Jesse Helms

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, in the rush to end sanctions, I find it incredible that some of our colleagues appear willing to forgive and forget the conduct of regimes like those in Iran, Iraq, Libya, Cuba, Sudan, and North Korea. The inescapable impression is that they are willing--I hope unwittingly--to cast aside U.S. laws designed to ensure that U.S. taxpayers' money will not be sent to regimes that proliferate weapons of mass destruction, or smuggle drugs over our borders, or promote acts of terrorism around the world. More disheartening is an apparent willingness to abandon the Cuban people to the brutality of Fidel Castro. Mr. President, I am pleased that the Majority Leader has taken the initiative to create the Sanctions Task Force, of which I am a member. That bipartisan group has been tasked with studying sanctions in a deliberate process and produce recommendations for the consideration of the Senate. Rather than wait for that careful review, Senator Dodd has offered an amendment today that would have the effect of undermining existing sanctions on rogue states. Mr. President, there should be no mistake about Senator Dodd's seeking to undermine the U.S. embargo of Fidel Castro's regime. So eager is the Senator to achieve this end, that he is willing to blow a hole in all other U.S.-supported embargoes as well. That is what the Senator's amendment would do. The Senator's amendment is based on the mistaken notion that people in Cuba go without food and medicine due to U.S. sanctions. The facts paint a very different picture. Cubans have been impoverished by a failed Communist economy. Moreover, Castro denies his own people such necessities as a means of keeping them under his thumb. But, he makes state-of-the-art medical care available to Communist party cronies and foreign tourists who provide hard currency to his regime. Mr. President, U.S. and multilateral sanctions routinely contemplate humanitarian needs of the people in these countries. In the case of Cuba, U.S. law currently permits the sale of medicines and the donation of food and other humanitarian necessities. Indeed, just since 1992, Americans have provided about $2.3 billion in aid directly to the Cuban people. The comprehensive trade embargo on Iran allows for humanitarian donations to be sent. Even with North Korea, the U.S. has been able to accommodate humanitarian needs without loosening the restrictions in other areas. In Iraq, the food-for-oil agreement allows humanitarian aid to flow. Our Treasury Department also licenses the donation and sale of these items. The bottom-line is that the Dodd amendment is not good for the Cuban people or any other country--including our own. Therefore it is imperative that the Torricelli second degree amendment be approved by the Senate. In Cuba, as with other countries, there are reasonable, pro-active steps that we can take to promote the liberation of the people and, in the mean time, provide humanitarian assistance. But, we should do this without letting up the pressure on the tyrants who torment their own people. Mr. President, in closing, I am persuaded that it is not and never will be in the interest of the United States of America to relax pressure on governments that promote terrorism, destabilize regions with their aggression, proliferate nuclear weapons technology, and enslave their own people. Therefore, I urge that the pending Torricelli second degree amendment be approved overwhelmingly.

Mr. HELMS. I thank the Chair. Madam President, I rise in respectful opposition to some of the implications of the amendment offered by my good friend, the distinguished Senator from Indiana, Mr. Lugar. Now, we all know that sanctions have come under assault of late. It is the politically correct thing to do amidst Senator Lugar's and my friends in the business community. And I think neither Senator Lugar nor I has failed to stand up for the free enterprise system and the business community when the community deserved to be supported, which is most of the time. Nevertheless, there are some powerful corporate interests in this town which have launched a well-financed lobbying campaign against sanctions, all sanctions, in an obvious attempt to convince Congress that all sorts of unreasonable sanction laws have been presented and that these sanctions are something new and unusual and somehow detrimental to the best interests of this country. On that point I beg to differ. The fact is, as an effective and principled foreign policy tool economic sanctions are older than this Republic itself. What did the American colonies do in response to Britain's imposition of the Stamp Act? The American colonies imposed economic sanctions forcing its repeal as a matter of fact. What did the Continental Congress do when Britain imposed the Intolerable Acts? The Continental Congress imposed