Donna Christensen

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to join my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in support of H.R. 4945, the Small Business Competitive Preservation Act. During the past two congressional terms, my colleagues and I from the Committee on Small Business, under the distinguished and very effective leadership of the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Talent) and the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Velazquez), the ranking member, have devoted many hours to conducting hearings on contract bundling and the negative impact that this practice has had on small business. From these hearings, we have clearly seen that there is no direct evidence which shows that bundling has saved the government money or that a higher quality of product was delivered by larger companies. Just before our summer recess, our ranking member, the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Velazquez), and the Democratic members of the Committee on Small Business released a contracting study, which we have heard about, known as a ``score card,'' which showed that a number of Federal agencies, in particular the Department of Defense, rely on contract bundling. This study further showed that minority- and women- owned businesses have felt the hardest impact from contract bundling and that nearly every Federal agency failed to meet the negotiated small business goals for fiscal year 1999. Perhaps the most revealing evidence that has been produced from the hearings on contract bundling is that there is no hard data on the impact of this practice. There is no way to track exactly what is happening or to hold anyone accountable; most importantly, no way to develop a remedy. Mr. Chairman, we have had enough hearings. Now it is time to act, and we are doing so in H.R. 4945. H.R. 4945 imposes the establishment of a record-keeping mechanism that would allow the Small Business Administration to keep track, among other things, of whether the measurably substantial benefits alleged by the Federal agencies in support of contract bundling are actually achieved. It requires specific reporting to Congress and it further closes loopholes which have allowed this procedure to continue to grow and to bypass mandates of law. Mr. Chairman, small businesses and minority-owned businesses have suffered tremendously under bundling. I urge my colleagues to preserve the integrity of the Federal Government and the survival of small businesses by voting in support of H.R. 4945.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Alabama (Mr. Hilliard) for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, I want to commend the chairman and my colleague for rising to introduce this bill, S. 2460, which would authorize the payments of rewards to individuals furnishing information relating to persons subject to indictment for serious violations of international humanitarian law in Rwanda. I commend them both for presenting that bill today.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Con. Res. 257, concerning the emancipation of the Iranian Baha'i community. Mr. Speaker, the Baha'i faith is the most recent world religion. Its founder, a Persian nobleman, declared his mission in 1863, proclaiming he was the promised one of all religions who would usher in a new age of peace for all mankind. Among Bahaullah's most fundamental teachings are oneness of God, oneness of the foundation of all religions, oneness of mankind and all peoples are equal in the sight of God. The Baha'i faith was established in my district, the U.S. Virgin Islands, in 1954, with the settlement of pioneers on St. Thomas. The first local spiritual assembly of the Baha'i of St. Thomas was incorporated in 1965. The Baha'i of the Virgin Islands have been and are active in, among other things, providing education and enrichment programs for young children and adults, working with the Interfaith Coalitions on St. Thomas and St. Croix, as well as assisting in hurricane recovery efforts. Mr. Speaker, the Baha'i community of the Virgin Islands strongly supports House Concurrent Resolution 257 because it would condemn the repressive anti-Baha'i policies and actions of the government of Iran, and expresses concern that individual Baha'i continue to suffer from severely repressive and discriminatory government actions, including executions and death sentences, solely on account of their religion. I thank my colleagues for supporting this important resolution.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. I thank the distinguished gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters) for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 5010, the District of Columbia and U.S. Territories Circulating Quarter Dollar Program Act. I want to begin by thanking the former chairman, the gentleman from Delaware (Mr. Castle), the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Bachus), and the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Leach), as well as the gentleman from New York (Mr. LaFalce) and the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters), for their support in getting this bill to the floor so quickly today. It is indeed a pleasure for me to be here this afternoon as we move closer toward rectifying the omission of the District of Columbia and the insular areas from the original 50-State commemorative coin program act. It took us nearly 2 years, but with the vote on H.R. 5010 today, the United States citizens of the District of Columbia and the territories will finally get the opportunity to have our Nation commemorate and celebrate a significant event or fact about our respective homes. This is a great day for all of us because with this bill we will finally be able to celebrate, all of America. While my district, the U.S. Virgin Islands, also known as America's Paradise, has many ecological, historical, and cultural treasures which are worthy of commemoration, we also boast of having been the place where the first Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton, grew up and honed the skills which