Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests Land Exchange Act of 2004

Mr. President, today I introduce legislation that keeps the Small Business Administration and its financing and counseling assistance available to small businesses. Small businesses need us to act now to keep critical assistance available to our Nation's biggest job creators.

There should not be any objections to this bill. It has broad support in the small business and the lending communities. The lending provisions of the bill have the support of small borrowers that testified before Congress over the past few weeks and the support of a coalition of small business trade associations, including the trade associations of 504 lenders and of 7(a) lenders, the American Bankers Association and the Independent Community Bankers Association, as well as the National Small Business Alliance and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the women's business center provisions have the support of women's trade associations such as Women Impacting Public Policy and the Association of Women's Business Centers.

This bill authorizes the SBA and most of its programs through the May 15, 2004, which will allow time for the House to complete its work on the SBA's 3-year reauthorization bill, passed by the Senate in September 2003. In addition, this bill addresses several urgent issues that are critical to keep SBA programs operating and helping small businesses across the country.

Let me outline these for you. The first provision authorizes the continued operation of the SBA's 504 loan guarantee program for the rest of fiscal year 2004. Unless we act, the authority to operate this program will expire on March 15, next Monday, and small businesses in need of financing for fixed assets will be turned away. These loans are for growing small businesses that need loans with long repayment terms and fixed interest rates to afford a new building or perhaps land to expand their business and their workforce, or equipment to improve or increase production. The lenders who make these loans serve a unique role in our economy--they develop economic opportunities where conventional lenders are not willing to take a risk. They are not a shy group, and care deeply about the communities where they live. I am sure most, if not all, Senators have received numerous calls and communications from them over the past few weeks. It is my hope that extending authorization will provide some stability to the industry so that they continue to fund our growing businesses, and then in the near future, the House will consider our more comprehensive SBA reauthorization legislation, bill number S. 1375, that we passed in September, to enact other important 504 program improvements that are supported by the small business community. This loan program requires no appropriations because it is funded entirely by fees that borrowers and lenders pay.

The second provision keeps open the doors of our most experienced and successful Women's Business Centers, again without added cost to the Treasury. This bill contains a small adjustment to the Women's Business Center program that updates the current funding formula. The adjustment changes the portion of funding allowed for women's business centers in the sustainability part of the program to keep up with the increasing number of centers that will need funding this fiscal year. In short, this change directs the SBA to reserve 48 percent of the appropriated funds for the sustainability centers, instead of 30 percent, which will give the most experienced centers the greatest opportunity to receive sustainability funding, while still allowing for new centers and protecting existing ones.

Currently there are 88 women's business centers. Of these, 35 are in the initial grant program and 53 will have graduated to the sustainability part of

the program. These sustainability centers make up more than half of the total women's business centers, but under the current funding formula are only allotted 30 percent of the funds. Without the change to 48 percent, all grants to sustainability centers could be cut in half--or worse, 23 experienced centers could lose funding completely. Cutting funding for these, our most efficient and successful centers, would not only be detrimental to the centers themselves, but also to the women they serve, to their local communities, to their states, and to the national economy.

As the author of the Women's Business Centers Sustainability Act of 1999, I can tell you that when the bill was signed into law, it was Congress's intent to protect the established and successful infrastructure of worth, performing centers. The law was designed to allow all graduating Women's Business Centers that meet certain performance standards to receive continued funding under sustainability grants. This approach allows for new centers to be established--but not by penalizing those that have already demonstrated their worth. It was our intention to continue helping the most productive and well-equipped women's business centers, knowing that demand for such services was rapidly growing.

Today, with women-owned businesses opening at one-and-a-half times the rate of all privately held firms, the demand and need for women's business centers is even greater. Until Congress makes permanent the Women's Business Center Sustainability Pilot program, as intended in Senate-passed legislation, an extension of authority and increase in sustainability funds is vital--not only to the centers themselves, but to the women's business community and to the millions of workers employed by women-owned businesses around the country.

