[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''.
____________________