Spencer Abraham

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today in honor of Ms. Diane Ransom-McGhee, who on March 31, 2000, will be honored by the Wayne Metro Division of the Office of Juvenile Justice for twenty-seven years of service to the families and children of the State of Michigan. Early in her life, Ms. Ransom-McGhee decided that she wished to work in the field of Human Services, and over the past twenty-seven years she has continually demonstrated not only a love for helping people, but also impressive leadership capabilities. Ms. Ransom-McGhee has worked at a number of organizations in the Detroit metropolitan area: from 1972 to 1979 she worked at the Wayne County Department of Social Services, from 1979 to 1986 she worked as a Child Welfare Specialist at the State of Michigan Children Youth and Services, from 1988 to 1989 she worked as the Director of the Monte Vista Reception Center, from 1989 to 1994 she worked as a Clinical Director in the State of Michigan Burton Youth Reception Center, from 1994 to 1997 she worked as the Administrative Director of Wayne Metro Day Treatment Services for juvenile delinquents, and in 1997 she returned to Burton Youth Reception Center to serve as its Director. In addition to her work in the Human Services field, Ms. Ransom- McGhee has a number of outside interests. She is a board member of the State of Michigan Judiciary Detention Association; she is a Youth Counselor Consultant of the Girl Scouts of America; she is an Advisor Consultant of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Youth Council, she is a sponsor of the N.A.A.C.P. Black College Tour and Mentorship program; and she is a Youth Minister and Sunday School teacher at the New Hope Missionary Baptist Church. Ms. Ransom-McGhee has received several awards for her dedication to her work and to her community. In 1996, she received the Pastoral Community Service Award. In 1997, she received the Director of the Year Award from the State of Michigan Office of Juvenile Justice. And in 1998, the city of Southfield, Michigan, awarded her with its Community Pride Award. On April 1, 2000, Ms. Ransom-McGhee will assume new duties as Assistant Division Director at the Wayne County Juvenile Detention Center. Mr. President, I applaud Ms. Ransom-McGhee for her dedication to her job and her tireless work over the past twenty-seven years. She is a role model for us all. On behalf of the entire United States Senate, I wish her the best of luck in her new position.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, on April 1, 2000, the Southeastern Michigan Chapter of the American Red Cross will hold its seventh annual Rhapsody in Red Masquerade Ball, a celebration which allows its patrons to enjoy themselves and to support one of the most noble causes our country has ever known at the same time. I rise today not only to honor this occasion, but also to bestow praise and thanks upon an organization that truly deserves both. Since 1994, this annual gala has raised over one million dollars for the Southeastern Michigan Chapter. The Rhapsody in Red Masquerade Ball plays a significant role in allowing this chapter to continue its disaster relief efforts in Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties. The annual event also provides members of the community with an opportunity to recognize the tireless efforts of the administrative staff and the volunteers of the Southeastern Michigan Chapter, and to appropriately thank them for these efforts. In 1999 alone, the Southeastern Michigan Chapter provided disaster relief to more than 6,000 individuals. More than 14,000 volunteers offered their time to the chapter, collectively working more than 500,000 hours. I am proud to say that, of the fifty states, Michigan ranks fourth in the nation for exporting volunteers into emergency zones, and the efforts and organization of the Southeastern Michigan Chapter undoubtedly play a role in this success. In addition, through its Blanket Days for the Homeless Campaign, an operation spearheaded by fourteen volunteers, the Southeastern Michigan Chapter collected over 13,000 blankets, which were then distributed to seventy homeless shelters in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. Recently, in response to an increase in residential fires, the Southeastern Michigan Chapter maintained 24-hour Disaster Action Teams, formed from a pool of sixty- four trained volunteers. Mr. President, as I was preparing this statement I was reminded once again of the essential role the American Red Cross plays in our communities. Born from the mythic efforts of Clara Barton during the Civil War, the organization currently has more than 1.3 million volunteers working underneath its banner, providing disaster relief services for victims of more than 66,000 disasters per year. More importantly, the American Red Cross still holds firm to the principles it was founded upon. Its mission remains to prevent and alleviate human suffering wherever it may be found. That is why, when things are at their worst, it continues to be the American Red Cross and its volunteers that are there to make them better. Mr. President, I applaud the administrative staff and volunteers of the Southeastern Michigan Chapter of the American Red Cross for their remarkable efforts. Every day they remind the people of Michigan that the spirit of Clara Barton is alive and well. On behalf of the entire United States Senate, I hope that the Red Rhapsody Masquerade Ball is a success for a seventh time.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize Hope Network, S.E., an organization which will hold its Fifth Anniversary Celebration on April 9, 2000. Since it opened in 1994, Hope Network, S.E. has provided disabled and disadvantaged individuals of Oakland, Macomb, and Wayne Counties not only with places to live, but, more importantly, with communities to live in. Hope Network, S.E. is a member organization of the Hope Network, which employs more than 2000 people and operates from more than 130 different locations throughout the state of Michigan. The mission of Hope Network is to enhance the dignity and independence of people who have disabilities and/or are disadvantaged. The foundation of its efforts is the belief that every individual is created in the image of God and therefore has intrinsic worth and dignity. The primary goal of Hope Network, S.E. is to provide the highest quality of living for people with disabilities. This is done by respecting the dignity and independence of these individuals, by giving them the opportunity to offer input and make decisions about their own personalized plan of service. The success of Hope Network, S.E. lies in this process, for it is a process which encourages disabled individuals to become involved in community and social activities. Part of the Fifth Anniversary Celebration is an art show and auction. The pieces of art on display were created at The Art Experience, a gallery in Oakland County which offers art therapy for mentally ill individuals. Its biggest client, not surprisingly, is Hope Network, S.E. Employees of Hope Network, S.E. transport individuals, men and women who usually do not like to stray far from their homes, twenty- five miles to The Art Experience. I am told that it is a place where disabilities, though they do not disappear, are briefly forgotten. Mr. President, I applaud Hope Network, S.E. Executive Director Pat Crandall, and her many employees and volunteers, for five years of successful service to Oakland, Macomb and Wayne Counties. Their dedication and selfless efforts have touched numerous lives and indelibly left their mark on these communities. On behalf of the entire United States Senate, I wish Hope Network, S.E. a happy fifth anniversary. I hope that the coming years are as successful as the first five have been.