Sam Brownback

Mr. BROWNBACK

Mr. BROWNBACK. Madam President, in the coming weeks, we are going to be debating several very contentious bills. However, more than at any other point in my career we are considering these issues in an extremely congenial, collegial, thoughtful and deliberative way. Certainly, many of us disagree about the details of one issue or another, however, we have consistently put the interest of the nation ahead of the our own interests as political actors. This is very encouraging to me. This should be very encouraging to the American people. This should be very encouraging to freedom loving people of the world. The tenor of the debates on this floor should signify to everyone that the United States Government is operating not simply as well as it did before September 11th, but better that it did on September 11th. In the face of this attack, the American Government is operating just as it was always intended to operate. Today, Madam President I rise to offer a bill that will ensure that our government continues to operate just as intended. The administration is going about the business of fighting a war. That process relies greatly on our government's ability to strengthen ties with countries that agree to help us wage this war on terrorism. These countries, in many cases, will be taking on factions within their own borders in order to do what is right. For these efforts to prevail, we must use all our assets. One of the most important and appealing being trade and foreign assistance--particularly with regard to the nations of Central and South Asia. In this spirit, I am introducing a bill which will grant the President the authority to waive the restriction on assistance to the country of Azerbaijan, if the President determines that our national security and interests will benefit from greater assistance and trade with this country--he should have the right to pursue that policy. Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act places sanctions on Azerbaijan that prevent any support from the United States government for the young nation. This language ties the administration's hands as they attempt to work with this strategically important ally in the war against terrorism. Unlike past efforts to repeal or waive section 907 sanctions on Azebaijan, today our debate is about more than regional stability in Central Asia--our debate now centers on United States national security interests. Section 907 stands in the way of training and assistance for Azerbaijani military hospitals that may have to deal with casualties in this campaign. Section 907 stands in the way of airport and air traffic control upgrades that may need to happen to assist our airforce. There are over 71 million people in the Central Asian region which includes Azerbaijan. Many of these emerging democracies are battling fundamentalist factions. If we do not assist those who want to move westward, we empower the factions coming in from countries which support terrorist activities. With the horrific attack on our country, we have been painfully awakened to the global and complex network that terrorists have created and aimed at our country and its interests. Our foreign policy must help fight against the creation of new terrorist breeding grounds as we fight the existing terrorist plague. Azerbaijan itself is a bulwark against Islamic fundamentalism in the region. Since its independence, Azebaijan has endured Iranian pressure to adopt its style of government. Iran secretly funds hundreds of religious schools and colleges in Azerbaijan. Iranian diplomats and secret service representatives have been expelled from Azerbaijan on grounds that they are fomenting disturbances. Iran criticizes Azerbaijan for its pro-U.S. stance and is concerned about the Azeris increasing ties to the West--particularly with U.S. companies. Iran seeks to ensure that Azerbaijan fails with its free market and democratic reforms, because secular independence and democratic Azerbaijan is perceived as a threat for the fundamentalist regime in Iran. Right now, we need the help and cooperation of the entire Central Asian region--we can not afford to tie the President's hands over a conflict between two countries. This is particularly important now since these restrictions are used as anti-American fodder by fundamentalist factions hoping to shape the development of the region. To reiterate, this provides national waiver authority to the President to lift sanctions on Azerbaijan. Briefly, the United States has had for a series of years, now, sanctions against Azerbaijan. For people not familiar, Azerbaijan sits in the Caspian Sea region right above Iran. It is part of the former Soviet Union. It is an oil- and gas-rich area. It is a small country. But it is a small Islamic country that is strongly supportive of the United States. Their President, President Aliyev, has issued statements about the strong support for the United States in the face of our attack on terrorism and dealing with terrorism. They have provided the United States fly-over rights, landing rights, refueling rights, and intelligence information as well. This is in that key strategic part of the world, the south Caucasus, just leading into central Asia. It has the gateway city, Baku, going into Asia. Baku is an old, really European-style city--a gorgeous place. But more important, they are supportive of the United States, and yet as they support us, we are sanctioning them. We are likely to use military bases in Azerbaijan as a staging area or as a refueling area or, potentially if we have casualties in the region, as a hospital area as well. Yet we are sanctioning them. If we continue with these sanctions, the Azeris are not going to be able to effectively help us and use their territories. Because of the sanctions we have against Azerbaijan, we cannot train their personnel to help us in guarding the perimeter of military bases where our aircraft may be. Because of the sanctions we have against Azerbaijan, we cannot train their hospital personnel to be able to help treat any potential difficulties that we may have in that region. Because of the sanctions we have against Azerbaijan, we cannot train their personnel in counterintelligence to help us in the gathering of information as to what is taking place, what is moving in the region, so we can be more effective in our fight against terrorism. This is against a country that has been strongly supportive of the United States. There has been a long, ongoing battle between the Azeris and the Armenians in this region of the world, and this has gone on for a long period of time. The sanctions are somewhat associated with that. But the point being, we have a fight now against terrorism. The President needs to have national security waiver authority so, in those specific areas that would be beneficial to us, he can lift those sanctions against Azerbaijan. This will be a tough issue, but that authority is something we should provide the President if we are going to prosecute this effort successfully. I think it is very important that we put this forward, that we pass it. This is not taking the sanctions off completely. It is providing the President with waiver authority, national security waiver authority. There has to be a national security interest. If it is not needed, if the reason to have it is not there, the President doesn't have the authority to exercise it. So we should provide him that authority. I am introducing this bill tonight. I urge my colleagues to look very closely at this issue, and I hope they will sign onto the bill so we can move this forward and allow the President the tools he needs to prosecute this war on terrorism effectively.

