Thad Cochran

Mr. COCHRAN

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I further ask consent that the Senate stand in recess from the hours of 12:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. for the weekly policy conferences to meet.

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand in recess until the hour of 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 8. I further ask consent that on Tuesday, immediately following the prayer, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the morning hour be deemed expired, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and the Senate then resume debate on S. 1122, the defense appropriations bill.

Mr. COCHRAN

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

Mr. COCHRAN

Mr. COCHRAN. For the information of all Senators, the Senate will resume consideration of the defense appropriations bill at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday. By previous consent, a vote on the pending Grassley amendment will occur at 9:45 a.m. Also by previous consent, first-degree amendments to the bill must be offered by 2:30 p.m. tomorrow. Therefore, further amendments and votes are expected throughout tomorrow's session of the Senate. As a reminder, cloture on the motion to proceed to the Y2K legislation was filed today. That cloture vote will occur on Wednesday at a time to be determined.

Mr. COCHRAN

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to a period of morning business with Senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each.

Mr. COCHRAN

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, on July 1, my friend, Donald Meiners, will retire from Entergy-Mississippi after 39 years of service. Mr. Meiners began his career in 1960 as a residential salesman in Jackson for what was then Mississippi Power & Light Company. He was quickly promoted in the marketing and operations divisions which involved numerous moves across the state of Mississippi. He became an officer in 1978. After several promotions with Middle South Utilities, the parent company of MP&L, which now is Entergy Corporation, Don returned to his home state of Mississippi as president and chief operating officer of Entergy-MS. Then, he became president and chief executive officer. While Mr. Meiners is well respected in the corporate world, many Mississippians know him for his dedication and service to charities and civic organizations within his community and state. He has served as Chairman of the Metro-Jackson Chamber of Commerce, Jackson United Way and the Multiple Sclerosis Chapter of Mississippi. While Chairman of the Metro-Jackson Chamber of Commerce, Don was instrumental in forming the Metro Economic Development Alliance which unites economic development professionals in the Jackson area and encourages a team effort in recruiting new industry to the area. He served as the first chairman of the Metro Jackson Housing Partnership. Don has also been a leader of national organizations as well. He serves as a National Trustee of Boys and Girls Clubs of America and just last year served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Business and Industry Political Action Committee in Washington, DC. Duane O'Neill, who is President of the Metro-Jackson Chamber of Commerce, said, ``Don Meiners personifies a visionary leader, and he possesses the technical skills to translate that vision into action. His unquestioned integrity has always brought people together in an atmosphere of cooperation.'' I am personally grateful for Don's work and involvement to help improve the state's economy. As an example of his outstanding community service, in 1996, Don Meiners was recognized as the outstanding volunteer of the year in economic development for the state of Mississippi. Don has been married for 42 years to his high school sweetheart, Pat, who has been a tremendous asset to him and to the communities where they have lived. They have two sons, Chris and Chuck, and a daughter- in-law Pam. When I asked Don what he would do in retirement he quickly mentioned spending time with the ``light of his life'', his granddaughters Hannah and Mallory. Mr. President, it is a pleasure for me to bring to the attention of the Senate the career and influence of my friend Don Meiners, and to thank him for his many years of service to Entergy and the people of Mississippi. Mississippi is a better place because of him. While Don is retiring from the utility business, I know he will go on working to help make life better in his community and in our state. I wish Don and Pat much continued success and happiness in the years ahead.

Mr. COCHRAN

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

Mr. COCHRAN

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, for the information of all Senators, this cloture vote will occur on Wednesday 1 hour after the Senate convenes unless an additional consent is granted. I now withdraw the motion to proceed.

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I now move to proceed to S. 96, and I send a cloture motion to the desk.

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to S. 96 regarding the Y2K legislation.

