{ 1999/07/01 TIME: 14-00 , Thu. 106TH SENATE, FIRST SESSION}

{ NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT OF THE SENATE PROCEEDINGS.}


           THE DRUG SMUG BERS' EFFORTS TO BRING MORE CONTRABAND INTO THE
           COUNTRY IS NOT STAYING EVEN. WE HAVE TO TRY TO KEEP UP. AND THE
           MODEST INCREASE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IS AN EFFORT TO TRY TO KEEP
           UP WITH THE NATURE OF THE PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE. SO, POINT
           NUMBER ONE. THE CHAIRMAN IS ABSOLUTELY CORRECT. THEY FOUGHT
           VERY HARD TO GET ADDITIONAL MONEY IN HERE JUST TO SAVE THE
           STATUS QUO. BUT I THINK THE SECOND POINT THAT WE'RE MAKING IS
           ALSO VALID, AND THAT IS PRESERVING THE STATUS QUO HERE ISN'T

{14:00:35} (MR. KYL) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           GOOD ENOUGH. WE NEED TO TRY TO FIND A SOURCE TO FIND AT LEAST
           ANOTHER $50 MILLION FOR THESE ADDITIONAL CUSTOMS INSPECTORS TO
           TRY TO KEEP PACE WITH WHAT'S GOING ON AT OUR BORDERS. MR.
           PRESIDENT,

{14:00:49 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM ARIZONA.

{14:00:53 NSP} (MR. KYL) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. KYL: IF THERE IS NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, WE COULD DEFER A
           VOTE ON THIS UNTIL AFTER. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THERE WILL BE
           A VOTE ON THE LAUTENBERG AMENDMENT IN ROUGHLY 90 MINUTES OR SO.
           PERHAPS WE CAN CONCLUDE THIS CONVERSATION NOW AND SCHEDULE ANY

{14:01:05 NSP} (MR. CAMPBELL) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           VOTE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THAT. MR. CAMPBELL: MR. PRESIDENT?

{14:01:07 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM COLORADO.

{14:01:10 NSP} (MR. CAMPBELL) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. CAMPBELL: I'D MOVE TO TABLE THE KYL AMENDMENT AND ASK FOR
           THE YEAS AND NAYS AND FURTHER ASK THE VOTE ON THE KYL AMENDMENT
           TAKE PLACE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE VOTE ON THE LAUTENBERG
           AMENDMENT, NUMBER 12 14, WHICH WE CAN EXPECT TO TAKE PLACE
           LATER THIS AFTERNOON. HOWEVER, I WILL BE HAPPY TO WORK WITH MY
           COLLEAGUES, AND IF WE CAN FIND A SOLUTION, A WAY TO OFFSET THE
           MONEY WITHIN THE CUSTOMS BUDGET, I WOULD AT THAT TIME ASK TO
           VITIATE THIS -- MOTION TO TABLE.

{14:01:34 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION. A SENATOR: MR.
           PRESIDENT?

{14:01:36 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           THE PRESIDING OFFICER: IS THERE A SUFFICIENT SECOND?

{14:01:40 NSP} (A SENATOR) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           THERE APPEARS TO BE A SECOND. A SENATOR: MR. PRESIDENT?

{14:01:49 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM HAWAII. ALASKA MR.
           PRESIDENT, --

{14:01:52 NSP} (MR. AKAKA) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. AKAKA: MR. PRESIDENT, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT WITH THE
           PERMISSION OF THE MANAGERS --

{14:01:55 NSP} (MR. CAMPBELL) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. CAMPBELL: MR. PRESIDENT, I HAVE A UNANIMOUS CONSENT
           REQUEST. I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT A TIME PRIOR TO THE
           MOTION TO TABLE AMENDMENT NUMBER 1214, THE LAUTENBERG
           AMENDMENT, BE LIMITED TO 90 MINUTES TO BE EQUALLY DIVIDED IN
           THE USUAL FORM AND NO OTHER AMENDMENTS BE IN ORDER TO THE
           AMENDMENT PRIOR TO THE MOTION TO TABLE.

{14:02:11 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           THE PRESIDING OFFICER: IS THERE OBJECTION?
           WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED.

{14:02:19 NSP} (MR. CAMPBELL) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. CAMPBELL: THANK YOU. MR. AKAKA: MR. PRESIDENT?
           MR. PRESIDENT?

{14:02:24 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           THE PRESIDING OFFICER: YES. THE SENATOR FROM HAWAII.

