[Congressional Record Index (1998)]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




WATTS, J.C., JR. (a Representative from Oklahoma)
  Appointments
    Conferee:  H.R. 3616, Dept. of Defense appropriations for military
        activities and prescribing personnel strengths, H6160 [22JY]
  Articles and editorials
    At 18, It's Sink or Swim--For Ex-Foster Children Transition Is
        Difficult, Barbara Vobejda, Washington (DC) Post, E1477<bullet>
        [30JY]
  Bills and resolutions cosponsored
    Agricultural Market Transition Act:  provide supplemental payments
        to farm owners and producers who have entered into production
        flexibility contracts, (see H.R. 4580), H7914 [16SE]
    Agriculture:  production flexibility contract payment options, (see
        H.R. 4265), H5858 [17JY]
    Appalachian Regional Development Act:  reauthorize and reform
        programs, (see H.R. 4275), H6454 [24JY]
    Arlington National Cemetery:  enact into law eligibility
        requirements for interment, (see H.R. 3211), H1021 [10MR]
    Armed Forces:  administration of certain drugs without informed
        consent, (see H.R. 4035), H7584 [10SE]
    ------ revise rules on retirement payments to former spouses, (see
        H.R. 2537), H101 [28JA]
    Black Revolutionary War Patriots Foundation:  extend authority to
        establish a commemorative work, (see H.R. 4573), H8932 [25SE]
    Bosnia and Herzegovina:  prohibit use of appropriated Federal funds
        for the deployment of Armed Forces after a certain date, (see
        H.R. 4056), H4549 [11JN]
    Budget:  allow reductions in the discretionary spending limits to be
        used to offset tax cuts, (see H.R. 3707), H3625 [20MY]
    Byrd, James, Jr.:  condemn murder in Jasper, TX, and address issue
        of hate crimes, (see H. Res. 466), H4549 [11JN]
    Capitol Police Board:  establish a pay scale and benefits package
        equal to that of the Secret Service Uniformed Division, (see
        H.R. 2828), H6697 [29JY]
    Children and youth:  ensure parental access to educational
        information and curriculum, (see H.R. 3189), H445 [11FE]
    China, People's Republic of:  accession to the World Trade
        Organization and provide a remedy for inadequate trade benefits
        extended to the U.S., (see H.R. 1712), H1159 [12MR]
    ------ prohibit U.S. export of missile equipment and technology,
        (see H.R. 3886), H3625 [20MY]
    ------ transfer of strategic nuclear missile technology, (see H.
        Res. 438), H3625 [20MY]
    China, Republic of:  affirm U.S. commitment to security and
        democracy, (see H. Con. Res. 301), H5859 [17JY]
    ------ participation in the World Health Organization, (see H. Con.
        Res. 219), H1337 [19MR]
    ------ participation in WHO, (see H.J. Res. 126), H6186 [22JY]
    Clean Air Act:  modify application of certain provisions relative to
        inclusion of entire metropolitan statistical areas within
        nonattainment areas, (see H.R. 4157), H5494 [14JY]
    Clinton, President:  reassert traditional U.S. opposition to
        unilateral declaration of a Palestinian State, (see H. Con. Res.
        345), H10353 [9OC]
    Computers:  regulate the transmission of unsolicited commercial
        electronic mail, cosponsorship withdrawn, (see H.R. 1748), H579
        [24FE]
    ------ require persons who sell or transfer materials harmful to
        minors on the Internet to restrict access by minors, (see H.R.
        3783), H4165 [4JN]
    Congressional Office of Regulatory Analysis:  establish, (see H.R.
