Daniel Inouye

Mr. INOUYE

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, today I introduce the Clinical Social Workers' Recognition Act to correct a continuing problem in the Federal Employees Compensation Act. This bill will also provide clinical social workers the recognition they deserve as independent providers of quality mental health care services. Clinical social workers are authorized to independently diagnose and treat mental illnesses through public and private health insurance plans across the Nation. However, Title V of the United States Code, does not permit the use of mental health evaluations conducted by clinical social workers for use as evidence in determining workers' compensation claims brought by federal employees. The bill I am introducing corrects this problem. It is a sad irony that federal employees may select a clinical social worker through their health plans to provide mental health services, but may not go to this same professional for workers' compensation evaluations. The failure to recognize the validity of evaluations provided by clinical social workers unnecessarily limits federal employees' selection of a provider to conduct the workers' compensation mental health evaluations. Lack of this recognition may well impose an undue burden on Federal employees where clinical social workers are the only available providers of mental health care. I ask unanimous consent that the text of this bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I rise to introduce legislation to repeal the current 50 percent tax deduction for business meals and entertainment expenses, and to restore the tax deduction to 80 percent gradually over a five-year period. Restoration of this deduction is essential to the livelihood of small and independent businesses as well as food service, travel, tourism, and entertainment industries throughout the United States. These industries are being economically harmed as a result of the 50 percent tax deduction. Small businesses rely heavily on the business meal to conduct business, even more so than larger corporations. In releasing its study in May 2004, entitled he Impact of Tax Expenditure Policies on Incorporated Small Business, the Small Business Administration, SBA, Office of Advocacy, found that small incorporated businesses benefit more than their larger counterparts from the meal and entertainment tax deduction. According to the study, small firms that take advantage of the business-meal deduction reduce their effective tax rate by 0.75 percent on average, while larger firms only receive a 0.11 percent reduction in the effective tax rate. More importantly, the study strongly suggests that full reinstatement of the business meal and entertainment deduction should be a major policy priority for small businesses. Small companies often use restaurants as onference space to conduct meetings or close deals. Meals are their best and sometimes only marketing tool. Certainly, an increase in the meal and entertainment deduction would have a significant impact on a small business bottom line. In addition, the effects on the overall economy would be significant. Accompanying my statement is the National Restaurant Association (NRA), State-by-State chart reflecting the estimated economic impact of increasing the business meal deductibility from 50 to 80 percent. The NRA estimates that an increase to 80 percent would increase business meal sales by $8 billion and create a $26 billion increase to the overall economy. I urge my colleagues to join me in cosponsoring this important legislation. I ask unanimous consent that the NRA State by State chart and the text of my bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, today I introduce the ``Medicaid Advanced Practice Nurse and Physician Assistants Access Act of 2007.'' This legislation would change Federal law to expand fee-for-service Medicaid to include direct payment for services provided by all nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, and physician assistants. It would ensure all nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, and physician assistants are recognized as primary care case managers, and require Medicaid panels to include advanced practice nurses on their managed care panels. Advanced practice nurses are registered nurses who have attained additional expertise in the clinical management of health conditions. Typically, an advanced practice nurse holds a master's degree with didactic and clinical preparation beyond that of the registered nurse. They are employed in clinics, hospitals, and private practices. While there are many titles given to these advanced practice nurses, such as pediatric nurse practitioners, family nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, certified registered nurse anesthetists, and clinical nurse specialists, our current Medicaid law has not kept up with the multiple specialties and titles of these advanced practitioners, nor has it recognized the critical role physician assistants play in the delivery of primary care. I have been a long-time advocate of advanced practice nurses and their ability to extend health care services to our most rural and underserved communities. They have improved access to health care in Hawaii and throughout the United States by their willingness to practice in what some providers might see as undesirable locations--the extremely rural, frontier, or urban areas. This legislation ensures they are recognized and reimbursed for providing the necessary health care services patients need, and it gives those patients the choice of selecting advanced practice nurses and physician assistants as their primary care providers. I ask unanimous consent that the text of this bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, many of you know of my continued support and advocacy on the importance of addressing the plight of Filipino World War II veterans. As an American, I believe the treatment of Filipino World War II veterans is bleak and shameful. The Philippines became a United States possession in 1898, when it was ceded by Spain, following the Spanish-American War. In 1934, the Congress enacted the Philippine Independence Act, Public Law 73-127, which provided a 10- year time frame for the independence of the Philippines. Between 1934 and final independence in 1946, the United States retained certain powers over the Philippines including the right to call military forces organized by the newly-formed Commonwealth government into the service of the United States Armed Forces. The Commonwealth Army of the Philippines was called to serve with the United States Armed Forces in the Far East during World War II under President Roosevelt's July 26, 1941 military order. The Filipinos who served were entitled to full veterans' benefits by reason of their active service with our armed forces. Hundreds were wounded in battle and many hundreds more died in battle. Shortly after Japan's surrender, the Congress enacted the Armed Forces Voluntary Recruitment Act of 1945 for the purpose of sending Filipino troops to occupy enemy lands, and to oversee military installations at various overseas locations. These troops were authorized to receive pay and allowances for services performed throughout the Western Pacific. Although hostilities had ceased, wartime service of these troops continued as a matter of law until the end of 1946. Despite all of their sacrifices, on February 18, 1946, the Congress passed the Rescission Act of 1946, now codified as Section 107 of Title 38 of the United States Code. The 1946 Act deemed that the service performed by these Filipino veterans would not be recognized as ``active service'' for the purpose of any U.S. law conferring ``rights, privileges, or benefits.'' Accordingly, Section 107 denied Filipino veterans access to health care, particularly for non-service-connected disabilities, and pension benefits. Section 107 also limited service- connected disability and death compensation for Filipino veterans to 50 percent of what their American counterparts receive. On May 27, 1946, the Congress enacted the Second Supplemental Surplus Appropriations Rescission Act, which duplicated the language that had eliminated Filipino veterans' benefits under the First Rescission Act. Thus, Filipino veterans who fought in the service of the United States during World War II have been precluded from receiving most of the veterans' benefits that had been available to them before 1946, and that are available to all other veterans of our armed forces regardless of race, national origin, or citizenship status. The Filipino Veterans Equity Act, which I introduce today, would restore the benefits due to these veterans by granting full recognition of service for the sacrifices they made during World War II. These benefits include veterans health care, service-connected disability compensation, non-service connected disability compensation, dependent indemnity compensation, death pension, and full burial benefits. Throughout the years, I have sponsored several measures to rectify the lack of appreciation America has shown to these gallant men and women who stood in harm's way with our American soldiers and fought the common enemy during World War II. It is time that we as a Nation recognize our long-standing history and friendship with the Philippines. Of the 120,000 that served in the Commonwealth Army during World War II, there are approximately 60,000 Filipino veterans currently residing in the United States and the Philippines. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Filipino veteran population is expected to decrease to approximately 20,000 or roughly one-third of the current population by 2010. Heroes should never be forgotten or ignored; let us not turn our backs on those who sacrificed so much. Let us instead work to replay all of these brave men for their sacrifices by providing them the veterans, benefits they deserve. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of my bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Rural Preventive Health Care Training Act, a bill that responds to the dire need of our rural communities for quality health care and disease prevention programs. Almost one fourth of Americans live in rural areas and frequently lack access to adequate physical and mental health care. As many as 21 million of the 34 million people living in underserved rural areas are without access to a primary care provider. Even in areas where providers do exist, there are numerous limits to access, such as geography, distance, lack of transportation, and lack of knowledge about available resources. Due to the diversity of rural populations, language and cultural obstacles are often a factor in the access to medical care. Compound these problems with limited financial resources, and the result is that many Americans living in rural communities go without vital health care, especially preventive care. Children fail to receive immunizations and routine checkups. Preventable illnesses and injuries occur needlessly, and lead to expensive hospitalizations. Early symptoms of emotional problems and substance abuse go undetected, and often develop into full-blown disorders. An Institute of Medicine (IOM) report entitled, ``Reducing Risks for Mental Disorders: Frontiers for Preventive Intervention Research,'' highlights the benefits of preventive care for all health problems. The training of health care providers in prevention is crucial in order to meet the demand for care in underserved areas. Currently, rural health care providers lack preventive care training opportunities. Interdisciplinary preventive training of rural health care providers must be encouraged. Through such training, rural health care providers can build a strong educational foundation from the behavioral, biological, and psychological sciences. Interdisciplinary team prevention training will also facilitate operations at sites with both health and mental health clinics by facilitating routine consultation between groups. Emphasizing the mental health disciplines and their services as part of the health care team will contribute to the overall health of rural communities. The Rural Preventive Health Care Training Act would implement the risk-reduction model described in the IOM study. This model is based on the identification of risk factors and targets specific interventions for those risk factors. The human suffering caused by poor health is immeasurable, and places a huge financial burden on communities, families, and individuals. By implementing preventive measures to reduce this suffering, the potential psychological and financial savings are enormous. I ask unanimous consent that the text of this bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. INOUYE

