Robert Byrd

Mr. BYRD

Mr. BYRD. I appreciate the remarks of the Senators from New York, and would support the use of these funds for such construction.

Mr. BYRD. I recall that my friend from Alaska mentioning this during the committee markup of this bill. I assure you now, as I did then, that I am ready to help in any way possible to be sure the Forest Service applies adequate oversight to its hazard reduction activities.

Mr. BYRD. I am pleased to include this amendment in the managers package and feel it will be extremely helpful in protecting communities from the threat of wild fire. smithsonian center for materials research and education

Mr. BYRD. I would be happy to yield to my friend, the senior Senator from Maryland.

Mr. BYRD. The Senator from Georgia is correct regarding the committee's intent.

Mr. BYRD. Madam President, I want to take a moment to ask the ranking member for his agreement to continue a program of importance to the State of West Virginia. The New River Gorge National River is a scenic whitewater river that flows through deep canyons and rugged terrain. The Congress has provided $125,000 annually for technical support and maintenance on the New River Gorge National River Parkway. Would the ranking member agree that funding for this purpose be continued within the National Park Service appropriation in fiscal year 2002?

Mr. BYRD. I thank my colleagues for their work on this issue, and will work in conference to encourage the Interior Department to continue the work my colleagues have begun by funding a Ramsar-based wetland science, site management and education program through the Caddo Lake Institute working in partnership with the Division of International Conservation and the National Wetlands Research Center. htirc

Mr. BYRD. Senator Burns and I will work with the Senator from Indiana to see if we can find sufficient resources through the conference process to support the Forest Service's share of this worthy effort. cane river national heritage area

Mr. BYRD. The Senator from Louisiana is correct. We were pleased to be able to recommend funding for this high priority of the Senator.

Mr. BYRD. Yes. In developing this recommendation the committee assumed funding for both these activities in the amounts the Senator described. minnesota forest funding

Mr. BYRD. The Senator is correct.

Mr. BYRD. The Senator is again correct.

Mr. BYRD. I thank the Senator from Virginia, Mr. Warner, for his interest in the historic Arlington House. I am aware that funding for the restoration needs for the Arlington House was requested in the President's budget and I can assure the Senator from Virginia that the committee will carefully consider this important project as we continue to assess the maintenance and restoration needs of National Park Service properties.

Mr. BYRD. I agree that these energy conservation programs are very important. If additional funds are available during conference, I would consider increases in these programs.

Mr. BYRD. I appreciate the Senator's attention to this issue. He is correct to point out the commendable work underway in the Minnesota forests. The Senator is aware that the President requested $70,358,000 for land management planning in fiscal year 2002, while this Appropriations Committee has provided $70,718,000, an increase of $360,000. For that reason, I agree, and I believe the subcommittee would agree, that this legislation should provide adequate resources to the Superior and Chippewa National Forests to complete their forest management plans. ``Critical Energy Efficiency Programs''

Mr. BYRD. Madam President, I am happy to address that issue with the majority leader. Can the leader tell me what would be required to offer the basic health services we promised to American Indians and Alaska Natives?

Mr. BYRD. Madam President, I assure the majority leader of my commitment to that effort. While we certainly will not be able to address all of the funding shortfall this year, I, too, am hopeful that we can find additional funds in conference to begin to address that shortfall.

Mr. BYRD. The Senator from Mississippi has my assurance that I will support his effort to assist the tribe in his State. I encourage the Director of Indian Health Services to pay particular attention to the request of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians to serve its tribal members in Ripley, TN. Atlantic Salmon Conservation

Mr. BYRD

Mr. BYRD. Mr. President, I thank the distinguished Senator from Nevada, the majority whip, for his suggestion. I like it. We have just heard Senator Burns voice his opinion.

Mr. BYRD. Surely.

Mr. BYRD. I thank the distinguished whip.

Mr. BYRD. Absolutely; gladly.

Mr. BYRD. The sign is out: Open for business. Senator Burns and I join in urging the leadership and all Senators to let us know of any amendments Senators intend to offer by no later than 4 p.m. today, and it will be my hope that at 4 p.m. we can close out the window for amendments. I hope all Senators within the sound of my voice and all staffs within the reach of our joint voice will be alerted to the fact that when the clock strikes 4 this afternoon, we expect to close out the window on all amendments.

Mr. BYRD. Mr. President, Senator Burns and I are here. We are at our posts of duty. We are ready to entertain any requests for an amendment by any Senator. The clock is running.

Mr. BYRD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of the amendment and that it be adopted.