[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 38 (Friday, March 21, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E557]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




FOR THE RELIEF OF GLOBAL EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT CORP., KERR-McGEE 
                  CORP., AND KERR-McGEE CHEMICAL CORP.

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BILL McCOLLUM

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 20, 1997

  Mr. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing legislation to 
right a longstanding wrong involving the Federal Government and Global 
Exploration and Development Corp. and Kerr-McGee Corp. Global and Kerr-
McGee became embroiled in an ongoing dispute with the Department of the 
Interior more than 20 years ago. In January 1991, I introduced 
legislation for the relief of Global and Kerr-McGee for any damages 
incurred due to wrongful governmental actions. That bill was 
successfully referred to the U.S. Court of Federal Claims in July 1992.
  The U.S. Court of Federal Claims ruled in September 1994 that the 
Government had, in fact, committed a wrongful act against Global and 
Kerr-McGee and that they would be entitled to equitable relief once 
damages were proven. After an evidentiary hearing, but before the court 
reached a decision, the parties reached a settlement, the terms of 
which are embodied in this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I am hopeful that successful passage of this legislation 
will bring long-awaited, and long-overdue, relief for the parties 
involved. If we are truly to be a government of the people, we must be 
ever vigilant in protecting private rights and rectifying public 
wrongs. I urge all my colleagues to support this legislation.

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