Spencer Abraham

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. I further ask on Friday, immediately following the prayer, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the morning hour be deemed expired, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and the Senate then resume consideration of the conference report to accompany S. 761, the digital signatures legislation under the previous order.

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, for the information of all Senators, the Senate will convene at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow and will immediately begin the vote on adoption of the conference report to accompany the digital signatures legislation. Following the vote and the confirmation of the judges, as under the order, I ask consent that the Senate then begin a period of morning business, with Senators speaking for up to 5 minutes each with the following exceptions: Senator Craig or his designee, the first hour following the vote; Senator Dodd or his designee, 30 minutes; Senator Grams or his designee, 10 minutes; Senator Murray or her designee, 10 minutes.

Mr. ABRAHAM. I also ask consent when the Senate completes its business on Friday, it stand in adjournment until 1 p.m. on Monday under the terms as outlined for Friday's reconvening.

Mr. ABRAHAM. I further ask consent on Monday there be a period of morning business until 3 p.m., with the time between 1 and 2 p.m. under the control of Senator Durbin or his designee, and the time between 2 and 3 p.m. under the control of Senator Thomas or his designee.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, as a reminder, on Monday the Senate will resume consideration of the Department of Defense authorization bill at 3 p.m., with Senators Kennedy and Hatch recognized to offer their amendments regarding hate crimes. Under the order, those amendments will be debated simultaneously. On Tuesday, Senator Dodd will be recognized to offer his amendment regarding a Cuba commission, with up to 2 hours of debate on that amendment.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. If there is no further business to come before the Senate, I now ask unanimous consent the Senate stand in adjournment under the previous order.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that S. 2720 be indefinitely postponed.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I first thank the Senator from Maine for her steadfast efforts to raise these issues over a fairly lengthy period of time now. I also think we should, perhaps, review some of the recent history. As my colleague from Michigan just indicated, it is clearly not just in Maine or Michigan but across the country, in almost every part of the country, the No. 1 issue on people's minds today--what it costs to fill up one's automobile or sports utility vehicle with gasoline. In my case, like many other fathers with young children, we have a minivan. When we go to the pump now, it is somewhere between $40 and $50 to fill up our tank. There seems to be a pattern in our region-- Michigan, Illinois, and some of the other States in the Great Lakes-- that have driven the prices even higher than the national average. I share the concerns my colleague from Michigan and colleague from Illinois have expressed with respect to why this is affecting uniquely our State. I have asked the Secretary of Energy to meet personally on this issue to find out what insights he provides. I think a few other issues need to be discussed. First, I think the points that have been raised with respect to releasing some of the petroleum in our strategic reserve make sense. This is a way to make an immediate impact, to have an immediate impact on the supply of oil which, in turn, will relate to the price. There are a lot of things we can do that will have a long-term impact, but the short-term impact is fairly limited. No. 1, we can tap the reserve. No. 2, we can suspend, as we have on several occasions tried to vote to do, the Federal gasoline taxes to reduce some of the costs the consumers are paying. But I think there is an issue we need to talk about as well, that has more of a long-term consideration to it, and that is the dependency of our country on foreign sources of energy. The fact is, even if you level out the prices for the Great Lakes, if the problems in our region were to be resolved in such a fashion that we simply returned to the approximate level of the rest of the country, we would still be paying substantially higher prices than we did a year ago. There is no question the reason for that is the OPEC nations' decisions with respect to supply is the cause of these higher prices. While I think we should investigate whether it is the oil companies or anyone else who may be taking advantage of the supply situation in some inappropriate way, I think we must try to wean ourselves from the dependency we have on foreign energy sources. I believe we have a responsibility as a Congress to work on issues related to this. I believe the administration has a responsibility, which it has not fulfilled in over 7 years in office, to provide us with a long-term energy policy that prevents dependency from getting any worse. In the 1970s, when we had an energy crisis that led to lines at the fuel pumps, that led to shortages, we were only 35-percent dependent on foreign energy. Today, we are 55-percent dependent. At the current rate, we will hit 60 percent in the near future. There is no question that if we place ourselves in that position, we will be at the mercy of the decisionmaking of foreign countries with respect to our energy costs. I do not think we want to be in that position as a nation. I do not think we want to have our Energy Secretary, irrespective of to which administration he or she might belong, be forced to go hat in hand, as Secretary Richardson recently was required to do, to persuade foreign countries to give America a little bit more of a supply. The only way to address that is to change policies at home that allow for domestic production to increase that will permit us to tap into alternative energy sources and to conserve more energy. That, I believe, ought to occupy as much attention as anything else we do in this area. To address the long-term needs, in my judgment, is the top energy policy on which we should right now be focused as a Congress and as a nation. We need a multifaceted approach. In the short run, the Strategic Petroleum Reserve can give us immediate relief on some of the prices. I believe we should, again, consider suspending the gas tax as another way to do that for the short run. Until and unless we demonstrate as a nation a commitment to increasing our own domestic production, we are going to send a signal to these other nations that they are going to have the leverage they can use when they wish to make more profits for themselves at our expense, and instead of American consumers being in charge, it will be foreign oil ministers who make those decisions. That is wrong. I intend to fight that, and I intend to be back on the floor as much as it takes on these issues until we begin to focus on that aspect of the problem. Let's say the national average in the region--which does not include Michigan, Ohio, and Illinois--if that average fuel price was the price in my State, $1.50 to $1.60 a gallon, it would still be too high, in my opinion. The only way it is going to change is if we address the long- term issues as well. I thank the Senator from Maine for her amendment and her efforts. I look forward to working with her on this issue. I yield the floor.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I yield to the Senator from Missouri such time as he might require.

