Thursday, April 14, 2005 [[Page D338]] Daily Digest HIGHLIGHTS The House passed S. 256, Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005. Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S3609-S3715 Measures Introduced: Thirty one bills and seven resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 780-810, S.J. Res.12-13, S. Res.107-110, and S. Con. Res.27. Pages S3652-53 Measures Reported: S. 119, to provide for the protection of unaccompanied alienchildren, with an amendment. S. 555, to amend the Sherman Act to make oil-producing and exporting cartels illegal. Page S3652 Measures Passed: Robert T. Matsui U.S. Courthouse: Senate passed H.R. 787, to designate the United States courthouse located at 501 I Street in Sacramento, California, as the ``Robert T. Matsui United States Courthouse'', clearing the measure for the President. Page S3712 University of Oklahoma Sooner Men's Gymnastics Champions: Senate agreed to S. Res. 109, commending the University of Oklahoma Sooners men's gymnastics team for winning the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Men's Gymnastics Championship. Page S3712 Oklahoma State University's Wrestling Team Champions: Senate agreed to S.Res.110, commending Oklahoma State University's wrestling team for winning the 2005 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Wrestling Championship. Pages S3712-13 National Month of the Military Child: Senate agreed to S. Con. Res. 27, honoring military children during ``National Month of the Military Child''. Page S3713 Supplemental Appropriations: Senate continued consideration of H.R. 1268, making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2005, to establish and rapidly implement regulations for State driver's license and identification document security standards, to prevent terrorists from abusing the asylum laws of the United States, to unify terrorism-related grounds for inadmissibility and removal, to ensure expeditious construction of the San Diego border fence, taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto: Pages S3616-3645 Adopted: Cochran (for Leahy/Obama) Amendment No. 422, of a technical nature. Page S3619 Cochran (for Salazar) Modified Amendment No. 370, to provide assistance topromote democracy in Lebanon. Page S3619 Cochran (for Leahy) Amendment No. 423, to provide reprogramming authority for certain accounts in the Departments of Commerce, Justice, State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2005. Page S3619 Cochran (for Reid/Levin) Amendment No. 361, to express the sense of the Senate that veterans with a service-connected disability rated as total by virtue of unemployability should be treated as covered by the repeal of the phase-in of concurrent receipt of retired pay and veterans disability compensation for military retirees. Page S3620 Cochran Amendment No. 424, of a technical nature. Pages S3620-21 By a unanimous vote of 98 yeas (Vote No. 95), Byrd Modified Amendment No. 430, to prohibit the use of funds by any Federal agency to produce a prepackaged news story without including in such story a clear notification for the audience that the story was prepared or funded by a Federal agency. Pages S3630-41 Obama Amendment No. 390, to provide meal and telephone benefits for members of the Armed Forces who are recuperating from injuries incurred [[Page D339]] on active duty in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom. Pages S3641-43 Cochran (for Salazar) Amendment No. 352, to rename the death gratuity payable for deaths of members of the Armed Forces as fallen hero compensation. Page S3643 Cochran (for Specter) Amendment No. 438, to make a technical correction to cite the proper section intended to repeal the Department of Labor's transfer authority. Page S3643 Cochran (for Graham) Amendment No. 354, to prohibit the implementation ofcertain orders and guidance on the functions and duties of the General Counsel and Judge Advocate General of the Air Force. Page S3643 Cochran (for Kennedy) Amendment No. 393, to clarify the limitation on the implementation of mission changes for specified Veterans Health Administration Facilities. Pages S3643-44 Cochran (for Warner) Amendment No. 394, to require a report on the re-use and redevelopment of military installations closed or realigned as part of the 2005 round of base closure and realignment. Page S3644 Pending: Mikulski Amendment No. 387, to revise certain requirements for H-2B employers and require submission of information regarding H-2B nonimmigrants. Pages S3616, S3626-27, S3638 Feinstein Amendment No. 395, to express the sense of the Senate that the text of the REAL ID Act of 2005 should not be included in the conference report. Pages S3616, S3645 Bayh Amendment No. 406, to protect the financial condition of members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces who are ordered to long- term active duty in support of a contingency operation. Page S3616 Durbin Amendment No. 427, to require reports on Iraqi security services. Pages S3621-26 Salazar Amendment No. 351, to express the sense of the Senate that the earned income tax credit provides critical support to many military and civilian families. Pages S3627-30 Dorgan/Durbin Amendment No. 399, to prohibit the continuation of the independent counsel investigation of Henry Cisneros past June 1, 2005 and request an accounting of costs from GAO. Pages S3640-41 Reid Amendment No. 445, to achieve an acceleration and expansion of efforts to reconstruct and rehabilitate Iraq and to reduce the future risks to United States Armed Forces personnel and future costs to