Trent Lott

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I also had intended to ask consent that when the Senate resumes the DOD bill, the Smith amendment be laid aside and Senator Dodd be recognized to offer his amendment regarding a Cuba commission. I am informed that Senator McCain would object to that, but I assure Senator Daschle and Senator Dodd and Senator Mack and Senator Levin and Senator Warner, everybody, we will keep working to see if we can get this done. I think that is what we should do. We are going to go back to DOD authorization in the morning in some form. Everybody is wanting to get in line or get their position first, or they don't want us to allow that second-degree slot to be opened, I guess, to the Smith amendment. Others want it to be open. It is kind of complicated. A lot of Senators are invoking their rights. They have a right to do that. I do plead with the Senate, Republicans and Democrats, to work with us to try to get our appropriations bills done. I am going to continue to try to keep my word. Senator Daschle is working with me, and Senators are cooperating on both sides to come back to make progress on the Department of Defense authorization bill. We were prepared to go to the Murray amendment, which is germane to the Defense bill. It is a Defense amendment. But I believe Senator Feingold or somebody objected to that. We will keep working here. I think we can work through this in a way that will allow us to come back to the Defense authorization bill and deal with Defense-related amendments, which is what I prefer. It is our national security we are talking about. But there are amendments that Senators on both sides of the aisle want to offer that are not germane. We will try to find an orderly way in which to do that. At this point, I am advised that there will be objections on this side on one approach and on that side on another approach. Let's keep working to find a way to get this done.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, one of the reasons Senator Daschle and I decided to try to proceed on this dual track, trying to work on the Defense authorization bill in the morning and appropriations bills in the afternoon--it was Senator Daschle's suggestion that we do that for the very purpose we are achieving here. It keeps people focused. Out of sight, out of mind. If we were not trying to come back to DOD authorization, everybody would go off to committee hearings and other work and would not focus on trying to get an orderly way to do it. So while it is not agreed to yet, it is exactly what we had in mind--to make everybody understand we are going to keep trying to do the Transportation appropriations bill, and we are going to focus on amendments and try to get order and process to go back to the Department of Defense authorization. John Warner and Senator Levin, the two managers of this legislation, are trying very hard to find a way to work through this maze that they are faced with to get a Defense authorization bill for the national security of our country. Senator Warner, working with others, has 41 amendments that we can clear. At that rate, in 2 or 3 days, maybe we can eliminate a couple hundred amendments. So we will keep trying to do that.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I rise today to honor John and Sharon Roesser of Encino, California who celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Saturday, June 20, 2000. After serving in the First Marine Division in the Pacific and near the China/Manchuria border during and immediately after World War II, John attended Loyola University in Los Angeles. John met Sharon, who was attending Immaculate Heart College, at a dance in the fall of 1948. A year and a half later on a blistering hot day, June 10, 1950, John and Sharon were married in the original Saint Mary's Church in El Centro, California by the Most Reverend Charles S. Buddy who was the first Bishop of the San Diego Diocese. Sharon's maid of honor was her sister Patricia, and John's best man was Paul Connor. After their honeymoon at the Hotel Del Coronado, John and Sharon lived in Santa Monica and then settled in Encino, California where they raised their six children: Regina, John Jr., Allison, Paul, Mary Carol, and Tom. At last count, John and Sharon have 16 grandchildren. Today, I honor John and Sharon's 50 years of marriage and their commitment to raising their children in a loving and caring household. Since their marriage, they have always been there for each other and for each of their children through the best of times and the most difficult of times. They are an example of all that is good in America, and I wish them all the best in the years to come.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, a caseworker employed in the state office of Senator William V. Roth, Jr. has been subpoenaed to testify at an unemployment compensation benefits hearing before the Delaware Department of Labor. The testimony concerns contacts that the caseworker had with the claimant in the course of assisting the claimant's employing business with casework matters. In accordance with the rules of the Senate, this resolution would enable the caseworker to testify in response to the subpoena.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the spring 2000 graduating Page class. They have been an integral part of the everyday proceedings of the U.S. Senate and without their hard work and dedication this deliberative body would not be able to complete our work in a timely manner. Throughout the year young men and women come to Washington, D.C. from all parts of the nation to serve a vital role as Pages in the U.S. Senate. During the spring and fall these high school students attend the Page School in the early mornings and continue their day as U.S. Senate Pages often working long days and into the night. I must say, this group of Pages was of the highest caliber and are among the best youth our Nation has to offer. At this time, I would like to commend them for their service and enter their names in the Record. Shannon Coe, Ashley Burnett, Kelly Morgan, Shannon Montague, Emily Schlect, Loki Gale Tobin, Kyle Brown, Misty Lebatard, Clinton Lee Johnson Jr., Chase Dubay, Benton Keatley, Anjel Jefferson, Nicole Tailleart, Rebecca Manning, Jean-Paul Isabelle, Andriea Aden, Seema Mittal, James Dolan, Nathaniel Haefs, Hannah Pierson-Compeau, Jay Oliphant, Allison Conley, Megan Gilbert.