{14:02:30 NSP} (MR. AKAKA) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. AKAKA: MR. PRESIDENT, I THANK THE MANAGER OF THE BILL FOR
           PERMITTING ME TO DO THIS. I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO SPEAK FOR
           ABOUT SIX MINUTES INTRODUCING A BILL.

{14:02:41 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION.

{14:02:45 NSP} (MR. AKAKA) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. AKAKA: MR. PRESIDENT, I RISE TO INTRODUCE A BILL THAT WOULD
           CONTINUE A PROGRAM VITAL TO HELPING WELFARE RECIPIENTS WHO FACE
           THEGREATEST BARRIERS TO FINDING AND SECURING EMPLOYMENT, CALLED
           THE WELFARE-TO-WORK AMENDMENTS OF 1999. MY BILL TARGETS
           RESOURCES TO FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES WITH THE GREATEST NEED,
           SIMPLIFIES ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR PARTICIPATION AND HELPS
           NONCUSTODIAL PARENTS GET JOBS TO ENABLE THEM TO MAKE CHILD

{14:03:16} (MR. AKAKA) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           SUPPORT PAYMENTS. IT ALSO OPENS MORE RESOURCES TO NATIVE
           AMERICANS, THE HOMELESS, THOSE WITH DISABILITIES OR SUBSTANCE
           ABUSE PROBLEMS, AND VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. THIS IS
           SIMILAR TO A PROPOSAL UNVEILED BY THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION
           EARLIER THIS YEAR AND INTRODUCED AS H.R. 1482 BY REPRESENTATIVE
           BENJAMIN CARDIN OF MARYLAND. AT THIS POINT, MR. PRESIDENT, I
           ASK THAT A LETTER THAT I RECEIVED FROM THE SECRETARY OF LABOR,
           ALEXIS HERMAN, BE INSERTED IN THE RECORD.

{14:03:49 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION.

{14:03:53 NSP} (MR. AKAKA) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. AKAKA: AND I QUOTE FROM THAT LETTER TO ME. I QUOTE THAT,
           "PRESIDENT CLINTON AND I BELIEVE THE WELFARE-TO-WORK GRANTS
           PROGRAM IS A KEY COMPONENT OF THE OVERALL WELFARE REFORM
           EFFORT." I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK MY COLLEAGUES, SENATORS
           MOYNIHAN, FEINSTEIN, WELLSTONE, MURRAY AND LAUTENBERG, FOR
           JOINING ME AS AN ORIGINAL COSPONSOR OF MY BILL. MR. PRESIDENT,
           THE WELFARE-TO-WORK PROGRAM HAS HELPED NUMEROUS WELFARE

{14:04:25} (MR. AKAKA) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           PARENTS, BOTH CUSTODIAL AND NONCUSTODIAL, FIND AND KEEP JOBS
           THAT PAY LIVING WAGE AND ALLOW THEM TO FULFILL BASIC
           OBLIGATIONS TO THEIR CHILDREN. CHILDREN HAVE FUNDAMENTAL NEEDS
           FOR FOOD, SHELTER AND CLOTHING. YET, MANY PARENTS FIND
           THEMSELVES BARELY SCRAPING BY IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THESE THINGS.
           MANY FAMILIES ARE UNABLE TO GO MUCH BEYOND THE ESSENTIALS TO
           ENROLL THEIR CHILDREN IN SPORTS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES THAT BUILD
           STRONG BODIES AND SOCIAL SKILLS OR TO PROVIDE THEM WITH DECENT

{14:04:58} (MR. AKAKA) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           SCHOOL SUPPLIES. BOOKS OR COMPUTERS TO DEVELOP STRONG MINDS AS
           WELL. MOST FAMILIES TAKE THESE THINGS FOR GRANTED BECAUSE THEY
           LIVE WITHOUT THE ANXIETY OF WONDERING WHEN THE NEXT PAYCHECK OR
           CHILD SUPPORT PAYMENT MIGHT BE COMING IN. THEY HAVE THE
           FINANCES TO PAY FOR CHILD CARE TO ENABLE PARENTS TO WORK DURING
           THE DAY. OR THEY HAVE A TELEPHONE SO THAT THEY MAY RECEIVE
           CALLS FOR JOB INTERVIEWS. THE FAMILIES THAT CANNOT MAKE ENDS
           MEET CONTINUE TO LIVE IN DIRE NEED AND FIND THEIR CHILDREN

