Daniel Akaka

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, today I am introducing the Pet Protection and Safety Act of 1998, a bill to close a serious loophole in the Animal Welfare Act. Congress passed the Animal Welfare Act over 30 years ago to stop the mistreatment of animals and to prevent the sale of family pets for laboratory experiments. Despite the Animal Welfare Act's well-meaning intentions and the enforcement efforts of the Department of Agriculture, the Act routinely fails to provide pets and pet owners with reliable protection against the actions of USDA-licensed Class B animal dealers, also known as ``random source'' dealers. Medical research is an invaluable weapon in the battle against disease. New drugs and surgical techniques offer promise in the fight against AIDS, cancer, and a host of life-threatening diseases. Animal research has been, and continues to be, fundamental to advancements in medicine. I am not here to argue whether animals should or should not be used in research; rather, I am addressing the unethical practice of selling stolen pets and stray animals to research facilities. There are less than 40 ``random source'' animal dealers operating throughout the country who acquire tens of thousands of dogs and cats. Many of these animals are family pets, acquired by so-called ``bunchers'' who resort to theft and deception as they collect animals and sell them to Class B dealers. ``Bunchers'' often respond to ``free pet to a good home'' advertisements, tricking animal owners into giving away their pets by posing as someone interested in adopting the dog or cat. Random source dealers are known to keep hundreds of animals at a time in squalid conditions, providing them with little food or water. The mistreated animals often pass through several hands and across state lines before they are eventually sold by a random source dealer to a research laboratory for $200 to $500 each. Mr. President, the use of animals in research is subject to legitimate criticism because of the fraud, theft, and abuse that I have just described. Dr. Robert Whitney, former director of the Office of Animal Care and Use at the National Institutes of Health echoed this sentiment when he stated, ``The continued existence of these virtually unregulatable Class B dealers erodes the public confidence in our commitment to appropriate procurement, care, and use of animals in the important research to better the health of both humans and animals.'' While I doubt that laboratories intentionally seek out stolen or fraudulently obtained dogs and cats as research subjects, the fact remains that these animals end up in research laboratories--and little is being done to stop it. Mr. President, it is clear to most observers, including animal welfare organizations around the country, that this problem persists because of random source animal dealers. The Pet Protection and Safety Act strengthens the Animal Welfare Act by prohibiting the use of random source animal dealers as suppliers of dogs and cats to research laboratories. At the same time, The Pet Protection and Safety Act preserves the integrity of animal research by encouraging research laboratories to obtain animals from legitimate sources that comply with the Animal Welfare Act. Legitimate sources are USDA-licensed Class A dealers or breeders; municipal pounds that choose to release dogs and cats for research purposes; legitimate pet owners who want to donate their animals to research; and private and federal facilities that breed their own animals. These four sources are capable of supplying millions of animals for research, far more cats and dogs than are required by current laboratory demand. Furthermore, at least in the case of using municipal pounds, research laboratories could save money since pound animals cost only a few dollars compared to $200 and $500 per animal charged by random animal dealers. The National Institutes of Health, in an effort to curb abuse and deception, has already adopted policies against the acquisition of dogs and cats from random source dealers. The Pet Protection and Safety Act also reduces the Department of Agriculture's regulatory burden by allowing the Department to use its resources more efficiently and effectively. Each year, hundreds of thousands of dollars are spent on regulating 40 random source dealers. To combat any future violations of the Animal Welfare Act, the Pet Protection and Safety Act increases the penalties under the Act to a minimum of $1,000 per violation.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, today I am introducing the Pet Protection and Safety Act of 1998, a bill to close a serious loophole in the Animal Welfare Act. Congress passed the Animal Welfare Act over 30 years ago to stop the mistreatment of animals and to prevent the sale of family pets for laboratory experiments. Despite the Animal Welfare Act's well-meaning intentions and the enforcement efforts of the Department of Agriculture, the Act routinely fails to provide pets and pet owners with reliable protection against the actions of USDA-licensed Class B animal dealers, also known as ``random source'' dealers. Medical research is an invaluable weapon in the battle against disease. New drugs and surgical techniques offer promise in the fight against AIDS, cancer, and a host of life-threatening diseases. Animal research has been, and continues to be, fundamental to advancements in medicine. I am not here to argue whether animals should or should not be used in research; rather, I am addressing the unethical practice of selling stolen pets and stray animals to research facilities. There are less than 40 ``random source'' animal dealers operating throughout the country who acquire tens of thousands of dogs and cats. Many of these animals are family pets, acquired by so-called ``bunchers'' who resort to theft and deception as they collect animals and sell them to Class B dealers. ``Bunchers'' often respond to ``free pet to a good home'' advertisements, tricking animal owners into giving away their pets by posing as someone interested in adopting the dog or cat. Random source dealers are known to keep hundreds of animals at a time in squalid conditions, providing them with little food or water. The mistreated animals often pass through several hands and across state lines before they are eventually sold by a random source dealer to a research laboratory for $200 to $500 each. Mr. President, the use of animals in research is subject to legitimate criticism because of the fraud, theft, and abuse that I have just described. Dr. Robert Whitney, former director of the Office of Animal Care and Use at the National Institutes of Health echoed this sentiment when he stated, ``The continued existence of these virtually unregulatable Class B dealers erodes the public confidence in our commitment to appropriate procurement, care, and use of animals in the important research to better the health of both humans and animals.'' While I doubt that laboratories intentionally seek out stolen or fraudulently obtained dogs and cats as research subjects, the fact remains that these animals end up in research laboratories--and little is being done to stop it. Mr. President, it is clear to most observers, including animal welfare organizations around the country, that this problem persists because of random source animal dealers. The Pet Protection and Safety Act strengthens the Animal Welfare Act by prohibiting the use of random source animal dealers as suppliers of dogs and cats to research laboratories. At the same time, The Pet Protection and Safety Act preserves the integrity of animal research by encouraging research laboratories to obtain animals from legitimate sources that comply with the Animal Welfare Act. Legitimate sources are USDA-licensed Class A dealers or breeders; municipal pounds that choose to release dogs and cats for research purposes; legitimate pet owners who want to donate their animals to research; and private and federal facilities that breed their own animals. These four sources are capable of supplying millions of animals for research, far more cats and dogs than are required by current laboratory demand. Furthermore, at least in the case of using municipal pounds, research laboratories could save money since pound animals cost only a few dollars compared to $200 and $500 per animal charged by random animal dealers. The National Institutes of Health, in an effort to curb abuse and deception, has already adopted policies against the acquisition of dogs and cats from random source dealers. The Pet Protection and Safety Act also reduces the Department of Agriculture's regulatory burden by allowing the Department to use its resources more efficiently and effectively. Each year, hundreds of thousands of dollars are spent on regulating 40 random source dealers. To combat any future violations of the Animal Welfare Act, the Pet Protection and Safety Act increases the penalties under the Act to a minimum of $1,000 per violation.