Frank Wolf

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Chairman, today the Committee on Appropriations presents the second fiscal year 2001 appropriations bill to the House. H.R. 4475 provides appropriations for the fiscal year 2000 for the Department of Transportation and related agencies appropriations. The bill that the committee presents to the House is a good and balanced bill. The committee has increased funding for some agencies which have been hard hit over the past few years, like the Coast Guard, while cutting out areas of unnecessary spending. The bill meets fully the Congressional commitment to highway, transit and aviation spending in TEA-21 and AIR-21, and fully funds Amtrak's Congressionally-mandated glidepath to operational self-sufficiency. Briefly, the bill includes $30.7 billion for highways, an increase of nearly $2 billion; $12 billion for the FAA, an increase of 25 percent, including $3.2 billion for airport grants programs; $6.3 billion for transit programs, an increase of almost $500 million; $521 million for Amtrak; and $4.6 billion for the Coast Guard, an increase of almost $600 million over last year, including almost $560 million for drug interdiction. I might just say, this is an opportunity for the Coast Guard with this money to really deal with the issue of drug interdiction and open fire on the drug runners coming out of South America. When we see a fast boat coming, heading out, and we know it is containing drugs, the opportunity is for the Coast Guard to hover over and give a warning, and, if it does not stop, to fire on the boat and to sink the boat, because there is basically a war on drugs, if you want to call it that. Now the Coast Guard has the capability to do this, and next year we will see how successful they have been. This bill has been developed in consultation with the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Sabo) and the minority staff, and was passed in subcommittee and full committee unanimously with only a few amendments. The committee has worked carefully with all Members on both sides of the aisle to address specific concerns, and I believe we have achieved strong bipartisan support. Let me just say a word with regard to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Sabo). We could not have worked in a better way. I have great respect for the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Sabo) and his knowledge of budgetary matters, having been chairman of the Committee on the Budget and then ranking member of the Committee on the Budget. I think it is an indication that the two parties can sit down and work together. So I just want to publicly thank the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Sabo) for that effort, and look forward to working with him for many, many more years to come on these and other issues. Correspondence from the Department of Transportation and the Office of Management and Budget suggest this bill, as reported by the committee, is acceptable to the administration. The bill deserves the House's widespread support. I want to close by thanking the following staff for their help in preparing the bill. From the committee staff, John Blazey, who would make a great administrator of the Federal Transit Administration in the next administration; Rich Efford, who would make a great FAA deputy administrator; Stephanie Gupta, who would do a great job on the Safety Board; Linda Muir, who could run the whole agency down there; Chris Porter and Ken Marx have done a great job; Jeff Gleason from my staff; Cheryl Smith, who could run the whole process if she were given the opportunity; and Marjorie Duske of the staff of the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Sabo), who would, again, do a great job. The point I am trying to make is the staff, and I know sometimes this is a pro forma comment, has done a remarkable job over the past 6 years, and this year, and I want to personally thank them. Everything I said about what they could be doing in the next year is true and valid, and I do not want anyone to strike it, because I want it to stand. Mr. Chairman, I include the following for the Record: [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH19MY00.001 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH19MY00.002 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH19MY00.003 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH19MY00.004 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH19MY00.005 Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Jackson).

Mr. WOLF. If the gentleman will yield, that is correct.

Mr. WOLF. That is correct.

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Chairman, yes, we would ask that the point of order would not be granted. We would make the same argument on this one as we did the previous one.

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Chairman, we concede the point of order.

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Chairman, we would not want to put any legislation on, so we would concede that.

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Chairman, we concede that.

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Chairman, we concede the point of order.

Mr. WOLF. We concede, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Chairman, we concede.

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent that the remainder of the bill through page 51 line 12 be considered as read, printed in the Record and open to amendment at any point.

