Jesse Helms

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. I thank the able Senator. Moreover, I understand that the committee intends that the prescription drugs purchased off the Federal Supply Schedule can only be used for Indians whose health care is provided by the tribe, and cannot be purchased or used for resale, nor may they be dispensed to non-Indian employees of a tribe. Is that correct, Mr. Chairman?

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, on July 1, Mrs. Eusebia Ortiz Vera passed away in North Carolina. Born in 1912, she arrived in the United States from Cuba, appropriately, on the Fourth of July, 1954, poor and with young children to support. In America, she promptly seized the opportunity to build a new life, as all immigrants to the U.S. hope they can do. Eusebia worked very hard to ensure that her children prospered. She made certain, above all, that all of them received good educations. And those children who came to the United States did prosper, and become good citizens of the United States, going on to be a U.S. Ambassador to Honduras, a high school teacher, and a professor at the University of North Carolina. Among her grandchildren, Mr. President, are two U.S. naval officers, a medical student studying to be a Navy doctor, two lawyers and an elementary school principal--college graduates all. Each of them is a testament to a good life. When I read about her in The Charlotte Observer, I felt a sense of pride in her story. It is not merely a testimony to her own character, discipline and strength. No, it is also a reflection of what America is all about for so many--a land of opportunity and of hope. Mr. President, I ask that the July 3 article published by The Charlotte Observer be printed in the Record at the conclusion of my remarks. The article follows: [From the Charlotte Observer, July 3, 2000] For Immigrant, July 4 Was Special--Woman From Cuba Achieved Her Dream (By Christopher Windham) Eusebia Ortiz Vera of Charlotte came from Cuba on July 4, 1954, in search of the American dream. Like millions of immigrants who arrived before her, she was poor, but optimistic about the future. She had only one wish: for her children to become educated and successful Americans. When Vera, 87, died of natural causes Friday--just days before Independence Day and the anniversary of her arrival in this country--it marked an end of a life that some say epitomized American patriotism. ``She was the original liberated woman,'' said Vera's daughter Miriam Leiva, after Vera's burial Sunday. ``She really wanted a better life for herself and her children.'' And Vera did attain that American dream. Born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, in 1912, Vera moved to Cuba with her father and six siblings when she was just 4 months old. Her mother had died moments after she was born. Vera married a Cuban schoolteacher at 22. She was a housewife during her years in Cuba. The marriage that brought Vera three children ended in 1952. After the divorce, Vera was determined to give her children a better life than she had, family members said. Vera decided to move the family to America, where she hoped her children would have greater opportunities. Leiva, 59, was 13 when her mother told her--at a moment's notice--to pack a suitcase of her belongings. Leiva said she boarded a plane along with her mother, brother and two aunts en route to Miami. Her sister, Beatriz Manduley, 17 at the time, stayed in Cuba because she was married. ``We came to America for the same reasons as all immigrants, to better our family,'' said Leiva, a consulting professor at UNC Charlotte. The family could not speak English when they arrived, family members said. ``It was hard,'' Leiva said. ``The most difficult part was all things we didn't understand.'' She said her mother did not learn the language until 10 years later when she took English classes at a local high school. The entire family shared a tiny one-room apartment, Leiva said. To make ends meet, Vera took a job as seamstress in the garment district of Miami. She never made more than 75 cents an hour, family members said. Despite the limited income and food, Vera still strived for her children to be successful. ``From the moment we came to the United States, she told us we were going to succeed,'' said Frank Almaguer, Vera's son. Almaguer is now the U.S. ambassador to Honduras. Leiva said her mother prevented her from using a needle and thread because she didn't want her daughter to become a seamstress. ``Women would come to the house and ask, `When is Miriam coming to the factory?' and mother will say `No, Miriam is going to the university,' '' Leiva said. Vera's dream came true in 1957 when Leiva enrolled at Guilford College in Greensboro. With scholarships, loans and help from local Quakers, Leiva was able to graduate in 1961 with a degree in mathematics. Almaguer graduated from the University of Florida in 1967. Manduley came to Miami in 1960. She received her master's degree from UNC Greensboro in 1973. All seven of Vera's grandchildren are college graduates. Vera lived in Miami until 1997, when health conditions caused her to move to a nursing home in Charlotte, close to Leiva. ``This is her legacy,'' said Leiva. ``Failure was simply not an option for us.''

