[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 81 (Tuesday, June 12, 2001)]
[House]
[Pages H3015-H3019]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        ASIAN ELEPHANT CONSERVATION REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2001

  Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 700) to reauthorize the Asian Elephant Conservation Act of 
1997, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                                H.R. 700

       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 ``Asian Elephant Conservation 
     Reauthorization Act of 2001''.

     SEC. 2. REAUTHORIZATION OF ASIAN ELEPHANT CONSERVATION ACT OF 
                   1997.

       Section 7 of the Asian Elephant Conservation Act of 1997 
     (16 U.S.C. 4266) is amended by striking ``1998'' and all that 
     follows through ``2002'' and inserting ``2001, 2002, 2003, 
     2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007''.

[[Page H3016]]

     SEC. 3. LIMITATION ON ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.

       Section 7 of the Asian Elephant Conservation Act of 1997 
     (16 U.S.C. 4266) is further amended--
       (1) by striking ``There are authorized'' and inserting 
     ``(a) In General.--There is authorized''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(b) Administrative Expenses.--Of amounts available each 
     fiscal year to carry out this Act, the Secretary may expend 
     not more than 3 percent or $80,000, whichever is greater, to 
     pay the administrative expenses necessary to carry out this 
     Act.''.

     SEC. 4. COOPERATION.

       The Asian Elephant Conservation Act of 1997 is further 
     amended by redesignating section 7 (16 U.S.C. 4266) as 
     section 8, and by inserting after section 6 the following:

     ``SEC. 7. ADVISORY GROUP.

       ``(a) In General.--To assist in carrying out this Act, the 
     Secretary may convene an advisory group consisting of 
     individuals representing public and private organizations 
     actively involved in the conservation of Asian elephants.
       ``(b) Public Participation.--
       ``(1) Meetings.--The Advisory Group shall--
       ``(A) ensure that each meeting of the advisory group is 
     open to the public; and
       ``(B) provide, at each meeting, an opportunity for 
     interested persons to present oral or written statements 
     concerning items on the agenda.
       ``(2) Notice.--The Secretary shall provide to the public 
     timely notice of each meeting of the advisory group.
       ``(3) Minutes.--Minutes of each meeting of the advisory 
     group shall be kept by the Secretary and shall be made 
     available to the public.
       ``(c) Exemption From Federal Advisory Committee Act.--The 
     Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not 
     apply to the advisory group.''.

     SEC. 5. TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.

       (a) Conforming Amendments.--The Asian Elephant Conservation 
     Act of 1997 is amended as follows:
       (1) Section 4(3) (16 U.S.C. 4263(3)) is amended by striking 
     ``the Asian Elephant Conservation Fund established under 
     section 6(a)'' and inserting ``the account established by 
     division A, section 101(e), title I of Public Law 105-277 
     under the heading `multinational species conservation fund' 
     ''.
       (2) Section 6 (16 U.S.C. 4265) is amended by striking the 
     section heading and all that follows through ``(d) Acceptance 
     and Use of Donations.--'' and inserting the following:

     ``SEC. 6. ACCEPTANCE AND USE OF DONATIONS.''.

       (b) Technical Correction.--Title I of section 101(e) of 
     division A of Public Law 105-277 (112 Stat. 2681-237) is 
     amended under the heading ``multinational species 
     conservation fund'' by striking ``Rhinoceros and Tiger 
     Conservation Act, subchapter I'' and inserting ``Rhinoceros 
     and Tiger Conservation Act of 1994, part I''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Maryland (Mr. Gilchrest) and the gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. 
Faleomavaega) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Gilchrest).
  Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support this legislation, H.R. 700, to 
extend the Asian Elephant Conservation Act. This act was first proposed 
in 1997 by the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Saxton) in response to 
the dramatic decline in the population of Asian elephants.
  There are many reasons why the population of this keystone species 
has fallen to less than 40,000 animals in the wild. However, the 
overriding reason has been the loss of essential habitat. In the short 
time the Asian Elephant Conservation Fund has been in place, the Fish 
and Wildlife Service has spent $3 million on 27 conservation projects 
in nine different range countries. These projects have assisted in the 
construction of anti-poaching camps, equipped field staff, and 
educating local indigenous people about the critical importance of 
conserving this species.
  During our subcommittee hearing, Ms. Ginette Hemley of the World 
Wildlife Fund testified that ``when tigers and elephants thrive, the 
whole ecosystem thrives. When they suffer, the entire ecosystem 
suffers, including the people that live in or around it.''
  Mr. Speaker, I urge an aye vote on H.R. 700. I am confident by 
reauthorizing this small investment of money we will provide huge 
conservation benefits.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  (Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA asked and was given permission to revise and extend 
his remarks.)
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 700, a bill 
to reauthorize the Asian Elephant Conservation Act.
  I certainly would like to commend my good friend, the former chairman 
of the Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife, and Oceans, 
the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Saxton), for being the author and 
the sponsor of this legislation, and certainly for his continued 
leadership in protecting the world's imperiled wildlife heritage. I 
also thank the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Gilchrest), our current 
chairman of the subcommittee, for his leadership in bringing this 
legislation forward.
  Mr. Speaker, unlike African elephants, the plight of Asian elephants 
was not widely known until 1997, only 4 years ago. Sadly, we have 
learned that the population of Asian elephants, at one time flourishing 
throughout Southern and Southeast Asia, is now fragmented into 
populations scattered across 13 countries, most of which are shrinking.

