Michael Capuano

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 85th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. I am a proud cosponsor of H. Res. 398 which commemorates the victims of the Armenian Genocide by calling on the President to honor the 1.5 million victims of the Armenian Genocide and to provide educational tools for our Foreign Diplomats responsible for addressing issues of human rights, ethnic cleansing, and genocide. Throughout three decades in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Armenians were systematically uprooted from their homeland of three thousand years, and millions were deported or massacred. From 1894 through 1896, three hundred thousand Armenians were ruthlessly murdered. Again in 1909, thirty thousand Armenians were massacred in Cilicia, and their villages were destroyed. On April 24, 1915, two hundred Armenian religious, political, and intellectual leaders were arbitrarily arrested, taken to Turkey and murdered. This incident marks a dark and solemn period in the history of the Armenian people. From 1915 to 1923, the Ottoman Empire launched a systematic campaign to exterminate Armenians. In eight short years, more than 1.5 million Armenians suffered through atrocities such as deportation, forced slavery, and torture. Most were ultimately murdered. The tragedy of the Armenian Genocide has been acknowledged around the world, in countries like Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, France, Great Britain, Greece, Lebanon, Russia, the United States, and Uruguay, as well as international organizations such as the Council of Europe, the European Parliament, and the United Nations. Yet, despite irrefutable evidence, Turkey has refused, for over 85 years, to acknowledge the Armenian Genocide. Even in present day, Turkey continues to have inimicable relations with Armenia. In addition to denying the crimes committed against the Armenian people, Turkey continues to block the flow of humanitarian aid and commerce to Armenia. I personally admire the dedication and perseverance of the Armenian- American community, and their ever present vigil to educate the world of their painful history. In spite of their historic struggles, children and grandchildren of the survivors of the Armenian Genocide have gone on to make invaluable contributions to society, while at the same time preserving their heritage and unique identity. Over 60,000 Armenian-Americans live in the greater Boston area. Within Massachusetts, many of these Armenians have formed public outreach groups seeking to educate society about Armenia's culture. I made the observation last year about how sad and frustrating it was that at the beginning of this century, Armenians were murdered en masse and now, at the end of the 20th century, the same type of brutal killing of innocent people continues. The human race has now entered a new millennium, and we must be more vigilant about holding governments accountable for their actions. Last September, in East Timor, thousands of men, women, and children were mercilessly slaughtered; in Sierra Leone, thousands of children have been brutally maimed; and in Chechnya, hundreds of women and children have been forced to flee their homes, the number of deaths remain unknown. By acknowledging and commemorating the Armenian Genocide, the U.S. and many other countries are sending a message that governments cannot operate with impunity towards our fellow man. Let me end by saying, that as a member of the Congressional Armenian Caucus, I will continue to work with my colleagues and with the Armenian-Americans in my district to promote investment and prosperity in Armenia. We must continue to be vigilant, we must preserve the rich identities of Armenians, and we must work towards ending crimes against all humanity.

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Well, Mr. Chairman, if the gentleman will continue to yield, I would just say to the gentlewoman, not with a 150 percent income. We do need those standards.

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Chairman, I just need to give out some numbers as to what prompted me to put this amendment in the committee in the first place. I think that most people in this country do not understand the housing crisis we have in Boston. I cannot help it that Boston is one of the most expensive housing markets in the country, and my average median income is 25 percent above the national median income. That sounds great as an individual statistic, but it then does not say what housing costs. The average apartment rent for a three-bedroom apartment, which is necessary for any family of four, hopefully desirable, is almost $1,200 a month, and even then one is lucky if they can find one. When we put that against the median income of the nation, it turns into 28 percent. My concern is people paying that kind of rent, that kind of percentage of their income, could never ever put the money away for a down payment. As a matter of fact, on those numbers it would take over 20 years, if one could save 10 percent of their net income every year it would take 20 years to put enough money aside to put a down payment together. That is what this amendment was intended to do. Nonetheless, I have had discussions with the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters), and she has been a fantastic advocate and great leader for me as a new Member, relative to housing matters. I would never pretend to know more about housing than she does. With housing discussions, I think she understands my concerns. I certainly understand hers. Because of that, we have had, I think, great discussions to say, look, we have had different issues, but they are on the same page. We are moving in the same way trying to help the same type of people, with a little different constituency; and because of that, we are going to work together as often as we can on this bill and others to try to help out the people we represent.

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding. I find this to be unfortunate. The people who are proposing the amendment are working with us to try to come to a mutual agreement, and the people who really do not do much about housing do not want us to. I want to make two points. Number one, this amendment does not do anything to take the decisions out of local control. It simply allows the director of HUD to designate some communities, only some, that are high cost areas. That is all it does. That is all it does. Nobody has to do this. If a local community does not want to do it, they do not do it. I will tell my colleagues that not more than 15 months ago I was the mayor of a city that is an entitlement community under a block grant. I did this. This is what I did.

