S5622 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE May 23, 1996 democracy with a breakdown of order, ballot—have tentatively agreed to sup- to gauge whether apparent Russian ap- rampant crime and corruption, and op- port the most popular among them. prehensions are genuine or calculated. pression by the mafia. The problem is that each of the three Russian officials offer an At this point, it appears that the believes himself to be that person. unapologetic though naive defense of Communist candidate, Gennadiy Aside from the campaign perform- Russia’s relationship with Iran. They Zyuganov, has the largest amount of ance of the various candidates for the regard Russia’s relations with Iran as support among the electorate. Presidential election, other factors normal, and perceive Iran neither as Zyuganov has a chameleon-like ability which may influence the outcome in- enemy nor ally. Russian officials com- to tailor his message to a particular clude voter turnout and the ever pletely dismiss suggestions that Iran audience. It is, therefore, difficult to present threat of fraud. Even if the may use technology acquired from Rus- distinguish his true beliefs from his June election is relatively fair, charges sia to develop a nuclear weapons pro- campaign rhetoric, and by extension to of fraud will likely be made by those gram. predict how the Communist Party, if it who fail to make the second round. Russian foreign policy analysts are captures the Presidency, would manage Russian politicians readily admit divided over whether close relations the Russian economy, political system, that foreign policy will not play a can be forged with the People’s Repub- and foreign policy. major role in the upcoming presi- lic of China. Nonetheless, despite this Many in Russia conclude that an dential election campaign. That being skepticism, many endorse expanded co- electoral victory by the Communists said, Russia’s identity and role in the operation with China as a useful coun- would inevitably result in dictatorship. world is a theme that all candidates terbalance to the United States on is- Such fears may not be overblown: anec- are exploiting—and to which voters sues such as NATO expansion.∑ dotal information indicates that some seem to be responding. f reformers are keeping their exit visas Given the resonance that nationalist TRIBUTE TO LIEUTENANT COM- current through the presidential elec- themes have among the electorate, it is MANDER STEPHEN P. METRUCK, tion. The gloomier analysts even pre- not surprising that the current govern- U.S.C.G. dict a prompt reopening of the gulags ment is emphasizing Russian integra- and the reemergence of political trials. tion with other countries of the former ∑ Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, I want to Two trends in the Russian economy Soviet Union, rethinking its relation- take this opportunity to express my may serve to sustain market reforms ship with the United States, and oppos- sincere thanks to Lieutenant Com- in Russia even if an anti-market can- ing NATO expansion. mander Stephen Metruck who has didate is elected President. The first is Russian officials go to great lengths served as my legislative assistant for the growing base of small businesses. to emphasize that the government is oceans and fisheries issues for the past The second is the increasing flow of pursuing integration with its neighbors 21⁄2 years. economic power to the regions. as distinct from reintegration. Accord- Steve has done an outstanding job President Yeltsin has predicted that ing to these officials, the distinction is and has honored himself and the Coast he will prevail in the first round of the that reintegration would imply a reim- Guard with his dedication and quiet June 16 election, gathering enough of position of a command economy and dignity. His talents and the depth of the vote to win the election outright. reestablishment of the Soviet Union, his knowledge brought a unique per- While such an outcome is nearly im- while integration implies a voluntary spective on the issues on which he ad- possible, Yeltsin is widely viewed as a relationship on the model of the Euro- vised me, and he will be missed. I know likely second place finisher—which is pean Union. that the Coast Guard needs to retain sufficient to get him into the run-off. After the break-up of the Soviet officers with his experience and capa- While President Yeltsin’s core sup- Union in December 1991, there was gen- bility and Steve’s dedication to the porters within the electorate are out- eral euphoria in Washington and Mos- Service compels him to return to the numbered by those committed to the cow about the prospects for a United field, but I would welcome his perma- Communists, it is widely believed that States—Russian partnership on a wide nent service in my office. Our loss is he has much more opportunity to range of foreign policy, arms control, the Coast Guard’s gain, and Steve will broaden his support as the campaign and other issues. By 1994, however, sev- be leaving my staff shortly to return to wears on. eral events had occurred which collec- serve as the Executive Officer of the Vladimir Zhirinovsky must be con- tively served to dampen enthusiasm in Coast Guard Marine Safety Office in sidered a serious contender if for no both capitals about the prospects for Buffalo, NY. other reason than that he has consist- close United States-Russian coopera- Steve came to my staff on detail ently exceeded the expectations of tion. from the United States Coast