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, today I am reintroducing a bill which is of great importance to a group of patriotic Americans. This legislation is designed to extend space-available travel privileges on military aircraft to those who have been totally disabled in the service of our country. Currently, retired members of the Armed Services are permitted to travel on a space-available basis on non-scheduled military flights within the continental United States, and on scheduled overseas flights operated by the Military Airlift Command. My bill would provide the same benefits for veterans with 100 percent service-connected disabilities. We owe these heroic men and women who have given so much to our country a debt of gratitude. Of course, we can never repay them for the sacrifices they have made on behalf of our Nation, but we can surely try to make their lives more pleasant and fulfilling. One way in which we can help is to extend military travel privileges to these distinguished American veterans. I have received numerous letters from all over the country attesting to the importance attached to this issue by veterans. Therefore, I ask that my colleagues show their concern and join me in saying ``thank you'' by supporting this legislation. I ask unanimous consent that the text of my bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. INOUYE

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, today I rise to honor all our military families by submitting a Resolution to designate November as National Military Family Month. As we all know, memories fade and the hardships experienced by our military families are easily forgotten unless they touch our own immediate family. Today, we have our men and women deployed all over the world, engaged in this war on terrorism. These far-ranging military deployments are extremely difficult on the families who bear this heavy burden. To honor these families, the Armed Services YMCA has sponsored Military Family Week in late November since 1996. However, due to frequent ``short week'' conflicts around the Thanksgiving holidays, the designated week has not always afforded enough time to schedule observances on and near our military bases. I believe a month long observation will allow greater opportunity to plan events. Moreover, it will provide a greater opportunity to stimulate media support. A resolution will help pave the way for this effort. I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting this tribute to our military families.