Mr. COCHRAN

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

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, under this agreement, a rollcall vote will occur at 9:45 a.m. on Tuesday, and all first-degree amendments must be offered by 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday. I thank all Senators for their cooperation. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, with clearance on both sides of the aisle, I ask unanimous consent that at 9:30 a.m., on Tuesday, the Senate resume consideration of the defense appropriations bill and there be 15 minutes remaining for debate relative to amendment No. 540, and at the hour of 9:45 a.m. the Senate proceed to vote on the amendment, with no amendments in order to the Grassley amendment. I further ask that all first-degree amendments to the defense appropriations bill must be offered by 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, and that at the hour of 2:15 p.m. Senator Inouye be recognized to offer and lay aside amendments on behalf of Members on his side of the aisle, and at 2:20 p.m. Senator Stevens be recognized to offer and lay aside amendments for Members on the Republican side of the aisle, and that all amendments must be relevant to the defense appropriations bill and subject to relevant second-degree amendments.

Mr. COCHRAN

Mr. COCHRAN. I am happy to yield if I have any time.

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, for the information of Senators, I want to read just one sentence from this letter: This ship would make an excellent public memorial in honor of those who served in ships like her during World War II. Adm. Jay Johnson, Chief of Naval Operations.

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, for the information of the Senate, this amendment would authorize the transfer of a naval vessel to Thailand and would authorize the Secretary of the Navy to receive in exchange a ship that is now in the fleet of Thailand. The purpose of the amendment is to provide authority to the Secretary of the Navy to give a retiring U.S. Navy Cyclone class ship to the Government of Thailand in exchange for a former U.S. Navy ship which served in World War II in the Pacific. That ship is the LCS 102, LCS stands for landing craft support. It is presently in the service of the Royal Navy of Thailand. For some history on this subject, 3 years ago in Public Law 104-201, the Congress went on record in favor of trying to bring back to the United States the LCS 102. It is the last surviving ship of its class. This ship saw heavy combat action in the western Pacific during World War II. It was transferred after the war to Japan and then later was transferred to Thailand where she has been in service for 30 years. This ship is of great historical significance. It is the last one of its kind in existence in the world. Just a few years ago, it was entered on the Register of the World Ship Trust. Many sailors from World War II might not recognize this class of ship, because it was one of many different types of amphibious ships used in the Pacific during World War II. But it was highly appreciated by the Navy admirals and the Marines because it was a heavily armed gunboat which gave close-in fire support to the Marines in amphibious landings. In fact, the LCS ships had more firepower per ton than an Iowa class battleship. These ships were in the thick of it in Iwo Jima, Okinawa, the Philippines, and New Guinea. They also served in an anti-aircraft role against kamikaze aircraft at Okinawa and Iwo Jima, because of their tremendous firepower. Mr. President, 26 of the 130 LCSs that were built were sunk, or badly damaged in the first 6 months of their duty in the Pacific. Historians have begun to write about these ships and the role they played in the successful war in the Pacific. There is one illustrative title, ``Mighty Midgets At War: The Saga of the LCS(L) Ships from Iwo Jima to Vietnam,'' by Robert L. Reilly. Our distinguished former colleague, who was chairman of the Armed Services Committee, John Tower of Texas, served aboard the LCS 112. He was chief bosun's mate during World War II on that ship. Also, former Secretary of the Navy William Middendorf served as an officer abroad LCS 53 and former Secretary of the Navy John Lehman's father served as commanding officer of LCS 18 in the Pacific. He received the Bronze Star for bravery during his service at Okinawa. In addition, the commanding officer of LCS 122, then lieutenant, Richard M. McCool, who now resides in Bainbridge Island in the State of Washington, received the Congressional Medal of Honor from President Truman for his service during a kamikaze attack at Okinawa. There are several former LCS sailors from my State who have written me in support of this transfer: Robert Wells of Ocean Springs, MS, recently wrote me a letter saying he was the only medical officer abroad LCS 31. Here is what else he said in his letter: . . . The LCS-31, along with approximately 20 other LCSs, invaded Iwo Jima in February, 1945, assisting the Marines in landing. From there, the LCS 31 went to Okinawa and fought suicide planes on radar picket duty where the #31 shot down 6 suicide planes and was hit by 3, killing 9 sailors and wounding 15. The 31 received the Presidential Unit Citation for their efforts. Please help in returning the LCS 102 to the United States and receiving the recognition that the LCSs deserve. Mr. President, these ships were a part of the U.S. Navy that fought and won the war in the Pacific. The LCS 102 is the last remaining ship of its class, and I believe it would be appropriate for it to come home and serve as a floating museum and a monument to the brave service of tens of thousands of sailors who served on these ships with the nickname ``Mighty Midgets.'' Since the Congress adopted an amendment 3 years ago urging the Secretary of Defense to bring home the LCS 102, the Navy has determined that the Thai Navy will give up the LCS from its fleet for a return to the United States, but they need a replacement ship to fulfill the shallow water mission now accomplished by the LCS 102. This year, the Navy is retiring a small, fast gunboat from our fleet that would meet the Thai Navy's requirement. The ship is a Cyclone class ship. It could be made available to the Thai Navy in exchange for the LCS 102. This amendment authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to offer a Cyclone class ship to the Thai Navy. It does not mandate that the trade be consummated; it simply authorizes the trade if it can be negotiated and legal hurdles and other details can be worked out. There is an urgency to this issue because World War II veterans are aging. Most of them are now in their seventies and eighties. If we are going to help the LCS association realize its dream and ambition of bringing home the last ship of its class, then we need to do it now. There are LCS sailors living today all over the country in almost all 50 States, and they would appreciate a vote in support of this amendment. Funds will be raised from the private sector to put this ship in condition to serve as a museum, and there are still many details to be worked out before the LCS can be brought home. But by approving this amendment, which is necessary as a first step, the Senate will go on record in support, as we did 3 years ago when we suggested this should be done by the Navy. I hope my colleagues will support the amendment and join the Chief of Naval Operations, Jay Johnson, who has written me a letter in support of this amendment. I ask unanimous consent that the letter be printed in the Record.

