Ellen Tauscher

Mrs. TAUSCHER

Mrs. TAUSCHER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my constituent Brett Alexander Sisto of Eagle Scout troop No. 204 in Lafayette, California, as he receives the distinguished honor of the Eagle Scout rank. The honor of Eagle Scout is given only to those young men who have demonstrated that that they have fulfilled its rigorous requirements, including living by the Scout Oath and Law, rising through the Boy Scout ranks, earning 21 merit badges, serving as a leader, and planning and leading a service project for their community. This is not an honor given out lightly: this young man is becoming an Eagle Scout because he is intelligent, dedicated, and principled. I am proud to call Brett Alexander Sisto my constituent, for he is a shining example of the promise of the next generation. Indeed, he represents the best of the young people in our country. I extend my sincere congratulations to him and his family, on this momentous occasion.

Mrs. TAUSCHER

Mrs. TAUSCHER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the career accomplishments of Commander Daniel J. Hurley during his service to the El Cerrito Police Department. Commander Hurley represents very high professional standards of law enforcement and service to his community, and he will be missed after his retirement. In the Department, which he joined in 1975, he held positions of increasing responsibility, advancing to the rank of Sergeant in 1980, and to the rank of Police Commander in 2000. He also held a wide range of positions, from administration to field operations, that required both technical and managerial expertise. In a characteristic quest for excellence, Commander Hurley continued on with his higher education while he was working for the Department, and he earned a Bachelor's Degree. Commander Hurley's life work, like the work of law enforcement officers in all our communities, is the source of stability and safety we all count on and enjoy in our daily lives. My purpose in speaking today is to give due recognition to the quiet, knowledgeable, and reliable work Commander Hurley has consistently performed in his twenty-nine years with the El Cerrito Police Department. I thank him for his essential contributions to the quality of life in El Cerrito and the Tenth Congressional District, and I wish him a well- deserved retirement with his wife Deborah and their children Danielle, Erin, and Ryan in the desirable community he has worked well and hard to shape.

Mrs. TAUSCHER

Mrs. TAUSCHER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the December 16, 2004 dedication of the Government Center Complex in Fairfield, California, the county seat of Solano County. The new Government Center Complex is the most ambitious capital improvement project in the history of the county and I laud the project's energy efficiency measures. The Government Center Complex contains a six-story County Administration Center that achieves the lowest energy cost per square foot for any government facility in the State of California. The Government Center Complex also contains a five-level parking structure with over 1,000 parking stalls, 20 electric vehicle slots, and a rooftop photovoltaic solar array that generates 119 kilowatts of clean, emissions free power. Again, I commend county staff and the county's private partners on the timely and fiscally responsible completion of what is truly a landmark building for the citizens of Solano County.

Mrs. TAUSCHER

Mrs. TAUSCHER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Steven Chappell, of the Suisun Resource Conservation District, for his timely actions in protecting the Suisun Marsh wetlands. Steven Chappell began working for the Suisun Resource Conservation District in August 1994 as a district biologist, and was quickly promoted to executive director, a position he has held for almost 10 years. On April 28, 2004, at 5:30 p.m. Steven Chappell received notification from the California Department of Fish and Game's Office of Spill Prevention and Response (OSPR) that a petroleum pipeline had released diesel oil into the Suisun Marsh. Mr. Chappell immediately drove to the site to offer his assistance and expertise to the Incident Command Team, comprised of State and Federal agency representatives. He explained how managed wetlands work and took immediate action to close all water control structures on the affected property. As a direct result of Steven Chappell's quick actions in closing the gates, the diesel oil remained contained within the area and did not enter the Roos Cut, an unimpeded waterway extension which feeds into the tidal sloughs and adjacent wetlands of the Suisun Marsh. In addition, Mr. Chappell prepared detailed aerial maps of the Suisun Marsh and returned to the spill site that same day. These aerials have been invaluable in OSPR's cleanup efforts. For weeks after the spill, Steven Chappell devoted an inordinate amount of time coordinating with OSPR, the United States Coast Guard, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and Kinder Morgan, the owner of the pipeline, in cleanup efforts and in the development of a restoration plan. Steven Chappell's timely actions helped to avert a major disaster at the Suisun Marsh wetlands. I am proud to commend him today for his leadership, dedication, and commitment to the Suisun Resource Conservation District and to the people of Solano County.