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of H.J. Res. 86, recognizing the 50th anniversary of the Korean War and honoring the dedication of American soldiers who served in this conflict. On August 14, 1945 an agreement was signed which divided Korea at the 38th parallel. The northern part of the country was transferred to Soviet control, while the southern portion was placed under control of the United States. Five years later, on June 25, 1950, in the early morning hours, the North Korean People's Army invaded South Korea with seven assault infantry divisions, a tank brigade, and two independent infantry regiments. Despite a prompt response by the United Nations Security Council calling for an end of aggression from North Korea. The fighting escalated. Five days later on June 30th, 1950, the fate of American involvement in the Korean aggression was sealed. On that day, president Truman ordered U.S. ground forces into Korea and authorized the bombing of North Korea by the U.S. Air Force. Three years later, 33,629 Americans were dead, 103,248 were wounded, 3,746 were captured and repatriated, and 8,142 were still missing in action. On July 27, 1953, the cease-fire was signed by Lieutenant General Nam II and Lieutenant General William K. Harrison at 10:00 am at Panmunjom. The Korean war had ended, but Americans had paid a heavy price to preserve freedom. As an American and a patriot, I believe we have an obligation to remember and honor our nation's veterans. They fought to maintain and preserve our nation's pride and beliefs. What kind of men and women are these that we honor for their heroism and selfless sacrifice in Korea? They are Americans from all walks of life; ordinary people like our mothers and fathers, aunts and uncles. Americans who were inspired by the cause to defend our country, to protect and preserve our freedom. American troops, time and again, have paid the supreme sacrifice for our nation's freedom. Many people refer to the Korean War as the forgotten war. Thirty-three thousand American soldiers perished in this ``Forgotten War''. We must never forget the ultimate sacrifice these brave men and women offered for the sake of freedom and democracy. Mr. Speaker, as the son of a veteran, I am proud to join my fellow members in acknowledging the anniversary of the Korean War and saluting the hundreds of thousands of servicemen who answered to the call of duty.

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Chairman, what this amendment does is basically it takes half of the money it currently designated for the Department of Energy and shifts it over to the National Science Foundation. The reason I offer this amendment is because I strongly believe that this money is best utilized as far out from government as we can get it into the private sector and to the universities, because I believe they do a better job in pushing along new technologies than does the government. It is very interesting to note that though I have proposed this amendment now for a couple of days, I just literally 2 minutes ago got a communication from the Secretary of Energy that raises some serious and interesting questions about the amendment. Had I received it earlier, I would have been happy to discuss it at any time with the Secretary or any member of the Department, but I think it is a little late at this point in time. However, I will say that if this amendment is adopted that I would be more than happy to work with the Secretary or any other member of the Department to discuss their concerns, and if appropriate, I would work with them to amend this amendment further or to reduce it or to strike it. Nonetheless, having not received any communications of such note prior to this time, I still feel strongly that in concept, our money is best spent as close to the private sector as we can get it.

Mr. CAPUANO. I yield to the gentleman from Wisconsin.

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Chairman, this amendment I think is a very simple amendment. It actually strikes language that I put in in the committee at an earlier time when we were discussing this. I think the language is no longer relevant and no longer useful to this bill. It refers to a different fiscal year, and that is why I ask to strike it.

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following article from The Boston Globe on December 23, 1999 for the Record. The author of this article, Shri Srithilliampalam, is very active in calling for observance of human rights in Sri Lanka and a peaceful settlement to the 17-year conflict. We must encourage the parties involved to stop the terror and negotiate a peaceful end to this war. [From The Boston Globe, Dec. 23, 1999] Promoting Peace in Sri Lanka Bosnia, Chechnya, Kosovo, East Timor--these are the civil and intercommunal wars that have aroused horror and sympathy in the past few years. But in Sri Lanka there is another internecine conflict no less tragic, a war that has waxed and waned intermittently since 1983, destroying more than 60,000 lives. Now, with the results in from Tuesday's presidential election and Chandrika Kumaratunga re-elected with a dramatically reduced majority of only 51 percent, the time is ripe for an international peacemaking initiative. All the humanitarian justifications for saving lives in Kosovo, Bosnia, East Timor, and Chechnya apply in the conflict between the Sinhalese majority in Sri Lanka and the Tamil minority. Civilians, conscripts, and victims of terrorist bombings all deserve to be saved from a senseless repetition of murder and mayhem that can be ended only by a negotiated solution. Chandrika, as the president is known to her compatriots, was elected five years ago as the leader who would bring peace to Sri Lanka. But instead of trying to end the killing by granting autonomy to the Tamil areas in the north and east of the country, she yielded to hard-line arguments for a decisive military solution. In turn, the Tamil Tigers have shown no willingness to end their campaign of murder and terror. In a scorched-earth offensive this year, government troops occupied most of the Tamil homeland. But this fall the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam overran one government outpost after another. It should be clear by now that the government's tactics succeeded only in driving the moderate Tamil population of the north and east into the hands of the Tigers. The war is unwinnable. The time has come for third-party mediation. Washington is unwilling to play that role, but just as Norway originally midwifed the Oslo accords between Israelis and Palestinians, an impartial country could mediate peace talks. Such talks should be preceded by a cease-fire, a withdrawal of government troops, and the provision of food and medical aid to civilians in the north and east. If the principle of an international humanitarian obligation is to have any meaning, it must be applied consistently.

