[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 151 (Wednesday, November 20, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11793-S11796]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
FISHERIES CONSERVATION ACT OF 2002
Mr. REID. I ask unanimous consent the Senate proceed to Calendar No.
753, H.R. 1989.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title.
The legislative clerk read as follows:
A bill (H.R. 1989) to reauthorize various fishing
conservation management programs, and for other purposes.
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the
bill, which had been reported from the Committee on Commerce, Science,
and Transportation, with an amendment to strike all after the enacting
clause and insert in lieu thereof the following:
[Strike the part shown in black brackets and insert the part shown in
italic.]
H.R. 1989
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 ``Fisheries Conservation Act
of 2001''.
[TITLE I--INTERJURISDICTIONAL FISHERIES ACT OF 1986
[SEC. 101. REAUTHORIZATION OF INTERJURISDICTIONAL FISHERIES
ACT OF 1986.
[Section 308 of the Interjurisdictional Fisheries Act of
1986 (16 U.S.C. 4107) is amended--
[(1) by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:
[``(a) General Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Department of Commerce for apportionment
to carry out the purposes of this title--
[``(1) $4,900,000 for fiscal year 2002;
[``(2) $5,400,000 for each of fiscal years 2003 and 2004;
and
[``(3) $5,900,000 for each of fiscal years 2005 and
2006.''; and
[(2) in subsection (c) by striking ``$700,000 for fiscal
year 1997, and $750,000 for each of the fiscal years 1998,
1999, and 2000'' and inserting ``$800,000 for fiscal year
2002, $850,000 for each of fiscal years 2003 and 2004, and
$900,000 for each of fiscal years 2005 and 2006''.
[SEC. 102. PURPOSES OF THE INTERJURISDICTIONAL FISHERIES ACT
OF 1986.
[Section 302 of the Interjurisdictional Fisheries Act of
1986 (16 U.S.C. 4101) is amended by striking ``and'' after
the semicolon at the end of paragraph (1), striking
[[Page S11794]]
the period at the end of paragraph (2) and inserting ``;
and'', and adding at the end the following:
[``(3) to promote and encourage research in preparation for
the implementation of the use of ecosystems and interspecies
approaches to the conservation and management of
interjurisdictional fishery resources throughout their
range.''.
[TITLE II--ANADROMOUS FISH CONSERVATION ACT
[SEC. 201. REAUTHORIZATION OF ANADROMOUS FISH CONSERVATION
ACT.
[Section 4 of the Anadromous Fish Conservation Act (16
U.S.C. 757d) is amended to read as follows:
[``authorization of appropriations
[``Sec. 4. (a)(1) There are authorized to be appropriated
to carry out the purposes of this Act not to exceed the
following sums:
[``(A) $4,500,000 for fiscal year 2002;
[``(B) $4,750,000 for each of fiscal years 2003 and 2004;
and
[``(C) $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2005 and 2006.
[``(2) Sums appropriated under this subsection are
authorized to remain available until expended.
[``(b) Not more than $625,000 of the funds appropriated
under this section in any one fiscal year shall be obligated
in any one State.''.
[SEC. 202. RESEARCH ON AND USE OF ECOSYSTEMS AND INTERSPECIES
APPROACHES TO THE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT.
[The first section of the Anadromous Fish Conservation Act
(16 U.S.C. 757a) is amended in subsection (b) by inserting
``(1)'' after ``(b)'', and by adding at the end the
following:
[``(2) In carrying out responsibilities under this section,
the Secretary shall conduct, promote, and encourage research
in preparation for the implementation of the use of
ecosystems and interspecies approaches to the conservation
and management of anadromous and Great Lakes fishery
resources.''.
[TITLE III--ATLANTIC COASTAL FISHERIES
[SEC. 301. REAUTHORIZATION OF ATLANTIC STRIPED BASS
CONSERVATION ACT.
[Section 7(a) of the Atlantic Striped Bass Conservation Act
(16 U.S.C. 1851 note) is amended by striking ``and 2003'' and
inserting ``2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006''.
[SEC. 302. REAUTHORIZATION OF ATLANTIC COASTAL FISHERIES
COOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT ACT.
