[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 7 (Wednesday, February 2, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S301-S302]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 REIMBURSEMENTS FOR THE WTO MINISTERIAL

  Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I come to the floor today as part of my 
on-going work to ensure that the city of Seattle gets the money it 
should receive for security costs incurred during the 1999 World Trade 
Organization Ministerial.
  Mr. President, I have been working with the city of Seattle, the 
administration, and others on this issue for more than a year and let 
me say that I welcome Senator Gorton's interest in this topic earlier 
today.
  Actually, back in 1994, I worked to resolve a similar problem 
associated with Seattle's hosting of the Asia Pacific Economic 
Cooperation forum. In 1994, working with the Clinton administration, we 
were able to provide the

[[Page S302]]

city of Seattle with close to $1 million for APEC related costs.
  Mr. President, for the record, I want to walk my colleagues through 
some of the history of the issue of the funding of the WTO that was 
discussed on the floor earlier today.
  From the moment Seattle was awarded the WTO Ministerial meeting, I 
worked with the city of Seattle and others to ensure Seattle was given 
an opportunity to successfully host the WTO. For almost a year, I met 
with the city, the Seattle Host Organization, our Trade Representative 
Charlene Barshefsky and others within the executive branch. At every 
opportunity, I stressed the importance of supporting the city of 
Seattle in its efforts to provide the necessary security arrangements 
to the delegates and other WTO visitors.
  The Clinton administration--in its fiscal year 2000 budget--requested 
$2 million in State Department money for WTO related expenses. This 
request was formulated months before a U.S. host city for the WTO was 
selected. From the very beginning, the Washington congressional 
delegation and WTO organizers in Washington state realized this request 
would be inadequate.
  Beginning in March of 1999, with my appropriations request letter to 
the Commerce, Justice, State appropriations subcommittee, I encouraged 
the Congress to provide $5 million to the State Department for WTO 
related expenses. And I urged the Congress to essentially earmark one-
half of this money for Seattle to meet a portion of the WTO security 
expenses.
  The Senate Commerce, Justice, State bill did provide the State 
Department with $5 million for WTO related expenses, but the House 
version did not. During the conference report, I worked with my 
Washington state congressional colleagues to protect the $5 million in 
new WTO money.
  Unfortunately, the original CJS conference report did not provide new 
money. Instead, it said the State Department could take up to $5 
million for existing accounts and move them over to be used for WTO 
expenses.
  When I saw that language, I was concerned. To me, it increased the 
likelihood that the State Department would not assist Seattle with WTO 
security related costs. Fortunately, as often happens with 
appropriations bills, the final product is a compromise between the 
Congress and the administration.
  On several occasions, I continued to express to the administration 
the need for securing $5 million in new money--rather than relying on 
the State Department to move old money around.
  Mr. President, I asked unanimous consent to print in the Record a 
letter dated September 28, 1999.
  There being no objection, the letter was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                                  U.S. Senate,

                               Washington, DC, September 28, 1999.
     Hon. Judd Gregg,
     Chairman, Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State, and the 
         Judiciary, Senate Appropriations committee, The Capitol, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Gregg: As you know, the World Trade 
     Organization (WTO) Ministerial will be held in Seattle later 
     this year. The Seattle Host Organization is busy preparing to 
     host the largest trade meeting ever held in the United 
     States. About 5,000 official delegates from 135 nations as 
     well as thousands of reporters, demonstrators and other 
     interested parties will converge on Seattle to participate in 
     WTO Ministerial events. In addition, President Clinton and 
     numerous heads of state are expected to attend the meetings 
     and play an active role in the Ministerial.
       The City of Seattle and other local law enforcement 
     officials are spending considerable time and resources 
     preparing for the numerous security issues associated with 
     the high-profile event. The Senate-passed fiscal year 2000 
     Commerce, Justice and State Appropriations Act provides $5 
     million to the State Department for WTO-related expenses. 
     This is the only federal contribution directed to the WTO 
     Ministerial. The House bill, unfortunately, did not include 
     any federal commitment for WTO expenses. In conference, I 
     strongly encourage you to protect the Senate's $5 million WTO 
     appropriation. Additionally, I urge you to include the 
     following report language in the conference report.
       ``Requested Conference Report language: The conference 
     recommendation directs that $5 million be made available from 
     this account for the costs associated with hosting the World 
     Trade Organization conference in Seattle, WA and that 50% of 
     such funds be allocated for reimbursement, through the City 
     of Seattle, of local law enforcement and fire agencies for 
     costs incurred in providing security for the meeting, 
     including costs for overtime and motorcade expenses.''
       I look forward to your continued attention and support for 
     this important issue.
           Sincerely,
                                                     Patty Murray,
                                                     U.S. Senator.

  Mrs. MURRAY. This letter was written to the Commerce, Justice, State 
Appropriations Committee and in close consultation with WTO organizers 
in Seattle, including the City of Seattle. Unfortunately, despite 
efforts by my office and the City of Seattle, no other Senators signed 
the letter urging the Appropriations Committee to provide the WTO 
funding, as well as earmark funds for the City of Seattle.
  I worked to make it a bipartisan letter. Perhaps if other Senators 
had signed the letter when I asked last year, we would have been able 
to provide earmark money for Seattle and avoid part of the problem now 
facing my state, as was discussed by my colleague from Washington 
earlier today.
  The WTO was a difficult period for my constituents. We are continuing 
to deal with the many issues raised for our state during the 
ministerial. The city of Seattle and other local governments have been 
forced to bear $12 million in security costs. this is a far higher cost 
than anyone anticipated. It threatens to force other budget cuts to 
make up for the State Department's refusal to work with my 
constituents.
  Congress--with strong assistance from the President and Vice 
President--did provide $5 million in WTO money. The issue before us now 
is between my constituents--who have been asked to absorb virtually all 
WTO security costs--and the State Department.
  Obviously, this issue will not go away. And I have already begun to 
work with the administration to get further support in forcing the 
State Department to assume some responsibility for the $12 million in 
WTO security costs.
  Now is not the time for the State Department to discredit or deny the 
legitimate issues raised by my constituents. And now is not the time to 
politicize an issue that remains difficult and volatile for my 
constituents. Seattle and Washington state want to heal the WTO wounds
  This administration has been enormously helpful to Washington state 
interests. Across the board, the President and the Vice President, have 
both devoted time, energy and resources to Washington state's problems 
fighting for jobs for aerospace workers, supporting our high tech 
economy, devoting new resources to environmental problems, and 
addressing our difficult transportation problems are all examples of 
the close working relationship between this administration and 
Washington state.
  And I expect the same degree of support in trying to resolve the 
current problem on WTO security related costs incurred by the city of 
Seattle and other local governments in Washington state.
  Mr. President, I encourage my colleagues to join me in working with 
the administration to address this very difficult problem. The best way 
to do this is through cooperation--by trying to convince the State 
Department that in hosting international events, we must be careful not 
to ask local governments to assume costs that are clearly federal 
responsibilities.
  Mr. President, I will continue my efforts to ensure that the city of 
Seattle and other local governments are not left holding the bag, and 
once again, I welcome my colleagues to join me in this effort.

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