[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 47 (Thursday, April 13, 2000)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D374-D377]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

Committee Meetings
(Committees not listed did not meet)
APPROPRIATIONS--FOREIGN OPERATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Foreign Operations 
concluded hearings on proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2001 
for Foreign Operations, after receiving testimony from Madeleine K. 
Albright, Secretary of State.
NATIONAL READING PANEL
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human 
Services, and Education concluded hearings to examine the National 
Reading Panel report, focusing on scientific research-based reading 
instruction and its readiness for application in the classroom, after 
receiving testimony from Duane F. Alexander, Director, National 
Institute of Child Health and Human Services, Department of Health and 
Human Services; Kent McGuire, Assistant Secretary of Education for 
Educational Research and Improvement; and Donald N. Langenberg, 
University System of Maryland, Adelphi, on behalf of the National 
Reading Panel.
IRS REFORM
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Treasury and General 
Government concluded hearings to examine certain Internal Revenue 
Service reform issues, focusing on paperless filing and the return-free 
tax filing system as it relates to the Internal Revenue Service's 
mandate under the IRS Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998, after 
receiving testimony from Charles O. Rossotti, Commissioner, Internal 
Revenue Service, and Leonard E. Burman, Deputy Assistant Secretary of 
Treasury, both of the Department of the Treasury.
APPROPRIATIONS--NASA
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on VA, HUD, and Independent 
Agencies concluded hearings on proposed budget estimates for fiscal 
year 2001 for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, after 
receiving testimony from Daniel S. Goldin, Administrator, NASA.
NOMINATIONS
Committee on Armed Services: Committee ordered favorably reported the 
nominations of Bernard Daniel Rostker, of Virginia, to be Under 
Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, Gregory Robert 
Dahlberg, of Virginia, to be Under Secretary of the Army, and Madelyn 
R. Creedon, of Indiana, to be Deputy Administrator for Defense 
Programs, National Nuclear Security Administration, Department of 
Energy.
DOD ANTHRAX VACCINE
Committee on Armed Services: Committee held hearings to examine issues 
relating to the implementation of the Department of Defense anthrax 
vaccine immunization program, receiving testimony from Rear Adm. Lowell 
E. Jacoby, USN, Director of Intelligence, Office of the Joint Chiefs of 
Staff; Rudy de Leon, Deputy Secretary, David R. Oliver, Principal 
Deputy Under Secretary for Acquisition and Technology, and Maj. Gen. 
Randall L. West, USMC, Special Advisor to the Under Secretary for 
Personnel and Readiness, all of the Department of Defense; Lt. Gen. 
Ronald R. Blanck, USA, Surgeon General of the Army; and Carol R. 
Schuster, Associate Director, National Security Preparedness Issues, 
National Security and International Affairs Division, General 
Accounting Office.
  Hearings recessed subject to call.
SECURITIES MARKETS STRUCTURE
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Committee concluded 
hearings on the evolution of the equity markets and the appropriate 
role of policymakers in this period of rapid change, focusing on 
implications of technology changes and the role of policymakers, after 
receiving testimony from Alan Greenspan, Chairman, Board of Governors, 
Federal Reserve System.
BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Committee ordered 
favorably reported the following business items:
  S. 1755, to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to regulate 
interstate commerce in the use of mobile telephones, with an amendment 
in the nature of a substitute;
  S. 2340, to direct the National Institute of Standards and Technology 
to establish a program to support research and training in methods of 
detecting the use of performance-enhancing substances by athletes, with 
amendments;
  S. 1089, to authorize appropriations for fiscal years 2000, 2001, and 
2002, for the United States Coast Guard, with an amendment in the 
nature of a substitute;
  S. 1482, to amend the National Marine Sanctuaries Act, with an 
amendment;
  S. 1911, to conserve Atlantic highly migratory species of fish, with 
an amendment in the nature of a substitute;
  H.R. 1651, to amend the Fishermen's Protective Act of 1967 to extend 
the period during which reimbursement may be provided to owners of 
United States fishing vessels for costs incurred when such a vessel is 
seized and detained by a foreign country, with amendments;

[[Page D375]]


