Thad Cochran

Mr. COCHRAN

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

Mr. COCHRAN

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I bring to the attention of the Senate the recent celebration of a special anniversary of one of our finest national treasures and most historic sites--the Vicksburg National Military Park. On February 20, 1999, ceremonies were held at the Vicksburg National Military Park in Vicksburg, Mississippi, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the park. The statues of the first two superintendents of the park, Stephen D. Lee and William T. Rigby, were rededicated with several of their descendants in attendance. This park was the seventh National Park established, and is the site of the campaign and siege of Vicksburg. On February 21, 1899, President William McKinley signed the legislation which created the park. Although originally envisioned to include 4,000 acres, today the park is comprised of over 1,800 acres with 1,324 monuments, markers and tablets. There are twenty-seven state monuments. In July of this year, the Kentucky monument will be dedicated. The U.S.S. Cairo, a Civil War gunboat, which was sunk by Confederate mines just North of Vicksburg on the Yazoo River on December 12, 1862, was raised in 1964 and is displayed at the park as one of the best- preserved Vessels of its type. The park is also the home of Vicksburg National Cemetery, established in 1866. Interred on the grounds are over 18,000 Union soldiers, of which the identities of 12,000 are unknown. Veterans of the Mexican, and Spanish-American Wars, World War I and II, and the Korean conflict also rest in the cemetery. Over the past few years, the Senate has supported funding for the construction of a canopy to protect the U.S.S. Cairo, for the restoration of monuments at the Park which have deteriorated, and for the acquisition of parcels of land that are valuable for the preservation and interpretation of the campaign and siege of Vicksburg. I hope Senators will be mindful of the valuable national assets at the Vicksburg National Military Park as the Senate considers funding for the National Park Service in the coming months. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the remarks delivered by Park Superintendent, William Nichols, and Historian, Terrence Winschel, at the re-dedication of the Lee and Rigby monuments be inserted in the Record.

Mr. COCHRAN

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, today, I am introducing legislation to reauthorize the National Writing Project, the only Federal program to improve the teaching of writing in America's classrooms. Literacy is at the foundation of school and workspace success, of citizenship in a democracy, and of learning in all disciplines. The National Writing Project has been instrumental in helping teachers develop better teaching skills so they can help our children improve their ability to read, write, and think. As the United States continues to face a crisis in wiring in school heightened by the growing number of at-risk students due to limited English proficiency and the shortage of adequately trained teachers, continued Federal support for a program that works such as the National Writing Project is imperative. The National Writing Project is a national network of university- based teacher training programs designed to improve the teaching of writing and student achievement in writing. Through its professional development model, the National Writing Project recognizes the primary importance of teacher knowledge, expertise, and leadership. The National Writing Project operates on a teachers-teaching teachers model. Successful writing teachers attend Invitational Summer Institutes at their local universities. During the school year these teachers provide workshops for other teachers in the schools. Teachers of all subjects benefit from the training, and the success of students who are taught by Writing Project teachers is evident: they score better not just on writing examinations, but in reading, mathematics, and in other subjects. Since 1973, the National Writing Project has served over 1.8 million teaches and administrators. Each year over 150,000 participants benefit from the National Writing Project programs in 1 of 156 United States sites located in 46 States and Puerto Rico. The National Writing Project generates $6.47 for every Federal dollar. I am pleased, that for the first time since the National Writing Project was authorized for federal funding in 1991, the President has requested funds to expand the National Writing Project in his budget for Fiscal Year 2000. This program has proven to be one of the most effective in education today. I am proud to be associated with it, and I compliment those who have made it so successful across the nation. When I first introduced this bill in 1990, it was cosponsored by 40 Senators, both Republicans and Democrats. I hope it will receive equal or greater support in the 106th Congress. I invite other Senators to join me in sponsoring this legislation.

