[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 116 (Thursday, September 9, 1999)]
[House]
[Pages H8084-H8085]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         CHINESE ESPIONAGE AT OUR NATION'S WEAPONS LABORATORIES

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Jones) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, prior to the district work 
period, I came to the floor to discuss an issue on the minds of many 
Americans as well as myself, the issue of Chinese espionage at our 
Nation's weapons laboratories. Over the last month, I spent time with 
the constituents of the third district of North Carolina, which I am 
proud to represent, and they gave me further confirmation that the 
American people are outraged over the loss of our sensitive national 
security information. But what my constituents expressed even greater 
concern with, as I am sure many across this country have, is the 
potential for continued loss of our sensitive nuclear technology.

                              {time}  2045

  In response to their concerns, I gave my word that I would do 
everything as a Member of Congress to ensure the accountability of 
those who have jeopardized the security of our Nation and protect our 
security information for the future, and, Mr. Speaker, I mean it too.
  In July, I had the opportunity to meet with the former director of 
Safeguard and Security for the Department of Energy, Colonel Ed 
McCallum. The Office of Safeguards and Security governs protection of 
the Department of Energy's national security assets including nuclear 
weapons, nuclear material, highly classified information

[[Page H8085]]

and personal clearance. It also investigates security incidents 
involving the loss of nuclear materials and the unauthorized disclosure 
of classified information.
  Colonel McCallum served as director of the office for 9 years under 
former Energy Secretary Hazel O'Leary and then under current Secretary 
Bill Richardson. I first heard Colonel McCallum reveal his side of the 
nuclear spy scandal on the O'Reilly Factor on the Fox News Channel. 
Colonel McCallum was telling of how he and members of his staff made 
continued efforts, Mr. Speaker, to approach both O'Leary and Richardson 
to alert them to the lax security at our weapons labs and the need to 
take measures to prevent possible theft.
  Mr. Speaker, Colonel McCallum reported that time after time he hit 
roadblocks in trying to bring this issue to the attention of both 
Secretaries. Neither O'Leary or Richardson took interest in his 
findings, and neither worked to tighten security. It is little surprise 
then to find out that security secrets were easily targeted by the 
Communist Chinese.
  To prevent similar situations in the future my colleague, the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Weldon), and myself had called for a 
hearing to have Colonel McCallum and members of his staff brief the 
House Committee on Armed Services on the instances in which U.S. 
security was compromised. I am confident the information the colonel 
and his staff can provide will be critical in assisting Congress in its 
efforts to eliminate leakage of sensitive military secrets in the 
future.
  Mr. Speaker, despite what the administration is willing to bet, the 
American people care about the loss of nuclear technology. In fact, 
after I had the opportunity to appear on the O'Reilly Factor to state 
my commitment to pursue this issue I have received a number of 
supportive letters from men and women across the country. One soldier 
in the Army wrote, and I quote:

       I cannot figure out why there is so much apathy among the 
     American people regarding this very serious threat to the 
     security of our country.

  I further quote:

       There are a lot of people like myself who recognize the 
     gravity of this situation and wish to see those responsible 
     held fully accountable for their actions. I do not care how 
     well the economy is doing. It won't mean a thing if China or 
     one of its allies decides to launch a missile strike against 
     this country.

  That is from a member that served in the United States Army.
  Mr. Speaker, a couple wrote another letter I want to share with you. 
It reads, and I quote:

       This is a tragic road America is heading down. We are both 
     grateful to you and others who are working with you to bring 
     light, order, and some justice to what we see as a complete 
     incompetence, lack of integrity, and dishonesty shown by this 
     administration.

  Mr. Speaker, I have a stack of letters just like these I have read to 
you tonight. The message is clear. The American people want you and I 
to stand up to this administration.
  We are a Congress. As a Congress, we must demand that those 
responsible are held accountable for compromising our national 
security, and we must work to prevent future leaks.
  Mr. Speaker, I have offered my commitment and urge my colleagues and 
this Congress to join me in working to protect the security of every 
American citizen because America is special, and we must do everything 
we can to protect our national security of this Nation.

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