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I wish to indicate I was actually speaking on the floor at the time that the initial exchange of documents took place, but from the point at which I concluded my remarks and began discussing this issue with the Senator from Michigan and the Senator from Washington, it was certainly my understanding that the intention, and certainly our side's intention, in urging the word ``recommend'' be employed was to make precisely the distinction which my colleague from Michigan just indicated. Certainly there was an important element to that change from my point of view, as I know there was from his. I am hopeful as the process moves forward that it will do so in the constructive way we have outlined. We ought to make clear a rulemaking procedure is where ``a proposed set of rules'' would be the term of art used. For a study, which is what we intended here--a recommendation is different from the proposal that might stem from an actual rulemaking. That is my interpretation of the discussions in which I at least took part.

Mr. ABRAHAM

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

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, on June 16th, 2000, a very dear friend of mine, Mr. Robert Gillette, will celebrate his 60th birthday. I rise today to commemorate this occasion, and to honor a wonderful man who has worked extremely hard to improve living conditions for seniors throughout the State of Michigan. Mr. Gillette is the president of American House, an organization that owns and operates 24 housing facilities for seniors in the metropolitan Detroit area. American House strives to be the most outstanding affordable senior housing organization in the State of Michigan, and to provide all seniors, regardless of their income, with quality services and care. The organization is founded on the principle that individuals are entitled to living with dignity and with freedom as they enjoy the later years of their lives. Recently, I have had the privilege of working with Mr. Gillette on an issue that is of utmost importance to the seniors of Michigan-- affordable senior housing. At certain American House locations, a program has been developed which utilizes two assistance programs available to seniors. A Michigan State Housing Development Authority tax credit provides qualified applicants with a tax credit and rent subsidies, based on income limitations. In addition, the federally funded Medicaid Waiver Program, which has been in effect since the early 1990's assists qualified applicants in paying for housework, meals, and personalized care services in a home environment. Mr. President, taking advantage of these two government subsidy programs has the potential to narrow the gap in housing prospects that exists between low, middle, and high-income seniors. It will provide many seniors, who otherwise would be forced to move into publicly- funded nursing homes, with the ability to remain in assisted living programs like that which American House offers. It is a wonderful program with enormous potential. Combining these programs to assist seniors was the idea of Bob Gillette. This is the kind of work that he does every day. He is always thinking about how to make the lives of people around him better. His enthusiasm for his job and his genuine interest in the people around him make others want to help him. Anyone who knows Bob will tell you that he is a wonderful person. I consider it a privilege to have him as a friend. He is truly a remarkable man. On behalf of the entire United States Senate, I wish Bob Gillette a happy 60th birthday, and best of luck in the future.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the National Association of Women Business Owners Greater Detroit Chapter, which tonight will celebrate its 20th Anniversary. Since 1980, members of the Greater Detroit Chapter have maintained their commitment not only to helping fellow women business owners throughout Michigan, but also to helping the communities in which these businesses reside. In its twenty years, the Greater Detroit Chapter, originally the Michigan Chapter, has done much to publicize the efforts of women business owners, and to create alliances between women business owners in the State of Michigan. In 1982, chapter members organized the first statewide conference for women business owners, during which awards were given to women business owners in the following categories: Pioneer, Innovator, Dedication to Women Business Owners and Community Service. In bringing women business owners together from throughout the state, the chapter makes it easier for members to work together on a local level. In 1994, NAWBO North, a networking group of Northern Oakland County members, was formed. In the years since, following the successful model of NAWBO North, satellites have been established in Plymouth, Detroit, Sterling Heights, Brighton, Southfield and Ann Arbor. Involvement in a satellite allows chapter members to work with one another to benefit the community. Currently, 89 percent of chapter members donate money to charities, 76 percent volunteer their time to local organizations, 65 percent serve on local boards, and 61 percent mentor other women. The Greater Detroit Chapter of the NAWBO has also established many programs to assist women owned businesses. In 1990, the Greater Detroit Chapter helped to launch the EXCELI (The Initiative for Entrepreneurial Excellence) Project in Detroit, along with corporate partner Deloitte and Touche, the Small Business Administration, NAWBO's National Foundation and the YWCA. In 1994, the chapter took over sole responsibility of this program. In 1993, Huntington Banks of Michigan entered into a partnership with the chapter to offer market-rate financing to chapter member companies through a special lending process for service businesses. And in June of 1996, Comerica Bank announced its Power Perks Program, in which ideas, resources, and benefits are provided exclusively to NAWBO members. Over the next two years, Comerica invested approximately $10 million in the program. Mr. President, women-owned