served our then fledgling Nation so well. For the benefit of those who might not know this, the Virgin Islands have been a member of the American family since 1917, when Denmark sold the islands of the former Danish West Indies, St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John, to the United States for just $25 million. We are located 1,000 miles southeast of Miami in the Caribbean Sea and are four main islands and numerous keys, with beaches that have consistently ranked among the best in the world. We also boast the only site where members of Christopher Columbus' party are known to have set foot on what is today U.S. soil. The Salt River National Historical and Ecological Park was established in 1992 to, among other things, commemorate this important historical event. Mr. Speaker, the people of the Virgin Islands see it as only fitting that we along with the residents and citizens of Guam, American Samoa, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia should also get the opportunity to educate our fellow Americans at whose side we have fought to defend and protect our Nation about our unique qualities as well as promote our pride at being Americans. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia because it was her leadership and dogged determination that made this day possible.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the St. Thomas Synagogue, formally, the Synagogue of Beracha Veshalom Vegemiluth Hasidim, or in English, ``the Synagogue of Blessing and Peace and Acts of Piety,'' located on Synagogue Hill overlooking Charlotte Amalie Harbor in the Federal Historic District of Charlotte Amalie, the capital of the United States Virgin Islands. Today, September 12, 2000, marks the 167th Anniversary of the consecration of the St. Thomas Synagogue. This synagogue, a well- preserved structure, built 167 years ago today in 1833, is indeed rich in history, culture and architecture. It is the second oldest synagogue in the Western Hemisphere and the oldest in continuous use under the American flag. For many Virgin Islanders, the St. Thomas Synagogue is a reminder of tolerance and equality, as well as of European expansion into the new world during the Spanish Inquisition of 1492. Practicing Jews were expelled from Spain during that period. As a result of this exodus, many Jewish families established themselves in the then Danish West Indies which are now the U.S. Virgin Islands. Some of the surnames which date back to that time are still present in the Virgin Islands today such as: Maduro, Castro, Sasso, Levin, Bornn, and Monsanto. The St. Thomas Synagogue is also revered as among one of the most architecturally interesting buildings on St. Thomas. This one story, three-bay front building measures forty feet by fifty feet, is rectangular in shape. Its foundations, made of masonry with lime mortar and plaster, and its walls, made of brick and cut stone load-bearing masonry walls with lime mortar and plaster, are still strong and sound. Its interior is emaculate with preserved artifacts and furniture centuries old. The most fascinating aspect is its flooring--13" marble tiles and covered with one inch of loose sand, a poignant reminder of the time when they had to worship in secret. The sand on the floor is a remnant of the days of the Marranos, Jews during the Spanish Inquisition who were forced to convert to Christianity but who secretly practiced their Judaism. Since practicing their faith was punishable by death, they met in cellars with sand covering the floor in order to muffle the sounds of their prayers. On Friday, September 15, 2000, the United States Department of Interior will honor the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Hebrew Congregation of St. Thomas at a ceremony formally designating the St. Thomas Synagogue as a National Historic Landmark. On behalf of the Congress of the United States of America, I congratulate the Hebrew Congregation of St. Thomas on attaining this honor and salute them for their dedicated service and contributions to the United States Virgin Islands.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2296, a bill I introduced earlier this year to give my constituents, the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands, a greater degree of self-government by allowing us and not Congress, to determine the size of our local legislature. I must begin my remarks by also thanking the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young), chairman of the Committee on Resources and the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller), ranking member, for their support and hard work in getting this bill to the floor today. The gentleman from Alaska (Chairman Young), the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller), Ranking Democrat, and I all recognize and acknowledge that H.R. 2296 is only necessary because the Virgin Islands have not yet adopted a local constitution after four attempts. Although I believe our adopting a constitution would be the preferred process, a constitution convention and adoption of a Virgin Islands constitution may still be a long way off. Therefore, H.R. 2296 was introduced on June 22 of last year in response to a resolution that was passed by the 22nd Legislature of the Virgin Islands to petition Congress to reduce the size of the local legislature from its current 15 members to 9 as a means of saving our cash-starved government badly needed funds. A similar bill to H.R. 2296 was introduced in the 105th Congress and was reported out by the Committee on Resources in August 5 by a voice vote. The Virgin Islands continues to struggle, Mr. Speaker, with a severe fiscal crisis, and H.R. 2296 is looked at by some Virgin Islanders as a means of saving scarce funds by reducing the size of our legislature. I drafted this bill to cede the authority to restructure the legislature to the Virgin Islands rather than have Congress prescribe a specific number of local senators because, in my estimation, all alternatives that can produce more accountability and reduce budgets ought to be considered, not just the reduction in numbers. In closing, I want to thank Virgin Islands Senator Adlah Foncie Donastorg for his authorship of the resolution which led to the introduction of the bill before us today. I also want to thank the staff of the Committee on Resources for their work on the bill. I thank my colleagues for supporting it.