Floor Statements

Will the Senator yield?

Mr. President, I note that Senator Akaka and the distinguished senior Senator from Hawaii are on the floor. First, I want to say they have been gracious. Many Senators had a part in this very major bill, with 24, 28, maybe even 30 pieces of legislation for their States.

I say to the Senators from Hawaii, you had a perfect right to insist that your bill, which has just been described by the distinguished Senator from Arizona, be in that bill. That could have caused the bill to probably be here a long time, the big bill, and you graciously said, if we can work something else out, let's try. We did.

As a result, we passed this bill for many Senators, and we said to you, both Senators from Hawaii, we will do our best to get your very important bill, described by the Senator from Arizona, up. We cannot assure that. I cannot guarantee that. This is the Senate. But we do have a letter with all of the people who are in the leadership, I, myself, by the distinguished two Senators from Arizona, that we will do our best. We described it and everyone knows of it.

Today we thought we would tell the Senate and give this assurance in the Record to our two Senators from Hawaii that we are serious, that we will do our part in trying to make sure their bill comes to a vote in the Senate by the date they have agreed to and we have agreed to.

I say to Senator Kyl, I thank you for your diligent efforts in helping with this. Every Senator who got something in that legislation that is now going to the House will know what we have done.

Thank you very much.

Mr. President, I rise today to support, with my friend Senator Dodd this resolution regarding National Character Counts Week.'' Our resolution says the week of October 17th of this year will be known across the country as National Character Counts Week.

Nearly a century ago President Theodore Roosevelt said the following about character:

Character, in the long run, is the decisive factor in the

life of an individual and of nations alike.

I submit that character truly does transcend time as well as religious, cultural, political, and socio-economic barriers. I believe our country is having a renewed focus on character and this sends a wonderful message to Americans, and will help those of us involved in character education reinvigorate our efforts to get communities and schools involved.

I say that because a number of years ago we started this approach to character education called ``character counts.'' Senators Nunn, Dodd and I first submitted the resolution that has now passed the Senate on innumerable occasions. The resolution simply declares that for all of America, one week during the year will be known as National Character Counts Week.

Frankly, we hear a lot about how we should help our young people growing up in this often difficult society. However, I believe the key is finding those ideas and programs that work. We all understand that there are certain people who have the primary responsibility to care for our children like mothers, fathers, siblings, and grandparents. We are not in any way talking about negating that responsibility of raising a child with good values. However, we have found the teachers in our schools have been yearning for something they could teach our children that for some reason had been eliminated from both the public and private school agenda curriculum. It is sometimes referred to as character education.

I choose to speak about the ``character counts'' program that is being used in many public schools in our country, and certainly in my State of New Mexico where teachers embrace the six pillars of character. The values comprising the six pillars are everyday concepts that Americans across this land wish their children would have and hope America will keep. They are simply: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship. They transcend political and social barriers and are central to the ideals on which this Nation was built.

I could speak for hours about the 200,000 New Mexico schoolchildren in public, private and parochial schools learning about good character. About 90 percent of the grade school children, and a significant portion of the others, are now participating in character education programs that simply and profoundly bring them into contact with each of these Pillars one month at a time.

So if one walks the halls of a grade school in Albuquerque, they might see a sign outside that says, ``This Is Responsibility Month.'' And all the young people will be discussing the concept of responsibility in their classrooms, and they will put up posters saying, ``responsibility counts.'' At the end of that month they may have an assembly where responsibility will be discussed by all the kids, and awards will be given to those demonstrating the most responsibility. The next month it might be ``respect.'' The month after that it might be ``caring.''

I could go on for quite some time talking about ``character counts'' in New Mexico. The bottom line is that I believe it is working in New Mexico and other parts of the country. Consequently, I think we need to salute the efforts already underway and encourage even more character education across our country.

So today, Senator Dodd and I are here to submit a resolution to accomplish just that and hopefully our renewed effort will bring together even more communities to ensure that character education is a part of every child's life.

I hope that my colleagues will support this effort.

Will the Senator yield?.

Yes, discussion of this bill. First, I want to say I have a little amendment pending, but believe me, I do not intend to delay things. I will offer it with Senator Bingaman, so I am not running to my office, and the Senator does not have to call me back with anything.

I want to tell the Senator why things are taking so long. We have Senator Harkin. He has a legitimate point. I mean, the whole law of the land on big subjects that the conferees know nothing about in appropriations should not be changed. The Senator from Iowa can speak for himself, but I have a situation where the conferees on that subcommittee have not had a hearing on the huge program called the milk subsidy for America. They changed it. They extended part of it. They added a new subsidy and a new forward contract.