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize Youth Connection, a strategic, non-profit prevention campaign with a ten-year goal of reducing youth violence, substance abuse and early sexual activity in Detroit, Michigan. The organization was founded to provide the youth of metropolitan Detroit with a sense of belonging to the present, and also with a sense of hope and inspiration for the future. Presently, in coordination with Detroit Public Schools, Mt. Clemens Community Schools and the School District of Pontiac, Youth Connection is promoting an activity called Free 4 the Weekend, which encourages students within these districts to remain drug free during a designated weekend in April. Mr. President, statistics tell us that eighty-seven percent of high school seniors report using alcohol. In addition, middle and high school students drink nearly thirty-five percent of all wine coolers consumed in the United States. These patterns have devastating consequences. Research shows that most youth misconduct and violence takes place after school between the hours of 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. It is my belief that by supporting and enhancing after school programs, expanding the ``Safe Night'' initiatives in partner communities, and expanding youth leadership programs and activities, we can enhance the quality of life for all metropolitan Detroit youth. Mr. President, with Alcohol Awareness Month just a few days away, I applaud Youth Connection for encouraging the youth of metropolitan Detroit to remain sober. On behalf of the entire United States Senate, and also the State of Michigan, I would like to thank them for their efforts.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, on March 31, 2000, the Saginaw County Commission on Aging will hold a luncheon honoring four women who have selflessly dedicated a significant amount of their time and their energy to improving the community of Saginaw, Michigan. Their tremendous efforts over the years have not only touched a great many lives, they have truly changed lives, whether by providing those in need with food and clothing, saving seniors hundreds of dollars in medical insurance payments, mentoring elementary school students, or helping people to understand and accept a culture different from their own. Thus, I rise today on behalf not only of myself, but also of the entire Saginaw County, Michigan, community, to sincerely thank Ms. Hazel Wilson, Ms. Mary Flannery, Ms. Sue Kaltenbach, and Ms. Yoko Mossner for their incredible efforts. Ms. Hazel Wilson has been a Saginaw community leader for more than thirty years. Her charitable endeavors include working for the Family Indepence Agency in the 1960s, counseling laid-off auto workers for the UAW-GM Human Resource Center in the late eighties, serving on the Board of Trustees for the Saginaw Public Schools, and also serving on the Board of Directors for the Saginaw Voluntary Action Center. For the last ten years, she has been employed by the Saginaw County Community Mental Health Authority as a Prevention Coordinator. Ms. Wilson demonstrated her outstanding leadership capabilities, and indelibly left her mark on the Saginaw community, when in the early 1970s she established the Good Neighbors Mission. Ms. Wilson's original goal in establishing this organization was to provide needy families with food and clothing. But because of her dedication the Good Neighbors Mission has continually grown, to the point where today it stands as a community resource center, a hub of activity, and, I am told, a virtual clearinghouse, where people can find help fulfilling much more than just their food and clothing needs. Aside from working as a Prevention Coordinator, Ms. Wilson is also currently a member of the Zion Baptist Church, Zeta Phi Beta sorority, the Michigan T.A.G. Workgroup, and the Michigan Prevention Association. I take great pride in recognizing community-oriented constituents like Ms. Wilson, and I applaud the Saginaw County Commission on Aging for ensuring that her efforts are not overlooked. On behalf of the United States Senate, I extend gratitude to Ms. Wilson for her dedication and work for her community.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, on March 31, 2000, the Saginaw County Commission on Aging will hold a luncheon honoring four women who have selflessly dedicated a significant amount of their time and their energy to improving the community of Saginaw, Michigan. Their tremendous efforts over the years have not only touched a great many lives, they have truly changed lives, whether by providing those in need with food and clothing, saving seniors hundreds of dollars in medical insurance payments, mentoring elementary school students, or helping people to understand and accept a culture different from their own. Thus, I rise today on behalf not only of myself, but also of the entire Saginaw County, Michigan, community, to sincerely thank Ms. Hazel Wilson, Ms. Mary Flannery, Ms. Sue Kaltenbach, and Ms. Yoko Mossner for their incredible efforts. Ms. Sue Kaltenbach has been a resident of Saginaw County for thirty- seven years. During this time, she has served the Saginaw Township Community School Board in many ways: as president, vice president, secretary and treasurer. She was also once president of the Saginaw County School Board Association, a vice president of the Assistance League of Saginaw, president of the Saginaw County Lawyer's Auxiliary. In addition, Ms. Kaltenbach served the Junior League of Saginaw Valley as a corresponding secretary and the Street Smarts Investment Club as recorder. Ms. Kaltenbach has been a mentor at Coulter Elementary School since 1996, as part of the H.O.S.T.S. program. She participates on the Election Scheduling Committee for Saginaw County, and is involved with numerous educational programs dealing with art, literature, drug abuse prevention and law related education. She is also chairperson of Family in Action, a former member of the Christian Service Commission and the Paris Council and a member at St. Stephen's Church. Perhaps the most remarkable thing about Ms. Kaltenbach is that she has managed to do all of this while placing her primary focus upon raising her own three children. Mr. President, on behalf of the entire United States Senate, I applaud Ms. Sue Kaltenbach for her outstanding contributions to her community.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, on March 31, 2000, the Saginaw County Commission on Aging will hold a luncheon honoring four women who have selflessly dedicated a significant amount of their time and their energy to improving the community of Saginaw, Michigan. Their tremendous efforts over the years have not only touched a great many lives, they have truly changed lives, whether by providing those in need with food and clothing, saving seniors hundreds of dollars in medical insurance payments, mentoring elementary school students, or helping people to understand and accept a culture different from their own. Thus, I rise today on behalf not only of myself, but also of the entire Saginaw County, Michigan, community, to sincerely thank Ms. Hazel Wilson, Ms. Mary Flannery, Ms. Sue Kaltenbach, and Ms. Yoko Mossner for their incredible efforts. During the forty-three years that she has lived in Saginaw County, Ms. Yoko Mossner has become involved with numerous organizations. She served as president and treasurer of People to People Chapter Seven, was a member of the Board of Trustees of People to People International, and has also held various leadership roles in the Saginaw's Culture Club, the Women's National Farm and Garden Association, the Saginaw County Lawyers' Auxiliary, and the Valparaiso University Guild. She is a former member of the Saginaw Zonta Club, and is currently a member of the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. More importantly, Ms. Mossner has played a leading role in finding Japanese culture a place in Saginaw County. For the last six years, she has served as volunteer director for the Japanese Cultural Center and Tea House, a project that was made possible by her efforts as a member of the Board of Trustrees of the Saginaw County Building Fund Committee. She also serves as Special Envoy and Liaison Officer from Saginaw to its Sister City, Tokushima, Japan. Undoubtedly, her efforts in this regard have played a significant role in expanding the cultural awareness of an entire community. Perhaps the most remarkable thing about Ms. Mossner is that she has managed to do all of this while placing her primary focus upon raising her own three children. Mr. President, on behalf of the entire United States Senate, I applaud Ms. Mossner for her dedication to expanding the cultural knowledge in Michigan. I am sure that the effects of her work are immeasurable.