Robert Matsui

Mr. MATSUI

Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2195, as amended and reported by the Committee on Ways and Means by voice vote. I was a cosponsor of the amendment proposed by the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Archer] to authorize an additional appropriation of $2 million in fiscal year 1999 for the Customs Service to monitor importation of products made with forced, indentured, or convict labor. The bill, as amended, also requires Customs to report to Congress within 1 year on products made with forced labor destined for the U.S. market and on the efforts by Customs to prevent their importation. Importation of products made by convict, forced, or indentured labor in any country is prohibited under trade law in effect since 1980. The issue is not whether the United States permits importation of products made with forced labor. Customs has actively pursued and taken actions against attempted importation of products made with forced labor, including products from China. However, identification, verification, and interdiction of products made with forced labor is not an easy task. H.R. 2195, as amended, addresses concerns that Customs has insufficient resources to enforce the import prohibition adequately. The bill treats this problem in a balanced, generic way by applying the additional resources through enforcement of existing laws against imports made by forced labor wherever they may originate rather than targeting one country as in the bill as introduced. Finally, this bill, as amended, expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should determine whether any country with which we have a memorandum of understanding regarding trade involving goods made with forced labor is frustrating the implementation of that memorandum of understanding. If that is the case, the President should negotiate a new MOU that provides effective monitoring procedures. H.R. 2195, as amended, is very worthwhile, Mr. Speaker, and it addresses a very serious problem. I urge its passage. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I yield 6 minutes to the gentleman from Mississippi [Mr. Taylor].

Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts [Mr. Neal].

Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Maryland [Mr. Hoyer].

Mr. MATSUI

Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California for yielding me time. I think Walter's election last November is a good indication that the system of America works and that a gentle person can win an election in this country, in spite of all of the kind of rhetoric we have been seeing over the years. I think the one regret many of us in this Chamber have today is the fact that the American public will not get to know Walter Capps better, as many of us in this Chamber have gotten to know him. He was one individual that when he confronted an issue, he could really understand it from an ethical and from a value system basis. As a result of that, he would have added greatly over the years to this institution and to this country. I have to say that my friend, Brad Sherman, a freshman Member of Congress, referred to Walter just a few moments ago as a mentor. I have been here for now 20 years. This is my 10th term, and I also would regard Walter Capps as my mentor, because he really understood what our country was about and certainly had the values in order to impart it upon all of us. I give my deepest sympathies to Lois and the three children. I think all of us, including myself, the people of the State of California, and the people of this Nation, will greatly miss Walter, but we have actually gained so much by his 63 years on this Earth.

Mr. MATSUI

Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to this bill. The recommendations of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment [BRAC] Commission regarding McClellan and Kelly Air Force Bases are absolutely clear. When the Commission recommended the closure of these facilities, it directed DOD to either ``consolidate the workloads to other DOD depots or to private sector commercial activities . . .''. Unfortunately, the negotiators of this bill were unwilling to compromise with the President and DOD, insisting on the insertion of language that would prevent this mandate from going forth in an equitable manner. Let no one in this chamber be misled. McClellan and Kelly Air Force Bases will close. As of July, 2001, they will no longer be Air Force facilities and nothing in this bill will change that in any way. What this legislation will do, however, is burden the private sector competitors with new requirements without placing any corresponding new requirements on the public depots. This language severely undermines the depot maintenance outsourcing process, turning it into a mockery of fair play and open competition. Without the ability to judge the public depots and private firms on a level playing field, the Air Force will be unable to determine which of its options under the 1995 BRAC law makes the most sense for our national security. Without fair competition, DOD will be unable to determine which option clearly proves to be the best value for the American taxpayer. If the goal of privatization, as the BRAC Commission reported, is to ``. . . reduce operating costs, eliminate excess infrastructure, and allow uniformed personnel to focus on skills and activities directly related to their military missions,'' then Congress should not interfere and prejudice this process with biased language. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of fair and open competition and vote against this bill.

Mr. MATSUI

Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of California's great spiritual leaders, Pastor Ephraim Williams of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in Sacramento. Today, Pastor Williams will conclude his 5-year tenure as president of the California State Baptist Convention. On this special occasion, I ask my colleagues to join me in saluting the remarkable evangelical contributions Dr. Williams has made while serving in this high position. During his pastoral career at St. Paul, Dr. Williams has established a stellar reputation as a tireless spiritual and community leader in the Sacramento area. Yet his contributions extend far beyond St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church. Through his roles as president of the California State Baptist Convention, and vice president of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Dr. Williams has proven to be a religious leader of State and national prominence. Dr. Williams' accomplishments while president of the California State Baptist Convention include strengthening the spiritual growth of the individual members, pastors, and 230 churches which comprise that association. He has also provided non-pastors and laypeople with important opportunities to participate in the convention's activities and leadership roles. Pastor Williams' success as president of the California State Baptist Convention is evident in the increasing attendance at the convention sessions, as well as in the mutual financial and evangelical support the member congregations are offering one another. Under Dr. Williams' guidance, the California State Baptist Convention assisted churches affected by the spate of arson fires which occurred over the past several years. Additionally, he made sure that the congregations impacted by these heinous events received the financial support necessary to continue functioning. Pastor Williams has furthered his religious and civic activities to include a broad array of important community-based and evangelical organizations. Among these are the California Southern Baptist African- American Network, for which he serves as first vice president, as well as the Christian Education Board, St. Hope Academy, the Sacramento City Unified School District Cluster of Schools, and the St. Paul and Oak Park Community Outreach Program. In 1996, President Clinton hosted Pastor Williams for a meeting at the White House. He has also been honored by the California State Legislature, Sacramento Mayor Joe Serna, and the Urban League. The breadth of the awards and honors Pastor Williams has received is a testament to his significant community and evangelical endeavors. Mr. Speaker, Dr. Ephraim Williams has contributed greatly to the spiritual and civic health of countless Baptist parishioners throughout the State of California and the entire Nation. As he steps down today as president of the California State Baptist Convention, I ask my colleagues to join me in saluting this truly exceptional religious leader.

Mr. MATSUI

Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased today to pay tribute to Mrs. Natalie Gitelman, for exceptional service to the House of Representatives as our first director of the House Child Care Center. After a decade of dedicated service, she is retiring. A graduate of the University of Massachusetts, Mrs. Gitelman has committed herself to working with the most delicate among us, our children. Her service and commitment to children dates back to 1953 when, upon receiving her bachelors degree, Mrs. Gitelman began work as a child care worker. Mrs. Gitelman began her career as a counselor to children destined for foster and adoptive families. Her recruitment endeavors and preparatory counseling with natural, foster, and adoptive parents ensured homes for children ranging in age from birth through adolescence. 1966 saw the advent of Mrs. Gitelman's career in education. As the head teacher at Green Acres School in Rockville, MD, she developed and implemented classroom programs for the cooperative school. Over the course of her tenure Mrs. Gitelman handled much of the admissions work, served on the new director search committee and as one of two staff representatives on the board of trustees. In 1975, she was named head teacher of the early childhood department of Pingry School in Short Hills, NJ and later named director and teacher of Prospect Cooperative Nursery School in Mapelwood, NJ. Again she was responsible for the development and implementation of the department's teaching program and admissions criteria. The following 2 years produced two more teaching opportunities for Mrs. Gitelman at the Prospect Cooperative Nursery School in Maplewood, NJ the Summit Child Care Center in Summit, NJ. And from 1979 until 1984 Mrs. Gitelman served as one of six education coordinators with the Newark Pre-School Council, the Head Start Grantee Agency for Newark, NJ. Mrs. Gitelman's lifelong endeavor of working with children should not obscure her commitment to learning about them. Though she received her master of science in education from the Bank Street College of Education in 1978 she would continue with nondegree course work on early childhood education and its administration for years thereafter. In 1984 Mrs. Gitelman was adopted founding director of the United Nations Day Care Centre. It was here that Ms. Gitelman could use her inherent love of children and well fostered administrative skills to construct a model day care program others would strive to emulate. In fact, in 1987 Mrs. Gitelman was called upon by the House of Representatives to recreate with success a day care program fit for the institution and staff it would support. Over the past 10 years the House of Representatives Child Care Center has become such a place. Mrs. Gitelman's vision of a warm and healthy sanctuary for children has provided some respite as well for parents, who rest in the knowledge that their children are in a safe and caring environment. Mr. Speaker, in recognition of HRCCC's success as a premier child day care facility and Natalie Gitelman's 10 years of commitment, I ask my colleagues to join me in saluting her and wishing her a very happy and active retirement.