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business yesterday, Monday, July 24, 2000, the Federal debt stood at $5,668,098,197,951.86 (Five trillion, six hundred sixty-eight billion, ninety-eight million, one hundred ninety-seven thousand, nine hundred fifty-one dollars and eighty-six cents). Five years ago, July 24, 1995, the Federal debt stood at $4,938,385,000,000 (Four trillion, nine hundred thirty-eight billion, three hundred eighty-five million). Ten years ago, July 24, 1990, the Federal debt stood at $3,161,847,000,000 (Three trillion, one hundred sixty-one billion, eight hundred forty-seven million). Fifteen years ago, July 24, 1985, the Federal debt stood at $1,796,347,000,000 (One trillion, seven hundred ninety-six billion, three hundred forty-seven million). Twenty-five years ago, July 24, 1975, the Federal debt stood at $535,417,000,000 (Five hundred thirty-five billion, four hundred seventeen million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $5 trillion--$5,132,681,197,951.86 (Five trillion, one hundred thirty-two billion, six hundred eighty-one million, one hundred ninety-seven thousand, nine hundred fifty-one dollars and eighty-six cents) during the past 25 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business Friday, July 21, 2000, the Federal debt stood at $5,667,708,257,883.47 (Five trillion, six hundred sixty-seven billion, seven hundred eight million, two hundred fifty-seven thousand, eight hundred eighty-three dollars and forty-seven cents). One year ago, July 21, 1999, the Federal debt stood at $5,630,350,000,000 (Five trillion, six hundred thirty billion, three hundred fifty million). Five years ago, July 21, 1995, the Federal debt stood at $4,936,736,000,000 (Four trillion, nine hundred thirty-six billion, seven hundred thirty-six million). Twenty-five years ago, July 21, 1975, the Federal debt stood at $533,588,000,000 (Five hundred thirty-three billion, five hundred eighty-eight million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $5 trillion--$5,134,120,257,883.47 (Five trillion, one hundred thirty-four billion, one hundred twenty million, two hundred fifty-seven thousand, eight hundred eighty-three dollars and forty-seven cents) during the past 25 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent it be in order for me to deliver my remarks in a seated position.

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, I am grateful for the willingness of the Senator from Montana to work with us, to make certain the stabilization of Oregon Inlet is once more a priority of Congress and of the U.S. Corps of Engineers--in the next 180 days. I confess some unease at the prospect of yet another study of the Oregon Inlet, inasmuch as there already have been almost 100 such studies previously. If one more study is what is required to save the livelihoods of the good people of Oregon Inlet who make their livings as commercial fishermen, then so be it. But let there be no mistake. This is the last study that will be conducted before action is taken. That is agreed to by the Senator from Montana and me--to help those good people, because enough, Mr. President, is enough. I will work in good faith with the Senator from Montana and others to make certain that swift action will follow this latest, and I hope last, study to be undertaken. Mr. President, for nearly three decades--nearly 28 years, to be exact--I have been urging the enactment of legislation to restore security and safety to the remarkable people who live and work on North Carolinas Outer Banks. And for those almost three decades, those fine people have been short-circuited by a federal bureaucracy more intent in imposing its own will than following through on a much-needed project authorized by Congress in 1970: That is, to begin the process of creating two hard- rock jetties to stabilize and secure Oregon Inlet, the only deep-sea access along the East Coast for a distance of 220 miles between Cape Henry, Virginia, and Morehead City, N.C. The purpose of the provision being challenged here tonight is to first, protect the lives of literally thousands of both commercial and recreational fishermen who live and work in the Outer Banks, and second, to protect the livelihoods of those fishermen, their boats and their cargo, which is so vital to their making a living. So let's be clear about what's at stake in this debate. We're talking about saving lives and saving a way of life for many of thousands of fine decent people trying to make a living providing fine, fresh seafood. Wayne Gray, a Coast Guard officer stationed at the base there told me, ``Oregon Inlet is a nightmare. In my 32 years in the Coast Guard, it's the most dangerous place I've ever seen.'' The Coast Guard station there receives on average a distress call every other day. In this fiscal year alone, the Oregon Inlet Coast Guard has responded to nearly 100 call for help by distressed seamen. There will be many more this summer, I'll promise you: There always are. Over the years, more than 20 