Wednesday, April 6, 2005 [[Page D294]] Daily Digest HIGHLIGHTS The House and Senate met in a Joint Meeting to receive His Excellency Viktor Yushchenko, President of Ukraine. Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S3237-S3340 Measures Introduced: Twenty-six bills and five resolutions were introduced, as follows: S. 713-738, and S. Res. 97-101. Pages S3277-78 Measures Reported: 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, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. (S. Rept. No. 109-52) S. 732, to authorize funds to Federal aid highways, highway safety programs, and transit programs. (S. Rept. No. 109-53) Page S3277 Measures Passed: Commending the University of North Carolina Men's Basketball Team: Senate agreed to S. Res. 98, commending the University of North Carolina men's basketball team for winning the 2005 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Men's Basketball Championship. Page S3238 Commending Patricia Sue Head Summitt: Senate agreed to S. Res. 97, commending Patricia Sue Head Summitt, head women's basketball coach at the University of Tennessee, for three decades of excellence as a proven leader, motivated teacher, and established champion. Pages S3238-39 50th Anniversary of Salk Polio Vaccine: Senate agreed to S. Res. 101, recognizing the 50th anniversary of the development of the Salk polio vaccine and its importance in eradicating the incidence of polio. Page S3338 Honoring Sikh Leader Yogi Bhajan: Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 34, honoring the life and contributions of Yogi Bhajan, a leader of Sikhs, and expressing condolences to the Sikh community on his passing. Page S3338 State Department Authorization: Senate continued consideration of S. 600, to authorize appropriations for the Department of State and international broadcasting activities for fiscal years 2006 and 2007, for the Peace Corps for fiscal years 2006 and 2007, for foreign assistance programs for fiscal years 2006 and 2007, taking action on the following amendments proposed thereto: Pages S3240-62, S3265-67 Adopted: Lugar Amendment No. 266, to strike the amendment to the limitation on the United States share of assessments for the United Nations Peacekeeping operations. Page S3241 Dodd Amendment No. 318, to specify requirements under the Arms Export Control Act applicable to the VHXX Executive Helicopter Program (also known as the Marine One Presidential Helicopter Program). Pages S3255-57 Rejected: By 40 yeas to 57 nays (Vote No. 84), Biden Amendment No. 286 (in lieu of the language proposed to be stricken by Lugar Amendment No. 266), relative to the United States' share of assessment for United Nations Peacekeeping operations. Page S3241 Dorgan/Wyden Amendment No. 284, to prohibit funds from being used for television broadcasting to Cuba. (By 65 yeas to 35 nays (Vote No. 85), Senate tabled the amendment.) Pages S3241-48 Pending: McCain/DeWine Amendment No. 267, to authorize the extension of nondiscriminatory treatment (normal trade relations treatment) to the products of Ukraine. Page S3240 [[Page D295]] Baucus Amendment No. 281, to facilitate the sale of United States agricultural products to Cuba, as authorized by the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000. Page S3240 Craig/Roberts Amendment No. 282 (to Amendment No. 281), to clarify the payment terms under the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000. Page S3240 Dodd Amendment No. 283, to express the sense of the Senate concerning recent provocative actions by the People's Republic of China. Page S3240 Salazar Amendment No. 308, to increase the accountability and effectiveness of international police training. Page S3241 Schumer Amendment No. 309, to authorize appropriate action if the negotiations with the People's Republic of China regarding China's undervalued currency are not successful. (By 33 yeas to 67 nays (Vote No. 86), Senate earlier failed to table the amendment.) Pages S3243, S3249-53 Ensign Amendment No. 319, to encourage multilateral cooperation and authorize a program of assistance to facilitate a peaceful transition in Cuba. Pages S3259-60 Ensign Amendment No. 320, to amend chapter 118 of title 18, United States Code, to prohibit foreign war crimes prosecutions of Americans. Page S3260 Ensign Amendment No. 321, to ensure the independence of the Inspector General of the United Nations. Page S3260 Ensign Amendment No. 322, to ensure the United Nations maintains a no-growth budget. Page S3260 Sessions Amendment No. 290, to require aliens to affirm certain oaths prior to admission to the United States. Page S3260 Sessions Amendment No. 291, to strike the authority to provide living quarters and allowances to the United States Representative to the United Nations. Page S3260 Sessions Amendment No. 317, to provide for accountability in the United Nations Headquarters renovation project. Pages S3261-62 Supplemental Appropriations--Agreement: A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that at 3 p.m., on Monday, April 11, 2005, Senate begin 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. Page S3338 Appointments: Advisory Committee on the Records of Congress: The Chair announced, on behalf of the Secretary of State, pursuant to Public Law 101-509, the appointment of Paul Gherman, of Tennessee, to the Advisory Committee on the Records of Congress. Page