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge the forthcoming retirement of Francis H. Duehay, Mayor of the City of Cambridge, Massachusetts. Frank Duehay has been an elected official in the City of Cambridge for 36 consecutive years, having first won a seat on the Cambridge School Committee in 1963. After having served four terms on the School Committee, he ran for the Cambridge City Council in 1971 and has served continuously since that time. Mayor Duehay first served as Mayor of the City of Cambridge for the 1980-1981 term, and in 1985 when he was elected to complete the term of Mayor Leonard Russell, who died in office. As an elected member of the School Committee, Mayor Duehay introduced the Community Schools Program, which involved parents in the hiring of teachers and principals. He also was Chairman of the School Committee at the time when Cambridge successfully desegregated its school system. While on the City Council, Mayor Duehay chaired the Health and Hospitals Committee and oversaw the evolution of the Cambridge Health System, as it has now become one of the country's finest health care systems. He has been active in issues relating to municipal finance, zoning and planning, provision of neighborhood service, environmental protection, affordable housing, historic preservation and economic development. Most recently, he has led Council efforts to design and fund new affordable housing programs. Mayor Duehay has served as Chair of the Trustees of First Parish (Unitarian Universalist) Church in Cambridge where he is a long time member. He is a board member of Tutoring Plus, The Cambridge Homes, and the Phillips Brooks House at Harvard University; and is an active member of several committees with the National League of Cities and the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA). Moreover, he has served as Chairman of the Cambridge-Yervan, Armenia Sister City Committee. Currently, Mayor Duehay is serving as MMA Vice President and in 1998 was the President of the Massachusetts Association of City and Town Councillors. In his most recent term as Mayor, Mayor Duehay was Chairman of the Cambridge Kids Council, Chairman of the Welfare Reform Task Force, and successfully administered the Mayor's Summer Youth Employment Program, which provide jobs to 400 Cambridge residents. During his term as Mayor, Frank Duehay presided over the City Council with civility and dignity. He brought a true sense of professionalism to the body and with his departure, an era of Cambridge government will come to a close. Mayor Duehay will now retire to the role of private, yet active citizen. He has the great fortune of being married to Jane Kenworthy Lewis, an attorney and Decision Reporter with the Massachusetts Supreme Court. Mayor Duehay will be sorely missed as he steps away from the public window. It was an honor for me to serve alongside this true gentleman.

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, this morning I voted for the Medicare Balanced Budget Refinement Act of 1999 (H.R. 3075) in an effort to address the issues associated with the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (BBA). While this bill represents an important step toward addressing the serious pitfalls contained in the BBA, I remain gravely concerned about sections of this bill and the overall ramifications this legislation will have on the financial problems affecting our nation's health care system. In particular, I am concerned in the manner with which this bill was brought to the floor. This legislation was finished last night, leaving our side with just a few hours to review the legislation. Democrats were all but left out of the negotiations between the Ways and Means and Commerce Committee Republicans over this new package. Moreover, as the bill was placed on this month's calendar as a suspension bill, Members were stripped of their rights to offer amendments and were allowed only twenty minutes of debate time to present their views on this bill. This, my friends, is the wrong way to approach legislation that is so critical to the delivery of health care. However, the Medicare Balanced Budget Refinement Act represents a modest downpayment towards stabilizing a health system that is in midst of a fiscal crisis. The BBA, was intended to reduce Medicare spending by $115 billion over five years but, as the act's provisions have been implemented, the actual reduction in Medicare spending is nearly twice that amount--$220 billion. Simply put, the BBA overshot its mark. Already, the 1999 losses for Boston teaching hospitals have exceeded $150 million with two-thirds of the state's hospitals losing money on operations. This bill would translate into only $125 million being restored to the state's health care institutions. Hospitals in Massachusetts, even under the most optimistic scenarios, are expected to recover only 10% of the $1.7 billion cut by the BBA. With respect to teaching hospitals, this bill provides a one-year freeze on Indirect Medical Education payments at FY2000 levels of 6.0%. Passage of H.R. 3075 represents an important step towards providing critically needed BBA relief for such providers of health care as teaching hospitals, home health agencies, skilled nursing facilities, and therapy services. This represents a first-step in trying in confronting the consequences of the BBA and averting the impending fiscal crisis facing health care providers nationwide. I therefore voted for this bill and hope that Democratic concerns be addressed in Conference.

