Pete Domenici

Mr. DOMENICI

Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, ``Just as houses are made of stones, so is science made of facts; but a pile of stones is not a house and a collection of facts is not necessarily science.'' For the past 8 years I have questioned numerous collections of facts put out by the Environmental Protection Agency in the name of science and I have found sound science has been left out of the regulation equation too often. A prime example is the new arsenic standards in drinking water proposed last week. This new standard dramatically reduces the arsenic level allowable in drinking water from 50 parts per billion (ppb) to 10 ppb, a reduction of 80 percent. I believe it is essential to protect and ensure the safety of our nation's water supply and to uphold the principles and goals set forth in the Safe Drinking Water Act, but these standards were not based on sound science and there is no proof that they will increase health benefits. They were put into effect because it was the politically expedient thing to do. That is why at this time I am introducing this bill which would terminate the effectiveness of these new drinking water standards. The amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act required the standards for arsenic in drinking water be changed by January 1st of this year. Because the proposed rule was issued late, I cosponsored an amendment to the VA HUD appropriations bill giving EPA a 6-month extension. This amendment was later signed into law, but was ignored by the agency. There was much controversy and debate surrounding the appropriate level for the new standard. The EPA's Science Advisory Board expressed unanimous support for reducing the current standard, but varied considerably on the appropriate level. Both the EPA and the National Academy of Sciences National Research Council acknowledged more health studies were needed to evaluate what potential health benefits, if any, would likely result from this lower standard. Arsenic is naturally occurring in my home state. In fact, New Mexico has some of the highest levels of arsenic in the nation, yet has a lower than average incidence of the diseases associated with arsenic. I have not seen any reasonable data in support of increased health benefits from these lower standards. I have only seen a collection of facts from studies conducted outside of the United States. Under these new standards states such as New Mexico, are going to be required to revise water treatment facilities at a significant cost to the general public. Such costs should not be incurred unless sufficient scientific information exists in support of the new standard. The New Mexico Environment Department estimates this new standard will affect approximately 25 percent of New Mexico's water systems, with the price for compliance between $400,000,000 and $500,000,000 in initial capital expenditures. Annual operating costs will easily fall anywhere between $16,000,000 and $21,000,000. Additionally, large water system users will see an average water bill increase between $38 and $42 and small system users will see an average water bill increase of $91. The cost of complying with this new standard could well put small rural systems out of business, which is the exact opposite of what we should be trying to accomplish--providing a safe and reliable supply of drinking water to rural America. Again, I believe that science is made of facts and I don't believe we have enough facts here to determine if there will be increased health benefits from the change in these standards. I see unintended consequences resulting from well intentioned motives. We should study this issue here in the United States and then take our best data and formulate standards that are scientifically sound. I ask unanimous consent that the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. DOMENICI

Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, ``Just as houses are made of stones, so is science made of facts; but a pile of stones is not a house and a collection of facts is not necessarily science.'' For the past 8 years I have questioned numerous collections of facts put out by the Environmental Protection Agency in the name of science and I have found sound science has been left out of the regulation equation too often. A prime example is the new arsenic standards in drinking water proposed last week. This new standard dramatically reduces the arsenic level allowable in drinking water from 50 parts per billion (ppb) to 10 ppb, a reduction of 80 percent. I believe it is essential to protect and ensure the safety of our nation's water supply and to uphold the principles and goals set forth in the Safe Drinking Water Act, but these standards were not based on sound science and there is no proof that they will increase health benefits. They were put into effect because it was the politically expedient thing to do. That is why at this time I am introducing this bill which would terminate the effectiveness of these new drinking water standards. The amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act required the standards for arsenic in drinking water be changed by January 1st of this year. Because the proposed rule was issued late, I cosponsored an amendment to the VA HUD appropriations bill giving EPA a 6-month extension. This amendment was later signed into law, but was ignored by the agency. There was much controversy and debate surrounding the appropriate level for the new standard. The EPA's Science Advisory Board expressed unanimous support for reducing the current standard, but varied considerably on the appropriate level. Both the EPA and the National Academy of Sciences National Research Council acknowledged more health studies were needed to evaluate what potential health benefits, if any, would likely result from this lower standard. Arsenic is naturally occurring in my home state. In fact, New Mexico has some of the highest levels of arsenic in the nation, yet has a lower than average incidence of the diseases associated with arsenic. I have not seen any reasonable data in support of increased health benefits from these lower standards. I have only seen a collection of facts from studies conducted outside of the United States. Under these new standards states such as New Mexico, are going to be required to revise water treatment facilities at a significant cost to the general public. Such costs should not be incurred unless sufficient scientific information exists in support of the new standard. The New Mexico Environment Department estimates this new standard will affect approximately 25 percent of New Mexico's water systems, with the price for compliance between $400,000,000 and $500,000,000 in initial capital expenditures. Annual operating costs will easily fall anywhere between $16,000,000 and $21,000,000. Additionally, large water system users will see an average water bill increase between $38 and $42 and small system users will see an average water bill increase of $91. The cost of complying with this new standard could well put small rural systems out of business, which is the exact opposite of what we should be trying to accomplish--providing a safe and reliable supply of drinking water to rural America. Again, I believe that science is made of facts and I don't believe we have enough facts here to determine if there will be increased health benefits from the change in these standards. I see unintended consequences resulting from well intentioned motives. We should study this issue here in the United States and then take our best data and formulate standards that are scientifically sound. I ask unanimous consent that the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. DOMENICI

Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I hereby submit to the Senate the budget scorekeeping report prepared by the Congressional Budget Office under Section 308(b) and in aid of Section 311 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, as amended. This report meets the requirements for Senate scorekeeping of Section 5 of S. Con. Res. 32, the First Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for 1986. This report shows the effects of congressional action on the 2001 budget through January 24, 2001. The estimates of budget authority, outlays, and revenues are consistent with the technical and economic assumptions of the 2001 Concurrent Resolution on the Budget (H. Con. Res. 290). The estimates show that current level spending is above the budget resolution by $33.9 billion in budget authority and by $21.8 billion in outlays. Current level is $14.1 billion above the revenue floor in 2001. This is my first report for fiscal year 2001, and my first report for the first session of the 107th Congress. U.S. Congress, Congressional Budget Office, Washington, DC, January 25, 2001. Hon. Pete V. Domenici, Chairman, Committee on the Budget, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Chairman: The enclosed tables show the effects of Congressional action on the 2001 budget and are current through January 24, 2001. This report is submitted under section 308(b) and in aid of section 311 of the Congressional Budget Act, as amended. The estimates of budget authority, outlays, and revenues are consistent with the technical and economic assumptions of H. Con. Res. 290, the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2001. This is my first report for the fiscal year. Sincerely, Barry B. Anderson (For Dan L. Crippen, Director). Enclosures.