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Madam President, it is with great pleasure that I take the floor today to speak on behalf of Ms. Susan Oki Mollway, the President's nominee to the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii. I wholeheartedly support Ms. Mollway, who, if confirmed, will fill the fourth seat on the Hawaii court. I also want to join with the remarks of my senior Senator, who eloquently and passionately spoke about Susan Oki Mollway and her family. He also spoke about our interviewing her for this position and how impressed we were with her caliber, the kind of person that she is. I also want to thank chairman Orrin Hatch of Utah for his support and for reporting this out of committee, and also Senator Pat Leahy, the ranking member from Vermont on the committee, and members of the committee for reporting this nominee out to the floor. I also want to thank our majority leader, Trent Lott of Mississippi, for permitting it to be on the floor today. This has been a long journey for us. This position has been vacant since the untimely passing of Judge Harold Fong in April of 1995. As the senior Senator from Hawaii noted, the caseload in the District of Hawaii continues to increase. This has been very, very difficult for Hawaii. The recently adjusted 1997 Federal Court Management Statistics Report found that the U.S. District Court, District of Hawaii, is the eighth busiest court out of 91 in the country, and the third busiest in the ninth circuit. Therefore, it is critical that the vacancy on the Hawaii court is filled. Senator Inouye and I believe that Susan Oki Mollway is the most qualified candidate for this position. Ms. Mollway enjoys the highest rating of ``well qualified'' from the majority of the American Bar Association's Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary. To quote some of her colleagues in Hawaii, ``We have come to know her as a highly ethical, careful, dedicated, intelligent, articulate, caring, and energetic lawyer.'' Ms. Mollway is known for her professional skills, her sense of ethics, and a moral compassion-- qualities needed for service on the Federal bench. Senator Inouye has already recounted Ms. Mollway's education, professional, and family background. However, I do wish to point out that, as a Harvard Law School graduate, she could have stayed on the mainland like so many of Hawaii's young people. Instead, she returned to Hawaii, the home of her parents, where she joined one of Honolulu's best-known law firms --Cades Schutte Fleming & Wright. As a specialist in civil litigation, Ms. Mollway handles a wide range of cases and has appeared before every level of the State and Federal courts, including a successful appearance before the U.S. Supreme Court in 1994. Ms. Mollway has responded fully to those who have questioned her on her former position on the board of directors of the Hawaii chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union. Senator Inouye has mentioned this about her. Prior to her board membership, the ACLU-Hawaii filed a friend of the court brief in support of plaintiffs in the Hawaii same- sex marriage case. Although she was aware of ACLU-Hawaii's position and activities in the same-sex marriage case, as a board member Susan Mollway was never called on to play an active role. Furthermore, Ms. Mollway understands that her personal opinions are not relevant to the decisions she would make as a Federal judge. She has stated that she recognizes the authority of the Constitution, Federal statutes as passed by the Congress, and case precedent from higher courts as the judicial guidelines to follow in court deliberation. I believe my colleagues will agree with me that Susan Mollway's credentials are impressive. She is an individual of the highest integrity, whose dedication to her profession is admired by all. I am pleased to lend my support to Ms. Mollway and urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this nominee whose confirmation will bring the U.S. District Court in Hawaii to its full complement. Mr. SESSIONS addressed the Chair.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I am very pleased to be joining Senator Kempthorne and Senator Cleland, chairman and ranking member of the Subcommittee on Personnel, in offering an amendment to the 1999 Defense Authorization Act that would waive current statutory time limitations for award of the Distinguished Service Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Distinguished Service Medal to certain deserving veterans. Mr. President, I am especially pleased that this amendment will enable the Department of the Army to award the Distinguished Service Medal (DSM), our third-highest award after the Medal of Honor and Distinguished Service Cross, to the late Lt. Colonel Richard Motoso Sakakida of Fremont, California. The award would honor Colonel Sakakida's meritorious service as an Army intelligence officer and undercover agent in the Philippines during World War II. Colonel Sakakida, a second-generation Japanese American and former Hawaii native, was recruited by Army military intelligence well before the attack on Pearl Harbor to conduct undercover activities in the Philippines. Then-Sergeant Sakakida served in the Philippines from 1941 to 1945, first as a covert operative spying on the Japanese community, subsequently as a military intelligence staffer for General MacArthur, and still later, after giving up a seat on an escape aircraft to a fellow nisei, as the only Japanese American prisoner of war captured by the Japanese during that conflict. While a POW, Sakakida was subjected to severe torture--beatings, dislocation of his shoulders, and cigarette burns--by the feared Japanese secret police, the kempeitai, without revealing his covert status. After gaining the trust of his captors and assigned menial tasks in the Judge Advocate's office of the Japanese 14th Army, he was able to purloin vital military intelligence, including information on troop movements. He reported this information to General MacArthur's headquarters in Australia via a secret courier service that he helped establish comprising Filipino guerrillas. Some of the information he conveyed to the Allies in this way may have contributed to the destruction of a Japanese naval task force. He also took advantage of his position to aid secretly a number of Allied prisoners of war who were being held there for trial for attempting to escape; Sakakida smuggled food to them and imaginatively interpreted for them during their trials. One of these men, a naval officer who would later become an Oklahoma supreme court justice, asserted that he escaped execution only through Sakakida's intervention and assistance during his trial. During this period, Sakakida engaged in perhaps his most daring exploit, the jailbreak of hundreds of Filipino guerrillas from a Japanese prison. Disguised in a stolen Japanese officer's uniform, he managed to free the guerrilla leader Ernest Tupas and hundreds of other imprisoned fighters, who later augmented his intelligence pipeline to MacArthur. Yet, despite the opportunity for escape that was offered on this and other occasions, Sakakida chose to remain a prisoner of war in order to continue his undercover work. After American forces invaded the Philippines, Sakakida escaped from the retreating Japanese forces at Baguio. During a firefight between American and Japanese troops, he suffered shrapnel wounds in the stomach. For the next several months Sakakida wandered alone in the jungle, living off the land, debilitated by his injuries. He finally happened upon American troops, whom he eventually convinced of his identity. At that point, he was informed that the war was over. After the war, Sakakida served with the War Crimes Tribunal, obtaining information on war crimes committed by the Japanese in the Philippines. He later transferred to the Air Force, where he led a long and distinguished career with the Office of Special Investigations. Mr. President, aside from a Purple Heart Award and