[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 21 (Thursday, February 10, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S643-S646]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS

      By Ms. MURKOWSKI (for herself and Mr. Begich):
  S. 313. A bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to issue 
permits for a microhydro project in nonwilderness areas within the 
boundaries of Denali National Park and Preserve, to acquire land for 
Denali National Park and Preserve from Doyon Tourism, Inc., and for 
other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
  Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I rise today to reintroduce 
legislation, cosponsored by my colleague Mark Begich from Alaska, that 
represents an important step in the conversion to renewable energy 
sources in rural Alaska.
  Today I introduce the Kantishna Hills Renewable Energy Act of 2011.
  The Kantishna Roadhouse, owned by Doyon Tourism, Inc., is located 100 
miles inside Denali National Park and Preserve. The settlement of 
Kantishna was founded in 1905 as a mining camp near the juncture of 
Eureka and Moose Creeks. Gold in the region brought a flurry of 
prospectors in the early days, but as the gold began to run out, so did 
interest in mining the Kantishna Hills. The original roadhouse at 
Kantishna was built in the early 1900s, serving as a private residence, 
a community center, post office, and informal hotel accommodations for 
those who visited Kantishna in Denali Park.
  The Roadhouse, like many structures within Denali National Park, is 
entirely off the grid and generates all of its electricity needs with a 
diesel generator. As a result, all guests and supplies, including 
diesel, are trucked through the Park to the Roadhouse over National 
Park roads. The construction of the micro hydro project would allow the 
Roadhouse to cut down their diesel usage by approximately 50%, which 
would result in a decrease in diesel truck traffic on the Park Road, 
improved local air quality, and less sound pollution in this remote 
area, as well as reduce disturbance and vehicle impacts on park 
wildlife, allowing for an enhanced visitor experience for tourists 
within the National Park.

[[Page S644]]

