Spencer Abraham

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, today I voted for both the Coverdell and Boxer sense of the Senate amendments relating to school safety. I voted for both amendments because I believe that Congress can and should enact legislation to provide for safer schools and a secure learning environment. The language of Senator Boxer's Sense of the Senate stated that ``Congress shall make schools safe for learning by implementing policies that will reduce the threat of gun violence in schools''; I rise now to briefly explain a few of the wholly-attainable measures that I believe would truly make a difference. During the Juvenile Justice debate I offered a commonsense amendment that would allow local school districts to access existing funds available under the Safe and Drug Free Schools Act to conduct locker searches for guns, explosives, other weapons, or drugs. Mr. President, no one involved opposes cleansing our schools of these elements, other than those criminals who possess them; and to those few, I have no sympathy for any inconvenience these searches may cause. I am pleased that my colleagues supported my amendment, which was accepted by voice vote. I also suggest that Congress should build upon a current tax deduction and reward businesses that donate school safety devices to K- 12 schools. Qualified security equipment and technologies should include metal detectors, electronic locks and surveillance cameras. Along with these security improvements, I believe it is important to provide training for school personnel and parents on how to recognize a troubled young person before tragedy strikes. And in the event of an attack, our school officials, security personnel, parents and communities must be trained for emergency preparedness and crisis response. In that vein, I argue to my colleagues that we should allow ESEA funding available under the Safe & Drug Free Schools and Communities program and the Innovative Education Program to be used for innovative approaches to reducing violence in schools and improving the classroom environment. Among other uses of such funding could be the testing of students for illegal drug use, at the request or consent of a parent or legal guardian; comprehensive school security assessments; purchase of school security equipment and technologies; implementation of a school uniform policy; and collaborative efforts with groups demonstrating expertise in providing research-based violence prevention and intervention programs. But the most important quality of these initiatives is that they would be initiated at the local level by those with the most knowledge of the community, not by some nameless Washington bureaucrat wielding a ``one-size-fits-all'' solution. Finally, I was pleased to have the opportunity to vote for Senator Durbin's amendment, which harkens back to a day when this country discussed issues of responsibility and society in a constructive manner, not in one based in fear or fantasy. Without question, we should educate our young people on right and wrong, and we must encourage constructive adult involvement in the lives of our young people, not only by parents and teachers, but also by community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, and local law enforcement personnel. Mr. President, I yield the floor.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise, with sadness and a heavy heart today. On Tuesday, Kayla Rolland, a 6-year-old first grader was shot and killed by a classmate at Theo J. Buell Elementary School in Mount Morris Township, MI. As Kayla's family mourns their lost, I am certain in my heart that Kayla's spirit is in a better place. It is my hope that in this difficult time Kayla's family will find comfort in one another, in their community, in their faith and in the knowledge that across America their fellow citizens feel their grief. Such a violent death is a great tragedy. But for someone so young, to have her hopes and dreams cut short by gunfire--stretches the limits of our power to understand and to accept. As the father of two daughters, also in the first grade, I can't get out of my mind the pictures of Buell Elementary School, as so many frightened young children facing a terror few of us would want to know firsthand, rushed into the arms of their parents. I thank God each day that my kids return home safe, away from the dangers of this world and from the senseless violence that haunts our communities. But, as our Nation tries to address the questions and issues that surrounded this tragic event, I hope that, for the next few days, we focus on Kayla's family. A family lost a child this week, and that we must not forget. There is a time and a place to address the circumstances surrounding Kayla's death and the public policy issues involved, and I look forward to those discussions. But, I hope that we will not allow the policy debates and the media rush to examine this tragic event cause us to forget the immediate needs of a family in mourning. Above all, I hope that we will keep the Rolland family and Kayla in our thoughts and prayers. In closing, Mr. President, on behalf of my wife Jane and myself, I would like to express our family's deepest sympathies to the Rolland family.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Senior Citizens' Financial Freedom Act, a bill which would accomplish three objectives. First, it rolls back the Clinton Administration's 1993 tax increase on Social Security benefits. Second, it repeals the Social Security Earnings Test working penalty on Seniors. Finally, it returns to our Seniors the ability to control their own savings, by increasing the age when minimum IRA distributions must begin, from 70\1/2\ to 85. Mr. President, our tax code mercilessly penalizes Seniors. In fact, Seniors are double taxed. First the government takes money from their paycheck to pay for the Social Security system. Then, when the senior receives their benefits, they are taxed again. The Government also penalizes Seniors for working by placing an ``Earnings Test'' just to receive Social Security benefits. Finally, the Government forces Seniors to withdraw benefits from their IRAs, whether they want to or not, and penalizes them with a 50% tax if they do not. This is immoral, illogical and simply wrong. Mr. President, I applaud our colleagues in the House for passing a bill to eliminate the Social Security Earnings Test, which takes away Social Security benefits simply because a 60 year old works. We should be celebrating those between 60 and 70 years old who can work, but instead, we punish them. For a Senior between 60 and 65, if they earn over $9,600 in income beyond Social Security benefits (which is just above the poverty level), they lose 50% of their benefits. For those between 65 and 70 years old, they lose 33% of their benefits for earning over $15,500. It's not until they turn 70 can they both work and keep their benefits. This represents a marginal tax rate for someone under 65 of almost 60%. While I agree that the Earnings Test must be eliminated, Congress should go beyond this. In 1993, President