Daniel Akaka

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I rise today to discuss the alarming incidence of U.S. contract funds being abused in Iraq. These violations range from the abandonment of vehicles, each worth $85,000, to significant project overruns involving tens of millions of tax dollars. The scope of these wasteful and fraudulent activities is both disturbing and unacceptable. At this critical juncture in Iraq's rehabilitation, contractors and their administrators should be providing contracted services and goods with maximum efficiency. As an American, I am proud of and thankful of the men and women who have traveled to Iraq to help restore this country. They risk their lives and, sadly, some have given their lives. However, stories of outright waste and fraud involving contract funds are deeply disturbing. Three themes have emerged from the abuse of U.S. contracts in Iraq: task order violations, the absence of cost controls, and inconsistent oversight. Numerous contract officers have used existing procurement or task orders to obtain services and goods beyond the scope of approved contracts. For instance, during December 2003, the Army acquired interrogators for Iraqi prisons via a contract marked for the Department of Interior information technology purchases. Interior contract officers negotiated interrogation services through an open- ended agreement laden with tenuous connections to technology. In such circumstances, new procurement items should only be obtained under open and fair competition. The absence of consistent cost controls has also attributed to the misuse of contract funds. The General Accounting Office reports that a significant portion of task orders, associated with defense logistical support contracts in Iraq, have been granted without concrete specifications, deadlines, and prices. The prevalence of open-ended contracts have fueled inefficiency and numerous project overruns exceeding 100 percent. Unfortunately, the absence of a well-trained procurement workforce in Iraq has impeded efforts to counter these adverse outcomes. In the presence of fragmented oversight, the misuse of contract funds has further escalated. Currently, the Coalition Provisional Authority, CPA, only has oversight of contracts associated with reconstruction and Task Order 44 of the U.S. Army's Logistical Operations Civil Acquisition Program, LOGCAP, which provides CPA logistical support, yet all other contractors in Iraq are audited by agency inspector General, IG, offices. It is anticipated that the challenges of fostering accountability will substantially increase after the handover of Iraq on June 30, 2004. The CPA IG reports that 60 days after the handover, CPA audit activities will be merged into the State Department's IG Office. This office will oversee all U.S. contracts in Iraq including those managed by the Department of Defense. Government officials forecast that this change in audit authority will generate confusion at a time when consistent oversight is most needed. The widespread misuse of contract funds in Iraq warrants Senate attention. During these financially lean times, it is unacceptable to tolerate such outright abuse of U.S. tax dollars. It is imperative that we demand greater accountability and efficiency, and immediately focus on this critical issue. Senate hearings would help identify sources of misuse and assist in developing viable remedies. This war has cost hundreds of lives and billions of dollars. We should not ignore the price being paid, and the debt incurred, by this generation and future generations in this conflict.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Public Land Protection and Conservation Act of 2004. I am pleased to have my esteemed colleagues Senator Frank Lautenberg, Senator Carl Levin, Senator Dianne Feinstein, Senator Daniel Inouye, and Senator Ron Wyden cosponsoring the bill with me. This legislation encourages Federal, State, and local agencies, non-governmental entities, and Indian tribes to work together through a cost-shared, cooperative grant program to control the spread of terrestrial invasive species. The bill authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to provide state assessment grants to inventory and prioritize invasive species problems. It provides additional grants to control invasive species on Federal land or adjacent areas. And most importantly, it provides rapid response funds for states to eradicate serious new outbreaks. Invasive species cause devastating environmental, human health, and economic consequences throughout the Nation and world. They are responsible for damage to native ecosystems and vital industries, such as agriculture, fisheries, and ranching. The impacts of invasive species are estimated to cost the United States at least $100 billion each year. Invasive species threaten the existence of 42 percent of threatened and endangered species in the United States, and this is an issue that must be confronted. The implications of the nationwide invasive species problem are enormous. Nowhere, however, are the impacts greater than in my home State of Hawaii, which has always been known for its biodiversity. Approximately 11,000 species are believed to have evolved from roughly 20,000 ancestors that successfully colonized at a rate of one every 35,000 years. Today, 20 to 50 new nonnative species arrive in Hawaii every year. In total, unwanted alien pests are entering Hawaii at a rate that is about two million times more rapid than the natural rate. Nonnative, invasive species comprise roughly 20 percent of the plants and animals in Hawaii. Invasive species are the number one cause of the decline of Hawaii's threatened and endangered species. This is a serious concern because Hawaii has more than 10,000 species found nowhere else on Earth. Of the 114 endangered species that have become extinct in the first 20 years of the Endangered Species Act, almost one-half were in Hawaii. The fragility of our native species is compounded by the fact that most introduced species have no natural predators in the state. Let me give you just a few examples of invasive species problems in Hawaii. Control efforts for the Formosan ground termite are estimated to cost residents in Hawaii more than $150 million per year. Damage to our agricultural industry and the related control costs of the Mediterranean fruit fly are more than $450 million annually. Native birds in our rainforests are succumbing to malaria spread through introduced mosquitos. Coqui frogs, accidentally imported on plants to Hawaii, can reach densities of 8,000 frogs per acre. Each one can produce a call at 90 decibels. The noise from 8,000 frogs at 90 decibels is equivalent to listening to a high-pitched jackhammer all night! Infestations of frogs are lowering property values and threatening Hawaii's export floriculture and nursery industries. Coqui frogs also consume more than 48,000 prey items per acre per night, depleting the food supply for threatened and endangered birds and spiders. Miconia, an invasive tree infesting over 15,000 acres of rainforest in Hawaii, eliminates the habitat of endangered plants and animals and causes serious erosion problems that threaten the water supply. Miconia has overwhelmed all other species on these mountainsides. Miconia, like many invasives, is a major threat to native biodiversity. The brown tree snake has invaded Guam and devastated native bird populations there. If it were to become established in Hawaii, economic costs have been estimated to exceed hundreds of millions of dollars. Agriculture in Hawaii is threatened by the spread of the red imported fire ant, a serious problem in 14 southern states causing over $2 billion in annual damage. As you can see, the time to address the issue of invasive species is now, before there are even more serious problems. My bill, the Public Land Protection and Conservation Act, authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to provide grants to states, nonprofit, and tribal entities to assess, control, and eradicate invasive species. There are three types of grants in this bill, one of which requires matching funds. First, this legislation provides grants to states for assessment projects to identify, quantify, and prioritize invasive species threats. This step is a critical underpinning for invasives programs, but many states do not have the resources to carry out this assessment. Second, the control grants supply appropriate public or private