Numbers & Notables
November/December 2005

Dear Friends:

During this season of giving and thankfulness in our land of plenty, I encourage you to help those most in need by contributing to local food pantries. The devastation caused by the hurricanes as well as the tornados which hit southwestern Indiana on November 6th and 15th have made this a difficult year for many people and stressed the resources of our local food banks.

Each citizen can make an important contribution in the fight against hunger at a local level. Over the years, I have visited numerous Hoosier food banks and have been especially impressed by the remarkable work of these organizations. In many cases, they are partnered with churches and faith-based organizations and are making a tremendous difference in our communities.

We should support this private sector activity, which not only feeds people, but also strengthens community bonds and demonstrates the power of faith, charity and civic involvement.

To participate in this important advocacy for food banks and emergency feeding programs, please contact your local food bank.

With the approaching winter season, many Hoosiers are also bracing for the cold weather and the financial hardships caused by the expected increase in heating costs. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) has distributed $199 million in Indiana to eligible low-income households from FY2002 to FY2005.

I strongly support LIHEAP, and I encourage Hoosiers who are concerned about their ability to pay for home heating during the cold winter months to contact the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration for more information at 1-800-622-4973 or
www.state.in.us/fssa/families/housing/eas.html.

I thank you, in advance, for your personal thoughtfulness and generosity this holiday season so that the bounty of our country can be shared with all Hoosiers.

All of our staff members and I wish you a wonderful holiday season, and we look forward to hearing from you in the New Year.

Sincerely,

Richard G. Lugar United States Senator

Lugar-Obama Bill Introduced

Senators Lugar and Barack Obama (D-IL) introduced comprehensive legislation on November 1 to expand the cooperative threat reduction concept to conventional weapons. It is patterned after the Nunn-Lugar program that focuses on weapons of mass to destruction in the former Soviet Union. The new legislation also will expand the detection and interdiction of weapons and materials of mass destruction.

“We are convinced that the United States can and should do more to eliminate conventional weapons stockpiles and assist other nations in detecting and interdicting weapons of mass destruction. We believe that these functions are underfunded, fragmented, and in need of high-level support,” Lugar said.

“The U.S. government’s current response to threats from vulnerable conventional weapons stockpiles is dispersed between several programs at the Department of State. We believe that the planning, coordination, and implementation of this function should be consolidated into one office at the State Department with a budget that is commensurate with the threat posed by these weapons.

“We are particularly concerned that our government has the capacity to deal quickly with vulnerable stockpiles of shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles, known as MANPADS. In recent years, concerns have grown that such weapons could be used by terrorists to attack commercial airliners, military installations, and government facilities here at home and abroad. Al Qaeda reportedly has attempted to acquire MANPADS on a number of occasions,” continued Lugar, who is the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

“The Lugar-Obama bill recognizes that the proliferation of conventional weapons is a major obstacle to peace, reconstruction, and economic development in regions suffering from conflict and instability. It calls upon the State Department to implement a global effort to seek out and destroy surplus and unguarded stocks of conventional armaments and to cooperate with allies and international organizations when possible.

“In many cases, the security around these weapons is minimal – particularly when the weapons are no longer being used by a nation’s military. But as we have seen in Iraq, even obsolete weaponry and explosives can be reconfigured with deadly results. If foreign governments know that the United States is poised to help them eliminate such weapons, they will be more likely to come forward with requests for help, as Albania and Georgia did,” Lugar said.

“The second part of the Lugar-Obama legislation is focused on U.S. efforts to assist allies in detecting and interdicting weapons of mass destruction. The Nunn-Lugar Program is our country’s first line of defense against the threat posed by weapons and materials of mass destruction. It attempts to secure weapons of mass destruction at their source. The Department of Homeland Security is our last line of defense, focused on detecting these threats inside U.S. borders and responding to attacks, if they occur. Our bill would bolster the second line of defense, namely, our ability to stop weapons of mass destruction that have been taken from the source, but have not yet reached the United States,” Lugar said.