lives have been lost because of the deadly situation in the Inlet. In fact, I recently received a letter from a man named Robbie Maharaj who recounted an incident which happened about 4 years ago. In November of 1996 a friend and I were fishing on the northern side of the ocean bar at Oregon Inlet. It was a fairly rough day at the bar. We had caught out limit of striped bass and were pulling in our lines when I heard on the radio that some of my friends had gone down. I immediately finished pulling up my lines and went to help. As I pulled up to the boat, I was able to get one man aboard. We laid him on the deck. He was so cold from being in the water that he looked pale, and almost dead. As we got him on deck, water began to break over the stern of my boat. I had to leave the scene to avoid going down myself. All in all, four of the five men in the water made it. I was able to get two in my boat. Other fishermen pulled out the two other survivors. the Coast Guard got the one man that didn't make it. People ask me all the time whether I would do it again. There's no question that I would try and pull men out of the water if I were faced with the same situation again. It's sort of a buddy system out there. You hear cries for help and you can't leave them there. You've got to try to help. This is especially true when the people yelling for help are friends. Who knows, the next time it could be me yelling to be saved. Thanks to the events of 1996, I know just how dangerous Oregon Inlet can be. Senator, thank you for trying to get the stabilization effort moving. We really need it. The provision in question merely transfers the land relevant to the project from the Department of the Interior to the Army Corps of Engineers, so that the wheels of the inlet stabilization project can finally begin. This project is sound. Almost one hundred separate studies have been made on the project; therefore, we can reasonably say that just about every possible issue relevant to the project has been thoroughly considered and resolved. On an economic scale, the project has a cost/benefit ratio of 1.0/ 1.6, meaning for every $1 spent on the project, $1.60 in benefits are returned. As for the environmental concerns that have been raised, the Corps has made numerous compromises and alterations to the jetties in order to alleviate every single negative impact upon the local habitat and wildlife. How many more lives will be lost before Congress makes good on the commitment made 30 years ago. That time has finally come.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business yesterday, Wednesday, July 19, 2000, the Federal debt stood at $5,678,196,782,955.74 (Five trillion, six hundred seventy-eight billion, one hundred ninety-six million, seven hundred eighty-two thousand, nine hundred fifty-five dollars and seventy-four cents). One year ago, July 19, 1999, the Federal debt stood at $5,628,493,000,000 (Five trillion, six hundred twenty-eight billion, four hundred ninety-three million). Five years ago, July 19, 1995, the Federal debt stood at $4,932,430,000,000 (Four trillion, nine hundred thirty-two billion, four hundred thirty million). Ten years ago, July 19, 1990, the Federal debt stood at $3,163,599,000,000 (Three trillion, one hundred sixty-three billion, five hundred ninety-nine million). Fifteen years ago, July 19, 1985, the Federal debt stood at $1,796,183,000,000 (One trillion, seven hundred ninety-six billion, one hundred eighty-three million) which reflects a debt increase of almost $4 trillion--$3,882,013,782,955.74 (Three trillion, eight hundred eighty-two billion, thirteen million, seven hundred eighty-two thousand, nine hundred fifty-five dollars and seventy-four cents) during the past 15 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business yesterday, Tuesday, July 18, 2000, the Federal debt stood at $5,680,376,489,658.94 (Five trillion, six hundred eighty billion, three hundred seventy-six million, four hundred eighty-nine thousand, six hundred fifty-eight dollars and ninety-four cents). Five years ago, July 18, 1995, the Federal debt stood at $4,929,786,000,000 (Four trillion, nine hundred twenty-nine billion, seven hundred eighty-six million). Ten years ago, July 18, 1990, the Federal debt stood at $3,160,432,000,000 (Three trillion, one hundred sixty billion, four hundred thirty-two million). Fifteen years ago, July 18, 1985, the Federal debt stood at $1,796,027,000,000 (One trillion, seven hundred ninety-six billion, twenty-seven million). Twenty-five years ago, July 18, 1975, the Federal debt stood at $533,511,000,000 (Five hundred thirty-three billion, five hundred eleven million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $5 trillion--$5,146,865,489,658.94 (Five trillion, one hundred forty-six billion, eight hundred sixty-five million, four hundred eighty-nine thousand, six hundred fifty-eight dollars and ninety-four cents) during the past 25 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that I may deliver my remarks while seated at my desk.