entities or Indian tribes with funding to carry out, in partnership with a Federal agency, an eradication, containment, or management project on Federal land or adjacent land. Control projects would receive a higher ranking for funding based on shared priorities in state and Federal plans, the extensiveness or severity of the invasive species impacts in a state, and whether the project fosters results through public-private partnerships, among other criteria. Control grants are cost-shared with states. A maximum of 75 percent of funding shall be federally provided for control projects on adjacent land, with the exception of pilot or demonstration projects, or projects that conserve threatened or endangered species, which shall receive 85 percent federal funding. The Federal share of control projects carried out on Federal land shall be 100 percent. Finally, rapid response funds, designated for States facing new outbreaks of invasive species, will provide timely resources to eradicate these organisms before they gain a foothold. Rapid response funds are critical to States in order to combat newly identified invasives. The impacts of invasive species are already costing the United States an estimated $100 billion each year. The Department of the Interior, in its FY 2005 budget request acknowledges that invasive species pose an enormous threat to the ecological and economic health of the Nation. The Department states that the economic costs associated with invasive species are enormous already, and increasing. The Department of the Interior and U.S. Forest Service together received approximately $126 million in FY 2004, and the combined FY 2005 request is identical. Although I applaud the current efforts of the Department of the Interior and the U.S. Forest Service, we need a more coordinated attack on invasive species. The attack must have robust funding if we are to work in partnership with the states. An estimated 5,000 to 6,000 invasive species are established in the United States. With 73 percent of the continental United States held in private lands, our Federal lands will not be adequately protected without public-private partnerships because invasive species know no boundaries. My bill requires coordination between the National Invasive Species Council, the Department of the Interior, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and state invasive species councils and plans. It provides the support necessary for agencies, organizations, and individuals to implement cooperative projects to address new threats and long-standing invasive species problems. I am particularly pleased that the State of Hawaii is taking a leadership role in addressing invasive species problems as our State is intimately familiar with the serious impacts. Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources, the State government, and each county's Invasive Species Councils are committed to a proactive approach to preserve the environmental heritage and economic security of our communities for generations to come. Each of these Councils now coordinates their activities on the State level through the formation of the Hawaii Invasive Species Council in 2003. In addition to the Council, many public and private partnerships have been formed to protect our common natural resources. The East Maui Watershed Partnership brings together multiple public and private landowners and the County of Maui to control invasive species and protect 100,000 acres of our prime watershed areas. This is just one example of many highly successful and dedicated partnerships in Hawaii working to preserve our invaluable resources. This legislation is supported by the State of Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources, which has primary responsibility for land use, forests, wildlife and oceans. In his letter of support, the Chairperson of the DLNR, Mr. Peter Young, states that ``Increasing success in invasive species projects in Hawaii has come largely from the formation of strong partnerships between State, County and Federal agencies and private groups.'' The intent of this bill is to encourage partnerships like the East Maui Watershed Partnership and the Hawaii Invasives Species Council in their fight against invasives. Most recently, the Hawaii State Legislature allocated $4 million of the $5 million requested by Governor Linda Lingle to support the Invasive Species Prevention and Control program. This request is part of the overall state proposal to earmark $20 million over the next four years. These actions demonstrate Hawaii's commitment to the problem. This money, however, is clearly not sufficient to control the nonnative species in Hawaii. Despite their best efforts to reduce the devastation caused by invasive species, states lack the needed funds to adequately address this issue. The General Accounting Office (GAO) issued a report on September 5, 2003, documenting gaps and barriers in Federal invasive species legislation. The number one barrier identified in the report was insufficient Federal funding for state efforts to control invasive species. Another barrier identified was the inadequate amount of general information and research on invasive species. My legislation will provide States the desperately needed funding to start a serious battle against invasive species. The GAO report also recommended authorizing the National Invasive Species Council as the most effective leadership structure for managing invasive species. I applaud Senators Levin and DeWine for addressing this issue in legislation they have introduced during the 108th Congress, the National Aquatic Invasive Species Act of 2003. I am a cosponsor of their bill, S. 525, because aquatic invasives are important in Hawaii. I am also a cosponsor of Senator Larry Craig's Noxious Weed Control Act of 2003, S. 144, that focuses on terrestrial weeds. My bill, the Public Land Protection and Conservation Act of 2004, will fill a needed gap by addressing all invasive organisms, flora and fauna, in and around federal lands through public-private partnerships. The National Environmental Coalition on Invasive Species, a coalition of representatives from major environmental organizations, has extended its full support for this legislation. Its letter of support calls this bill ``one of the best legislative proposals to date to deal with the growing threat that invasive species pose to our nation's ecological and economic health.'' The bill is also supported by The Conservation Council of Hawaii, the National Wildlife Federation affiliate in Hawaii. I greatly appreciate their endorsements. Lastly, I want to acknowledge my colleague in the House, Representative Nick Rahall, for recognizing the gaps in national legislation for controlling and eradicating invasive species on Federal and adjacent lands through cooperative grants. He introduced H.R. 2310, the Species Protection and Conservation of the Environment Act, on June 3, 2003. His legislation provided a solid blueprint that inspired my bill, and I am eager to join him in the eradication of invasive species on Federal and adjacent lands. There are increasingly severe problems and economic burdens associated with invasive species in our nation. Federal support to states to combat this problem at the ground level is crucial. If ever there was a time to commit to defending the security of our domestic resources for the future, it is now. I ask unanimous consent that text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, the Senate report accompanying National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005 included language on a program to demonstrate proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell designs at Department of the Navy installations. In particular, the language referred to an uninterruptible substation using fuel cells based on proton exchange membrane technology. This was a program that the Congress supported last year. I believe that the program the Committee intended to support this year was somewhat more narrowly focused on the developing technology to improve the membranes for those fuel cells that might be used in the substation program that was the subject of discussion last year or for other important Defense Department applications.

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I wonder if I might discuss an important matter with the Chairman of the Armed Services Committee regarding the program to advance fuel cell technology for support of armed forces.

