[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 110 (Wednesday, September 4, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1490-E1491]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  AMENDMENT TO H.R. 5120, FY03 TREASURY, POSTAL SERVICE APPROPRIATION

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. BOB BARR

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 4, 2002

  Mr. BARR of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, under the Treasury-Postal 
Appropriations Act of 1998, Congress approved funding for ``a national 
media campaign to reduce and prevent drug use among young Americans.''
  Following this directive, the Office of National Drug Control Policy 
(ONDCP) launched the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign. We are 
all familiar with this laudable program, and the powerful messages 
anti-drug messages it delivers across the airwaves to youth and parents 
across the country.
  The Government Reform Committee has been conducting vigorous 
oversight on the Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign since its inception; 
carefully following implementation of the campaign to ensure the 
billions of taxpayer dollars invested are spent judiciously, 
efficiently, and legally.
  However, from the very beginning of the Media Campaign, allegations 
of fraud have surrounded the multi-million dollar contract with the 
media firm Ogilvy & Mather.
  The General Accounting Office (GAO) reported to the Committee 
incidents of false billing practices, sloppy contract management and 
lax oversight. The charges were so serious, the GAO referred its 
findings regarding improper billing practices to the Department of 
Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
  What is so incredible is, despite significant allegations and 
evidence of mismanagement, misconduct and outright fraud, the ONDCP and 
the Department of the Navy, chose to continue to hire Ogilvy & Mather 
as the campaign's media contractor. This is in light of the fact that 
the GAO, for close to two years, had been documenting the incidents of 
suspect charges, falsified time sheets, and disallowed costs.
  In February of this year, Ogilvy & Mather North America agreed to pay 
the government

[[Page E1491]]

to settle claims under the False Claims Act and other administrative 
claims that the firm overcharged the government $1.8 million.
  Moreover, the company is reportedly under criminal investigation by 
the Department of Justice! Yet, notwithstanding this company's 
disgraceful track record, just a few weeks ago, the Navy once again 
entered into a lucrative contract with Ogilvy & Mather, to continue 
providing services in support of the National Youth Anti-Drug Media 
Campaign.
  By the time this new contract expires in July of 2003, this firm 
could potentially receive more than $770 million dollars of taxpayer 
dollars. Given the massive funds already dedicated to a highly suspect 
company, I consider it an affront to the U.S. taxpayer we continue 
throwing good money after bad. This matter is rapidly turning into the 
Enron of the War on Drugs.
  Here we have a firm with a documented track record of fraud and 
mismanagement, and how does the government respond? By rewarding it 
with yet more taxpayer dollars. Not only is this an insult to the 
taxpayer, think of the message we are sending to the youth of America--
the very same youth, I might add, that we are trying to keep off 
drugs--``Cheat once, ok. Cheat twice, fine. Cheat three times; we'll 
keep on giving you another chance, and rewarding you in the bargain.'' 
Is this the kind of message you are comfortable sending to American 
school children? Character and integrity counts across the board, not 
just in selective circumstances.
  Let me be perfectly clear I am a supporter of an effective public 
media campaign to help fight drug use across this nation. This campaign 
is an important part of the war against mind altering drugs, delivering 
a powerful message to youth and families across the nation about the 
dangers of illicit drugs.
  My amendment will not end the Media Campaign. I in no way seek to 
prevent the anti-drug message from being delivered loud and clear.
  In an era of moral relativity, we should be sending a clear message 
to the kids we are trying to keep off drugs: character and integrity 
counts across the board, not just in selective circumstances.
  I ask all Members to join me in passage of my amendment. No more 
excuses. We must do all we can to salvage a workable program, and spend 
public money responsibly. Should we find another approach to reach this 
goal, the Chairman has my commitment to work with him and refine the 
language appropriately as we move through the conference process, and I 
thank Chairman Istook and Ranking Member Hoyer for working with me to 
ensure this issue is addressed appropriately.

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