Mr. INOUYE

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, today I am reintroducing legislation to enable those former prisoners of war who have been separated honorably from their respective services and who have been rated as having a 30 percent service-connected disability to have the use of both the military commissary and post exchange privileges. While I realize it is impossible to adequately compensate one who has endured long periods of incarceration at the hands of our Nation's enemies, I do feel this gesture is both meaningful and important to those concerned because it serves as a reminder that our Nation has not forgotten their sacrifices. I ask unanimous consent that the text of my bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. INOUYE

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I am reintroducing legislation today that would direct the Secretary of the Army to determine whether certain nationals of the Philippine Islands performed military service on behalf of the United States during World War II. Our Filipino veterans fought side by side with Americans and sacrificed their lives on behalf of the United States. This legislation would confirm the validity of their claims and further allow qualified individuals the opportunity to apply for military and veterans benefits that, I believe, they are entitled to. As this population becomes older, it is important for our Nation to extend its firm commitment to the Filipino veterans and their families who participated in making us the great Nation that we are today. I ask unanimous consent that the text of my bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. INOUYE

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, today I introduce legislation to authorize the autonomous functioning of clinical psychologists and clinical social workers within the Medicare comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facility program. In my judgment, it is unfortunate that Medicare requires clinical supervision of the services provided by certain health professionals and does not allow them to function to the full extent of their state practice licenses. Those who need the services of outpatient rehabilitation facilities should have access to a wide range of social and behavioral science expertise. Clinical psychologists and clinical social workers are recognized as independent providers of mental health care services under the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program, the TRICARE Military Health Program of the Uniformed Services, the Medicare (Part B) Program, and numerous private insurance plans. This legislation will ensure that these qualified professionals achieve the same recognition under the Medicare comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facility program. I ask unanimous consent that the text of this bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. INOUYE

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, today I introduce the Nursing School Clinics Act. This measure builds on our concerted efforts to provide access to quality health care for all Americans by offering grants and incentives for nursing schools to establish primary care clinics in underserved areas where additional medical services are most needed. In addition, this measure provides the opportunity for nursing schools to enhance the scope of student training and education by providing firsthand clinical experience in primary care facilities. Primary care clinics administered by nursing schools are university or nonprofit primary care centers developed mainly in collaboration with university schools of nursing and the communities they serve. These centers are staffed by faculty and staff who are nurse practitioners and public health nurses. Students supplement patient care while receiving preceptorships provided by college of nursing faculty and primary care physicians, often associated with academic institutions, who serve as collaborators with nurse practitioners. To date, the comprehensive models of care provided by nursing clinics have yielded excellent results, including significantly fewer emergency room visits, fewer hospital inpatient days, and less use of specialists, as compared to conventional primary health care. This bill reinforces the principle of combining health care delivery in underserved areas with the education of advanced practice nurses. To accomplish these objectives, Title XIX of the Social Security Act would be amended to designate that the services provided in these nursing school clinics are reimbursable under Medicaid. The combination of grants and the provision of Medicaid reimbursement furnishes the financial incentives for clinic operators to establish the clinics. In order to meet the increasing challenges of bringing cost-effective and quality health care to all Americans, we must consider a wide range of proposals, both large and small. Most importantly, we must approach the issue of health care with creativity and determination, ensuring that all reasonable avenues are pursued. Nurses have always been an integral part of health care delivery. The Nursing School Clinics Act recognizes the central role nurses can perform as care givers to the medically underserved. I ask unanimous consent that the text of this bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. INOUYE

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Rural Preventive Health Care Training Act, a bill that responds to the dire need of our rural communities for quality health care and disease prevention programs. Almost one fourth of Americans live in rural areas and frequently lack access to adequate physical and mental health care. As many as 21 million of the 34 million people living in underserved rural areas are without access to a primary care provider. Even in areas where providers do exist, there are numerous limits to access, such as geography, distance, lack of transportation, and lack of knowledge about available resources. Due to the diversity of rural populations, language and cultural obstacles are often a factor in the access to medical care. Compound these problems with limited financial resources, and the result is that many Americans living in rural communities go without vital health care, especially preventive care. Children fail to receive immunizations and routine checkups. Preventable illnesses and injuries occur needlessly, and lead to expensive hospitalizations. Early symptoms of emotional problems and substance abuse go undetected, and often develop into full-blown disorders. An Institute of Medicine (IOM) report entitled, ``Reducing Risks for Mental Disorders: Frontiers for Preventive Intervention Research,'' highlights the benefits of preventive care for all health problems. The training of health care providers in prevention is crucial in order to meet the demand for care in underserved areas. Currently, rural health care providers lack preventive care training opportunities. Interdisciplinary preventive training of rural health care providers must be encouraged. Through such training, rural health care providers can build a strong educational foundation from the behavioral, biological, and psychological sciences. Interdisciplinary team prevention training will also facilitate operations at sites with both health and mental health clinics by facilitating routine consultation between groups. Emphasizing the mental health disciplines and their services as part of the health care team will contribute to the overall health of rural communities. The Rural Preventive Health Care Training Act would implement the risk-reduction model described in the IOM study. This model is based on the identification of risk factors and targets specific interventions for those risk factors. The human suffering caused by poor health is immeasurable, and places a huge financial burden on communities, families, and individuals. By implementing preventive measures to reduce this suffering, the potential psychological and financial savings are enormous. I ask unanimous consent that the text of this bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. INOUYE