        1704), H678 [26FE]
    Consumers:  require additional disclosures of the terms of rental-
        purchase agreements, (see H.R. 2019), H2706 [30AP]
    ----- require additional disclosures of the terms of rental-purchase
        agreements, cosponsorship withdrawn, (see H.R. 3060), H1777
        [30MR]
    Contraceptives:  require equitable coverage of drugs, devices, and
        services under health insurance plans, (see H.R. 2174), H241
        [3FE]
    Crime:  identity fraud, (see H.R. 4151), H6070 [21JY]
    ------ prohibit all private possession of child pornography, (see
        H.R. 3185), H445 [11FE]
    ------ prohibit taking minors across State lines to avoid State laws
        requiring parental notification of abortions, (see H.R. 3682),
        H2054 [1AP]
    Cuba:  extradition to U.S. of Joanne Chesimard and certain other
        individuals, (see H. Con. Res. 254), H4880 [19JN]
    Death and dying:  clarify Federal laws relative to dispensing of
        drugs intended for use for assisted suicide or euthanasia, (see
        H.R. 4006), H4629 [16JN]
    Dept. of Agriculture:  make grants to establish additional rural
        enterprise communities, (see H.R. 4071), H5065 [23JN]
    Dept. of HHS:  disapprove rule submitted on surety bond requirements
        for home health care providers under Medicare and Medicaid, (see
        H.J. Res. 123), H4962 [22JN]
    Dept. of HUD:  modernize requirements and establish consensus
        process for development, revision, and interpretation of safety
        standards for manufactured home construction, (see H.R. 3634),
        H4962 [22JN]
    Dept. of Justice:  establish standards of conduct for employees and
        establish a review board to monitor compliance, (see H.R. 3396),
        H2120 [21AP]
    ------ provide State and local authorities access to information
        relative to criminal background checks on port employees and
        prospective employees, (see H.R. 3975), H4241 [5JN]
    Dept. of Transportation:  prohibit from imposing regulations
        relative to the unloading of cargo tank vehicles in liquefied
        compressed gas service, (see H.R. 2936), H241 [3FE]
    Dept. of Veterans Affairs:  extend authority to treat illnesses of
        Persian Gulf Conflict veterans and illnesses due to future
        combat service, and revise research priorities relative to
        certain service-related health consequences, (see H.R. 3980),
        H4880 [19JN]
    ------ use portion of any national tobacco settlement to establish
        trust fund for smoking-related illnesses caused by nicotine
        dependence developed during service, (see H.R. 4188), H5494
        [14JY]
    Drug abuse:  national drug control policy, (see H. Res. 423), H3014
        [7MY]
    Drugs:  conform penalties for methamphetamine to penalties involving
        similar amounts of cocaine base, (see H.R. 3898), H3488 [19MY]
    ------ eliminate certain mandatory minimum penalties for crack
        cocaine offenses, (see H.R. 2031), H5859 [17JY]
    ------ enhance interdiction efforts in major transit countries and
        support eradication and crop substitution programs in source
        countries, (see H.R. 4300), H6186 [22JY]
    ------ increase penalties for certain offenses and enhance law
        enforcement efforts, (see H.R. 3858), H4241 [5JN]
    ------ sentencing of persons convicted of drug offenses while in the
        presence of a minor, (see H.R. 3919), H4479 [10JN]
    Education:  dedicate day of learning to study and understanding of
        the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the
        Federalist Papers, (see H. Con. Res. 316), H7178 [4AU]
    ------ provide flexibility to local agencies that develop voluntary
        public and private parental choice programs, (see H.R. 3742),
        H2423 [28AP]
    ------ spending of a greater percentage of Federal tax dollars on
        children's classrooms, (see H.R. 3248), H577 [24FE]
    Employment:  minimum wage and overtime exemptions for certain
        employees, (see H.R. 2888), H3488 [19MY]
    Families and domestic relations:  provide equitable child care
        relief for stay at-home parents, (see H. Con. Res. 202), H386
