Category: Washington, DC
Environmental Groups Seek Ban on Kids Toys Containing Toxic Chemical
WASHINGTON—A group of national environmental organizations will continue to push a petition to ban the use of toxic chemicals in children’s toys, despite a unanimous vote this week by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) denying the request.
The National Environmental Trust joined forces with 11 other public health and environmental groups in 1998 to ask for a federal ban on soft toys made from a type of plastic (polyvinylchloride) containing the chemical di-isononyl phthalate (DINP). While DINP makes toys more pliable, exposure to the chemical can cause liver and kidney damage. The inherent danger, the groups say, is that children swallow DINP whenever they put the toy in their mouth.
“You don’t have to be a parent to know that children have items in their mouth all the time,” Jan Pendlebury, New Hampshire director of the National Environmental Trust, said in an interview. “It’s very naïve [on the part of the CPSC] to think that children don’t come across toys all day long and sometimes all night long, and realize that there’s all these different items they are absorbing.”
Following media attention, the CPSC in 1998 initiated a withdrawal of DINP in mouthing toys while they conducted a health risk study on the use of the chemical.
At a CPSC hearing in November, staff members agreed that a mandatory ban on DINP use in toys was not necessary. The current data, a spokesman said in an interview, show that children do not spend enough time mouthing the DINP toys to make the toys a health risk requiring federal regulation.
“The Commission and its staff gave careful attention to the allegations of the petition, as they properly should when claims of detrimental health effects to children are made,” said CPSC member Mary Sheila Gall in a statement following the vote on Tuesday. She said that the CPSC examined all the data and addressed all the concerns and that “consumers may have a high level of assurance that soft plastic products pose no risk to children.”
But the environmental organizations say that the key issue is whether a risk exists at all, and that new research demonstrates that it does.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a research report in January that attempted to measure exposure to toxic chemicals used in manufacturing commercial products. Among the findings was that phthalates were found in higher levels in children then in adults, which Pendlebury called a significant finding.
The European Union renewed its ban on the use of phthalates in toy manufacturing last week. In addition, several major toy manufacturers in the United States voluntarily stopped using phthalates in mouthing toys in 1999.
Pendlebury emphasized the basic need to keep children from anything harmful, especially since toys can be successfully manufactured without DINP.
“Of course toys shouldn’t contain harmful chemicals; that should not even be a point of discussion,” she said in a statement. “It is irresponsible and unnecessary to subject children to this risk.”
Published in Foster’s Daily Democrat, in New Hampshire.
DAV Pushes Veterans Health Care in Washington
WASHINGTON--Hundreds of members of the Disabled American Veterans were here Tuesday as DAV national commander and Maine resident Edward Heath told members of Congress that the Veterans Affairs Department's medical system suffers from a steadily increasing shortage of resources.
Testifying at a joint hearing of the Senate and House Veterans' Affairs Committees, Heath stressed that many veterans, some severely disabled, are forced to wait a year or longer for medical attention and that the problem is only worsening as more veterans enter the VA system.
With more than six million veterans now in the VA system, Heath said around 200,000 wait six months or longer for medical treatment.
He said veterans' benefits are particularly important today, as one generation overflows into the VA system and the next is being deployed for a potential war.
"Today, another generation has been put in harm's way," Heath said. "Because we ask a great sacrifice of these men and women, our government must be prepared to care for them when they need it most."
He added, "A young man or woman injured in the war on terror will need the services of VA well into 2050, long after the guns fall silent and the memories of this war have faded from the minds of most Americans."
Heath pointed out that the number of veterans using the VA system jumped from 2.7 million in 1995 to 4.5 million in 2002, while during the same time period VA health care employee levels dropped from 205,000 to 183,700.
"Each year, the VA is forced to do more with less," Heath said.
President Bush's budget for fiscal year 2004 is asking for $2.1 billion more for VA health care, including new fees and higher co-payments, according to David Autry, deputy national director of communication for the DAV. But at least another $2 billion is needed beyond that, Autry said.
Rep. Mike Michaud, a member of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, said in a statement released after the hearing that he supports making veterans' health care a mandatory component of the budget.
"Veterans have earned the right to VA health care as a continuing cost of national defense and security," Michaud, a Democrat, said. "We must keep the promise made by this country to the men and women who gave so much to keep our nation free."
