[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 142 (Tuesday, October 21, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H8862-H8866]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                ASIAN ELEPHANT CONSERVATION ACT OF 1997

  Mr. SAXTON. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 1787) to assist in the conservation of Asian elephants by 
supporting and providing financial resources for the conservation 
programs of nations within the range of Asian elephants and projects of 
persons with demonstrated expertise in the conservation of Asian 
elephants, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 1787

       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 ``Asian Elephant Conservation 
     Act of 1997''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       The Congress finds the following:
       (1) Asian elephant populations in nations within the range 
     of Asian elephants have continued to decline to the point 
     that the long-term survival of the species in the wild is in 
     serious jeopardy.
       (2) The Asian elephant is listed as an endangered species 
     under section 4 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 and 
     under appendix I of the Convention on International Trade of 
     Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
       (3) Because the challenges facing the conservation of Asian 
     elephants are so great, resources to date have not been 
     sufficient to cope with the continued loss of habitat and the 
     consequent diminution of Asian elephant populations.
       (4) The Asian elephant is a flagship species for the 
     conservation of tropical forest habitats in which it is found 
     and provides the consequent benefit from such conservation to 
     numerous other species of wildlife including many other 
     endangered species.
       (5) Among the threats to the Asian elephant in addition to 
     habitat loss are population fragmentation, human-elephant 
     conflict, poaching for ivory, meat, hide, bones and teeth, 
     and capture for domestication.
       (6) To reduce, remove, or otherwise effectively address 
     these threats to the long-term viability of populations of 
     Asian elephants in the wild will require the joint commitment 
     and effort of nations within the range of Asian elephants, 
     the United States and other countries, and the private 
     sector.

     SEC. 3. PURPOSES.

       The purposes of this Act are the following:
       (1) To perpetuate healthy populations of Asian elephants.
       (2) To assist in the conservation and protection of Asian 
     elephants by supporting the conservation programs of Asian 
     elephant range states and the CITES Secretariat.
       (3) To provide financial resources for those programs.

     SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) The term ``CITES'' means the Convention on 
     International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and 
     Flora, signed on March 3, 1973, and its appendices.
       (2) The term ``conservation'' means the use of methods and 
     procedures necessary to bring Asian elephants to the point at 
     which there are sufficient populations in the wild to ensure 
     that the species does not become extinct, including all 
     activities associated with scientific resource management, 
     such as conservation, protection, restoration, acquisition, 
     and management of habitat; research and monitoring of known 
     populations; assistance in the development of management 
     plans for managed elephant ranges; CITES enforcement; law 
     enforcement through community participation; translocation of 
     elephants; conflict resolution initiatives; and community 
     outreach and education.
       (3) The term ``Fund'' means the Asian Elephant Conservation 
     Fund established under section 6(a).
       (4) The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the 
     Interior.
       (5) The term ``Administrator'' means the Administrator of 
     the Agency for International Development.

