Spencer Abraham

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, each year, the Attorney Division of State of Israel Bonds honors two individuals with the Eleanor Roosevelt Humanities Award. Recipients of this award are recognized for their contributions to the legal profession as well as their outstanding service to humanity in the spirit and ideals of Mrs. Roosevelt. I rise today to recognize the Honorable Barry M. Grant and the Honorable Nanci J. Grant, who will both receive the Eleanor Roosevelt Humanities Award on May 16, 2000, in Southfield, Michigan. The Honorable Nanci J. Grant is the Presiding Judge of General Jurisdiction for the Oakland County Circuit Court. She was elected to this position in November of 1996 and took office on January 1, 1997. Judge Grant is a graduate of the University of Michigan and Wayne State University Law School. Prior to joining the bench, she was a trial attorney with the law firm of Dickinson, Wright, Moon, VanDusen & Freeman, and served as a researcher, Friend of the Court intern, arbitrator and mediator for the Oakland County Circuit Court. Judge Grant is a member of the Executive Committee of the Michigan Judges Association, and co-chairs the Rules Committee. By gubernatorial appointment, Judge Grant represents all Michigan circuit court judges on the State Community Corrections Board. She is an advisory board member of the Michigan Judicial Institute, the teaching arm of the Michigan Supreme Court. Judge Grant is also a member of the National Association of Women Judges, the American Bar Association, the Oakland County Bar Association, the Women's Bar Association, American Judges Association, and the University of Michigan Alumni Association. In addition, Judge Grant has dedicated much of her time to the improvement of the Oakland County Community. She is a member of the Michigan Cancer Foundation, and has served as a member of Common Ground Advisory Board, the Rotary Club of Birmingham, and Bloomfield Youth Assistance. She is a board member of the Women's Survival Center, and a Director of the Women's Officials Network. She also has served on the Partners Executive Committee, and was a member of the Citizens Alliance of the Probate Court, where she served as chairperson of the Information and Advocacy Committee. Judge Grant has often been awarded for her many endeavors, both charitable and professional. The monthly magazine, Hour Detroit, named her as one of the new leaders in the Detroit metropolitan area. She was selected by Crain's Detroit Business magazine as one the ``40 under 40,'' a select group of forty of Metro Detroit's best and brightest residents under the age of forty. In addition, Judge Grant has been elected as an ``Outstanding Young Woman of America.'' Mr. President, I applaud the Honorable Nanci M. Grant on her many achievements, both within the realm of the law and outside of that realm. I am sure that the Eleanor Roosevelt Humanities Award will hold a special place among her many recognitions. On behalf of the entire United States Senate, I congratulate Judge Grant on receiving this award, and wish her continued success in the future.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today in honor of the Salvation Army in Benton Harbor, Michigan, which on May 20-21, 2000, will celebrate its 75th Anniversary. This event will conclude a very special week for the organization, as May 15-21, 2000, is also National Salvation Army Week, during which Americans have the opportunity to salute an organization that does so many things for so many people around the world. Mr. President, the mission of the movement remains the same as it was in 1865, when William and Catherine Booth formed an evangical group, and preached to people living in poverty on the east side of London: to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination. The organization, officially titled the Salvation Army in 1878, and its many adherents, soldiers, officers, and volunteers, remain dedicated to caring for the poor, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, loving the unlovable, and befriending those who have no friends. In its 135 years, the Salvation Army has expanded from this small coalition of individuals in London into a multi-faceted, global organization. Its outreach currently extends to over 100 countries, and the Gospel is preached by its officers and soldiers in 160 languages. Each year, the organization assists over 27 million individuals. In the United States alone, there are 1.7 million volunteers, 470,000 Salvationists, 5,339 officers, and 43,000 employees serving the Salvation Army. Amid such statistics I fear it is easy to overlook the essential fact that the foundation of the Salvation Army lies at the community level. It is an organization based in communities, whose volunteers, officers and employees are primarily concerned with helping members of their own community in the name of Jesus Christ. Whether it be through summer camps, day care centers, services for senior citizens, shelters for battered wives and children, drug rehabilitation, or family and career counseling, where there is a Salvation Army, there are people working hard to improve their community. With this in mind, Mr. President, I applaud the officers, Salvationists, volunteers and employees of the Salvation Army in Benton Harbor, whose efforts over the years have had made this anniversary possible. On behalf of the entire United States Senate, I wish the Salvation Army in Benton Harbor a happy 75th birthday, and continued success in the future.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, each year, the Attorney Division of State of Israel Bonds honors two individuals with the Eleanor Roosevelt Humanities Award. Recipients of this award are recognized for their contributions to the legal profession as well as their outstanding service to humanity in the spirit and ideals of Mrs. Roosevelt. I rise today to recognize the Honorable Barry M. Grant and the Honorable Nanci J. Grant, who will both receive the Eleanor Roosevelt Humanities Award on May 16, 2000, in Southfield, Michigan. The Honorable Barry M. Grant has been an Oakland County Probate Judge since 1977, currently serving as the Chief Judge Pro Tem for the county's probate court. He received his graduate degree from Michigan State University and his law degree from Wayne State University, with postgraduate work at Northwestern University and Harvard Law School. Prior to becoming a Judge, he was a practicing attorney, having started his career as a clerk in the Probate Court and later serving as Assistant Prosecuting Attorney. Judge Grant is President of the National College of Probate Judges and Editor of their national publication. He serves as the Secretary of the Judicial Tenure Commission and was the Chairman of that organization in 1992 and 1993. He has served as Secretary, Treasurer and President of the Michigan Judges Association and was President of the Oakland County Judges Association. Judge Grant has been on several gubernatorial commissions including the Governor's Traffic Safety Commission and the Strategic Planning Commission for programs for the mentally ill. In addition, Judge Grant authors a weekly column in The Detroit News, helping to keep many Michigan residents abreast of current issues involving the law. In addition, Judge Grant dedicates much of his time to the Oakland County Community. He has served as Treasurer of the Southfield Board of Education, was a member of the Parent Youth Guidance Commission, is on the Board of Trustees of William Beaumont Hospital, and is a Director of the Boys Scouts of America, Clinton Valley Council. He has served as a Director of the Oakland County Chapters of the American Cancer Association, the Michigan Cancer Foundation and the March of Dimes. He is also on the board of the YMCA of Oakland County and is a Director of the Oakland County Youth Assistance Advisory Council. Mr. President, I applaud the Honorable Barry M. Grant on his many personal achievements within the realm of the law and his many charitable endeavors outside of that realm. Not only Oakland County, but the entire State of Michigan, has benefitted from his great works. On behalf of the entire United States Senate, I congratulate Judge Grant on receiving the Eleanor Roosevelt Humanities Award. He is certainly deserving of the honor.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize Anthony Wayne Elementary School in Detroit, Michigan, which on May 12, 2000, will officially celebrate its 70th Anniversary. Events have been scheduled throughout this week, providing administrators, teachers, students and parents an opportunity to reflect upon the history of their elementary school, and at the same time witness how far it has come in seventy years. The roots of Wayne Elementary School lie in a two room portable building near the heart of Detroit, where Mrs. Jessie Baum and Ms. Etta Coetzer, under the guidance of Principal Ms. Florence Kessler, began teaching kindergarten through fifth grade students in March of 1928. Their efforts led to the construction of a six-room building at 10633 Courville Street in February of 1930, officially marking the birth of Wayne Elementary School. Though the face and shape of the building have been forced to change often to accomodate a growing number of students, the teachers and administrators of Wayne Elementary School still instill the same values into their students as did Ms. Kessler, Mrs. Coetzer, and Mrs. Baum: learning two different sets of three R's, not only the traditional writing, reading, and arithmetic, but also rights, responsibility, and respect. To this end, Wayne Elementary School encourages parents and other members of the community to become involved with the education of their children. In 1998, working in cooperation with the Greening of Detroit and the Ford Motor company volunteers, the children planted trees, bushes and wild flowers during the month of May. The habitat area now serves as an outdoor classroom and each spring the students intend to plant more trees, bushes and flowers. Two other important programs have recently been developed at Wayne Elementary School. Academic Games, started by Ms. Nicole Stewart, encourages learning achievement while at the same time demonstrating to students that learning can indeed be fun. And in 1995, two chess teams were formed by Mr. Carter and Mr. Cook, a primary team (K-3) and an upper elementary team of fourth and fifth graders. On May 11, these teams will send ten students to Dallas, Texas, to compete against the nation's best elementary school chess players. I would like to wish them the best of luck in that competition. Mr. President, I applaud all of the teachers, parents, students and administrators whose hard work over the years has made this anniversary possible. On behalf of the entire United States Senate, I wish Anthony Wayne Elementary School a happy 70th birthday, and continued success in the coming years.

