March 9, 1998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1565 Congratulations to you and your team of Then, of course, there is my friend ment policy that meets our nation’s transit researchers that helped make possible this and colleague, the senior Senator from and highway needs. week’s announcement that the Lunar Pros- New York, Senator MOYNIHAN, and his Sincerely, pector has found evidence of water on the steadfastness in helping to achieve this Alfonse D’Amato, Ted Kennedy, Paul Moon. These exciting results show that re- Wellstone, Jack Reed, Richard H. search from the Department of Energy’s na- balance. Bryan, Daniel Moynihan, Chuck Robb, tional laboratories is truly ‘‘out of this In total, our amendment will author- Chris Dodd, Paul Sarbanes, Dick Dur- world.’’ Besides demonstrating the value of ize $41.3 billion for mass transit over bin, Arlen Specter, Robert G. the Nation’s investment in science and tech- the next 3 years. That represents a 30- Torricelli, Rick Santorum, Harry Reid, nology, discoveries like this excite and in- percent increase from the $31.5 billion Barbara Boxer, John F. Kerry, Frank spire young people to pursue science and en- authorized in the 1991 ISTEA bill. Our R. Lautenberg, Barbara A. Mikulski, gineering as careers. amendment provides for funding levels Joseph Lieberman, Carol Moseley- Secretary Pen˜ a said it well. I add my that are $12.6 billion over the adminis- Braun, Robert F. Bennett, Ron Wyden, and Mary Landrieu. congratulations in celebrating another tration’s NEXTEA proposal. momentous achievement from New The amendment will also provide $5 Mr. D’AMATO. Madam President, Mexico and our national Laboratory in billion more than the Banking Com- these additional funds will benefit Los Alamos. mittee bill reported out by a 17-to-1 transit operators of all sizes in both Mr. D’AMATO addressed the Chair. margin last September. We have been urban and rural areas, and in order to The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- able to achieve this increase thanks to meet the new demands for bus and rail ator from New York is recognized. a bipartisan coalition of 24 Senators, systems across the Nation, half the in- f including our present Presiding Officer. crease—$2.5 billion—will be spent only on new starts. The rural transit pro- INTERMODAL SURFACE TRANS- I thank the Senator from Texas for her graciousness and for her support, be- gram will enjoy a $354 million increase PORTATION EFFICIENCY ACT OF over the amount authorized in the 1991 1997 cause I think it is a recognition of the growing needs of mass transit. ISTEA bill. The Senate continued with the con- Madam President, I ask unanimous Over the last 15 years, transit fund- sideration of the bill. consent to have printed in the RECORD ing has remained relatively flat while AMENDMENT NO. 1931 TO AMENDMENT NO. 1676 a letter to the majority and minority highway funding has soared. In 1982, (Purpose: To reauthorize the mass transit leaders which was signed by this bipar- the Federal Government spent $4 bil- programs of the Federal Government, and tisan coalition requesting an increase lion on mass transit and $9 billion on for other purposes) in mass transit funding. highways. In 1998, the Government will Mr. D’AMATO. Madam President, I There being no objection, the letter spend $4.8 billion on transit while send an amendment to the desk and was ordered to be printed in the spending has grown to $23 billion. ask for its immediate consideration. RECORD, as follows: Meanwhile, the demands for transit The PRESIDING OFFICER. The U.S. SENATE, funding have grown exponentially. clerk will report. Washington, DC, February 24, 1998. Communities in high-growth cities are The assistant legislative clerk read Hon. TRENT LOTT, facing problems of traffic congestion as follows: Russell Senate Office Building, and poor air quality while older transit The Senator from New York [Mr. D’AMATO] Washington, DC cities, such as New York and Chicago, proposes an amendment numbered 1931 to Hon. TOM DASCHLE, need additional funds to maintain and amendment No. 1676. Hart Senate Office Building, improve transit service. With this in- Mr. D’AMATO. Madam President, I Washington, DC crease in mass transit funding, we can DEAR SENATOR LOTT AND SENATOR ask unanimous consent that the read- now address many of these needs. DASCHLE: We write to express our support for ing of the amendment be dispensed mass transit funding adequate to meet the More than 80 million Americans, al- with. nation’s growing public transportation most one-third of the U.S. population, The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without needs. While we wish to honor the 1997 Bal- cannot drive or do not have access to a objection, it is so ordered. anced Budget Act, we are convinced that the car. For these people, mass transit is (The text of the amendment is print- nation’s mass transit needs are not being ad- usually the only means of transpor- ed in today’s RECORD under ‘‘Amend- dressed. As strong supporters of investment tation available. The Nation’s 32 mil- ments Submitted.’’) in mass transit, we want to underscore our lion senior citizens and 24 million peo- Mr. D’AMATO. Madam President, I view that any additional surface transpor- ple with disabilities require reliable, tation spending agreed to in the Budget Res- rise today to offer an amendment olution or subsequently in ISTEA must re- safe public transportation service