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, on March 31, 2000, the Saginaw County Commission on Aging will hold a luncheon honoring four women who have selflessly dedicated a significant amount of their time and their energy to improving the community of Saginaw, Michigan. Their tremendous efforts over the years have not only touched a great many lives, they have truly changed lives, whether by providing those in need with food and clothing, saving seniors hundreds of dollars in medical insurance payments, mentoring elementary school students, or helping people to understand and accept a culture different from their own. Thus, I rise today on behalf not only of myself, but also of the entire Saginaw County, Michigan, community, to sincerely thank Ms. Hazel Wilson, Ms. Mary Flannery, Ms. Sue Kaltenbach, and Ms. Yoko Mossner for their incredible efforts. Ms. Mary Flannery has been a resident of Saginaw, Michigan, long enough to remember that an ice cream cone once cost a mere three cents there. For many years, she was an employee of the Family Independence Agency. Fortunately for the citizens of Saginaw, no one has reminded Ms. Flannery that she has in fact retired from her position there. She remains a regular fixture at local hospitals and nursing homes, and also continues to volunteer her time at the Commission on Aging. At the Commission on Aging, she shares the knowledge and skills she collected while working at the Family Independence Agency, assisting seniors who have questions related to Medicare, Medicaid, and general health insurance. I am told that Ms. Flannery's expertise, and her willingness to venture beyond the call of duty, have saved Saginaw's seniors thousands of dollars they may have spent on duplicated medical bills or services. I guess when one has lived their life aiding individuals in need, even retirement cannot prevent them from continuing to do so. Mr. President, on behalf of the entire United States Senate, I take pride in extending gratitude to Ms. Mary Flannery for her dedication to making the lives of others better. She is truly a role model for us all.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Compassion for Children and Child Support Enforcement Act. This important legislation would ensure that children from single parent households will have the financial support necessary for a healthy, happy and secure childhood. Mr. President, over one quarter of today's American children live in a single-parent household. These children are more likely to live in poverty than children living in homes where both parents are present. Children growing up in a state of poverty suffer from far reaching, long-term effects: inadequate education, lack of access to quality health care and instability arising from lack of affordable housing frequently leads to poorer health, lower earning potential and greater instability as an adult. Tragically, the financial hardship endured by many of these children is avoidable--simply put, Mr. President, these children are suffering because their absent parent has chosen to shirk his parental obligations and refuse to provide his child with the financial support he or she deserves and so desperately needs. According to the Federal Office of Child Support in its preliminary report for 1998, over $50 billion in accumulated unpaid child support is due to over 30 million children in the United States. This dismal statistic is due to the 23 percent collection rate in cases handled by overwhelmed state agencies. Of the children living in a household with only one present parent, 40 percent are not eligible for child support because paternity has not been established or a support order has not been issued by the courts. Of the remaining 60 percent with established paternity and a support order, only half actually receive any financial support from their absent parent and more than half will not receive the full amount of their support payments. The Compassion for Children and Child Support Enforcement Act would work to decrease the rate of delinquent child support payments and increase the rate of paternity establishment. Mr. President, the Department of the Treasury is in the unique position to address problems arising from a lack of resources, organization and communication which frequently arise in child support cases involving two or more jurisdictions, by allowing the Internal Revenue Service to collect child support in the same manner that taxes are collected and then disburse the payments to the custodial parents with penalties and interest if applicable. The IRS is already the most effective means by which child support is collected under the entire state/federal child support program nexus through its system of federal tax intercepts. By taking over responsibility of enforcing all child support orders through routine withholding of support from obligated parents and the use of the enforcement tools at its disposal to collect from delinquent parents, the Department of Treasury would significantly reduce the demands on State judicial resources now devoted to child support enforcement. And, Mr. President, by reducing the drain on State resources in the area of support enforcement, States would be able to better focus on establishing paternity for the 40 percent of children currently unable to even file for a support order due to lack of recognized paternity. Congress failed again and again to find a way to ensure that families receive the child support that is owed to them by deadbeat parents. Despite reforms in 1984, 1988, 1993 and most recently in 1996, there have not been any significant improvements in the rate of child support collections. The Compassion for Children and Support Enforcement Act represents a unique opportunity to pass effective and efficient child support enforcement legislation which creates state /federal partnerships by capitalizing on the strengths of the governments, agencies and networks already in place. Chairman Hyde has already introduced this legislation in the House of Representatives, where it enjoys the bipartisan support of 21 cosponsors. It is my sincerest hope that my colleagues in the Senate will follow the lead of the House and demonstrate their support for ensuring that our children receive the financial support necessary for them to grow into healthy and productive citizens.