The importance of the women's business centers to small business owners in communities across this country cannot be overstated. Take for instance the story of Melanie Marsden and Shannon Lawler, who recently opened A Better Place to Be Day Spa in Charlestown, MA. While working on a business plan last summer, the two hopeful entrepreneurs happened across the website of the Center for Women and Enterprise (CWE), a women's business center in Boston. Having just signed a lease and with a target opening for their spa quickly approaching, Melanie and Shannon were looking for help, and quick. At first, the process seemed overwhelming, but the experts at CWE were able to guide Melanie and Shannon through the complicated process--from business plan to long-term financing and management. CWE helped Melanie and Shannon open A Better Place to Be Day Spa and already see a steady stream of clients pass through their doors. Without CWE, Melanie and Shannon believe that they would not have opened their business on time, or at all. Last year alone, women's business centers like CWE helped over 100,000 entrepreneurs just like Melanie and Shannon with their small business needs. The majority of these women have few resources and little access to business development assistance, and without the women's business centers, they might have none.

As I have said on more than one occasion, women business owners do not get the recognition they deserve for the contribution to our economy: Eighteen million Americans would be without jobs today if it weren't for these entrepreneurs who had the courage and the vision to strike out on their own. For 19 years, as a member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, I have worked to increase the opportunities for these enterprising women, leading to greater earning power, financial independence and asset accumulation. For these women, in addition to the challenge and experience of running their own business, it means having a bank account, buying a home, sending their children to college, and being in control of their own future.

I want to again express my sincere and continuing support for the growing community of women entrepreneurs across the Nation and for the invaluable programs through which the SBA provides women business owners with the tools they need to succeed. For years, I have fought for increased funding for SBA assistance that helps women entrepreneurs, including measures that have sustained and expanded the Women's Business Centers, and give women entrepreneurs their deserved representation within the Federal procurement process.

The third provision makes temporary changes to the SBA's largest loan program, the so-called 7(a) program, in order to compensate for the administration's budget gimmicks and program mismanagement that caused a substantial shortage in funding. This shortage led to a temporary shutdown of the program in January, followed by lending restrictions that created serious financial hardships for small businesses and reduced access to affordable capital for small businesses in general. For the remainder of fiscal year 2004, a coalition of 7(a) lenders and small business groups have worked with Congress to come up with some limited fees, paid by lenders and not borrowers, that will increase the amount of lending available. That extra funding will increase from $9.5 billion to more than $11 billion the amount of loan guarantees available to small businesses. With more funding, Congress expects the SBA to lift the loan cap size of $750,000 and other restrictions, give priority in processing and approval to eligible small businesses that have been shut out this year, and require the SBA to renew export working capital loans to eligible small businesses.

Of course, these changes would not be necessary if the administration had either requested adequate funding in its budget or used its authority to reprogram money to compensate for the shortfall. It also could have sent up a request for supplemental funding. On three different occasions, I wrote to the administration urging these actions, with the support of Senators Levin, Harkin, Lieberman, Landrieu, Edwards, Cantwell, Bayh, and Pryor, urging any of these solutions, but the administration refused to act. Instead, the insufficient funding was compounded by mismanagement and the program was completely shutdown from January 6 to January 14. When the administration reopened the program, it was with extreme restrictions. The restrictions were aimed at keeping the demand for the loans down without regard to their effect on the small businesses the Agency is intended to serve. Small businesses appealed to the administration and our committees for help because they were caught in the middle. For example, one company in Pennsylvania has a $1 million export working capital loan that needs to be renewed, but it can't because one of SBA's restrictions does not allow loans of more than $750,000. At risk is the home of one of the owners because it is part of the collateral securing the existing loan. This company is qualified; it's just trapped by the SBA's restrictions. With your help in passing this bill immediately, we can do the right thing for these small business owners and others who played by the rules. There is no cost to the Treasury in enacting these provisions.

Last, the fourth provision, addresses an urgent need for some firms in New York needing disaster loan assistance. Many have said we should wait until we address other SBA legislation in the next 60 days. However, hundreds of jobs are at stake and these businesses do not have 2 months. This language is included at the bipartisan request of the House Small Business Committee leadership. Their staffs worked closely with the SBA to develop this language, which is acceptable to all of them. In addition to the support of House Committee Chairman Don Manzullo and Ranking Member Nydia Velazquez, this provision is also supported by Congresswoman Sue Kelly and Senator Charles Schumer.