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, I don't question the sincerity of those who advocate this amendment which is intended to repeal the law that prohibits the wholesale reimportation of potentially unsafe drugs from Canada or Mexico. While they may scoff at the opposition, I predict that one day, somewhere down the line, they will regret sincerely their support of this proposal which is fatally flawed. Most Americans never doubt the safety of the drugs in our pharmacies and hospitals. That is because they understand that no drug can be sold in America without manufacturers first making enormous investments in research and development, the compound passing rigorous testing and review by the FDA, and then being distributed through a supply system that ensures that drugs must pass through a reliable and verifiable chain of custody. No country in the world does as much to ensure the safety and efficacy of drugs used by its citizens. FDA Commissioner, Dr. Jane Henney, recently warned that the United States demand for Canadian drugs could cause Canada to ``be used as a front for counterfeit or contaminated products becoming available.'' Some Senators have said: Forget that; it is not going to happen. Well, I predict that it is going to happen. Commissioner Henney went on to emphasize: ``One has to be concerned about a safety issue here.'' Echoing Commissioner Henney's concerns, the former FDA Commissioner and current Dean of the Yale Medical School, Dr. David Kessler, warned last year: ``with the rise of Internet pharmacies, the opportunities for illicit distribution of adulterated and counterfeit products have grown . . . Repealing the prohibition on reimportation of drugs would remove one of the principal statutory tools for dealing with this growing issue.'' Mr. President, current law has protected American consumers from the importation of substandard, impotent, adulterated, contaminated, and counterfeit pharmaceuticals--problems that have plagued many other countries. There is simply no good reason to undermine the integrity of our pharmaceutical supply system and to expose American consumers to corrupt middlemen and counterfeiters. Foregoing the benefits of free markets and innovation for the false promise of cheaper, price-controlled drugs will lead not to improved health care but rather to a proliferation of unsafe and counterfeit drugs, a reduction in incentives and investment to develop new life- saving and life-improving medications; and ultimately, if this proposal passes, disastrous and fatal consequences for countless Americans. Mr. President, I yield the floor.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, none of us knows precisely when the hereafter begins, when the life of one of the Lord's servants ends. I myself have lost an unusually large number of good friends during the past few weeks. But I find it helpful to imagine that I can visualize each of them sitting on some sort of Cloud Nine up there, listening to those of us who are mourning the loss of good friends. Yes, I do have a hunch that Paul Coverdell is up there, cheerfully and busily lending a hand to Saint Peter. For me, it serves the purpose of reassuring that Paul is all right--in fact, better off than he has ever been before. We all remember a hundred different personal vignettes at times like this. In Paul's case, my first acquaintance with him was very early in the morning the day after he was first elected to the Senate in 1992. I had gone quietly into the den of our Raleigh home and turned on the television set--the volume very low, so as not to awaken Mrs. Helms. I wanted to catch up on the late returns from the election the day before. I heard a voice; and I was intrigued and impressed by that voice. Then I looked carefully. I did not recognize the young man who was speaking. It was Paul Coverdell. I saw the picture of him that appeared on the screen. It was a live interview. Paul had not yet gone to bed. He had been up for about 36 or 40 hours. There he was fielding questions politely, intelligently, and with that inevitable smile on his face. That was the moment my respect and admiration--and affection--for Senator Coverdell began. Now fast forward: Like most, if not all, other Senators, I realize today that I will forever have special memories of Paul Coverdell. He was a good man, an honorable man, a dedicated man with whom I shared a great affection for today's young people--the responsible ones, the ones who understand their good fortune of living in this country--those who, as Paul Coverdell once put it, understand that the strength and the goodness and the very future of America will shortly be in their hands. I have sat and listened to other who have spoken so eloquently today of the Senator's rapid rise in the leadership of the Republican Party in the Senate. That happened because Paul believed in the Senate. He believed in the meaning of the U.S. Senate, and he believed that we have a duty to endeavor to achieve a spirit of cooperation and understanding--including the realization that we have the duty to make the tripartite system work. So, Paul, if that's you whom I think I'm looking at on Cloud Nine, you know that we are missing you and that we are so dearly grateful for the years that we enjoyed working with you. I have a notion that the Lord will be blessing you for being His good and faithful servant while you were amongst us.