Mr. BROWNBACK

Mr. BROWNBACK. Madam President. I rise today to alert my colleagues that October is Spina Bifida Awareness month. Many Americans don't know much about Spina Bifida. For instance, most don't know Spina Bifida is a neural tube defect and occurs when the central nervous system does not properly close during the early stages of a child's development in the womb. Even fewer American's realize that the most severe form of Spina Bifida occurs in 96 percent of children born with this disease. However, thanks to the good work that the Spina Bifida Association of America is carrying out to promote the prevention of Spina Bifida and to enhance the lives of all affected by this condition, we are all learning more every day. During the month of October the Association makes a special push to increase public awareness about Spina Bifida, and future parents about prevention. Simply by taking a daily dose of the B vitamin, folic acid, found in most multivitamins women of childbearing age have the power to reduce the incidence of Spina Bifida by up to 75 percent. That such a simple change in habit can have such a profound effect should leave no question as to the importance of awareness. However, awareness is not the only important work done by the Spina Bifida Association of America. The Association was founded in 1973 to address the needs of the Spina Bifida community and is currently the only national organization solely dedicated to advocating on behalf of the Spina Bifida community. There are more than 60 chapters serving over 100 communities nationwide. One such chapter in Wichita, KS, was started by Tammy and Tim Wolke. Tammy and Tim have four children, two of whom are adopted. Not only do these heroic parents care for one child born with Spina Bifida, but also a child with cerebral palsy. But caring for their own children just hasn't been enough to keep Tammy and Tim busy. So, in their ``free time,'' the Wolkes have developed and cultivated a chapter of the Spina Bifida Association of America which serves about 200 families in their part of Kansas. As we discuss the wonderful work of the Spina Bifida Association of America and the Wolkes, I would be remiss if I failed to mention another great Kansan. In 1988, the Association established a scholarship fund to enhance opportunities for individuals with Spina Bifida to achieve their full potential through higher education. This year's four year scholarship of $20,000 was recently awarded to Jennifer Maxton of Derby, KS. Thanks to this scholarship, Jennifer will be able to attend the school of her dreams at the University of Kansas. Jennifer is a truly amazing person who wants to become a pediatric surgeon and study abroad in Nepal. As if those goals weren't lofty enough, Jennifer hopes to some day climb Mount Everest. Jennifer wants to improve the lives of others who have not been as fortunate as she. This scholarship will start her down this path. I wish her the best of luck as she begins her academic life this fall as a Jayhawk. I would also be remiss if I failed to mention that this evening, the Spina Bifida Association of America will be holding its 13th annual event to benefit the Association and its work in local communities around the country. Washington Post Sports columnist, Tony Kornheiser will be roasted at this event by a number of distinguished members of the Washington community, including our Congressional colleagues Senator Clinton and Representative Steve Largent. I regret that I will be unable to join my friends tonight, but wish to commend the Association for all of its hard work to prevent and reduce suffering from this birth defect and to improve the lives of those 70,000 individuals living with Spina Bifida throughout our Nation. I wish the Spina Bifida Association of America the best of luck in its endeavors and urge all of my colleagues and all Americans to support its important efforts. God bless the Spina Bifida Association and God bless America.

Mr. BROWNBACK

Mr. BROWNBACK. Mr. President, if I may speak for a couple of brief moments about the Gramm amendment?

Mr. BROWNBACK. Madam President, I rise to support my colleague from Texas in his effort to strike section 821 from S. 1438. I have outlined why I believe that the Federal Prison Industries is important for the continued orderly function of our prisons. Today I have received a letter from Fraternal Order of Police President Steve Young. In his letter, Mr. Young made an interesting point that a healthy Federal Prison Industries is not only important for the orderly function of our prisons but also for the safety of our corrections officers. I ask unanimous consent that Mr. Young's letter be printed in the Record.

Mr. BROWNBACK. Mr. President, I will not keep the body long. I do rise in support of the amendment of Senator Gramm of Texas regarding Prison Industries. This has come after some considerable review, and visiting the prison in Kansas at Leavenworth, the Federal Penitentiary of Leavenworth. I note: visiting, not occupying. This is a maximum security facility. Men are in this facility for years, frequently for life, and at these Prison Industries at this facility. I visited with the warden about 2 months ago--a month and a half ago, actually--about this particular issue, and also with the head of Corrections for the Federal Government. Both insisted that if we do not allow Prison Industries to effectively be able to compete--there are questions about that in the language, but if we don't allow Prison Industries to effectively compete, they are going to have difficulty at the penitentiary keeping these gentlemen occupied, working with them, and being able to effectively run that prison. Otherwise, these men are going to be sitting around, and idle hands present a great deal of difficulty. I have worked with the Senator from Wyoming on privatization efforts within the Federal Government. I think he is absolutely on the mark on these issues. From a personal perspective and the perspective of Kansas, having a penitentiary that has long-term inmates, people who are going to be incarcerated frequently for life, or at least 10 to 20 years, prisoners need something that is going to keep them occupied and working or else we are going to have a great deal of difficulty with them. Prison Authorities don't know what they are going to do with these inmates otherwise, and they pleaded with me, saying: Don't allow this to go forward. This is going to be very difficult for us in the system. I bring that word to my colleagues from a State with a major Federal penitentiary facility housing long-term inmates. They don't know how they are going to be able to handle it. Some say it will still allow them to compete and do the work all right, but reading this, within the system, it will cut back their ability to effectively have jobs for these inmates, and they need jobs for these inmates. It helps with restitution pay, helps them build self-worth; more than anything, it helps manage this population that is very violent, very difficult, and if you do not give them anything to do, the idle hands are the devil's playground. This has a great deal of difficulty. I appreciate my colleagues allowing me to put those sentences forward, and I will be supporting the Gramm amendment.

