[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 145 (Friday, October 7, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 7, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
 CONVEYANCE TO STATE OF MINNESOTA OF NEW LONDON NATIONAL FISH HATCHERY

  Mr. STUDDS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the 
Speaker's table the bill (H.R. 3664) to direct the Secretary of the 
Interior to convey to the State of Minnesota the New London National 
Fish Hatchery production facility, with Senate amendments thereto, and 
concur in the Senate amendments with amendments.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The Clerk read the House amendments to the Senate amendments, as 
follows:

       House amendments to Senate amendments; In lieu of the 
     matter proposed to be inserted by the Senate amendment to the 
     text, insert the following:

                   TITLE I--FISH HATCHERY CONVEYANCES

     SECTION 101. CONVEYANCE OF NEW LONDON NATIONAL FISH HATCHERY 
                   PRODUCTION FACILITY TO THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

       (a) Conveyance Authorized.--Notwithstanding any other 
     provision of law and within 180 days after the enactment of 
     this Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall convey to the 
     State of Minnesota without reimbursement all right, title, 
     and interest of the United States in and to the property 
     comprising the New London National Fish Hatchery production 
     facility, located outside of downtown New London, Minnesota, 
     including--
       (1) all easements and water rights relating to that 
     property; and
       (2) all land, improvements, and related personal property 
     comprising that production facility.
       (b) Use of Property.--All property and interests conveyed 
     under this section shall be used by the Minnesota Department 
     of Natural Resources for the Minnesota fishery resources 
     management program.
       (c) Reversionary Interest.--All right, title, and interest 
     in and to all property interests conveyed under this section 
     shall revert to the United States on any date on which any of 
     the property or interests are used other than for the 
     Minnesota fishery resources management program.

     SEC. 102. CONVEYANCE OF THE FAIRPORT NATIONAL FISH HATCHERY 
                   TO THE STATE OF IOWA.

       (a) Conveyance.--The Secretary of the Interior shall convey 
     to the State of Iowa, without reimbursement and by no later 
     than December 31, 1994, all right, title, and interest of the 
     United States in and to the fish hatchery described in 
     subsection (b) for use by the State for purposes of fishery 
     resources management.
       (b) Hatchery Described.--The fish hatchery described in 
     subsection (a) is the Fairport National fish Hatchery located 
     in Muscatine County, Iowa, adjacent to the State Highway 22 
     west of Davenport, Iowa, including all real property, 
     improvements to real property, and personal property.
       (c) Use and Reversionary Interest.--The property conveyed 
     to the State of Iowa pursuant to this section shall be used 
     by the State for purposes of fishery resources management, 
     and if it is used for any other purpose all right, title, and 
     interest in and to all property conveyed pursuant to this 
     section shall revert to the United States.

     SEC. 103. CONVEYANCE OF CORNING NATIONAL FISH HATCHERY TO THE 
                   STATE OF ARKANSAS.

       (a) Conveyance Requirement.--The Secretary of the Interior 
     shall convey to the State of Arkansas, without reimbursement 
     and by no later than 90 days after the enactment of this act, 
     all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to 
     the property described in subsection (b), for use by the 
     Arkansas Game and Fish Commission as part of the State of 
     Arkansas Fish culture program.
       (b) Property Described.--The property referred to in 
     subsection (a) is the property known as the Corning National 
     Fish Hatchery (popularly known as the William H. Donham State 
     Fish Hatchery), located one mile west of Corning, Arkansas, 
     on Arkansas State Highway 67 in Clay County, Arkansas, 
     consisting of 137.34 acres (more or less), and all 
     improvements and related personal property under the control 
     of the Secretary that is located on that property, including 
     buildings, structures, and equipment.
       (c) Reversionary Interest of the United States.--All right, 
     title, and interest in property described in subsection (b) 
     shall revert to the United States if the property ceases to 
     be used as part of the State of Arkansas fish culture 
     program. The State of Arkansas shall ensure that the property 
     reverting to the United States is in substantially the same 
     or better condition as at the time of transfer.

             TITLE II--OCEAN RADIOACTIVE WASTE DUMPING BAN

     SEC. 201. OCEAN RADIOACTIVE WASTE.

