J. Cleland

Mr. CLELAND

Mr. CLELAND. Mr. President, as terrorists attacked our shores and bombarded our sense of security on September 11, 2001, Americans, and indeed freedom-loving people everywhere, wondered aloud how the United States would respond. They didn't have to wait long for an answer. Americans rose to the occasion by donating blood, by volunteering for relief efforts, and by enlisting in America's armed forces. But such is the American way. When duty calls, Americans are ready to answer. With the military action in Afghanistan and the many theaters of the war on terror serving as a backdrop, the movie, ``We Were Soldiers,'' chronicles one of the first major battles of the Vietnam War, and conveys the leadership and heroism of the units that served in the Battle of the Ia Drang Valley. Lt. Colonel Harold Moore led a battalion of First Cavalry soldiers into battle, displaying a sense of leadership that fostered comradery but at the same time illustrated the great stakes for which they were fighting. During my own service in Vietnam as a member of the Army's First Cavalry, I felt the same bond with the men around me, and I am pleased that this film was able to capture that bond so well. The Vietnam War, unlike any other conflict beyond America's borders, was a war that polarized public opinion. It was a struggle that took place far from home that, to many people, had little impact on day-to- day life in the United States. But this movie succeeds in putting human faces on the countless lives lost, as well as on the veterans who returned home to a changed country. Although that is the context in which Ia Drang occurred, the movie does a remarkable job not focusing on politics. Rather it is about the love and deep bond between men in battle, fighting for their lives. Lt. Colonel Moore summed up his dedication to his men perfectly when he told them that although they may not all make it back alive, he could guarantee they'd all make it back home. The story of the Battle of Ia Drang is one of grit and determination. But it is also one of staggering loss. In November of 1965, some 450 men, under the command of Lt. Colonel Moore, were dropped into a small clearing in the Ia Drang Valley. They were immediately surrounded by more than 2,000 Northern Vietnamese soldiers, and confronted with the type of conflict that would mark the war in Vietnam for years to come. Three-hundred-five of those 450 men never made it home; their names are inscribed on the third panel to the right of the apex, Panel 3-East, of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC, and in the thoughts of all Americans, men and women for whom they sacrificed their lives. As President John F. Kennedy said, ``A man does what he must--in spite of personal consequences, in spite of obstacles and dangers and pressures--and that is the basis of all human morality.'' The men of Ia Drang certainly paid the ultimate price in protecting our freedom, and this movie ensures that their story will not fade with time. But ``We Were Soldiers'' does more than simply tell a story from the history books. It reminds us all that it is our mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, friends and neighbors who serve in America's armed forces. The men and women who protect our values every day are deserving of their places in our thoughts and prayers, and we are forever grateful.

Mr. CLELAND

Mr. CLELAND. Madam President, Thomas Carlyle once said, ``a mystic bond of brotherhood makes all men one.'' In light of the events of September 11, this statement has never rung truer. To see the firefighters, police, and rescue teams working side by side in the recovery effort at the World Trade Center, seeking peace for their fallen comrades whether black, white, Hispanic or Asian reminds us just how far we have come in only a few short decades. And yet there is still a great distance to travel. This month, as we celebrate Black History and the contributions made by members of the African American community, we must remember that work still remains to be done. Senior leadership at Fortune 500 companies and even our own Congress fails to reflect America's racial demographics. But we are certainly moving in the right direction. Less than 50 years ago, it was unthinkable that a black man or woman be an elected official, or university president, or hold any number of other prestigious positions across our Nation. That started to change, though, with the bravery of men like Doctors Martin Luther King, Jr. and Benjamin E. Mays. While most everyone has heard of the former, Dr. Mays' name is not as easily recognized by most Americans, but he is every bit as important in the annals of history. Born in South Carolina in 1895, Benjamin Mays distinguished himself as a dean at Howard University and president of Morehouse College. Throughout his life, he served his community, speaking early and often against segregation and on behalf of education. Mays urged his students to strive for academic excellence, fight for racial justice, and introduced his students to Gandhi's philosophy of non-violence. Years after graduating from Morehouse College, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. called Mays his most important ``spiritual and intellectual mentor.'' Dr. Mays was Martin Luther King, Jr.'s teacher, inspiration, and friend. He stood beside Dr. King as during the struggle for racial equality, and walked behind his casket during one of the darkest times in our Nation's history. The son of former slaves, Dr. Mays had to fight every day of his life for many of the advantages Americans today take for granted. Mays was a civil and human rights leader, noted theologian, educator, and the recipient of 56 honorary degrees. It was with great pleasure that I submitted, and witnessed the passage of a resolution encouraging President Bush to award the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest honor the U.S. government can bestow upon a civilian, posthumously to Dr. Mays. It is an honor that is well overdue, and rightfully deserved. Benjamin Mays understood disappointment and pain, and dealt with both during his long life of public service, but he never lost site of his ultimate goals. He explained why when he said, ``The tragedy in life doesn't lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach. It isn't a calamity to die with dreams unfulfilled, but it is a calamity not to dream. . . . It is not a disgrace not to reach the stars, but it is a disgrace to have no stars to reach for. Not failure, but low aim, is sin.'' It is with those words in mind that we must continue to fight for more equity in our society. Certainly we have come a long way in a relatively short period of time, but let us not lose site of how far away the horizon still lies.