        [5FE]
    Firearms:  clarify standard required for the importation of sporting
        arms, (see H.R. 3954), H3970 [22MY]
    ------ prohibit imposition of a fee for criminal background checks
        before the transfer of a handgun and regulate retention of
        resulting information, (see H.R. 3949), H4165 [4JN]
    ------ treatment of muzzle loading firearms as antique firearms,
        (see H.R. 3140), H1445 [24MR]
    Ford, Gerald R. and Betty:  award Congressional Gold Medal, (see
        H.R. 3506), H1854 [31MR]
    Foreign countries:  funding for the construction of U.S. chancery
        facilities in Berlin and Jerusalem so that comparable rates of
        construction and occupation of the facilities are ensured, (see
        H.R. 4181), H5404 [25JN]
    Foreign policy:  allow attachment of certain property of foreign
        states in execution of judgements for acts of terrorism, (see
        H.R. 4292), H6070 [21JY]
    Foreign trade:  require the President to report to Congress on any
        selective embargo on agricultural commodities, (see H.R. 3654),
        H2053 [1AP]
    ------ require the President to report to Congress on any selective
        embargo on agricultural commodities, (see H.R. 4647), H9084
        [26SE]
    George H.W. Bush Center for Central Intelligence, Langley, VA:
        designate, (see H.R. 3821), H4056 [3JN]
    Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, Saratoga, NY:
        designate, (see H.R. 4385), H6999 [3AU]
    Government:  limit Federal authority to impose regulations on State
        and local governments not provided under the Constitution, (see
        H. Con. Res. 299), H5859 [17JY], (see H.R. 4196), H5957 [20JY],
        (see H.R. 4232), H6070 [21JY]
    Government regulations:  accounting of costs and benefits, (see H.R.
        2840), H6999 [3AU]
    ------ analyze impact and improve congressional deliberation of
        proposed Federal private sector mandates, (see H.R. 3534), H2606
        [29AP]
    Hazardous substances:  require one-call notification system to
        protect natural gas and hazardous liquid pipelines from
        excavation damage, (see H.R. 3318), H1854 [31MR]
    Health:  importance of mammograms and biopsies in the prevention of
        breast cancer, (see H. Res. 565), H9274 [1OC]
    Health care facilities:  establish limits for imposition of fines
        relative to false health care claims, (see H.R. 3523), H2814
        [5MY]
    IMF:  ensure transparency of operations, (see H.R. 3331), H1021
        [10MR]
    ------ make Federal funding contingent upon certification that
        eligible countries are cooperating with Presidential campaign
        fundraising investigations and disclosure of entities benefiting
        from such funds, (see H.R. 3242), H1777 [30MR]
    ------ prohibit funding until Iraq is expelled, (see H.R. 3599),
        H1776 [30MR]
    Insurance:  provide nondiscriminatory coverage of substance abuse
        treatment services under private group and individual health
        coverage, (see H.R. 2409), H3024 [11MY]
    International Atomic Energy Agency:  withhold voluntary proportional
        assistance relative to the development and completion of the
        Bushehr nuclear power plant in Iran, (see H.R. 3743), H2605
        [29AP]
    International Commission of Jurists:  report on the People's
        Republic of China and Tibet, (see H. Con. Res. 283), H8932
        [25SE]
    Iran:  impose sanctions on efforts to acquire advance missile
        technology and expedite the development of a missile defense
        system for both U.S. and Israeli Armed Forces, (see H. Con. Res.
        342), H10076 [8OC]
    Iraq:  congressional authorization of offensive military action,
        (see H. Con. Res. 226), H677 [26FE]
    ------ development of weapons of mass destruction, (see H. Res.
        519), H9275 [1OC]
    ------ material and unacceptable breach of international obligations
        relative to weapons inspections, (see H. Con. Res. 340), H10076
        [8OC]
    Israel:  independence anniversary, (see H.J. Res. 102), H579 [24FE]
    ------ resolve cases of missing in action soldiers, (see H. Con.