Mr. DOMENICI

Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, for the Senators present and for my friend from New Mexico who might want to speak next, I do not think I will use more than 10 minutes. First, let me say it is a pleasure seeing you in the Chair. For a number of years, obviously, when it was not 50/50 and we were in control, we did not see you there very often. Now we will and it is really a pleasure. I am hopeful that sometime when we have some difficult matters you might be there because your sense of parliamentary procedure is very good from what I can tell and it helps the whole Senate. Mr. President, today on the floor is the Senator from West Virginia, the Senator from Alaska, and two Senators from New Mexico. It is rather interesting because I choose today to spend my time talking about a very serious crisis that Gale Norton can help us with. The American people are just finding out that we have an energy crisis of serious proportions. We are on the Budget Committee and we will be talking about grave matters, such as Dr. Greenspan's statement about the surplus being so big and how we ought to start giving back to the people. You, Mr. President, sat in attendance and listened for 4 hours when he testified, without a recess. The most important thing in our society is the energy that moves every American's daily life. From the automobiles they drive, the houses they own, the ironing boards they use, the electric washing machines, and, yes, even the industry down the road, be it little or big, all use energy. I was on this floor way back when we had a big natural gas crisis. The Senator might remember it. It was one of the few times the Democrats told a Senator who was postcloture filibustering a natural gas bill to sit down. Even back then there was great fear that industries in America might not have enough natural gas for the 24-hour shift that they were on. It was amazing. One of the Senators who objected most to deregulating natural gas--and for those hearing the word ``deregulation,'' this is not deregulation like California deregulating the energy industry. This was deregulation in the sense of the marketplace determining whether they drilled for natural gas and what price was received. It was important back then. Today America has more coal than Saudi Arabia has oil. What is happening? We have not built a coal-burning powerplant in America for I do not know how long, yet the last five we built were all natural gas. There are 20-some plants in California and almost all of them are natural gas. They do not make us work at trying to fix the Clean Air Act and expand technology in order to make exchanges that will permit us to use what energy we own. We have become so frightened about nuclear power. Nuclear power does not have to be a nemesis to coal. America needs a diversity of energy. In the area of clean coal, we tried to put money into it, we even advanced appropriated money for clean coal technology because it was so important. I was here when it was done. I shared with the Senator in the Chair when he said: Why don't we do that? I said: Let's do that. I was not the only one, but we all did that. Even with that, we are so timid matching up the environment with the energy needs of America, and we never come down on the side of energy. It is amazing: New rules, new regulations, new ideas about conservation, but never has one of those issues come down in the last decade on the basis of how much energy are we losing. This energy crisis is so severe and this President will set about to solve it in a very extraordinary way. The Secretary of the Interior, whom we are about to confirm, will be part of solving that problem; not all of it, but part of it. Why? Because on the public domain lands owned by Americans is more of the resources for energy than on any other properties in America. The Senate ought to know that on the basic properties that we own in the West in the public domain, there is more natural gas than we ever thought existed. There are some who say we have 20, 30, 40 times more than we need. We know for sure that in the past 8 years, the Secretary of the Interior, a wonderful, nice man who got along well with all of us, succeeded in taking lands out of possible production. The potential of drilling a natural gas well, according to the experts, are enough to produce 20 times what we are using per year now. That is a lot. What if it was 10 times as much? That would be great. It means that much is there and we ought to get it. What is this Secretary going to be doing? She is going to be part of what I am sure this President is going to do, and that is to task more than one Department to be concerned about energy. He has to task the Interior Department to begin to make decisions based on our energy future. He is also going to task the energy Secretary to get on board as well. In my opinion, he will even task the Director of the Environmental Protection Agency to do the same. Nobody thinks of that as part of our energy solution, but it is a huge potential. They have not been making decisions because nobody has yet asked them to. When you are making something and you are balancing pluses and minuses, you have to consider energy at each of these Departments in their major decisions. We need an energy policy quickly that will let us have the kind of energy supply that America needs to stay on the path of prosperity. This kind of prosperity will cease if our companies do not get the electricity they need, if those who travel the roads and sell their products do not get electricity, if those who are building new small businesses in the high-tech area which use a lot of electricity do not get what they need, from where is this prosperity going to come? I am here today because I think it is the right time in history to change Secretaries of the Interior. The public had an election. They elected a Republican, and that means we are going to change the Secretary of the Interior from Mr. Babbitt, a nice man--I like him--to Gale Norton. I hope she is confirmed. She is entitled to the job. We have probably never had a candidate for that job who is better educated or qualified in the areas of her jurisdiction than this lady. She is not going to be a fool. She is not going to do things in any extraordinary way to cause the people to say: She is forgetting about the environment. You count on it. She is just going to say some of the things we have been doing in the name of conservation are not needed for the environment. We can change them and produce more natural gas for America. I am not talking only about ANWR because I do not think ANWR is a policy, it is part of a policy. It is part of looking at the public domain of America and asking, considering the nature of America's energy crisis now and for the next 25 or 30 years, can we preserve the environment? Can we produce energy and supply basic energy to help America continue to be the strongest nation on Earth militarily and economically? It is interesting because I could say almost the same thing about Christine Todd Whitman, the Environmental Protection Agency Administrator nominee. I know that she is not going to be able to exclusively consider environmental matters with total disregard for any cost benefit as it pertains to reasonable costs of energy. That cannot continue. The heyday of that is gone as America tries to find a way to have energy so we can be powerful and prosper and have good jobs and good paychecks. That is why I think Gale Norton should be confirmed overwhelmingly. There are some in this country who want to ``put another Secretary Babbitt in office,'' and they are angry because this is not another ``Secretary of the Interior Babbitt.'' As I said in confirmation hearings to Gale Norton: If you told the committee you would do everything like Secretary Babbitt, this Senator would not be voting for you because this is the time for a change. Actually, we do not need more of the last 8 years. We need somebody who will bring balance so we will not have the kind of crisis that is occurring in California and all over America. I want to close by saying I am very confident that our new President, together with these new Cabinet members will not hide from the facts. I know they will continue telling America that we must do some things differently if we want to have a vibrant country. We have a lot of energy sources in this country there at our disposal and we can preserve this country's magnificence--the beauty of our parks and the like--while still producing energy for the American people. I was very proud, as I listened to Gale Norton answering some of the accusations made against her. I also read about other accusations, such as the Summitville mining disaster in Colorado. Actually, she had more to do with trying to solve the Summitville crisis. Yet, that was put up as some reason for us voting against her. Some talked about the Rocky Mountain Arsenal and Rocky Flats cleanup in Colorado. Actually, when it is all boiled down and you look at her record, she did a lot to help move that along. Incidentally, it is the best project we have of the seven on-going in the United States in terms of nuclear cleanup. We still have two or three big ones in California and the Carolinas, and we are not sure when we will ever clean them up. So I close today. I put all the details about her background in the Record. Today, I have just chosen to say a few words about why she is going to be the right person on a team that will help move us in the right direction on energy. I do not think within the next 6 months to a year we are going to be short of good, positive ideas from this administration. I think they will come. I do not think we will be frightened by any of these ideas. To reiterate, I support the nomination of Gale Norton as the new Secretary of Interior. She has extensive legal, regulatory, state and federal government experience which duly qualifies her to serve as Secretary of a department as diverse as Interior. The Interior Department has a broad mission which includes responsibility for the internal development of the nation and the welfare of its people. It's broad coverage includes managing parks, water issues, basic responsibilities for American Indians, public lands management, and the rational exploration of our wilderness areas in balance with preserving our nation's resources. Gale Norton has worked for over 20 years on environmental and federal land issues. She has demonstrated her commitment to a safe and clean environment by bringing all parties together in an effort to find solutions to these complex issues. She has proven herself as a negotiator, a skilled legal mind and a defender of the law. She exemplifies the qualities of a consensus builder, not a divider. The issues arising in these areas are some of the most complex and contentious and require a leader who can balance the various competing interests. Gale Norton has repeatedly demonstrated that she is this type of leader. One example of Gale Norton's consensus building leadership is exemplified in her handling of western water issues. She has led efforts to bring together state water users, federal agencies, and Indian tribes to settle water use disputes. In particular, during the Romer-Schoettler process that led to the development of the Colorado Ute Settlement Act Amendments of 2000, which recently passed Congress, Gale Norton worked to ensure that the water rights settlement with the two Colorado Ute Indian Tribes would be fulfilled in a way that would respect existing water uses and the social fabric of the area. This included balancing a variety of interests including that of current users and the Ute tribes while looking out for potential development and considering the needs of endangered species. Ms. Norton honored Colorado's commitments to both the Tribes and the non-Indians living and working in Southwest Colorado and Northwest New Mexico. She worked through a very contentious issue looking for consensus and reasonable solutions. Ms. Norton has mentioned the priority the new administration intends to place on American Indian issues. I commend her on her past efforts related to these issues, such as her role in the Animas La-Plata project, and I look forward to working with the new administration on American Indian issues. Ms. Norton has had other extensive experience with western water issues. She has actively participated in the negotiation, litigation, and settlement of multi-state compact claims and has dealt with other complex water issues including federal reservation rights, interstate water use, and the balance between water rights protection for states and preservation of endangered species. Gale Norton has successfully balanced environmental concerns while being sensitive to businesses and other citizens whose interests are at stake. Ms. Norton created an environmental crimes task force to prosecute the most flagrant polluters. She played a leading role in the cleanup of numerous sites in Colorado to protect the environment and ensure its preservation for future generations. Ms. Norton has always worked to find innovative ways to protect the environment. While at Stanford she researched ``emissions trading'' approaches, like those adopted in the Clean Air Act, that created market based incentives for businesses to reduce emissions. The Colorado ``audit law'' that Gale Norton supported achieved better environmental protection by encouraging early and full identification of environmental problems and, most importantly, long term solutions. Ms. Norton is committed to enforcing the law and has a record of bipartisan cooperation and negotiation. Additionally, Ms. Norton understands the importance of the relationship between States and the federal government and has proven her ability to negotiate with both. She has worked towards finding innovative solutions to environmental problems, while at the same time working towards the goals advocated by interested parties. She understands that these issues are important to a variety of people and will work to ensure that all competing interests are balanced within existing laws. I am convinced that Interior needs this type of balanced leadership, and needs that leadership today. I look forward to working with Gale Norton as the new Secretary of Interior and it is my strong recommendation that the Senate move quickly to approve her nomination. Mr. BINGAMAN addressed the Chair.