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I thank the chairman of the Committee for clarifying this situation.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I rise today in support of the amendment offered by Senators Kennedy and Feinstein to prohibit the use of funds for the support of new nuclear weapons development. Passage of this amendment would ensure that the United States will not develop new nuclear weapons while at the same time asking other nations to give up their own weapons development programs. Unfortunately, today we live in a world where governments and terrorists are seeking to create and acquire weapons of mass destruction. I am deeply concerned that we are not doing enough to stop the potential flow of weapons and weapon materials to terrorist organizations. Rather than devoting scarce resources to researching new nuclear weapons we should be securing nuclear material already in existence. The administration's plans to develop new weapons and modify old types of weapons will compromise U.S. security by undermining efforts to make worldwide cooperation on nonproliferation of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction, WMD, more effective. The first Bush administration prohibited work on nuclear weapons then under development and halted nuclear testing except for safety and reliability, effectively bringing work on new weapons types to a close. In contrast, I believe this administration's nuclear initiatives are creating a new kind of arms race by expanding our weapon development programs. The United States pledged in the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty ``to pursue negotiations in good faith on effective measures relating to cessation of the nuclear arms race at an early date and to nuclear disarmament.'' This is still a worthy objective. However, instead of strengthening nonproliferation efforts, the administration has requested $27.6 million for the Robust Nuclear Earth Penetrator, RNEP, for fiscal year 2005. The request would continue a study to modify an existing weapon to penetrate completely into the ground before detonating, increasing its ability to destroy buried targets. The RNEP is a bad idea for a number of reasons. First, it is a common misconception that a weapon detonated a few meters underground creates less fallout. In fact, a weapon detonated at a shallow depth would actually create more fallout than if it were detonated on the surface. Nuclear testing done in the 1960s demonstrated that weapons detonated deep underground can produce large amounts of fallout. In order to prevent this during underground testing done at the Nevada Test Site, detonations were required to be at least 600 feet underground, with no vertical shaft open to the atmosphere. This scenario cannot happen in a battlefield situation. We do not have the ability to drive a weapon down to the depths that would be required to prevent huge quantities of fallout from occurring, and even if we did, the hole created by the weapon would allow the fallout to escape to the atmosphere. Even a low-yield RNEP would kill large numbers of people from both the blast and from the inevitable fallout that would follow. The RNEP study was initially projected to cost $45 million--$15 million a year for fiscal year 2003-2005. It is now projected to cost $71 million, which is too much money to research a weapon that in many ways duplicates what conventional weapons can do already. Additionally, the budget request includes figures through fiscal year 2009 that total $484.7 million and includes placeholders for both the development-engineering and production-engineering phases. This may indicate that the RNEP study is more than just a study and is in fact being undertaken with the foregone conclusion that the weapon will go into development. This amendment would effectively stop funding for this weapon. The administration argues that these weapons programs are needed to increase deterrence from a new kind of threat. I do not believe these weapons will deter other nations or terrorists. If other nations see the U.S. developing new nuclear weapons, they are likely to think that they need new weapons for their security as well. We already know that terrorists are trying to acquire nuclear weapons. Director of Central Intelligence, George Tenet, warned the Armed Services Committee once again in March of al-Qaida interest in chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear, CBRN, weapons. Director Tenet said, ``Acquiring these remains a `religious obligation' in Bin Ladin's eyes, and al-Qaida and more than two dozen other terrorist groups are pursuing CBRN materials. Over the last year, we've also seen an increase in the threat of more sophisticated CBRN. For this reason, we take very seriously the threat of a CBRN attack.'' We cannot afford this risk. I urge my colleagues to support the Kennedy-Feinstein amendment to stop funding new nuclear weapons development programs.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I recognize the efforts of Ms. Carol Madonna, a Brookings Institution LEGIS fellow, who has been a tremendous asset to me and my office during the past 18 months. Over the past year and a half, Carol has assisted me with fulfilling my responsibilities as a member of the Senate Committees on Armed Services and Veterans' Affairs. She has worked many long hours to address issues of concern to our men and women in the military, veterans, and Federal employees. Mr. President, Carol Madonna is an excellent example of a dedicated Federal employee. She is always willing to pitch in and provide assistance. She is a very quick learner and an extremely hard worker. She adapts quickly to changing circumstances and is always responsive to situations. From early bird breakfasts with Pentagon officials to late vote evenings in the Senate, Carol was an invaluable member of my legislative staff and a quick study on the diverse and competing priorities that arise in the Senate on a regular basis. Her professionalism and dedication to getting the job done reflects well on the Defense Supply Center- Philadelphia, an agency within the Defense Logistics Agency, where Carol has been employed for the past 22 years. Mr. President, Carol Madonna has many accomplishments that are worthy of mention. She is most proud, however, of her two sons, Dan Madonna, a teacher in Philadelphia, and Lee Madonna, who is about to receive his Associate's Degree from Delaware County Community College. As much as my staff and I will miss Carol, we wish her well as she joins her family in Philadelphia, and thank her for her wonderful service to the people of Hawaii and this great Nation.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Madam President, I rise in the spirit of thanksgiving and pride as I stand in the Chamber with others who have served in World War II. I thank this body for the honor they have given all of us. But I say thanksgiving because I thank God. I thank God for being here. I thank God for being a part of this body. I thank my ma and my pa for bringing me into this world. I thank my wife Millie and my family for the support they have given me. I thank my buddies who served with me and trained with me in World War II. I thank God for setting a new course not only for me but for our country. Because of World War II, we saw our country changing itself from being very prejudicial to being forgiving, and setting a new course not only for our country but for the world. When I think of what helped me after I left the Army, I used the GI Bill of Rights program. That was, for me, one of the greatest programs. I would say that each of us here have benefited by using that to go to college. As a result of that, we were able to set our professions and eventually be elected to the Senate. But things have changed not only in our lives but in our country and the world. When I think of our country and how it has benefited from World War II, other countries, such as Germany, have also benefited from World War II. Japan has benefited from World War II. It has really changed the world. So I thank God, my family, my buddies, and my colleagues here especially for the kind words and sentiments that have been given tonight. I feel proud to be part of this esteemed body. I thank my colleagues again and our leadership for this recognition. I want them to know that I am proud to have served our country.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. I also ask unanimous consent that the text of the Credit Card Minimum Payment Warning Act be printed in the Record following my remarks.

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Credit Card Minimum Payment Warning Act. I greatly appreciate the significant contributions Senator Durbin made to this bill, and I thank him very much for that. Also, I thank Senator Leahy and Senator Schumer for cosponsoring this legislation. Americans are carrying enormous amounts of debt. In 2003, consumer debt increased for the first time to more than $2 trillion, according to the Federal Reserve. This is a 28-percent increase since the year 2000. According to the Daily Bankruptcy News, consumer debt is now equal to 110 percent of disposable income. Ten years ago, it was 85 percent; and 20 years ago, it was 65 percent. A key component of household debt can be attributed to the use of credit cards. Revolving debt, mostly comprised of credit card debt, has more than doubled from $313 billion in January 1994 to $753 billion in debt in January 2004. A U.S. Public Interest Research Group and Consumer Federation of America analysis of Federal Reserve data indicates that the average household with debt carries approximately $10,000 to $12,000 in total revolving debt and has nine credit cards. More and more working families are trying to meet growing financial obligations and are having difficulties surviving financially. When interest rates do eventually rise, consumers' increasing debt obligations will be compounded further. As household debt has increased, bankruptcy filings have surged to record levels. In the year 2003, more than 1.6 million consumers filed for bankruptcy. This staggering amount is an increase of 5.6 percent over the previous record set in 2002. Bankruptcies disrupt the lives of consumers and limit their ability to access credit in the future. In addition, bankruptcies lead to significant financial losses for creditors. It is imperative that we make consumers more aware of the long-term effects of their financial decisions, particularly in managing their credit card debt, so that they can avoid bankruptcy. Even as we contemplate the consequences of more and more debt, it has become easier to access credit. Pre-approved credit card offers are now a routine piece of mail. Students are offered credit cards at earlier ages, especially in view of the success that credit card companies are having with their aggressive campaigns targeted towards college students. Mr. President, 55 percent of college students acquire their first credit card during their first year in college, and 83 percent of college students have at least one credit card. Forty-five percent of college students are in credit card debt, with the average debt being over $3,000. While it is relatively easy to obtain credit, not enough is done to ensure that credit is properly managed. Currently, credit card statements fail to include all of the information necessary to allow individuals to make fully informed financial decisions. Additional disclosure is needed to ensure that individuals completely understand the implications of their credit card use. Our legislation will provide a wakeup call for consumers. It will make it very clear what costs consumers will incur if they make only the minimum payments on their credit cards. The personalized information they will receive for each of their accounts will help them to make informed choices about the payments that they choose to make towards their balance. This bill requires a minimum payment warning notification on monthly statements stating that making the minimum payment will increase the amount of interest that will be paid and extend the amount of time it will take to repay the outstanding balance. Consumers would have to be informed of how many years and months it will take to repay their entire balance if they make only the minimum payments. In addition, the total costs in interest and principal, if the consumer pays only the minimum payment, would have to be disclosed. These provisions will make individuals much more aware of the true costs of their credit card debts. The bill also requires that credit card companies provide useful information so that people can develop strategies to free themselves of credit card debt. Consumers would have to be provided with the amount they need to pay to eliminate their outstanding balance within 36 months. Finally, the legislation would require that creditors establish a toll-free number so that consumers can access trustworthy credit counselors. In order to ensure that consumers are referred from the toll-free number to only trustworthy organizations, the agencies for referral would have to be approved by the Federal Trade Commission and the Federal Reserve Board as having met comprehensive quality standards. These standards are necessary because certain credit counseling agencies have abused their nonprofit, tax-exempt status and have taken advantage of people seeking assistance in managing their debts. People believe, sometimes mistakenly, that they can place blind trust in nonprofit organizations and that their fees will be lower than those of other credit counseling organizations. Too many individuals may not realize that the credit counseling industry does deserve the trust that consumers often place in it. The Credit Card Minimum Payment Warning Act has been endorsed by the Consumer Federation of America, Consumers Union, and U.S. Public Interest Research Group. I ask unanimous consent that the letter of support and factsheet from these organizations be printed in the Record.

