Gordon Smith

Mr. SMITH of Oregon

Mr. SMITH of Oregon. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that reading of the amendment be dispensed with.

Mr. SMITH of Oregon. Mr. President, I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. SMITH of Oregon. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. SMITH of Oregon

Mr. SMITH of Oregon. Mr. President, I am saddened to note the passing of Holly A. Cornell of Charbonneau, one of Oregon's leading citizens, who died at his home on July 1 after a long illness at the age of 83. A July 7 memorial service for Mr. Cornell was held at the LaSells Stewart Alumni Center on the Oregon State University Campus in Corvallis. Mr. Cornell, a founding partner and the ``C'' in what became Oregon's own CH2M HILL, was the international engineering and environmental consulting firm's first employee. He returned to Corvallis after World War II to co-found the firm that was to become Cornell, Howland Hayes & Merryfield [CH2M]. He managed numerous water, wastewater and industrial projects for CH2M, and opened the firm's Seattle office. He also served as director of technology, president and chief executive officer and chairman of the board. Among his many accomplishments were ushering CH2M HILL into the computer age, and managing complex projects such as the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District's pollution abatement project. At the time of Mr. Cornell's 1980 retirement, CH2M HILL had grown from a four- partner office in a second-floor Corvallis office to an international consulting firm employing 1,900 professionals in 20 U.S. offices and two overseas locations. His legacy, which is one of the Nation's largest employee owned companies, has become a $1 billion a year business which employs more than 7,000 employees in 120 worldwide locations. Mr. Cornell is the second CH2M HILL founder to pass away. Fred Merryfield, the Oregon State engineering professor who conceived the idea for the firm, died in 1977. The other founders are retired, but remain active in CH2M HILL affairs, in their communities and in their personal lives. Ralph R. Peterson, CH2M HILL's president and CEO, said, It was my personal pleasure to work with Holly from the time I joined the firm in 1965 until Holly's retirement in 1980. Of course, he excelled at whatever job he undertook, but what I remember most of Holly during those times are the lasting relationships he forged with clients, on projects: clients and projects like to Boeing 747 Assembly Plant in Everett, Washington; and the Denver Water Board's Foothills Water Treatment plant in Denver. These became landmark projects, but what is truly impressive is that those clients are still valued CH2M HILL clients today. Mr. Cornell was born in Boise, ID in 1914 and earned a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Oregon State College in 1939. He earned a master's degree from Yale and worked for the Standard Oil Co. in California before being called to active Army duty in 1941. Mr. Cornell served with distinction in the Army Corps of Engineers in Europe during World War II and received the Bronze Star medal. He was executive officer of an engineer group under Gen. George Patton that repaired Germany's famed Remagen Bridge, enabling Allied forces to cross the Rhine. Mr. Cornell was active in numerous professional societies including the American Consulting Engineers Council, the American Society of Civil Engineers, the American Water Works Association, and the Professional Engineers of Oregon. The latter society recently named him Oregon Engineer of the Year. He also was active in a university fraternal organization, Phi Delta Theta, and several honorary societies including Phi Kappa Phi and Tau Beta Pi. Mr. Cornell enjoyed golf and travel. His wife, Cleo, preceded him in death. He is survived by a son, Stephen Cornell, Seattle; a daughter, Cynthia Wildfong, Castle Rock, CO; and three grandchildren.

Mr. SMITH of Oregon

Mr. SMITH of Oregon. Mr. President, it is with considerable pride I share with you today an educational program that is bringing hope and insight to students in Oregon. It is characterized by voluntarism, authentic educational programs, and community involvement. The program itself, and its individual parts, serves as a model for educational reforms throughout our Nation. The Oregon State University Summer Agricultural Institute, which is currently in its 8th year, consists of teachers taking a week long course designed to enhance their understanding of agriculture in Oregon. After a day of initial study at the university, teachers are immersed in authentic, hands-on learning. They visit actual working farms and ranches, processing plants, forestry sites, and dairy farms. Additionally, each teacher spends 1 night with a family that owns and operates a farm or ranch. Teachers in the program also experience a day of role reversal as they become the students of boys and girls involved in Future Farmers of America. The teachers learn how relevant and meaningful learning takes place in the lives of these young people as they farm and raise animals. Teachers must pay a small fee for the class but the overwhelming majority of costs are met through donations. These gifts of money, time, and resources by agricultural communities in Oregon provide the financial backbone of the program. The institute ends with a dinner where teachers are given the opportunity to share their reflections on the week. During this evening it is common for teachers to share an increased sense of appreciation for agriculture. The advanced level of education possessed by farmers and ranchers, their commitment to responsible stewardship of the land, and their incredible work ethic leave the teachers not only impressed but touched. One teacher tearfully remarked, ``Oregon's land is in good hands. Thank you.'' Teachers leave the week with the necessary knowledge and motivation to develop meaningful curricula related to agriculture in Oregon. Lafona Jensen, the chairwoman of the program, Karen Stephenson, the coordinator of the program, and Dr. Lee Cole, the instructor of record, are individuals making a genuine difference in the lives of young people in Oregon. I strongly encourage States with similar agricultural interests as Oregon to look closely at this program. The Oregon State University Summer Agricultural Institute is a model for communities desiring to design educational programs that promote authentic learning and an appreciation for the important role agriculture plays in our society.

