Daniel Akaka

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. I thank the Chair. (The remarks of Mr. Akaka pertaining to the submission of S. Res. 262 are located in today's Record under ``Submission of Concurrent and Senate Resolutions.'')

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Congratulations to the Warriors players and Coach Mike Wilton and his staff for a wonderful and historic season. Hawaii no ka oi! Exhibit No. 1 2002 HAWAII WARRIORS VOLLEYBALL ROSTER ------------------------------------------------------------------------ No. and player Pos. Ht. Yr. Hometown ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1. Dejan Miladinovic......... MB 6-7 Sr. Kraljevo, Serbia 2. Geronimo Chala............ OH 6-6 Jr. Santiago de Cuba, Cuba 3. Rob Drew.................. MB 6-8 Sr. San Diego, CA 4. Kimo Yuyay................ S 6-2 So. San Diego, CA 5. Jake Muise................ L 6-0 So. Halifax, Nova Scotia 6. Eyal Zimet................ OH 6-2 Jr. Kibbutz Ein Hamifratz, Israel 7. Vernon Podiewski.......... L 5-8 Sr. Halimaile, Maui 8. Jeffrey Gleason........... OH 6-3 Jr. Hillsboro, OR 9. Costas Theocharidis....... OH 6-3 Jr. Orestiada, Greece 10. Jose Delgado.............. OH 6-3 Fr. San Juan, Puerto Rico 11. Kyle Denitz............... DS 6-0 Jr. Carpineria, CA 12. Marvin Yamada............. DS 5-8 So. Barrigada Heights, Guam 13. Matt Bender............... OH 6-3 Fr. Tucson, AZ 14. Ryan Woodward............. OH 6-3 Jr. Mililani, Oahu 15. Tony Ching................ OH 6-2 Jr. Honolulu 16. Brian Nordberg............ MB 6-5 Jr. Milwaukee, WI 17. Delano Thomas............. MB 6-7 Fr. Sacramento, CA 18. Daniel Rasay.............. S 6-2 Fr. Kailua-Kona, Hawaii ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Head Coach: Mike Wilton (BYU-Hawaii, 1969); Assistant Coaches: Tino Beyes (Cal Poly, 1984), Aaron Wilton (Hawaii, 1997); Manager: Marlo Torres; Volunteer: Radford Nakamura; and Trainer: Michelle Landis.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Madam President, on Sunday I had the privilege of attending the dedication ceremony for the Spark Matsunaga Elementary and Longview School in Germantown, Maryland. This exceptional state-of- the-art school facility houses a general education elementary school, Spark Matsunaga Elementary, and special education school for children with disabilities, Longview School. It is appropriate that this new school honors the memory of a truly remarkable man and former colleague--Senator Spark Matsunaga. Over the course of a lifetime of service to the people of Hawaii and America, Spark exhibited fortitude, courage, and persistence in fighting for what was right and what was best. As noted by Dr. Jerry Weast, superintendent of Montgomery County Public Schools, this is the first public school in the nation named in honor of an Asian American. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta, Representative Connie Morella, Hawaii State Senator Matt Matsunaga, and Keene Matsunaga were a few of the speakers who spoke of Senator Matsunaga's distinguished life and career. A children's chorus entertained and sang the school song. The ``Home of the Geckos,'' Matsunaga Elementary has made a wonderful start with dedicated teachers and administrators and a diverse and involved community of students and parents. Spark Matsunaga's commitment to justice and lifetime of service to America merits this singular recognition. Throughout his career, Sparky worked to ensure that all Americans enjoyed the fruits of liberty and understood our shared responsibilities for keeping our country free and strong. Spark Matsunaga's legacy of public service, espousal of the art of peacemaking, and commitment to justice is a wonderful example for the students and staff that proudly work and learn at Matsunaga Elementary School. I know that Helene Matsunaga and the Matsunaga family are deeply appreciative of this unprecedented tribute, and the people of Hawaii take pride in Montgomery County bestowing this honor on Senator Matsunaga and his service to our great Nation. Madam President, I ask that a copy of the commemorative biography of Spark Matsunaga distributed at the dedication be printed in the Record. The biography folllows: Senator Spark Masayuki Matsunaga, 1916-1990 Our school is proud to bear the name of this great American whose legacy will inspire our community forever. Senator Matsunaga's memory will serve to remind students and staff that public service, strong educational goals, patriotism and personal pride are qualities to live by. Senator Matsunaga will be remembered for all his work to teach the principles of peace yet value just causes for humanity. He knew when to use his talents to inspire change and was never afraid to stand proudly to have his voice heard. Spark Matsunaga, a war hero who became a Untied States Senator from Hawaii, dedicated his career to promoting peace and achieving justice. A Japanese-American, Matsunaga served with distinction in the 100th Infantry battalion, the first Japanese American unit formed during World War II, for which he received the Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts. As a political leader, he was a champion of civil rights for all Americans regardless of race. As a member of the United States Senate, he worked to promote the peaceful resolution of conflicts, and he fought for the redress for survivors of the World War II internment camps. Masayuki Matsunaga was born on the Island of Kauai, Hawaii, on October 8, 1916. His childhood friends nicknamed him Spark; he later legally adopted the name. Matsunaga attended the Kauai public schools before entering the University of Hawaii in 1937, majoring in education and serving in the Reserve Officer Training Corps. Upon graduation in June 194l, Matsunaga was commissioned in the Army and was serving on active duty on the island of Molokai when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Shortly afterward, he and other Japanese-Americans were relieved of their duties and shipped to a military facility, Camp McCoy, in Wisconsin, while the War Department in Washington decided whether they could fight for America. Matsunaga, along with the other soldiers, petitioned President Roosevelt for a chance to prove their loyalty. In the Spring of 1942, President Roosevelt and other Washington leaders determined that Japanese-Americans in the army would be loyal to the country; Matsunaga and 1,500 other Japanese-Americans formed the 100th Infantry Battalion and trained for combat duty. In September 1943, the battalion was sent to Italy; Matsunaga was wounded twice in the same night while moving through a minefield. After recuperating, Matsunaga could not go back to combat but received two Purple Hearts and the Bronze Star for his heroic acts, and was assigned to a replacement battalion. Late in the war, he returned to the U.S. where he gave 800 speeches to help Japanese-Americans become integrated into the mainstream of American life after being released from the detention camps where they were kept during the war. The 100th Infantry Battalion eventually became a part of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team of Japanese-American soldiers, the most decorated unit in U.S. military history. Matsunaga returned to Hawaii in 1946, worked in veterans affairs briefly, married, and then entered Harvard Law School in 1948. After graduation, he practiced law in Hawaii and began his political career, being elected to the Territorial Legislature in which was known as the ``Democratic Revolution'' of 1954 engineered by veterans of the 100th and 442nd to take control of the legislature for the first time. Matsunaga and other Japanese-Americans were among the leaders in Hawaii's bid for statehood, which passed in 1959. In 1962, Matsunaga won a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, making the rights of immigrants, the welfare of veterans, and the defense of Japanese-Americans and other minorities his hallmarks. In 1976, he was elected to the U.S. Senate, supporting legislation to establish a research organization called the United States Peace Institute and to authorize the post of Poet Laureate. As a Senator, he was also a major proponent of the use of renewable energy sources and Soviet-American cooperation in space exploration. Perhaps Matsunaga's greatest achievement in the Senate was obtaining redress for Japanese-Americans who had been unjustly interned during World War II. The survivors of the camps received ``token monetary compensation'' and an apology from President Ronald Reagan. Another signature legislative achievement was the Spark Matsunaga Hydrogen Research and Development Act, which was passed in 1990 and provides funding for research into alternative energy sources. His last official act was to cast a vote in favor of continuing the Clean Air Act. In 1990, Senator Matsunaga died while serving the U.S. Senate. In his honor, the University of Hawaii established the Matsunaga Institute for Peace in which scholars explore ways to resolve differences without resorting to violence.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I rise today to request full funding for the Foreign Language Assistance Program, FLAP, which has been cut from the President's fiscal year 2003 budget and for the National Security Education Program's, NSEP, National Flagship Language Initiative. These two programs would enhance the foreign language capabilities of this Nation at a time when foreign language proficiency plays a critical role in maintaining our national security. The security, stability, and economic vitality of the United States depend on American citizens knowledgeable about the world. To become so, we need to encourage knowledge of foreign languages and cultures. Unfortunately, the United States faces a critical shortage of language proficient professionals throughout Federal agencies. The inability of law enforcement officers, intelligence officers, scientists, military personnel, and other federal employees to decipher and interpret information from foreign sources, as well as interact with foreign nationals, presents a threat to their mission and to the well being of the Nation. It is crucial that we invest in programs like the Flagship Initiative and FLAP in order to strengthen the security of the United States. While the General Accounting Office has highlighted the Federal Government's deficiency in personnel with foreign language proficiency, the entire country became aware of this problem after the events of September 11th, when FBI Director Robert Mueller called on English- speaking Americans with professional level proficiency in Arabic and Farsi to help with the translation of documents for the ensuing investigation. To address this need, Senators Durbin, Thompson, and I introduced S. 1799, the Homeland Security Education Act, and S. 1800, the Homeland Security Federal Workforce Act. These proposals are designed to improve educational programs in science, mathematics, and foreign languages and then attract graduates possessing these critical skills to the Federal Government. However, these legislative initiatives cannot succeed if the foundations on which they are based are not supported. Moreover, while these initiatives go a long way to help agencies recruit those possessing these critical skills, we needs programs like FLAP and the Flagship Initiative to create a larger talented and proficient applicant pool to address the growing foreign language needs in the national security community. NSEP was created in 1991 by the David L. Boren National Security Education Act, P.L. 102-183, and administers three programs to enhance foreign language education: undergraduate scholarships for study abroad, graduate fellowships, and grants to U.S. institutions of higher education. As part of its grant program, NSEP intends to implement a National Flagship Language Initiative. The Flagship Initiative would establish national and regional language programs in universities throughout the Nation. These institutions would in turn educate significant numbers of graduates, across disciplines, with advanced proficiency levels in those languages critical to our national security. The Flagship Initiative is designed to address the urgent and growing need for higher levels of language competency among a broader cross- section of professionals, particularly for those who will join the federal workforce. The goal is to produce students with professional proficiency