Wayne Allard

Mr. ALLARD

Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, for the information of all Senators, the Senate will convene at 10 a.m. on Wednesday and be in a period of morning business until 11 a.m. Following morning business, the Senate will begin debate on the legislative branch appropriations bill. It is hoped that an agreement can be made regarding debate time and amendments so that a vote can occur during tomorrow's session of the Senate. There are approximately 40 minutes of debate remaining on executive nominations, with up to six votes to occur tomorrow afternoon. To accommodate the party dinners Wednesday night, votes will occur prior to 6 p.m.

Mr. ALLARD

Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, Saturday, May 20th was Armed Forces Day and I can think of no better time to honor those who serve this great county in the United States military. The millions of active duty personnel who have so unselfishly dedicated their lives to protecting freedom deserve the highest degree of respect and a day of honor. I recently had the privilege of being invited to tour the U.S.S. Enterprise during a training mission off the Florida cost. My experience abroad the Enterprise reminded me of the awesome power and strength of the United States military. But more importantly, it reminded me of the hard work and sacrifice of the men and women serving in our armed forces. The U.S.S. Enterprise was commissioned on Sept. 24, 1960 and was the world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. This incredible ship is the largest carrier in the Naval fleet at 1,123 feet long and 250 feet high. While walking along the 4.47 acre flight deck with Captain James A. Winnefeld, Jr., Commanding Officer, it was amazing to learn that ``The Big E'' remains the fastest combatant in the world. Spending two days touring the Enterprise showed me what a hard working and knowledgeable military force we have. As I moved through the ship I was greeted with enthusiasm, as sailors explained the ship's equipment and their role as part of the Enterprise crew. At full staff, the ``Big E,'' as it is affectionately known, has over 5,000 crew members from every state of the Union, most of whom are between 18 and 24 years old. These young adults are charged with maintaining and operating the largest air craft carrier in the world and guiding multimillion-dollar airplanes as they land on a floating runway. I was in awe of these men and women who work harder and have more responsibility than many people do in a lifetime. ``The Big E'' is a ship that never sleeps, it operates twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. I watched as a handful of tired pilots sat down for `dinner' at 10:30 p.m. on a Sunday night. Hungry and tired, they wanted it no other way. I had the privilege of joining Captain Winnefeld in honoring the `Sailor of the Day' for spending three consecutive days repairing broken machinery, taking only a few 30 minute breaks to sleep. I witnessed the same degree of commitment in a separate part of the ship as an eager technician showed me how the cables on the flight deck operate and are maintained below. His task for the past two days was to create the metal attachment which holds one of the four arresting tailhook cables together and his voice was filled with pride as he explained the entire 8 hour process. Between giving orders to his crew, he pointed out a few tiny air bubbles that formed during the cooling process of the metal attachment. Although he started his shift at 4:30 a.m. and probably won't sleep for the next 24 hours, he smiles and tells me it will be redone, that it must be perfect--the lives of our pilots are at risk if it is not. The amazing thing is, they all do it with a smile. When I think about Armed Forces Day, I think about two events I experienced on the Enterprise. First, are the sailors from across Colorado who sat down for breakfast with me in the enlisted mess hall, who gleamed with pride for the job they do and the important role they play in our nation's defense. Second, was the ``Town Hall meeting'' I held, where I responded to questions and concerns ranging from military health care to Social Security, from members of the crew. These one on one interactions were extremely valuable to me and I learned as much from these events as the crew did. I have never witnessed a more dedicated or hard working group of people than the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise. It makes me proud when I realize that the ``Big E'' crew is representative of the millions of American military personnel throughout the world. Never-mind that many of them could be paid more money for less work in a civilian job, may not get eight hours sleep each night or see their families for weeks at a time--they make those sacrifices for the country they love. I hope that Coloradans will join me in using Armed Forces Day to thank those who are serving in the best military force in the world.