Sen. Olympia Snowe, a longtime acquaintance of Heath, introduced him at the hearing and expressed concern about unprecedented waiting times for VA health care caused by budget shortfalls and rising medical costs.
"As one who has been on the 'front lines' for those who put themselves in harm's way in service to our nation, Ed knows as well as anyone that these are not abstract policy matters," Snowe, a Republican, said.
"They are genuine concerns in the everyday lives of our veterans," she added. "Our responsibility is to never forget their sacrifice nor deny the responsibility we now share for their health and well-being."
Snowe said that veterans account for 16 percent of Maine's population over the age of 18, placing Maine behind only Alaska in the percentage of veterans in the state.
About a dozen DAV members from Maine attended the hearing, along with members from across the country.
Published in The Bangor Daily News, in Maine.
Thousands Expected to Participate in “Virtual March” Wednesday
WASHINGTON—Thousands of people opposed to war with Iraq are expected to participate Wednesday in a "virtual march" on Washington, in which they will flood the White House switchboard and the offices of their U.S. senators with phone calls, e-mails and fax messages voicing their concerns about a war. Area senators say they welcome the calls.
The "march" was organized by Win Without War, a coalition of national peace organizations that came together shortly after the Jan. 18 peace rally in Washington. As of Tuesday, 120,000 people were registered across the nation to participate in the protest, which is scheduled to take place from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Wednesday.
More than 30 organizations are part of the coalition, including the National Organization for Women, the National Council of Churches, Peace Action and the Sierra Club.
Former Maine Democratic congressman Tom Andrews, who served in the House from 1991-95, is the national director of Win Without War. He said in a statement that this kind of protest would allow more people to more effectively voice their opposition to a military strike in Iraq.
"I think the citizens in this country are well ahead of the politicians on this issue," Andrews said. "If there was ever an issue for Washington to really listen to [the people] of America, it's this one."
If something like the virtual protest had happened during his term in public service, Andrews said, he "would most certainly have paid attention." He added that the demographics of people who oppose the war are many and varied, that they come from across the nation.
Among other promotions, Win Without War released a TV ad last week featuring actor Martin Sheen. The "West Wing" actor is a member of Artists United to Win Without War, a partner organization that includes actors, musicians and other members of the entertainment industry.
"We are the celebrity arm of Win Without War," said Kate McArdle, the executive director of Artists United. "We're trying to send the message: please don't have a preemptive strike against Iraq, let inspectors do their jobs."
Both New Hampshire Senate members said in statements that their offices were ready for the calls, and are always receptive to any kind of contact from their constituents.
"On this issue and others, Senator Sununu strongly encourages New Hampshire residents to let him know their questions, concerns, and comments," said Barbara Riley, communications director for Sen. John Sununu (R-NH). "This input is forwarded directly to him."
"I always encourage New Hampshire residents to contact my office with their opinion on issues that concern them," Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH) said in a statement. "Tomorrow is no exception. My office is prepared for the possibility of a high volume of calls, emails and faxes, and I value the opinion of every Granite Stater who expresses their point of view regarding the possibility of armed conflict in Iraq and all other issues."
Megan Sowards, a spokeswoman for Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), said that Collins' office would be ready to take the constituents' calls.
"The senator is always willing to listen to what her constituents have to say," Sowards said. "But in the end she makes the decision that she feels is best for Maine and best for the country."
Published in Foster's Daily Democrat, in New Hampshire.
Protest Potential War…But Don’t Leave Your Living Room
By Kim Forrest
WASHINGTON--For those who want to rally against the impending war on Iraq but are too busy (or lazy) to leave their homes or offices, the organization Win Without War has created the perfect protest.
Call it a protest for couch potatoes.
The "Virtual March," as its sponsors call it, asked participants to phone or send e-mail and fax messages opposing a war to the White House and their senators' offices from 9 AM to 5 PM Wednesday. The goal was to produce a steady flow of messages every minute of the workday.
"Political leaders need to know we are serious, we are organized and we are growing in strength," former Maine Congressman Tom Andrews, national director of Win Without War, said in a statement. "On Feb. 26, we will let our fingers do the marching and demand that our voices be heard."