United States taxpayers, by ensuring that the people of Iraq and other nations do their fair share to secure and rebuild Iraq. Pages S3644-45 A motion was entered to close further debate on Mikulski Amendment No. 387 (listed above) and, in accordance with the provisions of Rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, a vote on cloture will occur on Saturday, April 16, 2005. A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing for further consideration of the bill at approximately 9:30 a.m., on Thursday, April 14, 2005. Page S3635 Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations: Phyllis F. Scheinberg, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of Transportation. David R. Hill, of Missouri, to be General Counsel of the Department of Energy. Craig Roberts Stapleton, of Connecticut, to be Ambassador to France. Eduardo Aguirre, Jr., of Texas, to be Ambassador to Spain, and to serve concurrently and without additional compensation as Ambassador to Andorra. Emil A. Skodon, of Illinois, to be Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam. 2 Air Force nominations in the rank of general. 5 Army nominations in the rank of general. 1 Navy nomination in the rank of admiral. Routine lists in the Army. Pages S3714-15 Messages From the House: Page S3650 Measures Referred: Page S3650 Executive Communications: Pages S3650-52 Executive Reports of Committees: Page S3652 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S3653-55 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S3655-91 Additional Statements: Pages S3647-49 Amendments Submitted: Pages S3691-S3711 Notices of Hearings/Meetings: Page S3711 Authority for Committees to Meet: Pages S3711-12 Privilege of the Floor: Page S3712 Record Votes: One record vote was taken today. (Total-95) Page S3641 Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:30 a.m., and adjourned at 7:20 p.m., until 9:30 a.m., on Friday, April 15, 2005. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Majority Leader in today's Record on pages S3713- 14.) [[Page D340]] Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) APPROPRIATIONS: HUD Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Transportation, Treasury, the Judiciary, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2006 for the Department of Housing and Urban Development, after receiving testimony from Alphonso Jackson, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. APPROPRIATIONS: DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, and Related Agencies concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2006, after receiving testimony in behalf of funds for their respective activities from William T. Hawks, Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, Eric M. Bost, Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services, and Merle D. Pearson, Acting Under Secretary for Food Safety and Inspection, all of the Department of Agriculture. APPROPRIATIONS: NATIONAL NUCLEAR SECURITY ADMINISTRATION Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Energy and Water, and Related Agencies concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2006, after receiving testimony in behalf of funds for his respective activities from Linton F. Brooks, Under Secretary for Nuclear Security and Administrator, National Nuclear Security Administration, Department of Energy. NATIONAL SECURITY PERSONNEL SYSTEM Committee on Armed Services: Committee concluded a hearing to examine implementation by the Department of Defense of the National Security Personnel System, focusing on pay, performance, accountability, staffing flexibilities, and labor relations, after receiving testimony from Gordon R. England, Secretary of the Navy; Dan G. Blair, Acting Director, Office of Personnel Management; Derek B. Stewart, Director, Military and Department of Defense Civilian Personnel Issues, Government Accountability Office; and John Gage, American Federation of Government Employees, and Hannah S. Sistare, National Academy of Public Administration, both of Washington, D.C. DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Airland concluded a hearing to examine Air Force acquisition oversight in review of the Defense Authorization Request for Fiscal Year 2006, after receiving testimony from Paul J. McNulty, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Department of Justice; Joseph E. Schmitz, Inspector General, Michael L. Dominguez, Acting Secretary of the Air Force, and Sallie Flavin, Deputy Director, Defense Contract Management Agency, all of the Department of Defense; and Daniel I. Gordon, Managing Associate General Counsel for Procurement Law, Government Accountability Office. TERRORISM RISK INSURANCE PROGRAM Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the implementation of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program, focusing on the role of the Federal government in ensuring that insurance to protect against losses from acts of terrorism remains available to Americans, after receiving testimony from Douglas Holtz- Eakin, Director, Congressional Budget Office; Howard Mills, New York State Department of Insurance, Albany, on behalf of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners; and Ernst Csiszar, Property Casualty Insurers Association of America, J. Robert Hunter, Consumer Federation of America, Brian Duperreault, ACE Limited, on behalf of the American Insurance Association, Franklin W. Nutter, Reinsurance Association of America, and Robert J. Lowe, Lowe Enterprises, on behalf of the Coalition to Insure Against Terrorism, all of Washington, D.C. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Committee ordered favorably reported the following business items: S. 364, to establish a program within the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration to integrate Federal coastal and ocean mapping activities, with amendments; S. 714, to amend section 227 of the Communications Act of 1934 relating to the prohibition on junk fax transmissions, with amendments; S. 432, to establish a digital and wireless network technology program; An original bill, to reauthorize and improve surface transportation safety programs; and The nominations of a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Promotion List, and 2 Coast Guard Promotion Lists. [[Page D341]] TAX GAP Committee on Finance: Committee held a hearing to examine issues relating to the amount of taxes, including individual income, corporate income, employment, estate, and excise, owed by taxpayers and the amount voluntarily paid on time (the so-called ``tax gap''), focusing on tax laws and enforcement, pensions and employee benefits, and fraud, receiving testimony from George K. Yin, Chief of Staff, Joint Committee on Taxation; Eileen J. O'Connor, Assistant Attorney General, Tax Division, Department of Justice; David M. Walker, Comptroller General of the United States, Government Accountability Office; Mark Everson, Commissioner, Kevin M. Brown, Commissioner, Small Business/Self- Employed Division, and Nancy J. Jardini, Chief, Criminal Investigation, all of the Internal Revenue Service, and J. Russell George, Inspector General for Tax Administration, all of the Department of the Treasury; and Nina E. Olson, National Taxpayer Advocate, Washington, D.C. Hearing recessed subject to the call. UNFUNDED MANDATES REFORM ACT Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce and the District of Columbia concluded an oversight hearing to examine a review of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995, focusing on the impact the Act has had on Federal, state, and local governments and explore if changes are necessary to strengthen the law's procedures, definitions, and exclusions, after receiving testimony from Orice M. Williams, Director, Strategic Issues, Government Accountability Office; John D. Graham, Administrator, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget; Elizabeth Robinson, Deputy Director, Congressional Budget Office; Maryland Delegate John Hurson, Annapolis, on behalf of the National Conference of State Legislatures; Colleen Landkamer, Blue Earth County, Mankato, Minnesota, on behalf of the National Association of Counties; and Nick Licata, City of Seattle, Washington, on behalf of the National League of Cities. U.S. POSTAL SERVICE Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the ongoing need for comprehensive postal reform, focusing on United States Postal Service reform that includes self-financing, transparency, flexibility, accountability and corporate best practices, after receiving testimony from Timothy S. Bitsberger, Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Financial Markets; Dan G. Blair, Acting Director, Office of Personnel Management; John E. Potter, Postmaster General, U.S. Postal Service; and David M. Walker, Comptroller General of the United States, Government Accountability Office. EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: Committee concluded a hearing to examine lifelong education opportunities, focusing on S. 694, to amend the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to provide for a job training grant pilot program, after receiving testimony from Elaine L. Chao, Secretary of Labor; Margaret Spellings, Secretary of Education; Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher, Frankfort, and Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius, Topeka, both on behalf of the National Governors Association; Steve Gunderson, The Greystone Group, Arlington, Virginia; Brian K. Fitzgerald, The Business-Higher Education Forum, Washington, D.C.; and Pamela Boisvert, Colleges of Worcester Consortium, Worcester, Massachusetts. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on the Judiciary: Committee ordered favorably reported the following business items: S. 119, to provide for the protection of unaccompanied alien children, with an amendment; S. 555, to amend the Sherman Act to make oil-producing and exporting cartels illegal, and The nominations of Thomas B. Griffith, of Utah, to be a United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit, Robert J. Conrad, Jr., to be United States District Judge for the Western District of North Carolina, and James C. Dever III, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of North Carolina. IMMIGRATION REFORM Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security and Citizenship and Subcommittee on Terrorism, Technology, and Homeland Security concluded joint hearings to examine immigration reform issues, focusing on deportation and related issues relating to strengthening interior enforcement, after receiving testimony from Jonathan Cohn, Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Civil Division, Department of Justice; Victor X. Cerda, Acting Director of Detention and Removal Operations, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and David Venturella, former Acting Director of the Office of Detention and Removal Operations, both of the Department of Homeland Security; and Lee Gelernt, American Civil Liberties Union Immigrant's Rights Project, Washington, D.C. [[Page D342]] NOMINATION Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nomination