we disagree with forced sterilization, prostitution, traf- democratic values, like free speech, abuse human rights and do not honor ficking in women and children, and freedom of religion, the right to pri- democracy or the free market. Some- abuse of children. They are all prob- vacy, and the right to organize. Trade times, sadly, that happens with the lems. is only a part of our relationship with United States complicity. We gave I want Members to know who these China. arms to terrorists with Ronald Reagan. two countries are. Country A we just This is my first time participating in Normal trading relations does not spent billions of dollars bombing. It is this annual ritual of NTR renewal. I mean we condone that behavior. It just July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6455 gives us more tools and opportunity to Seven, end police and prison bru- I urge a ‘‘yes’’ vote on the very im- do something about it. The world will tality: Again, Amnesty reports total portant resolution of the gentleman be a better place sooner. One only has failure, no progress. from California (Mr. ROHRABACHER). to review 4,000 years of Chinese history Mr. Speaker, the Communist govern- And salute him for his wisdom in offer- and look at where we are today to ment of the PRC blatantly and system- ing it today. know that we are, in fact, on the right atically violates the most fundamental Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 path. human rights. It tracks down and minute to the distinguished gentleman Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, it stamps out political dissents. Just turn from Illinois (Mr. EWING). is my honor to yield 41⁄2 minutes to the on television news. It is happening be- Mr. EWING. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. fore our very eyes. The Beijing dicta- gentleman from Illinois for yielding me SMITH), the chairman of the Sub- torship imprisons religious leaders, this time. committee on International Operations ranging from the 10-year-old Panchen Mr. Speaker, I rise today to oppose and Human Rights. Lama to the elderly Catholic Bishop Su the resolution which would unilater- Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. of Baoding. The gentleman from Vir- ally isolate China from the U.S. only. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from ginia (Mr. WOLF) mentioned this holy Support normal trade relations with California for yielding me this time. I and heroic man earlier. I led a human China. I support China being a part of want to thank the gentleman for lead- rights delegation to China a few years the WTO. China will be one of the su- ing our debate and introducing his res- ago. Biship Su met us and celebrated perpowers in the next millennium. olution. mass. For that he was put into prison. Peaceful co-existence between us is to Mr. Speaker, each year at this time, Bishop Su said nothing offensive about all of our benefit. Now, we all understand that things Congress has the opportunity to review the government. He loved those who are not as we would like them in the results of the administration’s hated him. China policy, and each year it becomes The Chinese government also har- China. But how do we most impact more clear how miserably that policy vests and sells the internal organs of that? I think by engaging them, engag- has failed. executed prisoners. Harry Wu—the ing them in how to handle human In the 5 years since President Clinton great Chinese human rights leaders rights, by engaging them in fair trade, delinked China’s MFN status from testified about this practice at one of our intercourse with China since the human rights, there has been signifi- my hearings. China, as we all know close of the Cold War has paid divi- cant regression, not progress in China. forces women who have unauthorized dends. To put our head in the sand and Now, even as we hold this debate, Bei- pregnancies to abort their babies and to back away from it would be ill-ad- jing is conducting another major then to be sterilized against their will. vised. crackdown, the most important inter- Brothers and sisters are illegal in Mr. Speaker, I come to the floor today to nal security exercise since the China—forced abortion is common again express my strong support for con- Tiananmen Square massacre against place. China continues to brutalize the tinuing Normal Trade Relations with China. religious freedom. Since I came to Congress in 1991, this de- indigenous peoples of Tibet and of Mr. Speaker, the Chinese government bate has gone on every year and every year Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region, knows this vote is taking place today. I have come to the floor to explain how impor- and it summarily executes Muslim We are being watched, and we are being tant trade with China is to our farmers. tested. The test is simple. If we ignore Uighur political and religious pris- It is essential that we continue to grant Nor- the latest escalation in the brutality, if oners. mal Trade Relations to China. China will be Mr. Speaker, when will we learn the we just vote the same way we have in the most important market for the United lesson that, when dealing with the the past, then we fail. We will have States in the 21st Century and granting Nor- PRC, the U.S. cannot settle for paper abandoned the Chinese people. We will mal Trade Relation status is the foundation of promises or deferred compliance? The have abandoned our ideals of democ- any typical bilateral trading relationship. Chinese dictatorship regularly tells racy and human rights. The recent negotiations for China's acces- I ask my colleagues, what will it bold-faced lies about the way it treats sion to the World Trade Organization are proof take for us to say no more business as its own people. It says, for example, that China is ready to join the international usual with Communist China? I would that nobody died in Tiananmen Square. trade community and we cannot pass up this respectfully submit that any reason- Mr. Cho Hao Tlea, the Defense Minister opportunity. able limit has been passed a long time in this city, said no one died there. My home state of Illinois is the 6th leading Mr. Speaker, I convened a hearing of ago. exporter in the United States and over half a Mr. Speaker, the administration’s so- several of the leaders of the democracy million jobs in Illinois rely on exports. The cur- called policy of constructive engage- movement, some of the dissidents in rent crisis in agricutlrue has placed a spotlight ment on behalf of human rights has correspondence who gave compelling on the huge need for increased foreign market been a disaster, even according to the testimony about how people died at access. administration’s own benchmarks. In Tiananmen Square; and, yet, the de- USDA has predicted that 75% of the growth quarterly reports, Amnesty Inter- fense minister said nobody died. In- in American farm exports over the next 10 national tracks the seven human rights credible! I invited the defense minister years will be to AsiaÐand China will make up policy goals that President Clinton an- to our hearing—he was a no show. over half of this amount. Mr. Speaker, as we know, the Chinese nounced before his 1998 trip to Beijing. China is already America's 4th largest agri- Those Amnesty reports detail a com- Government claims religious freedom culture export market and if the administration plete lack of progress in all categories. exists in the PRC. We know now there will complete the WTO accession agreement Let me explain. On the release of all is no religious freedom. But brother our farmers and ranchers will have the level prisoners of conscience and Tiananmen knows better. playing field that they have been waiting for. Square prisoners. Amnesty reports Mr. Speaker, since my time is about I urge members to vote against this resolu- total failure, regression. to expire, I just want to remind Mem- tion of disapproval and urge the Administration Two, review of all counter-revolu- bers that when the business commu- to complete the bilateral agreement for Chi- tionary prison terms: Total failure, no nity and the administration want to na's accession to the WTO. progress. see intellectual property rights pro- Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I am Allow religious freedom. Amnesty re- tected, what do we do? We threaten pleased to yield 1 minute to the gentle- ports total failure, no progress. sanctions. I believe we should put peo- woman from California (Ms. WOOLSEY), Four, prevent coercive family plan- ple at least on par with pirated soft- a person who has been a faithful troop- ning and harvesting of organs: Total ware, CDs, and movies. This Congress er in the fight for human rights failure, no progress. should declare that torture, forced throughout the world and a great lead- Five, fully implement pledges on abortion, and overt crimes against hu- er. human rights treaties: No progress. manity count at least as much as pro- Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, we have Six, review of reeducation through tecting copyrights and consumer been told that, with MFN, China has labor system: Total failure, no goods. Sanctions do work if consist- made progress in many areas. To that progress. ently applied. I ask, what progress? H6456 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 Right now, as we speak, thousands of They will insist upon a free enterprise The United States is the only major country Buddhists have been and are being ar- economy. Eventually, they will become that does not extend ``permanent'' normal rested and jailed, jailed and arrested a democratic state. That is what we trade relations to China. Revoking NTR status for their beliefs, and that is their only want. We agree on the facts. We want with China would only increase prices which crime. Repression of religion is not to get to the same place. We are just as U.S. consumers pay for goods and services progress. committed. and ultimately cost U.S. jobs. If the Chinese Just last year, last year, three found- Support normal trade relations with do not buy our products, they will buy them ers of the China Democracy Party were China. Reject this resolution before us from Europe and other Asian countries. jailed for expressing opposition to today. Give the Chinese people their We would also be passing the cost of higher China policy. Repression of democracy best chance to break the chains of com- tariffs on Chinese exports, more than $500 is not progress. munist ideology. million annually, on to U.S. consumers. Clear- Child labor and the forced labor of I rise to oppose this resolution and support ly, it's the American consumer who loses if we political prisoners continues to be busi- renewal of normal trade relations with China. do not continue NTR with China. ness as usual in China. Denial of work- This is not a disagreement over facts but Higher tariffs on Chinese exports would only ers’ rights is not progress. Forced abor- rather over judgement on how best to address shift our demand for inexpensive, mass-mar- tion, nuclear proliferation, and an ex- those facts. I share the concerns expressed ket consumer goods to other developing coun- panded trade deficit is not progress. by some of my colleagues regarding human tries and would not result in a net gain in U.S. Extending China’s NTR status amounts rights abuses by the People's Republic of manufacturing jobs. to rewarding China for continuing its China. China is the fifth largest trading partner of I am deeply troubled by the religious perse- human rights violations. the U.S. Two-way trade between the U.S. and cution that is occurring in China, including the Vote to support real progress. Vote China has increased almost tenfold between recent crack-down on Falun Gong practi- for H.J. Res. 57. 1990 and 1997, increasing from roughly $10 tioners. Christians, Catholics and anyone who Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 21⁄2 billion to $75 billion. puts their God above their State is considered minutes to the very distinguished gen- This growth is expected to continue to rise to be a threat to China's leaders today. How- tleman from Virginia (Mr. MORAN). in the 21st century as more Chinese benefit ever, I disagree with the premise that dis- Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Mr. Speak- from an improved standard of living and in- continuing normal trade relations will somehow er, we are not in conflict over the facts. creased purchasing power. positively improve human rights in China. I think we agree on the facts. What we Our current trade imbalance with China can are debating is the conclusions as to Promoting normal trade and continued eco- nomic engagement, over time, will help open best be narrowed through increased trade and how to best address those facts. liberalization of the Chinese economy. As their We agree that forced sterilizations up Chinese society. History has proven this in- evitability. The very activities that trade and income rises, demand for high-quality U.S. and forced abortions occur, and they products increases and our trade deficits de- are wrong. We are not disputing that. engagement bring to China help foster a cli- mate under which religious teachings can cline. We agree that communism does not In short, we have much to lose and little to work, that it is a bankrupt ideology, spread and flourish. Canceling or conditioning NTR further iso- gain by failing to continue our current trading that it offends the human condition, relationship with China. I urge my colleagues that it represses the human spirit, that lating China would only damage our interests and undermine support among our allies to on both sides of the aisle to vote in our na- it is just plain wrong. tional interest and support normal trade rela- But I would hope we would also agree keep pressure on the Chinese government to institute more fundamental political and eco- tions with China. on other facts that cannot be disputed. Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, I One such fact is that there is no other nomic reforms and human rights protections. I would like to remind my colleagues that yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from major Nation that does not extend nor- trade is not a partisan issue. NTR status for Indiana (Mr. BURTON), the man who has mal trading relations with China. That China has been supported by every President, studied this issue and realizes that is all we are talking about, continuing Republican and Democrat alike, who has con- Japan and Nazi Germany were both the normal trading relations that we fronted this issue. very, very developed in their economy, extend to every other trading partner, By continuing normal trading relations with and they also were aggressors and but for a very few pariahs. China, we extend ordinary tariff treatment that human rights abusers. We would also hope that we would we grant to all but a few nations. We are not Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speak- agree that there are about 200,000 providing China special treatment and we are er, here we go again. First we gift wrap American jobs involved here. We would not endorsing China's policies. We are simply and hand over to Communist China vir- also hope that we would agree that if supporting the best way to promote U.S. inter- tually all of our most sensitive secrets. we cut off normal trading relations ests. Now we are going to grant them most with China and isolate them, that But, we should continue normal trade rela- preferential trade status. What in the there is an adverse impact upon our tions with China for more than just economic world is going on? economy, and that there will be other reasons. It is in our national interest. China has stolen data on the W–88 nu- countries coming in to fill the gap, By resuming NTR with China, we advance clear warhead and the neutron bomb. countries who, in many cases, have far our long-term national interests in achieving They have funneled illegal campaign less commitment to human rights and democratic and market reforms in the world's contributions to the Democratic party economic progress, and individual lib- most populous nation. and the administration. They are erties than the United States does. We Our national interest are best served by a transferring missile technology to must all share a confidence in our uni- secure, stable and open China. The way we countries like North Korea and Iran. versal commitments to human rights. engage the Chinese government will help de- They continue to violate basic human Surely, no one on the other side is sug- termine whether China assimilates into a com- rights. They are circumventing our gesting that we who will vote to extend munity of nations and follows the rule of law trade laws by transshipping their tex- NTR to China are so heartless that we or becomes more isolated and unpredictable. tile goods through third countries. don’t care about the numerous viola- Continuing normal trading relations with b 1300 tions of human rights that occur on a China also serves our best economic inter- daily basis. ests. Approximately 200,000 U.S. jobs are tied Does this sound like a country that I think these things are clear. So directly to U.S. exports to China. deserves preferential treatment? when we weigh all the facts, we who In the absence of this relationship, we would According to Paul Redmund, the agree that human rights are being vio- be placing our firms that are making great CIA’s chief spy hunter, China’s spying lated every day, have come to the con- strides gaining new market share in China at was far more damaging to national se- clusion that the best way to change a severe disadvantage. curity than Aldrich Ames and would China’s attitude is to improve their We would be standing alone on a trade pol- turn out to be as bad as the Rosen- standard of living. icy that neither our allies nor our trade com- bergs, who were executed back in the If we improve their standard of liv- petitors would follow. Our competitors would 1950s for that. ing, they will want to have individual reap the benefits of business opportunities A team of U.S. nuclear experts prac- freedoms. They will insist upon it. that would otherwise go to U.S. firms. tically fainted when the CIA showed July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6457 them the data that China has stolen. They spy on us, they try to buy our utes remaining; the gentleman from Il- The Chinese penetration is total, said elections, they send missile technology linois (Mr. CRANE) has 171⁄2 minutes re- one official. They are deep, deep into to just about every rogue regime in the maining; and the gentleman from the labs’ black programs, thus endan- world, they are actively working to im- Michigan (Mr. LEVIN) has 211⁄2 minutes gering every man, woman and child in prove the missile technology of our en- remaining. this country. emies, and they thumb their noses at Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 Why are we rewarding China for its our trade laws and have one of the minute to the gentleman from Mary- spying? For God’s sake, this is the worst human rights records in the land (Mr. CARDIN), a member of the country that funneled illegal contribu- world. How all this merits preferential Committee on Ways and Means and a tions to President Clinton’s 1996 reelec- trade status is beyond me. champion of human rights; and also, tion campaign. This is the country I urge a vote in favor of House Joint Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that told Johnny Chung, we like your Resolution 57. It is time to show China to yield control of the time back to the President, and then gave him $300,000 some backbone and stop letting them gentleman from California (Mr. to give to the Democrat Party. walk all over America. STARK). 1 Johnny Chung testified under oath Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 ⁄2 The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there that he was directed to make illegal minutes to the gentleman from Penn- objection to the request of the gentle- contributions to the President’s cam- sylvania (Mr. PITTS). woman from California? paign by General Ji, who is the head of (Mr. PITTS asked and was given per- There was no objection. China’s military spy operations world- mission to revise and extend his re- wide. General Ji met with him three marks.) Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Speaker, China’s times and ordered that $300,000 be di- Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, everyone human rights record ranks with the rected to Chung for political contribu- agrees that the Chinese Government is former Soviet Union and the former tions here in the United States. in desperate need of reform. Everyone apartheid government of South Africa. One of its joint ventures was the In- agrees they violate human rights. Its One of the proudest moments in the donesia-based international firm called leaders imprison dissidents, muzzle history of our Nation is when we used the Lippo Group, run by Mochtar and free speech, raid house church meet- trade to bring about change in the So- , close friends of the Presi- ings, force women to have abortions, viet Union, when we used trade to dent, and who frequently visited the and outlaw opposition political parties. bring about change in South Africa, White House. James Riady’s chief ad- However, according to humanitarian and we can do it again. The reason is viser on political donations was John workers in China, revoking normal quite clear. China needs the U.S. con- Huang, a former employee of Lippo. trade relations would be counter- sumer. It gives us leverage to bring John Huang received a job from the productive. They have told me that re- about change. It has worked in the past Clinton administration at the Com- voking NTR would strengthen the Chi- and it will work again. merce Department. He later left Com- nese regime and actually intensify U.S. consumers should not be financ- merce to work for the Democratic Na- these human rights abuses. ing the oppressive regime in China, and tional Committee where, with the help We should listen to these people, that is exactly what they do if we ex- of James Riady, he collected nearly $3 many of whom have committed their tend the Most Favored Nation status million in illegal contributions from lives to service in China. They know to China. I urge my colleagues to sup- China. Mr. Speaker, Johnny Chung, the language, they know the culture, port the resolution of disapproval so John Huang, and Charlie Trie together and they know the mentality. And I that we can speak with a clear voice as raised over $3 million in illegal dona- wish to share a couple of comments to what is happening today in China. tions that we know of that have been from them with my colleagues. Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 linked to the Bank of China. Reverend Daniel Su, a member of a minutes to the gentleman from Texas Over the past 2 years, my committee Christian house church in China says, (Mr. GREEN). has been conducting an investigation ‘‘To revoke China’s NTR status as a (Mr. GREEN of Texas asked and was into illegal fundraising, including ille- way to better its human rights per- given permission to revise and extend gal efforts by the Chinese Government formance is like setting your car on his remarks.) fire when it stalls.’’ to influence our elections. We asked Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I I have many quotes which I will not the Bank of China to provide us bank thank the gentleman from Michigan records that would show the origins of have time to say here, but listen to (Mr. LEVIN), a member of the Com- this quote of a letter signed by 32 millions of dollars in foreign money mittee on Ways and Means, for yielding Christian groups working in China. that was funneled to the DNC. The me this time. Bank of China turned us down flat. ‘‘NTR is the core of America’s engage- We had 121 people take the fifth ment policy toward China. Taking it In the past, I have always supported amendment or flee the country. A away will hurt the Chinese people, par- normal trade relations with China, and number of the most important people ticularly those who are persecuted be- this year it is much more difficult be- among this list are hiding in China. cause of their religious faith. When cause of the response of the Chinese When my staff attempted to travel to U.S.-China relationships deteriorate, Government and the people of China to China to interview these people, the Christians in China will be blamed and the accidental bombing of the embassy Chinese Government denied us visas penalized.’’ in Belgrade. A country that wants to and threatened to arrest our investiga- Mr. Speaker, let us listen to these be our friend and partner does not use tors. Does this sound like a country people who have a deep, longstanding misfortune or tragedy as an oppor- that deserves preferential trade status? involvement in China. They are work- tunity to attack our diplomats and Does it really make sense to give ing in China because they love the Chi- also to damage United States property. preferential trade status to a country nese people and believe that revoking I have worked with companies in my that is helping North Korea build a NTR will hurt those that we are seek- district to expand their business in missile capable of delivering nuclear ing to help. I believe it is more effec- China. I expected a much different re- warheads to the West Coast of the tive for the U.S. to address our human sponse from a country that has such a United States? rights abuses through the diplomatic long history and is known for its cour- With respect to trade, in the last 10 perspective. Support NTR. tesy. I hope the Government of China years, 91 percent of all illegal trans- Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I would realizes they cannot expect our friend- shipment cases have been filed against like to make an inquiry about how ship and cooperation on one day and China. The U.S. Customs Department much time is remaining in the debate. then attack our country’s representa- has cited China for illegally trans- The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. tive the next. shipping textile and apparel goods SHIMKUS). The gentlewoman from Cali- Our balance of trade deficit with through more than 30 other countries. fornia (Ms. PELOSI) has 18 minutes re- China bothers me a great deal. Know- Mr. Speaker, in just about every area maining; the gentleman from Cali- ing the state of our relations with I can think of China’s record stinks. fornia (Mr. ROHRABACHER) has 141⁄2 min- China, it is not the time to revoke H6458 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 normal trade relations. We need to American jobs, not create American Marines and their families in his dis- have cooler thoughts, both in our gov- jobs; and I think that would be detri- trict, and a man who cares deeply ernment and in China. By not renewing mental to the American economy. So about American national security. normal trade relations for this year, we to vote for this resolution, while well Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. invite international competitors to es- intentioned, it is, in my opinion, a vote Speaker, I rise today in strong support tablish a stronger foothold while fur- against American industry and a vote of H.J. Resolution 57. For the last 5 ther isolating our companies in what against the American worker. years, I have opposed extending Most has the potential to be one of the larg- Mr. Speaker, maintaining China's NTR sta- Favored Nation status to China. Every est consumer markets. Again, our com- tus is important because of the significant im- year the administration promises that petitors are not as concerned about the pact it has on the U.S. economy. In 1998, the our relations with the Communist human rights in China as we are. U.S. exported over $14 billion in goods and country will improve, and every year Also, we need to remember that this services to China, benefiting thousands of China proves us wrong. is just the annual renewal of normal U.S. companies and hundreds of thousands of In 1995, Congress extended normal trade relations with China. We have a American workers. In the state of Texas, ex- trade status to China. The conditions lot of work to do before we admit ports to China provide jobs and income for were to stop abusive human rights China to the World Trade Organization, more than 33,000 families; and China and practices and stop exporting lethal but we are heading down the right Hong Kong were the state's seventh-largest weapons. China has not stopped these path, and this is one step in that direc- export market in 1998. In Houston, the trade practices. The CIA reported in 1996 that tion. We will revisit this issue again, if ties to China are equally significant. Trade China was the greatest supplier of not this fall, again next year. through the Port of Houston totaled $577 mil- weapons of mass destruction and tech- Mr. Speaker, I urge rejection of this lion in 1997, with exports accounting for 76 nology to foreign countries. resolution. percent of that total. China has not put an end to its long Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 The relationship between the U.S. and and established history of human minutes to the gentleman from Texas China has undergone significant strain in re- rights abuses, like forced abortion and (Mr. BENTSEN). cent months with the theft of nuclear weapons sterilization. China never lives up to (Mr. BENTSEN asked and was given secrets, the accidental NATO bombing of the its end of the bargain. permission to revise and extend his re- Chinese Embassy in Belgrade, increased ten- marks.) sions between China and Taiwan, and China's The Chinese citizens who seek de- Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in recent crackdown on political demonstrators. mocracy are often jailed, tortured, and strong opposition to this measure While these are legitimate national security even killed. Religious leaders are har- which would disapprove continued nor- concerns, U.S. security interests would not be assed and incarcerated, and places of mal trade relations trading status with enhanced if relations with China worsen as a worship closed or destroyed when the China. result of revoking NTR. The best way to bring faith and church are not sanctioned by As we know, NTR trading status does about broad and meaningful change in China the Chinese Government. not provide any preferential treatment is through a continued policy of frank, direct Mr. Speaker, what is more fright- but rather grants the ordinary tariff engagement that enhances our ability to work ening is that our own government treatment that the United States ex- with and influence China on a broad range of seems unconcerned about the security tends to virtually every nation in the concerns. While the bilateral relationship con- of America. This administration turns world. Fewer than a dozen countries do tinues to be tested, it is vitally important that a blind eye when China sells tech- not have NTR status, including North the fundamental elements of the relationship nology to our enemies and steals our Korea, Cuba, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, be maintained. nuclear secrets. and Libya. Failure to renew NTR would further desta- Mr. Speaker, before we extend this The problem with the underlying res- bilize the Pacific Rim region economically and economic advantage to China, we must olution, as well intentioned as it is politically at a time when many Asian coun- see proof that China is serious about among its sponsors, is, I believe, that it tries are beginning to recover from their worst extending freedom to the Chinese peo- will alienate any type of relationship financial crisis since World War II. Revoking ple and becoming a partner in this we may have with China. And while we NTR would put additional pressure on China world. have had severe problems because of to devalue their currency, likely resulting in an- Mr. Speaker, I support H.J. Resolu- their espionage program against the other round of currency devaluations in Asia tion 57 and encourage my colleagues to United States, and we all have severe that could undermine the efforts of the Inter- do the same. concerns about their human rights vio- national Monetary Fund and the U.S. Treasury Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 lations, I do not think it is a country to contain the crisis and worsen our trade def- minute to the gentleman from Cali- that we want to just cut off relations icit. fornia (Mr. OSE). with. I think there are both foreign Through our continued policy of engage- policy concerns and economic con- Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ment, the U.S. has worked to ensure that Chi- gentleman for yielding me this time, cerns. na's accession to the World Trade Organiza- Furthermore, I think, in my opinion, and I rise in opposition to the resolu- tion is predicated on strong commercial terms tion. there really are two China’s. There is that provide significant market access for ex- I would like to take a few moments the old hard-line China that is fighting ports of U.S. goods and services. Our policy to discuss the effects of trade on our the new market-oriented China. And of engagement has also obtained significant economy. Whenever trade policy is dis- we have a fight going on in the upper Chinese concessions on South Asian security, cussed, people forget the many benefits levels of the Chinese Government of nuclear proliferation, drug trafficking and that free trade bestows on our Nation. whether or not to move the economy human rights. Much work remains to be done. Today, tradeable goods represent ap- towards more market orientation, Normal trade relations will continue to ad- proximately 30 percent of our gross na- which we know will bring about cap- vance the process of opening China, exposing tional product, and the export sector italism and will bring about more free- Chinese people to American ideas, values and remains one of the shining lights of our doms in the countries; and the old-hard personal freedoms. line regime that wants to stop that. I A policy of principled engagement remains economy. Exports have grown rapidly think by cutting off trade relations, as the best way to advance U.S. interests and in the last decade, creating thousands the underlying resolution would pro- create greater openness and freedom in of new jobs, and these jobs pay consid- pose to do, it would undercut those who China. The renewal of NTR trading status is erably more than jobs that are unre- want to move towards a more market- the centerpiece of this policy, and I urge my lated to trade. oriented government. colleagues to reject this resolution and support Trade also benefits consumers. As Finally, what effect would this have? continued trade with China. these trade barriers fall, resources are This would force the Chinese to de- Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues able to flow more efficiently. American value their currency, which would be will defeat the resolution. companies engaged in international incredibly destabilizing to the region Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, I trade become leaner and more competi- where the U.S. has about 35 percent of yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from tive. As a result, consumers in all our its export market. That, in turn, would North Carolina (Mr. JONES), a man who districts enjoy lower prices and better increase our trade deficit here, cost represents tens of thousands of U.S. products. July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6459 Indeed, the efficiencies created by with it our ability to influence their nities for U.S. producers. With respect to agri- trade have been a critical component economic, political, and humanitarian culture, high Chinese tariffs on nearly all agri- to the economic prosperity we now policies in the future. cultural products would be reduced substan- enjoy. I urge my colleagues to defeat I agree with Presidents Clinton, tially over the next four years. It is projected this resolution. Bush, Reagan, Carter, and Ford that a that by the year 2003, 37 percent of the world b 1315 policy of engagement is better than a food demand will come from China. America policy of isolation. We cannot afford to ranchers and farmers are the most efficient Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 embrace a Cold War mentality that and competitive in the world. The WTO agree- minute to the distinguished gentle- would demonize and isolate China. ment on the table would move to level the woman from California (Ms. LEE) a A policy of economic and political playing field and allow U.S. agriculture tremen- leader in the fight for human rights engagement is the surest way to pro- dous access to the world's largest agricultural and my neighbor. mote U.S. interests in China, to ad- market. Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank my vance democracy and human rights And agriculture isn't the only sector that colleague from California (Mr. STARK) within China, and to enhance future would benefit. The agreement would also for his consistent work on behalf of economic opportunities for U.S. work- open Chinese markets to a number of U.S. in- human rights throughout the world. ers and businesses. dustrial products and services including infor- Mr. Speaker, I am joined with my In addition to today’s important mation technology products, automobiles, in- very courageous colleague from Oregon vote, we must move swiftly to finalize surance and financial services. Quotas on in- (Mr. WU) in support of this resolution a WTO agreement that will bring China formation technology products would be re- to not oppose normal trade relations into the international trade commu- duced from 13.3 percent to zero, and China with China. nity. The United States is aggressively would agree to adhere to the Information I do not cast this vote lightly. My pursuing a WTO agreement for the past Technology Agreement negotiated in 1996. In district is part of the wonderful gate- 21 months, and Ambassador Barshefsky addition, the agreement offers U.S. investment way to Asia. Our local economy is should be complimented for the agree- in telecommunications and entertainment for heavily dependent on our trade with ment that she has negotiated to date; the first time, and would subject China to China even with the trade deficit in- and, hopefully, it will soon be finalized. WTO requirements on intellectual property creasing from $63 billion to about $70 While a WTO agreement would protection to ensure respect for U.S. copy- billion. present tremendous opportunities for rights, trademarks and patents. Automobile However, I am acutely and painfully U.S. workers and businesses, bringing tariffs would be reduced from 80±100 percent aware of the importance of basic China into the WTO is more than just to 25 percent. American insurance companies human rights for people throughout a matter of market share. China’s ac- would be able to sell a wide range of products the world. There continues to be major cession into the WTO would lock China throughout China, as compared to the current violations by the Chinese Government into a rules-based international organi- policy that limits life insurance sales to Shang- of the rights of the Chinese people. zation and bring them into the legal hai and Guangzhou. And American banks I am a firm believer of self-deter- framework of the international com- would be able to operate anywhere in China. mination for China. China has chosen munity through the WTO. In addition to tariff reductions and other communism. That is their right. How- Mr. Speaker, I recognize the prob- market access agreements, bringing China ever, it is wrong to round up, to intimi- lems that currently exist in China. I under the umbrella of the WTO would make date, and to arrest people, place them appreciate the efforts of some of my China accountable for its trade practices and in slave labor camps with no due proc- colleagues and remain committed to subject to WTO enforcement actions. ess. improving in the area of human rights I support the Administration's policy, and am The time is now to send a strong, and trade policy and proliferation. encouraged by recent reports that negotiations unyielding message that the United Since the reestablishment of diplomatic rela- will resume in the near future. In spite of the States will not condone mass suffering tions with China in 1979, total trade between recent strains place on our relationship with and oppression. our two nations has increased from $4.8 billion China, it is in our overwhelming interest to fi- We are not talking about cutting off in 1980 to $75.4 billion in 1997. This makes nalize a WTO agreement and maintain our our relationship with China. We want China our fourth largest trading partner. Chi- policy of economic and political engagement. to modify our trade relations so that na's economy is growing at an average rate of A policy of continued engagement is the most people of China and the United States almost 10 percent a year, making it one of the effective tool we have to protect our national can benefit from a fair and free trade fastest growing economies in the world. security interests and promote our economic policy. In order for the United States to remain the political ideals. Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 dominant economic power in the world, we Mr. Speaker, I recognize the problems that minutes to the distinguished gen- cannot close the door on the most populous currently exist in China, and I appreciate the tleman from California (Mr. DOOLEY). nation in the world. China will continue to have effort of some of my colleagues in remaining (Mr. DOOLEY of California asked and a growing influence on the world's economy. committed to improvements in the area of was given permission to revise and ex- For U.S. businesses and workers to continue human rights, trade policy and proliferation. tend his remarks.) to prosper and grow, we need continued eco- However, I strongly disagree with the philos- Mr. DOOLEY of California. Mr. nomic engagement with China by renewing ophy of isolation and disengagement, and be- Speaker, I rise today to express my op- Normal Trade Relations. lieve it would be a mistake to disapprove the position to this resolution of dis- In addition to today's important vote, we extension of NTR. approval regarding normal trade rela- must move swiftly and finalize a WTO agree- Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, I tionships with China. ment that will bring China into the international yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Clearly, the United States’ relation- trade community. The United States has been Colorado (Mr. TANCREDO), a new mem- ship with China is complicated. Recent aggressively pursuing a WTO agreement for ber of the Committee on International events, including the bombing of the the past 21 months, and while an agreement Relations, a strong voice for America’s Chinese Embassy in Belgrade, China’s has not been finalized, the deal currently on values and American security. reaction to the bombing, and evidence the table presents tremendous market oppor- Mr. TANCREDO. Mr. Speaker, I of spying in our national labs have tunities for all sectors of the U.S. economy in- thank the gentleman for yielding me only added complexities to our rela- cluding agriculture, information technology, fi- the time. tionship. nancial services, and manufacturers. Ambas- Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support We are all in agreement that we must sador Barshefsky and her negotiating team of House Joint Resolution 57, which take steps necessary to protect our na- are to be commended for their extraordinary was commendably introduced by the tional security interests and to ensure efforts in reaching this unprecedented agree- gentleman from California (Mr. ROHR- that our counterintelligence programs ment. ABACHER) in direct defiance to the prevent future security breaches. But As a member who represents the nation's Jackson-Vanik waiver renewed by the at this critical juncture, we would be number one agricultural district, I want to President on June 3. foolish to abandon our economic and thank the Administration for negotiating an Mr. Speaker, we are here today to ad- political relationship with China and agreement that presents tremendous opportu- dress an issue that we characterize as H6460 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 normal trade status, normal trade rela- wan and other issues are serious prob- Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, tions, and we want to extend it. lems. But none of these problems can although I understand and deeply re- The implications, of course, going be solved by disengagement. spect the arguments of my colleagues along with that phrase ‘‘normal trade In fact, our involvement with China, who believe it is in the best interests of status,’’ ‘‘normal trade relations,’’ our engagement with China is one of the United States to remove NTR with would be that something good is hap- the major reasons that the Chinese the People’s Republic of China, I must pening as a result of it and, therefore, Government is continuing to stumble respectfully oppose adoption of the we want to continue it, normal trade and lurch in the right direction with measure before us. relations. But in reality, Mr. Speaker, regard to liberalizing their economy in Mr. Speaker, the fact cannot be con- nothing good is happening as a result particular, but also relaxing restric- tested that it is the direct fruit of our of having these trade relationships tions on human rights, as the gen- policy in China engagement which has with China. tleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. PITTS) been upheld in bipartisan fashion by Now, we in fact do not export very pointed out a moment ago based on the five administrations since President much and as a matter of fact every testimony of missionaries who are in Nixon. year it gets worse. The amount of prod- China. Mr. Speaker, I concur with my col- ucts that we actually export from the Mr. Speaker, today this Congress is leagues that China has much more United States to China is relatively presented with a very clear and stark progress to make, especially in the small. A variety of reasons: The Chi- choice. We can choose to be construc- areas of human rights, weapons pro- nese, of course the government keeps a tive agents for positive change in liferation, fair trade, and Taiwan’s sta- number of obstacles in place to prevent China by continuing normal trade rela- tus. However, punishing China with us from actually exporting our mer- tions, or we can choose to be virtual NTR removal will not further these chandise. And beyond that, of course, enemies, returning to an antagonistic meritorious aims. there is no market. Cold War style relationship. An economic war with China will re- Relatively few people in China can I would just ask my colleagues a few sult in disengagement with the U.S. I buy anything when the at average in- questions. Will our Nation’s best inter- believe this will fundamentally isolate come is $600 a year. That is one prob- ests be served by putting the world’s the forces for continued progress and lem. most populous country into the rare gradual reform in China, while prop- On the other side, of course, we do category of only six countries who do ping up strongmen and hardliners like import a great deal from China; and we not have normal trading relations, Li Peng and the PLA leadership who say that this is a good thing because countries like Cuba, Laos, North would relish, Mr. Speaker, the oppor- we can import products that are cheap- Korea? Will our Nation benefit by de- tunity for heightened conflict with our er, our consumers can buy cheaper nying NTR status to China when not country. Mr. Speaker, this is a dangerous products. one of our competitors in Europe or move at a time when even China is al- Well, it is absolutely true that we Asia are not likely to follow suit? Finally, will our children live in a ready volatile and extremely unstable can buy cheaper products from China. safer and more secure world if we spend both economically and politically. It is much more difficult for American the next 50 years in a costly and dis- In the interest of peace and stability workers to compete with workers in tracting Cold War in China? for the people of China, people of the China because, of course, workers in Mr. Speaker, I support continued en- United States, and the peoples of the China, for the most part, are not paid gagement. Asia-Pacific nations, I urge our col- anything. They are, in fact, slave la- Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 leagues to consider carefully the rami- borers. minute to the distinguished gentleman fications of H.J.Res. 57 and vote A recent South China Morning Post from California (Mr. LANTOS). against this measure. article stated, China directory contains Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, there is a Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, I detailed financial information on 99 grotesque quality to this debate. If yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from labor camps with annual commercial someone walks into this room, he real- California (Mr. HUNTER), a man who sales of $842 million to the United ly does not know whether he is listen- served in Vietnam and a man who rep- States. ing to people who favor or oppose ex- resents many military personnel deep- In other words, we import almost a tending preferential trade relations ly concerned about the security of our billion dollars of slave labor products, with China because almost everybody country. slave labor produced products. How begins by denouncing the horrendous Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I thank proud does that make my colleagues human rights conditions in China. the gentleman for yielding me the feel? Well, they are indeed horrendous. time. Vote for the amendment. Ten years ago, I put up in my office Let us kind of review the bidding Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 11⁄2 this poster demonstrating how a single here. China has stolen American nu- minutes to the gentleman from Ohio individual with the courage of his con- clear secrets. China has used hard (Mr. PORTMAN), our distinguished col- victions stood up to this monstrous, American dollars that we have sent league on the Committee on Ways and corrupt, communist dictatorship. them pursuant to this trade loss that Means. Nothing has changed. Nothing has we experience with them every year to Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise changed. What moral authority this buy missile cruisers from Russia which today to support the continuation of body has, it relinquishes it every year have one mission, and that mission is normal trade relations between the as we debate this issue. to kill American aircraft carriers. United States and China. The future of China does not rest China has proliferated the compo- There is no doubt that China has, in with the communist leadership of this nents for weapons of mass destruction fact, been a significant factor in the country. It rests with the new people to terrorist nations which have a stat- economic expansion we have all en- who are passionately committed to a ed goal of using those weapons of mass joyed in this country during the 1990s. free and Democratic vote, are arrested destruction on America. In my own district, in Cincinnati, daily, and are persecuted by this rotten A lot of my friends have talked about Ohio, we have almost doubled our ex- dictatorship. this policy of engagement. And yet ports to China during that time period. Support the resolution. what do we see in terms of China’s real That means more jobs for my constitu- Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, it is my view of the United States? I think Chi- ents, more prosperity for the families pleasure to yield 2 minutes to the gen- na’s view of the United States is one and businesses that I represent in tleman from American Samoa (Mr. that is seen through a very cynical southwest Ohio, and a healthy econ- FALEOMAVAEGA) our distinguished col- lens. They view America’s policy to- omy for my area, for the State of Ohio, league and a member of the Committee ward China as being one that is driven and indeed for the entire country. on International Relations. by corporate greed. And because of China is far from perfect. The lack of (Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA asked and that, they see no reason to change respect for human rights, the findings was given permission to revise and ex- their policy in any of the very impor- of the Cox report, the situation in Tai- tend his remarks.) tant areas where we would like to see July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6461 a change of policy because they feel I urge my colleagues, please don’t U.S. dollar reserves and buying polit- that America’s real goals, our goals of ‘‘cut off our nose to spite our face’’ ical influence around the world with trying to secure the world, our goals of with China. Our farmers and ranchers that money, restructuring their mar- trying to help our friends and allies, need this market, and the people of kets and transshipping goods through some of whom are threatened by China, China need our ideas and support if Japan here to the United States. will always be superseded by what they they are to bring about change in their All I can say is our ancestors in the view as corporate greed. government and in their lives. Let’s Kaptur and Rogowski families came to Let us prove them wrong. Let us pass keep the doors open. this country for freedom. They were Rohrabacher. Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 11⁄2 freedom lovers. They were opportunity Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, I yield minutes to our distinguished colleague, lovers. I refuse to be a placeholder in such time as he may consume to the the gentleman from Florida (Mr. this Congress for Chinese state monop- gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. BAR- SHAW). olies or the Communist Party, and I RETT). Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I thank the am certainly not going to be a (Mr. BARRETT of Nebraska asked gentleman for yielding me the time. placeholder for some of the largest and was given permission to revise and Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposi- multinationals on the face of the globe extend his remarks.) tion to disapproving normal trade rela- who merely want to make profits off Mr. BARRETT of Nebraska. Mr. tions status for the People’s Republic the backs of those who work as slaves. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for of China. Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 yielding me the time. Mr. Speaker, this Nation has had minutes to the distinguished gen- Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of ex- some serious issues with China: China’s tleman from California (Mr. BECERRA), tending normal trade relations with abysmal human rights record, its al- a member of the Committee on Ways China and in support of keeping open leged attempts to influence the White and Means. the lines of communication and the House by way of illegal campaign con- Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, I thank doors through which we not only trade tributions, its theft of our military se- the gentleman for yielding me this goods and services but also promote crets. time, and I rise in opposition to H.J. ideas and sell democracy. Res. 57 which would cut off normal b 1330 The House should soundly defeat this trade relations with China. resolution. These are legitimate points of con- We have heard a number of bad For many, China’s spying and its cern between our nations. But sup- things that have been occurring in poor record on human rights are reason porters of this resolution are wrong to China and certainly all of us would enough to pass this resolution. But, it’s state that these issues are connected or concur that they are bad and they not enough. And it would be counter- can be somehow corrected by revoking must change. But there are, I think, a productive. Ignoring and trying to pun- normal trade relations with China. number of issues that have to be raised ish this country of 1 billion accom- Let me repeat what has been said before we deal with the issue of normal plishes nothing but further isolating many times before. Engaging China trade relations and decide what we the very people we want to help. And through trade does not constitute an should do with a country as large and we risk jeopardizing a peaceful rela- endorsement of China’s actions or poli- as important as China. tionship with a country emerging as a cies. As Secretary of State Madeleine I respect the point of view of my col- world superpower. Albright correctly stated in a letter to leagues who have expressed support for The lines of communication and Congress, ‘‘Revoking normal trade re- this resolution, especially the gentle- trade must stay open. It is through lations would do nothing to encourage woman from California (Ms. PELOSI) them that the power of American the forces of change in China. It would and the gentleman from California (Mr. ideals, such as respect for the indi- not free a single prisoner, open a single STARK) who have been so adamant on vidual and the importance of indi- church, or expose a single Chinese cit- this issue and so in many ways respon- vidual freedom, can be shared. I will izen to a new idea. It would seriously sible in what they have done. We must agree with many of my colleagues who disadvantage America’s growing eco- change that trade imbalance that we have taken the floor today to call this nomic interest in China, rupture the have with China. That is not tolerable. a vote about abortion, but I disagree overall United States-Sino relation- The human rights conditions in China that a vote for this resolution is a pro- ship, and place at risk efforts to bring must improve. We all know that. And life vote. I want to keep open the China into the rules-based inter- the piracy of American ingenuity, our means we have to touch those lives and national community.’’ intellectual products, whether it is our let those poor people know there is a I would hasten to add that revoking films, our music, we must protect all of form of government that would never normal trade relations with China those things from piracy that we see allow coerced abortions and force steri- would also jeopardize thousands of going on in China. But you cannot ne- lizations upon its citizens. American jobs and would dramatically gotiate and you cannot settle anything By engaging China, we have and do drive up prices for American con- if you are not willing to sit down at the make a positive difference. Change has sumers. table with folks. You have to engage. been slow in China, but change will Mr. Speaker, I urge a ‘‘no’’ vote on There is no way we can ever deal with continue only with our continued input this resolution. the piracy issues, the human rights and influence. Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 issues, the issues of the trade imbal- No less important are the benefits to minute to the gentlewoman from Ohio ance, if we are not willing to sit down Americans of NTR. We must consider (Ms. KAPTUR). with the Chinese and say, ‘‘This is what denial of NTR will do for our ex- Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, the most where we need to go together.’’ It porters, especially US farmers and constructive step Congress can take would be foolish for us to just all of a ranchers. We’re in the depths of a price today to fortify our Nation’s political sudden break. crisis in agriculture. Our producers ideals and economic foundation is to Are the Europeans, any European haven’t received prices this low for say ‘‘no’’ to renewing China’s ‘‘special’’ country breaking relations with China decades. Closing off even one trade ave- trade status. There is nothing ‘‘nor- on economic matters? Are the Asians, nue would only worsen the situation, mal’’ about China’s trade relationship any Asian country breaking economic and it would have only a negligible af- with the United States today. It is as- relations with China? Are the Latin fect on China’s behavior. toundingly abnormal, with gigantic Americans, any Latin American coun- By 2003, China will account for 37 per- and growing trade deficits. try breaking relations with China be- cent of the world’s food demand. That’s This year it will amount to over $60 cause of the issues that we have raised a lot of mouths to fill. With China’s billion more of Chinese goods coming here that are of concern to all of us? growing middle class and their growing into this country than our exports al- Not a one. Not one country that is part demand for our superior products, this lowed into their nation; over half a of the WTO has said, ‘‘We’re going to presents a tremendous opportunity for million lost jobs in the United States; treat China the way this resolution US producers. China, now the second largest holder of would have the U.S. treat China.’’ H6462 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 How would we want to unilaterally Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, I thank the being a threat to our national sovereignty. If try to do this and hope to accomplish gentleman for yielding me this time. I trade with China is to help us commercially anything, whether on human rights, on rise in opposition to this resolution and help the cause of peace, so too would trade, on piracy, if we are not willing and in support of free trade. trade with all countries. to sit down and talk to either friend, Mr. Speaker, the reason a country engages I look forward to the day that our trade de- foe or otherwise? We must be there at in free trade is not altruismÐwe do not en- bate may advance from the rhetoric of man- the table to try to get from them some- courage trade and low tariffs for the benefit of aged trade versus protectionism to that of true thing. Otherwise, they are going to a trading partner. Even if the reciprocal coun- free trade, without subsidies or WTO-like man- treat us the way we would treat any try does not lower its tariffs we can still ben- agement; or better yet, free trade with an other enemy, like someone they do not efit. internationally accepted monetary unit recog- need to deal with. Open and free trade with all nations, short nizing the fallacy of mismanaged fiat cur- What about all the jobs in places like of war, should be pursued for two specific rea- rencies. Los Angeles? We must protect those as sons. One, it's a freedom issue; the right of Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 11⁄2 well. At the end of the day it is better the citizens of a free country to spend their minutes to the distinguished gen- for us to engage and treat these folks money any way they see fit, anywhere in the tleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. like people we would sit down with world. And two, free trade provides the best TOOMEY). rather than as economic pariah. deal for consumers allowing each to cast dol- Mr. TOOMEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank I urge Members to vote against this lar votes with each purchase respecting qual- the gentleman from Illinois for yield- resolution. ity and price. The foreign competition is a ing me this time. Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, I Mr. Speaker, rejecting this resolu- blessing in that it challenges domestic indus- yield myself 30 seconds. tion and renewing NTR with China will tries to do better. The Japanese car industry I would like to remind the Members help to safeguard American security certainly resulted in American car manufactur- exactly what we are debating here. We with respect to a potential adversary, ers offering more competitive products. are debating not whether or not we are will serve American economic inter- In setting trade policy we must not assume ever going to talk to China again. We ests, and will encourage policies that that it is our job to solve any internal political are not talking about cutting all rela- will allow individual liberty, the rule problems of our trading partners any more tions or isolating China. We are talk- of law and thus respect for human than it is their responsibility to deal with our in- ing about whether or not China should rights ultimately to flourish in China. continue to have huge tariffs on our ternal shortcomings. On the security front, NTR and the Our biggest problem here in the Congress is products while we let them flood their expanded trade opportunities that it that we seemingly never have a chance to products into our country with low tar- brings in nonmilitarily sensitive goods iffs on their products while they keep vote for genuine free trade. The choice is al- reduces the likelihood of military con- our products out of their country with most always between managed-plus-sub- flict between the United States and high tariffs. sidized trade or sanctions-plus-protectionism. China. Countries with extensive trade We are also talking about whether or Our careless use of language (most likely de- relations are simply less likely to go to not our businesses that shut down fac- liberate) is deceitful. war with each other than countries tories here, whether those businessmen Genuine free trade would involve low tariffs without these ties. should be able to get taxpayer support, and no subsidies. Export-Import Bank funding, Renewing NTR with China will ben- subsidies for their loans in setting up OPIC, and trade development subsidies to our efit our economy by expanding U.S. ex- factories over there to use slave labor. foreign competitors would never exist. Trading port opportunities and by providing Those are the issues we are talking with China should be permissible, but aid American consumers access to low-cost about today. should never occur either directly or through goods. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the multilateral banking organizations such as the Finally, Mr. Speaker, renewing NTR gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. TAY- IMF or World Bank. A true free trade policy with China will help the Chinese people LOR). would exclude the management of trade by to liberate themselves from the dicta- Mr. TAYLOR of Mississippi. Mr. international agencies such as the WTO and torship under which they live. Chinese Speaker, somewhere in America today, NAFTA. Unfortunately, these agencies are Communist leadership has embarked someone who served honorably in the used too frequently to officially place restric- on, what is for them, a dangerous American Armed Forces will be denied tions on countries or firms that sell products course. Unlike most other Communist care at a Veterans’ Administration ``too cheaply''Ða benefit to consumers but hospital for lack of funds. Twelve thou- dictatorships this century, Deng challenging to politically-favored domestic or Xiaoping chose to open China to for- sand young soldiers, sailors, airmen established ``competitors.'' This is nothing and marines will continue to be eligi- eign investment, limited free enter- more than worldwide managed trade (regu- prise and engagement with the West. ble for food stamps because of lack of latory cartels) and will eventually lead to a money. Military retirees who served His bet was that he could enjoy the trade war despite all the grandiose talk of free our country honorably for 20 years will economic benefits of capitalism with- trade. be told you can no longer go to the out losing the Communist Party’s mo- Trade policy should never be mixed with the base hospital for lack of money. nopoly on political control. Yet this Congress today will vote issue of domestic political problems. Dictatorial If we engage China, Deng’s successors whether or not to give the Communist governments trading with freer nations are will lose that bet and the people of Chinese a $20 billion tax break so they more likely to respect civil liberties if they are China will be the winners of freedom. can continue to enjoy a $60 billion trading with them. Also, it is true that nations Freedom is ultimately indivisible and trade surplus with our country which that trade are less likely to go to war with one once tasted, Mr. Speaker, it is irresist- they will use to build the weapons, the another. ible. People who enjoy economic free- technology of which they stole from us If all trade subsidies are eliminated, there is dom will demand political freedom. over the past decade. less temptation on our part to impose condi- People who read American newspapers That is what it is all about. No one tions on others receiving our grants and loans. will eventually demand their own free wants to say it. This is a $20 billion tax Before we assume that we can improve the press. People who travel to the United break for the most repressive govern- political liberties of foreign citizens, we must States on business will see the incom- ment on this earth. A ‘‘yes’’ vote says meet the responsibility of protecting all civil lib- parable superiority of freedom and in that, ‘‘No, we’re going to treat you the erties of our own citizens irrespective of time demand it for themselves. way you treat us and charge you what whether it is guaranteeing first and second I urge a ‘‘no’’ vote on this resolution. you charge us.’’ A ‘‘no’’ vote is a $20 amendment protections or guaranteeing the Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 billion tax break for the Communists. balance of power between the states and the minute to the gentleman from Ohio Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, I yield federal government as required by the ninth (Mr. KUCINICH). such time as he may consume to the and tenth amendments. (Mr. KUCINICH asked and was given gentleman from Texas (Mr. PAUL). Every argument today for trading with China permission to revise and extend his re- (Mr. PAUL asked and was given per- is an argument for removing all sanctions with marks.) mission to revise and extend his re- all nations including Cuba, Libya, Iran and Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, this is marks.) Iraq. None of these nations come close to supposed to be about trade, but I also July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6463 think it might be about a form of ge- It is time for the United States to get serious economic downturn because of declin- netic engineering. We are taking a some guts and gumption and to do ing U.S. exports to Asia. gene of the global multinational cor- something about it. Removing Normal Trade Relations would al- poration with its campaign to drive I rise today to express my serious concern most certainly remove all hope of reducing the down wages and lower working condi- regarding normal trade relations with China. widening gulf between our two nations and tions and knock out workers rights and Opponents of the resolution argue that while building a lasting bridge of communication. In we are genetically combining it with a China continues to engage in many noxious simple dollar and sense terms it will cost totalitarian Communist government practices, they believe that revoking normal Americans both exports and jobs. United which uses slave labor, violates human trade relations is too drastic a step and would States exports to China have tripled over the rights, attacks religious liberties, tor- most likely prove to be counterproductive. last decade and supports over 170,000 Amer- tures children, forces abortions and at- This year's annual vote on the trade status ican jobs. tacks people who simply want to sur- between the United States and China has America's relationship with China will go vive, and the same government is in- drawn more than its usual amount of attention. through many ups-and-downs, just like our re- volved in the manufacturing of weap- This year has presented the U.S./Chinese re- lations with every other nation. Difficult issues ons of mass destruction. lationship with many obstacles and hurdles to may require the strong assertion of U.S. inter- Now, this is genetic engineering and maintaining a normal dialogue between our ests. But it is vital that the fundamental ele- we are combining this and we call it two nations. We are all more than familiar with ments of stable U.S.-China relations remain normal trade relations. There is noth- the issues in this relationship including: intact. Revoking Normal Trade Relations or ing normal about this combination. We The trade deficit with China which continues enacting anti-China legislation is not a solution are talking about creating a Franken- to widen. Second only to Japan, Chinese and would threaten America's vital stake in co- stein. We should go back to the labora- predatory trade practices have resulted in a operation with China on proliferation, security, tory and work with the living. trade deficit of an estimated $60 billion. This and trade. However, the United States must Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 trade deficit is growing at a faster rate than be firm in its relationship with China on its minutes to the gentlewoman from that with any other major trading partners. Human Rights abuses compensation for the Texas (Ms. JACKSON-LEE). The unresolved status of Taiwan continues trashing of the U.S. Embassy in China after Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. to go unresolved. The Chinese refusal to the accidental bombing of the Chinese em- Speaker, I rise to comment generally agree to renounce the use of force continues bassy during the Kosovo conflict, the con- on the overall policy that the United to alarm its Asian neighbors. tinuing trade imbalance that must end, the States has had with China over the China's slow and often times stagnant pace dumping of Chinese goods in other countries years. I think it is important to note of reform in the area of human rights. The to avoid U.S. import laws and many other con- that this is not a Democratic issue or Chinese seemingly have learned little from the cerns. I reluctantly vote no on this resolution. Republican issue. In fact, even in the Tiananmen Square massacre; ten years later b 1345 good will and intentions of the Nixon they continue to hamper pro-democracy efforts administration in opening the door to and religious freedom. Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, I China, we might have misstepped even Chinese efforts to stem the proliferation of yield 1 minute to the gentleman from there. nuclear-arms continue to proceed at a snail's Pennsylvania (Mr. DOYLE), a friend of And so we come to this point where pace. They continue to transfer advanced bal- the steelworkers, a man who has some- annually we go through a ritual of listic missile technology to Syria and Pakistan, times disagreed with me, but always in dealing with a country that seems not provides nuclear and chemical weapons tech- a very pleasant way, but one who to listen. I am troubled in both our de- nology to Iran, and refuses to comply with the shares our basic values and concern for bate and what we are requested to do. nuclear non-proliferation treaty. the working people of our country and And so I would like to just offer what In addition to these issues, the United his district. I hope as the votes are taken today and States is still reviewing the ramifications of the Mr. DOYLE. Mr. Speaker, I got here as I reluctantly vote to provide the Cox Report. We are also still struggling to in 1995 and I certainly was no expert in NTR with its continuation, that the come to an understanding of the Chinese gov- trade matters. So I was persuaded by American policy, both Republican and ernment's reaction to the mistaken bombing of the proponents of normal trade rela- Democrats, both this administration the China's embassy. The tragic bombing was tions that engaging China would be the and Congress, be focused on action clearly a mistake and the administration apolo- way that we could help lower this trade items of what we should be doing. gized for this mistake but despite these efforts deficit we had, and engaging China was First of all, I think that it is horrific, the Chinese government allowed a violent pro- the only way to help China grow and of the siege of the American embassy test to go unchecked and threaten the lives of lessen these human rights abuses, and I even after the terrible act of bombing our embassy personnel. voted for Most Favored Nation status of the Chinese embassy in the former Opponents of this legislation have stated for China in 1995, and I waited a year, Yugoslavia which we apologized, I that the argument over normal trade status is and it got worse. And in 1996 we heard think we should demand compensation not just about what kind of country China isÐ the same arguments over again, en- for the U.S. embassy and its consul of- it is about what kind of nation we are. I agree gagement was the only way to lower fices. I believe we should demand, of with this statement because I believe that we the deficit and improve human rights. course, the relationship between Tai- are not a nation who quits in the middle of the And I voted for it again, Mr. Speaker, wan and China, actively engage in race. Our relationship with China is not a and it got worse, and the same the fol- making sure that there is a fairness sprint but rather a marathon race. A relation- lowing year, and the same last year. and an ability to negotiate and not to ship begun in earnest during the Nixon admin- When I got here in 1995, the trade def- oppress. I think that we should ensure istration, China has continually opened itself icit with China was $33 billion. Today that there is no transshipment and no largely due to the insistence of the United it is projected to be $67 billion. dumping along with some of the other States. I have heard a speaker say that there issues of slave labor. We have been too The stakes in this year's Normal Trade Re- is no argument about the facts here, meek and mild in our negotiations. lations debate are higher than ever. The only about what the end result is going And, yes, we did offer a resolution in United States and China are on the verge of to be. Well, Mr. Speaker, the facts are the United Nations which failed, and I a major trade agreement regarding the terms this: our engaging China and Most Fa- do compliment our administration for for Chinese accession to the World Trade Or- vored Nation status has not worked. doing that, but we should do it over ganization. Such a breakthrough would open It is time to try a different approach. and over and over again. And then we China's markets to American products, com- This year I intend to vote with the have not been successful in the trade panies, workers, and farmers and bring China gentleman from California (Mr. ROHR- imbalance. What we need to do is to under global trade rules and enforcement pro- ABACHER). make as part of our key trade efforts, cedures. A strong show of House support for Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, I yield to emphasize small and medium-sized Normal Trade Relations is important to our ef- such time as he may consume to the businesses. forts to complete a World Trade Organization. gentleman from Iowa (Mr. NUSSLE), our The policies with China have been The China market is particularly important for colleague on the Committee on Ways wrong for Democrats and Republicans. American agriculture, which is experiencing a and Means. H6464 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 (Mr. NUSSLE asked and was given era Smoot-Hawley trade tariffs on China that deed, the National Pork Producers Council permission to revise and extend his re- the rest of the world and China know for our has called this deal a ``grand slam home run.'' marks.) own American interests we realistically will Revoking the extension of NTR for China Mr. NUSSLE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in never impose. would have the effect of scuttling these stalled opposition to the resolution, in support This particular annual debate has become negotiations during what we hope will be their of normal trade relations. highly counterproductive; it is very damaging final phase and jeopardizing the substantial Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 to Sino-American relations with almost no benefits to American exports and jobs a new minutes to the distinguished gen- positive results in China or in our relationship trade agreement and China's accession to the tleman from Nebraska (Mr. BEREUTER). with that country and its people. It unneces- WTO promise. Revoking NTR would turn our (Mr. BEREUTER asked and was sarily wastes our precious foreign policy lever- grand slam home run into a dismal strike-out. given permission to revise and extend age and seriously damages our Government's Rejecting NTR status for China is self-evi- his remarks.) credibility with the leadership of China and dently neither in our short term nor our long Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, as with our allies. It hinders our ability to coax the term national interest. chairman of the Subcommittee on Asia Chinese into the international system of world Some have advocated the revocation of and the Pacific and a member of the trade rules, non-proliferation norms, and NTR status for China in order to punish Bei- Cox Committee, I rise in opposition to human rights standards. Moreover, Beijing jing for its espionage operations against the the resolution. I strongly support the knows the United States cannot deny NTR United States. As one of the nine members of continuation of NTR status for China without severely harming American workers, the bipartisan Cox Select Committee (Select because it is clearly both in America’s farmers, consumers or businesses, or do it Committee on U.S. National Security and Mili- short-term and long-term national in- without devastating the economies of Hong tary/Commercial Concerns with the People's terests. Continuing NTR is not about Kong and Taiwan. Republic of China) which investigated and re- granting a favor or a preference to It is true as NTR opponents argue, that end- ported on Chinese espionage, and as a former China; it is about acting in our own na- ing normal trade relations with China would counter-intelligence officer in our military, this tional interest. That is what this de- deliver a very serious blow to the Chinese Member adamantly rejects such linkage. The bate is all about. Rather than ranting economy, but the draconian action of raising United States has been and will continue to be and raving about problems in human the average weighted tariff on Chinese imports the target of foreign, including Chinese, espio- rights and democratic freedoms, I pre- to 44 percent harm the United States econ- nage. We should have expected China to spy fer to focus realistically on doing omy as well. China is already the 13th largest on us, just as we should know that others, in- something about them. This is not the market abroad for American goods and the cluding our allies, spy on us. While our out- right forum for addressing those issues. 4th largest market for American agricultural rage at China for spying is understandable, Mr. Speaker, ever since President exports. If NTR is denied to China, Beijing will that anger and energy ought to be directed on Nixon traveled to China, U.S. policy certainly retaliate against the over $14 billion correcting the severe and inexcusable prob- has sought to promote a stable and in U.S. exports to China. As a result, many of lems in our own government. Our losses are peaceful Asia where America’s trade the approximately 200,000 high-paying export ultimately the result of our own government's interests could be advanced without jobs related to United States-China trade lax security, indifference, naivete and incom- sacrificing security. Successive admin- would disappear while the European Union, petence, especially in our Department of En- istrations have made expansion of Canada, Japan, Australia, Brazil, and other ergy weapons laboratories, the National Secu- trade relations and economic liberal- major trading nations would rush to fill the rity Council and the Federal Bureau of Inves- ization key tenets of our China policy. void. tigation. The scope and quality of our own The goal is not only to expand U.S. Maintaining NTR is crucial to being able to counter-intelligence operations, especially trade, but also to provide a means of re-engage in negotiations with China on its ac- those associated with the Department of Ener- giving China a stake in a peaceful, sta- cession to the World Trade Organization gy's weapons labs, are completely unrelated ble, economically dynamic Asian Pa- (WTO), negotiations which could result in a to whether or not a country like China has cific region and pulling that country much greater opening of China's markets to NTR status. Indeed, revoking NTR status for into an international community. U.S. agricultural, industrial and service ex- Overall, this responsible approach ports. As the pending agreement is export-ori- China does absolutely nothing to improve the has been successful despite the increas- ented, it is the American worker, farmer and security of our weapons labs or protect mili- ingly problematic nature of Sino- businessman who benefit from increased tarily sensitive technologies. However, this American relations. It has protected sales to China. The agreement would also in- feel-good symbolic act of punishment would not only our own national interests, stitute important reforms that reduce the com- inflict severe harm on American business and but also those of our friends and allies. petitive coercion on American businesses to the 200,000 American jobs that exports to The U.S. has convinced nearly every transfer their industrial technology to China or China provide. It makes no sense to punish other country in the region that the for China to require manufacturing offsets to American farmers and workers for the gross best way to avoid conflict is to engage transfer jobs from the United States to China. security lapses by our own government of each other in trade and close economic Just focusing specifically on agriculture for a which the ChineseÐand undoubtedly other ties. Abandoning this basic tenant of minute, it is certainly worth remembering that nationsÐtook advantage. our foreign policy with respect to the American Farm Bureau has called China We should first remember to do no China would be a serious shock and ``the most important growth market for U.S. harm to our own Nation and America’s would be an extraordinary setback for agriculture in the 21st century.'' The U.S. De- citizens. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, this much of what our Nation has been try- partment of Agriculture estimates that, over Member is strongly opposed to House ing to achieve in the entire Asian Pa- the next decade, 75 percent of the growth in Joint Resolution 57 and urgently urges cific region. Mr. Speaker, it would send American farm exports will be to Asia, of its rejection. many countries scrambling to choose which half will come from increased U.S. ex- Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I yield 30 between China and the United States. ports to China. In the China WTO accession seconds to the gentleman from Finally, remember that it is cer- negotiations and have been halted but which Vermont (Mr. SANDERS). tainly premature to view China as an the Administration quite rightly wants to re- Mr. SANDERS. Mr. Speaker, we cur- enemy or an adversary, although we sume having mistakenly rejected a commer- rently have a $67 billion trade deficit can make it our adversary if we adopt cially viable package during Premier Zhu's with China which equates to the loss of a policy of trying to isolate and ostra- visit last April, it is China that is making all of 1 million jobs. It also is lowering real cize China. the concessions. The United States is not giv- wages for American workers. Should There is perhaps no more important set of ing up anything. In manufactured goods and the working people of this country be related foreign policy issues for the 21st cen- service exports, the news was almost all in- forced to compete against desperate tury than the challenges and opportunities credibly good. In agriculture, for example, the people who are paid 20 or 30 cents an posed by the emergence of a powerful and pork, beef, soybean, corn and wheat markets hour? Should we continue a policy fast-growing China. However, today we are in China that are essentially closed to Amer- where corporate America throws Amer- not having a debate focused on those impor- ican exports today would be opened signifi- ican workers out on the street and runs tant challenges. Instead, we are debating cantly with tariffs dropping from over 40 per- to China and hires those people? I whether to impose 1930s Great Depression- cent today down to 12 percent or lower. In- think not. July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6465 Let us support this sensible resolu- trade deficit with China. Last year the Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 tion. Let us end the policy which just deficit was $60 billion. Thanks to this minutes to the gentleman from Florida does not work. administration’s misguided trade poli- (Mr. DAVIS). Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this cies, we have traded away good paying Mr. DAVIS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I resolution. American jobs. rise in strong opposition to the Rohr- I am not anti-Chinese. Mr. Speaker, over the years we have abacher amendment, and listening to I am not a xenophobe. been bending over backwards for Bei- the arguments that have been made I do not want another cold war with China, jing. I ask the question: Why? today that suggest we discontinue nor- and I want to see our country do everything it Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support mal trade relations with China, one of can to establish warm and positive relations of H. J. Res. 57, a resolution to disapprove the points that is being made is that with China. normal trade relations with the People's Re- we need to send a message to China I support this resolution because our current public of China. that we disapprove particularly of trade policy with China is a disaster. We cur- It's clear to see that our trade deficit with some of the reprehensible behavior rently have a $67 billion trade deficit with China has skyrocketed over the years, and that appeared to have occurred re- China, in a year in which we are experiencing hundreds of thousands of good paying Amer- cently with their government. a record breaking $224 billion overall trade ican jobs have been exported. In 1993, we I agree we need to send a message to deficit. Economists tell us that for every one had a $22 billion trade deficit with China. Last China. They certainly should not be en- billion dollars we have in a trade deficit we year, the deficit was $60 billion. Thanks to the gaged in conduct that is contrary to lose 17,000 jobsÐmany of them decent pay- Administration's misguided trade policies, the very values which we stand for and ing manufacturing jobs. That means that our we've traded away good paying American practice every day. But I strongly dis- trade deficit with China is costing us approxi- jobs. agree that this is the proper means by mately 1,139,000 jobs. Mr. Speaker, over the years, we've been which to send a message. Mr. Speaker, I am very concerned that, over bending over backwards for Beijing. This is not just a sense of Congress, the last 20 years, many of the largest corpora- Why? this is not just a message. This is a tions in America have invested tens of billions They need us more than we need them. complete collapse of our trade relation- of dollars in China in the search for very They need the American market. We have ship with China. cheap labor. They are not investing in one of the strongest and wealthiest consumer Listen to what some of the mission- Vermont, New York or Mississippi. They are markets in the world. They sell billions of dol- aries have said who serve in that coun- not hiring young American workers. They are lars of their products in our market. They need try and care very deeply about many of not re-building our manufacturing base. In- us. They need America. But while they insist the human rights issues that we have stead, they are hiring desperate workers in we open up more of our markets, they've discussed here on the floor of the House China at 20 or 30 cents an hour to produce steadfastly refused to open up theirs. today. They have argued for construc- products which are then sold in the United Then why should we give NTR to China? tive engagement to continue in China. States and elsewhereÐproducts not meant for Supporters argue that by staying engaged with Let us not set off another trade war the Chinese market but for the world market. China is the only way we can improve their just to send a message. The United The result of this whole trend is that cor- behavior. But I would ask those supporters, in States trade representative has esti- porate profits soar, the average American the last twenty years, have we seen any im- mated that it could cost consumers as worker today is earning 12% less in inflation provements? much as half a billion dollars in in- accounted for weekly earnings compared to Has China improved their human rights creased prices for shoes, clothing, and 1973. In terms of hourly wages, in 1973 the record? No. They're still considered one of the small appliances if we were to end this average American worker earned $13.61. most egregious offenders in the world. They trade relationship entirely and set off a Today, in the midst of this so-called booming prosecute Christians, throw pro-democracy ac- trade war. economy, that worker is earning $12.77 an tivists in labor camps and gulags, and promote Now the question has been raised hourÐ6% less than in 1973. I should also add forced abortions and sterilization. today by a number of very eloquent that that American worker is now working 160 Has China improved their unfair trade prac- speakers, what has changed since we hours a year more than was the case 20 tices? No. They continue to keep out Amer- have allowed normal trade relations to years ago in order to make up for the drop in ican products by imposing high trade barriers. continue over the years? Where have his or her real wages. They dump our shores with their cheap prod- we seen progress? Well, what is about Mr. Speaker, we must stop the race to the ucts, but won't allow us to fairly sell American to change is that we hopefully will bottom. I want to see the people in China and goods in their market. Democratic Taiwan, a have a debate on the floor of the House all developing countries improve their standard little island of only 23 million people, buys in just a few months about whether of living, but we must help that happen in a more American products than all of Com- China enters the World Trade Organi- way that does not hurt American workers. We munist China, a huge land mass of over 1.2 zation, and this will be an incredibly must not continue to play American workers billion consumers. fundamental debate. It will be an op- off against Chinese workers. American work- Has China been our friend in the inter- portunity for us to engage China on a ers should not have to compete against the national arena? No. They send spies over to broader scale than ever before in an at- workers in China who are paid extremely low steal our nuclear technology. They continue to tempt to expose them to our values and wages, who cannot form unions, who cannot threaten their democratic neighbors in the Pa- to expose them to more people from even elect their political leaders. cific region. They recently renewed threats to our country. In fairness to the working people of this keep Taiwan from declaring itself an inde- A number of us met with the premier country, we must not continue MFN with pendent state. They refuse to join international of China just a few months ago, and China. efforts to control nuclear proliferation. They many of us told him that, as we begin Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I yield 30 continue to sell advanced missile technology to trade more with this country, we in- seconds to the gentleman from Illinois to rogue nations. variably will expect more from that (Mr. LIPINSKI). We've given China opportunity after oppor- country as we expose them to our val- (Mr. LIPINSKI asked and was given tunity to show their friendship. We've offered ues, as we exchange more citizens on a permission to revise and extend his re- our hand in friendship, but they've refused to regular basis. We believe democracy marks.) take it. They continue to confront us as en- will be contagious, we believe our val- Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise emies. ues will be contagious because we today in strong support of H.J. 57, a A recent article in The People's Daily, a think that we stand for many universal resolution to disapprove normal trade Communist controlled newspaper in China, the truths. That is when constructive en- relations with the People’s Republic of U.S. was likened to Nazi Germany. Is that the gagement really begins to have a dra- China. action of a friend? matic and long term impact, when we It is clear to see that our trade def- Mr. Speaker, extending NTR to China is not begin the debate on WTO accession, icit with China has skyrocketed over in line with our strategic interests, and it is not and we talk as a Congress about how the years, and hundreds of thousands of in line with American ideals. I urge all of my we are going to use that to really have good paying American jobs have been colleagues to vote for this resolution and truly long-term improvement in the exported. In 1993 we had a $22 billion against NTR for China. lives of the citizens of China regardless H6466 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 of what their government chooses to do to is rounding up people for their free- intertwined in this relationship: nu- and the progress the government dom of expression in China. clear proliferation, regional security, chooses to make. On the trade issue, here is the item: the bilateral trade balance, intellec- So today let us send the appropriate $71 billion. So if we threaten to revoke tual property protection, religious message which is this is not an en- MFN or NTR, whatever colleagues freedom, the future of Taiwan, Tibet dorsement of policies that China is en- want to call it, the Chinese are not and Hong Kong, and political and eco- gaged in that we strongly disagree going to walk away. Where are they nomic freedom for the people of China. with, but it is a clear recognition once going to sell 71 billion dollars’ worth of How can we possibly deal with these again that a trade war is not in our Na- goods? They cannot. The same threat complex issues through an annual con- tion’s best interests and that we should that the administration used on intel- gressional debate that asks a single defeat this motion today. lectual property violations should question: Should we conduct commer- Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, I apply here. So they are not going any cial relations with China on the same reserve the balance of my time for the place with 72 billion dollars’ worth of basis that we do with other countries? moment. goods. Mr. Speaker, I call upon my col- Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 I urge my colleagues to vote aye on leagues to take a step forward with me minute to the gentleman from Cali- the resolution. today. Vote down this resolution of dis- fornia (Mr. CALVERT). Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I reserve approval and join in forging a truly Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise in the balance of my time. comprehensive policy towards the Peo- support of normal trade relations with Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, I ple’s Republic of China. China and in opposition to this resolu- reserve the balance of my time. I believe to my very core that the most important thing we can do for tion of disapproval. I have grave con- PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY human rights in China is to help bring cerns about the Chinese Government. Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, a rules-based system of trading to that Their policy and practice include reli- parliamentary inquiry? country, and the only certain way we gious persecution, stealing our na- The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. can do this is to get China into the tional secrets, unfair trade practices, SHIMKUS). The gentleman will state his World Trade Organization. We must and military intimidation of their parliamentary inquiry. help those who are reformers in China neighbors. Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, I to help themselves. We must continue Let us be clear. The Chinese govern- would like to ask a question of the to work to bring the rule of law to ment is no friend of the United States Chair. China. We must strengthen our rela- or democracy. However, I would sub- Is there some notion or plan for a tionship with our allies by maintaining scribe to Ronald Reagan’s philosophy quorum call? So we just finish this de- a strong military presence in that re- on dealing with potential adversaries: bate in the next few minutes, and there gion, and we must be clear and con- contain them militarily, engage them will be no quorum call? sistent in our message to the Chinese diplomatically, and flood them with The SPEAKER pro tempore. No. Western goods and influence. government. Mr. ROHRABACHER. Then I reserve But one thing is clear. This annual Sadly, the Clinton-Gore administra- the balance of my time. tion has failed on the military front, is debate over whether we will continue The SPEAKER pro tempore. At this our political and economic relations suspect on the diplomatic front; yet on point a point of no quorum is not in the trade front where Congress has a with China is never constructive. It order. The debate will proceed until hampers our ability to formulate a say, we should not fail. Maintaining closing when Members are recognized normal trading relations is important comprehensive and effective policy to- for closing statements. Members will ward the region, and I believe it is time to the Chinese people, but it is also im- be recognized in reverse order of open- for it to end. portant to California farmers. These ing. First, the gentleman from Cali- Mr. Speaker, I urge a renewal of Nor- hard-working farmers support 1.4 mil- fornia (Mr. ROHRABACHER); secondly, mal Trade Relations. History has lion jobs in California, have led the Na- the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. shown economic growth to be an effec- tion in production since 1948. Califor- LEVIN); third, the gentleman from Cali- tive catalyst for political change. The nia’s agricultural exports to China fornia (Mr. STARK); and, fourth, the principles of individual liberty and a have risen nearly 50 percent since 1993 gentleman from Illinois (Mr. CRANE). freedom embodied in economic liberal- and now total over $2.4 billion annu- b 1400 ization will prevail, but only if we have ally. the political courage to make the right Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 21⁄2 With all these exports to China, Cali- choice to let them flourish, and that minutes to our distinguished colleague, fornia sent an equal amount of Amer- means renewing Normal Trade Rela- the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. ican ideals, moral values, and cap- tions with China. italism. KOLBE). Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the minutes to the distinguished gen- minute to the distinguished gentle- gentleman for yielding me this time. tleman from Massachusetts (Mr. MAR- woman from California (Ms. PELOSI). Mr. Speaker, here we go again. It is KEY). Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I wanted just like clock work. As spring turns Mr. MARKEY. Mr. Speaker, last year to just take a moment to respond to into summer and the throngs of tour- legislation overhauling the Internal some comments I have heard here ists begin their dissent on the Nation’s Revenue Service included a provision today. Capital once again, we come to the changing the term Most Favored Na- First, we are here to complain about House floor for what has become an al- tion trading status to Normal Trade a policy that does not work. To those most ritualistic debate about trade re- Relations. Apparently, supporters of who say that the trade will lead to lations with China. Once again, we find MFN for China decided that changing human rights, this trickle-down no- ourselves driven to view our trade rela- the name would make this debate go tion, this trickle-down liberty notion tions with 1.3 billion people through away. The debate is the same. Only the has not worked. So we do not want to the narrow prism of a decades-old stat- names have been changed in order to start a trade war with China. I am ute that was not even designed to fit protect the guilty. going to tell my colleagues why that is this situation. Mr. Speaker, it is time And make no mistake about it, the not going to happen. for us to end this kind of debate. If we People’s Republic of China is guilty. First of all, though I want to recog- are ever to develop a truly coherent They are guilty of stealing American nize once again that the name has been and a comprehensive policy towards nuclear weapons secrets. They are changed from Most Favored Nation this nation, the largest on the face of guilty of proliferating weapons of mass status to Normal Trade Relations, and this planet, we have to break free from destruction around the world. They are that the name was not changed to pro- this debate. guilty of gross violations of human tect the innocent. The human rights Our relationship with China is com- rights. They are guilty of a wide array violations continue. As we speak, the plex, and it is increasingly important. of unfair trade practices. China has al- regime that we want to hand $67 billion There are a myriad of issues that are ready been convicted in the court of July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6467 public opinion. The question is, what is (Mr. GANSKE asked and was given Years of normal trade relations have not re- this Congress going to do in response permission to revise and extend his re- sulted in a significant reduction in trade restric- to China’s reckless behavior? Are we marks.) tions. Normal trade with China has not re- going to extend Normal Trade Rela- Mr. GANSKE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in sulted in a better trade relationship. tions for another year, or are we going support of the joint resolution and in Instead, China has sold us a bill of goods in to stop business as usual until China opposition to the extension of MFN to which realization of potential markets remains reforms its ways? China. perpetually around the corner. Let us look at Beijing’s proliferation Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolu- The result has been an increase in our rap sheet. They refuse to join inter- tion and in opposition to the extension of nor- trade deficit with a Communist regime. national efforts to stem proliferation mal trade relations with China. Let's think about that. We can argue the of nuclear arms, continue to transfer Our agricultural economy is in a desperate benefits and detriments of trade with China all advanced ballistic missile technology situation and we need to move to improve ac- day. But we also need to consider that this to Syria and to Pakistan; and they pro- cess to international markets. But China has Communist government spied on American vide nuclear and chemical weapons had years to prove that it is a viable market nuclear facilities. technology to Iran, and they refuse to for American agricultural products and has They stole vital American nuclear secrets. comply with the nuclear nonprolifera- failed to do so. They have the capability to strike American tion treaty. The Central Intelligence Despite years of engagement and normal soil with nuclear weapons! Agency has reported in February of trade relations, our trade with China has been How can we reward such actions with Most this year that China remains a key going backwards and we still face severe Favored Nation trading status. That's rightÐ supplier of technology inconsistent roadblocks in agricultural goods. we may have changed its name, but the im- with nonproliferation goals. Let's review some of the supposed benefits pact is the sameÐMost Favored Nation. Mr. Speaker, the only thing that will the United States has realized from normal What kind of message do we want to send really make them reexamine this be- trade relations: to the international community? We can send havior is if this Congress actually de- ∑ Our overall trade deficit had increased one of two messages: nies them Most Favored Nation, Nor- from $6.2 billion in 1989 to $56.9 billion in ``Steal from us, threaten your neighbors and mal Trade Relations. Let us not forget 1998. violate your people's basic human rights and that we already have a $60 billion trade ∑ The average Chinese tariff on agricultural you will reap the benefits of American cap- deficit with them. Only Japan exceeds imports is 40%. italism.'' it, and that will not last for long. They ∑ Some agricultural commodities are as- Or, ``Play by rules, respect the security of continue to engage in proliferation ac- sessed tariffs greater than 100%. your neighbors and preserve the rights of your tivities; they continue to engage in ∑ Agricultural exports to China have actu- people, or feel the consequences of your ac- human rights violations. ally decreased by nearly $100 million since tions.'' Mr. Speaker, I urge a ‘‘yes’’ vote on 1989. Let's send the right message. That America Such a deal! I am sure those that claim this disapproval motion. will not be violated or manipulated. trade benefits from this relationship have Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 I urge my colleagues to vote against re- some ``lake front'' property in the Gobi desert minute to the distinguished gentleman warding this country with preferential trade DWARDS for us too. from Texas (Mr. E ). status and vote for House Joint Resolution 57. Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, in an I believe we must increase our access to Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, I imperfect world, we do not have the international markets for a variety of agricul- yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from choice of dealing with perfect nations. tural commodities, especially meat like pork. California (Mr. COX), the distinguished Certainly, China is far from perfect as Like many of my colleagues and my con- chairman of the Cox Commission, a bi- a nation, as are we, and I must admit stituents, I am concerned about the future of partisan select committee that was set I am especially bothered by recent de- America's pork industry. China is a huge po- up to investigate certain national secu- tentions in China, and I hope the Chi- tential marketÐthere are more than one billion rity challenges that we face with Com- nese know that this Congress is sen- people in China and they consume vast quan- munist China. sitive to those detentions. tities of pork. Mr. COX. Mr. Speaker, we are here But we have a choice today. It is en- Well, let's take a look at how this market today to debate the President’s waiver gagement, or it is isolation. Let us see has treated the American pork industry under of the Jackson-Vanik law, which, by how that has worked in other cir- normal trade relations: cumstances. We chose isolation in the Chinese pork production in 1997 was 42.5 its terms, requires that in order to get case of our dealings with Cuba. What million metric tons compared to the 7.8 metric low tariff treatment, the People’s Re- has happened? Thirty-eight years later tons produced in the U.S. How can we expect public of China must have fair immi- Castro is in power. Let us choose en- to increase our pork exports to this market gration policies. Yet, having listened gagement and look at that and its that produces 6 times the amount of pork we to the debate, I have not heard the sub- track record. We chose to engage the do when there are agricultural barriers in stance of Jackson-Vanik come up at former Soviet Union. Today, they are a place? all; neither the supporters nor the op- democratic nation, struggling with an U.S. pork exports to China in 1997 totaled ponents of this resolution have even economy, albeit, but a democratic na- only 150,000 metric tonsÐless than 2% of our mentioned the PRC’s immigration poli- tion. domestic production. cies. Instead, this debate has been cast The choice today is not dealing with Overall pork and swine exports to China in by the opponents of the resolution as a perfect nations; it is a choice between 1998 amounted to only $6.5 million dollars. debate about free trade, and by the isolation and engagement. I would sug- Some point to recent reductions in agricul- supporters of the resolution as a debate gest that the policy of engagement tural tariffs on certain products as an indica- about political, economic, religious, with China, as important of a nation as tion of Chinese capitulation. Yet, they fail to civil and other human rights concerns it is, makes sense for America and the note that China continues to implement sev- in the People’s Republic of China. world in the 21st century. eral non-tariff trade barriers. If this resolution really were about Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, I The U.S. Trade Representative reported this free trade, if this debate were really ask unanimous consent to yield 2 min- year that China still conducts import substi- about free trade, then I would vote in utes to the gentleman from California tution. In other words, the Chinese govern- support of free trade, because it is in (Mr. STARK) to be used for yielding on ment can and does deny permission to import America’s interests and it is in the in- his side. foreign products when a domestic alternative terests of all of our trading partners. It The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. exists, or, given their closed society, whenever is at least arguable that human rights SHIMKUS). Is there objection to the re- they want. violations are a separate issue from the quest of the gentleman from Cali- Look at the numbers I just cited: China pro- question of tariff rates on beanie babies fornia? duces a lot of pork. NTR will not alter this being imported into the United States. There was no objection. competitive structure. Yet, sadly, in order to assure the de- Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I yield Normal trade relations have not altered feat of this resolution, its opponents such time as he may consume to the these protectionist policies and will not pro- are whitewashing the government’s gentleman from Iowa (Mr. GANSKE). mote changes in the future. record, making extravagant, that is to H6468 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 say the People’s Republic of China’s in my life, and that is you never im- they stole our secrets I think is really record, making extravagant claims prove any relationship by walking the wrong way to pinpoint the prob- about the progress of democracy in away from it. Right now I think this lem. The fact is that nations should China; there is none, or the liberal relationship is at an all-time low and I not be engaging in stealing of secrets, limbs of certain of China’s Communist think both sides have some culpability which violates fundamental values. rulers. That certainly requires a double in that situation. Thirdly, they have engaged in con- standard. Or the more favorable eco- But I will say this: the last speaker stant abuse of human rights. nomic standards that some Chinese was right on. There are human rights Finally, their recent relationship and find themselves in now as compared to, violations, there are problems with difficulties with Taiwan. say, the time of the cultural revolu- Taiwan, there are nuclear nonprolifera- This all underscores the fact that be- tion. That is a fact, but it is also a fact tion problems. But I will say this as cause they do not share our political that the Communist portion of China well: when it comes to the espionage system, our economic system, or our has an economic product per person issue, I do not fault China nearly as value system, now is not the time to that is less than Guatemala’s, while much as I do this administration for reward them. This is a down time be- the democratic government and people falling asleep at the switch. Let us not tween U.S. and China. Does it mean it is the end of the and society in Taiwan buy far more try to penalize China what we should road? Of course not, because they live from the United States than all of the take out on this administration for not on the same street where we live. But PRC and have one of the highest stand- doing its job. Let us not close the door just like when we have a neighbor that ards of living in the world. on a lot of people who would like to be breaks the fundamental rules of the Whitewashing human rights abuses able to open up their doors to Christi- neighborhood, it is necessary for Na- in the PRC, which is what this debate anity, and they would not get that op- tions to punish other countries that do has come to symbolize is not in our Na- portunity, I believe, if we revoke MFN. not share their values, and break the tion’s interests, nor in the interests of Please, let us vote against this meas- fundamental rules and values that have the people of China. It is for this rea- ure. been established in the neighborhood. son, especially on a vote that is largely Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, might I in- Accept this resolution. It will do this symbolic, because the President has al- quire as to the time remaining. country well, and it will send an impor- ready granted this waiver and everyone The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- tant message to the entire world. knows that there will not be a two- tleman from California (Mr. STARK) Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 thirds vote in the Senate or the House has 11 minutes remaining; the gen- minute to our distinguished colleague, or both to override, so especially on a tleman from California (Mr. ROHR- the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. symbolic vote, I cannot join with the ABACHER) has 2 minutes remaining; the SHAYS). opponents. gentleman from Illinois (Mr. CRANE) Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in The PRC really does deny freedom of has 51⁄2 minutes remaining; and the strong opposition to this resolution. I speech; the PRC really does deny free- gentleman from Michigan (Mr. LEVIN) have listened to some of my colleagues dom of thought. The Communist gov- has 61⁄2 remaining. today who want to revoke normal ernment really does persecute religious Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 trade relations status for China. I, too, groups that it cannot control, and it minutes to the gentleman from Ohio am deeply concerned that top nuclear really has jailed millions of people, (Mr. KASICH). secrets were stolen from U.S. nuclear prisoners of conscience, in the noto- Mr. KASICH. Mr. Speaker, I think labs, but I blame the United States rious laogai slave labor camps that that it is important that we recognize more than I blame China. In my judg- Harry Wu has so courageously docu- that in a community of nations, there ment the Clinton administration failed mented. are going to be differences between na- to understand the fundamental dif- Last year, President Clinton signed a tions. And in fact, the differences be- ference between promoting a strong law passed by this Congress that re- tween our Nation and China represents business relationship with China and quired the Secretary of Defense to send a fundamental difference in the polit- maintaining a strong strategic mili- us a list of People’s Liberation Army- ical system where we honor representa- tary advantage with that Nation. controlled companies operating in the tive government; in the economic sys- The distinguished Cox Report coun- United States. The administration is in tem, where we recognize the value of sels changes in our counterintelligence violation of that law; they have been capitalism and free markets; and in the and military security, but it does not for half a year. What that means is value system that underpins our soci- call into question our business rela- that the extension of Normal Trade Re- ety where we recognize the fact that tionship with China. I continue to sup- lations to the People’s Republic of we answer at the end of the day to a port maintaining normal trade rela- China is also an extension of normal higher being. Frankly, the Chinese re- tions with China, not favored, but nor- trade relations to the People’s Libera- ject all of that. They do not share our mal relations. tion Army. I know of no responsible political objectives; they do not share We should not give up on trade rela- U.S. corporation that wishes this. our political system; they do not share tions between our two countries. A na- This debate and this vote is not our economic system; and they do not tion cannot have a prosperous free about tariff rates. It is about sending a share our value system. market economy without educating its signal to Beijing. I cannot rubber citizens. The more educated a coun- b 1415 stamp the Clinton policy towards try’s citizens become, the more they China, and I am heartened that a big Does that mean we should totally will demand an open society and free- number of Republicans and Democrats isolate them and walk away? The an- dom. Only through economic and social today will not do so either. swer is no. But in the course of rela- engagement will this transformation Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 tions, there are times when we will get truly take place making, China, the minute to the gentleman from Arizona along better than when we will not get United States, and the world a better (Mr. SALMON). along. place. Mr. SALMON. Mr. Speaker, this is But the problem has been that the Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 not a lot of time to debate such a sen- Chinese continue to engage in pro- minute to the gentleman from Guam sitive issue, but I will say this. After liferation, including recent reports (Mr. UNDERWOOD). having served a mission from my that involve proliferation of sensitive (Mr. UNDERWOOD asked and was church among the Chinese people, after technology to the North Koreans, of all given permission to revise and extend having learned about their language nations of the world, that perhaps pro- his remarks.) and their culture and communicating vides for us the most complicated set Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I one on one with these people for 2 of problems. Yet, the Chinese have pro- rise in opposition to House Joint Reso- years in my youthful life, I learned a liferated to the North Koreans, in addi- lution 57, which would revoke normal lot of things, I thought, not only about tion to other nations in the world. trade relations with the People’s Re- their society, but about our society. I Secondly, they have stolen our se- public of China. I fully recognize the have learned one thing painfully clear crets. And to blame us for the fact that emotional content of the debate today. July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6469 Some have characterized this as a de- I am fully in support of improving the lives We understand that those who came bate about whether China has violated of PRC citizens, which includes greater de- West, whether they came West across human rights and whether China has mocracy, respect for human rights, and re- the ocean in creaking wooden ships or much of a defensible record on reli- gional stability, but suspending NTR is not the whether they came West across the gious freedom, or whether they have way to do it. Engaging the PRC is the answer. prairie in creaking wooden wagons, much of a progressive record towards I urge my colleagues to oppose H.J. Res. 57 they came West not just to get rich, democracy. But I readily concede, and in the interests of all Americans. they came West to be free. I think most people who stand in oppo- Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I yield 7 Oregonians expect to be represented sition to the resolution readily concede minutes to the distinguished gen- by men and women of conscience. Join that China does not have a sterling tleman from Oregon (Mr. WU). me in my vote of conscience today. record on any of these items. In fact, it Mr. WU. Mr. Speaker, I thank the Stand with me and stand with our fore- has an abysmal record. gentleman from California for yielding bears. But this is really a debate as to time to me. Finally, to my colleagues in this whether the denial of normal trade re- Mr. Speaker, as the first Chinese Chamber, they know what it means to lations will have much of an effect on American to serve in this House, as a cast this vote in a trade-dependent dis- any of these matters. Closing the door high technology and international trict, but I ask them to stand with me to the PRC, and in de facto punishing trade attorney, I have a special respon- and to stand with our forebears who it with high tariffs, is not the answer sibility in this debate. I thank my col- put their lives, their liberties, and to alleviating human rights conditions leagues for the honor of speaking now. their sacred honor on the line. Stand there or preventing espionage in the fu- This debate is not about engagement, with me, and stand with all those who ture. This is just simply too simplistic. because we all believe in engagement; would walk the path of freedom with The United States is already tied to but not just business engagement, be- us. the rest of the globe in a sophisticated cause the business of America must be For the past 10 years we have strayed and integrated tapestry of economic, more than just business, and engage- from the path of liberty. Through two political, and social coexistence. We ment must be through more than just administrations we have listened to need to maintain our policy of engage- the cash register. This debate is about the siren song of the cash register. We ment with China. how we view the Chinese people and have walked into a moral wasteland. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.J. Res. about how we view ourselves. What has it gained us but 10 years of 57, which would revoke Normal Trade Rela- Cash register engagement views the growing trade deficits, $60 billion in an tions (NTR) with the People's Republic of Chinese people as just workers and con- annual trade deficit, more Chinese China (PRC). sumers, 2 billion strong arms to do our prisoners of conscience than ever? Closing the door to the PRC and de facto work, 2 billion legs to wear American We can change this with a vote punishing it with high tariffs is not the answer jeans. Full engagement recognizes that today. Let me make this perfectly to alleviating human rights conditions there or Chinese people are people like us, peo- clear. If Members take away nothing preventing espionage in the form of stealing more than this from this debate, know nuclear secrets This so-called solution is too ple with hopes and aspirations, aspira- tions to walk the path of freedom that this, that with our vote today we can simplistic a plan. The fact is the United States make one of the clearest differences of is already tied to the rest of the globe in a so- we have blazed. That, Mr. Speaker, is what this de- our congressional service. When we phisticated and integrated tapestry of eco- take this voting card and we insert it nomic, political and social co-existence. This bate is really about. It is about who we are as a free people, what are our val- into that slot, when we insert it into punitive act will only serve to harm our inter- that slot, we are literally reaching into ues, what does this Congress stand for; ests in global commerce and leadership. What the deepest, darkest dungeons ever our integrity as individuals. Can we evidence do we have that suspension of NTR built by man. When we face that red live up to the legacy of our forebears, would lead to a conciliatory PRC ready to button and that green button, we can those in this Congress who swore them- bend at the will of American morality and eth- literally set people free by choosing selves to liberty, and in so doing, ics? None. On the other hand, free traders that green button, because years ago, 6 pledged their lives, their fortunes, and and many observers will attest that NTR sus- or 7 or 8 years ago when the vote was their sacred honor? pension will backfire on the United States close in this Chamber, the government In this debate, in this debate I would guaranteed. A minimum of 400,000 American in Beijing would set people free every like to address three groups. jobs, which depend on exports to the PRC single year in order to affect the vote First, to the Chinese people, so rich and Hong Kong, will be threatened. In addi- in this Chamber. By choosing the green in culture and history and heritage, I tion, Asia's recovery from the Asian financial button, we can set people free today. crisis will stall and further hurt American busi- encourage them to strive not just for For us, it is merely a choice between nesses and workers. Our economic competi- prosperity but for freedom, also, be- two buttons, green and red. For our tors would be more than eager to supplant the cause if they achieve prosperity, their forebears, it was their lives, their for- United State's position as one of the PRC's children will thank them. But if they tunes, and their sacred honors. Because largest trading partners. It takes little genius to achieve both prosperity and liberty, of their sacrifice, we have an easier realize that the phenomenon that has pro- their children will view them the way choice today. Choose the green button. tected the United States from the Asian crisis that I view my parents, as ordinary Choose freedom today. people who rose to extraordinary chal- has been our aggregate consumption. This Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 11⁄2 measure would be sure to stymie this indeed. lenges. And in rising to these great minutes to the distinguished gentle- The political ramifications of suspending challenges, they became giants of their woman from Seattle, Washington (Ms. NTR with the PRC are clearly negative. There era. Just as I measure each day what I DUNN), who will be hosting the WTO is the very real threat of hard-line PRC leaders achieve against what my parents ministerial this fall. coming to the fore as feelings of American at- achieved in their era, their children Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, by a pre- tempts to ostensibly contain the PRC are will measure themselves against the vious agreement, I yield 30 seconds to heightened. In addition, our ASEAN and Asian legacy of freedom and prosperity that the gentlewoman from Washington allies fear that political instability in the PRC they can leave them. Rise to the chal- (Ms. DUNN). will mean instability in the Asia-Pacific region. lenge of history. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Americans living in the continental United To the people of Oregon, those who SHIMKUS). The gentlewoman from States may feel insulated from the turmoil in have honored me back home with the Washington (Ms. DUNN) is recognized the Asia-Pacific, but for the Americans living in greatest honor that an immigrant boy for 2 minutes. the area, such as the residents of Guam, this who came to this country not being Ms. DUNN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today threat of tumult, whether economic or political, able to speak English could ever hope in opposition to this resolution and in is very real. While the rest of America rode on to have, to represent them in this Con- support of our continuing policy of en- an economic high during the height of the gress, I know that we have a trade-de- gagement through normal trade rela- Asian financial crisis, Guam experienced an pendent State, but they and I under- tions with China. economic depression which has catapulted stand that the business of America The open exchange of goods and serv- our unemployment level to 14% today. must be more than just business. ices has been a critical component of H6470 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 fostering understanding between na- Chinese Embassy to protest the China’s Internet users have doubled tions for centuries. Creating an envi- Tiananmen Square massacre. Just last to 4 million since the end of 1998, and ronment of normal relations and ongo- week, I met with family members of we now have seen just a report this ing engagement only serves to lower the Falun Gong religious movement morning that there are going to be 280 the walls of fear and suspicion while whose relatives are being persecuted in million cell phone users there. This is building a spirit of cooperation China. the right thing to do to maintain our through joint venture. The fact of the matter is, our na- commercial ties. I urge a ‘‘no’’ vote on Make no mistake, our relationship tional interests are best served by the resolution. with China is complex and evolving, a maintaining commercial relations with Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, I road filled with obstruction. We have our fourth largest trading partner and yield myself such time as I may con- legitimate concerns about nuclear pro- an emerging power in the Pacific. The sume. liferation: our own security protection, key fact today is that the very same Mr. Speaker, this debate is not about the security of Taiwan and the rest of market reforms that underpin our vi- maintaining commercial relations with the region, and human rights. brant commercial relationship have Communist China. It is about main- So what should be our objective with been the single most powerful force for taining the current commercial rela- China with respect to trade relations? I change in the 5,000-year history of tions with Communist China. This is believe that liberalized trade with a China. not about isolating Communist China Communist society in the process of Now, in the last 2 decades, China has or disengaging from Communist China. opening itself up to the community undergone a remarkable trans- It will not prevent anybody from talk- will some day deliver to our trading formation. I should say to my col- ing to Communist China. This is not partners our most precious gift, and leagues who have raised the issue of about banning trade with Communist that is the gift of freedom. Taiwan that, 2 decades ago, in Taiwan, China or ending trade with Communist There is important work being done there was a very repressive regime. China. It is about altering the current in China by western groups attempting Yet, we maintain commercial rela- rules of the game with trade. to fan this flame of democracy. The tions, and that was key to bringing This is about what? H.J. Res. 57 National Endowment for Democracy about democratization. raises tariffs on Chinese goods as long So in the last 2 decades, if we look at and the International Republican Insti- as they keep their high tariffs and China, it has, in fact, undergone a re- tute are just two such groups sowing roadblocks to American manufactured markable transformation driven by the seeds of freedom inside China. Ned products. In other words, it ends the market-based economic reforms and an Graham, a resident of my home State Chinese tariff advantage against our open door to trade and foreign invest- of Washington and son of evangelist products. ment. Now this transformation is Billy Graham, has been very successful What does it also do? It eliminates changing Chinese society and accel- in spreading the message of religious the subsidies. This resolution, H.J. Res. erating progress towards increased per- 57, would end the trading status which freedom in China. sonal freedom, individual economic His group, Eastgates, International, eliminates the subsidies. Our resolu- choice, and access to outside sources of tion eliminates the subsidies and loan has distributed 2.5 million Bibles in information. guarantees that are now given to U.S. China since 1992. According to Mr. Many thoughtful analysts who study businessmen to close their factories in Graham, he can communicate freely these changes that are taking place in with his contacts in China because of China believe that the best hope for the United States and set them up in the proliferation of information ex- freedom and democracy in China lies Communist China in order to take ad- change technology, a development that along this path of reform. vantage of slave labor. Do we really has been made possible by trade and About 10 days ago, I called professor want to subsidize businessmen this economic reform. Harry Rowen at the Hoover Institution way? This resolution ends that prac- Continuing normal trade relations who served in the Reagan administra- tice. with China, the United States’ fourth tion, in fact one of the great experts on Yes, it changes the current rules of largest trading partner, will only serve China. I asked him if this year’s bad the game. Under the current system, to build on this success. I urge my col- news in U.S.-China relations has under those rules of the game where leagues to oppose this resolution. caused him to change his mind about they can have high tariffs against our products, we let them flood their prod- b 1430 the long-term prospects for political freedom in China, which he wrote ucts into our country, and we subsidize 1 Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 ⁄2 about 3 years ago in ‘‘National Inter- the investment of our businessmen in minutes to the distinguished gen- ests.’’ While repression is a reality China, in Communist China, to give tleman from California (Mr. DREIER), today, it is just as true that we are wit- jobs to their people and put our people the honorable chairman of the Com- nessing several remarkable pro-demo- out of work, give them the ability to mittee on Rules. cratic developments in China. outcompete us with our technology. Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, by pre- For the first time in Chinese history, Under those rules of the game, we arrangement, I yield 1 additional the judicial system gives criminal sus- have had a $70 billion trade surplus. minute to the gentleman from Cali- pects the same basic rights afforded What have they done with that? They fornia (Mr. DREIER). our system. Forced confessions have have used it to modernize their weap- Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I thank been ruled invalid as a means of prov- ons. With that technology that they both of my friends for yielding this ing guilt. These reforms have led to a stole from us, from our missiles, and time to me. rapid rise in commercial litigation and our weapons systems, they are using Mr. Speaker, this is not a debate be- in cases being brought against the Chi- that $70 billion to build weapons to aim tween those who care about national nese Government. There are even civil at us and to threaten American cities security and the security of our Na- rights lawsuits that exist. and threaten the lives of every Amer- tion’s labs and those who care about Now, I have been following for years, ican person. trade. In fact, national security is our having served as a board member of the Does a government like this deserve number one priority and should con- International Republican Institute, the normal trade relations? I say no. It is tinue to be. In a bipartisan way, we are work of that arm of the National En- time to change the rules of the game to going to work to address that. dowment for Democracy. We have been protect America’s interest, America’s At the same time, we can not ignore working to bolster freedom in village security. the very important issues of human elections. Thanks to our efforts, we Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- rights and of religious persecution. Mr. have seen in rural life a whole thrust self the balance of my time. Speaker, I will take a back seat to no towards elections. Today 500 million Mr. Speaker, I feel deeply about the one when it comes to raising concerns Chinese experience local democracy by outstanding issues with China. We have about those human rights issues. voting in competitive village elections had, indeed, a healthy debate. These Ten years ago this summer, I joined where half of the winners have been are the right issues. Unfortunately, with my colleagues marching to the nonCommunist candidates. this resolution is the wrong answer. July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6471 I want to talk about trade and Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I am A country that arrests people for human rights. We have to be concerned pleased to yield such time as he may speaking their minds is not about to about the imbalance of trade as shown consume to the gentleman from Mis- protect people’s property. A country on this chart. We have to be concerned souri (Mr. GEPHARDT), the distin- that seizes political dissidents is not about how we integrate a still non- guished minority leader, to close de- about to protect our property. A coun- market economy and one that is not bate for our side. try that seizes the assets of foreign based on the rules of law into a system (Mr. GEPHARDT asked and was corporations is not about to protect that is based on the rule of law and on given permission to revise and extend our property. If we do not take a stand free market economy rules. We have to his remarks.) on MFN, ultimately there is no way to worry about that integration and how Mr. GEPHARDT. Mr. Speaker, I com- get China to ultimately accept a rule it is going to occur. mend the leadership of the gentle- of law and protect our property. I very much disagree with those who woman from California (Ms. PELOSI) Finally, let me talk about human think it is easy, that we should have who has truly been the leader on this rights. Abraham Lincoln said that our just signed on the dotted line when issue. I want to commend all of my Declaration of Independence gave lib- Premier Zhu was here. There were out- friends on the other side of the aisle erty not alone to the people of this standing issues that needed to be re- who have also stood and spoken their country, but hope to all the world for solved, both in terms of market access minds on this issue. all future time. The issue of human and also in terms of the role of capital I want to commend the gentleman rights is not just an American issue, it markets and labor markets in China from Oregon (Mr. WU), a new Member is an issue for every human being in when it is still not anything close to a of the House who comes from a district this world. And the primary reason to market-based society. that is heavily dependent on trade. I take this stand today against MFN for How are we doing that? The best hope want to commend his courage in mak- China is because they refuse, right till is to negotiate these issues in WTO ac- ing the statement he made today. He today, to give their people basic, de- obviously did it from his heart and his cession by China. That is the best way cent human rights. to do it. Are we there yet? No. Can we mind, and I really, really admire the We remember Tiananmen Square, but get there? Perhaps. If we do not, I will statement that he made. let us fast forward to today. There is a I rise today to ask Members to vote vote ‘‘no’’ on permanent NTR. If we group in China that wants to practice for this resolution. It is clear to me make more progress, I could vote its own form of religious belief, Falun that, on any of the grounds that we ‘‘yes’’. Gong. They are arresting people today must look at, trade, rule of law, human But look, face it, all of our concern who they do not want to express their rights, that not only has China not about market issues, about the imbal- beliefs. They are arresting people in made progress in the last year, in fact, ance here, all of our hopes to, in a rath- their own government who are sus- I would say that they are moving in er soon fashion, address these issues pected now of allowing the people to the exact wrong direction that they will be pulled away from us if we were carry out these beliefs in China. ought to be moving in. to pass this resolution. China acces- Let us first talk about trade. In 1988, Tell me if they are making progress. sion, WTO accession negotiations the year before Tiananmen Square, we They are making progress in the wrong would come to a careening halt, not had a $3.5 billion deficit with China. In direction. When will America stand up only now, but for the foreseeable fu- 1997, it was $50 billion. This year, it and finally say that the human rights ture. We have got to do the hard work will be $70 billion. In fact, our exports we enjoy must be enjoyed by every cit- on trade. to China in this year will decline to izen in this world, including the billion I want to say a word about human less than $14 billion. We export more to people who live in China. rights. I feel deeply about this, too. Today is the day to take that stand. Belgium, a country of 10 million peo- One of my family entered China the Vote for this resolution. Let us stand ple, than we export to China. day of Tiananmen Square. But, look, Why is this the case? It is the case for trade, let us stand for rule of law this discussion every year is not mov- because we are not allowed to export and let us stand, most importantly, for ing the ball forward. Everybody knows our items to China. They do not want the human rights of the people in that, if we were to pass this resolution, our goods. They want one-way free China. it would not pass the Senate. If it were trade. They want to support the defi- Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, I yield ever to pass the Senate, it would be ve- cits they have with most every other such time as he may consume to the toed by the President. We have got to country in the world with what they gentleman from Ohio (Mr. OXLEY). do the hard work on human rights be- can sell to the United States. They (Mr. OXLEY asked and was given yond this annual discussion. want to play us for a sucker because we permission to revise and extend his re- So, look, the issues are the correct are willing to let them do it. marks.) ones. But we need more than sym- If we continue to be willing to let Mr. OXLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposi- bolism. We need more than symbolism. them do what they want to do, the tion to the resolution. We need to do the hard work every day, trade deficit with China will be $100 bil- Before I get into the thrust of my comments, day-to-day, on these trade issues and lion soon, $140 billion, $200 billion. How I think we must all once again be reminded human rights issues. In that sense, this much unfair trade do we want to put up that what this debate is really all about is ex- resolution is a diversion. with? It makes no sense. tending normal trading ties with China for an- I hope out of this discussion will The gentleman from California (Mr. other year. come a dedication to do WTO China DREIER) says we have to maintain com- Normal Trade Relations, or NTR, does not right in the interest of American work- mercial relationships. This much? How grant some special benefit to the Chinese. ers and businesses and on human rights much is enough commercial relation- Rather, it simply grants the Chinese the same to every day find new mechanisms to ship to allow them to make so-called trading status that the U.S. has with most of express ourselves. progress? This is ridiculous. There is the rest of the world. We do not take ourselves seriously no common sense in it whatsoever. China is our fourth largest trading partner. enough when we devote ourselves only Now let us talk about rule of law. We exported $14 billion in goods and services once in a year. This is an every-year to the Chinese in 1998, which supported over b job on trade. It is an every-day job on 1445 200,000 high-wage American jobs. trade. It is an every-year job on human Trade relations depend upon rule of Revoking NTR would push tariffs on Chi- rights. It is an every-day job on human law. Rule of law in China would benefit nese goods from four to 40 percent, resulting rights. our businesses. Our business commu- in an effective tax increase of nearly $300 per Let us roll up our sleeves and do nity comes to us and says, when are we American family. more than symbolism. I urge that we going to get intellectual property pro- I understand and appreciate the concerns vote ‘‘no’’ on this resolution and then tected in China? If we do not take a opponents of NTR have with the government get busy solving the trade and human stand ultimately on MFN, how do we of the People's Republic of China. I harbor no rights issues that are embedded in our expect to get them to accept the rule of illusions about the benevolence of the PRC's present relationship with China. law? leadership. H6472 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 However, I firmly believe that engagement will complete the WTO accession agreement Republic of China must change their policies. with China offers the best hope for democratic our farmers and ranchers will have the level They must understand that if we are going to reform there. I have to ask what opponents of playing field that they have been waiting for. consider their inclusion into the World Trade engagement hope to accomplish by revoking I urge Members to vote against this resolu- Organization (WTO) they must make substan- NTR. To my mind, it would be a step back- tion of disapproval and urge the administration tial, measurable progress in all of these areas. ward. to complete the bilateral agreement for Chi- As world leaders in commerce and industry Again, I urge my colleagues to oppose this na's accession to the WTO. and the world's only remaining superpower, resolution and promote, rather than stifle, posi- Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Speaker, Members on both we must set the example for the rest of the tive change in China. sides of this debate agree that the Chinese world to follow on this issue. This afternoon, Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- government behaves badly, and does things my good friend the gentleman from California self the balance of my time. we don't like. (Mr. COX), spoke on the floor of China seeing Mr. Speaker, let me wrap up by ex- We agree that we want a future China that the United States as a ``paper tiger.'' That pressing my total commitment to the is more democratic, more respectful of the rings of truth. The government of the Peoples traditional bipartisan support we have rights of its citizens, and a member of the Republic of China will not take our words seri- given toward advancing normal trade international community that plays by the ously unless we are willing to back our de- relations with China, and I am talking rules. mands for action and negotiation with concrete about all of our presidents, President We also agree that U.S. policy should pro- actions of our own. Ford, President Carter, President mote a better China. Let me be clear, I do not stand here today Reagan, President Bush, President But we disagree on the best way to do that. advocating for passage of H.J. Res. 57. Pas- Clinton, all of them; and most re- One side argues that the best way is to sage of this joint resolution would send the cently, in addition, 17 former secre- punish China for past behavior. wrong message. I voted against H.J. Res. 57 taries of State, Defense and national The other side argues that the best way is and was pleased that it failed. We should not security advisers, all of whom endorse to engage China to encourage better behavior unilaterally cut off trade relations with China. the wise, prudent policy we have pur- in the future. That is the wrong policy and will only serve to sued of continuing normal trade rela- I agree with the latter. fuel the forces of repression and lawlessness tions with China. If we approve this resolution, and cut off in China. Today I speak for the development Normal trade relations supports U.S. Normal Trade Relations with China, we can of a new relationship with the government of jobs. In addition to that, it maintains say we have punished China for bad behavior. the People's Republic of China. A relationship our ability to create a positive change But will it cause them to release the members that rewards positive, measurable actions and in China, paves the way for further of the Fulan Gong religious group? Will it penalizes them for double dealing, theft and trade liberalization, and preserves our cause them to stop threatening Taiwan? Will it repression. I call on the Administration to de- security interests. cause them to drop market barriers to our velop new relations with China based on these Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to products, and equalize our trade balance? I vote ‘‘no’’ on H.J. Res. 57. principles before China's government de- have not heard a convincing case that, if we scends further down the wrong path. Mr. EWING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to op- withdraw NTR, China will make these im- pose the resolution which would unilaterally Mrs. FOWLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to ex- provements we seek. press my support for the resolution pending isolate China from the United States. I support China has 1.3 billion people. It has a larger Normal Trade Relations with China. I support before us today to deny Normal Trade Rela- landmass than the U.S. We can't push China tions (NTR) Status for the People's Republic China being part of the WTO. China will be around. Dictates by our government will have one of the superpowers in the next millen- of China. minimal, if any, effect on the degree of free- I cast this vote with some reluctance. I do nium. Peaceful coexistence is of benefit to us dom and democracy with China. These values believe that there is value to a policy that en- all. are more effectively transmitted to the Chinese Now, we all understand that things are not gages ChinaÐthe most populous country in people through non-governmental means: as we would like them in China. But how do the world and permanent member of the business engagement, global financial linkage, we most impact that? I think by engaging United Nations Security CouncilÐin an effort cultural and educational exchange, non-gov- them in fair trade, our discourse with China to move it in the right direction. My vote ernmental organization involvement and, most since the close of the cold war has paid divi- against the renewal of NTR does not mean of all, the Internet. dends. To put our head in the sand and to that I do not support free trade or the possi- The United States-China relationship is very back away would be ill advised. bility of including China in the World Trade Or- I come to the floor today to again express complex, and requires careful management ganization (WTO). my strong support for continuing Normal Trade and diplomacy. The sledgehammer approach Having said that, however, I continue to be Relations with China. will not solicit better behavior, and will likely deeply troubled by aspects of Chinese behav- Since I came to Congress in 1991, this de- backfire on us. iorÐbehavior that in my judgment ought to im- bate has gone on every year and every year Change in China will not happen overnight. pede forward progress on the NTR issue. It is I have come to the floor to explain how impor- We must be firm and strong in communicating because I still have grave concerns about a tant trade with China is to our farmers. our differences with the Chinese government. variety of issues regarding China, that my vote It is essential that we continue to grant Nor- But at the same time, we must recognize that on this bill will remain consistent with my votes mal Trade Relations to China. China will be long-term change is best nurtured through en- in previous years. the most important market for the United gagement with the Chinese people. First, the revelations of the Cox Report raise States in the 21st Century and granting Nor- I urge members to vote against H.J. Res. profound questions in my mind about the suit- mal Trade Relation status is the foundation of 57. ability of conferring NTR status on China at any typical bilateral trading relationship. Mrs. KELLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to this time. The recent negotiations for China's acces- discuss my deep concerns with our continued Second, despite commitments by Chinese sion to the World Trade Organization are proof relations with the People's Republic of China. leaders, China continues to engage in the pro- that China is ready to join the international Mr. Speaker, today we must send a crystal liferation of technologies related to weapons of trade community and we cannot pass up this clear message to China that their business-as- mass destruction and ballistic missiles. Press opportunity. usual attitude must not continue. On almost reports only last week indicated that Chinese My home state of Illinois is the 6th leading every level China is promoting and advocating companies continue to sell missile technology exporter in the United States and over half a policies which indicate an unwillingness to ne- to North Korea, despite our nation's active ef- million jobs in Illinois rely on exports. The cur- gotiate honestly with the United States. forts to prevent further transfers to that coun- rent crisis in agriculture has placed a spotlight Whether it be on copyright infringement, use try. on the huge need for increased foreign market of prison labor, religious freedom, military build I have also expressed concern in recent access. up, trading of weapons of mass destruction, years about Chinese companies that are USDA has predicted that 75% of the growth labor rights, the illegal importation of guns into owned by the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA). in American farm exports over the next 10 the United States, espionage against the Legislation I proposed called on the Defense years will be to AsiaÐand China will make up United States, illegal campaign contributions Department to publish the names of Chinese over half of this amount. to United States candidates and general re- companies exporting products to the United China is already America's 4th largest agri- pression of the rights and freedoms of the Chi- States that are owned and operated by the culture export market and if the administration nese People, the government of the Peoples PLA. Despite this legislation being signed into July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6473 law last year, this process has not been put communism. Ironically, this past June also I implore my colleagues to vote for this Res- into action. The bill also allowed the President marked the 10th Anniversary of the Chinese olution, which would send an unmistakable to take additional action against PLA-owned government's crackdown on the advocates of message to the Chinese government that it companies by doing things like denying these democracy in Tiananmen Square. cannot continue business as usual. particular companies NTR status. However, An estimated 5,000 Chinese were killed on Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Speaker, I rise in oppo- the Administration has not taken advantage of June 3 and 4, 1989, when government troops sition to H.J. Res. 57, a resolution of dis- this part of the law either. crushed pro-democracy protests. Another approval of normal trade relations (NTR) sta- At this time, the PLA uses U.S.-derived prof- 10,000 were injured and hundreds more were tus for products from China. I believe that it is its to build weaponsÐweapons that may well arrested. in the best interest of United States agriculture be used against the United States. In other Has the injustice stopped? Not at all. Over to continue, and eventually expand, our trad- words, the PLA continues to run a number of the past few months, the government has ing relationship with China. Chinese companies, and is able to take profits once again detained dissidents, handing down U.S. agriculture exports to China were more from these companiesÐwho sell their prod- sentences of up to four years in prison for than $3 billion last year. China represents an ucts in the U.S.Ðand turn around and use ``subverting state power, assaulting govern- agriculture market that is vital to the long-term these profits to build weapons. Free market ment, holding illegal rallies, and trying to orga- success of our farmers and ranchers. Agri- capitalism is an admirable objective, but it nize workers laid off from a state run firm.'' culture trade with China can strengthen devel- must be pursued without supporting PLA. And the Washington Post reported this past opment of private enterprise in that country In addition, there are the continuing con- Sunday that Chinese security forces have and bring China more fully into world trade cerns about religious and human rights in rounded up more than 4,000 people in Beijing membership. China. The country continues to pursue poli- alone during a massive, nationwide crackdown More than 60 agricultural organizations rep- cies in these areas that warrant condemna- against the popular Buddhist-based spiritual resenting producers, processors, and export- tion. movement Falun Gong. The government ers support extension of normal trade relations The latest saber-rattling over Taiwan is an- banned the group last week. with China. other deeply troubling development in regard At the dawn of the New Millennium, ChinaÐ There are few countries that do not have to China. in many respectsÐhas barely entered the normal trade relations (NTR) status with the Finally, I am not able to support NTR for 20th Century on human rights. And that simply United States. NTR status allows a country's China due to the fact that, although we have is not acceptable. Nor should it be coun- products to enter into the United States at the been voting each year since 1980 to renew tenanced by the greatest democracy in the same tariff rates that apply to other trading NTR, there still has not been a sufficient move world. partners. In fact, NTR provides no special toward a balance of trade between the two But the human rights and labor standard treatment. It allows us to treat all countries' countries. We continue to maintain a United violations are only one in a series of provoca- imports in the same manner. Failure to do so States trade deficit with China, and over the tive acts by the Chinese government. often has a serious negative impact on Amer- past decade it has increased from $6 billion to China's recent threats of military action ican agriculture, the first to feel the impact of an expected $305 billion by the end of 1999. against Taiwan threaten future stability in the embargoes and retaliation. I am hopeful that consideration of the inclu- region. Although Taiwan's President Lee Recently the United States signed a bilateral sion of China in the WTO will be the start of Teng-hui has retreated on remarks declaring agreement with China that will break down the a move toward more open access to the Chi- his nation a separate state from the mainland, artificial barriers China erected for certain U.S. nese market, and that it will provide a funda- China has proceeded with ``war-time'' mobili- exports. China has closed its market for far mental change in dynamics between the two zation drills in protest of those remarks. too long to high quality U.S.meat, wheat, citrus countries that will result in fair trade practices. In addition, the breach in security at Amer- and poultry. Under this agreement, China will While I understand the importance of main- ican nuclear weapons labs over the past 20 accept specific science-based standards and taining trade relations with China, I also think years and recent revelations concerning the our farmers and ranchers will have access to that it is important that our country be on an development of the neutron bomb and the the vast Chinese market. equal footing with China in regard to trade. long range DF±31 missile raise serious con- Failure to continue normal trade relations If China were to resume negotiations on cerns about China's advancing military capa- with China may jeopardize this agreement. entry into the World Trade Organization and bility and its commitment to non-proliferation of Additionally, I am encouraged by the reach a bilateral agreement with the United weapons. progress made by the U.S. Trade Representa- States on the terms of participation, the issue Furthermore, China has shown no com- tive in negotiating the rules for China's acces- of NTR would merit a thorough reconsider- punction about violating U.S. intellectual prop- sion to the World Trade Organization. The ation. In that case, the primary benefit, in my erty rights, shipping products made with prison goal is to open China's marketplace and se- judgment, would accrue to the United States. labor and prohibiting thousands of foreign cure China's agreement to trade concessions I urge my colleagues to support this resolu- products from entering the Chinese market that result in lower tariffs and improved ac- tion of disapproval. through a maze of regulations. cess. Based on the information provided by Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in Now, in fairness, it can be said that the peo- the USTR, if the preliminary agreements strong support of House Joint Resolution 57, ple of China are somewhat better off than they reached remain a part of a final agreement which would disapprove the President's exten- were 10 years ago. The government has ex- with China, significant progress has been sion of Normal Trade RelationsÐwhat used to tended some basic rights to its citizens. made. I urge the Administration to continue its be called Most Favored Nation statusÐwith Whether starting a business, choosing a job, negotiations. Free and fair trade agreements the People's Republic of China. or watching a foreign movieÐthese rights, al- are good for U.S. agriculture. Let me stress, I have no quarrel with the beit restricted, signal some progress. International trade is important for American more than 1.2 billion citizens of China. They But has China gone far enough in adopting agriculture and for the success and prosperity are a good, industrious and honorable people. democratic policies and respecting human of American farmers and ranchers. But, in extending this trading status, we have rights. The answer clearly is no. I urge my colleagues to reject H.J. Res. 57. to ask ourselves: What has the Chinese gov- Undeniably, China is one of the great pow- Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposi- ernmentÐone of the last communist dictator- ers in the world today, and our ability to influ- tion to this resolution and in support of extend- ships on earthÐdone to deserve it? ence its decisions is limited. But we do know ing Normal Trade Relations with China. The Chinese government's record reads that more than one-third of China's exports U.S. exports to China have quadrupled over more like an indictment. China flagrantly vio- today are sold in the United States. In the the past decade and last year alone, our ex- lates the human rights of its own citizens and month of May alone, the Department of Com- ports to China totaled over $14 billion dollars. internationally recognized labor standards. It merce reported a trade deficit with China of Mr. Speaker, there is no doubt that the U.S. fomented anti-American hatred after our clear- $5.25 billion and it is projected to reach $67 economy is envied by the rest of the world. ly accidental bombing of the Chinese embassy billion in 1999. Our economy has rebounded and flourished in Belgrade. It recently began saber rattling The extension of Normal Trading Relations because we decided it was more prudent to against Taiwan. And it repeatedly has been is one of the few economic levers we possess engage our trading partners than to build walls unwilling to make vital democratic reforms. that can spur China to improve its behavior on around our borders. Just last week, this House passed a resolu- these critical issues. We should not forfeit our We do have the responsibility to actively tion marking the 10th Anniversary of the fall of economic leverage outright. Coddling has continue an aggressive push for human rights the Berlin Wall and the West's victory over never worked. and environmental reforms, recognizing that H6474 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 these responsibilities need not come at the ex- Mr. DICKS. Mr. Speaker, the decision that progress on curbing the enormous problem of pense of our economic prosperity. They can Congress will make today with regard to main- software piracy that robs Microsoft and the and should be addressed in concert with eco- taining Normal Trade Relations with the Peo- many other American software companies of nomic issues. ple's Republic of China represents another im- hundreds of millions of dollars each year. Let The U.S. policy of engagement ``with our portant step in defining our future relationship me assure my colleagues that in the long run, eyes wide open'' best exemplifies the vision with China. denying NTR status will be much worse for needed for global trade success in the new The Select Committee on U.S. Security and our economic well-being than it will be for Chi- economy. Military/Commercial Concerns with the Peo- na's. Today, we should renew this policy and de- ple's Republic of China, on which I served as As we vote today to decide the future of our feat this resolution. I urge my colleagues to Ranking Minority Member, found some very relationship with China, I urge members to oppose this resolution and support the con- disturbing information with regard to the theft support continued engagement with China by tinuation of Normal Trade Relations with of nuclear technology from our research labs opposing the Resolution to disapprove Normal China. by the PRC. However, the most disturbing Trade Relations. Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposi- findings of the Committee were that these The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. tion to H.J. Res. 57, a motion disapproving of losses resulted from our own security and SHIMKUS). All time for debate has ex- normal trade relations (NTR) with China. I counter-intelligence failures. Together with the pired. support the continuation of normal trade rela- Administration, we have begun to take steps Pursuant to the order of the House of tions with China because it is in the best inter- to address this problem, and I am hopeful that Thursday, July 22, 1999, the joint reso- ests of both the United States and China. our plan will be successful in preventing an- lution is considered as having been We must realize that normal trade relations other sever security breach. read for amendment and the previous does not confer any special benefits upon the Although I fully recognize the seriousness of question is ordered. Chinese government. NTR status simply these thefts, I do not believe that they should The question is on engrossment and means that the United States will not impose deter us from maintaining our trade partner- third reading of the joint resolution. prohibitive tariffs on Chinese products. In re- ship with China. The joint resolution was ordered to turn, China must agree to extend NTR treat- Trade between the United States and China be engrossed and read a third time, and ment to the United States. NTR is a well-es- is of tremendous benefit to both nations. was read the third time. tablished principal under international trade China, with one-quarter of the world's popu- laws and the guidelines of the World Trade The SPEAKER pro tempore. The lation, represents the world's largest emerging Organization. question is on the passage of the joint market. Although many segments of China's Nearly every American agrees that China resolution. has a long way to go in providing its people economy have not yet matured, the United The question was taken; and the with greater political, social, and economic States today exports $14.3 billion worth of Speaker pro tempore announced that freedoms. Furthermore, concerns about Chi- goods to China annuallyÐfour times greater the noes appeared to have it. na's development of weapons of mass de- than 10 years agoÐsupporting more than Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, I struction and espionage activities are trou- 400,000 high-wage jobs. Within the State of object to the vote on the ground that a bling. If I believed revoking China's NTR sta- Washington alone, exports to China totaled quorum is not present and make the tus would address these concerns, I would op- nearly $1.1 billion in 1996, and more than $8 point of order that a quorum is not pose this extension. billion worth of goods passed through the present. Instead of turning our back on China, a pol- ports of my state either going to or coming The SPEAKER pro tempore. Evi- icy of continued engagement will allow the from China. dently a quorum is not present. United States to continue to press the Chinese China represents a huge potential market The Sergeant at Arms will notify ab- government to give its people greater free- for future sales in my state for the sale of air- sent Members. doms and a better standard of living. Since craft, high-tech products, agricultural goods, The vote was taken by electronic de- the establishment of normal trade relations and forest products. For aircraft alone, the vice, and there were—yeas 170, nays with China 20 years ago, living standards for Chinese market is worth over $140 billion dur- 260, answered ‘‘present’’ 1, not voting 3, average Chinese citizens has increased dra- ing the next 20 years. Lack of NTR trading as follows: matically. The continued American presence in status would not only jeopardize access to [Roll No. 338] China has provided the people with access to that market, but also bring retaliation against YEAS—170 our country's trading sectors and hundreds of more outside information and ideas than ever Abercrombie Delahunt Jackson (IL) before. Finally, increased American trade and thousands of workers. Aderholt DeLauro Jones (NC) investment in China has provided a foundation The people of China also benefit from trade Baldwin Diaz-Balart Jones (OH) for bilateral cooperation that has led to a more with the United States. As that market opens Ballenger Dickey Kaptur wider and the Chinese economy develops, the Barcia Doolittle Kasich open forum to discuss sensitive topics such as Barr Doyle Kennedy foreign policy and international security mat- Chinese middle class grows in strength, both Bartlett Duncan Kildee ters. political and economic. I believe that devel- Barton Ehrlich Kilpatrick Trade with China is extremely important to oping a viable middle class in China is the Bishop Engel King (NY) Bonior Evans Kingston the American economy. According to the Na- best way to provide a solid foundation upon Bono Everett Klink tional Association of Manufacturers, American which an open, democratic society may be Borski Forbes Kucinich businesses exported $14 billion of goods to created. Denying NTR status through this Brady (PA) Fowler Lantos China in the past year. These sales support Resolution today will run counter to that objec- Brown (FL) Frank (MA) Lee Brown (OH) Gallegly Lewis (GA) roughly 400,000 high-skill and high-paying tive, greatly hindering this transition, and is Burr Ganske Lipinski jobs in the United States. There is also the clearly not in our nation's best interests. Burton Gejdenson LoBiondo vast potential for further sales of American Supporters of this Resolution argue that by Capuano Gephardt Markey denying NTR status to China, we will be forc- Cardin Gibbons Martinez products to China. China has 1.2 billion peo- Carson Gilman Mascara pleÐone-fifth of the world's population. Its ing the government to make significant Chambliss Goode McIntyre economy will only continue to expand as changes to their policies. I believe the exact Chenoweth Goodling McKinney China spends more than $700 billion on infra- opposite result would occur. Clay Graham Meek (FL) Clyburn Gutierrez Meeks (NY) structure projects. To close the Chinese mar- If we choose not to renew NTR status to Coble Hall (OH) Menendez ket to American businesses would have a dev- China, our international competitors will not Coburn Hastings (FL) Miller, George astating impact on our economy. hesitate to fill the void that will be left by our Collins Hayes Mink Mr. Speaker, as I said, I support a continu- absence. Effectively, we will be excluding our- Condit Hayworth Mollohan Cook Hefley Nadler ation of normal trade relations with China be- selves from the economy of the largest nation Costello Hilleary Ney cause it is in the best interest of both nations. on the earth. Cox Hilliard Norwood American trade and investment in China will In the aerospace industry, for example, the Coyne Hinchey Obey afford the Chinese people with greater free- European consortium Airbus is both willing Cubin Hobson Olver Cummings Horn Owens dom and a better life. It will also preserve hun- and capable of replacing Boeing as the lead- Danner Hostettler Pallone dreds of thousands of high-skill, high-wage ing supplier of commercial aircraft to China. Davis (IL) Hoyer Pascrell jobs for future generations of American work- Similarly, I believe it would be exceedingly Deal Hunter Payne ers. more difficult for our government to make DeFazio Hyde Pelosi July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6475 Pickering Sisisky Udall (NM) Stenholm Thornberry Watts (OK) fense determines that additional obligations are Pombo Smith (NJ) Velazquez Stump Thune Weiner necessary for such purposes and notifies the Rahall Smith (TX) Vento Sununu Thurman Weldon (PA) Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Riley Souder Visclosky Talent Toomey Weller Rivers Spence Walsh Tanner Towns Whitfield Congress of his determination and the reasons Rogers Spratt Wamp Tauscher Turner Wicker therefor. Rohrabacher Stark Waters Tauzin Upton Wilson Ros-Lehtinen Stearns Watt (NC) Terry Vitter Young (FL) MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, NAVY Rothman Strickland Waxman Thomas Walden Royce Stupak Weldon (FL) Thompson (CA) Watkins For acquisition, construction, installation, Sabo Sweeney Wexler and equipment of temporary or permanent pub- Sanchez Tancredo Weygand ANSWERED ‘‘PRESENT’’—1 lic works, naval installations, facilities, and real Sanders Taylor (MS) Wise Slaughter property for the Navy as currently authorized Sanford Taylor (NC) Wolf by law, including personnel in the Naval Facili- Scarborough Thompson (MS) Woolsey NOT VOTING—3 Schaffer Tiahrt Wu ties Engineering Command and other personal McDermott Oberstar Peterson (PA) Schakowsky Tierney Wynn services necessary for the purposes of this ap- Scott Traficant Young (AK) b 1510 propriation, $901,531,000, to remain available Sensenbrenner Udall (CO) until September 30, 2004: Provided, That of this Messrs. HOEFFEL, SIMPSON, amount, not to exceed $72,630,000 shall be avail- NAYS—260 PETRI, and SHADEGG changed their able for study, planning, design, architect and Ackerman Ford McHugh vote from ‘‘yea’’ to ‘‘nay.’’ engineer services, as authorized by law, unless Allen Fossella McInnis the Secretary of Defense determines that addi- Andrews Franks (NJ) McIntosh Mr. ENGEL, Mr. WISE, and Ms. ROS- LEHTINEN changed their vote from tional obligations are necessary for such pur- Archer Frelinghuysen McKeon poses and notifies the Committees on Appropria- Armey Frost McNulty ‘‘nay’’ to ‘‘aye.’’ Bachus Gekas Meehan tions of both Houses of Congress of his deter- Baird Gilchrest Metcalf So the joint resolution was not mination and the reasons therefor. Baker Gillmor Mica passed. Baldacci Gonzalez Millender- The result of the vote was announced MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, AIR FORCE Barrett (NE) Goodlatte McDonald Barrett (WI) Gordon Miller (FL) as above recorded. For acquisition, construction, installation, Bass Goss Miller, Gary f and equipment of temporary or permanent pub- Bateman Granger Minge lic works, military installations, facilities, and Becerra Green (TX) Moakley CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 2465, real property for the Air Force as currently au- Bentsen Green (WI) Moore thorized by law, $777,238,000, to remain avail- Bereuter Greenwood Moran (KS) MILITARY CONSTRUCTION AP- Berkley Gutknecht Moran (VA) PROPRIATIONS ACT, 2000 able until September 30, 2004: Provided, That of Berman Hall (TX) Morella this amount, not to exceed $36,412,000 shall be Berry Hansen Murtha Mr. HOBSON submitted the following available for study, planning, design, architect Biggert Hastert Myrick conference report and statement on the and engineer services, as authorized by law, un- Bilbray Hastings (WA) Napolitano bill (H.R. 2465) making appropriations less the Secretary of Defense determines that ad- Bilirakis Herger Neal ditional obligations are necessary for such pur- Blagojevich Hill (IN) Nethercutt for military construction, family hous- Bliley Hill (MT) Northup ing, and base realignment and closure poses and notifies the Committees on Appropria- Blumenauer Hinojosa Nussle for the Department of Defense for the tions of both Houses of Congress of his deter- Blunt Hoeffel Ortiz mination and the reasons therefor. Boehlert Hoekstra Ose fiscal year ending September 30, 2000, Boehner Holden Oxley and for other purposes: MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, DEFENSE-WIDE Bonilla Holt Packard Boswell Hooley Pastor CONFERENCE REPORT (H. REPT. 106–266) (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS) Boucher Houghton Paul The committee of conference on the dis- Boyd Hulshof Pease For acquisition, construction, installation, Brady (TX) Hutchinson Peterson (MN) agreeing votes of the two Houses on the and equipment of temporary or permanent pub- Bryant Inslee Petri amendment of the Senate to the bill (H.R. lic works, installations, facilities, and real prop- Buyer Isakson Phelps 2465) ‘‘making appropriations for military erty for activities and agencies of the Depart- Callahan Istook Pickett construction, family housing, and base re- ment of Defense (other than the military depart- Calvert Jackson-Lee Pitts alignment and closure for the Department of ments), as currently authorized by law, Camp (TX) Pomeroy Defense for the fiscal year ending September Campbell Jefferson Porter $593,615,000, to remain available until September Canady Jenkins Portman 30, 2000, and for other purposes’’, having met, 30, 2004: Provided, That such amounts of this Cannon John Price (NC) after full and free conference, have agreed to appropriation as may be determined by the Sec- Capps Johnson (CT) Pryce (OH) recommend and do recommend to their re- retary of Defense may be transferred to such ap- Castle Johnson, E. B. Quinn spective Houses as follows: propriations of the Department of Defense avail- Chabot Johnson, Sam Radanovich That the House recede from its disagree- able for military construction or family housing Clayton Kanjorski Ramstad Clement Kelly Rangel ment to the amendment of the Senate, and as he may designate, to be merged with and to Combest Kind (WI) Regula agree to the same with an amendment, as be available for the same purposes, and for the Conyers Kleczka Reyes follows: same time period, as the appropriation or fund Cooksey Knollenberg Reynolds In lieu of the matter stricken and inserted to which transferred: Provided further, That of Cramer Kolbe Rodriguez by said amendment, insert: the amount appropriated, not to exceed Crane Kuykendall Roemer $48,324,000 shall be available for study, plan- Crowley LaFalce Rogan That the following sums are appropriated, out Cunningham LaHood Roukema of any money in the Treasury not otherwise ap- ning, design, architect and engineer services, as Davis (FL) Lampson Roybal-Allard propriated, for military construction, family authorized by law, unless the Secretary of De- Davis (VA) Largent Rush housing, and base realignment and closure fense determines that additional obligations are DeGette Larson Ryan (WI) functions administered by the Department of necessary for such purposes and notifies the DeLay Latham Ryun (KS) Defense, for the fiscal year ending September 30, Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of DeMint LaTourette Salmon Congress of his determination and the reasons Deutsch Lazio Sandlin 2000, and for other purposes, namely: therefor. Dicks Leach Sawyer MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, ARMY Dingell Levin Saxton Dixon Lewis (CA) Serrano For acquisition, construction, installation, MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, ARMY NATIONAL Doggett Lewis (KY) Sessions and equipment of temporary or permanent pub- GUARD Dooley Linder Shadegg lic works, military installations, facilities, and For construction, acquisition, expansion, re- Dreier Lofgren Shaw real property for the Army as currently author- habilitation, and conversion of facilities for the Dunn Lowey Shays ized by law, including personnel in the Army Edwards Lucas (KY) Sherman training and administration of the Army Na- Corps of Engineers and other personal services Ehlers Lucas (OK) Sherwood tional Guard, and contribution therefor, as au- necessary for the purposes of this appropriation, Emerson Luther Shimkus thorized by chapter 1803 of title 10, United and for construction and operation of facilities English Maloney (CT) Shows States Code, and Military Construction Author- Eshoo Maloney (NY) Shuster in support of the functions of the Commander in ization Acts, $227,456,000, to remain available Etheridge Manzullo Simpson Chief, $1,042,033,000, to remain available until until September 30, 2004. Ewing Matsui Skeen September 30, 2004: Provided, That of this Farr McCarthy (MO) Skelton amount, not to exceed $91,605,000 shall be avail- Fattah McCarthy (NY) Smith (MI) MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, AIR NATIONAL GUARD Filner McCollum Smith (WA) able for study, planning, design, architect and Fletcher McCrery Snyder engineer services, and host nation support, as For construction, acquisition, expansion, re- Foley McGovern Stabenow authorized by law, unless the Secretary of De- habilitation, and conversion of facilities for the H6476 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 training and administration of the Air National addition, expansion, extension and alteration, have been denied the opportunity to compete for Guard, and contributions therefor, as author- and for operation and maintenance, leasing, such steel procurement. ized by chapter 1803 of title 10, United States and minor construction, as authorized by law, SEC. 109. None of the funds available to the Code, and Military Construction Authorization as follows: for Construction, $50,000, to remain Department of Defense for military construction Acts, $263,724,000, to remain available until Sep- available until September 30, 2004; for Operation or family housing during the current fiscal year tember 30, 2004. and Maintenance, $41,440,000; in all $41,490,000. may be used to pay real property taxes in any foreign nation. MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, ARMY RESERVE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE FAMILY HOUSING SEC. 110. None of the funds appropriated in For construction, acquisition, expansion, re- IMPROVEMENT FUND Military Construction Appropriations Acts may habilitation, and conversion of facilities for the For the Department of Defense Family Hous- be used to initiate a new installation overseas training and administration of the Army Re- ing Improvement Fund, $2,000,000, to remain without prior notification to the Committees on serve as authorized by chapter 1803 of title 10, available until expended, as the sole source of Appropriations. United States Code, and Military Construction funds for planning, administrative, and over- SEC. 111. None of the funds appropriated in Authorization Acts, $111,340,000, to remain sight costs relating to family housing initiatives Military Construction Appropriations Acts may available until September 30, 2004. undertaken pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 2883, per- be obligated for architect and engineer contracts MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, NAVAL RESERVE taining to alternative means of acquiring and estimated by the Government to exceed $500,000 For construction, acquisition, expansion, re- improving military family housing, and sup- for projects to be accomplished in Japan, in any habilitation, and conversion of facilities for the porting facilities. NATO member country, or in countries bor- training and administration of the reserve com- BASE REALIGNMENT AND CLOSURE ACCOUNT, dering the Arabian Gulf, unless such contracts ponents of the Navy and Marine Corps as au- PART IV are awarded to United States firms or United thorized by chapter 1803 of title 10, United For deposit into the Department of Defense States firms in joint venture with host nation States Code, and Military Construction Author- Base Closure Account 1990 established by sec- firms. SEC. 112. None of the funds appropriated in ization Acts, $28,457,000, to remain available tion 2906(a)(1) of the Department of Defense Au- Military Construction Appropriations Acts for until September 30, 2004. thorization Act, 1991 (Public Law 101–510), military construction in the United States terri- MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, AIR FORCE RESERVE $672,311,000, to remain available until expended: tories and possessions in the Pacific and on For construction, acquisition, expansion, re- Provided, That not more than $346,403,000 of the Kwajalein Atoll, or in countries bordering the habilitation, and conversion of facilities for the funds appropriated herein shall be available Arabian Gulf, may be used to award any con- training and administration of the Air Force Re- solely for environmental restoration, unless the tract estimated by the Government to exceed serve as authorized by chapter 1803 of title 10, Secretary of Defense determines that additional $1,000,000 to a foreign contractor: Provided, United States Code, and Military Construction obligations are necessary for such purposes and That this section shall not be applicable to con- Authorization Acts, $64,404,000, to remain avail- notifies the Committees on Appropriations of tract awards for which the lowest responsive able until September 30, 2004. both Houses of Congress of his determination and responsible bid of a United States con- NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION and the reasons therefor. tractor exceeds the lowest responsible bid of a SECURITY INVESTMENT PROGRAM GENERAL PROVISIONS foreign contractor by greater than 20 percent: For the United States share of the cost of the SEC. 101. None of the funds appropriated in Provided further, That this section shall not North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security In- Military Construction Appropriations Acts shall apply to contract awards for military construc- vestment Program for the acquisition and con- be expended for payments under a cost-plus-a- tion on Kwajalein Atoll for which the lowest re- struction of military facilities and installations fixed-fee contract for construction, where cost sponsive and responsible bid is submitted by a (including international military headquarters) estimates exceed $25,000, to be performed within Marshallese contractor. SEC. 113. The Secretary of Defense is to inform and for related expenses for the collective de- the United States, except Alaska, without the the appropriate committees of Congress, includ- fense of the North Atlantic Treaty Area as au- specific approval in writing of the Secretary of Defense setting forth the reasons therefor. ing the Committees on Appropriations, of the thorized in Military Construction Authorization plans and scope of any proposed military exer- Acts and section 2806 of title 10, United States SEC. 102. Funds appropriated to the Depart- ment of Defense for construction shall be avail- cise involving United States personnel 30 days Code, $81,000,000, to remain available until ex- prior to its occurring, if amounts expended for pended. able for hire of passenger motor vehicles. SEC. 103. Funds appropriated to the Depart- construction, either temporary or permanent, FAMILY HOUSING, ARMY ment of Defense for construction may be used are anticipated to exceed $100,000. SEC. 114. Not more than 20 percent of the ap- For expenses of family housing for the Army for advances to the Federal Highway Adminis- propriations in Military Construction Appro- for construction, including acquisition, replace- tration, Department of Transportation, for the priations Acts which are limited for obligation ment, addition, expansion, extension and alter- construction of access roads as authorized by during the current fiscal year shall be obligated ation and for operation and maintenance, in- section 210 of title 23, United States Code, when during the last 2 months of the fiscal year. cluding debt payment, leasing, minor construc- projects authorized therein are certified as im- (TRANSFER OF FUNDS) tion, principal and interest charges, and insur- portant to the national defense by the Secretary ance premiums, as authorized by law, as fol- SEC. 115. Funds appropriated to the Depart- of Defense. ment of Defense for construction in prior years lows: for Construction, $80,700,000, to remain SEC. 104. None of the funds appropriated in available until September 30, 2004; for Operation shall be available for construction authorized this Act may be used to begin construction of for each such military department by the au- and Maintenance, and for debt payment, new bases inside the continental United States $1,086,312,000; in all $1,167,012,000. thorizations enacted into law during the current for which specific appropriations have not been session of Congress. FAMILY HOUSING, NAVY AND MARINE CORPS made. SEC. 116. For military construction or family For expenses of family housing for the Navy SEC. 105. No part of the funds provided in housing projects that are being completed with and Marine Corps for construction, including Military Construction Appropriations Acts shall funds otherwise expired or lapsed for obligation, acquisition, replacement, addition, expansion, be used for purchase of land or land easements expired or lapsed funds may be used to pay the extension and alteration and for operation and in excess of 100 percent of the value as deter- cost of associated supervision, inspection, over- maintenance, including debt payment, leasing, mined by the Army Corps of Engineers or the head, engineering and design on those projects minor construction, principal and interest Naval Facilities Engineering Command, except: and on subsequent claims, if any. charges, and insurance premiums, as authorized (1) where there is a determination of value by a SEC. 117. Notwithstanding any other provision by law, as follows: for Construction, Federal court; (2) purchases negotiated by the of law, any funds appropriated to a military de- $341,071,000, to remain available until September Attorney General or his designee; (3) where the partment or defense agency for the construction 30, 2004; for Operation and Maintenance, and estimated value is less than $25,000; or (4) as of military projects may be obligated for a mili- for debt payment, $891,470,000; in all otherwise determined by the Secretary of De- tary construction project or contract, or for any $1,232,541,000. fense to be in the public interest. portion of such a project or contract, at any EC FAMILY HOUSING, AIR FORCE S . 106. None of the funds appropriated in time before the end of the fourth fiscal year Military Construction Appropriations Acts shall after the fiscal year for which funds for such For expenses of family housing for the Air be used to: (1) acquire land; (2) provide for site project were appropriated if the funds obligated Force for construction, including acquisition, preparation; or (3) install utilities for any fam- for such project: (1) are obligated from funds replacement, addition, expansion, extension and ily housing, except housing for which funds available for military construction projects; and alteration and for operation and maintenance, have been made available in annual Military (2) do not exceed the amount appropriated for including debt payment, leasing, minor con- Construction Appropriations Acts. such project, plus any amount by which the cost struction, principal and interest charges, and SEC. 107. None of the funds appropriated in of such project is increased pursuant to law. insurance premiums, as authorized by law, as Military Construction Appropriations Acts for (TRANSFER OF FUNDS) follows: for Construction, $349,456,000, to remain minor construction may be used to transfer or SEC. 118. During the 5-year period after ap- available until September 30, 2004; for Operation relocate any activity from one base or installa- propriations available to the Department of De- and Maintenance, and for debt payment, tion to another, without prior notification to the fense for military construction and family hous- $818,392,000; in all $1,167,848,000. Committees on Appropriations. ing operation and maintenance and construc- FAMILY HOUSING, DEFENSE-WIDE SEC. 108. No part of the funds appropriated in tion have expired for obligation, upon a deter- for expenses of family housing for the activi- Military Construction Appropriations Acts may mination that such appropriations will not be ties and agencies of the Department of Defense be used for the procurement of steel for any con- necessary for the liquidation of obligations or (other than the military departments) for con- struction project or activity for which American for making authorized adjustments to such ap- struction, including acquisition, replacement, steel producers, fabricators, and manufacturers propriations for obligations incurred during the July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6477 period of availability of such appropriations, (A) the closure or realignment of the installa- SEC. 129. The first proviso under the heading unobligated balances of such appropriations tion for which housing is provided under the ‘‘MILITARY CONSTRUCTION TRANSFER may be transferred into the appropriation ‘‘For- contract; FUND’’ in chapter 6 of title II of the 1999 Emer- eign Currency Fluctuations, Construction, De- (B) a reduction in force of units stationed at gency Supplemental Appropriations Act (Public fense’’ to be merged with and to be available for such installation; or Law 106–31) is amended by inserting ‘‘and to the the same time period and for the same purposes (C) the extended deployment overseas of units North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security In- as the appropriation to which transferred. stationed at such installation. vestment Program as provided in section 2806 of SEC. 119. The Secretary of Defense is to pro- (2) Each notice under this subsection shall title 10, United States Code’’ after ‘‘to military vide the Committees on Appropriations of the specify the nature of the guarantee involved construction accounts’’: Provided, That funds Senate and the House of Representatives with and assess the extent and likelihood, if any, of transferred to the North Atlantic Treaty Orga- an annual report by February 15, containing the liability of the Federal Government with re- nization Security Investment Program from the details of the specific actions proposed to be spect to the guarantee. Military Construction Transfer Fund pursuant taken by the Department of Defense during the (c) In this section, the term ‘‘congressional de- to such authority shall be available for all pur- current fiscal year to encourage other member fense committees’’ means the following: poses of the Security Investment Program and nations of the North Atlantic Treaty Organiza- (1) The Committee on Armed Services and the shall remain available until expended. tion, Japan, Korea, and United States allies bor- Military Construction Subcommittee, Committee SEC. 130. The Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and dering the Arabian Gulf to assume a greater on Appropriations of the Senate. Air Force are directed to submit to the share of the common defense burden of such na- (2) The Committee on Armed Services and the appropiate committees of the Congress by July 1, tions and the United States. Military Construction Subcommittee, Committee 2000, a Family Housing Master Plan dem- (TRANSFER OF FUNDS) on Appropriations of the House of Representa- onstrating how they plan to meet the year 2010 SEC. 120. During the current fiscal year, in tives. housing goals with traditional construction, op- addition to any other transfer authority avail- (TRANSFER OF FUNDS) eration and maintenance support, as well as pri- able to the Department of Defense, proceeds de- SEC. 126. During the current fiscal year, in vatization initiative proposals. Each plan shall posited to the Department of Defense Base Clo- addition to any other transfer authority avail- include projected life cycle costs for family sure Account established by section 207(a)(1) of able to the Department of Defense, amounts housing construction, basic allowance for hous- the Defense Authorization Amendments and may be transferred from the account established ing, operation and maintenace, other associated Base Closure and Realignment Act (Public Law by section 2906(a)(1) of the Department of De- costs, and a time line for housing completions 100–526) pursuant to section 207(a)(2)(C) of such fense Authorization Act, 1991, to the fund estab- each year. Act, may be transferred to the account estab- SEC. 131. Notwithstanding any other provision lished by section 1013(d) of the Demonstration lished by section 2906(a)(1) of the Department of of law, no funds appropriated or otherwise Cities and Metropolitan Development Act of 1966 Defense Authorization Act, 1991, to be merged made available by this Act or any other Act may (42 U.S.C. 3374) to pay for expenses associated with, and to be available for the same purposes be obligated or expended for any purpose relat- with the Homeowners Assistance Program. Any and the same time period as that account. ing to the construction at Bluegrass Army amounts transferred shall be merged with and SEC. 121. No funds appropriated pursuant to Depot, , of any facility employing a be available for the same purposes and for the this Act may be expended by an entity unless specific technology for the demilitarization of same time period as the fund to which trans- the entity agrees that in expending the assist- assembled chemical munitions until the date on ferred. ance the entity will comply with sections 2 which the Secretary of Defense certifies to the SEC. 127. Not later than April 30, 2000, the through 4 of the Act of March 3, 1933 (41 U.S.C. Committees on Appropriations that the Depart- Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congres- 10a–10c, popularly known as the ‘‘Buy Amer- ment of Defense will complete a demonstration sional defense committees a report examining ican Act’’). of the six alternatives to baseline incineration the adequacy of special education facilities and SEC. 122. (a) In the case of any equipment or for the destruction of chemical agents and mu- services available to the dependent children of products that may be authorized to be pur- nitions as identified by the Program Evaluation uniformed personnel stationed in the United chased with financial assistance provided under Team of the Assembled Chemical Weapons As- States. The report shall identify the following: this Act, it is the sense of the Congress that en- sessment program. (1) The schools on military installations in the tities receiving such assistance should, in ex- This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Military Con- United States that are operated by the Depart- pending the assistance, purchase only Amer- struction Appropriations Act, 2000’’. ican-made equipment and products. ment of Defense, other entities of the Federal And the Senate agree to the same. (b) In providing financial assistance under government, or local school districts. DAVID L. HOBSON, this Act, the Secretary of the Treasury shall (2) School districts in the United States that JOHN EDWARD PORTER, provide to each recipient of the assistance a no- have experienced an increase in enrollment of 20 ROGER F. WICKER, tice describing the statement made in subsection percent or more in the fast five years resulting TODD TIAHRT, (a) by the Congress. from base realignments or consolidations. JAMES T. WALSH, (TRANSFER OF FUNDS) (3) The impact of increased special education DAN MILLER, SEC. 123. Subject to 30 days prior notification requirements on student populations, student- ROBERT B. ADERHOLT, to the Committees on Appropriations, such addi- teacher ratios, and financial requirements in KAY GRANGER, tional amounts as may be determined by the school districts supporting installations des- C.W. BILL YOUNG, Secretary of Defense may be transferred to the ignated by the military departments as compas- JOHN W. OLVER, Department of Defense Family Housing Im- sionate assignment posts. CHET EDWARDS, provement Fund from amounts appropriated for (4) The adequacy of special education services SAM FARR, construction in ‘‘Family Housing’’ accounts, to and facilities for dependent children of uni- ALLEN BOYD, be merged with and to be available for the same formed personnel within the United States, par- NORMAL D. DICKS, purposes and for the same period of time as ticularly at compassionate assignment posts. DAVID R. OBEY, amounts appropriated directly to the Fund: Pro- (5) Corrective measures that are needed to Managers on the Part of the House. vided, That appropriations made available to adequately support the special education needs CONRAD BURNS, the Fund shall be available to cover the costs, as of military families, including such improve- KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON, defined in section 502(5) of the Congressional ments as the renovation of existing schools or LARRY E. CRAIG, Budget Act of 1974, of direct loans or loan guar- the construction of new schools. JON KYL, antees issued by the Department of Defense pur- (6) An estimate of the cost of needed improve- TED STEVENS, suant to the provisions of subchapter IV of ments, and a recommended source of funding PATTY MURRAY, chapter 169, title 10, United States Code, per- within the Department of Defense. HARRY REID, taining to alternative means of acquiring and SEC. 128. Notwithstanding this or any other DANIEL K. INOUYE, improving military family housing and sup- provision of law, funds appropriated in Military ROBERT C. BYRD, porting facilities. Construction Appropriations Acts for operations SEC. 124. None of the funds appropriated or and maintenance of family housing shall be the Managers on the Part of the Senate. made available by this Act may be obligated for exclusive source of funds for repair and mainte- JOINT EXPLANATORY STATEMENT OF Partnership for Peace Programs in the New nance of all family housing units, including flag THE COMMITTEE OF CONFERENCE Independent States of the former Soviet Union. and general officer quarters; Provided, That not The managers on the part of the House and SEC. 125. (a) Not later than 60 days before more than $25,000 per unit may be spent annu- the Senate at the conference on the dis- issuing any solicitation for a contract with the ally for the maintenance and repair of any gen- agreeing votes of the two Houses on the private sector for military family housing the eral or flag officer quarters without thirty days amendment of the Senate to the bill (H.R. Secretary of the military department concerned advance prior notification of the appropriate 2465) making appropriations for the Depart- shall submit to the congressional defense com- committees of Congress; Provided further, That ment of Defense for the fiscal year ending mittees the notice described in subsection (b). beginning January 15, 2000 the Under Secretary September 30, 2000, and for other purposes, (b)(1) A notice referred to in subsection (a) is of Defense (Comptroller) is to report annually to submit the following joint statement to the a notice of any guarantee (including the making the Committees on Appropriations all operations House of Representatives and the Senate in of mortgage or rental payments) proposed to be and maintenance expenditures for each indi- explanation of the effect of the action agreed made by the Secretary to the private party vidual flag and general officer quarters for the upon by the managers and recommended in under the contract involved in the event of— prior fiscal year. the accompanying conference report. H6478 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 The Senate deleted the entire House bill Service Academies’ military construction, of basic infrastructure. The conferees are after the enacting clause and inserted the family housing, and operations and mainte- aware of plans to provide utilities and road text of Senate bill (S. 1205). The conference nance requirements in this or any other Act. structures at Quantico to correct current fa- agreement includes a revised bill. This review is to be completed in conjunc- cility deficiencies. The project will also open ITEMS OF GENERAL INTEREST tion with the services and result in the de- approximately 500–800 acres for future devel- velopment of a Service Academy Master opment. The conferees agree this project is Matters Addressed by Only One Committee.— Plan. Accordingly, the conferees direct the needed for continued growth and develop- The language and allocations set forth in Secretary of Defense to submit the plan to ment of the base. Therefore, the Navy is di- House Report 106–221 and Senate Report 106– the congressional defense committees no rected to accelerate the design of this 74 should be complied with unless specifi- later than March 1, 2000, Any future require- project and include the required funding in cally addressed to the contrary in the con- ments at an Academy must be included in its fiscal year 2001 budget request. ference report and statement of the man- the Master Plan. Furthermore, after the agers. Report language included by the MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, AIR FORCE Service Academy Master Plan is submitted, House which is not changed by the report of The conference agreement appropriates any emergent requirements not included in the Senate or the conference, and Senate re- $777,238,000 for Military Construction, Air the plan will require notification of the con- port language which is not changed by the Force, instead of $752,367,000 as proposed by gressional defense committees. conference is approved by the committee of the House, and $783,710,000 as proposed by the conference. The statement of the managers, MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, ARMY Senate. Within this amount, the conference while repeating some report language for The conference agreement appropriates agreement earmarks $36,412,000 for study, emphasis, does not intend to negate the lan- $1,042,033,000 for Military Construction, planning, design, architect and engineer guage referred to above unless expressly pro- Army, instead of $1,223,405,000 as proposed by services instead of $32,104,000 as proposed by vided herein. In cases in which the House or the House, and $1,067,422,000 as proposed by the House and $32,764,000 as proposed by the the Senate has directed the submission of a the Senate. Within this amount, the con- Senate. report from the Department of Defense, such ference agreement earmarks $91,605,000 for Kansas—McConnell Air Force Base: Base report is to be submitted to both House and study, planning, design, architect and engi- Civil Engineer Complex.—The conferees direct Senate Committees on Appropriations. neer services, and host nation support in- the Air Force to accelerate the design of this Financial Management.—The conferees stead of $87,215,000 as proposed by the House project, and to include the required funding agree that the amount requested for con- and $86,414,000 as proposed by the Senate. in its fiscal year 2001 budget request. California—Presidio of Monterey: Video Tele- struction contingencies, 5 percent for new MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, DEFENSE-WIDE construction and 10 percent for alterations training Facility.—The conferees direct that The conference agreement appropriates or additions, is excessive. Therefore, the con- this project is to be accomplished within ad- $593,615,000 for Military Construction, De- ferees have included general reductions ditional funds provided for unspecified minor fense-wide, instead of $755,718,000 as proposed which reduce the funding available for con- construction. by the House, and $770,690,000 as proposed by tingency within the Department. The con- New York—U.S. Military Academy: Cadet the Senate. Within this amount, the con- ferees direct that no project for which funds Physical Development Center, Phase II.—The ference agreement earmarks $48,324,000 for were previously appropriated, or for which conference agreement provides $14,000,000 for study, planning, design, architect and engi- funds are appropriated in this bill, may be the construction of this project, instead of neer services instead of $33,324,000 as pro- canceled as a result of the reductions in- no funding as proposed by the House, and posed by the House and $38,664,000 as pro- cluded in the conference agreement. $28,500,000 as proposed by the Senate. The posed by the Senate. The conference agreement includes reduc- conferees agree the total cost of this project Chemical Demilitarization Program.—The tions totaling $25,900,000 which result from estimated at $85,000,000 is excessive, and are conference agreement provides $267,100,000 re-estimation of inflation undertaken by the aware this cost estimate includes $17,000,000 for the chemical demilitarization program to Office of Management and Budget as part of for seismic upgrade. According to United fully fund all requested projects for fiscal the mid-session review of the budget request. States Geological Survey, National Earth- year 2000. However, the conferees are con- The conferees direct the Department to dis- quake Information Center documents, the cerned over the extremely slow obligation tribute these reductions proportionally Military Academy is located in a low-risk and expenditure rates for the program due to against each project and activity in each ac- seismic area. Additionally, in a Report of pending decisions on alternative tech- count, as follows: Seismic Study on the project, a consultant made the following comment, ‘‘Seismic up- nologies, delays in obtaining the required en- Reductions Resulting From Economic Assump- grading, subject to review with governing vironmental and construction permits, and tions In OMB’s Mid-Session Review of the Corps of Engineers and U.S. Military Acad- possible delays in equipment delivery. There- Budget Request emy authorities, is not recommended, is not fore, based on unobligated prior year funds, Account Amount considered cost-effective, and is not prac- the conferees include a general reduction of Military Construction, tically feasible.’’ As a result of these under- $93,000,000 against the entire program. This Army ...... $3,700,000 standings, the conferees agree to cap the reduction includes $15,000,000 from the pro- Military Construction, total cost of this project at $63,000,000. The gram’s planning and design account. Navy ...... 3,000,000 Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) is Forward Operating Locations.—The fiscal Military Construction, Air directed to report to the appropriate com- year 2000 budget request included $42,800,000 Force ...... 2,300,000 mittees of Congress no later than January for the construction of three Forward Oper- Military Construction, De- 15, 2000 on the revised cost estimate for this ating Locations (FOLs) using funds from the fense-wide ...... 2,300,000 project, including project-level information ‘‘Drug Interdiction and Counter-Drug Activi- Family Housing Oper- presented in Form 1391 detail. ties, Defense’’ appropriation. Due to the ations, Army ...... 3,500,000 Pennsylvania—Carlisle: Military History In- presentation of the budget request, the con- Family Housing Construc- stitute.—The conferees are aware of the ferees intend this matter be dealt with in the tion, Navy ...... 1,000,000 Army’s plan to rebuild the Military History Defense Appropriations Bill. The conferees Family Housing Oper- Institute in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Of the direct that future needs for the construction ations, Navy ...... 3,600,000 $70,305,000 provided for planning and design of FOLs be requested under the ‘‘Military Family Housing Construc- within the ‘‘Military Construction, Army’’ Construction, Defense-wide’’ account. Fur- tion, Air Force ...... 1,000,000 account, the conferees direct that $500,000 be thermore, in future budget submissions, the Family Housing Oper- made available for the design of this facility. conferees expect project-level information ations, Air Force ...... 3,500,000 MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, NAVY for FOL construction projects to be pre- Base Realignment and Clo- sented in Form 1391 detail. The conferees fur- The conference agreement appropriates sure, Part IV ...... 2,000,000 ther expect the Department to accomplish $901,531,000 for Military Construction, Navy, any required planning and design for these instead of $968,862,000 as proposed by the $25,900,000 projects by realigning Defense-wide planning House, and $884,883,000 as proposed by the and design. European Construction.—The conference Senate. Within this amount, the conference agreement does not provide funding for Eu- agreement earmarks $72,630,000 for study, MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, ARMY NATIONAL ropean military construction projects. The planning, design, architect and engineer GUARD conferees direct the Department to use funds services instead of $65,010,000 as proposed by The conference agreement appropriates that were appropriated in the Fiscal Year the House and $66,581,000 as proposed by the $227,456,000 for Military Construction, Army 1999 Emergency Supplemental Appropria- Senate. National Guard, instead of $135,129,000 as pro- tions Act (Public Law 106–31) to provide full Virginia—Quantico Marine Corps Base: Infra- posed by the House, and $226,734,000 as pro- funding for these projects. structure Development.—Mission growth at posed by the Senate. Service Academy Military Construction Mas- Quantico over the past decade has put an Florida—St. Petersburg/Tampa Area: Readi- ter Plan.—The conferees direct the Under enormous amount of stress on the basic in- ness Center.—Of the additional funding pro- Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) and the frastructure there. In fact, past efforts to vided for planning and design, the conferees Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition and program the construction of new facilities at direct that not less than $3,500,000 be made Technology) to conduct a joint review of the the installation have failed due to the lack available for the design of this project. July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6479 Maryland—Aberdeen Proving Ground (Weide the Partnership for Peace Program in the Illinois—Great Lakes NTC (127 Army Airfield): UH–60 Tie Down Pads.—The New Independent States of the former Soviet units) ...... 14,400,000 conferees direct that this project is to be ac- Union. North Carolina—Camp Lejeune complished within additional funds provided The conferees continue the requirement MCB (91 units) ...... 9,100,000 for unspecified minor construction. that no funds will be used for projects (in- North Carolina—Cherry Point Minnesota—Mankato: Training and Commu- cluding planning and design) related to the MCAS (138 units) ...... 2,700,000 nity Center.—The current facility used by the enlargement of NATO and the Partnership Pennsylvania—Philadelphia NICP 2nd Battalion 135th Infantry Mechanized was for Peace, unless Congress is notified 21 days (2 units) ...... 200,000 originally built in 1914. The facility has dete- in advance of the obligation of funds. In ad- South Carolina—Parris Island riorated extensively and is substandard with dition, the conferees’ intent is that Section MCRD (48 units) ...... 4,932,000 respect to Minnesota State Building Codes, 110 of he General Provisions shall apply to The conference agreement appropriates the Life Safety Code, Occupational Safety this program. $891,470,000 for Operation and Maintenance, The Department of Defense is directed to and Health Administration (OSHA) regula- Family Housing, Navy and Marine Corps, in- identify separately the level of effort antici- tions, and requirements identified by the stead of $895,070,000 as proposed by the House pated for NATO enlargement and for Part- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). and Senate. nership for Peace for that fiscal year in fu- Therefore, the conferees direct the Army Na- The conference agreement appropriates a ture budget justifications. tional Guard to accelerate the design of this total of $1,232,541,000 for Family Housing, project, and to include the required funding FAMILY HOUSING—OVERVIEW Navy and Marine Corps, instead of in it fiscal year 2001 budget request. General and Flag Officer Quarters.—The con- $1,207,629,000 as proposed by the House and Oregon—Baker City: Readiness Center.—The ferees were dismayed to learn the Air Force, $1,193,424,000 as proposed by the Senate. in addition to the Navy, has in recent years conferees direct the Army National Guard to FAMILY HOUSING, AIR FORCE accelerate the design and to include this supplemented family housing funds with reg- The conference agreement appropiates project in its fiscal year 2001 budget request. ular operations and maintenance funds on $349,456,000 for Construction, Family Hous- MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, AIR NATIONAL GUARD general and flag officer quarters. Therefore, the conferees have no recourse but to include ing, Air Force, instead of $344,996,000 as pro- The conference agreement appropriates a general provision (Section 128) which posed by the House and $335,034,000 as pro- $263,724,000 for Military Construction, Air statutorily prohibits the mixing of oper- posed by the Senate. National Guard, instead of $180,870,000 as pro- ations and maintenance and family housing The conferees direct that the following posed by the House, and $238,545,000 as pro- funds on all family housing units, including project is to be accomplished within the in- posed by the Senate. general officer quarters. creased amount provided for construction Rhode Island—Quonset: Maintenance Hang- The conferees will continue the existing improvements: ar.—Of the $7,275,000 provided for planning notification requirement to the appropriate South Carolina—Charleston AFB and design within the ‘‘Air National Guard’’ committees of Congress when maintenance (50 units) ...... $5,500,000 account, the conferees direct that not less and repair costs will exceed $25,000, instead The conference agreement appropriates than $1,500,000 be made available to accel- of $15,000 as proposed by the House, for a unit $818,392,000 for Operation and Maintenance, erate and complete the design and any nec- not requested in the budget justification. Family Housing, Air Force, instead of essary site preparation work for a new hang- However, beginning January 15, 2000, the $821,892,000 as proposed by the House and ar to maintain the C–130J–30 stretch aircraft Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) is Senate. assigned to the Rhode Island National to report on an annual basis all operations Illinois—Scott Air Force Base: Asbestos Re- Guard. Although the conferees were unable and maintenance expenditures for each indi- moval.—The conferees understand the Air to fund this, and other, meritorious projects vidual flag and general officer quarters. In Force has an immediate asbestos problem due to severe financial constraints, the con- addition, the conferees direct the Inspector with a housing complex at Scott AFB in Illi- ferees recognize the urgency of this project. General of the Department to investigate the nois. The Air Force plans to utilize part of Therefore, the conferees have deferred the circumstances surrounding the expenditures this complex for other purposes, but cannot project without prejudice and direct the Ad- of regular operations and maintenance funds do so without first completing the removal ministration to incorporate the necessary on general and flag officer quarters by all of the asbestos material. The conferees urge $16,500,000 for its construction into the Presi- military services. The Inspector General the Air Force to use funds available within dent’s fiscal year 2001 budget. should determine if there were any viola- the ‘‘Family Housing, Air Force Operation MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, ARMY RESERVE tions of appropriations law and address cor- and Maintenance’’ account in this Act to rective actions taken by the Department to The conference agreement appropriates perform the required asbestos removal at preclude future occurrence of these viola- $111,340,000 for Military Construction, Army Scott AFB. Reserve, instead of $92,515,000 as proposed by tions. The conference agreement appropriates a the House, and $105,817,000 as proposed by the FAMILY HOUSING, ARMY total of $1,167,848,000 for Family Housing, Air Senate. The conference agreement appropriates Force, instead of $1,166,888,000 as proposed by MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, NAVAL RESERVE $80,700,000 for Construction, Family Housing, the House and $1,156,926,000 as proposed by The conference agreement appropriates Army, instead of $89,200,000 as proposed by the Senate. $28,457,000 for Military Construction, Naval the House and $60,900,000 as proposed by the FAMILY HOUSING, DEFENSE-WIDE Reserve, instead of $21,574,000 as proposed by Senate. The conferees direct that the following The conference agreement appropriates the House, and $31,475,000 as proposed by the $50,000 for Construction, Family Housing, Senate. project is to be accomplished within the in- creased amount provided for construction Defense-wide, as proposed by the House and MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, AIR FORCE RESERVE improvements: Senate. The conference agreement appropriates The conference agreement appropriates Kentucky—Fort Campbell (26 $64,404,000 for Military Construction, Air $41,440,000 for Operation and Maintenance, units) ...... $2,800,000 Force Reserve, instead of $66,549,000 as pro- Family Housing, Defense-wide, as proposed posed by the House, and $35,864,000 as pro- The conference agreement appropriates by the House and Senate. posed by the Senate. $1,086,312,000 for Operation and Maintenance, The conference agreement appropriates a Family Housing, Army, instead of total of $41,490,000 for Family Housing, De- NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION fense-wide, as proposed by the House and SECURITY INVESTMENT PROGRAM $1,089,812,000 as proposed by the House and $1,098,080,000 as proposed by the Senate. Senate. The conference agreement appropriates The conference agreement appropriates a FAMILY HOUSING REVITALIZATION TRANSFER $81,000,000 for the North Atlantic Treaty Or- total of $1,167,012,000 for Family Housing, FUND ganization Security Investment Program Army, instead of $1,179,012,000 as proposed by (NSIP) as proposed by the House, instead of The conference agreement appropriates no the House and $1,158,980,000 as proposed by funds for the Family Housing Revitalization $100,000,000 as proposed by the Senate. the Senate. The conferees note that the actual require- Transfer Fund, as proposed by the House, in- FAMILY HOUSING, NAVY AND MARINE CORPS ment for the NATO Security –Investment stead of $25,000,000 as proposed by the Senate. Program has been reduced to $172,000,000 The conference agreement appropriates DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE FAMILY HOUSING since the submission of the budget request. $341,071,000 for Construction, Family Hous- IMPROVEMENT FUND The conferees expect the Department to use ing, Navy and Marine Corps, instead of The conference agreement appropriates funds that were appropriated in the Fiscal $312,559,000 as proposed by the House and $2,000,000 for the Department of Defense Year 1999 Emergency Supplemental Appro- $298,354,000 as proposed by the Senate. Family Housing Improvement Fund as pro- priations Act (Public Law 106–31) to provide The conferees direct that the following posed by the House instead of $25,000,000 as adequate funding for this account. projects are to be accomplished within the proposed by the Senate. The reduction from North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security increased amount provided for construction the level proposed by the Senate reflects full Investment Program Funds.—The conferees improvements: funding of construction projects and con- agree to a provision, Section 124, which pro- California—Twentynine Palms struction improvement projects in the tradi- hibits the use of NSIP funds for any aspect of MCAGCC (692 units) ...... $5,100,000 tional family housing accounts, rather than H6480 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 in the Family Housing Improvement Fund. due to the Base Realignment and Closure that they must purchase American-made Transfer authority is provided for the execu- process shall be deposited into the Base Clo- equipment and products. The Senate bill tion of any qualifying project under privat- sure Accounts. The conferees understand contained no similar provision. ization authority which resides in the Fund. that, because such proceeds were collected The conference agreement includes a pro- after the development of the budget, the HOMEOWNERS ASSISTANCE FUND, DEFENSE vision, Section 123, as proposed by the House, Army did not report $8,000,000 worth of pro- permitting the transfer of funds from Family The conference agreement appropriates no ceeds, and the Navy did not report $3,800,000. Housing, Construction accounts to the DOD funds for the Homeowners Assistance Fund, The conferees direct the Services to deposit Family Housing Improvement Fund. The Defense. these proceeds into the Base Realignment Senate bill contained no similar provision. The total estimated requirements for the and Closure Account, and have reduced the fund for fiscal year 2000 are estimated at Base Realignment and Closure Account, Part The conference agreement includes a pro- $62,687,000 and will be funded with transfers IV fiscal year 2000 appropriation by vision renumbered Section 124, as proposed from the Base Realignment and Closure ac- $11,800,000 to reflect this action. by the Senate amended to prohibit the use of count and revenue from the sales of acquired Funds Previously Withheld.—The conferees funds in this Act to be obligated for Partner- property. recommend a reduction of $13,800,000 to the ship for Peace programs in the New Inde- BASE REALIGNMENT AND CLOSURE—OVERVIEW Base Realignment and Closure Account, Part pendent States of the former Soviet Union. IV. This reduction is based on funds that The House bill contained no similar provi- Construction Projects: Administrative Provi- were previously withheld from obligation sion. sion.—The conferees agree that any transfer based on an inflation rate that was lower of funds which exceeds reprogramming The conference agreement includes a pro- than expected. At the time the fiscal year thresholds for any construction project fi- vision renumbered Section 125, as proposed 2000 budget was submitted to Congress, these nanced by any Base Realignment and Clo- by the House and the Senate, which requires funds were withheld from obligation, but sure Account shall be subject to a 21-day no- the Secretary of Defense to notify Congres- have subsequently been made available. tification to the Committees, and shall not sional Committees sixty days prior to Previously Funded Military Construction.— be subject to reprogramming procedure. issuing a solicitation for a contract with the Based on funds that were requested for three Construction Budget Data.—The conferees private sector for military family housing. military construction projects that have al- are concerned about the accuracy and reli- ready been funded or canceled, the conferees The conference agreement includes a pro- ability of the base realignment and closure recommend an additional reduction of vision renumbered Section 126, as proposed (BRAC) construction budget data provided $6,000,000 to the Base Realignment and Clo- by the House and the Senate, which provides annually to the Congress. The Office of the sure Account, Part IV. The Army requested transfer authority to the Homeowners As- Department of Defense Inspector General $3,300,000 for an expanded dining facility at sistance Program. and the General Accounting Office recently Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri that was ac- The conference agreement includes a pro- found that the Services submitted BRAC celerated and funded with fiscal year 1999 vision renumbered Section 127, as proposed military construction data in the fiscal funds. The Army also requested $1,100,000 for by the Senate, which requires the Secretary years 1997 through 1999 military construction a sanitary sewer line at Fort Dix in New Jer- of Defense to report on the adequacy of spe- budgets based on overstated requirements sey. The Army now plans to continue using cial education facilities for Department of and unsupported specifications and costs. the existing utility plant. Therefore, the Defense family members. The House bill con- They also found that the major commands of $1,100,000 included in the fiscal year 2000 tained no similar provision. the Services did not effectively implement budget request is no longer needed. The Navy management control procedures established The conference agreement includes a pro- included $1,600,000 in its budget request for for the BRAC military construction plan- vision renumbered Section 128, as proposed building renovations at the Norfolk Naval ning, programming and budgeting process. by the House, amended to require that all Base in Virginia. However, in fiscal year This has resulted in overstated and invalid Military Construction Appropriation Acts be 1999, nearly $4,000,000 was appropriated for BRAC requirements and lack of supporting the sole funding source of all operation and the same project. Later, the cost of the documentation. The conferees direct the De- maintenance for family housing, including project was reduced to $1,600,000. Therefore, partment to take the necessary corrective flag and general officer quarters, and limits the conferees believe there is sufficient fund- action to ensure that these deficiencies are the repair on flag and general officer quar- ing available for this project without new ap- corrected in the fiscal year 2001 budget sub- ters to $25,000 per year without prior notifi- propriations for fiscal year 2000. cation to the committees of Congress. And mission. Texas—Reese Air Force Base: Building Demo- Future Costs of Environmental Restoration.