Jesse Helms

Mr. HELMS

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

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

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 President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. HELMS. I understand that. But I respect the Senator from Maryland. I want him to have his say. Certainly, Mr. President, I am not going to criticize Senator Lugar. I think and hope we have been friends ever since he came here. I have made several statements publicly in his advocacy. I think he will acknowledge that. But he is not in a position in which he has to make judgments that will lead to either a successful piece of legislation or an unsuccessful one, depending on which decision is made. Senator Biden has very eloquently and accurately described the process by which the committee brought in a lot of views and a lot of people, including the distinguished majority leader, Trent Lott, and the relevant appropriations subcommittee chair Judd Gregg. As I said in my statement earlier, this bill will not represent every provision that I want, but I think it is the best legislation for the American people. I do not need any pollster to tell me that; in fact, I have found out that the results often depend on who the pollster is taking a poll for and what the people who paid for the poll want to accomplish with the poll. That certainly is a game that is played in politics constantly. But let me say that speaking, I think, for a sizable percentage of the American people--and not having a poll except the ringing of the telephone in my office and the fax machine grinding constantly and the mail by the sackfuls--we do not owe it to the rest of the world to pay the so-called arrearages to the United Nations for peacekeeping, and we certainly do not owe these nickel and dime amounts to our allies or to anyone else, for that matter. Let me set the record straight just a bit. I do not say this with any hostility, but if you think the American people have not been socked with enough taxes to support whatever project or institution that is supported at the moment, let's look at the facts. Since 1950 the United States--that means the American taxpayers--has given other countries (free of charge) $120 billion in military assistance through grants and loans. In just the past 10 years, the United States paid $40.4 billion in military assistance to another set of countries. I have heard no moaning and groaning on this floor about what we owe, but nothing about all of the support the U.S. has given. When you add up the low-cost and no-cost loans to the total assistance that the American taxpayers have been forced by their Government--by this Senate, by the House of Representatives, by the President sitting in the Oval Office on Pennsylvania Avenue --the total assistance that the American taxpayers have given out since 1950 amounts to at least $161 billion--and mind you, that does not include interest that has been forgiven when we didn't seek repayment of loans. In addition, every dime of this has been given away in years when we did not balance the budget. These costs are part of the reason that we have a $5.400 trillion federal debt today. So let me be clear--we long have bankrolled the world, and I will cry tomorrow for those ambassadors from France and Germany, and even Poland, who say that they do not like what Jesse Helms is doing in the Senate. Well, Jesse Helms does not like to have to do it, but some of us have reached the point that we have to hold hands tight and work out a deal that will achieve long overdue reforms. Now, this pending bill is the proposition that has been agreed to by the President of the United States, by the Secretary of State, by Joe Biden--who is the ranking Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee-- and by countless other distinguished Americans whom we have consulted and with whom we have worked. Now, let me tell you something. It is easy to sit back and say, ``Well, we have got to pay our debts.'' With what and on what schedule? Are you going to add it to the federal debt? What are you going to cut out of the budget which we have been unable, thus far, to get balanced in this body and in the House of Representatives and then signed by the President? We all hear that there is a coalition of interests, but my primary interest happens to be the people who pick up their lunch pail and go to work every morning, who do not know much about Congress. They are trusting us to protect their future and the futures of their children and grandchildren. Now, every campaign they are celebrated as the reason Joe Candidate and Mary Candidate are running for office, looking for votes. But as soon as the election is over, you do not hear much more except a political speech now and then. Now, I have been on the Foreign Relations Committee quite a while. Joe Biden and I held up our hands to take the oath of office on the same day--January 3, 1973, right over in that corner. We have been in the Senate the same length of time. I have enjoyed serving with Senator Biden because although he and I seldom agree on fundamental issues, he always shoots straight with me--and I think that he will say that I have shot straight with him. I am a conservative and I am unabashed about it. And Joe, no doubt about it, is a liberal. That is the way it goes in this body. But also on the Foreign Relations Committee some years ago, I think in the mid-1980s, one of the bad ladies who served on the committee-- now, I am not even going to joke about it. She is one of the sweetest ladies I have ever known, one of the brightest ladies I have ever known, and one of the most unyielding ladies I have ever known-- and her name was Nancy Kassebaum. It is now Nancy Kassebaum Baker because she is the bride of Howard Baker, the former majority leader of this Senate. Now, it was, I believe, 1986 an amendment was enacted into law in the State Department Authorization Act. And by the way how many authorization bills have been passed since that year? Not many, not many. So the affairs of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Mr. President, have been handled by the Appropriations Committee until this year and we are endeavoring to have the Foreign Relations Committee resume its rightful place in the conduct of foreign affairs. I do not think it ought to be conducted by the Appropriations Committee. But in any case, our former colleague from Kansas, the then Nancy Kassebaum, used a very interesting approach more than a decade ago in trying to get a budget reform at the United Nations. She was so disappointed and so was I with the way the United Nations was being operated. Her amendment was enacted into law for the authorization act for fiscal years 1986 and 1987. It explicitly and unilaterally withheld 20 percent of the U.S. contribution to the United Nations and its specialized agency until voting reforms took place at the U.N. Now, I must ask, what is so unusual about this bill? We are including provisions that require reforms in the same way--by withholding U.S. contributions. I do not know whether Senator Lugar was chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee at that time. If he was, I doubt that he very strongly opposed Senator Kassebaum. But the point is we have so many people who have responsible roles to play in this matter. We are hearing from the President and former Presidents, we are hearing from Secretaries of State and former Secretaries of State, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera, as Yul Brenner said in ``The King and I.'' I have a letter from Bob Dole supporting this plan. I ask unanimous consent it be printed in the Record at the conclusion of my remarks.

