Daniel Inouye

Mr. INOUYE

Mr. INOUYE. The Senator is correct. The committee will work to include this among the program initiatives to be considered within the Chem-bio Defense Initiatives Fund, the Marine Corps' CBIRF program to develop a chemical agent warning network and develop emergency response technologies for first responder units.

Mr. INOUYE. I thank the Senator from Maryland for her interest in ASDS. As you are aware the first ASDS boat has encountered two technological challenges that must be overcome: screw noise and batteries. These issues require additional research and development. Since the budget was submitted, the Special Operations Command decided to restructure this program and has delayed procurement of the second ASDS boat until these issues have been solved. The Committee therefore reduced advanced procurement funding.

Mr. INOUYE. I share your concern over development of a Lithium-Ion battery for ASDS. The Committee provided an additional $8 million for Procurement, Defense Wide at the request of the Senators from Maryland. We expect the Navy to use these funds to ensure competition to develop these Lithium-Ion batteries can take place and subsequently result in a more rapid solution to ASDS battery needs.

Mr. INOUYE. I thank the Senator from Maryland for her steadfast support of this program and appreciate her concern. I will explore the possibility of increasing research and development funding for ASDS and language that facilitates competition for the Lithium-Ion battery in conference, so that we can get this new technology deployed sooner.

Mr. INOUYE. I would be glad to discuss this matter with the Chairman of the Appropriations Committee.

Mr. INOUYE. I also thank the Senator for his efforts regarding Navy basic research and the Navy Research Lab. This is an important initiative, and one that I am pleased that Senator Stevens and I could include in the bill that we have brought before the Senate. aerospace worker training

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, the Senator is exactly right, it is the intent of the legislation to provide $500,000 for the program in Washington. I assure the Senator that I will work with my colleagues to support these funds. Preparing for the use of innovate materials in future aircraft designs is critical to enhancing air superiority. I will work with the Senator to address these needs in this year's legislation and will carefully consider ways to enhance those efforts in years to come.

Mr. INOUYE. Madam President, I thank my leader. But I believe that much credit should go to the staff. We have one of the finest staff members in the whole Senate. I refer to Charlie Houy on the majority side.

Mr. INOUYE

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that Marko Medved, a fellow serving in Senator Cochran's office, be granted floor privileges during the duration of the consideration of the Defense bill.

Mr. INOUYE. On behalf of Senator Mikulski, I ask unanimous consent that Major Mark Hamilton, a Defense fellow in her office, be granted floor privileges during the debate of the Defense bill.

Mr. INOUYE

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I would like to announce that the Committee on Indian Affairs will meet on Thursday, August 1, 2002, at 10:00 a.m. in the Room 485 of the Russell Senate Office Building to conduct a business meeting to mark up S. 1344, a bill to provide training and technical assistance to Native Americans who are interested in commercial vehicle driving careers; S. 2017, a bill to amend the Indian Financing Act of 1974 to improve the effectiveness of the Indian loan guarantee and insurance program; and S. 2711, a bill to reauthorize and improve programs relating to Native Americans, to be followed immediately by an oversight hearing on the Interior Secretary's Report on the Hoopa Yurok Settlement Act. The Committee will meet again on Thursday, August 1, 2002 at 2:00 p.m. in Room 485 of the Russell Senate Office Building to conduct an oversight hearing on Problems Facing Native Youth. Those wishing additional information may contact the Indian Affairs Committee at 224-2251.

Mr. INOUYE

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I would like to announce that the Committee on Indian Affairs will meet on Friday, August 2, 2002, at 2 p.m. in room 106 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building to conduct a hearing on S. 958, A bill to provide for the use and distribution of the funds awarded to the Western Shoshone identifiable group under Indian Claims Commission Docket Numbers 326-A-1, 326-A-3, 326-K, and for other purposes. Those wishing additional information may contact the Indian Affairs Committee at 224-2251.

