Alfonse D’Amato

Mr. D'AMATO

Mr. D'AMATO. Mr. President, I would like to state my support for an issue that I believe is important to the health of all veterans in detecting colorectal cancer. Specifically, I am referring to the flexible endoscopic procedures performed by physicians. Currently, there are two types of flexible endoscopes available to physicians to perform these procedures: One is a conventional endoscope that is manually cleaned and disinfected. The other is a redesigned endoscope which incorporates the use of a sterile protective covering called the EndoSheath. Using the EndoSheath protects the patient and health care provider from the risks associated with cross-contamination. I am very concerned by the contamination risks associated with the use of impure patient-ready endoscopes on veterans. As such, it is important to ensure that the Veterans Health Administration is aware of and encouraged to explore the overall effectiveness of the single- patient, sterile, condom-like protective coverings that may help protect veterans from the risk of cross-contamination.

Mr. D'AMATO

Mr. D'AMATO. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce legislation along with Senator Moynihan and Senator Faircloth that will help guarantee that one of our Nation's most important estuaries is no longer used as a dumping ground for polluted dredged material. Long Island Sound is a spectacular body of water located between Long Island, NY and the State of Connecticut. Unfortunately, dumping of dredged material of questionable environmental impact has occurred in the sound for a number of years. It is high time that Congress put an end to this practice of willful pollution of the Sound. The legislation that we are introducing today will prevent any individual or any Government agency from randomly dumping sediments into the ecologically sensitive sound. Specifically, the legislation prevents all sediments that contain any constituents prohibited as other than trace contaminants, as defined by Federal regulations, from being dumped into either Long Island Sound or Block Island Sound. Exceptions to the act can be made only in circumstances where the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shows that the material will not cause undesirable effects to the environment or marine life. Last fall, the U.S. Navy dumped over 1 million cubic yards of dredged material from the Thames River into the New London dump site located in the sound. Independent tests of this sediment indicated that contaminants were present in that dredged material that now lies at the bottom of the sound's New London dump site-contaminants such as dioxin, cadmium, pesticides, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, PCB's, and mercury. Right now, there is a question as to the long-term impact this material will have on the aquatic life and the environment in this area. Such concerns should not have to occur. It has taken years to come as far as we have in cleaning up Long Island Sound--we should not jeopardize those gains by routinely allowing the dumping of polluted sediments in these waters. Over $1.2 billion in Federal, State, and local funds have been spent in the State of New York in the last quarter century combating pollution in the sound. However, over the last 25 years, we have continued to look the other way when it comes to dumping in the sound. Such actions are counterproductive in our efforts to restore the Sound for recreational activities such as swimming and boating as well as the economic benefits of sport fishing and the shellfish industry all of which bring more than $5.5 billion to the region each year. We can and must change our current direction. With the passage of this legislation, I am confident that we will do so, and the Long Island Sound will move forward on the road to recovery. I urge my colleagues to join us in cosponsoring this bill, and I encourage its swift passage in the Senate. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. D'AMATO