of Lieutenant General Michael V. Hayden, United States Air Force, to be Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence, after the nominee, who was introduced by Senator Mikulski and Representative Murtha, testified and answered questions in his own behalf. BUSINESS MEETING Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee met in closed session and ordered favorably reported the nominations of John D. Negroponte, of New York, to be Director of National Intelligence, and Lieutenant General Michael V. Hayden, United States Air Force, to be Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence. Committee recessed subject to the call. House of Representatives Chamber Action Measures Introduced: 44 public bills, H.R. 1629-1672; 1 private bill, H.R. 1673 and; 8 resolutions, H. J. Res. 42; H. Con. Res. 132-133, and H. Res. 213-217 were introduced. Pages H2100-02 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H2102-04 Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows: H.R. 804, to exclude from consideration as income certain payments under the national flood insurance program (H. Rept. 109-44). Page H2100 Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005: The House passed S. 256, to amend title 11 of the United States Code, by a yea-and-nay vote of 302 yeas to 126 nays, Roll No. 108--clearing the measure for the President. Pages H1974-87, H1988-92, H1993-H2077 Rejected the Schakowsky motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on the Judiciary with instructions to report the bill back to the House forthwith with an amendment, by a recorded vote of 200 yeas to 229 nays, Roll No. 107. Pages H2074-76 H. Res. 211, the rule providing for consideration of the measure was agreed to by a recorded vote of 227 ayes to 196 noes, Roll No. 105, after agreeing to order the previous question by a yea-and-nay vote of 227 yeas to 199 nays, Roll No. 104. Pages H1991-92 Motion to Adjourn: Rejected the Woolsey motion to adjourn by a yea-and- nay vote of 49 yeas to 371 nays, Roll No. 103. Pages H1987-88 Privileged Resolution: The House agreed to table H. Res. 213, relating to a question of privileges of the House, by a yea-and-nay vote of 218 yeas to 195 nays, Roll No. 106. Pages H1992-93 Meeting Hour: Agreed that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 2 p.m. on Monday, April 18, and further, that when the House adjourns on that day, it adjourn to meet at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 19 for Morning Hour debate. Page H2081 Calendar Wednesday: Agreed to dispense with the Calendar Wednesday business of Wednesday, April 20. Page H2081 Board of Visitors to the United States Coast Guard Academy-- Appointment: The Chair announced the Speaker's appointment of Representative Simmons to the Board of Visitors to the United States Coast Guard Academy. Page H2081 Board of Visitors of the United States Merchant Marine Academy-- Appointment: The Chair announced the Speaker's appointment of Representative King (NY) to the Board of Visitors to the United States Merchant Marine Academy. Page H2081 Board of Visitors to the United States Military Academy--Appointment: The Chair announced the Speaker's appointment of the following Members to the Board of Visitors to the United States Military Academy: Representatives Kelly and Taylor (NC). Page H2081 Mexico-United States Interparliamentary Group--Appointment: The Chair announced the Speaker's appointment of the following Members to the Mexico-United States Interparliamentary Group: Representatives Kolbe and Harris. Page H2081 Amending the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 with regard to disaster mitigation payments: The House agreed by unanimous consent to concur in the Senate amendment and pass H.R. 1134, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for the proper tax treatment of certain disaster mitigation payments--clearing the measure for the President. Pages H2082-83 Senate Message: Message received from the Senate today appears on page H1971. [[Page D343]] Quorum Calls--Votes: Five yea-and-nay votes and one recorded vote developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H1987-88, H1991, H1992, H1992-93, H2075-76, H2076-77. There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 6:48 p.m. Committee Meetings DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense held a hearing on Recruiting and Retention. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: Charles S. Abell, Principal Deputy Under Secretary, Personnel and Readiness; LTG Franklin Hagenbeck, Chief of Staff, U.S. Army; LTG Roger Schultz, Director, Army National Guard; and LTG James R. Helmly, USAR, Chief of Army Reserve. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on The Department of Homeland Security held a hearing on Science and Technology. Testimony was heard from Charles McQueary, Under Secretary, Science and Technology, Department of Homeland Security. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, HHS, EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on the Department of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies continued appropriation hearings. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, TREASURY, AND HUD, THE JUDICIARY, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, AND INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on the Departments of Transportation, Treasury, and Housing and Urban Development, the Judiciary, District of Columbia, and Independent Agencies held a hearing on the Election Assistance Commission, and the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Election Assistance Commission: Cracia Hillman, Chairman, Paul DeGregorio, Vice Chairman; Mel Martinez and DeForest Soaries, both Commissioners; and the following officials of the Consumer Product Safety Commission: Hal Stratton, Chairman; and Thomas H. Moore, Vice Chairman. FOREIGN OPERATIONS, EXPORT FINANCING, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Agencies continued appropriation hearings. Testimony was heard from Members of Congress and public witnesses. INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies continued appropriations hearings. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. EUROPEAN UNION--WEAPONS TRADE TO CHINA Committee on Armed Services: and the Committee on International Relations held a joint hearing regarding U.S. national security and foreign policy implications of arms exports to the People's Republic of China by member states of the European Union. Testimony was heard from R. Nicholas Burns, Under Secretary, Political Affairs, Department of State; Peter Rodman, Assistant Secretary, International Affairs, Department of Defense; and Peter Lichtenbaum, Acting Under Secretary, Industry and Security, Department of Commerce. DOD ROTORCRAFT PROGRAMS Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces held a hearing on the Fiscal Year 2006 National Defense Authorization budget request on the Department of Defense's major rotorcraft programs. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: William Balderson, Deputy Secretary of the Navy (Air Programs), Department of the Navy; BG Martin Post, USMC, Assistant Deputy Commandant for Aviation; David Duma, Acting Director, Operational Test and Evaluation, Office of the Secretary; MG Robert Bishop, Jr., USMC, Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff, Air and Space Operations; and BG Jeff Schloesser, USA, Director, Army Aviation Task Force. HEAD START Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Education Reform held a hearing on The Best of Head Start: Learning from Model Programs. Testimony was heard frompublic witnesses. SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS PRIVATIZING Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet held a hearing [[Page D344]] entitled ``The ORBIT Act: An Examination of Progress Made in Privatizing the Satellite Communications Marketplace.'' Testimony was heard from Donald Abelson, Chief, International Bureau, FCC; JayEtta Z. Hecker, Director, Physical Infrastructure, Office of Congressional Relations, GAO; and public witnesses. NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity held a hearing entitled ``Review and Oversight of the National Flood Insurance Program.'' Testimony was heard from David Maurstad, Mitigation Division Director and Flood Insurance Administrator, Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate, Department of Homeland Security; William O. Jenkins, Jr., Director, Homeland Security and Justice, GAO; Alfred W. Redmer, Jr., Commissioner, Insurance Administration, State of Maryland; and public witnesses. FIRST RESPONDER FUNDING Committee on Homeland Security: Held a hearing entitled ``Grant Reform: The Faster and Smarter Funding for First Responders Act of 2005.'' Testimony was heard from Lee H. Hamilton, Vice Chair, National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States; and public witnesses. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY--STRENGTHEN INFORMATION SECURITY Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Management, Integration, and Oversight held a hearing entitled ``The Need to Strengthen Information Security at the Department of Homeland Security.'' Testimony was heard from Steven I. Cooper, Chief Information Officer, Department of Homeland Security; Gregory C. Wilshusen, Director, Information Security Issues, GAO; and public witnesses. STATE DEPARTMENT MANAGEMENT INITIATIVES FUNDING Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights, and International Operations held a hearing on Foreign Relations Authorization for FY 2005-2006: Department of State Management Initiatives. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of State: Christopher B. Burnham, Acting Under Secretary, Management; and Louise Crane, Vice President, American Foreign Service Association. AVERTING NUCLEAR TERRORISM Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on International Terrorism and Nonproliferation held a hearing on Averting Nuclear Terrorism. Testimony was heard from R. James Woolsey, former Director, CIA; and public witnesses. OVERSIGHT--FISHERIES CONSERVATION Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries and Oceans held an oversight hearing on the Relationship between the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and the National Environmental Policy Act. Testimony was heard from Dinah Bear, General Counsel, Council on Environmental Quality; William T. Hogarth, Director, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, Department of Commerce; and public witnesses. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks held a hearing on the following bills: H.R. 432, Betty Dick Residence Protection Act; H.R. 481, Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site Trust Act of 2005; and H.R. 1492, To provide for the preservation of the historic confinement sites where Japanese Americans were detained during Work War II. Testimony was heard fromRepresentatives Thomas, Udall of Colorado and Honda; Michael Snyder, Acting Deputy Director, National Park Service, Department of the Interior. MATH AND SCIENCE TEACHING AWARDS Committee on Science: Held a hearing on the 2004 Presidential Awardees for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. ESTATE TAX AND THE ALTERNATIVE MINIMUM TAX--SMALL BUSINESSES INEQUITY Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Tax, Finance and Exports held a hearing entitled ``The Estate Tax and the Alternative Minimum Tax--Inequity for America's Small Businesses.'' Testimony was heard from public witnesses. FAA TRANSPORTATION Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Aviation held an oversight hearing on Transforming the Federal Aviation Administration: a Review of the Air Traffic Organization and the Joint Program Development Office. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Transportation: Jeffrey N. Shane, Under Secretary, Policy; and Kenneth Mead, Inspector General; Gerald L. Dillingham, Director, Physical Infrastructure Issues, GAO; and a public witness. [[Page D345]] OVERSIGHT--NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS SYSTEM Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management held an oversight hearing on The National Preparedness System: What are we preparing for? Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Homeland Security: Corey D. Gruber, Associate Director, Office for Domestic Preparedness; and Gil Jamieson, Director, NIMS Integration Center; and public witnesses. U.S. CHINA ECONOMIC RELATIONS Committee on Ways and Means: Held a hearing on United States-China Economic Relations and China's Role in the World Economy. Testimony was heard from Representative Sanders; Kristin J. Forbes, member, Council of Economic Advisers; Charles W. Freeman, III, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative, China Affairs; Douglas Holtz-Eakin, Director, CBO; and public witnesses. TAX SEASON/IRS BUDGET Committee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Oversight held a hearing on 2005 Tax Return Filing Season and the IRS Budget for Fiscal Year 2006. Testimony was heard from Mark W. Everson, Commissioner, IRS, Department of the Treasury; James R. White, Director, Tax Issues, GAO; and public witnesses. GLOBAL UPDATES BRIEFING Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to receive a briefing on Global Updates. The Committee was briefed by departmental witnesses. ENERAL DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE PROGRAM BUDGET Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to hold a hearing on General Defense Intelligence Program (GDIP) Budget. Testimony was heard from departmental witnesses. Joint Meetings VETERANS' LEGISLATIVE PRESENTATIONS Joint Hearing: Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs concluded joint hearings with the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs to examine legislative presentations of certain veterans' organizations, after receiving testimony from William A. Boettcher, AMVETS, Lanham, Maryland; James Cooper, American Ex-Prisoners of War, Arlington, Texas; Thomas H. Corey, Vietnam Veterans of America, Silver Spring, Maryland; Colonel Robert F. Norton, USA (Ret.), and John Class, USN (Ret.), both of Military Officers Association of America, Alexandria, Virginia; and Brigadier General Leslie E. Beavers, USA (Ret.), National Association of State Directors of Veterans' Affairs, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. ECONOMIC OUTLOOK Joint Economic Committee: Committee concluded hearings to examine the current economic outlook for April 2005, after receiving testimony from Harvey S. Rosen, Chairman, and Kristen J. Forbes, Member, both of the Council of Economic Advisers. RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES IN RUSSIA Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (Helsinki Commission): Commission concluded a hearing to examine problems experienced by unregistered religious communities operating within the Russian Federation, after receiving testimony from John V. Hanford, III, Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, Department of State; Lawrence A. Uzzell, International Religious Freedom Watch, Fishersville, Virginia; Paul Goble, University of Tartu, Estonia; Boris Perchatkin, American-Russian Relief Committee, Washington; Andrew Okhotin, Independent Christian Baptists, Massachusetts; Sergei Cherpanov, Jehovah's Witnesses, Russia. COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 2005 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate No meetings/hearings scheduled. House No committee meetings are scheduled. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD (USPS 087ÿ09390). 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POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Superintendent of Documents, Congressional Record, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402,   Along with the entire Mailing label from the last issue received. ``Periodicals'' postage is paid at Washington, D.C. [[Page D346]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 9:30 a.m., Friday, April 15 Senate Chamber Program for Friday: Senate will continue consideration of H.R. 1268, Emergency Supplemental Appropriations. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2 p.m., Monday, April 18 House Chamber Program for Monday: The House will meet in pro forma session at 2 p.m. _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Costello, Jerry F., Ill., E651 Cuellar, Henry, Tex., E649, E652 Farr, Sam, Calif., E649, E652 Gerlach, Jim, Pa., E649 Hastert, J. Dennis, Ill., E649 Hastings, Alcee L., Fla., E650, E652 Higgins, Brian, N.Y., E651 Johnson, Eddie Bernice, Tex., E651 Norton, Eleanor Holmes, D.C., E650, E652 Paul, Ron, Tex., E650, E653