Jim Jeffords

Mr. JEFFORDS

Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I would like to announce for information of the Senate and the public that a hearing of the Subcommittee on Employment and Training, Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources, will be held on Thursday, April 17, 1997, 9:30 a.m., in SD-430 of the Senate Dirksen Building. The subject of the hearing is innovations in youth training. For further information, please call the committee, 202/224-5375.

Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I would like to announce for information of the Senate and the public that a hearing of the Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources will be held on Friday, April 18, 1997, 9:30 a.m., in SD-430 of the Senate Dirksen Building. The subject of the hearing is improving the health status of children. For further information, please call the committee, 202/224-5375. Committee on energy and Natural Resources, Subcommittee on National Parks, Historic Preservation, and Recreation

Mr. JEFFORDS

Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I rise today to congratulate Iva Mae Decker, a Vermonter and very special woman who is celebrating her 105th birthday today. Iva Mae Decker was born in Montpelier, VT, on April 14, 1892. Ask Iva Mae what the secret to her longevity is and she will answer: ``Just keep on moving.'' Iva Mae lives at home with her daughter, Beverly, and appreciates the support she receives from her friends in the community. She is a shining example that independence need not be lost due to age. Beverly says of her mother, ``She remembers the past, lives in the present, and looks forward to the future.'' Iva has a genuine concern and warmth for others, as the children of the Proctor Elementary School will attest. In 1992, during the annual Count to 100 Day, Iva visited the first graders in Proctor, VT. Five years later, Iva continues to encourage these children to read and write through correspondence and poetry. To celebrate her 103d birthday, Iva took a hot air balloon ride. A surprise 104th birthday present provided by many friends, family and local businesses fulfilled Iva's life-long dream of riding the cable cars in San Francisco. She had a tremendous trip. Last week, Iva had planned to celebrate her 105th birthday by visiting Washington, DC to tour the city and share her thoughts on Government with her congressional Representatives. However, the flu forced her to postpone her plans for the moment. A birthday celebration will be held instead in her home today. Among the many officials attending will be Rutland's mayor who will present a Rutland city proclamation in her honor. I would like to join Iva Mae's many family and friends in wishing her a very happy birthday. Her longevity and zest for life is an inspiration to us all.

Mr. JEFFORDS

Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I would like to announce for information of the Senate and the public that a hearing of the Subcommittee on Employment and Training, Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources will be held on Tuesday, April 16, 1997, 9:30 a.m., in SD-430 of the Senate Dirksen Building. The subject of the hearing is Innovations in Adult Training. For further information, please call the committee. committee on rules and administration