Prisoner of War Medal, Colonel Sakakida has yet to be honored with an official U.S. military decoration for his amazing service in the Philippines. There are a number of reasons for this oversight, but most are attributable to the official secrecy surrounding his work, which prevented his story from being recognized for what it was until it was too late to consider him for an appropriate decoration. When his accomplishments at last came to light at a veterans convention in 1991, some of Sakakida's supporters, including myself, sought to have him considered for a high award for valor; however, the Army refused to consider any award applications in Sakakida's behalf on the basis that the statutory application deadlines for these awards had expired. After numerous failed attempts to waive these rules, an opportunity recently presented itself to seek equity for Sakakida under a new provision of law (section 526 of Public Law 104-106) that requires the military services to review the merits of an application for an award, regardless of any statutory time restrictions, if a member of Congress submits such an application. Under the measure, if the military determines that such an award is merited, it may request a waiver from Congress to make the award. Last March, pursuant to section 526, I asked the Army to review Sakakida's record to determine if he deserved the DSM. In May, the Army responded positively to the request and officially recommended that Congress grant the late veteran a waiver from all time limits pertaining to the award. The amendment that Senator Kempthorne, Senator Cleland, and I are offering would effectively grant this waiver, clearing the way for the Army to confer the DSM on this amazing individual. Mr. President, for the late Colonel Sakakida and his wife Cherry, this day has been long in the making. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment to ensure that a true American hero can receive his due, albeit posthumously. This award means a great deal not only to his widow, but to the entire Japanese American community and all those who honor military service to their country. Should this amendment become law, I would like to recognize the many nisei veterans, including members of the all-nisei Military Intelligence Service, and other supporters whose enthusiasm sustained Sakakida's case. I would also like to single out the efforts of three individuals without whose hard work the Army would never have considered Sakakida's case: Wayne Kiyosaki, who wrote the definitive biography of Colonel Sakakida; Ted Tsukiyama, who served as a key historical resource; and, most importantly, Colonel Harry Fukuhara, whose tireless advocacy in behalf of the late hero reflects his own dedicated service to his nation. Mr. President, I appreciate the assistance of Senator Kempthorne, Senator Cleland, and Charlie Abell of the Personnel Subcommittee staff for their support and guidance on this matter. I eagerly await the day when Colonel Sakakida's accomplishments are officially recognized by the U.S. Army.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Thank you, Mr. President. (The remarks of Mr. Akaka pertaining to the introduction of S. 2181 are located in today's Record under ``Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions.'')

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I yield back my time. Mr. THOMAS addressed the Chair.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, the Senate is engaged in an historic debate over tobacco control legislation. This bill is the most important public health issue of the decade. Yet, it appears that we are losing sight of the foremost purpose of the bill. If this bill was a Christmas tree, its branches would be drooping to the floor because of the weight of the unrelated amendments. These extraneous amendments were added at the insistence of the majority to broaden the appeal of the legislation. Yet, critics of the bill cite these amendments as reasons to topple the tree. First, a majority of Senators voted to strip the liability provisions from the tobacco bill. With this vote, we lost a powerful incentive for the tobacco companies to accept provisions of the bill that require their consent. Industry cooperation is critically important to a comprehensive national tobacco policy, and to obtain voluntary acceptance of the sweeping advertising restrictions. As my colleagues know, advertising is one of the most important factors in attracting young people to tobacco products, and restrictions on advertising must be a central component of the efforts to reduce youth tobacco consumption. Industry acceptance will also be essential to the lock-back provisions that will penalize companies that fail to meet youth tobacco reduction targets. The majority then passed an amendment to divert $2 billion from public health initiatives into programs having nothing to do with tobacco. This amendment takes money allocated to public health and puts it into drug interdiction, the Coast Guard, education vouchers, and a multitude of other items. We have abandoned the fundamental objective of this public health legislation. The Senate then approved an amendment providing a massive tax cut to reduce the marriage penalty and increase the deductibility of health insurance for the self-employed. These provisions not only strip huge sums from the bill, but also take funds from the general treasury in future years. As a result, the majority of my colleagues voted to weaken the Social Security system for future generations. Money that would have been used to reduce the incidence of youth smoking will instead be used to finance a tax cut. Make no mistake about it, this action severely hampers the effectiveness of the programs designed to reduce tobacco use. The money stripped from the bill would have paid for core public health initiatives such as health research, counter advertising, and smoking cessation and education programs. We are losing sight of the grim statistics on youth tobacco consumption that have been repeated here on a daily basis. Every day, 3,000 kids become smokers. One third will die to tobacco related diseases. We have an obligation to act. Despite my strong objections to these changes, we must pass a measure out of the Senate and allow the process to continue. The bill retains provisions that address the problems of youth tobacco consumption. For example, the tobacco price increase in the bill should dramatically reduce the number of kids who begin smoking and who may ultimately die from smoking related diseases. Statistics show that for every ten cents added to the price of cigarettes, approximately 700,000 fewer teens will being smoking and more than 200,000 premature deaths will be avoided. The bill also provides for a national counter-advertising campaign aimed at discouraging young people from using tobacco products. It also funds health research at the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and state and local tobacco education and prevention programs. Two other components of the bill that will have a large impact on our efforts were added during floor consideration. The first is the increased investment of funds into early childhood development and after-school activities. The second is the strengthening of the look- back provisions which hold individual tobacco companies responsible for their portion of the youth market. Mr. President, the Senate still has a landmark opportunity to save the lives of future generations. If this effort is defeated it will show that the majority bowed to the tobacco industry and sold out the youth of America. tobacco warehouse

