[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 38 (Wednesday, March 10, 1999)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D250-D253]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

Committee Meetings
FEDERAL CROP INSURANCE PROGRAM REVIEW
Committee on Agriculture: Subcommittee on Risk Management, Research, 
and Specialty Crops held a hearing on Review of the Federal Crop 
Insurance Program. Testimony was heard from Kenneth D. Ackerman, 
Administrator, Risk Management Agency, USDA.
AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural 
Development, FDA, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Farm and 
Foreign Agriculture Services. Testimony was heard from the following 
officials of the USDA: August Schumacher, Under Secretary, Farm and 
Foreign Agricultural Service; Kenneth D. Ackerman, Administrator, Risk 
Management Agency; and Keith Kelly, Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
COMMERCE, JUSTICE, STATE, AND JUDICIARY APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State, 
and Judiciary held a hearing on the Secretary of State, and on The 
Supreme Court. Testimony was heard from Madeline Albright, Secretary of 
State; and the following Associate Justices of the Supreme Court: David 
H. Souter; and Clarence Thomas.
DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense held a hearing on 
fiscal year 2000 Air Force Budget. Testimony was heard from F. Whitten 
Peters, Acting Secretary of the Air Force, Department of Defense.
  The Subcommittee also met in executive session to hold a hearing on 
the fiscal year 2000 Air Force Acquisition Program. Testimony was heard 
from the following Principal Deputy Assistant Secretaries of the Air 
Force, Department of Defense: Lt. Gen. Gregory S. Martin, USAF, 
(Acquisitions); and Darleen A. Druyan, (Acquisitions and Management).
INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior held a hearing on 
the Secretary of Agriculture, and on the Forest Service. Testimony was 
heard from the

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following officials of the USDA: Dan Glickman, Secretary; James R. 
Lyons, Under Secretary, Natural Resources and Environment; and Michael 
Dombeck, Chief, Forest Service.
LABOR-HHS-EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human 
Services, and Education held a hearing on Vocational and Adult 
Education, Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Educational 
Research and Improvement, and Howard University. Testimony was heard 
from the following officials of the Department of Education: Patricia 
W. McNeil, Assistant Secretary, Vocational and Adult Education; Judith 
E. Heumann, Assistant Secretary, Special Education and Rehabilitative 
Services; Cyril Kent McGuire, Assistant Secretary, Educational Research 
and Improvement; and H. Patrick Swygert, President, Howard University.
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Military Construction held 
a hearing on Quality of Life. Testimony was heard from the following 
officials of the Department of Defense: Sergeant Major, Robert E. Hall, 
USA; Master Chief Petty Officer, James L. Herdt, USN; Sergeant Major, 
Lewis G. Lee, USMC; and Chief Master Sergeant, Eric W. Benken, USAF.
TRANSPORTATION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Transportation held a 
hearing on Aviation Safety and Security. Testimony was heard from the 
following officials of the Department of Transportation: Alexis M. 
Stefani, Deputy Assistant Inspector General, Aviation; Jane F. Garvey, 
Administrator, FAA; and Cathal I. Flynn, Associate Administrator, Civil 
Aviation Security, FAA; and James E. Hall, Chairman, National 
Transportation Safety Board.
VA-HUD-INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on VA, HUD, and Independent 
Agencies held a hearing on Department of Housing and Urban Development. 
Testimony was heard from Andrew Cuomo, Secretary of Housing and Urban 
Development.
U.S. POLICY ON IRAQ
Committee on Armed Services: Held a hearing on the U.S. policy on Iraq. 
Testimony was heard from R. James Woolsey, former Director, CIA; John 
Hillen, Senior Fellow for Political-Military Studies, Center for 
Strategic and International Studies and Thomas A. Keaney, Executive 
Director, Foreign Policy Institute, School of Advanced International 
Studies, Johns Hopkins University.
PHARMACY REDESIGN AND TRICARE CLAIMS PROCESSING
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Military Personnel held a 
hearing on pharmacy redesign and TRICARE claims processing. Testimony 
was heard from Sue Bailey, Assistant Secretary (Health Affairs), 
Department of Defense; Stephen P. Backhus, Director, Veterans' Affairs 
and Military Health Care Issues, GAO; and public witnesses.