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, today I cast my vote in support of H.R. 3196, the Foreign Operations Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2000. However, I did so with great reluctance. Late last night, a compromise was reached to provide $1.8 billion for the Wye River Accord and an additional $799 million for other accounts. Many accounts such as the African Development Bank, the International Development Association, the Peace Corps, and the North American Development Bank were provided with more realistic funding levels that will allow these entities to carry out their programs. However, one of the most disturbing inadequacies of this bill is the level of funding provided for the Republics of the Former Soviet Union. If this bill becomes law, the Republics of the Former Soviet Union are slated to receive $839 million. This is $104 million short of the President's request, and $3 million less than fiscal year 1999. Many of the Newly Independent States are still facing serious economic and democratic challenges, and a few still have access to nuclear weapons. On one hand the people of Ukraine and Georgia recently held successful Presidential elections on October 31. On the other hand, the Prime Minister and the Speaker of the Parliament were brutally assassinated in Armenia, and Belarus who is inching toward greater integration with Russia frequently suppresses political dissidents by censuring or imprisoning them. Clearly, this region is still very unstable and the United States should make every effort to show our support for these fragile democratic institutions. We also should provide assistance so that countries in dire financial straits are not forced to resort to nuclear arms dealing in order to feed their people. If we fail to provide adequate funding for this region, we jeopardize the security of Americans. In addition, this bill underfunds the Migration and Refugee Account by $35 million less than the President's request and $281 million less than fiscal year 1999. During the previous months, I have worked to include provisions for counseling assistance to refugee survivors of rape in times of conflict and war. As we witnessed during the conflict in Kosovo, many women not only suffered from the act of rape itself, but they must also live with the social stigmas dictated by their culture as a result of being a victim of rape. Without adequate funding for this and other programs, many women and children in need will continue suffering. This bill also does not provide sufficient funding for debt relief for the world's poorest countries. The Banking Committee just reported a bill, H.R. 1095, that will help reduce the unpayable debt held by many of the world's developing countries. This important bipartisan legislation will help alleviate the suffering of people living in nations with unmanageable debt burdens. Unfortunately, full funding for this vital initiative is not included in this bill. Furthermore, on July 23, 1999, many of my colleagues and I voted in favor of an amendment to the original Foreign Operations Appropriations bill to prohibit funding for the School of Americas which has gained an infamous reputation for training human rights violators in Latin America. Despite the passage of this amendment by a vote of 230-197, this bill reinstates $2 million for the School of Americas. Furthermore, this bill eases some restrictions on aid to Indonesia and only prohibits funds from being obligated to Indonesia until the President advises the Appropriations Committee in writing 20 days prior to allocation. this is an outrage considering that 250,000 East Timorese refugees are still held captive in refugee camps in West Timor. Many of these refugees have been intimidated by Indonesian military, and many more are not permitted to return to East Timor. Mr. Speaker, the success of U.S. foreign policy and programs depends upon adequate funding to administer consistent humanitarian relief to our neighbors and allies who are confronting extraordinary natural disasters, civil strife, and economic and political transformations. Global interaction and cooperation enhances our nation's security. This revised bill goes a long way to ensure implementation of a broad array of bilateral and multilateral assistance programs which directly impact American interests. I reluctantly supported this bill today, because I felt it was irrational to hold up funding for the many worthwhile programs in this bill. However, despite additional funding for several accounts, this bill still contains a number of weaknesses which I hope will be corrected before it ultimately becomes law.

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Madam Speaker, I rise to commend those living persons who have given the precious gift of life through the selfless act of donating a kidney. Today I join the majority of the Members of Congress in supporting H. Res. 94, which recognizes the generous contributions of those who have made this sacrifice, and acknowledging the advances in medical technology that have made living kidney transplants a viable treatment option. Madam Speaker, on many occasions this session, Congress has debated the costs of health care and health related research. These debates would be futile were it not for the courage of the living donors who make specialized medical services, such as kidney transplants, possible. Today, we have come together not in debate but rather in overwhelming support of those individuals that live day to day with life threatening kidney ailments as well as the families who support these individuals in their time of need. More importantly, we are here to pay homage to those ordinary heroes, whose contributions to medical science will not be measured by prominent appearances in medical journals, but whose actions will be forever recorded in the hearts and minds of the individuals to whom they have donated a kidney. Madam Speaker, in my district, I know of numerous life-saving acts that were unselfishly committed by individuals whose courage was not realized until the idea of kidney donation was thrust upon them. With this in mind I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge that their actions have not gone unnoticed and to thank these remarkable citizens for their contributions to their families and neighbors.