Now, how do they know how that affects Oklahoma, California, or Texas? They do not, but there are enough people on the conference to do that, and Senators know about that.

Now, I am a player, and there is nobody who has more respect for what the Senator is trying to do than I, but there comes a point where one cannot stand it anymore. People want this big bill to protect our country, Homeland Security, but they do not have to protect some cows along with it, do they? We are not here for a cow protection program; we are here to protect America.

So if they do that--I do the rules, although not very often, but that bill has three perfect points of order in it. I say to the leader, they will be made, and they are all debatable. Unless they can get to the floor to make a motion to table, we will be here and then we can talk a little bit.

So the great desire of the Senator to get out of here Sunday, I can tell the Senator that if he brings that bill out here with that on it, we are here until Wednesday.

That is a cinch.

They haven't yet.

Mr. President, I rise to submit a resolution recognizing the essential role that nuclear power plays in our national energy policy and to voice support for this remarkable technology. America's nuclear power reactors supply electricity for one in five homes and businesses in the United States and do so affordably, reliably and without producing any emissions. To ensure that nuclear energy's important contribution to our nation continues, we must develop and build new nuclear power plants based on advanced technology and safety features.

Our Nation will require 40 percent more energy by 2020, requiring the use of all available energy sources--wind, solar, hydro, natural gas, coal and nuclear energy. Even the most aggressive conservation and energy efficient programs will not satisfy all of our increasing energy needs. We will require significant additional electric generating capacity to meet this rising demand--electricity generation that is absolutely necessary to keep our economy growing. And we must provide this new power while protecting our environment.

America's 103 nuclear power reactors provide safe, clean and reliable, baseload electricity around the clock. Over the past 50 years, America's nuclear power plants have posted a safety

record that is unrivalled. In addition, nuclear plants produce electricity without producing harmful emissions or greenhouse gases. Nuclear energy is the only major energy source that is both emission- free and expandable.

The use of nuclear energy also reduces our dependence on foreign sources of energy. Protecting our Nation's energy independence must remain at the forefront of our energy policy decisions.

Since scientists first harnessed the power of the atom for the benefit of mankind, the United States has led the world in the development of nuclear science and technology. With some 29 nuclear reactors under construction in other countries, the United State's leadership role in commercial nuclear power could be diminished. Our scientists, engineers and technicians must research, develop and build new nuclear facilities to keep their skills sharp and further their knowledge. In addition, new plant project also will mean more jobs for those scientists, engineers and technicians, as well as many other trades.

America's nuclear power plants contribute to nonproliferation efforts. Through the public-private ``Megatons to Megawatts'' program, which this body has strongly supported, 50 percent of the fuel used in our commercial reactors comes from converted Russian warheads.

Nuclear energy also is one of the most efficient means of producing hydrogen, another key to our energy future. Hydrogen will help reduce our dependence on imported petroleum in the transportation sector, and, like nuclear energy, is a clean air energy.

Therefore, I call upon my colleagues to join me in support of this resolution recognizing nuclear energy's important contributions to our Nation, such as maintaining our energy independence and protecting our environment. And I urge all of you to join me in supporting research, development and construction of new nuclear power plants today, so that nuclear energy can continue providing these benefits in the future.

Madam President, I rise first to congratulate the committee on the hard work they have put into this bill, in particular Senator Susan Collins, who I think has done a wonderful job. This was a very difficult situation. She and Senator Lieberman have led the committee in an admirable way. What I have to say is just what I hope will be seriously considered as the bill moves its way through to final completion by the House and Senate, ultimately to be in a form that can be signed by the President.

I rise to discuss one aspect of the bill concerning privacy and civil liberties. The bill before us has many appropriate suggestions for reforming our intelligence activities. Part of this reform includes the transformation of the Central Intelligence Agency and the enhancement of the human intelligence capability. We have heard over and over again that we must increase our human intelligence. Almost every time we get in a situation where we wonder what is happening in some country--even sometimes when we are engaged in war--we ask, Do we know this? Do we know that? The answers are we should, but we don't because we don't have anyone there. We don't have anyone on the ground. That wasn't always the case, but it has become a growing difficulty.

Actually, I think we should be getting better and better at it. What concerns me is that part of this reform in this bill includes the transformation of the Central Intelligence Agency and its enhancement of human intelligence, as

I said, but this reform in human intelligence is very critical because we must get better at it. But, simultaneously, we must not inhibit it with overreaching privacy and civil liberties provisions that may have a chilling effect on such activities.

