[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 155 (Friday, November 7, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2219]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            THE TROPICAL RAINFOREST CONSERVATION ACT OF 1998

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LEE H. HAMILTON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, November 7, 1997

  Mr. HAMILTON. Mr. Speaker, today Mr. Portman, Mr. Kasich, and I are 
introducing, the Tropical Rainforest Conservation Act of 1998. The 
purpose of this bill is to facilitate the protection of tropical 
rainforests through debt reduction with developing countries with 
tropical rainforests.
  It is the established policy of the United States to seek the 
protection of the world's tropical rainforests, which provide a wide 
range of benefits to humankind. In spite of international assistance 
programs to conserve forest resources, tropical deforestation continues 
unabated.
  Debt reduction can reduce economic pressures on developing countries 
and result in increased protection for tropical rainforests. This bill 
will revitalize U.S. ``debt-for-nature'' programs, giving priority to 
countries that have rainforests with the highest level of biodiversity 
and under the most severe threat.

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