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that it be in order for me to deliver my remarks seated.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business yesterday, Monday, July 17, 2000, the federal debt stood at $5,671,572,598,778.11 (Five trillion, six hundred seventy-one billion, five hundred seventy-two million, five hundred ninety-eight thousand, seven hundred seventy- eight dollars and eleven cents). Five years ago, July 17, 1995, the federal debt stood at $4,927,653,000,000 (Four trillion, nine hundred twenty-seven billion, six hundred fifty-three million). Ten years ago, July 17, 1990, the federal debt stood at $3,160,395,000,000 (Three trillion, one hundred sixty billion, three hundred ninety-five million). Fifteen years ago, July 17, 1985, the federal debt stood at $1,795,284,000,000 (One trillion, seven hundred ninety-five billion, two hundred eighty-four million). Twenty-five years ago, July 17, 1975, the federal debt stood at $533,089,000,000 (Five hundred thirty-three billion, eighty-nine million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $5 trillion-- $5,138,483,598,778.11 (Five trillion, one hundred thirty-eight billion, four hundred eighty-three million, five hundred ninety-eight thousand, seven hundred seventy-eight dollars and eleven cents) during the past 25 years.

Mr. HELMS

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

Mr. HELMS. I thank the Chair.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business Friday, July 14, 2000, the Federal debt stood at $5,666,749,557,909.16 (Five trillion, six hundred sixty-six billion, seven hundred forty-nine million, five hundred fifty-seven thousand, nine hundred nine dollars and sixteen cents). One year ago, July 14, 1999, the Federal debt stood at $5,624,307,000,000 (Five trillion, six hundred twenty-four billion, three hundred seven million). Five years ago, July 14, 1995, the Federal debt stood at $4,933,039,000,000 (Four trillion, nine hundred thirty-three billion, thirty-nine million). Twenty-five years ago, July 14, 1975, the Federal debt stood at $531,818,000,000 (Five hundred thirty-one billion, eight hundred eighteen million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $5 trillion--$5,134,931,557,909.16 (Five trillion, one hundred thirty-four billion, nine hundred thirty-one million, five hundred fifty-seven thousand, nine hundred nine dollars and sixteen cents) during the past 25 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. I thank the Chair. I yield the floor.