Clinton proposed, and the Democratic-controlled Congress passed by one vote, a 70% increase on Social Security benefits. These benefits should not be taxed at all, but the fact that they were raised so much gives us the opportunity, during these large surpluses, to provide immediate relief for our Seniors. When coupled with the Earnings Test, these two taxes can result in some couples suffering under a 103% marginal tax rate. Seniors could lose more than a dollar for making another dollar. Finally, Mr. President, we must amend the IRA distribution requirements. When a person reaches 70\1/2\ years old, the Government forces them to begin taking out money from their IRA, which they personally have saved up for it's their money. They have to take all of it out of their account within their life expectancy at the time they start making withdrawals, which for someone 70\1/2\, is currently about 15 years. They must make these withdrawals whether they need to do so or not. And if they do not take out the money, or cannot because they're invested in long-term projects, they lose 50% of the money to punitive taxes. Essentially, they are penalized for their foresight in saving for retirement, and their industry for finding other sources of income than these retirement assets. Mr. President, this is a policy that only the federal government could think up, and it comes from the bureaucratic mentality that says the people's money belongs to the government, and not the people. What is particularly worrisome, is that although the current rules assume someone 70\1/2\ has a life expectancy of 15 years, people are living longer and retiring later, and these rules could result in individuals not having the money available when they really do need it. Mr. President, I ask my colleagues to support reducing the tax burden on Seniors, to give those Seniors who want to work the freedom to work, without the fear of penalty and to restore their control over their savings. In short, I ask my colleagues to restore to Seniors their financial freedom.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, very briefly, this amendment would essentially expand the tax deductibility and create a tax credit for the donation of used computer equipment to schools in this country. It enjoys strong bipartisan support, both in the freestanding bill as well as this amendment. What this will help us to do is address the problem of the digital divide by providing more hardware and software and other computer services and equipment to the public schools of this country to help improve the ratio of computers to students in our public school system. We look forward to continuing to work on this digital divide challenge, but this legislation will move us in the right direction. I encourage my colleagues to support the amendment.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the men and women of our U.S. Coast Guard. In particular, I salute the crew of the USCGC Mackinaw for their work, which ensures the full utilization of the navigation season in my state, and the Great Lakes region as a whole. Mr. President, the ice that forms on the Great Lakes rivals that found anywhere in the continental United States. Even in a normal winter, ice six to eight feet thick will develop in the connecting channels. Windrows, chunks of ice piled atop one another by the wind, easily can reach 15 feet in height. Navigation under such conditions has been possible only because the Coast Guard's icebreaking forces are led by the Mackinaw. The icebreaker is capable of generating 10,000 shaft horsepower, and is wide enough--75 feet--to clear a track for Great Lakes vessels. Furthermore, the Mackinaw is crewed sufficiently to stay on station for days on end. Annually, more than 10 million tons of iron ore, 4 million tons of coal, 1.5 million tons of stone, and 500,000 tons of cement are shipped across the Great Lakes. The iron ore, coal, stone, and Seaway trades generated nearly 14 billion tons of cargo during the 20th century. That commerce could not have been accomplished as safely and efficiently as it was without the assistance of the U.S. Coast Guard, and especially, the Mackinaw.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that amendment No. 2825 be called up.

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

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I comment to my colleague from Nevada, I appreciate the interest and support and efforts of all the Members he mentioned and those who previously were supporters of this legislation when it was introduced as a freestanding bill. I hope very much to ultimately succeed in bringing this legislation to final successful completion. First, prior to a discussion on the amendment, I express my strong support for the Affordable Education Act and compliment Senator Coverdell for his hard work on this effort. At a time when the new high-tech economy demands greater skills from our workers, our educational system is failing in its duty to provide enough of these skills. At a time when the Department of Labor figures project our economy will produce more than 1.3 million information technology jobs over the next 10 years, our universities will produce, at least at the current pace, less than one-quarter of that number of graduates in related fields. At a time when we enjoy a critical competitive edge in high tech, we are not giving our own children the skills they need to succeed in the high-tech economy, at least not, in my judgment, at an adequate level. We need to address that, and this amendment, in a small way, attempts to do so. One crucial problem concerns the skyrocketing cost of education. According to the College Board, the average annual cost for tuition, room, and board at a public university is now $7,472. At a private college, it is a whopping $19,213 per year. If costs continue rising as they have been, a 4-year college education will cost $75,000 at a public university and $250,000 at a private college by the time the average newborn begins attending in the year 2016. The Affordable Education Act addresses this problem through practical, pragmatic reforms. I will not detail all of those at this time. Obviously, the proponents of the legislation have been doing an excellent job of outlining what this bill accomplishes. I firmly believe the continuing growth and prosperity in America depends on continuing affordability of higher education. It is my firm belief we must do more, particularly in the area of closing what is regularly referenced as the digital divide between the digital haves and the digital have-nots. The amendment I have offered is the full text of my New Millennium Classrooms Act, legislation I have been pursuing for some time in this body. In addition to the cosponsors who were just added, our bill, S. 542, includes the support of Senators Wyden, Coverdell, Daschle, Hatch, Harkin, McConnell, Hollings, Burns, Boxer, Helms, Bingaman, Kerrey, Bennett, Lieberman, and Ashcroft, just to name a few of its Senate sponsors. I ask unanimous consent the entire list of cosponsors be printed in the Record.