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, I have had several inquiries about how late we are going. My response has been, of course, that that is up to the leadership of the Senate. For the time being, I hope that the distinguished Senator from Ohio would be recognized to offer an amendment, and that the pending amendments be laid aside temporarily, at the conclusion of which I would appreciate the Chair recognizing me for any further comment that I may have received from the majority leader in regard to how late we will stay here tonight.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business yesterday, Wednesday, June 11, 1997, the Federal debt stood at $5,355,419,342,837.75. (Five trillion, three hundred fifty-five billion, four hundred nineteen million, three hundred forty-two thousand, eight hundred thirty-seven dollars and seventy-five cents) One year ago, June 11, 1996, the Federal debt stood at $5,136,928,000,000. (Five trillion, one hundred thirty-six billion, nine hundred twenty-eight million) Five years ago, June 11, 1992, the Federal debt stood at $3,942,238,000,000. (Three trillion, nine hundred forty-two billion, two hundred thirty-eight million) Ten years ago, June 11, 1987, the Federal debt stood at $2,293,413,000,000. (Two trillion, two hundred ninety-three billion, four hundred thirteen million) Fifteen years ago, June 11, 1982, the Federal debt stood at $1,075,173,000,000 (One trillion, seventy-five billion, one hundred seventy-three million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $4 trillion--$4,280,246,342,837.75 (Four trillion, two hundred eighty billion, two hundred forty-six million, three hundred forty-two thousand, eight hundred thirty-seven dollars and seventy-five cents) during the past 15 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, the American Petroleum Institute reports that for the week ending June 6, the United States imported 8,429,000 barrels of oil each day, 421,000 barrels more than the 8,008,000 imported each day during the same week a year ago. Americans relied on foreign oil for 56.6 percent of their needs last week, and there are no signs that the upward spiral will abate. Before the Persian Gulf war, the United States obtained approximately 45 percent of its oil supply from foreign countries. During the Arab oil embargo in the 1970's, foreign oil accounted for only 35 percent of America's oil supply. Anybody else interested in restoring domestic production of oil? By U.S. producers using American workers? Politicians had better ponder the economic calamity sure to occur in America if and when foreign producers shut off our supply--or double the already enormous cost of imported oil flowing into the United States--now 8,429,000 barrels a day.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business yesterday, Tuesday, June 10, 1997, the Federal debt stood at $5,351,973,547,710.08. (Five trillion, three hundred fifty-one billion, nine hundred seventy-three million, five hundred forty-seven thousand, seven hundred ten dollars and eight cents.) One year ago, June 10, 1992, the Federal debt stood at $5,134,653,000,000. (Five trillion, one hundred thirty-four billion, six hundred fifty-three million.) Five years ago, June 10, 1992, the Federal debt stood at $3,939,456,000,000. (Three trillion, nine hundred thirty-nine billion, four hundred fifty-six million.) Ten years ago, June 10, 1987, the Federal debt stood at $2,294,202,000,000. (Two trillion, two hundred ninety-four billion, two hundred two million.) Fifteen years ago, June 10, 1972, the Federal debt stood at $1,073,704,000,000 (One trillion, seventy-three billion, seven hundred four million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $4 trillion-- $4,278,269,547,710.08 (Four trillion, two hundred seventy-eight billion, two hundred sixty-nine million, five hundred forty-seven thousand, seven hundred ten dollars and eight cents) during the past 15 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, this past Saturday, June 7, marked the 30th anniversary of the reunification of the city of Jerusalem. Prior to 1967, Jerusalem was a city divided, its center scarred by concrete and barbed wire, with many of its residents displaced. Israel's recovery of Jerusalem during the Six-Day War ended that ugly partition and restored the ability of visitors and residents of all religions to worship freely and visit important holy sites in Jerusalem. For my part, I am convinced that Jerusalem should remain the unified capital of the State of Israel. I have consistently supported measures before the Congress expressing opposition to the division of