Mr. COCHRAN

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, today, I am introducing legislation to reauthorize the National Writing Project, the only Federal program to improve the teaching of writing in America's classrooms. Literacy is at the foundation of school and workspace success, of citizenship in a democracy, and of learning in all disciplines. The National Writing Project has been instrumental in helping teachers develop better teaching skills so they can help our children improve their ability to read, write, and think. As the United States continues to face a crisis in wiring in school heightened by the growing number of at-risk students due to limited English proficiency and the shortage of adequately trained teachers, continued Federal support for a program that works such as the National Writing Project is imperative. The National Writing Project is a national network of university- based teacher training programs designed to improve the teaching of writing and student achievement in writing. Through its professional development model, the National Writing Project recognizes the primary importance of teacher knowledge, expertise, and leadership. The National Writing Project operates on a teachers-teaching teachers model. Successful writing teachers attend Invitational Summer Institutes at their local universities. During the school year these teachers provide workshops for other teachers in the schools. Teachers of all subjects benefit from the training, and the success of students who are taught by Writing Project teachers is evident: they score better not just on writing examinations, but in reading, mathematics, and in other subjects. Since 1973, the National Writing Project has served over 1.8 million teaches and administrators. Each year over 150,000 participants benefit from the National Writing Project programs in 1 of 156 United States sites located in 46 States and Puerto Rico. The National Writing Project generates $6.47 for every Federal dollar. I am pleased, that for the first time since the National Writing Project was authorized for federal funding in 1991, the President has requested funds to expand the National Writing Project in his budget for Fiscal Year 2000. This program has proven to be one of the most effective in education today. I am proud to be associated with it, and I compliment those who have made it so successful across the nation. When I first introduced this bill in 1990, it was cosponsored by 40 Senators, both Republicans and Democrats. I hope it will receive equal or greater support in the 106th Congress. I invite other Senators to join me in sponsoring this legislation.

Mr. COCHRAN

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I am pleased to join the Senator from South Carolina, Mr. Thurmond, in cosponsoring his resolution expressing the gratitude of the Senate for the service of the Senate Legislative Counsel, Frank Burk. Many people outside the Senate do not know the office of the Legislative Counsel even exists. However, the legislative business of the Senate could not be accomplished without the able assistance of the office of the Legislative Counsel. A graduate of Dartmouth College and George Washington University Law School, Mr. Burk served as an Army officer in Korea. Mr. Burk has worked in the Legislative Counsel's office for more than 28 years, beginning as a law assistant in 1970 and rising to hold the office's top position, Legislative Counsel in 1991. As many know, attorneys in the legislative counsel's office have specific areas of expertise and responsibility. For more than 25 years, Mr. Burk's responsibilities included banking, securities, transportation, housing and small business. After becoming Legislative Counsel, he assumed the duty of drafting legislation relating to the operations and rules of the Senate. I am very pleased to join my colleagues today in expressing our gratitude and in extending our best wishes to Frank Burk.

Mr. COCHRAN

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, today I am introducing three Senate Joint Resolutions reappointing citizen regents of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution. I am pleased that my fellow Smithsonian Institution Regents, Senators Moynihan and Frist are cosponsors. At its meeting on January 25, 1999, the Smithsonian Institution Board of Regents recommended the following distinguished individuals for reappointment to six year terms effective April 12, 1999: Barber B. Conable, Jr. of New York; Dr. Hanna H. Gray of Illinois; and Mr. Wesley S. Williams, Jr. of the District of Columbia. I ask unanimous consent that copies of their biographies be included in the Record.

Mr. COCHRAN

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, today I am introducing three Senate Joint Resolutions reappointing citizen regents of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution. I am pleased that my fellow Smithsonian Institution Regents, Senators Moynihan and Frist are cosponsors. At its meeting on January 25, 1999, the Smithsonian Institution Board of Regents recommended the following distinguished individuals for reappointment to six year terms effective April 12, 1999: Barber B. Conable, Jr. of New York; Dr. Hanna H. Gray of Illinois; and Mr. Wesley S. Williams, Jr. of the District of Columbia. I ask unanimous consent that copies of their biographies be included in the Record.

Mr. COCHRAN

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I am pleased to announce today we are introducing, again, the National Missile Defense Act of 1999, a bill to make it the policy of the United States to deploy, as soon as technologically possible, a system to defend the United States against limited ballistic missile attack. I am happy to be joined by my friend, the distinguished Senator from Hawaii, Mr. Inouye, in introducing this bill. And I am pleased that we have just heard that the Secretary of Defense has announced that funds will be included in this year's budget to pay for deployment of the National Missile Defense System, acknowledging that the threat does exist, or soon will. So the administration is changing its policy now, faced with this push that was begun in the last Congress and is culminating now in the reintroduction of this legislation. Ballistic missiles are being developed and tested by a growing number of nations, some of which are hostile to the United States. Iran has declared itself self-sufficient in missile technology and expertise. It is building a missile system capable of striking Central Europe. Last year, North Korea surprised experts with its test of the Taepo Dong-1, a three-stage missile which, according to published reports, may be capable of reaching Alaska. Last July, the Rumsfeld Commission concluded that the United States may have ``little or no warning'' of the development of intercontinental ballistic missile capability by a rogue state. The United States has no defense against long-range ballistic missiles, and administration policy had been limited to development of a missile defense system and deployment only if a threat developed. Now the threat has become obvious to the administration. I welcome the announcement this morning by the Secretary of Defense that the administration is acknowledging the need to proceed with a program to develop a missile defense system to meet this threat and to deploy it. The time has come to remove all doubts about the resolve of the United States on this issue. The National Missile Defense Act of 1999 confirms this resolve as national policy.