  S. 2327, to establish a Commission on Ocean Policy;
  S. 1407, to authorize appropriations for the Technology 
Administration of the Department of Commerce for fiscal years 2000, 
2001, and 2002, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute;
  S. 1639, to authorize appropriations for carrying out the Earthquake 
Hazards Reduction Act of 1977, for the National Weather Service and 
Related Agencies, and for the United States Fire Administration for 
fiscal years 2000, 2001, and 2002, with an amendment in the nature of a 
substitute;
  S. 1912, to facilitate the growth of electronic commerce and enable 
the electronic commerce market to continue its current growth rate and 
realize its full potential, to signal strong support of the electronic 
commerce market by promoting its use within Federal government agencies 
and small and medium-sized businesses;
  S. 2046, to reauthorize the Next Generation Internet Act, with an 
amendment in the nature of a substitute;
  S. 442, to authorize the Secretary of Transportation to issue a 
certificate of documentation with appropriate endorsement for 
employment in the coastwise trade for the vessel LOOKING GLASS;
  S. 1261, to authorize the Secretary of Transportation to issue a 
certificate of documentation with appropriate endorsement for 
employment in the coastwise trade for the vessel YANKEE;
  S. 1613, to authorize the Secretary of Transportation to issue a 
certificate of documentation with appropriate endorsement for 
employment in the coastwise trade for the vessel VICTORY OF BURNHAM;
  S. 1614, to authorize the Secretary of Transportation to issue a 
certificate of documentation with appropriate endorsement for 
employment in the coastwise trade for the vessel LUCKY DOG;
  S. 1615, to authorize the Secretary of Transportation to issue a 
certificate of documentation with appropriate endorsement for 
employment in the coastwise trade for the vessel ENTERPRIZE;
  S. 1779, to authorize the Secretary of Transportation to issue a 
certificate of documentation with appropriate endorsement with 
appropriate endorsement for employment in the coastwise trade for the 
vessel M/V SANDPIPER;
  S. 1853, to authorize the Secretary of Transportation to issue a 
certificate of documentation with appropriate endorsement for 
employment in the coastwise trade for the vessel FRITHA; and
  The nominations of Robert Clarke Brown, of Ohio, John Paul 
Hammerschmidt, of Arkansas, and Norman Y. Mineta, of California, each 
to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Washington 
Airports Authority, Carol Jones Carmody, of Louisiana, and John Goglia, 
of Massachusetts, each to be a Member of the National Transportation 
Safety Board, Vice Adm. Thomas H. Collins, U.S. Coast Guard, to be Vice 
Commandant, with the Grade of Vice Admiral, Rear Adm. Ernest R. Riutta, 
U.S. Coast Guard, to be Commander, Pacific Area, with the Grade of Vice 
Admiral, and certain promotion lists in the United States Coast Guard.
NATURAL DISASTER PROTECTION AND INSURANCE
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Committee concluded 
hearings on S. 1361, to amend the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 
1977 to provide for an expanded Federal program of hazard mitigation, 
relief, and insurance against the risk of catastrophic natural 
disasters, such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions, 
after receiving testimony from Stuart E. Eizenstat, Deputy Secretary of 
the Treasury; David L. Keating, National Taxpayers Union, Alexandria, 
Virginia; Franklin W. Nutter, Reinsurance Association of America, 
Washington, DC; Travis Plunkett, Consumer Federation of America, 
Arlington, Virginia; Jack F. Weber, Home Insurance Federation of 
America, Potomac Halls, Virginia; Charles T. Brown, Baker, Wellman, 
Brown Insurance and Financial Services, Kennett, Missouri, on behalf of 
the Independent Insurance Agents of America; and Scott A. Gilliam, 
Cincinnati Insurance Companies, Fairfield, Ohio.
ELECTRIC POWER
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Committee resumed hearings 
on S. 2098, to facilitate the transition to more competitive and 
efficient electric power markets, and to ensure electric reliability, 
S. 2071, to benefit electricity consumers by promoting the reliability 
of the bulk-power system, S. 1369, to enhance the benefits of the 
national electric system by encouraging and supporting State programs 
for renewable energy sources, universal electric service, affordable 
electric service, and energy conservation and efficiency, S. 1284, to 
amend the Federal Power Act to ensure that no State may establish, 
maintain, or enforce on behalf of any electric utility an exclusive 
right to sell electric energy or otherwise unduly discriminate against 
any consumer who seeks to purchase electric energy in interstate 
commerce from any supplier, S. 1273, to amend the Federal Power Act, to 
facilitate the transition to more competitive and efficient electric 
power market, S. 1047, to provide for a more competitive electric power 
industry, S. 516, to benefit consumers by promoting competition in the 
electric power industry, S. 282, to provide that no electric utility 
shall be required to enter

[[Page D376]]