— an annual report is required on all oper- lition.—In an effort to replace over 3,000 jobs ations and maintenance expenditures for The conferees direct the Department of De- lost due to the closure of Reese AFB, the fense to submit a legislative proposal for the each individual quarters. The Senate bill Lubbock Reese Redevelopment Authority contained a similar provision. establishment of a Treasury account entitled (LRRA) is partnering with local universities ‘‘Base Realignment and Closure Environ- to develop a technology led research project. The conference agreement includes a pro- mental Restoration’’, rather than budgeting The LRRA plans to leverage research, tech- vision renumbered Section 129, as proposed for future costs in the Operation and Mainte- nology transfer and academic endeavors to by the House and Senate, amended to amend nance accounts. The conferees direct that fu- attract businesses to relocate at Reese AFB. the 1999 Emergency Supplemental Appro- ture costs for environmental restoration and To attract such companies to Reese AFB, priations Act to allow the Department of De- operations and maintenance related to the the LRRA has identified over 40 facilities to fense to transfer military construction fund- four rounds of base closure conducted from be demolished. The conferees direct the Air ing to the North Atlantic Treaty Organiza- 1988 through 1995 shall be programmed and Force to support the LRRA’s plans for demo- tion Security Investment Program, and to budgeted in this new account. lition at the installation. The Secretary of allow any funds transferred to remain avail- BASE REALIGNMENT AND CLOSURE ACCOUNT, the Air Force is directed to report to the ap- able until expended. PART IV propriate committees of Congress no later The conference agreement includes a pro- The conference agreement appropriates than January 15, 2000 on the plans for build- vision renumbered Section 130, as proposed $672,311,000 for the Base Realignment and ing demolition at the installation, including by the House, amended to direct that the Closure Account, Part IV, instead of the funding and estimated dates for comple- Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force $705,911,000 as proposed by the House and tion of such activities. submit to the appropriate committees of Senate. Within the amount appropriated, the GENERAL PROVISIONS Congress, by July 1, 2000, a Family Housing conference agreement earmarks $346,403,000 The conference agreement includes general Master Plan. The Senate bill contained no for environmental restoration, instead of provisions that were not amended by either similar provision. $360,073,000 as proposed by the House and the House or Senate in their versions of the The conference agreement includes a pro- $426,036,000 as proposed by the Senate. bill. vision renumbered Section 131, as proposed Revised Economic Assumptions.—As de- The conference agreement includes a pro- by the Senate amended to require the Sec- scribed earlier in this report, the conferees vision, Section 121, as proposed by the House, retary of Defense to certify that the Depart- recommend a reduction of $2,000,000 from the which prohibits the expenditure of funds ex- ment of Defense intends to proceed with the budget request based on reestimation of in- cept in compliance with the Buy American demonstration of six alternative tech- flation. Act. The Senate bill contained no similar nologies to chemical weapons incineration Unreported Proceeds.—The Services have provision. before constructing the chemical demili- collected $11,800,000 more in proceeds from The conference agreement includes a pro- tarization facility at Bluegrass, Kentucky. land sales and leases at closing or realigning vision, Section 122, as proposed by the House, Pending the Secretary’s certification this al- bases than reported in the fiscal year 2000 which states the Sense of the Congress that lows the planning, design and site prepara- budget request. Statutes and Department of recipients of equipment or products author- tion of the facility and the testing of the al- Defense guidance state that proceeds from ized to be purchased with financial assist- ternatives to proceed concurrently. The the transfer, lease, or disposal of property ance provided in this Act are to be notified House bill contained no similar provision. July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6481 Those general provisions that are not in- $25,000 without prior notification to the con- The conference agreement deletes the Sen- cluded in the conference agreement follow: gressional defense committees. ate provision restricting the conveyance of The conference agreement deletes the Sen- land at the former Fort Sheridan, Illinois. The conference agreement deletes the Sen- ate provision which prohibits the use of The conference agreement deletes the ate provision which reduced various ac- funds for repair and maintenance of any flag House provision which reduced various ac- and general officer quarters in excess of counts in this Act by five percent. counts in this Act. H6482 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6483 H6484 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6485 H6486 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6487 H6488 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6489 H6490 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6491 H6492 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6493 H6494 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6495 H6496 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6497 H6498 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6499 H6500 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6501 CONFERENCE TOTAL—WITH COMPARISONS confined to the bill and shall not exceed one thorized appropriations and legislation The total new budget (obligational) au- hour equally divided and controlled by the on an appropriations bill. thority for the fiscal year 2000 recommended chairman and ranking minority member of Madam Speaker, H. Res. 260 specifi- by the Committee of Conference, with com- the Committee on Appropriations. After gen- cally structures consideration of four parisons to the fiscal year 1999 amount, the eral debate the bill shall be considered for amendment under the five-minute rule. amendments printed in the Committee 2000 budget estimates, and the House and on Rules report offered by the gen- Senate bills for 2000 follow: Points of order against provisions in the bill for failure to comply with clause 2 of rule tleman from Kansas (Mr. TIAHRT), the [In thousands of dollars] XXI are waived. The amendments printed in gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. New budget (obligational) author- the report of the Committee on Rules accom- LARGENT), the gentleman from Cali- ity, fiscal year 1999 ...... $9,134,234 panying this resolution may be offered only fornia (Mr. BILBRAY) and the gen- Budget estimates of new by a Member designated in the report and (obligational) authority, fiscal tleman from Georgia (Mr. BARR). These only at the appropriate point in the reading amendments may be offered only by year 2000 ...... 8,499,273 of the bill, shall be considered as read, shall House bill, fiscal year 2000 ...... 8,449,742 be debatable for the time specified in the re- the Member designated in the report Senate bill, fiscal year 2000 ...... 8,273,820 port equally divided and controlled by the and only at the appropriate point in Conference agreement, fiscal year proponent and an opponent, and shall not be the reading of the bill, shall be debat- 2000 ...... 8,374,000 subject to amendment. All points of order able for the time specified in the report Conference agreement compared against the amendments printed in the re- equally divided and controlled between with: port are waived. During consideration of the the proponent and an opponent, and New budget (obligational) au- bill for amendment, the Chairman of the shall not be subject to amendment. The thority, fiscal year 1999 ...... ¥760,234 Committee of the Whole may accord priority rule also waives all points of order Budget estimates of new in recognition on the basis of whether the (obligational) authority, fis- Member offering an amendment has caused against the amendments printed in the cal year 2000 ...... ¥125,273 it to be printed in the portion of the Con- Committee on Rules report. House bill, fiscal year 2000 ...... ¥75,742 gressional Record designated for that pur- Additionally, this rule accords pri- Senate bill, fiscal year 2000 ...... +100,180 pose in clause 8 of rule XVIII. Amendments ority in recognition to Members who DAVID L. HOBSON, so printed shall be considered as read. The have preprinted their amendments in JOHN EDWARD PORTER, Chairman of the Committee of the Whole the CONGRESSIONAL RECORD. This en- ROGER F. WICKER, may: (1) postpone until a time during further courages Members to take advantage of TODD TIAHRT, consideration in the Committee of the Whole the option to facilitate consideration JAMES T. WALSH, a request for a recorded vote on any amend- of amendments and to inform Members DAN MILLER, ment; and (2) reduce to five minutes the min- imum time for electronic voting on any post- of the details of pending amendments. ROBERT B. ADERHOLT, The rule also provides that the Chair- KAY GRANGER, poned question that follows another elec- man of the Committee of the Whole C.W. BILL YOUNG, tronic vote without intervening business, JOHN W. OLVER, provided that the minimum time for elec- may postpone recorded votes on any CHET EDWARDS, tronic voting on the first in any series of amendment and that the Chairman SAM FARR, questions shall be 15 minutes. At the conclu- may reduce voting time on postponed ALLEN BOYD, sion of consideration of the bill for amend- questions to 5 minutes, provided that NORMAN D. DICKS, ment the Committee shall rise and report the vote immediately follow another the bill to the House with such amendments DAVID R. OBEY, recorded vote and that the voting time Managers on the Part of the House. as may have been adopted. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on on the first in a series of votes is not CONRAD BURNS, the bill and amendments thereto to final less than 15 minutes. KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON, passage without intervening motion except House Resolution 260 also provides LARRY E. CRAIG, one motion to recommit with or without in- for one motion to recommit, with or JON KYL, structions. without instructions, as is the right of TED STEVENS, The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. the minority Members of the House. PATTY MURRAY, HARRY REID, EMERSON). The gentleman from Geor- Madam Speaker, H. Res. 260 is an DANIEL K. INOUYE, gia (Mr. LINDER) is recognized for 1 open rule similar to those considered ROBERT C. BYRD, hour. for other general appropriations bills. Managers on the Part of the Senate. Mr. LINDER. Madam Speaker, for Any Member who wishes to offer an f the purpose of debate only, I yield the amendment to the District of Columbia customary 30 minutes to the gen- appropriations bill will have the oppor- b 1515 tleman from Texas (Mr. FROST), pend- tunity to do so. PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION ing which I yield myself such time as I In addition, in order to better man- OF H.R. 2587, DISTRICT OF CO- may consume. During consideration of age the debate, the Committee on LUMBIA APPROPRIATIONS ACT, this resolution, all time yielded is for Rules has structured the debate on four 2000 the purpose of debate only. specific amendments: Madam Speaker, House Resolution Mr. LINDER. Madam Speaker, by di- Amendment No. 1 offered by the gen- 260 is an open rule providing for consid- rection of the Committee on Rules, I tleman from Kansas (Mr. TIAHRT) eration of H.R. 2587, the District of Co- call up House Resolution 260 and ask would prohibit the use of District and lumbia appropriations bill for fiscal for its immediate consideration. Federal funds on a needle exchange year 2000. The rule provides for 1 hour The Clerk read the resolution, as fol- program for illegal drugs, or for any of general debate divided equally be- lows: payment to any individual or entity tween the chairman and ranking mi- who carries out any such program. H. RES. 260 nority member of the Committee on Amendment No. 2 offered by the gen- Resolved, That at any time after the adop- Appropriations. tleman from Oklahoma (Mr. LARGENT) tion of this resolution the Speaker may, pur- The rule waives clause 4(c) of rule would prohibit the use of funds con- suant to clause 2(b) of rule XVIII, declare the XIII, requiring a 3-day layover of the House resolved into the Committee of the tained in this bill from being used to Whole House on the state of the Union for committee report; section 306, prohib- allow joint adoptions by persons who consideration of the bill (H.R. 2587) making iting consideration of legislation with- are unrelated by either blood or mar- appropriations for the government of the in the Committee on the Budget’s ju- riage. District of Columbia and other activities risdiction unless reported by the Com- Amendment No. 3 offered by the gen- chargeable in whole or in part against reve- mittee on the Budget; and section 401, tleman from California (Mr. BILBRAY) nues of said District for the fiscal year end- prohibiting consideration of legislation would prohibit a minor’s possession of ing September 30, 2000, and for other pur- providing new entitlement authority tobacco products in the District. poses. The first reading of the bill shall be which becomes effective during the And, finally, amendment No. 4 of- dispensed with. Points of order against con- sideration of the bill for failure to comply current fiscal year, of the Congres- fered by the gentleman from Georgia with clause 4(c) of rule XIII or section 306 or sional Budget Act against consider- (Mr. BARR) would prohibit the use of section 401 of the Congressional Budget Act ation of the bill. The rule also waives funds from being used to legalize or re- of 1974 are waived. General debate shall be clause 2 of rule XXI, prohibiting unau- duce penalties for the possession, use, H6502 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 or distribution of any schedule 1 sub- Appropriations as was this open rule by Mr. ISTOOK. Madam Speaker, I rise stance under the Controlled Substance the Committee on Rules. I urge my col- in support of this rule and of the under- Act. leagues to support the rule so we may lying bill that the rule authorizes to be Under this open rule, the House will proceed with the general debate and considered. have the opportunity to exercise its re- consideration of this legislation. I appreciate the Committee on Rules’ sponsibility to address these important Madam Speaker, I reserve the bal- cooperation in putting the package to- social issues facing the District. Rath- ance of my time. gether for fair consideration of this ap- er than avoiding controversial issues Mr. FROST. Madam Speaker, I yield propriations measure. I appreciate the like needle exchanges, legalizing mari- myself such time as I may consume. gentleman from Florida (Mr. YOUNG), juana, and adoption by domestic part- Madam Speaker, the Committee on the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. ners, Members of this House will be ac- Rules has done it to the District of Co- MORAN) with whom I have worked, and, countable to their constituents and the lumbia again. The Republican majority of course, the gentlewoman from the people of the District. I am pleased has deliberately stuck a finger in the District of Columbia (Ms. NORTON). that this open rule will bring these eyes of the residents of the District of This rule keeps in place what the honest policy disputes out into the Columbia. Accordingly, I rise in oppo- subcommittee and the full Committee open so that the American people will sition to this rule which specifically on Appropriations have sought to do; know where their representatives stand makes in order four Republican amend- that is, to, to the maximum extent pos- on these issues that affect them right ments which seek to micromanage the sible, respect and follow the budget in their own towns and neighborhoods. District, all to advance an agenda that was put together by the Mayor I also want to discuss briefly the base which may or may not be shared by the and the City Council in the District of bill this rule makes in order. H.R. 2587 citizens of this city. Columbia. appropriates a total of $453 million in The gentlewoman from the District There are certain things, of course, Federal funding support for the Dis- of Columbia made an eloquent plea to that we undertake pursuant to our con- trict, which is $230 million below last the Committee on Rules yesterday ask- stitutional obligation. Article 1, sec- year’s level and $59 million above the ing that the committee not make in tion 8, of the U.S. Constitution pro- President’s request. Additionally, the order amendments which affect social vides that this Congress has exclusive bill sends $6.8 million in District funds policy in the city she represents. The legislative authority regarding the Dis- back to the people of Washington, $4 committee totally ignored her, Madam trict of Columbia. However, many million less than fiscal year 1999 but Speaker, and in fact the committee did years ago, we delegated as much as we $40 million more than requested by the exactly what she asked it not to do. could through home rule charter to the President. Madam Speaker, I am not here to ad- District, and I am pleased that the Madam Speaker, the Committee on vocate one social policy over another. I budget that was adopted by the City Appropriations has once again per- am not here to advocate the use of Council, by the Mayor and by the D.C. formed admirably, working within the marijuana for medicinal purposes, or Control Board is followed in this appro- responsible budget limits imposed by needle exchange programs, or the sale priations measure. Let me mention, so that all Members the Balanced Budget Act while man- of tobacco to teenagers, but I do think will be fully aware, several things that aging the available resources to best that the Mayor and the Council of this are in the bill that I do not believe will serve the American people. I applaud city ought to be given an opportunity prove controversial. They are not con- the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. to govern and make the kind of deci- troversial, and I believe they should be ISTOOK) and the gentleman from Vir- sions that city councils, county gov- ginia (Mr. MORAN) for their hard work the focus of the consideration of the ernments and State legislatures in the to produce this solid legislation. rule and of the underlying bill. rest of the country are allowed to While this bill supports a broad range For example, we are all familiar with of District programs, I would like to make without interference and micro- the problems of drug and crime that focus on the bill’s important provisions management by the U.S. House of Rep- have plagued the District for far too to improve education for the students resentatives. many years. We have a very ambitious The Committee on Rules apparently of Washington, D.C. Specifically the program created in this piece of legis- bill provides $17 million for a new does not think that Mayor Williams lation, a $25 million addition on top of scholarship to help District students and the City Council should be given other drug testing and treatment funds attend college. It also reduces a num- that kind of responsibility. Instead, for the Federal Office of Offender Su- ber of regulatory barriers to ensure they have made in order in this rule pervision that is in charge of super- that District students have the chance amendments which would prohibit the vising some 30,000 persons that are on to explore the opportunity of charter city from counting ballots cast in an probation or parole within the District schools. With this legislation, charter election last year, which would pro- of Columbia. schools will have access to construc- hibit the city from using its own One of the conditions upon being on tion funds, the schools will have the money to allow adoptions by unmar- probation or parole and not being in- same opportunity to expand as other ried couples, and which would prohibit carcerated is that they remain drug- public schools, and parents will be able the city from contributing its own free. We all know they are not remain- to send all of their children to the funds to a needle exchange program ing drug-free. In fact, working with the same charter school. Good education specifically designed to stop the spread Chief of Police, Mr. Ramsey, here in policy must start at the local level, of HIV/AIDS in this city. the District, he advises me, as other and this bill empowers local officials to Madam Speaker, the Mayor and all 13 people do, that this population of 30,000 make the tough decisions necessary to members of the City Council have offenders is the core of so much of the move beyond the serious problems that asked that these riders, among others, crime that continues to plague the Dis- currently plague their schools. not be included in this appropriations trict of Columbia, persons that are free Additionally, this bill works with bill. But the Committee on Rules on supervision, or supposed super- local governments to improve city seems to know what is best for this vision, that commit hundreds of crimes management, encourages adoptions of city. This paternalism is insulting and apiece in many cases, all too often be- children currently in foster care, and patronizing, Madam Speaker, and for cause of the link between crime and enacts the $59 million tax cut passed by that reason I urge a ‘‘no’’ vote on the drugs. the D.C. City Council. rule. This bill establishes for those 30,000 This is a responsible bill that makes Madam Speaker, I reserve the bal- offenders a program of consistent, uni- the Federal Government a partner in ance of my time. versal drug testing, for some of them D.C. government and helps our Na- Mr. LINDER. Madam Speaker, I am once a week, for some of them twice a tion’s capital move closer to the suc- pleased to yield such time as he may week, coupled with a major expansion cess and independence that its resi- consume to the gentleman from Okla- of the drug treatment programs, saying dents deserve. homa (Mr. ISTOOK), the chairman of the to those offenders, if you wish to re- Madam Speaker, H.R. 2587 was favor- Subcommittee on the District of Co- main free on the streets, you must re- ably reported out of the Committee on lumbia. main free of drugs. July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6503 b 1530 made sure that we do not open up new These are things that the Committee This will be the largest program of difficulties in this particular bill. on Rules has left intact, they have not its kind of any city in the United I commend the Committee on Rules fostered disagreement or argument States of America. We are dead serious because the amendments which they over these issues, and I think it is im- about the war on drugs. This bill takes placed in order are amendments which portant that, as we consider the rule, the largest step we have taken toward have previously been important to this we have that perspective. Yes, we will attacking that problem. I believe it de- House of Representatives. For example, have disagreements over certain items serves focus. the needle exchange prohibition with in the bill, but after we resolve those We also have within this bill the rati- public funds that we will be voting on disagreements, I urge people to adopt fication of the bold tax cut plan that later is the identical provision that the underlying bill, and I urge adoption was adopted by the city council and was approved by the House, approved of the rule that makes it possible. the mayor in the District of Columbia by the Senate, and signed into law by Mr. FROST. Madam Speaker, I yield beginning with $59 million the first the President of the United States last 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from the year and larger amounts thereafter of year. The amendment we will vote on District of Columbia (Ms. NORTON). Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I property tax and income tax relief try- is to continue that policy, not to cre- want to thank the gentleman from ing to help revitalize the city that has ate a new one. Oklahoma (Mr. ISTOOK) and the rank- lost over 200,000 people in recent years, The committee has placed in order an ing member, the gentleman from Vir- trying to be part of turning it around amendment that is different in some ways, however, when it comes to the ginia (Mr. MORAN), who have worked so with economic development initiatives. hard and so well to bring the D.C. ap- And we all know, of course, that even issue of the medical marijuana initia- propriation to the floor early this year. if they have a more vibrant economic tive petition that was conducted in the My thanks also to the gentleman from city, it still has to be a safe city. So we District. Illinois (Mr. HASTERT) and the gen- ratified the council’s action in this bill We dealt with, last year, a prohibi- tleman from Florida (Mr. YOUNG) who at the same time as we undertake the tion on counting the ballots. The met with the District’s new mayor attack on drugs. amendment offered by the gentleman Tony Williams and me earlier this year We have $5 million for a special envi- from Georgia (Mr. BARR) which we will and indicated that they would work for ronmental clean up of the Anacostia offer later today that the Committee early consideration of the city’s budg- River. I want to especially commend on Rules has placed in order is not quite the same. It is a prohibition on et. They have kept that promise. one of the members of the sub- I want to say a special word of sin- changing the law in D.C. to legalize committee, the gentleman from Cali- cere appreciation to the gentleman fornia (Mr. CUNNINGHAM), who took a marijuana, but it is not a prohibition from Oklahoma (Mr. ISTOOK) in par- special interest in that particular against counting the ballots. The amendment by the gentleman ticular for his openness and commu- measure. nication with me and with city offi- We have a major problem within the from Oklahoma (Mr. LARGENT) relating cials that enabled us to settle amicably to adoption needing to be by couples District of Columbia, one of the many the small differences that inevitably who are related by marriage or by accumulated problems through many arise. His respect for the work of our blood is the same language that was bad years for the District of long-term new mayor and the D.C. City Council is adopted by this House last year. It is foster care, 3,500 kids that need a per- manifested in the city’s consensus not something new that has been manent, stable, loving home. We have budget which came with the approval brought up. $8.5 million for adoption initiatives to of the District’s Control Board and to The language of the gentleman from help solve this long-term problem and which the gentleman from Oklahoma California (Mr. BILBRAY) regarding to- get these kids out of long-term foster (Mr. ISTOOK) has now given his ap- bacco was also something that was at- care and adopted into stable, perma- proval as well. nent, loving homes. That is a very im- tached by the House to this legislation This hard work is now threatened by portant initiative. last year. amendments that legislate on the ap- So the Committee on Rules has The mayor and the council have been propriation in ways that are strongly very diligent in bringing in, for the sec- avoided opening new fronts with the opposed by the new mayor and all the ond year, a balanced budget within the amendments that are placed in order. I members of the revitalized city coun- District of Columbia. Thanks to some recognize that there are some issues of cil. Congress has the right to make pol- changes in the Federal relationship, social policy where there may be dis- icy decisions for this Nation. You have some expenses that the Federal Gov- agreements between persons in the Dis- no right to dictate policy to a local ju- ernment has assumed, they have a bal- trict, persons in this Congress, persons risdiction. Yet four amendments have anced budget; and we respect the prior- on one side of the aisle and persons on been made in order and protected, and ities they put in. the other side of the aisle. But I think they are taken straight out of the an- We also create further tools for when the House works its will with nals of authoritarianism. rightsizing the size of city government. those amendments, we will see that They would impose on the District a With the Control Board, in recent what remains is a bill that promotes provision that is not only grotesquely years, taking the lead and the gen- fiscal responsibility, that keeps the anti-democratic, but also is moot, that tleman who is now mayor of the city, budget balanced running a surplus with prohibits local funds for a constitu- Anthony Williams, who was Chief Fi- tax cuts to help with the economic re- tional test of congressional voting nancial Officer of the Control Board vitalization of the District of Colum- rights, a prohibition on even local leading that way the city has been bia, significant incentives regarding funds to contribute to a private life- working to rightsize city government. the problems of drugs and crime and saving needle exchange program that There is still a problem with too many their interrelationship in D.C. and has saved hundreds of residents from city workers for the size of the commu- other measures such as the gentleman death and disease caused by the HIV/ nity. We have $20 million to help them from Georgia (Mr. LINDER) has pointed AIDS epidemic, a prohibition on un- with the downsizing initiative through out to strengthen the educational sys- married couples jointly adopting a buyouts and early retirements for per- tem through the charter schools provi- child despite 3,000 children awaiting sons that should be retired from the sions being made permanent. adoption, an entire bill penalizing the city payroll but that we need to make They are 5 percent of the District’s possession of tobacco by minors that sure that we do it without a disruptive school enrollment right now. They are Mayor Williams has specifically asked mechanism. projected to be 10 percent this fall, and be deferred in favor of his own ap- We have these and other important also the education initiative with the proach, and an amendment that seeks initiatives that I think justify the ac- D.C. scholarships, as it is called, which to overturn a local initiative on med- cent upon the positive. We have a new is a tuition aid grant modeled after the ical marijuana when no such law has mayor, we have a new council that is tuition aid grants that are currently in been enacted. working diligently on the problems of place in virtually every State in the The bill itself also contains two pro- city government, and we have also Union. visions highly objectionable to city H6504 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 residents and elected officials that I It makes in order four amendments, Committee on the Judiciary that cannot possibly support, a prohibition four amendments offered by Repub- places new penalties on the possession on the use of even local funds for abor- lican colleagues, makes in order no of a long list of substances: peyote, tions for poor women and a bar on im- amendments offered by Democratic mescaline, marijuana, a whole long list plementation of the city’s domestic colleagues, particularly the one offered of things. partners law. by the gentlewoman from the District We have not thought about this, be- The district has just elected a new of Columbia (Ms. NORTON) in alliance cause we have not had any hearings; we reform minded mayor and revitalized with the gentlewoman from Michigan do not have any knowledge about what its city council. They have sent us a (Ms. KILPATRICK), it makes that out of we should be doing on this. balanced budget with a surplus con- order, and makes in order four amend- This is clearly authorizing legisla- sisting only of their own money with ments, all of which are inappropriate tion. It has nothing to do with the ap- prudent investments in neglected serv- and would be ruled out of order if this propriations bill; and yet, the Com- ices and with a tax cut for residents was an open rule. mittee on Rules makes it in order. The and businesses. Their work should not This should be an open rule. Because Committee on Rules should not have be undermined by the imposition of the it is not, I have to urge all the Mem- made that in order. So four amend- personal preferences of Members on a bers of this body who believe in fair- ments do not belong in this bill. If they local jurisdiction when Members are ness and in the integrity of the appro- get attached to this bill, we are going not accountable to local voters. The priations process to vote no on the to vote against this bill, and the Presi- cumulative effect of these appendages rule. dent is going to veto the bill. They to what is essentially a local budget is The needle exchange amendment of- should not be in here. We should be giv- so obnoxious that a veto specifically fered by the gentleman from Kansas ing credit where credit is due to the has been threatened. I can only plead (Mr. TIAHRT) inserts new language, Committee on Appropriations for ap- with my colleagues to save my appro- goes beyond the use of funds appro- propriating properly. If we were consid- priation from needless contention and priated in the act and places conditions ering just an appropriations bill, we a veto by defeating each and every one on private funds. would have unanimous support for it, of these autocratic, anti-home rule b 1545 but we cannot go writing these kinds of amendments. This rule defeats the laws on an appropriations bill. good work of the subcommittee by That is not appropriate for an appro- So I strongly urge a ‘‘no’’ vote on the drowning it with irrelevant legislation priations bill. rule. We have a different situation this anathema to the people I represent. We rejected what he was trying to do year from past years. Washington, D.C. I therefore must ask my colleagues, in full committee; but yet, the Com- is no longer a sharecropper’s settle- must plead with my colleagues, to vote mittee on Rules enables him to take ment on a congressional plantation. We against this rule. out the language that we agreed to in should be treating them like every Mr. LINDER. Madam Speaker, I have a bipartisan vote, a strong bipartisan other city in our own Congressional no further requests for time, and I re- vote in full committee. districts and that is why we should serve the balance of my time. The Largent amendment would im- vote ‘‘no’’ on the rule. Mr. FROST. Madam Speaker, I yield pose a new duty upon District officials. Mr. LINDER. Madam Speaker, I yield 6 minutes to the gentleman from Vir- It is an unfunded mandate, imposes a myself such time as required to explain ginia (Mr. MORAN). new requirement on District officials that the only notice that the Com- Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Madam to conduct additional screening re- mittee on Rules got was that the gen- Speaker, I want to thank my distin- quirements on applicants for adoption tlewoman from the District of Colum- guished colleague, the chairperson of that go considerably beyond the fund- bia (Ms. NORTON) had an amendment to the appropriations subcommittee, for ing issues in this bill to determine who introduce was not submitted to the working very hard on this bill and is and who is not eligible to adopt chil- Committee on Rules; she mentioned it coming up with a bill that from every dren in the District of Columbia. It is in her testimony. It is a striking budgetary standpoint, from every ap- going to restrict a lot of fine people amendment, and it is in order. propriations standpoint, is a good bill. from being able to adopt children when Madam Speaker, I reserve the bal- It should be passed. We should be unan- we have more than 3,000 kids in need of ance of my time. imous here in our support of the con- adoption. Mr. FROST. Madam Speaker, I yield sensus budget that is reflected in this The Bilbray amendment writes 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from appropriations bill. criminal legislation in an appropria- Michigan (Ms. KILPATRICK). In fact, we went beyond the con- tions bill. This should be with the Com- (Ms. KILPATRICK asked and was sensus budget and put in things that mittee on the Judiciary. I am sympa- given permission to revise and extend the mayor and other leaders of the city thetic with what the gentleman wants her remarks.) wanted. We have got more money in to do, but we do not write criminal Ms. KILPATRICK. Madam Speaker, I here for drug treatment programs, for penalties into appropriations bills. thank the gentleman for letting us court programs that supervise proba- What are we doing that for? It is not know that the amendment has been tioners and parolees. We have got pro- the right thing to do. And one can stricken and made in order, that the grams that clearly will substantially make an argument that this is not Norton-Kilpatrick amendment will be reduce the rate of crime in the city. We even lawful, to be putting in criminal able to be debated. have got money to address child abuse penalties for minors’ possession of to- I rise in strong opposition to the and neglect, to assist foster care chil- bacco. As much as we might like to do rule. Madam Speaker, there are 500,000 dren in getting adopted. Lots of good it, it does not belong in an appropria- people who choose to call Washington, things, and I wish I could stand up here tions bill. D.C. their home. This rule is undemo- right now and say let us vote for this Then the fourth amendment, this is cratic, and it is unfair. rule because it is such a good bill. the Barr amendment, this is brand My colleagues may not know it, but Unfortunately, I cannot. I have to new. We rejected the gentleman’s at- the residents of D.C. pay both local and urge the body to vote against the rule tempt to prevent the District from Federal taxes. Last year, some $4.2 bil- because it is not a good rule, it is not counting its own ballots on its own ref- lion worth of Federal taxes were paid, a fair rule, it is not an appropriate erendum. It would have cost about $1.30 more than some States pay. My col- rule. It specifically enables debates on to press a button and announce the re- leagues may not know it, but D.C.’s issues that are not appropriately with- sults of the referendum. The com- population is larger than three other in the appropriations committee’s ju- mittee, in a bipartisan aye vote, agreed States in our Union who are rep- risdiction. The reason why this is not a that we should not be doing that. So we resented by two Senators, as well as good rule is it puts in things that lie rejected it. So now the gentleman from Congress people in this House of Rep- well beyond the scope of the Com- Georgia (Mr. BARR) has a brand-new resentatives. mittee on Appropriations, well beyond thing, brand-new language that needs a The rule that was let yesterday from the scope of Federal governance. hearing, needs consideration by the the Committee on Rules does not allow July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6505 the District to operate as any other Member offering an amendment has caused House Resolution 261 also provides American jurisdiction would be al- it to be printed in the portion of the Con- for one motion to recommit, with or lowed to do so: with its own local tax gressional Record designated for that pur- without instructions, as is the right of pose in clause 8 of rule XVIII. Amendments base. I think it is unconscionable, it is so printed shall be considered as read. The the minority Members of the House. undemocratic, and it is unfair. Chairman of the Committee of the Whole Madam Speaker, House Resolution Madam Speaker, D.C. residents are may: (1) postpone until a time during further 261 is a typical open rule to be consid- taxpaying American citizens and are consideration in the Committee of the Whole ered for general appropriations bills. denied full representation here in the a request for a recorded vote on any amend- This rule does not restrict the normal Congress. Some of the amendments ment; and (2) reduce to five minutes the min- open amending process in any way, and that are allowed in order ought not be imum time for electronic voting on any post- any amendments that comply with the poned question that follows another elec- in an appropriations bill, they should tronic vote without intervening business, standing Rules of the House may be of- go through the regular process. It is a provided that the minimum time for elec- fered for consideration. While a vast bad rule, it is unfair, it is undemo- tronic voting on the first in any series of number of amendments is not expected, cratic, and I urge my colleagues to questions shall be 15 minutes. At the conclu- the rule permits those Members who vote ‘‘no.’’ sion of consideration of the bill for amend- have amendments every opportunity to Mr. FROST. Madam Speaker, I ask ment the Committee shall rise and report offer them. the bill to the House with such amendments Madam Speaker, H.R. 2605 appro- for a ‘‘no’’ vote on the rule, and I yield as may have been adopted. The previous back the balance of my time. question shall be considered as ordered on priates a total of $20.2 billion in discre- Mr. LINDER. Madam Speaker, I urge the bill and amendments thereto to final tionary budget authority, which is $880 my colleagues to support this rule and passage without intervening motion except million below last year’s level and $1.4 have an open and honest debate on the one motion to recommit with or without in- billion below the President’s request. important issues that the Nation is structions. As we all know, the Committee on Ap- watching us for. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- propriations has, once again, had to Madam Speaker, I yield back the bal- tleman from Georgia (Mr. LINDER) is balance a wide array of interests and ance of my time, and I move the pre- recognized for 1 hour. make tough choices with scarce re- vious question on the resolution. Mr. LINDER. Madam Speaker, for sources. I commend the gentleman The previous question was ordered. the purpose of debate only, I yield the from California (Mr. PACKARD), the The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. customary 30 minutes to the gen- chairman of the subcommittee, and the tleman from Massachusetts (Mr. MOAK- EMERSON). The question is on the reso- gentleman from Indiana (Mr. VIS- lution. LEY), pending which I yield myself such CLOSKY), the ranking member for their The question was taken; and the time as I may consume. During consid- work on this legislation. eration of this resolution, all time Speaker pro tempore announced that Specifically, the bill provides $4.19 yielded is for the purpose of debate the ayes appeared to have it. billion for the Corps of Engineers for only. Mr. FROST. Madam Speaker, on that civil projects such as flood control, Madam Speaker, House Resolution shoreline protection and navigation I demand the yeas and nays. 261 is an open rule providing for consid- The yeas and nays were ordered. and environmental projects, which is eration of H.R. 2605, the Energy and an increase of $91 million over last The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Water Appropriations bill for fiscal year’s level. The bill also provides ant to clause 8 of rule XX, further pro- year 2000. The rule provides for 1 hour $784.7 million for the Bureau of Rec- ceedings on this question will be post- of general debate, divided equally be- lamation to maintain, operate, and re- poned. tween the chairman and ranking mi- habilitate Bureau projects and western f nority member of the Committee on Appropriations. water infrastructure, which is $2.6 mil- PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION The rule waives clause 4(a) of rule 13, lion over last year’s level. OF H.R. 2605, ENERGY AND which requires a 3-day layover of the As we keep our fiscal House in order, WATER DEVELOPMENT APPRO- committee report. The rule also waives we must ensure that all funding is PRIATIONS ACT, 2000 clause 2 of Rule XXI, which prohibits spent efficiently and where it is needed most. This bill achieves this goal. Not- Mr. LINDER. Madam Speaker, by di- unauthorized or legislative provisions withstanding the constraints we now rection of the Committee on Rules, I in an appropriations bill, and it waives face after decades of fiscal irrespon- call up House Resolution 261 and ask clause 5(a) of Rule XXI, which pro- sibility, H.R. 2605 effectively funds for its immediate consideration. hibits a tax or tariff provision in a bill solar and renewable energy programs, The Clerk read the resolution, as fol- reported by a committee with jurisdic- nuclear energy programs, science pro- lows: tion over revenue measures. These are waived against provisions in the bill, grams, and atomic energy defense ac- H. RES. 261 except as otherwise specified in the tivities. Resolved, That at any time after the adop- Madam Speaker, clearly the Depart- tion of this resolution the Speaker may, pur- rule. Madam Speaker, this rule accords ment of Energy is a department that is suant to clause 2(b) of rule XVIII, declare the plagued by mismanagement and abuse, House resolved into the Committee of the priority in recognition to Members who Whole House on the state of the Union for have preprinted amendments in the and I want to comment on two specific consideration of the bill (H.R. 2605) making CONGRESSIONAL RECORD. This will sim- provisions in this appropriations bill appropriations for energy and water develop- ply encourage Members to take advan- that the Committee on Appropriations ment for the fiscal year ending September 30, tage of the option in order to facilitate has taken to reform and improve man- 2000, and for other purposes. The first read- consideration of amendments on the agement and security. ing of the bill shall be dispensed with. Points House floor and to inform Members of First, the bill reduces contractor of order against consideration of the bill for the details of pending amendments. travel by 50 percent, a decrease of $125 failure to comply with clause 4 of rule XIII The rule also provides that the Chair- million from last year’s level. The Gen- are waived. General debate shall be confined to the bill and shall not exceed one hour man of the Committee of the Whole eral Accounting Office has reported equally divided and controlled by the chair- may postpone recorded votes on any widespread abuses of travel funds, ex- man and ranking minority member of the amendment, and that the Chairman cessive waste of taxpayers’ money, and Committee on Appropriations. After general may reduce voting time on postponed the overall use of contractors on De- debate the bill shall be considered for questions to 5 minutes, provided that partment of Energy programs. We can- amendment under the five-minute rule. the vote immediately follow another not stand for this kind of mismanage- Points of order against provisions in the bill recorded vote, and that the voting time ment and waste, and I strongly support for failure to comply with clause 2 or clause on the first in a series of votes is not the significant reduction in funding for 5(a) of rule XXI are waived except as follows: page 7, line 1, through page 9, line 2; page 36, less than 15 minutes. This will provide contractor travel in this bill. lines 21 through 25. During consideration of a more definite voting schedule for all I also wanted to comment on the the bill for amendment, the Chairman of the Members and hopefully will help guar- bill’s provisions that delays $1 billion Committee of the Whole may accord priority antee the timely completion of the ap- in obligations for the Department of in recognition on the basis of whether the propriations bills. Energy until after June 30, 2000, and H6506 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 until Congress has enacted legislation vast improvements, to our ports and Mr. VISCLOSKY. Madam Speaker, I restructuring the national security help maintain our harbors. They also would like to use my time on the de- program currently under the jurisdic- will receive $25 million for Challenge bate on the rule to do three things. The tion of the Department of Energy. 21, which is a river restoration and first is to indicate my support, as well, The security of our nuclear secrets is flood mitigation program. for passage of the rule. It is a good vital to this Nation and the Depart- Madam Speaker, in addition to water rule. ment of Energy has shown itself to be projects, this bill also funds the Energy Secondly, I would like to thank the inept in the safeguarding of these se- Department, which is responsible for gentleman from California (Chairman crets. While reports have indicated atomic defense activities as well as PACKARD) and to thank all of my col- problems with the Department of En- conducting basic science and energy re- leagues on both sides of the aisle on ergy for years, the Department’s con- search activities, which are very, very the committee, and to thank all of the fusing structure and overlapping lines important in today’s high-tech world. staff for their hard work on this very of responsibility have continued to un- For instance, Madam Speaker, the good bill. dermine any effort to improve security Energy Department helps develop clean Given the allocations that the sub- from within the Department. By with- non-greenhouse gas power sources, but committee faced, given the responsibil- holding these funds until Congress re- they might need more funding to do so. ities that the subcommittee faced, and structures the national security pro- Otherwise our solar and renewable en- given the positioning we must place gram, we send a strong message that ergy programs will take a back seat to ourselves in to have a successful con- this Congress demands improved man- those of other countries, and I believe ference with the other body, I do be- agement and accountability when it the United States should be on the cut- lieve that we have done a very good comes to protecting nuclear secrets. ting edge. job. Madam Speaker, H.R. 2605 was favor- Unfortunately, our Internet program Having said that, I want to use the ably reported out of the Committee on was cut as well. This bill cuts funding remainder of my time to set the stage Appropriations, as was this open rule for the next generation Internet pro- for the amendment I will offer to the gram, also known as Internet 2. This by the Committee on Rules. I urge my bill. The issue deals with the question program will help keep the United colleagues to support the rule so that of the Clean Water Act, current per- States on the cutting edge of informa- we may proceed with the general de- mitting processes that are violative of tion and communication technologies bate and consideration of this legisla- the Clean Water Act, and the preserva- by making it easier for universities and tion. tion of wetlands in this country. government to conduct research using Madam Speaker, I reserve the bal- Wetlands are key in the United wider bandwidths. States of America, and are vital as far ance of my time. Madam Speaker, now is not the time Mr. MOAKLEY. Madam Speaker, I as flood protection. Wetlands are essen- to be pulling away from the Internet, tial as far as our water quality. They thank the gentleman from Georgia and I hope this funding can be restored. are valuable as far as the preservation (Mr. LINDER), my colleague and friend, Furthermore, as it stands now, Madam of wildlife habitat, and they are crit- for yielding me the customary half Speaker, this bill contains some anti- ical for recreational opportunities. We hour, and I yield myself such time as I environmental riders which will make are losing the benefit of these wet- may consume. it harder to protect wetlands and hard- lands, and if the language contained in Madam Speaker, I want to begin by er to protect communities against the bill today is not stripped out, we congratulating my colleagues, the gen- floods. Because of those anti-environ- will lose additional wetlands in an un- tleman from Indiana (Mr. VISCLOSKY), mental riders, the administration is warranted fashion. the ranking member of the sub- strongly opposed to this bill. committee, and the gentleman from But under this open rule, the gen- When European settlers began to come to North America, there were 220 California (Mr. PACKARD), the chair- tleman from Indiana (Mr. VISCLOSKY) man of that subcommittee, for their will be able to offer an amendment million acres of wetlands. As the chart very hard work. This is their first time which can get rid of those anti-wetland indicates, in 1995, according to the De- steering the Energy and Water Devel- amendments and greatly improve the partment of Agriculture, there are only opment appropriations bills through bill. 124 million acres left. According to the committee and they have done an ex- Once again, Madam Speaker, I con- Army Corps of Engineers, the Fish and cellent job. gratulate the gentleman from Cali- Wildlife Service, and the Environ- mental Protection Agency, we con- b 1600 fornia (Mr. PACKARD), the chairman, and the ranking member, the gen- tinue to lose 70,000 to 90,000 acres of Even though this bill is very com- tleman from Indiana (Mr. VISCLOSKY) precious wetlands every year, and this plicated, they managed to put together for their very hard work, and I urge my must stop. a bipartisan bill that was approved by colleagues to support this open rule Beginning under the Reagan adminis- the Committee on Appropriations on a and support the bill. tration in 1985, it became the policy of voice vote. Madam Speaker, they de- Madam Speaker, I reserve the bal- our national government to do some- serve our gratitude and they deserve ance of my time. thing about this issue. The ante was our congratulations. Mr. LINDER. Madam Speaker, I am upped, so to speak, in 1989 under Presi- Madam Speaker, like most appro- pleased to yield such time as he may dent Bush. priation bills, this bill is coming to the consume to the gentleman from Cali- I have a statement for my colleagues floor with an open rule that waives fornia (Mr. PACKARD), the chairman of from President Bush dated June 8, 1989. points of order against legislating on the Subcommittee on Energy and Essentially, the President said that an appropriations bill, and I urge my Water Development. somewhere around 1989 he would hope colleagues to support it. In general, Mr. PACKARD. Madam Speaker, I that future generations begin to under- this is a very good bill which funds thank the gentleman from Georgia for stand that things changed and we some very excellent energy and water yielding time to me. I deeply appre- began to hold onto our parks and ref- infrastructure projects. Specifically, it ciate the comments of both the gen- uges, and we protected our species. In provides $4.2 billion for the Army Corps tleman from Georgia and the gen- that year, under the Bush administra- of Engineers and $15.5 billion for the tleman from Massachusetts on the tion, the seeds of a new policy about Department of Energy. rule. our valuable wetlands were sown, a pol- The Army Corps of Engineers will be Madam Speaker, this is an open rule. icy summed up in three simple word by able to continue their civil projects, It is a fair rule, one that I totally sup- President Bush: ‘‘No net loss.’’ like controlling floods, protecting our port, and I want to encourage all the The legislative riders that again I be- shorelines, and supporting navigational Members to support it, vote for it, and lieve are violative of the Clean Water and environmental projects. get on with the bill. Act and will lead to the loss of addi- They will also receive $951 million in Mr. MOAKLEY. Madam Speaker, I tional wetlands are strongly opposed funding for the new Harbor Services yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from by the Army Corps of Engineers. They Fund, which will make improvements, Indiana (Mr. VISCLOSKY). are strongly opposed by the Federal July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6507

Emergency Management Administra- I also appreciate the inclusion in this (Mr. SALMON) and I have been working tion. They are strongly opposed by the bill of funds for the work of the DOE’s hard to improve this part of the bill to Environmental Protection Agency. Office of Worker and Community Tran- make it even more balanced and a bet- It is my understanding that the sition. The activities of this office, ter measure. President has indicated the bill would which implements the so-called 3161 I will have more to say regarding the be vetoed if these anti-environmental program, are essential if we are truly solar and renewable energy programs, riders were not stripped from the bill. to keep faith with the Cold War war- but for now let me reiterate my appre- This is a serious and fundamental riors who worked at Rocky Flats and ciation for the hard work of the Mem- issue. I would remind all of my col- at the other sites in the DOE’s nuclear bers and staff of the Subcommittee on leagues that this is only the second weapons complex. Energy and Water Development, and time in 21 years that an administration In addition, funding through this of- the entire Committee on Appropria- has issued a veto threat on this bill. We fice is very important to assist the tions. are talking about a major and sub- local communities as they work to ad- I urge support for the rule. stantive change. just to ongoing changes now underway Mr. LINDER. Madam Speaker, I re- I would remind my colleagues as well at Rocky Flats, and those that will serve the balance of my time. that in the last three Congresses, over come after clean-up and closure are Mr. MOAKLEY. Madam Speaker, I 225 bills have been introduced on wet- achieved. yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from lands and the Clean Water Act. We For example, a number of these com- Texas (Mr. GREEN). (Mr. GREEN of Texas asked and was have not been able to solve some of the munities have joined together to form given permission to revise and extend conflicting positions and opinions the Rocky Flats Coalition of Local his remarks.) through the authorization process. Governments. This organization, work- Mr. GREEN of Texas. Madam Speak- This is not the time, this is not the ve- ing with other communities and er, I rise in support of both the rule and hicle, to do this. groups, can play a vital role in building H.R. 2065, the fiscal year 2000 Energy I would encourage all of my col- consensus about the future uses of both and Water Development Appropriations leagues to listen to the debate and to the open space buffer zone and the Act, and also in support of the rule. support my amendment during consid- more intensively developed industrial I want to thank the gentleman from eration of the bill to strip this rider zone, as well. California (Chairman PACKARD) and out. That is my one fundamental objec- So I regret that the bill does not pro- also our ranking member, the gen- vide all the funds requested by the tion. It is a serious difference of opin- tleman from Indiana (Mr. VISCLOSKY), ion. It is the only one, I would point President for worker and community for their continued support for the out, that I have with the chairman of transition purposes. However, I do un- Houston-Galveston navigation project. the committee. derstand the tighter constraints under I also want to thank all the Members Mr. MOAKLEY. Madam Speaker, I which the Committee on Appropria- of that committee, and particularly tions has had to work, and I hope that yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from the gentleman from Texas (Mr. ED- DALL as we proceed with the legislative proc- Colorado (Mr. U ). WARDS) for his leadership. (Mr. UDALL of Colorado asked and ess, it will be possible to increase that For two consecutive years, the Con- was given permission to revise and ex- amount to a level more adequate to the gress has appropriated sufficient funds tend his remarks.) program’s important purposes. to complete the widening and deep- Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Madam However, I am very concerned about ening of the Houston Ship Channel Speaker, I thank the gentleman from the language in the committee report project in 4 years. This fiscal year, the Massachusetts for yielding time to me. suggesting that the DOE ‘‘should pre- $60 million appropriation in this bill I rise in support of the rule and in pare for significantly decreased or no ensures we will maintain the optimum general support of this bill. This is an funding in fiscal year 2001 for imple- construction schedule. important bill for our country. It is es- menting these 3161 programs.’’ Termi- Maintaining this schedule is impor- pecially important for Colorado, as nating or even deeply reducing this tant because it will add an additional well, because it provides the funding fund next year would not be wise or ap- $281 million to the project’s rate of in- for continuing work on the critical propriate. It would be a serious breach vestment, return on investment, and task of cleaning up Rocky Flats, the of faith with our Cold War veterans, save taxpayers $63.5 million in in- former atomic weapons facility. and would make it that much harder creased escalation and investment The flats sits near the heart of the for local communities to adequately costs. Denver-Boulder metropolitan area, respond to the changed circumstances The expansion of the Houston Ship which is home to more than 2 million at Rocky Flats and elsewhere through- Channel is important on many levels. people. It has extensive amounts of out the complex of DOE sites. So I urge The port of Houston, connected to the hazardous materials. For all Colo- the committee to rethink this point, Gulf of Mexico by the 50-mile ship radans it is a matter of highest pri- and to refrain from such an approach channel, is ranked first in foreign ton- ority to have Rocky Flats cleaned up when it develops next year’s bill. nage and second in total tonnage efficiently, safely, and promptly. In addition, there are a couple of among U.S. ports and eighth in total In 1997, the DOE designated the areas where I think the bill needs im- tonnage among world ports. Rocky Flats site as a pilot for acceler- provement. For example, there are pro- With more than 7,000 vessels navi- ated clean-up and closure, and is work- visions related to wetlands that I think gating the channel annually and an an- ing to finish cleaning it up in time for should not be included. I think the bill ticipated increase over the next few closure in the year 2006. I strongly sup- would be better if it did not include years, the widening and deepening is a port this effort, as does the entire Colo- language that could make it harder for necessary step in safeguarding the safe- rado delegation here in the House and us to take action to deal with problems ty and economic viability of the port the other body as well. So I am very associated with climate change and and the city of Houston. glad the bill includes the amount re- global warming. The port of Houston provides $5.5 bil- quested in the President’s budget for I also have some concerns about the lion in annual business revenues, and the Rocky Flats closure fund. bill’s provisions as they could affect creates 196,000 direct and indirect jobs. I want to thank the gentleman from the Western Power Administration and By generating $300 million annually in California (Chairman PACKARD) and the related entities. In my view, though, customs fees and $213 million annually gentleman from Alaska (Chairman the most troublesome aspect of the bill in State and local taxes, the Houston- YOUNG), and the ranking members, the is the inadequate funding it would pro- Galveston navigation project will more gentleman from Indiana (Mr. VIS- vide for the DOE’s very important pro- than pay for itself. CLOSKY) and the gentleman from Wis- grams related to solar and renewable I appreciate the subcommittee’s sup- consin (Mr. OBEY), for their leadership energy, both here at home and inter- port, and ask my colleagues to support and for recognizing the importance of nationally, as well. both this rule and the bill. this undertaking for Colorado and our Working with others on both sides of Mr. LINDER. Madam Speaker, I re- Nation. the aisle, the gentleman from Arizona serve the balance of my time. H6508 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 Mr. MOAKLEY. Madam Speaker, I never see in this century or even in the Houghton Morella Sherwood Hulshof Myrick Shimkus yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from next century for 20 or 30 years a private Hunter Nethercutt Shuster Oregon (Mr. DEFAZIO). provider stringing fiberoptics to their Hutchinson Ney Simpson Mr. DEFAZIO. Madam Speaker, I communities. Hyde Northup Skeen thank the gentleman for yielding time BPA owns 80 percent of the trans- Isakson Norwood Smith (MI) Istook Nussle Smith (NJ) to me. mission. It does not, by policy, allow Jenkins Ose Smith (TX) Madam Speaker, there is legislation other people to access or hang things Johnson (CT) Oxley Souder contained in this bill before us that is on its transmission. They are the only Johnson, Sam Packard Spence protected by the rule, legislating on an Jones (NC) Paul Stearns alternative out there. In some, again, Kasich Pease Stump appropriations bill. This legislation misguided attempt to bring about com- Kelly Petri Sununu that pertains to the Bonneville Power petition that does not exist, and if it King (NY) Pickering Sweeney Administration is very, very problem- did exist, I would not be up here on Kingston Pitts Talent Knollenberg Pombo Tancredo atic, and in fact, is contradicted by that particular issue and prohibit them Kolbe Porter Tauzin language in the manager’s report. But, from using their excess capacity at no Kuykendall Portman Taylor (MS) of course, we know the language in the incremental cost to provide services to LaHood Pryce (OH) Taylor (NC) manager’s report does not hold sway Largent Quinn Terry those communities. Latham Radanovich Thomas over legislative provisions contained These are ill-intentioned. They are LaTourette Ramstad Thornberry within the bill protected by the rule, not overcome by the manager’s lan- Lazio Regula Thune riders on the bill. guage. I urge colleagues to vote against Leach Reynolds Tiahrt Lewis (CA) Riley Toomey There are two provisions that are the entire bill unless these are fixed. Lewis (KY) Rogan Traficant aimed at Bonneville Power Adminis- Mr. MOAKLEY. Madam Speaker, I Linder Rogers Upton tration and other Federal power mar- yield back the balance of my time. LoBiondo Rohrabacher Vitter keting agencies that are damaging and Lucas (KY) Ros-Lehtinen Walden Mr. LINDER. Madam Speaker, I urge Lucas (OK) Roukema Walsh very ill-informed. One is incredibly my colleagues to support this open Manzullo Royce Wamp broad, and it would repeal legislation rule. I yield back the balance of my McCollum Ryan (WI) Watkins Congress passed by a large majority in time, and I move the previous question McCrery Ryun (KS) Watts (OK) McHugh Salmon Weldon (FL) the 1992 Energy Policy Act. on the resolution. McInnis Sanford Weldon (PA) b 1615 The previous question was ordered. McIntosh Saxton Weller The resolution was agreed to. McIntyre Scarborough Whitfield It allowed the Bonneville Power Ad- McKeon Schaffer Wicker A motion to reconsider was laid on Metcalf Sensenbrenner Wilson ministration to directly fund oper- the table. ations and maintenance at hydro- Mica Sessions Wolf f Miller (FL) Shadegg Young (AK) electric facilities operated by the Miller, Gary Shaw Young (FL) Moran (KS) Shays Army Corps and the Bureau of Rec- PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION lamation in the Pacific Northwest. OF H.R. 2587, DISTRICT OF CO- NAYS—201 For years, we had a horrendous back- LUMBIA APPROPRIATIONS ACT, Abercrombie Engel Maloney (CT) log and horrendous inefficiency. But 2000 Ackerman Eshoo Maloney (NY) then this amendment passed. In fact, Allen Etheridge Markey now unlike other Federal power mar- The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Andrews Evans Martinez EMERSON). The pending business is the Baird Farr Mascara keting agencies and systems around Baldacci Fattah Matsui the country, we are pretty much up to question of agreeing to the resolution, Baldwin Filner McCarthy (MO) date, and it is working very efficiently House Resolution 260, on which the Barcia Forbes McCarthy (NY) yeas and nays are ordered. Barrett (WI) Ford McGovern and effectively, both for the Federal Becerra Frank (MA) McKinney taxpayers and for the region. The Clerk read the title of the resolu- Bentsen Frost McNulty Why would this bill repeal that? It is tion. Berkley Gejdenson Meehan some sort of strange flat-earth view of The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Berman Gephardt Meek (FL) question is on the resolution. Berry Gonzalez Meeks (NY) competition that does not exist and Bishop Gordon Menendez cannot effectively deal with the prob- The vote was taken by electronic de- Blagojevich Gutierrez Millender- lem and did not before we had a change vice, and there were—yeas 227, nays Blumenauer Hall (TX) McDonald 201, not voting 5, as follows: Bonior Hastings (FL) Miller, George in the statute. Borski Hill (IN) Minge Secondly, the bill would prevent Bon- [Roll No. 339] Boswell Hilliard Mink neville Power Administration and YEAS—227 Boucher Hinchey Moakley Boyd Hinojosa Mollohan other PMAs from cooperating with the Aderholt Castle Franks (NJ) Brady (PA) Hoeffel Moore Archer Chabot Frelinghuysen utility customers to properly maintain Brown (FL) Holden Moran (VA) Armey Chambliss Gallegly the regional transmission grades. Brown (OH) Holt Murtha Bachus Coble Ganske Capps Hoyer Nadler Here we are worried about system re- Baker Coburn Gekas Capuano Inslee Napolitano Ballenger Collins Gibbons liability across the country which car- Cardin Jackson (IL) Neal Barr Combest Gilchrest ries both public and private power, and Carson Jackson-Lee Obey Barrett (NE) Cook Gillmor Clay (TX) Olver we are going to undermine that in this Bartlett Cooksey Gilman Clayton Jefferson Ortiz bill. That is not a good move for the Barton Cox Goode Clement John Owens Bass Crane Goodlatte West or even the Southeast in terms of Clyburn Johnson, E. B. Pallone Bateman Cubin Goodling the Valley Authority and Condit Jones (OH) Pascrell Bereuter Cunningham Goss Conyers Kanjorski Pastor other PMAs. It is very damaging. In Biggert Davis (VA) Graham Costello Kaptur Payne Bilbray Deal Granger fact, it is so damaging that I will have Coyne Kennedy Pelosi Bilirakis DeLay Green (TX) to vote against the entire bill, and I Cramer Kildee Peterson (MN) Bliley DeMint Green (WI) Crowley Kilpatrick Phelps would urge other western Members to Blunt Diaz-Balart Greenwood Danner Kind (WI) Pickett do the same. Boehlert Dickey Gutknecht Davis (FL) Kleczka Pomeroy Boehner Doolittle Hall (OH) Finally, there is a provision that Davis (IL) Klink Price (NC) Bonilla Dreier Hansen forces BPA to discontinue an impor- DeFazio Kucinich Rahall Bono Duncan Hastings (WA) DeGette LaFalce Rangel tant infrastructure development. BPA Brady (TX) Dunn Hayes Delahunt Lampson Reyes Bryant Ehlers Hayworth is installing a fiberoptic network on its DeLauro Lantos Rivers Burr Ehrlich Hefley transmission towers to improve its Deutsch Larson Rodriguez Burton Emerson Herger Dicks Lee Roemer communication and its dispatch of Buyer English Hill (MT) Dingell Levin Rothman power. It is good business. They need Callahan Everett Hilleary Dixon Lewis (GA) Roybal-Allard Calvert Ewing Hobson to do it. Doggett Lipinski Rush Camp Fletcher Hoekstra At virtually no incremental cost, Dooley Lofgren Sabo Campbell Foley Hooley Doyle Lowey Sanchez they could provide excess capacity to Canady Fossella Horn Edwards Luther Sanders remote rural communities who will Cannon Fowler Hostettler July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6509 Sandlin Stark Velazquez (Mr. PACKARD asked and was given straints to provide a bill that is bal- Sawyer Stenholm Vento Schakowsky Strickland Visclosky permission to revise and extend his re- anced and fair. Scott Stupak Waters marks.) I especially want to express my grati- Serrano Tanner Watt (NC) Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Chairman, it is tude to the ranking minority member, Sherman Tauscher Waxman my privilege to present to the Com- the honorable gentleman from Indiana Shows Thompson (CA) Weiner ISCLOSKY Sisisky Thompson (MS) Wexler mittee of the Whole for its consider- (Mr. V ). He has been ex- Skelton Thurman Weygand ation the bill H.R. 2605, making appro- tremely helpful. Together we have de- Slaughter Tierney Wise priations for energy and water develop- veloped a good bill. I know there are Smith (WA) Towns Woolsey one or two items of disagreement, but Snyder Turner Wu ment for the fiscal year ending Sep- Spratt Udall (CO) Wynn tember 30, 2000. overall I think both of us support a Stabenow Udall (NM) Mr. Chairman, this bill provides an- very good bill. I am very proud of his efforts and NOT VOTING—5 nual funding for a wide array of Fed- pleased that we have worked as well as Chenoweth McDermott Peterson (PA) eral Government programs involving Cummings Oberstar such diverse matters as national secu- we have together. It is in large part rity, environmental cleanup, flood con- due to his effort that we present this b 1640 trol, advanced scientific research, navi- bill that merits the support of all the Mr. CRAMER changed his vote from gation, alternative energy sources, and Members on final passage. ‘‘yea’’ to ‘‘nay. the nuclear power regulation. Mr. Chairman, I urge all Members to Mr. GOODLATTE changed his vote support H.R. 2605 as reported by the b from ‘‘nay’’ to ‘‘yea.’’ 1645 Committee on Appropriations. So the resolution was agreed to. Programs funded by this bill affect Mr. Chairman, it is my privilege to present to The result of the vote was announced multiple aspects of American life, hav- the Committee of the Whole for its consider- as above recorded. ing significant implications for domes- ation H.R. 2605, making appropriations for en- A motion to reconsider was laid on tic security, commercial competitive- ergy and water development for the fiscal year the table. ness, and the advance of science. ending September 30, 2000. Mr. Chairman, f I am proud of the bill reported by the this bill provides annual funding for a wide array of Federal government programs, com- GENERAL LEAVE Committee on Appropriations without amendment, and I believe it merits the prehending such diverse matters as national Mr. PACKARD. Madam Speaker, I support of the entire membership of security, environmental cleanup, flood control, ask unanimous consent that all Mem- this body. advanced scientific research, navigation, alter- bers may have 5 legislative days within Perhaps the most remarkable aspect native energy sources, and nuclear power reg- which to revise and extend their re- of this bill is its constrained size. The ulation. Programs funded by this bill affect marks on the bill (H.R. 2605) making measure represents an unqualified vic- multiple aspects of American life, having sig- appropriations for energy and water de- tory for fiscal austerity, nificant implications for domestic security, velopment for the fiscal year ending conservativism, and responsibility. commercial competitiveness, and the advance September 30, 2000, and for other pur- Total funding for the energy and of science. I am proud of the bill reported by poses, and that I may include tabular water bill in H.R. 2605 is $20.19 billion. the Committee on Appropriations without and extraneous material. This is more than $900 million below amendment, and I believe it merits the support The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. the fiscal year 1999 baseline for energy of the entire membership of this body. EMERSON). Is there objection to the re- and water development programs. Fur- Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of this quest of the gentleman from Cali- ther, it is $1.4 billion below the budget bill is its constrained size. The measure rep- fornia? request and more than $1 billion less resents an unqualified victory for fiscal aus- There was no objection. than the energy and water bill passed terity, conservatism and responsibility. Total f by the Senate earlier this year. funding for energy and water programs in H.R. 2605 is $20.19 billion. This is more than $900 ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOP- Mr. Chairman, the substantial cuts contained in H.R. 2605 are real. They million below the fiscal year 1999 baseline for MENT APPROPRIATIONS ACT, energy and water development programs. Fur- are not produced by smoke and mirrors 2000 thermore, it is $1.4 billion below the budget re- gimmicks or creative accounting. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. quest and more than $1 billion less than the They, rather, are the result of a fiscal EMERSON). Pursuant to House Resolu- Energy and Water Bill passed by the Senate discipline demanding reduction in the tion 261 and rule XVIII, the Chair de- earlier this summer. clares the House in the Committee of size, scope, and cost of the Federal Mr. Chairman, the substantial cuts con- the Whole House on the State of the Government. tained in H.R. 2605 are real. They are not pro- Despite the bill’s deep programmatic Union for the consideration of the bill, duced by smoke and mirrors, gimmicks, or reductions, it provides adequate fund- H.R. 2605. creative accounting. Rather, they are the re- ing for the continuation of high pri- sult of a fiscal discipline demanding reduction b 1642 ority programs, promising the greatest in the size, scope and cost of the Federal gov- IN THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE return on the investment of taxpayer ernment. Accordingly, the House resolved dollars. Despite the bill's deep programmatic reduc- itself into the Committee of the Whole The cost-effective civil works pro- tions, it provides adequate funding for the con- House on the State of the Union for the gram of the U.S. Army Corps of Engi- tinuation of high-priority programs promising consideration of the bill (H.R. 2605) neers, for example, is funded at a level the greatest return on the investment of tax- making appropriations for energy and significantly higher than the budget payers dollars. The cost-effective civil works water development for the fiscal year request and slightly higher than the program of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, ending September 30, 2000, and for fiscal year 1999 level. This funding is for example, is funded at a level significantly other purposes, with Mr. Hansen in the more than offset by considerable reduc- higher than the budget request and slightly chair. tions in the Department of Energy. higher than fiscal year 1999. This funding is The Clerk read the title of the bill. The bill requires, for example, a re- more than offset by considerable reductions in The CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to the duction of $125 million in DOE con- the Department of Energy. The bill requires, rule, the bill is considered as having tractor travel expenses. This is one- for example, a reduction of $125 million in been read the first time. half the level of this current year. And, DOE contractor travel expenses, an area of Under the rule, the gentleman from as my colleagues all know, we have re- documented abuse. California (Mr. PACKARD) and the gen- ceived documented evidence of abusive Title I of the bill provides funding for the civil tleman from Indiana (Mr. VISCLOSKY) travel in that Department. works program of the Corps of Engineers. The each will control 30 minutes. Mr. Chairman, I owe a great debt of Subcommittee on Energy and Water Develop- The Chair recognizes the gentleman gratitude to the hard-working mem- ment is unanimous in its belief that this pro- from California (Mr. PACKARD). bers of the Subcommittee on Energy gram is among the most valuable within the Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Chairman, I yield and Water Development. They have la- Subcommittee's jurisdiction. The national ben- myself such time as I may consume. bored hard under difficult fiscal con- efits of projects for flood control, navigation H6510 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 and shoreline protection demonstrably exceed lion, the full amount of the budget request, to pete with the private sector in certain areas project costs. The bill acknowledges the im- initiate the nuclear energy plant optimization outside the sale of electricity. It is the intention portance of water infrastructure by funding the program. of the House Managers that this section not civil works program at $4.19 billion, an in- The largest spending category in the Energy vitiate or adversely impact any of the self-fi- crease of $91 million over the fiscal year 1999 and Water Bill is that of environmental restora- nanced or ongoing direct financing relation- level and $283 million over the amount re- tion and waste management at Department of ships for power operations and maintenance quested by the Administration. Energy sites. Funding for cleanup activities in or power capital rehabilitation between the Within the amount appropriated to the Corps title III of the bill exceeds $6 billionÐmore power marketing administrations (PMAs) and of Engineers, $159 million is for general inves- than $5.44 billion for defense-related cleanup the Bureau of Reclamation or the U.S. Army tigations, $1.413 billion is for the construction and more than $560 million for non-defense Corps of Engineers. Likewise, the House Man- program, and $1.888 billion is for operation cleanup activities. The Committee is dedicated agers do not interpret this provision to impair and maintenance. In addition, the bill includes to the environmental restoration of areas that the ability of PMAs to aid their customers, $313 million for the Flood Control, Mississippi participated in the development and mainte- other utilities, state and local and other Fed- River and Tributaries, project. This is an in- nance of our nuclear weapons complex. This eral government entities or the public in cases crease of $33 million over the Administration's bill reflects the Committee's continued efforts of emergencies or disruption of electrical serv- patently inadequate budget request. The bill to promote actual, physical site cleanups and ice where assistance is not otherwise avail- also fully funds the budget request for the reg- to accelerate the completion of remediation able to the requesting entity. Also, it is not the ulatory program, general expenses, and the work at DOE sites. Accordingly, the Com- intent of the legislation to prohibit or disrupt Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Pro- mittee has provided $1.05 billion, the full the ability of PMAs to carry out the electrical gram. amount of the budget request, for defense fa- transmission interconnection mandates of the Mr. Chairman, funding for title II, most of cilities closure projects. This account con- Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's which is for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, centrates funding on discrete sites that are on open access Orders Numbers 888 and 889. totals $822 millionÐa reduction of less than schedule for cleanup completion by the year Finally, it is not the intent of the provision to $3 million below the fiscal year 1999 level. 2006. disrupt any Y2K planning, testing and modi- The bill includes level funding of $75 million The bill includes $4 billion for weapons ac- fications necessary for the continued reliability for the CALFED Bay-Delta restoration program tivities of the Department of Energy. This con- of PMA electrical systems. siderable amount should be sufficient to pro- and fully funds the budget request for the Title IV of the bill provides funding for cer- Central Valley Project restoration fund and the vide for legitimate requirements of stockpile stewardship and management in the coming tain independent agencies of the Federal gov- Bureau of Reclamation loan program. year. When Congress agreed to initiate the ernment, including the Nuclear Regulatory Substantial reductions are included through- science-based stockpile stewardship program Commission, the Appalachian Regional Com- out title III of the bill, which funds the Depart- of the Department, it did so based on the pre- mission, the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety ment of Energy. DOE spending reductions, tense that funding for weapons activities would Board, and the Nuclear Waste Technical Re- however, are not applied indiscriminately. The be contained at $4 billion a year for ten years. view Board. Reductions in spending for inde- Committee has examined each program to de- In the few short years since this program's ini- pendent agencies over the past five years termine its relative value and merit. As a con- tiation, however, weapons funding has steadily have been nothing short of remarkable. In fis- sequence, the bill includes more than $2.7 bil- climbed to $4.4 billion in fiscal year 1999, and cal year 1995, Congress appropriated $470 lion for the science programs of DOE. This the budget requests a further increase of $124 million for title IV programs. The comparable represents an increase of $36 million over the million for fiscal year 2000. The Department figure for fiscal year 2000 is $84 million, a re- fiscal year 1999 level and reflects our commit- has demonstrated neither the capacity nor the duction of 82%. The bill provides no funding ment to protecting the Federal investment in commitment to contain program expenses, for the Tennessee Valley Authority, eliminating our national scientific infrastructure. leaving it to Congress to rein in these runaway appropriated subsidies to that New Deal-era Funding for energy supply programs of the costs. electric utility. Department totals $578 million. This includes In recognition that the national security pro- Mr. Chairman, I owe a debt of gratitude to $326 million for research and development of grams of DOE must be reorganized, the bill in- the hard-working and dedicated Members of solar and renewable energy technologies. Al- cludes language fencing $1 billion of the $4 the Subcommittee on Energy and Water De- though this falls short of the Administration's billion weapons appropriation until such time velopment. They have labored under difficult unrealistic budget request, it is a substantial as the national security programs of the De- fiscal constraints to produce a bill that is bal- and credible level of funding. Given the De- partment have been restructured or an inde- anced and fair. I am especially grateful to the partment's historical difficulties in executing pendent agency for national security programs Ranking Minority Member, the Honorable PETE these programs, I submit that the rec- has been established. We will not continue to VISCLOSKY. It is in large part due to his efforts ommendation is more than generous. pour money into a dysfunctional security oper- that we present a bill that merits the support The energy supply account also includes ation without the promise of meaningful re- $266 million for nuclear energy programs. The form. of all Members of the House. bill provides $20 million, an increase of $1 mil- Section 317 of H.R. 2605 contains language Mr. Chairman, I urge all Members to support lion over last year's level, for the nuclear en- intended to impose limits on the ability of Fed- H.R. 2605 as reported by the Committee on ergy research initiative. It also includes $5 mil- eral power marketing administrations to com- Appropriations. July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6511 H6512 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6513 Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance determination, first of all, does not re- I am very concerned about this provi- of my time. strict use of the property. It simply sion. This is not something that is Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Chairman, I suggests that a permit would be nec- minor or insignificant. And again, I yield myself such time as I may con- essary and 95 percent of the permits re- would remind all of my colleagues that sume. quested are granted. FEMA, the EPA, the Army Corps of (Mr. VISCLOSKY asked and was Instead of expediting the process, and Engineers have strongly objected and given permission to revise and extend that is certainly what I think most the administration has now issued a his remarks.) people want to see encouraged on both veto threat. Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Chairman, I sides of the political aisle, it would re- I do believe that the language ought would again begin, as I did under the sult in delay. Because instead of people to be removed. rule, to thank the chairman and all of and personnel at the Corps considering Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance the members for their good work and permit evaluations and considering of my time. for this nonpartisan bill that is before other matters dealing with wetland Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Chairman, I yield the House today but to reiterate, as the and expeditious consideration, they 3 minutes to the gentleman from Ken- chairman alluded to in his remarks would be defending those actions in tucky (Mr. ROGERS) a member of the during general debate, that there is one Federal court. It would burden the full committee and also a member of fundamental disagreement. That is two courts. It would burden the Depart- the subcommittee. environmental riders that were added ment of Justice and it certainly is a Mr. ROGERS. Mr. Chairman, I rise in to the legislation. During the amend- burden to the Corps. strong support of this bill and com- ment process, I will have an amend- Finally, it seeks remedy where there mend it to the body. ment to remove those. is no harm. The issue only arises if In his first year as chairman, our I would like to use my time during there is a wetland. And it is the pri- good friend the gentleman from Cali- the general debate to set the stage for mary policy of this Nation it preserve fornia (Mr. PACKARD) has done an out- the House, if I could, on the two issues those wetlands. And it only occurs if a standing job. He has taken the coura- before us. Both deal with the Army permit is required. geous approach to producing this bill, Corps. Both deal with wetlands. Both So I would suggest at this point in working with a lot less money than his deal with the Clean Water Act. If they time the language that is included in predecessors. He compensated for that are not removed from the legislation, the bill would simply lead to more liti- with difficult but justified decisions the administration has indicated that gation, and it would not solve the prob- throughout the bill. they would veto the legislation because lem as intended. This bill restores the public works they are now included. The second issue refers to a program programs of the Army Corps of Engi- I would suggest to the body that they called Permit 26. And essentially neers, maintaining commitments be- should be removed today. today, and since about 1977, there are tween the Federal Government and The first deals with the issue of juris- 37 different general permits that the communities across the Nation for dictional appeal. Today if a property Corps of Engineers established to again flood control, navigation, and shoreline owner wants to find out if there is a expedite the process. They are meant protection. wetland on his or her property, they to protect wetlands. They are meant to The President’s requested budget ig- would approach the Corps and receive a facilitate implementation of the Clean nored many ongoing projects and ze- determination. If the determination is Water Act. If a certain criteria is not roed them out, while at the same time not satisfactory to the property owner, met under general permitting, then an he proposed $80 million in brand new they would then proceed to the permit- individual permit would be neces- activities. ting process and thereafter have juris- sitated. The administration adopted the prac- diction to go to the U.S. Federal Permit 26 is the only one of the 37 tice of low-balling the annual Corps courts. that does not meet the standards of the budget, leaving ongoing projects dan- The Corps, since 1996, and the admin- Clean Water Act because it is based on gling and walking away from front-line istration has recognized that this is size and acreage and not on activity. responsibilities that Congress has di- not good policy. I would acknowledge The administration recognized this rected and the Corps has proceeded to all of my colleagues it is not good in 1996 and began to develop a permit- with. policy and it ought to change. ting process that is activity based. In We on the subcommittee have repeat- That is what they are about, to pro- 1996, they reduced acreage and allowed edly hammered the White House for mulgate an administrative appeal proc- the Permit 26 to continue 2 years while that practice because it breaks the ess so that if a property owner is ag- this program proceeded. On July 1 of faith between the Congress the Corps grieved, there is an appeal process last year, the situation was extended and our communities. It is an irrespon- within the Corps itself before recourse until March of this year, and com- sible approach to budgeting for our Na- is taken, especially to the Federal ments were solicited from the public. tion’s needs, and our constituents de- courts. I think that that is what we In October of last year, one of the six serve better. should be about and that is the process activities that had been proposed by Fortunately, we have the gentleman that we should retain. the Corps based on the comments re- from California (Mr. PACKARD) at the In the bill, $5 million is included to ceived were withdrawn, that dealing helm; and this bill goes a long way to- fully fund the completion and imple- with master plan development. The wards getting these projects back on mentation of this appeal process. And Corps heard the concern of property track. The recommendation of $4.2 bil- we call upon the Corps to do it as expe- owners, developers, and landowners. An lion will ensure that these vital na- ditiously as possible. additional comment period was set tional priorities are adequately funded. I think that the language that was aside in September of last year. In addition, Mr. Chairman, I want to approved by the other body is accept- As we speak, a third comment period speak very briefly in favor of the bill’s able and that the offending language relative to this permitting process is provisions regarding wetland permit- on the jurisdictional issue goes for one now underway. It began on July 21 to ting. final portion talking about final agen- make sure that the public input is pro- We have been hearing and we will cy action. vided. hear more from the opponents on this What the gentleman from California It is anticipated, as with the jurisdic- issue claiming that the bill reduces (Mr. PACKARD) would do in the legisla- tional issue, that this permitting situa- Federal protections and allows ex- tion is to suggest that if an appeal is tion will be resolved and a final process panded development on remaining wet- taken, it would be considered a final will be put into place by the end of this land. Simply put, that accusation is agency action and that the property year. I think it is inappropriate for us false. Neither the intent nor the im- owner could then go to Federal court to intervene in an extraordinary fash- pact of these provisions will be harmful without first seeking a permit. ion to now delay that implementation to the environment. I do not believe that this is appro- after the Corps has worked so hard to With regards to the administrative priate policy, because a jurisdictional ensure that it is put in place this year. appeals process, the bill’s provisions H6514 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 merely reflect what the administration tive appeals or expedited judicial re- ing our commitment to downsizing the expressed support for some time ago. view. Federal Government and to keep our But despite report language in both the We have got to hold the environ- budget balanced. Again this year the 1998 and 1999 bills giving the Corps the mental extremists and the fearmongers President’s budget request for the direction and the resources to imple- accountable. This bill does not destroy Army Corps of Engineers was woefully ment an administrative appeals process wetlands, risk lives or cause flooding. inadequate. Despite this committee’s for jurisdictional wetlands, nothing has Read the language. It simply is telling repeated calls for the President to fund happened. the Corps to share information with these important infrastructure needs, The underlying provisions in this bill the appropriators and with the author- he chose to ignore us. This bill main- in no way undermine public interest izers. It is not changing any standards tains funding for critical flood safety, groups’ rights in the appeals process. It under the Clean Water Act. coastal protection and dredging merely gives private property owners, Stop this misinformation. When the projects throughout our Nation and those most affected by the jurisdic- time comes, vote ‘‘no’’ on the Vis- flatly rejects the administration’s ef- tional determination, the same rights closky amendment. forts to back away from these very im- Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Chairman, I now afforded to our environmental in- portant and long-term investments. It yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from terest group friends. restores the needed funds to protect Oregon (Mr. WU). The language currently in the bill is American life and property and pro- a common-sense measure and should Mr. WU. Mr. Chairman, there is a pilot project at the mouth of the Co- motes our international competitive- have been implemented by the Corps ness. some time ago. I urge the House to sup- lumbia River, established through the port it. Oregon Graduate Institute and the Ma- In addition to the funding for our Na- In closing, I will just say that the rine Environmental Research and tion’s infrastructure, this bill provides Training Station in Astoria, Oregon gentleman from California (Mr. PACK- funding for the Department of Energy. which provides both realtime and his- ARD) and his very capable staff have While this bill funds many critical pro- put together something we can all be torical model forecasts. The tech- grams at the Department, I would like proud of, and I would urge everyone to nology from this pilot project could to speak favorably, but do it under ex- vote in favor of this bill. have numerous applications, including tended remarks, about some of the Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Chairman, I re- channel deepening, habitat restoration nonproliferation programs that the serve the balance of my time. and the reduction of flood hazards. gentleman from California and a num- Is it the chairman’s understanding Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Chairman, I yield ber of us visited in Russia recently. I and the ranking member’s under- 2 minutes to the gentleman from Penn- think these are long-term investments standing that the Army Corps of Engi- sylvania (Mr. SHUSTER), chairman of in protecting our world, and I would neers can exchange information and the Committee on Transportation and like to thank the gentleman from Cali- provide professional advice to the Or- Infrastructure. fornia for taking us to Russia to visit egon Graduate Institute and the Ma- b two closed cities, nuclear cities, where 1700 rine Environmental Research and we could see firsthand how some of our Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Chairman, I Training Station in the Institute’s de- tax dollars are spent in protecting the thank my good friend for yielding me velopment and implementation of this world from a growing nuclear problem this time. system? where, in fact, nuclear materials can I may not be able to be here on the Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Chairman, will get into the wrong hands. floor when we debate the Visclosky the gentleman yield? Mr. Chairman, I support the bill. amendment, although it has already Mr. WU. I yield to the gentleman been referred to by the gentleman from from California. As you know, Mr. Chairman, after the Cold Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Chairman, I un- Indiana (Mr. VISCLOSKY). I must say War, our country and the Soviet Union were that I rise in strong opposition to that derstand the gentleman’s position, and left with vast stockpiles of nuclear weapons, amendment. the gentleman is correct. plutonium and highly enriched uranium. As a Mr. VISCLOSKY. If the gentleman This amendment, if it passed, would result, the mission of safeguarding this mate- will yield, I would agree with the gen- delete a provision in the bill that sim- rial has fallen to the DOE. In particular, the tleman from Pennsylvania, the gen- ply requires a report to Congress before U.S. needed to ensure that Russian nuclear tleman is correct. weapons were being dismantled and that the the Corps of Engineers finalizes ex- Mr. WU. I thank the chairman and excess fissile materials removed from them tremely controversial changes to the the ranking member and encourage the were not used again to produce new nuclear nationwide permitting program. There Corps to interact with the Institute as weapons. are at least three compelling reasons this remarkable project moves forward to support the modest provisions in the in Oregon. The Warhead and Fissile Material Trans- bill and vigorously oppose this amend- Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Chairman, I yield parency Program, one of the many programs ment: 3 minutes to the gentleman from New established at the DOE, sought to incorporate First, the right to know, truth-in- Jersey (Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN), a very a comprehensive strategy to work coopera- permitting. Congress and the American valuable member of the subcommittee. tively with Russia to develop transparency public have a right to know the costs (Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN asked and measures providing confidence that Russian and workload impacts of sweeping was given permission to revise and ex- nuclear arms were being dismantled. This pro- changes to the nationwide permitting tend his remarks.) gram has opened doors in Russia which were program. What is the administration Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chair- once closed to the world. trying to hide? Why are unelected reg- man, I thank the gentleman for yield- Also, under the Nuclear Cities Initiative, the ulators so afraid to assess and disclose ing me this time. information on workload impacts and Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support U.S. and Russia are now joining forces to costs? of H.R. 2605, making appropriations for bring jobs and commercial enterprises to Rus- Secondly is a question of fairness. Energy and Water Development. Let sia's nuclear cities. Similarly, the Energy De- While comprehensive reform on wet- me first thank the gentleman from partment is working in Russia to install mod- ern safeguards against further loss of controls lands will have to wait for another day, California (Mr. PAKARD) and the gen- over nuclear weapons, elements and knowl- there are some small steps we can tleman from Indiana (Mr. VISCLOSKY) take. One is to insist that the adminis- for their approach to this year’s En- edge under Material Protection, Control and tration fully implement the adminis- ergy and Water bill. It is a model of bi- Accountability System paid for with Energy trative appeals process promised. partisanship. Likewise, I would like to Department dollars. Thirdly, accountability. We must thank the staff of the committee for Both of these programs are examples of hold the administration accountable. their tireless work on behalf of the Na- how crucial this international work is and this President Clinton promised an appeals tion. bill continues to emphasize this importance. process in 1993. To date, no process has Mr. Chairman, this bill stresses im- The reason I have taken the time to point out been established for robust administra- portant national priorities while keep- a few of these programs is to highlight, that July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6515 this appropriations bill is more than just meet- which are vital to the economies of Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Chairman, I ing our nation's infrastructure needs and sci- coastal States like Florida. Every year, yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from entific research. This bill continues our com- the administration refuses to recognize Tennessee (Mr. FORD). mitments made through treaties and agree- the Federal commitment to these Mr. FORD. Mr. Chairman, let me ments with Russia and underscores the impor- projects by not requesting funds. Since thank the chairman and the ranking tance of our continued work together to pro- I arrived here in 1994, I was quite member for their leadership on the bill tect the world from new nuclear threats. shocked at the fact that they chose not and thank the gentleman from Indiana Finally, let me say a word about fusion re- to fund any beach renourishment (Mr. VISCLOSKY) for yielding me this search. The Committee worked very hard to projects in my district. I will suggest time. I also appreciate the support of see that funds were provided to keep this im- to Members if they look back at the both the gentleman from Tennessee portant research on track. Specifically, I am history of Florida, particularly around (Mr. TANNER) and the gentleman from very pleased that the bill includes $250 million the areas where the beaches have suf- Tennessee (Mr. BRYANT) on this project for fusion research. Fusion energy has the po- fered the greatest damage, it is as a re- that is important not only to the Inter- tential to be unlimited and ultra-clean source sult of the inlets that were dug by the national Port of Memphis but also to of energy for the world. After numerous years Corps of Engineers, years, some of the ports along the Lower Mississippi of declining budgets for this program, it is re- them 50, 60 years ago, that have then from Cairo, Illinois to Baton Rouge, freshing to provide this important commitment. changed the, if you will, flow of sand Louisiana. Mr. Chairman, this bill represents real that occurs on the beaches, and par- Mr. Chairman, in 1944 the Congress progress towards setting national priorities. I ticularly those to the south of the authorized a 12-foot navigation channel urge my colleagues to support this bill. beach where the inlet was dug have suf- on the lower Mississippi River between Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Chairman, I fered consequences that are extremely Cairo, Illinois, and Baton Rouge. How- yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from dire and environmental concerns on ever, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers California (Mr. THOMPSON). ocean, if you will, enhancements, in only maintains a 9-foot channel. And Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. turtle nesting, a number of things. I although it is estimated that a 12-foot Chairman, I thank the gentleman from again want to underscore the gentle- channel exists 85 percent of the time, California and the gentleman from In- man’s particular fine attention to the need for a formal reevaluation by diana for their leadership in bringing beach renourishment. the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is this bill to the floor. They have made a I know that makes the subcommit- necessary. I ask the committee to di- serious effort to keep the bill clean and tee’s job more difficult, and I thank the rect the Corps of Engineers to evaluate their dedication to that effort has been gentleman from California for not the current feasibility of maintaining a instrumental in putting together a bill going along with the administration’s dependable 12-foot navigation channel that we can move through the process. irresponsible policy. These are projects on the Mississippi River below Cairo to I would like to also thank the gen- that demand and deserve the Federal Baton Rouge within available Mis- tleman from California (Mr. FARR) for Government as an active and willing sissippi River and Tributaries funds. his assistance with a matter in the re- partner, including, in my particular The study should determine if the ex- port regarding the Trinity River Diver- district, there are a number of commu- pansion is technically sound, environ- sion. nities that have, if you will, brought mentally acceptable and economically It is my understanding that the re- forward local tax dollars in support of justified. port language relating to the Trinity these. In fact, some to the degree of Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Chairman, will River Diversion is meant to ensure well over 50, 75 percent of the local the gentleman yield? that a decision on the Trinity River matching effort. Mr. FORD. I yield to the gentleman flows is made in accordance with exist- I also want to thank the gentleman from California. ing law. from California for fully funding the Mr. PACKARD. I thank the gen- Is that the gentleman’s under- Everglades and South Florida Eco- tleman from Tennessee for his leader- standing as well? system Restoration Account. This ac- ship on the inland navigational issue Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Chairman, will count funds the Everglades ‘‘critical and will be more than pleased to work the gentleman yield? restoration projects’’ authorized in the with him. Mr. THOMPSON of California. I yield Water Resources Development Act of Mr. FORD. Mr. Chairman, the lower to the gentleman from California. 1996 which also includes Ten Mile Mississippi River is vital to our Nation Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Chairman, the Creek, a project in my district, these as the primary commerce link between gentleman is correct. That is my un- entire projects for the sustainability of our Nation’s agricultural heartland derstanding. Everglades National Park, underscore and the foreign and domestic markets. Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. ‘‘national park,’’ a priority we should It also serves as an economic backbone Chairman, I look forward to working all share in this Chamber as we care to the economically challenged areas with the gentleman from California about our national parks in every re- of the lower Mississippi delta area. A and the gentleman from Indiana to en- gion and every State and every juris- 12-foot navigation channel can increase sure final passage. diction. the cargo-carrying capacity of the ex- Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Chairman, I yield Finally, Mr. Chairman, this year’s isting system with the least invest- 4 minutes to the gentleman from Flor- House bill funds the critical projects ment cost to the Nation. I appreciate ida (Mr. FOLEY). list that I just specified that have been the committee’s willingness to address Mr. FOLEY. Mr. Chairman, I want to designed by the local sponsor, South this issue and hope that language will take a moment to thank the gentleman Florida Water Management, the Corps be included in the conference report from California for bringing such a fine of Engineers and other entities to the that would direct the Corps of Engi- bill to the floor today. Many Members tune of $21 million, an amount greater neers to evaluate this issue. know the difficulty it is for a chairman than the previous 2 years combined, to Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Chairman, I yield to wrestle all the issues that they are keep these vital restoration efforts 2 minutes to the gentleman from Flor- confronted with because so many prior- moving forward. ida (Mr. SHAW). ities exist around America that we all Again, I want to finally and strongly Mr. SHAW. Mr. Chairman, I thank want to deal with. commend the gentleman from Cali- the gentleman for yielding me this We all know the funding constraints fornia, his first year as chairman of the time. I rise today in support of H.R. the Subcommittee on Energy and Subcommittee on Energy and Water 2605, the Energy and Water Develop- Water Development was under this Development, for listening to Mem- ment appropriations bill for the fiscal year and I think the gentleman from bers’ concerns, for looking out for the year 2000. California did an excellent job of fund- welfare and vitality of all of our re- Mr. Chairman, this bill plays a crit- ing Members’ priorities. gions, all of our States, for the entirety ical role in public works projects I think the gentleman from Cali- of our Nation. My hat is off to him for throughout my coastal district. I am fornia did a particularly fine job fund- his excellent work and stewardship of especially grateful to the gentleman ing beach renourishment projects this bill to the floor today. from California and the gentleman H6516 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 from Indiana for their efforts in the ana (Mr. VISCLOSKY) for all his support So with that I urge a yea vote on this area of shore protection. Since the and help in this effort. bill. Clinton-Gore administration decided Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Chairman, I yield Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Chairman, I several years ago to drastically cut 3 minutes to the gentleman from yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from shore protection from their annual Michigan (Mr. KNOLLENBERG), a valued Texas (Mr. EDWARDS), a valued member budget, the Subcommittee on Energy member of the subcommittee and the of the subcommittee. and Water Development has struggled full Committee on Appropriations. Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Chairman, I each year to come up with the addi- Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Chairman, thank the gentleman for yielding this tional millions of dollars to meet crit- I thank the gentleman for yielding this time to me. ical beach erosion needs all across our time to me. I appreciate obviously all Mr. Chairman, this is not going to be country. This fact, coupled with the the work he has done on this bill, his one of the highest profile bills that we budget cap realities, has coastal com- staff included, and the gentleman from will pass before this House this year, munities across the country finding Indiana (Mr. VISCLOSKY) for his work in but I think it will be one of the most themselves facing severe beach erosion bringing about a great bipartisan pro- important, one of the most important with little Federal relief in sight. posal. I would like to thank the com- if my colleagues believe that providing Funding issues aside, I am also con- mittee as well for addressing my con- for flood control for communities and cerned over the slow rate of progress cerns on back-door implementation of urban rural areas across our country is being made to renourish beaches in the Kyoto Treaty. This bill includes important. One of the most important Broward County and Miami-Dade my language to prohibit the DOE, the if they think it is a role of our Federal County, Florida, where arcane and ar- Department of Energy, from issuing Government to safeguard the nuclear chaic Army Corps policies have slowed rules or regulations to implement this stockpile, provide for energy research, down beach renourishment projects. I fatally flawed agreement until it is and help solve the problem and the am hopeful that I can work with the ratified by the Senate. threat of nuclear proliferation. This subcommittee over the next few weeks The Kyoto Treaty is unfair. The bill deals with those crucial, crucial to find innovative solutions to over- United States Senate has unanimously issues. come these obstacles. voted that it will not consent to a trea- The reason this bill is not going to be I also would be remiss if I did not ex- ty that is so unfair. one of the highest profile bills in the press my appreciation to this com- Given the stakes involved, Congress Congress is because we had a great mittee as well as the Subcommittee on must be vigilant in ensuring that this chairman of the subcommittee, the Interior and also to the chairman of agreement is not rammed through the gentleman from California (Mr. PACK- the full committee the gentleman from back door. Make no mistake about it. ARD), and a great ranking member, the Florida (Mr. YOUNG) for their sensi- As the offerer of the amendment, I in- gentleman from Indiana (Mr. VIS- tivity to our needs of the environment tend that no taxpayer dollars be spent CLOSKY), who worked together in a bi- in the Everglades. The attention that to do any work whatsoever on carbon partisan, really nonpartisan, fashion this Congress has given to our environ- emissions trading, be it under the ru- on so many of the important decisions mental needs in Florida has really been bric of educational materials, or a sem- that had to be made. And as happens most gratifying. I want to express ap- inar or otherwise. when we have leaders in this House preciation for the entire Florida dele- Mr. Chairman, I am also pleased that that work together, the press, the na- gation on this matter. that bill provides much needed funding tional press, pays very little attention I urge my colleagues to vote ‘‘yes’’ for nuclear R&D. Nuclear energy, to that. on this bill. which represents 20 percent of the Na- So notwithstanding the honest dis- Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Chairman, I tion’s energy supply, provides a viable, agreements as there would be and yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from cost-efficient and clean alternative to should be on issues such as the envi- New York (Mr. CROWLEY). fossil fuels. However, for nuclear en- ronment and the wetlands issue in this Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Chairman, I rise ergy to become a more prominent en- bill, the chairman and the ranking today in strong support of this Energy ergy source for the American people in member did an outstanding job of put- and Water appropriations bill and to the 21st century, the Federal Govern- ting together this package on a non- thank the gentleman from California ment must dedicate more money to nu- partisan basis. and the gentleman from Indiana for all clear R&D. Let me say personally while I wish their hard work along with the gen- This bill provides 20 million for the we had more money to fund the critical tleman from Florida (Mr. YOUNG) and NERI program, 12 million for the uni- programs in the Department of Energy, the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. versity support programs, and a first- the budget simply did not allow that, OBEY). time appropriation of 5 million for the and I hope the final conference report On behalf of my constituents from NEPO program. This modest invest- might include some plus ups in some of the Seventh Congressional District, I ment of taxpayer dollars will facilitate those programs. want to convey my heartfelt gratitude the development of technology that And as a final note, Mr. Chairman, for a very important project made pos- will make nuclear energy safer and let me say that I understand that there sible by this legislation. This bill al- more efficient. It also ensures that the are between, depending on how one lows for an Army Corps of Engineers United States will continue to produce counts them, 800 and a thousand Mem- feasibility study to be conducted in the best nuclear scientists in the ber requests for additional spending in Flushing Bay and Flushing Creek in world, and it provides the resources to this bill, and to those who would argue Queens County in New York City. improve the efficiency, the safety and in support of nearly a trillion dollars reliability of our existing nuclear tax cut over the next 10 years that we b 1715 power plants. can cut domestic discretionary spend- This study will develop ideas for im- Mr. Chairman, I believe these pro- ing by 20 to 40 percent, I would suggest proving water quality in these bodies grams provide enormous benefits to the they need to look at the finer details of of water and help make them viable American people, and I would like to legislation such as this, important again for the citizens of New York. see their funding increased even fur- flood control, water research projects; Mr. Chairman, without Federal fund- ther. I understand however the reali- that if they were to be cut by 20 to 40 ing, Flushing Bay and Flushing Creek ties of this at this time are not pos- percent, we would undermine some ter- would not be cleaned up. sible. ribly, terribly important causes and I thank the committee for recog- Once again, I do want to sincerely programs for this country. nizing the importance of this project to thank the gentleman from California This is a good bill. Notwithstanding the people of Queens and to agreeing to (Mr. PACKARD) and the gentleman from what happens on the amendment deal- help us maintain and, more impor- Indiana (Mr. VISCLOSKY). I want to rec- ing with the wetlands, I intend to sup- tantly, to improve our bodies of water, ognize the staff again because they did port it, and I want to again commend and once again, Mr. Chairman, I would a super job, a tremendous job, in bring- the chairman, the gentleman from like to thank the gentleman from Indi- ing this bill to closure. California (Mr. PACKARD), and the July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6517 ranking member, the gentleman from project needs to be looked at under a local governments to have sufficient Indiana (Mr. VISCLOSKY), for their lead- microscope. The Department of Energy resources to carry out their own over- ership on this legislation. is not doing this. They are reviewing sight. Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Chairman, I have only the cold fusion grant. These necessary moneys are used to a series of colloquies that I would like Now here is a perfect opportunity to properly oversee tests the Department to take care of, if we can during the stop the traditional government solu- of Energy is carrying out to determine general debate time, and to begin that tion of throwing more money at a prob- whether or not Yucca Mountain is suit- series I yield such time as he may con- lem in the hope that it will go away. able as a permanent nuclear waste site. sume to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. The American people are tired of pay- This is a very critical part of the 1982 CANNON). ing more taxes simply because the gov- act because it allowed for Nevada and, Mr. CANNON. Mr. Chairman, first of ernment sometimes does not know particularly its residents, to have con- all let me express my appreciation for what it is doing. fidence in the scientific studies and es- the hard work of the gentleman from The general focus of the other cuts pecially the validity of those tests that California (Mr. PACKARD) and that of that I suggest are an unnecessary ad- the Department of Energy has been the ranking member, the gentleman ministrative cost. conducting. from Indiana (Mr. VISCLOSKY), in put- I hope my colleague can also work to These resources will allow for State ting together this bill that is before us restore or increase funds for several and local governments to continue to today. critical programs such as the computa- perform their own independent valida- I know they were approached with tional and technological research to tion and oversight tests to ensure the many requests that simply could not ensure that the cleanup of the Defense best science is used to determine site all be accommodated. I, along with a sites remains on schedule and to guar- suitability. It has been my experience number of our colleagues, sought fund- antee the Department of Energy can that local scientists have been non- ing for a study to be conducted by adequately fund its payment in lieu of biased and have produced needed assur- Oakridge Laboratory of the Atlas Ura- taxes. The DOE has been in arrears on ances that only the best scientific data nium Mill Tailings site in Moab, Utah. its obligations in these counties since is used to determine the hydrologic and I know the gentleman from California 1994, and with all the money taxpayers geologic character of the Yucca Moun- is familiar with this issue as this site give DOE, they should be able to be tain area. sits within 750 feet of the Colorado current on the PILT. We have nearly 2 million people in River which runs drinking water for 25 We also need to ensure the safe- Nevada, and their safety and quality of million people. keeping of our nuclear secrets by in- life in this debate should not be ig- I understand that funding was not creasing counterintelligence funding. nored, making it imperative that we provided because this particular study Mr. Chairman, the gentleman has provide the financial resources to en- is not currently authorized. It is my raised funding in this bill for counter- sure the State of Nevada and affected hope that in the coming year, we will intelligence, and I commend him for it, local governments are able to monitor secure adequate authorization. At that but we need to make sure the job is and report on this activity. point would the chairman be willing to done right by increasing this funding Therefore, I would ask, Mr. Chair- work with us to secure funding in the by about $2 million more. man, that the House conferees work future for this vital study and other re- Mr. Chairman, it is my under- with me to get $4.727 million for the mediation efforts? standing that the gentleman from Cali- State of Nevada and $5.432 million for Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Chairman, will fornia and the committee will work to the affected local governments. These the gentleman yield? make some of these changes in con- appropriated amounts are consistent Mr. CANNON. I yield to the gen- ference to address these concerns and with the moneys appropriated in the tleman from California. save the American taxpayers money. Senate Fiscal Year 2000 Energy and Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Chairman, as the Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Chairman, will Water Development Appropriations gentleman knows, we did not fund any the gentleman yield? Act. unauthorized projects, and thus this Mr. COOK. I yield to the gentleman And as time moves closer to des- could not be funded. I will be more from California. ignate Yucca Mountain as a permanent than happy to work with the gen- Mr. PACKARD. The gentleman is nuclear repository, it becomes impera- tleman in the future years. correct. We will be more than pleased tive that we address the scientific and Mr. CANNON. Mr. Chairman, I thank to work with him in conference, and we safety concerns of the citizens of Ne- the chairman and the ranking member. are trying to resolve this issue. vada, and again I would thank the gen- Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Chairman, I yield Mr. COOK. I thank the gentleman tleman from California (Mr. PACKARD) such time as he may consume to the very much for engaging me in this col- for his work on this bill and appreciate gentleman from Utah (Mr. COOK). loquy. his willingness to work with me on this Mr. COOK. Mr. Chairman, I would Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Chairman, I yield very important issue. like to commend the gentleman from 3 minutes to the gentleman from Ne- Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Chairman, will California (Mr. PACKARD) and the en- vada (Mr. GIBBONS). the gentleman yield? tire committee and their staff for the Mr. GIBBONS. First of all, I want to Mr. GIBBONS. I yield to the gen- good bill they brought before us. They congratulate the gentleman from Cali- tleman from California. worked hard to cut wasteful spending fornia for his leadership and hard work Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Chairman, I out of the Department of Energy’s on this bill, and his time and commit- would like to assure the gentleman budget. ment is appreciated by me and the en- that I do understand the Yucca Moun- I do appreciate this opportunity to tire Congress. And for this reason, Mr. tain issue, particularly as it relates to engage the chairman, the gentleman Chairman, I am here at the well to dis- the Nevada people, and I will do my from California, in a colloquy, and I cuss the ability of the State of Nevada best to work with the gentleman in re- would like to urge the gentleman to and all affected local governments in solving the issues. It is a very, very im- make the Department of Energy’s tight the State to carry out their oversight portant issue nationally as well as in budget even tighter. I believe more authority of Yucca Mountain, Nevada, the gentleman’s state. cuts can be made to questionable as was granted to them under the Nu- Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Chairman, I grants awarded under the nuclear en- clear Waste Policy Act of 1982. thank the gentleman for his under- ergy research initiative or NERI pro- Currently the Department of Energy standing on this very important issue. gram including cold fusion and others. is conducting tests to determine if These moneys are important to Nevada Now cold fusion can receive a grant, Yucca Mountain will be a suitable per- and to its future. then the grant administrators are sim- manent repository site for nuclear Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Chairman, I ply not taking seriously their responsi- waste. When the Nuclear Waste Policy yield 1 minute to the gentleman from bility to the taxpayers. We have to Act of 1982 was created, Members of Colorado (Mr. UDALL). question the adequacy of DOE’s peer this body felt that it was imperative Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Chair- review process. The whole NERI for the State of Nevada and all affected man, I wanted to take this opportunity H6518 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 to again express my support for this Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Chairman, I re- Oklahoma (Mr. WATKINS) for the pur- bill. I also want to thank the gen- serve the balance of my time. pose of a colloquy. tleman from California (Mr. PACKARD) Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Chairman, I yield Mr. WATKINS. Mr. Chairman, I and the ranking member, the gen- 2 minutes to the gentleman from Cali- would like to thank the gentleman tleman from Indiana (Mr. VISCLOSKY), fornia (Mr. POMBO). from California and also the ranking for working with me and my colleague, Mr. POMBO. Mr. Chairman, as the member, the gentleman from Indiana, the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. chairman of the subcommittee is the committee members and staff for SALMON) on our amendment on renew- aware, I have an amendment at the the great job they have done on this able energy. desk that has been made in order. The bill. I am glad that the gentleman has purpose of this amendment is to take As my colleagues know, I had the agreed to accept our amendment, and I $150,000 from the ‘‘General Investiga- privilege of serving for 10 years on this look forward to discussing it in more tion’’ section under Title 1 for a project subcommittee, and I miss the opportu- detail at the appropriate time. in my district and place that amount nities of being there for a lot of the dis- Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Chairman, I yield in the ‘‘General Construction’’ section cussion and debate. But I do appreciate 2 minutes to the gentleman from Ten- of that same project. After discussing the committee including funding for nessee (Mr. WAMP), a member of the this in detail with the gentleman from the southeast Oklahoma water study committee. California (Mr. PACKARD), while this is which is in my district. The study Mr. WAMP. Mr. Chairman, I seek an authorized project and I view it as would determine what benefits and time to thank the distinguished chair- sound policy, I have decided not to needs there are for the potential use of man of this subcommittee and to offer that amendment at this time. that water in southeast Oklahoma. It thank the excellent staff with which he Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Chairman, will is my understanding that the study works every day and also to engage the gentleman yield? will also include two hydroelectric him in a colloquy. Mr. POMBO. I yield to the gentleman projects under consideration at Pine b 1730 from California. Creek Dam on Little River and at the Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Chairman, I want Broken Bow Re-Regulation Dam on This is an issue of great importance to thank the gentleman for not offer- Mountain Fork River, both in my dis- to our Nation. ing this amendment. I will work with trict. As the gentleman knows, the Y–12 the gentleman as we proceed through Is that correct, Mr. Chairman? nuclear weapons plant is located in the the regular process and through the Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Chairman, if the district that I serve. These facilities conference. I understand this project, gentleman will yield, that is correct. were on the front lines of the Cold War and I agree that it merits reimburse- I want to thank the gentleman for and were an integral part in bringing ment funding at the appropriate time his expertise and input and experience that long conflict to a successful and during the conferencing. on this, and I look forward to working victorious end. The workers in Oak Mr. POMBO. Mr. Chairman, the with the gentleman on this very impor- Ridge selflessly served our country and Corps did not include this in its cur- tant project. did a magnificent job. rent budget request. In order to ensure Mr. WATKINS. I thank the Chair- As their representative here in the that this project is included in the man. House, I am acutely aware that our na- Corps’ next fiscal year budget proposal, Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Chairman, I yield tional security depends on adequately I drafted this amendment and appre- 2 minutes to the gentleman from Cali- funding their mission and making sure ciate the gentleman taking an interest fornia (Mr. HORN) for the purpose of a our aging weapons plants are properly in seeing this important issue resolved. colloquy. maintained and modernized. However, Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Chairman, if the Mr. HORN. Mr. Chairman, I thank earlier this year the President sub- gentleman will further yield, I am the gentleman from California (Mr. mitted a budget that was insufficient aware of the importance this holds to PACKARD), the chairman of the sub- to maintain the current activity level Stockton, California, the city where committee, and the gentleman from In- at the Y–12 plant. Recognizing this the gentleman certainly has a great in- diana (Mr. VISCLOSKY), the ranking shortfall, the House Committee on Na- terest in his district, and I will work to member, and all members of the com- tional Security provided a $38.6 million see that they are promptly repaid by mittee, as well as the very fine staff. I increase in funds for the Y–12 weapons the Federal Government for author- have read through most of this very plant and environmental management izing Federal flood control work thorough report which goes on for activities there in Oak Ridge. projects as it carries out on behalf of roughly 201 pages; and in those pages Because of the small allocation and the Corps. I will do my best. we can see fairness. We can see respon- the extreme pressures placed on the Mr. POMBO. Mr. Chairman, I thank sibility and thinking about the na- subcommittee, the chairman was not the gentleman. tional interests in all of these various able to fully fund this request. While I The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman projects that affect millions of our fel- understand that not much can be done from Indiana (Mr. VISCLOSKY) has 131⁄2 low citizens. at this time, I would like to make a minutes remaining; the gentleman For millions of Americans, my col- strong appeal to the chairman of the from California (Mr. PACKARD) has 11⁄2 leagues on the subcommittee have subcommittee that when the con- minutes remaining. shown the way in building what needs ference committee convenes, that Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Chairman, I to be done to prevent floods, to utilize every effort is made to adequately fund would inquire if the gentleman from and purify our waters in many ways, the critical missions of nuclear weap- Indiana (Mr. VISCLOSKY) would be will- and to enable us to have great harbors. ons, stockpile and stewardship and ing to yield 5 minutes for the purpose I thank the chairman of the sub- modernization of their facilities. of engaging in colloquies with various committee on behalf of the five con- Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Chairman, will Members. gressional districts in Los Angeles the gentleman yield? Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Chairman, my County where 500,000 people are in the Mr. WAMP. I yield to the gentleman understanding is the gentleman may flood plain. It is a very expensive from California. need up to 6 minutes, and I am happy project, but hopefully it will be almost Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Chairman, the to yield him that 6 minutes for pur- the last year of construction. The flood gentleman is very much aware of the poses of control. area is in the most devastated part of fact that we have very limited funding, The CHAIRMAN. Without objection, the county of Los Angeles. 400,000 aero- and if additional funds become avail- the gentleman from California will space workers became unemployed able between now and conference, we control 6 additional minutes. starting in March of 1988 and for the will do our best to make sure that the There was no objection. next decade. gentleman’s concerns are addressed in Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Chairman, I On top of that then, FEMA imposed conference. thank the gentleman from Indiana. flood insurance on this project, and Mr. WAMP. Mr. Chairman, I thank Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he millions of dollars were extracted from the gentleman. may consume to the gentleman from thousands of low income workers. July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6519 The subcommittee and its members ranking member to try to put this bill pecially for remote and rural cus- were wise to finish this project which together in a way that is fair for all tomers. affects so many people in a county of 10 parts of the country who have issues I appreciate the gentleman’s help in million residents. relating to energy and water, espe- this regard. Again, I thank the gentleman (Mr. cially the work that has been done, Mr. Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Chairman, I PACKARD) and all of the members of the Chairman, on addressing of the salmon yield 1 minute to the gentleman from subcommittee for their help. They have restoration funding in the Pacific Ohio (Mr. STRICKLAND). shown fairness and recognition of a Northwest. There are tight fiscal con- Mr. STRICKLAND. Mr. Chairman, I population in need, and we thank him straints in this year’s budget, and I ap- rise today to address the importance of for it. preciate the effort that has been under- the Department of Energy’s Worker Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Chairman, I taken to address those issues of salmon and Community Transition Program. I am greatly concerned and disappointed thank the gentleman. restoration. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to The Pacific Northwest has numerous with the report language regarding this the gentleman from Montana (Mr. salmon species listed as endangered or program. This year’s energy and water report HILL). threatened, and the committee has ex- states that, ‘‘Funding at DOE cleanup Mr. HILL of Montana. Mr. Chairman, pressed concerns about the money sites in the nuclear weapons complex I want to thank the subcommittee for spent on restoration efforts. In fact, has stabilized. The need for enhanced the work they have done on this bill, last year the subcommittee provided $7 severance payments to contract em- and I want to draw the gentleman’s at- million for Columbia fish mitigation ployees and grants to local commu- tention today to an issue that is impor- efforts by the Corps of Engineers and nities has declined. Worker and com- tant to the people of Montana. included report language that ques- munity transition is not an enduring Last year, Congress authorized the tioned the amount of money that has mission of the government. The com- sale of certain Federally owned cabin been spent on fish mitigation efforts. mittee does not intend to continue to sites on Canyon Ferry Reservoir. The Mr. Chairman, we are delighted that fund this program, and the Department proceeds from the sale, estimated to be we are making progress in the region, should prepare for significantly de- $18 million to $20 million, will be used and I appreciate the gentleman’s will- creased or no funding in fiscal year to improve fish and wildlife habitat ingness to provide $65 million in fund- 2001.’’ and recreational access along the Mis- ing for Columbia River fish mitigation Mr. Chairman, I represent one of two souri River. In addition, the sale of the efforts. We must continue to look at all uranium enrichment facilities which is cabin sites would enhance the local options for recovering salmon, includ- located in Piketon, Ohio. The other property tax base. ing addressing predation by Caspian plant is located in Paducah, Kentucky; The Congress made the sale of the Terns, thoroughly evaluating ‘‘PIT’’ and I know the gentleman from Ken- cabin sites contingent on the establish- tag research, and to encourage the tucky (Mr. WHITFIELD), my friend and ment of a $3 million Canyon Ferry Corps of Engineers to make improve- colleague, has been very supportive of Broad Water County Trust, funded in ments to the current hydroelectric sys- this program. full or in part by in-kind projects car- tem to improve salmons’ survival suc- Our plants were privatized last sum- ried out by the Bureau of Reclamation. cess rate. It is critically important to mer and since privatization, both sites Unfortunately, this bill does not con- the Northwest. have experienced significant layoffs. tain any money for these projects. I also appreciate the efforts the gen- Our communities are bracing for more Does the Chairman believe that it is tleman has made to address my con- layoffs this summer with future work- critical for the Bureau of Reclamation, cerns regarding section 317 of this bill, force reductions imminent. Now is not working in conjunction with the cabin since it was marked in the full com- the time to eliminate funding for the site owners and the local units of gov- mittee last week. I am still concerned Worker and Community Transition ernment, to identify specific improve- about the interpretation of the lan- Program, because we would effectively ment projects around Cabin Ferry in guage, but I appreciate, Mr. Chairman, leave numerous Cold War veterans order to ensure that the intent of the the clarification of the intent that ap- without the assistance others have re- Cabin Ferry legislation is fulfilled? pears in this bill. ceived over the years. Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Chairman, will The Federal Power Marketing Ad- I urge the committee to revisit this the gentleman yield? ministration, such as BPA, Bonneville issue. Mr. HILL of Montana. I yield to the Power Administration, provides power Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Chairman, I gentleman from California. in the Pacific Northwest. They are yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Chairman, I want interconnected to other transmission Washington (Mr. DICKS). Mr. DICKS. Mr. Chairman, I want to to thank the gentleman. The gen- systems. In the case of BPA, the trans- thank the chairman of the sub- tleman is correct. I appreciate his lead- mission lines are interconnected by committee, the gentleman from Cali- ership on making me aware of this im- areas such as California and Wyoming, fornia (Mr. PACKARD), and the gen- portant issue, and I want to com- and even Canada, and were mandated tleman from Indiana (Mr. VISCLOSKY), pliment him for his hard work and dili- by law to maintain the safety and reli- the ranking member. I recognize this is gence in attempting to complete this ability of the transmission system. their first year working together, and I sale. There are times in these remote think they have done a very good job I look forward to working with the areas when power marketing adminis- on this very important bill. I want to gentleman from Montana on this im- trations may be the only utility capa- thank them for all the money they portant issue as it proceeds through ble, because of manpower and having gave to specific projects in the Pacific the appropriations process. necessary equipment, of restoring Northwest. Mr. HILL of Montana. Mr. Chairman, downed transmission lines. PMAs may Mr. Chairman, as the gentleman from I thank the chairman for his comments do this for a public or private utility, Washington (Mr. NETHERCUTT) did, I and I look forward to working with the thereby expending ratepayer funds, but want to register my concern, however, subcommittee and with him in the fu- the operations are done based on recip- about two provisions included in this ture to complete this important rocal contracts. In the case of BPA, the year’s Energy and Water Appropria- project. ratepayers are reimbursed by the in- tions Act relating to the power mar- Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Chairman, I yield cumbent utility for their work. keting administrations. I understand 21⁄2 minutes to the gentleman from So I appreciate the clarification, Mr. that the chairman has demonstrated Washington (Mr. NETHERCUTT), a mem- Chairman, that has been done with re- willingness to clarify the language, but ber of the full committee. spect to PMAs providing these kinds of I still have deep concerns about the im- Mr. NETHERCUTT. Mr. Chairman, I services. I am concerned that the lan- plications, unless the bill language is also want to thank the gentleman from guage would be interpreted to prohibit amended. California (Mr. PACKARD) for the good PMAs, including BPA, from providing Section 316 of the bill would limit the work that has been done on this bill, as these reciprocal agreements and could ability of the power marketing admin- well as express appreciation to the hinder the reliability of the system, es- istrations to install fiberoptic cable. It H6520 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 is my understanding that the Bonne- Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Chairman, will Because of the importance of the Great Lakes ville Power Marketing Administration the gentleman yield? to the United States, both for shipping and is willing to develop a report to the Mr. JOHN. I yield to the gentleman providing drinking water to millions of people, subcommittee which would present from Louisiana. an agreement was reached in 1996 to main- their fiberoptic capacity needs, projec- Mr. PACKARD. The gentleman is tain dual headquarters of the Great Lakes/ tions, construction, and financing correct, Mr. Chairman. I will do my Ohio River Army Corps division in both Chi- plans. best to work with the gentleman. cago and Cincinnati. This dual headquarters This provision in the bill limits the Mr. JOHN. I thank the gentleman. system should be maintained, and I hope that ability of the Power Marketing Admin- Mr. WU. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in sup- the House conferees will recede to the Sen- istrations from certain ‘‘construction, port of H.R. 2605, the Energy and Water Ap- ate's silence on this matter. expansion or upgrades’’ to dark propriations Bill. I would also like to thank Otherwise, I am supportive of the bill be- fiberoptic telecommunication lines Chairman PACKARD and Ranking Member VIS- cause it provides funding for critical flood con- which are repaid by users. I believe this CLOSKY for their hard work on bringing a fair trol projects in my district and throughout the provision is premature and unneces- and balanced bill to the floor. Chicago area. sary. We should allow the PMAs to I have the privilege and honor of rep- These projects include: complete ongoing projects and allow resenting the greater Portland area and the $4.5 million to continue work on the ``Deep them to provide the Congress with Northwest Coast of Oregon. For those of you Tunnel'' project, including the Calumet leg of their view of the public benefits before who have had the pleasure of visiting this the tunnel in Chicago's South Side and south we enact a legislative provision in this wonderful city, you will know that much of the suburbs, and the McCook and Thornton res- appropriations bill. vitality of our region depends on the Willam- ervoirs. Additionally, section 317 prohibits ette and Columbia rivers. Commerce, recre- $200,000 for detailed planning of a deten- the PMAs from providing emergency ation, and scenic beauty are three products of tion pond and storm sewer improvements transmission system maintenance and these Rivers. The Columbia River, stretching along Natalie Creek near the Chicago Sanitary repair and reimbursable contract serv- from the eastern part of Washington and end- and Ship Canal in Oak Forest and Midlothian. ices to their customers, which are pro- ing at the mouth in Astoria is one of America's $150,000 for small ecosystem restoration at vided by service utilities across the greatest resources. a reservoir along Hickory Creek in Tinley Park. country. One in six jobs in the state of Oregon de- $100,000 each for preliminary studies of re- pend on the commerce from the Columbia current flooding problems along: Tributaries A b 1745 River. The success of the river is vital to our and B of Thorn Creek in Chicago Heights; This provision not only jeopardizes economy and way of life. Unfortunately, as Flossmoor Tributary of Butterfield Creek in the safety and reliability of the vast trade and technology increases, so does the Flossmoor; and Village streets in Calumet transmission system owned by Bonne- need for passable channels for ships to con- Park. ville, but also violates the Federal En- tinue to move in and out of the area ports. I commend Chairman PACKARD and Ranking ergy Regulatory Commission’s order This bill includes important operation and Member VISCLOSKY for putting together a bi- 888, which states that the PMAs in cer- maintenance funds to ensure that sorely need- partisan, even-handed bill under difficult budg- tain circumstances must provide trans- ed dredging activities can take place and keep et circumstances. They have done an amazing mission access and construction of ad- commerce moving. Commerce in Oregon will job with this bill, while taking into consideration ditional facilities to neighboring utili- continue to prosper, and the benefits of a solid the countless deserving project requests they ties. economy will follow. received from Members from all regions of the This section would prevent the Bon- I hope to continue to work with the Corps of country. neville Power Administration from di- Engineers to insure that the disposal of I look forward to working with my colleagues rectly funding the power operations dredged materials not affect the crab fishers on the Appropriations Committee to resolve and maintenance of the 29 Federal Co- on the Oregon coast and work to have the the issue of closure of the Chicago office of lumbia River Power System dams least amount of environmental impact as pos- the Great Lakes/Ohio River division, and I en- which they are required to do under sible. Furthermore, with the deepening of the courage my colleagues to support the bill. Federal law. The Northwest power sys- Columbia River channel, there is concern Mr. CRANE. Mr. Chairman, I just wanted to tem cannot operate without these about the local efforts to develop the Port of take this opportunity to congratulate and thank funds. Astoria as a deep draft port. As with all ports, the chairman of the Energy and Water Appro- Each of these sections in the bill is development of extensive infrastructure must priations Subcommittee, the chairman of the unworkable in its current form. It is be market driven, and I am looking forward to full Appropriations Committee and all of my my great hope that both provisions can doing all I can to look at viable options. colleagues who serve on those two bodies for be removed, and the PMAs and the sub- I would also like to take this opportunity to the excellent work they have done in crafting committee can work together to ad- thank the Committee for their support of the the Energy and Water Appropriations measure dress any concerns they may have. Clatskanie River and Fox Creek Projects. With for Fiscal Year (FY) 2000. Not only is the bill, I appreciate, again, all the help from the federal funding allocated, Clatskanie city as reported, fiscally responsible, but for the the chairman, he bent over backwards officials will be able to commence with plan- most part its priorities make senseÐas does to help us, and the gentleman from In- ning of the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial with its treatment of wetlands and the environment. diana (Mr. VISCLOSKY) has been very a free flowing river; and fish will swim freely in Permit me to elaborate. As it came to the willing to help us, as well. We look for- Fox Creek. Finally, I would like to thank the House Floor, the FY2000 Energy and Water ward to working with the gentleman in committee for their support of the East Moor- Appropriations (H.R. 2605) bill called for $880 the conference on this issue. ing Bay repair in the city of Astoria. These million less in spending than the total amount Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Chairman, I re- desperately needed funds, along with other appropriated for energy and water programs in serve the balance of my time. funding, will allow Astoria to repair almost half FY1999. Even if one subtracts out the emer- Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Chairman, I of the breakwater. gency appropriations for those functions in yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from Again, Mr. Chairman, Chairman PACKARD, FY1999, the bill is still $215 million below last Louisiana (Mr. JOHN). Ranking Member VISCLOSKY, thank you for year's spending level. More impressive yet, Mr. JOHN. Mr. Chairman, I would giving me the opportunity today to support the the sum of the spending provided for in the like to engage in a colloquy with the Energy and Water appropriations bill and more committee-reported version of this bill is, ac- distinguished chairman of the sub- importantly to support the funding for the Co- cording to the committee report, more than committee, the gentleman from Cali- lumbia River Deepening Project. $300 million below the amount appropriated in fornia (Mr. PACKARD). Mr. JACKSON of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I FY1995. What better way to make good on Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank rise in support of the Energy and Water Ap- our commitment to a balanced federal budget the gentleman for his past support for propriations bill, but I have one concern that I that locks away Social Security surpluses and the Jennings, Louisiana, biomass eth- hope can be resolved during Conference. reduces our national debt, than to adopt a anol plant. It is my understanding, Mr. My concern is bill language in ``Title I, Gen- measure such as this. Chairman, that it will be possible to eral Expenses'' that will force the closure of Certain critics of H.R. 2605 demur, citing explore ways to complete the Federal the Chicago office of the Great Lakes/Ohio several provisions of the bill that deal with the funding of this plant in fiscal year 2000. River division of the Army Corps of Engineers. wetlands permitting process. Their fear is that July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6521 these provisions will hasten the demise of pacted directly because each year of project ties. Restricting these funds for the majority of America's wetlands and, for that reason, they delay costs local residents as much as $130 the fiscal year would seriously hamper DOE's have labeled them ``anti-environmental'' riders. million in flood insurance premiums as well as ability to carry out its weapons-related re- I beg to differ. Not only do the provisions in the adverse economic impact associated with search and functions. question treat all parties interested in wetlands building restrictions within the flood plain. For- Further, both the House and the Senate are determinations more fairly, but the critics are tunately, FEMA has given us an indefinite already addressing this issue. Just last week, overlooking another item in the bill that will postponement of flood insurance increases, the Senate passed an amendment to the Intel- promote the creation and restoration of wet- but I am pleased that the final increment of ligence Authorization bill which establishes a lands and help us better understand the role this funding has been provided so we can separately organized Agency for Nuclear they can play in controlling flooding. bring the much-needed protection to my con- Stewardship to be headed by a new Under- That item is the appropriation of the last stitutes. The LACDA project will restore an Secretary who will report directly to the Sec- $1.75 million needed to complete the Des adequate level of flood protection to 500,000 retary of Energy. Within this new agency, a Plaines River Wetlands Demonstration Project people and 177,000 structures, and it will af- separate office focusing on counter-intel- (DPRWDP) in northern Illinois. I make par- fect 11 cites over 82 square miles in Los An- ligence would be established with a direct line ticular mention of the project, not just because geles County. Without the LACDA project, an to the new Under-Secretary as well as the En- it is located in the district I am privileged to estimated $2.3 billion in damages would result ergy Secretary. The House-passed version of represent in Congress, but because it has al- from a large storm event. the bill includes several recommendations to ready provided us with invaluable information I am also pleased that the bill provides the increase security at the labs that were agreed about the way wetlands work and how they funding to complete the next phase of the Pier to by our bi-partisan Select Committee. Fur- can contribute to such things as habitat pres- 400 construction project in Los Angeles Har- ther, the House Science Committee, the Com- ervation and flood control. When the bor. This project will create an additional 315 merce Committee, and the House Select Intel- DPRWDP is finished, not only will additional acres of new land at Pier 400 upon which new ligence Committee are all looking into this research information be available, but so too state-of-the-art marine terminals will be built. matter, and a free-standing bill is expected to will be a ``how-to'' guide that will help other In addition, a deep draft navigation project will be ready sometime this summer. areas of the country restore wetlands for envi- be completed in order to accommodate the With the House and Senate already taking ronmental and flood control purposes. That, in next generation of larger container ships. The meaningful steps to address the security prob- turn, will aid in the accomplishment of the very Corps of Engineers has already made this lems at DOE, this funding restriction is unnec- objective that critics of the wetlands permitting project a top priority by reprogramming funds essary and will only serve to further hamper provisions of H.R. 2605 have in mind: the in order to maintain an optimal construction the Department's efforts to address these se- preservation and restoration of wetlands areas schedule. curity concerns while carrying out day-to-day around the country. Although I was disappointed that funds for functions. I would, therefore, urge the Com- Having been a supporter of the DPRWDP the pre-construction, engineering and design mittee to drop this harmful provision. for over a decade now, I am proud of its ac- phase of the main channel deepening project complishments, excited about its potential and have not been included, I look forward to Again, I compliment Chairman PACKARD and pleased by its inclusion in this bill. Like many working with the committee once this project Ranking Democrat PETER VISCLOSKY for put- other items funded by H.R. 2605, the has been formally authorized to continue ting together a well-balanced bill that makes DPRWDP promises to save American tax- these needed improvements to Los Angeles progress on many projects of importance to payers many more dollars than it will cost. Not Harbor. my constituents, my state and the nation. only that, but it should ease the minds of This bill also provides funds for clean-up of Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in those who are concerned about the future of the San Gabriel Basin. The San Gabriel strong support of H.R. 2605, the Energy and America's wetlands. The DPRWDP is, in groundwater basin is the primary source of Water Appropriations bill. First, I would like to short, a win-win proposition. Within the context drinking water for about one million residents thank Chairman PACKARD for his hard work of an overall bill that is one of the most fiscally in the San Gabriel Valley. Unfortunately, the and dedication in crafting a balanced bill. I responsible appropriations measures in recent groundwater is contaminated with both organic would also like to commend Chairman YOUNG memory, it promotes environmental responsi- and inorganic compounds, so I am pleased for his responsible leadership in ensuring that bility as well. That being the case, I urge my that funds have been included in the bill to get these necessary spending bills are delivered colleagues to look at the DPRWDP as one the clean-up project underway. My constitu- on time and at the levels required under the more reason to support the FY2000 Energy ents may draw their water from the Central budget resolution. and Water Appropriations bill. with the Basin, but this project is still important to As a member of the southern California del- DPWFDP included, H.R. 2065 is a measure to them. If we do not undertake the cleanup of egation, I understand the importance of pre- which most everyone should be able to give these contaminated sediments in a timely serving our water resources and protecting their enthusiastic backing. fashion, we run the real risk of contamination citizens from flood damage. This bill appro- Mrs. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Chairman, I of the Central Basin, serving 1.4 million Los priates vital funds for watershed management, rise in support of the Energy and Water Ap- Angeles County residents, including my con- flood control, environmental enhancement, propriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2000, and I stituents in Vernon, Cudahy, Maywood, Bell, water conservation and water supply, and compliment the job of my two colleagues on Bell Gardens and South Gate. building dams which will save many lives the Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee Finally, as a member of the House Select downstream. Committee on U.S. National Security and Mili- Chairman RON PACKARD and Ranking Member This bill will help protect vulnerable commu- tary/Commercial Concerns with the People's PETER VISCLOSKY, on their first year in their re- nities. I urge all of my colleagues to support Republic of China, I understand the Commit- spective roles. this bill. The Energy and Water Appropriations bill is tee's concern with the Department of Energy's always of great importance to California be- national security programs centered around its I also urge my colleagues to vote against cause of its impact on our harbors and water- weapons' laboratories. Given the recent rev- the Visclosky amendment. Under current law, ways, and the need to protect our residents elations regarding Chinese espionage at our if the Corps of Engineers determines that no from natural disasters such as flooding. national labs, these concerns are valid and wetlands exist on a piece of property, a third I will focus on a number of projects that are timely. However, I have serious reservations party can file suit in court. But, if the Corps of specific importance to my constituents in about the way the Committee has chosen to determines that wetlands do exist, then the the 33rd Congressional District as well as the address this issue. landowner is forced to go through the entire entire Los Angeles area. It may be the practice for the Appropriations permitting process before he or she can go to One of the most important projcts for my Committee to delay obligating funds to an court. constituents is the Los Angeles County Drain- agency in order to correct a problem, achieve Mr. Speaker, current law puts the hard- age Area flood control project along the Los a specific end, or perhaps just to send a mes- working citizens at a disadvantage to extreme Angeles and Rio Hondo Rivers, known as the sage. In this case, however, the withholding of environmental groups. This bill will allow land- ``LACDA'' project. This project was rec- $1 billion in funding from DOE's nuclear weap- owners the same right to appeal a decision in ommended by a task force of government ons program until June 30, 2000, is overly court, the same right that any interested third agencies, environmental groups, and neigh- harsh and, in my view, unnecessary. That party currently enjoys. It's only fair and I urge borhood groups. My constituents and other level of funding amounts to one-fourth of the my colleagues to oppose the Visclosky residents along the Los Angeles River are im- Department's total funding for weapons activi- amendment. H6522 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Chairman, I understand Member is extremely pleased the Committee These erosion rates are a result of previous that the bill provides $97.5 million under bio- agreed to continue funding for the Lower work on the river by the Federal Government. mass/biofuels energy systems, which includes Platte River and Tributaries Flood Control Although this bill does not include funding $41 million for the transportation program. Study. This study should help formulate and for the proposed Missouri River Research and It is my understanding that, although the develop feasible solutions which will alleviate Education Center at Ponca State Park in Ne- House version does not identify which projects future flood problems along the Lower Platte braska, this Member is pleased that $1 million receive funds, the conference report has re- River and tributaries. In addition, a related is included in the version approved earlier by flected a compromise between the two cham- study was authorized by Section 503(d)(11) of the other body. This Member hopes that the bers that provides funding to certain projects. the Water Resources Development Act of conference committee will include funds for The concern I would like to raise to the 1996. this important project in the conference report. Chairman deals with a project that the Chair- This Member is also pleased that this bill in- Finally, Mr. Chairman, this Member recog- man and I have discussed, the National Eth- cludes $250,000 to complete the interim feasi- nizes that H.R. 2605 also provides funding for anol Research Pilot Plant. bility study and begin plans and specifications Army Corps projects in Nebraska at the fol- As the Chairman knows, this project has a for the Lake Wanahoo project in Saunders lowing sites: Harlan County Lake; Papillion $6 million cost-share contribution from the County, Nebraska. This is a breakout study of Creek and Tributaries; Gavins Point Dam, State of Illinois, and will provide for cutting- the Lower Platte River and Tributaries Flood Lewis and Clark Lake; Salt Creek and Tribu- edge research that will lead to increased effi- Control Study. The interim feasibility study will taries; and Wood River. ciencies coupled with cheaper production of assess the environmental and flood control Again Mr. Chairman, this Member com- ethanol. benefits of Lake Wanahoo. It will also evaluate mends the distinguished gentleman from Cali- Preliminary estimates are that the plant other possible measures to provide flood con- fornia (Mr. PACKARD), the Chairman of the En- could reduce the cost of ethanol by over 10 trol for the affected downstream areas. The ergy and Water Development Appropriations cents/gallon in the near term. Corps of Engineers has conducted a prelimi- Subcommittee, and the distinguished gen- If, as in the past, the Conference Report on nary feasibility study and has determined that tleman from Indiana (Mr. VISCLOSKY), the rank- this bill identifies projects for funding under the further study of the Sand Creek watershed, ing member of the Subcommittee for their sup- biofuels program, I would like to strongly urge the site of the proposed project, is required. port of projects which are important to Ne- that this plant be funded. This will fulfill the intent of the study authority braska and the First Congressional District, as Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Chairman, this Mem- and to assess the extent of the Federal inter- well as to the people living in the Missouri River Basin. ber would like to commend the distinguished est. Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased gentleman from California (Mr. PACKARD), the Mr. Chairman, additionally, the bill provides to rise in support of the Energy and Water Ap- Chairman of the Energy and Water Develop- continued funding for an ongoing floodplain propriations legislation. I am particularly ment Appropriations subcommittee, and the study of the Antelope Creek which runs pleased to support two provisions of this legis- distinguished gentleman from Indiana (Mr. VIS- through the heart of Nebraska's capital city, lation that will directly benefit many of the peo- CLOSKY), the ranking member of the sub- Lincoln. The purpose of the study is to find a committee for their exceptional work in bring- ple I represent in Southwest Ohio. solution to multi-faceted problems involving The former Fernald Feed Materials Produc- ing this bill to the floor. the flood control and drainage problems in An- tion Center, now known as the Fernald Envi- This Member recognizes that extremely tight telope Creek as well as existing transportation ronmental Management Project, was a Depart- budgetary constraints made the job of the sub- and safety problems all within the context of ment of Energy facility that was part of the committee much more difficult this year. broad land use issues. This Member continues United States' nuclear weapons production Therefore, the subcommittee is to be com- to have a strong interest in this project since complex from 1951 to 1988. The Fernald site mended for its diligence in creating such a fis- he was responsible for stimulating the City of became heavily contaminated and has been cally responsible bill. In light of these budg- Lincoln, the Lower Platte South Natural Re- the focus of extensive nuclear and hazardous etary pressures, this Member would like to ex- sources District, and the University of Ne- waste cleanup efforts. press his appreciation to the Subcommittee braska-Lincoln to work jointly and coopera- The Energy and Water Appropriations bill and formally recognize that the Energy and tively with the Army Corps of Engineers to for Fiscal Year 2000 contains $280,589,000 Water Development appropriations bill for fis- identify an effective flood control system for for the Fernald cleanup. The FY 2000 funding cal year 2000 includes funding for several Antelope Creek in the downtown area of Lin- level represents an increase of more than $6 water projects that are of great importance to coln. million from the FY 1999 appropriation. The Nebraska. Antelope Creek, which was originally a funding is intended to keep the Fernald's ac- This Member greatly appreciates the $10 small meandering stream, became a straight- celerated cleanup project on track for comple- million funding level provided for the four-state ened urban drainage channel as Lincoln grew tion in 2006, rather than the originally planned Missouri River Mitigation Project. This rep- and urbanized. Resulting erosion has deep- 2020. resents a much-needed increase over the Ad- ened and widened the channel and created an This appropriation is directly in the public in- ministration's insufficient request for this im- unstable situation. A ten-foot by twenty-foot terest. Keeping the accelerated cleanup pro- portant project. The funding is needed to re- (height and width) closed underground conduit gram at Fernald on track will lower health risks store fish and wildlife habitat lost due to the that was constructed between 1911 and 1916 for residents of the surrounding area and Federally sponsored channelization and sta- now requires significant maintenance and lower the overall project costs for the tax- bilization projects of the Pick-Sloan era. The major rehabilitation. A dangerous flood threat payers. islands, wetlands, and flat floodplains needed to adjacent public and private facilities exists. This legislation also contains $915,000 for to support the wildlife and waterfowl that once The goals of the study are to anticipate and the Army Corps of Engineers to study ways to lived along the river are gone. An estimated provide for the control of flooding of Antelope improve flood control in the Mill Creek valley 475,000 acres of habitat in Iowa, Nebraska, Creek, map the floodway, evaluate the condi- while restoring the waterway's ecosystem. Missouri and Kansas have been lost. Today's tion of the underground conduit, make rec- This funding will help with our ongoing effort to fishery resources are estimated to be only ommendations for any necessary repair, sug- revitalize and restore the Mill Creek water- one-fifth of those which existed in pre-develop- gest the appropriate limitations of neighbor- shed. ment days. hood and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln I commend the members of the In 1986, the Congress authorized over $50 city campus development within current de- subcomitteeÐspecially Chairman PACKARD million to fund the Missouri River Mitigation fined boundaries, eliminate fragmentation of and Ranking Member VISCLOSKYÐfor their Project to restore fish and wildlife habitat lost the city campus, minimize vehicle/pedestrian/ good work on the bill and for including this es- due to the construction of structures to imple- bicycle conflicts while providing adequate ca- sential funding. ment the Pick-Sloan plan. pacity, and improve bikeway and pedestrian Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Chairman, I rise in sup- In addition, this bill provides additional fund- systems. port of H.R. 2065, the FY 2000 Energy and ing for flood-related projects of tremendous This Member is also pleased that the bill Water Appropriations bill. I would first like to importance to residents of Nebraska's 1st provides funding for the Missouri National thank Chairman PACKARD and Ranking Mem- Congressional District. Mr. Chairman, flooding Recreational River Project. This project ad- ber VISCLOSKY for their hard work on this im- in 1993 temporarily closed Interstate 80 and dresses a serious problem by protecting the portant legislation. I would also like to thank seriously threatened the Lincoln municipal river banks from the extraordinary and exces- my good friend from Texas, Mr. EDWARDS, for water system which is located along the Platte sive erosion rates caused by the sporadic and all the help he and his office have provided River near Ashland, Nebraska. Therefore, this varying releases from the Gavins Point Dam. me. July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6523 I strongly support the decision of the Sub- nomic centers. The Houston Ship Channel ing from a series of smaller rivers and streams committee on Energy and Water to ensure the desperately needs expansion to meet the that present substantial threats separate from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers receives ade- challenges of expanding global trade and to those posed by the major rivers in the region. quate funding to continue their vital work in maintain its competitive edge as a major inter- Importantly, the Committee's willingness to in- the areas of flood control and navigational im- national port. Currently, the Port of Houston is clude funding for the American River Com- provement. I would also like to compliment the the second largest port in the United States in prehensive Plan will allow for ongoing Corps Administration for their decision to fully fund total tonnage, and is a catalyst for the south- of Engineers general investigation work on all the Corps budget. This funding level recog- east Texas economy, contributing more than area flood control needs, including a perma- nizes the critical economic and public safety $5 billion annually and providing 200,000 jobs. nent solution. initiatives contained within the legislation. Be- However, the Port's capacity to increase Your support of these vital projects rep- cause many flood and navigation projects lo- tonnage and create jobs is limited by the size resents a recognition by this Congress of the cated in my district are on accelerated con- of the channel. Hence the need for the Hous- grave danger confronting Sacramento and a struction schedules, full funding by both the ton Ship Channel expansion project, which willingness by the federal government to main- Administration and the subcommittee will en- calls for deepening the channel from 40 to 45 tain a strong commitment to the community. sure the expedited completion at great savings feet and widening it from 400 to 530 feet. The Again, on behalf of my constituents, I am to the taxpayers. ship channel modernization, considered the grateful for your support in helping to address I am very pleased by the support this legis- largest dredging project since the construction this perilous situation. lation provides for addressing the chronic of the Panama Canal, will preserve the Port of Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in flooding problems of Harris County, Texas. Houston's status as one of the premier deep- support of H.R. 2605, the FY 2000 Energy H.R. 2065 includes vital funding for several channel Gulf ports and one of the top transit and Water Development Appropriations bill. flood control projects in the Houston area. points for cargo in the world. Thanks to the leadership of Chairman PACK- These projects include Brays, Sims, and Hunt- Mr. Chairman, while I am pleased the crit- ARD and the Ranking Member, Mr. VISCLOSKY, ing and White Oak bayous, and will provide ical functions of the U.S. Army Corps of Engi- of the Energy and Water Development Appro- much-needed protection for our communities. neers have been maintained, I am very con- priations Subcommittee, we have before us I am most grateful for the subcommittee's cerned about the inappropriate legislative rider today a finely crafted piece of legislation that decision to fully fund the Brays Bayou project attached to this bill. This legislation contains a will fund the Army Corps of Engineer's civil at $9.8 million for FY '00 while remaining with- provision indefinitely postponing the phase out works division and invest in our nation's water in their budgetary spending caps as specified of the Corps Nationwide Permit 26 (NWP 26), infrastructure. In my opinion, they have been by the 1997 Balanced Budget Agreement. which is accelerating the destruction of our successful in putting together a billÐunder This project is necessary to improve flood pro- country's sensitive wetlands. Acknowledging very demanding circumstancesÐthat balances tection for an extensively developed urban the weaknesses of this permit, the Corps has the infrastructure needs of this nation, the tra- area along Brays Bayou in southwest Harris had several public comment periods with all ditional mission of the Army Corps, and se- County. The project consists of three miles of the stakeholders to develop a workable alter- vere budgetary constraints. The end product is channel improvements, three flood detention native to revise the NWP 26 process. This ill- a vigorous funding bill that targets wise invest- basins, and seven miles of stream diversion conceived legislative rider will negate all the ments in water infrastructure projects. and will provide a 25-year level of flood pro- effort that went into forging a workable wet- Included in the bill are three important tection. The project was originally authorized lands permitting system and will continue the projects for my constituents in the Third Con- in the Water Resources Development Act of ruinous development of wetlands. Con- gressional District of Illinois. The bill includes 1990, as part of a $400 million federal/local sequently, I urge my colleagues to support the $640,000 for the Stoney Creek flood control flood control project. Through Fiscal Year Visclosky Amendment allowing the Corps to project in Oak Lawn, $200,000 for the Natalie 1999, over $10 million has already been ap- preserve our shrinking wetlands. Creek flood control project in Midlothian and propriated. The Harris County Flood Control Again, I thank the Chairman and Ranking Oak Forest, and $150,000 for the Hickory District has expended over $21 million for member for their support and I urge my col- Creek project in Tinley Park. These funds will preconstruction preparation in terms of land leagues to support this legislation. be used to continue these ongoing Army acquisition, easements, and relocations, plus Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Chairman, I would like to Corps projects. These cost-effective projects an additional $2.5 million in engineering and take this opportunity to thank Chairman PACK- will help protect property from future flooding construction. As part of the Water Resources ARD and the Ranking Member, Mr. VISCLOSKY, damages, safeguard the environment, and im- Development Act of 1996, the project was au- for their support of Sacramento flood control prove our communities' standard of living. thorized as a demonstration project for a new projects included in the FY 2000 Energy and I would like to take this opportunity to ex- federal reimbursement program. This program Water Appropriations bill. Flooding remains press some concerns over the progress of is an effort to strengthen and enhance the the single greatest threat to the public safety those Corps projects, specifically the Section Corps/local sponsor role by giving the local of the Sacramento community, posing a con- 205 Stoney Creek project in the Village of Oak sponsor a lead role and providing for reim- stant risk to the lives of my constituents and Lawn. Over the years, there have been some bursement by the Federal Government to the to the regional economy. Thanks to your ef- delays. I understand that these are complex local sponsor for the traditional federal portion forts and the efforts of this Committee, Sac- and technical projects and things do not al- of work accomplished. ramento can continue to work toward improve- ways go according to plan, but every year this I am also most grateful for the committee's ment flood protection. project is delayed means that another year the decision to fully fund the Sims Bayou project With a mere 85-year level of protection, Village of Oak Lawn is exposed to extreme at $18.3 million for FY '00. This project is nec- Sacramento remains the metropolitan area in flooding risks. I strongly urge the Army Corps essary to improve flood protection for an ex- this nation most at risk to flooding. More than Chief of Engineers to expedite completion of tensively developed urban area along Sims 400,000 people and $37 billion in property re- this project. Moreover, I would hope that the Bayou in southern Harris County. This project, side within the Sacramento flood plain, posing Natalie Creek and Hickory Creek projects are authorized as part of the 1988 WRDA bill, catastrophic consequences in the event of a completed in a reasonable amount of time. consists of 19.3 miles of channel enlargement, flood. While the Congress continues to debate Also included in the bill is $13.129 million rectification, and erosion control beginning at the best long-term solutions to this threat, for the Chicago Shoreline project, which rep- the mouth of the bayou at the Houston Ship funding in this bill will provide much needed resents a $5.5 million increase over the Ad- Channel and will provide a 25-year level of protection to the existing flood control facilities ministration's request. My colleagues and I on flood protection. This continuing project has throughout the region. the House Transportation and Infrastructure received over $120 million to date in state and Specifically, this legislation will allow for the Committee worked to authorize this project in federal funding and is scheduled to be com- continuation of levee improvements and bank the Water Resources Development Act of pleted two years ahead of schedule in 2004. stabilization projects along the lower American 1996. With nearly eight miles of Chicago's Mr. Chairman, I am also pleased that this and Sacramento Rivers, increasing levee reli- lakefront and over $5 billion worth of irreplace- legislation provides $60 million to fully fund ability and stemming bank erosion. Addition- able infrastructure and public property at risk, continuing construction on the Houston Ship ally, I greatly appreciate the Committee's will- the importance to fully fund and expedite this Channel expansion project. This project offers ingness to provide funding for projectsÐin- particular project cannot be understated. The tremendous economic and environmental ben- cluding the South Sacramento Streams Group, funding for FY 2000 will be utilized to recon- efits and once completed, will enhance one of Strong Ranch and Chicken Ranch Sloughs, struct the seriously deteriorated revetments our region's most important trade and eco- and Magpie CreekÐaimed at preventing flood- from Irving to Belmont, I±55 to 30th Street, H6524 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 33rd to 37th Street, and 37th to 43rd Street. climate and energy resources is necessary be- In the past, costs associated with some I commend the Army Corps of Engineers for fore we use taxpayer funds to support a major scientific projects have spiraled out of the hard work put into drafting and finalizing flawed policy approach. control because adequate preventative meas- the partnership agreement with the City of H.R. 2605 addresses this issue through its ures were not taken in the early planning Chicago to expedite this project. The new inclusion of language, known as the Knollen- stages to limit cost growth. The Super- 2005 completion date shortens the schedule berg amendment, that prohibits any funds conducting Supercollider and International by five years. from being used to implement the Kyoto Pro- Space Station are two examples, and I believe Again, I thank Chairman PACKARD and the tocol. This language is consistent with lan- that the language on Spallation Neutron Ranking Member, Mr. VISCLOSKY, for their as- guage from Representative ZOE LOFGREN's Source, when coupled with rigorous oversight, sistance and leadership in providing the nec- amendment that was adopted by the Com- will provide the Department of Energy with the essary funding for the above projects. mittee on Science as part of H.R. 1742, the facility they need at a cost that does not cause I urge all of my colleagues to pass H.R. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Re- heartburn for the American taxpayer. 2605. search and Development Act of 1999, on May Mr. WELLER. Mr. Chairman, thank you for Mr. ROEMER. Mr. Chairman, on behalf of 25, 1999. Together, both Ms. LOFGREN's and bringing this important bill to the floor. I wish the Gentleman from California, Mr. HERGER, Mr. KNOLLENBERG's language assures tax- to thank also Chairman PACKARD for his lead- and myself, we wish to thank you for the gen- payers that Senate ratification must precede ership and work in crafting this bill, a bill that erous allocation for biomass energy transpor- actions to implement the Kyoto Protocol and will directly help the residents of the 11th Con- tation systems in the FY 2000 Energy and that the Department of Energy cannot attempt gressional district of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, the Water Appropriations bill. We understand that, to implement any Kyoto regulations through a Energy and Water Development Appropria- due to budget constraints, the allocation was disingenuous approach. Given the glaring tions Bill is a good bill, and I ask that all of my over $10,000,000 below the budget request. problems with this unfunded, unsigned, and colleagues support it. unratified Protocol, such a limitation is proper However, it appears that biofuels was a pri- Two specific projects are funded in this bill and necessary and I commend the Appropria- ority to the committee in the renewable energy that are important to the citizens of Illinois. tions Committee for including this language in category. We applaud the committee's fore- Both the Thornton Reservoir Project and the H.R. 2605. sight, as this is a critical time for commer- Kankakee River Feasibility Study have been cializing this technology, both to aid in increas- Finally, I want to commend and applaud the Committee's decision to follow the authoriza- given significant and important funding under ing the efficiency of the existing corn ethanol this bill. The Thornton Reservoir project con- plants, and to help build several biofuels pilot tion language in H.R. 1655 regarding the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) project. Spe- tinues funding for the Tunnel and Reservoir projects throughout the U.S. There are, for ex- Project known as TARP. TARP is an intricate ample, two plants in California, one almost cifically, H.R. 2605, through legislative and re- port language, will require DOE to meet the system of underground tunnels and storage complete and one slated for construction. One reservoirs that provide flood relief and control such plant will use rise straw as its feedstock, following criteria before any construction funds are released. The criteria taken from H.R. combined sewer overflow pollution into Lake another will use wood waste. Again, we thank Michigan, the source of drinking water for a the Chairman and his committee for its sup- 1655 are as follows: 1. Certification that senior project manage- large portion of the Chicago metropolitan area. port of the biofuels budget and ongoing pilot ment positions for the project have been filled To the project's merit, the completed seg- plan projects. ments of TARP have helped to eliminate 86% Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Chairman, I by qualified individuals; 2. Cost baseline and project milestones for of combined sewage pollution in a 325 square rise today in support of H.R. 2605, the Energy each major construction and technical system mile area. and Water Development Appropriations Act of activity, consistent with the overall cost and The Energy and Water Development Appro- 1999. This bill contains funding for the majority schedule submitted with the Department's fis- priations Bill will provide $4.5 million dollars in of the Department of Energy's (DOE's) civilian cal year 2000 budget, and that have been re- construction funding for the McCook and science and energy R&D programs as well as viewed and certified by an independent entity, Thornton Reservoirs. This funding will go to- legislative guidance on some key project man- outside the Department and having no finan- ward continuing construction of the reservoir agement issues at the Department of Energy. cial interest in the project, as the most cost-ef- portion of TARP. Once completed, these res- Today, the Department of Energy epito- fective way to complete the project; ervoirs will provide a storage capacity of 15.3 mizes all that is wrong with how a government 3. Binding legal agreements that specify the billion gallons and will produce annual benefits department should be run. DOE lacks basic duties and obligations of each laboratory of of $104 million. planning and project management skills and the Department of Energy in carrying out the cannot provide simple planning information to The Kankakee River is a very important project; river for residents of the 11th Congressional Congress on costs and deadlines. This appro- 4. A revised project management structure priation bill represents the hard work of Mr. District, as well as the residents of Congress- that integrates the staff of the collaborating men EWING and BUYER's districts. The river PACKARD and the Members of the Sub- laboratories working on the project under a provides scenic, recreational, and commercial committee to correct a department that has single project director, who shall have direct gone awry and appears incapable of righting opportunities for many. Unfortunately, the river supervisory responsibility over the duties and does experience flooding and sedimentation itself. obligations described in subparagraph (3.) The Science Committee has responsibility problems both in Illinois and Indiana. The Ap- above; propriations committee has been very gen- for setting authorization levels for funding civil- 5. Official delegation by the Secretary of pri- erous with funding in previous years, providing ian scientific research and development pro- mary authority with respect to the project to funds for the Army Corps of engineers to com- grams at the Department of Energy as well as the project director; providing programmatic direction. The Com- 6. Certification from the Comptroller General plete a Corps Reconnaissance Study and mittee has passed two authorization bills that the total taxes and fees in any manner or begin a Feasibility Study. which address Department of Energy funding form paid by the Federal Government on the For fiscal year 2000, the Appropriations needs. SNS and the property, activities, and income Committee has provided $295,000 in funding They are: H.R. 1655, the Department of En- of the Department relating to the SNS to the for the Army Corps of Engineers to continue ergy Research, Development, and Demonstra- State of Tennessee or its counties, municipali- the Feasibility Study. This is an important tion Authorization Act of 1999; and H.R. 1656, ties, or any other subdivision thereof, does not project and that will improve the quality of life the Department of Energy Commercial Appli- exceed the aggregate taxes and fees for for those who use or live near the river. I am cation of Energy Technology Authorization Act which the Federal Government would be liable very pleased to see this continued funding, of 1999. While H.R. 2605 does not fully fund if the project were located in any other State and thank you again for bringing this important some science and energy R&D accounts to that contains a national laboratory of the De- bill to the floor today. their authorized levels, it is a good attempt to partment; and Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Chairman, I follow the authorization bills directions on R&D 7. Annual reports on the SNS project, in- have no further requests for time, and funding within a tight fiscal framework. cluded as part of the Department's annual I yield back the balance of my time. In addition, H.R. 2605 will have a profound budget submission, including a description of Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Chairman, I have impact on climate research at the Department the achievement of milestones, a comparison no further requests for time, and I of Energy. While the Administration jumped on of actual costs to estimated costs, and any yield back the balance of my time. the Kyoto bandwagon, I have always believed changes in estimated project costs or sched- The CHAIRMAN. All time for general that a more science-based assessment of our ule. debate has expired. July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6525 Pursuant to the rule, the bill shall be are appropriated, out of any money in the gentleman in any way we can as we considered for amendment under the 5- Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the proceed forward with the appropriation minute rule. fiscal year ending September 30, 2000, for en- process. During consideration of the bill for ergy and water development, and for other Mr. CALLAHAN. I thank the chair- purposes, namely: amendment, the Chair may accord pri- man. ority in recognition to a Member offer- Mr. CALLAHAN. I move to strike the Mr. RILEY. Mr. Chairman, will the ing an amendment that he has printed last word, Mr. Chairman. gentleman yield? in the designated place in the CONGRES- Mr. Chairman, I would like to com- Mr. CALLAHAN. I yield to the gen- SIONAL RECORD. Those amendments pliment both the gentleman from Indi- tleman from Alabama, in whose dis- will be considered read. ana (Mr. VISCLOSKY) and our friend, the trict this problem lies. The Chairman of the Committee of gentleman from California (Mr. PACK- Mr. RILEY. Mr. Chairman, I would the Whole may postpone a request for a ARD) as well for following in the foot- just like to thank the gentleman for recorded vote on any amendment, and steps of two great Americans, Tom Be- bringing this to the attention of the may reduce to a minimum of 5 minutes vill from Alabama, as well as Joe Committee. I think there is a debate the time for voting on any postponed McDade, who chaired this committee right now of what committee this ju- question that immediately follows an- before them. I think they have done an risdiction will actually fall under. other vote, provided that the time for outstanding job. But as the gentleman from Alabama voting on the first question shall be a In serving on the subcommittee, I mentioned a moment ago, this is a minimum of 15 minutes. recognize the difficulties the Members compact that has been negotiated now The Clerk will read. have, especially under the cir- for about 2 years. One of the problems Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Chair- cumstances of the limited amount of they face in these water negotiations is man, I ask unanimous consent that I allocations we have. having a historical record that they may be permitted to offer a point of Mr. Chairman, let me say that this is can rely on. So I think it is going to be order on Section 506 at this point in a good bill and it deserves the support almost imperative for us to do some- the reading. of every Member of this body. But I thing to put in these gauges, these The CHAIRMAN. Is there objection would request that the gentleman from monitoring sessions, so we do have a to the request of the gentleman from California (Chairman PACKARD) and the historical record. Alaska? gentleman from Indiana (Mr. VIS- So as we go into conference, I hope There was no objection. CLOSKY) pay attention to a few items of that the chairman will look upon this The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will read concern to me in the bill. with favor, work with us as we work Section 506. While I certainly understand the through this process, and see if we can, The Clerk read as follows: need to effectively cut corners and to and as the gentleman from Alabama Title III, division C, of Public Law 105–277, save money wherever possible, I do said, this is not a lot of money, but it Making Omnibus Consolidated and Emer- have some very serious concerns about is something that is absolutely vital to gency Supplemental Appropriations for fis- the impact of the bill on the Power Alabama and Georgia and Florida’s ne- cal Year 1999 and section 105 of Public Law Marketing Administrations’ efforts to gotiating structure. 106–31, the 1999 Emergency Supplemental Ap- continue to provide low-cost power to I thank the gentleman. propriations Act, are repealed. rural areas, including those in south The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will read. Mr. YOUNG of Alaska (during the Alabama, as well as throughout the The Clerk read as follows: reading). Mr. Chairman, I ask unani- Nation. TITLE I mous consent that the section be con- Additionally, I have concerns regard- DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE—CIVIL sidered as read and printed in the ing the implementation and the moni- DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY RECORD. toring of water compacts under nego- CORPS OF ENGINEERS—CIVIL The CHAIRMAN. Is there objection tiation between the States of Alabama, The following appropriations shall be ex- to the request of the gentleman from Florida, and Georgia. Specifically, I pended under the direction of the Secretary Alaska? have concern about the lack of suffi- of the Army and the supervision of the Chief There was no objection. cient water flow and water quality of Engineers for authorized civil functions of POINT OF ORDER monitoring systems. Even though I the Department of the Army pertaining to Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Chair- have not discussed this with the gen- rivers and harbors, flood control, beach ero- sion, and related purposes. man, I make a point of order against tlemen, the gentleman from California Section 506 of the bill, found at page 36, (Chairman PACKARD) or the gentleman GENERAL INVESTIGATIONS lines 21 to 25. This language repeals the from Indiana (Mr. VISCLOSKY), this is For expenses necessary for the collection Denali Commission Act of 1998 and con- something of great concern. and study of basic information pertaining to Conceivably we are not talking about river and harbor, flood control, shore protec- stitutes legislation on an appropria- tion, and related projects, restudy of author- tions bill in violation of clause 2(b) of a lot of money, but it is something ized projects, miscellaneous investigations, rule XXI of the rules of the House of that would require some direction to and, when authorized by laws, surveys and Representatives. the Corps, or possibly Interior. I just detailed studies and plans and specifications The CHAIRMAN. Does any Member wanted to make the Members aware of projects prior to construction, $158,993,000, desire to be heard on the point of that sometime during the process we to remain available until expended: Provided, order? need to look at this problem to see if That the Secretary of the Army, acting Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Chairman, I re- possibly the two gentlemen would go through the Chief of Engineers, is directed to along with some language in the con- use the remaining unobligated funds appro- serve my right to be heard on the point priated in Public Law 102–377 for the Red of order. ference report to ensure that this prob- River Waterway, Shreveport, Louisiana, to Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Chairman, we lem in this water compact between the Daingerfield, Texas, project for the feasi- have reviewed this, and we recognize States of Alabama, Florida, and Geor- bility phase of the Red River Navigation, that it does violate it. We would con- gia are addressed. Southwest Arkansas, study. cede the point of order. Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Chairman, will CONSTRUCTION, GENERAL Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Chairman, I the gentleman yield? For the prosecution of river and harbor, would concede the point of order. Mr. CALLAHAN. I yield to the gen- flood control, shore protection, and related The CHAIRMAN. Section 506 is con- tleman from California. projects authorized by laws; and detailed ceded to be legislation and the point of Mr. PACKARD. We have already studies, and plans and specifications, of order is sustained, and Section 506 is made assurances that we will deal with projects (including those for development stricken from the bill. the power marketing issue the gen- with participation or under consideration for tleman has brought up. It is more than participation by States, local governments, The Clerk will read. or private groups) authorized or made eligi- The Clerk read as follows: just the gentleman’s own issue. ble for selection by law (but such studies Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- On the second issue, I deeply appre- shall not constitute a commitment of the resentatives of the United States of America in ciate him bringing that to my atten- Government to construction), $1,412,591,000, Congress assembled, That the following sums tion. We will certainly work with the to remain available until expended, of which H6526 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 such sums as are necessary for the Federal of Engineers, shall, using funds provided As far as Permit 26, some might share of construction costs for facilities herein, prepare studies and analyses of the argue that Permit 26 works. It facili- under the Dredged Material Disposal Facili- impacts on Regulatory Branch workload and tates the process. To some minor ex- ties program shall be derived from the Har- on cost of compliance by the regulated com- tent, they would be correct. The prob- bor Maintenance Trust Fund, as authorized munity of proposed replacement permits for by Public Law 104–303; and of which such the nationwide permit 26 under section 404 of lem is as far as the overarching policy sums as are necessary pursuant to Public the Clean Water Act: Provided further, That we are concerned about here, that is, Law 99–662 shall be derived from the Inland none of the funds made available under this the preservation of our wetlands. I Waterways Trust Fund, for one-half of the Act may be used by the Secretary of the would note again that we are losing costs of construction and rehabilitation of Army to promulgate or implement such re- 70,000 to 90,000 acres a year. Permit 26 inland waterways projects, including reha- placement permits unless and until the Sec- is part of the problem. I would not pre- bilitation costs for the Lock and Dam 25, retary of the Army, acting through the Chief suppose that it is all of the problem, Mississippi River, Illinois and Missouri; of Engineers, has submitted the aforemen- but it is part of the problem, and it Lock and Dam 14, Mississippi River, Iowa; tioned report to the Committees on Appro- ought to be fixed for that reason, and Lock and Dam 24, Mississippi River, Illinois priations of the House and Senate, the and Missouri; and Lock and Dam 3, Mis- Transportation and Infrastructure Com- for the reason that it is not in compli- sissippi River, Minnesota; London Locks and mittee of the House, and the Committee on ance with the Clean Water Act. Dam; Kanawha River, West Virginia; and Environment and Public Works of the Sen- Some would say that this is going to Lock and Dam 12, Mississippi River, Iowa, ate: Provided further, That the Secretary of increase the workload for the Army’s projects; and of which funds are provided for the Army, acting through the Chief of Engi- Corps of Engineers. Earlier when the the following projects in the amounts speci- neers, shall not terminate the current na- acreage was reduced in Permit 26, this fied: tionwide permit 26 unless and until the same argument was raised: We are Indianapolis Central Waterfront, Indiana, aforementioned report has been submitted to going to increase delays, we are going $10,991,000; the Committees on Appropriations of the to increase the process, and burden two Harlan/Clover Fork, Pike County, House and Senate, the Transportation and Middlesboro, Martin County, Pike County property owners. Infrastructure Committee of the House, and The fact is, that turned out not to be Tug Forks Tributaries, Bell County, Harlan the Committee on Environment and Public County, and Town of Martin elements of the Works of the Senate. true. There were 55,000, approximately, general permits issued in 1996 before Levisa and Tug Forks of the Big Sandy River AMENDMENT NO. 3 OFFERED BY MR. VISCLOSKY and Upper Cumberland River project in Ken- the acreage was reduced. In 1998, gen- Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Chairman, I tucky, $14,050,000; and eral permits issued to facilitate the Passaic River Streambank Restoration, offer an amendment. The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will des- process did increase to 64,000. But on New Jersey, $8,000,000. the other hand, the individual permits, ignate the amendment. FLOOD CONTROL, MISSISSIPPI RIVER AND TRIB- which do take more time, were reduced UTARIES, ARKANSAS, ILLINOIS, KENTUCKY, The text of the amendment is as fol- lows: from 5,028 in 1996 to 4,931. LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, MISSOURI, AND Will there be some increase as far as TENNESSEE Amendment No. 3 offered by Mr. VIS- the burden to the Corps? Quite pos- CLOSKY: For expenses necessary for prosecuting sibly, but it is manageable, and the work of flood control, and rescue work, re- Page 5, line 25, strike the comma and all pair, restoration, or maintenance of flood that follows through page 6, line 23, and in- Corps is ready to assume that responsi- control projects threatened or destroyed by sert a period. bility. Is there going to be increased flood, as authorized by law (33 U.S.C. 702a, (Mr. VISCLOSKY asked and was cost to those who own property, who 702g–1), $313,324,000, to remain available until given permission to revise and extend develop property? Only if they deal expended. his remarks.) with wetlands. OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE, GENERAL Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Chairman, I As far as the time delay, I would point out that, again, before Permit 26 For expenses necessary for the preserva- would indicate that the amendment be- was changed in 1996, the average eval- tion, operation, maintenance, and care of ex- fore the body is offered by myself, the uation time for individual permits was isting river and harbor, flood control, and re- gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. OBER- 88 days. In 1998, it was reduced to 87 lated works, including such sums as may be STAR), and the gentleman from Penn- necessary for the maintenance of harbor days, and it is my understanding for sylvania (Mr. BORSKI), and it goes to channels provided by a State, municipality the individual development of a prop- correct the one deficiency in the bill or other public agency, outside of harbor erty that the delay, if you would, or relative to the Clean Water Act, rel- lines, and serving essential needs of general the time involved before construction ative to preserving wetlands in the commerce and navigation; surveys and is started is anywhere from 6 months United States of America, and relative charting of northern and northwestern lakes to a year. These are not consecutive se- and connecting waters; clearing and to the veto issue by the administration straightening channels; and removal of ob- quences, they are concurrent. relative to the language. Does the Corps listen to anybody? structions to navigation, $1,888,481,000, to re- It relates to two provisions in the main available until expended, of which such Has the Corps simply run roughshod bill, jurisdiction as far as wetlands and over the process? That is another issue sums as become available in the Harbor the Army’s Corps of Engineers, and a Maintenance Trust Fund, pursuant to Public that has been raised. I think, again, it Law 99–662, may be derived from that Fund, program called Permit 26. is incorrect. There have been over and of which such sums as become available I have talked about the importance 10,000 comments issued in three dif- from the special account established by the of wetlands in my earlier remarks. I ferent public comment periods. In some Land and Water Conservation Act of 1965, as have talked about the generic situation cases the Corps has made fundamental amended (16 U.S.C. 460l), may be derived we find ourselves in. I would like to use from that account for construction, oper- changes and agreed with the develop- the time allotted to me to talk about mental community. ation, and maintenance of outdoor recre- the potential arguments raised against ation facilities. The developmental community want- the amendment, and why I think the ed time limits for the Corps to respond REGULATORY PROGRAM amendment ought to be adopted. For expenses necessary for administration regarding a completed application, and As far as the jurisdictional argu- as far as the proposed Permit 26, the of laws pertaining to regulation of navigable ments, I do believe that they would, as waters and wetlands, $117,000,000, to remain Corps said, you are absolutely right, it available until expended: Provided, That the the bill is currently constituted, lead should be included. to more litigation. Several speakers Secretary of the Army, acting through the b Chief of Engineers, is directed to use before us on the floor today talked 1800 $5,000,000 of funds appropriated herein to about the delay involved as far as the Inversely, as far as the environ- fully implement an administrative appeals implementation of the new procedures mental community is concerned, they process for the Corps of Engineers Regu- as far as the appeal, the new permit- asked at one time that there be a com- latory Program, which administrative ap- ting process. plete prohibition in critical waters in peals process shall provide for a single-level There would be much further delay if 100-year floodplains. They asked for a appeal of jurisdictional determinations, the results of which shall be considered final the language continues to stand. There complete revocation of permit 26 with agency action under the Administrative Pro- would be additional burden on the no replacement, clearly an additional cedures Act: Provided further, That the Sec- Corps, and again, we would see an in- burden to the developmental commu- retary of the Army, acting through the Chief crease in litigation. nity and the Corps said absolutely not. July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6527 That is going too far in the other direc- that, should not be a vehicle to delay long and hard to work out an agree- tion. the implementation of this program. ment that is acceptable. We have no in- In the earlier debate, there was talk That is why I am offering an amend- tention in the language of the bill to about the delay involved. This is a very ment that would make it absolutely delay this process. We simply felt that precise, very complicated issue. The clear that a report on costs of imple- the report was required. I think the Corps is trying to do it correctly and mentation would not impede the wet- gentleman from New York has con- have been about that task in both in- lands nationwide permitting program. curred in that in his statement. stances since 1996. My amendment makes it absolutely I fully support the amendment of the PERFECTING AMENDMENT OFFERED BY MR. clear that the report be required, must gentleman from New York (Mr. BOEH- BOEHLERT be submitted to Congress no later than LERT). I think it is an improving Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Chairman, I December 30, 1999. Let me read to my amendment, and I think it is improv- offer a preferential perfecting amend- colleagues where we are coming from ing from both a process point of view ment. in the actual language of the bill. It as well as an environmental point of The Clerk read as follows: will read, if I am successful with this view. Perfecting amendment offered by Mr. amendment, ‘‘That none of the funds Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Chairman, I ap- BOEHLERT: made available under this Act may be preciate that. I appreciate coming into Page 6, line 11, after ‘‘until’’ insert the fol- used by the Secretary of the Army to the discussions and rather tough nego- lowing: ‘‘30 days prior to the final publica- promulgate or implement such replace- tiations in the spirit the gentleman tion of the proposed replacement permits for ment permits unless and until 30 days from California did. He was willing to the nationwide permit 26 under section 404 of listen, and he was willing to consider the Clean Water Act’’. prior to the final publication of the Page 6, line 13, strike ‘‘report’’ and insert proposed replacement permits for the another point of view. Because, ini- the following: ‘‘studies and analyses not nationwide permit 26 under section 404 tially, as the gentleman well knows, we later than December 30, 1999’’. of the Clean Water Act the Secretary did not see eye to eye. He did not think PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY of the Army, acting through the Chief this thing needed to be changed. I did. Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Chairman, I of Engineers, has submitted the afore- The gentleman from Indiana (Mr. VIS- have a parliamentary inquiry. mentioned studies and analyses not CLOSKY) feels that, too. The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman later than December 30, 1999.’’ Let me read from the Federal Reg- from Indiana will state his parliamen- That is very specific. There is no wig- ister back on July 21 when they are tary inquiry. gle room. talking about the proposal to issue and Mr. VISCLOSKY. My question, Mr. In the July 21 Federal Register, the modify nationwide permits. They point Chairman, is if the perfecting amend- Corps stated for the record that they out this, ‘‘the Corps will spend more ment of the gentleman from New York had ‘‘extended the expiration date for time on projects with the potential for more environmental damage and less (Mr. BOEHLERT) is adopted, will the nationwide permit 26 to December 30, Visclosky-Oberstar-Borski amendment 1999.’’ time on projects with minimal adverse to strike still be the pending business My amendment assures that the re- effects on the aquatic environment.’’ I before the House, and will our amend- port being legitimately requested by support that and obviously urge sup- ment, that is, the Visclosky-Oberstar- Congress on the costs of a new permit- port for my amendment. Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Chairman, I Borski amendment, if adopted, strike ting scheme will not stop the Corps, move to strike the last word. the perfected language? will not stop the Corps from going final Mr. Chairman, I would, first of all, The CHAIRMAN. The Chair finds on their nationwide permit 26 changes indicate my regard for the abilities, in- that the amendment offered by the on the date that they have projected to tellect, as well as the commitment to gentleman from Indiana is properly go final. the environment of the gentleman of treated as a motion to strike. The I believe this amendment addresses New York (Mr. BOEHLERT). I appreciate amendment offered by the gentleman the real environmental concerns that his working with the chair and the from New York is a perfecting amend- have been expressed. committee to make the bill a better ment to a portion of the text proposed I have also included language re- bill. But I make a couple of observa- to be stricken. As such, the perfecting questing the Corps to submit their re- tions to my colleagues. amendment may be considered as pref- port to Congress at least 30 days before The first is that the language pro- erential, and the motion to strike is implementing a new nationwide permit posed by the gentleman from New York placed in abeyance. scheme. I think that is a legitimate re- essentially provides for a political so- After disposition of the perfecting quest. Because I have the pleasure and lution to a fundamental flaw in the leg- amendment, the committee will decide privilege of serving as chairman of the islation as far as the Clean Water Act the motion to strike the specified text, House Subcommittee on Water Re- and protecting wetlands. as it may be perfected or not. sources and Environment, the com- Secondly, I do think that, again, the Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Chairman, I mittee of jurisdiction, I would like to underlying language that we are talk- have an amendment to perfect the text know what the costs in both dollars ing about is extraordinary as far as the that the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. and manpower, what the costs will be additional costs to the Corps to now VISCLOSKY) hopes to strike. The for these new regulations that we are issue these reports and studies, the di- amendment I am offering comes after going to impose on the Corps. version of their energies, and a poten- extensive dialogues with my friends Again, let me make it clear, this tial delay from the proposed end of and associates and partners, both in amendment coming from me is a pro- these programs; and that is for the ju- the environmental community with environment amendment, an amend- risdictional issue to be resolved in Sep- whom I am closely associated, and de- ment that makes sense, an amendment tember and permit 26 to be resolved in velopment communities, as well as that has been worked out. They did not November. That, despite the December with the gentleman from California just snap and accept it and say that I 30 date in both of these instances, the (Chairman PACKARD). am right, and they agree. We had to time frame we are facing today is Let me tell my colleagues, this has really work on this thing. But it has shorter, so there is still a delay in- involved extensive negotiations. Be- been accepted by the gentleman from volved. cause I will say this, essentially, the California (Chairman PACKARD), and I Additionally, I think it is extralegal gentleman from Indiana (Mr. VIS- urge all my colleagues to support its because, under permitting, there is no CLOSKY) and my friends in the environ- adoption. requirement for the agency to provide mental community are right in ex- Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Chairman, will a costs study. So what is being re- pressing their concern that a report on the gentleman yield? quested here is outside of what is le- the costs associated with the imple- Mr. BOEHLERT. I am glad to yield gally required under the law. mentation of a new nationwide 26 per- to the distinguished gentleman from The gentleman’s language does not mitting program should not be a vehi- California. touch upon the issue of jurisdiction cle to delay the implementation of this Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Chairman, the that is part of the amendment that is program. Let me emphasize and repeat gentleman is correct. We have worked pending before the House. H6528 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 But saying that, I can read English. I vent the Army Corps from imple- character and democracy, but we are respect the gentleman. The gentleman menting a common-sense activities- diminishing our resources because of has, in a way, improved the language of based permitting proposal. The Corps the expanding population, and our the bill, and I appreciate him for doing wants to implement a permitting proc- frontier is gone. We are a developed Na- it. I accept the gentleman’s language, ess that would be on a case-by-case tion. and I would ask every one of my col- basis to protect practices which dam- So what is our next frontier? What is leagues in the House to do the same. age our natural wetlands. But this bill the most important thing we can do Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Chairman, I move stops the Corps dead in their tracks. now? Understand that for future un- to strike the requisite number of The other rider would eliminate pub- seen generations we need to be as so- words. lic input from the wetlands decision phisticated as possible to recognize the Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the making process by allowing the Fed- next frontier is an intellectual frontier Visclosky-Oberstar-Borski amendment. eral courts to issue permits straight to on how to manage and increase and im- Mr. Chairman, first of all, let me say to the developers. prove the way we use the Nation’s re- those who may have just tuned into Our communities have a right to pro- sources. this discussion that the issue at hand vide input, not just for wetland per- Now, this energy appropriations bill that we are talking about is wetlands. mits, but for activities which affect our goes a little way toward doing that. We That word has not entered into this waters, our ecosystems, and our way of will do this on an annual basis. The discussion very much, and it does not life and our quality of life. gentleman from California (Mr. PACK- usually enter into the discussion much I just want to encourage all of our ARD) has taken a diverse amount of on this floor, at least in recent years. colleagues to think about the implica- material, disparate interests, and he But I think it is fundamental that we tions here before we go rush off and has put together, or pieced together a understand how important wetlands pass this bill without addressing this package to do something about the Na- tion’s resources. And I am going to are to our planet. They are the funda- question. This amendment is a good support the Boehlert amendment be- mental breeding grounds of our planet. amendment. It strikes a good balance Nationwide, wetlands serve as home to cause it does what we want to do. in the bill. It preserves for us and for Let me run through a couple of other 43 percent of our threatened and endan- our ancestors a very fragile part of our items. The gentleman from Indiana gered species. Nearly 70 percent of our planet that serves us all so very well. (Mr. VISCLOSKY) said that the Presi- commercial fishing catch in this coun- I want to thank the gentleman from dent had an edict that we were going to try depends upon these fragile areas. Indiana (Mr. VISCLOSKY), the gen- get rid of Nationwide 26. What is Na- They also serve as our nature’s water tleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. BOR- tionwide 26? It is a regulation that treatment facility. They act as a SKI), and the gentleman from Min- came out in 1996 that said the Corps of sponge to intercept sediment, polluted nesota (Mr. OBERSTAR) for having the Engineers could not issue permits for runoff, and toxic substances before foresight to bring this to the floor. isolated wetlands or wetlands on the they contaminate our lakes and our This amendment is supported by all headwaters of our Nation’s waterways rivers and our streams. They are a the environmental organizations. for any particular activity. fragile part of our ecosystem that Trouts Unlimited, hunters, fishermen, Now, they have studied that for sev- brings great joy, great beauty, a tre- folks across this country understand eral years to see its impact. The Presi- mendous sense of serenity to literally the nature of what we are talking dent said last October that by this July tens of millions of people in this coun- about here. I would encourage all of my he wanted to eliminate Nationwide 26. try and abroad. They are, indeed, a colleagues to vote ‘‘yes’’ on this The Corps said they could not do it by very special place. amendment. then, so they pushed it off until Sep- Now, there has been much talk re- Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Chairman, I tember. Now they have pushed it off cently in the country about this thing move to strike the requisite number of until December, according to the Fed- called sprawl. This area that we dis- words. eral Register. The Corps of Engineers is cussed tonight, wetlands, has been a Mr. Chairman, first of all, I want to not going to eliminate Nationwide 26 victim of that and at an alarming rate. compliment the gentleman from Cali- permitting process until December. When I talk about an alarming rate, we fornia (Mr. PACKARD), chairman of the Now, does the gentleman from New are letting anywhere between 70,000 to Subcommittee on Energy and Water York (Mr. BOEHLERT) offer a delay to 90,000 acres of wetland be destroyed an- Development for bringing forth a very that? Does this stop the Corps dead in nually in our country. difficult, complicated, yet sophisti- its tracks? The answer is no. There is One acre of wetlands can store more cated piece of legislation to deal with no delay in the proposal of the gen- than 360,000 gallons of water runoff. As the Nation’s resource needs, energy tleman from California (Mr. PACKARD) I said earlier, they are an important needs, water needs. This is not an easy or the proposal of the gentleman from filter for our water system. It was not task to follow, to implement. New York (Mr. BOEHLERT). Does it very long ago, not very far from my I also want to compliment the gen- cause a burden on the Corps? I person- State of Michigan, where 104 people tleman from Michigan (Mr. BONIOR) for ally do not think so. The Corps can died of poisoning from cryptosporidum his eloquent statement about the need pool its resources with the help of this in their drinking water. for this Nation to, not only protect the Congress and decide by December 31 So when we engage in this discussion Nation’s wetlands, to not only come up that Nationwide 26 will be eliminated about this fragile important piece of with a proposal for no net loss of the and we will propose some permits for our planet, it is important to under- Nation’s wetlands, but to add to the activities in the Nation’s wetlands. stand that the American people are de- Nation’s wetlands, because they are What is the cost of the Corps to do manding we do something about this what he has spoken, the world’s fil- this? We ought to know. Do they need question of clean water. My colleagues tering system for the dwindling supply any more people on the ground to cannot address the clean water issue of water. evaluate the activity to issue the per- unless they address the question of b mit? We should know this. What is the wetlands. 1815 cost to the community that would like One of our cheapest and most natural It does create habitat and spawning to propose those activities? I think ways to do that is to protect our wet- grounds for most of the fish in the some of the cost to the regulations by lands. And at a time when our older world. So wetlands are important. the bureaucracy is arbitrary. We do not communities are struggling with the I want to make just a brief statement know as Members of Congress when we cost of updating their sewers, we about this country, the United States. issue statutes what happens. We ought should be making it easier to protect We are as sophisticated as we are right to know the cost to the Corps, because these natural water flows and water fil- now, we are as successful as we are we have to propose funding for the ters. right now for four reasons: democracy, Corps, and we should know the cost to The bill before us today has two rid- our political system; an endless fron- the people that want the permits to do ers which actually make it harder to tier; an abundance of natural re- those activities so we can better expe- protect our wetlands. One would pre- sources; and character. We are about dite the entire process. July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6529 The language in this proposal by the million to implement an administra- tell my colleagues, those of us from gentleman from New York (Mr. BOEH- tive appellate process to include juris- Louisiana understand delicate environ- LERT) is not a political solution; it is a dictional determinations. Now, finally, mental balance. Our economy is based practical solution. There is no poten- some 7 years after the Clinton adminis- on agriculture and fisheries. The tial delay. The language says by De- tration directed the Corps to prepare wealth of the Gulf of Mexico feeds most cember 30. That is what the Corps said and implement an administrative ap- of the people around here who go to themselves. pellate process, we find in this legisla- Washington restaurants and eat these We should know the cost estimate, tion, as proposed by the gentleman crabs that say made in Louisiana, and we should know the activities. I from California (Mr. PACKARD), the im- though I would be interested in know- would urge my colleagues that a more portant remedy to small landowners ing where they really come from. Our sophisticated approach to protecting across this country. biggest problem with the environment the Nation’s wetlands is to know the For those who do not live in a State is not polluting waters, it is gill- full impact of what the Corps is about like Louisiana, where increasingly netters from out of state, who take to do. I want to preserve those wet- human habitation is being found im- monofilament nets and, frankly, de- lands. We want to increase the number permissible by the Corps of Engineers, stroy our fisheries by hauling them out of wetlands. it may be difficult to understand the of state for other purposes. Mr. Chairman, I urge support for the significance of wetlands determina- What we are asking for is just a sim- Boehlert amendment. tions. A couple who owns a small dry ple opportunity. If the Corps of Engi- The CHAIRMAN. If there is no more cleaners back home worked hard, many neers says a landowner cannot build debate on the Boehlert perfecting hours, saving as best they could to put their house on their property that they amendment, the Chair will put the money aside to acquire their dream of paid for, we think that landowner question. homeownership. They bought 5 acres of should have a chance to have a juris- The question is on the perfecting property in a rural part of Livingston dictional determination first. Does the amendment offered by the gentleman Parish. Corps have the right to do this to this from New York (Mr. BOEHLERT). As they were making their decisions landowner and can the landowner not The question was taken; and the about where they might build their get this determination made before Chairman announced that the ayes ap- home on this piece of property they they have to spend thousands of dollars peared to have it. were acquiring, a friend told them they defending their right to own property Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, I ob- had better call the Corps of Engineers in what is supposed to be a free coun- ject to the vote on the ground that a and have them come out and make a try. quorum is not present and make the determination before they decided on I congratulate the gentleman from point of order that a quorum is not their building location. California (Mr. PACKARD) and the com- present. Well, the fella happened to own a mittee for finally having put in to a The CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to House tractor, and what is called back home proposal a decent common sense oppor- Resolution 261, further proceedings on a bush hog, a piece of equipment for tunity for small business people and the perfecting amendment offered by cutting grass, normally. Well, he took landowners around this country to the gentleman from New York (Mr. the tractor and the bush hog and he have the chance to be heard before the BOEHLERT) will be postponed. went out and topped the 5-acre tract so government takes their land away. The point of no quorum is considered Mr. BORSKI. Mr. Chairman, I move he could get a better idea of where the withdrawn. to strike the requisite number of trees were located and what might be Debate will continue on the under- words. lying Visclosky motion to strike. an attractive place to put the home. (Mr. BORSKI asked and was given When the Corps of Engineers came Mr. BAKER. Mr. Chairman, I move to permission to revise and extend his re- strike the last word. out, they were not particularly im- marks.) Mr. Chairman, in 1993, the Clinton pressed with this young man’s activi- Mr. BORSKI. Mr. Chairman, I am administration directed the Corps of ties. They determined right off the bat, pleased to join with the ranking mem- Engineers to establish an administra- using an inaccurate floodplain map, ber of the subcommittee, the gen- tive appeals process for wetlands deter- that the property in question was a tleman from Indiana (Mr. VISCLOSKY) minations. That instruction came with wetland and that he had inappropri- and with the ranking member of the a 1-year time line to perfect those ately cut down young trees. Not only Committee on Transportation and In- guidelines. However, it was 1995, a full were they not allowed a permit to build frastructure, the gentleman from Min- year later, before the Corps proposed in a timely fashion on that property, nesota (Mr. OBERSTAR), in offering this an administrative appellate process but they were told they had to replant 50 amendment. This amendment will was not able at that time to fully im- trees at their expense and be respon- strike the harmful riders which would plement that plan. sible for the life of those trees, for undermine Federal protection of our It was then 2 years later, in January their continued growth and safety. Nation’s wetlands and needlessly in- of 1997, that the Corps testified that This couple soon realized what they crease litigation. they would need some $5 million to im- had gotten themselves into: that they Mr. Chairman, regrettably we are plement their administrative review had spent 10 years of their life working once again debating anti-environ- process. The Congress responded and to save money to buy their American mental riders in an appropriations bill. made those funds available. dream only to be told by a government This practice is simply not acceptable. In 1998, in January, the Corps an- agency, ‘‘I am sorry, if you want to ob- First, this rider undercuts the national nounced the appellate process that ject to our determinations, you are protection of wetlands; second, the bill they were formulating as a result of going to have to go all the way through will increase litigation over the wet- the $5 million appropriation would only the process; and only at the end, if you lands issue; and, third, these issues review denied permits, not jurisdic- are denied a 404 permit, will you have should be considered and fully debated tional determinations. the right to go to court and spend more in the Committee on Transportation Why is this significant? Well, it money to try to overturn a decision of and Infrastructure where they belong means a small landowner or a small the United States Government.’’ under the rules of the House. businessperson must go through the This is ridiculous. The couple has Furthermore, while anti-environ- entire administrative appellate review abandoned their hopes of building on mental riders should not be considered process and spend significant amounts the 5 acres and are now back in their in any appropriations bill, it is particu- of money to defend their right to their dry cleaners, working again this larly unfortunate to see this type of property. Only when they were denied evening, trying to save money to buy controversy in the energy and water were they then able to go on to an ad- another piece of property on which appropriations bill. Historically, this ministrative appeal if the Corps’ pro- they hope to build their home. bill is considered to be noncontrover- posal had been enacted. Now, we are not asking that the deli- sial and receives broad support. The In 1999, the Congress was told that cate environmental balance that exists wetlands rider in this bill creates un- the Corps would need an additional $5 in this country be upset. But let me necessary controversy and ends that H6530 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 bipartisan support and, in fact, will their property in advance of any through the nationwide permit pro- liked result in a presidential veto of planned development. Because such de- gram. this bill. The Visclosky amendment re- terminations are not always tied to The Corps estimated that just one of moves the controversy and ensures this any real desire to develop lands, these those proposed exclusions would result bill an overwhelming vote. agency determinations are not liti- in two to three thousand more indi- Mr. Chairman, our Nation’s wetlands gated. This rider allows these issues to vidual permits per year, at least a 40- are a critical natural resource deserv- be challenged in court. We certainly do percent increase over the current indi- ing of a special level of protection. Not not need any more lawsuits. vidual permit workload. Can any of my only are wetlands essential for pro- b 1830 colleagues feel it is not necessary to tecting water quality and the health of find out what problems that will cause aquatic ecosystems, but wetlands are While I support establishing an ad- in the processing? the front line of defense against the ministrative appeals process for juris- The Corps is going to have to do devastating effects of flooding. dictional determination, this should more work. They have admitted that. As many of my colleagues know first- not create new multiple opportunities All we want to do in this report is to hand, one of the greatest benefits pro- for lawyers. find out how much more required work vided by our Nation’s wetlands, both In addition, this threat of litigation it is going to be. Can the Corps handle economically and environmentally, is is intended to cause the Corps to be it? Will it cost more for the Corps? Will that of flood protection. Wetlands significantly more conservative in its we have to provide more funds for the serve as natural holding areas for determination of what is a wetland in Corps? Will it cost more to the appli- heavy rainfall and snow melts, tempo- order to avoid future litigation. This cant? And, will it cause delays? rarily storing the excess waters for can only result in the further develop- All of these questions need to be an- slow release in surrounding areas and ment of greenfields at a time when we swered. And the Corps can do it under recharging groundwater, thereby re- should be encouraging continued rede- the Boehlert amendment. Not only can ducing the damage to downstream velopment of urban and rural they do it, they must do it before they farms and communities. brownfields. implement it by the end of the year, In the process, these vital areas limit Mr. Chairman, as I stated earlier, our which is the time that they said it the spread of pollutants by naturally Nation’s wetlands are an important but would take to implement this process assimilating contaminants and often rapidly diminishing natural resource. anyway. provide critical habitat and nursery We cannot accept riders in appropria- So much for the nationwide permit areas for migratory birds. Unfortu- tions bills which further diminish their process. I can speak a lot more on it, nately, since the 1600s, more than half protection. This amendment will stop but I will not because far more impor- of the original wetlands in the lower 48 this rider and protect these precious tant is the next issue. Because again, I States have been destroyed. Wetlands resources. believe the Boehlert amendment solves across the Nation have been drained at I urge my colleagues to support this the problems in the nationwide permit an alarming rate, up to 100,000 acres amendment. issue and deserves really no further annually, and subsequently converted Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Chairman, I discussion. to farmlands, built for housing develop- move to strike the requisite number of But on to the other portion, that is ments and industrial facilities, or used words. the administrative appeals process. My as receptacles for waste. Mr. Chairman, I would like to ad- colleagues, this is my biggest concern. Yet what is even more unfortunate, dress the two issues that are in this I get complaints on this process from Mr. Chairman, is the fact the provi- amendment. Let me take the nation- cities, from counties, from school sions contained in this bill would assist wide permit 26 issue first. I will try to boards wanting to build schools, water in the destruction of an even greater be brief on that, because I honestly be- districts wanting to put the sewer and number of wetlands. First, the legisla- lieve that the Boehlert amendment es- water lines in, State and county facili- tive proposals contained in this bill sentially removes all of the concerns ties that need to be put in to service would delay the implementation of a for this portion of the amendment by the people, to build roads, and to build revised nationwide program for wet- the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. VIS- parks. land development. Currently, the dis- CLOSKY). They are the ones that are struggling charge of fill materials into certain Frankly, all this provision is in the more with this now than the private types of waters is allowed without re- bill is a reporting provision. It simply sector is, and they are the ones that gard to the type of activities being con- asks for a report. It is nothing more are complaining. I have a list of letters ducted and without prior notification than that. It does not change the proc- from the cities and counties in my dis- or delineation as a protected wetland. ess. It does not change the regulations. trict asking us to do something to In fact, since 1993, the administration It does not change the impacts. It does make it easier for them to go through has called for a complete review of the not change any part of the existing law the process. wetlands program, and just a few as it relates to wetlands. It only re- My bill very modestly addresses the weeks ago the Army Corps of Engineers quires a report. problems that they have brought to my published a proposal to correct the de- That report will be done before the attention. And the modest change we ficiencies. The riders contained in this Corps, at their own admission, can im- recommend is to give the cities, the bill will needlessly delay the imple- plement the change from the nation- counties and private enterprises that mentation of the new nationwide per- wide process to the individual permit- need to develop their land the same op- mitting program, continuing the loss ting process. portunity as third parties that may of wetlands. That is unacceptable. I cannot see any reason for Members disagree with the Corps’ decision. Instead of continuing the destruction to disagree with the provisions that are Let me explain briefly, all this does of wetlands, we should allow the Corps now in the bill, as amended, on this na- under current law. I may not have suf- of Engineers to finish the work on the tionwide permitting process. ficient time to do this, but I will seek revised permit system, providing addi- I should mention that the Corps time from others to allow me to com- tional protections to our vital wetland itself has admitted that individual per- plete it. resources, yet still allowing continued mits will take five times longer to I will use a school district as an ex- development of selected wetlands process than the nationwide permit 26 ample because that is the one that I areas. general permits will take. The Corps have heard from most recently, a Mr. Chairman, this proposal also will further said, just the other day, last school district wanting to build a new needlessly increase the amount of liti- Wednesday, in the Federal Register, school. If it is determined by the Corps gation surrounding the wetlands per- the Corps reported that the proposed that they have a wetland on their mit program. Under the current pro- changes will cause a substantial in- school site, whether there is or not, if gram, an individual may seek a deter- crease in the Corps’ workload by re- it is declared a wetland by the Corps, mination by the Corps to identify quiring individual permits for activi- then the school district is required to whether or not a wetland exists on ties that would otherwise be evaluated go through the long and drawn out and July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6531 expensive process of seeking a 404 per- private, a chance to be certain that sewer overflow problems that plague mit; and they have to complete that this is really a wetland. I do not under- over 1,100 communities around the 404 permit application and be denied stand why that is such an egregious re- country. before they can go to court to deter- quest. It is, with all due respect, an effort mine if, in fact, they do have a wet- Mr. Chairman, I hope and pray that that a number of us who are concerned land. my colleagues will recognize that this environmentally see this as being put- Now, in the meantime, a community is a very modest change and that they ting sand in the gears. The last thing group that may be opposed to the will defeat the Visclosky amendment an underfunded, overworked Corps of school district building a school, can and allow the bill, as now amended and Engineers needs to do is to come for- immediately go to court. If the court improved, to stand. ward with yet another study. decides that there is no wetland on the Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Chairman, I They are working on this. I have site and this group is objecting to it, move to strike the requisite number of been a critic at times of the Corps, but they can immediately go to court. words. I am impressed with the 180-degree ef- The CHAIRMAN. The time of the Mr. Chairman, 10 years ago President fort that has been undertaken on be- gentleman from California (Mr. PACK- Bush announced a no-net-loss policy half of the Corps of Engineers. We do ARD) has expired. for Wetlands in this country; and, as a not need to sidetrack them. They have (By unanimous consent, Mr. PACKARD local official, I saluted him for that. It had over 10,000 comments, moving for- was allowed to proceed for 5 additional was a policy that was long overdue. ward. minutes.) We have heard colleagues from both Let them develop an administrative Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Chairman, so if sides of the aisle talk about the need to procedure for appeal. Do not move it the school district is seeking a 404 per- protect wetlands in this country. Yet automatically to the courts, under- mit, they cannot take it to court. But we continue to fall far short of the goal mining some of the incentives that we someone else can take it to court if the articulated by President Bush. have now for people to work coopera- court decides that it is not a wetland We can quibble about the statistics, tively to solve these problems. on the site. but we are still losing between 1,000 We do not need, in my judgment, for That is an injustice to the applicant, and 2,000 acres per week, 50 to 100 thou- us to go once again in an appropria- in my judgment. It definitely favors sand acres per year, year after year, tions bill undercutting the work that the third parties and penalizes the ap- losing this precious resource. we appropriately do in the authorizing plicant. The gentleman does not understand committee. All my bill will do will be to allow why we should intervene quickly if I would defer to my friend from New the school district in this instance to someone is proposing to develop land York, the chair of the Subcommittee challenge the decision that there is a as opposed to a slight delay or a longer on Water Resources and Environment, wetland on the site. And they can ap- delay in terms of development. There for work that he might do in terms of peal it to a higher level within the is a big difference. Because if we allow fine-tuning. In fact, I urge that we Corps, not at a different agency, within development to proceed forthwith, we bring some of our friends together from the Corps. The Corps, if they decide, lose that wetland. There is a big, big a variety of water resources agencies yes, there is a wetland, then the school difference. because it goes beyond the Corps of En- district can go to court and verify that I can understand in my mind why it gineers. It includes FEMA. It includes that decision is correct before they would be sound Government policy to Interior, the Bureau of Reclamation. have to go through the long, drawn out act immediately if there is a potential There are a wide range of people that expensive process of a 404 permit. for losing this activity. need to be involved. Now, I do not understand what is Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Chairman, will wrong with that process. It simply the gentleman yield? I am not concerned if we require gives the school district in this in- Mr. BLUMENAUER. I yield to the local governments, water districts, stance exactly the same options within gentleman from California. school districts, even some Federal the courts as a third party that may Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Chairman, this agencies to play by the same rules that object. To me, that is fair, it is reason- provision, I think, is better known now we require the private sector. That is able, it is very sensible, and certainly a as the puppy. The gentleman has not not an argument for pulling the plug. I very modest change in the process. met this puppy. It is not a puppy that think that helps us fine-tune and move I urge my colleagues to recognize wants to destroy wetlands. Nor is it a the process forward. that it is not just the big developer puppy that wants to delay the process. The CHAIRMAN. The time of the that is affected by the rules and the The provision in the bill does not gentleman from Oregon (Mr. regulations and the process. It is cities, change any of the procedures required BLUMENAUER) has expired. it is schools, it is water districts, it is by an applicant. It simply gives them (By unanimous consent, Mr. counties that want to do something for the opportunity to appeal the decision. BLUMENAUER was allowed to proceed the people that they represent and that But it certainly is not going to deplete for 2 additional minutes.) they serve. wetlands. That is simply not an issue Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Chairman, I Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Chairman, will in this. appreciate the courtesy of my col- the gentleman yield? Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Chairman, leagues. Mr. PACKARD. I yield to the gen- reclaiming my time, I was explaining I have long felt that one of the prob- tleman from New York. why it was sound Government policy to lems we have in the Federal Govern- Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Chairman, I permit an immediate action if we are ment is that we do play by different want to point out that the standard of going to lose a resource that is going rules, whether it is the post office that review for a court determination that to be lost for centuries or millennia, as does not obey local land use laws, zon- the Corps has made an improper deter- opposed to having a slight delay for de- ing code, environmental regulations. I mination of what is a wetland is the ar- velopment that people can go ahead think the Congress should move for- bitrary and capricious standard. and appeal and can move forward. ward to make sure that we all play by I am sorry, if the Corps has made a We have seen tremendous progress the rules. wetland determination that is arbi- that has been made streamlining. And, But for heaven’s sake, I think it is trary and capricious, and I am not sug- in fact, we have streamlined in many ill-advised, when the Corps of Engi- gesting it does it left and right, then it cases too well. We have not halted the neers is, in fact, moving in the right di- should be examined in the courts. loss of the wetlands in this country. rection, for us to throw sand in the Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Chairman, re- Wetlands, as has been documented, gears as it relates to permit 26, require claiming my time, I thank the gen- are the cheapest way that we are going an overworked, underfunded Corps to tleman for his comment. to provide flood control. They are the come forward with yet another study All this does is to give a chance for cheapest way that we are going to pro- and to enact a separate appeal process any applicant, any property owner, vide for endangered species. It is the rather than have an administrative re- whether it be public or whether it be most cost-effective way for combined peal. H6532 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 b 1845 great respect and with whom I realize knows, that we have put money into I strongly urge support for the Vis- and all of us here collectively certainly this bill to literally implement what closky-Borski-Oberstar amendment want to do everything we can to add to the Corps was planning to do. and that we move away from this no- the Nation’s acreage of wetlands, but Mr. GILCHREST. I thank the gen- tion of environmental legislation with as far as two quick items: tleman for that comment. The appeals process that is in this Mr. KIND. Mr. Chairman, I move to the appropriations process. Mr. BAKER. Mr. Chairman, will the legislation. One, it offers someone that strike the requisite number of words. (Mr. KIND asked and was given per- gentleman yield? has been, if you want to, and I cringe mission to revise and extend his re- Mr. BLUMENAUER. I yield to the when I say this word, develop or have some activity on wetlands, which I marks.) gentleman from Louisiana. Mr. KIND. Mr. Chairman, I want to Mr. BAKER. I just wish to point out think we should avoid them at all cost just rise today to associate myself with that the appropriations process gave an and find some other alternative. But if you disagree with the Corps when they the remarks of my friend from Oregon additional $11 million for regulatory whom I think is one of the foremost ex- and administrative procedures in the say that they have delineated that piece of acreage as a nontitled wetland, perts in this body in regards to this proposed budget, and, secondly, just a issue and a whole host of other envi- quick Louisiana note, we lose more what can you do then? In the bill, the gentleman from California (Mr. PACK- ronmental issues. That is why I rise as wetlands in one 2- or 3-day period from a strong supporter of the Visclosky one Stage or Level 3 storm called a ARD) has said, you can appeal that to a higher level of the Corps of Engineers amendment and would encourage my hurricane than we do in the entire year colleagues to support it in final pas- of normal geological processes. If the and then they will determine whether the person on the ground delineated sage. gentleman really wishes to help us save that piece of wetlands correctly. If the But I also rise this evening, Mr. wetlands in Louisiana, we just need a Corps sustains the original delineation, Chairman, as one of the cochairs of the few bucks to do some onshore revet- then the individual or the group can go bipartisan Upper Mississippi River ments to protect whatever precious to a Federal court. But the Federal Task Force that was formed over 3 wetlands we have left. Otherwise our court is not going to overturn the years ago, a group of Members on both coastline is going to be up somewhere Corps’ delineation unless it is judged to sides of the aisle which is dedicated to south of Arkansas. be arbitrary and capricious. That is get together to bring a little more Mr. BLUMENAUER. Reclaiming my rock solid. focus to the importance of the preser- time, with all due respect, I think The other issue we are talking about vation and the protection of one of our there are a whole host of areas we here is Nationwide 26 which is a small, national treasures, the Mississippi could constructively discuss in terms narrow area of nontitled wetlands, of River. Normally I would be eager to of what has happened environmentally wetlands in general. It is not the whole support this bill and I hope I still can with the State of Louisiana. I think by program of section 404. It is a narrow if the antienvironmental riders that some ill-planned efforts that have part of section 404 dealing with three have been attached are removed, and gone, including the Federal Govern- acres or less that are considered iso- although there is an agreement to re- ment, over the years, that we have lated, are considered at the headwaters store some of the funding to the renew- helped create sort of an environmental of an area. Personally I do not think able energy program, it is a little dis- time bomb in terms of Louisiana. those isolated wetlands should have ac- heartening that we could not at least Mr. BAKER. I will agree with the tivity on there other than maybe a get to level funding as we had last gentleman, if he will yield further just Canada goose or some other habitat for year. quickly. One of the problems, which I wildlife. But the language in this bill This bill, nevertheless, does contain know that he would not support, would does exactly what the Corps of Engi- important provisions for the upper Mis- be to let the Mississippi River meander neers said they were going to do in the sissippi River Environmental Manage- to its natural course. Federal Register. That is, the Corps of ment Program, the LaFarge Dam Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Chairman, I Engineers said by December 31, we will Project, and the Chicago Sanitary and will talk with the gentleman about the have in place the ability to implement Ship Canal Dispersal Barrier. I just Mississippi River flood control and a new regime for isolated wetlands, want to take a couple of moments to these sorts of things at another time. and, that is, to get rid of Nationwide talk about a couple of these. Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Chairman, I 26, so they will be able to have an indi- In light of the tight budget con- move to strike the requisite number of vidual permit for activity on that par- straints, I commend the appropriators, words. ticular wetland. especially the gentleman from Indiana Mr. Chairman, I want to make a This bill makes sure, puts into stat- (Mr. VISCLOSKY) and the gentleman quick comment that the gentleman ute, that they will no longer postpone from California (Mr. PACKARD), the from Louisiana stated earlier about that implementation. It will happen committee members and committee crabs and restaurants in Washington, December 31st. They were going to do staff for their recognition of the impor- where most of them come from Lou- it in July and then that slipped. They tance of the Environmental Manage- isiana. I would just like to say that a were going to do it in September, then ment Program and for appropriating good portion of those crabs come from that slipped. Now they say they might $18.95 million to the EMP program the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland. do it this December. which is about level funding, where it Mr. BAKER. Mr. Chairman, will the What the amendment of the gen- was last year, but it is $3 million more gentleman yield? tleman from New York (Mr. BOEHLERT) than what the Senate appropriations Mr. GILCHREST. I yield to the gen- does is to make sure they will do it in level is right now. tleman from Louisiana. December, and I think we ought to Of special note is the bipartisan sup- Mr. BAKER. The gentleman is abso- know the kind of money they need for port and the leadership that we have lutely correct. I appreciate him for cor- the people on the ground to implement had in this Mississippi River Task recting the official record on this mat- that policy so that we can ensure that Force from my other cochairs, the gen- ter. I would point out, however, it is they have enough money. And I think tleman from Minnesota (Mr. GUT- the small ones that come from Mary- it will help the community that wants KNECHT), the gentleman from Min- land. to have activity on wetlands, the devel- nesota (Mr. OBERSTAR) and the gen- Mr. GILCHREST. Reclaiming my opment community, that they ought to tleman from Iowa (Mr. LEACH). time, it is the big, meaty blue crabs know what it is going to cost them. The EMP is a great cooperative effort from the Chesapeake Bay. I thank the This is just good legislation. at the Federal, State and local level in- gentleman from Louisiana. We are also Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Chairman, will volving the Fish and Wildlife Service, working on the nutria problem. I know the gentleman yield? the Geological Service, the U.S. Army you guys eat them down there. We do Mr. GILCHREST. I yield to the gen- Corps of Engineers and the five upper not do that up here. tleman from California. Mississippi River basin States that is I would like to respond to the gen- Mr. PACKARD. The gentleman dedicated to ensure the coordinated de- tleman from Oregon for whom I have should know, and I hope the Congress velopment and enhancement of the July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6533 upper Mississippi River system. The states have just concluded a very difficult the Illinois River in order to prevent EMP is designed to evaluate, restore process of restructuring the EMP Long Term the migration of nuisance species from and enhance riverine and wetland habi- Resource Monitoring Program to accommo- Lake Michigan to the Mississippi, such tat along a 1200-mile stretch of the date inflation-driven budget shortfalls that as the round gobi and also carp trying the program will experience even with full upper Mississippi and Illinois River. funding. Painful decisions have already been to travel from the Mississippi to Lake The EMP program manager, Bob made that reduce personnel levels and cur- Michigan. It is long overdue. I think Delaney, has highlighted some of the tail data collection efforts. The USGS and this barrier is going to add to the pro- detrimental effects that would occur to other partner agencies have made every ef- tection of the river. the program if we went with the $3 mil- fort to reduce costs, maximize efficiency, I would encourage my colleagues lion less appropriated level on the Sen- and still maintain the scientific credibility again to support the Visclosky amend- ate side than what we have here on the of the program. Further loss of scientific ment to make this a better bill which House side. data will reduce the ability to describe and in all other respects I wholeheartedly Mr. Chairman, I include Mr. mitigate impacts of the sue of the system for endorse. navigation. Additional funding cutbacks will Delaney’s letter to me in the RECORD. seriously jeopardize the integrity of the pro- Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Chairman, I DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, gram. move to strike the requisite number of U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, The Water Resources Development Act words. La Crosse, WI, July 27, 1999. which is currently before Congress reauthor- Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong Hon. RON KIND, izes the EMP and proposes increased funding support of the amendment offered by House of Representatives, Washington, DC. levels. Reducing funding for this river man- the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. VIS- DEAR MR. KIND: I thought it appropriate agement support program at the very time CLOSKY), the ranking member of the that I communicate to you impacts to the that we are all simultaneously planning for Subcommittee on Energy and Water Upper Mississippi River Environmental Man- its future seems particularly ill-advised. agement Program (EMP) which will occur Development. Sincerely, This amendment will strip from the under fiscal year 2000 funding levels cur- ROBERT L. DELANEY, rently being considered by the House and LTRMP Program Manager. bill the harmful riders that would re- duce protection for our valuable wet- Senate. Mr. Chairman, the EMP is a vital As you know the EMP funds have never lands and would make it very difficult program to the environmental and the been cost indexed. Yearly inflation and for a great number of Members of this economic well-being of the Mississippi uncontrollables, such as salary increases Congress to vote for the bill without it. River and the entire upper Mississippi have reduced program operations and capa- With those riders, it will not work. bilities even under the fully funded level of River basin. Navigation along the In my district just north of the Gold- $19,455 by nearly half since the EMP was ini- upper Mississippi supports over 400,000 en Gate Bridge on the north edge of the tiated in fiscal year 1987. This has prevented full-time and part-time jobs, which the construction of dozens of habitat San Francisco Bay, we spend a lot of produces about $4 billion in individual time and a lot of energy recon- projects in the five river states (Illinois, income. Recreation use totals 12 mil- Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin) structing, restoring wetlands that have involved in the EMP. In addition, it has se- lion visitors each year in the upper been destroyed in our area. A lot of verely curtailed critical science information Mississippi region and results in an that comes through matching funds needed to assist state and federal river man- economic benefit of roughly $1.2 bil- from the Federal Government and from agers in balancing the billion dollar indus- lion. Maintaining a proper balance be- the State and from local investment tries associated with navigation, recreation, tween economic growth and environ- and from private investment, because and wildlife conservation. mental protection is essential to main- it is very, very important to my dis- The proposed Senate funding level of $16.1 tain the health of the river and the million, $3.555 million below full funding lev- trict. In fact, we are going to recon- els, would reduce the Long Term Resource wetlands associated with it. struct a wetland that is now an old, un- Monitoring component of the EMP by $1.12 Mr. Chairman, I would also like to used Air Force landing pad, Hamilton million and result in the following impact: mention an issue that has dragged on Air Force Base. It is going to be the (1) It would be necessary to close two of the far too long and needs to be resolved in largest restored wetland in the State of six state-operated field stations that have my district. In 1962, Congress author- California. We would not have to do been collecting critical data on the river for ized the Corps of Engineers to con- this if wetlands were not disappearing over ten years. Disrupting the continuity struct the LaFarge Dam on the Kick- at nearly 100,000 acres a year in this and spatial distribution of data on water apoo River in western Wisconsin. In Nation. quality, fish, and vegetation would seriously the process, it condemned more than compromise the integrity of the resource In fact, in my State, California, we monitoring program. (2) It may be necessary 140 family farms and began construc- have lost nearly 90 percent of our origi- to terminate the fish monitoring altogether. tion of the dam and reservoir. The nal wetlands. This is extremely alarm- Given how important this information is to project, however, was halted in 1975 ing. Wetlands provide a home to wild- the federal and state agencies that are re- and it was only half completed. life habitat, filter pollutants from our sponsible for managing the fish populations Also, under the project, certain State streams and lakes, help control floods upon which much of the recreational econ- and county highways that were slated and give us more recreational areas. omy of the region depends, this would also be for relocation have since fallen into These wetlands are a spawning ground a serious set-back. (3) It may be necessary to disrepair. Several times throughout for fish and provide homes for more eliminate sediment and river mapping func- the history of the project the Wis- tions at the USGS Upper Midwest Environ- than 138 species of birds and also for mental Sciences Center in Wisconsin. consin DOT has been denied the oppor- every amphibian and reptile in the The Senate EMP reductions would reduce tunity to maintain these roads by the United States. habitat project construction by $2.43 million Corps. This bill provides the funds to The riders in this bill undercut key and result in the following: Suspend design correct this wrong. Now the land is Clean Water Act protections for wet- of a number of habitat restoration projects, slated to revert back to the people of lands. They would invite increased liti- including Lake Odessa (Iowa), Batchtown Wisconsin. gation, they would waste Federal dol- Phases II and III (Illinois), and Calhoun Only recently with the passage of lars, and block revised wetland permits Point (Illinois). In addition, it may be nec- WRDA 1996 were additional funds ap- essary to cancel the scheduled award of con- designed to limit wetland destruction struction contracts for projects such as propriated to finish what the Corps and the flooding of homes and busi- Spring Lake Islands (Wisconsin), Ambrough started. This appropriations bill has nesses. Slough (Wisconsin), Harpers Slough (Wis- made provisions to enable the Corps to The Visclosky amendment would consin/Iowa), Pool Slough (Minnesota/Iowa), finish its business so that eventually allow the Army Corps of Engineers to Pool 11 Islands (Wisconsin and Iowa), the the land can be returned to the people revise their permit process, providing Batchtown Phase I (Illinois). Each of the of Wisconsin. more protection for our wetlands. De- Corps of Engineers districts, which imple- Finally, Mr. Chairman, another im- velopers may say, and they do, they ment habitat projects, will experience these portant issue to the Mississippi River will say, and they will say it over and types of impacts. The above funding reduction actions will contained in the bill is the Chicago over, that this is a long, drawn-out certainly have crippling effects. The timing Sanitary and Ship Canal Dispersal Bar- process that would become much could not be worse. The Corps of Engineers, rier funded at $300,000. All this will do longer. However, the reality of the sit- U.S. Geological Survey, and the five river is establish an electrical barrier along uation is that 82 percent of permits are H6534 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 approved within 16 days of submission, think it does something that is very now and increasingly in danger because and less than half of 1 percent are de- important. The administration, this we will be losing these small wetlands. nied in the end. administration, has recognized that So, by adopting the anti-environ- The Corps of Engineers has been in the policy that has been pursued by the mental rider in this bill we will once the process of developing these replace- Army Corps of Engineers over many again deprive ourselves of the oppor- ment permits for more than 2 years. years which has allowed for the de- tunity to protect these small wetlands, The process involved two public notice struction of small wetlands, wetlands protect our water supplies, avoid enor- and comment periods in which more under three acres, is a wrongheaded mous costs associated with building fil- than 10,000 people and businesses have policy in that in the course of that pol- tration plants and operating those fil- participated. These comments ran 9 to icy we are losing cumulatively hun- tration plants and place our citizenry 1, Mr. Chairman, in favor of stronger dreds of thousands of acres and have in increased jeopardy of disease and wetland protections. lost cumulatively hundreds of thou- other ailments as a result of contami- We need to protect our remaining sands of acres of wetlands over a period nated water supplies. wetlands. The people of this country of time in the past. The administration Mr. BAKER. Mr. Chairman, will the know it. They know that the wetlands wants to move to stop that. gentleman yield? are among our most valuable environ- This is a very important thing to do, Mr. HINCHEY. Mr. Chairman, I yield mental resources. These and we should not discourage the ad- to the gentleman from Louisiana. antienvironmental riders must be re- ministration in this effort, and unfor- Mr. BAKER. Mr. Chairman, I just moved before our wetlands disappear tunately that is what the anti-environ- wish to point out the only modification entirely. mental riders in this appropriations the amendment offered by the gen- I ask my colleagues to support the bill would do. It would make it more tleman from California (Mr. PACKARD) environment by supporting the Vis- difficult to protect small wetlands, would make is to allow, at the begin- closky amendment. wetlands under three acres. It is very ning of the 404 process for these small important to protect those wetlands acreage tracks, a determination to be b 1900 for a variety of reasons, not the least made whether it is or is not a wetlands; Mr. HINCHEY. Mr. Chairman, I move of which is the fact that we in this no construction, no damage, no wet- to strike the requisite number of country, as a result of increasing popu- lands lost. Only a small property owner words. lation and increasing activities of var- can go into the United States Govern- Mr. DICKS. Mr. Chairman, will the ious kinds, have placed in jeopardy our ment and say, ‘‘Is this really a wet- gentleman yield? surface water supplies, the reservoirs lands before I spend all my money to Mr. HINCHEY. I yield to the gen- of our Nation, particularly the big cit- get my property back?’’ That is all the tleman from Washington. ies. We have seen that impact in the gentleman’s amendment would do. (Mr. DICKS asked and was given per- Midwest and elsewhere. Consequently Mr. HINCHEY. Mr. Chairman, re- mission to revise and extend her re- the EPA has adopted a program where- claiming my time, I thank the gen- marks.) by, if cities fail to protect their surface tleman very much for that. I listened Mr. DICKS. Mr. Chairman, I rise in water supplies, their reservoirs, they to the gentleman, I am very sympa- support of the Visclosky amendment. will have to implement a filtration thetic to what the gentleman said Mr. Chairman I rise in strong support of the program. That filtration program is a about the situation that the story, the Visclosky-Oberstar-Borski amendment to the very expensive one. anecdote that the gentleman told to us Energy and Water Appropriations Act. The Let me give my colleagues the exam- about the situation in Louisiana in his amendment would remove two provisions from ple of the City of New York. In the case district; I am very sensitive to that, the bill which severely threaten the health of of the City of New York, if New York and I appreciate it, and I think that our nation's wetlands and ability of the Corps has to build a filtration program which things need to be done about that. We of Engineers to effectively implement the is more likely if we destroy the wet- need to protect people from buying Clean Water Act. lands upstate, it will cost the city ap- property that they intend to build on The first provision severely limits the review proximately $5 billion to construct and then later on they find it is a wet- process for wetlands decisions by making the that filtration plant and approximately land. We need to take action, at least review of these initial determinations appeal- a half a billion dollars a year to oper- States particularly ought to take ac- able to Federal courts before a final permit de- ate it. Now that is just the economic tion, against people who sell property cision has been made. It is my understanding side of the equation. Of course, once alleging that it is buildable, and then that the Administration is currently creating an the filtration plant is built and oper- later on the purchaser finds out that administrative appeals process for these de- ating, the quality of the watershed and that is not the case because a wetland terminations, and that this section in the bill the water supply system will further is located on it. cuts off that process. deteriorate because the main incentive Mr. Chairman, I am very sensitive to The second provision would indefinitely for protecting it will have been evapo- the problem that my colleague out- delay implementation of a revision to the rated, will have been lost as a result of lines, and I think steps can be taken at Corps' ``Nationwide Permit 26'' under Section the construction of this filtration the State and local level to deal with 404 of the Clean Water Act. The revision was plant. those kinds of problems. first proposed by the agency last year and is So the loss of these wetlands is very I do not think, however, that we still in the public process being undertaken by critical. ought to be adopting on appropriation the agency. The new nationwide permits are a Recently the City of New York did measures anti-environmental riders high priority of the administration. Through this something very foolish, I think, be- which will make it more difficult for us public process, they plan special protections cause they approached the Army Corps to protect small wetlands when those for flood plains and other environmentally sen- and dropped a provision whereby they small wetlands are so crucial to the sitive lands. I believe the administration should would agree that the city would agree health, safety, and welfare of the citi- be allowed to complete the open process and to a plan which would provide for the zens of this republic. move forward with its revisions to the permit- protection of these small wetlands, Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Chairman, I ting system, not be cut short by a legislative these wetlands of less than three acres move to strike the requisite number of provision in an appropriations bill. in the Catskill watershed in upstate words. Our nation's wetlands have already been New York. The city was prepared to go We are switching our attention to a drastically reduced. We must ensure the pro- along with that, but recently the debate on wetlands and the value of tection of these critical areas and not preempt mayor of the city intervened and de- wetlands. Let me tell my colleagues I any public processes to be halted because of cided that he would drop that. And so appreciate the value of wetlands. this legislation. I urge support for the amend- these small wetlands, which are now When President Bush said back in ment. protecting the quality of the water- the 1980s that we should have no net Mr. HINCHEY. Mr. Chairman, I want- shed, which is an absolutely precious, loss of wetlands, I stood up and ed to say a word in support of the Vis- invaluable, and I use that word lit- cheered, stood up with many of my col- closky amendment as well because I erally, invaluable resource, is in danger leagues on that side of the aisle. He July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6535 was right then, and he is right now. Mr. Packard’s in this bill. If it is adopt- Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Wetlands are precious. They are nat- ed without the Visclosky amendment, Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the ural spawning grounds, they are nat- no damage to wetlands occurs in the requisite number of words. ural filter systems, they are wonderful. gentleman’s opinion. It only allows the Mr. Chairman, this debate I think We ought to protect the Nation’s wet- land owner to come in and say, ‘‘Mr. makes the exact point that the ranking lands. Corps, is this a wetlands; yes or no,’’ member on the committee is trying to What we are trying to do simply is, before they do anything. make with his amendment, and that is one, say we are not going to let any- So there is no damage occurring as that this ought to be hashed out in the body delay, delay, delay determina- some have alleged in the debate here policy committee where all sides can tions or the implementation of this tonight. be heard on this as opposed to pro- new plan that the Army Corps of Engi- Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Chairman, I ex- posing this amendment, if my col- neers wants to go forward with, we are actly agree with the text as perfected, leagues will, in the eleventh hour of not going to say, no, we are going to and the perfecting is very important in this consideration. give some people an excuse to delay it. my heart. Let me tell my colleagues I think this committee has done a re- I think they should go forward with it. the perfecting is very important be- markable job with this legislation So there is no argument there. That is cause I could sense, as my colleagues given the terrible lack of resources why my amendment passed overwhelm- know, sort of a little potential problem that they have had available to them ingly; well, it is going to when we have here. That is why I had the perfecting under the budget constraints to deal the recorded vote. It makes sense. I am amendment. with the problems that all the Mem- not going to let anybody delay some- Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Chairman, will bers have tried to deal with. But clear- thing. the gentleman yield? ly in this particular case this language And then secondly, I fail to see why Mr. BOEHLERT. I yield to the gen- is flawed because it simply comes in in we should be offended by the idea, and tleman from Indiana with whom I work the middle of the process, if my col- I have great respect for my colleague, closely and for whom I have great re- leagues will, or very near the end of the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. spect. the process, and takes the demands of one constituency to what has been a BLUMENAUER). He serves with me on Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Chairman, I ap- the Subcommittee on Water Resources preciate the gentleman’s comment and long-running argument in this country about how we process permits dealing and the Environment, which I am priv- would ask why this issue was not ad- with the protection, the enhancement ileged to chair, and let me tell my col- dressed in the Water Resources Act. and conservation of wetlands, and puts leagues Mr. BLUMENAUER is one of the Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Chairman, let the thumb of the committee on one most valuable members, one of the me tell my colleagues we had enough side of the scales of justice here, if my hardest-working members, but I do not issues that we had to address in the colleagues will, and decides that, in see what the objection would be to water bill. We are still working. The fact, that those who do not think that have a modest amount of money for gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. the Corps is going to respond to them the Corps of Engineers and say, ‘‘Hey, BORSKI) over there, my colleague, is now come to the committee and get it corps, you’re overworked and under- smiling because we are getting very close to resolving that issue in a bipar- done by edict with no hearing, with no funded.’’ I will agree, everybody can chances for the other side to be heard agree with that. ‘‘Now tell us what tisan manner, and that is what we should do on this floor. on this matter. more you need to do the job we ex- And that is the reason that the gen- Look. Let us not look at issues as if pect.’’ tleman from Indiana (Mr. VISCLOSKY) we are Republicans or Democrats. Let Not everybody here agrees that we and the gentleman from Minnesota us look at the issues as if we are Amer- should protect these wetlands. I do, (Mr. OBERSTAR) and the gentleman icans concerned about a future legacy and so do a lot of other people on both from Pennsylvania (Mr. BORSKI) are sides of the aisle. The environment is for our children and grandchildren. quite right in offering this amendment. Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Chairman, will not a partisan issue. It is not a Repub- Many of my colleagues on both sides of the gentleman yield? lican environment or a Democrat envi- the aisle have already attested to the Mr. BOEHLERT. I yield to the gen- ronment. It is a precious, fragile envi- damage that has been done under the tleman from California. ronment, and I want to protect it. But current process and the need to change Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Chairman, I real- I see nothing wrong with saying to the that process. And the Corps is going ly want to associate myself with the Corps of Engineers, ‘‘We’re going to through a very deliberative process to gentleman’s remarks because I too give you a lot more responsibility. Give make sure that all sides, in fact, have have worked most of my public life to us an idea of what more you need to been heard. fulfill that responsibility.’’ preserve and protect wetlands. I live And we have listened to the testi- And then I will tell my colleagues my along the southern California coast mony of how many tens of thousands of commitment is on the authorizing surrounded by lagoons and wetlands, people have testified in organizations committee. I am going to do my level and they are very valuable to us, to our on this amendment, I mean on the best to give them some additional re- quality of life, to our way of life, and process by the Corps to change the na- source to do the job. to the environment. tionwide permit program that we have And finally, as the gentleman from I am not anti-environment, I am not under section 26, and we ought to fully Louisiana (Mr. BAKER) pointed out a anti-wetlands. In fact, my provisions, understand that that is a process that little bit earlier, I see nothing wrong in my judgment, do not affect the then the Committee on Transportation with saying to somebody, ‘‘Let’s have amount of wetlands. Frankly, I dispute and Infrastructure or the Committee sort of an appeal process in place,’’ so that we are losing wetlands. I think on Appropriations can deal with if the district office says this is some- the requirements, the mitigation re- through hearings. thing that I do not agree with and I do quirements, and the process is requir- But that is not this process. This not like, then one goes to the next ing that any applicant that has a wet- process is to render a verdict on a level, they have got a process, and if land has to replace it sometimes two, claim that is made, that somehow this they say something that I do not like, three, four times the amount of acre- will change, this will change the equi- then go to the court, and the court age than what they have on their prop- ties, if my colleagues will, of when peo- says, well, this is arbitrary and capri- erty, and, in fact, the State of Pennsyl- ple can appeal this process, when they cious, they cannot get away with it. vania has found that they have in- can make that determination. Mr. BAKER. Mr. Chairman, will the creased their wetlands since 1989 by the One of the things we clearly found gentleman yield on that point? tune of some 4,700 acres. out was that at three acres at a time Mr. BOEHLERT. I yield to the gen- Mr. BOEHLERT. Reclaiming my we were gobbling up tens of thousands tleman from Louisiana. time, let me point out that we edu- of acres of wetlands in the current Mr. BAKER. Mr. Chairman, I just cated the governor of the State of process or the old process, if my col- wish to make the esteemed Member’s Pennsylvania in this body, and then we leagues will. Small does not nec- opinion clear on the underlying text of sent him back to Harrisburg to do that. essarily mean that wetlands are not H6536 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 important, it does not mean that they selves, Republicans or Democrats These are letters from the people in charge are not significant. The fact of the alike, been able to resolve those in the of this process; individuals who are considered matter is that they have to be reviewed authorization process. This is not the experts and intensely involved in balancing the and they have to be considered that. time, this is not the place, this is a interests of appropriate development environ- The Corps also found out that a con- mistake and is subject to a veto, and I mental protection. The language in the bill de- siderable period of time is being dealt would ask my colleagues to support the stroys the unique balance that is necessary to with this question based upon acreage Visclosky-Oberstar-Borski amendment. protect our nation's wetlands and, instead, tilts that really does not render a proper Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Chairman, I rise today the scales toward development of these areas. judgment, and that is why they are in support of the Visclosky-Oberstar-Borski When we have threatened or endangered spe- moving to this activity-based system amendment. Mr. Speaker, wetlands protect cies, there are laws with the specific purpose of wetlands that will hopefully give our families from floods, filter our drinking of safeguarding our natural identity. The same people greater confidence and greater water, provide recreational areas, and provide criteria should be applied to guard against ex- certainty in that process. critical habitat for fish and wildlife. Yet we ceptions for wetlands development. These And that is why we should support have destroyed more than half of our wetlands areas are diminishing; we know that. Given this amendment, because to come in for development and agriculture and we con- that knowledge, our focus should be on taking now clearly, as my colleagues can al- tinue to destroy one hundred thousand acres extraordinary steps to protect extraordinary ready see, whether it is from the Corps of wetlands annually, one hundred thousand. areas. or whether it is from FEMA or other In my state of Ohio we have already lost more I urge my colleagues to support the Vis- parts of the administration, this has than 90 percent of our precious wetlands. The closky amendment and to keep in place the the potential to threaten this entire Army Corps of Engineers estimates that floods necessary protections intended to protect and bill because people have not been able have killed almost 900 people and destroyed preserve precious wetlands which are retreat- to be heard or make their case on this $900 billion in homes, businesses, crops, and ing at an alarming rate from our natural land- matter. government structures since 1990. scape. Vote yes on the Visclosky amendment. I have had meetings on this exact The anti-environmental rider in this bill will The CHAIRMAN. If there is no fur- point with many members in our com- allow developers to drive their tractors through ther debate on the Visclosky motion to munity, but I have to tell my col- a loophole and dump fill directly into our wet- strike, it will remain in abeyance pend- leagues I do not think that many of the lands. This rider seeks to extend, indefinitely, ing disposition of the Boehlert per- people that I have met with would a scientifically discredited wetlands permit fecting amendment, on which pro- think that this a terribly fair way to known as Nationwide Permit 26. This same ceedings have been postponed. resolve that process in this legislation permit has been the largest source of per- The Clerk will read. without an ability to offer amendments mitted wetlands loss in America, authorizing The Clerk read as follows: other than what the committee would tens of thousands of wetland-filling develop- FORMERLY UTILIZED SITES REMEDIAL ACTION agree to here in the case of Mr. BOEH- ment activities each year. We cannot afford PROGRAM LERT’s, which is clearly an improve- this decimation of one of our nation's most (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS) ment of this. But the Visclosky amend- treasured resources. For expenses necessary to clean up con- ment still ought to be voted on by the Mr. Chairman, I urge my fellow members to tamination from sites throughout the United House, and it ought to be passed by the support this amendment to remove this dam- States resulting from work performed as House so that we can get back to a aging anti-environmental rider and close this part of the Nation’s early atomic energy pro- thoughtful process that the Corps is loophole. Vote yes for this amendment and gram, $150,000,000. currently engaged in. allow us to provide fair and effective protection POINT OF ORDER Mr. Chairman, I want to thank the for the nation's critical wetlands. Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Chairman, on gentleman for offering his amendment. Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support behalf of the gentleman from Pennsyl- of the Visclosky amendment to the Energy b vania (Mr. SHUSTER), I raise a point of 1915 and Water Appropriations bill (H.R. 2605). order against the portion of the For- I want to thank the gentleman for of- This amendment addresses two provisions merly Utilized Sites Remedial Action fering his amendment. in the bill where Committee language would Program beginning with the last Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Chairman, result in threatening the progress being made comma on page 7, line 7 through page 9 given the exchange of unanimous con- to protect wetland areas and the wildlife they line 2, on the grounds that it is legisla- sents, I ask unanimous consent for 2 shelter. The amendment would address two tion on an appropriations bill in viola- additional minutes to close. issues by: tion of clause 2 of Rule XXI of the The CHAIRMAN. Is there objection Ðstriking the reporting requirement for the Rules of the House. This program has to the request of the gentleman from Corps not been authorized for fiscal year 2000. Indiana? Ðstriking the appeal of wetlands designa- In fact, it is likely that there has never There was no objection. tions prior to completion of the permitting proc- been an authorization for this program. Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Chairman, I ess The CHAIRMAN. Does the gentleman want to return the body and the Mem- Both the Environmental Protection Agency from California wish to be heard on the bers to the issue at hand, and the issue (EPA) and the Department of the Army op- point of order? is the loss of wetlands in the United pose these provisions in the bill. EPA's letter Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Chairman, I con- States of America. This year, we will states: cede the point of order. lose approximately 70,000 to 90,000 acres Both provisions will significantly impair The CHAIRMAN. Does the gentleman of wetland. The two provisions in the the Administration’s ability to provide fair and effective protection for the nation’s crit- from Indiana wish to be heard on the bill are not going to lead to the entire ical wetlands resources. point of order? loss of all of those wetlands, but they Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Chairman, we The Army summarizes its opposition by stat- are contributing factors; and for every concede the point of order. ing: acre we lose, we cannot get it back. The CHAIRMAN. The portion of the The gentleman indicated earlier that The Administration strongly objects to a provision that would short-circuit the review paragraph identified by the point of as far as the authorization bill, we had process for wetlands jurisdictional deter- order provides for extended availability other issues to deal with, and I appre- mination by making the review of these ini- of funds without a supporting author- ciate the Chairman’s comments. We tial decisions appealable to the Federal ization in law, and includes five legis- have other issues to deal with in this courts prior to a final permit decision. Al- lative provisos. bill to the tune of about $20 billion, and though the Administration supports the cre- As such, that portion of the para- that is what we ought to be focused on. ation of an administrative review process for graph constitutes legislation in viola- We ought to remind ourselves that in these determinations, the bill would gen- tion of clause 2 of rule XXI. the last three Congresses, there were erate unnecessary and premature litigation, The point of order is sustained. The set back efforts to ensure a fair and amicable 225 on other bills dealing with issues resolution of potential disputes, and under- specified portion of the paragraph is related to wetlands and permitting, mine the ability of citizens and communities stricken. similar to that being debated at this to participate on an equal footing in the per- Mr. THUNE. Mr. Chairman, I move to point in time, and we have not our- mit process. strike the last word. July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6537 (Mr. THUNE asked and was given mediately adjacent to the Missouri River is only Governor who didn’t object. Instead, I permission to revise and extend his re- owned by the federal government and man- said, ‘‘Please give the federal fish hatchery marks.) aged by the Corps of Engineers. We were in South Dakota to South Dakota and we’ll Mr. THUNE. Mr. Chairman, I rise to promised developmental benefits, such as ir- do a better job for less money.’’ President rigation. But, it didn’t happen. Ronald Reagan and Secretary of the Interior speak to section 505 of the bill. Nebraska sacrificed no land for dams and James Watt said ‘‘Yes’’ to my challenge. Mr. Chairman, this provision would repeal reservoirs, but it has received federally fund- Now, fourteen years later, we are pro- Title VI, division C, of Public Law 105±277, ed irrigation for over six million areas. ducing twice as many fish as the federal em- Making Omnibus Consolidated and Emer- North Dakota has only one dam and res- ployees produced and our budget is still less gency Supplemental Appropriations for Fiscal ervoir, but it has over 300,000 acres of feder- than 90 percent of the last federal budget Year 1999. That provision, known as the ally funded irrigated land. South Dakota is fourteen years ago! I know the state and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, Lower Brule between those two states and has sacrificed tribal governments can do the same with the excellent land for four dams and four res- Corps of Engineers recreation areas. Sioux Tribe, and State of South Dakota Ter- ervoirs. But, our people have received less Please ask your colleagues to give us this restrial Wildlife Habitat Restoration Act, would than 20,000 acres in federally funded irriga- opportunity to save the taxpayers of Amer- transfer lands along the Missouri River in tion and very few other benefits from our ica a lot of money and create more rec- South Dakota from the U.S. Army Corps of sacrifices to prevent downstream flooding. reational fun for America’s families. Engineers to the tribes mentioned above as Even though the Missouri River in South Please remove the repeal language for well as the State of South Dakota. The Act Dakota has more miles of shoreline than the Title VI, division C, of Public Law 105–277 also would establish a fund to pay for wildlife Pacific Ocean coast of California, there are (Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, Lower Brule only seven marinas on the entire length of Sioux Tribe, and State of South Dakota Ter- habitats. the Missouri River in South Dakota. To cre- restrial Wildlife Habitat Restoration) from The Act is a major priority for South Dakota ate a marina here, it takes more than five the House version of the Energy and Water Governor William Janklow. The Governor has years to get all of the bureaucratic approvals Development Appropriations bill and appro- requested I submit a letter on this topic for the to put in a dock and facility for our people priate $3 million for the project. RECORD. I would like that letter from the Gov- and visitors to enjoy the Missouri River. Sincerely, ernor inserted at the conclusion of my state- The federal government also controls 84 WILLIAM J. JANKLOW. ment. recreational areas adjacent to the Missouri The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will read. The Act also has been the subject of much River. Most of these areas have a restroom, The Clerk read as follows: a fish cleaning station and a small dock or discussion for South Dakotans, and I have ramp for boaters. Some of them have camp- GENERAL EXPENSES taken great interest in all comments on this grounds. Unfortunately, the Corps of Engi- For expenses necessary for general admin- issue. While I am aware of the concerns of neers has neglected them. I receive many istration and related functions in the Office some of my constituents over issues sur- letters from South Dakotans and visitors of the Chief of Engineers and offices of the rounding this Act, I share in the sentiments of who complain to me about the poor condi- Division Engineers; activities of the Coastal many who support the objectives the Governor tions of these federal recreation areas. They Engineering Research Board, the Humphreys write to me because they mistakenly believe Engineer Center Support Activity, the Water attempts to forward in this law. Because of the Resources Support Center, and headquarters interest in this issue, I would like to see Sec- that the State of South Dakota is respon- sible for the poor conditions. support functions at the USACE Finance tion 505 stricken from the bill and hope the Title VI, division C, of Public Law 105–277 Center; $148,000,000, to remain available until Act receives a full review and consideration in (Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, Lower Brule expended: Provided, That no part of any a conference committee between the House Sioux Tribe, and State of South Dakota Ter- other appropriation provided in title I of this and Senate on this bill. restrial Wildlife Habitat Restoration) will Act shall be available to fund the activities Mr. Chairman, I include a letter from the solve all of those problems by starting the of the Office of the Chief of Engineers or the Governor in reference to this matter. process of transferring all of those Corps of executive direction and management activi- Engineers recreation areas to either state or ties of the division offices: Provided further, STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA, tribal control. That none of these funds shall be available WILLIAM J. JANKLOW, GOVERNOR, Because we are willing to do the work to to support an office of congressional affairs Pierre, SD, July 27, 1999. improve and maintain these recreation within the executive office of the Chief of Hon. JOHN THUNE, areas, the state and the tribes will create Engineers; Provided further, That none of U.S. House of Representatives, tremendous recreational opportunities for these funds shall be used to support more Washington, DC. all of the people of the upper Midwest and than one regional office in each Corps of En- DEAR CONGRESSMAN THUNE: I am writing to anyone else who visits South Dakota. It will gineers division, which office shall serve as reaffirm my adamant support for Title VI, be an environmentally sound project and will divisional headquarters. division C, of Public Law 105–277 (Cheyenne do nothing to disturb any of the cultural her- AMENDMENT OFFERED BY MR. DINGELL River Sioux Tribe, Lower Brule Sioux Tribe, itage of our Native Americans. and State of South Dakota Terrestrial Wild- If the new law is allowed to remain in ef- Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Chairman, I offer life Habitat Restoration). As you know, the fect, no longer will we be forced to ask the an amendment. House version of the Energy and Water De- Corps of Engineers ‘‘Captain, may I?’’ No The Clerk read as follows: velopment Appropriation repeals it. I hope longer will we have to wait for Washington Amendment offered by Mr. Dingell: you will do everything you can to remove to provide benefits that were promised, but Page 9, line 18, strike ‘‘; Provided further,’’ the repeal language from the bill and appro- never delivered. and all that follows before the period on line priate $3 million for the project. We’re not asking for a massive public 21. Please explain to your fellow members of works project like the old irrigation pro- (Mr. DINGELL asked and was given Congress that if the new law is allowed to re- posals of the 1950s and 1960s. All we want is permission to revise and extend his re- main a law, it will reduce future federal tax the opportunity to take control of these dollar spending, provide more access for peo- river adjacent lands so that we can improve marks.) ple to use the Missouri River for recreation the recreation areas for all visitors to enjoy. Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Chairman, I rise and give both the state and the participating I have no higher priority than removing today because of concerns shared by tribal governments the opportunity to re- this repeal language and implementing this my colleagues on both sides of the aisle ceive benefits we didn’t receive when four of renaissance along the Missouri River. For in the Great Lake States who value the five Missouri River dams were built in the first time in our state’s 110-year history, highly the quality of service that we South Dakota. we can really have the opportunity to create received from the Corps of Engineers of As you know, over 600,000 acres of South significant and long-lasting Missouri River Dakota’s best river bottom and river adja- the United States Army. benefits for our people and all of the visitors The legislation before us caught cent land were taken in the 1950s to create who come to our state. the huge reservoirs of water behind the four The amount of money we requested is not quite a number of Members of the Missouri River dams in South Dakota. The a significant portion of the federal budget, Great Lakes task force by surprise, be- water held in these reservoirs has already but it will provide tremendous opportunities cause it will have the effect of closing prevented billions of dollars worth of flood in South Dakota. The $3 million is far less the Corps of Engineers’ regional office, damage to Omaha, Kansas City, and many than what the federal government would which is located in Chicago, which other cities on the Missouri River and Mis- spend to accomplish the same improvements. oversees planning and technical assist- sissippi River. We have an excellent track record con- Unfortunately, South Dakota is the only cerning federal properties that have been ance for the world’s largest and most state in the Union which as never been al- given to the State of South Dakota. When I highly populated fresh water water- lowed to do even a modest amount of devel- was Governor fourteen years ago, the federal shed. opment along our greatest river resource. government announced the closing of many I am offering an amendment to strike That’s been or history because the land im- federal fish hatcheries in America. I was the this language today because of concern H6538 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 not only of Members of Congress, but I want to assure the gentleman from sell our water. In Ohio, we rely on also of State and local governments Michigan that this is a conference Lake Erie for much of our region’s well along the Great Lakes, and upon the item. I fully intend to bring it up at being. It is important to safeguard the concern of millions of Americans who the conference and will work with the Great Lakes for the future, and the have rightly depended upon the timely gentleman and make every effort to Army Corps office in Chicago we be- and professional service of the Corps solve the problem. lieve has a key role to play. with regard to the use, the develop- Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Chairman, I Mr. RUSH. Mr. Chairman, I move to ment, and also the protection and pres- thank the gentleman. strike the requisite number of words. ervation of that important body of Mr. Chairman, we do have colleagues Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support water which means so much to us in from the Great Lakes Basin who wish of the Dingell amendment to H.R. 2605. the Middle West. to make some observations on this H.R. 2605, as currently drafted, seeks to For most of this decade it seems as if matter, so I will rise again at a later close the Army Corps of Engineers’ re- we have been struggling with how to time for the purpose of withdrawing gional office located in the City of Chi- restructure the Corps of Engineers. The the amendment. cago. Great Lakes task force repeatedly op- Mr. BROWN of Ohio. Mr. Chairman, I It was only after a few years ago that posed general and early plans which, in move to strike the last word. we negotiated the continued existence our view, would have gutted the Corps’ Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the of the Chicago regional office with a ability to serve the Lake States. Fi- amendment which would strike provi- plan which was both cost effective and nally an agreement was reached in 1996 sions of the energy and water appro- streamlined. I recall those days, Mr. which established a dual division head- priations bill to require closing the Chairman. Long meetings, meetings quarters in the Great Lakes in the Chicago headquarters of the Great where there was a very intense discus- Ohio River division in response to the Lakes in the Ohio River division of the sion, but we agreed that the Chicago administration’s proposal at the time Army Corps of Engineers. The division office should be open. to close the Great Lakes division. As a has a headquarters in Cincinnati as Now, Mr. Chairman, this bill seeks to result, today the Corps of Engineers well as in Chicago. Both offices are im- undo the work that we did accomplish has two headquarters in the Midwest, portant to serving the needs of the re- in 1996. The Chicago Corps office is a in Chicago and in Cincinnati; and I gion. recognized national leader among the would note the importance of this in This energy and water bill contains Army Corps of Engineers’ division and terms of service to the Midwest and no funds for fiscal year 2000 for the Chi- the professional development in envi- protection of the Great Lakes. The cago headquarters. The office would ronmental projects. Moreover, sur- movement of many full-time employ- have almost no notice before closing at rounding cities and States have long ees from the Great Lakes to the Ohio the end of the current fiscal year. depended upon the services provided by River office caused a lot of distress There would not be sufficient time for the Corps. Currently because of the amongst the constituencies of our re- a smooth transition to the Cincinnati Corps, Chicago is in the process of re- gion. However, Great Lakes Members office. The result would be confusion pairing its deteriorating shoreline. of Congress accepted this split in the and delays and loss of institutional Mr. Chairman, I understand that this spirit of compromise. memory for the programs that are cur- amendment will be withdrawn. That My amendment today would remove rently run out of the Chicago head- said, I nonetheless stand in support of a provision which moves beyond that quarters. Closing the Chicago head- the amendment with the trust that be- compromise, which has generally quarters would significantly impair our tween now and the conference that a worked to the satisfaction of the Great relationships with Canada for the pur- partnership will be formed between the Lakes States and their Members of poses of managing and preserving Committee on Appropriations, the Congress. The result is a high level of Great Lakes and other boundary wa- members of the Great Lakes States, uncertainty with regard to both the do- ters. A mission of the Army Corps that and the Army Corps of Engineers to re- mestic program coordination and joint is especially significant to the Great solve this important issue. implementation of international re- Lakes is the support that it provides Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Chairman, I sponsibilities with Canada for the pro- for the International Joint Commis- move to strike the requisite number of tection and the preservation of the sion. words. Great Lakes. Issues of concern include The U.S. and Canada created the IJC Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the the implementation of the boundary to cooperatively manage the lake and amendment offered by the gentleman waters treaty, Great Lakes waters di- river systems along the border to pro- from Michigan (Mr. DINGELL). This version, lake levels, flood mitigation, tect them for the benefit of today’s amendment would strike language in technical assistance for our fresh water citizens and future generations. The the bill that would effectively close the lakes. The Chicago office of the Corps, the Army Corps has responsibilities under Army Corps of Engineers’ regional of- old north central division, was recog- the Great Lakes water quality agree- fice in Chicago, and I look forward to nized as a national leader among Corps ment which coordinates with the the intent of this amendment being in- divisions with regard to the profes- EPA’s Great Lakes national program cluded in the final piece of legislation. sional development of environmental office and with the Great Lakes re- At this very moment under a land- projects. Already, concern has been ex- gional office of the IJC, both of which mark agreement between the Army pressed by Members of that area and are in Chicago. Maintaining the Army Corps of Engineers and the City of Chi- our constituencies about the continued Corps’ involvement in these binational cago, the Chicago lake front is being success of those efforts. responsibilities will be especially crit- saved from literally crumbling into the Mr. Chairman, I plan to withdraw ical in the coming year as the Great water. The city was able to negotiate this amendment after remarks of a few Lakes region prepares to address the an agreement with the Army Corps of my colleagues, again in the spirit of issue of water diversion and inter- that advanced by 5 years completion of trying to make some time between now national water sales. Even short dis- this project. Certainly, the presence of and conference to have the issues ap- ruption of the agency’s regional leader- the Army Corps in Chicago helped us propriately resolved in partnership ship structure could have serious nega- do that. with the Corps, the appropriation com- tive effects on its contribution to this The Great Lakes are unique in the mittees, and the Members of the Great important process. degree to which the Corps is required Lakes States. Last year, Mr. Chairman, a Canadian to work with other Federal agencies. Mr. Chairman, I yield to my good firm tried to implement a plan for balk For example, the EPA, which also has friend and colleague, the gentleman sales of Great Lakes water to cus- its headquarters, its regional head- from California, for whom I have enor- tomers in Asia. The company has quarters in Chicago, facilitating that mous respect, for whatever comments stepped back for the time being while kind of cooperation. The north central he wishes to make at this time. our two governments study the issue of division has been a national leader in Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Chairman, I water diversions. But we know more Corps divisions in developing environ- thank the gentleman for yielding. attempts will be made to extract and mental projects. July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6539 Certainly, the Great Lakes are the believe that the office in Cincinnati The legislation before us caught quite a few world’s greatest source of free-flowing can adequately serve Chicago’s inter- of the members of the House Great Lakes fresh water. We should make providing ests. Task Force by surprise, because it would have for the quality of the Great Lakes a Currently, the Army Corps of Engi- the effect of closing the Corps of Engineers' priority with every opportunity we are neers is working on a variety of regional officeÐlocated in ChicagoÐwhich given. Keeping the Army Corps’ re- projects in the Chicago area, like Chi- oversees the planning and technical assist- gional office for the Great Lakes and cago’s shoreline restoration, the Deep ance for the world's largest and most highly Ohio River divisions in operation at tunnel, Des Plaines River, small flood populated freshwater watershed. both the Cincinnati and Chicago loca- control projects, and aquatic eco- I am offering an amendment to strike this tions makes great sense. systems projects. It is vitally impor- language because of the concern not only to b 1930 tant that these projects be managed Members of Congress, but also state and local from a local site. governments along the Great Lakes who have Binational and treaty obligations We recognize the need for financial rightly depended upon timely and professional with Canada would be most seriously reform and cost savings, but the cur- service by the Corps. impacted by the closure of the Chicago rent budget achieves this. After only 3 For most of this decade, it seems as if we headquarters. The Army Corps of Engi- years of fiscally consolidating the serv- have been struggling with how to restructure neers has responsibilities under the ices and administrative activities of the Corps of Engineers. The Great Lakes Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement the Chicago branch of the Corps, we Task Force repeatedly opposed several of the and the Boundary Waters Treaty, have seen successful consolidation of early plans which, in our view, would have which are run chiefly through the Chi- the Chicago headquarters. The past 3 gutted the Corps' ability to serve our states. cago regional headquarters. These years has seen the elimination of sev- Finally, an agreement was reached in 1996 functions have been identified by the eral positions in the Chicago office and which established a ``dual-division'' head- division as the most critical to main- the streamlining of services, all of quarters in the Great Lakes and Ohio River tain in Chicago. which have helped to reduce spending Division in response to the Administration's Lacking an international airport at this branch. proposal at the time to close the Great Lakes hub, Cincinnati is not as easily acces- The decision to cut the funding and Division. The result is that, today, the Corps of sible as Chicago. Travel costs for the eliminate the Chicago headquarters Engineers has two headquarters in the Mid- Corps’ staff and other Federal agency would be a great blow to the work that west: in Chicago and in Cincinnati. staff and Canadian counterparts would has already been done to accommodate The movement of many full-time employees rise dramatically if the same level of for the 1996 reductions. It would also from the Great Lakes to the Ohio River office cooperation and collaboration were to eliminate the existence of a Great caused a lot of distress among constituencies be maintained. Lakes Army Corps of Engineers head- in our region; however, Great Lakes Members Maintenance of the integrity of the quarters in a city situated on a Great of Congress accepted this split in the spirit of binational responsibilities of the Corps Lake. compromise. will be especially critical in the com- I trust that we can get together and My amendment would remove a provision ing year as the Great Lakes region pre- form the kind of partnership that is which moves beyond that compromise. The pares to address the issues of water di- necessary to resolve this difficulty. I result is a high level of uncertainty with regard version and consumptive uses. Even commend the gentleman from Michi- to both domestic program coordination and short-term disruptions to the Corps’ re- gan for introducing this amendment. joint implementation of international respon- gional leadership structure at this time Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Chairman, I ask sibilities with Canada. Issues of concern in- will have serious consequences on the unanimous consent to strike the req- clude implementation of the Boundary Waters Corps’ ability to effect these important uisite number of words. Treaty, Great Lakes water diversion, lake lev- decisions. The CHAIRMAN. Without objection, els, flood mitigation, and technical assistance I know all of my colleagues under- the gentleman from Michigan is recog- for our fresh-water lakes. stand the importance of representing nized for 5 minutes. The Chicago office of the Corps (the old the needs of their districts. We make There was no objection. North Central Division) was recognized as a decisions that are in the best interests Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Chairman, I have national leader among Corps' divisions in the of our constituents by being there and heard the comments of my good friend, professional development of environmental seeing them. I would submit to my col- the gentleman from California. We in projects. Already, concern has been ex- leagues, then, that similarly, in order the Great Lakes are very much trou- pressed about the continued success of these to make decisions that are best for the bled about this situation. It means, I efforts. Great Lakes, the Army Corps must think, serious problems to us in terms Mr. Chairman, I plan to withdraw this have an operating regional office in the of protecting one of the great treasures amendment after remarks by a few of my col- Great Lakes region, in Chicago. of the United States, because this con- leagues again, in the spirit of trying to take Let us continue a strong commit- stitutes the largest reservoir of fresh some time between now and conference to ment to environmental quality and water anywhere in the world, and of have these issues resolved in partnership with culture by voting for the Dingell course, one of the most precious and the Corps, the Appropriations Committee, and amendment, and allowing the Army necessary needs of the United States is Members of Great Lakes States. Corps to do their job unimpeded in the going to be for water. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous con- Great Lakes region. I want to thank my colleagues who sent to withdraw the amendment. Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, have joined me in support of this The CHAIRMAN. Is there objection I move to strike the requisite number amendment. to the request of the gentleman from of words. Mr. Chairman, I will at this time, Michigan? Mr. Chairman, I rise to support the with respect to the chairman of the There was no objection. Dingell amendment. In 1996, the admin- subcommittee and the ranking mem- The CHAIRMAN. The amendment is istration granted the Great Lakes ber, withdraw the amendment, in the withdrawn. Basin and the Ohio River Division two expectation that the matter will be dis- Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Chairman, I ask regional branches of the Army Corps of cussed carefully and that they will unanimous consent that the remainder Engineers as a result of a compromise work with us to achieve the protection of the bill through title II be consid- in the 1996 Congress. Now there is an of the Great Lakes by the continuation ered as read, printed in the RECORD, effort to close that which we just nego- of this important service from the and open to amendment at any point. tiated to keep open, and without even Corps of Engineers. The CHAIRMAN. Is there objection discussing it or telling representatives Mr. Chairman, I rise today because of a to the request of the gentleman from of the areas affected about it. concern shared by many of my colleaguesÐ California? Although this is a unique situation, on both sides of the aisleÐin the Great Lakes There was no objection. there is good reason why this dual divi- states who value highly the quality of service The text of the remainder of the bill sion system exists. Both branches serve we have received from the U.S. Army Corps through title II, page 15, line 10, is as important purposes. However, I do not of Engineers. follows: H6540 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISION amended (43 U.S.C. 422a–422l): Provided, That budgeted as policy and administration ex- Appropriations in this title shall be avail- such costs, including the cost of modifying penses. able for official reception and representation such loans, shall be as defined in section 502 ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISION of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, as expenses (not to exceed $5,000); and during Appropriations for the Bureau of Reclama- amended: Provided further, That these funds the current fiscal year the Revolving Fund, tion shall be available for purchase of not to are available to subsidize gross obligations Corps of Engineers, shall be available for exceed six passenger motor vehicles for re- for the principal amount of direct loans not purchase (not to exceed 100 for replacement placement only. only) and hire of passenger motor vehicles. to exceed $43,000,000. In addition, for administrative expenses AMENDMENT OFFERED BY MR. SALMON TITLE II necessary to carry out the program for di- Mr. SALMON. Mr. Chairman, I offer DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR rect loans and/or grants, $425,000, to remain an amendment. CENTRAL UTAH PROJECT available until expended: Provided, That of The Clerk read as follows: the total sums appropriated, the amount of CENTRAL UTAH PROJECT COMPLETION ACCOUNT Amendment offered by Mr. SALMON: program activities that can be financed by For carrying out activities authorized by Page 15, line 25, after the dollar amount, the Reclamation Fund shall be derived from the Central Utah Project Completion Act, insert the following: ‘‘(increased by that Fund. and for activities related to the Uintah and $30,000,000)’’. Upalco Units authorized by 43 U.S.C. 620, CENTRAL VALLEY PROJECT RESTORATION FUND Page 19, line 19, after the dollar amount, $35,907,000, to remain available until ex- For carrying out the programs, projects, insert the following: ‘‘(reduced by pended, of which $15,476,000 shall be deposited plans, and habitat restoration, improvement, $37,500,000)’’. into the Utah Reclamation Mitigation and and acquisition provisions of the Central Valley Project Improvement Act, $47,346,000, Mr. SALMON. Mr. Chairman, before I Conservation Account: Provided, That of the begin, I would like to thank the gen- amounts deposited into that account, to be derived from such sums as may be col- $5,000,000 shall be considered the Federal con- lected in the Central Valley Project Restora- tleman from Colorado (Mr. MARK tribution authorized by paragraph 402(b)(2) of tion Fund pursuant to sections 3407(d), UDALL) for his help with this amend- the Central Utah Project Completion Act 3404(c)(3), 3405(f ), and 3406(c)(1) of Public Law ment. He and his staff have been gen- and $10,476,000 shall be available to the Utah 102–575, to remain available until expended: erous with their ideas and time, and Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Provided, That the Bureau of Reclamation is their outstanding work is much appre- Commission to carry out activities author- directed to assess and collect the full ciated by the renewable energy com- ized under that Act. amount of the additional mitigation and res- toration payments authorized by section munity and myself. In addition, for necessary expenses in- I would also like to thank the gen- curred in carrying out related responsibil- 3407(d) of Public Law 102–575. ACKARD ities of the Secretary of the Interior, CALIFORNIA BAY-DELTA RESTORATION tleman from California (Mr. P ), the chairman of the subcommittee, for $1,283,000, to remain available until ex- (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS) his help with this amendment. pended. For necessary expenses of the Department BUREAU OF RECLAMATION of the Interior and other participating Fed- Even though the House energy and The following appropriations shall be ex- eral agencies in carrying out ecosystem res- water budget allocation is $1.5 billion pended to execute authorized functions of toration activities pursuant to the California less than the Senate bill, we were still the Bureau of Reclamation: Bay-Delta Environmental Enhancement Act able to come to a good faith agreement WATER AND RELATED RESOURCES and other activities that are in accord with to increase the renewable energy budg- the CALFED Bay-Delta Program, including (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS) et above Senate levels. The amendment projects to improve water use efficiency, I am proposing today is a responsible For management, development, and res- water quality, groundwater storage, surface effort to restore renewable energy toration of water and related natural re- storage, levees, conveyance, and watershed sources and for related activities, including management, consistent with plans to be ap- funding to near FY 1999 levels. the operation, maintenance and rehabilita- proved by the Secretary of the Interior, in We ask that the $30 million be re- tion of reclamation and other facilities, par- consultation with such Federal agencies, turned to the renewable energy budget. ticipation in fulfilling related Federal re- $75,000,000, to remain available until ex- We need this funding to continue the sponsibilities to Native Americans, and re- pended, of which $45,000,000 shall be used for quality research and development that lated grants to, and cooperative and other ecosystem restoration activities and is vital to our national security, inter- agreements with, State and local govern- $30,000,000 shall be used for such other activi- national competitiveness, and environ- ments, Indian Tribes, and others, $604,910,000, ties, and of which such amounts as may be mental protection. to remain available until expended, of which necessary to conform with such plans shall $2,247,000 shall be available for transfer to be transferred to appropriate accounts of We spend more than $100 billion per the Upper Colorado River Basin Fund and such Federal agencies: Provided, That no year to import foreign oil from regions $24,089,000 shall be available for transfer to more than $7,000,000 of the funds appro- where political instability is tied to the Lower Colorado River Basin Develop- priated herein may be used for planning and fluctuating oil prices. Diversification ment Fund, and of which such amounts as management activities associated with de- of our national energy portfolio with may be necessary may be advanced to the veloping the overall CALFED Bay-Delta Pro- renewable energy technologies would Colorado River Dam Fund: Provided, That gram and coordinating its staged implemen- lessen the need for costly and poten- such transfers may be increased or decreased tation: Provided further, That funds for eco- tially prolonged military intervention within the overall appropriation under this system restoration activities may be obli- heading: Provided further, That of the total gated only as non-Federal sources provide abroad to defend our access to oil sup- appropriated, the amount for program activi- their share in accordance with the cost-shar- plies. ties that can be financed by the Reclamation ing agreement required under section 1101(d) Economically, the export market for Fund or the Bureau of Reclamation special of such Act, and that funds for such other ac- U.S.-made renewable energy tech- fee account established by 16 U.S.C. 460l–6a(i) tivities may be obligated only as non-Fed- nologies is potentially huge. With 2 bil- shall be derived from that Fund or account: eral sources provide their share in a manner lion people around the world still with- Provided further, That funds contributed consistent with such cost-sharing agree- out electric power, we should be doing under 43 U.S.C. 395 are available until ex- ment: Provided further, That such funds may everything that we can to help Amer- pended for the purposes for which contrib- be obligated prior to the completion of a uted: Provided further, That funds advanced final programmatic environmental impact ican companies compete in this lucra- under 43 U.S.C. 397a shall be credited to this statement only if: (1) consistent with 40 CFR tive global market. This amendment account and are available until expended for 1506.1(c); and (2) used for purposes that the will help the United States maintain the same purposes as the sums appropriated Secretary finds are of sufficiently high pri- its lead in the renewable energy race. under this heading: Provided further, That ority to warrant such an expenditure. Clearly, renewable energy is a clean funds available for expenditure for the De- POLICY AND ADMINISTRATION alternative to conventional fuel. partmental Irrigation Drainage Program For necessary expenses of policy, adminis- Avoiding pollution through clean, re- may be expended by the Bureau of Reclama- tration, and related functions in the office of tion for site remediation on a non-reimburs- newable energy technology is almost the Commissioner, the Denver office, and of- able basis. always cheaper and less intrusive than fices in the five regions of the Bureau of Rec- BUREAU OF RECLAMATION LOAN PROGRAM the alternative of prescriptive govern- lamation, to remain available until ex- ment mandates. ACCOUNT pended, $45,000,000, to be derived from the For the cost of direct loans and/or grants, Reclamation Fund and be nonreimbursable Furthermore, renewable energy tech- $12,000,000, to remain available until ex- as provided in 43 U.S.C. 377: Provided, That no nologies approach zero emissions for pended, as authorized by the Small Reclama- part of any other appropriation in this Act pollutants. The American Lung Asso- tion Projects Act of August 6, 1956, as shall be available for activities or functions ciation estimates that Americans July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6541 spend $50 billion a year each year on ALLOCATION OF ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR SOLAR AND RE- so that we might move on to the next amend- health care needs that result directly NEWABLE ENERGY PROGRAMS—REP. MARK UDALL ment. from air pollution alone. Avoiding pol- AND REP. MATT SALMON—Continued The CHAIRMAN. For the RECORD, lution through clean, renewable energy [In millions of dollars] the Clerk will read the pending para- is preventative medicine, and it is graph. Amendment total The Clerk read as follows: smart. Solar and renewable energy programs (amount of increase) Renewable energy programs are TITLE III strongly supported by the public. A Totals ...... $309.35 (+30) DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY survey of 1,018 registered voters con- ENERGY PROGRAMS Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Chairman, will ducted in April of 1998 asked what en- ENERGY SUPPLY the gentleman yield? ergy programs should receive the high- Mr. SALMON. I yield to the gen- (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS) est priority for Federal research and tleman from California. For Department of Energy expenses includ- development funding. Renewable en- Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Chairman, I un- ing the purchase, construction and acquisi- tion of plant and capital equipment, and ergy and energy efficiency programs derstand that the gentleman from Col- were supported by 61 percent of all re- other expenses necessary for energy supply, orado would like to speak. But I accept and uranium supply and enrichment activi- spondents. Natural gas received the the amendment. ties in carrying out the purposes of the De- next highest level of support from Mr. Chairman, first, I would like to say that partment of Energy Organization Act (42 Americans, with 10 percent support, the Committee strongly supports solar and re- U.S.C. 7101 et seq.), including the acquisition followed by fossil fuels, 7.5 percent, and newable energy programs. In the bill, we are or condemnation of any real property or any nuclear energy, 5.9. recommending a total of $326,450,000 for re- facility or for plant or facility acquisition, Similarly, House support for renew- search and development of these tech- construction, or expansion; and the purchase able energy here is strong. The House nologies. While not as much as some Mem- of not to exceed one passenger motor vehicle for replacement only, $583,399,953, of which Renewable Energy Caucus boasts 153 bers would like to spend, it is a generous and bipartisan Members. Whether Members $820,953 shall be derived by transfer from the credible level of spending given our severe Geothermal Resources Development Fund, are concerned about national security, budget constraints. and of which $5,000,000 shall be derived by economic prosperity, or the environ- The Committee had to reduce last year's transfer from the United States Enrichment ment, renewable energy technology is a funding level by close to $900 million. Never- Corporation Fund. valuable commodity. theless, the Committee has not reduced Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Chair- As President George Bush said, we spending for photovoltaics, biomass, hydro- man, I move to strike the requisite must encourage environmentally re- gen, energy storage and the superconductivity number of words. sponsible development of all U.S. en- programs. The Committee recommendation is (Mr. UDALL of Colorado asked and ergy resources, including renewable en- equal to the amount provided by the Senate, was given permission to revise and ex- ergy. Renewable energy does reduce de- which had an allocation $1.5 billion higher tend his remarks.) mand upon our other finite natural re- than the allocation available to this Committee. Mr. UDALL of Colorado Mr. Chair- sources. It enhances our energy secu- The Subcommittee has provided direction man, I rise tonight in support of this rity, and clearly, it protects the envi- and guidance to reform the way funds are amendment. ronment. spent. As a result, the Department has ac- Mr. Chairman, I want to begin by So I would like to, again, express my knowledged that the amount of competitively- just saying how much I appreciate appreciation to the gentleman from awarded funds from just two years ago has working with my colleague, the gen- California (Chairman PACKARD) for been increased 219 percent from $77 million tleman from Arizona (Mr. SALMON), supporting this measure, and also for in fiscal year 1998 to $247 million in fiscal chairman of the House Caucus on Re- his commitment to fight for this num- year 1999. This is a dramatic improvement. newable Energy, in developing this ber in conference committee. We also We have been hearing from new recipients of amendment. proposed an offset of $30 million to be this funding who are doing exciting new I am also grateful for the support of deducted from contractor travel. projects in biomass, photovoltaics and other a number of my colleagues on both As Members know, the GAO has in- important solar technologies. sides of the aisle, including the gentle- vestigated contractor travel spending Second, I would like to express my under- woman from California (Ms. WOOLSEY), and found outrageous abuses that must standing and agreement with the effort to re- the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. be terminated. Regardless, given the duce contractor travel. The Energy and Water TANCREDO), the gentleman from New choice between travel dollars and re- Subcommittee, working in a bipartisan matter, York (Mr. BOEHLERT), the gentleman search dollars of this valuable re- identified and requested a report which tallied from Utah (Mr. COOK), the gentleman source, it is clear that we must choose jaw-dropping travel expenses charged to the from Maryland (Mr. BARTLETT), the the latter. Department by its own contractors. By now, gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. I urge my colleagues to support the you have heard that in one year alone, DOE MINGE,) the gentlewoman from Con- renewable energy research and develop- was charged $250 million for contractor travel. necticut (Ms. DELAURO), and many oth- ment funds. This does not include taxpayer-funded travel ers who have joined me in support of Mr. Chairman, I include for the expenses for DOE's Federal workforce. One this amendment. RECORD an accounting of the Alloca- contractor was charging DOE for trips from Mr. Chairman, I am glad the amend- tion of Additional Funds for Solar and New Mexico to Washington, D.C. at a rate of ment will be accepted. Of course, I wish Renewable Energy Programs. 87 trips per week. The Committee rec- we could do more for solar and renew- The material referred to is as follows: ommendation includes a 50 percent reduction able energy programs. I was initially of travel expenses which is a total of $125 mil- disturbed by the deep cuts that the ALLOCATION OF ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR SOLAR AND RE- lion. If it is the will of the House to further re- committee made to these programs, re- NEWABLE ENERGY PROGRAMS—REP. MARK UDALL duce contractor travel for one year, then I be- ducing them from $336 million this fis- AND REP. MATT SALMON lieve this sends a very strong message to the cal year to $279 million in the fiscal [In millions of dollars] Department, which has shown too little interest year 2000. Even our Committee on Amendment total in controlling contractor costs. Science voted to fund them at $316 mil- Solar and renewable energy programs (amount of increase) That brings me to my interpretation of this lion in fiscal year 2000. Solar Buildings ...... $2.81 (+1.31) amendment. Since no other source of funding The Salmon-Udall amendment would Photovoltaics ...... $70.13 (+3.13) is identified, I will support this amendment restore $30 million to solar and renew- Concentrating Solar Power ...... $15.41 (+2.41) Biomass Power ...... $30.47 (+1.47) which further reduces contractor travel and able energy programs, leaving them Wind ...... $30.96 (+5.96) would provide an additional $30 million in well short of fiscal 1999 funding levels, Renewable Energy Production Incentive ...... $2.61 (+2.61) International Solar ...... $4.95 (+1.95) funding for energy supply programs. In accept- and would offset this sum with Depart- National Renewable Energy Laboratory ...... $2.8 (+1.7) ing the amendment, we agree to distribute this ment of Energy contractor travel Geothermal ...... $24.31 (+6.31) Hydrogen ...... $21.76 (+.76) additional funding to the solar and renewable funds. Finding offsets to fund these im- Hydropower ...... $2.76 (+.76) programs. portant renewable programs was not Superconductivity ...... $31.91 (+.91) Program Direction ...... $17.72 (+.72) Mr. Chairman, the Committee accepts the easy in such a lean bill, but we did the amendment and I urge its immediate adoption best we could. H6542 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 Mr. Chairman, renewable energy is commercialization of these tech- ter in that it would increase funding all about investing in America’s future, nologies. If we look back into history, for renewable energy research and de- the future of our energy security, our we did the same thing 100 years ago at velopment programs. This amendment environment, and our international Petrochemicals, and that is why we would also give limited funding to competitiveness. Renewable energy have that strong industry in the fossil begin implementing the new strategic programs allow the U.S. to use its sci- fuel area. plan to develop enhanced geothermal entific and technological expertise in To conclude, Mr. Chairman, the De- production technologies. developing alternative energy sources, partment of Energy’s renewable energy such as wind, solar, biomass power, and programs are vital to our Nation’s in- The Department of Energy produced geothermal energy. These diverse en- terests. They help provide strategies this strategic planning in collaboration ergy resources can decrease our ever- and tools to address the national secu- with national laboratories, the Univer- growing dependence on imported oil, rity, environmental, and technological sity of Utah, and the geothermal indus- and reduce environmental impacts of challenges we will face in the next cen- try. Implementing the strategic plan traditional fossil fuels while expanding tury. Our investments in the past 2 will develop the technology to enhance our economy through technological ad- decades are just beginning to pay off in the production from geothermal sys- vances. terms of energy security and a cleaner tems. Some may question the need for the environment. The technology would be applicable development of these technologies. Even if we were to just keep these to literally hundreds of sites through- After all, we are not waiting in gas programs at fiscal 1999 levels, this out the United States. The U.S. gov- lines, as we were two decades ago, and might not be sufficient to ensure that gas prices are near record levels. But ernment currently gets $40 million per we will have uninterrupted reliable year in royalties on its geothermal our Nation’s dependence on foreign oil sources of energy in the future. Our is even greater than it was during the technology. Renewables are a good in- amendment does not do all that should vestment. 1973 crisis. be done; but it does greatly improve Why should we jeopardize our na- the bill, and I urge its adoption. A recent report prepared by the Geo- tional energy security when we can use Mr. Chairman, I include the following thermal Energy Association in con- home-grown clean energy to reduce our for the RECORD: junction with the University of Utah reliance on oil imports and diversify and the Department of Energy expects our energy sources? ALLOCATION OF ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR SOLAR AND this research to yield a threefold in- The DOE’s renewable energy pro- RENEWABLE ENERGY PROGRAMS crease in domestic geothermal elec- grams are a major component of this [In millions of dollars] tricity production. This extra power country’s environmental initiatives. will supply 18 million homes with elec- By reducing air pollution and other en- Solar & renewable energy programs Amendment total vironmental impacts from energy pro- (amount of increase) tricity. duction and use, these programs con- Solar Buildings ...... $2.81 (+1.31) This amendment has good offsets. It Photovoltaics ...... 70.13 (+3.13) stitute, as my colleague, the gen- Concentrating Solar Power ...... 15.41 (+2.41) is paid for from savings resulting from tleman from Arizona (Mr. SALMON) Biomass Power ...... 30.47 (+1.47) reductions in contractor travel. This is mentioned, the single largest and most Wind ...... 30.96 (+5.96) Renewable Energy Production Incentive ...... 2.61 (+2.61) the responsible way to pay for this pro- effective Federal pollution prevention International Solar ...... 4.95 (+1.95) gram rather than taking the money program. National Renewable Energy Laboratory ...... 2.8 (+1.7) Geothermal ...... 24.31 (+6.31) out of the Social Security Trust Fund. Past Federal support for sustainable Hydrogen ...... 21.76 (+.76) energy programs has been key to the Hydropower ...... 2.76 (+.76) This amendment is not only fiscally Superconductivity ...... 31.91 (+.91) responsible, it is environmentally re- rapid growth of these emerging tech- Program Direction ...... 17.72 (+.72) nologies. Solar, wind, geothermal, and sponsible. It takes the savings from biomass have together more than tri- Totals ...... 309.35 (+30) cleaning up the waste and inefficien- pled their contribution to the Nation’s cies in the contractor travel budget energy mix over the past 20 years. and uses them to fund research in ENERGY AND WATER AMENDMENT BREAKDOWN—SOLAR Including hydropower, renewables clean, safe energy produced here in AND RENEWABLE ENERGY now account for about 10 percent of America. total domestic energy production and Sub Add- Totals to The Committee on Science passed my approximately 13 percent of domestic Program mark FY99 ons to $309.35 actual amendment that funds geothermal re- electricity generation. FY00 $30 M M search in this way, and I urge my col- It is estimated that the world market Solar Buildings ...... 1.5 3.6 +1.31 2.81 for energy supply equipment and con- Photovoltaics ...... 67 72.2 +3.13 70.13 leagues here to do the same and vote Concentrating Solar Power ...... 13 17 +2.41 15.41 for this amendment. This amendment struction over the next 30 years is in Biomass Power ...... 29 31.45 +1.47 30.47 the range of several hundred billion Biofuels ...... 41.75 41.75 (1) 41.75 will lead to cleaner air for our children Wind ...... 25 34.771 +5.96 30.96 dollars. America currently leads the REPI ...... 0 4 +2.61 2.61 and continue to protect Social Secu- world in developing advanced renew- Solar Program Support ...... 2 (2) ...... 2 rity for our parents. Internatl Solar ...... 3 6.35 +1.95 4.95 able instruments and products, and we NREL ...... 1.1 3.9 +1.7 2.8 Accelerating development of our re- should not surrender this lead to for- Geothermal ...... 18 28.5 +6.31 24.31 Hydrogen ...... 21 22.25 +.76 21.76 newable resources is a good invest- eign competitors. Yet, funding levels in Hydropower ...... 2 3.25 +.76 2.76 ment. We in Congress have a duty to the bill are not up to the task. Renewable Indians ...... 0 4.779 (2) (2) 1 spend the money taxed from the Amer- For example, this bill would allocate Elect. Systems Transmission ...... 2.5 2.5 ( ) $2.5 HTS ...... 31 32.5 +.91 31.91 ican people responsibly. This amend- just $67 million for photovoltaic re- Storage ...... 4.5 4.5 (1) 4.5 Fed Building ...... 0 4 (2) (2) ment does that. search. This low funding would jeop- Program Dir...... 17 18.1 +.72 17.72 ardize U.S. technological development, Mr. INSLEE. Mr. Chairman, I move industry growth and momentum, at a Totals ...... 279.35 336 +30 309.35 to strike the requisite number of time when Japan is spending more 1 Level. words. 