in critical foreign languages. Professional proficiency is considered to be at least a level 3 proficiency in listening, reading, and speaking where an individual is capable of speaking with sufficient structural accuracy and vocabulary to participate effectively in most formal and informal conversations on practical, social, and professional topics. However, current foreign language programs in the United State, both Federal and academic, at best, aim toward `limited working proficiency' which is defined as level 2. This skill level includes the ability to satisfy routine social demands and limited work requirements and handle routine work-related interactions that are limited in scope. Level 2 proficiency is generally insufficient for more complex and sophisticated work-related national security tasks. While programs like the Flagship Initiative would make significant improvements in the country's language capabilities, university-level training alone will not meet the challenge currently before us. We must also take steps to address what foreign language experts have recommended for years--start early. The Foreign Language Assistance Program, FLAP, initiates, through competitive grants, foreign language study at the elementary and secondary level--when students have the best chances of developing the strongest language proficiencies as adults. Eliminating funding for FLAP would be a disservice to the nation. We would have contributed to the lack of foreign language proficiencies at a time when the government needs people with those skills the most. Both FLAP and NSEP have suffered from inadequate funding over the past few years. Funding for FLAP was $14 million in FY 2002, but the program has never received funding resembling that which was anticipated at its inception $35 million. NSEP receives funding from the National Security Education Trust Fund. Under the Department of Defense Appropriations Act for FY 1992, the NSEP trust fund received $150 million. Since then, more than $80 million from the trust fund has been transferred to other federal projects and only $8 million has been appropriated for NSEP projects each year. The trust fund is now valued at $43 million. This amount alone cannot support both NSEP's current programs and the innovative Flagship Initiative. NSEP has conducted a survey of universities and has found a number of them willing and qualified to participate in this program. I am pleased to say that the University of Hawaii has been designated a likely flagship school due to the strength of its faculty and curriculum. However, in order to implement this program, approximately 10 national flagship programs and three regional flagship programs will be required. It is estimated that full implementation across a wide array of languages will require an investment of at least $20 million per year. I urge my colleagues to support full funding of FLAP and the Flagship Initiative.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I am pleased to cosponsor the legislation offered by the Senator from West Virginia, Mr. Rockefeller, to authorize the Department of Veterans Affairs, VA, existing emergency preparedness activities. Currently, VA participates in the National Disaster Medical System, NDMS, and the Federal Response Plan through VA's Fourth Mission, mandated by Congress in 1982 to establish VA's role as the medical back-up to the military during conflicts. When VA has offered medical care to the general public during every major U.S. disaster since Hurricane Andrew, it has done so without the statutory authority to care for non-veterans and non-active-duty military personnel. The VA Emergency Medical Care Act of 2002 would give this authority. Already an active participant in disaster response and preparedness, VA partners with the Departments of Defense and Health and Human Services and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, to form the National Disaster Medical System, NDMS. The Act would codify and authorize VA's existing efforts to provide health care to the general public following activation of the NDMS. VA is an emergency responder through the Federal Response Plan, a signed agreement between 27 Federal agencies and the Red Cross that coordinates Federal assistance when State and local resources are overwhelmed by a major disaster. VA serves as a support agency for four of the Emergency Support Functions outlined in the Federal Response Plan, including Mass Care and Health and Medical Services. VA is also the principle provider of mental health services to disaster survivors. I commend the work done by VA employees in responding to national emergencies. Because of their dedication and initiative, this legislation does not create new VA programs nor authorize any additional funds. I urge my colleagues to support the Department of Veterans Affairs Emergency Medical Care Act of 2002. This legislation is a first step in acknowledging the work that VA performs now to help all Americans respond to major disasters and medical crises.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I am pleased to cosponsor the legislation offered by the Senator from West Virginia, Mr. Rockefeller, to authorize the Department of Veterans Affairs, VA, existing emergency preparedness activities. Currently, VA participates in the National Disaster Medical System, NDMS, and the Federal Response Plan through VA's Fourth Mission, mandated by Congress in 1982 to establish VA's role as the medical back-up to the military during conflicts. When VA has offered medical care to the general public during every major U.S. disaster since Hurricane Andrew, it has done so without the statutory authority to care for non-veterans and non-active-duty military personnel. The VA Emergency Medical Care Act of 2002 would give this authority. Already an active participant in disaster response and preparedness, VA partners with the Departments of Defense and Health and Human Services and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, to form the National Disaster Medical System, NDMS. The Act would codify and authorize VA's existing efforts to provide health care to the general public following activation of the NDMS. VA is an emergency responder through the Federal Response Plan, a signed agreement between 27 Federal agencies and the Red Cross that coordinates Federal assistance when State and local resources are overwhelmed by a major disaster. VA serves as a support agency for four of the Emergency Support Functions outlined in the Federal Response Plan, including Mass Care and Health and Medical Services. VA is also the principle provider of mental health services to disaster survivors. I commend the work done by VA employees in responding to national emergencies. Because of their dedication and initiative, this legislation does not create new VA programs nor authorize any additional funds. I urge my colleagues to support the Department of Veterans Affairs Emergency Medical Care Act of 2002. This legislation is a first step in acknowledging the work that VA performs now to help all Americans respond to major disasters and medical crises.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I rise today to talk about strengthening our medical care community against the threat of bioterrorism. As chairman of the Subcommittee on International Security, Proliferation, and Federal Services, I held a hearing in July 2001 where representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Health and Human Services discussed the activities underway by dedicated Federal employees across the Government to prepare our communities for a biological crisis. On October 17, 2001, I co-chaired a joint Subcommittee/Governmental Affairs Committee hearing to discuss further the public health implications of bioterrorism. Coincidentally the hearing was held on the same day the Hart Senate Office Building was shut down because of the anthrax attack. Through these hearings, and several others held in both the House and Senate, we have learned that the Federal Government is not unprepared to deal with bioterrorism. However, preparedness levels are not uniform or consistent across the United States, and there are considerable and serious problems. As I said during our hearing in October, while not unprepared, America is clearly under prepared. Now, almost 6 months to the day after the first anthrax letter arrived in Hart, I urge my colleagues to join me in sponsoring two initiatives that are modest in nature but which have profound impact on our fight against bioterrorism. The first initiative, S. 1560 the Biological Agent-Environmental Detection Act, will increase our efforts to develop the necessary tools to minimize the impact of bioterrorism by reducing the number of people exposed and alerting authorities and medical personnel to a threat before symptoms occur. Current methods are not adequate to monitor the air, water, and food supply continuously in order to detect rapidly the presence of biological agents. The Biological Agent-Environmental Detection Act establishes an interagency task force to coordinate public-private research in environmental monitoring and detection tools of bioterrorist agents. The act authorized appropriations totaling $40 million to the Department of Health and Human Services to encourage cooperative agreements between Federal Government and industry or academic laboratory centers, and pursue new technologies, approaches and programs to identify clandestine laboratory locations. The act also establishes a means of testing, verifying and calibrating new detection and surveillance tools and techniques developed by the private sector. Secretary of Health and Human Services Thompson supported this legislation and the authorization amount during the Subcommittee/ Governmental Affairs Committee Hearing in October. Senator Rockefeller and I introduced S. 1561 Strengthening bioterrorism preparedness through expanded National Disaster Medical System training programs. This measure provides training for health care workers for bioterrorism or any biological crisis. Strengthening the public health system is very important and is being addressed by several congressional and administrative initiatives. But public health does not translate necessarily to the medical community. Creating a critical line of defense against bioterrorism must involve health care professionals. Training of emergency medical technicians, physicians, and nurses has been hindered by a lack of economic incentives for hospitals and clinics to make available formal training opportunities. In fiscal year 2001, the Department of Veterans Affairs, VA, was appropriated $800,000 to establish a training program for VA staff for the National Disaster Medical System, which is made up of VA and the Departments of Defense and Health and Human Services, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. One such training program, open to VA and Department of Defense staff as well as their community counterparts, took place earlier this year. The Akaka-Rockefeller bill expands this program by drawing on established partnerships between the 173 VA hospitals and community hospitals and using existing VA resources to implement a telemedicine and training program for local health care providers in bioterrorism preparedness and response. In formulating a congressional response to bioterrorism, we must not forget the role our local and community hospitals would play in such a crisis. We must provide our professionals, public health officials, and emergency managers the earliest possible warning of pending outbreaks. I know our scientists and engineers can develop robust, effective, and accurate detection methods. Likewise, I believe we have the best and most dedicated health care staff in the world. They deserve to have the training and information needed to protect and treat Americans in instances of biological terrorism.