Carl Levin

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I rise today to call my colleagues' attention to a significant event taking place in my home state of Michigan. On June 6, 2002 in the City of Warren, elected officials, business and community leaders, and members and staff of the Tank- Automotive and Armaments Command, will join with the Warren Historical Commission and the Michigan Historical Commission to dedicate and unveil a Historical Marker at the Detroit Arsenal Tank Plant site. Also joining them will be veterans and former workers of the Tank Plant who well remember the contributions of this facility to the American war effort. Together, they will reflect back over 60 years ago, when on 113 acres of farmland in what was then Warren Township, the Detroit Tank Arsenal emerged as the nation's largest defense plant. And they will note that the Tank Arsenal marked the beginning of a legacy of how government and business can unite for the common purpose of equipping our military and advancing our defense capability. The Detroit Tank Arsenal success story began in 1940 when the U.S. Army contracted with the Chrysler Corporation to create a separate armored force of ground vehicles. Albert Kahn was called upon to design the mammoth structure needed to mass produce the Army's tanks and when it was completed it was the largest building of its type in all the world. The first prototype rolled off the assembly line on Good Friday, April 11, 1941. By early December 1941, the plant had shipped its 500th tank. Production continued to increase to a total of five assembly lines, and in December 1942, the plant set an all-time monthly production record by delivering 907 Sherman tanks. President Roosevelt visited the Detroit Tank Arsenal in 1942 as part of his tour of the nation's defense facilities. He made the plant his first stop, touring the operations and watching the tanks run along the arsenal's test tracks. After returning to Washington, the president called the Detroit Tank Arsenal ``an amazing demonstration of what can be done by the right organization, spirit and planning.'' FDR further proclaimed the Detroit Arsenal Tank Plant in Warren ``The Arsenal of Democracy.'' During World War II the Detroit Arsenal lived up to its motto ``Enough and On Time'' by delivering more than 22,234 tanks such as the Sherman. Production continued through the Korean and Vietnam Wars, throughout the Cold War, and right into Desert Storm. By 1996, however, all tank manufacturing ceased at this facility. But the Tank-Automotive Center that was created through the Arsenal in 1942 has evolved into the Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command which is housed close to the original plant site. I am sure that my Senate colleagues join me in paying tribute to the great history of the Detroit Arsenal Tank Plant and in celebrating the future of progress that it opened to us.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, an op-ed column in Tuesday's New York Times highlighted how fast, easy and unintrusive background checks for gun purchases can be if performed properly. Yet, this is not the story we are told by groups that oppose closing the gun show loophole. According to the National Rifle Association, background checks often take days to complete. But according to the Department of Justice, 95 percent of background checks are completed within two hours, and according to the Violence Policy Center, a vast majority of background checks are completed within a few minutes. The New York Times op-ed also highlighted why it is so important that we conduct these checks at gun shows. The author, Nicholas Kristof, cited the availability of .50 caliber semiautomatic rifles and assault rifles which sellers claim are powerful enough to penetrate bulletproof glass. It is common sense to make sure that criminals and other restricted buyers are prohibited from buying such lethal weapons. While any legitimate purchaser can buy such weapons from a federally licensed dealer after an instant background check, they can also be purchased from an unlicensed dealer at any gun show without a background check. According to Bureau of Justice Statistics, between 1994 and 1999, over 22 million background checks were completed and more than 536,000 felons, fugitives and other prohibited persons were prevented from illegally purchasing firearms. But convicted criminals and suspected terrorists have reportedly used the gun show loophole to purchase firearms and smuggle them out of the United States. For example, in Florida, a man accused of having ties to the Irish Republican Army testified that he purchased thousands of dollars worth of machine guns, rifles and high-powered ammunition at gun shows and proceeded to smuggle them to Ireland. A 1999 study by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms found 314 cases of fraud at gun shows, involving 54,000 guns. To help eliminate this type of activity, I cosponsored Senator Reed's Gun Show Background Check bill to close the gun show loop hole. This bill simply applies existing law governing background checks to persons buying guns at gun shows. I cosponsored that bill because I believe it would prevent criminals from getting guns. The gun show loophole is an even more serious problem if .50 caliber semiautomatic rifles are available for sale. Gun dealers recognize that these weapons represent a very dangerous amount of firepower. The .50 caliber rifle has apparently been promoted as a weapon able to ``wreck several million dollars worth of jet aircraft with one or two dollars worth of cartridge.'' These weapons are among the most powerful, and least regulated, firearms legally available. According to one seller's Web site, ``Never mind that the gun haters don't want you to have'em. Forget about the lily-livered whiners in Congress. Exercise your rights before it's too late.'' Even some dealers know that .50 caliber weapons are too powerful and too accessible to be ignored any longer. Tighter regulations are needed. That is why I cosponsored Senator Feinstein's Military Sniper Weapon Regulation Act. This bill would strengthen the regulation of long-range .50 caliber sniper weapons. I believe both pieces of legislation are common sense steps to ensure that guns do not get into the hands of criminals and other prohibited buyers. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting them and other pieces of common sense gun safety legislation.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to.

