[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 40 (Wednesday, April 1, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2968-S2987]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS

      By Mr. THURMOND:
  S. 1894. A bill to amend the Alcoholic Beverage Labeling Act of 1988 
to improve a warning label requirement; to the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation.


               alcoholic beverage labeling act amendments

  Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, I am pleased to rise today to introduce 
a bill to amend the Alcoholic Beverage Labeling Act of 1988. Current 
law requires all containers of alcoholic beverages to display the 
following warning on the label:

       GOVERNMENT WARNING: (1) According to the Surgeon General, 
     women should not drink alcoholic beverages during pregnancy 
     because of the risk of birth defects. (2) Consumption of 
     alcoholic beverages impairs your ability to drive a car or 
     operate machinery, and may cause health problems.

  For nine years this warning has made consumers aware of some of the 
potential dangers associated with the consumption of alcohol. While I 
am confident that this warning appropriately illustrates the hazards of 
drinking during pregnancy and drinking and driving, I am concerned that 
it does not adequately describe the negative health effects associated 
with drinking alcohol. There is no shortage of well-substantiated 
information about the detrimental health effects of drinking. Excessive 
consumption of alcohol can raise the risk of stroke, heart disease, 
high blood pressure, certain cancers, malnutrition, cirrhosis of the 
liver, inflammation of the pancreas, and damage to the brain and heart. 
Obviously, there are so many adverse consequences of excessive alcohol 
consumption that it would be impossible to include them all on the face 
of a label. The bill I am introducing today, however, will warn 
consumers of the dangers associated with moderate consumption of 
alcohol. I am concerned that citizens may not realize that even 
moderate consumption of alcohol can put their health at risk. A recent 
study conducted by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and 
Alcoholism (NIAAA) indicates that there is an increased risk of breast 
cancer associated with moderate drinking. Specifically, there is a 40 
percent increase in the risk of breast cancer associated with an 
average intake of one drink per day, and a doubling of the risk of 
breast cancer with an average consumption of three drinks per day. The 
NIAAA study also revealed that a moderate alcohol intake of about two 
drinks per day can lead to an increase in blood pressure.
  Mr. President, the use of alcoholic beverages, even in moderate 
amounts, can have very serious health consequences that might 
ultimately be fatal. The government has a legitimate and important role 
to play in helping to assure that Americans understand these dangers. 
The legislation I am introducing today will supplement the current 
warning on labels to inform consumers of the dangers of moderate 
alcohol consumption. Further, this legislation will require that the 
warning label indicate that consumption of alcohol may lead to 
alcoholism. Alcohol has an addictive effect much like illegal drugs, 
and it is important that consumers are aware of this fact.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in cosponsoring this critical 
legislation and look forward to its speedy passage.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of this bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 1894

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. LABELING REQUIREMENT.

       Section 204(a) of the Alcoholic Beverage Labeling Act of 
     1988 (27 U.S.C. 215(a)) is amended by striking ``may cause 
     health problems'' and inserting ``may lead to alcoholism. (3) 
     Moderate consumption of alcoholic beverages may cause health 
     problems such as hypertension and breast cancer''.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. McCONNELL:
  S. 1896. A bill to transfer administrative jurisdiction over Land 
Between the Lakes National Recreation Area to the Secretary of 
Agriculture; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.


           the land between the lakes protection act of 1998

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President I have come to the floor today to 
introduce a bill known as the Land Between the Lakes Protection Act. 
Land Between the Lakes is a national treasure that must be protected. 
It is visited by more than 2 million tourists a year who enjoy its 
natural beauty, whether by camping, fishing, hunting, or just taking a 
long hike with the family.
  That's why, after studying this issue for over a year, we have 
drafted a bill to ensure that the LBL, which so many Kentuckians enjoy 
today, will be there for them--unchanged--tomorrow.
  As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, my top priority 
has been to provide LBL the money it needs to operate--including $6.9 
million last year. I remain committed to providing that funding to 
ensure that LBL remains a national treasure just like Mammoth Cave or 
Daniel Boone National Forest.
  But because of TVA Chairman Craven Crowell's harmful and ill-
considered request last year to zero-out LBL's funding, it may be that 
Congress will deny funding to TVA's non-power budget this year. Because 
of this reality, LBL needs a safety net. That's what this bill is--a 
safety net.
  If Congress decides to fund TVA then TVA will remain LBL's steward. 
If TVA is denied funding, my bill will safely and seamlessly transition 
LBL to a less controversial steward without interrupting the myriad of 
recreational activities that millions of visitors have come to enjoy 
every year.
  There may be some who want to gamble everything on TVA receiving its 
appropriation. But I believe LBL is far too precious for such an all or 
nothing gambit. That's why our bill provides for both contingencies.
  Mr. President, let me take a moment to explain some of the provisions 
I have included in this legislation based on the input I have received 
from area residents, and those who enjoy LBL. The goal of this bill is 
to ensure that the day to day operations of LBL remain the same for its 
visitors. Therefore, this bill codifies LBL's 1972 mission statement 
and ensures that the Forest Service continues to manage LBL for 
multiple use with a focus on recreation, conservation and environmental 
education.
  This legislation also gives the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service the 
authority

[[Page S2969]]

to assist the Forest Service in managing the wildlife populations and 
educating visitors on the unique species at LBL, with an emphasis on 
endangered species, like the American bald eagle. LBL is home to over 
100 eagles.
  One of the most important aspects of this bill is the creation of a 
17-member citizen advisory board that will assist the Forest Service in 
establishing a management plan at LBL. I believe this will ensure that 
LBL managers are more responsive to the local concerns about 
development at LBL. This will ensure that proposals like the ``Five 
Concepts'' proposed by TVA in 1995 will never be considered again.
  We have given the authority to Federal, State and local officials to 
appoint the members to the board. While the board will represent a 
variety of interests, I am confident that each will have the best 
intentions for LBL foremost in mind.
  The Secretary will appoint 4 individuals, two from each state. The 
Governors from Kentucky and Tennessee will each nominate two 
individuals from their state. The Kentucky and Tennessee Fish and 
Wildlife Commissioners will each nominate 1 person. The Land Between 
the Lakes Association, which is a non-profit organization that operates 
the gift shops, planetarium and welcome stations at LBL, will nominate 
one individual. The County Judge Executives from each of the three 
counties, which make up LBL will each nominate two individuals.
  This bill also protects existing TVA payments to counties, and 
increases federal payments in lieu of taxes. This will ensure that 
county schools and county services are not negatively impacted.
  This bill creates a $5 million trust fund to be used for internships, 
education grants, and regional economic and tourism promotion.
  Finally, the bill also seeks to minimize any disruption to the 
employees working at LBL. We have sought to ensure that all eligible 
benefits provided to an employee will not be diminished or lost as a 
result of transferring this facility. This bill also provides a 
generous severance package based on a previous downsizing package 
offered by TVA.
  Mr. President, we are rapidly nearing the end of the fiscal year and 
we need to ensure that this safety net is available if TVA doesn't 
receive sufficient funding. I look forward to working with my 
colleagues in the House and Senate, Republican and Democrat alike, 
putting aside politics and doing right by all those who treasure LBL.
  Finally, I want to thank the hundreds of Kentuckians who have worked 
so closely with us in drafting this bill. I believe the plan we have 
arrived at together will help secure LBL's future for a long, long 
time.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that a copy of the legislation 
be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 1896

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be referred to as ``The Land 
     Between the Lakes Protection Act of 1998''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act 
     is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
Sec. 3. Purposes.

        TITLE I--ESTABLISHMENT, ADMINISTRATION, AND JURISDICTION

Sec. 101. Establishment.
Sec. 102. Civil and criminal jurisdiction.
Sec. 103. Payments to States and counties.
Sec. 104. Forest highways.

                    TITLE II--MANAGEMENT PROVISIONS

Sec. 201. Land and resource management plan.
Sec. 202. Advisory Board.
Sec. 203. Fees.
Sec. 204. Disposition of receipts.
Sec. 205. Special use authorizations.
Sec. 206. Cooperative authorities and gifts.
Sec. 207. Designation of national recreation trail.
Sec. 208. Cemeteries.
Sec. 209. Resource management.
Sec. 210. Dams and impoundments.
Sec. 211. Trust Fund.
Sec. 212. Electricity.

                     TITLE III--TRANSFER PROVISIONS

Sec. 301. Effective date of transfer.
Sec. 302. Statement of policy.
Sec. 303. Memorandum of agreement.
Sec. 304. Records.
Sec. 305. Transfer of personal property.
Sec. 306. Compliance with environmental laws.
Sec. 307. Personnel.

                           TITLE IV--FUNDING

Sec. 401. Tennessee Valley Authority transitional funding.
Sec. 402. Authorization of appropriations.

     SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the 
     Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
       (2) Advisory board.--The term ``Advisory Board'' means the 
     Land Between the Lakes Advisory Board established under 
     section 202.
       (3) Chairman.--The term ``Chairman'' means the Chairman of 
     the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Valley Authority.
       (4) Eligible employee.--The term ``eligible employee'' 
     means a person that was, on the date of enactment of this 
     Act, a full-time employee of the Tennessee Valley Authority 
     at the Recreation Area.
       (5) Environmental law.--
       (A) In general.--The term ``environmental law'' means all 
     applicable Federal, State, and local laws (including 
     regulations) and requirements related to protection of human 
     health, natural and cultural resources, or the environment.
       (B) Inclusions.--The term ``environmental law'' includes--
       (i) the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, 
     and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.);
       (ii) the Solid Waste Disposal Act (42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.);
       (iii) the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 
     1251 et seq.);
       (iv) the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.);
       (v) the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act 
     (7 U.S.C. 136 et seq.);
       (vi) the Toxic Substances Control Act (15 U.S.C. 2601 et 
     seq.); and
       (vii) the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300f et seq.).
       (6) Forest highway.--The term ``forest highway'' has the 
     meaning given the term in section 101(a) of title 23, United 
     States Code.
       (7) Governmental unit.--The term ``governmental unit'' 
     means an agency of the Federal Government or a State or local 
     government, local governmental unit, public or municipal 
     corporation, or unit of a State university system.
       (8) Hazardous substance.--The term ``hazardous substance'' 
     has the meaning given the term in section 101 of the 
     Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and 
     Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9601).
       (9) Person.--The term ``person'' has the meaning given the 
     term in section 101 of the Comprehensive Environmental 
     Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 
     9601).
       (10) Pollutant or contaminant.--The term ``pollutant or 
     contaminant'' has the meaning given the term in section 101 
     of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, 
     and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9601).
       (11) Recreation area.--The term ``Recreation Area'' means 
     the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area.
       (12) Release.--The term ``release'' has the meaning given 
     the term in section 101 of the Comprehensive Environmental 
     Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 
     9601).
       (13) Response action.--The term ``response action'' has the 
     meaning given the term in section 101 of the Comprehensive 
     Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 
     1980 (42 U.S.C. 9601).
       (14) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of Agriculture.
       (15) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of Kentucky 
     and the State of Tennessee.

     SEC. 3. PURPOSES.

       The purposes of this Act are--
       (1) to transfer without consideration administrative 
     jurisdiction over the Recreation Area from the Tennessee 
     Valley Authority to the Secretary so that the Recreation Area 
     may be managed as a unit of the National Forest System;
       (2) to protect and manage the resources of the Recreation 
     Area for optimum yield of outdoor recreation and 
     environmental education through multiple use management by 
     the Forest Service;
       (3) to authorize, research, test, and demonstrate 
     innovative programs and cost-effective management of the 
     Recreation Area;
       (4) to authorize the Secretary to cooperate between and 
     among the States, Federal agencies, private organizations, 
     and corporations, and individuals, as appropriate, in the 
     management of the Recreation Area and to help stimulate the 
     development of the surrounding region and extend the 
     beneficial results as widely as practicable; and
       (5) to provide for the smooth and equitable transfer of 
     jurisdiction from the Tennessee Valley Authority to the 
     Secretary.
        TITLE I--ESTABLISHMENT, ADMINISTRATION, AND JURISDICTION

     SEC. 101. ESTABLISHMENT.

       (a) In General.--On the transfer of administrative 
     jurisdiction under section 301, the Land Between the Lakes 
     National Recreation Area in the States of Kentucky and 
     Tennessee is established as a unit of the National Forest 
     System.
       (b) Management.--

[[Page S2970]]

       (1) In general.--The Secretary shall manage the Recreation 
     Area for multiple use as a unit of the National Forest 
     System.
       (2) Emphases.--The emphases in the management of the 
     Recreation Area shall be--
       (A) to provide public recreational opportunities;
       (B) to conserve fish and wildlife and their habitat; and
       (C) to provide for diversity of native and desirable non-
     native plants, animals, opportunities for hunting and 
     fishing, and environmental education.
       (3) Status of unit.--The Secretary may administer the 
     Recreation Area as a separate unit of the National Forest 
     System or in conjunction with an existing national forest.
       (c) Area Included.--
       (1) In general.--The Recreation Area shall comprise the 
     federally owned land, water, and interests in the land and 
     water lying between Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley in the 
     States of Kentucky and Tennessee, as generally depicted on 
     the map entitled ``Land Between the Lakes National Recreation 
     Area--January, 1998''.
       (2) Map.--The map described in paragraph (1) shall be 
     available for public inspection in the Office of the Chief of 
     the Forest Service, Washington, D.C.
       (d) Waters.--
       (1) Water levels and navigation.--Nothing in this Act 
     affects the jurisdiction of the Tennessee Valley Authority or 
     the Army Corps of Engineers to manage and regulate water 
     levels and navigation of Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley and 
     areas subject to flood easements.
       (2) Occupancy and use.--Subject to the jurisdiction of the 
     Tennessee Valley Authority and the Army Corps of Engineers, 
     the Secretary shall have jurisdiction to regulate the 
     occupancy and use of the surface waters of the lakes for 
     recreational purposes.

     SEC. 102. CIVIL AND CRIMINAL JURISDICTION.

       (a) Administration.--The Secretary, acting through the 
     Chief of the Forest Service, shall administer the Recreation 
     Area in accordance with this Act and the laws, rules, and 
     regulations pertaining to the National Forest System.
       (b) Status.--Land within the Recreation Area shall have the 
     status of land acquired under the Act of March 1, 1911 
     (commonly known as the ``Weeks Act'') (16 U.S.C. 515 et 
     seq.).

     SEC. 103. PAYMENTS TO STATES AND COUNTIES.

       (a) Payments in Lieu of Taxes.--Land within the Recreation 
     Area shall be subject to the provisions for payments in lieu 
     of taxes under chapter 69 of title 31, United States Code.
       (b) Distribution.--All amounts received from charges, use 
     fees, and natural resource utilization, including timber and 
     agricultural receipts, shall not be subject to distribution 
     to States under the Act of May 23, 1908 (16 U.S.C. 500).
       (c) Payments by the Tennessee Valley Authority.--After the 
     transfer of administrative jurisdiction is made under section 
     301--
       (1) the Tennessee Valley Authority shall continue to 
     calculate the amount of payments to be made to States and 
     counties under section 13 of the Tennessee Valley Authority 
     Act of 1933 (16 U.S.C. 831l); and
       (2) each State (including, for the purposes of this 
     subsection, the State of Kentucky, the State of Tennessee, 
     and any other State) that receives a payment under that 
     section shall continue to calculate the amounts to be 
     distributed to the State and local governments, as though the 
     transfer had not been made.

     SEC. 104. FOREST HIGHWAYS.

       (a) In General.--For purposes of section 204 of title 23, 
     United States Code, the road known as ``The Trace'' and every 
     other paved road within the Recreation Area (including any 
     road constructed to secondary standards) shall be considered 
     to be a forest highway.
       (b) State Responsibility.--
       (1) In general.--The States shall be responsible for the 
     maintenance of forest highways within the Recreation Area.
       (2) Reimbursement.--To the maximum extent provided by law, 
     from funds appropriated to the Department of Transportation 
     and available for purposes of highway construction and 
     maintenance, the Secretary of Transportation shall reimburse 
     the States for all or a portion of the costs of maintenance 
     of forest highways in the Recreation Area.
                    TITLE II--MANAGEMENT PROVISIONS

     SEC. 201. LAND AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN.

       (a) In General.--As soon as practicable after the effective 
     date of the transfer of jurisdiction under section 301, the 
     Secretary shall prepare a land and resource management plan 
     for the Recreation Area in conformity with the National 
     Forest Management Act of 1976 (16 U.S.C. 472a et seq.) and 
     other applicable law.
       (b) Interim Provision.--Until adoption of the land and 
     resource management plan, the Secretary may use, as 
     appropriate, the existing Tennessee Valley Authority 
     management plan to provide interim management direction. Use 
     of all or a portion of the management plan by the Secretary 
     shall not be considered to be a major Federal action 
     significantly affecting the quality of the human environment.

     SEC. 202. ADVISORY BOARD.

       (a) Establishment.--Not later than 90 days after the date 
     of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish the 
     Land Between the Lakes Advisory Board.
       (b) Membership.--The Advisory Board shall be composed of 17 
     members appointed as follows:
       (1) 4 individuals appointed by the Secretary, including--
       (A) 2 residents of the State of Kentucky; and
       (B) 2 residents of the State of Tennessee.
       (2) 2 individuals, including--
       (A) 1 individual appointed by the Kentucky Fish and 
     Wildlife Commissioner or designee; and
       (B) 1 individual appointed by the Tennessee Fish and 
     Wildlife Commission or designee.
       (3) 1 individual appointed by the Land Between the Lakes 
     Association.
       (4) 4 individuals, including--
       (A) 2 individuals appointed by the Governor of the State of 
     Tennessee; and
       (B) 2 individuals appointed by the Governor of the State of 
     Kentucky.
       (5) 6 individuals, including 2 individuals appointed by 
     each of the counties containing the Recreation Area.
       (c) Term.--
       (1) In general.--The term of a member of the Advisory Board 
     shall be 5 years.
       (2) Succession.--Members of the Advisory Board may not 
     succeed themselves.
       (d) Chairperson.--The Regional Forester shall serve as 
     chairperson of the Advisory Board.
       (e) Rules of Procedure.--The Secretary shall prescribe the 
     rules of procedure for the Advisory Board.
       (f) Functions.--The Advisory Board may advise the Secretary 
     on--
       (1) means of promoting public participation for the land 
     and resource management plan for the Recreation Area; and
       (2) environmental education.
       (g) Meetings.--
       (1) Frequency.--The Advisory Board shall meet at least 
     biannually.
       (2) Public meeting.--A meeting of the Advisory Board shall 
     be open to the general public.
       (3) Notice of meetings.--The chairperson, through the 
     placement of notices in local news media and by other 
     appropriate means shall give 2 weeks' public notice of each 
     meeting of the Advisory Board.
       (h) Termination.--The Secretary may terminate the Advisory 
     Board on or after the date as of which the Secretary 
     determines that implementation of the initial land and 
     resource management plan for the Recreation Area under 
     section 201 has begun.

     SEC. 203. FEES.

       (a) Authority.--The Secretary may charge reasonable fees 
     for admission to and the use of the designated sites, or for 
     activities, within the Recreation Area.
       (b) Factors.--In determining whether to charge fees, the 
     Secretary may consider the costs of collection weighed 
     against potential income.
       (c) Limitation.--No general entrance fees shall be charged 
     within the Recreation Area.