        Res. 122), H4550 [11JN]
    Japan:  access of U.S. business to photographic film and paper
        markets, (see H. Con. Res. 233), H3489 [19MY]
    ------ eliminate barriers to foreign trade and investment relative
        to resolution of the Asian financial crisis, (see H. Res. 392),
        H2424 [28AP]
    Korea, Democratic People's Republic of:  condemn launching of
        ballistic missile in Japanese air space, (see H. Res. 554),
        H10668 [12OC]
    ------ U.S. commitment to arrange foreign assistance and
        construction of nuclear reactors relative to threat to
        international peace and security, (see H. Con. Res. 341), H10076
        [8OC]
    Labor unions:  protect the free choice of individual employees
        relative to participation in labor organizations, (see H.R. 59),
        H64 [27JA]
    Lewis and Clark expedition:  mint coins in commemoration of
        bicentennial, (see H.R. 1560), H3247 [13MY]
    Library of Congress:  mint coins in commemoration of bicentennial,
        (see H.R. 3790), H5493 [14JY]
    Martin Luther King, Jr., Day:  add to the list of days on which the
        flag should especially be displayed, (see H.R. 3216), H1237
        [17MR]
    Medicare:  delay implementation of changes in coverage of
        venipuncture services under home health services, (see H.R.
        2912), H65 [27JA]
    ------ delay implementation of interim payment system to home health
        agencies for home health services, (see H.R. 3162), H329 [4FE],
        (see H.R. 4339), H6487 [27JY]
    Medicare Eligible Military Retiree Health Care Consensus Task Force:
         establish, (see H.R. 4464), H7412 [6AU]
    Members of Congress:  follow the examples of self-sacrifice and
        devotion to character displayed by Jacob J. Chestnut and John M.
        Gibson of the Capitol Police, (see H. Con. Res. 317), H7585
        [10SE]
    Mexico:  disapprove foreign aid certification of drug enforcement
        efforts, but grant national interest waiver, (see H.J. Res.
        114), H1021 [10MR]
    ------ renegotiation of extradition treaty so that the possibility
        of capital punishment will not interfere with the extradition of
        criminal suspects to the U.S., (see H. Res. 381), H1237 [17MR]
    Military Retirement Reform Act:  restore certain military retirement
        benefits, (see H.R. 4669), H9346 [2OC]
    Monuments and memorials:  prohibit the return of veterans memorial
        objects to foreign nations without congressional authorization,
        (see H.R. 3645), H4712 [17JN]
    National Blue Ribbon Commission To Eliminate Waste in Government:
        reestablish, (see H.R. 132), H64 [27JA]
    National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute:  anniversary, (see H.
        Con. Res. 274), H5298 [24JN]
    National security:  national missile defense system, (see H.R.
        4402), H7289 [5AU]
    National Weather Service:  overtime pay for forecasters performing
        essential services during severe weather events, (see H.R.
        2987), H579 [24FE]
    Native American Veterans' Memorial:  establish, (see H.R. 4064),
        H4628 [16JN]
    Nazi Party--World War II:  require disclosure of information
        relative to the investigation and prosecution of war criminals,
        (see H.R. 4007), H5494 [14JY]
    Nigeria:  impose economic sanctions, (see H.R. 1786), H851 [4MR]
    Older Americans Act:  reauthorize, (see H.R. 4344), H6697 [29JY]
    Postal Service:  issue commemorative postage stamp honoring VFW
        anniversary, (see H. Con. Res. 203), H4629 [16JN]
    ------ prevent increase in postage rates, (see H. Res. 452), H4165
        [4JN]
    Public Works and Economic Development Act:  reauthorize and reform
        programs, (see H.R. 4275), H6454 [24JY]
    Radio:  ensure the availability of spectrum to amateur radio
        operators, (see H.R. 3572), H4880 [19JN]
    Rokhlin, Lev Y.:  express sympathy to family and colleagues and urge
        prompt investigation into death, (see H. Res. 571), H9345 [2OC]
    Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building, Oakland, CA:  designate, (see
        H.R. 3295), H1021 [10MR]
    Salton Sea:  feasibility study relative to reclamation project, (see
        H.R. 3267), H5405 [25JN]
    Securities:  limit the conduct of securities class actions under
        State law, (see H.R. 1689), H241 [3FE]
    Sewering, Hans J.:  investigate and prosecute Nazi war criminal,
        (see H. Con. Res. 19), H241 [3FE]
    Small business:  protection from litigation excesses, (see H.R.
        3382), H5859 [17JY]
    States:  permit individuals to operate commercial motor vehicles
        within State borders after meeting minimum standards, (see H.R.