Simply put, I believe these provisions send a wrong message to our professional intelligence officers. Clearly, the 9/11 Commission report includes recommendations highlighting the need for adequate supervision of executive branch powers in order to protect civil liberties. As a modern democracy, we cherish individual rights and understand the importance of creating institutions with a clear mandate for protecting those civil rights. However, this bill establishes two officers in the National Intelligence Authority to oversee compliance of privacy policies and civil rights and civil liberties policies.

It also creates no fewer than eight similar officers for each of the executive branch departments and agencies concerned with national security. These officers would be required to recommend privacy and civil liberties policies and to:

periodically investigate and review department, agency, or

element actions, policies, procedures, guidelines, and

related laws and their implementation to ensure that [they

are] adequately considering privacy and civil liberties in

[their] actions.

These officers are created in addition to an inspector general of the National Intelligence Authority. Clearly, insisting on all of these goes well beyond what is necessary and may well hurt our attempt to improve our human intelligence.

Our history of intelligence reform has many examples of sending wrong messages to our intelligence officers. The restrictions and bureaucratic oversight instituted in the past have often hampered the aggressiveness of operations and left our policymakers with less than a complete picture about critical intelligence matters.

The chilling effect that began with the Church hearings in the 1970s, while it did some things that were good--the chilling effect is long remembered. It has had a long, long effect.

The 1995 directive issued by former CIA Director John Deutch, which limited officers from including unsavory individuals, was also something that had enormous chilling effects and caused some difficulty in obtaining the kind of people we needed as the human resources we have been describing.

My concern is that excessive oversight established by this current bill will do the same thing, if not more. It will leave case officers who do human intelligence missions concerned that they cannot do their jobs to the best of their ability without worrying about being disciplined or somebody kind of looking over their shoulder.

Some people have called this reluctance by operations officers, by these officers, ``risk aversion.'' I don't know if that is the right characterization, but certainly we have had difficulties accomplishing certain missions because we could not get enough trained people on the ground in critical places throughout the world.

I am concerned that the oversight provisions of sections 126, 127, and 212 in this bill will continue to hurt us in this area.

Having said that, I believe removing these provisions would create a much better balance between the Government authority needed to protect America and the civil liberties we hold so dear. Removing these sections that create too many oversight positions would remove redundancy while maintaining the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board that was recommended by the national commission.

Once again, I believe this bill does a very good job of enhancing our intelligence system, but let us not undermine these positive steps before they have had a chance to work.

I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Madam President, when I delivered my short remarks in reference to the privacy and civil liberties provision, I failed to mention the other provisions in the bill that attempt to provide similar or corresponding type relationships. One is called the privacy and civil liberties oversight board. That is a very different thing within the purview of intelligence activities. It is almost political in nature. It is appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, three members of one party and two of the other.

It seems to me a very significant intrusion, perhaps, if one of those institutions will have a very chilling effect.

In addition to all of those I have mentioned, four, that is five; I mentioned six, that is seven; and now we have an eighth, which is an ombudsman, which seems, at least to me, to be a bit of piling on in this bill. You get one, and you think it is OK; someone has another; and someone has another. There is no criticism in that, but that is what it appears to me. We used to call that piling on when we went into conference where somebody seemed to be piling on because they have so many provisions affecting the same thing. But in this case, if that is what it is, it will have serious potential for repercussions that we don't want.

I thank you, Madam President, and the Senate for yielding me this time.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that I be removed as a cosponsor from amendment No. 3801 to the National Intelligence Reform Act of 2004, S. 2845. There has been a misunderstanding. That is the reason I ask that this request be granted.

Between the votes. Not on the first amendment.

Mr. President, I would like to discuss the good that occurs when a community joins together. This relates to a wonderful program I have been proud to promote in New Mexico for the past 10 years--Character Counts--and the support it gets from the business community.

We have had troubling and disappointing news over the past few years about corporate scandals and questionable ethics in the corporate world. So it is with great pleasure to be able to discuss a story about responsible and caring business behavior.

For the fourth straight year, Northrop Grumman has teamed with other local organizations to help at-risk youth experience the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

On October 7 through 8, eight elementary-age students in the Character Counts education program run through the Albuquerque YMCA and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Albuquerque and Rio Rancho will be treated to a field trip to the Balloon Fiesta courtesy of the Northrop Grumman and its partners--Meals on Wheels and the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta organization. The children and their chaperones will be treated to tethered balloon rides and generally feted throughout the day as special guests.

