audit for the year ended December 31, 1987 (GAO/AFMD-89-14; November 1988), pursuant to 2 U.S.C. 802(e); jointly, to the Committees on Government Operations and Education and Labor. 160. A letter from the Comptroller General of the United States, transmitting a report on the results of the examination of the Veterans' Administration's consolidated financial statements for fiscal years 1987 and 1986; separate reports on VA's system of internal accounting controls and its compliance with laws and regulations (GAO/ AFMD-89-23; November 1988); jointly, to the Committees on Government Operations and Veterans' Affairs. 161. A letter from the Chairman, Commission on Merchant Marine and Defense, transmitting the Commission's third report, "Findings of Facts and Conclusions", relating to the transportation of cargo and personnel for national defense purposes in war or national emergency, pursuant to 46 U.S.C. app. 1120 nt.; jointly, to the Committees on Merchant Marine and Fisheries and Armed Services. 162. A letter from the Secretary of Health and Human Services, transmitting an overview of the Department's studies carried out by contract on ways to refine the adjusted average per capita cost (AAPCC) and the adjusted community rate (ACR) used to pay health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and competitive medical plans, including recommendations, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 1395mm; jointly, to the Committees on Ways and Means and Energy and Commerce. 163. A letter from the Secretary of Health and Human Services, transmitting a report to the Advisability and feasibility of direct payment to physicians for all clinical diagnostic laboratory tests, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 13951; jointly, to the Committees on Ways and Means and Energy and Com merce. 164. A letter from the Secretary of Transportation, transmitting the "Heavy Vehicle Cost Responsibility Study", an analysis of the highway cost responsibility of heavy vehicles, pursuant to 26 U.S.C. 4481 nt.; jointly to the Committees on Ways and Means and Public Works and Transportation. 165. A letter from the Secretary of Commerce, transmitting the annual report of the Department's activities for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1987, pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 1519; jointly, to the Committees on Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means; Government Operations; the Judiciary; Science, Space, and Technology; Post Office and Civil Service; Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs; Foreign Affairs, and Merchant Marine and Fisheries. 11.26 AUTHORIZATION TO ADMINISTER OATH TO HOWARD WOLPE Mr. FOLEY, submitted the following privileged resolution which was considered and agreed to (H. Res. 8): Whereas Howard Wolpe, a Representative-elect from the Third District of the State of Michigan, has been unable from sickness to appear in person to be sworn as a Member of the House, and there being no contest or question as to his election: Now, therefore be it Resolved, That the Speaker, or deputy named by him, is hereby authorized to administer the oath of office to the Honorable Howard Wolpe at Kalamazoo, Michigan, and that the said oath be accepted and received by the House as the oath of office of the Honorable Howard Wolpe. ¶1.27 REPORT OF COMMITTEE TO NOTIFY THE PRESIDENT Mr FOLEY was recognized and said: "Mr. Speaker, your committee appointed on the part of the House to join a like committee on the part of the Senate to notify the President of the United States that a quorum of each House has been assembled and is ready to receive any communication that he may be pleased to make has performed that duty. "The President, in responding, wishing to communicate to the Members of the House and the Senate his best wishes and hopes for a successful first session of the Congress.". 11.28 ELECTION TO COMMITTEESMAJORITY Mr. GRAY, submitted the following privileged resolution (H. Res. 9): Resolved, That the following named Members, be and they are hereby, elected to the following standing committees of the House of Representatives: Committee on Appropriations: Jamie L. Whitten, Mississippi, Chairman; William H. Natcher, Kentucky; Neal Smith, Iowa; Sidney R. Yates, Illinois; David R. Obey, Wisconsin; Edward R. Roybal, California; Louis Stokes, Ohio; Tom Bevill, Alabama; Bill Alexander, Arkansas; John P. Murtha, Pennsylvania; Bob Traxler, Michigan; Joseph D. Early, Massachusetts; Charles Wilson, Texas; Lindy (Mrs. Hale) Boggs, Louisiana; Norman D. Dicks, Washington; Matthew F. McHugh, New York; William Lehman, Florida; Martin Olav Sabo, Minnesota; Julian C. Dixon, California; Vic Fazio, California; W.G. (Bill) Hefner, North Carolina; Les AuCoin, Oregon; Daniel K. Akaka, Hawaii; Wes Watkins, Oklahoma; William H. Gray III, Pennsylvania; Bernard J. Dwyer, New Jersey; Steny H. Hoyer, Maryland; Bob Carr, Michigan; Robert J. Mrazek, New York; Richard J. Durbin, J. Durbin, Illinois; Ronald D. Coleman, Texas; Alan B. Mollohan, West Virginia; Robert Lindsay Thomas, Georgia; Chester G. Atkins, Massachusetts; Jim Chapman, Texas. Committee on Rules: Claude Pepper, Florida, Chairman; Joe Moakley, Massachusetts; Butler Derrick, South Carolina; Anthony C. Beilenson, California; Martin