Mr. ABRAHAM

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

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, my assumption is that the unanimous- consent agreement that was entered into and envisioned, we would alternate between sides if there are speakers on each side, but that it would govern the order in which the Democratic side speakers would address the Senate.

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, title II of the bill before the Senate today includes a provision called the Teacher Employment Act--or TEA. This provision combines the current ESEA, title II, Eisenhower Professional Development Program and the class-size reduction program, for a total of $2 billion, which is then made available to states and local education agencies for teacher development programs. Our amendment would amend the TEA provision--and expand the scope of allowable uses of title II professional development funds to allow states and local education agencies to use these funds for the development and implementation of teacher testing, merit-based pay, and tenure reform programs. Mr. President, I believe that a qualified, highly trained, and highly motivated teacher is the key to a quality education for America's children. Most of our colleagues would agree. Teachers play a special and indispensable role in our children's education. Nothing can replace the positive and long-lasting impact a dedicated, knowledgeable teacher has on a child's learning process. The National Commission on Teaching and America's Future found that while class size reduction has the least impact on increasing student achievement and that teacher-education--teacher quality--has the most impact on student achievement. Our amendment is designed to improve the quality of our teachers. It puts into practice the common sense we all share--the sense that teachers should be trained in the area they teach, that outstanding teachers should be rewarded, and that a teacher's promotion should be based not just on longevity but on performance. Let me explain why I believe this amendment is important. First, I believe that teachers should know the subject matter they teach. Unfortunately, this is not always the case in many classrooms around the country. According to the Department of Education, one-third of high school math teachers, nearly 25 percent of high school English teachers and 20 percent of science teachers, are teaching without a college major or minor in their subjects. Teacher testing allows school districts to better target those teachers in need of additional professional development. By pinpointing the strengths and weaknesses of teachers, schools will be able to place teachers in their area of specialty and help those teachers in need of additional professional development. A recent study, using student math scores on the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program for two large Tennessee metropolitan area school systems, at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville ranked teachers based on five objective rankings of effectiveness. By the fifth grade, students who had studied under ``highly ineffective'' teachers averaged 54 to 60 points lower on achievement tests than students who had spent the 3 years with ``highly effective'' teachers. I believe that States and local districts should be allowed to use Federal funds for teacher testing programs to determine which teachers are effective, and for which teachers additional professional development would be of assistance. Second, I believe that outstanding teachers should be rewarded with merit-based pay increases. Teachers who motivate and inspire their students and put forth the extra effort to improve and expand their own skills should be rewarded. In the business world, employees who go the extra mile and exceed expectations are financially rewarded for their dedication and hard work. Are teachers, tasked with educating and shaping our children lives and futures, any less deserving of merit- based pay rewards? Merit-based pay would reward teachers for exceptional teaching-- providing added incentive to excel at a demanding and challenging profession. A senior associate at the Educational Trust, an advocacy group for the poor, once referred to high-poverty schools as boot camps for teachers. Shouldn't there be the option of rewarding teachers who choose to take the more difficult path or who inspire less advantaged students to perform at a level well above that of their peers? I believe every one of us understands that teachers do, indeed, deserve these rewards. And, what is more, our kids deserve the improved educational experience such rewards will produce. Finally, I believe that teachers should be promoted to higher positions based on performance and subject expertise, not just on the longevity of their tenure. Tenure reform ensures teachers will be held accountable for their overall performance in the classroom. According to U.S. News and World Report, the presiding officer's own State of Kentucky's tenure reforms--which includes exhaustive performance evaluations of teachers and schools and accountability for poorly performing teachers and administrators--have dramatically improved many of that State's worst performing schools. All of these reforms can vastly improve the quality of instruction in the classroom, which will provide students with the educational tools necessary to succeed in this new demanding economy they confront. I believe we ought to permit the States and local districts to use federal funds to design, develop, and implement these reforms--should they decide to do so. Now let me now explain what this amendment does and does not do. It permits--and I stress word ``permits''--states and localities to use these funds for teacher testing, merit pay, or tenure reform programs. It does not mandate or require them to set up these programs--nor does it penalize them if they choose not to. It gives States and localities the freedom to decide precisely how these programs should be designed and how they should be administered. It does not require the States and local districts to do anything with the information gathered from testing or which tests to be used. Nor would they be required to base merit pay decisions on the outcome of the teacher tests. This amendment does not dictate that Federal funds must be used for tenure reform or establish criteria for such reform. Again, it only permits States and local districts to use funds for those purposes if they choose, based on how they choose. While it could be argued that teacher testing, tenure reform, and merit-pay programs are already permissible uses under the Teachers Empowerment Act provision, we believe that explicitly listing these programs would eliminate any uncertainty among the states and local districts, granting them the freedom to full develop and implement the programs which will best target their specific needs in teacher professional development. This amendment is based in the same principles as the legislation that passed the Senate last Congress with bipartisan support by a vote of 63-35. In conclusion, I would like to recognize a very simple fact. We in Washington too often focus on these issues from simply a national perspective. I think this debate we have had over the last few days clearly focuses on the important, critical role States and especially local school districts must play in the development of quality education in our Nation. This amendment is designed to give even more flexibility to the States and the local districts to use these Federal funds for programs that we believe can help to improve their quality. There are no mandates. This is simply a permissible use that we would be providing. In summary, we think this legislation can be improved by the amendment. We look forward to hearing discussion on it today. We believe it is important to reward quality teachers of this country for their commitment to ensure our children will be taught by the most qualified and knowledgeable individuals available. I will have more to say on this as we go forward. I know there are other Senators wishing to address the issue. I note the presence of Senators Mack, Wellstone, and Kennedy, so I yield the floor and I will speak again at a later point.

Mr. ABRAHAM. My understanding is States have experimented with merit pay programs since the 1960s. I can recall in the late 1960s when I was an intern working in the education office of the Governor of Michigan, we were looking at various experimental programs, learning from models from places such as North Carolina and other States that were experimenting with those programs. It seems to me this is not a new proposal at all. It is one with which various States have experimented and employed in different ways for a long time. That was my first experience with it, I think in 1969, 1970.

Mr. ABRAHAM. Reserving the right to object, although I would like to speak on the amendment, as well as the second degree, because of a ceremony taking place in the Capitol rotunda now, of which I am to be a part, I may not be in a position to immediately follow the final speaker. I suggest that perhaps we might slightly modify the Senator's proposed unanimous consent agreement to allow for the fact that I may be unable to be here right at that time.

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I send an amendment to the desk on behalf of Senator Mack, myself, and Senator Coverdell, and I ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, in response, I don't know how anyone can say that a program proven to work is one that rewards the worst teacher in a school that may, in fact, be producing a decrease in the achievement level of their students. I don't think that could possibly be argued to be an effective way to use Federal dollars. Yet that is what would happen under the proposed second-degree amendment. Our amendment, on the other hand, opens the way for school districts and State education agencies to use these funds in the most effective way they deem possible to improve the quality of teaching. I look forward to the vote on this. I thank Senator Kennedy for his debate today.

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I ask for the yeas and nays on my amendment.