{14:05:32} (MR. AKAKA) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           LIVING IN RISK. MR. PRESIDENT, 14.5 MILLION AMERICAN CHILDREN
           LIVE IN POVERTY. FURTHERMORE, AS REPORTED IN "KIDS COUNT 1999,"
           32% OF CHILDREN DO NOT LIVE WITH TWO PARENTS, AND 19% LIVE IN A
           HOME WITH THE HEAD OF THE HOUSEHOLD IS A HIGH-SCHOOL DROPOUT.
           21% OF CHILDREN ARE IN FAMILIES WITH INCOMES BELOW THE POVERTY
           LINE. 28% ARE LIVING WITH A PARENT OR PARENTS LACKING STEADY
           FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT. AND 15% DO NOT HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE. IT

{14:06:07} (MR. AKAKA) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           IS A SHAME THAT IN THE MOST PROSPEROUS NATION IN THE WORLD, WE
           CONTINUE TO BE FACED WITH THESE DISMAL STATISTICS FOR OUR
           CHILDREN. YOUNG AMERICANS WHO HOLD THE PROMISE OF THIS
           COUNTRY'S FUTURE IN THEIR HANDS. MANY OF THESE CHILDREN WERE
           HELPED IN THE BALANCED BUDGET ACT OF 1997, CREATED THE WELFARE
           TO WORK PROGRAM AS A NEW SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING ASSISTANCE TO
           WELFARE RECIPIENTS. THIS FOLLOWED ON THE HEELS OF PERSONAL
           RESPONSIBILITY AND WORK OPPORTUNITY RECONCILIATION ACT OF 1996,

{14:06:42} (MR. AKAKA) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           WHICH REPLACED THE AID TO FAMILIES AND DEPENDENT CHILDREN CASH
           ASSISTANCE PROGRAM WITH A TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY
           FAMILIES PROGRAM. THE 1996 WELFARE LAW ADDRESSED THE BULK OF
           THE WELFARE POPULATION BUT LACKED A COMPONENT TO HELP THE
           HARDEST TO EMPLOY -- WELFARE RECIPIENTS. THUS, WELFARE-TO-WORK
           WAS PASSED TO ASSIST THIS POPULATION FIND JOBS AND ACHIEVE
           INDEPENDENCE SO THEY NO LONGER WOULD NEED PUBLIC SUPPORT. SINCE

{14:07:14} (MR. AKAKA) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           1996 THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN THE SYSTEM DROPPED BY A RECORD
           NUMBER. 40% FROM A PEAK OF ABOUT FIVE MILLION FAMILIES IN 1994
           DOWN TO THREE MILLION FAMILIES AS OF JUNE 1998. AND THIS IS
           ACCORDING TO GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE. HOWEVER, THE JOB IS NOT
           FINISHED. WE NEED TO INVEST MUCH MORE TO HELP THESE INDIVIDUALS
           REACH SELF-SUFFICIENCY THAN WE DID IN THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY

{14:07:46} (MR. AKAKA) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           LEFT WELFARE. THESE INDIVIDUALS MIGHT HAVE ALREADY HAD AN
           EDUCATIONAL RECORD, SPECIAL SKILLS OR SIGNIFICANT FAMILY
           SUPPORT BEHIND THEM TO HELP THEM TO THEIR FEET. THESE ARE
           HARD-LUCK CASES, MR. PRESIDENT. THESE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO
           CONTINUE TO BE LEFT OUT OF THE ECONOMIC BOOM OF THE 1990'S AND
           THESE ARE THE PEOPLE WHOM WELFARE-TO-WORK WAS DESIGNED TO HELP.
           IF WE LET THE PROGRAM EXPIRE THIS YEAR, EVEN IF STATES HAVE
           THREE YEARS FROM TODAY -- FROM THE DATE OF AWARD TO SPEND THEIR

{14:08:22} (MR. AKAKA) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           PROGRAM FUNDS, WE WILL BE SAYING TO THESE PEOPLE, -- QUOTE --
           "WE'VE FORGOTTEN THE PROMISE WE MADE TO YOU IN 1996 THAT WE
           WOULD CONTINUE TO HELP YOU. NOW THERE IS NO MORE HELP FOR YOU."
           THIS WOULD BE PARTICULARLY HARMFUL IN MY STATE OF HAWAII, WITH
           THE STRUGGLE DUE TO THE ASIAN FINANCIAL CRISIS AND HAS BEEN THE
           ONLY STATE WHERE WELFARE ROLLS HAVE INCREASED. WELFARE TO WORK
           HAS ASSISTED MANY OF HAWAII'S WELFARE RECIPIENTS THROUGH THIS

