[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 26 (Thursday, March 12, 1998)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D229-D233]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

Committee Meetings
AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA, AND RELATED AGENCIES 
APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural 
Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies held a 
hearing on the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the Farm Credit 
Administration. Testimony was heard from Brooksley Born, Chairperson, 
Commodity Futures Trading Commission; and Marsha Pyle Martin, Chairman 
and CEO, Farm Credit Administration.

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COMMERCE, JUSTICE, STATE, AND JUDICIARY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State, 
and Judiciary held a hearing on Bureau of Prisons. Testimony was heard 
from Kathleen Hawk, Director, Bureau of Prisons, Department of Justice; 
and John Clark, Corrections Trustee, District of Columbia.
  The Subcommittee also continued appropriation hearings. Testimony was 
heard from Members of Congress.
ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water 
Development held a hearing on Nuclear Waste Management and Disposal. 
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of 
Energy: Howard R. Canter, Acting Director, Office of Fissile Materials 
Disposition; Lake H. Barrett, Acting Director, Office of Radioactive 
Waste Management; and James M. Owendoff, Acting Assistant Secretary, 
Environmental Management Program.
INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior held a hearing on 
the Secretary of Energy, the National Endowment of the Arts and the 
National Endowment of the Humanities. Testimony was heard from Federico 
Pena, Secretary of Energy; and the following officials of the National 
Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities: Kathryn O'Leary Higgins, 
Acting Chairman; and Scott Shanklin-Peterson, Senior Deputy Chairman, 
both with the National Endowment for the Arts; and William Ferris, 
Chairman, National Endowment for the Humanities.
LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human 
Services, and Education held a hearing on the National Human Genome 
Research Institute, and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. 
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of 
Health and Human Services: Francis S. Collins, M.D., Director, National 
Human Genome Research Institute; and Claude Lenfant, M.D., Director, 
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Military Construction held 
a hearing on Housing Privatization Efforts. Testimony was heard from 
John B. Goodman, Deputy Under Secretary, Industrial Affairs and 
Installations, Department of Defense.
TRANSPORTATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Transportation held a 
hearing on the Federal Transit Administration and the Washington 
Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). Testimony was heard from 
Gordon J. Linton, Administrator, Federal Transit Administration, 
Department of Transportation; and Richard A. White, General Manager, 
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.
TREASURY, POSTAL SERVICE, GENERAL GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Treasury, Postal Service, 
and General Government held a hearing on the Executive Residence, the 
Executive Office of the President, and on the OMB. Testimony was heard 
from the following officials of the National Capital Region, National 
Park Service, Department of the Interior: Terry R. Carlstrom, Regional 
Director; James I. McDaniel, Director, White House Liaison; and Marilyn 
J. Meyers, Budget Analyst; Ada L. Posey, Director, Office of 
Administration on behalf of Executive Office of the President Agencies; 
and Franklin D. Raines, Director, OMB.
VA-HUD-INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on VA, HUD and Independent 
Agencies held a hearing on NASA Space Station Programs. Testimony was 
heard from Daniel S. Goldin, Administrator, NASA.
BUDGET VIEWS AND ESTIMATES
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Approved Fiscal Year 1999 
Budget views and estimates for submission to the Committee on the 
Budget.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Health and Environment held a 
hearing on Community-Based Care for Americans with Disabilities. 
Testimony was heard from Speaker Gingrich; Representative Gephardt; the 
following officials of the Department of Health and Human Services: 
Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D., Assistant Secretary, Planning and 
Evaluation; and Sally Richardson, Director, Center for Medicaid and 
State Operations, Health Care Financing Administration; Ann Koci, 
Commissioner, Adult and Medical Services, Department of Social and 
Rehabilitation Services, State of Kansas; and public witnesses.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA--PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOL CHOICE
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Early 
Childhood, Youth, and Families held a hearing on Public and Private 
School Choice in the

