[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 55 (Tuesday, April 27, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4430-S4434]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS

      By Mr. LIEBERMAN (for himself, Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Dodd, and Mr. 
        Schumer):
  S. 2350. A bill to establish the Long island Sound Stewardship 
System; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
  Mr. LIEBERMAN. Mr. President, Long Island Sound holds a special place 
in our Nation's history, its present, and its future. It has played a 
key role in the development of the Nation, from the early days of the 
colonists, through to this day. Its bounty nourished the colonists, its 
coves sheltered their ships, and provided harbors for trade.
  Today, Long Island Sound remains a vital resource to the area: its 
biological resources provide jobs, and its beauty draws tourists who 
come to visit the Sound to fish, to sail, and simply to enjoy its 
shores. It is estimated that these activities contribute approximately 
$5 billion annually to the economy of the region. This is not so 
surprising when you realize that over 28 million people live within 50 
miles of the Sound.
  It is a blessing that so many people can enjoy and benefit from Long 
Island Sound, in so many ways. But it is also a challenge that 
threatens the future of the Sound. Less than 20 percent of the 
shoreline of Long Island Sound is accessible to the public, and every 
year, more shoreline is developed and removed from public access. 
Marshes and estuaries around the Sound are being drained and developed 
at an alarming rate. These tidal marshes are critical for the 
ecological health of the Sound, which is the foundation of the Sound's 
vital economic contribution to the region. In short, to preserve the 
blessings of Long Island Sound for future generations, this generation 
must act. This is why Senator Clinton and I have introduced the Long 
Island Sound Stewardship Act.
  The Long Island Sound Stewardship Act builds on the years of good 
work done by the Long Island Sound Study Group. This group, made up of 
dedicated people from Federal, State, and local government agencies, 
non-government organizations, and private interests, has worked 
together to develop a vision of good stewardship for Long Island Sound. 
Many of them are here today, and I thank them for their hard work.
  Our bill will help us achieve their vision, by providing funds and a 
congressional mandate to work towards this vision. Under this bill, 
those who agree to preserve public access or ecological characteristics 
of their land can be recognized by having the land designated as a Long 
Island Stewardship Site. The bill also provides funding to facilitate 
the preservation of these characteristics. Most important, the bill 
achieves these ends through a voluntary program, a cooperative venture 
between all the stakeholders: public and private, Federal, State, and 
local.
  The Long Island Sound Study has already set a fine example of 
cooperation and vision. I introduce this bill to further that vision. I 
look forward to working with the Connecticut and New York delegations, 
and all the stakeholders, as we develop and refine this bill. I am 
confident that working together, we will preserve the blessings of Long 
Island Sound.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the Long Island Sound 
Stewardship Act be printed in the record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 2350

       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 ``Long Island Sound 
     Stewardship Act of 2004''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
       (1) Long Island Sound is a national treasure of great 
     cultural, environmental, and ecological importance;
       (2) 8,000,000 people live within the Long Island Sound 
     watershed and 28,000,000 people (approximately 10 percent of 
     the population of the United States) live within 50 miles of 
     Long Island Sound;
       (3) activities that depend on the environmental health of 
     Long Island Sound contribute more than $5,000,000,000 each 
     year to the regional economy;
       (4) the portion of the shoreline of Long Island Sound that 
     is accessible to the general public (estimated at less than 
     20 percent of the total shoreline) is not adequate to serve 
     the needs of the people living in the area;
       (5) existing shoreline facilities are in many cases 
     overburdened and underfunded;
       (6) large parcels of open space already in public ownership 
     are strained by the effort to balance the demand for 
     recreation with the needs of sensitive natural resources;
       (7) approximately \1/3\ of the tidal marshes of Long Island 
     Sound have been filled, and much of the remaining marshes 
     have been ditched, dyked, or impounded, reducing the 
     ecological value of the marshes; and
       (8) many of the remaining exemplary natural landscape is 
     vulnerable to further development.
       (b) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act is to establish the 
     Long Island Sound Stewardship System to preserve areas of 
     critical importance because of the open space, public access, 
     and ecological value of the areas.

     SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

        In this Act:
       (1) Committee.--The term ``Committee'' means the Long 
     Island Sound Stewardship Coordinating Committee established 
     by section 5(a).
       (2) Region.--The term ``Region'' means the Long Island 
     Sound Stewardship System Region established by section 4(a).
       (3) States.--The term ``States'' means the States of 
     Connecticut and New York.

     SEC. 4. LONG ISLAND SOUND STEWARDSHIP SYSTEM REGION.

       (a) Establishment.--There is established in the States the 
     Long Island Sound Stewardship System Region.
       (b) Boundaries.--The Region shall encompass the immediate 
     coastal upland and underwater areas along Long Island Sound, 
     including those portions of the Sound with coastally 
     influenced vegetation, as described on the map entitled the 
     ``Long Island Sound Stewardship Region'' and dated April 21, 
     2004.

     SEC. 5. LONG ISLAND SOUND STEWARDSHIP COORDINATING COMMITTEE.

       (a) Establishment.--There is established a committee to be 
     known as the ``Long Island Sound Stewardship Coordinating 
     Committee''.
       (b) Chairperson.--The Chairperson of the Committee shall be 
     the Director of the Long Island Sound Office of the 
     Environmental Protection Agency, or designee.
       (c) Membership.--
       (1) Composition.--
       (A) In general.--The chairperson shall appoint the members 
     of the Committee in accordance with this subsection and 
     section 320(c) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 
     U.S.C. 1330(c)).
       (B) Representation.--The Committee shall--
       (i) include equal representation of the interests of the 
     States; and
       (ii) represent--

       (I) Federal, State, and local government interests;
       (II) the interests of nongovernmental organizations;
       (III) academic interests; and
       (IV) private interests.

       (2) Date of appointments.--The appointment of a member of 
     the Committee shall be made not later than 180 days after the 
     date of enactment of this Act.
       (d) Term; Vacancies.--
       (1) Term.--A member shall be appointed for the life of the 
     Committee.
       (2) Vacancies.--A vacancy on the Committee--
       (A) shall not affect the powers of the Committee; and

[[Page S4431]]

       (B) shall be filled in the same manner as the original 
     appointment was made.
       (e) Initial Meeting.--Not later than 30 days after the date 
     on which all members of the Committee have been appointed, 
     the Committee shall hold the initial meeting of the 
     Committee.
       (f) Meetings.--The Committee shall meet at the call of the 
     Chairperson, but not less than 4 times each year.
       (g) Quorum.--A majority of the members of the Committee 
     shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number of members may 
     hold hearings.

     SEC. 6. DUTIES OF THE COMMITTEE.

       The Committee shall--
       (1) consistent with the guidelines described in section 
     9(c)--
       (A) establish specific criteria for the evaluation of 
     applications for stewardship site designations; and
       (B) evaluate and award or deny stewardship designation to 
     applicants for that designation;
       (2) consistent with the guidelines described in section 
     9(d)--
       (A) evaluate applications from government or nonprofit 
     organizations qualified to hold conservation easements for 
     funds to purchase land or development rights for stewardship 
     sites; and
       (B) award funds to qualified applicants;
       (3) not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
     this Act, develop and publish a management plan that--
       (A) assesses the current resources of and threats to Long 
     Island Sound;
       (B) assesses the role of the Long Island Sound Stewardship 
     System in protecting Long Island Sound;
       (C) establishes--
       (i) guidelines, schedules, and due dates for applying for 
     designation as a stewardship site; and
       (ii) specific criteria to be used in evaluating stewardship 
     site applications;
       (D) includes information about any grants that are 
     available for the purchase of land or property rights to 
     protect stewardship sites;
       (E) shall be made available to the public on the Internet 
     and in hardcopy form; and
       (F) shall be updated at least every other year, with 
     information on applications for stewardship site designation 
     and funding published more frequently; and
       (4) concurrent with the first management plan, publish a 
     list of sites that the Committee considers most appropriate 
     for designation as stewardship sites.

