Rick Santorum

Mr. SANTORUM

Mr. SANTORUM. Mr. President, I rise to day to honor the veterans who will be inducted into the Hall of Valor at Soldiers' & Sailors' Memorial Hall. On October 14, 2000, 15 veterans, all of whom served in World War II, will be inducted in the Hall of Valor. All the veterans being recognized have received either the Silver Star or the distinguished Flying Cross and are residents of Allegheny County and other areas of Pennsylvania. Each inductee has distinguished himself through gallantry and courage at the risk of his own life, above and beyond the call of duty. This nation values their service and has recognized these acts of heroism and bravery and those of other servicemen and women. Today, I would like to remember and acknowledge the extraordinary valor each inductee displayed in the name of freedom. Induction in the Hall of Valor is one way we can bear witness to and acknowledge the service of each inductee. I wish to extend my sincere gratitude for their sacrifice and dedication in the U.S. Armed Forces. All of the heroes we honor today--both those present and those who have gone before us--deserve the highest esteem and admiration. I ask my Senate colleagues to join me in recognizing a few of our nation's veterans as they are inducted into the Hall of Valor at Soldiers' & Sailors' Memorial Hall in Pittsburgh, PA. In recognition of their actions, Joseph Burdis, Jr., Samuel L. Collier, James J. Fisher, James W. Regan, John A. Somma, William G. Stampahar, Leonard R. Tabish, and Arthur R. Kiefer, Jr. will be inducted in the Hall of Valor. The following veterans will be posthumously inducted: Richard Ascenzi, William John Beynon, Thomas J. Korenich, John Lipovsik, Jr., Joseph Anthony Papst, Michael J. Popko, and Sigmund J. Zelczak.

Mr. SANTORUM

Mr. SANTORUM. Mr. President, as the last baseball games are about to be played in Pittsburgh's Three Rivers Stadium, a stadium referred to as the ``House that Clemente Build,'' I am reminded of Roberto Clemente, one of the greatest athletes and humanitarians of all time. Every baseball fan can recite Roberto's achievements during his professional career as a Pittsburgh Pirate--from hitting a remarkable .317 over 18 seasons and collecting 3,000 hits, to his 12 Gold Glove awards and 12 National League All Star Game appearances. However, it was his philanthropic gestures which truly represent Roberto Clemente's invaluable legacy. As many people know, Roberto Clemente died tragically on December 31, 1972, after he and four others boarded a small DC-7 to deliver food, clothing and medicine to Nicaragua, to aid victims of a devastating earthquake. The four-engine plane, with a questionable past and an overload of cargo, crashed into the Atlantic Ocean, killing all aboard. What is not well known is that, upon hearing rumors that Nicaraguan government officials were delaying the delivery of relief supplies, Roberto Clemente left his New Year's celebration with family and friends to travel to Nicaragua in order to personally oversee the delivery of the Puerto Rican relief supplies to the individuals devastated by the Managua earthquake. On that fateful New Year's Eve night in 1972, the world lost not just a great athlete, arguably the greatest in the history of the Pittsburgh Pirates, but a humanitarian, a cultural icon, and a hero. Mr. President, over the years, Roberto Clemente's dedication to his fellow man became legendary. As one of the first Latin America baseball players in the Major Leagues, Roberto Clemente faced language barriers and racial segregation throughout his career. He worked tirelessly to improve professional baseball's understanding of the unique challenges faced by young Latin American ballplayers thrust into a new culture and language as they start their baseball careers. However, his concern for is fellow man did not stop at the foul lines. throughout his career, Roberto Clemente expressed his concern for the troubled lives faced by urban youth both in the United States and Puerto Rico. In a 1966 interview with Myron Cope for ``Sports Illustrated,'' Roberto Clemente discussed his desire to help youth by stoking their interest in sports. Roberto Clemente believed that sports could bring families together in an athletic setting while providing a stage for youngsters to excel. In what would be the final months of his life, Roberto Clemente conducted a series of baseball clinics for Puerto Rican youth in addition to fundraising efforts for a large sports facility dedicated to the youth of the world. Mr. President, Robert Clemente's humanitarian legacy continues to this day with the Roberto Clemente Sports City in Puerto Rico. Established March 18, 1973, when the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico's government granted 304 acres of land for development, the Roberto Clemente Sports City commemorates Roberto Clemente's commitment of a better life for children through sports, education and community service by creating an environment for the development of the human spirit through sports, involving community, education and human rights. This sports facility provides high quality recreational and sports facilities for children, youth and the general public such as: baseball, volleyball, basketball, tennis, swimming, track and field, batting cages, a golf range, tae kwon-do, camping and social and cultural activities. The Roberto Clemente Sports City provides Puerto Rico with learning and training facilities, to include tutoring, mentoring and professional development programs in sports and life. As eloquently stated by Bowie Kuhn in his 1973 eulogy to Clemente, ``he made the world `superstar' seem inadequate. He had about him the touch of royalty.'' With all of this in mind, Mr. President, I ask my colleagues to support the resolution I am offering with Senator Specter which urges our fellow Americans to honor Roberto Clemente's legacy every day through humanitarian and philanthropic efforts towards their fellow man. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be printed in the Record, immediately following my statement.