Frost, Texas; David E. Bonior, Michigan; Tony P. Hall, Ohio; Alan Wheat, Missouri; Bart Gordon, Tennessee. Committee on Standards of Official Conduct: Julian C. Dixon, California, Chairman; Vic Fazio, California; Bernard J. Dwyer, New Jersey; Alan B. Mollohan, West Virginia; Joseph M. Gaydos, Pennsylvania; Chester G. Atkins, Massachusetts. Committee on Ways and Means: Dan Rostenkowski, Illinois, Chairman; Sam Gibbons, Florida; J.J. Pickle, Texas; Charles B. Rangel, New York; Fortney H. (Pete) Stark, California; Andrew Jacobs, Jr., Indiana; Harold E. Ford, Tennessee; Ed Jenkins, Georgia; Richard A. Gephardt, Missouri; Thomas J. Downey, New York; Frank J. Guarini, New Jersey; Marty Russo, Illinois; Donald J. Pease, Ohio; Robert T. Matsui, California; Beryl Anthony, Jr., Arkansas; Ronnie G. Flippo, Alabama; Byron L. Dorgan, North Dakota; Barbara B. Kennelly, Connecticut; Brian J. Donnelly, Massachusetts; William J. Coyne, Pennsylvania; Michael A. Andrews, Texas; Sander M. Levin, Michigan; Jim Moody, Wisconsin. When said resolution was considered and agreed to. A motion to reconsider the vote whereby said resolution was agreed to was, by unanimous consent, laid on the table. 11.29 ELECTION OF COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN Mr. GRAY, submitted the following privileged resolution (H. Res. 10): Resolved, That the following named Members, be, and they are hereby, elected to the following standing committees of the House of Representatives: Committee on Agriculture: E de la Garza, Texas, Chairman. Committee on Armed Services: Les Aspin, Wisconsin, Chairman. Committee on Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs: Henry B. Gonzalez, Chairman. Committee on Budget: Leon E. Panetta, California, Chairman. Committee on the District of Columbia: Ronald V. Dellums, California, Chairman. Committee on Education and Labor: Augustus F. Hawkins, California, Chairman. Committee on Energy and Commerce: John D. Dingell, Michigan, Chairman. Committee on Foreign Affairs: Dante B. Fascell, Florida, Chairman. Committee on Government Operations: John Conyers, Jr., Michigan, Chairman. Committee on House Administration: Frank Annunzio, Illinois, Chairman. Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs: Morris K. Udall, Arizona, Chairman. Committee on the Judiciary: Jack Brooks, Texas, Chairman. Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries: Walter B. Jones, North Carolina, Chairman. Committee on Post Office and Civil Service: William D. Ford, Michigan, Chairman. Committee on Public Works and Transportation: Glenn M. Anderson, California, Chairman. Committee on Science and Technology: Robert A. Roe, New Jersey, Chairman. Committee on Small Business: John J. LaFalce, New York, Chairman. Committee on Veterans' Affairs: G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery, Mississippi, Chair man. When said resolution was considered and agreed to. A motion to reconsider the vote whereby said resolution was agreed to was, by unanimous consent, laid on the table. 11.30 ELECTION OF COMMITTEE ON STANDARDS OF OFFICIAL CONDUCT— MINORITY Mr. LEWIS of California, submitted the following privileged resolution (H. Res. 11): Resolved, That the following named Members, be, and they are hereby, elected to the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct of the House of Representatives: John T. Myers, Indiana James V. Hansen, Utah Charles Pashayan, Jr., California Larry E. Craig, Idaho Hank Brown, Colorado When said resolution was considered and agreed to. A motion to reconsider the vote whereby said resolution was agreed to was, by unanimous consent, laid on the table. 11.31 PROVIDING FOR THE ADJOURNMENT OF THE TWO HOUSES The SPEAKER pro tempore, Mr. KILDEE, laid before the House the following concurrent resolution of the Senate (S. Con. Res. 3): Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That when the Senate recesses on Wednesday, January 4, 1989, at the conclusion of the joint session to count the electoral votes, it stand in recess until 3 o'clock post meridiem on Friday, January 20, 1989, and that when the House of Representatives adjourns on Wednesday, January 4, 1989, it stand adjourned until 12 o'clock noon on Thursday, January 19, 1989, or until 12 o'clock noon on the second day after Members are notified to reassemble pursuant to section 2 of this concurrent resolution; and that when the Senate recesses on Friday, January 20, 1989, pursuant to a motion made by the majority leader, or his designee, in accordance with this resolution, to stand in recess until 12 o'clock noon on Wednesday, January 25, 1989. SEC. 2. The Speaker of the House and the majority leader of the Senate, acting jointly after consultation with the minority leader of the House and the minority leader of the Senate, shall notify the Members of the House and the Senate, respectively, to reassemble whenever, in their opinion, the public interest shall warrant it. When said concurrent resolution was considered and agreed to. A motion to reconsider the vote whereby said concurrent resolution was agreed to was, by unanimous consent, laid on the table. Ordered, That the Clerk notify the Senate thereof. 