[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 134 (Wednesday, September 25, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H11153-H11158]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 PROFESSIONAL BOXING SAFETY ACT OF 1996

  Mr. OXLEY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(H.R. 4167) to provide for the safety of journeymen boxers, and for 
other purposes.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 4167

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Professional Boxing Safety 
     Act of 1996''.

     SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

       For purposes of this Act:
       (1) Boxer.--The term ``boxer'' means an individual who 
     fights in a professional boxing match.
       (2) Boxing commission.--(A) The term ``boxing commission'' 
     means an entity authorized under State law to regulate 
     professional boxing matches.
       (3) Boxer registry.--The term ``boxer registry'' means any 
     entity certified by the Association of Boxing Commissions for 
     the purposes of maintaining records and identification of 
     boxers.
       (4) Licensee.--The term ``licensee'' means an individual 
     who serves as a trainer, second, or cut man for a boxer.
       (5) Manager.--The term ``manager'' means a person who 
     receives compensation for service as an agent or 
     representative of a boxer.
       (6) Matchmaker.--The term ``matchmaker'' means a person 
     that proposes, selects, and arranges the boxers to 
     participate in a professional boxing match.
       (7) Physician.--The term ``physician'' means a doctor of 
     medicine legally authorized to practice medicine by the State 
     in which the physician performs such function or action.
       (8) Professional boxing match.--The term ``professional 
     boxing match'' means a boxing contest held in the United 
     States between individuals for financial compensation. Such 
     term does not include a boxing contest that is regulated by 
     an amateur sports organization.
       (9) Promoter.--The term ``promoter'' means the person 
     primarily responsible for organizing, promoting, and 
     producing a professional boxing match.
       (10) State.--The term ``State'' means each of the 50 
     States, Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, and any 
     territory or possession of the United States.

     SEC. 3. PURPOSES.

       The purposes of this Act are--
       (1) to improve and expand the system of safety precautions 
     that protects the welfare of professional boxers; and
       (2) to assist State boxing commissions to provide proper 
     oversight for the professional boxing industry in the United 
     States.

     SEC. 4. BOXING MATCHES IN STATES WITHOUT BOXING COMMISSIONS.

       No person may arrange, promote, organize, produce, or fight 
     in a professional boxing

[[Page H11154]]

     match held in a State that does not have a boxing commission 
     unless the match is supervised by a boxing commission from 
     another State and subject to the most recent version of the 
     recommended regulatory guidelines certified and published by 
     the Association of Boxing Commissions as well as any 
     additional relevant professional boxing regulations and 
     requirements of such other State.

     SEC. 5. SAFETY STANDARDS.

       No person may arrange, promote, organize, produce, or fight 
     in a professional boxing match without meeting each of the 
     following requirements or an alternative requirement in 
     effect under regulations of a boxing commission that provides 
     equivalent protection of the health and safety of boxers:
       (1) A physical examination of each boxer by a physician 
     certifying whether or not the boxer is physically fit to 
     safely compete, copies of which must be provided to the 
     boxing commission.
       (2) Except as otherwise expressly provided under regulation 
     of a boxing commission promulgated subsequent to the 
     enactment of this Act, an ambulance or medical personnel with 
     appropriate resuscitation equipment continuously present on 
     site.
       (3) A physician continuously present at ringside.
       (4) Health insurance for each boxer to provide medical 
     coverage for any injuries sustained in the match.

     SEC. 6. REGISTRATION.

       (a) Requirements.--Each boxer shall register with--
       (1) the boxing commission of the State in which such boxer 
     resides; or
       (2) in the case of a boxer who is a resident of a foreign 
     country, or a State in which there is no boxing commission, 
     the boxing commission of any State that has such a 
     commission.
       (b) Identification Card.--
       (1) Issuance.--A boxing commission shall issue to each 
     professional boxer who registers in accordance with 
     subsection (a), an identification card that contains each of 
     the following:
       (A) A recent photograph of the boxer.
       (B) The social security number of the boxer (or, in the 
     case of a foreign boxer, any similar citizen identification 
     number or professional boxer number from the country of 
     residence of the boxer).
       (C) A personal identification number assigned to the boxer 
     by a boxing registry.
       (2) Renewal.--Each professional boxer shall renew his or 
     her identification card at least once every 2 years.
       (3) Presentation.--Each professional boxer shall present 
     his or her identification card to the appropriate boxing 
     commission not later than the time of the weigh-in for a 
     professional boxing match.

     SEC. 7. REVIEW.

