[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 85 (Thursday, June 29, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1152]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    PRIBILOF ISLANDS TRANSITION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. GEORGE MILLER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 26, 2000

  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased to rise in 
support of this important legislation, sponsored by the gentleman from 
Alaska. As Members of this body know, the Chairman of the Committee on 
Resources is a forceful advocate for his Alaska constituents.
  The bill before the House today has improved in numerous respects 
from the version reported by the Committee last April. As a result of 
changes made to accommodate NOAA's concerns, it is my understanding 
that the Administration supports the bill as amended.
  The history of our involvement in the Pribilof Islands, as is the 
case with many Alaska matters, is long and complex. Prior to the 
purchase of Alaska in 1867, Aleut Natives had been enslaved by the 
Russians to exploit fur seals. In 1910, Congress passed a law which 
regulated the seal harvest and provided federal support for the Native 
residents of the islands of St. Paul and St. George. With the Fur Seal 
Act of 1965, and substantial amendments to that Act in 1983, Congress 
has attempted to provide for a transition from federal management to 
local control and self-sufficiency on these remote islands.
  Clearly, it is vital that the government meet its obligations to the 
people of the Pribilofs, including the timely completion of 
environmental cleanup of contaminated federal property. With the 
changes that have been incorporated, this legislation is intended to 
responsibly close out the U.S. obligations and liabilities on the 
Pribilof Islands as established under the Fur Seal Act.
  In an attempt to strike a responsible balance in this bill, there are 
now caps on the amounts authorized for the economic assistance grants 
to the Native entities and local governments. At the request of the 
Minority, auditing and reporting requirements have been included for 
these grants. Minority concerns have also been addressed by language 
stating that funds authorized by this bill should not supplant NOAA 
appropriations as enacted in FY 2000. NOAA programs such as severe 
weather forecasting and the management of commercial fisheries benefit 
every region of the country. This language affirms the intent of 
Congress that funding for concluding the transition in the Pribilofs 
should not come at the expense of other important NOAA programs.
  Mr. Speaker, I again commend the gentleman from Alaska and his staff 
for working with all interested parties to improve this legislation. I 
urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3417 as amended.

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