H3398 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 20, 1999 minute and to revise and extend his re- minute and to revise and extend his re- Rudy, welcome to the GOP. marks.) marks.) f Mr. LUTHER. Mr. Speaker, I am here Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise this today to ask all Democrats and Repub- morning to urge my colleagues to co- CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM licans to sign the campaign finance re- sponsor a bill that the gentlewoman (Ms. BERKLEY asked and was given form discharge petition. I say that, Mr. from Texas (Ms. JACKSON-LEE) and I permission to address the House for 1 Speaker, because there is no issue more are introducing today, the Border Con- minute and to revise and extend her re- important to the future of this country trol Recruitment and Retention Act. marks.) than this particular issue. This bill will correct a longstanding Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Speaker, every I ask Members to ask themselves problem within the INS, and begins to Member of Congress knows firsthand why it seems that Congress can never address some of the recruitment and the control that money has over our get anything done. I ask Members to retention problems we have heard so electoral process, and what is worse, ask themselves why Congress cannot much about lately. This bill is not a the American people know firsthand pass health care reform legislation, cure-all. It is, however, a step in the the control that money has over our child safety legislation, or the many right direction. electoral process. other pressing issues facing this coun- I will continue to work with my col- The money spent on last November’s try. Ask why that supplemental fund- leagues on legislation for comprehen- election totaled $1 billion. This is an ing bill this week was filled with pork sive pay reform for the United States outrageous sum that hurts our democ- barrel spending, rather than dealing Border Patrol. Currently most Border racy and it hurts our constituents. If with national priorities like education. Patrol agents are kept at the GS–9 A good part of the answer is the way Journeyman level, with only 30 percent voters are disgusted and turned off by we fund campaigns in this country, the of the work force actually working at the excesses in campaign financing influence of special interests. We GS–11, even though their work is much they will not vote, and make no mis- passed this bill, we debated it last year. more comprehensive. take, voters are disgusted. They are We can pass it again now. We do not The bill we are introducing today turned off and they are not voting. need to wait so that it gets tied up in states that any GS–9 with a current Our constituents deserve better. The budget negotiations or in politics of rating of fully successful will auto- American people deserve better. Let us next year’s elections. We can pass it for matically qualify for GS–11. What does ban soft money and stop the attack ads the American people today. this mean? It means that on the aver- disguised as issue advocacy soft money pays for. Let us strengthen the Federal f age, Border Patrol agents will move from a salary of about $34,000 a year to Election Commission and give it the THE HISTORY OF CAMPAIGN a salary of about $41,000. It addresses a teeth it needs to enforce campaign fi- FINANCE pay disparity. It is fitting that we in- nance laws. This Congress must act to (Mr. SCHAFFER asked and was given troduce this legislation today and push restore confidence and participation in permission to address the House for 1 for its passage this year, which is the our electoral system. minute and to revise and extend his re- United States Border Patrol’s 7th anni- Last month my colleagues and I marks.) versary. signed a discharge petition to demand Mr. SCHAFFER. Mr. Speaker, I I believe that this is the least we can that Congress take up the important would like to respond to the vacuous do for an agency that is at the front issue of campaign finance reform. The bleatings of my esteemed colleagues on line of the defense for this country. very fact that as Members of Congress the liberal side of the aisle who invoke f we must petition our government campaign finance reform as their lat- speaks volumes and is a testament to TO FORMER DEMOCRAT RUDY est slogan. the control money has over our elec- BRADLEY, WELCOME TO THE GOP How truly audacious for the very toral process. people who created the current cam- (Mr. STEARNS asked and was given We must prove to our constituents paign finance reform to now self-right- permission to address the House for 1 that we are serious about real reform. eously proclaim their outrage at the minute and to revise and extend his re- We must make sure that our political way the government makes crooks out marks.) system represents everyone, not just of the truly honest people among us. Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, there is those that can afford it. a trend going on in America today that Just what is it about the liberal f mindset that allows them to avoid re- is not talked much about, particularly sponsibility for so many of their bad on that side, at least on the national AMERICAN LAND SOVEREIGNTY ideas and failed initiatives? level. It is a phenomenon of party PROTECTION ACT switching, and it is party-switching Consider the history of campaign fi- Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. going in one direction and one direc- nance. The liberals imposed absurdly Speaker, by direction of the Com- tion only, from Democrats to Repub- low limits on the participation of mittee on Rules, I call up House Reso- licans. Americans in the political process. It is lution 180 and ask for its immediate truly amazing how this has resulted in Over 390 elected Democrats have switched to the GOP since Clinton and consideration. things that were entirely predictable. The Clerk read the resolution, as fol- What happened? Politicians were Gore were elected in 1992. Well, the Re- lows: then forced to spend almost all their publican Party would like to welcome time raising money, and of course the latest party-switcher, State Rep- H. RES. 180 money then found other ways into the resentative Rudy Bradley of St. Peters- Resolved, That at any time after the adop- political process through soft money, burg, Florida. tion of this resolution the Speaker may, pur- suant to clause 2(b) of rule XVIII, declare the through issue advocacy, and, dare I Rudy Bradley is the only black Re- publican in the 160-member Florida House resolved into the Committee of the mention, through the Chinese Com- Whole House on the state of the Union for munist friends of the White House. And legislature, for now. Here we have a consideration of the bill (H.R. 833) to pre- of course this money, unlike direct lifetime proud Democrat who has fi- serve the sovereignty of the United States contributions, lacks full disclosure, nally come to the conclusion that the over public lands and acquired lands owned which is an invitation to corruption. Democratic Party simply does not re- by the United States, and to preserve State Why are Democrats not talking flect his values or the values of his con- sovereignty and private property rights in about that? stituents. non-Federal lands surrounding those public lands and acquired lands. The first reading of f He is tired of the Democrats’ con- stant demonizing those who disagree the bill shall be dispensed with. General de- URGING COSPONSORSHIP OF THE with them. He is tired of rhetoric that bate shall be confined to the bill and shall not exceed one hour equally divided and con- BORDER PATROL RECRUITMENT says one thing while governing as a tax AND RETENTION ACT trolled by the chairman and ranking minor- and spend liberal. He is tired of the at- ity member of the Committee on Resources. (Mr. REYES asked and was given per- tacks on the traditional values that After general debate, the bill shall be consid- mission to address the House for 1 made America great to begin with. ered for amendment under the five-minute May 20, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3399 rule for a period not to exceed four hours. printed or his designee, shall be consid- U.S. for designation as a Biosphere Re- The bill shall be considered as read. No ered as read, and may be amended. serve and would terminate all existing amendment to the bill shall be in order ex- The rule further allows the Chairman Biosphere Reserves unless, one, the cept those printed in the portion of the Con- of the Committee of the Whole to post- Biosphere Reserve is specifically au- gressional Record designated for that pur- pose in clause 8 of rule XVIII and except pro pone votes during consideration of the thorized in law by a date certain, two, forma amendments for the purpose of debate. bill and to reduce voting time to 5 min- the designated Biosphere Reserve con- Each amendment so printed may be offered utes on a postponed question if the sists entirely of land owned by the only by the Member who caused it to be vote follows a 15-minute vote. Finally, U.S., and, three, a management plan printed or his designee and shall be consid- the rule provides for one motion to re- has been implemented which specifi- ered as read. The chairman of the Committee commit, with or without instructions. cally provides for the protection of of the Whole may: (1) postpone until a time Mr. Speaker, H.R. 883 was reported by non-Federal property rights and uses. during further consideration in the Com- the Committee on Resources. The bill Finally, Mr. Speaker, the bill would mittee of the Whole a request for a recorded would restore the constitutional role of prohibit Federal officials from desig- vote on any amendment; and (2) reduce to nating any land in the United States five minutes the minimum time for elec- Congress in managing lands belonging tronic voting on any postponed question that to the United States, preserve the sov- for a special or restricted use under follows another electronic vote without in- ereignty of the United States over its any international agreement unless tervening business, provided that the min- lands, and protect State sovereignty such designation is specifically ap- imum time for electronic voting on the first and private property rights in non-Fed- proved by law, and would also prohibit in any series of questions shall be 15 min- eral lands adjacent to the Federal including any State, local, or privately utes. At the conclusion of consideration of lands. owned land in any such designation, the bill for amendment the Committee shall Under Article IV, section 3 of the unless that designation is approved by rise and report the bill to the House with those affected parties. such amendments as may have been adopted. Constitution, Congress is vested with the authority to regulate Federal The Committee on Rules has re- The previous question shall be considered as ported a modified rule, as requested by ordered on the bill and amendments thereto lands. Yet, over the past 25 years, an to final passage without intervening motion increasing expansion of our Nation’s the gentleman from Alaska (Chairman except one motion to recommit with or with- public lands have been included in var- YOUNG) of the Committee on Re- out instructions. ious land use programs with little con- sources, in order to provide Members of the House seeking to amend this legis- b 1030 gressional oversight or approval. Two notable programs are the United Na- lation with the full and fair oppor- AMENDMENT OFFERED BY MR. HASTINGS OF tions Biosphere Reserves and the World tunity to do so. WASHINGTON Heritage Sites, both of which are under Accordingly, Mr. Speaker, I urge my Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. the jurisdiction of the United Nations colleagues to support the rule and the Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that Educational, Scientific and Cultural underlying bill, H.R. 883. House Resolution 180 be amended on Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of Organization or UNESCO. page 2, line 2, by striking ‘‘833’’ and in- my time. There are now 47 UNESCO Biosphere Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I serting in lieu thereof ‘‘883’’. Reserves and 20 World Heritage Sites in The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. yield myself such time as I may con- the United States. By becoming party sume and I thank my colleague for QUINN). Is there objection to the re- to these international land use agree- quest of the gentleman from Wash- yielding me the customary 30 minutes. ments through executive action, but Mr. Speaker, this resolution calls for ington? without congressional authorization, There was no objection. a modified open rule which makes in the United States may be indirectly order only those amendments The text of the amendment is as fol- agreeing to terms to international lows: preprinted in the CONGRESSIONAL treaties which the Senate has refused RECORD and limits debate of the bill to Page 2, line 2, strike ‘‘833’’ and insert in to ratify. lieu thereof ‘‘883’’. 4 hours. These restrictions are wholly By consenting to international land unnecessary. Any time one imposes an The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- use designations, the United States in arbitrary time limit, one runs the risk tleman from Washington (Mr. effect agrees to impose restrictions on of limiting full debate. I oppose the HASTINGS) is recognized for 1 hour. surrounding lands which, in many rule in its current form and note that Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. cases, include a substantial amount of open rules best protect all Members’ Speaker, for the purpose of debate private property. Subjecting private rights to fully represent their constitu- only, I yield the customary 30 minutes property owners to land use restric- ents. to the distinguished gentlewoman from tions imposed without their consent, or Moreover, I have significant concerns New York (Ms. SLAUGHTER), pending even the consent of their elected rep- about the legislation the rule makes in which I yield myself such time as I resentatives, is a very serious matter. order. While the bill purports to pre- may consume. During consideration of It is a practice which this Congress serve U.S. sovereignty over the use of this resolution, all time yielded is for should emphatically reject. Federal lands, in reality, this measure the purpose of debate only. In response to growing concern about is unnecessary and could hinder United (Mr. HASTINGS of Washington asked this situation, H.R. 883 would amend States participation in international and was given permission to revise and the National Historic Preservation Act efforts to protect and preserve valuable extend his remarks.) to require congressional approval be- lands throughout the world. Similar Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. fore any nominated property may be dubious legislation has failed in two Speaker, H. Res. 180 would grant H.R. included in the World Heritage list. It previous Congresses, and this bill will 883, the American Land Sovereignty would require the Secretary of the In- get the same fate. Protection Act, a modified open rule, terior to submit a report to Congress The World Heritage Convention and providing 1 hour of general debate to be describing what impact inclusion on the Man and Biosphere Program will divided equally between the chairman the World Heritage list would have on provide the international community and ranking minority member of the the natural resources associated with with means of recognizing areas with Committee on Resources. these nominated lands. great natural and cultural significance. The rule provides for a 4-hour limit The bill would prohibit the Secretary These honorific programs respect each on the amendment process and pro- of Interior from nominating a property State’s sovereignty and have no legal vides that the bill shall be considered for inclusion on the World Heritage list jurisdiction over countries or commu- as read. Additionally, the rule makes until the Secretary makes findings nities. in order only those amendments that existing commercially viable uses Since 1973, the World Heritage Con- preprinted in the CONGRESSIONAL of the nominated land or land within 10 vention has successfully been imple- RECORD and pro forma amendments for miles of the nomination would not be mented by the United States Depart- the purpose of debate. Amendments adversely affected by its inclusion. ment of Interior. The Convention was, that are preprinted may be offered only H.R. 883 would prohibit Federal offi- in fact, a United States initiative by the Member who caused them to be cials from nominating any land in the under then President Richard Nixon. H3400 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 20, 1999 A site may be listed as a World Herit- What this bill is attempting to do is We heard testimony from Steven age site only if it contains cultural or to allow a little more public input into Lindsey whose family has operated a natural resources of universal value, this process and give the people a tiny ranch on Turkey Creek in rural Ari- and if the national government where bit of say about actions that can have zona since the 1860s. He was shocked to the site is located nominates and pro- tremendous impact on their land. find out one day that a 60-acre private tects the site. It really boils down to whether we wetland on his property was now con- Listing an area as a World Heritage still have a government of, by, and for trolled by the international RAMSAR site imposes no change in U.S. law nor the people, or has it become one of, by, Convention agreement in addition to any requirement for future changes in and for unelected bureaucrats and all the endangered species and other domestic law. It does not give over- elitists who want to control other peo- regulations he was already under. ple’s land. sight, management, or regulatory au- b 1045 thority over United States lands to any Jeane Kirkpatrick, our former am- foreign and national organization. bassador to the United Nations, wrote Under Ramsar, Mr. Lindsey said, Nor does the United States Man and to the Committee on Resources these ‘‘My rights as a private property owner Biosphere Program place any U.S. words, ‘‘In U.N. organizations, there is are threatened and the Ramsar lan- lands or resources under the control of no accountability. U.N. bureaucrats guage can be used to violate my prop- the United Nations or any inter- are far removed from the American erty rights and deprive me of the use of national body. In fact, this is a domes- voters. What recourse does an Amer- my land.’’ He added these words, Mr. Speaker: tic Federal program. It, therefore, does ican voter have when U.N. bureaucrats ‘‘The same government that promised not impose any restrictions beyond from Cuba or Iraq or Libya, all of my great, great grandfather and my those already in place under American which are parties to this treaty, have made a decision that unjustly damages great grandfather the land through the law. Homestead Act and pursuit of happi- For over 20 years, under the auspices his or her property rights that lie near ness is now the same government that of four Republican and two Democratic a national park?’’ is helping destroy these dreams.’’ Presidents, these programs have func- Professor Jeremy Rabkin of the De- partment of Government of Cornell Mr. Speaker, this is a good bill, a se- tioned with little or no controversy. rious bill; and people who truly believe The allegations by the proponents of University testified in support of this bill, saying, ‘‘The underlying problem in freedom, rather than big brother re- H.R. 883 that these beneficial programs pressive government, should support it somehow threaten the United States is that international regulatory schemes now reach more deeply into enthusiastically. sovereignty are pure fantasy. Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I However we do have a Federal, for- the internal affairs of sovereign na- tions and have therefore begun to yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from eign encroachment on American lands, Minnesota (Mr. VENTO). and I am referring to the mining and threaten internal systems of govern- ment,’’ adding that ‘‘such ventures are (Mr. VENTO asked and was given mineral rights that have been leased to permission to revise and extend his re- foreign corporations with leases that in some ways as much a threat to the stability of international law as they marks.) cost about an average of $2.50 per acre Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I thank are to our own system of government per year. These leases have been in ef- the gentlewoman for yielding me the at home.’’ fect since the days of Ulysses S. Grant. Professor Rabkin said we need this time. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to If we would like to do something to bill, not to slow this dangerous trend the rule. Frankly, this bill is not cor- protect our own lands, and stop cheat- toward taking government further rectable by amendment. I think the ing our taxpayers. We should change away from the people, but also, ‘‘as a proper disposition of it is to defeat this this disgraceful giveaway. means of reasserting our own constitu- bill. I think it is, obviously, a great Our national parks do need atten- tional traditions.’’ tion, but Congress certainly could do Professor Detlev Vagts of the Har- misunderstanding. I think it reflects a better than this bill, which is designed vard Law School said international in- fear that has been translated into leg- to remedy an imaginary problem, the volvement in local and private land use islative language which is inappro- supposed encroachment of foreign decisions, ‘‘pose an import problem’’ in priate and I think the wrong direction domination over our public resources. their ‘‘tendency to shift powers and re- clearly to move, and so I do not know Mr. Speaker, another community sponsibilities from national and sub- how I could amend it. woke this morning to the horror of a national units, with active, reachable In the last session, Mr. Speaker, a lot school shooting. It is not as bad as Col- legislative bodies to remote inter- of concern arose because we proposed umbine we are told. We hope that these national bureaucracies.’’ some 60 or 70 different amendments to are not going to be fatal shots. But I realize that some opponents of this this bill. It touches on about 82 areas surely this House can be better spend- bill do not want to debate this on the in the United States that are classified ing this time, rather than spending 4 merits, so they resort to childish sar- as World Heritage sites, as Man and the hours on this one House nowhere bill, casm and try to make this bill seem Biosphere program, or as Ramsar sites. and be working on after-school pro- less than serious by making fun of it. There may be more sites in the United grams and try to do something about But this bill deserves the support of States, but those are the three prin- bringing guns under some control. all those who really believe in private cipal treaties that deal with natural Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of property and limited government and and cultural resources of distinction, my time. the freedom that is protected by those usually within our parks or in those Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. two great traditions on which this Na- areas; and Man and the Biosphere pro- Speaker, I am pleased to yield as much tion was built. grams which focus on special natural time as he may consume to the gen- Private property is not only one of environments, other types of environ- tleman from Tennessee (Mr. DUNCAN). the key components of our prosperity. ments that are used for scientific re- Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in It is one of the main things that set us search; and the Ramsar sites, which strong support of this bill by the dis- apart from the former Soviet Union protect wetlands. tinguished gentleman from Alaska (Mr. and other socialist Nations. There may be other treaties and com- YOUNG), chairman of the Committee on Today almost one-third of our land is pacts that are affected, Mr. Speaker. Resources, and the rule that brings this owned by the Federal Government, and They have not been spoken of or ex- bill to the floor. another 20 percent is owned by State plored in committee. In fact, I think This bill does not prohibit or stop the and local governments and quasi-gov- most of the committee meetings have United States from including land in ernmental units. Governments at all been based on a lot of emotionalism an international land reserve. All it levels are rapidly taking over addi- and misconceptions and obviously says is that there must first be con- tional land. Perhaps even more of a some distaste for the United Nations, gressional approval so that the private threat to freedom are the restrictions which happens to be associated loosely property rights of neighboring land- being placed by government on land with some of the designations here and owners can be protected. still in private ownership. recognitions that have taken place. May 20, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3401 Incidentally, when I was looking at The question was taken; and the Weldon (FL) Whitfield Wolf Weldon (PA) Wicker Young (AK) the numbers, there are nearly 2,000 Speaker pro tempore announced that Weller Wilson Young (FL) sites globally that are recognized under the ayes appeared to have it. these programs. The United States has Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I ob- NAYS—178 very few sites that we have let in the ject to the vote on the ground that a Abercrombie Hastings (FL) Nadler development of these treaties and pro- quorum is not present and make the Ackerman Hill (IN) Neal grams; and, of course, to in fact renege Allen Hilliard Oberstar point of order that a quorum is not Andrews Hinchey Obey on this presents all sorts of problems present. Baird Hinojosa Olver to us in terms of our global leadership The SPEAKER pro tempore. Evi- Baldacci Hoeffel Ortiz in terms of the environment. dently a quorum is not present. Baldwin Holden Owens But that I think is really at the heart Barcia Hoyer Pallone The Sergeant at Arms will notify ab- Barrett (WI) Inslee Pascrell of this that there are those that cannot sent Members. Becerra Jackson (IL) Pastor attack these parks, these wildernesses The vote was taken by electronic de- Bentsen Jackson-Lee Payne directly, so they choose to wrap them- Berkley (TX) Phelps vice, and there were—yeas 240, nays Berman Jefferson Pomeroy selves in American sovereignty and 178, not voting 15, as follows: Bonior John Price (NC) some displeasure I guess with the U.N., [Roll No. 140] Borski Johnson, E. B. Rahall Mr. Speaker, and it is manifest in this Boswell Jones (OH) Rangel bill that we have before us today, H.R. YEAS—240 Boucher Kanjorski Reyes Aderholt Gilchrest Norwood Boyd Kaptur Rivers 883. Brady (PA) Kennedy Rodriguez The rule is really unfair because we Archer Gillmor Nussle Armey Goode Oxley Brown (FL) Kildee Roemer had talked and while there was some Bachus Goodlatte Packard Brown (OH) Kilpatrick Rothman fear that we might offer 70 amend- Baker Goodling Paul Capps Kind (WI) Roybal-Allard ments, as I said, it is not correctable, Ballenger Goss Pease Capuano Kleczka Rush Barr Graham Pelosi Cardin Klink Sabo but nevertheless the Committee on Barrett (NE) Granger Peterson (MN) Carson LaFalce Sanchez Rules gets up and suggested that it is Bartlett Green (TX) Peterson (PA) Clay Lampson Sanders offering an open rule, that we can offer Barton Green (WI) Petri Clayton Lantos Sandlin Clement Larson Sawyer any amendments that we want. But Bass Greenwood Pickering Bateman Gutknecht Pickett Clyburn Lee Schakowsky then they impose this time limitation Bereuter Hall (OH) Pitts Conyers Levin Serrano on the bill. Berry Hall (TX) Pombo Costello Lewis (GA) Sherman I do not think that any of us have Biggert Hansen Porter Coyne Lipinski Slaughter Crowley Lofgren Smith (WA) any visions of keeping the Congress in Bilbray Hastings (WA) Portman Bilirakis Hayes Pryce (OH) Cummings Lowey Snyder session all day tonight and late into Bishop Hayworth Quinn Davis (FL) Lucas (KY) Spratt the hours, especially a day when many Bliley Hefley Radanovich Davis (IL) Luther Stabenow Blumenauer Herger Ramstad DeFazio Maloney (CT) Stark Members would like to travel home to DeGette Maloney (NY) Stenholm their districts so they can work and be Blunt Hill (MT) Regula Boehlert Hilleary Reynolds Delahunt Markey Strickland back together with their families and Boehner Hobson Riley DeLauro Martinez Stupak constituents, a goal certainly that I Bonilla Hoekstra Rogan Deutsch Mascara Tanner share with them. But, nevertheless, the Bono Holt Rogers Dicks Matsui Tauscher Brady (TX) Hooley Rohrabacher Dingell McCarthy (NY) Thompson (CA) Committee on Rules arbitrarily sets in Bryant Horn Ros-Lehtinen Dixon McDermott Thompson (MS) place this 4-hour limit. Burr Hostettler Roukema Doggett McGovern Thurman Unfortunately, in fact I think, Mr. Buyer Houghton Royce Dooley McKinney Tierney Speaker, that my amendment is the Callahan Hulshof Ryan (WI) Doyle McNulty Udall (CO) Calvert Hunter Ryun (KS) Edwards Meehan Udall (NM) only amendment that will be offered Camp Hutchinson Sanford Engel Meek (FL) Velazquez and that we will pursue that and see Campbell Hyde Saxton Etheridge Meeks (NY) Vento whether or not the fidelity of this Canady Isakson Scarborough Farr Menendez Visclosky Fattah Millender- Waters group for American sovereignty carries Cannon Istook Schaffer Castle Jenkins Scott Filner McDonald Watt (NC) through to commercial uses of the Chabot Johnson (CT) Sensenbrenner Ford Minge Weiner property for foreign countries and enti- Chambliss Johnson, Sam Sessions Frank (MA) Mink Wexler ties that might want to mine, they Chenoweth Jones (NC) Shadegg Frost Moakley Weygand Gejdenson Mollohan Wise might want to harvest trees and do Coble Kasich Shaw Coburn Kelly Shays Gonzalez Moore Woolsey other exploitative activities in the Collins King (NY) Sherwood Gordon Moran (VA) Wu land. If there is any enthusiasm for Combest Kingston Shimkus Gutierrez Murtha Wynn Condit Knollenberg Shows saving American taxpayers and saving NOT VOTING—15 their resources for America, we will see Cook Kolbe Shuster Cooksey Kuykendall Simpson Blagojevich Evans Napolitano whether or not we can sell that par- Cox LaHood Sisisky Brown (CA) Foley Ose ticular idea. Cramer Largent Skeen Burton Gephardt Salmon But there is no reason for putting a Crane Latham Skelton Doolittle Gilman Towns Cubin LaTourette Smith (MI) Dunn Kucinich Waxman time limit on this bill. I think it is a Cunningham Lazio Smith (NJ) reflection, unfortunately, of the cir- Danner Leach Smith (TX) cumstances and the state of affairs Davis (VA) Lewis (CA) Souder b 1111 that exists in this Congress today, in Deal Lewis (KY) Spence DeLay Linder Stearns Messrs. ROEMER, SPRATT and fact, in terms of what I say, a lack of DeMint LoBiondo Stump HILLIARD and Mrs. JONES of Ohio trust between us, Mr. Speaker, which I Diaz-Balart Lucas (OK) Sununu Dickey Manzullo Sweeney changed their vote from ‘‘yea’’ to think is unneeded. ‘‘nay.’’ And, therefore, I will oppose this Dreier McCarthy (MO) Talent Duncan McCollum Tancredo Mr. TANCREDO and Ms. HOOLEY of rule. I think it is not an open rule. It Ehlers McCrery Tauzin is a rule which has a time limitation, Ehrlich McHugh Taylor (MS) Oregon changed their vote from ‘‘nay’’ and I think it is unnecessary and this Emerson McInnis Taylor (NC) to ‘‘yea.’’ English McIntosh Terry So the resolution was agreed to. House should reject the rule. Eshoo McIntyre Thomas Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I Everett McKeon Thornberry The result of the vote was announced yield back the balance of my time. Ewing Metcalf Thune as above recorded. Fletcher Mica Tiahrt Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. A motion to reconsider was laid on Speaker, I yield back the balance of Forbes Miller (FL) Toomey Fossella Miller, Gary Traficant the table. my time, and I move the previous ques- Fowler Miller, George Turner tion on the resolution. Franks (NJ) Moran (KS) Upton Stated for: The previous question was ordered. Frelinghuysen Morella Walden Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, dur- The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Gallegly Myrick Walsh ing rollcall vote No. 140 on H. Res. 180 I was Ganske Nethercutt Wamp QUINN). The question is on the resolu- Gekas Ney Watkins unavoidably detained in an important meeting. tion. Gibbons Northup Watts (OK) Had I been here I would have voted ``yea.'' H3402 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 20, 1999 The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. to change these domestic laws so that sponsibility of Congress, not some U.N. COOKSEY). Pursuant to House Resolu- Congress must approve the sites. committee of unelected bureaucrats. tion 180 and rule XVIII, the Chair de- The Biosphere Reserve Program is The public and local governments are clares the House in the Committee of not authorized by even a single U.S. almost never consulted about creating the Whole House on the State of the law or any international treaty. That World Heritage Sites, the Ramsar Sites Union for the consideration of the bill, is wrong. Executive Branch appointees, and Biosphere Reserves. Although pro- H.R. 883. whatever their political party, cannot ponents of these programs always keep saying the designations are made at b 1115 and should not do things that the law does not authorize, and I ask my col- the request of local communities, des- IN THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE leagues, what is unreasonable about ignation efforts are almost always Accordingly, the House resolved Congress insisting that no land be des- driven by Federal agencies, usually the itself into the Committee of the Whole ignated for inclusion in these inter- National Park Service. The Committee House on the State of the Union for the national land use programs without on Resources has not found one exam- consideration of the bill (H.R. 883) to clear and direct approval of the Con- ple where one of these designations was preserve the sovereignty of the United gress? requested by a broad-based cross-sec- States over public lands and acquired What is unreasonable about having tion of either the public or local offi- lands owned by the United States, and local citizens and public officials par- cials. On the contrary, these programs to preserve State sovereignty and pri- ticipate in decisions on designated land usually face strong local opposition. In vate property rights in non-Federal near their homes for inclusion in an my State the Alaska State Legislature lands surrounding those public lands international preserve? passed a resolution supporting H.R. 883, and acquired lands, with Mr. STEARNS If the boundaries of a national park and I will urge my colleagues to listen in the chair. are forced to change, even by a small to the debate, make their decision, but The Clerk read the title of the bill. adjustment, Congress must approve the remember their constitutional duty, The CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to the change. However, a 15.4 million acre and that is to make us the designees of rule, the bill is considered as having South Appalachian Biosphere Reserve lands use. been read the first time. encompassing parts of six States Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance Under the rule, the gentleman from stretching from northeast Alabama to of my time. Alaska (Mr. YOUNG) and the gentleman southwest Virginia was created by PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY from Minnesota (Mr. VENTO) will each unelected bureaucrats, bypassing the Mr. VENTO. Mr. Chairman, I have a control 30 minutes. Congress, and this is unconstitutional parliamentary inquiry. The Chair recognizes the gentleman and it is wrong. The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman will from Alaska (Mr. YOUNG). We need to reemphasize the congres- state his parliamentary inquiry. Mr. VENTO. Mr. Chairman, when b 1115 sional duty to keep international com- mitments from abridging traditional Members are speaking, charts are per- Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Chair- constitutional constraints. Otherwise mitted to be displayed in the House man, I yield myself such time as I may the boundaries between our owners’ Chamber and the Committee of the consume. lands and others or even between the Whole; is that correct? (Mr. YOUNG of Alaska asked and was government’s land and private prop- The CHAIRMAN. With the permis- given permission to revise and extend erty are too easily and often ignored. sion of the House, when the question is his remarks.) H.R. 883 will also prevent attempts raised, that is correct. Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Chair- by the Executive Branch to use inter- Mr. VENTO. And when Members have man, H.R. 883, the American Land Sov- national land designation to bypass the desisted from speaking, are charts still ereignty Protection Act, asserts the Congress in making land decisions and permitted to be displayed in the House? The CHAIRMAN. The charts are power of Congress on the Constitution protect our domestic land use decision- taken out of the well at that time. over the lands belonging to the United making process from unnecessary Mr. VENTO. Are they permitted to States, and this is all this bill does. international interference. be in the other portions of the House So that everyone understands, the We are going to hear a lot today from concern here is the Congress and, and be displayed at that time? the other side and those that oppose it The CHAIRMAN. They should not be therefore, the people. They are left out about this bill being driven by the fear displayed anywhere in the Chamber un- of the domestic process to designate of black helicopters and catering to less they are being used in the debate. World Heritage Sites and Biosphere Re- suspicions and conspiracy theories of Mr. VENTO. Mr. Chairman, I think serves. extremists. We will also hear a lot that there is a provision and the cus- This bill requires the participation, about the effectiveness and importance tom of the House is that these matters as the Constitution so states, that the of the wonderful programs. We are also may be displayed in the Speaker’s Member of the Congress and the citi- going to be told that these programs Lobby; is that correct? zens of this Nation are in the process. are honorary and have no effect on the The CHAIRMAN. That is permissible, Many, many Americans from all use, management or disposition of pub- with the Speaker’s approval. over, sections of our country, have lic lands. However, the World Heritage Mr. VENTO. I thank the Chairman called my office, I am sure they have Centre says otherwise. The director of for his response to me. called my colleagues also, to say they the World Heritage Centre told the In- Mr. Chairman, I yield myself 6 min- are concerned about the lack of con- terior Department in a letter: utes. gressional oversight over UNESCO ‘‘Article 1 of the World Heritage Con- Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to international land reserves in the U.S. vention obligates the State Party to this bill. This is not new legislation. It, and to express support for this bill. protect, conserve, present and transmit I think, has, and it is a case, as I said, Within the last 25 years, 83 sites in the to future generations World Heritage where we have heard this tune before United States have been designated as Sites for which they are responsible. for the last two Congresses, and the Biosphere Reserves, World Heritage This obligation extends beyond the House has passed this after spirited de- Sites or Ramsar Sites, all with vir- boundary of the site and Article 5(A) bate, and the fact is that it has gone to tually no congressional oversight and recommends the State Parties inte- the Senate and not received consider- no congressional hearings. The public grate the protection of sites into com- ation in the Senate; and I think the and local governments have not be con- prehensive planning programmes. fact is that listening to the discussion sulted. Thus, if proposed developments will of our distinguished chairman and his The World Heritage and Ramsar pro- damage the integrity of the Yellow- debate, and he is very good at debate, grams are based on a treaty. H.R. 883 stone National Park, the State Party but the fact is that the words here do does not end U.S. participation in the has a responsibility to act beyond the not match the music in terms of what World Heritage or Ramsar Sites. We National Park boundary.’’ takes place with this legislation. have domestic laws implementing Going beyond what Congress has set This is a bad bill. This really cuts the these programs, and H.R. 883 proposes aside, I submit this decision as a re- head off of these programs that the May 20, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3403 United States has led in creating on a the Biosphere area for research, and it tem to thwart any and all attempts to seize the global basis over the last 25 or 30 years was pointed out that if that mine oc- sovereignty of our great Nation by those inter- under President Nixon, under other curred, that it would adversely affect national agents of evil. Presidents that have served since then, the entire hydrology and watershed Any and all land use the restrictions in place both Democrat and Republican, Carter, and other natural factors in that area. are functions of U.S. law, not an international Reagan, Ford; pardon me, Ford, and of And the fact is that we think and I treaty or protocol. Our participation in the course Bush and now President Clin- think that the parks and other lands World Heritage Convention, the Ramsar Con- ton. These programs have been in ex- have an extra boundary responsibility, vention and the Man and the Biosphere pro- istence, and these administrations that they can go and talk about activi- gram is emblematic of this underlying policy have supported them because it is a ties outside the boundary of the parks, and the symbolic value and importance the good program. It permits the United outside the boundary of a wilderness, U.S. places on its natural resources, our nat- States to provide global leadership in outside boundaries. These trans-bound- ural legacy. The twenty sites we have nomi- terms of the preservation and con- ary issues are very important because nated under the World Heritage Convention servation of special areas such as we have to come to the realization that are listed because Congress chose to enact World Heritage Sites, which are pro- the de facto wilderness creation or policy and law to protect them, and establish tected because of their natural or cul- park creation, that the areas that hap- special land managers to regulate and enforce tural resources, Man and the Biosphere pen at their margin, boundaries, are such law. To address a specific example that programs which some 600-and-some causing these parks to be and these gave rise to this bill, the problem with the New sites globally, only about 47 in the special areas that we set aside to be ad- World Mine was that it was, in fact, too close United States incidentally, which are versely effected. to Yellowstone National Park, not that it was used for scientific research, these eco- That is what this is about. We al- too close to a World Heritage site. If we want systems where scientists can gain in- ready designated them a park. We have to debate the basic principles of environmental formation, and of course, hopefully, we already designated wilderness. But not protection, that's fine. But, we should not take that new knowledge and translate being able to attack the parks and the waste our time passing legislation that seeks it into good public policy on a global wilderness and the other conservation to abolish the programs which grow out of basis. areas that we designated directly, they these basic principles which have evolved And finally, of course, areas like wet- choose to do it through this particular over 200 years of American land use ethic. lands areas like the Ramsar sites, claim of American sovereignty and Quite simply, this legislation turns logic on its which there are over 700 sites globally, wrap themselves in that particular head. only about 15 in the United States, issue with, I guess, a strong distaste for Let's be clearÐthe goal of H.R. 883 is to again where we protect and provide the U.N. abandon these programs, not simply to regu- areas for protection of various water- Mr. Chairman, this is one thing that late them. To require an Act of Congress for fall and other fauna and flora that hap- the U.N. and UNESCO is doing right. each and every parcel of land to be consid- pen, obviously occur in these areas. This is one thing where past Presi- ered, is to effectively stop all future nomina- Now my colleague and chairman, the dents, both Democrats and Republicans tions and designations. distinguished chairman said that this and their administrations, have strong- This legislation sends a signal around the is unconstitutional. Well, where is the ly supported. There are nearly 2,000 world that our nation, the United States of court case? This has been in existence sites that have been designated and America, which forged the policy path to insti- for 30 years. Where the court case that recognized by these international bod- tute the World Heritage Convention, is under- says that this is an action taken by one ies just in these three treaty areas or cutting the values and benefits of international of these past administrations over the protocol agreements that we have here, recognition for important cultural and environ- last 25 or 30 years, that says this is un- just in these three, but there may be mental sites. At a time when the United States constitutional? others affected by this legislation. In is thrust into a role as the dominant power and We had a constitutional lawyer, I be- the United States there are only 82 of an essential role as a world leader in so many lieve Mr. Rufkin from Yale, that ap- those. areasÐwhy would we voluntarily abdicate per- peared before us. When he was asked Our leadership has done a magnifi- haps the most important leadership position that question, he was not able to come cent job here. Let us keep the United we occupyÐthat of a leader in the effort to up with one court case, one decision States in the forefront of it. Let us re- make life on this planet sustainable. This that had been made that said that this ject this bill. would convey to the hundreds of nations part was unconstitutional. Mr. Chairman, H.R. 883 is not new legisla- of the conservation treaties and protocol This is not unconstitutional. These tion. The Congress first considered this idea in agreements, that domestic political consider- designations are made in the United 1996, and then again in 1997. In both in- ations come first. If the U.S. cannot even per- States on a voluntary basis, just as stances, the other body refused to consider mit recognition to be accorded, why should they are around the globe. These are this measure on the floor and the Administra- other nations? voluntary designations. The Congress tion indicated it would veto the measure if Why are we pursuing legislation that is mis- has exercised its responsibility and passed. Why? Because they don't have vi- directed and misguided and based solely on done it well in most Congresses with sions of blue helmets dancing through their gross misinformation? Each agreement cov- regards to land use questions. In fact, heads. ered by this bill states on its face that it con- we designated parks, we have des- H.R. 883 is misguided because it is aimed tains no provision that affects, in any way, the ignated wildernesses, we have des- at the symbols of a federal policy when, what authority or ability of a participating nation to ignated and passed on and permit the the supporters of the legislation really oppose, control the lands within its border. These pro- agencies to designate on their own is the underlying policy itself. While some of grams give the UN no more control over land areas of environmental concern, for in- my colleagues and I might like to see us doing in this country than the awarding of a gold stance, in the BLM and many other even more, this country has set as a national medal gives the U.S. Olympic Committee con- areas. But the Congress has jealously policy goalÐthe long-term preservation of our trol over an American athlete. To claim that guarded, and I would jealously guard, environmental resources. The commitment this these international programs somehow infringe the right of Congress to, in fact, iden- Nation has made to this preservation/con- on the sovereignty of this nation is simply fac- tify and to designate these various servation/restoration policy sometimes de- tually inaccurate. lands for the purposes that we are en- mands that certain activities which threaten Finally, the largest threat to this nation's trusted to do so, but the fact is that these resources be prohibited, and/or tightly sovereignty isn't even addressed. Any foreign what we are saying here is that these limited by us and no one else. The reality of company or their subsidiary is still given full areas have already been designated. the circumstance regarding these voluntary and free access for any and all of America's Now the big complaint here really re- agreements is that no blue helmets will come valuable natural resources. Each year we volves around Yellowstone and a mine parachuting behind national park lines in black watch $1.8 billion worth of gold and silver that was occurring outside of Yellow- helicopters to seize control of American lands stream out of our ports and into the coffers of stone but in obviously the watershed of all in the name of preservation or conserva- foreign owned companies. What's worse, Yellowstone, and the fact of the matter tion. Besides, after today we may have made while we debate this phantom legislation, for- is that area was designated a Man and a statement as to a crack missile defense sys- eign nations are cashing in big-time, and H3404 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 20, 1999 laughing all the way to the bank with our re- but they could not get it done legisla- tional Park and have the Denali Na- sources. I will introduce an amendment to cor- tively, even though it is clearly legisla- tional Forest exempted, then he can do rect this situation and bring balance back to tive responsibility to designate public that for the State of Alaska, but for the management of our natural resources. land use. So they went around the back California we have community local Mr. Chairman, this is an issue of takings, door and had the U.N. committee in 3 water districts in Marin County; we not of private property, but of the stripped days make that designation. have private lands in California; we international recognition and esteem the citi- This is a good bill. This is something have State parks in California. All of zens of the United States, and the world place that Americans have the right, the those requested to be part of this sys- on some of America's most stunning and eco- Congress has the right and the respon- tem because we want to be better in- logically important natural resources. Teddy sibility to make these designations, formed, we want to be educated. We are Roosevelt ushered in a new era of conserva- and all we are asking is that these des- not part of this flat earth society that tion and respect for the natural heritage of the ignations be approved by the Congress. is afraid of learning about something. United States at the beginning of the twentieth I urge my colleagues to support H.R. So this bill would deny our ability to century. How ironic it is that nearly a century 883. get that nomination because one would later this Nation may come full circle and, if Mr. VENTO. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 have to go through this incredible con- this legislation passes, denounce the impor- minutes to the distinguished gen- gressional process. We cannot even tance of those very parks and resources on tleman from California (Mr. FARR). pass legislation here to keep the coun- Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Chair- which the heritage of this nation is based. try running. How are we going to make man, I thank the gentleman from Min- I would urge my colleagues to oppose H.R. decisions on whether somebody should nesota (Mr. VENTO) for yielding me this 883. be able to voluntarily be placed in an Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Chair- time. Mr. Chairman, I rise in total opposi- international information system? man, I yield 3 minutes to the gentle- This is a ludicrous bill. Please defeat woman from Wyoming (Mrs. CUBIN). tion to this bill because there is abso- lutely nothing out there that is broken it. Mrs. CUBIN. Mr. Chairman, I rise in Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Chair- strong support of H.R. 883, and I thank that needs fixing. This addresses a man, I yield myself such time as I may the chairman and the committee staff problem that does not exist. consume. for getting this bill done in such good Let me say I know something about this issue because I own land that is Mr. Chairman, I would just like to re- form and to the floor so quickly. mind the gentleman from California I am glad that I am speaking right designated by this. I own an inholding (Mr. FARR), who just spoke, who is a after the gentleman from Minnesota in the University of California property dear friend of mine, that the landowner because he made the statement that we in Big Sur, California. We are proud of in Yellowstone did not request that all know this is about Yellowstone Na- this designation. One cannot get a des- participation in the World Heritage tional Park, and I represent Wyoming ignation unless the landowner, in this Program. In fact, she opposed it and which has the most of Yellowstone Na- case it would be the Federal Govern- unfortunately she was not listened to. tional Park, and he said that the U.N. ment for National Parks or for Bureau In our hearings in New York, we had is doing a good job by these designa- of Land Management lands, or in our people that came to the committee and tions, that the reason that Yellowstone case a private owner, has to request said that, yes, the Federal Government was designated, because a mine was the nomination. That is the only way was trying to implement Heritage sites going to be developed north of Yellow- it can come is from the owner of the in their districts and they adamantly stone that might affect the watershed. land to say we would like to partici- Mr. Chairman, let me tell my col- pate in the program. opposed it. It is happening right today leagues the rest of the story. For 2 The program is essentially an inter- in Lake Champlain. So what I am just suggesting is as years an environmental impact state- national way of being able to have a much as I admire the sincerity of the ment had been going on, and profes- common database about measurement gentleman, I would like to have him sional scientists were not able in 2 of environmental factors, so that we look at some of the records. years time to determine whether or not can see whether there are like kind of Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he that developing that mine would put factors around the world, there are like may consume to the gentleman from Yellowstone National Park in jeop- kinds of problems or are the problems Utah (Mr. HANSEN). ardy. that are developing in an area signifi- cant to that area. (Mr. HANSEN asked and was given b 1130 To go out and say that we should permission to revise and extend his re- They were working toward that, but have congressional approval for these marks.) they still had more work to do before designations is so ludicrous. I mean, Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Chairman, I stand they professionally could say that was why do we not have congressional ap- in strong support of this legislation. true. proval and oversight for accreditation Mr. Chairman, Thomas Jefferson once said In 3 days’ time, the United Nations of universities? That is not done by ``When all government, domestic and foreign, came in. Three days later they deter- Congress, or by any government. Why in little as in great things, shall be drawn to mined that this indeed was an area in do we not have the AAA, the guides Washington as the center of all power, it . . . jeopardy, and then it was designated an that go around and say that one can will become as venal and oppressive as the area in jeopardy. So if that is what the sleep in these hotels and motels, we do government from which we separated.'' The gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. VENTO) not have any congressional oversight current system for establishing international thinks is a good job, I certainly would of that. We do not have any congres- land reserves ignores Jefferson's warning by have to disagree with him. sional oversight of TV Guide or the centralizing the power with the President and I do agree with him, however, on the motion picture movie ratings. We do taking away the authority of Congress, the fact that what this argument boils not have any oversight of the Good States and the average citizen. down to are these transboundary Housekeeping or Consumer Reports During the last 25 years, our nation's public issues. As far back as 1818, the United Magazine. We do not demand that we lands have slowly been consumed by inter- States Supreme Court ruled in the have to look at these things. national land reserves. Most notably 47 United United States v. Bevins that a State’s Why? They are not a problem where Nations Biosphere Reserves, 20 World Herit- right to control property within its one wants to involve congressional ac- age Sites and 16 Ramsar Sites. These re- borders was an essential part of its sov- tion in this thing. serves were created with virtually no congres- ereignty, and I think that H.R. 883 is To say that we should have Congress sional oversight, no hearings, and in the case yet another affirmation of that prin- telling our local communities and of biosphere reserves, no legislative authority. ciple. What was done when this des- States that they cannot have their I don't know about you Mr. Chairman, but my ignation was made around Yellowstone property so designated, I think, is to- ability to represent my constituents as a voting was it virtually built a buffer zone tally wrong. It is a usurpation of local member of this body is important to me! We around Yellowstone. control. cannot allow this administration to take our It is something the administration If the chairman would like to have vote away. I ask that you support the Amer- had been trying to do for a long time Alaska properties and have Glacier Na- ican Land Sovereignty Protection Act. May 20, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3405 Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Chair- Arkansas counties and put them into a as an analyst for Price Waterhouse be- man, I yield myself such time as I may biosphere reserve. fore buying the sawmill. consume. Let me say there was no local input Needless to say, Carl Barnes, the Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Chair- involved whatsoever, and that my folks sawmill owner, talked about the man, will the gentleman yield? had to scrape and claw their way to threats from this coordinated resource Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. I yield to the find out anything about this. They management system and the threats gentleman from California. were simply tipped off one day by a that this would have upon outdoor Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Chair- friend on the conservation commission. recreation because they listed farming man, if that is the case then I would The amazing thing was, when they and mining as threats to outdoor recre- suggest within his authority as chair- went to the agencies, the Department ation and our ecosystem health. man of the Committee on Resources of Interior, specifically to ask about The fact of the matter is we can do it that the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. exactly what was happening, the Inte- all, and I think that we do it all re- YOUNG) may want to just limit this rior Department said, do not worry sponsibly. We simply need to have this then to Federal properties and not to about this; it was going to be fine; we program put in place so that local citi- State and local properties or private have talked to lots of local citizens zens who live in areas for proposed des- properties. around the district. ignations have input, that is all it is, Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. I believe my Well, the fact of the matter is, every and that Congress have input, too. bill does that. It does limit it just to single county in my district that would I urge a yes vote on H.R. 883. Federal properties. be impacted by this had absolutely no Mr. VENTO. Mr. Chairman, I yield 5 Mr. Chairman, I yield 6 minutes to public solicitation by the Interior De- minutes to the distinguished gen- the gentlewoman from Missouri (Mrs. partment, Fish and Wildlife, whomever tleman from Colorado (Mr. UDALL), a EMERSON). was involved, whatsoever. Not one member of the Committee on Re- Mrs. EMERSON. Mr. Chairman, I am county commissioner was called, not sources. pleased to rise in support of H.R. 883. I one local citizens group, and it was not Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Chair- do want to say to my friend, the gen- until we had enough cattlemen’s asso- man, I want to thank my colleague, tleman from California (Mr. FARR), ciations, enough farm bureau associa- the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. that I know that there are many places tions and finally all of the county com- VENTO), for yielding me the time. that perhaps are honored to have these missions writing their own resolutions Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to designations bestowed upon them. On that this was a bad idea that the des- this bill. This bill would undo some of the other hand, in my district, a des- ignation was dropped and these 15 the most important progress that has ignation was going to be thrust upon counties in Missouri and Arkansas been achieved toward protection of people without any local input and I were saved from having to have a bio- internationally important cultural, think that is what this legislation is sphere reserve designation put on them historical and environmental re- trying to clarify. because, quite frankly, my citizens sources. I do want to thank the gentleman were afraid that once the designation What would enactment of this bill from Alaska (Chairman YOUNG) for his happened then the government would mean? Well, for starters, it would mean strong leadership on this issue and, in find more and more reasons to seize the that the United States has decided to fact, the leadership he shows on many contiguous property around, and that politicize the question of whether our private property rights issues, and the would be their private property. country will continue to take part in I think this really shows that we work that he has done on behalf of pri- the World Heritage Convention, the have a broken process and that experi- vate property owners. Man and the Biosphere Program, and ence makes the case for our bill today. I would also like to extend a similar the so-called Ramsar Convention re- All this bill would do would be to es- thanks to the gentlewoman from Idaho garding wetlands that have particular tablish an appropriate process for bio- (Mrs. CHENOWETH), who chairs the Sub- importance as waterfowl habitat. That spheres and heritage area designations committee on Forests and Forest might not be objectionable if our par- and ensure that local input and partici- Health, who has been a devoted cham- ticipation in these international pro- pation of Congress is involved. I do not pion of private property rights. She re- grams involved any trade-offs in terms think that is asking too much. I think cently came to my district in southern of our ability to make decisions about it is very, very reasonable. Missouri to represent the Committee I will say, back when the gentle- the management of our lands or re- sources, but the fact is that nothing in on Resources and to chair a hearing on woman from Idaho (Mrs. CHENOWETH) the legislation we are talking about and I were in Missouri, we heard from these international agreements affects today. 