                              {time}  1430

  In addition, Mr. Speaker, domesticated use of Asian elephants for 
transport and other industrial activities has removed animals from 
traditional areas and further stressed wild populations. With so many 
changes to the natural habitat, domesticated uses are now one of the 
several factors which are a threat to the future viability of Asian 
elephants in the wild. This issue needs to be addressed in a manner 
which addresses traditional cultural values and the continued survival 
of the species.
  Fortunately, Mr. Speaker, the Asian Elephant Conservation Act has 
helped address these threats. Grants initiated under the act have 
provided valuable financial assistance to impoverished areas to support 
a wide range of conservation activities. Most notably, the development 
of conservation strategies and education tools to address the growing 
frequency of elephant-human conflicts, a scenario which often proves 
deadly for the elephants, the local villagers, or both, has been 
especially effective.
  The grants have also supported important ecological studies, 
construction of anti-poaching camps, and provided conservation training 
in several range States. Progress, albeit slow, has been made.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 700 is a bill which was ordered reported by the 
Committee on Resources by unanimous vote. In addition, the 
administration fully supports this legislation, as do many 
international conservation organizations, including the World Wildlife 
Fund and the Wildlife Conservation Society.
  Everyone agrees that the technical amendments to the existing act 
contained in H.R. 700 will only improve the effectiveness of the grant 
program throughout southern and southeast Asia.
  Mr. Speaker, unfortunately there are still many remaining challenges 
to overcome if we hope to sufficiently recover stable and ecologically 
viable populations of Asian elephants throughout the animal's historic 
range. Yet, that is a global conservation challenge that the United 
States should not shy away from.
  Conservation assistance made available under the Asian Elephant 
Conservation Act is desperately needed, and again, I urge my colleagues 
to support this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to 
the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Saxton).
  Mr. SAXTON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman and the ranking member 
of the subcommittee for the great work they have done in expeditiously 
bringing this bill to the floor.
  I am pleased to rise today to speak in favor of H.R. 700, the Asian 
Elephant Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2001, which I introduced 
on February 14 of this year. I was pleased it was reported favorably 
out of Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans on 
March 29, 2001, and was pleased that it was finally reported out of the 
full committee on May 16.
  Four years ago, I introduced this bill because I was startled to 
learn that there were less than 40,000 Asian elephants living in the 
wild. Furthermore,

[[Page H3017]]

