Political Quotes

“I rise in support of H.R. 700, a bill to reauthorize the Asian Elephant Conservation Act. I certainly would like to commend my good friend, the former chairman of the Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife, and Oceans, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Saxton), for being the author and the sponsor of this legislation, and certainly for his continued leadership in protecting the world's imperiled wildlife heritage. I also thank the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Gilchrest), our current chairman of the subcommittee, for his leadership in bringing this legislation forward. Mr. Speaker, unlike African elephants, the plight of Asian elephants was not widely known until 1997, only 4 years ago. Sadly, we have learned that the population of Asian elephants, at one time flourishing throughout Southern and Southeast Asia, is now fragmented into populations scattered across 13 countries, most of which are shrinking. In addition, Mr. Speaker, domesticated use of Asian elephants for transport and other industrial activities has removed animals from traditional areas and further stressed wild populations. With so many changes to the natural habitat, domesticated uses are now one of the several factors which are a threat to the future viability of Asian elephants in the wild. This issue needs to be addressed in a manner which addresses traditional cultural values and the continued survival of the species.”