small businesses are the fastest growing segment of the business community. By the year 2010, they will make up more than one-half of all businesses in the United States. Traveling through the State of Michigan I know that women business owners are working very hard to be successful. The twentieth anniversary of the National Association of Women Business Owners Greater Detroit Chapter is certainly evidence of this. And this incredible growth has been accomplished in spite of some disadvantages. For example, it is clear that the federal government does not do business with a representative percentage of women-owned businesses. This issue was brought to my attention by NAWBO members at a Small Business Committee meeting I held last August in Troy, Michigan. Mr. President, in 1994, the Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act established a modest five percent goal of federal procurement dollars for women-owned businesses. Last year, though, women-owned businesses received only 2.4 percent of the total dollar value of all prime federal contracts. Mr. President, these standards have to change. There are too many women in this nation working too hard, only to not find the proper support from Washington. Earlier this week, I cosponsored Senate Resolution 311, a resolution urging the President to adopt a policy in support of the five percent federal procurement goal, and to encourage the heads of the federal departments and agencies to undertake a concerted effort to meet this five percent goal before the end of the fiscal year 2000. I strongly hope that this action on my part and the part of my colleagues will lead to an increased procurement for women owned businesses this fiscal year. Mr. President, I applaud the many members of the National Association of Women Business Owners Greater Detroit Chapter on the great work they are doing for women business owners throughout the State of Michigan. I feel that there is much more we can do here in Washington to support them, and I hope that changes will be made, and followed through upon, in this regard. On behalf of the entire United States Senate, I wish the greater Detroit Chapter a happy 20th Anniversary, and continued success in the future.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, on June 9, 2000, at the annual State Conference of the Fraternal Order of Police in Lansing, Michigan, there will be a memorial service honoring seventy-four law enforcement officers who have died over the past year, four of whom died in the line of duty. I rise today in their memory, and to thank them posthumously for their many courageous efforts. There is perhaps no greater sign of dedication to a community than risking one's life to protect it. Law enforcement officers do this on a daily basis. They risk their lives to ensure that our streets and our neighborhoods are safe. We must not let ourselves forget the incredible dedication that these men and women have to the people they protect. Theirs should not be a thankless job. Mr. President, the comfort, the protection, and the safety that we enjoy often comes at a very high price to the law enforcement officers themselves. Last year, in the State of Michigan, four officers were killed in the line of duty. In the name of protecting our communities, and our families, they left behind their own communities, and their own families. As a tribute to these four officers, Mr. President, I would like to have their names inserted into the Congressional Record: Officer Leslie (Les) Keely of the Flint Police Department, Trooper Frederick Hardy, Michigan State Police, Detroit Post, Trooper Rick Lee Johnson, Michigan State Police, Paw Paw Post, Officer Gary Priess, DeWitt Township Police. I do this not only on behalf of myself, but on behalf of all of my constituents, as a symbol of our appreciation and our gratitude for the work that law enforcement officers do every day throughout the State of Michigan. While this is a small gesture, I hope it will hold some meaning to their families and their fellow officers.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, on June 9, 2000, at the annual State Conference of the Fraternal Order of Police in Lansing, Michigan, there will be a memorial service honoring 70 active and associate members of the F.O.P. In addition, four law enforcement officers who gave the ultimate sacrifice, dying in the line of duty, will also be honored. I rise today in their memory, and to thank them posthumously for their many courageous efforts. There is perhaps no greater sign of dedication to a community than risking one's life to protect it. Law enforcement officers do this on a daily basis. They risk their lives to ensure that our streets and our neighborhoods are safe. We must not let ourselves forget the incredible dedication that these men and women have to the people they protect. Theirs should not be a thankless job. Mr. President, the comfort, the protection, and the safety that we enjoy often comes at a very high price to the law enforcement officers themselves. Last year, in the State of Michigan, four officers were killed in the line of duty. In the name of protecting our communities, and our families, they left behind their own communities, and their own families. As a tribute to these four officers, Mr. President, I would like to have their names inserted into the Congressional Record: Officer Leslie (Les) Keely of the Flint Police Department, Trooper Frederick Hardy, Michigan State Police, Detroit Post, Trooper Rick Lee Johnson, Michigan State Police, Paw Paw Post, Officer Gary Priess, DeWitt Township Police. I do this not only on behalf of myself, but on behalf of all of my constituents, as a symbol of our appreciation and our gratitude for the work that law enforcement officers do every day throughout the State of Michigan. While this is a small gesture, I hope it will hold some meaning to their families and their fellow officers.