“The Lugar-Obama bill creates a single office dedicated to supporting the detection and interdiction of WMD. The State Department engages in several related anti-terrorism and export control assistance programs to foreign countries. But these programs are focused on other stages of the threat, not on the detection and interdiction of WMD cargo. Thus, we believe there is a gap in our defenses that needs to be filled,” Lugar said.

Lugar and Obama traveled together to Russia, Ukraine and Azerbaijan in August to oversee a number of Nunn-Lugar projects. In Ukraine they saw a convention weapons storage and destruction facility that is typical of the focus of the new legislation.

For more information on the Nunn-Lugar Program, visit:
http://lugar.senate.gov/nunnlugar.html.

The High Costs of Oil Dependence

On November 16, Lugar chaired a Foreign Relations Committee hearing on the high costs of U.S. dependence on oil. In his opening statement Lugar said, “High oil prices have hurt American consumers at the gas pump, and record revenues flowing into oil producing nations are changing the world’s geopolitical landscape. Increasingly, oil is the currency through which countries leverage their interests against oil dependent nations such as ours.”

“In the short-run, our dependence on oil has created a drag on economic performance at home and troubling national security burdens overseas. In the long-run, this dependence is pushing the United States toward an economic disaster that could mean diminished living standards, increased risks of war, and accelerated environmental degradation,” he continued.

“Up to this point, the main issues surrounding oil have been how much we have to pay for it and whether we will experience supply disruptions. But in decades to come, the issue may be whether the world’s supply of oil is abundant and accessible enough to support continued economic growth, both in the industrialized West and in large rapidly growing economies like China and India. When we reach the point where the world’s oil-hungry economies are competing for insufficient supplies of energy, oil will become an even stronger magnet for conflict than it already is.”

As former chairman of the Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee, Lugar initiated a biofuels research program to help decrease U.S. dependency on foreign oil. In a time of relatively low fuel prices, he co-authored “The New Petroleum” in Foreign Affairs with former CIA Director James Woolsey extolling the need to accelerate the use of ethanol, especially that derived from cellulose. He authored and passed the Biomass Research and Development Act of 2000, which remains the nation’s premier legislation guiding renewable fuels research. Lugar also has co-authored and supported legislation to dramatically increase the use of renewable fuels in all U.S. vehicles.

Earlier this year, Lugar led 21 bipartisan Senators in introducing the Fuels Security Act to more than double the production and use of domestic renewable fuels including ethanol, biodiesel and fuels produced from cellulosic biomass. This legislation laid the groundwork for the renewable fuels section of the energy bill that passed the Congress in July 2005.

In addition to the hearing, Lugar joined Senators to introduce the following legislation during the month of November to encourage the use and production of biofuels:

Lugar Introduces Flexible Fuel Vehicles Legislation - On November 10, Senator Lugar joined Sens. Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Barack Obama (D-IL) in introducing the Fuel Security and Consumer Choice Act. This bill would require all U.S. marketed vehicles to be manufactured as Flexible Fuel Vehicles (FFVs) within ten years. FFVs can use both regular gasoline and E-85 renewable fuel (motor fuel with 85 percent ethanol content). This capability would ensure access to an important alternative to foreign petroleum in the future as the nation’s renewable fuels industry continues to expand rapidly.

The bill would require 10 percent of vehicles sold in the U.S. be FFVs within 18 months of passage. The requirement would increase by 10 percent for each subsequent model year resulting in all new vehicles being FFVs within ten years.

Lugar co-sponsors Vehicle and Fuel Choices Act - Lugar is an original cosponsor of the Vehicle and Fuel Choices for American Security Act, which was introduced on November 16. The bill would provide for changes in oil conservation, new measures to improve fuel economy, tax credits for hybrid cars and advanced fuels, encourage use of renewable fuels, and set new regulations for federal fleets.

The bill would create a federal action plan to save increasing levels of oil per day starting with 2.5 million barrels per day in 2016, at least 7 million barrels per day in 2026 and 10 million barrels per day in 2031. The savings would be from projected levels in those years.