Mr. LEVIN. There will be then another list offered?

Mr. LEVIN. I thank the Senator.

Mr. LEVIN. I understand it is a germane amendment which the managers have supported; is that correct?

Mr. LEVIN. No. 3627.

Mr. LEVIN. Amendment No. 3627. It has to do with flood damage repairs for six States that both managers have supported--and it is germane-- including Missouri, Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, Illinois, and Michigan.

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, reserving the right to object, I have an inquiry of my friend from Alaska. It is my understanding that amendment No. 3657 is not in a dubious category, is germane, and is supported by both managers.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senator from Iowa, Mr. Grassley, be added as a cosponsor to S. Res. 281. I ask unanimous consent that the Record to reflect that Senator Grassley was inadvertently left off the list of original cosponsors to S. Res. 281 due to an error.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Madam President, I cannot support the Gregg amendment regarding caps on annual appropriations and modifying the so-called ``pay-as-you-go'' provisions controlling entitlement spending and the costs of tax cut legislation. The Gregg amendment, while well- intentioned, bases budget enforcement mechanisms on unreliable budget projections by the Office of Management and Budget. If there were an OMB projection upon which tax cuts were based, and then the projections proved overly optimistic as is often the case, Medicare and other critically important program cuts would be automatically triggered to pay for those tax cuts. I will support an alternative budget enforcement mechanism amendment which will be offered by Senator Conrad, the Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee which will extend rules controlling annual appropriations, entitlement spending, and the costs of tax cuts. The Conrad amendment would extend procedures which proved successful since their adoption in 1990 in eliminating deficits.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I ask that the Senate join me today in congratulating the Lansing Community College Stars softball team for its win at the National Junior College Athletic Association World Series Championship in Phoenix, AZ. This was Lansing's third straight trip to the World Series, and their first win. The Stars' season was nothing short of stellar. The Lady Stars broke their 2001 team record for home runs by sending 83 out of the stadium this year. They also batted a .368 team batting average, the highest in the nation. Finishing the season ranked number two in the nation, the Lady Stars finished the season with 49 wins and just seven losses. In the three years of the Lansing Community College program, the team boasts an overall record of 142 wins and just 25 losses. These statistics don't win a championship on their own, though. The Lady Stars had to battle through 100 degree temperatures and formidable opposition to win three games and the championship on the final day of the series. Great defense, solid pitching, and timely hitting coupled with an experienced ball club made third time the charm for Lansing. This Championship win is a great accomplishment, and I trust that my Senate colleagues will join me in congratulating the Lansing Community College Lady Stars softball team on this commendable triumph. I wish them the best in repeating next year. I ask that the names of the team members, their position, college year and high school be printed in the Record. The material follows: Monica Kingsley, Pitcher, Sophomore, Fowlerville, MI. Amanda Hixson, Outfield/Infield, Sophomore, Lansing Everett, MI. Amy Dollarhite, Outfield, Freshman, St. Johns, MI. Kim Horanburg, Infield, Sophomore, Grand Ledge, MI. Casey Gorman, Pitcher, Sophomore, Haslett, MI. Larissa Kequom, Outfield, Sophomore, Charlotte, MI. Nicole Beasley, Outfield, Freshman, Grand Ledge, MI. Mary Ann Brooks, Catcher/Infield, Sophomore, East Jordan,

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, for the Committee on Armed Services I report favorably the following nomination lists which were printed in the Records on the dates indicated, and ask unanimous consent, to save the expense of reprinting on the Executive Calendar that these nominations lie at the Secretary's desk for the information of Senators.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I rise today to submit a resolution designating the week beginning August 25, 2002, as ``National Fraud Against Senior Citizens Awareness Week.'' This legislation will bring increased awareness to mail, Internet and telemarketing schemes that frequently target elderly Americans. These schemes rob America's seniors not only of their hard-earned savings, but also of their self respect and dignity. Recognizing that increased awareness, especially on the part of seniors, their families and caregivers, is the best defense, this resolution highlights the efforts being made to protect our nation's elderly. Last June, the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations held two days of hearings that focused on the growing problem of Internet, mail and telemarketing fraud. The Subcommittee found that in this age of international communications, foreign countries have unfortunately become a major point of origin for lottery, sweepstakes, and advance- fee-for-loan scams that prey upon Americans through telemarketing. Worse yet, the Subcommittee found that such schemes often specifically target the elderly, who are often the most vulnerable and least able to afford being defrauded. Last