Now, this is more than just a simple do-good action by a major corporation. For these children it is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure linked to the Character Counts education program that builds into their lives the benefits of Respect, Responsibility, Trustworthiness, Citizenship, Fairness, and Caring. These are the six pillars of good character.

The Balloon Fiesta outing is a joint effort by these companies and organizations with the Albuquerque Character Counts Cooperative. We know these trips impact these children's lives. It is not only a reward for excelling at Character Counts, but also an entertaining way for them to broaden their horizons, meet community leaders and have a ballooning experience they might not have otherwise ever experienced.

Character Counts is an incredibly successful character education initiative. We are celebrating its 10-year history in New Mexico and these annual balloon fiesta field trips for outstanding students are a key component to helping youth become inspired by adults who are role models of the Character Counts pillars.

So I express my appreciation to the team of businesses and groups who have helped make the overall Character Counts program a success in New Mexico. In particular, I am pleased with Northrup Grumman, the YMCA, the Boys and Girls Clubs, Meals on Wheels and Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta for broadening the horizons for children.

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 committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

The hearing will be held on Thursday, September 30 at 10:30 a.m., in room SD-366.

The purpose of this hearing is to receive testimony regarding issues related to low level radioactive waste.

Because of the limited time available for the hearing, 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: Clint Williamson at 202-224- 7556, Dr. Pete Lyons at 202-224-5861 or Shane Perkins at 202-224-7555.

Mr. President, I rise today in strong support of the nomination of Porter Goss to be Director of Central Intelligence. Few people are as eminently qualified as he to lead the CIA at this critical time in our Nation's history.

Porter Goss combines experience as both a U.S. Army Intelligence and CIA officer with 15 years as a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives. During his time in Congress he has used his knowledge and experience to serve as chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. He is a public servant who has earned our confidence and that of the President to lead the dedicated men and women of the CIA who work tirelessly to preserve our Nation's security.

Now at this time when Congress is working hard to reshape our intelligence services, I applaud the President for nominating a man like Porter Goss who understands what is working with intelligence and that which needs to be improved. And based on his experience, he will undoubtedly be as well prepared as any DCI to communicate with Congress concerning the needs of the CIA, and to understand the oversight responsibilities of the legislative branch as it pertains to the intelligence community.

The challenges we face in defeating global terrorism remain great. Porter Goss understands where we have made mistakes in both intelligence operations and assessment. He understands that we need improved human intelligence capabilities, as well as a culture of competition among intelligence analysts, to ensure that policymakers have objective information and a range of options to choose from in meeting the terrorist challenge. Porter Goss is committed to making these changes on behalf of the American people.

In conclusion, I believe the President has chosen the right man to lead the CIA in its very important work, and I strongly support the nomination of Porter Goss.

Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that we proceed as in morning business for the following two items: That Senator Dorgan be permitted to proceed after the Senator from New Mexico for 5 minutes to speak as in morning business, and the Senator from New Mexico be recognized for 7 minutes to speak as in morning business, and that those are the only two speakers to be permitted as in morning business at this point, and that is for debate only.

With the same conditions.

So we have 7 minutes each, speeches only as in morning business, and that is all we have agreed to at this point.

I thank the Chair.

(The remarks of Mr. Domenici pertaining to the introduction of S. 2818 are printed in today's Record under ``Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions.'')

We are, but I cannot do that because we carved this out without our leadership. The Senator on his side is indicating he did not want us to do that, but he agreed to our two. We will soon agree with him, but at this point I cannot. Senator Dorgan is entitled to speak next, and I will inquire about Senator Reid's and Senator Nelson's requests very shortly.

Mr. President, the 2004 election is quickly approaching, and all Americans must be assured that when they cast their ballots, they will do so with the knowledge that the United States has done everything possible to ensure the election will be fair. Therefore, I rise today to introduce a commonsense election reform bill that will amend the law to add additional simple steps that will help ensure the integrity of the voting process and increase criminal penalties for those who knowingly and willfully commit fraud in voter registration.

There is a recent court decision in New Mexico that has taken the plain reading of a very clearly written statute and has turned it on its head. The statute says:

(4) a statement informing the applicant, that: (a) if the

form is not submitted in person by the applicant and the

applicant is registering for the first time in New Mexico,

the applicant must submit with the form a copy of a current

and valid photo identification, utility bill, bank statement,

government check, paycheck or other government document that

shows the name and address of the applicant--

I stress again, ``in person.''