Mr. BROWNBACK

Mr. BROWNBACK. Madam President, I rise to speak today in recognition of the noble truck drivers across the Nation. For the past 2 weeks, our truckers have been valiant in their service to this country, delivering important supplies to the attack sites of New York City and Arlington, VA. Many of these truckers have been volunteering time, equipment, and use of their vehicles to supply these areas in efforts of relief, regardless of the escalating gas prices throughout the country. This is a commendable act, as airlines have been shut down and delivery has been severely restricted, truckers have responded to the call of America. I commend the work performed by this industry. We have often heard about those on the front line, but not of those in the shadows, holding part of America's infrastructure intact with their service. I say thank you to the hardworking men and women of the trucking industry who continue to contribute to the relief effort throughout the country.

Mr. BROWNBACK

Mr. BROWNBACK. Madam President, I am introducing today a bill, along with Senator McConnell, and there will be others who will be added as cosponsors to the bill, to provide limited authority to the President to provide assistance to Pakistan and India. This bill provides a limited waiver authority to the President to provide foreign aid assistance to Pakistan and to India. I do not need to remind anybody in this body of the difficulty facing particularly Pakistan at this time, as General Musharraf, the Chief Executive of the country, stepped forward to support the United States in this time of fighting international terrorism, particularly that which is based in Afghanistan. Yet because of prior legislation, the United States cannot provide certain types of aid to Pakistan that I believe the administration may well need to provide to Pakistan to keep the Government there, to provide support and help to the Government. For instance, the U.S. Government today, because of sanctions that were put on Pakistan by law and there is no waiver authority, cannot provide more than $50 million in foreign aid assistance to Pakistan. They can in some areas provide below $50 million, but they cannot provide any more than that. They can do no debt rescheduling. There are no balance of payment supports the United States can provide to Pakistan. These are a lot of funds, but I want to point out what would take place if the Pakistani Government gets into great difficulty and the United States is not able to help. General Musharraf controls nuclear weapons and missile capacity as well. If the Government of Pakistan does not survive, it will probably move to a more radical regime that will have both nuclear weapons and the capacity to delivery those nuclear weapons to our allies and even possibly U.S. interests. Pakistan is helping us against this battle of terrorism. We need to lift all sanctions to work with them. We are going to need to help them economically during this very difficult time for them and for us. As we move forward in this battle on terrorism, we are going to have to work with people in many ways. There is a military component that people watch, but there is also a strong cooperative component which needs to take place. We need to work with our potential allies around Afghanistan so that we can go into the country of Afghanistan or support resistance fighters around Afghanistan and in Afghanistan, which I think is the better route to go, for us to drain the swamp and be able to get the terrorism at that point in time or cause them to move and capture them at that time. The administration is asking for this important assistance. They will need to work very closely with Pakistan. The Musharraf government has had sanctions imposed on it because they triggered particular provisions by their own actions. The administration is going to have to weigh that very carefully. If they are going to return to an elective government, which the Pakistani President and the Supreme Council of Pakistan, the Supreme Court has stated that they will next October have free elections to elect their leadership, we are going to have to appraise this as it moves forward. Right now the Bush administration does not even have the authority to waive these sanctions to provide foreign aid, debt repayment, and assistance. They do not even have the option. This bill will provide them the waiver authority to provide that assistance. It means the sanctions will still be in place, and the administration will have to decide whether or not to lift them. I am introducing this bill now because I would like to see it included either on the Defense authorization bill, foreign ops appropriations bill, or as a freestanding bill passing through this Congress. This needs to take place. That is why I am introducing this bill and drawing it to the attention of my colleagues. We need to do this, and we should not be parsimonious in this time of great difficulty for us and for them. I thank the Chair.

Mr. BROWNBACK

Mr. BROWNBACK. Madam President, I yield the floor.

Mr. BROWNBACK. I thank the Chair. (The remarks of Mr. BROWNBACK pertaining to the introduction of S. 1465 are printed in today's Record under ``Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions.'')

Mr. BROWNBACK. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent to speak for up to 10 minutes as in morning business.

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

Mr. BROWNBACK

Mr. BROWNBACK. Madam President, I am introducing today a bill, along with Senator McConnell, and there will be others who will be added as cosponsors to the bill, to provide limited authority to the President to provide assistance to Pakistan and India. This bill provides a limited waiver authority to the President to provide foreign aid assistance to Pakistan and to India. I do not need to remind anybody in this body of the difficulty facing particularly Pakistan at this time, as General Musharraf, the Chief Executive of the country, stepped forward to support the United States in this time of fighting international terrorism, particularly that which is based in Afghanistan. Yet because of prior legislation, the United States cannot provide certain types of aid to Pakistan that I believe the administration may well need to provide to Pakistan to keep the Government there, to provide support and help to the Government. For instance, the U.S. Government today, because of sanctions that were put on Pakistan by law and there is no waiver authority, cannot provide more than $50 million in foreign aid assistance to Pakistan. They can in some areas provide below $50 million, but they cannot provide any more than that. They can do no debt rescheduling. There are no balance of payment supports the United States can provide to Pakistan. These are a lot of funds, but I want to point out what would take place if the Pakistani Government gets into great difficulty and the United States is not able to help. General Musharraf controls nuclear weapons and missile capacity as well. If the Government of Pakistan does not survive, it will probably move to a more radical regime that will have both nuclear weapons and the capacity to delivery those nuclear weapons to our allies and even possibly U.S. interests. Pakistan is helping us against this battle of terrorism. We need to lift all sanctions to work with them. We are going to need to help them economically during this very difficult time for them and for us. As we move forward in this battle on terrorism, we are going to have to work with people in many ways. There is a military component that people watch, but there is also a strong cooperative component which needs to take place. We need to work with our potential allies around Afghanistan so that we can go into the country of Afghanistan or support resistance fighters around Afghanistan and in Afghanistan, which I think is the better route to go, for us to drain the swamp and be able to get the terrorism at that point in time or cause them to move and capture them at that time. The administration is asking for this important assistance. They will need to work very closely with Pakistan. The Musharraf government has had sanctions imposed on it because they triggered particular provisions by their own actions. The administration is going to have to weigh that very carefully. If they are going to return to an elective government, which the Pakistani President and the Supreme Council of Pakistan, the Supreme Court has stated that they will next October have free elections to elect their leadership, we are going to have to appraise this as it moves forward. Right now the Bush administration does not even have the authority to waive these sanctions to provide foreign aid, debt repayment, and assistance. They do not even have the option. This bill will provide them the waiver authority to provide that assistance. It means the sanctions will still be in place, and the administration will have to decide whether or not to lift them. I am introducing this bill now because I would like to see it included either on the Defense authorization bill, foreign ops appropriations bill, or as a freestanding bill passing through this Congress. This needs to take place. That is why I am introducing this bill and drawing it to the attention of my colleagues. We need to do this, and we should not be parsimonious in this time of great difficulty for us and for them. I thank the Chair.

