[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 19 (Monday, February 23, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1459-S1461]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS

      By Mr. LUGAR:
  S. 2096. A bill to promote a free press and open media through the 
National Endowment for Democracy and for other purposes; to the 
Committee on Foreign Relations.
  Mr. LUGAR. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the International 
Free Press and Open Media Act of 2004.
  This legislation will provide greater focus on, and more coordination 
of, initiatives to develop free, fair, legally protected, and self-
sustaining press and media in the world.
  A free press is enshrined as a cornerstone of democracy in the First 
Amendment to the United States Constitution. The Universal Declaration 
of Human Rights, passed by the United Nations in 1948, also proscribes 
free press and media.
  The United States government through various agencies and programs 
has long been involved in helping to train journalists around the 
world, and establish newspapers, magazines, and radio and television 
stations.
  These programs, however, are not centralized in one bureau or agency. 
Many are orphans to other assistance programs. They are effective in 
training journalists, but they stop short of ensuring that the media in 
a developing country has the necessary legal protections, follows basic 
rules of fairness and equal access, and can sustain itself financially.
  In addition, these existing media programs are not established in 
ways to leverage federal government spending with the assistance of 
America's vibrant media sector. There is a strong desire by our finest 
journalism schools, newspapers, broadcasters, and marketing and 
advertising enterprises to help build free press and open media in the 
world. We also need to engage all the new media, like Internet 
companies and wireless forms of communications.
  To better organize and focus these efforts, this legislation directs 
the Secretary of State to provide funding to the National Endowment for 
Democracy for the work a free press institute. For more than 20 years 
the National Endowment for Democracy has been leading American efforts 
to help build the required democratic institutions of a free society. 
The President's proposed 2005 budget wisely doubles the funding for the 
work of the Endowment.
  It is important to note that the National Endowment for Democracy and 
its four existing institutes--representing the two major political 
parties, business, and labor--have established a reputation in the 
world for integrity and transparency. They are ambassadors of the best 
traditions of American democracy, and they have provided continuity to 
democratization efforts, even as administrations and policies have 
changed.
  Having served on the board of the Endowment for a number of years, as 
have some of my colleagues, I can attest that the independence of the 
NED is central to the success of its initiatives to help develop a free 
press in the world. This bill seeks to employ the uniquely independent 
organization of the NED to accomplish a mission that complements public 
diplomacy, but is separate from it. The U.S. government maintains 
important public diplomacy programs, where the goal is to communicate 
American views to the world. But developing a free press in emerging 
democracies goes beyond advocacy of American views. It requires us to 
have a tolerance for criticism, to take into account cultural 
differences, and to commit to long-term projects. The NED is suited to 
this mission.
  A fully successful U.S. foreign policy requires that we make progress 
in building democratic institutions internationally, especially free 
and open media. Societies that are built on the foundation of a free 
press are far less likely to abuse human rights or threaten American 
security.
  I look forward to the support of my colleagues on this legislation, 
and hope for speedy consideration.
  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. 2096

       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 ``International Free Press and 
     Open Media Act of 2004''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

     Congress makes the following findings:
       (1) It is in the national interest of the United States to 
     promote the development of free press and open media around 
     the world, as such development increases the national 
     security of the United States.
       (2) A free press and open media, including traditional 
     forms of communications such as print media, television, and 
     radio programming, and films and entertainment media, as well 
     as emerging forms of communication such as media transmitted 
     on the Internet and by wireless transmissions, are among the 
     foundations of democratic institutions in an open society 
     that respects human rights.
       (3) A free press and open media can best be achieved if the 
     press and media--
       (A) are located in a country that--
       (i) has legal protections to ensure that the press and 
     media are independent of government control or subversion and 
     are able to deliver information without impediment; and
       (ii) has journalists, editors, publishers, producers, and 
     business executives who are practiced in the basic concepts 
     of fairness and equal access in a civil society; and
       (B) are able to be financially self-sufficient through 
     subscription fees, advertising revenues, donations, or other 
     funding mechanisms.
       (4) Private sector groups in the United States, including 
     businesses and nongovernmental organizations, have carried 
     out a variety of activities to promote free press and open 
     media in foreign countries.
       (5) There is a need to establish an entity--
       (A) to address issues related to the development of a free 
     press and open media; and
       (B) to bring together individuals and institutions to 
     organize and focus greater attention on the establishment of 
     new, and the enhancement of existing, free media programs 
     throughout the world.
       (6) The National Endowment for Democracy (in this section 
     referred to as the ``NED'') is a nonprofit, federally funded, 
     grantmaking, nongovernmental organization recognized by 
     Congress in the National Endowment for Democracy Act (22 
     U.S.C. 4411 et seq.).
       (7) The NED has historically provided support and 
     coordination of the activities of private sector groups and 
     nongovernmental organizations that promote democratic 
     institutions.
       (8) The NED has received strong bipartisan support from 
     Presidents and Congress since it was established in 1983.

