Jesse Helms

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, point of parliamentary inquiry.

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, in order for the U.S. Senate to conduct the people's business, despite the delay and frustration of the other party, I ask unanimous consent that reading of the conference report be dispensed with.

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, in order that the Democrats not put the Senate in a stalemate, I ask unanimous consent that reading of the conference report be dispensed with.

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that further reading of the conference report be dispensed with.

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, in order to save a little time, I have ordered some Tinkertoys for the Democrats to play with. I, therefore, ask unanimous consent that reading of the conference report be dispensed with.

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that reading of the conference report be dispensed with.

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, I think the Senator understood. I think we ought to stop this absurdity, and stop it now, and do the people's business.

Mr. HELMS. Again, I ask that this absurdity be brought to an end so the Senate can conduct its business.

Mr. HELMS. I ask unanimous consent that further reading of the conference report be dispensed with.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business yesterday, Thursday, October 8, 1998, the federal debt stood at $5,540,550,647,696.94 (Five trillion, five hundred forty billion, five hundred fifty million, six hundred forty-seven thousand, six hundred forty-seven dollars and ninety-four cents). One year ago, October 8, 1997, the federal debt stood at $5,413,433,000,000 (Four trillion, four hundred thirteen billion, four hundred thirty-three million). Five years ago, October 8, 1993, the federal debt stood at $4,400,578,000,000 (Four trillion, four hundred billion, five hundred seventy-eight million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $1 trillion--$1,133,917,649,475.23 (One trillion, one hundred thirty-three billion, nine hundred seventeen million, six hundred forty-nine thousand, four hundred seventy-five dollars and twenty-three cents) in just 5 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business yesterday, Wednesday, October 7, 1998, the federal debt stood at $5,533,657,715,092.27 (Five trillion, five hundred thirty-three billion, six hundred fifty-seven million, seven hundred fifteen thousand, ninety-two dollars and twenty-seven cents). One year ago, October 7, 1997, the federal debt stood at $5,413,433,000,000 (Five trillion, four hundred thirteen billion, four hundred thirty-three million). Five years ago, October 7, 1993, the federal debt stood at $4,399,633,000,000 (Four trillion, three hundred ninety-nine billion, six hundred thirty-three million). Ten years ago, October 7, 1988, the federal debt stood at $2,617,036,000,000 (Two trillion, six hundred seventeen billion, thirty-six million). Fifteen years ago, October 7, 1983, the federal debt stood at $1,384,688,000,000 (One trillion, three hundred eighty-four billion, six hundred eighty-eight million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $4 trillion--$4,148,969,715,092.27 (Four trillion, one hundred forty-eight billion, nine hundred sixty-nine million, seven hundred fifteen thousand, ninety-two dollars and twenty-seven cents) during the past 15 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, we would not be here today were it not for the tireless efforts of Senator Don Nickles. Twenty-eight other Republican and Democratic Senators who co-sponsored S. 1868 (which is essentially the pending substitute amendment) and, for that matter all Americans, owe Senator Nickles and his able staff a debt of gratitude. Now then, the pending amendment is a modification of S. 1868. I am a cosponsor of S. 1868, and while I will vote for the pending compromise language, I confess that it does not go far enough for my taste. To be sure, these compromises were forced upon the sponsors by a White House and State Department who fought us at every step and habitually moved the goal posts during negotiations. The Clinton Administration may prefer that we do nothing, but doing nothing isn't an option. As you know, Mr. President, the Foreign Relations Committee has taken the lead in several historic steps by the Senate in recent months to advance U.S. foreign policy interests--including passage of a far- reaching State Department reorganization and U.N. reform package and the NATO Expansion Treaty. Nevertheless, I believe it is obvious that neither initiative has stirred the hearts and souls of the folks back home in churches and synagogues to the same degree as the growing persistent torture and abuse of Christians, Jews and other religious minorities at the hands of intolerant foreign governments. Americans are eager for their government to help ease the suffering of their brothers and sisters overseas. They are not at all satisfied with the inaction they have gotten to date. I am sure these people--who are the backbone of this nation--have no quarrel with establishing special committees, or issuing reports, or