According to Peter Schurman, executive director of Moveon.org, which monitors the online component of the protest, about 120,000 people have signed up to participate in the protest. Protesters could sign up for specific times to call the offices at the Moveon.org website and could receive tips on what to tell their senators as well. Interested people could still get involved Wednesday by logging on.
Schurman said that the main message of the campaign was to "let the inspections work."
"It's a simple fact that letting the inspections work is the best way to keep Americans safe," he said. "It's the best way to ensure that Saddam Hussein is disarmed."
He added that Win Without War was sending gift baskets to the Senate offices to show thanks for senators' efforts to maintain democracy.
Sean Donahue, co-director of New Hampshire Peace Action, said he has been informing members of the group about the march and hopes that New Hampshire residents will take part.
"I think at this point our lawmakers need to hear from as many people as possible about strong resistance to war in New Hampshire," he said. "Our senators and representatives have a responsibility to listen to the will of the people, and they should take their responsibility seriously."
Kurt Konietzko, a Keene retiree, said that he would probably be phoning in today. Calling a war with Iraq "immoral" and "unethical," he said that it was important for local residents to get involved.
"If you don't [take action], [the government] will think you agree with them. We need to stand up and say no," he said. "We need to be heard."
One of the organizations in the Win Without War coalition, the National Organization of Women (NOW), also was encouraging members to get involved with the Virtual March, said Kris Moody, NOW's northeast regional director and former New Hampshire NOW president. She called the protest a good opportunity for those who wanted to be a part of protests in bigger cities but were not able to.
"This Virtual March provides an opportunity to be part of a large-scale action, to join together with many people to send a coordinated message of peace," she said.
Moody said that New Hampshire members of NOW have received e-mail alerts on the Virtual March and that she herself would be calling New Hampshire Republican Sens. Judd Gregg and John Sununu as well as Rep. Jeb Bradley (R-N.H.).
Hollywood celebrities were also getting into the act through Artists United to Win Without War, a branch of Win Without War.
Kate McArdle, executive director of the group, said that about 140 actors and actresses as well as a few former members of the military were members of Artists United and that most of them would be participating in the protest.
She named actors Tony Shalhoub, Mike Farrell, Tyne Daly, and James Cromwell as some of the celebrities who phoned people Tuesday to remind them to call in Wednesday.
"To be really honest, I don't know if we can prevent a war from happening," McArdle said. "But the more people in Washington who feel that people are [against war], the better."
The offices of the Senate delegation from New Hampshire said that they were prepared to handle tomorrow's deluge of communication.
Gregg said in a statement that he encourages New Hampshire residents to call his office on issues important to them and that Wednesday would be no exception. "My office is prepared for the possibility of a high volume of calls, e-mails and faxes, and I value the opinion of every Granite Stater who expresses their point of view regarding the possibility of armed conflict in Iraq and all other issues."
Barbara Riley, communications director for Sununu, said that the office was prepared for the large amounts of calls, faxes and e-mails. "On this issue and others, Senator Sununu strongly encourages New Hampshire residents to let him know their questions, concerns and comments. This input is forwarded directly to him," she said.
Schurman said he is optimistic that the Virtual March will be successful and that politicians will hear the message loud and clear.
"We're very confident that every senator is going to hear from their constituents constantly throughout the day," he said, "and we're hopeful that that will give the senators the courage to stand up and properly assert that war making authority belongs to Congress and Congress alone."
Published in The Keene Sentinel, in New Hampshire.
Marion Student Gets Political In DC Program
By Scott Brooks
WASHINGTON - Sixteen-year-old Brent Shoemaker left behind Old Rochester Regional High School last weekend for a first-class education in federal politics.
Turns out, he was ready for the government, but the government wasn't ready for him.
As a participant in the Presidential Classroom program, Mr. Shoemaker arrived in the nation's capital just before Mother Nature dumped a near-record foot and a half of snow on the city. The federal government shut down through Tuesday, and Mr. Shoemaker found himself in lockdown for several days while the snow piled high outside his window.
"They would clear that in two hours in New England," said Mr. Shoemaker, who lives in Marion.
But he rolled with it, and after a snowball fight or two on the Georgetown Conference Center balcony, he and his fellow program members got to take in some political atmosphere. During the week-long program, which brings top students from across the country to Washington for a crash course in government, the students took tours of the White House and the Capitol, heard speeches from government officials and checked out some of the city's many memorials.