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I rise today to discuss the danger of Iraq's development of medium range ballistic missiles in violation of United Nations Resolution 687. I recently chaired a hearing of the Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on International Security, Proliferation, and Federal Services on Iraq's weapons of mass destruction programs. Two of our witnesses were weapon inspectors in Iraq during the 1990s as part of United National Special Commission, UNSCOM, Inspection Teams. Their candid statements painted a dark picture and outlined some difficult decisions we have to make. When the gulf war ended, and the United National Security Council passed Resolution 687, Iraq agreed to destroy, remove or render harmless all ballistic missiles, related parts, and repair and production facilities with a range greater than 150 kilometers. Further, Iraq agreed to not develop or acquire them in the future. The dedicated men and women of UNSCOM and the International Atomic Energy Agency ferreted out and destroyed a large share of Iraq's prohibited weapons and related infrastructure in the 1990s. Despite the remarkable job they did, significant disarmament tasks and compliance issues continued through UNSCOM's departure from Iraq in December 1998. Before the gulf war, Iraq had a variety of missile programs. These programs were more than missile components and hardware. Iraq had a trained team of missile experts, capable of reverse engineering a Soviet SCUD missile and moving into indigenous production of an Iraqi version 2 years after initial acquisition. Their indigenous production capability depended upon low reliability, low technology, low safety, and a sophisticated foreign assistance and supplier network. Iraq has retained a great deal of this knowledge. Its team remains largely intact working on permitted U.N. missile programs, which provide cover for proscribed missile development. The liquid-fueled Al- Samoud missile most likely is capable of exceeding the range threshold set by U.N. resolutions and is widely believed to be a precursor for longer-range missiles. The short-range Abhabil-100 missile program is providing Iraq with a solid-propellant infrastructure and other important technologies that could be applied to a longer-range missile in the future. At what point do allowed programs fall under the heading of related parts or production capability for longer-range missiles? I think the answer in Iraq's case is, now. Likewise, Iraq maintains expertise in converting aircraft to unmanned aerial vehicles, lately demonstrated in modifications to L-29 trainer aircraft. These unmanned aerial vehicles could be used to attack Israel or American forces in the region. Iraq has persistently deceived, evaded, and concealed its weapon programs. In spite of this, UNSCOM believed that it had accounted for the elimination of all but a handful of Iraq's SCUD missiles. So why are we faced with this on-going threat to American security? It is true that Iraq was able to hide some assets. More importantly, though, Iraq was able to maintain its technical expertise and industrial base under the guise of U.N. permitted missile programs. Iraq built its missile programs over a number of years with assistance from companies in many countries. We must work with our allies and international partners to contain the missile program. We must get inspectors back into Iraq and re-establish the U.N. monitoring program, and we must keep Saddam Hussein bottled up and force him to confront obstacles in every direction. An U.N. inspection team with full international support and access can complicate, constrain, and slow Iraq's clandestine efforts and give us a better understanding of what Iraq can do. But an inspection team, at its best, can contain or manage, not eliminate, the threat. We are now faced with the possibility that Saddam Hussein could deploy weapons of mass destruction against his neighbors. We also must consider under what conditions would Hussein give a biological or chemical agent or short-range ballistic missile to a terrorist group? This January marked the 11th anniversary since the start of the gulf war. As the war on terrorism evolves, we cannot forget our past attempts, successes, and failures in Iraq. President Bush is right to continue to make Iraq an issue for the international community. We will need international support if we are going to have an effective strategy for eliminating Saddam Hussein as a threat to world peace.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, it is with great pride that I come to the floor today to speak about the courageous and heroic acts of a dear friend and constituent, Defense Protective Service Officer Isaac Ho'opi'i. I have always said that Hawaii is a unique place not because of its beauty, but because of its people. The people of Hawaii share a special attitude, which has been referred to as the ``Aloha spirit.'' Aloha in Hawaiian has a number of meanings, including love. The Aloha spirit can best be explained as the love of others and is illustrated through acts of kindness. Isaac Ho'opi'i exemplifies and lives the Aloha spirit. I rise today to honor the actions of Officer Isaac Ho'opi'i, who was awarded the Office of Secretary Medal of Valor for his efforts in responding to the tragedy at the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. There have been a number of news articles and television segments recounting Isaac's heroic actions in the wake of tragic events at the Pentagon on September 11. Isaac is most well-known as ``the voice'' in the dark smoke, moments after Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon, calling for anyone who was in the blackened, smoke-filled corridors to come toward his voice. Seven people responded to his calls to head toward his voice and were guided safely out of the burning Pentagon on September 11. Isaac also physically carried at least eight individuals out of the burning building on that fateful day. He and his K-9 partner, Vito, worked 36 hours straight immediately after the plane crashed into the Pentagon-- they have continued on 12-hour shifts since. I was honored to attend the Medal of Valor ceremonies on Tuesday afternoon at the Pentagon. I witnessed Isaac receiving the Medal of Valor, the highest award in the Department of Defense for a civilian. 38 other individuals also received the award on Tuesday, and I salute their brave acts as well. Isaac, born and raised in Hawaii, has lived in Washington, D.C., for the past twelve years and has spent the last five years as a member of the Defense Protective Service. I have known Isaac for over 12 years. I first met him when I was a member of the House of Representatives. My family and I have spent time with Isaac and his family, his wife Gigi, and their children, Emily, Bess, and Jeff, on many occasions. When I spoke to him after September 11, and discussed his split- second decision to respond to the burning Pentagon with little concern for his personal safety, I asked him how he felt. He modestly discounted his heroic actions. I was told by others that Isaac felt badly after September 11, because he felt that he should have been able to help more people. I am sure that those 15 people who he personally helped out of the Pentagon, and their families, are very thankful for his quick thinking and willingness to risk his life. His own wife and family had no idea about his safety on September 11, because of his immediate response to the site. Isaac is a man who is always willing to help others. During the awards ceremony, Mr. Paul Haselbush, Director of the Real Estate and Facilities Directorate, mentioned a letter he received from a woman who had been stranded on the road with a flat tire for three hours in the cold. She wrote to the Department of Defense to thank the Defense Protective Service for the actions of Officer Isaac Ho'opi'i, who saw her stranded on the road, stopped to help her, and fixed her flat tire. When she saw his name, she recognized Isaac as ``the voice'' that she had read about in the newspaper who had saved some of the people in the Pentagon on September 11th. In November of last year, Isaac went home to Hawaii for a family vacation. Isaac took one week of his vacation to talk to students in schools, not about his heroic acts, but about the events of September 11th and to answer their questions about why terrorists would attack the United States. I asked Isaac why he spoke with the students. He told me that he wanted to inspire them to reach out for their goals and dreams--that if he, a Native Hawaiian boy raised in Waianae could move to Washington, D.C., become successful by helping others and sharing the Aloha Spirit, they could all do the same. He told me if he just reached one student his time would have been spent well. Isaac reached more than one student. He has received a number of letters from the students he spoke to during his trip to Hawaii. On Tuesday, when I told Isaac that I was so very proud of him, he smiled, and told me that he was just trying to be a good Hawaiian and to share the spirit of Aloha. Isaac Ho'opi'i is indeed a wonderful man, a wonderful American, and his actions reflect the Aloha Spirit, the essence of the people of Hawaii. It is with great pride that I congratulate Isaac Ho'opi'i and the other 38 recipients of the Medal of Valor for their courageous acts on September 11, 2001.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I wish to join my colleagues from both sides of the aisle who have taken to the Senate floor to offer heartfelt tributes and best wishes to our esteemed colleague and friend, the senior Senator from Massachusetts (Mr. Kennedy) as he celebrates his 70th birthday. While prior commitments precluded my participation in yesterday's bipartisan tribute, I wanted to take a moment to offer my congratulations to Senator Kennedy. For 40 of his 70 years, Ted Kennedy has worked for the people of Massachusetts and America in the United States Senate. During that time, through hard work, consensus building and perseverance, with great wit and charm, and, on many memorable occasions, passionate oratory, Ted Kennedy has established himself as one of the most effective legislators of the 20th century and a champion for equality, opportunity, and justice for all Americans. When I was appointed to the Senate in 1990, we were considering the Americans With Disabilities Act, one of the many landmark civil rights bills that Ted Kennedy has helped to inspire and craft, guide through Congress, and become law. For as long as I have been in public service, Ted Kennedy has been a powerful voice and an advocate for those who are most vulnerable in our Nation. On issues ranging from civil rights, voting rights, equal rights for women, equal protection for all Americans regardless gender, race, religion, or sexual orientation, Americans with disabilities, access to health care, quality education for all children, workers' rights, patients' rights, a decent minimum wage, food stamps, or equal justice for all Americans, Ted Kennedy has been at the forefront of the battles for equal opportunity for all Americans, for fairness, for justice. In 1963, speaking on civil rights for African Americans, President Kennedy said that ``every American ought to have the right to be treated as he would wish to be treated, as one would wish his children to be treated. This is not the case.'' Throughout his illustrious career, Ted Kennedy has worked to ensure that all Americans are treated fairly, are treated with respect and dignity. His work in the Senate has helped us move forward as a people and Nation toward the vision of America that President Kennedy and Senator Robert F. Kennedy spoke about with such eloquence. His effectiveness in forging bipartisan partnerships to advance the causes and issues he cares so much about is legendary. As the Majority Leader said, Ted Kennedy is the master of the principled compromise. In doing so, Ted inspires those of us lucky enough to serve with him with his dedication, persistence and hard work, and he has earned the admiration, respect, and love of people across America. As both a colleague and friend, no one is more generous with his time or considerate than Ted Kennedy. The senior Senator from Illinois (Mr. Durbin) and some of my colleagues mentioned that in some parts of their states being accused of voting too much like Ted Kennedy is a standard political reproach. In Hawaii, a comparison to Ted Kennedy is a badge of honor. In 1990, I was appointed to the Senate in May, and was campaigning for election in November. My race was extremely close, and the Senate was in session until the last week of October working on the Federal budget. Then President George H.W. Bush and other national leaders had come to the islands to campaign for my opponent. Ted Kennedy agreed to campaign with me in Hawaii right before the election. His appearance energized the voters, and sparked a surge in the polls that broke open a close race. In fact, on election night, Ted Kennedy was the first person to call with congratulations based on exit poll projections he had received. In the history of the Senate, there have been few Senators whose record of accomplishments, whose hard work, whose contributions to building a more perfect Union, equals that of the senior Senator from Massachusetts. I am proud to serve with him in the Senate and fortunate to call him a friend. It is with the deepest admiration and profound aloha that I wish Ted, hau'oli la hanau, a most Happy Birthday. May you have many more. God bless you.