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Compassion for Children and Child Support Enforcement Act. This important legislation would ensure that children from single parent households will have the financial support necessary for a healthy, happy and secure childhood. Mr. President, over one quarter of today's American children live in a single-parent household. These children are more likely to live in poverty than children living in homes where both parents are present. Children growing up in a state of poverty suffer from far reaching, long-term effects: inadequate education, lack of access to quality health care and instability arising from lack of affordable housing frequently leads to poorer health, lower earning potential and greater instability as an adult. Tragically, the financial hardship endured by many of these children is avoidable--simply put, Mr. President, these children are suffering because their absent parent has chosen to shirk his parental obligations and refuse to provide his child with the financial support he or she deserves and so desperately needs. According to the Federal Office of Child Support in its preliminary report for 1998, over $50 billion in accumulated unpaid child support is due to over 30 million children in the United States. This dismal statistic is due to the 23 percent collection rate in cases handled by overwhelmed state agencies. Of the children living in a household with only one present parent, 40 percent are not eligible for child support because paternity has not been established or a support order has not been issued by the courts. Of the remaining 60 percent with established paternity and a support order, only half actually receive any financial support from their absent parent and more than half will not receive the full amount of their support payments. The Compassion for Children and Child Support Enforcement Act would work to decrease the rate of delinquent child support payments and increase the rate of paternity establishment. Mr. President, the Department of the Treasury is in the unique position to address problems arising from a lack of resources, organization and communication which frequently arise in child support cases involving two or more jurisdictions, by allowing the Internal Revenue Service to collect child support in the same manner that taxes are collected and then disburse the payments to the custodial parents with penalties and interest if applicable. The IRS is already the most effective means by which child support is collected under the entire state/federal child support program nexus through its system of federal tax intercepts. By taking over responsibility of enforcing all child support orders through routine withholding of support from obligated parents and the use of the enforcement tools at its disposal to collect from delinquent parents, the Department of Treasury would significantly reduce the demands on State judicial resources now devoted to child support enforcement. And, Mr. President, by reducing the drain on State resources in the area of support enforcement, States would be able to better focus on establishing paternity for the 40 percent of children currently unable to even file for a support order due to lack of recognized paternity. Congress failed again and again to find a way to ensure that families receive the child support that is owed to them by deadbeat parents. Despite reforms in 1984, 1988, 1993 and most recently in 1996, there have not been any significant improvements in the rate of child support collections. The Compassion for Children and Support Enforcement Act represents a unique opportunity to pass effective and efficient child support enforcement legislation which creates state /federal partnerships by capitalizing on the strengths of the governments, agencies and networks already in place. Chairman Hyde has already introduced this legislation in the House of Representatives, where it enjoys the bipartisan support of 21 cosponsors. It is my sincerest hope that my colleagues in the Senate will follow the lead of the House and demonstrate their support for ensuring that our children receive the financial support necessary for them to grow into healthy and productive citizens.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, in my State of Michigan, we currently have less than a 3 percent rate of unemployment. We used to think that just the people entering and leaving the job market, as well as those switching jobs, would keep unemployment to a minimum of 5 percent. But our economy is exceptionally strong, and the demand for labor is through the roof. In fact, some companies in Michigan have threatened to leave the State because they can't find enough people to work. Yet throughout the United States, we encourage our seniors between the ages of 65 and 69 to not work because of the earnings test on their Social Security benefits. At the very time that we need experienced workers in the labor market, the government makes it uneconomical for our most experienced workers to stay in the work force. Under the current earnings test, Social Security beneficiaries under the age of 65 lose $1 of social Security benefits for every $2 they earn over $10,000 per year. And those under 70 lose $1 for every $3 earned over $17,000 of annual income. Not until they reach 70 years of age are seniors free to work again on their own terms. Seniors are being penalized by double taxation--and in this case, simply for working. I find it incredible that we force our seniors to forego over $3.9 billion a year in Social Security benefits simply because they make more than $10,800 if they are under 65 and $17,000 if they are between 65 and 69 years of age. But what is not seen is the income foregone by those seniors for whom the earnings test makes it uneconomical to work. A recent study by the Institute for Policy Innovation shows that your typical 67-year-old married senior, making let's say the American average of $37,000, could have a marginal tax rate of over 80 percent. This is a huge disincentive to continue working, even though we need these experienced seniors in our work force, many of them want to work, and they are able to do so. In fact, a recent study by the Urban Institute indicated that because of longer life expectancies and better medical care, a 65-year-old today is healthier than a 40-year-old was before World War II. This has the effect of forcing able workers out of the work force. In 1948, 47 percent of men over 65 worked. Today, it's one-third of that with about 16 percent continuing to work. And if they do work, they limit how much they work because of the earnings test. In fact, 65 percent of those seniors that work, keep their total earnings under the earnings test limit in order to avoid the penalties. But if we repealed the earnings test, we could unleash the economic power of our seniors. The National Bureau of Economic Research estimates that repealing the earnings test on workers age 65 to 69 would increase the annual number of hours worked throughout the economy by 5.3 percent. That may not seem to be much, but it actually represents 63 million more hours worked per year, or the equivalent of almost 31,500 jobs. Because seniors would have more money to save, invest, and spend, it's estimated that overall gross domestic product would rise by $19.5 billion, increasing the projected growth in disposable personal income by more than 5 percent. And this would ripple throughout the economy, adding $6.8 billion to the stock of U.S. capital invested in new jobs. Finally, the extra growth that would be brought about by this repeal would generate enough new tax collections to totally offset the higher Social Security benefit payments within 10 years. That is why I was proud to join Senator McCain last year in cosponsoring S. 279 to repeal this antiquated test and allow our seniors to keep all of their Social Security benefits. And that is why I will also support passage of H.R. 5. But I think we need to look at the broader issues of retirement security, including the taxation of Social Security benefits, and the forced depletions of individual retirement accounts. In 1993, the President forced through an increase on the amount of Social Security benefits subject to taxation from 50 to 85 percent for those singles making more than $34,000 and those couples making over $44,000. When coupled with the earnings test, these benefits taxes can punish some couples with a 103 percent marginal tax rate. These couples actually lose more than a dollar for making another dollar. Not only is this grossly unfair, it's also an even further disincentive for savings and work. But the government's raid on senior's retirements assets doesn't even stop there. It also levies a 50 percent tax on IRA savings when seniors fail to withdraw when Washington wants them withdrawn. Current law requires seniors to start withdrawing their IRA savings beginning at age 70\1/2\. And seniors must usually make these