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Chairman, I contest the point of order. Mr. Chairman, I am very disappointed that the chairman of the authorizing committee has raised a point of order against section 333 of this bill. This provision deletes the non-Federal match for the section 130 grade crossing programs. In 1999, the unobligated national balance, which was a disgrace, totaled $142 million. That means there was $142 million just lying out there for States to use for rail crossings to save lives. Many States have had difficulty expanding the section 130 funds, and as a result, some States have a few years of unobligated balances that should be used to eliminate grade crossing hazards. For example, Mr. Chairman, the State of Georgia has $9,630,879 in unobligated balances, and the State of North Carolina has $7,451,146 in unobligated balances. Deleting the non-Federal match would permit States to reduce those unobligated balances and eliminate a greater number of grade crossing hazards than previously planned, and improve safety for American families. In fact, it is in some of the rural areas, in the gentleman's area out in Nebraska, for $100,000 we could literally make the rural crossing safe. In some of the rural areas, the legislatures think in terms of the urban areas and forget some of these areas. The committee has received letters of support for this provision. The common theme contained in these letters is because State funds compete for a variety of highway uses, many of which have no local or State match requirement, highway planners fail to allocate funding to eliminate grade crossing hazards. This failure is occurring as a record amount of freight is being moved by rail and highway traffic is growing, creating an increasingly dangerous situation. Each year there are about 3,500 collisions at grade crossings with nearly 1,500 injuries and 500 deaths, sometimes school buses and different things like that, where a lot of people are traveling in the buses. The tragic accident earlier this year along the Tennessee- Georgia border that killed a number of schoolchildren, and the accident last year in Illinois that killed 11 Amtrak riders certainly demonstrates that more needs to be done to upgrade safety at grade crossings. Mr. Chairman, I note that the chairman of the authorizing committee insists on a point of order. I would hope he would not do this. I think by allowing this thing to stay in the bill, and I am disappointed that the Committee on Rules did not actually protect this, we would actually save a lot of lives. Mr. Chairman, I would concede the point of order, but I would appeal to the gentleman, who I know has a strong interest in safety, and I want to commend him for the efforts last year on the Motor Carrier Safety Administration, that we could have a one-time flushing out whereby this money could be used for particularly poor areas, rural areas, for $100,000 a pop, where we could take care of the problem, where we would not have some of these accidents. We could save a lot of lives. Mr. Chairman, I would concede it. The gentleman has every right, but I appeal to the gentleman as a former resident of the State of Pennsylvania and a graduate of Penn State, that he would allow us to move ahead with this.

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Chairman, if I may speak further on the point of order, what we were trying to do, I would tell the chairman, is just have a 1- year period to flush it out. I commend the gentleman for all these safety things, but I think for 1 year, I would ask him for that.

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Chairman, I concede the point of order.

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Chairman, I withdraw my reservation of objection. We will permit the gentlewoman to go back and offer her amendment.

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the veterans' groups which have courageously voiced their opposition to granting Permanent Normal Trade Relations for China. These organizations represent over 5.1 million members, who have fought for the freedoms we enjoy today. They have the national security of the United States at heart. I want to enter into the Record their letters, which explain why granting PNTR to China could ultimately place American men and women in uniform in harm's way. China Trade Opposed by The American Legion Indianapolis (Wednesday, May 10, 2000).--Taking into account nuclear espionage charges, human rights abuses, saber rattling against Taiwan, and influence-peddling indictments, the 2.8-million member American Legion today demanded the U.S. government withhold Permanent Normalized Trade Relations with the People's Republic of China and oppose its entry into the World Trade Organization. The American Legion's board of directors, during its annual spring meeting here, recommended Congress and the Clinton administration force China to meet four preconditions both for entry into the WTO and for ending the annual congressional review of its trade status: Recognition of Taiwan's right to self-determination; Full cooperation on the accounting of American servicemen missing from the Korean War and the Cold War; Abandonment of policies aimed at military dominance in Asia; and Encouragement and promotion of human rights and religious freedom among the Chinese people. ``China should embrace democratic values before it benefits from unfettered American investment,'' American Legion National Commander Al Lance said. ``The American Legion sets forth the prerequisites for peace and stability, without which Communist China will become economically and militarily more formidable even as it embarks on policies pursuant to regional instability. A something-for-nothing trade arrangement with China--one that severs trade from national security and human rights--threatens stability, rewards antagonism, and strengthens a potential foe of American sons and daughters in the U.S. armed forces.'' Founded in 1919, The American legion is the nation's largest veterans organization.

