E1932 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks September 22, 1999 central authorities of other Convention coun- who have limited and fixed incomes, in a situ- The U.S. Agency for International Develop- tries and the coordination of Convention activi- ation of having to choose between life's ne- ment, the lead U.S. agency for international ties by persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction. cessities. Allowing this discrimination and un- humanitarian efforts, has activated a team of The bill also assigns certain key functions to fairness to continue is simply wrong and only 100 search and rescue personnel and 106,000 various domestic agencies, to be carried out in exacerbates this situation. pounds of equipment. They have also pro- consultation with the Secretary of State. The Mr. Speaker, there is a solution to this prob- vided a general information number that can Secretary of Health and Human Services is lem. Legislation crafted by my colleagues, be reached at 1±800±USAID±RELIEF. I com- given responsibility for overseeing the accredi- TOM ALLEN, JIM TURNER, and MARION BERRY, mend USAID for their swift and efficient re- tation and approval of organizations and indi- will reduce prescription drug prices for older sponse to this humanitarian disaster, and I am viduals providing adoption services in the Americans by over 40 percent without any sig- certain that they will continue to work closely United States in connection with Convention nificant cost to the federal government. I am a with Taiwan to coordinate relief efforts. adoptions. To the Attorney General are given proud co-sponsor of this important legislation, USAID has indicated the transportation of various duties related to immigration, record H.R. 664, the Prescription Drug Fairness for relief goods to Taiwan is very difficult and inef- keeping and privacy requirements. Seniors Act, which relies on market forces to ficient at this time, so monetary donations are This legislation is the culmination of many lower the costs of prescription drugs for sen- preferred. To that end, the Taipei Economic months of hard work, and is the result of ex- iors. The bill would allow pharmacists to pur- and Cultural Representative Office established tensive consultation with many parties, includ- chase drugs for senior citizens at the same the ``Taiwan Earthquake Relief Fund'' for indi- ing the administration and the U.S. adoption price the federal government purchases pre- viduals interested in providing support. Dona- community. scription drugs through the Department of Vet- tions can be made to Riggs Bank, account We have taken a ``minimalist'' approach to erans Affairs, Medicaid, or other programs. My number 17306006, 1913 Massachusetts Ave- our task, deferring, wherever possible, to the constituents, especially the seniors on Guam nue, NW., Washington, DC, 20016. state laws by which we have always regulated know all to well the dilemma of acquiring The U.S. is not the sole nation involved in adoption in this country, and resisting attempts needed medication without sacrificing the the search and rescue effort. The response to use the bill as a vehicle for carrying out other essential necessities of life, strongly sup- from the international community has also changes to domestic adoption practices at the port this legislation and have called upon me been swift. Switzerland, Germany, Singapore, federal level that are not required to bring our to urge my colleagues to do the same. Japan and Russia have all sent personnel and laws into compliance with the Convention. Mr. Speaker, I want to particularly thank my equipment to Taiwan to assist with search and Our goal throughout this process has been colleague, Congressman TOM ALLEN, for his rescue efforts. to put adoptive children first, through the diligent work in bringing this issue to our atten- All the rescue teams are working non-stop prompt ratification and implementation of the tion, of his work in sponsoring this legislation to comb through the rubble in search of sur- Convention. We have done our utmost to and for his unwavering commitment to older vivors. God bless them for their tireless and steer clear of extraneous issues that might Americans. Mr. Speaker, I sincerely hope that courageous efforts. delay or derail that objective the Prescription Drug Fairness for Seniors Act My thoughts and prayers are with them all The International Relations Committee and receives its due consideration and reaches the in the aftermath of this tragic disaster. the Committee on Ways and Means will short- floor for passage as soon as possible. Our f ly begin consideration of this legislation, and it senior citizens deserve no less than affordable is my sincere hope that the bill will move for- medication and a Congress that cares. U.S. CONGRESSIONAL LETTER ward expeditiously in the same spirit of co- f CALLS FOR RELEASE OF POLIT- operation that has enabled us to reach this ICAL PRISONERS IN INDIA milestone. DEVASTATING EARTHQUAKE HITS f TAIWAN HON. JOHN T. DOOLITTLE OF CALIFORNIA AMERICA’S SENIORS DESERVE HON. WILLIAM O. LIPINSKI IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FAIRNESS OF ILLINOIS Wednesday, September 22, 1999 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mr. DOOLITTLE. Mr. Speaker, last month HON. ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD Wednesday, September 22, 1999 OF GUAM several of my colleagues and I sent a letter to IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, a devastating Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee earthquake struck Taiwan earlier this week. calling for the release of political prisoners in Wednesday, September 22, 1999 The quake was centered 90 miles south of India. So far we have received no response. Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, it is no se- Taipei in Nantou county. Registering 7.6 on According to Amnesty International, thou- cret that drug manufactures all across the na- the Richter scale, the quake has claimed more sands of political prisoners are being held in il- tion have and continue to engage in the unfor- than 1,800 lives and destroyed hundreds of legal detention without charge or trial. Several tunate practice of price discrimination. On the homes. Thousands more are believed to be Sikh political prisoners wrote a letter from the brunt end of this discrimination is our senior trapped in the rubble, and the death toll is ex- Nabha Security jail on the Sikh Nation's 300th citizens, a constituency who by no means de- pected to increase. Aftershocks continue to anniversary in which they urged Sikhs to get serves this ill and insensitive treatment. rumble through Taiwan. involved in getting them released. Some of Today, seniors who purchase their own pre- The earthquake crippled Taiwan's infrastruc- these Sikh political prisoners have been held scription drugs are forced to pay twice as ture in the hardest hit areas. Phone, power since 1984. Fifteen years in illegal detention much for their drugs as the federal govern- and water lines were knocked out. Over without charge or trials is the tactic of a police ment and Health Maintenance Organizations 100,000 people were left homeless sleeping state, not of the democracy India claims to be. (HMOs). This financial burden must be elimi- on blankets in makeshift shelter areas. Roads Our letter reminds the Indian leader that if nated and this discrimination must come to an are barely usable as large gashes crisscross India is going to proclaim its democratic prin- end. Fairness for our seniors can prevail by many of the main thoroughfares in central Tai- ciples, it should release all political prisoners Congress addressing this situation now. wan making it extremely difficult for rescue and bring the police who have committed Price discrimination on the part of drug workers to deliver aid. atrocities against the Sikhs to justice. If it does manufacturers in this country has brought dev- I understand that a number of Americans not, we should be ready to take appropriate astating effects on older Americans. Acting on may have family or friends in Taiwan. Many of action to deprive India of the privileges that their vulnerability, drug manufacturers have them may be extremely worried due to the accrue to democratic and friendly countries. taken advantage of older Americans while giv- lack of information and the inability to contact If India continues to oppress its minorities ing breaks to their most favored customers: them by phone. I call upon the U.S. Depart- and hold thousands of political prisoners with- the federal government and HMOs. The exor- ment of State and the Taipei Economic and out charge of trial, America should stop aid bitant cost of prescription drugs forces seniors Cultural Representative Office. Taiwan's de and trade to the repressive Indian regime. In to choose between buying food to feed them- facto embassy in the U.S., to coordinate ef- addition, we should support self-determination selves, paying the electric bill to warm their forts to keep them informed of further develop- for all the nations and peoples of South Asia. home in the brutal winter, and paying for the ments and to provide all reasonable assist- This is the way to ensure that all the people medications they so desperately need to stay ance in locating and determining the status of and nations of South Asia may live in free- healthy and well. It is not fair to put seniors, their family and friends. dom. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1933 Mr. Speaker, I would like to place the Con- For years, American families have reached ness in Colorado, and in 1986, Senator Arm- gressional letter to Prime Minister Vajpayee across cultural and national boundaries to em- strong proposed protected status and man- into the RECORD. brace children through international adoption. agement for the Spanish Peaks. His efforts set WASHINGTON, DC, In 1998 alone, almost 16,000 children were in place the foundation upon which today's bill July 30, 1999. adopted by Americans from abroad. By sign- is built. Second, I would like to thank the Hon. ATAL BIHARI VAJPAYEE, ing the Hague Convention on the Protection of former Congressman from the Second District Prime Minister of India, Chanakyapuri, New Children and Cooperation in Respect of Inter- of Colorado, Mr. Skaggs. Together, he and I Delhi, India. country Adoption, the United States and over introduced this legislation in the 105th Con- DEAR MR. PRIME MINISTER: We are very 60 other nations recognized the importance of gress, which passed the House but due to disturbed by a recent Amnesty International time constraints did not pass the Senate. The report that thousands of political prisoners international adoption. The Hague Convention are being held in Indian prisons without creates a structure to strengthen cooperation efforts by both of these individual legislators charge or trial. In a democracy, there should among nations in adoption and protects adop- helped make this bill possible. not be political prisoners. tive families from fraud and abuse. The mountains known as the Spanish In addition, a group of political prisoners Although the United States signed the Peaks are two volcanic peaks in Las Animas held at Nabha Security Jail wrote to the Hague Convention in 1994, Congress has yet and Huerfano Counties. The eastern peak Sikhs earlier this year asking for help in get- to ratify and implement the Convention. The rises to 12,683 feet above sea level, while the ting them released. There are thousands of Intercountry Adoption Act, by providing for the summit of the western peak reaches 13,626 Sikh political prisoners being held in India. feet. The two served as landmarks for native Some Sikh political prisoners have been held enactment of the Hague Convention, would strengthen the process that builds thousands Americans as well as some of Colorado's since 1984 without charge or trial. How can a other early settlers. country that proclaims its support for demo- of international adoptive families every year. With this history, it's not surprising that the cratic principles continue to hold political Our legislation sends a strong signal that the prisoners? Spanish Peaks portion of the San Isabel Na- United States is committed to providing per- tional Forest was included in 1977 on the Na- Human-rights activist Jaswant Singh manent homes for its own children and for Khalra wrote a report showing that tens of tional Registry of Natural Landmarks. The children all across the globe. thousands of Sikhs were abducted, tortured, Spanish Peaks area has outstanding scenic, murdered, and declared ‘‘unidentified,’’ then Mr. Speaker, the Hague Convention pro- geologic, and wilderness values, including a their bodies were cremated. After Mr. Khalra motes cooperation among national govern- spectacular system of over 250 free-standing published this report, he was kidnapped by ments, but its most significant impact is deeply dikes and ramps of volcanic materials radi- the police and they killed him six weeks personal. My own family was forever changed ating from the peaks. The lands covered by later, according to a witness. The police re- and enriched by the adoption of our two chil- this bill are not only beautiful and part of a rich sponsible for this act have never been pun- dren from Korea. I am profoundly grateful to ished, despite a court order. Neither has heritage, but also provide an excellent source have Kathryn and Scott in my life. The legisla- of recreation. The State of Colorado has des- Swaran Singh Ghotna, the police officer re- tion we introduce today will allow me to ex- sponsible for the torture and murder of Akal ignated the Spanish Peaks as a natural area, Takht Jathedar Gurdev Singh Kaunke, who press my gratitude by aiding efforts to unite and they are a popular destination for hikers was torn in half. every waiting child in every nation with a ``for- seeking an opportunity to enjoy an unmatched Mr. Khalra’s findings were confirmed by a ever family.'' vista of southeastern Colorado's mountains recently-issued report from the Committee f for Coordination on Disappearances in Pun- and plains. jab, which issued an ‘‘interim