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I would like to announce that the Committee on Indian Affairs will meet on Thursday, August 1, 2002, at 10 a.m. in room 485 of the Russell Senate Office Building to conduct an oversight hearing on the Interior Secretary's Report on the Hoopa Yurok Settlement Act. The Committee will meet again on Thursday, August 1, 2002, at 2 p.m. in room 485 of the Russell Senate Office Building to conduct an oversight hearing on Problems Facing Native Youth. Those wishing additional information may contact the Indian Affairs Committee at 224-2251. committee on indian affairs

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I would like to announce that the Committee on Indian Affairs will meet on Tuesday, July 30, 2002, at 10 a.m. in room 106 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building to conduct a hearing on a Legislative Proposal of the Department of Interior/Tribal Trust Fund Reform Task Force; to be followed immediately by a second hearing on S. 2212, A bill to establish a direct line of authority for the Office of Trust Reform Implementations and Oversight to oversee the management and reform of Indian trust funds and assets under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Interior, and to advance tribal management of such funds and assets, pursuant to the Indian Self- Determination Act and for other purposes. committee on indian affairs

Mr. INOUYE

Mr. INOUYE. Madam President, today I rise to honor all our military families by submitting a Concurrent Resolution to designate November 2002, 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 observance 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 Concurrent 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, I would like to announce that the Committee on Indian Affairs will meet on Wednesday, July 24, 2002, at 10 a.m. in room 485 of the Russell Senate Office Building to conduct a hearing on S. 1344, a bill to Encourage Training to Native Americans Interested in Commercial Vehicle Driving Careers. Those wishing additional information may contact the Indian Affairs Committee at 224-2251. committee on indian affairs

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I would like to announce that the Committee on Indian Affairs will meet on Thursday, July 25, 2002, at 10 a.m. in room 485 of the Russell Senate Office Building to conduct a hearing on the July 2, 2002 Report of the U.S. Department of the Interior to the Congress on the Historical Accounting of Individual Indian Money Accounts. Those wishing additional information may contact the Indian Affairs Committee at 224-2251. committee on energy and natural resources

Mr. INOUYE

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I would like to announce that the Committee on Indian Affairs will meet on Wednesday, July 17, 2002, at 10:00 a.m. in Room 485 of the Russell Senate Office Building to conduct an OVERSIGHT HEARING on the Protection of Native American Sacred Places. Those wishing additional information may contact the Indian Affairs Committee at 224-2251. committee on indian affairs

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I would like to announce that the Committee on Indian Affairs will meet on Thursday, July 18, 2002, at 10:00 a.m. in Room 485 of the Russell Senate Office Building to conduct a HEARING on a bill to approve the settlement of water rights claims of the Zuni Indian Tribe in Apache County, Arizona, and for other purposes. The Committee will meet again on Thursday, July 18, 2002, at 2:00 p.m. in Room 485 of the Russell Senate Office Building to conduct a HEARING on S. 2065, a bill to Ratify an Agreement to Regulate Air Quality on the Southern Ute Indian Reservation. Those wishing additional information may contact the Indian Affairs Committee at 224-2251.

Mr. INOUYE

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, today I propose a timely and important amendment to increase the grade for the Chief Nurses of the Army, the Navy, and the Air Force to that of two stars. The existing law limits the position of Chief Nurse of the three branches of the military to that of brigadier general in the Army and Air Force, and rear admiral, lower half, in the Navy. Chief Nurses have a tremendous responsibility--their scope of duties include peacetime and wartime health care delivery, plus establishing standards and policy for all nursing personnel within their respective branches. They are responsible for thousands of Army, Navy, and Air Force officers and enlisted nursing personnel in the active, reserve, and guard components of the military. The military medical mission could not be carried out without nursing personnel. They are crucial to the mission in war and peace time, at home and abroad. Organizations are best served when the leadership is composed of a mix of specialties--of equal rank--who bring their unique perspectives to the table when policies are established and decisions are made. This increased rank would guarantee that the nursing perspective is represented on critical issues that affect the military medical mission, patient care, and nursing practice. I believe it is time to ensure that the military health care system fully recognize and utilize the leadership ability of these outstanding patient care professionals.

Mr. INOUYE

Mr. INOUYE. Madam President, today I wish to address a timely and important amendment to increase the grade for the Chief Nurses of the Army, the Navy, and the Air Force to that of two stars. The existing law limits the position of Chief Nurse of the three branches of the military to that of Brigadier General in the Army and Air Force, and Rear Admiral, lower half, in the Navy. Chief Nurses have a tremendous responsibility, their scope of duties include peacetime and wartime health care delivery, plus establishing standards and policy for all nursing personnel within their respective branches. They are responsible for thousands of Army, Navy, and Air Force officer and enlisted nursing personnel in the active, reserve, and guard components of the military. The military medical mission could not be carried out without nursing personnel. They are crucial to the mission in war and peace time, at home and abroad. Organizations are best served when the leadership is composed of a mix of specialties, of equal rank, who bring their unique perspectives to the table when policies are established and decisions are made. This increased rank would guarantee that the nursing perspective is represented on critical issues that affect the military medical mission, patient care, and nursing practice. I believe it is time to ensure that the military health care system fully recognize and utilize the leadership ability of these outstanding patient care professionals.