Mr. SANTORUM

Mr. SANTORUM. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the 300th anniversary of St. David's Church in Berwyn, Pennsylvania and St. Peter's Church in the Great Valley, near Paoli, Pennsylvania. The two parishes were established in 1700 as mission churches of the historic Christ Church, Philadelphia to serve those that settled Chester County. Philadelphia is where so many of our Founders came together to deliberate, sign the Declaration of Independence and fight in battles during the Revolutionary War. Both churches, now nationally registered landmarks, were involved in the war. St. David's parish sent forth General Anthony Wayne to fight with General Washington, and St. Peter's served as a field hospital for soldiers that were wounded. For 300 years--longer than we have been a nation--these two churches have been vital elements of the communities in which they reside and serve. Governor Tom Ridge recently selected St. Peter's Church, a registered historical landmark, as the site for the signing of Pennsylvania's ``Growing Greener'' bill. On October 21, 2000 these two churches will hold a combined anniversary celebration at St. Peter's Church in the Great Valley. The celebration will feature historic symposia, period food and costume, and the burial of a time capsule. This event will enable people to gain insight into the lives of our historic forebears. I commend area leaders for initiating such a celebration and look forward to the upcoming festivities. I am therefore pleased to celebrate the 300th anniversary of St. David's Church and St. Peter's Church. To honor this event, I put forward the following proclamation: Whereas, 300 years ago, St. David's Church and St. Peter's Church in the Great Valley were founded as missions of the historic Christ Church, Philadelphia; Whereas, the congregations of St. David's Church and St. Peter's Church in the Great Valley played a vital role in the early growth of historic Chester County, Pennsylvania; Whereas, St. David's Church was the home parish and eventual burial site for General Anthony Wayne, a hero of the American Revolution; Whereas, St. David's Church and its graveyard are registered as a National Historic Landmark; Whereas, St. Peter's Church in the Great Valley is a registered National Historic Landmark which served recently as the site selected by the Governor of Pennsylvania for the signing of the ``Growing Greener'' land conservation bill; Whereas, St. David's Church and St. Peter's Church in the Great Valley have sent their parishioners out into the larger community as public servants throughout their history; Whereas, St. David's Church and St. Peter's Church in the Great Valley continue to serve their communities, their State and the Nation as strong civic partners in numerous programs to provide food, shelter, clothing, education, health care, and other forms of nurture to those in need; Now therefore be it resolved by the United States Senate That St. David's Church and St. Peter's Church in the Great Valley be officially recognized and commended on the occasion of their 300th anniversary of worship, September 2, 2000.

Mr. SANTORUM

Mr. SANTORUM. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Born Alive Infants Protection Act. I would like to thank Senator Hutchinson and Senator Fitzgerald for joining me as original sponsors. This bill is the Senate companion to H.R. 4292, which the House of Representatives passed by a vote of 380-15. When I came to the Senate six years ago, I never imagined that the bill I am offering today would be necessary. Simply stated, this measure gives legal status to a fully born living infant regardless of the circumstances of his or her birth. I am deeply saddened that we must clarify federal law to specify that a living newborn baby is, in fact, a person. One could ask, ``Why do you need federal legislation to state the obvious? What else could a living baby be, except a person?'' I will begin my explanation with events in 1995, when the Senate began its attempts to outlaw a horrifying, inhumane, and barbaric abortion procedure: partial birth abortion. In this particular abortion method, a living baby is killed when he or she is only inches from being fully born. Twice, the House and Senate have stood united in sending a bill to President Clinton to ban this procedure. Twice, the President has vetoed the bill. And twice, the House courageously voted to override the veto. Although support in the Senate grew each time the ban came to a vote, the Senate fell a few votes shy of overriding the veto. The Supreme Court's ruling in Stenberg v. Carhart, as well as subsequent rulings in lower courts, are disturbing on a number of levels. First, the Supreme Court struck down Nebraska's attempt to ban a grotesque procedure the American Medical Association has called ``bad medicine,'' and thousands of physicians who specialize in high risk pregnancies have called ``never medically necessary.'' Further, the Court said it did not matter that the baby is killed when it is almost totally outside the mother's body in this abortion method. In other known abortion methods, the baby is killed in utero. Finally, the U.S. Supreme Court, and the Third Circuit Court have stated it does not matter when the baby is positioned when it is aborted. This assertion, to me, is the most horrifying of all. In the five years worth of debates on partial birth abortion, I have asked Senators a very simple question: ``If a partial birth abortion was being performed on a baby, and for some reason the head slipped out and the baby was delivered, would the doctor and the mother have the right to kill that baby?'' In five years, not one Senator who defended the procedure has provided a straightforward ``yes'' or ``no'' response. They would not answer my question. So last year, I revised it. In an effort to try to define when a child may be protected by the Constitution, I asked whether it would be alright to kill a baby whose foot is still inside the mother's body, or what if only a toe is inside? Again, I did not receive an answer. Unfortunately, evidence uncovered at a recent hearing before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution suggests my questions were not so hypothetical. In fact, two nurses testified to seeing babies who were born alive as a result of induced labor abortions being left to die in soiled utility rooms. Furthermore, the intellectual framework for legalization of killing unwanted babies is being constructed by a prominent bioethics professor at Princeton University. Professor Peter Singer has advocated allowing parents a 28 waiting period to decide whether to kill a disabled or unhealthy newborn. In his widely disseminated book, Practical Ethics, he asserts, ``killing a disabled infant is not morally equivalent to killing a person. Very often it is not wrong at all.'' In response to these events, the Born Alive Infants Protection Act grants protection under federal law to newborns that are fully outside of the mother. Specifically, it states that federal laws and regulations referring to a ``person,'' ``human being,'' ``child,'' and ``individual'' include ``every infant member of the species homo sapiens who is born alive at any stage of development.'' ``Born alive'' means ``the complete expulsion or extraction from its mother of that member, at any stage of development, who after such expulsion or extraction breathes or has a beating heart, pulsation of the umbilical cord, or definitive movement of voluntary muscles, regardless of whether the umbilical cord has been cut, and regardless of whether the expulsion or extraction occurs as a result of natural or induced labor, caesarean section, or induced abortion.'' The definition of ``born alive'' is derived from a World Health Organization definition of ``live birth'' that has been enacted in 30 states and the District of Columbia. Again, all this bill says is that a living baby who is completely outside of its mother is a person, a human being, a child, and an individual. Similar legislation passed by the House of Representatives received overwhelming bipartisan support from Members on both sides of the general abortion debate. I am hopeful that the Senate and the President can agree that once a baby is completely outside of its mother, it is a person, deserving protections and dignity afforded to all other Americans. I ask unanimous consent that the text of the Born Alive Infants Protection Act be printed in the Record following my remarks.