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I will speak about my amendment and the second-degree amendment to it which I did not address earlier. The amendment Senator Mack and I have offered today essentially allows title II funds to be used for three purposes not specified in the underlying bill: First, for teacher testing programs, to ensure that teachers teaching our kids have the skills and knowledge about the subject matter they are teaching; second, for merit pay programs that could identify and reward teachers who perform exceptionally; third, tenure reform programs that shift the focus on teacher advancement and promotion to a broader subject of categories beyond mere longevity. We believe these will make a difference in terms of improving the quality of teaching. As I speak to parents in my State, there is no question they want teachers conversant with the subject matter they are teaching their kids. They want to reward and acknowledge exceptional teachers and make sure the process employed with respect to the schools and their communities is based on ability and merit. We were criticized during the debate on only one of these, the merit pay proposal. That was the extent of the criticism leveled at this amendment earlier today. There then was a second-degree amendment offered. Interestingly, the second-degree amendment wiped away the two areas that were not subjected to any criticism--the teacher testing and the tenure reform proposals--in their entirety. It then replaced our merit proposal with a different one, one that rewards all teachers in schools that showed an increase in achievement by students. Interestingly, I find it odd that the two areas that were not criticized earlier were eliminated from the secondary amendment, and I question the approach taken in the second amendment with respect to merit pay programs. Our approach is a permissive approach we are offering as an option for the possible use of title II funds. No school will be mandated to do this. No school will be forced to do it. Under no circumstance will the Federal Government outline, identify, design, or in any way dictate the types of programs that would be used. In the second-degree amendment, however, only one type of program of merit pay is proposed, and it has an odd component to it. It says all teachers in any school that shows certain types of improvement, to be a presumably later identified, would benefit from enhanced salaries or bonuses. That means the worst teacher, in a school that showed overall achievement, would receive some sort of merit award. Meanwhile, the very best teacher who might be producing tremendous increases in achievement among his or her students in another school would not qualify. I see an inconsistency. I also question why the two sections of our amendment that were not criticized or even commented on earlier today have been entirely eliminated by the second-degree amendment. The choice is simple. Our approach permits districts and State education agencies to use title II funds for programs they would design with respect to teacher testing, merit pay, and tenure reform. I believe that is a wise course to follow if our goal is to increase the quality of the teaching of our children in America today. I sincerely hope our colleagues will choose to follow that course by rejecting the second-degree amendment and supporting the Abraham-Mack proposal.

