[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 101 (Friday, July 24, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1429-E1430]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               ADDITION TO DEBATE ON HOUSE RESOLUTION 392

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 24, 1998

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to include the letter of July 
16 from Chairman Bill Archer and my reply of July 17 as part of the 
record of the proceedings on House Resolution 392, relating to the role 
of Japan in solving the economic crisis in Asia, that took place on the 
House floor on Monday, July 20:

                                                      Committee on


                                      International Relations,

                                    Washington, DC, July 17, 1998.
     Hon. Bill Archer,
     Chairman, Committee on Ways and Means,
     House of Representatives.
       Dear Bill: Thank you for your letter about the 
     consideration of H. Res. 392, relating to the role of Japan 
     in solving the economic crisis in Asia.
       I very much appreciate your willingness, in view of the 
     urgency of this matter, to forego marking up the resolution 
     in the Committee on Ways and Means.
       After consultation with Chairman Bereuter and the minority, 
     I am certainly prepared to bring H. Res. 392 to the floor as 
     ordered reported by the Committee on International Relations 
     on suspension without additional amendment. I also accept the 
     other understandings set out in your letter.
       I will be working with the Majority Leader to arrange for 
     early consideration of the Resolution on the suspension 
     calendar.
       With best wishes,
           Sincerely,
                                               Benjamin A. Gilman,
                                                         Chairman.


     
                                  ____
                                  COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS,

                                    Washington, DC, July 16, 1998.
     Hon. Benjamin A. Gilman,
     Chairman, Committee on International Relations,
     House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: I am writing in reference to H. Res. 
     392, relating to Japan, which was reported to the House by 
     the Committee on International Relations, as amended, on June 
     25, 1998. The resolution was sequentially referred to the 
     Committee on Ways and Means until July 17, 1998, to address 
     provisions within the Committee's jurisdiction.
       On July 15, 1998, the Subcommittee on Trade of the 
     Committee on Ways and Means held a hearing to review U.S.-
     Japan trade policy. This very productive hearing allowed the 
     Subcommittee to address the necessity for Japanese 
     implementation of broad structural reforms, including 
     deregulation of its economy, reform of its banking system, 
     improved transparency, and the opening of its distribution 
     system to eliminate exclusionary business practices.
       Accordingly, in order to expedite consideration of this 
     important legislation, I do not believe that a markup by the 
     Committee on Ways and Means will be necessary on H. Res. 392. 
     However, this is being done only with your assurance that you 
     will bring the resolution, as reported by the Committee on 
     International Relations, to the House for a vote under 
     suspension of the rules, with no additional amendment. In 
     addition, this action by the Committee on Ways and Means with 
     respect to H. Res. 392 is being done with the understanding 
     that it does not in any way prejudice the Committee's 
     jurisdictional prerogative on this measure or any other

[[Page E1430]]

     similar legislation, and it should not be considered as 
     precedent for consideration of matters of jurisdictional 
     interest to the Committee in the future.
       I would appreciate your response to this letter, confirming 
     this understanding with respect to H. Res. 392, and would ask 
     that a copy of our exchange of letters on this matter be 
     included in the record during floor consideration. Thank you 
     for your cooperation and assistance on this matter.
           With best personal regards,
                                                      Bill Archer,
                                                         Chairman.

     

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