E1490 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks July 23, 1997 The program has grown to include over 300 Kenya Walker; Shantee Washington; Bryant [LeRC]. The Mars Pathfinder mission is one in students, including a class from the Harrity El- Webster; Pauline White; Kelly Whitehead; Eric which LeRC has an important role. The geo- ementary School in Philadelphia and students Whitney; Bill Wilcox; David Williams; Paul Wil- logical experiments being carried out by the in Hartford, CT, and Cambridge, MA. To date liams; Tamika Williams; Tashieka Williams; Sojourner rover on Mars were formulated by 67 of the original Say Yes students have grad- Theresa Williams; Marvin Wilson; Christopher LeRC scientists. The Lewis team is also a uated from high school, with 19 matriculating Wood. major participant in microgravity research. The at 4-year colleges and 21 at 2-year colleges. I hope that all Members will take time to near zero gravity experimentation has been This number far exceeds the expectations of learn more about this important program and successfully used over 80 times on 30 dif- educational experts for students from similar its successes as our Nation moves forward in ferent missions. Eleven NASA Lewis experi- economic backgrounds. its effort to revitalize education for all students. ments are part of the microgravity science lab- The stories of these students, dubbed the f oratory aboard the space shuttle. These ex- Belmont 112 by the Philadelphia Inquirer in periments will be invaluable in providing a periodic articles about the program, have SALUTING NASA bridge between present operations and those touched the lives of many Philadelphians and operations to be conducted in the near future inspired other sponsors to reach out to urban HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH aboard the ISS. students. OF OHIO As impressive as all of these programs are, It is because the success of programs like IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES perhaps NASA's biggest achievement lies in Say Yes to Education, that I introduced the Wednesday, July 23, 1997 the fact that all of the above has been con- 21st Century Scholar Act, H.R. 777. This act ducted while reducing spending. would notify elementary school students at the Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise in sup- The Appropriations Committee proposed a poorest public schools in the country that they port of the excellent work being done by the fiscal year 1998 budget of $13,648,000,000. would be eligible for the maximum Federal scientists and engineers at the National Aero- As each fiscal year budget passes, projected Pell grant award if they complete their high nautics and Space Administration [NASA]. NASA future spending shrinks. Productivity, school education and gain admission into a NASA is an extremely important public agency however, has been maximized. The Earth Ob- postsecondary institution. In addition, my legis- and its vast array of work including space, serving System program, for example, was in lation would make available tutoring and science, aeronautics, global environment, and fiscal year 1991 forecast by NASA to require mentoring services to these students through education, benefits the Nation on a number of $17 billion of public funds through the year the existing Federal TRIO programs. The 21st levels. 2000. In the fiscal year 1996 budget plan this Century Scholars Act implements the efforts of Under the direction of Administrator Daniel projection had been reduced to $7.2 billion. successful private early intervention programs, Goldin, current NASA operations are both dy- NASA has managed to achieve more with such as Say Yes to Education, on a national namic and productive. Mr. Goldin has been an less. scale. agent of positive change and reform. Pro- One reason for the NASA success story is To mark the 10th anniversary of the Say grams are being carried out faster and cheap- the cooperative interaction with commercial in- Yes to Education Program, a reunion of stu- er. His dedication to the international space stitutions and the links forged with their inter- dent participants and sponsors will take place station has promoted an atmosphere in which national counterparts. By collaborating with in Philadelphia on July 26, 1997. nations from around the world have been will- private sector organizations, NASA has been I am pleased to honor the original Belmont ing to work in partnership. His efforts in seek- able to restructure certain of its operations Say Yes to Education students by entering ing the inclusion of the Russian space agency while still achieving the desired results. For their names into the CONGRESSIONAL RECORD: are particularly noteworthy. They demonstrate example, the technology generated by NASA Allen Alexander; Eric Alexander; Tanyell