Numbers & Notables
***February 2005***

Dear Friends:

I appreciate your thoughtful attention to the Lugar Letter with news of my recent activities.

Since I wrote to you, I had the sad experience of traveling to the funeral of Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania of Georgia as President Bush's official representative. Prime Minister Zhvania was a major force for democracy in Georgia and a friend who I last saw in Washington in December when we each received the National Democratic Institute’s W. Averell Harriman Democracy Award.

As the country celebrated Black History Month, Monday, February 14, 2005, marked a special opportunity for Hoosiers to recognize the extraordinary life and leadership of the great abolitionist and former slave Frederick Douglass on the occasion of the 187th anniversary of his birth. His remarkable life had two Indiana connections, including his service on the Nominating Committee that notified Benjamin Harrison of his 1892 presidential nomination.

Thanks, again, for reading the Lugar Letter.

Sincerely,

Richard G. Lugar United States Senator

Lugar Introduces Bill to Shield Media

On Wednesday, February 7, Senator Lugar introduced the Free Flow of Information Act, S. 340, to protect reporters against revealing confidential sources. This bill would set national standards for subpoenas issued to reporters by an entity or employee of the Federal Government. U.S. Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

“It is important that we ensure reporters certain rights and abilities to seek sources and report appropriate information without fear of intimidation or imprisonment,” Lugar said. “Without such protection, many whistleblowers will refuse to step forward and reporters will be disinclined to provide our constituents with the information that they have a right to know. Promises of confidentiality are essential to the flow of information the public needs about its government.”

During 2004, many members of the media faced subpoenas and/or threats of confinement in federal jurisdictions for refusing to disclose confidential sources.

“I appreciate the leadership of my friend and fellow Hoosier Mike Pence in introducing this important bill in the House. His background as a broadcaster, lawyer and free speech advocate make him the ideal originator of it,” Lugar said. “After meeting with him, I am convinced this is the right approach to move forward in the Senate as well.”

This bill would follow closely the guidelines set forth by the Department of Justice in 1973 for issuing subpoenas to the news media and make those guidelines mandatory to provide protection against compelled disclosure of confidential sources.

Last year Congress passed legislation that Senator Lugar proposed that directed the State Department to increase and add greater focus to international initiatives to support the development of free, fair, legally protected and sustainable media in developing countries. The State Department and the National Endowment for Democracy have embraced this initiative and are now proceeding with its implementation.

Lugar Co-sponsors Resolution to Facilitate U.S. Agricultural Sale to Cuba

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Senator Lugar co-sponsored the Agricultural Products Export Facilitation Act of 2005, S. 328, to help facilitate the sale of U.S. agricultural goods to Cuba under the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000 (TSREEA).

“There have been indications that TSREEA will be interpreted in a way that may serve to impede agricultural exports to Cuba, which is contrary to the original intent of the bill,” said Lugar. “This would be a departure from current policy and undermine the benefits for U.S. farmers which the act has achieved.”

In November 2004, the State Department and the Office of Foreign Assets and Control (OFEC) indicated they might impose regulations requiring payment in advance of loading and shipping goods to Cuba. Current practice has been for Cuba to pay for agriculture goods before transfer of title and release of physical control of goods to the seller.

“Cuba’s geographic proximity to the U.S makes it an important market for U.S. exporters,” said Lugar. “This bill will maintain significant economic benefits not only for the farmers in my home state of Indiana, but for farmers throughout the country.”

In a study by the Cuba Policy Foundation, Indiana is listed as one of the top 20 U.S. states whose agriculture industry has potential benefits from trade with Cuba and would be adversely affected if such trade were curtailed.

Specifically this bill would clarify Congress’ intent to legally sell agriculture goods, as authorized by the TSREEA, by defining "cash payment in advance" as receipt of payment before transfer of title and release of physical control of goods to the seller.

In December 2004, Lugar sent letters to then Secretary of State Colin Powell and to OFAC Director Robert Werner indicating his concern about this potential variation from the initial intent of TSREEA.

Hoosier Tax Helpfuls

The Internal Revenue Service announced that unclaimed refunds totaling more than $35 million are awaiting approximately 32,000 Hoosiers who failed to file an income tax return for 2001. In order to collect the money, a return must be filed with the IRS no later than April 15, 2005.

What do I do if I didn’t get my W-2?