       (a) Amendments to the Ocean Dumping Act.--The Marine 
     Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 (33 U.S.C. 
     1401 et seq.) is amended--
       (1) in section 3 (33 U.S.C. 1402), by--
       (A) striking paragraph (j); and
       (B) redesignating the following paragraphs accordingly;
       (2) by altering a reference to the paragraphs redesignated 
     under paragraph (1) of this section;
       (3) in section 102(a) (33 U.S.C. 1412(a)), by striking 
     ``high-level'' before ``radioactive waste''; and
       (4) in section 104 (33 U.S.C. 1414), by striking subsection 
     (i).
       (b) Clarification.--Nothing in this section shall affect 
     the transportation of material containing de minimis levels 
     of radioactivity for the purpose of dumping it into ocean 
     waters under the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries 
     Act of 1972.

       TITLE III--THE EDWIN B. FORSYTHE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

     SEC. 301. VISITOR CENTER.

       (a) Authority.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary of the Interior shall, 
     subject to the availability of appropriations, construct and 
     operate a visitor center at the Edwin B. Forsythe National 
     Wildlife Refuge in Atlantic County, New Jersey for purposes 
     of--
       (A) providing public opportunities, facilities, and 
     resources to study the natural history and natural resources 
     of New Jersey and its coast;
       (B) providing public opportunities, facilities, and 
     resources to highlight and research areas and artifacts of 
     historical significance within the Refuge;
       (C) fostering an awareness and understanding of the 
     interactions among wildlife, coastal and wetland ecosystems, 
     and human activities both in a modern and historical context; 
     and
       (D) providing office space and facilities for refuge 
     administration, research, educational, and related 
     activities.
       (b) Design.--The Secretary of the Interior shall ensure 
     that the design, size, and location of a facility constructed 
     under this section are consistent with the cultural and 
     natural history of the area with which the facility will be 
     concerned.
       (c) Cost Sharing.--The Secretary of the Interior may accept 
     contributions of funds from non-Federal sources to pay the 
     costs of operating and maintaining the facility authorized 
     under this section, and shall diligently pursue appropriate 
     steps to obtain such contributions.

                TITLE IV--STATE AND FEDERAL COOPERATION

       Sec. 401. In General.--To the greatest extent practicable, 
     the Secretary of the Interior and the heads of other federal 
     agencies shall consult and cooperate with state fish and 
     wildlife agency personnel on areas of mutual concern 
     involving the conservation of fish, wildlife and their 
     habitats, and the implementation of federal laws involving 
     the conservation of such species and their habitats. In 
     cooperating with such agencies, the Secretary and the heads 
     of other federal agencies shall not be subject to the 
     provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. 
     APP. 2).

    TITLE V--DON EDWARDS CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AT SAN 
                 FRANCISCO BAY NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

     SEC. 501 FINDINGS.

       The Congress Finds that--
       (1) The San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge provides 
     great opportunities for observing and interpreting the 
     biological richness of the San Francisco Bay estuary and its 
     wetlands and wildlife.
       (2) Congressman Don Edwards was the sponsor of legislation 
     to establish and to expand the San Francisco Bay National 
     Wildlife Refuge and has led the efforts to secure acquisition 
     funds for the refuge.
       (3) The people of the San Francisco Bay area and the State 
     of California will benefit, for decades to come, from the 
     tireless efforts of Congressman Don Edwards on behalf of 
     environmental protection and specifically, in establishing 
     the San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
       (4) Congressman Don Edwards should most appropriately be 
     recognized for his work by having the San Francisco Bay 
     National Wildlife Refuge visitor center named and dedicated 
     in his honor.

     SEC. 502. SAN FRANCISCO BAY NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE NAMED AS 
                   DON EDWARDS CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION.

       Within 60 days of enactment, the Secretary of the Interior 
     shall rename the San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge 
     visitor center as the Don Edwards Center for Environmental 
     Education.

     SEC. 503. COST SHARING.

       Notwithstanding any provision of law, the Secretary of the 
     Interior may solicit, accept and expend contributions of 
     funds from non-Federal sources to help support the costs of 
     operation and maintenance of the Don Edwards Center for 
     Environmental Education.