economic sanctions on Britain. Why has Congress always authorized sanctions when needed? This is a question that is worth reviewing, and that is what I propose to do briefly, if it may be possible. Amazingly, some in the business community, and they have always been and will continue to be close friends of mine, have jumped to the conclusion on the recent events in India and Pakistan to pursue their attacks on the U.S. bilateral sanctions. But it is precisely those events in India and Pakistan, the decision by these governments to detonate a dozen separate nuclear weapons, that should heighten our resolve to enforce tough sanctions against governments that seek to destabilize the world. The fact is, in that instance, Madam President, I believe, and I believe I can demonstrate, that India detonated its devices because of India's fear that the United States was coddling China and bidding friendship for China that ought not to be a part of the foreign policy of this country. Now, just weeks ago the Senate passed the Iran Missile Proliferation Sanctions Act by an overwhelming vote of 90 to 4. Why did we do that? In order to place a cost on the specific companies for transferring dangerous missile technology to a terrorist regime in Iran which will use that technology to destabilize the entire Persian Gulf region. Now, we authorize the President to sanction states and foreign companies that threaten the safety of the American people by spreading nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons of mass destruction. We authorize sanctions on states, and when I say the word ``states,'' I mean governments, foreign governments, which provide training, weapons and political or financial and diplomatic support to terrorists who kidnap and murder American citizens. We authorize sanctions on governments involved in the smuggling and transshipment of illegal drugs that poison our children. We authorize sanctions on governments that commit acts of genocide and armed aggression against their neighbors and crimes against humanity. The question must be faced: Are we unreasonable in doing this? Should we be ashamed? I do not think so. Obviously, sanctions are not always the answer. I do not contend that they are, but we cannot escape the fact that sometimes they are the only answer. I think we better face the facts. There are only three basic tools in foreign policy. There is diplomacy, sanctions, and war. Without sanctions, where would we be? Our options with the dictators and proliferators and terrorists of this world would be three: empty talk, sending in the Marines, or withdrawing into isolation. And I for one am not willing to place such artificial limits on our foreign policy options. But this is exactly, I fear, what the pending amendment proposes to do. Perhaps the Senator from Indiana can persuade me and the remainder, the rest of the Senate that that is not intended and at least make some statements for the Record that can be viewed in the future. In practice, this amendment is not about sanctions reform as it states. It is an obvious attempt by opponents of sanctions and the business community to hamstring Congress' ability to authorize sanctions. The proposed amendment would tie Congress' hands with mandatory waiting periods for the implementation of all sanctions, require mandatory sunsets on all future sanctions laws and define a wide range of congressional actions known or referred to as ``sanctions'' when they are nothing of the sort. This amendment, I fear, would impose a mandatory 2-year time limit on all U.S. sanctions law. I'm afraid that would be opening a Pandora's box. Imagine if this was the law of the land when the United States enacted the Arms Export Control Act which prohibits the sale of sophisticated weapons to nations that the State Department determines annually support terrorism--governments like Syria, Iran, Iraq, Libya and North Korea. Would we have wanted those sanctions to be eliminated under an arbitrary 2-year timetable? I think not. Further, what exactly is meant by the term ``sanctions''? The pending amendment, it seems to me, breaks new ground on what henceforth would be considered a ``sanction.'' Under this amendment, it seems to me, the denial of U.S. foreign aid would be deemed a sanction. Any conditionality on U.S. funding to the World Bank or the IMF would be a ``sanction'' on a foreign government. And let me remind Senators that since it was created in 1945, American taxpayers have anted up billions of dollars for the World Bank and now the antisanctions crowd tells us that we can't place any conditions on the expenditures of those funds. According to a recent report by the USIA, the conditions placed by Congress on U.S. foreign aid to the Palestinian Liberation Organization are a ``sanction.'' Really? Conditioning U.S. foreign aid to the PLO-- an organization whose modus operandi