Frank Wolf

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Chairman, I will not use that time. I want to thank first of all the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Callahan), chairman, and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman), chairman, for their help and support. Also, I want to thank the staff for their help and support in shaping this amendment. It would set up a national commission of 15 members on tourism to take a close look at the national counterterrorism policies and recommend if anything more should be done to deal with this issue, particularly nuclear, chemical, and biological. This would be a bipartisan effort with the efforts that have taken place in the bombings that have taken place both in Tanzania and Kenya, going all the way back to the Beirut Embassy in 1983 and the marine barracks of that year. I think this would be a very healthy positive thing to do. It would take 6 months. By the time Congress was back early next year, hopefully this commission will have finished its work. So I will not take any more time, but I know there are many other amendments that people want to offer and would just ask for support of this bill. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. (Mr. WOLF asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Chairman, I visited Nagorno Karabagh in August of 1994. It was one of the grimmest places that I had ever, ever been. The Russian ground missiles have been thrown in there daily for year after year after year. Many people were living down in the basement, people that had lost arms and legs and everything else. This is a difficult issue, and I heard the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Livingston) in the committee. I agreed. And just let me say to my colleague, I agree with all of his rationale up until getting away with 907. I also want to say that I want the western oil companies to have this opportunity. But to remove 907 now would send the wrong message and take the pressure off the Azeri Government to come to the peace table. Now, we can lift the blockade and get 907 to go away today by doing one thing: Let the Azeris lift the blockade, and 907 goes. The poor people in Nagorno Karabagh have suffered too much, and the message that this would send would be, I believe, to keep this issue going on longer and longer. Secondly, the administration has failed that had a low level person dealing with this issue. It goes through the Minsk treaty agreement, and we have Russia, and Russia does not want to end this. So what should we do? We should call the Azeris together, call the Armenians together, and have a representative on Nagorno Karabagh come, bring them to Washington, go over to the Eastern Shore, sit down, break bread together. Reconciliation. And I tell my colleagues this problem can be solved. But I also believe from the bottom of my heart that if we lift 907 today, the problem will not be resolved. Now, neither side is perfect. The head of the Azeri Government is the former head of the KGB. Clearly there are problems in Armenia because there are Russian troops in Armenia. Neither side is absolutely perfect. But for the people of Nagorno Karabagh to bring in a spirit of reconciliation, the Azeris together and the Armenians together with Nagorno Karabagh there, do not lift 907, because by lifting 907 I think we will say there is no pressure on the Azeris, there is no pressure on anybody. So I strongly support, at least for another year, maybe, I say to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Livingston), next year or maybe something like that, but hopefully we will support the Radanovich amendment, and then Secretary Albright will pick up the phone, get the Azeris in, get the Armenians in, bring the Nagorno Karabaghs together, and I believe that both parties stand so much to gain, and then everything the chairman wants, which I agree with, will take place, whereby the oil will flow in the appropriate place. So I, just for this time and for the interests of the pain and the suffering of those in Nagorno Karabagh, I strongly urge my colleagues to support the Radanovich amendment.

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the accomplishments of a talented and dedicated group of young women from Manassas, Virginia. The Manassas Express 12-and under girls' softball team represented the Commonwealth of Virginia in Houma, Louisiana, last month at the Babe Ruth Softball National Championship and earned the title of National Champions. The Express team is formed from the all-stars of the Greater Manassas Softball Association (GMSA) league which is affiliated with the Babe Ruth organization. The GMSA league has two seasons: Spring, which is competitive and standings are kept on wins and losses; and fall, which is instructional in nature and no wins and losses are counted. The league was established to promote fast-pitch softball for girls in the Manassas-Prince William County area. The members of the team are: Stephanie Gaynord, Katie Lee, Laura Hundemer, Courtney Bures, Kesha Robinson, Julianne Sudduth, Kristin Windle, Lydia Sumner, Kelli Rotter, Alyssa Kemmerer, Alexis Hochstrasser, Brittany Alexander-Smith, Jasmine Davenport, Katie Speaks, and Ashley Demaret. They are coached by Mike Windle, Mike Bures, and Donald Alsberry; and their scorekeeper is Tony Gaynord. Through their hard work, the Manassas Express members have been ambassadors of sportsmanship for Manassas, Prince William, and all of Virginia. On behalf of the citizens of the 10th District, we say to them, congratulations.