S3338 Advisory Committee on the Records of Congress: The Chair announced, on behalf of the Majority Leader, pursuant to Public Law 101-509, the re-appointment of Alan C. Low, of Tennessee, to the Advisory Committee on the Records of Congress. Page S3338 Nominations Confirmed: Senate confirmed the following nomination: John B. Bellinger, of Virginia, to be Legal Adviser of the Department of State. Pages S3338, S3340 Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations: Maria Cino, of Virginia, to be Deputy Secretary of Transportation. Timothy D. Adams, of Virginia, to be an Under Secretary of the Treasury. Air Force nomination in the rank of general. Routine lists in the Air Force, Army, Navy. Pages S3338-40 Messages From the House: Page S3276 Measures Placed on Calendar: Page S3276 Executive Communications: Pages S3276-77 Additional Cosponsors: Pages S3278-80 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S3280-S3318 Additional Statements: Pages S3274-76 Amendments Submitted: Pages S3318-37 Notices of Hearings/Meetings: Page S3337 Authority for Committees to Meet: Pages S3337-38 Record Votes: Three record votes were taken today. (Total--86) Pages S3241, S3248, S3253 Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:32 a.m., and adjourned at 8 p.m., until 10 a.m., on Thursday, April 7, 2005, p.m. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page S3338.) [[Page D296]] Committee Meetings (Committees not listed did not meet) NOMINATION Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nomination of Charles F. Conner, of Indiana, to be Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, after the nominee, who was introduced by Senator Lugar, testified and answered questions in his own behalf. APPROPRIATIONS: NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2006 for the National Institutes of Health, after receiving testimony from Elias Zerhouni, Director, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Resources. APPROPRIATIONS: AIR FORCE Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2006 for the Air Force, after receiving testimony from Michael L. Dominguez, Acting Secretary for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, and General John P. Jumper, Chief of Staff, both of the U.S. Air Force. BUSINESS MEETING Committee on Appropriations: Committee ordered favorably reported 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, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. ORGANIZATIONAL Committee on Appropriations: Committee announced the following subcommittee assignments: Subcommittee on District of Columbia: Senators Brownback (Chairman), DeWine, Allard, Landrieu, and Durbin. Subcommittee on Energy and Water, and Related Agencies: Senators Domenici (Chairman), Cochran, McConnell, Bennett, Burns, Craig, Bond, Hutchison, Allard, Reid, Byrd, Murray, Dorgan, Feinstein, Johnson, Landrieu, and Inouye. Subcommittee on Legislative Branch: Senators Allard (Chairman), Cochran, DeWine, Durbin, and Johnson. Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies: Senators Hutchison (Chairman), Burns, Craig, DeWine, Brownback, Allard, McConnell, Feinstein, Inouye, Johnson, Landrieu, Byrd, and Murray. DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION REQUEST: MILITARY INSTALLATION Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support concluded a hearing to examine military installation programs in review of the Defense Authorization Request for fiscal year 2006, after receiving testimony from Phillip W. Grone, Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Installations and Environment; Geoffrey G. Prosch, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations and Environment; B.J. Penn, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Installations and Environment; and Nelson F. Gibbs, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment, and Logistics. DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION: TACTICAL AVIATION PROGRAMS Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Airland concluded a hearing to examine tactical aviation programs in review of the Defense Authorization request for fiscal year 2006, after receiving testimony from Joseph E. Schmitz, Inspector General, Department of Defense; Michael J. Sullivan, Acquisition and Sourcing Management, General Accountability Office; Christopher Bolkcom, Specialist on National Defense, Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress; Michael W. Wynne, Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics; John J. Young, Jr., Assistant Secretary for Research, Development and Acquisition, and Vice Admiral Joseph A. Sestak, Jr., USN, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Warfare, Requirements, and Programs, both of the United States Navy; Major General Stanley Gorenc, USAF, Director, Operational Capabilities and Requirements, United States Air Force; and Brigadier General Martin Post, USMC, Assistant Deputy Commandant for Aviation, United States Marine Corps. GOVERNMENT-SPONSORED ENTERPRISES Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the role of housing-related government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) in our economy, focusing on promoting mortgage securitization, after receiving testimony from Alan Greenspan, Chairman, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. [[Page