for most of its existence has been killing innocent civilians--is now deemed a sanction? What this amendment, I fear, proposes to do is to enshrine U.S. foreign aid giveaways as an entitlement, an entitlement to foreign countries. Wait one moment before jumping to conclusions. While this amendment expands the definition of sanctions to absurd proportions, it doesn't cover all sanctions. Oh, no. You see, our friends in the business community--and they are my friends, and they are Senator Lugar's friends--and their lobbyists who helped write this amendment have quietly carved out an exemption for bilateral sanctions they like-- sanctions that directly benefit them. The same folks who are busy telling us that sanctions don't work and should be scrapped, have ensured that certain retaliatory trade sanctions are exempt from the restrictions of this legislation. The way some in the business community have influenced the crafting of this amendment, Congress would be hamstrung in implementing sanctions against any nation that poses a threat to the safety of the American people, even if a government proliferates dangerous weapons of mass destruction, commits genocide, or supports terrorists responsible for murdering American citizens. But, if they flood the American market with cheap television sets--whoa, that is a different proposition. We can throw the book at them. Under this amendment, the President would be prohibited from implementing sanctions against any country for at least 45 days, supposedly under the guise of a ``cooling off'' period. On the surface, that sounds pretty reasonable. But in practice, a 2-month lapse is not only foolish, it can be downright dangerous. One example--after the Libyan terrorists blew up Pan Am flight 103, murdering 263 innocent citizens in cold blood, the United Nations spent months and months debating appropriate actions against Libya. Meanwhile, Libya divested itself of most reachable assets in order to avoid the impact of sanctions. So the pending amendment would essentially afford other terrorist states the same courtesy. While the United States ``cools off'' for 45 days, the terrorists, the proliferators, the genocidal dictators, would have 2 months to quietly divest their finances and conceal the evidence and provide safe haven for fugitives. That strikes me as being something short of reform. The pending amendment would not place these requirements on multilateral sanctions. Of course, multilateral sanctions are more effective than bilateral sanctions. But, should the United States be handcuffed to the will, or more likely the lack of will, of the so- called international community? Should we tie our hands to the whims of our European ``allies''--and I put quotation marks around allies because their slumping welfare state economies are driving them to employ increasingly mercantilist foreign policies. Right now the United States is waging a lonely battle at the United Nations to stop our allies from caving in and lifting U.N. sanctions on Iraq. If it were up to the French and the Russians, international business would be rushing headlong into Baghdad to renew commercial ties with Saddam Hussein, notwithstanding his continued defiance of U.N. weapons inspectors. Yet, we should give these people a veto over our national security policy that was won through the sacrifice and courage and blood of American men and women just 7 years ago? I believe we need sanctions reform. One reform we might consider is requiring that the sanctions which Congress passes would be actually implemented. Not long ago, Congress passed the Iran-Libya Sanctions Act--a targeted law much of whose language, I might add, was drafted by the Clinton administration itself. Live on CNN, the President signed it into law with great pomp and circumstance. But then, when the time came to implement that law, the President lost his nerve and the U.S. foreign policy suffered yet another devastating loss of credibility. The distinguished majority leader, Mr. Lott, and the Senate minority leader, Mr. Daschle, have established a bipartisan ``sanctions reform task force'' to determine if, as critics have complained, Congress has gone ``sanctions mad.'' This, in my view, is a wise plan, and I serve on that task force; the Senator from Indiana serves on it, as does Senator Glenn and other interested Senators from both parties. The first question we are seeking to answer is, What is a sanction? In fact, we are having a hearing planned for July 31 to study this and other questions. In conclusion, Madam President, instead of rushing forward with any sort of ill-considered amendment--and I say that as respectfully as possible--the ramifications of which are unknown to most Senators, we should let that task force do its work and consider ways Congress can strengthen its consideration of proposed sanctions laws. Those who are prone to criticize the ``impulsive'' actions of the U.S. Senate, actions which I happen to believe are motivated by a devotion to the security of this country and its people, should themselves be wary of impulsive ``one-size-fits-all'' solutions such as this amendment. I thank the Chair. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. HELMS. I certainly will.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business yesterday, Monday, July 13, 1998, the federal debt stood at $5,528,488,599,737.13 (Five trillion, five hundred twenty-eight billion, four hundred eighty-eight million, five hundred ninety-nine thousand, seven hundred thirty-seven dollars and thirteen cents). Five years ago, July 13, 1993, the federal debt stood at $4,335,590,000,000 (Four trillion, three hundred thirty-five billion, five hundred ninety million). Ten years ago, July 13, 1988, the federal debt stood at $2,550,221,000,000 (Two trillion, five hundred fifty billion, two hundred twenty-one million). Fifteen years ago, July 13, 1983, the federal debt stood at $1,328,638,000,000 (One trillion, three hundred twenty-eight billion, six hundred thirty-eight million). Twenty-five years ago, July 13, 1973, the federal debt stood at $454,997,000,000 (Four hundred fifty-four billion, nine hundred ninety- seven million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $5 trillion--$5,073,491,599,737.13 (Five trillion, seventy-three billion, four hundred ninety-one million, five hundred ninety-nine thousand, seven hundred thirty-seven dollars and thirteen cents) during the past 25 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business Friday, July 10, 1998, the federal debt stood at $5,525,566,285,491.56 (Five trillion, five hundred twenty-five billion, five hundred sixty-six million, two hundred eighty-five thousand, four hundred ninety-one dollars and fifty-six cents). One year ago, July 10, 1997, the federal debt stood at $5,354,746,000,000 (Five trillion, three hundred fifty-four billion, seven hundred forty-six million). Twenty-five years ago, July 10, 1973, the federal debt stood at $454,595,000,000 (Four hundred fifty-four billion, five hundred ninety- five million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $5 trillion-- $5,070,971,285,491.56 (Five trillion, seventy billion, nine hundred seventy-one million, two hundred eighty-five thousand, four hundred ninety-one dollars and fifty-six cents) during the past 25 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business yesterday, Thursday, July 9, 1998, the federal debt stood at $5,526,093,018,467.09 (Five trillion, five hundred twenty-six billion, ninety-three million, eighteen thousand, four hundred sixty-seven dollars and nine cents). One year ago, July 9, 1997, the federal debt stood at $5,359,038,000,000 (Five trillion, three hundred fifty-nine billion, thirty-eight million). Five years ago, July 9, 1993, the federal debt stood at $4,336,575,000,000 (Four trillion, three hundred thirty-six billion, five hundred seventy-five million). Twenty-five years ago, July 9, 1973, the federal debt stood at $454,517,000,000 (Four hundred fifty-four billion, five hundred seventeen million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $5 trillion--$5,071,576,018,467.09 (Five trillion, seventy-one billion, five hundred seventy-six million, eighteen thousand, four hundred sixty-seven dollars and nine cents) during the past 25 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate stand in recess for an additional 3 minutes.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate stand in recess for 5 minutes.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, I shall ask unanimous consent in just a moment that the Senate stand in recess for perhaps 5 minutes so that Senators may greet a distinguished guest. It is my distinct pleasure to introduce to the Senate Prime Minister Buzek of Poland, a friend of democracy, a friend of America, and leader of our newest NATO ally. I hope Senators will join in welcoming him to the U.S. Senate.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business yesterday, Wednesday, July 8, 1998, the federal debt stood at $5,529,002,150,322.41 (Five trillion, five hundred twenty-nine billion, two million, one hundred fifty thousand, three hundred twenty-two dollars and forty-one cents). One year ago, July 8, 1997, the federal debt stood at $5,354,620,000,000 (Five trillion, three hundred fifty-four billion, six hundred twenty million). Five years ago, July 8, 1993, the federal debt stood at $4,340,815,000,000 (Four trillion, three hundred forty billion, eight hundred fifteen million). Ten years ago, July 8, 1988, the federal debt stood at $2,553,584,000,000 (Two trillion, five hundred fifty-three billion, five hundred eighty-four million). Fifteen years ago, July 8, 1983, the federal debt stood at $1,328,732,000,000 (One trillion, three hundred twenty-eight