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce legislation that would permanently authorize the Department of Veterans Affairs Home Loan Guaranty Program for members of the Selected Reserve. The eligibility of National Guard and Reserve members for VA- guaranteed home loans will expire in October 1999. I believe that Section 3702 of Title 38, which allows Guard and Reserve members who complete 6 years of service to participate in the loan program, should be made permanent. The law extending eligibility for the VA Home Loan Guaranty Program to these service members was enacted in 1992 with bipartisan support in the Senate and in the House. As the sponsor of the original bill, I am pleased with the participation of Guard and Reserve members in the program, and am committed to ensuring that their eligibility for this program continues beyond the sunset date. With the downsizing of our active duty military forces, Guard and Reserve units are becoming an increasingly vital element of the total force. However, there are very few incentives to get qualified individuals to serve our country in the Selected Reserve. The VA Home Loan Guaranty Program for National Guard and Reserve members is an excellent incentive to join and remain in the Selected Reserve. Since the VA Home Loan Guaranty Program for Guard and Reserve members began in October 1992, the VA has guaranteed more than 33,000 loans through fiscal year 1996. In 1996 alone, approximately 11,000 loans totalling over $1 billion were made. According to the VA, only 93 out of all loans made to Reservists have been foreclosed upon, for a minimal default rate of about 0.4 percent. By comparison, the foreclosure rate for loans made to other veterans was two and one-half times higher than the rate for Reservists. Furthermore, 67 percent of loans to Reservists guaranteed by the VA in fiscal year 1996 were to first time home buyers, compared to 56 percent of loans to other veterans. As the statistics on VA-guaranteed home loans indicate, the inclusion of Guard and Reserve members actually stabilizes the financial viability of he program since this group is likely to have a lower default rate than other veterans. Reservists are generally an older, more mature, and stable group with established civilian jobs and ties to local communities. Mr. President, it is clear that the VA Home Loan Guaranty Program is not only good for members of the Selected Reserve, it is also beneficial for the VA Home Guaranty Program. Furthermore, the local economies where the homes are purchased also benefit from this program. So, therefore, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation. Passage of this measure will ensure that the program continues to be made available to National Guard and Reserve members who have served our country. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of my bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce legislation that would permanently authorize the Department of Veterans Affairs Home Loan Guaranty Program for members of the Selected Reserve. The eligibility of National Guard and Reserve members for VA- guaranteed home loans will expire in October 1999. I believe that Section 3702 of Title 38, which allows Guard and Reserve members who complete 6 years of service to participate in the loan program, should be made permanent. The law extending eligibility for the VA Home Loan Guaranty Program to these service members was enacted in 1992 with bipartisan support in the Senate and in the House. As the sponsor of the original bill, I am pleased with the participation of Guard and Reserve members in the program, and am committed to ensuring that their eligibility for this program continues beyond the sunset date. With the downsizing of our active duty military forces, Guard and Reserve units are becoming an increasingly vital element of the total force. However, there are very few incentives to get qualified individuals to serve our country in the Selected Reserve. The VA Home Loan Guaranty Program for National Guard and Reserve members is an excellent incentive to join and remain in the Selected Reserve. Since the VA Home Loan Guaranty Program for Guard and Reserve members began in October 1992, the VA has guaranteed more than 33,000 loans through fiscal year 1996. In 1996 alone, approximately 11,000 loans totalling over $1 billion were made. According to the VA, only 93 out of all loans made to Reservists have been foreclosed upon, for a minimal default rate of about 0.4 percent. By comparison, the foreclosure rate for loans made to other veterans was two and one-half times higher than the rate for Reservists. Furthermore, 67 percent of loans to Reservists guaranteed by the VA in fiscal year 1996 were to first time home buyers, compared to 56 percent of loans to other veterans. As the statistics on VA-guaranteed home loans indicate, the inclusion of Guard and Reserve members actually stabilizes the financial viability of he program since this group is likely to have a lower default rate than other veterans. Reservists are generally an older, more mature, and stable group with established civilian jobs and ties to local communities. Mr. President, it is clear that the VA Home Loan Guaranty Program is not only good for members of the Selected Reserve, it is also beneficial for the VA Home Guaranty Program. Furthermore, the local economies where the homes are purchased also benefit from this program. So, therefore, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation. Passage of this measure will ensure that the program continues to be made available to National Guard and Reserve members who have served our country. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of my bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, today marks the centennial of the Philippines' independence from Spain and also the 100th anniversary of Philippine-American relations. I urge my colleagues to reflect upon our friendly relationship with the Filipino people and their Republic. The Sun and Stars, the flag of the Republic of the Philippines, has once again been unfurled on the same balcony where General Emilio Aguinaldo declared the country's independence, overthrowing 300 years of Spanish colonization on June 12, 1898. With that act by General Aguinaldo, Filipinos earned the distinct honor of being the first indigenous people in Asia to wrest their freedom and independence by force of arms from their European colonial masters. The Philippine Centennial is a toast to the Filipino spirit, to the rebirth of a courageous nation, to Asia's first republic and constitutional democracy, and to a glorious and progressive future for the Filipino Nation. There is no better time than now to recognize the enduring friendship between our two countries. It is a friendship which flourished despite tragic beginnings in a conflict first with the Spanish in 1898, and subsequently with Filipino independence fighters. But we moved beyond that struggle and worked diligently to grant full Philippine independence in 1946. During World War II, Filipino troops fought bravely side-by-side with American forces and Filipino guerrilla fighters were indispensable in the liberation of the Philippines from Japanese occupation. The Philippines continued, even after independence, to be America's most important ally in Asia, again contributing troops to the Korean conflict and to the Vietnam war. We owe a debt of gratitude, if not more, to our Filipino friends. We rejoiced when the peaceful ``people power'' revolution restored democracy to the Philippines twelve years ago. Presidents Corazon Aquino and Fidel Ramos established a democratic government and instituted market-based reforms which placed the Philippines-- politically and economically--on a strong foundation for the 21st century. I am confidant that newly elected President, Joseph Estrada, will continue to nurture these reforms. The Multilateral Aid Initiative for the Philippines that Congress launched following the ``people power'' revolution was an effort not only to demonstrate support for Filipino democracy but also to show our lasting commitment to an enduring relationship with the Philippines. This continues to be the basis for our policy, and it is instructive that during the current Asian financial crisis the Philippines has escaped the worst effects of the crisis. The United States continues to be the largest trading partner and foreign investor in the Philippines. One-third of Philippines' exports come to America. Two-way trade between our two countries exceeds $12 billion. Today, all Americans should honor our good friendship with the Philippines on this important commemoration of their independence, support their continued political and economic progress, and work to maintain the special and close relationship between our sister democracies. The Philippines has clearly become a positive role model for its Asian neighbors. Mr. President, because of the deep and enduring ties that have tradionally bound the people of the Philippines and the United States together, I strongly urge our colleagues to adopt S. Res. 235, a resolution commemorating 100 years of friendly relations between the people of the United States and the Philippines. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution and the preamble be agreed to, en bloc, and that the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table.