Mr. SANTORUM

Mr. SANTORUM. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize Dr. Ernest Urban as he retires from the largest healthcare system in the world, the Veterans Health Administration/Department of Veterans Affairs. For 26 years, Dr. Urban's compassionate, caring medical service has made an impact on our nation's heroes, our veterans. Dr. Urban has served the Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Healthcare System comprised of University Drive, Aspinwall and Highland Drive Divisions for 15 years as Chief of Staff. He has also been a professor and Assistant Dean for Veterans Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh's School of Medicine since 1985. Prior to 1985, he served in several other capacities in hospitals and universities all over the country. Dr. Urban has also authored publications dealing with many aspects of medicine that have proven to benefit the quality of care for our veterans. Most importantly, he continues to lecture and teach on a wide range of topics that benefit the VA Health Administration Personnel and provides medical leadership to carry into the 21st century. I have been privileged to personally witness the hard work and dedication of doctors like Dr. Urban within the Veterans Administration Healthcare System. From 1946 until 1985, my mother served as a VA nurse at several hospitals including Aspinwall Veterans Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Butler Veterans Hospital in Butler, Pennsylvania. As Chief of Nursing for 32 years, my mother can attest to the commitment which is typical of VA doctors and nurses everywhere. During times of low funding and limited staffing, VA doctors and staff worked harder than ever to care for the needs of their patients. While my experience on the Senate Armed Services Committee has served as affirmation of the dedication of Veterans Healthcare Administration, it pales in comparison to the hard work and sacrifice that I personally witnessed as the son of someone who served in the Veterans Healthcare Administration. It is at this time that I would like to recognize Dr. Urban for his tremendous dedication to the medical profession. As he prepares for retirement, we can only celebrate the faithful service he provided to the needs of all veterans.

Mr. SANTORUM

Mr. SANTORUM. Mr. President, I rise today in tribute to Jim Kanouse of The Boeing Company, who is retiring after fourteen years of service with the aerospace company and over 30 years of service with the United States Army and the United States Congress. Jim grew up in America's heartland, South Bend, Indiana, and graduated from Indiana University. He also attended the University of Notre Dame, and throughout his career has maintained the highest standards of his alma maters, always leading by example as a proud member of the ``Indiana Hoosiers'' and the ``Fighting Irish.'' Jim continued his career as an officer and Army Aviator with the United States Army including three tours of duty in Vietnam. He was highly decorated for valor and wounds in combat. As a pilot of numerous aircraft, including the very dangerous and very demanding OV-1 ``Mohawk,'' Jim survived many encounters and engagements with enemy forces ranging from an arrow shot at his aircraft in a rice paddy to a .50 caliber round piercing his fuselage and striking his pilot seat. He was highly decorated for valor and wounds in combat, including the Distinguished Flying Cross for rescuing a downed pilot. Like so many of his generation, Jim served proudly, unselfishly and bravely with little fanfare, recognition or appreciation. On behalf of the United States Senate, the United States Congress and the American people, I salute Jim Kanouse and all the veterans of his generation. Jim eventually brought his skills to Washington, D.C. representing U.S. Army Legislative Affairs in the House of Representatives. Escorting members overseas, representing Army programs to members and staff, and responding to constituent inquiries about Army affairs, he again proudly served his nation and service. Members who traveled with Jim respected his knowledge, expertise and easygoing style. Respected by Democrats and Republicans alike, he then left Capitol Hill to pursue a career in legislative affairs with The Boeing Company. For over a decade, Jim Kanouse was one of the primary focal points for Senators and Representatives with the world's largest aerospace company, representing revolutionary aircraft programs ranging from the RAH-66 ``Comanche'' Army scout helicopter to the F-22 ``Raptor'' Air Force jet fighter. I consider Jim Kanouse a friend. We all in Congress wish you well deserved time to enjoy life with your lovely wife, Eileen, and your loving children and grandchildren. Congratulations on your retirement.

Mr. SANTORUM

Mr. SANTORUM. Mr. President, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize Ms. Claire Howard of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania who will serve as President of the USA Council of Serra International next year. This is a most noteworthy accomplishment, as she is the first woman ever to serve in this high capacity. I would like to insert the following article into the Record, which was printed in the Allentown Diocese Times on August 3, 2000: Claire Howard of Bethlehem was installed as President-Elect by United States Serra clubs at the annual Serra International Convention in Kansas City. She will serve a one-year term as President-Elect on the USA/Canada Council Board. In 2001, she will become the first woman President of not only the USA Council, but also the first in Serra International's 65-year history. As President-Elect of the USA Council (USAC) of Serra International, a worldwide organization that works to foster and promote Catholic religious vocations, she will work closely with the national staff and local Serra clubs, and assist the president as needed. She also serves as a liaison with the council's 13 standing committees. ``I'm looking forward to making sure we all really commit ourselves to the ministry of building up the body of Christ through our Serran work,'' Howard said. A charter member of the Serra Club of Bethlehem, Howard has served two years as club President. An active member over the years, she has served on almost all the standing committees. Her future seat as president is not Howard's only ``first'' in Serra International; she has trail-blazed the way for women in Serra for years, ascending steadily through the ranks of the organizational structure. In 1993, she was the first woman to serve as District Governor of Serra International and in 1994 became the first regional representative (again the first woman) of Region 3 of the then newly formed USA/Canada Council of Serra International. She has chaired USACC's Meetings and Conventions Committee, which is responsible for coordination of the fall regional conventions in the 13 regions of the United States and Canada. In recent years she has served as USA Council Vice President for the Membership and Programs committees. For the past six years, she has been the Coordinator of the Serra Clubs of the Allentown Diocese's ``Life/Vocation Awareness Weekend,'' working closely with diocesan Director of Vocations the Rev. Francis A. Nave. The weekend offers any adult who would like to explore the possibilities of entering the priesthood or a religious order a time of reflection, prayer and interaction with priests and religious [leaders]. Howard was also appointed by the Most Rev. Edward P. Cullen, D.D., Bishop of Allentown, to be the Serran representative for the Allentown Diocese Vocation Recruitment Committee. An active member of St. Anne Church, Bethlehem, she serves as a Eucharistic minister, lector and coordinator of the adult Bible study group. Howard's community work includes active membership in Morning Star Rotary; sustaining membership in the Junior League of the Lehigh Valley; Bethlehem Palette Club; and Bethlehem Quota Club. She works as a full-time associate real estate broker with RE/MAX 100 Real Estate of the Greater Lehigh Valley. She is married to John J. Howard Jr., and they have three grown children. They divide their spare time between a small home in Orlando, Fla. and a season home in Stone Harbor, N.J. The USA Council was formed officially June 1, 1994, as a national council for all Serra clubs in the United States and originally included clubs in Canada. The USA Council represents Serra International in the United States and is committed to its mission. As Serra International is the lay vocations arm of the church, the council's mission is to foster and affirm vocations to the ministerial priesthood and vowed religious life in America, and through this ministry, further their members' common Catholic faith. The council's primary purpose is to establish communication links between the Catholic Church hierarchy, Serra clubs and local Serrans to effectively distribute information, coordinate vocations programs and activities, and promote membership growth in the two countries. There are 12,585 Serrans in 313 Serra clubs in more than 100 dioceses in the United States. Serra International, founded in 1935 in Seattle, Washington, is a Catholic membership organization of lay men and women who work to promote vocations to the priesthood and religious life while developing their Catholic identity. There are more than 22,000 Serrans organized into 732 clubs in 35 countries throughout the world.