     SEC. 204. DISPOSITION OF RECEIPTS.

       (a) In General.--All amounts received from charges, use 
     fees, and natural resource utilization, including timber and 
     agricultural receipts, shall be deposited in a special fund 
     in the Treasury of the United States to be known as the 
     ``Land Between the Lakes Management Fund''.
       (b) Use.--Amounts in the Fund shall be available to the 
     Secretary until expended, without further Act of 
     appropriation, for the management of the Recreation Area, 
     including payment of salaries and expenses.

     SEC. 205. SPECIAL USE AUTHORIZATIONS.

       (a) In General.--In addition to other authorities for the 
     authorization of special uses within the National Forest 
     System, within the Recreation Area, the Secretary may, on 
     such terms and conditions as the Secretary may prescribe--
       (1) convey for no consideration perpetual easements to 
     governmental units for public roads over U.S. Route 68 and 
     the Trace, and such other rights-of-way as the Secretary and 
     a governmental unit may agree;
       (2) transfer or lease to governmental units developed 
     recreation sites or other facilities to be managed for public 
     purposes; and
       (3) lease or authorize developed recreational sites or 
     other facilities, consistent with sections 3(2) and 
     101(b)(2), to for-profit and not-for-profit corporations and 
     organizations for renewable periods not to exceed 30 years.
       (b) Consideration.--
       (1) In general.--Consideration for a lease or other special 
     use authorization within the Recreation Area shall be based 
     on fair market value.
       (2) Reduction or waiver.--The Secretary may reduce or waive 
     a fee to a governmental unit or nonprofit organization 
     commensurate with other consideration provided to the United 
     States, as determined by the Secretary.
       (c) Procedure.--The Secretary may use any fair and 
     equitable method for authorizing special uses within the 
     Recreation Area, including public solicitation of proposals.
       (d) Existing Authorizations.--
       (1) In general.--A permit or other authorization granted by 
     the Tennessee Valley Authority that is in effect on the date 
     of enactment of this Act may continue on transfer of 
     administration of the Recreation Area to the Secretary.
       (2) Reissuance.--A permit or authorization described in 
     paragraph (1) may be reissued on termination under terms and 
     conditions prescribed by the Secretary.
       (3) Exercise of rights.--The Secretary may exercise any of 
     the rights of the Tennessee Valley Authority contained in any

[[Page S2971]]

     permit or other authorization, including any right to amend, 
     modify, and revoke the permit or authorization.

     SEC. 206. COOPERATIVE AUTHORITIES AND GIFTS.

       (a) Fish and Wildlife Service.--
       (1) Management.--
       (A) In general.--Subject to such terms and conditions as 
     the Secretary may prescribe, the Secretary may issue a 
     special use authorization to the United States Fish and 
     Wildlife Service for the management by the Service of 
     facilities and land agreed on by the Secretary and the 
     Secretary of the Interior.
       (B) Fees.--
       (i) In general.--Reasonable admission and use fees may be 
     charged for all areas administered by the United States Fish 
     and Wildlife Service.
       (ii) Deposit.--The fees shall be deposited in accordance 
     with section 204.
       (2) Cooperation.--The Secretary and the Secretary of the 
     Interior may cooperate or act jointly on activities such as 
     population monitoring and inventory of fish and wildlife with 
     emphasis on migratory birds and endangered and threatened 
     species, environmental education, visitor services, 
     conservation demonstration projects and scientific research.
       (3) Subordination of fish and wildlife activities to 
     overall management.--The management and use of areas and 
     facilities under permit to the United States Fish and 
     Wildlife Service as authorized pursuant to this section shall 
     be subordinate to the overall management of the Recreation 
     Area as directed by the Secretary.
       (b) Authorities.--For the management, maintenance, 
     operation, and interpretation of the Recreation Area and its 
     facilities, the Secretary may--
       (1) make grants and enter into contracts and cooperative 
     agreements with Federal agencies, governmental units, 
     nonprofit organizations, corporations, and individuals; and
       (2) accept gifts under Public Law 95-442 (7 U.S.C. 2269) 
     notwithstanding that the donor conducts business with any 
     agency of the Department of Agriculture or is regulated by 
     the Secretary of Agriculture.

     SEC. 207. DESIGNATION OF NATIONAL RECREATION TRAIL.

       Effective on the date of enactment of this Act, the North-
     South Trail is designated as a national recreation trail 
     under section 4 of the National Trails System Act (16 U.S.C. 
     1243).

     SEC. 208. CEMETERIES.

       The Secretary shall conduct an inventory of and ensure 
     access to all cemeteries within the Recreation Area for 
     purposes of visitation and maintenance.

     SEC. 209. RESOURCE MANAGEMENT.

       (a) Minerals.--
       (1) Withdrawal.--The land within the Recreation Area is 
     withdrawn from the operation of the mining and mineral 
     leasing laws of the United States.
       (2) Use of mineral materials.--The Secretary may permit the 
     use of common varieties of mineral materials for the 
     development and maintenance of the Recreation Area.
       (b) Hunting and Fishing.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary shall permit hunting and 
     fishing on land and water under the jurisdiction of the 
     Secretary within the boundaries of the Recreation Area in 
     accordance with applicable laws of the United States and of 
     each State, respectively.
       (2) Prohibition.--
       (A) In general.--The Secretary may designate areas where, 
     and establish periods when, hunting or fishing is prohibited 
     for reasons of public safety, administration, or public use 
     and enjoyment.
       (B) Consultation.--Except in emergencies, a prohibition 
     under subparagraph (A) shall become effective only after 
     consultation with the appropriate fish and game departments 
     of the States.
       (3) Fish and wildlife.--Nothing in this Act affects the 
     jurisdiction or responsibilities of the States with respect 
     to wildlife and fish on national forests.

     SEC. 210. DAMS AND IMPOUNDMENTS.

       (a) In General.--The Tennessee Valley Authority and the 
     Army Corps of Engineers, as appropriate, shall be responsible 
     for the maintenance of all dams, dikes, causeways, 
     impoundments, subimpoundments, and other water resources 
     facilities, including appurtenant roads and boat ramps, 
     existing within the Recreation Area on the date of enactment 
     of this Act.
       (b) Removal.--A facility described in subsection (a) may be 
     removed and the associated land and water area restored to a 
     natural condition only with the approval of the Secretary.

     SEC. 211. TRUST FUND.

       (a) Establishment.--There is established in the Treasury of 
     the United States a special interest-bearing fund known as 
     the ``Land Between the Lakes Trust Fund''.
       (b) Availability.--Amounts in the Fund shall be available 
     to the Secretary, until expended, for--
       (1) public education, grants, and internships related to 
     recreation, conservation, and multiple use land management in 
     the Recreation Area; and
       (2) regional promotion in the Recreation Area, in 
     cooperation with development districts, chambers of commerce, 
     and State and local governments.
       (c) Deposits.--From revenues available to the Tennessee 
     Valley Authority from any source, the Tennessee Valley 
     Authority shall deposit into the Fund $1,000,000 annually for 
     each of 5 fiscal years that begin after the date of enactment 
     of this Act.

     SEC. 212. ELECTRICITY.

       The Tennessee Valley Authority shall compensate 
     distributors in providing the Secretary, at no charge, 
     continued electrical service, including maintenance of all 
     lines, poles, and other facilities necessary for the 
     distribution and use of electric power.
                     TITLE III--TRANSFER PROVISIONS

     SEC. 301. EFFECTIVE DATE OF TRANSFER.

       Effective on October 1 of the first fiscal year for which 
     Congress does not appropriate to the Tennessee Valley 
     Authority at least $6,000,000 for the Recreation Area, 
     administrative jurisdiction over the Recreation Area is 
     transferred from the Tennessee Valley Authority to the 
     Secretary.

     SEC. 302. STATEMENT OF POLICY.

       It is the policy of the United States that, to the maximum 
     extent practicable--
       (1) the transfer of jurisdiction over the Recreation Area 
     from the Tennessee Valley Authority to the Secretary should 
     be effected in an efficient and cost-effective manner; and
       (2) due consideration should be given to minimizing--
       (A) disruption of the personal lives of the Tennessee 
     Valley Authority and Forest Service employees; and
       (B) adverse impacts on permittees, contractees, and others 
     owning or operating businesses affected by the transfer.

     SEC. 303. MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 30 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary and the Tennessee Valley 
     Authority shall enter into a memorandum of agreement 
     concerning implementation of this Act.
       (b) Provisions.--The memorandum of understanding shall 
     provide procedures for--
       (1) the orderly withdrawal of officers and employees of the 
     Tennessee Valley Authority;
       (2) the transfer of property, fixtures, and facilities;
       (3) the interagency transfer of officers and employees;
       (4) the transfer of records; and
       (5) other transfer issues.
       (c) Transition Team.--
       (1) In general.--The memorandum of understanding may 
     provide for a transition team consisting of the Tennessee 
     Valley Authority and Forest Service employees.
       (2) Duration.--The team may continue in existence after the 
     date of transfer.
       (3) Personnel costs.--The Tennessee Valley Authority and 
     the Forest Service shall pay personnel costs of their 
     respective team members.

     SEC. 304. RECORDS.

       (a) Recreation Area Records.--The Secretary shall have 
     access to all records of the Tennessee Valley Authority 
     pertaining to the management of the Recreation Area.
       (b) Personnel Records.--The Tennessee Valley Authority 
     personnel records shall be made available to the Secretary, 
     on request, to the extent the records are relevant to Forest 
     Service administration.
       (c) Confidentiality.--The Tennessee Valley Authority may 
     prescribe terms and conditions on the availability of records 
     to protect the confidentiality of private or proprietary 
     information.
       (d) Land Title Records.--The Tennessee Valley Authority 
     shall provide to the Secretary original records pertaining to 
     land titles, surveys, and other records pertaining to 
     transferred personal property and facilities.

     SEC. 305. TRANSFER OF PERSONAL PROPERTY.

       (a) Subject Property.--
       (1) Inventory.--Not later than 60 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Tennessee Valley Authority shall 
     provide the Secretary with an inventory of all property and 
     facilities at the Recreation Area.
       (2) Availability for transfer.--
       (A) In general.--All Tennessee Valley Authority property 
     associated with the administration of the Recreation Area as 
     of January 1, 1998, including any property purchased with 
     Federal funds appropriated for the management of the 
     Tennessee Valley Authority land, shall be available for 
     transfer to the Secretary.
       (B) Property included.--Property under subparagraph (A) 
     includes buildings, office furniture and supplies, computers, 
     office equipment, buildings, vehicles, tools, equipment, 
     maintenance supplies, boats, engines, and publications.
       (3) Exclusion of property.--At the request of the 
     authorized representative of the Tennessee Valley Authority, 
     the Secretary may exclude movable property from transfer 
     based on a showing by the Tennessee Valley Authority that the 
     property is vital to the mission of the Tennessee Valley 
     Authority and cannot be replaced in a cost-effective manner, 
     if the Secretary determines that the property is not needed 
     for management of the Recreation Area.
       (b) Designation.--Pursuant to such procedures as may be 
     prescribed in the memorandum of agreement entered into under 
     section 303, the Secretary shall identify and designate, in 
     writing, all Tennessee Valley Authority property to be 
     transferred to the Secretary.
       (c) Facilitation of Transfer.--The Tennessee Valley 
     Authority shall, to the maximum extent practicable, use 
     existing appropriated and unappropriated funds and current 
     personnel to facilitate the transfer of

[[Page S2972]]

     necessary property and facilities to the Secretary, including 
     replacement of signs and insignia, repainting of vehicles, 
     printing of public information, and training of new 
     personnel.
       (d) Surplus Property.--
       (1) Disposition.--Any personal property, including 
     structures and facilities, that the Secretary determines 
     cannot be efficiently managed and maintained either by the 
     Forest Service or by lease or permit to other persons may be 
     declared excess by the Secretary and--
       (A) sold by the Secretary on such terms and conditions as 
     the Secretary may prescribe to achieve the maximum benefit to 
     the Federal Government; or
       (B) disposed of under the Federal Property and 
     Administrative Services Act of 1949 (40 U.S.C. 471 et seq.).
       (2) Deposit of proceeds.--All net proceeds from the 
     disposal of any property shall be deposited into the Fund 
     established by section 211.

     SEC. 306. COMPLIANCE WITH ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS.

       (a) Documentation of Existing Conditions.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 60 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Chairman and the Administrator 
     shall provide the Secretary all documentation and information 
     that exists on the environmental condition of the land and 
     waters comprising the Recreation Area property.
       (2) Additional documentation.--The Chairman and the 
     Administrator shall provide the Secretary with any additional 
     documentation and information regarding the environmental 
     condition of the Recreation Area property as such 
     documentation and information becomes available.
       (b) Action Required.--
       (1) Assessment.--Not later than 120 days from the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Chairman shall provide to the 
     Secretary an assessment indicating what action, if any, is 
     required under any environmental law on Recreation Area 
     property.
       (2) Memorandum of understanding.--If the assessment 
     concludes action is required under any environmental law with 
     respect to any portion of the Recreation Area property, the 
     Secretary and the Chairman shall enter into a memorandum of 
     understanding that--
       (A) provides for the performance by the Chairman of the 
     required actions identified in the assessment; and
       (B) includes a schedule providing for the prompt completion 
     of the required actions to the satisfaction of the Secretary.
       (c) Documentation Demonstrating Action.--On the transfer of 
     jurisdiction over the Recreation Area from the Tennessee 
     Valley Authority to the Secretary, the Chairman shall provide 
     the Secretary with documentation demonstrating that all 
     actions required under any environmental law have been taken, 
     including all response actions under the Comprehensive 
     Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 
     1980 (42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.) that are necessary to protect 
     human health and the environment with respect to any 
     hazardous substance, pollutant, contaminant, hazardous waste, 
     hazardous material, or petroleum product or derivative of a 
     petroleum product on Recreation Area property.
       (d) Continuation of Responsibilities and Liabilities.--
       (1) In general.--The transfer of the Recreation Area 
     property under this Act, and the requirements of this 
     section, shall not in any way affect the responsibilities and 
     liabilities of the Tennessee Valley Authority at the 
     Recreation Area under the Comprehensive Environmental 
     Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 
     9601 et seq.) or any other environmental law.
       (2) Access.--After transfer of the Recreation Area 
     property, the Chairman shall be accorded any access to the 
     property that may be reasonably required to carry out the 
     responsibility or satisfy the liability referred to in 
     paragraph (1).
       (3) No liability.--The Secretary shall not be liable under 
     any environmental law for matters that are related directly 
     or indirectly to present or past activities of the Tennessee 
     Valley Authority on the Recreation Area property, including 
     liability for--
       (A) costs or performance of response actions required under 
     the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and 
     Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.) at or related 
     to the Recreation Area; or
       (B) costs, penalties, fines, or performance of actions 
     related to noncompliance with any environmental law at or 
     related to the Recreation Area or related to the presence, 
     release, or threat of release of any hazardous substance, 
     pollutant, or contaminant, hazardous waste, hazardous 
     material, or petroleum product or derivative of a petroleum 
     product of any kind at or related to the Recreation Area, 
     including contamination resulting from migration.
       (4) No effect on responsibilities or liabilities.--Except 
     as provided in paragraph (3), nothing in this Act affects, 
     modifies, amends, repeals, alters, limits or otherwise 
     changes, directly or indirectly, the responsibilities or 
     liabilities under any environmental law of any person with 
     respect to the Secretary.
       (e) Other Federal Agencies.--Subject to the other 
     provisions of this section, a Federal agency that carried or 
     carries out operations at the Recreation Area resulting in 
     the release or threatened release of a hazardous substance, 
     pollutant, or contaminant, hazardous waste, hazardous 
     material, or petroleum product or derivative of a petroleum 
     product for which that agency would be liable under any 
     environmental law shall pay the costs of related response 
     actions and shall pay the costs of related actions to 
     remediate petroleum products or their derivatives.

     SEC. 307. PERSONNEL.

       (a) In General.--
       (1) Hiring.--Notwithstanding section 3503 of title 5, 
     United States Code, and subject to paragraph (2), the 
     Secretary may--
       (A) appoint, hire, and discharge officers and employees to 
     administer the Recreation Area; and
       (B) pay the officers and employees at levels that are 
     commensurate with levels at other units of the National 
     Forest System.
       (2) Interim retention of eligible employees.--
       (A) In general.--For a period of not less than 5 months 
     after the effective date of transfer to the Forest Service--
       (i) all eligible employees shall be retained in the 
     employment of the Tennessee Valley Authority;
       (ii) those eligible employees shall be considered to be 
     placed on detail to the Secretary and shall be subject to the 
     direction of the Secretary; and
       (iii) the Secretary shall reimburse the Tennessee Valley 
     Authority for the amount of the basic pay of those eligible 
     employees, and the Tennessee Valley Authority shall remain 
     responsible for all other compensation of those employees.
       (B) Notice to employees.--The Secretary shall provide 
     eligible employees a written notice of not less than 30 days 
     before termination.
       (C) Termination for cause.--Subparagraph (A) does not 
     preclude a termination for cause during the 5-month period.
       (b) Applications for Transfer and Appointment.--An eligible 
     employee shall have the right to apply for employment by the 
     Secretary under procedures for transfer and appointment of 
     Federal employees outside the Department of Agriculture.
       (c) Hiring by the Secretary.--
       (1) In general.--Subject to subsection (b), in filling 
     personnel positions within the Recreation Area, the Secretary 
     shall follow all laws (including regulations) and policies 
     applicable to the Department of Agriculture.
       (2) Notification and hiring.--Notwithstanding paragraph 
     (1), the Secretary--
       (A) shall notify all eligible employees of all openings for 
     positions with the Forest Service at the Recreation Area 
     before notifying other individuals or considering 
     applications by other individuals for the positions; and
       (B) after applications by eligible employees have received 
     consideration, if any positions remain unfilled, shall notify 
     other individuals of the openings.
       (3) Noncompetitive appointments.--Notwithstanding any other 
     placement of career transition programs authorized by the 
     Office of Personnel Management of the United States 
     Department of Agriculture, the Secretary may noncompetitively 
     appoint eligible employees to positions in the Recreation 
     Area.
       (4) Period of service.--Except to the extent that an 
     eligible employee that is appointed by the Secretary may be 
     otherwise compensated for the period of service as an 
     employee of the Tennessee Valley Authority, that period of 
     service shall be treated as a period of service as an 
     employee of the Secretary for the purposes of probation, 
     career tenure, time-in-grade, and leave.
       (d) Transfer to Positions in Other Units of the Tennessee 
     Valley Authority.--The Tennessee Valley Authority--
       (1) shall notify all eligible employees of all openings for 
     positions in other units of the Tennessee Valley Authority 
     before notifying other individuals or considering 
     applications by other individuals for the positions; and
       (2) after applications by eligible employees have received 
     consideration, if any positions remain unfilled, shall notify 
     other individuals of the openings.
       (e) Employee Benefit Transition.--
       (1) Memorandum of understanding.--
       (A) In general.--The Secretary and the heads of the Office 
     of Personnel Management and the Tennessee Valley Authority 
     Retirement System shall enter into a memorandum of 
     understanding providing for the transition for all eligible 
     employees of compensation made available through the 
     Tennessee Valley Authority Retirement System.
       (B) Employee participation.--In deciding on the terms of 
     the memorandum of understanding, the Secretary and the heads 
     of the Office of Personnel Management and the Tennessee 
     Valley Authority Retirement System shall meet and consult 
     with and give full consideration to the views of employees 
     and representatives of the employees of the Tennessee Valley 
     Authority.
       (2) Eligible employees that are transferred to other units 
     of tva.--An eligible employee that is transferred to another 
     unit of the Tennessee Valley Authority shall experience no 
     interruption in coverage for or reduction of any retirement, 
     health, leave, or other employee benefit.
       (3) Eligible employees that are hired by the secretary.--
       (A) Level of benefits.--The Secretary shall provide to an 
     eligible employee that is hired by the Forest Service a level 
     of retirement and health benefits that is equivalent to the 
     level to which the eligible employee would have been entitled 
     if the eligible employee had remained an employee of the 
     Tennessee Valley Authority.
       (B) Transfer of retirement benefits.--

[[Page S2973]]

       (i) In general.--All retirement benefits accrued by an 
     eligible employee that is hired by the Forest Service shall 
     be transferred into the Federal Retirement System of the 
     Forest Service.
       (ii) Funding shortfall.--

       (I) In general.--For all eligible employees that are not 
     part of the Civil Service Retirement System, the Tennessee 
     Valley Authority shall meet any funding shortfall resulting 
     from the transfer of retirement benefits.
       (II) Notification.--The Secretary shall notify the 
     Tennessee Valley Authority Board of the cost associated with 
     the transfer of retirement benefits.
       (III) Payment.--Not later than 60 days after notification 
     under subclause (II), the Tennessee Valley Authority, using 
     nonappropriated funds, shall fully compensate the Secretary 
     for the costs associated with the transfer of retirement 
     benefits.
       (IV) No interruption.--An eligible employee that is hired 
     by the Forest Service and is eligible for Civil Service 
     Retirement shall not experience any interruption in 
     retirement benefits.