Mr. BROWNBACK

Mr. BROWNBACK. Mr. President, the National Day of Prayer and Remembrance was held at Washington National Cathedral. What a beautiful service to recognize and remember those who lost their lives and the families who mourn them and those who are still missing. We ended it by singing the Battle Hymn of the Republic, with which everybody is familiar. Most people are familiar with the first verse, maybe the last verse, but not some of the rest of the text. Remember, this is the great hymn of the Republic during the time of strife between the States and where we had a war between ourselves, brother against brother, in this land. This was the fight song. As we sang that song, it was as if we were sending our Nation off to war. I want to read the words to the middle verse, the third verse of this hymn that is not familiar to most people, but the words are so strong and striking. I have read a fiery gospel writ in burnish'd rows of steel; as ye deal with My contemners, so with you My grace shall deal; let the Hero, born of woman, crush the serpent with His heel; since God is marching on. ``I have read a fiery gospel writ in burnish'd rows of steel.'' I hope that our enemies, the terrorists in the world, read that writ we have issued today written in burnished rows of steel. We are resolved. We are united. We will win. We will do whatever it takes to win, while our God is marching on. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. BROWNBACK

Mr. BROWNBACK. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that there be a period for morning business, with Senators allowed to speak for up to 5 minutes.

Mr. BROWNBACK

Mr. BROWNBACK. Mr. President, this morning the Senate passed a historic resolution. The resolution passed granting the President broad authority and power to prosecute a war against terrorism and those who house terrorists. It is important we talk about that from the standpoint that this is a war as no other we have been in where the enemy is one who can attack and has attacked on our soil, who will use means and methods of terror, which is the tool of choice for the terrorists, and try to debilitate us by fear. We should not succumb to fear. We should not allow fear to take over but, rather, have faith in our system and faith in God above that we will prosper and persevere. Many terrorists have networks that are headquartered throughout central Asia, South Asia, and the Middle East. It is wise for us to go after these terrorist organizations. It is absolutely right for us to do so. We need to build alliances with people throughout these regions, and they are available to us if we move wisely and successfully. The State Department has done a nice job thus far, and I congratulate Secretary Colin Powell and Rich Armitage, the No. 2 person in the Department, and others, for reaching out to many countries in that part of the world and saying: Look, it is time to stand up and be counted. You are either with us or against us, and we want to know what it is, and there will be consequences that will flow from that decision. It appears a number of these countries are standing up and saying: We are with you; this global scourge of terrorism hits us on a daily basis as it just hit you with such a devastating force on September 11. I think it would be wise for us to look at this very seriously, that before we move forward, we build these alliances with a number of nations that are willing to stand up with us and be heard. That is very possible for us to do. We need to look to nations such as Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, nations that are not in the common lexicon perhaps of geography of the American student or maybe even the American political student. These are countries formed out of the fall of the Soviet Union, and they sit in direct proximity to Afghanistan, which has been the headquarters for some period of time of Osama bin Laden. If these nations want to work with the United States, we ought to work with them. It requires us to look at them with a new set of eyes and say: OK, we put a lot of demands and pressures on you at different points, and now we have one singular focus, and that is to deal with terrorism; we want to work with you on that. I think we will get their cooperation. They also will say: We want the United States to work with us, building the economies and abilities of our people. So there is going to be an exchange and a push back and forth that, in many ways, will help strengthen our standing and our relationship with many of these nations. We have recently been on a diplomatic effort with India. That is proper and good and should continue. There are sanctions that need to be lifted in this region. Pakistan is going to be a key country, as we have already seen, and discussions are taking place already. Pakistan will be a key country. We have gone to them and said: OK, stand up and be counted with us or be counted with the other side. We believe Pakistan will strongly come along our way. We have had our share of differences, certainly after the cold war. Pakistan was there with us in bringing the Soviet Union down when the Soviet Union was engaged in Afghanistan. I think Pakistan will be with us again. We have to look at how we work with them. They are going to say: OK, there are a series of sanctions you have on us; we want to talk about that as well. We should engage those discussions. Hopefully, that will be a way we can build these nations together. That would be a good and appropriate thing to do. I want to point out some history regarding Afghanistan. Some suggest we go in and start bombing. There have been a number of nations, great nations over history, that have tried to go into Afghanistan, and there has been great difficulty going into Afghanistan, whether it was the British or whether it was the Soviet Union, which could merely drive into Afghanistan with huge amounts of weaponry and force and still was not able to put the proud people of Afghanistan under their pressure and army. To think we can just drop bombs or drop a few troops into Afghanistan and that country will succumb to our pressure does not read correctly the history of that proud nation. The Taliban has been a scourge on that country, as they have been on the world. We have to look very wisely and carefully at how we are going to deal with Osama bin Laden and other terrorist organizations that are headquartered in Afghanistan. This is going to take some time, and I hope our people are cognizant of those lessons of history and are cognizant of what we are dealing with. This may take some time, planning, and thoughtfulness as we build the alliance with countries in that region, as we do the give-and-take to get them on our side and with them saying: OK, we need you to work with us as we build up our nations as well and as we plot long-term strategy to be able to get at these terrorist groups that are headquartered in a very difficult nation. This is not the sort of thing we are going to do from 30,000 feet in the air, dropping bombs or launching cruise missiles and hoping we get it done. This is going to take some period of time to build the alliances we will need. It is a different alliance than we have formed in the past. It is an alliance to put the tools in place, the human intelligence, the ability to get at these dens of iniquity, these evil groups that would perpetrate these crimes on this country and across the world. Then we are going to have to go in and dig them out one at a time. This is not the Persian Gulf war or any other war in which we have been. If done properly and well focused, we can be very successful in this effort. It is going to require time, focus, prudence, and determination, and the mettle of this country will be tested. But we are going to be successful in the long run. We could be here for some period of time talking about this. Mr. President, I wanted to rise to say that because the resolution we passed this morning was quite broad based. It was an expression of the people of the United States, and I think a good expression of the desires of the people of the United States. I do not want people to think this will be done later this year and we are finished with it. This will take a long period of time. These terrorist organizations operate in a number of countries, and they have substantial assets in at least 10 different nations. We could well be going at that for some period of time.

