[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 38 (Tuesday, April 12, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[Congressional Record: April 12, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
SUSPENDING DUTY ON PERSONAL EFFECTS OF PARTICIPANTS IN CERTAIN
INTERNATIONAL ATHLETIC EVENTS
Mr. ROSTENKOWSKI. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass
the bill (H.R. 4066) to suspend temporarily the duty on the personal
effects of participants in, and certain other individuals associated
with, the 1994 World Cup Soccer Games, the 1994 World Rowing
Championships, the 1995 Special Olympics World Games, the 1996 Summer
Olympics, and the 1996 Paralympics, as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:
H.R. 4066
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. TEMPORARY DUTY SUSPENSION FOR PERSONAL EFFECTS OF
PARTICIPANTS IN CERTAIN WORLD ATHLETIC EVENTS.
(a) In General.--Subchapter II of chapter 99 of the
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States is amended by
inserting in numerical sequence the following new heading:
``9902.98.0 Any of the following articles No Free On or
4. not intended for sale or chan before
distribution to the public: ge 11/30/
personal effects of aliens who 96''.
are participants in, officials
of , or accredited members of
delegations to, the 1994 FIFA
World Cup Games, the 1994
World Rowing Championships,
the 1995 Special Olympics
World Games, the XXVI Summer
Olympiad, and the 1996 Atlanta
Paralympic Games, and of
persons who are immediate
family members of or servants
to any of the foregoing
persons; equipment and
materials imported in
connection with the foregoing
events by or on behalf of the
foregoing persons or the
organizing committees of such
events; articles to be used in
exhibitions depicting the
culture of a country
participating in any such
event; and, if consistent with
the foregoing, such other
articles as the Secretary of
the Treasury may allow........ Fre
e
(b) Taxes and Fees Not To Apply.--The articles described in
heading 9902.98.04 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the
United States (as added by subsection (a)) shall be free of
taxes and fees which may be otherwise applicable.
SEC. 2. EFFECTIVE DATE.
(a) General Rule.--The amendment made by this Act applies
to articles entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for
consumption, on or after the 15th day after the date of the
enactment of this Act.
(b) Reliquidation.--Notwithstanding section 514 of the
Tariff Act of 1930 or any other provision of law, upon proper
request (which includes sufficient information to identify
and locate the entry) filed with the Customs Service on or
before the date that is 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, any entry, or withdrawal from
warehouse for consumption, of an article described in heading
9902.98.04 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United
States (as added by section 1) that occurred--
(1) after December 31, 1993, and before the date which is
15 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and
(2) with respect to which there would have been no duty if
the amendment made by section 1 applied to such entry or
withdrawal.
shall be liquidated or reliquidated as though such amendment
applied to such entry or withdrawal.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Illinois [Mr. Rostenkowski] will be recognized for 20 minutes, and the
gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Crane] will be recognized for 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Rostenkowski].
general leave
Mr. ROSTENKOWSKI. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their
remarks on the bill presently being considered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Illinois?
There was no objection.
Mr. ROSTENKOWSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4066, as amended.
The events covered by this bill are the World Cup soccer games
starting in Chicago in June 1994, to be held in nine venues throughout
the United States; the 1994 World Rowing Championships in Indianapolis
in September 1994; the Special Olympics world games in New Haven, CT,
in July 1995; the Summer Olympics in Atlanta in 1996; and the 1996
Atlanta Paralympic games.
Thousands of athletes and officials from hundreds of countries will
be bringing in equipment and materials for these events and for related
cultural exhibitions. H.R. 4066 will greatly assist these events by
eliminating a requirement to post bond for temporary entry that might
otherwise be necessary in some cases. Most other countries provide this
service for major international sporting events. The Congress enacted
similar legislation for the 1984 Summer Olympics, the 1990 Goodwill
games, and the 1993 World University games.
We have amended the bill to make clear that the duty exemption only
applies to articles not intended for sale or distribution to the
public.
The Congressional Budget Office estimates that H.R. 4066 will cause
no change in Federal Government receipts.