Mrs. TAUSCHER

Mrs. TAUSCHER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Sergeant Kevin Wise, who is retiring from the City of Concord Police Department after 29 years of serving the residents of Concord as well as the larger community. Sergeant Wise is a life-long resident of California. He married his wife Maggie in 1988 and he has two daughters, Kristen and Kelsey. Kevin Wise's career began when he worked as Police Assistant for the Concord Police Department in 1976. He was hired as a sworn Police Officer in 1977, and faithfully served the department, holding many specialty positions until he retired in October of 2004 as a Provisional Patrol Sergeant in the Field Operations Division. The distinguished career of Kevin Wise includes serving on the Board of the Concord Police Officers' Association, and in 2002 he served as the Association's President for eighteen months. Mr. Wise's work also includes several recognitions, including a Blue Knight award which Sergeant Wise received in 1996 from the Knights of Columbus for his exceptional work as a career member of the community's emergency services. He also received a Peace Makers Award in 1997 from the Conflict Resolution Panel of Contra Costa County for his outstanding service ``keeping the peace'' in the community while working as a Gang Investigator. Sergeant Wise has demonstrated outstanding leadership throughout his career including co-founding the Concord Police Department's GANG Unit in 1996. This unit is still in existence and continues to increase gang awareness and suppression. Furthermore, he was selected in 2002 to provide peer support counseling to NYPD officers struggling with the aftermath of the 9/11 tragedy because of his highly regarded work as a Peer Support Counselor within the Concord Police Department. For 29 years, Sergeant Wise has served the Concord Police Department and surrounding community. His hard work has improved the safety of the City and provided important support to his peers. Today, I am proud to commend him for his service, dedication and commitment to the people-- and entire community--of Concord.

Mrs. TAUSCHER

Mrs. TAUSCHER. I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased today to have the opportunity to vote in support of reasonable and responsible CALFED legislation. I want to thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Pombo), the gentleman from California (Mr. Calvert), the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Napolitano), and especially the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller) for their leadership and especially the gentleman from California (Mr. Pombo) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Calvert) for acceding to the Senate language. As I said when the House first considered this legislation this summer, it is well past time that the State of California and the Federal Government get to work in active partnership to restore the delta's ecosystem and meet our State's growing water needs. For too many years, Mr. Speaker, because agreement was not reached, California lost tens of millions of dollars which could have been used to begin work on these vitally important projects. In fiscal years 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004, zero was appropriated for the CALFED projects. We could not allow this to continue. And so I am glad today we are considering the Senate version of this measure, ushered through by the hard work of our senior Senator, Dianne Feinstein. This bill preserves the existing record of decision, strips the divisive preauthorization language, and best balances the vital water interests in our region. Fortunately, today's legislation will make new water projects subject to the critical public review and public participation process which the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller) and I have been fighting for, which will secure the integrity of the CALFED program into the future. Under an open process and through this renewed Federal-State partnership, we can begin to address issues of water supply restoration, ecosystem restoration, and water-quality enhancement so vital to the future of California. As the sixth largest economy in the world, as home to some of the world's most unique, yet endangered, species and ecosystems, and as a major key to the economic strength of our Nation, it is critical that we endeavor to address our State's aging water infrastructure and diminishing resources. The CALFED program will allow us to do so. I am pleased to join my California colleagues in supporting it. I urge a ``yes'' vote.

Mrs. TAUSCHER

Mrs. TAUSCHER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this bill, H.R. 5011, the Military Personnel Financial Services Protection Act. Every American--especially every American who suits up to protect our Nation--should rest assured that their family's future is provided for if the unthinkable happens. I support Representative Burns's bill because basic life insurance should not be a worry on our fighting force's shoulders, it should be a trusted guarantee. It is utterly unconscionable for insurance agents to be peddling policies to our troops that provide poor coverage and charge exorbitant fees, such as these contractual plans. I recently returned from a trip to Iraq and I am pleased to know that the young soldiers I met will soon be protected from fraudulent or misleading sales practices with the passage of this bill.