nearly 50 percent of those elephants were living in various national 
parks in India, while the remaining animals were scattered in 
fragmented populations throughout 12 other countries in south and 
southeastern Asia.
  The primary reason for this serious decline in population is the loss 
of essential habitat. It is no secret that elephants and man are in 
direct competition for the same resources. In most cases, it is the 
elephants who lost. In addition, Asian elephants are poached for their 
bones, hide, teeth, meat, and they are still captured for 
domestication, and conflicts between elephants and people are 
escalating at an alarming rate, even today.
  Furthermore, it was clear millions of people were not aware of the 
plight of the Asian elephants. In addition, range countries lacked the 
financial resources to help conserve this flagship species. Without an 
international effort, the future of the Asian elephant was in serious 
jeopardy.
  In response to this problem, along with a number of other Members, I 
proposed the establishment of the Asian Elephant Conservation Fund. 
This concept was modeled after the highly successfully African Elephant 
Conservation Act. The primary goal of my legislation was to obtain a 
small amount of Federal assistance for on-the-ground conservation 
projects.
  Fortunately, this legislation was overwhelmingly approved by both 
bodies and was signed into law on November 19, 1997. Under the terms of 
this new law, the Congress could appropriate up to $25 million to the 
Asian elephant conservation fund until September 30, 2002. In fact, 
some $1.9 million in Federal funds has been allocated, and those monies 
have been matched by an additional $1.1 million in private donations.
  Those funds have been used to underwrite 27 conservation grants in 
nine different range countries. The type of prospects funded have 
included development of an elephant strategy in Sri Lanka, 
identification of a suitable managed elephant range in Malaysia, 
equipment for the local population assessment of Asian elephants, 
school education to support Asian elephant conservation in India and 
trace the mobility patterns of Sri Lanka's elephants.
  These projects were carefully analyzed and competitively selected 
from a list of nearly 100 proposals that were submitted to the U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service.
  While the early indication is that the worldwide population of Asian 
elephants has stopped its precipitous decline, it is unrealistic to 
believe that $3 million can save this species from extinction. 
Nevertheless, this law has sent a powerful message. I am pleased to 
have introduced this reauthorization, and am hopeful that it will pass 
the House today.
  Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 7 minutes to my good friend, 
the gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. Abercrombie).
  (Mr. ABERCROMBIE asked and was given permission to revise and extend 
his remarks, and include extraneous material.)
  Mr. ABERCROMBIE. Mr. Speaker, before I begin my formal remarks, I 
would like to pay tribute to my good friend, the gentleman from New 
Jersey (Mr. Saxton). I think he is being a bit modest by simply citing 
the fact that he introduced this Asian elephant conservation bill and 
gave me the privilege of being able to sign it with him as the ranking 
member on his committee at that time.
  I am very grateful to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Gilchrest) and 
his staff, both for the majority and the minority, not only for the 
reauthorization on the present H.R. 700, but for the incredible, great 
work that the staff did with the introduction of the original bill.
  My respect for the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Saxton), I can say 
without reservation, was considerable before this took place, and has 
only risen since that time. If there is anyone in this body that 
carries through on the implications of any legislation with which he or 
she is associated, it is the gentleman from New Jersey.
  In this particular instance, as he cited in his remarks, the Asian 
elephant simply did not have the kind of profile, either in world 
opinion or in the consciousness of those interested in the environment 
and conservation throughout the world, that the African elephant did.
  The reauthorization in the previous bill is, of course, needed, and 
the work that has been done with regard to the African elephant and the 
role played by the United States of America in that has been 
considerable and most positive, as has been cited. But in this 
particular instance, because of the insight and the carry-through of 
the gentleman from New Jersey, the Asian elephant was able to achieve 
at least some place in the sun that it would not otherwise have 
occupied.
  The implications for southeast Asia in particular are considerable 
because, as I will state in my more formal remarks, the Asian elephant 
is in fact a flagship species with respect to all kinds of 
considerations in the environment and conservation of other species, 
and I firmly believe that in time to come, the gentleman from New 
Jersey (Mr. Saxton) will be recognized not only as a pioneer with 
regard to Asian elephant conservation, but as one of the primary 
figures in the world environmental and conservation movement.
  I wish to add one other thing, Mr. Speaker. I also want to pay 
tribute to, and I wish he was on the floor so I actually could look him 
in the eye when I was saying it, because of the pleasure it would give 
me, I want to mention in particular the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Pombo), who has been instrumental in educating me for one, I can tell 
the Members, on the questions of conservation of wild animals and the 
environment.
  I think he has played a particularly positive role in support of the 
kinds of things that the gentleman from New Jersey has taken the lead 
on, and especially in the realm of wild animal conservation, the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Pombo) is a leader. It is a pleasure to 
be associated with him in this regard, as well.
  That said, Mr. Speaker, with recent awareness of the increasing 
threat to the welfare of the Asian elephant, an already endangered 
species, a bill entitled the Asian Elephant Conservation Act of 1997 
was introduced into the House of Representatives in June of 1997. It 
passed the House in October, on October 21, and the Senate on November 
8, and was signed into law by the President on November 19, 1997.
  The act is designed to assist the conservation of Asian elephants by 
supporting and providing financial resources for the conservation 
programs of nations within the range of the Asian elephant, and 
projects of persons with demonstrated expertise in the conservation of 
Asian elephants. A grants program was established for awarding 
proposals that fulfilled the purpose described by the act.
  This act has been very successful, Mr. Speaker, and is not a foreign 
giveaway program. The funds appropriated under this act are matched by 
the recipient countries. It gives them the necessary support so they 
can leverage this money with their own resources to establish 
conservation and research programs, communication networks and 
administration, to save these endangered animals.
  Unless immediate steps are taken to conserve this magnificent animal, 
it will surely continue to disappear from much, if not most, of its 
traditional habitat. This program helps establish a win-win situation 
where recipient countries can explore management strategies that 
minimize poaching and negative elephant and human interaction in 
farming communities. In short, recipient countries are able to find 
solutions that are in their economic best interests.
  Also assisting these countries on a wide range of projects are 
numerous non-governmental organizations and the United States Fish and 
Wildlife Service.
  In closing, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank our good friends, the 
chairman and the ranking member, for giving us the opportunity to 
appear here. I want to say that while, for many, bills which come on 
the consent calendar may seem to be pro forma in presentation, over and 
over and over again when we examine the content and context of the 
bills before us, we find that they are addressing issues of prime 
importance, not only to people of the United States,