2 Not requested. than $230 million each year on its own Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong sup- PV program. AGREEMENT port of this amendment for two rea- Brings major renewable energy research Renewable energy technologies have sons. First, we as a Nation, will need to become increasingly cost competitive, programs closer to Senate fiscal year 2000 come to terms with the rise in the level but the pace of their penetration into level of $301.8 million. of atmospheric carbon dioxide at some the market will be determined largely Offers 8% reduction from fiscal year 1999 totals, bringing total to $309.35 million. point, and we might as well start right by government support for future re- search and development. Mr. COOK. Mr. Chairman, I move to now. Carbon dioxide is an insidious pol- strike the requisite number of words. lutant because, one while it is odorless b 1945 Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong sup- and tasteless, it has a nasty habit of We need to support public-private port of this Salmon-Udall amendment. trapping heat in the Earth’s atmos- partnerships that help promote further This amendment makes a good bill bet- phere. July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6543 Now, there has been a lot of talk Renewable energy has an enormous poten- energy supply. Right now, these emerging about this pollutant, so I thought it tial to reduce acid rain, global warming, ozone technologies are limited to niche markets, but might be helpful to look at a chart red alert days and health risks associated with ongoing research has cut their costs so that showing atmospheric concentrations of pollution from conventional energy sources. they are almost competitive with fossil fuels, carbon dioxide over the last 150 years. Solar and renewable energy programs further even neglecting the huge environmental costs The information on this chart is one represent an opportunity to strengthen Amer- as fossil fuels: thing virtually all scientists agree on. ica's position in the expanding world markets Wind energy, for example, cost almost 50 Carbon dioxide rates are increasing. for clean energy and aid in reducing our de- cents per kilowatt hour in 1980. Today, the They are increasing rapidly. When I pendence on foreign oil imports. We must cost of wind energy is around 4 cents, very first saw it, I was shocked. Because I drive the research that will lead to the tech- close to the cost of conventional generation, saw they increased dramatically over nology to produce clean energy in the devel- and is still dropping. the last 100 years and are now begin- oping world. Solar thermal costs have dropped from 60 ning to skyrocket towards the end of Try to imagine what our environment would cents per kilowatt hour in 1980 to 13 cents this century and will continue on that be like if the 5 billion people of under- today. pace upward unless we act. I should re- developed and developing nations of Asia, Af- Solar photovoltaic costs have dropped from peat, this fact is not in dispute in any rica, and Latin America were using as much over 100 cents per kilowatt hour in 1980 to 20 country in any scientific journal. That energy per person as we in the United States cents in 1996. is the bad news. use per person. And that they energy were Turning our backs on the R&D program The good news is that our Nation is being produced from fossil fuel rather than needed to achieve the necessary break- perfectly positioned as a net winner, a from the renewable energy sources. throughs that will make solar, wind and other winner in the call to develop tech- Mr. Chairman, we have a responsibility to renewables fully viable and competitive would nologies to deal with this problem. The the future. This responsibility can only be ful- be like shepherding a baseball team through world is going to need new technologies filled by embracing effective energy efficient eight innings and just walking away in the bot- to address this issue. When it comes to and pollution-free technologies. Today's chil- tom of the ninth. developing new technology, no country dren and their children's childrenÐthe genera- The Energy and Water Appropriations bill is more creative, no country is more tion who will be members of this body 100 would slash DOE funding for renewables from dynamic and resourceful than the years from nowÐdeserve to breathe cleaner the current funding level of $36 million down United States. air, cleaner water, and enjoy a world free from to $326 million. The Appropriations Committee That is why this graph shows that, global warming and environmental decay. cut $120 million, 27%, from the President's when carbon dioxide rates go up, so We cannot turn our backs on our children budget. Unless we boost the funding, we will does our economic potential for cap- and on the futureÐvote yes for the environ- devastate DOE programs aimed at creating vi- turing new markets, new emerging ment and the futureÐvote yes on the amend- brant, fully competitive U.S. renewable indus- markets for new energy technologies. ment. tries. But our economic potential will rise Mr. MARKEY. Mr. Chairman, I rise in sup- The bill's proposed cuts in renewables fund- only if we make the investments in port of the Salmon-Udall amendment. ing would severely delay adoption of solar, these new technologies that are pos- Our future is literally blowing in the wind. geotherman, and wind energy technologies. sible. Wind and other renewable energy sources are Most economists agree there is at east a 10- I do not want Europe to lead this new a great investment in our nation's energy fu- year window between the time a technology is industry. I do not want Japan to lead ture. Solar, wind, geothermal and biomass en- first ready for the market and the time the this new industry. I want America to ergy technologies can: (1) reduce dependence market is ready for the technology. But some- lead this new industry just like we on imported fossil fuels; (2) reduce long-run times, that window is even wider. For exam- have led everywhere else. energy costs to consumers and businesses; ple, the telephone was discovered in 1875, but That is why it is going to be a bright (3) create new industries to supply both he not commercialized until 1915. Television was day in Congress when we pass this U.S. an foreign energy markets; and (4) re- discovered in 1917, but not commercialized amendment, when we seize economic duce emissions which create smog acid rain, until 1946. Telefax was discovered in 1913, potential in the face of a new challenge mercury poisoning, energy markets; and (4) but fax machines weren't commercialized until and pass this amendment, increase in- reduce emissions which create smog, acid 1974. Right now, the fledgling renewables vestment in new renewable energy re- rain, mercury poisoning, and global climate technologies industries find themselves in the sources, and we will turn an environ- change. The federal government continues to same position. If we fail to fund renewable en- mental challenge into an economic op- spend more on fossil fuels, a mature industry ergy R&D, the invention-commercialization portunity. that does not need our support, than on re- window could become a multi-decade ``window Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Chairman, I ac- newable energy. We spend almost as much of vulnerability'' for U.S. energy consumers. cepted this motion with the idea that on nuclear energy as on renewables, both for The Salmon-Udall amendment would re- it would stop all the talk, but now I dying fission technologies and for fusion re- store some funding for renewables. The hope that we can move on. I urge its search that is still decades from viability. We amendment is fully offset from contractor trav- immediate adoption. need to fund the future, not subsidize the past. el, so it does not take this bill over the budget Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Chairman, on Renewable energy sources are especially allocation. It will however, allow DOE to con- behalf of the minority, I would agree important for our environment, as an environ- tinue providing vitally-needed funding for solar, with the chairman. mentally benign and sustainable energy alter- wind, geothermal, and biomass energy Mr. OLVER. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in native to fossil fuels and nuclear power. Today sources, so that America is not held hostage support of the Udall-Salmon amendment to re- we rely on fossil fuels for 88% of total energy to future oil embargoes or a lack of techno- store $30 million to solar and renewable en- use; oil alone accounts for nearly 40% of our logical options. ergy programs. energy, of which 60% is imported crude oil. I urge my colleague to support the Salmon- Across the nation this summer, and espe- Our fossil fuel power plants alone spew out 12 Udall amendment. cially here in the nation's capital, all of us millions tons of sulfur dioxide, 7 million tons of The CHAIRMAN. The question is on have felt the oppression of numerous ``Code nitrogen oxides, and 2 billion tons of carbon the amendment offered by the gen- Reds''Ðdays when extremely high tempera- dioxide each year. Cars and airplanes emit tleman from Arizona (Mr. SALMON). tures combine with high pollution levelsÐ similar amounts of pollutants. Energy con- The amendment was agreed to. prompting warnings to the elderly and those sumption is rising due to economic growth. The Clerk will read. with asthma and other respiratory illnesses to Even with an aggressive energy conservation The Clerk read as follows: stay inside if possible, and to limit outdoor ac- effort, we will need new energy sources. We NON-DEFENSE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT tivity. How can we, in good conscience, slash must invest in alternative technologies now if funding for the very programs that will combat we are to increase the role renewables play in For Department of Energy expenses, in- cluding the purchase, construction and ac- pollution and reduce the number of days meeting our nation's energy needs and are to quisition of plant and capital equipment and where thousands of people are forced to ei- avoid further environmental destruction. other expenses necessary for non-defense en- ther stay inside or jeopardize their health and Fortunately, renewable technologies have vironmental management activities in car- well-being to go about their daily responsibil- been steadily dropping in price and are on the rying out the purposes of the Department of ities? verge of making a major contribution to our Energy Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7101 et H6544 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 seq.), including the acquisition or condemna- sions of the Inspector General Act of 1978, as to Public Law 93–454, are approved for the tion of any real property or any facility or amended, $30,000,000, to remain available Northeast Oregon Hatchery Master Plan, and for plant or facility acquisition, construction until expended. for official reception and representation ex- or expansion, $327,223,000, to remain avail- ATOMIC ENERGY DEFENSE ACTIVITIES penses in an amount not to exceed $1,500. During fiscal year 2000, no new direct loan able until expended. WEAPONS ACTIVITIES obligations may be made. URANIUM ENRICHMENT DECONTAMINATION AND For Department of Energy expenses, in- DECOMMISSIONING FUND cluding the purchase, construction and ac- OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE, For necessary expenses in carrying out quisition of plant and capital equipment and SOUTHWESTERN POWER ADMINISTRATION uranium enrichment facility decontamina- other incidental expenses necessary for (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS) tion and decommissioning, remedial actions atomic energy defense weapons activities in For necessary expenses of operation and and other activities of title II of the Atomic carrying out the purposes of the Department maintenance of power transmission facilities Energy Act of 1954 and title X, subtitle A of of Energy Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7101 et and of marketing electric power and energy, the Energy Policy Act of 1992, $240,198,000, to seq.), including the acquisition or condemna- and for construction and acquisition of be derived from the Fund, to remain avail- tion of any real property or any facility or transmission lines, substations and appur- able until expended: Provided, That for plant or facility acquisition, construc- tenant facilities, and for administrative ex- $30,000,000 of amounts derived from the Fund tion, or expansion; and the purchase of pas- penses, including official reception and rep- for such expenses shall be available in ac- senger motor vehicles (not to exceed three resentation expenses in an amount not to ex- cordance with title X, subtitle A, of the En- for replacement only, $4,000,000,000, to re- ceed $1,500 in carrying out the provisions of ergy Policy Act of 1992. main available until expended: Provided, section 5 of the Flood Control Act of 1944 (16 SCIENCE That, of this amount, $1,000,000,000 shall not U.S.C. 825s), as applied to the southwestern For Department of Energy expenses includ- be available for obligation or expenditure power area, $27,940,000, to remain available ing the purchase, construction and acquisi- until after June 30, 2000, and until legislation until expended, of which $773,000 shall be de- tion of plant and capital equipment, and has been enacted restructuring the national rived by transfer from unobligated balances other expenses necessary for science activi- security programs of the Department of En- in ‘‘Operation and Maintenance, South- ties in carrying out the purposes of the De- ergy or establishing an independent agency eastern Power Administration’’; in addition, for national security programs. partment of Energy Organization Act (42 notwithstanding the provisions of 31 U.S.C. U.S.C. 7101 et seq.), including the acquisition DEFENSE ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION AND 3302, not to exceed $4,200,000 in reimburse- or condemnation of any real property or fa- WASTE MANAGEMENT ments, to remain available until expended. cility or for plant or facility acquisition, For Department of Energy expenses, in- CONSTRUCTION, REHABILITATION, OPERATION construction, or expansion, and purchase of cluding the purchase, construction and ac- AND MAINTENANCE, WESTERN AREA POWER not to exceed six passenger motor vehicles quisition of plant and capital equipment and ADMINISTRATION for replacement only, $2,718,647,000, to re- other expenses necessary for atomic energy For carrying out the functions authorized main available until expended. defense environmental restoration and waste by title III, section 302(a)(1)(E) of the Act of management activities in carrying out the NUCLEAR WASTE DISPOSAL August 4, 1977 (42 U.S.C. 7152), and other re- purposes of the Department of Energy Orga- lated activities including conservation and For nuclear waste disposal activities to nization Act (42 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.), includ- carry out the purposes of Public Law 97–425, renewable resources programs as authorized, ing the acquisition or condemnation of any including official reception and representa- as amended, including the acquisition of real real property or any facility or for plant or property or facility construction or expan- tion expenses in an amount not to exceed facility acquisition, construction, or expan- $1,500, $171,471,000, to remain available until sion, $169,000,000, to remain available until sion; and the purchase of 35 passenger motor expended, to be derived from the Nuclear expended, of which $160,286,000 shall be de- vehicles for replacement only, $4,157,758,000, rived from the Department of the Interior Waste Fund: Provided, That none of the funds to remain available until expended. provided therein shall be distributed to the Reclamation Fund: Provided, That of the DEFENSE FACILITIES CLOSURE PROJECTS State of Nevada or affected units of local amount herein appropriated, $5,036,000 is for government (as defined by Public Law 97–425) For expenses of the Department of Energy deposit into the Utah Reclamation Mitiga- tion and Conservation Account pursuant to by direct payment, grant, or other means, to accelerate the closure of defense environ- title IV of the Reclamation Projects Author- for financial assistance under section 116 of mental management sites, including the pur- ization and Adjustment Act of 1992. the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, as chase, construction and acquisition of plant amended: Provided further, That the fore- and capital equipment and other necessary FALCON AND AMISTAD OPERATING AND going proviso shall not apply to payments in expenses, $1,054,492,000, to remain available MAINTENANCE FUND lieu of taxes under section 116(c)(3)(A) of the until expended. For operation, maintenance, and emer- Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, as amend- DEFENSE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT gency costs for the hydroelectric facilities at ed. PRIVATIZATION the Falcon and Amistad Dams, $1,309,000, to DEPARTMENTAL ADMINISTRATION For Department of Energy expenses for remain available until expended, and to be derived from the Falcon and Amistad Oper- For salaries and expenses of the Depart- privatization projects necessary for atomic energy defense environmental management ating and Maintenance Fund of the Western ment of Energy necessary for departmental activities authorized by the Department of Area Power Administration, as provided in administration in carrying out the purposes Energy Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7101 et section 423 of the Foreign Relations Author- of the Department of Energy Organization seq.), $228,000,000, to remain available until ization Act, Fiscal Years 1994 and 1995. Act (42 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.), including the hire expended. of passenger motor vehicles and official re- FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION ception and representation expenses (not to OTHER DEFENSE ACTIVITIES SALARIES AND EXPENSES exceed $35,000), $193,769,000, to remain avail- For Department of Energy expenses, in- For necessary expenses of the Federal En- able until expended, plus such additional cluding the purchase, construction and ac- ergy Regulatory Commission to carry out amounts as necessary to cover increases in quisition of plant and capital equipment and the provisions of the Department of Energy the estimated amount of cost of work for other expenses necessary for atomic energy Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.), in- others notwithstanding the provisions of the defense, other defense activities, in carrying cluding services as authorized by 5 U.S.C. Anti-Deficiency Act (31 U.S.C. 1511 et seq.): out the purposes of the Department of En- 3109, the hire of passenger motor vehicles, Provided, That such increases in cost of work ergy Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.), and official reception and representation ex- are offset by revenue increases of the same including the acquisition or condemnation of penses (not to exceed $3,000), $174,950,000, to or greater amount, to remain available until any real property or any facility or for plant remain available until expended: Provided, expended: Provided further, That moneys re- or facility acquisition, construction, or ex- That notwithstanding any other provision of ceived by the Department for miscellaneous pansion, $1,651,809,000, to remain available law, not to exceed $174,950,000 of revenues revenues estimated to total $106,887,000 in until expended: Provided, That not to exceed from fees and annual charges, and other fiscal year 2000 may be retained and used for $5,000 may be used for official reception and services and collections in fiscal year 2000 operating expenses within this account, and representation expenses for national security shall be retained and used for necessary ex- may remain available until expended, as au- and nonproliferation activities. penses in this account, and shall remain thorized by section 201 of Public Law 95–238, DEFENSE NUCLEAR WASTE DISPOSAL available until expended: Provided further, notwithstanding the provisions of 31 U.S.C. For nuclear waste disposal activities to That the sum herein appropriated from the 3302: Provided further, That the sum herein carry out the purposes of Public Law 97–425, General Fund shall be reduced as revenues appropriated shall be reduced by the amount as amended, including the acquisition of real are received during fiscal year 2000 so as to of miscellaneous revenues received during property or facility construction or expan- result in a final fiscal year 2000 appropria- fiscal year 2000 so as to result in a final fiscal sion, $112,000,000, to remain available until tion from the General Fund estimated at not year 2000 appropriation from the General expended. more than $0. Fund estimated at not more than $86,882,000. POWER MARKETING ADMINISTRATIONS GENERAL PROVISIONS OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL BONNEVILLE POWER ADMINISTRATION FUND SEC. 301. (a) None of the funds appropriated For necessary expenses of the Office of the Expenditures from the Bonneville Power by this Act may be used to award a manage- Inspector General in carrying out the provi- Administration Fund, established pursuant ment and operating contract unless such July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6545 contract is awarded using competitive proce- and Development or Director’s Discretionary may provide equipment or a service to a pri- dures or the Secretary of Energy grants, on Research and Development. vate contractor that is engaged in electrical a case-by-case basis, a waiver to allow for Sec. 309. Of the funds appropriated by this work on an electrical utility project of the such a deviation. The Secretary may not del- title to the Department of Energy, not more Federal power marketing administration. As egate the authority to grant such a waiver. than $125,000,000 shall be available for reim- used in this section, the term ‘‘used con- (b) At least 60 days before a contract bursement of contractor travel expenses. struction equipment’’ means construction award, amendment, or modification for Sec. 310. (a) None of the funds in this Act equipment that has been in service for more which the Secretary intends to grant such a or any future Energy and Water Develop- than 2,500 hours. Any Federal power mar- waiver, the Secretary shall submit to the ment Appropriations Act may be expended keting administration may dispose of used Subcommittees on Energy and Water Devel- under a covered contract unless the funds construction equipment by means of a public opment of the Committees on Appropriations are expended in accordance with a Labora- auction conducted by a private entity that is of the House of Representatives and the Sen- tory Funding Plan that has been approved by independent of the Federal power marketing ate a report notifying the subcommittees of the Secretary of Energy. The Plan shall be administration. Federal power marketing the waiver and setting forth the reasons for submitted on a quarterly basis, or at such in- administrations shall apply all proceeds of a the waiver. tervals as may be prescribed by the Sec- disposition of used construction equipment SEC. 302. (a) None of the funds appropriated retary. The Secretary’s approval of the Plan to the reduction of debt of the Federal power by this Act may be used to award, amend, or may include adjusting or deleting particular marketing administration. modify a contract in a manner that deviates items or categories of items proposed in the TITLE IV from the Federal Acquisition Regulation, un- Plan. INDEPENDENT AGENCIES less the Secretary of Energy grants, on a (b) For purposes of this section, ‘‘covered case-by-case basis, a waiver to allow for such contract’’ means a contract for the manage- APPALACHIAN REGIONAL COMMISSION a deviation. The Secretary may not delegate ment and operation of the Los Alamos Na- For expenses necessary to carry out the the authority to grant such a waiver. tional Laboratory, Lawrence Livermore Na- programs authorized by the Appalachian Re- (b) At least 60 days before a contract tional Laboratory, or Sandia National Lab- gional Development Act of 1965, as amended, award, amendment, or modification for oratories. for necessary expenses for the Federal Co- which the Secretary intends to grant such a Sec. 311. As part of the Department of En- Chairman and the alternate on the Appa- waiver, the Secretary shall submit to the ergy’s approval of laboratory funding for Los lachian Regional Commission, for payment Subcommittees on Energy and Water Devel- Alamos National Laboratory, Lawrence of the Federal share of the administrative opment of the Committees on Appropriations Livermore National Laboratory, and Sandia expenses of the Commission, including serv- of the House of Representatives and the Sen- National Laboratories, the Secretary shall ices as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109, and hire ate a report notifying the subcommittees of review and approve the incentive structure of passenger motor vehicles, $60,000,000, to the waiver and setting forth the reasons for for contractor fees, the amounts of award remain available until expended. the waiver. fees to be made available for the next year, DEFENSE NUCLEAR FACILITIES SAFETY SEC. 303. None of the funds appropriated by the salaries of first and second tier labora- BOARD this Act may be used to— tory management, and the overhead costs. SALARIES AND EXPENSES (1) develop or implement a workforce re- Sec. 312. None of the funds provided in this structuring plan that covers employees of For necessary expenses of the Defense Nu- Act may be used to establish or maintain clear Facilities Safety Board in carrying out the Department of Energy; or independent centers at a Department of En- (2) provide enhanced severance payments activities authorized by the Atomic Energy ergy laboratory or facility unless such funds Act of 1954, as amended by Public Law 100– or other benefits for employees of the De- have been specifically identified in the budg- partment of Energy; 456, section 1441, $16,500,000, to remain avail- et submission. able until expended. under section 3161 of the National Defense Sec. 313. None of the funds provided in this Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1993 (Pub- Act may be used to waive overhead or added DENALI COMMISSION lic Law 102–484; 106 Stat. 2644; 42 U.S.C. factor charges for work performed for other (RESCISSION) 7274h). Federal agencies or for other Department of Of the funds made available under this SEC. 304. None of the funds appropriated by Energy programs. heading in Public Law 105–245, $18,000,000 is this Act may be used to augment the Sec. 314. Sec. 505 of Public Law 102–377, the rescinded. $20,000,000 made available for obligation by Fiscal Year 1993 Energy and Water Develop- NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION this Act for severance payments and other ment Appropriations Act, and section 208 of SALARIES AND EXPENSES benefits and community assistance grants Public Law 99–349, the Urgent Supplemental For necessary expenses of the Commission under section 3161 of the National Defense Appropriations Act, 1986, are repealed. in carrying out the purposes of the Energy Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1993 (Pub- SEC. 315. None of the funds made available Reorganization Act of 1974, as amended, and lic Law 102–484; 106 Stat. 2644; 42 U.S.C. in this or any other Act may be used to re- the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, 7274h). start the High Flux Beam Reactor. including official representation expenses SEC. 305. None of the funds appropriated by SEC. 316. None of the funds provided in this this Act may be used to prepare or initiate or any other Act may be used by the Federal (not to exceed $15,000), $455,400,000, to remain Requests For Proposals (RFPs) for a pro- power marketing administrations for con- available until expended: Provided, That of gram if the program has not been funded by struction, expansion or upgrades of fiber the amount appropriated herein, $19,150,000 Congress. optic telecommunication lines, associated shall be derived from the Nuclear Waste (TRANSFERS OF UNEXPENDED BALANCES) facilities or purchase of equipment directly Fund: Provided further, That revenues from licensing fees, inspection services, and other SEC. 306. The unexpended balances of prior related to such efforts, except for fiber optic services and collections estimated at appropriations provided for activities in this cable that is necessary for the foreseeable fu- $432,400,000 in fiscal year 2000 shall be re- Act may be transferred to appropriation ac- ture for internal management of programs of tained and used for necessary salaries and counts for such activities established pursu- the Federal power marketing administra- expenses in this account, notwithstanding 31 ant to this title. Balances so transferred may tions. Federal power marketing administra- U.S.C. 3302, and shall remain available until be merged with funds in the applicable estab- tions shall apply any reduction in spending expended: Provided further, That $3,850,000 of lished accounts and thereafter may be ac- resulting from the restrictions in the section the funds herein appropriated for regulatory counted for as one fund for the same time pe- to the reduction of debt of the Federal power reviews and other assistance provided to the riod as originally enacted. marketing administration. Department of Energy and other Federal SEC. 307. Notwithstanding 41 U.S.C. 254c(a), SEC. 317. None of the funds provided in this the Secretary of Energy may use funds ap- or any other Act may be used by the Federal agencies shall be excluded from license fee propriated by this Act to enter into or con- power marketing administrations to: revenues, notwithstanding 42 U.S.C. 2214: tinue multi-year contracts for the acquisi- (1) rent or sell construction equipment; Provided further, That the sum herein appro- tion of property or services under the head, (2) provide construction, equipment, oper- priated shall be reduced by the amount of ‘‘Energy Supply’’ without obligating the es- ation, maintenance or repair services; revenues received during fiscal year 2000 so timated costs associated with any necessary (3) perform contract construction work; as to result in a final fiscal year 2000 appro- cancellation or termination of the contract. (4) provide a construction engineering priation estimated at not more than The Secretary of Energy may pay costs of service; or $23,000,000. termination or cancellation from— (5) provide financing or leasing services for OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL (1) appropriations originally available for construction, maintenance, operational or For necessary expenses of the Office of In- the performance of the contract concerned; engineering services to any private utility, spector General in carrying out the provi- (2) appropriations currently available for wholesale or retail customer (other than sions of the Inspector General Act of 1978, as procurement of the type of property or serv- those existing retail customers served by the amended, $6,000,000, to remain available until ices concerned, and not otherwise obligated; Federal power marketing administration expended: Provided, That the sum herein ap- or prior to the date of enactment of this provi- propriated shall be reduced by the amount of (3) funds appropriated for those payments. sion), publicly-owned utility, Federal agen- revenues received during fiscal year 2000 so Sec. 308. None of the funds in this Act may cy, or state or local government entity. The as to result in a final fiscal year 2000 appro- be used for Laboratory Directed Research Federal power marketing administrations priation estimated at not more than $0. H6546 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 NUCLEAR WASTE TECHNICAL REVIEW by the United States relating to, or pro- population, including Las Vegas, Phoe- BOARD viding for, drainage service or drainage stud- nix, the entire Los Angeles area and SALARIES AND EXPENSES ies for the San Luis Unit shall be fully reim- the city I represent, San Diego. For necessary expenses of the Nuclear bursable by San Luis Unit beneficiaries of My amendment would provide the Waste Technical Review Board, as author- such service or studies pursuant to Federal Department of Energy $50 million, per- Reclamation law. ized by Public Law 100–203, section 5051, haps a third of the money needed, to EC. 504. Section 6101(a)(3) of the Omnibus $2,600,000, to be derived from the Nuclear S Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990, as amend- begin moving the contaminated pile Waste Fund, and to remain available until ed, (42 U.S.C. 2214(a)(3)) is amended by strik- away from the Colorado River. Moving expended. ing ‘‘September 30, 1999’’ and inserting ‘‘Sep- this pile is the most reliable way to Mr. PACKARD (during the reading). tember 30, 2000’’. save the growing population of Cali- Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous con- SEC. 505. Title VI, division C, of Public Law fornia, Arizona, and Nevada from hav- sent that the remainder of the bill 105–277, Making Omnibus Consolidated and ing the highly contaminated waste through title IV be considered as read, Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for leak into the water supply for the next printed in the RECORD, and open to Fiscal Year 1999, is repealed. 270 years, almost 3 centuries, Mr. SEC. 506. Title III, division C, of Public Law amendment at any point. Chairman, during which time, many The CHAIRMAN. Is there objection 105–277, Making Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for people would likely die from various to the request of the gentleman from Fiscal Year 1999 and section 105 of Public diseases and maladies caused by drink- California? Law 106–31, the 1999 Emergency Supple- ing water laced with radioactivity and There was no objection. mental Appropriations Act, are repealed. chemical contaminants from the ura- The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will read. SEC. 507. Section 211(e)(2)(A) of the Water nium pile. The Clerk read as follows: Resources Development Act of 1996 (Public The money is appropriated by my TITLE V—GENERAL PROVISIONS Law 104–303, 110 Stat. 3682) is amended by amendment to begin the first phases of striking ‘‘in advance in appropriations SEC. 501. None of the funds appropriated by moving the pile, and it is offset by cut- Acts’’. this Act may be used in any way, directly or ting a program that already has $4 bil- SEC. 508. None of the funds appropriated by indirectly, to influence congressional action this Act shall be used to propose or issue lion in the budget; $4 billion offset by a on any legislation or appropriation matters rules, regulations, decrees, or orders for the simple $50 million. This is money that pending before Congress, other than to com- purpose of implementation, or in preparation will save American lives. municate to Members of Congress as de- for implementation, of the Kyoto Protocol The Department of Energy must step scribed in section 1913 of title 18, United which was adopted on December 11, 1997, in States Code. in to save innocent people because the Kyoto, Japan at the Third Conference of the SEC. 502. (a) PURCHASE OF AMERICAN-MADE NRC, the Nuclear Regulatory Commis- Parties to the United Nations Framework EQUIPMENT AND PRODUCTS.—It is the sense of sion, which has jurisdiction over mov- the Congress that, to the greatest extent Convention on Climate Change, which has ing the site, has proven it is simply not practicable, all equipment and products pur- not been submitted to the Senate for advice up to the task. The NRC’s own report and consent to ratification pursuant to arti- chased with funds made available in this Act states that Atlas’ plan to cap the ra- should be American-made. cle II, section 2, clause 2, of the United States Constitution, and which has not en- dioactive pile is environmentally ac- (b) NOTICE REQUIREMENT.—In providing fi- ceptable, and I quote their expression, nancial assistance to, or entering into any tered into force pursuant to article 25 of the contract with, any entity using funds made Protocol. ‘‘environmentally acceptable,’’ Mr. available in this Act, the head of each Fed- AMENDMENT OFFERED BY MR. FILNER Chairman. Is it environmentally ac- eral agency, to the greatest extent prac- Mr. FILNER. Mr. Chairman, I offer ceptable to cover 10.5 million tons of ticable, shall provide to such entity a notice an amendment. uranium mill waste with rock and sand describing the statement made in subsection The Clerk read as follows: where the river can reach it during (a) by the Congress. floods in spring and cause a health cri- Amendment offered by Mr. FILNER: (c) PROHIBITION OF CONTRACTS WITH PER- Page 37, after line 16, insert the following sis. With the pile only 10 to 20 feet SONS FALSELY LABELING PRODUCTS AS MADE new section: above the underground aquifer, highly IN AMERICA.—If it has been finally deter- concentrated ammonia will continue to mined by a court or Federal agency that any SEC. 509. Of the amount provided in this person intentionally affixed a label bearing a Act for ‘‘Atomic Energy Defense Activities— seep into the groundwater. ‘‘Made in America’’ inscription, or any in- Weapons Activities’’, $50,000,000 shall be used By contrast, when the Department of scription with the same meaning, to any for the removal of residual radioactive mate- Energy has been involved with all of product sold in or shipped to the United rial from the Atlas site approximately 3 the other contaminated sites along the States that is not made in the United States, miles northwest of Moab, Utah, and from the Colorado River, it moved, not just the person shall be ineligible to receive any floodplain of the Colorado River for perma- capped, sites with uranium concentra- nent disposition and stabilization of such re- contract or subcontract made with funds tion levels of less than 2 milligrams per made available in this Act, pursuant to the sidual radioactive material in a safe and en- vironmentally sound manner. liter. I say this is an emergency be- debarment, suspension, and ineligibility pro- cause the uranium concentration levels cedures described in sections 9.400 through Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Chairman, I re- at Moab receive 26 milligrams per liter, 9.409 of title 48, Code of Federal Regulations. serve a point of order on the amend- 13 times what has already been consid- SEC. 503. (a) None of the funds appropriated ment. or otherwise made available by this Act may ered a problem. The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman Mr. Chairman, I heard the earlier col- be used to determine the final point of dis- from California reserves a point of charge for the interceptor drain for the San loquy between the gentleman from order. Luis Unit until development by the Sec- California (Chairman PACKARD) and the Mr. FILNER. Mr. Chairman, this retary of the Interior and the State of Cali- gentleman from Utah (Mr. CANNON) fornia of a plan, which shall conform to the amendment that I offer today is really calling for a study of this situation. We water quality standards of the State of Cali- life and death protection for the 25 mil- are passed the time for a study. We fornia as approved by the Administrator of lion people who get their water from know what must be done. We must the Environmental Protection Agency, to the Colorado River. This is an emer- minimize any detrimental effect of the San move jurisdiction of the pile to the De- gency, Mr. Chairman. We have heard partment of Energy and move this pile. Luis drainage waters. about emergencies in appropriations (b) The costs of the Kesterson Reservoir It is a matter of life and death. Cleanup Program and the costs of the San bills. People are drinking poisoned Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Chairman, will Joaquin Valley Drainage Program shall be water. the gentleman yield? classified by the Secretary of the Interior as The water is poisoned by radioactive Mr. FILNER. I yield to the gen- reimbursable or nonreimbursable and col- wastes leaching from an abandoned tleman from California. lected until fully repaid pursuant to the mine waste pile that is located only 750 Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Chairman, I cer- ‘‘Cleanup Program—Alternative Repayment feet from the Colorado River. This tainly appreciate the gentleman’s com- Plan’’ and the ‘‘SJVDP—Alternative Repay- deadly waste pile, abandoned by the ments and understand the problem. I ment Plan’’ described in the report entitled Atlas Corporation, sits in the Moab ‘‘Repayment Report, Kesterson Reservoir certainly look forward to working with Cleanup Program and San Joaquin Valley Valley of southeastern Utah. The Colo- him as we proceed forward with the ap- Drainage Program, February 1995’’, prepared rado River, flowing south past the site, propriations process. by the Department of the Interior, Bureau of provides water for 7 percent, Mr. Chair- But I would, however, respectfully Reclamation. Any future obligations of funds man, 7 percent of the United States ask the gentleman from California (Mr. July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6547 FILNER) to withdraw the amendment. be insisted upon, but I acknowledge zens in my Congressional District have been Otherwise, I will still have to pursue that the point of order will be sus- flooded out of their homes and businesses, the point of order. tained. and as a result their lives have been contin- Mr. FILNER. Mr. Chairman, I yield Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous con- ually disrupted. to the gentleman from California (Mr. sent to withdraw the amendment. In 1994, some 759 homes were flooded as GEORGE MILLER). The CHAIRMAN. Is there objection a result of the overflow from the Sims Bayou. Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. to the request of the gentleman from Mr. Chairman that is 759 families that were Mr. Chairman, I want to thank the California? forced from their homes and livelihoods. This gentleman very much for offering this There was no objection. bill continues the important work of ensuring amendment. I would hope that the The CHAIRMAN. The amendment is the continued vitality of the Houston commu- point of order would not lie. This is be- withdrawn. nity. coming an increasingly important and Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Chairman, I I mainly support this bill because the Appro- dangerous situation. We have been move to strike the last word. priations Subcommittee on Energy and Water working on this now for the last sev- Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Development has included $18.3 million for eral years. Clearly, a number of the so- Chairman, will the gentleman yield? construction and improvement of the Sims lutions that have been proposed are Mr. PACKARD. I yield to the gentle- Bayou. These funds are needed to continue simply inadequate for the protection of woman from Texas. this vital project and as a result protect the the drinking water supply from those Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. community from further loss of property. who take their water from the Colo- Chairman, I am going to offer my sup- The project is located in south central Hous- rado River. port for this legislation and be very ton and Harris County. The Sims Bayou Flood I think the gentleman is quite cor- brief. Control Project provides flood damage reduc- rect. This is now getting to an emer- I want to thank the ranking member, tion and consists of 19.3 miles of channel im- gency state of affairs here where we the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. VIS- provement and erosion control measures with have so many people depending upon CLOSKY), for his leadership. This is, in environmental quality measures, riparian habi- this water and we have what clearly is particular, about Texas, and I wish to tat improvements, and authorized recreational a continuation of the leaching of this thank the chairman, the gentleman features. I would like to express my gratitude to the radioactive material. from California (Mr. PACKARD), for his Army Corps of Engineers for their cooperation The simple capping of this in place ongoing funding of projects that the in bringing some relief to the people of the and failure to remove it is not going to Army Corps of Engineers is working 18th Congressional district. Their continued ef- work. I think the gentleman’s amend- on; Sims Bayou, an area that flooded forts continue to avoid and avert the dangers ment is quite on point. enormously over the years, which we posed by uncontrolled flooding in the Houston Mr. FILNER. Mr. Chairman, I yield are keeping on schedule. We want to community. to the gentlewoman from California thank the committee for its continued commitment on that issue. In addition to the Sims Bayou project, the (Mrs. NAPOLITANO). Subcommittee on Energy and Water Develop- Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Chairman, I And likewise, though we are competi- tive with many of our fellow col- ment also provided funding for several other also rise in strong support of this very locations in Houston. These projects include important amendment offered by the leagues, I wish to thank the chairman for his work on and the funding of the the Buffalo Bayou project and the Hunting gentleman from California (Mr. FIL- Bayou project. Funding was also provided for NER). This amendment provides critical Houston Port, because that is an enor- mous economic arm for the community the Houston-Galveston Navigation Channels. funding to immediately begin moving I am quite certain Mr. Chairman that these that I come from and we appreciate the radioactive material called the projects would not have been able to go for- very much the fact that that is being uranium tailings pile from the banks of ward if this additional money had not been ap- the Colorado River to an environ- kept on track. propriated by the Subcommittee on Energy Lastly, let me say to the chairman, mentally safe location. and Water Development. For that I have to and I know there are many other The CHAIRMAN. The time of the thank Chairman PACKARD, Ranking Member smaller projects that we will benefit gentleman from California (Mr. FIL- VISCLOSKY, and my friend and colleague CHET from in the State of Texas, and in par- NER) has expired. EDWARDS who sit on the Appropriations Com- (By unanimous consent, Mr. FILNER ticular the 18th Congressional District, mittee. 1 but I also want to note, as I have heard was allowed to proceed for 1 ⁄2 addi- I will continue to work with the Army Corps tional minutes.) my colleagues speak about being envi- of Engineers and the local Houston officials to Mr. FILNER. Mr. Chairman, I yield ronmentally safe and secure, we realize ensure that these projects are successfully to the gentlewoman from California how much energy and water resources completed. We need to ensure that these (Mrs. NAPOLITANO). deal with the environment and we ap- communities are fully protected from the rav- preciate the committee’s sensitivity. b 2000 ages of flooding. I want to say to my constituents in I urge my colleagues to vote yes on H.R. Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Chairman, the 18th Congressional District, in the 2605, the Energy and Water Appropriations the Moab site is the fifth largest ura- Houston area, that I will continue to Act, for Fiscal Year 2000. nium tailings pile in the country and work with them, and that the projects Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Chairman, re- by far the largest situated near a river. that we are funding will be environ- claiming my time, I wish to advise the The pile is unlined, in a floodplain, and mentally sound and that I will con- Membership that I am ready to wrap just 750 feet from the water’s edge, cur- tinue to work with the committee on up, and I presume my colleague on the rently leaking contaminants into the these issues. other side of the aisle is ready as well. Colorado River. I rise in support of H.R. 2605, the energy I want to say what a pleasure it has The water affects 25 million people and water development appropriations for fis- been to work with the entire sub- and at least four States. It is truly an cal year 2000. I support this bill mainly be- committee, particularly the gentleman environmental crisis and we must act cause it provides a total of $5.0 billion in fiscal from Indiana (Mr. VISCLOSKY), and his now to protect the safety and well- year 2000 for planning, construction, operation staff on his side of the aisle. I certainly being of our citizens. and maintenance, and other activities relating want to compliment the staff on our Mr. Chairman, I urge support of this to water projects administered by the Army side, who have been working tirelessly very important amendment. Corps of Engineers and the Interior Depart- on this. They have done a remarkably Mr. FILNER. Mr. Chairman, reclaim- ment's Bureau of Reclamation. This bill in- good job and I really cannot say ing my time, I would simply say that creases funding for the Army Corps of Engi- enough about them. notwithstanding the emergency nature neers by $283 million, 7 percent above the ad- In wrapping this whole thing up, I of this situation, and notwithstanding ministration's request. simply want to make two things clear: the life and death matters of which we Mr. Chairman, the Sims Bayou Project is a The Boehlert amendment improves the are involved, I understand the chair- project that stretches through my district. Over text of the bill. It is not an amendment man will insist on his point of order. I the course of recent years, the Sims Bayou to the Visclosky amendment. The Vis- am sorry that these technicalities will has seen massive amounts of flooding. Citi- closky amendment actually would H6548 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 undo the Boehlert amendment. I want Doolittle Kilpatrick Pombo Visclosky Waxman Wilson Doyle Kind (WI) Pomeroy Vitter Weiner Wise all colleagues to understand that clear- Dreier King (NY) Porter Walden Weldon (FL) Wolf ly. Duncan Kingston Portman Walsh Weldon (PA) Woolsey Therefore, Mr. Chairman, I urge a Dunn Kleczka Price (NC) Wamp Weller Wu ‘‘yes’’ vote on the Boehlert amend- Edwards Klink Pryce (OH) Waters Wexler Wynn Ehlers Knollenberg Quinn Watkins Weygand Young (AK) ment, a ‘‘no’’ vote on the Visclosky Ehrlich Kolbe Radanovich Watt (NC) Whitfield Young (FL) amendment, and a ‘‘yes’’ vote on final Emerson Kucinich Rahall Watts (OK) Wicker Engel Kuykendall Ramstad passage. NOES—1 The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will read. English LaFalce Rangel Eshoo LaHood Regula Dingell The Clerk read as follows: Etheridge Lampson Reyes This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Energy and Evans Lantos Reynolds NOT VOTING—6 Water Development Appropriations Act, Everett Largent Riley Johnson (CT) McDermott Oberstar 2000’’. Ewing Larson Rivers Martinez Northup Peterson (PA) Farr Latham Rodriguez SEQUENTIAL VOTES POSTPONED IN COMMITTEE Fattah LaTourette Roemer b 2022 OF THE WHOLE Filner Lazio Rogan Mr. Sandlin changed his vote from The CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to House Fletcher Leach Rogers Foley Lee Rohrabacher ‘‘no’’ to ‘‘aye.’’ Resolution 261, proceedings will now Forbes Levin Ros-Lehtinen So the perfecting amendment was resume on those amendments on which Ford Lewis (CA) Rothman agreed to. further proceedings were postponed, in Fossella Lewis (GA) Roukema The result of the vote was announced the following order: The perfecting Fowler Lewis (KY) Roybal-Allard Frank (MA) Linder Royce as above recorded. amendment offered by the gentleman Franks (NJ) Lipinski Rush Stated for: from New York (Mr. BOEHLERT), and Frelinghuysen LoBiondo Ryan (WI) Mrs. NORTHUP. Mr. Chairman, on rollcall amendment No. 3 offered by the gen- Frost Lofgren Ryun (KS) Gallegly Lowey Sabo No. 340 I was inadvertently detained. Had I tleman from Indiana (Mr. VISCLOSKY). Ganske Lucas (KY) Salmon been present, I would have voted ``aye.'' The Chair will reduce to 5 minutes Gejdenson Lucas (OK) Sanchez AMENDMENT NO. 3 OFFERED BY MR. VISCLOSKY the time for any electronic vote after Gekas Luther Sanders the first vote in this series. Gephardt Maloney (CT) Sandlin The CHAIRMAN. The pending busi- Gibbons Maloney (NY) Sanford ness is the motion to strike offered by PERFECTING AMENDMENT OFFERED BY MR. Gilchrest Manzullo Sawyer the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. VIS- BOEHLERT Gillmor Markey Saxton CLOSKY) which was placed in abeyance The CHAIRMAN. The pending busi- Gilman Mascara Scarborough Gonzalez Matsui Schaffer by the previous perfecting amendment. ness is the demand for a recorded vote Goode McCarthy (MO) Schakowsky The Clerk will redesignate the on the perfecting amendment offered Goodlatte McCarthy (NY) Scott amendment. by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Goodling McCollum Sensenbrenner The Clerk redesignated the amend- BOEHLERT) on which further pro- Gordon McCrery Serrano Goss McGovern Sessions ment. ceedings were postponed and on which Graham McHugh Shadegg The CHAIRMAN. The question is on the ayes prevailed by voice vote. Granger McInnis Shaw the amendment offered by the gen- The Clerk will designate the per- Green (TX) McIntosh Shays tleman from Indiana (Mr. VISCLOSKY). fecting amendment. Green (WI) McIntyre Sherman Greenwood McKeon Sherwood The question was taken; and the The Clerk designated the perfecting Gutierrez McKinney Shimkus Chairman announced that the noes ap- amendment. Gutknecht McNulty Shows Hall (OH) Meehan Shuster peared to have it. RECORDED VOTE Hall (TX) Meek (FL) Simpson RECORDED VOTE The CHAIRMAN. A recorded vote has Hansen Meeks (NY) Sisisky Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Chairman, I de- been demanded. Hastings (FL) Menendez Skeen Hastings (WA) Metcalf Skelton mand a recorded vote. A recorded vote was ordered. Hayes Mica Slaughter A recorded vote was ordered. The vote was taken by electronic de- Hayworth Millender- Smith (MI) The vote was taken by electronic de- vice, and there were—ayes 426, noes 1, Hefley McDonald Smith (NJ) Herger Miller (FL) Smith (TX) vice, and there were—ayes 183, noes 245, not voting 6, as follows: Hill (IN) Miller, Gary Smith (WA) not voting 5, as follows: [Roll No. 340] Hill (MT) Miller, George Snyder [Roll No. 341] Hilleary Minge Souder AYES—426 Hilliard Mink Spence AYES—183 Abercrombie Boehlert Coble Hinchey Moakley Spratt Abercrombie Davis (IL) Holden Ackerman Boehner Coburn Hinojosa Mollohan Stabenow Ackerman DeFazio Holt Aderholt Bonilla Collins Hobson Moore Stark Allen DeGette Hooley Allen Bonior Combest Hoeffel Moran (KS) Stearns Andrews Delahunt Inslee Andrews Bono Condit Hoekstra Moran (VA) Stenholm Baird DeLauro Jackson (IL) Archer Borski Conyers Holden Morella Strickland Baldacci Deutsch Jackson-Lee Armey Boswell Cook Holt Murtha Stump Baldwin Dicks (TX) Bachus Boucher Cooksey Hooley Myrick Stupak Barcia Dingell Johnson (CT) Baird Boyd Costello Horn Nadler Sununu Barrett (WI) Dixon Johnson, E. B. Baker Brady (PA) Cox Hostettler Napolitano Sweeney Becerra Doggett Jones (OH) Baldacci Brady (TX) Coyne Houghton Neal Talent Bentsen Doyle Kanjorski Baldwin Brown (FL) Cramer Hoyer Nethercutt Tancredo Berkley Engel Kaptur Ballenger Brown (OH) Crane Hulshof Ney Tanner Berman Eshoo Kennedy Barcia Bryant Crowley Hunter Norwood Tauscher Blagojevich Etheridge Kildee Barr Burr Cubin Hutchinson Nussle Tauzin Blumenauer Evans Kilpatrick Barrett (NE) Burton Cummings Hyde Obey Taylor (MS) Bonior Farr Kind (WI) Barrett (WI) Buyer Cunningham Inslee Olver Taylor (NC) Borski Fattah Kleczka Bartlett Callahan Danner Isakson Ortiz Terry Boucher Filner Klink Barton Calvert Davis (FL) Istook Ose Thomas Brady (PA) Forbes Kucinich Bass Camp Davis (IL) Jackson (IL) Owens Thompson (CA) Brown (FL) Ford LaFalce Bateman Campbell Davis (VA) Jackson-Lee Oxley Thompson (MS) Brown (OH) Frank (MA) Lampson Becerra Canady Deal (TX) Packard Thornberry Capps Gejdenson Lantos Bentsen Cannon DeFazio Jefferson Pallone Thune Capuano Gephardt Larson Bereuter Capps DeGette Jenkins Pascrell Thurman Cardin Gonzalez Lazio Berkley Capuano Delahunt John Pastor Tiahrt Carson Gordon Lee Berman Cardin DeLauro Johnson, E. B. Paul Tierney Clay Green (TX) Levin Berry Carson DeLay Johnson, Sam Payne Toomey Clayton Gutierrez Lewis (GA) Biggert Castle DeMint Jones (NC) Pease Towns Clyburn Hall (OH) Lipinski Bilbray Chabot Deutsch Jones (OH) Pelosi Traficant Conyers Hastings (FL) Lofgren Bilirakis Chambliss Diaz-Balart Kanjorski Peterson (MN) Turner Costello Hill (IN) Lowey Bishop Chenoweth Dickey Kaptur Petri Udall (CO) Coyne Hilliard Luther Blagojevich Clay Dicks Kasich Phelps Udall (NM) Crowley Hinchey Maloney (CT) Bliley Clayton Dixon Kelly Pickering Upton Cummings Hinojosa Maloney (NY) Blumenauer Clement Doggett Kennedy Pickett Velazquez Davis (FL) Hoeffel Markey Blunt Clyburn Dooley Kildee Pitts Vento July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6549 Mascara Owens Spratt Smith (MI) Taylor (NC) Watkins Chabot Herger Millender- Matsui Pallone Stabenow Smith (TX) Terry Watts (OK) Chambliss Hill (IN) McDonald McCarthy (MO) Pascrell Stark Souder Thomas Weldon (FL) Clay Hill (MT) Miller (FL) McCarthy (NY) Payne Strickland Spence Thornberry Weldon (PA) Clayton Hilleary Miller, Gary McGovern Pelosi Stupak Stearns Thune Weller Clyburn Hilliard Miller, George McKinney Price (NC) Tauscher Stenholm Tiahrt Whitfield Coble Hinchey Minge McNulty Rahall Taylor (MS) Stump Toomey Wicker Coburn Hinojosa Mink Meehan Ramstad Thompson (CA) Sununu Turner Wilson Collins Hobson Moakley Meek (FL) Rangel Thompson (MS) Sweeney Upton Wolf Combest Hoeffel Mollohan Meeks (NY) Reyes Thurman Talent Vitter Wynn Condit Hoekstra Moore Menendez Rivers Tierney Tancredo Walden Young (AK) Conyers Holden Moran (KS) Millender- Rodriguez Towns Tanner Walsh Young (FL) Cook Holt Moran (VA) McDonald Roemer Traficant Tauzin Wamp Cooksey Hooley Morella Miller, George Rothman Udall (CO) Costello Murtha NOT VOTING—5 Horn Minge Rush Udall (NM) Cox Hostettler Myrick Mink Sabo Velazquez Martinez Oberstar Roybal-Allard Coyne Houghton Nadler Moakley Sanchez Vento McDermott Peterson (PA) Cramer Hoyer Napolitano Mollohan Sanders Visclosky Crane Hulshof Neal Waters Crowley Nethercutt Moore Sawyer b 2030 Hunter Moran (VA) Schakowsky Watt (NC) Cubin Hutchinson Ney Morella Scott Waxman Mr. LAZIO changed his vote from Cummings Hyde Northup Weiner Cunningham Norwood Murtha Serrano ‘‘no’’ to ‘‘aye.’’ Inslee Nadler Shays Wexler Danner Isakson Nussle Napolitano Sherman Weygand So the amendment was rejected. Davis (FL) Istook Obey Neal Slaughter Wise The result of the vote was announced Davis (IL) Jackson (IL) Olver Obey Smith (NJ) Woolsey as above recorded. Davis (VA) Jackson-Lee Ortiz Olver Smith (WA) Wu Deal Ose The CHAIRMAN. If there are no fur- (TX) Ortiz Snyder DeGette Jefferson Owens ther amendments, under the rule the Delahunt Jenkins Oxley NOES—245 Committee rises. DeLauro John Packard DeLay Johnson (CT) Pallone Aderholt Emerson Lucas (KY) Accordingly, the Committee rose; DeMint Johnson, E. B. Pascrell Archer English Lucas (OK) Deutsch Pastor and the Speaker pro tempore (Mr. Johnson, Sam Armey Everett Manzullo Diaz-Balart Payne LAHOOD) having assumed the chair, Mr. Jones (NC) Bachus Ewing McCollum Dickey Pease Jones (OH) Baker Fletcher McCrery HANSEN, Chairman of the Committee of Dicks Pelosi Kanjorski Ballenger Foley McHugh the Whole House on the State of the Dingell Peterson (MN) Kaptur Barr Fossella McInnis Dixon Petri Union, reported that that Committee, Kasich Barrett (NE) Fowler McIntosh Doggett Pickering having had under consideration the bill Kelly Bartlett Franks (NJ) McIntyre Dooley Pickett Kennedy Barton Frelinghuysen McKeon (H.R. 2605) making appropriations for Doolittle Pitts Kildee Bass Frost Metcalf energy and water development for the Doyle Pombo Kilpatrick Bateman Gallegly Mica fiscal year ending September 30, 2000, Dreier Pomeroy Bereuter Ganske Miller (FL) Duncan Kind (WI) Porter Berry Gekas Miller, Gary and for other purposes, pursuant to Dunn King (NY) Portman Biggert Gibbons Moran (KS) House Resolution 261, he reported the Edwards Kingston Price (NC) Bilbray Gilchrest Myrick bill back to the House with sundry Ehlers Kleczka Pryce (OH) Bilirakis Gillmor Nethercutt Klink amendments adopted by the Com- Ehrlich Quinn Bishop Gilman Ney Emerson Knollenberg Radanovich Bliley Goode Northup mittee of the Whole. Engel Kolbe Rahall Blunt Goodlatte Norwood The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under English Kucinich Ramstad Boehlert Goodling Nussle the rule, the previous question is or- Eshoo Kuykendall Rangel Boehner Goss Ose Etheridge LaFalce Regula Bonilla Graham Oxley dered. Evans LaHood Reyes Bono Granger Packard Is a separate vote demanded on any Everett Lampson Reynolds Boswell Green (WI) Pastor amendment? If not, the Chair will put Ewing Lantos Riley Boyd Greenwood Paul them en gros. Farr Largent Rivers Brady (TX) Gutknecht Pease Fattah Larson Rodriguez Bryant Hall (TX) Peterson (MN) The amendments were agreed to. Filner Latham Roemer Burr Hansen Petri The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Fletcher LaTourette Rogan Burton Hastings (WA) Phelps question is on the engrossment and Foley Lazio Rogers Buyer Hayes Pickering Forbes Leach Rohrabacher Callahan Hayworth Pickett third reading of the bill. Ford Lee Ros-Lehtinen Calvert Hefley Pitts The bill was ordered to be engrossed Fossella Levin Rothman Camp Herger Pombo and read a third time, and was read the Fowler Lewis (CA) Roukema Campbell Hill (MT) Pomeroy third time. Frank (MA) Lewis (GA) Roybal-Allard Canady Hilleary Porter Franks (NJ) Lewis (KY) Rush Cannon Hobson Portman The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Frelinghuysen Linder Ryan (WI) Castle Hoekstra Pryce (OH) question is on the passage of the bill. Frost Lipinski Ryun (KS) Chabot Horn Quinn Pursuant to clause 10 of rule XX, the Gallegly LoBiondo Sabo Chambliss Hostettler Radanovich Ganske Lofgren Salmon Chenoweth Houghton Regula yeas and nays are ordered. Gejdenson Lowey Sanchez Clement Hoyer Reynolds The vote was taken by electronic de- Gekas Lucas (KY) Sanders Coble Hulshof Riley vice, and there were—yeas 420, nays 8, Gephardt Lucas (OK) Sandlin Coburn Hunter Rogan not voting 6, as follows: Gilchrest Luther Sawyer Collins Hutchinson Rogers Gillmor Maloney (CT) Saxton Combest Hyde Rohrabacher [Roll No. 342] Gilman Maloney (NY) Scarborough Condit Isakson Ros-Lehtinen YEAS—420 Gonzalez Manzullo Schaffer Cook Istook Roukema Goode Markey Schakowsky Cooksey Jefferson Royce Abercrombie Becerra Boucher Goodlatte Mascara Scott Cox Jenkins Ryan (WI) Ackerman Bentsen Boyd Goodling Matsui Sensenbrenner Cramer John Ryun (KS) Aderholt Bereuter Brady (PA) Gordon McCarthy (MO) Serrano Crane Johnson, Sam Salmon Allen Berkley Brady (TX) Goss McCarthy (NY) Sessions Cubin Jones (NC) Sandlin Andrews Berman Brown (FL) Graham McCollum Shadegg Cunningham Kasich Sanford Archer Berry Brown (OH) Granger McCrery Shaw Danner Kelly Saxton Armey Biggert Bryant Green (TX) McGovern Shays Davis (VA) King (NY) Scarborough Bachus Bilbray Burr Green (WI) McHugh Sherman Deal Kingston Schaffer Baird Bilirakis Burton Greenwood McInnis Sherwood DeLay Knollenberg Sensenbrenner Baker Bishop Buyer Gutierrez McIntosh Shimkus DeMint Kolbe Sessions Baldacci Blagojevich Callahan Gutknecht McIntyre Shows Diaz-Balart Kuykendall Shadegg Baldwin Bliley Calvert Hall (OH) McKeon Shuster Dickey LaHood Shaw Ballenger Blumenauer Camp Hall (TX) McKinney Simpson Dooley Largent Sherwood Barcia Blunt Campbell Hansen McNulty Sisisky Doolittle Latham Shimkus Barr Boehlert Canady Hastert Meehan Skeen Dreier LaTourette Shows Barrett (NE) Boehner Cannon Hastings (FL) Meek (FL) Skelton Duncan Leach Shuster Barrett (WI) Bonilla Capps Hastings (WA) Meeks (NY) Slaughter Dunn Lewis (CA) Simpson Bartlett Bonior Capuano Hayes Menendez Smith (MI) Edwards Lewis (KY) Sisisky Barton Bono Cardin Hayworth Metcalf Smith (NJ) Ehlers Linder Skeen Bass Borski Carson Hefley Mica Smith (TX) Ehrlich LoBiondo Skelton Bateman Boswell Castle H6550 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 Snyder Thomas Wamp Under the rule, the gentleman from have in common until that time began Souder Thompson (CA) Waters Spence Thompson (MS) Watkins Oklahoma (Mr. ISTOOK) and the gen- making specific appropriations to as- Spratt Thornberry Watt (NC) tleman from Virginia (Mr. MORAN) sume responsibility for the conduct of Stabenow Thune Watts (OK) each will control 30 minutes. the court system, the corrections sys- Stark Thurman Waxman The Chair recognizes the gentleman tem and the system to supervise of- Stearns Tiahrt Weiner Stenholm Tierney Weldon (FL) from Oklahoma (Mr. ISTOOK). fenders, those upon probation, parole Strickland Toomey Weldon (PA) (Mr. ISTOOK asked and was given and awaiting trial. Those are the main Stump Towns Weller permission to revise and extend his re- amounts of the Federal portion of the Stupak Traficant Wexler marks.) $453 million that is the direct Federal Sununu Turner Weygand Sweeney Udall (CO) Whitfield Mr. ISTOOK. Mr. Chairman, I yield appropriation within this bill. Talent Udall (NM) Wicker myself such time as I may consume. Within that there are some very sig- Tancredo Upton Wise Mr. Chairman, we are here tonight, nificant things that we have attempted Tanner Velazquez Wolf of course, for general consideration of to do within this bill. Tauscher Vento Woolsey Tauzin Visclosky Wu the appropriations bill for the District First, we have recognized that D.C. Taylor (MS) Vitter Wynn of Columbia. This is a bill that is some has balanced its budget. A couple more Taylor (NC) Walden Young (AK) $200 million below the amount appro- years of balanced budget, and it will be Terry Walsh Young (FL) priated out of Federal funds last year, removed from the Control Board provi- NAYS—8 the overall amount in the bill because sion that was put in place by Congress Chenoweth Paul Smith (WA) it includes, Mr. Chairman, the District- a couple of years ago. DeFazio Royce Wilson raised funds as well, as some $6.8 bil- We have also recognized that even Gibbons Sanford lion. The Federal share of that is $453 when we have great efforts at economic NOT VOTING—6 million. stimulus and development in D.C. to Clement McDermott Peterson (PA) Mr. Chairman, this measure is the try to stem the out migration that Martinez Oberstar Phelps latest stage in the efforts to assist the began a number of years ago, it does b 2048 District of Columbia in revitalizing not do any good to have a better devel- from the situations in which it found oped city if we do not have a safe city. So the bill was passed. We have put a lot of time and effort The result of the vote was announced itself, of course, a number of years ago. in this particular appropriation to cre- as above recorded. There are still many residual problems A motion to reconsider was laid on that linger within the District, but yet ating a program that is going to be the the table. I think it is important that we keep most striking of its type within the country when it comes to making sure f our eye on the positive and put some accent upon some things that are head- that persons who are on some sort of GENERAL LEAVE ing in the right direction. early release or pre-release program or Mr. ISTOOK. Mr. Speaker, I ask I appreciate the efforts of the rank- parole or probation program are re- unanimous consent that all Members ing member on the subcommittee, the maining drug-free, because such a major portion of the crime in D.C. re- may have 5 legislative days in which to gentleman from Virginia (Mr. MORAN), revise and extend their remarks on the I am grateful for the efforts of our ap- mains linked to the use of illegal bill (H.R. 2587) making appropriations propriation chairman, the gentleman drugs. There are 30,000 people, Mr. Speaker, for the government of the District of from Florida (Mr. YOUNG) who himself who are on probation or parole within Columbia and other activities charge- served for a number of years on this the District of Columbia who are re- able in whole or in part against reve- subcommittee, and of course we have quired as a condition of that to remain nues of said District for the fiscal year worked closely with the gentlewoman drug-free. They are not doing it. That ending September 30, 2000, and for from the District of Columbia (Ms. other purposes, and that I may be per- is a major reason why they are a NORTON). source of so much of the crime within mitted to include tabular and extra- We have also developed, I hope, a the city. Some estimates are that neous material. good working relationship with the many people in this offender popu- The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. new mayor who was elected last No- LAHOOD). Is there objection to the re- lation are committing hundreds of vember, Tony Williams, and with the crimes each year to sustain their drug quest of the gentleman from Okla- council of the District. I have worked homa? habit and because of their drug habit. especially close with the chair of the We have in addition to the other drug There was no objection. council, Linda Cropp, and I am grateful f treatment and drug testing programs, for their efforts in cooperation, and I a new $25 million initiative that will DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA think it is a sign of the positive note universally test these persons, some of APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2000 on which we have been proceeding that them every week, all of them within The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- the consensus budget that was devel- every 2 weeks, and some of them twice ant to House Resolution 260 and rule oped and approved by the mayor, by a week to make sure that they are XVIII, the Chair declares the House in the city council, and by the Control abiding by the terms imposed by the the Committee of the Whole House on Board of D.C. is intact within this bill. courts to stay drug-free, else they will We worked with them. We under- the State of the Union for the consider- not stay free on the streets. stand that they are undertaking sig- ation of the bill, H.R. 2587. At the same time there is a signifi- nificant efforts to rightsize the govern- cant upgrade in the drug treatment b 2050 ment within the city, to improve the programs because we realize that some IN THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE government services, to improve the people cannot get off of drugs on their Accordingly, the House resolved police and the fire protection, to up- own. By doing this with the offender itself into the Committee of the Whole grade the quality of public schools, and population, we will also free up several House on the State of the Union for the public school facilities. There is a sig- million dollars in city funds that were consideration of the bill (H.R. 2587) nificant effort that the District being used to treat persons that were making appropriations for the govern- launched in the last couple of years for in the offender population that will ment of the District of Columbia and charter schools which are a part of the now be available for other citizens that other activities chargeable in whole or public school system which this bill are in dire need of drug treatment to in part against revenues of said Dis- also helps to further. help the Nation’s capital overcome the trict for the fiscal year ending Sep- When the relationship between the drug problem and the terrible con- tember 30, 2000, and for other purposes, Federal Government and the District sequences that it is faced with it. with Mr. BEREUTER in the chair. was redefined to help it get on its fi- That is a major effort, the most sig- The Clerk read the title of the bill. nancial feet and to reorganize things a nificant effort undertaken anyplace in The CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to the couple of years ago, the Federal Gov- the country on universal drug testing rule, the bill is considered as having ernment, rather than making these for those that are on a probation or a been read the first time. same type of lump sum appropriations parole status. July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6551 We also have several major education so that we can overcome again one of the Mayor and the city council, their initiatives. This House previously the accumulated problems with which bold economic development efforts rec- passed what we refer to as the D.C. D.C. still has to deal. ognizing that there was a severe prob- scholarship bill. That D.C. scholarship We also have a significant environ- lem of being overtaxed within the Dis- bill is recognizing the fact that D.C. mental effort regarding the Anacostia trict. They have passed bold legislation does not have a state university sys- River. One of our members of the sub- to reduce income taxes and to reduce tem, it is not part of the State. Every committee, the gentleman from Cali- property taxes within the District of other State in the country, of course, fornia (Mr. CUNNINGHAM) was very cru- Columbia. has that and also has a program to en- cial in developing that program, a $5 We ratify that action in this piece of able students who do not go to one of million river clean-up program for the legislation. I say that because it is im- the State universities to be assisted in contaminants within the Anacostia portant to always remember that their college education. River. under the Constitution, Article I, Sec- The House has voted, the Senate is We have in addition to that some ef- tion 8, the Congress, although it is del- considering, the program to establish forts to assist the mayor and the city egated to D.C. with the home rule char- that for the District of Columbia. We council in rightsizing the city govern- ter, nevertheless has the constitutional have within the bill the $17 million to ment. When the Control Board was duty and responsibility and exclusive create this ability to give a stepping headed by Tony Williams, who now, of authority, as the Constitution states, stone into higher education for persons course, is the mayor of D.C., he was the over all legislative matters within the that have graduated from high school CFO and was very much involved, of District of Columbia. here in the District of Columbia. course, in getting rid of the over- We also do several things with the crowding, shall we say, within some of Mr. Chairman, this has been a con- charter school movement, making the city government offices rightsizing sensus effort. I am very appreciative of their status a permanent status rather the city government. the efforts of the ranking member, the than a temporary provisional one and gentlewoman from the District of Co- b 2100 opening some doors to some financing lumbia (Ms. NORTON), the members of for facilities for those charter schools We have a $20 million incentive for the city government, and so many within D.C. buyouts and early retirements to help other people that have participated in We also recognize there is a problem them reduce another 1,000 persons from trying to bring a bill that accents the with some 3,300 or so foster children the city payroll. positive things that are going on in that are in the custody of the trustee At the same time, we have some D.C. Yes, we know there are accumu- for foster care within the District of transportation significant items here lated problems in crime, in education, Columbia. These are young people that relating especially to the 14th Street in many things within the city. But, are often trapped in long-term foster Bridge over the Potomac River con- the officials that have taken responsi- care, not with their natural parents, necting with Virginia, already overbur- bility for city government in recent not with family members, but often dened with traffic and soon to be fur- months have made a very concerted, shuttled around between different fos- ther overburdened due to some con- very praiseworthy effort to attack ter care families. They need perma- struction on the other significant river these problems, and we want to thank nent, stable, loving homes. We have an crossing down at the Wilson Bridge. them for doing that, and we want to $81⁄2 million initiative to help with the Mr. Chairman, it is also important to work cooperatively with them in doing placement and the incentives for that note that this bill ratifies the action of so. H6552 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6553 Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance lion for the offender supervision. Unbe- ditionally married couple or blood rel- of my time. lievable that drug addicts can commit atives, there are a whole lot of other Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Mr. Chair- 300 to 500 crimes just to feed their drug living arrangements that consist of man, I yield myself such time as I may habit. If we can get them off drugs, off very fine people who want to do some- consume. drug addiction, then we can make an thing about the more than 3,000 kids in Mr. Chairman, this is a good appro- enormous dent in the crime rate in this need of adoption in this city. We have priations bill. The appropriations part city. no business passing these kinds of laws. of this bill is a terrific bill, and for that So so far, we agree with everything In terms of the amendment of the reason, I want to commend the gen- that was added. gentleman from Georgia (Mr. BARR), tleman from Oklahoma (Mr. ISTOOK), However, when we get to the back of who at one point prevented the District the chairman of the Subcommittee on the bill, the sort of fine print, we real- from being able to sum up the total of the District of Columbia. He has had an ize there is 160, I think about 163 gen- the referendum results on the medic- open mind; he has had a very solicitous eral provisions. We do not object to all inal use of marijuana, now he has attitude towards everyone who had of them, but some of them clearly do changed this and put in clearly author- ideas on this bill. He has taken the ini- not belong in this appropriations bill. izing language that would say that one tiative to walk many of the city One can make an argument, I would cannot use certain substances in the streets, to visit its schools, to encour- have disagreed, but one could make a District without attaching penalties to age other members of the sub- decent argument that until the D.C. re- it. That goes way beyond the jurisdic- committee to do the same. I think he vitalization act, too many Federal tion of this committee, even beyond has done a fine job on the appropria- funds were being commingled with Dis- the jurisdiction of the Federal Govern- tions part of this appropriations bill, trict funds. The Congress was appro- ment. and I thank him for that. priating 43 percent of the District’s Lastly, the gentleman from Cali- That is why the Committee on Ap- budget. The District was dependent fornia (Mr. BILBRAY) has an amend- propriations Subcommittee on the Dis- upon the Congress, so the Congress had ment we would be sympathetic with trict of Columbia passed out by voice some justification for putting all kinds that says it is a criminal penalty for vote this bill, and in the full com- of these social riders imposing its wish- minors to possess tobacco, but we mittee, after eliminating a couple rid- es in a whole number of areas that had would not do it in our own jurisdic- ers, which I will talk about in a mo- nothing to do with the appropriations tions against the will of our constitu- ment, we passed the bill out of the full bill on District residents. ents, and it is something that should committee on appropriations as well. But the D.C. Revitalization Act was have been done by the Committee on So everything should be fine. passed in 1997. Those functions that the Judiciary. It is authorizing lan- In fact, I have no intention, Mr. were State functions were taken over guage. It has no business on this appro- Chairman, of taking up much time to- by the Federal Government. Those priations bill. night, because we are not going to be functions that exist in all of our cities Those are the issues we are going to voting on this bill tonight. We are and towns across the country that are be debating, arguing over on Thursday. going to be voting on Thursday, and on funded by Federal grants are now fund- There are others in addition to that Thursday we are going to have to vote ed by Federal grants in the District of that I will not go into at this time. on a number of amendments that do Columbia, just the way we treat our What they are going to do is to leave a not belong on this bill. If they are not own cities. It was the right thing to do. sour taste over this bill when it ought added to this bill, then we are going to But because that was done, we are no to be recognized as a very fine bill. If pass it virtually unanimously. But if longer commingling money. We are we had stuck to the appropriations in they are added to this bill, then this is treating D.C. like any other city, and this bill, we could have worked to- going to be a futile and very frus- so we should certainly treat D.C. in the gether, we could have gotten at least one of our appropriation bills signed by trating process, because not only will way that we would want our own con- the President, and that money could the Democrats in the House vote gressional districts treated, and we have been used for constructive pur- against the bill, but the President is would never, ever allow this body to poses. going to veto it. add the kind of social riders that have So we will draw swords on Thursday So the principal message we want to been added on this bill that will be im- and we agree to disagree tonight. But leave with those Members who are lis- posed on the District of Columbia’s Mr. Chairman, it is a darn shame, and tening tonight is that if they will stick leaders without their wishes, without it goes back to the rule. The rule made to the appropriations that belong in their acquiescence, and, in fact, despite in order at least four amendments that this appropriations bill, then we are their very strenuous opposition. never should have been made in order. going to have unanimity, and all of our Four such amendments were made in Mr. Chairman, I subsequently have hard work, particularly under the lead- order by the Committee on Rules. They two speakers who are going to speak ership of the gentleman from Okla- should not have made them in order. for a short period of time, and hope- homa (Mr. ISTOOK) will have been con- One is the needle exchange program. fully, for the sake of the other Mem- structive. If we do not, it will have The bill says no Federal funds can be bers we are going to wrap up general been for naught. used for needle exchanges. The bill is debate as soon as we can. The gentleman is absolutely correct right. That is as far as our jurisdiction Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance in the priorities that he referred to. We goes. Leave it there. Do not allow this of my time. agreed with the consensus budget. It amendment that goes beyond Federal Mr. ISTOOK. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 was the city council’s budget, the May- money and says, we cannot even be minutes to the gentleman from Vir- or’s budget, the control board’s budget using private money or local property ginia (Mr. DAVIS), the chairman of the and our budget, and it was actually taxpayers’ money to go into however related authorizing committee. consistent with what the gentleman they want to be spending it. Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Chair- from Virginia (Mr. DAVIS), the chair- Mr. Chairman, the fact is we have an man, I thank my friend for yielding me person of the District’s Authorizing epidemic of AIDS in this city, and if this time. Committee, wanted to see done. the District feels that this is the best I have spent a lot of time on this city We went even beyond that, Mr. way to bring drug addicts into the sys- over the last 4 years as chairman of the Chairman: $8.5 million for adoption in- tem so they can treat them and so they authorizing committee, and I want to centives for children, a great idea; $20 can prevent HIV infection, which is the compliment the gentleman from Okla- million for the Mayor to be able to re- leading cause of death for adults be- homa (Mr. ISTOOK), the chairman of the form much of the bureaucracy in the tween the ages of 25 and 44 in this city, subcommittee, for the excellent ap- District of Columbia, necessary, excel- then we ought to trust the District’s proach that he has taken in reviewing lent addition. But another $13 million judgment. the D.C. budget and bringing it to the for expanded drug treatment programs, In terms of the other amendment floor in such good shape and in such a $17 million for the in-State tuition pro- that is being suggested that we ought timely manner. I will address the sub- gram for D.C. students; about $20 mil- not be able to adopt unless one is a tra- stance of the amendments which I H6554 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 think would have been made in order Authorizing Subcommittee, it has been mittee that deals with the fire service. under an open rule, because the word- my philosophy that one cannot have a I have been a longtime advocate of the ing is ‘‘no funds shall be expended,’’ healthy region without a healthy city. interests of the fire service. We lost a but we will discuss them in detail on Working in a bipartisan manner, build- very distinguished firefighter, John Thursday when they come up, and I ing consensus, I am proud of the way Carter, in 1997. The gentlewoman from share some of the concerns of my col- we are turning this city around. The the District of Columbia (Ms. NORTON) leagues on some of these. budget that we are considering today and I have been at the funeral of two of Mr. Chairman, the bill is right now in continues these efforts. I think it is a the firefighters in the District of Co- good shape. I want to compliment step in the right direction, and again I lumbia that have died in the last 60 again the gentleman from Oklahoma. I compliment the gentleman from Okla- days. think the gentleman and his staff have homa, and I hope this legislation will There was a report after Mr. Carter’s kept our staff well informed. They have pass. death. That report made a number of recommendations. It was called the Re- worked cooperatively with us. I also b 2115 want to thank the gentleman from Vir- construction Committee. Two of the ginia (Mr. MORAN), the ranking mem- Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Mr. Chair- recommendations it made were dealing ber, for working so closely on this too. man, I yield 3 minutes to the gen- with assistance to battalion chiefs and The appropriations bill may be the tleman from Maryland (Mr. HOYER). the number of firefighters that were as- lowest in dollar amounts, but histori- Mr. HOYER. Mr. Chairman, I thank signed to the trucks as they leave the cally it has generated an extraordinary the gentleman from Virginia for yield- station. amount of interest and passion when it ing time to me. I believe that matter deserves very comes to this body. While feelings on Mr. Chairman, I want to make an ob- serious consideration. I know the D.C. many of the questions are as strong as servation first. I agree with the rank- City Council has a concern. It is report ever, the lack of acrimony expressed to ing member, the gentleman from Vir- language and not mandatory, but I am date is a tribute to the chairman’s skill ginia (Mr. MORAN), and the gentleman hopeful that we can work on this mat- in searching out to the community and from Virginia (Mr. DAVIS) with ref- ter and focus on it in the months analyzing the issues. I look forward to erence to the product of this com- ahead. passage of this bill and a productive mittee. I think it is one of the most I again congratulate the gentle- conference. positive products in a D.C. bill that I woman from the District of Columbia Let me address some of the items have seen since I have been here. (Ms. NORTON) for her outstanding work. that are contained in this bill. The $17 I also want to make an observation, Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Mr. Chair- man, I yield myself such time as I may million for the D.C. College Access Act, as someone who is one of the senior consume. which I sponsored and which has passed members from the Washington regional Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman the House and I think will be marked delegation, that I think this delegation from the Washington metropolitan from Maryland (Mr. HOYER) for his out- up in the other body next week, is the standing cooperation for the Wash- best money we can spend on the city. It area is as positive a partner in working with our co-members of this region, the ington metropolitan region. He does a holds out hope to those high school lot for the District of Columbia specifi- graduates who work hard and want to District of Columbia, and the gentle- woman from the District of Columbia cally. go to college and fulfill their dreams, Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as (Ms. NORTON). and they will not be frustrated just be- she may consume to the gentlewoman In particular, I would be remiss if I cause they do not happen to live in a from the District of Columbia (Ms. did not say once again what an ex- State and cannot afford in-state tui- NORTON), the elected representative of traordinary job the gentlewoman from tion to a State university system. the District of Columbia and our last the District of Columbia (Ms. NORTON) Senator VOINOVICH held a productive speaker. hearing on this bill a few weeks ago, does on behalf of the District. She is Ms. NORTON. Mr. Chairman, I want and I look forward to working with attentive, able, energetic, tough as to thank the gentleman for yielding him and Chairman ISTOOK and my col- nails when she needs to be, and she is time to me, and take this opportunity league, ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON, and smart as she needs to be in terms of to thank him for his wonderful atten- others to authorizing this legislation dealing with a very, very difficult situ- tion and his hard work on behalf of the in advance. ation. District. Likewise, I appreciate the 7.5 million It continues to be, however, I think, If I may, I would like to thank the for a study of the 14th Street Bridge, a a travesty that the representative of gentleman from Maryland (Mr. HOYER) matter I worked on with my col- the District of Columbia does not have for his very generous remarks con- leagues, the gentlemen from Virginia a full vote on this House floor. Even cerning me. (Mr. MORAN) and (Mr. WOLF), for some absent that vote, Mr. Chairman, she This year had promised to be far period of time. This is also money well does an extraordinarily good job in rep- smoother for the D.C. appropriation spent. I applaud the $25 million in the resenting the people of the District of than recent years. The gentleman from budget for drug treatment and testing Columbia. I congratulate her for it. Illinois (Speaker HASTERT) himself, the and the $8.5 million to expand foster Mr. Chairman, I want to just make a gentleman from Florida (Chairman care, and I compliment the chairman couple of comments. I want to thank YOUNG), the ranking members, the gen- on adding this to the legislation. the gentleman from Oklahoma (Chair- tleman from Wisconsin (Mr. OBEY) and The $5 million to help clean up the man ISTOOK) for, again, his work on the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Anacostia River is much needed, and, this bill. I agree, of course, as he MORAN), and especially the gentleman of course, approval of the city’s con- knows, with the gentleman from Vir- from Oklahoma (Chairman ISTOOK)) sensus for tax cuts will make the Dis- ginia (Mr. MORAN) about the Com- worked hard to achieve consensus on trict a friendlier place to live and to mittee on Rules’ actions, and with re- the D.C. budget, and they succeeded work and to own and operate a busi- spect to a couple of other provisions in beautifully. The District’s consensus ness. The city needs a tax base. That is the bill as well that we will discuss to- budget, containing only locally-raised why we have taken such an interest in morrow. revenue, also found consensus in com- its revitalization. Last year, we passed Basically, this is a good bill. The gen- mittee. legislation that permitted the new tleman from Virginia (Mr. MORAN) I The D.C. budget is balanced and fru- Washington Convention Center to be think is absolutely correct. As an ap- gal, with prudent spending, a tax cut, built downtown. Working in concert propriation bill, that is, without the and a surplus. with the MCI Center, we are creating a riders, without the extraneous matter, How, then, can we now allow this synergy to enliven the downtown area, it is a bill that I think all of us could thoroughly cooperative give-and-take increase tax revenues, and create job support. process to be destroyed by its opposite, opportunities for its residents. I also would like to thank the chair- the authoritarian imposition of attach- In the 5 years I have had the honor to man and the ranking member for add- ments, strongly and unanimously op- serve as the chairman of the District’s ing report language in the full com- posed by all the local officials, without July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6555 exception, who alone are accountable Instead, Mr. Speaker, the Russians I just ask that we do not say that to the residents who live here? will see this House telling the residents this president would kill an entire bill How, how can we allow inflammatory of the District how to run their lives. just because this president thinks it is and undemocratically imposed attach- It is not the Russians who will be pa- outrageous for Congress to say minors ments to overwhelm the excellent work tronized on Thursday if these amend- should not consume tobacco. the gentleman from Oklahoma (Chair- ments are offered, it is the people I rep- b 2130 man ISTOOK) has done on public safety resent. in this bill, for example? He has crafted We are told that the first 3,000 Rus- This is a resident issue, but it is also language which added Federal funds to sian participants are scheduled to ar- an American issue. We bring pages into this city. We bring our children into require drug testing and treatment for rive July 28. Fate, how cruel. This is this city from all over the country. The 30,000 people on parole. I thank him. just in time to see the sorriest spec- message we send to our children and to How can we take an excellent appro- tacle left against our stated demo- our pages when we tell them do not go priation bill and bring it down with a cratic principles. to Virginia and do not go to Maryland veto that has been promised if we sully Mr. Billington apparently wrote an and smoke, but here in D.C., it is okay, it with irrelevant appendages that are op-ed piece for the New York Times, I do not think anybody in Congress wholly disrespectful of local self-gov- where he criticized, according to this wants to take that responsibility. ernment? How can we repeat the per- article, criticized the United States for Mr. Chairman, I am sure that the formance of last year’s pitiful D.C. ap- doing too little to support the develop- President will not veto this bill if we propriations debacle? ment of democracy in Russia. Mr. outlaw minor possession and use of to- Make no mistake, this appropriation Chairman, the criticism belongs with bacco in D.C. I am sure the President is headed for a completely avoidable this House and on this bill. We are will support us in sending a clear mes- train wreck. After listing all the at- doing or will do, if we continue in the sage, not just to the children of D.C., tachments before us, the administra- way we are going, too much to destroy but the children across this country tion’s statement of policy says, and I democracy in the Nation’s Capitol with that minor use of tobacco needs to stop am quoting, ‘‘If such amendments are the attachments to this bill. and start here. adopted and included in the bill pre- There is still time to show the Rus- Mr. Chairman, I include the following sented to the president, the senior ad- sians that democracy works, even in letters for the RECORD: visors will recommend that the Presi- the Capitol of the United States. I urge HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, dent veto the bill.’’ my colleagues to vote against all the Washington, DC, March 22, 1999. Out of respect for the half million anti-democratic amendments that will Hon. ANTHONY WILLIAMS, people I represent, the new reform come to the House floor on Thursday. Mayor, District of Columbia, Washington, DC. mayor, and the revitalized city council, DEAR MAYOR WILLIAMS: I would like to Do it not for the Russians, do it for the take this opportunity to congratulate you on I ask for a clean appropriation. Mem- people I represent, and do it in the your recent election victory. As a part-time bers and I may well disagree with local name of American democracy. resident of the District and as someone who law, but a vote to leave a local law Mr. ISTOOK. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 spent twenty years in local government, in- standing is no vote in favor of that law. minutes to the gentleman from Cali- cluding two years as a councilman and six They did not make it, they cannot fornia (Mr. Bilbray). years as a mayor, I wish you the best of luck leave it standing. Rather, it is an exer- Mr. BILBRAY. Mr. Chairman, I hope, in your first term as Mayor of the District of as the Russians come and witness this Columbia. cise in the oldest of American Fed- As you may already be aware, during the eralist exercises. It is a vote for democ- action, they will be reminded by all of House of Representatives Fiscal Year (FY) racy at the local level. us that we are a constitutional repub- 1999 appropriation process I introduced an Members jealously guard the local lic, and that the Constitution specifi- amendment to the D.C. Appropriation Act prerogatives of their districts. I de- cally allows us to delegate authority (H.R. 4380) that prohibited individuals under mand no less respect for the people I within the Federal district that was the age of 18 years of age from possessing represent. Please respect our rights as formed by that Constitution, but does and consuming tobacco products in the Dis- American citizens and vote against not give us the right to delegate the re- trict of Columbia. This amendment received strong bipartisan support and passed through each and every one of the riders that sponsibility for what happens in this the House by a 238–138 vote on August 6, 1999, will come before us on the District ap- District. but unfortunately it was not included in the propriation. Mr. Chairman, I am rather concerned final conference report. I want to close, Mr. Chairman, by when I hear my colleagues talk about At the time I introduced this amendment drawing to the Members’ attention a that the President will veto this bill if only 21 states in the nation had minor pos- recent article in the Washington Post any of these amendments go forward. I session laws outlawing tobacco, and my that struck me with deep poignancy. It cannot believe that William Jefferson amendment would have added the District of Columbia to this growing lists of states. My is headed, ‘‘U.S. to Host Russians for a Clinton would veto this bill just be- amendment was very straight forward and Look at Democracy.’’ We are told that cause we said that children in Wash- easy to understand. It contained a provision this body has appropriated $10 million ington, D.C. should not be possessing to exempt from this prohibition a minor in- in an emergency appropriation, no less, or smoking tobacco. dividual ‘‘making a delivery of cigarettes or to bring Russians here to see how I just cannot believe the President tobacco products in his or her employment’’ American democracy works. would veto the bill just because we while on the job. James Billington, the Librarian of want to send a clear message that mi- My amendment also contained a penalty section, which was modeled after the state of Congress, said, and he is quoted in the nors should not drink and should not Virginia’s penalty section for minors found article, that ‘‘The U.S. Government is smoke. I just cannot believe that this in violation of tobacco possession. For the bringing ‘a genuinely large number of president would veto a bill just to first violation, the minor would, at the dis- young Russians, the entire cohort of make sure that Washington, D.C. is not cretion of the judge, be subject to a civil pen- young leaders, especially from the a sanctuary for underage consumption alty of not to exceed $50. For the second vio- provinces, to observe American life and of tobacco. lation, the minor would be subject to a civil democratic institutions.’’’ Today in Virginia, the law that I am penalty not to exceed $100. For a third or Mr. Chairman, I can only ask that for proposing this week is the same law subsequent violation, the minor would have his or her driver’s license suspended for a pe- their sake and ours, we deny the Rus- that Virginia has. Maryland does not riod of 90 consecutive days. The 90 day sus- sians gallery passes to witness the D.C. allow minor possession, Virginia does pension is consistent with penalties for appropriation on Thursday. We are told not allow it. Over 20 States do not minor possession of alcohol in the District of that bringing large numbers of Rus- allow it. I think that after trying to Columbia. Any minor found to be in posses- sians to the United States, according work with the administration and the sion of tobacco may also be required to per- to Mr. Billington, and I am quoting city, they have been so busy reforming form community service or attend a tobacco him now, ‘‘Avoids the patronizing syn- other things that were very, very im- cessation program. Each of these penalties are at the judge’s discretion. drome of sending Americans to Russia portant to them that they have not I understand that the District of Columbia to tell the Russians how to run their gotten around in the year to addressing already has tough laws on the books to ad- lives.’’ this issue. dress the issue of sales of tobacco to minors. H6556 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999

My amendment focused specifically on the tant in the fight to curtail tobacco’s tragic ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE CHAIRMAN possession of tobacco products by minors in and inevitable long-term effects. The CHAIRMAN. Would the Sergeant order to put minor possession of tobacco Sincerely, at Arms remove the people from the with minor possession of alcohol. All three ANTHONY A. WILLIAMS, gallery? Mayor, District of Columbia. cities in my district have passed anti-posses- Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Mr. Chair- sion laws, so that I am not asking the Dis- trict to do anything my own communities HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, man, I would say to the distinguished have not already done. Washington, DC, July 8, 1999. gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. I was an original cosponsor of the strong- Hon. ANTHONY WILLIAMS, ISTOOK) that we are prepared to con- est anti-tobacco bill in the 105th Congress, Mayor, District of Columbia, clude. the Bipartisan NO Tobacco for Kids Act Washington, DC. So if the gentleman from Oklahoma (H.R. 3638). The intentions of my amendment DEAR MAYOR WILLIAMS: I would like to is prepared, the gentleman can con- was to encourage youth to take responsi- thank you for your response to my letter re- garding my youth consumption amendment clude, and we will renew this debate on bility for their actions. If individuals under and the tobacco strategies in the District of Thursday. the age of 18 know they will face a penalty Columbia. I appreciate the information you Mr. Chairman, I yield back the bal- for possession of tobacco, they might be de- provided regarding the programs the D.C. ance of my time. terred from ever starting to smoke in the public schools are implementing to combat first place. Mr. ISTOOK. Mr. Chairman, I yield youth smoking. myself such time as I may consume. As we move forward in the 106th Congress As I mentioned in my first letter, in the Mr. Chairman, I very much appre- I would like to know whether you plan to ad- 105th Congress I introduced an amendment ciate the articulate comments of the dress this issue at the local level. I think it to H.R. 4380, FY 1999 District of Columbia ap- is important that all levels of government propriations bill that sought to prohibit in- gentlewoman from the District of Co- work together to help stop children from dividuals under the age of 18 years from pos- lumbia (Ms. NORTON). I especially ap- smoking. I also believe we should send the sessing and consuming tobacco products in preciate the passion with which she right message to our children, and the first the District of Columbia. This amendment represents her community. step in this process would be for the District received strong bipartisan support and Mr. Chairman, I would like to ad- of Columbia to join Virginia, Maryland, and passed through the House by a 238–138 vote dress a couple of comments that were the twenty other states who have passed on August 6, 1999. raised by the gentleman from Virginia youth possession and consumption laws. I I intend to reintroduce this amendment to would appreciate knowing of your inten- the FY 2000 D.C. Appropriations Bill later in (Mr. MORAN) and by the gentlewoman tions, and to work with you and Members on the year when Congress takes up this legisla- from the District of Columbia (Ms. both sides of the aisle in 1999 to make sure tion. I believe at the same time we are edu- NORTON) because I think they are wor- this important piece of legislation becomes cating youths on the dangers of tobacco and thy of considered response. law. curtailing advertisements by the tobacco in- I realize that we are going to have Again, congratulations on your new posi- dustry, we need to strive for new and innova- certain votes when amendments are of- tion as Mayor and I look forward to working tive ways to reduce tobacco use along with fered to this bill on Thursday. As we do sending a clear message to our youth that we with you in the future. in elections, so, too, here in the House Sincerely, will not tolerate the consumption of tobacco. This is what a youth consumption law in the of Representatives, we accept the re- BRIAN P. BILBRAY, District will accomplish. sults of votes. We have those votes. We Member of Congress. My amendment contains a penalty section, handle our differences. But we do not which is modeled after the state of Virginia’s let the things upon which we differ MAY 21, 1999. penalty section for minors found in violation keep us from uniting to accomplish the Hon. BRIAN BILBRAY, of tobacco possession. For the first violation, things that we agree are good. I think U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC. the minor would, at the discretion of the that is important in this. DEAR CONGRESSMAN BILBRAY: Thank you judge, be subject to a civil penalty not to ex- for your letter sharing your concern about ceed $50. For the second violation, the minor There may be certain senior advisors teenage smoking in the District and your would be subject to a civil penalty not to ex- of the President who recommends to congratulations on my November election to ceed $100. For a third or subsequent viola- him that he veto a bill over just one the Office of Mayor. tion, the minor would have his or her driv- issue. I personally doubt that he would In response to your inquiry, the District of er’s license suspended for a period of 90 con- over one or even two. I think that Columbia is addressing the issue of teen secutive days. The 90 day suspension is con- needs to be explored briefly. smoking through a variety of methods. DC sistent with penalties for minor possession of I had the opportunity, Mr. Chairman, alcohol in the District of Columbia. Any Public Schools has two programs—The Great to serve in local government as a city American Smoke-out and ‘‘2 Smart 2 minor found to be in possession of tobacco may also be required to perform community council member in my community, a Smoke’’—to raise children’s awareness of the library board member over a consoli- dangers of smoking. Additionally, the De- service or attend a tobacco cessation pro- partment of Health supports the efforts of gram. Each of these penalties are at the dated county system, and a library local and community-based initiatives like judge’s discretion (I have attached a draft of chairman, and as a member of the ‘‘Ad-Up, Word-Up and Speak-Out,’’ which en- my amendment for your convenience). State legislature in Oklahoma. Fre- My amendment focuses specifically on the courages school age children to perform quently, especially in the legislature, I possession of tobacco products by minors in their own research on the effects of adver- order to put minor possession of tobacco found that, as a member of the Okla- tising directed at children. with minor possession of alcohol. If we are homa legislature, we not only estab- Finally, the school system recently ele- really serious about reducing youth con- lished the public policy for State gov- vated possession of tobacco to a ‘‘level one’’ sumption of tobacco we need to put it on the ernment, but we established public pol- infraction—which means violators could same level as alcohol and treat it equally. icy for the communities within the incur the severe disciplinary measures, in- Again, thank you for responding to my State of Oklahoma. cluding possible suspension. To assess our original letter and I look forward to working progress, the District is tracking youth That is true in every State, Mr. with you on this important issue. Please feel Chairman, because cities, counties, vil- smoking related data through grants pro- free to contact me if you have any additional vided by the Center for Disease Control. questions. lages, townships, parishes, these are es- I want to assure you that I share your con- Sincerely, tablished by State government. State cerns about teenage smokers. Sandra Allen, BRIAN P. BILBRAY, government gives them the parameters Chairperson of the City Council’s Committee Member of Congress. within which they may function. on Human Services, and I are working dili- ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE CHAIRMAN It is not uncommon in State govern- gently to strengthen enforcement which The CHAIRMAN. Guests of the House ment to have issues come up that say, should, in combination with the other initia- in the gallery are not allowed to dem- this governs not only how the State tives, result in a real reduction of teenage onstrate their support or opposition to itself is going to operate, but also how smoking. We believe that the cumulative ef- the political subdivisions within the fect of these initiatives will have a marked anything that happens on the House improvement on the incidence of teen smok- floor. State are going to be able to operate, ing. Mr. ISTOOK. Mr. Chairman, I only what they can do, or what they cannot Again thank you for bringing this issue to have my closing comments. I do not do. the forefront of my attention. I agree that know if the gentleman from Virginia Washington DC, of course, is a very discouraging our youth from engaging in (Mr. MORAN) desired to take any fur- different situation. It is not a State this terrible habit of smoking is very impor- ther time or not. that has a State government. It is a July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6557 Federal district that has one city. It is should be by persons who are related considered appropriate for this body; established by the Federal Constitu- by blood or by marriage. That is an and, therefore, we have the votes on tion. amendment which was adopted by this Thursday on those issues again. Ms. NORTON. Mr. Chairman, will the House of Representatives a year ago. Ms. NORTON. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield on that? The vote was 227 to 192. It is not some- gentleman yield? Mr. ISTOOK. I yield to the gentle- thing new that has been brought to Mr. ISTOOK. I yield to the gentle- woman from the District of Columbia. bear in this bill. woman from the District of Columbia. Ms. NORTON. Mr. Chairman, I appre- The amendment that the gentleman Ms. NORTON. Mr. Chairman, I want ciate the gentleman yielding to me. I from California (Mr. BILBRAY) intends to correct the RECORD that the Presi- accept the gentleman’s great American to offer regarding minors and tobacco dent never specifically signed the D.C. analogy, federalist analogy. But as the is not new. It is virtually the same as appropriation last year. It was the year gentleman himself served in local gov- the amendment which was considered of the great appropriation debacle. ernment, he will, I think, recognize by this House and passed last year by a Mr. ISTOOK. Mr. Chairman, it was that, at the local level, there was vot- vote of 283 to 138. within an omnibus appropriation. ing representation so that there had The amendment that the gentleman Ms. NORTON. Mr. Chairman, it was been agreement to live by majority from Georgia (Mr. BARR) intends to within an omnibus bill. The President’s vote. Because even at the lowest local offer is somewhat different from the agents sought to get each and every level, there was voting representation. one last year. Last year, it was adopted one of those amendments off, did get The gentleman recognizes that I have by a voice vote. There was not even a the adoption amendment off, for exam- no vote in this body, and what vote I recorded vote requested. It was adopted ple, but was not able in the course of did have was taken from me. I just by a voice vote. It would have prohib- negotiations to get all of the amend- want to indicate that I would, in fact, ited the District from counting the re- ments off. agree if, in fact, this State analogy sults of the initiative and the election So the President is not being incon- were fully perfect. that was conducted regarding medical sistent when he says he will veto this Mr. ISTOOK. Mr. Chairman, I under- use of marijuana. year. stand the gentlewoman’s concerns, and But it is important to note that that Mr. ISTOOK. Well, as I said cor- I appreciate them. As I said before, I provision was not only adopted by the rectly, Mr. Chairman, the President appreciate the great passion that she House of Representatives, it was also signed that provision into law last brings to her representation of D.C. I approved by the United States Senate, year. Yes, it was in a bill that had recognize the concerns that she has and it was signed into law by the Presi- many other things within it, but it was over the fact that she is not a voting dent of the United States. signed into law by the President, the Member on the floor of this body. I re- This year, the amendment which the very provision that his advisors now alize her argument. I do not think that Committee on Rules made in order for say that they would recommend he undercuts the principle of whether or the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. veto if that provision remained within not the Congress of the United States BARR) does not go that far. It simply the bill. has responsibilities and authority, even states that the District shall not legal- We all know there is a great dif- though it is not popular with everyone ize a drug that is a restricted drug ference between what an advisor may that we do so. under schedule I of the Federal Con- counsel, what a member of one of the Because just as the State constitu- trolled Substances Act. staff that works for us on Capitol Hill, tions create cities and counties and The amendment that causes some what they may counsel, and what we other political subdivisions, the United controversy that the gentleman from may deem that we should do or choose States Constitution created one special Kansas (Mr. TIAHRT) intends to offer on to do. I think we have to have perspec- entity called the District of Columbia the floor this Thursday, which states tive. to be the seat of government for the that no public money may be used We have not brought up new issues Nation’s Capitol. within the District for a program of within this bill. We have the continu- Article I, section 8 of the U.S. Con- needle exchange regarding illegal drug ation of the issues that have already stitution states that Congress shall usage, that is not a new provision. been brought before this body, and this have sole legislative authority over That was adopted last year by the body has previously determined that this District. We have delegated House of Representatives on a vote of they were appropriate to consider. through home rule, but, nevertheless, 250 to 169. It was approved by the Those are still live issues. These in- the Constitution established a unique United States Senate. It was signed clude issues that were signed into law situation. Certainly, of course, the city into law by the President of the United by the President a year ago. I think it has the Federal Government here, and States. is appropriate for us to consider some- it, frankly, has an assurance that this Maybe this year the President’s advi- thing that the President did agree to Federal Government is going to be here sors want him to change his mind and sign into law a year ago. and will always enjoy the benefits as say he should veto it if that provision We will have those debates Thursday. well as the things which are not bene- remains there. But the case remains I will abide by the results. I expect fits of being the seat of the Nation’s that that is a provision that was ap- that other Members of this body will Government. proved by the House, the Senate, and abide by those results. I just want to But we are given a responsibility the President a year ago. put those in perspective, Mr. Chair- over public policy within the District The language which the gentleman man. of Columbia, and that makes it a very from Virginia (Mr. MORAN) has in the But I do not want to lose track of the difficult issue, because it brings forth bill in place of the Tiahrt language to positive things that we have worked the feelings and the passions such as say that the limitation is on the use of together to do in this bill. After we the gentlewoman is expressing, and Federal funds, but not a limitation on have those votes on the disagreements, others are, too. local funds within the District, is an I expect that we can and will and But what we are considering in the amendment which was disapproved last should unite to promote those things bill with the amendments that dif- year by the House on a vote of 173 to that we have put in this bill to make ferent Members intend to offer on 247. the District of Columbia a better, Thursday to this bill is not unique. I These are not new issues that have safer, more prosperous place to live, to think it is very important to note, if been brought up. In fact, I have encour- work, and to visit. my colleagues look at the amendments aged my fellow Members not to bring I think that is a worthwhile goal for that the Committee on Rules chose to up new issues to tack on to this par- the capital city of the United States of place in order for Thursday, we have ticular bill. But I have recognized that America. I hope that every Member of the amendment to be offered by the positions have been taken by the this body will join me in that commit- gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. House, by the Senate, by the President, ment, regardless of our differences on Largent), which states that adoptions acting in concert, and that those re- different votes, unite together and ap- should, if they are by multiple persons, main issues that have previously been prove this bill for the common good of H6558 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 the capital of the United States of committee, its Chairman [Mr. ISTOOK] and the The motion was agreed to. America. full committee for their work on this important Accordingly, the Committee rose; Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Chairman, I rise legislation. and the Speaker pro tempore (Mr. HILL to congratulate my colleagues, Chairman As someone with a strong interest in reduc- of Montana) having assumed the chair, ISTOOK and Ranking Member MORAN, on a ing substance abuse through demand reduc- Mr. BEREUTER, Chairman of the Com- fine bill that they have put together. tionÐand as co-chairman of the Speaker's mittee of the Whole House on the State Though I disagree with certain portions of Working Group for a Drug-Free AmericaÐI'd of the Union, reported that that Com- itÐspecifically those prohibiting the use of like to comment on a provision of this legisla- mittee, having had under consideration local funds for abortion and the local domestic tion that is of particular interest to the drug the bill (H.R. 2587) making appropria- partner lawÐI believe the bill is generally even prevention and education community. tions for the government of the Dis- handed. DRUG TESTING FOR PRISONERS AND PAROLEES trict of Columbia and other activities There is one issue I wish to raise, however, I commend the gentleman from Oklahoma chargeable in whole or in part against that is not addressed in this bill and has for including funding in this program for uni- revenues of said District for the fiscal never, to my knowledge been raised before: versal drug testing and screening of incarcer- year ending September 30, 2000, and for pit bulls. ated prisoners and parolees. Today, 80% of other purposes, had come to no resolu- the recent death of a veteran firefighter on incarcerated prisoners in this nation were ei- tion thereon. the DC fire squad because of a pit bull attack ther under the influence or drugs or alcohol, f during a fire run is only the latest of tragedies were regular drug users or violated drug and associated with vicious pit bull attacks. alcohol laws at the time they committed their b 2145 I am an animal lover and for the most part crimes. Remarkably, in 1996, more than 1.5 COMMUNICATION FROM THE HON- will give animals the benefit of the doubt for million were arrested for substance abuse-re- ORABLE GARY L. ACKERMAN, their right to share this planet with us. I abhor lated offenses. Worse yet, those who go to MEMBER OF CONGRESS animal cruelty and am grateful for the support prison without effective treatment for their ad- The Speaker pro tempore (Mr. Hill of I received from this House in passing a partial diction tend to wind up back in the criminal Montana) laid before the House the fol- ban on steel-jaw leghold just traps two weeks justice system in the future. lowing communication from the Honor- ago. Substance abuse contributes to many of our able Gary L. ACKERMAN, Member of But this city has a problem with maintaining worst social illsÐviolence, child and spousal Congress: proper control over pit bulls and Firefighter abuse, robbery, theft and vandalism. As a re- Robinson was only the most recent addition to sult, our judicial system is overwhelmed with JULY 23, 1999. a sad list of statistics. substance abusers. You would think, when a Hon. J. DENNIS HASTERT, criminal is locked up for a drug-related of- Speaker, House of Representatives, According to Mary Healy, Executive Director Washington, DC. 1 fense, the prison itself would be a drug-free of the Washington Humane Society, over ¤3 of DEAR MR. SPEAKER: This is to formally no- all the animals that come into their animal environment and the prisoner would be forced tify you pursuant to Rule VIII of the Rules shelters every year is a pit bull. Just think of to get drug treatment. of the House that I received a subpoena for it: of all the breeds of all the dogs out there, But our prisons are often bastions of drug documents and testimony issued by the one breed overwhelmingly dominates like no abuse. Only 13% of prisoners receive any sort United States District Court for the Eastern other. These dogs are turned in or found or of treatment for their drug problem at all and District of New York. captured because they are not suitable as many of those treatment programs are consid- After consultation with the Office of Gen- ered inadequate. eral Counsel, I have determined to comply pets. It is the nature of this beast to be other- with the subpoena to the extent that it is animal aggressive which leads to unprovoked Unfortunately, the drug habits of thousands of these individuals continue and sometimes consistent with Rule VIII. attacks on other dogs and by proximity, on Sincerely, worsen in prison. So it's no surprise that, ac- people. As such they pose a public health and GARY L. ACKERMAN, safety threat and for this reason the Humane cording to statistics from the National Center Member of Congress. Society supports full ban on pit bulls. on Addiction and Substance Abuse, 50% of f Originally I had considered offering an state parole and probation violators were APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS TO amendment to this bill specifically calling on under the influence of drugs, alcohol or both ATTEND THE FUNERAL OF THE the DC Council to do something about this when they committed their new offense. In LATE HONORABLE GEORGE E. problem. I will refrain from doing so only be- other words, these individuals continue to be BROWN, JR. cause I have learned that the DC Council is a menace to society because their drug prob- moving in the right direction on this issue due lems are not addressed behind bars. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- There are a number of steps we can take to to the leadership of Councilmember Carol ant to the provisions of House Resolu- stop the revolving door of incarceration, parole Schwartz. Ms. Schwartz in March introduced tion 252, the Chair announces the and re-arrestÐincluding the successful drug strong legislation that would put sensible re- Speaker’s appointment of the following courts at the local level that use the threat of Members of the House to the com- strictions on pit bull ownership in the District. prison to get people to address their drug hab- I applaud her vision and dedication to solving mittee to attend the funeral of the late its through treatment. At the national level, a George E. Brown, Jr. this troublesome aspect of life in DC. I under- recent Federal Bureau of Prisons study Mr. STARK, California. stand from Councilmember Schwartz that she showed that inmates who receive treatment Mr. HASTERT, Illinois. has been guaranteed a hearing in October by are 73% less likely to be re-arrested than un- Mr. GEPHARDT, Missouri. Sandy Allen, Councilmember from War 8 and treated inmates. Chairperson of the Council Committee on That's why I introduced the Drug-Free Pris- Mr. BONIOR, Michigan. Human Services. I fully hope to see the Coun- ons and Jails Act last year, which established Mr. GEORGE MILLER, California. cil enact Ms. Schwartz's legislation on an a model program for comprehensive sub- Mr. WAXMAN, California. emergency basis and work toward a more per- stance abuse treatment in the criminal justice Mr. DIXON, California. manent solutionÐmaybe even an out-and-out system to reduce drug abuse, drug-related Mr. LEWIS, California. ban like that enacted in Prince Georges Coun- crime and the costs associated with incarcer- Mr. MATSUI, California. ty, MarylandÐwithin the next several months. ation. Mr. THOMAS, California. We can't wait for the next headline to tell us And that's why I'm pleased to support the Mr. DREIER, California. of the next tragedy of a person hurt or drug testing program in this legislation before Mr. HUNTER, California. maimed or even killed by these vicious dogs. us today. By identifying criminals and parolees Mr. LANTOS, California. Firefighter Robinson gave his life; in the District of Columbia with drug addiction Mr. MARTINEZ, California. Councilmember Schwartz has the answer. problems, we will help to reduce crime in our Mr. BERMAN, California. Congress should honor the memory of fireman nation's capitalÐand we will stop the costly Mr. PACKARD, California. Robinson by during the Council to pass Ms. revolving door of drug addiction and incarcer- Mr. GALLEGLY, California. Schwartz's bill . . . and if the Council won't ation in the DC prison system. Mr. HERGER, California. act then I will see that Congress does. Mr. ISTOOK. Mr. Chairman, I yield Ms. PELOSI, California. Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Chairman, I rise today back the balance of my time. Mr. COX, California. to comment on the District of Columbia Appro- Mr. Chairman, I move that the Com- Mr. ROHRABACHER, California. priations legislation. I commend the sub- mittee do now rise. Mr. CONDIT, California. July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6559