Mr. CLELAND

Mr. CLELAND. I yield.

Mr. CLELAND. Madam President, I rise today to offer an amendment along with my colleague from Georgia, Senator Miller, who is a cosponsor to S. 565, as amended by the Dodd substitute. I understand the amendment has been sent to the desk.

Mr. CLELAND. Madam President, as read by the clerk, this is a simple but important amendment. This amendment will change the title of the Equal Protection of Voting Rights Act of 2001 to the ``Martin Luther King, Jr. Equal Protection of Voting Rights Act of 2001.'' I believe that it is appropriate to name this legislation after the man who fought for equal voting rights for all Americans, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a man who had a vast and distinguished record of public service to the American people. As one of the premier champions of basic human rights, Dr. King worked tirelessly to combat segregation, discrimination, and racial injustice. In 1963, Dr. King led the march on Washington, DC, that was followed by his famous address, the ``I Have a Dream'' speech. Through his work and reliance on nonviolent protest, Dr. King was instrumental in the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Despite efforts to derail his mission, Dr. King acted on his dream of America and succeeded in making the United States a better place. I believe this is an appropriate time and place to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the foremost leader of the civil rights movement, for his contributions to this Nation in ensuring that all Americans have the right to vote. I would like to thank Senator Miller for his support of this amendment, and I thank Senator Dodd for the opportunity to speak about this matter on the floor this afternoon. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment and attach Dr. King's name to this important bill during the month of February, a time when we recognize the achievements of African Americans in this great nation of ours. Madam President, I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. CLELAND

Mr. CLELAND. Madam President, it is an honor to be in the presence of true greatness in the Senate, to be in the presence of one of the great Senators we have in this body, Senator Ted Kennedy. May I also say, I identify with Senator Orrin Hatch from Utah that in terms of my service with Senator Kennedy, a lot of my constituents pray for me, too. I might say, though, Senator Kennedy and his family are really the reason I got involved in politics. I came to this town as a young 21-year-old and sat in the gallery much as Senator Dick Durbin said he sat in the gallery and watched Senator Kennedy come to the Chamber as a freshman Member of the Senate. To me, that was the ultimate in public service and citizenship at that time. For me, to be a freshman in the Senate, and Senator Kennedy still being here, is one of the great rewards of my life. It is interesting that we are going to be considering an election reform bill in just a few moments. The point is, we are trying to improve the very democracy we have been given by our ancestors. But you cannot do that without leaders. Harry Truman once said: A leader is someone who gets people to do what they ought to do anyway. People in this country ought to register, they ought to vote, they ought to turn out, they ought to be interested in politics, but many are not. So we need inspiring leaders. Ted Kennedy, for me, is an inspiring leader. He came to this body when he was young and has stayed here dedicating his life to this body, this Senate. To me, that is the ultimate in patriotism and the ultimate in citizenship. It reminds me a lot of a person who occupied this Senate desk and was in the position that I now hold in the Senate, Senator Dick Russell. They both came to this body at the tender age of 30. Both dedicated their lives to this body and this country. So it is just an honor to serve with Senator Kennedy today. I bring him greetings from the great State of Georgia. And, Ted, I wish you many more. Thank you.

Mr. CLELAND

Mr. CLELAND. If I may continue, I would like to recognize the hard work of my colleague, Senator Miller, for his amazing transition to an agriculture policy wizard in less than 2 years. His hard work in the Agriculture Committee on this farm bill is a testament to his dedication to Georgia.

Mr. CLELAND. Very well. Amendment No. 2854 to Amendment No. 2471

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

Mr. CLELAND. I am glad to yield.

Mr. CLELAND. Mr. President, I am fortunate to hold the seat of one of this Chamber's giants, Senator Richard B. Russell. Senator Russell understood the importance of strong agriculture policy and he once observed: ``when we strengthen American agriculture, we strengthen America.'' The failure of the Senate to complete a farm bill in 2001 was very disappointment to me. But the good news is that I believe we will pass a strong farm bill this week. One of the hottest issues in the farm bill for Georgia is the change in the current peanut program. Because there are not enough votes to sustain the quota program in Congress and because trade agreements have weakened quotas, I reluctantly agree with my colleagues that the system will be changed. I visited south Georgia this past weekend where the debate over the ending the quota program is big news. The proposed peanut program that originated in the House, bases the new program on acres determined by peanut producers, rather than by the landowning quota-holders. This shift in the peanut program, from the landowner to the producer, has caused a split among neighbors in south Georgia not seen in many years. Despite this split, I think we should make note of a fact that Senator Miller has mentioned more than once on this floor: The anti- peanut program forces have not been out in force this year. You may know that in 1996, the peanut program survived in the Senate by only three votes. I have concerns about small quota-owners, such as widows, veterans, and minority farmers who depend on quotas for their income. They should not be forgotten in the rush for a new farm bill. For that reason, I offer this amendment with Senator Miller to increase the quota buyout to 12 cents a pound, each year, for 5 years. This is up from the House buyout of 10 cents per pound and will help ease the transition for thousands of retired peanut farmers who invested in peanut quota as, in effect, their pension plan. I will work to keep the Senate level of support for producers which is $400 million over the House bill for marketing loan rates and countercyclical payments. Also, the Senate farm bill contains language that I have sponsored for years to label the country-of-origin for peanuts. Because consumers should know where their peanuts are grown. All in all I believe we will pass a strong farm bill that makes sense and substantial progress in meeting the needs of family farmers and our rural communities. I yield the floor.