This bill has widespread support on both sides of the aisle. I
strongly urge my colleagues to pass this noncontroversial measure
quickly so that it may be enacted in time to benefit the World Cup
soccer games and other events to be held in the coming months.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4066, a bill to suspend
the duty on personal effects and equipment of athletes entering the
United States in order to participate in five international sporting
events: The 1994 World Cup soccer games, the World Rowing
Championships, the Special Olympics world games, the 1996 Summer
Olympics, and the 1996 Paralympics.
This bill will cause no change in revenue receipts since the articles
it affects would ordinarily enter duty free under exemptions contained
in current law. By simplifying entry procedures for athletes, and
making it unnecessary for them to post bond for the importation of
their sports equipment, H.R. 4066 is a concrete expression of our
goodwill, friendship, and support for these games.
The impact that these athletic tournaments have on the host regions,
and on the individuals involved, their friends, and the families who
come to cheer them on, is exciting and uplifting. Staffed by tens of
thousands of volunteers and professionals dedicated to the advancement
of athletics in this country, each of these five events will be
celebrated in its own right.
I am pleased, however, that we could reach agreement to act
expeditiously on this legislation, because it is especially important
to the smooth operation of the 1994 World Soccer Cup, which will be
played in my State of Illinois, and eight other States, beginning on
June 17. Currently undergoing a major renovation, Chicago's Soldier
Field stadium will host the opening match between the defending German
champions and the Bolivian team.
Studies indicate that the 1994 World Soccer Cup will generate upwards
of $4 billion in economic activity due to associated expenditures on
hotels, restaurants, and shopping by those traveling in the United
States to attend. Estimates are that more than $230 million will flow
directly into the Chicago area as a result of the matches being held
there.
One hundred and forty-one nations have entered the 1994 World Cup. It
is expected that 22 teams will qualify to compete in the United States.
This is the world's largest single-sport event, and the trophy is more
coveted worldwide than prizes from any other athletic contest. In our
country, soccer vies with football, basketball, and baseball for
attention, but it is important to remember how popular the sport of
soccer is in other cultures. For example, more than one billion people
watched the 1990 World Cup final on television, three times as many
people as watched the 1969 landing on the moon. Approximately 31.2
billion people are expected to view at least one of the 1994 World Cup
Soccer matches on TV this summer.
The other events covered by H.R. 4066, such as the World Rowing
Championships and the 1996 Summer Olympics, are meritorious as well. I
urge favorable approval to this legislation because it is a symbol of
our support, hospitality, and commitment to those who came to the
United States to participate in these important athletic events.
{time} 1250
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. ROSTENKOWSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to
the gentleman from Indiana [Mr. Jacobs].
Mr. JACOBS. Mr. Speaker, I support this legislation and express my
gratitude to the gentlemen from Illinois for their work on this bill.
This year Indianapolis, which claims to be the world capital of
amateur sports, and may be, at that, was happy to host the Pan American
Games a few years ago in the 1980's. Now we shall be happy to host the
world championship rowing games. They are in Indianapolis.
Some of my friends asked me if I thought I had enough pull in
Congress to arrange to make the equipment that they bring in for this
contest duty-free, so I went to Washington and floated the idea with
the gentlemen from Illinois [Mr. Rostenkowski] and [Mr. Crane] and
other members of the Committee on Ways and Means, and today the bill
has surfaced.
I am very grateful to my colleagues for assisting in this effort. I
think it is probably about as good a diplomatic thing as we can do to
show comity among nations and to encourage nations to compete on the
athletic field, instead of competing for how efficiently they can
slaughter each other.
Mr. HAMILTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4066, a
bill which would grant duty waiver to five international athletic
events to be held in the United States over the next 2 years. One of
these events, the 1994 World Rowing Championships, will be held in
Indianapolis, IN this September.
This will be an exciting event for the city of Indianapolis and my
home State of Indiana. It marks the first time that the World Rowing
Championships will be held in this country. For 7 days the world's best
men and women rowers will be competing at the Eagle Creek Reservoir in
23 different events. More than 1,000 athletes from around the world are
scheduled to participate.
U.S. teams have had increasing success in recent World Championship
competitions. Rowing enjoys a rich tradition in this country and our
athletes continue to perform with distinction. This year's events will
be very competitive as crews begin preparations for the 1996 Summer
Olympics.