  My bill will authorize the National Park Service to exchange roughly 
10 acres of National Park land for an equivalent amount of land 
currently owned by Doyon Tourism, and would allow the National Park 
Service to obtain the highly desired Galena tract of land, located just 
off the Park Road in the Kantishna region. Doyon Tourism would obtain 
land over which the hydro project would be implemented. In the interim 
period, prior to completion of the land exchange, the National Park 
Service will issue a permit to allow Doyon Tourism, Inc., to construct 
the micro hydro unit.
  I want to emphasize how important I believe that this bill is. The 
benefit to the citizens of Alaska, especially rural Alaska, of reducing 
their dependence on expensive diesel generation through access to 
renewable and clean sources of energy is enormous. This type of Micro-
Hydro project within Denali provides an excellent blueprint for others 
around the State to follow suit.
  I would like to thank Senator Begich, an original co-sponsor of this 
bill, for his and his staff's hard work in moving this bill forward. It 
is our hope that this bill will receive quick but careful consideration 
as the very short construction season in Alaska lasts only from May 
through September.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. WYDEN (for himself and Mr. Merkley):
  S. 317. A bill to allow for use of existing Section 8 housing funds, 
so as to preserve and revitalize affordable housing options for low-
income individuals; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban 
Affairs.
  Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, today I rise to introduce the Affordable 
Housing Preservation and Revitalization Act. I am delighted and honored 
to be joined in this effort by my good friend and colleague, Senator 
Jeff Merkley. It has been my privilege to work with Senator Merkley and 
his staff on an issue that is so important to our State of Oregon and 
to folks around the country.
  There has been a lot of talk about housing in the media over the past 
year. The topic of most of these conversations has been the foreclosure 
crisis and the continued fallout from the mortgage meltdown.
  But there is another housing story here, even though it may not get 
the same attention or airtime: It is the story of homelessness and the 
struggle to find affordable housing, and for thousands of Oregonians 
it's a daily reality.
  Like many States, Oregon is experiencing a sharp rise in 
homelessness.
  The most recent count available from Oregon, found 19,208 people 
homeless on a particular night. That number represented a 12 percent 
increase in homelessness over 2009.
  This same count also indicates that 31 percent of those experiencing 
homelessness were children and the number of homeless families with 
children rose 33 percent from 2009.
  In times like these, the Federal Government can hardly stand to lose 
its stock of affordable housing. Sadly, that is exactly what's 
happening.
  As long-term contracts are coming due, many landlords are leaving the 
business of affordable housing for the private market. As these owners 
convert to market rents, which is in their economic interest, the low-
income tenants will be unable to afford their homes. With fewer and 
fewer places to turn, many of these folks will end up on the street.
  Some of these properties have what are known as residual receipts--
funds left over once the operating expenses and owner's distribution 
have been paid. Currently, this money can only be used in the most 
extreme of situations. As a result, many of these residual receipts 
have accumulated for nearly 3 decades. In Oregon alone, estimates 
suggest there are more than $10 million in untapped residual receipts.
  Senator Merkley and I believe these funds represent a substantial 
asset that could be used to help preserve affordable housing projects 
with expiring contracts. That is why we are introducing the Affordable 
Housing Preservation and Revitalization Act.
  Our legislation would permit residual receipts to be transferred with 
affordable housing properties that are sold to non-profits, provided 
the non-profits commit to preserving and maintaining the housing stock 
as affordable.