Mr. BROWNBACK

Mr. BROWNBACK. I thank the Chair. Madam President, I appreciate the words of my colleagues on such a serious matter before this body. I, as an American, as a Kansan, and a Member of the Senate, am deeply saddened at the loss and tragedy our Nation has suffered, the shock of which still stuns us today. I also express the complete unity of all of us in the Congress in our absolute determination to respond to this atrocity quickly, wisely, and forcefully. We will rescue survivors, bury our dead, rebuild our centers of commerce, and find the killers. Already there is order; soon there will be justice. Kansans and Americans must be assured that our country will remain strong and will become stronger through this trial. Every hour I hear of new reports of Americans volunteering their time, their medical experience, their resources, and their blood to help their fellow citizens. We are responding to the evil of terrorism with the best of human nature, and I thank everyone who has sacrificed to help those in need in Washington and New York. The unsung heroes and untold stories are the bright lights in this dark sky. We will not only help the hurting, but we will seek out and find those killers. To terrorists and the nations that harbor them, we have this to say: We will find you, and we will deal with you as you deserve. Justice will be done. If there are rogue nations or terrorist groups that think they can intimidate our country, they are mistaken. I strongly agree with President Bush's statement that: America and our friends and allies join with all those who want peace and security [and that]. . . .We will make no distinction between the terrorists who committed these acts and those who harbor them. I hope, from this dastardly act of terrorism, we will find support coming from many quarters of the world to fight this global scourge of terrorism. Already I have been in touch with people in several countries and spoken with them about their need to help us and found their quick statements of willingness to help us in support. I have spoken with Jordan's King Abdullah, who is vigorously assisting the United States, and also there are other Arab countries, to encourage calm and reason in the Middle East and to support us in finding those who have conducted these heinous acts. We appreciate the efforts of Jordan and thank her people and her King. There is another point that needs to be made. The culprits are terrorists, not the Arab people or those of the Muslim faith generally or any other group. Individuals are guilty of crimes, not classes of people. In this instance, as always, we should reject unfair characterizations or generalizations targeted at groups of people. We had already been investigating reports on another matter in our State associated with gasoline price gouging. We are confident that the problems will be resolved in short order. Oil supply channels remain open. Measures are being taken to ensure the uninterrupted flow of oil, and anyone who does engage in the disgusting practice of price gouging in a time of tragedy will be prosecuted. I encourage my fellow citizens to contact offices in their States and public authorities if there is any way we can be of assistance in dealing with this matter. The Congress will be convening in both joint and special sessions throughout the remainder of this week. That is an important statement of our resolve to continue to conduct business, even though it is not business as usual. I certainly intend to be at every session and meeting that involves our current national crisis. I assure every American, particularly Kansans back home, that we are united, we are resolved, and we will seek justice to be done, swift and sure. I ask for your prayers for all the victims and their families and offer my deepest condolences to the families and appreciation for the many prayers that have been offered and the help that has already flowed so richly to those who need it. I finally note, in the weeks and months ensuing, we will be a changed nation. There are many things with which we will need to deal. We will need to deal with this battle, this war that we are in with terrorism, and we are going to have to fight it much more aggressively. It is an insidious conflict. We are going to have to get at it at its roots around the world, and we are going to need much help from many corridors. We will seek that, and we will fight and win this battle even though it is different from any other we have fought. We will pull together as a nation and do it. This will not be a Republican or a Democrat issue; this will be an American issue, as wars have been in the past, and we will wage it successfully. I pray we will continue and we will grow from this experience. May God keep the souls of those who have lost their lives. May God save those who at this hour await rescue. May God lift the weighted hearts of the families of the missing and the dead. May God preserve all those who love freedom in this world. May God bless the United States of America. I yield the floor.

