Benjamin Gilman: “I rise in support of H.R. 1787, the Asian Elephant Conservation Act. This legislation was referred to our Committee on…”

“I rise in support of H.R. 1787, the Asian Elephant Conservation Act. This legislation was referred to our Committee on International Relations, but in the interest of advancing it to early passage we waived our right to consider it. I want to thank the sponsor of the bill, the gentleman from New Jersey [Mr. Saxton] and the gentleman from Hawaii [Mr. Abercrombie] and the leadership of the Committee on Resources, the chairman, the gentleman from Alaska [Mr. Young] and the ranking minority member, the gentleman from California [Mr. Miller]. As has already been explained, this bill sets up a system whereby the Administrator of the Agency for International Development and the Secretary of the Interior shall look for ways to help preserve the precious heritage of Asian Elephants. Not only are Asian elephants endangered--and deserving of protection--but they are especially important from a cultural and economic point of view to Americans and Asians alike. I want to salute the many organizations that had a role in moving this bill, such as the World Wildlife Fund, Safari Club International, the Sierra Club, and our former colleague Andy Ireland of Feld Enterprises. The bill was supported by representatives of the Indian Institute of Science and the Wildlife Preservation Trust International. The model of protection in this bill is appropriate, flexible, and carries a reasonable cost.”