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share with my colleagues William Safire's editorial from today's New York Times. Today, Mr. Safire writes that before Richard Nixon died, Mr. Safire had a conversation with Nixon about China. Safire asked Nixon if he had gone a bit overboard on selling the American public on the political benefits of the China deal. Nixon replied that he was not as hopeful as he had once been, saying, ``We may have created a Frankenstein.'' They are telling words from Richard Nixon, the person responsible for the so-called engagement, which has resulted in more espionage against our government, the arrest of Catholic bishops and persecution of people of faith. On his deathbed, Nixon, the architect for our present China policy said, ``We may have created a Frankenstein.'' The passage of PNTR will feed this Frankenstein that will come to haunt this country and haunt this House. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share with you William Safire's editorial from today's New York Times. Today, Mr. Safire writes that before Richard Nixon died, Mr. Safire had a conversation with Nixon about China. Safire asked Nixon if they had gone a bit overboard on selling the American public on the political benefits of their China deal. Nixon replied that he was not as hopeful as he had once been, saying ``We may have created a Frankenstein.'' We may have created a Frankenstein. These are telling words coming from Nixon, the person most responsible for supposed American ``engagement'' with China . . . an engagement that over the past 30 years has refused to engage the Chinese with their gross human rights abuses, its espionage against the U.S., its proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, its plundering of Tibet. On his deathbed, Nixon, the architect for our present China policy said ``We may have created a Frankenstein.'' Congress can prevent this Frankenstein from further atrocities and bad actions by voting against giving China permanent normal trade relations. The Biggest Vote (By William Safire) Washington.--The most far-reaching vote any representative will cast this year will take place next week. It will be on the bill to permanently guarantee that Congress will have no economic leverage to restrain China's internal repression of dissidents or external aggression against Taiwan. Bill Clinton, architect of the discredited ``strategic partnership'' with Beijing, is lobbying for H.R. 4444 as part of his legacy thing. His strange bedfellow is the G.O.P. leadership, fairly slavering at the prospect of heavy contributions from U.S. companies that want to profit from building up China's industrial and electronic strength. Clinton has been purchasing Democratic votes one by one. The latest convert to pulling the U.S. teeth is Charles Rangel of New York, who was seduced by last week's legislation to benefit African workers at the expense of Chinese laborers in sweatshops at slave wages. He is the ranking Democrat on Ways and Means, which yesterday voted to send the any-behavior-goes bill to the House floor. The president's tactics include frightening Americans with ``dangerous confrontation and constant insecurity'' from angry China if his appeasement is not passed. He also divides American farmers from workers with his mantra, ``exports mean jobs.'' Of course they do; in the past decade, our trade deficit with China has ballooned from $7 billion to $70 billion. That means China's exports to the U.S. have created hundreds of thousands of jobs--in China. Clinton's trade deficit is certainly not creating net jobs for Americans. His trade negotiator, Charlene Barshefsky, has become increasingly shrill, turning truth on its head this week by telling Lally Weymounth of The Washington Post that ``organized labor, human rights advocates and some environmentalists have aligned themselves with the Chinese army and hard-liners in Beijing who do not want accession for China.'' Not to be outdone in twisting the truth and kowtowing to Communists, Republican investors and the Asia establishment assure us that only by abandoning yearly review of China's rights abuses and diplomatic conduct can we encourage democracy there. I confess to writing speeches for Richard Nixon assuring conservatives that trade with China would lead to the evolution of democratic principles in Beijing. But we've been trading for 30 years now, financing its military-industrial base, enabling it to buy M-11 missiles from the Russians and advanced computer technology from us. Has our strengthening of their regime brought political freedom? Ask the Falun Gong, jailed by the thousands for daring to organize; as the Tibetans, their ancient culture destroyed and nation colonized; ask the Taiwanese, who face an escalation of the military threat against them after the U.S. Congress spikes its cannon of economic retaliation. Before Nixon died, I asked him--on the record--if perhaps we had gone a bit overboard on selling the American public on the political benefits of increased trade. That old realist, who had played the China card to exploit the split in the Communist world, replied with some sadness that he was not as hopeful as he had once been: ``We may have created a Frankenstein.'' (I was on the verge of correcting him that Dr. Frankenstein was the creator, and that he meant ``Frankenstein's monster,'' but I bit my tongue.) To provide a face-saver for Democrats uncomfortable with forever removing Scoop Jackson's economic pressure, Clinton's bipartisan allies have cooked up a toothless substitute: a committee to cluck-cluck loudly when China cracks down and acts up. We already have a State Department annual report that does that, to no effect on a China whose transgressions have always been waived. Human rights advocates know the smart money in Washington is betting on the appeasers. Our only hope is that the undecideds in Congress consider that unemployment in their districts will not always be under 4 percent, and that when recession or aggression bites, voters will not forget who threw away economic restraints on China.