       (a) Procedures.--Each boxing commission shall establish 
     each of the following procedures:
       (1) Procedures to evaluate the professional records and 
     physician's certification of each boxer participating in a 
     professional boxing match in the State, and to deny 
     authorization for a boxer to fight where appropriate.
       (2) Procedures to ensure that, except as provided in 
     subsection (b), no boxer is permitted to box while under 
     suspension from any boxing commission due to--
       (A) a recent knockout or series of consecutive losses;
       (B) an injury, requirement for a medical procedure, or 
     physician denial of certification;
       (C) failure of a drug test; or
       (D) the use of false aliases, or falsifying, or attempting 
     to falsify, official identification cards or documents.
       (3) Procedures to review a suspension where appealed by a 
     boxer, including an opportunity for a boxer to present 
     contradictory evidence.
       (4) Procedures to revoke a suspension where a boxer--
       (A) was suspended under subparagraph (A) or (B) of 
     paragraph (2) of this subsection, and has furnished further 
     proof of a sufficiently improved medical or physical 
     condition; or
       (B) furnishes proof under subparagraph (C) or (D) of 
     paragraph (2) that a suspension was not, or is no longer, 
     merited by the facts.
       (b) Suspension in Another State.--A boxing commission may 
     allow a boxer who is under suspension in any State to 
     participate in a professional boxing match--
       (1) for any reason other than those listed in subsection 
     (a) if such commission notifies in writing and consults with 
     the designated official of the suspending State's boxing 
     commission prior to the grant of approval for such individual 
     to participate in that professional boxing match; or
       (2) if the boxer appeals to the Association of Boxing 
     Commissions, and the Association of Boxing Commissions 
     determines that the suspension of such boxer was without 
     sufficient grounds, for an improper purpose, or not related 
     to the health and safety of the boxer or the purposes of this 
     Act.

     SEC. 8. REPORTING.

       Not later than 48 business hours after the conclusion of a 
     professional boxing match, the supervising boxing commission 
     shall report the results of such boxing match and any related 
     suspensions to each boxer registry.

     SEC. 9. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST.

       No member or employee of a boxing commission, no person who 
     administers or enforces State boxing laws, and no member of 
     the Association of Boxing Commissions may belong to, contract 
     with, or receive any compensation from, any person who 
     sanctions, arranges, or promotes professional boxing matches 
     or who otherwise has a financial interest in an active boxer 
     currently registered with a boxer registry. For purposes of 
     this section, the term ``compensation'' does not include 
     funds held in escrow for payment to another person in 
     connection with a professional boxing match. The prohibition 
     set forth in this section shall not apply to any contract 
     entered into, or any reasonable compensation received, by a 
     boxing commission to supervise a professional boxing match in 
     another State as described in section 4.

     SEC. 10. ENFORCEMENT.

       (a) Injunctions.--Whenever the Attorney General of the 
     United States has reasonable cause to believe that a person 
     is engaged in a violation of this Act, the Attorney General 
     may bring a civil action in the appropriate district court of 
     the United States requesting such relief, including a 
     permanent or temporary injunction, restraining order, or 
     other order, against the person, as the Attorney General 
     determines to be necessary to restrain the person from 
     continuing to engage in, sanction, promote, or otherwise 
     participate in a professional boxing match in violation of 
     this Act.
       (b) Criminal Penalties.--
       (1) Managers, promoters, matchmakers, and licensees.--Any 
     manager, promoter, matchmaker, and licensee who knowingly 
     violates, or coerces or causes any other person to violate, 
     any provision of this Act shall, upon conviction, be 
     imprisoned for not more than 1 year or fined not more than 
     $20,000, or both.
       (2) Conflict of interest.--Any member or employee of a 
     boxing commission, any person who administers or enforces 
     State boxing laws, and any member of the Association of 
     Boxing Commissions who knowingly violates section 9 of this 
     Act shall, upon conviction, be imprisoned for not more than 1 
     year or fined not more than $20,000, or both.
       (3) Boxers.--Any boxer who knowingly violates any provision 
     of this Act shall, upon conviction, be fined not more than 
     $1,000.

     SEC. 11. NOTIFICATION OF SUPERVISING BOXING COMMISSION.

       Each promoter who intends to hold a professional boxing 
     match in a State that does not have a boxing commission 
     shall, not later than 14 days before the intended date of 
     that match, provide written notification to the supervising 
     boxing commission designated under section 4. Such 
     notification shall contain each of the following:
       (1) Assurances that, with respect to that professional 
     boxing match, all applicable requirements of this Act will be 
     met.
       (2) The name of any person who, at the time of the 
     submission of the notification--
       (A) is under suspension from a boxing commission; and
       (B) will be involved in organizing or participating in the 
     event.
       (3) For any individual listed under paragraph (2), the 
     identity of the boxing commission that issued the suspension 
     described in paragraph (2)(A).

     SEC. 12. STUDIES.

       (a) Pension.--The Secretary of Labor shall conduct a study 
     on the feasibility and cost of a national pension system for 
     boxers, including potential funding sources.
       (b) Health, Safety and Equipment.--The Secretary of Health 
     and Human Services shall conduct a study to develop 
     recommendations for health, safety, and equipment standards 
     for boxers and for professional boxing matches.
       (c) Reports.--Not later than one year after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Labor shall submit a 
     report to the Congress on the findings of the study conducted 
     pursuant to subsection (a). Not later than 180 days after the 
     date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and 
     Human Services shall submit a report to the Congress on the 
     findings of the study conducted pursuant to subsection (b).