to which will reauthorize the mass transit flect the historic balance between transit maintain their independence. program under ISTEA. and highways. According to the Federal Transit Ad- First of all, I thank my colleagues Mass transit provides an indispensable ministration’s annual report, U.S. busi- for the many months of negotiations service to communities all across the coun- nesses would lose $15 billion a year be- and hard work necessary to produce try—in major metropolitan areas, small cit- cause of highway traffic congestion if this breakthrough agreement which ies and suburbs, and rural regions. It fosters all U.S. transit commuters drove to has resulted in the amendment that we economic development, offers mobility for work instead. More than half of all working Americans, reduces congestion and have offered. improves air quality. Moreover, mass transit transit trips are work trips, and people What I intend to do is just briefly supports the transportation needs of our na- who use transit come from every in- give an outline and, hopefully, with the tion’s elderly, persons with disabilities, tran- come level and demographic back- concurrence of the majority leader and sit-dependent populations and the economi- ground. other Members, we will take this mat- cally disadvantaged. Millions of Americans Federal transit programs benefit ter up for fuller discussion and consid- use mass transit every day. As demand for communities of all sizes across the Na- eration tomorrow morning. But let me more and better transit service soars, we in tion. Today, rural transit carries riders first thank the ranking member on the Congress must help all regions of the coun- more than a billion miles every year. try meet those needs. Banking Committee for his support We are committed to assuring that any ef- Rural areas have a higher percentage during this very difficult time. Senator forts to increase federal investments in of elderly and disabled populations who SARBANES has been steadfast in his sup- transportation apply equitably to both mass are increasingly dependent on mass port and in his approach to working transit and highway programs. Transit must transit for basic transportation needs. out a balanced transit package. receive its fair share under any transpor- Madam President, in closing, I thank Let me also thank the chairman of tation funding proposal under consideration. the chairman of the Environment and the Budget Committee, Senator Maintaining the program balance so care- Public Works Committee, Senator fully crafted in ISTEA will ensure that ade- DOMENICI, for without him and his abil- CHAFEE. quate resources are available to address the ity to see that the levels of increase nation’s surface transportation needs into Mr. SARBANES has been a steadfast can be accommodated in the budget, we the next century. ally in these negotiations. would have no opportunity of going We look forward to working with you to And, once again, without the co- forward. advance a balanced transportation invest- operation of my Budget Committee S1566 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 9, 1998

chairman, Senator DOMENICI, and the workplace safety training to public transit bridges is essential to Maine’s future ranking member, Senator LAUTENBERG, employees. prosperity. we never would have come to this Section 13. University Transportation Centers Studies have shown that roughly 80 point. Restores current law regarding University percent of all economic development I ask unanimous consent to have Transportation Centers, repeals change by occurs within 10 miles on either side of printed in the RECORD a proposed sum- Senate Highway bill reported by EPW Com- our interstate highway. Thus, the ex- mary of the amendment, for those Sen- mittee. pansion and improvement of our trans- ators and staffs who wish to review the Section 14. Job Access Grants portation system are vital to increas- amendment. Authorizes $100 million per year for a new ing job opportunities for all the citi- There being no objection, the sum- ‘‘Job Access Grants’’ program to assist wel- zens of our State. mary was ordered to be printed in the fare recipients and other low-income individ- From Maine’s perspective, the 1998 uals get to and from jobs. RECORD, as follows: ISTEA legislation builds upon the suc- Section 15. Grant Requirements SUMMARY OF D’AMATO-SARBANES AMENDMENT cesses of the 1991 law and will continue FEDERAL TRANSIT ACT OF 1997 Conforms transit grant requirements to to provide Maine with needed funding match those under the Federal highway pro- Section 1. Short Title and Table of Contents to build, repair, and maintain our sur- gram. Section 2. Authorizations face transportation system into the Section 16. HHS and Public Transit Service The bill authorizes a total of $41.3 billion 21st century. for federal transit programs over the 6 year Requires coordination of Human Service Madam President, Maine, like other period from FY 1998 to 2003. This represents Agency transportation providers and public northeastern States, is facing an aging a $9.8 billion increase (31%) over ISTEA au- transit systems to improve efficiency. transportation infrastructure. It re- thorizations of $31.5 billion. Section 17. Proceeds from the Sale of Transit As- quires maintenance, rehabilitation, $36.3 billion of $41.3 billion total was au- sets and in some cases outright replace- thorized in the Banking Committee bill. S. Permits