the holy city. The Jerusalem Embassy Relocation Act, passed in 1995, definitively expressed Congress' heartfelt belief that Jerusalem should not only remain the capital of the State of Israel, but that the United States should recognize it as such. Jerusalem occupies a central place in the Christian, Islamic, and Jewish faiths and I believe it is crucial to each of these great traditions that Jerusalem remain undivided and its holy sites open. I urge that the President and the State Department declare their support for a free, united Jerusalem, and to avoid interfering in negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians on the status of the holy city. Mr. President, in these last 30 years, the holy city of Jerusalem has flourished, not just for Israel, but for all people. Nobody can claim complete ownership of one of the spiritual centers of the world. But we can all congratulate the State of Israel on its excellent stewardship.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business yesterday, Monday, June 9, 1997, the Federal debt stood at $5,348,703,813,773.07. (Five trillion, three hundred forty-eight billion, seven hundred three million, eight hundred thirteen thousand, seven hundred seventy-three dollars and seven cents) Five years ago, June 9, 1992, the Federal debt stood at $3,940,424,000,000. (Three trillion, nine hundred forty billion, four hundred twenty-four million) Ten years ago, June 9, 1987, the Federal debt stood at $2,296,260,000,000. (Two trillion, two hundred ninety-six billion, two hundred sixty million) Fifteen years ago, June 9, 1982, the Federal debt stood at $1,072,647,000,000. (One trillion, seventy-two billion, six hundred forty-seven million) Twenty-five years ago, June 9, 1972, the Federal debt stood at $428,210,000,000 (Four hundred twenty-eight billion, two hundred ten million) which reflects a debt increase of nearly $5 trillion-- $4,920,493,813,733.07 (Four trillion, nine hundred twenty billion, four hundred ninety-three million, eight hundred thirteen thousand, seven hundred thirty-three dollars and seven cents) during the past 25 years. Mr. GRASSLEY addressed the Chair.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business Friday, June 6, 1997, the Federal debt stood at $5,352,776,809,883.07. (Five trillion, three hundred fifty-two billion, seven hundred seventy-six million, eight hundred nine thousand, eight hundred eighty-three dollars and seven cents) One year ago, June 6, 1996, the Federal debt stood at $5,139,284,000,000. (Five trillion, one hundred thirty-nine billion, two hundred eighty-four million) Twenty-five years ago, June 6, 1972, the Federal debt stood at $427,810,000,000 (Four hundred twenty-seven billion, eight hundred ten million) which reflects a debt increase of nearly $5 trillion-- $4,924,966,809,883.07 (Four trillion, nine hundred twenty-four billion, nine hundred sixty-six million, eight hundred nine thousand, eight hundred eighty-three dollars and seven cents) during the past 25 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, we live in a time when so many United States leaders, both in and out of Government, are apprehensive lest the so-called People's Republic of China be offended at the slightest suggestion that the basic principles of justice, human rights, and freedom should be applicable to the actions of the Communist leaders in Beijing as well as to all the rest of us. Mr. President, are the American people supposed to live in fear and nervous anticipation when even the barest questions about Communist China's conduct are raised? Are we supposed to pretend that the gross violations of trade by Communist China are not happening every day? Are we supposed to cringe in fear when the leaders in Beijing threaten the destruction of San Francisco? Surely the greatness of America is not to be diminished by the bullying threats flowing from mainland China. Mr. President, these thoughts came to my mind over the weekend when I received from a prominent and respected American the text of an address delivered on May 22, less than 3 weeks ago, before the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium. Who delivered it? It was delivered by an honorable and distinguished gentleman, John Chang, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China on Taiwan. My purpose in being here this afternoon is to express my hope that every Senator will read the text of Mr. Chang's remarks, and, while doing so, compare his rhetoric with that flowing constantly from mainland China. For that reason, Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of Mr. Chang's address be printed in the Record.

