Ike Skelton

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Thornberry).

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone).

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Tauscher).

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Dicks).

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from New Mexico (Mrs. Wilson).

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Guam (Mr. Underwood).

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, were it not for the Cox-Dicks amendment, this would be a different case. We not only are replowing the same ground, we find this amendment in conflict with that amendment which we have already passed unanimously in this body. Mr. Chairman, let me commend my friend from Kansas, who is a very sincere and dedicated member of our committee. However, this amendment is not necessary because of the reasons that I heretofore stated. Mr. Chairman, the protection of critical nuclear information is a very serious matter. There has been a compromise, and some changes are required in the manner in which security and counterintelligence matters are handled. The amendment does provide some increased emphasis on counterintelligence and potential for enhanced protection, but would codify the counterintelligence program mandated by Presidential Directive 61 in the least restrictive manner thus far proposed that provides a waiver by the Secretary of Energy during moratorium. However, since the Cox-Dicks amendment has been accepted by this body, as I point out, by unanimous vote on a rollcall vote, this amendment is not needed. It flies in the face, sadly, with the Cox- Dicks amendment, so we would have two standards set forth in the bill should this be adopted. That, of course, is a very serious problem for anyone to follow when you have two standards, two ways of doing something, two time limits. It would be very difficult, and, frankly, unworkable. Regretfully, because the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Ryun) is such a dedicated member of the committee, I find that I really in all sincerity must oppose this amendment. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1\3/4\ minutes to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Snyder).

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I have examined the amendment on our side and find it commendable.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I would merely say it is a good amendment, and we examined it on this side. We have no problem with it and endorse it.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding time to me. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this amendment. It is worthy of our support. It is a comprehensive approach put together by experts after extensive study. Let me commend the committee that took testimony and studied this issue at length. In particular, the gentleman from California (Mr. Cox) and the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Dicks) did first class work thereon. There is no doubt that this amendment is prepared by a bipartisan group, and it is certainly timely, because we recently discovered these problems. While it might not be perfect, it is a great start for us to move into the conference with the Senate. I commend the sponsors and those who worked so hard on this amendment. I urge my colleagues to support it. Again, I commend the gentleman from California (Mr. Cox), the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Dicks), and those members of the committee who put so much effort into it.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, we are very, very blessed to have the number of planes that we have. As my colleague knows, 10 are currently at Whiteman Air Force Base and a good number of them are being used in this effort. It is interesting to note that only 3 percent of the sorties, the entire sorties, were flown by B-2 stealth bombers but they did some 20 percent of the strikes. That speaks well for the system, for the young men and young women at Whiteman Air Force Base. I thank the gentleman for his kind words about those people in Missouri who are doing so remarkably well.

Mr. SKELTON. I yield to the gentleman from Washington.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, let me take this opportunity to commend some very fine airmen and women, in particular those at Whiteman Air Force Base who are flying and working on and maintaining the B-2 stealth bomber. In this Chamber, for a number of times, we debated the issue as to whether we would build any such bombers. In this conflict over Yugoslavia, they have proven themselves, both the planes as well as the young men and women who work so hard with them and flying them, they have proved themselves to be invaluable. I am proud of them. Let me say a special word of thanks and gratitude to the leader, Brigadier General Leroy Barnidge, who is the Wing Commander of the 509th bomb group at Whiteman Air Force Base. They are certainly today's heroes, and I thank them for their wonderful efforts for our country.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Meek).

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee).

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith).

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Taylor).

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Brady).

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Sanchez).

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Guam (Mr. Underwood).

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, may I inquire as to how much time is remaining on our side as well as the other side, please?

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Evans).

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Pickett).