[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 30 (Thursday, March 7, 1996)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D156-D159]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

Committee Meetings
AGRICULTURE APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural 
Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies 
continued appropriations hearings. Testimony was heard from 
congressional and public witnesses.
INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior held a hearing on 
Department of Energy and other programs. Testimony was heard from 
public witnesses.
LABOR-HHS-EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human 
Services, and Education continued appropriation hearings. Testimony was 
heard from public witnesses.

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MILITARY CONSTRUCTION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Military Construction held 
a hearing on the Air Force. Testimony was heard from Ronald Coleman, 
Assistant Secretary, Manpower, Reserve Affairs, Installations and 
Environment, Department of the Air Force.
NATIONAL SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on National Security held a 
hearing on fiscal year 1997 Defense Budget. Testimony was heard from 
the following officials of the Department of Defense: William J. Perry, 
Secretary; and Gen. John M. Shalikashvili, USA, Chairman, Joint Chiefs 
of Staff.
TRANSPORTATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Transportation held a 
hearing on the GAO and on the National Transportation Safety Board. 
Testimony was heard from John Anderson, Director, Transportation 
Issues, GAO; and James E. Hall, Chairman, National Transportation 
Safety Board.
FUTURE OF MONEY
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Subcommittee on Domestic 
and International Monetary Policy continued hearings on the Future of 
Money, Part III. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
CORPORATE WELFARE
Committee on the Budget: Held a hearing on Corporate Welfare. Testimony 
was heard from public witnesses.
HEALTH CARE REFORM
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Health and Environment held a 
hearing on Health Care Reform: Reforming the Small Business Marketplace 
and the Individual Health Insurance Market. Testimony was heard from 
Brian Atchinson, Superintendent of Insurance, State of Maine; and 
public witnesses.
SECURITIES AMENDMENTS ACT OF 1996
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Finance 
approved for full Committee action amended H.R. 3005, Securities 
Amendments of 1996.
INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES EDUCATION ACT
Committee on Economic and Educational Opportunities: Subcommittee on 
Early Childhood, Youth and Families held a hearing on a proposed IDEA 
(Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) Improvement Act. 
Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: ordered reported amended 
H.R. 2202, Immigration and National Interest Act of 1995.
  The Committee also adopted Special Committee Rules to obtain 
deposition testimony on the White House Travel Office matter.
  The Committee also approved a draft report entitled ``National Drug 
Policy: A Review of the Status of the Drug War.''
ADMINISTRATION'S PROGRAM--NARCOTICS IN LATIN AMERICA
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on the Western 
Hemisphere held a hearing to review the Administration's certification 
program for Narcotics producing and transit countries in Latin America. 
Testimony was heard form Robert S. Gelbard, Assistant Secretary, 
International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, Department of 
State; and Thomas A. Constantine, Administrator, DEA, Department of 
Justice.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY ACT OF 1995
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution approved 
for full Committee action amended H.R. 2128, Equal Opportunity Act of 
1995.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime held a hearing on the 
following bills: H.R. 1143, to amend title 18, United States Code, with 
respect to witness retaliation; H.R. 1144, to amend title 18, United 
States Code, with respect to witness tampering; H.R. 1144, to amend 
title 18, United States Code, with respect to jury tampering; H.R. 
2092, Private Security Officer Quality Assurance Act of 1995; H.R. 
2137, Megan's Law; H.R. 2453, Fugitive Detention Act of 1995; H.R. 
2587, War Crimes Act of 1995; H.R. 2607, Veterans' Memorials Protection 
Act of 1995; H.R. 2641, United States Marshals Service Improvement Act 
of 1995; H.R. 2650, Mandatory Federal Prison Drug Treatment Act of 
1995; H.R. 2803, Anti-Car Theft Improvements Act of 1995; H.R. 2804, to 
amend the auto theft provisions of title 49, United States Code, to add 
air bag modules to the list of major auto parts protected under such 
provisions; H.R. 2974, Crimes Against Children and Elderly Persons 
Punishment and Prevention Act of 1995; H.R. 2980, Interstate Stalking 
Punishment and Prevention Act of 1996; and H.R. 2996, Law Enforcement 
and Industrial Security Cooperation Act of 1996. Testimony was heard 
from Representatives Martinez, Chrysler, Fox, Zimmer, Frank of 
Massachusetts, Jones, Lowey, and Royce; Kevin V. DiGregory, Deputy 
Assistant Attorney General, Criminal Division, Department of Justice.

