[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 83 (Wednesday, June 16, 2004)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D629-D632]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

Committee Meetings
REVIEWIRAQI AGRICULTURE
Committee on Agriculture: Held a hearing to review Iraqi Agriculture: 
From Oil for Food to the Future of Iraqi Production Agriculture and 
Trade. Testimony was heard from William J. Garvelink, Senior Deputy 
Assistant Administrator, Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian 
Assistance, U.S. Agency for International Development, Department of 
State; Joseph A. Christoff, Director, International Affairs and Trade, 
GAO; H. Lee Schatz, Special Counsel for Iraq Reconstruction, Office of 
the Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service, USDA; and public 
witnesses.
DEFENSE AND ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Ordered reported the following 
appropriations for fiscal year 2005: Defense and Energy and Water 
Development.
LEGISLATIVE APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Legislative approved for 
full Committee action the Legislative appropriations for fiscal year 
2005.
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION APPROPRIATIONS
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Military Construction held 
a hearing on Army Budget Request. Testimony was heard from the 
following officials of the Department of the Army: GEN Peter J. 
Schoomaker, USA, Chief of Staff; and Geoffrey G. Prosch, Acting 
Assistant Secretary (Installations and Environment).
IRAQ--STATUS OF U.S. FORCES AFTER JUNE 30TH
Committee on Armed Services: Held a hearing on the status of U.S. 
forces in Iraq after June 30, 2004. Testimony was heard from the 
following officials of the Department of Defense: Peter Rodman, 
Assistant Secretary (International Security Affairs); and LTG Walter L. 
Sharp, USA, Director, Strategic Plans and Policy, Joint Chiefs of 
Staff; and Ambassador Francis J. Ricciardone, Coordinator for Iraq 
Transition, Department of State.
U.S.-CHINA ECONOMIC AND SECURITY REVIEW COMMISSION REPORT
Committee on Armed Services: Held a hearing on the report of the United 
States-China Economic and Security Review Commission. Testimony was 
heard from the following officials of the U.S.-China Economic and 
Security Review Commission: Roger W. Robinson, Jr., Chairman; and 
Carolyn Bartholomew, Commissioner.
COLLEGE ACCESS AND OPPORTUNITY ACT
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Held a hearing entitled 
``H.R. 4283, College Access and Opportunity Act: Are Students at 
Proprietary Institutions Treated Equitably under Current Law?'' 
Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
NUCLEAR WASTE FUND--RECLASSIFY FEES PAID
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Energy and Air 
Quality approved for full Committee action, as amended, H.R. 3981, To 
reclassify fees paid into the Nuclear Waste Fund as offsetting 
collections.
OVERWEIGHT CHILDREN--HEALTH CONCERNS ABOUT DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and 
Investigations held a hearing entitled ``Parents Be Aware: Health 
Concerns about Dietary Supplements for Overweight Children.'' Testimony 
was heard from Howard Beales, Director, Bureau of Consumer Protection, 
FTC; Howell Wechsler, Acting Director, Division of Adolescent and 
School Health, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of 
Health and Human Services; and public witnesses.
FHA SINGLE FAMILY LOAN LIMIT ADJUSTMENT ACT
Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Housing and Community 
Opportunity held a hearing on H.R. 4110, FHA Single Family Loan Limit 
Adjustment Act of 2004. Testimony was heard from John C. Weicher, 
Assistant Secretary, Housing/Federal Housing Commissioner, Department 
of Housing and Urban Development; and public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT--TREASURY DEPARTMENT
Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Oversight and 
Investigations held a hearing entitled ``Oversight of the Department of 
the Treasury.'' Testimony was heard from the following officials of the 
Department of the Treasury: Samuel W. Bodman, Deputy Secretary; William 
J. Fox, Director, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network; R. Richard 
Newcomb, Director, Office of Foreign Assets Control; Nancy J. Jardini, 
Chief, Criminal Investigation, IRS; and Dennis S. Schindel, Acting 
Inspector General.
OVERSIGHT--PRIVATE SECTOR CONSULTANTS AND FEDERAL MANAGEMENT
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Government Efficiency 
and Financial Management held an oversight hearing entitled ``Private 
Sector

[[Page D630]]