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, on July 29 of last year, the Senate unanimously adopted this amendment to the tax reduction bill. I urge the Senate to do so again today. This amendment aims to address our shortage of skilled high-tech workers by addressing the shortage of computers and computer training in our schools. Advanced technology has fueled unprecedented economic growth and transformed the way Americans do business and communicate with each other. Despite these gains, however, this same technology is just beginning to have an impact on our classrooms and how we educate our children. Thirty-two percent of our public schools have only one classroom with access to the Internet. It is imperative that we act now to provide our Nation's students with the training they need to succeed in tomorrow's high-tech workplace. The Department of Education recommends there be at least one computer for every five students. According to the Education Testing Service, in 1997 there was only one computer for every 24 students on average. Not only are our classrooms sadly underequipped, but the equipment they have is often obsolete, often incapable, for example, of accessing the Internet. One of the more common computers in our schools today is the Apple IIc, a computer so archaic that it is now on display at the Smithsonian. While this technological deficiency affects all of our schools, the students who are in the most need are receiving the least amount of computer instruction and exposure. According to the Secretary of Education, 75.9 percent of households with an annual income over $75,000 have computers, compared to only 11 percent of households with incomes under $10,000. This disparity exists when comparing households with the Internet access as well. While 42 percent of families with annual incomes over $75,000 have online capability, only 10 percent of families with incomes of $25,000 or less have the same capability. Rural areas and inner cities fall below the national average for households that have computers. Nationwide, 40.8 percent of white households have computers, while only 19 percent of African American and Hispanic households do. This disparity, unfortunately, is increasing, not decreasing. This unfortunate trend is not confined simply to individual households; it is present in our schools as well. The Educational Testing Service statistics show schools with 81 percent or more economically disadvantaged students have only one multimedia computer for every 32 students, while a school with 20 percent or fewer economically disadvantaged students will have a multimedia computer for every 22 students. That is a difference of 10 students per computer. Furthermore, schools with 90 percent or more minority students have only one multimedia computer for every 30 students. This is simply unacceptable. It points up the importance of securing additional computers for use in our schools. Our schools should be great educational equalizers, providing resources and training to everyone, regardless of their race, class, or rural or urban location so all of our kids can succeed. To achieve this end, our amendment expands the parameters of the existing tax deduction for computer deductions. It will also add a tax credit. Specifically, it will do the following: First, it will allow a tax credit equal to 30 percent of the fair market value of the donated computer equipment. An increased tax credit provides a greater incentive for companies to donate computer technology and equipment to schools. This includes computers, peripheral equipment, software, and fiber optic cable related to computer use. Second, it will expand the current age limit on donated computers to include equipment 3 years old or less. Many companies do not update their equipment within the existing 2-year period that currently is required for qualification for the existing tax deductions. Yet 3-year-old computers equipped with Pentium-based or equivalent chips have the processing power, memory, and graphics capabilities to provide sufficient Internet and multimedia access and run any necessary software. Third, the current limitation on original use will be expanded to include original equipment manufacturers or any corporation that reacquires the equipment. By expanding the number of donors eligible for the tax credit, the number of computers available will increase as well. Lastly, it would implement enhanced tax credits equal to 50 percent of the fair market value of equipment donated to schools located within designated empowerment zones, enterprise communities, and Indian reservations. Doubling the amount of the tax credits for donations made to schools in economically distressed areas will increase the availability of computers to the children who need it most. Bringing our classrooms into the 21st century will require a major national investment. According to a Rand Institute study, it will cost $15 billion, or $300 per student, to provide American schools with the technology needed to educate our young people; the primary cost being the purchase and installation of computer equipment. At a time when the Government is planning to spend $2.25 billion to wire schools and libraries to the Internet, the demand for this sophisticated hardware will be even greater. Meanwhile, the Detwiler Foundation estimates that if just 10 percent of the computers that are taken out of service each year were donated to schools, the national ratio of students-to-computers would be brought to 5 to 1 or less. This would meet, or even exceed, the ratio recommended by the Department of Education. This amendment will provide powerful tax incentives for American businesses to donate top quality high-tech equipment to our Nation's classrooms. And it will do so without unduly increasing Federal Government expenditures or creating yet another Federal program or department. Encouraging private investment and involvement, this act will keep control where it belongs--with the teachers, the parents, and the students. At the same time, all our children will have an equal chance at succeeding in the new technological millennium. In my mind, these are laudable goals, goals we must attain if we are going to provide the kind of future our children deserve. In closing, I am hopeful our colleagues will uniformly join in support of this legislation. It seems to me, as I travel around my State and go into classrooms, there are a lot of places in Michigan-- and I suspect in all the other States--where just a little bit more equipment would allow for more students to get the kind of high-tech training they need. How do we match up a situation where, literally across this country, we have schools that do not have enough computer equipment, and we have countless businesses and enterprises that have used equipment they don't know what to do with? Can't we find a way? In my judgment, this legislation is the way. If we pass this legislation, I think we will provide a major incentive to merge the used surplus computers that exist in the private sector with the needs of our schools. In doing so, we will provide more students with access to the technology they need to have in order to be able to pursue the jobs of the new century. I offer this amendment for my colleagues' consideration. I appreciate the attention of the Chamber. I yield the floor.