Mr. D'AMATO. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce legislation along with Senator Moynihan and Senator Faircloth that will help guarantee that one of our Nation's most important estuaries is no longer used as a dumping ground for polluted dredged material. Long Island Sound is a spectacular body of water located between Long Island, NY and the State of Connecticut. Unfortunately, dumping of dredged material of questionable environmental impact has occurred in the sound for a number of years. It is high time that Congress put an end to this practice of willful pollution of the Sound. The legislation that we are introducing today will prevent any individual or any Government agency from randomly dumping sediments into the ecologically sensitive sound. Specifically, the legislation prevents all sediments that contain any constituents prohibited as other than trace contaminants, as defined by Federal regulations, from being dumped into either Long Island Sound or Block Island Sound. Exceptions to the act can be made only in circumstances where the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shows that the material will not cause undesirable effects to the environment or marine life. Last fall, the U.S. Navy dumped over 1 million cubic yards of dredged material from the Thames River into the New London dump site located in the sound. Independent tests of this sediment indicated that contaminants were present in that dredged material that now lies at the bottom of the sound's New London dump site-contaminants such as dioxin, cadmium, pesticides, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, PCB's, and mercury. Right now, there is a question as to the long-term impact this material will have on the aquatic life and the environment in this area. Such concerns should not have to occur. It has taken years to come as far as we have in cleaning up Long Island Sound--we should not jeopardize those gains by routinely allowing the dumping of polluted sediments in these waters. Over $1.2 billion in Federal, State, and local funds have been spent in the State of New York in the last quarter century combating pollution in the sound. However, over the last 25 years, we have continued to look the other way when it comes to dumping in the sound. Such actions are counterproductive in our efforts to restore the Sound for recreational activities such as swimming and boating as well as the economic benefits of sport fishing and the shellfish industry all of which bring more than $5.5 billion to the region each year. We can and must change our current direction. With the passage of this legislation, I am confident that we will do so, and the Long Island Sound will move forward on the road to recovery. I urge my colleagues to join us in cosponsoring this bill, and I encourage its swift passage in the Senate. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. D'AMATO. Mr. President, I rise today to cosponsor the Multifamily Assisted Housing Reform and Affordability Act of 1996. I wish to thank my colleagues, Senators Connie Mack and Kit Bond, for their outstanding efforts in crafting and advancing this vitally important piece of legislation to restructure the Department of Housing and Urban Development's [HUD] Federal Housing Administration [FHA] insured and section 8 assisted multifamily housing portfolio. Also,I would like to thank Senator Bennett for his diligence in confronting the complex issues surrounding our federal multifamily housing programs. Mr. President, this legislation represents a significant step forward in addressing the complicated and vexing problem of the rising costs of HUD's section 8 assisted housing program. Over the course of the next several years, the costs of renewing expiring section 8 contracts at their current rent levels will skyrocket from $4.3 billion in fiscal year 1997 to $20 billion in fiscal year 2002--a figure which represents the entire existing HUD budget. This is the result of the expiration of long-term housing assistance contracts which were entered into 15 to 20 years ago. In addition, many of these contracts support projects with rents that are far higher than local market rents. While these rising costs are clearly significant and represent a formidable challenge, the expiration of these long-term contracts also presents us with an opportunity to address the oversubsidized and often inflated costs of the section 8 program. During the course of the past year, the Banking Committee has held hearings and has conducted an ongoing dialogue with residents, lenders, servicers, public officials and leading professionals within the housing community to find a consensus solution to the problems associated with the section 8 program. This legislation represents the culmination of that important effort. Mr. President, I would like to emphasize the guiding principles of this legislation: To contain the growth of the expanding costs of the section 8 program; to protect existing tenants; to maintain the existing stock of decent, safe and affordable housing for future needs; to remove bad owners and managers; to protect the FHA insurance fund and minimize the liability of the Federal taxpayer; and to provide for local control and flexibility while reducing HUD's administrative burden. This legislation seeks to: Reduce inflated contract rents to market- rate and budget-based rent levels; screen out bad owners, replace corrupt managers and encourage transfers to resident-supported nonprofit corporations; and provide must needed capital and facilitate private financing to address backlogged maintenance needs. This comprehensive approach will allow us to reduce the costs of the section 8 program while protecting the FHA insurance fund and minimizing the liability of the federal taxpayer. The outstanding debt on the oversubsidized portfolio would be restructured to reflect market rent levels. This debt restructuring would include the continuation of project-based subsidies as well as FHA multifamily insurance. This bill also addresses the significant tax dilemma which would be caused by debt restructuring. In order to avoid adverse tax consequences, a bifurcation of the mortgage into two separate obligations is proposed. The legislation recognizes the lack of capacity at HUD and seeks to maximize local control and flexibility in carrying out debt restructuring in order to reduce inflated rents. A preference would be provided to State and local housing finance agencies to oversee mortgage workouts. These public entities are ideally suited for this role and are already accountable to the public interest in their own jurisdictions. Also, residents of affected properties would be provided with input in a communitywide consultation process, and will be provided adequate notice, access to information, and an adequate time period for analysis and comment. In conclusion, let me reiterate my appreciation for my colleagues who made tremendous contributions to the effort to stem this impending crisis. As chairman of the Subcommittee on Housing Opportunity and Community Development, Senator Mack has charted a reasonable and rational course for us to follow. He has utilized a fair and bipartisan approach in the development of this legislation, and should be commended for his efforts. Also, Senator Bond, chairman of the Subcommittee on VA-HUD Appropriations and my fellow colleague on the Banking Committee, has been very instrumental in moving the process forward. Throughout, he has insisted on our continued federal commitment to providing affordable housing and the protection of the interests of existing low and moderate income tenants. I thank all members of the Banking Committee for their tireless efforts on behalf of affordable housing and look forward to pursuing our bipartisan commitment to resolving the HUD section 8 crisis as expeditiously as possible.