MORALE, WELFARE AND RECREATION PROGRAMS
Committee on Armed Services: Special Oversight Panel on Morale, 
Welfare, and Recreation held a hearing on morale, welfare and 
recreation programs and resale activity oversight. Testimony was heard 
from the following officials of the Department of Defense: Gail McGinn, 
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary (Personnel Support, Families and 
Education); Rudy de Leon, Under Secretary (Personnel and Readiness); 
Brig. Gen. Craig B. Whelden, USA, Commanding General, Community and 
Family Support Command; Maj. Gen. Robert L, VanAntwerp, Jr., USA, 
Assistant Chief of Staff (Installation Management); Maj. Gen. Barry 
Bates, USA, Commander, Army and Air Force Exchange Service, all with 
the Department of the Army; Rear Adm. James B. Hinkle, USN, Assistant 
Commander, Personnel Command; Philip G. Short, Director, Personal and 
Family Readiness, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps; Vice Adm. James F. 
Amerault, USN, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Logistics); Lt. Gen. 
Jack W. Klimp, USMC, Deputy Chief of Staff, Manpower and Reserve 
Affairs; Rear Adm. Richard T. Ginman, USN, Commander, Navy Exchange 
Service Command; and Philip G. Short, Director, Personal and Family 
Readiness, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, all with the Department of 
the Navy; Arthur Myers, Director of Services; Lt. Gen. John W. Handy, 
USAF, Deputy Chief of Staff (Installations and Logistics), both with 
the Department of the Air Force; and Maj. Gen. Richard E. Beale, Jr., 
(USA, Ret.), Director; Alan L. Flowers, Category Manager, Health and 
Beauty Aids; and William T. Wood, Buyer, Breakfast Cereals and 
Nutritional Snacks, all with the Defense Commissary Agency.
FINANCIAL SERVICES ACT
Committee on Banking and Financial Services: Continued markup of the 
Financial Services Act of 1999.
  Will continue tomorrow.

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EXXON-MOBILE MERGER
Committee on Commerce: Subcommittee on Energy and Power held a hearing 
on the Exxon-Mobil merger. Testimony was heard from William J. Baer, 
Director, Bureau of Competition, FTC; Jay Hakes, Administrator, Energy 
Information Administration, Department of Energy; and Michael McAlevey, 
Deputy Director, Division of Corporate Finance, SEC.
  Hearings continue tomorrow.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES; REPORT; OVERSIGHT--CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE; 
BUDGET VIEWS AND ESTIMATES
Committee on Government Reform: Ordered reported the following bills: 
H.R. 807, amended, Federal Reserve Board Portability Act; and H.R. 858, 
District of Columbia Court Employees Whistleblower Protection Act of 
1999.
  The Committee also approved the following: a draft report entitled: 
``A Citizen's Guide On Using the Freedom of Information Act and the 
Privacy Act of 1974 to Request Government Records;'' and the 
Committee's Budget Views and Estimates for fiscal year 2000 for 
submission to the Committee on the Budget.
  The Committee held an oversight hearing on Cardiovascular Disease: Is 
the Federal Government Doing More Harm Than Good? Testimony was heard 
from the following officials of the NIH, Department of Health and Human 
Services: Claude Lenfant, M.D., Director, National Heart, Lung, and 
Blood Institute; and Donald A. B. Lindberg, M.D., Director, National 
Library of Medicine; Joan Z. Bernstein, Director, Bureau of Consumer 
Protection, FTC; and public witnesses.
COMMITTEE BUSINESS
Committee on House Administration: Met to consider pending Committee 
business.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES; U.S. ROLE IN KOSOVO
Committee on International Relations: Began markup of H. Con. Res. 24, 
expressing congressional opposition to the unilateral declaration of a 
Palestinian state and urging the President to assert clearly United 
States opposition to such a unilateral declaration of statehood.
  Will continue tomorrow.
  The Committee also held a hearing on the U.S. Role in Kosovo. 
Testimony was heard from former Senator Bob Dole of Kansas; the 
following former Secretaries of State: Henry A. Kissinger; and Jeane 
Kirkpatrick; and public witnesses.