      TITLE VI--AMENDMENTS TO THE COASTAL BARRIER RESOURCES SYSTEM

     SEC. 601. CORRECTION TO MAPS.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary of the Interior shall, not 
     later than 30 days after the enactment of this Act, make such 
     corrections to the maps described in subsection (b) as are 
     necessary to ensure that--
       (1) depictions of areas on the maps are consistent with the 
     depictions of areas appearing on the maps entitled ``Coastal 
     Barrier Resources System'', dated September 27, 1994, and on 
     file with the Secretary of the Interior; and
       (2) the Coastal Barriers Resources System does not include 
     any area that, on the day before the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, was part of unit FL-O5P of the system.
       (b) Maps Described.--The maps described in this subsection 
     are maps that--
       (1) are included in a set of maps entitled ``Coastal 
     Barrier Resources System'', dated October 24, 1990; and
       (2) relate to the following units of the Coastal Barrier 
     Resources System: AL-01P, FL-O5P, P11A, P17, P17A, P18P, 
     P19P, FL-15, FL-95P, FL-36P, P31P, FL-72P, MI-21, NY-75, and 
     VA-62P.
       (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 12 of Coastal 
     Barrier Resources Act (16 U.S.C. 3510) is amended to read as 
     follows:

     ``SEC 12. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       ``There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary 
     for carrying out this Act $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
     1995 through 1998.''.

              TITLE VII--RHINOCEROS AND TIGER CONSERVATION

     SEC. 701. SHORT TITLE.

       This title may be cited as the ``Rhinoceros and Tiger 
     Conservation Act of 1994''.

     SEC. 702. FINDINGS.

       The Congress finds the following:
       (1) The world's rhinoceros population is declining at an 
     alarming rate, a 90 percent decline since 1970.
       (2) All 5 subspecies of tiger are currently threatened with 
     extinction in the wild, with approximately 5,000 to 6,000 
     tigers remaining worldwide.
       (3) All rhinoceros species have been listed on Appendix I 
     of CITES since 1977.
       (4) All tiger subspecies have been listed on Appendix I of 
     CITES since 1987.
       (5) The tiger and all rhinoceros species, except the 
     southern subspecies of white rhinoceros, are listed as 
     endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 
     (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
       (6) In 1987, the parties of CITES adopted a resolution that 
     urged all parties to establish a moratorium on the sale and 
     trade in rhinoceros products (other than legally taken 
     trophies), to destroy government stockpiles of rhinoceros 
     horn, and to exert pressure on countries continuing to allow 
     trade in rhinoceros products.
       (7) On September 7, 1993, under section 8 of the 
     Fishermen's Protective Act of 1967 (22 U.S.C. 1978) the 
     Secretary certified that the People's Republic of China and 
     Taiwan were engaged in trade of rhinoceros parts and tiger 
     parts that diminished the effectiveness of an international 
     conservation program for that endangered species.
       (8) On September 9, 1993, the Standing Committee on CITES, 
     in debating the continuing problem of trade in rhinoceros 
     horn and tiger parts, adopted a resolution urging parties to 
     CITES to implement stricter domestic measures, up to and 
     including an immediate prohibition in trade in wildlife 
     species.
       (9) On November 8, 1993, under section 8 of the Fishermen's 
     Protection Act of 1967 (22 U.S.C. 1978), the President 
     announced that the United States would impose trade sanction 
     against China and Taiwan unless substantial progress was made 
     by March 1994 towards ending trade in rhinoceros and tiger 
     products.
       (10) On April 11, 1994, under section 8 of the Fishermen's 
     Protective Act of 1967 (22 U.S.C. 1978), the President--
       (A) directed that imports of wildlife specimens and 
     products from Taiwan be prohibited, in response to Taiwan's 
     failure to undertake sufficient actions to stop illegal 
     rhinoceros and tiger trade; and
       (B) indicated that the certification of China would remain 
     in effect and directed that additional monitoring of China's 
     progress be undertaken.

     SEC. 703. PURPOSES.

       The purposes of this Act are the following:
       (1) To assist in the conservation of rhinoceros and tigers 
     by supporting the conservation programs of nations whose 
     activities directly or indirectly affect rhinoceros and tiger 
     populations, and the CITES Secretariat.
       (2) To provide financial resources for those programs.