Mr. COCHRAN

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I am pleased to announce today we are introducing, again, the National Missile Defense Act of 1999, a bill to make it the policy of the United States to deploy, as soon as technologically possible, a system to defend the United States against limited ballistic missile attack. I am happy to be joined by my friend, the distinguished Senator from Hawaii, Mr. Inouye, in introducing this bill. And I am pleased that we have just heard that the Secretary of Defense has announced that funds will be included in this year's budget to pay for deployment of the National Missile Defense System, acknowledging that the threat does exist, or soon will. So the administration is changing its policy now, faced with this push that was begun in the last Congress and is culminating now in the reintroduction of this legislation. Ballistic missiles are being developed and tested by a growing number of nations, some of which are hostile to the United States. Iran has declared itself self-sufficient in missile technology and expertise. It is building a missile system capable of striking Central Europe. Last year, North Korea surprised experts with its test of the Taepo Dong-1, a three-stage missile which, according to published reports, may be capable of reaching Alaska. Last July, the Rumsfeld Commission concluded that the United States may have ``little or no warning'' of the development of intercontinental ballistic missile capability by a rogue state. The United States has no defense against long-range ballistic missiles, and administration policy had been limited to development of a missile defense system and deployment only if a threat developed. Now the threat has become obvious to the administration. I welcome the announcement this morning by the Secretary of Defense that the administration is acknowledging the need to proceed with a program to develop a missile defense system to meet this threat and to deploy it. The time has come to remove all doubts about the resolve of the United States on this issue. The National Missile Defense Act of 1999 confirms this resolve as national policy.

Mr. COCHRAN

Mr. COCHRAN. I thank the Chair. (The remarks of Mr. Cochran and Mr. Hagel pertaining to the introduction of S. 257 are located in today's Record under ``Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions.'')

Mr. COCHRAN

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I am pleased to bring to the attention of Senators the retirement of Roy Smith, the Deputy District Engineer for Programs and Project Management for the Vicksburg District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Mr. Smith has held several positions in the Vicksburg District, including serving as Chief of the Hydrology Section, Chief of the Hydrology Branch, and Chief of the Engineering Division. He has served as Deputy District Engineer since 1989. During his tenure, Mr. Smith has been of tremendous assistance to me, my staff, and the people of Mississippi. He has also been recognized within the Corps; receiving the Meritorious Civilian Service award and the Commander's Award for Civilian Service. In November, the Delta Council of Mississippi passed a resolution honoring Mr. Smith on the occasion of his retirement which summarizes the contributions that Roy has made to our State of Mississippi with these words, ``There has been no individual who has offered a greater contribution to the future of flood protection in the Mississippi Delta during the past quarter of a century than Roy Smith.'' I know the Senate joins me in thanking Roy for his years of distinguished service and in offering our best wishes for his retirement.

Mr. COCHRAN

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I am pleased to bring to the attention of Senators the retirement of Dean Caldwell, Civilian Deputy to the President of the Mississippi River Commission. Mr. Caldwell has accumulated over 37 years of Federal Service, 23 of which have been at the Mississippi Valley Division and the Mississippi River Commission of the Corps of Engineers. The Corps of Engineers has undergone several reorganizations and restructures over the past few years, during which Dean Caldwell's experience and dedication have ensured that the mission of the Corps has not been compromised. Mr. Caldwell oversaw the integration of two new Corps of Engineers districts into the new Mississippi Valley Division in April, 1997. In addition, he has served as the Congressional Liaison for the Mississippi Valley Division. In this capacity, he has ensured that federal legislation has served the interests of the entire Mississippi Valley. He has been recognized for his outstanding career, receiving the Army's decoration for meritorious civilian service and the Earnest P. Blankenship Engineer/Scientist Award. I know that the Senate joins me in thanking Dean for his years of distinguished service and in extending our best wishes to him in retirement.

Mr. COCHRAN

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I am concerned that the National Institutes of Health has implemented neither the letter nor the spirit of the Udall Act, and that funding for Parkinson's-focused research has not increased in a fashion consistent with Congressional intent. An independent analysis, conducted by Parkinson's researchers at institutions all around the country, of the grants NIH defined as its Parkinson's research portfolio for fiscal year 1997 indicates that a majority of the grants are in fact not focused on Parkinson's disease. Only 34 percent of the funding NIH claims is Parkinson's research is actually Parkinson's-focused research, as required by the Udall Act. As troubling as that is, the study also found that 38 percent of the funding has no relation whatsoever to finding a cause or cure for this terrible affliction. It is my understanding from published NIH budgetary documents that $106 million is expected to be allocated to Parkinson's research in fiscal year 1999. My concern is that without more direction from Congress, the NIH will undermine the intent of the Udall Act by continuing to classify, as part of its Parkinson's portfolio, research that is not focused on Parkinson's disease and, in doing so, will allow meritorious and much-needed Parkinson's research projects to go unfunded. I propose that a hearing be held early in 1999 to address and clarify these matters.

