[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 155 (Friday, November 7, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12057-S12058]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    ASIAN ELEPHANT CONSERVATION ACT

 Mr. GRAHAM. Mr. President, on Wednesday, November 5, the Asian 
Elephant Conservation Act passed the Senate Environment and Public 
Works Committee with unanimous support. I am hopeful that this 
important bill, introduced by Senator Jeffords, will ensure that the 
children of the world will not miss out on these extraordinary mammals.
  The Asian Elephant Conservation Act is constructed along the lines of 
the successful African Elephant Conservation Act. I have been heartened 
to learn that the African Elephant Act is producing positive results. I 
am hopeful that the Asian Elephant Conservation Act will likewise 
support research, conservation, anti-poaching education, and protection 
of the animals. I feel strongly, however, that no funds allocated by 
these Acts are spent to promote efforts to resume the ivory trade or to 
encourage trophy hunting.
  According to a 1996 nationwide poll, 84 percent of Americans support 
efforts to protect elephants, yet I have learned that some of the funds 
from the African Elephant Conservation Act have gone toward the 
promotion of elephant trophy hunting. There is ongoing debate about the 
success and appropriateness of US taxpayer dollars being used to 
support such activities, and I look

[[Page S12058]]

forward to learning more about this troublesome issue in the coming 
months.
  For the time being, however, I wish to ask my colleagues for quick 
support and passage of the Asian Elephant Conservation Act. I am 
honored to be a co-sponsor of the bill, and look forward to finding 
more ways to protect and conserve endangered species, both in the 
United States and abroad.

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