Mr. DOMENICI

Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I rise today in strong support of Governor Tommy G. Thompson, the nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services. I am extremely pleased with President Bush's choice to be the next Secretary of Health and Human Services because I believe Governor Thompson's extensive background will bring a fresh approach to an agency that has a history of underachievement. Unfortunately, the Department of Health and Human Services, HHS, has far too often operated with a Washington knows best mentality, instead of taking into account what a state or local community might actually need. As a former Governor, Secretary Thompson, will bring an invaluable wealth of experience to HHS and more importantly the practical experience of having confronted and addressed the unique problems and needs that arise at the local level. Governor Thompson has gained a reputation for his innovative approaches to implementing Welfare and Medicaid reform during his tenure as the Governor of Wisconsin. Moreover, during that time he dealt with the Health Care Financing Administration, HCFA, on a regular basis and I believe that experience will serve him well, as he also knows first hand the frustrations shared by many Members of Congress in dealing with HCFA. While Governor, he completely overhauled Wisconsin's Welfare system and reduced welfare rolls by 93 percent and additionally, he attempted to provide individuals with the tools to succeed by increasing subsidies for child care, health insurance, and job training. Governor Thompson also created Wisconsin's State Children's Health Insurance Program, SCHIP, ``BadgerCare'' and eighteen months ago the program became the first state in the nation to offer health coverage to the parents of eligible children. I also believe that New Mexico stands to benefit from the leadership of Secretary Thompson. For instance, HCFA has previously denied several waiver requests by the New Mexico Department of Human Services to obtain greater flexibility regarding the use of unspent SCHIP funds and I am hopeful Secretary Thompson will review any similar request submitted by New Mexico. I am also looking forward to working with Secretary Thompson on the issue of Medicare reimbursement disparity between states like New Mexico and the remainder of the country. Just last year Congress took a first step to address the issue by passing the ``Medicare Geographic Fair Payment Act of 2000.'' Specifically, the law raises the reimbursement rates for historically underpaid areas under the Medicare+Choice program. In closing, I think we all begin the 107th Congress with unlimited opportunities to improve our nation's health through a prescription drug benefit for Medicare, Medicare reform, and a continued commitment to medical research. I believe there is a lot of agreement on the need to emphasize these issues and I look forward to working with Secretary Thompson to address these important issues for not only New Mexico, but our country.