Mr. SANTORUM

Mr. SANTORUM. Mr. President, it is at this time that I would like to recognize Ms. Sue Dillon for her efforts as founder and president of Tail's End Farm Animal Rescue. Ms. Dillon started this organization to save horses from going to slaughter and focused on finding them good homes. In 1993, she realized that there were no organizations or facilities in Pennsylvania to accommodate homeless farm animals needing shelter. Consequently, in order to save the lives of these animals, Ms. Dillon decided that she would take on the challenge of providing a safe haven for these animals. In 1996, she discovered that she needed to turn her facility into a full-scale, no-kill, animal facility. She obtained a non-profit status, the correct licences and opened her doors to cats, dogs, and any other homeless animals. Although Ms. Dillon has volunteers to run the farm, help with adoption, and other facets of the operation, she remains to be a huge part of the Rescue. She continues to be actively involved with the everyday operations of the organization. I would like to take this opportunity to recognize Sue Dillon in taking the lead to provide a safe haven for many of these animals. She is an exemplary citizen, and I applaud her efforts on this issue.

Mr. SANTORUM

Mr. SANTORUM. Mr. President, the Senate is completing a historic vote on the U.S.-China Relations Act of 2000, H.R. 4444, which grants permanent normal trade relations, PNTR, status to the People's Republic of China. Realizing that many Pennsylvanians have expressed very strong feelings on both sides of this issue, I would like to take a moment to discuss my reasons for supporting this measure. First, it is important to understand what normal trade relations, NTR, is. Since 1980, the United States has granted China NTR status every year, subject to an annual review. ``Normal trade relations'', NTR, is the tariff treatment the U.S. grants to its trading partners. All but a select few countries receive this trade status. NTR simply means that products from a foreign country receive the same relatively lower tariff rates as our other trading partners enjoy. The lower tariff rates result from years of negotiations and various trade agreements in which the U.S. reduces its duties on imports, in exchange for reduced rates on its own products. NTR lowers tariff rates, but does not eliminate them altogether. In this way, NTR substantially differs from a free trade agreement. Free trade agreements, such as NAFTA, set dates by which all tariffs among the member countries will be eliminated. I would also note that certain countries receive even lower tariffs than NTR affords through ``preferential'' tariff status. The U.S.-China Relations Act ends the annual renewal process for China's trade status by extending permanent normal trade relations, PNTR, to China. The Act becomes effective when China is officially accepted as a member of the World Trade Organization, WTO. Upon China's accession to the WTO, a trade agreement negotiated between the Clinton Administration and China will also become effective. In exchange for PNTR, China has agreed to unprecedented tariff reductions and market- oriented reforms. The U.S. is not required to reduce our tariffs or to make any commitments, other than extension of PNTR. We also preserve the right to withdraw market access for China in a national security emergency. China, however, has committed to specific trade concessions by certain dates. Thus, the terms of this agreement are clear and enforceable. If China violates its agreements, the U.S. will be able to respond quickly and definitively. I supported H.R. 4444 because without Congressional approval of PNTR status for China, the U.S. would not benefit from the concessions China agreed to in the bilateral trade deal. These concessions, which open the Chinese market to American goods and services, will benefit Pennsylvania's farmers, industries and workers. Likewise, I believe that engagement in a rules-based system of trade will help foster political and personal freedom, as well as economic opportunity, for China's citizens. Mr. President, China is now the third largest economy in the world. The bilateral trade agreement pries open this historically closed market for Pennsylvania's products and services, especially in the agriculture, technology, banking, insurance, and manufacturing sectors. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, Pennsylvania exports a wide range of products to China. Pennsylvania, as a major exporter of beef, pork, poultry, feed grains, and dairy products, will see average agriculture tariffs cut by more than half by January 2004. China must also eliminate its agriculture export subsidies and reduce domestic subsidies. Industrial tariffs on U.S. exports to China will be cut by more than half by 2005. Furthermore, China must eliminate quotas. Within three years, Pennsylvania companies and farmers will have full trading rights to import, export, and distribute their products directly to Chinese customers. Tariffs on chemical products, automobiles, and steel exported to China will also be cut from their present rates. And of course, it is important to note the strength of Pennsylvania's workers in these industries. The bilateral agreement takes the first steps in leveling the playing field for Pennsylvanians to compete in an emerging international market. I am also pleased to say that small and medium sized businesses will benefit under the bilateral agreement. Most companies that are currently exporting to China are small and medium sized enterprises, SMEs. Nationally, 82 percent of all firms exporting to China were SMEs. Of all Pennsylvania's companies exporting products to China, 63 percent are SMEs. Despite the benefits of our trade agreement, I am mindful of sincere opposition to granting PNTR to China on the basis of its human rights record. Under H.R. 4444, the United States will no longer condition China's trade status upon an annual review of ``freedom of emigration'' practices. This does not mean that the U.S. will stop pressuring China to allow its citizens to leave the country, if they choose to do so, nor does it mean that the U.S. will stop monitoring the widespread human rights violations in China. Rather, H.R. 4444 establishes a special Congressional-Executive Commission to monitor human rights abuses in China and to recommend appropriate remedies to the President and Congress. I realize that the Commission, PNTR, and even eventual WTO accession will not immediately bring about change in China; however, I believe that further engagement and economic reforms will lead to greater political and personal freedom for Chinese citizens. Isolating China serves only to strengthen the hand of hard-line communists who would continue to oppress the Chinese people. Many religious leaders share this view, including some pastors of Chinese house churches who have been jailed for their beliefs. Another concern that I have taken very seriously is the potential impact on American workers. I have studied both the bilateral trade agreement and this legislation very carefully. Basically, the Chinese receive the same NTR tariff rates they have received for the past 20 years. In return, we get lower tariffs for our exports to China, new market access in distributing our products within China, and elimination of trade barriers for U.S. goods and services in the Chinese market. In other words, China essentially gets the status quo, while we get new benefits and substantial concessions from the Chinese. The U.S. fully preserves its anti-dumping and countervailing duty laws, which protect our industries and workers against unfairly traded Chinese imports. I would also note that H.R. 4444 provides even stronger protection from harmful Chinese import surges than current U.S. trade law allows. Furthermore, H.R. 4444 creates a government task force to prevent products made from Chinese prison labor from being imported into the U.S. With these protections in place and with effective enforcement, I believe that American workers can compete against anyone else in the world. American workers are, after all, the world's most productive. I would also like to address the difference between granting PNTR to China and WTO accession. Congress has voted to extend PNTR to China; however, Congress has no vote on China's accession to the WTO. WTO accession is a four-step process. First, the applicant must present its trade and economic policies to a Working Party of all interested WTO countries. While these general multilateral negotiations take place, separate negotiations take place between the applicant and individual WTO countries, including the United States. These bilateral negotiations establish specific market access commitments and tariff rates. When both of these steps are completed, the Working Party drafts the terms of membership. Finally, the complete package is presented to the WTO Ministerial Conference for approval. The result of not extending PNTR would have been to deny U.S. farmers, manufacturers, banks, insurance firms, and their employees access to the Chinese market as promised in the bilateral trade agreement. Also, the U.S. would have been unable to avail itself of multilateral dispute settlement procedures in the WTO if further trade disputes with China arise. Finally, I would like to assure Pennsylvanians that my vote on PNTR does not lessen my resolve to fight for fair trade in any way. Even after China joins the WTO, I will continue to monitor their adherence to the bilateral trade agreement. H.R. 4444 requires the United States Trade Representative, USTR, to issue a yearly report on China's compliance with its WTO obligations. I will follow these reports closely. In the meantime, I will continue to vigorously fight for stronger trade laws to protect U.S. workers and producers from unfairly traded foreign imports. For example, just last Friday, I testified at the International Trade Commission to oppose revocation of the antidumping and countervailing duty orders on various foreign steel imports. I hope this clarifies the reasons I am supporting the U.S.-China Relations Act of 2000.