        2942), H2931 [6MY]
    ------ provide tax credits for contributions to charitable
        organizations relative to delivery of welfare services, (see
        H.R. 4255), H5737 [16JY]
    ------ use of community development block grants for nonentitlement
        areas to offset charity tax credits, (see H.R. 3241), H497
        [12FE]
    Taxation:  allow credit to military retirees for Medicare coverage,
        (see H.R. 4167), H5403 [25JN]
    ------ allow married couples to file combined return under which
        each spouse is taxed using rates applicable to single filers,
        (see H.R. 3104), H447 [11FE]
    ------ allow nonitemizers a deduction for a portion of their
        charitable contributions, (see H.R. 2499), H386 [5FE]
    ------ change basis for determination of refinery limitation on oil
        depletion deduction, (see H.R. 3917), H3624 [20MY]
    ------ constitutional amendment relative to certain tax limitations,
        (see H.J. Res. 111), H677 [26FE]
    ------ determination of employment status, (see H.R. 3722), H3106
        [12MY]
    ------ eliminate marriage tax penalty by adjusting income tax rate
        brackets and standard deduction amounts, (see H.R. 3734), H3014
        [7MY]
    ------ elimination of estate and gift taxes, (see H.R. 3879), H3489
        [19MY]
    ------ provide a tax credit for marginal oil and natural gas well
        production, (see H.R. 3688), H2606 [29AP]
    ------ reduce the per dose tax on vaccines, (see H.R. 3217), H3488
        [19MY]
    ------ repeal information reporting requirement imposed on
        educational institutions and certain other trades and businesses
        relative to the Hope Scholarship and Lifetime Learning Credits,
        (see H.R. 3127), H2744 [4MY]
    ------ require congressional review of Federal agency rules that
        establish or raise taxes, (see H.R. 4096), H4879 [19JN]
    ------ terminate Internal Revenue Code, (see H.R. 3097), H62 [27JA]
    ------ treatment of reparations received by Holocaust survivors,
        (see H.R. 4563), H9537 [5OC]
    ------ treatment of Social Security benefits, (see H.R. 2723), H6697
        [29JY]
    ------ treatment of the sale of a principal residence by a member of
        the Armed Forces relative to active duty time spent away from
        home, (see H.R. 3861), H4629 [16JN]
    Telephones:  strengthen and expand the procedures for preventing the
        slamming of interstate telephone service subscribers, (see H.R.
        3888), H3972 [22MY]
    Treaties and agreements:  conditions for the U.S. becoming a
        signatory to any international agreement relative to Kyoto
        Protocol, (see H.R. 3807), H3744 [21MY]
    Turkey:  end restrictions on freedoms and human rights of enclaved
        people of Cyprus, (see H. Con. Res. 181), H3972 [22MY]
    U.N.:  promote full equality for Israel, (see H.R. 3236), H496
        [12FE]
    U.S. Submarine Force:  issue postage stamp in commemoration of
        anniversary, (see H. Con. Res. 229), H1445 [24MR]
    Veterans:  accessibility to outdoor recreation programs on military
        installations for certain disabled individuals, (see H.R. 2760),
        H65 [27JA]
    ------ furnishing of burial flags to certain deceased members of the
        Selected Reserve, (see H.R. 3668), H2319 [23AP]
    ------ improve access to health care services for certain Medicare-
        eligible veterans, (see H.R. 3828), H3104 [12MY]
    ------ repeal computation system that reduces annuity for surviving
        spouses at age 62 relative to Social Security offset, (see H.R.
        165), H2706 [30AP]
    ------ termination of certain contributions to the Survivor Benefit
        Plan, (see H.R. 3107), H1112 [11MR]
    Vietnam:  prohibit assistance by OPIC or Eximbank, (see H.R. 3159),
        H1337 [19MR]
    Virgin Islands:  commemoration of emancipation of African slaves in
        the former Danish West Indies in conjunction with U.S.
        Independence Day, (see H. Res. 487), H5064 [23JN]
    Weapons:  ensure that any national missile defense program protects
        Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. territories and commonwealths, (see H.