Mr. Shoemaker also played the mock stock market, toured the Hungarian embassy and hit the books, boning up on current affairs in preparation for a group presentation at the week's end.
So what if the airport accidentally sent his luggage to Baltimore? As he says, "You do what you can do."
"This is fun," he said. "It's not a punishment that I'm missing vacation."
Much of Mr. Shoemaker's week was spent in "caucus," in which students broke down into small groups for the week. Each group was asked to research a topic in the news and give a report on that topic before the whole class of 175 students. To spice it up, the groups were banned from using the Internet.
Staying away from cyberspace was a challenge, Mr. Shoemaker said. He found himself poring over newspapers -- lots of them -- and asking plenty of questions of every government official he met.
Before the week was up, Mr. Shoemaker's group had drafted a thick report on the United States' conflict with North Korea. They approved of the Bush administration's decision to handle the matter diplomatically, arguing that North Korea does pose a threat but does not require military action.
Mr. Shoemaker said he got into politics while watching TV news analysts. "I
used to disagree with everything they said," he said. He also learned a few
things during political debates with his mother, Anne, who pits her own liberal
views against her son's conservative leanings.
After all those debates, Mrs. Shoemaker was a little shocked to learn that her
son chose not to advocate war with North Korea.
"We had talked about this, and he was very much for the war with Iraq, very
much against North Korea," said Mrs. Shoemaker, 49. "That surprises me. Clearly
he's been listening to some other points of view."
With the workday starting as early as 6 a.m., Mr. Shoemaker didn't get much of
a vacation. But, he reasoned, he could always sleep on the flight home, and
anyway, there was a lot to do.
"I like that," he said. "I don't want a bunch of downtime, because I can do that at home. I didn't come to Washington for that."
Published in The New Bedford Standard Times, in Massachusetts.
Congress Revokes Protections To Vaccine Manufacturers
By Scott Brooks
WASHINGTON - Parents of autistic children will regain the chance to sue vaccine manufacturers like Eli Lilly and Co. now that Congress has rescinded a recent measure that shielded the drug industry from lawsuits.
In the last few years, a growing number of parents, including several in the SouthCoast, have sought to hold Eli Lilly accountable for their children's autism, a brain disorder found in fewer than 1 percent of children. However, a pair of paragraphs tucked into last year's Homeland Security Act insulated vaccine makers from lawsuits and left parents to petition the federal government for compensation.
Last week, the provision was taken out just as quietly as it was put in. Congress slipped a measure to undo the provision into its omnibus spending package, a 3,000-page package of must-pass legislation that was expected to receive President Bush's approval this week.
Robert Bonsignore, a Medford lawyer for parents with claims against vaccine makers, said removing the protections for drug makers was a "step in the right direction." Still, he criticized Congress for sending an unclear message.
"They took the rights away, and then they give them back, and what does that accomplish other than causing more confusion?" he asked.
Mr. Bonsignore said that he does not expect new lawsuits to spring up. Most parents with claims already have been redirected to the federal government's vaccine injury compensation program, which he said places the burden of compensating victims on consumers, not manufacturers. Some of those cases may now be reopened as lawsuits.
Critics have said the anti-lawsuit provision had no place in the homeland security bill. That bill was rushed through Congress at the president's urging toward the end of last year.
Rep. Barney Frank, D-MA, blamed Republicans for inserting the provision into the high-priority homeland security bill. Sen. Bill Frist of Tennessee, the new Republican leader in the Senate, had pushed legislation last term that would have extended broad protections to companies involved in vaccine production.
Ideologically, Rep. Frank said, the GOP is inclined to side with the drug makers over victims.
"They think lawsuits are a bad thing," Rep. Frank said. "They think suits are inefficient. I disagree."
Republicans also were responding to heavy lobbying by Eli Lilly, Rep. Frank said.
Ed Sagebiel, a spokesman for Eli Lilly, said that the company was disappointed that Congress repealed the provision protecting vaccine makers but added that he agreed with critics who said that its inclusion in the Homeland Security Act "was not desirable."
"Ideally, what you want to have is a piece of legislation that everyone has had an opportunity to debate and that passes on those merits," Mr. Sagebiel said. "That healthy debate did not occur."
Mr. Sagebiel expressed hope that Senate Republicans will see fit to reinstating the anti-lawsuit language. Under the compromise to revoke the provision, the Senate is to reevaluate the compensation program within the coming months.