Mr. JEFFORDS

Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I am pleased to be an original cosponsor of the Family Forest Land Preservation Tax Act and the Northern Forest Stewardship Act and commend both Senator Leahy and Senator Gregg for their leadership in these bills. Both bills include recommendations from the Northern Forest Lands Council that address the general consensus of the residents in the Northern Forest region. Since the Northern Forest Lands Council's creation in 1990, hundreds of citizens have been seeking ways for Maine, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont to maintain the traditional patterns of land ownership and use of the Northern Forest. For over 4 years the council conducted indepth research, assessed data, consulted with experts, held public meetings, and listened to thousands of people who live and work in the region. The recommendations that are incorporated in both the Stewardship Act and the Preservation Tax Act, represent the thoughtful work of many individuals who live and work in the Northern Forest region and hundreds of hours of forums and public meetings. Mr. President, I am grateful and appreciate the dedication and vision of the members of the Northern Forest Lands Council and the thousands of people who participated in the process. I am grateful, because the 26-million-acre forest that stretches from eastern Maine through New Hampshire and Vermont and across New York provides important and valuable resources. This forest region is home to 1 million residents. The people that work and live in this region have a bond to the land. Hunting, fishing, trapping, walking, and hiking in the woods have been a way of life for generations. Nearly 85 percent of the Northern Forest is privately owned. For years, these lands have provided a diversity of environmental and economic benefits. Families and individuals have taken care of their forests for generations providing economic viability to communities and overall economic health to the region as well as maintaining opportunities for recreation, natural beauty, and wildlife. The traditional values within the forest regions are also cherished by those who live outside the region. Seventy million people live within a day's drive of the Northern Forest. They too, realize the importance of the Northern Forest for its source of clean water, clean air, and vast diversity. Mr. President, the Preservation Tax Act and the Stewardship Act are needed to protect and maintain the traditional and valuable uses of the Northern Forest. Complex social and economic forces, some originating outside the region, have led to competing and conflicting uses of the Northern Forest. These two bills will help keep the Northern Forest productive and protected. The Family Forest Land Preservation Tax Act will help encourage private forest land owners to conserve their productive forests. Since well managed productive forests are such an essential element to the traditional values of the Northern Forest region, the Preservation Tax Act is vital to maintaining sound forest management. Although this bill was based on recommendation from citizens in the Northern Forest region, it will benefit forest lands in all States. It's important because it allows for post-mortem donations of conservation easements for estate tax purposes, creates an estate tax alternative for heirs who choose to maintain the property as forest land for 25 years, provides a partial inflation adjustment for timber, creates an incentive for the sale of conservation easements to public agencies, and eliminates the 100-hour passive loss rule for forest land income. Mr. President, the Preservation Tax Act and the Stewardship Act are needed to relieve the pressure on forest land owners and provide incentives to maintain and protect the forests that so many work and enjoy. Both bills support the Northern Forest Council recommendations by promoting a sound foundation for a diversified economy and stable communities, opportunities for quality recreation, and long-term protection of the diversity of plant and animal species in the region. These bills are important steps in addressing the many interests in the Northern Forest region. Several years of participation and involvement from interested parties throughout the region have helped develop useful recommendations that recognize the diversified opportunities of one of the regions most important resources. It is my hope that both bills will move swiftly through the Senate and House and become law. I urge my colleagues to support these bills.

Mr. JEFFORDS

Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I would like to announce for information of the Senate and the public that a hearing of the Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources will be held on Friday, April 11, 1997, 10 a.m., in SD-430 of the Senate Dirksen Building. The subject of the hearing is Food and Drug Administration [FDA] reform. For further information, please call the committee, 202/224-5375. committee on energy and natural resources

Mr. JEFFORDS

Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to the Barre-Montpelier Times Argus on it's 100 years of service to its community. From its in-depth statewide political reporting, to its commitment to local news, to its independent editorial page, the ``T. A.'' has played a significant role in central Vermont's history. I salute the Times Argus for not only reaching this important milestone, but for inviting the entire central Vermont community to participate in its 100th anniversary celebration. The paper has scheduled an open house and guided tour of its facility and is sponsoring numerous theatrical and sports events this summer. In addition, later this year the Times Argus will be printing a centennial edition and is soliciting contributions from its readers about the history and personal impact of the newspaper and the community it covers. I know that I plan to take part in that endeavor. While much in the newspaper industry has changed since the Times Argus was formed on March 16, 1897, the one constant has been the newspaper's commitment to its readers and community. Again I congratulate the Times Argus on 100 wonderful years of service and wish another 100 years of continued success.

Mr. JEFFORDS

Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to the 1996-97 Middlebury College Hockey Team. The Panthers recently clinched their third consecutive NCAA Division III title. Not only did the team win a championship, but was also able to remain undefeated throughout the season. Their impressive performance is testimony to months of hard work and dedication. Vermonters take their hockey seriously and the success of Middlebury College's hockey team is not only a victory for the school, but the entire community as well. The players and coaches have represented themselves as well as Vermont admirably. I know that everyone associated with the team is proud of their achievements and we all look forward to another successful season next year under the continued tutelage of Coach Beaney. Once again, I would like to extend my best wishes and congratulations to the Middlebury College Hockey Team: Coach Bill Beaney, Assistant Coach Wes McKee, Francois Bourbeau, Jeff Anastasio, Erik Zink, Mathieu Bilodeau, Ryan Goldman, Sebastien Bilodeau, Emil Jattne, Mike Anastasio, Ben Barnett, Cam Petke, Nickolai Bobrov, Mark Spence, Francois Gravel, David Bracken, Peter Schneider, Curt Goldman, Brady Priest, Ross Sealfon, Mike Bay, Ray Turner, Jason Cawley, Chris Farion, Tim Fox, Jim Walsh, and John Giannacopoulos.