Consultants and Federal Management: More than Balancing the Books.'' 
Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
CASTRO'S CUBA--CONTINUED HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Human Rights and 
Wellness held a hearing entitled ``Living in Fear: The Continued Human 
Rights Abuses in Castro's Cuba.'' Testimony was heard from the 
following officials of the Department of State: Michael Kozak, 
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Democracy, Human 
Rights, and Labor; Dan Fish, Deputy Assistant Secretary; and David 
Mutchler, Senior Advisor on Cuba, U.S. Agency for International 
Development; and public witnesses.
CYBER-CHALLENGES FACING HOME USERS AND SMALL BUSINESSES
Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Technology, Information 
Policy, Intergovernmental Relations and the Census held a hearing 
entitled ``Locking Your Cyber Front Door--The Challenges Facing Home 
Users and Small Businesses.'' Testimony was heard from Amit Yoran, 
Director, National Cyber Security Division, Department of Homeland 
Security; J. Howard Beales III, Director, Bureau of Consumer 
Protection, FTC; Cheryl A. Mills, Associate Administrator, 
Entrepreneurial Development, SBA; Ed Roback, Chief, Computer Security 
Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Department of 
Commerce; and public witnesses.
U.S. INITIATIVES--NATO'S SUMMIT
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Europe held a 
hearing on U.S. Initiatives at NATO's Istanbul Summit. Testimony was 
heard from Ian J. Brzezinski, Deputy Assistant Secretary, European and 
NATO Affairs, Department of Defense; and Robert A. Bradtke, Deputy 
Assistant Secretary, Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, 
Department of State.
U.S.-EGYPTIAN RELATIONS FUTURE
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on the Middle East 
and Central Asia held a hearing on The Future of U.S.-Egyptian 
Relations. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the 
Department of State: Rose Likins, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, 
Bureau of Political-Military Affairs; David Satterfield, Deputy 
Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs; and James Kunder, 
Deputy Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Asia and the Near East, U.S. 
Agency for International Development.
VISA WAIVER PROGRAM--SCREENING POTENTIAL TERRORISTS
Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on International 
Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Human Rights held a hearing on The Visa 
Waiver Program and the Screening of Potential Terrorists. Testimony was 
heard from Robert Jackstra, Executive Director, Boarder Security and 
Facilitation, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of 
Homeland Security; Catherine Barry, Managing Director, Office of Visa 
Services, Department of State; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on the Judiciary: Ordered reported, as amended, the following 
bills: H.R. 218, Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2003; and H.R. 
3266, Faster and Smarter Funding for First Responders Act of 2003.
CREATE OFFICE OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER--VIRGIN ISLANDS GOVERNMENT
Committee on Resources: Held a hearing on H.R. 3589, To create the 
Office of Chief Financial Officer of the Government of the Virgin 
Islands. Testimony was heard from Delegate Norton; David Cohen, Deputy 
Assistant Secretary, Insular Affairs, Department of the Interior; the 
following officials of the Virgin Islands: Charles W. Turnbull, 
Governor; David A. Jones, Senate President; and Ronald E. Russell, 
Senator; and a public witness.
OVERSIGHT--FISHERY DATA COLLECTION PROGRAMS IMPORTANCE
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, 
Wildlife and Oceans held an oversight hearing on The Importance of 
Fishery Data Collection Programs. Testimony was heard from Michael 
Sissenwine, Director, Scientific Programs and Chief Scientific Advisor, 
National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, Department of Commerce; and 
public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Water and Power approved for 
full Committee action, as amended, the following bills: H.R. 3334, 
Riverside-Corona Feeder Authorization Act; H.R. 3597, To authorize the 
Secretary of the Interior, through the Bureau of Reclamation, to 
conduct a feasibility study on the Alder Creek water storage and 
conservation project in El Dorado County, California; and H.R. 4045, To 
authorize the Secretary of the Interior to prepare a feasibility study 
with respect to the Mokelumne River.

