[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 35 (Friday, February 24, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E427-E428]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                    ON THE REINVENTION OF GOVERNMENT

                                 ______


                          HON. CARDISS COLLINS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 23, 1995
  Mrs. COLLINS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, during the past year, the 
American public has seen some remarkable changes in the Federal 
Government: It works better and costs less. Those two achievements are 
directly attributable to an initiative undertaken by the Clinton 
administration, which has been spearheaded by Vice President Al Gore. 
Its called the National Performance Review [NPR].
  At the heart of this initiative has been the Federal employee. These 
employees brought their intellect, industry, and initiative to the task 
of reinventing Government. The result has been a smaller but more 
service-oriented workforce, the consolidation of programs to eliminate 
redundancy, cut costs, and increase efficiency. People are talking 
about what the Government did for them rather than what the Government 
did to them.
  The NPR capitalized on the desire and ability of workers to eliminate 
waste, cut red tape, and produce a higher quality product. Teams of 
workers at agencies throughout the Government formed reinvention labs 
and began generating ideas for how to improve customer service. The 
labs' successes have been recognized in countless ceremonies across the 
Nation honoring the heroes of reinvention. Let me share a couple of 
examples of what they have accomplished:
  First, in my own city of Chicago, the Chicago District of the U.S. 
Customs Service found a way to put their customers in inspection lines 
by airline passengers entering the United States at O'Hare 
International Airport. They put new informed compliance procedures in 
place which decreased the intrusion into the lives of the law-abiding 
travelers, while at the same time increasing the effectiveness of their 
law enforcement operation. The time spent waiting in line is down, the 
district now collects over $4 million a day in duties, and the number 
of wanted felons apprehended has dramatically increased.
  Another example from the Chicago area can be found at the North 
Central VA Medical Center. Last fall, the center's managed care system 
development group won one of the Vice President's Hammer Awards. They 
got it for implementing a new method of patient care which made 
customer satisfaction the No. 1 priority. They adopted a managed care 
approach based on the primary care team concept, monitored through an 
integrated information and accounting system. Essential support 
services were incorporated and those not initially available, such as 
surgery, were created through innovative collaborations and 
partnerships with external providers.
  Since 1993, the number of enrollees in the Center's managed health 
care plan has increased fivefold and the number of acute days of 
hospital care per 1,000 enrollees fell 85 percent. The annual potential 
savings associated with these changes are estimated to exceed $15 
million.
  Its clear from these examples and the others you will hear that 
Federal workers know how to change the Government so that it works much 
better. They just needed to be 
[[Page E428]] empowered to make change. That's what the NPR has done. 
Its given Government workers the freedom to try something new.
  Eliminating bureaucracy through reengineering Government programs 
reflects just one area for action set out in the NPR report. There are 
384 innovative recommendations contained in the report, covering such 
matters as work force restructuring, agency streamlining, reforming 
procurement practices, expanding the use of information technology, and 
improving regulatory systems.
  While many of the NPR recommendations were the type that could be 
acted upon immediately at the agency level, 173 required congressional 
action to be fully implemented.
  During the 103d Congress, 30 bills containing NPR action items were 
signed into law. Among the most notable are the Government Management 
Reform Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-356), the Federal Acquisition 
Improvement Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-335), the Federal Workforce 
Restructuring Act (Public Law 103-226), and the Federal Employee Family 
Friendly Leave Act (Public Law 103-338).
  While it will take several more years to see the NPR agenda fully 
enacted, the measures I have listed were passed by wide margins and 
with bipartisan support. This is a clear indication that a government 
that works better and costs less is something we all seek.
  I certainly hope that Republicans will continue to cooperate with 
this Democratic initiative and work with us to get more NPR legislation 
passing during the 104th Congress. The American people deserve the 
continued results it will bring.
  The September 1994 report on the NPR's first year included 1,500 
customer service standards which constitute a major step toward a 
results-driven Federal Government. Let me share just a few examples of 
these standards. The IRS has promised that taxpayers will receive their 
tax refunds within 40 days if they file a paper return and 21 days if 
they file electronically. The SBA has promised to complete reviews of 
loan applications within 3 days, based on a newly developed one page 
application.
  The Consumer Product Safety Commission promised that the public will 
be able to report on and learn about unsafe products 24 hours a day by 
calling an 800 number. The Commerce Department has promised to provide 
the latest information on overseas markets on a compact disc which it 
will mail within 24 hours of a customer making contract.
  Each of these reflects a standard that is clear and measurable. 
Knowing just what to expect from Government is becoming a new and 
rewarding experience for many, thanks to the NPR.
  During the months ahead, the Government Reform and Oversight 
Committee will closely examine the changes the NPR has wrought, as well 
as the new administration proposals that make up the second phase of 
its reinvention effort.
  While much has already been accomplished, there are still Americans 
who are dissatisfied with how their Government works. They present the 
challenge to all of us--rank-in-file Federal employees and Members of 
Congress alike--to improve the responsiveness of Government and the 
quality of service our Government gives.


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