[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 48 (Tuesday, March 25, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4378-S4382]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
By Mr. BUNNING (for himself, Mr. Smith, and Mr. Graham of
Florida):
S. 698. A bill to clarify the status of the Young Men's Christian
Association Retirement Fund for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986; to the Committee on Finance.
Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce a bill of
critical importance to the over 90,000 participants and beneficiaries
of the YMCA pension plan. This issue affects the 656 hard-working YMCA
employees in Kentucky that initially brought this problem to my
attention.
With its presence felt in more than 10,000 communities nationwide,
YMCA is the Nation's largest community service organization. Each year
YMCA employees deliver important health and social services to over
17.9 million Americans. The YMCA mission to ``put Christian principles
in practice through programs that build healthy spirit for mind, body,
for all'' is indeed a very noble endeavor. YMCAs serve people of all
faiths, incomes, ages, and race. This generous organization never turns
people away for inability to pay.
YMCA's strength is in both its dedicated employees and the people
they bring together through its service. Each local YMCA is tailored to
the specific needs of the community in which it serves. The employees
of the YMCA do God's work each day. This bill ensures that they will
continue to receive the pensions they have earned and deserve.
With over $3 billion in assets, the YMCA pension plan has been in
place for over 80 years. The plan has always been considered as a
``church pension plan.'' There are no problems with the operation of
the plan and the IRS has said it is in full compliance--with one
possible exception.
Generally, in order to be considered a ``church plan'' the sponsoring
organization must be affiliated with a specific church. Traditionally,
the YMCA has not affiliated with any one church, but has instead
identified with a ``Christian affiliation.'' This bill would clarify
that the plan will continue to be a ``church plan'' despite the fact
that the YMCA is not limited to one specific church or religious
denomination. It is important that Congress clarifies this technicality
to ensure that the beneficiaries of the YMCA pension plan receive the
benefits they have earned and deserve.
______
By Mr. CAMPBELL (for himself and Mr. Biden):
S. 700. A bill to provide for the promotion of democracy, human
rights, and rule of law in the Republic of Belarus and for the
consolidation and strengthening of Belarus sovereignty and
independence; to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. President, as Co-Chairman of the Commission on
Security and Cooperation in Europe, I have closely monitored
developments in the Republic of Belarus and informed my Senate
colleagues of disturbing trends in that nation. I have met with members
of this fledgling democratic opposition who, at great personal risk,
dare to speak out against the repressive regime led by Alexander
Lukashenka. I have met with the courageous wives whose husbands
disappeared because they stood up to the regime and would not be
silent. Against the backdrop of this climate of fear, the powers of the
state have been brought to bear against independent journalists, trade
unionists, and other voices of dissent.
Increasingly, Belarus has been driven into self-imposed isolation
under Lukashenka devoid of legitimate leadership or accountability. A
little over a year ago I addressed the Senate to voice concern over
reported arms deals between the regime and rouge states, including
Iraq. It appears that such sales have taken on greater importance as
the Belarusian economy spirals downward.
While some might be tempted to dismiss Belarus as an anomaly, the
stakes are too high and the costs too great to ignore. Accordingly,
today, I am introducing the Belarus Democracy Act of 2003, which is
designed to help put an end to repression and human rights violations
in Belarus and to promote Belarus' entry into a democratic Euro-
Atlantic community of nations.
As a participating State in the Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe, OSCE, Belarus has accepted a series of norms in
the areas of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. As Europe's
last dictator, Lukashenka continues to brashly trample the fundamental
rights of his own people and their culture.
As I alluded to earlier, independent media, non-governmental
organizations, trade unions and the democratic opposition have had to
operate under extremely difficult conditions, often facing serious
mistreatment and an orchestrated campaign of harassment. Despite the
repressions there are courageous individuals who support democracy have
not been silenced. Two weeks ago, for example, Alexander Yarashuk, the
leader of the Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions, called on
Lukashenka to immediately cease backing Saddam. Moreover, just last
week, on March 12, thousands gathered peacefully in a central Minsk
square to protest deteriorating economic and social conditions in
Belarus. Four of the rally's organizers--Andrei Sannikov, Ludmila
Gryaznova, Dmitry Bondarenko and Leonid Malakhov--were given 15 day
jail sentences for ``participation in unauthorized mass actions.''