Mr. DOMENICI

Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I am pleased to have co-sponsored a bill to modernize our Nation's pipeline safety programs. The issue of our country's pipeline safety came to the forefront after tragic explosions in Bellingham, Washington, and later, in my own state of New Mexico. Just after midnight, August 19, 2000, an El Paso Natural Gas pipeline exploded on the Pecos River near Carlsbad, New Mexico. Twelve members of an extended family were camping near the explosion, which sent a 350 foot high ball of flame into the air. Six of the campers died instantly, and the remaining six later died from their horrific injuries. Pipelines carry nearly all of the natural gas and about 65 percent of the crude oil and refined oil products. Three primary types of pipelines form a network of nearly 2.2 million miles, 7,000 miles of which lie throughout New Mexico. Last Congress, the Senate unanimously passed similar legislation. Our colleagues in the other Chamber voiced serious concerns regarding that bill. Many of their criticisms related to the Office of Pipeline Safety, the Office within the Department of Transportation charged with keeping our Nation's pipelines safe. Unfortunately, the Office of Pipeline Safety has had a poor history of regulation and enforcement. It is true that the Office has traditionally been slow to act. That said, we should not allow a former executive agency's failures to dictate our failure to act in accordance with our legislative mandate. In that regard, I intend to discuss the issue with our current Secretary of Transportation nominee, Mr. Mineta. I am confident that he will address our concerns regarding the Office of Pipeline Safety's record of enforcement with the new Director of the Office when he or she is nominated by our new President. Mr. President, this bill; significantly increases States' role in oversight, inspection, and investigation of pipelines; improves and expands the public's right to know about pipeline hazards; dramatically increases civil penalties for safety and reporting violations from $25,000 to $500,000, and increases the maximum civil penalty for a related series of violations to $1 million; increases reporting requirements of releases of hazardous liquids from 50 barrels to five gallons; provides important whistle blower protections prohibiting discrimination by pipeline operators, contractors or subcontractors; furthermore, the legislation would provide much needed funding for research and development in pipeline safety technologies. In fact, technology currently exists that might have detected weaknesses in pipelines around Carlsbad. Unfortunately, due to insufficient funding for their products to reach the market; La Sen Corporation in my own State of New Mexico has developed technology that can detect faulty pipelines where current pipeline inspection technology is not useable. La Sen's Electronic Mapping system can be very effective even in pipelines where conventional pig devices cannot be used; pipeline inspection is costly and slow. Innovative new technologies could allow us to inspect all 2.2 million miles of pipeline each year in a cost effective manner. Today, pipeline inspection technology only covers 5- 10 miles per day at a cost of $50 per mile. Again, La Sen's technology can survey 500 miles per day at a cost of $32 per mile; ensuring the safety and integrity of our nation's pipelines is important to all of us.

Mr. DOMENICI

Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I rise today in strong support of Dr. Rod Paige, Secretary of Education. President George W. Bush has repeatedly emphasized the importance of education being a linchpin of America's future. Moreover, he has linked increased spending on education with real accountability that actually produces results. I think Ben Franklin may have put it best when he said, ``An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.'' I believe this because even on its best day the Federal government can never be a replacement for local administrators, educators, and parents. It is with this in mind that I am so pleased the nomination of Dr. Rod Paige is before us to be the next Secretary of Education. Dr. Paige is not a Washington bureaucrat, rather he is an accomplished educator and administrator who has actually served in the education trenches. Dr. Paige's recent tenure as the Superintendent of the Houston Independent School District provides him with the unique perspective of what is actually involved in running a local school district. Unfortunately, that is all too often not the case because Washington bureaucrats make the decisions affecting our students instead of local administrators. However, I would submit the practice of implementing a Washington based one size fits all approach is about to come to an end. As a former Superintendent, Dr. Paige, actually understands that every school district does not face the same set of problems and Washington does not know what is best. Rather it is the local parents, teachers, and administrators who know what the problems are as well as the solutions. I think it also interesting to note the breadth of Dr. Paige's experience in the field of education. Not only was he a school superintendent, but prior to assuming that role he served as a member and then later the president of the Houston School Board. Lest we forget the importance of higher education, Dr. Paige has also spent time as an administrator and teacher at Utica Junior College, Jackson State, and Texas Southern University. In fact, Dr. Paige served as the dean of the College of Education at Texas Southern prior to serving on the Houston School Board. I would also like to touch upon one final aspect of Dr. Paige's career and that is his time as a football coach. While the head football coach at Utica Junior College and Jackson State he was still a teacher of students, but instead of desks and a chalkboard he used the gridiron as his classroom. In closing, I think we all begin the 107th Congress with unlimited opportunities to improve our nation's educational system and among those opportunities is the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). I think there is a lot of agreement on the need for education reform conditioned upon accountability and I look forward to working with Secretary Paige to achieve those goals.

Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I'm very pleased to have strongly supported the nomination of Senator Spencer Abraham as Secretary of the Department of Energy. As all my colleagues are well aware, Senator Abraham has a distinguished record of leadership here in the Senate. He has demonstrated his initiative and willingness to pursue complex issues on countless occasions during his years of service in this body. Senator Abraham and I served together on the Senate Budget Committee, and I came to appreciate his insightful approach to the challenging tasks we faced in crafting the nation's budget. Through his work on the Budget Committee, Senator Abraham deserves a share of the credit for the wonderful progress towards balancing the federal budgets. From his public service in the State of Michigan, Senator Abraham has an in-depth understanding of the issues facing manufacturers and consumers, including their dependence on reliable, clean energy sources. He appreciates the immense role of the transportation sector in influencing significant parts of our energy policy. He has been one of the Senate's most knowledgeable members on subjects related to high-technology policies and the contributions that this important sector makes to America's economy and global success. While Senator Abraham has expressed concerns about the role of the Department of Energy in the past, I'm pleased to note that he carefully addressed his current views in his statement to the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. In that statement, he emphasized his support for the many important missions that comprise the portfolio of the Department of Energy. Service as the nation's Secretary of the Department of Energy is a challenge for any individual. The Department has a diverse set of missions, that sometimes seem to lack a coordinating thread. Management of this Department is truly a daunting assignment. National security and energy policy will present some of his largest challenges. In the national security area, he and Undersecretary John Gordon, Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration are responsible for all aspects of our nuclear stockpile and a wide range of non-proliferation programs. These two dimensions represent the two different major approaches to improved national security, minimizing threats that could jeopardize our peace and prosperity and insuring our ability to protect ourselves if necessary. Among many important areas, the NNSA must strive to rebuild morale at the weapons laboratories, develop a major infrastructure improvement initiative across the weapons complex, and address serious congressional concerns associated with faulty program management that has led in the recent past to large construction overruns such as the experience on the National Ignition Facility. In the non-proliferation area, transparency and accountability will remain serious issues as Congress evaluates the advisability of future funding for these vital programs. A comprehensive energy policy is urgently needed, although recovery from our current energy crisis will be anything but overnight. First we need the policy, then we need years of careful support to implement that policy--only then can we approach a greater degree of energy security than we face today. As I've outlined now on several occasions, I urge the President to create a multi-Agency approach to national energy policy, so that several key agencies evaluate their decisions in light of assuring our nation of energy security. And finally, the Secretary is responsible for a large fraction of the federal support for science and technology. The nation's scientific and engineering talents, and the high technology advances they've generated, are responsible for a large fraction of our economic strength. In recent years, Congress has started to increase funding in key areas of science and technology. The Secretary of the Department of Energy must organize his scientific programs to maximize their outputs and their contributions to our scientific understanding and economic security. His past experiences have prepared him very well for these fresh challenges. I look forward to working with Senator Spencer Abraham in this new role as Secretary of the Department of Energy and encourage all of my colleagues to do likewise.

Mr. DOMENICI

Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, recently Frank Hemingway came to Washington, D.C. to be a part of the 2001 Inaugural activities. A student from Onate High School in Las Cruces, New Mexico, he was the winner of the Character Counts Task Force Contest for area high school students. To win this contest, Mr. Hemingway was required to write an essay dealing with his experience with one of the Pillars of Character Counts. Character Counts is a grassroots effort in New Mexico and on the national front. The Character Counts initiative strives to promote, in all aspects of American life, six basic pillars of good character: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship. I have actively worked to support New Mexico schools and communities that have embraced this initiative. Mr. Hemingway chose to write his on the Responsibility Pillar, and how being responsible has changed his life. I commend Frank for his smart choices and hard word. Mr. President, I ask that his essay be printed in the Record following my remarks. The material was ordered to be printed in the Record. How Responsibility Changed My Life (By Frank Hemingway) ``Hey bud! want to go to the movies tonight? I've got some girls from across town going--I know I can get you a date.'' ``No, maybe later,'' I answered to a typical offer from one of my closest friends, ``It's a school night and I've got a report that I need to do before the big meet this weekend,'' I replied. Being responsible isn't always easy, but anything that's worth while rarely is. However, I know from experience that responsibility pays off. Responsibility is an active character trait--it is something that must be demonstrated rather than just an attribute that a person possesses. Being responsible means putting impulsive actions on hold and making good decisions based on sound judgment while keeping one's long term goals in mind and acting accordingly. Following this approach to responsibility has helped me maintain outstanding grades and become an emerging leader to my team and classmates. Everyone can and should be responsible to a certain degree and accountable for their actions. A responsible person is dependable, reliable, and trustworthy. Living with these traits has opened up numerous possibilities for me and helped me to further mature and become even more responsible. As a captain of my cross country team, I am responsible for my teammates to a certain extent although they are still responsible for themselves and we are all held accountable by our coach. For example, I am responsible for locking up the locker room and making sure that everyone knows about all practice times. I must be dependable and reliable to fulfill these duties and trustworthy so as not to abuse my authority. These actions, in turn, allow me to set a good example and be looked up to by my teammates as a positive role model. I have become confident in myself as a result of being responsible and have become able to handle additional responsibilities. I have increased my responsibility in my community resulting from my experiences in a team setting. I am often asked by my neighbors to take care of their houses and pets while they are on vacation. I have done this for time periods of up to five weeks! Doing this task takes discipline and self control in making sure that the necessary duties are completed without fail and whether or not I am in the mood for the job. Successful instances of responsibility within my community have led me to seek responsibility to my country. Having recently turned eighteen years old, I upheld my national responsibility to register with the Selective Service System and was eager in becoming a registered voter. I have learned that the significance of responsibility is that it grows proportionally in that small responsibilities soon lead to larger responsibilities, which is an essential part of growing up. The circumstances in life are always changing, by responsibility is always a good choice and responsibility has continually changed my life for the better.

Mr. DOMENICI

Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I rise today in strong support of M. Anthony Principi as Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Our Nation's veterans are important to all of us. From time and memorial, the men and women of our country's Armed Services have dedicated themselves to freedom and democracy. They have done far more than representing freedom, they have given themselves to the cause, fighting for those inalienable rights that many of us take for granted. There are 24.8 million veterans in the United States, 165,000 of which are in my own state of New Mexico. This means that all of us know a veteran. In fact, one out of every four men in the United States is a veteran, and there are 1.2 million female veterans. We must continue to work for the continued well-being of our veterans, as they are our mothers, fathers, grandmothers, and sons. Health care is important to all of us, and veterans are no exception. I have worked with other members of Congress to dramatically increase funding for veterans' health care. I know that more needs to be done for veterans and pledge myself to work for their interests. The head of the Department of Veterans Affairs will be presented with unique challenges. The Secretary must be pro-active and must have a comprehensive understanding of veterans' issues. In that vein, I am confident that Mr. Principi is the best person for the job. As a decorated Vietnam War veteran, Mr. Principi can intimately relate to veterans' special needs. Furthermore, he can fully appreciate the Department of Veterans Affairs after serving as Secretary and Deputy Secretary of the Department under the previous Bush Administration. Mr. Principi applied his pro-active attitude and experience when he ordered the creation of a registry to track medical conditions of Gulf War veterans. Furthermore, Mr. Principi chaired the bipartisan Congressional Commission on Military Service Members and Veterans Assistance under the previous Administration. The Department of Veterans Affairs has put forth significant effort in moving towards a ``One V-A'' in attempting to deliver seamless service to veterans. Yet, coordinating VA's various missions as technology advances remains just one challenge that Mr. Principi must address. Mr. Principi is a veteran. He has spent his life working for veterans. Mr. President, Anthony Principi is the best person to head the Department of Veterans Affairs. As Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Mr. Principi will surely be tested. I am confident that he will ace the test.