D297]] NOMINATION Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nomination of David Garman, of Virginia, to be Under Secretary of Energy, after the nominee testified and answered questions in his own behalf. NOMINATIONS Committee on Environment and Public Works: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nominations of Stephen L. Johnson, of Maryland, to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, Luis Luna, of Maryland, to be an Assistant Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency for Administration and Resource Management, John Paul Woodley, Jr., of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, Major General Don T. Riley, United States Army, to be a Member and President of the Mississippi River Commission, Brigadier General William T. Grisoli, United States Army, to be a Member of the Mississippi River Commission, and D. Michael Rappoport, of Arizona, to be a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Morris K. Udall Scholarship and Excellence in National Environmental Policy Foundation, after the nominees testified and answered questions in their own behalf. NON-AMBULATORY PERSONS HEALTH CARE Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: Committee concluded a hearing to examine health care provided to non-ambulatory persons, focusing on the medical, scientific, and ethical issues involved in the diagnosis, treatment, and decision-making for patients with disorders of consciousness resulting from severe brain damage, after receiving testimony from Rud Turnbull, University of Kansas Beach Center on Disability, Lawrence; James L. Bernat, Dartmouth Medical School, Hanover, New Hampshire, on behalf of the American Academy of Neurology; Deborah L. Warden, Defense and Veterans Head Injury Program, Washington, D.C.; and J. Donald Schumacher, National Hospice and Palliative Care Association, Alexandria, Virginia. INTELLIGENCE Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee met in closed session to receive a briefing on certain intelligence matters from officials of the intelligence community. House of Representatives Chamber Action Measures Introduced: 42 public bills, H.R. 1489-1530; 2 private bills, H.R. 1531, H. Res. 201; and 14 resolutions, H. Con. Res. 124-126, and H. Res. 190-200, were introduced. Pages H1844-46 Additional Cosponsors: Pages H1846-48 Reports Filed: No reports were filed today. Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein he appointed Majority Leader Tom DeLay to act as Speaker Pro Tempore for today. Page H1783 Chaplain: The prayer was offered today by Rev. L.H. Hardwick, Jr., Pastor, Christ Church in Nashville, Tennessee. Page H1783 Recess: The House recessed at 10:06 a.m. for the purpose of receiving His Excellency Viktor Yushchenko, President of Ukraine and reconvened at 12:16 p.m.; and agreed that the proceedings had during the Joint Meeting be printed in the Record. Page H1784 Joint Meeting to receive His Excellency Viktor Yushchenko, President of Ukraine: The House and Senate met in a Joint Meeting to receive His Excellency Viktor Yushchenko, President of Ukraine. He was escorted into the Chamber by a Committee comprised of Representatives Blunt, Pryce (OH), Kingston, Doolittle, Gallegly, Weldon (PA), Pelosi, Hoyer, Menendez, Lantos, Harman, and Kaptur and Senators Frist, McConnell, Stevens, Santorum, Hutchison, Kyl, Dole, Lugar, Reid, Durbin, Stabenow, and Clinton. Page H1784 Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measures: Realtime Investor Protection Act: H.R. 1077, amended, to improve the access of investors to regulatory records with respect to securities brokers, dealers, and investment advisers; Pages H1788-90 Increased Capital Access for Growing Business Act: H.R. 436, to amend the Investment Company Act of 1940 to provide incentives for small business investment; Pages H1790-91 [[Page D298]] Mortgage Servicing Clarification Act: H.R. 1025, amended, to amend the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act to exempt mortgage servicers from certain requirements of the Act with respect to federally related mortgage loans secured by a first lien; Pages H1791-94 Native American Housing Enhancement Act of 2005: H.R. 797, to amend the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 and other Acts to improve housing programs for Indians; Pages H1794-97 Supporting the goals and ideals of Financial Literacy Month: H. Res. 148, supporting the goals and ideals of Financial Literacy Month, by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 409 yeas to 2 nays, Roll No. 95; Pages H1797-H1802, H1821-22 Recognizing and honoring firefighters for their many contributions throughout the history of the Nation: H. Res. 188, recognizing and honoring firefighters for their many contributions throughout the history of the Nation; and Pages H1802-06 Captain Mark Stubenhofer Post Office Building Designation Act: H.R. 1460, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 6200 Rolling Road in Springfield, Virginia, as the ``Captain Mark Stubenhofer Post Office Building''. Pages H1806-07 Honoring the life and achievements of Pope John Paul II: The House agreed to H. Res. 190, honoring the life and achievements of His Holiness Pope John Paul II and expressing profound sorrow on his death, by a yea-and-nay vote of 415 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 94. Pages H1807-21 The measure was considered under a