[[Page H3018]]

but in many instances we can say to people of the world. This bill is 
in fact one of them. I am very, very pleased and proud to have been 
associated with it, and count it as among the genuine privileges of 
holding public office, particularly in the House of representatives, to 
be associated with the individuals who have made this day possible.
  Mr. Speaker, the Asian Elephant Conservation Act of 1997 was authored 
by U.S. Representative Jim Saxton (R-NJ) and myself.
  With recent awareness of the increasing threat to the welfare of the 
Asian elephant, already an endangered species, a bill entitled Asian 
Elephant Conservation Act of 1997 was introduced into the House of 
Representatives June 4, 1997. Passed by the House on October 21 and by 
the Senate on November 8, it was signed into law by the President on 
November 19, 1997. The act is designed to assist in the conservation of 
Asian elephants by supporting and providing financial resources for the 
conservation programs of nations within the range of Asian elephants 
and projects of persons with demonstrated expertise in the conservation 
of Asian elephants. A grants program was established for awarding 
proposals that fulfill the purpose described by the Act.
  This act has been very successful and is not a foreign ``give-away'' 
program. The funds appropriated under this Act are matched by the 
recipient countries. It gives them the necessary support so that they 
can leverage this money with their own resources to establish 
conservation and research programs, communication networks and 
administration to save these endangered animals.
  Unless immediate steps are taken to conserve this magnificent animal, 
it will surely continue to disappear from much, if not most, of its 
traditional habitat.
  This program helps establish a win-win situation where recipient 
countries can explore management strategies that minimize poaching and 
negative elephant and human interaction in farming communities.
  In short, recipient countries are able to find solutions that are in 
their economic best interests. Also assisting these countries on a wide 
range of projects are numerous non-governmental organizations and the 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
  The United States must continue their leadership in this very 
important conservation program. I cannot overemphasize that this is 
where a relatively small appropriation has helped leverage a very 
successful program that has stopped the decline of the Asian elephant 
saving it from possible extinction.
  We cannot allow the Asian elephant, which has such a direct impact on 
so many other species, to become extinct. The goal of this legislation 
is to stop the decline and hopefully rebuild the population of this 
irreplaceable species by financing with a small amount of federal money 
a number of conservation projects.
  According to international experts, there are fewer than 45,000 Asian 
elephants living in the wild. On a daily basis, these animals face the 
loss of their forest habitat, poachers who kill them for their bones, 
hide, ivory and meat, capture for use in Burma's timber industry, and 
conflicts between elephants and man.
  Unless immediate steps are taken to help conserve this species, it 
will continue to disappear from its historic habitat. We should not 
allow this magnificent animal to disappear from this planet. This 
investment by the United States will significantly improve the 
likelihood that wild Asian elephants will exist into the 21st century.
  The act was modeled after the highly successful African Elephant 
Conservation Act of 1988 and the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act 
of 1994.
  It established an Asian Elephant Conservation Fund to be administered 
by the U.S. Department of Interior. The measure would be authorized for 
5 years and $5 million per year.
  The funding could be used for: Anti-poaching efforts, conservation 
management plans, translocation of threatened populations, monitoring 
of census figures and known populations, and public education for 
elephant conservation.
  This legislation is endorsed by organizations like the World Wildlife 
Fund, Safari Club International and other conservation groups.
  Mr. Speaker, I include for the Record the following information on 
the Asian elephant:

                      Facts on the Asian Elephant

       There are an estimated 35,000 to 45,000 Asian Elephants 
     living in the wild in 13 Asian nations.
       The Asian Elephant is listed as ``endangered'' under the 
     United States' Endangered Species Act.
       The major causes for elephants' ``endangered'' status are: 
     Loss of habitat caused by population growth (all Asian 
     Elephants required a shady or forest environment and the 
     forest habitat in Asia is rapidly disappearing); fragmented 
     populations of elephants (there are only 14 populations that 
     have more than 1,000 elephants each); and poaching for meat, 
     hide bones, ivory and teeth (bones and teeth are used in 
     traditional Chinese medicine).
       The largest population of Asian Elephants in the wild are 
     found in: India (20,000 to 24,000), Burma (5,000 to 6,0900), 
     and Indonesia (2,500 to 4,500).
       Wild elephants are still captured and trained for use in 
     logging operations in Burma.
       The Asian Elephant is a flagship species and its 
     conservation has a positive impact on other animals like 
     tigers, rhinoceros, clouded leopards, Malayan Sunbears, 
     Hoolock gibbons, lion-tailed macaques and peacock pheasants.
       The Asian elephant can weigh up to 5400 kg (11,900 lb). It 
     currently occupies forested habitats in hilly or mountainous 
     terrain, up to about 3600 m (11,800'). An adult eats 
     approximately 150 kg (330 lb) per day--mainly grasses but 
     also leaves, twigs and bark. It feeds during the morning, 
     evening and night and rests during the middle of the day, 
     requiring shade during the hot season to keep from 
     overheating. Elephants cannot go for long without water (they 
     require 70-90 liters (19-24 gal) of fluid/day) and sometimes 
     must travel long distances each day between their water 
     supplies and feeding areas.
       One calf is born every 3-4 years after a pregnancy lasting 
     about 22 months. Although mature male elephants may live 
     alone, females live in family groups consisting of mothers, 
     daughters and sisters, together with immature males. Wild 
     elephants can live to be sixty years old.
       The Asian elephant once ranged from the Tigris and 
     Euphrates Rivers in ancient Mesopotamia in the west, east 
     through Asia south of the Himalaya to Indochina and the Malay 
     Peninsula, including Sri Lanka and Sumatra and possibly Java, 
     and north into China at least as far as the Yangtze River. In 
     the 19th century it was still common over much of the Indian 
     subcontinent, Sri Lanka and the eastern parts of its range. 
     By 1978, Asian elephant were found in the same countries as 
     they are at present.
       Female Asian elephants are not affected by ivory poaching 
     (due to their lack of tusks), so poaching has not affected 
     the overall population numbers of Asian elephants as 
     drastically as it has in the case of the African elephant. 
     The single most important cause of the decline of the Asian 
     elephant has been the loss of habitat. They have also been 
     affected by persecution due to the crop damage they are 
     perceived to cause.
       Counties where it is currently found: 1996: Occurs in 
     Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, China, India, 
     Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, 
     Thailand and Vietnam.
       Maximum age: Sixty years in the wild (more than 80 years in 
     captivity).
       Social organization: The Asian elephant is gregarious, and, 
     although males sometimes live alone, females are always found 
     in family groups consisting of mothers, daughters, sisters 
     and immature males. In the 19th century, these family groups 
     usually consisted of 30-50 animals, but much larger groups, 
     as large as 100 individuals, were not uncommon. Sometimes an 
     adult male can be associated with a herd. When not, adult 
     males usually remain solitary and disperse over relatively 
     small, widely overlapping home ranges; sometimes they gather 
     together in small but temporary bull herds. They do not seem 
     to be territorial, and there is a great amount of toleration 
     between them, except possibly when the cows are in estrus.
       Asian elephants are very sociable and live in basic family 
     units of one adult cow and her offspring. Daughters remain 
     with their mothers, but sons leave at puberty, often joining 
     bull groups or remaining solitary. Bull elephants associate 
     with a family when a cow is in oestrus. This species does not 
     appear to be territorial. Males have home ranges of about 15 
     square km, and herds of females of about 30 square km, which 
     increases in the dry season. Seasonal migration has been made 
     virtually impossible, due to human development.
       Females usually have one calf after a gestation period of 
     18-22 months and give birth every three to four years. The 
     calves weigh about 100 kg at birth and suckle for about 18 
     months. They can eat some vegetation after several months.
       Asian elephants are now listed as endangered, and have long 
     since vanished from Southwest Asia and most of China. Sri 
     Lanka was once recognized for its large elephant populations, 
     but today the numbers are being reduced. As the number of 
     humans increases, the area of natural habitat that the 
     elephants rely on is being depleted. Elephants are being 
     forced onto farming areas, where they cause damage.