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, as the government moves to protect its citizens, harden its borders, and defends American interests abroad, I want to make sure that the Nation's Federal employees are given the resources and support needed to carry out these missions. Numerous studies point to the government's inability to compete with the private sector as one reason why we are unable to attract and retain qualified Federal employees. With a few exceptions, since 1981, military and Federal personnel have received equal pay increases. Yet, the administration's FY03 budget calls for an across-the-board adjustment of only 2.6 percent, while the military would receive a 4.1 percent increase. The proposed 2.6 percent increase is less than the formula used by the Federal Employees Pay Comparability Act and fails to close the pay gap between Federal and private sector workers. In my capacity as Chairman of both the Senate Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on International Security, Proliferation, and Federal Services and the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support, I am actively involved in issues relating to Federal employees. Our civilian workforce plays a significant role in the support of our service members on active duty, in the reserves, and serving with the National Guard. I support a cohesive and coordinated effort in safeguarding America and believe a strong civilian workforce is crucial to our success in protecting our country. By 2005, over half the Federal workforce will be eligible to retire, and as long as fewer young people are choosing Federal service to fill these gaps, there should be a commitment from the highest levels of government to ensure that agencies are adequately staffed with the right people and the right skills to run the government in an effective and efficient manner. The American people know that the war on terrorism will be a long struggle; a different kind of war with fronts both at home and abroad. Our civilian Federal workforce is on the front line of this war and must be prepared to respond to the possibility of attack. We should not distinguish between our civilian and military workforces, both of whom serve their country with equal dedication.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr President, I rise today as we debate the farm bill to remind my colleagues of the vulnerability of American agriculture to acts of biological terrorism directed against livestock and crops, commonly known as ``agroterrorism.'' In December, I addressed the need for new technologies to detect biological agents that could be used in malicious attacks against our Nation's agricultural industry. The hard-working men and women who provide our meat, poultry, and dairy products, our fruits and vegetables, and our lumber and fibers now have a renewed sense of urgency when they consider potential threats to American agriculture. Responding to diseases in plants and animals has always been a fact of life for American farmers and ranchers. Now they are confronted with the possibility of intentional acts to release biological agents that cause disease in crops and livestock. The impact of an animal or crop disease outbreak could be swift and devastating to the U.S. economy. Although the threat to our Nation's food supply is a serious concern when discussing agroterrorism, we must remember that the primary purpose of agroterrorism is to inflict economic damage. The combined annual sales from the U.S. agricultural sector exceed $100 billion. American agriculture accounts for 13 percent of the gross domestic product and nearly 17 percent of domestic employment. The U.S. accounts for about 15 percent of all global agricultural exports. The impact of agroterrorism is not a just concern for rural America alone. All of America benefits from a healthy agriculture sector. Therefore, all of America must share in protecting our critical agricultural resources. Agricultural security for American farmers and protection from the intentional release of biological agents that cause disease in crops and livestock are essential features of the agroterrorism legislation I am drafting. My legislation will help American farmers and ranchers protect their investments and livelihood by providing grants or loans for security measures on their farms and ranches. As chairman of the Subcommittee on International Security, Proliferation, and Federal Services I have held hearings on the need for enhanced coordination of the Federal agencies that respond to acts of conventional bioterrorism. The same is true for agroterrorism. By strengthening agency coordination and emergency response planning, we will also be preparing the American agricultural sector to deal with both intentional and natural crop and livestock disease outbreaks when they occur. Many of the diseases that potentially threaten American crops and livestock have been virtually eliminated within the U.S. borders, or have never appeared on American soil. For this reason, a crucial element of agricultural security will involve the surveillance of plant and animal disease outbreaks in foreign countries. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, APHIS, already serves as an agricultural disease watchdog at our borders and around our farms. We must support ongoing APHIS efforts to detect and eradicate diseases at home by establishing stronger connections to the international community of agencies and organizations that monitor plant and animal disease outbreaks. A critical component of this legislation will involve establishing a legal framework for agroterrorism, including penalties for those who perpetrate destructive acts against crops and livestock. Indeed, acts of biological terrorism are not limited to the intentional release of disease agents to harm humans, livestock or crops. Deliberate and destructive acts against agricultural and forestry research programs are also routinely perpetrated by extremists who oppose biotechnology. These acts of domestic terrorism do not involve the direct use of biological agents, but they can be just as destructive as the intentional release of disease-causing agents. Recently, States from Washington to Maine have experienced destructive attacks on agricultural research projects. Reports of these acts of vandalism are often suppressed to avoid drawing further attention to the vulnerabilities of Federal and private agricultural research projects. Quite frequently, these attacks fail to destroy biotechnology experiments. Instead, the hard work accomplished by researchers who use traditional crop breeding methods is wiped out in these senseless and illegal activities. In closing, I would strongly urge my colleagues to lend their attention and support to legislative efforts that will benefit all segments of the U.S. agriculture economy. American farmers, Federal, State and local emergency managers, law enforcement officers, agriculture researchers, and consumers require our help in addressing concerns about the intentional or inadvertent spread of exotic and emerging agricultural diseases and the economic security of the United States' agriculture industry.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I rise in support of the compromise economic stimulus package we are now considering. The slowdown of our Nation's economy has been a matter of increasing concern following the terrorist attacks on September 11th. Millions of Americans are dealing with the economic repercussions of the attacks on our Nation. Hundreds of thousands of workers have lost their jobs, and consumer and business confidence has eroded during this time of uncertainty. The decrease in economic activity is affecting companies ranging from small businesses to corporations, not to mention entire industries such as the airlines and the travel and hospitality industry. The slowdown in our Nation's economy is reflected in the State of Hawaii, where as of January 26, 2002, 56,313 people have filed unemployment claims since September 11th. This is almost double the amount of claims filed for the same time period as last year. In the weeks after the terrorist attacks most of those filing unemployment claims worked in the visitor industry. However, state labor department officials have advised me that claims are coming in from workers laid off from a wide range of industries and small businesses in Hawaii. In 2001, our visitor industry experienced a $1 billion decline from the previous year. After September 11th, domestic travel to Hawaii fell 30 percent and international travel dropped by 50 percent. The number of visitors to Hawaii declined by 600,000. Our Governor and State Legislature are considering ways to deal with a $300 million budget shortfall. The economic stimulus proposal that we are currently considering includes important provisions such as extending unemployment insurance benefits for an additional 13 weeks for those individuals who have exhausted their regular, state-funded benefits. With the Hawaii State Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism predicting that a full recovery will not occur until the last half of 2003, it is imperative that we pass responsible economic stimulus legislation. Hawaii's economy and working families cannot afford another long and disastrous recovery, especially since the State was just beginning to recover from a nine-year economic recession. Temporarily extending unemployment insurance benefits will help the American people and revitalize consumer confidence. As recent research has shown, the Unemployment Insurance system is eight times as effective as the entire tax system in mitigating the impact of a recession. In addition, the Unemployment Insurance system is able to target the very sector of society that needs the most economic stimulus. I would like to remind my colleagues that in every recession during the past 30 years, including the 1990-1991 recession, Unemployment Insurance benefits were extended. There is no doubt that extended unemployment insurance benefits and the other elements that make up the core of this short-term economic stimulus package would help to boost Hawaii's and our Nation's weak economy. There are faint signs of recovery and resilience nationwide which underscore that we may, I repeat may, have seen the worst from the current recession. A well-defined, short-term stimulus package that is limited and specifically targeted for maximum effectiveness can play an important role in promoting economic recovery. Clearly, there are contrasting views among Members of Congress as to what provisions should be included in a stimulus package to maximize the stimulative effect on the economy. I believe that the economic stimulus package should encourage increased spending as soon as possible to rejuvenate the economy, assist people who are most vulnerable during the economic slowdown, and restore business and consumer confidence. However, it is important that fiscal discipline over the long-term be maintained in order to ensure economic growth in the future. I commend the majority leader for his efforts to fashion a bipartisan compromise and move this important legislation. In addition to extended unemployment benefits, the compromise package includes three components that both parties included in their stimulus bills last year, including tax rebates, bonus depreciation, and fiscal relief for states through a temporary increase in the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage, FMAP, rate. Last month, I attended the opening of the Hawaii State Legislature and Governor Ben Cayetano's State of the State address. I am not exaggerating when I say that increased Federal Medicaid assistance to the states is critical to my State and States across the Nation that are facing tremendous revenue shortfalls because of the recession, the repercussions