E 1156 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks June 6, 1995

management of procurement of spare parts

for vehicles and irregularities in regard to

staff costs were earlier noted in the internal

audit during September-October 1994 and followed up during the February visit (see copy

of the audit referenced above).

Complaints of anti-Americanism were

lodged only against the Chief Administrative

Officer (CAO) of MINURSO. When the auditors met with a number of officials and

queried them on anti-Americanism, they

were informed that the CAO had used such

expressions against certain other nationals

as well. No evidence was found of discriminatory practice against either Americans or

other nationals. The CAO has in the meantime left the mission.

In my view, this MINURSO report effectively addresses the allegations made by Mr.

Ruddy. I have found every statement to be

well documented in the working papers of

the auditor-in-charge and I have personally

seen to it that the final version of the report

was worded with the discretion and caution

which the political sensitivity of the matter,

as well as Mr. Ruddy’s interests, require. In

short, I stand firmly behind this OIOS report

on MINURSO.

Let me take this opportunity to inform

you about the start-up phase of OIOS in general. I tackled this important task as of 15

November 1994 and have worked hard over

the past six months to establish Internal

Oversight as an independent and credible

component of the management culture of the

Unit Nations Organization. This was not

easy, because an effective internal control

mechanism had never existed in the UN before. I had to strengthen the Audit Division

and redefine its scope. The Investigation

Unit had to be created. The working and reporting procedures for the entire office had

to be developed, and a mechanism to monitor

compliance with our recommendations had

to be established. General Assembly Resolution 48/218B also mandated me to move this

office from a mere control function to a

more proactive role to ‘‘advise’’ and ‘‘provide

assistance to programme managers’’. Such a

profound change in the corporate culture of

an international organization requires more

than six months, but I am encouraged by

clear signs that OIOS is beginning to have an

impact on the UN, in its deterrent as well as

its advisory capacity. It is my hope that the

United States Congress will understand the

complexity of my task and not judge the success of this new office on the basis of one

rather atypical report.

Shortly after the publication of the

MINURSO report, two in-depth evaluation

reports were issued which I am attaching to

this letter for your reference. Two more reports were issued on 16 May which are also

enclosed.

Regarding the issuance of reports, let me

assure you that the time needed between

submission and release of reports is not a reflection of any lack of independence of my

office. The reports to which you refer in your

letter had to be published in six languages

after being edited and translated, a process

which is necessarily dependent upon the

length of the report and the workload at the

time of submission. As you will note from

the attached reports, the time was also

taken to include a status report on the implementation of recommendations, as the

original reports were done some months ago.

I am quite confident that my work will be

beneficial to the UN and will eventually be

appreciated also by those in the United

States Congress who, like you, believe in the

usefulness of the World Organization. In a recent speech at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy

School of Government, I have laid out the

philosophy I bring to this office. Please find

a copy of this speech enclosed. It would be

my pleasure to come to your office at your

convenience to tell you more about my mission.

Very sincerely yours.

KARL TH. PASCHKE,

Under-Secretary General.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL

RELATIONS,

Washington, DC, May 5, 1995.

Hon. BOUTROS BOUTROS-GHALI,

Secretary General, United Nations Headquarters, New York, NY.

DEAR MR. SECRETARY-GENERAL: I write to

express my disappointment at the first report of the United Nations Office of Internal

Oversight Services (OIOS), issued on April 5,

1995 (A/49/884, ‘‘Review of the Efficiency of

the Administrative and Financial Functioning of the United Nations’’).

As you know, funding for the United Nations is under severe pressure in the United

States Congress. A key element to maintaining Congressional support for U.S. contributions to the United Nations is the oversight

performance of OIOS.

Because this is the first report released

from OIOS, it will be scrutinized closely by

the Congress as an indicator of the level of

U.N. reform. In addition, MINURSO has already received considerable unfavorable attention in Congress due to serious allegations of mismanagement, operational problems, and anti-Americanism.