Alick; the impact that the space program can have in detecting and tracking tornadoes, has been Dana Baynes; Jerell Baynes; Majovie Billups- on international relations, encouraging co- used by commercial weather stations. Such Bland; Maurice Boone; Christopher Bradford; operation toward peace. A United States and links have produced a catalyst enabling more Mitchell Bronson; Shermika Brown; Walter Russian joint space program is something that research and development to be undertaken. Brown; Damion Caldwell; Tabitha Casper; could never have even been dreamed of when Mr. Speaker, NASA is the unparalleled Sekou Clark; David Cox-Sims; Kimberly cold war divisions were prevalent. The pro- world leader in space technology, enabling Creamer; Zengo Daigre; Zeno Daigre; Jahleel gram highlights the mutual interests and mu- this country to maintain world leadership in Daniels. tual benefits of peace shared by our two great science technology and in aeronautics re- James Davis; Solomon Davis; Troy Davis; nations. search and in space exploration. I salute the William Dorsey; Frank Duckett; Craig Dunston; Of the many missions which NASA is cur- thousands of NASA employees who help to Anita Edwards; Micah Ellison; Jalina Evans; rently working on, Mars Pathfinder, which make the program possible. Mark Ferguson; Vedia Fisher; Tolanda For- landed on July 4, 1997, is the highlight. The f tune; Craig Freeman; Gregg Freeman; mobile geological studies of Mars which are Joelena Fuller; Lamont Goings; Ayenna currently being carried out, are extremely inno- NIKOLAI IVANOVICH GETMAN: Gomez; Yasmeen Grantham; Steven Guilford; vative and educational. I would like to com- ARTIST OF THE SOVIET GULAG Antoinette Harper; Mack Harvey; Mildrianne mend the brilliant scientists and engineers of Hatten; Jerwayne Haywood; Kenneth Hilliard; NASA for the success of this mission. HON. TOM LANTOS Charles Hollerway; Micah Holliday; Jermaine NASA's international space station [ISS], OF CALIFORNIA Horton; Nicole Huff; Carol Jackson; Eugene phase I, has sought to collaborate inter- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Jackson; Tamika Jackson; Carmen James; national efforts in order to place into orbit and Aronda Jenkins; James Johnson; Ravenel monitor American astronauts in space. Wednesday, July 23, 1997 Johnson; Crystal Jones; Chantel Jones-Akers; NASA's Mission to Planet Earth [MTPE] and Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to Marvette Leatherberry; Sherlina Leatherberry; the Earth Observing System [EOS] have pro- recognize the accomplishments of Soviet born Christopher Lee; Latasha Lighty; Nickia Little; vided, and are continuing to provide, key data artist, Nikolai Getman, a refugee of the Soviet Genise Mace; Cedric Mallory; Richard Mat- on the Earth's global climate change. The pro- Gulag, the immense series of prison camps thews. gram, designed by the talented engineers and that extended across the length and breadth Percy McKitthen; Charles Miles; Dellshon staff of TRW, headquartered in the Cleveland of the former Soviet Union. His paintings have Miller; Sonny Miller; Vanessa Mitchell; area, endeavors to evaluate the interaction be- given us a unique insight into the ghastly life Jarmaine Olliviere; William Payne; Ronald tween the elements and the effects of natural of the Gulag. This exhibition, a collection of Pierce; Aaron Pitt; Shaheed Purnell; Joanne and human-induced changes on the global en- paintings depicting life at the Gulag, is of im- Randall; Nicole Randall; Kemeika Richardson; vironment. In the past the program has helped mense historical importance. Over the past Rodana Robinson; Juanita Rollerson; Quentin us to understand about the ozone layer and several months the Jamestown Foundation, a Ross; Katrina Scruggs; Edwin Seals; Marc the effects and causes of destructive natural nonprofit organization which focuses on the Seymour; Michael Shenoster; Harold Shields, phenomena. At this time there are a number former Soviet Union, has raised funds to bring Jr.; Orion Sistrunk; Tanisha Smalls; Cornell of scientific instruments aboard various space- these paintings to the United States and save Smith; Jumar Smith; Larry Smith; Rodney craft which are monitoring climatic trends. them from possible destruction. The paintings Sowell; Janine Spruill; Dorothy Stewart; Jer- A driving force behind the success of will be available for viewing in the Rotunda of emy Summers; Iva Supplee-Tate; Bradley NASA's missions is the work carried out by the Russell Senate Office Building between Torrence; Horace Torrence; Montara Tyler; the Cleveland based Lewis Research Center July 21 and July 25. July 23, 1997 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1491 In 1946, Soviet police imprisoned Nikolai 1998, H.R. 2160, language is included stipu- to share our rich heritage