withdrawals in annual amounts large enough to deplete the entire IRA by the time they reach age 85. Failure to follow these rules earns a whopping 50 percent penalty. This withdrawal requirement can only be viewed as a punishment for those who plan and save for retirement. Even worse, seniors who live past 85 may find themselves short on funds because the Federal Government forced them to spend their own savings. That's not right, and it must be stopped. To remedy all of these gross disincentives to seniors planning and saving for their retirement, and staying active in the work force, I introduced the Senior Citizens' Financial Freedom Act, S. 2180. This legislation would accomplish three objectives: First, it would repeal the Social Security earnings test working penalty on seniors, just as the legislation before us today would. Second, it would roll back the Clinton administration's 1993 tax increase on Social Security benefits. Finally, it would increase the age when minimum IRA distributions must begin, from 70\1/2\ to 85. Passage of H.R. 5 is vitally important to the financial well being of our seniors who chose to remain in the work force. And I hope we will continue to work toward truly protecting the financial well-being of America's seniors by also addressing this year the other issues of Social Security benefits taxation and forced IRA withdrawals. With these two important pieces of legislation, we can really strengthen Social Security for our seniors in the most important place possible--their wallets.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today in celebration of the 44th anniversary of Tunisian independence. On March 20, Tunisia--one of America's oldest allies--will mark its 44th year of independence, but our two nations have been sharing the ideals of freedom and democracy for a much longer time. In 1797, our two nations signed a treaty calling for ``perpetual and constant peace.'' Indeed, for the past 200 years, our two nations have enjoyed such a friendship. Whether protecting Mediterranean shipping lanes against Barbary pirates, opposing the Nazi war machine in North Africa, or supporting Western interests during the cold war, the United States could count on Tunisia. More recently, Tunisia displayed great courage in urging other Arab nations to seek an accord with Israel. Tunisia has built on that pioneering stand by playing an important role as an honest and fair broker at delicate points in the Middle East peace process. By adopting progressive social policies that feature tolerance for minorities, equal rights for women, universal education, a modern health system, and avoiding the pitfall of religious extremism that has tormented so many other developing countries. Tunisia has built a stable, middle-class society. In stark contrast to its two neighbors, Tunisia has been a quiet and wonderful success. In fact, Tunisia became the first nation south of the Mediterranean to formally associate itself with the European Union. Tunisia has been a model for developing countries. It has sustained remarkable economic growth, and undertaken reforms toward political pluralism. It has been a steadfast ally of the United States and has consistently fought for democratic goals and ideals. Tunisia has responded to President Dwight D. Eisenhower's request to consider the United States as ``friends and partner'' in the most effective way--by its actions. In commemoration of 44 years of independence for Tunisia, I urge my colleagues to reflect on our strong commitment to Tunisian people, who are still our friends and partners in North Africa.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize Mr. John J. Lessner, resident of Lapeer, MI, who on March 10th of this year celebrated his 100th birthday. It is my pleasure to honor him not only for having reached this landmark birthday, which is quite an accomplishment in itself, but also, and I think more importantly, for having lived his life in a manner truly worthy of commendation. One of Mr. Lessner's favorite sayings is ``Work-a-Million,'' and he has certainly lived by this virtue. For thirty-nine years he worked as a high-school teacher and coach, for thirty-seven years a football and basketball official, he sold world-book encyclopedias for twenty-four years, worked at the H.C. Frick Coal Mine and Monogahela Railroad for fifteen summers, spent nine years working towards his M.A. in Education, which he received from West Virginia University in 1953, spent six years constructing a home for his family and himself, spent three years playing fullback for the Brownsville (PA) Independence Football Team, and all this after he began his adult life by serving his country for a year in the U.S. Army. On top of all this, Mr. Lessner, somehow found the time to be not only an active community member, but a community leader. He helped organize and develop two Parent Teacher Associations, in Greene County, PA, and Washington County, PA. He served as the first, twelfth and twenty-fifth president of the Greensboro Lions Club in Greensboro, PA. During World War II, he served as the Air Raid Warden for Brownsville, PA. And every Sunday, for eighteen years, he volunteered his time as a Sunday School Superintendent at Christian Church in Brownsville, PA, and then later at Mapletown Methodist Church in Mapleton, PA. Most important to Mr. Lessner, though, has always been his family. He now resides in Lapeer, MI, with his son Jack, the eldest of his two children. He moved to Lapeer from Monroeville, PA, where he lived near his daughter, Maryjane. And undoubtedly one of his greatest days came on December 27, 1979, when he and his wife, Doris Steeves, celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary. This may be selfish on my part, but as I read the biography of Mr. Lessner, my only wish was that he had spent more of his one-hundred years in Michigan. His is a brand of remarkable that, unfortunately, you do not run into everyday. Regardless, John J. Lessner is a true role model, and we are glad to have him now. So, on behalf not only of myself but also of all my Michigan constituents, I would like to wish Mr. Lessner a happy 100th birthday, and I hope that there are many more to celebrate in the future.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, a few weeks ago Senator Hatch, Senator Nickles, and I, along with other Senators, introduced S. 2042, the Pardon Attorney Reform and Integrity Act. The Judiciary Committee has now reported this legislation to the floor. I wanted to say just a few words about why I believe this legislation is needed and why I hope the Senate will act quickly. Last September, President Clinton decided to grant clemency to 11 members of the Puerto Rican terrorist groups FALN and Los Macheteros. When this decision became known, it was greeted with virtually universal shock and disbelief, followed by calls for the President to reconsider and ultimately by near universal condemnation. The FALN had been involved in numerous terrorist acts. The most heinous of these acts was the bombing of Fraunces Tavern in New York City. In the middle of the lunch time rush at this Wall Street tavern, FALN members planted a bomb. The explosion killed four people and left 55 people wounded. In addition, FALN has taken credit for more than 130 bombings, attempted bombings, bomb threats and kidnapings. They took credit for the bombing of office buildings in New York and Chicago where at least one other person was killed and several more injured. Although it has been suggested that the individuals the President pardoned were not convicted of direct involvement in these acts, the conduct that they were convicted of made clear that they all played important roles in facilitating the activities of the organization, fully aware that the entity in question engaged in just this kind of conduct. Despite this, there is no evidence that any of them are seriously remorseful about their serious wrongdoing. Singling them out for the extraordinary favor of