It was my understanding that this report

was intended to examine those allegations.

In my view, this report is not likely to convince Congress that OIOS is performing the

kind of professional, careful oversight of

U.N. operations intended by the establishment of this office. Let me detail some of the

reasons why.

First, the report does not examine carefully the serious allegation that applicants

desiring to be identified as voters are being

intimidated and denied free access to the

MINURSO center. It merely quotes (paragraph 12) MINURSO’s Deputy Special Representative as stating that if such intimidation is occurring, ‘‘there will be ample opportunity for such individuals to present themselves at later stages in the process’’.

Second, regarding allegations of ‘‘padded

payrolls’’, irregular transportation practices

and costs, and improper procurement in

MINURSO, the report makes reference to a

previous internal audit which had identified

‘‘irregularities’’ nor the ‘‘remedial actions’’

are specified. So far as I know, the previous

internal audit has not been made available

to Member States.

Third, as for changes that some MINURSO

officials were anti-American, supported by

several written complaints (including one by

the head of U.S. military troops serving in

MINURSO), the report essentially dismisses

these charges by quoting observers who stated that ‘‘whenever the Chief Administrative

Officer saw any problem with an individual,

he was in the habit of adversely referring to

the individual’s nationality’’ (paragraph 31).

Based on this information, the auditors state

that they ‘‘did not sense any discrimination

based on any particular nationality’’.

I could cite numerous other deficiencies in

the report, but these examples highlight my

concerns about this OIOS report. I can only

state that the work reflected in this report

does not begin to meet demands in the United States Congress for a tough, credible U.N.

‘‘Inspector General’’ and will not be helpful

to those of us working to maintain support

for the United Nations and its funding levels.

Finally, I would like to express my concern

at the Secretariat’s failure to release several

prior reports completed by the OIOS office.

It is my understanding that the release of

these reports was requested in writing more

than a month ago by the U.S. Permanent

Representative to the United Nations, but

that their release has not yet occurred. It

will be difficult to explain to Members of

Congress why reports completed by a U.N.

office which is presumed to be independent

have not been released by the Secretariat. I

urge you to ensure that these reports are released expeditiously.

Thank you for your attention to and cooperation in these matters.

With best regards,

Sincerely,

LEE H. HAMILTON,

fRanking Democratic Member.

RETIREMENT OF COMDR. HARRY

ROUSE

HON. OWEN B. PICKETT OF VIRGINIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, June 6, 1995

Mr. PICKETT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to

recognize a truly outstanding Naval officer,

Comdr. Harry V. Rouse, who has served with

distinction for the past 32 months as a legislative counsel in the Navy’s Office of Legislative

Affairs. It is a privilege for me to recognize his

many outstanding achievements as he prepares to retire following a career of distinguished service to this legislative body and to

our great Nation as a whole.

A native of Tulsa, OK, Commander Rouse

earned a bachelor of science degree from the

U.S. Naval Academy in 1977, graduating with

distinction. Upon graduation, he was commissioned an ensign in the U.S. Navy.

Commander Rouse spent his first sea tour

aboard the destroyer U.S.S. Kinkaid, where he

served in the engineering department. He was

selected for participation in the Navy’s Law

Education Program, and, following a brief assignment to recruiting duty in Oklahoma City,

OK, began his studies at Harvard Law School

in August 1982. Commander Rouse earned

his doctor of jurisprudence degree in 1985,

and following graduation from the Naval Justice School in Newport, RI, reported to the

Naval Legal Service Office, San Diego, CA, in

November 1985.

Commander Rouse distinguished himself in

all of his assigned duties at the Naval Legal

Service Office, including defense counsel and

command services officer. Upon completing

this highly successful tour, and receiving the

Navy Commendation Medal for outstanding

service, he reported aboard U.S.S. New Jersey as the command judge advocate. He performed admirably in this assignment as well,

completing a 2-year tour in May 1990 and was

awarded the Navy Meritorious Service Medal

in recognition of that performance.