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

Mr. ABRAHAM. I ask unanimous consent to add Senator Hagel as a cosponsor to my amendment.

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

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I join my colleagues in sponsoring, S. 2003, the Keep Our Promise to America's Military Retirees Act of 2000. I am sponsoring this legislation because I believe it is necessary if we are to fulfill our moral obligation to those who devoted their careers to safeguarding our nation's people, our homes, and our way of life. The brave men and women of our armed forces literally put their lives on the line for this country. We owe them a debt we can never repay. But one thing we cannot do, in my opinion, is fail to live up to our explicit promise that those who made military life their career would receive, in return lifetime medical care. That is a promise we have made; and it is a promise we must keep. There has already been a great deal of discussion on this topic in the Administration and the Congress. In the 1998 National Defense Authorization Act, Congress expressed its sense that many retired military personnel reasonably believed that they had been promised lifetime health care in exchange for 20 or more years of service. Recruiters for the uniformed services, as agents of the United States government, had used recruiting tactics promising enrollees entering the Armed Forces prior to June 7, 1956, that they would be entitled to fully paid lifetime health care upon retirement. Unfortunately, prior to 1956, a statutory health care plan did not exist for our military personnel. Since the establishment of CHAMPUS, and its successor, Tricare, we have seen the erosion of space-available health care at military treatment facilities for military retirees. Additionally, military health care has become increasingly difficult to obtain for military retirees as the Department of Defense reduces its health care infrastructure. As a result, military retiree's health care situation is woefully inadequate compared to health care afforded to other federal employees. Today, military retirees remain the only Federal Government personnel who have been prevented from using their employer-provided health care at or after 65 years of age. Military retirees deserve to have a health care program that is at least comparable with that of retirees from civilian employment in the Federal Government. In statements before this Congress, our distinguished Secretary of Defense and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs have reiterated the importance of seeing to military retirees' health needs. According to Secretary Cohen, the loudest complaints he hears while traveling concern the military health care system. I believe General Hugh Shelton expressed the correct response to these complaints when he stated, ``I think that the first thing we need to do is make sure that we acknowledge our commitment to the retirees for their years of service and for what we basically committed to at the time they were recruited into the armed forces.'' It is morally imperative, that we keep our promise to the brave men and women who devoted their careers to protecting our country. But we should also keep in mind that health care is not only a top issue for retirees; it is also a major source of dissatisfaction for active duty personnel. As such it affects readiness, recruiting and retention. The availability of quality, lifetime health care is a critical recruiting incentive for the all volunteer Armed Forces. That incentive has been undermined by the declining services provided to military retirees. In its self-proclaimed ``Year of Health Care,'' the Department of Defense had a major opportunity to take the lead in keeping commitments to service members and start erasing the skepticism and distrust that years of broken health care promises have engendered among the retired population. Putting these initiatives in the President's budget would have made them much easier to enact. But, once again, the Administration has chosen to pass its moral responsibilities to the Congress. For too long, this Administration has ignored the needs of the brave men and women who have defended our interests and our shores. This is unfair. What is more, in my view it is unwise to ignore the well-being of military retirees. Well-trained, properly motivated troops have been and continue to be the single most important factor in protecting our national security. Without them we will not be able to achieve and maintain military readiness. We will not be able, as a nation, to fight and win. Under current conditions we cannot expect to maintain the levels of re- enlistment, expertise and morale we need to maintain an effective military force. Last year this Congress took it upon itself to address the critical issue of unconscionably low military pay. I hope and believe that this year we will address the no-less critical issue of unconscionably inadequate health care services for military retirees. This Congress and the President must take action to address the problems associated with the availability of health care for military retirees. Keeping this nation's promise and providing adequate health care for military retirees is an issue whose time has come. Every day, in hundreds of locations all over the world, our soldiers, sailors and airmen willingly serve in defense of our national interest, promoting peace and prosperity around the globe. We have asked for the greatest sacrifice from our military retirees and today's men and women in uniform--to give one's life in defense of their nation. When people put themselves in harm's way for their country, they should not have to worry about their families' access to proper health care. We must act upon the sense of this Congress that the United States has incurred a moral obligation to provide health care to former members of the Armed Forces who are entitled to retired or retainer pay (or its equivalent); and it is, therefore, necessary to provide quality, affordable health to such retirees. For these reasons I am happy to join with Senators Coverdell, Johnson, and 13 fellow Senators in co-sponsoring the bipartisan Keep Our Promise to America's Military Retirees Act (S. 2003). This legislation is key to re-establishing the morale, confidence and trust of our military retirees. I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the proud achievements of the 110th Fighter Wing of the Air National Guard. This group was recently awarded the prestigious United States Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for meritorious service, an award given to only three Air National Guard fighter wings. I would