Mr. COCHRAN. I will be happy to consider that, and I appreciate the Senator raising it as an alternative.

Mr. COCHRAN. We want to swap it. We want to swap the Cyclone for the LCS 102. It authorizes the trade.

Mr. COCHRAN. I will be happy to yield.

Mr. COCHRAN. That is right. It is authorizing legislation.

Mr. COCHRAN. That is a legal word of art. I have explained the meaning of it. If we had been able to get the committee to adopt the amendment as we had hoped they would, there would be report language in the committee report. I will be happy to give the Senator a copy of that which further explains. If he will let me, I will read it: The committee recommends that the Secretary of the Navy be authorized to transfer to the Government of Thailand one Cyclone class patrol vessel for the purpose of supporting Thailand's counterdrug and counterpiracy operations. The committee intends this transfer to replace the former LCS 102 currently in service with the Royal Thai Navy, should the discussions urged in section 1025 of PL 104-201 result in the Government of Thailand's decision to return LCS 102 to the Government of the United States. The committee understands that the Secretary of the Navy supports the return of LCS 102 to the United States for public display as a naval museum.

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

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I send an amendment to the desk and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. COCHRAN

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I am pleased to be joined today by my colleague from Arkansas, Mrs. Lincoln, in introducing the Crop Insurance Equity Act of 1999 to reform the federal crop insurance program. The other cosponsors of the bill are: Mr. Coverdell, Mr. Sessions, Mr. Cleland, Mr. Hollings, Mr. Shelby, Mr. Robb, and Mr. Hutchinson. The Crop Insurance Equity Act of 1999 is based on several principles. First, we do not believe that the crop insurance program should be the next iteration of a farm bill. Therefore, this bill maintains the current policy with regard to federal subsidy for revenue insurance products. We developed this bill with the intent of addressing the reasons farmers in our states have found crop insurance to be impractical. We believe that farmers from Washington to Florida and Maine to California will find this bill worthy of their support. Our bill establishes a process under which the current rates and rating methods and procedures will be re-evaluated by USDA to examine factors not currently considered. This may lower crop insurance rates for some commodities. However, because all current rating methodologies are actuarially sound, if the re-evaluation would result in an increased rate, the current method must remain in place. This bill also establishes a fixed percentage as the federal contribution to a farmer's crop insurance premium. Current law provides higher contributions for lower levels of coverage. This bill would treat all farmers fairly. We believe that one of the simplest ways to make crop insurance more attractive is to make it operate more like other common forms of insurance, such as homeowners or auto insurance. This bill establishes a process of discounts and a menu of policy options from which farmers can choose. These include discounts for coverage of larger, less risky units of production, employment of technologically advanced agricultural management practices, and the reinstatement of good experience discounts. In addition, farmers will be able to choose whether to purchase specific coverages for prevented planting, quality losses, and cost of production coverage. Mr. President, this bill raises the basic coverage level for the lowest crop insurance unit--catastrophic coverage--so that all farmers will benefit from this legislation. For the same minimal fee as established in current law, this bill will provide catastrophic coverage for sixty percent of a farmer's historical production at seventy percent of the market price. Our bill also makes other important changes to the program. It protects new farmers or those who rent new land or produce new crops by ensuring they are assigned a fair yield until they generate adequate actual production data. The legislation improves the management and oversight of the crop insurance program by establishing the Farm Service Agency as the sole agency for acreage and yield record keeping within USDA. It restructures the board of directors of the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation to include more farmers, and establishes a new office to work with private sector companies who develop new crop insurance products. One of the major complaints that I have heard about crop insurance is the abuse and fraud that exists in the current program. To address this complaint, our bill also improves the monitoring of agents and adjusters to combat fraud, and strengthens the penalties available to USDA for companies, agents, and producers who engage in fraudulent activities. I believe that we have developed a sound proposal which Senators will find good reason to support. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill and a summary of the legislation be printed in the Record.

Mr. COCHRAN

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I am pleased to be joined today by my colleague from Arkansas, Mrs. Lincoln, in introducing the Crop Insurance Equity Act of 1999 to reform the federal crop insurance program. The other cosponsors of the bill are: Mr. Coverdell, Mr. Sessions, Mr. Cleland, Mr. Hollings, Mr. Shelby, Mr. Robb, and Mr. Hutchinson. The Crop Insurance Equity Act of 1999 is based on several principles. First, we do not believe that the crop insurance program should be the next iteration of a farm bill. Therefore, this bill maintains the current policy with regard to federal subsidy for revenue insurance products. We developed this bill with the intent of addressing the reasons farmers in our states have found crop insurance to be impractical. We believe that farmers from Washington to Florida and Maine to California will find this bill worthy of their support. Our bill establishes a process under which the current rates and rating methods and procedures will be re-evaluated by USDA to examine factors not currently considered. This may lower crop insurance rates for some commodities. However, because all current rating methodologies are actuarially sound, if the re-evaluation would result in an increased rate, the current method must remain in place. This bill also establishes a fixed percentage as the federal contribution to a farmer's crop insurance premium. Current law provides higher contributions for lower levels of coverage. This bill would treat all farmers fairly. We believe that one of the simplest ways to make crop insurance more attractive is to make it operate more like other common forms of insurance, such as homeowners or auto insurance. This bill establishes a process of discounts and a menu of policy options from which farmers can choose. These include discounts for coverage of larger, less risky units of production, employment of technologically advanced agricultural management practices, and the reinstatement of good experience discounts. In addition, farmers will be able to choose whether to purchase specific coverages for prevented planting, quality losses, and cost of production coverage. Mr. President, this bill raises the basic coverage level for the lowest crop insurance unit--catastrophic coverage--so that all farmers will benefit from this legislation. For the same minimal fee as established in current law, this bill will provide catastrophic coverage for sixty percent of a farmer's historical production at seventy percent of the market price. Our bill also makes other important changes to the program. It protects new farmers or those who rent new land or produce new crops by ensuring they are assigned a fair yield until they generate adequate actual production data. The legislation improves the management and oversight of the crop insurance program by establishing the Farm Service Agency as the sole agency for acreage and yield record keeping within USDA. It restructures the board of directors of the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation to include more farmers, and establishes a new office to work with private sector companies who develop new crop insurance products. One of the major complaints that I have heard about crop insurance is the abuse and fraud that exists in the current program. To address this complaint, our bill also improves the monitoring of agents and adjusters to combat fraud, and strengthens the penalties available to USDA for companies, agents, and producers who engage in fraudulent activities. I believe that we have developed a sound proposal which Senators will find good reason to support. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill and a summary of the legislation be printed in the Record.