12 different panelists, one of whom was the ownership or the management of We heard from a lot of local people, a county commissioner; one was the any lands or other resources. farmers, county officials, ranchers, former chairman of the Missouri Con- Similarly, I could understand the small businesspeople, property owners, servation Commission; several private need for this legislation if, as some of those people who have the most at citizens, but Leon Kreisler, who was a its supporters claim, these inter- stake when international land designa- cattleman, and a landowner in Salem, national agreements have eaten away tion issues arises. Missouri, said, and I quote, ‘‘We feel at the power and sovereignty of the Let me just talk a little bit about strongly about property rights not be- Congress to exercise its constitutional what the gentlewoman from Idaho cause we share a common desire to power to make the laws that govern (Mrs. CHENOWETH) and I learned during abuse our natural resources but be- Federal lands, but here we are debating the recent field hearing in the Missouri cause landowners are often best suited a bill that would be an exercise of ex- Ozarks, but I am just going to take a to ensure productivity for our families actly that constitutional power, and second before that to talk about how I and those of future generations. The that constitutional power is fully in- became involved in this issue. Ozarks are a natural wonder and we in- tact today, fully intact with regard to Back in 1996, as I was traveling tend to keep them that way, but na- each and every acre of Federal lands, across my district, in every single lit- tional or international designations including all the Federal lands that are tle town in the center of my district, are not the answer.’’ covered by these international agree- which is part of the Mark Twain Na- Mr. Kreisler makes the point that I ments. tional Forest, in which there is tour- would like to reiterate, that our farm- So what is the real point of this bill? ism that really promotes the local ers and our ranchers are among the As far as I can tell, it is primarily a economy and some timber sales every- best conservationists anywhere be- means for supporters to take a shot at where, Ellington, Van Buren, Salem, to cause they depend on the land for their the United Nations and particularly name a few, people were concerned livelihood and they know that if they UNESCO, and to demonstrate their sol- about these designations and particu- do not take care of the land then the idarity with some who seem to view larly about something called the Ozark land is not going to take care of them. the U.N. as engaged in a vast Man and the Biosphere program that We had also an owner from a sawmill multiwing conspiracy to overthrow our basically would take 15 Missouri and in Potosi, Missouri. He spent 20 years constitutional government. I do not H3406 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 20, 1999 think the U.N. is a threat to Congress’ tleman from Alaska for his efforts in money under false pretenses, and this authority over Federal lands or to any this regard. He has been a champion of bill ought to be opposed and defeated. other part of the Constitution. I do private property rights for many years, I would like to read from a letter think this bill, if we take it seriously, I have known him for 23 years, and I re- from the American Policy Center is a threat to America’s international spect him greatly. which I will include for the RECORD at leadership in environmental conserva- I represent the east side of the State the end of my statement. This is a let- tion and in the protection of historical of Washington, one-fourth of the size of ter written by the American Policy and cultural resources. our State, and in that portion of the Center, signed by Tom DeWeese, the b 1145 State of Washington there are wonder- president, urging citizens to send ful open space lands that people in- money in to pass this bill, H.R. 883, to So I think this bill is bad for our habit who are very protective of their ‘‘stop the U.N. land grab of American country, and I know it is bad for my private property rights. soil,’’ a land grab, Mr. Chairman, that home State of Colorado. The right to own property is a core does not exist; urging citizens and this I want to tell my colleagues about principle on which our country was Congress to stop the U.N. from desig- the two Biosphere Reserves that we founded. Over the years, the Federal nating any more U.S. soil as World have, areas that are part of the Man Government has established programs Heritage Sites or Biosphere Reserves. and the Biosphere Program. One is the like the World Heritage Sites and Bio- The U.N. does not make those designa- Niwot Ridge Research area and the sphere Reserves, without the approval tions, Mr. Chairman. other is Rocky Mountain National of Congress, Mr. Chairman, and that It identifies a U.N. land grab of Park. As it now stands, this bill would overrides the intentions of the Con- American soil; calls for the Congress to kick those areas out of the program stitution and our Founding Fathers. stop liberals from terminating the unless Congress passes a new law to re- Under the U.S. Constitution, Con- United Nations’ influence on 51 million tain them. gress retains the power to, quote, acres of U.S. park land. Mr. Chairman, To get a better idea of what that ‘‘make all needful rules and regula- the U.N. does not have influence over would mean for Niwot Ridge, I con- tions governing lands belonging to the 51 million acres of United States na- tacted Professor Bowman, the Director United States.’’ The lands designated tional park land. It says that liberals of the University of Colorado’s Moun- under the World Heritage Sites and know this bill will lead to the end of tain Research Station, and he ex- Biosphere Reserves have been so des- international treaties and agreements plained to me that having Niwot Ridge ignated without the approval of Con- that give the U.N. control over devel- in the Biosphere Reserve System, it gress. opment of American soil. There are no provided a framework for international So this bill restores the intentions of such international treaties and agree- cooperation of many important re- our Founding Fathers by requiring ments, nor should there be, nor would search efforts, including working with congressional approval for any nomina- this Congress vote for, nor would any the Biosphere Reserve in the Czech Re- tion of property located in the United President negotiate such international public to address air pollution prob- States for inclusion in the World Herit- treaties. It is just bogus. lems, which is a matter of great impor- age list. It prohibits any Federal offi- The letter talks about radicals like tance not only to us, but to the Czechs. cial from nominating U.S. property for AL GORE and Bruce Babbitt that en- He told me that the biosphere program designation as a biosphere reserve and force treaties in a way that give the also had been helpful to people at prohibits any Federal official from des- U.N. authority over our land and our Niwot Ridge as they worked with the ignating any land in the U.S. for a spe- private property every day. GORE and Forest Service to develop a land man- cial or restricted use under any inter- Babbitt are not radicals and they are agement plan that would promote mul- national agreement unless the designa- not doing any such thing. This letter tiple use by minimizing the conflicts tion has been authorized by law. talks about open warfare in coming that we all grapple with here over It simply says Congress is going to be weeks to pass this bill. Mr. DeWeese recreation and scientific and other involved in this, these approvals of the talks about meeting with the gen- uses, which is again a matter of great disposition of Federal lands. I think tleman from Alaska (Mr. YOUNG) and importance to Colorado and all other they are common sense changes here saying that the American Policy Cen- public land States. that restore the role of Congress in the ter will back him all the way in the I also talked to the National Park process of changing designation of battle to pass this bill. Service about Rocky Mountain Na- lands that are Federal lands, and it re- Of course, then Mr. DeWeese goes to tional Park, which again is included as stores the intentions of our Founding the heart of the matter and asks for a biosphere reserve. They told me that Fathers, and I hope that my colleagues any contribution from $17 to $1,000 to it not only means that there are more will support it. help the American Policy Center in research activities at the park, but I thank the gentleman from Alaska their efforts. that it meant a significant increase in (Mr. YOUNG) and the gentlewoman from Mr. Chairman, this bill is not needed. park visitation, tourism, which not Idaho (Mrs. CHENOWETH) for their en- We should oppose it. It is nothing but only provides important educational gagement and involvement in this. scare tactics from the right wing. We benefits but is an important part of our Mr. VENTO. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 should vote ‘‘no.’’ economy in Colorado. Kicking these minutes to the gentleman from Penn- AMERICAN POLICY CENTER, areas out of the program would be bad sylvania (Mr. HOEFFEL). Herndon, VA. for Colorado and something that I can- Mr. HOEFFEL. Mr. Chairman, I DEAR FRIEND OF APC: I have just come not support. thank the gentleman for yielding me from an emergency meeting on Capitol Hill, Exempting the Colorado areas from this time. and I have important news for you. the bill would be an improvement, but Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to I was meeting with several national lead- I do not think that alone would make the American Land Sovereignty Pro- ers to plan a strategy to pass Congressman the bill acceptable. We need to reject tection Act. This bill is unnecessary, it Don Young’s ‘‘American Land Sovereignty Protection Act’’ (H.R. 883). this bill, move away from the pos- is unjustified. It addresses a phantom As I’m sure you remember, we were suc- turing and begin working on the real problem. It would seriously damage our cessful last year in passing this bill in the problems that face us on our public country’s continued participation in House of Representatives to stop the UN lands. important international efforts to pro- land grab of American Soil. Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Chair- tect valuable land around the world. But we were stopped cold in the U.S. Sen- man, I yield 2 minutes to the gen- But worst of all, it caters to the sus- ate. We didn’t even get a hearing on the Sen- tleman from Washington (Mr. picions and the conspiracy theories of ate version of the Bill. Because the Senate did not act, we have to start all over again NETHERCUTT). extreme organizations and individuals, and pass it again in the House, while we Mr. NETHERCUTT. Mr. Chairman. I and it leads directly to scare tactics build strength in the Senate. am delighted to support this bill, the such as those used by the American We intend to win this time. We intend to American Land Sovereignty Protection Policy Center in attempts to alarm pass the Bill in both Houses of Congress and Act. I really want to thank the gen- American citizens and frankly, to raise stop the UN from designating any more U.S. May 20, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3407 soil as World Heritage Sites or Biosphere Re- The whole purpose of the American Sov- more important legislation before the U.S. serves. ereignty Protection Act is to restore the role Congress than the American Land Sov- We believe Congressman Young has the of Congress where it should have been all ereignty Protection Act. votes to pass it again in the House. In fact, along—as the administrator with sovereign The bill truly is the whole ball game for he already has 158 co-sponsors, with more control over public lands in the United our property rights. Pass it—and the UN is joining each day. He also has the support of States. less of a threat. That’s why the liberals hate new House Speaker Dennis Hastert. That authority has been slowly eroded it with a passion. The problem, again, is in the Senate. over the years by a series of environmental Now is the time. This is the battle. Please Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell of Colo- treaties and agreements that subject our help me win it. rado has again agreed to introduce the public lands to the influences of UN officials Sincerely, ‘‘American Land Sovereignty Protection Act and UN-dictated rules. And with the help of TOM DEWEESE, in the Senate. The Bill number is S. 510. the Clinton Administration. President. But Senator Campbell has only been able Those rules not only tell the United States P.S. You and I will not fight a more impor- to sign on six co-sponsors. Without more what it must do with public lands—but they tant battle in 1999 than this one to pass the support, S. 510 will again die in the Senate. also affect private property as well. American Land Sovereignty Protection Act. You and I can’t let that happen. Not again. Just ask the owner of the gold mine that It is crucial that I receive your signed ‘‘Leg- You and I need to storm the Senate. Here’s was located outside Yellowstone National islative Petition’’ right away. Equally im- how. Park. He was on private land—his land. Now portant is your financial support to keep First, I have enclosed a ‘‘Legislative Peti- he’s out of business. Why? Because the APC in the battle. Without you, I can do tion’’ to Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott. United Nations said so. nothing. Please help. Thanks for all you do. He will be key in the fight to build support And these UN treaties, like the Biodiver- Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Chair- in the Senate. sity Treaty and the World Heritage Sites are man, how much time remains? Frankly, without his support there can be incredibly dangerous when radicals like Vice The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman no floor vote on S. 510. President Al Gore and Interior Secretary from Alaska (Mr. YOUNG) has 131⁄2 min- That’s why it is urgent that you imme- Bruce Babbitt hold power. utes remaining; the gentleman from diately sign and return your ‘‘Legislative Pe- They can enforce the treaties in a way that Minnesota (Mr. VENTO) has 15 minutes tition’’ to me right away. You and I must gives the UN authority over our land and our flood Lott’s office with petitions to prove S. private property. And they are doing it every remaining. 510 has strong national support. day. Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Chair- So please sign you petition and return it to The House of Representatives recognized man, I yield 3 minutes to the gen- me immediately. the danger and passed Don Young’s Bill in tleman from Arkansas (Mr. HUTCH- But you and I can’t stop there. the 105th Congress. They know that the INSON). Senator Campbell needs more co-sponsors threat is real, and we can pass the Bill in the Mr. HUTCHINSON. Mr. Chairman, I for the Bill. Please call both of your states House again in the 106th Congress. thank the gentleman from Alaska for U.S. Senators and ask them to co-sponsor S. But the real battle is now in the Senate. yielding and for his work on this legis- 510. Simply call the Senate switchboard at And I tell you with complete honesty—we lation. I do rise in support of it. 202–224–3121, and ask for your Senators by will have to fight like the Dickens to with- I want to respond to the gentleman name. stand the coming liberal firestorm. The lib- Just as important, however is that you erals will use everything in their arsenal to from Pennsylvania as to what he indi- contact you Congressman to make sure he stop this Bill. And the Senate is not a friend- cated about this. I agree that there has supports Congressman Young’s House ly place for property owners. been, and there always will be, over- version (H.R. 883). We must have a strong Get ready for open warfare. It’s coming. In statements about the dangers of poten- show in the House as well. If not, all of our the next few weeks. tial actions that are taken, and in this efforts in the Senate will be in vain. At our meeting today, I promised Con- case the dangers of the Biosphere Pro- So please, call your Congressman at 202– gressman Young that APC would back him gram. But the argument has been made 225–3121. Tell him to support H.R. 883. all the way in the battle to pass the Amer- that the United Nation’s designation is It is vital that you do all you can—if we ican Land Sovereignty Protection Act. And I are going to stop the UN’s land grab of meant it. That includes leading the fight in important because it provides some American soil. To win, you and I will have to the Senate. international protections for these beat overwhelming odds. Your enclosed ‘‘Legislative Petition’’ is my worldwide important sites. Well, if it But don’t despair. You and I can win this first step. Please. It is urgent that you sign provides some protections, then there battle. it and return it to me today. We simply must is some implied authority, if not direct Remember when the fight to stop the UN build pressure on Trent Lott to support the authority, that is yielded to that inter- land grab started in the 104th Congress? Bill. That’s why it’s also important that you national body; otherwise, the designa- Democrats refused to even attend hearings. begin making phone calls to your Senators tion would have no significance. If it They laughed and called Congressman and Congressman to ask them to co-sponsor Young’s bill the ‘‘black helicopter’’ bill. and support the bills (H.R. 883 and S. 510). has no significance, then why would They called it ‘‘preposterous,’’ ‘‘absurd’’ and Over the coming weeks APC will get this anyone oppose this simple legislation. ‘‘crazy.’’ The very idea that someone was message to hundreds of thousands of Ameri- I have a habit in this Congress of try- challenging the UN was laughable to them. cans to build the pressure. ing to read legislation, and I took the They’re not laughing now. You and I can pass this bill and cut the time to read this bill that has been of- The liberals know they must stop the bill. power of the UN! fered by the gentleman from Alaska And they know the Senate is their last But to do it, I urgently need your financial (Mr. YOUNG), H.R. 883, and it says, chance. Liberals know this bill will termi- support. Will you help me keep up this fight ‘‘Any designation as a Biosphere Re- nate United Nations’ influence on 51 million to save America from the UN land grab? acres of U.S. national parklands. I’ve been appearing on radio and television serve under the Man and Biosphere Liberals know this bill will gut the ex- programs and speaking before audiences Program of UNESCO shall not be given tremist United Nations’ environmental agen- across this nation to sound the alarm on the any force or effect unless the Biosphere da and will lead to the end of international UN land grab. The response is incredible. Reserve is specifically authorized by a treaties and agreements that give the UN When Americans know the truth—they do law.’’ control over development of American soil. the right thing. But they are not hearing Now, the argument is made, well, Liberals know this bill forces them to take most of this story from anyone but the why should Congress engage in this ac- a side. Do liberals support your right to own American Policy Center. But, through APC’s tivity? Well, I voted on naming postal and control your private property or not? effort, we are truly awakening a slumbering buildings; I voted on naming Federal The bill exposes the left’s property-grab- giant. bing agenda. It weakens to United Nations’ Will you help me stay in the fight by send- buildings; we vote on postage stamps. influence in the world. That’s why they ing me your most generous contribution of So there is a lot of designations that know they must stop the American Land at least $17? we do in this Congress. Sovereignty Protection Act at all costs. Remember, the Sierra Club and their bud- I believe that private ownership of So, right now, the Sierra Club, the Audu- dies have millions of dollars in their war property is important. I believe that bon Society, the Nature Conservancy and all chest. I have only you. So if you can send a our National Heritage Sites, our parks of their extremist environmental buddies are larger donation of $25, $50, $100, $250, $500, or are very important, and I think that charging up Capitol Hill, swarming over Sen- even $1,000, I will be able to counter the lib- Congress has a role, and when the con- ate offices, using all of their power to keep eral barrage, word for word. this Bill from gaining co-sponsors or a floor You know APC’s record and what we can stituents express a concern about a vote. do when our action alert system is firing on particular designation, that it is right They know we can pass this bill. Our posi- all cylinders. But it takes dollars to fuel the and proper in this democracy for Con- tion is strong. engine. I need you now. There really is no gress to address it. H3408 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 20, 1999 The Ozark Highland Man and Bio- 1960s.’’ Then I asked him, ‘‘Well, have they are the property of the United sphere Plan was advanced in northern you ever gone to court to ask for this States, and we must maintain absolute Arkansas and southern Missouri with- to be ruled unconstitutional, the loss autonomy in our land management de- out public input. It was withdrawn of sovereignty?’’ He said, ‘‘Well, no.’’ cisions. after property owners, timber pro- The reason he has never done it is he I am proud to be a cosponsor of the ducers and other residents in the re- knows darn well it is not unconstitu- bill, and urge my colleagues to support gion learned of and opposed the des- tional. it. ignation. This is a bunch of flimflam where Mr. VENTO. Mr. Chairman, I yield I believe the Chairman’s bill is rea- people are trying to foist these fears on myself such time as I may consume. sonable. I believe it is appropriate. I the American people. Mr. Chairman, again, I rise in opposi- believe it maintains the balance be- The last point I want to make, the tion to this bill. I would just point out tween executive action and legislative World Heritage Convention that is to my colleagues that the only power authority and certainly, when our con- under attack here as some kind of so- with regard to the disposition or the stituents have a concern about these cialist plot was introduced under the use of the lands that are within these types of designations, that it is appro- administration of Richard Nixon. Rich- designations are inherent in the laws priate that we have congressional over- ard Nixon came up with this socialist that Congress has passed and delegated sight and input into that process. So I plot, and it is something that has been to the Park Service, to the Fish and ask my colleagues to support this im- effective to try to get international at- Wildlife Service, the BLM, the Forest portant legislation. tention to help us in this country pre- Service, or other land managers to Mr. VENTO. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 serve what we believe are our national manage. In fact, this is a voluntary thing. All minutes to the gentleman from Wash- treasures. of these designations that are being ington (Mr. INSLEE), a member of the This is another sad step of my friends discussed here, whether it is the Committee on Resources. across the aisle, frankly, leaving that Ramsar treaty or the Man and the Bio- Mr. INSLEE. Mr. Chairman, I rise tradition of Teddy Roosevelt and even sphere, which happens to be the pro- today in vigorous opposition to H.R. Richard Nixon. We ought to keep this gram associated with the UNESCO pro- 883, which really ought to be titled the thing on the books as it is and reject gram, or the World Heritage Conven- American Land Paranoia Act, because this bill. tion and the sites that are identified, the principal purpose of this act is to Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Chair- only some 15 sites in the United States, sow paranoia among Americans who man, I yield 11⁄2 minutes to the gen- are all voluntary. ought to take pride in our interest in tleman from Colorado (Mr. TANCREDO). The laws that govern these sites are protecting some of our national treas- Mr. TANCREDO. Mr. Chairman, I am the laws of the national and State gov- ures. I will tell my colleagues that this the newest member of the Committee ernments, and the private property is not a small matter. on Resources, and I would like to com- rights and laws are completely intact. Some may think this is a small mat- mend my distinguished colleague from They are not changed by these vol- ter, we should not worry about it. I the great State of Alaska (Mr. YOUNG) untary designations. In fact, when want to tell my colleagues a little for his leadership in introducing this making the designations or the rec- story. I was up on the border of the bill. ognition of these sites on a global State of Washington and Canada about Under Article IV, section 3 of the basis, one of the criteria is in fact that three years ago, four years ago now; in Constitution, quote, ‘‘The Congress the laws and rules are in place that fact it was in what used to be the dis- shall have the power to dispose of and will accord the proper use of these trict of the gentleman from Wash- make all needful rules and regulations lands. So that is one of the pre- ington (Mr. NETHERCUTT). I was talking respecting the territory or other prop- requisites. to a fellow who was a businessperson, a erty belonging to the United States.’’ I would point out that the laws that nice fellow, a pillar of the community. b 1200 affected the New World Mine were He lives about 10 miles from the Cana- those that were being applied through dian border. We got in a nice little dis- Mr. Chairman, the Constitution is the Park Service and the Forest Serv- cussion at a county fair. clear. The United Nations, despite ef- ice in the State of Wyoming, in the He said, ‘‘Jay, what are you going to forts by its supporters, is not a gov- State of Montana, and the other States do about those tanks the U.N. has up erning body superior in authority to within which Yellowstone lies. on those railroad cars just over the Ca- this Congress. The point is that there is no impact. nadian border?’’ And I kind of chuck- I know that comes as a shock to The impact here, of course, is one of led. I said, ‘‘Henry, what are you talk- some of my colleagues in this place and cooperation and collaboration, building ing about?’’ He said, ‘‘Well, you know, certainly some of the supporters from on the laws that we have and attempt- those tanks that the U.N. has across whom I have heard, who believe that ing to encourage other Nations to in the border that they are going to use to the United Nations has some superior fact emulate the stewardship, the con- come in to establish this United Na- claim to the sovereignty of the United servation, and preservation efforts that tions park in the North Cascades.’’ States, particularly when it comes to we have made in terms of these impor- I laughed. Then I saw he was serious. determining what is the appropriate tant sites, because they are important He was serious. And the reason he was use of the land within our borders. It as a natural heritage site or cultural serious is that the advocates of things is, however, not, as I say, not a supe- site or because they are important for like this bill have convinced this gen- rior authority to this Congress. research or for water fall. tleman and a lot of people in America Yet, the U.N. is designating land So the only issue here is one where that somehow the tanks with the blue within our country’s borders for special we could say that the Man and the Bio- helmets and the black helicopters are protection without the consent of the sphere program has not directly been coming to take away their livelihood, House. authorized by Congress, although we and that is flat wrong. Flat wrong. There are 83 U.N. sites in America, have appropriated money for it. This is no unconstitutional loss. Mr. Chairman. In my home State of We have many laws today where the Mr. Chairman, we sat in the hearings Colorado there are five United Nations authorization has expired or has not and I was engaged with the committee biosphere reserves. I can tell the Mem- been made, where the Office of Manage- on hearings on this. People came for- bers, having served in the Colorado ment and Budget, because money is ap- ward and they sent to us this law pro- State legislature for many years, those propriated, the courts have ruled that fessor or lawyer, I do not know if he is sites were designated without the ex- in fact it has the force and effect of in a professor, and he argued for 10 min- press consent of the State of Colorado fact Congress authorizing and lawfully utes passionately about how this vio- and without the Congress of the United permitting that type of designation, lated the Constitution of America. States. and we have done that for that pro- Then I asked him a simple question. I have visited many of these areas. I gram, clearly a case we made to bring I said, ‘‘How long has this been on the agree they are incredible and breath- up an authorization bill and deal with books?’’ He said, ‘‘Well, since the late taking. I agree they are a treasure, but it in that manner. May 20, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3409 But that has not been the disposition United Nations bureaucracy that has buildings and moving boundaries, or of the committee. What they have cho- grown out of control.’’ I support H.R. protect the sovereignty of this Nation? sen to do, of course, is because, in my 883 thoroughly. That is our first and foremost responsi- judgment, they cannot attack the Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the bility. parks, they cannot attack some of the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. PE- Mr. Chairman, another thing that I land uses which they have an issue TERSON). have heard from the opposition to this with directly, they have turned around Mr. PETERSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. bill is that it does not involve private and wrapped themselves in this ques- Chairman, I rise to support this legisla- property. I can tell the Members, it tion of sovereignty, which there is no tion. I find it very difficult to under- does involve private property when constitutional case here. There is no stand the arguments of those who op- they seized control and took over the court case here that has been pursued pose it. New World Mine, a patented mine. that has been positive that would indi- What is wrong with Congress being in That was in fact private property. cate the statements being made are ac- control? What is wrong with the people In fact, the American taxpayer had curate. in our districts, if they agree or dis- to pony up $68 million to pay off the They are not accurate. They have agree, having a right to talk to their Canadian leasehold interests for their never been tested in court. I think they Congressman? loss in the property. The woman who are inaccurate. They can test such Don Hodel also said, ‘‘During the owned the property, who had the pat- issues in court and get answers back as Reagan administration, these designa- ent on the mine, still stands empty- to whether they are appropriate. tions were honorary and benign in na- handed. This Congress must deal with In fact, this has been praised by ture. However, like so many United Na- that problem, too. many. I just picked up a statement tions programs, this one has fallen sub- Mr. Chairman, this very simple bill here, a press release by Secretary of In- ject to inappropriate mission creep. It enacts three very basic requirements. terior Don Hodel, most recently, of has become a proxy for international Number one is it requires the Sec- course, who led the Christian Coali- attempts to override national sov- retary of the Interior to require the ap- tion, but before that he worked in the ereignty and control land use.’’ proval of Congress for any nomination State of Washington and on Bonneville Why was America founded by Euro- of property located in the United Power, and was our Secretary of Inte- peans and Asians? Because they wanted States for inclusion in the World Herit- rior under then President Ronald additional freedom, they wanted con- age list. Reagan. trol, they wanted to be in charge, and Number two, the bill would prohibit This letter was dated October 10, 1986, they certainly do not want people from Federal officials from nominating any a press release in which he stated how other countries, and designating is land in the United States as a bio- enthusiastic and proud the Department fine, but having other people to have a sphere reserve unless Congress ratifies was of the Statue of Liberty which was say about how land is used in our and enacts the Biosphere Reserve Trea- designated a World Heritage Site. So I parks, in our public lands, makes no ty. think this just sort of indicates across sense in this country. Finally, H.R. 883 simply prohibits the board how important this is. This This is about sovereignty. This is any Federal official from designating is why all of the environmental groups about freedom. This is about America any land in the United States for a spe- and conservation groups oppose this being in charge of Americans; having cial or restricted use under any inter- legislation. relations with other countries, but national agreement unless such des- I will offer an amendment in this they should not have a say in America, ignation is specifically approved by process, Mr. Chairman, which will ad- and the American public should have law. dress some real concerns, and that is Congress to go back to. That is all we I might remind my colleagues on the the commercial use by foreign entities are asking, for Congress to be the final other side of the aisle that while the of U.S. properties for mining, for graz- word. World Heritage sites have been or the ing, for timber harvesting. Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Chair- treaty was approved by the Democrat- If we are so concerned about the pres- man, I yield 71⁄2 minutes to the gentle- led Senate during the Nixon adminis- ervation and conservation of these woman from Idaho. tration, nevertheless, the biodiversity areas, then maybe we should really be (Mrs. CHENOWETH asked and was treaty has never been ratified by the concerned about those what we call given permission to revise and extend United States Senate, never. Yet, there exploitive activities that go on on her remarks.) is enough land that has been set aside these lands by foreign powers, actual Mrs. CHENOWETH. Mr. Chairman, I under designations of these two des- activities, rather than these phantom want to thank the gentleman from ignations to fill up the entire State of concerns that we have with tanks and Alaska (Mr. YOUNG) for his outstanding Colorado. other issues that may be in the minds leadership on this issue. I think it is time we act. We have a of our constituents. But I am sure that I have come to the floor many times responsibility to the American people my colleagues have made every effort during my tenure in Congress to dis- to protect the sovereignty of our land. to dispel these unwarranted fears, and cuss this very important issue that Mr. Chairman, these very simple pro- have faced up to the issues of this mis- H.R. 883 addresses, the constitutional visions do not represent massive information campaign that has existed. duty that we have as Members of Con- changes in policy, nor are they born I trust they would do that, Mr. Chair- gress to protect the sovereignty of our out of paranoia. There is nothing that man; that they would face up to that lands in every possible way. says anything about blue helmets or type of issue and not let that type of Yet, every time this matter is tanks. They are very important items misunderstanding and misinformation brought before the House, I hear many that ensure our Federal officials prop- spread across the land such fear that of my colleagues vigorously argue that erly allocate taxpayer resources, and would result in imprudent types of ac- this has nothing to do with our con- that we as a Congress maintain the tions by this Congress. stitutional duty to preserve and pro- total governance of our lands required Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance tect our Nation’s sovereignty. under Article IV, Section 3, of the of my time. I have also heard arguments today United States Congress. Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Chair- from the floor that we should not be This section, very succinctly, states man, I yield myself such time as I may meddling in these kinds of things. I that ‘‘The Congress shall have the consume. know as chairman of the Sub- power to dispose of and make all need- Mr. Chairman, I would like to also committee on Forests and Forest ful rules and regulations respecting the recite Mr. Hodel, the past Secretary of Health we even have to have a bill to territory or other property belonging the Interior. move a boundary on a wilderness area to the United States.’’ It is very clear. The last paragraph says, ‘‘This legis- a half a mile. We have to have a bill to It does not take a rocket scientist to lation Chairman Young is sponsoring, name buildings. interpret what the Constitution says, H.R. 883, will bring welcome relief to So what would the opposition to this and neither does it take a court to in- property owners threatened by a bill have us do, just stay busy naming terpret this provision for us to act. We H3410 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 20, 1999 do not need the court decisions for the Ms. Kirkpatrick went on to say, or the recognition that is accorded to Congress to act in a responsible way. ‘‘What recourse does an American these 82 sites, not one witness that ap- Mr. Chairman, there are some who voter have when U.N. bureaucrats from peared. actually believe that the U.N. Bio- Cuba or Iraq or Libya, all of which are The gentlewoman from Idaho (Mrs. sphere and World Heritage designa- parties to this treaty, have made a de- CHENOWETH) raised the question that tions, which encompass 68 percent of cision that unjustly damages his or her there was a witness from Minnesota. the land in our national parks, pre- property rights that lie near a national Well, unfortunately, I am from Min- serves, and monuments, and make up park?’’ nesota. We do not have any sites in an area the size of Colorado, are benign Mr. Chairman, the only relevant ar- Minnesota. I would like to have some and have the mere purpose of placing a gument that the Clinton administra- sites in Minnesota, and I hope someday plaque or a label that these areas can tion has made against this bill is that that we do. But we do not have any in use to attract tourism. it would add unnecessary bureaucracy Minnesota. But I guess that witness That is utter naivete. However, in to the designation process. I do not be- from Minnesota knew something that I the Committee on Resources we have lieve that is the case. I think that this did not. heard testimony from citizens living in would simply clarify and straighten But the fact is, and this is the sort of, Alaska, Arkansas, Missouri, Min- out a mess that we have found our- I think, misunderstandings that this nesota, New Mexico, New York, and selves in in this administration. legislation is based on, not one of these Wyoming that suggest otherwise. Mr. VENTO. Mr. Chairman, I yield sites has been brought to our attention These individuals testified about how myself such time as I may consume. where there has been any change in the these designations affected their prop- Mr. Chairman, I would point out that land management that is due to these erty value, their economic activity, clearly the gentlewoman from Idaho cooperative voluntary international and most candidly, their ability to play (Mrs. CHENOWETH) is confused about agreements. a role in the designation process. They the Biodiversity Treaty, which is not a While I have tried to portray this as were left out. part of this agreement. We are talking not having a an impact, obviously our Even the U.N.’s own documentation about Man and the Biosphere. park laws, when I wrote and when our on these programs describes its I mean, we would obviously stipulate committee writes legislation on parks proactive role on land policy. One such that the Biodiversity Treaty, the Rio or on wilderness or on BLM or other publication defining the purpose of bio- Treaty, is something that the Senate types of land classifications, I mean diversity reserves call for extensive has to consider. But apparently we what I say when we designate those land policy initiatives such as ‘‘strate- were misplacing our words. sites that they ought to be protected, gies for biodiversity, conservation and I would suggest that the national that there are transboundary issues sustainable use,’’ and for action plans protection and international protec- that are affected. I meant what I said. provided for under Article VI of the tion of cultural and national heritage But, unfortunately, I think what is Convention on Biological Diversity. in Article VI, this particular program unfolding here is an effort to try, I am not going to trade our responsi- points out that, and I will quote from through this American sovereignty bility to manage our lands under this this, ‘‘Whilst fully respecting the sov- claim, through criticism and fear of constitutional provision for Article VI ereignty of States of whose territory the U.N., to try to turn around and of the Convention on Biological Diver- the cultural and natural heritage men- blame the U.N. and these programs, sity, and I do not think the American tioned in Article I and II is situated, these international programs. We have people want us to do that, either. and without prejudice to the property everything at stake in terms of pro- right provided by national legislation, viding this type of leadership on a glob- b 1215 the State parties to this Convention al basis, in terms of trying to encour- Mr. Chairman, to me this type of recognized that such heritage con- age other nations on a voluntary basis, strategy involves a lot more than just stitutes a World Heritage for those whether it be China, whether they be a harmless plaque. Nevertheless, the whose protection it is the duty of the democratic governments or govern- question every Member of this body international community as a whole to ments which we think are not demo- should be asking themselves today is cooperate.’’ cratic, to in fact pursue the preserva- not whether or not these designations So the issue that we are dealing here tion, the conservation of their re- do in fact intrude on our vested power with is not whether the countries are sources on a voluntary basis. We have to govern our lands, but whether we members of this, because we know that had spectacular success. should even take that chance. there are many nations who are mem- This is a place, as I said, if it is a Mr. Chairman, if World Heritage bers of these programs. In fact, with re- criticism of UNESCO in terms of Man areas or Biodiversity Reserves really gards to the World Heritage Conven- and the Biosphere, in terms of re- are harmless or benign, it should be tion, 150 nations are members of that; search, this is an area that is working. Congress that makes that determina- with regards to Man and the Biosphere, This is one area that we should not be tion, not our unelected officials. I do it is 125 Nations; and with regards to debating or disagreeing about in terms not think that Article IV, section 3 of the Ramsar Treaty, there are 92 Na- of research and gaining information the Constitution advises that in gov- tions. and knowledge. That is the essence of erning our lands that we simply opt As I had spoken earlier, nearly 2,000 what the Man and the Biosphere pro- out of policies that may appear ineffec- sites, some 1,932 sites that I have and gram has. It has nothing to do with the tual. But instead, it expressly requires still growing, I suppose, and in the Biodiversity Treaty, as was indicated that we, the Congress, make all needful United States, we have some 82 of here, a misstatement I guess on the rules and regulations. those sites where less than 5 percent of part of the proponents of this. I do not think, Mr. Chairman, the the sites are located in the United The same is true of these World Her- danger can be stated any clearer than States, and it is based upon the exist- itage sites. They deliver tourism. Indi- it was before the Committee on Re- ing land laws that the Committee on viduals, just like in a park pass, look sources by the Honorable Jeane J. Resources, the administration, that at these World Heritage sites, some 506 Kirkpatrick, highly respected U.N. Am- U.S. law provides, whether through the sites, and they try to go to as many as bassador during the Reagan adminis- national government, through the they can. It encourages tourism in this tration, when she stated, and I quote, State governments, the property rights Nation. We have but 20 of those sites. ‘‘The World Heritage and Man and Bio- are intact. Obviously our parks are a great attrac- sphere committees make decisions af- No one can raise one case where, for tion and globally known and renowned fecting the land and lives of Ameri- instance, the Statue of Liberty has for the wonderful features that charac- cans. Some of these decisions are made been designated a World Heritage site. terize them. by representatives chosen by govern- What have we lost? What has changed The Ramsar Treaty obviously is one. ments not based in democratic rep- in terms of its administration? Tell me There may be other treaties that are resentation, certainly not the represen- one instance where something has affected. These are the three that have tation of Americans.’’ changed that is due to the designation stuck out that we have discussed, but May 20, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3411 almost any other agreements that we SENATE, not represent my position. Favorable state- come to on a voluntary international STATE OF MINNESOTA, ments made about an honorary and benign basis are struck down and put back be- St. Paul, MN, May 11, 1999. program more than a decade ago are pat- fore Congress. I think we know what Hon. TOM COBURN, ently not applicable to that program as it is House of Representatives, now being utilized. the disposition of that is. Washington, DC. The American Land Sovereignty Protec- Read the bill. I have read this bill DEAR CONGRESSMAN COBURN: As Chairman tion Act, as I understand it, will require con- and studied it carefully. It makes an of the Minnesota Senate Committee on Nat- gressional approval of United Nations World almost insurmountable test in terms of ural Resources and Environment, I commend Heritage Site proposals. I believe that this is your efforts to defund the Man and Biosphere any type of designation of the Man and a necessary and reasonable safeguard for Program (MAB). Since one of the major op- American citizens against overreaching, the Biosphere programs. It goes 10 ponents of your efforts is Congressman Bruce unelected, unaccountable domestic and miles outside the boundary of any of Vento of Minnesota, who represents a com- international bureaucracies. these where there would be a Man and pact urban district with little undeveloped This legislation Chairman Young is spon- the Biosphere designation and demands land, I would like to tell you about the pain- soring, H.R. 883, will bring welcome relief to that it have absolutely no economic ef- ful experience northern Minnesota had with property owners threatened by a United Na- fect. the MAB program in the past. tions bureaucracy that has grown out of con- During the mid-1980’s the National Park trol. I would suggest that it would almost Service proposed a massive Northwoods Sincerely, International Biosphere Reserve that in- be impossible to pass the type of test DONALD PAUL HODEL. that has been put in here. But I think cluded lands in my Senate district which were included without notifying me or any STOCKTON, CA, it has been put in here for good reason; other local elected officials. In 1984 the May 13, 1999. that is, my colleagues want to kill state-sponsored Citizen’s Committee on these programs. They want to cut the Voyageurs National Park took up this issue Hon. RICHARD POMBO, head off of the Man and the Biosphere after a casual comment from the then Voya- Member of Congress, House of Representatives, program. They want to stop the World geurs National Park Superintendent Russell Washington, DC. DEAR CONGRESSMAN POMBO: Thank you for Heritage Convention. They want to Berry that our area had been nominated as a biosphere reserve. At a public meeting of contacting me regarding the House Com- stop the Ramsar Treaties, which are mittee on Resources’ March 18 hearing on the basis, really, just the fragile basis that committee on December 1, 1984 in Min- neapolis after the nomination was made, Mr. the American Land Sovereignty Protection of cooperation that we have on an Berry, partially explained one reason for the Act, H.R. 883. international basis to provide some biosphere reserve by stating ‘‘I’d like to be As you know, before President Ronald conservation and leadership. in as strong a position as possible to influ- Reagan appointed me Assistant Secretary for Fish, and Wildlife and Parks, Department Frankly, in my view, we ought to be ence activities outside the boundaries that would adversely affect the Park in the con- of the Interior, I served Governor Ronald doing a lot more on an international text of things that would be detrimental to Reagan as the Director of California’s De- basis, dealing with water quality, deal- the ecosystem within the Park.’’ partment of Fish and Game. I am especially ing with air quality, dealing with the Because the park is surrounded by thou- proud of the environmental agenda we were way that landscapes are treated in sands of acres of private property, Mr. Berry able to implement, and the success we had terms of how we treat our forests and, intended to use the biosphere as a means to with programs that encourage ranchers, farmers and other private landowners to indeed, that biodiversity issue treaty implement land use controls on private prop- erty. Since my constituents did not want maintain, develop and enhance wildlife habi- that was raised by my colleague. their constitutionally-guaranteed private tat on privately owned land. Those benefits I certainly am a proponent of trying property rights further threatened, they continue to this day, and they serve as excel- to work on a global basis to protect strongly opposed this proposal. Con- lent examples of public benefits that flow these resources and to rationally use sequently, in 1987 the Northwoods Inter- from private land ownership without govern- ment intervention or funding. them and to, in fact, provide for some national Biosphere Reserve nomination was withdrawn by National Park Service Direc- Before coming to Washington, D.C. in 1980 policy path that would be reasonable tor William Penn Mott. to serve President Reagan, I gave 20 years of with regards to preserving our environ- Until the MAB program is authorized by volunteer service on the board of directors of ment. Congress and statutory protections for pri- the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), in- Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues vate property are guaranteed, I will support cluding two terms as the Foundation’s presi- all efforts to defund this program. Without dent-elect (1976–78). to vote against this measure. It is a these protections, unelected federal bureau- Before my career and commitment to wild- bad measure. It is misunderstood and crats will again use biosphere reserves as a life resources and the environment, I de- unfortunately a bill the House should means of implementing federal land use con- fended America’s freedoms, including the not consider at all. I urge defeat of this trols on private property. right to own private property, when serving Since Mr. Vento’s district is 300 miles measure, H.R. 883. 41⁄2 years with the U.S. Marine Corps during away from the ill-fated Northwoods Inter- WWII, and another three years during the Mr. Chairman, I yield back the bal- national Biosphere Reserve proposal, I would Korean Conflict. ance of our time. encourage you to listen to those who rep- At the March 18 hearing of the House Com- Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Chair- resent people who live and work in the af- mittee on Resources, I understand that the fected area rather than those who recreate in man, I yield myself such time as I may U.S. Department of the interior witness en- the area on weekends. tered into the official record a 17-year old consume. Thanks again for your efforts in defense of letter I signed while serving the Reagan Ad- local control and private property. Mr. Chairman, I want to clarify the ministration as Assistant Secretary for Fish Sincerely, Biosphere Reserve Program is oper- and Wildlife and Parks. I recently reviewed Senator BOB LESSARD. ating without any congressional au- the letter in question, and you should know that it merely dealt with the technical issue thority at all. Our constitutional sys- CHESAPEAKE, VA, of creating a standardized form for recording tem is designed to make our govern- May 18, 1999. information on World Heritage Sites. The Congressman RICHARD POMBO, ment responsible to the people; that is, letter must not be interpreted as anything United States Capitol Building, the American citizens who are the ulti- other than that. mate sovereign authority in our sys- Washington, DC. DEAR MR. POMBO: Thank you for asking for The record of the Reagan Administration tem, a people who must satisfy the my comments on the process of UNESCO and the current Clinton Administration re- concerns of outsiders before they are designation of World Heritage Sites. garding UNESCO’s World Heritage, and Man no longer sovereign. That is why this is During the Reagan Administration, these and the Biosphere programs are starkly dif- called the American Sovereignty Act. designations were honorary and benign in ferent. Under the Reagan Administration, nature. However, like so many United Na- these designations were indeed voluntary, I respectfully request my colleagues tions programs, this one has fallen subject to non-regulatory, and honorary. This is in to vote for this legislation, get us back inappropriate mission creep. It has become a sharp contrast with the current Administra- in control under our Constitution. proxy for international attempts to override tion that invited the World Heritage Com- That is our role. That is our charge. national sovereignty and control land use. mittee to Yellowstone National Park to con- Not to do so is neglecting our responsi- The current Administration has submitted demn private property located outside of the bility. a thirteen year old press release to invoke Park! The World Heritage Committee delega- my name in support of the World Heritage tion present was comprised largely of non- Mr. Chairman, I include the following Site proposals. This is unfortunate political elected bureaucrats from Third World coun- for the RECORD: game-playing and deceptive in that it does tries. Such an action by the World Heritage H3412 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 20, 1999 Committee clearly runs roughshod over to threaten private property owners and na- Our Members, from diverse states such as America’s sovereignty. tional sovereignty. For example, in its ef- New York, Arkansas, Kentucky and Min- H.R. 883 is sorely needed to require Con- forts to stop a proposed mine on private nesota have fought hard to get a seat at the gress to oversee non-elected bureaucrats, in property outside Yellowstone National Park, table when biosphere reserves were proposed both the United States and the United Na- the current administration in 1995 invited in their areas. In all cases, officials from fed- tions, from threatening our nation’s sov- the World Heritage Committee to the park eral agencies ardently worked to keep them ereignty and private property rights of to evaluate alleged environmental threats out. H.R. 883 would open up this process by American citizens. Former United States caused by the proposed mine. This visit by requiring that all existing biosphere reserves Ambassador to the United Nations, Jeane J. unelected United Nations bureaucrats cre- in the United States be authorized by an Act Kirkpatrick, stated this best in a May 5, 1999, ated a circus-type atmosphere whereby the of Congress by 2002 or they would cease to letter she sent to the House Committee on World Heritage Committee made the owners exist. This would empower average citizens Resources on this issue. she wrote, inter alia: of that private property a pariah in the to become involved in these designations. ‘‘In U.N. organizations, there is no account- international community. Partially as a re- At House Resource Committee hearings in ability. U.N. bureaucrats are far removed sult of this visit and a formal declaration Tannersville, NY, Washington, D.C. and from the American voters. Many of the State later against the proposed mine by the World Rolla, MO, PPRC testified in strong support Parties in the World Heritage Treaty are not Heritage committee, the mine was never de- of this legislation. It embodies a basic prin- democracies. Some come from countries that veloped. ciple of open government that citizens and do not allow the ownership of private prop- I also understand that some in the current communities have a right to know about de- erty. The World Heritage, and Man and Bio- administration are attempting to use our cisions affecting them before they are made. sphere Reserve committees make decisions membership in the World Heritage Com- Again, the Pulp and Paperworkers’ Re- affecting the land and lives of Americans. mittee to help stop a proposed mine in Aus- source Council strongly supports H.R. 883. Some of these decisions are made by rep- tralia that is strongly supported by the duly Sincerely, resentatives chosen by governments not elected government of that country. Such an DON WESSON, based on democratic representation, cer- effort against a sovereign nation would have PPRC National Secretary. tainly not the representation of Americans. been unthinkable under the Reagan Adminis- What recourse does an American voter have tration which honored the sovereignty of MAY 5, 1999. when U.N. bureaucrats from Cuba or Iraq or democratically elected governments. Hon. Bruce F. Vento, My review of H.R. 883 shows it merely pro- Libya (all of which are parties to this Trea- House of Representatives, vides congressional oversight of the World ty) have made a decision that unjustly dam- Washington, DC. Heritage Program to prevent an inter- DEAR MR. VENTO Thank you for your let- ages his or her property rights that lie near national agency from threatening private ters of March 24th and April 28th regarding a national park? When the World Heritage property rights and national sovereignty as my testimony before the House Resources Committee’s meddling has needlessly encum- it did in Yellowstone and is attempting to do Committee on the March 18th hearing of the bered a private United States citizen’s land in Australia. This legislation will provide American land Sovereignty Protection Act, and caused his or her property values to fall, the type of adult supervision from elected of- H.R. 883. In my opinion the important issue that citizen’s appeals to these committees (if ficials that every domestic and international here is protection of Americans’ rights of that is possible) will fall on deaf ears.’’ bureaucracy needs. democratic process. I sought to emphasize I strongly support H.R. 883 and urge its I appreciate you alerting me that my 15 the dangers I see in Congress’s waiving of its passage. I believe H.R. 883 is desperately year old letter is regrettably being used for role and responsibilities over matters which needed, and I know that it is in the best in- political purposes in Washington, D.C. fundamentally affect citizens of the United terest of our nation and her citizens to re- Sincerely, States and ceding that role and its associ- quire our elected representatives in the WILLIAM P. CLARK. ated powers to a global organization in United States Congress to properly oversee which affected Americans have no represen- the actions of non-elected bureaucrats with- PULP & PAPERWORKERS’ tation. in the United States and the United Nations. RESOURCE COUNCIL. As I understand it, the proposed Act does Sincerely, DEAR REPRESENTATIVE: The Pulp and Pa- nothing more than affirm Congressional role G. RAY ARNETT, perworkers’ Resource Council (PPRC) in the management of our public lands, a Former Assistant Secretary strongly urges you to support H.R. 883, the role mandated to it by the Constitution for Fish and Wildlife and Parks. American Land Sovereignty Protection Act, under Article IV, Section 3, which states: which soon will be voted on by the full ‘‘The Congress shall have Power to dispose of CLARK RANCH, House. This bill provides for Congressional and make all needful Rules and Regulations Paso Robles, CA, 14 May 1999. oversight of United Nations Biosphere Re- respecting the Territory or other Property Hon. RICHARD W. POMBO, serves and World Heritage Sites in the belonging to the United States.’’ I believe Congress of the United States, House of Rep- United States. The biosphere program is not that is a clearly worded duty which Congress resentatives, Washington, DC. even authorized by Congress, nor is the pro- is bound by the Constitution to uphold. DEAR CONGRESSMAN POMBO: I greatly ap- gram part of an international treaty. Your letter raises several questions con- preciate you informing me about the May 12, PPRC is a ‘‘Grassroots’’ organization rep- cerning my testimony, each of which I have 1999 letter from Deputy Assistant Secretary resenting more than 300,000 Pulp and Paper addressed below. of the Interior Stephen Saunders to House Workers and some 900,000 Wood Products In- I. Please explain the simultaneous decision Resources Committee Chairman Don Young dustry Workers. Many of our members are to continue our active participation in the regarding H.R. 883, the American Land Sov- unionized workers and we have members in World Heritage Convention and the U.S. Man ereignty Protection Act. virtually every state of the union. We sup- and the Biosphere Program [after your sup- The Saunders letter cited a letter I signed port natural resource policies that allow our port for the successful U.S. withdrawal from 15 years ago as Secretary of the Interior re- mills to thrive and keep our members and UNESCO], both of which are coordinated at garding the U.S.’s continued participation in their families employed in well-paying union the international level by UNESCO. the World Heritage Convention at a time jobs. The United States’ Permanent Representa- when our nation decided to withdraw from PPRC is very concerned how America’s tive to the United Nations oversees U.S. par- the United States Educational, Scientific sovereignty over its natural resources is in- ticipation in many United Nations’ programs and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). My creasingly threatened by international and organizations, including aspects of U.S. letter is characterized by Mr. Saunders as agreements and unelected bureaucrats at participation in UNESCO. The World Herit- showing ‘‘a strong bipartisan consensus that international organizations which often are age and Man and the Biosphere programs, U.S. involvement with the World Heritage dominated by Third World nations that have however, were not among them when I held Convention and other international con- poor records in protecting their own natural that job. servation conventions at issue in H.R. 883 resources. This was painfully evident when As you know, the Department of the Inte- pose absolutely no threat to U.S. sov- several PPRC officers participated in the rior has primary responsibility for the World ereignty.’’ World Commission on Forestry and Sustain- Heritage and the Biosphere programs. The That was true fifteen years ago. It is no able Development conferences. Department of the Interior, along with a fed- longer the case today. United Nations Biosphere Reserve and eral interagency panel controls all aspects of When I was Secretary of Interior for Presi- World Heritage Site designations, adminis- these programs. No member of Congress is dent Ronald Reagan, World Heritage sites tered by the United Nations Educational, included on this panel. Neither was a United were merely honorary designations. They did Scientific and Cultural Organization States’ U.N. Ambassador when I held that not threaten private property rights or na- (UNESCO), are nominated through a secre- position. The Code of Federal Regulations tional sovereignty. They were designed to tive process that excludes local govern- July 21, 1980 public notice of proposed U.S. recognize outstanding natural and cultural ments, union workers, private landowners World Heritage Nominations or 1981 states resources in America without creating new and other average citizens. Only high-rank- U.S. law at the time I was our UN Ambas- layers of regulation on private landowners ing unelected officials at the State Depart- sador: ‘‘In the United States, the Secretary of and rural communities. ment, other federal agencies, UNESCO and the Interior is charged with implementing the Unfortunately, this program has been used national environmental advocacy groups are provisions of the Convention, including prepa- in some cases by the current administration involved in this nomination process. ration of U.S. nominations. Recommendations May 20, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3413 on the proposed nominations are made to the from the local and state levels up to the Con- the authorization must come from Congress. Secretary by an interagency panel including gress and the Presidency. We give them the The Convention itself requires that ‘‘the in- members from the Office of the Assistant power to declare our lands national parks clusion of a property in the World Heritage Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks, and the right to enact the laws that restrict List requires the consent of the State gov- the Heritage Conservation and Recreation our use of our properties. We give our duly erned.’’ [Article II, Section 3] The State in Service, the National Park Service, and the elected leaders the authority to select the question is the United States and its consent U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service within the De- judges who will interpret those laws. Our requires the consent of the people through partment of the Interior; the President’s elected leaders, in turn, respond to our wish- their duly elected representatives in accord- Council on Environmental Quality; the Advi- es because, just as we have granted them ance with the Constitution. That means Con- sory Council on Historic Preservation, and power, so may we take it from them in the gress, the body delegated the authority over the Department of State.’’1 (Emphasis next election. Representation and account- land management by the Constitution. The added). I was never included on the panel as ability are the foundation of the freedoms we ‘‘American Land Sovereignty Protection the Department of State Representative. I cherish. Having fought and won elections Act’’ is consistent with both U.S. and inter- was never invited to participate in any deci- yourself, you know this principle well. national law. sions concerning these programs. In U.N. organizations, there is no account- In the second part of your question, you I raised the issue of the U.S. withdrawal ability. UN bureaucrats are far removed ask what are the specific characteristics of from UNESCO to make a point: the UNESCO from the American voters. Many of the ‘‘international committees’’ dealing with of the 1980’s demonstrates quite well both an States Parties in the World Heritage Treaty conservation which makes them particularly example of an incompetent and corrupt are not democracies. Some come from coun- threatening?’’ My answer is, those commu- international organization and the nearly in- tries that do not allow the ownership of pri- nities which affect substantial interests of surmountable obstacles of trying to reform vate property. The World Heritage and Man U.S. citizens. If American citizens have an it and hold it accountable. During my tenure and the Biosphere committees make deci- interest in the conservation of a particular as U.S. Ambassador, I sought to limit the sions affecting the land and lives of Ameri- area, that decision should be made by Con- proliferation and scope of U.N. based on cans. Some of these decisions are made by gress, the body delegated responsibility by international organizations which were ac- representatives chosen by governments not the Constitution for making these decisions countable to no responsible, democratically based on democratic representation, cer- in full view of the American public. And if elected government. This discussion serves tainly not on the representation of Ameri- each decision requires consideration of costs to reinforce the point I was trying to make cans. What recourse does an American voter and benefits to the property rights of indi- during my testimony, namely that Congress have when UN bureaucrats from Cuba or Iraq vidual voters affected, so be it. UNESCO should take an active role in the oversight of or Libya (all of which are parties to this committees are not competent to address the programs which impact private citizens in Treaty) have made a decision that unjustly complex private property and public interest this country. damages his or her property rights that lie issues presented here. They have no interest II. [A]s you know, 7 of the 20 World Herit- near a national park? When the World Herit- in how their actions affect private U.S. citi- age Sites in the United States were listed as age committee’s meddling has needlessly en- zens. I believe Congress should not abdicate such during your tenure as our Ambassador cumbered a private United States citizen’s its responsibilities for land management to to the U.N. In your capacity as U.N. Ambas- land and caused his or her property values to international groups whose members have no sador, did you oppose these nominations fall, that citizen’s appeals to these commit- concern for protecting individual property based on the fact that Congress had not spe- tees (if that is even possible) will fall on deaf rights and American interests. cifically authorized these listings? At any ears. Sincerely, As for your question ‘‘Is it accurate to con- point in your tenure, did you attempt to JEANE J. KIRKPATRICK. have any existing designations withdrawn on clude from this statement that you believe the same basis? specific Congressional authorization should Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Chairman, I strongly I refer you to my answer above. The De- be required for U.S. participation in any pro- support H.R. 883, The American Land Sov- partment of the Interior is charged with im- gram which involves an ‘international com- ereignty Protection Act. We must preserve and plementing the provisions of this program, mittee?,’ ’’ my answer is, in any U.N. based protect our nation's private property rights for not the United States’ UN Representative’s committee which makes decisions that im- our citizens and for our country. office. I had no role and I was not aware of portantly affect American citizens. Speaking The American Land Sovereignty Protection the details of these programs. Now, however, to the issue at hand, which is the require- Act will require Congressional approval before that this issue has ripened, I believe it is ment of congressional authorization of World time to restore Congress’ proper role in this Heritage and Biosphere site designations, I nominating U.S. property as U.N. land des- matter. definitely believe congressional authoriza- ignations for inclusion on the World Heritage III. ‘‘Your prepared testimony . . . includes tion should be required. Congressional role List. This legislature will also prohibit U.S. the statement, ‘International Committees— should be protected, I believe, should be re- property from being nominated as a Biosphere whatever the substance of their decisions— quired, in any process, any time the Con- Reserve and it will terminate existing Bio- do not represent the American people and stitution specifically places a duty on Con- sphere Reserves if they do not meet the prop- cannot be held accountable by them,’ (em- gress to act. The question presented here is er conditions. Under H.R. 883, Congress will phasis added). Is it accurate to conclude specific. The Constitution mandates congres- be re-established as the ultimate decision- from this statement that you believe specific sional responsibility over public land man- Congressional authorization should be re- agement. The World Heritage and Biosphere maker in managing public lands and maintain quired for U.S. participation in any program programs directly impact the management sovereign control of U.S. soil, not the United which involves an ‘international com- of public and private lands in the United Nations. We must pass this legislation and mittee?’ ’’ States. Congress should be involved. halt designations made without consulting Obviously, these committees do not rep- The Constitution grants and requires Con- Congress or landowners. resent the American people. That is not gress’ broad control over the management of Mr. Chairman, the United Nations has iden- their function. I want to be absolutely clear the public lands. The Executive branch, tified 92 sites in 31 states and the District of on this point. Only our representatives on through the Department of the Interior and those committees represent Americans. Ob- in conjunction with the World Heritage and Columbia for acquisition. The fact is, property viously, the Cuban or Libyan delegates to Man and the Biosphere programs (the ‘‘inter- owners and local governments are routinely these committees do not represent the Amer- national committees’’ created by this Con- shut out of the process and have little re- ican people and, in fact, often oppose Amer- vention) should not be allowed to exercise course if their land is claimed by the U.N. or ican interests, regardless of the issue. Nei- Congress’ constitutional authority. other international agencies. We must put an ther do the New Zealand—to take a country IV. ‘‘Should Congressional authorization end to this uncalled-for seizure of our nation's at random—or Brazil. The United States’ be required for any international agree- land and restore control to landowners and Congress, on the other hand, is elected and ments/contracts which allow use of our na- local officials. does, in fact, represent the American people. tional resources and public lands, such as U.N. based committees, unlike Congress, are mining or timber harvesting? If it is the case Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to sup- not accountable to the American people be- that your support for requiring Congres- port H.R. 883 and continue to protect our na- cause they have not been elected by or cho- sional authorization is limited only to those tion's soil. We must never allow foreign na- sen in any way by the American people. areas included in H.R. 883, please explain the tions or international organizations to bully They do not represent and are not concerned specific characteristics of ‘international American landowners. with U.S. national interests nor the interests committees’ dealing with conservation Mr. HAYES. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in of U.S. citizens. which makes them particularly threat- strong support of the American Land Sov- In this democracy, the citizens grant pow- ening?’’ ers to our elected leaders through our votes First of all, as you know, any U.N. based ereignty Protection Act. I and 182 of my col- agreements or contracts which allow use of leagues who co-sponsored this bill believe that it is not only common sense, but also Con- 1 ‘‘Proposed U.S. World Heritage Nominations for our natural resources and public lands re- 1981, Public Notice,’’ 45 FR 48717, July 21, 1980. You quire various forms of authorization from gress' Constitutional duty, to protect the sov- will find the same language in each annual notice. our elected officials. In this particular case, ereignty of America's people and her land. H3414 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 20, 1999 As you have heard, UN Land Designations, H.R. 883 requires the consent of Congress This bill asserts that Congress under the World Heritage Sites and Biosphere Reserves, before the Secretary of the Interior may nomi- U.S. Constitution has the power over federal take place without the approval of Congress nate any property in the United States for in- lands. The American Land Sovereignty Protec- and with little or no Congressional oversight; clusion in the World Heritage list. I believe this tion Act would give Congress the authority to consequently, the citizens of the United States is certainly consistent with Article IV, section review, not attack, existing Biosphere Reserve are excluded from the process. These deci- 2. and World Heritage Site designations, in order sions infringe upon State sovereignty, indi- H.R. 883 specifically prohibits Federal offi- to decide if such designations are necessary. vidual rights of United States citizens, and pri- cials from nominating any land in the United I find it troubling that initiatives such as the vate interests in real property. States for designation as a biosphere reserve. United Nations Biosphere Reserves, World Mr. Chairman, I am proud of the beautiful Such designations are left to Congress to de- Heritage Sites and Ramsar Sites have been forests, monuments, national parks and other termine. designated with virtually no Congressional su- lovely places in the U.S. as anyone and am The bill requires the Congress to reconsider pervision. Also, I find it disconcerting that all of thrilled that others outside the U.S. see the for designation as a biosphere reserve those these designations have had virtually no input beauty in them as well. However, I feel very sites that have already been designated as from state and local officials. passionately that if the United Nations decides biosphere reserves by previous administra- Private property rights are a cornerstone to to designate the Uwharrie ForestÐin the 8th tions. It restores to Congress the authority to the American heritage. Our founding Fathers District of North CarolinaÐas a World Herit- choose to redesignate or not redesignate protected the rights of land owners. Many peo- age Site, that the people of my district should these sites. This is a process that should have ple in the United States have found that their have the opportunity to address how this des- been in place all along. private property rights are being restricted be- ignation might affect them. Receiving this des- H.R. 883 prohibits Federal officials from cause they live in proximity to biosphere re- ignation would mean that United States designating any land in the United States for serves. Restrictive regulations that govern agrees to manage the Uwharrie Forest in ac- a special or restricted use under any inter- these reserves are the brainchild of the United cordance with an underlying international national agreement unless such designation is Nations, not the United States government. agreement which may have implications on specifically approved by law. Land management decisions should be private property outside the forest. At best, a I call on all of my colleagues to uphold the made and reviewed by Congress, not arbi- World Heritage Site or Biosphere Reserve U.S. Constitution and the constitutional author- trarily by bureaucratic officials in the Executive designation gives the international community ity of this body. A vote for H.R. 883 is a vote Branch or international agencies. an open invitation to interfere in how the to preserve the authority of this body. A vote What do my colleagues from the other side Uwharrie, and land surrounding it, are used. against H.R. 883 is a vote that quite frankly, fear from Congress doing their job? Why do The voters of my district might decide it in my opinion, is inconsistent with Article IV, they fear individuals, local, state and federal would be in their best interest to accept the section 2, and the oath that we have taken. entities being involved in the process? Con- UN designation. If that were the case, I would ``The Congress shall have the power to dis- gress should not relinquish their duty of main- gladly honor the will of my constituents. How- pose of and make all needful rules and regula- taining and protecting federal lands. We must ever, it is their community, their lands and tions respecting the territory or other property ensure the rights of American private property their livelihoods being affected, they have the belonging to the United States.'' owners at the federal and international level. I right, and should have the opportunity, to have Mr. HILL of Montana. Mr. Chairman, I be- urge the passage of this important legislation. a say. lieve it is critical for the United States to en- Vote yes on H.R. 883. The Uwharrie Forest is just one example of sure that our lands are not subject to special Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Chair- a beautiful site in my district. I know each of international restrictions without careful consid- man, I yield back the balance of my you can think of several beautiful places in eration of the implications before a designation time. your own districts that would be prime for a is made. The CHAIRMAN. All time for general UN World Heritage Site designation. The increasing interdependence of the debate has expired. I urge you to give your constituents the Pursuant to the rule, the bill shall be chance to be involved in decisions that affect world's economic stability, environmental qual- ity, and peace and human development are considered for amendment under the 5- them, their private property rights and our sov- minute rule for 4 hours and is consid- ereignty as a nation. I urge you to vote in often dependent on international cooperation, but this cannot preempt the United States ered read. favor of the Land Sovereignty Protection Act. The text of H.R. 883 is as follows: Mr. WELDON of Florida. Mr. Chairman, from meeting our obligations to our own citi- when I was sworn into office, I took an oath zens. H.R. 883 to uphold the U.S. Constitution. Each of us This legislation restricts Federal officials Be it enacted by the Senate and House of has taken that same oath, and I rise to remind from designating lands under the World Herit- Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, us of our oath of office and reflect on the age List of the United Nations without the ex- words of the Constitution. Article IV, section 2 press consent of Congress. SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ‘‘American of the U.S. Constitution states, ``The Congress Furthermore, it amends the National Historic Preservation Act to restrict United States' Land Sovereignty Protection Act’’. shall have the power to dispose of and make SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE. all needful rules and regulations respecting the lands from being designated as a Biosphere Reserve. (a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the fol- territory or other property belonging to the lowing: United States.'' It gives Congress the necessary authority to (1) The power to dispose of and make all Clearly, the U.S. Constitution gives the U.S. approve all land designations and change any needful rules and regulations governing Congress and only the U.S. Congress the au- existing designations. These measures are lands belonging to the United States is vest- thority to make all rules and regulations over key elements to ensuring that America re- ed in the Congress under article IV, section Federal lands. mains in full control of American land. 3, of the Constitution. This authority is not given to the President, It is critical for the United States to ensure (2) Some Federal land designations made it is not given to the U.S. Ambassador to the that our lands are not subject to special inter- pursuant to international agreements con- United Nations. No one in the State Depart- national restrictions without careful consider- cern land use policies and regulations for lands belonging to the United States which ment or the Department of the Interior is given ation of the implications before a designation under article IV, section 3, of the Constitu- this authority. The Constitution does not give is made. tion can only be implemented through laws this authority to the United Nations, UNESCO There is no denying that our world is be- enacted by the Congress. or any other body. The authority to establish coming increasingly interdependent. (3) Some international land designations, rules and regulations over Federal lands is re- Economic stability, environmental quality, such as those under the United States Bio- served to the U.S. Congress and only the U.S. and peace and human development are often sphere Reserve Program and the Man and Congress. depending on international cooperation. Biosphere Program of the United Nations What does H.R. 883, this bill, require the This interdependence, however, cannot pre- Scientific, Educational, and Cultural Organi- Government to follow? The U.S. Constitution. empt the United States from meeting our obli- zation, operate under independent national committees, such as the United States Na- The bill requires the specific approval of Con- gations to our own citizens. tional Man and Biosphere Committee, which gress before any area within the United States I cannot support policies that place limita- have no legislative directives or authoriza- is subject to an international land use nomina- tions on our ability to manage our own affairs. tion from the Congress. tion, classification, or designation. Is this so of- Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Chairman, I rise in sup- (4) Actions by the United States in making fensive? port of H.R. 883. such designations may affect the use and May 20, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3415 value of nearby or intermixed non-Federal ‘‘(2) The President may submit to the and Natural Resources of the Senate, that lands. Speaker of the House of Representatives and contains for the year covered by the report (5) The sovereignty of the States is a crit- the President of the Senate a proposal for the following information for the reserve: ical component of our Federal system of gov- legislation authorizing such a nomination ‘‘(1) An accounting of all money expended ernment and a bulwark against the unwise after publication of a finding under para- to manage the reserve. concentration of power. graph (1)(A) for the nomination. ‘‘(2) A summary of Federal full time equiv- (6) Private property rights are essential for ‘‘(e) The Secretary of the Interior shall ob- alent hours related to management of the re- the protection of freedom. ject to the inclusion of any property in the serve. (7) Actions by the United States to des- United States on the list of World Heritage ‘‘(3) A list and explanation of all non- ignate lands belonging to the United States in Danger established under Article 11.4 of governmental organizations that contributed pursuant to international agreements in the Convention, unless— to the management of the reserve. some cases conflict with congressional con- ‘‘(1) the Secretary has submitted to the ‘‘(4) A summary and account of the disposi- stitutional responsibilities and State sov- Speaker of the House of Representatives and tion of the complaints received by the Sec- ereign capabilities. the President of the Senate a report retary related to management of the re- (8) Actions by the President in applying describing— serve.’’