11.32 JOINT COMMITTEE TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR INAUGURATION The SPEAKER pro tempore, Mr. KILDEE, laid before the House the following concurrent resolution of the Senate (S. Con. Res. 2): Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That effective from January 3, 1989, the joint committee created by Senate Concurrent Resolution 105 of the One Hundredth Congress, to make the necessary arrangements for the inauguration, is hereby continued with the same power and authority. SEC. 2. That effective from January 3, 1989, the provisions of Senate Concurrent Resolution 141 of the One Hundredth Congress, to authorize the rotunda of the United States Capitol to be used in connection with the proceedings and ceremonies for the inauguration of the President-elect and the Vice President-elect of the United States, are hereby continued with the same power and authority. When said concurrent resolution was considered and agreed to. A motion to reconsider the vote whereby said concurrent resolution was agreed to was, by unanimous consent, laid on the table. Ordered, That the Clerk notify the Senate thereof. 11.33 AUTHORIZING A JOINT SESSION TO COUNT THE ELECTORAL VOTES The SPEAKER pro tempore, Mr. KILDEE, laid before the House the following concurrent resolution of the Senate (S. Con. Res. 1): Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That the two Houses of Congress shall meet in the Hall of the House of Representatives on Wednesday, the 4th day of January 1989, at 1 o'clock post meridian, pursuant to the requirements of the Constitution and laws relating to the election of President and Vice President of the United States, and the President of the Senate shall be their Presiding Officer; that two tellers shall be previously appointed by the President of the Senate on the part of the Senate and two by the Speaker on the part of the House of Representatives, to whom shall be handed, as they are opened by the President of the Senate, all the certificates and papers purporting to be certificates of the electoral votes, which certificates and papers shall be opened, presented, and acted upon in the alphabetical order of the States, beginning with the letter "A"; and said tellers, having then read the same in the presence and hearing of the two Houses, shall make a list of the votes as they shall appear from the said certificates; and the votes having been ascertained and counted in the manner and according to the rules by law provided, the result of the same shall be delivered to the President of the Senate, who shall thereupon announce the state of the vote, which announcement shall be deemed a sufficient declaration of the persons, if any, elected President and Vice President of the United States, and, together with a list of the votes, be entered on the Journals of the two Houses. When said concurrent resolution was considered and agreed to. A motion to reconsider the vote whereby said concurrent resolution was agreed to was, by unanimous consent, laid on the table. Ordered, That the Clerk notify the Senate thereof. 11.34 MESSAGES FROM THE PRESIDENT Further sundry messages in writing from the President of the United States were communicated to the House by Mr. Kalbaugh, one of his secretaries. 11.35 WITH RESPECT TO THE IMPEACHMENT OF ALCEE L. HASTINGS Mr. BROOKS, submitted the following privileged resolutions which by unanimous consent were considered en bloc: H. RES. 12 Resolved, That Jack Brooks, John Conyers, Jr., Don Edwards, John Bryant, Hamilton Fish, Jr., and George W. Gekas, Members of the House of Representatives, are appointed managers to conduct the impeachment trial against Alcee L. Hastings, judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. H. RES. 13 Resolved, That the managers on the part of the House of Representatives in the matter of the impeachment of Alcee L. Hastings, judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, are authorized to do the following in the preparation and conduct of the impeachment trail: (1) To employ legal, clerical, and other necessary assistance and to incur such expenses as may be necessary. Expenses under this paragraph shall be paid out of the funds available to the Committee on the Judiciary under clause 5(f) of rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives on vouchers approved by the Chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary. (2) To send for persons and papers, and to file with the Secretary of the Senate, on the part of the House of Representatives, any subsequent pleadings which they consider necessary. (3) To take such other actions as are necessary to the preparation or conduct of the trail. H. RES. 14 Resolved, That a message be sent to the Senate to inform the Senate that Jack Brooks, John Conyers, Jr., Don Edwards, John Bryant, Hamilton Fish, Jr., and George W. Gekas, have been appointed managers for the trial of the impeachment of Alcee L. Hastings, judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. When said resolutions were considered and agreed to en bloc. A motion to reconsider the votes whereby said resolutions were agreed to en bloc was, by unanimous consent, laid on the table. ¶ 1.44 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT- The SPEAKER pro tempore, Mr. KILDEE, laid before the House a message from the President, which was read as follows: To the Congress of the United States: In accordance with the requirements of Section 6(c) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended (Public Law 92-463, 5 U.S.C., App.), I hereby transmit the Seventeenth Annual Report on Federal Advisory Committees for Fiscal Year 1988. RONALD REAGAN. THE WHITE HOUSE, January 3, 1989. By unanimous consent, the message, together with the accompanying papers, was referred to the Committee on Government Operations. 