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, almost every day a new veterans group comes out against PNTR. The Military Order of the Purple Heart, chartered by Congress, said yesterday: ``Speaking as patriots and combat wounded veterans, we believe that granting PNTR status to China would relieve them from the current pressure caused by annual congressional review of their trade status. ``Today China represents the most dangerous of the emerging threats to U.S. national security.'' It goes on to say, ``Many of America's combat wounded veterans sacrificed life and blood to repel Chinese aggression during the Korean conflict. Fifty years after that war, China remains an unabashedly communistic regime. It is time for China to change if she wishes to be a truly welcomed participant on the world's stage. It is also time for Congress and the administration to reflect upon the sacrifices of its combat wounded veterans and ensure that China will not once again become our enemy. In the view of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, this objective must be reached before PNTR status should be granted to China.''

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, another veterans or military organization comes out against PNTR today for China. The Fleet Reserve Association, representing 10,000 members of the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard opposes PNTR. The Naval Reserve Association, representing 37,000 officers and enlisted members, is opposed to PNTR. The Warrant Officers Association, representing 20,000 warrant officers, is opposed to PNTR. The Reserve Officers Association, representing 80,000 officers said, ``Now is not the time to grant PNTR to China.'' Today, the American Legion, God bless them, representing 2.8 million veterans, came out opposed to PNTR for China. This vote is scheduled just a few days before Memorial Day, a day in which we honor our armed forces personnel for giving their lives for our freedom. We should heed the voices of these men and women who served for us to give us this freedom, this dignity. When we are given the opportunity, we should vote no on PNTR for China until they improve their human rights, respect religious freedom, and stop being a threat to our men and women in uniform.

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Chairman, I support H.R. 3709, a bill which extends the current moratorium on taxes on Internet access and taxes which apply only to e-commerce. It is no secret that the success of high technology and the rapid growth of electronic commerce are key elements of our nation's unprecedented recent prosperity. Additionally, the Internet has enabled people around the country to have access to information and services which were difficult--if not impossible--for them to obtain prior to the high tech revolution. I'm proud to represent Northern Virginia and the high-technology community that dots the landscape along the Dulles corridor and I-66. And I'm proud that we can boast that the place we call home is also the home of the Internet. Our high-tech corridor just isn't an important part of our regional prosperity. It's a critical part of the nation's prosperity. The high tech industry's growth and job creation have been key to our region's and America's booming economy. We must keep the economy growing, keep the good paying jobs, and maintain our economic prosperity. I believe H.R. 3709 is a key element in meeting these goals. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3244, the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, and I want to compliment the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) and the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Gejdenson). Both have done an outstanding job. If it was not for the both of these gentlemen, last year when we passed the religious freedom bill, I remember they went in there and that bill passed. What the gentleman from Connecticut and the gentleman from New Jersey are doing today is a continuation of that policy. The gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) has a heart for these issues and really cares deeply. My main purpose was to congratulate Mr. Smith and Mr. Gejdenson. It is a strong bill. It is a tough bill. It is comprehensive. It is another initiative fitting in with what their committee did last year with the religious freedom legislation. Hopefully, now this bill will be picked up in the Senate and passed quickly. Mr. Speaker, I again thank the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Gejdenson) for his efforts here and all the good work that he has done on human rights over the years. He has always been there on these issues. And the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) who, frankly, his people back in his congressional district can be very proud of him and his good work. Whenever there has been an issue like religious freedom, abortion, China, the Soviet Union, gulag, sex trafficking, the gentleman has been there; not in the crowd, but he has been right out in front and has made the big difference. So I thank him for the great job that he has done, and the staff as well. Mr. Smith is a credit to the Congress and we are all better for his service.