     SEC. 13. PROFESSIONAL BOXING MATCHES CONDUCTED ON INDIAN 
                   RESERVATIONS.

       (a) Definitions.--For purposes of this section, the 
     following definitions shall apply:
       (1) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian tribe'' has the same 
     meaning as in section 4(e) of the Indian Self-Determination 
     and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b(e)).
       (2) Reservation.--The term ``reservation'' means the 
     geographically defined area over which a tribal organization 
     exercises governmental jurisdiction.
       (3) Tribal organization.--The term ``tribal organization'' 
     has the same meaning as in section 4(l) of the Indian Self-
     Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 
     450b(l)).
       (b) Requirements.--
       (1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     law, a tribal organization of an Indian tribe may, upon the 
     initiative of the tribal organization--
       (A) regulate professional boxing matches held within the 
     reservation under the jurisdiction of that tribal 
     organization; and
       (B) carry out that regulation or enter into a contract with 
     a boxing commission to carry out that regulation.
       (2) Standards and licensing.--If a tribal organization 
     regulates professional boxing matches pursuant to paragraph 
     (1), the tribal organization shall, by tribal ordinance or 
     resolution, establish and provide for the implementation of 
     health and safety standards, licensing requirements, and 
     other requirements relating to the conduct of professional

[[Page H11155]]

     boxing matches that are at least as restrictive as--
       (A) the otherwise applicable standards and requirements of 
     a State in which the reservation is located; or
       (B) the most recently published version of the recommended 
     regulatory guidelines certified and published by the 
     Association of Boxing Commissions.

     SEC. 14. RELATIONSHIP WITH STATE LAW.

       Nothing in this Act shall prohibit a State from adopting or 
     enforcing supplemental or more stringent laws or regulations 
     not inconsistent with this Act, or criminal, civil, or 
     administrative fines for violations of such laws or 
     regulations.

     SEC. 15. EFFECTIVE DATE.

       The provisions of this Act shall take effect on January 1, 
     1997, except as follows:
       (1) Section 9 shall not apply to an otherwise authorized 
     boxing commission in the Commonwealth of Virginia until July 
     1, 1998.
       (2) Sections 5 through 9 shall take effect on July 1, 1997.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Ohio [Mr. Oxley] and the gentleman from New York [Mr. Manton] each will 
control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Oxley].
  Mr. OXLEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  (Mr. OXLEY asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. OXLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4167, the 
Professional Boxing Safety Act.
  This bill represents months of bipartisan, bi-committee, and 
bicameral negotiations. Its primary purpose is to establish a State and 
privately run system for licensing professional boxers.
  H.R. 4167 is identical to H.R. 1186, which was marked up by the 
Committee on Commerce on September 18, and reported to the full House 
on September 24, 1996. Since the provisions of the bills are identical, 
it is the intent of the Committee on Commerce and the Committee on 
Economic and Educational Opportunities that the Committee on Commerce 
report on H.R. 1186 should serve as the legislative history governing 
the interpretation of H.R. 4167.
  I include for the Record a memorandum of understanding between 
Chairman Bliley and Chairman Goodling on this point.
  The memorandum referred to is as follows:

                                    Congress of the United States,


                                     House of Representatives,

                               Washington, DC, September 25, 1996.
     Hon. Newt Gingrich,
     Speaker, House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Speaker: We are writing regarding the jurisdiction 
     and legislative history of H.R. 4167, the Professional Boxing 
     Safety Act, which has been introduced today by Rep. Pat 
     Williams and Rep. Michael G. Oxley and referred to the 
     Committee on Economic and Educational Opportunities and in 
     addition to the Committee on Commerce and H.R. 1186, the 
     Professional Boxing Safety Act, which was referred to the 
     Committee on Economic and Educational Opportunities and in 
     addition to the Committee on Commerce. After negotiations 
     between the two Committees, H.R. 1186 was favorably reported 
     from the Committee on Commerce and agreed to be considered 
     under suspension of the House Rules.
       Subsequently and in honor of the retirement of Rep. Pat 
     Williams, our friend and colleague, Rep. Williams introduced 
     H.R. 4167, Professional Boxing Safety Act, which is identical 
     to the Commerce Committee reported bill to H.R. 1186 and we 
     have agreed to consider this bill in lieu of consideration of 
     H.R. 1186. We now agree that the legislative history of H.R. 
     1186 should be deemed part of the legislative history of H.R. 
     4167, Professional Boxing Safety Act and that the 
     jurisdiction of the two Committees should not be prejudiced 
     by any of these events.
           Sincerely,
     Bill Goodling,
       Chairman, Committee on Economic and Educational 
     Opportunities.
     Thomas J. Bliley,
       Chairman, Committee on Commerce.
  Mr. Speaker, when people think of professional boxing they imagine 
the multi-million dollar fight with Mike Tyson or George Foreman or Tim 
Witherspoon in the corner. But the vast majority of professional 
matches are between two little known boxers, fighting for less than 
$100 per round, who are often intentionally mismatched to provide the 
crowd with a spectacle of gore.
  Unlike every other major American sport, there is no merit system in 
boxing for advancing to a title. Sanctioning bodies are controlled by 
promoters with their own agendas. Even the officials who regulate 
boxing through the State commissions often have personal financial 
interest and involvement in their own pet fighters. With fraud and 
corruption allowed to run rampant in boxing, it's no wonder that we've 
had so many boxers left penniless, with severe medical injuries, forced 
to depend for health care and survival on the backs of the Federal 
taxpayers. Boxing needs reform, and it needs it now.
  This bill is not something dreamed up by Washington bureaucrats to be 
imposed on the States. Rather, these reforms have been specifically 
requested and actively supported by State boxing commissions around the 
country.
  Commissioner after commissioner has complained to us that State 
suspensions are flouted by boxers who hop from town to town fighting 
under different names, ignoring failed drug tests and medical injuries, 
ultimately leaving Federal health care and welfare programs to pick up 
the tab after their bodies have broken down.
  So long as there are no uniform licensing procedures for reviewing, 
honoring, and appealing commission authorized suspensions, States will 
remain powerless to enforce their own health and safety regulations, 
with the taxpayers losing out as the result.
  This bill requires that no professional boxing match be held without 
the approval of a State authorized commission. The commission may be 
public or private, and no State is required under this bill to 
establish a commission. If a State chooses not to get involved in 
regulating boxing, then the promoter of a fight is allowed to contract 
with an authorized boxing commission of any other State to come in and 
supervise a fight.
  This bill is not a cure-all for every problem that boxing faces. But 
it is a huge step in the right direction. It enacts strict conflict of 
interest provisions, establishes minimum protections for boxers, and 
empowers States to enforce their own suspensions.
  I recognize that many of my colleagues believe that this compromise 
goes too far, while others feel it does not go far enough to involve 
the Federal Government in helping the States regulate professional 
boxing. But after decades of legislative neglect, professional boxing 
needs uniform State-supervision before it can clean up its act. This is 
a good bill, a good compromise, and a much needed reform.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. MANTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the gentleman 
from Montana [Mr. Williams] be permitted to control one-half of the 
time on this side.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. MANTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  (Mr. MANTON asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. MANTON. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today in support of 
H.R. 4167. This is the same bill that was reported out of the Committee 
on Commerce last Wednesday, and it is a product of bipartisan 
cooperation among members of both the Committee on Commerce and the 
Committee on Economic and Educational Opportunities.
  I would like to commend my colleagues, the gentleman from Virginia 
[Mr. Bliley], the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Oxley], the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania [Mr. Goodling], the chairman, the gentleman from Montana 
[Mr. Williams], and the gentleman from Michigan [Mr. Dingell], for 
their hard work in moving this bill forward.
  In addition, negotiations on the bill have included Senators McCain 
and Bryan, who demonstrated significant commitment to gaining consensus 
on the bill, enabling us to bring this legislation to the House floor 
today. By passing H.R. 4167, the House will take a positive step 
forward toward correcting some of the most negative aspects associated 
with the boxing industry.
  Mr. Speaker, Members in the House have long considered legislation to 
improve the sport of boxing. Early hearings and discussions of problems 
in the industry date back to the 1960's and since that time, various 
proposals have been promoted in an effort to address some of the more 
persistent and destructive problems with the sport.

[[Page H11156]]