Plaintiffs allege that their children's autism was caused by thimerosal, a compound found in a variety of childhood vaccines that Eli Lilly produces. About 1,700 cases linking the compound to autism have been brought before the U.S. Court of Federal Claims here, according to the court's chief special master, Gary Golkiewicz.
The court plans to decide on the medical issues that the cases have in common to determine which awards are appropriate, Mr. Golkiewicz said.
Since the early 1990s, the rate of autism has increased enormously, according to the Autism Research Institute in California. Researchers are still unclear on what has caused the increase. However, the institute suggests that infant vaccination is the "most likely" cause.
Published in The New Bedford Standard Times, in Massachusetts.
FRAC Report Identifies Strengths and Weaknesses in National Nutrition Programs
WASHINGTON—An annual report from the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) released Thursday finds that while eight key federal nutrition programs are producing positive results, there are still many gaps and weak spots in the federal government's plans to feed the hungry in New Hampshire and Maine and across America, especially with the current state of the economy.
"The resources are there to improve this situation dramatically, but the federal government and the states have to do a far better job of making anti-hunger programs available," said FRAC president Jim Weill in a statement. "Our political leaders have to see what is happening in every community and respond."
The "gaps" that the report describes extend to every state, including New Hampshire, which according to the report was one of the worst-performing states when it comes to food stamps. It also was ranked 37th in the nation in performance for the school breakfast program, and 38th for the summer nutrition program, two programs vital to feeding hungry children. Maine ranked 27th and 36th in those programs, respectively.
The rankings were based on the percentage of people eligible to receive program benefits who actually received them.
FRAC compiled the report by analyzing federal data, including statistics from the Department of Agriculture and the Census Bureau. According to the agencies' 2002 research, more than 33 million people in the United States are hungry or live on the edge of hunger. As of 2001, 6.5 percent of households in New Hampshire were living on the edge of hunger and 1.9 percent were hungry. The percentages in Maine were 9.4 and 3.1, respectively.
Federal nutrition programs such as the food stamp program and the national school lunch program are suffering when they are needed most, Weill said, adding that the federal government has all the means available to improve the situation. President Bush's proposed fiscal 2004 budget includes no additional funding for these programs, and "therein lies the problem," Weill said.
The report proposes two concurrent strategies for improving the situation: a greater commitment by the federal government, beginning with additional funding, and a redoubling of efforts by state and local governments to use those funds in the most effective ways.
Terry Smith, food stamp program manager for the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, said that more work is being done to increase the visibility of programs like these. As of 2000, the most recent figures available, only about half of the people in New Hampshire eligible for food stamps were actually participating, but the number was steadily improving, he said.
"We are working on [the problem]; we're working hard," Smith said in an interview.
Congress reviews the federal nutrition programs every four to five years. The food stamp program was reauthorized last year, and all federal child nutrition programs will be reviewed this year as lawmakers begin work on the fiscal 2004 budget.
A letter detailing the importance of the child nutrition programs was sent to all members of the Senate and House Budget Committees and some other lawmakers in November from a group of organizations, including FRAC, the American Federation of Teachers, the YMCA of USA and the Children's Defense Fund.
"Numerous studies show hunger's detrimental effect on a child's ability to learn and thrive in school," said the letter, co-authored by several officials of the participating organizations. "Through a targeted expansion of universal programs, we can ensure that many more children [have] the nutrition they need to succeed."
FRAC is a national organization working to combat national hunger and lack of nutrition. The group will present its report, State of the States: A Profile of Food and Nutrition Programs Across the Nation, to national lawmakers at the annual National Anti-Hunger Policy Conference here this weekend. They also have made the report available to state officials in time for this weekend's winter meeting of the National Governors Association.
"Many private citizens are taking heroic measures to stem a rising tide of hunger in communities across America," Weill said. "But they are saying to the president and to the nation's governors that they have done as much as one person or one hundred thousand persons can do; the government must do its share."
Published in Foster's Daily Democrat, in New Hampshire.
Congressman Meehan to Host Event on Foreign Policy for Cyprus
WASHINGTON — Congressman Martin T. Meehan, D-Lowell, will host a community forum this weekend to discuss Cyprus - the tiny, embattled Mediterranean island at the heart of the decades-long conflict between Turkey and Greece.