Mr. CLELAND

Mr. CLELAND. Madam President, the National Youth Sports Program, NYSP, is an educational partnership that has worked successfully for 33 years. It provides at-risk children, ages 10-16, a 5-week summer program offering sports and academic enrichment at U.S. colleges and universities nationwide. Begun in 1969 as a sports enrichment program, the NYSP now reaches beyond athletics to offer academic instruction, substance abuse prevention, and character education. Originally offered at two higher ed institutions, last year the program served over 73,000 participants at 196 host colleges and universities in 49 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. For many of these young people, it was their first opportunity to experience a college or university campus from the inside. In order to enhance the educational commitment of the NYSP, selected programs at 123 sites across the Nation now include special emphasis on math and science skills. In addition, NYSP programs serving older participants, those from ages 13-16, help them enhance their computer skills and academic performance through reading and writing activities that offer mentoring opportunities to younger NYSP participants. For over three decades the National Youth Sports Program has been a model of what a successful collaboration should be. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Department of Housing and urban Development, HUD, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, USDA, which provides a hot, USDA-approved meal to NYSP students each day, and the National Collegiate Athletic Association, NCAA, have worked together to provide a wholesome summer experience to over 1.7 million participants who have passed through the program since its inception. And over time, local medical communities have joined in. In 2000, over 74,300 medical examinations were administered free of charge or at a reduced rate. If a health problem is found, as is the case in approximately one-third of the examinations, the child is referred for adequate follow-up treatment. During the summer session, children who are injured or become ill during NYSP activities are covered by health insurance and treated by a certified medical professional. The National Youth Sports Program is a vital and effective investment in our youth. This program has successfully leveraged Federal funding to secure substantial matching community investments. For every one dollar provided by the Federal Government, two dollars are provided by participating colleges and universities, local public and private businesses, the National Collegiate Athletic Association, the National Youth Sports Program Fund and other National Governing Bodies of amateur sport. Today I join my distinguished colleague from Oklahoma, Senator Inhofe, in introducing legislation to reauthorize the National Youth Sports Program and to increase its funding authorization to $20 million. This increase in funding will allow 4,500 additional at-risk youth to participate in this effective program and 15 new program sites to serve communities where disadvantaged youth are in need of nurturing and support. In addition, a $3 million increase in NYSP funding will increase the number of program sites offering math and science instruction as well as expand the NYSP's highly successful senior program, which emphasizes and encourages leadership skills and character education. The NYSP is a program which, year after year, has provided our Nation's youth with the opportunity to utilize the best resources our colleges and universities have to offer and to develop the skills necessary to succeed. At a time when President Bush has called for a renewed commitment to national service, the NYSP, with almost 1500 volunteers, is an outstanding example of what community service is all about. For three decades the National Youth Sports Program has provided a positive and enriching experience and a safe haven for some of this Nation's most vulnerable youth. This highly effective and successful program is deserving of Congress's support.