All four provisions address circumstances that require immediate action. Let me remind everyone: Without this legislation, the SBA's loan program for growing businesses, commonly referred to as the 504 Loan Guarantee Program, would shut down next Monday, March 15, 2004. Without this legislation, the future of counseling and training for women starting and growing their businesses, through the most established SBA's Women's Business Centers, would be compromised. Without this legislation, small businesses with their homes and life savings at stake may face financial and personal devastation because of program mismanagement. Without this

legislation, small business disaster victims may go out of business.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that two letters relating to programs affected by this legislation be printed in the Record. I thank my colleagues for their support of small businesses and for considering immediate passage of this important small business bill.

Mr. President, I am pleased to introduce a bill today that would effect a small land exchange to help the city of Golden, CO in its efforts to augment its water supply, that it might better prepare for a resumption of the drought which has plagued our State in the past several years. The bill I am proposing would direct that the U.S. Forest Service complete a land exchange with the city of Golden at the earliest possible date.

In the land exchange, the city would receive approximately 10 acres of National Forest land near Empire, CO. The city needs this land to complete construction of a 140-foot stretch of water pipeline connecting the West Fork of Clear Creek with a brand new water storage reservoir, known as the Guanella Reservoir, which the city completed in December. The Guanella Reservoir will increase the city's existing water storage capacity by approximately 40 percent, and better enable it to cope with future water shortages.

This legislation is critical, because while the Guanella Reservoir is now completed, as is the diversion dam, penstock, and all but 140 feet of the connecting pipeline, the reservoir remains dry. In short, the pipeline is completed up to the National Forest boundary, and authorization is needed from either the Forest Service or Congress to complete the small remaining stretch of pipeline that must cross National Forest land. Until that authorization is provided, the reservoir is sitting empty, and that is a situation we do not want to see continued into the dry summer months. Unfortunately, the Forest Service has indicated it would take quite some time, possibly several years, to authorize the pipeline, and we have agreed with them that this land exchange is the best approach to meet everyone's needs and time frames.

For this reason, I am introducing this important legislation, and have asked the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources to expedite it in every way possible.

Additionally, I would like to note that while providing the city of Golden the ability to finish a critical water storage project, my proposal is also a beneficial deal for the United States. In return for the 10 acres it will give up, the Forest Service will receive up to 80 acres of land near a popular trail and recreation area in Evergreen, CO, and will also receive 55 acres of land on and near the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail in Clear Creek and Summit Counties. The 55 acres are located along one of the most popular stretches of the Trail, and are one of the ways hikers and other users can access the popular Greys and Torreys Peaks, two of the most heavily-climbed 14,000 foot peaks in our State. Further, my bill provides that all land values will be determined in accordance with Forest Service appraisal procedures, so we will be insuring that the United States will receive full market value for its land. In addition, the City is making a donation of Continental Divide Trail lands above which are required. I believe this is truly a ``win-win'' situation for all concerned, and commend the City for making the additional donation to the Forest Service.

Finally, I would like to note that my proposal has been endorsed by the County Commissioners of all three counties that have lands involved in the trade, the non-profit Continental Divide Trail Alliance, the City of Blackhawk Public Works Department, the Georgetown Loop Scenic Railroad, and by numerous others.

Again, I would recommend this legislation for my colleagues' quick approval in order that the City of Golden can get on with its urgent needs to supply adequate additional water to its residents this summer.

I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I am today introducing legislation that would authorize the exchange of lands between the Muriel MacGregor Trust and the National Park Service, and to amend the boundary of Rocky Mountain National Park to include the newly acquired land.

Rocky Mountain National Park was established by Congress on January 26, 1915, for the benefit and enjoyment of the people of the United States and to protect the natural conditions and scenic beauties of this portion of the Rocky Mountains. The park currently encompasses approximately 266,000 acres and has some of the most beautiful mountain scenery to be found anywhere in our country. Each year the park draws over 3 million visitors.

The MacGregor Ranch, located near Estes Park, CO, was homesteaded in 1873, which predates the establishment of Rocky Mountain National Park. In 1917, shortly after the establishment of the national park, the National Park Service built a residence for park employees just inside the park boundary, with access via a one-lane dirt road which crosses the MacGregor Ranch for about \3/4\ of a mile. This access was provided with the permission of the MacGregor family, but no easement, right-of- way, or other legal document was ever recorded.

The MacGregor Ranch is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is owned by the charitable Muriel MacGregor Trust. The mission of the trust is to support youth education through the preservation and interpretation of the historic buildings and educational tours of this working high mountain cattle ranch. In 1980, the boundary of Rocky Mountain National Park was amended to include much of the MacGregor Ranch, and in 1983 the National Park Service purchased a conservation easement covering 1,221 acres of the ranch. While the ranch is located within the authorized boundary of the national park, it remains private property.