Mrs. TAUSCHER

Mrs. TAUSCHER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, I oppose this bill to reinstate the draft, but I really want to thank the Republican leadership for bringing the bill to the floor, even though they oppose it, to highlight this administration's complete mismanagement of the war in Iraq. Imposing a draft is not the right solution, but it is time we recognized a real problem. Our military is overstretched, overcommitted, and close to the breaking point. Last week, Paul Bremer, the former Iraqi administrator, acknowledged that we should have had more troops in Iraq to deal with the counterinsurgency which has resulted in over 1,000 Americans dead. He is only the latest to call for an increase in the size of our military. From former Army Chief of Staff General Shinseki, whose appeal for more troops in Iraq fell on deaf ears, to General John Riggs, the head of the Army's transportation efforts, who called for an increase in end-strength beyond 10,000 troops, to the Pentagon's own Defense Science Board, which warned last week that inadequate troop size means that the United States cannot sustain current and projected global stabilization commitments, the strain on our military is increasingly obvious. Guards and Reservists make up 40 percent of our mission in Iraq, and those who have served and survived are not able to come home because there is nobody to replace them. The Army Guard will fall short of its recruitment goal by 5,000 personnel for the first time since 1994. I have a bill to increase the end-strength of the military, which is a responsible way to reduce the stress on the force. But instead of scheduling my bill, the leadership has scheduled a vote on the draft that they do not even support. I urge my colleagues to reject this bill and join me in calling on the Pentagon to substantially increase the size of our voluntary military.

Mrs. TAUSCHER

Mrs. TAUSCHER. Madam Speaker, I take that as a high compliment from the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Conyers), and I thank him for yielding me this time. Madam Speaker, at a time when the House has so much important work to do, I am deeply disappointed that I have to arise to address the political posturing occurring on what should be one of the most important bipartisan bills before us, the defense authorization bill. As a member of the House Committee on Armed Services, I strongly support the motion to instruct offered by the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Conyers) and to agree and to accede to the language passed in the other body that includes this hate crimes legislation. We have been here before. I am also a proud cosponsor of the gentleman's Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act. Congress needs to be on the record supporting State, local, and tribal governments in their efforts to combat crimes committed against people based solely on their race, gender, sexual orientation, or religion. I support including this hate crimes provision in the final version of the defense bill and urge the conferees to do so, as they have done before. We have included this vitally important language in previous defense bills with bipartisan support, only to have the Republican leadership strip it out in the end. Mr. Speaker, it is irresponsible and unacceptable that Congress has not been assisting those in need in the fight to eradicate these crimes. Now is the chance to improve upon our previous actions and work with the conferees to allow this hate crime legislation to become law. Please support the Conyers motion to instruct.

Mrs. TAUSCHER

Mrs. TAUSCHER. Mr. Speaker, on October 8, 2004, Lieutenant General Robert R. Dierker, U.S. Air Force, will complete his tour of duty as the Deputy Commander, United States Pacific Command. At the end of his tour, General Dierker will retire from the Air Force after 32 years of service to our nation. Robert Dierker represents all that is good about the United States military. He is a distinguished graduate of the United States Air Force Academy. He has served honorably throughout his career in various key operational and staff positions in the United States, Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia, and Europe. And he has commanded a fighter group and a fighter wing. Lieutenant General Dierker is himself an accomplished command pilot. He has logged more than 2,500 flying hours, primarily in tactical aircraft, and is a master parachutist with more than 130 military jumps. Mr. Chairman, on behalf of the United States Congress and the nation, I take great pride in formally recognizing the exceptionally meritorious service of Lieutenant General Robert R. Dierker.

Mrs. TAUSCHER

Mrs. TAUSCHER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize September 12 to 18 as National Assisted Living Week. Created in 1995 by the National Center for Assisted Living, National Assisted Living Week is being celebrated this year for the first time in collaboration with the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging and the Assisted Living Federation of America. Along with good health and access to family and friends, nothing is more important to the senior citizens of our communities than their independence. National Assisted Living Week recognizes senior citizens who prize their independence and honors the professionals, volunteers, and investors who support the facilities and services that help them keep it. The 2004 NALW theme, symbolized by a family tree and a heart, is ``Caring for Our Heritage''. The focus is on diverse cultural traditions that enrich our communities at all stages of life and are especially meaningful and comforting to residents of assisted living environments. Mr. Speaker, I commend NCAL, AAHSA, and ALFA for working together to promote National Assisted Living Week, beginning this Grandparents' Day. We as a nation are grateful to the members of these three organizations for their mission and expertise in advocating and caring for and preserving the quality of life of our senior citizens.