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District of Columbia. Testimony was heard from Arlene Ackerman, Deputy 
Superintendent, Chief Academic Officer, Public Schools, District of 
Columbia; Lawrence Callahan, Superintendent of Catholic Schools, 
Washington, D.C.; and public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--U.S. REGIONAL COUNTERDRUG EFFORTS
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight: Subcommittee on National 
Security, International Affairs, and Criminal Justice held an oversight 
hearing of U.S. Regional counterdrug efforts. Testimony was heard from 
Adm. Robert E. Kramek, USCG, Commandant and U.S. Interdiction 
Coordinator, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Transportation; Gen. 
Charles E. Wilhelm, USMC, Commander in Chief, U.S. Southern Command, 
Department of Defense; and Donnie Marshall, Acting Deputy 
Administrator, DEA, Department of Justice.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES; DAYTON AGREEMENTS IMPLEMENTATION
Committee on International Relations: Favorably considered and adopted 
a motion urging the Chairman to request that the following measures be 
considered on the Suspension Calendar: H. Con. Res. 235, amended, 
calling for an end to the violent repression of the legitimate rights 
of the people of Kosova; and H. Res. 373, commending democracy in 
Botswana.
  The Committee also held a hearing on prospects for Implementation of 
Dayton Agreements and the New NATO Mission in Bosnia. Testimony was 
heard from Ambassador Robert Gelbard, Special Representative of the 
President and the Secretary of State for Implementation of the Dayton 
Peace Accords, Department of State; and Walter Slocombe, Under 
Secretary, Policy, Department of Defense.
HELMS BURTON; TWO YEARS LATER
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on International 
Economic Policy and Trade held a hearing on Helms Burton: Two Years 
Later. Testimony was heard from Michael Rannenberger, Director, Office 
of Cuban Affairs, Department of State; and public witnesses.
CONSUMER BANKRUPTCY ISSUES
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Commercial and 
Administrative Law continued hearings on the consumer bankruptcy issues 
in H.R. 3150, Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1998; H.R. 2500, Responsible 
Borrower Protection Bankruptcy Act; and H.R. 3146, Consumer Lenders and 
Borrowers Bankruptcy Accountability Act of 1998. Testimony was heard 
from Richard M. Stana, Associate Director, Administration of Justice 
Issues, GAO; Marion A. Olson, Jr., Standing Chapter 13 Trustee, U.S. 
Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Texas; and public witnesses.
  Hearings continue March 18.
CITIZEN PROTECTION ACT
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution held a 
hearing on H.R. 3168, Citizen Protection Act of 1998. Testimony was 
heard from Senator Torricelli; Representative Hutchinson; and public 
witnesses.
BAIL BOND FAIRNESS ACT
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime held a hearing on 
H.R. 2134, Bail Bond Fairness Act of 1997. Testimony was heard from W. 
Eugene Davis, Judge, U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals (Fifth Circuit), and 
Chair, Advisory Committee on Criminal Rules, U.S. Judicial Conference; 
and public witnesses.
TEMPORARY AGRICULTURAL WORKER ACT
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims 
approved for full Committee action H.R. 3410, Temporary Agricultural 
Worker Act of 1998.
  The Subcommittee also considered private bills.
DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION
Committee on National Security: Continued hearings on the fiscal year 
1999 National Defense authorization budget request. Testimony was heard 
from the following officials of the Department of Defense: Gen. Dennis 
J. Reimer, USA, Chief of Staff, Department of the Army; Adm. Jay L. 
Johnson, USN, Chief of Naval Operations, Department of the Navy; Gen. 
Michael E. Ryan, USAF, Chief of Staff, Department of the Air Force; and 
Gen. Charles C. Krulak, USMC, Commandant, U.S. Marine Corps.
MORALE, WELFARE AND RECREATION PROGRAMS
Committee on National Security: Special Oversight Panel on Morale, 
Welfare and Recreation held a hearing on morale, welfare and recreation 
programs and issues. Testimony was heard from the following officials 
of the Department of Defense: Sgt. Maj. Robert E. Hall, USA, Sergeant 
Major of the Army; Electronics Technician Master Chief Petty Officer 
John Hagan, USN, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy; Chief Master 
Sgt. Eric W. Benken, USAF, Senior Chief Master Sergeant of the Air 
Force; Sgt. Maj. Lewis G. Lee, USMC, Sergeant Major of the Marine 
Corps; Carolyn H. Becraft, Deputy Assistant Secretary (Personnel 
Support, Families, and Education); Brig. Gen. Evan R. Gaddis, USA, 
Commanding General, Department of the Army; and