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in very, very strong support of the motion to instruct the conferees offered by my good friend, the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Sabo). The Senate version of the FY 1999 Department of Transportation and Related Agencies Appropriations bill includes a rider which would amend current law to change ``airplanes'' to ``aircraft'' to allow helicopters to operate and land in conservation systems units in Alaska, including wilderness areas and wilderness study areas. To permit helicopters in Alaskan wilderness and other conservation areas would be a travesty and, quite frankly, just flat wrong. If the Senate provision were adopted, there would be widespread commercialization of the Alaska wilderness. Recreational helicopters, operated by tour companies, would penetrate and land in parks, wilderness and other conservation areas, significantly altering the experience of the park and threatening the resources of these very special places. Opening these conservation units in Alaska to aircraft access is opening them to virtually unlimited access. Helicopter use has few limitations. Virtually any area can be accessed and any small clearing is suitable for landing. Furthermore, the Senate provision opens the door not only for helicopters but also for hover craft, ultralights and virtually any and every technological innovation that personal aircraft industry may produce. Unrestricted helicopter access, operations and landings would disrupt ongoing conservation efforts in the national parks, national wildlife refuges, national forests and on the public lands. Scientific research has demonstrated that helicopter noise levels can adversely impact wildlife. The noise and wind disruption from helicopters would impact the caribou, the moose, the waterfowl, raptors and other bird species, brown and black bears, and certain other animals and mammals. Unrestricted helicopter operations would destroy the very essence of these wild areas, by allowing helicopter-borne recreation, hunting and fishing access to areas of this country that we have determined to be pristine, and would be absolutely wrong. Poaching and other illegal hunting would also, I think, become commonplace. The Senate amendment should be resoundingly rejected by the House. We must protect our Nation's wilderness areas for generations to come. We must not permit the commercialization of national wilderness lands and allow tour operators to destroy these untarnished areas, all for the sake of a couple of dollars. I favor the gentleman offering the amendment and strongly urge the Members to support it. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table the bill (H.R. 4328) making appropriations for the Department of Transportation and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1999, and for other purposes, with a Senate amendment thereto, disagree to the Senate amendment, and agree to the conference asked by the Senate.

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks on the motion to instruct and that I may include tabular and extraneous material.

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to join my Virginia colleagues Tom Davis and Jim Moran in sponsoring important legislation which will allow the General Services Administration (GSA) to dispose of the Lorton Correctional Complex in Virginia. Last month Virginia Governor Jim Gilmore announced that the Commonwealth of Virginia and the District of Columbia had agreed to finally close Lorton and relocate the remaining prisoners to privately run facilities around the state. This, Mr. Speaker, is good news for Virginia and the remaining occupants of the prison. Mr. Speaker, over the years conditions at Lorton have gone from bad to worse. With chronic overcrowding, inmate idleness, widespread drug use, inadequate education and training programs and increasing violence, Lorton has become a ``finishing school'' for criminals. The situation has grown so bad, Mr. Speaker, that the Federal Bureau of Investigation has agents inside the prison to investigate only the crimes taking place within the prison. With the closure of Lorton, inmates will be distributed to sites around the state that offer more opportunities such as training and education. An inmate who gains a skill or learns a trade is better prepared to live a life without crime upon his or her release. Recidivism, a major problem at Lorton, will hopefully drop. At the same time, Mr. Speaker, the neighbors of Lorton will no longer have to sit up nights worrying about escapes. Instead, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has unanimously agreed upon a plan that provides for a recreational use on most of the property. This bill establishes the framework by which the process will be undertaken. I lend it my support and urge the House's approval.

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, while Congress was in recess over the last few weeks, the news was filled with reports on the bombing of the U.S. embassies in East Africa and subsequent retaliation strikes in Sudan and Afghanistan. Experts in the field of counterterrorism are warning about a coming long and difficult struggle between the U.S. and the forces of terrorism. While much valuable work is being done by the intelligence community to combat terrorism, we need to take a close look at national terrorism policy. Today I will introduce, with other Members, the National Commission on Terrorism Act which will serve an important role in making sure we do everything possible to prevent future terrorist attacks. This legislation would create a commission consisting of 15 distinguished experts in the field of terrorism including 3 Congressmen and 3 Senators. Five members appointed by the President, 5 by the Speaker, and 5 by the Senate majority leader in consultation with the minority. Over the course of 6 months, the Commission will be charged with developing a clear and effective strategy for protecting the American people. Mr. Speaker, with the threat of terrorism on the rise and new threats of chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons looming on the horizon, I believe it is the right time for a comprehensive assessment of our Nation's terrorism policy. I urge my colleagues to cosponsor the bill and hopefully we will pass it before we go home.

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, on January 31, 1993, armed guerillas entered in Kuna village of Pucaro in Southern Panama and stormed the homes of Mark Rich, David Mankins, and Rick Teneoff. The men were missionaries for new Tribes Mission who lived in the village with their families. The guerillas tied up the men in their homes and ordered their wives to prepare packages of clothing. Then they all--the gun-toting guerillas and the three American missionaries--disappeared into the night. The three men have not been heard from again--that was over 5\1/2\ years ago. The three men are believed to be the longest held American hostages in our history. It is believed the men are being held by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia or FARC--an organization designated by the State Department as a terrorist group. It is believed the men were taken to Northern Colombia into an area controlled by the FARC. We know little else. We don't know whether the men are dead or alive. We don't know the exact location of whether they are being held. Very little information has become available. For over 5 years, the families of these men have longed for the return of their loved ones--Mark has two daughters, David has a son and a daughter, and Rick has two daughters. These children have all spent the last years of their young lives without their fathers. Their mothers--Tania Rich, Nancy Mankins, and Patti Teneoff--have been without their husbands. They have spent each day praying for some shred of information that may give them a ray of hope. They have lobbied the State Department and FB to do more. They have written to President Clinton. They have met with Latin American leaders who may have influence with the FARC. They have presented their pleas to Congress. They are speaking out and doing what they can. But we must help. I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 277 which condemns the kidnapping of the New Tribes Missionaries and urges the United States government to do everything possible to press for their release. It sends the message that U.S. Congress cares about this case and is committed to working for the release of these men. Resolving these cases is never easy, but there be must be more the U.S. government can and should do. We must try everthing possible to help return these men to their families. The kidnapping of American citizens is not acceptable and must be punished. Indecisive or unenthusiastic intervention on behalf of the American government puts American citizens everywhere at risk. My heart goes out to the Rich, Mankins, and Teneoff families. We are with you and will do what we can to help you. I urge you to vote in favor of H. Con. Res. 277.

