Rush Holt

Mr. HOLT

Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to my colleague, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Menendez), a champion for education and adequate school facilities. (Mr. MENENDEZ asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. HOLT

Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 7(c) of House rule XXII, I hereby notify the House of my intention tomorrow to offer the following motion to instruct House conferees on H.R. 4577, a bill making appropriations for fiscal year 2001 for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and Education. Mr. Speaker, I move that the managers on the part of the House at the conference on the disagreeing votes of the two Houses of the bill, H.R. 4577, be instructed to insist on disagreeing with provisions in the Senate amendment which denies the President's request for dedicated resources for local school construction and, instead, broadly expands the title VI Education Block Grant with limited accountability in the use of the funds.

Mr. HOLT

Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 7(c) of House rule XXII, I hereby announce my intention to offer a motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 4577, a bill making appropriations for fiscal year 2001 for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education. The form of the motion is as follows: Mr. Holt moves that the managers on the part of the House at the conference on the disagreeing votes of the two Houses on the bill, H.R. 4577, be instructed to insist on disagreeing with provisions in the Senate amendment which denies the President's request for dedicated resources for local school construction and, instead, broadly expands the Title VI Education Block Grant with limited accountability in the use of funds.

Mr. HOLT

Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to oppose the attempt to gut privacy provisions in the Commerce-Justice-State appropriations bill. Earlier this year, the House passed strong privacy legislation that would protect against misuse of Social Security numbers. Now we are being asked to weaken a good piece of legislation. Amy Boyer was the first known victim of an Internet stalker. Her killer purchased information, including her Social Security number, from an on-line information broker for $50. He then used her Social Security number to track down Ms. Boyer. Ms. Boyer's family has said that they do not want this language included in this bill and have gone so far as to say that they want their daughter's name removed from the bill because it does not stop people from obtaining private information from information brokers. Yesterday, the Washington Post called this language a Trojan horse. Mr. Speaker, this will not stop future stalkers from obtaining Social Security numbers. This language would roll back the progress made by this body. We must not ignore the privacy rights of the American people. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to reject this legislation.