  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I certainly would like to compliment my good friend, the 
gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. Abercrombie), for his eloquence and for his 
substantive remarks concerning this important issue of the Asian 
elephant.
  I realize that perhaps some of the members of the public are 
wondering, in the midst of the $1.3 trillion tax cut, Social Security, 
the health care problems, the hundreds of billions going to defense and 
all this, why are we talking about elephants.
  I would like to compliment again both the gentleman from New Jersey

[[Page H3019]]

(Mr. Saxton) for his sponsorship of the Asian Elephant Conservation 
Act, and my good friend, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Gilchrest), 
for his leadership in not only the subcommittee, but for bringing the 
reauthorization of the African Elephant Conservation Act.
  I recall that, and maybe this is something unique in our Nation and 
something that we ought to be grateful for, I recall years ago when 
there were problems with the dolphins. It was amazing, Mr. Speaker, 
that it was not government that brought this to the attention of the 
Congress, it was not business, it was the children of America.

                              {time}  1445

  They were concerned about the slaughtering needlessly of some 200,000 
dolphins a year by fishermen, and if they wanted to get after the tuna, 
they had to slaughter these mammals that are so beautiful. Beautiful 
creatures that the Lord has made as part of our environment.
  Mr. Speaker, I think the same could be said about elephants, and I 
think we need to compliment and, again, thank the gentleman from 
Maryland (Mr. Gilchrest) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Saxton) 
for their leadership in bringing these two pieces of legislation for 
consideration.
  Again, I want to urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and 
I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this bill. I want to thank 
also the members of our staff, from this side of the aisle, Mr. Dave 
Jansen and Mr. Jeff Petrich, for their staff expertise and the 
understanding of this piece of legislation for where we are now, in 
bringing this bill for consideration by the Members. Again, Mr. 
Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. 
Faleomavaega) for his assistance, certainly the gentleman from Hawaii 
(Mr. Abercrombie) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Saxton).
  We did not get the Asian Elephant back again this time, as the 
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Saxton) did, but certainly our thoughts 
are in the right place. It used to be that people thought that the 
habitat of the Asian and the African Elephant was an endless frontier.
  Now we know it was not endless, and the frontier is gone. So it is 
highly appropriate for us, along with the international community, to 
set aside a small sliver of habitat that can in some small way reflect 
the bounty that used to be so that generations unseen in the future 
will be able to enjoy the magnificence of the creation that we now see.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, and colleagues, four years ago we 
unanimously approved the Asian Elephant Conservation Act of 1997, in 
order to protect the endangered Asian Elephant that proves so vital for 
ecosystems in Southeast Asia. Our efforts were not in vain.
  Four years ago the Asian Elephant was caught in a downward spiral 
towards extinction. Poachers indiscriminately hunted them for their 
hides, meat, tusks, and teeth. Farmers and urban expansion destroyed 
their habitats. The effects of these actions were evident in 1997 when 
there were only an estimated 35,000 elephants left in existence. Today 
there are an estimated 35,000-50,000 elephants, demonstrating that 
while our efforts have succeeded to some extent, much more needs to be 
done.
  Extinction of the Asian Elephant is still entirely possible, and we 
must not simply stand idle while this happens. Like most ecosystems of 
the world, the Asian Elephant is a vital part of its natural habitat, 
and its existence and interaction with other species proves crucial in 
maintaining an ecological balance within the Southeast Asian region. 
For example, the elephants feed on bark from trees that they uproot; 
smaller species of mammals, insects, and birds rely on ``leftover'' 
debris from these trees as a dietary staple. Extinction of the Asian 
Elephant would have multiple and severely negative effects on the 
populations of countless other species.
  We must continue to protect this species from poachers and the 
deforestation that threatens to permanently displace it. By 
appropriating funds we will also actively discourage poachers, and 
encourage education that will bolster conservation efforts.
  Mr. Speaker, distinguished colleagues, please join me in support in 
passing H.R. 700, so that we may ensure the survival of this beautiful 
and vital species.
  Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Whitfield). The question is on the 
motion offered by the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Gilchrest) that the 
House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 700, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

                          ____________________