Mr. CLELAND

Mr. CLELAND. Madam President, the National Youth Sports Program, NYSP, is an educational partnership that has worked successfully for 33 years. It provides at-risk children, ages 10-16, a 5-week summer program offering sports and academic enrichment at U.S. colleges and universities nationwide. Begun in 1969 as a sports enrichment program, the NYSP now reaches beyond athletics to offer academic instruction, substance abuse prevention, and character education. Originally offered at two higher ed institutions, last year the program served over 73,000 participants at 196 host colleges and universities in 49 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. For many of these young people, it was their first opportunity to experience a college or university campus from the inside. In order to enhance the educational commitment of the NYSP, selected programs at 123 sites across the Nation now include special emphasis on math and science skills. In addition, NYSP programs serving older participants, those from ages 13-16, help them enhance their computer skills and academic performance through reading and writing activities that offer mentoring opportunities to younger NYSP participants. For over three decades the National Youth Sports Program has been a model of what a successful collaboration should be. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Department of Housing and urban Development, HUD, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, USDA, which provides a hot, USDA-approved meal to NYSP students each day, and the National Collegiate Athletic Association, NCAA, have worked together to provide a wholesome summer experience to over 1.7 million participants who have passed through the program since its inception. And over time, local medical communities have joined in. In 2000, over 74,300 medical examinations were administered free of charge or at a reduced rate. If a health problem is found, as is the case in approximately one-third of the examinations, the child is referred for adequate follow-up treatment. During the summer session, children who are injured or become ill during NYSP activities are covered by health insurance and treated by a certified medical professional. The National Youth Sports Program is a vital and effective investment in our youth. This program has successfully leveraged Federal funding to secure substantial matching community investments. For every one dollar provided by the Federal Government, two dollars are provided by participating colleges and universities, local public and private businesses, the National Collegiate Athletic Association, the National Youth Sports Program Fund and other National Governing Bodies of amateur sport. Today I join my distinguished colleague from Oklahoma, Senator Inhofe, in introducing legislation to reauthorize the National Youth Sports Program and to increase its funding authorization to $20 million. This increase in funding will allow 4,500 additional at-risk youth to participate in this effective program and 15 new program sites to serve communities where disadvantaged youth are in need of nurturing and support. In addition, a $3 million increase in NYSP funding will increase the number of program sites offering math and science instruction as well as expand the NYSP's highly successful senior program, which emphasizes and encourages leadership skills and character education. The NYSP is a program which, year after year, has provided our Nation's youth with the opportunity to utilize the best resources our colleges and universities have to offer and to develop the skills necessary to succeed. At a time when President Bush has called for a renewed commitment to national service, the NYSP, with almost 1500 volunteers, is an outstanding example of what community service is all about. For three decades the National Youth Sports Program has provided a positive and enriching experience and a safe haven for some of this Nation's most vulnerable youth. This highly effective and successful program is deserving of Congress's support.

Mr. CLELAND

Mr. CLELAND. Mr. President, I rise today to bring to the Senate's attention a valuable report on the State of the Union for Americans with Disabilities. As a triple amputee, having lost my right arm and both legs in the Vietnam war, I believe that the Americans with Disabilities Act has not only helped me and others with disabilities but has also enabled society to benefit from the skills and talents of individuals with disabilities. The landmark legislation has also allowed us all to gain from their increased purchasing power and ability to use it, and has led to fuller, more productive lives for all Americans. However, there is still much to be done so I am pleased to highlight the efforts of the National Organization on Disability which celebrates the progress of the nation and works to increase access, opportunity, and inclusion for people with disabilities. I ask unanimous consent to print for the Record a copy of the National Organization on Disability's State of the Union 2002 for Americans with Disabilities which provides benchmarks for the current state of disability life in America, and calls for action on improvements that have still to be made.

Mr. CLELAND

Mr. CLELAND. Mr. President, the far-reaching education package before us today makes significant strides toward meeting three of America's most important education goals: improved student achievement, increased accountability, and enhanced teacher quality. I am very pleased that the conference report includes two of the amendments I offered to the Senate BEST Act--my Immigrants to New Americas amendment and my amendment to establish a National Center for School and Youth Safety. I thank the distinguished managers of the Senate bill, Senator Kennedy and Senator Jeffords, for their support and their willingness to assist me. I also want to express my appreciation to the staff of the Senator from Massachusetts for the courtesies and counsel they showed to me and to my staff. Finally, I want to thank the ``education team'' on my own staff, led by Lynn Kimmerly, my superb deputy legislative director, and Donni Turner, my outstanding chief staff counsel, who helped not only in developing and winning support for my amendments but in analyzing and advising me on all of the details of this landmark legislation. They have served our State and our Nation well, and our country's children will be the beneficiaries. My Immigrants to New Americans language addresses the explosion of immigrants coming to this country over the past decade. Information from the 2000 Census shows that the impact from this wave of immigration is having a dramatic impact on schools and communities across America, including non-traditional immigrant communities in states like Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Georgia and the Carolinas. My amendment will provide resources to these communities to help ensure that these children--and their families--are being served appropriately. Specifically, it would expand the use of funds under the Emergency Immigrant Education set-aside to include activities which, one, assist culturally and linguistically diverse children achieve success in America's schools and, two, allow local educational agencies to partner with community-based organizations to provide the families of these children access to comprehensive community services. My second amendment incorporated in this landmark legislation addresses the deeply troubling issue of violence at Columbine and Heritage High and in other schools across the country. My School Safety Enhancement Amendment, based on the best research in the field of school violence prevention, would create a National Center for School and Youth Safety tasked with the mission of providing schools with adequate resources to prevent incidents of violence. The National Center would offer emergency assistance to local communities to respond to school safety crises, including counseling for victims, assistance to law enforcement to address short-term security concerns, and advice on how to enhance school safety and prevent future incidents. It would also operate a toll-free, anonymous nationwide hotline for students to report criminal activity and other high-risk behaviors, such as substance abuse, gang or cult affiliation, depression, or other warning signs of potentially violent behavior. Finally, the National Center would compile information about the best practices in school violence prevention, intervention, and crisis management. The goal of the National Center for School and Youth Safety is to involve the entire community--parents, school officials, law enforcement officers, and local governments and agencies--to make them aware of the resources, grants and expertise available to enhance school safety and prevent school crime. In closing, I would like to quote former British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, who once said: ``Upon the education of the people of this country, the fate of this country depends.'' One of the most important investments this nation can make is an investment in the education of its future leaders. It is my fervent hope that Members of Congress, on both sides of the aisle, will see the wisdom in investing adequate dollars to carry out the worthy goals of this critically important piece of legislation--improved student achievement, increased accountability, and enhanced teacher quality. It is an investment in the future of America, and the future, after all, is in very small hands.