Mr. HOLT

Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House Internet and Privacy Caucuses I rise to call my colleagues attention to a bill I introduced today to protect consumers from software more commonly known as ``spyware.'' Mr. Speaker, I would like to submit a July 14th article in the Washington Post that outlined this problem. In this article entitled ``Your PC Is Watching,'' the Post writer points out that companies like Mattel who make interactive computer toys like the Reader Rabbit and Arthur's Reading Games are using spyware to track the habits and usage of children. She also points out that companies like Intuit Inc. who make the popular home accounting program Quicken employ spyware. Spyware is a computer program, usually embedded in another program, that can take information from a person's computer without their knowledge or consent. That's right. Information can be removed from a computer without the consent of the user. What this software does is take information stored on a person's computer and transmits it to the operator of the spyware while a person is online. This information is typically sent to the manufacturer of the software, a marketing company or an advertising agency to aid in the development of new products or advertising campaigns. Spyware often collects the cookies that a person accumulates while browsing the net. Let me make this clear, Mr. Speaker. This legislation does not affect the issuance of cookies by Internet companies. Cookies, do not by themselves act as spyware. A cookie is an identifier for a particular Web site that allows among other things a host to recognize a user. Protections for people who want to guard against cookies are built into the major Web browsing programs. What my legislation does is protect the American people from intrusion. None of us let strangers into the house without first checking who is at the door. Surely, we do not want intruders coming into our computers without first giving our consent and, for example, misusing cookies. With the increasing use of home computers for personal business like taxes and financial planning people are storing more and more sensitive personal data on their PCs. What this legislation does is require the Federal Trade Commission to issue regulations within 120 days of the bill's passage to do a few common-sense things. The regulations will require that any piece of software that contains spyware be clearly marked with a label. Also, it would make it unlawful to knowingly install spyware on a computer or use spyware without obtaining consent from the primary user of the computer. Mr. Speaker, there is one other important thing that this legislation will do. It will double the penalty for any person or company to use or install spyware on a computer that is known to be under the control of a minor. Mr. Speaker the practice of strangers tracking the activities of our children is deplorable. I understand that most companies argue that they do not use these programs for sinister reasons. I also understand the argument that this software allows them to tailor products and services to the needs of the consumer. Mr. Speaker I also understand that it is not a far stretch from this to the unintended uses of this software to cyber-stalk children, steal financial or medical information or even steal a person's identity. It is time we stopped talking and studying the problem of privacy protection and start acting to protect our constituents. I urge my colleagues to join me in this effort. [From the Washington Post, Fri., July 14, 2000] (By Ariana Eunjung Cha) Keith Little, a computer technician who makes house calls on the apple farms of central Washington state, says more and more of his clients are asking him to take steps to protect their online privacy. So he scans their computers for any mischievous programs and installs security software. What surprises people is how often Little finds programs designed to funnel bits of their personal information from their computers and into giant corporate databases. He says more than half of the 20 or so computers he inspects each week are running stealthy programs he calls ``spyware.'' The electronic eavesdroppers usually come attached to the software people install on their personal computers. Whenever a user connects to the Internet, these programs take advantage of the opening to pass on information that has been stored on the PC's hard drive. The data--it could be details of Web surfing habits or identifying personal information-- are then typically sent to the manufacturer of the software or a marketer to be used in developing new products or advertising campaigns. At a time when concerns about online privacy have spread from Interent bulletin boards to Capitol Hill, this tracking software has become a flash point for the debates about how to balance consumer rights with the business models of the digital age. Little has found the programs in children's software such as Mattel Interactive's Reader Rabbit and Arthur's Reading Games, Intuit Inc.'s financial planner Quicken, and dozens of other packages. The electronic hitchhiker also is part of a program associated with the Netscape browser that millions of people use to travel the Internet. One Web site has identified more than 4000 of these data- gathering and tracking programs. Most are free ``shareware'' that people download off the Web, but an increasing number are mainstream programs, even those people pay for. ``When people find out, they are livid,'' said Little, 42. ``They say, `Get it out of there'. Then they become very afraid to use their computers, afraid of what personal stuff it's sending out. The problem is that they were not informed.'' The companies that use the programs say they were created not for nefarious reasons but to help tailor information consumers want. The programs work by collecting data from a hard drive or from the electronic ``cookies'' many users pick up when they visit Web sites. A marketing company might then use the information about what Web sites you frequent to decide whether you would be interested in an ad for a sporting-goods retailer or one for opera tickets. A software manufacturer often wants to know who has purchased its products so it can alert users to problems or update them about new goodies. Most companies say they do not seek out information that would identify a person by name. Further, they say the information is not disseminated publicly, but only used for internal corporate purposes. Privacy advocates, though, equate the programs to taps on phone lines. Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) recently introduced a bill that would require companies to give ``conspicuous notice'' of any information they are collecting and to allow users to decline to participate. A New Jersey photographer last week filed a lawsuit against Netscape Communications, an America Online Inc. subsidiary, accusing the company of using its SmartDownload program to ``eavesdrop.'' Concern has grown in the past few months as more Americans, unsettled by high-profile accounts of spreading computer viruses and other hacker attacks, have installed security software--or ``firewalls''--in their personnel computers. The security programs typically alert users with warning messages whenever an unauthorized program is attempting to send information out into the Internet. Many users quickly discover how vulnerable they are. Last winter, a Seattle company called RealNetworks Inc. came under fire after customers discovered its music player was collecting information about users' listening habits in order to personalize its services. The company has since stopped the practice and apologized. Intuit, meanwhile, has acknowledged using the tracking programs to target ads. And a few weeks ago, after parent complaints, Mattel Inc. officials apologized for adding a data-gathering program to more than 100 titles of its Learning Co. unit's educational programs for children. Simson Garfinkel remembers that he was 40,000 feet in the air on a plane from London to Boston in May when he noticed that his laptop kept trying to connect to the Internet. The culprit: an educational program he had installed for his 3- year-old daughter. It was trying to send out the producer's code number and other such information to the company so it could better respond to consumer needs, according to Mattel spokeswoman Susan Salminen. ``I wouldn't call it spyware exactly. It was more like marketing ware. But even that conveys a lot of personal information to the folks at Mattel and it was upsetting,'' said Garfinkel, a computer network architect from Cambridge, Mass. Mattel's Salminen said the program's intentions are benevolent but the company already had decided to eliminate it late last year from all new software because of ``public concern around the privacy issue.'' Earlier this month, a Netscape user named Christoper Specht filed a class-action suit in U.S. District Court in Manhattan seeking damages of a minimum of $10,000 per person for violating consumers' privacy by tracking which files they download from the Internet. A spokeswoman for Dulles-based AOL said the company is aware of SmartDownload's ability to gather customer data but it had ``never used it to access or retain information about users or files.'' ``The lawsuit is without merit,'' said Ann Brackbill, a senior vice president. As every corner of the Internet becomes increasingly commercialized, many online companies are experimenting with new models for making money in the uncharted new economy. One way is to give away products or sell them for below cost and make money through advertising. The tracking programs allow these companies to tout their ability to target specific audiences to potential advertisers. At the same time, many software companies are trying to develop a continuing relationship with their customers, becoming in effect service-oriented companies. The tracking programs allow them to keep in touch. For the most part, companies that track consumers say the information they collect is minimal, and it's gathered anonymously so that the data cannot be linked to real names. But security professionals like Travis Haymore of Lanham's Digital Systems International Group. point out that some of the data streams leaving personal computers are so heavily cloaked, or encrypted, that it's practically impossible for anyone to verity or refute such claims. And the programs are more invasive than the electronic cookies that businesses use to track people on the Web because they potentially can scan documents and images on people's hard drives as well as track online habits. ``Your tax records, what medical sites you've been looking at, your online banking--if someone has Irate computer users also have filled online bulletin boards with complaints about tracking programs that are impossible to remove (even when the original host program is deleted), that crash their computers or clog up their telephone or cable lines, slowing down their Internet connections. Two technology marketing companies, Silicon Valley's Radiate.com and Sterling's Conducent Technologies Inc., which have developed ``ad hots,'' software for the most popular ads targeting customers, have been at the heart of the online privacy debate. These ventures partner with software companies and share a cut of the advertising revenue. Conducent's director of Marketing, Robert Regular, says participation in its ad-driven programs is ``voluntary'' and offers consumers many advantages, including discounted or free software. People who purchase CD-ROMs made by eGames, for instance, can can get six free programs if they choose to look at ads and give up some personal information. ``We will show ads and will make use of the user's Internet connection and if they agree to that, great. If not, they don't have to use the software,'' he said. Regular says the company always has required it partners to disclose in their privacy policies that the programs were ``ad-supported'' but only this month started making them flash separate screens during in the installation process alerting users of the tracking. Like other people in the industry, Regular disputes the ``spyware'' characterization. ``We don't spy on anyone.'' We don't know any personally identifiable information. We know they are an anonymous user. We don't look at anything that they do,'' he said. ``Because we run in the background, people think we're doing something deceptive and don't understand that its in order to refresh ads.'' As stories of tracking software and other privacy concerns have circulated throughout the online world in recent months, companies and independent programmers have scrambled to develop protection tools with names such as ZoneAlarm and OptOut. More than 1.1 million people already have downloaded OptOut, freeware that was devloped by Steve Gibson, asecurity consultant in California and a privacy advocate. And personal firewall software has been rushing off store shelves since last fall, with 40,000 to 50,000 copies being sold each month, according to research firm PC Data Inc. But even unsophisticated programmers can easily get around the best available electronic firewalls, security experts say. Symantec's Steve Cullen, the senior vice president for consumer business, said people using Norton Internet Security 2000, the most popular firewall program, for instance, can specify that their names, credit-card numbers and other sensitive information be blocked from leaving the computer. But if that information is electronically masked by one of many easy techniques, it can still get through. ``If it's really spyware, certainly encoding or encrypting is something that these guys could do and that makes it much trickier to catch it,'' he said. Still Cullen says that scenario is rare. He said about 80 percent of the time companies don't bother hiding the data and leave it as plain text, a format that is simple to filter. Christopher Kelley, an analyst with Forrester Research, believes that the ``sneakiness'' with which some corporations are acting has exacerbated privacy concerns and damaged the industry's credibility--something that they may come to regret as an increasing number of angry citizens create technological tools that could topple the companies' entire business plans. Added Montreal computer consultant Gilles Lalonde: ``Right now it's now a free-for-all. Anything goes. This is the kind of environment that permits these kinds of intrusive behaviors, allows them to flourish. If we don't start to define some ethical rules, before long people will lose their trust in all online companies and this great technological revolution just stops.''