In the early 1970s, hikers and rock climbers began using the access road through the MacGregor Ranch to reach a small parking lot located just inside the park boundary. Known as the Twin Owls trailhead, the popularity of the area has grown steadily. In recent years, overflow parking has negatively impacted the ranch, and traffic on the one-lane access road has negatively affected the character of the historic homestead and has diminished the quality of the historic scene that visitors to the ranch come to experience.

For several years, the National Park Service and the MacGregor Ranch have been working to find a solution to the traffic and parking problems. Several environmental assessments have been prepared to examine various alternatives and gather public input. In 2003, based on public input and an Environmental Assessment, the National Park Service decided to relocate the Twin Owls parking lot to the east end of the MacGregor Ranch, some distance away from the historic homestead. A new access road and a larger trailhead parking lot that can accommodate 80 to 100 cars will be built at the new location.

So that the rules and regulations governing Rocky Mountain National Park can be enforced at the new trailhead and along the access road, the land needs to be incorporated into the national park. To accomplish this, the MacGregor Trust and the National Park Service have agreed to a land exchange. The National Park Service will acquire three parcels of land containing 5.9 acres from the MacGregor Trust for the development of the new parking lot and access road. In exchange, the MacGregor Trust will acquire up to 70 acres from the National Park Service that will be used for

growing hay and cattle grazing. A conservation easement will be placed on the 70 acres that is transferred to the MacGregor Trust. The conservation easement will ensure that the property is used solely for ranching.

The land exchange is intended to be an equal value exchange. One of the three parcels currently owned by the MacGregor Trust is zoned for residential development and has a high monetary value. A conservation easement will be placed on the 70 acres currently owned by the National Park Service, which will diminish its monetary value. If the lands currently owned by the National Park Service are of higher value, less than 70 acres will be transferred to the MacGregor Ranch. If the three parcels owned by the MacGregor ranch are of higher value, the Ranch is willing to accept the unequal value and will only receive a maximum of 70 acres from the National Park Service.

This legislation is needed to authorize the land exchange, and to amend the park boundary to include the new lands to be added to park.

I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, May 19, 2004. The purpose of this meeting will be to mark up legislation to reauthorize child nutrition programs.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Armed Services be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on May 19, 2004, at 8:30 a.m., in open session, to continue to receive testimony on allegations of mistreatment of Iraqi prisoners.

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 Wednesday, May 19, 2004, at 10:00 a.m. to conduct a hearing on ``Congressional Oversight of the IMF and World Bank.''

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation be authorized to meet on Wednesday, May 19, 2004, at 9:30 a.m. on from public service to private sector: Spinning the Revolving Door for Personal Gain.

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, May 19 at 11:30 a.m., to consider pending calendar business.

Agenda

Agenda Item 1: S. 155--A bill to convey to the town of Frannie, WY, certain land withdrawn by the Commissioner of Reclamation.

Agenda Item 2: S. 180--A bill to establish the National Aviation Heritage Area, and for other purposes.

Agenda Item 3: S. 203--A bill to open certain withdrawn land in Big Horn County, WY, to locatable mineral development and bentonite mining.

Agenda Item 4: S. 211--A bill to establish the Northern Rio Grande National Heritage Area in the State of New Mexico, and for other purposes.

Agenda Item 5: S. 323--A bill to establish the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area, LA.

Agenda Item 9: S. 1241--A bill to establish the Kate Mullany National Historic Site in the State of New York, and for other purposes.

Agenda Item 13: S. 1467--A bill to establish the Rio Grande Outstanding Natural Area in the State of Colorado, and for other purposes.

Agenda Item 14: S. 1521--A bill to direct the Secretary of the Interior to convey certain land to the Edward H. McDaniel American Legion Post 22 in Phrump, NV, for the construction of a post building and memorial park for use by the American Legion, other veterans' groups, and the local community.

Agenda Item 16: S. 1727--A bill to authorize additional appropriations for the Reclamation Safety of Dams Act of 1978.

Agenda Item 17: S. 2046--A bill to authorize the exchange of certain land in Everglades National Park.

Agenda Item 18: S. 2052--A bill to amend the National Trails System Act to designate El Camino Real de los Tejas as a National Historic Trail.