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my views on the adverse effect that the loss of FSC will have to my district, but I am in support of H.R. 4986.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce a bill, along with my colleagues from Guam, American Samoa and Puerto Rico, to remove the cap on Medicaid payments to the Territories and to increase the Medicaid statutory matching rate. Providing indigent U.S. citizens in the Territories with the dollars necessary to adequately meet their health care needs is not just a necessity, but I believe is a Civil Right. Since 1997, eliminating the disparities in health care between the majority and minority populations in the mainland U.S. has been a major focus of the Clinton Administration. While this is an important goal and one which I wholeheartedly support, because of the cap on Federal Medicaid assistance to the Territories, my constituents and those of my fellow Congressional Delegates unfortunately do not benefit very much from this effort. The lack of adequate health care for the over 4 million residents of the territories in both the Pacific and the Caribbean is largely due to the cap on federal funding in the Medicaid. Additionally, this fact is sadly compounded because the Territories, in large measure have not enjoyed the economic success that the mainland U.S. is enjoying. With reports every day of record federal budget surpluses, the time is right for the Federal government to fulfill its commitment to the health care needs of the people of the offshore areas. I urge my colleagues to join us in this effort to address this most basic and fundamental need of our fellow citizens.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time. I too rise in strong support of H.R. 2462, and I want to congratulate and commend my good friend from Guam (Mr. Underwood) for his tireless efforts and hard work over the several years it took to get this bill to this point today. As a cosponsor of H.R. 2462, I support the efforts of the gentleman from Guam (Mr. Underwood) to return land that was taken by the U.S. Government from the people of Guam during World War II. H.R. 2462 will address this issue by providing a process for the Government of Guam to receive lands from the U.S. Government for specified public purposes by giving Guam the right of first refusal of declared Federal excess lands by the General Services administrator prior to it being made available to any other Federal agency. Mr. Speaker, the people of Guam have suffered greatly because of their love for this country. Guamanians have been under U.S. sovereignty since 1898. During World War II, Japanese forces invaded and took control of Guam for 32 months. The people of Guam suffered atrocities, including executions, rapes, beatings, imprisonment, forced labor and forced marches, primarily due to their continued loyalty to the United States. Mr. Speaker, the people of Guam have been seeking to have the issues of the return of Guam lands and restitution to Guamanians who suffered atrocities in World War II addressed for more than a decade now. It is time that they be resolved. How much longer must we make the people of Guam wait? As for myself, I pledge to do all that I can to assist the gentleman from Guam (Mr. Underwood) in finding a resolution to these issues that is acceptable to the people of Guam. I ask my colleagues to also support the people of Guam and to support this legislation.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I too rise in support of H.R. 4807, the Ryan White CARE Act Amendments of 2000. I commend my colleagues, the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Coburn) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Waxman) for their hard work and their leadership in crafting this legislation which is so important to people with HIV and AIDS and their families. While this bill is not perfect and needs to be fine-tuned, the product we have before us provides a good framework. One of my major concerns with this legislation remains the funding provided for States which have laws requiring mandatory testing of newborns. I oppose mandatory testing of any subpopulation and I strongly believe that this body must give full consideration to the Institute of Medicine study as it relates to this. I am encouraged, on the other hand, that H.R. 4807 changes funding formulas to encompass all who are infected with HIV and not just provide resources for individuals who have progressed to AIDS. This amendment responds to the changing nature of the epidemic and the newer treatment protocols. It allows and enables treatment programs to begin and expand critical prevention efforts and encourages reporting of HIV infections by States which do not now report by infection. Another major area which is of critical concern to the Congressional Black Caucus Health Brain Trust is the community planning councils, their compensation, effectiveness, and operation. Mr. Speaker, we are encouraged by this bill's requiring that the local planning bodies and grantees reflect the demographics of the disease, that they conduct surveys to identify the epidemiology of the disease in their areas, and that they target funding to where the disease is most prevalent. Mr. Speaker, I would be remiss if I did not point out that based on current forecasts through fiscal year 2001, funding for the all- important ADAP program falls more than $1 million short of what will be needed for the many low-income, uninsured, and underinsured Americans with HIV infection or AIDS, putting this country far from where we ought to be in fighting this epidemic. We in the Caucus, our partners in the Congress, and our communities will remain vigilant in the Nation's fight against the HIV/AIDS crisis. The Ryan White CARE Act is a lifeline to countless Americans infected with this virus and it is our best ammunition in the war against this devastating disease. Clearly, we in the U.S. Congress cannot wait until this disease mirrors the pandemic in Africa. An enhanced, strengthened, responsive and adequately funded Ryan White CARE Act is absolutely essential. I look forward to working closely with my colleagues in the House and the Senate and in the administration to craft and enact a measure that is responsive to the needs of all Americans, and I ask for my colleagues' support of this important legislation. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4807, the Ryan White CARE Act Amendments of 2000, and I commend my colleagues Congressmen Tom Coburn and Henry Waxman for their hard work and leadership in crafting this legislation which is so important to persons with HIV and AIDS and their families. While, this bill is not perfect and needs to be strengthened and fine-tuned, the product we have before us, provides a framework which can be built upon to develop a more comprehensive and responsive reauthorization measure. One of my major concerns with this legislation, is the funding provided to states which have laws requiring the mandatory testing of newborns. I oppose mandatory testing of any sub-population, and I strongly believe, that this body must give full consideration to the IOM study as it relates to this issue. Let us seriously review those results and appropriately incorporate the findings in the ``mandatory testing'' provision of this reauthorization measure. I am encouraged that H.R. 4807 also changes city and state funding formulas to encompass all who are infected with HIV, and not just provide resources for individuals who have progressed to AIDS. This amendment responds to the changing nature of the epidemic and the newer treatment protocols which begin medication earlier. It allows for treatment programs to begin and expand critical prevention efforts. This bill also more effectively represents the burden of the disease and the need for care. In addition, this measure makes a concerted effort to support the fact, that the funding ``needs'' to follow the trends of the disease (which are disproportionately and increasingly affecting people of color). It also encourages reporting of HIV infections by states (many do not now report). Such adherence to reporting, will improve our ability to be more progressive and get in front of this epidemic by increasing prevention and outreach efforts. Another major area which is of critical concern to the Congressional Black Caucus and the communities we represent (which are primarily people of color), is the community planning councils, their composition, effectiveness and operations. This process has not worked well for many disenfranchised communities under existing authorization. Community input is essential to effective service provision at the local level. Therefore, we are encouraged by this bill requiring, that the local planning bodies and grantees reflect the demographics of the disease and secondly, that they conduct surveys to identify the epidemiology of the disease in their areas. Lastly, it directs that they target the funding where the disease is most prevalent. We, in the Caucus and our community partners, will be very vigilant on this issue. In this regard, I also encourage that African Americans and other people of color be appropriately represented in the clinical trials and investigator pools based on the trends of the disease. I would be remiss if, I did not say that based on the past epidemiology, and several studies and forecasts, FY 2001 funding for the all important ADAP program falls around $100 million dollars short of what will be needed to provide treatment to those infected. This dramatic shortfall represents the many low income, uninsured and under-insured Americans who will not receive appropriate care, and further puts this country far from where we need to be in fighting this epidemic and saving the lives of those infected and most at-risk. We in the Caucus and our partners in the Congress and the communities we serve, remain vigilant in the nation's fight against the HIV/AIDS crisis. The Ryan White Care Act is the life line to countless Americans infected with HIV and AIDS. It is our best ammunition in the war against this devastating disease which is plaguing our nation. Clearly, we in the U.S. Congress, must not wait until this disease begins to mirror the pandemic in Africa. An enhanced, strengthened, responsive and adequately funded Ryan White Care Act is absolutely essential to intensified care, treatment, prevention and outreach. I look forward to working closely with my colleagues in the House and Senate, and in the Administration to ensure the crafting and enactment of a measure that is responsive to the needs of all Americans. I therefore, ask you to respond positively, and vote for this important legislation.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2634, and I commend Chairman Bliley for introducing it and shepherding it to the floor of the House today. As a family physician, living and working in a district that is medically underserved, I often had to provide coverage to the Methadone Program in our Department of Health. I saw first hand how the use of such drugs could provide an option for treatment which would allow persons suffering from heroin addiction to reconcile with their families, return to work and live productive lives once again. I also saw how under some circumstances, the need to travel distances on a daily basis to be medicated was in direct conflict with requirements in the workplace, and how it hampered the full reentry of some patients into society. Drug addiction plagues many in our communities. It destroys individuals, families and undermines those communities. IV drug use, often associated with heroin use, also transmits the HIV virus and thus contributes to the scourge of AIDS. Today, addicted persons seeking treatment are often turned away. This bill will enable more people to receive treatment, and it will save lives, heal families and support wholesome communities. I am pleased to support H.R. 2634, and I ask my colleagues to support its passage.