Mr. HOLT

Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the New Jersey Shade-Tree Federation and its on-going dedication to preserving our communities. I applaud the work of the Federation in striving towards a delicate balance between our community's desires to expand, and our environment's need for smart, sustainable growth. The roots of the Shade Tree Federation can be traced back to September 27, 1910. For it was on this date that the State Forester, with the approval of the Forest Commission, called on the executives of 124 municipalities. Some 30 delegates from 24 cities, towns and boroughs gathered to discuss ways to advance and protect the interests of shade trees throughout New Jersey. At the conclusion of this conference, the attendees unanimously voted to form a permanent association to protect and foster the interests of Shade Trees. In 1924 the State promoted future growth of the Federation by passing the County Shade-Tree Act. Then, in 1925, the Department initiated the movement for closer collaboration among the shade-tree commissions in the State and organized the ``New Jersey Federation of Shade-Tree Commissions.'' Since its inception, the Federation has gathered to discuss the important issues of the times, ranging from the advent of chainsaws and bucket trucks to the devastation of Dutch Elm disease and Gypsy Moth outbreaks. One common thread has remained evident throughout the Federation's existence: trees are an important part of people's lives. Once again, I applaud the efforts of the New Jersey Shade-Tree Federation and ask all my colleagues to join me in recognizing their steadfast commitment to preserving true assets of our communities for future generations.

Mr. HOLT

Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, Marjory Stoneman Douglass, grand matron of the Everglades immortalized the sprawling South Florida wetlands in her classic book, Everglades: River of Grass. ``Nothing anywhere else is like them,'' she wrote. ``They are, they have always been, one of the unique regions of the earth, remote, never wholly known.'' I am not sure that there is any better way to describe what is one of our nation's greatest natural wonders. But, I can tell you that even though we will never fully know or understand the Everglades, we do know a few things. The Everglades is home to a wide and rich bird population, particularly large wading birds, such as the roseate spoonbill, wood stork, great blue heron and a variety of egrets. It contains both temperate and tropical plant communities, including sawgrass prairies, mangrove and cypress swamps, pinelands and hardwood hammocks, as well as marine and estuarine environments. It is the only place in the world where alligators and crocodiles exist side by side. However, man has also lived in and around the Everglades for the past 2,000 years, sometimes with disastrous consequences. Starting in the 1880's, man began diverting water from the Everglades to make it more a hospitable place for people. Over the last century canals were dug and impoundments were created to provide drinking water, protection from floods and land for houses. As a result of man's habitation and engineering, the Everglades are dying. Many portions are drying out and many species are threatened with extinction. We need to take immediate and long term steps to save this massive ecosystem. The Water Resources Development Act includes a $7.8 billion, 35-year federal-state plan to restore the Florida Everglades that is a major step towards saving that goal. This restoration plan will reverse the effects of the dams and waterways that drain 1.7 billion gallons of water a day from the Everglades into the Atlantic Ocean. This plan has 68 project components and will restore the natural water flow while continuing to supply water to South Florida. This legislation also requires that an ongoing, independent scientific review be established to ensure that the plan is progressing toward restoration. I strongly urge all of my colleagues to support this plan to save this truly unique natural resource.