Despite calls for change within Belarus, and considerable prodding
from the international community, Lukashenka has shown no desire to
deviate from his path of authoritarianism and personal profit at the
expense of his own people. A few months ago, Lukashenka, who
effectively controls the Belarusisn parliament, signed into law a new,
repressive religion law. Local elections held earlier this month
followed the pattern of Belarus' 2000 parliamentary and 2001
presidential elections--they were a joke. Control of election
commissions, denials of registration for opposition candidates, ``early
voting'' and outright falsifications were the norm.
The Belarus Democracy Act of 2003 would authorize additional
assistance for democracy-building activities such as support for NGOs,
independent media, including radio and television broadcasting to
Belarus, and international exchanges. It also encourages free and fair
parliamentary elections, which have been notably absent in Belarus.
This bill would also deny high-ranking officials of the Lukashenka
regime entry into the United States. Additionally, strategic exports to
the Belarusian Government would be prohibited, as well as U.S.
Government financing except for humanitarian goods and agricultural or
medical products. The U.S. executive directors of the international
financial institutions would be encouraged to vote against financial
assistance to the Government of Belarus except for loans and assistance
for humanitarian needs. The bill would also require reports from the
President concerning the sale of delivery of weapons or weapons-related
technologies from Belarus to rouge states, including Iraq and North
Korea.
I am very pleased that the Ranking Member of the Committee on Foreign
Relations, Senator Biden, is an original cosponsor of this measure. His
support will ensure that we proceed on a bipartisan basis as we work to
ensure the timely adoption and implementation of this legislation.
The goal of the Belarus Democracy Act is to assist Belarus in
becoming a genuine European state, in which respect for human rights
and democracy is the norm and in which the long-suffering Belarusian
people are able to overcome the legacy of dictatorship--past and
present. Adoption and implementation of the Belarus Democracy Act will
offer a ray of hope that the current period of political, economic and
social stagnation will indeed end. The people of Belarus deserve a
chance for a brighter future free of repression and fear.
[[Page S4379]]
I ask unanimous consent that the text of the Belarus Democracy Act be
printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the
Record, as follows:
S. 700
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Belarus Democracy Act of
2003''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) The United States supports the promotion of democracy,
respect for human rights, and the rule of law in the Republic
of Belarus consistent with its commitments as a participating
state of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in
Europe (OSCE).
(2) The United States has a vital interest in the
independence and sovereignty of the Republic of Belarus and
its integration into the European community of democracies.
(3) The last parliamentary election in Belarus deemed to be
free and fair by the international community was conducted in
1995 from which emerged the 13th Supreme Soviet whose
democratically and constitutionally derived authorities and
powers have been usurped by the authoritarian regime of
Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenka.
(4) In November 1996, Lukashenka orchestrated an illegal
and unconstitutional referendum that enabled him to impose a
new constitution, abolish the duly-elected parliament, the
13th Supreme Soviet, install a largely powerless National
Assembly, and extend his term of office to 2001.
(5) In May 1999, democratic forces in Belarus challenged
Lukashenka's unconstitutional extension of his presidential
term by staging alternative presidential elections which were
met with repression.
(6) Democratic forces in Belarus have organized peaceful
demonstrations against the Lukashenka regime in cities and
towns throughout Belarus which led to beatings, mass arrests,
and extended incarcerations.
(7) Victor Gonchar, Anatoly Krasovsky, and Yuri Zakharenka,
who have been leaders and supporters of the democratic forces
in Belarus, and Dmitry Zavadsky, a journalist known for his
critical reporting in Belarus, have disappeared and are
presumed dead.
(8) Former Belarus Government officials have come forward
with credible allegations and evidence that top officials of
the Lukashenka regime were involved in the disappearances.
(9) The Lukashenka regime systematically harasses and
represses the independent media and independent trade unions,
imprisons independent journalists, and actively suppresses
freedom of speech and expression.
(10) The Lukashenka regime harasses the autocephalic
Belarusian Orthodox Church, the Roman Catholic Church, the
Jewish community, the Hindu Lights of Kalyasa community,
evangelical Protestant churches (such as Baptist and
Pentecostal groups), and other minority religious groups.