of September 11th, and Federal tax changes enacted last year. I strongly support the component of the stimulus package that would temporarily increase the FMAP rate for States. Medicaid matching rates for fiscal year 2002 are based on State per capita income data from 1997, 1998, and 1999--years in which the national economy was strong. Consequently, matching rates are slated to be reduced for 29 States in 2002. The reduction in FMAP rates has worsened an already bleak fiscal outlook for many States. In August 2001, the Congressional Budget Office projected that Medicaid expenditures in 2002 would be 9 percent higher in 2002 than in 2001, while States projected that their revenues would rise just 2.4 percent. Rising Medicaid expenditures have long been a serious concern to States. The repercussions of the terrorist attacks on September 11 are leading most analysts to expect even higher State Medicaid costs because the economic downturn will make more people eligible for Medicaid and lower State revenues. It is during difficult financial times that the Medicaid program becomes a primary target of state budget cuts. Yet, people need Medicaid during these times more than ever. The Federal Government matches between 50 to 83 percent of the cost of Medicaid in each state. On average, the Federal Government pays 57 percent. The FMAP formula is based on the State's per capita income in the 3 calendar years that are most recently available. For years, Hawaii received the lowest Federal match--50 percent. Recognizing that increasing the FMAP rates would ease States' financial constraints, I have long worked to increase Hawaii's FMAP rate. The temporary increase in the FMAP is an important component of our Nation's economic stimulus policy. Medicaid is the largest Federal grant-in-aid to States. Temporarily increasing the Federal matching rate could have broad positive ramifications for State budgets, the impact of which would be rapid and would not require additional Federal or State bureaucracy. These changes would provide much needed health care to people in need by providing States the resources to do so. It is clear that an economic stimulus package is needed to support our economy during these uncertain times and to promote a rapid recovery. We saw the Federal Reserve Board cut interest rates 11 times in a row last year with limited economic effect. Congress has also taken actions to provide some of that stimulus through emergency spending for recovery efforts and to assist the airline industry. It is critical that Congress promptly pass an economic stimulus package that will rejuvenate our faltering economy while assisting households who have been especially hard hit by the downturn in the economy. I hope the Senate will complete action on this legislation this week so that the Congress can send a measure to the President by the Presidents' Day holiday.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Yes.

Mr. AKAKA. Madam President, I rise today to express my support for the conference report to S. 1438, the Department of Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2002. I commend Chairman Levin, Senator Warner, and their staff for the tremendous amount of work that has resulted in this conference report. There were many difficult issues to resolve, and I appreciate the persistence of our chairman and ranking member in ensuring the successful outcome of this conference report. In the area of readiness and management support, the conference report authorizes $10.5 billion for military construction and family housing programs, an increase of $528.7 million to the administration's budget request. The report also includes $36 million for various systems to improve accounting for spare parts inventories and streamline maintenance processes. These are important steps in our efforts to improve the facilities in which our military personnel work and the housing in which they and their families live. The conference report includes several provisions to improve the management and oversight of the Department of Defense. For example, there is a provision which addresses the Department's inability to produce reliable financial information or auditable financial statements, a long-time concern for myself and a number of my colleagues. The conference report also provides for improved management and greater competition for the $50 billion of service contracts awarded by the Department of Defense each year. While I am disappointed with the reductions that were made in the operations and maintenance accounts, I remain committed to focusing our efforts towards ensuring the readiness of our military services. I believe further advances in sustainment, restoration and equipment maintenance are possible, in particular increasing attention to corrosion prevention technologies and products. As I know from the military facilities in Hawaii and elsewhere in the Pacific, maintaining military equipment and facilities in wet, salty, and hot environments is a significant challenge. The conference report authorizes $27 million for equipment and testing to prevent the corrosion of military equipment. I look forward to continuing to address the issue of corrosion in the future as its impact on readiness is significant. I am pleased to note that the conference report includes an event- driven implementation of the Navy-Marine Corps Intranet to ensure that the program is fully tested and proven as it is introduced into the Navy and Marine field units. I also want to highlight the provision in the conference report which directs the Department of Defense to develop a comprehensive plan for addressing environmental problems caused by unexploded ordnance on current and former military facilities. I believe this is very important as we continue to address the issue of encroachment and its impacts on readiness and training. While we have more work to do to ensure the readiness and training of our military, the conference report is a significant step forward. I join my colleagues in supporting this important legislation. I yield the floor.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I rise today to speak against the amendment being offered by my colleague from New Hampshire, Mr. Gregg, that will terminate the sugar program. This program is a vital subsidy that provides valuable assistance to U.S. sugar farmers and ensures that sugar remains an affordable commodity for American consumers. While we are all facing difficult times, I must remind my colleagues that American farmers are hurting. We must also realize that should we lose the sugar program in our country, our sugar farmers would go out of business and we would be at the mercy of world sugar. We would be suffering with high prices. We would not be in control of prices, and the American public would be hurt. United States producer prices for sugar have decreased by close to 30 percent since 1996. Many sugar farmers have gone out of business and a number of beet and cane mills have closed. In the same period, 17 sugar mills have closed. Seven of those sugar mills were located in the State of Hawaii. Today we have just two sugar mills in Hawaii. Opponents of the sugar program believe that this program is outdated and artificially inflates sugar prices for consumers. In fact, the opposite is true. The program has acted as a cushion against imports from the world dump market. Our sugar program has been successful in ensuring stable sugar supplies at reasonable prices. United States consumers pay an average of 17 cents less per pound of sugar than their counterparts in other industrialized nations. Low U.S. prices save consumers more than $1 billion annually. Consumers elsewhere around the globe do not enjoy the low prices we have in America. Most American consumers would be amazed at the price of sugar in other industrialized nations, as revealed by my colleague from North Dakota. That is why I say that the sugar program is critical to American consumers. While the sugar program had a modest cost for forfeitures of sugar loans in 2000, this cost amounted to only 1.5 percent of the Federal commodity program expenditures. These costs will be defrayed as sugar is gradually sold back into the market. Furthermore, U.S. retail sugar prices have remained virtually unchanged for more than a decade and are 20 percent below the developed-country average. I urge my colleagues to reject this amendment No. 2466. If Congress terminates the sugar program, not only will a dynamic part of the economy disappear from many rural areas, but consumers will also lose a reliable supply of high-quality, low-price sugar. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Madam President, I commend to your attention a report entitled ``Assessment of Remote Sensing Data Use By Civilian Federal Agencies,'' which was prepared by Dr. Sherri Stephan of the Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on International Security, Proliferation, and Federal Services and the Congressional Research Service. The report will be available on the Subcommittee's website. In January 2001, I asked the CRS to conduct a survey of remote sensing data and technology use by Federal non-military agencies. Subcommittee staff used the CRS survey results, included in the report as an appendix, and collected agency responses to analyze how Federal agencies use remote sensing. It is my hope that this report will enable Congress to better understand the issues that arise in obtaining and applying the technology. The widespread availability of detailed and accurate satellite imaging data has made the world increasingly transparent. Observational capabilities that only a few decades ago were classified and strictly limited are now owned and operated by both government and private- sector organizations. For example, Space Imaging, a private satellite data company's web site contains satellite photos of the attack on Kandahar. Satellite images have also revolutionized the study of the natural environment and global hazards, agriculture, transportation and urban planning, law enforcement, education, energy use, public health trends, and international policy. Researchers in my State of Hawaii, in partnership with NASA, NOAA and others, use remote sensing data for many purposes, such as to monitor water temperature and climate variability for tsunami early warning and evacuation planning, environmental impacts on fisheries, and volcanic activity monitoring. There is now a national capability to provide remote-sensing data products and value-added information services directly to end users, such as farmers, foresters, fishermen, natural resource managers, and the public. Just this fall, researchers demonstrated on the island of Kauai how remote sensing data from unmanned aerial vehicles could be used to help determine precisely when a coffee crop is ready for harvesting. New imaging technology and new data systems provide a rich opportunity for federal agencies to improve their services. The nineteen agencies included in this study span the roles of the federal government from basic research centers to law enforcement. All but four report some use of remote sensing data and technology. These agencies use data for environmental and conservation purposes, early warning and mitigation of natural disasters; basic and applied research, mapping activities, monitoring and verifying compliance with laws and treaties, agricultural activities, and transportation and shipping. We also asked the agencies to share their concerns with remote sensing data. These concerns expressed their desire to use the data and technology more fully and efficiently. Many agencies had difficulties due to cost and licensing of commercial data and value-added products and analysis, as well as other access concerns. Several agencies were concerned about their capacity to exploit fully remote sensing data and technology, mostly due to a shortage of trained personnel within the agencies to analyze and interpret data. This report offers several options to alleviate these concerns, but these are not the only possible solutions. Nor are they suggestions for action. The Federal Government uses remote sensing data in many ways, and it is unlikely that a single solution will solve all the problems associated with this use. Since the first photographs of enemy troop positions from a hot air balloon in 1860, there have been military and intelligence applications of remote sensing data. Today, in this new age of terrorism and homeland security concerns, users now include local first responders, city planners, and State officials. This creates a new challenge for commercial and government data providers to translate our impressive imagery technology into a capability that can be exploited by users quickly and easily. I would like to thank the staff of the Congressional Research Service, especially Marcia Smith, for her able assistance in preparing this report.