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, in May of 1990, the Second Grace United Methodist Church of Detroit and the First United Methodist Church of Northville collaborated to ``adopt'' a Detroit Public School, Dixon Elementary School. On June 16, 2000, the two churches, one metropolitan and one suburban, will celebrate the tenth anniversary not only of the Adopt-a-School Program, but also of their unique relationship. I rise today to commemorate this occasion. The primary emphasis of the Adopt-a-School Program is the mentoring plan. Adults from both of the churches, as well as the local community, provide tutoring and role modeling for the students. In addition to weekly one-on-one sessions, the mentoring plan also includes a toastmasters club, in which students practice speaking in front of audiences, and a great books program, which introduces students to famous books and authors. In its ten years, the program has experienced continual expansion, as additional activities have been added for the students. There is an awards dinner each year at Second Grace to recognize students who have attained high levels of academic achievement. Christmas and Easter parties are held each year, as well as the Dixon School Spring Cleanup and Flower Planting Day. Church members also participate in school functions, including career day and musical programs. Finally, what began as a summer field trip has evolved into monthly Saturday field trips for the mentors and their pupils. Mr. President, the partners are pleased with how the Adopt-a-School Program has developed in the last ten years. The program has touched the lives of over 300 students at Dixon Elementary School, and there is no measure for success like that. The partners look forward to its continued development in the coming years. In addition, efforts will be made by the two churches, along with Dixon Elementary School, to develop a training program to share the Adopt-a-School program with other faith-based communities interested in serving our children in urban schools. Mr. President, I applaud the efforts of the many people whose hard work over the last ten years has made this birthday celebration possible. Each year, when the partners renew their commitment to this program, it is a testament to the bridges that can be built when people simply reach out to one another. On behalf of the entire United States Senate, I would like to wish the Adopt-a-School Program a happy 10th Anniversary, and continued success in the future.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I support the passage of H.R. 4489, the Immigration and Naturalization Service Data Management Improvement Act of 2000, which makes very important revisions to section 110 of the 1996 Immigration Act. I, along with many of my colleagues, introduced an identical Senate companion to this bill, S. 2599, late last week. As originally enacted, section 110 of the 1996 law mandated that an automated system be established to record the entry and exit of all aliens as a means to provide more information on individuals who ``overstay'' their visas. In the opinion of many, it became clear that this well-intentioned measure, if implemented, could have an unforeseen impact. Today, when INS or Customs officials inspect people at land borders, they examine papers as necessary and make quick determinations, using their discretion on when to solicit more information. Section 110, however, was being understood to require revisions to that system that would have greatly complicated travel across the land border by mandating that every single passenger of every single vehicle be required to provide detailed information in a form that could be entered into a computer on the spot. According to Dan Stamper, president of the Detroit International Bridge Company, even assuming an incredibly quick 30 seconds per individual, the traffic delays could exceed 20 hours in numerous jurisdictions at the northern border. This would obviously create extraordinary economic and environmental harm. Moreover, it would divert scarce law enforcement resources away from more effective measures. Out of concern for its harmful impact on Michigan and law enforcement, I passed legislation in 1998 to delay implementation of section 110 from its original start date of September 30, 1998, until March 30, 2001. But it remained clear that a delay could not sufficiently satisfy concerns that the INS might develop a system that would prove harmful to the people of Michigan and other states. Fred Upton showed great leadership in the House on this issue and served his constituents extraordinarily well in helping to forge this compromise. Lamar Smith deserves great credit for working closely with us and his other House colleagues in making an agreement that meets the economic and security interests of all sides on this issue. And John LaFalce also provided important assistance in this effort. This is a great victory for the people of Michigan. This agreement strikes the right balance in enhancing our security and immigration enforcement needs while ensuring that we preserve the jobs and the other economic benefits Michigan receives from our close relationship with Canada. This product of the agreement with the House replaces the current requirement that by March 30, 2001, a record of arrival and departure be collected for every alien at all ports of entry, with a more achievable requirement that the Immigration and Naturalization Service develop an ``integrated entry and exit data system'' that focuses on data INS already regularly collects at ports of entry. The goal of section 110 has been to track individuals who overstay their allowable stay in the United States. That goal is redirected into a more achievable direction. INS will be directed to put in electronic and retrievable form the information already collected at ports of entry and pursue other measured step to improve enforcement of U.S. immigration laws. It is also directed to prepare a report on unmatched entry and departure data. That report is required to contain not only numbers of unmatched records, but an analysis of those numbers. The purpose of the latter requirement is to make sure that sufficient context for the data is provided to ensure that readers of the report are able to understand to what