. certain international agreements to lands ‘‘(A) the necessity for including that prop- SEC. 5. INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS IN GEN- owned by the United States diminishes the erty on the list; ERAL. authority of the Congress to make rules and ‘‘(B) the natural resources associated with Title IV of the National Historic Preserva- regulations respecting these lands. the property; and tion Act Amendments of 1980 (16 U.S.C. 470a– (b) PURPOSE.—The purposes of this Act are ‘‘(C) the impacts that inclusion of the 1 et seq.) is further amended by adding at the the following: property on the list would have on existing end the following new section: (1) To reaffirm the power of the Congress and future uses of the property and other ‘‘SEC. 404. (a) No Federal official may under article IV, section 3, of the Constitu- property located within 10 miles of the prop- nominate, classify, or designate any lands tion over international agreements which erty proposed for inclusion; and owned by the United States and located concern disposal, management, and use of ‘‘(2) the Secretary is specifically author- within the United States for a special or re- lands belonging to the United States. ized to assent to the inclusion of the prop- stricted use under any international agree- (2) To protect State powers not reserved to erty on the list, by a joint resolution of the ment unless such nomination, classification, the Federal Government under the Constitu- Congress after the date of submittal of the or designation is specifically authorized by tion from Federal actions designating lands report required by paragraph (1). law. The President may from time to time pursuant to international agreements. ‘‘(f) The Secretary of the Interior shall submit to the Speaker of the House of Rep- (3) To ensure that no United States citizen submit an annual report on each World Her- resentatives and the President of the Senate suffers any diminishment or loss of indi- itage Site within the United States to the proposals for legislation authorizing such a nomination, classification, or designation. vidual rights as a result of Federal actions Chairman and Ranking Minority member of ‘‘(b) A nomination, classification, or des- designating lands pursuant to international the Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives and of the Committee on ignation, under any international agree- agreements for purposes of imposing restric- ment, of lands owned by a State or local gov- tions on use of those lands. Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate, that contains for the year covered by the re- ernment shall have no force or effect unless (4) To protect private interests in real the nomination, classification, or designa- property from diminishment as a result of port the following information for the site: ‘‘(1) An accounting of all money expended tion is specifically authorized by a law en- Federal actions designating lands pursuant acted by the State or local government, re- to international agreements. to manage the site. ‘‘(2) A summary of Federal full time equiv- spectively. (5) To provide a process under which the ‘‘(c) A nomination, classification, or des- United States may, when desirable, des- alent hours related to management of the site. ignation, under any international agree- ignate lands pursuant to international agree- ment, of privately owned lands shall have no ‘‘(3) A list and explanation of all non- ments. force or effect without the written consent of governmental organizations that contributed SEC. 3. CLARIFICATION OF CONGRESSIONAL the owner of the lands. to the management of the site. ROLE IN WORLD HERITAGE SITE ‘‘(d) This section shall not apply to— LISTING. ‘‘(4) A summary and account of the disposi- ‘‘(1) agreements established under section Section 401 of the National Historic Preser- tion of complaints received by the Secretary 16(a) of the North American Wetlands Con- vation Act Amendments of 1980 (Public Law related to management of the site.’’. servation Act (16 U.S.C. 4413); and 96–515; 94 Stat. 2987) is amended— SEC. 4. PROHIBITION AND TERMINATION OF UN- ‘‘(2) conventions referred to in section AUTHORIZED UNITED NATIONS BIO- (1) in subsection (a) in the first sentence, SPHERE RESERVES. 3(h)(3) of the Fish and Wildlife Improvement by— Title IV of the National Historic Preserva- Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 712(2)). ‘‘(e) In this section, the term ‘inter- (A) striking ‘‘The Secretary’’ and inserting tion Act Amendments of 1980 (16 U.S.C. 470a– national agreement’ means any treaty, com- ‘‘Subject to subsections (b), (c), (d), and (e), 1 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end pact, executive agreement, convention, bi- the Secretary’’; and the following new section: lateral agreement, or multilateral agree- (B) inserting ‘‘(in this section referred to ‘‘SEC. 403. (a) No Federal official may as the ‘Convention’)’’ after ‘‘1973’’; and nominate any lands in the United States for ment between the United States or any agen- (2) by adding at the end the following new designation as a Biosphere Reserve under the cy of the United States and any foreign enti- subsections: Man and Biosphere Program of the United ty or agency of any foreign entity, having a ‘‘(d)(1) The Secretary of the Interior may Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cul- primary purpose of conserving, preserving, not nominate any lands owned by the United tural Organization. or protecting the terrestrial or marine envi- States for inclusion on the World Heritage ‘‘(b) Any designation on or before the date ronment, flora, or fauna.’’. List pursuant to the Convention, unless— of enactment of the American Land Sov- SEC. 6. CLERICAL AMENDMENT. ‘‘(A) the Secretary finds with reasonable ereignty Protection Act of an area in the Section 401(b) of the National Historic basis that commercially viable uses of the United States as a Biosphere Reserve under Preservation Act Amendments of 1980 (16 nominated lands, and commercially viable the Man and Biosphere Program of the U.S.C. 470a–1(b)) is amended by striking uses of other lands located within 10 miles of United Nations Educational, Scientific, and ‘‘Committee on Natural Resources’’ and in- the nominated lands, in existence on the Cultural Organization shall not have, and serting ‘‘Committee on Resources’’. date of the nomination will not be adversely shall not be given, any force or effect, unless The CHAIRMAN. No amendment to affected by inclusion of the lands on the the Biosphere Reserve— the bill is in order except those printed World Heritage List, and publishes that find- ‘‘(1) is specifically authorized by a law en- in the portion of the CONGRESSIONAL ing; acted after that date of enactment and be- RECORD designated for that purpose ‘‘(B) the Secretary has submitted to the fore December 31, 2000; and pro forma amendments for purpose Congress a report describing— ‘‘(2) consists solely of lands that on that ‘‘(i) natural resources associated with the date of enactment are owned by the United of debate. Amendments printed in the lands referred to in subparagraph (A); and States; and RECORD may be offered only by the ‘‘(ii) the impacts that inclusion of the ‘‘(3) is subject to a management plan that Member who caused it to be printed or nominated lands on the World Heritage List specifically ensures that the use of his designee and shall be considered would have on existing and future uses of the intermixed or adjacent non-Federal property read. nominated lands or other lands located with- is not limited or restricted as a result of that The Chairman of the Committee of in 10 miles of the nominated lands; and designation. the Whole may postpone a request for a ‘‘(C) the nomination is specifically author- ‘‘(c) The Secretary of State shall submit an recorded vote on any amendment and ized by a law enacted after the date of enact- annual report on each Biosphere Reserve ment of the American Land Sovereignty Pro- within the United States to the Chairman may reduce to a minimum of 5 minutes tection Act and after the date of publication and Ranking Minority member of the Com- the time for voting on any postponed of a finding under subparagraph (A) for the mittee on Resources of the House of Rep- question that immediately follows an- nomination. resentatives and the Committee on Energy other vote, provided that the time for H3416 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 20, 1999 voting on the first question shall be a House of Representatives and the President to recognize our World Heritage sites, minimum of 15 minutes. of the Senate proposals for legislation au- some of our outstanding crown jewels, Are there any amendments to the thorizing such agreements.’’. our parks, our natural or cultural areas bill. Mr. VENTO. Mr. Chairman, I guess in the parks, or simply for Congress to AMENDMENT NO. 10 OFFERED BY MR. YOUNG OF according the rule we are not going to approve when we are going to agree ALASKA read the amendment, but this amend- with the cooperative research like Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Chair- ment is an important amendment that under the Man and the Biosphere pro- man, I offer an amendment. deals with the key component of the gram, then Congress should also ap- The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will des- pending legislation. prove actions by foreign firms or indi- ignate the amendment. This legislation specifically requires viduals to in fact use exploitative ac- The text of the amendment is as fol- to approve the recognition of any U.S. tivities on U.S. lands. lows: lands for conservation purposes as a re- I understand those activities, the Amendment No. 10 offered by Mr. YOUNG of sult of an agreement with a foreign en- U.S. lands, of course, are going to be Alaska: tity. However, at the same time, the used for mining, for timber harvesting, On page 9, line 13, strike ‘‘2000’’ and insert legislation does not require similar for grazing, water rights, a variety of instead ‘‘2003’’. congressional action when U.S.-owned other things, but the issue is that, if it Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Chair- lands are leased, oftentimes at a loss to is going to be done by foreign entities, man, this amendment is a technical American taxpayers, to foreign-owned we hand over the ownership, this has amendment which simply extends the countries for such things as drilling, real impact, this particular amend- time for grandfathering existing Bio- mining under the 1872 mining law, tim- ment. Unlike this bill which simply re- sphere Reserves by 3 years to 2003. I ber harvesting, or other types of com- lies upon the existing laws, the fact is ask my colleagues for their support. mercial endeavors. this has real impact in terms of trying Mr. VENTO. Mr. Chairman, will the My amendment establishes a parity to limit these types of activities. gentleman yield? in that process. My amendment would So I want to add this particular Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. I gladly yield suggest that commercial users and de- amendment to this for that reason, Mr. to the gentleman from Minnesota. velopment of U.S. lands by foreign Chairman. Mr. VENTO. Mr. Chairman, I have no companies and their U.S. subsidiaries Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Chairman, the objection to the amendment. Per- may only be established when specifi- black helicopters are circling over our fecting this bill is a very tall task, but cally authorized by law. My amend- lands. the gentleman has made one modest ef- ment would not prevent such activities And the agents of foreign powers are fort to do so. from occurring. It would simply re- indeed locking up our public lands, in- As long as the gentleman continues quire Congress to approve such actions. tent upon not only controlling them, to yield, I point out that I understand The Vento amendment in which I am but ultimately, America’s very natural that I will offer just one amendment, joined by the gentleman from West resource heritage. as I had indicated to the gentleman. I Virginia (Mr. RAHALL) and the gen- But to be sure, the pilots of these was not aware that of course the gen- tleman from California (Mr. GEORGE helicopters are not wearing the blue tleman from Colorado (Mr. UDALL) has MILLER), the ranking member of the helmets of the United Nations. an amendment, and I understand the Committee on Resources in this Rather, they are wearing the cor- gentleman from New York (Mr. amendment is a responsible provision porate emblems of companies based in SWEENEY) has an amendment. I was not that responds to the abuses which are South Africa, Australia, Luxembourg aware of those amendments yesterday now occurring and which neither Con- and Canada. at the Committee on Rules. gress nor the administration can le- These foreign agents are not from the Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Chair- gally stop. United Nations. Their weapons are not man, reclaiming my time, neither was Many of my colleagues may recall world heritage sites or international I. So the gentleman is true to his word. the public outcry when it was revealed biospheres. Mr. VENTO. Mr. Chairman, if the that the concession facilities at Yo- Indeed, the true threat comes from gentleman will yield further, I have no semite National Park were going to be foreign conglomerates, multi-national objection to trying to improve this bill. managed by a Japanese conglomerate, mining firms, who swoop down upon It needs significant improvement. Matsushita. No legal recourse was our public lands and extract gold and The CHAIRMAN. The question is on available to block that action. silver with no rents or royalties paid to the amendment offered by the gen- A similar outrage was voiced when the American people. tleman from Alaska (Mr. YOUNG). the Secretary of Interior was required The UN Charter, in this instance, is The amendment was agreed to. under Federal law to lease lands con- not the issue. AMENDMENT NO. 9 OFFERED BY MR. VENTO taining more than $10 billion in gold to It is our very own Mining Law of 1872 Mr. VENTO. Mr. Chairman, I offer an a subsidiary of a Canadian-owned cor- which continues, with reckless dis- amendment. poration who paid less than $10,000 for regard to our economy and our envi- The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will des- that particular $10 billion gold mine. ronment, to turn over federal assets to ignate the amendment. Nothing has been done to prevent a the control of foreign nationals. The text of the amendment is as fol- repeat of this type of continued rip-off. And so, I rise in support of the Vento- lows: A foreign firm can still operate the Rahall-Miller amendment to this bill, Amendment No. 9 offered by Mr. VENTO: concession for the Statue of Liberty or the American Land Sovereignty Pro- At the end of the bill, add the following any other of our national parks. For- tection Act. new section: eign firms can continue to exploit For if we are to protect the sov- ‘‘SEC. 7. INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS CON- American resources while at the same ereignty of our American lands from CERNING THE DISPOSAL, MANAGE- time at the expense of the American foreign powers, then we must include MENT, AND USE OF LANDS BELONG- ING TO THE UNITED STATES. taxpayers. commercial developments undertaken Title IV of the National Historic Preserva- We now have an opportunity to by foreign powers in the legislation. tion Act Amendments of 1980 (16 U.S.C. 470a– change that policy. The Vento amend- This is what this amendment is all 1 et seq.) is further amended by adding at the ment will not prevent these activities about. end the following new section: from moving forward, Mr. Chairman, it Our lands, our resources, owned by SEC. 405.—No Federal official may enter would simply require the Congress to all Americans, are being claimed by into an agreement with any international or consider the national consequences and foreign entities. foreign entity (including any subsidiary specifically authorize these actions. The hardrock minerals on these lands thereof) providing for the disposal, manage- If we are going to require Congress to are being mined with no return to the ment, and use of any lands owned by the United States and located within the United approve actions to recognize U.S.- public. States unless such agreement is specifically owned lands for conservation purposes And these lands are being privatized authorized by law. The President may from of all things to save migrating water- by foreign entities for a mere pit- time to time submit to the Speaker of the fall, for instance, on a global basis or tance—$2.50 an acre. May 20, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3417 Allowed under the Mining Law of rado are doing important research to have it in that district. If they do 1872? Yes. about air pollution and other environ- not, it would not occur. Should these practices continue to be mental issues in cooperation with sci- Mr. TANCREDO. Mr. Chairman, I condoned in 1999. No. Of course not. entists from other countries, such as move to strike the last word. So the real issue here today is not the Czech Republic. This is important Mr. Chairman, I rise to oppose the what the proponents of H.R. 883 make work, work that needs to continue; and amendment of my good friend and col- it out to be. my amendment would allow that to league from Colorado (Mr. UDALL). The It is not about the UN. It is not about happen without interruption. sites that he identifies that presently black helicopters descending upon an As for Rocky Mountain National exist in Colorado, the Niwot Ridge Re- unsuspecting populace. Park, all I can say is that this is one of serve and specifically also the Rocky It is, in these times of budgetary con- Colorado’s brightest gems, one of the Mountain National Park, are being des- straint, about the relinquishment of things that makes us proud to be Colo- ignated sites under the Heritage Act. our lands, and our minerals, to multi- radans. Rising up from the edge of the Specifically, the Rocky Mountain national conglomerates for fast food Great Plains, it straddles the Conti- National Park, of course, has been hamburger prices. nental Divide and includes snow-capped around for a long time and has been Cast a vote for America. peaks, high-altitude tundra, and a di- the protected environmental jewel in Vote yes on Vento-Rahall-Miller. verse array of other land forms and a the crown of Colorado for a long, long Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Chair- splendid diversity of vegetation and time. It is peculiar, to say the least, man, I move to strike the last word. wildlife. that some other kind of designation, Mr. Chairman, I reluctantly accept As Coloradans, we are glad to share some United Nations designation, the amendment. its beauty with the Nation and we in- would help continue or would help pre- serve the environmental uniqueness of b vite the world to experience it. And the 1230 world is doing just that, at least in this particular property, or anything The CHAIRMAN pro tempore (Mr. part, because of its designation as a else in the State of Colorado, for that BASS). The question is on the amend- Biosphere Reserve. The National Park matter. ment offered by the gentleman from Service tells me that many visitors say My colleague talks about the many Minnesota (Mr. VENTO). that they learned of the park because tourists that flock to the State to see The question was taken; and the it was included in the Man and the Bio- these places, especially Rocky Moun- Chairman pro tempore announced that sphere program and that is what made tain Park. He is certainly correct in the ayes appeared to have it. them want to visit it. that; and, of course, they come in Mr. VENTO. Mr. Chairman, I demand As one who believes there is a benefit droves. In fact, one of our problems in a recorded vote, and pending that, I to every visitor to special wildlands Colorado is that oftentimes we have far make the point of order that a quorum like Rocky Mountain National Park, I too many people trying to get into is not present. am convinced that that is reason these particular areas and preserves, The CHAIRMAN pro tempore. Pursu- enough to keep the park in this pro- into Rocky Mountain National Park; ant to House Resolution 180, further gram. But it is also true that tourism and our problem is trying to deal with proceedings on the amendment offered is a very important part of Colorado’s the numbers coming in and the impact by the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. economy, and that is another reason to that that has on the Rocky Mountain VENTO) will be postponed. keep the park in the program, which Park and on many things that we are The point of no quorum is considered my amendment would do. trying to protect. withdrawn. Let me be clear, Mr. Chairman. Adop- When I was in the committee, Mr. AMENDMENT NO. 5 OFFERED BY MR. UDALL OF tion of my amendment will not make Chairman, and we were debating this COLORADO this a good bill. Even if this amend- bill, it was a very interesting situation Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Chair- ment is adopted, that alone will not be that occurred, in that in the State of man, I offer an amendment. sufficient for me to be able to support Wyoming there was an attempt on the The CHAIRMAN pro tempore. The the bill. But this amendment will pro- part of some people in the State of Wy- Clerk will designate the amendment. tect Colorado from some of the worst oming to develop some mining adja- The text of the amendment is as fol- consequences of the bill, and to that cent to Yellowstone National Park, lows: extent I think it is very, very impor- and all the processes were underway. Amendment No. 5 offered by Mr. UDALL of tant. The environmental impact statements Colorado: Accordingly, I urge adoption of the had been ordered and were underway. Page 9, line 6, after ‘‘in the United States’’ Udall amendment. We had spent years actually in the insert ‘‘(other than an area within the State Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Chair- process of identifying the problems and of Colorado)’’ man, I rise in opposition to the amend- trying to come to a solution as to Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Chair- ment. whether or not it was appropriate to man, this is a very simple amendment. These Biosphere Reserves were des- let this mine go forward. All of a sud- It would exempt all the Biosphere Re- ignated without congressional author- den, within I think it was a short pe- serves in Colorado from the provisions ization and without consulting the riod of time, a week or less, that we of the bill that would end the partici- public or State and local governments. were going to actually get the final go- pation of U.S. sites in the Man and the This amendment invades the responsi- ahead on this project in Wyoming, the Biosphere program unless we pass and bility, again, of the Congress under Ar- head of the Park Service stepped in and the President signs a new law to con- ticle IV, section 3 of the Constitution, called upon the United Nations to come tinue their participation. making all laws concerning disposal or out to this particular area and give it As I noted in general debate, cur- regulation of lands belonging to the a designation that would, in fact, pro- rently there are two of these reserves United States with Congress. hibit any future development. And in Colorado, the Niwot Ridge Research Under H.R. 883, existing Biosphere when that happened, the administra- Area and Rocky Mountain National Reserves would have until December tion intervened and everything Park. They include lands within the 31, 2003, to get authorization. They are stopped. Second Congressional District which I not automatically disenfranchised. If Now, this is the kind of thing I am represent. the Colorado Biosphere Reserve had concerned about in the State of Colo- Mr. Chairman, these areas are not in- the strong local support claimed by the rado, and this is why I certainly oppose volved in some conspiracy. They are gentleman that offered the amend- the amendment of the gentleman that not part of any sinister foreign plot to ment, then there would be no problem would exempt Colorado from the pro- undermine our Constitution or our way of getting the passage of this legisla- tection provided by this particular bill. of life. On the contrary, they are places tion in this Congress. We need this protection just as much where good things are taking place. If I am still chairman of that com- as any other State in the Nation be- In the Niwot Ridge area, scientists mittee, I will commit to the gentleman cause the same thing could happen in associated with the University of Colo- that I will support it if his people want Colorado. H3418 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 20, 1999 We think we know about how to pre- it worked. They did not designate that b 1245 serve and protect the land that we have particular site. The CHAIRMAN pro tempore (Mr. under our control in the State of Colo- With regards to Yellowstone, I think BASS). The time of the gentleman from rado and with the Department of Parks it is important to recognize, and the Minnesota (Mr. VENTO) has expired. and Recreation. We do not need the gentleman from Colorado, our friend (By unanimous consent, Mr. VENTO United Nations to tell us how to man- and colleague, brought up the issue of was allowed to proceed for 1 additional age that land. We do not need the im- Yellowstone again, as did our colleague minute.) primatur of the United Nations on from Wyoming (Mrs. CUBIN), that in Rocky Mountain Park in order to en- fact it was designated a World Heritage Mr. VENTO. Mr. Chairman, I of courage tourism to Colorado. We can Site long throughout the process of the course rose in support of the amend- do it without them. mine evaluation, EIS. ment. But I use this as an indication of In fact, oftentimes, as in the case I What happened is that the committee what is generally wrong with the en- just stated, this United Nations des- decided that if that mine was going to tire thought process and what is going ignation becomes much more problem- go in, it became a Heritage Site at on with this particular legislation. I do atic from the standpoint of the proper risk, endangered type of site. And of not think it is repairable by this regulation of the land within any course the committee can make that amendment or others that might be of- State, in this case Colorado. declaration. It had absolutely no effect fered. It is a flawed bill. These discus- So I certainly rise to oppose the on the decision that was made, other sions and debates ought to be going on amendment of the gentleman from the than it might have persuaded the Park in subcommittee rather than the sort Second Congressional District. Service or others to pay a little closer of exaggerated statements that we had. Mr. VENTO. Mr. Chairman, I rise in attention. Unfortunately, they did not. So we are support of the amendment. I mean, we cannot take away free on the floor. I would think that there Mr. Chairman, at the risk of getting speech in this process. We cannot take would be more important business that involved in this Colorado feud, obvi- away free thought in terms of what is could and should be considered by this ously this does not improve the bill going to happen. We cannot do that Congress on this floor. enough, but I think it is a modest step, with legislation here. In fact, we as a Mr. Chairman, I support this amend- and I want to support the gentleman Nation enshrine the concept of free de- ment. from Colorado (Mr. UDALL) whenever I bate and free thought with regard to Mr. SWEENEY. Mr. Chairman, I get a chance, Mr. Chairman. these issues. And it is as if this legisla- move to strike the requisite number of The fact is that most of the land des- tion is trying to reach out and prevent words, and I yield to the gentleman ignations, I would suggest to my col- somebody from making a judgment from Colorado (Mr. TANCREDO). league from Colorado, whether it is about the U.S. and how we manage our Mr. TANCREDO. Mr. Chairman, I Park Service Organic Act or the lands. We cannot do that. just would conclude with a comment, a Frasier Experimental Station or the For instance, if somebody is misman- quote actually from Jeane Kirkpatrick others, inherent in them, in these des- aging lands in other areas, we obvi- that I think encompasses everything ignations of wilderness, is the concept ously are going to speak about it, we have tried to establish here on our of doing scientific research. I mean, whether it is Amazonia and/or other side about our concerns with regard to that is what the Organic Act has, that parts of the world, other rain forests. this amendment in particular and to is what the Wilderness Act of 1964 has So we are going to speak out about it. Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Chair- the concerns of our opponents to this in it. That is one of the purposes. bill in general: And so, insofar as the Man and the man, will the gentleman yield? If American citizens have an interest in Biosphere program that my colleague Mr. VENTO. I yield to the gentleman from Colorado. the conservation of a particular area, that was alluding to, and I guess I saw four Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Chair- decision should be made by Congress, the sites that were affected by that. My man, I thank the gentleman from Min- body designated responsibility by the Con- colleague said there were two. The gen- nesota for yielding. stitution for making these decisions in full tleman had earlier said there were six. I just wanted to make a couple other view of the American public. And if each de- I found four. So there are some sites in cision requires consideration of costs and comments in response to the points benefit to the property rights of individual Colorado that may not be well under- that my colleague from Colorado made, stood where they are. But one is the voters affected, so be it. UNESCO commit- as well as my colleague from Min- tees are not competent to address the com- Frasier Experimental Station, as my nesota. plex private property and public interest colleague probably has noticed. An- It seems, as I hear this debate today, issues presented here. other was the Rocky Mountain Na- all roads lead to the New World Mine. Mr. VENTO. Mr. Chairman, will the tional Park, a wonderful area. We keep coming back to that par- gentleman yield? Now, I suppose the problem of get- ticular situation. And I think there is ting people in and out, that that was Mr. SWEENEY. I yield to the gen- a continued debate about what hap- tleman from Minnesota. such a big problem, I think that is a pened there, and we ought to continue Mr. VENTO. I appreciate the quotes good problem in terms of Rocky Moun- to figure out ways in the long run to from the former U.N. representative tain. And I hope we can solve some of mitigate those kind of situations when Jeane Kirkpatrick. Seven World Herit- the transportation problems that exist we have a big mining project on the age sites were designated while she was around those parks, but I would not edge of a national park that is so im- in that role. So apparently, as with Mr. suggest that to solve that we take portant to us, the Yellowstone Na- Hodel, he has now since then, being away the designation of the park, and tional Park. I am sure my colleagues from Colorado But I am offering my amendment in strongly in support of them in the 1980s would not suggest that, either. the spirit of let us not let that conflict when they were in control or in power, In any case, that was the purpose. and that situation affect what is going now have found reason to oppose these The purpose of this is, and just as a on in Colorado. There are important re- sites. But I think actions speak louder way of using this amendment to point search projects occurring at Niwot than words. I thank the gentleman out, that most of the laws that are ap- Ridge and occurring in Rocky Moun- from New York for yielding. plicable that are engaged in the agree- tain National Park. I do not see what The CHAIRMAN pro tempore. The ments we have are already in place. We the problem is that we are fixing in question is on the amendment offered already passed judgment on these Colorado. In fact, I think we are cre- by the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. issues. We did it once. ating a problem by doing this. UDALL). Now, some of my colleagues may So I urge adoption of my amendment. The question was taken; and the want to do it again. Some may have Let us not hurt Colorado and some of Chairman pro tempore announced that objections. Obviously, we continue to the other States that are involved in the noes appeared to have it. hear about the Ozarks issue, a large these projects, this important Man and Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Chair- area that was proposed as a biosphere. the Biosphere project, because of what man, I demand a recorded vote, and But in that case, whatever system was happened in one case in Yellowstone pending that, I make the point of order in place, however cumbersome it was, National Park. that a quorum is not present. May 20, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3419 The CHAIRMAN pro tempore. Pursu- imacy and need for these agreements. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues ant to House Resolution 180, further But many of these international agree- to support my amendment and support proceedings on the amendment offered ments were established without local this important bill. by the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. input and certainly without congres- Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to take this op- UDALL) will be postponed. sional input or approval. This is not portunity to speak today in support of this im- The point of no quorum is considered government of the people, for the peo- portant legislation, H.R. 883Ðthe American withdrawn. ple, by the people, it is detached inter- Land Sovereignty Protection Act. AMENDMENT NO. 4 OFFERED BY MR. SWEENEY nationalism in the eyes of many. Most My district in upstate New York has one of Mr. SWEENEY. Mr. Chairman, I offer U.N. designations, including the ones the largest U.N. Biosphere Reserves in the an amendment. in my district, encompass privately United States, thus I have a direct interest in The CHAIRMAN pro tempore. The held lands, not just public lands. H.R. 883 and strongly support its passage. Clerk will designate the amendment. Most of all, there have been instances H.R. 883 clearly addresses the concerns The text of the amendment is as fol- where no communication with local of- many of us have had with the U.N. Biosphere lows: ficials and community residents took Reserve and World Heritage Sites programs. As we know, the U.N. Biosphere Reserve Amendment No. 4 offered by Mr. SWEENEY: place about the effects of designating Page 9, line 16, after ‘‘management plan’’ these lands. These are the people that program has been operating with essentially insert the following: ‘‘that specifically en- it affects the most. These are the peo- no public or congressional oversight for the sures that the designation does not affect ple in most instances who have rightful past 25 years. And without such oversight State or local government revenue, includ- ownership of the property that is being often, no one is accountable. ing revenue for public education programs, affected, who define their freedom in These designations can have a marked im- and’’. fact by virtue of that ability to own pact on the properties in and around the bio- (Mr. SWEENEY asked and was given these lands. The current process of se- sphere region, yet, in most cases, neither local permission to revise and extend his re- lecting U.N. Biosphere Reserves with government nor property owners are ever con- marks.) no recourse for those local residents sulted regarding the designation or site con- Mr. SWEENEY. Mr. Chairman, I and their elected officials affected sideration. want to thank the gentleman from must end. As an example, in my congressional district, Alaska (Mr. YOUNG) for affording me In the 22nd Congressional District of the Champlain-Adirondack Biosphere Reserve the opportunity at rather a late mo- New York, which I represent, there is was created in 1989 at the request of a quasi- ment to introduce my amendment. My now one of the largest U.S. Biosphere governmental agencyÐthe Adirondack Park good friend the gentleman from Colo- Reserves housed in the Adirondack Agency. rado (Mr. UDALL) just said that all Mountains. The private landowners and This was done without hearings or formal roads in this bill and this debate and townships in the Adirondacks had no input from local citizens of the Adirondacks; this discussion seem to lead to the New idea that the Adirondack Park Agency, thus the residents were left feeling helpless World Mine. The reason I am happy I a quasi-State agency, quietly approved and in the reality had no impact upon it. The am able to introduce my amendment is the U.N. biosphere designation and result was a very bitter feeling and rightfully so because I think it will serve a number residents were helpless to impact on over an unwanted imposition on private land- of purposes. But one point that can de- that, to stop it, to comment on it. In owners. finitively be made is that that is not fact, that designated area encompasses Given negative effect on property values, true, that all roads are not leading in 7 million acres of privately held land. and compounded by the cavalier attitudes of this matter to the New World Mine, It encompasses territories outside the those handing down designations and the bla- that it has impact on the individuals, purview and jurisdiction of the Adiron- tant disregard for local authority, I would sub- of people throughout this Nation and dack Park Agency. Yet it has become mit that with congressional oversight and pub- in particular in my district. part of that designated area. lic input, many of these U.N. sites would not We have heard eloquent debate on Let me tell my colleagues from expe- have been approved in their current form. both sides of the issue, speakers who rience, the U.N. biosphere is an un- The American Land Sovereignty Protection have spoken of the need for greater wanted cloud now that hangs over a Act unequivocally states that no land in this local input and greater input from indi- good part of the Adirondack region. My country can be included in international land viduals, and those who have said or congressional district is one with the use programs without the clear and direct ap- who have perceived that these issues greatest interest in seeing that this proval of Congress. involve just the use of public lands. practice is reined in, that the input and H.R. 883 is a first step in the right direction That is not true at all. My amendment the voice of the local individual be in returning power to the local citizens as well expands the existing provisions of H.R. heard. It is unfair that my constituents as the elected Representatives in Congress. 883 by requiring the Secretary of Inte- are not included in any discussions Most importantly, this bill reasserts the con- rior as part of the management plan to that directly affect them and that I as stitutional rights of property owners to make also ensure that the biosphere designa- their representative in Congress have property decisions, within local zoning author- tion does not affect the revenue of practically no avenue to express their ity, without interference from the United Na- State and local governments, including concerns. tions whose mandate does not necessarily in- and probably most importantly the The Secretary of Interior must be re- clude concern for our town halls, school revenue for public education programs. quired to make the case of U.N. des- houses, or individual property owners in any Mr. Chairman, as we have heard, the ignation to State and local govern- given area. manner in which international land use ments as well as this Congress and our What recourse do affected landowners have agreements have been carried out can Federal bureaucracies should be held against the United Nations bureaucracy? Absolutely none. tend at times to infringe on the au- accountable to this Congress for any of This bill changes that. I urge your support. thority of our local municipalities and the effects that international agree- Mr. VENTO. Mr. Chairman, I move to individuals. My amendment would help ments will cause. It is imperative that strike the last word. protect State and local governments we protect the rights of our private Mr. Chairman, the gentleman from from experiencing a decrease in real property owners and the legitimate in- New York spoke of 7,000 acres of land property values. As those in many terests of local governments and their that apparently falls under a biosphere, struggling local townships and coun- citizens. This bill accomplishes those some other impact. ties in upstate New York which I rep- objectives and my amendment I believe Mr. SWEENEY. If the gentleman will resent know all too well, depressed strengthens it by elevating the inter- yield, seven million acres. property values serve to depress prop- ests of State and local governments Mr. VENTO. Seven million acres. erty tax revenues, the major source for and the effects of U.N. designations on Mr. SWEENEY. In the Adirondack education funding in this country. their ability to collect revenue. It is region of New York State that are pri- Today, there are 47 U.N. Biosphere Re- important to the private property own- vately owned. serves and 20 World Heritage Sites and ers, it is important to the citizens of Mr. VENTO. I appreciate that and am there is not an argument on this side of those regions, it is important to public happy to yield to the gentleman brief- the aisle that there is not some legit- education in those areas. ly. H3420 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 20, 1999 Did the gentleman have any instance football. I would have long ago blown The CHAIRMAN pro tempore. A where there was some problem that the whistle. This is what the amend- point of order is reserved. arose out of that designation with re- ment has. I understand that the gen- Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Chair- gards to private property owners? tleman may not have had that inten- man, it is my intent to offer this Mr. SWEENEY. There have been a tion. But we are not going on the basis amendment, which I have just done, I number of instances where private of intention. We are going on what is do think it is germane, to try to im- property owners in the use of their written in the law. prove the amendment of Mr. SWEENEY, property, in the valuation of their Mr. SWEENEY. If the gentleman will which I do believe his amendment is property and their ability to develop yield further, this is not an issue of clear, but the gentleman from Min- and cultivate that property have been remedies, it is an issue of notice. I nesota has raised a question. I want to infringed upon based upon the designa- think it is fundamental in the proposal make sure that this now is perfectly tion. I think the gentleman misses the that any U.N. Biosphere area be des- clear, for adverse effect only. point, that the most predominant frus- ignated, that this Congress and the in- b tration that those constituents of mine dividuals and the constituents in that 1300 have—— area affected have the right to know of Mr. Chairman, I urge support of the Mr. VENTO. Just reclaiming my the effect of that designation. amendment. time for a minute, we have been My amendment simply calls for the Mr. VENTO. Mr. Chairman, I with- through this with others that have providing of that notice. It says noth- draw my point of order. claimed that but we have yet to sub- ing to the effect of imposing any sanc- The CHAIRMAN pro tempore (Mr. stantiate any of those types of claims. tion or remedy. BASS). The question is on the amend- So if the gentleman could help substan- Mr. VENTO. Reclaiming my time, if ment offered by the gentleman from tiate that, I think it would go a long the gentleman will look at his amend- Alaska (Mr. YOUNG) to the amendment way towards solving a problem. Be- ment again. It says that specifically offered by the gentleman from New cause right now the way the bill ensures, the plan has to ensure that the York (Mr. SWEENEY). stands, I think it is purporting to solve designation does not affect State or The amendment to the amendment problems, in my judgment, that do not local government revenue, including was agreed to. exist. On the amendment that the gen- revenue for public. So it does not affect The CHAIRMAN pro tempore. The tleman has, he suggests to insert after it. What does he mean by does not af- question is on the amendment offered ‘‘management plan’’ on line 16, and it fect it? He means it goes up or down, by the gentleman from New York (Mr. is amendment No. 4, I believe; is that does he not? What happens to revenue? SWEENEY), as amended. correct? Mr. SWEENEY. If the gentleman will The question was taken; and the Mr. SWEENEY. The gentleman is yield, it requires the Secretary of Inte- Chairman pro tempore announced that correct. rior to report back to Congress of the the ayes appeared to have it. Mr. VENTO. The gentleman says that cost effects, the property tax in par- Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Chair- after ‘‘management plan,’’ he wants to ticular, effects on any of those affected man, I demand a recorded vote. put in language that specifically en- individual properties. The CHAIRMAN pro tempore. Pursu- sures, and I am quoting from the gen- Mr. VENTO. What if the values go up ant to House Resolution 180, further tleman’s amendment, ‘‘that specifi- as a result of this designation? proceedings on the amendment offered Mr. SWEENEY. That should cer- cally ensures that the designation does by the gentleman from New York (Mr. tainly be part of the debate that we not affect State or local government SWEENEY), as amended, will be post- have at that time on any of those des- revenue, including revenue for public poned. education programs, and.’’ ignations. Mr. VENTO. It would be invalidated Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. What if the revenue increases? What Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last if it decreases? According to this based on that. I just think it is an word. amendment, you would have to dem- inartfully drawn amendment. As I said, Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to onstrate that you would have a static I think the amendment just represents this legislation and in support of the situation, that there would be no in- piling on. For that reason, I do not in- Vento and the Udall amendments that crease and no decrease in revenue. tend to support it. I think it is not well have been offered and against the That is the effect of the gentleman’s drawn, and I wanted to point out the Sweeney amendment that has been of- amendment. Is the gentleman aware of effect of that. I think the test here in fered in the committee today. the effect of his amendment? this bill would make it nearly impos- Mr. SWEENEY. If the gentleman will sible to have this voluntary scientific First and foremost, let me say that I yield further, that is not the effect at cooperation in the process. I do not think this is a very unfortunate piece all. I think the effect is one that is a know the purpose of this. This amend- of legislation. It plays into some con- basic premise of citizenship, and that is ment obviously is not drawn well. But spiracy theories that somehow, when the right of citizens to know the im- unfortunately under the rule that the we receive the honor of the designation pact that their government or any gentleman perhaps voted for, I did not, of World Heritage area or the Bio- other entity might have on their par- we had to preprint everything in the sphere Reserve Program or were part of ticular property. RECORD ahead of time and we are all the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, Mr. VENTO. Reclaiming my time, it limited in time here. You do not really that somehow this is land use planning is not just a question of knowing this. have the right to perfect your amend- by the United Nations. Nothing could It is this is one of the requirements. It ment or correct these types of prob- be further from the truth. says that ‘‘any designation under this lems, another little issue the gen- Mr. Chairman, there is nothing in law, the Man and Biosphere Program, tleman ought to take up with the Com- these designations that changes any shall not have, and shall not be given, mittee on Rules under a so-called open Federal, State, local laws or regula- any force or effect,’’ and then you are rule. tions pertaining to these lands or changes the manner in which private putting down, ‘‘that specifically en- AMENDMENT OFFERED BY MR. YOUNG OF ALAS- sures that the designation does not af- KA TO AMENDMENT NO. 4 OFFERED BY MR. property owners can use their lands, fect State or local government rev- SWEENEY but what it does do is it provides an enue, including revenue for public edu- Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Chair- honor for some of the great natural as- cation programs.’’ man, I offer an amendment to the sets of the United States and some of So it can have no effect, no effect amendment. the great historical assets of the going up, no effect going down. That is The Clerk read as follows: United States that leads to increased what it says. That would completely Amendment offered by Mr. Young of Alas- tourism, improved economics, and rec- vitiate the ability to, and this is al- ka to amendment No. 4 offered by Mr. ognition of what this Nation has done most an impossible test in this bill in Sweeney: Insert ‘‘adversely’’ before ‘‘affect’’. in setting aside some of the great na- any case. Mr. VENTO. Mr. Chairman, I reserve tional parks and public spaces in the So I might say, I do not know, this is a point of order against the amend- entire world, and I think we ought to sort of what I would call piling on in ment. welcome that kind of designation. May 20, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3421 I also want to say that it is very battle, and I think we are winning it American people point to their na- clear when we consider the Vento and we should win it. tional park system, it is with great amendment that much more harm has Mr. Chairman, the problem in our pride that the American people know been done to public lands and done to country is not with the designation and that the Statue of Liberty stands in private lands because of the acquisition the parks that are embraced by our New York Harbor and sends a beacon to of these lands by foreign entities that people. They are, in fact, among the the world about the tenets and the val- then come in here and take the re- most popular and the most strongly ues of this Nation, and it is a great sources from those lands, whether it is supported by the public. The parks pride that those assets, the Grand Can- mining or whether it is timber or graz- really represent what is right with our yon, the Everglades, the Statue of Lib- ing or other proposals like this, where country. It is one of the best ideas we erty and others, when the rest of the then we end up spending hundreds of have ever had. And it is not, Mr. Chair- world honors, honors the decision that millions if not billions of taxpayers’ man, I might say, the scientists that people in this country made about set- dollars cleaning up after these entities, are doing research on natural resources ting aside those public lands for public making up for erosion, making up for that are at risk. These are not the use, and it is a great honor that the the destruction and the deterioration problems in terms of our public lands millions of Americans choose to visit of those natural assets. and in our communities, in terms of those parks each year to enjoy them, That is why I think that the Vento scientific research that is being done in to participate in them, to learn from amendment is very, very important for these parks or in these areas. That is them. But it is also a task of this Con- its adoption today because we should not a problem, but this bill purports to gress and of the world community to not just have a willy-nilly process solve that problem. It solves the prob- make sure that we learn more about where people come in, buy these assets, lem of the designation of our parks, those parks that we are able to main- exploit the resource and then leave it recognition of our parks. It tries to tain. to the American citizens to pick up the solve the problem of scientific re- The CHAIRMAN pro tempore. The cost of their bad policies, their bad search, to strip away the ability to do time of the gentleman from California management and mistakes in the use collaborative research. That is what (Mr. GEORGE MILLER) has expired. of those lands and those resources. the essence of these treaties and agree- (By unanimous consent, Mr. GEORGE So I would hope that Members would ments exist. MILLER of California was allowed to vote against this bill on passage, and I The CHAIRMAN pro tempore. The proceed for 2 additional minutes.) would hope that they would support time of the gentleman from California Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. the Udall and the Vento amendments, Mr. Chairman, we are able to maintain (Mr. GEORGE MILLER) has expired. and protect those parks, and this Con- and I want to thank the gentleman (On request of Mr. VENTO, and by ENTO gress has a rather checkered past on from Minnesota (Mr. V ) very much unanimous consent, Mr. GEORGE MIL- for his managing this bill on the floor that. But if we put it to the American LER of California was allowed to pro- today, and his involvement in this ceed for 2 additional minutes.) people, they would vote to spend bil- issue over the last several years in try- Mr. VENTO. Mr. Chairman, will the lions of dollars to maintain and protect ing to put this argument into perspec- gentleman yield? the great parks of this Nation. It is an honor to this Nation that tive and show how foolish it is and how Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. people come from all over the world to much it is based upon fallacy and mis- I yield to the gentleman from Min- visit these parks, that nations come to representation of facts. nesota. Also, I think he said something in Mr. VENTO. So it is not the sci- us and send their representatives here to learn how to do the same thing in the Committee on Rules the other day entists that are doing research that are Asia and Africa and Europe, all over. that is very important, that success the problem, and in fact we can on a All over the world people want to emu- with this legislation is really about the global basis cooperate and encourage late what Theodore Roosevelt started first step in removing the designations other nations to work with them and from our great wilderness areas, from and what we have protected on a bipar- do the type of scientific research that our parks areas, from our national tisan basis. is necessary. We can study all we want monuments, because the same people Now we have a group of people who within the United States, but we have who support this legislation in fact op- decided that they are going to roll that got 1,900 other sites around the world pose the designation and the protection back, they are going to take away that that this permits us to study in, and and the acquisition of these great lands designation, they are going to remove other sites that it permits us to recog- for the use of the people of the United this honor from the American people. nize as natural or cultural. States, for all of the people of the The pride of this Nation, the beacon we So this is an assault on parks. It is United States. As much as those people send to the rest of the world; they now an assault on research. That is really support it, we have a small group of have decided that they want to remove what it purports. The problems here people in the Congress and in this this honor and start that process of are the mines, they are the clear cuts, country who insist that somehow these denigrating these most valuable and they are the destruction of rain forests, lands really do not belong in the public cherished public lands in our Nation. the burning of rain forests. They are domain in spite of the fact that mil- The pride of our Nation as we send out lions of Americans will pick up their the uncontrolled types of mining that messages to the world about conserva- families, their children, and they will goes on in other nations. That is where tion, about the protection of public travel across this country to visit the the problems exist largely, and we lands, about the values of this country. Statue of Liberty, to visit Liberty ought to be coming to grips with those: This legislation is absolutely looney, Hall, to visit the Grand Tetons, the the drift nets in the oceans, the de- it is absolutely looney. It is based in Grand Canyon, Bryce, Yosemite and so struction of the biosphere. some unknown conspiracy, unsubstan- many other great monuments and Unfortunately, Mr. Chairman, the tiated, based upon the fact that some great natural assets in the national first efforts, the first timid efforts of people believe that day in and day out park systems of this country. this Nation and of this global commu- they see black helicopters swooping in There is still a few in this Congress nity to try to deal even with the rec- to protect the national parks of the who want to believe that we should roll ognition of parks in a honorific way United States. back designations. This legislation is and the research of scientists, this bill No, Mr. Chairman, that is not how it the first step in that process, and this attacks. I think it is a misunderstood is done in this country, it will never be Congress ought to reject that effort. bill, I think it is a bad bill, I think it done that way in this country, and this Mr. VENTO. Mr. Chairman, will the is bad policy, and I hope the Congress legislation should not try to validate gentleman yield? will reject this, the House will reject those kinds of crazy conspiracy theo- Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. this, today. ries. I yield to the gentleman from Min- Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. The CHAIRMAN pro tempore. Are nesota. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman, there further amendments to the bill? Mr. VENTO. Mr. Chairman, I appre- and let me just say, as my colleagues Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Chair- ciate the gentleman’s support in this know, it is with great pride that the man, I move to strike the last word. H3422 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 20, 1999 Mr. Chairman, I have just heard one under review. Thus it would appear pre- LEGISLATIVE RESOLVE NO. 13 of the greatest presentations of looney mature to reach any conclusions at this Be it resolved by the Legislature of the tunes I have ever heard. Very frankly, time. State of Alaska: this is nothing to do with the parks. With respect to the List of World Heritage Whereas the United Nations has designated in Danger, there are no specific criteria. The 67 sites in the United States as ‘‘World Herit- We do not invade the parks, we do not Committee has the authority to place a site invade any of the other areas. We are age Sites’’ or ‘‘Biosphere Reserves,’’ which on the List of World Heritage in Danger altogether are about equal in size to the trying to reestablish the congressional when it is of the view that the World Herit- State of Colorado, the eighth largest state; activity in designating land and not age values for which the site was inscribed and letting the U.N. are seriously threatened. Whereas art. IV, sec. 3, United States Con- I have to remind people the U.N. or- The procedure for listing normally in- stitution, provides that the United States ganizations are not accountable. U.N. volves a monitoring report by the World Congress shall make all needed regulations bureaucrats are far removed from the Conservation Union (IUCN), in consultation governing lands belonging to the United with the State Party and the management States; and American voters, and remember, many authority responsible for the site. IUCN re- of the U.N. delegates that make these Whereas many of the United Nations’ des- ports to the Bureau of the World Heritage ignations include private property decisions do not believe in privately- Committee which meets in July and the Bu- inholdings and contemplate ‘‘buffer zones’’ of held property. Their countries are reau makes a recommendation to the Com- adjacent land; and owned by dictators or owned by gov- mittee, which usually meets in December of Whereas some international land designa- ernments that do not have private each year. tions such as those under the United States property, and when they make deci- While we have taken note that the con- Biosphere Reserve Program and the Man and sions, the United States, under our servative organizations have requested that Biosphere Program of the United Nations Constitution affecting private property the World Heritage Secretariat involve itself Scientific, Educational, and Culture Organi- in the EIS process, we simply are not staffed rights, that is wrong. zation operate under independent national to do so. We would, however, be pleased to committees such as the United States Na- All my bill does is have the Congress address these organizations on any aspects of tional Man and Biosphere Committee that get back involved in the designation of the operation of the World Heritage Conven- have no legislative directives or authoriza- lands. If they are so heavily supported, tion. We could also request IUCN as our tion from the Congress; and those outside the parks, then I suggest technical advisors, to review the Environ- Whereas these international designations respectfully they will be easily passed mental Impact Statement. We are confident as presently handled are an open invitation in this Congress. It does not affect any that as the State Party responsible for the to the international community to interfere of the parks or any of the reference implementation of the Convention the essen- in domestic economies and land use deci- tial professional skills are available to you. here or any of the Heritage Sites such sions; and It is important to note that Article 1 of the Whereas local citizens and public officials as the Statue of Liberty. My bill does World Heritage Convention obliges the State concerned about job creation and resource not affect that. All we do is put the Party to protect, conserve, present and based economies usually have no say in the committee, this Congress, back into transmit to future generations World Herit- designation of land near their homes for in- the process of designating the lands. age sites for which they are responsible. This clusion in an international land use pro- UNESCO, obligation extends beyond the boundary of gram; and Paris, France, March 6, 1995. the site and Article 5 (A) recommends that Whereas former Assistant Secretary of the Hon. GEORGE T. FRAMPTON, Jr., State Parties integrate the protection of Interior George T. Frampton, Jr., and the Assistant Secretary for Fish & Wildlife & Parks, sites into comprehensive planning pro- President used the fact that Yellowstone Na- U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of grammes. Thus, if proposed developments tional Park had been designated as a ‘‘World the Secretary, Washington, DC, USA. will damage the integrity of Yellowstone Na- Heritage Site’’ as justification for inter- DEAR MR. FRAMPTON: I am writing to you tional Park, the State Party has a responsi- vening in the environmental impact state- with respect to a letter from a group of bility to act beyond the National Park ment process and blocking possible develop- North American conservation organizations, boundary. ment of an underground mine on private addressed to Dr. Adul Wichiencharoen, Examples of the need to act beyond park land in Montana outside of the park; and Chairman of the World Heritage Committee, boundaries are found at the Everglades Na- Whereas a recent designation of a portion and dated 28 February, 1995. The World Herit- tional Park, Glacier National Park and Gla- of Kamchatka as a ‘‘World Heritage Site’’ age Committee is the executive body of the cier Bay National Park, all World Heritage was followed immediately by efforts from en- Convention and is elected by its 140 States sites. In two of the sites the Government of vironmental groups to block investment in- Parties. I note that a copy of this letter was British Columbia acted to close major min- surance for development projects on sent to your office. The letter concerns the ing operations rather than risk possible dam- Kamchatka that are supported by the local possible listing of Yellowstone National age to downstream World Heritage values in communities; and Park on the List of World Heritage in Dan- both Canada and the United States. Whereas environmental groups and the na- ger. Clearly if there are threats to World Herit- tional Park Service have been working to es- The World Heritage Committee had been age values the State Party has a responsi- tablish an International Park, a World Herit- made aware of some of these concerns in a bility to act. If enabling legislation is not age Site, and a Marine Biosphere Reserve brief report by the United States Delegate to adequate, new legislation should be consid- covering parts of western Akaska, eastern the July 1993 meeting of the World Heritage ered, as was the case in Australia with re- Russia, and the Bering Sea; and Bureau. spect to the Tasmanian Wilderness World Whereas as occurred in Montana, such des- The fourteen organizations signing this Heritage site. ignations could be used to block develop- letter are as you know among the most pres- The World Heritage Committee has the au- ment projects on state and private land in tigious and influential in the field of natural thority to act unilaterally in placing a site western Alaska; and resources conservation. We believe that the on the List of World Heritage in Danger. Whereas foreign companies and countries concerns they raise about the threats to Yel- However, in the past the Committee has could use such international designations in lowstone must be carefully examined and ad- demonstrated a clear desire to work in con- western Alaska to block economic develop- dressed. sort with the State Party. In this respect we ment that they perceive as competition; and Included with their letter was a briefing would appreciate receiving a comprehensive Whereas animal rights activists could use book containing copies of correspondence report on the situation in time for the meet- such international designations to generate from the Governor of Wyoming and Senator ing of the World Heritage Bureau to be held pressure to harass or block harvesting of ma- Baucus of Montana, each raises serious ques- in Paris in early July. Such a report would rine mammals by Alaska Natives; and tions about the potential damage to Yellow- enable the Committee to give serious consid- Whereas such international designations stone National Park, in particular from the eration to the listing of Yellowstone Na- could be used to harass or block any com- proposed mining operation. Similar letters tional Park on the List of World Heritage in mercial activity, including pipelines, rail- of concern are provided from professional ge- Danger, should such a decision be warranted, roads, and power transmission lines; and ologists, geomorphologists and hydrologists at its nineteenth session to be held in De- Whereas the President and the executive who have investigated the proposed mining cember 1995. branch of the United States have, by Execu- operation. This correspondence is sufficient The United States has an exemplary record tive Order and other agreements, imple- to raise considerable concern about the long- in support of and in accordance with the mented these designations without approval term sustainability of the World Heritage principles and requirements of the World by the Congress; and values of this World Heritage site. Heritage Convention. We look forward to Whereas the United States Department of From the report it appears that while a continuing this cooperation. Interior, in cooperation with the Federal draft Environmental Impact Statement has Yours sincerely, Interagency Panel for World Heritage, has been prepared, it did not resolve several BERND VON DROSTE, identified the Aleutian Island Unit of the major questions and many issues remain Director, World Heritage Centre. Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, May 20, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3423 Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Cape in the United States Congress.’’ Legislative Jackson-Lee Millender- Saxton Krusenstern National Monument, Denali Na- Resolve No. 13. (TX) McDonald Schakowsky tional Park, Gates of the Arctic National Sincerely, Jefferson Miller, George Scott Johnson (CT) Minge Serrano Park, and Katmai National Park as likely to TONY KNOWLES, Johnson, E. B. Mink Sherman meet the criteria for future nomination as Governor. Jones (OH) Mollohan Shimkus World Heritage Sites; and The CHAIRMAN pro tempore. Are Kanjorski Moore Shows Whereas the Alaska State Legislature ob- Kaptur Moran (VA) Sisisky jects to the nomination or designation of there any further amendments to the Kasich Morella Skelton any World Heritage Sites or Biosphere Re- bill? Kelly Murtha Slaughter serves in Alaska without the specific consent SEQUENTIAL VOTES POSTPONED IN COMMITTEE Kennedy Nadler Smith (NJ) Kildee Neal Smith (WA) of the Alaska State Legislature; and OF THE WHOLE Whereas actions by the President in apply- Kilpatrick Ney Snyder The CHAIRMAN pro tempore. Pursu- Kind (WI) Northup Spence ing international agreements to lands owned ant to House Resolution 180, pro- Kingston Oberstar Spratt by the United States may circumvent the ceedings will now resume on those Kleczka Obey Stabenow Congress; and Klink Olver Stearns Whereas Congressman Don Young intro- amendments on which further pro- Kucinich Ortiz Stenholm duced House Resolution No. 901 in the 105th ceedings were postponed in the fol- LaFalce Owens Strickland Congress entitled the ‘‘American Land Sov- lowing order: LaHood Pallone Stupak ereignty Protection Act of 1997’’ that re- Lampson Pascrell Sununu Amendment No. 9 offered by the gen- Lantos Pastor Tanner quired the explicit approval of the Congress tleman from Minnesota (Mr. VENTO), Larson Paul Tauscher prior to restricting any use of United States Amendment No. 5 offered by the gen- Leach Payne Taylor (MS) land under international agreements; and tleman from Colorado (Mr. UDALL), Lee Pease Thompson (MS) Whereas Congressman Don Young has re- Levin Pelosi Thurman introduced this legislation in the 106th Con- Amendment No. 4 offered by the gen- Lewis (GA) Peterson (MN) Tierney gress as House Resolution No. 883, which is tleman from New York (Mr. SWEENEY), Lipinski Phelps Traficant entitled the ‘‘American Land Sovereignty as amended. LoBiondo Pomeroy Turner Protection Act’’; Pursuant to House Resolution 180, Lofgren Porter Udall (CO) Be it resolved that the Alaska State Legis- Lowey Price (NC) Udall (NM) the Chair will reduce to 5 minutes the Lucas (KY) Pryce (OH) Upton lature supports House Resolution 883, the time for any electronic vote after the Luther Quinn Velazquez ‘‘American Land Sovereignty Protection first vote in this series. Maloney (CT) Rahall Vento Act,’’ that reaffirms the constitutional au- Maloney (NY) Ramstad Visclosky thority of the Congress as the elected rep- AMENDMENT NO. 9 OFFERED BY MR. VENTO Manzullo Rangel Walsh resentatives of the people over the federally The CHAIRMAN pro tempore. The Markey Regula Wamp owned land of the United States and urges pending business is the demand for a Martinez Reyes Waters the swift introduction and passage of such Mascara Rivers Watt (NC) recorded vote on the amendment of- Matsui Rodriguez Waxman act by the 106th Congress; and be it fered by the gentleman from Minnesota McCarthy (MO) Roemer Weiner Further resolved that the Alaska State (Mr. VENTO) on which further pro- McCarthy (NY) Rohrabacher Weldon (PA) Legislature objects to the nomination or des- McDermott Rothman Weller ignation of any sites in Alaska as World Her- ceedings were postponed and on which McGovern Roukema Wexler itage Sites or Biosphere Reserves without the ayes prevailed by voice vote. McIntyre Roybal-Allard Weygand the prior consent of the Alaska State Legis- The Clerk will redesignate the McKinney Royce Wise lature. amendment. McNulty Rush Woolsey Copies of this resolution shall be sent to Meehan Sabo Wu The Clerk redesignated the amend- Meek (FL) Sanchez Wynn the Honorable Bill Clinton, President of the ment. Meeks (NY) Sanders Young (FL) United States; Honorable Al Gore, Jr., Vice- Menendez Sandlin President of the United States and President RECORDED VOTE Metcalf Sawyer of the U.S. Senate; the Honorable Trent The CHAIRMAN pro tempore. A re- Lott, Majority Leader of the U.S. Senate; corded vote has been demanded. NOES—158 the Honorable J. Dennis Hastert, Speaker of A recorded vote was ordered. Aderholt Emerson McCrery Archer Everett McHugh the U.S. House of Representatives; and to the The vote was taken by electronic de- Honorable Ted Stevens and the Honorable Armey Fletcher McInnis vice, and there were—ayes 262, noes 158, Bachus Fossella McIntosh Frank Murkowski, U.S. Senators, and the not voting 13, as follows: Baker Fowler McKeon Honorable Don Young, U.S. Representative, Ballenger Gallegly Mica members of the Alaska delegation in Con- [Roll No. 141] Barcia Gekas Miller (FL) gress. AYES—262 Barrett (NE) Gibbons Miller, Gary Bartlett Gilchrest Moran (KS) STATE OF ALASKA, Abercrombie Clyburn Forbes Barton Gillmor Myrick OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR, Ackerman Coble Ford Bateman Goodlatte Nethercutt Juneau, May 11, 1999. Allen Condit Frank (MA) Berry Goodling Norwood Andrews Conyers Hon. BRIAN PORTER, Franks (NJ) Biggert Goss Nussle Baird Cook Speaker of the House, Alaska State Legislature Frelinghuysen Bliley Graham Ose Baldacci Costello State Capitol, Juneau, AK. Frost Blunt Granger Oxley Baldwin Coyne DEAR SPEAKER PORTER: I am transmitting Ganske Boehner Green (WI) Packard Barr Cramer the engrossed and enrolled copies of the fol- Gejdenson Bonilla Hansen Peterson (PA) Barrett (WI) Crowley Gephardt Bono Hastings (WA) Petri lowing joint resolution, passed by the Twen- Bass Cummings Gilman Brady (TX) Hayes Pickering ty-first Alaska State Legislature, to the Becerra Cunningham Gonzalez Bryant Hayworth Pickett Lieutenant Governor’s Office for permanent Bentsen Danner Goode Burr Herger Pitts Bereuter Davis (FL) filing: CS for House Joint Resolution No. Gordon Burton Hilleary Pombo Berkley Davis (IL) 15(RES) ‘‘Relating to support for the ‘Amer- Green (TX) Buyer Hoekstra Portman Berman Deal ican Land Sovereignty Protection Act’ in Greenwood Callahan Hostettler Radanovich Bilirakis DeFazio the United States Congress.’’ Legislative Re- Gutierrez Calvert Hulshof Reynolds Bishop DeGette Gutknecht Canady Hutchinson Riley solve No. 13. Blagojevich Delahunt Hall (OH) Cannon Hyde Rogan Sincerely, Blumenauer DeLauro Hall (TX) Chabot Isakson Rogers TONY KNOWLES, Boehlert Dicks Hastings (FL) Chambliss Istook Ros-Lehtinen Bonior Dingell Governor. Chenoweth Jenkins Ryan (WI) Boswell Doggett Hefley STATE OF ALASKA, Coburn John Ryun (KS) Boucher Dooley Hill (IN) OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR, Collins Johnson, Sam Sanford Boyd Doyle Hill (MT) Juneau, May 11, 1999. Combest Jones (NC) Scarborough Brady (PA) Duncan Hilliard Cooksey King (NY) Schaffer Hon. DRUE PEARCE, Brown (FL) Dunn Hinchey Cox Knollenberg Sensenbrenner President of the Senate, Alaska State Legisla- Brown (OH) Edwards Hinojosa Crane Kolbe Sessions ture, State Capitol, Juneau, AK. Camp Ehrlich Hobson Cubin Kuykendall Shadegg EAR RESIDENT EARCE Campbell Engel Hoeffel D P P : I am transmit- Davis (VA) Latham Shaw Capps English Holden ting the engrossed and enrolled copies of the DeLay LaTourette Shays Capuano Eshoo Holt following joint resolution, passed by the DeMint Lazio Sherwood Cardin Etheridge Hooley Twenty-first Alaska State Legislature, to Diaz-Balart Lewis (CA) Shuster Carson Evans Houghton Dickey Lewis (KY) Simpson the Lieutenant Governor’s Office for perma- Castle Ewing Hoyer Doolittle Linder Skeen nent filing: CS for House Joint Resolution Clay Farr Hunter Dreier Lucas (OK) Smith (MI) No. 15(RES) ‘‘Relating to support for the Clayton Fattah Inslee Ehlers McCollum Smith (TX) ‘American Land Sovereignty Protection Act’ Clement Filner Jackson (IL) H3424 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 20, 1999 Souder Thomas Watts (OK) Cardin John Pallone LaHood Pickering Smith (TX) Stump Thompson (CA) Weldon (FL) Carson Johnson, E. B. Pascrell Latham Pickett Smith (WA) Sweeney Thornberry Whitfield Castle Jones (OH) Pastor LaTourette Pitts Souder Talent Thune Wicker Clay Kanjorski Payne Lazio Pombo Spence Tancredo Tiahrt Wilson Clayton Kaptur Pelosi Lewis (CA) Portman Stearns Tauzin Toomey Wolf Clement Kennedy Phelps Lewis (KY) Pryce (OH) Stenholm Taylor (NC) Walden Young (AK) Clyburn Kildee Pomeroy Linder Quinn Stump Terry Watkins Conyers Kilpatrick Porter LoBiondo Radanovich Sununu Costello Kind (WI) Price (NC) Lucas (KY) Regula Sweeney NOT VOTING—13 Coyne Kleczka Rahall Lucas (OK) Reynolds Talent Bilbray Foley Salmon Crowley Klink Ramstad Manzullo Riley Tancredo Borski Horn Stark Cummings Kucinich Rangel McCollum Rogan Tauzin Brown (CA) Largent Towns Danner LaFalce Reyes McCrery Rogers Taylor (MS) Deutsch Moakley Davis (FL) Lampson Rivers McHugh Rohrabacher Taylor (NC) Dixon Napolitano Davis (IL) Lantos Rodriguez McInnis Ros-Lehtinen Terry DeFazio Larson Roemer McIntosh Royce Thomas DeGette Leach Rothman McIntyre Ryan (WI) Thune b 1334 Delahunt Lee Roukema McKeon Ryun (KS) Tiahrt DeLauro Levin Roybal-Allard Metcalf Sandlin Toomey Messrs. MCCOLLUM, BATEMAN, Deutsch Lewis (GA) Rush Mica Sanford Traficant DREIER, RYUN of Kansas, Mrs. Dicks Lipinski Sabo Miller (FL) Saxton Turner CUBIN, Mr. TAUZIN and Mr. BLUNT Dingell Lofgren Sanchez Miller, Gary Scarborough Upton changed their vote from ‘‘aye’’ to ‘‘no.’’ Doggett Lowey Sanders Moran (KS) Schaffer Walden Dooley Luther Sawyer Myrick Sensenbrenner Walsh Messrs. QUINN, HEFLEY, BOYD, Doyle Maloney (CT) Schakowsky Nethercutt Sessions Wamp HILL of Montana, BASS, SUNUNU, Engel Maloney (NY) Scott Ney Shadegg Waters LOBIONDO, WAMP, WELLER, HOB- Eshoo Markey Serrano Northup Shaw Watkins Etheridge Martinez Sherman Norwood Shays Watts (OK) SON, UPTON, CUNNINGHAM, Evans Mascara Sherwood Nussle Shimkus Weldon (FL) SHIMKUS, STEARNS, CAMP, COBLE Farr Matsui Slaughter Ose Shows Weldon (PA) and HUNTER, and Mrs. MORELLA Fattah McCarthy (MO) Snyder Oxley Shuster Weller changed their vote from ‘‘no’’ to ‘‘aye.’’ Filner McCarthy (NY) Spratt Packard Simpson Whitfield Ford McDermott Stabenow Paul Sisisky Wicker So the amendment was agreed to. Frank (MA) McGovern Strickland Pease Skeen Wilson The result of the vote was announced Frost McKinney Stupak Peterson (MN) Skelton Wolf as above recorded. Gejdenson McNulty Tanner Peterson (PA) Smith (MI) Young (AK) Gephardt Meehan Tauscher Petri Smith (NJ) Young (FL) Stated for: Gonzalez Meek (FL) Thompson (CA) Mr. BILBRAY. Mr. Chairman, on rollcall No. Gordon Meeks (NY) Thompson (MS) NOT VOTING—11 141, I was inadvertently detained. Had I been Green (TX) Menendez Thurman Brown (CA) Largent Stark present, I would have voted ``yes.'' Gutierrez Millender- Tierney Dixon Moakley Thornberry Hall (OH) McDonald Udall (CO) Foley Napolitano Towns Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Chairman, on rollcall Hastings (FL) Miller, George Udall (NM) Graham Salmon No. 141, the Vento amendment, I was un- Hill (IN) Minge Velazquez avoidably detained. Had I been present, I Hilliard Mink Vento Hinchey Mollohan Visclosky b 1344 would have voted ``yes.'' Hinojosa Moore Watt (NC) ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE CHAIRMAN PRO Hoeffel Moran (VA) Waxman Mr. MCINTYRE changed his vote TEMPORE Holden Morella Weiner from ‘‘aye’’ to ‘‘no.’’ Holt Murtha Wexler Mrs. MORELLA changed her vote The CHAIRMAN pro tempore (Mr. Hooley Nadler Weygand BASS). Pursuant to House Resolution Hoyer Neal Wise from ‘‘no’’ to ‘‘aye.’’ 180, the Chair announces that he will Inslee Oberstar Woolsey So the amendment was rejected. reduce to a minimum of 5 minutes the Jackson (IL) Obey Wu The result of the vote was announced Jackson-Lee Olver Wynn period of time within which a vote by (TX) Ortiz as above recorded. electronic device will be taken on each Jefferson Owens AMENDMENT NO. 4 OFFERED BY MR. SWEENEY, additional amendment on which the AS AMENDED NOES—231 Chair has postponed further pro- The CHAIRMAN pro tempore (Mr. Aderholt Coburn Gilman ceedings. ASS Archer Collins Goode B ). The pending business is the de- AMENDMENT NO. 5 OFFERED BY MR. UDALL OF Armey Combest Goodlatte mand for a recorded vote on the COLORADO Bachus Condit Goodling amendment offered by the gentleman The CHAIRMAN pro tempore. The Baker Cook Goss from New York (Mr. SWEENEY), as Ballenger Cooksey Granger pending business is the demand for a Barr Cox Green (WI) amended, on which further proceedings recorded vote on the amendment of- Barrett (NE) Cramer Greenwood were postponed and on which the ayes fered by the gentleman from Colorado Bartlett Crane Gutknecht prevailed by voice vote. (Mr. UDALL) on which further pro- Barton Cubin Hall (TX) Bass Cunningham Hansen The Clerk will redesignate the ceedings were postponed and on which Bateman Davis (VA) Hastings (WA) amendment. the noes prevailed by voice vote. Bereuter Deal Hayes The Clerk redesignated the amend- The Clerk will redesignate the Berry DeLay Hayworth ment. amendment. Biggert DeMint Hefley Bilbray Diaz-Balart Herger RECORDED VOTE The Clerk redesignated the amend- Bilirakis Dickey Hill (MT) The CHAIRMAN pro tempore. A re- ment. Bishop Doolittle Hilleary Bliley Dreier Hobson corded vote has been demanded. RECORDED VOTE Blunt Duncan Hoekstra A recorded vote was ordered. The CHAIRMAN pro tempore. A re- Boehlert Dunn Horn Boehner Edwards Hostettler The CHAIRMAN pro tempore. This corded vote has been demanded. will be a 5-minute vote. A recorded vote was ordered. Bonilla Ehlers Houghton Bono Ehrlich Hulshof The vote was taken by electronic de- This will be a 5-minute vote. Boswell Emerson Hunter vice, and there were—ayes 407, noes 15, The vote was taken by electronic de- Brady (TX) English Hutchinson not voting 11, as follows: vice, and there were—ayes 191, noes 231, Bryant Everett Hyde Burr Ewing Isakson [Roll No. 143] not voting 11, as follows: Burton Fletcher Istook [Roll No. 142] Buyer Forbes Jenkins AYES—407 Callahan Fossella Johnson (CT) AYES—191 Abercrombie Baker Barton Calvert Fowler Johnson, Sam Ackerman Baldacci Bass Abercrombie Barrett (WI) Borski Camp Franks (NJ) Jones (NC) Aderholt Baldwin Bateman Ackerman Becerra Boucher Campbell Frelinghuysen Kasich Allen Ballenger Becerra Allen Bentsen Boyd Canady Gallegly Kelly Andrews Barcia Bentsen Andrews Berkley Brady (PA) Cannon Ganske King (NY) Archer Barr Bereuter Baird Berman Brown (FL) Chabot Gekas Kingston Armey Barrett (NE) Berkley Baldacci Blagojevich Brown (OH) Chambliss Gibbons Knollenberg Bachus Barrett (WI) Berman Baldwin Blumenauer Capps Chenoweth Gilchrest Kolbe Baird Bartlett Berry Barcia Bonior Capuano Coble Gillmor Kuykendall May 20, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3425 Biggert Frelinghuysen Luther Sandlin Stabenow Velazquez GENERAL LEAVE Bilirakis Frost Maloney (CT) Sanford Stearns Vento Bishop Gallegly Maloney (NY) Sawyer Stenholm Visclosky Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, I Blagojevich Ganske Manzullo Saxton Strickland Walden ask unanimous consent that all Mem- Bliley Gejdenson Martinez Scarborough Stump Walsh bers may have 5 legislative days within Blunt Gekas Mascara Schaffer Stupak Wamp Boehlert Gephardt Matsui Sensenbrenner Sununu Waters which to revise and extend their re- Boehner Gibbons McCarthy (MO) Serrano Sweeney Watkins marks on H.R. 883. Bonilla Gilchrest McCarthy (NY) Sessions Talent Watt (NC) The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there Bonior Gillmor McCollum Shadegg Tancredo Watts (OK) Bono Gilman McCrery Shaw Tanner Waxman objection to the request of the gen- Borski Goode McDermott Sherman Tauscher Weiner tleman from Alaska? Boswell Goodlatte McGovern Sherwood Tauzin Weldon (FL) There was no objection. Shimkus Taylor (MS) Weldon (PA) Boucher Goodling McHugh f Boyd Gordon McInnis Shows Taylor (NC) Weller Brady (PA) Goss McIntosh Shuster Terry Wexler b 1400 Brady (TX) Graham McIntyre Simpson Thomas Weygand Brown (FL) Green (TX) McKeon Sisisky Thompson (MS) Whitfield ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING Brown (OH) Green (WI) McKinney Skeen Thornberry Wicker AMENDMENT PROCESS FOR H.R. Bryant Greenwood McNulty Skelton Thune Wilson Burr Gutierrez Meek (FL) Slaughter Thurman Wise 1401, NATIONAL DEFENSE AU- Burton Gutknecht Meeks (NY) Smith (MI) Tiahrt Wolf THORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL Buyer Hall (OH) Menendez Smith (NJ) Tierney Woolsey YEAR 2000 AND LEGISLATIVE Smith (TX) Toomey Wu Callahan Hall (TX) Metcalf BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS ACT, Calvert Hansen Mica Smith (WA) Traficant Wynn Camp Hastings (FL) Millender- Snyder Turner Young (AK) FISCAL YEAR 2000 Souder Udall (CO) Young (FL) Campbell Hastings (WA) McDonald Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise Canady Hayes Miller (FL) Spence Udall (NM) Cannon Hayworth Miller, Gary Spratt Upton to inform the House of the plans of the Capps Hefley Miller, George NOES—15 Committee on Rules in regard to H.R. Capuano Herger Minge Bilbray Jackson (IL) Morella 1401, the National Defense Authoriza- Cardin Hill (IN) Mink tion Act for fiscal year 2000 and the Carson Hill (MT) Mollohan Blumenauer Klink Schakowsky Castle Kucinich Scott Chabot Hilleary Moore Fiscal Year 2000 Legislative Branch Ap- Cubin Markey Shays Chambliss Hilliard Moran (KS) propriations bill. Filner Meehan Thompson (CA) Chenoweth Hinchey Moran (VA) Today the gentleman from California Murtha Clay Hinojosa NOT VOTING—11 (Chairman DREIER) informed the House Clayton Hobson Myrick Brown (CA) Granger Salmon Clement Hoeffel Nadler of the Committee on Rules’ plan re- Cox Largent Stark Clyburn Hoekstra Neal garding these bills in two ‘‘Dear Col- Foley Moakley Towns Coble Holden Nethercutt Gonzalez Napolitano league’’ letters. Coburn Holt Ney The Committee on Rules will be Collins Hooley Northup b 1352 Combest Horn Norwood meeting the week of May 24 to grant a Condit Hostettler Nussle Mrs. MEEK of Florida, Ms. rule which may restrict the offering of Conyers Houghton Oberstar DEGETTE, Ms. WOOLSEY, Mr. PICK- amendments to the National Defense Cook Hoyer Obey ETT, and Mr. PASTOR changed their Cooksey Hulshof Olver Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2000. Costello Hunter Ortiz vote from ‘‘no’’ to ‘‘aye.’’ The bill was ordered reported by the Coyne Hutchinson Ose So the amendment, as amended, was Committee on Armed Services on May Cramer Hyde Owens agreed to. 19. A copy of the bill and report will be Crane Inslee Oxley The result of the vote was announced available for review in the office of the Crowley Isakson Packard as above recorded. Cummings Istook Pallone Committee on Armed Services on Mon- The CHAIRMAN pro tempore. There Cunningham Jackson-Lee Pascrell day, May 24. The bill is also expected being no further amendments, under Danner (TX) Pastor to be available for review on the Com- Davis (FL) Jefferson Paul the rule, the Committee rises. Davis (IL) Jenkins Payne Accordingly, the Committee rose; mittee on Armed Services’ web site Davis (VA) John Pease and the Speaker pro tempore (Mr. this evening. Deal Johnson (CT) Pelosi Any Member contemplating an DeFazio Johnson, E. B. Peterson (MN) LAHOOD) having assumed the chair, Mr. amendment to the bill should submit 55 DeGette Johnson, Sam Peterson (PA) BASS, Chairman pro tempore of the Delahunt Jones (NC) Petri copies of the amendment and a brief DeLauro Jones (OH) Phelps Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, reported that that explanation to the Committee on Rules DeLay Kanjorski Pickering in H–312 of the Capitol no later than DeMint Kaptur Pickett Committee, having had under consider- Deutsch Kasich Pitts ation the bill (H.R. 883) to preserve the Tuesday, May 25 at 5 p.m. Diaz-Balart Kelly Pombo sovereignty of the United States over Amendments should be drafted to the Dickey Kennedy Pomeroy text of the bill as ordered reported by Dicks Kildee Porter public lands and acquired lands owned Dingell Kilpatrick Portman by the United States, and to preserve the Committee on Armed Services. Dixon Kind (WI) Price (NC) The Committee on Rules is also plan- Doggett King (NY) Pryce (OH) State sovereignty and private property rights in non-Federal lands sur- ning to meet the week of May 24 to Dooley Kingston Quinn grant a rule which may limit the Doolittle Kleczka Radanovich rounding those public lands and ac- Doyle Knollenberg Rahall quired lands, pursuant to House Reso- amendment process for floor consider- Dreier Kolbe Ramstad lution 180, he reported the bill back to ation for Fiscal Year 2000 Legislative Duncan Kuykendall Rangel Branch Appropriations Act. Dunn LaFalce Regula the House with sundry amendments Edwards LaHood Reyes adopted by the Committee of the The Committee on Appropriations or- Ehlers Lampson Reynolds Whole. dered the bill reported Thursday, May Ehrlich Lantos Riley 20, and is expected to file its com- Emerson Larson Rivers The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under Engel Latham Rodriguez the rule, the previous question is or- mittee report on Thursday, May 25, English LaTourette Roemer dered. 1999. Eshoo Lazio Rogan Is a separate vote demanded on any Any Member wishing to offer an Etheridge Leach Rogers amendment should submit 55 copies Evans Lee Rohrabacher amendment? If not, the Chair will put Everett Levin Ros-Lehtinen them en gros. and a brief explanation of the amend- Ewing Lewis (CA) Rothman The amendments were agreed to. ment to the Committee on Rules in Farr Lewis (GA) Roukema The SPEAKER pro tempore. The room H–312 of the Capitol no later than Fattah Lewis (KY) Roybal-Allard Fletcher Linder Royce question is on the engrossment and 12 p.m. on Tuesday, May 25. Amend- Forbes Lipinski Rush third reading of the bill. ments should be drafted to the bill as Ford LoBiondo Ryan (WI) The bill was ordered to be engrossed reported by the Committee on Appro- Fossella Lofgren Ryun (KS) and read a third time, was read the priations. Copies of the bill may be ob- Fowler Lowey Sabo Frank (MA) Lucas (KY) Sanchez third time, and passed, and a motion to tained from the Committee on Appro- Franks (NJ) Lucas (OK) Sanders reconsider was laid on the table. priations in room H–218 of the Capitol.