having high level meetings with church groups. But Americans are looking for concrete action from the State Department and the White House--and certainly, people persecuted because of their faith in foreign lands deserve more than kind words and gestures. It is important to emphasize that this issue, and the growing concern of Americans, have not fallen on deaf ears in the Senate. The Foreign Relations Committee held five hearings on this issue during the 105th Congress--two specifically on Senator Nickles proposal. I especially want to thank Senators Brownback and Ashcroft for using their subcommittees to focus attention on this issue. I hope every Senator will review the video tape of Senator Ashcroft's moving hearing on the tragic plight of Christians in southern Sudan. (These innocent people have been brutally tortured, sold into slavery and, in some instances, literally crucified by the radical Islamic government simply because of their faith in Christ.) The point is this: the vote we are about to take is a test to see whether Senators finally realize that we, as a people and a government, must do more to advance the cause of religious freedom across the globe. Finally, Mr. President, it is often pointed out--and I believe it with all my heart--that no matter what laws are enacted, religious intolerance will never be erased from the earth. I also believe that the prayers of millions of Americans and other believers around the world will accomplish more than any Act of Congress. That does not mean we should not try. I hope the President will join with us as we attempt to strengthen U.S. leadership in this area.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, I am an original co-sponsor of H.R. 4655, the Iraq Liberation Act, for one simple reason: Saddam Hussein is a threat to the United States and a threat to our friends in the Middle East. This lunatic is bent on building an arsenal of weapons of mass destruction with a demonstrable willingness to use them. For nearly eight years the United States has stood by and allowed the U.N. weapons inspections process to proceed in defanging Saddam. That process is now in the final stages of collapse, warning that the U.S. cannot stand idly by hoping against hope that everything will work itself out. We have been told by Scott Ritter and others that Saddam can reconstitute his weapons of mass destruction within months. The Washington Post reported only last week that Iraq still has three nuclear ``implosion devices''--in other words, nuclear bombs minus the necessary plutonium or uranium to set them off. The time has come to recognize that Saddam Hussein the man is inextricable from Iraq's drive for weapons of mass destruction. For as long as he and his regime are in power, Iraq will remain a mortal threat. This bill will begin the long-overdue process of ousting Saddam. It will not send in U.S. troops or commit American forces in any way. Rather, it harkens back to the successes of the Reagan doctrine, enlisting the very people who are suffering most under Saddam's yoke to fight the battle against him. The bill requires the President to designate an Iraqi opposition group or groups to receive military drawdown assistance. The President need not look far; the Iraqi National Congress once flourished as an umbrella organization for Kurds, Shi'ites and Sunni Muslims. It should flourish again, but it needs our help. Mr. President, the people of Iraq, through representative organizations such as the INC, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, the Kurdish Democratic Party and the Shi'ite SCIRI, have begged for our help. The day may yet come when we are dragged back to Baghdad; I believe that day can be put off, perhaps even averted, by helping the people of Iraq help themselves. Opponents of this initiative--I shouldn't call them friends of Saddam--have said that the Iraqi opposition exists in name only, that they are too parochial to come together. They are not entirely wrong-- which is why Senator Lott and Chairman Gilman (the lead House sponsor) have carefully crafted the designation requirement in H.R. 4655 to insist that only broad-based, pro-democracy groups be selected by the President to receive drawdown assistance. I would go further, and suggest to the President that he designate just one group, the Iraqi National Congress, in which the Kurds, the Shi'ites and the Sunnis of Iraq hold membership. The opposition must be unified, but it may just take the leadership of the United States to bring them together. Finally, this bill gives the Congress oversight over the designation and drawdown authorities. As Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, I intend to exercise vigorously that authority. The White House and the State Department have indicated that they support this bill. We have a unique opportunity, and I intend to do everything in my power to ensure that opportunity is not frittered away. The price of failure is far too high.