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, one year ago this body adopted, by a vote of 95 to 3, legislation increasing our nation's commitment to finding the cause and cure for a long overlooked, but truly devastating disorder: Parkinson's disease. I was proud to cosponsor and vote for the Morris K. Udall Parkinson's Disease Research Act, signed into law as part of the Fiscal 1998 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. The Udall Act authorized $100 million in research focused on Parkinson's disease to be funded through the National Institutes of Health in fiscal year 1998, 1999 and beyond. The passage of the Udall Act was a great accomplishment, particularly for the hundreds and thousands of victims, and their families and friends, who worked so diligently to bring this issue to the Congress and make us aware of the need for additional Parkinson's research funding. I would also like to commend the Senior Senator from Pennsylvania, one of the true champions of medical research, for his strong support of the Udall Act and Parkinson's research.

Mr. COCHRAN

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

Mr. COCHRAN

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, for the information of all Senators, the Senate will reconvene on Monday at 10 a.m. for a pro forma session only. Therefore, there will be no rollcall votes during Monday's session of the Senate. The Senate will then reconvene on Tuesday at 10 a.m. and begin a period of morning business until 11 a.m. Following morning business, the Senate is expected to begin debate on the omnibus appropriations bill. If a rollcall vote is requested on passage of the omnibus bill, that vote would occur no earlier than 5 p.m. on Tuesday. Once again, Members will be notified as to the exact voting schedule when it becomes available.

Mr. COCHRAN

Mr. COCHRAN. I further ask consent that there be a period for the transaction of morning business until 11 a.m., with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 5 minutes each.

Mr. COCHRAN

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand in recess until 10 a.m. on Monday, October 19, for a pro forma session only. I further ask that the Senate then stand in recess until 10 a.m. on Tuesday, October 20, and that the time for the two leaders be reserved.

Mr. COCHRAN

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the committee substitute be agreed to, the bill be considered read the third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any statements relating to the bill appear at this point in the Record.

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to the consideration of calendar No. 713, S. 109.

Mr. COCHRAN

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table.

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 310, submitted earlier by Senators Helms and Biden.

Mr. COCHRAN

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate receives from the House a continuing resolution, and provided the language is identical to H.J. Res. 135, except for the date of Tuesday, October 20, at 12 midnight, it be considered agreed to and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table.

Mr. COCHRAN

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, it is my understanding that corruption and fraud are major problems in the procurement of goods and services funded by multi-lateral lending programs. Since these programs are paid for by U.S. taxpayers, the Senate Appropriations Committee identified potential mechanisms in its report accompanying the fiscal year 1999 Foreign Operation Appropriations bill to ensure that procurement processes by borrowing or recipient nations are transparent, non-biased and open. One of the mechanisms identified by the committee is independent third party procurement monitoring. An independent third party procurement monitor provides an independent review and assessment of government procurement projects by auditing and certifying that the procurement process is non-biased, open, transparent and fair. Importantly, independent third party monitoring provides technical assistance and training in country to improve the quality of the procurement process, thereby making the procurement process more effective. The program also verifies that the contractual, technical, economic and financial obligations of the supplier are fully discharged. I encourage the Administration to support the use of programs such as independent third-party procurement monitoring which have proven their value in reducing costs by deterring corruption and fraud, ensuring the quality of the goods and services provided, stimulating competition and free trade, as well as enabling U.S. business to compete more successfully.

Mr. COCHRAN

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, the statements made by the Senator from Missouri are, I'm sad to say, quite true. Most recent official figures from 29 state health departments indicate that close to 800 agencies have closed in those states. This number represents parent agencies; other data from the states indicate that the number of agencies and branches that have closed is much higher. We also know that there are many more agencies on the brink of closing if some relief from IPS is not provided soon. If the current rate of closures continues, we could easily see a loss of 2,000 more home health agencies by October 1, 1999. Agency closing are resulting in significant beneficiary care access problems. In fact, a recent GAO study found that two-thirds of discharge planners and more than a third of the aging organizations surveyed reported having had difficulty obtaining home health care for Medicare patients in the last year, especially those who need multiple weekly visits over an extended period of time. Matters will only get worse as agencies become more and more limited in their ability to provide needed services. In fact, in testimony before the Ways and Means Committee in August, Ms. Gail Wilensky, former head of the Health Care Financing Administration, warned that, if the Congress waits for proof that a crisis is occurring in home care before it acts, it will be too late. She also indicated that more money was taken out of home care than the Congress had expected when IPS was designed and then implemented by HCFA.