Mr. ALLARD

Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, today I am introducing legislation to establish the Great Sand Dunes National Park and the Great Sand Dunes National Preserve. This legislation is a major step in protection and preservation of the Great Sand Dunes and San Luis Valley water. I along with Congressman McInnis decided to introduce companion bills at the request of valley residents, locally elected officials and the Rio Grande Water Conservation District. In an era of Presidential threats and questionable uses of the Antiquities Act, a locally driven legislative process is something I strongly support. Anyone who has visited the Sand Dunes understands the unique feeling they offer the visitor, the dunes seem out of place--a contradiction in nature. The San Luis Valley serenely placed between the Sangre De Cristo and the San Juan Mountains is the last place one would expect to see 750 foot high sand dunes. Still, the Sand Dunes offered the early residents and explorers a unique look into the earth's geological wonders. This bill will help to ensure that future generations have that same opportunity. Developing legislation that satisfies everyone is a difficult task, but this bill reflects compromises on all sides and puts forth a unique proposal for a complicated issue. The provisions of the bill allow for (1) establishing the Great Sand Dunes National Park; (2) establishing the Great Sand Dunes National Preserve; (3) the acquisition of the Luis Maria Baca Grant No. 4; (4) protection of San Luis Valley's water resources; (5) hunting in the new Great Sand Dunes National Preserve; (6) creation of a new National Wildlife Refuge and (7) a local advisory council. Protection of the valley's water resources is very important to the citizens of Colorado and a primary motivation for virtually everyone's support for this measure. An integral part of the water component is the federal acquisition of the Baca Ranch. While I am usually very skeptical of additional federal ownership of land, it makes sense here to purchase the land from willing sellers and incorporate it into the combination park, wildlife refuge and forest. The legislation requires the Department of the Interior to work with the State of Colorado to protect the water dependent resources of the Sand Dunes while not jeopardizing valid existing water rights held by others. I want to assure everyone that this bill does not create a federal reserve water right. The Great Sand Dunes National Preserve allows the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture to transfer existing Forest Service lands to the Park Service and manage these lands as a Preserve. The transfer would allow the Park Service jurisdiction of the watershed affecting the Sand Dunes, while not affecting the wilderness status or existing hunting in the area. As a veterinarian I understand and recognize hunting as an important tool in game management. The bill stipulates that the Colorado Division of Wildlife will play an integral role in continued game management of the area. The bill also creates a new National Wildlife Refuge on the western edge of the existing Baca Ranch and adjacent state trust lands. This new Refuge will provide additional hunting opportunities in an area that has been historically closed to public hunting. It has extensive wetlands and is home to an extensive diversity of plants and animals, including a large elk herd. The Refuge would also give the affected county an additional source of revenue through the Refuge and Revenue Sharing Act as an offset to the loss of property taxes from the federal acquisition of the Baca. President Herbert Hoover in 1932 recognized the unique characteristics of the sand dunes and wanted to protect their scenic, scientific and educational features. With the support of the local community, the Great Sand Dunes National Monument was established. Now sixty-eight years later, residents of the San Luis Valley are advocating expansion and upgrade of the national monument to a national park. Last December, I along with Senator Campbell, Congressman McInnis, Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt and Colorado Attorney General Ken Salazar met at the Great Sand Dunes to discuss the merits of expanding and protecting the resources of the San Luis Valley. We all recognized the significance of the meeting and vowed to work towards passage of a bill. Our time is short in Congress this year, and soon I will be asking for a hearing in the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. This is an important issue to Coloradans, and I look forward to Senate passage of my legislation.

