[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 138 (Tuesday, October 6, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S11639]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             MIGRATORY BIRD HUNTING AND CONSERVATION STAMPS

  Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now 
proceed to the consideration of H.R. 4248 which is at the desk.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The bill clerk read as follows:

       A bill (H.R. 4248) to authorize the use of receipts from 
     the sale of the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp 
     to promote additional stamp purposes.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.
  Mr. CHAFEE. Mr. President, I am pleased to offer my support for the 
Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Promotion Act of 1998, or 
the Duck Stamp Act as it is more commonly known.
  In 1934 President Roosevelt signed into law the Migratory Bird 
Hunting Stamp Act (Act). The Act required that all waterfowl hunters 16 
years of age and over must annually purchase and carry a Federal Duck 
Stamp. The revenue generated from duck stamp sales is earmarked for the 
Migratory Bird Conservation Fund to buy or lease waterfowl sanctuaries. 
As a result, many of the nation's wildlife refuges have been purchased 
in whole or part with duck stamp funds.
  Although the Duck Stamp program has been extremely successful, the 
Act does not provide funds to market and advertise duck stamps. This 
legislation authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to use up to $1 
million a year in duck stamp receipts until 2003 for marketing 
purposes. To ensure that this program is a success the marketing plan 
has to be approved by the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission prior 
to implementation.
  Duck stamp sales could increase substantially if funds were available 
to market the stamp, and I urge my colleagues in the Senate to support 
H.R. 4248.
  Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be 
considered read a third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be 
laid upon the table, and that any statements relating to the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The bill (H.R. 4248) was considered read the third time and passed.

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