     SEC 704. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act--
       (1) ``CITES'' means the Convention of International Trade 
     in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, signed on 
     March 3, 1973, and its appendices;
       (2) ``conservation'' means the use of all methods and 
     procedures necessary to bring rhinoceros and tigers to the 
     point at which there are sufficient populations to ensure 
     that those species do not become extinct, including all 
     activities associated with scientific resource management, 
     such as research, census, law enforcement, habitat 
     protection, acquisition, and management, propagation, live 
     trapping, and transportation;
       (3) ``Fund'' means the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation 
     Fund established under section 706(a);
       (4) ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the Interior; and
       (5) ``Administrator'' means the Administrator of the Agency 
     for International Development.

     SEC. 705. RHINOCEROS AND TIGER CONSERVATION ASSISTANCE.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary, subject to the availability 
     of appropriations and in consultation with the Administrator, 
     shall use amounts in the Fund to provide financial assistance 
     for projects for the conservation of rhinoceros and tigers.
       (b) Project Proposal.--A country whose activities directly 
     or indirectly affect rhinoceros or tiger populations, the 
     CITES Secretariat, or any other person may submit to the 
     Secretary a project proposal under this section. Each 
     proposal shall--
       (1) name the individual responsible for conducting the 
     project;
       (2) state the purposes of the project succinctly;
       (3) describe the qualifications of the individuals who will 
     conduct the project;
       (4) estimate the funds and time required to complete the 
     project;
       (5) provide evidence of support of the project by 
     appropriate governmental entities of countries in which the 
     project will be conducted, if the Secretary determines that 
     the support is required for the success of the project; and
       (6) provide any other information the Secretary considers 
     to be necessary for evaluating the eligibility of the project 
     for funding under this Act.
       (c) Project Review and Approval.--Within 30 days of 
     receiving a final project proposal, the Secretary shall 
     provide a copy of the proposal to the Administrator. The 
     Secretary shall review each final project proposal to 
     determine if it meets the criteria set forth in subsection 
     (d). Not later than 6 months after receiving a final 
     project proposal, and subject to the availability of 
     funds, the Secretary, after consulting with the 
     Administrator, shall approve or disapprove the proposal 
     and provide written notification to the person who 
     submitted the proposal, to the Administrator, and to each 
     country within which the project is to be conducted.
       (d) Criteria for Approval.--The Secretary may approve a 
     project under this section if the project will enhance 
     programs for conservation of rhinoceros or tigers by 
     assisting efforts to--
       (1) implement conservation programs;
       (2) enhance compliance with provisions of CITES and laws of 
     the United States or a foreign country that prohibit or 
     regulate the taking or trade of rhinoceros or tigers or the 
     use of rhinoceros or tiger habitat; or
       (3) develop sound scientific information on that species' 
     habitat condition and carrying capacity, total numbers and 
     population trends, or annual reproduction and mortality.
       (e) Project Sustainability.--To the maximum extent 
     practical, the Secretary should give consideration to 
     projects which will enhance sustainable development programs 
     to ensure effective, long-term conservation of rhinoceros and 
     tigers.
       (f) Project Reporting.--Each person that receives 
     assistance under this section for a project shall provide 
     periodic reports, as the Secretary considers necessary, to 
     the Secretary and the Administrator. Each report shall 
     include all information requested by the Secretary, after 
     consulting with the Administrator, for evaluating the 
     progress and success of the project.

     SEC. 706. RHINOCEROS AND TIGER CONSERVATION FUND.

       (a) Establishment.--There is established in the general 
     fund of the Treasury a separate account to be known as the 
     ``Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Fund'', which shall 
     consist of amounts deposited into the Fund of the Secretary 
     of the Treasury under subsection (b).
       (b) Deposits Into the Fund.--The Secretary of the Treasury 
     shall deposit into the Fund--
       (1) all amounts received by the Secretary in the form of 
     donations under subsection (d); and
       (2) other amounts appropriated to the Fund.
       (c) Use.--
       (1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary 
     may use amounts in the Fund without further appropriation to 
     provide assistance under section 705.
       (2) Administration.--Of amounts in the Fund available for 
     each fiscal year, the Secretary may use not more than 3 
     percent to administer the Fund.
       (d) Acceptance and Use of Donations.--The Secretary may 
     accept and use donations to provide assistance under section 
     705. Amounts received by the Secretary in the form of 
     donations shall be transferred to the Secretary of the 
     Treasury for deposit into the Fund.