like to take this opportunity to share the history of success of this unit. The 110th Fighter Wing has served America courageously around the world. Recently, the unit conducted flight operations from Aviano Air Base, Italy, in support of Operation Joint Guard over Bosnia- Herzegovina. During this period, the unit received a grade of ``Outstanding''--an honor reserved for only the elite forces in the U.S. Armed Services--for an Operational Readiness Inspection. This distinction was the first ever given to a Michigan-based unit. Mr. President, I would also like to recognize the service of Col. Ken Heaton, USAF, the unit's commander. Under Colonel Heaton's command, the 110th Fighter Wing has continued its history of excellence with these most recent awards. In the unit's 52-year history, it has been awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award four times. I am proud to have the opportunity to share the accomplishments of the 110th Fighter Wing on the floor of the U.S. Senate. On behalf of the State of Michigan, I congratulate Colonel Heaton and his unit on their achievements, and I look forward to hearing of this unit's laurels for years to come.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize and to salute our Nation's Veterans. The Department of Veterans Affairs has designated the week of February 13-19 as ``National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans Week.'' I take this opportunity to pay special tribute to those veterans who are currently hospitalized, especially those hospitalized in the Battle Creek, MI, VA Medical Center. These brave people served their country in time of need. Many of them were wounded. Many of them knew others who never came home from battle. It is only right, then, that our nation help them in time of physical need. The Battle Creek VA Medical Center provides an excellent example of how our nation can repay some of the debt it owes our brave veterans. This facility has provided quality care for up to 325 residents at a time for over 75 years. It is an important part of our system of 172 VA Medical Centers across the United States, and an important part of the Battle Creek community. I know that a festive schedule of special events has been planned for the week long salute. Our veterans, and particularly those who are currently hospitalized, certainly deserve every tribute we can give to them. And the same goes for the dedicated men and women who care for them. The American people will be forever indebted to our veterans and their families. Without their sacrifice, dedication, and unwavering commitment to our nation and its ideals, America would not be the beacon of freedom it is today. I ask that you and my colleagues join me in saluting the veterans at the Battle Creek VA Medical Center and each and every individual who has served with distinction in the U.S. Armed Forces. Let us say to them: We salute you and we thank you.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise to recognize Beulah Cool and congratulate her on the celebration of her 96th birthday. Ms. Cool was born on June 20, 1903 in Elmdale, MI, and is currently a resident of Webberville County, MI. Ms. Cool has lived a life dedicated to helping others, as evidenced by her commitment to education and community service. She graduated from Clarksville school in 1921, took a six-week course in teaching, and taught at a rural school that same year. Upon her marriage to Kenneth Cool in 1929, she put a hold on her teaching career and gave birth to two sons, William Kenneth (1940) and Robert Arthur (1943), staying at home until they were both in school. In 1950, Ms. Cool returned to teaching, instructing first grade for 21 years until her retirement in 1971. After her retirement from teaching, Beulah commenced her ``second career'' as a volunteer, with organizations such as the Red Cross, CROP Walk and Sparrow Hospital. One of her specialities when working at Sparrow was knitting caps for premature babies. Ms. Cool is also a member of the Webberville United Methodist Church (where she has taught Sunday School), the Webberville Women's Advance Club, the Webberville Garden Club, and the Webberville Extension Club. In honor of her extensive community service, Beulah was named Webberville Citizen of the Year in 1990, ``Queen of Webberville'' by the Webberville Fireman's Organization in 1996, and has served as Grand Marshal in a Webberville parade. The town of Webberville and the State of Michigan are lucky to have Beulah Cool to call their own. I applaud her on her more than 70 years of community service through education and volunteer work and I wish her a very happy 96th birthday.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police (MACP) who are attending their Mid-Winter Training Conference this week. I want to commend Michigan's Chiefs of Police for their dedication to protecting Michigan's citizens--for their unwavering effort to keep our communities safe, even when that means putting themselves in harm's way. The MACP training conference is evidence of their commitment to learning the most current state-of-the-art practices and systems used by law enforcement in order to keep Michiganians as safe as possible. Mr. President, I have had the pleasure of working with some of these police chiefs on legislation. Through this work, I have only gained more respect and appreciation for their dedication and their expertise in law enforcement issues. At a time when some politicians are supporting clemency for terrorists, and others are effectively pitting our law enforcement officers against the very people they are protecting, I think it is essential that we publicly recognize the exemplary role that our police chiefs and officers play. I am proud to have this opportunity, on behalf of the U.S. Senate, to publicly express our gratitude to police chiefs and officers across the country who risk their lives to keep us safe--who work every day on the side of law-abiding citizens. I call on all elected representatives to join me in supporting the efforts of police chiefs to keep our communities safe.