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the amendment of my colleague, the Gentlelady from California, Ms. Lee, to restore the funding for Global Aids assistance that was cut from the President's request. This body Mr. Chairman, invariably never ceases to amaze me. Here we are in the middle of a monumental life and family destroying, economy breaking, HIV/AIDS pandemic. Instead of increasing funding to address it, as the situation calls out desperately for us to do, we are codifying restrictions on family planning funding, slashing funding for debt relief to some of the same affected countries and others, and reducing the flow of drastically needed funds for HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment to a mere drip. This is a travesty. A recent UN report revealed that AIDS will cause early death in as many as one-half of the young adults in the hardest hit countries of southern Africa, causing unprecedented populations imbalances. In one country alone, Botswana, it is predicted that two thirds of that country's 15-year-olds will die of AIDS before age 50. But as bad as the impact is now, the full blow is still some years off. This loss at a time when men and women would be at their most productive, in countries that are only now beginning to come out from under the deep effects of colonialism and tyrannical rules, will be devastating. Our communities here in the U.S. are bleeding, these are hemorrhaging. Both crises need to be appropriately addressed, and addressed now. We are no longer in a world where any one country, nor even one neighborhood can labor under the impression that they are isolated. The devastation, and the disruptive effects of the HIV/AIDS pandemic may be at its very worse in far away, exotic lands, but the dire effects will ripple until they reach our shores. Combined with our domestic HIV/AIDS crisis, which also is not being adequately addressed, the bell will increasingly toll for us. We have the opportunity today to make a difference in the lives of our neighbors in Africa and other countries today, by supporting the Lee amendment. We must also resolve to apply the remedies in the magnitude that is needed here at home as well. $100 million is not a large sum. It is merely a drop in the bucket, against the backdrop of the enormity of the pandemic. But it is a start. It is seed money--an incentive for other countries, private corporations and foundations to join this vital effort. The Congressional Black Caucus and its Health Brain Trust, which I chair, has made HIV/AIDS our chief priority. We began here in this country with the call for a state of emergency and funding which has come to be known as the CBC Minority HIV/AIDS Initiative. But as we got funding and began to apply those dollars to the needs of our communities, we recognized that the problem was far deeper than HIV and AIDS. It was a problem of poor and deficient health infrastructure, it was and is a problem of communities beset with a myriad of social and economic problems. As we began the work of addressing all of the ills that lay beneath the tip of the AIDS iceberg, we also came face to face with the grim reality that is AIDS in Africa, and AIDS in the Caribbean, as well. And so, Mr. Chairman, what we want this body and our colleagues to recognize is that HIV and AIDS is a pandemic for people of color, around the world, including here in the United States. Achieving adequate prevention and treatment of HIV and AIDS in Africa and other parts of the world, is not that much different from combating it here. The social, economic, and health care infrastructure deficiencies are pretty much the same. And that is a real shame. So, I am asking this body, to support Congresswoman Lee's efforts, to support the CBC initiative and to fully fund it this year and for several years to come as needed.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise as a family physician who has taken care of seniors on Medicare and worked with them as they tried unsuccessfully to stretch their limited funds to purchase the medications they needed. H.R. 4680 does not represent prescription coverage for all seniors, at best it is an initial misstep to jeopardizing Medicare completely through privatization. The leadership of this body is doing a disservice by not even allowing the Democratic alternative to the floor for debate. I ask my colleagues to reject H.R. 4680, and I ask our colleagues to work with us to give our older citizens the kind of help they deserve and the medication they need and support the Democratic proposal.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I also want to join the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) in commending the gentleman from Missouri (Chairman Talent) and the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Velazquez), ranking member, for their leadership and the bipartisan way in which they guide our committee, and to also commend the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Kelly) for her leadership as well. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of H.R. 2614 to reauthorize and improve upon the Small Business 504 program. This program is considered one of the premier small business loan programs administered by the Small Business Administration. Mr. Speaker, the 504 program is a completely fee-generated program and is not supported by Federal funds. Its work is done through certified community development corporations. I am particularly proud of the work that is done in my district by the St. Croix Foundation for Community Development, the Community Foundation for the Virgin Islands on St. Thomas, and the St. John Community Foundation, who are doing so much to stimulate economic development for my constituents. Last year, through a strong bipartisan effort, the House passed H.R. 2614. Among the various improvements, it provided for the extension of the current fee system for the program until October 1, 2003, an increase of the government loan guarantee level from $750,000 