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, today, I am introducing legislation which will establish a national commission on terrorism. This will be a bipartisan, national panel of experts with diverse skills and outlooks--highly respected people from across the political spectrum. The commission would be accountable to the President, to Congress, and to the American people. The purpose of the commission would be to take a close look at the problem of terrorism, including Middle Eastern-related terrorism, to study its origins and develop effective countermeasures and make recommendations to reshape our traditional policy on combating terrorism. A number of person could be considered as possible commissioners, and I've listed a few suggestions for starters on the enclosed list. The proposed bipartisan national commission will consist of 15 distinguished members, five each appointed by the President, and by the Speaker of the House and the Majority Leader of the Senate in consultation with the Minority Leaders of the House and Senate. I believe that President George H.W. Bush, who is not only a former president and vice president, but also a former director of the CIA, would be an ideal chairman for the commission. The commissioners will include three Members of Congress and three Senators. The commission will have a duration of six months and will be given every means to deal quickly with this national problem, including access to classified information, travel funds to engage in on-the-spot investigations, and accompanying congressional hearings. A few weeks ago, 267 people lost their lives and more than 5,000 people were injured in the bombings of two U.S. embassies in East Africa. Twelve of those who died were Americans. On August 20, President Clinton announced that the U.S. had determined a multimillionaire militant and terrorist kingpin, Osama Bin Ladin, was responsible for the attack. American forces bombed secret compounds and facilities linked to Bin Ladin in Afghanistan and Sudan that same day. While this response was proper and necessary, I believe we need to take another look at our nation's overall policy on terrorism. Bin Ladin is certainly not our only worry. Unfortunately, there are other groups are also known to be active in the area of terrorism. As the world's leader, America and its people are natural terrorist targets. Our military, industrial and commercial presence around the globe attracts frustration from many terrorist groups. But the problem is not limited to America alone. In Israel, Algeria, Egypt, and many other countries, terrorism has become an awful fact of life. A recent study in the Journal of Counterterrorism and Security International of all fatalities in international terrorist incidents in 1993-96 showed that three-quarters of the deaths from those attacks could be laid at the feet of the militant, fundamentalist groups. In my travels to many of these countries, I have seen firsthand the destruction that terrorism has inflicted on many innocent people. I visited Sudan on three different occasions, and saw the great instability that terrorist elements bring to a country when they are allowed to flourish. Over the July 1998 congressional recess, I visited Algeria, where 70,000 people have been killed by terrorists. I saw the fear and the sorrow that grips the people there as they have lost countless friends and loved ones in the violence in that nation. When I visited Lebanon after the horrible bombing in Beirut in 1983, I saw the Marine barracks that had been destroyed. On October 23, 1983, massive vehicle bombs devastated the headquarters of the U.S. Marine contingent, killing 241 U.S. Marines. After my recent trip to Algeria and with this latest attack on the embassies in East Africa, I am convinced that it is time to reevaluate American counterterrorist strategy. I say this not to be critical of what has already been done or of current efforts. Much is being accomplished by the intelligence community in this regard. They are doing a great job and are to be complimented. Still, terrorism is growing. Until now, we have been fortunate not to experience the full brunt of many terrorist attacks on our home soil. According to a recent article in the Economist, investigators of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing concluded that those plotting the incident intended to cause one tower to topple onto the other and to kill up to 250,000 people. Fortunately, the attack was not as successful as planned. Some regions of the world are much more dangerous than others. Since 1983, more Americans have been killed by attacks perpetrated by terrorists either based in or connected to the Middle East than any other region of the world. In fact, the largest number of American lives lost to politically motivated violence since the end of the Vietnam War has been connected to Middle Eastern terrorism. A number of incidents have not yet been fully resolved. In some cases, the perpetrators remain unknown. In other cases, the perpetrators are known but have not yet been held accountable for their actions, or have taken refuge in other countries. Outstanding incidents are many. One of the most deadly years for terrorist violence was 1983, with bombing of the Beirut embassy in April and the Marine barracks in October. Five years later, Pan Am Flight 103 was destroyed in flight over Scotland by a bomb, killing 259 persons on board, including 189 Americans, and 11 others on the ground. Experts say that although the culprits have been pinpointed, they are currently hiding in Libya and that nation is refusing to hand them over to authorities. More recently came the car bomb explosion in the parking lot of the Office of Program Manager/Saudi Arabian National Guard in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in November 1995, which killed seven people and wounded 42 others. Seven months later in that country, a fuel truck carrying a bomb exploded outside the U.S. military's Khobar Towers housing facility in Dharan, killing 19 U.S. military personnel and wounding 515 persons, including 240 U.S. personnel. Unidentified gunmen shot to death four U.S. auditors from Union Texas Petroleum and their Pakistani driver in Karachi, Pakistan, in November 1997. Now we are facing the latest terrorist incident of the bombing of two American embassies in East Africa. But over these last 15 years, there have been many other terrorist attacks and American blood has been shed both at home and abroad. U.S. government agencies and private organizations have done valuable work to unearth the perpetrators of these crimes. Unfortunately, the potential for both an increased number of terrorist acts and for acts that can result in massive numbers of casualties is great and is growing. America, and the world, must be prepared for new and more deadly kinds of terrorism--nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons of mass destruction. The danger is growing as weapons of mass destruction become more accessible. The world watched in horror in March 1995, when the news came that members of a small religious sect had set off a nerve gas called sarin in the Tokyo subway. The incident killed 12 people and injured several thousand, but it was actually, like the World Trade Center, a botched job. When they investigated later, police found enough sarin in the sect's possession to kill millions of people. It is imperative that the United States assess the most effective ways of combating terrorism and that policymakers have the full spectrum of options at their disposal. This is what the National Commission on Terrorism will do. And it must do so quickly. The American people deserve to be fully informed on this issue in the face of a powerful and vicious adversary. Addendum National Commission on Terrorism Robert Abrams, former attorney general, New York State; Fouad Ajami, professor at the School of Advanced International Studies Johns Hopkins University; Ed Badaloto, chairman of the International Association of Counterterrorism Professionals; Lawrence Barcella, former federal prosecutor; Paul Bremer, former head of counter-terrorism, Department of State; John Deutch, former director of the CIA; David Gavigan, assistant adjutant general, Massachusetts Army National Guard; Robin Higgins, Marine colonel; David Kay, Director of SAIC's Center of Counter-terrorism; and Jeane Kirkpatrick, former ambassador to the United Nations. Andrew McCarthy, former chief prosecutor, World Trade Center bombing; Riad Nachef, head of the Association of Islamic Charitable Projects; Raphael Perl, Congressional Research Service; Richard Perle, former assistant secretary of defense; Daniel Pipes, director of the Middle East Forum; Steven Pomerantz, former assistant director of the FBI for counter-terrorism; George Shultz, former secretary of state; Glenn Schweizer, National Science Foundation; William Webster, former director of the FBI and CIA; Phil Wilcox, former coordinator for counterterrorism at the State Department; and Jim Woosley, former director of the CIA. (Note: This addendum is provided to illustrate the types of people who could serve on the commission and is by no means all-inclusive. There are many more individuals who are fully qualified to be on this commission.)