Mr. MATSUI

Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the reverend emeritus of the Shiloh Baptist Church in Sacramento, CA. Rev. William P. Cooke. As Reverend Cooke celebrates his 80th birthday today, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in saluting his remarkable life's work in community service. Reverend Cooke's commitment to the Sacramento community dates back to 1952 when he joined Shiloh Baptist Church. In 1956 he was ordained by the church and he began his service as pastor just 3 months thereafter. The commitment of Reverend Cooke to his congregation has become legendary in Sacramento. When the membership undertook the task of building a new church, Pastor Cooke often labored alone on the construction of a new house of worship for his ministry. For 5 years, Reverend Cooke worked 12- to 15-hour days completing the church structure. Since the congregation had no carpenters among its ranks, Pastor Cooke did all of the finish carpentry himself. Reverend Cooke's unwavering dedication to this project ultimately led to the completion of a new house of worship for Shiloh Baptist Church in 1963. In 1965, Pastor Cooke began the important tradition of an annual banquet for the Shiloh Baptist Church congregation. The day was envisaged by Reverend Cooke as a perpetual reminder of the hardships endured and the accomplishments achieved by the prayer and faith of his dedicated membership. Since then, Reverend Cooke has been a formidable spiritual leader in the Sacramento community. Currently, he is enjoying a very well- deserved retirement after 26 years as pastor at Shiloh Baptist Church, plus another 4 years in an interim capacity. Over the years, Reverend Cooke has received numerous special recognitions for his many good deeds. In 1973, the Sacramento City Council paid tribute to Reverend Cooke for his work as a member of the Citizen's Committee on Police Practices by giving him a Distinguished Service Award. Because of his tireless leadership and concern for his fellow Sacramentans, especially young people, Reverend Cooke was presented with the Father of the Year Award in 1977. He has served selflessly as a foster parent for dozen of children throughout California. Reverend Cooke has also displayed a passion for the cause of civil rights. Along this vein, he served as a member of the board of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People for many years. In 1985, Reverend Cooke was honored with the Educational Board Award of the California State Baptist Convention. His exceptional leadership of Shiloh Baptist Church, along with an unwavering confidence in the power of education, made Reverend Cooke a most appropriate recipient of this high honor. Additonally, Reverend Cooke was recognized for his exceptional spiritual deeds when he was presented with the Intergenerational Spiritual Leadership Award in 1994. The Department of Health and Human Services has similarly honored Reverend Cooke with an award for Outstanding Public Service. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to pay tribute today to a remarkable man of faith who singlehandedly built a great ministry in Sacramento. Rev. Willie Cooke is a special person whose record of compassionate community service will endure for many years to come. I ask all of my colleagues to join me in wishing him a very joyous 80th birthday celebration.

Mr. MATSUI

Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to an outstanding member of the Sacramento community, Mr. Stanley M. Umeda. Today, Mr. Umeda's many friends and colleagues are gathered to commemorate his 40 years of exemplary service to the State of California and the Sacramento County Welfare Department. A graduate of California State University, Sacramento, Mr. Umeda has forged a long and distinguished career in the fields of social work and mental health. His service in the public sector dates back to 1955, when, as an undergraduate at Sacramento State University, Mr. Umeda worked for the California Department of Motor Vehicles. Upon completing his education with a master of social work degree in 1966, Mr. Umeda continued his State service as a psychiatric social worker in the California Department of Social Welfare. In that capacity, Mr. Umeda provided invaluable support and guidance to State hospital convalescent patients and their families. From 1969 until 1973, Mr. Umeda administered all phases of local mental health services for his assigned region as a Community program analyst with the California State Department of Mental Hygiene. In this role, he designed programs and budgets for a variety of local mental health services. As the executive secretary of the Conference of Local Health Officers, the Conference of Local Mental Health Directors, and the Citizens Advisory Council from 1973 until 1976, Mr. Umeda worked on the coordination of staff services for these organizations. He also assisted in the formulation of important regulatory changes in the California Administrative Code. Mr. Umeda's State service continued when he was appointed chief of the Office of Advisory Liaison within the California State Department of Health in 1976. For the next 2 years, he played a key role in coordinating health advice emanating from a wide variety of advisory boards and conferences to the Department of Health. Mr. Umeda fulfilled similar duties within the Department of Mental Health until 1979.

Mr. MATSUI

Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, we rise today to pay tribute to an exceptional public servant and leader in the Sacramento community, Mr. Samuel L. Jackson. A native of Florida, Sam Jackson was born in Pensacola in 1947. Early on, Mr. Jackson set himself apart as an honor roll student committed to obtaining a worthy education. To further this goal, Mr. Jackson enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1966. His military service, including a 13-month tour of duty in Vietnam, allowed him to serve his country and earn money for college. After his discharge from the Air Force in 1970, Mr. Jackson followed through on his educational goals, first at Sacramento City College, and then at California State University, Sacramento. Following his graduation with honors from CSUS, Mr. Jackson enrolled at the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law in 1974. There, he served as president of the Black Law Students Association in 1976. At his graduation from McGeorge in 1977, Mr. Jackson was presented the Faculty Outstanding Student Achievement Award, becoming the first student of color to ever receive that high honor. As a young attorney, Sam Jackson worked as a criminal prosecutor in the Sacramento County District Attorney's Office from 1977 until 1979. Then, he accepted a position with the city of Sacramento as a deputy city attorney. By 1988, Mr. Jackson had risen to the position of senior deputy city attorney in the minimum time allowed. In 1989, he became the first African-American elected president of the Sacramento County Bar Association. Mr. Jackson also maintained his long-standing commitment to education by serving as a professor of legal studies at American River College from 1979 to 1994. In 1994, Sam Jackson's tireless efforts on behalf of the people of Sacramento, marked by an esteemed reputation for integrity and community activism, earned him the post of city attorney by a unanimous vote of the city council. In this position, Sam Jackson has excelled as a tough litigator for the city of Sacramento. But he has never foregone the community service endeavors which are so near to his heart, especially his work with children. As a strong advocate for the Big Brothers and Big Sisters organization, Little League baseball, Sacramento's St. Hope Academy, and the Citizenship and Law-Related Education Center, Sam Jackson has established a legacy of service on behalf of Sacramento's youth. He has also thrived in a number of influential professional legal organizations in California. In 1995, he became the first African- American elected to the California State Bar's board of governors. He also became the first person of color elected president of the Alumni Association for his alma mater, McGeorge Law School. Mr. Speaker, we ask our colleagues to join us in saluting Samuel L. Jackson for a remarkable record of professional excellence and community service. The people of Sacramento are the proud beneficiaries of Sam Jackson's hard work and good citizenship.

Mr. MATSUI

Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to this tax package which moves us away from the paramount goal of this Congress-- bringing the budget into balance. This bill also moves us away from two other very important goals--tax simplification and tax fairness. deficit reduction The historic budget agreement between the President and the Congress called for net tax cuts of $85 billion over 5 years and $250 billion over 10 years. If we did not pass these tax cuts economists predict that we could reach a balanced budget in 2 to 3 years. This agreement will push that goal out to the year 2002. In addition, the bill before us includes an even bigger net tax cut of $95 billion over 5 years and $275 over 10 years. Over 5 years the tax cut exceeds the agreement by $10 billion and over 10 years it is $25 billion over the line. There is no reason to enact such a large tax cut package in excess of the budget agreement. In the 10 years beyond 2006, the size of the tax cuts will continue to increase. The cumulative cost by the year 2017 could go as high as $500 to $600 billion. It is folly to enact a plan, which will put additional pressure on the Federal budget, when we know that the pressures on the budget from the growth in Medicare and Social Security will greatly intensify over the same period of time. We are in a time of very strong economic growth. We should use this opportunity to get our fiscal house in order so that we can better deal with the fiscal pressures we know are coming. tax simplification This legislation will introduce a new and unwelcome magnitude of complexity in the lives of ordinary Americans. This at a time when the public confidence in the IRS is at an all time low and budget cuts for taxpayer services are sure to come. In 1986, we enacted legislation to greatly simplify the Code; achieving lower rates and a simplified structure. This legislation regrettably moves us in the wrong direction and requires that we pay attention to the Tax Code before we made basic decisions. In 1996, about half of all tax returns filed were completed by paid preparers. The child credit, education, and IRA provisions will result in tax relief but at a cost of increased paperwork for those who will have to interpret and plan to benefit from these provisions. A former Treasury official was quoted as saying, ``Who really wins from the tax bill? The tax-return preparers and the manufacturers of tax-preparation computer software.'' These provisions could have been simplified had there not been so much focus on blessing some behavior and striking political compromises. The current Code is already very burdensome, this legislation will certainly increase that burden for many people. tax fairness We must have a fair tax system. Many at the top of the income scale have benefited greatly over the last several years. That is commendable but we should not enact policies which will accelerate the divergence between those at the top and the bottom of our economy. This bill will do that at a time when we can least afford it. A recent analysis of the bill shows that the average tax cut for middle-income families and individuals will be less than $200 under this bill. Top income earners will pay over $16,000 less in taxes each year under this bill. Families who are in the lowest 20 percent of income are the only group which will face a tax hike under the bill.