a transit recipient to sell an asset ment. S. 1173, as amended, would pro- 1271, while $5 billion comes from the ‘‘Trans- purchased with federal funds and retain the portation Equity Act’’ negotiated with Sen. vide Maine with vitally needed funds proceeds as long as the proceeds are used for for transportation. It would provide a Domenici et al. mass transit purposes. much-needed boost in the funding that Section 3. Capital Projects and Small Area Section 18. Operating Assistance for Small Tran- Flexibility would go to my State. sit Systems in Large Urbanized Areas Under the 1991 ISTEA law, Maine re- Expands definition of capital to include Requires large urban areas to consider the preventive maintenance, leasing, intelligent ceived approximately $118 million in impact of any operating aid reductions on annual highway funding. With the transportation systems, deployment of new the smaller transit operators within the technology and joint development activities. same urban area. adoption of the amendment worked out Allows small urbanized areas (50,000 to by the Senator from Rhode Island last Section 19. Appointment of Appropriations for 200,000 population) to use their funds for op- Fixed Guideway Modernization week, which I strongly supported, this erating or capital, as rural areas now do. legislation will now authorize $144 mil- Adopts the modified formula for this pro- Section 4. Metropolitan Planning gram as recommended by APTA. Maintains lion in transportation spending for Modifies current planning requirements the existing distribution for the first $760 Maine annually. similar to the Senate highway bill recently million, and allocates an increasing share of This, Madam President, is good news reported by the EPW Committee, and makes program growth to newer rail systems. for our State. It represents a 22 percent other changes. Section 20. Urbanized Area Formula Study increase over the average of the State Section 5. Metropolitan Planning Organizations Requires the Secretary to study the cur- under the 1991 law. Clearly, this in- Requires MPOs in transportation manage- rent urbanized area formula to determine crease will be very beneficial for the ment areas designated after 1991 to include a whether changes are needed to reflect the people of Maine. The ability of the representative of transit users. fact that some small urban areas under economy of Maine to grow and offer Section 6. Farebox Revenues 200,000 population carry more passengers per new and exciting job opportunities to Allows proceeds from farebox revenue mile or hour than larger systems over 200,000 its people is directly related to the bonds to be used as the local share for fi- population. quality and the availability of our nancing capital projects. Ms. COLLINS addressed the Chair. transportation system. In addition, the Section 7. Clean Fuels Program The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- higher funding levels should enable the Creates a new Clean Fuels formula grant ator from Maine is recognized. State to pursue some very high-prior- program to assist transit systems in pur- Ms. COLLINS. Madam President, I ity transportation projects over the chasing low emissions vehicles and related rise today in support of S. 1173, the next 6 years. equipment. Participation is voluntary and highway reauthorization legislation For example, Madam President, as a the federal share is 80%. Funds are provided currently pending before the Senate. native of Aroostook County, I have separately for large and small areas, with a Passage of this ISTEA legislation will cap on what any one recipient can receive. long been a strong supporter of a four- Eligible technologies may include com- be very beneficial to the people of my lane, limited-access highway project in pressed natural gas, hybrid electric, biodie- State and to Maine’s economy. Aroostook County. We need such a sel and other clean technologies. Before beginning my remarks to- highway—all the way from Houlton to Section 8. Capital Investment Grant and Loans night, I commend the distinguished Fort Kent—and I am committed to Extends current 40/40/20 split between Dis- managers of this comprehensive legis- doing everything possible to assist in cretionary grants for New Starts, Bus and lation, Senator JOHN CHAFEE and Sen- this vital effort. The higher funding Fixed Guideway Modernization projects. ator MAX BAUCUS. They have worked levels authorized by this legislation Section 9. Transit Supportive Land Use diligently to produce a broad, biparti- should enable the State of Maine to Adds benefits of transit-oriented land use san consensus for this complicated 6- continue moving this vitally important to the factors to be considered by the Sec- year reauthorization bill. I commend project forward by completing the next retary in reviewing New Starts projects. them for their efforts today, and I look stage, the environmental studies. Section 10. New Starts forward to working with them as this Another important transportation Limits the amount of New Starts funding legislation continues to move through project for Maine will be the efforts to that can be used for other than final design the Senate, be passed by the House, be improve our roads and highways that and construction to 8 percent. reconciled in conference and ulti- cross the State in an east-west direc- Section 11. Joint Partnership for Deployment of mately to be signed into law by the tion. There is