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I want to take a moment to recognize two young students. They are Jason Kmak, age 17, and Gregory J. Welch, age 19. These two students represented Virginia and placed second in this year's American Automobile Association (AAA) ``National Auto Skills Contest.'' Jason and Gregory competed as a team from the C.S. Monroe Technical Center in Leesburg, Virginia, against 49 other teams across the nation and represented AAA Potomac. The annual competition pits the best high school auto repair teams in the nation against each other. Nationwide, more than 5,000 students competed in the competition. Over $8 million in scholarship money is awarded in the contest. The competition is based on written exams and a timed challenge for teams to find and fix bugs deliberated created in an automobile. Only the team from Oregon placed better than Virginia's team. Mr. Speaker, today's automobiles have more computer processing power than the first Apollo spacecraft. According to AAA, a 1998 Ford automobile has about 84 percent its functions controlled by computers, compared with 14 percent for 1990 models. The skills needed to repair automobiles today are complex and highly technical. These students displayed amazing talent by placing second in the competition. As second place winners, they will be awarded scholarships worth thousands of dollars. The team's efforts have also earned their Leesburg school a Ford vehicle for use in the school's automotive training program. Mr. Speaker, more students should be encouraged to learn computer and advanced technology skills because it is the way of the future. From automobiles to television sets to the Internet, students must learn these skills if our nation is to remain globally competitive. I commend Jason and Gregory on their hard work and achievement, encourage them to continue to build on this success, and wish them all the very best in their future endeavors.

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. Reclaiming my time, I agree with the gentleman. I urge strong support for the Hutchinson-Allen bill. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the Bipartisan Campaign Integrity Act (H.R. 2183), also known as the ``Freshman bill.'' I think this is a balanced bill, and one that can pass. One of my main concerns has been the need for a total ban on soft money to the major national political parties. It was because of this that I was one of those who signed the discharge petition to keep the campaign finance reform process alive. I wanted to do everything I could to help to bring about a total ban on soft money to the national political parties. There are a lot of reasons why we need to take this step. I am deeply concerned about the obscene amounts of soft money going to the Republican and Democrat parties, especially from the gambling interests. As the author of legislation to create a commission to study the impact of the growth of gambling in America, I have seen firsthand the willingness of the gambling lobby to throw around vast sums of money to protect their own self-interests and preservation--at the expense of the average citizen. And do they have the money to do it. The gambling industry rakes in $50 billion in profits each year. We might not think of gambling as something that hurts anyone. But study after study shows thats just not true. We've been hearing a lot about gambling addiction among you people, and now another study has come out confirming those earlier findings. A recently published article in the medical journal Pediatrics showed that high school students who gamble are more likely to engaged in other health risk behaviors as well. The study surveyed more than 21,000 eighth- through 12th-graders in Vermont schools. The median age of the students surveyed was 15 years old. More than half of these young people reported that they had gambled in the past 12 months. Those who had gambled in the past 12 months had a number of things in common: being male; frequent illegal drug use; not using seatbelts; driving after drinking alcohol; carrying a weapon; being involved in a fight; and years of sexual activity. Teen gambling addiction is just one example of this industry's ill effects. There are many others. I've been concerned by data like this, so I sent a letter to the chairmen of both major political parties, which I will include for the Record, asking them to take the first step in campaign finance reform by refusing to take soft money campaign contributions from the gambling industry. Unfortunately, they're still taking that money. Earlier this year, the New York Times reported that the gambling interests have ``more than quadrupled their contributions to federal candidates and political parties since 1991.'' According to Common Cause, the national Republican and Democratic party committees have raised a record high of $90 million in soft money during the first 15 months of the 1998 election cycle. This is more than double what the parties raised during the first 15 months of the 1994 cycle. In the first three months of 1998 alone, the parties raised almost $23 million. The Freshman bill protects free speech. It provides a level playing field for all federal candidates. It bans soft money on the federal level, and prohibits funny business between state and federal parties by eliminating loopholes. The Freshman bill stops state parties from laundering soft money for federal candidates. Soft money to the national political parties is the 900-pound gorilla of campaign finance reform. It's time to ban it. The Freshman bill does it. That's why I'm going to vote for it. I urge my colleagues to do the same. House of Representatives, Washington, DC, April 3, 1998. Mr. Jim Nicholson, Chairman, Republican National Committee, Washington, DC. Mr. Roy Romer, General Chairman, Democratic National Committee, Washington,