(11) The Law on Religious Freedom and Religious
Organizations, passed by the National Assembly and signed by
Lukashenka on October 31, 2002, establishes one of the most
repressive legal regimes in the OSCE region, severely
limiting religious freedom and placing excessively burdensome
government controls on religious practice.
(12) The United States, the European Union, the North
Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Parliamentary Assembly,
and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly have not recognized the
National Assembly.
(13) The parliamentary elections of October 15, 2000,
conducted in the absence of a democratic election law, were
illegitimate, unconstitutional, and plagued by violent human
rights abuses committed by the Lukashenka regime, and have
been determined by the OSCE to be nondemocratic.
(14) The presidential election of September 9, 2001, was
determined by the OSCE and other observers to be
fundamentally unfair, to have failed to meet OSCE commitments
for democratic elections formulated in the 1990 Copenhagen
Document, and to have featured significant and abusive
misconduct by the Lukashenka regime, including--
(A) the harassment, arrest, and imprisonment of opposition
members;
(B) the denial of equal and fair access by opposition
candidates to state-controlled media;
(C) the seizure of equipment and property of independent
nongovernmental organizations and press organizations, and
the harassment of their staff and management;
(D) voting and vote counting procedures that were not
transparent; and
(E) a campaign of intimidation directed against opposition
activists, domestic election observation organizations, and
opposition and independent media, and a libelous media
campaign against international observers.
SEC. 3. ASSISTANCE TO PROMOTE DEMOCRACY AND CIVIL SOCIETY IN
BELARUS.
(a) Purposes of Assistance.--Assistance under this section
shall be available for the following purposes:
(1) To assist the people of the Republic of Belarus in
regaining their freedom and to enable them to join the
European community of democracies.
(2) To encourage free and fair presidential, parliamentary,
and local elections in Belarus, conducted in a manner
consistent with internationally accepted standards and under
the supervision of internationally recognized observers.
(3) To assist in restoring and strengthening institutions
of democratic governance in Belarus.
(b) Authorization for Assistance.--To carry out the
purposes set forth in subsection (a), the President is
authorized to furnish assistance and other support for the
activities described in subsection (c), to be provided
primarily for indigenous groups in Belarus that are committed
to the support of democratic processes in Belarus.
(c) Activities Supported.--Activities that may be supported
by assistance under subsection (b) include--
(1) the observation of elections and the promotion of free
and fair electoral processes;
(2) the development of democratic political parties;
(3) radio and television broadcasting to and within
Belarus;
(4) the development of nongovernmental organizations
promoting democracy and supporting human rights;
(5) the development of independent media working within
Belarus and from locations outside Belarus, and supported by
nonstate-controlled printing facilities;
(6) international exchanges and advanced professional
training programs for leaders and members of the democratic
forces in matters central to the development of civil
society; and
(7) other activities consistent with the purposes of this
Act.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--
(1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated to
the President to carry out this section $40,000,000 for
fiscal years 2004 and 2005.
(2) Availability of funds.--Amounts appropriated pursuant
to the authorization of appropriations under paragraph (1)
are authorized to remain available until expended.
SEC. 4. RADIO BROADCASTING TO BELARUS.
(a) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this section to
authorize increased support for United States Government and
surrogate radio broadcasting to the Republic of Belarus that
will facilitate the unhindered dissemination of information
in Belarus.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--In addition to such
sums as are otherwise authorized to be appropriated, there is
authorized to be appropriated $5,000,000 for each fiscal year
for Voice of America and RFE/RL, Incorporated for radio
broadcasting to the people of Belarus in languages spoken in
Belarus.
(c) Report on Radio Broadcasting to and in Belarus.--Not
later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this
Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to the appropriate
congressional committees a report on how funds appropriated
and allocated pursuant to the authorizations of
appropriations under subsection (b) and section 3(d) will be
used to provide AM and FM broadcasting that covers the
territory of Belarus and delivers independent and uncensored
programming.
SEC. 5. SANCTIONS AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT OF BELARUS.
(a) Application of Sanctions.--The sanctions described in
subsections (c) and (d), and any sanction imposed under
subsection (e) or (f), shall apply with respect to the
Republic of Belarus until the President determines and
certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that
the Government of Belarus has made significant progress in
meeting the conditions described in subsection (b).