Mr. ABRAHAM

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

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize Dr. Richard J. Halik, who is retiring after 34 years of dedicated service to the Lansing, Michigan, School District. A graduate of Eastern High School in Lansing himself, Dr. Halik has enjoyed a successful career as a student, teacher, and administrator in the Lansing School District, and his efforts as Superintendent have played a large role in bringing the Lansing Public School system into the new millennium on a successful note. After receiving his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Western Michigan University in 1966, Dr. Halik took a position as a seventh grade science teacher at Otto Middle School. In 1970, he was named Supervisor of federally funded Title I programs operating in the district at the time, and in 1972 he became Director of Federal and State Programs for the Lansing School System. After serving as Principal of Gardner Junior High School in 1979-80, Dr. Halik was promoted to the position of Elementary Education Director in 1981, and the following year became Assistant Superintendent for Instruction. On July 1, 1985, he was named Superintendent of the Lansing School District, and he has held this post ever since. Dr. Halik has been an active member of the Lansing community his entire life. He currently serves as Vice Chair of the Sparrow Health System Board of Directors, and as Vice President of the Hinman Endowment Fund Board of Directors. In addition, he sits on the Board of Directors of several other local organizations, including the Greater Lansing Area Advisory Council, the Lansing Area Safety Council, the Estes Palmer Foundation, the Urban Education Alliance, and Junior Achievement. He is also on the Advisory Board of the Lansing Area Safety Council, the Corporate Board of the Boys and Girls Club of Lansing, and is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Lansing Educational Advancement Foundation. Dr. Halik is a member of Mt. Hope Presbyterian Church and the Lansing Host Lions Club, and has served as President of the latter group. He has also served as President of the Middle Cities Education Association and the Lansing Association of School Administrators. In 1978, he represented the State of Michigan at the National Institute of Education as advisor on the relationship of the Michigan Compensatory Education Program to ESEA Title I, and in 1993 he was a recipient of the National Leadership Award from the Institute for Education Leadership. Dr. Halik's contributions to the Lansing School District, and to Michigan's education community in general, are truly immeasurable. I would like to thank him for his dedication and many efforts over the last thirty-four years. His leadership during this time has been exceptional and will be dearly missed. On behalf of the entire United States Senate, I congratulate Dr. Richard J. Halik on a wonderful and successful career, and wish him the best of luck in retirement.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, next Monday, May 1, 2000, is the first day of the first National Charter Schools Week in our nation's history, an event modeled after similar state level celebrations in Michigan and California. I feel that this is a momentous occasion which provides the nation with an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the hard work and many accomplishments of charter school teachers, students, parents, administrators, and board members. Charter schools are a relatively recent phenomenon, but they have already established their mark on our nation's public education system. Mr. President, I am extremely proud of the role the State of Michigan has played in the development of charter schools. Since 1993, when Michigan became the ninth state to grant citizens the freedom to establish charter schools, 173 public school academies, as they are called, have been founded. This places Michigan third in the nation in number of charter schools, behind just Arizona and California. In the fall of 1999, over 50,000 students attended these public school academies, up from 30,000 in 1998. More importantly, 91 percent of Michigan parents said their charter public school did a better job of educating their child, and eight of ten said charter schools are better at motivating students. It is my feeling that these numbers are an indication of the many benefits charter public schools offer to communities. They provide parents and students with choice in education. They allow teachers a degree of flexibility that cannot be found in traditional public schools. Furthermore, they allow administrators and board members a certain amount of innovation in the founding, and also the funding, of schools, and in the decisions that are made in how they are to be run. Mr. President, what charter schools do, first and foremost, is give teachers, students, parents, and administrators the ability to experiment, to tinker with the system in the hopes of improving it, and they do this while at the same time remaining accountable to local and state school boards. If our educational system is to improve, if we are truly going to strive to provide our nation's children with the education they deserve, I feel that charter schools are going to play a vital role in this process. Indeed, Mr. President, in charter schools, we have a situation where everybody wins. Parents are able to send their children to a safe school environment where they will have more say in the entire process. Teachers are able to find new ways to do their own work, to work together with one another, and to work with members of the community. Administrators are lifted from many of the restraints of the traditional public school system. And the greatest benefactor of all this will be our nation's public school students. They are the ones who will benefit from the competition, the experimentation, and the innovation, because of the effect that these things will have on our entire public education system. Mr. President, I have long been a supporter of charter schools and the many opportunities they offer. It was my pleasure last year to have secured $925,000 in funding for Central Michigan University, which will use this money to establish a national Charter Schools Development and Performance Institute. The grand opening of the institute is May 1, 2000, which also happens to be Michigan's Third Annual Charter School Day. The goal of the institute is to foster high-performing students and effectively run charter public schools by promoting development, achievement, and accountability. It will also disseminate information on and assist schools with the design and the implementation of charter school models. Mr. President, I am extremely excited that the week of May 1-May 5, 2000, is being officially recognized as National Charter Schools Week. I am hopeful that this will help to make our nation more aware of charter schools, and the wonderful opportunities they offer to teachers, parents, and students throughout our nation. The sooner we fully realize the potential of charter schools, the sooner they will be able to fully reach this potential.