The other original cosponsors are Sens. Evan Bayh (D-IN), Sam Brownback (R-KS), Norm Coleman (R-MN), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Joseph Lieberman (D-CT), Bill Nelson (D-FL), Barack Obama (D-IL), Ken Salazar (D-CO), and Jeff Sessions (R-AL).

Lugar Encourages President to Increase Funding for Biofuels - On November 21, Senator Lugar led a bipartisan group of twelve senators in urging President George W. Bush to “include robust funding” for biofuels such as ethanol, biodiesel and other renewable fuels in the FY 2007 budget request to Congress. To read the letter, visit http://lugar.senate.gov/pressapp/record.cfm?id=249197.

Sens. Evan Bayh (D-IN), Christopher Bond (R-MO), Sam Brownback (R-KS), Norm Coleman (R-MN), Larry Craig (R-ID), Mike DeWine (R-OH), Chuck Hagel (R-NE), Tom Harkin (D-IA), Barack Obama (D-IL), Pat Roberts (R-KS), and Ken Salazar (D-CO) joined Lugar in sending the letter.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Senate Passes Lugar Food Donation Bill

Senator Lugar’s Good Samaritan Hunger Relief Tax Incentive Act was included in the Tax Reconciliation bill, which was approved by the Senate November 17. The Good Samaritan Act would make it easier for farmers and small business owners to contribute products to food banks, pantries and homeless shelters by allowing the deduction of the full market value of food donated from January 1, 2006, through December 31, 2007. Currently, this deduction is available only to large corporations, not small businesses. Following Senate passage, the bill will wait action by the House of Representatives.

The bill was reintroduced on January 24, 2005, and provisions were included in the tax relief package for individuals affected by Hurricane Katrina that passed on September 21, 2005.

“If a small percentage of this wasted food could be redirected to food banks, we could make important strides in our fight against hunger. I believe the enactment of this legislation would be a great incentive in redirecting this food from being discarded to being distributed to hungry families,” added Lugar.

Lugar is an inaugural member of the Senate Hunger Caucus. The Senate Hunger Caucus provides a forum for Senators and staff to discuss and debate important hunger issues facing the United States and the rest of our world. Lugar joined the Hunger Caucus to further promote issues that he has long supported, such as incentives to promote charitable food donation, elimination of childhood hunger, foreign food aid, and health promotion.

Lugar Praises Repeal of Jackson-Vanik on Ukraine

Sen. Lugar’s bill authorizing the extension of permanent normal trade relations treatment to Ukraine passed the Senate November 18. Ukraine has been subject to the provisions of the Jackson-Vanik amendment to the Trade Act of 1974, which sanctions nations for failure to comply with freedom of emigration requirements. This bill permanently repeals the application of Jackson-Vanik to Ukraine. Lugar and Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) had written their Senate colleagues on October 24, pressing for action before the Senate adjourned for the session.

Since the end of the Cold War, Ukraine has demonstrated a commitment to meet the requirements necessary for normal trade relations and has expressed a strong desire to abide by free market principles and good governance.

The Jackson-Vanik amendment was included in the 1974 Trade Act to pressure then-communist nations to permit free emigration. Since 1992, Ukraine has been found in compliance with freedom of emigration requirements and has been certified annually as qualifying for a waiver of Jackson-Vanik sanctions. In addition, the United States and Ukraine have a bilateral trade agreement in place. This legislation will stimulate further market reforms and encourage Ukraine to continue its commitment to safeguarding individual liberties.

Action by the House of Representatives is required in order for the bill to proceed toward becoming law.

Lugar Applauds Passage of the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act

Senator Lugar applauded Senate passage of S.1462, the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act, on November 18. Lugar favorably discharged the legislation from the Foreign Relations Committee on October 28 and signaled his support for Senate passage to the Majority Leader’s office.