11.45 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENTSMALL BUSINESS The SPEAKER pro tempore, Mr. KILDEE, laid before the House a message from the President, which was read as follows: To the Congress of the United States: This is the eighth and final report of my Administration on the state of small business. And it is my pleasure to report to the Congress that there has never been better opportunity in America to start a business, to grow and create new jobs, to research and generate new products and technologies, and to maintain America's economic expansion. The report for 1988 details the number of new businesses, new jobs, and new investments made by small business. I am pleased and proud that we have 5 million more businesses than we did when I took office, that there are over 1.5 million new womenowned businesses in that time, and that small business has been the major contributor in generating the nearly 18 million new jobs added to our economy since 1982. In 1988, the 6th year of economic expansion, industries dominated by small firms continued to lead in job creation. Over 350,000 businesses were incorporated in the first half of the year alone, and bankruptcy rates decreased significantly compared to 1987. At the January 1981 Inaugural I spoke of heroes, not the people who are famous, but the people who every day risk their money, their time, and their reputation in the community, who work hard for themselves and their neighbors, whose day-to-day contributions sum up to national greatness. If we have a greater nation today, it is not only because of economic progress, but because of growth in opportunity. Millions of Americans continue to convert opportunities to new enterprises, new jobs, and innovative products. And by taking advantage of the opportunities available to them, they create opportunities for other Americans. Small business owners are effective leaders in other areas as well. Increasingly, the voices of small business men and women are heard in public policy debates. Their concerns reflect not the narrow views of special interest groups, but broad perspectives on issues that affect all of us-the provision of health care for the uninsured, workplace literacy and training, and international competitiveness. My Administration has listened to these small business owners. Many of their concerns will undoubtedly be the subject of discussion for some time to come. But in a number of specific instances, we have been able to target public and private resources and to alleviate regulatory, paperwork, or other burdens on small firms so that they will be free to do what they do bestcreate new enterprises, new jobs, and innovative products and processes. One of the recommendations of the 1986 White House Conference on Small Business delegates was that the Government do a better job of paying its bills on time. I heartily agreed with this recommendation, and the Prompt Payment Act Amendments of 1988, which I signed last October, will strengthen the rules Federal agencies must follow in paying their bills. Another priority was to strengthen the national record of research and innovation, in which small firms play such an important role. I am very pleased that the Congress agreed with my strong recommendation to extend the research and experimentation tax credit and thus keep American products competitive in the world economy. We as a Nation have much to learn from our small business leaders. Their creative contributions and those of many other citizens will be an important resource as we search for solutions appropriate to our Nation's needs in the 21st century. Small firms will continue to have a broad impact on American society. They employ and train a majority of the Nation's new workers, and they will retrain many workers for new occupations in the years ahead. As we learn more about this vital sector's contributions to the economy, we will be able to shape policies at all levels of Government that will encourage the start-up and growth of America's vital small enterprises. America's political liberty depends on economic liberty. I salute the small business community, whose strength supports our freedom. RONALD REAGAN. THE WHITE HOUSE, January 3, 1989. By unanimous consent, the message, together with the accompanying papers, was referred to the Committee on Small Business. 11.46 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENTHAZARDOUS MATERIALS TRANSPORTATION The SPEAKER pro tempore, Mr. KILDEE, laid before the House a message from the President, which was read as follows: To the Congress of the United States: In accordance with Section 109(e) of the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (P.L. 93-633), I hereby transmit the Eighteenth Annual Report on Hazardous Materials Transportation for calendar year 1987. RONALD REAGAN. THE WHITE HOUSE, January 3, 1989. By unanimous consent, the message, with the together accompanying papers, was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries, and the Committee on Public Works and Transportation. 