[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 35 (Friday, February 24, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H2182]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT

  (Mr. CALVERT asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, in the last Congress, rats, bugs, and even 
weeds were more important than people. Certain bureaucrats have become 
so eager to list new species as endangered, they have lost sight of the 
intent of the Endangered Species Act and ignored human concerns.
  The Stephens kangaroo rat, considered not only to be endangered, was 
partly responsible for the destruction of 29 homes in my district. In 
fall 1993, southern California was battling several wildfires. Because 
homeowners lived in critical habitat they were unable to obey 
California law and clear dry weeds and brush away from their homes. It 
was even illegal for the California Department of Forestry and Fire 
Protection to set controlled fires so that they could reduce the amount 
of combustible materials. The result: 29 homes destroyed.
  Well, Mr. Speaker, yesterday we struck a blow to rats and scored a 
touchdown for the American people. The Combest-Condit amendment to H.R. 
450 sets not only a moratorium to the Endangered Species Act, but is 
retroactive to November 20, 1994. This may not bring back the 29 homes 
in my district, but it will help the American people realize that this 
Congress thinks they are more important than rats, bugs, and weeds.


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