     SEC. 5. ASIAN ELEPHANT CONSERVATION ASSISTANCE.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary, subject to the availability 
     of funds and in consultation with the Administrator, shall 
     use amounts in the Fund to provide financial assistance for 
     projects for the conservation of Asian elephants for which 
     final project proposals are approved by the Secretary in 
     accordance with this section.
       (b) Project Proposal.--Any relevant wildlife management 
     authority of a nation within the range of Asian elephants 
     whose activities directly or indirectly affect Asian elephant 
     populations, the CITES Secretariat, or any person with 
     demonstrated expertise in the conservation of Asian 
     elephants, may submit to the Secretary to project proposal 
     under this section. Each proposal shall include the 
     following:
       (1) The name of the individual responsible for conducting 
     the project.
       (2) A succinct statement of the purposes of the project.
       (3) A description of the qualifications of the individuals 
     who will conduct the project.
       (4) An estimate of the funds and time required to complete 
     the project.
       (5) Evidence of support of the project by appropriate 
     governmental entities of countries in which the project will 
     be conducted, if the Secretary determines that the support is 
     required for the success of the project.
       (6) Information regarding the source and amount of matching 
     funding available to the applicant.
       (7) Any other information the Secretary considers to be 
     necessary for evaluating the eligibility of the project for 
     funding under this Act.
       (c) Project Review and Approval.--
       (1) In general.--Within 30 days after receiving a final 
     project proposal, the Secretary shall provide a copy of the 
     proposal to the Administrator. The Secretary shall review 
     each final project proposal to determine if it meets the 
     criteria set forth in subsection (d).
       (2) Consultation; approval or disapproval.--Not later than 
     6 months after receiving a final project proposal, and 
     subject to the availability of funds, the Secretary, after 
     consulting with the Administrator, shall--
       (A) request written comments on the proposal from each 
     country within which the project is to be conducted;
       (B) after requesting those comments, approve or disapprove 
     the proposal; and
       (C) provide written notification of that approval or 
     disapproval to the person who submitted the proposal, the 
     Administrator, and each of those countries.
       (d) Criteria for Approval.--The Secretary may approve a 
     final project proposal under this section if the project will 
     enhance programs for conservation of Asian elephants by 
     assisting efforts to--
       (1) implement conservation programs;
       (2) address the conflicts between humans and elephants that 
     arise from competition for the same habitat;
       (3) enhance compliance with provisions of CITES and laws of 
     the United States or a foreign country that prohibit or 
     regulate the taking or trade of Asian elephants or regulate 
     the use and management of Asian elephant habitat;
       (4) develop sound scientific information on the condition 
     of Asian elephant habitat, Asian elephant population numbers 
     and trends, or the threats to such habitat, numbers, or 
     trends; or
       (5) promote cooperative projects on those topics with other 
     foreign governments, affected local communities, 
     nongovernmental organizations, or others in the private 
     sector.
       (e) Project Sustainability.--To the maximum extent 
     practical, in determining whether to approve project 
     proposals under this section, the Secretary shall give 
     consideration to projects which will enhance sustainable 
     integrated conservation development programs to ensure 
     effective, long-term conservation of Asian elephants.
       (f) Project Reporting.--Each person who receives assistance 
     under this section for a project shall provide periodic 
     reports, as the Secretary considers necessary, to the 
     Secretary and the Administrator. Each report shall include 
     all information required by the Secretary, after consulting 
     with the Administrator, for evaluating the progress and 
     success of the project.
       (g) Matching Funds.--In determining whether to approve 
     project proposals under this section, the Secretary shall 
     give priority to those projects for which there exists some 
     measure of matching funds.
       (h) Limitation on Use for Captive Breeding.--Amounts 
     provided as a grant under this Act may not be used for 
     captive breeding of Asian elephants other than for release in 
     the wild.

     SEC. 6. ASIAN ELEPHANT CONSERVATION FUND.

       (a) Establishment.--There is established in the general 
     fund of the Treasury a separate account to be known as the 
     ``Asian Elephant Conservation Fund'', which shall consist of 
     amounts deposited into the Fund by the Secretary of the 
     Treasury under subsection (b).
       (b) Deposits Into the Fund.--The Secretary of the Treasury 
     shall deposit into the Fund--
       (1) all amounts received by the Secretary in the form of 
     donations under subsection (d); and
       (2) other amounts appropriated to the Fund.
       (c) Use.--
       (1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary 
     may use amounts in the Fund without further appropriation to 
     provide assistance under section 5.
       (2) Administration.--Of amounts in the Fund available for 
     each fiscal year, the Secretary may use not more than 3 
     percent to administer the Fund.
       (d) Acceptance and Use of Donations.--The Secretary may 
     accept and use donations to provide assistance under section 
     5. Amounts received by the Secretary in the form of donations 
     shall be transferred to the Secretary of the Treasury for 
     deposit into the Fund.

     SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       There are authorized to be appropriated to the Fund 
     $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years

[[Page H8863]]