Mr. HOLT

Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, we are fortunate to live in an exciting and prosperous time. The Internet has bridged gaps between generations and nations. Biotechnology has produced medical miracles. Our cars have more computing power than the Apollo spacecraft. Success in this information age depends not just on how well we educate our children generally but how well we educate them in science and mathematics specifically. Following the launch of Sputnik in 1957, major steps were taken in the United States to improve resources going into science. The goal was to pursue a superior technical workforce. This produced generations of scientists and engineers who have contributed greatly to our economic and technical accomplishments. I am a product of the Sputnik revolution. I have spent several decades in the world of teaching and physics research. But now, as a policymaker, I see the shortcomings of our earlier revolution in science and mathematics education, and I see the need to increase our effort for science and mathematics education today. The push for improving public competence in science and mathematics is justified by economics, national security, and arguments about democracy. It is also important for personal fulfillment. Mathematics and science bring order and harmony and balance to our lives. They teach us that our world is intelligible and not capricious. They give us the skill for lifelong learning; really for creating progress itself. From the evidence we currently have at hand, it is clear we are not providing this quality education in math and science to our children. I am proud to have been one of four Members of the House and Senate to serve on the National Commission on the Teaching of Mathematics and Science, chaired by former Senator and astronaut, John Glenn, and including leaders from industry, academia and professional and educational organizations. The Glenn Commission, as it has come to be known, was established to improve math and science education throughout the United States, and in its report, released 3 weeks ago, ``Before It's Too Late,'' the commission identifies teaching as the most powerful instrument for reform; and thus teaching is the place to begin. The commission calls for major changes throughout the teaching profession, the scientific professions, and the institutions that produce our teachers. Our country must devote attention to the quality, quantity and professional work environment of teachers in science and mathematics. In the next 10 years, we will have to recruit and hire 2.2 million teachers just to stay even with attrition in the teaching force. Most of these teachers, including all elementary schoolteachers, will be called on to teach science, and many will feel inadequate to teach it. Along with my colleague, the gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs. Morella), who also served on the commission, I am introducing legislation that seeks to make these changes. The National Improvement in Mathematics and Science Teaching Act, as it is called, establishes a new title in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to improve the quality of math and science education. Specifically, this Glenn Commission bill establishes a State assistance grant program to recruit quality teachers into the field. Under this program, every State will receive funding that they can use for a variety of purposes that are designed to attract new and qualified math and science teachers. States can establish a loan forgiveness program, signing bonuses, or even create a career ladder for math and science teachers. The bill also establishes a similar grant program to improve professional development of these teachers. Like the previous grant program, States would have the flexibility to use these funds on a variety of activities, including master teacher initiatives, summer fellowships in relevant industries, or summer workshops, among other things. The Glenn Commission bill establishes 15 John Glenn academies to recruit recent college graduates and mid-career professionals to compete for 3,000 prestigious 1-year paid academy fellowships. The fellows will be nationally recruited for a 1-year intensive course on effective teaching methods in mathematics and science. In return, these Glenn fellows will agree to teach for 5 years in districts with science and math teacher shortages. I am pleased that this bill establishes a grant program to address the achievement gap in math and science education. Lastly, this bill establishes industry tax credits and deductions designed to encourage partnerships between schools and business and industry. Specifically, industries can receive tax credits for creating summer fellowships for math and science teachers. Likewise, businesses can receive deductions for donating new math and science equipment and materials to our public schools. We are just days away from the end of the 106th Congress, so some may wonder why I am introducing a bill so late in this congressional session. In fact, I could have waited to introduce this bill at the start of the next session, but I see this as a critical problem that needs to be addressed starting now. The Glenn Commission only released its report a few weeks ago, and I believe it is important to get to work as quickly as possible to address the recommendations of this commission. We should not wait until next year to address an issue that will have such a huge impact on the future of our children and our country. If we are going to make a difference in the education and the lives of our citizens, it is imperative that we start making changes right away. The gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs. Morella) and I are trying to do this, and I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.

Mr. HOLT

Mr. HOLT. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HOLT. Madam Speaker, H.R. 4312 sponsored by the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Mrs. Johnson) directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to determine the feasibility and suitability of creating the Upper Housatonic National Heritage Area. The study would cover a 60-mile stretch of the Upper Housatonic River's watershed, including 9 towns in Connecticut and 18 towns in Massachusetts, as the gentleman from California (Mr. Calvert) has laid out. While no statutory standards exist for national heritage areas, the National Park Service has developed a list of resources all NHAs should exhibit, and H.R. 4312 includes each of the MPS requirements as a component of the study. As one who has canoed portions of the Housatonic, I personally support this legislation and we in the minority also urge passage of this study legislation. It should be noted that the companion legislation, S. 2421 sponsored by Senator Lieberman of Connecticut passed the Senate in July and is currently pending in the House. Had we approved that bill today, we could be sending completed legislation to the President rather than sending this House companion over to the Senate so late in the session, but I will accept the assurances of my colleagues on the majority side that politics played no part in setting aside Senator Lieberman's bill and advancing this particular bill. We regret the decision, but we certainly support H.R. 4312 on its merits.