Mrs. TAUSCHER

Mrs. TAUSCHER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring to your attention the accomplishments of the Wellness Community of the San Francisco East Bay area. The Wellness Community provides support, education, and hope for people with cancer and their loved ones, serving more than 1,000 participants in the Bay Area annually. Cancer affects three out of four families across our Nation, over 1.3 million Americans each year. Cancer does not discriminate, crossing all ethnic, racial, age, national origin, sexual orientation, and socio- economic lines. It is one of the most devastating diseases afflicting Americans today. The Wellness Community of the San Francisco East Bay area provides services to improve the quality of life for cancer patients, their families, and loved ones. Services include weekly and monthly support groups, monthly educational programs, stress management and gentle movement programs, and a cancer resource library. In addition to providing a close-knit, home-like atmosphere, the Wellness Community's programs also enable those with cancer to take an active stance in combating the disease by forming a support network for patients and their families. The Wellness Community believes that hope is a valuable tool for combating cancer. Rather than identifying themselves as passive victims, the Wellness Community empowers patients to play an active role in improving their own lives by working directly with their healthcare teams to bring about the possibility of recovery. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and commend the Wellness Community on over twenty years of dedicated service in improving the lives of individuals, families, and loved ones who are affected by cancer in the San Francisco Bay area. I urge the House of Representatives to recognize their declaration of September 18, 2004 as ``The Wellness Community Day of Celebration.''

Mrs. TAUSCHER

Mrs. TAUSCHER. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride and pleasure that I rise today to recognize the achievements and activities of John A. Coleman. Mr. Coleman currently is serving as the President of the California Association of Sanitation Agencies otherwise known as CASA. CASA is a statewide association of wastewater treatment agencies that is responsible for ensuring the protection and improvement of California's water quality for more than 22 million Californians and their related businesses and our state's natural resources. He was elected CASA President after serving as a member of this association since 1990. It is also noteworthy that he assumed this leadership role after he was elected to the Board of Directors of the East Bay Municipal Utility District that provides water quality and water supply services to many of my constituents of the 10th Congressional District. Mr. Coleman was the first CASA President to serve a two-year term of office, having been unanimously elected by the General Council of the California Association of Sanitation Agencies on August 9, 2002 and re- elected August 15, 2003. He will conclude his term as the 46th President on August 7, 2004. Mr. Coleman's performance on behalf of CASA has been one of strong leadership. He has provided important guidance on complex legislative and regulatory issues affecting the management of local public wastewater agencies as these agencies strive to comply with the myriad of federal requirements. On many an occasion I have had the opportunity to review a number of these matters with Mr. Coleman in his capacity as President of CASA and as a member of the East Bay Municipal Utility District Board of Directors. In each of these roles, Mr. Coleman displayed the highest level of integrity establishing a threshold of performance that served CASA well. He used his position at CASA both as President and a Member of the Executive Board to encourage all CASA members to maintain the highest level of professional performance in the course of conducting the public's business. Of special note, during Mr. Coleman's tenure as CASA President, he launched a state wide program to promote the beneficial use of biosolids to improve the quality of our lands and minimize the inappropriate disposal of a useful byproduct of water quality programs. This program has generated a better understanding on the part of the public on how we can be better stewards of our local communities and their natural resources. Most recently, Mr. Coleman oversaw the first CASA Federal Legislative Outreach Seminar, bringing to Washington 40 public officials to meet with their congressional delegations and U.S Environmental Protection Agency officials. This effort typified Mr. Coleman's commitment to working to enhance the CASA members' understanding of the policymaking process and to promote increased public participation in the legislative and regulatory processes. Through this activity, he has elevated and solidified CASA's leading role as one of the most effective, respected, and influential California public association dedicated to wastewater and water quality improvements. As Mr. Coleman prepares to complete his term as CASA President, I want to take note of these accomplishments and to commend him for his tireless commitment to improve the water quality of California's lakes, rivers, streams and coastal waters. His commitment and leadership at CASA means that valuable recreational, economic and social activities that today's Californians enjoy will be available for California's future generations. I congratulate him on his many achievements.