Guard to most analysts. While he is reviled by Both Washington and Moscow had assist me with my work on the Senate most opponents, Zhirinovsky has a unrealistic expectations about the pos- Commerce Committee Subcommittee loyal, if somewhat fractious electoral sibilities for United States-Russian re- on Oceans and Fisheries. As Ranking base. His high negative rating makes lations. Still, many Russians, while Member of that Subcommittee—and in his chances of victory near impossible. readily admitting that things had my prior role as Vice Chairman of the A widely split vote among pro-reform changed, are reluctant to abandon the subcommittee’s predecessor, the Na- candidates, however, could propel him notion of a Russian-United States part- tional Ocean Policy Study—I had into the second round, thereby creating nership—particularly on issues of mu- planned to sponsor a number of impor- the nightmare scenario for Russia’s tual interest such as arms control and tant legislative measures including the democratic reformers: a runoff between the fight against organized crime and reauthorization of the Magnuson Fish- Zyuganov and Zhirinovsky. terrorism. ery Conservation and Management Act Grigory Yavlinsky considers himself Even those who admit to a cooling in and was pleased to gain someone with to be the last, true democratic reform relations with the United States point Steve’s experience and expertise in ma- leader in Russia. Certainly, he is the to United States-Russian collaboration rine safety and environmental policy. last democrat with anything resem- in Bosnia as a success story and a For over 21⁄2 years, Steve has been a bling a popular constituency in Russia model for future cooperation. Given crucial part of my legislative team. I today, although many question wheth- previous United States-Russian divi- have come to rely on his expertise in er his popularity extends much beyond sions over Bosnia—with the Russians Coast Guard, marine, coastal and fish- Moscow and St. Petersburg. traditionally taking positions sympa- eries issues. As we all know around The key to Yavlinsky’s electoral thetic to the Serbs—Russian satisfac- here, it is critical to have staff that strategy is to build a coalition—the so- tion with the current IFOR arrange- can produce high quality work under called ‘‘third force’’—with fellow can- ment is particularly noteworthy. short deadlines and with constantly didates Svyatoslav Fyodorov and Gen- While Russian officials continue to shifting priorities. Steve was a master eral Alexandr Lebed. The three—all of voice their opposition to NATO expan- juggler. He was a quick study and in whom have collected the necessary one sion, their arguments are often con- short order he began to work closely million signatures to be listed on the tradictory and muddled. It is difficult with Committee staff where he helped May 23, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S5623 draft several bills and amendments, in- Comprehensive Aircraft Navigation fund raising event at the beautiful Cha- cluding the omnibus rewrite of the (SCAN) for the second consecutive teau Marmont in Beverly Hills. Magnuson bill as well as innumerable year. Freer also placed seventh in Sim- The letter goes on to note that pro- floor statements, memos and letters. ulator Flying. Robert Shaw captured ceeds from this fund raising event will Another key aspect for any staff in second place in Computer Accuracy, benefit Americans for a Safe Future my office is to provide courteous and and Susan Bailey took home second and ‘‘its continuing efforts to protect helpful constituent service. Steve dem- place in the message drop, in her very our environment, our children, and our onstrates an amazing ability to be sen- first competition. future from radioactive contamina- sitive yet fair to all parties involved in This victory and the women and men tion.’’ an issue. I believe that most of my con- who made it possible are a credit to the Well, Mr. President, I want to protect stituents—fishermen, coastal residents, university and UND’s Center for Aero- our environment, our children, and our environmental activists and others— space Sciences, an internationally rec- future from radioactive contamination. who he has served would agree that he ognized center for aerospace learning. I We all do. is always extremely helpful and treats am proud of every member of the team, But I will not be making a contribu- everyone equally and with respect. and offer special congratulations to tion to this group. As he leaves to continue his duty I will not be sending a check. coach Bridewell, who is ending his dis- I will not be going to Beverly Hills to with the Coast Guard, I join the mem- tinguished tenure with yet another listen as movie stars read poetry. bers of my staff and everyone who has championship. Every member of the Because this group is on the wrong had the pleasure to work with Steve team and coaching staff deserve rec- side of the environment, Mr. President. Metruck during his time in the United ognition, and I am pleased to submit a They are actually opposing what States Senate in wishing him well in complete list for the RECORD. they claim to uphold. his service. I know Steve will continue The list follows: While these movie stars claim to be to honor his uniform, his country, and 1996 UND FLYING TEAM protecting our children from radio- his family with the decency, intel- Team Members: Bill Bailey (senior, Rog- active contamination, their efforts are ligence, and integrity he brought to his ers, MN), Susan Bailey (sophomore, Sutton, inadvertently exposing our children to service on my staff. He is to be com- ND), Shannon Bengeyfield (sophomore, Dil- radioactive contamination. mended for his deep and abiding belief lon, MT), Chris Farmer (co-captain, senior, I am not suggesting that these movie that we must do everything we can to Bluefield, WV), Larry Freer (junior, West stars want to do this because of a lack responsibly protect and preserve the Palm Beach, FL), Mike Galante (co-captain, of intention. senior, Champlin, MN), Brian Jackson (jun- I am sure they are well meaning. I environment. Good luck, Lieutenant ior, Sioux Falls, SD), Joshua Kendrick (sen- Commander Stephen P. Metruck, and ior, Lino Lakes, MN), Aleah Longshore am certain they think they are doing thank you for a job well done.