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I submit for the Record the last column by Mike Causey, who is moving on to a new career after 36 years at the Washington Post. As the Post's ``Federal Dairy'' columnist, Mr. Causey has been covering federal employee issues for years, and as a Member of Congress who has many federal employees in my district, it has been a pleasure working with him. He has always been fair and objective, and I want to wish him all the best as he moves on to a new career. [From The Washington Post, May 8, 2000] Today's the Day Diary Columnist Turns the Page (Federal Diary by Mike Causey) Well, there comes a time, and this is it. This is my last Federal Diary column for the Washington Post. I leave this job pretty much as i entered it: still suspicious of the statistics that powerful organizations pump out. For example: The usually reliable Washington Post--my longtime home-- says I produced 11,287 bylines. It seems like more than that. But who's counting? Also, The Post says I've been here for 36 years--as messenger, copy boy, reporter and columnist. They got the job titles right. But 36 years? It seems like only yesterday. Honest. So, how to sum up? The most-asked question (other than, ``Did a real barber cut your hair?'') has been this: How could you produce six columns a week, year after year, without going nuts? The answer is simple: for several years I did the Federal Diary column seven days a week. When they gave me Saturdays off, it removed all the pressure. Almost all. Secondly, it was part of the job description. Finally, I loved every minute of it. Honest. Being here for nearly four decades has Over the years--in the line of duty--I have been shot at, gassed, tossed off a building. I covered the first Beatles concert and got to be one of the first people to circle the Capital Beltway. I was once run out of a small town in Western Maryland by a mob that, now that I think about it, had good reason to speed my departure from its fair community. Being a newspaper reporter means never having to grow up. I got to see how things work, or are supposed to, or don't. The events and machines and tours were fascinating. The people-- almost without exception--were wonderful. Reporters get to meet lots of VIPs. But for most of us ``beat'' reporters, the best part is the so-called ordinary people who, more often than not, are extraordinary. Just quieter than VIPs. The reason they are so good is simple: It's part of their job description. They say (by the way, in all these years I have never discovered who ``they'' are) that reporters are only as good as their sources. True, up to a point. Sources are critical. But the real secret weapon for a successful reporter has two parts: The people (as in colleagues) you work with. The people (as in readers) you work for. It is that simple, and that complicated. Working with several generations of Washington Post types has been an education. Trust me on that one. Reporters get the glory. But they only look good if they have great editors, researchers and backup. And reporters wouldn't last a minute, and you would never read their award- winning words, if it weren't for the people who do the real work. Like sell and process ads, make sure folks get billed and paid--so we can get paid--and produce and deliver the paper. For 25 cents you get, every day, the equivalent of a book printed overnight. Not a bad deal. Working with, and writing about, federal employees and military personnel has been a treat. If there are more dedicated people in this country, I have yet to meet them. I have known lots of people who would die for this country, and several who did. Few bankers, columnists, lawyers or CEOs can make that claim. Bureaucrats--and I don't have to say this anymore--are indeed beautiful. And don't you forget it. I could go on, but I hope you get the idea. Besides, time and space--as always--are limited. So has this been fun? And rewarding? Short answer: You bet! But this isn't a wake. Or even a goodbye. More in the order of see-you-later. I hope. Next stop for me is the brave new world of the Internet. I'll be at 1825 I St. NW, Suite 400, Washington, D.C. 20006. Stay in touch. I'm leaving here, but The Post will always be home. Always. This column has been around since the 1930s. It's been on loan to me for a long time. My successor, Stephen Barr, is an old friend. He's a Texan and a Vietnam vet, and he knows the beat. Best of all, he's a very nice guy. I hope Steve has as much fun as I did. Remember, he's had nearly half a century to prepare for his first column, which will begin Sunday. But he will have only one day to write his second column. So a little help and encouragement from you would be nice. Thanks. Mike