Mr. HELMS. Madam President, a noted sports figure in American sports history once commented that ``Bragging ain't bragging if you can prove it.'' On that basis, I want to brag a little bit about North Carolina which has had its share of top sports figures--perhaps more than our share when you consider such outstanding sports figures, past and present, as Arnold Palmer, Catfish Hunter, Charlie ``Choo-Choo'' Justice, Michael Jordan, Richard Petty, David Thompson, Sonny Jurgensen, Dean Smith, Everett Case, Joe Gibbs, Enos Slaughter, and Wallace Wade, who by the way took two teams from Duke University to the Rose Bowl. But he didn't have to go very far for the second one because it was held in Durham, NC, right after Pearl Harbor. It was feared that the Japanese might try to bomb the stadium out in California, so they moved the whole thing across the country to North Carolina--the only time the Rose Bowl was not played in Pasadena. But I don't recall any previous teenager--from anywhere--who has been described as a ``tennis phenomenon who walks in Chris Evert's footsteps''. But that's the accolade handed 14-year-old Alli Baker of Raleigh my hometown--in the May edition of Metromagazine in a sparkling and detailed piece by Patrik Jonsson, writing from Boca Raton, Florida. As I read the tribute to Alli Baker, I was reminded that this young lady is a great granddaughter of the late Lenox Dial Baker, one of America's leading orthopedic surgeons. Dr. Baker almost single-handedly founded a children's hospital, later named for him, at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, where hundreds of crippled children's lives have brightened and their lives improved because of Dr. Baker's selfless and loving interest in them. I am going to let the article about Alli Baker speak for itself. Therefore, I ask unanimous consent that the tribute to the amazing 14- year-old Alli Baker by Patrik Jonsson be printed in the Record.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business yesterday, Thursday, July 13, 2000, the Federal debt stood at $5,666,740,403,750.26 (Five trillion, six hundred sixty-six billion, seven hundred forty million, four hundred three thousand, seven hundred fifty dollars and twenty-six cents). One year ago, July 13, 1999, the Federal debt stood at $5,625,005,000,000 (Five trillion, six hundred twenty-five billion, five million). Five years ago, July 13, 1995, the Federal debt stood at $4,933,342,000,000 (Four trillion, nine hundred thirty-three billion, three hundred forty-two million). Ten years ago, July 13, 1990, the Federal debt stood at $3,152,611,000,000 (Three trillion, one hundred fifty-two billion, six hundred eleven million) which reflects almost a doubling of the debt-- an increase of over $2.5 trillion--$2,514,129,403,750.26 (Two trillion, five hundred fourteen billion, one hundred twenty-nine million, four hundred three thousand, seven hundred fifty dollars and twenty-six cents) during the past 10 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business yesterday, Wednesday, July 12, 2000, the Federal debt stood at $5,664,141,886,637.91 (Five trillion, six hundred sixty-four billion, one hundred forty-one million, eight hundred eighty-six thousand, six hundred thirty-seven dollars and ninety-one cents). One year ago, July 12, 1999, the Federal debt stood at $5,621,471,000,000 (Five trillion, six hundred twenty-one billion, four hundred seventy-one million). Five years ago, July 12, 1995, the Federal debt stood at $4,927,811,000,000 (Four trillion, nine hundred twenty-seven billion, eight hundred eleven million). Ten years ago, July 12, 1990, the Federal debt stood at $3,152,770,000,000 (Three trillion, one hundred fifty-two billion, seven hundred seventy million). Fifteen years ago, July 12, 1985, the Federal debt stood at $1,792,949,000,000 (One trillion, seven hundred ninety-two billion, nine hundred forty-nine million) which reflects a debt increase of almost $4 trillion--$3,871,192,886,637.91 (Three trillion, eight hundred seventy-one billion, one hundred ninety-two million, eight hundred eighty-six thousand, six hundred thirty-seven dollars and ninety-one cents) during the past 15 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, unanimity is a rare event in the Senate these days but I suspect that there may be unanimous approval of a resolution I am proposing commending and congratulating the people of Mexico for their July 2 democratic elections, which shocked the experts who had predicted that the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) could not be defeated and driven from power. An articulate and steadfast candidate named Vicente Fox Quesada thought differently--and he was right. With the support of millions of Mexicans across the political spectrum, Governor Fox won 42.5 percent of the votes cast--six points ahead of the PRI candidate, Francisco Labistida. And since the third- place candidate received nearly 17 percent of the vote, that meant that 60 percent of the 37.6 million Mexicans who voted wanted to put an end to the PRI's stranglehold. Thus the conventional wisdom that regarded the PRI political machine as being invincible avoided two facts: (1) the legendary PRI political machine had never been in a fair fight; and (2) the Mexican people have been striving for decades to put an end to the one-party rule