Mr. CUNNINGHAM, California. High School for its efforts in elimi- Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise this Mr. DOOLEY, California. nating color barriers in public edu- evening to recognize the outstanding Mr. DOOLITTLE, california. cation in Birmingham, Alabama, and efforts of Robert Tobias on behalf of Ms. WATERS, California. across the United States. I would like Federal employees. After 31 years of Mr. BECERRA, California. to thank my colleague, the gentleman service to the National Treasury Em- Mr. CALVERT, California. from Alabama (Mr. HILLIARD), for join- ployees Union and 16 years as its presi- Ms. ESHOO, California. ing me in this tribute to recognize dent, Bob is retiring to spend more Mr. FILNER, California. Parker High School. time with his family. Mr. HORN, California. Mr. Speaker, it is important to sa- Words alone cannot adequately ex- Mr. MCKEON, California. lute Parker for the significant con- plain the impact Bob Tobias has had Mr. POMBO, California. tributions it has made in educating Af- over the past 31 years. To say that he Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD, California. rican Americans. My father, Andrew is a leader in the Federal employee Mr. ROYCE, California. Tubbs, and my uncles, William Burns community simply does not do him or Ms. WOOLSEY, California. and Bernard Sherrell, are graduates of the contributions that he has made jus- Mr. FARR, California. Parker High School. tice. Mr. BILBRAY, California. Parker High School was, at one time, Bob has built NTEU from a union of Ms. LOFGREN, California. considered the world’s largest histori- 22,000 members located solely in the Mr. RADANOVICH, California. cally African American high school. Treasury Department to a union of Mr. CAMPBELL, California. The school was named after Arthur H. 155,000 employees representing Federal Ms. MILLENDER-MCDONALD, Cali- Parker, a teacher in Birmingham, who employees in 22 agencies. Legisla- fornia. established the first school in 1899. tively, I cannot think of one major Mr. ROGAN, California. Mr. Speaker, I have heard many good gain that Federal employees have Mr. SHERMAN, California. things from my family members about how this made since I was elected to Congress in Ms. SANCHEZ, California. school has done an excellent job in preparing 1981 that has not had Bob Tobias’ hand Mrs. TAUSCHER, California. its students to be leaders in their respective in it. Mrs. CAPPS, California. fields. The list of accomplishments is im- Mrs. BONO, California. Parker High School boasts many firsts, for pressive: helping to create the Federal Ms. LEE, California. example, graduated the largest number of stu- Employee Retirement System; suing Mr. KUYKENDALL, California. dents at an African-American high school in the Nixon administration and recov- Mr. GARY MILLER, California. U.S. history. And also boasts of an enrollment ering $533 million of back pay owed to Mrs. NAPOLITANO, California. of 3,702 students fifty years ago. Many of their Federal employees; allowing CSRS-cov- Mr. OSE, California. students participated in the Civil Rights Move- ered Federal employee to have another Mr. THOMPSON, California. ment and have become well-known business, FERS open season when he won a Su- Mr. OBEY, Wisconsin. professional, and civic leaders in cities across preme Court case challenging the Mr. KILDEE, Michigan. our great Nation. President’s use of the line item veto Mr. SENSENBRENNER, Wisconsin. During the 1950s, Parker High School power; IRS restructuring; assisting me Mr. KILDEE, Michigan. raised its academic standard above all in passing the Federal Employees Pay Mr. SENSENBRENNER, Wisconsin. other schools in the State, which gave Comparability Act; working to insti- Mr. HALL, Texas. its students what many considered the tute alternative work schedules; tele- Mr. BOEHLERT, New York. best education in Alabama. Some of its commuting; and on-site child care for Mr. BARTON, Texas. graduates include Arthur Shores, the Federal employees. Mr. GORDON, Tennessee. first African American admitted to the The one area where I think Bob’s in- Mr. COSTELLO, Illinois. Alabama Bar; Bernice Spraggs, Chicago fluence was most deeply felt was the Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA, American Defender Washington correspondent; creation of partnership in the work- Samoa. James W. Ford, Communist candidate place and in the reinvention of govern- Mr. MCNULTY, New Year. for Vice President in 1936; Shelton ment. When Vice President Gore’s re- Mr. ROEMER, Indiana. ‘‘Sead’’ Hemphill, the trumpet player invention efforts began, the Federal Mr. BARCIA, Michigan. for Duke Ellington; and Laura Wash- workplace was at a crossroads. The old Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON, Texas. ington, vocalist with Erskine Hawkins. adversarial relationship between labor Mr. EHLERS, Michigan. Many of their alumni have been re- and management simply was not work- Ms. RIVERS, Michigan. spected community leaders in New ing. Government needed to be more ef- Mr. LAMPSON, Texas. York, Chicago, and my hometown of ficient and accomplish more with less Mr. HOLT, New Jersey. Cleveland, which is part of the 11th resources and personnel. f Congressional District that I represent. Participating with the reinvention I congratulate Parker’s class of 1951, effort was not easy. It took courage GENERAL LEAVE who will hold its reunion on Friday, and vision, because, Mr. Speaker, part Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Mr. Speak- July 30, in Cleveland, Ohio. As a guest of the effort called for downsizing the er, I ask unanimous consent that all speaker, I will help the class celebrate Federal work force to its lowest level Members may have 5 legislative days its history and discuss their theme of since the Kennedy administration. At within which to revise and extend their ‘‘Crossing the Bridge to the 21st Cen- that time, reinvention and partnership remarks and to include extraneous ma- tury, By Passing our Legacy on to our had a lot of detractors, but Bob Tobias terial on the subject of the special Heirs.’’ and the late AFGE president, John order today by the gentleman from f Sturdivant, had a vision and took the Florida (Mr. BILIRAKIS). risk. They took the risk, and I believe The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there SPECIAL ORDERS for the first time the talent of the objection to the request of the gen- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under rank-and-file employees started to be tleman from Michigan? the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- harnessed. There was no objection. uary 6, 1999, and under a previous order It paid off, Mr. Speaker, because bar- f of the House, the following Members gaining unit employees for the first will be recognized for 5 minutes each. time got a seat at the table. They got TRIBUTE TO PARKER HIGH f a say in how their agency was run. This SCHOOL, BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA risk did not only benefit the members (Mrs. JONES of Ohio asked and was IN RECOGNITION OF DEDICATED that Bob represented but ultimately given permission to address the House SERVICE BY MR. ROBERT TOBIAS paid off for the American taxpayer, for 1 minute and to revise and extend The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a who benefited from a more efficient her remarks.) previous order of the House, the gen- and responsive government. Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I tleman from Maryland (Mr. HOYER) is In his letter to chapter presidents in rise today to pay tribute to Parker recognized for 5 minutes. February, Bob wrote, and I quote: H6560 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 ‘‘From my first day at NTEU, my goal (Mr. BURTON of Indiana addressed launch the second phase of its pre-planned has been to move us from helplessness the House. His remarks will appear assault, code-named ``Attila II.'' and despair to dignity and respect; herafter in the Extensions of Re- Since then, Turkey has occupied 37% of the from being ignored to being recognized marks.) island in defiance of any code of civilized be- and included; and from acting alone to f havior in the community of nations. experiencing our collective power of The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a The consequences of that brutal action were collective action.’’ previous order of the House, the gen- devastating. More than 5,000 people were Mr. Speaker, Bob Tobias has killed during the invasion. Even today, the fate tleman from New Jersey (Mr. PALLONE) achieved those goals and NTEU mem- is recognized for 5 minutes. of 1,614 Cypriots and 4 U.S. citizens, missing bers and the American people are bet- (Mr. PALLONE addressed the House. since the invasion, remains a mystery. ter off today because of his efforts. We More than 200,000 Greek CypriotsÐmen, His remarks will appear hereafter in wish him well, and we wish him all the women and childrenÐwere forcibly expelled the Extensions of Remarks.) best in the future, and we thank him by the invading Turkish army in a mass exo- for his service. f dus reminiscent of Bosnia and Kosovo. These Mr. Speaker, I often observed to The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a ``refugees'' settled in the southern part of the groups of employees to whom I spoke previous order of the House, the gen- island. Of course, they have never been com- that there was no better labor leader in tleman from Virginia (Mr. DAVIS) is pensated by Turkey for their confiscated lands America than Bob Tobias. He cared recognized for 5 minutes. and houses, or for their ruined businesses. about his people, he worked tirelessly (Mr. DAVIS of Virginia addressed the Ever since this atrocious act, Turkey has on their behalf, he advocated in their House. His remarks will appear here- embarked on a methodical effort to first en- best interest and, like most successful after in the Extensions of Remarks.) trench and fortify its military presence on the leaders, accomplished much for all of f island, and second, to alter the demographic those he represented. But as I said ear- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a characteristics and ethnic composition of its lier in my statement, not only did he previous order of the House, the gen- population. accomplish great things for them, but tleman from California (Mr. FILNER) is To achieve the former goal, Turkey beefed he made the workforce of the American recognized for 5 minutes. up its occupation force to more than 40,000. people, the Federal employees, a bet- (Mr. FILNER addressed the House. In addition, a large amphibious assault force is ter, more effective, more efficient, His remarks will appear hereafter in permanently stationed at the Turkish mainland more disciplined, more focused work- the Extensions of Remarks.) base closest to Cyprus. force. And for that, we in America owe To accomplish the latter goal, scores of f him a great debt of gratitude. America Turkish people from Anatolia were trans- and its government are a better place The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a planted into the occupied lands to take pos- for the service of Robert Tobias. previous order of the House, the gen- session of the properties and businesses of Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowl- tleman from Arizona (Mr. KOLBE) is the expelled refugees. These settlers, con- edge the work Bob Tobias has done for fed- recognized for 5 minutes. servatively estimated at 80,000, and the Turk- eral employees. Bob has been the president (Mr. KOLBE addressed the House. His ish occupation force currently outnumber the of the National Treasury Employees Union remarks will appear hereafter in the Turkish-Cypriot population who legitimately in- since 1983 and has been with this organiza- Extensions of Remarks.) habited northern Cyprus before the invasion. tion for the last 31 years. No doubt about itÐ f The illegal nature of this aggressive act, and Bob Tobias has positively affected the char- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a the brutality with which it was conducted, acter of the NTEU. previous order of the House, the gen- aroused the indignation of the international As chairman of the Treasury and General tleman from Alabama (Mr. HILLIARD) is community. In the ensuing years, the arbitrary Government Appropriations Subcommittee, I recognized for 5 minutes. declaration of the occupied northern Cyprus have had the honor and privilege of working (Mr. HILLIARD addressed the House. as an independent ``republic'' failed to ex- closely with Bob on many issues. He has al- His remarks will appear hereafter in punge its illegal nature. A quarter of a century ways been honest, compassionate, and unre- the Extensions of Remarks.) later, the occupied Northern Cyprus has re- mained a pariah ``entity,'' not recognized by lenting in fighting for what he believed to be f the right course of action. I will always look any nation in the world, except Turkey. back favorably on the times I have spent The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a Over the years, repeated attempts have working with Mr. Tobias. previous order of the House, the gentle- been made by individual governments and by It is my understanding that Bob will be 56 woman from North Carolina (Mrs. the United Nations to find a solution to the years old in August, which is when his fourth CLAYTON) is recognized for 5 minutes. problem of Cyprus. All of them failed because term will expire. I wish him the best in his next (Mrs. CLAYTON addressed the House. of the intransigence of Turkey. As a result, the endeavor. I'm told that he plans to write or Her remarks will appear hereafter in relations between Greece and Turkey have teach, and even though he is an alumnus from the Extensions of Remarks.) been adversely affected to the point that direct the University of Michigan, and not from an- f military confrontations between them have other more formidable ``Big 10'' schoolÐNorth- been narrowly averted on at least two occa- 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF TURKEY’S western University from which I graduatedÐI sions. Given their geographic location and the INVASION OF CYPRUS am pleased to recognize Mr. Robert M. Tobias fact that both countries are member states of for his work with the NTEU. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a NATO, such a conflict would seriously impact f previous order of the House, the gen- the stability of the eastern Mediterranean re- tleman from Florida (Mr. BILIRAKIS) is gion. GENERAL LEAVE recognized for 5 minutes. Demilitarization would alleviate the security Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I ask Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, as I have done concerns of all parties and substantially en- unanimous consent that all Members every year, I rise again to declare my deep hance the prospects for a peaceful resolution may have 5 legislative days within concern and utter indignation regarding the of the problem. Unfortunately, Cyprus' efforts which to revise and extend their re- 25-year occupation of the island of Cyprus by to resolve the situation have been rebuffed by marks on the subject of my special Turkish troops. Turkey and the self-proclaimed leader of the il- order today. It was in July 1974, that Turkish forces, con- legitimate Turkish Republic of Northern Cy- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there sisting of 6,000 troops and forty tanks, landed prus, Mr. Denktash. objection to the request of the gen- on Cyprus' northern coast and captured a The intransigence of the Turkish side is tleman from Maryland? good part of the island nation. This military op- clearly reflected in the two pre-conditions set There was no objection. eration was appropriately code-named ``Attila.'' by Mr. Denktash for a solution of the Cyprus f A few days later, the three guarantor pow- problem. Specifically, he demanded that this il- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a ers, namely, Greece, Turkey and the United legal ``government'' in the occupied part of previous order of the House, the gen- Kingdom, were negotiating to determine the northern Cyprus be formally recognized. He tleman from Indiana (Mr. BURTON) is fate of the island. To maximize its illegal terri- also said Cyprus must withdraw its application recognized for 5 minutes. torial gains, Turkey used this opportunity to to join the European Union, threatening that July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6561

``there will be war if Cyprus joined the Euro- I, along with Representatives MALONEY and tion. The Cyprus Government has canceled an pean Union''. KELLY, today introduced a bill that urges Tur- order for the importation and deployment of a Both demands are obviously unacceptable key's compliance with all relevant United Na- Russian defense air-to-missile system on Cy- to the Congress, the United States Govern- tions resolutions relating to Cyprus. This bill prus, and has put forward a comprehensive ment, the Government of Greece, the legiti- also requests our administration to use its in- proposal for the complete demilitarization of mate Government of Cyprus, and to any neu- fluence to persuade Turkey to accept the the island, which has also been rejected by tral member of the international community. United Nation's Secretary General's invitation the Turkish side. Denktash's threats have been echoed by for negotiations without preconditions in the The current status quo is unacceptable. It is the Government of Turkey which has threat- fall of 1999. imperative to take all necessary steps to ac- ened to annex the occupied part of the island To this end, I call upon the administration to tively support all efforts to end the forcible divi- if Cyprus joins the European Union. In fact, focus its attention on the problem at hand and sion of the island and its people and reunify Turkey has already signed a number of to apply the necessary diplomatic pressure on Cyprus through a just and lasting solution. I ``agreements'' with the illegal Turkish regime Turkey and Mr. Dektash in order to promote a urge Turkey to comply with the resolutions of that lay the groundwork for the eventual an- peaceful and negotiated resolution of the dis- the United Nations and to work constructively nexation of the occupied area. pute. If nothing else, history has taught us that for a solution to the Cyprus problem. Twenty- What Mr. Denktash and Turkey fail to un- neglecting a smoldering problem that has the five years of occupation are enough. derstand is that acceptance to membership in potential of a major crisis, only makes its con- Mr. ROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to mark the European Union must be earned on the sequences more devastating. In the threshold the 25th anniversary of Turkey's invasion of basis of performance and achievement. of the third millennium, the United States can Cyprus. Over the years, it has become obvious that hardly afford to turn a blind eye to the Cyprus As Greek-Cypriots around the world mark a the intransigence of Turkey on a just settle- problem. tragic day in their nation's history, hundreds of ment of the Cyprus problem represents a Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to people joined hands in a circle of hope around strategy aimed at forcing Turkey's acceptance the U.S. Capitol to ask for Congress' help in thank Mr. BILIRAKIS and Mrs. MALONEY, who to membership in the European Union. Such are the co-chairs of our congressional caucus making Cyprus whole again. membership has so far been denied for sev- All the commemorations held today marking on Hellenic issues, by organizing this special eral reasons. First, is the fact that Turkey has the 25th anniversary of Turkey's invasion of order on Cyprus and for their leadership on not yet achieved the level of economic prow- Cyprus highlight one of the great and con- this issue. ess deemed necessary for membership in the tinuing tragedies of the 20th century. With I rise today to acknowledge the 25th anni- European Union. Second, the political system 37% of Cyprus currently occupied by Turkish versary of Turkey's invasion and occupation of and the philosophy and practices of its gov- forces, with 1,618 Greek-Cypriots still unac- Cyprus. As a result, an estimated 35,000 ernments over the past several decades do counted for from the conflict, and with over heavily armed Turkish troops continue to oc- not conform with the democratic principles of 200,000 Cypriots displaced from their homes cupy 37% of the island. the western world. Third, Turkey's record on since 1974, it is long past time for the United Nearly 200,000 Greek Cypriots, who fell vic- respect of human rights and political freedom States to lead the international community in tim to a policy of ethnic cleansing, were forc- leaves a lot to be desired. addressing this great injustice. Lastly, Turkey continues to reject proposals ibly evicted from their homes and became ref- We, in this body, have passed resolution for a just and permanent solution of the prob- ugees in their own country. Tragically, a quar- after resolution urging Turkey to withdraw its lem of Cyprus, despite the European Par- ter of a century later they are still refugees as forces from Cyprus, urging Turkish-Cypriot liament's position that membership is contin- they continue to be prevented by the Turkish leaders to renounce ``declarations of inde- gent upon resolution of the Cyprus problem. occupation army from returning to their ances- pendence'' that they have issued in defiance The recent dispute over Cyprus' plan to pur- tral homes. of international law. And in the United Nations, chase defensive anti-aircraft missiles to pro- To this day, over 1,600 Greek CypriotsÐci- the Security Council has consistently and tect itself also demonstrates the bellicose pos- vilians, soldiers, women and childrenÐinclud- forcefully urged Turkey to end its military oc- ture of Turkey as opposed to the conciliatory ing four Americans of Cypriot descent, have cupation of over a third of the sovereign terri- stance of the Government of Cyprus. This inci- been missing since the Turkish invasion of tory of the Republic of Cyprus. These efforts, dent clearly illustrates the need for a con- 1974, and their fate is still unaccounted for. coupled with vigorous diplomatic initiatives certed effort to solve the problem of the di- The Turkish Government refuses to provide sponsored by the United States and the Euro- vided Cyprus. any information of their status. pean Community, remain central to securing a Turkey objected to the planned deployment In June, the leaders of the seven most in- final settlement that will end the artificial divi- of the defensive missiles, falsely claiming that dustrialized countries and Russia, the G±8, sion of Cyprus. they represent a threat to its security. It also urged the U.N. Secretary General to invite the It is my firm belief that today and every day, made clear its intention to use force to block leaders of the two sides to comprehensive ne- Congress has solemn obligation to support a this deployment. gotiations without preconditions in the autumn just and lasting solution to the Cyprus prob- In response to these threats, the Govern- of 1999. As the G±8 leaders stated recently in lem. A solution which must follow the precepts ment of Cyprus offered to cancel deployment Cologne, ``The Cyprus problem has gone un- laid down in United Nations Security Council if Turkey would resume serious and construc- resolved for too long. Resolution of this prob- 1250, which was adopted on June 29, 1999 tive reconciliation talks. Yet, the Turkish side lem would not only benefit all the people of and which in part reads, ``. . . a Cyprus settle- remained intransigent in its refusal to renew Cyprus, but would also have a positive impact ment must be based on a State of Cyprus with negotiations and continued to threaten Cyprus on peace and stability in the region.'' a single sovereignty.'' In short, the House of with military action. Several rounds of negotiations have taken Representatives should serve as a guiding In a remarkable gesture of good will, the place which have failed, principally because of force in the pursuit of a reunified Cyprus, an Government of Cyprus eventually and unilater- a lack of political will on the Turkish side and island nation where all citizens enjoy funda- ally canceled the deployment of the missiles, its refusal to abide by international law and to mental freedoms. forgoing its legitimate right to self-defense comply with Security Council resolutions which Mr. Speaker, let me conclude by saying that against Turkish aggression. It is regrettable provide the framework for a solution. More- I am of the belief that the solution to the Cy- that this conciliatory decision failed to bring over, Turkey has upgraded its military pres- prus problem resides in the will of the United the Turkish side to the negotiations table. ence on the island, it has made repeated States and the international community to re- Prolonging this explosive state of affairs in threats against the Republic of Cyprus for fur- nounce the violence that divided Cyprus a eastern Mediterranean is fraught with risks for ther military action and has spared no effort to quarter century ago and to affirm that the re- all parties involved, including the United block any progress toward a just and viable unification of Cyprus is a priority. The resolu- States. An armed conflict between Greece and solution. tions concerning Cyprus that we in this body Turkey over the Cyprus dispute remains a dire If a solution is ever to be achieved, it is es- consider and pass, those passed by the EU possibility. Such a conflict would have dev- sential that the Turkish side respond positively and other distinguished international organiza- astating consequences for peace and stability to the call of the international community for a tions, are all important. They are important be- in that sensitive and highly volatile region. resumption of the negotiations without pre- cause they uniformly call on Turkey to abide It is the interests of the United States, the conditions and within the agreed parameters. by international law by withdrawing its troops countries involved in the dispute, as well as Sadly, Turkey continues to reject numerous from Cyprus and in so doing, serving to ad- other neighboring countries to have this matter gestures of goodwill by the Cyprus Govern- vance a swift and certain resolution to the Cy- settled in a spirit of mutual respect. ment to facilitate the achievement of a solu- prus problem. I support the speedy resolution H6562 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 of the Cyprus problem and look forward to a States and to me. The appointment of Ambas- rest of our NATO allies, into the fold of re- day when the unification, not the division, of sador Richard Beady as special emissary for sponsible, peaceful, democratic nations. This Cyprus is celebrated in this body and around Cyprus demonstrates this importance to the can only happen by bringing Turkey's occupa- the world. Clinton Administration. I believe that after 25 tion of Cyprus to an end. Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, years of stagnation, the situation on Cyprus Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank twenty-five years is too long. It is too long to demands a fair and comprehensive solution. the gentleman for Florida (Mr. BILIRAKIS) and be kept from your home. It is too long to be The UN Security Council has condemned the the gentlelady from New York (Mrs. MALONEY) separated from family. It is too long to have declaration of independence by the Turkish for organizing this special order. children have to make the decision to go to Republic of Northern Cyprus and has called Mr. Speaker, I rise today to once again add school and never see their family again. for the withdrawal of all Turkish troops. The my voice to that of many others demanding Twenty-five years is too long. Security Council also called on all states not the reunification of Cyprus. Twenty-five years It is too long for Cyprus' rich 9,000 year-old to recognize the purported state of the ``Turk- is twenty-five years too long for our voices to cultural and religious heritage in the occupied ish Republic of Northern Cyprus.'' go unheard. part to be destroyed or plundered. It is too In fact, no country in the world recognizes Defense Secretary Cohen said last week long to watch helplessly the continual stream the so-called ``TRNC'' except for Turkey. UN that he welcomes both sides of this conflict of atrocities and human-rights abuses. It is too resolutions since 1974 have called for the coming to the table to negotiate a settlement. long for the world to watch in silence and do withdrawal of all foreign forces from Cyprus, What he did not say is that the Greek Cypriots nothing. Twenty-five years is too long. the return of all refugees to their homes in have always been at the table. It is the Turk- It is time to correct the injustice that has safety, and respect for the sovereignty, inde- ish Cypriots who have refused to negotiate been occurring on Cyprus. It is time to return pendence, territorial integrity and unity of the until northern Cyprus is recognized as a sov- displaced Cypriots to their homes. It is time to Republic of Cyprus. Several rounds of nego- ereign nation. No country, except Turkey, has reunite families. It is time to allow children to tiation have taken place, all of which have ever recognized northern Cyprus and no coun- go to school. It is time try to restore the rich failed because of a lack of political will on the try should or ever will. cultural and religious heritage of Cyprus. Turkish side and its refusal to abide by inter- Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash has After 25 years, it is time for the United national law and to comply with Security defined himself, his side and Turkish policy by States to take a vocal role in speaking out Council resolutions. consistently obstructing reunification. In doing against the division of Cyprus and the horrible Turkey has also continued to upgrade its so, he consigns Turkish Cypriots to third class atrocities that have happened there. That is military presence on Cyprus despite the fact statusÐconsigns the Turkish Cypriots to a why the Gentleman from Florida and I intro- that the Republic of Cyprus decided recently standard of living far below those of the Re- duced a resolution today that urges compli- not to deploy Russian S±300 missiles on Cy- public of Cyprus, a status equal to that of ance by Turkey with United Nations Resolu- prus. The TRNC has further blocked progress most developing nations. tions on Cyprus. by setting two preconditions for the resumption Approximately 35,000 Turkish troops have In the last year, the U.N. Security Council of peace talks by requiring the recognition of occupied northern Cyprus for twenty-five has passed four resolutions regarding the in- the ``TRNC'', and the withdrawal of Cyprus' years. During that time, Turkey's government vasion of Cyprus. It is time that a Cyprus set- application for membership in the European has shown what it is. It is not a democracy. It tlement is reached: Based on a single sov- Union. Neither of these are acceptable to the is a military dictatorship, in which the generals ereignty and a single citizenship with its inde- Republic of Cyprus, and only serve to con- allow as much democracy as they want. pendence and territorial integrity safeguarded tinue to block any kind of possible resolution. The Clinton Administration has clearly and compromised of two politically equal com- I therefore call on this Administration, in this shown that its policy is one of not leaning on munitiesÐa bicommunal and bizonal federa- 25th year, to take a hard sand on Cyprus, to Turkey. It supports Turkey's application to the tion. help enable the people of Cyprus to live under European Union even as Turkey continues to The Republic of Cyprus has agreed to these a government chosen by their people. The illegally occupy Cyprus, continues to per- conditions. It is time that Turkey come to the United States must take the lead in finding a secute its Turkish population, continues to bargaining table without unacceptable pre- solution to Cyprus, and demonstrate to the spurn normal relations with Armenia and con- conditions and the idea of a confederation of world that people of different ethnic back- tinues to defy our policy of working with the two sovereign states. We have challenging grounds and religious beliefs can successfully Iraqi opposition to overthrow Saddam Hussein. work to do. But, with the help of everyone coexist. The people yearn for it and the coun- The time has come for the U.S. to tell Tur- here, hopefully soon we will be celebrating the try needs it. key to sit down and negotiate on Cyprus. It is reunification of Cyprus instead of commemo- Mr. BLAGOJEVICH. Mr. Speaker, it has time for the Congress to send a message to rating the invasion. been twenty-five years since Turkish Troops the generals, to Rauf Denktash, and to Presi- Already there are 34 cosponsors of the bill. invaded Cyprus, tearing that nation in two. dent ClintonÐTwenty-five years is twenty-five The momentum in Congress is growing. Take, And for those twenty-five years, the world years too long. for instance, the Hellenic Caucus. There are community has repeatedly denounced the ille- Mr. HORN. Mr. Speaker, most Americans 75 members of the Hellenic Caucus this year gal Turkish invasion. Through various United and, indeed, most of the world, are remem- which is up from 69 last Congress. Nations' resolutions, joint communiques, and bering the historic landing on the moon by our The momentum is here in Congress and we other diplomatic statements, nations around brave astronauts 30 years ago today. This must continue that momentum and use our in- the globe have sent the clear, unequivocal event will be remembered as one of the great- fluence with Turkey to push them to bring real message that the Turkish occupation of Cy- est events of this century and this millennium goals to the table instead of unviable pre- prus is patently illegal and must end. not only for the sheer technological leap that conditions. Nonetheless, Turkey continues to arrogantly made it possible but also for the finest quali- Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, today marks ignore this unified message. Turkey chooses ties of mankind that the journey to the moon the 25th anniversary of Turkey's invasion of instead to complain that the world community exemplified. When one thinks of July 20th, Cyprus, and I rise with my colleagues to sadly is biased against it, but nothing could be fur- one wants to believe in the best for mankind. commemorate this tragic event. I have always ther from the truth. The world community is Sadly, July 20th is also the anniversary of supported efforts, including legislation, calling simply asking that Turkey abide by the same an occasion far less noble and inspiring. for the end of the tragic separation of the is- obligations that all other peace-loving states Twenty-five years ago, Turkey invaded Cyprus land of Cyprus. I am proud to be a cosponsor accept. If Turkey expects to enjoy the privi- took control of almost 40 percent of the island. of important legislation calling for a just and leges of a responsible member of the world In the wake of Turkey's attack, 1,619 peopleÐ peaceful resolution to the current situation on community, it must also accept the respon- including five AmericansÐdisappeared. Their Cyprus (H. Con. Res. 81), and have also sibilities that come with this status. fate remains unknown. called for an immediate end to the militariza- The time has come, Mr. Speaker, for the Today, Turkish troops continue to occupy tion of Cyprus. I have also written to President United States to say enough is enough. We the northern portion of Cyprus, maintaining Clinton numerous times to point out instances can no longer continue to ignore the fact that thousands of troops there in an affront to di- of Turkish aggression on the island. Lastly, I Turkey flaunts the very values which America plomacy and international law. Barbed-wire have also supported the Republic of Cyprus's has fought wars to protect: namely democ- cuts across the Island separating thousands of application for entry into the European Union. racy, human rights, and the sanctity of na- Greek Cypriots from the towns and commu- It goes without saying that the situation on tional borders. I urge the Administration to use nities where their families had lived for gen- Cyprus is of great importance to the United all possible leverage to bring Turkey, like the erations. July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6563 On a day when we remember the wonder gle to move forward underneath the burden of international crisis that I became involved with and bravery of the moon landing, we must not human rights violations and refugee status, as a member of our Foreign Affairs Com- forget the shame and cowardice of the illegal the desire for peace is unending. In the name mittee, as it was then called. It is one of the occupation of northern Cyprus. I join my col- of democracy and in the defense of human most frustrating facts that I face as I look back leagues here today in the hope that we will rights, we must continue to support the people on my time in the House, that now after a soon be able to remember the best of this of Cyprus in their efforts to bring peace and quarter of a century, during which we have century without a reminder of the worst. stability back to their country. seen the collapse of communism in Europe, Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island. Mr. Speak- Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I commend the greater peace in the Middle East, a possible er, I would like first to thank my colleague gentleman from Florida, Mr. BILIRAKIS, who settlement in Northern Ireland, and conflicts from Florida, Mr. Bilirakis, for this special order has over the years assured us that this House resolved in the Balkan tinderbox, but no move- to commemorate and acknowledge the 25th does not fail to observe the events of July ment on Cyprus! anniversary of the Turkish occupation of the 1974 whose tragic consequences still persist Although we have hit a serious obstacle to island of Cyprus. today a quarter of a century later. progress, The United States has no choice but The occupation of northern Cyprus by Turk- In the past decades we have witnessed to continue our efforts to get serious negotia- ish troops, which began some twenty-five many human rights violations such as in tions between the parties on Cyprus resumed. years ago, has turned into one of the most Kosovo and in East Timor. This has to change I thank the gentleman for allowing me to par- vexing problems of the international commu- and this commemoration is a step towards ticipate in this Special Order. change in Cyprus. The United States needs to nity. It has confounded the efforts of five U.S. show our strong support for a unified Cyprus. Presidents, four United Nations Secretaries Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to Until we bring about change, Cyprus and its General, and many of the world's top dip- commemorate the 25th anniversary of the in- people will continue to live divided into an is- lomats, including our own. Even the strong ef- vasion and forcible division of Cyprus. One land that has a North that is occupied by Turk- forts last year of Ambassador Richard quarter century after Turkish troops occupied ish troops and an independent South. Holbrooke and Ambassador Tom Miller ran Cyprus, beginning an unfortunate pattern of There is no reason why the Cypriots should into a brick wall as Mr. Denktash, backed by human rights violations, violence, and forcible become refugees in their own country or de- the Turkish government, came up with new evictions, thousands of Greek Cypriots are still nied access back to their homes. July 20, conditions before they would agree to resume unable to return to their ancestral homes, hun- 1974, was a dreadful day for the Cypriots. negotiations with President Clerides. These dreds more are missing, and precious cultural Many, until this day, do not know what hap- conditions, as the Turkish side well under- and religious sites have been irreparably dam- pened to their families on that day. stood, were non-startersÐthe Turks insisted aged. We have seen many changes around the that northern Cyprus be regarded as a sov- I believe, however, that renewed interest in world in the past years: The fall of the Berlin ereign entity, and the government of Cyprus the plight of occupied Cyprus will lead to posi- Wall, the beginning of peace in the Middle halt negotiations on joining the EU. tive diplomatic developments in the near fu- East, and the signing of a peace agreement in Although we are all disappointed that the ture. Just last month, the leaders of the G±8 Northern Ireland. It is now time that Cyprus hard-fought efforts of our envoys did not urged the U.N. Secretary General to invite the becomes part of the list so that freedom can produce a breakthrough, we call upon our two sides to participate in comprehensive ne- prevail. government and the international community gotiations. The U.N. Security Council followed I urge my fellow colleagues join in support not to abandon efforts to break the impasse. suit, adopting one resolution echoing this sen- for a unified Cyprus so that the necessary I agree with their assessment that the impasse timent and another reiterating its commitment changes will occur. is a result of the Turkish position, and that the to a final settlement which restores the terri- Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, it has been 25 key to breaking the current stalemate lies in torial integrity and independence of Cyprus. years since the Turkish invasion of Cyprus. In Ankara. The Secretary General's invitation to It is my hope that in upcoming meetings, 1974, Turkish troops evicted 200,000 Greek the leaders of the two sides to begin talks on President Clerides of the Republic of Cyprus Cypriots from their homes, making them refu- all the issues, without preconditions needs to and Mr. Denktash of the Turkish Cypriots will gees in their own country. And yet, the elaps- be reinforced by our and other interested gov- honor both the spirit and letter of these resolu- ing of a quarter century has not darkened the ernments. tions, negotiating in good faith to reach a solu- memory of the invasion. Turkey's continued The situation in Turkey is exceedingly com- tion which will restore peace, freedom, and se- violation of the Greek Cypriots' human rights, plex: The recent elections have produced a curity to Cyprus. and the need for the reversal of Turkey's ac- coalition government whose partners are odd tions and a return to peace remains as strong bedfellowsÐCenter Left, Center Right with a I urge all of my colleagues to continue their today as it did in 1974. junior member that has never been in govern- drive for a resolution to the problems plaguing For 25 years, Turkey has fought to increase ment before but has espoused a radical and Cyprus these 25 years. We are faced with an its grip on Cyprus. In violation of international violent form of ultra-nationalism in the past. It historic opportunity to reinforce the support for law, Turkey has moved more than 80,000 set- is not likely that such a government will be a settlement shown by the international com- tlers into the ancestral homes of the Greek strong enough to make the necessary com- munity, and to bolster our allies in Greece and Cypriots. A campaign of harassment and the promises, and indeed we have already heard Turkey in their quest for peace. We must con- destruction of cultural sites has been used to statements from Prime Minister Ecevit that he tinue to keep the peace process in Cyprus at intimidate the Greek Cypriots. believes that the Cyprus problem no longer the forefront of our foreign affairs agenda if we Despite these abuses, the people of Cyprus exists, that the the status quo is the solution. are to put an end to a quarter century of ter- struggle to seek a way for peace to grow. The We don't know how to put the appropriate rible injustice for the people of Cyprus. Cypriot Government called for the demilitariza- pressure on Turkey without giving the negative Mr. MARTINEZ. Mr. Speaker, I join my tion of Cyprus, even with the threat of the influences within Turkish society grounds to friend, the distinguished gentleman from Flor- Turkish army occupying 37% of the island's say that we have turned our backs on Turkey ida, and my colleagues in commemorating the territory. Cyprus sought to advance and de- and are not truly interested in its integration 25th anniversary of Turkey's military invasion velop by applying for membership to the Euro- into Europe and the West. and continued illegal occupation of northern pean Union. Even as it is constantly con- The comments that the present situation on Cyprus. fronted with uncertainty and instability, the CyprusÐdivision of the island and 35,000 Cypriot Government acts in the best interest of Turkish troops in occupation of one thirdÐis On July 20, 1974, Turkey invaded northern its people. the solution are completely unacceptable for Cyprus, forcing more than 200,000 Greek The threat of force and noncompliance are the United States and the international com- Cypriots from their homes. Turkey's bloody in- used by Turkey to delay a peaceful resolution, munity. It should also be unacceptable to Tur- vasion forced one-third of the population of the even when the world community is calling for key because if partition is good for Cyprus, island to live as refugees. A quarter century peace. then why not for northern Iraq, or even the has since passed and Turkish troops still oc- This spring the members of the G±8 and the Kurdish areas of Turkey itself? Obviously the cupy nearly 40 percent of the island in defi- UN Security Council again called for negotia- officials who make these ill-advised state- ance of a myriad of U.N. resolutions. tions for peace in Cyprus. To the international ments have not thought through the implica- Mr. Speaker, the 25th anniversary of Tur- community, the bitterness over the invasion of tions of partitioning Cyprus. key's military occupation of northern Cyprus 1974 remains as strong today as it did 25 When I came to the Congress some twenty- weighs heavily on the conscience of all civ- years ago. For the Greek Cypriots, who strug- seven years ago, Cyprus was one of the first ilized peoples of the world who share in the H6564 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 fundamental principle that military aggression must make it clear that it is willing to use for- I urge my colleagues to join those of us who must not prevail. eign aid, sanctions, and its power as a mem- are members of the Congressional Caucus on Mr. Speaker, the status quo must be bro- ber of several international organizations to Hellenic Issues to work more forcefully than ken. The paralysis in U.N. sponsored negotia- elicit a resolution. Mr. Speaker, we must ac- ever to achieve a peaceful resolution to the tions must be broken. And the intercommunal knowledge our position as a world leader and conflict in Cyprus, to help return to their strife that has torn Cypriots apart must be set- remain firmly committed to promoting peace homes the some 200,000 Greek-Cypriots who tled peacefully. But none of these worthy ob- and reconciliation on the island of Cyprus. were evicted from their land, to demilitarize jectives can occur as long as Turkey con- Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, this year the Turkish forces in northern Cyprus, and to tinues to violate international law and flout marks 25 years of continued injustice, 25 find out the fate of the 1,614 Greek-Cypriots U.N. resolutions condemning its oppressive years of human rights violations, the displace- and the 5 American citizens who have been occupation of 40 percent of Cypriot territory. ment of people from their homes, of ethnic ``missing'' since the Turkish invasion. It is indeed a sad testament to Turkey's in- cleansing. This year marks the 25th year of I want to thank Congressman BILIRAKIS and transigence that a quarter of a century after its Turkey's illegal invasion of northern Cyprus, Congresswoman MALONEY for their leadership invasion of northern Cyprus, it still maintains the division of an island, a community, a cul- on and dedication to this issue. I know they tens of thousands of troops on the island. Tur- ture, and a religion more than 9,000 years old. hope, as I do, that next year we will gather to- key must realize that its military occupation of In the last 25 years, about 40,000 Turkish gether on the floor of this House to praise a northern Cyprus stands as an obstacle to a troops have been stationed in Cyprus; 85,000 peace agreement for a united Cyprus. just and permanent solution of the Cypriot Turkish colonists have been moved to north- Mrs. KELLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to problem. ern Cyprus, where they live in the houses of join with my colleagues in marking the 25th Mr. Speaker, any permanent solution to the the more than 200,000 Cypriots forced out of Black Anniversary of Turkey's invasion of the Cypriot impasse must take into consideration their homes. We must all ask ourselves why island of Cyprus. On July 20, 1974, the gov- the anxieties and legitimate concerns of both such an unjust situation has been allowed to ernment of Turkey sent troops to Cyprus and Greek and Turkish Cypriots. However, the first persist for a quarter of a century. forcefully assumed control of more than one- step toward reconciliation and peaceful reunifi- After 25 years, some might be tempted to third of the island. This action dislocated near- cation must be the end of Turkey's illegal oc- throw in the towel, to become resigned to the ly 200,000 Greek Cypriots, forcibly evicting cupation of northern Cyprus. Turkish occupation. After 25 years, some them from their homes and creating a refugee Mr. COYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to com- might feel that the international community is problem that exists to this day. Additionally, memorate the 25th anniversary of the invasion helpless to act in the face of such aggression over 1600 Greek Cypriots are still missing or of Cyprus by Turkish military forces. and injustice. But they would be wrong. The unaccounted for as a result of this brutal inva- Despite overwhelming condemnation from United States and its international partners sion. the international community, Turkish forces must not adopt such an attitude. For the The Turkish Cypriot community has contin- have occupied northern Cyprus for the last 25 cause of a united and free Cyprus is not lost. ually shown its unwillingness to move toward years. On July 20, 1974, Rauf Denktash, sup- And it is important, now more than ever, for all a negotiated settlement with their Greek ported by over thirty thousand Turkish troops, of us to continue and strengthen our support neighbors. The removal of the roughly 35,000 took control of 37 percent of the island and for a peace agreement in Cyprus. Members of Turkish troops from the island of Cyprus is proclaimed it to be the Turkish Republic of this House must continue to pressure the Ad- central to any such agreement, as is compli- Northern Cyprus. During the invasion, Turkish ministration to urge the Turkish government to ance with the previously agreed upon param- troops murdered over 5,000 Greek Cypriots, reach a peace agreement. To date, Turkey eters for any solution. However, the Turkish evicted 200,000 Greek Cypriots from their an- has rejected every attempt to move forward on government is doing the exact opposite. They cestral homes and captured five Americans a peace settlement. have continued their arms buildup on the is- and 1,614 Greek Cypriots, all of whom, with There is reason, however, to hope that land, have abandoned reconciliation efforts just one exception, are still missing. peace can be achieved. Both Turkey and Cy- begun on a bi-communal grassroots level, The United Nations has always recognized prus have applied for admission to the Euro- have added two new preconditions for re- the Greek Cypriot government as the legiti- pean Union. Turkey is bitter that their applica- sumption of the peace talks and are now mate government of the island, while Turkey tion has been rejected, while Cyprus is close seeking the creation of a confederation of two remains the only country that recognizes Mr. to being accepted into the EU. sovereign states. The net result of these ac- Denktash's government and supports it with a It would serve Turkey well to reflect on how tions is to make any sort of rapproachment all strong military scattered throughout the north- its own actions work against its acceptance. the more unlikely. ern third of Cyprus. The Turkish Cypriot gov- For example, the Turkish Cypriot community The Greek Cypriots, have continually dem- ernment has repeatedly refused to negotiate a was invited by the government of Cyprus to onstrated their flexibility and willingness to peaceful solution to the conflict. participate in the Cyprus-EU negotiations; they compromise in order to bring an end to this In the past years, the international commu- declined the invitation. Turkey has made no long-standing dispute. The Cyprus government nity has attempted to encourage Turkey to effort to come to an agreement, and has re- has made numerous gestures of goodwill in alter its policy on the Cyprus conflict. Most re- cently made the situation more difficult to re- an effort to move the peace process forward. cently, the United Nations Security Council solve. Turkey has established a puppet gov- In the last year, they have canceled the de- passed resolutions in December of 1998, call- ernment on Cyprus, that is not recognized by ployment of a Russian defensive surface-to-air ing for a staged process aimed at limiting and any other nation except Turkey. Turkey has in- missile system on Cyprus in an effort to head then substantially reducing the level of all creased its military presence on Cyprus, re- off any escalation of this conflict. In addition, troops and armaments on Cyprus. Further- tains a large armor advantage over the Cyp- Cyprus has continued to comply with the pre- more, the United Nations has advised that for riots, and threatened military action. Cyprus, conditions established by the United Nations there ever to be lasting peace on the island, on the other hand, does not even have a Security Council resolutions, and has even put a Cyprus settlement must be based on a Cy- Navy, Army or Air Force, and only maintains forth a plan for demilitarization of the island. prus with a single sovereignty, a single inter- a small National Guard. However, these efforts have failed to national personality, and a single citizenship. The United States and the international produce any movement toward an agreement. Mr. Denktash, however, has rejected these community must take greater action. A mo- The U.S. government must again take bold UN resolutions on grounds that the Turkish ment of opportunity exists with the desire of steps to show its continued resolve to the Republic of Northern Cyprus should be recog- Cyprus and Turkey to enter the European Turkish government that it is serious about nized by the international community as a Union. We must live up to the promises we moving toward peace on Cyprus. In this re- legal and sovereign state. Denktash has also have made to the people of Cyprus. The ac- gard, I am pleased to be a cosponsor of refused to meet with the internationally recog- ceptance of Cyprus into the European Union House Concurrent Resolution 100 urging the nized president of Cyprus, Glafcos Clerides, will benefit all the communities of Cyprus. We compliance by Turkey with United Nations res- until his Turkish Cypriot state is recognized as should strive to see a united Cyprus join the olutions relating to Cyprus. It is essential that independent. EU and have that action serve as a catalyst the United States and the entire international It is my belief that the international commu- for regional economic, political and humani- community continue to work for the long await- nity must persuade the Turkish governmentÐ tarian advancement. A step in that direction is ed resolution to this tragic event. Rauf DenktashÐto resume negotiations and continuing the $15 million in U.S. assistance Mr. Speaker, it is with decisive steps such to work diligently toward a peaceful solution to for bi-communal projects and scholarships in as these that we can begin to hope for a this 25 year old conflict. The United States Cyprus. brighter future for Cyprus. I wish to commend July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6565 the Gentleman from Florida. Mr. BILIRAKIS, for long. I join the call of Glafcos Clerides, the CONDEMNING THE TURKISH INVASION his steadfast work in this area. I look forward President of the Republic of Cyprus, who on OF CYPRUS to working with him, and all my colleagues Sunday called upon all in Cyprus to strive for Mr. GEKAS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to re- who share our concerns, to achieve a unified a settlement that will ``heal the wounds of the member 25th ``black anniversary'' of the Turk- and peaceful Cyprus in the future. past.'' Mr. Speaker, I stand before you today ish invasion of Cyprus. Even today, an esti- Mr. WEYGAND. Mr. Speaker, 25 years ago in hopes that a settlement will be found, one mated 35,000 troops from Turkey continue to today, Turkish troops advanced into the Re- that will bring lasting peace and unity to the occupy 37 percent of Cyprus' territory. public of Cyprus and forcefully occupied the entire Island of Cyprus. After 25 years, we This invasion was a violation of international island. Today, Cyprus remains divided with must remember the suffering this invasion has law that resulted in the forced eviction of near- heavily armed Turkish troops occupying ap- caused, and strive for a peaceful future in Cy- ly 200,000 Greek Cypriots, making them refu- proximately 37 percent of the Island. Over the prus. gees in their own country. These individuals Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, today marks past twenty five years there have been signs are still unable to return to their homes. 1,618 the 25th anniversary of a tragically historical of hope only to be shattered by statements or Greek Cypriots, including four Americans of point in Greek-Turkish-Cypriot relations. On displays of aggression resulting in increased Cypriot descent, have been missing since the July 20, 1974, Turkish troops began a cam- tensions and little progress toward resolving Turkish invasion, and their fate is still unac- paign to forcibly evict nearly 200,000 Greek the conflict over Cyprus. counted for. Additionally, the Turks destroyed Cypriots from their homes in the northern part Last month, the G±8 countries, at their Byzantine churches and plundered much of of the island of Cyprus. During the invasion, meeting in Cologne, urged the UN to encour- Cyprus' rich 9,000 year-old cultural and reli- age the resumption of negotiations, stalled more than 1,600 men, women and children vanished, and to this day, the Turkish govern- gious heritage. since 1997, in the Fall of this year. As a result, The United Nations has issued several reso- ment refuses to provide information as to their the UN Security Council passed resolution lutions calling for the withdrawal of all foreign whereabouts. After twenty-five years, Greek 1251 calling for ``. . . all States to respect the forces from the island, the return of the refu- Cypriots are still prohibited from returning to sovereignty, independence and territorial in- gees to their homes and respect for the sov- their homes and remain refugees within their tegrity of the Republic of Cyprus, and request- ereignty, independence, territorial integrity and own country. ing them, along with the parties concerned, to unity of the Republic of Cyprus. Despite these refrain from any action which might prejudice Turkey has actively worked to change the demographic structure in Northern Cyprus by pleas, the government of Turkey in 1983 set that sovereignty, independence and territorial resettling 80,000 Turkish citizens there, mostly up a puppet government in the area under its integrity, as well as from any attempt at parti- in the homes of evacuated Greek Cypriots. military occupation and effectively seceded tion of the island or its unification with any Additionally, in 1983, Turkey encouraged a from the island Republic, calling itself the other country.'' Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Turkey The Republic of Cyprus has on many occa- ``unilateral declaration of independence'' by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is the only nation to recognize this ``republic''. sions offered an olive branch to end this con- (TRNC). This declaration was condemned by The Cyprus government, over the course of flict. The Republic of Cyprus has offered to the U.N. Security Council, as well as the U.S. the last 25 years, has attempted to each out demilitarize the entire island, and has can- government. To date the TRNC is not officially to the Turkish Cypriot community through dia- celed an order of a surface-to-air missile sys- recognized as a sovereign State by any coun- logue, bicommunal contacts at local levels, tem. Turkey has rejected these overtures and try except for Turkey. and offers to cooperate in negotiations regard- in fact continues to upgrade its military pres- In light of the recent atrocities against the ing Cyprus' accession to the European Union. ence on Cyprus and seeks to purchase $4 bil- Kosovar people, it is time to confront the Turk- Unfortunately, all efforts have been rebuffed. lion worth of attack helicopters. ish aggression against Greek Cypriots. With After a quarter of a century of failed efforts Mr. Speaker, throughout its history the several failed attempts at a peaceful settle- to end this illegal military occupation of over a United States of America has stood firmly ment on the island, the Greek Cypriots con- third of the sovereign territory of the Republic against the forces of oppression and aggres- tinue to suffer. The few remaining Greek Cyp- of Cyprus, hope is in sight. The international sion across the globe. We should continue to riots living in the TRNC are forbidden to attend community is calling for a new round of com- advocate and support a peaceful resolution to school or work, seek medical assistance, or prehensive negotiations this fall to find a set- the problem in Cyprus. As a cosponsor of H. visit families living in the Republic of Cyprus. tlement reuniting the island in one federal, Con. Res. 80, I continue to urge the President In blatant violation of international laws, Tur- sovereign state. It is obvious that the pressure to take steps to end the restrictions of free- key has subjected these people to harassment of the international community on rogue gov- doms on the enclaved people of Cyprus by and intimidation and violated their basic ernments can yield positive results. One need the Turkish-Cypriots and to work with our al- human rights. only to look upon the recent NATO action in lies to peacefully resolve this unfortunate situ- Despite the continuing efforts on behalf of Kosovo to realize that the international com- ation. the U.S. and the international community to munity has the diplomatic wherewithal to forge As the millennium is upon us, it is my sin- negotiate a peaceful settlement, 35,000 heav- a successful solution to this crisis; all that is cere hope that we will see significant progress ily armed Turkish troops continue to occupy needed is the will. For the sake of peace and toward a unified Cyprus obtained by peaceful more than one-third of the island. In an inter- stability in the region and the world at large, means. This can only improve the economic view on Turkish television this past Sunday, now is the time for a just and lasting peaceful and political stability of the region, which is un- July 12, a government official claimed that resolution. doubtedly in the national security and eco- ``the Cyprus problem ceased existing after the Mr. MCNULTY. A 25th anniversary is sup- nomic interests of the United States. creation of the Turkish Cypriot state,'' and that posed to be a happy occasion. Not so for the Ms. STABENOW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today ``the entire world has to understand the reality Greek-Cypriots. For them it marks the forcible in recognition of the 25th anniversary of the in- of an independent Turkish state on Cyprus.'' division of Cyprus and the invasion of their be- vasion of the Republic of Cyprus. Since the Clearly, Mr. Speaker, this is an affront to loved island by Turkey in 1974. beginning of this invasion, nearly 20,000 countless .U.N resolutions calling on Turkey to In the last quarter century, Turkish invaders Greek Cypriots have been evicted from their withdraw its forces and return all refugees to forced nearly 200,000 Greek Cypriots from homes and forced from the land where they their homes, and for Turkey to respect the their homes to become refugees in their own worked, lived, and raised their families for over sovereignty, independence, and territorial in- land. 9,000 years. tegrity and unity of the Republic of Cyprus. For example, the 1975 Vienna III Agreement Today, less than 1,000 Greek Cypriots re- This is an insult to the United States and the would have permitted 20,000 Greek Cypriots side in Northern Cyprus, even though a 1975 global community which has worked tirelessly and Maronites to remain to live normal lives in humanitarian agreement would have allowed to unify Greek and Turkish Cypriots in a the Turkish occupied Karpas Peninsula and 20,000 Greek Cypriots and Maronites to stay peaceful manner. the Maronite villages. Today, only 500 in Northern Cyprus. It is truly a tragedy that so In light of the recent remarks by the Turkish enclaved Greek Cypriots and 160 Maronites few of the original residents of Northern Cy- Government, we must reflect upon the tragic are in the occupied area. prus remain in their homeland. The basic incident that occurred 25 years ago when Tur- There are reports of all kinds of harass- rights that we take for granted in the United key illegally invaded the Cypriot island. De- ments and violations of civil rights and lib- States have been denied to these citizens. spite these setbacks, the U.S. and the inter- erties, including the destruction of Byzantine Now, 25 years after this tragedy, I hope that national community must continue to work to churches and other places of worship. Turkish a resolution can be found that will reunify this find a peaceful solution to this conflict that has restrictions aboundÐon travel, education and island nation that has been torn apart for so torn Cyprus apart. religious practices. H6566 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 This situation is unacceptable. done on a 10-year forecast, there is risk House would prevail on this making And yet, despite all the Turkish abuses, the involved in how accurate that forecast sure that the taxpayers are protected Government of Cyprus continues to reach out may be. And as I looked at that, I said by making sure that this trigger device for a peaceful solution. we need to do something to protect the stays in effect. The Greek Cypriots want peace. Recently, tax cuts and, at the same time, ensure I applaud the leadership of my col- the United Nations Security Council adopted that we continue this path of paying league on this. It was important as a resolutions 1217 and 1218, calling for a down public debt. number of us met with Republican peaceful, just, and lasting solution to the Cy- In doing so, we came to a triggering leadership and others. It is a trigger prus problem. The United States Government mechanism. And the trigger works in with real teeth. It is going to do the wholeheartedly supports these resolutions and the fashion that if we are not con- right thing, and that is what we are is committed to taking all necessary steps to tinuing to pay down the debt, we will here for. help in its achievement. not take the tax cut that year. It is a Mr. KUYKENDALL. Mr. Speaker, re- In the final analysis, only the parties to a simple mechanism. Just how much in- claiming my time, I appreciate that dispute can settle it. Ultimately, it will be Cy- terest are we paying on the debt? If comment. prus and Turkey who will have to agree on a that number does not get smaller each I think the important part of this is, settlement. year, then we will pay more down on I have used the phrase ‘‘responsible.’’ I The Government of Cyprus is willing to the debt and not have a tax cut that think it is also discipline that it im- come to the negotiating table. year. poses upon us as a Government. I urge our Government to continue to press The trigger mechanism is very im- I came from local governments and ahead to persuade Turkey to comply with the portant because it allows us to very re- State governments where our budgets Security Council resolution and to come to the sponsibly manage the affairs of this had to be balanced, and we could not negotiating table to work out a solution to this government’s finances by paying down issue debt unless we were asking the nettling problem. our debt and reducing taxes, but not voters to approve it. But we do not do There is no quick fix to the Cyprus problem. doing one at the exclusion of the other. that here. We play that role ourselves. But we must persevere. Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, will the In this case, we have imposed a dis- A solution can only benefit the entire Medi- gentleman yield? cipline with this particular triggering terranean region. Mr. KUYKENDALL. I yield to the mechanism that I think it is essential f gentleman from Michigan. that it come back in the conference The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I would version of this bill. And it is impor- previous order of the House, the gentle- like to thank the gentleman for yield- tant, I think, that our colleagues on ing to me, because a number of us were woman from Texas (Ms. JACKSON-LEE) the Senate side hear that, as well. is recognized for 5 minutes. instrumental in helping to write this We have a mechanism now that will (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas ad- trigger. impose discipline, give us responsible dressed the House. Her remarks will On Friday, Mr. Speaker, I was read- Government, control the debt, and still appear hereafter in the Extensions of ing the Wall Street Journal and there allow almost $800 billion worth of tax Remarks.) was a story in there and in it appar- cuts. ently Alan Greenspan, the chairman of f f the Federal Reserve, was asked before The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a the House Committee on Banking and previous order of the House, the gentle- ON ROBERT M. TOBIAS, Financial Services what he thought PRESIDENT OF NTEU woman from Maryland (Mrs. MORELLA) about this trigger and he said this: ‘‘I is recognized for 5 minutes. think that the notion of using a poten- The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. (Mrs. MORELLA addressed the tial trigger is essential,’’ Greenspan TANCREDO). Under a previous order of House. Her remarks will appear here- said. He further went on to add that the House, the gentleman from Mary- after in the Extensions of Remarks.) using the surplus to reduce the Federal land (Mr. CUMMINGS) is recognized for 5 f debt is ‘‘an extraordinarily effective minutes. Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, in TAX CUTS force for good in this economy.’’ He signed onto this. In essence, what 1995, the National Treasury Employees The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a the trigger is, it is a stoplight. If what Union, along with other Federal em- previous order of the House, the gen- the OMB and the CBO folks say is cor- ployee and retiree organizations, de- tleman from California (Mr. rect in terms of the expectations of feated the first attempt by the 104th KUYKENDALL) is recognized for 5 min- where we are going to be with the Congress to raise Federal employees’ utes. budget surplus, things happen the way retirement contributions and reduce Mr. KUYKENDALL. Mr. Speaker, to- they say, and the debt, in fact, is com- their pension. night I rise to speak about our most re- ing down, $5.5 trillion is what it is At a press conference celebrating the cent tax cut that was put in place, and today, the tax cut goes forward. victory, the NTEU national president, also to discuss what I think was the Robert Tobias, is quoted as saying, told b key element of that passage, that is, 2200 over 500 Federal employees in attend- the trigger that was added in on the But if, in fact, something happens, if ance, ‘‘You promised to serve the pub- last round of amendments that were interest rates go up, if spending goes lic with honesty. You promised to work put in place. up, and, in fact, the amount of money hard. You promised to serve the public. Mr. Speaker, we have had projections needed to service the Federal debt goes And in return, you were promised fair that are almost mind-boggling when we up rather than declines, the red light treatment and fair pay. It sounded like look at the dollar amount of these sur- goes on. So it is a safety valve. And it a fair deal. You kept your word. Now pluses we are projecting into the fu- also is going to serve as a break on ad- we’re asking Congress to keep its ture. If we do not count the Social Se- ditional spending as well. word.’’ curity surplus, but just in our other ac- So I think that this was a very im- Bob Tobias has spent the last 31 counts, we have nearly $1 trillion portant measure that a number of us years making sure that the executive worth of surplus projected. Now, with fought for. And furthermore, today I branch and Congress keep their prom- that number being projected, our tax know a number of us communicated to ises to Federal employees. He has used cutters looked at it and said, well, we our leadership that we are hoping that lawsuits as a way to further Federal would like to give 80 to 90 percent of the Senate certainly adds this provi- employees’ causes and to escape the that back to the American public in sion in their tax bill that they are de- narrow confines of Federal collective the form of a tax cut. bating this week. And if they are not bargaining. I, for one, fully agree with giving able to get it included, then at least He has testified before the Sub- back tax dollars that are that much in maybe in the conference, when we iron committee on Civil Service on behalf of surplus to those needed to run our gov- out the differences between the House the 155,000 Federal employees NTEU ernment functions. However, when it is and the Senate, that certainly the represents on numerous cases. July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6567 Mr. Tobias is a leading authority on served, and I can honestly say that his testi- tax cut relative to the debt reduction Federal employees’ issues and by ex- mony was always informative and helpful to jeopardized the passage of any tax re- tension has expanded his union’s lob- the Committee in its efforts to improve the op- lief. bying power on Capitol Hill. erations of the IRS. It was at that point that I recalled In the last 20 years, Mr. Tobias has My constituents in Pittsburgh who are part experience that the State of Michigan been involved in the development of a of NTEU's Chapter 34 are pleased to have has had in allowing both sides of an Federal employees retirement system, worked with Mr. Tobias as well. issue such as this to get their way. FERS, protecting Federal employees’ Mr. Tobias serves on the board of directors Back in 1983, I was part of an effort, health benefits program, restructuring of American Arbitration Association and is co- a tax rate reduction, that we would the Internal Revenue Service, advo- founder and treasurer of the Federal Employ- gradually tie to a certain target to cating for closure of the pay gap for ees Education and Assistance Fund. make sure that tax reduction occurred. Federal employees, and he worked with On behalf of my constituents, my colleagues This year in Michigan, we tied a tax Vice President GORE to create labor- on the IRS restructuring commission, the cut to economic conditions in a man- management partnership councils House Ways and Means Committee, and my- ner nearly identical to what I proposed across the Government. self, I want to thank Mr. Tobias for his many in this House last week. Mr. Tobias is leaving the NTEU to years of service and wish him all the best as embark on a second career, writing, he pursues new challenges and opportunities What I proposed and what the gen- teaching, and educating a new genera- in the coming years. tleman from California (Mr. tion on public policy. Given Mr. f KUYKENDALL) proposed and what the Tobias’ history, this is probably an at- TRIGGER FOR DEBT/TAX past House passed was tax reduction tempt to train future politicians on REDUCTION tied to our efforts to reduce the debt. how to vote on Federal employees Specifically, income tax rate would be The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a reduced gradually in stages over 10 issues before they get to Capitol Hill. previous order of the House, the gen- As ranking member of the Sub- years. But if the interest expense on tleman from Michigan (Mr. SMITH) is committee on Civil Service and on be- the Federal debt is not less than the recognized for 5 minutes. half of all Federal employees in my prior year’s interest expense, then the Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Mr. Speak- next stage of the reduction would be congressional district and throughout er, I wish to make comments today on postponed. this wonderful country, I wish you the the importance of not only a tax reduc- best, Mr. Tobias, in your future en- tion but a reduction in the Federal The concept is that those who are deavors. debt and the trigger that we imposed afraid that tax cuts may lead to great- f within the tax bill to help assure that er debt and, thus, greater interest ex- pense would have an automatic hold on ROBERT M. TOBIAS both happen. America’s tax burden is the highest further tax cuts until interest expenses The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a in the history of the Republic, not only went down. previous order of the House, the gen- in nominal terms but in actual per- Those who felt and predicted tax cuts tleman from Pennsylvania, (Mr. centage of income. are going to spur greater economic COYNE) is recognized for 5 minutes. Our Government has grown so large growth and, therefore, bring in more Mr. COYNE. Mr. Speaker I rise today to ob- that if we repeal the entire income tax revenue and pay down that debt and, serve the retirement of Mr. Robert M. Tobias. today, the total income coming into therefore, lower the interest rates Mr. Tobias will retire as National President of the Federal Government would still be would get the full tax cut proposed in the National Treasury Employees Union when as large as it was just 10 years ago. If the original bill. his term expires in August. we did away with the total income tax, Mr. Tobias has been the NTEU's president While the trigger is probably not the other revenue coming into the Federal perfect trigger, it accomplished the for the last 16 years. Prior to his service as Government would be as much as the president of the NTEU, he served the union as goal of moving the process forward total revenue in 1990. It is past time for both on reducing the debt and reducing its executive vice president and general coun- Americans to receive some relief from sel. Mr. Tobias worked successfully to expand taxes. The concept of using a trigger to their ever-expanding tax burdens. allow both sides of the issue to really the NTEU's membership from 20,000 to Now on the issue of debt. At the same 155,000. His tenure has also been marked by put your money where the other per- time, our Nation’s debt stands at 5 tril- son’s mouth is is a concept of win-win. major steps forward in the treatment of federal lion, 600 billion dollars. The interest employees. As a result of his efforts NTEU expense on the debt last fiscal year was It may be crucial to the final passage has negotiated alternative work schedules, larger than the entire Federal budget of this bill that will be acceptable to flexiplace work arrangements, monetary per- in 1972. Interest on the Federal debt the White House as well as this House formance awards, and on-site child care ar- last year was larger than the entire as we review what comes out of con- rangements for federal employees. He was Federal budget in 1972. ference committee. also involved in the successful court battle to A reduction in the debt would reduce I will continue to work this week on overturn the ban on speaking and writing interest rates and encourage economic perfecting the trigger mechanism since honoraria for federal employees. Mr. Tobias expansion. It would also reduce the this House, the Senate, and the Presi- also helped to create innovative labor-man- chances that our kids are going to have dent must agree on the final outcome agement partnerships which resulted in great- to pay huge taxes to make up for the before it becomes law. er productivity and customer satisfaction at the over indulgence of their parents and Debt reduction is important to Internal Revenue Service. grandparents as we spend and spend a strengthen the economy and taking the Mr. Tobias was also appointed to serve on bigger and bigger Government. pressure off our kids and grandkids, the Federal Employees Salary Council, the While the need for both tax reduction and tax reduction in a system that has National Partnership Council, the Commission and debt reduction is obvious, a major the highest tax rates in history is in to Restructure the IRS, the Federal Advisory difficulty facing Congress is the proper need very desperately of the kind of Committee on Occupational Safety and mix. Economists from the time of tax cuts that leaves money in the Health, the Executive Improvement Team at David Ricardo in the 19th century to pockets of the people that earn it. the U.S. Customs Service, and, most recently, today disagree on the relative effect of the IRS Oversight Board. I had the honor to tax reduction and debt reduction on f serve with him on the IRS restructuring com- the economy. mission in 1997, and I can vouch first-hand for However, the important thing is to The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a the hard work and dedication that he put into keep Government from turning into previous order of the House, the gen- the commission's efforts to provide Congress what Thomas Hobbes called a ‘‘levia- tleman from Michigan (Mr. UPTON) is with recommendations for improving IRS orga- than,’’ an ever-hungry monster gob- recognized for 5 minutes. nization and management. Mr. Tobias has bling up the Nation’s resources. (Mr. UPTON addressed the House. His also testified many times before the House Last week it became apparent that a remarks will appear hereafter in the Ways and Means Committee, on which I conflict of opinion about the size of the Extensions of Remarks.) H6568 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 EXTENSION OF NTR FOR CHINA products, industrial machines, and pass sensible gun safety legislation this The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a computer components, where wages av- year. previous order of the House, the gen- erage 20 percent higher than the na- I will tell my colleagues more about tleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. tional average, are already fueling this event, Mr. Speaker, during the TOOMEY) is recognized for 5 minutes. much of Pennsylvania’s impressive hour and how much all of us, men and Mr. TOOMEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to economic growth. women alike, hope these forums will address the House on the issue of our Renewing NTR is a prerequisite to contribute to making our country safer policy towards the People’s Republic of China’s ascending to the WTO, which, for our children and our grandchildren. China. in turn, will dramatically accelerate When discussing gun safety legisla- I believe the United States’ policy to- further growth and opportunity in U.S. tion, it is easy for us here in Wash- ward China should be guided by three and Pennsylvania exports to China. ington to get lost in all the many intri- primary and pragmatic goals. But finally, Mr. Speaker, freedom cacies of this subject. We can argue First, we must safeguard American works. By renewing NTR with China, fine points of the law, the real meaning security against a potential adversary. we are helping to provide the oppor- of the second amendment to the Con- Second, we should pursue economic tunity for the Chinese people to lib- stitution, the difference between a 3- trade relations that promote American erate themselves from the dictatorship day waiting period and a 72-hour wait- economic interests. And finally, we under which they currently live. ing period. We can talk about the fea- should encourage policies that will China’s communist leadership has tures of different weapons and ammu- allow individual liberty and the rule of embarked on what is, for them, a very nition clips and demonstrate our law and, thus, respect for human rights dangerous course. Unlike most other knowledge of the hardware. But for to flourish in China. communist dictatorships this century, most Americans, it comes down to this. Today, Mr. Speaker, Congress voted from Stalin to Mao to North Korea’s Is my child safe on her way to school? to renew normal trade relations, or Kim Il Jong, Deng Xiaoping chose to Can I stroll in my neighborhood on a NTR, with China for another year. This open China to foreign investment, lim- beautiful summer evening? Is it safe renewal of NTR will advance all three ited free enterprise, and engagement for me to walk home from the syna- of the above-mentioned China policy with the West. His bet was that he gogue after services or from church? goals. could enjoy the economic benefits of No one is secure enough in our country On the national security front, NTR capitalism without losing the com- anymore to answer ‘‘yes.’’ and the expanded trade opportunity munist party’s monopoly on political After the tragedy at Columbine High that it brings in non-militarily sen- control. School and the shootings and killing in sitive goods and services will reduce Well, in the long run, Mr. Speaker, if my district during the Fourth of July the likelihood of military conflict be- we continue to engage China, Deng’s weekend, Americans are asking, what tween the United States and China. successors will lose that bet and the does it take? What does it take before Countries with extensive trade rela- people of China will be the winners. something is done in the United States tions are simply less likely to go to And they will be the winners of free- Congress? How many children have to war with each other than countries dom because freedom is ultimately in- die? How many parents must prepare without those ties. This is no surprise. divisible. for another funeral? With extensive trade comes extensive People who enjoy economic freedom We want to talk to you tonight as interests in maintaining peaceful rela- will eventually demand political free- mothers and as grandmothers. This is tions and thus more trade. dom. People who read American news- about my granddaughter Isabelle and But make no mistake, NTR does not papers will eventually demand their about the horror of gun violence and and should not imply trade in mili- own free press. The people who travel the simple steps that we can take to tarily sensitive technologies. Any tech- to the United States on business will reduce it. We know that legislation nology with a direct military applica- see incomparable superiority of free- will not eliminate it, but just ask the tion should not be exported to China dom and will eventually demand that devastated families of victims if stop- nor to any other country that is not a liberty for their own country. ping the killing of even one child is not close ally of the United States. Freedom once tasted is irresistible. worth it. The Clinton administration’s appall- Eventually the Chinese people will de- Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentle- ing lapses in safeguarding military mand a free, open, and just Democratic woman from Texas (Ms. EDDIE BERNICE technology must be rectified imme- society, just as their fellow country- Johnson). diately. But denying American and men enjoy on Taiwan. Only that kind Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Chinese citizens the opportunity to ex- of society will properly respect the Texas. Mr. Speaker, the Juvenile Jus- change non-military goods and services Chinese people’s human rights. tice bill passed long ago, and the House will not accomplish that. These changes to Chinese society will still has not appointed conferees. This Instead, the U.S. should reinstate not happen overnight, but having ex- legislation and its accompanying gun penalties on companies whose neg- tended NTR will increase the pace at safety provisions are vitally important ligent sales compromise our security which they develop and, best of all, will to all American families. and rebuild a system of controls on the be helping ourselves in the process. Each day in America, 14 kids age 19 spread of potentially dangerous tech- and under are killed by guns. In 1996, f nologies. almost 5,000 juveniles were killed with Renewing NTR with China will ben- b 2215 a firearm. In 1997, 84 percent of murder efit our economy by providing Amer- victims age 13 to 19 were killed with a ican consumers access to low-cost REVIEW OF FORUM ON GUN firearm. Fifty-nine percent of students goods and by expanding U.S. export op- VIOLENCE in grades 6 through 12 know where to portunities. Revoking NTR would have The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. get a gun if they want one, and two- subjected Chinese imports to dramati- TANCREDO). Under the Speaker’s an- thirds of these students say they can cally higher tariffs, and that is another nounced policy of January 6, 1999, the acquire a firearm within 24 hours. word for taxes. These taxes would not gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Kids and guns do not mix. Yet the be paid by China but by American con- SCHAKOWSKY) is recognized for half the Republican leadership refused to con- sumers. Revoking NTR would have sub- time until midnight as the designee of sider common-sense gun safety meas- jected American consumers to up to $29 the minority leader. ures that would only serve to protect billion in new taxes. Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, our kids. It is far too easy for kids to A second economic benefit from ex- yesterday in Chicago I hosted the first get and use guns. Trigger locks, or tending NTR will be accelerated of 16 women’s forums on gun violence locked safety boxes, would keep this growth in high-paying, export-related that will be conducted by Democratic from happening. jobs across America and particularly in women Members of Congress. The goal We have continually passed up the my home State of Pennsylvania. Ex- of these forums is to develop strategies opportunity to act on this vitally im- ports in industries such as chemical and build grassroots movements to portant issue. I urge the Republican July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6569 leadership to move to appoint con- plore you, our leaders in Congress, to pass He talked about transferring the reg- ferees before we lose another child. the necessary legislation on gun control istration of his father’s automobile to Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. I think that the which would inhibit easy access to weapons himself and how he had to go down and for criminals. In doing so, you will create a fill out the paperwork. And no one gentlewoman has expressed the kind of safer, healthier and more optimistic future impatience that many Americans are for our country. If you fail to do so, my liv- would question that that is not a good feeling right now. They want to know ing nightmare might one day become yours thing to do. He talked about the fact when we are going to do something. as well. that we have to get a driver’s license That is particularly true right now of You can imagine what a nightmare and renew that driver’s license, and the residents in my district, who are that is to be with your son and friends why is it not that every single gun just beginning the healing process after walking home and being shot at on the owner does not need to register for having suffered the violence of hate streets of your community. that gun? We would not think of saying over the Fourth of July weekend. Littleton, Colorado; Rogers Park in people should drive a car without a I want to put a face to one of the vic- Skokie, Illinois; Bloomington, Indiana; driver’s license. And he said, ‘‘What is tims of gun violence. Ricky Byrdsong Springfield, Oregon; Fayetteville, Ten- more sacred in our culture than the was a former basketball coach at nessee; Edinboro, Pennsylvania; automobile?’’ It defines us in some Northwestern University. He was a fa- Jonesboro, Arkansas; West Paducah, ways, our mobility, our freedom, our ther, a community leader, and an inspi- Kentucky; and Pearl, Mississippi. Is independence, and yet we understand ration to his family and all those who your hometown next, Mr. Speaker? No that automobiles and drivers are heav- knew him, a deeply religious man. one knows for sure. ily regulated. And yet not guns. Ricky Byrdsong was committed to a At the forum yesterday, a number of The gun lobby says guns are some- cause, and his cause was to help under- incredible people testified. They are how a sacred object, that it should es- privileged youth reach their full poten- victims of gun violence that perhaps cape all that kind of regulation. tial and follow their dreams. His work gave the most dramatic testimony of At the forum yesterday, I held up a took him to neighborhoods where vio- all. TEC–9 in one hand and a baby rattle in lence was all too common a feature of One was Maureen Young, who comes the other hand. Baby rattles are gov- everyday life. He lived with his wife from my town of Evanston, Illinois. erned by the Consumer Product Safety and three children in Skokie, Illinois, a She spoke about her 18-year-old son Commission. We have laws about it. We have laws about how big the parts are quiet community of ordinary homes who was shot in the heart by a person in toys that we give to our children. and bungalows, quiet streets, good who was told to kill someone for their Guns are exempt from regulation by schools, and he once commented to a gang initiation. As she was speaking, the Consumer Product Safety Commis- friend on how happy he was to live in a she held up the printout from the hos- sion. Why is that? It is one of the only safe neighborhood. He did not have to pital heart monitor that showed her products, I think it is the only con- worry about his kids being hurt. He did son’s flat line. She held up that tape sumer product that is exempt from not have to worry about the violence that showed the flat line on the heart that kind of regulation. So Mark Car- that is so common in other neighbor- monitor that indicated that her son lin was saying, let us at least treat hoods. He was happy to live in the was dead. And she said, ‘‘How many guns with the same respect, if you will, peaceful community of Skokie, Illi- mothers are going to have to come home from the hospital with a tape as we do our automobiles. nois. We had Dr. Kathryn Coffer like this indicating that their child has But that all changed on Friday, July Christophel who is a respected pediatri- died?’’ 2nd, when Benjamin Smith murdered cian at Children’s Memorial Hospital Ricky Byrdsong when he was outside Mrs. Young is one of many victims, many mothers, many fathers, who has and also an expert on gun safety ap- playing with his children. He was proaching it as a health issue, refram- killed because of the color of his skin. turned their own personal tragedy into a crusade, and now she is a leader in ing this debate as a public health cri- And Mr. Byrdsong was not the first tar- sis. get that night of Benjamin Smith’s the Bell Campaign, a campaign de- b hate. Six men were shot in Rogers signed to wake up America, to organize 2230 Park. They were walking home from victims and people who care about She talks about how every year over synagogue, they were orthodox Jewish those victims into a grassroots cam- $1 billion is spent on medical costs as- men who were praying that evening. It paign to make this Congress more sociated with the treatment of individ- was a warm summer evening as they afraid of people who want sensible gun uals who have been shot. Of course, walked home. Twenty bullets found safety legislation than they are from these dollar figures do not take into their way into six people that night. It the small minority of people who resist account the lost earnings to their fami- is only a miracle really that none of passing even the most sensible and lies while they are recuperating. She those people was killed. The mother of simple pieces of legislation. pointed to a chart that we had there one of those victims said, ‘‘This was It is hard to imagine what Maureen yesterday that showed that in 1996 not just hate. This is what happens Young has experienced. But there are there were 15 handgun murders in when hate is given a gun.’’ an average of 13 mothers every single Japan, 15 in the whole nation in the Dr. Michael Messing was another vic- day who experience that. We talk whole year. Thirty handgun murders in tim that night. He and his son were the about Columbine and Littleton, Colo- Great Britain, Mr. Speaker; 106 in Can- first people who were shot at that rado, because it is a community where ada; 213 in Germany; and 9,390 in the evening. He and his son were walking we do not expect some things like this United States. home and he described this at the to happen, just like Skokie, Illinois, She said, if we looked at that chart forum that I held yesterday how Ben- and Rogers Park, Illinois. But 13 moth- and we were talking about a disease, a jamin Smith actually stopped his car, ers every day experience the same kind virus or a bacteria, and we saw how got out and pointed his gun at Dr. of horror. In my own little town, I have many people were afflicted in the Messing and he knew that right away attended three funerals in the last United States, is there any question in he had to flee, that this was clearly a year. I am tired of these funerals. I our minds that we would say, what are dangerous situation, he was shot at, his guess Ricky Byrdsong’s funeral makes these other nations doing? They seem son was shot at, and again miracu- four. to have conquered this epidemic, or Mark Carlin, President of the Board lously the bullets missed him. But he dramatically reduced it. What are they of Directors of the Illinois Council stood there to watch his neighbor down doing that we are not doing to confront Against Handgun Violence, urged us to the street get shot and suddenly from this health crisis. And the answer is apply the same common-sense prac- victim, he turned into physician and really very simple. They have far tices that we apply to cars to guns. ran down the street to care for them. tougher gun laws. Oh, we may want to Why can we not treat guns with the He faxed me a statement today that bring in all other kinds of cultural same common-sense regulation as we said: issues and maybe they affect some few ‘‘As a recent victim of Benjamin Smith’s do our cars? Are we any less free be- cases. By and large, the explanation for anti-Semitic and racist shooting spree, I im- cause our car is registered? the difference is we have more guns. H6570 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 Mr. Speaker, we heard from a re- put on guns that will prevent the acci- is all I am trying to do.’’ And she said, markable young man, Albert Smith, dental shooting of children. Let me tell ‘‘This is not a game to me. This is not who just graduated from Evanston my colleagues a few of those stories. a game to the American people.’’ Township High School and his family In Florida in 1999, an 11-year-old boy Mr. Speaker, this is our colleague, a also was touched by a gun-related trag- got angry with his 13-year-old sister. woman from New York, a hero in the edy in which a member of his family He went to a closet at home, took out battle for gun safety legislation and was killed. Albert really does not like a gun his parents kept there and killed someone herself who has experienced to go into details about the tragedy his sister. The gun was in an unlocked the tragedy in her own family. that struck his family, but what he box, was next to the ammunition, and America is asking us to do some- likes to talk about is how it spurred had no trigger guard. thing. Let me just refer my colleagues him into action on antiviolence issues, In Tennessee in May in 1998, a 5-year- to an editorial, Mr. Speaker, that ap- including gun control. old boy found a loaded hand gun on his peared June 20 in the Chicago Tribune. What Albert did was organize a con- grandfather’s dresser and carried it to It says, ‘‘The statute of limitations on ference on violence and gun control at school, threatening to kill his teacher responsibility in the United States Evanston Township High School in and classmates. House of Representatives expired after May which included the U.S. attorney In Cleveland, a 13-year-old boy took 59 days, just 59 days after two students from Massachusetts who came to talk his father’s unsecured handgun and shot up Columbine High School in Col- about strategies that they had devel- killed himself while playing Russian orado. The House decided that more oped to reduce gun violence, particu- roulette. The city prosecutor brought dead children is the price to pay to pro- larly among youth, where they had a charges against the boy’s father for tect the national gun lobby.’’ long period, I think over 2 years, where violating the ordinance that prohibits And the Chicago Tribune again, on not a single child in the City of Boston minors from having access to a gun. July 18 said, ‘‘Last weekend, a bigot was lost to gun violence, a coordinated In Florida, a 14-year-old boy found with a heart full of hate, a couple of strategy of prevention and control. his father’s gun in a closet and shot a guns and a load of ammo left a trail of Albert had just one simple challenge playmate in the head after school. The blood through Illinois and Indiana. for all of us who were gathered yester- victim lives, but suffers, as we can This week, congressional conferees day and that is, what are you going to imagine, from medical problems as a from the House and Senate will start do about it? What are you going to do result. to decide whether the country needs about it? What are we going to do This is one of the sensible gun safety tighter gun control laws.’’ about it? measures that was passed by the Sen- Mr. Speaker, I only wish that had I have received, as I am sure many, ate to require a child safety lock on been true. I only wish that conferees many Members of Congress have, let- every weapon. Why not? Why not, had been appointed and that they were ters from my constituents, letters that America is asking us. We talk about starting to decide whether we need tell sad stories and cry out for help, closing the loophole in the Brady Bill tighter gun laws. and tell about fear, tell about the fear and requiring background checks at The editorial goes on, ‘‘Poll after poll now of ordinary kids that are afraid to gun shows. has shown that Americans want to go to school who now think yes, in- Mr. Speaker, Benjamin Smith, who close the loopholes in the existing gun deed, it could happen to me. terrorized my community and then laws governing the sale and use of fire- Dear Representative Schakowsky: Hello. I killed two people and then himself, and arms, but Members of the House who am currently a high school student at Niles we can talk about the hate groups that flatly rejected meaningful gun control West. I know that I am not old enough to he was associated with and hate Web legislation last month are not listening vote for anything, but I would appreciate if sites on the Internet, and we should. to the polls, they are listening to the you would take the time to consider what I But Benjamin Smith again was able to National Rifle Association.’’ had to say. I think that there should be convert this hatred into violence. Let us review in closing, Mr. Speak- stricter laws about guns. Now, he went to buy a weapon and er, the three simple measures that the Too many kids are getting their hands on was turned down because he had an Senate passed that we hope will be- guns. I don’t know how, but there should be a way to keep guns off the streets. In the order of protection against him, and come the law of the land, that we hope Colorado shooting, those kids had some big fortunately that turned up in his back- that the Speaker will appoint con- firearms. How did these kids get their hands ground check. What he did was go to an ferees, that we can get down to the on such guns? I am not sure that I feel safe illegal gun dealer, someone who had le- business that the American people are in school, ever since the Colorado shooting. gally purchased an arsenal of weapons. asking us to do. Those three things are: If, by chance, this topic comes up, If we had had legislation that said that close the loophole in the Brady Bill, and I hope, Mr. Speaker, that my col- only one gun a month could be pur- the gun show loophole; the second is to leagues are listening to that. This child chased, this illegal gun dealer would require child safety locks; and the from Illinois is saying, not have been able to have this arsenal third is to ban, another loophole, ban If, by chance, this topic comes up, please that Ben Smith was able then to buy the importation of high capacity am- vote for stricter laws against guns. I heard two guns from this man. munition clips. too many stories about little kids and guns, We need to do sensible things. The If we do those things, we will have and I am afraid that someone I care about gun show loophole is another place Ben made the first small step in addressing might get hurt by a gun. I thank you for tak- Smith could have gone to a gun show the concerns of the Americans for their ing your time to listen to what I say. to purchase those guns, and if he would own safety, for the safety of their chil- And I hope that all of us here, Mr. have found an unlicensed dealer, he dren. We will be saying to the Amer- Speaker, will take time to listen to could have bought his guns there too. ican people that we want your children what this student had to say. He would have been able to purchase to be able to walk to school and be in Another: those guns and murder two people in a school in safety. We want you to feel Like most people, I have been disturbed by way that was not intended when we safe in your neighborhoods. We do not the rising violence in our lives. But Littleton first passed the Brady law. How many want another child to die; we do not really brings it home. It seems ridiculous to lives would be saved if we would close want another police officer to die. We me that guns can be picked up at gun shows that simple gun show loophole? without even a background check. It is even want to address this problem in our worse that people not old enough to legally When the gentlewoman from New country, and we are going to make drink beer can buy assault rifles. Why aren’t York (Mrs. MCCARTHY) stood on the those first steps. Let us do it, Mr. guns regulated for safety, like every other floor of this House and said, ‘‘All we Speaker. Let us do it soon. consumer product? Thousands of children want to do is keep guns out of the Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, in the last could be saved from disability or death by hands of criminals,’’ let me just quote few months and years, a series of tragic simple child safety standards for handguns. from her. She said, ‘‘That is all I am events has made it clear that there are serious Yesterday at this forum, I also held trying to do. My amendment closes a shortcomings in our gun laws that must be ad- up a TEC–9 and a child safety lock. For loophole. I am trying to stop the crimi- dressed. The U.S. Senate, after lengthy con- $5 or $6, one can get a lock that will be nals from being able to get guns. That sideration, finally passed a bipartisan measure July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6571 that would begin to close loopholes that have 21; gun safety locks to accompany all new We had a great hearing. We heard too often resulted in guns getting into the firearm sales; and preventing serious juvenile from many, many people involved in wrong hands by allowing vendors at gun felons from ever owning guns. agriculture in Colorado, and those who shows and flea markets to sell firearms with- We can achieve all of this if the members of are in the business of wildlife manage- out conducting background checks. The Sen- the House have the will and the American ment and the science of trying to pre- ate is to be applauded for this action. The people make it clear to their representatives serve and protect endangered species, Senate had the courage to pass a bill that that they demand action on gun safety. Let us and prevent certain species from be- dealt with the issue of juvenile justice and gun stop the delay. Let us pass meaningful gun coming listed on that list. violence in a sensible and thoughtful manner. safety legislation. We also heard from a number of indi- In the House, that same courage appeared f viduals from environmental groups. to be lacking in too many of our colleagues. But the consensus clearly was that the As a mother of five and grandmother of thir- GENERAL LEAVE Endangered Species Act is broken and teen, I empathize with the families who lost Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I needs to be fixed; that the act needs to children in Littleton, Colorado and with the ask unanimous consent that all Mem- be addressed in wholesale fashion and thousands of other families across this nation bers may have 5 legislative days within dramatically reformed. who have seen violent crime rob them of their which to revise and extend their re- It is very clear that the notion of loved ones. These are losses that can never marks on my Special Order this protecting and preserving endangered be forgotten and that leave a lasting void no evening. species is a good one, and one that one can fill. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there ought to be maintained. It is a noble Unfortunately, the American people were objection to the request of the gentle- goal, a worthwhile goal. It is a public the big losers in the debate on the House floor woman from Illinois? goal. over gun safety last month. Hours of floor de- There was no objection. The unfortunate consequence, how- bate over three days and nights produced f ever, of the Endangered Species Act is nothing that can comfort those who have al- that the individual who happens to find THE REPUBLICAN AGENDA ready lost a family member to gun violence one of these species on his or her prop- and provided no real meaningful measures to The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. erty bears the almost exclusive burden ensure the future safety of our children. TANCREDO). Under the Speaker’s an- in shouldering the cost of protecting The fight for sensible gun control is not nounced policy of January 6, 1999, the and preserving and achieving this pub- over. Those of us who believe in closing gun gentleman from Colorado (Mr. SCHAF- lic goal of species recovery. That is the loopholes will continue our efforts. Three FER) is recognized for 60 minutes as the unfortunate part of it. It is the unfair months ago, I spoke to many members of designee of the majority leader. part of the Endangered Species Act. Family and Friends of Murder Victims assem- Mr. SCHAFFER. Mr. Speaker, I ap- Once again, I want to suggest that bled in Rose Hills Memorial Park to honor preciate the recognition for this hour those we heard from in Colorado, from their slain loved ones during Victims Rights that I reserve on behalf of the Repub- the farming and ranching community, Week. I pledged to them that I would work to lican majority. And, specifically, for from the homebuilders in Colorado, ensure we establish laws and programs that those Members of the Theme Team and those who represent municipalities, as help prevent the additional loss of innocent any Member of the Republican Con- well, we heard from a county commis- lives and to strengthen victims' rights. I intend ference that has anything to discuss sioner, a State legislator, all of these to keep that pledge. this evening, I invite them to come people really and truly believe that we Let us look at the facts: In the five years down to the floor now and join me in ought to do everything we can to pro- that the Brady Bill has been in effect, requiring the next hour in discussing topics rel- tect and preserve species, and we cer- a three business-day waiting period for a gun ative to our majority agenda on the tainly do not want to see them go ex- purchase, more than 400,000 illegal gun House floor. tinct as a result of any human activity. sales, two-thirds of which involved either con- That agenda, of course, includes an But they also understand the impor- victed felons or people with a current felony effort to save and secure a retirement tance of a local perspective in achiev- indictment, were blocked. This is clear evi- security system through Social Secu- ing a strategy to secure these public dence that this law works and that we are on rity and Medicare. It also involves our goals of species recovery and protec- the right path. efforts to reduce the tax burden on the tion of species. However, we still have far to go. Studies American people. The third item is to We heard from a county commis- show that one in four gun murders are com- build the strongest national defense in sioner, for example, Kathay Reynolds, mitted by people aged 18 to 20. Furthermore, the country, in the world, one that al- the county commissioner in Lambert about two-thirds of all homicides involve the lows for complete security for our Na- County, who was disappointed that the use of a gun. Also consider that domestic vio- tion and for our children, and the third Fish and Wildlife Service did not reach lence often turns into homicide in many in- effort is to try to create the best edu- out enough to her and her constituency stances where guns are readily available, and cation system on the planet. in devising the rules to protect a that law enforcement officials support gun mouse, a mouse called the Prebles b 2245 safety because it saves police officers' lives. Meadow Jumping Mouse. This is a These facts demand our immediate atten- Those are three goals towards which mouse that looks just like the Western tion. It is no wonder that a recent Pew Re- we are working vigorously, and hoping Jumping Mouse that is a more hardy search survey found that 65% of the nation to accomplish and achieve. variety in Colorado. believes gun control is more important than I want to start out by talking about The mouse has been listed. Let me the right to bear arms. Similarly, a Gallup Poll a fifth topic, one that is important to say that the mouse seems to like shows that 79% of Americans support manda- my constituents and one that is fresh water. It hangs out around rivers and tory registration of all firearms. on my mind just coming back from a streams and irrigation ditches, which I wholeheartedly support a rational gun weekend of visiting with constituents. in the West is critical in a semi-arid re- safety policy to close loopholes that have al- The topic back home was the Endan- gion such as ours when it comes to ag- lowed too many individuals to skirt laws de- gered Species Act. riculture. So the mouse likes to be signed to prevent guns from getting into the The Committee on Resources has a around the water and in the tall grass wrong handsÐoften the hands of felons or mi- special task force that visited Colorado around the water. nors. and held a hearing in the town of Gree- If you happen to find a mouse, one of We should strengthen the Brady law and ley. We had a great hearing. One of our these Prebles Meadow Jumping Mice in fight for new gun safety measures that in- colleagues, the gentleman from Colo- and around your property, your life is clude: a three business-day waiting period to rado (Mr. UDALL), was able to come up about to change, because under the complete background checks on people buy- to Greeley and join us, as well as one of proposed rules by the Fish and Wildlife ing guns at gun shows and flea marketsÐjust the members of the Senate, Senator Service, that means that you can no like sales at retail outlets; banning the import CAMPBELL. Also, the fourth member of longer maintain your irrigation canals of large-capacity ammunitions clips; raising the that group was the chairman, the gen- and ditches. It means that, in many national age of handgun ownership from 18 to tleman from California (Mr. POMBO). cases, you may have to divert your H6572 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 water and use it in a way that is not their property for broad species protec- dustries, on small family farms and conducive to sound agricultural prac- tion, and also to make sure that people ranches, on a way of life that is rapidly tices. who lose the use of their property are vanishing, hastened by the bureau- It also means that again, in an area appropriately compensated for it. cratic decisions of those who would where water rights, where we fight While I missed this meeting, I cer- seek to short-circuit this document. very hard for water rights, that this tainly agree that we need to reform the Mr. Speaker, one is reminded of the has the ability to disrupt the alloca- Endangered Species Act. weak assertion by our current Vice tion of such a scarce resource. Mr. SCHAFFER. Farmers and ranch- President, the same Vice President We heard from many other individ- ers are really having a tough go of it who last weekend presided over an un- uals, but the hearing was a very good right now, not only because of various paralleled waste of natural resources in one, one that is very, very important regulatory policies, the Endangered the millions of dollars, in the millions to the West. We heard about other spe- Species Act, as implemented by the of gallons of water, for what is now cies, the mountain plover, the Fish and Wildlife Service, being among being called the new Watergate, for blacktailed prairie dog, and other spe- them, but several other matters, tax- what some cynics call Tipper Canoe; cies that are proposed to be listed in related policies and trade issues, also. for what other cynics call the new Row Colorado. But the topic of private property vs. Wade; a Vice President of the I want to thank the Committee on ownership in America is so central and United States, Mr. Speaker, who had Resources, its leadership under the essential to our way of life and our cul- the audacity to stand in front of the chairman, the gentleman from Alaska ture. It really is rural America, which assembled press and say to America, (Mr. YOUNG), as well as the chairman of in, my opinion, is where we find the through the Press Corps, ‘‘My legal the task force, the gentleman from real soul of America. These are the counsel informs me that there is no California, for coming out to Colorado same folks, the same spirit and men- controlling legal authority.’’ and focusing so much national atten- tality and motivation that in fact Mr. Speaker, it is a fair question to tion on a big problem in our part of the founded the country and have sus- ask, how low can an administration go, country. tained our great Republic to this time. from the boastful claims of putting Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman The effect of this particular regu- people first, from the boastful claims from Montana (Mr. HILL). latory action, the Endangered Species of having the most ethical administra- Mr. HILL of Montana. Mr. Speaker, I Act, is one that restricts and con- tion in history, to the reality of taking thank the gentleman from Colorado for strains to a tremendous degree the contributions from Chinese front cor- yielding to me. ability not only to enjoy property porations, to having a Vice President While he and I both serve on the rights and the use of one’s private who, in violation of existing Federal Committee on Resources, I was unable property, but also the production of law, sought campaign donations from to join the gentleman in Colorado over our food supply, which is something his Executive Office Building location, the weekends. But there is no question that, of course, is vital to the long- not from the Democrat National Com- that the Endangered Species Act is term solvency of our Nation and the mittee, and still had the audacity to having a very dramatic and in some in- success of our Republic, and the claim that his legal counsel informed stances, a devastating impact on our strength of emerging economies him that there is no controlling legal rural communities. throughout the rest of the world. authority. Obviously, it impacts rural areas be- Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman Mr. Speaker, I will say again for the Record, to my colleagues and those cause rural areas is where habitat in- from Arizona (Mr. HAYWORTH). volving endangered species exists. But Mr. HAYWORTH. I thank my friend who would join us beyond these walls, what we know now is that it operates from Colorado and my friend, the gen- there is a controlling legal authority. in an unfair fashion, particularly with tleman from Montana. It is called the Constitution of the private property owners. But even the Mr. Speaker, as I listened to their United States, which provides over- impact that it has on the management words, I could not help but think of the sight capacity to the legislative branch of public lands, it is unfair, and it is irony of the current administration, of government, but moreover, Mr. also ineffective. who campaigned in 1992 under a slogan Speaker, which provides a remedy We know now that has been having of putting people first. How ironic that every 4 years for the executive branch, an adverse impact on what the objec- is, in the wake of decisions by the ad- every 2 years for those who would serve tive is, which is of course to protect ministration that would seek to dilute in the Congress of the United States, species, because the incentives in the what the Fifth Amendment to the Con- where we stand at the bar of public opinion and are accountable to the peo- Endangered Species Act certainly are stitution says in its final clause. ple who sent us here. such that if one discovers a species on I would ask my colleagues and those That should give pause to this Vice who join us to listen closely. The final one’s property, it is best not to do that. President, even though the current clause of the Fifth Amendment to our So the incentive is for people to change president apparently has no concerns Constitution says, ‘‘Nor shall private habitat. about it. Also one of the huge issues associ- property be taken for public use with- Mr. SCHAFFER of Colorado. Mr. ated with the Endangered Species Act out just compensation.’’ And the irony Speaker, this topic of corruption in the is the fact that the States have had re- of the assertion that the Clinton-Gore executive branch of government and in sponsibility for managing wildlife. gang plan to put people first is exceed- administration is one that the Com- That has been the tradition in this ed only by the boastfulness of the cur- mittee on Resources again had a country. In the Endangered Species rent president in the inter regnum be- chance to look into a little further, and Act, the Federal Government has tween his election and swearing in the gentleman from Montana (Mr. taken the dominant role, overriding when he said that he would offer the HILL) was there. the authority of the States. most ethical administration in history. I would like to ask him to comment, What we see happening is that we are The irony fairly drips from those if he would, for a moment on the hear- managing for a single species, which is words when today, Mr. Speaker, we ing we had just a few days ago. having an adverse impact on other spe- came to this floor to debate the trade Mr. HILL. As my colleague, the gen- cies. In other words, the Endangered status of the People’s Republic of tleman from Colorado, knows, we are Species Act focuses all the resources on China, mindful of the fact that Chinese considering a number of bills associ- a single species, and the broad ecology shell corporations, technically with ated with putting perhaps more of the is secondary to the protection of that American charters, had given money to offshore receipts, revenue from off- species. the Clinton-Gore campaign in 1996; shore oil and gas development, into So there are a number of reforms we mindful also of the fact that for those habitat and providing that money to need to make. One is to restore the re- of us from the West, from Colorado, the State. sponsibility and authority of the Montana, and Arizona, it has been said So as part of that, the Committee on States, to allow for agreements with that this administration has declared Resources asked the General Account- private property owners in managing war on the West, on resource-based in- ing Office to do an examination of the July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6573 accounting in the use of these funds. employees to approve a funding request they took money from this account for We had one of the most startling re- by an anti-hunting group, using funds that purpose. ports that I think that I have ever read paid in by hunting and fishing men and So there are extremely serious alle- as a Member of Congress. What we have women, to use those funds to fund an gations here. We are going to continue discovered is that at the very top of organization fund for the animals in an to have more hearings on it. I am advo- this administration, there has been a anti-hunting campaign. cating for the committee and the Fish looting of hunters’ and fishermen’s Mr. HAYWORTH. Mr Speaker, will and Wildlife Service to find a way to funds. People who hunt and fish in the the gentleman from Montana (Mr. lift the gag order on this former em- United States pay an excise tax into a HILL) repeat his assertions, because I ployee so this person can tell us the fund, the Pittman Robertson fund, and think, given the culture of the present whole truth. There were questions that a fisheries fund to provide for habitat day, given the media proclivities here I asked at the hearing that this person to help sustain hunting and provide on Capitol Hill and beyond, sometimes, was unable to answer because of the habitat for hunting. quite often, these stories are missed for confidentiality agreement that had What we have discovered is that the whatever reason. Could the gentleman been entered into. But these are very Fish and Wildlife Service has been repeat what he has found in the Com- serious matters. looting this account. mittee on Resources. But I know it is troubling to the f Mr. HILL of Montana. Mr. Speaker, sportsmen and women in Montana who, what this general accounting report, through the purchase of guns and am- REPORT ON RESOLUTION WAIVING and this is a preliminary report, we munition and sporting goods and fish- POINTS OF ORDER AGAINST CON- have asked them to do a more thor- ing gear, are paying an excise tax into FERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 2465, ough examination, but they have cre- this fund for habitat purpose, to have MILITARY CONSTRUCTION AP- ated several administrative accounts, this administration using that money PROPRIATIONS ACT, 2000 one that the chairman has even labeled or trying to use that money, meeting Mr. DIAZ-BALART, from the Com- a mystery administration account, and with, conspiring with anti-hunting mittee on Rules, submitted a privi- used the funds in those accounts to groups to try to undermine the very leged report (Rept. No. 106–268) on the fund projects that would not normally people who are paying the tax. resolution (H. Res. 262) waiving points meet the criteria. Mr. SCHAFFER. Mr. Speaker, the in- of order against the conference report They have looted those funds, tried teresting thing is we probably would to accompany the bill (H.R. 2465) mak- to direct those funds into anti-hunting not have discovered this scandal were ing appropriations for military con- efforts. In some instances, there is evi- it not for a handful of conscientious struction, family housing, and base re- dence that they used those funds to pay employees and others who work with alignment and closure for the Depart- for expenses that are not authorized by the Interior Department on manage- ment of Defense for the fiscal year end- Congress. In other instances, they have ment of this fund who found the cour- ing September 30, 2000, and for other failed to account for those funds. They age to stand up and represent and purposes, which was referred to the have failed to establish any criteria for think about the taxpayers and what is House Calendar and ordered to be the approval or the granting of those morally proper and risk their jobs and printed. funds. This is at the very highest levels perhaps their future careers as well. of the administration. They came forward to Congress and ex- f Now, the person that revealed this plained what was going on, which it al- REPORT ON RESOLUTION PRO- information to our committee was lowed us to have the hearing and move VIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF fired for failing to go along and has re- forward. This is a scandal of major pro- H.R. 2606, FOREIGN OPERATIONS, cently entered into a settlement with portions. EXPORT FINANCING, AND RE- the Fish and Wildlife Service. But, in- The gentleman touched on a point LATED PROGRAMS APPROPRIA- terestingly, that settlement has a con- that I want to move into next, and that TIONS ACT, 2000 fidential clause, a gag order attached is he said that there is a pattern in the to it. So at our hearing, that employee administration when it comes to public Mr. DIAZ-BALART, from the Com- was unable to give us all the details use of public lands. That is also true of mittee on Rules, submitted a privi- that he wanted to give us. private lands. There is a deeply held leged report (Rept. No. 106–269) on the Mr. HAYWORTH. Mr. Speaker, if I belief in this administration that resolution (H. Res. 263) providing for could ask the gentleman from Mon- human beings are a problem, that consideration of the bill (H.R. 2606) tana, is it his impression that this ad- human beings should not be enjoying making appropriations for foreign op- ministration was using those different our national parks, our national wil- erations, export financing, and related entities, those different people to cam- derness areas, our National Forests, programs for the fiscal year ending paign for a certain point of view, using and so on; that these should be off lim- September 30, 2000, and for other pur- these people in a way in a campaign its for human activity, whether it is poses, which was referred to the House that would be unlawful? hunting or recreation or even when it Calendar and ordered to be printed. Mr. HILL of Montana. Mr. Speaker, comes to private property when it f this is certainly consistent with the comes to responsible land use. agenda of this administration, which is We talked earlier about the Endan- ADJOURNMENT TO THURSDAY, to restrict the public use of lands. I gered Species Act and the impact that JULY 29, 1999 long suspected that part of that effort that has on the ability of an individual Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, I is to reduce access by hunters and peo- private property owner to use his or ask unanimous consent that when the ple who fish and use the public lands her land as they see fit. House adjourns today, it adjourn to for that purpose. This is consistent I want to use an example for my col- meet at 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 29, with that pattern of activity and that leagues briefly, and that is one of this 1999. agenda. apple, just to dramatize the impor- The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. But in this instance, this is not a tance of these public lands-private TANCREDO). Is there objection to the re- small sum of money. This is $550 mil- lands use issues when it comes to agri- quest of the gentleman from Florida? lion a year that goes into this trust culture. There was no objection. fund, and they were peeling off between If this apple represents the surface 6 and 8 percent of this fund, which is area of the globe, we have to keep in b 2300 $40 million a year for this purpose. mind that approximately three-fourths They set up special secret accounts. What we also discovered is they took of the Earth is covered with water. So Out of these accounts, they paid for ex- money. Understand, this is a trust fund if I cut this apple into quarters, we penses that are inappropriate, illegal. for habitat, and they were taking this have represented here the available use There is not adequate accounting for money to backfill the other parts of of land mass that exists on the earth. these funds. If I can make this last their budget because they were running Now, keeping in mind that also of point, they even pressured one of their short of money in different areas. So this land mass, approximately half is H6574 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 mountains or desert or arctic regions that they have been talking about ear- learn the lessons of history, which are or areas that are too hot. That leaves lier, but also to put the tax relief plan fairly simple and which boil down to us with about an eighth of the land in context of what we, as a majority, this. If we leave this money in the mass that could be useful for growing are driving for in the House of Rep- hands of the Washington bureaucrats, food. resentatives, an agenda that we iden- it will be spent. Therefore, our mission Now, of this one-eighth, we have a tify as enabling us to secure the future in this commonsense conservative ma- certain portion, about a quarter, that for American citizens as we move into jority in this 106th Congress is clear: is simply too wet or too hot. We have the next millennium. I know we are We must return the money to the peo- another quarter that is simply not hab- going to focus on the tax relief package ple to whom it belongs, the American itable for or not useful for growing ag- tonight. But we need to put it in con- taxpayer. ricultural products. The land is just text of the other elements of our plan. This money does not belong to the not rich enough. Then we have another We are focusing on education. We government, Mr. Speaker. It belongs to quarter that we can cut away because have passed a number of different edu- all of those who work hard and play by of concrete, because of infrastructure, cation bills in this Congress. The most the rules and pay their taxes. There- roads, bridges, and municipalities and important, or one of the bills last fore, our legislation that provided tax so on. week, again was the Teacher Empower- relief, which we passed last week, is in- That leaves us with one thirty-sec- ment Act focusing on enabling local tent on returning the money to whom ond of the land mass on the entire school districts to make sure that it belongs. Because, Mr. Speaker, the planet that is available for agriculture. every teacher in the classroom was money belongs to the people, not to the Bear in mind that we are just talking qualified to teach our children, giving Washington bureaucrats. about the surface. local school districts additional flexi- And whether it is estate planning re- So let me show my colleagues what bility. form, putting to death the death tax that represents from the whole apple We are also, as we move through the over a 10-year period; whether it is spe- that I started with. Here is how much tax plan and the tax relief efforts, en- cial accounts for education to empower we are talking about. Whenever the suring as our first step to set aside in parents to plan not only for a child’s Fish and Wildlife Service, the Federal a lockbox all of the FICA taxes that college education but also to seek al- Government, or any other Federal the American taxpayers are paying in ternatives in the grades K through 12; agency proposes to move farmers and each and every week. As part of that, whether it is reducing the marriage ranchers off of this little piece of land there is a right-to-know provision of penalty; or whether it is an across-the- and take that land out of production, the tax relief bill that is going to en- board decrease in the rate of taxation, that puts the human population at able taxpayers, when they get their W– we hold to this simple truth, Mr. Speaker: The money does not belong to great peril over a long period of time, 2 form, not only to see the amount of the government. It belongs to the and it is the reason we need more sen- FICA taxes that they pay each and American people. Therefore, the Amer- sitivity in Congress and in Washington every year, but the matching amount ican people should hold on to more of in general in looking out for these that their employers pay each and their hard-earned money to save, spend rural individuals. every year. I am proud to say that this Congress and invest as they see fit. b 2310 just last week reached out to some of Mr. Speaker, that stands in stark the people who worked that tiny patch So that they are going to see that it contrast to the vision offered by the of land, and we reached out in a way is not 6.5 percent of my income, it is 13 President of the United States, who came to this well of the House to de- that has powerful impact. Because percent of my income that never comes liver a State of the Union message in when the farmers and ranchers who home with me but goes directly to January and said that it was his intent work that land reach retirement age Washington. to save 62 percent of the Social Secu- and start contemplating planning their Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman rity surplus for Social Security. Hello. estates and handing that land to their from Arizona (Mr. HAYWORTH). That means he intended to spend the children, they are confronted with a Mr. HAYWORTH. Mr. Speaker, I other 38 percent on new programs. And, very unfortunate reality; and that is, thank my colleagues, the gentleman indeed, as he stood at that podium, he upon their death, when they hand that from Montana (Mr. HILL), the gen- outlined in the span of 77 minutes some farm or ranch over to their children, tleman from Michigan (Mr. HOEKSTRA), and the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. 80 new programs that would cost the the Federal Government walks in and American taxpayers at least an addi- demands upwards of 50 percent of the SCHAFFER). Mr. Speaker, at times Washington tional $100 million in new taxation. value of that asset before the children And, indeed, his budget was so rep- tends to operate on what former Presi- can use that farm or ranch to keep it rehensible that not one member of the dent Eisenhower called a policy of so- in production. minority party would bring that budg- phisticated nonsense. That is, we get so That is true for any business owner. et forward in legislative language to caught up in the micro and macro- It is true for any homeowner who have it voted on. It was up to the ma- economic implications of a decision wants to hand their family’s assets and jority to bring it forward. wealth over to their children. that we allow ourselves to over-intel- Mr. Speaker, I yield to my good We put forward in our tax plan, lectualize what, in essence, is a very friend, the gentleman from Colorado among the $792 billion in tax relief over simple operation. And it is thus with (Mr. SCHAFFER), who can make the case a 10-year period an effort to eliminate the tax cut, to hear some folks and graphically for us. the inheritance tax all together. That pundits in this town talk about it. Mr. SCHAFFER. Well, I just want to owner’s tax that I just referenced, in 10 Mr. Speaker, I would simply ask the reiterate what the gentleman from Ari- years, will be gone if this tax is able to American people to think of the sur- zona just said. move through the Senate and ulti- plus that we confront not in terms of When the President came and made mately be signed by the President. trillions of dollars, but let these three his State of the Union address, here is I know the gentleman from Michigan $1 bills represent the $3 trillion surplus what he proposed. Of the $137 billion es- (Mr. HOEKSTRA), who is joining us here as calculated by the Congressional timated surplus in the Social Security tonight, was very helpful and has long Budget Office. Now, it is worth noting Trust Fund and in Social Security in- been one who has been pushing this that almost $2 trillion of that surplus come, he proposed keeping 60 percent Congress to move toward tax relief. we have locked away to save Social Se- of it in Social Security and spending Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman curity and Medicare. We have locked $2 another 40 percent of it. In other words, from Michigan (Mr. HOEKSTRA). trillion, or close to that, of the surplus taking it away from the Social Secu- Mr. HOEKSTRA. Mr. Speaker, I away to save Social Security and Medi- rity program and spending it on more thank the gentleman from Colorado for care. But, Mr. Speaker, that leaves $1 bureaucracy, more government, and an yielding to me, and I am glad that I trillion to consider. increasing the Federal budget. can join my colleagues here tonight to Mr. Speaker, as my colleagues know, Well, our Republican plan is very dif- really talk about some of the issues it is the intent of the new majority to ferent. We have proposed and have July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6575 moved forward on our plan to lock up sell to? To movie stars that want to to start off their own business. We are the entire $137 billion. This graph, this recreate on the land, not farm or ranch trying to remedy that. chart, could not be clearer in showing it. Or they sell to subdividers. For the family that wants to set the difference between the Clinton- If we want to have family agriculture aside dollars for education, we are put- Gore plan to raid the Social Security and we want to have this green space ting that in so that again it enables funds, spend 40 percent of it on more and these open places, and we want to people to invest in their people. We government, versus the Republican retain the rural character that we all think that that makes this a better plan to lock up, to effectively put the have roots to, we have to do something Tax Code. cash in a locked box and not spend it, now to help folks in agriculture. There So we all have our own personal to keep it and devote it toward its in- are a lot of things we need to do, but problems with the Tax Code, but we tended purpose of Social Security. one of them is to lift this burden. recognize that there are a lot of inequi- That is the dramatic difference be- The lowest marginal tax rate on the ties and unfairness in the Tax Code. tween the two visions in Washington, death tax is 38 percent. When they hit But it starts with tax relief, and then D.C. and the dramatic difference that the exemption, the threshold, they are it moves on to these individual ele- we stand for and propose that is in the paying 38 percent of the value of that ments. interest of America’s retirees and those estate in taxes. There is no way that a I think we are all looking forward to who are planning for retirement. family farmer and a family rancher in the day as this Tax Code starts to ad- Mr. HILL of Montana. If the gen- my home State today can afford to pay dress fairness, saying we need to make tleman will continue to yield, when I that tax. this Tax Code fairer that we can move am at home, I ask my constituents if We are going to wipe out these fam- on to the next debate after 2000, which their bosses came to them and said ily farmers and family ranchers. I do is how do we simplify the Tax Code. they were going to give them a raise not want to see that happen. I do not Two essential elements I think of our amounting to $3,000, what would do want to see the destruction of those longer term vision of what we want to with that money. None of them say rural communities. I do not want to have, which is a fairer Tax Code and a they would give it to the Federal Gov- see the unraveling of the culture of ag- more simple Tax Code. And as we move ernment. Most of them say they would riculture and the importance that is to in that direction, we will make a lot of put some aside, maybe save some for our history and the heritage of this Na- progress. retirement, or use some of it to pay tion. So that is why this provision of Mr. HAYWORTH. Mr. Speaker, if the down their debts, or maybe spend a lit- this bill is so essential, and we have to gentleman would continue to yield, the tle of it on their family. make sure that we defend it. way I try to see it as the first Arizonan Really, that is what we are talking in history to serve on the Committee b 2320 about doing here, putting some of this on Ways and Means with the authority money aside for retirement, for Social Mr. HOEKSTRA. Mr. Speaker, I to deal with this Tax Code, Mr. Speak- Security, and to pay down the national thank the gentleman for yielding. er and my colleagues, is to say it this debt. And one-third of it, one-third of When we take a look at what is in way: Tax relief first. Tax reform next. that money, is going to go to help fam- the tax cuts, I find it a very interesting Because, Mr. Speaker, if there is any ilies decide how they can better spend discussion to try to identify exactly lesson we have learned from this cur- their money and let them set those what part of the Tax Code is the most rent administration, it is that words spending priorities. unfair. I mean, I think we all started essentially mean nothing. Now, the President says that is reck- out by saying tax relief is essential. That is a shock for those of us who less. The President said we would give When we combine State, local, and grew up under the notion that we the money back if we could just trust Federal taxes and have a tax system would play by the rules, obey the exist- that the American people would spend that takes 40 percent of the average ing law of the land, and then move for- it the right way. I guess my view is family income, I think we are united. ward. that the people I represent know better That is unfair. That is too much. Sadly, what we find with this admin- how to spend their money better than That means that in a two-wage-earn- istration and, Mr. Speaker, I think my anybody here in Washington, or any- er family, one wage-earner works the colleagues, especially my friend from body in this chamber, including myself. entire year to pay the tax bill. We Michigan, will bear me out since he ar- They have a better understanding of think that is unfair and that puts too rived after the election of 1992, a full how they need to spend that money much stress on the family. That is why term prior to my presence in this Con- than I have, And they should have the we support an across-the-board tax cut gress, the irony of this fact. right and the privilege to make that so that every individual in America It has been said and is a basic tenet decision. will benefit from that. of our civics training that the Presi- Now, if any of them want to give that Then we go to the inheritance tax, dent proposes and the Congress dis- money back to the U.S. Treasury, I am which clearly we work all of our lives, poses. And yet, Mr. Speaker, I think sure the U.S. Treasury would accept it. we pay taxes all of our lives, and then my colleagues would be interested, as But the fact of the matter is, they have we want to leave part of that to our would others, to hear and to under- needs for their families. children. And Uncle Sam again is one stand that throughout this second term I just want to make one point fol- of the first ones in line and makes the of this administration, indeed since lowing up on something the gentleman dream of passing a family farm or 1993, this administration has not shown said about this death tax issue, because small business on to our children, the common courtesy of delivering to I firmly believe this could be the last makes it so much more difficult to re- the Congress of the United States exec- generation of family farmers and alize. utive branch proposals in legislative ranchers that we have in America if we Another part of the Tax Code that is language. do not do something. Our farm econ- unfair is the marriage penalty. We pe- The last time that happened, Mr. omy is in trouble, and we have issues nalize people for being married. Inter- Speaker, was with a proposal in 1993 to that we need to deal with there, trade esting concept. I think again we are socialize our health care. And so, and regulatory issues, but the death united in saying this is an unfair ele- therefore, Mr. Speaker, all the talk of tax issue is overwhelming. ment of the Tax Code. administration plans for Social Secu- Most of the farmers and ranchers in For the individual who wants to go rity, of administration plans for tax re- my home State are not making any out and buy health care, does not re- lief, of administration plans for bol- money. They are not generating cash ceive health care from a corporation or stering our national defense are as the flows. They have no mechanism to fi- a large buying organization, they have wind; there is nothing to them. nance the death tax. They cannot buy to buy with after-tax dollars. If they For this administration lacks the life insurance, they cannot pay the work for a large corporation, they get courage and the ability to summon lawyers and the high-priced account- it provided and there is no tax con- candor to actually help us govern. And ants. They have no way to do it, so sequences to it. That is unfair for the we see it most egregiously when it they are compelled to sell. Who do they entrepreneur, for the person who wants comes to the death tax. H6576 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 My friend from Montana is quite b 2330 payer will enjoy reductions in taxes as right. And when we represent folks in When this President came into office a consequence of this and there are Arizona, as do I, on family farms and in 1993, total Federal revenues as a per- also some targeted elements. But the on ranches, in Colorado, Montana or cent of gross domestic product, it was important element from my judgment Michigan, the fact is this for many a 18.4 percent. And under this President, is the average family of four in Mon- land holder, they are to use the prover- that has never been enough, because he tana is going to have $10,000 they can bial term, ‘‘land rich, cash poor.’’ does not believe that the American invest in a house or in their children’s And when the patriarch of a family family, the American taxpayer, knows education or to buy a car or to buy or dies, the one in whose name the family how to spend that money better than build a home, the values that they con- ranch or the family farm belongs, the what Washington can. sider the most important. $10,000 is a survivors are asked to pay a tax, that Today, or projected for the year 2000, fair amount of money, I think, to any is unfair and that is onerous. Federal revenue will be 20.6 percent of family. So this is significant, it is Mr. Speaker, if nothing else, those gross domestic product. So the amount meaningful tax relief. who hear these words should remember of revenue going into Washington as a But the gentleman is right. We have this fact, that our common-sense con- percent of our gross domestic product the highest tax burden today in the servative majority is committed to is increasing. And actually as we pro- peacetime history of the country. Even ending, to putting to death, the death vide and attempt to provide tax relief, with this tax reduction, we still are tax over the course of the next decade. our attempt will not even get us back going to have a tax burden in this country that is higher than when Because fundamentally, as my friend to the level of 1993, which means that President Clinton took office. We still from Colorado said so well and it was the Federal Government is getting big- have not unraveled the largest tax in- quoted in the Wall Street Journal well ger and bigger. near 2 years ago, when he said there Some people believe that this tax re- crease in history that was passed in 1993 with all Democrat support. The should be no taxation without rep- lief package that we are trying to pro- most important element here, though, resentation, he understands the unfair- vide, this fairness that we are trying to is that we are dealing with the most ness of this tax. give back to the American taxpayer, is unfair provisions of the tax code, we And compounding it, Mr. Speaker, is coming at the expense of the Federal are working to try to simplify it. Of the fact that with all the sturm und Government. No, what we are trying to drang, with all the trauma introduced course we want to provide tax relief for do is we are trying to get back to into the lives of the survivors, with all the working men and women of this where we were in 1993 and 1994. It is a the basic unfairness of taxing the work country. rightsizing of the Federal Government. and the labors of those who have gone Mr. HAYWORTH. I think it is impor- It is not a downsizing. It is a to their heavenly reward, still in all, tant to point out because, Mr. Speaker, rightsizing, of getting back to where the Federal Treasury only takes from as I have appeared on different media we were in 1993 after that tax increase. the death tax one percent of the total outlets to hear the predictable cacoph- Mr. HILL of Montana. I think it is ony and chorus from the left and in- accrued revenue for the Treasury of the really important for people to under- United States. deed, Mr. Speaker, it has become so re- stand that $800 billion is a large sum of And yet, Mr. Speaker, 75 percent of flexive, I daresay my colleagues who money, but the Federal Government that one percent is spent tracking join me on the floor can offer an an- down and harassing survivors, forcing over that 10-year period is going to swer to filling in the blank. families to sell their farms, forcing spend $23 trillion. So it is $800 billion of My friends on the left talk about tax families to sell their small businesses, $23 trillion. Your comments about a cuts for the rich, which is totally false and it shows the inequity of this Tax fairer, simpler tax code, I think it is but apparently alluring to those who Code. also important to note that we are are captured by the politics of envy, to But, Mr. Speaker, we are cognizant of making a down payment in this bill on those who would believe that they do realities. A President who would stand simplifying taxes. We are eliminating not control their own destiny but, Mr. in Buffalo, New York, one day after the alternative minimum tax, some of Speaker, it is patently false and as I standing at this podium and saying the more onerous provisions and com- heard my colleagues talk and thought that he wants to save 62 percent of the plexities of the tax code. about what occurred in the State of Ar- Social Security surplus for Social Se- I asked the Committee on Ways and izona, I could not help but think of the curity and, therefore, spend the extra Means to tell me what this means to President of the United States during 38 percent, as my friend from Colorado the people of my district. In my dis- our most recent recess coming to the holds up the words, January 20 of this trict, we do not have high incomes. We State of Arizona, specifically coming year the President of the United are about 46th in the Nation in terms to South Phoenix. States, in a rare moment of candor, of the average income. But in my dis- Now, he could have visited a lot of said the following quote: ‘‘We could trict over the course of the next 10 areas, the Navajo nation, the sovereign give it,’’ meaning the budget surplus, years, this is $2.4 billion that will be Navajo nation where there is chronic ‘‘we could give it all back to you and left in my economy, in the economy of unemployment, or San Manual, Ari- hope you spend it right. But . . .’’ my State. It comes out to just under zona, site of the largest underground Mr. Speaker, that embraces the cen- $10,000 for the average family of four in mine in North America that has been tral difference. This current President, Montana, how much they will save in closed thanks in part to the Clinton- despite his obvious failings in terms of taxes with the tax package. Gore-Babbitt War on the West, but this personal honor and a knowledge of ac- Mr. HOEKSTRA. This goes on top of President, Mr. Speaker, chose to go to countability to the people of the the tax bill that we did in 1997. This tax an area that might be more politically United States and, dare I say, account- relief plan does not have the signature hospitable, to South Phoenix in Ari- ability of the executive branch to the element that we had in our last tax re- zona, and he proposed what he called legislative branch to help us govern, lief package, of the $400 to $500 per the New Market Initiative. Again, Mr. this President stands by a fundamental child tax credit, but the impact will be Speaker, this has not been put into leg- tenet of faith that is jaundiced and is as big on the American family as what islative language and again like cotton misguided. that tax relief package is. So this defi- candy, it appears alluring but when Because, Mr. Speaker, he believes nitely means more money in a family’s you get to it, the details are somewhat that the Federal Government can pocket at the end of the year. sticky and inconvenient, the President spend the money of the people better Mr. HILL of Montana. Certainly in of the United States proposes $100 mil- than can the people. That is a serious 1997, we said we have to focus on fami- lion in loans for depressed areas but, problem. lies. We saw the erosion of the value of Mr. Speaker, understand the taxpayers Mr. HOEKSTRA. Mr. Speaker, if my the exemption for families and so we must provide some $45 million to set up colleague will leave that statement up, provided a tax credit. That was the fea- that loan process, the Federal tax- it is exactly how this President thinks, ture, and lowering the capital gains tax payers must pay two-thirds of the over- that Washington can spend the money for investment. This is a much broader head for the so-called New Market Ini- better than the American people. package of tax reductions. Every tax- tiative and yet, Mr. Speaker, I look to July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6577 the plan to help the neediest among us come off the welfare system, to leave One last point I want to make and offered in our tax relief and tax fair- the situation of dependency on the that is that the disingenuous argument ness legislation, a plan championed by Federal Government and enjoy full coming from the President that some- our good friends the gentleman from economic participation as real Ameri- how this tax package competes with Missouri (Mr. TALENT), the gentleman cans, as entrepreneurs, as fully em- Social Security or Medicare or paying from Oklahoma (Mr. WATTS) and the ployed, fully engaged citizens. That is down the debt, that is not true. This gentleman from Illinois (Mr. DAVIS), a a dramatic difference in our efforts to tax package fits together with our plan Democrat, that deals with those de- help the very same people that the to lock up every dollar of Social Secu- pressed areas not just in terms of busi- President suggests he wants to help. rity taxes for Social Security retire- ness start-up and not in terms of make- b 2340 ment and to pay down the national work for Federal bureaucrats but true debt $2 trillion. There are funds set empowerment that deals with savings, Our method works. Our method has aside for us to deal with reforming that deals with home ownership, that been proven to work, it has met the Medicare, if the President will come to also deals with business start-ups, and test of time, it has met the realities of terms with us to be able to reform the yet the President of the United States history. Growing the size of govern- pharmacy benefit and also to provide has the audacity to come before the ment, increasing taxes is a formula for this tax relief for the American people. American people and claim that this failure, and it is one that the President We can do all of this; it is a unique op- responsible bipartisan plan to help would like to see us do; it is one that portunity to do it. those who need help is somehow irre- we have a very different direction on, Mr. Speaker, what this tax relief sponsible and reckless. and fortunately, the Congress has package does compete with is bigger Mr. Speaker, it simply is something ruled, collectively, in our favor, on our government. The fact of the matter is we have seen all too often with this side. Less government, lower taxes, what the President is arguing for is to President, an inability to tell the truth more opportunity. set these dollars aside for new govern- and to deal candidly with the American I yield to the gentleman from Michi- ment programs, more wasteful spend- people. gan. ing. All of the education bills that we Mr. HOEKSTRA. Mr. Speaker, I Mr. SCHAFFER. The gentleman real- have just passed are saying, before we thank the gentleman for yielding. I ly points out the dramatic difference in put more dollars in education, and we just really want to reinforce some of the approaches that the two parties are prepared to do that, our budget the comments that my colleagues from take in Washington, the party rep- provides for it, we are saying, let us Arizona and Colorado have made. resented by the President, the Demo- spend the dollars we are spending now When we are talking about what we crat Party, and the party that we rep- smarter and better and more effec- would like to do, we are not talking resent, the Republican Party. Because tively. We are prepared to put more about an idea or a direction or a hope, I believe both parties care about rural dollars into some of those programs, we are talking about legislative lan- and depressed areas, but there is a dif- but what we want to do is reform them guage that has been introduced, that ference in the sincerity and the tenac- first, and that all can be accommo- has been debated, and that has passed. ity with which we approach real and dated with this tax package. The National Security authorization meaningful help. Mr. SCHAFFER. Mr. Speaker, I yield What the gentleman would describe bill, passed legislation that is written a minute to the gentleman from Ari- as the President’s proposal is a typical and has passed. The education bill, zona. one of the liberal agenda in Wash- whether it is Ed Flex, which gives more ington, which is to raise taxes on the flexibility to local school districts and Mr. HAYWORTH. It is very simple, American people, send that cash here how they deal with the red tape and Mr. Speaker and my colleagues. Who to Washington, D.C., and have politi- the mandates from Washington, legis- do you trust? Those who say one thing cians redistribute the wealth to the lation that has gone through com- and do another? Those who believe that charities of certain politicians’ mittee and has passed. The Teacher money, power and influence should be choices. That does work but it is not Empowerment Act, legislation that concentrated in the hands of the Wash- fair. that has been written and has been ington bureaucrats? Those who believe, What we had proposed and what we passed, the Straight A’s bill, the legis- as evidenced by their statements in have actually passed through the tax lation is written. The lock box, the leg- Buffalo, New York, and from this po- relief effort is not tax provisions for islation is written, is passed, has dium behind me here, that you should the rich but tax provisions for average moved out of the House and we are not be trusted with your own money to Americans and in fact tax provisions waiting for the other body to deal with save, spend and invest as you see it? that help those who are the poorest it. The Tax Relief package, the bill is Or, should you embrace the philosophy among us. written, has gone through committee, of the common sense conservative ma- Let me give my colleagues a couple and has passed the House of Represent- jority that believes it is our mission to of examples. The commercial revital- atives. transfer money, power and influence ization deductions allow for tax relief So it is awfully easy for people on the out of the hands of the Washington bu- for those individuals who are making other side to talk about what they reaucrats and back home to people liv- investments in depressed areas around would like to do, and I think my col- ing on the front lines, who understand the country. We provided a section league from Arizona has said they have their lives better, who understand that that deals with work opportunity tax spent a lot of time talking about what the money belongs not to the Federal credits. These are provisions that as- they would like to do, but the few Government and to the Washington bu- sist those who hire individuals who live times when they have given us legisla- reaucrats, but to the people. and perform most of their work in tive language on the budget, not one Mr. Speaker, on that stand we make these renewal communities, depressed person voted for their legislative lan- our case, and with that, I yield to my areas that are targeted for economic guage. So we have met the challenge. friend from Colorado. growth and special assistance and help. We are not only talking about what we Mr. SCHAFFER. Mr. Speaker, I We also provided for an effort to en- would like to do, we are actually here would like to continue on this topic for courage employers to hire people off of on the floor each and every day passing a few moments, but first, a little ear- welfare and put them to work. Now, legislative language that is going to lier I mentioned the field hearing that imagine that. In a country right now make a difference, that is going to help was conducted in Colorado on the En- that is enjoying very, very low unem- us secure the future for our kids, for dangered Species Act, and I have a ployment and has enjoyed phenomenal working Americans, and for our retir- brief summary of that which I would success in welfare reform, over a 50 per- ees. We are making a difference and we like to submit for the RECORD. cent reduction in the welfare caseload are getting the job done. Secondly, I want to move a little over the last 2 years, we use the tax I yield to my colleague. deeper into the discussion on tax relief. bill to reduce the burden on Americans Mr. HILL of Montana. Mr. Speaker, I But we have spoken a lot tonight about so that we can help even more people thank the gentleman from Michigan. rural areas. H6578 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 Mr. Speaker, at this time I include makersÐmuch less Washington bureau- ber of full-time farmers and ranchers who are for the RECORD the documents pre- cratsÐcare more about environmental quality struggling to make ends meet in what is al- viously referred to. in Colorado, or any other state, than do the ready a highly regulated industry.'' On Saturday, July 24, 1999, Congress came residents who live there precisely because of The SPEAKER pro tempore. The to Greeley, Colorado, to hear about the im- our priceless environment.'' time of the gentleman from Colorado pacts of the federal Endangered Species Act Don Ament, CO Commissioner of Agri- has expired. on Colorado. Along with ESA Chairman RICH- culture: ``In its current form, it serves the CONTINUED REPUBLICAN AGENDA ARD POMBO and Senator BEN NIGHTHORSE- needs of neither the endangered species nor The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. CAMPBELL, I heard expert and first-hand testi- the taxpayers who provide the funds to sup- TANCREDO). Upon the designation of monial about the far-reaching and frequently- port the program. Western farmers and ranch- the Majority Leader, the gentleman devastating effects of the Act on farmers, ers view the ESA as a law that grants a fed- from Michigan may proceed, but not ranchers, landowners and water-users. These eral agency the ability to unilaterally determine beyond midnight. people represent some of the best and bright- how their land is farmed or ranched and which Mr. HOEKSTRA. I thank the Speaker est Colorado has to offer in its defense, and could decide the economic future of their en- and I invite my colleagues to stay with all can personally attest to the onerous, con- terprise; the ESA grants too much authority to me until midnight so that we can con- fusing, costly, contradictory and dictatorial bur- a ruthless bureaucracy.'' tinue this dialogue on our agenda for den the federal ESA regulations impose. I Ralph Morgenweck, USFWS Moutain-Prairie securing America’s future, and I will would like to share some of their insightful tes- Regional Director: ``The Service is fully com- yield to my friend from Colorado. timony so the experiences of Colorado can be mitted to finding this balance between eco- Mr. SCHAFFER. Mr. Speaker, I was better understood and can help encourage the nomic development and endangered species about to say that when it comes to the improvement of the ESA for the benefit of all protection. To continue making progress in im- inheritance taxes, we wonder why, as forms of life in this great country. plementing the ESA, an increase in funding for the gentleman from Arizona pointed Bennet Raley, water-rights advocate: ``If I our endangered species program is nec- out that the inheritance tax only gen- had a choice, I believe that the existing law essary. erates a little less than 1 percent of the should be repealed and Congress should start As of May 1, 1999, there were 1,181 do- revenue to the Federal Government. It over and develop a program that achieves na- mestic species on the List of Endangered and is relative inconsequential when you tional interests in the protection of endangered Threatened Species; this represents a 30 per- factor in the fact that the majority of species without encroaching on private prop- cent increase in just 5 years.'' the Federal revenue received by the erty and the prerogatives of states. Federal Larry Bourrett, WY Farm Bureau VP: ``At Federal Government is squandered and agencies simply take water from irrigated agri- this time there are no listings in Washington, wasted as a result of bureaucracy and culture or municipalities in the west because D.C., therefore it is imperative that Congress other waste. the Endangered Species Act is so powerful.'' come to the areas where problems exist to get However, there is also deep-seated re- Alan Foutz, CO Farm Bureau VP: ``Farmers' a real flavor of what is happening daily to water rights evaporate as federal regulators sentment in many corners of Wash- some of the nation's citizens. ington when it comes to rural America. attempt to protect fish. Ranchers fear loss of The Act is benign for those who do not have livestock as predators are introduced and pro- That was exhibited by the head of the to suffer the consequences of having a listed Democrat Congressional Campaign tected. Producers throughout the nation are species on their private property. However, for forbidden from performing such basic activities Committee, the chairman, who re- those private property owners who happen to cently said right outside here that the as clearing brush from fence rows. In the cur- be within the identified range of, historic range rent act, private property rights are laid aside Democrats have written off, and I of, habitat of or potential habitat of a listed when recovery plans stop agricultural prac- quote, ‘‘written off the rural areas,’’ species, it is an entirely different story. It is a tices without compensation. An endangered and that quote was one that has been story of frustration and fear.'' discussed repeatedly on the House species must be protected at all costs under Jack Finnery, WY cattle rancher: ``It seems the current law. Floor. to me that just as the rancher and farmer must ``The act serves as a disincentive for land- I have written some remarks on that strike a balance that allows him or her to owners to protect an endangered or threat- subject, and I would ask that they be ened species because major constraints are make a living from the land today while pre- inserted at this point into the RECORD. serving habitat and natural resources for gen- placed on agricultural practices when a spe- DON’T WRITE OFF RURAL AMERICA cies is found. erations to come, the endangered species re- (By: U.S. Congressman Bob Schaffer) quirements must be changed to work in har- ``Seventy-eight percent of the species listed Rural America is hurting these days and reside on private lands. The public will need to mony with the many other programs that dic- the rest of the country should take notice. spend more resources if they want full protec- tate how land should be managed. The ESA The current period of relative economic tion of endangered species. requires landowners to leave the land around prosperity has abandoned most sectors of the ``A single individual can petition the U.S. irrigation ditches in a natural state to protect agriculture economy, often because of delib- Fish and Wildlife Service, The USFWS must the Preble's meadow jumping mouse, but erate decisions made at the White House. perform an initial investigation and taxpayers ranchers who fail to maintain those ditches For example, U.S. trade policy presently may be faced with the loss of their water favors manufactured products, high tech must pay for all the research, even on bogus equipment, and medical supplies in exchange petitions. rights. for easy access to American markets for for- ``Accurate population numbers are not avail- Under the Conservation Reserve Program, eign farmers. Nor are trade policies fair for able, therefore, goals for recovery cannot be landowners contract with the federal govern- our farmers and ranchers. Foreign growers defined.'' ment to protect land from erosion and curtail enjoy far easier access to our markets than Mark Hillman, CO State Senator: ``The U.S. the resultant deterioration of water quality. we do to theirs. Fish and Wildlife Service threatened to fine a However, the ESA may call for these lands to Westerners tend to be closely tied to agri- Utah man $15,000 for farming his own land be opened up to overgrazing to create habitat culture. That’s why so many of my rural and allegedly posing a risk to a protected spe- for prairie dogs and mountain plovers. constituents find it hard to believe there are The Clean Water Act calls for the protection actually people in Washington, D.C. who har- cies of prairie dog, even though no prairie bor hostility toward them. dogs could be found there. of water quality in streams, but this mandate Just last month, after his party voted ``Restoration and preservation of prairie dog contradicts ESA requirements that call for the against several rural issues, the Democratic habitat as it may have existed 100 years ago overgrazing of land to develop habitat for the Congressional Campaign Committee chair- would mean shutting down some of the most plover and prairie dog. man told reporters Democrats have ‘‘written prolific wheat producing land in the nation. A FWS biologist told me, `I feel sorry for you off the rural areas.’’ The DCCC Chairman Sam Hamilton, former U.S. Fish and Wildlife landowners. As a result of being good stew- Rep. Patrick Kennedy (R.I.) later admitted administrator has said: `The incentives are ards of the land, you now have to pay the he shouldn’t have said it. I agree, but he did, wrong. If a rare medal is on my property, the price.' and in doing so illustrated the disdain with which some in Congress view rural America. value of my land goes up. But if a rare bird is What is that price landowners have to pay? Coloradans understand America must on my property, the value of my property goes Well, that price can be a crushing blow for an count on rural areas, not dismiss them. Sta- down. agricultural industry already wracked with tistics confirm the importance of rural set- ``It is patently absurd to proffer a policy some of the lowest commodity prices in recent tings. Agriculture is still America’s number based on the asserting that Washington law- memory and the continued decline in the num- one employer providing more jobs, more July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6579 business transactions, more entrepreneurial power of the Federal Government our kids’ names what they need to do opportunities, and more paychecks than any reaches into the pocket of every law- in the classroom. Let the people at the other sector of the economy. abiding American, my friends on the local level do it. Let us empower people In Colorado alone, agriculture accounts for over 86,000 jobs, resulting in over $12 billion left place their faith in that bur- at the local level. of commerce. Clearly, agriculture is integral geoning bureaucracy. Mr. Speaker, the It is why we are having a tax relief to our economy and should not be ignored or contrast could not be clearer, because package that says, let people, let fami- ‘‘written off.’’ those of us in the common sense con- lies, let moms and dads, decide what to Colordo produces an impressive variety of servative majority take literally the do with an 800 or 1,000 or 1,500 hours a commodities in addition to cattle, wheat, first 3 words of this document, the Con- year. Let them decide how they want corn, potatoes, sugar beets and dairy prod- stitution of the United States. to allocate that among the priorities ucts. Growers also raise pinto beans, carrots, that they have, whether it is a car, mushrooms, barley, sunflowers, watermelon, Mr. Speaker, I would note, and not oats, sorghum, quinoa and wine grapes. Our without some irony, especially given whether it is education, or whether it ranchers’ expertise raising cattle, sheep, the tenor of the rhetoric from the is health care. But let us not let a bu- lambs, poultry and hogs, is expanding to in- White House and from the Vice Presi- reaucrat or politician in Washington clude specialty livestock—bison, elk, emus, dent and from our friends on the left, make that decision for them. ostriches, and fish. the first 3 words of this document are The same thing with retirement. Let Agriculture products extend beyond food. not they, the bureaucrats. No, Mr. us make sure that we secure the future Colorado is well-known for its production of Speaker, the first 3 words of this docu- for our seniors by setting aside 100 per- fresh-cut flowers, sod and turf grass, and hay. Colorado’s agricultural-based inputs ment read, ‘‘We, the people.’’ And de- cent of the FICA taxes over the next 10 also contribute vital components to the spite the fact that a Fox News Opinion years. Let us set that aside to save so- manufacturing of soaps, plastics, bandages, Dynamics Poll taken in the space of cial security and to save Medicare, to x-ray film, linoleum, shoes, crayons, paper, the last 10 days of 500 Americans at remove that stress from them. shaving cream, tires, and beer. large, when asked, where does the Fed- I yield to the gentleman from Colo- As consumers, rural Americans provide eral Government get its money? De- rado (Mr. TANCREDO), and I thank the markets for goods and services, injecting spite the fact, Mr. Speaker, that some gentleman for joining us. much-needed capital into the marketplace. Mr. TANCREDO. Mr. Speaker, I Rural purchases of trucks, tractors, houses, 50 percent of those respondents replied, implements, fuel, computers, and other oh, the Federal Government has its thank the gentleman for recognizing items have an enormous impact on the econ- own special supply of money, and 39 me, to allow me to discuss the subject. omy providing jobs and income for sales- percent answered correctly that the Something has been bothering me ever people, waitresses, homebuilders, real estate money with which the Federal Govern- since the debate on the bill that we had agents, feed dealers, mechanics, and bank ment operates comes from the people, on the floor of the House on the issue tellers, just to name a few. the taxpayers, Mr. Speaker, we under- of the tax reduction. Still there are other reasons rural America stand our mission loudly and clearly. I was observing the debate. It was matters. Colorado boasts over 24,000 farms heated. It was, I think for the most and ranches, accounting for over half of our As Abraham Lincoln said, Mr. Speaker, state’s 66 million acres. People who live on the American people, once fully in- part, articulate and to the point. But the land are the best environmental stew- formed, will make the right decisions. one member of the opposition, a very ards. Landowners work actively with soil Mr. Speaker, I stand here tonight to prominent Democrat, stood at the well conservation districts to protect water re- reaffirm this basic truth. The money and said that he had been in this body sources, manage wind erosion, reduce pollu- does not belong to Washington bureau- for a number of years and he could re- tion, and control water runoff. In fact, Colo- crats. member, he said, that in 1981 we in fact rado’s farmers are credited with saving an put through a tax reduction package. additional 51 million tons of topsoil annually b 2350 It was actually I think in 1983. for the past 10 years. They have also seeded It does not belong to they, the bu- 1.9 million acres of private land to perma- He was talking about the fact that at nent grassland under the Conservation Re- reaucrats. It belongs to we, the people. that point in time, he was suggesting serve Program, thereby producing thriving Mr. HOEKSTRA. Mr. Speaker, it is we were watching the same phe- wildlife habitat. not only what the Constitution says, nomenon, that we were going to put Most of all, America’s soul is found in its although it drives who we are and what through a tax reduction package again rural communities. A nation launched by we should do, but the lessons as to why and that we would see something simi- planters and preachers, America’s founding the Framers of the Constitution were lar occur. strength was mustered and sustained by the so brilliant, we only have to go back to He said what happened after we re- moral character of rural people. Their values of hard work, honesty, integrity, self-reli- when we reformed welfare. duced taxes, essentially after the ance and faith in God thrive in abundance When welfare decisions were being Reagan tax cuts, he said we saw an ex- today. made by bureaucrats in Washington, plosion of debt, and that the national It is truly unfortunate anyone finds such we were not moving people out of wel- debt increased dramatically. He was attributes offensive. These are the very val- fare. When we debated here on the floor concerned, he said, because he believed ues our country needs if the new Millennium of the House, and we took the examples the same thing was going to happen is to be as prosperous as the present. of like the State of Wisconsin, that the Clearly, rural America is the bedrock of here. our culture and the salvation of our Repub- State legislature, the Governor, they I wanted to, at the time, come to the lic. Before more of Washington’s elite deter- came up with a program to move peo- floor just to have the opportunity, and mine otherwise, they would do well to check ple off of welfare into the work force, that is why I appreciate this moment their facts, consider the farmer, and possibly and the bureaucrats here in Wash- now, to remind the gentleman that in even say a word of thanks before supper. ington said, no, you cannot do that; or fact what he said was accurate, we did Mr. HOEKSTRA. Mr. Speaker, I yield even worse than that, they did not give have a tax rates reduction and we did to my colleague from Arizona. them any answer at all. have an explosion in debt, but it was Mr. HAYWORTH. Mr. Speaker, we I think it went on for over 300 days, not because we gave the people back stand at an epic juncture in American when we had to stay unified, Demo- their money, it was because there was history, because despite the protesta- crats and Republicans saying this is such an increase in revenue to the Fed- tions from those who would belong to a what we want to do to help our people eral Government that it was, of course, third party movement, there is no in Wisconsin, and the bureaucrats did spent by the Congress. clearer difference that exists in Amer- not even have the courtesy of sending It was not a problem with the reduc- ican political life than what exists in them a reply. tion of taxes, it was a problem in the this Chamber. Because my friends on But when we took the welfare pro- increase in spending that caused the the left, so trusting of the powers of gram and gave it back to the States, explosion in that debt. the Federal Government, powers that we have seen phenomenal results. It is That is exactly what we are trying to have grown excessive, that have grown the same model that we want to put on avoid with this tax cut proposal, be- overreaching, that have grown abusive one of our priority projects, education. cause there is not a soul out there, Mr. throughout this century; so abusive, We do not want more bureaucrats here Speaker, I do not care which side of the Mr. Speaker, to the point that the in Washington telling people who know aisle Members are on, and I do not care H6580 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999 where Members are on the political 62 percent of the social security surplus Mr. HOYER, for 5 minutes, today. spectrum, Members cannot believe, for social security, which meant, of Mr. PALLONE, for 5 minutes, today. with history as our judge, Members course, that he intended to spend the Mr. FILNER, for 5 minutes, today. cannot believe that this Congress, other 38 percent; and how that stands Mr. HILLIARD, for 5 minutes, today. whether it was controlled by the Re- in stark contrast, Mr. Speaker, with Mrs. CLAYTON, for 5 minutes, today. publicans or Democrats, would be given our lockbox to lock away 100 percent of Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas, for 5 min- another $800 billion in the till, and we the social security surplus for social utes, today. Mr. CUMMINGS, for 5 minutes, today. cannot believe that it would be used to security. Mr. COYNE, for 5 minutes, today. ‘‘pay down the national debt.’’ It would Mr. Speaker, it bears repeating, con- (The following Members (at the re- be spent. sider these three $1 bills again to rep- quest of Mr. SMITH of Michigan) to re- That is why this Congress, this ma- resent $3 trillion. Take away the zeros. vise and extend their remarks and in- jority, is hoping against hope that we This is what our commonsense conserv- clude extraneous material:) can give that money back before it gets ative majority maintains should hap- Mr. TOOMEY, for 5 minutes, today. spent, or the gentleman from the other pen. Let us take two of those dollar Mr. BURTON of Indiana, for 5 minutes, side who was talking the other night bills, lock them away to save social se- August 3. will be right, it will, of course, increase curity and Medicare, and Mr. Speaker, Mr. BILIRAKIS, for 5 minutes, today. the national debt, because we will we are left with this dollar bill, rep- Mrs. MORELLA, for 5 minutes, today. spend every dime of it if it is left here. resenting roughly $1 trillion of addi- Mr. KUYKENDALL, for 5 minutes, Mr. HOEKSTRA. I yield to the gen- tional surplus. today. tleman from Colorado (Mr. SCHAFFER). We have a choice, Mr. Speaker. If we Mr. SMITH of Michigan, for 5 minutes, Mr. SCHAFFER. I thank the gen- leave it in Washington, given the pro- today. tleman. That is precisely right. The re- clivities of our president and the temp- Mr. SMITH of Michigan for 5 minutes, markable thing that this Congress tations which he cannot withstand, July 30. needs to remember, that history shows that money will be spent. We believe, Mr. DAVIS of Virginia, for 5 minutes, us, and particularly the opponents who as the commonsense conservative ma- July 28. Mr. UPTON, for 5 minutes, today. tried to stop us last week when we jority, that the money belongs to the passed tax relief, is the lesson of Presi- people who sent it here. It should go f dent Kennedy, President Reagan, and back to those people. SENATE BILLS REFERRED in fact the lesson, unwillingly, the un- For my friends on the left to claim Bills of the Senate of the following willing lesson learned by the present these are tax breaks for the wealthy, it titles were taken from the Speaker’s occupant of the White House. That is, is an interesting definition of wealthy. table and, under the rule, referred as cutting tax rates increases tax reve- Apparently they think folks who make follows: nues to the Federal Government. $40,000 a year are wealthy because That is what President Kennedy dis- S. 296. An act to provide for continuation those folks pay almost four times as of the Federal research investment in a fis- covered when he reduced tax rates. The much in taxes as the folks who earn cally sustainable way, and for other pur- economy grew, revenues poured into $20,000 a year. poses; to the Committee on Science. the Federal Government, people in Mr. HOEKSTRA. Mr. Speaker, I S. 1402. An act to amend title 38, United Washington had all the money they thank my colleague, and I thank my States Code, to enhance programs providing needed to accomplish the things that colleagues for joining me this evening. education benefits for veterans, and for other they wanted to accomplish, and that is Just on a final note, the problem purposes; to the Committee on Veterans’ Af- fairs in addition to the Committee on Armed indisputable. here in Washington is not revenue. In President Reagan reduced tax rates. Services for a period to be subsequently de- 1999 we will collect $1,821,000,000,000. By termined by the Speaker, in each case for Overall revenues to the Federal Gov- 2009 that will have increased by 50 per- consideration of such provisions as fall with- ernment grew. The gentleman is right, cent; that government revenues, if we in the jurisdiction of the committee con- at that time there was a different Con- do not provide tax relief, will have in- cerned. gress in charge. They spent. What creased to $2,725,000,000,000. f President Clinton discovered when the The problem in Washington is not SENATE ENROLLED BILL SIGNED Republicans took control of the Con- revenue, the problem is we are col- gress was that when we reduced tax lecting too much. We need to give tax The SPEAKER announced his signa- rates, the economy grows, and the Fed- relief and we need to control spending. ture to enrolled bills of the Senate of eral Government now has a surplus es- We are not cutting spending, we are the following titles: timated to be to be at $800 billion over just slowing the growth, so Federal S. 604. An act to direct the Secretary of the next 10 years. programs can continue. We just need to Agriculture to complete a land exchange We voted last week to give it back to control our appetites here in Wash- with Georgia Power Company. the American taxpayers. S. 1258. An act to authorize funds for the ington and secure America’s future by payment of salaries and expenses of the Pat- Mr. HAYWORTH. If the gentleman giving American families and Amer- ent and Trademark Office, and for other pur- will continue to yield, again, it bears ican individuals some of their money poses. repeating, because, Mr. Speaker, there back. S. 1259. An act to amend the Trademark are those in this town, principally f Act of 1946 relating to dilution of famous those at the other end of Pennsylvania marks, and for other purposes. Avenue but also those who occupy the LEAVE OF ABSENCE S. 1260. An act to make technical correc- left side of this Chamber, who would tions in title 17, United States Code, and for By unanimous consent, leave of ab- other purposes. earnestly yearn for a type of collective sence was granted to: f amnesia to embrace the American peo- Mrs. FOWLER (at the request of Mr. ple. ARMEY) until 1 p.m. today on account ADJOURNMENT The President of the United States of official business at the Pentagon. Mr. HOEKSTRA. Mr. Speaker, I move has engaged in incredible revisionist f that the House do now adjourn. history where he calls the largest tax The motion was agreed to; accord- SPECIAL ORDERS GRANTED increase in American history noble and ingly (at midnight), under its previous justified; when he fails to recognize the By unanimous consent, permission to order the House adjourned until Thurs- contributions of this new commonsense address the House, following the legis- day, July 29, 1999, at 10 a.m. conservative majority, which came in lative program and any special orders f and reined in excessive spending, which heretofore entered, was granted to: led to this surplus; but also with his (The following Members (at the re- EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS, comments in January of this year, quest of Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of ETC. when again he stood at this podium Texas) to revise and extend their re- Under clause 8 of rule XII, executive and said, and Mr. Speaker, it bears re- marks and include extraneous mate- communications were taken from the peating, that it was his intent to save rial:) Speaker’s table and referred as follows: July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6581 3233. A letter from the Administrator, Manufacturing License Agreement with REPORTS OF COMMITTEES ON Farm Service Agency, Department of Agri- Spain and Italy [Transmittal No. DTC 31–99], PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS culture, transmitting the Department’s final pursuant to 22 U.S.C. 2776(d); to the Com- rule—Implementation of Preferred Lender mittee on International Relations. Under clause 2 of rule XIII, reports of Program and Streamlining of Guaranteed 3243. A letter from the Assistant Secretary committees were delivered to the Clerk Farm Loan Programs Loan Regulations; Cor- for Legislative Affairs, Department of State, for printing and reference to the proper rection (RIN: 0560–AF38) received July 26, transmitting certification of a proposed calendar, as follows: Manufacturing License Agreement with the 1999, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Mr. HYDE: Committee on the Judiciary. United Kingdom, Spain, and Italy [Trans- Committee on Agriculture. H.R. 2031. A bill to provide for injunctive re- 3234. A letter from the Congressional Re- mittal No. DTC 42–99], pursuant to 22 U.S.C. lief in Federal district court to enforce State view Coordinator, Animal and Plant Health 2776(d); to the Committee on International laws relating to the interstate transpor- Inspection Service, Department of Agri- Relations. tation of intoxicating liquor; with an amend- culture, transmitting the Department’s final 3244. A letter from the Assistant Secretary ment (Rept. 106–265). Referred to the Com- rule—Mexican Fruit Fly Regulations; Re- for Legislative Affairs, Department of State, mittee of the Whole House on the State of moval of Regulated Area [Docket No. 98–082– transmitting certification of a proposed li- the Union. 5] received July 21, 1999, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. cense for the export of defense articles or de- Mr. HOBSON: Committee of Conference. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Agri- fense services sold commercially under a Conference Report on H.R. 2465. A bill mak- culture. contract to France [Transmittal No. DTC 32– ing appropriations for military construction, 3235. A letter from the Director, Office of 99], pursuant to 22 U.S.C. 2776(c); to the Com- family housing, and base realignment and Regulatory Management and Information, mittee on International Relations. closure for the Department of Defense for Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- 3245. A letter from the Assistant Secretary the fiscal year ending September 30, 2000, and ting the Agency’s final rule—Approval of for Legislative Affairs, Department of State, for other purposes (Rept. 106–266). Ordered to Hospital/Medical/ Infectious Waste Inciner- transmitting certification of a proposed li- be printed. ator State Plan For Designated Facilities cense for the export of defense articles or de- Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: Committee on Re- and Pollutants: Illinois [IL188–1a; FRL–6371– fense services sold commercially under a sources. H.R. 2368. A bill to assist in the re- 5] received June 30, 1999, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. contract to Japan [Transmittal No. DTC 23– settlement and relocation of the people of 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Commerce. 99], pursuant to 22 U.S.C. 2776(c); to the Com- 3236. A letter from the Director, Office of mittee on International Relations. Bikini Atoll by amending the terms of the Regulatory Management and Information, 3246. A letter from the Assistant Secretary trust fund established during the United for Legislative Affairs, Department of State, Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- States administration of the Trust Territory transmitting certification of a proposed li- ting the Agency’s final rule—Approval and of the Pacific Islands (Rept. 106–267). Re- cense for the export of defense articles or de- Promulgation of Air Quality Implementa- ferred to the Committee of the Whole House fense services sold commercially under a tion Plans; Texas; Revised Format for Mate- on the State of the Union. contract to France and the United Kingdom rials Being Incorporated by Reference [TX– Mrs. MYRICK: Committee on Rules. House [Transmittal No. DTC 35–99], pursuant to 22 92–1–7368; FRL–6342–9] received June 30, 1999, Resolution 262. Resolution waiving points of U.S.C. 2776(c); to the Committee on Inter- pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Com- order against the conference report to ac- national Relations. company the bill (H.R. 2465) making appro- mittee on Commerce. 3247. A letter from the Chairman, Council 3237. A letter from the Acting Chief, En- priations for military construction, family of the District of Columbia, transmitting a housing, and base realignment and closure forcement Division, Federal Communica- copy of D.C. ACT 13–99, ‘‘Equal Opportunity tions Commission, transmitting the Com- for the Department of Defense for the fiscal for Local, Small, or Disadvantaged Business year ending September 30, 2000, and for other mission’s final rule—Amendment of Policies Enterprises Temporary Amendment Act of and Rules Concerning Operator Service Pro- purposes (Rept. 106–268). Referred to the 1999’’ received July 22, 1999, pursuant to D.C. House Calendar. viders and Call Aggregators [CC Docket No. Code section 1–233(c)(1); to the Committee on 94–158] received July 26, 1999, pursuant to 5 Mr. DIAZ-BALART: Committee on Rules. Government Reform. House Resolution 263. Resolution for consid- U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on 3248. A letter from the Chairman, Council eration of the bill (H.R. 2606) making appro- Commerce. of the District of Columbia, transmitting a priations for foreign operations, export fi- 3238. A letter from the Special Assistant copy of D.C. ACT 13–98, ‘‘Use of Trained Em- nancing, and related programs for the fiscal Chief, Mass Media Bureau, Federal Commu- ployees to Administer Medication Clarifica- year ending September 30, 2000, and for other nications Commission, transmitting the tion Temporary Amendment Act of 1999’’ re- purposes (Rept. 106–269). Referred to the Commission’s final rule—Amendment of Sec- ceived July 22, 1999, pursuant to D.C. Code House Calendar. tion 73.202(b), Table of Allotments, FM section 1–233(c)(1); to the Committee on Gov- Broadcast Stations. (Indian Springs, Nevada, ernment Reform. f Mountain Pass, California, Kingman, Ari- 3249. A letter from the Chairman, Council PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS zona, and St. George, Utah) [MM Docket No. of the District of Columbia, transmitting a 96–171 RM–8846 RM–9145] received July 26, copy of D.C. ACT 13–104, ‘‘Taxicab Commis- Under clause 2 of rule XII, public 1999, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the sion Temporary Amendment Act of 1999’’ re- bills and resolutions were introduced Committee on Commerce. ceived July 22, 1999, pursuant to D.C. Code and severally referred, as follows: 3239. A letter from the Special Assistant to section 1–233(c)(1); to the Committee on Gov- the Chief, Mass Media Bureau, Federal Com- ernment Reform. By Mr. LATHAM: munications Commission, transmitting the 3250. A letter from the Chairman, Council H.R. 2613. A bill to provide additional fund- Commission’s final rule—Amendment of Sec- of the District of Columbia, transmitting a ing to combat methamphetamine production tion 73.202(b), Table of Allotments, FM copy of D.C. ACT 13–105, ‘‘Emergency Finan- and abuse, and for other purposes; to the Broadcast Stations. (Lufkin, Texas) [MM cial Assistance for Hospitals Temporary Act Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition Docket No. 98–125] (RM–9301) received July of 1999’’ received July 22, 1999, pursuant to to the Committee on Commerce, for a period 26, 1999, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to D.C. Code section 1–233(c)(1); to the Com- to be subsequently determined by the Speak- the Committee on Commerce. mittee on Government Reform. er, in each case for consideration of such pro- 3240. A letter from the Special Assistant to 3251. A letter from the Chairman, Council visions as fall within the jurisdiction of the the Bureau Chief, Mass Media Bureau, Fed- of the District of Columbia, transmitting a committee concerned. eral Communications Commission, transmit- copy of D.C. ACT 13–97, ‘‘Office of Cable Tele- By Mr. TALENT (for himself, Ms. ting the Commission’s final rule—Amend- vision and Telecommunications Temporary VELAZQUEZ, Mrs. KELLY, Ms. ment of Section 73.202(b), Table of Allot- Amendment Act of 1999’’ received July 22, MILLENDER-MCDONALD, Mr. HILL of ments, FM Broadcast Stations, (Genoa, Mt. 1999, pursuant to D.C. Code section 1– Montana, Mr. DAVIS of Illinois, Mrs. Morris, and Oregon, Illinois) [MM Docket No. 233(c)(1); to the Committee on Government BONO, Mrs. JONES of Ohio, Ms. BERK- 99–64] (RM–9485) received July 26, 1999, pursu- Reform. LEY, Mrs. NAPOLITANO, Mr. PASCRELL, ant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee 3252. A letter from the Chairman, Council Mrs. MCCARTHY of New York, Mr. on Commerce. of the District of Columbia, transmitting a SWEENEY, Mr. COMBEST, and Mr. 3241. A letter from the Special Assistant to copy of D.C. ACT 13–102, ‘‘Motor Vehicle Ex- DEMINT): the Chief, Mass Media Bureau, Federal Com- cessive Idling Fine Increase Amendment Act H.R. 2614. A bill to amend the Small Busi- munications Commission, transmitting the of 1999’’ received July 22, 1999, pursuant to ness Investment Act to make improvements Commission’s final rule—Amendment of Sec- D.C. Code section 1–233(c)(1); to the Com- to the certified development company pro- tion 73.202(b), Table of Allotments, FM mittee on Government Reform. gram, and for other purposes; to the Com- Broadcast Stations. (Llano, Texas) [MM 3253. A letter from the Chairman, Council mittee on Small Business. Docket No. 99–131 RM–9333] received July 26, of the District of Columbia, transmitting a By Mr. TALENT (for himself, Ms. 1999, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the copy of D.C. ACT 13–100, ‘‘Uniform Con- VELAZQUEZ, Mrs. KELLY, Ms. Committee on Commerce. trolled Substances Temporary Amendment MILLENDER-MCDONALD, Mr. DAVIS of 3242. A letter from the Assistant Secretary Act of 1999’’ received July 22, 1999, pursuant Illinois, Mrs. JONES of Ohio, Mrs. for Legislative Affairs, Department of State, to D.C. Code section 1–233(c)(1); to the Com- BONO, Ms. BERKLEY, Mrs. transmitting certification of a proposed mittee on Government Reform. NAPOLITANO, Mr. HILL of Montana, H6582 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999

Mr. PASCRELL, Mrs. MCCARTHY of TER, Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas, and H.R. 2628. A bill to amend title XVIII of the New York, Mr. SWEENEY, Mr. COM- Mr. OSE): Social Security Act to provide greater eq- BEST, and Mr. DEMINT): H.R. 2621. A bill to amend the Public uity to Medicare-certified home health agen- H.R. 2615. A bill to amend the Small Busi- Health Service Act to provide for the estab- cies, and to ensure access of Medicare bene- ness Act to make improvements to the gen- lishment of a pediatric research initiative; ficiaries to medically necessary home health eral business loan program, and for other to the Committee on Commerce. services furnished in an efficient manner purposes; to the Committee on Small Busi- By Mr. HAYES: under the Medicare Program; to the Com- ness. H.R. 2622. A bill to provide for a mecha- mittee on Ways and Means, and in addition By Mr. GOSS (for himself, Mr. DIXON, nism by which a Member of, or Member-elect to the Committee on Commerce, for a period Mr. LEWIS of California, Mr. CASTLE, to, Congress may decline an annual pay ad- to be subsequently determined by the Speak- Mr. BOEHLERT, Mr. BASS, Mr. GIB- justment; to the Committee on Government er, in each case for consideration of such pro- BONS, Mr. LAHOOD, Mrs. WILSON, Mr. Reform, and in addition to the Committee on visions as fall within the jurisdiction of the BISHOP, Mr. SISISKY, Mr. CONDIT, Mr. House Administration, for a period to be sub- committee concerned. HASTINGS of Florida, Mr. GILMAN, Mr. sequently determined by the Speaker, in By Mr. HAYES: each case for consideration of such provi- OXLEY, and Mr. STEARNS): H. Con. Res. 164. Concurrent resolution ex- sions as fall within the jurisdiction of the H.R. 2616. A bill to clarify the policy of the pressing the sense of the Congress that the committee concerned. United States with respect to the use and ex- President should adhere to a consistent pol- port of encryption products, and for other By Ms. LOFGREN: H.R. 2623. A bill to amend the National De- icy with respect to the introduction of purposes; to the Committee on the Judici- United States Armed Forces into hostile sit- ary, and in addition to the Committees on fense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1998 with respect to export controls on high per- uations; to the Committee on International International Relations, and Government Relations. Reform, for a period to be subsequently de- formance computers; to the Committee on International Relations, and in addition to By Mr. DOGGETT (for himself, Mr. termined by the Speaker, in each case for BRADY of Texas, Mr. SHAYS, Mrs. consideration of such provisions as fall with- the Committee on Armed Services, for a pe- riod to be subsequently determined by the CAPPS, Mr. OLVER, Mr. DEFAZIO, Ms. in the jurisdiction of the committee con- DELAURO, Mr. OBERSTAR, Mr. cerned. Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdic- BLUMENAUER, Ms. NORTON, Mr. BENT- By Mr. GOSS (for himself, Mr. LEWIS of tion of the committee concerned. SEN, Mr. HOUGHTON, Mr. BONIOR, Mr. California, Mr. BASS, Mr. GIBBONS, By Mrs. LOWEY (for herself, Mr. SMITH of Texas, Mr. MEEHAN, Ms. and Mr. LAHOOD): PRYCE of Ohio, and Mr. VENTO): H.R. 2617. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- SHAYS, Mr. WEXLER, Ms. DELAURO, Ms. MILLENDER-MCDONALD, Ms. H. Res. 264. A resolution expressing the enue Code of 1986 to allow a tax credit for de- sense of the House of Representatives hon- velopment costs of encryption products with WOOLSEY, Ms. NORTON, Mrs. MALONEY of New York, Mr. OLVER, Mr. oring Lance Armstrong, America’s premier plaintext capability without the user’s cyclist, and his winning performance in the knowledge; to the Committee on Ways and MCDERMOTT, Mr. ABERCROMBIE, Mr. TOWNS, Mr. WAXMAN, Mr. NADLER, 1999 Tour de France; to the Committee on Means. Government Reform. By Mr. ACKERMAN (for himself, Mr. Mr. MORAN of Virginia, Mrs. MINK of Hawaii, Mr. DEFAZIO, Mr. STARK, Mr. f BOEHLERT, Mr. SMITH of New Jersey, DIXON, Mr. SANDERS, Mr. FRANK of Mr. BAKER, Mr. COBURN, Mr. COOK, Massachusetts, Mr. BERMAN, Mr. FIL- PRIVATE BILLS AND Mr. CROWLEY, Mr. FORBES, Mr. NER, Mr. FROST, Mr. THOMPSON of RESOLUTIONS FROST, Mr. GILCHREST, Mr. GOODE, California, Ms. PELOSI, Mr. BAIRD, Mr. HALL of Texas, Mr. HILLIARD, Mr. Under clause 3 of rule XII, Ms. DEGETTE, Ms. LEE, Ms. WATERS, HINCHEY, Ms. KAPTUR, Mrs. KELLY, Mr. SHOWS introduced A bill (H.R. Ms. SCHAKOWSKY, and Mr. HINCHEY): Mr. KING, Ms. LEE, Mrs. MALONEY of 2629) for the relief of Juan Carlos H.R. 2624. A bill to protect women’s repro- New York, Mr. MASCARA, Mr. Lemus-Medrano; which was referred ductive health and constitutional right to MCHUGH, Mr. MCNULTY, Ms. to the Committee on the Judiciary. choice, and for other purposes; to the Com- MILLENDER-MCDONALD, Mr. NADLER, mittee on Commerce, and in addition to the f Mr. NEY, Mr. RAHALL, Mr. ROMERO- Committees on the Judiciary, Education and ADDITIONAL SPONSORS BARCELO, Mr. SANDERS, Mr. SERRANO, the Workforce, Armed Services, and Govern- Ms. SLAUGHTER, Mr. TOWNS, Mr. ment Reform, for a period to be subsequently Under clause 7 of rule XII, sponsors WALSH, Mr. WEINER, and Mr. determined by the Speaker, in each case for were added to public bills and resolu- WHITFIELD): consideration of such provisions as fall with- tions as follows: H.R. 2618. A bill to amend title XVIII of the in the jurisdiction of the committee con- H.R. 6: Mr. RUSH. Social Security Act and title IV of the Bal- cerned. H.R. 22: Mr. MILLER of Florida. anced Budget Act of 1997 to eliminate the 15 By Mr. LUTHER (for himself, Mr. percent reduction in payment amounts to H.R. 44: Ms. PRYCE of Ohio and Mr. HOLDEN, Mr. FROST, Mr. BALDACCI, home health agencies furnishing home CRAMER. Mr. NORWOOD, Mr. OXLEY, Mr. FARR health services under the Medicare Program, H.R. 65: Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. of California, Mr. VENTO, Mr. BISHOP, and to provide for a 36-month grace period H.R. 179: Mr. GORDON. Mr. ABERCROMBIE, Mr. MCINTYRE, Ms. for home health agencies to repay overpay- H.R. 215: Mr. STRICKLAND. WOOLSEY, Mr. BARCIA, and Mr. FIL- ments made by the Secretary of Health and H.R. 274: Ms. LEE. NER): H.R. 303: Ms. PRYCE of Ohio and Mr. Human Services; to the Committee on Ways H.R. 2625. A bill to amend title 10, United GUTIERREZ. and Means, and in addition to the Committee States Code, to temporarily expand the De- on Commerce, for a period to be subse- partment of Defense program by which State H.R. 329: Mr. WEINER. quently determined by the Speaker, in each and local law enforcement agencies may pro- H.R. 348: Mrs. THURMAN. case for consideration of such provisions as cure certain law enforcement equipment H.R. 357: Mr. LIPINSKI. fall within the jurisdiction of the committee through the Department; to the Committee H.R. 417: Mr. WU. concerned. on Armed Services. H.R. 486: Mrs. JONES of Ohio. By Mr. CANNON: By Mrs. ROUKEMA (for herself, Mr. H.R. 534: Mr. SHUSTER, Mr. PITTS, Mr. OYLE ESSIONS RANGER H.R. 2619. A bill to amend the Colorado LAZIO, and Mr. INSLEE): D , Mr. S , and Ms. G . River Basin Salinity Control Act to author- H.R. 2626. A bill to amend certain con- H.R. 623: Mr. SAWYER. ize additional measures to carry out the con- sumer protection laws to facilitate the elec- H.R. 664: Mr. REYES. trol of salinity upstream of Imperial Dam in tronic delivery of disclosures and other in- H.R. 701: Mrs. FOWLER, Mr. STRICKLAND, a cost-effective manner; to the Committee formation; to the Committee on Banking and Mr. BOSWELL, Mr. KLINK, Mr. CAMP, and Mr. on Resources. Financial Services. DAVIS of Virginia. By Mr. FOLEY (for himself, Mr. LEWIS By Mr. STARK: H.R. 721: Mr. OLVER and Mr. LOBIONDO. of Georgia, and Mr. COOKSEY): H.R. 2627. A bill to amend titles XVIII and H.R. 732: Mr. MORAN of Virginia and Mrs. H.R. 2620. A bill to amend title XVIII of the XIX of the Social Security Act to prevent BIGGERT. Social Security Act to provide for coverage abuse of recipients of long-term care services H.R. 750: Mr. KILDEE and Mr. SPENCE. of glaucoma detection services under part B under the Medicare and Medicaid Programs; H.R. 783: Mrs. THURMAN. of the Medicare Program; to the Committee to the Committee on Commerce, and in addi- H.R. 802: Mr. BARCIA, Mr. WEINER, and Mrs. on Commerce, and in addition to the Com- tion to the Committee on Ways and Means, THURMAN. mittee on Ways and Means, for a period to be for a period to be subsequently determined H.R. 827: Mr. MENENDEZ, Mrs. KELLY, and subsequently determined by the Speaker, in by the Speaker, in each case for consider- Ms. MCKINNEY. each case for consideration of such provi- ation of such provisions as fall within the ju- H.R. 828: Mr. PAYNE and Mr. KLINK. sions as fall within the jurisdiction of the risdiction of the committee concerned. H.R. 838: Mr. GORDON. committee concerned. By Mr. WATTS of Oklahoma (for him- H.R. 910: Mr. MCKEON. By Mr. GREENWOOD (for himself, Mrs. self, Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma, and Mr. H.R. 933: Mr. ACKERMAN. JOHNSON of Connecticut, Ms. SLAUGH- WATKINS): H.R. 997: Ms. LEE. July 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6583

H.R. 1037: Mr. ABERCROMBIE and Ms. BROWN H.R. 2260: Mr. COMBEST and Mr. SESSIONS. PROHIBITION ON FUNDS FOR OIL PIPELINE FROM of Florida. H.R. 2268: Mr. EDWARDS. BAKU, AZERBAIJAN TO CEYHAN, TURKEY H.R. 1063: Mrs. MALONEY of New York. H.R. 2283: Mr. LIPINSKI. SEC. 585. None of the funds made available H.R. 2308: Mr. LAZIO. H.R. 1070: Mr. GALLEGLY and Mr. CANADAY by this Act may be used for any guarantee, of Florida. H.R. 2319: Mr. UNDERWOOD, Mr. BEREUTER, Mr. GREEN of Texas, Mr. ENGLISH, and Mr. insurance, extension of credit, participation H.R. 1083: Mr. CLYBURN and Mr. MCHUGH. in an extension of credit, reinsurance, fi- H.R. 1084: Mr. MCINTOSH. GUTIERREZ. nancing, other financial or technical assist- H.R. 1102: Mr. LEWIS of California. H.R. 2320: Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin and Mr. ance, or other activities in connection with H.R. 1116: Mr. TERRY. DEMINT. H.R. 2337: Mr. HILL of Montana and Mr. the purchase or lease of any good or service, H.R. 1130: Mr. HOLT. YOUNG of Alaska. or in connection with any project or activ- H.R. 1180: Mr. REYES, Mr. SUNUNU, Mr. H.R. 2345: Ms. SLAUGHTER. ity, related to the development, construc- DIAZ-BALART, Mr. DEFAZIO, Mr. MCCOLLUM, H.R. 2348: Ms. DEGETTE and Mr. UDALL of tion, or maintenance of an oil pipeline from Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania, Mr. OWENS, Mr. New Mexico. Baku, Azerbaijan, to Ceyhan, Turkey, unless HAYES, Mr. PORTER, Mr. CALLAHAN, and Mr. H.R. 2369: Mr. HINCHEY, Mr. HOLT, Mr. there is in effect an unrescinded certification COSTELLO. MCNULTY, and Mr. PALLONE. by the Secretary of State that there is a set- H.R. 1195: Ms. SANCHEZ. H.R. 2372: Mr. BARTLETT of Maryland and tlement to the conflict in Nagorno- H.R. 1215: Ms. ESHOO. Mr. BARTON of Texas. Karabakh. H.R. 1237: Mr. SMITH of New Jersey and Ms. H.R. 2386: Mr. KUCINICH. BROWN of Florida. H.R. 2401: Mr. LANTOS, Mr. BECERRA, Mr. H.R. 2606 H.R. 1256: Ms. MCKINNEY. FRANKS of New Jersey, Mr. ENGLISH, Mr. OFFERED BY: MR. ANDREWS H.R. 1272: Mr. COBURN. GUTIERREZ, Mr. PALLONE, Mr. MCNULTY, Ms. AMENDMENT NO. 6: Page 116, after line 5, in- H.R. 1292: Mrs. MORELLA. WOOLSEY, Mr. DEUTSCH, Mr. EHRLICH, Mr. sert the following: H.R. 1303: Ms. WOOLSEY. FROST, Mr. WAXMAN, Mr. BERMAN, and Mr. H.R. 1313: Mrs. MINK of Hawaii, Mrs. VENTO. PROHIBITION ON FUNDS FOR NEW OPIC PROJECTS LOWEY, and Mr. COYNE. H.R. 2436: Mr. HAYES, Mr. BOEHNER, Mr. SEC. 585. None of the funds made available H.R. 1315: Mr. MCKEON and Mr. BERMAN. ENGLISH, Mr. BLUNT, Mr. BARCIA, and Mr. by this Act may be used by the Overseas Pri- H.R. 1325: Mr. PITTS and Mrs. MORELLA. PHELPS. vate Investment Corporation, after the en- H.R. 1358: Mr. MORAN of Kansas. H.R. 2439: Ms. LEE. actment of this Act, for the issuance of any H.R. 1441: Mr. MANZULLO and Mr. LEWIS of H.R. 2442: Ms. SLAUGHTER, Mr. HOEFFEL, new guarantee, insurance, reinsurance, or fi- Kentucky. Mr. WEYGAND, Mr. RANGEL, Mr. KILDEE, Mr. nancing, or for initiating any other activity H.R. 1482: Mr. BOUCHER. TERRY, and Mr. CAPUANO. which the Corporation is otherwise author- H.R. 2457: Ms. RIVERS. H.R. 1505: Mr. MCNULTY, Mr. VISCLOSKY, ized to undertake. Mr. MCGOVERN, Mr. GREEN of Texas, Mr. H.R. 2505: Mr. FILNER, Mr. FROST, Ms. LEE, COSTELLO, Mr. MASCARA, and Mr. Mr. ABERCROMBIE, and Mr. SANDERS. H.R. 2606 BLAGOJEVICH. H.R. 2515: Mr. DEUTSCH. OFFERED BY: MR. BROWN OF OHIO H.R. 1514: Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of H.R. 2550: Mr. POMBO, Mr. YOUNG of Alaska, AMENDMENT NO. 7: Page 7, line 10, after the Texas. Mr. DOOLITTLE, Mr. SKEEN, Mr. WALDEN of dollar amount, insert the following: ‘‘(in- H.R. 1525: Mr. SANDERS and Mr. ANDREWS. Oregon, Mr. RYUN of Kansas, Mr. GIBBONS, creased by $10,000,000)’’. H.R. 1592: Mr. ENGLISH, Mr. BUYER, and Mr. Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas, Mr. RADANOVICH, Page 27, line 6, after the first dollar SMITH of Washington. Mr. KNOLLENBERG, Mr. SOUDER, Mr. PACK- amount, insert the following: ‘‘(reduced by H.R. 1621: Ms. SLAUGHTER, Mr. WALSH, Mr. ARD, Mr. TANCREDO, Mr. CUNNINGHAM, Mr. $10,000,000)’’. RILEY, Mr. KING, Mr. CRAMER, and Mr. MCINNIS, and Mr. STUMP. TOOMEY. H.R. 2551: Mr. BLILEY, Mr. TALENT, Mr. H.R. 2606 GOODE, Mr. BRYANT, Mr. EVERETT, and Mr. H.R. 1622: Mr. MOORE, Ms. EDDIE BERNICE OFFERED BY: MR. MICA JOHNSON of Texas, and Ms. WOOLSEY. FOLEY. MENDMENT O H.R. 1623: Mr. DINGELL, Mr. STRICKLAND, H.R. 2572: Mr. BURTON of Indiana, Mr. A N . 8: Page 22, line 17, before Mr. SANDLIN, and Mr. SANCHEZ. KUCINICH, Mr. HILLIARD, Mrs. THURMAN, Mr. the period insert the following: ‘‘: Provided H.R. 1629: Ms. ROYBALL-ALLARD, Mr. SCARBOROUGH, Mr. GREEN of Texas, Mr. further, That of the amount appropriated CRAMER, Mr. BERRY, and Mr. ALLEN. FROST, Mr. ENGLISH, Mr. LATOURETTE, and under this heading, $37,500,000 shall be made H.R. 1648: Mr. MALONEY of Connecticut. Mrs. JONES of Ohio. available in assistance for the antinarcotics H.R. 2573: Mr. FROST and Mr. OLVER. H.R. 1689: Mr. ISAKSON. directorate (DANTI) of the Colombian Na- H.R. 2584: Mr. ENGLISH. H.R. 1728: Mr. LOFGREN. tional Police as follows: (1) $3,500,000 for GAU H.J. Res. 55: Ms. LEE. H.R. 1750: Mr. GEJDENSON and Mr. WATT of 19 protection systems for the 6 existing H. Con. Res. 80: Mr. NORWOOD, Mr. GOOD- North Carolina. Black Hawk utility helicopters of the Colom- LING, Mr. BAIRD, Mr. CLAY, Mr. BROWN of H.R. 1777: Mr. TIERNEY and Mr. JOHN. bian National Police, including 1 such sys- Ohio, Mr. NEY, Mr. FORD, Mr. WAMP, and Mr. H.R. 1791: Mr. SHERMAN. tem for each helicopter, mounting, installa- KILDEE. H.R. 1816: Mr. STARK and Mr. WEINER. tion, and a maintenance and training pack- H. Con. Res. 119: Mrs. KELLY. H.R. 1820: Mr. HINCHEY and Mr. FATTAH. age; (2) $3,500,000 for .50 caliber ammunition H. Con. Res. 128: Mr. BAUCHUS, Mr. MINGE, for such GAU 19 protection systems; (3) H.R. 1824: Mr. UPTON. Mr. MCGOVERN, Mr. SABO, Mr. TIERNEY, Mr. H.R. 1838: Mr. CALVERT, Mr. FOLEY, and Mr. $2,500,000 for upgrade of the hangar at the MARKEY, Mr. LUTHER, Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN, Guaymaral helicopter base; (4) $6,500,000 for GEJDENSON. Mr. TOOMEY, Mrs. MEEK of Florida, Mr. ELDON construction of a hangar facility at the El H.R. 1839: Mr. W of Pennsylvania. HAYWORTH, Ms. BROWN of Florida, Mr. MAT- H.R. 1840: Ms. MCKINNEY. Dorado Airport in Bogota, Colombia, to pro- SUI, and Mr. LAZIO. vide a secure area for storage and mainte- H.R. 1841: Mr. WEYGRAND, Mr. GREEN of H. Con. Res. 147: Mr. DEUTSCH, Mr. UNDER- nance work on the fixed wing and rotar wing Texas, Mr. FROST, and Mr. BLAGOJEVICH. WOOD, Mr. WEINER, Mr. MORAN of Virginia, aircraft of the Colombian National Police; H.R. 1887: Mr. PRICE of North Carolina, Mr. and Mrs. THURMAN. (5) $2,500,000 to purchase 19 additional MK–44 WEINER, Mr. PETERSON of Minnesota, and Mr. H. Res. 239: Mr. LARGENT and Mr. SALMON. miniguns for the ‘‘Huey’’ II utility heli- METCALF. f H.R. 1896: Mr. BOUCHER, Mr. MCDERMOTT, copters to be provided to the Colombian Na- and Ms. MCKINNEY. AMENDMENTS tional Police; (6) $3,500,000 for 7.62 ammuni- H.R. 1932: Mr. REYNOLDS and Mr. TOWNS. tion for such MK–44 miniguns; (7) $8,000,000 Under clause 8 of rule XVIII, pro- H.R. 1960: Mr. BONIOR, Mr. MEEKS of New for forward looking infra red (FLIR) systems York, Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon, Ms. ESHOO, Mr. posed amendments were submitted as for 15 of the ‘‘Huey’’ II utility helicopters re- UNDERWOOD, and Mr. CLEMENT. follows: ferred to in paragraph (5); (8) $3,500,000 for H.R. 1987: Mr. TALENT, Mr. MCINTOSH, Mr. H.R. 2587 field gear for aviation and ground officers of CAMPBELL, and Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. OFFERED BY: MR. STEARNS the Colombian National Police, including OYER ballistic protective mats, ballistic protective H.R. 1990: Mr. H . AMENDMENT NO. 3: Page 11, line 20, strike vests, helmets and field harnesses, canteens, H.R. 1998: Mrs. JOHNSON of Connecticut and the period at the end and insert the fol- and magazines; (9) $3,000,000 for the estab- Mr. DELAHUNT. lowing: ‘‘: Provided further, That nothing in lishment and operation of a Colombian Na- H.R. 1999: Mr. SERRANO. this Act prohibits the Department of Fire tional Police customs facility in Cartagena, H.R. 2004: Mr. LIPINSKI and Mr. HOLDEN. and Emergency Medical Services of the Dis- Colombia, including additional training for H.R. 2030: Ms. SANCHEZ. trict of Columbia from using funds for auto- Colombian National Police personnel by H.R. 2060: Mr. HILLIARD and Mrs. BIGGERT. mated external defribillators.’’. H.R. 2120: Mr. TIERNEY. United States Customs Service personnel; H.R. 2606 H.R. 2241: Mr. COSTELLO, Mr. FLETCHER, and (10) $1,000,000 for intelligence equipment Mr. FROST, and Mrs. MCCARTHY of New York. OFFERED BY: MR. ANDREWS for the Colombian National Police, including H.R. 2247: Mr. HILL of Montana. AMENDMENT NO. 5: Page 116, after line 5, in- sensors and monitoring and surveillance H.R. 2252: Mr. FOLEY. sert the following: equipment. H6584 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1999

H.R. 2606 REPORT ON ATROCITIES AGAINST ETHNIC H.R. 2606 OFFERED BY: MR. PAUL SERBIANS IN KOSOVO OFFERED BY: MR. STEARNS AMENDMENT NO. 9: At the end of the bill, SEC. ll. None of the funds appropriated insert after the last section (preceding the or otherwise made available by this Act in AMENDMENT NO. 11: Page 116, after line 5, short title) the following: title III under the heading ‘‘PEACEKEEPING insert the following: LIMITATION ON FUNDS FOR ABORTION, FAMILY OPERATIONS’’ may be obligated or expended PLANNING, OR POPULATION CONTROL EFFORTS for peacekeeping operations in the Kosovo LIMITATION ON FUNDS FOR PEACEKEEPING province of the Federal Republic of Yugo- OPERATIONS IN KOSOVO SEC. ll. None of the funds appropriated slavia (Serbia and Montenegro) until the or otherwise made available by this Act may Secretary of State prepares and submits to SEC. ll. None of the funds appropriated be made available for— the Congress a report containing a detailed or otherwise made available by this Act in (1) population control or population plan- description of the atrocities that have been title III under the heading ‘‘PEACEKEEPING ning programs; committed against ethnic Serbians in OPERATIONS’’ may be obligated or expended (2) family planning activities; or Kosovo, including a description of the inci- (3) abortion procedures. for peacekeeping operations in the Kosovo dent in which 14 Serbian farmers were killed H.R. 2606 province of the Federal Republic of Yugo- on or about July 25, 1999, and a description of slavia (Serbia and Montenegro). OFFERED BY: MR. STEARNS actions taken by North Atlantic Treaty Or- AMENDMENT NO. 10: Page 116, after line 5, ganization (NATO) forces in Kosovo to pre- insert the following: vent further atrocities.