Mr. MATSUI

Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the McGovern amendment. I believe it is critical that the Congress make its voice heard on the difficult situation facing a number of American families attempting to adopt children in Paraguay. Among these families are Richard and Donna Moser, who reside in my district. some 26 months ago, in May 1995, the Mosers began their efforts to adopt a Paraguayan child. On September 18 of that year, the Government of Paraguay imposed a moratorium on international adoptions in order to reform its laws in this area. Like other families with adoption cases pending when the moratorium took effect, the Mosers have since faced a seemingly endless series of hurdles and delays in their efforts to complete the adoption process. The language of this amendment makes it quite clear that no Member of this body is questioning the absolutely legitimate efforts of the Paraguayan Government to reform its laws governing international adoptions. The supporters of this amendment are merely asking that cases initiated prior to the moratorium, including the so-called window of opportunity cases, will be allowed to proceed without delay under the current legal situation and within the provisions of any forthcoming new adoption law in Paraguay. As my colleagues can imagine, the families who have persevered through the very halting and uncertain process since the moratorium was announced have made tremendous commitments of their time and emotional energies. They have a right to expect a reasonable, comprehensible adoption process. The children these families seek to adopt face great hardships in Paraguay. They too deserve to have fairness prevail here. By passing this amendment, the Congress is making a plea to the Government of Paraguay on behalf of this very limited group of families seeking the right to finish a process that they could not possibly have anticipated would be so terribly arbitrary when they chose this path. I believe we are also sending a message to the U.S. State Department that this issue merits and requires the highest level of attention. I urge my colleagues to join in making this greatly needed statement.

Mr. MATSUI

Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of this legislation. The bill contains several provisions that will be critically important to the safety of the Sacramento area that I represent. I wish to express my deep gratitude to the Appropriations Committee, particularly Energy and Water Development Subcommittee Chairman Joe McDade and ranking member Vic Fazio, for their recognition of the severe danger of flooding that my district faces. The bill they have crafted will allow for significant progress on the project for flood protection from the American River authorized by last year's Water Resources Development Act. The project, while in itself far from sufficient to provide comprehensive protection for the Sacramento area, is a vital step toward that absolutely critical goal. I am extremely pleased that the bill provides funding that will enable the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to make maximum progress on this initiative in fiscal year 1998. H.R. 2203 also makes a very important statement in providing reimbursements in two areas where the Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency [SAFCA] has moved forward with flood control efforts in advance of federal funding. One of these instances is SAFCA's project to improve flood protection for the Natomas area of Sacramento. By partially funding the reimbursement that has been authorized for this local effort, the committee has given valuable encouragement to communities that wish to move forward in the most aggressive manner in acting to address pressing flood threats. Similarly, the committee has sent an important signal by fully reimbursing SAFCA for costs associated with the variable flood control operation of Folsom Dam and Reservoir implemented by a 1995 agreement between SAFCA and the Bureau of Reclamation. This contract has provided a very necessary increment of added flood protection for the Sacramento area. Under last year's WRDA bill, the Federal Government accepted responsibility for 75 percent of the costs of lost water and power resulting from this agreement over a four year period. I am extremely pleased that the Committee has acted to meet this federal commitment. The bill funds a number of other greatly needed flood control initiatives for the Sacramento area. These include the Sacramento River Bank Protection Project, which is helping to prevent bank erosion along the American River levees that represent the last line of flood defense for many Sacramentans. The bill also supports important area flood control efforts by including funds for construction of the Magpie Creek small flood control project, for feasibility studies as well as preconstruction engineering and design for the South Sacramento Streams Group project, and for a reconnaissance study for flood damage reduction from the Cosumnes and Mokelumne Rivers. Finally, the Committee has provided support for two other innovative projects in the Sacramento area. One of these is an important water quality project--the city of Sacramento's efforts to improve its combined sewer system in order to prevent the flow of sewage into the Sacramento River. The second is the Ueda Parkway, a set of bicycle, equestrian and pedestrian trails to be constructed along a portion of the Natomas levee improvements. Again, I deeply thank the committee for its support and look forward to working with them to gain final approval for these initiatives.

Mr. MATSUI

Mr. MATSUI. I yield to the gentleman from Michigan.

Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, I thank the gentleman from Tennessee. The gentleman indicates that this is really going to affect our children and grandchildren.

Mr. MATSUI. I yield to the gentleman from Tennessee.

Mr. MATSUI. I yield to the gentleman from Maryland.

Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from New York, the ranking member of the Committee on Ways and Means, for yielding this time to me. Mr. Chairman, we have been hearing from the Republicans capital gains tax cuts, estate tax cuts. They want to eliminate the alternative minimum tax on corporations in America. They want to have back ended IRA's. We must have amnesia in this room here today because just 24 hours ago we were saying how wonderful the agreement was with the President on balancing the Federal budget. And now all of a sudden we are talking about these enormous tax cuts. I added up all the tax cuts that the Republicans have been taking about. Over a 10-year period these tax cuts come to $600 billion or about $60 billion a year. That is why the President in the budget agreement said over 10 years it can be no more than a net of $250 billion, less than half of the total tax cuts as they add up. We thought the Republicans were going to be moderate, that they were going to try to compromise, they were going to pick and choose and prioritize what tax cuts they wanted to give the American public. What they did instead was committed a little duplicity. What they did was they phased these tax cuts in. They phased them in over a 10-, 12-, 15- year period. For example, the capital gains tax cut does not come into effect until the year 2001, and as a result of that what we are going to see is, yes, the net tax cuts for the first 10 years will be $250 billion. Revenue loss of $250 billion. But then if we look at this chart, we will find that in the year 2007, 2007 alone, it will be $41 billion just in that 1 year alone. Then by the year 2017 it will be $90 billion of revenue loss in that 1 year alone. It will make the deficits we had over the last 15 years look like chicken feed compared to the deficits that will occur when the children and the grandchildren are becoming the age when they want to buy a home or employment. We are a great competitive Nation. We had growth over the last 6 years. We have been the strongest economy in the world. And the Republicans, if this bill passes and becomes law, will drag this economy down so that we will be a banana republic. We cannot afford this tax bill, which is going to explode the deficit, and the American public has to know that.

