Bob Smith

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. I ask unanimous consent to have three letters printed in the Record. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that a letter to Senator Lott from the executive director of the National League of Families, Ann Mills Griffiths, a letter from the Disabled American Veterans to Senator Lott, and a letter from The American Legion to Senator Lott be printed in the Record.

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Thank you, Mr. President. I yield 3 minutes to the Senator from Arizona.

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. I yield whatever time I have remaining to the Senator from Nebraska, and perhaps the Senator from Massachusetts might give him another minute.

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, I thank the Senator from Arizona for his kind words, and also for his cooperation in working with me on this issue. Mr. President, there were some concerns which I had raised, and they have been addressed thanks to the cooperation of Senator Lott, Senator Daschle, Senator Shelby, Senator Bob Kerrey, and certainly Sandy Berger with the National Security Council of the President of the United States. I think because of the willingness to address the concerns that I have raised we were able to resolve this matter tonight. Let me first of all say clearly and for all the world to see and know that this issue has never been about the qualifications of Pete Peterson to be the Ambassador to Vietnam. It has been about the accounting process and how best to go about getting a fullest possible accounting for our missing. In regard to former Congressman Pete Peterson, he was a POW in Vietnam for a number of years, suffered greatly at the hands of the Vietnamese, as did my colleague Senator McCain. I am sure the accommodations as Ambassador will be a little better than he had on his last trip over there as a POW. But I have worked with him on the United States-Russian Commission. I like him. I respect him. He is an honorable and decent man, and he will be I believe a good ambassador. My concerns have been addressed in the past on this floor in terms of the problems that I believe we have with the Vietnamese. I am hopeful now, with this clarification that we have been able to receive from the White House, and with the support of Senator McCain, Senator Shelby, and others, that Ambassador Pete Peterson will be able to seek this information and finally get this information from the Vietnamese. It has always been my concern that rather than to say that the Vietnamese are fully cooperating and then we will send an Ambassador over there, I think it is more honest to say we don't have all of the information, the Vietnamese can provide more information, and let's send the Ambassador over there to get it. I think that is more honest. I believe that is what we have resolved here tonight. Mr. Berger was kind enough to indicate by letter that the President commits to continue to press the Government of Vietnam to cooperate on full accounting, and that they have established the mechanisms to do it with the Vietnamese to provide information that the Vietnamese have only available to them. I interpret that to mean that there is a lot of information that the Vietnamese can unilaterally provide, as the League of Families has so often said under its leader, Andrew Griffiths, that we want the information whatever that may be that the Vietnamese can unilaterally provide. We all know, and I think this compromise indicates, that there is information still that the Vietnamese can unilaterally provide. I hope that the Ambassador will be able to encourage the Vietnamese, and finally hopefully persuade the Vietnamese to provide it. I want to be specific in four areas that I believe are the major areas of information. One, the Politburo records concerning U.S. POW's: These records are important. Vietnamese officials have not provided them. And we believe they can provide many of them. They may have lost some. But we think there are some they can provide. DOD analysts have testified under oath that access to these records has not been provided. So I hope that Ambassador Peterson will pursue that venue very directly with the Vietnamese. I have ever assurance that he will. Second, North Vietnamese military records on U.S. POW's and MIA's from the country of Laos: As you know, North Vietnam occupied Laos during the war. We lost a lot of American fliers in Laos during the war, and the Vietnamese have not been forthcoming about a lot of the shootdown records pertaining to U.S. losses in Laos. The so-called Group 559 shootdown record turned over in September 1993 contains only summary information, and the DOD analysts--not Senator Smith--have concluded that ``It is clear that this record was compiled after the fact from original records.'' So we need those original records. I hope that along the lines that the analysts have testified in their testimony last year that we would be able to get that information from the Vietnamese. It is clear that the Vietnamese did have direct knowledge of these losses. We know that. Hopefully now they will provide it. We deserve to know the fate of these United States POW's who were shot down in Laos and captured by the Vietnamese, and in some cases killed by the Vietnamese in this instance. But in the province in Northern Laos