If you didn’t receive your Form W-2 contact the IRS for assistance toll free at 1-800-829-1040. When you call, have the following information ready:

1. The employer’s name and complete address, including zip code, the employer’s identification number (if known) and telephone number.
2. Your name, address, including zip code, Social Security number, and telephone number
3. An estimate of the wages you earned, the federal income tax withheld and the dates you began and ended employment

• Your Social Security Number (or IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number)
• Your Filing Status, (Single, Married Filing Joint Return, Married Filing Separate Return, Head of Household, or Qualifying Widow(er))
• The Refund amount (It is important to enter the refund amount exactly as it is shown on your return in order for our computer system to retrieve your data)

Simply visit the IRS' Where's My Refund page and complete the form.

Am I eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)?

Find out if you are eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) by answering a few simple questions and providing basic income information.

Lugar Praises Expansion of Nunn-Lugar Program

Senator Lugar, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and co-author of the Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction Program, praised the announcement made by President Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin to expand the Nunn-Lugar program to provide more protection of Russia’s nuclear stockpile against potential terrorist acquisition and an additional agreement to stem proliferation of shoulder-fired rockets that are sought by terrorists.

“Steps agreed upon today should lead to the largest ramping up of Nunn-Lugar funding since the beginning of the program,” Lugar said. “This is good news and underscores the need for expanding the Nunn-Lugar program and eliminating the Congressionally-imposed conditions and certifications that have consistently slowed down program implementation.”

Lugar’s new legislation, S. 313, would streamline and accelerate Nunn-Lugar implementation and also grant more flexibility to the President and the Secretary of Defense to undertake nonproliferation projects outside the former Soviet Union. The bill would eliminate congressionally-imposed conditions on Nunn-Lugar assistance that in the past have forced the suspension of time-sensitive nonproliferation projects. The purpose of the bill is to reduce bureaucratic red tape and friction within the U.S. government that hinder effective responses to nonproliferation opportunities and emergencies.

To assist in securing and destroying conventional weapons, such as shoulder weapons called man portable air defense systems (MANPADS), Lugar is also offering a conventional disarmament bill modeled on the original Nunn-Lugar Act. It would provide the Department of State with a focused response to the threat posed by vulnerable stockpiles of conventional weapons around the world, including tactical missiles and MANPADS. Such missile systems could be used by terrorists to attack commercial airliners, military installations and government facilities here at home and abroad. Reports suggest that Al Qaeda has attempted to acquire these kinds of weapons. In addition, unsecured conventional weapons stockpiles are a major obstacle to peace, reconstruction and economic development in regions suffering from instability.

This bill declares it to be the policy of the United States to seek out surplus and unguarded stocks of conventional armaments, including small arms and light weapons, and tactical missile systems for elimination or safeguarding. It authorizes the Department of State to carry out an accelerated global effort to destroy such weapons and to cooperate with allies and international organizations when possible. The Secretary of State is charged with devising a strategy for prioritizing, on a country-by-country basis, the obligation of funds in a global program of conventional arms elimination. Lastly, the Secretary is required to unify program planning, coordination and implementation of the strategy into one office at the State Department and to request a budget commensurate with the risk posed by these weapons.

Legislative Update

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Hearing on Iraq

On February 1, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Dick Lugar held a Committee hearing on strategies for reshaping U.S. policy in Iraq and the Middle East. The Committee also discussed the January 30 Iraqi elections.

“The remarkable elections held in Iraq demonstrated the courage and commitment of the Iraqi people. Despite threats and acts of violence, reports indicate that millions of Iraqis voted,” Lugar said in his opening statement. “There is little doubt that the election provides a basis for moving forward with Iraqi self-government.”

This was the first hearing on Iraq held by the Committee in the 109th Congress. In the last Congress, 23 Committee hearings were held on Iraq.
Read Senator Lugar's full opening statement

Lugar Introduces Resolution to Promote HIV Vaccine Development

In February, U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Dick Lugar introduced a resolution urging efforts to promote initiatives to develop an HIV vaccine.

“The HIV/AIDS pandemic is unlike any disease in history and has profound implications for political stability, development, and human welfare. The sheer magnitude of the crisis is overwhelming,” said Lugar.

An estimated 40,000,000 people around the world live with HIV or AIDS, and nearly 8,500 people die every day from AIDS. Last year alone, more than 3,000,000 people died from the disease. Every 14 seconds, a child loses a parent to AIDS.

Under President Bush’s leadership, the Members of the Group of Eight Industrialized Nations (G-8) endorsed the Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise during their meeting at Sea Island last June. Modeled after the Human Genome Project, the Enterprise would bring together public and private sector researchers to map the human genetic code and coordinate the efforts of scientists to accelerate the development an HIV vaccine.