Mr. D'AMATO

Mr. D'AMATO. Mr. President, I rise today to cosponsor the Multifamily Assisted Housing Reform and Affordability Act of 1996. I wish to thank my colleagues, Senators Connie Mack and Kit Bond, for their outstanding efforts in crafting and advancing this vitally important piece of legislation to restructure the Department of Housing and Urban Development's [HUD] Federal Housing Administration [FHA] insured and section 8 assisted multifamily housing portfolio. Also,I would like to thank Senator Bennett for his diligence in confronting the complex issues surrounding our federal multifamily housing programs. Mr. President, this legislation represents a significant step forward in addressing the complicated and vexing problem of the rising costs of HUD's section 8 assisted housing program. Over the course of the next several years, the costs of renewing expiring section 8 contracts at their current rent levels will skyrocket from $4.3 billion in fiscal year 1997 to $20 billion in fiscal year 2002--a figure which represents the entire existing HUD budget. This is the result of the expiration of long-term housing assistance contracts which were entered into 15 to 20 years ago. In addition, many of these contracts support projects with rents that are far higher than local market rents. While these rising costs are clearly significant and represent a formidable challenge, the expiration of these long-term contracts also presents us with an opportunity to address the oversubsidized and often inflated costs of the section 8 program. During the course of the past year, the Banking Committee has held hearings and has conducted an ongoing dialogue with residents, lenders, servicers, public officials and leading professionals within the housing community to find a consensus solution to the problems associated with the section 8 program. This legislation represents the culmination of that important effort. Mr. President, I would like to emphasize the guiding principles of this legislation: To contain the growth of the expanding costs of the section 8 program; to protect existing tenants; to maintain the existing stock of decent, safe and affordable housing for future needs; to remove bad owners and managers; to protect the FHA insurance fund and minimize the liability of the Federal taxpayer; and to provide for local control and flexibility while reducing HUD's administrative burden. This legislation seeks to: Reduce inflated contract rents to market- rate and budget-based rent levels; screen out bad owners, replace corrupt managers and encourage transfers to resident-supported nonprofit corporations; and provide must needed capital and facilitate private financing to address backlogged maintenance needs. This comprehensive approach will allow us to reduce the costs of the section 8 program while protecting the FHA insurance fund and minimizing the liability of the federal taxpayer. The outstanding debt on the oversubsidized portfolio would be restructured to reflect market rent levels. This debt restructuring would include the continuation of project-based subsidies as well as FHA multifamily insurance. This bill also addresses the significant tax dilemma which would be caused by debt restructuring. In order to avoid adverse tax consequences, a bifurcation of the mortgage into two separate obligations is proposed. The legislation recognizes the lack of capacity at HUD and seeks to maximize local control and flexibility in carrying out debt restructuring in order to reduce inflated rents. A preference would be provided to State and local housing finance agencies to oversee mortgage workouts. These public entities are ideally suited for this role and are already accountable to the public interest in their own jurisdictions. Also, residents of affected properties would be provided with input in a communitywide consultation process, and will be provided adequate notice, access to information, and an adequate time period for analysis and comment. In conclusion, let me reiterate my appreciation for my colleagues who made tremendous contributions to the effort to stem this impending crisis. As chairman of the Subcommittee on Housing Opportunity and Community Development, Senator Mack has charted a reasonable and rational course for us to follow. He has utilized a fair and bipartisan approach in the development of this legislation, and should be commended for his efforts. Also, Senator Bond, chairman of the Subcommittee on VA-HUD Appropriations and my fellow colleague on the Banking Committee, has been very instrumental in moving the process forward. Throughout, he has insisted on our continued federal commitment to providing affordable housing and the protection of the interests of existing low and moderate income tenants. I thank all members of the Banking Committee for their tireless efforts on behalf of affordable housing and look forward to pursuing our bipartisan commitment to resolving the HUD section 8 crisis as expeditiously as possible.

Mr. D'AMATO

Mr. D'AMATO. Mr. President, I yield 5 minutes to the Senator from Texas.

Mr. D'AMATO. Mr. President, I yield Senator Abraham 5 minutes.

Mr. D'AMATO. If the Senator would like to be yielded 10 minutes, why don't we start, instead of just talking about it.

Mr. D'AMATO. We are running a little behind. We would appreciate it if you could keep it--

Mr. D'AMATO. Mr. President, I yield 5 minutes to the Senator from Georgia, Mr. Coverdell.