       (B) No interruption.--An eligible employee that is hired by 
     the Secretary--
       (i) shall experience no interruption in coverage for any 
     health, leave, or other employee benefit; and
       (ii) shall be entitled to carry over any leave time 
     accumulated during employment by the Tennessee Valley 
     Authority.
       (C) Period of service.--Notwithstanding section 8411(b)(3) 
     of title 5, United States Code, except to the extent that an 
     eligible employee may be otherwise compensated (including the 
     provision of retirement benefits in accordance with the 
     memorandum of understanding) for the period of service as an 
     employee of the Tennessee Valley Authority, that period of 
     service shall be treated as a period of service as an 
     employee of the Secretary for all purposes relating to the 
     Federal employment of the eligible employee.
       (4) Eligible employees that are discharged not for cause.--
       (A) Level of benefits.--The parties to the memorandum of 
     understanding shall have authority to deem any applicable 
     requirement to be met, to make payments to an employee, or 
     take any other action necessary to provide to an eligible 
     employee that is discharged as being excess to the needs of 
     the Tennessee Valley Authority or the Secretary and not for 
     cause and that does not accept an offer of employment from 
     the Secretary, an optimum level of retirement and health 
     benefits that is equivalent to the level that has been 
     afforded employees discharged in previous reductions in force 
     by the Tennessee Valley Authority.
       (B) Minimum benefits.--An eligible employee that is 
     discharged as being excess to the needs of the Tennessee 
     Valley Authority or the Secretary and not for cause shall, at 
     a minimum, be entitled to--
       (i) at the option of the eligible employee--

       (I) a lump-sum equal to $1,000, multiplied by the number of 
     years of service of the eligible employee (but not less than 
     $15,000 nor more than $25,000);
       (II) a lump-sum payment equal to the amount of pay earned 
     by the eligible employee for the last 26 weeks of the 
     eligible employee's service; or
       (III) the deemed addition of 5 years to the age and years 
     of service of an eligible employee;

       (ii) 15 months of health benefits for employees and 
     dependents at the same level provided as of September 30, 
     1998;
       (iii) 1 week of pay per year of service as provided by the 
     Tennessee Valley Authority Retirement System;
       (iv) a lump-sum payment of all accumulated annual leave;
       (v) unemployment compensation in accordance with State law;
       (vi) eligible pension benefits as provided by the Tennessee 
     Valley Authority Retirement System; and
       (vii) retraining assistance provided by the Tennessee 
     Valley Authority.
       (C) Shortfall.--If the board of directors of the Tennessee 
     Valley Authority Retirement System determines that the cost 
     of providing the benefits described in subparagraph (B) would 
     have a negative impact on the overall retirement system, the 
     Tennessee Valley Authority shall be required to meet any 
     funding shortfalls using nonappropriated funds.
                           TITLE IV--FUNDING

     SEC. 401. TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY TRANSITIONAL FUNDING.

       (a) Availability to the Secretary.--
       (1) In general.--After the effective date of transfer of 
     jurisdiction of the Recreation Area from the Tennessee Valley 
     Authority to the Secretary, all of the funds authorized to be 
     appropriated to the Tennessee Valley Authority for the 
     administration of the Recreation Area shall be available to 
     the Secretary to carry out this Act.
       (2) Interagency agreement.--Funds made available to the 
     Tennessee Valley Authority for the transition shall be made 
     available to the Secretary pursuant to an interagency 
     agreement.
       (b) Availability to the United States Fish and Wildlife 
     Service.--Funds appropriated to the Secretary of the Interior 
     for purposes of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service 
     shall be available to administer any portions of the 
     Recreation Area that are authorized for administration by the 
     Service under section 206(a).

     SEC. 402. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       (a) Agriculture.--There are authorized to be appropriated 
     to the Secretary of Agriculture such sums as are necessary 
     to--
       (1) permit the Secretary to exercise administrative 
     jurisdiction over the Recreation Area under this Act; and
       (2) administer the Recreation Area area as a unit of the 
     National Forest System.
       (b) Interior.--There are authorized to be appropriated to 
     the Secretary of the Interior such sums as are necessary to 
     carry out activities within the Recreation Area.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. ROCKEFELLER (for himself, Ms. Snowe, and Mr. Kerrey):
  S. 1897. A bill to require accurate billing by telecommunications 
carriers with respect to the costs and fees resulting from the 
enactment of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, and for other 
purposes; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.


                      THE CONSUMER protection act

  Mr. ROCKEFELLER. Mr. President, it took Congress a decade to forge 
consensus necessary to pass the 1996 Telecommunication Act. This bold 
law was designed to promote competition in the dynamic 
telecommunications industry, but such competition is to be balanced by 
maintaining the commitment to universal service, a fundamental 
principle which has ensured affordable access to communications for 
every American, especially those in rural areas.

  I voted for this historic legislation because in my view it struck 
the right balance.
  I support competition, but I will insist on universal service.
  And I will insist on time to fully implement the Act. This bold law 
seeks to move the $200 billion telecommunications industry to a more 
competitive market, but it will not happen overnight. President Clinton 
signed this major legislation into law in February 1998, just two years 
ago. This started the telecommunications industry on the path toward 
competition, but there have been some road blocks along the way with 
implementation snags, mergers instead of competition, and excessive 
litigation.
  The current result, unfortunately, is confusion.
  I do not want to reopen the Telecommunications Act, but I do want to 
relieve the confusion among consumers who seem to be bearing the brunt 
of this transition. Today, I am introducing bipartisan legislation 
called the Consumer Protection Act to ensure ``truth in billing.'' I 
believe that consumers deserve to have the truth, the whole truth about 
changes in billings.
  As the telecommunications industry moves from a regulated, 
monopolistic model into a more competitive model, we need to ensure 
that consumers get the information they need to make wise decisions in 
selecting their telecommunications carriers. In a regulated market, the 
regulations are intended to protect consumers' interests. Under a more 
competitive model, we need to ensure that accurate information is 
provided to consumers so they can protect themselves and use their 
ability to choose in the market place.
  This legislation is very simple. It directs the Federal 
Communications Commission (FCC) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) 
to investigate billing practices, and report on the findings to 
Congress. If this investigation exposes misleading practices, we need 
to have disciplinary action to protect consumers.
  If telecommunications companies choose to use line-items on phones 
bills, those companies must accurately report all regulatory actions, 
including how federal actions reduce costs, such as the $1.5 billion in 
access reductions provided in July 1997.
  This legislation ensures that telecommunications companies cannot 
selectively disclose only those pieces of information that are in the 
companies' interest. When federal actions bring rates down, consumers 
have the right to know. As the industry makes the transition to a more 
competitive market, consumers deserve a full accounting so they can 
make informed decisions when they choose their telecommunications 
provider.
  The Consumer Protection Act will ensure that consumers will see on 
their own bill how companies allocate savings resulting from 
deregulation of the industry, as companies are required to disclose how 
savings are passed along to residential rates, small business rates and 
other customer payment

[[Page S2974]]

plans. This is not re-regulation. Nothing in this dictates how much 
companies can charge for their services. And nothing prevents companies 
from putting line items on bills. Those choices are still entirely at 
the companies' discretion. This legislation simply requires them to 
tell the whole truth if they choose to put a line item on customers 
bills.
  The legislation has a third provision that requires companies using a 
line-item on customer bills to file with the FCC all the revenue and 
company reports they now file with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission (SEC).
  The idea behind this requirement is simple. Since we require 
companies to report their revenues to the SEC in order to protect 
stockholders, shouldn't we provide the same information to the FCC in 
order to protect consumers?
  During this period of transition from a monopoly-based system to a 
market-based system, there will be some ups and downs. But we should 
act to minimize confusion and protect consumers as the new market 
evolves.
  At the state level, public service commissions are beginning to take 
steps to provide fuller, more accurate information to consumers. In 
January of this year, New York Administrative Law Judge Eleanor Stein 
recommended that telecommunications carriers be required to disclose 
fully, in bills of all classes of customers, the fee increases and fee 
reductions resulting from the enactment of the 1996 Telecommunications 
Act.
  In February the National Association of Regulatory Utility 
Commissioners (NARUC) passed a resolution that clearly noted that line-
items are a business choice made by companies not a mandate from the 
federal government. The NARUC resolution called on the FCC to take 
action to require interstate carriers to provide accurate customer 
notice and the purpose of line-items.
  Some state officials are taking action. NARUC is calling on the FCC 
to lead. Now Congress needs to end the confusion, and tell consumers 
the truth.
  I am proud that the Consumers Union supports this bipartisan 
legislation. I welcome the support of my colleagues, Senator Snowe of 
Maine and Senator Kerrey of Nebraska.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the full text of the bill 
be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 1897

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. FINDINGS; PURPOSE.

       (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
       (1) Billing practices by telecommunications carriers may 
     not reflect accurately the cost or basis of the additional 
     telecommunications services and benefits that consumers 
     receive as a result of the enactment of the 
     Telecommunications Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-104) and other 
     Federal regulatory actions taken since the enactment of that 
     Act.
       (2) Congress has never enacted a law with the intent of 
     permitting providers of telecommunications services to 
     misrepresent to customers the costs of providing services or 
     the services provided.
       (3) Certain providers of telecommunications services have 
     established new, specific charges on customer bills commonly 
     known as ``line-item charges''.
       (4) Certain providers of telecommunications services have 
     described such charges as ``Federal Universal Service Fees'' 
     or similar fees.
       (5) Such charges have generated significant confusion among 
     customers regarding the nature of and scope of universal 
     service and of the fees associated with universal service.
       (6) The State of New York is considering action to protect 
     consumers by requiring telecommunications carriers to 
     disclose fully in the bills of all classes of customers the 
     fee increases and fee reductions resulting from the enactment 
     of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and other regulatory 
     actions taken since the enactment of that Act.
       (7) The National Association of Regulatory Utility 
     Commissioners adopted a resolution in February 1998 
     supporting action by the Federal Communications Commission to 
     require interstate carriers to provide accurate customer 
     notice regarding the implementation and purpose of end user 
     charges.
       (b) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this Act to require the 
     Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Trade 
     Commission to protect consumers of telecommunications 
     services by assuring accurate cost reporting and billing 
     practices by telecommunications carriers nationwide.

     SEC. 2. INVESTIGATION OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS CARRIERS BILLING 
                   PRACTICES.

       (a) Investigation.--
       (1) Requirement.--The Federal Communications Commission and 
     the Federal Trade Commission shall jointly conduct an 
     investigation of the billing practices of telecommunications 
     carriers.
       (2) Purpose.--The purpose of the investigation is to 
     determine whether the bills sent by carriers to their 
     customers accurately assess and correctly characterize any 
     additional fees paid by such customers for telecommunications 
     services as a result of the enactment of the 
     Telecommunications Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-104) and other 
     Federal regulatory actions taken since the enactment of that 
     Act.
       (b) Determinations.--In carrying out the investigation 
     under subsection (a), the Federal Communications Commission 
     and the Federal Trade Commission shall determine the 
     following:
       (1) The amount, if any, of additional fees imposed by 
     telecommunications carriers on their customers as a result of 
     the requirements of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 
     (including the amendments made by that Act) and other Federal 
     regulatory actions taken since the enactment of that Act 
     during the period beginning on June 30, 1997, and ending on 
     the date of enactment of that Act.
       (2) In the event that additional fees described in 
     paragraph (1) are being imposed, the following:
       (A) Whether the amount of such fees accurately reflect--
       (i) the additional costs to carriers as a result of the 
     enactment of that Act (including the amendments made by that 
     Act) and other Federal regulatory actions taken since the 
     enactment of that Act; and
       (ii) any reductions in costs, or other financial benefits, 
     to carriers as a result of the enactment of that Act 
     (including such amendments) and other Federal regulatory 
     actions taken since the enactment of that Act.
       (B) Whether the bills that impose such fees characterize 
     correctly the nature and basis of such fees.
       (c) Review of Records.--
       (1) Authority.--For purposes of the investigation under 
     subsection (a), the Federal Communications Commission and the 
     Federal Trade Commission may obtain from any 
     telecommunications carrier any record of the carrier that is 
     relevant to the investigation.
       (2) Use.--The Federal Communications Commission and the 
     Federal Trade Commission may use records obtained under this 
     subsection only for purposes of the investigation.
       (d) Disciplinary Actions.--
       (1) In general.--In the event that the Federal 
     Communications Commission or the Federal Trade Commission 
     determine as a result of the investigation under subsection 
     (a) that the bills sent by a telecommunications carrier to 
     its customers does not accurately assess or correctly 
     characterize any fee addressed in the investigation, the 
     Federal Communications Commission or the Federal Trade 
     Commission, as the case may be, shall take such actions 
     against the carrier as such Commission is authorized to take 
     under law.
       (2) Additional actions.--If the Federal Communications 
     Commission or the Federal Trade Commission determines that 
     such Commission does not have adequate authority under law to 
     take appropriate actions under paragraph (1), the Federal 
     Communications Commission and the Federal Trade Commission 
     shall notify Congress of that determination in the report 
     under subsection (e).
       (e) Report.--Not later than 45 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Federal Communications Commission 
     and the Federal Trade Commission shall jointly submit to 
     Congress a report on the results of the investigation under 
     subsection (a). The report shall include the determination, 
     if any, of either Commission under subsection (d)(2) and any 
     recommendations for further legislative action that the 
     Commissions consider appropriate.

     SEC. 3. REQUIREMENTS FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS CARRIERS IMPOSING 
                   CERTAIN FEES FOR SERVICES.

       (a) Requirements.--Any telecommunications carrier that 
     includes on any of the bills sent to its customers a charge 
     described in subsection (b) shall--
       (1) specify in the bill imposing such charge any reduction 
     in charges or fees allocable to all classes of customers 
     (including customers of residential basic service, customers 
     of other residential services, small business customers, and 
     other business customers) by reason of any regulatory action 
     of the Federal Government; and
       (2) submit to the Federal Communications Commission the 
     reports required to be submitted by the carrier to the 
     Securities and Exchange Commission under sections 13(a) and 
     15(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 
     78m(a), 78o(d)).
       (b) Covered Charges.--Subsection (a) applies in the case of 
     the following charges:
       (1) Any specific charge included after June 30, 1997, if 
     the imposition of the charge is attributed to a regulatory 
     action of the Federal Government.
       (2) Any specific charge included before that date if the 
     description of the charge is changed after that date to 
     attribute the imposition of the charge to a regulatory action 
     of the Federal Government.

[[Page S2975]]

                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. BAUCUS (for himself and Mr. Burns):
  S. 1899. A bill entitled ``Chippewa Cree Tribe of the Rocky Boy's 
Reservation Indian Reserved Water Rights Settlement Act of 1998''; to 
the Committee on Indian Affairs.


THE CHIPPEWA CREE TRIBE OF THE ROCKY BOY'S RESERVATION INDIAN RESERVED 
                  WATER RIGHTS SETTLEMENT ACT OF 1998

  Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the ``Chippewa 
Cree Tribe of the Rocky Boy's Reservation Indian Reserved Water Rights 
Settlement Act of 1998'' along with my colleague Senator Burns.
  This bill represents the culmination of sixteen years of intensive 
technical studies and six years of negotiations involving the Chippewa 
Cree Tribe, the State of Montana, local governments, water districts 
and ranchers as well as the United States Departments of justice and 
Interior.
  The 108,000 acre Rocky Boy's Reservation is located west of Havre, 
Montana in the Bears Paw Mountains with portions extending onto the 
plains between the mountains and the Milk River in north-central 
Montana. Historically, the area was part of the large territory north 
of the Missouri and Musselshell Rivers designated for the Blackfeet 
Nation in the treaty of 1855.
  In 1880 the Fort Assiniboine military reservation was established. In 
1916 Congress set aside 56,035 acres for the Chippewa and Cree Bands of 
Chief Rocky Boy. In 1947 it was expanded by 45,523 acres bringing it to 
near its current size. None of the land has been allotted although some 
individual assignments have been made.
  The reservation is home to over 3,000 tribal members and has an 
annual population growth exceeding 3%. While unemployment is estimated 
at nearly 70% the tribe has made important progress in economic 
development. Production of cattle and grain, development of timber and 
tourism provide solid sources of tribal income.
  The reservation is located in an area of scarce water supply. Studies 
have demonstrated that the reservation could not sustain tribal 
membership without additional supplies of water for drinking, 
agricultural and municipal purposes.
  Since 1992, the tribe, state and federal government have worked hard 
to reach an equitable water rights settlement.
  The tribe and state reached tentative agreement on the compact in 
January 1997. The tribal Council passed a resolution supporting 
ratification of the agreement shortly thereafter. In the spring of 
1997, the Montana State Senate unanimously ratified the compact and the 
State House gave its approval on a 91-9 vote. It was signed into law by 
the Governor of Montana on April 14, 1997.
  This legislation ratifies the compact and settles the tribe's claims 
against the United States. The bill provides for:
  (1) quantification of the tribe's water rights including 10,000 acre 
feet from surface and groundwater sources on the reservation as well as 
reserving 10,000 acre feet for the tribe from Lake Elwell, a US Bureau 
of Reclamation Project located approximately 50 miles from the 
reservation. The settlement does not provide for transport of this 
water to the reservation;
  (2) mitigation of impacts on off-reservation water use including 
designating two pools of water stored in Bonneau Reservoir on the 
reservation for irrigation, stockwatering and maintenance of water 
quality on Box Elder Creek. Additional water will also be made 
available for protecting the Brook Trout fishery in upper Beaver Creek;
  (3) authorization of two feasibility studies by the Bureau of 
Reclamation to examine water and related resources for both reservation 
and off-reservation water supplies in the area, and;
  (4) authorization of $25 million in Federal funding for development 
of reservation water supplies including enlargement of Bonneau, Towe, 
Brown and East Fork Reservoirs; a $3 million dollar economic 
development fund for the tribe and $15 million for future importation 
of drinking water to the reservation, a much needed project in north 
central Montana. Additionally, $3 million will be provided for tribal 
administration of the agreement.
  This legislation would never have become a reality without the hard 
work and cooperation of many people. I would especially like to 
recognize the staff and tribal council of the Chippewa Cree Tribe, the 
staff of the Montana Water Rights Compact Commission, the Department of 
Interior and the Native American Rights Fund. I am particularly 
grateful for the efforts of David Hayes, Special Counselor to Secretary 
Babbitt. Mr. Hayes' involvement was like a breath of fresh air, he 
moved forward when others were ready to give up on negotiations.
  Mr. President, I look forward to working with Senator Burns to 
expedite passage of this historic settlement.
  I ask unanimous consent that the bill be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 1899

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Chippewa Cree Tribe of the 
     Rocky Boy's Reservation Indian Reserved Water Rights 
     Settlement Act of 1998''.