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today in honor of the City of Grand Rapids, Michigan, which on May 1, 2000, will celebrate its 150th birthday. Residents of the city have been invited to commemorate the occasion with Mayor John Logie at the Grand Rapids Sesquicentennial Community Party, an event which will highlight the growth and development of a city that is still on the ascent. When a group of fur trappers, explorers, loggers, and sod busters took a break from their daily activities on May 1, 1850, to make Grand Rapids an incorporated city, the estimated population was 2,686 persons. The number of square miles that the city encompassed stood at four, the estimated number of city officials was sixteen, there were thirty two miles of road within city limits, and there was neither a police force nor a fire department. To be sure, the first mayor of Grand Rapids, Mr. Henry R. Williams, had his work cut out for him. Today, I think Mr. Williams would be extremely proud to see how far the city of Grand Rapids has come in its 150 years. Its population now stands at 192,000 persons, and, when surrounding metropolitan areas are added to this, the figure grows to 1,021,200. This makes Grand Rapids the second largest city in Michigan and the 58th largest city in the Nation. The city encompasses 45 square miles, employs over 2,000 city officials, has 562.81 miles of road within its limits, a police force of 379 officers and a fire department of 260 firefighters. Mr. President, I think it goes without saying that Mayor Logie also has a lot of work on his hands. The City of Grand Rapids has planned many events to be included as part of its Sesquicentennial Celebration. All elementary schools, public, private, and charter, will be served birthday cake on May 1. The original city boundary will be marked with special historic 1850 signs. City officials have commissioned the designing of a parade float to participate in area parades, which depicts the Grand River and is fully equipped with jumping fish, fireworks, and depictions of historic buildings and neighborhoods. Free coloring books entitled ``The City of Grand Rapids: Then and Now,'' will be distributed on April 29, 2000. In addition, officials from the four sister cities of Grand Rapids-- Omihachiman, Japan; Bielsko-Biala, Poland; Perugia, Italy; and Ga District, Ghana--will join in the celebration. A time capsule, to be built into the new Archive Center, will receive its first items. One hundred and fifty trees will be planted throughout the community to commemorate the birthday celebration. A beginning list of 150 historical sites in Grand Rapids will be released on April 29, 2000, and will be completed throughout the year. And finally, the Grand Rapids Press will publish four essays, submitted by Grand Rapids residents, as a tribute to the birthday, with the topics of these essays ranging from diversity to the city's quality of life. Mr. President, in one hundred and fifty years, residents of Grand Rapids have experienced their fair share of both prosperity and decline. At the end of World War II, the future of Grand Rapids looked bleak. Through the incredible efforts of thousands of individuals in the years since, though, the city has managed to turn the tables full tilt. As we enter the new millennium, Grand Rapids is enjoying the greatest economic boom in its history. With this economic prosperity has come a remarkable turn in the overall quality of life that residents enjoy. Also, it should be noted that Grand Rapids is one of Michigan's most diverse cities, diversity which increases everyday as more and more jobs are created within city limits. The turnaround of Grand Rapids serves as a model, and an inspiration, to other cities, not only in Michigan, but throughout the Nation. Mr. President, I extend greetings to all those participating in the Grand Rapids Sesquicentennial Community Party, and the many other events that have been planned for the celebration of the anniversary. On behalf of the entire United States Senate, I wish the City of Grand Rapids a happy 150th birthday.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today to commemorate the 85th anniversary of the 1915 Genocide of the Armenians by the Turkish Government. As so many of you are aware, between 1915 and 1923 more than one and a half million Armenians perished from atrocities committed against them. Yet the brave Armenian people persevered. As the grandson of Lebanese immigrants, I am, of course, very familiar with the historic ties that have bound Armenians to the Lebanese. We have sheltered and strengthened one another in time of need. As peoples we have become close because the experience of being forced from one's home and homeland is not new to either of us. Through mass deportations, starvation, disease, and outright massacres, Armenians have carried their heads high, as they carried on their way of life or carried their culture to new lands. The strength and pride in Armenian heritage have kept alive the memory of those who perished in the genocide. I rise today to pay tribute to that strong, proud heritage. As a constant symbol of the strength and perseverance through which oppressed peoples survive, the Armenian genocide must serve as a reminder that we must never forget the atrocities of the past, lest they be repeated. The Senate Immigration Subcommittee, which I chair, recently held hearings on the status of Albanian refugees in Kosovo. I must say that I was impressed with the strength and faith of these people in the face of the great hardships visited on their people. And I was reminded of another people ``cleansed'' from its homeland by brutal invaders. But too few Americans are in a position to make that comparison. In the 85 years since the massacre of Armenians began, another great crime has been committed--the crime of keeping the truth from the world. This was a crime against all people, because it denied them the lessons to be learned from that tragic tale. But most of all it was a crime against all Armenians, alive and dead. For even the dead have at least one right--that of having their story told. The 1.5 million Armenians who died deserve to have the truth of their suffering known. Only when we know the horror that they went through can we comprehend the gravity of the crime. Only then will the rights of the dead be fulfilled. This is why we must make sure younger generations understand what happened and ensure that it never happens again. Eighty-four years ago the world had the opportunity to prevent the Armenian holocaust. But the world did not act. While there was much talk, there was no real help for the Armenians. If only we had known then that tyranny must be opposed early and steadfastly, perhaps this and future acts of genocide could have been prevented. But the world does not learn easily. Even today, massacres take place around the world, with people murdered not for what they have done but for whom they are. And we must wonder about the final goals of those who continue the blockade of Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh. We must make known to the world our opposition to such policies. We must fight to defend Section 907, cutting off American aid to those enforcing the embargo. And we must not allow the lure of cheap oil from the Caspian, an illusion, really, lead us away from the path of truth and justice. To do justice to the memory of those who died we must see to it that justice is done to the living, to those who survived them. That means doing justice to Armenia, as well as to Armenians and other refugees. Today, I would like to join the Armenian-American community in remembering the horrors of the Armenian Genocide. We all would profit by reflecting on the strength of the Armenian people to persevere through this awful period in history. But today is not only a day to mourn those lost in this genocide but also a day to celebrate the resilience of the people of Armenia as they build a new democracy. Finally freed from communist imperialism, Armenia has quickly become one of the most democratic of the former Soviet Republics and has made great strides to adopt a market economy. I am gratified at the many cultural exchanges taking place between our two nations. As chairman of the Immigration Subcommittee I also am gratified at all the wonderful examples of success through hard work that have been provided by Armenian immigrants. Such stories make the argument for a kind and open policy toward refugees, victims of latter-day massacres, much stronger. I salute all Armenians today, I salute their predecessors who suffered so grievously, and I salute their struggle to let the truth be known.