Agenda Item 20: S. 2180--A bill to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to exchange certain lands in the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests in the State of Colorado.

Agenda Item 21: S. 2319--A bill to authorize and facilitate hydroelectric power licensing of the Tapoco Project.

Agenda Item 23: H.R. 961--To promote Department of the Interior efforts to provide a scientific basis for the management of sediment and nutrient loss in the Upper Mississippi River Basin, and for other purposes.

Agenda Item 25: H.R. 1446--To support the efforts of the California Missions Foundation to restore and repair the Spanish colonial and mission-era missions in the State of California and to preserve the artworks and artifacts of these missions, and for other purposes.

Agenda Item 26: H.R. 1658--To amend the Railroad Right-of-Way Conveyance Validation Act to validate additional conveyances of certain lands in the State of California that form part of the right-of-way granted by the United States to facilitate the construction of the transcontinental railway, 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 Finance be authorized to meet during the session on Wednesday, May 19, 2004, at 10 a.m., in 215 Dirksen Senate Office Building, to hear testimony on Oversight and Nomination Hearing: The Treasury Department and Terrorism Financing; and, to consider the nominations of John O. Colvin, to be Judge of the U.S. Tax Court; Juan C. Zarate, to be Assistant Secretary for Terrorism Finance, U.S. Department of the Treasury; and, Stuart Levey to the Under Secretary for Enforcement, U.S. Department of the Treasury.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Relations be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, May 19, 2004 at 9:30 a.m. to hold a hearing on Iraq's Transition--The Way Ahead (Part II).

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Indian Affairs be authorized to meet on Wednesday, May 19, 2004, at 10 a.m. in Room 485 of the Russell Senate Office Building to conduct a business meeting on S.J. Res. 37, resolution to acknowledge a long history of official depredations and ill-conceived polices by the United States Government regarding Indian Tribes and offer an apology to all Native peoples on behalf of the United States, and S. 2277, a bill to amend the Act of November 2, 1966 (80 Stat. 1112) to allow binding arbitration clauses to be included in all contracts affecting the land within the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Reservation; to be followed immediately by a hearing on S. 1696, a bill to amend the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act to provide further self government by Indian tribes.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Special

Committee on Aging be authorized to meet Wednesday, May 19, 2004 from 2:30 p.m.-5 p.m. in Dirksen 628 for the purpose of conducting a hearing.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the subcommittee on Water and Power of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, May 19th, at 2:30 p.m.

The purpose of the hearing is to receive testimony on S. 900, a bill to convey the Lower Yellowstone Irrigation Project, the savage unit of the Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program, and the Intake Irrigation Project to the pertinent irrigation districts; S. 1876, a bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to convey certain lands and facilities of the Provo River Project; S. 1957, a bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to cooperate with the States on the border with Mexico and other appropriate entities in conducting a hydrogeologic characterization, mapping, and modeling program for priority transboundary aquifers, and for other purposes; S. 2304 and H.R. 3209, bills to amend the Reclamation Project Authorization Act of 1972 to clarify the acreage for which the North Loup division is authorized to provide irrigation water under the Missouri River Basin Project; S. 2243, a bill to extend the deadline for commencement of construction of a hydroelectric project in the State of Alaska; H.R. 1648, a bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to convey certain water distribution systems of the Cachuma Project, California, to the Carpinteria Valley water district and the Montecito water district; and H.R. 1732, a bill to amend the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to participate in the Williamson County, TX, Water Recycling and Reuse Project, and for other purposes.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Armed Services be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on April 28, 2004, at 11 a.m., in closed session, to receive a briefing regarding the performance of force protection equipment for ground forces in Iraq, including the up-armored HMMWV, and potential alternatives to meet force protection needs of the combatant commander.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation be authorized to meet on Wednesday, April 28, 2004, at 9:30 a.m., on Telecommunications Policy Review: A Look Ahead, in SR-253.

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, April 28 at 11:30 a.m. to consider pending calendar business.

Agenda Item 1: S. 203--A bill to open certain withdrawn land in Big Horn County, WY to locatable mineral development for bentonite mining.

Agenda Item 5: S. 1071--A bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior, through the Bureau of Reclamation, to conduct a feasibility study on a water conservation project within the Arch Hurley Conservancy District in the State of New Mexico, and for other purposes.