unanimous consent agreement reached yesterday, April 5. House Commission on Congressional Mailing Standards: The Chair announced the Speaker's appointment of the following Members to the House Commission on Congressional Mailing Standards: Representatives Ney, Aderholt, Sweeney, Millender-McDonald, Holt, and Sherman. Page H1822 Meeting Hour: Agreed that when the House adjourns today it adjourn to meet at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 8, and further, when the House adjourns on that day, it adjourn to meet at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 12 for Morning Hour debate. Page H1823 Calendar Wednesday: Agreed to dispense with the Calendar Wednesday business of Wednesday, April 13. Page H1823 Quorum Calls--Votes: Two yea-and-nay votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H1821 and H1822 . There were no quorum calls. Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 6:30 p.m. Committee Meetings AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Natural Resources and Environment. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the USDA: Mark E. Rey, Under Secretary, Natural Resources and Environment; Bruce I. Knight, Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service; Wade Daniel Runnels, Director, Budget Planning and Analysis Division; and Dennis Kaplan, Budget Office. DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Defense met in executive session to hold a hearing on Army Acquisition. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of the Army: Claude M. Bolton, Jr., Assistant Secretary; and LTG Joseph Yakovac, Jr., Deputy Assistant Secretary, both with Acquisitions and Logistics. 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 held a hearing on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Testimony was heard from Julie L. Gerberding, M.D., Director, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services. INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies held a hearing on the Kennedy Center. Testimony was heard from Michael M. Kaiser, President, Kennedy Center and Keith Cuttingham and Mark Goldstein, both with GAO. MILITARY QUALITY OF LIFE, AND VETERANS AFFAIRS, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Military Quality of Life, and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies held a hearing on Defense Health Program, the United States Court of Appeals for [[Page D299]] Veterans Claims, the American Battle Monuments Commission, the Arlington National Cemetery, and on the Armed Forces Retirement Home. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: William Winkenwerder, Jr., M.D., Assistant Secretary, Health Affairs; LTG Kevin C. Kiley, M.D., U.S. Army Surgeon General Commander, U.S. Army Medical Command; LTG George Peach Taylor, Jr., M.D., Surgeon General, U.S. Air Force; and VADM Donald C. Arthur, Medical Corps Surgeon General Chief, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery; Donald Ivers, Chief Judge; and William Greene, Judge, both with the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims; GEN Fredrick M. Franks, Jr., U.S. Army (ret.), Chairman; and BG John W. Nicholson, U.S. Army (ret.), Secretary, American Battle Monuments Commission; John Paul Woodley, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army, (Civil Works) and Timothy C. Cox, Chief Operating Officer, Armed Forces Retirement Home. IRAQ'S PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE Committee on Armed Services: Held a hearing on Iraq's past, present and future. Testimony was heard from the following former officials of the Department of Defense: GEN Wesley Clark, USA (ret.), Combatant Commander, European Command; and Richard Perle, Assistant Secretary, International Security Policy. NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BUDGET REQUEST FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006 Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Readiness held a hearing on Fiscal Year 2006 National Defense Authorization budget request-- Military Service's Requirement on Reconstitution of Equipment. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: LTG Claude V. Christianson, USA, Deputy Chief of Staff, G-4, U.S. Army; RADM Mark A. Hugel, USN, Deputy Director, Fleet Readiness (OPNAV N43B), Staff of the Chief of Naval Operations, U.S. Navy; LTG Jan C. Huly, USMC, Deputy Commandant, Plans, Policies, and Operations, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps; and LTG Donald J. Wetekam, USAF, Deputy Chief of Staff, Installations and Logistics, U.S. Air Force; and Douglas Holtz-Eakin, Director, CBO. NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BUDGET REQUEST FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006 Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities held a hearing on the Fiscal Year 2006 National Defense Authorization budget request--Destruction of the U.S. Chemical Weapons Stockpile--Program Status and Issues. Testimony was heard from the following officials of the Department of Defense: Dale Klein, Assistant to the Secretary (Nuclear, Chemical and Biological Defense Programs); Claude Bolton, Assistant Secretary, Army (Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology); Pat Wakefield, Deputy Assistant to the Secretary (Chemical Demilitarization and Counterproliferation); and Mike Parker, Director, U.S. Army Chemical Materiel Agency; Craig Conklin, Chief, Nuclear and Chemical Hazards Branch Preparedness Division, Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate, FEMA, Department of Homeland Security; and Thomas Sinks, Acting Director, National Center, Environmental Health/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services. SINGLE-EMPLOYER PENSION PLANS Committee on Education and the Workforce: Ordered reported unfavorably H. Res. 134, Requesting the President to transmit to the House of Representatives certain information relating to plan assets and liabilities of single-employer pension plans. ENERGY POLICY ACT Committee on Energy and Commerce: Began markup of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Will continue April 12. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BUDGET Committee on Financial Services: Held a hearing entitled ``Strengthening America's Communities: A Review of the Administration's FY 2006 Budget Initiative.'' Testimony was heard from Carlos M. Gutierrez, Secretary of Commerce; Alphonso Jackson, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; and Clay Johnson III, Deputy Director, Management, OMB. FANNIE MAE--OFHEO's EFFORTS TO ENSURE SAFE AND SOUND OPERATIONS Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance and Government Sponsored Enterprises held a hearing entitled ``Additional Accounting and Management Failures at Fannie Mae--OFHEO's Efforts to Ensure Safe and Sound Operations.'' Testimony was heard from Armando Falcon, Director, Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight, Department of Housing and Urban Development. ENERGY SECURITY POLICY Committee on Government Reform: Subcommittee on Energy and Resources held a hearing entitled ``America's Energy Needs as Our National Security Policy.'' Testimony was heard from Jeffrey Clay Sell, Deputy Secretary, Department of Energy; R. James Woolsey, former Director, CIA; and public witnesses. [[Page D300]] OVERSIGHT--CHINA'S ANTI-SECESSION LAW Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific held an oversight hearing on China's Anti-Secession Law and Developments across the Taiwan Strait. Testimony was heard from Randall G. Schriver, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Department of State; and public witnesses. OVERSIGHT--BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA: UNFINISHED BUSINESS Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Europe and Emerging Threats held an oversight hearing on Bosnia-Herzegovina: Unfinished Business. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. OVERSIGHT--CHINA'S WESTERN HEMISPHERE INFLUENCE Committee on International Relations: Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere held an oversight hearing on China's Influence in the Western Hemisphere. Testimony was heard from Roger F. Noriega, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, Department of State; Rogelio Pardo-Maurer, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, Department of Defense; and public witnesses. OVERSIGHT--USA PATRIOT ACT--REAUTHORIZATION Committee on the Judiciary: Held an oversight hearing on the USA PATRIOT Act: A Review for the Purpose of its Reauthorization. Testimony was heard from Alberto R. Gonzales, the Attorney General, Department of Justice. OVERSIGHT--DIGITAL MUSIC Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property held an oversight hearing on Digital Music Interoperability and Availability. Testimony was heard from public witnesses. OVERSIGHT--NATIONAL PARK SERVICE CONCESSIONS ACT OF 1998 IMPLEMENTATION Committee on Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks held an oversight hearing on the Implementation of the National Park Service Concessions Act of 1998. Testimony was heard from Steve Martin, Director, Intermountain Region, National Park Service, Department of the Interior; and public witnesses. MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES; EXPORT-IMPORT BANK PROGRAMS Committee on Small Business: Ordered reported the following resolutions: H. Res. 130, Recognizing the contributions of environmental systems and the technicians who install and maintain them to the quality of life of all Americans and supporting the goals and ideals of National Indoor Comfort Week; and H. Res. 22, as amended, Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that American small businesses are entitled to a Small Business Bill of Rights. The Committee also held a hearing on the commitment of the Export- Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im) to assist small business exporters. Testimony was heard from Philip Merrill, President and Chairman, Export-Import Bank of the United States; and public witnesses. OVERSIGHT--PANDEMIC THREAT/AIR TRAVEL Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Aviation held an oversight hearing on Efforts to Prevent Pandemics by Air Travel. Testimony was heard from Jon L. Jordan, M.D., Federal Air Surgeon, Office of Aerospace Medicine, FAA, Department of Transportation; CAPT Anne Schuchat, M.D., Acting Director, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services; and public witnesses. BRIEFING--WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Met in executive session to receive a briefing on Weapons of Mass Destruction. The Committee was briefed by departmental witnesses. Joint Meetings SCHNEERSON