year, alone, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, USPIS, responded to 66,000 mail fraud complaints, arrested nearly 1700 mail fraud offenders, and convicted nearly 1500 such offenders. Moreover, mail fraud investigations resulted in over $1.2 billion in court- ordered restitution and voluntary restitution payments. The USPIS has joined with the Senior Action Coalition, a grassroots multi-agency organization, to develop a national multi-media fraud prevention campaign. The campaign will include public service announcements as well as newspaper advertisements, mailing inserts and poster displays. Designating National Fraud Against Senior Citizen Awareness Week will highlight these efforts and help reach a wide segment of the elderly population and those who care for them. I would like to thank Senator Susan Collins for cosponsoring this legislation as well as all of the other original cosponsors. I hope the rest of my colleagues will consider cosponsoring this resolution and that we can enact it well before the August recess so we can commemorate the week for the first time this year.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, this act recognizes the role that Syria continues to play in promoting instability and terrorism in the Middle East. Syria's support for terrorism, its occupation of Lebanon and efforts toward the development of weapons of mass destruction threaten to hinder efforts to encourage democracy, the rule of law and a lasting peace in the region. As such, this bill represents an effort by Congress to express its outrage with these actions and urge President Bush to take the needed steps that will prod Syria to halt these actions. Syria has long been on the State Department's list of terrorist nations, and is known to support numerous terrorist organizations including Hizballah, Hamas and the General Command of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. Just as importantly, the presence of Syrian troops thwarts the democratic aspirations of the Lebanese people. The Taif accords which mapped out a security program for Lebanon included Syria's commitment to the ``security independence and unity of Lebanon'' and its opposition to any action that ``threatens security independence or [the] sovereignty'' of Lebanon. The current Syrian military presence in Lebanon and its influence in domestic Lebanese politics runs counter to these commitments. This legislation seeks to address the more pernicious elements of Syria's foreign policy, and I support that goal. That being said, this legislation is not perfect. I am concerned that this legislation does not grant the President a waiver that he might need ``in the interest of national security.'' In addition, some of the certification requirements contained in the bill may need to be revised. When this legislation comes to the floor, I will offer an amendment that addresses these concerns. While Syria is a nation whose actions are of grave concern to me, Syria supported the Saudi Peace Initiative which recognized the right of the State of Israel to exist, and recently Syria's representative to the United Nation's Security Council voted in favor of smart sanctions which will alleviate the suffering of the Iraqi people while hindering Saddam Hussein's ability to obtain the materiel needed to support this efforts to obtain, develop and use weapons of mass destruction. These are useful steps but pale in significance to the negative actions of Syria that have earned it the dubious distinction of being one of the world's rogue states.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I would like to congratulate Dr. Annemarie Roeper on her seven decades of making a difference in the field of education including the success of The Roeper School for 60 years of academic excellence. Dr. Roeper and her school have given selflessly to the Michigan community. As the horrors of World War II ravaged Europe, Annemarie Roeper and George (deceased) fled their native Germany for America in 1941; a year later they founded The Roeper School. Prescient in its design, the mission of The Roeper School was groundbreaking in 1942 and is especially relevant in the aftermath of September 11 as an institution dedicated to teaching the values of basic human rights, membership in a global community, and awareness of self. The curriculum fosters a compassionate environment in grades K-12, that seeks to form students into curious and socially responsible citizens and respectful adults. Today, America faces challenges unforseen by its founding fathers. One of the keys to meeting and conquering these challenges lies in the institutions that have the great task of formulating dynamic and relevant methods to educate our youth. In that regard, The Roeper School has been a resounding success. This year, six seniors have been selected as finalists in either the National Merit Scholarship Awards, National Achievement Scholarship Awards, or the National Hispanic Scholarship Award. These achievements would have been impossible without the hard work and conviction of Dr. Annemarie Roeper. As Dr. Roeper enters her seventh decade of education, she has created a legacy of positive achievement. The Roeper School stands as a testament to her contributions in forming an environment of mutual respect and understanding. That testament grows even to this day as the school's Capital Campaign seeks to expand Dr. Roeper's dream to enlarge the school. Her selfless dedication has built The Roeper School into an institution that not only educates our children but challenges them to take hold of their future and design a truly multi-cultural and peaceful society. I am sure that the staff, teachers, students, and family of Dr. Annemarie Roeper are extremely proud of her accomplishments. In addition I would like to give my own heartfelt congratulations and thanks. I know that my Senate colleagues join me in celebrating the hard work of Dr. Roeper.