     SEC. 2 FINDINGS.

       Congress hereby finds that--
       (1) in fulfillment of its trust responsibility to Indian 
     tribes and to promote tribal sovereignty and economic self 
     sufficiency, it is the policy of the United States to settle 
     the water rights claims of the tribes without lengthy and 
     costly litigation;
       (2) the Rocky Boy's Reservation was established as a 
     homeland for the Chippewa Cree Tribe;
       (3) adequate water for the Chippewa Cree Tribe of the Rocky 
     Boy's Reservation is important to a permanent, sustainable 
     and sovereign homeland for the Tribe and its members;
       (4) the Chippewa Cree Tribe's sovereignty and Reservation 
     economy depend on the development of the Reservation's water 
     resources;
       (5) the planning, design, and construction of the 
     facilities needed to utilize water supplies effectively are 
     necessary to the development of a viable Reservation economy 
     and to implementation of the Chippewa Cree-Montana Water 
     Rights Compact;
       (6) the Rocky Boy's Reservation is located in a water short 
     area of the State of Montana and the Compact contemplates the 
     development of additional water supplies, including 
     importation of domestic water, to meet the needs of the 
     Chippewa Cree Tribe;
       (7) proceedings to determine the full extent of the 
     Chippewa Cree Tribe's water rights are currently pending 
     before the Montana Water Court as a part of ``In the Matter 
     of the Adjudication of All Rights to the Use of Water, Both 
     Surface and Underground, within the State of Montana;''
       (8) recognizing that final resolution of the general stream 
     adjudication will take many years and entail great expense to 
     all parties, prolong uncertainty as to the availability of 
     water supplies, and seriously impair the long-term economic 
     planning and development of all parties, the Chippewa Cree 
     Tribe and the State of Montana entered into a Water Rights 
     Compact on April 14, 1997; and
       (9) the allocation of water resources from the Tiber 
     Reservoir to the Tribe under this Act is uniquely suited to 
     the geographic, social, and economic characteristics of the 
     situation involved.

     SEC. 3. PURPOSES OF ACT.

       The purposes of this Act are--
       (1) to achieve a fair, equitable, and final settlement of 
     all claims to water rights in the State of Montana for--
       (A) the Chippewa Cree Tribe; and
       (B) the United States of America for the benefit of the 
     Chippewa Cree Tribe;
       (2) to approve, ratify, and confirm, as modified herein, 
     the Water Rights Compact entered into by the Chippewa Cree 
     Tribe of the Rocky Boy's Reservation and the State of Montana 
     on April 14, 1997, and to provide funding and other 
     authorization necessary to its implementation;
       (3) to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to execute 
     and implement the Water Rights Compact and to take such other 
     actions as are necessary to implement the Compact consistent 
     with this Act;
       (4) to authorize Federal feasibility studies designed to 
     identify and analyze potential mechanisms to enhance, through 
     conservation or otherwise, water supplies in North Central 
     Montana, including, but not limited to, mechanisms to import 
     domestic water supplies for the future growth of the Rocky 
     Boy's Indian Reservation;
       (5) to authorize certain projects on the Rocky Boy's Indian 
     Reservation, Montana, in order to implement the Compact;
       (6) to authorize certain modifications to the purposes and 
     operation of the Bureau of Reclamation's Tiber Dam and Lake 
     Elwell on the Marias River in Montana in order to implement 
     the Compact; and
       (7) to authorize appropriation of funds necessary for the 
     implementation of the Compact.

     SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.

       As used in this Act--
       (1) ``Compact'' means the water rights compact between the 
     Chippewa Cree Tribe of the Rocky Boy's Reservation and the 
     State of Montana published at 85-20-601 MCA (1997);

[[Page S2976]]

       (2) ``Final'' with reference to approval of the decree in 
     section 5(b) means completion of any direct appeal to the 
     Montana Supreme Court of a final decree by the Water Court 
     pursuant to 85-2-235, MCA (1997), or to the Federal Court of 
     Appeals, including the expiration of the time in which a 
     petition for certiorari may be filed in the United States 
     Supreme Court, denial of such a petition, or the issuance of 
     the Supreme Court's mandate, whichever occurs last;
       (3) ``Missouri River System'' means the mainstem of the 
     Missouri River and its tributaries, including but not limited 
     to the Marias River;
       (4) ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the United States 
     Department of the Interior, or his or her duly authorized 
     representative;
       (5) ``Towe Ponds'' means the reservoir or reservoirs 
     referred to as ``Stoneman Reservoir'' in the Compact;
       (6) ``Tribal Compact Administration'' means the activities 
     assumed by the Tribe for implementation of the Compact as set 
     forth in Article IV of the Compact;
       (7) ``Tribal Water Right'' means the right of the Chippewa 
     Cree Tribe of the Rocky Boy's Reservation to divert, use, or 
     store water as described by Article III of the Compact;
       (8) ``Tribe'' means the Chippewa Cree Tribe of the Rocky 
     Boy's Reservation and all officers, agents, and departments 
     thereof;
       (9) ``Water development'' includes all activities that 
     involve the use of water or modification of water courses or 
     water bodies in any way.

     SEC. 5. RATIFICATION OF COMPACT AND ENTRY OF DECREE.

       (a) Water Rights Compact Approved.--Except as modified by 
     this Act, and to the extent the Compact does not conflict 
     with this Act, the Water Rights Compact entered into by the 
     Chippewa Cree Tribe of the Rocky Boy's Reservation and the 
     State of Montana on April 14, 1997, is hereby approved, 
     ratified and confirmed and the Secretary shall execute and 
     implement the Compact together with any amendments agreed to 
     by the parties or necessary to bring the Compact into 
     conformity with this Act, and to take such other actions as 
     are necessary to implement the Compact.
       (b) Approval of ``Proposed Decree''.--No later than 180 
     days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the United 
     States, the Tribe, or the State of Montana shall petition the 
     Montana Water Court, individually or jointly, to enter and 
     approve the ``Proposed Decree'' agreed to by the United 
     States, the Tribe, and the State of Montana attached as 
     Appendix 1 to the Compact, or any amended version thereof 
     agreed to by the United States, the Tribe and the State of 
     Montana. Resort may be had to the Federal District Court in 
     the circumstances set forth in Article VII.B.4 of the 
     Compact. In the event the approval by the appropriate court, 
     including any direct appeal, does not become final within 
     three (3) years following the filing of the decree, or the 
     decree is approved but is subsequently set aside by the 
     appropriate court, the Compact shall be void. The Secretary 
     may act for the United States to extend this three (3) year 
     deadline twice in one (1) year increments on agreement with 
     the State and the Tribe.

     SEC. 6. USE AND TRANSFER OF THE TRIBAL WATER RIGHT.

       (a) Administration and Enforcement.--As provided in the 
     Compact, until the adoption and approval of a tribal water 
     code, the Secretary shall administer and enforce the Tribal 
     Water Right.
       (b) Tribal Member Entitlement.--Any entitlement to Federal 
     Indian reserved water of any tribal member shall be satisfied 
     solely from the water secured to the Tribe by the Compact and 
     shall be governed by the terms and conditions thereof. Such 
     entitlement shall be administered by the Tribe pursuant to a 
     tribal water code developed and adopted pursuant to Article 
     IV.A.2. of the Compact, or by the Secretary pending the 
     adoption and approval of the tribal water code.
       (c) Temporary Transfer of Tribal Water Right.--
     Notwithstanding any other provision of statutory or common 
     law, the Tribe may, with the approval of the Secretary and 
     subject to the limitations and conditions set forth in the 
     Compact, including limitation on transfer of any portion of 
     the Tribal Water right to within the Missouri River Basin, 
     enter into a service contract, lease, exchange, or other 
     agreement providing for the temporary delivery, use, or 
     transfer of the water rights confirmed to the Tribe in the 
     Compact; provided, however, that no service contract, lease, 
     exchange or other agreement entered into under this 
     subsection may permanently alienate any portion of the Tribal 
     Water Right.

     SEC. 7. FEASIBILITY STUDIES AUTHORIZATION.

       (a) Municipal, Rural and Industrial Feasibility Study.--The 
     Secretary of the Interior, through the Bureau of Reclamation 
     shall perform a municipal, rural, and industrial (MR&I) 
     feasibility study of water and related resources in North 
     Central Montana to evaluate alternatives for an MR&I supply 
     for the Rocky Boy's Reservation. The study shall include but 
     not be limited to the feasibility of releasing the Tribe's 
     Tiber allocation as provided in section 8 of this Act into 
     the Missouri River System for later diversion to a treatment 
     and delivery system for the Rocky Boy's Reservation. The MR&I 
     Study shall include utilization of existing Federal and non-
     Federal studies and shall be planned and conducted in 
     consultation with other Federal agencies, the State of 
     Montana, and the Chippewa-Cree Tribe.
       (b) Acceptance or Participation in Identified Off-
     Reservation System.--The United States, the Chippewa Cree 
     Tribe of the Rocky Boy's Reservation, and the State of 
     Montana shall not be obligated to accept or participate in 
     any potential off-reservation water supply system identified 
     in the MR&I Feasibility Study authorized in subsection 7(a) 
     of this Act.
       (c) Regional Feasibility Study.--The Secretary, through the 
     Bureau of Reclamation, shall conduct, pursuant to Reclamation 
     Law, a Regional Feasibility Study to evaluate water and 
     related resources in North Central Montana in order to 
     determine the limitations of such resources and how they can 
     best be managed and developed to serve the needs of the 
     citizens of Montana. The Regional Study shall evaluate 
     existing and potential water supplies, uses, and management; 
     identify major water related issues, including environmental, 
     water supply and economic issues; evaluate opportunities to 
     resolve such issues; and evaluate options for implementation 
     of resolutions to issues. Because of the regional and 
     international impact of the Regional Study, it may not be 
     segmented. The Regional Study shall utilize, to the maximum 
     extent possible, existing information and shall be planned 
     and conducted in consultation with all affected interests, 
     including interests in Canada.

     SEC. 8. TIBER RESERVOIR ALLOCATION.

       (A) Allocation of Water to the Tribe.--(1) The Secretary 
     shall permanently allocate to the Tribe, without cost to the 
     Tribe, 10,000 acre-feet per year of stored water from the 
     water right of the Bureau of Reclamation in Lake Elwell, 
     Lower Marias Unit, Upper Missouri Division, Pick-Sloan 
     Missouri Basin Program, Montana, measured at the outlet works 
     of the dam or at the diversion point from the reservoir. The 
     allocation shall be effective when the requirements of 
     section 5(b) of this Act are met.
       (2) The Secretary shall enter into an agreement with the 
     Tribe setting forth the terms of the allocation and providing 
     for the Tribe's use or temporary transfer of water stored in 
     Lake Elwell, subject to the terms and conditions of the 
     Compact and this Act.
       (3) The allocation provided in this section shall be 
     subject to the prior reserved water rights, if any, of any 
     Indian tribe, or persons claiming water through any Indian 
     Tribe.
       (b) Use and Temporary Transfer of Allocation.--(1) Subject 
     to the limitations and conditions set forth in the Compact 
     and this Act, the Tribe shall have the right to devote the 
     water allocated by this Section to any use, including, but 
     not limited to, agricultural, municipal, commercial, 
     industrial, mining, or recreational uses, within or outside 
     the rocky Boy's Reservation.
       (2) Notwithstanding any other provision of statutory or 
     common law, the Tribe may, with the approval of the Secretary 
     and subject to the limitations and conditions set forth in 
     the Compact, enter into a service contract, lease, exchange, 
     or other agreement providing for the temporary delivery, use, 
     or transfer of the water allocated by this section: Provided, 
     however, That no service contract, lease, exchange, or other 
     agreement may permanently alienate any portion of the tribal 
     allocation.
       (c) Remaining Storage.--The United States shall retain the 
     right to use for any authorized purpose, any and all storage 
     remaining in Lake Elwell after the allocation made to the 
     Tribe in subsection (a)(1) of this section.
       (d) Water Transport Obligation; Development and Delivery 
     Costs.--The United States shall have no responsibility or 
     obligation to provide any facilities for the transport of the 
     water allocated by this section to the Rocky boy's 
     Reservation or to any other location. Except for the 
     contribution set forth in section 11(b)(3) of this Act, the 
     cost of developing and delivering the water allocated by this 
     section or any other supplemental water to the Rocky Boys 
     Reservation shall not be borne by the United States.
       (e) Act Not Precedential.--The provisions of this Act 
     regarding the allocation of water resources from the Tiber 
     Reservoir to the Tribe shall not be precedent for any other 
     Indian water right claims.

     SEC. 9. ON-RESERVATION WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT.

       (a) Water Development Projects.--The Secretary of the 
     Interior, through the Bureau of Reclamation, is authorized 
     and directed to plan, design, and construct, or to provide, 
     pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, for the planning, 
     design, and construction of the following water development 
     projects on the Rocky Boy's Reservation:
       (1) Bonneau Dam and Reservoir Enlargement.
       (2) East Fork of Beaver Creek Dam Repair and Enlargement
       (3) Brown's Dam Enlargement.
       (4) Towe Ponds' Enlargement.
       (5) Such other water development projects as the Tribe 
     shall from time to time deem appropriate.
       (b) Implementation Agreement.--The Secretary, at the 
     request of the Tribe, shall enter into an agreement with the 
     Tribe to implement the provisions of this Act through the 
     Tribe's Self-Governance Compact and Annual Funding Agreement 
     by which the Tribe shall plan, design, and construct any or 
     all of the projects authorized by this section.
       (c) Bureau of Reclamation Project Administration.--The 
     Secretary, through the Bureau of Reclamation, has entered 
     into an

[[Page S2977]]

     agreement with the Tribe, pursuant to P.L. 93-638, as amended 
     by the Self Governance Act, defining and limiting the role of 
     the Bureau of Reclamation in its administration of the 
     projects authorized in subsection (a) of this section; 
     establishing the standards upon which the projects will be 
     constructed; and for other purposes necessary to implement 
     this section. This agreement shall be effective on the Tribe 
     exercising its right under subsection (b) of this section.

     SEC. 10. CHIPPEWA CREE INDIAN RESERVED WATER RIGHTS 
                   SETTLEMENT FUND.

       (a) Establishment of Trust Fund.--There is hereby 
     established in the Treasury of the United States a trust fund 
     for the Chippewa Cree Tribe of the Rocky Boy's Reservation to 
     be known as the ``Chippewa Cree Indian Reserved Water Rights 
     Settlement Trust Fund.'' Pursuant to the provisions of the 
     Trust Fund Management Act of 1994, 25 U.S.C. 4001 et seq., 
     the Tribe, with the approval of the Secretary, may transfer 
     the Fund to a mutually agreed upon private financial 
     institution. The Fund shall consist of the following 
     accounts:
       (1) Tribal Compact Administration Account.
       (2) Economic Development Account.
       (3) Future Water Supply Facilities Account.
       (b) Fund Composition.--The Fund shall consist of such 
     amounts as are appropriated to its accounts in accordance 
     with the authorizations for appropriations in subsections 
     (b)(1), (2), and (3) of section 11 of this Act together with 
     all interest which accrues on the Fund: Provided, That, if 
     the Tribe exercises its right pursuant to subsection (a) of 
     this section to transfer the funds to a private financial 
     institution, except as provided in the transfer agreement, 
     the Secretary shall retain no oversight over the investment 
     of the funds. In addition, the transfer agreement shall 
     provide for the appropriate terms and conditions, if any, on 
     expenditures from the Fund in addition to the plans set forth 
     in subsections (c)(2) and (c)(3) of this section.
       (c) Use of Fund.--The Tribe may use the Fund to fulfill the 
     purposes of this Act, subject to the following restrictions 
     on expenditures:
       (1) Except for $400,000 necessary for capital expenditures 
     in connection with tribal compact administration, only 
     interest accrued on the Tribal Compact Administration Account 
     shall be available to satisfy the Tribe's obligations for 
     tribal compact administration under the provisions of the 
     Compact.
       (2) Both principal and accrued interest on the Economic 
     Development Account shall be available to the Tribe for 
     expenditure pursuant to an Economic Development Plan approved 
     by the Secretary.
       (3) Both principal and accrued interest on the Future Water 
     Supply Facilities Account shall be available to the Tribe for 
     expenditure pursuant to a Water Supply Plan approved by the 
     Secretary.
       (d) Agreement Regarding Fund Expenditures.--If the Tribe 
     does not exercise its right under subsection (a) of this 
     section to transfer the funds to a private financial 
     institution, the Secretary shall enter into an agreement with 
     the Tribe providing for appropriate terms and conditions, if 
     any, on expenditures from the Fund in addition to the plans 
     set forth in subsections (e)(2) and (c)(3) of this section.
       (e) Per Capita Distributions Prohibited.--No part of the 
     Fund shall be distributed on a per capita basis to members of 
     the Tribe.
       (f) Congressional Intent.--Nothing in this Act is 
     intended--
       (1) to alter the trust responsibility of the United States 
     to the Tribe; or
       (2) to prohibit the Tribe from seeking additional 
     authorization or appropriation of funds for tribal programs 
     or purposes.