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation that will empower consumers by providing them with detailed personalized information to assist them in making informed choices about their credit card use and repayment. This bill makes clear the adverse consequences of uninformed choices, such as making only minimum payments, and provides opportunities to locate assistance to eliminate credit card debt.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I thank the Senator from Virginia. He has been a great leader in our country for our Armed Forces. He has served our country well. He has been a Secretary of the Navy, now chairman of the Armed Services Committee. I tell him, as one member of that committee, that I respect what he is doing. He is doing a great job for the country. He has been up with the sensitive issues that our country faces and has called these hearings that have been very important in clarifying what is happening with our armed services in Iraq and around the world. I commend him highly for what he is doing. I thank him for all of that.

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to speak as in morning business for 15 minutes.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Credit Card Minimum Payment Warning Act. I greatly appreciate the significant contributions Senator Durbin made to this bill, and I thank him very much for that. Also, I thank Senator Leahy and Senator Schumer for cosponsoring this legislation. Americans are carrying enormous amounts of debt. In 2003, consumer debt increased for the first time to more than $2 trillion, according to the Federal Reserve. This is a 28-percent increase since the year 2000. According to the Daily Bankruptcy News, consumer debt is now equal to 110 percent of disposable income. Ten years ago, it was 85 percent; and 20 years ago, it was 65 percent. A key component of household debt can be attributed to the use of credit cards. Revolving debt, mostly comprised of credit card debt, has more than doubled from $313 billion in January 1994 to $753 billion in debt in January 2004. A U.S. Public Interest Research Group and Consumer Federation of America analysis of Federal Reserve data indicates that the average household with debt carries approximately $10,000 to $12,000 in total revolving debt and has nine credit cards. More and more working families are trying to meet growing financial obligations and are having difficulties surviving financially. When interest rates do eventually rise, consumers' increasing debt obligations will be compounded further. As household debt has increased, bankruptcy filings have surged to record levels. In the year 2003, more than 1.6 million consumers filed for bankruptcy. This staggering amount is an increase of 5.6 percent over the previous record set in 2002. Bankruptcies disrupt the lives of consumers and limit their ability to access credit in the future. In addition, bankruptcies lead to significant financial losses for creditors. It is imperative that we make consumers more aware of the long-term effects of their financial decisions, particularly in managing their credit card debt, so that they can avoid bankruptcy. Even as we contemplate the consequences of more and more debt, it has become easier to access credit. Pre-approved credit card offers are now a routine piece of mail. Students are offered credit cards at earlier ages, especially in view of the success that credit card companies are having with their aggressive campaigns targeted towards college students. Mr. President, 55 percent of college students acquire their first credit card during their first year in college, and 83 percent of college students have at least one credit card. Forty-five percent of college students are in credit card debt, with the average debt being over $3,000. While it is relatively easy to obtain credit, not enough is done to ensure that credit is properly managed. Currently, credit card statements fail to include all of the information necessary to allow individuals to make fully informed financial decisions. Additional disclosure is needed to ensure that individuals completely understand the implications of their credit card use. Our legislation will provide a wakeup call for consumers. It will make it very clear what costs consumers will incur if they make only the minimum payments on their credit cards. The personalized information they will receive for each of their accounts will help them to make informed choices about the payments that they choose to make towards their balance. This bill requires a minimum payment warning notification on monthly statements stating that making the minimum payment will increase the amount of interest that will be paid and extend the amount of time it will take to repay the outstanding balance. Consumers would have to be informed of how many years and months it will take to repay their entire balance if they make only the minimum payments. In addition, the total costs in interest and principal, if the consumer pays only the minimum payment, would have to be disclosed. These provisions will make individuals much more aware of the true costs of their credit card debts. The bill also requires that credit card companies provide useful information so that people can develop strategies to free themselves of credit card debt. Consumers would have to be provided with the amount they need to pay to eliminate their outstanding balance within 36 months. Finally, the legislation would require that creditors establish a toll-free number so that consumers can access trustworthy credit counselors. In order to ensure that consumers are referred from the toll-free number to only trustworthy organizations, the agencies for referral would have to be approved by the Federal Trade Commission and the Federal Reserve Board as having met comprehensive quality standards. These standards are necessary because certain credit counseling agencies have abused their nonprofit, tax-exempt status and have taken advantage of people seeking assistance in managing their debts. People believe, sometimes mistakenly, that they can place blind trust in nonprofit organizations and that their fees will be lower than those of other credit counseling organizations. Too many individuals may not realize that the credit counseling industry does deserve the trust that consumers often place in it. The Credit Card Minimum Payment Warning Act has been endorsed by the Consumer Federation of America, Consumers Union, and U.S. Public Interest Research Group. I ask unanimous consent that the letter of support and factsheet from these organizations be printed in the Record.

Mr. AKAKA. I also ask unanimous consent that the text of the Credit Card Minimum Payment Warning Act be printed in the Record following my remarks.