billion, seven hundred thirty-two million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $4 trillion--$4,200,270,150,322.41 (Four trillion, two hundred billion, two hundred seventy million, one hundred fifty thousand, three hundred twenty-two dollars and forty-one cents) during the past 15 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, the American Petroleum Institute has reported that for the week ending July 3 that the U.S. imported 7,328,000 barrels of oil each day, 1,632,000 barrels a day less than the 8,960,000 imported during the same week a year ago. While this is one of the rare weeks when Americans imported slightly less foreign oil than the same week a year ago, Americans still relied on foreign oil for 53.7 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 7,328,000 barrels a day at a cost of approximately $80,608,830 a day.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business yesterday, Tuesday, July 7, 1998, the federal debt stood at $5,530,116,137,980.45 (Five trillion, five hundred thirty billion, one hundred sixteen million, one hundred thirty-seven thousand, nine hundred eighty dollars and forty-five cents). One year ago, July 7, 1997, the federal debt stood at $5,355,915,000,000 (Five trillion, three hundred fifty-five billion, nine hundred fifteen million). Five years ago, July 7, 1993, the federal debt stood at $4,337,775,000,000 (Four trillion, three hundred thirty-seven billion, seven hundred seventy-five million). Ten years ago, July 7, 1988, the federal debt stood at $2,555,671,000,000 (Two trillion, five hundred fifty-five billion, six hundred seventy-one million). Fifteen years ago, July 7, 1983, the federal debt stood at $1,328,914,000,000 (One trillion, three hundred twenty-eight billion, nine hundred fourteen million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $4 trillion--$4,201,202,137,980.45 (Four trillion, two hundred one billion, two hundred two million, one hundred thirty-seven thousand, nine hundred eighty dollars and forty-five cents) during the past 15 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business yesterday, Monday, July 6, 1998, the federal debt stood at $5,529,920,619,100.92 (Five trillion, five hundred twenty-nine billion, nine hundred twenty million, six hundred nineteen thousand, one hundred dollars and ninety-two cents). Five years ago, July 6, 1993, the federal debt stood at $4,337,116,000,000 (Four trillion, three hundred thirty-seven billion, one hundred sixteen million). Ten years ago, July 6, 1988, the federal debt stood at $2,554,838,000,000 (Two trillion, five hundred fifty-four billion, eight hundred thirty-eight million). Fifteen years ago, July 6, 1983, the federal debt stood at $1,328,674,000,000 (One trillion, three hundred twenty-eight billion, six hundred seventy-four million). Twenty-five years ago, July 6, 1973, the federal debt stood at $454,404,000,000 (Four hundred fifty-four billion, four hundred four million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $5 trillion-- $5,075,516,619,100.92 (Five trillion, seventy-five billion, five hundred sixteen million, six hundred nineteen thousand, one hundred dollars and ninety-two cents) during the past 25 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Madam President, at the close of business Friday, July 3, 1998, the federal debt stood at $5,528,258,076,325.62 (Five trillion, five hundred twenty-eight billion, two hundred fifty-eight million, seventy-six thousand, three hundred twenty-five dollars and sixty-two cents). One year ago, July 3, 1997, the federal debt stood at $5,356,041,000,000 (Five trillion, three hundred fifty-six billion, forty-one million). Twenty-five years ago, July 3, 1973, the federal debt stood at $453,254,000,000 (Four hundred fifty-three billion, two hundred fifty- four million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $5 trillion-- $5,075,004,076,325.62 (Five trillion, seventy-five billion, four million, seventy-six thousand, three hundred twenty-five dollars and sixty-two cents) during the past 25 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business yesterday, Thursday, June 25, 1998, the federal debt stood at $5,504,168,372,205.11 (Five trillion, five hundred four billion, one hundred sixty-eight million, three hundred seventy-two thousand, two hundred five dollars and eleven cents). One year ago, June 25, 1997, the federal debt stood at $5,339,644,000,000 (Five trillion, three hundred thirty-nine billion, six hundred forty-four million). Five years ago, June 25, 1993, the federal debt stood at $4,305,269,000,000 (Four trillion, three hundred five billion, two hundred sixty-nine million). Twenty-five years ago, June 25, 1973, the federal debt stood at $452,652,000,000 (Four hundred fifty-two billion, six hundred fifty-two million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $5 trillion-- $5,051,516,372,205.11 (Five trillion, fifty-one billion, five hundred sixteen million, three hundred seventy-two thousand, two hundred five dollars and eleven cents) during the past 25 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business yesterday, Wednesday, June 24, 1998, the federal debt stood at $5,503,890,151,659.51 (Five trillion, five hundred three billion, eight hundred ninety million, one hundred fifty-one thousand, six hundred fifty-nine dollars and fifty-one cents). One year ago, June 24, 1997, the federal debt stood at $5,336,558,000,000 (Five trillion, three hundred thirty-six billion, five hundred fifty-eight million). Five years ago, June 24, 1993, the federal debt stood at $4,304,357,000,000 (Four trillion, three hundred four billion, three hundred fifty-seven million). Ten years ago, June 24, 1988, the federal debt stood at $2,527,474,000,000 (Two trillion, five hundred twenty-seven billion, four hundred seventy-four million). Fifteen years ago, June 24, 1983, the federal debt stood at $1,303,410,000,000 (One trillion, three hundred three billion, four hundred ten million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $4 trillion--$4,200,480,151,659.51 (Four trillion, two hundred billion, four hundred eighty million, one hundred fifty-one thousand, six hundred fifty-nine dollars and fifty-one cents) during the past 15 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, the American Petroleum Institute has reported that for the week ending June 19 that the U.S. imported 7,883,000 barrels of oil each day, more than a quarter million (253,000) barrels a day more than the 7,630,000 imported during the same week a year ago. Americans relied on foreign oil for 55.5 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 7,883,000 barrels a day at a cost of approximately $78,908,830 a day.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, it is an exciting development that the electrical cooperatives in North Carolina are improving public education and the quality of classroom instruction without spending a dime of the taxpayer's money. Since 1994, the electrical cooperatives in my state have sponsored a grant program for teachers called ``Bright Ideas'', and it has been a roaring success--encouraging creative teaching by awarding grants of up to $2,000 to K-12 teachers in annual competitions. There is no restriction on subject matter to apply; in fact, Mr. President, teachers are not required to teach in a cooperative service area to compete. Teachers need only to show that they are using original, innovative ideas to improve the education of young people. These new teaching methods range from reading and music programs to creative math and science programs; from research involving computers and video technology to career-oriented programs to prepare teenagers for the working world. 2,000 teachers applied to cooperatives for grants this year, and more than 400 classrooms in North Carolina became ``Bright Ideas'' classrooms. Mr. President, North Carolina's electric cooperatives operate in 93 of our 100 counties, providing power to almost a quarter of our state's population. Most members of these cooperatives aren't walking around with deep-pockets. They're hard-working folks in rural areas who recognize the value of a good education. The ``Bright Ideas'' program initiated by these fine people continues to flourish. In 1994, North Carolina's electric cooperatives authorized a collaborative statewide effort and allocated $225,000 annually for Bright Ideas for a five-year period. But a funny thing happened, Mr. President. These grants proved so successful that individual cooperatives are getting into the act and supplementing already allocated funds with money of their own. Their initiative will allow the cooperatives to award more than $1 million dollars in grants a full year ahead of schedule. In fact, Chuck Terrill, Executive Vice-President and CEO of the North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation says that ``Bright Ideas'' grants for North Carolina's school will top $1.5 million by the end of the 1998-1999 school year. Mr. President, ``Bright Ideas'' is just one of the many ways the members of North Carolina's electric cooperatives help their communities and support their public schools. I congratulate them for seeing a need and providing precious resources to challenge the children in North Carolina's classrooms.