(b) Conditions.--The conditions referred to in subsection
(a) are the following:
(1) The release of individuals in Belarus who have been
jailed based on political or religious beliefs.
(2) The withdrawal of politically motivated legal charges
against all opposition figures and independent journalists in
Belarus.
(3) A full accounting of the disappearances of opposition
leaders and journalists in Belarus, including Victor Gonchar,
Anatoly Krasovsky, Yuri Zakharenka, and Dmitry Zavadsky, and
the prosecution of the individuals who are responsible for
their disappearances.
(4) The cessation of all forms of harassment and repression
against the independent media, independent trade unions,
nongovernmental organizations, religious organizations
(including their leadership and members), and the political
opposition in Belarus.
(5) The implementation of free and fair presidential and
parliamentary elections in Belarus consistent with
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)
standards on democratic elections and in cooperation with
relevant OSCE institutions.
(c) Prohibition on Strategic Exports to Belarus.--
(1) Prohibition.--No computers, computer software, goods,
or technology intended to manufacture or service computers,
or any other related goods or technology, may be exported to
Belarus for use by the Government of Belarus, or by its
military, police, prison system, or national security
agencies. The prohibition in the preceding sentence shall not
apply with respect to the export of goods or technology for
democracy-building or humanitarian purposes.
(2) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection shall
prevent the issuance of licenses to ensure the safety of
civil aviation and safe operation of commercial passenger
[[Page S4380]]
aircraft of United States origin or to ensure the safety of
ocean-going maritime traffic in international waters.
(d) Prohibition on Loans and Investment.--
(1) United states government financing.--No loan, credit
guarantee, insurance, financing, or other similar financial
assistance may be extended by any agency of the United States
Government (including the Export-Import Bank and the Overseas
Private Investment Corporation) to the Government of Belarus,
except with respect to the provision of humanitarian goods
and agricultural or medical products.
(2) Trade and development agency.--No funds available to
the Trade and Development Agency may be available for
activities of the Agency in or for Belarus.
(e) Denial of Entry Into United States of Certain Belarus
Officials.--
(1) Denial of entry.--It is the sense of Congress that, in
addition to the sanctions provided for in subsections (c) and
(d), the President should use the authority under section
212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C.
1182(f)) to deny the entry into the United States of any
alien who--
(A) holds a position in the senior leadership of the
Government of Belarus; or
(B) is a spouse, minor child, or agent of a person
described in subparagraph (A).
(2) Senior leadership of the government of belarus
defined.--In this subsection, the term ``senior leadership of
the Government of Belarus'' includes--
(A) the President, Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Ministers,
government ministers, Chairmen of State Committees, and
members of the Presidential Administration of Belarus;
(B) any official of the Government of Belarus who is
personally and substantially involved in the suppression of
freedom in Belarus, including judges and prosecutors; and
(C) any other individual determined by the Secretary of
State (or the Secretary's designee) to be personally and
substantially involved in the formulation or execution of the
policies of the Lukashenka regime in Belarus that are in
contradiction of internationally recognized human rights
standards.
(f) Multilateral Financial Assistance.--It is the sense of
Congress that, in addition to the sanctions provided for in
subsections (c) and (d), the Secretary of the Treasury should
instruct the United States Executive Director of each
international financial institution to which the United
States is a member to use the voice and vote of the United
States to oppose any extension by those institutions of any
financial assistance (including any technical assistance or
grant) of any kind to the Government of Belarus, except for
loans and assistance that serve humanitarian needs.
(g) Waiver.--The President may waive the application of any
sanction described in this section with respect to Belarus if
the President determines and certifies to the appropriate
congressional committees that it is important to the national
interests of the United States to do so.
SEC. 6. MULTILATERAL COOPERATION.
It is the sense of Congress that the President should
continue to seek to coordinate with other countries,
particularly European countries, a comprehensive,
multilateral strategy to further the purposes of this Act,
including, as appropriate, encouraging other countries to
take measures with respect to the Republic of Belarus that
are similar to measures provided for in this Act.
SEC. 7. ANNUAL REPORTS.
(a) Reports.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, and every year thereafter, the
President shall transmit to the appropriate congressional
committees a report that describes, with respect to the
preceding 12-month period, the following:
(1) The sale or delivery of weapons or weapons-related
technologies from the Republic of Belarus to any country, the
government of which the Secretary of State has determined,
for purposes of section 6(j)(1) of the Export Administration
Act of 1979 (50 U.S.C. App. 2405(j)(1)), has repeatedly
provided support for acts of international terrorism.