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business yesterday, Tuesday, October 6, 1998, the federal debt stood at $5,536,217,307,823.51 (Five trillion, five hundred thirty-six billion, two hundred seventeen million, three hundred seven thousand, eight hundred twenty-three dollars and fifty-one cents). One year ago, October 6, 1997, the federal debt stood at $5,413,433,000,000 (Five trillion, four hundred thirteen billion, four hundred thirty-three million). Five years ago, October 6, 1993, the federal debt stood at $4,404,063,000,000 (Four trillion, four hundred four billion, sixty- three million). Ten years ago, October 6, 1988, the federal debt stood at $2,622,288,000,000 (Two trillion, six hundred twenty-two billion, two hundred eighty-eight million). Fifteen years ago, October 6, 1983, the federal debt stood at $1,385,380,000,000 (One trillion, three hundred eighty-five billion, three hundred eighty million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $4 trillion--$4,150,837,307,823.51 (Four trillion, one hundred fifty billion, eight hundred thirty-seven million, three hundred seven thousand, eight hundred twenty-three dollars and fifty-one cents) during the past 15 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, the Department of Justice confirms that in the United States there was a rape for every 270 women, a robbery for every 240 women and an assault for every 29 women in 1994. (In the three year period from 1992-94, the number of violent crimes committed against our wives, sisters, mothers, and daughters totaled nearly 14 million.) In response to statistics like these, the women of the National Rifle Association created the ``Refuse to be a Victim'' program five years ago. The basic premise of the program can be summed up by an old saying--an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The course teaches women not to live in fear of threats, but rather, to respect likely threats and prepare to avoid or effectively respond to them. The centerpiece of the ``Refuse to be a Victim'' program is a three- hour public service safety seminar designed by, taught by, and presented to women in order to help them protect themselves. Since its inception, this common sense safety and self-defense program has been presented in 35 states and the District of Columbia. More than 600 instructors, including 9 in North Carolina, have trained and empowered thousands of women to protect themselves and their families. Mr. President, the course equips women with the tools they need to design their own personal safety strategy. By increasing awareness of dangerous situations and providing knowledge of self-protection techniques and crime-fighting and personal safety resources, the program maximizes its participants ability to successfully avoid or, in the worst case, survive an attack. The program features practical but frequently overlooked advice on home security such as the installation of effective lock and security systems, planting ``defensive'' shrubbery around windows, and keeping a cellular phone by the bedside in case an intruder disables your home phone. It also provides information on how to avoid being a victim of a car-jacker as well as the proper and safe use of personal safety devices such as alarms, sprays, stun guns and firearms. For those unable to attend a seminar personally, the program has distributed more than 200,000 of the informative ``42 Strategies for Personal Safety'' brochures nationwide. Mr. President, the women of the NRA are to be commended for the development of this important program. The contributions of the ``Refuse to be a Victim'' program are indeed impressive. This program is a fine example of the type of pro-active safety and security training that the National Rifle Association has long provided to our citizens. I hope that women in every part of our great nation will consider participating in this outstanding program and, in so doing, join the more than ten thousand women who have already benefited from it.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business yesterday, Monday, October 5, 1998, the federal debt stood at $5,527,218,225,445.49 (Five trillion, five hundred twenty-seven billion, two hundred eighteen million, two hundred twenty-five thousand, four hundred forty-five dollars and forty-nine cents). Five years ago, October 5, 1993, the federal debt stood at $4,407,913,000,000 (Four trillion, four hundred seven billion, nine hundred thirteen million). Ten years ago, October 5, 1988, the federal debt stood at $2,621,612,000,000 (Two trillion, six hundred twenty-one billion, six hundred twelve million). Fifteen years ago, October 5, 1983, the federal debt stood at $1,385,519,000,000 (One trillion, three hundred eighty-five billion, five hundred nineteen million). Twenty-five years ago, October 5, 1973, the federal debt stood at $458,006,000,000 (Four hundred fifty-eight billion, six million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $5 trillion-- $5,069,212,225,445.49 (Five trillion, sixty-nine billion, two hundred twelve million, two hundred twenty-five thousand, four hundred forty- five dollars and forty-nine cents) during the past 25 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business Friday, October 2, 1998, the federal debt stood at $5,525,136,204,444.24 (Five trillion, five hundred twenty-five billion, one hundred thirty-six million, two hundred four thousand, four hundred forty-four dollars and twenty-four cents). One year ago, October 2, 1997, the federal debt