[Section 811(a) of the Atlantic Coastal Fisheries
Cooperative Management Act (16 U.S.C. 5108) is amended by
striking ``2005'' and inserting ``2006''.
[SEC. 303. AMENDMENTS TO ATLANTIC COASTAL FISHERIES
COOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT ACT.
[(a) Findings.--Section 802(a) of the Atlantic Coastal
Fisheries Cooperative Management Act (16 U.S.C. 5101(a)) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
[``(7) The understanding of the interactions of species in
the maritime environment and the development of ecosystems-
based approaches to fishery conservation and management lead
to better stewardship and sustainability of coastal fishery
resources.
[``(8) Federal and State scientists should gather
information on the interaction of species in the marine
environment and provide this scientific information to
Federal and State managers.''.
[(b) Purpose.--Section 802(b) of such Act (16 U.S.C.
5101(b)) is amended to read as follows:
[``(b) Purpose.--The purpose of this title is to support
and encourage the development, implementation, and
enforcement of effective interstate conservation and
management of Atlantic coastal fishery resources through the
use of sound science and multispecies, adaptive, and
ecosystem-based management measures.''.
[(c) State-Federal Cooperation in Multispecies and
Ecosystems Interaction Research.--Section 804(a) of such Act
(16 U.S.C. 5103(a)) is amended by inserting ``multispecies
and ecosystems interaction research;'' after ``biological and
socioeconomic research;''.
[(d) Assistance for Research Regarding Interrelationships
Among Atlantic Coastal Fishery Resources and Their
Ecosystems.--Section 808 of such Act (16 U.S.C. 5107) is
amended by striking ``and'' after the semicolon at the end of
paragraph (1), redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3),
and inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
[``(2) research to understand the interrelationships among
Atlantic coastal fishery resources and their ecosystems;
and''.
[TITLE IV--ATLANTIC TUNAS CONVENTION ACT OF 1975
[SEC. 401. REAUTHORIZATION OF THE ATLANTIC TUNAS CONVENTION
ACT OF 1975.
[Section 10 of the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act of 1975
(16 U.S.C. 971h) is amended to read as follows:
[``authorization of appropriations
[``Sec. 10. (a) In General.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this Act, including use for payment
of the United States share of the joint expenses of the
Commission as provided in Article X of the Convention, the
following sums:
[``(1) For each of fiscal years 2002, 2003, and 2004,
$5,480,000.
[``(2) For each of fiscal years 2005 and 2006, $5,495,000.
[``(b) Allocation.--Of amounts available under this section
for each fiscal year--
[``(1) $150,000 are authorized for the advisory committee
established under section 4 and the species working groups
established under section 4A; and
[``(2) $4,240,000 are authorized for research activities
under this Act and the Act of September 4, 1980 (16 U.S.C.
971i).''.
[TITLE V--NORTHWEST ATLANTIC FISHERIES CONVENTION ACT OF 1995
[SEC. 501. REAUTHORIZATION OF THE NORTHWEST ATLANTIC
FISHERIES CONVENTION ACT OF 1995.
[Section 211 of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Convention
Act of 1995 (16 U.S.C. 5610) is amended by striking ``2001''
and inserting ``2006''.
[TITLE VI--EXTENSION OF DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF OCEAN POLICY REPORT
[SEC. 601. EXTENSION OF DEADLINE.
[(a) Extension of Deadline.--The Oceans Act of 2000 (Public
Law 106-256) is amended--
[(1) in section 3(f)(1) (114 Stat. 647) by striking ``18
months'' and inserting ``27 months'';
[(2) in section 3(i) (114 Stat. 648) by striking ``30
days'' and inserting ``90 days''; and
[(3) in section 4(a) (114 Stat. 648; 33 U.S.C. 857-19 note)
by striking ``120 days'' and inserting ``90 days''.
[(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 3(j) of such
Act (114 Stat. 648) is amended by striking ``$6,000,000'' and
inserting ``$8,500,000''.
[(c) Technical Corrections.--Section 3(e) of such Act (114
Stat. 646) is amended--
[(1) in paragraph (1) by striking the colon in the third
sentence and inserting a period;
[(2) by inserting immediately after such period the
following:
[``(2) Notice; Minutes; Public Availability of Documents.--
''; and
[(3) by redesignating the subsequent paragraphs in order as
paragraphs (3) and (4), respectively.]