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the Foreign Relations Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 235 and that the Senate then proceed to its immediate consideration.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, it is with great pride that I rise today to honor the students, teachers, staff, administrators, parents, and supporters of Kaimuki Intermediate School from Kaimuki, O'hau for their achievement in receiving the prestigious Blue Ribbon Schools award. This year, Kaimuki Intermediate School was one of the schools selected from hundreds of secondary schools across the nation to receive this award. It is a reflection of the administration's, teachers', and staff's determination to provide an excellent educational environment for their students. The U.S. Department of Education presents the Blue Ribbon Schools award to schools that have excelled in leadership, community involvement, environmental awareness, and a continuous desire to overcome the barriers that impede a quality education. This award is one of the most prestigious educational awards in the nation. Schools that receive this recognition provide a challenging education for their students, strive to maintain a clean and healthy environment, develop and maintain family relations, and recruit and maintain high caliber teachers. Mr. President, it is no surprise that Kaimuki Intermediate School, which challenges students academically, has been chosen for such an honor. Students are given numerous opportunities to expand their interests and talents by participating in committees, including School Community Based Management (SCBM) and the Student Activities Council (SAC). These committees enable students to participate in the administrative process of their education and allow them to contribute ideas to improve school activities and develop ideas that could further benefit their education. The students at Kaimuki Intermediate School have had many accomplishments. One student traveled to Washington, D.C., to compete in the national math competition. The eighth grade girls basketball team won first place in their league, and other students participate in a wide range of activities like intermural and extramural sports, band, and math competitions. Indeed, Kaimuki Intermediate School has excelled in their effort to provide students with a well rounded education. Mr. President, I am proud to rise today to recognize everyone who has contributed to making this award a reality, and congratulate the faculty and staff and, most importantly, the students of Kaimuki Intermediate School for a job well done.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I rise today to congratulate the students from Lahainaluna High School from Lahaina, Maui, who recently came to Washington, D.C., to participate in the national competition of We the People . . . The Citizens and the Constitution. As you may know, We the People . . . The Citizen and the Constitution is a civic education program which seeks to develop young students into enlightened and capable citizens who understand and promote responsible participation in our democratic process. Students learn the history and principles behind our constitutional democracy through the use of the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. These young students competed against 49 other classes from across the Nation, demonstrating a youthful and enthusiastic interest in the fundamental ideas that are imperative for gaining a better understanding of our government. We the People is not only a competitive event, but it is also the most extensive civics program to reach more than 26 million students from elementary, middle, and high schools across the country. I would like to recognize these fine students for their accomplishments: Iao Eisenberg, Tiffany Fujiwara, Jasmine Hentz, Erin Lockhard, William Myers, Leah Nakamura, Ryan Ott, Michael Prieto, Julie Reed, Sal Saribay, Justin Serrano, Jeffrey Shelton, Yee Ning Tay, and Kerri Tsubaki. I would also like to acknowledge the contributions of their teacher, Mrs. Ruth E. Hill, and the District and State Coordinators, Ms. Jane Kinoshita and Ms. Sharon Kaohi, respectively. Without their dedication and leadership, our students would be unable to participate in this important program. Mr. President, I commend all the students and teachers who participated in this program, and particularly the students of Lahainaluna High School who represented Hawaii in the national competition. It is always heartwarming to see students actively engaged in the learning process. I wish the students and teacher of Lahainaluna High School the best as they continue to pursue their future endeavors.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I rise to pay tribute to the 27th Infantry Regiment ``Wolfhounds'' for their 50 year relationship with the children of Holy Family Home of Osaka, Japan. This relationship is a symbol of the friendship and cooperation we have with the Japanese people. It has played an integral part in our lasting relationship with Japan and is a story that deserves to be told. Fifty years ago, Catholic nuns from the Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul stood hopeless in the streets of a battered, war-torn Osaka, Japan, selling buttons and trinkets to the incoming occupation force soldiers in exchange for food. They were trying to keep orphaned children, who were living in abandoned, shabby, cold barracks, alive during most difficult conditions. Several Wolfhound regiment soldiers, including my friend Sergeant Hugh O'Reilly, saw the sisters' dedication and dilemma and took the news back to their headquarters. The men quickly organized to provide relief for the children. Over the next few months, the soldiers used materials from the occupation forces to build facilities, collected money to feed the children, and began to cement this lasting relationship. Interested in doing more for the orphanage, Sgt. O'Reilly coordinated support from his unit for the Christmas holiday of 1949. This marked the beginning of the current relationship. Later, Sgt. O'Reilly began collecting money on a regular basis to improve living conditions for the children. Every week the collection grew, eventually averaging $3,000 a month. When the 27th Infantry deployed to Korea in 1950 the collections continued, to the surprise of the Sisters of Charity. The funds received during the years of occupation duty and the Korean conflict helped build the orphanage complex that greatly improved the lives of the children. The 27th Infantry's generosity to the orphanage brought much public attention to the unique relationship the regiment had with the orphanage. In 1955, Hollywood produced the film ``Three Stripes in the Sun,'' which detailed Sgt. O'Reilly's efforts to assist the orphanage. In 1957, the Wolfhounds invited two children from the orphanage to come to Schofield Barracks in Hawaii, thus beginning the tradition that continues to this day. This month, on June 8, two more orphans will be making their first trip to Hawaii. Another tradition began the following year, when the Wolfhounds sent two ``Soldiers of the Year'' to the orphanage during Christmas to act as ``Father Christmas.'' They visited the orphanage in Osaka, bringing gifts and companionship during the holidays. These visits have been made possible largely by the generosity of a special individual, Mr. Akio Aoyama, an industrial leader in Japan. He recognized the benefits of improved United States-Japan relations that the orphans' relationship with the American regiment would foster. He has donated $10,000 each year to help offset the costs of travel, lodging, and other functions during the orphans' annual pilgrimage to the Wolfhounds in Hawaii. Sgt. O'Reilly is the Wolfhounds honorary sergeant major and lives in Hawaii with his wife, whom he met at the orphanage. I would like to thank and commend him and the Wolfhounds for their untiring dedication and love for the children of Holy Family Home. Whether it be defending our country during times of war or promoting goodwill in peace, I know the soldiers of the 27th Infantry Regiment will endure. We all say thank you for a job well done and wish you continued success in the future.