Mr. MATSUI

Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, the Medicare proposal under consideration today was created using an open, bipartisan process. This process created a package with many provisions deserving of praise. It includes, for example, a proposal that helps military retirees in obtaining Medicare benefits by waiving a late enrollment penalty for those individuals who have traditionally relied on health care services on military bases. These men and women, who have dedicated their lives to serving the Armed Forces, now often find that the military base on which they have depended for health care is closing. This provision will help the honorable military retirees of Sacramento, CA, who will lose meaningful use of military health facilities when McClellan Air Force Base closes in 2001. I have previously introduced legislation to address this problem, and am pleased to see a solution in the package currently under consideration. There are, however, a number of problems in the Medicare proposal approved in the Ways and Means Committee. First, unlike the Commerce Committee proposal, the Ways & Means plan fails to allocate graduate medical education expenses [GME], indirect medical education expenses [IME] and disproportionate share medical education expenses [IME] and disproportionate share hospital payments [DSH] directly to the hospitals which they are intended. Congress legislated GME, IME, and DSH payments to help teaching hospitals and hospitals serving a disproportionately large share of low-income patients. When a Medicare beneficiary selects to enroll in managed care, however, these payments follow the Medicare managed care recipient directly to the managed care entity. Although the intention is that the payments will be passed through to hospitals, this is not always the case. Rather, money intended for these hospitals is often kept by the Managed care entities as profit or spent on other services. This problem grows more severe as more enrollees enter managed care. In Sacramento, almost 45 percent of the Medicare population is in managed care. When these payments are not passed on to hospitals, the impact is felt. Carving out GME, IME, and DSH from managed care payments would enable teaching and DSH hospitals to receive the same types of subsidies under Medicare risk-contract arrangements that they do under fee-for-service Medicare. It would ensure that money intended for these hospitals is actually delivered. There is a second proposal in the Ways and Means Committee Medicare bill that is unduly punitive to hospitals. Under current law, payments for inpatient hospital services are made under a prospective payment system [PPS], in which a predetermined rate is paid for each inpatient stay based on the patient's admitting diagnosis. PPS payment rates are updated annually. This Medicare proposal, however, would freeze the PPS update factor for the 1998 fiscal year. The PPS freeze is not necessary to accomplish the goal of achieving a balanced budget. There are alternatives that would achieve the same level of savings with a less immediate impact on patient care and market dynamics. In addition, any claim that the freeze will not harm hospitals contemplates a national average--but not specific areas or types of hospitals. We cannot ignore patients in our teaching hospitals and other hospitals with high Medicare caseloads simply because more financially secure hospitals will be able to weather this storm. Although the PPS update will freeze, no other aspect of hospital expenditures will remain stagnant. Wages, which represent a large part of hospital expenses, will still need to be paid, as will utilities and capital costs. This measure is especially punitive to hospitals that are achieving the goals sought by the PPS method of payment. They have achieved savings because they provide the most efficient patient care. Now that hospitals have achieved a level of efficiency, it is fair for the Medicare Program to share in this success by reducing updates. Yet it is not necessary to do it all at once. Finally, I must add my voice to the chorus of concern in opposition to medical savings accounts [MSA's] MSA's are not in need of a demonstration project. We already know that MSA's cannot work and, in fact, they would cause harm. The demonstration project in this proposal would drain over $2 billion from the Medicare trust fund. These costs represent money being channeled directly to the savings accounts of healthy seniors at the expense of those who are not as fortunate. MSA's defy the very nature of insurance by establishing private accounts for healthy individuals rather than using those funds to balance the risk of all Medicare recipients. The MSA proposal also lacks fundamental consumer protections. We know from experience that consumer protections are necessary when selling policies to the elderly and disabled. We do not need to demonstrate this again. There is a long history of seniors being victimized by unscrupulous insurance agents when being sold health insurance. This unfortunate practice led to the necessary strengthening of MediGap protections in 1990. We face a new round of abuse under the current provision--seniors and the disabled will be sold MSA plans without full disclosure of the risk of high out-of-pocket costs they will face. Salespeople will focus on the potential for building up large savings accounts, and will hide details of the high $6,000 deductible and huge doctor bills above the Medicare approved rate. Over 80 percent of Medicare beneficiaries have incomes under $25,000 and cannot face deductibles of $6,000 or the potential for unlimited balance billing contained in this package. I am pleased with a number of provisions in the current Medicare package. It is, however, not perfect. It is my hope that these imperfections will be corrected before it is enacted into law.

Mr. MATSUI

Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, the bipartisan budget deal that President Clinton and Congress have agreed to includes a $16 billion fund to extend health care coverage to 5 million children over 5 years. The proposal before us, however, extends coverage to only 500,000 additional children a year. This is clearly insufficient. One reason why so few children would obtain coverage is that the current proposal contains loopholes that allow the $16 billion fund to substitute for new cuts in Federal Medicaid spending. States would also be permitted to use the fund as a source of general revenue to cover costs totally unrelated to health care, such as paving roads and financing tax cuts. The funding intended for children essentially creates a new State slush fund with no accountability. The proposal before us represents a wasted opportunity. Approximately 20 million children lack health insurance for at least part of the year. In California, almost 20 percent of all children lack health insurance. These are children of working families. Nearly 9 out of 10 uninsured children have at least one parent who works. Almost two- thirds of these parents work full time. Changes must be made before we invest billions of dollars in a block grant that does not achieve its intended purpose. The Child Health Insurance and Lower Deficit Act (H.R. 1364) and the Child Health Insurance Act (H.R. 1363), legislation that I have cosponsored with Representative Nancy Johnson, contain provisions that, if adopted, would add necessary structure to the block grants and truly enable children to receive needed health insurance. Proposals in these bills ensure that allocated funds would be appropriately directed to deliver solid health care coverage to more children. For example, States are directed to contract with insurance companies or community health center networks to provide services directly to children. Coverage would include access to pediatric primary and specialty care providers, including centers of pediatric specialized treatment expertise. In addition, the bills make sure that States provide a benefits package either equivalent to the Medicaid package or comparable to a standard plan currently offered under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program. These basic requirements would not handcuff states; rather, they would create a structure that would guarantee that children in working families finally obtain meaningful health care. We have a unique opportunity to achieve the laudable goal of insuring children. Yet if we do not add necessary safeguards and enhancements, we will not accomplish this goal. Let's not waste this opportunity.

Mr. MATSUI

Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes, the balance of our time, to the gentleman from Indiana [Mr. Hamilton], the ranking member of the Committee on International Relations.

Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, attached is a letter from the Business Council for United States-China Trade which I would like included in its entirety in the appropriate section of the Congressional Record. Business Coalition For U.S.-China Trade, Washington, DC, June 23, 1997. Hon. Newt Gingrich, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Speaker: We urge Congress and the President to work together on a bipartisan basis to renew China's MFN status for one-year without conditions. We strongly oppose legislation which would impose new conditions on MFN, impose targeted trade sanctions, or result in anything less than a full one-year extension of MFN, or otherwise disrupt U.S.- China commercial ties. Unconditional renewal of China's MFN trading status is in America's interest. MFN is the cornerstone of stable U.S.- China commercial relations. It is also the foundation for continued dialogue and cooperation between the United States and China over such vital concerns as security, human rights, and Hong Kong's transition. In the next century, America's prosperity will be even more closely tied to our leadership in international trade and the Asia-Pacific region. China is the world's largest emerging market. It is at the center of a vibrant Asia-Pacific regional economy, which will support continued growth of American trade and jobs for decades to come. In 1996, the United States sold over $14 billion of goods and services to China. U.S.-China trade already supports over 200,000 export-related jobs, as well as tens of thousands of jobs in American retail establishments, ports, services companies, and transportation firms. It ensures American consumers a wide choice of quality goods. China is the sixth-largest market in the world for American agriculture, and has by far the most potential. in 1996, China bought over $3.6 billion of U.S. farm products, such as wheat, grains, vegetable oil, poultry, corn, soybeans, and meat. American trade with China helps to promote values we cherish. Ending MFN would harm the very Chinese entrepreneurs and workers whose prosperity and jobs depend on trade and access to the outside world. China's private enterprises and joint ventures are beachheads of free enterprise, which have driven the sweeping economic and political reforms of the last decade. We should support, not isolate, the segments of Chinese society which offer the best hope for further progress toward greater freedom and the rule of law for all of China. Revoking or conditioning MFN would be a devastating blow to Hong Kong, whose economy depends on its role as the economic gateway to China and as a financial and commercial center for companies doing business in Asia. The United States should strive to bolster confidence in Hong Kong and to maintain it as a vibrant model of entrepreneurial capitalism and political freedom, as it faces an historic reversion to Chinese sovereignty. While renewal of MFN is an important task, an equally important challenge is continuing a fundamental restructuring of U.S-China commercial relations that is essential to open new markets for American products, subject China to the rules and disciplines of the World Trade Organization (WTO), and end the destructive annual battles over MFN renewal. We urge the Administration, in close consultation with Congress, to push ahead with negotiations over China's accession to the WTO under a commercially sound market access protocol which expands sales of American goods, services, and farm products; locks in free market reforms, and advances long-term economic and political change. We look forward to working with the Congressional leadership and the Administration to achieve all of these vital goals. Sincerely, A & C Trade Consultants, Inc., A & D Precision Manufacturing, Inc., A. Eddy Goldfarb & Associates, A.A.A. Aircraft Supply Co., Inc., A.N. Deringer, Inc., A.O. Smith Corporation, A-1 Signal Division, ABB, Inc., Abbotec Inc., Abbott Laboratories, ABC Companies, Inc., The, ACCEL Graphics, Inc., ACCEL Technologies, Inc., ACI Int'l, Acme Foundry, Acme-Monaco Corporation, Action Instruments Inc., Action Products International Inc., ACTS Testing Labs, Inc. Adams Air & Hydraulics, Inc., Adaptec, Inc., ADC Technologies, Inc., Adidas America, Advanced Data Management, Inc., Advanced Hardware Architectures, AEA Credit Union, AEA International, Aerex Manufacturing Inc., Aero Comm Machining, Aero Gear Inc., Aero Machine Co., Inc., Aerochem, Inc., Aeroelectronics Incorporated, Aerospace Dynamics International, Inc., Aerospace Industries Association of America, Inc., Aerospace Manufacturing Corp., Aerospace Products, Aerospace Services & Products, AETNA, Inc., Agrifos, L.L.C., AIMCO, Air Capitol Plating Inc., Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Institute, Air Industries Corporation, Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., Air Structures, Inc., Aircraft Tool Inc., AirNet Communications Corp., AirSep Corporation, Akro Fire Guard, Albany International Corp., Albemarle China Corporation, ALCOA, Alcone Marketing Group, Alexander Doll Company, Inc., ALJO Precision Prod., Allen's Concrete, AlliedSignal Inc., AlliedSignal-General Aviation Avionics, AMCO Brokers & Forwarders, Inc., Amer-China Partners, Ltd., American Association of Exporters and Importers, American Association of Port Authorities, American Automobile Manufacturers Association. American Building System Inc., The American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, The American Chamber of Commerce in New Zealand, The American Chamber of Commerce in Singapore, The American Chamber of Commerce PRC in Beijing, American Commercial Lines, Inc., American Crop Protection Association, American Electronics Association, American Electronics Association--Texas Council, American Electronics Group, Inc., American Express Company, American Farm Bureau Federation, American Feed Industry Association, American Forest & Paper Association, American Home Products Corporation, The American Import Co./Taico Trading Corp., American International Foods, American International Group, Inc., American League for Exports and Security Assistance, American Pacific Enterprises, American Racing Custom Wheels, American River International, American Seed Trade Association, American Standard Companies, Inc., Ameritech International, Amersham Corporation, Ames Department Stores, Inc., AMF Bowling Products, AMI Metals Inc., Amicale Industries, Inc., AMOCO, Amoco Chemical, AMP Incorporated, AmPro Corp., AMS Industries Inc., AMT--The Association for Manufacturing Technology, Amway Corporation, Andreae, Vick & Associates, Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc., Anjar Co., Anwo Machine and Tool Co. Inc., APL Limited, Apparel Unlimited, Inc., Apple Computer, Inc., Applied Materials, Inc. Applix, Aquafine Corporation, Arcadia Supply Inc., ARCO, ARCO Chemical Company, Arizona Coalition for US/China Trade, Armstrong Global, Armstrong Holdings, Armstrong World Industries, Inc., ARR-MAZ Products, Arrow Electric, Inc, Arthur Andersen LLP, ASI Aerospace Group, Asian Strategies Group, Asset Intertech, Inc., Associated Company, Inc., Associated General Contractors of America, Associated Industries, Associated Industries of Missouri, Associated Merchandising Corporation, Association of American Railroads, Association of National Advertisers, Inc., AT & T, Athens Industries, Atlas Aero Corporation, Atsco Footwear Inc., Autozone, Avco Financial Services, Inc, AVO International, Avon Products Inc., Award Software International, Inc., B & B Machine & Tooling, B & F Sales Corp., B & J International Supply, B & S Steel of Kansas, Inc., B.G. Imaging Specialties, Inc., B.J. Rocca Jr. and Co., Babcock Mfg. Co., Bachmann Industries, Inc., Baker & Daniels, Bakery Crafts, BalcoMetalines, Ball Hortculture Company, Bank of America NT & SA, Bank of New York. Bank of Oklahoma, Barbara Franklin Enterprises, Barbis International, Barringer Technologies, Inc., Barron Transworld Trading Ltd, Barton Solvents, Inc., Bartow Chamber of Commerce, Bartow Steel, Inc., BCI Engineering Group, Inc., BCI Engineers & Scientists, Bechtel Corp., Bedford Sportswear, Inc., Beijing Development Area (USA) Inc., Belkin Components, BellSouth Corporation, Benecor Honeycomb Corp., Benner China & Glassware, Inc., Bennett Importing, Inc., Berger & Eiss, Berger Company, Beta Shim Company, BFGoodrich Company, BGW Systems, Inc., Bien Internationale Corp., Bindicator Company, Bivar, Inc., BJG Electronics, Black & Veatch, The Blackstone Group, Blistex