Mr. LOTT

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

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I know we are now prepared to go to the debate on the next amendment. But I do have a unanimous consent request to make and some brief comments. For the information of all Senators, the two managers have previously exchanged amendment lists on each side of the aisle. Senator Daschle and I have talked about the need to get some finite list identified so that our whips and the managers can begin to work through the lists and see which can be accepted and which ones are a problem, or maybe will not be offered, and which ones will have to have debate or votes. I ask unanimous consent that the list I now send to the desk be the only remaining first-degree amendments in order for the DOD authorization bill other than second-degree amendments which must be relevant to the first degree.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that there be 4 minutes of debate equally divided prior to the second vote in the series.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, there are almost 200 amendments, I think, on this list. A large number of them are not related to the national security of our country. They are not related to the Defense authorization bill. There are two amendments now pending that are not related to national security. I am very concerned about how long this could go on and what these amendments are. They do run the usual range, from the HMO amendment, to campaign finance amendments, to minimum wage, and a whole long list of unrelated or nongermane amendments. I knew when we moved to this legislation this would be possible. I wanted to see how we could do, see if progress could be made, see if a little steam perhaps could be let off here. This is important legislation, so we are going to have to work through these amendments and cut them down to a reasonable number. Senator Daschle and I have discussed the possibility, after we get these amendments and see how we are doing, that we set the bill aside and go to the Department of Defense appropriations bill, with the understanding that when that was completed, we would come back to the authorization bill, and then we would have some idea of what amendments we would have to take time on. This is not part of the unanimous consent request. We are not locking in on that--neither I nor Senator Daschle. But we have to find some way to try to work through this list and, hopefully, be able to conclude this bill. I know Senator Warner would like to do that. I wanted to make those observations. I ask Senators on both sides to, if you can, withhold your amendment if it is not essential. Please do that, because there is no way we can do 200, or 100, or 50 amendments and complete this work. I yield the floor.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I call to my colleagues' attention the fact that the McCain amendment will be a killer amendment to this Defense authorization bill. It will be blue-slipped. I have discussed this with Chairman Archer. He assured me, after reviewing the way the amendment is written, that he will have no choice but to blue-slip it. I also discussed it with Senator Moynihan from New York. He has concerns about the constitutionality of this revenue amendment being added to the Defense authorization bill. I want to make that perfectly clear and add to that, this compounds our problem. We are dealing with a very important bill, the Defense authorization bill. We are talking about national security. We need to find a way to come to a conclusion. We have 11 appropriations bills remaining, and we have to find time to act on the China PNTR and other issues. If we continue to work in good faith trying to find a way to get votes on amendments and complete the Defense authorization bill and then we face, on top of everything else, a blue-slip problem in the House, we have done ourselves damage. I think full disclosure is the way to go. I have been quoted to that effect. I still think that is the way to go. There is a bill that has been drafted, I understand after talking with a number of Senators, including the chairman of the Finance Committee and others, that would achieve this goal and, in fact, would be a broader bill in its application. As this is drawn, I understand it would not apply to a number of groups, including the trial lawyers, Sierra Club, and others. We ought to make sure it is broad and applies to everybody. We ought to have full disclosure, and do it so it is not a technical problem on a bill such as the Defense authorization bill. I urge my colleagues to think about this very carefully and support the Warner point of order that will be made with regard to the blue- slip problem. I yield the floor.