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation that will empower consumers by providing them with detailed personalized information to assist them in making informed choices about their credit card use and repayment. This bill makes clear the adverse consequences of uninformed choices, such as making only minimum payments, and provides opportunities to locate assistance to eliminate credit card debt.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President. I am delighted to join with Senator Collins and other colleagues on the Governmental Affairs Committee to introduce the Thrift Savings Plan Open Elections Act of 2004. Our bill will provide participants in the Thrift Savings Plan, TSP, significant flexibility in managing their TSP accounts. Over the years, I have successfully offered legislation which has ensured that Federal employees enrolled in the Government's retirement savings plan enjoy the same opportunities afforded to employees in the private and public sectors, such as the ability to make additional contributions to the TSP for those over the age of 50 and immediate enrollment for new employees. This new bill would eliminate open seasons, which prohibit employees who choose not to contribute to wait until for a specific amount of time if they later decide to participate. I am especially pleased that the legislation also includes a section devoted to enhancing financial literacy for Federal employees. As my colleagues know, I have long championed the need for expanded financial literacy for Americans of all ages and background who face increasingly complex financial decisions as members of the Nation's workforce, managers of their families' resources, and voting citizens. Our bill directs the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board, FRTIB, which administers the TSP, to enhance the tools available to TSP participants so that they will be better able to understand, evaluate, and compare the financial products, services, and opportunities available from the Thrift Savings Plan. The measure also requires that as part of the retirement training offered by the Office of Personnel Management, OPM, that OPM, in consultation with the board, develop a retirement financial literacy and education strategy for Federal employees. I wish to commend both the thrift board and OPM for the work that has already been undertaken to increase financial literacy among Federal employees, including the recent OPM-sponsored financial literacy fairs. As for all Americans, financial literacy education is essential for Federal employees to develop a base of knowledge so that they can participate effectively in the modern economy. We must find opportunities to get information to individuals at the appropriate times throughout their lives as their financial situations and needs change. I believe that the provisions in this bill will give Federal employees the tools needed to empower them to make informed decisions regarding their retirement and financial security. I strongly urge my colleagues to cosponsor this legislation.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I am pleased to join with Senator Collins and Senator Carper, who today have introduced the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act. I commend both of my Governmental Affairs Committee colleagues for their leadership in crafting a postal reform bill. For some time, the General Accounting Office has warned that the long-term financial outlook for the U.S. Postal Service was at risk without significant changes. At the request of the Governmental Affairs Committee, the U.S. Postal Service developed a transformation plan that offered its vision for the future. Late in 2002, a Presidential Postal Commission was convened, which issued a number of recommendations in 2003. Over the past 6 months, I have participated in a series of hearings chaired by Senator Collins which examined the recommendations of the Postal Commission. I commend Senator Collins for guaranteeing that the divergent views were seriously considered throughout our eight hearings. I also wish to commend my colleague from Delaware, Senator Carper, for his strong and early commitment to postal reform. I support modernizing the U.S. Postal Service to ensure that its mission of providing 6 days a week universal service at an affordable rate is preserved. Although the legislation introduced today responds to many of the recommendations and concerns we heard in our hearings, it wisely rejects others. However, like most bills, there are provisions that trouble me. I am particularly concerned with the sections relating to worksharing and changes to the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA). I will continue to work with the bill's sponsors to address these provisions, which I believe do not promote cost savings for the Postal Service or fairness for postal workers. I look forward to working with my colleagues on this legislation to guarantee that the U.S. Postal Service will be in position to best serve the public in the 21st century, be a model employer, and protect the retirement future of its employees.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I am pleased to join with Senator Collins and Senator Carper, who today have introduced the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act. I commend both of my Governmental Affairs Committee colleagues for their leadership in crafting a postal reform bill. For some time, the General Accounting Office has warned that the long-term financial outlook for the U.S. Postal Service was at risk without significant changes. At the request of the Governmental Affairs Committee, the U.S. Postal Service developed a transformation plan that offered its vision for the future. Late in 2002, a Presidential Postal Commission was convened, which issued a number of recommendations in 2003. Over the past 6 months, I have participated in a series of hearings chaired by Senator Collins which examined the recommendations of the Postal Commission. I commend Senator Collins for guaranteeing that the divergent views were seriously considered throughout our eight hearings. I also wish to commend my colleague from Delaware, Senator Carper, for his strong and early commitment to postal reform. I support modernizing the U.S. Postal Service to ensure that its mission of providing 6 days a week universal service at an affordable rate is preserved. Although the legislation introduced today responds to many of the recommendations and concerns we heard in our hearings, it wisely rejects others. However, like most bills, there are provisions that trouble me. I am particularly concerned with the sections relating to worksharing and changes to the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA). I will continue to work with the bill's sponsors to address these provisions, which I believe do not promote cost savings for the Postal Service or fairness for postal workers. I look forward to working with my colleagues on this legislation to guarantee that the U.S. Postal Service will be in position to best serve the public in the 21st century, be a model employer, and protect the retirement future of its employees.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I rise today in support of the fiscal year 2005 Defense authorization bill. I want to first commend Chairman Warner and Senator Levin, who have continued their tradition of strong and bipartisan leadership. I also want to thank my friend, colleague and subcommittee chairman Senator Ensign, for his cooperation and leadership throughout this process this year. While I think the bill before us goes a long way to supporting the needs of our service men and women, I do want to highlight a few concerns. First, I am pleased that the administration finally followed Congress' lead and sent a request for an additional $25 billion to begin to address the ongoing military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan for the first few months of fiscal year 2005. While I do not support the structure of the administration's request, in part because it does not do enough to ensure accountability for how these funds would be used, I do support its intent, and I think it is imperative that we include an authorization of additional funding in the final version of this bill. Second, while I support every action to aid our brave men and women in the armed forces, who are making so many sacrifices as they fight for our freedoms, I am concerned and disappointed by some of the actions we have taken in the bill we are reporting to the Senate. My greatest concern lies, as it did last year, in the reductions we have made in the working capital funds of the military services and defense agencies. While I disagreed with the cuts in these accounts last year, the ones this year are even more harmful, as DOD is already tapping these accounts to the greatest possible extent to get through the remainder of this fiscal year. So they will already be well below normal cash balances as they enter fiscal year 2005, and the $1.6 billion in reductions we have recommended in this bill will increase the risk of readiness problems by decreasing DOD's ability to provide spare parts, maintenance, and other support for our forces that are critical to their continued success. By cutting into these accounts, I believe we are sending a message that we do not support our troops, a message that I know could not be further from the truth. Our forces deserve armored vehicles to protect them in Iraq, but they also deserve the spare parts they need to keep those vehicles running. When our troops come home, they deserve to have those vehicles repaired, rather than wait for maintenance from a depot until parts arrive that could have been ordered earlier if the working capital funds had had sufficient cash. We owe them the courage to make tough decisions to ensure that those needs are met now, not when future funds not yet requested may or may not become available. On the positive side, I am pleased about our continued support for military construction and