Event organizers expect more than 250,000 spectators to come to
Indianapolis for the competition. The city has become a mecca for
amateur sports, and visitors will enjoy the state-of-the-art facilities
as well as our famous Hoosier hospitality.
USRowing is headquartered in Indianapolis. The organization has
worked hard to bring this exciting event to the United States. I am
pleased to be associated with its success. I join the rest of my
Indiana colleagues in wishing all the athletes well.
Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I would like to join my
colleagues in supporting H.R. 4066, legislation which will grant duty
waiver for several sports events, including the 1994 World Rowing
Championships.
From September 11-18, Indianapolis, IN will host the World Rowing
Championships--the first time ever the event has been held in the
United States. Over 1,000 men and women from more than 40 countries
will be competing.
Top rowers from every continent will assemble on Eagle Creek
Reservoir, which is the only internationally certified racing course in
the United States, to compete in 23 events.
This legislation will enable competing teams to enter the United
States without having to post bond on the racing equipment they will be
bringing into the country. Racing shells, measuring more than 60 feet
for 8-man crews, are worth more then $15,000 each without oars.
Eliminating this expense and some of the associated redtape, lifts an
enormous burden from all the teams, especially from less well off
nations where the travel and shipping costs alone pose a considerable
hurdle.
I commend the Ways and Means Committee for acting so expeditiously on
this legislation which is an important courtesy to the competing
athletes.
I also commend the organizers at USRowing for bringing this exciting
event to Indianapolis. Amateur sports have played a major role in the
revitalization of Indianapolis and I look forward to welcoming visitors
from around the world to the world Championships in September.
Mrs. KENNELLY. Mr. Speaker, today the House considers important
legislation, H.R. 4066, which would temporarily suspend duty on the
personal effects of athletes participating in five international
sporting competitions: the 1994 World Cup soccer games, the 1994 World
Rowing Championships, the 1996 Summer Olympiad, the 1996 Paralympics,
and the 1995 Special Olympics World Games.
These last games are very close to my heart. Not only will they be
held in my home State of Connecticut, but they represent a unique
effort in the world of sports. The Special Olympics offer the
opportunity to participate in Olympic-level competition against the
best in the world--and to display to a global audience the
extraordinary gifts of the competitors.
The 1995 Special Olympics World Games are expected to be the largest
sport event of 1995, and the largest sporting event ever held in
Connecticut. For 9 days in July 1995, this small State will grow in
size and spirit as the world joins us to witness the courage and
achievement of Special Olympians from around the globe. Over 6,000
athletes from more than 125 countries will participate in events from
aquatics to volleyball. In addition, large numbers of international
visitors are expected to travel to the United States in connection with
the games.
About half of the 6,700 athletes will come from overseas, as will
half the coaches. They will bring with them family members, officials,
delegation heads, dignitaries, and media. Together with U.S.
representation, more than half a million people are expected to attend
the games.
The Special Olympics has evolved into an international movement--one
that transcends nationalities, political philosophy, gender, age, race,
and disability. At a time when in our history when civil conflict
divides so many nations, these competitions celebrate sportsmanship and
cooperation. The Special Olympics truly demonstrate the strength of the
human spirit and the joy and pride of accomplishment.
For Special Olympics athletes and for those participating in the
other events, suspension of duties relieves what could be a heavy
financial burden. Duties on uniforms and equipment, which are often
donated, could all but bankrupt some teams, particularly those from
developing countries. Beyond that, suspension of duties on these goods
is also a way to demonstrate the warm welcome extended to foreign
competitors by the U.S. Government, and the good will extended by the
American public.
One final note: I am very pleased that, by offering Special Olympians
the same treatment afforded other athletes, we are complying with both
the letter and the spirit of the Americans With Disabilities Act. In
the eyes of this committee, and in the eyes of the Commissioner of
Customs, there will be no difference between disabled and nondisabled
competitors. They are all athletes. I believe this is an important
precedent to set.
I thank Chairman Rostenkowski, Chairman Gibbons and the Committee on
Ways and Means for moving expeditiously on this bill and I urge my
colleagues to support H.R. 4066.
Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of enactment of
H.R. 4066, introduced by Chairman Rostenkowski, and to which I am an
original cosponsor.