He returned ‘‘home’’ to the U.S. Naval

Academy in 1990, assuming duties as the

legal adviser to the Commandant of Midshipmen, where his superb contribution was

recognized with the award of his second Navy

Commendation Medal. For the past 3 years

Commander Rouse has served in the Navy’s

Office of Legislative Affairs, where he has provided members of the House National Security

Committee, our professional and personal

staffs, as well as many of you seated here

today, with timely support regarding many

Navy plans and programs. His valuable contributions have enabled Congress and the Department of the Navy to work closely together
June 6, 1995 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E 1157

to ensure we continue to provide for and support the best naval force, its members and

their families, in the world.

Mr. Speaker, Harry Rouse has made numerous sacrifices during his illustrious naval

career in order to provide a significant contribution to the outstanding naval forces upon

which our country relies so heavily. He is a

great credit to both the Navy and this country

he has so proudly served. As he now departs

the Navy to pursue challenges in civilian life,

I call upon my colleagues from both sides of

the aisle to wish him every success as well as

fair winds and following seas.

A TRIBUTE TO LITERARY SCHOLAR AND CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER,

fBERNARD BARSHAY

HON. CHARLES E. SCHUMER OF NEW YORK

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, June 6, 1995

Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to

honor and pay tribute to an extraordinary citizen, Mr. Bernard Barshay. His literary accomplishments and social contributions have truly

made a significant impact on the lives of millions. Like many poor Jewish immigrants who

worked hard to achieve the American dream,

Professor Barshay survived on meager resources while growing up in Brooklyn. However, these circumstances did not prevent

Barshay’s remarkable determination to succeed and overcome impossible odds.

Throughout his life, Professor Barshay

struggled with his vision, eventually becoming

legally blind. He continued to pursue his literary goals and at the age of 28, became the

youngest syndicated writer in America. After

winning several academic scholarships,

Barshay continued to prove himself as a writer, playwright, storyteller, and novelist despite

his failing eyesight. Even as his doctors urged

him to discontinue his journalistic career,

Barshay began teaching, and soon after became the chairman of the journalism department at Long Island University. At LIU, he was

a mentor of the Journalism Honor Society, and

a member of the Polk Committee, which

awards outstanding individuals on newspaper

writing. Later Barshay went on to produce dramatic readings and plays for radio broadcast

programs. His love of writing and reading developed into yet another successful career as

a mystery storyteller, poet, and oral dramatist.

His works were recorded in an album titled

‘‘Four American Murder Mysteries.’’

At the height of his teaching and broadcast

career, Barshay paid a visit to Louisiana to report on voting rights for blacks. He was then

arrested and jailed with other civil rights supporters. Inspired by the voting rights struggle

of African-Americans, Barshay began devoting

his work toward community activism and educational empowerment. He requested a voluntary position as a teacher in Harlem and

continued reading his poetry and children’s

stories on radio programs. Ever since he

moved to the Kensington section of Brooklyn,

Professor Barshay has worked tirelessly to

promote racial harmony between the Jewish

and black residents. The positive impact he

has made on all New Yorkers is worthy of national recognition. I am proud to have such an

insightful and courageous activist residing in

Brooklyn.

A TRIBUTE TO THE HOWARD MARTIN RICHARDSON VFW POST 5394

HON. WALTER R. TUCKER III OF CALIFORNIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, June 6, 1995

Mr. TUCKER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to

pay tribute to an organization established for

the men and women whose desire it was to

serve and protect our great Nation. They are

individuals who fought valiant battles in foreign

lands, many of whom gave the ultimate sacrifice—their lives.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to stand before

you today to recognize the significant contributions and the 30th anniversary of the Howard

Martin Richardson VFW Post 5394.

From an initial group of 38 men, the post’s

membership has grown to almost 1,400 members, men and women veterans of foreign

wars. The post is the largest in the Fourth District and the fourth largest in the State of California. The post acquired its present name

when it decided to honor one of its late commanders in 1982 and petitioned for a name

change from the Wayne Emerson Bungard

Post to the present name—Howard Martin

Richardson Post.