Mr. CLELAND

Mr. CLELAND. Mr. President, I rise today to express my strong support for S. 1214, the Port Security and Improvement bill. This legislation is overdue and absolutely needed in broadening our response to the threat of terrorism. The Report of the Interagency Commission on Crime and Security in U.S. Seaports, issued in the fall of 2000, indicates that ``the state of security in U.S. seaports generally ranges from poor to fair, and in a few cases, good.'' Now that this country is acutely aware of the repercussions of overlooking transportation security weaknesses, Congress would be severely remiss if we did not act promptly to improve on the ``poor to fair'' rating at our ports. I believe that technology can play an important role in ensuring the integrity, safety, and security of goods coming into this country via ship. To that end, my amendment that is included in S. 1214 establishes a pilot program run and defined by the Customs Service to examine different technologies and how they can be employed to verify that a container's contents are what they say they are and that they have not been tampered with during transport. Shippers and transporters using effective such technologies could then enter U.S. ports on an expedited basis. With 95 percent of foreign trade entering or leaving the U.S. via ship, allowing a quicker entrance by certain ``trusted shippers'' will allow a quicker conveyance to American consumers. Already, I have seen outstanding demonstrations from people all over this country of their detection technologies and how they can be used to improve security. My amendment is a challenge to these innovators to develop such technologies for use in the shipping world. Additionally, I have heard testimony from maritime experts that America needs to find ways to ``push its borders back.'' By ``pushing back'' our borders the intention is to ensure the integrity and inspection of goods entering the country at points farther out from our physical borders. If this process can be taken care of in a foreign port, confidence in the integrity of the goods increases and time is saved by domestic inspectors who can use their resources elsewhere. My amendment would allow the securing of goods in the port of origin so that when these goods arrive in the U.S. we can be assured of their safety. I thank Senator Hollings for his help with my amendment, and I look forward to working with Customs to implement this program, which I believe will be helpful to get goods to market in safe but timely manner. nuclear devices detection

Mr. CLELAND. Mr. President, I appreciate the chairman's leadership in promoting safety in all modes of passenger and cargo transportation. In the Commerce Committee executive session on October 17, the committee addressed the important issue of passenger rail safety. The committee approved funding for the upgrading of Amtrak tunnels and bridges primarily along the much-used Northwest corridor. While I support and applaud the goal of increasing passenger rail safety and security--in fact I strongly support this legislation--at the same committee session I raised the issue of intercity bus security. Attention became acute on this issue after the October 3 incident on a Greyhound bus that resulted in the death of seven people. Since that event, there have been other attempts to cause mayhem on buses, but thankfully, none have resulted in deaths. With over 774 million intercity bus passengers annually with companies serving over 4,000 communities, we cannot wait to act on securing this important mode of transportation.

Mr. CLELAND. I applaud the chairman's decision to advance the issue of bus safety. With bus terminals often sharing facilities with both airports and rail stations, omitting this critical component of the equation leaves a hole in the system. This mode of transportation is the largest domestic passenger service provider, and it has grown without the aid of federal support. Now that they need assistance to supplement their own efforts and protect our citizenry, it is time for Congress to act. This industry is made up of many small businesses, which may not be able to survive if assistance is not given to help boost security in order to bring passengers back to bus travel. Otherwise, these businesses may have to increase the cost to the customer to pay for the necessary security upgrades.

Mr. CLELAND. I thank the Senator for his support and attention to this matter, and I look forward to working with you in the future on this issue of national importance.