Mr. BROWNBACK

Mr. BROWNBACK. Mr. President, I rise today to express my thanks to my Senate colleagues for passing S. 1046, a bill that creates a commission to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Brown v. Board. I would especially like to thank Senator Pat Roberts of Kansas who introduced this bill into the Senate and Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont for his leadership in helping me to move this legislation through his committee. I thank Cheryl Brown Henderson of the Brown Foundation, whose father, Oliver Brown brought the suit against the Topeka Board of Education on behalf of his daughter, Linda Brown. Cheryl has been a steadfast leader in ensuring that the Brown decision and legacy continues not only in the State of Kansas but throughout the nation, and she has been very instrumental in creating this legislation that was passed in the Senate today. I stand before the Senate today proud that Kansas has played an intricate role in shaping our Nation. From ``Bleeding Kansas'' to the ``Exodus to Kansas'' to Brown v. Board, Kansas has been one State in this nation that has led our country in addressing race relations in this country. And I am very proud of that history and legacy. As you know, the history of desegregating our public school system started before Brown v. Board with such cases as Murray v. Maryland and Sweatt v. Painter. But it was Brown v. Board that set the fire of the public outrage and changed the course of America's history and the way in which we view equality in the eyes of the law. Before Brown, many States in the United States enforced racially segregated laws--this was an atrocious practice. Many individuals claimed that as a direct result of the 1896 Plessy v. Ferguson case, which sanctioned the separate but equal doctrine, school segregation was, in fact, legal and culturally acceptable. Oliver Brown, a citizen of Topeka, Kansas joined with other individuals and filed a lawsuit against the Topeka School Board on behalf of his 7-year-old daughter, Linda. Like other young African Americans, Linda had to cross a set of railroad tracks and board a bus to take her to the ``colored'' school on the other side of the city where she lived--even though a school for white children was located only a few blocks from her home. This was the basis for the landmark case. There were many notable African Americans who helped to bring this case to the Supreme Court of the United States, however, none so famous as Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall who valiantly defended the rights of not only Linda Brown, but of an entire race of individuals who were treated as second- class citizens. On May 17, 1954, the Supreme Court rendered its decision that ruled racial segregation in schools in unconstitutional, violating the 14th Amendment of the United States Constitution, which states among other things that, ``no state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States.'' When the Court ruled in 1954 that school segregation laws were unconstitutional, the Supreme Court demolished the legal foundation on which racial segregation stood. The Court's opinion, written and delivered by Chief Justice Earl Warren, also served as a stirring moral indictment of racial segregation, and an eloquent challenge to America to cast off its prejudices and extend its promises of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness to all citizens, regardless of race or color. This Commission will comprise individuals representing the states that were involved in the Brown case originally filed, Delaware, Kansas, South Carolina, and Virginia, and from the first legal challenge, Massachusetts. The Commission will be charged with planning and coordinating public education activities and initiatives, including public lectures, writing contests, and public awareness campaigns throughout the nation. In addition, the Commission will work with the Brown Foundation for Educational Equity, Excellence and Research (located in Topeka, Kansas) to plan, develop and coordinate observances of the anniversary of the Brown decision. And finally, the Commission will submit recommendations to the United States Congress relating to a joint session of Congress to commemorate the Brown v. Board anniversary. I am proud that we were able to pass this legislation today that will honor this historic case--one that set the pace for racial equality in the 20th century, and caused a nation to rethink the meaning of racial equality and tolerance for the betterment of our country.

Mr. BROWNBACK

Mr. BROWNBACK. Mr. President, in the world of sports, there are competitions, there are grueling tests of strength and endurance, and there is the Tour de France. For 22 days--through 20 different stages-- over 2,286 miles--over mountains--across valleys--through cities--some of the world's greatest athletes ride. They compete against each other, the elements, the terrain and themselves, primarily with the hope of simply completing the ride. Competing in the Tour de France, there are the great athletes, there are the elite athletes, and there is Lance Armstrong. On his Circum Vitae, Lance might list himself as a two time Olympian, a two time US Champion, World Champion, or--a feat boasted by only eight riders since the beginning of the tour in 1903--a three time Tour de France winner. On this past Sunday, July 29, the 29 year old Texan pulled up to the Champs-Elysees, six minutes and 44 seconds ahead of his next closest competitor. It was his third victory at the Tour de France in as many years. While he has been reluctant to accept the title, many of his fellow cyclists consider him to be ``the Patron''--the unquestioned boss of the race. However, as remarkable as his competitive achievements may be, Mr. Armstrong's Circum Vitae has one addition that establishes him as a truly remarkable human being--he is a cancer survivor. With the same fortitude that carried him over 6 peaks in the Pyrenees, Mr. Armstrong defeated choriocarcinoma, an aggressive form of testicular cancer. By the time it was discovered, the cancer had spread to, and established itself in, Mr. Armstrong's abdomen, lungs and brain. Some of the 11 masses in the talented young cyclist's lungs were the size of golf balls. According to medical science, Mr. Armstrong had an estimated 50/ 50 chance of survival. Needless to say, the odds of his ever returning to the sport he loved were more slim. However, as has been made obvious in the last three tours, Lance Armstrong is a man of great determination. Since 1997, Mr. Armstrong has been cancer free. Despite having endured brain surgery, the removal of a testicle and intense chemotherapy, he has returned to and excelled in one of the toughest competitions in the history of sport. Beyond his professional triumphs, Mr. Armstrong has lived a fulfilled personal life. In 1998, Lance Armstrong and Kristen Richard were joined as husband and wife. In 1999, the couple were blessed with the birth of their first son, Luke David. Beyond his incredible professional and personal triumphs, Mr. Armstrong has become a beacon of hope to his community. Through his work with the Lance Armstrong Foundation, Mr. Armstrong has greatly benefitted the causes of research, early detection and treatment, and survivorship. The name Lance Armstrong has come to signify hope for cancer patients and their families. So, I rise today not to congratulate Mr. Armstrong, but to thank him. He has meant a great deal to a great many people. The word ``hero'' is, in my opinion, overused in the world of sports. Lance Armstrong is a hero.