11.47 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENTWHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION The SPEAKER pro tempore, Mr. KILDEE, laid before the House a message from the President, which was read as follows: To the Congress of the United States: I am pleased to transmit for your consideration and enactment the "Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989." Federal employees who blow the whistle on fraud, waste, abuse, and violations of the law help to ensure that the Federal Government uses American taxpayers' dollars effectively and efficiently. The Nation's laws must encourage such reports and protect those who make them from reprisal. At the close of the last Congress, I withheld my approval from S. 508, the Whistleblower Protection Act of 1988, because of the constitutional and other defects in that bill. The measure I am transmitting today corrects those defects. The legislation protects from reprisal Federal employees who expose wrongdoing within the Government. It also ensures that Federal personnel managers are not burdened with routinely defending appropriate personnel decisions. The "Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989" grants to Federal employees for the first time the right to initiate an action before the Merit Systems Protection Board to contest a personnel action on the ground that it was taken as a reprisal for whistleblowing. The legislation also grants job transfer preference to whistleblowers in filling jobs of equivalent status and tenure as the job held by the whistleblowing employee. The proposed legislation establishes the Office of Special Counsel as an independent office within the Executive Branch. The Office would protect Federal employees from prohibited personnel practices. To assist in the conduct of investigations in executing this function, the Special Counsel may administer oaths, examine witnesses, take depositions, and receive evidence. The Special Counsel also may seek orders from the Merit Systems Protection Board to stay a personnel action with respect to an employee until the employee's case is resolved. Under the bill, when the Special Counsel determines that reasonable grounds exist to believe that a prohibited personnel practice has occurred, the Special Counsel generally reports that determination to the agency involved, the Merit Systems Protection Board, the Office of Personnel Management, and in appropriate cases, the President. When necessary to ensure that an agency found to have engaged in a prohibited personnel practice takes corrective action, the Special Counsel may seek an order from the Merit Systems Protection Board requiring such action. In cases involving reprisal for whistleblowing, the individual who does not prevail in the proceeding before the Merit Systems Pro tection Board may seek Federal court review of the Board's decision. The bill also entitles employees who make allegations to the Office of Special Counsel to notification of the results of the Office's investigation. The Office of Special Counsel may investigate allegations it receives and may initiate investigations on its own. Finally, I would note that the proposed legislation does not contain the constitutional defects that were contained in S. 508 of the 100th Congress. Unlike that bill, the proposed legislation is consistent with the constitutional separation of powers, investment of the Executive power in the President, and the proper exercise of the Judicial power of the United States. I urge the Congress to enact the "Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989" swiftly to extend important protections and procedural rights to employees of the Federal Government. RONALD REAGAN. THE WHITE HOUSE, January 3, 1989. By unanimous consent, the message, together with the accompanying papers, was referred to the Committee on Post Office and Civil Service. 11.48 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT— NATIONAL URBAN POLICY The SPEAKER pro tempore, Mr. KILDEE, laid before the House a message from the President, which was read as follows: To the Congress of the United States: Pursuant to the National Urban Policy and New Community Development Act of 1970 (42 U.S.C. 4503), I transmit herewith the sixth biennial National Urban Policy Report. RONALD REAGAN. THE WHITE HOUSE, January 3, 1989. By unanimous consent, the message, together with the accompanying papers, was referred to the Committee on Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs. 11.49 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT— U.S. ENERGY SECURITY The SPEAKER pro tempore, Mr. KILDEE, laid before the House a message from the President, which was read as follows: To the Congress of the United States: Pursuant to Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1862(c)(2)), I am reporting my determination with respect to the Department of Commerce's investigation into the effect of petroleum imports on the national security. The Department's investigation was in response to a petition filed in December 1987 by the National Energy Security