[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 4 (Thursday, January 27, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E15]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMS DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. PHILIP M. CRANE

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 27, 2000

  Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, it was nearly 47 years ago, on January 26, 
1953, that the World Customs Organization, formally known as the 
Customs Co-operation Council, held its first meeting in Brussels, 
Belgium. In recognition of this occasion, the Council observed January 
26 as International Customs Day. This occasion also serves to recognize 
the role that customs services around the world play in facilitating 
trade while protecting national borders from economically and 
physically harmful importations.
  I am proud of the contributions of the U.S. Customs Service to the 
Nation over the past 210 years. U.S. Customs responsibilities have 
increased with the growth of our great Nation--trade has increased 
exponentially and the threat of illegal importations, including illegal 
drugs is ever present. These are significant challenges that Customs 
faces on a daily basis, and Customs must continue its vigilance in 
facilitating trade while interdicting narcotics at our borders and 
preventing exportation of critical technology. I am pleased to say that 
Customs meets these challenges well, and I stand ready to continue my 
longstanding support of Customs in these efforts.
  The U.S. Customs Service represents the United States at the World 
Customs Organization [WCO], a 150-member international organization 
founded to facilitate international trade and promote cooperation among 
governments on Customs matters. The WCO works to simplify and 
standardize legal instruments and rules of international customs. The 
WCO also renders technical assistance in areas such as customs tariffs, 
valuation, nomenclature, and law enforcement. Its objective is to 
obtain, in the interest of international trade, the best possible 
degree of uniformity among the customs systems of member nations. The 
United States became a member on November 5, 1970. All America benefits 
when both exporters and importers operate in an atmosphere of simple 
unambiguous customs operations around the world.
  I want to take this opportunity to congratulate the World Customs 
Organization on its past accomplishments and wish it well in its 
ambitious new millennium goal of further harmonizing and simplifying 
the customs rules that affect international commerce. I also 
congratulate the U.S. Customs Service for its fine work both nationally 
and internationally.

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