extent unmatched records reflect actual overstays, versus to what extent they are simply a function of data weakness (such as a lag time between the acquisition of the data and the entry of the data into the system). This will allow those charged with assessing the system to be in a better position to recommend its proper use and recommend ways of improving it. To that end, and to the end of otherwise improving implementation of the section, a task force chaired by the Attorney General that will include representatives of other government agencies and the private sector is established to examine the effectiveness of the system, ways of improving it, and the need for and costs of any additional measures, including security improvements. The bill also calls for increased international cooperation in securing the land borders. In essence, the agreement substitutes this approach in place of a mandate that a system be developed that would have required that all foreign travelers or U.S. permanent residents be individually recorded into a system at ports of entry and exit, thereby likely bringing traffic to a halt on the northern border for miles, trapping U.S. travelers in the process and costing potentially tens of thousands of jobs in manufacturing, tourism and other industries. The agreement also maintains the status quo in preventing new documentary requirements on Canadian travelers. The bottom line is that we will have a system that enhances law enforcement capabilities and will not impose new or onerous requirements on travelers that would damage Americans or the American economy. I thank the cosponsors of S. 2599, who have been so important in achieving success in this long 3-year effort: Senators Leahy, Grams, Kennedy, Snowe, Collins, Craig, Gorton, Jeffords, Schumer, Graham, Levin, DeWine, Murray, Moynihan, and Voinovich. I also thank Majority Leader Lott for his strong support on this issue and for recognizing the impact on northern border states if we did not solve this problem. Senator Gorton also played an important role in this successful effort. I thank Senator Helms and his staff, who permitted an amendment related to section 110 to be part of the State Department authorization bill last year, which I think elevated the awareness of this issue and contributed to the solution we see today. Senator Biden and his staff were also supportive of this effort. And, of course, Senator Grams and his leadership were essential for the outcome today. Mr. President, I yield the floor.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, today I join my colleagues from the Senate Small Business Committee, Chairman Kit Bond and Ranking Member John Kerry, in support of increased involvement of women-owned small businesses in the Federal procurement process. I have had the opportunity to speak with many women business leaders in Michigan on this matter, and the general opinion is that there are certain doors that are closed to women business owners. In a field hearing I held in Michigan last summer on issues to women in business, I found that many times women business owners face the same problems as men in the private sector. However, when looking at the representation of women in terms of federal procurement dollars, the difference is striking. Six years after posting a modest five-percent goal of Federal procurement dollars for women-owned small businesses, Federal departments and agencies have fallen far short. Last year, only 2.4 percent of the total dollar value of all Federal prime contracts went to women business owners. This shortfall is staggering when taking into account that women-owned small businesses are the fastest growing segment of the business community in the United States. In fact, by the year 2010, women-owned small businesses are expected to make up more than one-half of all businesses in the United States. As a result of this striking information, I introduced an amendment to last year's Women Business Centers Sustainability Act that called for a GAO report studying the trends, barriers and possible solutions to this deficiency. I am proud to report that this report stands to be completed by the end of the year. However, this alone will not provide Federal procurement opportunities for women-owned small businesses. The administration must become actively involved in demanding Federal departments and agencies accomplish the five-percent procurement goal. Mr. President, I have been advocating this issues for quite some time now. My colleagues and I in the Senate Small Business Committee have consistently supported efforts empowering the spirit of entrepreneurship in American women. In my view, these actions must be adopted and enforced on all levels of government. I hope my colleagues in the Senate will join me in encouraging the President to hold the heads of the Federal departments and agencies accountable to ensure that the five percent goal is achieved during this fiscal year.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Immigration and Naturalization Service Data Management Improvement Act of 2000. This bill is designed to save jobs in Michigan and other states and prevent potentially enormous, hours-long traffic delays on the U.S.