     SEC. 11. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       (a) Feasibility Studies.--There is authorized to be 
     appropriated to the Department of Interior, Bureau of 
     Reclamation, not to exceed $4,000,000 for the purpose of 
     conducting the Feasibility Studies authorized in section 7(a) 
     and (c) of this Act as follows:
       (a) $1,000,000 in FY 1999 to be divided equally between the 
     two studies.
       (2) $3,000,000 in FY 2000; $500,000 for the study 
     authorized in section 7(a) and the balance for the study 
     authorized in section 7(c).
       (b) Chippewa Cree Fund.--There is authorized to be 
     appropriated to the Department of the Interior, Bureau of 
     Indian Affairs, for the Chippewa Cree Fund, established in 
     section 10 of this Act, $21,000,000 as follows:
       (1) Tribal compact administration account.--For tribal 
     compact administration assumed by the Tribe under the Compact 
     and this Act $3,000,000 in FY 1999.
       (2) Economic development account.--For Tribal economic 
     development, $3,000,000, in FY 2000.
       (3) Future water supply facilities account.--For the total 
     Federal contribution to the planning, design, construction, 
     operation, maintenance and rehabilitation of a future 
     Reservation water supply system, $15,000,000 as follows:
       (A) $2,000,000 in FY 1999.
       (B) $5,000,000 in FY 2000.
       (C) $8,000,000 in FY 2001.
       (c) On-Reservation Water Development.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to the Department of the Interior, Bureau 
     of Reclamation, $24,000,000 for the construction of the on-
     Reservation water development projects authorized by section 
     9 of this Act as follows:
       (1) $13,000,000 in FY 2000 for the planning, design and 
     construction of the Bonneau Dam Enlargement. The Federal 
     contribution is provided for the development of additional 
     capacity in Bonneau Reservoir for storage of water secured to 
     the Tribe under the Compact.
       (2) $8,000,000 in FY 2001 for the planning, design and 
     construction of the East Fork Dam and Reservoir enlargement 
     ($4,000,000), of the Brown's Dam and Reservoir enlargement 
     ($2,000,000), and the Towe Ponds enlargement ($2,000,000).
       (3) $3,000,000 in FY 2002 for the planning, design and 
     construction of such other water resource developments as the 
     Tribe, with the approval of the Secretary, from time to time 
     may deem appropriate or for the completion of the four 
     projects enumerated in subsections 11(c)(1) and (2) of this 
     Act.
       (4) Any unexpended balance in the funds appropriated under 
     paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this section, after 
     substantial completion of all of the projects enumerated in 
     section 9(a)(1), (2), (3), and (4) shall be available to the 
     Tribe first for completion of the enumerated projects and 
     then for other water resource development projects under 
     Section 9(a)(5).
       (d) Administration Costs.--There is authorized to be 
     appropriated to the Department of the Interior, Bureau of 
     Reclamation, in FY 2000, $1,000,000 for its costs of 
     administration: Provided, That, if such costs exceed 
     $1,000,000, the Bureau of Reclamation may use funds 
     authorized for appropriation under subsection (c) of this 
     section for such costs: Provided, further, That, the Bureau 
     of Reclamation shall exercise its best efforts to minimize 
     such costs to avoid exceeding $1,000,000.
       (e) Availability of Funds.--The monies authorized in 
     section 11(a) and (b)(1) shall be available for use 
     immediately upon appropriation. Those monies deposited in the 
     Chippewa Cree Fund accounts shall draw interest consistent 
     with section 10(a), but the monies appropriated under section 
     11(b)(2) and (3) and 11(c) are not available for expenditure 
     until completion of the requirements of section 5(b) of this 
     Act and execution of the waiver and release required of Sec. 
     13(c).
       (f) Without Fiscal Year Limitation.--All money appropriated 
     pursuant to authorizations under this Act shall be available 
     without fiscal year limitation.

     SEC. 12. STATE CONTRIBUTIONS TO SETTLEMENT.

       Consistent with Article VI.C.2. and C.3. of the Compact, 
     the State contribution to settlement shall be as follows:
       (1) $150,000 for the following purposes: water quality 
     discharge monitoring wells and monitoring program; diversion 
     structure on Big Sandy Creek; conveyance structure on Box 
     Elder Creek; and purchase of contract water from Lower Beaver 
     Creek Reservoir.
       (2) Subject to the availability of funds, the State shall 
     provide services valued at $400,000 for administration 
     required by the Compact and for water quality sampling 
     required by the Compact.

     SEC. 13. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.

       (a) Non-Exercise of Tribe's Rights.--The Tribe shall not 
     exercise the rights set forth in Article VII(A)(3) of the 
     Compact.
       (b) Waiver of Sovereign Immunity.--The United States shall 
     not be deemed to have waived its sovereign immunity except to 
     the extent provided in subsections (a), (b), and (c) of 
     section 208 of the Act of July 10, 1952 (43 U.S.C. 666).
       (c) Tribal Release of Claims Against the United States.--
     (1) Upon passage of this Act, the Tribe shall execute a 
     waiver and release of the following claims against the United 
     States, the validity of which are not recognized by the 
     United States: Provided That the waiver and release of claims 
     shall not be effective until completion of the appropriation 
     of the funds set forth in section 11 of this Act and 
     completion of the requirements of section 5(b) of this Act.
       (2) Any and all claims to water rights (including water 
     rights in surface water, groundwater, and effluent), claims 
     for injuries to water rights, claims for loss or deprivation 
     of use of water rights and claims for failure to acquire or 
     develop water rights for lands of the Tribe from time 
     immemorial to the date of ratification of the Compact by 
     Congress.
       (3) Any and all claims arising out of the negotiation of 
     the Compact and the settlement authorized by this Act.
       (4) In the event the waiver and release does not become 
     effective as set forth in subsection (c)(1), the United 
     States shall be entitled to set-off against any claim for 
     damages asserted by the Tribe against the United States any 
     funds transferred to the Tribe pursuant to section 11 and any 
     interest accrued thereon up to the date of set-off, and the 
     United States shall retain any other claims or defenses not 
     waived in this Act or in the Compact as modified by this Act.
       (d) Other Tribes not Adversely Affected.--Nothing in this 
     Act is intended to quantify or otherwise adversely affect the 
     land and water rights, or claims or entitlements to land or 
     water of an Indian Tribe other than the Chippewa Cree Tribe.
       (e) Environmental Compliance.--In implementing the Compact, 
     the Secretary shall comply with all aspects of the National 
     Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), 
     and the Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et. seq.), and 
     all other applicable environmental acts and regulations.
       (f) Execution of Compact.--Execution of the Compact by the 
     Secretary as provided for in this Act shall not constitute a 
     major Federal Action under the National Environmental Policyh 
     Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). The Secretary is directed to 
     carry out all

[[Page S2978]]

     necessary environmental compliance required by Federal law in 
     implementing this agreement.
       (g) Act Not Precedential.--Nothing in this Act shall be 
     construed or interpreted as a precedent for the litigation of 
     reserved water rights or the interpretation or administration 
     of future water settlement acts.

  Mr. BURNS. Mr. President, today, I am pleased to join with my 
colleagues from Montana, Senator Baucus, to introduce the The Chippewa 
Cree Tribe of the Rocky Boy's Reservation Indian Reserved Water Rights 
Settlement Act of 1998, a bill to settle the claims and quantify the 
water rights of the Chippewa Cree Tribe of the Rocky Boy's Reservation. 
This bill is the culmination of many years of work and negotiations in 
our state and will result in the federal government sanctioning the 
water rights compact that has been adopted by the Montana State 
Legislature. This settlement may represent a textbook example of how 
state and tribal governments, together with off-reservation local 
representatives, can sit down and resolve their differences. I am 
pleased that local ranchers were involved in every step of the 
discussions.
  The Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation, the present homeland of the 
Chippewa Cree Tribe, is located in area of scarce water supply. The 
region is arid with an average annual precipitation of 12 inches 
suitable for growing hay. However, an average annual precipitation of 
30 inches of snowpack in the Bearpaw Mountains contributes to a 
significant spring runoff. A more efficient and effective utilization 
of that runoff is a critical part of this package. The state 
legislation authorized funding for efficiency improvements that 
mitigate the impact of tribal water development on off-reservation 
water use.
  By reaching an out of court settlement, the parties will--once this 
package is implemented--go to the state water court and ask that all 
pending litigation involving claims by the Tribe, and by the United 
States on behalf of the Tribe, be dropped. The quantification of the 
Tribe's water right will also clearly benefit upstream and downstream 
users of water in the effected drainage, including the Big Sandy and 
Beaver Creek as well as the Milk River. These other users will be able 
to plan for their future because they will know precisely how much 
water the Chippewa Cree Tribe is entitled to. One of the progressive 
components of this settlement is a Water Compact Board made up of three 
members, a tribal representative, an off-reservation representative and 
a third person mutually agreed to by the state and tribe. This Board 
will be tasked with resolving disputes between users of the tribal 
water right and users of water rights recognized under state law.
  The bill set ups a Chippewa Cree Fund that will include funds for the 
administration of the compact, a tribal economic development account 
and a future water supply facilities account. The bill allows for 
increased on reservation storage at existing dams and two feasibility 
studies for alternative sources and methods of delivery for MR&I water 
supplies for both the reservation and the region. Finally, all parties 
to this settlement agree that the Tribe will need more water in the 
future for drinking purposes. While the settlement reserves 10,000 acre 
feet of water in Tiber Reservoir, it does not propose a method of 
delivery. We are all committed to revisiting the on-reservation 
drinking water matter in the near future either through a pipeline or 
other methods that will be part of the authorized studies.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to include in the Record a 
letter from our state's Governor, Marc Racicot, endorsing this 
legislation. Senator Baucus and I will soon be asking the Indian 
Affairs Committee to hold hearings and then to act favorable on this 
bill as expeditiously as the Committee's schedule will allow.
  There being no objection, the letter was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                           Office of the Governor,


                                             State of Montana,

                                       Helena, MT, March 30, 1998.
     Hon. Conrad Burns,
     Dirksen Senate Office Bldg.,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Burns: I write to express my strong support 
     for Congressional ratification of the compact settling the 
     water rights of the Chippewa Cree Tribe of the Rocky Boy's 
     Reservation, and to express my appreciation for your efforts 
     in this process. The settlement of reserved water rights 
     claimed within the State of Montana is of utmost importance 
     to the State, particularly the reserved water rights claimed 
     within the water-short Milk River basin where the Rocky Boy's 
     Reservation lies. The Rocky Boy's Compact provides for the 
     development of much needed water resources on the 
     Reservation, while at the same time protecting existing water 
     development adjacent to, and downstream from the Reservation. 
     The federal funding for development will help alleviate some 
     of the very dire needs of Montana citizens who are Tribal 
     members living on the Reservation.
       Thank you again for your efforts in helping us finalize 
     this historic agreement.
           Sincerely,
                                                     Marc Racicot,
                                                         Governor.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. D'AMATO (for himself, Ms. Moseley-Braun, Mr. Shelby, Mr. 
        Faircloth, Mr. Bennett, Mr. Hagel, Mr. Sarbanes, Mr. Dodd, Mr. 
        Kerry, Mr. Bryan, Mrs. Boxer, Mr. Reed, and Mr. DeWine):
  S. 1900. A bill to establish a commission to examine issues 
pertaining to the disposition of Holocaust-era assets in the United 
States before, during, and after World War II, and to make 
recommendations to the President on further action, and for other 
purposes; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.


            the u.s. holocaust assets commission act of 1998

  Mr. D'AMATO. Mr. President, I rise today along with Senators Moseley-
Braun, Shelby, Faircloth, Bennett, Hagel, Sarbanes, Dodd, Kerry, Bryan, 
Boxer, Reed and DeWine to introduce the U.S. Holocaust Assets 
Commission Act of 1998. This legislation will create the ``Presidential 
Advisory Commission on Holocaust Assets in the United States,'' that 
will examine the disposition of assets of Holocaust victims, survivors, 
and heirs here in the United States.

  For two years now, I have worked closely with Ambassador Stuart 
Eizenstat who has labored tirelessly to close this difficult chapter of 
history in an honorable, speedy, and satisfactory manner. He cares 
passionately that the survivors receive justice and I could not agree 
more. I am pleased to say that the Administration fully supports this 
legislation and we have worked with them closely over the past four 
months to craft the language to bring this commission to reality.
  While we have sought answers from Switzerland and other nations on 
the disposition of dormant bank accounts and Nazi gold, we have not 
pursued the issue here in the United States. Today, we begin this 
search. Now we are obliged to set history straight and correct any 
injustices in our own country. The United States has a moral 
responsibility to address the same issues to which we have sought 
answers from Switzerland and other nations in Europe. The spirit of 
American decency demands no less.
  If we are to provide long overdue justice to Holocaust survivors and 
the heirs of the victims, we must do so as expeditiously as possible. 
Time is of the essence if we are going to provide the necessary 
restitution to this already aged and rapidly dwindling survivor 
community. Moreover, by creating this commission we establish even 
greater moral authority and diplomatic credibility with other nations 
from which we seek answers on these important questions. Thus far, 
twelve nations have already set up national commissions to look into 
these issues.
  With this legislation we will create a commisison that will seek to 
find the disposition of the following assets in this country: dormant 
bank accounts of Holocaust victims in U.S. banks; brokerage accounts, 
securities, & bonds; artwork & religious/cultural artifacts; German-
looted gold shipped to the U.S. through the Tripartite Gold Commission; 
and insurance policies.
  As far as funding is concerned, the Commission will be funded for 
$3.5 million, with the costs split by the interested agencies of the 
U.S. Government. The Commission will operate through December 31, 1999, 
the date its final report is due to the President.
  The Commission will comprise members appointed by both the Congress 
and the President, as well as private citizens who have demonstrated 
their leadership on issues relating to the financial community, public 
service, and the history of the Holocaust.

[[Page S2979]]

  Mr. President, we need this Commission. We must leave no stone 
unturned. If we are to fully examine the disposition of the assets of 
the victims of the Holocaust, we cannot ignore what happened in this 
country. While it is not within our power to change what happened 
during WWII, it is within our power to correct a historic wrong by 
providing answers to questions that have remained unanswered for over 
fifty years. If we do at least this much now, then we will provide a 
measure of comfort and justice for the survivors of the greatest evil 
mankind has ever known. I encourage my colleagues to join me in this 
legislation and I urge its speedy passage.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 1900

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``U.S. Holocaust Assets 
     Commission Act of 1998''.

     SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION.

       (a) Establishment.--There is established a Presidential 
     Commission, to be known as the ``Presidential Advisory 
     Commission on Holocaust Assets in the United States'' 
     (hereafter in this Act referred to as the ``Commission'').
       (b) Membership.--
       (1) Number.--The Commission shall be composed of 23 
     members, appointed in accordance with paragraph (2).
       (2) Appointments.--Of the 23 members of the Commission--
       (A) 11 shall be private citizens, appointed by the 
     President;
       (B) 3 shall be representatives of the Department of State, 
     the Department of Justice, and the Department of the Treasury 
     (1 representative of each such Department), appointed by the 
     President;
       (C) 2 shall be Members of the House of Representatives, 
     appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;
       (D) 2 shall be Members of the House of Representatives, 
     appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of 
     Representatives;
       (E) 2 shall be Members of the Senate, appointed by the 
     Majority Leader of the Senate;
       (F) 2 shall be Members of the Senate, appointed by the 
     Minority Leader of the Senate; and
       (G) 1 shall be the Chairperson of the United States 
     Holocaust Memorial Council.
       (3) Criteria for membership.--Each private citizen 
     appointed to the Commission shall be an individual who has a 
     record of demonstrated leadership on issues relating to the 
     Holocaust or in the fields of commerce, culture, or education 
     that would assist the Commission in analyzing the disposition 
     of the assets of Holocaust victims.
       (4) Advisory panels.--The Chairperson of the Commission 
     may, in the discretion of the Chairperson, establish advisory 
     panels to the Commission, including State or local officials, 
     representatives of organizations having an interest in the 
     work of the Commission, or others having expertise that is 
     relevant to the purposes of the Commission.
       (5) Date.--The appointments of the members of the 
     Commission shall be made not later than 90 days after the 
     date of enactment of this Act.
       (c) Chairperson.--The Chairperson of the Commission shall 
     be selected by the President from among the members of the 
     Commission appointed under subparagraph (A) or (B) of 
     subsection (b)(2).
       (d) Period of Appointment.--Members of the Commission shall 
     be appointed for the life of the Commission.
       (e) Vacancies.--Any vacancy in the membership of the 
     Commission shall not affect its powers, but shall be filled 
     in the same manner as the original appointment.
       (f) Meetings.--The Commission shall meet at the call of the 
     Chairperson at any time after the date of appointment of the 
     Chairperson.
       (g) Quorum.--Thirteen of the members of the Commission 
     shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number of members may 
     hold meetings.

     SEC. 3. DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION.

       (a) Original Research.--
       (1) In general.--Except as otherwise provided in paragraph 
     (3), the Commission shall conduct a thorough study and 
     develop an historical record of the collection and 
     disposition of the assets described in paragraph (2), if such 
     assets came into the possession or control of the Federal 
     Government at any time after January 30, 1933, either--
       (A) after having been obtained from victims of the 
     Holocaust by, on behalf of, or under authority of a 
     government referred to in subsection (c); or
       (B) because such assets were left unclaimed as the result 
     of actions taken by, on behalf of, or under authority of a 
     government referred to in subsection (c).
       (2) Types of assets.--Assets described in this paragraph 
     include--
       (A) gold;
       (B) gems, jewelry, and non-gold precious metals;
       (C) accounts in banks in the United States;
       (D) domestic financial instruments purchased before May 8, 
     1945 by individual victims of the Holocaust, whether recorded 
     in the name of the victim or in the name of a nominee, and 
     whether or not held in a brokerage account;
       (E) insurance policies and proceeds thereof;
       (F) real estate situated in the United States;
       (G) works of art; and
       (H) books, manuscripts, and religious objects.
       (3) Coordination of activities.--In carrying out its duties 
     under paragraph (1), the Commission shall, to the maximum 
     extent practicable, coordinate its activities with, and not 
     duplicate similar activities already or being undertaken by, 
     private individuals, private entities, or government 
     entities, whether domestic or foreign.
       (b) Comprehensive Review of Other Research.--Upon request 
     by the Commission and permission by the relevant individuals 
     or entities, the Commission shall review comprehensively 
     research by private individuals, private entities, and non-
     Federal government entities, whether domestic or foreign, 
     into the collection and disposition of the assets described 
     in subsection (a)(2), to the extent that such research 
     focuses on assets that came into the possession or control of 
     private individuals, private entities, or non-Federal 
     government entities within the United States at any time 
     after January 30, 1933, either--
       (1) after having been obtained from victims of the 
     Holocaust by, on behalf of, or under authority of a 
     government referred to in subsection (c); or
       (2) because such assets were left unclaimed as the result 
     of actions taken by, on behalf of, or under authority of a 
     government referred to in subsection (c).
       (c) Governments Included.--A government referred to in this 
     subsection includes, as in existence during the period 
     beginning on March 23, 1933, and ending on May 8, 1945--
       (1) the Nazi government of Germany;
       (2) any government in any area occupied by the military 
     forces of the Nazi government of Germany;
       (3) any government established with the assistance or 
     cooperation of the Nazi government of Germany; and
       (4) any government which was an ally of the Nazi government 
     of Germany.
       (d) Reports.--
       (1) Submission to the president.--Not later than December 
     31, 1999, the Commission shall submit a final report to the 
     President that shall contain any recommendations for such 
     legislative, administrative, or other action as it deems 
     necessary or appropriate. The Commission may submit interim 
     reports to the President as it deems appropriate.
       (2) Submission to the congress.--After receipt of the final 
     report under paragraph (1), the President shall submit to the 
     Congress any recommendations for legislative, administrative, 
     or other action that the President considers necessary or 
     appropriate.

     SEC. 4. POWERS OF THE COMMISSION.

