S5870 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE May 1, 1995

become more aggressive, even when Americans are involved.

The study also found that about 80 percent

of those questioned believed that the United

Nations had the responsibility to intervene

in conflicts marked by genocide. But Americans in the poll and in group discussions indicated that they knew little about the extent and cost of United States participation

in peacekeeping.

There was a general perception among

those polled that about 40 percent of United

Nations peacekeeping troops are American,

and that this should be halved to 20 percent.

In fact, 4 percent of peacekeepers are American. The absence of television reporting of

operations that do not have a substantial

American involvement may at least in part

explain this misperception.

Asked about the cost to the Federal budget

of international peacekeeping, half of the

sample in the poll gave a median estimate of

22 percent. Less than 1 percent of the military budget is actually spent on these operations, although Washington is assessed 31

percent of the costs of United Nations

peackeeping operations. Total costs amount

to about $2 billion, the assessment plus supplemental costs, of the $270 billion Federal

military budget.

The study was based on a poll conducted by

the Center for International and Security

Studies at the University of Maryland and

by the independent Center for the Study of

Policy Attitudes in Washington.

The results of the study did show some

‘‘softening’’ in support for peacekeeping generally, said Steven Kull, of the Program on

International Policy Attitudes at the center.

A little more than a year ago, 84 percent of

those polled indicated strong support for

United Nations peacekeeping. This year,

that figure was 67 percent.

But 89 percent of the people polled said

that when there was a problem requiring

military force, it was best for the United

States to work with other countries and the

United Nations in dealing with it.

The study questioned 1,204 people through

a method known as a random-digit-dial sample, with a margin or error of 3 to 4 percentage points. It also drew on focus-group discussions in Maryland, Michigan, New Mexico

and Virginia.

At the Heritage Foundation in Washington, Larry DiRita, deputy director for foreign policy and defense, expressed skepticism of polls that ask about issues like

peacekeeping in very broad terms.

‘‘The American people are basically very

generous and want to do good,’’ he said in an

interview, adding that citizens are quick to

respond when faced with images of starvation, violence and displacement. But he said

he believed that this changes markedly when

people are presented with concrete choices

about sending Americans into one dangerous

situation or another, especially when they

have seen disturbing images on television.

‘‘A general American optimism comes out

in polls,’’ he said. ‘‘But when faced with reality, they take a more skeptical view.’’

In the questioning and discussions, a majority of people voiced frustration with the

peacekeeping operation in Bosnia and suggested that it eroded the long-term reputation of the United Nations. Mr. Kull said a

focus-group comment that ‘‘the United Nations has no clout’’ seemed to reflect the

widespread sense that the real problem with

peacekeeping was its ineffectiveness.

WAS CONGRESS IRRESPONSIBLE?

THE VOTERS HAVE SAID YES

fMr. HELMS. Mr. President, more

than 3 years ago I began making daily

reports to the Senate making a matter

of record the exact Federal debt as of

the close of business the previous day.

As of the close of business Friday,

April 28, the exact Federal debt stood

at $4,852,327,350,096.60, meaning that on

a per capita basis, every man, woman,

and child in America owes $18,419.52 as

his or her share of the Federal debt.

It is important to note, Mr. President, that the United States had an opportunity to begin controlling the Federal debt by implementing a balanced

budget amendment to the Constitution. Unfortunately, the Senate did not

seize their first opportunity to control

this debt—but rest assured they will

have another chance during the 104th

Congress.

If Senators do not concentrate on

getting a handle on this enormous

debt, the voters are not likely to overlook it next year.

THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY

SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAM’S

fWORK IN OKLAHOMA CITY

Ms. MIKULSKI. Mr. President, I rise

today to praise the members of the

Montgomery County Maryland Search

and Rescue Team for their work in

Oklahoma City. This team worked

among the death and destruction of

Oklahoma City, driven by the hope

that they would find another survivor

within the tons of debris of the Alfred

P. Murrah Federal Building.

I cannot stress the gratitude that I

feel as the Senator for Maryland to

this group of dedicated heros, who

worked 12 hours a day, for days on end,

in their search for survivors. This

group concentrated on search and rescue, ignoring the danger of falling debris and the mental agony of this tragedy.

Mr. President, I feel the dedication

this team and others like it displayed

in Oklahoma City exemplifies the

American spirit, a spirit of helping

those in need to overcome a crisis. The

brave men and women of the Montgomery County Search and Rescue Team

placed their lives on the line for their

fellow Americans; this is nothing less

than an act of heroism.

The Montgomery County team

worked at the center of the blast zone

of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building by shoring up and removing giant

slabs of concrete as members of the

Oklahoma City Fire Department removed bodies. Working at the center of

the blast zone, at ground zero, was dangerous duty. I know that I speak for all

of my colleagues as I recognize this

Montgomery County team because

they were an example of the many

dedicated Americans who came from

all across the Nation to lend a helping

hand in the wake of this disaster.

Mr. President, I conclude my remarks today by passing along to the

Montgomery County Search and Rescue Team a much deserved thank you

for a job well done. Thank you for restoring the notion that the American

spirit is still alive and well. Mr. President, I yield the floor.

CONCLUSION OF MORNING

fBUSINESS

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Morning

business is closed.

COMMONSENSE PRODUCT LIABILITY AND LEGAL REFORM ACT

fThe PRESIDING OFFICER. Under

the previous order, the Senate will now

resume consideration of H.R. 956, which

the clerk will report.

The legislative clerk read as follows:

A bill (H.R. 956) to establish legal standards and procedures for product liability litigation, and for other purposes.

The Senate resumed consideration of

the bill.

Pending:

(1) Gorton amendment No. 596, in the nature of a substitute.

(2) McConnell amendment No. 603 (to

amendment No. 596) to reform the health

care liability system and improve health

care quality through the establishment of

quality assurance programs.

(3) Thomas amendment No. 604 (to amendment No. 603) to provide for the consideration of health care liability claims relating

to certain obstetric services.

(4) Wellstone amendment No. 605 (to

amendment No. 603) to revise provisions regarding reports on medical malpractice data

and access to certain information.

(5) Snowe amendment No. 608 (to amendment No. 603) to limit the amount of punitive damages that may be awarded in a

health care liability action.

(6) Kyl amendment No. 609 (to amendment

No. 603) to provide for full compensation for

noneconomic losses in civil actions.

Mr. GORTON addressed the Chair.

The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Washington.

Mr. GORTON. Mr. President, the balance of the day will be used to debate

the McConnell amendment which proposes to add detailed provisions with

respect to medical malpractice legislation to the substitute which is currently before the Senate, primarily on

the subject of product liability.

All amendments, except for leadership amendments, that deal with medical malpractice under the order are to

be offered today and debated throughout the day. There will also be approximately 1 hour for debate on all of those

amendments tomorrow before 11

o’clock in the morning, when there will

be votes on everything leading up to

and including the McConnell amendment, after which time, with certain

narrow exceptions, medical malpractice will no longer be discussed as

a part of this bill.

So I want to express the hope that

Members who wish to speak on the subject of medical malpractice or to offer

additional amendments to the McConnell amendment will come to the floor

and debate those issues today. Nothing

in the order prohibits speeches or discussions on the legislation broader

than medical malpractice, but this is