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Nomination Hearing of Robert Zoellick

On February 15, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Dick Lugar held a hearing on the nomination of Robert Zoellick to be Deputy Secretary of State. Zoellick was previously the United States’ Trade Representative.

“American credibility in the world, progress in the war on terrorism, and our relationships with our allies will be greatly influenced by the effectiveness of the State Department in the coming years,” said Lugar in his opening statement. “The State Department functions best when it has the benefit of a talented and experienced Deputy Secretary who is trusted by the President, the Secretary of State, and the Congress. Ambassador Zoellick is highly qualified to meet this challenge.”

Zoellick was passed out of the Foreign Relations Committee by voice vote.
Read Senator Lugar's full opening statement

Lugar Co-sponsors Healthcare Legislation

During February, Senator Lugar co-sponsored the Advance Directives Improvement and Education Act, S. 347, of 2005.

“Americans of all ages deserve quality end-of-life medical care,” Lugar said. “This legislation would improve access to information about individuals health care options and, additionally, promote advance care planning and decision-making.”

The bill encourages American adults, especially those 65 and older, to prepare advance directives, which include living wills and durable powers of attorney for health care and other purposes.

It would also engage health providers in disseminating information about and assisting with the preparation of advance directives by providing funds for the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct a public education campaign to raise awareness of the importance of planning for care near the end of life.

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Hearing on Tsunami Repsonse

On February 10, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Dick Lugar held a hearing to discuss the nation’s response to the tsunami that struck the Indian Ocean region on December 26, 2004, causing death and destruction in at least 12 countries.

“Beyond the comprehensive casualty figures, the tsunami has left deep scars on the societies of the Indian Ocean region,” Lugar said. “On behalf of the Foreign Relations Committee, I want to express our deepest sympathy to the victims of this tragedy. While financial and in-kind assistance cannot compensate for the huge loss of life that countries in the region have suffered, the contributions of the United States and many other nations can help stabilize the region and assist survivors in rebuilding their lives.”

This hearing coincided with resolutions Lugar introduced to address vulnerable children. Among those testifying were Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, who had traveled to the Indian Ocean region to personally review relief efforts, Alan Larson, Under Secretary of State for Economic, Business, and Agricultural Affairs; Paul Wolfowitz, Deputy Secretary of Defense; and Andrew Natsios, Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development.
Read Senator Lugar's full opening statement

Lugar Introduces Legislation to Address Vulnerable Children

U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Dick Lugar introduced resolutions to prevent the trafficking inchildren in the Indian Ocean region made vulnerable by the December 26 tsunami and to improve assistance for orphans in developing countries.

“The recent tsunami disaster has taken an incredible toll on children,” said Lugar. “Tens of thousands of children have lost family members and are coping with unspeakable trauma. Additionally, these children are vulnerable to being trafficked for sexual exploitation, forced labor, or to be child soldiers. Without their families, the children orphaned by the tsunami lack protection from predators who would profit from their tragedy.”

Protocol would require countries to enact laws to criminalize trafficking in person, punish traffickers and arrest victims. It would also enhance U.S. ability to give and receive assistance on a global basis to prevent, investigate and prosecute trafficking.

Lugar also introduced the Assistance for Orphans and Other Vulnerable Children in Developing Countries Act to improve the United States’ ability to provide assistance to orphans and vulnerable children in developing countries. The bill would also authorize the President to support community-based organizations that provide basic care for orphans and children.

Lugar Co-sponsors Medicare Home Health Bill

Also in February, Senator Lugar co-sponsored the Medicare Home Health Payment Fairness Act, S. 300. The bill would extend the current five percent add-on payment for Medicare home health services furnished in a rural area for two years. The current add-on is set to expire on April 1.

“I am pleased to be a co-sponsor of this bill,” Lugar said. “Health care for rural America is a pressing issue. It is my hope that this legislation will allow residents of rural areas to access top-quality medical care more quickly.”

Surveys have shown that the delivery of home health services in rural areas can be as much as 12 to 15 percent more costly because of the extra travel time required to cover long distances between patients, higher transportation expenses, and other factors.

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Hearing on Russia

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Dick Lugar held a hearing on February 17 on the state of democracy in Russia.

“Russia is a vitally important country with which the United States must have a constructive relationship,” Lugar said in his opening statement. “However, the U.S.-Russian relationship cannot develop in positive directions while basic freedoms are being violated in Russia.”
Read Senator Lugar's full opening statement