which I personally visited, none of them really in that area have been accounted for at all from the Communist side. We know that they have information because some of these people were captured and filmed. Third, the unilateral action by Vietnam in 461 cases unaccounted for: These are records that we believe based on our best information the Vietnamese could provide more data, and we have had testimony from again the intelligence community saying that they believe based on our information that they could get that information. Finally, Mr. President, the prison camp records pertaining to U.S. POW's: I think we are not interested in what somebody did as a POW or didn't do as a POW in getting those documents. They can be screened and carefully taken care of by the intelligence community, should we get them. What we are interested in is what happened to some of these people who were in the prison system who were not returned, who were seen on film and on tape--sometimes used for propaganda--and have never been accounted for. So we believe that the Vietnamese would know something about those people, and certainly what happened to them. We would hope that they would provide that information. So those are the four areas that I have focused on and on which I hope the Ambassador will focus on. I think that is what is referred to in the letter here from Mr. Berger. I think also when the Intelligence Committee--I thank Senator Shelby for his cooperation in this regard because basically he looked into this matter for me and we have now come to a conclusion that there is further information that the intelligence community really didn't have input into the certification process, and, therefore, they need to have that information. If you read the testimony on the House side and some other testimony where analysts have spoken, they have talked about the fact that this access is important, and there are two documents--the so-called 735 and 1205--that come out of the Russian archives which are very controversial. And we are now pursuing those in the United States- Russian Commission where Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts, myself, and others were members, and Pete Peterson was a member. We are still pursuing that information. So I want to again conclude on a couple of points and then yield to anyone else who may wish to speak on this matter. Pete Peterson is an outstanding public servant. He served his country well. He went through hell in Vietnam, and the fact that he now is willing to go back and pursue information on POW's, on his fellow colleagues, POW's and MIA's, fellow comrades in arms, I think is a tribute to him and the type of person that he is. I want to say again what has been distorted, as usual in the media so many times, specifically the Boston Globe, and other places where apparently untruths were hyped by the papers, they had it all wrong. I was never opposed to Pete Peterson in any way, shape, or form being the Ambassador. My concern is with what I just addressed, which is we need to try to get the fullest possible accounting. We have not gotten the fullest possible accounting, and with the Ambassador going to Vietnam he will do that. I am all for it. Let me just also say in regard to Mr. Hoang, who I talked with who is now out of the country and is not here, I hope and believe that should Mr. Hoang come back into the country that he ought to come before the Governmental Affairs Committee and answer any and all questions put to him regarding not only Vietnam but anything else regarding these matters in terms of how policy was developed. But at this point he is not in the country to do that. So let me again thank everyone involved in working this decision out. One of the nicest things about the Senate, even though it is frustrating if you are on the other side of something, is that you get the opportunity to work together. I remember the first day I was on the floor in 1991. Senator Mitchell, then the majority leader, came over to me and introduced himself. He said, ``Hello,'' and said, ``Bob, welcome. It is nice to have you. I wish we could have gotten a Democrat, but we got you. But let me just say this. We will work with you over here. It is not like the House, not because we want to but because we have to.'' That is OK. I mean that is the way the process works here. When you have a concern, people on the other side work with you to get it resolved. You do the best you can, and sometimes it works out. And more often than not it does work out even though you take some flak. So I am very pleased with those on all sides of this issue who worked with me to address my concerns. Especially I am grateful to Sandy Berger who I called this morning and asked to prepare a letter. I gave him the concerns that I had. He responded before the end of the day to Senator Lott with the concerns that I raised. I can't thank him enough. I think the fact that the nomination will go through tonight is to a large extent due to the willingness of the administration, specifically Mr. Berger to address my concerns. I am very grateful to them for that. I wish Ambassador Peterson the best of luck. I look forward to working with him as Ambassador to Vietnam to get more information on our missing men and a few women in Vietnam. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to have relevant material printed in the Record.