stood at $5,387,382,000,000 (Five trillion, three hundred eighty-seven billion, three hundred eighty-two million). Twenty-five years ago, October 2, 1973, the federal debt stood at $461,744,000,000 (Four hundred sixty-one billion, seven hundred forty- four million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $5 trillion-- $5,063,392,204,444.24 (Five trillion, sixty-three billion, three hundred ninety-two million, two hundred four thousand, four hundred forty-four dollars and twenty-four cents) during the past 25 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, when one pauses to ponder the implications of it all, 1998 has been a remarkable year in terms of there having been a sort of rebirth of (I still contend) America's great national pastime--baseball. And as an old (very) former sports writer, I have never pretended that baseball has not always been my favorite sport. I like all of them, I hasten to say, but baseball is, to this good day, Number One with me. So what, you may inquire, has made this year all that great? Let us begin by recounting the drama of Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa, each of whom broke the 37-year-old home run record of Roger Maris--and then kept on breaking their own records. I had meant, Mr. President, to pay my respects long ago to 14 very special youngsters from Greenville, North Carolina, who made hearts beat faster and faster as the team made their way to the national championship game of the Little League World Series. Greenville is the hometown of a lot of good things and good people. East Carolina University is there, including its splendid medical school. It is a colorful city (56,000) which understands and practices the free enterprise system. And you better believe that everybody in the area around Greenville was proud of those 14 young Little Leaguers who made it to the championship game. The young guys from Greenville lost that championship game to the team from Toms River, New Jersey, but they were winners big time just the same because they did win the consolation game with the excellent Canadian team. Look at it this way, Mr. President--the Little League team from Greenville ranks third in the world. I have a hunch that they know that they are Number One in the hearts of all of us who watched them on television, night after night, cheering them on. I should mention, by the way, that these comments were prompted by a fine young member of the Helms Senate Family, Josh Royster, who kept track of those fantastic youngsters from Greenville who made all of us proud. Josh was impressed with the manner in which coaches and parents and countless other folks sacrificed to support their team. They traveled across the country for the better part of six weeks, rooting for the Greenville Fourteen. That's what morale and role modeling and love and good citizenship are all about. And then when the 14 young guys arrived home, Josh says that 2,000 people turned out to greet them and cheer them on. A long time ago, when I was a lot younger than the Little Leaguers of 1998, Dad told me something that I have never forgotten: ``Son,'' he said, ``the Lord doesn't require you to win. He just expects you to try.'' Those 14 young guys did try and I suspect they won a lot more than they now realize. For one thing, there's a Senator up here who's hoping that Greenville's Little Leaguers will be in the championship game again next season. I am not alone in my feeling that those youngsters will be glad they did.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, during the past weekend in going through a file folder, I ran across a letter somehow placed there inadvertently this past July just before my surgery to replace my worn-out 1921-Model knees with new 1998-Models. The letter was from a longtime friend, Jim Lofton, well-known in Congress for his years as a highly respected assistant to the distinguished then-Congressman, Jim Broyhill, of North Carolina. (Jim subsequently served North Carolina's Governor Jim Martin who also had been a Congressman from North Carolina). Jim Lofton, now president of the North Carolina Association of Financial Institutions, had written to share the text of an address by another distinguished North Carolinian, Thomas J. Harrelson, who on July 1 had delivered an inspiring address to an audience of several hundred people, including 41 new U.S. citizens whose naturalization occurred at the ceremony in Southport at which Mr. Harrelson spoke. Mr. Lofton decided, quite correctly, that I might want to share Tommy Harrelson's remarks at Southport by inserting the text into the Congressional Record. Mr. President, with gratitude to Mr. Lofton and Mr. Harrelson, I ask unanimous consent that the text of Mr. Harrelson's address be printed in the Record.