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I am so proud today to bring to the attention of my colleagues the good work of a young constituent of mine, Joe Pung of Smith Creek, MI. Joe Pung is an Eagle Scout with Troop 178 of Port Huron, MI, and as an Eagle Scout project, Joe undertook the establishment of a missing in action war memorial in the Goodells Community Park in St. Clair County, MI. Joe told me in a letter that he committed himself to this project because he felt ``very sad'' that the men and women who are missing in action from WWI, WWII, Korea, and Vietnam and who ``gave so much are forgotten by our community, and,'' he said, ``I would like to change this.'' And change this he did. Joe, who graduated from Port Huron High School in June of last year, came up with a plan and raised all the money for this project, some $8,000, from local businesses. Using that money and several in-kind donations, including two three-ton cobblestone pillars, two lights, and stonework, Joe erected a 34-foot flagpole with the pillars on each side and the names of the missing in action and prisoners of war engraved on stone plaques on top of the pillars. The memorial is going to be dedicated this Memorial Day, May 27. I know I speak for all of us in this body when I say ``congratulations'' to Joe for a job well-done, for thinking about those who have gone before us and who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms, and for reminding us all about the real meaning of Memorial Day.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, Calvin McCarter, a home-schooled student from Jenison, MI, a suburb of Grand Rapids, won the National Geographic Bee yesterday. At ten years old, Calvin became the youngest contender ever to win the competition. The grand prize was a lifetime subscription to National Geographic Magazine and a $25,000 college scholarship, which Calvin will not be able to use for a few years. In the final round, Calvin and Matthew Russell of Bradford, PA, were asked the same five questions. Before the final question, they were tied with one wrong answer. According to accounts of the competition, the final question posed to the competitors was which country uses Lop Nur, a marshy depression at the eastern end of the Tarim Basin, as a nuclear test site. Calvin correctly identified China, while Matthew identified France. According to National Geographic News, at the beginning of the competition, each contestant was given the opportunity to sit down and chat with host Alex Trebek. Calvin talked about his stamp-collecting hobby. His favorite is a Cold War stamp from the former Soviet Republic of Byelorussia, now the independent country of Belarus. His attention to detail and love for geography was evident, and is more clear now after his victory. I know my colleagues will join me in congratulating Calvin on this tremendous accomplishment and wishing him the best in all of his future endeavors. Congratulations, Calvin.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, last week many of our Nation's police officers joined together in Washington, DC to celebrate National Police Week. It began Monday, May 13 with a candlelight vigil at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. The week-long tribute to our Nation's Federal, State and local police officers honors those who died in the line of duty and those who continue to serve and protect us everyday at great personal risk. According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, in 2001 there were 230 police officers killed in the line of duty. While many of the officers who were killed in the line of duty over the past year died as a result of the tragic events of September 11, there were many other officers who died because of gun violence. Of the 230 police officers killed in the line of duty last year, 68 were killed by a firearm. To help stem the tide of gun violence, Senator Reed introduced the Gun Show Background Check Act. I cosponsored that bill because I believe it is an important tool to help to prevent guns from getting into the hands of criminals. This bill simply applies existing law governing background checks to persons buying guns at gun shows. It is supported by a variety of law enforcement organizations including the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Major Cities Chiefs of Police, National Black Police Association, Police Foundation and National Troopers Coalition. We should stand with our Nation's law enforcement community and take this common sense step to reduce gun violence. I urge my colleagues to support this important piece of gun safety legislation. This is one step we can take to try to make sure guns do not get into the hands of criminals and others prohibited by law.