(2) An identification of each country described in
paragraph (1) and a detailed description of the weapons or
weapons-related technologies involved in the sale.
(3) An identification of the goods, services, credits, or
other consideration received by Belarus in exchange for the
weapons or weapons-related technologies.
(4) The personal assets and wealth of Aleksandr Lukashenka
and other senior leadership of the Government of Belarus.
(b) Form.--A report transmitted pursuant to subsection (a)
shall be in unclassified form but may contain a classified
annex.
SEC. 8. DECLARATION OF POLICY.
Congress hereby--
(1) expresses its support to those in the Republic of
Belarus seeking--
(A) to promote democracy, human rights, and the rule of law
and to consolidate the independence and sovereignty of
Belarus; and
(B) to promote the integration of Belarus into the European
community of democracies;
(2) expresses its grave concern about the disappearances of
Victor Gonchar, Anatoly Krasovsky, Yuri Zakharenka, and
Dmitry Zavadsky;
(3) calls upon the Lukashenka regime in Belarus to cease
its persecution of political opponents or independent
journalists and to release those individuals who have been
imprisoned for opposing his regime or for exercising their
right to freedom of speech;
(4) calls upon the Lukashenka regime to end the pattern of
clear, gross, and uncorrected violations of relevant human
dimension commitments of the Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and to respect the basic
freedoms of speech, expression, assembly, association,
language, culture, and religion or belief;
(5) calls upon the Government of the Russian Federation to
use its influence to encourage democratic development in
Belarus so that Belarus can become a democratic, prosperous,
sovereign, and independent state that is integrated into
Europe;
(6) calls upon the Government of Belarus to resolve the
continuing constitutional and political crisis in Belarus
through--
(A) free, fair, and transparent presidential and
parliamentary elections in Belarus, as called for by the
OSCE;
(B) respect for human rights in Belarus;
(C) an end to the current climate of fear in Belarus;
(D) meaningful access by the opposition to state media in
Belarus;
(E) modification of the electoral code of Belarus in
keeping with OSCE commitments;
(F) engagement in genuine talks with the opposition in
Belarus; and
(G) modifications of the constitution of Belarus to allow
for genuine authority for the parliament; and
(7) commends the democratic opposition in Belarus for their
commitment to freedom, their courage in the face of the
repression of the Lukashenka regime, and the emergence of a
pluralist civil society in Belarus--the foundation for the
development of democratic political structures.
SEC. 9. DEFINITION.
In this Act, the term ``appropriate congressional
committees'' means--
(1) the Committee on International Relations of the House
of Representatives; and
(2) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate.
______
By Mr. BAUCUS (for himself and Mr. Grassley):
S. 701. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to
encourage contributions of capital gain real property made for
conservation purposes; to the Committee on Finance.
Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, today I re-introduced the Rural Heritage
Conservation Act, along with my good friend Senator Grassley from Iowa.
I would like to say a few words about why this bill is so important to
my home state of Montana and to the Nation.
We are losing precious agricultural and ranch lands at a record pace.
Farming and ranching are the backbone of my state, comprising the
largest sector of my state's economy. Not only do these farms and
ranches provide Montana and the Nation with the highest quality food
and fiber, they also provide wildlife habitat, open space and peace of
mind. It is imperative that we help our hard-working farmers and
ranchers preserve this precious heritage and their way-of-life.
Conservation easements have been tremendously successful in
preserving open space and wildlife habitat. Unfortunately, the way
current tax law is structured makes it difficult for farmers and
ranchers, who generally don't have much income, to take advantage of
the tax benefits associated with donating conservation easements.
They've been left behind by this important conservation tool. That's
why I introduced the Rural Heritage Conservation Act. My bill will
provide targeted income tax relief to small farmers and ranchers who
wish to make a charitable contribution of a qualified conservation
easement.
The Rural Heritage Conservation Act would allow eligible farmers and
ranchers to increase the amounts of deduction that may be taken
currently for charitable contributions of qualified conservation
easements by raising the Adjusted Gross Income limitations to 100
percent and extending the carryover period from 5 years to 15 years. In
the case of all of the landowners, the AGI limitation would be raised
from 30 percent to 50 percent.