Mr. BROWNBACK

Mr. BROWNBACK. Madam President, I rise today to pay tribute to a Kansan the Presiding Officer knew. She died as a result of complications associated with her fight with liver cancer--a lady who was the first female Governor of the State of Kansas, Joan Finney. She was a lady I had the privilege of serving with in State government. I was Secretary of Agriculture under her for a brief period of time. She was a remarkable lady. One of the tributes that was given to her yesterday, when the State paid their final respects to Governor Finney, was by Rev. Francis Krische, pastor of the Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church, who stated to the mourners something about Governor Finney that probably captures the essence of Governor Finney, a beautiful woman. He said this about her: ``She knew how to be with people. This was one of the keys to her success.'' She really did know how to be with people. She had been elected treasurer in the State of Kansas for 4 terms. She was elected as the first female Governor in the State of Kansas from 1991 to 1995. She started out her career in politics serving a Member of this body, Senator Frank Carlson, whose seat I now occupy. She worked for him for several years doing constituent work, which fit Governor Finney beautifully because she so loved to help people. She was beautiful about it. She was beautiful about working with people. I would be around her at different events, and it was always so amazing to me the depth of her knowledge of the people she would see whom she knew. She knew the family members. She knew something about what was happening in their families. I sometimes thought she knew all of the people of Kansas. She was really a beautiful lady. I think the depth of her caring was such a key characteristic of hers. To learn and know about an individual is how much she cared about the people she was working for and serving, whether it was as a caseworker for Senator Carlson or whether it was as State treasurer or whether it was as Governor of the State of Kansas. The Democrat Party, in its annual meeting this year in Topeka, adopted a resolution regarding Governor Finney and stated this about her: ``She was truly one of Kansas' most adored native daughters. And she was.'' She was adored by the people. She felt that the people's view was the correct one, even though she might disagree with it. She would go ahead and proceed forward with that view, whatever it might be. She was, in that sense, a populist in the best sense of the word: It was to represent the people. And the people's will was paramount in politics. She had a deep heart. She really cared for the people who she served. And you could see, this was not something that was a practiced skill of hers, where she would work, for example, at learning people's names. It was written in her heart. She knew these people in her heart. She cared for them. While many people would have had disagreements on different policy issues, they would never disagree with the heart of Joan Finney because it was one of those pure hearts. She played the harp for a number of people. She played it professionally. It was a gift that she used frequently when asked. It was something I think that also helped to express just the inside of who this beautiful woman was. She was somebody who really played beautifully and played purely in the game of life. So as people say their prayers tonight, I hope they remember Joan Finney, as well as her husband Spencer, who is still alive, although mourning, obviously, the death of his spouse. I hope they will remember her. And I can guarantee she would remember them. I yield the floor.

Mr. BROWNBACK

Mr. BROWNBACK. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senator from Alabama, Mr. Sessions, be allowed to speak for up to 15 minutes after I speak.

Mr. BROWNBACK

Mr. BROWNBACK. Only 900 families out of the 3,000 eligible have been identified for these benefits.

Mr. BROWNBACK. The Veterans Administration's funding capacity to conduct outreach, educational, and programmatic initiatives has been limited to this number so far.

Mr. BROWNBACK. Mr. President, I would like to bring to the attention of my colleagues the No. 1 permanently disabling birth defect in the United States. Spina Bifida is a neural tube defect and occurs when the central nervous system does not for properly close during the early stages of pregnancy. The most severe form of Spina Bifida occurs in 96 percent of the children born with this disease. People with Spina Bifida often have paralysis of muscle groups, difficulties with bowel and bladder control, and learning and developmental challenges. There are approximately 70,000 individuals living with the challenges of Spina Bifida in our Nation. This is also a very preventable birth defect. Sixty million women are at risk of having a child born with Spina Bifida, and each year approximately 4,000 pregnancies in this country are affected by Spina Bifida. Unfortunately, only 2,500 of these children are born. This translates into approximately 11 Spina Bifida and neural tube defect affected pregnancies in this country each and every day. Yet, if all women of childbearing age were to consume 0.4 milligrams of folic acid before becoming pregnant, the incidence of folic acid-preventable Spina Bifida would be reduced between 50-75 percent. Let me repeat this. If all women of childbearing age had a multivitamin with 0.4 milligrams of folic acid everyday with breakfast, we could reduce the incidence of this birth defect by 50-75 percent. Fortunately, we are working to get the word out regarding the importance of folic acid consumption. Created by the Children's Health Act of 2000, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities' mission is to improve the health of children by preventing birth defects and developmental disabilities. I have just heard that the center's folic acid prevention campaign has reduced neural tube defect births by 20 percent. This public health success should be celebrated, but it is only half of the equation--2,500 babies are born each year with Spina Bifida. Much more must be done to improve the quality of life for those 70,000 individuals and their families that live with this disease day in and out. Major medical advances have permitted babies born with Spina Bifida to have a normal life expectancy and live independent and fulfilling lives. However, living with this disease can be expensive-- emotionally, physically, and financially. The lifetime costs associated with a typical case of Spina Bifida--including medical care, special education, therapy services, and loss of earnings--exceed $500,000. The total societal cost of Spina Bifida exceeds $750 million per year. The Social Security Administration payments to individuals with Spina Bifida exceed $82 million per year. Tens of millions of dollars are spent on medical care covered by Medicaid and Medicare. Clearly we need to do more to improve the quality of life for people suffering from Spina Bifida. With improved quality-of-life for individuals and families affected for Spina Bifida, the stigma and fear associated with a Spina Bifida birth will decrease significantly. I support efforts to examine the current state of and opportunities in the practice of secondary prevention--including in utero surgery-- and efforts to reduce and prevent secondary health effects of Spina Bifida. One step of many we must take to improve the quality of life for those suffering from this disease is in the creation of a national registry of persons affected by Spina Bifida and its secondary conditions so we can know who is affected and how we can help them.