Mr. D'AMATO

Mr. D'AMATO. Mr. President, I yield myself 5 minutes.

Mr. D'AMATO. Mr. President, let me reflect, if I might, not only on the economy but more particularly as to the impact, the adverse impact that the brutal welfare program--brutal, one that entraps people--has had on this country. It has not been beneficial. We have seen welfare spending move from approximately $29 billion in 1980 to something in the area of $128 billion today. Incredible. This is a program that was intended to help people temporarily, those people who were disabled, those people who, through no fault of their own, found themselves without a job. The lessons of history, confirmed by the evidence immediately before me, show conclusively that continued dependence upon relief induces a spiritual and moral disintegration fundamentally destructive to the national fiber. To dole out relief in this way is to administer a narcotic, a subtle destroyer of the human spirit. It is in violation of the traditions of America. Mr. President, those were the words spoken by Franklin Delano Roosevelt when President Roosevelt gave his second annual message to the people on January 4, 1935. Indeed, how prophetic; 60 years later we see his admonition that where welfare becomes a long-term program, it is fundamentally destructive to the national fiber, and that it is a narcotic to the human spirit, and it is a violation of the traditions of America. That is exactly what the welfare programs have done to this country. And let me say, as difficult as is the political process of campaigns and elections, thank God it is an election year; there is one good thing that has come about, and that is welfare reform. Let me also suggest that without there having been a Republican Congress pushing, working, challenging, there is no way that we would have had any opportunity to pass a bill. And to those who are critical of the reform, let me say that no bill is perfect, but to continue business as usual, as if all is well, would have been a kind of conspiracy, a conspiracy to continue to keep our people on that narcotic. Absolutely not acceptable. I have to tell you, if you want to get this economy going, then we have to give educational opportunity a helping hand and move people who have become dependent, dependent upon that welfare narcotic, that drug, that drug that President Roosevelt warned us about, off of the welfare rolls into a system of work. To those of my colleagues who have legitimate concerns that there may be some imperfections, we will deal with those. We have the ability to fix them. We have the ability to make the bill a better bill. But to do nothing, to sit back, to languish in the bureaucracy of entrapping people, keeping people from meeting the opportunities that this country has of freedom, real freedom, freedom to participate, freedom to undertake a challenge, is morally destructive and is wrong. This change is long overdue. So if there this is anything good that comes from those elections and the partisanship back and forth and the bickering, I say this welfare reform, in my mind, would never have taken place--never, never have taken place were it not for this election. Mr. President, I am pleased to have worked for this program. Workfare, not welfare, is long overdue. Mr. President, I yield to the Senator from New Hampshire for 5 minutes.

Mr. D'AMATO. I yield 10 minutes to the Senator from New Hampshire.

Mr. D'AMATO

Mr. D'AMATO. Thank you, Mr. President. Tonawanda, NY, is home to seven sites that are on the Department of Energy's Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program [FUSRAP] list. Four of these sites-- Ashland 1, Ashland 2, Seaway Industrial Park and Linde Air Products-- are collectively known as the Tonawanda Site. The Tonawanda site is a legacy of the Manhattan Project and contains approximately 350,000 cubic yards of radioactive waste. For 18 years, the Department of Energy has engaged in study after study and has spent over $20 million to determine how to permanently dispose of this waste. There is no support for Tonawanda's 80,000 residents for siting this waste within the town. For 50 years they have had to endure this waste and the blight it has cast upon their town. They are sick of it and they want it gone.

Mr. D'AMATO. Mr. President, the Department of Energy has indicated that moving this waste will be expensive, however, we are not aware of any fixed price of what it would cost to remove, transport and dispose of this waste. We do not know if a business, operating in the open market, can present a reasonable, competitive bid. We do not know because no bids have been put forth by the Department that would determine the private sector's ability to manage this waste. Hence, the waste remains where it is, the studies continue and the citizens of Tonawanda grow frustrated.

Mr. D'AMATO. I thank my friend from New Mexico for his indulgence.

Mr. D'AMATO. Mr. President, I wonder if the chairman will yield for a moment.