that has wrought corruption, poverty, and insecurity. Mexico's president-elect, Vicente Fox, has pledged to root out the grinding corruption that has locked 40 percent of the Mexican population into poverty and the others into insecurity. Mr. Fox has an agenda of free-market policies with a commitment that no Mexican will be excluded from economic opportunity and development. Furthermroe, president-elect Fox has a sensible plan to reform the Mexican Government to make it accountable to the people. And, he has vowed to work with the United States and other countries to fight the deadly gangsters who traffic in illegal drugs in Mexico with virtual impunity. So, this ambitious reform agenda is good news for the American people as well as Mexicans. For the first time, we will have a full partner in a truly legitimate and sovereign Mexican Government--one willing to work with us to make the most of shared opportunities and to confront common challenges. Outgoing President Ernesto Zedillo's election-night address, in which he recognized the victory of Vicente Fox and pledged to work for a smooth and orderly transition, seals his place in Mexican history. From his earliest days in office, President Zedillo had declared his intent to break the cycle of election thievery that had marked 70 years of PRI rule, and the gentleman kept his word. A special tribute is due the men and women of the Federal Electoral Institute who systematically ensured that Mexicans would get the free and honest elections they demanded. The IFE lived up to its mandate and has shown itself to be one of the premier electoral bodies in the world. My resolution congratulates the Mexican people, President-elect Fox, and President Ernesto Zedillo. It is a new day in Mexico and for relations between our two great nations.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business yesterday, Tuesday, July 11, 2000, the Federal debt stood at $5,665,065,032,353.04 (Five trillion, six hundred sixty-five billion, sixty-five million, thirty-two thousand, three hundred fifty-three dollars and four cents). Five years ago, July 11, 1995, the Federal debt stood at $4,925,464,000,000 (Four trillion, nine hundred twenty-five billion, four hundred sixty-four million). Ten years ago, July 11, 1990, the Federal debt stood at $3,149,532,000,000 (Three trillion, one hundred forty-nine billion, five hundred thirty- two million). Fifteen years ago, July 11, 1985, the Federal debt stood at $1,793,175,000,000 (One trillion, seven hundred ninety-three billion, one hundred seventy-five million). Twenty-five years ago, July 11, 1975, the Federal debt stood at $531,808,000,000 (Five hundred thirty-one billion, eight hundred eight million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $5 trillion-- $5,133,257,032,353.04 (Five trillion, one hundred thirty-three billion, two hundred fifty-seven million, thirty-two thousand, three hundred fifty-three dollars and four cents) during the past 25 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business yesterday, Monday, July 10, 2000, the Federal debt stood at $5,662,949,608,628.38 (Five trillion, six hundred sixty-two billion, nine hundred forty-nine million, six hundred eight thousand, six hundred twenty-eight dollars and thirty-eight cents). Five years ago, July 10, 1995, the Federal debt stood at $4,924,015,000,000 (Four trillion, nine hundred twenty-four billion, fifteen million). Ten years ago, July 10, 1990, the Federal debt stood at $3,153,274,000,000 (Three trillion, one hundred fifty-three billion, two hundred seventy-four million). Fifteen years ago, July 10, 1985, the Federal debt stood at $1,794,793,000,000 (One trillion, seven hundred ninety-four billion, seven hundred ninety-three million). Twenty-five years ago, July 10, 1975, the Federal debt stood at $531,474,000,000 (Five hundred thirty-one billion, four hundred seventy-four million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $5 trillion--$5,131,475,608,628.38 (Five trillion, one hundred thirty-one billion, four hundred seventy-five million, six hundred eight thousand, six hundred twenty-eight dollars and thirty-eight cents) during the past 25 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business Friday, July 7, 2000, the Federal debt stood at $5,664,950,120,488.65 (Five trillion, six hundred sixty-four billion, nine hundred fifty million, one hundred twenty thousand, four hundred eighty-eight dollars and sixty-five cents). One year ago, July 7, 1999, the Federal debt stood at $5,627,556,000,000 (Five trillion, six hundred twenty-seven billion, five hundred fifty-six million). Five years ago, July 7, 1995, the Federal debt stood at $4,929,459,000,000 (Four trillion, nine hundred twenty-nine billion, four hundred fifty-nine million). Twenty-five years ago, July 7, 1975, the Federal debt stood at $528,168,000,000 (Five hundred twenty-eight billion, one hundred sixty- eight million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $5 trillion--$5,136,782,120,488.65 (Five trillion, one hundred thirty-six billion, seven hundred eighty-two million, one hundred twenty thousand, four hundred eighty-eight dollars and sixty-five cents) during the past 25 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, I thank the Chair. I ask unanimous consent that it be in order for me to make my remarks from my chair.