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I am really pleased to come to the floor of the United States Senate today to recognize the long Federal service of Larry J. Hoag, the Senate Armed Services Committee's Printing and Documents Clerk. For the past 40 years, Larry Hoag has remained true to his chosen vocation, the time-honored art of printing. A native of Easton, PA, he spent the first dozen of his professional years working as a printer in private industry. We are indeed fortunate that in 1974 Larry decided to enter public service and joined the Government Printing Office as a printer/proofreader. Twelve years later, because of his experience and expertise, Larry Hoag was detailed to the House Committee on Armed Services. After about 10 years on the House side, in 1995 he was detailed to the Senate Armed Services Committee staff by then-Chairman Strom Thurmond. In just under a year, Chairman Thurmond asked Larry Hoag to leave the Government Printing Office and join the staff of the Committee. On June 3, 1996, he became the Printing and Documents Clerk for the Committee on Armed Services. The job of Printing and Documents Clerk for our committee is particularly demanding and challenging. Given our committee's broad jurisdiction, we have a large number of oversight hearings. Traditionally, our committee has always taken great pride in the publishing and preservation of our hearings and reports. We recognize the historical importance that these documents have for the Senate and our Nation. In addition, we want the public to know as much as possible about the work of our committee. Throughout his time with our committee, Larry Hoag made important contributions to that effort. For over 28 years, Larry Hoag has served his country as a professional printer. In closing, I first want to thank Larry for his dedicated service to the Nation and to the staff of the Armed Services Committee. I also want to thank his wife, Norma, for her sacrifices and support to Larry during his long and distinguished career. All of us on the Committee are sorry to see Larry leave, but we wish him and Norma all the best in the future and hope that he will always stay in touch with his many friends in the Senate.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, when fighting for American working men and women, most members of Congress want to go into the ring with both arms swinging. That is why I am at a loss to understand why some members of Congress are willing to tie one hand behind their back when it comes to trade. The way I see it, fast track ties one hand behind our collective back when trade agreements come before the Congress. I have some serious concerns with the Baucus-Grassley fast track legislation being considered by the Senate. Granting the President broad fast-track authority to negotiate trade agreements means Congress must adopt a law to implement any trade agreement on a straight up of down vote, without the ability to offer amendments. I believe in free trade. I support the Jordan Free Trade Agreement, the Vietnam Free Trade Agreement and granting China PNTR. But I am reluctant to give up the Congressional right to amend trade legislation, sight unseen. When we do that, we are throwing away on of the most effective tools in forcing fairer trade practices. We should negotiate trade agreements to protect human rights as well as labor and environmental standards. The Senate should have acted to ensure that these and other provisions addressing fairness in trade practices are included in future trade agreements. The Baucus-Grassley approach doesn't provide us with the means to do that and in fact fall far short of achieving these goals. America's trade policy over the past 30 years has helped create a one-way street. The U.S. market is one of the most open in the world, yet we have failed to achieve foreign markets being equally open to American products. Some of the trade agreements the U.S. has entered into have fallen far short of opening foreign markets. To ensure free and fair trade will be achieved in any future trade agreement, Congress must not give up its ability to amend the legislation implementing the agreement. I have fought hard to strengthen U.S. trade laws to help open foreign markets to American and Michigan products such as automobiles, auto parts, communications equipment, cherries, apples, and wood products. The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), enacted January 1, 1994, is a good example of a trade agreement negotiated under ``fast track'' authority. It contained provisions allowing Mexico to protect its auto industry and discriminate against U.S. manufactured automobiles used cars and auto parts for up to 25 years. It allowed Mexico to require auto manufacturers assembling vehicles in Mexico to purchase 36 percent of their parts from Mexican parts manufacturers. It also allowed for 25 more years the Mexican law against selling American used cars in Mexico, a highly discriminatory provision against U.S. autos. When NAFTA was presented to Congress, it was an agreement which discriminated against some of the principle products that are made in Michigan. I surely could not vote for the bill the way it was written, nor could I try to amend the bill because the fast-track authority the President had at that time prohibited implementing legislation from being amended. Consequently, after NAFTA was enacted, the U.S. went from a trade surplus of $1.7 billion in 1993 to a trade deficit of $25 billion with Mexico in 2000. Over the same period, our trade deficit increased from $11 billion to $44.9 billion with Canada. Since NAFTA was enacted, the automotive trade deficit with Mexico has reached $23 billion. Moroever, between January, 1994 and early May 2002, the Department of Labor certified over 400,000 workers as having suffered job losses as a result of increased imports from or plant relocations to Mexico or Canada. These job losses occurred all over the country as well as from around the State of Michigan. For example, 27 employees from the Blue Water Fiber company in Port Huron who produced pulp for paper lost their jobs as a result of NAFTA imports. 129 employees of Alcoe Fujikura Limited in Owosso who made electronic radio equipment lost their jobs to Mexico. 1,133 employees of the Copper Range Mine in the UP lost their jobs when operations were moved to Canada. 