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today to offer a resolution designating October 2000 as ``Children's Internet Safety Month'' on our national promotional calendar. This resolution, which I am submitting along with my colleague, Senator McCain, recognizes the valuable information and opportunities for creative development provided by the Internet. It supports parents and guardians as they work to promote children's intellectual growth by encouraging safe, positive internet use with the aid of Internet filtering and blocking technologies. Filtering and blocking technologies can help parents and guardians protect their children from objectionable material. This is particularly important in those frequent instances when such material is obtained by accident, via unsolicited correspondence. With more than 5,000 new web sites appearing on the Internet each day, we must recognize the problems raised by the significant number of sites containing objectionable material (defined as material that is violent, obscene or sexually explicit). Unfortunately, one-third of all Internet web sites are devoted to objectionable material. This presents our nation with a moral challenge: to find the means to sustain the wonderful freedom of the Internet while protecting children from unwanted and potentially harmful Internet material. By designating October 2000 as ``Children's Internet Safety Month'' on the nation's promotional calendar, we can help parents, guardians, and concerned community leaders in their efforts to provide responsible Internet protection for our children. We can focus public attention on this important issue and encourage development of positive, community based programs and events highlighting the need to protect children from objectionable Internet material. This resolution will help empower the young people of the Internet Generation to share ideas and dreams; and to do so free from unwanted and intrusive, objectionable Internet material.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, on May 2, 2000, the Great Lakes Construction Alliance will hold its annual Gender and Race Diversification Excellence Awards dinner. Each year, the G.A.R.D.E. Awards are given to labor owners and contractor organizations which have made significant efforts in improving the recruitment and retention of women and people of color in the unionized construction industry. Each award winner has developed, or engaged in, some substantial program with the goal of furthering opportunities for women and people of color, which is one of the fundamental principles upon which the Great Lakes Construction Alliance was founded. Nominees are judged by a jury of construction industry representatives. To be considered for the G.A.R.D.E. Award, programs must show documentation, including numbers for minorities and women, of the number of people added to the organization's labor force, and promote quality, acceptable construction practices. Ultimately, the awards are given to those programs which have made significant efforts to improve the recruitment and retention of women and people of color in the unionized construction industry. The recipients of the 2000 G.A.R.D.E. Awards are the Human Rights Department of the City of Detroit, the Greater Detroit Building and Construction Trades Council, and the Comerica Park Construction Management Team. The Greater Detroit Building and Construction Trades Council, with Barton-Malow acting as program manager, formed twenty construction management teams, which together coordinated over 750,000 hours of service during the Detroit Public Schools Summer Emergency Maintenance Program. 130 minority students, thirty-seven percent of whom were female, participated in the Summer Emergency Maintenance Program. The twenty construction management teams provided these students with the opportunity to work directly with prime contractors in a multitude of capacities, including administrative activities, painting, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing. Students were also assigned a mentor who helped them develop objectives and document their work experiences. The construction management teams also prepared outcome reports, which provided guidance for educators to continue support of the students' interests once the school year began. Mr. President, I applaud the Greater Detroit Building and Construction Trades Council, and the members of the twenty construction management teams, for their willingness to help these students. Undoubtedly, their efforts had a profound impact on the lives of each and every one of them. Furthermore, this is the type of work that must be done if the revitalization of Detroit is truly to come about. On behalf of the entire United States Senate, I congratulate the Greater Detroit Building and Construction Trades Council on receiving the 200 Gender and Race Diversification Excellence Award.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize Ms. Robin Trumbull, whom the Battle Creek Enquirer will present with a George Award Tomorrow evening. These awards are given annually to individuals who ``Don't wait around for George to do it.'' Recipients are recognized for their leadership, and they are usually individuals who have spearheaded projects. Ms. Trumbull is being honored because she is the volunteer founder and president of Amber Alert of Michigan, a nonprofit organization in Battle Creek which works to create an effective communication system between local police and radio stations to immediately alert community members in the event of a child abduction. The first few hours after an abduction has occurred are the most crucial in recovering the child, and the implementation of this effective emergency broadcast plan has the potential to save the lives of many children. The organization, which started in the Dallas/Fort Worth area in the memory of Amber Hagerman, has since spread throughout the country. It has done so because of the incredible efforts of individuals like Robin Trumbull. I have had the privilege of working with Ms. Trumbull on this worthwhile cause, and I think I can safely say that all residents of Michigan owe her a debt of gratitude for the work she has done to save children from being abducted, and to help recover those who have been abducted as quickly as possible. Because of her efforts, and her dedication to the children of Michigan, the Amber Alert program has been kicked off successfully. I applaud Ms. Trumbull for bringing this wonderful program to the State of Michigan. I also applaud the Battle Creek Enquirer for acknowledging her tireless efforts to do so. On behalf of the entire United States Senate, I congratulate Ms. Robin Trumbull on receiving her George Award. I could not imagine a more deserving recipient.