[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 106 (Tuesday, September 12, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S8416]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire (for himself, Mr. Warner, and Mr. 
        L. Chafee):
  S. 3032. A bill to reauthorize the Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and 
Design Program Act of 1994, and for other purposes; to the Committee on 
Environment and Public Works.


             junior duck stamp reauthorization act of 2000

  Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, I would like to introduce 
the Junior Duck Stamp Reauthorization Act of 2000.
  The Junior Duck Stamp Program is a wonderful program that allows 
children from kindergarten through twelfth grade to participate in an 
integrated art and science curriculum that is designed to teach 
environmental science and habitat conservation. It also raises 
awareness for wetlands and waterfowl conservation. Students and 
teachers work together through a set curriculum that incorporates 
ecological and wildlife management principles, allowing students to 
learn about conserving wildlife habitat while they explore the esthetic 
qualities of wildlife and nature.
  As part of the curriculum, each student is encouraged to focus his or 
her efforts on a particular waterfowl species. The culmination of the 
curriculum is an artistic depiction of that species. Each state selects 
a Best-of-Show winner and that piece of artwork competes to become the 
national winner of the Junior Duck Stamp contest. The winning depiction 
is chosen as the Federal Junior Duck Stamp, and the student receives 
$2,500. Revenues from selling the stamp are used for conservation 
awards and scholarships to the participants.
  By all accounts the Junior Duck Stamp Program has been extremely 
successful. Last year alone more than 44,000 students entered the state 
competitions. The Fish and Wildlife Service and educators estimate that 
for every child who enters the state program, ten others are exposed to 
the curriculum. The program has also been very successful in 
introducing urban children to nature, allows all children to develop an 
important connection to the environment, and motivates students to take 
an active role in conservation of waterfowl species.
  This legislation is a simple reauthorization of the program through 
2005. The U.S. Fish and wildlife Service would be authorized to receive 
$250,000 a year for the administration of the Junior Duck Stamp 
Program. In addition, the Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design 
Program Act of 1994 would be amended to allow schools in the District 
of Columbia and the U.S. territories to participate in the program.
  Mr. President, I strongly urge the passage of this legislation. The 
Junior Duck Stamp Program has played an important role in the education 
of children and the conservation of our natural resources, and it 
should continue to do so. I ask that the full text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 3032

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Junior Duck Stamp 
     Reauthorization Act of 2000''.

     SEC. 2. REAUTHORIZATION OF JUNIOR DUCK STAMP CONSERVATION AND 
                   DESIGN PROGRAM ACT OF 1994.

       Section 5 of the Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design 
     Program Act of 1994 (16 U.S.C. 719c) is amended by striking 
     ``for each of the fiscal years 1995 through 2000'' and 
     inserting ``for each of fiscal years 2001 through 2005''.

     SEC. 3. EXPANSION OF PROGRAM TO INSULAR AREAS.

       The Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program Act 
     of 1994 is amended--
       (1) by redesignating sections 2 through 6 (16 U.S.C. 719 
     through 719c; 16 U.S.C. 668dd note) as sections 3 through 7, 
     respectively;
       (2) by inserting after section 1 (16 U.S.C. 719 note) the 
     following:

     ``SEC. 2. DEFINITION OF STATE.

       ``In this Act, the term `State' means a State, the District 
     of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the 
     Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, 
     Guam, the Virgin Islands, and any other territory or 
     possession of the United States.'';
       (3) in section 3(c) (16 U.S.C. 719(c)) (as redesignated by 
     paragraph (1)), by striking ``50 States'' each place it 
     appears and inserting ``States''; and
       (4) in section 5 (16 U.S.C. 719b) (as redesignated by 
     paragraph (1)), by striking ``section 3(c)(1) (A) and (B)'' 
     and inserting ``subparagraphs (A) and (B) of section 
     4(c)(1)''.
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