During the 30 years of its existence, Post

5349 has labored toward its goals and objectives of serving the Compton and surrounding

communities, veterans of the United States,

their widows and orphans; all this while remaining solvent and self-supporting.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an

organization that continues to make a difference. I rise today to pay tribute to the Howard Martin Richardson VFW Post 5394 in the

city of Compton, CA.

A TRIBUTE TO CORRINE WILLIAMS

fDUNN

HON. CARRIE P. MEEK OF FLORIDA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, June 6, 1995

Mrs. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise

today to bring to the attention of my colleagues one of my constituents who exemplifies what it means to be a concerned community leader and activist—Corrine Williams

Dunn.

Mr. Speaker, great neighborhoods don’t just

happen. They are created through the vision

and hard work of hundreds and thousands of

community members joining together in common cause.

Bunche Park, Opa-Locka, and Carol City in

North Dade are just such neighborhoods and

Corrine Dunn is one of the major reasons

why. She is one of the most dedicated, most

caring members of the community who has

helped to make life better for generations of

North Dade residents through her extensive

community involvement.

Mrs. Dunn has been a major mover in helping to bring much needed county services to

North Dade neighborhoods through her pioneering work with Bunche Park Elementary,

North Dade High School, and the North Dade

Improvement Association. Mrs. Dunn helped

to create a community credit union for local

residents.

Her remarkable record of community involvement over the years has included positions on many community boards and important commissions. She has served on the

boards of Community Coordinated Child Care;

EOPI, Inc.; the Community Action Agency;

Legal Services of Dade County; Health Systems Agency of South Florida, Inc.; and the

North Dade Health Center. In 1977, in recognition of her dedicated and untiring efforts

on behalf of others, Corrine Williams Dunn

was recognized by her neighbors in North

Dade as Citizen of the Year.

Mrs. Dunn has now focused her attention on

issues and activities involving senior citizens.

She volunteered her time as a health aide to

senior citizens and serves as chairperson of

the Dade County National Parent Federation

for Day Care and Child Development, Inc.

A member of Crooms Temple Church of

God in Christ, Mrs. Dunn is also an ardent

church worker who has served for 20 years as

church secretary and has been active in the

Young Women’s Christian Council, Mother’s

Board, and the Missionary Board.

Mr. Speaker, I know that my colleagues join

with me in saluting Mrs. Corrine Williams

Dunn, a dedicated wife, mother, church leader, and community activist, for her more than

40 years of untiring efforts on behalf of her

community.

FDA MODERNIZATION ACT OF 1995

INTRODUCTION OF H.R. 1742, THE

f

HON. RON WYDEN OF OREGON

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, June 6, 1995

Mr. WYDEN. Mr. Speaker, the technology of

drugs and medical devices has reached a new

frontier. Through emerging sciences such as

bioengineering we can anticipate truly monumental breakthroughs in the way we treat, and

conquer, dread diseases which for centuries

have plagued mankind.

It is crucial, absolutely critical, that the Federal regulatory system so integral to the development and commercialization of these new

products change, improve, and advance in

step with this technological revolution.

In support of this effort, I am today introducing H.R. 1742, the Food and Drug Administration Modernization Act of 1995. This bill offers

reasonable, progressive, and user-friendly approaches toward making the FDA drug and

device approval process more efficient and

cost effective.

Most importantly, it accomplishes these

goals while preserving the Agency’s critical

mission to assure the safety and effectiveness

of new drugs and medical devices.

It ensures that our multibillion-dollar medical

products industry continues as the preeminent

international competitor.

Here are the salient features of this legislation:

The bill grants the agency authority to grant

early, conditional approvals for promising

drugs and devices which appear to be effective in fighting serious or life-threatening disease. Full and final approval would rest upon

the manufacturer’s ability to demonstrate that

the initial promise of effectiveness was proven

out in broader use.