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. At this point, Mr. President, I yield the floor to anyone else who may wish to speak on the issue.

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the Senate now go to a period for morning business.

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any statements relating to the resolution appear at this point in the Record.

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, I object at this time on behalf of some Members on our side of the aisle.

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. I ask unanimous consent the resolution be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any statements relating to the resolution appear at this point in the Record.

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, as in executive session, I ask unanimous consent that nominations to the Office of Inspector General, excepting the Office of Inspector General for the Central Intelligence Agency, be referred during the 105th Congress in each case to the committee having substantive jurisdiction over the department, agency or entity, and if and when reported in each case, then to the Committee on Governmental Affairs for not to exceed 20 calendar days.

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 785, which was received from the House.

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. I ask unanimous consent the resolution be considered read a third time and passed, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and any statements relating to the bill appear at this point in the Record.

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Judiciary Committee be discharged from further consideration of S.J. Res. 11 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. I ask unanimous consent the bill be considered, read a third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and any statements relating to the bill be placed at the appropriate place in the Record.

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to George Roorbach of Franconia, NH, former president of Crown Worsted Mills, for his outstanding service as a volunteer executive in Krasnodar, Russia. George worked on a volunteer mission with the International Executive Service Corps, a nonprofit organization which sends retired Americans to assist businesses and private enterprises in the developing countries and the new emerging democracies of Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. George helped provide managerial and technical assistance to improve the lives of people in Krasnodar, Russia. He assisted Kubantex, a wool fabric manufacturer, to set up a business, marketing and financial plan. George was ambassador for our country and has represented our democratic believes and methods of a free market economy. His outstanding patriotic engagement provides active assistance for people in need and helps build strong ties of trust and respect between Russia and America. George's mission aids to end the cycle of dependency on foreign assistance. I commend George for his dedicated service and I am proud to represent him in the U.S. Senate.