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, on May 2, 2000, the Great Lakes Construction Alliance will hold its annual Gender and Race Diversification Excellence Awards dinner. Each year, the G.A.R.D.E. Awards are given to labor owners and contractor organizations which have made significant efforts in improving the recruitment and retention of women and people of color in the unionized construction industry. Each award winner has developed, or engaged in some substantial program with the goal of furthering opportunities for women and people of color, which is one of the fundamental principles upon which the Great Lakes Construction Alliance was founded. Nominees are judged by a jury of construction industry representatives. To be considered for the G.A.R.D.E. Award, programs must show documentation, including numbers for minorities and women, of the number of people added to the organization's labor force, and promote quality, acceptable construction practices. Ultimately, the awards are given to those programs which have made significant efforts to improve the recruitment and retention of women and people of color in the unionized construction industry. The recipients of the 2000 G.A.R.D.E. Awards are the Human Rights Department of the City of Detroit, the Greater Detroit Building and Construction Trades Council, and the Comerica Park Construction Management Team. Comercia Park is the new home of the Detroit Tigers. It is a breathtaking, state-of-the-art facility. In my somewhat biased opinion, it is not only the newest, but also the nicest, stadium in the Major Leagues. Its construction would not have been possible were it not for the efforts of the many people who helped to build it. The construction of Comerica Park was a conglomerate effort, which was led by the Construction Management Team of Hunt, Turner, and White, Tigers General Manager John McHale, Jr., and aided by many Detroit City organizations: the Downtown Development Authority, the Minority Business Development Council, the African American Association of Business Contractors, and the Majority Business Initiative. The Comerica Park project, with the cooperation of the aforementioned individuals and organizations, and also Detroit residents, targeted specific groups for participation in its completion. The program resulted in the participation of 25 percent minority businesses, five percent women- owned businesses, 34 percent Detroit-based businesses, and 25 percent small businesses. Workforce utilization resulted in minorities comprising 38.15 percent of employees constructing the stadium. Women comprised 4.28 percent, and another 30.53 percent were residents of Detroit. Mr. President, I applaud the diverse group of people who were responsible for the building of Comerica Park. The stadium stands as a symbol of the hope that I think many Detroit residents now feel for their city. More importantly, all Michigan residents can take pride not only in the final product, but in the production itself. On behalf of the entire United States Senate, I congratulate the Comerica Park Construction Management Team on receiving a Gender and Race Diversification Excellence Award.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize Latin- Americans for Social and Economic Development, Inc., a nonprofit, community based organization which has served Southwest Detroit area individuals and businesses with a variety of social and self-help services for the past thirty-one years. On May 2, 2000, LA SED will hold its annual Recognition Luncheon, an event which provides the organization the opportunity to acknowledge the efforts of outstanding Hispanic citizens of the Detroit community. It is appropriate that the theme of this year's luncheon is, ``21st Century: Hispanics Count in Detroit's Future.'' Since its founding in 1969, LA SED has been instrumental in ensuring that Hispanic citizens play a large role in the Detroit community. And now, Mr. President, there is finally an excitement about the future of the city of Detroit that has not been evident for quite some time. There is a real feeling that the city's future is going to look brighter than the past. And groups like LA SED, who outwardly display their own optimism for the future of Detroit, and for the integral role that Hispanics can play, and have played, in this picture of success, are a large reason for the excitement. Mr. President, as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Immigration, it has been my pleasure to hold hearings on the positive contributions immigrants make to this country in areas such as science, the arts, and the armed forces. It was my pleasure to sponsor legislation awarding the Congressional Medal of Honor to Alfred Rascon, a Mexican immigrant who heroically saved the lives of men in his platoon during the Vietnam War. And though I have my critics, their unfounded attacks will have no impact on my defense of America's tradition as a nation of immigrants. Organizations like LA SED illustrate to me everyday that in this regard, I am doing the right thing. Mr. President, I extend my warmest regards and appreciation to Jane Garcia, chairperson of the luncheon, and also a wonderful friend whom I have had the pleasure of working with over the years. I would also like to acknowledge Mr. Anthony F. Early, President and C.E.O. of Detroit Edison, who will be the keynote speaker of the Recognition Luncheon. Finally, I thank everyone who is involved in making LA SED such a tremendous and effective organization. On behalf of the entire United States Senate, I wish LA SED continued success in the future.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, on May 2, 2000, the Great Lakes Construction Alliance will hold its annual Gender and Race Diversification Excellence Awards dinner. Each year, the G.A.R.D.E. Awards are given to labor owners and contractor organizations which have made significant efforts in improving the recruitment and retention of women and people of color in the unionized construction industry. Each award winner has developed, or engaged in, some substantial program with the goal of furthering opportunities for women and people of color, which is one of the fundamental principles upon which the Great Lakes Construction Alliance was founded. Nominees are judged by a jury of construction industry representatives. To be considered for the G.A.R.D.E. Award, programs must show documentation, including numbers for minorities and women, of the number of people added to the organization's labor force, and promote quality, acceptable construction practices. Ultimately, the awards are given to those programs which have made the greatest efforts to improve the recruitment and retention of women and people of color in the unionized construction industry. The recipients of the 2000 G.A.R.D.E. Awards are the Human Rights Department of the City of Detroit, the Great Detroit Building and Construction Trades Council, and the Comerica Park Construction Management Team. In 1998, the City of Detroit's Human rights Department, which is responsible for promoting and enforcing a construction workforce diversity program through its administration of Executive Order 22, recognized an increasing number of construction projects coupled with a shortage of qualified skilled trades people. Their solution to this problem was to implement a Construction Workforce Diversity Program, altering the monitoring guidelines of Executive Order 22. The new guidelines aim at maximizing the number of Detroit residents, minorities, and women in the construction industry while maintaining the quality of the end product. They have achieved success in this regard through increased enrollment in pre-apprentice and apprentice programs; through the establishment of partnerships with residents, business leaders, trade associations, unions, and ecumenical community city agencies; through the development of an internal information network; and through the review and validation of certified payrolls, skilled trade reports and subcontractor reports. Mr. President, I applaud the efforts of the Human Rights Department to diversify the City of Detroit's workforce. Their efforts serve as a wonderful example to other agencies in Detroit and throughout the State of Michigan. On behalf of the entire United States Senate, I congratulate the Human Rights Department of the City of Detroit on receiving this year's Gender and Race Diversification Excellence Award.