to $1 million. Most importantly, Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2614 added women to the list of public policy goals for the 504 program. By doing so, the 504 program increased the amount of government loan guarantees available to women-owned businesses. This is very important as one out of five individuals are employed by women-owned businesses. However, Mr. Speaker, the Senate included several unrelated and, in some cases, harmful provisions that would delay the passage of this legislation. These changes include, but are not limited to, the Senate language that would allow Congress to regulate the agency and decide who receives licenses under this program. Mr. Speaker, this is an ultimate form of micromanagement. The Senate also included language that would expand the HUBZone program to allow businesses that move out of a low-income or underutilized area to continue to benefit, which is in clear contradiction to the original intent of that program. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote to maintain the original intent of H.R. 2614, which will improve the 504 program and increase the access of this valuable loan program to more of our constituents.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Madam Speaker, H.R. 3084 authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to make available $50 million in grants as a contribution of funds for the establishment of an interpretive center on the life and contributions of President Abraham Lincoln. The center is to be operated by a non-Federal entity, which would have to submit to the Secretary a plan and design for the interpretive center within 18 months of enactment. The legislation specifies that Federal funds would have to be matched on the basis of at least double the amount of any grant made by the Secretary. The bill also specifies that no grant funds may be used for maintenance or operation of the interpretive center, and that the Secretary would have no involvement in the operation of the center except at the request of the non-Federal entity. We are all aware of the important role President Lincoln has had in American history. That role has been honored in five national park system units alone. H.R. 3084 would expand on that recognition by making funds available for a new interpretive center to be built by State and local entities in Springfield, Illinois. There appears to be significant interest in such an interpretive center, and we have no objection to the legislation. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Madam Speaker, first I would like to thank the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young) for his efforts in support of this bill and just to say briefly that it is important that we move swiftly to restore the rights wrongfully taken from the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria in 1958. I urge my colleagues to vote aye on this bill. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mrs. CHRISTENSEN asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey), the sponsor of H.R. 946. (Ms. WOOLSEY asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mrs. CHRISTENSEN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3292, a bill which would establish the Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge in the State of Louisiana. The biological diversity and ecological significance of Cat Island is most impressive. It would appear by all measures that this habitat in the bayou of southern Louisiana would be a handsome addition to the National Wildlife Refuge System. I believe that the bill was greatly improved by the Committee on Resources when the total authorization for land acquisition was, by unanimous vote, increased from 9,400 acres to 36,500 acres. It makes sense since the land is presently available and because the entire tract is ecologically significant to ensure the protection of the core 9,400 acres. I want to thank the sponsor of the bill, the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Baker), for agreeing to add these additional lands. It is also my understanding that the administration fully supports H.R. 3292. The Fish and Wildlife Service has asked for $4.1 million in their fiscal year 2001 budget request to begin the acquisition process for this new refuge. Hopefully, with the passage of this legislation, the Fish and Wildlife Service can get started on this process very soon. The House should pass H.R. 3292 today. I urge all Members to support this legislation. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mrs. CHRISTENSEN asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Madam Speaker, H.R. 2778, introduced by our colleague, the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Moakley), amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to provide for a study of the Taunton River in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for potential addition to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. The Taunton River is located in southeastern Massachusetts, about 30 miles from Boston. The Taunton and its tributaries form the second largest watershed in the Commonwealth. Much of the river corridor is forested or in agricultural use. H.R. 2778 is a noncontroversial bill. The administration has testified in support of the study. Further, it is our understanding that there is strong local support for this initiative. During consideration of the bill by the Committee on Resources, an amendment was adopted that made a number of technical corrections to the bill and the underlying Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. These changes improve the legislation, and we support the bill as amended. Madam Speaker, I also have a statement from the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Moakley), the sponsor of H.R. 2778, who is unavoidably unable to be here during the consideration of this bill; and I include his statement for the Congressional Record during consideration of this bill.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mrs. CHRISTENSEN asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)