       (a) Hearings.--The Commission may hold such hearings, sit 
     and act at such times and places, take such testimony, and 
     receive such evidence as the Commission considers advisable 
     to carry out this Act.
       (b) Information From Federal Agencies.--The Commission may 
     secure directly from any Federal department or agency such 
     information as the Commission considers necessary to carry 
     out this Act. Upon request of the Chairperson of the 
     Commission, the head of any such department or agency shall 
     furnish such information to the Commission as expeditiously 
     as possible.
       (c) Postal Services.--The Commission may use the United 
     States mails in the same manner and under the same conditions 
     as other departments and agencies of the Federal Government.
       (d) Gifts.--The Commission may accept, use, and dispose of 
     gifts or donations of services or property.

     SEC. 5. COMMISSION PERSONNEL MATTERS.

       (a) Compensation.--No member of the Commission who is a 
     private citizen shall be compensated for service on the 
     Commission. All members of the Commission who are officers or 
     employees of the United States shall serve without 
     compensation in addition to that received for their services 
     as officers or employees of the United States.
       (b) Travel Expenses.--The members of the Commission shall 
     be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of 
     subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies 
     under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States 
     Code, while away from their homes or regular places of 
     business in the performance of services for the Commission.
       (c) Executive Director, Deputy Executive Director, General 
     Counsel, and Other Staff.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the selection 
     of the Chairperson of the Commission under section 2, the 
     Chairperson shall, without regard to the civil service laws 
     and regulations, appoint an executive director, a deputy 
     executive director, and a general counsel of the Commission, 
     and such other additional personnel as may be necessary to 
     enable the Commission to perform its duties under this Act.
       (2) Qualifications.--The executive director, deputy 
     executive director, and general

[[Page S2980]]

     counsel of the Commission shall be appointed without regard 
     to political affiliation, and shall possess all necessary 
     security clearances for such positions.
       (3) Duties of executive director.--The executive director 
     of the Commission shall--
       (A) serve as principal liaison between the Commission and 
     other Government entities;
       (B) be responsible for the administration and coordination 
     of the review of records by the Commission; and
       (C) be responsible for coordinating all official activities 
     of the Commission.
       (4) Compensation.--The Chairperson of the Commission may 
     fix the compensation of the executive director, deputy 
     executive director, general counsel, and other personnel 
     employed by the Commission, without regard to the provisions 
     of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5, 
     United States Code, relating to classification of positions 
     and General Schedule pay rates, except that--
       (A) the rate of pay for the executive director of the 
     Commission may not exceed the rate payable for level III of 
     the Executive Schedule under section 5314 of title 5, United 
     States Code; and
       (B) the rate of pay for the deputy executive director, the 
     general counsel of the Commission, and other Commission 
     personnel may not exceed the rate payable for level IV of the 
     Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United 
     States Code.
       (5) Employee benefits.--
       (A) In general.--An employee of the Commission shall be an 
     employee for purposes of chapters 84, 85, 87, and 89 of title 
     5, United States Code, and service as an employee of the 
     Commission shall be service for purposes of such chapters.
       (B) Nonapplication to members.--This paragraph shall not 
     apply to a member of the Commission.
       (6) Office of personnel management.--The Office of 
     Personnel Management--
       (A) may promulgate regulations to apply the provisions 
     referred to under subsection (a) to employees of the 
     Commission; and
       (B) shall provide support services relating to--
       (i) the initial employment of employees of the Commission; 
     and
       (ii) other personnel needs of the Commission.
       (d) Detail of Government Employees.--Any Federal Government 
     employee may be detailed to the Commission without 
     reimbursement to the agency of that employee, and such detail 
     shall be without interruption or loss of civil service status 
     or privilege.
       (e) Procurement of Temporary and Intermittent Services.--
     The Chairperson of the Commission may procure temporary and 
     intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5, 
     United States Code, at rates for individuals which do not 
     exceed the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay 
     prescribed for level V of the Executive Schedule under 
     section 5316 of such title.
       (f) Staff Qualifications.--Any person appointed to the 
     staff of or employed by the Commission shall be an individual 
     of integrity and impartiality.
       (g) Conditional Employment.--
       (1) In general.--The Commission may offer employment on a 
     conditional basis to a prospective employee pending the 
     completion of any necessary security clearance background 
     investigation. During the pendency of any such investigation, 
     the Commission shall ensure than such conditional employee is 
     not given and does not have access to or responsibility 
     involving classified or otherwise restricted material.
       (2) Termination.--If a person hired on a conditional basis 
     as described in paragraph (1) is denied or otherwise does not 
     qualify for all security clearances necessary for the 
     fulfillment of the responsibilities of that person as an 
     employee of the Commission, the Commission shall immediately 
     terminate the employment of that person with the Commission.
       (h) Expedited Security Clearance Procedures.--A candidate 
     for executive director or deputy executive director of the 
     Commission and any potential employee of the Commission 
     shall, to the maximum extent possible, be investigated or 
     otherwise evaluated for and granted, if applicable, any 
     necessary security clearances on an expedited basis.

     SEC. 6. SUPPORT SERVICES.

       During the 180-day period following the date of enactment 
     of this Act, the General Services Administration shall 
     provide administrative support services (including offices 
     and equipment) for the Commission.

     SEC. 7. TERMINATION OF THE COMMISSION.

       The Commission shall terminate 90 days after the date on 
     which the Commission submits its final report under section 
     3.

     SEC. 8. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.

       (a) Inapplicability of FACA.--The Federal Advisory 
     Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) does not apply to the 
     Commission.
       (b) Public Attendance.--To the maximum extent practicable, 
     each meeting of the Commission shall be open to members of 
     the public.

     SEC. 9. FUNDING OF COMMISSION.

       Notwithstanding section 1346 of title 31, United States 
     Code, or section 611 of the Treasury and General Government 
     Appropriations Act, 1998, of funds made available for fiscal 
     years 1998 and 1999 to the Departments of Justice, State, and 
     any other appropriate agency that are otherwise unobligated, 
     not more than $3,500,000 shall be available for the 
     interagency funding of activities of the Commission under 
     this Act. Funds made available to the Commission pursuant to 
     this section shall remain available for obligation until 
     December 31, 1999.

  Ms. MOSELEY-BRAUN. Mr. President, I am very proud to introduce this 
legislation along with my colleague, Chairman D'Amato. The 
establishment of this commission is the next logical step in the work 
we have been doing on this issue, and it is something that should have 
been done in 1948 rather than 1998.
  This bill will establish an independent Presidential Commission to 
comprehensively examine issues pertaining to the disposition of 
Holocaust assets in the United States before, during, and after World 
War II. It will investigate the disposition of Holocaust victims' 
assets in the United States, including but not limited to: dormant bank 
accounts, securities, bonds, insurance policies, artwork, and German-
looted gold shipped to the U.S. through the Tripartite Gold Commission, 
as revealed in the Eizenstat report. The Commission will issue reports, 
and make recommendations to the President on further action.
  The amount of assets the Commission finds is likely to be 
significantly smaller than that discovered in other countries, but 
there are certainly assets here. This matter even touches my hometown 
of Chicago. Currently, there is a dispute about the origins of a Degas 
pastel, ``Landscape with Smokestacks,'' owned by a trustee of the Art 
Institute of Chicago. Heirs of Freidrich and Louise Guttman, who were 
killed by the Nazis, are litigating this issue and expect to have a 
verdict later this spring.
  It is vitally important that the U.S. lead by example. As citizens of 
the world, we must ensure that all of the relevant financial 
transactions of this era are brought to light. Then, as now, those who 
enslave their own populations often try to use the international 
banking system to further their own illegitimate ends. We cannot fully 
avoid repeating the tragedies of history until we have entirely 
uncovered and have a full understanding of the past.
  We all have a responsibility to deal with the consequences of that 
horrific act, no matter how much time has passed, and no matter how 
much effort it takes. We have an obligation to ensure that the Swiss, 
and other neutral countries that played a role in hiding the stolen 
possessions of innocent Jewish families continue to work with the U.S. 
so that restitution is made. The vast majority of our work in the 
Committee focused on the actions of other countries, especially the 
Swiss banks. Now it is time to look in the mirror. In the Eizenstat 
report, released last year, we learned that the actions of the United 
States before, during and after the war were not all that could have 
been desired. I am saddened to learn that America did not work as hard 
as it could to ensure compensation for Holocaust survivors and other 
refugees, but I realize that the goal of that report was to unearth the 
truth, and that is what it has done, and what we will continue to do 
with the establishment of this Commission.
  Already, a dozen countries have formed similar commissions. This is 
due in no small part to the leadership role the United States has taken 
in searching for the truth. We would not have come this far without the 
commitment of the Clinton Administration, the efforts of the Senate 
Banking Committee and, especially, the tenaciousness of our Committee 
Chairman, Alfonse D'Amato.
  Over the past several years, the Banking Committee has held many 
hearings on the disposition of the assets of Holocaust victims. Each 
hearing has brought to light valuable but distressing information about 
events surrounding the tragedy that was the Holocaust. It has been over 
50 years since the nightmare of the Holocaust, during which, over 7 
million Jewish men women and children were stripped of their homes, 
businesses, their possessions, the very clothes off their backs and, 
ultimately, their lives--by a government that industrialized death and 
literally attempted to exterminate the Jewish people.
  We have made a tremendous step through our commitment to finding the 
truth. We must now commit to work together to do everything possible to 
put whatever assets belonging to victims or survivors into the proper

[[Page S2981]]

hands before it is too late. Time is of the essence. With the passing 
of each day, the few remaining Holocaust survivors continue to age and 
their numbers decrease. This is why it is imperative that we enact this 
legislation quickly and allow this commission to begin work as soon as 
possible.
  It will not be possible to track down every asset, but complete 
success is not required. What is required is that everyone who had a 
role in this tragedy does their best to right the wrongs that have been 
committed, and that they understand that much more than money is at 
stake.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. LEAHY (for himself, Mr. Ashcroft, Mr. Reid, and Mr. 
        Wyden):
  S. 1901. A bill to amend the Freedom of Information Act to provide 
electronic access to certain Internal Revenue Service information on 
the Internet, and for other purposes; to the Committee on the 
Judiciary.


             THE TAXPAYERS INTERNET ASSISTANCE ACT OF 1998

  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, it is time for the Internal Revenue Service 
(IRS) to use the latest technology to deliver better service to the 
American people. Our nation's taxpayers deserve no less.

  Today, Senator Ashcroft and I are introducing the Taxpayers Internet 
Assistance Act of 1998. I am pleased that Senator Reid and Senator 
Wyden are original cosponsors of our bill.
  Our bipartisan legislation requires the IRS to provide taxpayers with 
speedy access to tax forms, publications, regulations, and rulings via 
the Internet. It also authorizes the Treasury Department, with input 
from the public, to develop more online services to help taxpayers.
  Mr. President, I want to praise the Senate Finance Committee, 
Chairman Roth, Senator Moynihan, Senator Kerrey and Senator Grassley 
for their leadership in moving the IRS reform legislation to the full 
Senate. I strongly support the bill approved by the Finance Committee 
last night.
  As the Senate prepares to debate IRS reforms, we must use technology 
to make the IRS more effective for all taxpayers. What better way to do 
that then to require the IRS to maintain online access to the latest 
tax information. Every citizen in the United States, no matter if he or 
she lives in a small town or big city, should be able to receive 
electronically the latest tax ruling or download the most up-to-date 
tax form.
  The IRS web page at > http://irs.ustreas.gov < provides timely 
service to taxpayers by increasing electronic access to some tax forms 
and publications. I commend the IRS for its use of Internet technology 
to improve its services. More information and services should be 
offered online and not just as a passing fad. Our legislation is needed 
to build on this electronic start and lock into the law for today and 
tomorrow comprehensive online taxpayer services.
  Our bipartisan bill protects the privacy of taxpayers by amending the 
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), which already calls for the deletion 
of identifying details to prevent an unwarranted invasion of personal 
privacy. For more than 30 years, the FOIA has served the nation well in 
maintaining the right of Americans to know what their government is 
doing--or not doing--while protecting personal privacy. Our legislation 
does not give new access to private tax information, but merely 
provides a new, easier method of receiving public tax information.
  Under the FOIA, the IRS must maintain public access to Treasury 
Regulations, Internal Revenue Manuals, Internal Revenue Bulletins, 
Revenue Rulings, Revenue Procedures, IRS Notices, IRS Announcements, 
General Counsel Memorandum and other taxpayer guidance. Under our 
legislation, the IRS must post this public tax information on the 
Internet in a searchable database, giving all taxpayers quick access to 
it. In addition, our bipartisan bill requires the IRS to post on its 
web site all Tax Forms, Instructions and Publications, the most 
essential information for the average taxpayer.
  To keep any administrative burden and taxpayer cost to a minimum, our 
legislation limits the Internet posting of past tax information. For 
information available under the FOIA, our legislation requires online 
posting of documents created on or after November 1, 1996, the same 
date electronic access is required under the Electronic Freedom of 
Information Act Amendments of 1996. I am proud to have been the chief 
Senate sponsor of that new law enacted in the last Congress.
  For Tax Forms, Instructions and Publications, our legislation 
provides for online posting of documents created during the most recent 
five years, the same period of time that the IRS now keeps these 
documents on CD-ROM for Congressional offices.
  With these common sense requirements, the IRS will be able to enhance 
its web page with comprehensive tax guidance in a matter of days at 
little cost to taxpayers under our bipartisan bill. In fact, the 
Congressional Budget Office has scored our legislation as adding no new 
direct spending.
  We strongly believe that the IRS must prepare itself for the next 
millennium now. That is why our legislation authorizes the Treasury 
Department to study and report back to the American people on online 
access to taxpayer information, the protection of online taxpayer 
privacy rights, the security of online taxpayer services and public 
comments on online taxpayer services.
  Thomas Jefferson observed that, ``Information is the currency of 
democracy.'' Let's harness the power of the information age to make the 
IRS a truly democratic institution, open to all our citizens all the 
time.
  I thank Senator Ashcroft for his support and I look forward to 
working with him on other high technology issues to help the Internet 
reach its full potential such as encryption legislation.
  I urge my colleagues to support the Taxpayers Internet Assistance Act 
of 1998.
  Mr. ASHCROFT. Mr. President, one of my fundamental beliefs is that we 
should labor to make sure that the collective voice of our constituents 
is heard and followed in everything we do here. That is to say, the 
values of Washington, D.C. should not be imposed on the country, but 
instead the values of the country should be imposed on Washington. One 
of the best ways to make sure we follow this principle is to provide 
the country with best information possible about what we do and how we 
do it.
  We must do what we can to open the doors to government so that all 
may access the available information. In 1995, I introduced an on-line 
term limits petition. Thousands of people singed petition. In 1996, I 
began an effort to educate Missouri's students on how to access the 
federal government's available information on the Internet. This 
program, Gateways to Government, was presented by myself or my staff in 
every county of Missouri, and in more than 135 individual schools. My 
homepage continues to act as a ``gateway'' to a great wealth of 
electronic information about congress and the federal government.
  In this same spirit I rise today to join with Senator Leahy to 
introduce the Taxpayers Internet Assistance Act of 1998. He has been a 
real leader on technology issues and shares a great interest in 
guaranteeing that U.S. citizens enjoy an environment that allows them 
to know the operations of their federal government. In addition, he has 
for years championed the rights of individuals to keep their private 
affairs private, particularly with his principal sponsorship of the 
Electronic Freedom of Information Act.
  I am also pleased that several other senators are joining our effort 
as original co-sponsors. Our intent is to provide to the American 
public an easy and inexpensive way to receive the latest information 
related to the IRS, including forms, instructions, and recent rulings.
  Under the Taxpayers Internet Assistant Act individuals will be able 
to access a great deal of material from the IRS beginning in November 
of 1996. Revenue rulings, treasury regulations, internal revenue 
bulletins, and IRS general counsel memorandum are just a few of the 
documents that will routinely be made available in an easy to use 
format. This information should provide for an easier and more 
understandable approach to tax planning and preparation. Individuals 
will be able to see rulings that may be similar to a situation they are 
in currently and plan accordingly.
  ``The difference between death and taxes,'' quipped Will Rogers, ``is 
that

[[Page S2982]]

death doesn't get worse every time Congress meets.'' Unfortunately, Mr. 
Rogers' observation has held true for more than six decades. The tax 
doe has become increasingly complex and onerous. My wife is a tax 
attorney, she even teaches tax law at Howard University, and we do not 
even prepare our own tax forms. My hope is that this modest effort will 
provide the public with timely, reliable information that may assist in 
their efforts to prepare their taxes.
  In fact, taxpayers are working longer than ever to pay their taxes. 
According to the non-partisan Tax Foundation, the average American now 
works until May 9--a full week longer than when Bill Clinton assumed 
the presidency--to pay federal, state, and local taxes. I can't help 
but think of President Reagan's definition of a taxpayer as ``someone 
who works for the federal government but doesn't have to take a civil 
service examination.'' At the very least we can assist taxpayers with 
easy to access, timely and inexpensive information that can help them 
in preparing their individuals taxes.
  In addition, our legislation amends the Freedom of Information Act, 
which maintains the personal privacy of individuals by guaranteeing 
that any reference to identifying details be deleted to prevent an 
invasion of personal privacy. Importantly, this legislation does not 
give any new access to tax information, but instead provides an 
additional means of receiving the same information already made 
available in hard copy form or, in some cases, on CD.
  Finally, the legislation requires that the Department of Treasury 
evaluate the process to ensure that all technical advances are being 
used that would provide more timely and efficient service to taxpayers. 
In addition, a further consideration of individual privacy will occur 
and a process developed to receive comments from the public regarding 
the on-line taxpayer services.
  This bipartisan approach to continuing the opening of the federal 
government to all citizens should be viewed as a first step in changing 
our fundamental interaction with the IRS. We can pass this legislation 
and provide greater information to anyone who can gain access to a PC. 
I urge all senators to support and pass this year the Taxpayers 
Internet Assistance Act of 1998.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mrs. BOXER:
  S. 1902. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow 
the first $2,000 of health insurance premiums to be fully deductible; 
to the Committee on Finance.


                  THE HEALTH INSURANCE TAX RELIEF ACT

  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, today I am introducing legislation to 
allow individuals to deduct up to $2,000 a year for the costs of health 
insurance (for themselves and their dependents). If health insurance 
costs are shared by an individual and an employer, the individual could 
deduct the amount of his or her share. If an individual pays the full 
cost of health insurance, the entire amount could be deducted, subject 
to the $2,000 annual limit.
  The Joint Tax Committee has estimated that my bill would reduce 
revenues to the federal government by approximately $11 billion per 
year.


                        Why This Bill is Needed

  Every year, as employers continue to roll back health benefits, and 
as the costs of those benefits keep rising, the number of uninsured 
Americans increases. There are now 41 million Americans lack health 
insurance. That number increases by one million each year. An estimated 
eighty percent of the uninsured are workers or the dependents of 
workers.
  Under the current tax code, corporations can deduct the cost of 
providing health insurance for their employees. The Taxpayer Relief Act 
of 1997 also expanded the deductibility of health insurance for the 
self-employed. Health insurance-related tax deductions for corporations 
and the self-employed are now taken to the tune of about $50 billion 
annually.
  But for the 16 million Americans who purchase health insurance for 
themselves and their dependents, the current tax code is much less 
generous. They may deduct only the cost of health insurance if their 
total health care expenditures exceed 7.5 percent of adjusted gross 
income--a threshold few Americans meet.