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Fisheries Conservation Act
of 2002''.
TITLE I--INTERJURISDICTIONAL FISHERIES ACT OF 1986
SEC. 101. REAUTHORIZATION OF INTERJURISDICTIONAL FISHERIES
ACT OF 1986.
Section 308 of the Interjurisdictional Fisheries Act of
1986 (16 U.S.C. 4107) is amended--
(1) by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:
``(a) General Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Department of Commerce for apportionment
to carry out the purposes of this title--
``(1) $4,900,000 for fiscal year 2002;
``(2) $5,400,000 for each of fiscal years 2003 and 2004;
and
``(3) $5,900,000 for each of fiscal years 2005 and 2006.'';
and
(2) in subsection (c) by striking ``$700,000 for fiscal
year 1997, and $750,000 for each of the fiscal years 1998,
1999, and 2000'' and inserting ``$800,000 for fiscal year
2002, $850,000 for each of fiscal years 2003 and 2004, and
$900,000 for each of fiscal years 2005 and 2006''.
SEC. 102. PURPOSES OF THE INTERJURISDICTIONAL FISHERIES ACT
OF 1986.
Section 302 of the Interjurisdictional Fisheries Act of
1986 (16 U.S.C. 4101) is amended--
(1) by striking ``and'' after the semicolon at the end of
paragraph (1);
(2) by striking ``range.'' in paragraph (2) and inserting
``range; and''; and
(3) adding at the end the following:
``(3) to promote and encourage research in preparation for
the implementation of the use of ecosystems and interspecies
approaches to the conservation and management of
interjurisdictional fishery resources throughout their
range.''.
TITLE II--ANADROMOUS FISH CONSERVATION ACT
SEC. 201. REAUTHORIZATION OF ANADROMOUS FISH CONSERVATION
ACT.
Section 4 of the Anadromous Fish Conservation Act (16
U.S.C. 757d) is amended to read as follows:
``authorization of appropriations
``Sec. 4. (a)(1) There are authorized to be appropriated to
carry out the purposes of this Act not to exceed the
following sums:
``(A) $4,500,000 for fiscal year 2002;
``(B) $4,750,000 for each of fiscal years 2003 and 2004;
and
``(C) $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2005 and 2006.
``(2) Sums appropriated under this subsection are
authorized to remain available until expended.
``(b) Not more than $625,000 of the funds appropriated
under this section in any one fiscal year shall be obligated
in any one State.''.
SEC. 202. RESEARCH ON AND USE OF ECOSYSTEMS AND INTERSPECIES
APPROACHES TO THE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT.
The first section of the Anadromous Fish Conservation Act
(16 U.S.C. 757a) is amended in subsection (b) by inserting
``(1)'' after ``(b)'', and by adding at the end the
following:
``(2) In carrying out responsibilities under this section,
the Secretary shall conduct, promote, and encourage research
in preparation for the implementation of the use of
ecosystems and interspecies approaches to the conservation
and management of anadromous and Great Lakes fishery
resources.''.
TITLE III--ATLANTIC TUNAS CONVENTION ACT OF 1975
SEC. 301. REAUTHORIZATION OF THE ATLANTIC TUNAS CONVENTION
ACT OF 1975.
Section 10 of the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act of 1975 (16
U.S.C. 971h) is amended to read as follows:
``authorization of appropriations
``Sec. 10. (a) In General.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this Act, including use for payment
of the United States
[[Page S11795]]
share of the joint expenses of the Commission as provided in
Article X of the Convention, the following sums:
``(1) For each of fiscal years 2002, 2003, and 2004,
$5,480,000.
``(2) For each of fiscal years 2005 and 2006, $5,495,000.
``(b) Allocation.--Of amounts available under this section
for each fiscal year--
``(1) $150,000 are authorized for the advisory committee
established under section 4 and the species working groups
established under section 4A; and
``(2) $4,240,000 are authorized for research activities
under this Act and the Act of September 4, 1980 (16 U.S.C.
971i).''.