  I would like to recognize a number of my colleagues in the House, in 
particular, Representatives Bill Richardson, Ralph Hall, and Major 
Owens, who have dedicated significant time and energy over the years in 
support of legislation to regulate the boxing industry. Their 
leadership on this issue has helped educate and motivate members on 
both sides of the aisle, enabling us to at last reach agreement on 
legislation at this time. While the bill before us today is perhaps 
more minimal in scope than my colleagues would prefer, it does include 
a number of provisions that should satisfy some of their long-term 
interests in seeing improvements made by the boxing industry.
  The purpose of this bill should not surprise many. Numerous problems 
associated with the sport of boxing are not new, and have proven 
persistent over many years. Observers of the industry have criticized 
it for a number of reasons including: inadequate health and safety 
standards for the athletes; industry corruption; exploitation of the 
fighters; organized crime influence; and blatant conflict of interest 
between regulatory and sanctioning bodies. But despite a considerable 
amount of congressional scrutiny and various legislative proposals, no 
specific Federal law dealing with professional boxing has been enacted. 
By passing H.R. 4167 today, the House can improve this record.
  Mr. Speaker, as I stated earlier, the bill before us was crafted with 
bipartisan cooperation in both bodies. It is a good bill that addresses 
many of the most distressing problems in the sport of boxing. In 
particular, H.R. 4167 includes a provision which will put an end to 
conflicts of interest between regulatory and sanctioning bodies in the 
industry. In addition, the bill includes minimum health and safety 
requirements to better protect boxers and expands the State oversight 
role of the industry.
  Mr. Speaker, we could probably go further in our efforts to regulate 
the boxing industry and clean up more problems which surely exist in 
some quarters of the sport. However, I believe this legislation will 
yield some positive changes in the industry and the House should be 
proud to adopt it. As a cosponsor of the bill and ranking minority 
member of the Commerce, Trade, and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee, I 
urge my colleagues to support the measure.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. OXLEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I recognize the gentleman from Montana [Mr. Williams] 
for his strong work in this area for a number of years, working to get 
a bill passed. I think we are just about there. We would not have been 
there without the efforts of the gentleman from Montana.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield such time as he may consume to my 
good friend, the gentleman from Montana [Mr. Williams].
  Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend, the gentleman from 
Ohio, chairman of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Hazardous 
Materials of the Committee on Commerce, for his kindness in yielding 
time to me. If he should need more time, and I am controlling 10 
minutes, I will yield it back to him, but for now I will use his time.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to begin by thanking my Republican colleagues, 
the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Oxley], the gentleman from Virginia [Mr. 
Bliley], and over on the Committee on Economic and Educational 
Opportunities, the gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. Goodling], and the 
gentleman from North Carolina [Mr. Ballenger], for their kindness in 
bringing this bill forward and allowing me to be the prime sponsor of 
it.
  Without their generosity, Mr. Speaker, it may have been that I would 
not have been able to gain this recognition, deserved or not, for 18 
years of work on this issue.
  Mr. Speaker, it was not 18 years but 35 years ago that the first 
proposal to reform the sport of boxing was introduced. It was done so 
by then Senator Estes Kefauver of Tennessee. That legislation was aimed 
at trying to prevent what Senator Kefauver then believed was mob 
control of the sport. His legislation would have set up a commission 
under the Department of Justice to investigate fights. That legislation 
was not passed, and since that time there have been many attempts to 
resurrect the issue and reform the ``sweet science.''
  The issue lay dormant until early in the 1970's, when then 
Congressman Van Derling wanted to regulate television's influence on 
the sport under the Federal Communications Commission. Later, former 
Congressman Ed Beard wanted to establish a Federal boxing commission. 
None of these efforts were successful.
  Then I and some others came on the scene in 1979, and with the House 
Committee on Labor held several days of hearings on the safety of the 
sport and possible avenues of reform, and we approached it as a matter 
of protecting workers in their workplace. The workers are fighters. 
Their workplace is the ring.

                              {time}  2100

  Those hearings opened 18 years of discussion and more than a dozen 
bills aimed at the setting of minimum health and safety standards for 
boxing. But even those efforts, until tonight, fell short, primarily 
for two reasons. One was the difficult job of reassuring folks in the 
sport of boxing that minimum standards are indeed in the fighter's best 
interest, and the second reason was in setting just the right balance 
between State commissions and any Federal assistance.
  The bill before us today is the product of all those years of 
congressional and public discussion and debate. Because of continual 
scandal and increasing fan disillusionment--and I am a fan--the sport 
has long ago, I think, been convinced that minimum health and safety 
standards are necessary if boxing is to prosper and fighters are to be 
protected.
  This legislation before us tonight leaves the regulation of boxing 
with the State commissions, and it sets a basic code of conduct and 
minimum health and safety standards to assist the State commissions in 
the protection of fighters in their workplace, the ring.
  One of the most important provisions in this legislation is the 
establishment of a boxer passport system. This provision will 
essentially prevent a fighter who is knocked out in one State and then 
changes his name and fights under the false name in another State the 
next night, even though the boxer himself is physically at risk. A 
passport system will stop that terrible practice.
  I must say I think that potentially the weakest provision in the bill 
is the definition of how a State boxing commission should be organized. 
The legislation allows States to privatize their commissions. We may 
find that that move toward privatized commissions is a mistake. 
However, I also believe that the conflict of interest provisions of the 
bill will mean that there will be little chance for boxing ranking 
organizations or promoters to capture control of these privatized 
commissions.
  This legislation gives the States the chance to bring the sport of 
boxing under control, and I am certain that the existing State 
commissions are up to the task. The legislation is, in fact, simply an 
attempt by the Congress of the United States to provide for those 
athletes who labor in the ring the basic worker protections that the 
United States provides for all other workers in their workplace. I urge 
my colleagues to support it.
  Finally, I again want to thank Chairman Oxley and my colleagues and 
friends on the Republican side for their generosity in allowing H.R. 
4167, the bill which I have sponsored along with Chairman Oxley and 
Congressman Manton, to come before us tonight.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today in support of H.R. 4167. I 
have worked on this issue for 18 years and I want to thank my 
colleagues on the Economic Opportunities and Commerce Committees for 
their work and assistance on this legislation and I urge your support 
for my bill.
  It was 35 years ago that the first proposal to reform the sport of 
boxing was introduced by then Senator Estes Kefauver. This legislation 
was aimed at the stopping of mob control of the sport and set up a 
commission under the Department of Justice to investigate any illegal 
fights. That legislation was not passed and since that time there has 
been many attempts to resurrect this issue and reform the ``sweet 
science.''
  In the 1970's Congressman Van Derling wanted to regulate television's 
influence on the sport under the Federal Communication