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MILITARY HOUSING
Committee on National Security: Subcommittee on Military Installation 
and Facilities held a hearing on alternative authorities for 
construction and improvement of military housing. Testimony was heard 
from the following officials of the Department of Defense: Robert E. 
Bayer, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Installations; Paul Johnson, Deputy 
Assistant Secretary, Installations and Housing, Department of the Army; 
Duncan Holaday, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Installations and Housing, 
Department of the Navy; and Jimmy G. Dishner, Deputy Assistant 
Secretary, Installations, Department of the Air Force.
DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION
Committee on National Security; Subcommittee on Military Personnel 
began hearings on the fiscal year 1996 national defense authorization 
request, with emphasis on Department of Defense TRICARE and 
alternatives for retiree health care. Testimony was heard from the 
following officials of the Department of Defense: Maj. Gen. James 
Peake, USA, Deputy Commander, U.S. Army Medical Command; and Stephen 
Joseph M.D., Assistant Secretary, Health Affairs; Stephen P. Backus, 
Associate Director, Health Care Delivery and Quality Issues, GAO; Steve 
Tough, President and CEO, Foundation Health Federal Services Managed-
Care Support Contractor for TRICARE; and public witnesses.
  Hearings continue March 12.
DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION
Committee on National Security: Subcommittee on Military Procurement 
and the Subcommittee on Military Research and Development held a joint 
hearing on the fiscal year 1997 national defense authorization request, 
with emphasis on Ballistic Missile Defense. Testimony was heard from 
the following officials of the Department of Defense: Lt. Gen. Malcolm 
R. O'Neill, USA, Director, Ballistic Missile Defense Organization; Lt. 
Gen. George K. Muellner, USAF, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, 
Acquisition, Department of the Air Force, RAdm. John T. Hood, USN, 
Program Executive Officer, Theater Air Defense; and Brig. Gen. Richard 
A. Black, USA, Program Executive Officer, Missile Defense.
MINERAL MANAGEMENT SERVICE ORGANIC ACT
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources 
held a hearing on H.R. 1813, Mineral Management Service Organic Act. 
Testimony was heard from Cynthia Quarterman, Director, Minerals 
Management Service, Department of the Interior; Robert R. Jordan, State 
Geologist and Director, Geological Survey, State of Delaware; and 
public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--DAM SAFETY AND MAINTENANCE
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Water and Power Resources held 
an oversight hearing on dam safety and deferred maintenance issues at 
Bureau of Reclamation facilities. Testimony was heard from Patricia J. 
Beneke, Assistant Secretary, Water and Science, Department of the 
Interior; Fred Springer, Director, Office of Hydropower Licensing, 
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Department of Energy; Anthony K. 
Chargin, Deputy Associate Director, Energy, Manufacturing, 
Transportation Technologies, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories; 
the following officials of the State of California: Vernon Persson, 
Chief, Division of Safety of Dams, Department of Water Resources; and 
Steven Miklos, Vice Mayor, Folsom, California; and public witnesses.
CONFERENCE REPORT--AMERICAN OVERSEAS INTERESTS ACT
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a rule waiving all points 
of order against the conference report to accompany H.R. 1561, American 
Overseas Interests Act of 1995, and against its consideration. The rule 
provides that the conference report shall be considered as read. 
Testimony was heard from Chairman Hyde and Representative Conyers.
EFFECTIVE DEATH PENALTY AND PUBLIC SAFETY ACT
Committee on Rules: The Committee granted, by voice vote, a rule 
providing 1 hour of debate on H.R. 2703, Effective Death Penalty and 
Public Safety Act of 1996. The rule provides for the Committee of the 
Whole to rise after general debate without further motion. No further 
consideration of the bill is provided for except by a subsequent order 
of the House. Testimony was heard from Chairman Gilman and 
Representative Hamilton.
RESTRUCTURED FUSION ENERGY SCIENCES PROGRAM
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Energy and Environment held a 
hearing on Department of Energy's Restructured Fusion Energy Sciences 
Program. Testimony was heard from Martha A. Krebs, Director, Office of 
Energy and Research, Department of Energy; L. John Perkins, Magnetic 
Fusion Energy Program, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory; and 
public witnesses.
REDUCING REGULATIONS AND PAPERWORK BURDENS
Committee on Small Business: Held a hearing on EPA's Progress in 
Reducing Unnecessary Regulations and Paperwork Burdens Upon Small 
Business. Testimony