Agenda Item 6: S. 1097--A bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to implement the Calfed Bay-Delta Program.

Agenda Item 9: S. 1467--A bill to establish the Rio Grande Outstanding Natural Area in the State of Colorado, and for other purposes.

Agenda Item 10: S. 1582--A bill to amend the Valles Preservation Act to improve the preservation of the Valles Caldera, and for other purposes.

Agenda Item 11: S. 1649--A bill to designate the Ojito Wilderness Study Area as wilderness, to take certain land into trust for the Pueblo of Zia, and for other purposes.

Agenda Item 12: S. 1687--A bill to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study on the preservation and interpretation of the historic sites of the Manhattan Project for potential inclusion in the National Park System.

Agenda Item 13: S. 1778--A bill to authorize a land conveyance between the United States and the City of Craig, AK, and for other purposes.

Agenda Item 14: S. 1791--A bill to amend the Lease Lot Conveyance Act of 2002 to provide that the amounts received by the United States under that Act shall be deposited in the reclamation fund, and for other purposes.

Agenda Item 15: S. 2180--A bill to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to exchange certain lands in the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests in the State of Colorado.

Agenda Item 16: S. Res. 321--A resolution recognizing the loyal service and outstanding contributions of J. Robert Oppenheimer to the United States and calling on the Secretary of Energy to observe the 100th anniversary of Dr. Oppenheimer's birth with appropriate programs at the Department of Energy and the Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Agenda Item 20: H.R. 1521--To provide for additional lands to be included within the boundary of the Johnstown Flood National Memorial in the State of Pennsylvania, and for other purposes.

Agenda Item 21: H.R. 3249--To extend the term of the Forest Counties Payments Committee.

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 Environment and Public Works be authorized to meet on Wednesday, April 28th at 9:30 a.m. to conduct a hearing to receive testimony on the reauthorization of the Economic Development Administration.

The hearing will be held in SD 406, hearing room.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Finance be authorized to meet during the session on Wednesday, April 28, 2004, at 10 a.m., in 215 Dirksen Senate Office Building, to hear testimony on ``Taking the Taxpayers for a Ride: Fraud and Abuse in the Power Wheelchair Program.''

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Relations be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, April 28, 2004 at 10 a.m. to hold a Nomination hearing.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Relations be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, April 28, 2004 at 3 p.m. to hold a Nomination hearing.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Governmental Affairs be authorized to meet on Wednesday, April 28, 2004, at 10 a.m. for a hearing titled ``Government Purchase Cards: Smarter Use Can Save Taxpayers Hundreds of Millions of Dollars.''

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Indian Affairs be authorized to meet on Wednesday, April 28, 2004, at 10 a.m. in room 485 of the Russell Senate Office Building to conduct a hearing on S. 2172, Tribal Contract Support Cost Technical Amendments of 2004.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be authorized to meet to conduct a hearing on Wednesday, April 28, 2004 at 2 p.m. on ``The Playwrights Licensing Antitrust Initiative Act: Safeguarding the Future of American Live Theater'' in the Dirksen Senate Office Building, Room 226

Witness List

Arthur Miller, Playwright (Death of a Salesman, The Crucible, All My Sons); Roxbury, CT.

Stephen Sondheim, Lyricist (West Side Story, Gypsy, Sweeney Tood); New York, NY.

Wendy Wasserstein, Playwright (Uncommon Women and Others, Isn't It Romantic, The Heidi Chronicles); New York, NY.

Gerald Schoenfeld, Chairman, League of American Theaters and Producers; Chairman, The Shubert Organization; New York, NY.

Roger Berlind, Producer, Berlind Productions (Kiss Me Kate, City of Angels, Wonderful Town, Caroline or Change); New York, NY.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate for a hearing entitled, ``Impact of Stock Option Expensing on Small Businesses'' on Wednesday, April 28, 2004, beginning at 10 a.m. in Room 428A of the Russell Senate Office Building.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Joint Economic Committee be authorized to conduct a hearing in Room 628 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, Wednesday, April 28, 2004, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Select Committee on Intelligence be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on April 28, 2004, at 2:30 p.m., to hold a closed hearing on Intelligence Matters.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, Subcommittee on Children and Families, be authorized to meet for a hearing on Healthy Marriage: What is it and why should we promote it? During the session of the Senate on Wednesday, April 28, 2004, at 2 p.m.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, Subcommittee on Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services be authorized to meet for a hearing on Mental Health in Children and Youth: Issues Throughout the Development Process during the session of the Senate on Wednesday April 28, 2004, at 10 a.m.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation be authorized to meet on June 16, 2004, at 9:30 a.m. on The VOIP Regulatory Freedom Act.