Mr. SANTORUM

Mr. SANTORUM. I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to. Vote On Amendment No. 4129, Division VI

Mr. SANTORUM

Mr. SANTORUM. Mr. President, today the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 10 a.m. Following morning business, there will be 60 minutes for closing remarks on two amendments: the Byrd amendment regarding safeguards and division 6 of the Smith amendment regarding organ harvesting. After all time is used or yielded back, there will be two back-to- back votes at 11 a.m. Senators should be aware that there are amendments currently pending to the PNTR bill and further amendments are expected to be offered during today's session. Therefore, votes are expected throughout the day. I thank my colleagues for their attention.

Mr. SANTORUM

Mr. SANTORUM. Mr. President, on behalf of the majority leader, I have been asked to make a unanimous-consent request. I ask unanimous consent that immediately following the passage of H.R. 4444, the Commerce Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. 2497 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration under the following terms: Two hours on the bill to be equally divided in the usual form; that there be up to one relevant amendment in order for each leader, that they be offered in the first degree, limited to 30 minutes equally divided and not subject to any second-degree amendments; and that no motions to commit or recommit be in order. I further ask unanimous consent that following conclusion or use of debate time in the disposition of the above described amendments, the bill be advanced to third reading and a vote occur on final passage of the bill, as amended, if amended, all without any intervening action or debate. The bill has to do with the entertainment industry and the entertainment industry marketing their videos and CDs to those people-- children--who are proscribed, really, from buying them or attending those kinds of movies. These are R-rated movies. Children under 17 are not permitted in these without an adult. Yet we have a report just issued, I think earlier this week, that says the movie industry targets the very people who are not supposed to be viewing these kinds of materials or listening to these kinds of materials. So this is a unanimous-consent request to move this out of the Commerce Committee and to deal with this issue on the floor promptly. This is an important issue that has been a bipartisan issue in the past. I hope my unanimous-consent request will be approved by the Democrats.

Mr. SANTORUM. The reason we are trying to move expeditiously here is the FTC has come out with a record that shows the egregious nature of the conduct of Hollywood with respect to the marketing to young people of material that is inappropriate for them, that they have said they would not so market. It is very similar to the charges we have heard about tobacco companies, that are not supposed to sell to minors, marketing to minors. Here we have the identical situation. The other side has not been reticent about bringing tobacco legislation to the floor to stop the marketing to minors at the drop of a hat. Yet when it comes to protecting Hollywood, we have a roadblock. We have an opportunity here to reform the system, to do something substantive about an issue that is undercutting the moral fabric of our country, that is poisoning the minds of our children, and we have a roadblock because we have more important issues to discuss. According to the other side, there are other issues more important than these issues. I don't think there are very many issues that are more important than a deliberate attempt to market inappropriate material to young minds. That, to me, is about as high a priority as we can get. There may be some other things the other side believes are more important than that, but bringing this bill to the floor and having this debated is a very important issue. As the Senator from Nevada mentioned, their own Vice Presidential candidate believes this is a very high profile issue. Let's deal with it. Let's not talk about it; let's not politic about it; let's not pander about it; let's do something about it. Here we have, again, an opportunity for us to do something substantive, to create reform, to move the agenda forward, and we have a roadblock; we have an objection: It is just not the right time; it is just not the right way; it is just not the exact thing we would like to do. Let's move forward. Let's start moving on reform. We hear complaints that nothing gets done around here. Every time we start to put something forward to try to move a reform, the answer is no. We are going to continue to try. This is not the last time we are going to try to get unanimous consent on this matter. This is an important matter that we need to bring up and we need to deal with before this session ends. I yield the floor.