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, I would favor closing it. The concern I have with Shays-Meehan is it prohibits people from expressing themselves, and I am concerned it is an incumbent protection bill. I think anybody in the country ought to have the right to criticize us any way they want to in any kind of ad. And, for that reason, I am a little concerned. But on soft money for the states, I totally agree with the gentleman from California.

Mr. WOLF. I yield to the gentleman from California.

Mr. WOLF. Why would the Democratic Party, why would the Republican Party want to take money from the gambling industry that brings about corruption and addiction? I also saw a study that came out the other day from Vermont where it says, the medical journal Pediatrics, ``High school students who gamble are more likely to engage in other health-risk behaviors.'' The study surveyed 21,000 8th through 12th graders in Vermont, median age 15. More than half of these young people reported they gambled in the last 12 months. Those who gambled in the last 12 months had a number of things in common: Male; frequent illegal drug use; not using seat belts, and driving after drinking alcohol. I sent a letter to both the Democratic national chairman and the Republican national chairman asking them to stop taking soft money, and neither have agreed. I think this bill is the best bill, the most balanced bill, the one that can pass, and the one that can be signed into law. For those reasons, I urge that no one vote ``present'' on this one. I urge everybody on both sides, whether they voted for Shays-Meehan or voted against Shays-Meehan, here is an opportunity. Support the Hutchinson- Allen bill, which will do away with soft money once and for all, so the gambling interests and other special interests can no longer corrupt the political process.

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support. I was one of the Republican Members that signed the discharge petition to get this process moving, and one of the reasons I did it is because soft money is beginning to and may have already corrupted the political process and will continue. One of my major reasons for supporting this proposal is that both political parties, the Democratic Party and the Republican Party, are taking money from the gambling interests, record money. Look at today's Washington Post: ``Survivor of Father's Shooting Dies.'' Dad was $10 million in debt, gambling and other debt ``totaling more than $10 million, some of it from gambling losses at Atlantic City.'' [From the Washington Post, Aug. 6, 1998] Lone Survivor of Father's Shootings Dies (By Wendy Melillo and Brooke A. Masters) An 11-year old Herndon girl died yesterday after initially surviving the slayings of her mother and brother and the suicide of her father, Who authorities now say had defrauded area banks of nearly $2 million and had $10 million in gambling and other debts. Reha Ramachandran was grazed by a bullet that struck the back of her head as her father, Natarajan Ramachandran, killed his wife and 7-year old son Sunday night. Reha died yesterday afternoon at Inova Fairfax Hospital after her brain swelled as a result of the injury. Sources familiar with the investigation said that before his death, Ramachandran had written nearly $2 million in bad checks in an attempt to cover mounting debt totaling more than $10 million, some of it from gambling losses at Atlantic City casinos. He had been under investigation by the FBI and had been interviewed several times by agents who were building a case against him, a source said. ``It is sad day when the love of money and the fear of failure drives a man to destroy his entire family,'' said Lt. Bruce Guth, a Fairfax County police homicide investigator. Ramachandran was writing checks on several bank accounts, all with insufficient funds, authorities said. The time it took for checks to clear between accounts in the different banks allowed Ramachandran to stay one step ahead of being caught, authorities said. ``Our case concluded at the time he killed himself and will subsequently be closed,'' John L. Barrett Jr., special agent in charge of the criminal division in the FBI's Washington field office. Authorities said Ramachandran's business partner, Nagaraja Thyagarajan, became aware of the financial problems and went to Ramachandran's home in the 12300 block of Clareth Drive at 12:45 p.m. Monday to discuss the matter. When Thyagarajan knocked at the door, Reha, shaken, disoriented and bleeding from a bullet wound, answered the door. She was admitted to Inova Fairfax Hospital and her condition improved somewhat Tuesday--she even spoke with police--before she died of complications yesterday. Fairfax County police said Reha told them that after being shot, she somehow thought it was all ``just a bad dream.'' She said she stumbled from the master bedroom, where Ramachandran had gathered the family, into another room and fell asleep until she was aroused by Thyagarajan's knock at the door. Autopsies performed yesterday on Ramachandran; his wife, Kalpara, 36; and son, Raj, determined that they died of gunshot wounds to their upper bodies. Sources said Ramachandran left a note detailing his financial problems. They said his wife was not aware of his financial difficulties. Records from New Jersey Superior Court show three judgments for an Atlantic City hotel and casino against Ramachandran, who apparently also used the name Nat Ram there. The judgments, in 1991 and 1992, totaled $2,240. Ramachandran worked for Universal Finance Solutions, a Vienna investment firm that he founded with Thyagarajan. Ramachandran and Thyagarajan paid $252,000 in cash for the office condominium in a low-rise building on Gallows Road, according to land records and the previous owner of the property. Thyagarajan has declined to comment on the case. Ramachandran and his wife bought their Herndon home, with four bedrooms, and 4\1/2\ bathrooms, for $585,000 in April 1997, with a mortgage of $438,000. The house sits on an acre amid only 10 other homes in a subdivision called Crossfields. The family had not sold its previous home in Prince William County. It was purchased in July 1989 for $170,400. County land records show the couple had a $153,350 mortgage on that property, and an additional loan in October for $15,700.