Inc., Blue Box Toys Inc., Boca Research, Inc, The Boeing Company, Boston Technologies, Inc., Boullian Aviation Services, BP America, BP Chemicals Inc., Bradbury Co., Inc., Bradford Novelty Co., Inc., Bradlees, Inc., Bradley Machine, Inc., Brass Key, Inc., Braun Intertec Corporation, Breslow Morrison Terzian & Assoc., Brimms Inc. Brisa, Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Brooklyn Chinese-American Association, Brooklyn Goes Global, Brown Group, Inc., Budd Company, The, Budney Industries, Inc., Bunge Corporation, Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Railway, Burnett Contracting & Drilling Co., Inc., Burnham Products, Burson- Marsteller, Burton Co., Business Research Institute, Inc., Buxton Co., C.J. Bridges Railroad Contractor, Inc., Cactus Mat Manufacturing, Co., Cadaco, Inc., Caleb Corporation, California Chamber of Commerce, California Instruments Corp., California Mop Mfg. Co., California Portland Cement Company, California R&D Center, California Sunshine Inc., Caltex Petroleum Corp., Cambridge Specialty Company, Cange & Associates International, Capital Region World Trade Council, Capps Machines, Inc., Capstone Electronics Corp., Carco Electronics, Cardinal Industries, Inc., Career Explorers, Inc., Cargill Fertilizer, Inc., Cargill Flour Milling, Cargill, Inc., Carl Cox & Associates, Inc., Carrier Corporation, Catalina Lighting, Inc., Caterpillar Inc., CBIA, CDI Corporation Midwest, Cedar Rapids Chamber of Commerce, Celestaire, Inc. CENEX, Inc., Center Industries Corp., Centigram Communications, Central Purchasing Inc., Century Bank, Cerion Technologies, Cessna Aircraft Company, CF Industries, Inc., Chaco International, Chance Industries, Charles Engineering, Inc., Charming Shoppes, Inc., The Chase Manhattan Corporation, Chemical Manufacturers Association, Chemifax, Division of Namico, Inc., Chevron Corporation, Chicago Council on Foreign Relations, China Books & Periodicals, Inc., China Human Resources Group, China Products North America, Inc., China Trade Development Corp., Chrysler Corporation, Chubb & Son, Inc., Chubb Corporation, The, CIGNA Corporation, CIT Group/Commercial Services, Inc., Citicorp/Citibank, Citifor Inc., Citizens for a Sound Economy, Claire's Stores Inc., CLARCOR, Clark Companies, N.A., The, Clark Manufacturing, Claude Mann & Associates, Inc., Cliffstar Associates, Inc., Coastal Corporation, The, Coastal Power Company, Coastcom, Cobra Electronics Corporation, Coca-Cola Company, The, Coffeyville Sektam, Inc., Coiltronics, Inc., Cole Haan, Coleman Company, Inc. Collum International, Inc., Colorworks, Columbia 300 Incorporated, Columbus McKinnon Corporation, COMET INT'L, Commercial Bank of San Francisco, Commonwealth Toy & Novelty, Compaq Computer Corporation, Compressed Air Products, Inc., Computalog, Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA), Computing Devices International, Comtech Communications, ConAgra, Inc., Concept Resources, Inc., Concurrent Computer Corp., Conductive Rubber Technology, Inc., CONECT- Coalition of New England Companies, CONMED Corporation, Connections International, Conoco, Consolidated Industries Inc., Consumers for World Trade, Continental Grain Company, Continental Machine Inc., Continental- Agra Equipment, Inc., Contour Aerospace Inc., Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., Corning Incorporated, Corporation for International Trade, Cox Machine, Inc., CPC International Inc., Creative Computer Solutions, Inc., Creative Production Resources, Crowley Sales & Export Inc., Crown Cork & Seal Co., Inc., CSX Corporation, CTL Distribution, Inc., Cubic Corp., Cutter & Buck, Cyberkom, Dale C. Rossman, Inc., Darling Abrasive & Tool Co., Data Instruments, Inc., Dataforth Corp. Davis Wright Tremaine, De La Rue Giori, Decora Industries Inc., Deere & Company, DEKALB Genetics, Delagar Division Belcam, Inc., Delson International, Inc., Des Moines Chamber of Commerce, Dexter Aerospace Materials Division, DeYoung Mfg., Inc., DF Corporation, Diamond V Mills, Digital Equipment Corporation, Digital Recorders, Digital Transmission Systems, Inc., DIGIVISION, Diversified Computer Remarketing, Dixon Area Chamber of Commerce, D-J Engineering, Dodge City Chamber of Commerce, Don's Leather Cleaning, Inc., Doron Precision Systems, Inc., Dover Technologies, Dow Chemical Co., The Dow Corning Corporation, Dowty Aerospace, Dresser Industries, Inc., DS Technologies, Inc., DSC Communications Corp., DSP Technology, Inc., DuPont, Duracell, Dynamic Systems, Inc., E & O Mari, Inc., E.E. International, E.S.T. International, Easter Unlimited/Fun World, Eastern Sea Consulting, Eastman Chemical Company, Eastman Export Corporation, Eastman Kodak Company, EBM Tours, Eck & Eck Machine Co., Inc., Ecology and Environment, Inc., Economy Forms Corp. Econo-Power International Corp., EDAWN, Edelman Public Relations, Eden, LLC, Edison Electric Institute, EDS, Educational Design, Inc., Educational Hindsights, Inc., Edutainment for Kids, Inc., Efratom Time & Frequency Products, Inc., Eikon Strategies, Inc., Elan-Polo, Inc., Electro Scientific Industries, Inc., Electromedical Products International, Inc., Electronic Industries Association, Elkay Plastics Co., Inc., Ellanef Manufacturing Corporation, Ellicott International, Elliot Kastle, Inc., Ellsworth Adhesive Systems, Emergency Committee for American Trade, Emerson Electric (Asia) Ltd., Emerson Electric Co., Empire Industries, Inc., Endgate Corp., Endicott Johnson Corporation, Energy-Onix Broadcast Equipment Co., Enertech, Engineered Machine Tool Co., Enron Corp., Enron Oil & Gas, Inc., Epperson & Company, Essex Group, Inc., ETEC Systems, Inc., Excel Manufacturing, Inc., Executive Aircraft, Expeditors International, The Exporter, EXXESS Electronics, Exxon Corporation, F.H Kaysing, Family Dollar Stores Incorporated, Farmland Hydro, L.P., Farmland Industries, Inc., Fastenair Corporation. FaxTrieve, Inc., Federal-Mogul Corporation, The Fertilizer Institute, Feuz MFG, Inc., Fiberite Inc., Fieldcrest Cannon, Inc., Fiesta, Fife Florida Electric Supply, Inc., Fila-USA Inc., Firstar Banks, Fisher- Price, Inc., Fleet Bank, Fleet Street Ltd., Flight Safety International--Cessna, Flight Safety International--Raytheon, Flight Safety International-- Learjet, Florida Handling Systems, Inc., Florida Phosphate Council, Florida-China Trade Task Force, Fluke Corporation, Fluor Corporation, FMC Corporation, FMI, Inc., Footstar, Inc., Ford Motor Company, Forte Cashmere Co., Inc., ForTrade International, Foster Design, Foster Pepper & Shfelman, Foster Wheeler Energy International, Inc., Four Dimensions, Inc., Four Star Distribution, The Foxboro Company, FPA Customs Brokers, Inc., Frank Russell Company, Freeport-McMoRan, Inc., Fulfillment Systems International, Funopolis, Gaines Metzler Kriner & Co., Galamba Metals, Galoob Toys, Inc., GAYLA Industries, Inc., Gaymar Industries, Inc., GEC Precision Corporation, Genecar International, Inc. Genemed Biotechnologies, Inc., Genemed Synthesis, Inc., General DataComm Industries, Inc., General Electric Company, General Motors Corporation, Genesco Inc., Georgia-Pacific Corporation, Gillette Company, The, Global Business Systems, Global Group, Globe Engineering, GM Nameplate, Inc., Goldsmiths, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, The, Grand Imports, Inc., Granny's Kitchens, LTD., Grant Thorton, Granton Shoo Imports, Graphic Controls Corporation, Graybar Electric, Great American Incentives, Great Lake Group, The, Great Plains Industries, Great Plains Manufacturing, Great Plains Ventures, Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce, Greater Bristol Chamber of Commerce, Greater Dallas Chamber of Commerce, Greater Hartford Chamber of Commerce, Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, Greater North Dakota Association, Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce, Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce, Greater Waterbury Chamber of Commerce, Greenfield Industries, Greer Auto, Grocery Manufacturers of America, Inc., GT Sales & Manufacturing, GTE Corporation, Guardian Industries Corp., Guerra Press, The, Guess Leather--Jones New York Leather--Avanti, Gund, Inc., H&H Tool. H.O. Mohr Research & Engineering, Inc., Haight, Gardner, Poor and Havens, Halliburton Co., Halliburton Energy Services, Hallmark Cards, Inc., Hallum Tooling, Inc., Hamilton Standard, Hannay Reels, Inc., Hard Manufacturing Co., Inc., Harlow Aircraft Manufacturing, Harris Corporation, Harry B. Gudsley & Associates, Harry Sello & Associates, Harsco Corporation, Hartford Despatch Int'l, Harwood Capital