Mr. DOMENICI

Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, Mel Martinez has a great story. He is a self-made man who is destined to do great things. At age 15 he fled Cuba during the airlift of children known as Operation Pedro Pan. Although, he was alone, he would soon begin his American Dream. A graduate of Florida State University College of Law in 1973, Martinez joined an Orlando firm and practiced personal injury law. During his 25 years of law practice in Orlando, he was very involved in a variety of community activities. In 1984, he was appointed chairman of the Orlando Housing Authority by the mayor. He held this post for two years, later serving as president of the Orlando Utilities Commission. He also served as Chairman of Governor Jeb Bush's Growth Management Commission, declaring a moratorium on new residential projects in already-crowded school districts. In 1998, he was elected Orange County chairman. As the Chief Executive of a government, he was responsible for providing complete urban services to over 860,000 people. In this mayoral-like role, he advocated home ownership programs for low-income families and lowered property taxes. He concentrated on programs emphasizing public safety, growth management, the needs of children and families, clean neighborhoods, improved transportation, and the streamlining of government. As Secretary of HUD, Mr. Martinez, assumes the $30 billion budget, which faces a critical shortage of low-income properties and mid-income rentals. According to a recent HUD report, 5.4 million families pay more than 50 percent of their gross income for rent. Mr. President, I believe that Mel Martinez will be a great asset for HUD. Because of his life story, he will be able to handle the sensitive issues faced by this department. His story speaks for itself. From a child fleeing from Cuba, to a successful Chairman, he has created his success. Mr. President, it is with honor that I support Mel Martinez as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

Mr. DOMENICI

Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I rise today to offer my support to the nomination of Donald Rumsfeld as our Secretary of Defense. He will bring unparalleled experience, tremendous knowledge, and tactics of no fear to a daunting task. Let me briefly describe his task: As Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld will be charged with leading the world's most powerful military. The U.S. military is the most technologically advanced and best trained in the world. Today, no other nation would take us on head-to-head. But this is also a military machine that suffered years of neglect and misuse. Donald Rumsfeld will take charge after the peace dividend has long expired. The motto of doing ``more with less'' is no longer feasible. The fabric of our military forces is stretched so thin as to begin unraveling. While U.S. forces have continued to shrink in size, increased deployments and the corresponding operational tempo has eaten away at moral. Plummeting retention and recruitment appears to have been arrested for the time being, but without acknowledging this situation and turning the tide, our military might will wither. In 1975 Donald Rumsfeld had only 14 months to turn the tide before Jimmy Carter took the election in 1976. In reviewing his achievements in that short period, I believe the next four years hold great promise. I would also like to mention some of Donald Rumsfeld's most recent contributions to important national security issues. The Rumsfeld Commission's report in the summer of 1999 underscored the heightened threat and accelerated pace of missile programs in nations hostile to the United States. Within a month of the Report's release, North Korea proved Rumsfeld right. Donald Rumsfeld also headed the Commission to Assess United States National Security Space Management and Organization. The unanimous report of the Commission was released on January 11--just nine days ago. The Commission's findings will help inform and guide our national space policy in the coming years. On a more parochial note, Donald Rumsfeld also has a working cattle ranch in northern New Mexico. He and his wife, Joyce, spend many months a year there. He is known and admired by many in the local community. Knowing the beauty of El Prado as I do, I must say that he is sacrificing a great deal to take this job. But knowing Donald Rumsfeld also as I do, he's never shirked in performing his duty to this great nation. Donald Rumsfeld brings the necessary experience, leadership ability, and esteem to initiate needed changes, reinvigorate our military forces, and prepare them for the 21st century. As chairman of the Budget Committee and a member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, I look forward to working with Secretary Rumsfeld in meeting these challenges.

Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President I rise today to offer my unequivocal support for the nomination of General Colin Powell as our Secretary of State. Colin Powell's experience as a soldier, a public servant, and a civilian leader will serve him well in overcoming the challenges ahead. Americans should know that we could not ask for any person with better preparation, more knowledge, or greater skills to take the helm of U.S. foreign policy and its diplomatic corps at this time in our history. As a former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Powell fully understands the role of the military in the implementation of foreign policy. He also understands that a powerful military can be eroded through misuse. The use of force should be the last resort, not the first best solution to failed diplomacy. As General Powell stated in his testimony before the Foreign Relations Committee, the United States' challenge is one of leadership. U.S. power--military, economic, and diplomatic--is unparalleled. We must use such power judiciously. And we must apply the appropriate type of power in the right situations to shape a more peaceful and prosperous world. But first we must know and clearly define our objectives. President Bush stated that U.S. foreign policy was ``like a cork in a current being swept from crisis to crisis. I believe this image accurately depicts the struggle over the last several years with the lack of a clearly formulated and executed foreign policy. Many recognize, and General Powell addressed this also in his testimony, that the world we live in has radically changed in the last decade. We no longer face an ideological foe. We no longer live with the threat of annihilation from Soviet nuclear forces. But the world today is not peaceful. The end of the Cold War stalemate unleashed forces of change. These forces of change couple with unprecedented technological advances have fundamentally altered the global landscape. The threats we face are diffuse, and many tools of the Cold War era prove insufficient in countering these new threats. These new challenges--from cyber-terrorism to AIDS in Africa to proliferation of weapons of mass destruction--will require new approaches and better coordination between our federal agencies. The Bush Administration is bringing together the most talented and experienced Cabinet in recent years to tackle these problems. Colin Powell brings the leadership skills and commands the respect necessary to initiate needed changes, renew our diplomatic corps, clearly define our national interests and implement policies to achieve U.S. objectives. I look forward to working with Secretary Powell in my role as Chairman of the Budget Committee to give him the means necessary to address the State Department's needs. Mr. President, in closing I would like to thank General Powell for his willingness to, once again, serve the American people.