This is a win-win situation--farmers and ranchers will be able to
preserve their important agricultural and ranching lands for future
generations, while continuing to operate their businesses and stay on
their land. It's a purely voluntary, incentive-based way to promote
conservation. It will allow us to bring people together. Landowners,
conservationists, the federal government, and local communities all can
work together to preserve our precious natural resources.
This legislation is vitally important to Montana, and to every other
state in
[[Page S4381]]
the Nation where important agricultural or ranching lands are being
lost to rapid development, and a way-of-life is disappearing. I ask my
colleagues to join with me and Senator Grassley to pass this bill as
soon as possible and send it to the President's desk. We have to act
now.
______
By Mr. INOUYE (for himself and Mr. Akaka):
S. 702. A bill to amend the Native Hawaiian Health Care Improvement
Act to revise and extend that Act; to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce a bill to
reauthorize the Native Hawaiian Health Care Improvement Act. Senator
Akaka joins me in sponsoring this measure.
The Native Hawaiian Health Care Improvement Act was enacted into law
in 1988, and has been reauthorized every four years since that time.
The Act provides authority for a range of programs and services
designed to improve the health care status of the Native people of
Hawaii.
With the enactment of the Native Hawaiian Health Care Improvement Act
and the establishment of Native Hawaiian health care systems on most of
the islands that make up the State of Hawaii, we have witnessed
significant improvements in the health status of Native Hawaiians, but
as the findings of unmet needs and health disparities set forth in this
bill make clear, we still have a long way to go.
For instance, Native Hawaiians have the highest cancer mortality
rates in the State of Hawaii--rates that are 21 percent higher than the
rate for the total State male population and 64 percent higher than the
rate for the total State female population. Nationally, Native
Hawaiians have the third highest mortality rate as a result of breast
cancer.
With respect to diabetes, in 2000, Native Hawaiians had the highest
mortality rate associated with diabetes in the State--a rate which is
138 percent higher than the statewide rate for all racial groups.
When it comes to heart disease, the mortality rate of Native
Hawaiians associated with heart disease is 68 percent higher than the
rate for the entire State, and the mortality rate for hypertension is
84 percent higher than that for the entire State.
These statistics on the health status of Native Hawaiians are but a
small part of the long list of data that makes clear that our objective
of assuring that the Native people of Hawaii attain some parity of good
health comparable to that of the larger U.S. population has not yet
been achieved.
______
By Mr. HAGEL (for himself and Mr. Nelson of Nebraska):
S. 703. A bill to designate the regional headquarters building for
the National Park Service under construction in Omaha, Nebraska, as the
``Carl T. Curtis National Park Service Midwest Regional Headquarters
Building''; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Mr. HAGEL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of
the bill be printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the
Record, as follows:
S. 703
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. DESIGNATION OF CARL T. CURTIS NATIONAL PARK
SERVICE MIDWEST REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS BUILDING.
The regional headquarters building for the National Park
Service under construction in Omaha, Nebraska, shall be known
and designated as the ``Carl T. Curtis National Park Service
Midwest Regional Headquarters Building''.
SEC. 2. REFERENCES.
Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper,
or other record of the United States to the regional
headquarters building referred to in section 1 shall be
deemed to be a reference to the Carl T. Curtis National Park
Service Midwest Regional Headquarters Building.
______
By Ms. COLLINS (for herself, Mr. Warner, and Mr. McCain):
S. 704. A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to increase the
amount of the death gratuity payable with respect to decreased members
of the Armed forces; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce legislation on
behalf of my self and Senator Warner that will provide increased
support for the families of those brave men and women in the armed
forces who make the ultimate sacrifice in service to our Nation. The
bill I introduce will raise the amount paid to the next-of-kin of
military personnel killed while on active duty from $6,000 to $12,000.
Further, it makes this increase retroactive to September 11, 2001.
Like all Americans, I have been greatly saddened by the loss of life
in recent days during our operations in Iraq. While all of us
understand the dangers whenever the Commander-in-Chief sends our troops
into harm's way, that does not lessen the shock and sadness we all have
felt as we learn of the loss of lives and see the cruel video of
American POWs held in Iraq.