[[Page H11157]]

Commission and Congressman Beard wanted to establish a Federal boxing 
commission under the Department of Labor. None of these efforts was 
successful and in 1979 our House Labor Committee held several days of 
hearings on the safety of the sport and possible avenues of reform. 
These hearings opened 18 years of discussion and more than a dozen 
bills aimed at the setting of minimum health and safety standards for 
boxers. These bills all fell short primarily for two reasons: one was 
the difficult job of reassuring folks in the sport of boxing that 
minimum standards are in the sport's best interest, and the second 
reason was in setting just the right balance between State commissions 
and any Federal assistance.
  The bill before us today is the product of all those years of 
discussion and debate. Because of continual scandal and increasing fan 
disillusionment, the sport and its fans have long ago been convinced 
that minimum health and safety standards were absolutely necessary if 
the sport was to prosper and fighters be protected, and during those 
years the State boxing commissions have their own standards and 
professional organizations. This legislation leaves the regulation of 
boxing with the State commissions, and it sets a basic code of conduct 
and minimum health and safety standards to assist those commissions in 
the protection of fighters in their workplace--the ring.
  One of the most important provisions in this legislation is the 
establishment of the boxer passport system. This provision will 
essentially stop a fighter from being knocked out in one State and then 
changing names and fighting in another State even though they are 
physically at risk. This legislation sets basic safety standards for 
any fight, and it also carries a provision that will have the 
appropriate Federal agencies conduct a study of what minimum health and 
safety provisions should include and also how the sport might provide a 
basic pension system. This study will be presented to the next Congress 
to consider strengthening the mandatory requirements of the bill.
  The weakest provision in the bill is the definition of how a State 
boxing commission should be organized. This legislation allows States 
to privatize their commissions. We may find that the move toward 
privatized commissions is a mistake. However, I also believe that the 
conflict of interest provisions of the bill will mean that there will 
be little chance for boxing ranking organizations or promoters to 
capture control of key commissions--even under privatization. I want to 
commend my colleagues on the Commerce Committee for their effort on 
this provision. I believe that as the State commissions are 
strengthened then there will be less reason for States to consider 
privatization.
  This legislation gives the States the chance to bring the sport of 
boxing under control and I am certain that the existing commissions 
will be up to the task, with our assistance. If we do not take this 
action today, or if the States do not live up to the challenge, then I 
believe we will see the continued downward spiral of both the sport and 
fan confidence.
  This legislation is, in fact, simply an attempt to provide for folks 
who labor in the ring the basic worker protections we provide for 
almost all other workers. The decentralized nature of the sport has 
promoted minimum regulation because those States that enforce strict 
standards simply lose future fights. This flaw has denied fighters 
basic protections and the result has been needless injury and death.

