[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 145 (Friday, October 24, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S11205]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       SENATE RESOLUTION 140--RELATIVE TO INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING

  Mr. HELMS (for himself, Mr. Lott, Mr. Faircloth, Mr. Breaux, Mr. 
Hollings, Mr. Bingaman, Mr. Brownback, and Mr. Inouye) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation.

                              S. Res. 140

       Whereas restrictive and discriminatory Japanese port 
     practices have been a significant source of international 
     concern for many years, have increased the cost of 
     transporting goods to and from Japan for American consumers, 
     and all ocean carriers and their customers, and have 
     restricted United States carriers' operations in Japan while 
     Japanese carriers have not faced similar restrictions in the 
     United States.
       Whereas for many years the Federal Maritime Commission, and 
     the United States Departments of State and Transportation, 
     have investigated and monitored these practices and urged the 
     Japanese Government to remedy the problems caused by these 
     restrictions; and
       Whereas recent actions by the Federal Maritime Commission 
     and negotiations conducted by the Departments of State and 
     Transportation with the Government of Japan have reportedly 
     produced agreements which would, when implemented, reform the 
     Japanese port practices and remedy these problems: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate express strong support for--
       (1) the efforts of the President and executive branch to 
     achieve removal of Japanese port restrictions, and
       (2) vigilant, continued monitoring and enforcement by the 
     Federal Maritime Commission of changes in port practices 
     promised by the Japanese Government that will benefit 
     international trade.

  Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, I, Senator Faircloth, Senator Lott, Senator 
Breaux, Senator Hollins, Senator Bingaman, Senator Brownback, and 
Senator Inouye are submitting today a sense-of-the-Senate resolution 
which commends the administration for its actions in attempting to end 
the Japanese blockade of American ships who wish to use Japanese port 
facilities. We are also urging the administration to remain firm and 
stand behind the Federal Maritime Commission in these negotiations with 
the Government of Japan.
  This issue is a no brainer. The Japanese are simply throwing up a 
blockade against American ships, who seek to dock at Japanese ports.
  Mr. President, this protectionist stand has increased cost of 
shipping for the American consumer and all American ocean carriers and 
their customers. We simply will not tolerate that kind of treatment 
from Japan or any other trading partner.
  The Federal Maritime Commission is to be commended for taking a tough 
line toward the Japanese port authorities. We encourage the 
administration to stand squarely behind the Commission's efforts to 
achieve fairness for American ships, especially because we allow the 
Japanese open access to our ports.
  There is the Biblical saying of ``Do unto others as you would have 
them do unto you.'' The Japanese version is the complete reverse of 
that.
  We accommodate Japanese shipping and we should expect no less of 
them.
  Mr. President, I urge the Senate to swiftly adopt this resolution.

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