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, I rise in very strong opposition to the amendment. Let me explain why. We are all products of our environment. My dad was a Philadelphia policeman for 20 years. He had to live in the City of Philadelphia. My dad wanted the opportunity for a garden. He wanted to raise his own vegetables and tomatoes, and just never had that opportunity. We never could move out of the city. In fact, I can still hear him tell my mom, ``Virginia,'' he said, ``when I retire, we are going to move out of the city and we will get that garden.'' My mom died at age 52, and they never got outside of the city. My dad did, by himself, after he retired. Secondly, you are going to lose some of the best people. My daughter has worked in the City of Washington at 14th and Belmont in one of the toughest areas for four years, taught then for a year in the Gage- Eckington School, and lived in the State of Virginia, but she had a commitment to the District of Columbia. She and her husband and other young staffers up here on the Hill are opening a school in the District of Columbia, because they are committed to the District, they care about the District. The District ought to be a better place, and it can be a better place, but do not put a residency requirement on it to say that people that happen to live in Crystal City or Chevy Chase or some other place cannot participate and be active. Thirdly, in Philadelphia, when you had the residency requirements and everybody had to live in the city, you found cases where people were not completely truthful. They would give their sister's address or their brother's address or somebody else's address just so they could have that place out in the suburbs or the country, but still could comply. Fourthly, it divides the area. We need things that bring us together. Arlington, Fairfax, Montgomery County, Prince George's County, no one has a residency requirement. You can work in Fairfax County and live in the District of Columbia or any other place. So we do not want anything that divides us, that puts up barriers. We want things that bring us together. Lastly, where you live is so important. You may have a child that has special ed needs, and you may pick a particular school or particular school district because they have the program for your child, and maybe that is not in the District or some other place. You may be very active in your church or synagogue or temple and want to live there so you can participate and do all those things. That does not mean you have to live in the District of Columbia. Your wife or your husband may work somewhere else, and you may want to divide the difference, whereby he or she can drive 30 miles that way and you can drive 30 miles this way, whereby you can live in a central location whereby both of you can have the job. Lastly, this would be a bad amendment for the District of Columbia. The District of Columbia does not need this. I urge colleagues on both sides, deleting this amendment was supported on a bipartisan basis, Republicans and Democrats, in the committee. I would ask everyone, how many of your policemen and firemen can live in many homes in the District of Columbia? They cannot afford it. Therefore, many that I know live in Woodbridge and live in Dale City, and some of them live in the western part of my district, in Clark County and Winchester, and drive all the way in, and work very difficult hours, because you know policemen work around the clock. Let us not take that opportunity away from policemen and from firemen and from teachers. Lastly, the waiver, the waiver idea, the big boss gets the waiver. He is the person that you need. So then you have a division where the boss can live in Fairfax or Chevy Chase, but everybody else has to live in the District. So the waiver is a division. It divides, it separates out. So I strongly urge Members on both sides, for the policemen, the firemen, the teachers and everybody else, oppose the Norton amendment and allow people to live wherever they want to live.

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank our colleague, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Portman) for sponsoring this bill. It is with great honor I rise today in support of this legislation that would designate the CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia as the George H.W. Bush Center for Central Intelligence. Renaming the CIA headquarters would be a fitting tribute to our distinguished former President. The fact is, in the early 1980s this used to be in my congressional district. I was out there at the dedication of the addition to the new building. At that time former President Bush, who was then Vice President, was out there with then President Reagan and was so warmly and well thought of by everybody at the CIA at those times. George Bush has an exceptional career in service to the American people. He triumphantly led our country to victory in the Gulf War crisis, and he paved the way for freedom and democracy in Eastern Europe as the Cold War ended and the communist empire broke up. George Bush also served our Nation in many other capacities. He has the distinction of being the only former President to be Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. George Bush is still today held in highest regard by the CIA and its employees. In fact, many times I will talk with a CIA employee or former employee, they tell me they thought George Bush was one of the best directors they ever had. When appointed Director to the CIA in 1976, he inherited a very difficult situation, but during his tenure he created strength and stability in the intelligence community, and he is widely credited for restoring morale at the CIA. Mr. Speaker, America has a proud tradition of honoring our great presidents. What better way to honor George Bush than to place his name on the CIA headquarters in Langley. I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this. I thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Portman) for introducing the bill.