     1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2002 to carry out this Act, which 
     may remain available until expended.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
Jersey [Mr. Saxton] and the gentleman from Hawaii [Mr. Abercrombie] 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey [Mr. Saxton].
  Mr. SAXTON. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  (Mr. SAXTON asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. SAXTON. Madam Speaker, I introduced H.R. 1787, the Asian Elephant 
Conservation Act of 1997, along with the gentleman from Hawaii [Mr. 
Abercrombie] and 17 other Members on June 4, 1997.
  The fundamental purposes of this legislation are twofold: First, to 
create an Asian elephant conservation fund; and, second, to authorize 
the Congress to appropriate up to $5 million per year to this fund to 
finance various conservation projects for each of the next 5 fiscal 
years.
  The legislation is modeled after the highly successful African 
Elephant Conservation Act of 1988 and the Rhinoceros and Tiger 
Conservation Act of 1994. The new authorization would be separate from 
those funds appropriated for African elephants or for rhinos or tigers.
  Under the terms of H.R. 1787, the Secretary of the Interior would 
carefully evaluate the merits of each proposed conservation project, 
select those that best enhance the future of the Asian elephant, and 
give priority to those projects whose sponsors demonstrate the ability 
to match some portion of the Federal funds. In addition, the bill 
stipulates the Secretary may accept donations to assist Asian elephants 
and shall spend no more than 3 percent of the amount appropriated to 
administer the fund.
  Unless immediate steps are taken to conserve this magnificent animal, 
it will surely continue to disappear from much, if not all, of its 
traditional habitat. We cannot allow the Asian elephant, which has such 
a direct impact on so many other species, like the clouded leopard, the 
rhinos and tigers, to become extinct. The goal of H.R. 1787 is to stop 
the decline and hopefully rebuild the population stocks of this 
irreplaceable species by financing, with a small amount of Federal 
money, a limited number of conservation projects.
  While not an exact list, it is likely that these projects would 
include efforts to monitor known populations of Asian elephants, 
develop improved conservation management plans, and educate the public 
about the value of this so-called flagship species.
  Finally, I want to acknowledge the tireless dedication of our former 
colleague, Andy Ireland. Due to his inspirational leadership, Feld 
Entertainment has played a major role in helping to move this 
legislation forward. This company, which has been a leader in Asian 
elephant conservation and husbandry for decades, is motivated by the 
goal of ensuring that there are Asian elephants living in the world, 
and will be for the next century.
  Obviously, I am going to urge a ``yea'' vote on this, but before I do 
that, let me pay particular thanks to our staff for helping move this 
bill forward this morning, and in particular a young lady by the name 
of Sharon McKenna, who is not able to be here with us today, as she is 
home taking care of her brand new little baby, Jackson. So we wish 
Sharon and her husband Mike, and Jackson, all the best, and thank her 
for the great work that she has done on this bill.
  Madam Speaker, let me just say that when I introduced this bill with 
the gentleman from Hawaii, who has joined us in the Chamber, I think we 
both were deluged with a number of questions as to why in the world a 
Congressman from Hawaii and a Congressman from New Jersey should devote 
the time and energy that we have to trying to save an Asian species, 
the Asian elephant.
  The answer to that is quite simple, and I think it was brought to 
bear quite clearly here today by the previous speakers, the gentleman 
from Alaska [Mr. Young] and the gentlewoman from Idaho [Mrs. 
Chenoweth], who were talking about the controversies surrounding the 
issue of global warming and making the point very clearly that this 
world's forests, not just this Nation's forests, but this world's 
forests are vital in the fight against global warming.
  This species, the Asian elephant, has been named a flagship species 
because it is easy to see. It is easy to see it disappearing. And one 
can quite readily draw the conclusion that one of the reasons it is 
disappearing is because of its disappearing habitat, the forests in 
which it lives.
  So by concentrating on this magnificent species that men and women 
and boys and girls all around the world recognize and have grown to 
love as one of God's creatures that we all recognize, by using it as a 
flagship species, so-called, we draw attention and educate ourselves as 
a world people about the importance of not only the Asian elephant but 
the African elephant as well and rhinos and tigers and the forests in 
which they reside.

