[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 21 (Thursday, February 2, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E254]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


        PROVIDING FOR THE PROTECTION OF PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS

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                            HON. JACK FIELDS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 2, 1995
  Mr. FIELDS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, along with my colleagues, I am 
introducing the ``Private Property Owners Bill of Rights,'' to require 
certain Federal agencies to protect the rights of private property 
owners in America.
  Our Republic was founded upon the ancient and sound principles of 
ownership, use and control of private property. These principles of 
stewardship were embodied by our Founding Fathers in the fifth 
amendment to the Constitution, prohibiting the taking of private 
property without the payment of just compensation.
  Today, a number of Federal environmental programs, specifically the 
Endangered Species Act of 1973 and section 404 of the Federal Water 
Pollution Control Act have been implemented by employees, agents, and 
representatives of the Federal Government in a manner that deprives 
private property owners of the use and control of their property. The 
result is that private property owners are being forced by Federal 
policy to resort to extensive, lengthy, and costly litigation to 
protect certain basic civil rights guaranteed by the Constitution.
  As new Federal programs are proposed that would limit and restrict 
the use of private property to provide habitat for plant and animal 
species, the rights of private property owners must be recognized and 
respected. A clear Federal policy is needed to guide and direct Federal 
agencies with respect to their implementation of environmental laws 
that directly impact private property.
  Therefore, it is the purpose of this act to provide a consistent 
Federal policy to encourage, support, and promote the private ownership 
of property and to ensure that the constitutional and legal rights of 
private property owners are protected by the Federal Government, its 
employees, agents, and representatives.


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