Mr. ALLARD

Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, today I am introducing legislation to establish the Great Sand Dunes National Park and the Great Sand Dunes National Preserve. This legislation is a major step in protection and preservation of the Great Sand Dunes and San Luis Valley water. I along with Congressman McInnis decided to introduce companion bills at the request of valley residents, locally elected officials and the Rio Grande Water Conservation District. In an era of Presidential threats and questionable uses of the Antiquities Act, a locally driven legislative process is something I strongly support. Anyone who has visited the Sand Dunes understands the unique feeling they offer the visitor, the dunes seem out of place--a contradiction in nature. The San Luis Valley serenely placed between the Sangre De Cristo and the San Juan Mountains is the last place one would expect to see 750 foot high sand dunes. Still, the Sand Dunes offered the early residents and explorers a unique look into the earth's geological wonders. This bill will help to ensure that future generations have that same opportunity. Developing legislation that satisfies everyone is a difficult task, but this bill reflects compromises on all sides and puts forth a unique proposal for a complicated issue. The provisions of the bill allow for (1) establishing the Great Sand Dunes National Park; (2) establishing the Great Sand Dunes National Preserve; (3) the acquisition of the Luis Maria Baca Grant No. 4; (4) protection of San Luis Valley's water resources; (5) hunting in the new Great Sand Dunes National Preserve; (6) creation of a new National Wildlife Refuge and (7) a local advisory council. Protection of the valley's water resources is very important to the citizens of Colorado and a primary motivation for virtually everyone's support for this measure. An integral part of the water component is the federal acquisition of the Baca Ranch. While I am usually very skeptical of additional federal ownership of land, it makes sense here to purchase the land from willing sellers and incorporate it into the combination park, wildlife refuge and forest. The legislation requires the Department of the Interior to work with the State of Colorado to protect the water dependent resources of the Sand Dunes while not jeopardizing valid existing water rights held by others. I want to assure everyone that this bill does not create a federal reserve water right. The Great Sand Dunes National Preserve allows the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture to transfer existing Forest Service lands to the Park Service and manage these lands as a Preserve. The transfer would allow the Park Service jurisdiction of the watershed affecting the Sand Dunes, while not affecting the wilderness status or existing hunting in the area. As a veterinarian I understand and recognize hunting as an important tool in game management. The bill stipulates that the Colorado Division of Wildlife will play an integral role in continued game management of the area. The bill also creates a new National Wildlife Refuge on the western edge of the existing Baca Ranch and adjacent state trust lands. This new Refuge will provide additional hunting opportunities in an area that has been historically closed to public hunting. It has extensive wetlands and is home to an extensive diversity of plants and animals, including a large elk herd. The Refuge would also give the affected county an additional source of revenue through the Refuge and Revenue Sharing Act as an offset to the loss of property taxes from the federal acquisition of the Baca. President Herbert Hoover in 1932 recognized the unique characteristics of the sand dunes and wanted to protect their scenic, scientific and educational features. With the support of the local community, the Great Sand Dunes National Monument was established. Now sixty-eight years later, residents of the San Luis Valley are advocating expansion and upgrade of the national monument to a national park. Last December, I along with Senator Campbell, Congressman McInnis, Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt and Colorado Attorney General Ken Salazar met at the Great Sand Dunes to discuss the merits of expanding and protecting the resources of the San Luis Valley. We all recognized the significance of the meeting and vowed to work towards passage of a bill. Our time is short in Congress this year, and soon I will be asking for a hearing in the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. This is an important issue to Coloradans, and I look forward to Senate passage of my legislation.

Mr. ALLARD

Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, today the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 11 a.m., with the time controlled by Senator Thomas and Senator Wellstone. Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of S. 2, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, with four amendments also in order under the previous agreement. Members can expect votes throughout the day. For the information of all Senators, the Senate will continue to debate this important education legislation throughout the week. It is hoped that the Senate can make substantial progress on this bill, and that we can continue to debate education-related amendments. I thank my colleagues for their attention. I yield.

Mr. ALLARD. No objection.