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to the conference report for S. 900, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Financial Services Modernization Act. While I do believe that our financial regulatory structure needs to be adapted to respond to the rapidly changing global marketplace, we should not abandon several core principles. Unfortunately, I believe this bill falls short in several important areas. In particular, the bill fails to adequately modernize the Community Reinvestment Act to keep up with the changing financial landscape. The bill does make the CRA a condition of new affiliations, and requires a satisfactory or better CRA rating for banks that are offering new financial products. However, the bill does not subject insurance companies, investment firms, or other financial services companies that take deposits and make loans subject to the CRA. This will greatly lessen the impact of CRA as more and more individuals do their ``banking'' through financial services conglomerates. The bill also includes an onerous CRA ``Sunshine'' provisions that will subject community groups to burdensome new regulations. I agree that there should be accountability on CRA agreements. Unfortunately, the bill mandates substantial reporting requirements for community groups and penalties for non-compliance, but offers the regulators no authority to enforce the CRA agreement itself. We should be punishing the bad actors, but most community groups are doing their best to provide much-needed resources to low- and moderate-income communities throughout the country. They deserve our continued support. There has been considerable discussion regarding this legislation's impact on the personal privacy of Americans. I believe that we have a fundamental right to privacy of our personal financial information. While the bill does take some small steps to protect that right, financial services companies will still be able to share this information between affiliates. At the very least, Americans, should be given the opportunity of ``opting out'' of having their personal information shared between financial services firms. Not all customers will exercise that right. However for those who believe their information should not be shared under any circumstances, this simple choice should be available. The bill also does not include an important amendment that we passed in the House Banking Committee. This amendment, sponsored by my colleague from California, Congresswoman Lee, would have prohibited insurance firms that were in violation of the Fair Housing Act from affiliating with other financial services companies. This simple amendment would require that these firms abide by the laws of this nation before they were allowed to expand. Unfortunately, this provision was removed without a vote before the bill came to the floor of the House. This legislation makes sweeping changes to the way financial services are delivered and regulated in this country. I will continue to work for these simple protections for consumers and our communities, and I urge my colleagues to vote against this measure until these concerns are addressed.

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate a distinct and important group in this country--Italian-Americans. Earlier this month, the Massachusetts State Legislature passed a law observing the month of October as Italian-American Heritage Month. This law recognizes the countless contributions bestowed on our country's rich national heritage by Italian-Americans. Today, I'm introducing a resolution that supports the goals and ideas of Italian-American Heritage Month nationwide. Over the past 200 years, 5.4 million Italians have immigrated to the United States. Today more than 26 million Americans are of Italian descent, 72,000 alone reside in the Eighth District of Massachusetts. As this country's fifth largest ethnic group, Italian-Americans have brought to our communities a tireless work ethic, a strong sense of family cohesion, and an artistically rich culture. This unique and profound impact of Italian culture has become an integral part of the American way of life. In fact, many Italian-Americans have gone on to become prominent in our Nation's academic, industrial, entertainment, and political fields. Nearly every American has experienced the unique contributions of Italian-Americans. Famous Italian-Americans like hall of fame baseball player Joe DiMaggio, world-renowned composer Henry Mancini, singer and songwriter Frank Sinatra, and Oscar winner Robert DeNiro have provided all Americans with many forms of entertainment. Millions of Americans have experienced the brilliance of Constantine Brumidi, an Italian immigrant, who was the artistic prodigy behind the elaborate paintings in the United States Capitol. Other Italian-Americans have enriched our political process, including political figures such as Fiorella La Guardia, both mayor and Congressman from New York City, Anthony Celebrezze, who served during John F. Kennedy's administration and was the first Italian-American Cabinet member, and Antonin Scalia, who is the first Italian-American appointed to the Supreme Court. I invite every Member to join me in celebrating the tremendous impact Italian-Americans have made to our Nation and our national identity.

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in opposition to the FY 2000 Interior and Related Agencies Conference Report. This report represents poor environmental policy as it significantly weakens existing regulations and undermines current progress in environmental protection. Most notably, the conference report fails to fully fund the administration's request for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). The fund is one of the most important environmental sources of revenue made available to States and is the primary tool that allows for the purchase of threatened land. As a strong proponent of this program, I am pleased with the fact that H.R. 2466 includes $30 million in funding for the stateside LWCF grant program, however, the report provides only $266 million of the $800 million requested by the White House. Since 1995, the stateside LWCF grant program, the principal source of funds that allows States to acquire recreation lands, has received no funding. This has led to all statewide efforts to promote conservation projects to be halted. As we enter the 21st century, I hope Congress can continue to increase the level of funding for the LWCF. On another note, this conference report provides only one-third of the funds requested by the administration for the President's Lands Legacy Initiative. This initiative is used to purchase lands that protect national parks, forests, and wildlife refuges which add significantly to the beauty and capacity of our national parks and forests. I believe that the Lands Legacy Initiative is a good program and that this conference report threatens to derail the administration's efforts to promote environmental preservation. Additionally, the conference report contains several anti- environmental riders. Among these riders is a provision that rewrites the 1872 mining law to allow mill operators to dump toxic mining wastes on sites larger than 5 acres without being subject to environmental restrictions. Moreover, this report precludes the Interior Department's regulation that imposes more stringent cleanup responsibilities on mine operations being conducted on public lands and weakens current laws for forest management by instituting a 1-year moratorium on regulations intended to improve environmental compliance in the operation of hardrock mines. The conferees also added an anti-environmental rider in the conference report that involves rural agricultural lands. This provision would allow for grazing permits to be automatically granted 10-year renewals regardless of whether or not environmental impact studies have been completed. The effect of this provision would prove extremely harmful to grazing land and its surrounding environment. Furthermore, the report blocks the Interior Department's regulation that requires major oil companies to pay closer to the fair value of oil pumped on public lands and waters. This practice ends up costing the taxpayers millions of dollars each year. Finally, this report fails to adequately provide funding for culturally important organizations to encourage development in the field of arts. Both the National Endowment for Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for Humanities (NEH) are funded at much less than the President's request of $150 million each. Conferees provided $115.7 million for NEH and only $98 million for NEA. Without adequate funding, projects that focus on public education, understanding and appreciation of arts, including drama, music, art, and literature will face serious cutbacks. Mr. Speaker, I am frustrated and disappointed that this conference report contains numerous provisions that undermine environmental protections and funding for cultural programs and I urge my colleagues to oppose final passage. If this report passes, I urge the President to veto this legislation so that we may have another opportunity to correct this seriously flawed bill.