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, in behalf of myself and Senator Dan Inouye, I am introducing legislation today that would enable the National Park Service to acquire a valuable parcel of land at the southern tip of the Island of Hawaii for inclusion in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (HVNP). My bill, which is supported by the Administration, would revise HVNP's enabling act to allow the Secretary of the Interior to use appropriated funds to acquire a certain 1,951-acre tract of privately held land on the southern boundaries of the park. HVNP's existing statutory authority precludes the acquisition of additional contiguous properties except by donation. Mr. President, the small parcel of land that the Park Service wishes to acquire is clearly defined by the ``Great Crack,'' a landform which extends to the summit of the Kilauea Caldera and is characterized by extensive pili grasslands. The area contains historic and prehistoric lava flows with related geological features, major lava tube systems of significant biological and cultural value, and over two miles of coastal environment with associated cultural sites and marine resources. Located adjacent to HVNP's designated Wilderness Area, one of the most remote areas of the wilderness in Hawaii, the proposed acquisition would be managed as undeveloped land sharing the same wilderness qualities of natural quiet, grand vistas, and solitude. Mr. President, the acquisition of this parcel will significantly enhance the environmental and cultural values of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. I hope that my colleagues will support this measure. Thank you, Mr. President. I ask unanimous consent that the full text of my bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, in behalf of myself and Senator Dan Inouye, I am introducing legislation today that would enable the National Park Service to acquire a valuable parcel of land at the southern tip of the Island of Hawaii for inclusion in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (HVNP). My bill, which is supported by the Administration, would revise HVNP's enabling act to allow the Secretary of the Interior to use appropriated funds to acquire a certain 1,951-acre tract of privately held land on the southern boundaries of the park. HVNP's existing statutory authority precludes the acquisition of additional contiguous properties except by donation. Mr. President, the small parcel of land that the Park Service wishes to acquire is clearly defined by the ``Great Crack,'' a landform which extends to the summit of the Kilauea Caldera and is characterized by extensive pili grasslands. The area contains historic and prehistoric lava flows with related geological features, major lava tube systems of significant biological and cultural value, and over two miles of coastal environment with associated cultural sites and marine resources. Located adjacent to HVNP's designated Wilderness Area, one of the most remote areas of the wilderness in Hawaii, the proposed acquisition would be managed as undeveloped land sharing the same wilderness qualities of natural quiet, grand vistas, and solitude. Mr. President, the acquisition of this parcel will significantly enhance the environmental and cultural values of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. I hope that my colleagues will support this measure. Thank you, Mr. President. I ask unanimous consent that the full text of my bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. I thank the Chair. (The remarks of Mr. Akaka pertaining to the submission of S. Res. 235 are located in today's Record under ``Submission of Concurrent and Senate Resolutions.'')

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, before we break for the Memorial Day recess, I would like to remark on the celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and to honor the contributions Asian Pacific Americans have made to our country. Mr. President, the scope of the celebration has expanded every year since 1992, when President Bush signed Public Law 102-450 designating May of every year as ``Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.'' In Washington, D.C., and in cities all around the nation, schools, community organizations, cultural groups, and government agencies are commemorating the occasion with film festivals, conferences, cultural shows, museum exhibits, political forums, and a multitude of other activities. Americans of Asian and Pacific Islander descent number 10 million and that figure continues to rise. Asian Pacific Americans represent a broad range of ethnic groups. Their histories are as diverse as the lands of their origin. The earliest immigrants--Chinese, Japanese, Asian Indians, Koreans, and Filipinos--and the most recent refugees-- Vietnamese, Laotians, and Cambodians--all experienced similar, yet unique journeys as they crossed the Pacific to venture to a new land of opportunity. Opportunities, however, were not as plentiful as they would have hoped. From the Chinese Exclusion Laws, which restricted immigration on a racial basis, to Executive Order 9066, which resulted in the internment of more than 110,000 Japanese Americans and their immigrant relatives, life in America, at times, proved to be a nightmare rather than the promised American Dream. But despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles, these early intrepid immigrants toiled and sacrificed in order to make this country their own and to preserve the American dream for their American children. They helped build our railroads, labored on our farms, worked endless factory hours, and formed the backbone of many small businesses. Today, even more so than in the past, Asian Pacific Americans contribute to every sector of our society. They are in corporate board rooms, scientific laboratories, universities, Congress, statehouses, the judiciary, government agencies, the performing arts, and sports. They are architects like I.M. Pei, scientists like AIDS researcher David Ho, statesmen like Senator Dan Inouye, writers like journalist Iris Chang, musicians like conductor Zubin Mehta, filmmakers like Chris Tashima, sports heroes like Tiger Woods, and warriors like General Eric Shinseki. Unfortunately, the scope and ubiquity of Asian Pacific accomplishments are often overshadowed by insensitive acts directed against members of the community. For example, during last year's investigation of campaign finance abuses, the distinction between foreign donors and Asian American donors was frequently blurred by members of both political parties and the media. While investigations focused on contributions made to the Democratic National Committee by foreign donors, legitimate American donors were unduly interrogated and harassed simply because their surnames happened to sound ``foreign.'' For their part, the media, including major newspapers, networks, and magazines, often confused ``Asian'' with ``Asian American'' in their stories and headlines on the donor controversy, though they never seemed to confuse ``European'' with Americans of European extraction. The media's inability to distinguish between foreigners and citizens contributed to the stereotypical impression that there is a nefarious ``connection'' between all Asians and Asian Americans. This bias was in more recent evidence just after Michelle Kwan and Tara Lipinski honored America by winning the silver and gold Olympic figure skating medals, respectively. Immediately after the event, the internet website of NBC's cable affiliate, MSNBC, contained the headline, ``American Beats Out Kwan for Women's Figure Skating Title.'' As we all know, both Lipinski and Kwan are Americans. But the difference between the two champions, in the eyes of MSNBC's editors, was their skin color, making one ``more'' American than the other. Mr. President, instances like these remind us that Asian Pacific Americans, whatever their achievements, whatever their contributions to the nation, are still perceived as foreigners, whether fifth or first generation. These unfortunate incidents