Mr. JEFFORDS

Mr. JEFFORDS. We are awaiting the arrival of the majority leader. I know the Senator from Oregon has somewhat of a lengthy statement. I wonder if he would be willing to be interrupted by the majority leader should he arrive and that we also would place his statement preceding mine such that it would appear in the order originally intended.

Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, we are here today to talk about the need for us to reauthorize the Prescription Drug User Fee Act and pass legislation to modernize the Food and Drug Administration. I will just remind everyone as to what happened last year. The Senate Labor Committee passed an FDA reform bill out of committee with a strong, bipartisan vote of 12-4. So we are here today to alert the body that we intend to move forward expeditiously this year in order to ensure that we improve the FDA review process for new products as well as reauthorize the Prescription Drug User Fee Act. And we are going to do so in a bipartisan manner. Let me state that I intend that these issues will move together. It is my goal, as chairman of the authorizing committee, to have a bill ready for the full Senate's consideration before midyear. During the last Congress, my predecessor, Senator Kassebaum, led our committee in reporting out legislation which emphasizes the FDA has a role in bringing needed products to the public in a timely fashion as well as a role of protecting the public from harm. This year, I look forward to continuing that work. The objective of modernizing the FDA is to make more information and better products available to the public in an expeditious way, to foster and improve a new product review process, and require that the agency be as efficient and effective as possible in carrying out its statutorily defined duties. As chairman of the Labor and Human Resources Committee, my approach will be to identify problem areas in the FDA regulatory system for drugs, devices, and other products which can be improved with legislation and gives the FDA the tools it needs to address other problems administratively. Specifically, we will target areas that have the effect of needlessly delaying patient access to safe new therapies and products. In addition, we must not squander scarce FDA resources on bureaucratic procedures which confer no demonstrated public health benefit. We must also reauthorize the successful Prescription Drug User Fee Act, also known as PDUFA. In 1992, the pharmaceutical and biotechnological industries were so concerned about the length of time taken by FDA to approve new drugs that they were willing to adopt FDA's proposal that they pay user fees in exchange for faster reviews. FDA has been able to reduce mean approval times for new drugs to which user fees were paid from almost 30 months in 1992 to 15.5 months in 1996. We need to continue this effort. Notwithstanding the success in reducing the review time for new drug applications, the period of time it takes pharmaceutical and biotechnological groups to work with FDA on the drug development phase before an application is even submitted has lengthened. It is my hope that we can introduce new performance measures for the FDA in addressing the drug development phase and further enhancing the drug review and approval phases as part of the reauthorization of PDUFA. It is essential to note that these user fees are contingent on the Appropriations Committee's making available to the FDA the pre-1992 level of appropriated funds to the Agency updated for inflation. This provides the assurance that user fees do not become a substitute for funds appropriated from general revenues. The administration's budget puts this important principle at risk with an 8-percent cut in the funding for the FDA. I know of Chairman Stevens' interest in the FDA and its approval process. I look forward to working with him, the other Appropriations Committee, and the majority leader to make sure that the FDA has the full level of funding it needs to perform its vital functions across each of the centers. Mr. President, the Labor and Human Resources Committee will move expeditiously to have the reauthorization of PDUFA and legislation to modernize the FDA ready for the consideration of the Senate. Mr. President, I know the Senator from Maryland is here and also wants to join myself and the majority leader in making sure that the Senate does what it must do in order to make the improvements necessary to bring the FDA up to what it can be and should be. Mr. President, I yield the floor. Ms. MIKULSKI addressed the Chair.