Presidential clemency is, under these circumstances, frankly inexplicable. Both this body and the House of Representatives passed resolutions stating our disapproval of the President's action. Following these events, the Committee on the Judiciary held two hearings on how the President had made his decision. In the first of these hearings, it was discovered that Reverend Ikuta, a supporter of clemency for the terrorists, had several meetings with the Department of Justice concerning the potential grant of clemency. At the same time, law enforcement officials, who attempted to contact the President and the Department of Justice concerning the clemency, received no response from the administration. Nor were the victims consulted in any way. The son of one of the victims of the Fraunces Tavern bombing was told in 1998 by the FBI that they were still searching for the FALN member thought to have planted the bomb. Meanwhile, the President was considering granting clemency to individuals who not only were members of the group responsible for the bomb in the first place, but also who may have had information about the whereabouts of this primary suspect. The victims of the terrorists' acts were never even informed of the President's grant of clemency. They had to read it in the newspaper. Perhaps the gravest oversight of all is that the terrorists were never asked to provide any information about other FALN members who are still on the FBI most wanted list. The goal of this bill is to try to do what Congress can to prevent this situation from recurring. The bill would require the Department of Justice, if asked to investigate a pardon request, to make all reasonable efforts to inform the victims that a pardon request is being reviewed and give the victims an opportunity to present their views. The Department is also required to notify the victims of a decision to grant clemency as soon as practical after it is made and, if it will result in the release of someone, before release of that person if practicable. The bill also requires that the Department of Justice make all reasonable efforts to determine the views of law enforcement on whether the person has accepted responsibility for his or her actions and whether the person is a danger to any person or society. Finally the Department must determine from federal, state and local law enforcement whether the person may have information relevant to any ongoing investigation, prosecution, or effort to apprehend a fugitive, and to determine the effect of a grant of clemency on the threat of terrorism or future criminal activity. Opponents of this bill argue that it is an unconstitutional infringement on the Presidential pardon power. This is not so. This bill dictates a process to be used when the President delegates investigatory power to the Department of Justice. Accordingly, this bill is not a usurpation of the President's pardon power, but within the legitimate exercise of Congress's power, in establishing the Department of Justice, to ``make all laws which are necessary and proper for carrying into Execution'' not only the powers vested in Congress but also ``all other powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.'' The President's own freedom to exercise the pardon power however he sees fit is in no way infringed by this bill. In fact, this bill only acts to ensure that the President has the information before him to make a well rounded and informed decision. The President can ignore the information provided by the victims and the law enforcement officers if he chooses to do so. I would hope that he would not. But while requirements that would force him to give particular weight to their views would most likely be unconstitutional, requiring the Department to make this information available to him, for whatever use he chooses to make of it, surely is not. Indeed, the President and the Department of Justice should be supportive of this bill as it should help return to the American people confidence in the clemency process that may have been lost following the release of the FALN and Los Macheteros terrorists. It is unconscionable that in this instance, the views of the victims and law enforcement officers, the parties most affected by both the criminal act and the clemency, were ignored in the decision making process. This bill goes a long way in helping to prevent a recurrence of the defects in process in President Clinton's grant of clemency last September to the 11 terrorists. It will enhance the quality of information available so as to ensure a more balanced basis for the President's decisions regarding clemency. I am, therefore, pleased the committee has reported this legislation to the floor of the Senate, and I urge its prompt enactment.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today in celebration of the 44th anniversary of Tunisian independence. On March 20, Tunisia--one of America's oldest allies--will mark its 44th year of independence, but our two nations have been sharing the ideals of freedom and democracy for a much longer time. In 1797, our two nations signed a treaty calling for ``perpetual and constant peace.'' Indeed, for the past 200 years, our two nations have enjoyed such a friendship. Whether protecting Mediterranean shipping lanes against Barbary pirates, opposing the Nazi war machine in North Africa, or supporting Western interests during the Cold War, the U.S. could count on Tunisia. More recently, Tunisia displayed great courage in urging other Arab nations to seek an accord with Israel. Tunisia has built on that pioneering stand by playing an important role as an honest and fair broker at delicate points in the Middle East peace process. By adopting progressive social policies that feature tolerance for minorities, equal rights for women, universal education, a modern health system, and avoiding the pitfall of religious extremism that has tormented so many other developing countries, Tunisia has built a stable, middle-class society. In stark contrast to its two neighbors (Algeria, which has been racked by civil war and persecution for many years, and Libya, whose dictator has supported the most nefarious and subversive kinds of terrorism), Tunisia has been a quiet and wonderful success. In fact, Tunisia became the first nation south of the Mediterranean to formally associate itself with the European Union. Mr. President, Tunisia has been a model for developing countries. It has sustained remarkable economic growth, and undertaken reforms toward political pluralism. It has been a steadfast ally of the United States and has consistently fought for democratic goals and ideals. Tunisia has responded to President Dwight D. Eisenhower's request to consider the U.S. as ``friends and partner'' in the most effective way--by its actions. In commemoration of 44 years of independence for Tunisia, I urge my colleagues to reflect on our strong commitment to Tunisian people, who are still our friends and partners in North Africa.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. If the majority leader will yield briefly, I thank him for making another attempt to appoint conferees on this legislation. Mr. President, I share the majority leader's frustration over our inability to really move anywhere with this bill. This bill, the Millennium Digital Commerce Act, is a bipartisan bill. This legislation passed the Senate by unanimous consent. We worked together here to try to craft the legislation in a bipartisan fashion. The House companion legislation passed by an overwhelming margin. I understand--and the majority leader has just indicated it again-- there may be some Members who have concerns with the bill. But, obviously, going to conference is the usual procedure for moving legislation. As I understand the request that has been put forward, there would be six Democratic Senators on the conference committee, which is about 15 percent of the entire Senate Democratic caucus who would then be able to participate in the proposal.