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to 16 dedicated volunteers from New Hampshire who willingly devoted countless hours and tremendous energy to provide free medical and dental care to the people of the Dominican Republic. Last month, the volunteers of the Medical Mission Team traveled to the Dominican Republic where they operated free medical and dental clinics for a week and treated numerous people who normally cannot afford medical care. I commend all 16 volunteers for their genuine concern and true commitment to such an honorable cause. I am very proud of their unending support for the needy people of the Dominican Republic. Months of careful planning and preparation allowed the Medical Mission Team to venture into different areas of the Dominican Republic to treat a variety of patients. The team members included: Dr. Mark McDonald; his wife, Ruth; and daughter, Jill; Jack Meibaum; his wife, Joanne Parkington; and son, David Parkington; Dr. Marianne Hopkins; and her husband, Dr. Andrew Hopkins; Werner Muller; and David Gabrielli, all from Concord; Claire Roberge, of Epsom; Don Gagne, of Penacook; Doug Tabor, of Boscawen; Gordon Barrett, of West Swanzey; and Lisa Ann Wiener and George Rogers, both from Bow. Prior to the February mission trip, the volunteers met regularly in the evenings to learn minor medical care, repair pieces of dental equipment, build specially designed dental units, and plan the details of the clinics. Jack Meibaum, a contractor; Dr. Mark McDonald, a Concord dentist; and others salvaged old dental equipment and spent many hours in their basements updating and improving the equipment for the medical work they would perform. After discussing the trip with New Hampshire businesses and organizations, and several pharmaceutical companies, Jack and Mark solicited critical donations for the trip. The Bow Rotary Club donated funds for a dental equipment compressor, A & B Lumber in Concord sold the compressor to the team at cost, and the Concord Tire Co. generously gave donated money for medical and dental supplies. Siemens X-ray Co. also donated a portable dental x-ray machine and numerous national pharmaceutical companies provided free or discounted medical and dental supplies. In the end, the team had so many supplies that they even had difficulty getting the large, overstuffed suitcases of supplies through customs with the local officials at the Puerta Plata Airport in the Dominican Republic. Five of the volunteers--Mark, Jack, Doug Tabor, Don Gagne, and Claire Roberge--made up the first team to arrive. During their first 3 days, the team made daily trips to a small church in Moca where they worked tirelessly unpacking bulky dental equipment that had been shipped separately in a crate from New Hampshire. I was honored to have helped get this crate shipped to the Dominican Republic after the team asked for my assistance. In addition to numerous other tasks, Jack and Mark set up the portable dental units making certain the air and water pumps worked on the dental units while Don, Claire, and Doug constructed a stand for the indispensable dental light. Doug's construction expertise was very helpful, Jack and Mark demonstrated their engineering brilliance in building equipment, and Claire and Don were energetic and happy to do even the most mundane tasks. All five volunteers worked until they were exhausted to ensure the equipment would run efficiently when used for the clinics the following week. The remaining team members arrived on Friday, February 21, bringing more medical supplies, and helped make the final preparations for the long-awaited clinics. For an entire week, the medical and dental teams treated the needs of numerous Dominican patients. Jack cleaned teeth for hours, Mark and Don filled cavities, and Jill, Lisa, and David sterilized dental equipment and developed dental x rays. At the medical clinic locations, Marianne, a pediatrician, and her husband, Andrew, who is also a doctor, treated endless lines of needy patients rarely taking a break even for lunch. Mothers came in with babies that had parasites, an elderly man complained of arthritis, a young boy's cut and infected feet were cleaned, two little girls were treated for asthma, and other sick Dominicans asked for assistance. Joanne, Claire, Werner, and George worked quickly to compile each patient's medical history and check their temperature and blood pressure. The medical team had prepared so thoroughly that they even brought preprinted medical charts. Lisa, Jill, David, and Ruth performed a puppet show for the waiting children and Gordon, a professional photographer, documented everyone's efforts. The demand for dental and medical care was truly overwhelming. The team worked long hours each day to ease the pain and anxiety of so many people. On the first day of the medical clinic, a young woman came in with her very sick 2-year-old boy. According to his mother, the little boy had cut his head while playing in one of the typically filthy ditches that carried trash and sewage. He was sick from an infection. Twice during the next 2 days, Marianne treated the little boy for the terrible infection that had spread through his body. The medical team was very concerned that he would not be able to fight off the infection until Tuesday morning when Marianne could hook him up to an IV. They had witnessed their worst fear--a dying child. Just 2 days later in the morning, as the medical team had just set up a second clinic in Moca, the little boy made an appearance. He walked into the clinic with his mother following behind. Upon seeing the phenomenal progress the little boy had made, the entire medical team began clapping exuberantly. Soon the clapping changed to cheers and words of relief that echoed their greatest feeling of accomplishment-- saving a life. I was very impressed with this story, relayed to me by one of my staffers, Anna Matz, who volunteered her time to participate in the mission. For a over a week, these New Hampshire volunteers poured endless energy into helping the many Dominicans that ventured into the clinics. Their work was exhausting but very fulfilling. Toward the end of the week, the dental and medical clinics became mobile and operated in neighborhoods where children and families were the most sick. At one point, the medical team went into a barrio, a very poor neighborhood, and knocked on each door asking if any family members needed medical care. While the 16 New Hampshire volunteers worked day after day, several American missionaries and a few native Dominicans provided support and assistance. Paul and Eileen Allyn, American missionaries in Santa Domingo, oversaw the teams' every need with Marge and John Gudmunsun, other missionaries. Denny, Rafael, and Vladimir, young Dominican men, accompanied the team as translators and provided an occasional laugh. Many Dominicans, for whom pain is a way of life, got a little relief last month as these dedicated New Hampshire citizens gave their time, devotion and compassion to the needy people of this Caribbean island. I am proud of their work and congratulate them on a job well done. They truly embody the real spirit of voluntarism, and I am proud and honored to represent them in the U.S. Senate.