Mrs. TAUSCHER

Mrs. TAUSCHER. Mr. Speaker, I regretfully rise in opposition to the bill as it currently is constructed; and as a Californian, I fully understand the urgent need to pass legislation to reauthorize CALFED; but if we fail to reauthorize this program, we will sacrifice millions of dollars scheduled to go to important water infrastructure projects. But in its current form, this legislation will jeopardize the delicate balance of water interests in California that we have worked so hard to achieve and make it more difficult for us to reauthorize CALFED. Instead of codifying the Record of Decision that was agreed to in the CALFED process, this bill disrupts the balance that it created. This bill sets the dangerous precedent of authorizing large-scale projects before they have undergone comprehensive review and analysis. The preauthorization language is bad policy and bad politics. The gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller), the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Rahall), and I will offer a motion to recommit this bill that would strip the preauthorization language from the legislation. I urge my colleagues to support the motion so that we can pass a CALFED bill this year and get it signed by the President.

Mrs. TAUSCHER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time, and I rise in strong support of the Miller-Tauscher motion to recommit. As a member of California who represents a large part of the San Francisco Bay-Delta, I fully understand the importance of reauthorizing the CALFED program. Now more than ever, California needs the Federal Government to be an active financial partner in helping restore the delta's ecosystem and meeting our State's growing water needs. However, the preauthorization language in this bill severely jeopardizes our ability to renew this critical State-Federal partnership. Not only is it bad economic and environmental policy, but insisting on preauthorization, knowing that the other body will reject it, is a failed strategy for reaching agreement this year. Passing this bill as it is currently drafted is a divisive step that fails to really help Californians. Mr. Speaker, with less than 30 legislative days remaining in the 108th Congress, we must have a smart strategy to get a CALFED bill done for the people of California before we adjourn. I urge my colleagues to support this motion, which will simply remove one paragraph from the bill and immediately return it to the House for consideration. Our constituents sent us here to make timely progress on water policies that will help them. Removing this objectionable roadblock provision will help us move forward. I urge my colleagues to support the motion to recommit.

Mrs. TAUSCHER

Mrs. TAUSCHER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of the finest Members of this institution, Doug Bereuter of Nebraska. After 26 years of service, Doug is retiring from the House to be the president of the Asia Foundation, and this body will not be the same without him. In his time in the House of Representatives, Madam Speaker, Doug Bereuter has embodied the best of public service. His commitment to his constituents and his Nation has never waivered. While staying true to his values, he has worked across party lines to achieve compromise and advance sound public policy. He is known all over Capitol Hill as a man with strong convictions but even stronger commitment to working in a bipartisan, collegial manner and a dedication to doing good. Doug Bereuter is a committed internationalist who understands that in this world of ever increasing globalization, it is essential that our Nation maintain strong relationships around the world. Doug has dedicated a significant part of his career to improving international cooperation, and he is known and respected around the world. I have had the opportunity to travel with Doug and Louise Bereuter as a member of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. I have been very impressed by his knowledge of our European allies and his grasp of the issues the alliance faces. I have seen the ease with which he relates to foreign leaders. And I have also seen the grace with which he conducts diplomacy. On a very personal note, and I am sure to the great good news to my colleagues from California, I am pleased to tell you that not only will Doug and Louise be relocating to the San Francisco Bay area, they are moving not only to my district but my home town. So I have the blessing of not losing Doug and Louise completely. Although he has a very nonpartisan job, I believe that they will enjoy living in my town, and it is a beautiful place indeed. And we will be very, very blessed to have them. They will add greatly. Louise is especially someone I have gained tremendous appreciation for. She is an artist, a great mom and a great grandmother; and I am happy to say that we are proud to have Doug Bereuter and Louise Bereuter moving to California. We are happy to have his service to the people of Nebraska and our Nation, and I wish him the best of luck. When he sees the gentleman from California (Mr. Thomas), he will be drinking California wine. I thank the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Osborne) for hosting us.

