Adam Schiff: “the bill before us today is H.R. 3060, the Antarctic Environmental Protection Act of 1996. As chairman of the Basic…”

“the bill before us today is H.R. 3060, the Antarctic Environmental Protection Act of 1996. As chairman of the Basic Research Subcommittee, our committee has jurisdiction over the National Science Foundation, the agency who will be most impacted by this bill. They strongly support this bill and my compliments to both sides of the aisle for all their hard work on crafting this legislation. H.R. 3060 provides the legislative authority necessary for the United States to implement the 1991 Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty. The protocol, which resulted from a United States initiative, represents an important addition to the uniquely successful system of peaceful cooperation and scientific research that has evolved under the Antarctic Treaty. The U.S. Senate gave its advice and consent to ratification of the protocol in 1992. All that remains for the United States to become a party to the protocol is to enact the necessary implementing legislation. Implementation of the protocol has been a priority of both Republicans and Democrats since the protocol was negotiated in 1991. The protocol builds upon the Antarctic Treaty to improve the treaty's effectiveness for ensuring the protection of the Antarctic environment. I feel this bill reflects America's continued commitment to the protection of the Antarctic environment. I urge my colleagues to support the bill.”