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, today I introduce the ``Medicaid Advanced Practice Nurse and Physician Assistants Access Act of 2007.'' This legislation would change Federal law to expand fee-for-service Medicaid to include direct payment for services provided by all nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, and physician assistants. It would ensure all nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, and physician assistants are recognized as primary care case managers, and require Medicaid panels to include advanced practice nurses on their managed care panels. Advanced practice nurses are registered nurses who have attained additional expertise in the clinical management of health conditions. Typically, an advanced practice nurse holds a master's degree with didactic and clinical preparation beyond that of the registered nurse. They are employed in clinics, hospitals, and private practices. While there are many titles given to these advanced practice nurses, such as pediatric nurse practitioners, family nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, certified registered nurse anesthetists, and clinical nurse specialists, our current Medicaid law has not kept up with the multiple specialties and titles of these advanced practitioners, nor has it recognized the critical role physician assistants play in the delivery of primary care. I have been a long-time advocate of advanced practice nurses and their ability to extend health care services to our most rural and underserved communities. They have improved access to health care in Hawaii and throughout the United States by their willingness to practice in what some providers might see as undesirable locations--the extremely rural, frontier, or urban areas. This legislation ensures they are recognized and reimbursed for providing the necessary health care services patients need, and it gives those patients the choice of selecting advanced practice nurses and physician assistants as their primary care providers. I ask unanimous consent that the text of this bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. INOUYE

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, today I introduce legislation to amend Title 18 of the United States Code to allow our Nation's clinical social workers to use their mental health expertise on behalf of the Federal judiciary by conducting psychological and psychiatric exams. I feel that the time has come to allow our Nation's judicial system to have access to a wide range of behavioral science and mental health expertise. I am confident that the enactment of this legislation would be very much in our Nation's best interest. I ask unanimous consent that the text of this bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. INOUYE

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, today I am introducing legislation that would provide a Federal charter for the National Academies of Practice. This organization represents outstanding health care professionals who have made significant contributions to the practice of applied psychology, medicine, dentistry, nursing, optometry, osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, podiatry, social work, and veterinary medicine. When fully established, each of the ten academies will possess 150 distinguished practitioners selected by their peers. This umbrella organization will be able to provide the Congress of the United States and the executive branch with considerable health policy expertise, especially from the perspective of those individuals who are in the forefront of actually providing health care. As we continue to grapple with the many complex issues surrounding the delivery of health care services, it is clearly in our best interest to ensure that the Congress has direct and immediate access to the recommendations of an interdisciplinary body of health care practitioners. I ask unanimous consent that the text of this bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. INOUYE

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, today I introduce the Native Hawaiian Medicaid Coverage Act of 2004. This legislation would authorize a Federal Medicaid Assistance Percent, FMAP, of 100 percent for the payment of health care costs of Native Hawaiians who receive health care from Federally Qualified Health Centers or the Native Hawaiian Health Care System. This bill was originally a provision within the Medicare Prescription Drug Bill, which the Senate passed by an overwhelming majority of 76 to 21, but was dropped from the final Medicare Prescription Drug Conference Report. This bill is modeled on the Native Alaskan Health Care Act, which provides for a Federal Medicaid Assistance Percent, FMAP, of 100 percent for payment of health care costs for Native Alaskans by the Indian Health Service, an Indian tribe, or a tribal organization. Community health centers serve as the ``safety net'' for uninsured and medically underserved Native Hawaiians and other United States citizens, providing comprehensive primary and preventive health services to the entire community. Outpatient services offered to the entire family include comprehensive primary care, preventive health maintenance, and education outreach in the local community. Community health centers, with their multi-disciplinary approach, offer cost effective integration of health promotion and wellness with chronic disease management and primary care focused on serving vulnerable populations. I ask unanimous consent that the text of this bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. INOUYE