TITLE IV--NORTHWEST ATLANTIC FISHERIES CONVENTION ACT OF 1995
SEC. 401. REAUTHORIZATION OF THE NORTHWEST ATLANTIC FISHERIES
CONVENTION ACT OF 1995.
Section 211 of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Convention
Act of 1995 (16 U.S.C. 5610) is amended by striking ``2001''
and inserting ``2006''.
TITLE V--EXTENSION OF DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF OCEAN POLICY REPORT
SEC. 501. EXTENSION OF DEADLINE.
(a) Extension of Deadline.--The Oceans Act of 2000 (Public
Law 106-256) is amended--
(1) in section 3(i) (114 Stat. 648) by striking ``30 days''
and inserting ``90 days''; and
(2) in section 4(a) (114 Stat. 648; 33 U.S.C. 857-19 note)
by striking ``120 days'' and inserting ``90 days''.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 3(j) of such
Act (114 Stat. 648) is amended by striking ``$6,000,000'' and
inserting ``$8,500,000''.
(c) Technical Corrections.--Section 3(e) of such Act (114
Stat. 646) is amended--
(1) by striking ``it:'' in paragraph (1) and inserting
``it.'';
(2) by inserting immediately after such period the
following:
``(2) Notice; minutes; public availability of documents.--
''; and
(3) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs
(3) and (4), respectively.
Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, I am pleased that today the Senate is
considering passage of H.R. 1989 and urge my colleagues to join me in
supporting this bill.
The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, 16
U.S.C. 1801 et seq., the ``Act'', and the National Standards Guidelines
developed and implemented by the Secretary of Commerce set forth
specific standards for establishing, amending, and re-setting fishery
rebuilding plans and timelines developed under that Act's rebuilding
provisions, codified in, among other provisions, 16 U.S.C. 1854(e). New
information and scientific analyses become available through time, and
there can be a need to amend and adjust rebuilding plans and timelines
based on such new information and analyses. In certain instances, such
information and analyses indicating that biomass rebuilding targets can
and should be substantially increased. These increases in biomass
targets, especially in the midst of an on-going rebuilding plan, may,
in appropriate circumstances, require flexibility to ensure that the
rebuilding program accomplishes the full range of the Act's goals and
national standards. The Secretary of Commerce, who is charged with
implementing the Act, has the discretion to provide flexibility in a
rebuilding plan or timeline when the biomass target for a fish species
or stock is substantially increased. The flexibility confirmed in
Section 604 of H.R. 1989 clarifies the Secretary's discretion contained
in the Act and does not limit or otherwise constrain additional areas
for flexibility in rebuilding contained within the Act.
This section clarifies the flexibility that Congress provided the
Secretary in the Sustainable Fisheries Act of 1996. This flexibility is
necessary due to the unanticipated event of biomass targets being
substantially increased during a rebuilding period. Schedules for
ending overfishing and rebuilding overfished fisheries are required by
the Sustainable Fisheries Act and must be specified. The Sustainable
Fisheries Act does, however, provide the Councils and the Secretary
with a significant degree of flexibility in determining time frames for
ending overfishing and rebuilding depleted fisheries.
For instance, the requirement that schedules for ending overfishing
and rebuilding fisheries be ``as short as possible'' and the
conditional 10-year rebuilding period deadline provide valuable
standards to help guide the councils in the development of plans to end
overfishing and rebuild fisheries. In drafting this provision, however,
Congress clearly understood that fisheries are not managed in a vacuum
and that rebuilding schedules should be based not only on the
biological and ecological conditions of the fishery, but also on the
needs of fishing communities as well as any international management
measures that may apply. The relative weight of a particular factor
would depend on the circumstances facing a fishery and would be
determined by the councils, but the biology and life history
characteristics of a species will always be very important in
determining the ultimate rebuilding schedule.
Properly construed, the Sustainable Fisheries Act rebuilding
provisions permit the councils to set a longer rebuilding schedule in
cases where the stock or stocks at issue grow relatively slowly, and/or
the size of the stock is sufficiently small that even under conditions
of moderate or no fishing mortality, rebuilding will necessarily take a
significantly longer period of time.
