To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to grant an easement to facilitate access to the Lewis and Clark Interpretative Center in Nebraska City, Nebraska.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Armed Services be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, June 25, 2003, at 9:30 a.m., in open session to consider the nomination of Lieutenant General John P. Abizaid, USA, for appointment to the grade of General and to be commander, United States Central Command.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate, on Wednesday, June 25 at 10:00 a.m. to consider pending calendar business.

On Wednesday, June 25, at 10:00 a.m., the Committee will hold a Business Meeting in Room SD-366 to consider the following items on the Agenda:

Agenda Item #3: S. 470--A bill to extend the authority for the construction of a memorial to Martin Luther King, Jr.

Agenda Item #4: S. 490--A bill to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to convey certain land in the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, Nevada, to the Secretary of the Interior, in trust for the Washoe Indian Tribe of Nevada and California.

Agenda Item #6: S. 546--A bill to provide for the protection of paleontological resources on Federal lands, and for other purposes.

Agenda Item #7: S. 643--A bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior, in cooperation with the University of New Mexico, to construct and occupy a portion of the Hibben Center for Archaeological Research at the University of New Mexico.

Agenda Item #8: S. 651--A bill to amend the National Trails System Act to clarify Federal authority relating to land acquisition from willing sellers for the majority of the trails in the System, and for other purposes.

Agenda Item #9: S. 677--A bill to revise the boundary of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area in the State of Colorado, and for other purposes.

Agenda Item #10: S. 924--A bill to authorize the exchange of lands between an Alaska Native Village Corporation and the Department of the Interior, and for other purposes.

Agenda Item #13: S. 1076--A bill to authorize construction of an education center at or near the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

Agenda Item #14: H.R. 255--To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to grant an easement to facilitate access to the Lewis and Clark Interpretative Center in Nebraska City, Nebraska.

Agenda Item #15: H.R. 1577--To designate the visitor center in Organ Pipe National Monument in Arizona as the ``Kris Eggle Visitor Center'', and for other purposes.

In addition, the Committee may turn to any other measures that are ready for consideration.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Relations be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, June 25, 2003 at 9:30 a.m. to hold a hearing on The African Growth and Opportunity Act.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Relations be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, June 25, 2003 at 2:00 p.m. to hold a hearing on Constitutionalism, Human Rights and the Rule of Law in the Nation of Iraq.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Relations be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, June 25, 2003, at 2:30 p.m. to hold a hearing on The Successor States to Pre-1991 Yugoslavia: Progress & Challenges.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Governmental Affairs be authorized to meet on Wednesday, June 25, 2003, at 9:30 a.m. to consider the nomination of the Joshua B. Bolton to be Director of the Office of Management and Budget.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions be authorized to meet in Executive Session during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, June 25, 2003. The following agenda will be considered:

Agenda

S. 1248, Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2003.

Any nominees that have been cleared for action.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be authorized to meet to conduct a hearing on ``Oversight Hearing: Lessons Learned--The Inspector General's Report on the 9/11 Detainees'' on Wednesday, June 25, 2003, at 10:00 a.m. in the Dirksen Senate Office Building Room 226.

Tentative Witness List

Panel I: The Honorable Glenn A. Fine, Inspector General, Department of Justice, Washington, DC.

Panel II: Harley G. Lappin, Director, Federal Bureau of Prisons, Department of Justice, Washington, DC; Michael E. Rolince, Assistant Director in Charge, Washington Field Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Washington, DC; and David Nahmias, Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General, Criminal Division, Department of Justice, Washington, DC.

THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

Committee on the Judiciary

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be authorized to meet to conduct a hearing on ``Department of Justice and Judicial Nominations'' on Wednesday, June 25, 2003, at 2:00 p.m. in the Dirksen Senate Office Building Room 215 [Finance Committee Hearing Room].

Revised Tentative Agenda

Panel I: Senators.

Panel II: Allyson K. Duncan to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fourth Circuit.

Panel III: Robert C. Brack to be United States District Judge for the District of New Mexico; Samuel Der-Yeghiayan to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois; Louise W. Flanagan to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of North Carolina; Lonny R. Suko to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Washington; and Earl Leroy Yeakel III to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Texas.

Panel IV: Karen P. Tandy to be Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration, United States Department of Justice; and Christopher A. Wray to be Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division, United States Department of Justice.

THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

subcommittee on the constitution, civil rights, and property rights

subcommittee on near eastern and south Asian affairs

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Property Rights and the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs be authorized to meet to conduct a joint hearing on ``Constitutionalism, Human Rights and the Rule of Law in Iraq,'' on Wednesday, June 25, 2003, at 2:00 p.m. in SD226.

Tentative Witness List

Panel I: Mr. Sermid Al-Sarraf, Iraqi Jurists Association, Los Angeles, CA; Dr. Khaled Abou El Fadl, Professor of Law, The Omar and Azmeralda Alfi Distinguished Fellow in Islamic Law, UCLA School of Law, Los Angeles, CA; Mr. Bernard Haykel, Assistant Professor of Middle Eastern Studies and History, New York University, New York, NY; Dr. Kenneth M. Pollack, Director of Research, Saban Center for Middle East Policy, Brookings Institution, Washington, DC; and Ms. Zainab Salbi, President and Founder, Women for Women International, Washington, DC.

Panel II: Mr. Naoyuki Agawa, Former Professor of Constitutional Law, Keio University, Minister and Director of the Japan Information and Culture Center, Embassy of Japan, Washington, DC; Mr. A. E. Dick Howard, White Burkett Miller Professor of Law and Public Affairs, Roy L. and Rosamond Woodruff Morgan Research Professor, University of Virginia School of Law, Charlottesville, VA; Dr. Donald P. Kommers, Joseph and Elizabeth Robbie Professor of Government and International Studies, University of Notre Dame, Professor of Law, Notre Dame Law School, Notre Dame, IN; Mr. Neil J. Kritz, Director, Rule of Law Program, U.S. Institute of Peace, Washington, DC; and Mr. John C. Yoo, Professor of Law, Boalt Hall School of Law, University of California at Berkeley, Visiting Fellow, American Enterprise Institute, Washington,

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the subcommittee on economic policy of the committee on banking, housing, and urban affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on June 25, 2003, at 2:00 p.m. to conduct a hearing on ``Jumpstarting the Economy: Rural America.''

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, and Water be authorized to meet on Wednesday, June 25th at 9:30 am to examine the consulting process required by Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act.

The hearing will take place in SD 406 (Hearing Room).

subcommittee on public lands and forests

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the subcommittee on public lands and forests of the committee on energy and natural resources be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, June 25, at 2:30 p.m. in room SD-366. The purpose of this oversight hearing is to gain an understanding of the grazing programs of the Bureau of Land Management and the United States Forest Service. The subcommittee will receive testimony on grazing permit renewal, BLM's potential changes to grazing regulations, range monitoring, drought and other grazing issues.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 255. This legislation is noncontroversial. It is one introduced by this Member.

I very much appreciate the support and assistance of the gentleman from

California (Chairman Pombo) and the ranking member, the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Rahall), as well as the gentleman from California (Mr. Radanovich) and the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands, (Mrs. Christensen), for moving this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, what this facilitates is the granting of an easement by the National Park Service to Otoe County, Nebraska, so that a road may be constructed to the Missouri River Basin Lewis and Clark Interpretive Trails and Visitors Center, expected to open in July of next year in time for the bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark expedition. The Otoe County government will construct and maintain the road, but it is essential that we have a road for visitors to visit the visitors center.

I introduced this legislation originally in the 107th Congress. It was not acted upon. Time is running short; and, therefore, I very much appreciate the fact that the majority leader, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay), and his staff facilitated the presentation of the bill for the consideration of the House today.

This visitors center will focus primarily on the flora and fauna discovered by Lewis and Clark, well documented for the Nation as they paved the way for the settlement of the great American West.

Mr. Speaker, this Member rises in strong support of H.R. 255. This is a non-controversial, but very necessary bill. It would simply grant an easement to Otoe County in Nebraska allowing it to build an access road to the Missouri River Basin Lewis & Clark Interpretive Trails & Visitors Center which is now under construction at a site adjacent to Nebraska City, Nebraska.

This Member originally introduced this legislation during the 107th Congress when it became clear that the National Park Service could not grant this easement without congressional action. Otoe County has agreed to construct and maintain the access road.

This Member would like to begin by thanking the distinguished gentleman from California (Mr. Pombo), the Chairman of the Resources Committee, and the distinguished gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Rahall), the Ranking Member of the Committee, for their assistance in expediting this legislation.