Mr. SANTORUM

Mr. SANTORUM. Mr. President, I rise today to address a matter of critical importance to our Nation's 39 million Medicare beneficiaries, 2 million of whom live in Pennsylvania alone. I speak of the current erosion of the Medicare+Choice program, a situation which demands attention by Congress and this administration. Currently, more than 6.2 million Medicare beneficiaries are enrolled in the Medicare+Choice program, receiving high quality, affordable health care services through HMOs and other private sector health plans. Beneficiaries are choosing these plans because they typically provide a more comprehensive package of benefits (including coverage of prescription drugs), lower out-of-pocket costs, and a stronger emphasis on preventive health care services than the old Medicare fee-for- service system. As my colleagues well know, for more than ten years Medicare beneficiaries have had access to this array of enhanced health benefits and options through the Medicare's risk contract program, and the success of this program was evidenced by the fact that beneficiaries signed up for Medicare HMO coverage in large numbers. From December 1993 through December 1997, enrollment in Medicare HMOs increased at an average annual rate of 30 percent. In states such as Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Texas, enrollment in Medicare HMOs increased even more rapidly. In December 1997, shortly after the enactment of the BBA, Medicare HMO enrollment stood at 5.2 million, accounting for 14 percent of the total Medicare population--up from just 1.3 million enrollees and 3 percent of the Medicare population in December 1990. The success of the Medicare HMO program inspired Congress to establish the Medicare+Choice program in 1997 through the enactment of the Balanced Budget Act (BBA). In establishing the Medicare+Choice program, Congress had three goals in mind: (1) to build on the success of the Medicare HMO program; (2) to give seniors and persons with disabilities the same health care choices available to Americans who obtain their health coverage through the private sector; and (3) to further expand beneficiaries' health care choices by establishing an even wider range of health plan options and by making such options available in areas where Medicare HMOs were not yet available. Three years later, however, the Medicare+Choice program has not fulfilled its promise of expanding health care choices for Medicare beneficiaries. Instead, a large number of beneficiaries have lost their Medicare+Choice plans or experienced an increase in out-of-pocket costs or a reduction in benefits. This disturbing trend is especially harmful to low-income beneficiaries, who are almost twice as likely to enroll in Medicare HMOs as are other Medicare beneficiaries. For many seniors and persons with disabilities who live on fixed incomes, having access to a Medicare HMO means that they can spend their limited resources on groceries and other daily essentials. Beneficiaries also like Medicare HMOs because they provide coordinated care and place a strong emphasis on preventive services that help them to stay healthy and avoid preventable diseases. Mr. President, when Congress enacted BBA in 1997, plans were still joining the Medicare+Choice program and 74 percent of beneficiaries had access to at least one plan. But today, access dropped to 69 percent, with 2 million fewer beneficiaries having access to a plan. Next year, 711,000 Medicare beneficiaries will lose access to health benefits and choices as a result of Congressional underpayment and burdensome HCFA regulations. In addition, many Medicare HMOs have curtailed benefits, increased cost-sharing and raised premiums. Average premiums have increased $11 per month in 2000. Two major problems are responsible for this outcome: (1) the Medicare+Choice program is significantly underfunded; and (2) the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) has imposed excessive regulatory burdens on health plans participating in the program. The funding problem has been caused by the unintended consequences of the Medicare+Choice payment formula that was established by the BBA, as well as the Administration's decision to implement risk adjustment of Medicare+Choice payments on a non-budget neutral basis. Under this formula, the vast majority of health plans have been receiving annual payment updates of only 2 percent in recent years--while the cost of caring for Medicare beneficiaries has been increasing at a much higher rate. When plans withdraw from communities, beneficiaries are forced to switch plans, or in some cases revert back to the traditional Medicare program, which does not cover additional benefits like eye and dental care, or, more importantly, prescription drugs. It is in response to this crisis in the Medicare+Choice program that I am pleased to be introducing The Medicare Beneficiaries' Choice Stabilization Act. This legislation will make numerous changes to the way Medicare+Choice rates are calculated and will seek to sensitize the funding mechanisms in the current Medicare system to the difficulties of health care delivery in all communities, and particularly in rural areas. As the costs of providing care in some areas can be higher than the payments from Medicare, The Medicare Beneficiaries' Choice Stabilization Act will also give plans the opportunity to negotiate for higher payment rates based on local costs. Realizing the importance of assuring that the benefits of programmatic regulations outweigh their costs, my legislation will also provide Medicare+Choice providers regulatory relief from overreaching HCFA dictates. Rather than devoting substantial human and financial resources toward compliance activities, which leaves fewer resources available for paying for health care services provided to beneficiaries, Medicare+Choice plans ought to be left to the fullest extent possible to the business they know best: providing high quality and cost effective health care to our Medicare beneficiaries. Congress must devote more adequate funding to the Medicare+Choice program, and work to ensure that resources are allocated in such a way as to assure that the Medicare+Choice program is viable in areas where beneficiaries have already selected health plan options and that the program can expand in areas where such options are not yet widely available. I am sponsoring Beneficiaries' Choice Stabilization Act with just these goals in mind, and I hope my colleagues will join me in a bipartisan effort to save and strengthen the Medicare+Choice program and the valuable health benefits it provides for our Medicare population which relies on them.