Mr. SMITH of Oregon

Mr. SMITH of Oregon. Thank you, Mr. President. I thank Senator Wyden for his remarks and diligence on this issue. Mr. President, on November 27, 1996, as Senator Wyden has related, a Portland-based HC-130 airplane of the 304th Rescue Squadron, with the call sign of ``King 56,'' crashed off the coast of California, killing 10 of 11 people on board. I read the account of this tragedy, as related by the sole survivor of this accident, T. Sgt. Robert Vogel, and I was both moved and proud knowing that under extreme stress and knowing of their peril, this Oregon-based crew performed exactly as trained, and followed procedures and worked together until the very end. Almost 8 months has passed since this accident, and still the Department of Defense officials are unsure of the cause of the accident. Never learning the cause of this accident and the risk of having a similar accident occurring to another C-130 crew is simply unacceptable to Senator Wyden and myself. That is why we have asked experts from the National Transportation Safety Board to perform an additional review of the accident investigation and the accident procedures conducted by the Air Force. This review is still in progress. Although the cause of the accident is unknown, what we have learned is that there were very unfortunate shortcomings in the way the Department of Defense dealt with the families of the ``King 56'' crash victims. The shortcomings relate both to the way the Department manages accident investigations and the way the Department performs casualty notifications. That is what this amendment by Senator Wyden and myself has intended to address. We are simply asking the Department to evaluate its procedures against models used by the Federal Aviation Administration and to report to Congress whether these procedures would be beneficial and should be adopted also for military use. I thank Senator Wyden again for our work together in trying to correct the shortcomings in the Department of Defense accident process and to do a better job assisting the families generally, but specifically those families associated with ``King 56.'' I urge the Air Force to continue to question this accident so that none of us in any State has to experience a similar tragedy as Oregon has. Our volunteer men and women in the Armed Services deserve no less. Thank you, Mr. President. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Oregon

Mr. SMITH of Oregon. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to the remarkable life of Kirsten Frohnmayer. Kirsten, the daughter of University of Oregon president Dave Frohnmayer and his wife Lynn, died last week after a courageous battle with Fanconi anemia, a rare genetic disease that also claimed the life of her sister, Katie. Kirsten lived much of her 24 years on Earth with the knowledge that she was battling a vicious disease. Yet she never gave up, and she never allowed herself to wallow in despair. Rather, as her family and friends have testified, she maintained an optimistic spirit that inspired countless men, women, and children. Kirsten also willingly volunteered to undergo experimental medical procedures, in hopes that others with the same disease might benefit from what doctors learned through the procedure. Mr. President, the Eugene Register Guard recently published an eloquent tribute to Kirsten which contains her own inspiring words. I ask that this tribute be printed in the Record immediately following my remarks. Mr. President, let me conclude by simply saying that the entire State of Oregon joins with me in extending our thoughts and prayers to the entire Frohnmayer family. The tribute follows: [From the Eugene Register Guard, June 23, 1997] Kirsten In her graduation speech at South Eugene High School six years ago this month, Kirsten Frohnmayer said: ``My family jokes that by having this serious health problem, we provide an important community service. We remind people that things in their own lives may not be as bad as they seem.'' That was no joke. Following the joys and sorrows of the Frohnmayer family has been a community activity here for more than two decades. Their lives are at least more instructive than soap operas. Kirsten's own story, her cheerfully determined battle against a mysterious disease with a strange name and a lethal record, has been particularly gripping. But not all stories have happy endings. This one is particularly sad because all of us were rooting so hard, hoping against hope. The community genuinely grieves with the Frohnmayers, as in some degree does the whole state. At 24, mentally and spiritually Kirsten had done more living than many people twice her age. She had an immense capacity for life. Partly because of her disease, she had a keen appreciation for each day's possibilities. Her positive outlook calls to mind the obituary editorial famed Kansas editor William Allen White wrote 76 years ago after his own 16-year-old daughter was killed in a freak riding accident: ``Her humor was a continual bubble of joy. . . . No angel was Mary White, but an easy girl to live with, for she never nursed a grouch five minutes in her life.'' On the list of personal tragedies to which humankind is vulnerable, the death of a child must rank at the top. It does not matter whether the child is struck by a limb while riding her horse or is worn down over many years and finally defeated by a vicious disease; the loss is tremendously hard to bear. Hearts go out to David and Lynn Frohnmayer and to Kirsten's three remaining siblings. But we know, too, that they will manage, because they are blessed with intelligence and strength of spirit--and because they understand the wisdom of what Kirsten told her classmates at the close of her remarks in 1991: ``A final thought I'd like to share with you tonight is my belief that sometimes we should live for the day. Too often life consists of anticipation of the future or regrets about the past. But we can't change the past, and we don't know what the future will hold. So, at least some of the time, we should concentrate on the present. Whatever path you've chosen, whether you're talking about college, a job, volunteer work, or family, you're talking about life and life must be fun. Find the fun in life, for as Ferris Bueller said on his day off, `life moves pretty fast, and if you don't stop and look around once in a while, you are going to miss it.' ``So . . . I hope that you will remember to appreciate and protect what you have, be optimistic and constructive in the face of adversity, and stop to smell the roses. Good night and good luck.''