Committee. The Secretary of Commerce has concluded that there has been a substantial improvement in U.S. energy security since the last Section 232 petroleum finding in 1979. However, declining domestic oil production, rising oil imports, and growing Free World dependence on potentially insecure sources of supply raise a number of concerns, including vul nerability to a major supply disruption. The investigation found that the maintenance of U.S. access to sufficient supplies of petroleum is essential to our our economic security, foreign policy flexibility, and defense preparedness. Given these factors, the Secretary of Commerce found that petroleum imports threaten to impair the national security. However, taking into account the Administration's detailed program to improve energy security, transmitted to the Congress on May 6, 1987, the Secretary has recommended that no action to adjust imports under Section 232, such as an oil import fee, be taken because such action would not be cost effective and, in the long run, would impair rather than enhance national security. I approve the Secretary of Commerce's finding, and based on his recommendation, I determine that no action to adjust oil imports under Section 232 need be taken. My Administration has done a great deal to build the Nation's foundation for long-term energy security and to strengthen the domestic oil industry. We have decontrolled oil prices and eliminated allocation controls. The Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) contains over 555 million barrels, compared to 108 million barrels 8 years ago. United States imports come from diversified sources, and there have been important developments in conservation and interfuel substitution that contribute significantly to enhancing U.S. energy security. In addition, implementation of the United States-Canada Free Trade Agreement will increased promote bilateral energy trade and provide reliable supplies at competitive prices. Today the Nation is far less vulnerable to an oil supply disruption than in 1973 and 1979. Despite these improvements, important energy security concerns remain. While lower oil prices have provided substantial benefits to the U.S. economy, they have also led to rising oil consumption, declining U.S. crude production, and rising oil imports. In addition, projections show that the Free World will become increasingly dependent on oil supplies from potentially insecure sources. Therefore, we must continue our efforts to ensure that these trends do not leave the Free World more vulnerable to economically damaging oil supply disruptions. I was heartened by congressional action on some of my May 6, 1987, recommendations, such as repeal of the Windfall Profit Tax, repeal of restrictions on the use of natural gas, and reauthorization of the Price-Anderson Act for nuclear powerplants. However, a number of my recommendations to improve the Nation's energy security have not been acted upon. I once again urge the Congress to take the following actions: (1) Enact comprehensive legislation to deregulate wellhead prices of natural gas and to mandate open access to natural gas pipelines. (2) Permit environmentally sound oil exploration and development of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) in Alaska and of the Outer Continental Shelf. These areas are the most promising prospects for discovering major new oil reserves in the United States. (3) Increase the availability of the percentage depletion allowance used in calculation of independent oil and gas producers' income taxes by repealing the "transfer rule" and increasing the net income limitation to 100 percent. (4) Continue to fill the SPR to reach the goal of 750 million barrels. The Naval Petroleum Reserves at Elk Hills, California, and Teapot Dome, Wyoming, should be sold as a means to accelerate the SPR fill rate and to pay for a new 10 million barrel Defense Petroleum Inventory. (5) Enact a comprehensive reform of nuclear power licensing to streamline the process and reduce costs while enhancing public safety. Given the nature of the international oil market, the United States alone cannot assure its energy security. Consequently, we continue to work closely with our partners in the International Energy Agency (IEA) to improve our mutual energy security. With our encouragement, our IEA partners have built up their strategic stocks to 400 million barrels. Together we are making significant progress towards a more balanced mix of energy options. The specific actions I have outlined above, when implemented, will make a further, significant contribution to improving the energy security of the United States and the Free World. RONALD REAGAN. THE WHITE HOUSE, January 3, 1989. By unanimous consent, the message, was referred to the Committee Ways and Means. 