Mr. DOMENICI

Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, the American economy has changed dramatically in the past decade. International economic policy now has a direct effect on our domestic economy. The information age has transformed America's economic future. Budget surpluses now suggest the very real possibility of paying down the national debt. This new economy requires a new kind of Treasury secretary. It requires someone who is experienced and knowledgeable in both the domestic and the international marketplace. It requires someone who has demonstrated exemplary leadership in both government and private enterprise. Experience and leadership Paul O'Neill will bring these vital skills to the Department of Treasury. Paul O'Neill's outstanding career in both the public and private sectors has clearly demonstrated his ability to serve as our Nation's next Treasury Secretary. In 1967, he stated as a policy analyst for the Office of Management and Budget. However, his skill and intelligence were quickly noted by OMB Director George Shultz, who promoted him to serve as Associate Director with responsibility for social programs. At OMB, Paul O'Neill gained a reputation for his sharp analysis and his keen understanding of a wide variety of issues. In fact, he displayed such strong leadership and gained such respect from both parties that in 1976, President Jimmy Carter asked him to serve as his Deputy Treasury Secretary. However, Paul O'Neill decided to continue his career in the private sector. He went to work for the International Paper Company, a global paper corporation, of which he eventually became President. In 1987, he became the chairman and chief executive of the Alcoa Corporation, where he has worked since. Paul O'Neill's service to Alcoa is a shining symbol of his outstanding abilities. His vision and hard work transformed the troubled industrial company into a profitable international enterprise. As chief executive, he embraced new technologies and gave Alcoa the ability to prosper in the new economy, even as the national aluminum industry was facing economic troubles. Most importantly, Paul O'Neill demonstrated his leadership at Alcoa by garnering the respect and trust of his employees. In fact, the President of the Untied Steelworkers of America praised his nomination and called him ``a man you can trust and believe.'' I am certain that his integrity and leadership will earn Paul O'Neill the trust of the American people and of the world's economic leaders. In recent years, Paul O'Neill dedicated his time to leading several commissions on improving health care, education, and the local government of his hometown, Pittsburgh. Our nation will be fortunate to have a Treasury Secretary with such board and varied expertise, and these experiences will prove vital in leading a progressively diverse economy. I believe that Paul O'Neill will be an exemplary Treasury Secretary. He has already spoken of his dedication to paying down our national debt, fundamentally reforming the tax code, and ensuring that America's industries can compete in the new global economy. I am certain that his experience and leadership will be great assets in achieving these important goals. Mr. President, it is my great honor to support Paul O'Neill to head the Department of the Treasury.

Mr. DOMENICI

Mr. DOMENICI. Madam President, fellow Senators, after we had a Republican conference, I went to my office and, with one of my most helpful friends and workers in my office, I prepared some remarks. Let me assure you, after being part of the Senate here this afternoon, I don't need my remarks. But I would like to share with Senator Byrd and those who speak of history--I would like to share my history as a Senator. It will be very brief. I was unexpectedly elected to the Senate and I never had been a legislator anywhere. I was on a city council. I sit here--but I sat in that second-to-last seat and waited my turn. And what a long time it took. I was never blessed with the luxury, Senator Byrd, that you have been in your life of being on the Democratic side all of your life and having such huge majorities from your side of the aisle. When I arrived, there were only 38 of us. We didn't have to worry about this kind of agreement, as you know. The Democratic majority was a huge majority and they ran every committee. They were in charge and they got a lot done. But what I learned, so there be no mistake about it, was to work with Democrats. I learned to work with them when we got up to 44, and I learned to work with them when we got up to 46, and what a thrill when we finally got a majority. I still have more legislation passed here, there, and yon that is bipartisan. I wish to say from the very beginning, I pledge to try to make this work. I will do that with every ounce of ingenuity, wisdom, or the opposite thereof if required, to try to make something work. It is one thing to say to this Senate: Senator Harry Reid and I have grown to be very good friends because we serve on an appropriations subcommittee and we always agree on everything after we have spent some time disagreeing. But I would also tell you that he and I do not agree on policy. I note, with a big smile on my face, his policy positions have become more known and more pronounced since he has occupied the second chair on that side--which I expected of him. Did I have any real friends in the Democratic Party who went to exceptional ends to be helpful to me? Let me tell you a brief story. I was a pipsqueak in the Senate, and Senator Long was a very big Senator. I was just starting my first term. I passed only one bill. It was a big bill. It imposed a 10-cent gasoline tax--Senator Byrd, you remember that--on the users of the inland waterways. Do you remember that fight? It went on forever, but I won fair and square, and I went home to campaign. And, believe it or not, a Senator from that side of the aisle, in my absence--I was in New Mexico--was going to undo my victory because they had the votes and he had the floor. A staffer called me and said: You better come back, get off the campaign trail and come over here and defend the only legislative victory you have, of any significance, in the first 6 years. I was prepared to do it. Guess what the next call was, in about a half hour--Russell Long. I had defeated him on the floor in that debate. And he said: Pete, they won't do that. I said: What? They will not upset your victory. You won. You stay home and campaign. Think of that, telling a Republican to stay home. You stay home and campaign and I will take the floor in your place and object to what is contemplated. And the victory that you got will not be undone here on the floor by a Democrat. That is friendship, right? But, listen, I didn't agree with Russell Long on a lot of things--and he knew that--here on the floor of the Senate. I say to my Democrat friends on the other side of the aisle, all kinds of expressions have been used talking about what is going on: ``We extend a hand to you'' and all those other wonderful words. All I can say is, I am going to do my best to work with you, and I hope you will do the best you can to work with me on the Budget Committee and get something done. I, too, thought we were starting this session--and it is the reason I was concerned about what was happening--I thought we started with the idea that on January 21, Vice President Cheney would be in that chair and he would make it no longer 50-50 but 51-50. I still believe that is the case. My thinking is he is going to be denied the right to vote on this issue. Maybe we ought to have a lengthy debate so he can have a vote on this issue. Our leadership has gotten together--I cannot use words of high enough praise to exceed the great words on the floor complimenting you, Senator Daschle, and my Republican leader for what you are doing. Those who have listened to me in our own conference and maybe some media person has caught a glimpse of what I was saying heretofore the last few days, I hope everybody understands that was my version of what we were stepping into, and I thought clearly from the precedents I had read that that event would occur in due order, and we would not be split 50/50. It is imperative we try to work together. The fact that I am going to try to work with my counterpart, Kent Conrad, with whom I have already met two times and talked with today at length about the Budget Committee--but I am not sure it will work--while I am going to try my best, I do not know whether we are going to be able to get the work of the American people done under a 50/50 arrangement as to the committee structure. I hope and pray that it will work. I assure my leaders that, with all our vigor and all our commitments, it will be tough to get our work done as to serious and contentious matters that are between the two parties or favor the President. It will be very difficult to get it done. Nonetheless, I support it. It is a very high-minded purpose that both of you had in mind and you achieved it. Our Republican leader achieved it. He will be praised for trying to bring not just friendliness but bipartisan effort to the Senate. My words expressing how much I hope that works are inadequate. I hope our praise will not be short lived and what we are praising them for today will not be for 2 weeks or 2 months, but maybe at the end of 1 year, when we look back on it, we can say, in spite of the most difficult committee structure we have worked with in this Senate, we were able to work. I know Senator Byrd as chairman and ranking member of the Appropriations Committee and Senator Stevens, my great friend as well as his, have been able to do that, but I submit to them that the appropriations work is a little bit different than some of the other committee work. Some of it will end up in our committees that have very philosophical, very partisan overtones. We will try to mellow those and get our work done as Senator Byrd and Senator Stevens have in such an exemplary manner. I close by saying I graduated along in this Senate, never serving in any other institutional body of legislative significance. Senator Byrd has frequently said that we must learn to understand and know the Senate, and once we have, we will love it. I have heard him say those words or others. I am one to whom you have said: Senator Domenici, you have really learned what the Senate is all about. I hope I have. I wanted to achieve; I wanted to bring bills to the floor that were contentious. I see no other way to run the Senate other than that. Nonetheless, again I repeat, I pledge all my energy to making this bipartisan arrangement work. I say to Senator Daschle, I will try. I say to Senator Byrd, I will try. To my distinguished majority leader, rest assured this Senator will try to make your excellent agreement, difficult agreement work. If I have reservations, I think they are legitimate. They are concerns about whether this institution can work with equal committees and without more assurance on the conference situation which others will discuss. All of the discord is gone. Senator Lott was my leader in the negotiations. I compliment him for the results, and I compliment the majority leader for his success.