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AMERICAN JOBS CREATIONS ACT OF 2004
Committee on Rules: Granted, by a vote of 9 to 3, a closed rule 
providing 1 hour of debate on H.R. 4520, American Jobs Creations Act of 
2004, equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking 
minority member of the Committee on Ways and Means. The rule provides 
that the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the 
Committee on Ways and Means, as modified by the amendment printed in 
the Rules Committee report accompanying the resolution, shall be 
considered as adopted. The rule waives all points of order against the 
bill, as amended, and against its consideration. Finally, the rule 
provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Testimony 
was heard from Representatives Portman, Sandlin, Baird, McGovern, 
Bordallo, and Emanuel.
EXAMINE RULE X--ORGANIZATION OF COMMITTEES
Committee on Rules: Subcommittee on Technology and the House held a 
hearing to examine Rule X, the Organization of Committees, including 
its current legislative impact, arrangement, and effectiveness. 
Testimony was heard from Representatives Tom Davis of Virginia, Waxman, 
Cox, Turner of Texas, Boehner and Thomas.
  Hearings continue tomorrow.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Science: Ordered reported, as amended, the following 
bills: H.R. 3890, To reauthorize the Steel and Aluminum Energy 
Conservation and Technology Competitiveness Act of 1988; and H.R. 4516, 
Department of Energy High-End Computing Revitalization Act of 2004; 
H.R. 4218, High-Performance Computing Revitalization Act of 2004; and 
H.R. 3598, Manufacturing Technology Competitiveness Act of 2004.
OVERSIGHT--PIPELINE SAFETY AND THE OFFICE OF PIPELINE SAFETY
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on 
Highways, Transit, and Pipelines held an oversight hearing on Pipeline 
Safety and the Office of Pipeline Safety. Testimony was heard from 
Robert Chipkevich, Director, Office of Railroads, Pipeline, and 
Hazardous Materials Investigations, National Transportation Safety 
Board; the following officials of the Department of Transportation: 
Kenneth M. Mead, Inspector General; Samuel G. Bonasso, Deputy 
Administrator, Research and Special Programs Administration; and Stacey 
Gerard, Associate Administrator, Office of Pipeline Safety; and 
Katherine Siggerud, Director, Physical Infrastructure Issues. GAO.
VETERANS LEGISLATION
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Subcommittee on Benefits held a hearing 
on the following: H.R. 4032, Veterans Fiduciary Act of 2004; and the 
Veterans Self-Employment Act of 2004.
  Testimony was heard from Jack McCoy, Director, Education Service, 
Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans; and public 
witnesses.
U.S-AUSTRALIA FREE TRADE AGREEMENT IMPLEMENTATION
Committee on Ways and Means: Held a hearing on the Implementation of 
the United States-Australia Free Trade Agreement. Testimony was heard 
from the following officials of the Office of the United States Trade 
Representative: Josette Sheeran Shiner, Deputy U.S. Trade 
Representative; and Allen Johnson, Chief Agricultural Negotiator; and 
public witnesses.
INTELLIGENCE AUTHORIZATION ACT FISCAL YEAR 2005
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session 
and ordered reported, as amended, H.R. 4548, Intelligence Authorization 
Act for Fiscal Year 2005.

Joint Meetings
THE MIDDLE EAST
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (Helsinki Commission): 
on Tuesday, June 15, Commission concluded a hearing to examine the 
advancing of democracy and human rights in the Middle East focusing on 
the possibility of using the 1975 Helsinki Final Act and related 
institutions as models for reform in the region, after receiving 
testimony from H.E. Natan Sharansky, Israeli Minister of Disapora 
Affairs, Jerusalem; Ambassador Max M. Kampelman, Conference on Security 
and Cooperation in Europe, and Ambassador Mark Palmer, both of Freedom 
House, and Ambassador (retired) Craig Dunkerley, and Michael Yaffe, 
both of the National Defense University Near East-South Asia Center for 
Strategic Studies, all of Washington, D.C.; and Peter Jones, University 
of Toronto Munk Centre for International Studies, and Privy Council, 
Ottawa, Canada.
ANTI-SEMITISM IN EUROPE
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (Helsinki Commission): 
Commission concluded a hearing to examine the April 2003 Berlin 
Conference on Anti-Semitism and consider appropriate steps to following 
up on the conference, after receiving testimony from Representative 
Lantos; Natan Sharansky, Israeli Minister for Diaspora Affairs, and 
Head of the Israeli Delegation to the Berlin OSCE Conference on

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Anti Semitism, Jerusalem; Betty Ehrenberg, Institute for Public 
Affairs, and the Orthodox Union of Jewish Congregations, James S. 
Tisch, Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, 
and Mark Weitzman, Simon Wiesenthal Center, all of New York, New York; 
Paul Goldenberg, American Jewish Committee, Howell, New Jersey; Fred 
Zeidman, U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council, Houston, Texas; and Jay 
Lefkowitz, Kirkland & Ellis, LLP, Stacy Burdett, Anti-Defamation 
League, Dan Mariaschin, B'nai B'rith International, and Shai Franklin, 
NCSJ, all of Washington, D.C.