The U.S. maritime industry has been the world leader in innovation over the last 30 years.

Congressional and Administrative action is needed to strengthen the U.S. maritime industry and level the playing field in the international shipping arena.

America should not allow the unscrupulous operation of unsafe ships with ill-trained crews to threaten the oceans, our coastlines, or our citizens.

U.S. shipping companies can compete and succeed in the world's international trade marketplace when competition is fair.

This Nation's tax policies should promote business growth, not stifle it.

This study is a bottom-up effort with emphasis on letting those with hands-on experience play leading roles.

I hope the President's budget proposal funds these grant activities from general revenues in full recognition of the broad public benefit that accrues from effective underground infrastructure protection.

Mr. President, the affected parties have checked their differences at the door, have worked together with openness and goodwill.

I am pleased to report that the response to the one-call legislation has been extremely positive.

This legislation, based on S.1115, the Comprehensive One-Call Notification Act, does just that.

Mr. President, the last Congress enacted legislation which protects our nation's vital underground infrastructure.

I rise to introduce legislation that will establish the Director of the Indian Health Service within the Department of Health and Human Services as an Assistant Secretary for Indian Health.

It has been endorsed by state and local organizations such as the National Governors Association, the National Conference of State Legislators, the National Association of Counties, and the National League of Cities.

I rise today with my colleague, Mr. Hoyer, to introduce the Federal Financial Assistance Management Improvement Act of 1999.

I often hear from state and local governments and constituents involved in non-profit organizations who, in an attempt to gain assistance for many worthy programs, are frustrated by the miles of red tape, regulations and duplicative…

To address this concern we have introduced this short and straightforward legislation.

The bill sunsets in five years and The National Academy for Public Administrators (NAPA) would submit an evaluation just prior to its sunsetting.

I want to thank the gentleman from Maryland, Mr. Hoyer and the other original cosponsors for joining me in this effort and I encourage my colleagues to join in support of this bipartisan effort.