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise to offer my congratulations to Center Line High School in Center Line, Michigan, upon its recognition by the US Department of Education as a Blue Ribbon School. Fully accredited by the North Central Association and continuously endorsed since 1956, Center Line High School has demonstrated excellence in a variety of areas, including student focus and support, active teaching and learning, leadership, community partnerships, and educational vitality. The Department of Education's Blue Ribbon Program promotes and supports the improvement of education in America by: identifying and recognizing schools that are models of excellence and equity, that demonstrate a strong commitment to educational excellence for all students; making research based, self-assessment criteria available to schools looking for a way to reflect on how they are doing; and encouraging schools, both within and among themselves, to share information about best practices which is based on a shared understanding of the standards which demonstrate educational success. Center Line High School demonstrated its excellence to the Department of Education through a variety of innovative programs intended to prepare its students academically, physically, and socially to participate productively in this rapidly changing world. Center Line High is in its second year on an alternating A/B block schedule, which has allowed the school to implement 11 new courses this past year. Beyond its academic and curricular superiority, Center Line offers an array of student-run activities that integrate learning and service with community involvement. One such program allows students the opportunity to operate a branch of the Metro Credit Union (one of the first student-run credit unions in the county and state) while the student-initiated Community Outreach Program gives students the chance to engage in area service projects. I applaud Center Line High School on its excellence in education and its commitment to the development of students and the community. I also with to congratulate the school once again upon its designation as a Blue Ribbon School by the Department of Education.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise to make a few remarks concerning the retirement of the Most Reverend Moses B. Anderson, S.S.E. Auxiliary Bishop of Detroit. Bishop Anderson was the first African-American Catholic Bishop in the State of Michigan. Bishop Anderson will be honored at a Gratitude Dinner at the Sacred Heart Major Seminary in the City of Detroit on February 17, 2000, at which time he will also be presented with the Mother Theresa Duchemin Maxis Award. Bishop Anderson has served the Catholic Church since his ordination as a priest in 1958. He was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Detroit in 1982, was consecrated in 1983 at the Blessed Sacrament Church, and was appointed Pastor of Precious Blood Parish in Detroit in 1992. While in service to the Catholic Church in Greater Detroit, Bishop Anderson has specialized in several areas, most notably those dealing with black theology, art, and evangelization. Bishop Anderson's membership list includes: the National Catholic Conference of Bishops--United States Catholic Conference, the Society for the Study of Black Religion, the New Detroit Board of Trustees, Boysville of America, and the Ecumenical Forum. He has also given lectures or written papers on the following topics: Black Theology, Evangelization-Indigenization, the History of the Black Church in Louisiana, Racism--The Impoverishment of the Body and the Spirit, Black Awareness--The Harlem Renaissance and the Negritude Poets, and Black Spirituality. Bishop Anderson's lengthy list of accomplishments also includes educational achievements, including the following degrees: Doctor of Humane Letters, St. Michael College; Honorary Degree in L.L.D. from Kansas Newman College; Honorary Doctor of Humanities Degree from Madonna College; and Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from the University of Detroit Mercy. I applaud the Most Reverend Moses B. Anderson for his contribution to the Catholic Church and the Greater Detroit area and wish to take this opportunity to personally thank him for his many years of selfless service to the City of Detroit and the State of Michigan.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise to congratulate and honor two young Michigan students who have achieved national recognition for exemplary volunteer service in their communities. Jonathan Quarles of Flint and Gopalkrishna Trivedi of Grosse Pointe Park have just been named State Honorees in The 2000 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program, an annual honor conferred on only one high school student and one middle-level student in each state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Mr. Quarles, a high school senior at Flint Northern High School, founded Students Against Violence Everywhere (S.A.V.E.), a group that helps discourage crime through creative presentations. Since the group was founded in 1997, they have worked in collaboration with many organizations, including leadership workshops. ``In the past year, not one teen was killed by violence in Flint,'' says Jonathan. Mr. Trivedi, an eighth-grader at Pierce Middle School, repaired and upgraded 120 obsolete computers to help non-English speaking students learn and work in English. He encouraged two of his computer classmates to help with the project, and the three students proceeded to carry the outdated computers from the school basement to the computer lab. They then inspected each computer to diagnose problems, and replaced all defective parts. Once the computers were repaired, Gopal then formatted the hard drives, installed CD-ROM's, and loaded each with an operating system. Most of these modified computers were donated to students who had recently arrived from Albania with very few financial resources. Gopal donated the rest of the computers to the school's science lab and the computer keyboarding lab. ``It is a really good feeling when sacrifices are made for other people and those sacrifices actually change some lives for the better,'' said Gopal recently. In light of numerous statistics that indicate Americans today are less involved in their communities than they once were, it's vital that we encourage and support the kind of selfless contributions these young people have made. People of all ages need to think more about how we, as individual citizens, can work together at the local level to ensure the health and vitality of our towns and neighborhoods. Young volunteers like Mr. Quarles and Mr. Trivedi are inspiring examples to all of us, and are among our brightest hopes for a better tomorrow. The program that brought these young role models to our attention-- The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards--was created by The Prudential Insurance Company of America in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals in 1995 to impress upon youth volunteers that their contributions are critically important and highly valued, and to inspire other young people to follow their example. In only five years, the program has become the nation's largest youth recognition effort based solely on community service, with nearly 75,000 youngsters participating