300 employees of Eagle Ottawa Leather in Grand Haven who made leather for automobile interiors lost their jobs when their jobs moved to Mexico. The list of NAFTA-TAA certified jobs losses goes on and on. These are not job losses from a level playing field. These are losses from a sloping field tilted against us. We have lost too many manufacturing jobs because our trade policies have been so weak over the decades. I've always believed that when countries raise barriers to our products that we ought to treat them no better than they treat us. Fast track authority makes it more difficult for Congress to insist on fair treatment for American products and equal access to foreign markets. Calling NAFTA a free trade agreement was disingenuous. NAFTA protected Mexican industries and it also gave special treatment to certain industries. For example, leather products and footwear got the longest U.S. tariff phase out--15 years--and it include safeguard provisions against import surges in these sectors. Agricultural Commodities/Fruits and Vegetables including sugar, cotton, dairy, peanuts, oranges, also got a 15-year U.S. tariff phase out, a quota system, and the reimposition of a higher duty if imports exceed agreed- upon quota levels. It is clear that those who are represented at the negotiating table are able to strike favorable deals to protect certain industries and products. That is not free trade. NAFTA was not the only trade agreement that included specially tailored provisions for certain products. The trade bill we are being asked to vote on contains special provisions to protect textiles, citrus and some other speciality agriculture commodities. The Andean Trade Preferences Act also protects certain industries. ATPA expands duty free access to Andean nations for some previously excluded categories of products but there are significant exclusions or special rules that continue to protect them. The exclusions in the Senate ATPA bill include: most footwear; textiles and apparel are included but are subject to a number of special rules and limitations such as requiring that certain apparel products be sewn with U.S. thread in order to receive duty-free access, requiring the use of a certain spandex product made exclusively by the DuPont company, requiring the use of U.S. yarn throughout in order to qualify for duty- free access; and canned tuna is included but the Senate bill allows duty free treatment for very limited quantities of cannot tuna to be imported and subject to a very restricted rule of origin. These are special protections being granted to specific industry sectors. Why are these products be treated in a privileged manner over other important U.S.-made or grown products? This is not free trade. I believe that writing labor and environmental standards into trade agreements is an important way to ensure that free trade is fair trade. Regrettably, this legislation does not go far enough to assure international labor and environmental standards will be present in trade agreements. We need trade agreements with enforceable labor and environmental provisions but this bill does not provide it. This is unfortunate given the U.S. Senate is already on record supporting strong labor and environmental standards in trade agreements. The Senate passed the Jordan Free Trade Agreement on September 21, 2001. The Jordan agreement broke new ground in its treatment of labor and environmental standards in trade agreements. For the first time, it required that the parties to the agreement reflect the core internationally recognized labor rights in their own domestic labor laws. The bill the Senate is considering today does not require countries to implement the core ILO labor standards. It only requires them to enforce their existing labor laws, however weak they may be. It also specifically states that the U.S. may not retaliate against a trading partner that lowers or weakens its labor or environmental laws. This language undercuts our ability to negotiate strong labor and environmental standards in future trade agreements because our trading partners know we can not enforce what we negotiate through the use of sanctions and the dispute settlement process. American workers already compete against workers from countries where wages are significantly lower than in the United States. They should not have to compete against countries that gain an unfair comparative advantage because they pollute their air and water and fail to allow their workers to exercise rights that are fundamental. The United States enacted environmental standards that protect our air and water. We have enacted labor standards that allow for collective bargaining and the right to organize, that prohibit the use of child labor and provide protections for workers in the work place. These are desirable standards that we worked hard to get. Why should we force American workers to compete against countries with no such standards or protection for its workers? There are many ways to improve this fast track legislation to address some of the concerns I've outlined. I supported many of these efforts. For Congress to give up its role under the Constitution without those protections is to fail to learn from our past mistakes. To do so means we have willingly tied one hand behind our back in the fight for free and fair trade. That is something I am simply unwilling to do.