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, over the July recess, I traveled to Algeria and Egypt on official business to learn about the human rights problems in both countries. In Algeria, I met with government officials, parliamentary leaders and representatives of non-government organizations. I also had the opportunity to visit the sites of a recent massacre to talk with individuals who lost loved ones to terrorism. Encouraging political reform, pluralism, rule of law and democracy may help bring an end to the conflict. In Egypt, I met with government officials, Coptic Christians and others to discuss human rights abuses and the problems facing Christians living in Egypt. I submit here the report of my trip to share with our colleagues. Report of a Visit to Algeria and Egypt: A Human Rights Perspective (This report provides details of my trip to northern Africa during the period July 5-10, 1998. This visit included a two- day stop in Algiers (July 6-8) followed by a two-day visit to Cairo (July 8-10). The relatively short traveling time between Algiers and Cairo afforded the opportunity for back- to-back visits. Algeria is rampant with terrorism which is largely unreported to the outside world. Nearby Cairo afforded the opportunity to meet with and see in their homeland Coptic Christians and to develop a broader perspective of human rights conditions there.) I have, for several years, followed events in Algeria and have a growing concern about the terrible toll on human life that ongoing, unabated terrorism and the government's response to it are having in this violent land. Algeria has deep roots in history. Saint Augustine (354- 430), one of the greatest leaders of the early Christian Church and the author of Confessions, one of the first great autobiographies, was born in the city of Tagaste, near what is now Constantine, in the northeast corner of Algeria. In 1815, a U.S. Naval Squadron under Captain Stephen Decatur attacked Algiers and forced its governor to sign a treaty banning piracy against American ships. Continuing piracy on European shipping led ultimately to the French invasion of Algiers in 1830 and the occupation of Algeria which continued for more than 130 years until 1962. During eight years of intense fighting with the French immediately before winning independence in 1962, Algeria paid a terrible price. It has been said that one million people were killed and two million lost their homes. An independent nation emerged with no infrastructure and no skilled labor force to keep the country running. Various experiments in governance followed. But it wasn't until the collapse of oil prices in the late 1980s on which Algeria's economy was largely based and the disappearance of Soviet influence and support that a movement toward democracy and a free-market economy took shape. Beginning in 1989, legitimate opposition to the government in power emerged under a new constitution. Municipal elections were held in 1992 and the opposition Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) won a large majority. The military quickly intervened, canceled the elections, imposed a state of emergency and outlawed the FIS. The government justified its actions on two fronts: the need to prevent the FIS from overthrowing the government and imposing an Islamic state, and the existence of the FIS contravened a law on political parties stipulating that no party can be based upon religion. The move toward democracy was put on hold. Leaders and members of FIS were targeted, imprisoned and punished by the government. In response, terrorist bands began to form and violence and killing in Algeria escalated. These bands continue to wreak fear and death on the country and its people. Several sources said that some of these Algerian terrorists were trained to fight in Afghanistan against the Soviet army and were called Mujahideen. As many as 70,000 people have been killed by terrorists since 1992. Many more have been injured and the toll continues to grow. Ten people were killed and 21 were injured in a terrorist bombing in Algiers the day we departed on July 8. While in Algeria, we visited the tiny villages of Sidi Hamed and Sidi Rais near the town of Blida less than an hour's drive from Algiers. These villages are the sites of recent terrorist acts and massacres. Late on the night of January 10, 1998, terrorists attacked residents of Sid Hamed and killed 103 men, women and children and wounded many more. We visited a home at the center of the massacre and spoke with the owner who lost his wife and family in the raiding and burning that took place. We met with young children who lost parents and family to that night's terrorist attack. We visited a cemetery with 103 fresh graves. The fear that was evident in Sidi Hamed was shared by virtually all the Algerians we met. The 2,000 to 4,000 terrorists estimated to be active in Algeria are holding hostage the entire country, its people and, to a significant degree, future progress and development. Algerians have much on which to base this fear. Terrorist groups have threatened to ``slash the throats of all apostates and their allies.'' They have certainly made good on these threats. On May 14, 1997, for example, terrorists in the town of Douar Daoud slaughtered more than 30 residents including two infants, 15 other children and seven women. On April 16, 1997, bodies of four young girls were found outside the village of Chaib Mohammed. They had been raped before their throats were slit. During this same period, 18 people, mostly young men, were shot or hacked to death at a phony roadblock near Saida. The largest massacre took place in Sidi Rias on August 28, 1987, when up to 300 people, many of them women and children and even small babies were killed. About 100 more were injured. This pattern of terrorism, brutality and violence continues today. We met with a number of Algerian government officials including the prime minister, a regional governor, the speaker of the lower house and senior members of the upper body of parliament, the foreign minister, representatives of most of the major political parties and factions. We also met with representatives of human rights and terrorism watch organizations, with representatives of the Algerian press, business, student and women's groups and with a number of terrorist victims who were personally injured and/or who lost close family members. By most accounts, incidents of terrorism have measurably declined since about 1994-95. Still, there is more than enough terrorism to instill in the people an elevated level of fear, caution and reluctance to venture out, especially after dark. Terrorists have targeted specific groups, among them members of the press, Westerners, police and government officials and other high-profile individuals. Sometimes, fake roadblocks are established by terrorists dressed as police or army members and passersby are stopped and killed. This is most prevalent in the countryside away from Algiers. The government and the army have been strongly criticized on two fronts. The first is for not responding quickly enough or with sufficient force to combat incidents of ongoing terrorism. While some of this criticism is justified, it is noted that Algeria has an armed force of 125,000 or less. Subtracting those in the navy and air force and the poorly equipped and trained conscripts, there are only about 25,000 