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, before I move to proceed to the DOD appropriations bill, let me say that we have a problem now with this amendment, the way the language is written, in terms of a blue slip, if and when it gets to the House of Representatives. I have discussed this with Senator Daschle and Senator McCain and others who are concerned about the underlying Defense authorization bill and those who are concerned about the disclosure amendment. During the period of time that we are going to be working on the DOD appropriations bill, we will work to see if we can come up with some sort of agreement or some sort of procedure that would get this amendment off of the Defense authorization bill and onto some other bill--perhaps some revenue bill that we will have before us; perhaps even the repeal of the telephone tax that the House has acted on; and also give us an opportunity to work with Senator McCain and others to see if we can broaden the application. But, for now, we need to go ahead and proceed with the DOD appropriations bill. We will work together to see if we can find a way to resolve this issue. Does the Senator from Arizona have any comment?

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on International Trade and Finance be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, June 8, 2000, to conduct a hearing on multilateral development institutions.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions be authorized to meet for a hearing on Gender Wage Discrimination during the session of the Senate on Thursday, June 8, 2000, at 10:00 a.m.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be authorized to meet to conduct a markup on Thursday, June 8, 2000, at 10:00 a.m. The markup will take place in Dirksen Room 226.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on European Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, June 8, 2000 at 10:00 a.m. to hold a hearing.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on Forests and Public lands be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, June 8, at 9:30 a.m. to conduct a hearing. The subcommittee will receive testimony on H.R. 359, an act to clarify the intent of Congress in Public Law 93-632 to require the Secretary of Agriculture to continue to provide for the maintenance and operation to certain water impoundment structures that were located in the Emigrant Wilderness at the time the wilderness area was designated in that Public Law; H.R. 468, an act to establish the Saint Helena Island National Scenic Area; H.R. 1680, an act to provide for the conveyance of Forest Service property in Kern County California, in exchange for county lands suitable for inclusion in Sequoia National Forest; S. 1817, a bill to validate a conveyance of certain lands located in Carlton County, Minnesota and to provide for the compensation of certain original heirs; S. 1972, a bill to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to convey to the town of Dolores, Colorado, the current site of the Joe Rowell Park; and S. 2111, a bill to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to convey for fair market value 1.06 acres of land in the San Bernardino national Forest, California, to KATY 101.3 FM, a California corporation.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on National parks, Historic Preservation and Recreation be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, June 8, at 2:30 p.m. to conduct an oversight hearing. The subcommittee will review the final rules and regulations issued by the National Park Service relating to title IV of the National Parks Omnibus management act of 1998. The PRESIDING OFFICE. Without objection, it is so ordered.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. I yield the floor, Mr. President.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the Senate now turn to H.R. 4576, the House DOD appropriations bill.