family housing needs that are so critical to quality of life for our service men and women. I also support many of the provisions we have included that will further improve the management of the department. I particularly appreciate the bipartisan effort that the staff has made to address a wide range of procurement issues, environmental issues, and longstanding DOD financial management problems. While I support the overall actions taken in this bill, and commend all of my colleagues for the hard work that they have invested, as ranking member of the Readiness Subcommittee I have mixed feelings about our actions. We have increased funding for some key programs, but at the expense of others where the impact might be more easily obscured. Our experience with the Air Force over the last few years has shown that there is a direct correlation between increased spare parts and mission capable rates for aircraft; those spare parts are provided through the Air Force Working Capital Fund. The Navy expects to have only a few days of cash on hand at the end of this fiscal year, and may be forced to bill customers before they actually receive their orders. And the Army faces a situation where its orders for parts and other key items exceed its cash on hand by more than 700 percent. Wartime, when we see a great expansion of customer needs for readiness and large fluctuations in required support, is not the time to take on more readiness risk by decreasing cash balances in the working capital funds. It hurts readiness, and it hurts the men and women who serve in uniform. By reducing funding for the readiness accounts and failing to provide any supplemental funding for 2005, this bill does not do enough to meet the most pressing needs of our men and women in uniform. I will support this bill, and I urge my colleagues to do the same. I think it is a good bill that could have been better, and I will continue to work throughout the rest of the authorization process to improve it.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I rise today as a proud cosponsor to express my support of legislation introduced by Senators Bingaman, Inhofe, Landrieu, and Lugar which would establish separate campaign medals to be awarded to those members of the Armed Forces who participate in Operation Enduring Freedom, OEF, and Operation Iraqi Freedom, OIF. Campaign medals in the United States have a long history and date back to George Washington's time when he received a gold medal from Congress for the recovery of Boston on March 17, 1776. By 1907, members of the Army were wearing newly issued campaign medals, and by 1908, the Navy and Marine Corps began to recognize exemplary service with campaign medals. During World War II a series of area campaign medals were authorized for service in the American Theater, the Asiatic-Pacific Theater, and the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater of the war. These medals were the same for all services and inaugurated a trend that exists today by recognizing the valor and service of military members involved in specific difficult deployments. I had the privilege of traveling to Iraq and Afghanistan in March 2004 where I met many of our men and women proudly serving our nation. It was an honor for me to witness their dedication to duty and country. While our Nation is engaged in a global war on terrorism, it is clear that our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines are engaged in distinct operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. Some of them have served in both operations and deserve separate medals. Campaign medals were specifically designed to recognize the service of military members in specific operations during a period of active hostilities. Service men and women deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan deserve this distinctive honor. I fully support this bill which would establish campaign medals for members of the Armed Forces who participate in Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I rise today to address a growing problem in my home State of Hawaii and the Nation, individuals that do not have health insurance. The total number of uninsured people in the United States reached 43.6 million in 2002. Since 2000, the total number of uninsured has increased by 3.8 million. In the State of Hawaii, it is estimated that there are approximately 120,000 people who do not have health insurance. The uninsured delay seeking medical treatment, which is likely to lead to more significant and more costly problems later on than if they had sought earlier, preventative treatment or proper disease management. Health insurance is essential to making sure that individuals can access health care services and properly manage their chronic diseases, such as diabetes. A tremendous amount of needless pain and suffering can be eliminated by ensuring that health insurance is universally available. Everyone should have access to affordable health insurance. We must expand Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program, SCHIP, to provide essential access to health care for more people. In addition, we must take steps to help rein in health care costs in an attempt to keep coverage affordable. Providing additional resources for disease management programs and primary health care services will lead to long-term savings and benefits. Also, meaningful prescription drug patent law reforms need to be made to ensure that generic drugs can be brought to market in a timely manner. We are also obligated to help provide support to health care providers that provide uncompensated care for the uninsured. In Hawaii, it is estimated that hospitals lost $95 million for uncompensated care in 2002. However, while other states benefit from Medicaid disproportionate share hospital, DSH, payments designed to provide additional support to hospitals that treat large numbers of Medicaid and uninsured patients, Hawaii is left out of this important program. The Balanced Budget Act of 1997, BBA, created specific DSH allotments for each state based on each of their actual DSH expenditures for fiscal year 1995. In 1994, the State of Hawaii implemented the QUEST demonstration program that was designed to reduce the number of uninsured and improve access to health care. The prior Medicaid DSH program was incorporated into QUEST. As a result of the demonstration program, Hawaii did not have DSH expenditures in 1995 and was not provided a DSH allotment. The Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000 made further changes to the DSH program, which included the establishment of a floor for DSH allotments. However, States without allotments were again left out. Other States that have obtained waivers similar to Hawaii's have retained their DSH allotments. Only two States, Hawaii and Tennessee, do not have DSH allotments. I was disappointed that language similar to an amendment that I had offered, which was accepted as part of the manager's package for the Senate's prescription drug bill was not included in the conference report for H.R. 1, the Medicare Prescription Drug and Modernization Act of 2003. The language that was finally included prevents Hawaii from obtaining its DSH allotment as long as the QUEST program remains in place. Medicaid DSH funding is needed because our hospitals in Hawaii are struggling to meet the elevated demands placed upon them by the increasing number of uninsured people. DSH payments will help Hawaii hospitals meet the rising health care needs of our communities and reinforce our health care safety net. All 50 States need to have access to Medicaid DSH support. While Hawaii continues to be denied this assistance, many States fail to fully utilize their DSH allotments. For fiscal year 1999, more than $1.2 billion was returned to the Treasury because States failed to draw down their full Medicaid DSH allotments. More than $800 million was returned to the Treasury for fiscal year 2000. It is unfair that while certain States are declining to use their full allocation, States with no or small allotments are being denied the use of these resources. A viable option to provide relief for Hawaii and other low-DSH States is to redistribute funding that other States have returned to the Treasury. It is not fair that States that either lack any DSH funding or have low-DSH allotments cannot have an opportunity to apply for these excess funds to help bolster their public health safety net. I appreciate all of the work done by my colleague from New Mexico, Senator Bingaman, to help provide relief to low-DSH States. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues to help restore Medicaid DSH payments to Hawaii. Also, we must continue our efforts to improve access to health care so that everyone can obtain affordable, comprehensive, and quality health care coverage. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, for the past 5 days, I have paid tribute to the Nation's public servants during Public Service Recognition Week through statements on the floor of the U.S. Senate. As this is the 20th annual celebration of public service, it was fitting to focus the Senate's attention on public servants and issues affecting Federal employees throughout the week. Today I would like to recognize those Federal, State, and local government programs that received the Public Service Excellence Awards. The Public Service Excellence Awards recognize and commend U.S. programs and employee teams who represent public service at its best. It rewards innovations, raises awareness of exemplary public service, and provides public agencies a showcase for outstanding programs. On May 3, 2004, the Public Employees Roundtable, a nonprofit coalition of organizations representing public employees and retirees, held a Breakfast of Champions to honor the award winners for this year. This year, the Federal winner was the ``Internal Revenue Service (IRS) eLearning Program.'' As my colleagues on the Governmental Affairs Committee know, training our Federal workforce is one of the most important and most underfunded programs in the Federal Government. Even when training programs are funded, agencies must use innovative techniques to stretch training dollars and apply training funds strategically. The IRS realized that approximately 70 percent of its training budget went toward travel to and from the seminars. As such, eLearning could save the IRS a significant amount of money by converting its training system from a classroom-based to a technology- enhanced learning and performance support environment. In the initial phase of the program, the IRS saved more than $5 million in travel costs by using the technology for briefings required of all 120,000 employees and courses supporting the 28,000 employees of Customer Call Center Operations. At full implementation, the eLearning strategy is expected to save more than $50 million in annual travel costs and reduce training time by up to one-third. This innovative program at IRS is an excellent example of the dedicated work and professional excellence of federal employees. The State winner is the ``Work that Matters'' campaign by the Montana Education Association and the Montana Federation of Teachers (MEA-MFT). The ``Work that Matters'' public relations campaign was created in 2003 to prevent the Montana Legislature from freezing salaries of State employees. ``Work That Matters'' is about putting a face on the people who provide state services and showing them as dedicated, hardworking people, who care about the people they serve. As my colleagues know, all too often government employees are forced to ``tighten their belts'' during times of financial difficulties. That trend is no different for State governments across the United States. In Montana, the beginning of the 2003 legislative session had State employees struggling with hiring freezes, layoffs, staff shortages, and salaries far below market value. This public relations program put a face to the government employees who carry out the programs and services that benefit taxpayers, the State legislature realized the importance of public service and passed a pay increase. This year's local winner was the City of Chicago's ``311 Service,'' which provides a one-stop telephone and online customer service center for all non-emergency city services. It is a comprehensive, high-tech, customer-focused information and response service. Chicago residents can use the system to make service needs known, check on the status of earlier requests, file police reports, and get information on city programs and events. In addition, the 311 service is synchronized with Chicago's 911 emergency service. Such interoperability is commendable because all too often the non-emergency services are overlooked when developing an emergency response system. ``Chicago 311'' is an innovative and effective way for public employees to serve the community. The Public Service Roundtable also recognized a non-profit organization, which was founded by a retired federal employee. Scott Dimock and his partner, Sammie Morrison, created Southeast White House community center in Washington, DC which has made an incredible impact on an area troubled by high unemployment, lack of opportunity, and broken promises. Through the use of donated services, time, and money, Southeast White House has developed a mentoring program, a Friends of Children program, a People's House referral service for services throughout the Metropolitan area, and an activities program that includes summer camps, field trips, lessons and programs in a variety of subjects, Mom's Night Out, and weekly community banquets open to all. In addition, Southeast White House has adopted an elementary school and has developed an intensive mentoring program for at-risk children. More than 100 elementary school children now receive up to eight hours of mentoring each week. While not technically part of a federal, state, or local government organization, it is easy to see the dedication public servants, both active and retired, bring to their nation and their neighbor. I would also like to commend GEICO, the Government Employees Insurance Company, for creating the GEICO Public Service Awards which, since 1980, recognizes the work Federal employees do to make their communities better. The awards recognizes government employees for outstanding achievements in one of four areas: substance abuse prevention and treatment, fire prevention and safety, physical rehabilitation, and traffic safety and accident prevention. In addition, one retired Federal employee is honored for his or her work in one of those areas. Recipients of the 2003 awards are: Charles Whitlock, fire safety project leader for the U.S. Forest Service Technology & Development Center in Missoula, MT, for his work in fire safety and prevention. Amanda Tye, county executive director of the Cleveland County Office for the Farm Service Agency, for her work in traffic safety and accident prevention. Carolyn D. Greene, program support assistant for the Louis Stokes V.A. Medical Center in Cleveland, OH, for her work in substance abuse prevention and treatment. Ralph P. Fowler, a telecommunications specialist for the United States Army in El Paso, TX, for his work in physical rehabilitation. George S. Klein, a retired general forecaster with the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Upton, NY, for his work in physical rehabilitation. As Public Service Recognition Week draws to an end, I would like to once again commend those who have been honored for their dedication to public service, as well as those unsung heroes whose daily contributions we could not live without. I also want to thank the companies, associations, and other employee organizations who work to make Public Service Recognition Week such a success and for their commitment in honoring our Nation's Federal, State, and local government employees.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community and commemorate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. As a member of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, the only Chinese American in the U.S. Senate, and sole Native Hawaiian in the U.S. Congress, I am proud to stand here to honor the accomplishments and diversity of the AAPI community. In 1978, my friends and dear colleagues Representatives Frank Horton and Norman Mineta, joined by Hawaii's Senators Daniel K. Inouye and Spark Matsunaga, introduced the first resolutions establishing Asian Pacific American Heritage Week to recognize the ongoing contributions to our Nation of the AAPI population. Representatives Horton and Mineta worked with their colleagues in the 102nd Congress to make Asian Pacific American Heritage Week a month-long celebration, and succeeded in doing so with enactment of Public Law 102-450 in 1992. I look back with pride over the past 25 years since our great Nation first observed Asian Pacific American Heritage Week. Throughout this month, Federal agencies and AAPI and other organizations will hold events in celebration of the diversity of the AAPI population that range from samplings of Asian cuisines to dance, and policy lectures by distinguished speakers. Each event demonstrates the contributions that AAPI individuals have made to our country. I commend agencies and organizations for sponsoring such events to increase public awareness of the contributions made by the AAPI community. This month presents us with a good opportunity to reexamine the need to increase AAPI participation in our Federal Government. I encourage the President to renew Executive Order 13216, the President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, which expired on June 7, 2003. The Commission is mandated to develop, monitor, and coordinate Federal efforts to improve AAPI participation in Government programs; foster research and data collection for AAPI populations and sub-populations; and increase public and private sector and community involvement in improving the health and well-being of the AAPI community. AAPI citizens, whether employed in the private and public sector, deserve the coordination of services that the Commission can facilitate. Our celebration of AAPI history includes remembrances of the challenges and hardships that have been overcome. For example, we will never forget the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. At the newly opened Manzanar National Historic Site Interpretive Center at the Manzanar War Relocation Center, we have an opportunity to explore our past and reflect. The AAPI community, specifically the Japanese American National Museum and Japanese American Citizens League, are exploring ways to preserve and recall history at the other sites that mark this traumatic time in our country's history in an effort to ensure that such actions do not repeat themselves. This month also affords us time to reflect on the various social needs that exist in the AAPI community. Its population enriches our culture linguistically through a range of languages, such as Chinese, Hawaiian, Korean, Japanese, Malay, Samoan, Tamil, Thai, Vietnamese, and various Melanesian, Micronesian, and Polynesian languages. Our Nation benefits from this linguistic diversity in our ability to compete in the global economy, and U.S. national security is strengthened by increasing the pool of individuals fluent in critical languages. Fluency in foreign languages is one of the vital skills necessary for the United States to exercise international leadership economically and politically. However, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, slightly less than half of the 7 million AAPI who speak a language other than English at home report that they speak English ``very well.'' We need to better address the educational needs of all limited English proficiency students, children, and adults. I want to extend my gratitude to the patriotic men and women serving our country in the military, including the 60,813 Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Services, as well as the 28,066 in the Reserves and National Guard. I also commend the 351,000 AAPI veterans, 57,000 of whom are