Mr. CLELAND

Mr. CLELAND. Mr. President, I rise today to discuss legislation that establishes the National Museum of African American History and Culture Presidential Commission. On Monday, December 17, 2001, the Senate passed, with my support, H.R. 3442 which establishes the National Museum of African American History and Culture Presidential Commission. The Presidential Commission will develop and recommend a legislative plan of action for creating a national museum on the National Mall that recognizes the unique historical and cultural legacy of African Americans. The U.S. House of Representatives passed the legislation, introduced by Representative John Lewis, on December 11, 2001 by voice vote. The African American legacy is one of gradual steps that have moved this group of Americans from slavery to full partnership in our society and culture. African Americans have played a central part in the development of our country's democratic institutions and our commitment to individual freedom and equal rights. Despite this history, there is currently no national museum located in Washington, D.C. on the National Mall devoted to telling the African American story. I believe this museum is the next stage in recognizing the burdens born by African Americans and celebrating their unique contributions to our nation. Many notable African Americans have made contributions in the areas of science, medicine, the arts and humanities, sports, music and dance. It is right to honor this legacy on a national level. I believe that by establishing this museum this nation will be able to finally honor the legacy of African Americans properly. By placing this museum on the National Mall, we will finally place the history of African Americans in a national light, where it belongs. The legislation creates a 23 member commission made up of individuals who specialize in African American history, education and museum professionals. The commission has nine months to present its recommendations to the President and Congress regarding an action plan for creating a national museum honoring African Americans. The Commission will decide the structure and make-up of the museum, devise a governing board for the museum, and among other action items, will decide whether to place the museum within the Smithsonian's Arts and Industries Building, which is the last existing space on the National Mall. This museum will commemorate and honor the 400 years of African American history in this country and beyond. Legislation was introduced just about every session of Congress between 1919 and 1929 to create a memorial building to house exhibits demonstrating the achievements of African Americans in art, science, invention and all aspects of life. I am both proud and pleased to be associated with this project and look forward to seeing this legislation signed into law by the President in the near future.

Mr. CLELAND

Mr. CLELAND. Mr. President, today I am introducing legislation to expand the existing Federal shoreline protection project on Tybee Island, GA to include the North Beach area of the island. This project, which originally began as an effort to protect the oceanfront beach, has previously been expanded to include the southern tip of the island as well as a portion of the Back River. On November 8, 2001, at my request, the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works passed a Study Resolution asking the Army Corps of Engineers to conduct a reconnaissance study to determine whether it is advisable to expand the project to include North Beach. The legislation I am introducing today will provide the necessary authorization to expand the project once the required studies are completed. Erosion of the dunes on North Beach is endangering one of my State's natural treasurers and this legislation will help to preserve a truly beautiful beachfront for those who reside on and visit Tybee Island.

Mr. CLELAND

Mr. CLELAND. Mr. President, today I am introducing legislation to expand the existing Federal shoreline protection project on Tybee Island, GA to include the North Beach area of the island. This project, which originally began as an effort to protect the oceanfront beach, has previously been expanded to include the southern tip of the island as well as a portion of the Back River. On November 8, 2001, at my request, the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works passed a Study Resolution asking the Army Corps of Engineers to conduct a reconnaissance study to determine whether it is advisable to expand the project to include North Beach. The legislation I am introducing today will provide the necessary authorization to expand the project once the required studies are completed. Erosion of the dunes on North Beach is endangering one of my State's natural treasurers and this legislation will help to preserve a truly beautiful beachfront for those who reside on and visit Tybee Island.

Mr. CLELAND

Mr. CLELAND. Mr. President, the horrific events of September 11 underscore in red the heroism of the men and women who put their lives on the line every day, the courageous fire fighters and police officers of this Nation, the domestic defenders of America. Each and every day, fire fighters and police officers wake up knowing that they may have to run into burning buildings or respond to chemical or biological attacks. As thousands and thousands of people were running for their lives out of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, police officers and fire fighters were running in the opposite direction, into the danger and toward the people who could not save themselves. Tragically, many of those first responders did not come out. Sixty police officers and 344 fire fighters are missing or have been declared dead in the World Trade Center attacks. The majority of the fire fighters who responded to the first five alarms of the terrorist attacks, including the city's entire search and rescue fleet of five squad companies, were in the Twin Towers when they collapsed. They are, by any definition, heroes. We ask for a tremendous amount of responsibility from a small group of people. Fire fighters and police officers are the first responders to almost every tragedy imaginable. From car accidents to plane crashes, from kitchen fires to towering infernos, from domestic disputes to hazardous material spills, we depend upon their service and training each and every day. This Nation's fire fighters and police officers stand ready to respond to the needs of America. The terrible tragedy of September 11 is a daily reminder of how critical it is that America respond to the needs of its first responders. For the last three months our Nation has focused on how we may best increase the security of our borders. During this time, experts on terrorism have warned us to think outside the box, that if we fail to do so, this Nation will put itself in the vulnerable position of forever responding to the last terrorist attack. The number of anthrax cases is a warning in red that biological and chemical agents are available as weapons of mass destruction. Given this fact, the capacity of our police officers and fire fighter to respond quickly to emergencies involving hazardous materials becomes more important than ever. The U.S. Department of Transportation administers the Emergency Preparedness Grants Program, which helps State local governments train police and fire fighters to respond to hazmat emergencies. Currently that program is funded at $14 million, and the money comes from registration fees paid by certain hazmat carriers and shippers. Given the growing need for expertise in handling hazardous materials, the $14 million pot of money is clearly inadequate. It is estimated that current funding can provide training to only about 120,000 emergency personnel a year out of a pool of almost 3 million. Grants to local governments are small, ranging from $100,000 to $300,000 on average. In fact, a recent Washington Post article stated that Washington, D.C. is supposed to have a fire department team to respond to a chemical or biological attack, but according to the article, its members rarely train, and are used instead for routine firefighting. Because money has never been fully allocated for hazmat training grants, there is a current $15 million surplus in the Emergency Preparedness Grants Program. This is $15 million which could be going for critical first responder training. Today I am joined by Senators Rockefeller and Wyden in introducing the Heroic Emergency Response Operations Act, the HERO bill, which would allow the Department of Transportation to access the $15 million in surplus funds, at no cost to the taxpayer, and disperse the lion's share of this money to State and local governments for hazmat training of the men and women who are at ground zero during emergencies involving hazardous materials. Under our legislation, $1 million of the $15 million surplus would be authorized to go to the International Association of Fire Fighters, IAFF, which provides specialized hazmat training free of charge to local fire departments. According to the IAFF, funding of $1 million per year would quadruple the number of fire fighters who receive the necessary training to safeguard their health and safety as well as that of the citizens they protect during emergency response at or along our Nation's transportation corridor. In addition, the HERO bill would also require the Department of Transportation to develop national standards for security training related to the deliberate release of hazardous materials used as weapons of mass destruction. These standards would be in addition to the existing standards which address emergency response to accidental hazmat spills which may occur during the transportation of hazardous materials. In this era of potential chemical and biological attacks, we need to do everything we can to ensure that our local police officers and fire fighters receive the proper training to do the difficult job we ask them to do. We in Congress must do all we can to help the first responders of this Nation because they do everything they can to help us, including giving their lives in the line of duty, as we are painfully reminded by the tragic events of September 11. Our legislation is endorsed by the International Association of Fire Fighters, IAFF, and the International Brotherhood of Police Officers, IBPO. I ask unanimous consent that the text of the HERO bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. CLELAND