        Con. Res. 278), H4962 [22JN]
  Bills and resolutions introduced
    Dept. of Defense:  allow military health care system beneficiaries
        the option to enroll in Federal Employees Health Benefits
        Program, (see H.R. 3613), H1854 [31MR]
    ------ determination of wages of certain employees by using a recent
        wage survey, (see H.R. 4142), H5402 [25JN]
    King, Martin Luther, Jr.:  tribute, (see H. Con. Res. 247), H1337
        [19MR]
    Medicare:  enhance and expand special enrollment periods for certain
        military retirees and dependents, (see H.R. 3863), H3246 [13MY]
    Sports:  encourage pro sports leagues and International Olympic
        Committee to set clear guidelines and penalties for illegal drug
        use, (see H. Res. 481), H4879 [19JN]
    Taxation:  designate renewal communities, (see H.R. 3865), H3311
        [14MY]
  Letters
    Building Efficient Surface Transportation and Equity Act:  by, H1556
        [26MR]
    Revise certain Medicare payment limits for health services:  Frank
        E. Moss, E2293<bullet> [21OC]
  Remarks
    Armed Forces:  establish demonstration project relative to
        enrollment of Medicare-eligible military retirees in the Federal
        Employees Health Benefits Program, H3689 [21MY]
    Budget:  setting forth the Federal budget for 1999-2003 (H. Con.
        Res. 284), H4203 [5JN]
    Clinton, President:  impeachment (H. Res. 611), H11973 [19DE]
    Colleges and universities:  reporting requirements for reductions in
        athletic funding or scholarships, H2885<bullet> [6MY]
    Dept. of Defense:  authorizing appropriations for military
        activities and prescribing personnel strengths (H.R. 3616),
        H3689 [21MY]
    Depts. of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and related
        agencies:  making appropriations (H.R. 4276), H7165<bullet>
        [4AU]
    District of Columbia:  scholarship vouchers to provide school choice
        (S. 1502), consideration (H. Res. 413), H2621 [30AP]
    Families and domestic relations:  provide equitable child care
        relief for stay at-home parents (H. Con. Res. 202), H398 [11FE]
    Higher Education Act:  reauthorize (H.R. 6), H2885<bullet> [6MY]
    King, Martin Luther, Jr.:  tribute (H. Con. Res. 247), H2031 [1AP]
    Leadership Training Institute:  tribute, E1120<bullet> [11JN]
    Medicare:  revise certain payment limits for health services (H.R.
        4567), E2293<bullet> [21OC]
    Office of Religious Persecution Monitoring:  establish (H.R. 2431),
        H3280<bullet> [14MY]
    Oklahoma:  transportation projects funding, H1911<bullet> [1AP]
    Orphan Foundation of America:  tribute, E1476<bullet> [30JY]
    SBA:  Women's Business Development Program funding, H7165<bullet>
        [4AU]
    Taxation:  constitutional amendment to require a two-thirds majority
        on the passage of legislation increasing taxes (H.J. Res. 111),
        H2126 [22AP]
    ------ rates, H4203 [5JN]
    ------ terminate Internal Revenue Code (H.R. 3097), H4640 [17JN],
        H4674<bullet> [17JN]
    Telecommunications:  promote competition and privatization in
        satellite communications (H.R. 1872), H2834<bullet> [6MY]
    Tobacco products:  regulation of tobacco industry to alleviate
        health risks to children, H2443 [29AP]
    Transportation:  funding for Federal-aid highways, highway safety
        programs, and transit programs (H.R. 2400), H1911<bullet> [1AP]
    Vietnamese Conflict:  tribute to POW and MIA's (H. Res. 360), H477
        [12FE], H480 [12FE], H483 [12FE]
  Tributes
    Adams, Bob, E137<bullet> [11FE]
    Dellums, Representative, H210<bullet> [3FE]
    Flowers, Arnett, E861<bullet> [14MY]
    Johnson, Representative Sam, H480 [12FE], H483 [12FE]