since its inception. Mr. Quarles and Mr. Trivedi should be extremely proud to have been singled out from such a large group of dedicated volunteers. As part of their recognition, they will come to Washington in early May along with other year-2000 Spirit of Community honorees from across the country, for several days of special events, including a Congressional breakfast reception on Capitol Hill. While here in Washington, ten will be named America's top youth volunteers of the year by a distinguished national service selection committee chaired by Senators Byron Douglas of North Dakota and Susan Collins of Maine. I heartily applaud Mr. Quarles and Mr. Trivedi for their initiative in seeking to make their communities better places to live, and for the positive impact they have had on the lives of others. I would also like to salute other young people in my state who were named Distinguished Finalists by The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards for their outstanding volunteer service. They are: Nupur Kanodia of Rochester Hills, Lauren Lubowicki of Fenton, David Sherman of Dearborn, Korina Smith of Douglas, Brooke Southgate of Unionville, and Perry Williams of Grand Rapids. All of these young people have demonstrated a level of commitment and accomplishment that is truly extraordinary in today's world. They deserve our sincere admiration and respect. Their actions show that young Americans can--and do--play important roles in their communities, and that America's community spirit continues to hold tremendous promise for the future.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise to recognize the St. Clair Shores, Michigan, AMVETS Post 121 upon the celebration of its 50th anniversary taking place this February 24th. For the past 50 years the post has strived to make a home for many American service men and women, while in service and after they received an honorable discharge. The post has been involved in the St. Clair Shores Memorial festivities, and has provided community service and child welfare for both veterans and non-veterans yearly by giving college scholarships, baskets of food during Christmas time, and food and clothing donations to local children's facilities. I applaud AMVETS Post 121 for its committed remembrance of the men and women who have served our country in the Armed Forces. Their dedication and hard work for veterans and non-veterans alike should serve a model for other veteran organizations around the country. It is an honor today, on behalf of the U.S. Senate, to recognize AMVETS Post 121 on its 50th annviersary.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise to congratulate the Veterans of Foreign Wars National Home on their 75th anniversary. The VFW National Home--also known as the VFW National Home for children-- located in Eaton Rapids, MI, celebrated this milestone birthday on the seventh of January, 2000. The VFW National Home for Children has served more than 1,600 people across the country who have family ties to members of the VFW and Ladies Auxiliary. The 600 acre facility grew from a plot of land that was initially donated by a Jackson farmer in 1925. Originally created as an orphanage for children of dead or disabled veterans, the home now has professional case workers on staff, while offering full college funding for children, a program for single parents, and other social programs. The house is home to 91 children and 27 single parents. In addition to social services, it offers a nursery, sports programs, and several extracurricular activities. And, as if this wasn't impressive enough, the VFW National Home is run totally on private donations. Mr. President, Michiganians are privileged to have this important home in their state. It is an honor today, on behalf of the United States Senate, to offer congratulations on their anniversary and thanks to all of those who donate their time, their love, and their financial resources to the VFW National Home.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise to recognize the Warren, Michigan, YMCA upon the 20th anniversary of its annual ``Gourmet Dinner.'' The Warren YMCA holds a unique dinner each year, raising money for summer camp and similar youth projects. The banquet is attended by area residents who are treated to food and drinks prepared by area restauranteurs and served by notable community members. Part of the funds raised from the gathering will go toward camperships for needy children, while some of the monies will supplement the Friday night drop-in centers for youths currently held at various church and school buildings around the city. Gym time, craft projects, pool and ping-pong games, and dances are also part of the available activities. The event, believed to be the first of its kind in the Warren area, has been considered a perennial success by members of the YMCA's Executive Board as it merges community cooperation with youth development. The fund raising dinner is a very special event in Metropolitan Detroit and has been a success since its inauguration 20 years ago. I applaud the Warren YMCA for its vision of service and the community for its continued involvement in this very worthy event.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise to congratulate Rick Jones, Captain of the Road Patrol for the Eaton County Sheriff Department, on his selection as the 1999 Service to Children Award winner. This award will be presented to Captain Jones by the Eaton County Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Council. Captain Jones was selected for his volunteer work benefitting youth activities throughout Eaton County. Captain Jones' involvement in youth activities in his area range from efforts to build both the Eaton Rapids Playground of Dreams and the Potterville Imagination Station Playground, to volunteer work with the ``Kids to the Rescue'' Earth Day activities, Grand Ledge Kid's Day, 4H programs, and the Special Olympics. Captain Jones' efforts toward improving his community also reach beyond his work with area youth. He has participated in area programs including Meals on Wheels, 4-H, Eaton Shelter, and Eaton Community Hospice. The newsletter of the Eaton County Child Abuse and Prevention Council said this about Captain Jones: ``Living a life of service is paramount to Rick Jones * * * As a young Sheriff's deputy, Jones learned that `life could be pretty short.' After being shot at, Rick Jones found himself evaluating life's meaning and concluding that what is truly important are contributions to his community.'' Eaton County, and all of Michigan, are lucky to have Rick Jones to call their own. I am sure that his outlook on life and his volunteer work have made a positive difference in the lives of many in his community. It is an honor today, on behalf of the U.S. Senate, to congratulate Captain Jones on his receipt of the Service to Children Award.