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, Today I introduce the United States Military Cancer Institute Research Collaborative Act. This legislation, twice passed by the Senate yet unsuccessful in the House, would formally establish the United States Military Cancer Institute, USMCI, and support the collaborative augmentation of research efforts in cancer epidemiology, prevention and control. Although the USMCI already exists as an informal collaborative effort, this bill will formally establish the institution with a mission of providing for the maintenance of health in the military by enhancing cancer research and treatment, and studying the epidemiological causes of cancer among various ethnic groups. By formally establishing the USMCI, it will be in a better position to unite military research efforts with other cancer research centers. Cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment are significant issues for the military population, thus the USMCI was organized to coordinate the existing military cancer assets. The USMCI has a comprehensive database of its beneficiary population of 9 million people. The military's nationwide tumor registry, the Automated Central Tumor Registry, has acquired more than 180,000 cases in the last 14 years, and a serum repository of 30 million specimens from military personnel collected sequentially since 1987. This population is predominantly Caucasian, African-American, and Hispanic. The USMCI currently resides in the Washington, D.C., area, and its components are located at the National Naval Medical Center, the Malcolm Grow Medical Center, the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, and the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute. There are more than 70 research workers, both active duty and Department of Defense civilian scientists, working in the USMCI. The Director of the USMCI, Dr. John Potter, intends to expand research activities to military medical centers across the nation. Special emphasis will be placed on the study of genetic and environmental factors in carcinogenesis among the entire population, including Asian, Caucasian, African-American and Hispanic subpopulations. I ask unanimous consent that the text of this bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. INOUYE

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce legislation to amend the Public Health Service Act for the establishment of a National Center for Social Work Research. Social workers provide a multitude of health care delivery services throughout America to our children, families, the elderly, and persons suffering from various forms of abuse and neglect. The purpose of this center is to support and disseminate information about basic and clinical social work research, and training, with emphasis on service to underserved and rural populations. While the Federal Government provides funding for various social work research activities through the National Institutes of Health and other Federal agencies, there presently is no coordination or direction of these critical activities and no overall assessment of needs and opportunities for empirical knowledge development. The establishment of a Center for Social Work Research would result in improved behavioral and mental health care outcomes for our nation's children, families, the elderly, and others. In order to meet the increasing challenges of bringing cost- effective, research-based, quality health care to all Americans, we must recognize the important contributions of social work researchers to health care delivery and the central role that the Center for Social Work can provide in facilitating their work. I ask unanimous consent that the text of this bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. INOUYE

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I rise to introduce legislation today to modify Title VII of the U.S. Public Health Service Act in order to provide students enrolled in graduate psychology programs with the opportunity to participate in various health professions loan programs. Providing students enrolled in graduate psychology programs with eligibility for financial assistance in the form of loans, loan guarantees, and scholarships will facilitate a much-needed infusion of behavioral science expertise into our community of public health providers. There is a growing recognition of the valuable contribution being made by psychologists toward solving some of our Nation's most distressing problems. The participation of students from all backgrounds and clinical disciplines is vital to the success of health care training. The Title VII programs play a significant role in providing financial support for the recruitment of minorities, women, and individuals from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Minority therapists have an advantage in the provision of critical services to minority populations because often they can communicate with clients in their own language and cultural framework. Minority therapists are more likely to work in community settings where ethnic minority and economically disadvantaged individuals are most likely to seek care. It is critical that continued support be provided for the training of individuals who provide health care services to underserved communities. I ask unanimous consent that the text of this bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. INOUYE

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I am introducing legislation today to amend Title VII of the Public Health Service Act to establish a psychology post-doctoral program. Psychologists have made a unique contribution in reaching out to the Nation's medically underserved populations. Expertise in behavioral science is useful in addressing grave concerns such as violence, addiction, mental illness, adolescent and child behavioral disorders, and family disruption. Establishment of a psychology post-doctoral program could be an effective way to find solutions to these issues. Similar programs supporting additional, specialized training in traditionally underserved settings have been successful in retaining participants to serve the same populations. For example, mental health professionals who have participated in these specialized federally funded programs have tended not only to meet their repayment obligations, but have continued to work in the public sector or with the underserved. While a doctorate in psychology provides broad-based knowledge and mastery in a wide variety of clinical skills, specialized post-doctoral fellowship programs help to develop particular diagnostic and treatment skills required to respond effectively to underserved populations. For example, what appears to be poor academic motivation in a child recently relocated from Southeast Asia might actually reflect a cultural value of reserve rather than a disinterest in academic learning. Specialized assessment skills enable the clinician to initiate effective treatment. Domestic violence poses a significant public health problem and is not just a problem for the criminal justice system. Violence against women results in thousands of hospitalizations a year. Rates of child and spouse abuse in rural areas are particularly high, as are the rates of alcohol abuse and depression in adolescents. A post-doctoral fellowship program in the psychology of the rural populations could be of special benefit in addressing these problems. Given the demonstrated success and effectiveness of specialized training programs, it is incumbent upon us to encourage participation in post-doctoral fellowships that respond to the needs of the nation's underserved. I ask unanimous consent that the text of this bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. INOUYE