Mr. SMITH of Oregon

Mr. SMITH of Oregon. Mr. President, I send an amendment to the desk and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. SMITH of Oregon. Mr. President, one of the threshold rights that we as Americans hold dear is the right to worship God according to the dictates of one's own conscience. It is for that reason that many Christians and people of all faiths are disturbed by news headlines about the persecution of Christians, specifically, and other religious minorities generally in the nation of the People's Republic of China. This body is about to engage in a great debate on the issue of China and how the religious minorities of that great nation are treated by its government. Many of us are concerned about this issue and find it appalling to read accounts of the persecution of Christians in that nation. I, for one, believe that the best way to help China change its internal affairs toward religious minorities is not by escalating a trade war or military competition with them, but rather to engage them and to focus the spotlight upon this issue in every forum that we can find. I think businesses have an obligation to do that, and I believe we, as U.S. Senators, have an obligation to do that. For that reason, today, I rise to offer this amendment, which is a sense-of-the-Senate amendment, that will focus on the issue of religious persecution in the People's Republic of China. Specifically, it says that: It is, therefore, the sense of the Senate that: (1) the government of the People's Republic of China be urged to release from incarceration all those held for participation in religious activities outside the aegis of official churches, and cease prosecuting or detaining those who participate in such religious activities; (2) the government of the People's Republic of China be urged to abolish its present church registration process; (3) the government of the People's Republic of China fully adhere to the religious principles protected by the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights; and (4) the Administration should raise the United States' concerns over the persecution of Protestant and Catholic believers with the government of the People's Republic of China, including at the proposed state visit by President Jiang Zemin to the United States, and at other high-level meetings that may take place. I believe this amendment has the approval on both sides. I thank the Chair and the managers of the bill for this time.

Mr. SMITH of Oregon. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that reading of the amendment be dispensed with.

Mr. SMITH of Oregon

Mr. SMITH of Oregon. Mr. President, I am today introducing legislation to authorize financial assistance to the Tumalo Irrigation District for the construction of water system improvements for the purposes of efficient utilization of water and to increase water for in-stream flows in Tumalo Creek and the Deschutes River basin. The district will conserve approximately 40,000 acre feet of water per year upon completion of the project. This conservation will allow the diversions from the Deschutes River and Tumalo Creek to be reduced by about 32,000 acre-feet. This increased in-stream waterflow will improve water quality, fisheries, increase opportunities for recreation, and enhance fire protection with the possible installation of hydrants. This legislation also has the added benefit of local funding with 50 percent coming from the district, State, and community. This project will be completed in phases with the recommended total appropriation at $15,000,000. I am proud of the district's work to improve in-stream flows. This is a positive solution to the inefficient and environmentally unsound system now in place. Oregon has long demonstrated its ability to identify innovative and progressive solutions, and I believe that this legislation will allow the Tumalo Irrigation District to proudly continue that tradition. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that a copy of the bill be inserted in the Record.

