Sherwood Boehlert: “1998 is the Year of the Ocean. We have heard that mentioned several times. So, it is only fitting and proper that we…”

“1998 is the Year of the Ocean. We have heard that mentioned several times. So, it is only fitting and proper that we focus on the ocean this year. And in doing so, I would like to commend the gentleman from New Jersey (Chairman Saxton) for the outstanding leadership he has provided. He is there every step of the way. It is his inspiration, his innovation that has gotten us to this juncture today. But, Mr. Speaker, he has not done it alone. The gentleman from California (Mr. Farr), the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Gilchrest) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Bilbray) have all been very active participants in this process. I think this is very important legislation. We sometimes think that if it is not a major bill providing trillions of dollars of expenditures and a lot of controversy, it is not all that important. Let me suggest that this is very important. Two-thirds of the world's surface is covered by water, and we have to deal with that water.”