Mr. SANTORUM

Mr. SANTORUM. Mr. President, I rise today to congratulate the Duquesne University School of Pharmacy on its 75th anniversary. Since September 21, 1925, the school has made valuable contributions to our nation by training thousands of pharmacists who serve the healthcare needs of our communities. The mission of the School of Pharmacy, Mr. President, is to prepare students for life-long learning and careers in the profession of pharmacy. The school accomplishes this through outcome competency-based programs with an emphasis on appreciation for ethical and spiritual values. Moreover, the school conveys to students a foundation in the pharmaceutical, administrative, social and clinical sciences which are the bases for pharmaceutical care and research. Students, furthermore, acquire the ability to think critically and communicate effectively; and to understand personal, professional and social responsibilities. Mr. President, it is with these ideas in mind that I ask my colleagues to join with me in congratulating the Duquesne University School of Pharmacy for its invaluable service to our nation. The health of our friends, families and neighbors is dependent on the diligent work of schools such as this.

Mr. SANTORUM

Mr. SANTORUM. Mr. President, I would like to take a few minutes of Senate business to recognize a man who I hold in the highest regard, Mr. Lanny Frattare. Mr. Frattare has been a tremendous figure and icon to the people of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He has contributed energy and timeless hours to the Pittsburgh community through his involvement with the Pirates, the Parent and Child Guidance Center, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Goodwill Industries, and Bob Prince Charities. Lanny Frattare is celebrating his twenty-fifth year as ``The Voice of the Pirates,'' announcing more than 3,500 games. Only Bob Prince has described the action of Pirate baseball longer, 28 years. Mr. Frattare was even gracious enough to let me join him in the announcer's box for several games over the years, which was definitely one of my greatest thrills as a Pittsburgher. A native of Rochester, New York, Frattare received has bachelor's degree in communications from Ithaca College in 1970. His baseball broadcasting career began in 1968 with the Geneva Senators, a Class A team in New York. Frattare's association with the Pirates organization began in 1974 and 1975 when he broadcast games for the Triple-A West Virginia team, the Charleston Charlies. He was also a radio DJ and Sports Director at WBBF in Rochester before joining the Pirates in 1976. ``There was no doubt about it''--Lanny Frattare continues to make significant impact on his listeners and on the history of the Pittsburgh Pirates. I feel privileged to know him and see the contributions he's made to the Pittsburgh community.

Mr. SANTORUM

Mr. SANTORUM. Mr. President, I would like to recognize Captain Walter Rybka and the officers and crew of the Flagship Niagara on their return from their East Coast ten-month voyage. The Flagship Niagara is a symbol of Erie, Pennsylvania's history and serves as an Ambassador of the Commonwealth when in participates in tall ship events. As a resident of Pennsylvania, I am proud to have such a treasure as part of our history. The Flagship Niagara has played an important role in our nation's history. It sailed proudly in the War of 1812 and fought in the Battle of Lake Erie. I commend the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, the Flagship Niagara League, and the City of Erie for restoring the ship and making it available so that others in the United States may learn of its history. I would also like to take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation to those who serve on the Flagship Niagara. The Flagship Niagara is a part of Pennsylvania's history, and your commitment to the ship and to Erie is highly commendable.

Mr. SANTORUM

Mr. SANTORUM. Mr. President, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize Mrs. Coretta Ogburn who died on Monday July 31, 2000. She was born on July 30, 1909 in Pittsburgh to the late Sally and Henry Black. Mrs. Ogburn graduated from the Pittsburgh Public School System and later became employed for many years with the Allegheny County Health Department from which she retired in the 1970s. She was also well known as a dedicated and highly respected community leader for her committed efforts to her Church and community organizations. She was actively involved in the Negro Emergency Education Drive (NEED), the Urban League, the YWCA, the YMCA, and the Pittsburgh branch of the NAACP. During her tenure as a member of the NAACP, Mrs. Ogburn sat on the Executive Committee, Human Rights Dinner Committee, Scholarship Committee, Women in the NAACP (WIN), and the Membership Committee. As Chair of the Membership Committee, she was instrumental in increasing branch memberships for the organization, and in 1958, she received her first award for soliciting the most NAACP memberships. In addition, the National Office of the NAACP awarded Mrs. Ogburn a medal for her accomplishments as one of the top membership solicitors in the entire nation. Mrs. Ogburn was awarded several other awards for her commitment and dedication to this organization. It is an honor for me to recognize Mrs. Coretta Ogburn and the selfless time and energy she put towards her community. She was a true civil servant and community leader, and Pittsburgh was very blessed to have her a resident of its city. She cared a great deal for her loved ones, illustrated true dedication to the organizations which she belonged, and will be sorely missed by all those who knew her.