{14:08:53} (MR. AKAKA) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           PERIOD OF FINANCIAL HARDSHIP FOR THE STATE BY HELPING THEM FIND
           UNSUBSIDIZED EMPLOYMENT. THE PROGRAM MUST BE EXTENDED SO THAT
           IT MAY HELP OTHER RECIPIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES. MR. PRESIDENT,
           I HOPE THAT MY COLLEAGUES WILL JOIN ME BY SUPPORTING A BILL TO
           REAUTHORIZE THE WELFARE-TO-WORK PROGRAM, ENTITLED, "THE WELFARE
           TO WORK AMENDMENTS OF 1999." I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT MY
           ENTIRE STATEMENT BE ENTERED INTO THE RECORD AND YIELD BACK THE
           BALANCE OF MY TIME.

{14:09:26 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION. MR. CAMPBELL: MR.
           PRESIDENT?

{14:09:28 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WHO YIELDS TIME?
           THE SENATOR FROM COLORADO.

{14:09:33 NSP} (MR. CAMPBELL) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. CAMPBELL: WE HAVE AN AGREEMENT WORKED OUT ON TWO AMENDMENTS
           DEALING WITH CHILD-CARE CENTERS IN FEDERAL ACTIVITIES. THEY
           HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED BY THE MINORITY AND MAJORITY. I WOULD ASK
           THE JEFFORDS AMENDMENT NUMBER 1197 BE CALLED UP AND ACCEPTED.

{14:09:49 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE CLERK WILL REPORT.

{14:09:51 NSP} (THE CLERK) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           THE CLERK: AMENDMENT NUMBER 119 1197 PREVIOUSLY PROPOSED BY THE
           SENATOR FROM COLORADO, MR. CAMPBELL, FOR MR. JEFFORDS --

{14:10:00 NSP} (MR. CAMPBELL) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. CAMPBELL: I ASK THAT THAT AMENDMENT BE ACCEPTED, MR.
           PRESIDENT.

{14:10:02 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE AMENDMENT IS
           AGREED TO.

{14:10:08 NSP} (MR. CAMPBELL) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. CAMPBELL: AND I CALL UP AMENDMENT NUMBER 1211 BY MRS.
           LANDRIEU AND ASK THAT IT BE WITHDRAWN.

{14:10:12 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE AMENDMENT IS
           WITHDRAWN.

{14:10:17 NSP} (MR. CAMPBELL) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. CAMPBELL: MR. PRESIDENT, AS IN EXECUTIVE SESSION, I ASK
           UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE VOTE IN
           RELATION TO THE KYL AMENDMENT TO THE TREASURY-POSTAL
           APPROPRIATIONS BILL, THE SENATE IMMEDIATELY PROCEED TO A VOTE
           ON THE QUIRTLEP OF THE NOMINATION OF EXECUTIVE CALENDAR NUMBER
           95, THE NOMINATION OF LAWRENCE SUMMERS TO BE SECRETARY OF THE
           TREASURY.

{14:10:37 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION. SO ORDERED.

{14:10:39 NSP} (MR. CAMPBELL) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. CAMPBELL: MR. PRESIDENT, I NOW ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT
           IT NOW BE IN ORDER TO ASK FOR THE YEAS AND NAYS ON THE
           NOMINATION.

{14:10:45 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           THE PRESIDING OFFICER: IS THERE OBJECTION?
           SO ORDERED. IS THERE A SUFFICIENT SECOND?
           THERE APPEARS TO BE.

{14:10:59 NSP} (MR. CAMPBELL) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. CAMPBELL: MR. PRESIDENT, I YIELD THE FLOOR. A SENATOR: MR.
           PRESIDENT?

{14:11:05 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM NEW JERSEY.

{14:11:11 NSP} (MR. LAUTENBERG) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. LAUTENBERG: MR. PRESIDENT, I RISE TO CALL UP AMENDMENT
           NUMBER 1214, WHICH HAS BEEN -- WHICH WAS SENT TO THE DESK
           BEFORE THE CUTOFF ON AMENDMENTS.

{14:11:27 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE CLERK WILL REPORT IT.

{14:11:28 NSP} (THE CLERK) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           THE CLERK: AMENDMENT NUMBER 1214, PREVIOUSLY --

{14:11:29 NSP} (MR. LAUTENBERG) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. LAUTENBERG: MR. PRESIDENT, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT
           FURTHER READING OF THE AMENDMENT BE DISPENSED WITH.