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, I rise today to congratulate Richard Morgan, chief of police of Ossipee, NH, on being named the Center Ossipee's Citizen of the Year. I commend his outstanding community involvement, and congratulate him on this well- deserved honor. Richard's commitment to his community is outstanding. He volunteers as a community member of the Domestic Violence Committee, as a moderator for the Central Ossipee's Fire Precinct, and as a community member on the board for Lakeview Neurorehabilitation Center. Richard also volunteered to chair the annual Ossipee Old Home Week. He is a Carroll County representative to executive board of New Hampshire Association Chiefs of Police, and president of the Carroll County Chiefs of Police. Many know Richard as always willing to take responsibility, whether to chair the Ossipee Rescue Advisory Board, help organize and run the first annual winter carnival, or organize the annual fishing derby, and Safe Haven Homes for kids in town. Whatever he commits to, he always does the job well. Richard has dedicated his time, talent, and energy to serving the residents of Ossipee in an exemplary way. As a fellow Carroll County resident, I am proud to honor Richard Morgan's outstanding community commitment which is so important to the future and prosperity of Center Ossipee. We are indeed indebted to him for his efforts. Congratulations to Richard on this distinguished recognition. I am honored to represent him in the U.S. Senate.

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, I rise to pay tribute to a fellow Navy man, Capt. Giles Roderick Norrington, who will be reaching a milestone this Friday, March 14, 1997--the 24th anniversary of his release from captivity in North Vietnam. On May 5, 1968, Captain Norrington was shot down on a reconnaissance mission over North Vietnam while piloting his RA5C aircraft. He was held in various prisons in North Vietnam where he endured great physical and mental hardships as a POW for 5 years. During those difficult times, Captain Norrington and his fellow POW's never lost faith in their country. They persevered and they returned with honor. All Americans owe these brave men a great debt of gratitude for their sacrifices on our behalf. Indeed, Captain Norrington's service and loyalty to his country has been commendable, not just during his captivity in North Vietnam, but throughout his 34 years of active duty naval service. After his retirement from the Navy, he dedicated himself to his community as an outstanding member of the Rotary Club of Bailey's Crossroads in the State of Virginia. Recently, his fellow Rotarians expressed their continued support for Captain Norrington by electing him as their next vice-president. On Friday, March 14, 1997, Captain Norrington will be surrounded by his family and close friends who will be gathering to pay tribute to him. As a Vietnam veteran who also served in the Navy, I consider it an honor and privilege to share in this tribute, and I look forward to thanking Captain Norrington personally for his heartfelt service to our great Nation and to his own community.

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to the New Hampshire Pearl Harbor Survivors Association. Those brave men stood tall in perhaps one of the most tragic moments in American history. Against overwhelming odds, these great Americans fought to defend the United States. Their heroic actions were an inspiration to the people of the United States and help propel our Nation to victory in World War II. Mr. President, I wish to honor the New Hampshire Pearl Harbor Survivors on the occasion of their 25th anniversary. They are our American heros and we applaud them for defending our country. I also wish to commend these brave men for touring New Hampshire schools and talking to our young Americans in an effort to keep Pearl Harbor memories and history alive. Those who fought in the war and were victims of the Pearl Harbor attack deserve a special place in our history books. My father was a Navy pilot who died in a war-related incident during World War II. I have a special place in my heart for these courageous men. When United States Army and Navy commanders in the Pacific area had received a final war warning on the 27th of November 1941, Hawaii was not mentioned and American authorities thought that the Philippines or Malaysia would be the possible target. Any potential attack on Pearl Harbor was therefore interpreted as a form of sabotage and no effective security patrol was established. Antiaircraft batteries around the harbor consequently had no ready ammunition and USAAF aircraft on the ground were easy targets as they were unarmed and grouped together on airfields for easier protection against saboteurs. On Saturday, December 6, 1941, many Army and Navy personnel were on the usual weekend shore leave when the destroyer Ward radioed that it had sunk a submarine early Sunday morning. The information, though, was delayed in reaching the high command and consequently the harbor gate had not been closed. At 7:55 a.m., on December 7, 1941 the first Japanese bombers attacked United States airfields and the fleet. Virtually the entire U.S. fleet of 94 vessels, including 8 battleships, was concentrated at Pearl Harbor and the disposition of troops, airplanes, and antiaircraft guns made effective defense almost impossible. When the last attack had ended about 2 hours later, the Japanese won a significant tactical victory since they had been practically unopposed. Within 2 hours, 2,403 American servicemen and civilians were killed and 1,178 wounded. When the news of the attack reached the people of the United States, our country went into shock. Japanese capabilities had been underestimated and information about the fast-moving developments had been relayed too slow to the commanders in Hawaii. Pearl Harbor is a very poignant chapter in our history. We must seek to remember the grave sacrifice so many Americans made there. As a veteran, I am very proud to honor the outstanding patriotism of the New Hampshire Pearl Harbor Survivors on their 25th anniversary.