[[Page S1460]]

       (9) The NED is the appropriate entity--
       (A) to address issues related to the development of a free 
     press and open media; and
       (B) to bring together individuals and institutions to 
     organize and focus greater attention on the establishment of 
     new, and enhancement of existing, free media programs 
     throughout the world.

     SEC. 3. AMENDMENTS TO THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR DEMOCRACY 
                   ACT.

       (a) Purposes of the Endowment.--Section 502(b) of the 
     National Endowment for Democracy Act (22 U.S.C. 4411(b)) is 
     amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``rights)'' and inserting 
     ``rights and freedom of the press and other media)'';
       (2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and business;'' and 
     inserting ``business, and media;'';
       (3) in paragraph (3), by inserting ``media,'' after 
     ``business,''; and
       (4) in paragraph (5), by inserting ``media,'' after 
     ``business,''.
       (b) Funds To Promote Freedom of the Press.--Section 503 of 
     the National Endowment for Democracy Act (22 U.S.C. 4412) is 
     amended by striking subsection (e) and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(e) Not less than 10 percent of the amounts made 
     available to the Endowment for fiscal year 2005 should be 
     made available for programs to promote freedom of the press 
     and other media.''.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. INOUYE:
  S. 2097. A bill to establish formally the United States Military 
Cancer Institute, to require the Institute to promote the health of 
members of the Armed Forces and their dependents by enhancing cancer 
research and treatment, to provide for a study of the epidemiological 
causes of cancer among various ethnic groups for cancer prevention and 
early detection efforts, and for other purposes; to the Committee on 
Armed Services.
  Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, today I introduce the U.S. Military Cancer 
Institute Research Collaborative Act of 2004. This legislation would 
formally establish the U.S. Military Cancer Institute (USMCI), and 
support the collaborative augmentation of research efforts in cancer 
epidemiology, prevention and control. Although the USMCI already exists 
as an informal collaborative effort, this bill will formally establish 
the institution with a mission of providing for the maintenance of 
health in the military by enhancing cancer research and treatment, and 
studying the epidemiological causes of cancer among various ethnic 
groups. By formally establishing the USMCI, it will be in a better 
position to unite military research efforts with other cancer research 
centers.
  Cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment are significant 
issues for the military population, thus the USMCI was organized to 
coordinate the existing military cancer assets. The USMCI has a 
comprehensive database of its beneficiary population of 9 million 
people. The military's nationwide tumor registry, the Automated Central 
Tumor Registry, has acquired more than 180,000 cases in the last 14 
years, and a serum repository of 30 million specimens from military 
personnel collected sequentially since 1987. This population is 
predominantly Caucasian, African American, and Hispanic.
  The Director of the USMCI, Dr. John Potter, is a professor of surgery 
at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS). A 
highly talented cancer epidemiologist, Dr. Kangmin Zhu, has also been 
recruited to lead the USMCI Prevention and Control Programs.
  The USMCI currently resides in the Washington, DC area, and its 
components are located at the National Naval Medical Center, the 
Malcolm Grow Medical Center, the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, 
and the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute. There are more 
than 70 research workers, both active duty and Department of Defense 
civilian scientists, working in the USMCI.
  The USMCI intends to expand its research activities to military 
medical centers across the Nation. Special emphasis will be placed on 
the study of genetic and environmental factors in carcinogenesis among 
the entire population, including Asian, Caucasian, African American and 
Hispanic subpopulations.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of this bill be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                 S. 2097

       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 ``United States Military 
     Cancer Institute Act of 2004''.

     SEC. 2. RESEARCH BY UNITED STATES MILITARY CANCER INSTITUTE.