with over 1 million Getman in the Gulag, the Soviet Union's state lating that ``Funds for [the American Heritage visitors. operated system of prisons and forced labor Rivers] initiatives are not available until jus- A focus on the Rio Grande is something camps. He is one of the millions of victims of tification and reprogram requests are ap- Texas can get behind. We are proud of our Josef Stalin's purges and political repressions. proved.'' In addition, Representative HELEN river and want to assert our stake in its future. Getman's crime was that he had been present CHENOWETH has introduced a bill to prohibit The proposed being drafted will make sure in a cafe with several fellow artists, one of any further action on the initiative. that Federal jurisdiction is not expanded, that whom drew a caricature of Stalin on a ciga- I am a very strong supporter of this initiative no new regulations are imposed as a result of rette paper. An informer told the authorities and am working very actively with my col- the designation, and that no one's property about the drawing, and the entire group was leagues along the Rio Grande River to submit rights or water rights are affected. Our effort is arrested for anti-Soviet behavior. Getman a proposal for consideration for designation as being designed and managed by Texans on spent 8 years in Siberia at the Kolyma labor 1 of the first 10 rivers to be designated. behalf of a heritage we share with our neigh- camp where he witnessed one of the darkest The Rio Grande River is rich in history, with bors and fellow Americans. periods of Soviet history. Although he survived dramatic contrasts. Some stretches offer in- I urge all of my colleagues to join me in the camp, the horrors of the Gulag were credible scenery and a pristine environment, supporting the American Heritage Rivers Initia- burned into his memory. Upon his release in while others are marred by the stench of pollu- tive and opposing efforts to kill this important 1954, Getman returned to his career as a tion that threatens public health. For roughly initiative. painter, painting prominent members of state. 1,000 miles, the Rio Grande, known in Mexico Finally, Mr. Speaker, I am submitting for the In secret, however, he drew many pictures as the Rio Bravo, serves as an international record a list of questions I submitted to the depicting his memories of the camps. He told boundary. The river has provided the water Council on Environmental Quality and the re- no one, not even his wife, what he was doing needed for border towns to grow into sister sponses I received. I believe this documents because to do so meant risking imprisonment cities. It has nurtured industry, agriculture, and answers all of the concerns that have been or even death. Despite the danger, he under- the development of commerce on both sides expressed by citizens and my colleagues. took the project believing that he must record of the border, but demand for its water is ex- EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESI- the plight of the millions of dead prisoners so ceeding supply in many places. How we se- DENT, COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL their fate would not be forgotten. For more cure the quantity and quality of water needed QUALITY, than four decades, Getman worked at his task from the Rio Grande and other sources will be Washington, DC, July 18, 1997. crucial to the prospects for sustaining growth Hon. SILVESTRE REYES of creating a visual record of the Gulag. Dur- U.S. House of Representatives, ing those years, his secret collection grew to for our region in the 21st century. Washington, DC. 50 paintings which depict all aspects of life in The possibility for designation of the Rio DEAR REPRESENTATIVE REYES: Thank you the camps. Grande as an American Heritage River offers for your recent letter requesting additional The Getman collection is outstanding. It is an opportunity for communities along the Rio information on the American Heritage Riv- the only known visual record to exist of this Grande to work together and gain easier, ers initiative. I appreciate your continued tragic period in Soviet history. If film or other more direct access to existing Federal assist- support and outstanding leadership in the visual representations of the Soviet Gulag ex- ance. The designation would help us celebrate Congress. I have attached answers to the 25 our heritage, draw attention to the natural questions. I hope this information is helpful isted, they have been largely destroyed or to you. suppressed. The Getman collection stands wonders of our river and, at the same time, Please let me know if I can be of further alone as a most unique historical document. address very real and complex challenges fac- assistance. Getman, now 79, lives in Oryol, Russia. He ing its wonders of our river and, at the same Sincerely, feared that when he died his paintings would time, address very real and complex challenge KATHLEEN A. MCGINTY, Chair. be destroyed or sold off. He asked the James- facing its future. Proposals for designation will Enclosure. town Foundation to assist him in moving the be evaluated on whether the plans have ANSWERS IN RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS SUBMIT- paintings to a place of safety in the West and strong or solid community support which in- TED REGARDING THE AMERICAN HERITAGE to develop a plan for their preservation and volve partnerships between the public and pri- RIVERS INITIATIVE exhibition. After 6 months of effort, the paint- vate sectors. 