     SEC. 707. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       There are authorized to be appropriated to the Fund 
     $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 
     and 2000 to carry out this Act, to remain available until 
     expended.
       Amend the title so as to read ``A bill to direct the 
     Secretary of the Interior to transfer certain national fish 
     hatcheries, and for other purposes''.
  Mr. STUDDS (during the reading). Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent 
that the House amendments to the Senate amendments be considered as 
read and printed in the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Massachusetts?
  There was no objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Massachusetts?
  Mr. FIELDS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, reserving the right to object, I 
will not object, but I would like to give the distinguished gentleman 
from Massachusetts [Mr. Studds] an opportunity to explain the bill.
  Mr. STUDDS. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. FIELDS of Texas. I yield to the gentleman from Massachusetts.
  Mr. STUDDS. Mr. Speaker, after H.R. 3664 passed the House in March of 
this year, the Senate amended and returned it a little over a month 
ago. In the pending month that I have at the desk, I will ask that we 
concur in most of the Senate amendments with some further amendments.
  As the gentleman knows, these amendments have been worked out in a 
bipartisan manner in our committee and the appropriate committee in the 
Senate is aware of the action we are about to take.
  Our bipartisan amendments contain seven titles.
  Title I transfers three fish hatchery facilities from the U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service; one to the State of Minnesota, one to Iowa, and 
one to Arkansas.
  Title II is the text of H.R. 3982, the Ocean Radioactive Waste 
Dumping Ban Act. This bill also was passed previously in the House.
  Title III authorizes the construction of a visitor center at the 
Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge in New Jersey.
  Title IV directs the Secretary of the Interior and other Federal 
agencies to consult and cooperate with State agencies in the 
implementation of Federal conservation laws and exempts such 
consultations from the requirements of the Federal Advisory Committee 
Act. Because of some recent court holdings, there is a chill in the 
traditionally cooperative Federal and State management of fish and 
wildlife. Instead of working directly with the States to achieve the 
intent of Federal conservation laws, Federal agencies are either 
requiring the formation of formal Federal advisory committees before 
dealing with the States or are avoiding discussions altogether. The 
quality of decisionmaking is adversely affected. This amendment will 
help restore the historically strong cooperation between State and 
Federal agencies.
  Title V names the visitor center at the San Francisco Bay National 
Wildlife Refuge for our distinguished colleague, the Honorable (and 
venerable) Don Edwards. The Don Edwards Center for Environmental 
Education will be a great and lasting tribute to the years of hard work 
which Don Edwards has put into protecting our environment. It is 
especially appropriate given Mr. Edwards' leadership in establishing 
and expanding the San Francisco Bay refuge.
  Title VI is the text of H.R. 4598, a bill which makes technical 
corrections to the Coastal Barrier Resources Act. Title VI is identical 
to the House-passed bill with the addition of one property in Alabama. 
The Interior Department identified this mapping error after House 
passage and the correction was added during action by the Senate 
Committee.
  Title VII is the text of H.R. 4924, the Rhinoceros and Tiger 
Conservation Act of 1994, a bill that passed the House about 10 days 
ago by unanimous consent and is a matter of great interest to our 
ranking minority member, the gentleman from Texas.
  (Mr. FIELDS of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and 
extend his remarks.)
  Mr. FIELDS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3664, as 
amended, which contains a number of bills that have previously been 
passed by the House of Representatives.
  Title I would convey the New London National Fish Hatchery Production 
Facility to the State of Minnesota, the Fairport National Fish Hatchery 
to the State of Iowa, and the Corning National Fish Hatchery to the 
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.
  Title II of the bill includes the text of H.R. 3982, amendments to 
the Ocean Dumping Act. This legislation was authored by the gentleman 
from Pennsylvania, Curt Weldon, previously adopted by the House of 
Representatives, and I support its inclusion in this bill.
  Title III authorizes the Fish and Wildlife Service to construct and 
operate a visitor center at the Edward B. Forsythe National Wildlife 
Refuge in New Jersey, subject to the availability of appropriations.
  Title IV exempts the Secretary of the interior from provisions of the 
Federal Advisory Committee Act when the Secretary is consulting with 