Mr. D'AMATO

Mr. D'AMATO. Mr. President, I rise today to speak on behalf of the Baldwin Fire Department as they gear up to celebrate 100 years of volunteer fire service to Baldwin, NY. Baldwin was a small hamlet in 1896 when, on a cold January night, the general store at its center caught fire after a kerosene lantern was dropped. The neighboring Freeport volunteers were summoned to save the surrounding buildings. Shortly thereafter a group of civic leaders met to organize fire protection in and for Baldwin. A committee was formed to raise funds and the department was officially organized on February 8. Initial equipment was purchased for $680 and the department went into service in April of 1896. There were 40 volunteers who were required to pay $3.90 each for their uniforms which consist of a cap, a white sweater lettered ``Baldwin'' and a belt. At that time the alarm was a railroad locomotive wheel rim hung from two poles and rung by a large sledgehammer. John H. Carl served as chief for the first 4 years. After 2 years, a permanent firehouse was built and a proper alarm bell was installed. The department had strong support from the community and the mortgage on this firehouse was paid off in May 1905. Since those humble beginnings, the Baldwin Fire Department has kept pace with firefighting techniques and developments and attained its present size of 226 members among its seven companies. The present apparatus consists of seven pumpers, two tower ladders, one heavy rescue truck, two ambulances, two water rescue boats on trailers, and four chief's vehicles. In 1995 this all-volunteer fire and rescue service responded to 1,783 alarms. Currently it is led by Chief James Bugler. His deputy chiefs are John Coughlin, Keith Eckels, and Henry Chambers. Gary Eckels serves as chief of fire prevention, as public information officer, and as a fire commissioner. One of the biggest events ever held in Baldwin will take place on Saturday, August 10, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Baldwin Fire Department. The day will begin with some lively firefighter competitions. Later in the day a centennial parade will be led by the U.S. Marine Corps Band, followed by the world famous Budweiser Clydesdales, thousands of firefighters, hundreds of fire trucks, and many other participants. This will truly be a once-in-a- lifetime event; a celebration of life, good works, and community spirit which has been displayed by the Baldwin Fire Department over 100 years of change. Many pieces have been woven together over the years to bring us to this great day; a day of celebration, a day to salute all of those who have given of their very selves to better community, to better America. Mr. President, I salute the brave men and women of the Baldwin Fire Department and wish them many more years of continued success.

Mr. D'AMATO

Mr. D'AMATO. Seventy percent of the cocaine in the streets of America come right through the passageway from Mexico that the Senator has described.

Mr. D'AMATO. Mr. President, let me first say that I want to commend the manager of this bill, the distinguished Senator from Kentucky, for his leadership and his courage in saying clearly that the United States does stand up for those who are oppressed, that we have the courage to look at facts as they are, as discomforting as they may be, and sometimes painful for people to recognize. We have become a world so interested in commercial advantage that we look aside. We make believe things are not happening. Sometimes it is not pleasant to acknowledge that there is evil, that there are people that we know, governments that we do business with that are involved in perpetuating evil. The killing of innocent human beings, killing them, imprisoning people, terrorizing them, depriving them of their most basic fundamental freedoms that are important. And if we just continue business as usual with them, as if all is well, because we may be commercially advantaged, then I suggest to you that we are betraying the greatness and the heritage of this country. We betray the principles on which so many have laid down their lives for our freedom and the freedom of others. That principle, when we have adhered to it, has always inured to the benefit of mankind and, more particularly, the benefit of our citizens here, not just the people who we have stood up for abroad. Our history is replete with the times in which we have stood nobly and fought for freedom, and the times we have stepped aside and looked and allowed a petty dictator to terrorize his people on the altar of political expedience. We have contributed to many of the nations who fall under totalitarian domination, because we did business as if nothing was wrong with petty dictators. We condoned, in essence, their actions. This is an opportunity for us to do what is right and to stand for people who are oppressed. No one has brought this to the table in a more eloquent way than the senior Senator from New York, Senator Moynihan, who has pointed out very clearly that those people who are fighting for freedom, who are there and being oppressed, say, ``Don't believe this nonsense that if you cut off doing business, you are going to be hurting the average citizen, because you are not because the government that is in control now, the junta, the dictatorship, will use those funds for their own purposes, and no real economic benefit will come to the people.'' So I hope that we will continue to maintain the beacon of freedom and that we will support the chairman's mark.

Mr. D'AMATO. Does the Senator really believe that the number of outstanding requests, 99 criminals, have been identified and indicted?

Mr. D'AMATO. Is it not true that there has only been one Mexican- national who has been extradited to this country out of all of those requested?

Mr. D'AMATO. That person was a child molester. It was right to send him here. But none of the others who have been indicted for murder or drug dealing--have any of them at all been extradited?

Mr. D'AMATO. With drug money?

Mr. D'AMATO. Will the Senator yield?