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, the General Accounting Office has recently completed a study on the cleanup of Contaminated Areas in the Great Lakes. While it is no surprise to those of us who live in the Great Lakes region, GAO found that there has been ``slow progress of cleanup efforts''. For those of you who live outside the Great Lakes region, Areas of Concern are sites in the Great Lakes that do not meet the water quality goals established by the United States and Canada in the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. The primary reason that these areas fail to meet water quality goals is the result of contaminated sediments, a result of the industrialization of the mid-west. In order to meet the water quality goals, the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement binds us to an identified cleanup process focused around Remdial Action Plans, RAPs. RAPs define the environmental problem, evaluate remedial measures, and identify a process for moving forward with cleanup. The RAP process relies on State and public involvement, and RAPs need the financial support of the Federal Government. The GAO reports that the RAP process is often disregarded by the states and EPA. The progress that is being made to cleanup the Areas of Concern is being made not under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement but under other laws such as Superfund. EPA has failed to provide oversight responsibility for RAPs and does not provide nearly enough financial resources for RAPs. In addition to these problems associated with EPA, there is no way to implement RAPs because there is no pot of money to do so and no established procedure to follow. There are 13 areas of concern in the State of Michigan which result in fish advisories, degradation of fish and wildlife populations, taste and odor problems with drinking water, beach closures, and bird and animal deformities or reproductive problems. These environmental problems are too grave considering the fact that the Great Lakes holds one-fifth of the world's freshwater, supplies drinking water to 33 million people, and provides a $2 billion fishery. So today, with my colleague from Ohio, Senator DeWine, I am introducing the Great Lakes Legacy Act to authorize $50 million per year in grants to States to cleanup Areas of Concern and implement RAPs. This legislation will also require EPA to report to Congress within 1 year on how it plans to provide the oversight needed to make sure that the Areas of Concern will meet water quality goals. The problem of contaminated sediments in the Great Lakes has been known for decades, and I hope that my colleagues will support this legislation to hopefully cleanup Areas of Concern.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, for the Committee on Armed Services I report favorably the following nomination lists which were printed in the Records on the dates indicated, and ask unanimous consent, to save the expense of reprinting on the Executive Calendar that these nominations lie at the Secretary's desk for the information of Senators.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, the General Accounting Office has recently completed a study on the cleanup of Contaminated Areas in the Great Lakes. While it is no surprise to those of us who live in the Great Lakes region, GAO found that there has been ``slow progress of cleanup efforts''. For those of you who live outside the Great Lakes region, Areas of Concern are sites in the Great Lakes that do not meet the water quality goals established by the United States and Canada in the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. The primary reason that these areas fail to meet water quality goals is the result of contaminated sediments, a result of the industrialization of the mid-west. In order to meet the water quality goals, the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement binds us to an identified cleanup process focused around Remdial Action Plans, RAPs. RAPs define the environmental problem, evaluate remedial measures, and identify a process for moving forward with cleanup. The RAP process relies on State and public involvement, and RAPs need the financial support of the Federal Government. The GAO reports that the RAP process is often disregarded by the states and EPA. The progress that is being made to cleanup the Areas of Concern is being made not under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement but under other laws such as Superfund. EPA has failed to provide oversight responsibility for RAPs and does not provide nearly enough financial resources for RAPs. In addition to these problems associated with EPA, there is no way to implement RAPs because there is no pot of money to do so and no established procedure to follow. There are 13 areas of concern in the State of Michigan which result in fish advisories, degradation of fish and wildlife populations, taste and odor problems with drinking water, beach closures, and bird and animal deformities or reproductive problems. These environmental problems are too grave considering the fact that the Great Lakes holds one-fifth of the world's freshwater, supplies drinking water to 33 million people, and provides a $2 billion fishery. So today, with my colleague from Ohio, Senator DeWine, I am introducing the Great Lakes Legacy Act to authorize $50 million per year in grants to States to cleanup Areas of Concern and implement RAPs. This legislation will also require EPA to report to Congress within 1 year on how it plans to provide the oversight needed to make sure that the Areas of Concern will meet water quality goals. The problem of contaminated sediments in the Great Lakes has been known for decades, and I hope that my colleagues will support this legislation to hopefully cleanup Areas of Concern.

Mr. LEVIN

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