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember a truly great man-- John Cardinal O'Connor, Archbishop of New York. Cardinal O'Connor's death is a tremendous loss not only for the people of New York, but for the country and for the world. I have always admired Cardinal O'Connor. I understand that he was from southwest Philadelphia. I was from the same neighborhood, right around the corner from the parish he grew up in, St. Clement Parish, which is at 71st Street and Woodland Avenue. I'm from 70th and Reedland Streets, and I went to Patterson Elementary School and Tilden Junior High, which I understand is where Cardinal O'Connor also went to school. Cardinal O'Connor lived a long and full life, and it was one which was marked by service to others. He was a voice for the voiceless and a champion of human rights, both here in this country and for all people everywhere. He delivered a homily on January 30 of this year which I think epitomizes the values for which he stood, and I'd like to quote a few closing remarks that he made that day: Perhaps the time has come for a new and deeper reflection on the nature of the economy and its purposes. What seems to be urgently needed is a reconsideration of the concept of prosperity itself, to prevent it from being enclosed in a narrow utilitarian perspective which leaves very little space for values such as solidarity and altruism . . . We are not simply looking for economic benefits. We are looking for human benefits. When we recognize that the human person comes before all else under God, then the economy will be measured, will be truly rooted in helping every human person become everything that God intended him to be. In the book of Isaiah, the first chapter, it says, ``Learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.'' That is a command that the Lord tells those who seek to follow Him. Cardinal O'Connor was a true man of God who will be deeply missed, but hopefully we can follow the example of his life in our lives as well.

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3879, the Sierra Leone Peace Act of 2000. Congressman Tony Hall and I were in Sierra Leone a few months ago. We witnessed the brutal atrocities carried out against the civilian population by the rebel forces in Sierra Leone. Although both the government of Sierra Leone and the rebel forces signed the Lome Peace accord, reports continue to flow out of Sierra Leone about continued unrest and further atrocities committed by rebel forces. It is my hope that the Sierra Leone Peace Act will greatly assist the Lome Peace accords and the continued pursuit of peace, reconciliation, and recovery for this country that has endured so much. I recently wrote both President Clinton and Secretary Albright urging the Administration to set a to be determined date by which the Sierra Leonian rebels should comply with the peace accords or face being named by the U.S. as war criminals and that they not be allowed to travel to the U.S. I submit this correspondence and a copy of my trip report from my time in Sierra Leone for the Record. House of Representatives, Washington, DC, May 1, 2000. Hon. William J. Clinton, The President, The White House, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. President: I am writing to you about the continuing tragedy in Sierra Leone. As you know, although a tenuous peace is in place, the former rebels from the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) are disarming at a slow to minimal rate. Numerous reports indicate that the RUF has taken weapons from U.N. peacekeepers at gun point. Reports also indicate that atrocities such as rape, intimidation, and forced conscription are continuing by the supposedly disbanded RUF. Present and former RUF units still operate and control certain sections of the country, specifically the diamond producing areas. I have enclosed a letter which I sent to Secretary Albright outlining proposed action that the U.S. should take if the RUF continues its atrocities, occupation, and reluctance to disarm by a to be determined designated date. The entire country of Sierra Leone will continue to experience suffering and turmoil unless leadership is exercised by the U.S. You must do something (see my letter to Secretary Albright for proposed courses of U.S. action). I urge you to act quickly. Best wishes Sincerely, Frank R. Wolf, Member of Congress.