1. Q: Can the designation be, in effect, a ings are now safely in the United States. The Federal Government is to offer a part- contract between the local jurisdictions and It is important that Nikolai Getman's painting nership determined by the needs of the local the federal government in which the terms, act as a public reminder, a means of edu- communities, offering them ways to cut the scope and the limitations of the designa- cation, and a testament to the more than 50 through redtape and develop innovative ar- tion are set out clearly and agreed upon by rangements for new or existing objectives. all parties? million people who died in one of the most vi- A: There is nothing in the initiative that cious and brutal acts of political repression. There are to be no new regulations or stand- requires applicants to enter into any type of Getman's perservance, determination, and ards, and property rights are not to be im- agreement with the federal government. Des- bravery, as well as the hard work of the peo- paired. ignation is the recognition of local commu- ple at the Jamestown Foundation, have guar- It is important to note that this opportunity nities’ efforts to enhance and protect their anteed that the visual record of the atrocities comes at the same time that the Texas legis- river resources. exists despite concerted attempts on the part lature has passed a major overhaul of our As a practical matter, the federal govern- ment cannot enter into ‘‘contracts,’’ in the of the Russian authorities to make the memo- State's water law to help communities and re- gions work together in planning for the future. legal sense, with communities. However, the ries disappear. Mr. Speaker, I take great pride federal government often enters into Memo- in the fact that the first exhibition of such im- The Rio Grande was cited as a special case randa of Understanding with state, tribal portant works will take place inside the U.S. and agencies were instructed to seek Federal and local governments and nongovernmental Congress. assistance. organizations. Designated communities will f Regional councils of government along the have the option of entering into Memoranda border are meeting now to frame a proposal to of Understanding at the local level to explain AMERICAN HERITAGE RIVERS be sent to the White House on behalf of those the terms, scope and limitations of designa- local jurisdictions that wish to participate. The tion and how they want to work with federal proposed partnership is to have key Federal agencies. HON. SILVESTRE REYES 2. Q: Will a designation carry with it any OF TEXAS agencies assist the communities of the Rio new federal regulation, mandate, or in- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Grande develop the long-term assessments of creased eligibility standards? Can that be as- their water needs called for by the water plan serted in a designation proclamation? Wednesday, July 23, 1997 that Governor George Bush recently signed A: No. Designation as an American Herit- Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I am concerned into law. A broader partnership is being pro- age River will not carry with it any new fed- about efforts by some of my colleagues to pro- posed under which the Federal, State and eral regulation, mandate or increased eligi- hibit any further action on the American Herit- local authorities working with business and bility standards. As stated in the Federal Register Notices age Rivers Initiative, which was proposed by civic groups will assist Rio Grande commu- of May 19 and June 10, ‘‘The [American Her- President Clinton in his State of the Union Ad- nities to participate in the 1998 Smithsonian itage Rivers] initiative will create no new dress earlier this year. Folklife Festival in Washington, DC. That regulatory requirements for individuals or In the committee report accompanying the year's festival will focus on the Rio Grande/Rio state and local governments.’’ This can be Agriculture Appropriations Act for fiscal year Bravo and provide a unique opportunity for us asserted in a designation proclamation.