Frank Pallone: “I just wanted to thank the two gentleman, my colleague, the gentleman from New Jersey [Mr. Saxton], and my colleague…”

“I just wanted to thank the two gentleman, my colleague, the gentleman from New Jersey [Mr. Saxton], and my colleague, the gentleman from Massachusetts [Mr. Studds], for putting together this legislation. In particular, both of them have been supportive of language which was placed in the bill that would ensure public participation on all striped bass management plans. Many people who are involved with striped bass management know that there is a large and vociferous group of recreational fishermen out there who become very concerned about any changes that are made in the management plan. One of the things that they continually tell us is that they want to be involved at every stage in whatever management plan changes are put forward. This bill and the language that is in the bill guarantee that public participation will do what is necessary to make sure that they have their opportunity to be heard. I certainly want to thank the gentleman from New Jersey [Mr. Saxton] and the gentleman from Massachusetts [Mr. Studds] for their cooperation in putting that language in the bill.”