INDEPENDENT COUNSEL ACT REAUTHORIZATION
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Commercial and 
Administrative Law held an oversight hearing on the reauthorization of 
the Independent Counsel Act. Testimony was heard from the following 
former Attorney Generals: William P. Barr; and Benjamin R. Civiletti; 
and public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--JUVENILE JUSTICE
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime held an oversight 
hearing on putting consequences back into juvenile justice, Federal, 
State, and local efforts. Testimony was heard from the following 
officials of the Department of Justice: Kevin DiGregory, Deputy 
Assistant Attorney General, Criminal Division; and Sherry Scheel 
Matteucci, U.S.Attorney, State of Montana; and a public witness.
  Hearings continue tomorrow.
RESOURCE PROTECTION
Committee on Resources: Concluded hearings on the following bills: H.R. 
701, Conservation Reinvestment Act of 1999 and H.R. 798, to provide for 
the permanent protection of the resources of the United States in the 
year 2000 and beyond. Testimony was heard from Senator Boxer; 
Representatives McGovern and Chambliss; Governor Thomas R. Carper, 
State of Delaware; and public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--WARNER CREEK TIMBER SALE
Committee on Resources: Task Force on Warner Creek met in executive 
session to discuss the Warner Creek Timber Sale and related matters.
PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS IN KOSOVO RESOLUTION
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, a modified open rule 
providing 2 hours of debate on H. Con. Res. 42, Peacekeeping Operations 
in Kosovo Resolution. The rule provides that the concurrent resolution 
shall be open to amendment at any point. The rule makes in order only 
those amendments printed in the Congressional Record. The rule provides 
that each amendment printed in the Congressional Record may be offered 
only by the Member who caused it to be printed or his designee, and 
each amendment shall be considered as read. The rule allows for the 
Chairman of the Committee of the Whole to postpone votes during 
consideration of the resolution, and to reduce voting time to five 
minutes on a postponed question, if the vote follows a fifteen minute 
vote. Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit with or without 
instructions. Testimony was heard from Chairman Gilman and 
Representative Gejdenson.

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FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION AUTHORIZATION ACT
Committee on Rules: Granted, by voice vote, an open rule providing 1 
hour of debate on H.R. 819, Federal Maritime Commission Authorization 
Act of 1999. The rule provides that the bill shall be open for 
amendment at any point. The rule authorizes the Chair to accord 
priority in recognition to Members who have preprinted their amendments 
in the Congressional Record. The rule allows for the Chairman of the 
Committee of the Whole to postpone votes during consideration of the 
bill, and to reduce voting time to five minutes on a postponed question 
if the vote follows a fifteen minute vote. Finally, the rule provides 
one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Testimony was 
heard from Representative Gilchrest.
OVERSIGHT--DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY BUDGET AUTHORIZATION
Committee on Science: Subcommittee on Energy and the Environment held 
an oversight hearing on fiscal year 2000 Budget Authorization Request: 
Department of Energy--Offices of Energy Efficiency and Renewable 
Energy, Fossil Energy, and Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology. 
Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of 
Energy: Dan Reicher, Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and 
Renewable Energy; William D. Magwood, IV, Director, Office of Nuclear 
Energy, Science and Technology; and Robert S. Kripowicz, Acting 
Assistant Secretary, Fossil Energy.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on 
Aviation continued hearings on the following bills: H.R. 700, Airline 
Passenger Bill of Rights Act of 1999; H.R. 780, Passenger Entitlement 
and Competition Enhancement Act of 1999; and H.R. 908, Aviation 
Consumer Right To Know Act of 1999. Testimony was heard from public 
witnesses.
CAPITAL ASSET PLANNING
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Health held a hearing 
on Veterans Health Administration capital asset planning. Testimony was 
heard from Stephen P. Backhus, Director, Veterans' Affairs and Military 
Health Care Issues, Health, Education, and Human Services, Division, 
GAO; Thomas Garthwaite, M.D., Deputy Under Secretary, Health, 
Department of Veterans Affairs; and a public witness.
STEEL IMPORTS; BUDGET REVENUE PROVISIONS
Committee on Ways and Means: Ordered adversely reported H.R. 975, to 
provide for a reduction in the volume of steel imports, and to 
establish a steel import notification and monitoring program.
  The Committee also held a hearing on Revenue Provisions in the 
Administration's Fiscal Year 2000 Budget. Testimony was heard from 
Representative Etheridge; Donald C. Lubick, Assistant Secretary, Tax 
Policy, Department of the Treasury; and public witnesses.