Political Quotes

“And rise in support of H.R. 97. I would like to begin by thanking Mr. Buchanan and Ms. Titus for introducing this important legislation. In recent years, Congress has taken a number of important steps to combat wildlife trafficking, but the situation remains dire. Over the last 10 years, one-third of African elephants have been slaughtered for their tusks--one-third. That is just shocking. Rhino populations have also been decimated, and many other species are at risk. Protecting wildlife is the right thing to do, but it also serves American national security interests. Wildlife trafficking feeds corruption, undermines the rule of law, threatens economic prosperity, and drives instability. And it is carried out by many of the same international criminal syndicates engaged in the trafficking of drugs, weapons, and people. The bipartisan, commonsense legislation before us today provides our government with a tool it can use to tackle the illegal trade in wildlife. Specifically, it authorizes rewards, under the State Department's Rewards for Justice Program, for information leading to the arrest or conviction of those engaged in wildlife trafficking. This can provide a powerful financial incentive for people to turn in those responsible for this appalling activity. Where I come from--Bronx, New York--we have the Wildlife Conservation Society doing such wonderful work. It is the Bronx Zoo.…”