Mr. HOLT. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mr. HOLT asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. HOLT

Mr. HOLT. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, H.R. 1695 directs the conveyance of a substantial tract of public lands located near the Mojave National Preserve for development of a large commercial airport and related facilities for the Las Vegas area. As the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Gibbons) has presented, this is a rapidly growing area, and adjustments do need to be made for air traffic. The bill originally passed the House on March 9 of this year. The Senate passed the bill on October 5, and has returned the measure to the House with amendments. Prior to House consideration in March, H.R. 1695 was a very controversial measure. The bill was opposed by the administration, the environmental community, and many Members because the legislation failed to address adequately the potential environmental impacts, land use conflicts, and administrative problems associated with this large- scale land conveyance. Fortunately, changes were made by the House to address most of these concerns. A significant improvement was made to the bill by providing joint lead agency status for the Department of the Interior on the environmental impact statement necessary for the planning and construction of the airport facility on the conveyed lands. The potential environmental impacts of such an airport involve the Mojave National Preserve and other resource responsibilities of the Department of the Interior, so it is only proper that the Department be closely involved. The Senate amendments are good in that they clarify the requirements of the airspace assessment and the environmental protection analysis, as well as the timing and the use of the proceeds derived from the sale of public lands for airport purposes. Of particular note, the Senate amendments specifically require the NEPA analysis to address any impacts on the purposes for which the Mojave National Preserve was established, and allow sale proceeds to be used to acquire inholdings in the Mojave National Preserve. I also want to take this opportunity especially to commend my colleague, the gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. Berkley), who represents Las Vegas, on this and other issues. The gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. Berkley) has shown herself to be a strong advocate for her community and for the environment. She has been a persistent advocate for this legislation. Madam Speaker, even with the changes made by the Senate the bill is not perfect, but it certainly is an improvement from where the legislation started, and the minority will support this bill. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HOLT

Mr. HOLT. Madam Speaker, H.R. 4404, which was introduced at the request of the administration, addresses the payment of medical expenses for the United States Park Police and the indemnification needed for mutual law enforcement agreements. Evidently, there have been a number of instances where there have been problems with timely medical payments being made to the Park Police officers injured in the performance of their duties. This has resulted in a hardship to some officers, staff, and their families. Further, the lack of indemnification is a potential barrier to cooperative law enforcement agreements between the Park Police and other police agencies. Such indemnification is needed to hold the assisting agency harmless from claims by third parties dealing with property damage or personal injury. H.R. 4404 provides the U.S. Park Police with the authority to address these two issues. The Committee on Resources did amend the bill to reflect technical changes to the legislation requested by the National Park Service. We on the minority side support passage of the bill, as amended. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HOLT. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mr. HOLT asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. HOLT

Mr. HOLT. Madam Speaker, in 1988, a dozen years ago, Congress authorized the Indian Health Service to select up to four tribally controlled IHS hospitals to participate in a demonstration project whereby the hospitals could conduct direct billing and receipt of payment for health services to Medicare and Medicaid eligible patients. Under the current practice, Medicare and Medicaid billings and collections are first sent through the IHS and then redirected to health care providers. Since 1991, the Bristol Bay Health Corporation, the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Corporation, Mississippi Choctaw Health Center, and the Choctaw Tribe of Oklahoma have taken part in the demonstration project. The participants established in-house administrative operations to perform Medicare and Medicaid billing and collection and have been extremely satisfied with the results. Reports have shown dramatically increased collections which have been turned into additional health services. The demonstration program has resulted in a much shorter turnaround time between billing and receipt of payment, as well as improved accreditation, ratings and an overall higher level of health care quality for patients. Madam Speaker, S. 406 would make permanent the demonstration program and would authorize additional tribes and tribal organizations to participate in the direct billing. This legislation is supported by the administration. It is good policy, and I urge my colleagues to support its passage. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HOLT. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mr. HOLT asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. HOLT

Mr. HOLT. Madam Speaker, H.R. 3926 would increase the amount authorized to be appropriated annually to the Illinois and Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor Commission from $250,000 to $1 million. H.R. 3926 is being brought to the floor under unusual circumstances by way of a discharge from the Committee on Resources. We have had no hearings or markup of the legislation in the committee despite the fact that this bill has been pending before the committee since March. We have not heard testimony from the commission, nor do we know the views of the administration on this legislation. While H.R. 3926 may well be a noncontroversial measure, we know very little about it. Members may have questions on the legislation, but the procedure being used today leaves very little opportunity to review the matter. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HOLT. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mr. HOLT asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. HOLT