(b) if the applicant does not submit the required

identification, he will be required to do so when he votes in

person or absentee.

I submit the statute could not be clearer. However, in a bizarre contortion of logic, the New Mexico Secretary of State has determined that a third party can register 10, 100 or 1,000 voters. As long as that third party shows up in person at the county clerk's office, the actual voter does not have to show identification. Have we ever heard of anything more ridiculous?

I believe the root cause of this problem is the recent proliferation of 527s that have begun to pop up throughout the country, largely uncontrolled and unregulated. These 527s have taken unlimited financial contributions from individual and other private sources to conduct voter mobilization drives and other activities. I am not against registering as many as we can, but this and the ruling seem to me to leave many voters to be unfairly treated because their vote may be wiped out by those who have not followed the State statute.

While no one will argue against a laudable goal, as I indicated, of increasing voter registration and voter turnout, the unintended consequence of these activities I have described can be immense. The paid volunteers of these 527s are largely untrained, not familiar with communities in which they are working, nor are they familiar with the realities of election laws. In many cases, the volunteers are being paid by the number of people they are able to register. This has resulted in certain voters being registered two or more times at multiple addresses under multiple names.

My hometown paper, the Albuquerque Journal, has published stories about minors receiving voter registration cards in the mail as well as stories about paid volunteers telling convicted felons they have unlimited ability to register and vote. County clerks have also said they have been inundated with thousands of incomplete or illegible forms.

While no one can be sure of the exact effect of these 527s and what their effect will be on voter fraud in registration and in casting votes, the bill I am introducing today will amend the Help America Vote Act, called HAVA, by extending the identification requirements to individuals who have not themselves registered in person with their county clerk. In addition, it will enhance the penalties for individuals who knowingly and fraudulently register 10 or more people to vote.

I know many people will believe my intentions in introducing this legislation are partisan. Skeptics will say my motive is political. But voter fraud is not about partisanship or politics; it is about fairness. Voter fraud is not a political act; it is a criminal act.

Voting is the most important duty and responsibility of our citizens. Other reform issues have received a lot of attention, but I believe it is imperative to focus our attention on the fundamental issue of casting votes honestly and fairly. The Help America Vote Act, which we passed in 2002, and

the hundreds of new State laws that implement it fail to provide adequate uniform systems that verify voter identity, as I have indicated, or by court interpretation wipe out the protections that might be contemplated by clear and unambiguous statutes.

Requiring a voter to provide identification prior to voting is not an unreasonable imposition, given the responsibility and possibilities that are attendant to not doing that are truly monumental. Simple and straightforward reforms, such as the one I am proposing, will make it easier to vote but harder to cheat. Showing the American public that we are serious about elections and those who might seek to do it improperly will go a long way toward restoring confidence in the registration and balloting process.

I have already indicated that I sent the bill to the desk for appropriate referral.

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

Mr. President, the 2004 election is quickly approaching, and all Americans must be assured that when they cast their ballots, they will do so with the knowledge that the United States has done everything possible to ensure the election will be fair. Therefore, I rise today to introduce a commonsense election reform bill that will amend the law to add additional simple steps that will help ensure the integrity of the voting process and increase criminal penalties for those who knowingly and willfully commit fraud in voter registration.

There is a recent court decision in New Mexico that has taken the plain reading of a very clearly written statute and has turned it on its head. The statute says:

(4) a statement informing the applicant, that: (a) if the

form is not submitted in person by the applicant and the

applicant is registering for the first time in New Mexico,

the applicant must submit with the form a copy of a current

and valid photo identification, utility bill, bank statement,

government check, paycheck or other government document that

shows the name and address of the applicant--

I stress again, ``in person.''

(b) if the applicant does not submit the required

identification, he will be required to do so when he votes in

person or absentee.

I submit the statute could not be clearer. However, in a bizarre contortion of logic, the New Mexico Secretary of State has determined that a third party can register 10, 100 or 1,000 voters. As long as that third party shows up in person at the county clerk's office, the actual voter does not have to show identification. Have we ever heard of anything more ridiculous?

I believe the root cause of this problem is the recent proliferation of 527s that have begun to pop up throughout the country, largely uncontrolled and unregulated. These 527s have taken unlimited financial contributions from individual and other private sources to conduct voter mobilization drives and other activities. I am not against registering as many as we can, but this and the ruling seem to me to leave many voters to be unfairly treated because their vote may be wiped out by those who have not followed the State statute.