In 2004, Lugar introduced a similar bill, the Comprehensive Peace in Sudan Act, which was signed by the President on December 23, 2004 (P.L. 108-497). Lugar’s legislation provided an additional $300 million in support of the humanitarian crisis in Darfur and for the consolidation of the since concluded Comprehensive Peace Agreement between North and South Sudan. The Act also imposed targeted sanctions and required reports.

As Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, Lugar has chaired two hearings on Sudan in the last year. The hearing entitled "Current Situation in Sudan and the Prospects for Peace" in September 2004 provided then Secretary of State Colin Powell the opportunity for the first ever declaration of ongoing genocide.

Lugar Introduces DREAM Act

Senator Lugar cosponsored the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act, which was introduced on November 18 with Sens. Chuck Hagel (R-NE) and Dick Durbin (D-IL). The bill would help young, undocumented immigrants who grew up in the United States to earn legal status by obtaining an education and completing national or public service.

The measure would grant conditional legal status to youth who successfully complete high school or equivalent. They then would have six years to graduate from college or a trade school or join the military. If successful in one of those areas, the conditional legal status would become permanent and they could then move towards U.S. citizenship.

To be eligible, a child must have been under the age of 16 when they entered the country and be physically present in the United States for at least five years immediately preceding the date of this measure becoming law; have earned a high school diploma or GED; be a person of good moral character; and not be inadmissible or deportable under criminal or security grounds of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

Presently, the law penalizes states that grant a post-secondary benefit, such as in-state tuition, to undocumented students unless the state also provides that same benefit to out-of-state students. This legislation will allow states to grant in-state tuition rates to undocumented immigrants.

President Signs Foreign Ops Bill Containing Lugar MDB Reforms

In November, reforms to bring greater transparency and accountability to the five multilateral development banks (MDBs) were signed into law by President Bush on November 14 as part of the FY06 Foreign Operations appropriations bill. The reforms, contained in Lugar’s amendment S.A. 1293 that passed the Senate by unanimous consent, apply to the World Bank, the African Development Bank, the Asian Bank, the Inter-American Bank, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

Specifically, Lugar’s reforms include measures to seek financial disclosure by development bank employees similar to that required for U.S. government officials and members of Congress; to improve the quality and oversight of development bank loans; and to support the integrity of the development banks and strengthen whistleblower policies; and to support the independence and efficacy of the audit functions. It also requires that the Treasury Department make publicly available the positions taken by the U.S. Executive Directors on policies and significant projects.

Lugar Holds Hearing on Avian Flu

On November 9, Lugar chaired a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on the avian flu. Below are excerpts from his opening statement at the hearing:

“International health experts believe that the stage is set for a possible world-wide influenza pandemic, originating in Southeast Asia. A new strain of bird flu, H5 N1, is killing millions of birds in Asian poultry flocks. Just last Friday, another major poultry outbreak was reported in China. The disease has killed about sixty people, or about half of those known to have been infected. Humans have no immunity to this strain. The only obstacle to a pandemic is that H5 N1 has not yet mutated to a form easily transmissible from human to human.”

“If that happens, and if the new virus is roughly as contagious and lethal as the deadly 1918 'Spanish Flu,' as many experts fear, the disease could quickly sweep the globe. In a worst-case scenario, casualties could be in the millions in our country and in the tens of millions worldwide. Hospitals and health care systems would be overwhelmed, large numbers of workers could lose their jobs as customers stay home and economies contract, and governments around the world could be destabilized.”

“We cannot be certain that such a pandemic will occur or predict its timing or severity. If we are lucky, the H5 N1 virus will not turn into a human pandemic. But experts say that based on historical patterns, we are overdue for a major flu pandemic outbreak. If it is not caused by H5 N1, then some other pathogen may be the source. The human and economic consequences of a pandemic could be so severe that we cannot rely on luck. Prudence requires that we prepare in the short term as if an H5 N1 outbreak is probable. Furthermore, we must rebuild our vaccine production infrastructure, strengthen international health cooperation, and take other steps for the long-term.”

Read Lugar's full statement at http://lugar.senate.gov/pressapp/record.cfm?id=248459.