State fish and wildlife agency personnel on wildlife conservation 
matters.
  Title V of the bill authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to 
rename the San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center as 
the Don Edwards Center for Environmental Education.
  Title VI amends the Coastal Barriers Resources System by correct 
errors on maps that have previously been placed into the Coastal 
Barrier System.
  Finally, Mr. Speaker, title VII establishes a grant program for the 
conservation of rhinoceros and tigers. It includes the text of H.R. 
4924, a bill previously adopted by the House of Representatives.
  Mr. Speaker, I support the bill and ask my colleagues to join me in 
its adoption.
  Mr. MINETA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House 
Resolution 3664, legislation which includes a provision to name the 
visitors center at the San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge after 
our colleague, Don Edwards.
  Mr. Speaker, I cannot think of a more appropriate way to honor Don 
Edwards for his many years of distinguished service to this body and to 
his constituents.
  The San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge is one of our Nation's 
most treasured natural resources. Currently measuring more than 23,000 
acres, this land is home to numerous plant and wildlife species, and 
provides critical habitat for species that are threatened and 
endangered. The refuge also protects thousands of acres of threatened 
wetlands around the San Francisco Bay.
  Further, the refuge will ensure that these vital resources will be 
preserved and protected for generations to come.
  The existence of the San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge is 
due to the persistent work of one man--Don Edwards. From the time he 
entered Congress, Don Edwards has worked tirelessly for the protection 
of the bay.
  In 1972, Don was successful in passing legislation to establish the 
refuge. That legislation authorized the Federal Government to acquire 
20,000 acres around the bay to stop the development that was harming 
the area's ecological balance.
  Since that time, Don has continued to work to secure appropriations 
for land acquisition for the refuge, and to expand the authorization of 
the refuge.
  In fact, in 1988 Don convinced Congress to double the authorized size 
of the refuge. And this year, the bill to provide appropriations for 
the Department of the Interior included $4 million to acquire land for 
the San Francisco Bay Wildlife Refuge.
  His work on behalf of the San Francisco Bay also led Don to introduce 
the most sweeping wetlands protection bill in memory. That legislation 
would ensure that this Nation's wetlands, and the vital 
responsibilities they perform, receive the protection they deserve.
  Throughout his time in Congress, Don Edwards has maintained a close 
working relationship with local community and environmental groups in 
the bay area. I can think of no more fitting tribute to Don's work than 
to create the Don Edwards Center for Environmental Education at the San 
Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge--a place for Don's constituents 
to visit and enjoy.
  Again Mr. Speaker, I thank Don for his many contributions to this 
body and to our community, and I urge my colleagues to support this 
legislation.
  Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3664, which 
contains a provision to name the visitor center at the San Francisco 
Bay National Wildlife Refugee the Don Edwards Center for Environmental 
Education.
  This is a fitting tribute to a man who throughout his distinguished 
tenure in public service has committed himself to protecting the 
environment. Indeed, he is responsible for the creation and expansion 
of the 40,000 acre San Francisco Bay Federal Wildlife Refuge and I look 
forward to the day when the entire refuge will be named in his honor.
  Bay area residents and visitors will benefit for decades to come from 
Mr. Edwards' tireless efforts on behalf of the refuge.
  The visitor's center will not only stand as a reminder of his efforts 
on behalf of the refuge, but his efforts on behalf of the environment 
as a whole.
  I have had the pleasure of knowing Don Edwards for years and serving 
with him in the 103d Congress. He has served in this body and 
represented his San Jose district since 1962.
  Although he has stood firmly behind the principles he supports, he 
has always been a fair and honest legislator. He has not only been a 
gentleman but he has also been a gentle man.
  To me, he has also been a friend and I will sorely miss him.
  I am pleased that we can pay tribute to Don Edwards with the Don 
Edwards Center for Environmental Education and I urge my colleagues to 
join me in support of this legislation.
  Mr. FIELDS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of 
objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the initial request of 
the gentleman from Massachusetts?
  There was no objection.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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