A resolution recognizing the social problem of child abuse and neglect, and supporting efforts to enhance public awareness of the problem.

Mr. President, I am pleased to be joined today by Senators Leahy, Lieberman, and Harkin in submitting a resolution to make Congressional Research Service, CRS, reports, and other Senate documents, accessible over the Internet to the American people.

CRS is well-known for producing high quality reports and issue briefs that are concise, factual, and unbiased--a rarity in Washington. Many of us rely on the work of CRS to make decisions on a wide variety of diverse legislative proposals, such as formulating policies on homeland security, determining the implications of war with Iraq, contemplating the future of the Internet, developing health care reform, and analyzing tax policy. Also, we routinely send CRS reports to our constituents in order to help them understand the important issues of our time.

The sponsors of this resolution believe that it is important for the public

to have access to these CRS reports. The American public paid over $81 million to fund CRS's operations in fiscal year 2002 alone. The informational reports covered by this resolution are not confidential or classified, and the public deserves to have access to them.

By making these reports publicly available, the Senate will better serve an important function in helping to inform their constituents. Members of the public will be able to read these CRS products and receive a concise summary of issues that concern them. These reports also will help voters make decisions and petition their legislators on how to best represent them.

Currently, corporations, universities, and other well-heeled entities often hire former Members of Congress as lobbyists to get access to these reports. However, the general public does not have access to these reports. Instead, the public has to obtain these reports through independent companies, such as Penny Hill Press, which charges almost $30 for each report. Otherwise, they must search through a variety of government and non-government web sites for outdated reports or get them from their Members of Congress through the mail. It is not fair for the American people to have to pay a third party or search all over the web for products for which they have already footed the bill.

This resolution is drafted to set up a system for distributing CRS Reports that is similar to a pilot program ongoing in the House of Representatives. Under our resolution, the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms would establish and maintain a system for distribution of CRS documents. The public would only be able to access these documents through Senators' or Senate Committees' web pages. This system would allow Senators and Committee Chairmen to be able to choose which documents are made available to the public through their web page.

This resolution also includes other safeguards to ensure that CRS is able to carry out its mission. Confidential information and reports done for confidential research requests would not be made available to the public. The resolution provides authorization for the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms to remove the names of CRS employees from these products to prevent the public from distracting CRS employees. In addition, the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms would be authorized to remove copyrighted information from the publicly-available reports. This resolution would ensure that the CRS' mission is not altered in any way, and that it cannot be open to liability suits.

Finally, we recognize that cost concerns had been raised about prior versions of this legislation introduced in past Congresses. Yet, our understanding is that the House system of distribution has been achieved at a relatively low cost. We have designed this resolution to eliminate the cost burden to CRS by shifting the operation and maintenance of the system over to the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms. In addition, the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms is directed to ask the General Accounting Office, GAO, to evaluate the program after one year to explore how to make the operations more cost-effective.

The resolution also would require the Senate Office of Public Records to put other selected documents related to Members' receipt of honoraria and travel reimbursement on the Internet. We have already voted to make this information available to the public. Unfortunately, the public can only get access to this information by personally visiting an office in the Hart building. This resolution would allow our constituents throughout the country to access this information more readily.

This resolution has been endorsed by many groups, including the Project on Government Oversight, the Congressional Accountability Project, Intel, Computer & Communications Industry Association, the Center for Democracy and Technology, the American Library Association, SeeBeyond Technology Corporation, and others. I ask unanimous consent that these letters of support be printed in the Record.

I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. The Internet offers a unique opportunity to allow the American people to have everyday access to important information about their government.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry be allowed to conduct a hearing during the session of the Senate on Thursday, March 20, 2003. The purpose of this hearing will be to consider the nomination of Vernon Bernard Parker to be Assistant Secretary of Agriculture.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Armed Services be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, March 20, 2003, at 9:30 a.m., in open session to receive testimony on the Atomic Energy Defense Activities of the Department of Energy, in review of the defense authorization request for fiscal year 2004.

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 March 20, 2003, at 9:30 a.m., to conduct a hearing on ``Issues Relating to HUD's Proposed Rule on the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act.''

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Relations be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, March 20, 2003 at 2:30 p.m. to hold a hearing on Safer Embassies in Unsafe Places. Witnesses

Mr. Jess Ford, Director, International Affairs & Trade, U.S. General Accounting Office, Washington, DC.

Major General Charles E. Williams (Ret.), Director, Overseas Buildings Operations, Department of State, Washington, DC.

The Honorable Francis X. Taylor, Assistant Secretary for Diplomatic Security, Department of State, Washington, DC.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Governmental Affairs be authorized to meet on Thursday, March 20, 2003 at 9:30 a.m. for a hearing entitled ``Cargo Containers: The Next Terrorist Target?''

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be authorized to meet to conduct a markup on Thursday, March 20, 2003, at 4:00 p.m. in Dirksen Room 226.

I. Nominations

Priscilla Richmond Owen to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Fifth Circuit; Cormac J. Carney to be U.S. District Judge for the Central District of California; James V. Selna to be U.S. District Judge for the Central District of California; Philip P. Simon to be U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Indiana; Theresa Lazar Springmann to be U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Indiana; Mary Ellen Coster Williams to be Judge for the Court of Federal Claims; Victor J. Wolski to be Judge for the Court of Federal Claims; Ricardo H. Hinojosa to be U.S. Sentencing Commissioner; Michael E. Horowitz to be U.S. Sentencing Commissioner; Gregory A. White to be U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio; Thomas Dyson Hurlburt, Jr. to be U.S. Marshal for the Middle District of Florida; Christina Pharo to be U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of Florida; Dennise Arthur Williamson to be U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of Florida; Richard Zenos Winget to be U.S. Marshal for the District of Nevada.