Mr. CLELAND. Mr. President, the horrific events of September 11 underscore in red the heroism of the men and women who put their lives on the line every day, the courageous fire fighters and police officers of this Nation, the domestic defenders of America. Each and every day, fire fighters and police officers wake up knowing that they may have to run into burning buildings or respond to chemical or biological attacks. As thousands and thousands of people were running for their lives out of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, police officers and fire fighters were running in the opposite direction, into the danger and toward the people who could not save themselves. Tragically, many of those first responders did not come out. Sixty police officers and 344 fire fighters are missing or have been declared dead in the World Trade Center attacks. The majority of the fire fighters who responded to the first five alarms of the terrorist attacks, including the city's entire search and rescue fleet of five squad companies, were in the Twin Towers when they collapsed. They are, by any definition, heroes. We ask for a tremendous amount of responsibility from a small group of people. Fire fighters and police officers are the first responders to almost every tragedy imaginable. From car accidents to plane crashes, from kitchen fires to towering infernos, from domestic disputes to hazardous material spills, we depend upon their service and training each and every day. This Nation's fire fighters and police officers stand ready to respond to the needs of America. The terrible tragedy of September 11 is a daily reminder of how critical it is that America respond to the needs of its first responders. For the last three months our Nation has focused on how we may best increase the security of our borders. During this time, experts on terrorism have warned us to think outside the box, that if we fail to do so, this Nation will put itself in the vulnerable position of forever responding to the last terrorist attack. The number of anthrax cases is a warning in red that biological and chemical agents are available as weapons of mass destruction. Given this fact, the capacity of our police officers and fire fighter to respond quickly to emergencies involving hazardous materials becomes more important than ever. The U.S. Department of Transportation administers the Emergency Preparedness Grants Program, which helps State local governments train police and fire fighters to respond to hazmat emergencies. Currently that program is funded at $14 million, and the money comes from registration fees paid by certain hazmat carriers and shippers. Given the growing need for expertise in handling hazardous materials, the $14 million pot of money is clearly inadequate. It is estimated that current funding can provide training to only about 120,000 emergency personnel a year out of a pool of almost 3 million. Grants to local governments are small, ranging from $100,000 to $300,000 on average. In fact, a recent Washington Post article stated that Washington, D.C. is supposed to have a fire department team to respond to a chemical or biological attack, but according to the article, its members rarely train, and are used instead for routine firefighting. Because money has never been fully allocated for hazmat training grants, there is a current $15 million surplus in the Emergency Preparedness Grants Program. This is $15 million which could be going for critical first responder training. Today I am joined by Senators Rockefeller and Wyden in introducing the Heroic Emergency Response Operations Act, the HERO bill, which would allow the Department of Transportation to access the $15 million in surplus funds, at no cost to the taxpayer, and disperse the lion's share of this money to State and local governments for hazmat training of the men and women who are at ground zero during emergencies involving hazardous materials. Under our legislation, $1 million of the $15 million surplus would be authorized to go to the International Association of Fire Fighters, IAFF, which provides specialized hazmat training free of charge to local fire departments. According to the IAFF, funding of $1 million per year would quadruple the number of fire fighters who receive the necessary training to safeguard their health and safety as well as that of the citizens they protect during emergency response at or along our Nation's transportation corridor. In addition, the HERO bill would also require the Department of Transportation to develop national standards for security training related to the deliberate release of hazardous materials used as weapons of mass destruction. These standards would be in addition to the existing standards which address emergency response to accidental hazmat spills which may occur during the transportation of hazardous materials. In this era of potential chemical and biological attacks, we need to do everything we can to ensure that our local police officers and fire fighters receive the proper training to do the difficult job we ask them to do. We in Congress must do all we can to help the first responders of this Nation because they do everything they can to help us, including giving their lives in the line of duty, as we are painfully reminded by the tragic events of September 11. Our legislation is endorsed by the International Association of Fire Fighters, IAFF, and the International Brotherhood of Police Officers, IBPO. I ask unanimous consent that the text of the HERO bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. CLELAND