Mr. DOMENICI. Does the majority leader seek recognition?

Mr. DOMENICI. I would like to reserve 10, 15 minutes, let's say.

Mr. DOMENICI. Reserving the right to object, and I will not, if I can be assured between now and 3:30 the Senator from New Mexico has an opportunity to speak, but I am not sure that will occur. I would object to the time certain. The rest of it I will not object to.

Mr. DOMENICI

Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I ask consent that the amendment No. 4365 to H.R. 4020 be agreed to, the bills be read the third time and passed, the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table, and any statements relating to the bills be printed in the Record with the above occurring en bloc.

Mr. DOMENICI. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed en bloc to the following two bills: H.R. 2570 and H.R. 4020.

Mr. DOMENICI

Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, when I yielded time to my good friend from Alaska, I did not think I would be hearing what I just heard. I am pleased I was here when he discussed this issue of paramount importance to his State. It is most interesting that a Senator can come to the floor of the Senate and tell us all something that is very important to his State, even though the State is a small State. It is great that our Constitution gives our States representation based upon statehood and not upon population of the State. I trust the administration and others will see fit to work with Senator Stevens so we will all be out of here before Christmas.

Mr. DOMENICI

Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, recently the city of Cloudcroft, New Mexico was named one of the world's ``10 Overlooked and Underrated Winter Destinations,'' by the editors of Fodor's Travel Publications. Cloudcroft hasn't changed much over the years. There are more summer homes than before, but the permanent population has not grown substantially, and the Village still maintains a small-town atmosphere that is so appealing to the tourists who come from every state in the Union and many foreign countries. They appreciate the attitude of the locals and the laid-back feeling of the community as contrasted to the high-speed life in the big cities. Cloudcroft is located in the southeastern area of New Mexico. A small mountain village located in the heart of the Lincoln National Forest. It is a great travel location for both the outdoors and indoors visitors. For individuals who enjoy the outdoors, it offers year-round hiking, mountain biking, skiing, golfing and other activities. For the indoors visitors it offers a variety of unique shops, restaurants, and museums. Cloudcroft is not commonly known for its glitzy ski resorts like other cities in New Mexico but rather as a perfect location for families learning the ropes. It offers a number of great inns and the distinction of having no stoplights. A great place for families to take their vacations. Children can play outside and adults can enjoy the quietness of the village. Cloudcroft offers several festive events such as the New Year's Eve Torchlight Parade down the Cloudcroft mountain, caroling in the Clouds and Currier & Ives Candelit Christmas in December, or the full-moon ice-skating in February. When visiting Cloudcroft, one must not miss the opportunity to go sledding on the dunes of White Sands National Monument or visit the Sunspot National Solar Observatory. No matter what your preference, Cloudcroft has an activity for you. Many of us share a passion for travel, but often times finding a good location is not always easy. However, Cloudcroft truly is a city often overlooked by most. With its great weather, shopping and mountains, I am proud to say Cloudcroft is a part of New Mexico.

Mr. DOMENICI

Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I note the presence on the floor of the distinguished Senator from Connecticut who just came off a major campaign. We welcome him back to the Senate. He has never stopped being a Senator, but he has been very busy doing other things. I yield so he can speak. I will speak following his remarks. So I ask unanimous consent that Senator Lieberman be permitted to speak for up to 15 minutes, and then I ask consent Senator Domenici be permitted to speak for 15 minutes thereafter.

Mr. DOMENICI

Mr. DOMENICI. I believe under the unanimous-consent agreement I am to speak next, but I note the presence of the chairman of the Appropriations Committee who would like to speak. I yield to him, and I ask I follow him this morning.