Mr. HELMS

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

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, the American Petroleum Institute reports that for the week ending May 30, the United States imported 8,374,000 barrels of oil each day, 327,000 barrels less than the 8,701,000 imported each day during the same week 1 year ago. While this is one of the few weeks that Americans imported less oil than the same period 1 year ago, Americans still relied on foreign oil for 56.5 percent of their needs last week, and there are no signs that the upward spiral will abate. Before the Persian Gulf war, the United States obtained approximately 45 percent of its oil supply from foreign countries. During the Arab oil embargo in the 1970's, foreign oil accounted for only 35 percent of America's oil supply. Anybody else interested in restoring domestic production of oil? By U.S. producers using American workers? Politicians had better ponder the economic calamity sure to occur in America if and when foreign producers shut off our supply--or double the already enormous cost of imported oil flowing into the United States--now 8,374,000 barrels a day.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business yesterday, Wednesday, June 4, 1997, the Federal debt stood at $5,358,712,178,993.49. (Five trillion, three hundred fifty-eight billion, seven hundred twelve million, one hundred seventy-eight thousand, nine hundred ninety-three dollars and forty-nine cents) One year ago, June 4, 1996, the Federal debt stood at $5,139,964,000,000. (Five trillion, one hundred thirty-nine billion, nine hundred sixty-four million) Five years ago, June 4, 1992, the Federal debt stood at $3,942,616,000,000. (Three trillion, nine hundred forty-two billion, six hundred sixteen million) Ten years ago, June 4, 1987, the Federal debt stood at $2,302,258,000,000. (Two trillion, three hundred two billion, two hundred fifty-eight million) Fifteen years ago, June 4, 1982, the Federal debt stood at $1,078,868,000,000 (One trillion, seventy-eight billion, eight hundred sixty-eight million) which reflects a debt increase of more than $4 trillion--$4,279,844,178,993.49 (Four trillion, two hundred seventy- nine billion, eight hundred forty-four million, one hundred seventy- eight thousand, nine hundred ninety-three dollars and forty-nine cents) during the past 15 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Parliamentary inquiry. I understand there is a unanimous consent that these proceedings paying our respect to the distinguished Senator from South Carolina are to continue until 12:30. Is that correct?

Mr. HELMS. I want to defer to the Senator from Florida. But before I do, I ask unanimous consent that, notwithstanding the previous unanimous consent, when these proceedings are completed and before we recess for the policy meetings of the two parties, that I be given 10 or 12 minutes to speak on a joint resolution that I am introducing.

Mr. HELMS. I thank the Chair.

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, I thank the Chair. (The remarks of Mr. Helms pertaining to the introduction of Senate Joint Resolution 31 are located in today's Record under ``Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions.'')