While no one will argue against a laudable goal, as I indicated, of increasing voter registration and voter turnout, the unintended consequence of these activities I have described can be immense. The paid volunteers of these 527s are largely untrained, not familiar with communities in which they are working, nor are they familiar with the realities of election laws. In many cases, the volunteers are being paid by the number of people they are able to register. This has resulted in certain voters being registered two or more times at multiple addresses under multiple names.

My hometown paper, the Albuquerque Journal, has published stories about minors receiving voter registration cards in the mail as well as stories about paid volunteers telling convicted felons they have unlimited ability to register and vote. County clerks have also said they have been inundated with thousands of incomplete or illegible forms.

While no one can be sure of the exact effect of these 527s and what their effect will be on voter fraud in registration and in casting votes, the bill I am introducing today will amend the Help America Vote Act, called HAVA, by extending the identification requirements to individuals who have not themselves registered in person with their county clerk. In addition, it will enhance the penalties for individuals who knowingly and fraudulently register 10 or more people to vote.

I know many people will believe my intentions in introducing this legislation are partisan. Skeptics will say my motive is political. But voter fraud is not about partisanship or politics; it is about fairness. Voter fraud is not a political act; it is a criminal act.

Voting is the most important duty and responsibility of our citizens. Other reform issues have received a lot of attention, but I believe it is imperative to focus our attention on the fundamental issue of casting votes honestly and fairly. The Help America Vote Act, which we passed in 2002, and

the hundreds of new State laws that implement it fail to provide adequate uniform systems that verify voter identity, as I have indicated, or by court interpretation wipe out the protections that might be contemplated by clear and unambiguous statutes.

Requiring a voter to provide identification prior to voting is not an unreasonable imposition, given the responsibility and possibilities that are attendant to not doing that are truly monumental. Simple and straightforward reforms, such as the one I am proposing, will make it easier to vote but harder to cheat. Showing the American public that we are serious about elections and those who might seek to do it improperly will go a long way toward restoring confidence in the registration and balloting process.

I have already indicated that I sent the bill to the desk for appropriate referral.

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

Mr. President, I want to bring due attention to the Smithsonian Institution's newest museum on the National Mall in Washington. The National Museum of the American Indian celebrates its grand opening tomorrow.

This new museum is a wonderful place, and its collection has been a long time coming. It is a beautiful and suitable home for honoring centuries of American Indian history and their contributions to our Nation today. Never

before has such an American Indian exhibit been done on this scale.

Congress passed the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian charter in 1989, but for such a grand endeavor, much planning, coordination, and attention to detail is most appropriate.

All who have collaborated on this project have done so in an effort to promote and celebrate a deeper understanding of the diversity of the American Indian people and to celebrate their rich culture and storied history. The exhibits will include ancient artifacts and will eloquently display the talented work of modern Indian artists in a skillfully assembled setting.

There are numerous tribes in my home State of New Mexico. Those of us who reside in the Southwest are familiar with the tribes and their people, but many are not. While each share many common traditions and customs, it is important to note that each is a distinct entity of individuals who maintain unique identities.

Indian lands in New Mexico are full of fascinating cultures, extraordinary landscapes, captivating ruins, and a broad array of handmade arts and crafts by the Pueblo, Navajo and Apache people who are rightfully proud of their legacies and strong traditions.

Several New Mexicans have been working closely in the project's planning and design. I would like to especially note Santa Fe weaver Ramona Sakiestewa, Donna House of Acalde, and Duane Blue Spruce of Laguna and San Juan pueblos.

Ramona Sakiestewa has been involved with the project development since 1994, collaborating with a team of architects and designers as the lead interior designer for museum. Donna House coordinated much of the landscape, and Duane Blue Spruce served as facilities manager for the entire endeavor. There are others from my home State who had a hand in the museum, but these three deserve special recognition. And as the years go on, New Mexico tribes and pueblos will add to the ongoing exhibits and programs to be offered at the National Museum of the American Indian.

Museum officials spent years consulting with representatives of Indian tribes from throughout the Western hemisphere. Because of their vision and creativity, the museum will forever tell the story of American Indians--their trials, tribulations, triumphs and successes. I laud their countless hours of work and tireless efforts.

I look forward to sharing the pride of the American Indian people as they begin their opening ceremonies with a procession of the Nation's native peoples. I hope all will take time to visit the museum, walk its corridors, and view the priceless treasures that reveal stories filled with the rich history of this diverse group. The museum is a culmination of years of planning and dedication. To those who have worked so hard to make it possible, I give my highest praise for a ``job well done.''