Mr. BROWNBACK

Mr. BROWNBACK. I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to. robert s. mueller, iii, to be director of the federal bureau of investigation

Mr. BROWNBACK

Mr. BROWNBACK. Madam President, I am pleased to join my distinguished colleagues, Senators Leahy, Collins, and Kennedy, among others to introduce the Refugee Protection Act of 2001. The Refugee Protection Act will restore fairness to our treatment of refugees who arrive at our shores seeking freedom from persecution and oppression. It will reduce the number of asylum seekers placed in prison-like detention facilities. On July 10, standing on Ellis Island, President Bush said, ``America at its best is a welcoming society.'' From our very beginnings almost 400 years ago when the refugee Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock seeking religious freedom, our Nation has welcomed refugees. When we give refuge to desperate people fleeing extraordinary persecution, we are a better Nation. Moreover, asylees, by definition, represent the best of American values. Often they are people who have stood alone, at great personal cost, against hostile governments for principles that are fundamental to us such as political and religious liberty. Therefore, as Americans with a noble legacy, we must continue to examine our asylum policies with an eagle-eyed vigilance for fairness and justice. On May 3, I chaired an Immigration Subcommittee hearing on asylum policy. We heard testimony that genuine refugees are, from time to time, mistakenly deported by INS inspectors, treated abusively during airport inspections, and that many asylum seekers are detained in prison-like conditions well beyond the time needed to determine their identity and establish that they have a credible fear of persecution. First of all, it must be stated that the men and women who serve the INS are dedicated public servants, with a difficult job and in no fashion do I want to indict them. They often work under extremely demanding conditions, sometimes with insufficient resources, yet they complete their difficult tasks with fairness and good judgment. However, we must examine various incidents of abuse which have come to our attention regarding the treatment of asylee applicants while their claim is pending. Clearly, these incidents are not official INS policy and most officers would abhor such mistreatment, yet they do occur, nonetheless, and therefore must be addressed. At that hearing, former asylum seekers presented moving testimony about such mistreatment. For example, Mekabou Fofana, a Liberian teenager, testified that he arrived at JFK airport nine days before his 16th birthday. Despite his request, he was not provided with a Mandingo interpreter. When INS officials twisted his arm and attempted to forcibly fingerprint him, Mekabou fell to the floor, hitting his head and bleeding so profusely that he had to be taken to the hospital. After a year and a half in detention in adult facilities, Mekabou was granted asylum and is now attending high school in New York City. An Albanian asylum seeker who arrived at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago last year also submitted testimony to the subcommittee. This testifier who wishes to remain anonymous was dragged by his clothing after he explained that he wished to apply for asylum. Despite his requests, he was not provided with an Albanian interpreter whom he could understand, and officers yelled at him when he refused to sign documents written in English that he could not comprehend. Faheem Danishmandi, a refugee from Afghanistan, arrived in America at age nineteen, traumatized by the recent killing of his father and separation from his mother. When he told an INS officer that he did not have a passport, the officer roughly searched him, apparently looking for documents then he was chained to a bench for 25 hours. After five months in detention, he was granted asylum. Amin Al-Torfi, a torture survivor from Iraq, fled to America after he and his family were persecuted by Saddam Hussein's regime because of their political opinions and religious beliefs. At the airport, he was told that he would have to wait three days to get an Arabic interpreter. He was shackled by the leg to a bench for eight hours, strip-searched, and led handcuffed with another asylum seeker through the airport in front of other passengers. After five months of detention, Amin was granted asylum. A change in our law is desperately needed. I believe in the enforcement of our nation's immigration laws. I also believe that people who find themselves under INSA jurisdiction deserve humane treatment. We are a Nation of immigrants, of refugees, of the courageous who resisted governmental persecution and fled to America in search of freedom. Given this proud tradition, we have a higher responsibility to asylum seekers. We have a responsibility to afford them a fair opportunity to present their asylum claims, a responsibility to not unnecessarily detain them for extended periods, and a responsibility not to turn them away to suffer further persecution. At the May 3 hearing, Leonard Glickman, President of the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society testified on behalf of his own agency and five other Jewish organizations. Mr. Glickman discussed the tragic history of 900 Jews on the ship, the St. Louis, who, in 1939, were fleeing Nazi persecution. American immigration officials turned them away from the Port of Miami and they were forced to return to Europe where most perished. He concluded that, ``The Jewish community is greatly concerned about the major changes that were instituted in the U.S. asylum system in 1996, changes that we believe threaten to undermine refugee protection and US global leadership in this area.'' Dr. Don Hammond, a Senior Vice President for World Relief also testified. World Relief is the relief, development, and refugee assistance arm of the National Association of Evangelicals which has called for passage of the Refugee Protection Act. Dr. Hammond stated that there has been a significant increase in religious persecution in a number of countries around the world. A University of California study of expedited removal listed the 101 countries with the highest number of people being turned away from the United States and sent back to their countries of origin. According to Dr. Hammond, of those 101 countries, almost 40 percent are listed on the Open Doors World Watch list of countries that severely restrict religious freedom. ``In other words,'' Dr. Hammond concluded, ``over a third of those who were subjected to expedited removal from the U.S. were being sent back to countries which are known to persecute Christians'' and other religious minorities. I believe that the future of American immigration policy towards asylees is promising. In his July 18 confirmation hearing to serve as INS Commissioner, James Ziglar committed to changing INS policy regarding asylum seekers. He said, ``I definitely think that we need to change the process where asylum-seekers come here, to make sure that we know who these people are and what their claims are and whether they're legitimate before we turn around and put them on a plan back to an uncertain future.'' Mr. Ziglar continued that, ``I am not one who particularly likes the idea in general of people being detained, unless they have been convicted of a crime, or unless they create some kind of danger to the community. So, my inclination in general is not to detain people unless there is some kind of valid reason, subject to all the due process requirements.'' Passage of the Refugee Protection Act, combined with fair and humane enforcement by an INS committed to the protection of refugees, will ensure that our Nation once again fully lives up to the dreams of the immigrants who built this great nation as a refuge of freedom and justice.