When completed, the access road facilitated by H.R. 255 will lead visitors from the State Highway Route 2 Expressway to an outstanding Lewis and Clark interpretive center. The center is scheduled to be completed in early 2004 with the grand opening set on July 30, 2004, which coincides with the Lewis and Clark signature event in Nebraska at historic Fort Atkinson, the site of the famous ``Council Bluff'' in Nebraska where Lewis and Clark had their first council with Native American leaders.

The Nebraska City Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center will find an important role by focusing on the flora and fauna encountered and documented by the expedition. Across the country, the bicentennial commemoration is expected to draw millions of Americans and foreign visitors to sites along the Lewis and Clark trail over the next several years. This new center will certainly be one of the must-see stops.

Much like the Expedition itself, this project has had to overcome numerous challenges and obstacles. Its success is due to the remarkable foresight, persistence and dedication of many individuals. This Member has had a longstanding interest in the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Starting from a first reading of Lewis and Clark's journals, many years ago, this Member has always been thrilled with the story of this extraordinary and courageous journey which was so important in the settlement of our region and the westward expansion of our Nation and people.

This Member's legislative efforts related to the Lewis and Clark Expedition began more than two decades ago with the authorship of an amendment to the National Trails System Act in 1980 to include provisions for a series of interpretive markets along the Lewis and Clark Trail in Nebraska and for the authorization of an interpretive center in each of the states through which the Lewis and Clark Trail passes. It has taken Nebraska about 22 years to reach the point of constructing a center, but the results will be worth the effort.

In 1987, Congress specifically authorized construction of a Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center in Nebraska to explain the significance of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The same year, at this Member's request, Congress appropriated $25,000 for historical markers at Lewis and Clark campsites in Nebraska and $30,000 for initial planning of a trail interpretation center, both under the 1980 authorization this Member authored.

The National Park Service plan issued in 1991 recommended that the center be located in Nebraska City. The same year, the Park Service acquired a 65-acre tract of land for the center. This tract, along with adjacent land that was later donated, provides a panoramic view of the Missouri River, much as Lewis and Clark would have viewed it. In fact, two stops on the river at Nebraska City in 1804 are recorded in their journals.

The story of the incredible Lewis and Clark expedition has appeal for Americans of all ages and backgrounds and presents an opportunity for a unifying experience. In the coming months and years, the public will undoubtedly increase its demands for more information about Lewis and Clark and their bold and courageous adventures.

When Thomas Jefferson took office in 1801, the United States had only about five and a half million people all concentrated in the eastern third of the continent, primarily along the coast. As a result of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, the size of the country nearly doubled and the stage was set for a period of unparalleled development and progress.

But first, the new acquisition had to be explored. President Jefferson chose Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to ``explore the Missouri River & such principal streams of it, as, by its course and communication with the waters of the Pacific Ocean, whether the Columbia, Oregon, Colorado, or any other river may offer the most direct and practicable water communication across this continent for the purposes of commerce.''

Lewis and Clark departed St. Louis on May 14, 1804, and returned to St. Louis 28 months later on September 23, 1806. That difficult but exciting journey covered 8,000 miles through the area which now constitutes the states of Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon.

Along the way, Lewis and Clark and the Corps of Discovery encountered formidable challenges that easily could have thwarted their mission. However, they continued to keep their focus firmly on the ultimate goal. During their journey to the Pacific Ocean and back, the Lewis and Clark expedition documented numerous scientific and geographic discoveries and helped pave the way for the United States to become a great world power.

This Member believes that passage of H.R. 255, will play a small, but vital role in permitting ready access to the new visitors center and thus increase the attention to the bicentennial activities. As someone with a long-standing interest in the Expedition and a co-chair of the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Congressional Caucus, this Member is pleased to have H.R. 255 considered on the Floor and urges his colleagues to support it.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. President, I would like to announce for the information of the Senate and the public that the following hearing has been scheduled before the Subcommittee on National Parks of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources:

June 3, 2003 at 2:30 p.m. in room SD-366 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington, DC. The purpose of the hearing is to receive testimony on the following bills: S. 268, authorizes the Pyramid of Remembrance Foundation to establish a memorial in the District of Columbia and its environs to honor members of the Armed Forces of the United States who have lost their lives during peacekeeping operations, humanitarian efforts, training, terrorist attacks, or covert operations; S. 296, to require the Secretary of Defense to report to Congress regarding the requirements applicable to the inscription of veterans' names on the memorial wall of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial; S. 470, to extend the authority for the construction of a memorial to Martin Luther King, Jr.; and S. 1076, to authorize construction of an education center at or near the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

Because of the limited time available for the hearings, witnesses may testify by invitation only. However, those wishing to submit written testimony for the hearing record should send two copies of their testimony to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, United States Senate, SD-364 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510-6150.