COLLECTION Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (Helsinki Commission): Commission concluded a hearing to examine the efforts of the Chabad community and the U.S. Government to recover the ``Schneerson Collection'' of sacred and irreplaceable Jewish books and manuscripts from the Russian Government, after receiving testimony from Ambassador Edward B. O'Donnell, Jr., Special Envoy for Holocaust Issues, Department of State; Boruch Shlomo Cunin, Los Angeles, California, Isaac Kogan, Moscow, Russia, and Sholom Ber Levinson, and Yehuda Krinsky, both of Brooklyn, New York, all of Agudas Chasidel Chabad- Lubavitch; Marshall B. Grossman, Alschuler Grossman Stein and Kahan, LLP, Santa Monica, California; Yosef Aronoc, Chabad, Ksar Chabad, [[Page D301]] Israel; Leon Fuerth, The George Washington University, Washington, D.C.; Jon Voight, Los Angeles, California; and Joseph Wineberg, Miami, Florida. COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2005 (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Senate Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Transportation, Treasury and General Government, to hold hearings to examine the proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2006 for the Internal Revenue Service, 9:30 a.m., SD-138. Subcommittee on Energy and Water, to hold hearings to examine the proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2006 for the Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Reclamation, 2 p.m., SD-138. Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, to hold hearings to examine Ballistic Missile Defense Programs in review of the Defense Authorization Request for fiscal year 2006, 2:30 p.m., SR-222. Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: to continue hearings to examine regulatory reform of the Government-Sponsored Enterprises, 10 a.m., SD-538. Committee on the Judiciary: business meeting to consider S. 378, to make it a criminal act to willfully use a weapon with the intent to cause death or serious bodily injury to any person while on board a passenger vessel, S. 119, to provide for the protection of unaccompanied alien children, S. 629, to amend chapter 97 of title 18, United States Code, relating to protecting against attacks on railroads and other mass transportation systems, and the nominations of Terrence W. Boyle, of North Carolina, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fourth Circuit, Priscilla Richman Owen, of Texas, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fifth Circuit, Robert J. Conrad, Jr., to be United States District Judge for the Western District of North Carolina, James C. Dever III, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of North Carolina, and Thomas B. Griffith, of Utah, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit, 9:30 a.m., SD-226. Committee on Veterans' Affairs: to hold hearings to examine the nomination of Jonathan Brian Perlin, of Maryland, to be Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Health, 10 a.m., SR-418. Select Committee on Intelligence: to hold closed hearings to examine certain intelligence matters, 1:30 p.m., SH-219. House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, on Research, Education, and Extension, 9:30 a.m., 2362A Rayburn. Subcommittee on the Department of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies, on OSHA, on Mine Safety and Health Administration, and on National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 10 a.m., 2358 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Departments of Transportation, Treasury, and Housing and Urban Development, the Judiciary, District of Columbia, and Independent Agencies, on GSA, 3 p.m., 2358 Rayburn. Subcommittee Military Quality of Life, and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies, on BRAC/Global Posture Review; 9:30 a.m., and on public witnesses, 1:30 p.m., H-143 Capitol. Committee on Armed Services, Subcommittee on Military Personnel, hearing on the Fiscal Year 2006 National Defense Authorization budget request-Military Resale and Morale Welfare and Recreation Overview, 1 p.m., 2212 Rayburn. Committee on Government Reform, hearing entitled ``No Computer Left Behind: A Review of the Federal Government's D+Information Security Grade,'' 10 a.m., 2154 Rayburn. Joint Meetings Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe: to hold hearings to examine the recent revolution in Kyrgyzstan and the prospects now for consolidating democracy, focusing on the implications for Central Asia, Belarus, Russia and the United States, 1 p.m., SR- 428A. 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 D302]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 10 a.m., Thursday, April 7 Senate Chamber Program for Thursday: Senate will be in a period of morning business. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 10 a.m., Friday, April 8 House Chamber Program for Friday: The House will meet at 10 a.m. in pro forma session. _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Becerra, Xavier, Calif., E557 Bonner, Jo, Ala., E559 Cuellar, Henry, Tex., E555, E557, E557, E562 Davis, Jim, Fla., E556 Emanuel, Rahm, Ill., E556 Faleomavaega, Eni F.H., American Samoa, E556 Frank, Barney, Mass., E559 Maloney, Carolyn B., N.Y., E556 Moore, Dennis, Kans., E555 Pelosi, Nancy, Calif., E557 Rogers, Mike, Ala., E559 Scott, Robert C., Va., E556 Towns, Edolphus, N.Y., E555