Mr. SMITH of Oregon

Mr. SMITH of Oregon. Mr. President, I am today introducing legislation to authorize financial assistance to the Tumalo Irrigation District for the construction of water system improvements for the purposes of efficient utilization of water and to increase water for in-stream flows in Tumalo Creek and the Deschutes River basin. The district will conserve approximately 40,000 acre feet of water per year upon completion of the project. This conservation will allow the diversions from the Deschutes River and Tumalo Creek to be reduced by about 32,000 acre-feet. This increased in-stream waterflow will improve water quality, fisheries, increase opportunities for recreation, and enhance fire protection with the possible installation of hydrants. This legislation also has the added benefit of local funding with 50 percent coming from the district, State, and community. This project will be completed in phases with the recommended total appropriation at $15,000,000. I am proud of the district's work to improve in-stream flows. This is a positive solution to the inefficient and environmentally unsound system now in place. Oregon has long demonstrated its ability to identify innovative and progressive solutions, and I believe that this legislation will allow the Tumalo Irrigation District to proudly continue that tradition. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that a copy of the bill be inserted in the Record.

Mr. SMITH of Oregon

Mr. SMITH of Oregon. Mr. President, we have just heard about the history and origins of the 1897 Organic Act of the U.S. Forest Service. I would like to describe what our forests were like a century ago and compare this to where we are today as a nation of enlightened forest stewards. Consider the following turn-of-the-century snapshot of the condition of the Nation's forests and wildlife that confronted our early conservation leaders: Wildfires commonly consumed 20 to 50 million acres annually--an area the size of Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware combined. There were about 80 million acres of cut-over land that continued to be either idle or lacking desirable tree cover. The volume of timber cut nationally greatly exceeded that of forest growth. There were no provisions for reforestation in our system of laws. Aside from a few experimental programs, long-term forest management was not practiced. Also at the turn of the century, wood was still relatively cheap. Because of this, large quantities were left behind after logging. Sawmills were inefficient. The use of wood in buildings was based on custom, rather on sound engineering. Huge volumes of wood simply rotted. Massive clearing of forest land for agriculture continued. In the last 50 years of the 19th century, forest cover in many areas east of the Mississippi had fallen from 70 to 20 percent or less. In the last decade of the 19th century, America's farmers cleared forests at the average rate of 13.5 square miles per day. And much of this land included steep slopes that were highly erodible. Formerly abundant wildlife species were severely depleted or nearing extinction. Now compare the unfortunate realities that the country faced at the turn of this century with a snapshot of how our forests look today as we prepare for a new millennium: Following two centuries of decline, the area of forest land has stabilized. Today, the United States has about the same forest area as in 1920. The area consumed by wildfire each year has fallen 90 percent. And this trend is continuing even with some severe fire seasons over the last couple of summers. Nationally, the average volume of standing timber per acre in United States forests is about one-third greater today than in 1952. In the East, the average volume per acre has almost doubled. Populations of whitetail deer, wild turkey, elk, pronghorns, and many other wildlife species have increased dramatically. Tree planting on all forest lands rose significantly after World War II, reaching record levels in the 1980's. Many private forest lands are now actively managed for tree growing. 70,000 certified tree farms encompass 95 million acres of privately-owned land. The tens of millions of acres of cut-over land that existed in 1900 have long since been reforested. Many of these areas today are mature forests. Others have been harvested a second time, and the cycle of regeneration to young forests has started again. Eastern forests have staged a major comeback. We are seeing an increase in forested acreage throughout the Eastern States. Finally, forest growth nationally has exceeded harvests since the 1940's, with each subsequent decade generally showing increasing margins of growth over harvests. By the early part of this decade, growth exceeded harvest by 34 percent and the volume of forest growth was 360 percent greater than it had been in 1920. Recreational use on national forests and other public and private forest lands has increased manyfold. The efficiency of wood utilization has improved substantially since 1900. Much less material is left in the woods. Many sawmills produce more than double the usable lumber and other products per log than they did in 1900. Engineering standards and designs have reduced the volume of wood used per square foot of building space. Preservation treatments have substantially extended the service life of wood. These efficiencies have reduced by millions of acres, the area of annual harvest that otherwise would have occurred. These comparisons demonstrate what huge strides have been made in forest management between the turn of the century and today. It is important that we recognize the Forest Service for its contributions to this progress. In my home State of Oregon, which has some of the most productive forest land in the world, the Forest Service has been a responsible partner in managing our Federal lands. In fact, Forest Service employees in Oregon last year endured several physical attacks against their operations. Not only did arsonists burn the Oakridge Ranger Station to the ground, but they also destroyed a Forest Service truck at the Detroit Ranger Station. I want to thank those Forest Service employees in Oregon for enduring such deplorable acts of terrorism, and also recognize the agency's hard work all over the State. Mr. President, I want to take this opportunity to commend the U.S. Forest Service for helping improve the stewardship of our natural resources over the last 100 years. The agency's efforts to use sound science and its ability to look forward have become a worldwide model for balancing the growing needs of our land. While we may not agree on every issue, I look to the Forest Service for equally successful leadership in the next 100 years.