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, this week more than 350 young Americans gathered in our Nation's capitol to share their views about violence and how it has affected their lives. Three individuals from my district--Pierre Laurent and Amanda Abreu of Somerville, MA, and Yarimee Gutierrez of Boston, MA, came to Washington to take part in the Voices Against Violence conference. Their commitment to addressing the problems associated with violence among youth is to be commended, and I want to take this opportunity to personally thank them for their efforts to make a difference within their schools and communities. As Pierre, Amanda, Yarimee and the other participants of the conference return to their respective communities with a renewed commitment to this cause, I believe it is Congress' responsibility to do all that we can to support these young peoples' efforts. What better way to do this than to provide legislation that assists young people who are striving to do the right thing? For this reason, I rise today to introduce the Young Witness Assistance Act of 1999. Sadly, more and more of our Nation's youth are becoming intimately familiar with violent crime. These crimes include homicide, assault, robbery, domestic violence and sexual assault. Upon witnessing such violent crimes, they suddenly find themselves in the uncomfortable position of deciding whether or not to report the act. Far too often, many young people choose to stay quiet. In many ways, who can blame them? Witnessing a violent crime is a traumatic experience. Additionally, reporting a violent crime can potentially lead to additional hardships that threaten the well-being of the young witness. Earlier this year in Connecticut, an 8-year-old boy and his mother were gunned down after the boy agreed to testify as a witness in a murder trial. In my district, a young man and his family were harassed and threatened after he agreed to assist authorities in an armed robbery case--eventually his family removed the boy from school and placed him into hiding in reaction to repeated threats on his life. It's time we take a stand for the young people who are willing to stand against crimes in their communities. The Young Witness Assistance Act is a step in the right direction. It provides Federal funds to state and local authorities specifically for establishing and maintaining programs that assist young witnesses of violent crimes. Authorities can use these funds to develop such activities as counseling for the youth; pre- and post-trial assistance for the youth and their family; educational services if the youth has to be removed from school; community and school based outreach initiatives; and protective services. The bill would authorize $3 million for each fiscal year from 2001 to 2003. No new money will be used to fund this effort. Rather, funding would be derived from existing monies within the Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund. Mr. Speaker, this bill supports our Nation's young people who take a courageous stance against violent crime in their communities. It sends a message that Congress cares and is willing to provide the assistance young witnesses need. Forty-fix members of the House, Democrats and Republicans, have acknowledged this by becoming original cosponsors of this legislation. It is my hope that the House will ``do the right thing'' and pass this legislation.