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was heard from Fred Hansen, Deputy Administrator, EPA; and public 
witnesses.
NLRB RULEMAKING
Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Regulation and Paperwork 
held a hearing on rulemaking at the NLRB. Testimony was heard from 
William B. Gould, IV, Chairman, NLRB; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES; BUDGET VIEWS AND ESTIMATES
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Ordered reported the 
following: H.R. 2747, amended, Water Supply Infrastructure Assistance 
Act of 1995; H. Con. Res. 146, authorizing the 1996 Special Olympics 
Torch to be run through the Capitol Grounds; and H. Con. Res. 147, 
authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the 15th Annual National 
Peace Officers' Memorial Service.
  The Committee approved the following: 14 pending water resources 
resolutions; and its Budget Views and Estimates for submission to the 
Committee on the Budget.
AIRPORT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on 
Aviation continued hearings on the Airport Improvement Program, with 
emphasis on revenue diversion. Testimony was heard from the following 
officials of the Department of Transportation: Nicholas G. Garaulis, 
Chief Counsel, FAA; and A. Mary Schiavo, Inspector General; Benjamin 
DeCosta, General Manager, Aviation Department, Newark International 
Airport, New York/New Jersey Port Authority; and public witnesses.
  Hearings continue March 13.
OVERSIGHT--GI BILL
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Education, Training, 
Employment and Housing held an oversight hearing on the Montgomery GI 
Bill. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the 
Department of Defense: Lt. Gen. Samuel E. Ebbesen, USA, Deputy 
Assistant Secretary, Military Personnel Policy; and Al Bemis, Deputy 
Assistant Secretary, Manpower and Personnel, Office of the Secretary, 
Reserve Affairs; Raymond H. Avent, Deputy Under Secretary, Benefits, 
Department of Veterans Affairs; and public witnesses.
CHINA
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to 
hold a hearing on China. Testimony was heard from departmental 
witnesses.

Joint Meetings
U.S./SINO RELATIONS
Joint Hearing: Senate Committee on Foreign Relations' Subcommittee on 
East Asian and Pacific Affairs concluded joint hearings with the House 
Committee on International Relations' Subcommittee on Asia and the 
Pacific to examine United States-Sino relations, focusing on the 
intellectual property rights agreement and related trade issues, after 
receiving testimony from Michael Kantor, United States Trade 
Representative; and Jason Berman, Recording Industry Association of 
America, Robert Holleyman, Business Software Alliance, and Eric Smith, 
International Intellectual Property Alliance, all of Washington, D.C.
FOREIGN RELATIONS AUTHORIZATION ACT
Conferees agreed to file a conference report on the differences between 
the Senate- and House-passed versions of H.R. 1561, to consolidate the 
foreign affairs agencies of the United States, to authorize funds for 
fiscal years 1996 and 1997 for the Department of State and related 
agencies, and to responsibly reduce the authorizations of 
appropriations for United States foreign assistance programs for fiscal 
years 1996 and 1997.