Mr. SMITH of Oregon

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

Mr. SMITH of Oregon. Mr. President, I would not be surprised if Senator Thurmond did not even know my name, and there is no reason that he should. He had served in this body and had run for President before I was ever born, and I want him to know that I was uncomfortable in presiding here in seeing time pass by with too few people rising to pay tribute to his name and the heritage of political service he leads to this country. I, as a little boy, moved with my father and mother from Pendleton, OR, to Washington, DC. My dad worked for Dwight Eisenhower, and as a little boy I became interested in political affairs and public life, and for all of the memory of my life I remember hearing the name of Strom Thurmond. I remember him as a Democrat. I remember him as a Republican. I remember him always following the dictates of his conscience in pursuing issues as he saw them to be right. I, therefore, join with all who pay tribute to Strom Thurmond. I thank him for his service to our country. I thank him for his repeated reminders to us and the Republican conference of the first constitutional responsibility that we have--to provide for the common defense. As the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee he does that ably, and I, for one, hear his message and am anxious to support him in providing a strong national defense. I just had occasion to travel with the President of the United States to Europe where we witnessed the signing of the Russia-NATO agreement. I also participated in the ceremonies for the 50th anniversary of the Marshall plan. These are great contributions that America is making to world affairs and to peace. It occurs to me that none of this would have been possible absent a strong national defense. Indeed, providing for an American role in leadership, because we as Americans understand our international responsibility and understand that the world looks to us. Indeed, it looks to leaders like Strom Thurmond to support our military services in making sure that we are the leaders of peacefulness throughout this very hostile and difficult world. Senator Thurmond, I come to the Senate today to say thank you. I never served in the military and I suppose every man would like one day to have his grandson ask him, ``What did you do in the war, Grandpa,'' and I will not be able to say I served in battle like you did, but in a sense here in the U.S. Senate we go to war every day, but nobody dies, because we have found a way in this country, in this deliberative body, to fight without bloodshed. It will be my great pleasure that when my grandson sits on my knee and asks what did I do to contribute to the public life of this country, one of the things I will say is I served with Senator Strom Thurmond. Thank you, sir. I salute you and I commend you and I want to say publicly it is a high honor and a great privilege to serve as your colleague in this body of the U.S. Senate. Mr. President, I note the absence of a quorum.

Mr. SMITH of Oregon

Mr. SMITH of Oregon. Mr. President, I am today introducing legislation to transfer 320 acres of Oregon and California grant lands currently under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management [BLM] to the city of Grants Pass, OR. I am pleased to introduce this legislation because it exemplifies how I believe our government should work. I believe government works best when the local community has an opportunity to participate in making decisions important to them. Since 1968, the city of Grants Pass has leased 200 acres of BLM land to operate the Merlin Municipal Solid Waste Facility under permit by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality [DEQ]. The current lease ends April 14 in the year 2000 and, pursuant to BLM's national policy, the lease will not be renewed. The city of Grants Pass has made an incredible commitment of time, manpower, and financial resources over several years to address and minimize the environmental concerns of the Merlin landfill. The long-term management and resolution of these environmental issues can best be handled by the city of Grants Pass through ownership of the property. The 120 acres not part of the Merlin landfill are described by BLM as ``scab lands'' and are not subject to timber harvest. In addition, if the additional 120 acres are retained they would be landlocked or without access. For these reasons, the BLM recommends that these 120 acres be included in the land transfer. The 120 acres and any of the 200 acres not used for solid waste management will be retained exclusively for public use. The reason for this legislation is simple: Existing Federal law providing for the transfer of Federal land either does not cover Oregon and California grant lands, presents administrative procedural requirements, or does not provide the United States with the necessary environmental liability safeguards. The Grants Pass land transfer legislation is supported at all levels of government--local, State, and Federal. This legislation is a companion bill to that of my good friend and colleague from the House, Congressman Bob Smith, and is being heard today before the House Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands. I encourage my colleagues to join me in support of this legislation. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the provisions of the bill be inserted in the Record.