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, I thank the Senator from Maine for yielding. I take this opportunity to thank Senator Hatch for his tremendous leadership, day after day, on the floor of the Senate, leading the battle on behalf of the American people and for the future generations of America who are going to have to pay the price if we don't get this done. If we lose this vote today by one vote, which is what the predictions are, and projections, then the headline tomorrow should be: ``It Was Business as Usual in Washington Again. The American People Lost.'' Mr. President, 80 percent of the American people want the budget balanced. If you think, in 1969, the last time we had a balanced budget, the year after that the debt was $369 billion, and the people said then, ``We don't need an amendment, all we need to do is get the job done, have the courage to do it.'' The debt is now $5.3 trillion. The President says we do not need an amendment; we just have to have the courage to do it. He submits a budget to us out of balance which will add half a trillion dollars to the debt in the next 5 years, $70 billion out of balance in the last year. It is business as usual in Washington.

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to Melissa Brown for receiving the Girl Scout Gold Award by the Swift Water Girl Scout Council in Manchester, NH. Melissa is a member of Girl Scout Troop No. 1487 and has diligently served her community and the people of Manchester. She started working toward the Girl Scout Gold Award in 1995. Melissa had to earn four interest project patches, which are the career exploration pin, the Senior Girl Scout Leadership Award, the Senior Girl Scout challenge and design and implement a Girl Scout Gold Award project. She completed her project in the areas of community service and environmental awareness. Melissa received outstanding accomplishments in the areas of leadership, community service, career planing, and personal development. The Swift Water Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest attainable rank for a young woman between the age of 14 to 17. Melissa has every reason to be proud of this recognition. Melissa promotes citizenship, character-building, and community service among the girls of our country. She also provides a respectable, solid role model for the youth of our Nation and teaches commitment, dedication, and hard work. As a member of the Swift Water Girl Scout Troop, Melissa learned valuable skills that will serve her for a lifetime. I am proud to honor Melissa for her outstanding accomplishments and congratulate her on this truly deserved award.

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, I rise today to congratulate Bryce Pickering, the New Hampshire recipient of the 1997 U.S. Senate Youth Program Scholarship. Bryce was selected by school superintendents from across the country as one of two delegates from New Hampshire for a week-long study of the Federal Government in Washington, DC. I was honored to have participated in the program as a member of the advisory board. I know first hand what an enriching experience this will be for him. Bryce is from Plymouth, NH, and in his senior year at the Plymouth High School. In addition to an excellent academic record, Bryce is president of the student council. Apart from his extra-curricular activities, he is also a school board representative, editor of the yearbook and a member of the school community council. Bryce is also a member of the Leo Club. Through his community and school work, Bryce has demonstrated great initiative and an interest in political affairs. He has been awarded a $2,000 college scholarship, and plans to study international relations. As a former high school teacher myself, I commend Bryce for his hard work and outstanding achievements, and wish him success in his academic career. Congratulations to Bryce on this distinguished honor.