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Madam President, as chairman of the Subcommittee on International Security, Proliferation, and Federal Services, I am honored to work with my colleagues from the Governmental Affairs Committee, Senator Durbin and Senator Thompson, to introduce the Homeland Security Federal Workforce Act and the Homeland Security Education Act. Alarmed at the Soviet Union's successful launch of the first space vehicle, Congress passed the National Defense Education Act of 1958. Our country faced a changed national security landscape, and our Government was determined to make certain the United States never came up short again in the areas of math, science, technology and foreign languages. Although we face new national security threats, our Government's response is built on the talents and dedication of our Federal workforce. Recently the U.S. Commission on National Security/21st Century, also known as the Hart-Rudman Commission, concluded that ``. . . the excellence of American public servants is the foundation upon which an effective national security strategy must rest . . . because future success will require the mastery of advanced technology . . . as well as leading-edge concepts of governance.'' The recent terrorist attacks strengthened our will and exposed the weaknesses of our great country. We were quickly reminded of the importance of our Federal Government and its workforce. For every essential service these attacks disrupted, we expected our government to respond quickly and effectively, and those in government did. However, the events of September 11 and the anthrax attacks through the mails underscored how much government needs people with the critical skills to fill critical national security positions. We need to recruit the best people with the best skills and ensure that government service remains attractive. Our legislation does that. The Homeland Security Federal Workforce Act and the Homeland Security Education Act provide needed tools and resources to agencies expressly for hiring new employees in critical national security positions and establishes a student loan repayment program and fellowships to future and current federal employees in exchange for government service. It provides additional training opportunities for the great people already committed to the Federal service whose expertise guide agencies daily in meeting their missions. For example, Federal employees in national security positions will be eligible to apply for fellowships, which includes full tuition and a stipend, to pursue degrees in fields deemed critical to national security. Our bills also respond to future national security needs by helping schools better prepare students for the demands of the 21st century. We must act now to identify and develop the right balance of skills in science, math, and foreign languages. We must make resources available to our schools and their teachers so that our students graduate with a greater proficiency in these areas. The bills will strengthen the specific foreign language skills that the Government has identified as critical to our national security. We would help establish an advanced foreign language program that matches foreign language program efforts in leading universities with national security requirements. I would like to note that the University of Hawaii is recognized as a model university in foreign language instruction and is noted for the strength of its faculty and curriculum particularly in Mandarin Chinese, Korean, and Japanese, language deemed important by the Defense Language Institute. The University of Hawaii is also an authority in the development of enhanced foreign language teaching methods. I look forward to working with my colleagues to see that this bipartisan legislation is passed.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Madam President, as chairman of the Subcommittee on International Security, Proliferation, and Federal Services, I am honored to work with my colleagues from the Governmental Affairs Committee, Senator Durbin and Senator Thompson, to introduce the Homeland Security Federal Workforce Act and the Homeland Security Education Act. Alarmed at the Soviet Union's successful launch of the first space vehicle, Congress passed the National Defense Education Act of 1958. Our country faced a changed national security landscape, and our Government was determined to make certain the United States never came up short again in the areas of math, science, technology and foreign languages. Although we face new national security threats, our Government's response is built on the talents and dedication of our Federal workforce. Recently the U.S. Commission on National Security/21st Century, also known as the Hart-Rudman Commission, concluded that ``. . . the excellence of American public servants is the foundation upon which an effective national security strategy must rest . . . because future success will require the mastery of advanced technology . . . as well as leading-edge concepts of governance.'' The recent terrorist attacks strengthened our will and exposed the weaknesses of our great country. We were quickly reminded of the importance of our Federal Government and its workforce. For every essential service these attacks disrupted, we expected our government to respond quickly and effectively, and those in government did. However, the events of September 11 and the anthrax attacks through the mails underscored how much government needs people with the critical skills to fill critical national security positions. We need to recruit the best people with the best skills and ensure that government service remains attractive. Our legislation does that. The Homeland Security Federal Workforce Act and the Homeland Security Education Act provide needed tools and resources to agencies expressly for hiring new employees in critical national security positions and establishes a student loan repayment program and fellowships to future and current federal employees in exchange for government service. It provides additional training opportunities for the great people already committed to the Federal service whose expertise guide agencies daily in meeting their missions. For example, Federal employees in national security positions will be eligible to apply for fellowships, which includes full tuition and a stipend, to pursue degrees in fields deemed critical to national security. Our bills also respond to future national security needs by helping schools better prepare students for the demands of the 21st century. We must act now to identify and develop the right balance of skills in science, math, and foreign languages. We must make resources available to our schools and their teachers so that our students graduate with a greater proficiency in these areas. The bills will strengthen the specific foreign language skills that the Government has identified as critical to our national security. We would help establish an advanced foreign language program that matches foreign language program efforts in leading universities with national security requirements. I would like to note that the University of Hawaii is recognized as a model university in foreign language instruction and is noted for the strength of its faculty and curriculum particularly in Mandarin Chinese, Korean, and Japanese, language deemed important by the Defense Language Institute. The University of Hawaii is also an authority in the development of enhanced foreign language teaching methods. I look forward to working with my colleagues to see that this bipartisan legislation is passed.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I rise today to address the issue of detecting biological agents that could be used in malicious attacks against our Nation's agricultural industry. Last month, I introduced S. 1560, the Biological Agent-Environmental Detection Act of 2001, which calls for the development of new technologies to detect disease agents that can be used as terrorist weapons against humans. I am drafting legislation to address concerns about agricultural security that will complement the provisions in S. 1715, the Bioterrorism Preparedness Act of 2001, which I have cosponsored. We have heard testimony in hearings before the Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on International Security, Proliferation and Federal Services illustrating the vulnerability of American agriculture to acts of biological terrorism directed against livestock and crops, commonly known as ``agroterrorism.'' Any agroterrorist attacks could have a profound effect on the overall American economy. The combined cash receipts for crops, livestock, and poultry in the United States reached nearly $200 billion last year, or 2 percent of our gross domestic product. An agroterrorist attack would also create a ripple effect on businesses that rely on American agricultural products, especially grocery stores and restaurants. For example, agroterrorist attacks could reach across the agricultural industry of Hawaii, which had $521 million in revenues last year. Our livestock could be attacked with viral agents such as foot and mouth disease. In Hawaii, this would affect the price and availability of beef, pork, and dairy products. 51,000 cattle and 26,000 hogs were brought to market and slaughtered in Hawaii last year, while 90 million gallons of milk were produced by the Hawaiian dairy industry. Our $100 million pineapple industry could be attacked with a nematode pest that causes an estimated 40-percent loss of crop in the first year of infection, and 80- to 100-percent losses in subsequent crops. Hawaii's growing agricultural tourism industry was worth $26 million in 2000, and any attacks on Hawaiian agriculture would also impact those revenues. However, the impact of terrorist attacks against American agriculture would not be measured in economic terms alone. A significant loss of agricultural production would also affect the health and welfare of our nation's citizens, not to mention hundreds of millions of men, women, and children around the globe who depend on American agricultural production for some part of their daily meals. My colleagues are aware of the recent completion of the Human Genome Project to map the basic genetic information contained in human chromosomes. This vast undertaking involved the sequencing of over three billion base pairs of genetic information. The diseases that attack crops and livestock are caused primarily by bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Each of these microorganisms has its own miniature genome that can be sequenced with a fraction of the effort involved in the Human Genome Project. For example, only last month, scientists at the Department of Energy's Joint Genome Institute sequenced the genomes of 15 bacterial species, including plant and human pathogens. In many cases, we still seek to understand the most rudimentary features of disease-causing microorganisms, regardless of whether they infect humans, livestock, or plants. By sequencing the DNA of select agricultural diseases agents, we can develop diagnostic tests to rapidly identify agricultural diseases; we gain fundamental information about how each disease is caused; and we learn how to mitigate or prevent the negative effects of diseases that infect crops and livestock. By preparing to detect the intentional spread of disease through bioterrorist attacks on America's agriculture, we are also protecting American crops and livestock from the accidental or natural spread of diseases. With rapid diagnostic tests based on genomic information, we can avoid the spread of such diseases as the papaya ringspot virus, which is carried by aphids throughout infected orchards in Hawaii. However, Hawaii's agricultural system clearly is not the only industry that would benefit from pathogen detection systems. The fungal pathogen Fusarium, which infects many Hawaiian crops, including sugarcane, ginger, and banana, also attacks watermelons in Texas, potatoes in Idaho, and tomatoes in Ohio. I commend my colleagues for their efforts to protect our urban areas from further bioterrorist attacks. However, let's not forget agricultural America. We must support the development of rapid detection methods that are based on genomic information from disease agents that could be used in bioterrorist attacks against American agriculture.