are reminders that as a nation we still have a long journey ahead of us on the road to tolerance and mutual understanding. But I would be remiss if I did not also point out that there have also been a number of developments that have helped advance the Asian Pacific community's quest to become fully accepted members of American society. I would like to take this opportunity to highlight two notable events which occurred during this month's celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, events that I hope reflect a growing understanding of, and appreciation for, Asian Pacific Americans by fellow Americans. First, last Saturday, a ceremony celebrating the designation of Angel Island as a National Historic Landmark was held in San Francisco. Located in San Francisco Bay, Angel Island Immigration Station served as an immigration processing station for many West Coast immigrants between 1910 and 1940. Most of the immigrants entering through Angel Island were Chinese, but a sizable portion of the immigrants came from Japan, the Philippines, and Europe as well. However, the Chinese experience was vastly different from that of other immigrants, regardless of which port of entry they entered through. Subject to a series of Chinese exclusion laws beginning in 1882, Chinese immigrants could only enter the United States under the ``exempt class.'' Instead of a welcoming atmosphere, these Chinese were subjected to days, weeks, months, and even years of hostile interrogation before being admitted to the U.S. or being deported back to China. They languished in prison- like conditions at Angel Island until decisions were handed down. In contrast, processing at Ellis Island took an immigrant, on average, three to five hours. Angel Island Immigration Station closed in 1940 after processing over 175,000 Chinese immigrants. In 1970, a state park ranger discovered scores of poems beautifully carved into the wooden walls of the detention barracks, evidently composed by its onetime Chinese and Japanese resident. In one poem, a prospective Chinese immigrant wrote: Every one says traveling to North America is a pleasure. I suffered misery on the ship and sadness in the wooden building. After several interrogations, still I am not done. I sigh because my compatriots are being forcibly detained. Another wrote Originally, I had intended to come to America last year. Lack of money delayed me until early autumn. It was on the day that the Weaver Maiden met the Cowherd. That I took passage on the President Lincoln. I ate wind and tasted waves for more than twenty days. Fortunately, I arrived safety on the American continent. I thought I could land in a few days. How was I to know I would become a prisoner suffering in the wooden building? The barbarians abuse is really difficult to take. When my family's circumstances stir my emotions, a double stream of tears flow. I only wish I can land in San Francisco soon, Thus sparing me this additional sorrow here. These poignant works reveal the hardships these immigrants endured; but, more importantly, they also revealed hopes and desires that are universal to the American story. This story is work preserving, whether it is the experience of the Irish of Boston, the Italians of New York City, the African Americans of Savannah, the Mexicans of El Paso, or the Cambodians of Long Beach. I would like to congratulate the Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation, the Chinese Historical Society of America, the California Department of Parks and Recreation, and the many other community organizations and individuals who worked tirelessly to procure National Historic Landmark status for Angel Island. It is my hope the new designation will help preserve a significant experience in the lives of Asian Pacific immigrants, on that will also resonate with the universal immigration experience of all Americans. The second promising development that occurred this month was the announcement by Hasbro Toys, the company, which manufactures ``G.I. Joe,'' that it will be creating a Japanese American G.I. Joe, as part of its G.I. Joe Classics Collection. The action figure will honor the Japanese Americans who fought valiantly for our country during World War II. My colleagues will recall that as members of the famed 100th Infantry Battalion/442nd Regimental Combat Team, Japanese American soldiers suffered unparalleled casualties in the French and Italian campaigns. Many veterans today still recall the heroism of this fighting unit, which during one famous engagement sustained 800 casualties to save the lives of some 200 members of a Texas battalion who were facing certain annihilation by German troops. The 442nd emerged as one of the most decorated units in our nation's military history, among its more famous members is Senator Daniel Inouye, whose heroism earned him the Distinguished Service Cross. Aside from their military prowess, what was even more remarkable about these brave men was the fact that they were fighting for a country which was, in essence, holding their families hostage in internment camps. One of the darkest chapters of our nation's history was the forced evacuation of over 110,000 Japanese Americans into internment camps. And so I am very pleased that a toy company, which markets to our most important community, our children, has dispensed with typical marketing values to honor America's home-grown Asian Pacific American heroes. For ultimately, only change in our cultural values will have transformational effect on race and ethnic relations as we approach the next millennium. Mr. President, I am Native Hawaiian and I am Chinese, but above all I am American. I have embraced all of my identities and hope that others can learn to embrace and cherish our inherent diversity. It is my sincere hope that as we celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, each and every citizen will reflect on our nation's multiple heritages and appreciate the relationship between our racial and ethnic diversity and the unity that binds us together as Americans. I yield the floor. Mr. ENZI addressed the Chair.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, today I am submitting a resolution to commemorate 100 years of relations between the people of the United States and the people of the Philippines. It is especially fitting for Congress to recognize our special relationship with the Philippines because this year is also the centennial of Philippine independence from Spain. Senators Helms, Biden, Thomas, Inouye, Roth, Lugar, Boxer, Cochran, Coverdale, and Murray have joined me in submitting the resolution. Our country's friendship with the Philippines began in 1898, a year which also marked a growing U.S. interest in the Pacific region. Over the years, the Philippines has modeled its governmental institutions after the United States and has demonstrated a growing commitment to democracy, human rights, and a free market economy. Until the end of the Cold War, the United States maintained major military facilities in the Philippines, which played a significant role in preserving regional peace and stability. The United States has important strategic, economic, and political interests in Southeast Asia and regional stability remains an overriding U.S. concern. To this end, Filipino soldiers have stood shoulder to shoulder with American troops on the battlefields of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam to protect and advance mutual interest. Today, the Philippines remains an important partner in guarding the peace and maintaining stability in Southeast Asia. In the twelve years since the peaceful ``people power'' revolution restored democracy to the Philippines, President Aquino and Ramos established a democratic government and instituted market-based reforms which placed the Philippines--politically and economically--on a strong foundation for the 21st century. Economic growth exceeded 6 percent last year and is forecast to grow at 3 percent in 1998. In many ways the Philippines has emerged as a model for her Asian neighbors. Political stability and democratic institutions were strengthened by free market and trade reforms. In