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to Megan Chamberlain for receiving the Girl Scout Gold Award by the Swift Water Girl Scout Council in Manchester, NH. Megan is a member of Girl Scout Troop No. 1487 and has diligently served her community and the people of Manchester. She started working toward the Girl Scout Gold Award in 1995. Megan had to earn four interest project patches, which are the Career Exploration Pin, the Senior Girl Scout Leadership Award, the Senior Girl Scout Challenge and design and implement a Girl Scout Gold Award Project. She completed her project in the areas of community service and environmental awareness. Megan received outstanding accomplishments in the areas of leadership, community service, career planning, and personal development. The Swift Water Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest attainable rank for a young woman between the age of 14-17. Megan has every reason to be proud of this recognition. Megan promotes citizenship, character-building, and community service among the girls of our country. She also provides a respectable, solid role model for the youth of our Nation and teaches commitment, dedication and hard work. As a member of the Swift Water Girl Scout Troop, Megan learned valuable skills that will serve her for a lifetime. I am proud to honor Megan for her outstanding accomplishments and congratulate her on this truly deserved award.

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, I rise today to commend George Bald, the economic development director for the Pease Development Authority and a Rochester community leader, on being named the Rochester Business Leader of the Year. I congratulate him for his record of excellence in business and community development. George Bald's record of achievement is certainly worthy of this outstanding honor. In 1978, he was elected mayor of Somersworth where he served until 1984. He had a bold plan for the Rochester area which spearheaded the development of a new municipally owned industrial park while utilizing an existing park. George's next endeavor was as head of the newly established economic development department where he became known for exceptional economic success. Through his leadership, Rochester was effectively promoted as an attractive business location. He also strengthened relations with existing industries. Thanks to George's efforts, Rochester became the corporate headquarters of Cabletron Systems and during his tenure thousands of new jobs have been created. George also helped establish a solid foundation on which the city of Rochester will continue to grow. From 1991 to 1993, he became city manager and in 1994, George was entrusted the position of economic development director for the Pease Development Authority. He served on the Industrial Affairs Council at the Chamber of Commerce and the Governmental Affairs Committee. His outstanding community support is demonstrated in his participation with the Heritage Trust and his service on several boards of directors such as the Frisbie Memorial Hospital, the Rochester Visiting Nurses Association, the Gafney Home and the Somersworth Housing Authority. George is a former vice president of the New Hampshire Association of Industrial Agents, a member of the American Economic Development Council and a director of the Northeast Industrial Developers Association. Equally important, his friends know him for his integrity and dedication and as a man who is willing to go the extra mile to help his community. I wish to congratulate George for his recognition as Rochester's Business Leader of the Year, and I am proud to represent George in the U.S. Senate. He has certainly earned this praise from the business community he has sought to help over the years. Congratulations George.

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, I rise today to congratulate Stephanie Frank, the New Hampshire recipient of the 1997 U.S. Senate Youth Program Scholarship. Stephanie was selected by school superintendents from across the country as one of two delegates from New Hampshire for a week-long study of the Federal Government in Washington, DC. I was honored to have participated in the program as a member of the advisory board. I know first hand what an enriching experience this will be for her. Stephanie is from Dover, NH, and in her senior year at the Dover High School. In addition to an excellent academic record, Stephanie is the treasurer of the student council. She pursues interests in the Dover High School band and chorus, the drama club, and is a member of the math team, the Latin club, the National Honor Society, and the tennis student council. As the student chairman of Youth for Governor Jeanne Shaheen, Stephanie has demonstrated great initiative and an interest in State political affairs. Stephanie has been awarded a $2,000 college scholarship for being named the 1997 U.S. Senate Youth Program delegate. She hopes to pursue an interest in a career with the U.S. Supreme Court. As a former high school teacher myself, I commend Stephanie for her hard work and outstanding achievements, and I wish her success in her academic career. Congratulations to Stephanie on this distinguished honor.