Mr. SANTORUM

Mr. SANTORUM. Mr. President, I come to the floor this morning, following my distinguished colleague and good friend from Alabama, feeling the same inadequacy to express my thoughts and feelings about the life of someone for whom I had a tremendous amount of respect. As Phil Gramm so aptly put it in his eulogy on Saturday, if you knew Paul Coverdell, he was your friend. Paul was a friend. I guess in the last week from reading and listening and talking to people about Paul, it is incredible that in this city someone could be so universally understood by everyone. All of us are individuals. We are very complex. Some often say in Washington that politicians have many facets and many faces. Paul was Paul. He was like that to me. He was like it to Jeff. He was like it to the Presiding Officer. He was like it to everyone here. Everyone who has gotten up and talked about Paul said the same thing in the final analysis. They talked about his decency, his good nature, his peacemaking, his optimism, his energy, and his enthusiasm. I understand we are going to compile all of the things that have been said about Paul. The remarkable thing is the sameness of what everyone says about Paul. It is a remarkable quality in and of itself--that Paul was always Paul. He was always himself. He was never trying to be something for everyone to meet their expectation. He was who he was, as genuine and as pure as you can possibly be. That is a tremendous gift that he had. It is so resoundingly amplified by the comments of our colleagues whose eulogies and comments have been out of the same embryo. That may be one of the great legacies and lessons of Paul Coverdell and his life. There are a few people who I want to thank. First, I thank Nancy and his mother for the dedication that they gave to Paul in allowing him to provide his service. He spent an incredible amount of time working issues, long days and long nights away from Nancy while she was in Georgia. She made a tremendous sacrifice for him and for his career in the Senate. Obviously, the impact she had on Paul's life was profound and obviously positive. The same could be said for his mother. I cannot imagine a mother being more proud of a son than Paul's mother was of him and the contribution he made to Georgia, to the Senate, to this country. I thank the people of Georgia for sending the Senate Paul Coverdell. He had some tough races but Georgia stood behind him, supported him, and elected a Republican Senator, twice, from the State of Georgia. Georgia should be very proud of that choice. Finally, I thank God for sending Paul, a truly extraordinary person. When I found out on Tuesday Paul very well may not make it, I was sitting in the back talking to Senator Gorton. I was talking about what a tragic loss it would be should Paul die. I looked around at the desks, I looked at Slade, and I said: I don't know where Paul's desk is. He never sat at his desk. He was always running all over the place--down in the well, back in the Cloakroom, running from place to place. He was never at his desk. I thought to myself, where did he sit? What a fitting analysis of the role that Paul Coverdell played in this place. He was everywhere, doing everything, never sitting back at his desk worried about himself or what he would say or do but running around making things happen, back in the Cloakroom with that Styrofoam Waffle House coffee cup. I don't know where he got all those Styrofoam Waffle House cups, but he had one in his hand all the time. There would be two or three placed throughout the Cloakroom by the end of the day. Everyone knew where Paul had been. He was just working all the time, putting every ounce of his energy--and it was an incredible amount of energy--into his work in the Senate. I was at the funeral on Saturday. Many things were said about Paul moving on from one life to the next. It reminded me of a quote from a funeral I attended earlier this year for Governor Casey in Scranton, PA. The quote on the back of the book we received when we came into the church could not help but remind me of Paul: ``Death is not extinguishing the light. It is putting out the lamp because the dawn has come.'' Paul's light here in the Senate burned so bright. He illuminated every conversation. Every room he walked into with his energy, with his positive attitude, with his optimism. That light will be missed. Lights that seem to burn the brightest are doomed not to burn the longest. If we are measuring the wattage or the illumination that has been cast on this Earth, no one cast more light in 61 years than Paul ever did. It is a comfort to know that the dawn for Paul has come and that he is experiencing a brighter light than we all know right now. It is a comfort to know he is experiencing that light and is in heaven. As a Catholic, I believe in intercessory prayer. Those in heaven can pray to God to help those on Earth. I know Paul is praying for us. I ask for your prayers, Paul, for all of us here, because we will miss you.

Mr. SANTORUM

Mr. SANTORUM. Mr. President, I have a unanimous consent request for the leader. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that it be in order for the majority leader, after consultation with the minority leader, to proceed to the consideration of Calendar No. 460, S. 1796, under the following limitations: 2 hours for debate equally divided between the chairman and ranking members, or their designees. I further ask unanimous consent that the only amendment in order be a Mack, Lautenberg, Leahy, and Feinstein substitute amendment No. 4021. Finally, I ask unanimous consent that following the use or yielding back of time, and the disposition of the above-listed amendment, the bill be read the third time, and the Senate proceed to a vote on passage of the bill as amended, if amended.

Mr. SANTORUM

Mr. SANTORUM. Mr. President, today I am introducing legislation to empower at-risk youths and their communities. My legislation would establish a national youth entrepreneurship clearinghouse and permit curriculum-based youth entrepreneurship education as an allowable use of funds. Only curriculum-based youth entrepreneurship programs that demonstrate success in equipping disadvantaged youth with applied math and other analytical skills would be eligible for assistance under this measure. Students who participate in these programs learn basic entrepreneurial skills and gain a better understanding of the relationship between the subjects they learn in their classrooms and the business world. By teaching students practical skills needed to establish and maintain thriving entrepreneurial projects, the programs empower students and prepare them for future endeavors as contributing members of their communities. My legislation will instill pride in at- risk youths by providing them with the opportunity to improve their surroundings, while they explore and learn about the many career choices available to them in the business world. I am pleased that this measure was included in the Elementary and Secondary Education Reauthorization bill passed by the House of Representatives, and it is my hope that we can facilitate its passage in the Senate and move closer to providing significant and meaningful initiatives for our children in need.

Mr. SANTORUM

Mr. SANTORUM. Mr. President, today I am introducing legislation to empower at-risk youths and their communities. My legislation would establish a national youth entrepreneurship clearinghouse and permit curriculum-based youth entrepreneurship education as an allowable use of funds. Only curriculum-based youth entrepreneurship programs that demonstrate success in equipping disadvantaged youth with applied math and other analytical skills would be eligible for assistance under this measure. Students who participate in these programs learn basic entrepreneurial skills and gain a better understanding of the relationship between the subjects they learn in their classrooms and the business world. By teaching students practical skills needed to establish and maintain thriving entrepreneurial projects, the programs empower students and prepare them for future endeavors as contributing members of their communities. My legislation will instill pride in at- risk youths by providing them with the opportunity to improve their surroundings, while they explore and learn about the many career choices available to them in the business world. I am pleased that this measure was included in the Elementary and Secondary Education Reauthorization bill passed by the House of Representatives, and it is my hope that we can facilitate its passage in the Senate and move closer to providing significant and meaningful initiatives for our children in need.

Mr. SANTORUM

Mr. SANTORUM. Mr. President, I rise today to query my distinguished colleague from Alaska, the chairman of the Appropriations Committee, on a program of importance to my constituents. Mr. Chairman, is it the intention of the conference committee that of the $4,000,000 appropriated in the Air Force's operation and maintenance title for the Manufacturing Technical Assistance Pilot Program (MTAPP), $2,000,000 shall be expended during fiscal year 2001 only for the continued expansion of the program into Pennsylvania through the National Education Center for Women in Business at Seton Hill College? As the Chairman may know, half of the appropriated FY2000 funds are not being provided to the program in Pennsylvania, and I seek to ensure that during FY2001 the funds are allocated between the two MTAPP programs.

Mr. SANTORUM

Mr. SANTORUM. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

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