Mr. ALLARD

Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, today I honor a man who spent 48 years of his life serving the public as an elected official for the State of Colorado. A man who served 2 years as the president of Colorado's 35th school district, 6 years as a board member of the town of Palisade, 6 years as a member of the Colorado House of Representatives, 2 of those as House Speaker, 10 years as a Colorado State Senator where he was both the Majority and Minority Leader, and 24 years as a member of the U.S. House of Representative where he was the Chairman of the House Interior and Insular Affairs Committee. I am referring to the late Congressman Wayne N. Aspinall from the small peach and winery town of Palisade, CO. Let me talk about Wayne Aspinall's time in the U.S. Congress. In 1956, as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Irrigation and Reclamation, he created the Colorado River Storage Project Act of 1956 which authorized Glen Canyon, Flaming Gorge, Navajo and Curecanti Reservoirs, plus several smaller projects authorized for construction and others designated for study. The act was signed into law by President Eisenhower on April 11, 1956. In 1959, he became Chairman of the U.S. House Interior and Insular Affairs Committee. The ensuing 14 years of his leadership was viewed by many as the most productive in history in terms of new water projects, national parks authorized, wilderness designated, redwoods protected, the States of Alaska and Hawaii were admitted to the Union, and so much more. This remarkable Congressman's accomplishments continued. In 1964, he lead the way to the Wilderness Act, which became law September 3rd and designated 9.1 million acres of wilderness and set aside more for study. At the same time, the Land and Water Conservation Fund was established primarily for parks acquisition. Then, in 1968, he created the Colorado River Basin Development Act, signed into law by President Johnson on September 30, which balanced development in the basin. On October 2nd of the same year, his bill was signed protecting 58,000 acres of California redwoods and the Land and Water Conservation Fund was further enhanced. Finally, he returned to his hometown of Palisade, CO in 1973 to live in a new home over the Colorado River which his life's work had done so much to preserve as a valuable resource for the entire western United States. He died October 9, 1983. Now the citizens in his hometown plan to honor his memory with a one- and-half times life-size bronze sculpture by noted North Carolina artist Thomas Jay Warren. The statue will be the central feature of a Memorial which will include the representation of a dam and river. Several adjacent Memory Walls will be inscribed with the major achievements of the man known affectionately today in Colorado as ``Mr. Chairman.'' Members of the Wayne N. Aspinall Memorial created it as an educational one, designed as much to teach students and others of the importance of sound water conservation, good government, and the history of water in the West as a record of the Chairman's stellar accomplishments. The $165,000 Memorial will sit in the southeast quadrant of what is now known as Palisade Park, on a bluff above the Colorado River about 50 yards from the home to which he had retired. I commend the people of Palisade and other Coloradans for their effort to honor a man who served the great State of Colorado and our Nation with such distinction. I am proud to say that I knew him as a young man. My father, Amos Allard, was chairman of his congressional district. My family is proud of the affiliation with the Wayne Aspinall family and count ourselves among his many supporters. I urge all of who can do so to support this project financially. Mr. President I ask that a list of Commission members and a copy of Colorado House Joint Resolution 00-1030 concerning support for the Aspinall Memorial Commission be printed in the Record. Aspinall Memorial Commission Members Tilman N. Bishop, Retired State Senator and Educator. Greg Walcher, Executive Director Department of Natural Resources. Charles J. Traylor, Attorney and former Aspinall Campaign Manager. William Cleary, former Aspinall Washington Aide. Dean Smith, Mayor of Palisade. Rich Helm, Executive Director, Museum of Western Colorado. Robert Helmer, Fruit Grower and President of Palisade Chamber of Commerce. Henry Talbott, President of Talbott Farms. Elvis Guin, Retired Engineer, representing Palisade Lions Club. Don Taylor, former Aspinall student and Retired Military. Mike McEvoy, President of the Palisade National Bank. Mary White, sister of Mr. Aspinall. State of Colorado--House Joint Resolution 00-1030 Whereas, The Honorable Wayne N. Aspinall of Palisade, Colorado, was engaged in public service to the people of Colorado for more than half a century; and Whereas, Wayne N. Aspinall served with distinction in the Colorado House of Representatives from 1931 to 1934, including service as Democratic Whip in 1931 and 1933; and Whereas, Representative Aspinall also served with distinction in the Colorado House of Representatives in 1937 and 1938, during which time he was Speaker of the House; and Whereas, Senator Aspinall served with distinction in the Colorado Senate from 1939 to 1948, including service as Democratic Whip in 1939, majority leader in 1941, and minority leader in 1943, 1945, and 1947; and Whereas, Wayne N. Aspinall served as the United States Congressman from the Fourth Congressional District of Colorado during the Eighty-second through the Ninety-second Congress, serving as Chairman of the House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs and as Chairman of the Public Land Law Review Commission from 1965 to 1970; and Whereas, Congressman Aspinall was Chairman of the Subcommittee on Irrigation and Reclamation of the House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs when Congress enacted the Colorado River Storage Project Act, which at that time was the largest reclamation authorization act ever approved by Congress; and Whereas, The Colorado River Storage Project Act contained authorization to construct four large water conservation storage units (Curecanti, Flaming Gorge, Glen Canyon, and Navajo) and eleven participating irrigation projects in Colorado and her three sister states in the Upper Colorado River Basin; and Whereas, It is fitting that one who has served this state long and faithfully should be recognized in a permanent and substantial way; and Whereas, The Aspinall Memorial Commission, Inc., a nonprofit corporation, has been formed by a group of citizens in Palisade and Mesa County for the purpose of erecting a memorial to Wayne Aspinall; and Whereas, A major component of the planned Wayne N. Aspinall Memorial is a series of ``Walls of Accomplishment'' to educate students and others about the water conservation needs of the State of Colorado and the entire western United States; and Whereas, The town of Palisade has donated land for the Wayne N. Aspinall Memorial at a prime location in Palisade Park and has, by resolution, agreed to maintain the memorial once it is conveyed to the town by the Aspinall Memorial Commission; and Whereas, The Honorable Wayne Aspinall is one of Colorado's most devoted and illustrious statesmen and citizens; and Whereas, The faithful, dedicated public service of Wayne Aspinall provides an inspiring example for those who follow him in the difficult tasks of self government; and Whereas, Wayne Aspinall deserves a substantial and lasting memorial for contributing so much to the improvement of the great state of Colorado; now, therefore, be it Resolved by the House of Representatives of the Sixty- second General Assembly of the State of Colorado, the Senate concurring herein: 1. That the General Assembly encourages all private citizens, corporations, clubs, and other organizations to provide support and assistance to the Aspinall Memorial Commission. 2. That the General Assembly encourages private grant- making foundations and organizations to support the efforts of the Aspinall Memorial Commission. 3. That the General Assembly encourages all agencies of the State of Colorado to support, cooperate with, and provide assistance to the Aspinall Memorial Commission to the fullest extent possible. 4. That the General Assembly encourages Governor Bill Owens to use his best efforts to cause Colorado's neighboring states and their cities that benefit from the dams and reservoirs built as a result of Wayne Aspinall's tenure in the United States House of Representatives to provide assistance and support to the Aspinall Memorial Commission.