                              {time}  1415

  And so to the extent that we can set an example here today by passing 
this bill and working to save the Asian elephant in this case, we will 
also be successful in doing our part in the effort to combat global 
warming.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ABERCROMBIE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume. I am delighted to be here today, particularly in the company 
of the gentleman from New Jersey [Mr. Saxton], my good friend. I too 
want to pay tribute not just to him and his great leadership on this 
issue but to the especially strong staff support we have received along 
the way with the enactment of this bill.
  Madam Speaker, I am just getting to the floor now because we have had 
the opportunity over the past couple of hours to be meeting on the 
questions of travel, tourism and the world, not only in relation to the 
United States but in relation one to another as people throughout the 
world.
  Madam Speaker, I cannot emphasize enough to Members that in paying 
particular attention to this species as covered under the Asian 
Elephant Conservation Act, we are taking a giant step forward in seeing 
to it not only that we respect the ecological consequences for the 
Asian elephant as such, but that we recognize that in this context, the 
people of the world are coming to know that we are all interrelated, 
and we are very, very hopeful that we will be able to fund as a result 
of this act partnerships, international partnerships, that will result 
in people being able to view the Asian elephant, to understand through 
the conservation of the Asian elephant its relationship to ecological 
balance, environmental balance in South Asia and that this is 
beneficial on a planetary basis when all of the species of the world 
understand their interrelationship.
  This is then a modest step in the effort to protect the existing 
Asian elephant herds from multiple sources of danger, including 
poaching for meat, hides, teeth and bones as well as capture for 
domestication and the encroachment of humans and civilization, so-
called.
  Madam Speaker, the population of Asian elephants as has been pointed 
out, has been dwindling steadily and now numbers roughly 40,000 
animals. It is an incredible thing to contemplate, as we did in the 
course of our examination in the committee hearings, what such a 
relatively small number of great animals and of course I must say 
parenthetically, Madam Speaker, that my respect for and admiration for 
the diversity of life on this planet was only enhanced by the hearings 
that we had. This is indeed one of God's most magnificent creatures and 
indeed represents something unique. Not everyone is aware that the 
Asian elephant has been a partner with humankind throughout all of the 
thousands of years of its existence. That relationship is now 
threatened by the advance of modern life.
  Maybe advance is almost the wrong word, Madam Speaker. But 
nonetheless we are realizing more and more that this great creature of 
South Asia, the Asian elephant, represented a true symbiosis between 
humankind and the animal kingdom that is now threatened. The numbers 
are less than 10 percent of the numbers of African elephants in the 
wild. I think that that is a very sobering statistic.

[[Page H8864]]

  The African elephant of course has received great publicity. It also 
of course is magnificent in its presentation of self in the wild and 
has attracted the imagination and admiration of people throughout the 
world. The Asian elephant being a blue collar animal, a working animal, 
a domesticated animal working in close proximity with human beings, has 
been ignored in the process.
  So this legislation will help prevent the eventual extinction of the 
Asian elephant as an endangered species. The future of these 
magnificent animals in the wild is in clear jeopardy. H.R. 1787 
authorizes $5 million to fund projects crucial to the survival of the 
species. Our goals are to assist and support the conservation of 
elephant range, as the gentleman from New Jersey [Mr. Saxton] has 
enunciated so clearly and to support the United Nations Convention on 
International Trade in Endangered Species. Although wild Asian 
elephants are scattered across 13 Asian countries, there are only 4 
remaining herds containing 1,000 or more animals.
  Douglas H. Chadwick, a distinguished and honored scientist and 
author, wrote of these animals:

       Elephants are one of those animals by which we define the 
     grandeur of creation. No larger life forms walk our earth and 
     precious few are more intelligent. Elephants are more than 
     just a part of the extraordinary variety of the plants and 
     animals found in Asia's tropical forest. Elephants are one of 
     the main reasons that the genetic bounty is there in the 
     first place with the potential to provide humanity with new 
     sources of food, fiber and pharmaceutical products. Elephants 
     distribute seeds of perhaps one-third of all tropical trees. 
     In some cases elephants are the only known agents of 
     dispersal. To save Asian elephants is to save one of the 
     principal shapers of biological diversity. To maintain 
     habitat is to maintain the resources that enrich human 
     communities over the long run.

  I am absolutely certain, Madam Speaker, speaking parenthetically that 
with the expansion of the Asian elephant habitat and with their 
preservation and conservation, we will see enormous increases in travel 
and tourism and by extension the awareness of the items that I am 
speaking of. Going back, then, in my quotation, ``To pass an Asian 
Elephant Conservation Act would be one of the most foresighted and yet 
practical, cost-effective things we can do for the benefit of 
Americans, people throughout Asia, and the world we all share.''
  H.R. 1787 received overwhelming support in the Committee on 
Resources, again under the leadership of the gentleman from New Jersey 
[Mr. Saxton]. I was pleased to be an original cosponsor of the bill. 
Not only does H.R. 1787 enjoy strong bipartisan support in the House, 
Madam Speaker, but it has also been endorsed by such diverse groups 
that bears repeating, the American Zoological and Aquarium Association, 
the World Wildlife Fund, Wildlife Preservation Trust International, the 
Sierra Club, and Feld Entertainment, emphasizing the partnership we 
have in the private sector. Feld Entertainment is the owner of the 
Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus.
  It is clear that if we are to prevent the extinction of the Asian 
elephant, a number of coordinated and visible activities must be 
undertaken by the international community and host-range nations. I 
believe it bears repeating, Madam Speaker, as to what they might be:
  Protection of the remaining elephant populations and their habitat 
from further loss and degradation by establishing and managing special 
protected areas;
  Promotion of coexistence between people and elephants by developing 
and implementing sound management practices that would prevent or 
reduce conflict;
  Promotion of effective law enforcement through participation of local 
communities;
  Reduction of captures from the wild, and extension of care and humane 
management of the remaining domesticated population;
  Madam Speaker, I believe it has been stated but I believe again bears 
repeating that the Asian elephant as a participant in society as a 
domesticated work elephant, I was going to say workhorse, I guess is 
the equivalent, is now finding itself in the situation of being 
unemployed.