Mr. ABRAHAM. I do think that is a sufficient number to guarantee the views reflected by each side. They would be adequately represented in the conference.

Mr. ABRAHAM. Essentially, the legislation is designed to address a problem we have now with respect to the enforceability of contracts that are entered into electronically. A number of States have attempted to deal with this. This would be where parties, over the Internet, engage in some form of contractual activity. A number of States have passed legislation--in fact, about 45 States have done so. The problem is that each of these State laws is different from the other. As a result of that, it has created a serious potential impediment to the expansion of electronic commerce because if the laws of two different jurisdictions are different, somebody can hide behind that difference to argue that they did not have to fulfill the terms of the contract. Fortunately, the States are trying to work toward a solution, as they have done in other areas of commercial activity. We have a Uniform Commercial Code, and the States are trying to work together to address these kinds of interstate contracts. That will take time. Even after they come to final agreement on a specific format or formula for the legislation, it is going to take probably years for all the States to adopt it. So this would guarantee the enforceability of contracts entered into electronically in the interim. That is the approach we have taken, and we hope it will therefore allow continuing growth in the area of electronic commerce, which is, as you well know, becoming one of the key sectors and key activities in our economy today.

Mr. ABRAHAM. I don't, for the very simple reason that in the House, the House-passed legislation went beyond the scope of what we passed in the Senate to include legislation, or to expand the use of this legislation to transactions that involved securities and other transactions which would fall under our Banking Committee's jurisdiction. Had those been in the initial legislation we introduced here, then the jurisdiction of this bill in the Senate might have been altered or in some way divided. For that reason, I think there is a very valid argument for the Banking Committee, because of the broader nature of the legislation that came to the House, to participate in the conference.

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, point of clarification: In the process of the appointment of conferees, obviously each Chamber has to appoint them based on the respective jurisdictions of the parts of this bill that are before us; that is, the House bill as it finished the House and the Senate bill as it finished the Senate. Although I don't have an intricate knowledge of the jurisdictions of various areas in the House, it is my understanding that matters that pertain to the SEC and securities-related issues in the House fall under the Commerce Committee's jurisdiction, whereas in the Senate they fall under the Banking Committee's jurisdiction. I think that may explain the problem a little bit because in the House it is perfectly reasonable and appropriate that the Commerce Committee alone be represented. They have jurisdiction over those provisions that are securities-related as well as those that are related to the technology side of this. In the Senate, that is not the case. Our Banking Committee, not the Commerce Committee, has responsibility for those areas. I think that is part of the problem.

Mr. ABRAHAM. I think the majority leader has outlined the jurisdictional situation well. I reiterate, had the bill that the House passed been the bill that was introduced here, clearly the jurisdiction on the Senate side would have been differently arranged in some fashion. I don't know if it is called sequential jurisdiction or what, but provisions would have fallen under the Banking Committee's domain.

Mr. ABRAHAM. Before we conclude, I ask unanimous consent to have printed letters from a number of organizations that have called on the Senate to move to appoint conferees.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, on March 18 of this year, at the Lithuanian Cultural Center, in Southfield, Michigan, Lithuanian Americans will gather to mark the tenth anniversary of the reestablishment of Lithuanian independence. Michigan's Lithuanian-American community also will celebrate the perseverance and sacrifice of their people, which enabled them to achieve the freedom they now enjoy. I have reviewed the bare facts before: On March 11, 1990, the newly elected Lithuanian Parliament, fulfilling its electoral mandate from the people of Lithuania, declared the restoration of Lithuania's independence and the establishment of a democratic state. This marked a great moment for Lithuania and for lovers of freedom around the globe. The people of Lithuania endured 51 years of oppressive foreign occupation. Operating under cover of the infamous Hitler-Stalin Pact of 1939, Soviet troops marched into Lithuania, beginning an occupation characterized by communist dictatorship and cultural genocide. Even in the face of this oppression, the Lithuanian people were not defeated. The resisted their oppressors and kept their culture, their faith and their dream of independence very much alive even during the hardest times. The people of Lithuania were even able to mobilize and sustain a non- violent movement for social and political change, a movement which came to be known as Sajudis. This people's movement helped guarantee a peaceful transition to independence through full participation in democratic elections on February 24, 1990. Unfortunately, as is so often the case, peace and freedom had to be purchased again and again. In January of 1991, ten months after restoration of independence, the people and government of Lithuania faced a bloody assault by foreign troops intent on overthrowing their democratic institutions. Lithuanians withstood this assault, maintaining their independence and their democracy. Their successful use of non-violent resistance to an oppressive regime is an inspiration to all. Lithuania's integration into the international community has been swift and sure. On September 17, 1991, the reborn nation became a member of the United Nations and is a signatory to a number of its organizations and other international agreements. It also is a member of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the North Atlantic Cooperation Council and the Council of Europe. Lithuania is an associate member of the European Union, has applied for NATO membership and is currently negotiating for membership in the WTO, OECD and other Western organizations. The United States established diplomatic relations with Lithuania on July 28, 1992. But our nation never really broke with the government and people of Lithuania. The United States never recognized the forcible incorporation of Lithuania into the U.S.S.R., and views the present Government of Lithuania as a legal continuation of the inter- war republic. Indeed, for over fifty years the United States maintained a bipartisan consensus that our nation would refuse to recognize the forcible incorporation of Lithuania into the former Soviet Union. America's relations with Lithuania continue to be strong, friendly and mutually beneficial. Lithuania has enjoyed most-favored-nation (MFN) treatment with the United States since December, 1991. Through 1996, the United States has committed over $100 million to Lithuania's economic and political transformation and to address humanitarian needs. In 1994, the United States and Lithuania signed an agreement of bilateral trade and intellectual property protection, and in 1997 a bilateral investment treaty. In 1998 the United States and Lithuania signed the Baltic Charter Partnership. That charter recalls the history of American relations with the area and underscores our ``real, profound, and enduring'' interest in the security and independence of the three Baltic states. As the Charter also notes, our interest in a Europe whole and free will not be ensured until Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are secure. I commend the people of Lithuania for their courage and perseverance in using peaceful means to regain their independence. I pledge to work with my colleagues to continue working to secure the freedom and independence of Lithuania and its Baltic neighbors, and I join with the people of Lithuania as they celebrate their independence.