Mr. JEFFORDS

Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, on Saturday, March 22, our Nation will commemorate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the national nutrition programs for the elderly under the Older Americans Act. Since their inception, these programs have benefited thousands of our Nation's elderly by providing home-delivered and collective meals to those elderly facing serious challenges and limitations, including economic hardship, physical and health limitations, and rural isolation. The elderly's ability to obtain meals under the Older Americans Act was originally limited to meal sites, where groups of elderly can congregate for a meal during the day. Following several successful years of service, nutrition programs expanded to serve the home-bound elderly. Also, the parameters of the Older Americans Act were extended to allow Area Agencies on Aging to inform the elderly on how to obtain nutrition education, counseling, and screening. Nutritional services have proven to be critical for a significant population of the elderly who can continue to maintain a healthy, independent lifestyle. Through this program, Vermont's five Area Agencies on Aging contract with various local nutrition service providers to expedite the delivery of meals to people's homes and continue to coordinate meals provided in congregate settings. Federal grants provided for our country's nutrition programs fill resource gaps where non-profit and State organizations cannot. Twenty-five years following the first meal served in the early 1970's, 242 million meals have been provided to 3.5 million of our Nation's elderly. Since taking office in the House of Representatives in 1975, I am proud to have been a steadfast supporter of these nutrition programs. They are a wonderful example of the Federal Government's successful contribution to improving the lives of our Nation's senior citizens.

Mr. JEFFORDS

Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to Arnold Aronson, a man that has spent his life working for a goal that is dear to my heart; an integrated, democratic, plural society in which every individual is accorded equal rights, equal opportunities and equal justice. Mr. Aronson began his work toward achieving his goal in a time when discrimination was overt and widespread in our country. Beginning in a one-person agency founded in 1941 to combat employment discrimination against people of the Jewish faith, Mr. Aronson eventually became the Secretary of the Leadership Council on Civil Rights, an organization dedicated to insuring equal rights to all segments of society. Under his guidance the Leadership Council was able to plan, coordinate and facilitate the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the Fair Housing Act of 1968. His ability to recognize the strength of building coalitions in support of a common legislative goal was instrumental in the passage of all of these bills, and this belief helped assure that the tough decisions that had to be made did not fracture the coalition. Since 1985, Mr. Aronson has served as the President of the Leadership Conference Education Fund. Under his supervision, the Fund has increasingly focused on programs aimed at developing positive intergroup attitudes among young children. This focus has included a 10-year partnership with the Advertising Council of America aimed at developing public service announcements dealing with diversity and prejudice. As we all know, the children of today will be growing up into the teachers, doctors and Presidents of tomorrow. Discussing this topic with the children of today, should help us achieve our goal of equal rights, equal opportunities and equal justice for all. Mr. President, while not a household name in the battle for civil rights, Arnold Aronson deserves our recognition and high praise for his years of hard work fighting for civil rights for all. I remain hopeful that in the foreseeable future we will be able to achieve our goal of equal rights, equal opportunities and equal justice for all. I appreciate this opportunity to pay tribute to Arnold Aronson, and I yield the floor.