also considerable inter- Innovation President. est in the State in undertaking studies Permits FTA to join with a consortia of The State of Maine has 1.2 million to look at constructing an east-west public and private organizations to under- people. They are spread out across highway to improve trade and oppor- take research and deploy new transit tech- roughly 34,000 square miles. Our State tunity throughout the State. nology. has, by far, the lowest population den- In recent years, the prospect of an Section 12. Workplace Safety sity in all of New England. Con- east-west highway has been getting Provides additional funding to the Na- sequently, continuing to improve and more and more attention, and the in- tional Mass Transit Institute to provide upgrade our roads, our highways, our creased highway funding contained in March 9, 1998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1567 the legislation before us today will as- as ever, Mr. Truman defined a statesman as around, these by now ‘‘Middle Aged Turks’’ sist the State in exploring this exciting a politician who has been dead for twenty were looking for a candidate to challenge new opportunity. Madam President, years. Halleck. Mel urged me to run, and thanks in Perhaps in this case it would be more accu- no small part to his efforts, I won that elec- the ISTEA legislation will also help rate to say that Mel has been out of active, tion by the landslide margin of 73/67. Mel be- the State of Maine with other impor- visible politics for twenty years. But that came GOP Conference Chairman. For the tant priorities, such as replacing aging hasn’t prevented Henry Kissinger, Bob next four years we worked in tandem on leg- bridges, developing our cargo ports, Michel, John Rhodes, Governor Nelson, islative programs that helped revitalize the and improving critical economic cor- Larry Eagleburger, or David Broder from as- Republican party and elect Dick Nixon ridors throughout the entire State. sembling here to honor Mel for his outstand- President in 1968. These suggest a few of the very im- ing service in the U.S. Navy and the Wiscon- I well remember a day in December 1968 sin legislature—on Capitol Hill and at the portant transportation projects that when we found ourselves in Palm Springs, Pentagon. In the words of Readers Digest, I California, attending a Republican Gov- the State of Maine can and should con- regard Mel Laird as one of the most unfor- ernors’ Conference. Walter Annenberg hosted sider moving forward with just as soon gettable characters I have ever met! a luncheon honoring the President-elect, at as this Congress completes action on I’ve just come from a private tour of the which Henry Kissinger was present as the the long-term surface transportation new Laird Center, which enabled me to see new head of the NSC. Between the main reauthorization. firsthand the pioneering application of mo- course and dessert Nixon announced that Madam President, the ISTEA legisla- lecular genetics to the field of preventive Walter would become his Ambassador to medicine. Needless to say, Mel, you should tion will help Maine and its people Great Britain and Mel Laird was to be Sec- be very, very proud of this state of the art fa- retary of Defense. maintain and develop a transportation cility that bears your name. The Center is a Mel’s friends were overjoyed by his selec- system that will meet the challenges of magnificent tribute in brick and mortar. But tion. Knowing of his impressive military the future. Again, I commend the dis- it is much more than that. It is also a dy- record in the Navy in WWII and his subse- tinguished managers of this bill for all namic institution whose greatest benefits quent service as one of Capitol Hill’s genuine of their hard work, and I am very will accrue to generations yet unborn. defense experts; admiring his uncommon I can’t help but reflect, Mel, on how proud pleased to support their efforts in pass- common sense and his sound political judg- John Fogerty, your partner in providing ment, I believed that Mel would be of enor- ing this much needed and vitally im- health are funds in the annual Labor, portant legislation. mous help to President Nixon as he struggled Health, Education and Welfare Appropria- to find a responsible solution to the tragedy I thank you, Madam President, and I tions Bill, would be—both of you and of the of Vietnam. No less important, I felt certain yield the floor. Center here in Marshfield. that Mel and Henry could jointly resolve As you all know, age has its privileges, Mr. D’AMATO. Madam President, I that terribly difficult issue. Nixon was fortu- among them the chance to wax nostalgic suggest the absence of a quorum. nate to have them on his team. from time to time. I can hardly believe that They can tell you, far better than I, just The PRESIDING OFFICER. The over forty years have passed since our first how the Paris Accord was achieved, followed clerk will call the roll. meeting, Mel. It was January 3, 1953, the day by the withdrawal of American forces from The legislative clerk proceeded to you were sworn in as a freshman in the Vietnam. Let me say this: few public serv- call the roll. House of Representatives. I can’t honestly say that I was surprised at ants have been so tested by events, or have Mr. D’AMATO. Madam President, I so confirmed the confidence of their admir- ask unanimous consent that the order your swearing in by Speaker Sam Rayburn in the House