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, as the sun rises over Pearl Harbor this morning, solemn ceremonies at the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial and the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific will commemorate the 60th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Prayers, reflections and tribute will be offered to honor the service and sacrifice of the men and women who fought and died in the defense of our country. For many of us in Hawaii, the events of December 7 are a graphic memory, a personal experience never to be forgotten. As a student, I watched in the attack on Pearl Harbor at 8 a.m., Sunday, December 7, 1941, from the roof of my dormitory at the Kamehameha School for Boys on Kapalama Heights in Honolulu. We had just returned from breakfast at the dining hall, and were slowly preparing for Sunday services. In stunned silence, we saw the flash of bombs and thick black smoke rising above Pearl Harbor. We saw the planes dive from the south, drop their torpedoes, and the resulting explosion on the battleship Arizona, which later tilted and sank at her mooring. The airstrip at Hickam was marked with potholes, bomb craters, and damaged aircraft. Smoke, both white and black, moved to blanket the area. A spent anti-aircraft shell landed and exploded near our dormitory. A squad of zeros flew over us from Pearl Harbor to attack the Kaneohe Naval Air Station. By that time excited radio messages were reporting the bombing of Pearl Harbor. It was a calamity that forever changed the course and life of our country and Hawaii. As America prepared for war, men and boys in Hawaii, as elsewhere in our Nation, rushed to enlist. Japanese American soldiers, fighting with the 442nd Infantry and 100th Battalion, became the most decorated units in the war, while at the same time our government interned and relocated their families and confiscated their homes. The sacrifices made by ordinary men and women who rallied in defense of freedom, liberty, and the great promise of our democracy represents the greatest heroism and patriotism in service of our country. It also reminds us and future generations of Americans that patriotism is not a matter of race and religion, but personal courage and conviction. As we realized on December 7, and as the events of September 11th painfully reminded us, the freedom and prosperity we enjoy carries a dear price. Our sacred duty is to ensure its preservation for future generations. Throughout our Nation's history, we Americans have relied on the power of our ideals, our faith in God, and prayer to guide us through the challenges we faced, and we rely on that same power today as we seek peace and justice. Today, I am honored to join my colleagues in prayer and remembrance for those courageous men and women who died in Pearl Harbor. I also join my colleagues in honoring my dear friend, the senior Senator from Hawaii [Mr. Inouye]. His duties and responsibilities in the Senate have kept him from today's observances in Hawaii. For over 50 years, Senator Inouye has served our Nation and our beloved State in the U.S. Army-- awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, the Territorial Legislature, the House, and Senate. I am proud to serve alongside him and privileged to call him friend. I also want to thank the senior Senator from Alaska, Mr. Stevens, who is also a decorated and distinguished veteran of the Second World War and a true American patriot, for his leadership in remembering those killed at Pearl Harbor and honoring the service of those men and women who served our Nation in the Second World War and those men and women who are defending freedom around the world today.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I, too am concerned about aircraft safety during smoke emergencies and join him in his question. In addition, I also commend Senators Hollings and McCain for their efforts to complete this important legislation and believe that this measure will help to restore confidence in air travel.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Madam President, I rise in support of the economic stimulus package reported by the Committee on Finance. Following the terrorist attacks on September 11, the slowdown in our Nation's economy has been a matter of increasing concern. The ripple effect of the tragic events on September 11 has affected millions of Americans who are dealing with the economic repercussions. Hundreds of thousands of workers have lost their jobs, and consumer and business confidence has eroded during this time of uncertainty. The decrease in economic activity is affecting companies ranging from small businesses to corporations, not to mention entire industries such as the airline and tourism industries. There is no doubt that an economic stimulus package would help to boost our Nation's weak economy. While the prospects for long-term growth remain strong, the terrorist attacks exacerbated weaknesses in many business sectors and diminished hopes for a quick revival of an already faltering economy and it now appears that the country will experience a period of economic weakness and rising unemployment before returning to a period of strong growth. A stimulus package that is well-defined and specifically targeted for maximum effectiveness can play an important role in promoting a rapid economic recovery. As we all know, there are contrasting views among the members of Congress as to what components should be included in a stimulus package to maximize the stimulative effect on the economy. I believe that the economic stimulus package should encourage increased spending as soon as possible to rejuvenate the economy, assist people who are most vulnerable during the economic slowdown, and restore business and consumer confidence. However, it is important that fiscal discipline over the long-term be maintained in order to ensure economic growth in the future. As such, legislation to stimulate the economy should only be on a short-term basis so that the budget can return to surplus as the economy recovers. Given the importance of taking prompt action to stimulate the economy which is on the brink of a recession, I commend the Senator from Montana for his efforts in reporting an economic stimulus package out of the Finance Committee that can be considered on the Senate floor. I support components of the legislation, including provisions aimed at addressing the needs of America's newly-unemployed workers. In addition to losing their health benefits, the unemployed have no income to pay out-of-pocket for their health care needs. Under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, COBRA, employers with 20 or more employees must offer continued health insurance coverage to qualified employees and their families who lose health coverage when they lose their jobs. Unemployed workers are required to pay up to 102 percent of the full premium, which averages about $220 per month for an individual and $558 per month for a family. Only about 20 percent of eligible workers use their COBRA option because premiums are so expensive. The bill drafted by the distinguished Chairman of the Finance Committee will assist workers who are COBRA-eligible by providing a 75 percent COBRA subsidy for up to twelve months. This subsidy will help to ensure that many of the workers and their families who could not previously afford COBRA coverage will be able to retain their health insurance. States would be allowed to cover the remaining 25 percent of the COBRA premium for low-income COBRA-eligible individuals and their families. While the subsidy for COBRA will help a number of Americans, many of the workers who will lose their jobs in the coming year will not be eligible for COBRA coverage. These workers face an even greater barrier to health care access and include individuals who worked for small businesses, were in the individual health insurance market, worked in companies that have gone bankrupt, and those who could not afford health insurance before they were laid off. The bill by the Senator from Montana would help these workers who are not COBRA-eligible by giving states the option to add a new eligibility category to Medicaid. This new category would allow states to cover laid-off workers who are not COBRA-eligible for up to 12 months. Another critical component of the stimulus legislation is the temporary increase in the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage, FMAP, rate for States. The Federal Government currently pays between 50 percent and 83 percent of the cost of Medicaid in each state, depending on the state's per capita income in the three calendar years that are most recently available. On average, the Federal Government pays 57 percent. Medicaid matching rates for fiscal year 2002 are based on state per capita income data from 1997, 1998, and 1999--years in which the national economy was strong. Consequently, matching rates are slated to be reduced for 29 states in 2002. The reduction in FMAP rates has worsened an already bleak fiscal outlook for many states. In August, the Congressional Budget Office projected that Medicaid expenditures in 2002 would be nine percent higher in 2002 than in 2001, while states projected that their revenues would rise just 2.4 percent. Rising Medicaid expenditures have long been a serious concern to states. The repercussions of the terrorist attacks on September 11 are leading most analysts to expect even higher state Medicaid costs because the economic downturn will make more people eligible for Medicaid and lower state revenues. It is during difficult financial times that the Medicaid program becomes a primary target of State budget cuts. Yet, people need Medicaid during these times more than ever. The FMAP increase proposed by the Finance Committee has three main components. First, States that would have received a lower FMAP rate would be ``held harmless'' and retain their fiscal year 2001 matching rate. Second, all States would receive a rate increase of 1.5 percent. Finally, States with higher than average unemployment rates over the previous three months would receive an additional 1.5 percent rate increase. To receive these FMAP increases, States would be required to maintain current eligibility levels. The temporary increase in the FMAP is an important component of our Nation's economic stimulus policy. Medicaid is the largest Federal grant-in-aid to states. Temporarily increasing the Federal matching rate could have broad positive ramifications for State budgets, the impact of which would be rapid and would not require additional Federal or State bureaucracy. These changes would provide much needed health care to people in need by providing states the resources to do so. While Congress has taken certain actions to address the aftershocks of the terrorist attacks, we must also restore consumer confidence which has steadily declined since the attacks. In Hawaii, where we were just beginning to recover from our economic recession of 9 years, we find ourselves once again facing an economic downturn. The State Department of Labor is currently working on the unemployment rates for October 2001 and has indicated that the number of people filing unemployment claims will be substantially higher than those filing in September. This is disconcerting to me because in September 2001, tourism was down by 40 percent and more than 11,000 people who work in the industry were unemployed. More specifically, 8,803 people in Hawaii filed claims for partial or full unemployment benefits in the 15-day period from September 17, the Monday following the attacks, to Monday, October 1. On that Monday, the State Department of Labor estimated that 1,012 workers filed claims statewide for unemployment. Before the attacks, the state of Hawaii received on the average 1,400 claims a week. These statistics do not show what the cost has been to families in Hawaii where both parents are, or in many cases were, working in the travel or tourism-related industries. These families