into a new contract or obligation to purchase or to sell electricity or 
capacity under section 210 of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies 
Act of 1978, receiving testimony from Senator Jeffords; Representative 
Barton; New Hampshire State Senator Clifton Below, Concord, on behalf 
of the National Conference of State Legislatures; Benjamin Montoya, 
Public Service Company of New Mexico, Albuquerque, on behalf of the 
Edison Electric Institute; Joseph E. Ronan, Jr., Calpine Corporation, 
San Jose, California, on behalf of the Electric Power Supply 
Association; Ron Moeller, Cargill Corporation, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 
on behalf of the Electricity Consumers Resource Council; Gary 
Zimmerman, Michigan Municipal Electric Association and Michigan Public 
Power Agency, Lansing, on behalf of the American Public Power 
Association; Glenn English, National Rural Electric Cooperative 
Association, Washington, DC; and Alan J. Nogee, Union of Concerned 
Scientists, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
  Hearings will resume on Thursday, April 27.
BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on Environment and Public Works: Committee ordered favorably 
reported the following business items:
  S. 522, to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to improve 
the quality of beaches and coastal recreation water, with an amendment 
in the nature of a substitute;
  H.R. 999, to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to improve 
the quality of coastal recreation waters;
  S. 2370, to designate the Federal Building located at 500 Pearl 
Street in New York City, New York, as the ``Daniel Patrick Moynihan 
United States Courthouse'';
  H.R. 2412, to designate the Federal building and United States 
courthouse located at 1300 South Harrison Street in Fort Wayne, 
Indiana, as the ``E. Ross Adair Federal Building and United States 
Courthouse'';
  S. 2297, to reauthorize the Water Resources Research Act of 1984; and
  The nomination of Edward McGaffigan, Jr., of Virginia, to be a Member 
of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on Foreign Relations: Committee ordered favorably reported 
the following business items:
  Convention On Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of 
Intercountry Adoption, Adopted and Opened for Signature at the 
Conclusion of the Seventeenth Session of the Hague Conference on 
Private International Law on May 29, 1993, with 6 declarations. (Treaty 
Doc. 105-51)
  S. 682, to implement the Hague Convention on Protection of Children 
and Co-operation in Respect of Intercounty Adoption, with an amendment 
in the nature of a substitute;
  S. Res. 271, regarding the human rights situation in the People's 
Republic of China, with amendments;
  S. Res. 272, expressing the sense of the Senate that the United 
States should remain actively engaged in southeastern Europe to promote 
long-term peace, stability, and prosperity; continue to vigorously 
oppose the brutal regime of Slobodan Milosevic while supporting the 
efforts of the democratic opposition and fully implement the Stability 
Pact, with amendments;
  S. Res. 287, expressing the sense of the Senate regarding U.S. policy 
toward Libya;
  S. Res. 289, expressing the sense of the Senate regarding the human 
rights situation in Cuba;
  S. Con. Res. 81, expressing the sense of the Congress that the 
Government of the People's Republic of China should immediately release 
Rabiya Kadeer, her secretary, and her son, and permit them to move to 
the United States if they so desire;
  S. Con. Res. 98, urging compliance with the Hague Convention on the 
Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction;
  H.R. 3707, to authorize funds for the site selection and construction 
of a facility in Taipei, Taiwan suitable for the mission of the 
American Institute in Taiwan, with amendments; and
  The nominations of Carey Cavanaugh, of Florida for the rank of 
Ambassador during his tenure of service as Special Negotiator for 
Nagorno-Karabakh and New Independent States Regional Conflicts, 
Christopher Robert Hill, of Rhode Island, to be Ambassador to the 
Republic of Poland, Thomas G. Weston, of Michigan, for the rank of 
Ambassador during his tenure of service as Special Coordinator for 
Cyprus, Donald Arthur Mahley, of Virginia, for the rank of Ambassador 
during his tenure of service as Special Negotiator for Chemical and 
Biological Arms Control Issues, Gregory G. Govan, of Virginia, for the 
rank of Ambassador during his tenure of service as Chief U.S. Delegate 
to the Joint Consultative Group, Gary A. Barron, of Florida, to be a 
Member of the Board of Directors of the Overseas Private Investment 
Corporation, all of the Department of State, and certain Foreign 
Service Officer promotion lists.
BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on the Judiciary: Committee ordered favorably reported the 
following bills:

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  S. 2058, to extend filing deadlines for applications for adjustment 
of status of certain Cuban, Nicaraguan, and Haitian nationals; and
  S. 2367, to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to make 
improvements to, and permanently authorize, the visa waiver pilot 
program under the Act.
  Also, Committee approved a resolution of issuance of subpoenas 
regarding the appointment of an Independent Counsel pursuant to Rule 
26.
MOTHER TERESA RELIGIOUS WORKERS ACT
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration concluded 
hearings on S. 2406, to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to 
provide permanent authority for entry into the United States of certain 
religious workers, after receiving testimony from Archbishop Adam 
Cardinal Maida, Detroit, Michigan, on behalf of the United States 
Catholic Conference Committee on Migration; Rabbi Steven Weil, Oak 
Park, Michigan, on behalf of the Council of Orthodox Rabbis and 
Rabbinical Council of America and the Orthodox Union; and Ralph W. 
Hardy, Jr., Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Washington, 
DC.
PENSION ASSETS PROTECTION
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: Committee 
concluded hearings to examine issues dealing with protecting pension 
assets in personal bankruptcy, the Employee Retirement Income Security 
Act, and on certain provisions of H.R. 833, to amend title 11 of the 
United States Code (Bankruptcy Reform), after receiving testimony from 
Leslie B. Kramerich, Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for Pension 
and Welfare Benefits Administration; Bruce A. Markell, University of 
Nevada, Las Vegas William S. Boyd School of Law; Virginia Tierney, 
American Association for Retired Persons, and James S. Ray, Connerton 
and Ray, on behalf of the AFL-CIO, both of Washington, DC; Scott J. 
Macey, Actuarial Sciences Associates, on behalf of the ERISA Industry 
Committee; and Ned Burmeister, Trustar Retirement Services, Wilmington, 
Delaware;