  The House of Representatives has passed reforms one other time--only 
to have the bill die in the Senate. Senator McCain has worked 
tirelessly on this legislation and is in agreement with the House's 
bipartisan proposal. Let's not deny fighters these reforms; they are 
long overdue.
  Mr. MANTON. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. OXLEY. Mr. Speaker, in closing, let me just again thank the 
gentleman from Montana for his leadership. As all of you know, this is 
Pat Williams' last term, he is retiring, will be leaving Congress after 
a distinguished number of years here. This is in many ways a tribute to 
Pat Williams and his dedicated service here in the Congress. I wanted 
to point that out to the Members and for the record.
  Also, to thank the gentleman from New York, Mr. Manton, my ranking 
member; also the gentleman from Virginia, Mr. Bliley, the chairman; the 
gentleman from Michigan, Mr. Dingell, as well, the ranking member; 
Senator McCain who had worked so feverishly on this bill; and last, the 
gentleman from New Mexico, Bill Richardson, who has had an interest in 
this issue and was one of those I had mentioned that wanted to go 
further with this legislation but was kind enough to work on a 
compromise with an understanding that we would work together in the 
next Congress on some other legislation dealing with the boxing issue.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask for a favorable consideration of the bill, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 30 seconds.
  I would thank our friend and colleague, Senator McCain, who I think, 
as everyone interested in this bill knows, started the process in this 
Congress in the Senate and has worked tirelessly, even though a 
Senator, to help get this bill to the floor of the House tonight. I do 
not think we would have gotten there without Senator McCain and we are 
very grateful to him.
  Mr. GOODLING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the 
Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996. This legislation establishes 
minimum health and safety requirements for professional boxers and will 
improve the ability of State authorized boxing commissions to properly 
oversee professional boxing matches.
  Currently, State athletic commissions have differing policies with 
regard to boxing. In one State, boxers, promoters, and managers may be 
required to meet certain standards, while another State may have no 
requirements or safety and health standards at all. The bill which we 
are considering today will make it easier for States to share 
information on suspensions of boxers and will help to ensure that all 
boxing matches are properly supervised by the appropriate State 
officials.
  I would like to acknowledge the personal interest and hard work of 
the sponsors of the bill, Representative Pat Williams  and 
Representative Michael Oxley. As a colleague of mine on the Economic 
and Educational Opportunities Committee, Pat Williams' effort over the 
years with regard to issues in the sport of boxing has helped to focus 
attention on the seriousness of the problems which exist in the sport 
and which, hopefully, will be reduced as a result of this legislation. 
I also appreciate the efforts of the athletic commission in my State of 
Pennsylvania and their assistance in improving the bill.
  H.R. 4167 is identical to H.R. 1186, as reported by the Committee on 
Commerce on September 18, 1996. H.R. 1186 was introduced by 
Representative Michael Oxley on March 9, 1995 and referred to the 
Committee on Economic and Educational Opportunities, and in addition, 
to the Committee on Commerce, which ordered the bill favorably reported 
by voice vote. Given the impending adjournment and since I support the 
Commerce Committee reported bill, I saw no reason to slow the 
legislative process, thus the Committee on Economic and Educational 
Opportunities did not report H.R. 1186 and I intend no prejudice to 
jurisdiction by these events.
  H.R. 4167 is being considered today in lieu of H.R. 1186 and the 
legislative history which accompanies H.R. 1186 should be deemed to be 
part of the legislative history of H.R. 4167. The jurisdiction of the 
Committee on Economic and Educational Opportunities and the Committee 
on Commerce should not be prejudiced by these events.
  Mr. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4167, the 
Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996. But, I want to express some 
serious reservations that I have with this piece of legislation.
  Let me start out by saying thank you to the many people that have 
worked on professional boxing legislation this year and in the past: 
Senator McCain; Senators Roth of Delaware; Bryan of Nevada; Dorgan of 
North Dakota; Pat Williams; Major Owens; Tom Manton; and Jim Florio.
  I would especially like to thank Chairman Bliley, Mike Oxley, and 
Ranking Member John Dingell for their work in shepherding this bill 
through a reluctant Commerce Committee. Finally, I would like to thank 
Gary Galemore of the Congressional Research Service who has crafted 
various boxing bill's since 1977.
  Since my initial election to the House in 1983, I have associated 
myself with Congressional efforts to enact meaningful reform that 
adequately addresses the serious problems that plague the professional 
boxing world.
  Although these efforts were initiated by Senator Estes Kefauver in 
the 1960s, Congress has been unable to enact meaningful reform. 
Numerous hearings and investigations have uncovered a world of 
improprieties that range from the influence of organized crime to 
atrocious health adn safety conditions for professional boxers.
  Consider a sport that is heavily influenced by the likes of Don King, 
a convicted felon who could not testify before congressional committees 
because he was under a perennial FBI investigation.
  The most notable discovery of these investigations is the existence 
of a haphazard patchwork of state rules governing the sport of boxing. 
This non-system of health and safety standards endangers the lives of 
thousands of young men who pursue boxing careers as a form of 
employment.

[[Page H11158]]

  Consider a sport that will not allow Tommy Morrison to fight in New 
York because he has tested HIV positive, ye Morrison can go to another 
State that has no testing requirements and fight.
  Boxing enthusiasts both in Congress and in the industry have agreed 
that legislation should require some form of Federal oversight to 
properly implement health and safety standards.
  Let me make some points to my colleagues who argue that Congress has 
no role in the affairs of boxing. The provisions of the McCain-Oxley 
bill fit comfortably under the broad reach of the Commerce Clause. The 
interstate character of the industry has been recognized by the Supreme 
Count in connection with anti-trust regulation. The Court held that 
``the promotion of professional championship boxing contests on a 
multistate basis, coupled with sale of rights to televise, broadcast, 
and film the contests for interstate transmission'' constitutes 
interstate commerce.