of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander heritage, for their excellence in defending our nation. In addition, individual achievements among the AAPI population are many. Though impossible to enumerate all those extraordinary individuals, I would like to cite a few examples. Army Specialist Hilario Bermanis of the Army's 82nd Airborne Division was presented with the Bronze Star and Purple Heart for Meritorious Conduct in Operation Iraqi Freedom. On July 16, 2003, the award presentation ceremony took place bedside at Walter Reed Army Medical Center where he was convalescing from grave injuries. Specialist Bermanis and a fellow soldier were on guard duty in southern Baghdad when they sustained an attack by rocket propelled grenades on June 10, 2003. His fellow soldier died instantly and Specialist Bermanis lost both legs and his left hand. Officials from the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and the U.S. Government have visited him at Walter Reed and praised him for his courage and exemplary service. A senior U.S. official commended Specialist Bermanis's service as representative of FSM citizens' commitment to the security of the United States and Pacific region. Specialist Bermanis hails from Pohnpei in the Federated States of Micronesia. Dr. Yuan-Cheng Fung, the recipient of the Chinese Institute of Engineers' Distinguished Life Time Achievement Award, is a pioneer in bioengineering and founder of the University of California, San Diego's bioengineering department. Born in China in 1919, Dr. Fung began his career as an aeronautics engineer working for the Chinese government. Dr. Fung received his Ph.D. from the California Institute of Technology in 1948, where he became a faculty member and a major contributor to the field of aeroelasticity. When his mother developed glaucoma, Dr. Fung's interests shifted to medical science. Combining an expertise in force and motion from aeronautics with physiology, he synthesized a new understanding of how the body functions and became the father of biomechanics. Lauren Moriarty, a Native Hawaiian, is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service and was confirmed for the rank of Ambassador to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum, where she was recently the U.S. Senior Official. Having previously served in Beijing and Taipei, Ms. Moriarty led the Economic Sections at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, China (1999-2001) and the American Institute in Taiwan (1994-1997) as those two economies completed negotiations to accede to the World Trade Organization. She has received numerous awards, including the State Department's 1993 Arnold L. Raphel Award for her leadership and mentoring of her subordinates. Indra K. Nooyi is the widely admired President and Chief Financial Officer for PepsiCo and highest ranking Indian-born woman in corporate America. Upon emigrating to the United States in 1978, Ms. Nooyi entered the Yale School of Management. She worked from midnight to five in the morning to support herself at school. A firm believer in human potential and an advocate of education, Ms. Nooyi has received awards for her dedication to human capital management. She is ranked by Fortune magazine as one of America's top 50 most powerful women. AAPI cultural and linguistic diversity, entrepreneurship, public service, and scientific endeavors illustrate a number of the ways that our Nation excels. The United States is the most energetic and innovative country because of the combination of these AAPI strengths with the diverse abilities and skills of our Nation's other ethnic and racial groups. The U.S. is also a leader in the world because of our ability to acknowledge, celebrate, and utilize the potency of our combined, diverse citizenry, including the contributions from every member of our AAPI community. In the world that is all too frequently wracked by ethnic and religious conflicts, we can demonstrate to others how racial and ethnic harmony in the U.S. provides a balance that encourages a stable democracy, provides for well-functioning societies, and sustains the most powerful economy in the world. In closing, I extend my deepest aloha to all in celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, and I urge my colleagues to participate in commemorations of this month in their States and our Nation's Capital. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Homeland Security Geospatial Information Act of 2004 which would create a Geospatial Management Office within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Geospatial information is a critical component of effective planning for homeland security. My interest in homeland security geospatial information developed out of my efforts to ensure support for pre-disaster mitigation programs, such as Project Impact. Project Impact was started by FEME in 1997 to help communities become disaster-resistant by preventing damage and loss of life and property during a disaster and reducing recovery time and costs afterwards. Geospatial technologies, such as satellite imagery and aerial photography, provide data that create the maps and charts that can help prevent a disaster from occurring or lessen the impact of an unforeseeable event by equipping first responders with up-to-date information. In the event of a terrorist chemical attack, knowing which way a contaminated plume will travel can save lives. Similarly, the damage of a natural disaster, such as wildfire, can be lessened by maps that help predict which areas will be in the path of the blaze. My own State of Hawaii is vulnerable to hurricanes, torrential rains and flooding, tsunamis, droughts, earthquakes, and even wildfires. Four years ago, flooding on the islands of Hawaii and Maui caused approximately $20 million in damage to private and public facilities. In order to predict floods more accurately, local officials need current, interoperable data on water levels and surrounding infrastructure so that accurate maps predicting the flow of water can be created on demand. Accurate maps are also critical for swift and safe evacuation procedures. All levels of government are more effective and efficient when employing geospatial technology, especially in the area of homeland security. Its uses include, but are not limited to: disaster early warning and mitigation, border monitoring, criminal investigations, public health protection, and critical infrastructure oversight. In the past, geospatial information management has been done in a piecemeal fashion. Domestic geospatial data procurement and sharing is poorly coordinated and managed. According to a 2003 study by Cary and Associates, a geotechnology consulting firm, the Federal Government spends $5 billion per year on geospatial goods and technologies. This figure does not include the amount being spent by State and local agencies, which some experts estimate is two to three times that of the Federal Government. It is also estimated that at least half of the government's geospatial spending is going towards redundant activities. During a House Government Reform hearing in June 2003, Mark Forman, then the Administrator of the Office of E-Government and Information Technology, admitted that the Office of Management and Budget had no idea how much money federal agencies spend on geospatial procurement. The Administration's current solution to this problem is Geospatial One-Stop, an online portal where organizations and individuals can access geospatial information developed by Federal, State, and local agencies. While Geospatial One-Stop is a good sharing tool, it helps to reduce government redundancy only if agencies voluntarily access data from it instead of procuring the data themselves. With no one keeping a close eye on an agency's geospatial spending, there is no incentive for it to utilize this tool. The legacy agencies that make up DHS had traditionally managed their own geospatial procurement. But many of the homeland and non-homeland security missions of DHS complement each other. Sharing maps and data reduces redundancy, provides savings, and ensures better information for disaster response. Currently, the DHS Chief Information Officer (CIO) is working to break down this geospatial stove piping within the Department by naming a Geospatial Information Officer. However, there is no single office in DHS officially responsible for geospatial management, and therefore, no corresponding budget. In the present structure, the Geospatial Information Officer does not have the authority to compel the five DHS directorates to cooperate with his efforts. The entire agency should make geospatial coordination a priority. A geospatial management office needs to be created and codified within DHS. A congressionally mandated office would give the Geospatial Information Officer more authority with which to do this job. The Office of Geospatial Management has the potential to significantly increase the quality of the resources homeland security officials rely on by reducing redundancy and improving the quality of geospatial procurement. But in order to do this it needs authority and funding. This office would also serve as a mechanism for coordinating with State and local authorities. Much of the geospatial information available today is created at the state and local levels. Centralizing this information will make it more widely available to first responders and other homeland security officials. The Homeland Security Geospatial Act of 2004, will address these needs by: creating the Office of Geospatial Management under the CIO; giving this office the responsibility for managing DHS geospatial activities and coordinating with State and local officials on geospatial initiatives that pertain to homeland security; and naming the Department as member of the Geospatial One-Stop Board of Directors, which will give DHS a role in coordinating federal geospatial activities. We can improve the Department's mission of protecting America, while maximizing the funds. I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.