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Rear Adm. James B. Hinkle, USN, Assistant Chief of Naval Personnel, 
Department of the Navy; Arthur J. Meyers, Director, Air Force Services; 
and Mike Tharrington, Director, Morale, Welfare, and Recreation, 
Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps.
MILITARY RECRUITING, RETENTION, AND RELATED ISSUES
Committee on National Security: Subcommittee on Military Personnel held 
a hearing on military recruiting, retention, and related personnel 
programs and policies. Testimony was heard from Mark E. Gebicke, 
Director, Military Operations and Capabilities Issues, National 
Security and International Affairs Division, GAO; Lt. Gen. Frederick E. 
Vollrath, USA, Deputy Chief of Staff, Personnel, Department of the 
Army; Vice Adm. Daniel T. Oliver, USN, Chief of Naval Personnel, 
Department of the Navy; Lt. Gen. Michael D. McGinty, USAF, Deputy Chief 
of Staff, Personnel, Department of the Air Force; Lt. Gen. Carol A. 
Mutter, USMC, Deputy Chief of Staff, Manpower and Reserve Affairs, 
Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps; Maj. Gen. Mark R. Hamilton, USA, 
Commanding General, U.S. Army Recruiting Command; Rear Adm. Barbara E. 
McCann, USN, Commander, U.S. Navy Recruiting Command; Col. Peter U. 
Sutton, USAF, Commander, U.S. Air Force Recruiting Service; and Maj. 
Gen. Jack W. Klimp, USMC, Commanding General, U.S. Marine Corps 
Recruiting.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES; OVERSIGHT--CONCESSION REFORM
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands 
approved for full Committee action the following bills: H.R. 1522, 
amended, to extend the authorization for the National Historic 
Preservation Fund; and H.R. 2098, National Cave and Karst Research 
Institute Act of 1997.
  The Subcommittee also held an oversight hearing on Concession Reform. 
Testimony was heard from Senator Thomas; Victor S. Rozendes, Director, 
Energy, Resources and Science Issues, GAO; Robert Stanton, Director, 
National Park Service, Department of the Interior; and public 
witnesses.
SONNY BONO MEMORIAL SALTON SEA RECLAMATION ACT
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Water and Power held a hearing 
on H.R. 3267, Sonny Bono Memorial Salton Sea Reclamation Act. Testimony 
was heard from Senator Boxer; Representatives Hunter and Brown of 
California; David Hayes, Counselor to the Secretary, Department of the 
Interior; Douglas P. Wheeler, Secretary for Resources, State of 
California; Christopher Harris, Manager, Water Resources Program, 
Department of Water Resources, State of Arizona; Wayne Hardie, Group 
Leader, Energy and Environmental Analysis, Los Alamos National 
Laboratory; and public witnesses.
LINE ITEM VETO
Committee on Rules: Subcommittee on Legislative and Budget Process 
concluded hearings on the Line Item Veto After One Year, the Process 
and Its Implementation. Testimony was heard from Representatives 
Solomon, Packard, Miller of Florida, Castle, Neumann, Murtha, Stenholm, 
Spratt, Skaggs, Upton and Roemer.
OVERSIGHT--FAA'S BUDGET REQUEST
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Technology held an oversight 
hearing to review the FAA's FY '99 Budget Request, including the Flight 
2000 Demonstration Program. Testimony was heard from the following 
officials of the FAA, Department of Transportation: Dennis DeGaetano, 
Deputy Associate Administrator, Research and Acquisitions; and Ralph 
Eschenbach, Chairman, Research, Engineering and Development Advisory 
Committee; and public witnesses.
SMALL BUSINESS INVESTMENT COMPANY PROGRAM CHANGES
Committee on Small Business: Ordered reported amended H.R. 3412, Small 
Business Investment Company Technical Corrections Act of 1998.
  Prior to this action, the Committee held a hearing to discuss 
improvements in the Small Business Investment Company program. 
Testimony was heard from Lee Mercer, President, National Association of 
Small Business Investment Companies.
FAA AND AIRPORT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM REAUTHORIZATION
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on 
Aviation held a hearing on reauthorization of the Federal Aviation 
Administration and Airport Improvement Program. Testimony was heard 
from public witnesses.
  Hearings continue March 18.
SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD REAUTHORIZATION
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on 
Railroad held a hearing on Surface Transportation Board 
Reauthorization: Resources Requirements. Testimony was heard from Linda 
J. Morgan, Chairwoman, Surface Transportation Board, Department of 
Transportation.
SSA COMMISSIONER--CHALLENGES
Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Social Security and the 
Subcommittee on Human Resources held a joint hearing to review the 
challenges

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facing the new Commissioner of Social Security. Testimony was heard 
from the following officials of the SSA: Kenneth S. Apfel, Commissioner 
of Social Security; and David C. Williams, Inspector General; and the 
following officials of the GAO: Jane L. Ross, Director, Income Security 
Issues, Health, Education, and Human Services, Division; and Joel C. 
Willemssen, Director, Civil Agencies Information Systems, Accounting 
and Information Management Division.