Mr. JEFFORDS

Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I am introducing tax legislation designed to increase opportunities for the apple industry in the United States. I am pleased that Senators Leahy, D'Amato, and Moynihan are joining me as original cosponsors of the bill. Our bill clarifies the excise tax treatment of fermented apple cider. Current Federal tax law unfairly taxes fermented apple cider at a much higher rate than beer despite the two beverages similar alcohol levels. Currently, fermented apple cider, commonly known as draft cider, is subject to a tax of $1.07 per wine gallon, despite its alcohol level. This bill lowers the excise tax on draft cider containing not more than 7 percent alcohol to equal the beer tax rate of 22.6 cents per gallon. I believe this small tax change would allow draft cider producers to compete more fairly in the market with comparable beverages. As draft cider becomes more competitive the market will likely grow. This will greatly benefit the apple growers throughout this Nation, by expanding the use and need for their product. The production of draft hard cider comes from apples that are culls, processing apples or apples that are not usable in the fresh market. The conversion of culled apples into high value processed products such as draft cider is important to growers as well as to processors. Cider and other apple byproducts are important to Vermont's economy, providing a market for otherwise unmarketable fruit. Of Vermont's average annual crop of 1.1 million bushels, approximately 20 percent, or 220,000 bushels, are graded out as culls, or processing apples. Apple production has a long history in Vermont, and is an integral part of agriculture in our State as it is in many States. Many States have recognized the potential benefits to their apple farmers by lowering the tax on draft cider to equal the beer tax rate. State Departments of Agriculture, farm bureaus, and representatives from the apple industry across this Nation have voiced their support for lowering the cider tax rate. This bill that I introduce today is similar to legislation that I introduced along with my friend from Vermont, Senator Leahy, and my colleagues from New York in the last Congress. The same bill was successful in the Senate last Congress as part of the Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996, H.R. 3448. Unfortunately, the language was not included in the conference report of H.R. 3448. Mr. President, it is my hope that this legislation will again pass in the Senate and be signed by the President. I ask my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. JEFFORDS

Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I am introducing tax legislation designed to increase opportunities for the apple industry in the United States. I am pleased that Senators Leahy, D'Amato, and Moynihan are joining me as original cosponsors of the bill. Our bill clarifies the excise tax treatment of fermented apple cider. Current Federal tax law unfairly taxes fermented apple cider at a much higher rate than beer despite the two beverages similar alcohol levels. Currently, fermented apple cider, commonly known as draft cider, is subject to a tax of $1.07 per wine gallon, despite its alcohol level. This bill lowers the excise tax on draft cider containing not more than 7 percent alcohol to equal the beer tax rate of 22.6 cents per gallon. I believe this small tax change would allow draft cider producers to compete more fairly in the market with comparable beverages. As draft cider becomes more competitive the market will likely grow. This will greatly benefit the apple growers throughout this Nation, by expanding the use and need for their product. The production of draft hard cider comes from apples that are culls, processing apples or apples that are not usable in the fresh market. The conversion of culled apples into high value processed products such as draft cider is important to growers as well as to processors. Cider and other apple byproducts are important to Vermont's economy, providing a market for otherwise unmarketable fruit. Of Vermont's average annual crop of 1.1 million bushels, approximately 20 percent, or 220,000 bushels, are graded out as culls, or processing apples. Apple production has a long history in Vermont, and is an integral part of agriculture in our State as it is in many States. Many States have recognized the potential benefits to their apple farmers by lowering the tax on draft cider to equal the beer tax rate. State Departments of Agriculture, farm bureaus, and representatives from the apple industry across this Nation have voiced their support for lowering the cider tax rate. This bill that I introduce today is similar to legislation that I introduced along with my friend from Vermont, Senator Leahy, and my colleagues from New York in the last Congress. The same bill was successful in the Senate last Congress as part of the Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996, H.R. 3448. Unfortunately, the language was not included in the conference report of H.R. 3448. Mr. President, it is my hope that this legislation will again pass in the Senate and be signed by the President. I ask my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. JEFFORDS

Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, for the Committee on Labor and Human Resources, I report favorably two nomination lists in the Public Health Service which were printed in full in the Congressional Record of January 30, 1997, and ask unanimous consent, to save the cost of reprinting on the Executive Calendar, that this nominations lie at the Secretary's desk for the information of Senators.

Mr. JEFFORDS

Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I would like to announce for information of the Senate and the public that a hearing of the Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources will be held on Thursday, March 19, 1997, 9:30 a.m., in SD-430 of the Senate Dirksen Building. The subject of the hearing is on Food and Drug Administration reform. For further information, please call the committee, 202/224-5375.