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, last year we made significant improvements to the Nation's transportation security system by enacting the SAFE Port Act, which strengthened the security of our Nation's ports and maritime vessels. Yet, during the conference on this important bill, the Congress failed to seize the opportunity to enact comprehensive transportation security legislation that would have provided real homeland security for our entire transportation system. The Senate- passed version of the SAFE Port Act contained essential provisions that would have strengthened security in all of the surface modes of transportation, including passenger and freight rail, public transit, trucking, intercity bus and pipelines. But jurisdictional infighting and a lack of political will kept the leadership of the House of Representatives from agreeing to, or even attempting to consider, these provisions in conference. Given the urgent need for surface transportation security improvements, Cochairman Stevens and I are introducing the Surface Transportation and Rail Security Act of 2007, or STARS Act, to once again offer the Congress an opportunity to enact a comprehensive transportation security bill. We have all seen the possible consequences of an attack on critical surface transportation systems in Madrid and London. We have all heard about possible threats and foiled plots aimed at our rail tunnels and stations here at home. The time has come for us to address these vulnerabilities and risks in a comprehensive and coordinated way that ensures that in the rush to protect one mode of transportation we don't shift vulnerability towards other, less secure, transportation modes. The STARS Act combines the rail, truck, bus, pipeline and hazardous materials security provisions that were included in the Senate-passed SAFE Port Act into a stand-alone bill, which the Commerce Committee will soon consider. These provisions were endorsed unanimously by the Senate during consideration of the SAFE Port Act, and the House of Representatives overwhelmingly voted to instruct its conferees to include these provisions in the Conference Report--advice the House leadership declined to accept. Additionally, the rail security portion of this package has already passed the Senate twice in prior Congresses and has been endorsed by railroads and rail labor alike. This kind of support demonstrates both the necessity of these improvements and the distinct possibility that we can finally enact these provisions into law this Congress. The legislation that we introduce today reflects the Commerce Committee's substantial expertise over the issues of transportation security. The time has come to advance these improvements, and protect the vital surface transportation assets that grant us the quality of life and economic health that we all cherish. Our legislation presents an opportunity to make immediate progress on transportation security, and it is my sincere hope that my colleagues will join me in supporting consideration and passage of this measure as soon as possible. I ask unanimous consent that the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. INOUYE

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I rise to recognize final passage of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act of 2006 by both the Senate and the House this week, clearing the bill for Presidential approval. I am proud to have. developed this bill with my friend and colleague, Senator Ted Stevens. The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act is the primary Federal statute governing how we manage our Nation's fisheries and, as such, plays a vital role in our Nation's ability to achieve its overarching ocean policy goal. This bill reauthorizes the Magnuson- Stevens Act from fiscal year 2007 through fiscal year 2013 and takes steps to improve the act both by making it more effective and responsive to the needs of our fishing communities here at home and by taking important steps toward exporting our successful management approaches internationally. After the Senate passed the bill earlier this year, Senator Stevens and I worked with the House on a bipartisan basis in order to reach consensus on a final version of the bill. I am pleased that these discussions have resulted in further improvements and additions to the bill that have motivated strong bicameral and bipartisan support for this important piece of conservation legislation. The key to the success of the Magnuson-Stevens Act has always been its regional approach to management. Keeping with that regional approach, this bill strengthens the accountability of the Regional Fishery Management Councils by requiring training of new members to prepare them to comply with legal, scientific, economic, and conflict of interest requirements applicable to the fishery management process. Our bill also aims to improve conservation performance in our fisheries by requiring all Councils to establish annual catch limits in each federal fishery management plan. The role science plays in this decisionmaking process will be strengthened by this bill as well, since requirements will now be in place for each council to adhere to the recommendations provided by their Science and Statistical Committee, SSC, or other peer review process to prevent overfishing and achieve rebuilding targets. In recognition of the SSC's increased role, we have strengthened the conflict of interest disclosure requirements to which each SSC member must comply. The bill also requires limited access privilege programs, such as individual fishing quota systems, established in the future not only to contribute to a reduction of capacity in overcapitalized fisheries and improve fishermen's safety by ending the race for the fish but also to consider social and economic benefits to coastal communities. Senator Stevens' and my intent was to sustain thriving fishing communities and promote access to the fisheries by residents of our coastal communities in order to foster the independent, coastal community-based character of our Nation's fisheries. To achieve this aim, the bill sets forth a strong list of standards to ensure that any such program take into account the social and economic implications of the program. In addition, it authorizes the creation of voluntary regional fishery associations for the mutual benefit of fishery participants, including provisions to ensure we maintain free and open markets for fishermen to sell their catch. The bill also requires a periodic review of each program's compliance with the goals of their program. Individual permits will be renewed automatically every 10 years, unless the permit holder fails to meet the requirements specified in the program as meriting modification, limitation, or revocation. The bill also contains grandfathering and transition rules to address the application of these new standards to existing and developing programs. I want to make clear that final Senate changes in these provisions were not intended to adversely affect or delay ongoing development of a proposal for a rationalization program for the Pacific trawl groundfish and whiting fisheries by the Pacific Fisheries Management Council. We intend that this process go forward and that adherence to the new standards not delay development of the plan called for in the bill. In order to assist fishermen in helping to reduce bycatch and seabird interactions, H.R. 5946 establishes a regionally based Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program to develop technologies and methods to improve the ability of fishery participants to reduce bycatch and associated mortality, including post-release mortality. The provision includes an outreach mandate to encourage the adoption of new technologies and also encourages the adoption of bycatch reduction incentives in fishery management plans, such as bycatch quotas. Finally, it encourages the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to continue coordinating with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other entities to reduce or mitigate seabird interactions in fisheries, a process that has had much success in the Western and North Pacific. This comprehensive package not only addresses conservation and management within our Nation's waters but equally as important, strengthens controls on illegal, unreported, and unregulated IUU fishing in the high seas. IUU fishing, as well as expanding fleets and high bycatch levels, are threats to sustainable fisheries worldwide. The bill includes provisions to strengthen the ability of international fishery management organizations and the United States to ensure appropriate enforcement and compliance with conservation and management measures in high seas fisheries. The international component of this bill ensures other nations provide comparable protections to populations of living marine resources at risk from high seas fishing activities. These provisions help the U.S. fishing industry by both sustaining shared resources and leveling the playing field in terms of regulation and responsibility. I am particularly pleased that the bill includes provisions crucial to the long-term sustainability of tuna and other high seas stocks so important to Hawaii and the Pacific Islands, as well as a program to help increase marine education and technical skills in the region. These provisions will not only help us work with other countries to conserve our shared marine resources but also reduce unfair conservation burdens on U.S. high seas fleets. The bill also contains long-awaited legislation to implement the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention, a critical step in ending overfishing of bigeye and other tuna species in the Pacific. I am pleased that representatives of both the Western Pacific Council and the Pacific Council will be commissioners and that the territories will be provided representation in this important organization. In addition, the bill contains provisions that promote marine education, training, and assistance opportunities for Western Pacific communities and underrepresented groups. This training is critically important for communities that are so dependent upon the health and sustainability of our ocean resources. Finally, the bill contains the text of the Tsunami Warning and Education Act, another bill that Senator Stevens and I developed early last year and then negotiated with the House Science Committee. This legislation, so critical to the Pacific region, will go far to strengthen and expand the existing tsunami warning and detection system, and I am grateful, on behalf of the people of Hawaii, for all the support the bill has gained in Congress. Mr. President, I look forward to working with the administration on implementation of the many important provisions of this bill, and I thank my friend, Senator Stevens, as well as committee colleagues, particularly Senators Cantwell, Snowe, Boxer, Lott, and Lautenberg, for working so hard toward enactment.