Mrs. TAUSCHER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of the finest members of this institution, Doug Bereuter of Nebraska. After 26 years of service Doug is retiring from the House to be President of the Asia Foundation, and this body will not be the same without him. In his time in the House of Representatives, Madam Speaker, Doug Bereuter has embodied the best of pubic service. His commitment to his constituents and his Nation has never waivered. While staying true to his values, he has worked across party lines to achieve compromise and advance sound public policy. He is known on Capitol Hill as a man with strong convictions but an even stronger commitment to working in a bipartisan, collegial manner and a dedication to doing good. Doug Bereuter is a committed internationalist who understands that in this world of ever increasing globalization it is essential that our Nation maintain strong relationships around the world. Doug has dedicated a significant part of his career to improving international cooperation and he is know and respected around the world. I have had the opportunity to travel with Doug as a member of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. I have been impressed by his knowledge of our European allies and his grasp of the issues the alliance faces. I have seen the ease with which he related to foreign leaders. And I have seen the grace with which he conducts diplomacy. On a personal note, Madam Speaker, I am pleased that Doug and his wife Louise will be relocating to the San Francisco Bay Area and that they will live in my district. I hope to see them regularly and continue to benefit from their kindness and wisdom. I am grateful that Doug Bereuter has given so much of his life to the people of Nebraska and to this Nation. I wish him the best of luck as he leaves Congress and begins the next chapter of his life.

Mrs. TAUSCHER

Mrs. TAUSCHER. Mr. Chairman, I must rise reluctantly to oppose this amendment. As an energy consumer and a strong environmentalist, I fully support the increased development of renewable sources of energy. California, my State, has suffered tremendously in recent years from felonious manipulations, interruptions, and fluctuations in the energy market. Increasing the availability of renewable energy is absolutely necessary to achieving energy independence, and that is why this House should have passed a more balanced energy bill that makes the right investments in renewable energy and resources. Unfortunately, Mr. Chairman, this amendment would take needed money away from the Advanced Simulation and Computing Initiative, better known as ASCI. ASCI is an essential component of our Nation's Stockpile Stewardship Program, which is designed to evaluate nuclear weapons so we do not have to return to nuclear testing. The ASCI program has developed some of the most powerful computers in the world to examine the aging of our nuclear stockpile. It has also led to breakthrough discoveries in science that have important civilian applications. The funding for ASCI in this bill is already $75 million below the level requested by the President. Mr. Chairman, while I strongly support increased development of renewable energy resources, I cannot do it at further expense of the ASCI program. So I urge my colleagues to oppose the Sanders amendment.

Mrs. TAUSCHER

Mrs. TAUSCHER. Mr. Chairman, I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Strickland), the author of the amendment that I wish I could have supported.

Mrs. TAUSCHER. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mrs. TAUSCHER. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself 2 minutes. Mr. Chairman, my amendment redirects funds in the defense authorization bill from new nuclear weapons to conventional programs that meet the same threats. The amendment that I am offering with the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton), the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Markey), the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Spratt) the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Dicks) and the gentleman from Maine (Mr. Allen) transfers funds for the Robust Nuclear Earth Penetrator and advanced concepts to, instead, improve conventional capabilities and intelligence required to defeat hardened targets. The President called for international cooperation to control the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction in a February speech at the National Defense University, but his vision is directly undermined by the contents of this defense bill. By calling for new, more usable nuclear weapons, the United States sends a message to the world that nuclear weapons are legitimate weapons that should be acquired. Resorting to nuclear weapons to destroy hardened targets is a disproportionate response with too many negative ramifications and little benefit. There are several reasons not to consider new nuclear bunker busters. Here are a few: First of all, the military has not asked for them. Second, they will produce massive collateral damage and expose our own troops to massive doses of radiation. Third, a nuclear strike against a WMD stockpile could release deadly agents into the atmosphere. Fourth, even the most powerful nuclear weapons cannot destroy bunkers over a certain depth, and rogue regimes will just dig deeper to avoid them. Fifth, an RNEP will cause mass casualties miles away from the targeted bunker and potentially harm our allies. And sixth and furthermore, developing new nuclear bunker busters would undermine decades of United States leadership aimed at preventing non-nuclear states from acquiring nuclear weapons and encouraging nuclear states to reduce their stockpiles. They are also unnecessary because the United States already has conventional programs to defeat hardened targets. My amendment strengthens these conventional programs and improves intelligence needed to get at hardened targets. The costs of missing the target with a conventional weapon is bad enough, but missing it with a nuclear warhead is far worse. Even the hawkish Defense Science Board that advises the Pentagon recently stated that U.S. interests are best served by preserving into the future the half-century-plus nonuse of nuclear weapons. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. TAUSCHER. Mr. Chairman, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton), the ranking member of the full committee.

Mrs. TAUSCHER. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Maine (Mr. Allen).

Mrs. TAUSCHER. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from the State of Washington (Mr. Dicks).

Mrs. TAUSCHER. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Matheson).