Chamber. Several months ear- ers, as Mel Laird in those days of tumult and for the quorum call be rescinded. lier, members of the Wisconsin delegation challenge. After four arduous years at the The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without had tipped me off to an outstanding State Pentagon he tried to retire. But by then he objection, it is so ordered. Senator from the Marshfield area whom they was Washington’s Indispensable Man. Presi- dent Nixon immediately drafted him as a f were convinced would be elected to the House in November 1952. Presidential Counselor for Domestic Affairs. TRIBUTE TO MELVIN R. LAIRD Come Election Day their prophecy was em- In an era when the White House was taint- ed by scandal, Mel Laird stood out as a Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, the phatically confirmed by voters. For Mel it was the first of nine such triumphs at the model of personal and political integrity. Melvin R. Laird Center, a medical re- polls. Over the next sixteen years he more The resignation of Vice President Agnew in search facility, was recently dedicated than lived up to his advance billings. From October 1973 touched off speculation over in Marshfield, Wisconsin. The event the outset, Marshfield’s favorite son was a who Nixon might choose to replace him brought together political notables highly effective member of the House Com- under the 25th Amendment. Two days after from both parties, past and present. mittee on Appropriations. As the senior Re- Agnew’s departure Betty and I were having a publican on the HEW Subcommittee, he won quiet dinner at our home in Alexandria, Vir- Former-President Gerald Ford deliv- ginia, when the phone rang. It was Mel call- ered, what I believe, is one of his finest the respect and confidence of members on both sides of the political aisle. ing from the White House. He told me that speeches of his long career of service to Long before today’s talk of a health crisis the Democrat controlled House and Senate the public. in America, Mel Laird was legislating in were unlikely to confirm Rockefeller, Although Mel Laird may be best re- hopes of averting a crisis. Having served Reagan or Connally. In fact, both Speaker membered for his service as Secretary with John and Mel on the House Committee Albert and Senator Mike Mansfield were rec- of Defense during a turbulent period of on Appropriations, I think it’s no exaggera- ommending my name as an alternative. Mel asked whether I had any interest in the Vietnam war, when it was my tion to call the period from 1953 through 1969 the Fogerty/Laird Years. Certainly their in- the job. Frankly, his question came like a privilege to serve in the Navy Secretar- fluence on the NIH was pivotal as they bolt out of the blue. My ambition was to be iat, he devoted a full lifetime of public oversaw a vast expansion of American health Speaker of the House, not Vice President. I service in the course of improving research programs and facilities. At least told Mel that I would consult with Betty and quality of life in medical fields. This five Secretaries of HEW know of Mel’s con- call him back. That evening Betty and I chapter of public service must be made structive impact on rural health care deliv- agreed that 31⁄2 years as Vice President permanent, so I ask unanimous consent ery systems. They know, because he brought would be a nice way to end my quarter cen- tury in Washington. I passed our decision to have printed in the RECORD Presi- them to Marshfield to see for themselves the onto Mel, and the rest, as they say, is his- dent Ford’s Remarks about this medi- Clinic’s tremendous programs for a major area in Wisconsin. tory. cal facility—an institution to which Of course, there were times during those Of course, history doesn’t stop for anyone. Mel Laird gave a full measure of devo- years when the Republican elephant itself re- So let me suggest another way we could all tion. quired a little emergency care. It will come honor our friend. This Center will perpetuate There being no objection, the re- as no surprise to his friends and neighbors Mel’s work in the health field. Wouldn’t it be marks were ordered to be printed in that Mel was always intensely interested in great if our politics today could also reflect the RECORD, as follows: electing a Republican majority in the House his blend of principle and pragmatism? You of Representatives. To tell the truth, I was might not guess it from watching The PRESIDENT FORD’S REMARKS, SEPTEMBER 12, just as interested in electing a Republican McLaughlin Group, but at heart most Ameri- 1997, THE LAIRD CENTER DEDICATION Speaker. So, in the late 1950s, when a group cans are pragmatists. We want to make Thank you, Bob, for that most generous in- of so-called ‘‘Young Turks’’ joined forces to things work. We value authenticity at least troduction. What an honor to participate in overthrow Joe Martin in favor of Congress- as much as ideology—especially in this age this special tribute to a very special, ex- man Charlie Halleck of Indiana, Mel and I when so much of what passes for American traordinary friend. I’m loath to refer to Mel were all for the change. public life seems unreal if not irrelevant. as an elder statesman—if only because of In the wake of the Goldwater debacle of Mel will recall vividly the days when I used something Harry Truman once said. Candid 1964, history repeated itself. Only this time to play straight man to Senator Everett