- Canadian border. That is achieved by amending Section 110 of the 1996 immigration law. Mr. President, Section 110 of the 1996 Immigration Act mandated that an automated system be established to record the entry and exit of all aliens as a means to provide more information on individuals who ``over stay'' their visas. In the opinion of many it became clear that this well- intentioned measured, if implemented, could have an unforeseen impact. Today, when INS or Customs officials inspect people at land borders, they examine papers as necessary and make quick determinations, using their discretion on when to solicit more information. According to Dan Stamper, President of the Detroit International Bridge Company, if every single passenger of every single vehicle were required to provide detailed information in a form that could be entered into a computer-- even assuming an incredibly quick 30 seconds per individual--the traffic delays could exceed 20 hours in numerous jurisdictions at the Northern border. This would obviously create significant economic and even environmental harm. Moreover, it would divert scarce law enforcement resources away from more effective measures. Out of concern for its harmful impact on Michigan and law enforcement, I passed legislation in 1998 to delay implementation of Section 110 from its original start date of Sept. 30, 1998, until March 30, 2001. But it remained clear that a delay could not sufficiently satisfy concerns that the INS might develop a system that would prove harmful to the people of Michigan and other states. Mr. President, Fred Upton showed great leadership in the House on this issue and served his constituents extraordinarily well in helping to forge this compromise. Lamar Smith deserves great credit for working closely with us and his other House colleagues in making an agreement that meets the economic and security interests of all sides on this issue. This is a great victory for the people of Michigan. This agreement strikes the right balance in enhancing our security and immigration enforcement needs while ensuring that we preserve the jobs and the other economic benefits Michigan receives from our close relationship with Canada. This bill, the product of the agreement with the House, replaces the current requirement that by March 30, 2001, a record of arrival and departure be collected for every alien at all ports of entry with a more achievable requirement that the Immigration and Naturalization Service develop an ``integrated entry and exit data system'' that focuses on data INS already regularly collects at ports of entry. The goal of Section 110 has been to track individuals who overstay their allowable stay in the United States. That goal is redirected into a more achievable direction. INS will be directed to put in electronic and retrievable form the information already collected at ports of entry and pursue other measures steps to improve enforcement of U.S. immigration laws. In addition, a task force chaired by the Attorney General that will include representatives of other government agencies and the private sector is established to examine the need for and costs of any additional measures, including additional security measures, at our borders. The bill also calls for increased international cooperation in securing the land borders. In essence, the agreement substitutes this approach in place of a mandate that a system be developed that would have required that all foreign travelers or U.S. permanent residents be individually recorded into a system at ports of entry and exit, thereby likely bringing traffic to a halt on the northern border for miles, trapping U.S. travelers in the process and costing potentially tens of thousands of jobs in manufacturing, tourism and other industries. The agreement also maintains the status quo in preventing new documentary requirements on Canadian travelers. Mr. President, the bottom line is that we will have a system that enhances law enforcement capabilities and will not impose new or onerous requirements on travelers that would damage Americans or the American economy. I would like to thank the cosponsors of this legislation who have been so important in achieving success in this long three-year effort: Senators Leahy, Grams, Kennedy, Snowe, Collins, Craig, Gorton, Jeffords, Schumer, Graham, Levin, DeWine, and Murray. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the legislation be printed in the Record.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Immigration and Naturalization Service Data Management Improvement Act of 2000. This bill is designed to save jobs in Michigan and other states and prevent potentially enormous, hours-long traffic delays on the U.S.- Canadian border. That is achieved by amending Section 110 of the 1996 immigration law. Mr. President, Section 110 of the 1996 Immigration Act mandated that an automated system be established to record the entry and exit of all aliens as a means to provide more information on individuals who ``over stay'' their visas. In the opinion of many it became clear that this well- intentioned measured, if implemented, could have an unforeseen impact. Today, when INS or Customs officials inspect people at land borders, they examine papers as necessary and make quick determinations, using their discretion on when to solicit more information. According to Dan Stamper, President of the Detroit International Bridge Company, if every single passenger of every single vehicle were required to provide detailed information in a form that could be entered into a computer-- even assuming an incredibly quick 30 seconds per individual--the traffic delays could exceed 20 hours in numerous jurisdictions at the Northern border. This would obviously create significant economic and even environmental harm. Moreover, it would divert scarce law enforcement resources away from more effective measures. Out of concern for its harmful impact on Michigan and law enforcement, I passed legislation in 1998 to delay implementation of Section 110 from its original start date of Sept. 30, 1998, until March 30, 2001. But it remained clear that a delay could not sufficiently satisfy concerns that the INS might develop a system that would prove harmful to the people of Michigan and other states. Mr. President, Fred Upton showed great leadership in the House on this issue and served his constituents extraordinarily well in helping to forge this compromise. Lamar Smith deserves great credit for working closely with us and his other House colleagues in making an agreement that meets the economic and security interests of all sides on this issue. This is a great victory for the people of Michigan. This agreement strikes the right balance in enhancing our security and immigration enforcement needs while ensuring that we preserve the jobs and the other economic benefits Michigan receives from our close relationship with Canada. This bill, the product of the agreement with the House, replaces the current requirement that by March 