       (a) Formal Establishment of United States Military Cancer 
     Institute.--(1) There is a United States Military Cancer 
     Institute in the Uniformed Services University of the Health 
     Sciences (USUHS).
       (2) The Institute is composed of clinical and basic 
     scientists in the Department of Defense who have an expertise 
     in research, patient care, and education relating to oncology 
     and who meet applicable criteria for participation in the 
     Institute.
       (3) The components of the Institute include military 
     treatment and research facilities that meet applicable 
     criteria and are designated as affiliates of the Institute.
       (b) Research.--(1) The United States Military Cancer 
     Institute shall carry out research studies on the following:
       (A) The epidemiological features of cancer, including 
     assessments of the carcinogenic effect of genetic and 
     environmental factors, and of disparities in health, inherent 
     or common among populations of various ethnic origins.
       (B) The prevention and early detection of cancer.
       (C) Basic, translational, and clinical investigation 
     matters relating to the matters described in subparagraphs 
     (A) and (B).
       (2) The research studies under paragraph (1) shall include 
     complementary research on oncologic nursing.
       (c) Collaborative Research.--The United States Military 
     Cancer Institute shall carry out the research studies under 
     subsection (b) in collaboration with other cancer research 
     organizations and entities selected by the Institute for 
     purposes of the research studies.
       (d) Reports.--(1) Not later than one year after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the 
     Director of the United States Military Cancer Institute shall 
     submit to the President of the Uniformed Services University 
     of the Health Sciences a report on the results of the 
     research studies carried out under subsection (b).
       (2) Not later than 60 days after the receipt of a report 
     under paragraph (1), the President of the University shall 
     transmit such report to Congress.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. INOUYE:
  S. 2098. A bill to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to 
provide 100 percent reimbursement for medical assistance provided to a 
Native Hawaiian through a federally-qualified health center or a Native 
Hawaiian care system; to the Committee on Finance.
  Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, today I introduce the Native Hawaiian 
Medicaid Coverage Act of 2004. This legislation would authorize a 
Federal Medicaid Assistance Percent (FMAP) of 100 percent for the 
payment of health care costs of Native Hawaiians who receive health 
care from Federally Qualified Health Centers or the Native Hawaiian 
Health Care System.
  This bill was originally a provision within the Medicare Prescription 
Drug Bill, which the Senate passed by an overwhelming majority of 76 to 
21, but was dropped from the final Medicare Prescription Drug 
Conference Report.
  This bill is modeled on the Native Alaskan Health Care Act, which 
provides for a Federal Medicaid Assistance Percent (FMAP) of 100 
percent for payment of health care costs for Native Alaskans by the 
Indian Health Service, an Indian tribe, or a tribal organization.
  Community health centers serve as the ``safety net'' for uninsured 
and medically underserved native Hawaiians and other United States 
citizens, providing comprehensive primary and preventive health 
services to the entire community. Outpatient services offered to the 
entire family include comprehensive primary care, preventive health 
maintenance, and education outreach in the local community. Community 
health centers, with their multi-disciplinary approach, offer cost 
effective integration of health promotion and wellness with chronic 
disease management and primary care focused on serving vulnerable 
populations.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of this bill be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                 S. 2098

       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 ``Native Hawaiian Medicaid 
     Coverage Act of 2004''.

[[Page S1461]]

     SEC. 2. 100 PERCENT FMAP FOR MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDED TO A 
                   NATIVE HAWAIIAN THROUGH A FEDERALLY-QUALIFIED 
                   HEALTH CENTER OR A NATIVE HAWAIIAN HEALTH CARE 
                   SYSTEM UNDER THE MEDICAID PROGRAM.

       (a) Medicaid.--The third sentence of section 1905(b) of the 
     Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396d(b)) is amended by 
     inserting ``, and with respect to medical assistance provided 
     to a Native Hawaiian (as defined in section 12 of the Native 
     Hawaiian Health Care Improvement Act) through a federally-
     qualified health center or a Native Hawaiian health care 
     system (as so defined) whether directly, by referral, or 
     under contract or other arrangement between a federally-
     qualified health center or a Native Hawaiian health care 
     system and another health care provider'' before the period.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by this section 
     applies to medical assistance provided on or after the date 
     of enactment of this Act.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. LEVIN:
   S. 2101. A bill to decrease the matching funds requirement and 
authorize additional appropriations for Keweenaw National Historical 
Park in the State of Michigan; to the Committee on Energy and Natural 
Resources.
   Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of 
the Keweenaw National Historical Park bill be printed in the Record. 
   There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                 S. 2101

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. FUNDING FOR KEWEENAW NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK.

       (a) Matching Funds.--Section 8(b) of Public Law 102-543 (16 
     U.S.C. 410yy-7(b)) is amended by striking ``$4'' and 
     inserting ``$1''.
       (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 10 of Public 
     Law 102-543 (16 U.S.C. 410yy-9) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) by striking ``$25,000,000'' and inserting 
     ``$50,000,000''; and
       (B) by striking ``$3,000,000'' and inserting 
     ``$25,000,000''; and
       (2) in subsection (b), by striking ``$100,000'' and 
     inserting ``$250,000''.

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