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in opposition to the FY 2000 Commerce, Justice, State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Conference Report. I opposed H.R. 2670 because it lacked sufficient funding for several essential federal programs, and I once again must oppose the conference report because if fails to address the vital funding shortfalls identified in the House bill. More than 200 years ago our founding fathers provided within the Constitution a framework for a national census to be conducted every ten years. Unfortunately, language contained in the conference report places unnecessary restrictions that will ultimately obstruct the Census Bureau's ability to conduct a complete and accurate census. While the conference report provides $4.47 billion for the Census Bureau, it contains language that restricts the Bureau's management of these funds. This language would require congressional approval in the form of a reprogramming for any movement of funds between decennial program components. Counting every man, woman, and child within the United States requires a tremendous amount of effort, support, and resources. This represents a dramatic departure from past practices and takes place at precisely the time when Census 2000 activities peak and when the need for program flexibility is most crucial to ensure a successful count. With respect to the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), the conference report provides $3 billion, $26 million below the Administration's request. INS must receive adequate funding if it is to be successful in providing enhanced border patrols, reducing its enormous backlog and maintaining its current applications. The $26 million shortfall will hurt the INS in its efforts to become more effective and efficient. Another area of insufficient funding can be found within the Advanced Technology Program (ATP) conducted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The ATP was established in 1988 to encourage companies to take greater risks in new and innovative basic research technologies. Successfully partnering public and private businesses working together to develop technology in all areas, over 700 organizations in 40 states including 104 joint ventures have a role in ATP projects. Last year's appropriation levels provided $197.5 million for ATP. This year the Administration requested $238.7 million, of which $137.6 million would continue to fund existing projects. However, the conference report provides only $142 million, barely enough to keep existing programs alive. The ATP is a catalyst for industries to develop and invest in high-risk technologies. Without this important program, individual companies will be less inclined to pursue these technological developments. Additionally, international programs within the State Department are abhorrently under-funded. Only $885.2 million is provided for contributions to international organizations. Not only is this funding level $78 million below the President's request, but it is also $37 million below last year's appropriation levels. Due to the unforeseen breakout of conflicts in Kosovo, and more recently in East Timor, the United States directed large amounts of federal funds toward restoring and maintaining peace in these regions. In order to continue our efforts to preserve peace and promote human rights and democratic principles throughout the world, we must sufficiently support our men and women who are acting as peacekeepers. Much to my dismay, this report provides only $200 million for contributions to international peacekeeping efforts, nearly $35 million below the Administration's request and $31 million less than FY99. Adding insult to injury, this report fails to adequately address U.S. payments to the United Nations (UN). Currently, the United States owes over $1 billion in back dues to the UN. In recent years, $508 million has been provided to address this issue, but these funds have not gone to the UN because the funds are connected to controversial family planning legislation. According to Article 19 of the UN Charter, if we fail to pay at least $153 million, we will automatically lose our vote in the UN General Assembly. Unfortunately, the $351 million for UN arrearage payments provided in this report is contingent upon passage of possibly contentious legislation. By holding these funds hostage, we are playing a dangerous game with a highly respected international organization, and we are losing face, force, and credibility within the international community. I also have deep reservations regarding the funding that is contained in the conference report for programs under the jurisdiction of the Department of Justice. The conference report significantly limits the ability of law enforcement officials to enforce and maintain a safe and secure environment. I am disappointed by the drastic reduction in funding for the Community Oriented Policing Initiative (COPS), in which only $325 million of the $1.275 billion that the President requested was provided for the program. These funds were to have been used to extend the COPS Initiative and allow local police departments to hire up to an additional 50,000 police officers over the next few years. Such a significant reduction in funding threatens to undermine the efficacy of the COPS Initiative, which has been a major contributor to the dramatic drop in the crime rate since 1994 and has resulted in the hiring of an additional 100,000 police officers nationwide. Lastly, the conference report fails to include the Hate Crimes Prevention Act, a measure of which I am a cosponsor. Though included in the Senate-passed version of the bill, this language is not contained in the conference report. The Hate Crimes legislation strengthens the current federal hate crimes statute by making it easier to prosecute crimes based on race, color, religion, and national origin. The measure also expands coverage to include hate crimes based on sexual orientation, gender and disability. By failing to include this legislation, I believe Congress is missing an opportunity to strengthen the current hate crime statute. Mr. Speaker, I am frustrated and disappointed that many of these valuable and essential programs were not adequately funded in this conference report and urge my colleagues to oppose final passage. If this report passes, I urge the President to veto this legislation so that we may have another opportunity to correct this seriously flawed bill.

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following article which appeared in the Melbourne Age on October 20, 1999 for the record and to offer my congratulations to the Boston Demons for their outstanding efforts in winning the 1999 U.S. Australian Rules National Championship. [From the Melbourne Age, Oct. 20, 1999] Boston Demons 1999 U.S. National Champions Cincinnati, Ohio (17 October 1999). The Boston Demons Australian Rules Football team today won the 1999 U.S. Australian Rules National Championship by narrowly defeating the Santa Cruz Roos in overtime. The national championship was host by the Cincinnati Dockers, and consisted of 22 teams from around the country, representing cities such as Nashville, New York, Seattle, Chicago, Denver and San Diego. The Boston Demons were the defending U.S. National Champions. The national championship, called the Grand Final, was, by some accounts, the most intense game of Australian Rules football ever played in the U.S., with neither side giving any quarter. Santa Cruz played with dedicated intensity, while the Boston Demons yielded nothing. At the end of regular time of two 20-minute halves, the game was drawn at 20 points each. Two five-minute periods of extra time were added, in which Boston kicked a quick goal. The second extra time period saw a battle of ferocious intensity where the game's outcome was held in the balance. So intense was the last five-minute period that two Santa Cruz players were carried off injured. Neither side backed down. The final score was Boston Demons 4 goals 2 behinds, for a total of 26 points, to Santa Cruz 3 goals 2 behinds for a total of 20 points. The Boston Demons is composed of expatiate Australians, Americans, Irish, and a Dane. Based in Boston, MA, the Boston Demons have recently had a large amount of media exposure in both the U.S. and Australia because the team highlights the loss of Australian intellectual capital to the U.S. (see: http://www.theage.com.au/daily/991002/news/specials/ news28.html).