{14:11:34 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION.

{14:11:42 NSP} (MR. LAUTENBERG) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           MR. LAUTENBERG: THIS AMENDMENT IS BEING OFFERED ON BEHALF OF
           MYSELF, SENATOR BYRD, SENATOR HOLLINGS, SENATOR JOHNSON,
           SENATOR HARKIN, SENATOR LIEBERMAN. AND VERY SIMPLY, THIS
           AMENDMENT WOULD REQUIRE THE DRUG CZAR'S OFFICE TO INCLUDE
           MESSAGE IN HIS CURRENT MEDIA CAMPAIGN TO DISCOURAGE CHILDREN
           FROM ENGAGING IN UNDERAGE ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION. NOW, MR.
           PRESIDENT, RUNNING ADS ON NATIONAL TV THAT ESPOUSES THE EVIL OF

{14:12:12} (MR. LAUTENBERG) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           DRUG USE WITHOUT EVEN MENTIONING THE ALCOHOL SENDS THE WRONG
           MESSAGE TO AMERICA'S CHILDREN. IT'S THE EQUIVALENT OF TELLING
           KIDS THAT THEY SHOULD SAY "NO" TO DRUGS BUT THIS BUD IS FOR
           YOU. FACT IS, MR. PRESIDENT, CONSUMING ALCOHOL IS ILLEGAL IN
           ALL 50 STATES IF YOU'RE UNDER THE AGE OF 21. AND AMONG
           AMERICA'S YOUTH, UNDERAGE ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION IS JUST AS BIG OF

{14:12:44} (MR. LAUTENBERG) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           A PROBLEM AS IS DRUG USE. THE FACTS ARE DAUNTING AND REVEALING
           FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT AWARE OF THE DANGER. ALCOHOL KILLS SIX
           TIMES MORE CHILDREN AGES 12 TO 20 THAN ALL OF THE ILLEGAL DRUGS
           COMBINED. ALCOHOL KILLING SIX TIMES ALL OF THE OTHER -- ALL
           ILLEGAL DRUGS COMBINED. IT WAS A SURPRISE TO ME, MR. PRESIDENT,
           AS I SUSPECT THAT IT IS A SURPRISE TO MILLIONS OF OTHER

{14:13:18} (MR. LAUTENBERG) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           AMERICANS AS WELL. UNDERAGE ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION AND ITS
           DEVASTATION AMONG CHILDREN IS A DAUNTING PICTURE. I WANT TO
           POINT OUT SOME MORE FACTS. ACCORDING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF
           HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, THE AVERAGE AGE AT WHICH CHILDREN
           START DRINKING IS 13. AND WHAT'S EVEN WORSE IS THAT THE
           RESEARCH SHOWS THAT CHILDREN WHO DRINK AT THE AGE OF 13 HAVE A
           47% CHANCE OF BECOMING KHOM DEPENDENT. BUT IF -- BECOMING

{14:13:58} (MR. LAUTENBERG) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           ALCOHOL DEPENDENT. BUT IF THEY WOULD WAIT UNTIL THEY ARE 21 TO
           BEGIN DRINKING, THEY WOULD ONLY HAVE A 10% CHANCE. IN ALL, MR.
           PRESIDENT, THERE ARE NEARLY FOUR MILLION YOUNG PEOPLE IN THIS
           COUNTRY WHO SUFFER FROM ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE. THEY ACCOUNT FOR
           ONE-FIFTH OF ALL ALCOHOL-DEPENDENT AMERICANS. SO THE BOTTOM
           LINE IS THAT WE DARE NOT TURN A BLIND EYE WHEN AN OPPORTUNITY
           COMES ALONG TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM, AND THE DRUG CZAR'S MEDIA

{14:14:38} (MR. LAUTENBERG) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

           CAMPAIGN IS THAT OPPORTUNITY. DRUG CZAR GENERAL BARRY MCCAFFREY
           SAID, "THE MOST DANGEROUS DRUG IN AMERICA TODAY IS STILL
           ALCOHOL." "ALCOHOL IS THE BIGGEST DRUG ABUSE PROBLEM FOR
           ADOLESCENTS, AND IT'S LINKED TO THE USE OF OTHER ILLEGAL
           DRUGS." STATISTICS, MR. PRESIDENT,
{END: 1999/07/01 TIME: 14-15 , Thu.  106TH SENATE, FIRST SESSION}

{ NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT OF THE SENATE PROCEEDINGS.}