Political Quotes

“The Leahy-Abraham amendment, which is based on a bill that I introduced, deletes the line in the National Sea Grant College Program Act that says ``the term `Great Lakes' includes Lake Champlain.'' This line was included in the recent reauthorization of the act, and it has caused all of the recent concern on this issue in the Great Lakes region. In lieu of this language, the amendment lists Lake Champlain separately from the Great lakes in the list of water bodies for which Sea Grant projects can be undertaken. It is therefore clear from the amendment that Lake Champlain is not designated a Great Lake under the National Sea Grant College Program Act. Nevertheless, I do think it would be useful to have the chairman of the authorizing subcommittee with jurisdiction over this issue state her understanding of the term ``Great Lakes'' in the act as it would be amended by our amendment.”