Mr. INOUYE

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I rise to pay tribute to a member of my staff who will be leaving the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation after more than 15 years working for this institution and more than 25 years of service to the American public. Sam Whitehorn has been my deputy staff director and general counsel on the Commerce Committee during the 109th Congress, but he has worked diligently for the committee's membership and many of our predecessors during more than a decade as senior counsel on the Aviation Subcommittee. I know Senators Jay Rockefeller, Fritz Hollings, and Wendell Ford hold Sam in the highest regard for his commitment to this institution and his efforts to pass legislation that established the United States as a world leader in aviation and transportation policy. Sam's reputation as an expert and dogged proponent of aviation security, safety, and economic viability is known to everyone in the aviation community. His ability to negotiate and work in a bipartisan fashion has served the committee honorably, allowing aviation legislation to consistently move responsibly and timely. His accomplishments speak well of him: he has been involved in the passage of six Federal Aviation Administration Authorization, FAA, reauthorization bills during his tenure. While Sam has more recently expanded his reach to other major aspects of the Commerce Committee's agenda, aviation continues to have a special place in his heart. This country and the aviation industry also have benefited from Sam's commitment to public service and his expertise on the issues during one of our most difficult times in modern history. After the horrible attacks of September 11, 2001, he helped lead the passage of the Aviation and Transportation Security Act, which established the Transportation Security Administration, TSA. That legislation was instrumental in restoring public confidence in our aviation system. He also played a central role in the development of legislation that currently funds the aviation system, efforts to advance the modernization of the National Airspace System, NAS, and promoted workplace reforms at the FAA which have helped place the agency on a more economically viable path. To put it simply, Sam Whitehorn's name is synonymous with aviation safety, security, and viability. Prior to working for the Senate Commerce Committee, Sam worked at the U.S. Department of Transportation, DOT, as a senior attorney in the Office of the General Counsel for Regulations and Enforcement where he represented the DOT on a host of aviation issues. Before that he was a staff attorney in the antitrust section of the Civil Aeronautics Board, CAB, the precursor to the FAA. While Sam has a passion for aviation and has been truly devoted to the Senate Commerce Committee, nothing has been more important to him than his family. From his upbringing in New Hyde Park, NY, to the many years he has spent in his adopted hometown of Washington, DC, his close-knit family has been vital to his success. We have seen his dedication to his wife Carol, who has been extremely patient at times, and more recently saw him watch proudly as his son Michael and daughter Zoe went off to college. We greatly appreciate their willingness to share Sam with us for these many years. As Sam retires from the Senate, we wish him nothing but the best. He will be missed, but his legacy will remain strong as we continue to tackle aviation issues in the future. I and this institution will miss him.

