Jim Saxton: “in addition, the number of households participating in CAMPFIRE has grown from 9,000 in 1989 to 105,000 in 1996. Our…”

“in addition, the number of households participating in CAMPFIRE has grown from 9,000 in 1989 to 105,000 in 1996. Our Nation's support for the CAMPFIRE Program is without question, and it is a misrepresentation to say that CAMPFIRE moneys were used in opposition to the U.S. position on sport hunting, because our law provides for the recognition of sport hunting and our negotiation position has provided for the recognition of sports hunting. Our Nation's support for the CAMPFIRE Program allows thousands of people to improve their livelihoods and has created a situation for the comeback of the African elephants. This is not a program that we should be trifling with. Congress, this Congress, is criticized over and over again for doing things that do not work, and yet this amendment brought to the floor today would defund one of the most successful programs that we have had in the area of conservation. It is not a coincidence that elephant populations have increased under CAMPFIRE, and it would be a terrible mistake to end the Agency for International Development's essential involvement and investment in this program.”