Mr. CLELAND. Madam President, I rise today to introduce legislation that will make it a Federal criminal offense to intentionally circumvent an airport security checkpoint. This morning I chaired the first Senate Commerce Committee hearing on aviation security since the landmark aviation security bill was signed into law earlier this fall. That historic piece of legislation was enacted as a response to the events of September 11, when terrorists commandeered U.S. commercial jets filled with passengers and used them as weapons of mass destruction. Those terrorist attacks have precipitated a sea-change in attitude on how we view our homeland security. There is no such thing as ``business as usual,'' especially at our airports across this country. Immediately after the events of 9-11, the Federal Aviation Administration and U.S. Department of Transportation took steps to tighten aviation security across the country. U.S. airlines and airports put in place additional security safeguards. And Congress passed the most sweeping aviation security bill in history. Under the new law, every commercial airport will now have a Federal security manager and the manager will conduct an immediate assessment of safety procedures at the busiest airports in the country. We will have strict and uniform national standards for the hiring and training and job performance of the men and women who are on the front lines of ensuring that our airports and airplanes are not only the safest in the world, but are also the most secure. Because of this legislation, every airport screener must now be a U.S. citizen. He or she must pass a criminal background check, and they must perform well in their job. If they don't, and this includes federal screeners, they can and will be fired immediately. Cockpit doors will be fortified, the number of air marshals on airplanes will be significantly increased, and international flights must provide the U.S. Customs Service with passenger lists before they can land in this country. Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport, the world's busiest airport, Delta, with its world headquarters in Atlanta, and AirTran are key not just to Georgia's economy, but to our national aviation system as well. At the Commerce Committee hearing this morning, Spokespersons from each of these Georgia giants, told us about the security measures that have been put in place since the September 11 hijackings and what further steps they plan to take in light of the requirements of the new aviation security law. At the hearing, Hartsfield's General Manager, Mr. Benjamin DeCosta, addressed the incident of November 16 when an individual breached security at the Atlanta airport. The security breach triggered the total evacuation of Hartsfield and a temporary halt of incoming and outgoing air traffic. That action caused a ripple effect of delays and flight cancellations. I might add that I have firsthand knowledge of those delays, since I spent some ``quality time'' on the tarmac in Atlanta that day. But I want to stress that despite those delays, the system worked. Hartsfield correctly followed the FAA directive, put in place after September 11, that required airport lock-down until airport security could be assured. However, the November incident revealed a glaring loophole in the system, even after enactment of the new airline security legislation. Currently, an intentional security violation aboard an aircraft is a Federal crime, but a willful breach of an airport security checkpoint is punishable only by local criminal penalties and federal civil penalties. Just as we have at last stepped up to the plate to assure greater uniformity and greater accountability through federalizing the airport security workforce, I believe it is the responsibility of Congress to address this shortcoming in our federal laws. Accordingly, I am introducing legislation, the Airport Checkpoint Enhancement, or ACE, Act, to make willful violations of airport security checkpoints a federal crime. We should send a message loud and clear that airport business is serious business, that if you come to a U.S. airport for mischief or for folly, you will pay the consequences. My legislation addresses the all-important issue of aviation security which, as we have recently learned in the most painful way possible, is a matter of national security. Specifically, the ACE Act will amend the recently-passed Aviation and Transportation Security Act to provide a federal criminal penalty for individuals who intentionally circumvent or breach an airport security checkpoint. It was amazing to me to learn that in Georgia, an individual who willfully violates the secure area of an airport is only subject to a misdemeanor which means a maximum penalty involving a civil fine up to $1,100 and a year in jail. My legislation will mean that violators could face up to 10 years in prison. This legislation is supported by Atlanta's Hartsfield International Airport, Delta Airlines, the Air Carrier Association of America, and the Office of the Solicitor General, Clayton County, GA. We have only just begun to improve airport security and therefore, I look forward to continuing this discussion with airport officials and law enforcement officers across the country on how we can best protect passengers, airport workers, and air travel in the future. I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.