In the case of a slower-growing species, the Sustainable Fisheries
Act provisions allow a council to establish a rebuilding schedule
longer than 10 years to accommodate the life history characteristics,
including growth rates, of the species. The term ``biology of the stock
of fish'' was included in section 304(e)(4)(A)(ii) so that councils
would have the ability to devise individual rebuilding schedules in
harmony with the biological parameters of a fish population's growth
capacity.
Section 304(e)(4)(A)(ii) also enables the Councils to establish
rebuilding schedules longer than 10 years if the stock or stocks in
question are managed under an international agreement to which the U.S.
is a party, and any management measures or recommendations approved
pursuant to such an agreement contain a rebuilding schedule longer than
10 years. In such circumstances, the rebuilding schedule developed
under Section 304(e)(4), as well as other management provisions under
the Magnuson-Stevens Act, must be consistent with the rebuilding
schedule and associated management measures and recommendations under
the international agreement.
In drafting section 304(e)(4)(A), Congress wanted to ensure that U.S.
harvesters of species managed under an international regime were not
saddled with a disproportionate conservation burden and not placed at a
competitive disadvantage compared to their counterparts from other
countries that are parties to the regime.
Mr. REID. Mr. President, it is my understanding Senators Kerry and
Hollings have two amendments at the desk. I ask it be in order to
consider the amendments en bloc; the amendments be agreed to en bloc;
the motions to reconsider be laid on the table en bloc; the committee-
reported substitute amendment, as amended, be agreed to; the motion to
reconsider be laid on the table; the bill as amended, be read three
times, passed, the motion to reconsider be laid on the table; and
consideration of these amendments appear separately in the Record and
any statements be printed in the Record, with no intervening action or
debate.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The amendment (No. 4982) was agreed to, as follows:
AMENDMENT NO. 4982
(Purpose: To provide authority for the acceptance of voluntary
services)
At the appropriate place, add the following:
SEC. __. AUTHORITY TO ACCEPT VOLUNTEER SERVICES.
Section 303 (33 U.S.C. 892a), is amended by adding at the
end the following:
``(d) Authority to Accept Volunteer Services.--To help
fulfill the duties of the Administrator, including
authorities under the Act of 1947 (33 U.S.C. 883a et seq.),
this Act, or in response to a maritime emergency, the
Administrator may--
``(1) establish a volunteer program;
``(2) enter into special agreements with qualified
organizations to assist in the implementation of a volunteer
program; and
``(3) provide funding under the special agreement to the
qualified organization for the purposes of assisting in the
administration of the volunteer programs and for procuring
and maintaining insurance or other coverage for the
organization and its members when conducting volunteer
activities.
``(e) Legal Status of Volunteers.--Paragraphs (1) through
(5) of section 7(c) of the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 (16
U.S.C. 742f(c)) shall apply to volunteers providing services
to the Administrator under subsection (c) of this section,
except that any reference in that section to the Secretary of
the Interior or the Secretary of Commerce shall be deemed to
refer to the Administrator.
``(f) Qualified Organization.--In this section, the term
`qualified organization' means
[[Page S11796]]
a non-governmental, not-for-profit organization, determined
by the Administrator to have demonstrated expertise in
boating safety and a commitment to improving the quality of
hydrographic services and related oceanographic and
meteorological information that is made available to
mariners.''.
Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, I rise this evening as Chairman of the
Oceans, Atmosphere and Fisheries Subcommittee to offer a few remarks
concerning H.R. 1989, to which I am offering a Senate amendment, along
with the ranking member of the Subcommittee Ms. Snowe.
The Senate amendment includes a number of provisions that will help
fishermen around this country. Our amendment contains two important
provisions that will help identify and address overcapacity in our
fisheries. The first is a report from the Secretary of Commerce
identifying the top 20 fisheries in the United States with excess
capacity. In order to restore and maintain sustainable fisheries, we
need to ensure we understand and develop a plan to address overcapacity
that may be undermining our efforts to rebuild our stocks. By ranking
the fisheries with the most serious capacity problems, we can target
resources at reducing capacity in these fisheries and allow some
fishermen to retire with dignity.