Mr. ALLARD

Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, on behalf of the leader, I announce that today the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 12 noon. Following morning business, it is hoped that an agreement can be reached regarding the consideration of the marriage tax penalty legislation. If an agreement is reached, Senators may expect votes throughout the day. If no agreement is reached, the Senate will remain in morning business, with Senators speaking for up to 5 minutes each. As previously announced, the Senate will consider the budget resolution conference report and the McConnell stock options bill prior to the Easter recess. I thank my colleagues for their attention and yield the floor.

Mr. ALLARD

Mr. ALLARD. Thank you. Mr. President, frankly, I had no intention to come to the floor today, as I received a generous amount of time yesterday to debate my amendment concerning the national debt. I appreciate the chairman of the Budget Committee giving me some time to speak momentarily. After listening to the dialog today and reading the content of the sense-of-the-Senate amendment by the Senator from Rhode Island, I felt a sincere need to come and speak to you all this evening. Since last April's tragic events in my home State at Columbine High School, the town of Littleton, it seems as though the students and community of the Columbine High School have been mentioned almost on a daily basis on the floor of the Senate in Washington, DC. This tragic event has become a new flag to be waved by those in this body who seek to further politicize the issues of crime, law enforcement, and the second amendment. I ask you, Mr. President, what has this politicking done to help heal the wounds in my home State? I have staff from Littleton. I have staff in Littleton, and I have staff in my State offices who will go home this very night in Littleton, CO. This tragic event shocked the people in that community, and to date I fail to see any benefit to those in Littleton from the continued publicity and polarization coming from this Chamber. I have with me two articles published this week: Denver Rocky Mountain News editorial documenting the April 12 visit of President Clinton to Littleton: It would be utterly tasteless for any politician--from the President to local state representative--to attempt to make political hay over Columbine on the brink of its anniversary. Washington Post Article ``Columbine, Reflections of a Painful Past'': Students, parents and school officials here are viewing this anniversary with trepidation. They are apprehensive about the emotions it may rekindle--and about the crush of journalists and curiosity seekers expected to arrive. A Columbine Senior said, ``It is not the kind of thing that really falls away very quickly. We're healing. But it is always in people's emotions. There is always a hint of it in the background.'' I am ashamed that part of background noise that disturbs the healing of these tender wounds in a Colorado community is the increasing effort by some to make this event the driving force behind their own policy goals. As the chairman of last year's Juvenile Justice Task Force I worked closely with a number of members of this body to determine causes and solutions for America's juvenile justice problems. The causes are intricate and many. We made our recommendations and we contributed to the juvenile justice bill currently in conference committee. We are here today to work on a budget resolution for the coming fiscal year. We have had, and will have again, policy debates on the many issues this amendment addresses. We should have those debates in the realm of sensible, comprehensive policy. What we should not do is continue painful rhetoric that inflames the wounds of the Littleton community. I ask unanimous consent that the Denver Rocky Mountain News article and the Washington Post article mentioned in my statement be printed in the Record.