Incorporated, Hasbro Interactive, Hasbro, Inc., Havens Steel Company, Heart to Heart International, Hedstrom Corporation, HEICO Corporation, Heilig-Meyers Company, Hermach Machine, Inc., Hewlett-Packard Company, Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc., Hills & Company, HiRel Labs, Hirsch Pipe & Supply, HMS Productions, Inc., Hoechst Corporation, Holland Pump Manufacturing, Inc., Honeywell Asia Pacific, Honeywell Inc., Hong Kong City Toys, The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, Horton International Inc., Howden Fan Company, The, HSQ Technology, Hub Tool & Supply, Hudson Pump and Equipment Associates, Inc., Hughes Electronics, Hydroform USA, Inc., HYI, I&J Machine Tool Company. Ibberson Inc., IBM Corporation, Ice Holdings, Inc., IES Industries, Inc., Illinois Beef Association, Illinois Coalition to Support US-China Commercial Relations, Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Manufacturer's Association, Illinois Pork Producers, Illinois State Chamber of Commerce, Imaging and Sensing Technology, Inc., IMC Global Inc., IMC Global Operations Inc., IMC Kalium, IMC-Agrico Company, IMCO Recycling Inc., IMPAC International, Imperial Toy Corporation, Indoor Air Professionals, Inc., Inductor Supply, Inc., INET Corporation, Infinity Financial Technology, Inc,. Ingersoll-Rand Company, Innotec Group Inc., Innovative USA, Inc., Integrity Technology Corporation, Intel Corporation, Intelidata, Interex, Inc., Interface Consulting International, Inc., Inter-Global Inc., Intermetrics, Inc., International Business Development, International Components Corp., International Dairy Foods Association, International Development Planners, International Mass Retail Association, International Paper, International Trade Services, Inc., Inter- Pacific Corporation, Intertrade Ltd., Intool Incorporated, Intrust Bank, Iowa Association of Business & Industry, Iowa Beef Packers. Iowa Business Council, Iowa Department of Economic Development, ITT Corporation, ITT Industries, J.F. Fredericks Tool Co., Inc., J.H. Ham Engineering, Inc., J.R. Custom Metal Products, Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc., Jacobs Vehicle Systems, Jade Enterprises, Inc., Jamestown Container Companies, Jamie Brooke, Inc., Janco Corp., Janex Corporation, JBC International, Jenoptik Infab InTrak, Inc., Jensen Technology Development, Inc., Jerry Eisner Co., Inc., Jewett Refrigerator Co., Inc., John Hancock Financial Services, John Weitzel, Inc., Johnson & Johnson, Johnson and Higgins, Jones and Company, Inc., Joseph Krow Fur and Leather Co., J-Tec Associates, Juans (USA) Corp., Juno Industries, Inc., K.Swiss, Kagie/Newell Inc., Kaifa Technology, Inc., Kairos Consultants, Kaman Aerospace Corporation, Kamen Wiping Materials, Kane Industries Corp., Kansas Association for Small Business, Kansas Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Kansas City, KS Chamber of Commerce, Kansas Dry Stripping, Inc., Kansas Farm Bureau, Kansas Livestock Association, Kansas Plating, Inc., Kansas World Trade Center, Kasper Machine Company, Kavinoky & Cook, LLP. Kent Audio Visual, Kimoto & Company, Custom Brokers, Kingsbury, Inc., Kirk's Suede Life, Inc., Kmart Corporation, KMG Too & Machine Company, Knipp Equipment, Knowledge Universe, L.L. C., KOA Speer Electronics, Inc., Koch Industries, Koch Materials, Kohler Co., Koogier & Assoc. Environmental Services, KPI/Heurikon Corp., Kraft Foods, Inc., K-Sport, Ltd., L & M Enterprises, L & S Machine Co., LD Supply, Inc., LA Gear, Inc., Laird Ltd., Lamar Electro-Air, Lampton Welding Supply Company, Latin American Pacific Trade Association, Leach International Corporation, Leading Edge Concepts Inc., Learjet, Learning Curve International, Leather Apparel Association, Inc., Leathercraft Process, Leawood Export Finance, Inc., Ledford Machine-Gage Labz, LeFebure Corp., Leon Cohen Sales, Inc., Leonard's Metal, Inc., LGB of America, Liberty Classics, Inc., Liberty International, Licata Associates, Inc., Liquidynamics, Inc., Liz Claiborne, Inc., LJO, Inc., L-M International, LOBOB LABORATORIES, Inc., Lockheed Martin. Logical Services, Inc., Louis Dreyfus Corporation, Louis Lau AsianInfo Holdings, Lucent Technologies, Lucid Corp., Luis Alvear, Lyons Manufacturing Co., M. Hidary & Co., Inc., M.A. Hanna Company, Maersk Inc., Maisto International, Inc., Malichi International, Ltd., Mallinckrodt Inc., Mans & Mans Machine & Tool Co., Manufacturing Development, Inc., Manufacturing Tool & Supply, Manzella Productions, Inc., Marco Polo, MarketSource Direct, Mary Kay Inc., Matrix Integrated Systems, Mattel, Inc., Maurer Metalcraft Inc., Maury Microwave Corporation, Maytag Corporation, McDermott, Inc./Babcock & Wilcox, McDonald Construction Corporation, McDonnell Douglas Corporation, McFerrin Engineering & Manufacturing Company, McGinty Machine Company, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., MCI, McStarlite Co., McWilliams Forge Company, Measurement Specialties, Inc., Medexel, Inc., Medtronic, Inc., Meeks & Sheppard, Meldisco A. Footstar Company, Melloor-Puritan-Bennett Corporation, Memorial Health System, Merck & Co., Inc., Meredith Corporation, Meritus Industries, Inc., Metal Forming, Inc. Methode Electronics, Metholatum Company, The, Metratek, MetroBank, Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce, Metropolitan Tulsa Chamber of Commerce, Mezzullo & McCandlish, Miami Valley Marketing Group, Inc., Michigan-China Coalition, Michigan Retailers Association, Microscan Systems, Inc., Microscript Corp., Mid-America International Trade Services, Mid- America Overseas, Mid-America, International Agri-Trade Council, MidAmerican Energy Corp., Mid-Central Manufacturing, Inc., Mid-Continent Fire & Safety, Middle East Rug Corporation, Midwest of Cannon Falls, Inc., Midwest Plastic Supply, Inc., Mighty Star, Inc., Milford Fabricating Company, Inc., Milling Precision Tool, Inc., Mine & Mill Supply Co., Minnesota Agri- Growth Council, Inc., Mires Machine Company, Mize & Company, Mobil Corporation, Monde Group, L.L.C., Monitor Aerospace Corporation, Monogram Aerospace Fasteners, Monogram Sanitation, Monsanto, Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association, Motorola, Inc., Moy, Cheung and Company, MRS Technology, Inc., MTS Systems Corp., Mulberry Corporation, Mulberry Motor Parts, Inc., Mulberry Railcar Repair Co., Multipoint Networks, Inc., Mustang International Groups, Inc., Mutual Travel. MVE, Inc., Nadel & Sons Toy Corp., Naico, Nantucket Distributing Co., Inc., National Association of Manufacturers, National Association of Purchasing Managers, National Concrete Masonry Association, National Foreign Trade Council, National Grain and Feed Association, National Institute for World Trade, National Marine Manufacturers Association, National Oilseed Processors Association, National Plastics Color, National Retail Federation, Nations Bank, Natural Science Industries, NBBJ, NCAI, NDE, Inc., Network Computing Devices, Inc., New England Financial Group, New Planet Sourcing, New York City Partnership and Chamber of Commerce, New York for US-China Trade, Newman Government Services, NextWave Design Automation, Niagara Lubricant, Nike, Inc., Nikko America, Inc., Nimbus Water Systems Inc., Nintendo of America Inc., Noon International, Norand Corporation, NORBIC, Nordstrom, Inc., Norman Krieger, Inc., Norris Education Innovations, Inc., Nortel, North American Export Grain Association, Inc., Northrop Grumman Corporation, Northwest Horticultural Council, Norwest Banks, Nottingham Co., Nuclear Energy Institute, NuDimensions. Number Nine Visual Technology, Nylint Corporation, O'Keefe's Incorporated, Occidental Chemical Corporation, Octel Communications, Octus, Inc., ODS Networks, Inc., Off Shore Consulting, Ohio Alliance for U.S.