are finding that they do not have the money to pay for their mortgage, health insurance for themselves and their children, and basic necessities. The economic stimulus legislation reported by the Finance Committee will help the people of Hawaii and the nation pay their mortgages, provide healthcare to their children, and put food on the table. It will provide 13 additional weeks of benefits to workers whose regular unemployment compensation has expired, require states to use the most recent earnings data to determine eligibility and benefits, provide coverage to part-time workers, and supplement the amount of benefits. Some of my colleagues have argued that extending unemployment benefits and providing a health care subsidy will not stimulate the economy, I must strongly disagree. I believe, as many of my colleagues have stated during this debate, that this is exactly what our economy and the American people need to revitalize consumer confidence. As recent research has shown, the Unemployment Insurance system is eight times as effective as the entire tax system in mitigating the impact of a recession. In addition, the Unemployment Insurance system is able to target the very sector of society that needs the most economic stimulus. I remind everyone that in every recession during the past 30 years, including the 1990-1991 recession under President George Bush, unemployment insurance benefits were extended. It is clear that an economic stimulus package is needed to support our economy during these uncertain times and to promote a rapid recovery. We have seen the Federal Reserve Board cut interest rates ten times this year with limited economic effect. Congress has also taken actions to provide some of that stimulus through emergency spending for recovery efforts and to assist the airline industry. It is critical that Congress promptly pass an economic stimulus package that will rejuvenate our faltering economy while assisting households who have been especially hard hit by the downturn in the economy. An economic stimulus package that promotes economic activity and includes components to extend unemployment insurance benefits and health care subsidies will greatly assist in getting our country's economy moving again.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I rise to introduce two separate but related bills that address the crucial issue of our national preparedness for acts of bioterrorism. I plan to introduce a third bill next week. As we have learned firsthand over the past two weeks, bioterrorism preparedness is a topic where we have a considerable set of available resources combined with an urgent need for additional legislative action. The Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on International Security, Proliferation, and Federal Services held hearings in July to learn what the Federal Government is doing to better prepare our communities for acts of bioterrorism. This morning, the Committee and Subcommittee held a joint hearing. We heard from Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson on the government's role in lateral coordination of response efforts between federal agencies and vertical coordination of efforts with the local and State agencies that are the first to respond to acts of bioterrorism. All our witnesses provided excellent testimony on the progress in national bioterrorism preparedness since the September 11 terrorist attacks on America. The bills I introduce today address a set of key issues in our national response to acts of terrorism. First, I am sponsoring legislation to increase funding for research and development of new technologies to detect the use of biological weapons against this nation. Second, I am offering a bill with Senator Rockefeller to strengthen cooperation between the hospital network of the Department of Veterans Affairs and community healthcare workers across the Nation. And, third, I will introduce a measure next week to establish stronger safeguards for our Nation's agricultural system and protection of our crops and livestock from agricultural terrorism. The first piece of legislation, the Biological Agent Environment Detection Act, authorizes appropriations totaling $40 million to support research and development of technologies to detect organisms in the air, water, and food that cause disease in humans, livestock, and crops. This mirrors the President's request of $40 million to support early detection surveillance to identify potential bioterrorism agents, announced by Secretary Thompson at today's hearing. Funds are necessary to encourage cooperative research agreements between the Federal Government, industry, and academic laboratories. The anthrax events of the past two weeks underscore the need for new detection methods and information- gathering systems. These funds will also support ongoing efforts to develop satellite-based remote sensing technologies to identify weather patterns that contribute to the spread of infectious disease and biological or chemical attacks. Finally, this funding is necessary to support the rigorous testing, verification, and calibration of new biological detection technologies. The second piece of legislation, sponsored with my friend from West Virginia, Senator Rockefeller, will provide the Department of Veterans Affairs with additional funds to develop training programs with community health care providers. We need to enhance the cooperation between crucial elements of our health care system included in the National Medical Disaster System. These increased funds will support expanded use of existing telecommunications systems to implement a telemedicine training program for VA staff and their community public health counterparts. Remote regions of our Nation need the assurance that local public health responders will have the training and information they need to protect and treat citizens in instances of biological terrorism. The third bill, the Biosecurity Agriculture Terrorism Act, will enhance Federal efforts to prepare for and respond to acts of agricultural terrorism or naturally-occurring agricultural epidemics by prioritizing efforts, authorizing funding and establishing new policy guidelines. Planning, training, and communication are three cornerstones of the preparedness and mitigation measures that will support the people who initially respond to any agricultural terrorism incident. This bill tasks the Federal Emergency Management Agency to create an emergency response function for agricultural disaster within the Federal Response Plan. This would result in having response and recovery plans in effect in the unfortunate event of an actual agricultural terrorism incident. Together, these three bills will make significant and necessary contributions to the urgent task of protecting our Nation from all forms of bioterrorism. We can discourage and detect the manufacture, distribution, and use of biological weapons. We can use the existing emergency communication infrastructure, emergency response training programs, and community partnerships within the 173 VA hospitals across the Nation to train both VA staff and local health care providers for bioterrorism response. And, we can protect our national agriculture industry from attack with biological agents. I strongly encourage my colleagues' support as we move forward with this legislation.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I rise to introduce two separate but related bills that address the crucial issue of our national preparedness for acts of bioterrorism. I plan to introduce a third bill next week. As we have learned firsthand over the past two weeks, bioterrorism preparedness is a topic where we have a considerable set of available resources combined with an urgent need for additional legislative action. The Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on International Security, Proliferation, and Federal Services held hearings in July to learn what the Federal Government is doing to better prepare our communities for acts of bioterrorism. This morning, the Committee and Subcommittee held a joint hearing. We heard from Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson on the government's role in lateral coordination of response efforts between federal agencies and vertical coordination of efforts with the local and State agencies that are the first to respond to acts of bioterrorism. All our witnesses provided excellent testimony on the progress in national bioterrorism preparedness since the September 11 terrorist attacks on America. The bills I introduce today address a set of key issues in our national response to acts of terrorism. First, I am sponsoring legislation to increase funding for research and development of new technologies to detect the use of biological weapons against this nation. Second, I am offering a bill with Senator Rockefeller to strengthen cooperation between the hospital network of the Department of Veterans Affairs and community healthcare workers across the Nation. And, third, I will introduce a measure next week to establish stronger safeguards for our Nation's agricultural system and protection of our crops and livestock from agricultural terrorism. The first piece of legislation, the Biological Agent Environment Detection Act, authorizes appropriations totaling $40 million to support research and development of technologies to detect organisms in the air, water, and food that cause disease in humans, livestock, and crops. This mirrors the President's request of $40 million to support early detection surveillance to identify potential bioterrorism agents, announced by Secretary Thompson at today's hearing. Funds are necessary to encourage cooperative research agreements between the Federal Government, industry, and academic laboratories. The anthrax events of the past two weeks underscore the need for new detection methods and information- gathering systems. These funds will also support ongoing efforts to develop satellite-based remote sensing technologies to identify weather patterns that contribute to the spread of infectious disease and biological or chemical attacks. Finally, this funding is necessary to support the rigorous testing, verification, and calibration of new biological detection technologies. The second piece of legislation, sponsored with my friend from West Virginia, Senator Rockefeller, will provide the Department of Veterans Affairs with additional funds to develop training programs with community health care providers. We need to enhance the cooperation between crucial elements of our health care system included in the National Medical Disaster System. These increased funds will support expanded use of existing telecommunications systems to implement a telemedicine training program for VA staff and their community public health counterparts. Remote regions of our Nation need the assurance that local public health responders will have the training and information they need to protect and treat citizens in instances of biological terrorism. The third bill, the Biosecurity Agriculture Terrorism Act, will enhance Federal efforts to prepare for and respond to acts of agricultural terrorism or naturally-occurring agricultural epidemics by prioritizing efforts, authorizing funding and establishing new policy guidelines. Planning, training, and communication are three cornerstones of the preparedness and mitigation measures that will support the people who initially respond to any agricultural terrorism incident. This bill tasks the Federal Emergency Management Agency to create an emergency response function for agricultural disaster within the Federal Response Plan. This would result in having response and recovery plans in effect in the unfortunate event of an actual agricultural terrorism incident. Together, these three bills will make significant and necessary contributions to the urgent task of protecting our Nation from all forms of bioterrorism. We can discourage and detect the manufacture, distribution, and use of biological weapons. We can use the existing emergency communication infrastructure, emergency response training programs, and community partnerships within the 173 VA hospitals across the Nation to train both VA staff and local health care providers for bioterrorism response. And, we can protect our national agriculture industry from attack with biological agents. I strongly encourage my colleagues' support as we move forward with this legislation.