∑ (sophomore, Settler, Alberta, Canada), Rob- the right thing. f ert Shaw (senior, Naperville, IL), Mike But they are misinformed, and they Smieja (senior, Wells, MN), Juliana Stops are harming those they really want to CONGRATULATING THE UNIVER- (sophomore, Buffalo Grove, IL), and Chris protect. SITY OF NORTH DAKOTA FLYING VanGinkel (senior, Maurice, IA). ‘‘Americans for a Safe Future’’ claim TEAM Coach: John Bridewell. they are protecting the Colorado River Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, I would Assistant Coaches: Drew Avery, Spencer from the low-level radioactive waste Henderson, Jim Higgins, Mark Johnson, and facility planned for Ward Valley in the like to offer my sincere congratula- Al Skramstad. tions to the men and women of the Mojave Desert. Mr. BOND addressed the Chair. If the Ward Valley site is built, they University of North Dakota Flying The Senator from Missouri is recog- say radioactivity from Ward Valley Team, who recently captured their nized. third consecutive national champion- will leak into the Colorado River. (The remarks of Mr. BOND pertaining Robert Redford says so. ship at the National Intercollegiate to the introduction of S. 1816 are lo- Flying Association’s 48th annual Safe- Ed Begley, Jr. says so. cated in today’s RECORD under ‘‘State- Priscilla Presley says so. ty and Flight Evaluation Conference in ments on Introduced Bills and Joint Don Henley says so. Daytona Beach, FL. Resolutions.’’) That is all some people need to hear The championship places an empha- Mr. MURKOWSKI addressed the to reach for their checkbooks and take sis on safety, and is comprised of nine Chair. up the cause. different events that test a variety of The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- Sadly, some are content to get infor- aviation skills, both on the ground and ator from Alaska is recognized. mation about radioactive waste and in the air. In addition to scoring an f desert hydrology from rock singers and overall win, UND was first in combined movie stars, even if prominent and dis- scoring for the five ground events, and ARTS, LETTERS, AND POLITICS tinguished scientists say otherwise. second in the Judges Trophy, which is Mr. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I I want to refer to this chart, because awarded on the basis of a team’s over- thank the Chair. An interesting fund- it speaks for itself. There are the Hol- all depth. raising letter came to my attention. It lywood movie stars, and here are the A national championship is clearly a was written by actress Priscilla Pres- scientists who risk their reputation in tremendous accomplishment, and I ley, Elvis Presley’s former wife. saying that Ward Valley is unlikely to commend each and every member of Accompanying the letter was another leak radioactivity into the Colorado the team. Although a significant from actor, Robert Redford. River. Where are you going to put this achievement, I want my colleagues to These letters are promoting a special waste? Nobody wants it. California has know that this is only the most recent evening of ‘‘Arts, Letters and Politics’’ met the Federal laws that we set up to triumph for what has been without in Beverly Hills benefiting a group allow them to do it. This is the site the question the most successful NIFA called ‘‘Americans for a Safe Future.’’ National Academy of Sciences has rec- team in the country. This year’s na- During this special star-studded ommended, and here we are listening tional championship is the UND Flying evening, there will be a lavish recep- to movie stars raising money that it Team’s tenth in the last twelve years, tion, followed by a ‘‘program of celeb- will not be there, but they do not pro- and the fifth for retiring team coach rity prose and poetry readings’’ by pose to put it anywhere. John Bridewell. movie stars Ed Harris and Amy Mad- Mr. President, I believe we ought to This victory was a team effort from igan. The Master of Ceremonies will be listen to geologists and hydrologists start to finish, but several individuals Ed Begley, Jr. when the subject is radioactive waste deserve special recognition. Mike Other names on the letterhead in- and desert hydrology, and we ought to Smieja placed first in Aircraft Rec- clude such Hollywood luminaries as listen to movie stars when the subject ognition, the fourth time he has won rock star Don Henley and TV producers is, well, movies. that event at the national tournament. Gayle Hurd and Gary Goldberg. Sadly, the activism of movie stars Larry Freer was another repeat win- For as little as $250 or as much as has temporarily eclipsed the findings ner, taking first place in Simulated $5000, one can attend this glittering of scientists.