  The work elements associated with the Asian elephant are disappearing 
much as the workhorse did, as the great workhorses that my grandfather 
was associated with as a teamster in Buffalo, NY, the great eight-horse 
hitches that the great beer wagons that we see advertised now with 
Budweiser, they were working animals. My grandfather was the manager of 
the stables that carried baked goods on great wagons throughout Buffalo 
for the then existing Hall's Bakery. So horses, great workhorses, were 
displaced by engines, by the internal combustion engine. The same thing 
is happening to the Asian elephant. The elephants who worked under 
these circumstances need to be taken care of, need humane management 
and treatment, and this bill will help agencies and individuals and 
groups interested in this in completing that task. Finally, restoration 
of the congenial relationship that previously existed between people 
and elephants through education and awareness programs. And of course 
this is where travel and tourism can play a great role.
  Many groups and individuals contributed to the development of the 
bill. The Tiger and Rhinoceros Conservation Act is one to be cited. It 
would be administered by the Secretary of the Interior after 
consultation with the Administrator of AID. Instead of focusing on 
remedies appropriate for trade-related conservation issues, this bill 
emphasizes remedies that would address the human-elephant conflict 
resolutions that prevails throughout the Asian elephant's natural 
range. I think I have already made reference, Madam Speaker, to the 
African elephant and I am particularly grateful to the gentleman from 
Alaska [Mr. Young], the chair of our committee, who has been 
instrumental in working with the preservation and conservation of the 
African elephant and who realized that the Asian elephant emphasis that 
we have in this bill is an appropriate next step to take.
  The purpose then of H.R. 1787 is to assist initiatives in the Asian 
elephant range nations as well as regional and national agencies and 
organizations whose activities directly or indirectly promote Asian 
elephant habitat conservation. Then the bill would be funded in a 
manner so as not to affect funds currently earmarked for the African 
Elephant Conservation Act and the Rhino and Tiger Act. The legislation 
would specify that support would be provided for projects that would 
directly support and promote wild elephant management practices such as 
monitoring population trends of known populations, assessing the 
movement and the annual ranging patterns of known populations. We would 
emphasize law enforcement through community participation, develop 
management plans for managed elephant ranges, translocation of 
elephants, conflict resolution initiatives and community outreach and 
education. It specifically authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to 
fund projects addressing the use of domesticated elephants as such use 
relates to conservation of Asian elephants in the wild. It provides for 
multiplying the impact of funding by authorizing priority to be given 
projects which have matching funds from private sector sources.
  In that instance I, too, want to add my congratulations and grateful 
thanks to our colleague Andy Ireland, who brought this issue to our 
attention in an extraordinarily comprehensive way and in that context, 
Madam Speaker, I want to conclude by urging all of our colleagues to 
take advantage of the pioneering work that was done in the Committee on 
Resources previously with respect to conservation of the great animals 
in Africa and Asia and add to it then this great and magnificent 
representation of the symbiotic relationship of humankind and the 
animal world in the Asian elephant.
  Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from American Samoa 
[Mr. Faleomavaega].

                              {time}  1430

  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Hawaii 
[Mr. Abercrombie] for yielding me time.
  Madam Speaker, I am delighted to be a cosponsor of this piece of 
legislation, and commend the gentleman from New Jersey [Mr. Saxton], 
the chairman of the Subcommittee on Wildlife and Fisheries.
  Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from Hawaii [Mr.