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the FY 2000 VA-HUD and Independent Agencies Appropriations Conference Report. My colleagues have worked hard to craft a bill that a majority of us can support, and I applaud their efforts. The conference report provides vital funding to help address our nation's housing needs, fund science and technology research, and keep our commitment to our veterans. Although the bill does not fund all of our housing priorities, it does take a significant step towards helping low- and moderate-income Americans afford a safe place to live by providing 60,000 new Section 8 vouchers to help families with worst-case housing needs. The bill also provides substantial increases in support for public housing programs, homeless assistance, housing for persons living with AIDS, senior housing, and programs for disabled citizens. The conference report also includes funding for economic development projects in our cities and towns. The Community Development Block Grants, HOME, and Brownfields Redevelopment programs all received additional funding in this bill. In addition, the bill provides $70 million for the Urban and Rural Empowerment Zones. While this is substantially less than these communities were promised, I will continue to work with my colleagues to secure full funding for this important initiative next year. With respect to Veterans Affairs, the conference report provides $44.3 billion for the programs and benefits administered by the Department of Veterans. This represents a four percent, or $1.7 billion, increase above Fiscal Year 1999 levels. Of the amounts provided in the conference report, $19.6 billion is for veterans medical care, $21.6 billion is for compensation benefits for veterans who suffer from service connected disabilities, $65 million is provided for construction and renovation on VA facilities, and $48 million is provided for transitional housing for the thousands of homeless veterans across the country. Additonally, the conference report proclaims success for the future of cutting edge science and technology. NASA will receive $13.7 billion in Fiscal Year 2000. This is an eight percent increase from the original numbers previously proposed in the House of Representatives. Through civilian space flight, exploration, scientific advancement, and the development of next-generation technologies, NASA has successfully ensured U.S. leadership in world aviation and space exploration. Clearly this bill represents a victory for the United States and its future in space exploration. While I regret that the International Space Station will only be funded at $2.3 billion, I am pleased that NASA has been given the resources to continue its mission to conduct space and aeronautical research, development, and flight activities to maintain U.S. superiority in aeronautics and space exploration. I look forward to promoting space endeavors in the future. Along with NASA, the National Science Foundation (NSF) also was granted an eight percent increase over the original H.R. 2684 levels. With the $3.9 billion appropriated, NSF can continue to support basic and applied research, science and technology policy research, and science and engineering education programs. This bill provides $697 million for NSF to continue its math and science education initiatives. Through grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements, NSF supports fundamental and applied research in all major scientific and engineering disciplines. NSF funding is a key investment in the future of advanced technologies and reaffirms America's strong and longstanding leadership in scientific research and education. As a result of these long-awaited and anxiously anticipated increases in funding of critical programs that are key to our nation's well-being and future success, I am pleased to support this bill.

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of The Bipartisan Consensus Managed Care Improvement Act of 1999 sponsored by Representatives Norwood and Dingell. This bill modeled after the Democratic Patient Bill of Rights, would ensure strong patient protections for people enrolled in Health Maintenance Organizations. I strongly oppose efforts by the Republican leadership to dictate the debate by promoting a rule that is designed to kill the Norwood-Dingell reform bill. I urge my colleagues to oppose the rule as it attaches the Quality Care for the Uninsured Act to the managed care bill. While I support its intent to reduce the number of Americans who are currently without health insurance, the tax breaks contained in the legislation benefit the wealthy and would have little effect on working Americans who have no health insurance. According to the General Accounting Office, more than 32 million of the uninsured fall within the 0-15 percent income tax brackets. These tax deductions would do nothing to help them. H.R. 2990 is a poison pill that must be defeated. The Bipartisan Managed Care Improvement Act of 1999 stands in stark contrast to H.R. 2990. H.R. 2723 offers real managed care reform by providing a comprehensive, enforceable set of consumer rights. Under current federal law, patients covered by private employer-sponsored health insurance are barred from suing health plans for damages caused by wrongful denials. No other industry enjoys such legal immunity. H.R. 2723 would close this loophole by giving consumers the right to sue health plans in state courts for injuries and deaths caused by improper denials of care. Furthermore, the bill guarantees patients' access to such critical services as emergency care, specialty care, clinical trials, as well as obstetrician and gynecological services for women. The Norwood-Dingell reform plan also would allow patients to choose their health plans and ensure the continuity of care when people change jobs. It is time for Congress to address the issue of managed care reform. I have heard time and time again from my constituents in Massachusetts who support these rational HMO reforms that are designed to hold these organizations accountable for bad decisions. The Norwood-Dingell proposal represents an important step in overhauling managed care and enabling patients and their doctors to regain control of critical medical decisions. Doctors and patients know best--not HMO bureaucrats. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 2723 and pass meaningful managed care reform.

Mr. CAPUANO

Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to extend my congratulations to Professor Kay Kaufman Shelemay. Yesterday, Professor Shelemay was appointed to the Board of Trustees of the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress; a position she had long sought and no doubt deserved. Professor Shelemay is profoundly accomplished in the arts. Most of her life has been dedicated to the study and education of music and ethnomusicology. The distinguished author of several publications reflecting the relationship between ethnicity and music, Professor Shelemay has recently served as president of the Society for Ethnomusicology. On two occasions, she has served as a fellow for the National Endowment for Humanities. She was also chairwoman of the Fromm Music Foundation, and she has taught music at several prestigious universities including Harvard, Columbia, and NYU. Professor Shelemay began her association with AFC as a panelist during 1987 and 1988 in the midst of her burgeoning career. Her involvement with the AFC has spanned over a decade, hence, overseeing operations at the American Folklife Center will come easily for her. With her background, experience, and passion for ethnomusicology and the folk arts, I am certain Professor Shelemay will be a valuable addition to AFC's Board of Trustees as it pursues programs in the areas of multicultural education, preservation of national archives, and documentation of American Folklife and music. I wish Professor Shelemay the best of luck in her new role at the American Folklife Center.