Mr. HOLT. Madam Speaker, H.R. 4521, introduced by our colleague, the gentleman from Montana (Mr. Hill), would direct the Secretary of the Interior to develop and implement a plan, at a cost of up to $200 million, for the rehabilitation of the Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park. The bill also authorizes $20 million for maintenance of utility systems. The third significant provision of this bill deals with the rehabilitation of the Many Glacier Hotel and other structures in the park. When the Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands held a hearing on the bill, the administration and others raised a number of concerns with the bill's language. Following the hearing, meetings were held with the staff of our colleague from Montana and the congressional delegation from Montana, the National Park Service, and the committee staff. While major progress was made in addressing the issues with the bill, significant issues remained. Instead of seeking closure on these remaining issues, the Committee on Resources adopted a new amendment offered by the gentleman from Montana (Mr. Hill) that discarded the progress that had been made in addressing the park hotel rehabilitation and instead proposed new language that had not been discussed yet, let alone agreed to by the parties. As a result, the bill reported by the committee has substantive and procedural problems. It fails to address the concerns raised by the administration and the historic preservation and environmental community, and it does not reflect the unified position within the Montana congressional delegation. The bill reported from the committee fails to authorize the one authority, historic leasing, that the National Park Service says they need for park hotel rehabilitation. It creates a new responsibility for the National Park Service to provide park road reconstruction impact mitigation assistance. In addition, the amended bill directs preparation of a new visitor facilities plant. Further, the time frame, December 31 of 2001, for completion of the visitor's facility plan, and also the required concession services plan and natural resource assessment, is too short to do the necessary work and environmental analyses. Finally, the bill's findings represent a particular point of view and are inconsistent with the authorities contained in the bill. Madam Speaker, the minority is willing to work with the interested parties to address the concerns with this legislation. Unfortunately, what is being presented to the House today fails to correct the bill's shortcomings. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HOLT. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mr. HOLT asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. HOLT

Mr. HOLT. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I would just add that the gentleman from Mississippi has spoken eloquently on behalf of those who served, those who supported them and those of us who have followed them.

Mr. HOLT

Mr. HOLT. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mr. HOLT asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. HOLT

Mr. HOLT. Madam Speaker, if the gentleman will yield, I thank the gentleman for that clarification.

Mr. HOLT. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, S. 1705, the Castle Rock Ranch Acquisition Act, would require the Secretary of the Interior to purchase a ranch located near the City of Rocks National Reserve in southern Idaho. The gentleman from Idaho (Mr. Simpson) has given fine expression to the importance and the beauty of the Castle Rock area. Under the terms of the legislation, the Secretary would then trade this ranch to the State of Idaho for lands the State currently owns within the boundaries of the nearby Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument. The State would then be authorized to exchange pieces of the ranch for private inholdings within the City of Rocks Reserve. Such a series of exchanges raises several concerns with the minority members of the Committee on Resources. We have seen no appraisals of any of the properties included in these exchanges; and, as a result, we are unable to be certain that the taxpayers are getting a good deal under this bill. Furthermore, it is unclear why it is in the taxpayers' interest to have the State of Idaho act as a middleman for the exchanges within the City of Rocks. However, we fully support the goals of the legislation. The state- owned land within the monument, known as the Horse Quarry, contains perhaps the richest fossil deposits anywhere in the monument and would be an important acquisition. Similarly, consolidation of public ownership within the City of Rocks Reserve is an important goal. Given the value of these acquisitions, we are satisfied that the exchanges here are not unreasonable, and thus the minority will not oppose the bill. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HOLT