Mr. LOTT. That is the first-degree amendment that was amended with the second-degree amendment. But then I believe after that would be the Dodd amendment.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I would like to recognize the professional dedication, vision, and public service of Colonel Teresa M. Peterson who is leaving the 14th Flying Training Wing (14 FTW) after two years of devoted service to become the Director of Transportation on the Air Force staff in the Pentagon. It is a privilege for me to recognize her many outstanding achievements at Columbus Air Force Base, and to commend her for the superb service she has provided the Air Force and our great Nation. As Commander of the 14th Flying Training Wing, Colonel Peterson spearheaded the training and education of our Nation's next generation of Air Force pilots. The epitome of an Air Force officer and accomplished pilot, she provided our Nation's future warriors with inspirational leadership and an outstanding training environment. Her talents were showcased in every aspect of Columbus AFB operations and highlighted through outstanding performances on command inspections such as the 1998 Headquarters Air Education and Training Command (AETC) Operational Readiness Inspection. Colonel Peterson's quality of life initiatives for Columbus AFB provided the installation with $56 million in improvements. Those initiatives included construction of a $6.3 million Unaccompanied Officer Quarters and a $25 million, 202 unit, highly sensitive family housing complex. She deftly negotiated resolution of several complex contracting challenges on the family housing project and ensured that contractor issues were handled quickly and efficiently. Her vision and oversight of numerous facilities construction and renovation projects significantly enhanced the training environment and living conditions of Columbus AFB personnel. Under Colonel Peterson's leadership and guidance, Columbus AFB was a showcase for visitors which included the Secretary of the Air Force, members of Congress, foreign dignitaries, numerous flag officers, and friends and families of the Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training Program. Her dedication to the Air Force and her people and the vision she established for Columbus AFB are her greatest assets, netting Columbus unprecedented recognition with AETC and the Air Force. She aggressively met the increased Air Force pilot demand through activation of the first reserve associate squadron, seamlessly integrating reservists with active duty instructor pilots to mitigate force reduction problems. Colonel Peterson managed the second busiest military airfield east of the Mississippi River, with more than 200,000 aircraft operations annually. Her area of responsibility included 49,000 square miles of airspace in close coordination with 13 civilian satellite airports. Under her command, Columbus AFB has remained one of the safest flying operations in the AETC. She astutely enhanced pilot training at its initial phase by establishing co-equal T-37 squadrons with an operating concept for synchronized training and operations under two distinct supervisors. She managed pilot training and support operations for USAF and international officers using a fleet of 247 T-37B, T-38A, T-1A and AT- 38B aircraft and 14 instrument simulators. Her extraordinary aviation skills, coupled with her vast experience and boundless warrior spirit, ensured that Columbus AFB was aggressively able to meet the challenge of increased Air Force pilot demand. Her efforts produced 585 Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training and 481 Introduction to Fighter Fundamental student pilots who flew 146,795 sorties totaling 198,722 hours during her tenure. As Colonel Teresa Peterson leaves Columbus Air Force Base, she leaves behind a legacy of excellence and ``firsts.'' She was the first woman in the Air Force to command a flying squadron; the first active duty woman to command an Air Force flying wing; and, the first woman pilot to make the rank of brigadier general. She is recognized as an honorary member of the Tuskegee Airmen (Alva N. Temple Chapter) and a member of the Mississippi University for Women's National Board of Distinguished Women. Colonel Peterson is an outstanding officer and a credit to the United States Air Force and our great Nation. I call upon my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to recognize her service to Columbus Air Force Base and wish her well in her next assignment.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I rise today to congratulate my close friend, Robert Khayat. On March 9, 2000, Chancellor Khayat was inducted into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame. I want to recognize Chancellor Khayat not just because of his recent induction into this prestigious group, but also for his dedication to the State of Mississippi. Robert Khayat played college baseball and football at our mutual alma mater, the University of Mississippi. Playing catcher for Ole Miss, he led the team to two consecutive SEC Baseball Championships. A two-time All SEC player, Bob Khayat earned three letters in his sophomore, junior, and senior years. During Bob Khayat's college football career he demonstrated a definitive leadership role. At the position of place-kicker, ``Golden Toe,'' as he was called, led the Rebels' extraordinary football team to many a victory. His name is forever in the University of Mississippi's history books as one of the greatest place kickers to set foot on the Ole Miss campus. Coach John Vaught's team secured many victories because of Bob Khayat's athletic ability. He was selected