30, 2001, a record of arrival and departure be collected for every alien at all ports of entry with a more achievable requirement that the Immigration and Naturalization Service develop an ``integrated entry and exit data system'' that focuses on data INS already regularly collects at ports of entry. The goal of Section 110 has been to track individuals who overstay their allowable stay in the United States. That goal is redirected into a more achievable direction. INS will be directed to put in electronic and retrievable form the information already collected at ports of entry and pursue other measures steps to improve enforcement of U.S. immigration laws. In addition, a task force chaired by the Attorney General that will include representatives of other government agencies and the private sector is established to examine the need for and costs of any additional measures, including additional security measures, at our borders. The bill also calls for increased international cooperation in securing the land borders. In essence, the agreement substitutes this approach in place of a mandate that a system be developed that would have required that all foreign travelers or U.S. permanent residents be individually recorded into a system at ports of entry and exit, thereby likely bringing traffic to a halt on the northern border for miles, trapping U.S. travelers in the process and costing potentially tens of thousands of jobs in manufacturing, tourism and other industries. The agreement also maintains the status quo in preventing new documentary requirements on Canadian travelers. Mr. President, the bottom line is that we will have a system that enhances law enforcement capabilities and will not impose new or onerous requirements on travelers that would damage Americans or the American economy. I would like to thank the cosponsors of this legislation who have been so important in achieving success in this long three-year effort: Senators Leahy, Grams, Kennedy, Snowe, Collins, Craig, Gorton, Jeffords, Schumer, Graham, Levin, DeWine, and Murray. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the legislation be printed in the Record.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize WLNS-TV in Lansing, Michigan, a station which will celebrate its 50th Anniversary on May 18, 2000. For fifty years, Channel 6 has provided Lansing residents with a wonderful mix of local and national news, community events and information, and an assortment of entertaining and insightful programming. On May 1, 1950, WJIM-TV, Channel 6, signed on the air in Lansing, Michigan. The station was founded by Mr. Harold Gross, and for the next forty-four years he owned WJIM-TV. In 1984, Bakke Communications bought WJIM-TV, and changed the call letters to WLNS-TV. In 1986, the station's current owners, Young Broadcasting of Lansing, Inc., purchased WLNS-TV. Serving the Lansing community has always been, and remains, the first and foremost priority of WLNS-TV. Channel 6 covers 24 hours of local news per week. It broadcasts Town Hall meetings on important community issues; political debates; major high school and college sporting events; severe weather and school closing information; and regular announcements highlighting important activities for hundreds of non- profit organizations in the community. As a C.B.S. affiliate, WLNS-TV is able to keep Lansing residents abreast of local as well as national and global events. In addition, Channel 6 offers C.B.S. entertainment programs and national sporting events. For instance, when the Michigan State University Men's Basketball Team won the N.C.A.A. Championship this past season, Lansing viewers turned to WLNS-TV not only to watch the games, but also to get local updates on their favorite team and its players. Mr. President, Channel 6 has been home to many prominent Lansing personalities over the years, including Martha Dixon, hostess of the cooking show ``The Copper Kettle''; Len Stuttman, host of ``The Many Worlds of Len Stuttman''; Bill Dansby, news anchor and news director in the 1960's; Howard Lancour, host of the children's show ``Alley Cat and the Mayor,'' and a news anchor in the 1970's; and Jane Aldrich and Sheri Jones, current news anchors who have 25 years of combined tenure at WLNS-TV. Mr. President, I applaud the many people whose efforts over the years have made this birthday possible. I think it is safe to say that the long term success of WLNS-TV is representative of how much Channel 6, and its many employees, mean to the Lansing community. On behalf of the entire United States Senate, I would like to wish WLNS-TV in Lansing, Michigan, a happy 50th Anniversary.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize Ms. Janet Huvaere, who is retiring this spring after 39 years of teaching at St. Jude School in Northeast Detroit. During her time at St. Jude, Ms. Huvaere has constantly been a light in the lives of her students and her fellow staff members, and her dedication to them and to her profession has truly been remarkable. Ms. Huvaere was born in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, on October 11, 1938. She attended St. Ambrose School for both grade school and high school. After graduating from St. Ambrose, Ms. Huvaere worked for a year at Bon Secours Hospital, and then entered the Adrian Dominican Order. After two years, she left to attend Siena Heights University in Adrian, Michigan. She began teaching at St. Jude upon receiving her bachelor's degree from Siena Heights in 1961. In her 39 years at St. Jude School, Ms. Huvaere has taught the third, fifth and sixth grades. Her dedication to her students is surpassed only by her dedication and love for her family. One of her greatest memories came in 1986, when her father, who was ill at the time, was able to partake in a celebration marking her 25th year at St. Jude. Mr. President, Ms. Huvaere has touched many lives during her thirty- nine years of teaching, and has been a role model to many children in the State of Michigan. On behalf of the entire United States Senate, I congratulate Ms. Huvaere on a wonderful career, and wish her the best of luck in retirement.