turn, deregulation, lower tariffs and government debt, financial transparency, and respect for the rule of law provide a healthy economic foundation for the Philippine's future. It was not long ago that the Philippine economy was far behind the economic tigers of Asia. The Filipino people's love of democracy and political vitality were blamed in large part for this circumstance. Critics cited the absence of so-called ``Asian values'' in the Philippines, namely a willingness to make democracy secondary to prosperity and order. History has proven these commentators wrong, and today the Filipino model inspires advocates of democracy throughout Asia. Stability relies upon democracy and prudent economic policies. Last month when President Clinton and President Ramos met at the White House they reaffirmed the friendship between our nations. The leaders promised to continue close cooperation in responding to the Asian financial situation and conducted a frank discussion on bilateral issues, including remediation efforts at the former Subic and Clark bases and benefit parity for Filipino-American veterans. During this special year in which we observe the centennial of our relationship with the Philippines and the centennial of their independence, we have much to celebrate. First, we recognize the valuable contributions of Filipino-Americans to our nation. Filipino Americans helped to build and create the modern Hawaiian economy and have contributed greatly to the cultural diversity that is celebrated in my state. My good friend, Governor Ben Cayetano, is the first Filipino-American governor in the United States. In addition, we reflect on our close friendship and cooperation with the Philippines in times of war and peace. And finally, we look forward to continued close ties with a democratic and prosperous Republic of the Philippines, as we work together to champion democracy and economic growth in the dawning Pacific century.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I am pleased that the Senate is finally taking action to restructure the IRS. As my colleagues know, the IRS supports operations of the Federal Government by collecting approximately $1.5 trillion in taxes each year. With roughly 102,000 employees and a budget of $7.8 billion, the IRS has a wide variety of programs designed to help taxpayers understand and meet their Federal tax obligations. Given the highly publicized criticism of the agency, let me begin by making a few comments relating to staff of the IRS. I am confident that the majority of the staff at the IRS, whose job it is to enforce federal tax laws, are diligent and competent in their responsibilities. Yet, we need to ensure that this professional staff lives up to a strict code of conduct, especially the supervisors and the regional directors. We must demand that taxpayer complaints about unfair treatment are promptly heard and that abusive IRS employees are dealt with appropriately. No one disagrees that serious reform is needed at the IRS. We in Congress also need to recognize that the complexity of the tax code and the constant changes by Congress add to the taxpayer burden and compound the difficulty of administering the laws we enact. The Senate Finance Committee hearings last week again highlighted serious allegations of abuse by the agency. I was pleased that IRS Commissioner Charles Rossotti raised an important issue that deserves Congressional attention--that of tax evasion. Commissioner Rossotti disclosed that the tax gap, or the amount that taxpayers owe to the Federal Government but fail to pay, is $195 billion annually. Previous estimates indicated that the figure was between $70 billion to $140 billion. I agree with many of my colleagues that we must work together to conduct a review of ``willful non-compliance.'' We also need to maintain public confidence in the ability of the IRS to fight tax evasion. This is one example among a host of serious issues that should be a part of IRS reform. I am presently working with members of the Finance Committee to address an issue which involved IRS non-compliance with provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. Late last year, I was contacted by an IRS compliance officer who described his efforts to ensure proper enforcement by the IRS of the Foreign Investors Real Property Tax Act. After being assigned in 1990 to a special IRS project involving tax compliance of non-resident aliens, the compliance officer identified an internal IRS recordkeeping problem at the Philadelphia center, which hinders IRS collection and enforcement efforts. The compliance officer tried to resolve the matter using the processes available to him in the IRS, but was unsuccessful. This particular problem stems from the absence of an independent process for redress or complaint at the IRS. This recordkeeping failure prevents proper tax assessment and collection, and has resulted in a significant revenue loss. If these facts are correct, and the revenue loss is so great, then personnel actions should be considered for those who are responsible. I raise this issue to illustrate the point that we need greater oversight of the agency. As we work to improve service and responsiveness to taxpayers, we must also strive for an IRS that more effectively administers the tax laws. Mr. President, again, I am pleased that the Senate is moving forward on this critical issue. We must find a way to achieve an effective enforcement agency while ensuring that IRS powers are used responsibly. I believe that the legislation we are considering will move us in this direction. The bill incorporates many of the recommendations of the National Commission on Restructuring the Internal Revenue Service and is designed to enhance taxpayer rights and make the IRS more customer- friendly. I look forward to the debate in the coming days. I yield the floor.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I rise in support of H.R. 1385, the Workforce Investment Partnership Act. I really believe this bill would provide the infrastructure necessary to reform our Federal job training system. Currently, Federal job training programs are a hodgepodge of rules, regulations and requirements, which reflect duplicative agency responsibilities. This unfortunate situation deters employees with good intentions from seeking assistance for those in need. For the past 8 months, my colleagues in the Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee have been working diligently to reform this ineffective system. H.R. 1385 is an ideal bill, a bipartisan bill that will consolidate dozens of programs within the Federal system of vocational and adult education, vocational rehabilitation, and job training programs. It will give states and local governments the flexibility to design training programs that best meet the needs of their communities. It encourages ``One-Stop Customer Service'' centers where applicants and employers may go to inquire about different training and employment opportunities that are available. In the State of Hawaii, efforts are already underway to streamline various workforce-related organizations and programs into a comprehensive system that encompasses economic development, workforce, and education priorities. The Hawaii State Legislature recently consolidated five Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations advisory policy bodies into a single agency, the Hawaii Workforce Development Council. This council is similar to entities in 30 other states. Many of our states have begun the process of consolidation, and it is time that the Federal government provide them with the direction and the resources necessary to complete this process. I thank my colleagues, Senator DeWine, Jeffords, Kennedy, and Wellstone for their efforts in bringing forward this bipartisan compromise for Senate consideration. H.R. 1385 will target Federal funds to those individuals who need it most and to those programs that are proven to be effective. I believe this bill will provide the infrastructure necessary to reform our Federal job training system. The time is now to reform this system, and I am pleased to express my support for this bill.