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today to remember Jeff Clevenger, a dear friend who died on December 21, 1999. The illness which led to his death came suddenly and Jeff was taken from us all too soon. Jeff Clevenger was a great American in that he gave everything of himself to make his community and this country great. He contributed to our economy as Vice President and General Manager of the Wickes Machine Tool Group, Inc., in Saginaw, Michigan. In 1983 he led a team of managers in the buyout of the machine tool group from Wickes. The new company was named SMS Group, Inc. From the formation of this new company until his death, Jeff served as President, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of SMS Group, Inc. Jeff contributed to his community unselfishly. And he was not satisfied to simply be a member of a club or board. In nearly every organization he joined, at some point, Jeff served as chairman. These organizations include: the Saginaw Chamber of Commerce; the Michigan State Chamber of Commerce; the Michigan Manufacturers Association; Saginaw Remanufacturing; Junior Achievement; the Government Relations Committee of the Association for Manufacturing Technology; United Way of Saginaw County; the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Association. In 1994 he became the founding Chairman of the United Way Alexis de Toqueville Society in Saginaw County. Jeff also served as a board member for Saginaw Future, Inc., and the Delta College Foundation. He also devoted his time to Saginaw Valley State University. Jeff's dedication to his community did not go unnoticed. He has received a number of honors. He was given the ``Spirit of Saginaw'' award; the ``Entrepreneur of the Year'' award; the Junior Achievement Hall of Fame Award; the Robert H. Albert Award for Community Service from the Saginaw Chamber of Commerce; to name a few. The State of Michigan is a better place because we were lucky enough to have Jeff Clevenger as part of our community. Even those who did not know Jeff will benefit for many years from his dedication to his community. And to those who did know him, myself included, Jeff's life will forever serve as an inspiration. I would like at this time, on behalf of the United States Senate, to extend my sympathies to Jeff's family: Nell Clevenger, Lori Himes, Robin Vosen, Allana Clevenger, Angela Jennings, and Bradley Weaver. Your loss is shared by many.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today, along with several of my fellow Great Lakes Senators, to introduce an amendment to Senate Bill 1089, the Coast Guard Authorization Act. I want to thank Senators DeWine, Feingold, Grams, Kohl, Lugar, Santorum, Voinovich, and Wellstone for their support and commitment to the continued presence of a suitable and reliable heavy icebreaking capability on the Great Lakes. The purpose of our amendment is to authorize adequate funding to replace the current Great Lakes icebreaker, the Mackinaw, which is scheduled for decommissioning in 2006. Mr. President, heavy icebreaking on the Great Lakes is vital to the region's industry. Each year, almost 200 million tons of cargo travel across the Great Lakes, including 70 percent of U.S. steel. Transportation of U.S. steel alone directly affects 108,000 jobs, and indirectly affects 400,000. Shipping on the Great Lakes faces a unique challenge because the season begins and ends in ice. Windrows, slabs of broken ice piled atop each other by the wind, can reach 15 feet in thickness. The Mackinaw, with 12,000 horsepower packed into her 290-foot-long hull has kept commerce moving even under the most trying conditions since 1944. The presence of the Mackinaw improves shipping efficiency, reliability, and competition. Further, shipping provides a more environmentally sound alternative to surface transportation, because maritime shipments use less fuel and produce fewer emissions than rail and truck alternatives. Mr. President, after over 55 years of service, the Mackinaw's productive life is nearing an end. The Coast Guard has committed to keeping the cutter in service until 2006, when it hopes to have a replacement vessel operating. To meet this important deadline, funds to construct a multi-purpose heavy icebreaker must be included in the fiscal year 2001 budget, which is why I have joined with the aforementioned Great Lakes Senators in seeking authorization. In addition, I and several other Senators have sent various letters requesting appropriations for the Mackinaw, as well as an assumption within the fiscal year 2001 budget resolution for this funding. The construction of a multi-purpose vessel designed to perform icebreaking operations will bring the cutter's mission profile in line with Coast Guard employment standards while improving the efficiency of the Great Lakes fleet performance. Extensive studies and modeling validate the feasibility of a multi-purpose design. Additionally, the multi-mission design is less than 4 percent more expensive than a single-purpose design, and provides a more robust Great Lakes fleet by increasing the number of available operational days by 38 percent. Without a heavy icebreaker, the Great Lakes shipping season could be shortened by as much as 10 weeks, causing a host of problems for which there are few solutions and none of which are in the region's best interests. We must appropriate these funds this year, and to do that we should make sure that the authorization bill provides for this important one-time expense so that there will be no doubt as to the intent of Congress on this important project. And Mr. President, let me just inform my colleagues that this is not simply a Great Lakes issue. The winter Great Lakes maritime commerce dependent upon the availability of a heavy icebreaker is the same maritime commerce that delivers iron ore to steel mills along the Eastern Seaboard and the South, the same maritime commerce that delivers aggregates to the Mid-Atlantic, and the same maritime commerce that delivers agricultural projects throughout the United States and overseas. With that in mind, I ask for the support of all of my colleagues to assure the continued operation of Great Lakes icebreaking through the full funding of the Great Lakes ice breaker in fiscal year 2001.