as the place- kicker on the Ole Miss Team of the Century. After graduating from Ole Miss, Bob Khayat played professional football for the Washington Redskins. In his time with the Redskins he scored 204 points, tied the all-time Redskins record for most field goals made in a single game, and was voted into the Pro Bowl. In recognition of his great achievements, the NFL presented Bob Khayat with the 1998 Career Achievement Award for his accomplishments on and off the field. While performing in the NFL, Robert Khayat pursued his law degree at the University of Mississippi Law School. After graduating third in his class and earning his Juris Doctorate degree in 1966, Bob Khayat entered private practice in Pascagoula, Mississippi. In 1969 he became a law professor at Ole Miss. From 1980 to 1981, Bob Khayat took a leave of absence to pursue a Masters of Law degree, which he received from Yale Law School. Returning to teach at Ole Miss Law School, he was promoted to Associate Dean before serving as Vice Chancellor for University Affairs in 1984. In 1994 he served as interim athletic director before becoming the University of Mississippi's 15th Chancellor. Chancellor Robert Khayat plays an instrumental role for the State of Mississippi. He is known for his tireless leadership which he has exemplified as a student, an athlete, a professor and finally as Chancellor of the University of Mississippi. Chancellor Khayat's character is a tremendous asset to Ole Miss. As a person, he is a role model for all who know him. Mr. President, on behalf of my fellow Mississippians, I would like to commend Chancellor Khayat for his leadership, his accomplishments, and his continued dedication to making our home state a better place. While I am recognizing Chancellor Khayat for his induction into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame, his many talents and abilities distinguish him in countless other areas as well.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, as we prepare to have this photograph taken, I note that the Senate photographer, who has been with the Senate some 32 years, Steve Benza, is preparing to retire. Steve started out as a page. He worked in the Architect's Office. He worked in the Senate Post Office. He worked in the photo lab. And for years he has taken photographs of us in various and sundry places, some of which we would not like to recount but we will remember warmly. I ask my colleagues, before we begin these series of photographs, to express our appreciation to Steve Benza for his 32 years of service to the institution. [Applause.] (Thereupon, the official Senate photograph was taken.)

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, if I could ask our colleagues to take their seats, then we will begin a series of photographs. Please, stay in place until we are given the all-clear sign. If you can go ahead and be seated, we will be able to determine exactly which Senators may still be missing.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, today I rise to remember an admirable person and a devoted educator, Dr. Walter Washington. Dr. Washington served as a classroom teacher, assistant principal, Dean of Utica Junior College, President of Utica Junior College for twelve years, and served as President of Alcorn State University from 1969 to 1994. Dr. Washington retired as President of Alcorn State University on June 30, 1994, and was subsequently named President Emeritus by the Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning. During his tenure as both an educator and administrator, Dr. Washington was a leader in the State of Mississippi and throughout the country. He was a mentor to all who met him, and he set a high standard for his successors. His impact on Mississippi was evident in his work as a representative of the state on several national commissions. As a man of many talents, he served on the Advisory Council of the National Urban League's Black Executive Exchange Program and the U.S. President's Advisory Council on Historically Black Colleges and Universities. In 1982, he was awarded the Outstanding Presidential Cluster Citation by President Ronald Reagan. Dr. Washington was a member of several professional organizations, including Kappa Delta Phi, Phi Delta Kappa, and Alpha Kappa Mu Honor Society. He served as president of the Mississippi Teachers Association and held membership in the Mississippi Association of Educators and the national Education Association. Dr. Washington married his college sweetheart, the former Carolyn Carter, in 1949. In addition to his devotion to his wife, he was involved in many community organizations. Dr. Washington received the Silver Beaver Award from the Boy Scouts of America, the Distinguished Service Award and Distinguished Alumni Award from Peabody College, and the Service to Humanity Award from Mississippi College. He was listed among Ebony's 100 Most Influential Black Americans in 1974, 1975, and 1976, and was selected Mississippi Man-of-the-Year in Education in 1981. Dr. Washington passed away on December 1, 1999, but his legacy will live on as an eternal flame. I was deeply saddened to hear the news of his death. Dr. Washington's reputation for hard work and academic excellence set an example which will continue to inspire greatness in the men and women of Mississippi. Such a reputation is the greatest tribute to a man's life. His insight on predicting the needs of future students helped to mold Alcorn State University into one of Mississippi's great universities. Mr. President, Mississippians and Americans are grateful for Dr. Washington's public service, and I commend him for his leadership and accomplishments.