[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 89 (Tuesday, July 12, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: July 12, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                 FISCAL YEAR 1995 DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION

                                 ______


                          HON. ELIZABETH FURSE

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 12, 1994

  Ms. FURSE. Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Armed Services Committee, 
I want to comment on the initiatives I worked diligently to include in 
the fiscal year 1995 National Defense Authorization Act as passed by 
the House last month. It is a pleasure to serve with Chairman Ron 
Dellums  and chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Research and Technology, 
Pat Schroeder, on which I serve.
  We made some progress in the area of nonproliferation following my 
achievement last year of a ban on research and development of low-yield 
nuclear weapons. I was pleased that this year's bill included language 
I offered establishing a requirement that nuclear weapons research and 
development must now be approved by the Nuclear Weapons Council, a 
Department of Energy-Department of Defense-National Security Council 
interagency commission. An annual report to Congress of all such 
activities is also required. This strengthens executive branch and 
congressional oversight and requires that these agencies concur with 
development of any new nuclear weapons programs. My provision puts more 
sunshine on nuclear weapons activities. This is an important step 
toward eventually ending the scourge of nuclear weapons from our midst.
  I was also pleased to secure the reauthorization of the Hanford 
Health Information Network and add a provision requiring 
confidentiality of its client information. I appreciated Speaker 
Foley's assistance with both of these. The Hanford Health Information 
Network was established 3 years ago to develop programs for those who 
may have been exposed to radiation released from the Hanford Nuclear 
Reservation between 1944 and 1972 and has been extremely useful to the 
people of the Pacific Northwest.
  I appreciated the opportunity to work with Representatives Frank, 
Shays, and Upton, on our floor amendment calling for greater burden-
sharing with our European allies with the saving designated to reduce 
the deficit. Our amendment, adopted 268-144, requires them to pay 75 
percent of nonpersonnel costs for the 100,000 U.S. forces in Europe by 
1998.
  In the area of defense conversion, I was among those advocating for 
several initiatives which were included in the committee bill: 
Requirement for early notification of contract reductions and/or 
terminations for defense industry workers, Office of Economic 
Adjustment financing of civilian market feasibility studies, and 
expansion of the Technology Reinvestment Program's mandate to include 
job creation and retention and make trade unions eligible to apply for 
grants directly.
  I am particularly pleased that phase II of the Marine Environment 
Research and Training Station was authorized in H.R. 4301, as well. 
This program will provide educational and training opportunities in 
environmental, marine industrial and maritime studies to help foster 
regional economic prosperity and environmental integrity.
  Finally, while my initial attempt to attain more airlift sooner and 
with greater affordability was not successful, I am encouraged that 
there is growing recognition of the reality that we will be losing 
airlift faster than we can buy it if we follow a C-17 only approach and 
therefore the acquisition of nondevelopment airlift aircraft is 
necessary in order to avoid an airlift shortfall. I look forward to 
continuing my efforts on this issue next year.
  At $264 billion, I believe we are spending too much for defense at 
the expense of true national security, such as education, health care, 
and rebuilding our industrial base. However, I am encouraged at several 
new directions I see this authorization bill moving in, under the 
leadership of Chairman Dellums.
  This authorization bill moves in the right direction of reorienting 
and downsizing our military forces and infrastructure consistent with 
the post-cold-war environment within which they must be prepared to 
operate. At the same time, I remain concerned that we have not made the 
necessary adjustments in force structure and weapon system acquisition. 
Therefore we run the risk of spending limited budget dollars on 
excessive force structure and unnecessary major weapons purchases while 
diverting scarce national resources from more urgent needs. I will 
continue to aggressively pursue this necessary realignment in accord 
with the new realities of our world.

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