For further information, please contact: Tom Lillie at (202) 224-5161 or Pete Lucero at (202) 224-6293.

committee on indian affairs

Mr. President, I would like to announce for the information of the Senate and the public that the following hearing has been scheduled before the Subcommittee on National Parks of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

June 10, 2003 at 2:30 p.m. in room SD-366 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington, DC. The purpose of the hearing is to receive testimony on the following bills: S. 499, to authorize the American Battle Monuments Commission to establish in the State of Louisiana a memorial to honor the Buffalo Soldiers; S. 546, to provide for the protection of paleontological resources on Federal lands, and for other purposes; S. 643, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior, in cooperation with the University of New Mexico, to construct and occupy a portion of the Hibben Center for Archaeological Research at the University of New Mexico, and for other purposes; S. 677, to revise the boundary of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area in the State of Colorado, and for other purposes; S. 1060 and H.R. 1577, to designate the visitors' center at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Arizona, as the ``Kris Eggle Visitors' Center''; H.R. 255, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to grant an easement to facilitate access to the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center in Nebraska City, Nebraska; and H.R. 1012, to establish the Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site in the District of Columbia, and for other purposes.

Because of the limited time available for the hearings, witnesses may testify

by invitation only. However, those wishing to submit written testimony for the hearing record should send two copies of their testimony to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, United States Senate, SD-364 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510-6150.

For further information, please contact Tom Lillie at (202) 224-5161 or Pete Lucero at (202) 224-6293.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Armed Services be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, June 10, 2003, at 9:30 a.m., in closed session to receive testimony on certain intelligence programs.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on June 10, 2003, at 10:00 a.m. to conduct an oversight hearing on ``The Administration's Proposal for Re- authorization of The Federal Public Transportation Program.''

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation be authorized to meet on Tuesday, June 10, 2003, at 9:30 a.m., on Reauthorization of the Federal Motor Carrier Administration.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, and Water be authorized to meet on Tuesday, June 10 at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing to receive testimony regarding the current regulatory and legal status of federal jurisdiction of navigable waters under the Clean Water Act, in light of the issues raised by the Supreme Court in Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County v. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers No. 99-1178.

The hearing will take place in Senate Dirksen 406.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on National Parks of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, June 10, 2003, at 2:30 p.m., in room SD-366 to receive testimony on the following bills: S. 499, to authorize the American Battle Monuments Commission to establish in the State of Louisiana a Memorial to honor the Buffalo Soldiers; S. 546, to provide for the protection of paleontological resources on Federal lands, and for other purposes; S. 643, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior, in cooperation with the University of New Mexico, to construct and occupy a portion of the Hibben Center for Archaeological Research at the University of New Mexico, and for other purposes; S. 677, to revise the boundary of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area in the State of Colorado, and for other purposes; S. 1060 and H.R. 1577, to designate the visitors' center at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Arizona, as the ``Kris Eggle Visitors' Center''; H.R. 255, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to grant an easement to facilitate access to the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center in Nebraska City, Nebraska, and H.R. 1012, to establish the Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site in the District of Columbia, and for other purposes.

Mr. President, I would like to announce that the Committee on Indian Affairs will meet on Tuesday, June 3, 2003 at 10 a.m. in room 485 of the Russell Senate Office Building to conduct an oversight hearing on the Status of Tribal Fish and Wildlife Management Programs.

Those wishing additional information may contact the Indian Affairs Committee at 224-2251.

subcommittee on national parks

Mr. President, I would like to announce that the Committee on Indian Affairs will meet on Wednesday, June 4, 2003 at 10 a.m. in room 485 of the Russell Senate Office Building to conduct a hearing on Proposals to Amend the Indian Reservation Roads Program--S. 281, the Indian Tribal Surface Transportation Improvement Act of 2003, and S. 725, the Tribal Transportation Program Improvement Act of 2003.

Those wishing additional information may contact the Indian Affairs Committee at 224-2251.

committee on indian affairs

Mr. President, I would like to announce that the Committee on Indian Affairs will meet on Wednesday, June 4, 2003 at 2 p.m. in room 485 of the Russell Senate Office Building to conduct an oversight hearing on Impacts on Tribal Fish and Wildlife Management Programs in the Pacific Northwest.

Those wishing additional information may contact the Indian Affairs Committee at 224-2251.

subcommittee on national parks