regular soldiers in a country whose size approximates the United States east of the Mississippi River. Only about half of this number is mobilized at any time. It is also noteworthy that the army has been trained by and patterned after the former Soviet military, which is not known for rapid response to crises. Criticism has also been leveled at the government for ``extra-judicial'' actions taken in response to terrorism or under circumstances attributed to terrorism. Frequent occasions were mentioned when government actions outside the rule of law occur. Reports have been made of several hundred apprehensions of individuals by government and police forces where the person taken was never again heard from and family members cannot learn what happened from the government. The Algerian government has been urged to become more ``transparent'' in its efforts to combat terrorism and to discipline police and military forces to work within the rule of law. Progress in this area is slow and perhaps human rights training of military units should be provided. Unemployment is high (above 20 percent) and there is a critical shortage of sufficient housing. Improvement in these areas could reduce the numbers of young people willing to turn to terrorism. Median age of the 30 million Algerian population is 15 years. There is also the age group hardest hit by high unemployment. Privatization of government-run industries (Air Algerie, the primary airline serving Algeria, is an example) would help. Many foreign investors are doubtless reluctant to move into Algeria with the level of terrorism that exists. Efforts to drive down the killings, bombings and other acts of terror would do the most to help. The United States is presently Algeria's most important trading partner with 1998 exports to the U.S. projected to be $2.2 billion (mostly hydrocarbon/petroleum industry). Imports from the U.S. in 1998 are predicted to be $920 million. U.S. trade with Algeria is expected to continue to increase. There are tremendous business opportunities there. There is a lack of qualified outside observers to provide commentary and conscience to heavy-handed government activities in Algeria. The permanent presence of ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross), Amnesty International, and other human rights watch organizations would be helpful in curbing extra-legal behavior and in certifying legitimate forceful response as conditions improve. At a minimum, observers should be allowed to visit whenever they want and the government should cooperate with them. The Algerian Parliament has recently passed legislation that imposes Arabic as the sole official language. This action resulted in strong protest by Berbers, who make up about 30 percent of Algeria's population. Algeria has not yet found the key to democratically balancing the legitimate concerns and interests of all its minority and citizens groups. Still, with all the fear, terrorism and sometimes massacre that are part of each day, the Algerian people are going about their daily life, working, attending school and making a home as best they can with determination and resilience as they try to change their country. We were told that Algerian women strongly influence this balanced daily lifestyle. From my observations while in Algeria, I offer the following recommendations: 1. Terrorism and violence taking place in Algeria should be condemned in the strongest terms by the U.S. and by all nations. 2. The government should be encouraged to invite ICRC, Amnesty International and other human rights organizations to Algeria on a permanent basis. 3. Efforts to increase international press coverage and ensure uncensored national press should be encouraged. 4. The U.S. should consider providing human rights training to Algerian military and police. 5. Ongoing labor training provided by the AFL-CIO to help union leaders cope with events as the economy is privatized should continue and perhaps increase. 6. Parliamentary exchange programs should be developed and encouraged to assist Algerian progress toward democracy. Exchange programs in other areas such as business, academia, government, medical and others should also be encouraged and supported. 7. Assistance to and education about the criminal justice system are required to strengthen safeguards and ensure that human rights are protected. 8. More housing must be constructed and help to develop the private ownership of homes is required. Organizations such as Fannie May can provide advice and information to assist in this effort. In conclusion, I would add the comment that U.S. interests are extremely well served by our ambassador, Cameron R. Hume, and his able embassy staff who ensure we are effectively represented under always trying and sometimes dangerous conditions. They do an outstanding job and America is fortunate to have them there. Visit to Cairo I also visited Cairo for about two days during this trip. I met with President Mubarak and others in the government, members of the Coptic Christian community, Muslims and representatives of various human rights action and assistance groups. I was not able to visit the upper Nile where many problems regarding Coptic Christians have been reported. This is an area I would like to visit in a future trip. Areas of human rights and religious tolerance are slowly progressing although much more could be done. About one fourth of Egypt's 65 million population lives in Cairo and huge numbers live in abject poverty. We visited one of five ``garbage cities'' in Cairo. These are huge garbage dumps where hordes of the poorest live and eke out an existence by sorting, selling and using garbage under indescribably horrific conditions. Under Egyptian law, a church cannot be built without approval of the president. Until recently, this restriction also applied to existing churches being allowed to make even the most minor repairs. Although the law remains unchanged, authority to allow repairs has now been delegated to the presidentially appointed governors. It is uncertain how successful this new delegation of authority will be. President Mubarak said that the concept of discriminating against people is not the policy of Egypt. Many Copts with whom I spoke agreed that there is little if any systematic government persecution. Still, in the course of daily life, with virtually no important government or other positions filled by Coptic Christians, interpretation of laws and regulations, judgments between Copts and other Egyptians, the meting out of routine rulings and the normal conduct of business imposes hardships and unfairness on Copts. Clearly, there are difficulties being faced by Coptic Christians. Many would agree with the statement in an Australian report on Copts in Egypt that ``although the government of Egypt would like to believe that keeping silent about the issues will make them go away, it's clear the government could do more to insure the Coptic minority is treated equally.'' I would also like to thank the staff at the American Embassy and particularly Ms. Molly Phee who accompanied us during our stay in Cairo. Our Foreign Service corps does an exceptional job under trying and demanding conditions.

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Chairman, we certainly did not want to have any legislation on an appropriation bill, so I concede the point of order.

Mr. WOLF. I can tell.