In the initial days of the war, two Marines with ties to Main lost
heir lives. Both Captain Jay Aubin and Corporal Brian Kennedy, who
perished in a helicopter crash in the Kuwaiti desert, have parents
living in Maine. I came to this floor yesterday to express my
condolences to their families, and declare my commitment to ensuring
that their sacrifice is remembered.
I can think of no better way to honor their memories, and the
memories of other Americans who have given their lives, than to ensure
that their loved ones receive the care that they need and deserve. The
last time that the death gratuity was raise was in 1991, during the
period of the last Gulf War. At that time, it was increased from $3,000
to 6,000. It well past time for the Congress to move forward and
increase this amount to better recognize the sacrifices of these
families.
The death gratuity is commonly provided within 72 hours to the family
of the servicemember who is killed while on active duty. This amount,
while a small solace to a grieving family, assist them with their
immediate financial needs. It is our obligation as a Nation to ensure
that those families receive every support we can provide during such a
terrible time. Just as important, as our troops enter into combat they
need to be confident that, should the worst occur, that their family
will have the support they need.
We can never fully repay the debt of our Nation to those who have
laid down their lives for our Nation. The best we can do is honor their
memory, ensure that their sacrifice is not in vain, and help provide
for their families. The bill I have introduced will send a message to
our brave young men and women that their Nation if grateful for their
service.
______
By Mr. McCAIN (for himself, Mr. Graham of South Carolina, and Mr.
Allen):
S. 705. A bill to amend title 37, United States Code, to alleviate
delay in the payment of the Selected Reserve reenlistment bonus to
members of Selected Reserve who are mobilized; to the Committee on
Veteran's Affairs.
Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of
the bill be printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the
Record, as follows:
S. 705
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. PAYMENT OF SELECTED RESERVE REENLISTMENT BONUS TO
MEMBERS OF SELECTED RESERVE WHO ARE MOBILIZED.
Section 308b of title 37, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by redesignating subsections (d), (e), and (f) as
subsections (e), (f), and (g), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after subsection (c) the following new
subsection (d):
``(d) Payment to Mobilized Members.--In the case of a
member entitled to a bonus under this section who is called
or ordered to active duty, any amount of such bonus that is
payable to the member during the period of active duty of the
member shall be paid the member during that period of active
duty, notwithstanding the service of the member on active
duty pursuant to such call or order to active duty.''.
______
By Mr. McCAIN (for himself, Mr. Graham of South Carolina, and Mr.
Allen):
S. 706. A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to provide
Survivor Benefit Plan annuities for surviving spouses of Reserves not
eligible for retirement who die from a cause incurred or aggravated
while on inactive-
[[Page S4382]]
duty training; to the Committee on Armed Services.
Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of
the bill be printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the
Record, as follows:
S. 706
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SURVIVOR BENEFIT PLAN ANNUITIES FOR SURVIVING
SPOUSES OF RESERVES NOT ELIGIBLE FOR RETIREMENT
WHO DIE FROM A CAUSE INCURRED OR AGGRAVATED
WHILE ON INACTIVE-DUTY TRAINING.
(a) Surviving Spouse Annuity.--Paragraph (1) of section
1448(f) of title 10, United States Code, is amended to read
as follows:
``(1) Surviving spouse annuity.--The Secretary concerned
shall pay an annuity under this subchapter to the surviving
spouse of--
``(A) a person who is eligible to provide a reserve-
component annuity and who dies--
``(i) before being notified under section 12731(d) of this
title that he has completed the years of service required for
eligibility for reserve-component retired pay; or
``(ii) during the 90-day period beginning on the date he
receives notification under section 12731(d) of this title
that he has completed the years of service required for
eligibility for reserve-component retired pay if he had not
made an election under subsection (a)(2)(B) to participate in
the Plan; or
``(B) a member of a reserve component not described in
subparagraph (A) who dies from an injury or illness incurred
or aggravated in line of duty during inactive-duty
training.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--The heading for subsection (f)
of section 1448 of such title is amended by inserting ``or
Before'' after ``Dying When''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section
shall take effect as of September 10, 2001, and shall apply
with respect to performance of inactive-duty training (as
defined in section 101(d) of title 10, United States Code) on
or after that date.
____________________