[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 176 (Wednesday, November 8, 1995)]
[House]
[Pages H11834-H11835]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         THE NATURE CONSERVANCY

  (Mr. COOLEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. COOLEY. Mr. Speaker, the practice of using the taxpayer's money 
to subsidize lobbying--either directly or indirectly--is wrong and it 
should be stopped.
  The clearest example of tax dollars being used for lobbying involves 
The Nature Conservancy [TNC], America's richest nonprofit organization, 
with assets exceeding $850 million. In 1993, TNC received a $44,100 
grant from NOAA to ``support volunteer outreach and public affairs 
programs for the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.'' 
Documentation from TNC and 

[[Page H 11835]]
NOAA clearly indicates that some of this money was used to engage in 
blatant political advocacy, including lobbying local county officials 
to vote against holding a referendum on the sanctuary.
  TNC's lobbying efforts in south Florida were summarized in a 
quarterly report sent to NOAA. This describes a TNC contractor's very 
interesting activities performed under that grant, which included: 
``developed and directed plan to counter opposition's push for a 
county-wide referendum against the establishment of the Sanctuary *  *  
* Plan was successful in blocking referendum and generated many 
positive articles and editorials using many of the messages discussed 
in plan.'' TNC denies lobbying with grant funds, relying on a filmsy 
crutch regarding segregated funds and the like. However, TNC has yet to 
produce any itemization to explain how the $44,000 was spent. TNC's 
shrouded activities are questionable enough that they have received 
considerable press in Florida.
  TNC's lobbying schemes are but the tip of the iceberg for taxpayer-
funded lobbying activities. Later today my colleagues will have the 
unique opportunity to finally bring an end to these unjustified 
lobbying shenanigans, and I urge my colleagues' support in this effort. 
Enough is enough.

                          ____________________