Mr. JEFFORDS

Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I would like to announce for information of the Senate and the public that a hearing of the Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources will be held on Thursday, March 20, 1997, 10 a.m., in SD-430 of the Senate Dirksen Building. The subject of the hearing is Higher Education Act reauthorization. For further information, please call the committee, 202/224-5375. committee on agriculture, nutrition, and forestry

Mr. JEFFORDS

Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I would like to announce for information of the Senate and the public that a hearing of the Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources will be held on Tuesday, March 18, 1997, 2 p.m., in SD-430 of the Senate Dirksen Building. The subject of the hearing is on the nomination of Alexis M. Herman to be Secretary of Labor. For further information, please call the committee, 202/224- 5375.

Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I would like to announce for information of the Senate and the public that an executive session of the Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources will be held on Tuesday, March 18, 1997, 9 a.m., in SD-430 of the Senate Dirksen Building. The following are on the agenda to be considered. 1. S. 4, The Family Friendly Workplace Act. 2. Presidential nominations. For further information, please call the committee, 202/224-5375. committee on labor and human resources

Mr. JEFFORDS

Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I would like to announce for information of the Senate and the public that an Executive Session of the Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources will be held on Thursday, March 13, 1997, 10:00 a.m., in SD-430 of the Senate Dirksen Building. The following are on the agenda to be considered. First, S. 4, the Family Friendly Workplace Act and second, Presidential Nominations. For further information, please call the committee, 202-224-5375. committee on labor and human resources

Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I would like to announce for information of the Senate and the public that a hearing of the Subcommittee on Public Health and Safety, Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources will be held on Wednesday, March 12, 1997, 9:30 a.m., in SD-G50 of the Senate Dirksen Building. The subject of the hearing is Scientific Discoveries in Cloning: Challenges for public policy. For further information, please call the committee, 202-224-5375. committee on labor and human resources

Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I would like to announce for information of the Senate and the public that a hearing of the Subcommittee on Employment and Training, Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources will be held on Tuesday, March 11, 1997, 9:30 a.m., in SD-430 of the Senate Dirksen Building. The subject of the hearing is Oversight of Federal Job Training Programs. For further information, please call the committee, 202-224-5375. committee on labor and human resources

Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I would like to announce for information of the Senate and the public that a hearing of the Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources will be held on Friday, March 14, 1997, 9:30 a.m., in SD-430 of the Senate Dirksen Building. The subject of the hearing is Higher Education Act Reauthorization. For further information, please call the committee, 202-224-5375.

Mr. JEFFORDS

Mr. JEFFORDS. I thank my colleague. I will be very brief. I understand Senate Resolution 19, concerning the imprisonment of Tibetan ethnomusicologist Ngawang Choephel may be coming to the floor later in the day, and I want to speak in favor of it. It will be most useful if we pass this legislation, and I will be most pleased to vote for the passage of this legislation. This case has a special resonance in Vermont because Mr. Choephel was a Fulbright scholar at Middlebury College from 1993 to 1995, and has hundreds of friends throughout the State. He is well known as a talented and compassionate individual, who cares deeply about the culture of the Tibetan people. Indeed, it was while he was researching and recording traditional folk song and dance in Tibet in the fall of 1995 that he was arrested by the Chinese authorities and held incommunicado. It was over a year before the Chinese Government acknowledged in letters to me and other Members of Congress that he was in custody. The charges filed against him by the Chinese Government--that he was in Tibet to spy for the Dalai Lama, shocked and outraged those of us who know Ngawang well. His subsequent conviction at a secret trial and an incredible 18-year sentence are an injustice and have been widely and justifiably condemned by society in general. I hope this resolution will help to convince Beijing to reconsider its actions in this case, and to release Ngawang immediately and unconditionally. The Chinese Government needs to understand that its handling of this and other human rights cases, and its continued repression of the minority rights in Tibet, are serious setbacks to the Chinese-American relationship and make it difficult to pursue cooperation in other areas. I yield to my good colleague and friend from Vermont.