                Reservations with the Mc Cain-Oxley Bill

  Because I believe the McCain-Oxley bill is a good first step--
particularly the inclusion of the Dingell amendment--I shall support 
it. However, I believe the bill comes up short in critical areas. I am 
afraid that without some degree of Federal oversight the unsavory 
elements of boxing will retain their influence with state boxing 
commissions and continue to work their will.
  Simply put the bill does not address the main problem with boxing 
standards: lack of enforcement.
  The bill's reliance on U.S. Attorneys to enforce the health and 
safety provisions is an extraordinary leap of faith on the part of this 
Congress. However, I commend the bill's authors for their efforts to 
include provisions designed to increase the interaction of state boxing 
officials and local law enforcement.
  Without specific enforcement mechanisms designed to administer the 
legislation's new standards, we are forced to rely on state boxing 
commissions to police the sport. If we have learned anything since 
Estes Kefauver first began investigating boxing, it is that state 
boxing commissions--with several notable exceptions like New York and 
Nevada--are incapable, unwilling, or deliberately choosing not to 
enforce their own rules.
  While I recognize the political constraints of enacting boxing 
legislation, I still feel that we will need to provide some 
legitimizing entity that allows honorable boxing interests to take the 
reins and lead the boxing industry to eventual self-regulation. We need 
to motivate the industry to clean up its own house.
  I have maintained all along that this is the bill that Don King 
supports because it will put to rest the annual congressional review of 
the boxing industry. But I have retained assurances from Senator McCain 
that Congress will not abandon this issue. We intend to monitor the 
effectiveness of this bill and if necessary will craft further 
legislation to right the wrongs that plague the boxing industry.
  I have received assurances that my concerns will receive scrutiny 
either from a General Accounting Office [GAO] study, a President 
Commission on boxing, or both.
  I encourage my colleagues to join me in issuing a challenge to the 
State Boxing Commissioners: Clean up the sport, or Congress will.
  Mr. Speaker, I am supporting the McCain-Oxley legislation because it 
makes headway in two important areas.
  First, this bill takes the important step of creating minimal Federal 
health and safety standards. This will send an important signal to the 
boxing industry that certain standards have to be met in order to 
conduct a match. Most importantly, this will set precedent in getting 
Congress involved in a serious matter that has for too long been 
overlooked.
  Second, the bill includes a provision crafted by Ranking Member 
Dingell that will prohibit the numerous conflicts of interest that 
permeate the relationship of regulators and those regulated. I 
sincerely believe that this provision will go a long way in cleaning up 
the less-than-reputable business relationships that have damaged the 
integrity of the sport.
  I am supporting this measure because I love the sport of boxing. Let 
me again say that this is the best bill that Congress can enact. But 
you can be sure that--unless real reform becomes apparent to Congress--
this is not the last round of this fight.
  Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, the House Commerce Committee has a long 
history of investigating problems in professional boxing. Since 1965, 
the committee has held numerous hearings and considered a broad array 
of legislation in this area. Over the years, persistent allegations of 
serious improprieties have plagued professional boxing, including: 
First, inadequate health and safety protections for boxers; second, 
organized crime influence; third, boxer exploitation; fourth, fan 
deception, such as mismatches and fixed contests; fifth, blatant 
conflicts of interest between regulators and those who promote and 
arrange matches; sixth, market monopolization; seventh, the industry's 
inability to police itself; and eighth, the inadequacy of existing 
regulation at the State and local levels. Despite a variety of efforts, 
no law has been enacted to date.
  During the past few weeks, Representative Manton and I have worked 
with Chairmen Bliley and Oxley, Representative Williams, Senators 
McCain and Bryan, and with others, to seek a consensus on this 
legislation. Last week, the Commerce Committee reported the same bill 
we are considering today by voice vote. I believe this compromise 
represents a positive step forward in trying to address some of the 
most egregious problems in the boxing industry.
  In particular, I support the bill because it includes a provision 
that prohibits State boxing regulators from contracting with, belonging 
to, or receiving compensation from the boxing organizations they are 
charged with regulating. This should help address conflicts of interest 
between State regulators and the industry. It will not clean up all 
problems in the industry. But it is a positive step. It will lend 
credibility to State regulatory activities and prohibit incestuous 
relationships that too many State officials have developed with the 
boxing industry.
  There are those who argue the bill does not go far enough and others 
who argue it goes too far. On balance, I believe the bill represents a 
sound bipartisan compromise that will strengthen State regulatory 
activities and promote improved health and safety standards.
  I want to single out two Members for their contributions and 
leadership in this area. First, I commend our colleague, Mr. 
Richardson. Over the years, he has authored several bills to improve 
oversight and regulation of the boxing industry. I understand his 
concerns that this bill does not go as far as he would prefer. Despite 
his misgivings, Mr. Richardson has continued to be a constructive force 
in forging this bipartisan compromise. His efforts are greatly 
appreciated.
  Second, I commend my good friend from Montana [Mr. Williams], the 
sponsor of this legislation. He has made many lasting contributions to 
the debate in this particular area. Unfortunately, he has announced his 
retirement at the end of this Congress. All of us will miss the 
leadership he has exhibited during his distinguished tenure in this 
body on this bill and, more importantly, on many other issues of 
national concern.
  I urge all my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation and 
yield back the time of my balance.
  Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Burton of Indiana). The question is on 
the motion offered by the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Oxley] that the 
House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 4167.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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