The event, which begins Sunday at 4 p.m. at the Hellenic Cultural Center in Lowell, is free and open to the public. Konstantin Bikas, the Greek consul general in Boston, and state Sen. Steve Panagiotakos, D-Lowell, will attend the forum as Meehan's guests.
Meehan said that he, Bikas and Panagiotakos plan to discuss the United States' recent initiatives on Cyprus, the new United Nations peace plan, the status of negotiations and prospects for a settlement between Turkey and Greece. Meehan said it's important for local residents to be aware of the situation in Cyprus and to be educated about U.S. foreign policy in that region.
According to the Web site www.cyprustourism.org, Cyprus became an independent republic and joined the United Nations in 1960. Fourteen years later, Turkey invaded and captured about a third of the island. The invasion uprooted nearly half of Cyprus's Greek population. Despite repeated rounds of talks, there has been no solution.
The Bush administration endorsed the most recent U.N. peace plan to end the conflict and reunite the island, The New York Times reported in December.
"Over the last 20 years, we have seen regional disputes draw in outside nations and escalate into major international crises," Meehan said. "Since 1974, the unlawful division of Cyprus has been a dangerous powder keg for the United States and NATO [the North Atlantic Treaty Organization]. Greece and Turkey have gone to the edge of war three times in large part over tensions over Cyprus. Even now, Cyprus is one of the most densely militarized places in the world."
The Bush administration wants Turkey to become part of the European Union and has been encouraging Turkey to settle the Cyprus dispute. It also is seeking Turkey's backing for a potential war with Iraq.
Meehan said unity on the isle is "very important" to Greek Americans, a group that has a large presence in Massachusetts's 5th District. Given the relationship between Turkey and Greece - both members of NATO - Meehan said the United States has an "interest in making sure two important allies find a resolution."
"It's not in the United States' interest to have allies at odds with one another," said Meehan, a member of the Congressional Hellenic Caucus.
Published in The Lawrence Eagle Tribune, in Massachusetts.
House Passes Bass’ Fraud Prevention Act
By Kim Forrest
WASHINGTON--The American Spirit Fraud Prevention Act, a bill introduced by Rep. Charles Bass (R-NH), has passed the House, 422-1. The legislation, intended to thwart scams and fraudulent activity during national emergencies, would double fines that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) could impose on scam artists.
This bill, approved Feb. 12, would amend the Federal Trade Commission Act to state that any party found guilty of exploiting consumers during a presidentially declared national emergency could be fined up to $22,000 per violation.
"Federal officials already have some powers to prosecute those engaged in fraud and deceptive practices, but we must make it clear that we will severely punish those who aim to take advantage of Americans during an emergency," Bass said in a statement.
Tad Furtado, the congressman's legislative assistant, said that these elevated penalties would be in effect for both simple and more elaborate schemes, which include parties setting up websites and phone banks to con people out of money. Scams that take place during national emergencies, Furtado said, "that are really trying to get people when they have their guard down the most…, the penalties ought to be more severe."
Furtado said that part of the inspiration for creating such a bill came from a New Hampshire-related incident that occurred a few days after Sept. 11, 2001. A telemarketer purporting to be from the "New Hampshire Firefighters Dependent Association" was calling people and asking for donations. One of those called suspected the charity was dubious and referred his suspicions to the New Hampshire Department of Justice's division of charitable trusts. It was found that the group, while it did exist, was not based out of New Hampshire and was not a non-profit organization.
Terry Knowles, registrar at the division of charitable trusts, said that Bass' bill is certainly a good idea for citizens. "We notice when there's any sort of disaster, not just terrorism, there are people out there raising money for victims," she said. "But they are not always honest. Anything that prevents [fraudulent activity] would be a good idea."
Even now, Knowles said, with the Columbia space shuttle disaster still fresh in many minds, scam artists may be attempting to exploit those who are simply trying to help the victims' families.
She offered some tips for those who receive over-the-phone solicitations for donations that seem suspicious. "First of all, people should never, ever give their credit card numbers or bank information over the phone to anyone," she said. "Secondly, request something in writing from the caller. All legitimate organizations will explain their program and where the money goes in writing."
Knowles added that people can always call their state's attorney general's office to find out if an organization is authentic.