Mr. SMITH of Oregon

Mr. SMITH of Oregon. Mr. President, I am today introducing legislation to transfer 320 acres of Oregon and California grant lands currently under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management [BLM] to the city of Grants Pass, OR. I am pleased to introduce this legislation because it exemplifies how I believe our government should work. I believe government works best when the local community has an opportunity to participate in making decisions important to them. Since 1968, the city of Grants Pass has leased 200 acres of BLM land to operate the Merlin Municipal Solid Waste Facility under permit by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality [DEQ]. The current lease ends April 14 in the year 2000 and, pursuant to BLM's national policy, the lease will not be renewed. The city of Grants Pass has made an incredible commitment of time, manpower, and financial resources over several years to address and minimize the environmental concerns of the Merlin landfill. The long-term management and resolution of these environmental issues can best be handled by the city of Grants Pass through ownership of the property. The 120 acres not part of the Merlin landfill are described by BLM as ``scab lands'' and are not subject to timber harvest. In addition, if the additional 120 acres are retained they would be landlocked or without access. For these reasons, the BLM recommends that these 120 acres be included in the land transfer. The 120 acres and any of the 200 acres not used for solid waste management will be retained exclusively for public use. The reason for this legislation is simple: Existing Federal law providing for the transfer of Federal land either does not cover Oregon and California grant lands, presents administrative procedural requirements, or does not provide the United States with the necessary environmental liability safeguards. The Grants Pass land transfer legislation is supported at all levels of government--local, State, and Federal. This legislation is a companion bill to that of my good friend and colleague from the House, Congressman Bob Smith, and is being heard today before the House Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands. I encourage my colleagues to join me in support of this legislation. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the provisions of the bill be inserted in the Record.

Mr. SMITH of Oregon

Mr. SMITH of Oregon. I am interested in that, but I am not interested in breaking this budget agreement, if it means that we are breaking our promises to the American people. Republicans and Democrats alike-- neither side, frankly--are thrilled with every provision of this budget, but the truth is, a lot of promises are being kept with this budget. Ultimately, it comes into balance, but in addition to that, we are protecting essential programs, we are cutting taxes, and we are balancing budgets. I think that is what America expects. I think that is what they want, and overriding all of our individual little concerns, I think they want us to keep our word on balancing the budget. In defense of this Congress, I think it is important to point out that since 1990, funding for Head Start has tripled. It ought to do better, but it ought not to do so at the expense of the promises we have made to cut the tax burden on the American people. In addition, children's programming is a priority in this budget. We have funded Head Start at the President's requested level of an additional $2.7 billion over 5 years. We provided $1 billion for this program last year and an additional $4.5 billion for child care through the welfare reform bill. So it is not like we are insensitive to this. In fact, many of us would like to do more. It is just the vehicle being chosen, and this vehicle, the Dodd amendment, will, frankly, in the end violate this bipartisan agreement, and that we cannot do, because to get a majority, we need to keep this promise to ourselves, to our constituents, and keep faith with the leadership and with the White House. Thank you, Madam President. Mr. WELLSTONE addressed the Chair.

Mr. SMITH of Oregon. Madam President, we are prepared to accept the amendment and yield time back off the amendment, if the Senator from Colorado agrees with that.

Mr. SMITH of Oregon. I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to.

Mr. SMITH of Oregon. Under a previous agreement, Madam President, I yield 10 minutes to the Senator from Connecticut.

Mr. SMITH of Oregon. Madam President, I yield myself 5 minutes. I would like to respond to the Senator from Connecticut. I think there are many on my side of the aisle who care a great deal about issues with respect to children. I am one of those who has kind of bucked the tide in my party and signed up as a cosponsor, with enthusiasm, to the Hatch-Kennedy bill, which raises the tax on tobacco to provide expanded Medicaid to children. I also have great sympathy for many of the points Senator Dodd is making. I believe we should fully fund Head Start. I am told it takes $10 billion to do that, not $14 billion----

Mr. SMITH of Oregon. It is my understanding from the Parliamentarian that----

Mr. SMITH of Oregon. The Dodd amendment is not germane. Pursuant to section 305 of the Budget Act, I raise a point of order against the amendment.

Mr. SMITH of Oregon. I ask all time be yielded back from our side.