  Our legislation isn't a magic bullet and it certainly will not ensure 
that every American can put a roof over their head. But we think it's 
the kind of commonsense approach that Americans can get behind. I hope 
that our colleagues will join us in supporting this bill.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Ms. SNOWE (for herself, Ms. Stabenow, Mr. Vitter, Mr. McCain, 
        Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Grassley, Mr. Kohl, Ms. Collins, Mr. Brown 
        of Ohio, Mr. Kerry, Mr. Sanders, Mr. Levin, Mrs. Shaheen, Mr. 
        Leahy, Mr. Johnson of South Dakota, Mr. Bingaman, Mrs. 
        McCaskill, Mr. Begich, and Mr. Nelson of Florida):
  S. 319. A bill to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act with 
respect to the importation of prescription drugs, and for other 
purposes; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, I am proud to introduce the Pharmaceutical 
Market Access and Drug Safety Act of 2011. I am enormously grateful to 
partner with Senator Stabenow in this endeavor and to have the support 
of 17 additional bipartisan cosponsors. I also want to salute former 
Senator Byron Dorgan, who was such a tremendous ally on this issue for 
nearly a decade.
  During health reform, I was disappointed with the $80 billion deal 
struck by the drug industry in exchange for supporting the legislation. 
Make no mistake--this is hardly a generous offer from the industry. 
Consider the fact that last August, a report issued by AARP on retail 
prices of brand-name drugs showed that the 217 products most used by 
older Americans increased by an average of 8.3 percent during 2009, 
even as inflation was negative. So in other words, we have the industry 
setting a new pricing baseline that is entirely off kilter with the 
rest of the economy . . . widely unaffordable for the American people . 
. . and clearly unsustainable for the future. Negotiating concessions 
is no substitute for instilling market competition--which is exactly 
what this legislation will do.
  It is unconscionable that more and more individuals are forced to 
skip doses or split pills as prices increase while our economy 
contracts. Today our bill could already be providing the access that 
Americans deserve to the more affordable drug prices available in other 
industrialized nations. It is simply indisputable that Americans pay 
far too much for prescription drugs--when other countries pay 35-55 
percent less. And the cost of brand drugs in the U.S. increases at two 
to three times the inflation rate.
  When nations institute safe, regulated trade in pharmaceuticals they 
see results--as Sweden did when it entered the European system of trade 
and saw a reduction of 12-19 percent in the price of traded drugs. Now, 
opponents claim importation will cause harm, but they fail to note the 
greatest prescription drug threat to the safety of Americans . . . that 
the inability to take a drug as it is prescribed . . . exacts a 
tremendous toll on thousands of American lives every year.
  The bottom line is that safety is the foundation of our bill--our 
legislation not only addresses the safety of imports, but also was the 
first to provide FDA with the resources to improve inspection of 
foreign drug plants--many of which today produce medications marketed 
here by U.S. firms which consumers assume to be ``domestic.''
  They have also failed to understand or acknowledge we have left no 
stone unturned to assure importation will be safe . . . why we require 
FDA approval of all imported drugs . . . that the agency regulate, 
inspect and monitor those who handle medications . . . that we require 
strong prescription controls, improved labeling, anticounterfeiting 
technology and tracking of shipments to assure the security of 
medications. We don't rely on ``certifying safety''--this legislation 
ensures safety.
  Indeed when all the provisions of this legislation are considered, 
this legislation will set a new standard for domestic drug safety. 
Because, right now--today--many of the drugs which Americans use every 
day are in fact manufactured in foreign factories. Yet today foreign 
plants are seldom inspected--it can be as many as 12 years between 
inspections. The fact is, global sourcing