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, on May 19, 2000, the Barry County Parks and Recreation Commission will unveil a brand new exhibition at Historic Charlton Park Village, Museum and Recreation Area in Hastings, Michigan. The exhibition is entitled ``A Test of a Nation: The Honor of a County,'' and is a tribute to the soldiers that Barry County sent off to battle during the Civil War, and also to their families. I rise today, Mr. President, in honor of this special occasion. During the Civil War, Barry County, at the time populated by less than 15,000 people, contributed 1,632 men to the Union Army, the highest percentage of citizens per county in the State of Michigan. The new exhibition illustrates what life was like for these men out in the field, and for their loved ones at home. Part of the grand opening celebration on May 19, 2000, will be educational programs on the topic of the Civil War. The exhibition was made possible in part by funds from a Michigan Arts, Cultural and Quality of Life Grant. On September 1, 1999, Historic Charlton Park received $339,000 to remodel and expand the museum. ``A Test of a Nation: The Honor of a County'' marks the completion of the first phase of the project. Mr. President, it goes without saying that the Civil War is one of the most important events in American History, and perhaps the most important. I applaud all of the people whose efforts made this exhibition possible, for with these efforts they have allowed individuals of all ages an opportunity to experience a little part of that history. They have given them a chance to see what life was like for the men, women and children of Barry County who played an important role in keeping our nation together. On behalf of the entire United States Senate, I congratulate Historic Charlton Park Village on the opening of ``A Test of a Nation: The Honor of a County.'' It is truly an important exhibition, and I know that the people of Barry County will greatly appreciate it.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today in honor and in memory of Ms. Mary S. Palmeri, who passed away on August 30, 1999. Ms. Palmeri served the County of Wayne, Michigan, for 32 years, and has been chosen by her peers to posthumously receive the coveted Court Clerk of the Year Award, which will be presented to her family this week. Ms. Palmeri was born in St. Mary's Hospital in Detroit in 1939, and was a lifelong resident of the city of Dearborn, Michigan. She graduated from Fordson High School in 1958, and spent approximately two years in college. In June of 1967, Ms. Palmeri became a typist at the County of Wayne Department of Civil Service, thus beginning a thirty- two year career of public service. A few years later Ms. Palmeri was transferred to the County Clerk's Office, where she worked in numerous offices prior to becoming a Court Clerk, including the Record Room and as Supervisor of the Appeals Department. Ms. Palmeri ultimately worked as a Court Clerk for many prominent judges, including the Honorable Henry J. Szymanski, the Honorable William J. Cahalan, and the Honorable Pamela R. Harwood. In addition to her work, Ms. Palmeri enjoyed many hobbies, including bowling, ceramics, crocheting, knitting and crewel embroidery. She was both a terrfic seamstress and a wonderful cook. She also loved to play cards, work on crossword puzzles, and play board games. She was also an active member of St. Alphonseus Catholic Church in Dearborn, Michigan. Ms. Palmeri is survived by her husband of thirty years, Frank, and their three children, Christopher, Cindy and John. Mr. President, I am glad that the County of Wayne has chosen to honor Ms. Palmeri's many years of service by presenting her family with the Court Clerk of the Year Award. She was a hard worker who truly cared for the people around her, and her warm and generous personality is deeply missed by the entire Dearborn community.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, on May 18, 2000, The Friends of Theodore Roethke, a group dedicated to maintaining the legacy of the great poet, will unveil a historic marker in his honor on the lawn of his childhood home at 1805 Gratiot, Saginaw, Michigan. I rise today, Mr. President, in honor of this special occasion. Mr. Roethke was born in Saginaw in 1908, the son of Otto and Helen Huebner Roethke. He attended the University of Michigan and Harvard Graduate School, and later was a professor at Lafayette College in Pennsylvania, Michigan State University, Penn State University, Bennington College in Vermont, and the University of Washington in Seattle. Before his death on August 1, 1963, Mr. Roethke received many awards for his poetry. In 1954, he became the first Michigan man to win the Pulitzer Prize for his collection of poems entitled The Waking. And in 1959, he received the Bollingen Prize and a National Book Award for another collection of poems entitled Words of the Wind. Some of his other works include The Lost Son, Praise to the End!, and I Am! Says the Lamb. In 1998, the Friends of Theodore Roethke purchased both Roethke homes in Saginaw, Michigan, with a mission to promote, preserve and protect the literary legacy of the great poet by restoring his family residences for cultural and educational opportunities. Since the group purchased the homes, they have written grants for educational writing workshops combining Saginaw public and Saginaw Township students, offered tours for students and teachers, purchased some of the original Roethke furnishing, opened the houses to working writers, and made some much needed repairs, such as a new furnace and asbestos removal. Mr. President, I applaud The Friends of Theodore Roethke for their wonderful efforts to keep alive the legacy of Michigan's only Pulitzer Prize winning poet. I am sure that the unveiling of this historic marker is only the first of many tributes. On behalf of the entire United States Senate, I congratulate The Friends of Theodore Roethke on the dedication of this historic marker, and wish President Annie Ransford and the rest of the organization continued success in the future.