11.50 COMMUNICATION FROM THE CLERK-DEPUTY CLERK DESIGNATION The SPEAKER pro tempore, Mr. KILDEE, laid before the House a communication, which was read as follows: WASHINGTON, DC, January 3, 1989. Hon. JIM WRIGHT, The Speaker, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. DEAR MR. SPEAKER: Under Clause 4 of Rule III of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, I herewith designate Mr. W. Raymond Colley, Deputy Clerk, to sign any and all papers and do all other acts for me under the name of the Clerk of the House which he would be authorized to do by virtue of this designation, except such as are provided by statute, in cases of my temporary absence or disability. If Mr. Colley should not be able to act in my behalf for any reason, then Ms. Dolores C. Snow, Assistant to the Clerk, or Mr. Dallas L. Dendy, Jr., Assistant to the Clerk, should similarly perform such duties under the same conditions as are authorized by this designation. These designations shall remain in effect for the 101st Congress or until modified by me. With great respect, I am, DONNALD K. ANDERSON, 11.51 NATIONAL COMMISSION ON CHILD AND YOUTH DEATHS The SPEAKER pro tempore, Mr. KILDEE, laid before the House a communication, which was read as follows: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Washington, DC, January 3, 1989. Hon. JIM WRIGHT, Speaker of the House, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. DEAR MR. SPEAKER: I hereby select the following Member of the House of Representatives for appointment to the National Commission on Child and Youth Deaths as directed in Public Law 100-294: Rep. Robert Lagomarsino of California. Sincerely yours, ROBERT H. MICHEL, Republican Leader. 11.52 JOHN C. STENNIS CENTER FOR PUBLIC SERVICE TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT The SPEAKER pro tempore, Mr. KILDEE, laid before the House a communication, which was read as follows: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Washington, DC, January 3, 1989. Hon. JIM WRIGHT, Speaker of the House, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. DEAR MR. SPEAKER: I hereby appoint the following individual for a 4-year term to the John C. Stennis Center for Public Service Training and Development as directed in Public Law 100-458: Sen. Trent Lott of Mississippi. ROBERT H. MICHEL, 11.53 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT— UNITED NATIONS PARTICIPATION The SPEAKER pro tempore, Mr. KILDEE, laid before the House a message from the President, which was read as follows: To the Congress of the United States: I am pleased to transmit herewith a report of the activities of the United States Government in the United Nations and its affiliated agencies during the calendar year 1987, the seventh year of my Administration. The report is required by the United Nations Participation Act (Public Law 264, 79th Congress). RONALD REAGAN. THE WHITE HOUSE, January 3, 1989. By unanimous consent, the message, together with the accompanying papers, was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs. 11.54 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION The SPEAKER pro tempore, Mr. KILDEE, laid before the House a message from the President, which was read as follows: To the Congress of the United States: In accordance with Section 308 of Public Law 97-449 (49 U.S.C. 308), I hereby transmit the 18th 18th Annual Report of the Department of Transportation, which covers Fiscal Year 1984. RONALD REAGAN. THE WHITE HOUSE, January 3, 1989. By unanimous consent, the message, together with the accompanying papers, was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, the Committee on Public Works and Transportation, and the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries. 11.55 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENTALASKA NATIONAL INTEREST LANDS CONSERVATION The SPEAKER pro tempore, Mr. KILDEE, laid before the House a message from the President, which was read as follows: To the Congress of the United States: In accordance with Section 1011 of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (P.L. 96-487; 16 U.S.C. 3151), I transmit herewith the seventh annual report on Alaska's mineral resources. RONALD REAGAN. THE WHITE HOUSE, January 3, 1989. By unanimous consent, the message, together with the accompanying papers, was referred to the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs. 11.56 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENTDEPARTMENT OF ENERGY The SPEAKER pro tempore, Mr. KILDEE, laid before the House a message from the President, which was read as follows: To the Congress of the United States: In accordance with the requirements of Section 657 of the Department of Energy Organization Act (P.L. 95-91; 42 U.S.C. 7267), I hereby transmit the Ninth Annual Report of the Department of Energy. RONALD REAGAN. THE WHITE HOUSE, January 3, 1989. By unanimous consent, the message, together with the accompanying papers, was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. And then, 11.57 ADJOURNMENT On motion of Mr. PARKER, pursuant to the provisions of House Resolution 16, at 4 o'clock and 44 minutes p.m., the House adjourned out of respect for the late Honorable Bill Nichols. 11.58 PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS Under clause 5 of rule X and clause 4 of rule XXII, public bills and resolutions were introduced and severally referred as follows: By Mr. GONZALEZ: H.R. 1. A bill to establish a National Housing Trust to assist first-time homebuyers; to the Committee on Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs. By Mr. HAWKINS (for himself and H.R. 2. A bill to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to restore the minimum wage to a fair and equitable rate, and |