report’’ that SPANISH PEAKS WILDERNESS ACT The Forest Service originally reviewed and identifies at least 838 cases of arbitrary exe- OF 1999 recommended the Spanish Peaks area for cution and secret cremation. These are not possible wilderness designation in 1979. The the acts of a democratic country. SPEECH OF process since then has involved several steps, As members of the United States Congress, and during that time, the Forest Service has we will be watching with interest the actions HON. SCOTT McINNIS been able to acquire most of the inholdings that you take. If these kinds of acts con- OF COLORADO within Spanish Peaks area. So the way is now tinue, we will be forced to consider cutting IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES clear for Congress to finish the job and des- off American aid and trade to India. We ex- Monday, September 13, 1999 ignate the Spanish Peaks area as part of the pect a democratic state like India to live up National Wilderness Preservation System. to the principles of democracy and the rule Mr. MCINNIS. Mr. Speaker, thank you for The bill before the House would designate of law. the opportunity to make additional remarks re- Sincerely, as wilderness about 18,000 acres of the San garding the bill H.R. 898, the Spanish Peaks Isabel National Forest, including both of the Edolphus Towns, Dan Burton, William Wilderness Act of 1999, which I had the pleas- Jefferson, Roscoe Bartlett, John T. Spanish Peaks as well as the slopes below Doolittle, Jack Metcalf, Sam Farr, ure of introducing and sponsoring in Congress and between them. This includes most of the George Radanovich, Eni Faleomavaega, this year. lands originally recommended for wilderness Bobby L. Rush, James Traficant, Wally This legislation will give permanent protec- by the Forest Service, but with boundary revi- Herger, Gary Condit, Lincoln Diaz- tion, in the form of wilderness, to the heart of sions that will exclude some private lands. I Balart, Peter King, J.C. Watts, Donald the beautiful Spanish Peaks area in Colorado. would like to note that Senator ALLARD and I Payne, Cynthia McKinney, Brian P. The bill is cosponsored by several of my col- have made significant efforts to address local Bilbray, Major R. Owens, Bernard leagues from Colorado, including Mr. SCHAF- Sanders, Richard Pombo, Albert R. concerns about the wilderness designation, in- FER, whose district includes the portion of the Wynn, Carlos Romero-Barcelo´ , James cluding: (1) adjusting the boundary slightly to Rogan, Duke Cunningham, Ileana Ros- Spanish Peaks within Las Animas County. I exclude certain lands that are likely to have Lehtinen, David McIntosh, Collin C. am also pleased to be joined by Mr. HEFLEY, the capacity for mineral production; and (2) Peterson. Mr. TANCREDO, and Mr. MARK UDALL of Colo- excluding from the wilderness a road used by f rado. I greatly appreciate their assistance and locals for access to the beauty of the Spanish support. Peaks. Senator ALLARD and I did not act to in- THE INTERCOUNTRY ADOPTION Also, across the Capitol, Senator ALLARD troduce this bill until a local consensus was ACT has introduced an identical companion bill. I achieved on the wilderness designation. would like to extend my appreciation to the The bill itself is very simple. It would just HON. EARL POMEROY Senator for his active support of this worth- add the Spanish Peaks area to the list of OF NORTH DAKOTA while legislation. I would also like to thank areas designated as wilderness by the Colo- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Chairman YOUNG and Subcommittee Chair- rado Wilderness Act of 1993. As a result, all woman CHENOWETH for their work in the Com- the provisions of that actÐincluding the provi- Wednesday, September 22, 1999 mittee on Resources to get this bill through sions related to waterÐwould apply to the Mr. POMEROY. Mr. Speaker, I am delighted committee quickly and onto the floor. Spanish Peaks area just as they do to the to join my colleagues from both sides of the Finally, I would offer a note of appreciation other areas on that list. Like all the areas now aisle today in introducing the Intercountry and thanks to the former Members of Con- on that list, the Spanish Peaks area covered Adoption Act. By providing for the implementa- gress whose efforts made today's legislation by this bill is a headwaters area, which for all tion of the Hague Convention, this legislation possible. First, approximately 20 years ago, practical purposes eliminates the possibility of will help unite American families with waiting Senator William Armstrong of Colorado began water conflicts. There are no water diversions children from around the world. this worthwhile process by proposing wilder- within the area.