[[Page S645]]

of production to lower cost countries--including those with inadequate 
regulatory oversight--means that FDA simply must be examining all 
facilities where our medications are made.
  Under our bill, such plants--and in fact every step in the drug 
supply chain--are to be inspected and regulated by FDA. And we include 
long-sought incentives, to improve drug safety such as anti-
counterfeiting technologies, drug ``pedigrees,'' and improved 
regulation and oversight of the handling of prescription drugs.
  At the same time, this legislation will ensure that importation is 
effective in delivering savings to consumers. The Congressional Budget 
Office reports our bill will generate savings of $19.4 billion to the 
Federal Government alone. Isn't that exactly the kind of savings we 
should achieve at a time of escalating health care costs?
  So it is clear that the time for enactment of this legislation is 
certainly long overdue--and today the need for this legislation is 
actually greater . . . not less. Among working age adults--only those 
with Medicare coverage saw any improvement in their ability to fill 
their prescriptions. All others saw a rise in their inability to obtain 
needed medications! Among the uninsured more than 1 in 3 individuals 
went without a required prescription--and in those with chronic disease 
that number doubles! So despite manufacturer assistance programs--
despite the increased use of generics--the high and escalating cost of 
brand name drugs is directly impacting the health of millions.
  It is indeed time to engender more competition, and the more 
affordable pricing that will bring. That is why I look forward to 
moving forward together to see passage of our bill this year.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. CARDIN (for himself and Ms. Mikulski):
  S. 324. A bill to amend the Chesapeake And Ohio Canal Development Act 
to extend to the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park 
Commission; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
  Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, today I am proud to re-introduce 
legislation to support greater public involvement in the administration 
of one of Maryland's most treasured National Parks. The Chesapeake and 
Ohio Canal National Historical Park Advisory Commission Act ensures 
that the communities located along the 184.5 mile long C&O Canal 
National Historical Park have a voice with the National Park Service 
regarding decisions affecting the administration of the Park. The 
Commission keeps the people and small businesses most affected by the 
operation of the C&O Canal National Historical Park informed and 
involved in the decisions surrounding the Park. Citizen involvement in 
the governmental process is a hallmark of our democracy and the C&O 
Canal National Historical Park Advisory Commission Act exemplifies the 
goal of ensuring the public's role in government decision making.
  The importance of the Commission is intrinsically tied to the 
uniqueness of the C&O Canal National Historical Park. The Park covers 
an area of 20,000 acres winding North and West along the Potomac River 
from the heart of Georgetown's old industrial district in Washington 
D.C. to Cumberland, MD nestled in the valleys and mountains of Western 
Maryland. The Park's watered canal, contiguous towpath, popular among 
cyclists, backpackers, day hikers and runners, hundreds of historic 
structures and towns like Hancock, Hagerstown, Harpers Ferry, 
Williamsport and Sharpsburg that grew during the Canal's heyday, all 
tell the story of how the C&O Canal once served as a crucial East/West 
commercial link. The Park also preserves pristine views of the Potomac 
River, evocative of the C&O Canal's working days. At its widest points, 
the C&O Canal National Historical Park spans less than \2/10\ of a mile 
across and in many areas directly abuts neighboring commercial and 
residential properties bordering the Park.
  During the commercial operation of the C&O Canal, these towns were 
local commercial centers where area farmers and tradesman utilized the 
canal boats to deliver their goods to market. Today, the hospitality 
and tourism industries of these communities thrive upon the C&O Canal 
National Historical Park's popularity and are integral to enhancing the 
park user experience. Whether it is hotel or bed and breakfast to spend 
the night in, a restaurant or diner to grab a meal, stores to shop in 
and perhaps stock up on camping provisions, boathouses to rent a canoe 
for the afternoon, bike shops to service a flat tire or make repairs to 
your bike or any of the myriad of goods and services park visitors may 
need, the communities along the C&O Canal are as important to the Park 
user experience as the Park's users are to maintaining their 
businesses.
  In 2009, more than 3.75 million people visited the C&O Canal National 
Historical Park. To put it in perspective, in 2009, more people visited 
this historic treasure than the number of people who visited 
Yellowstone, Yosemite, the Everglades or Shenandoah National Park. Much 
of the C&O Canal National Historical Park's success is attributable to 
the positive relationship that has developed over time between the 
National Park Service and the local community leaders that span the 
length of the Park. The Park's Commission has greatly facilitated this 
relationship.
  The Commission provides the vital link between the affected committee 
that the Park runs through and the National Park Service. The 
Commission ensures that the public is engaged in the numerous processes 
surrounding operational policy and infrastructure maintenance and 
restoration projects on the C&O Canal National Historic Park. The 
Commission plays a vital consultation and planning role for park 
activities and operations. The cooperation that has developed between 
the Commission and the National Park Service helps ties to the Park to 
its communities. The Commission serves a purely advisory function and 
does not have the authority to make binding park policy.
  The Commission was first established as part of the 1971 Chesapeake 
and Ohio Canal Development Act sponsored by Rep. Gilbert Gude, R-MD. 
Every ten years, a bill like mine comes before congress, when the 10-
year extension of the Commission's authorization expires. Three times 
over a 40-year period extension bills have passed by unanimous consent 
and without controversy. My bill is another 10-year extension of the 
Advisory Commission's authorization and makes no changes to the 
Commission's authority. Legislative precedent has never set an 
authorization amount for the Commission, but the Commission has always 
functioned at a nominal cost.
  The General Services Administration's Federal Advisory Commissions 
Act database determined that the C&O Canal Advisory Commission's 
expenses totaled $33,199 for fiscal year 2010. All expenses came out of 
the National Park Service's general operating budget. Expenses covered 
the cost of travel for commission members, $295, Federal staff time, 
$28,074, and miscellaneous expenses, $4,830, like meeting space, 
printing, supplies and website maintenance.
  The National Park System is a showcase of America's natural and 
historical treasures. So much of the National Park System's success is 
rooted in the citizen stewardship projects and the involvement of 
caring citizens and community leaders. Like so many of our National 
Parks the C&O Canal National Historical Park has an extensive backlog 
of maintenance and repair projects. The Commission plays a critical 
role in helping keep these projects moving forward and assisting the 
National Park Service with their completion because there is 
recognition of the shared responsibility between the Park Service and 
the Commission about the importance of continuing to make the Park a 
desirable tourism and outdoor recreation destination. The Commission 
provides that bridge between the government and public. I urge my 
colleagues to support this bill.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                 S. 324

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

[[Page S646]]

     SECTION 1. CHESAPEAKE AND OHIO CANAL NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK 
                   COMMISSION.

       Section 6(g) of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Development 
     Act (16 U.S.C. 410y-4(g)) is amended by striking ``40'' and 
     inserting ``50''.

                          ____________________