Mr. INOUYE

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, at the end of this year, a longtime employee of the Congress and the legislative branch will retire from Federal Service. On January 3, Anthony J. ``Tony'' Zagami will leave the U.S. Government Printing Office, having been the longest serving general counsel in the agencies history. Tony Zagami began his career as a page in the U.S. Senate in the mid 1960s as I was completing my first term as a U.S. Senator from Hawaii. His late father, Dino, also served the U.S. Senate at that time as a member of the Official Reporters of Debates. I had the pleasure of knowing and working with both of the Zagami's during that period of time. Dino retired in 1972 as Tony's congressional career was just getting underway. Tony held a number of positions on the Hill while pursuing an undergraduate and law degree. He spent a total of 25 years working for the Congress in positions ranging from Senate page to committee general counsel, before leaving in 1990 to become the general counsel for the Government Printing Office. As you know, the GPO is responsible for producing and distributing our Congressional Record and other vital Government documents on a daily basis. After 40 years of dedicated Government service, Tony Zagami has decided to move on to the next chapter of his life. As he ends a distinguished career, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Tony Zagami for his many years of public service to our Nation and wish him and his family the very best in all future endeavors.

Mr. INOUYE

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, just 2 weeks ago, the Senate considered comprehensive legislation to address the transportation security needs of this country. That bill was not written overnight. It was the culmination of 2 years of bipartisan work within the Commerce Committee, the Banking Committee, the Finance Committee, and the Homeland Security Committee. While we have had our jurisdictional debates during the past 2 years, this week we somberly observed the fifth anniversary of the attacks of September 11, 2001. We set aside those debates, and as a body, came together and passed a comprehensive bill improving security for all modes of transportation. The Senate passed that bill by a vote of 98 to 0, and we took a huge step toward making our Nation a safer place to live, work, and travel. I had hoped that today I would be telling my colleagues that the House and Senate conferees had recognized they had the rare opportunity, for the first time in 5 years, to address transportation security in a comprehensive manner. I believed they would act in the same manner as we had here in the Senate just 2 weeks ago and would reach an agreement on the port security bill that truly reflects the best of our institution. Regrettably, that is not the case. Staff from the Senate and several House Committees sat down the past 2 weeks and went through hundreds of pages of text in what was suppose to be, and in fact, appeared to be a bipartisan, bicameral process. They did a good job, and the port security title reflects their hard work. However, several days ago, House leadership stymied our efforts to provide a real transportation security bill for America. The House leadership effectively hijacked the work of the Senate and refused to include or even discuss anything but the port security provisions of the Senate's bill. Despite this refusal, several of my colleagues came to last night's meeting of the conferees prepared to offer and debate amendments to restore the nonport related security provisions that had been included in the Senate-passed bill. As I stated then, while the port security provisions are sound and a big step in the right direction, we must take a comprehensive approach to securing our transportation infrastructure. I was prepared to work into the evening on efforts to restore the other provisions. My colleagues should be aware that we did not have the text of the conference report when we met for the first, and what has now become apparent, the only meeting. During the round of opening statements on the conference report, the Chairman of the conference was repeatedly asked when we would be able to offer amendments. In the end, the chairman indicated that we would reconvene in the morning when we had the text of the bill. Because of the chairman's assurances that we would meet again, and out of deference to the chairman's wishes, several of my colleagues agreed to not offer their amendments to restore the Senate provisions on rail and truck security. Late last night, we were told there would be no more meetings of the conferees, denying my colleagues the ability to have their amendments debated and voted upon. Last night's theater has ramifications for all of us today for three reasons. First, we have allowed a rare opportunity to enact comprehensive legislation that would improve the security of our transportation infrastructure to pass us by. Our colleagues who opposed the inclusion of the other transportation modes claim that this is a port security bill only. The fact is, other modes of transportation are just as important and worthy of protection. Like the port security provisions, the rail, truck, and transit provisions reflect several years of committee hearings and full Senate action. To pretend these provisions were written overnight is a disservice to the expert staff that have worked on these issues for years. It is also a disservice to our constituents who depend upon these modes of transportation for their livelihoods. The American public deserves better from us. We have waited 5 years for this opportunity and have been fortunate that attacks like those in London and Madrid have not occurred here in the United States. We should act now to prevent an attack rather than waiting until a tragedy occurs. Second, if we are to succeed as a democratic and open institution, our ability to work together and rely on the assurances of our colleagues is critical. My colleagues, particularly Senator Lautenberg, who has worked diligently on behalf of his constituents who rely on rail and transit and is an expert in the area of rail safety, deserve to be heard and be able to offer amendments. To assure him the opportunity but deny him the reality is a disservice to the institution and to the millions of people who rely upon the rail and transit systems each day. Third, it has come to my attention that the leadership has decided to include in the conference report provisions that are outside the scope of transportation security issues. These are provisions that our friends on the Armed Services conference refused to allow on their bill, and our friends on the Department of Homeland Security appropriations conference refused to allow on their bill. It does not bode well for the American public that with the stroke of one pen we jettison fully vetted rail, truck, and transit security provisions that would have provided enhanced security for the American public. Yet with the stroke of another pen, we add provisions that are not related to security nor fully debated by the Senate and House as a whole. Ultimately, the action of the last few days reflects a lack of leadership and a lack of vision about our responsibilities to the American people. As a result, what we have before this body today does so much less than what is possible and prudent to secure the Nation, as well as ignoring the will of both bodies. More importantly, it neglects the real needs of our transportation security. We have missed a rare opportunity to make our transportation infrastructure more secure. We have missed a rare opportunity to follow through with the promises we made on the Senate floor just 14 days ago.