Mr. ALLARD. I can.

Mr. ALLARD

Mr. ALLARD. In opposition to his amendment. He made some comments I want to clarify for the record.

Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, I rise today on behalf of myself, Senator Enzi, and Senator Grams, to offer this very important amendment to the budget resolution. Our amendment concerns the repayment of the $3.6 trillion debt owed to the American public. I am eager to join my colleagues in this important discussion about the Federal budget, the budget surplus, and the American Government's economic future. When I was first elected to Congress in 1990, the discussion was radically different. The concept of a budget surplus, let alone long- term projections for a surplus, was foreign. The notion that a national debt measured in trillions could ever be paid off was practically science fiction. While 1990 was only 10 years ago, we stand on the floor of the Senate today a million miles from the bleak fiscal outlook of those times. We must be careful. While our present fiscal condition may be rose colored, fiscal irresponsibility and a refusal to wisely use the budget surplus can not only lead us back to our deficit spending ways of the past, in my view, it will threaten the fiscal health of our Nation for yet another generation of Americans. I am here today to urge my colleagues to address the responsibility that comes with the $5.7 trillion debt. During the 105th Congress, I introduced the American Debt Repayment Act. This legislation provided an amortization schedule for the repayment of the national debt. The largest purchase an American family will ever make is the purchase of their home, and this expenditure is made possible because they laid down a plan on how to pay off this mortgage. It is a set schedule of payments. When I was crafting the American Debt Repayment Act, I studied this traditional form of payment and said, why doesn't this apply to our enormous Federal debt? Now, 2 short years later, the outlook has changed somewhat, as the Federal Government has run and is estimated to continue to run an on- budget surplus. During the previous two budget cycles, we have witnessed an eagerness to spend more and more money. On-budget surplus dollars have become lumped into the appropriations process to allow for increased spending. One result yielded by our time of prosperity has been the use of surplus money to raise the discretionary spending levels, allowing Congress to shy away from making some hard choices. The willingness to spend surplus dollars is so strong, in fact, that when Congress adjourned last fall, there was no real certainty as to whether we would spend all of the on-budget surplus dipping into the Social Security trust fund. This, quite simply, is no way to run an enterprise--any enterprise. Plowing surplus money back into discretionary spending to the extent that Social Security money would be jeopardized is bad policy. Today, I rise to offer an amendment that would not only provide an opportunity to control the impulse to spend surplus dollars but would eliminate the entire $3.6 trillion debt owed to the public, save over $3 trillion in interest, and protect the Social Security program from annual discretionary appropriation raids. It is simple legislation in the model of the American Debt Repayment Act, providing dedicated debt repayment over a 20-year period. Beginning with the fiscal year of 2001 and for every year thereafter, this amendment requires that the Federal Government maintain a balanced budget. As most families and business owners know, you must live within your means. It provides this payment schedule I have described--I have it on this chart--so that, by 2021, we have paid down the debt using the on-budget surplus dollars. The on-budget surplus dollars have become lumped into the appropriations process to allow for increased spending. And if you can live within your means, then you are assured better prosperity in the future because it is going to carry you through the ups and downs of our economy. It is fair and equitable that the Federal Government, I believe, live under the same parameters. I believe this is the first and most essential step in Federal budget accountability and payment. My amendment further provides that Congress must budget for a surplus that must be dedicated to the repayment of the publicly held portion of the debt. Specifically, again, in fiscal year 2001, Congress will be using $15 billion of on-budget receipts to pay down this debt. Every succeeding year, the amount of debt repayment must increase by $15 billion. So that in 2001 there is $15 billion toward debt repayment, the next year it goes to $30 billion, and then $45 billion. It increases in increments of $15 billion our obligation to pay off that debt, which is looking basically at the surpluses we anticipate over the years in our budgeting as we move forward. Every succeeding year, the amount of debt, again, is increased by $15 billion, so the amount Congress must budget for and pay toward the debt in fiscal year 2002 will be $30 billion, and then $45 billion, and so on. In this system, if it is adopted, by year 2021, the entire debt owed to the public will be zero. We must have a plan to repay the debt, and we must have a repayment schedule, the same as you have on your home mortgage, and we will have the ability to cut taxes. A plan provides certainty and structure. I believe that anyone concerned with the national debt or tax cuts will understand the need for a responsible repayment schedule on the national debt. In addition to the on-budget surplus payment required by this amendment, I have added language to require that until such time as serious Social Security reform is implemented, Social Security surplus dollars must also be dedicated to the repayment of the debt owed to the public. Every Member of this body is aware of the enormous obligation this country has made to present and future Social Security recipients. I believe the policymakers must address the future solvency of Social Security. I am not here today, and my