An earlier version of Bass' bill, introduced after the Sept. 11 attacks, passed the House in the last Congress but did not see Senate action. The new bill, after passing the House, was referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation.
"By enhancing civil penalties against those who would exploit the circumstances of an emergency or disaster, this bill would help ensure that individuals who are interested in selling products or raising money for charities do so in an honest fashion," Bass said.
Published in The Keene Sentinel, in New Hampshire.
Coast Guard Transition Raises Concerns About Spreading Too Thin
WASHINGTON—At a hearing this week, Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) addressed concerns that the United States Coast Guard’s new focus—homeland security--will make it far more difficult for the agency to fulfill its traditional roles.
The Coast Guard’s unique duties, which include search and rescue missions, managing fisheries and maritime activities, and environmental protection, are of special importance to the 3,513 miles of coastline shared by New Hampshire and Maine. According to experts, these functions are not covered by any other federal agency.
On March 1, the Coast Guard will move to the new Department of Homeland Security with the additional mission of working to increase the safety of ports and coastal areas from possible terrorist attacks and other dangers. Speaking Wednesday before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee’s Oceans, Atmosphere and Fisheries Subcommittee, Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Thomas Collins assured the lawmakers that the Coast Guard’s traditional duties would remain intact, even though the coming transition would require several procedural changes.
“The Homeland Security Act of 2002 allows the Coast Guard to remain a military, maritime and multi-mission service,” Collins told the subcommittee, which Snowe chairs.
Since Sept. 11, 2001, there has been a steady increase in security for ports and coastal areas.
Collins promised that the Coast Guard would continue to maintain “operational excellence” because of increasing budget support over the last two years. The Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002, co-sponsored by Snowe, significantly bolstered Coast Guard funding to augment local seaport security.
“The fact is, the threats we faced on September 11 have only increased in magnitude,” Snowe said at the hearing. “Given that only one or two percent of the six million shipping containers from overseas are inspected each year – and 95 percent of trade from outside North America comes to us through our 361 commercial seaports – can there really be any question that securing our ports is a national imperative?”
Local seaports are at the heart of the coastal industry in Maine and New Hampshire, and their seaside locations make them especially vulnerable. Snowe has called for the development of new technology to reduce that vulnerability risk.
But there is an inherent danger in giving the Coast Guard additional responsibilities, and many experts are concerned that the agency will spread itself too thin and that local, traditional duties, such as search and rescue, environmental protection and fishery management, will suffer.
"The primary threat is that their enforcement activities associated with environmental laws will be reduced," said Jan Pendlebury, New Hampshire director of the National Environmental Trust. "In the months following September 11 there was much less enforcement of commercial fishing activities. Fishermen were quoted at the time saying that everyone knew there was no enforcement and that it was a free-for-all on the water. This problem could increase and continue if the Coast Guard is overburdened."
According to Snowe, however, there’s no cause for alarm. To ease tensions over the Coast Guard’s new responsibilities, Snowe and Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) added a provision to last year’s Homeland Security Act under which the Coast Guard maintains its status as a separate institution. Preserving the Coast Guard’s existing infrastructure, Snowe said, “is a top priority.”
Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), chair of the Governmental Affairs Committee, which oversees the Department of Homeland Security, said that she is concerned about spreading the Coast Guard too thin and that she would work to maintain full funding for traditional Coast Guard functions.
“In Maine alone, the Coast Guard is called on for nearly 300 search and rescue missions per year,” Collins said in a statement after the Oceans Subcommittee hearing. “It is imperative that someone be out there in case of emergency, whether people are in the water to earn a living or for recreation.”
At the hearing, JayEtta Hecker, director of the General Accounting Office’s physical infrastructure team, presented the findings of the team’s study of the Coast Guard’s transition to the new department. She stressed that cooperation was most critical to the success of the transition.
“In the short term, there are numerous, complicated and significant challenges that need to be resolved, and they’ll take time and effort,” Hecker said at the hearing, adding that several “strategic initiatives” are underway to make the transition as smooth as possible.
The creation of the Department of Homeland Security will be the largest reorganization of the federal government in more than 50 years. In all, 22 federal agencies and programs, including the Coast Guard, will be combined into one agency whose prime mission will be to protect the United States from terrorist attacks.
Published in Foster's Daily Democrat, in New Hampshire.