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise to join Senator Hatch in introducing the American Competitiveness in the 21st Century Act. Mr. President, no company can grow if it fails to find enough employees with the skills needed to get the job done. And that is precisely the situation faced by our high-tech companies today. A Joint Venture: Silicon Valley study found that a lack of skilled workers is costing Silicon Valley companies $3 to $4 billion every year. A Computer Technology Industry Association study concluded that a shortage of information technology professionals is costing the U.S. economy as a whole $105 billion per year. These costs should not be seen as mere abstractions. Because of skilled labor shortages, an increasing number of highly productive firms have had to curtail their economic activities and/or move offshore. At an October 21, 1999 Senate Immigration Subcommittee hearing, Susan DeFife, CEO of womenCONNECT.com, noted that ``as investment capital flows into start-ups and puts them on a fast growth track, the demand for workers will continue to far exceed the supply. In order to fill these positions, the options for tech companies are not particularly attractive: we can limit our growth, but then we lose the ability to compete; we can `steal' employees from other companies, which makes none of us stronger and forces us to constantly look over our shoulders; or, in the case of larger companies I know, move operations off-shore.'' None of these solutions is good for our economy or our workers. As e- commerce and other forms of high technology become increasingly integrated throughout our economy, the long-term solution to our dilemma will be for earlier and better training for our young people to qualify them for high-tech tasks. But we are losing productivity and opportunities for growth right now. If we are to maintain our high-tech edge in an increasingly competitive global market, we must find the skilled workers we need wherever we can. We must meet our training and education needs. And we need wise and careful reforms to our immigration laws. This is not an either/or proposition. We have studied this approach for some time. In February of 1998 the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on high technology workforce issues. This hearing demonstrated that many companies could not find enough qualified professionals to fill key jobs. It also showed that the foreign-born individuals hired by companies on H-1B temporary visas typically many additional jobs for Americans through their skills and motivations. Mr. President, shortly after that hearing, Congress raised the cap on H-1B visas from 65,000 to 115,000 in FY1999 and 2000, and 107,500 in 2001. A number of provisions in this legislation increased enforcement efforts and established a $500 fee per visa--currently generating $75 million per year--for training and scholarships to encourage Americans to enter high-tech related fields. Unfortunately, this was not enough. Despite the raised cap, a tight labor market, increasing globalization and burgeoning economic growth all combined to increase demand for skilled workers. The 1999 cap on H- 1B visas was reached by June of last year. We must do more to enable American employers to hire job-creating high-tech professionals. That is why I have sponsored this legislation that would: Provide a temporary increase in H-1B visas. Caps would be increased by 80,000 for FY 2000; 87,500 for FY 2001; and 130,000 for FY 2002. Create exemptions for universities, research facilities, and graduate degree recipients to help keep in the country top graduates and those who help educate Americans. Modify per-country limits on permanent employment visas to allow companies to hire talent without regard to nationality. Increase labor mobility by allowing H-1B professionals to change jobs as soon as the new employer files the initial paperwork, instead of waiting for a new H-1B application to be approved. Continue and extend the $500 per visa fee to provide over $150 million in additional funding over three years for training and scholarships. Counting the existing money brought in by the fee, this will raise the total to over $375 million over three years and will help over 50,000 American students receive scholarships in math, science or engineering. These provisions will increase our economic competitiveness, sustain our economic growth, and provide new opportunities for workers and entrepreneurs. Julie Holdren, President and CEO of the Olympus Group, told the Immigration Subcommittee that ``For every H-1B worker I employ, I am able to hire ten more American workers.'' A study for the Public Policy Institute of California by U.C. Berkeley Professor Annalee Saxenian bears this testimony out. It found that Chinese and Indian immigrant entrepreneurs in northern California alone were responsible for employing 58,000 people, with annual sales of nearly $17 billion. Critics of the last H-1B visa increase have been proven spectacularly wrong, as the U.S. economy added 387,000 new jobs in January and the unemployment rate dropped to a 30-year low of 4 percent. Specialty jobs in the computer industry alone are projected to grow by 1.5 million between 1998 and 2008, according to the Department of Labor. President Clinton's former chief economic advisor, Laura D'Andrea Tyson argues that ``it's time to raise the cap on H-1B visas yet again and to provide room for further increases as warranted. Silicon Valley's experience reveals that the results will be more jobs and higher incomes for both Americans and immigrant workers.'' Mr. President, the final word should belong to Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan. At a Budget Committee hearing last month he was asked ``Do you believe we should do something with our laws-- immigration--that would allow high tech . . . labor to come into the country to ease the burden'' on our labor force? Chairman Greenspan responded: ``I would certainly agree with that. It's clear that under existing circumstance . . . aggregate demand is putting very significant pressures on an ever-decreasing available supply of unemployed labor. The one obvious means that one can use to offset that is expanding the number of people we allow in, either generally or in a specifically focused area.'' By increasing the number of highly skilled professionals we allow to work in America, and providing additional funding for training and scholarships, we will create jobs for all Americans and keep our high- tech driven economic expansion on the move.