II. Committee Business

Committee Rules Subcommittee Organization

III. Bills

S. 330: A bill to further the protection and recognition of veterans' memorials and for other purposes [Campbell].

S. Res. 48: A resolution designating April 2003 as ``Financial Literacy for Youth Month'' [Akaka].

S. Res. 52: A resolution recognizing the social problem of child abuse and neglect, and supporting efforts to enhance public awareness of the problem [Campbell].

S. Res. 58: A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the President should designate the week beginning June 1, 2003, as ``National Citizen Soldier Week'' [Allen].

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Veterans' Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, March 20, 2003, for a joint hearing with the House of Representatives' Committee on Veterans' Affairs, to hear the legislative presentations of AMVETS, American Ex-Prisoners of War, the Vietnam Veterans of America, the Military Officers Association of America, and the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs.

The hearing will take place in room 345 of the Cannon House Office Building at 10:00 a.m.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Special Committee on Aging be authorized to meet Thursday, March 20, 2003 from 10:30 a.m. to 1;00 p.m. in Dirksen 562 for the purpose of conducting a hearing.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on Clean Air, Climate Change, and Nuclear Safety be authorized to meet on Thursday, March 20 at 9:30 a.m. to conduct a hearing on legislative proposals amending the Clean Air Act regarding fuel additives and renewable fuels.

The meeting will be held in SD 406.

Mr. President, today I am submitting a resolution declaring Wednesday, April 2, 2003, as a National Day of Hope dedicated to remembering the victims of child abuse and neglect and recognizing Childhelp USA for initiating such a day. I am pleased to be joined in this effort by my colleagues Senators Craig, Lincoln, Hatch, Lott, Dorgan, Landrieu, Kohl, Inhofe, Domenici, Specter, Biden, and Allen who are original cosponsors of the resolution.

This resolution is similar to one I introduced in the 107th Congress, S. Res. 132, which passed the Senate by unanimous consent on May 22, 2002. It expresses the sense of Congress that we must break the cycle of child abuse and neglect by mobilizing all our resources including the faith community, non-profit organizations and volunteers.

The resolution also recognizes Childhelp USA for focusing its efforts on prevention and research as well as on treatment. Childhelp USA is one of our oldest national organizations dedicated to meeting the needs of abused and neglected children. Childhelp and many other non-profits or faith-based organizations nationwide are performing a vital service to these children that they would not have otherwise, and they are to be commended for their efforts.

More than 3 million children are reported as suspected victims of child abuse and neglect each year. That is 3 million children too many. And, it is estimated that more than 1200 children lose their lives as a direct result of abuse and neglect every year. That is not acceptable. We must do something to change these disturbing statistics.

I know first-hand the importance of having help when it is needed. The National Day of Hope Resolution calls on each of us to renew our duty and responsibility to the vulnerable children and families caught in the cycle of child abuse and neglect.

While we are encouraged by the efforts of many organizations nationwide, more needs to be done. That is why we urge our colleagues to act quickly on this resolution so we can move another step closer to erasing the horror of child abuse from our Nation's history.

Mr. President, today I am submitting a resolution declaring Wednesday, April 7, 2004, as a National Day of Hope dedicated to remembering the victims of child abuse and neglect and recognizing Childhelp USA for initiating such a day. I am pleased to be joined in this effort by my colleagues Senators Specter, DeWine, Murkowski, Inhofe, Allen, Dorgan, and Akaka who are original cosponsors of the resolution.

This resolution is similar to one I submitted last year, S. Res. 52, which passed the Senate by unanimous consent on March 26, 2004. It expresses the sense of Congress that we must break the cycle of child abuse and neglect by mobilizing all our resources including the faith community, non-profit organizations and volunteers.

The resolution also recognizes Childhelp USA, one of our oldest national organizations dedicated to meeting the needs of abused and neglected children. Childhelp and many other non-profits or faith-based organizations nationwide are performing a vital service to these children that they would not have otherwise, and they are to be commended for their efforts.

More than 3 million children are reported as suspected victims of child abuse and neglect each year. That is 3 million children too many. And, it is estimated that more than 1,200 children lose their lives as a direct result of abuse and neglect every year. That is not acceptable. We must do something to change these disturbing statistics.

I know first-hand the importance of having help when it is needed. The National Day of Hope Resolution calls on each of us to renew our duty and responsibility to the vulnerable children and families caught in the cycle of child abuse and neglect.

While we are encouraged by the efforts of many organizations nationwide, more needs to be done. That is why we urge our colleagues to act quickly on this resolution so we can move another step closer to erasing the horror of child abuse from our nation's history.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of the following calendar items en bloc: No. 45, S. Res. 48; No. 46, S. Res. 52; No. 47, S. Res. 58.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the amendments to the resolutions, where applicable, be agreed to, the resolutions, as amended, if amended, be agreed to, the preambles be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table en bloc, and that any statements relating to these matters be printed in the Record.