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, I thank the Chair. Our distinguished friend and colleague from South Carolina has long been, as the saying goes, a legend in his own time. And because of his hale and hearty good health and his amazing longevity, Senator Thurmond is a legend in the time of everybody else in the Senate. I doubt that there is any one of us whose life has not been touched by the distinguished Senator from South Carolina. He has certainly touched mine time and time again, beginning with that day back in early 1972 when a very brief, speculative item appeared on page umpteen of newspapers around the country saying that a fellow named Helms might seek the Republican nomination for the Senate from North Carolina. Early that morning, Senator Strom Thurmond, to my utter delight, was on the telephone calling from Washington urging that I do run and assuring me that if I did and if I wanted him to, he would come to North Carolina and campaign for me. Mr. President, I did and Strom did. As a matter of fact, he did it time and time again. If I count correctly, he flew with me that year, in a very small plane, six times back and forth across North Carolina, telling the people of my State, Democrats and Republicans alike, that they ought to send Jesse Helms to Washington. I will never forget it. I remember one episode in particular, since we are all remembering nice things about Senator Thurmond. We were at a farm rally outside of Hickory, NC, after a grueling day of eight stops with that small plane, and he made a stemwinder speech at every one of them. I was getting more and more tired. We ended up at this farm, and there were about 400 people at that rally because they were giving away free barbecue and because Strom Thurmond was there. The barbecue caterer was late. He got lost trying to find the place. So they decided to let Senator Thurmond speak and they asked me to introduce my guest. I was a weary guy when I got up, and I introduced Senator Thurmond with such eloquence as I could muster at that time of night after such a day. Well, there came another stemwinder and the last 10 minutes of the stemwinder, we saw the barbecue truck roll in. Everybody had barbecue and then we went home. In the car going to the motel I heard the most awful sound I ever heard in my life. He said, ``Jesse, when we get to the motel, I want to call my wife. She's in a family way, you know, and I want to be sure she's all right. And, after that, I understand it's about a mile to downtown, would you want to run downtown and back with me?'' I said, ``Senator, if I could crawl to the bed, that's the best I'm going to be able to do.'' But he did. He ran downtown and he ran back and he was up at 6 o'clock next morning. Thanks to my dear friend, the people did send me to Washington, and I have been here for almost a quarter of a century now, watching that great man from South Carolina serve in the Senate and break record after record. I have been enormously proud of a lot of things. I guess one of the most profound things was when the Senator and Mrs. Thurmond invited me to become the godfather of that beautiful young lady, Juliana Thurmond. So I am proud to have served with Senator Thurmond. He is a remarkable American because he has always been a hard-working, honest, and reliable Senator. His friends back home--as a matter of fact his friends all over the country--know that they can always count on Strom Thurmond to do what he says he will do. Let me tell you something, Mr. President, South Carolina is far the better off today because Strom Thurmond has been in the Senate representing the State of South Carolina. Moreover, and just as important, the U.S. Senate is better because Strom Thurmond has been here. And so is the country, better off. Congratulations, my dear friend and Senator, you have been a good and faithful servant, and all of us are proud of you. Several Senators addressed the Chair.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the close of business yesterday, Monday, June 2, 1997, the federal debt stood at $5,336,777,463,335.09. (Five trillion, three hundred thirty-six billion, seven hundred seventy-seven million, four hundred sixty-three thousand, three hundred thirty-five dollars and nine cents) Five years ago, June 2, 1992, the federal debt stood at $3,940,929,000,000. (Three trillion, nine hundred forty billion, nine hundred twenty-nine million) Ten years ago, June 2, 1987, the federal debt stood at $2,300,635,000,000. (Two trillion, three hundred billion, six hundred thirty-five million) Fifteen years ago, June 2, 1982, the federal debt stood at $1,077,417,000,000. (One trillion, seventy-seven billion, four hundred seventeen million) Twenty-five years ago, June 2, 1972, the federal debt stood at $427,622,000,000 (Four hundred twenty-seven billion, six hundred twenty-two million) which reflects a debt increase of nearly $5 trillion--$4,909,155,463,335.09 (Four trillion, nine hundred nine billion, one hundred fifty-five million, four hundred sixty-three thousand, three hundred thirty-five dollars and nine cents) during the past 25 years.

Mr. HELMS

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Communications Subcommittee of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation be authorized to meet on June 3, 1997, at 2:30 p.m. on Universal Service.

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Communications Subcommittee of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation be authorized to meet on June 3, 1997, at 9:30 a.m. on Second Generation Internet.

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent on behalf of the Governmental Affairs Committee to meet on Tuesday, June 3, 1997, at 1:30 p.m. for a hearing on the Department of Commerce's Technology Grant Programs.

Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, the Finance Committee requests unanimous consent to hold a hearing on the Need for Renewal of the Fast Track Trade Negotiating Authority on Tuesday, June 3, 1997, beginning at 10 a.m. in SD-215, Dirksen Senate Office Building.