                     How the Boxer Bill would Help

  My bill would create an ``above the line'' deduction, which would be 
listed on all tax returns. Taxpayers need not itemize in order to 
receive ``above the line'' deductions.
  The benefit to an individual taxpayer will depend on the amount of 
health insurance expense claimed and on the individual's tax bracket. 
Those claiming the full $2000 deduction could save $300 or more.
  For example, if Jane Doe makes $30,000 a year, has no investment 
income, and pays for her own health insurance, she currently pays, 
$3,476 in federal income taxes. Under my bill, assuming Ms. Doe takes 
the full $2,000 deduction, she would pay only $3,176, a savings of 
$300, or nearly 10 percent of her tax bill.
  Another example is Joe and Sally Smith, a married couple who file 
jointly, have two children, and have a total income of $75,000 a year. 
They purchase an insurance policy that covers the entire family. 
Currently, they pay $10,751 in federal income taxes. Under my bill, 
assuming they take the entire $2,000 deduction, they would pay only 
$10,191, a savings of $560 off their tax bill.
  I hope that senators will join with me to help expand opportunities 
for all Americans to acquire health insurance by cosponsoring this 
legislation.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 1902

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Health Insurance Tax Relief 
     Act''.

     SEC. 2. FIRST $2,000 OF HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUMS FULLY 
                   DEDUCTIBLE.

       (a) In General.--Subsection (a) of section 213 of the 
     Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to medical, dental, 
     etc., expenses) is amended to read as follows:
       ``(a) Allowance of Deduction.--There shall be allowed as a 
     deduction the following amounts not compensated for by 
     insurance or otherwise--
       ``(1) the amount by which the amount of expenses paid 
     during the taxable year (reduced by the amount deductible 
     under paragraph (2)) for medical care of the taxpayer, the 
     taxpayer's spouse, and the taxpayer's dependents (as defined 
     in section 152) exceeds 7.5 percent of adjusted gross income, 
     plus
       ``(2) so much of the expenses paid during the taxable year 
     for insurance which constitutes medical care under subsection 
     (d)(1)(D) (other than for a qualified long-term care 
     insurance contract) for such taxpayer, spouse, and dependents 
     as does not exceed $2,000.''
       (b) Deduction Allowed Whether or Not Taxpayer Itemizes 
     Deduction.--Section 62(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 
     1986 (defining adjusted gross income) is amended by inserting 
     after paragraph (17) the following new paragraph:
       ``(18) Health insurance premiums.--The deduction allowed by 
     section 213(a)(2).''
       (c) Conforming Amendment.--Section 162(l)(1)(A) of the 
     Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to special rules for 
     health insurance costs of self-employed individuals) is 
     amended to read as follows:
       ``(A) In general.--In the case of an individual who is an 
     employee within the meaning of section 401(c)(1), there shall 
     be allowed as a deduction under this section an amount equal 
     to the sum of--
       ``(i) so much of the amount paid during the taxable year 
     for insurance which constitutes medical care for the 
     taxpayer, his spouse, and dependents as does not exceed 
     $2,000, plus
       ``(ii) the applicable percentage of the amount so paid in 
     excess of $2,000.''
       (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 
     1998.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. THOMAS (for himself, Mr. Enzi, Mr. Thurmond, Mr. Helms, 
        Mr. Hagel, and Mr. Smith of Oregon):
  S. 1903. A bill to prohibit the return of veterans memorial objects 
to foreign nations without specific authorization in law; to the 
Committee on Veterans Affairs.


          the veterans memorial physical integrity act of 1998

  Mr. THOMAS. Mr. President, I come to the floor today to introduce S. 
1903, a bill to prohibit the return to a foreign country of any portion 
of a memorial to American veterans without the express authorization of 
Congress.
  I would not have thought that a bill like this was necessary, Mr. 
President. It would never have occurred to me that an American 
President would even briefly consider dismantling part of a memorial to 
American soldiers who died in the line of duty in order to send

[[Page S2983]]

a piece of that memorial to a foreign country. But a real possibility 
of just that happening exists in my state of Wyoming involving what are 
known as the ``Bells of Balangiga.''
  In 1898, the Treaty of Paris brought to a close the Spanish-American 
War. As part of the treaty, Spain ceded possession of the Philippines 
to the United States. At about the same time, the Filipino people began 
an insurrection in their country. In August 1901, as part of the 
American effort to stem the insurrection, a company of 74 officers and 
men from the 9th Infantry, Company G, occupied the town of Balangiga on 
the island of Samar. These men came from Ft. Russell in Cheyenne, 
Wyoming--today's F.E. Warren Air Force Base.
  On September 28 of that year, taking advantage of the preoccupation 
of the American troops with a church service for the just-assassinated 
President McKinley, a group of Filipino insurgents infiltrated the 
town. Only three American sentries were on duty that day. As described 
in an article in the November 19, 1997 edition of the Wall Street 
Journal:

       Officers slept in, and enlisted men didn't bother to carry 
     their riffles as they ambled out of their quarters for 
     breakfast. Balangiga had been a boringly peaceful site since 
     the infantry company arrived a month earlier, according to 
     military accounts and soldiers' statements. The quiet ended 
     abruptly when a 23 year old U.S. sentry named Adolph Gamlin 
     walked past the local police chief. In one swift move, the 
     Filipino grabbed the slightly built Iowan's rifle and smashed 
     the butt across [Gamlin's] head. As PFC Gamlin crumpled, the 
     bells of Balangiga began to peal.
       With the signal, hundreds of Filipino fighters swarmed out 
     of the surrounding forest, armed with clubs, picks and 
     machete-like bolo knives. Others poured out of the church; 
     they had arrived the night before, disguised as women 
     mourners and carrying coffins filled with bolos. A sergeant 
     was beheaded in the mess tent and dumped into a vat of 
     steaming wash water. A young bugler was cut down in a nearby 
     stream. The company commander was hacked to death after 
     jumping out a window. Besieged infantrymen defended 
     themselves with kitchen forks, mess kits and baseball bats. 
     Others threw rocks and cans of beans.
       Though he was also slashed across the back, PFC.
  . . Gamlin came to and found a rifle. By the time he and the other 
survivors fought their way to the beach, 38 US soldiers were dead and 
all but six of the remaining men had been wounded.

  The remaining soldiers escaped in five dug-out canoes. Only three 
boats made it to safety on Leyte. Seven men died of exposure at sea, 
and another eight died of their wounds; only twenty of the company's 
seventy-four members survived.
  A detachment of fifty-four volunteers from 9th Infantry units 
stationed at Leyte returned to Balangiga and recaptured the village. 
They were reinforced a few days later from Companies K and L of the 
11th Infantry Regiment. When the 11th Infantry was relieved on October 
18 by Marines, the 9th Infantry took two of the church bells used to 
signal the attack with them back to Wyoming as a memorial to the fallen 
soldiers.
  The bells have been displayed in front of the base flagpole on the 
central parade grounds since that time. The bells were placed in two 
openings in a large, specially-constructed masonry wall with a bronze 
plaque dedicating the memorial to the memory of the fallen soldiers.
  Since at least 1981, there have been on-and-off discussions in 
various circles in Cheyenne, Washington, and Manila about the future of 
the bells, including the possibility of returning them to the 
Philippines. Most recently, the Philippine government--having run into 
broad opposition to their request to have both bells returned to them--
has proposed making a copy of both bells, and having both sides keep 
one copy and one original.
  Opposition to this proposal from local and national civic and 
veterans groups has been very strong. Mr. President, I ask unanimous 
consent that the text of a letter from the national office of the 
Veterans of Foreign Wars dated January 6, 1998; from the VFW's 
Department of Wyoming dated December 5, 1997; and from the United 
Veterans Council of Wyoming dated March 27, 1998; be printed in the 
Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection.
  Mr. THOMAS. Mr. President, in the last few months, developments have 
indicated to me that the White House is seriously contemplating 
returning one or both of the bells to the Philippines. This year marks 
the 100th anniversary of the Treaty of Paris, and a state visit by 
President Fidel Valdes Ramos--his last as President--to the United 
States has been planned for this month. The disposition of the bells 
has been high on President Ramos' agenda; he has spoken personally to 
President Clinton and several members of Congress about it over the 
last three years, and has indicated he will do so on this visit. Since 
January, the Filipino press has included almost weekly articles on the 
bells' supposed return, including one in the Manila Times last week 
which reported that a new tower to house the bells is being constructed 
in Borongon, Samar, to receive them in May.
  In addition, inquiries to me from various agencies of the 
Administration soliciting the opinion of the Wyoming congressional 
delegation on the issue have increased in frequency. I have also 
learned that the Defense Department, perhaps in conjunction with the 
Justice Department, has recently prepared a legal memorandum outlining 
its opinion of who actually controls the disposition of the bells.
  In response to this apparent groundswell, the Wyoming congressional 
delegation wrote a letter to President Clinton on January 9 of this 
year to make clear our opposition to removing the bells. Mr. President, 
I ask unanimous consent that the text of that letter be inserted in the 
Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection.
  Mr. THOMAS. Mr. President, in response to that letter, on March 26 I 
received a letter from Sandy Berger of the National Security Council 
which I think is perhaps the best indicator of the direction the White 
House is headed on this issue. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent 
that the text of that letter be inserted in the Record.
  THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection.
  MR. THOMAS. Mr. President, I cannot fathom that this issue has gotten 
to this point. First, it is very evident to me that the Constitution 
precludes the President from returning the bells without Congressional 
assent. Article IV, section 3, clause 2 provides: ``The Congress shall 
have Power to dispose of and make all needful Rules and Regulations 
respecting . . . Property belonging to the United States.'' The bells 
are certainly property of the United States as contemplated by this 
clause, and thus clearly can only constitutionally be disposed of by 
Congress--not by the President.
  Second, I was amazed to find, even in these days of political 
correctness and revisionist history, that a U.S. President--our 
Commander-in-Chief--would appear to be ready to ignore the wishes of 
our veterans and tear down a memorial to U.S. soldiers who died in the 
line of duty in order to send part of it back to the country in which 
they were killed. Amazed, that is, until I recalled this President's 
fondness for sweeping apologies and what some might view as flashy P.R. 
gestures, as most recently evidenced by his Africa trip.
  Third, I was amazed to learn that during a state visit when our two 
countries should be discussing the on-going Asian financial crisis and 
its ramifications, East Asian security issues, and other issues of 
long-range significance, President Ramos has proposed discussing only 
three topics, all parochial: the bells, pension payments to Filipino 
veterans, and a Subic Bay-related waste issue. Amazed, that is Mr. 
President, until I was reminded that the candidate President Ramos is 
supporting in the upcoming presidential elections is running in third 
place in the polls and might just get a much-needed boost if his mentor 
could return from Washington with a bell or a check from the U.S. 
Treasury in hand.
  Mr. President, to the veterans of Wyoming, and the United States as a 
whole, the bells represent a lasting memorial to those fifty-four 
American soldiers killed as a result of an unprovoked insurgent attack 
in Balangiga on September 28, 1901. In their view, which I share, any 
attempt to remove either or both of the bells--and in doing so actually 
physically dismantling a war memorial--is a desecration of that memory. 
History brought the bells to Wyoming, and it is there they should 
remain.
  Consequently, I am introducing S. 1903 today to protect the bells and

[[Page S2984]]

similar veterans memorials from such an ignoble fate. The bill is not 
complicated, and in my view simply restates what already appears in 
black and white in the Constitution; it prohibits the transfer of a 
veterans memorial, or any portion thereof, to a foreign country or 
government unless specifically authorized by law.
  The bill is supported by all of Wyoming's veterans groups, and I am 
pleased to be joined in this effort by my good friend and colleague 
from Wyoming Senator Enzi, as well as by the distinguished Chairman of 
the Armed Services Committee, Senator Thurmond; the distinguished 
Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Helms; and my 
fellow subcommittee Chairmen on the Foreign Relations Committee Senator 
Hagel and Senator Smith of Oregon, as original cosponsors. 
Representative Barbara Cubin is introducing similar legislation today 
in the House. I trust that my colleagues will support its swift 
passage.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the full text of this 
bill be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the items were ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 1903

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. PROHIBITION ON RETURN OF VETERANS MEMORIAL OBJECTS 
                   WITHOUT SPECIFIC AUTHORIZATION IN LAW.

       (a) Prohibition.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     law, the President may not transfer a veterans memorial 
     object to a foreign country or entity controlled by a foreign 
     government, or otherwise transfer or convey such object to a 
     person or entity for purposes of the ultimate transfer or 
     conveyance of such object to a foreign country or entity 
     controlled by a foreign government, unless specifically 
     authorized by law.
       (b) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Entity controlled by a foreign government.--The term 
     ``entity controlled by a foreign government'' has the meaning 
     given that term in section 2536(c)(1) of title 10, United 
     States Code.
       (2) Veterans memorial object.--The term ``veterans memorial 
     object'' means any object, including a physical structure or 
     portion thereof, that--
       (A) is located at a cemetery of the National Cemetery 
     System, war memorial, or military installation in the United 
     States;
       (B) is dedicated to, or otherwise memorializes, the death 
     in combat or combat-related duties of members of the United 
     States Armed Forces; and
       (C) was brought to the United States from abroad as a 
     memorial of combat abroad.
                                  ____

                                       Veterans of Foreign Wars of


                                            the United States,

                                                  January 6, 1998.
     Hon. Douglas K. Bereuter,
     Chairman, East Asia Subcommittee, Committee on International 
         Relations, U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
     RE: Bells of Balangiga
       Dear Mr. Chairman: Recently, we learned that Mr. Robert 
     Underwood, U.S. Representative from Guam, has introduced 
     House Resolution 312 urging the President to authorize the 
     transfer of ownership of one of the Bells of Balangiga to the 
     Philippines. In brief, the Bells of Balangiga, which serve as 
     a war memorial to U.S. Army soldiers killed by insurgents in 
     the Philippines in 1901, are located at E.E. Warren Air Force 
     Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The proposal of the Philippine 
     Ambassador to return one of the bells to the Philippines is 
     opposed by veterans and the supporting community in Wyoming.
       Although the 98th National Convention of the Veterans of 
     Foreign Wars of the United States did not adopt a Resolution 
     on this issue, the VFW does have a position on the Bells of 
     Balangiga. After carefully reviewing the history and 
     background of the issue involving the Bells of Balangiga, the 
     VFW opposes and rejects any compromise or agreement with the 
     government of the Philippines which would result in the 
     return of any of the Bells of Balangiga to the Philippines. 
     The church bells were paid for with American blood in 1901 
     when they were used to signal an unprovoked attack by 
     insurrectionists against an American Army garrison which 
     resulted in the massacre of 45 American soldiers. The Bells 
     serve is a permanent memorial to the sacrifice of the 
     American soldiers from Fort D.A. Russell (Wyoming) who gave 
     their lives for their country while doing their duty. We do 
     not think any of the bells should be given back to the 
     Philippines. To return the bells sends the wrong message to 
     the world. In addition, local Wyoming veterans and other 
     citizens are opposed to dismantling the sacred monument and 
     returning any part of it to the Philippines.
       In the past several years, the Philippine Government has 
     made several attempts to get the Bells of Balangiga returned 
     to their country. To date, they have not been successful in 
     any their attempts to get the bells returned. For the past 95 
     years, two of the bells have been enshrined at Fort Russell/
     Warren AFB in Wyoming. The third is with the U.S. Army's 9th 
     Infantry in the Republic of Korea.
       Recently, Philippine President Fidel Ramos ordered his 
     United States Ambassador, Paul Rabe, to step up his effort on 
     the bells hoping to have them returned in time for next 
     summer's celebration of 100 years of Philippine independence. 
     In October 1997, Ambassador Paul Rabe suggested a compromise 
     solution. He suggested returning one of the bells to the 
     Philippines thereby giving both nations an original and the 
     opportunity to make a replica. In fact, the justification for 
     the latest proposal of the Philippine government is fatally 
     flawed. The Bells of Balangiga played no part at all in 
     Admiral Dewey's defeat of the Spanish Navy at Manila Bay in 
     1898. Subsequently, that naval defeat forced the Spanish to 
     relinquish control of the Philippine Islands to the U.S. The 
     soldiers killed were from Fort D.A. Russell and were ordered 
     to the Philippine Islands because a savage guerrilla war had 
     broken out after the conclusion of the Spanish-American War 
     of 1898. Therefore, we believe the bells have no significance 
     or connection to the celebration of Philippine independence.
       Kenneth Weber, Commander of the VFW Department of Wyoming, 
     expressed the feelings of local Wyoming veterans and 
     supporters when he said, ``The members of the Veterans of 
     Foreign Wars of the United States . . . will not stand idle 
     and allow a sacred memorial to those soldiers killed while 
     doing their duty to be dismantled.''
       We believe the Wyoming veterans are correct on this issue. 
     The bells should stay right where they are--in Wyoming and 
     with the 9th Regiment.
           Respectfully,
     Kenneth A. Steadman, Executive Director.
                                  ____



                                    VFW, Department of Wyoming

                                                 December 5, 1997.
     Kenneth Weber,
     Torrington, WY.
       The VFW Department of Wyoming is making the following 
     statement on behalf of its veterans for immediate media 
     release:
       As the Commander of the Department of Wyoming Veterans of 
     Foreign Wars, I have followed the current debate concerning 
     the Bells of Balangiga with a great deal of interest. It is 
     becoming apparent that this issue is not going away soon. Two 
     of three bells are located at the Cheyenne's F.E. Warren Air 
     Force Base as a permanent memorial to Fort D.A. Russell 
     soldiers who lost their lives in 1901 as a result of hostile 
     action during the Philippine rebellion. American soldiers 
     stationed at then Fort D.A. Russell, now Warren Air Force 
     Base, were ordered to the Philippine Islands because of a 
     savage guerrilla war which had broken out following the 
     Spanish-American War of 1898.
       Now the Republic of the Philippines, as they have several 
     times in the past, has requested the return of one or both 
     bells to their country. This time, their justification is 
     apparently to celebrate their 100 year anniversary of 
     independence from Spain. The interesting part of their 
     argument, is the simple fact that the Bells of Balangiga 
     played no role in Admiral Dewey's defeat of the Spanish Navy 
     at Manila Bay in 1898 and Spain's subsequent relinquishing 
     control of the Philippine Islands to the United States 
     government.
       Evidently, the current posturing by the Republic of the 
     Philippines is only another attempt to have the Bells of 
     Balangiga returned. The United States government has 
     repeatedly, and for all the right reasons, refused to return 
     the bells to them.
       The members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, a veterans 
     organization whose roots go back to the Spanish-American War 
     of 1898, will not stand idle and allow a sacred memorial to 
     those soldiers killed while doing their duty be dismantled. 
     We can only continue to hope that the people who have taken 
     the time to speak out in favor of returning the bells would 
     get their facts straight before engaging the media in any 
     further debate. When all the facts are known regarding the 
     circumstances surrounding the Bells of Balangiga, any 
     compromise offer with the Philippine government remains 
     unacceptable.
           Sincerely yours,
                                                    Kenneth Weber,
     Commander.
                                  ____