This amendment also includes a provision that would require the
Secretary of Commerce in coordination with the New England Fisheries
Management Council to provide technical assistance and use all tools at
his disposal--including the Coastal Zone Management Act planning
procedures--to help industry develop a capacity reduction program for
New England groundfish. Funding has already been provided for such an
industry-funded buyout, but now our industry must consider what kind of
plan makes sense for our fishing communities. We simply have too many
fishermen chasing too few fish in New England. I know the entire New
England delegation has enormous sympathy for our hard-working
fishermen, and we want to help these families as they struggle against
a tide of regulations. The first step to assisting these families is to
evaluate and plan for the opportunities that will be available once our
fisheries are rebuilt. Then people can make some informed decisions
about retiring from the fishery. It is my hope that the Secretary in
coordination with New England Fishery Management Council can develop
such a plan.
This amendment also contains a provision that clarifies the
flexibility that Congress provided the Secretary of Commerce in the
1996 reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. Current law requires
stocks identified as overfished to be rebuilt within 10 years, except
that additional time is provided where the biology of the stocks, other
environmental conditions, or international management measures dictate
otherwise. Ms. Snowe and I have included a provision clarifying that
under existing law the Secretary of Commerce may extend rebuilding
beyond 10 years if the rebuilding target we are working towards
increases by 100 percent or more over the original target set by the
Secretary at the start of the rebuilding plan. The extension should
only be granted as long as the fishery meets or exceeds the original
target and if the Secretary certifies that the overfishing requirements
of the Act are met and that rebuilding will continue to occur.
We are not endorsing any backsliding on conservation, nor encouraging
overfishing, but trying to deal with primarily a logistical problem: a
mid-course increase in the targets based on new scientific information.
Recently the National Marine Fisheries Service re-analysis of
biological reference points resulted in more than doubling our
rebuilding targets on several species in the Northeast multispecies
fishery during year 3 of a 10-year rebuilding plan. This development
generated confusion in the region, but we believe there is a simple
response. Under the law, we believe the Secretary of Commerce has the
authority to provide a biologically-based and reasonable time extension
for these stocks, provided it is as short as possible, rebuilding
continues, overfishing does not occur, and the original targets are
met. This is only a commonsense response to this situation--a
transition rule, if you will. A substantial change in biomass targets
in the middle of a rebuilding plan was never envisioned when NMFS wrote
the implementing regulations, but such a response would be consistent
with the Act.
This amendment also contains a provision that would aid in
implementing the industry-funded buyout in the West Coast groundfish
fishery which Congress authorized last year. I know that my colleagues
from Oregon, Washington and California care very much about this
provision. I am happy that we could accommodate them with this
legislation and help the fishing communities on the West Coast that are
reeling from severe overfishing on stocks that are long lived, slow
growing and slow to reproduce.
Finally, this amendment includes important provisions authorizing
national approaches to cooperative research, independent peer review of
data collection and assessment methods, fisheries training and
outreach, and cooperative enforcement. All of these proposals are based
on programs that have worked in practice or from recommendations made
to Congress by the National Research Council. These provisions will
improve the management of our fisheries by improving the science that
underlies fishery management decisions or by enhancing local law
enforcement efforts. These provisions will also ensure that the fishing
industry has a seat at the table in discussions about fishery science
and management. We have long supported the need to bridge the science
gap so that scientists and fishermen can engage in productive dialogue
on fishery management. This is essential to developing cooperative
plans to achieving a common goal: sustainable fisheries for our
communities.
The amendment (No. 4983) was agreed to.
(The text of the amendment is printed in today's Record under ``Text
of Amendments.'')
The committee amendment in the nature of a substitute, as amended,
was agreed to.
The bill (H.R. 1989), as amended, was read the third time and passed.
Mr. REID. Mr. President, I yield to my friend, the junior Senator
from Illinois, Mr. Fitzgerald.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Illinois.
Mr. FITZGERALD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to make a
statement on the passage of the Holocaust Restitution and Tax Fairness
Act of 2002.
Mr. REID. How long is that statement going to take?
Mr. FITZGERALD. I think it is just a page and a half.
Mr. REID. I think you can have that.
Mr. FITZGERALD. I appreciate the accommodation of my great friend
from the State of Nevada.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The
Senator will proceed.
____________________