[[Page H8865]]

Abercrombie] for introducing H.R. 1787, the Asian Elephant Conservation 
Act of 1997. Like the similar African Elephant Conservation Act of 
1988, and the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act of 1994, the fund 
created by this act should provide valuable financial assistance to 
programs protecting a keystone species which is greatly threatened 
throughout its range.
  This bill will focus projects toward those problems which most 
threaten Asian elephants: habitat loss and human-elephant conflicts. 
This bill also supports conservation programs within range states, 
which is the best way to perpetuate healthy populations of Asian 
elephants in the wild.
  Furthermore, this act will help provide the infrastructure necessary 
to limit Asian elephant poaching activity, which threatens the 
population that now numbers only one-tenth its previous level.
  The Asian Elephant Conservation Act of 1997 also contains provisions 
that encourage efficiency and public participation in wildlife 
conservation programs. The act works to obtain the greatest leverage 
for U.S. taxpayer dollars by directing that preference for funding be 
given to those projects that will generate matching funds in 
cooperative projects.
  Additionally, the Asian Elephant Conservation Act of 1997 promotes 
public involvement in our efforts to protect this species by permitting 
the Secretary of the Interior, through the Fish and Wildlife Service, 
to accept and use private donations to the fund.
  This proposed bill, Madam Speaker, is but one example of the 
environmental leadership that is needed to protect threatened and 
endangered species, both at home and overseas. H.R. 1787 deserves our 
support, and I urge our colleagues' support for its adoption.
  Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, as a cosponsor of H.R. 1787, I rise 
in support of this legislation to create an Asian elephant conservation 
fund.
  This measure is modeled after the highly successful African Elephant 
Conservation Act of 1988 and the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act 
of 1994. It will authorize up to $5 million per year to be appropriated 
to the Department of the Interior to fund various projects to conserve 
the African elephant.
  This flagship species of the Asian continent is in grave danger of 
extinction. According to international experts, there are less than 
45,000 Asian elephants living in the wild. On a daily basis, these 
animals face the loss of their forest habitat, poachers who kill them 
for their bones, hide, ivory, and meat, capture for use in Burma's 
timber industry, and conflicts between elephants and man. While Asian 
elephants are found in 13 countries in South and Southeast Asia, nearly 
half of the wild population reside in India. Unless immediate steps are 
taken to help conserve this species, it will continue to disappear from 
its historic habitat.
  By enacting this legislation, it is my hope that projects will be 
funded to update census figures, assist in antipoaching efforts, 
translocate highly endangered elephants, and educate the public on why 
it is important to protect Asian elephants.
  This small but critical investment of U.S. taxpayer money will be 
matched by private funds and will significantly improve the likelihood 
that wild Asian elephants will exist in the 21st century.
  We should not allow this magnificent animal to disappear from this 
planet. H.R. 1787 will not solve all of the problems facing the Asian 
elephant but it is a positive step in the right direction.
  I urge an aye vote on the Asian Elephant Conservation Act of 1997.
  Mr. MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Mr. 
Saxton and Mr. Abercrombie for introducing H.R. 1787, the Asian 
Elephant Conservation Act of 1997. Unfortunately, it appears as if the 
programs this legislation will promote are needed now more than ever.
  Many of us have expressed our concerns about the decision made at the 
recent Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna 
and Flora [CITES] to downlist several populations of African elephants. 
At that meeting, which I attended, many representatives from elephant 
range states expressed their concern about the downlisting, fearing 
that it would send a signal to poachers that the ivory trade was about 
to resume. Sadly, it now seems their concerns were justified. Several 
of the elephant range states have experienced increased levels of 
poaching leading up to, and following the CITES decision, which is 
exactly why some of these range states opposed the downlisting 
proposal.
  The Asian elephant has not escaped this slaughter. At the CITES 
conference, the representative from India stated his country's 
opposition to the downlisting because of the impact it would have upon 
the elephants in that country which is home to 50 percent of the Asian 
elephant population. In June and July of this year--following the CITES 
conference--poachers killed 20 Asian elephants in India, raising 
India's total poaching numbers to 52 for the first half of 1997. This 
is an increase in poaching activity over recent years, and when 
combined with habitat loss and other factors, does not bode well for 
the future of Asian elephants.
  The Asian Elephant Conservation Act of 1997 deserves our support. 
H.R. 1787 will support projects that focus on protecting wild 
populations of Asian elephants against poaching, habitat loss, and 