amendment is not drafted, to address the vital issue of Social Security solvency in the long term. What this amendment will do, however, is dedicate a surplus in Social Security dollars to debt repayment until the Congress can generate an appropriate long-term fix to the obstacles that stand in the way of this program. I note that the 20-year schedule I have introduced does not account for the inclusion of Social Security surplus money to repay the debt owed to the public. I believe the only sensible use for these funds, until such time as they may be used to reform Social Security, is again reducing the debt owed to the public. Directing these surplus funds to debt repayment will only accomplish total repayment at an earlier date. I must stress today, I offer a dedicated repayment schedule to eliminate the entire debt owed to the public in 20 years, without using Social Security surplus money. The use of Social Security surplus dollars will only serve to pay the debt down more quickly, removing the burden of the publicly held debt from Social Security in the annual budget process. In recent weeks, the distinguished Speaker of the House and the President have talked a great deal publicly about seizing this unprecedented opportunity that lies before us, and that is to pay down the Nation's debt. Testifying before the Senate Banking Committee in January, Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan strongly urged Congress to use surplus dollars to pay down the debt. Chairman Greenspan stated: My first priority would be to allow as much of the surplus to flow through into a reduction of debt to the public. If that proves politically infeasible, I would opt for cutting taxes. And under no conditions do I see any room in the long- term outlook for major changes in expenditures. I think that very succinctly spells out where we should be. This dialog has been tremendously helpful in further drawing the attention of the public and elected officials to the importance of debt repayment. As many of my colleagues can attest, and as I have experienced in my numerous town meetings around my home State of Colorado, this is an issue that the public understands. It is an issue of basic common sense, equity, and responsibility. This amendment is a call to action and accountability. It demands that this country and this Congress recognize the debt it has created. It structures a disciplined, fiscally responsible schedule for the repayment of our debt. In the process, it is my view that this legislation will serve to generate greater fiscal responsibility with every appropriation cycle, prevent future deficit spending, and save the taxpayer more than $3 trillion in interest payments. Now, that is $3 trillion that would be better spent on necessary expenditures, the strengthening of Social Security, and tax cuts. I wish to compliment Senator Domenici, and the Budget Committee under his leadership, for working to pay down the debt. I recognize their sincere efforts in that regard. But during a time of unprecedented growth in our country, I think we need to seize the opportunity to make a firm commitment to pay down the debt. I am asking that the Senate take us a little step further in that process, and this American Social Security protection and draft repayment amendment--I haven't introduced it as a bill but as an amendment on this Budget Act--deals with several issues in order to further our commitment to paying down the debt. First of all, it says we are going to have to balance our budget; that is, we are not going to spend more than what comes in in revenues. We are proposing a plan to reduce the national debt. The amendment I have before you talks about a $15 billion commitment every year in additional obligations to paying down the debt. We have a provision in there to preserve the Social Security surplus and to state, as Senators, that we are serious about saving Social Security, and that we are going to work hard for the long-term fiscal soundness of a very important program for our elderly in America, and that we are going to have an option to allow individuals to play a role in their Social Security accounts. Then, we also have a very important provision that says, look, if the revenue projections don't hold up as anticipated, there is a means where the Congress will come back on a quarterly review of these revenues. If they don't hold up, we are going to have to cut spending. It is going to help ensure that when we make decisions as we did last year in the budgeting process, where we got to the end of the appropriations process last year and we weren't entirely sure whether we would have spent Social Security or not until our final figures would have come before us in February of this year--now, fortunately, those revenue figures held up--we do not spend Social Security dollars. I have a mechanism in place which protects our position so that when we say we are not spending Social Security dollars, we will have an opportunity to make sure we are protecting the Social Security surplus; that we are staying to our schedule to paying down the debt because we in Congress are going to go back and review it on a quarterly basis and then help assure the American people that we will stay on schedule. We are moving into somewhat turbulent times. If you watched the stock market yesterday and the amount of oscillation it went through, it reminds us of how the economy is changing. I am concerned that at some point in time we will be overly optimistic about our revenue, and if we don't have this particular plan in place we will find ourselves in trouble and back into deficit spending, which I think we need to avoid. We need to utilize this prosperous time in our country to pay down the debt, which I think is extremely important. I think the Congress can do all of those things. We can have a schedule to pay down the debt. We can save Social Security. We can also have some provisions for tax cuts. With a three-pronged approach, the American people will understand our commitment to their future. I yield the floor.

Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that reading of the amendment be dispensed with.

Mr. ALLARD. I object.

Mr. ALLARD. If we look at it overall, we plan on saving, in interest over the 20 year period, $3.2 trillion. Now, if we look at our debt payment over 5 years in surplus, then we are going to be paying down our trust fund. In 2006, we are going to be looking at--let me get the figure out here--a total of having paid down the surplus in 5 years of $982.7 billion and a savings of the interest, which would be that much less since we have to pay interest on it.

Mr. ALLARD. Fifteen billion dollars.

Mr. ALLARD. Then $45 billion. Yes. So when we get down here to the year 2006, we would be making a $90 billion payment for the debt payment. But $15 billion of that comes out of the spending for that year as new revenues come in. So we are establishing a program.

Mr. ALLARD. The program amount paying down the debt would be $90 billion in the year 2006.

Mr. ALLARD. It is not a forecast. It is a plan to pay down the debt so we will have completely paid off the debt by the year 2021.

Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, I reserve the remainder of our time on this side.

Mr. ALLARD. I call on the Senator from Wyoming, Mr. Enzi, and yield him 5 minutes.

Mr. ALLARD. I think Senator Enzi may want to make a point or two in the debate. I will yield some time to him, unless the Senator has somebody in line to speak.

Mr. ALLARD

Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, today the Senate will resume consideration of Senate Concurrent Resolution 101, the budget resolution. By previous order, there will be 90 minutes of debate on the Hutchison-Robb amendment equally divided between the two managers. Following the debate, there will be two back-to-back votes at 11 a.m. The Robb second-degree amendment regarding prescription drugs will be the first vote, to be followed by the vote on the Hutchison amendment regarding the marriage tax penalty. Other amendments will be offered throughout the day, and therefore Senators may expect rollcall votes during today's session. There are approximately 20 hours of debate remaining on the resolution. I thank my colleagues for their attention.

Mr. ALLARD

Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the scheduled votes for 11 a.m. today now begin at 10:45 a.m., under the same terms as previously agreed to, and that at 10:45 a.m., the majority manager be recognized to make a point of order and then yield an additional 4 minutes to the minority side from the majority's time.

Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, I yield 15 minutes to the Senator from Tennessee.