Mr. INOUYE

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I would like to announce that the Committee on Indian Affairs will meet on Wednesday, June 26, 2002, at 10:00 a.m. in Room 628 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building to conduct an oversight hearing on the status of the dialogue between the U.S. Department of the Interior and American Indian and Alaska Native leaders on various alternatives for the reorganization of the Department of the Interior to improve the Department's management of tribal trust funds. Those wishing additional information may contact the Indian Affairs Committee at 224-2251. committee on indian affairs

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I would like to announce that the Committee on Indian Affairs will meet on Wednesday, July 10, 2002, at 10:00 a.m. in Room 485 of the Russell Senate Office Building to conduct an oversight hearing on Native American Elder Health Issues. Those wishing to additional information may contact the Indian Affairs Committee at 224-2251.

Mr. INOUYE

Mr. INOUYE. Madam President, I wish to pay tribute to Kahuku High and Intermediate School for its successful participation in the We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution national competition. Kahuku recently won the top award in the contest's Unit 3 category called ``How the Values and Principles Embodied in the Constitution Shaped American Institutions and Practices.'' The three-day competition, sponsored by the Center for Civic Education in Washington, DC, provided an opportunity for students throughout the country to apply constitutional principles and historical facts to contemporary situations. The Kahuku students joined hundreds of other students nationwide in illustrating their knowledge of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights before simulated congressional committees made up of constitutional scholars, lawyers, journalists, and government leaders. Students who participate in this program honor the rights afforded them by the Constitution, and they accept and practice their civic responsibilities. The 2001-2002 Kahuku High and Intermediate School team included the following students: Ashton Alvarez, Marisa Becker, Jenna Bjorn, Elizabeth Burroughs, Amanda Chew, Jonathan Ditto, Marissa Hontanosas, Heather Huff, Ji Hye Jean, Sondra Kahawaii, Alisi Langi, Solomon Lee, Emily Lowe, Sienna Palmer, Michelle Sauque, Jessica Savini, Starlyn Taylor, Wilson Unga, Keilani Yang. Hawaii is proud of these students' award-winning performance. I commend them for their hard work in pursuit of worthy goals. I hope that their knowledge and understanding of America's ideals and values will guide them as they become our future leaders. My colleagues may be interested to know that a team from Kahuku High and Intermediate School represented Hawaii in eight of the past 10 national competitions. Their success is a testament to the inspirational efforts of Kahuku High and Intermediate School teacher Sandra Cashman. I also wish to acknowledge the contributions of District Coordinator Sharon Kaohi and State Coordinator Lyla Berg.

Mr. INOUYE

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, today I rise to introduce legislation that would amend Title 38 of the United States Code to provide health care and burial benefits to all Filipino veterans of World War II and their spouses who reside in the United States. Many of you are aware of my continued 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 from 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 all 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 died in battle. Shortly after Japan's surrender, the Congress also 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 enacted 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 to 50 percent of what is received by their American counterparts. 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 Health Care for Filipino World War II Veterans Act includes four provisions: health care and nursing home care access for Filipino veterans residing in the United States; dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses of certain Filipino veterans, provided the surviving spouse lives in the United States; an increase in the payment amount from 50 to 100 percent for service-connected disability compensation for new Philippine Scout veterans residing in the United States and burial benefits for new Philippine Scout veterans. All these measures will assist Filipino veterans in their twilight years, and the bill is fully supported by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Throughout the years, I have sponsored several measures to rectify the lack of appreciation America has shown to those 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. The legislation I introduce today will remove the burden of health care and burial costs for a very deserving group of highly decorated individuals: members of the Filipino Commonwealth Army and new Philippine Scouts who valiantly fought with the Allied forces in the Second World War. These groups have been neglected by the United States Congress. Heroes should never be forgotten or ignored; let us not turn our backs on those who sacrificed so much. Let us now work to repay all of these brave men and women for their sacrifices by providing them the veterans' benefits they deserve. I urge my colleagues to support this measure. I ask unanimous consent that the text of this bill be printed in the Record.