Mr. ABRAHAM

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today to congratulate the members of the Waverly Warriors Boys Basketball Team, who defeated Detroit Pershing 75-63 to win the Michigan High School Athletic Association Class A State Championship. This victory brought Waverly High School its first ever state title. More importantly, it brought the entire west side of Lansing together, as it was an experience enjoyed not only by the players on the team, or even the students of the school, but by the entire community. Coach Phil Odlum's team went 25-2 on its way to capturing the state title. The Warriors were led by seniors Marcus Taylor and Cortney Scott, who will attend, respectively, Michigan State University and the University of Iowa on basketball scholarships in the fall. Seniors Terry Reddick, Melvin White, and Chris Miller rounded out the starting five. These five players were backed by an extremely solid bench, both in the remaining players on the team and in the community support they received. In the hierarchy of athletic competition, Mr. President, high school athletics represent the last time a community is able to look out onto the playing field, or, in this case, court, and say, ``These are our kids.'' There is an attachment there, and also, I think, a certain level of pride, that cannot be found at higher levels of play. A community can embrace a team as its own because that is what it truly is. And the west side of Lansing did embrace these kids. Clad in bright yellow t-shirts, a large band of Waverly supporters staked a claim on the northernmost side of the Breslin Center in East Lansing, Michigan, and cheered on their Warriors. This community spirit and support played a large role, perhaps not in the on the court success of the team, but definitely in the overall enjoyment of their accomplishment. I am sure that the championship was made all the more special for the players when their victory lap was halted by a sea of yellow shirts. And for all the students and community members who occupied those yellow shirts, I am sure it was just as wonderful an experience seeing kids that they grew up with, or watched grow up, successfully complete their run for the title. And this, Mr. President, is the aspect of high school athletics that is truly irreplaceable. Mr. President, I applaud both Lansing Waverly and Detroit Pershing on the completion of very successful seasons. And, on behalf of the entire United States Senate, I congratulate the Waverly Warriors on winning the 2000 M.H.S.A.A. Class A Boys Basketball Championship.