Mr. HOLT. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to offer my strong support for S. 1296, the Lower Delaware Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, introduced by New Jersey Senator Frank Lautenberg. As one of the Members who represents the Delaware River region, I am proud to be a cosponsor of the House companion legislation to S. 1296, along with my colleagues, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Greenwood), the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Toomey), and the gentlewoman from New Jersey (Mrs. Roukema). This Delaware designation is truly a bipartisan effort, and I am pleased that it is now moving toward passage. In 1978, Congress included two sections of the Upper Delaware River in the National Wild and Scenic River System, protecting 110 miles of outstanding recreational and natural resources. S. 1296 would add the portion of the Delaware River that extends from the Delaware Water Gap to Washington Crossing, a span of about 65 miles, and would add it to the Wild and Scenic River System. The passage of this will add one more glittering accomplishment to the legacy of our colleague, Frank Lautenberg, who is retiring in January from the other body on the other side of the Capitol. As my colleague has said, the Delaware River is the longest free- flowing river in the eastern United States, spanning from its headwaters in the Catskills of New York to the mouth of the Delaware Bay. Its watershed includes 12,765 square miles in portions of four States. Over 6 million people make their home in the Delaware River's watershed, and almost 10 percent of the Nation's population relies on these waters for drinking, recreational and industrial use. The Delaware River is among the country's most scenic, and thousands of species of plants and animals thrive in its waters and along its banks. The river can boast of a proud and prominent place in our Nation's history and now sustains a thriving center of economic development and tourism. The 65 miles of river that would be protected as a result of this legislation are rich in natural and historic resources. It includes eight national historic landmarks and 29 national historic districts. To underscore the cultural importance of the Delaware, I would like to read a passage from the frontispiece of the book on the Delaware by Bruce Stutz, a piece by Walt Whitman: ``As I was crossing the Delaware today, saw a large flock of wild geese, right overhead, not very high up, ranging in V-shape, in relief against the noon clouds of light smoke- color. Had a capital, though momentary view of them, and then of their course on and on southeast, till gradually fading . . . the waters below--the rapid flight of the birds, appearing just for a minute--flashing to me such a hint of the whole spread of Nature with her eternal unsophisticated freshness, her never-visited recesses of sea, sky, shore--and then disappearing into the distance.'' What Walt Whitman described I think highlights the importance of this area; but unmanaged development and inappropriate use of the river's resources threaten its health, the quality of its waters, natural habitats, scenic beauty, and historical sites. This legislation will protect the river from dangerous and unplanned development and from federally licensed dams, diversion projects, and channelization that could destroy the nature of the watershed and threaten the populations that depend on it. In addition, the bill, S. 1296, encourages local control through a management plan that will, one, protect riparian landowner rights; two, maintain and improve water quality; three, preserve natural and historical resources; four, encourage recreational use and eco-tourism; five, preserve open space; six, minimize the adverse effects of development; and, seven, involve the public in educational programs that recognize the value of this resource and ways to protect it. Our citizens along the river who are environmentally wise can use this designation as a scenic river to carry further the improvements that have been made. By the mid-1950s, the popular fish, the shad, had disappeared. Now the shad are back in large numbers, and Lambertville's Shad Fest is a grand occasion every year. The quality of water has a direct relationship to the Nation's economy, including the number of tourists, shoppers, and recreation enthusiasts who visit the area. The river has provided a vital link to neighboring communities in Pennsylvania, New York, and Delaware. S. 1296 is needed to ensure that this sense of community that had developed around the river continues to be nurtured. S. 1296 is needed to ensure that the future environment and the economic benefits of the Lower Delaware River are protected. The Wild and Scenic River designation would encourage natural and historic resource preservation and would help preserve the future of ecologically sensitive recreation areas. This legislation has garnered the support of a wide variety of groups and citizens. Over 100 community and advisory groups have worked on this campaign, including the Heritage Conservancy, the Delaware Greenway Commission, the Nature Conservancy, the Delaware River Keeper, the Delaware River Basin Commission, State parks, chambers of commerce, power and water companies, and other local businesses. In addition, 24 of the 30 municipalities along the eligible section of the river have passed resolutions supporting its designation. In 1992, Congress authorized a study of the Lower Delaware for potential inclusion in the Wild and Scenic River Systems. The National Park Service studies have been completed, and local municipalities have reviewed and supported the draft legislation and the management plan. It is incumbent on us to do our part to support the affected communities by passing this legislation before concluding this session of Congress. In fact, the legislation is overdue. Quite simply, the communities in the Delaware River watershed understand the importance of the river and the need to protect it. S. 1296 would further aid these communities by providing comprehensive planning and financial and technical assistance to allow local municipalities to sustain the protection of the river. Referring back to Walt Whitman, Langston Hughes wrote: Old Walt Whitman Went finding and seeking, Finding less than sought Seeking more than found, Every detail minding Of the seeking or the finding. Pleasured equally In seeking as in finding, Each detail minding, Old Walt went seeking And finding. Langston Hughes also talks about the historical cultural importance of this important river, the longest free-flowing river in the eastern United States. I hope my colleagues will recognize the importance of protecting this valuable natural resource, and I strongly urge all Members to support S. 1296, the Lower Delaware Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.