H.R. 4066 would suspend duty on the personal effects of participants
in international sporting events.
Mr. Speaker, the World Cup is coming to Chicago this June. I
introduced legislation to suspend the duty on the personal effects of
participants in the World Cup. That legislation has been incorporated
into H.R. 4066.
The World Cup is the single largest sporting event in the world.
Chicago, and eight other metropolitan areas are hosting it for the
first time. The Department of Commerce estimates the revenue impact of
the games to the Nation will be a staggering $4 billion. In addition,
we expect a total of 1.5 million international visitors to visit our
shores for the games. Needless to say, the World Cup will be a
tremendous boost for the economy of the United States in general, and
Chicago in particular.
Hosting the World Cup is a great opportunity for Chicago and the
Nation. For soccer fans, and those who will see world class level
soccer in the United States for the first time, it promises to be an
exciting tournament.
I thank the chairman for his efforts to enact this legislation.
Similar legislation has been enacted in the past for the 1984 summer
Olympics in Los Angeles, as well as the World University games and the
Pan-American games.
The Congressional Budget Office estimates that this bill would cause
no change in Federal Government receipts. This bill merely simplifies
the entry procedure and avoids the necessity of posting bonds.
I urge my colleagues' support for passage of H.R. 4066.
Mr. SHARP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call special attention to
H.R. 4066, legislation which would suspend temporarily the duty on the
personal effects of participants in the 1994 World Rowing Championships
that are being held at Eagle Creek Reservoir in Indianapolis, IN, from
September 11 to 18.
This event marks the first time the world rowing championships have
been held in the United States and I am proud to have the Hoosier State
hosting this historic event. The championships evolved from the
European championships which were first held in 1893 and have occurred
every year since. Competing will be more than 1,000 athletes--both men
and women--from more than 40 countries.
Rowing has a long history in America. Watermen carrying cargo in the
New York Harbor used to race for prestige; the fresh produce carriers
versus the carriers of the dry goods. It quickly caught on as a great
spectator sport. And the tradition continues today as the ``Head of the
Charles'' now attracts over 250,000 spectators.
It is my pleasure to support this legislation which has become part
of an omnibus sports event duty free bill. Although this bill includes
other highly respectable amateur competitions being held in the United
States this decade, it is particularly important to rowing because of
the expensive equipment it requires. Waiving the bond requirement for
the equipment relieves the competing teams of an unnecessary expense
and eases their entry into the United States.
Again, I would like to express my excitement over the 1994 World
Rowing Championships and invite all my colleagues, rowers and
nonrowers, to visit the beautiful city of Indianapolis and become
spectators to this event.
Mr. MYERS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I would like to join my colleagues
by adding my support for H.R. 4066, which would establish a duty waiver
for the 1994 World Rowing Championships in Indianapolis.
This year, the United States will host the rowing championship for
the first time in the event's history. From all over the world, more
than 1,000 male and female athletes will compete on Eagle Creek
Reservoir in Indianapolis on September 11-18, 1994. Like the other
world-class athletes who have competed in events in Indianapolis, they
will enjoy the contemporary facilities and generous hospitality that
has made Indianapolis one of America's premier sports cities.
Competitive rowing in America dates back to the 1800's and has grown
nationwide in recent years with numerous competitive rivalries. In
addition to being the home of the United States Rowing Association,
Indianapolis also boasts numerous school and collegiate rowing programs
that are among the finest in the Nation.
More than 250,000 fans are expected to watch the race on Eagle Creek
Reservoir, which is part of the largest city-owned park in America.
Twenty-three events will be featured, from single shells to eight-man
crews.
This legislation, in addition to smoothing the entry process for the
athletes and their equipment, will waive the requirement that visiting
teams post bond on the boats and oars they bring with them. This will
be of great assistance to the visiting crews, many of whom come from
countries that already are overwhelmed by the cost of travel to and
lodging in the United States
I invite you to come to Eagle Creek Reservoir in Indianapolis in
September to see the fastest men and women rowers in the world.
Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. ROSTENKOWSKI. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time,
and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Mazzoli). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Rostenkowski] that the
House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 4066, as amended.
The question was taken.
Mr. ROSTENKOWSKI. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 5 of rule I and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
____________________