human-elephant conflicts. This legislation promotes both fiscal 
efficiency and public participation by working to obtain the greatest 
leverage for U.S. taxpayer dollars by giving funding priority to those 
projects that will generate matching funds and cooperative projects. 
Furthermore, based upon the experiences of the similarly structured 
African Elephant Conservation Act of 1988 and the Rhinoceros and Tiger 
Conservation Act of 1994, the programs funded by this legislation 
should prove highly effective.
  Our own Endangered Species Act recognizes the critical importance 
that protecting species' habitat plays in the long term survival of 
that species. Our goal should be to restore healthy populations of all 
animals in the wild by fighting poaching and protecting habitat--H.R. 
1787 is a good start for doing this for Asian elephants.
  Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the Asian 
Elephant Conservation Act (H.R. 1787). This important piece of 
legislation will continue America's commitment to worldwide elephant 
conservation. I would also like to congratulate Chairman Saxton for 
introducing and promoting this important legislation.
  H.R. 1787 will authorize the Asian elephant conservation fund to 
receive $5 million each fiscal year from fiscal year 1998 to 2002. This 
contribution will be matched with private funds from outside interest 
groups committed to preserving Asian elephants. Our investment will 
coordinate and leverage private sector support for elephant 
conservation and fund projects that focus on antipoaching efforts, 
elephant population research, efforts to mitigate elephant-human 
conflict, habitat restorations, and identifying new techniques for 
elephant management. The creation of this important and successful 
program will continue to promote America's leadership to conserve and 
restore elephant herds in their native habitat. The future survival of 
Asian elephants depends upon America's leadership, and our small but 
crucial amount of financial support.
  The Asian elephant conservation fund is based on the very successful 
African Elephant Conservation Act [AECA], which has been responsible 
for rescuing African elephants from the path to extinction. The AECA 
has stabilized elephant populations across Africa, tremendously slowed 
poaching, and provided important incentives to native people to 
preserve elephants.
  The need for this legislation is clear. Asian elephant populations 
living in the wild have fallen dramatically. Right now only about 
40,000 animals exist in the wild. The major cause for this decrease is 
shrinking habitat and expanding human populations. However, passage of 
this act will reverse the downward trend to elephant populations. This 
fund will help local villagers, who often live in fear of elephants, to 
coexist and benefit from the long-term conservation of elephants. This 
is an important step. Over time, this will reduce the high cost of 
conservation and save elephants from extinction.
  Madam Speaker, the African Elephant Conservation Act has been a 
tremendous success. Let us now authorize the Asian elephant 
conservation fund and continue America's leadership to promote 
worldwide elephant conservation. I encourage all my colleagues to vote 
for H.R. 1787.
  Mr. GILMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1787, the Asian 
Elephant Conservation Act. I ask unanimous consent to revise and extend 
my remarks.
  Mr. Speaker, this legislation was referred to our Committee on 
International Relations, but in the interest of advancing it to early 
passage we waived our right to consider it.
  I want to thank the sponsor of the bill, the gentleman from New 
Jersey [Mr. Saxton] and the gentleman from Hawaii [Mr. Abercrombie] and 
the leadership of the Committee on Resources, the chairman, the 
gentleman from Alaska [Mr. Young] and the ranking minority member, the 
gentleman from California [Mr. Miller].
  As has already been explained, this bill sets up a system whereby the 
Administrator of the Agency for International Development and the 
Secretary of the Interior shall look for ways to help preserve the 
precious heritage of Asian Elephants. Not only are Asian elephants 
endangered--and deserving of protection--but

[[Page H8866]]

they are especially important from a cultural and economic point of 
view to Americans and Asians alike.
  I want to salute the many organizations that had a role in moving 
this bill, such as the World Wildlife Fund, Safari Club International, 
the Sierra Club, and our former colleague Andy Ireland of Feld 
Enterprises. The bill was supported by representatives of the Indian 
Institute of Science and the Wildlife Preservation Trust International. 
The model of protection in this bill is appropriate, flexible, and 
carries a reasonable cost.
  Madam Speaker, I reiterate my support for this important legislation 
and yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. ABERCROMBIE. Madam Speaker, I believe everyone who wishes to 
speak on the issue has done so, and I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. SAXTON. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Emerson). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from New Jersey [Mr. Saxton] that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1787, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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