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business yesterday, Thursday, October 1, 1998, the federal debt stood at $5,540,570,493,226.32 (Five trillion, five hundred forty billion, five hundred seventy million, four hundred ninety-three thousand, two hundred twenty-six dollars and thirty-two cents). One year ago, October 1, 1997, the federal debt stood at $5,420,506,000,000 (Five trillion, four hundred twenty billion, five hundred six million). Five years ago, October 1, 1993, the federal debt stood at $4,406,340,000,000 (Four trillion, four hundred six billion, three hundred forty million). Twenty-five years ago, October 1, 1973, the federal debt stood at $460,589,000,000 (Four hundred sixty billion, five hundred eighty-nine million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $5 trillion-- $5,079,981,493,226.32 (Five trillion, seventy-nine billion, nine hundred eighty-one million, four hundred ninety-three thousand, two hundred twenty-six dollars and thirty-two cents) during the past 25 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, on rollcall vote No. 296, I was recorded as having voted ``nay.'' It was my intention to vote ``aye.'' I ask unanimous consent that I be recorded as a ``aye.'' This would not affect the outcome of the vote.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business yesterday, Wednesday, September 30, 1998, the federal debt stood at $5,526,193,008,897.62 (Five trillion, five hundred twenty-six billion, one hundred ninety-three million, eight thousand, eight hundred ninety- seven dollars and sixty-two cents). One year ago, September 30, 1997, the federal debt stood at $5,413,146,000,000 (Five trillion, four hundred thirteen billion, one hundred forty-six million). Five years ago, September 30, 1993, the federal debt stood at $4,411,488,000,000 (Four trillion, four hundred eleven billion, four hundred eighty-eight million). Ten years ago, September 30, 1988, the federal debt stood at $2,602,338,000,000 (Two trillion, six hundred two billion, three hundred thirty-eight million). Fifteen years ago, September 30, 1983, the federal debt stood at $1,377,210,000,000 (One trillion, three hundred seventy-seven billion, two hundred ten million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $4 trillion--$4,148,983,008,897.62 (Four trillion, one hundred forty-eight billion, nine hundred eighty-three million, eight thousand, eight hundred ninety-seven dollars and sixty-two cents) during the past 15 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, the American Petroleum Institute reports, for the week ending September 25, that the U.S. imported 9,953,000 barrels of oil each day, 1,691,000 barrels a day more than the 8,262,000 imported during the same week a year ago. Americans relied on foreign oil for 54.6 percent of their needs last week. There are no signs that the upward spiral will abate. Before the Persian Gulf War, the United States imported about 45 percent of its oil supply from foreign countries. During the Arab oil embargo in the 1970s, foreign oil accounted for only 35 percent of America's oil supply. All Americans should ponder the economic calamity certain to occur in the U.S. if and when foreign producers shut off our supply--or double the already enormous cost of imported oil flowing into the U.S.: now 9,953,000 barrels a day at a cost of approximately $132,175,840 a day.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business yesterday, Tuesday, September 29, 1998, the federal debt stood at $5,523,785,546,399.80 (Five trillion, five hundred twenty-three billion, seven hundred eighty-five million, five hundred forty-six thousand, three hundred ninety-nine dollars and eighty cents). One year ago, September 29, 1997, the federal debt stood at $5,388,316,000,000 (Five trillion, three hundred eighty-eight billion, three hundred sixteen million). Five years ago, September 29, 1993, the federal debt stood at $4,387,836,000,000 (Four trillion, three hundred eighty-seven billion, eight hundred thirty-six million). Ten years ago, September 29, 1988, the federal debt stood at $2,587,821,000,000 (Two trillion, five hundred eighty-seven billion, eight hundred twenty-one million). Fifteen years ago, September 29, 1983, the federal debt stood at $1,354,190,000,000 (One trillion, three hundred fifty-four billion, one hundred ninety million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $4 trillion--$4,169,595,546,399.80 (Four trillion, one hundred sixty-nine billion, five hundred ninety-five million, five hundred forty-six thousand, three hundred ninety-nine dollars and eighty cents) during the past 15 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business yesterday, Monday, September 28, 1998, the federal debt stood at $5,525,125,982,443.88 (Five trillion, five hundred twenty-five billion, one hundred twenty- five million, nine hundred eighty-two thousand, four hundred forty- three dollars and eighty-eight cents). Five years ago, September 28, 1993, the federal debt stood at $4,386,349,000,000 (Four trillion, three hundred eighty-six billion, three hundred forty-nine million). Ten years ago, September 28, 1988, the federal debt stood at $2,587,978,000,000 (Two trillion, five hundred eighty-seven billion, nine hundred seventy-eight million). Fifteen years ago, September 28, 1983, the federal debt stood at $1,354,464,000,000 (One trillion, three hundred fifty-four billion, four hundred sixty-four million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $4 trillion--$4,170,661,982,443.88 (Four trillion, one hundred seventy billion, six hundred sixty-one million, nine hundred eighty-two thousand, four hundred forty-three dollars and eighty-eight cents) during the past 15 years.