-China Trade, The Ohio Art Company, Olem Shoe Corp., Open Engineering, Inc., Optek Technology, Inc., Optical Coating Lab, Optima Technologies Group, Inc., Oracle Corporation, OrCAD, Inc., The Oriental Rug Importers Association, Inc., Oshman & Sons, Otis Elevator Company, Otis McAllistar, Inc., Outboard Marine Corporation, Overhead Door Company, Overland Park Chamber of Commerce P.T. Express International Inc., PAC AM INTERNATIONAL, PACCAR Inc., The Pacific Basin Economic Council, U.S. Member Committee, Pacific Market International, Pacific Northwest Advisors, Pacific Rim Resources, Inc. PackAir AirFreight, Inc. PASCO scientific, Paul Davril Inc., Payless ShoeSource, Inc., PCI Newco, PCS Phosphate--White Springs, Pella Corporation, PEPBOYS, PepsiCo, Inc., J.C. Penney Co., Inc., Petroleum Equipment Suppliers Association, Pfizer Inc, Pharmacia & Upjohn, Philip Morris International Inc. Philips Electronics, Phillips Petroleum Company, Phoschem Supply Co., PhRMA, Phsio-Control Corp. Pic'n Pay Stores, Inc., Pico Design Inc./Motorola, Pillowtex Corporation, Pioneer Balloon Company, Pioneer Hi-bred International, Inc., Pizza Hut, Plastic Fabricating Co., Plastic-View A.T.C., Playing Mantis,Play-Tech Inc., Plesh Industries, Inc., Polaroid Corporation, Polk Equipment Company, Inc., Polk Pump and Irrigation Co., Inc., Pollard Dental products, Inc., Polotec, Inc., Poolmaster Inc., Port of Houston Authority, Port of Seattle, Port of Tacoma, Portman Holdings, Portman Overseas, Post Glover Resistors, Power Link, Inc., Power Process Controls, PPG Industries Asia/Pacific Ltd., PPG Industries, Inc., Praegitzer Industries, Inc., Pratt & Whitney, Precious Kinds/Activatoys, Precision Filters, Inc., Precision Machining, Inc., Precision Products, Inc., Precision Profiling, Inc., Preco Industries, Pressman Toy Corp., Price Brothers Company, Price Waterhouse LLP, The Principal Financial Group, Printronix, Inc. The Pro Trade Group, Processed Plastic Company, The Procter & Gamble Company, Professional Machine & Tool, Progressive, Inc., Pro-Mill Company, PTX-Petronix, Inc., Pulizzi Engineering, Inc., Puritan Industries, Inc., Puritan-Bennett Aerospace Systems, Quaker Oats Company, Quality Petroleum Corporation, Quality Tech Metals, QUANTUM DYNAMICS, Inc., QuickLogic Corp., Quinnipiac Chamber of Commerce, R. Dennis & Associates, R.A. Hanson Company, Inc., R.A. Lalli Company, Raco Machine, Inc., Rae Manufacturing Inc., Ragen & Cromwell, P.S., Rainfairn, Inc., Ralee Eng. Co., Ray World Trading, Ltd., Raytek Corp., Raytheon Aircraft Company, RB International, The Reader's Digest Association, Inc., Recognition Systems, Inc., Recoton Corporation, Recreation Vehicle Products, Reebok International, Reed Sportswear Manufacturing Co., Reeves International, Inc., Regal Plastics Company, Reliable Manufacturing Inc., Reliance Metalcenter, RENDER, Revell-Monogram, Inc., RF Group, Inc., Richard Manufacturing Company Inc., Richmont, Riggs Tool Company, Inc., Right Stuff, Inc. RJM2 LTD, RNS Healthcare Consultants, Inc., Roanoke Companies, Inc., The, Robinson Fans Florida, Inc., ROCKPORT, Rockwell, Rockwell Collins, Inc., Rohm and Haas Company, Rolls-Royce North America Inc., Roof Coatings Manufacturers Association, Roundhouse Products, Inc., RRE Investors, LLC, RSI, Inc., Rubber & Accessories, Inc., Russ Berrie & Co., Inc., RxL Pulitzer, Ryan International Airplines, S.M.S. Group Incorporated, S.R.M. Co., Inc., S.R.M. Toys, Ltd., Saitek Industries, Salant Corporation, Saline Area Chamber of Commerce, Samsonite, Santana Ltd., Sauder Custom Fabrication, Inc., The Savings Bank of Rockville, Saxony Sportswear Co., Scarbroughs, Schenker International, Schottenstein Stores Corporation, Scientific Technologies, Inc., Scope Imports, Seafirst Bank, Sea-Land Service, Inc., Sears, Roebuck & Co., Securities Industry Association, Security Chain Co., Sellers Tractor Co., Semiconductor Industry Association, Sensormatic Electronic Corp., Separation & Recovery Systems, Integration, Service Merchandise Co., Inc., Shamash and Sons, Inc., Shanghai Industrial Consultant, Inc. Shelcore Toys, Shelter Bay Leathers, Inc., Shoe Corporation of America, Shonac Corporation, Shultz Steel Company, Siebe Environment Controls, Siemans Corporation, Siemens Medical Systems, Inc., Sierra Machinery, Inc., Sierra Semiconductor Corp., SIFCO Industries, Inc., SigmsTron International, Inc., Sijo Enterprises, Inc., Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Silicon Graphics, Simco Electronics, Simmons and Simmons, Simmons Machine Tool Corporation, Skarda Equipment Co., Skyway Luggage Company, SLJ Retail LLC, SmarTrunk Systems, Inc., Soletek, Corp., Solid State Measurements, Inc., Soundprints (TMC), Southern Tier World Commerce Association, Southwest Manufacturing, Southwest Paper Co., Specialty Tool Company, Spectrum Associates Inc., SpeedFarm International Inc., Sperry Sun Drilling Services, Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association, Standard Parts & Equipment, Star Cutter Company, StarBase, Starbucks Coffee International, Starter-Galt Sand Co., State Fish Co., Stearman Aircraft Products Corporation, Sterling International, Sterling Machine Company Inc., Stern International, Inc., Stetron International, Inc., Stratedge Corp. Stride Rite Corporation, The, Stride Tool, Inc., Strippit, Inc., Strombecker Corporation, Summit Financial Strategies, Sun Microsystems, Inc., Sundstrand Corporation, Sundstrand Fluid Handling Corp., Sunkist Growers, Sunshine Metals, Superior Boiler Works, Inc., Superior Coatings, Inc., Sutlu Imports Int'l Inc., Sweepster Inc., Sy Quest Technology, Inc., Symbios Logic, T.L.I. International Corporation, Talarian, Tampa Armature Works Inc., Tampa Electric, Tampa Port Authority, Taplin Design Group, Inc., Target Stores, TD Materials, Inc., Team Concepts North America, Ltd., Technitrol, Inc., Ted L. Rausch Co., Tegal Corp., Tektronix, Inc., Teleglobe International, Telemind Capital Corporation, TeleProcessing Products Inc., Temcor, TENNECO, Tennessee Association of Business, Tens Machine Co., Inc., Terra-Mar Resource Information Service, Texaco, Texas Association of Business & Chambers of Commerce, Texas Coalition for U.S.-China Commercial Relations, Texas Farm Bureau, Texas instruments Incorporated, Textron Inc., 3-G Inernational, Inc., 3M Company Thornley & Pitt, Inc., Three Way Pattern, Inc., Tierney Metals, Time Warner Inc., The Timken Company, TMR Materials Co., Inc., Toledo Area International Trade Association (TAITA), Tomy America, Inc., Tone Commander Systems, Topline Imports, Inc., Toy Manufacturers of America, Toys 'R' Us, Inc., Tradehome Shoe Stores, Inc., Tramco, Inc., Transammonia, Inc., Trans-Ocean Import Co., Inc., Trans-Phos, Inc., Triangle Coatings, Inc., Trident Microsystems, TRIG, Trio Machine, TRW Inc., TSC Engineering Co., TSI, Inc., Tube Sales, Inc., Tucker MFG., Turner Electric Works, Twin Cities Airports Task Force, Tyco Preschool Inc., U.S. Agri- Chemicals Corp., U.S. Association of Importers of Textiles and Apparel (USA-ITA), U.S. Bank, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, U.S. Council for International Business, U.S.-China Industrial Exchange, Inc., U.S.-China People's Friendship Association, UNC Aerostructures, Uncle Milton Industries, Inc., UNIAX Corp., Union Camp Corporation, Union Carbide Asia Ltd., Unirex, Inc., Unisource, Unisys Corporation, United Airlines, United Machine Co., United Parcel Service, United Silicon, Inc., United States Council for International Business, United Technologies Corporation, Unitek Miyachi Corp., Universal Marketing Group, Unocal Corporation, US Export, Inc., US Trade Center, US Trading and Investment Company, US West, Inc., US-China Business Council, V7S Corporation, Valve Manufacturers Association, Varian Associates, Vector Corp., Vector Products Inc., Venture Search, Vermillion, Inc., Viewlogic Systems, Inc., Virco Mfg. Inc., Vtech (OEM), Inc., Vtech Industries, LLC, VXI Electronics, WACCO, Wacker Sitronic Corp., Wagman Construction, Inc., Warner-Lambert Corporation, Washington Council on International Trade, Washington Public Ports Association, Washington State China Relations Council, Water Magic International, Watkins-Johnson Company, The Weathervane, Weaver Manufacturing, The Westchester City, NY County Chamber of Commerce, Western Bank/ Bellevue, Western Resources, Westinghouse Electric Corporation, Westvaco, Weyerhaeuser Company, Whirlpool Asia, Inc., Whirlpool Corporation, White Cap International, Whittaker Aerospace, Wichita Area Chamber of Commerce, Wichita Machine Products, Wichita Tool, Wichita Wranglers, Wicon International Ltd., Wilcox Brothers Sign Co., William Kent International, Wind River Systems, Inc., Windmere-Durable Holdings, Inc., Wm. F. Hurst Co., Inc., Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company, Woolworth Overseas Corp., World Association of Children and Parents (WACAP), World Trade Center Denver, World Trade Council, Worldports Inc., Worldwide Contacts Connections Contracts, Xerox Corporation, XILINX, Inc., YES! Entertainment Corporation, Zak, Incorporated, ZB Industries, Inc., Zellweger Analytics, Inc., Zycad Corp., Zymed Laboratories, Inc.

Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from California [Mr. Fazio].

Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Stenholm]. (Mr. STENHOLM asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)