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 16 at 11:30 a.m. to consider pending calendar business.

Agenda

Agenda Item 1: Nomination of Suedeen G. Kelly to be a Member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Agenda Item 2: S. 155--A bill to convey to the town of Frannie, Wyoming, certain land withdrawn by the Commissioner of Reclamation.

Agenda Item 3: S. 180--A bill to establish the National Aviation Heritage Area, and for other purposes.

Agenda Item 5: S. 211--A bill to establish the Northern Rio Grande National Heritage Area in the State of New Mexico, and for other purposes.

Agenda Item 6: S. 323--A bill to establish the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area, Louisiana.

Agenda Item 10: S. 1241--A bill to establish the Kate Mullany National Historic Site in the State of New York, and for other purposes.

Agenda Item 14: S. 1467--A bill to establish the Rio Grande Outstanding Natural Area in the State of Colorado, and for other purposes.

Agenda Item 15: S. 1521--A bill to direct the Secretary of the Interior to convey certain land to the Edward H. McDaniel American Legion Post No. 22 in Pahrump, Nevada, for the construction of a post building and memorial park for use by the American Legion, other veterans' groups, and the local community.

Agenda Item 17: S. 1727--A bill to authorize additional appropriations for the Reclamation Safety of Dams Act of 1978.

Agenda Item 18: S. 1957--A bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to cooperate with the States on the border with Mexico and other appropriate entities in conducting a hydrogeologic characterization, mapping, and modeling program for priority transboundary aquifers, and for other purposes.

Agenda Item 19: S. 2046--A bill to authorize the exchange of certain land in Everglades National Park.

Agenda Item 22: S. 2180--A bill to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to exchange certain lands in the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests in the State of Colorado.

Agenda Item 23: S. 2243--A bill to extend the deadline for commencement of construction of a hydroelectric project in the State of Alaska.

Agenda Item 24: S. 2319--A bill to authorize and facilitate hydroelectric power licensing of the Tapoco Project.

Agenda Item 29: H.R. 1648--To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to convey certain water distribution systems of the Cachuma Project, California, to the Carpinteria Valley Water District and the Montecito Water District.

Agenda Item 30: H.R. 1658--To amend the Railroad Right-of-Way Conveyance Validation Act to validate additional conveyances of certain lands in the State of California that form part of the right-of-way granted by the United States to facilitate the construction of the transcontinental railway, and for other purposes.

Agenda Item 31: H.R. 1732--To amend the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to participate in the Williamson County, Texas, Water Recycling and Reuse Project, and for other purposes.

Agenda Item 32: H.R. 3209--To amend the Reclamation Project Authorization Act of 1972 to clarify the acreage for which the North Loup division is authorized to provide irrigation water under the Missouri River Basin project.

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 Finance be authorized to meet during the session on Wednesday, June 16, 2004, at 11 a.m., to hear testimony on Strengthening Regulations and Oversight to Better Ensure Agriculture Financing Integrity.

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 16, 2004 at 2 p.m. to hold a Nominations Hearing.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Indian Affairs be authorized to meet on Wednesday, June 16, 2004, at 10 a.m. in Room 485 of the Russell Senate Office Building to conduct a Business Meeting on pending committee matters, to be followed immediately by an oversight hearing on the implementation in Native American communities of the ``No Child Left Behind Act.''

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Indian Affairs also be authorized to meet again on Wednesday, June 16, 2004, at 2 p.m. in Room 485 of the Russell Senate Office Building to conduct a hearing on S. 1996, the Oglala Sioux Tribe Angostura Irrigation Project Rehabilitation and Development Act.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be authorized to meet to conduct a hearing on Wednesday, June 16, 2004 at 10 a.m., on ``Judicial Nominations'' in the Dirksen Office Building, Room 226.

Witness List:

Panel I: Senators.

Panel II: Richard A. Griffin, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Sixth Circuit; and David W. McKeague, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Sixth Circuit.

Panel III: Virginia Maria Hernandez Covington, to be United States District Judge for the Middle District of Florida.