[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 72 (Monday, June 12, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4951-S4952]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       MANSFIELD PACIFIC RETREAT

 Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, I rise today to salute the 
successful completion of the Fourth Annual Mansfield Pacific Retreat. 
The focus of this retreat centered upon ``Urban Air Quality Issues in 
the Asia-Pacific Region.''
  Pacific Rim air quality is very timely and important matter for 
discussion. Environmental and public health research in the United 
States and Asia has increasingly shown that people living in urban 
areas are exposed to high levels of pollutants. This exposure can cause 
many impacts such as developmental problems in children, asthma, 
pneumonia, cancer, and even premature death in the elderly or sensitive 
populations. The U.S. has removed lead from its fuel supply for several 
of these reasons. Soon, because of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 
which I shepherded through the Congress, EPA will be issuing a 
comprehensive urban air toxins reduction strategy. I am hopeful that 
this will be a model for other nations to consider.
  I applaud the Mansfield Retreats' participants to discuss these 
critical issues in depth, and I look forward to their recommendations 
about how to resolve these issues.

[[Page S4952]]

  Along, that line, Mr. President, I would like to insert for the 
Record the Final Retreat Declaration.

              Mansfield Pacific Retreat--Final Declaration

       The Fourth Annual Mansfield Pacific Retreat was held in 
     Kumamoto, Japan from May 29-June 1, hosted by the Maureen and 
     Mike Mansfield Center of the University of Montana and with 
     special support from the Kumamoto Prefectural Government.
       The theme of the Fourth Annual Retreat was ``Common 
     Issues--Shared Solutions: Environmental Issues and Technology 
     in the Asia-Pacific Region.'' The Retreat participants placed 
     emphasis on urban air equality and discussed solutions to 
     these common problems via new technologies and partnerships.
       The Retreat featured representation from Japan, South 
     Korea, China and the United States. Delegates were drawn from 
     the sectors of government, academia, non-governmental 
     organizations and private corporations.
       In discussing the topic of urban air quality, the Retreat 
     participants focused on the following observations. First, 
     there was a clear consensus that environmental problems in 
     the urban context extended across borders and were truly 
     transnational in their nature. Delegates acknowledged that 
     solutions to these problems needed to focus on greater 
     collaboration among affected governments and societies across 
     the Asia-Pacific region for the benefit of our children and 
     planet. At the same time, there was recognition of the 
     important and timely contributions that participants outside 
     the government could provide.
       Representatives from among the private sector acknowledged 
     their involvement in urban environmental issues and offered 
     insight on the availability of new and appropriate 
     technologies. In addition, the participants confirmed that 
     they would maintain the trust and relationships established 
     through the Retreat in order to address shared problems in 
     local, regional, and international contexts.
       Retreat members paid tribute to the efforts of Senator and 
     Ambassador Mike Mansfield who has devoted nearly six decades 
     of his life to fostering greater understanding among nations 
     in Asia. The participants expressed their appreciation to 
     representatives from Montana and Minamata who shared their 
     experiences in how communities have responded to local 
     environmental crises. The accounts related to the Clark Fork 
     River cleanup in Montana and Minamata City's transformation 
     into a model environmental city.
       The Retreat participants offered tribute to the late 
     Governor George Fukushima whose dynamic vision made the 
     Mansfield Pacific Retreat a reality in Kumamoto. At the same 
     time, delegates thanked Governor Shiotani for her support of 
     the Retreat. The tireless efforts of the Kumamoto Prefectural 
     and Mansfield Center staffs in organizing and supporting the 
     Retreat were appreciated.
       In conclusion, the Retreat delegates noted that the Fifth 
     Retreat will be held in Glacier National Park, Montana in 
     September 2001.

  Mr. President, I believe that this declaration is evidence of a 
commendable venture of which I have had the honor of participating in 
the past three successful events. Over the years, it has been a 
pleasure to work with Madame Li Xiaolin and the China People's 
Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, and Dr. Phillip West 
and Ambassador Mark Johnson from the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Center 
in Missoula, Montana. Their vision, dedication and cooperation make the 
Retreats a success year after year.
  I congratulate them and look forward to the fifth annual Mansfield 
Pacific Retreat when it will be held in my home state of Montana next 
year.

                          ____________________