                            United Veterans Council of Wyoming

                                     Cheyenne, WY, March 27, 1998.
     The President of the United States,
     William Jefferson Clinton
     Washington, DC.
       Dear President Clinton: Member organizations of the United 
     Veterans Council of Wyoming, Inc. are in receipt of White 
     House letter dated March 26, 1998 asking the Wyoming 
     Congressional Delegation to reevaluate the compromise 
     approach to resolving the bells of Balangiga question, and we 
     would like to respond.
       Wyoming veterans are aware of the long-standing ties with 
     the Philippines during World War II, and after. We have taken 
     into account the fact that U.S. veterans and our allies lived 
     among the Filipinos during the war, fought shoulder to 
     shoulder with them, and together defeated the Japanese 
     invaders to preserve Philippine freedom and way of life. Many 
     died retaking the Philippine islands from Japanese forces. 
     Veterans who believe the bells should remain in Wyoming do so 
     without malice towards the people of the Philippines. No one 
     denies the contributions and sacrifices made by the Filipinos 
     during

[[Page S2985]]

     the war effort and to continued prosperity afterwards. We 
     clearly understand honor, comradeship, and the sacrifices 
     veterans of both countries have made.
       We believe that we have made our reasons for not 
     compromising on the return of the bells very clear. As the 
     VFW and others have continually pointed out, the bells of 
     Balangiga played no part in Admiral Dewey's defeat of the 
     Spanish navy at Manila Bay in 1898, three years before the 
     bells were used to signal the 1901 massacre of US soldiers 
     garrisoned within the village of Balangiga. The premeditated 
     massacre was particularly brutal on the surprised and 
     outnumbered soldiers. We believe that the bells have no 
     significance or connection to this centennial year of 
     celebration of the Philippine's independence from Spain.
       As stated in a recent article from the Manila Times, it is 
     known that the Philippine government is designing a war 
     memorial to the Balangiga Bells, rather than for their use as 
     a symbol of independence from Spain. It appears that 
     representatives of the Philippine government are not being 
     straightforward regarding their true intentions, if a bell is 
     returned.
       The Philippine government has yet to present a compelling 
     argument justifying a reversal of the U.S. government's long-
     standing decision to not return the bells. Mr. Berger says, 
     ``he understands the concerns of those who are worried that 
     any altercation of the existing monument might cause present 
     day Americans to forget the sacrifices of past generations.'' 
     Though Mr. Berger shares our worries, it appears that our 
     government, by continuing on its present course, will allow 
     such sacrifices to be forgotten sooner than later. It is an 
     affront to the soldiers who died, and their survivors, to 
     suggest that a permanent memorial be dismantled for no better 
     reasons than are being provided by the Philippine government.
           Sincerely yours,
                                                        Jim Lloyd,
     President.
                                  ____



                                           Wyoming Delegation,

                                                  January 9, 1998.
     President Bill Clinton,
     The White House, Washington, DC.
       Dear President Clinton: The Wyoming delegation wishes to 
     express our opposition to any plan to remove the Bells of 
     Balangiga from F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, 
     Wyoming, to the Philippines. Many times and for many years, 
     the government of the Philippines has tried to have the bells 
     returned. The United States government has rightfully 
     rejected every attempt. Most recently, there have been 
     proposals by the Philippine government and in Congress to 
     transfer one of the original bells to the Philippines and 
     keep one at F.E. Warren. We find this ``compromise'' proposal 
     wholly unacceptable and an affront to the soldiers massacred 
     in Balangiga.
       The Philippines became an American possession after the 
     Spanish-American War, but peace in the islands was delayed by 
     a bloody civil war. American soldiers at Fort D.A. Russell, 
     now F.E. Warren Air Force Base, were sent to the Philippines 
     as part of the American military force dispatched to the 
     area. On September 29, 1901, guerilla forces on the island of 
     Samar used the bells to sound a surprise attack on American 
     troops stationed in the village of Balangiga. Of the 76 
     Americans stationed in Balangiga, only 20 returned home. The 
     survivors brought the bells back to Wyoming as a memorial to 
     their fallen comrades.
       Wyoming's many veterans, represented by the Veterans of 
     Foreign Wars and the American Legion, strongly oppose 
     removing the bells. For our veterans the bells serve as a 
     constant reminder of the men who died in that surprise 
     attack. The Wyoming delegation has always opposed desecrating 
     this memorial for the same reason.
       Preserving this memorial will serve as a symbol that 
     American troops who serve around the world will not be 
     forsaken. It also reaffirms to the world that the United 
     States will protect its forces serving around the world if 
     they are attacked.
       On behalf of America's soldiers who have made the ultimate 
     sacrifice, please join with us in refusing all present and 
     future efforts to dismantle this memorial.
           Sincerely,
     Craig Thomas,
       U.S. Senator.
     Michael B. Enzi,
       U.S. Senator.
     Barbara Cubin,
       Member of Congress.
                                  ____

                                      The White House, Washington,
                                                   March 26, 1998.
       Dear Senator Thomas: Thank you for your letter concerning 
     the bells of Balangiga and the proposed compromise solution 
     for addressing this issue. I am writing on behalf of the 
     President to request that you not oppose the compromise 
     solution. We believe it effectively takes into account the 
     interests and sensitivities of both American veterans and the 
     people of the Philippines.
       I understand American forces brought the two bells of 
     Balangiga to Wyoming following the Philippine insurrection of 
     1901, and that they currently are on display at F.E. Warren 
     Air Force Base in Cheyenne. As you may know, Philippine 
     President Fidel Ramos is eager to explore the possibility of 
     returning at least one of the bells during this centennial 
     year of the Philippines' declaration of independence from 
     Spain. President Ramos will be the President's guest at the 
     White House on April 10, 1998. The bells of Balangiga will be 
     one of the principal issues on the discussion agenda.
       I appreciate the importance of the bells to Wyoming 
     veterans who consider them to be symbols of the supreme 
     sacrifice American soldiers, sailors and airmen often have 
     had to make far from home. At the same time, Filipinos see 
     the bells as representative of a struggle for national 
     independence lasting more than five centuries.
       Our longstanding ties with the Philippines were forged in 
     the intense combat of World War II by tens of thousands of 
     Americans and Filipinos. Growing out of this experience is a 
     relationship, which is closer on a person-to-person level 
     than with any other country in East Asia. The Philippines is 
     a key ally in the Asia Pacific and shares our commitment to 
     democratic and free market principles. Presidential elections 
     in May of this year will re-enforce the democratic traditions 
     and institutions Filipinos have so eagerly embraced.
       I believe a compromise solution, by which the United States 
     and the Philippines would each retain custody of one of the 
     original bells, offers a unique opportunity to honor both the 
     American soldiers who gave their lives in the town of 
     Balangiga and the centennial celebration of the Philippines' 
     first step toward democracy. I understand the concerns of 
     those who are worried that any alteration of the existing 
     monument might cause present day Americans to forget the 
     sacrifices of past generations. But the historical 
     significance of Balangiga rests on the fact that today the 
     United States and the Philippines are united in a common 
     cause of promoting stability and prosperity throughout the 
     Asia Pacific region. I urge you and your colleagues from the 
     Wyoming Congressional Delegation to reevaluate the compromise 
     approach to resolving the bells of Balangiga question.
           Sincerely,
                                                 Samuel R. Berger,
         Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs.

  Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, I rise to join my colleague, the senior 
Senator from my state of Wyoming, in the effort to safeguard the 
integrity of the nation's military memorials from the politically 
expedient demands of foreign governments--in this case the so-called 
``Bells of Balangiga'' war memorial located in Wyoming's capital city 
of Cheyenne. I too, am amazed that such legislation is necessary. 
Amazed, but not surprised. After all, this is a President who seems to 
have no qualms about throwing overboard those states and communities 
who have not proven politically valuable to him. I recall his 
unilateral Utah land grab of the Grand Escalante. I also recall that 
he, with the Vice President at his side, signed the Presidential 
directive for that action in Arizona, so unpopular was it in the State 
of Utah. His unilateral forest roads construction moratorium is another 
such example of his proclivity for government by executive fiat.
  Many people contend that church bells are not a fitting subject for a 
war memorial. The circumstances surrounding these particular bells, 
however, are not normal. As the Senior Senator from Wyoming related, 
those bells were not used by Philippino insurgents to call the faithful 
to prayer that harrowing morning. They were used instead to signal the 
massacre of Wyoming troops as they sat down, unarmed, to breakfast. Of 
the 74 officers and men in the garrison, only twenty survived. Eye 
witness accounts had some of the attackers disguised as women, their 
weapons hidden beneath their dresses. Many others smuggled their 
weapons into the village hidden in the coffins of children. Under those 
circumstances, one must conclude that the bells in question were used 
to kill. Consequently I feel their use as the subject for a war 
memorial is wholly appropriate.
  This is especially true in light of their intended purpose if 
returned to the Philippines. As everyone concedes, the Philippine 
government desires the return of these bells in time for their 100th 
anniversary of independence. Apparently, these bells do not represent a 
religious symbol for the Philippine government either.
  Most significant of all, however, is the purpose they currently 
serve. Contrary to the assumptions of many, they do not memorialize 
American foreign policies of the time. Nor do they serve as a tribute 
to our political system, America's turn of the century notions of race 
relations, or the performance of the American troops who served there 
during that conflict. Rather, these bells memorialize one thing and one 
thing only: The tragic and premature deaths of 54 young men who 
volunteered to do the bidding of the American people. For this purpose 
I believe

[[Page S2986]]

these bells serve as a most fitting memorial indeed and I am opposed to 
its dismantlement.
  It is time to honor our veterans, our war dead, and the principle 
that in this country, we do not submit to government by Presidential 
fiat. I ask the support of my colleagues for this legislation.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. GORTON:
  S. 1904. A bill to amend the Elwha River Ecosystem and Fisheries 
Restoration Act to provide further for the acquisition and removal of 
the Elwha dam and acquisition to Glines Canyon dam and the restoration 
of the Elwha River ecosystem and native anadromous fisheries, and for 
other purposes; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.


    the elwha river ecosystem and fisheries restoration act of 1998

  Mr. GORTON. Mr. President, six months ago, I came to the floor of the 
United States Senate to announce my reluctant support for removing one 
of two dams on the Elwha River on the Olympic Peninsula. Today, after 
spending countless hours working with interested Washington State 
residents, I am introducing legislation to accomplish this difficult 
and costly endeavor provided certain conditions are met.
  As I mentioned in my statement last fall, I have never been 
enthusiastic about the idea of dam removal on the Elwha River as a 
means to enhance declining salmon runs on the river. For many years, 
national environmental groups, the Clinton Administration, much of the 
Northwest media, and many Northwest elected officials have pushed for 
removal of both dams from the Elwha River. In 1992, I supported 
legislation to begin the process of having the government acquire both 
of these dams with an eye toward removing them someday. While I have 
always been enthusiastic about the federal government buying these two 
dams from a local paper company, I continue to be skeptical toward 
claims that salmon runs will see a significant benefit through dam 
removal on the Elwha River. Anyone who believes otherwise needs to ask 
him why salmon runs on nearby rivers on the Olympic Peninsula with no 
dams are doing just as poorly.
  I am quite certain, however, that there are clear costs to dam 
removal. The taxpayers must pay at least $65 million to remove just one 
dam on the Elwha River. Power generation will be lost, and in the case 
of the Elwha River dams, serious questions remain about the potential 
damage to the City of Port Angeles' water supply. As I weigh these 
costs against the potential benefits to salmon, I have generally 
inclined against dam removal.
  Unfortunately, the issue isn't as simple as a cost-benefit analysis. 
There is a wild card over which I have no control that could have a 
devastating effect on the Port Angeles community. The lower Elwha River 
dam produces a tiny amount of power--only a quarter of the amount of 
power produced by the upper Elwha River dam and a minuscule amount in 
comparison to our productive Snake and Columbia River dams. In 
addition, the lower Elwha River dam is in poor physical condition.
  These two factors, combined with the desire of the Interior Secretary 
to tear down a dam, have me concerned that there is a very real and 
growing threat that a federal judge or the Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission (FERC) could order removal of the Elwha River dams without 
Congressional approval.
  A court or agency ordered removal will impose all of the costs of 
removing the dams on the local community, jobs will be destroyed, and 
Port Angeles' supply of clean drinking water will be threatened. The 
risk of court or agency action is too great and will leave the local 
community in a terrible position if a judge, or a Washington, DC 
bureaucrat, suddenly decides he needs to be in charge of this issue.
  Instead, if Congress acts, we can remove the wild card and assure an 
important level of community protection. Thus, I have conditioned my 
support for this dam's removal on certain legislated protection for 
Port Angeles' water supply and protection for the jobs created by the 
local mill. No legislation to remove the dam will pass the U.S. Senate 
without these protections while I am a member.
  As a result of these recent developments and circumstances beyond my 
control, this comprehensive package will complete the federal 
government's acquisition of both Elwha River dams, authorizes removal 
of one dam, while at the same time protecting local economic interests.
  Over the last three years, the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee 
that I chair has appropriated $11 million of the $29.5 million 
necessary to complete the acquisition of the projects. Acquisitions of 
the projects is extremely important to the future economic health of 
the Port Angeles community. While the James River Corporation currently 
holds title to the projects, Daishowa America, as local owner of the 
directory paper mill and second largest employer in Clallam County, 
uses energy from the dams. Clearly, continued uncertainty over the fate 
of these dams reduces the competitive position of the mill and inhibits 
future investment in the plant and its equipment.
  My bill amends the 1992 Act and calls for completion of acquisition 
of the projects. As Chairman of the Subcommittee that controls the 
purse strings for this project, I have every intention of allocating 
the remaining $18.5 million needed to complete acquisition as part of 
the $699 million worth of additional Land and Water Conservation Fund 
dollars that we appropriated last year and have yet to be spent.
  In addition to committing to fund the removal of the Elwha project 
should it become law, my bill prohibits the Secretary from removing the 
larger dam, better known as the Clines Canyon Project, for 12 years. 
Many have asked why we can't remove both dams simultaneously. My answer 
is that I prefer the phased approach to restoration of the river 
spelled out by the Elwha Citizens Advisory Committee in its 1996 
report.
  The Committee, which is comprised of a diverse array of local 
interests, cautions against simultaneous removal of both dams. As an 
appropriations subcommittee chairman, I can tell them that they are 
absolutely correct because it is simply unrealistic to expect 
sufficient funds immediately to remove both projects. More importantly, 
immediate removal of both projects would have unpredictable 
consequences for the community's water supply--something my bill is 
careful to protect--and would needlessly forgo a valuable economic and 
recreational resource that can be put to use to accomplish restoration 
activities.
  When the 12 year moratorium has expired, my bill allows the Secretary 
to remove the upper dam provided he determines that the benefits of dam 
removal to salmon restoration and the natural state of the river 
outweighs the importance of the project's power generation capabilities 
and the recreational value of the lake that was created by its 
construction. The 12 year waiting period also spells out several 
important steps that the Secretary must take to evaluate the impact 
removing one dam has on fish runs. I firmly believe that should we 
decide one day to remove the second dam, we will do a far better job if 
we take the time to learn from the challenges of removing the first dam 
before deciding on the fate of the second one. Should the Secretary 
determine that it is necessary to remove the Glines Canyon project 
before 12 years have gone by, nothing in the bill I am offering today 
prevents him from seeking Congressional approval to do so.
  Finally with regard to the Elwha River, my bill takes several 
important steps to project the local community from the potentially 
adverse impacts of dam removal. They include: (1) protecting the 
quality and quantity of the community's existing water supply to meet 
current and future demands; (2) continued protection of James River and 
Daishowa from potential liability; and (3) compensation for Clallam 
County for further loss of tax revenue due to federal acquisition of 
the projects.
  As a Senator who takes pride in trying to represent all interests in 
my state, I have also taken great interest in the concerns of my 
constituents in eastern Washington, who while not directly impacted by 
the removal of the Elwha dam, have legitimate fears that something 
similar could happen to a dam on the Columbia or Snake Rivers. Clearly 
some groups and agency officials within the Clinton-Gore Administration 
want to use the removal of

[[Page S2987]]

Elwha River dams as a first step toward removing or severely limiting 
the effectiveness of Columbia River system hydroelectric dams. Already, 
the Army Corps of Engineers is evaluating dam removal on the Snake 
River as a legitimate option. The Corps has even taken the 
unprecedented step of paying Pacific Northwest residents $12 to fill 
out a totally biased survey in favor of dam removal to build support 
for this cause.
  I will never support such efforts to cripple the world's most 
productive hydro system. As the source of the nation's lowest power 
rates, water for irrigating productive farmland in three states, and a 
cost effective transportation system that moves our agricultural 
products to market, these dams are truly the lifeblood of our economy 
in the Pacific Northwest.
  While Columbia River dams have hurt salmon runs, that damage was felt 
primarily in the 1930's and 1940's. Since the last Columbia River dam 
was constructed we still had large and healthy salmon runs. The last 
decade's decline in Columbia River salmon runs cannot be honestly 
attributed solely to our hydroelectric facilities.
  Nevertheless, we can and should do more for salmon especially by 
acting in a more coordinated way to restore this vital resource. But 
the costs associated with removing dams on the Snake and Columbia 
Rivers will vastly exceed any potential benefit that might occur in 
terms of salmon restoration.
  Rather than working cooperatively with local communities directly 
impacted by the Columbia-Snake Resource on a rational policy that 
balances the rivers' important uses, the Clinton-Gore Administration 
has chosen a combative policy. Its approach punishes people who make 
their livelihoods from this resource and who have made good faith 
efforts to reach out and work together.
  Another example of the draconian actions federal agencies are using 
against ordinary people who depend on the Columbia Snake River System 
for their livelihoods is the National Marine Fisheries Service's 
recently announced Columbia Basin water policy. The NMFS approach seeks 
to discourage or even eliminate any new additional water withdrawals 
for municipal, industrial, or irrigation development within the Basin. 
The NMFS policy goes even further in challenging the legislative 
authority of states to regulate, manage, and allocate water rights. If 
adopted, the NMFS policy would effectively abrogate state authority to 
grant future water rights for such uses. By calling for a review of 
existing water withdrawals, the policy postures toward challenging 
existing state-granted water rights. The agency has completely ignored 
the efforts of local irrigators to work together on a plan that 
balances the rivers' competing uses. Moreover, the agency has taken 
this direction without Congressional approval.
  Given the out-of-control nature of agencies like the Corps and NMFS 
to go beyond their statutory authority to severely compromise the 
Columbia-Snake system as well as their eagerness to tear down a 
Columbia-Snake River dam, I would not be surprised to see this 
administration try to fulfill its dream without Congressional approval.
  The people of my state are simply fed up with this top down approach 
and my bill attempts to do something about it. In addition to 
prohibiting the removal or breach of any dam on the Columbia or Snake 
Rivers, my bill prohibits any federal or state agency from taking the 
following actions without an act of Congress:
  (1) Impairing flood control activities on the Columbia-Snake system;
  (2) Reducing the power and energy generating capacity of federally 
owned and federally licensed projects to unaffordable levels;
  (3) Further restricting access to the Columbia or Snake River for 
irrigation and recreational use;
  (4) Impairing the river navigation system; and
  (5) Restricting state water rights.
  I look forward to working with the Administration and my colleagues 
from the Pacific Northwest on building support for my proposal. If the 
Administration can not bring itself to support something very close to 
what's in the Columbia-Snake River section of this bill, we will know 
just how serious it is about dam removal in eastern Washington. I have 
made major concessions to bring myself to support removal of a dam even 
though I find the policy a dubious one, and if the administration is 
serious about preserving the effectiveness of the Columbia-Snake system 
it will support my proposal.

                          ____________________