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business yesterday, Tuesday, June 23, 1998, the federal debt stood at $5,500,927,020,489.88 (Five trillion, five hundred billion, nine hundred twenty-seven million, twenty thousand, four hundred eighty-nine dollars and eighty- eight cents). One year ago, June 23, 1997, the federal debt stood at $5,332,782,000,000 (Five trillion, three hundred thirty-two billion, seven hundred eighty-two million). Five years ago, June 23, 1993, the federal debt stood at $4,302,429,000,000 (Four trillion, three hundred two billion, four hundred twenty-nine million). Ten years ago, June 23, 1988, the federal debt stood at $2,527,068,000,000 (Two trillion, five hundred twenty-seven billion, sixty-eight million). Fifteen years ago, June 23, 1983, the federal debt stood at $1,303,239,000,000 (One trillion, three hundred three billion, two hundred thirty-nine million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $4 trillion--$4,197,688,020,489.88 (Four trillion, one hundred ninety-seven billion, six hundred eighty-eight million, twenty thousand, four hundred eighty-nine dollars and eighty-eight cents) during the past 15 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, for the Committee on Foreign Relations, I also report favorably a list in the Foreign Service which was printed in full in the Record of September 3, 1997, and ask unanimous consent, to save the expenses of reprinting on the Executive Calendar, that this nomination lie at the Secretary's desk for the information of Senators.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business yesterday, Monday, June 22, 1998, the federal debt stood at $5,496,659,912,687.35 (Five trillion, four hundred ninety-six billion, six hundred fifty-nine million, nine hundred twelve thousand, six hundred eighty-seven dollars and thirty-five cents). Five years ago, June 22, 1993, the federal debt stood at $4,299,889,000,000 (Four trillion, two hundred ninety-nine billion, eight hundred eighty-nine million). Ten years ago, June 22, 1988, the federal debt stood at $2,526,369,000,000 (Two trillion, five hundred twenty-six billion, three hundred sixty-nine million). Fifteen years ago, June 22, 1983, the federal debt stood at $1,303,008,000,000 (One trillion, three hundred three billion, eight million). Twenty-five years ago, June 22, 1973, the federal debt stood at $453,584,000,000 (Four hundred fifty-three billion, five hundred eighty-four million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $5 trillion--$5,043,075,912,687.35 (Five trillion, forty-three billion, seventy-five million, nine hundred twelve thousand, six hundred eighty- seven dollars and thirty-five cents) during the past 25 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business Friday, June 19, 1998, the federal debt stood at $5,493,981,708,739.93 (Five trillion, four hundred ninety-three billion, nine hundred eighty-one million, seven hundred eight thousand, seven hundred thirty-nine dollars and ninety-three cents). One year ago, June 19, 1997, the federal debt stood at $5,330,019,000,000 (Five trillion, three hundred thirty billion, nineteen million). Twenty-five years ago, June 19, 1973, the federal debt stood at $455,362,000,000 (Four hundred fifty-five billion, three hundred sixty- two million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $5 trillion-- $5,038,619,708,739.93 (Five trillion, thirty-eight billion, six hundred nineteen million, seven hundred eight thousand, seven hundred thirty- nine dollars and ninety-three cents) during the past 25 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Madam President, I appreciate the distinguished Senator from Kentucky and his courtesy in yielding to me. We will not take long. I just could not resist the opportunity to bring this distinguished delegation to the Chamber. We have the parliamentary delegation of the Republic of China on Taiwan, headed by the Honorable Yao Eng-Chi, the official diplomatic representative to the United States. Recess

Mr. HELMS. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate stand in recess for 3 minutes so Senators may pay their respects to this fine delegation.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business yesterday, Tuesday, June 16, 1998, the federal debt stood at $5,489,043,503,639.58 (Five trillion, four hundred eighty-nine billion, forty-three million, five hundred three thousand, six hundred thirty-nine dollars and fifty- eight cents). One year ago, June 16, 1997, the federal debt stood at $5,355,413,000,000 (Five trillion, three hundred fifty-five billion, four hundred thirteen million). Five years ago, June 16, 1993, the federal debt stood at $4,302,703,000,000 (Four trillion, three hundred two billion, seven hundred three million). Ten years ago, June 16, 1988, the federal debt stood at $2,526,681,000,000 (Two trillion, five hundred twenty-six billion, six hundred eighty-one million). Fifteen years ago, June 16, 1983, the federal debt stood at $1,304,460,000,000 (One trillion, three hundred four billion, four hundred sixty million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $4 trillion--$4,184,583,503,639.58 (Four trillion, one hundred eighty-four billion, five hundred eighty-three million, five hundred three thousand, six hundred thirty-nine dollars and fifty-eight cents) during the past 15 years.