     SEC. 7. POWERS OF THE COMMITTEE.

       (a) Hearings.--The Committee may hold such hearings, meet 
     and act at such times and places, take such testimony, and 
     receive such evidence as the Committee considers advisable to 
     carry out this Act.
       (b) Information From Federal Agencies.--
       (1) In general.--The Committee may secure directly from a 
     Federal agency such information as the Committee considers 
     necessary to carry out this Act.
       (2) Provision of information.--On request of the 
     Chairperson of the Committee, the head of the agency shall 
     provide the information to the Committee.
       (c) Postal Services.--The Committee may use the United 
     States mails in the same manner and under the same conditions 
     as other agencies of the Federal Government.
       (d) Gifts.--The Committee may accept, use, and dispose of 
     gifts or donations of services or property.

     SEC. 8. COMMITTEE PERSONNEL MATTERS.

       (a) Compensation of Members.--
       (1) Non-federal employees.--A member of the Committee who 
     is not an officer or employee of the Federal Government shall 
     be compensated at a rate equal to the daily equivalent of the 
     annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level IV of the 
     Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United 
     States Code, for each day (including travel time) during 
     which the member is engaged in the performance of the duties 
     of the Committee.
       (2) Federal employees.--A member of the Committee who is an 
     officer or employee of the Federal Government shall serve 
     without compensation in addition to the compensation received 
     for the services of the member as an officer or employee of 
     the Federal Government.
       (b) Travel Expenses.--A member of the Committee shall be 
     allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of 
     subsistence, at rates authorized for an employee of an agency 
     under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States 
     Code, while away from the home or regular place of business 
     of the member in the performance of the duties of the 
     Committee.
       (c) Staff.--
       (1) In general.--The Chairperson of the Committee may, 
     without regard to the civil service laws (including 
     regulations), appoint and terminate an executive director and 
     such other additional personnel as are necessary to enable 
     the Committee to perform the duties of the Committee.
       (2) Confirmation of executive director.--The employment of 
     an executive director shall be subject to confirmation by the 
     Committee.
       (3) Compensation.--
       (A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B), 
     the Chairperson of the Committee may fix the compensation of 
     the executive director and other personnel without regard to 
     the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 
     of title 5, United States Code, relating to classification of 
     positions and General Schedule pay rates.
       (B) Maximum rate of pay.--The rate of pay for the executive 
     director and other personnel shall not exceed the rate 
     payable for level V of the Executive Schedule under section 
     5316 of title 5, United States Code.
       (d) Detail of Federal Government Employees.--
       (1) In general.--An employee of the Federal Government may 
     be detailed to the Committee without reimbursement.
       (2) Civil service status.--The detail of the employee shall 
     be without interruption or loss of civil service status or 
     privilege.
       (e) Procurement of Temporary and Intermittent Services.--
     The Chairperson of the Committee may procure temporary and 
     intermittent services in accordance with section 3109(b) of 
     title 5, United States Code, at rates for individuals that do 
     not exceed the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic 
     pay prescribed for level V of the Executive Schedule under 
     section 5316 of that title.

     SEC. 9. STEWARDSHIP SITES.

       (a) Definition of Qualifying Land.--In this section, the 
     term ``qualifying land'' means land--
       (1) that is in the Region; and
       (2) that is--
       (A) Federal, State, local, or tribal land;
       (B) land owned by a nonprofit organization; or
       (C) privately owned land.
       (b) Application for Designation.--Owners or other parties 
     in control of qualifying land may apply to the Committee to 
     have the qualifying land designated as a Long Island Sound 
     stewardship site.
       (c) General Guidelines for Stewardship Site Designation.--
       (1) In general.--The Committee shall choose land to be 
     designated as a stewardship site based on--
       (A) the contribution of the land to open space on and 
     public access to Long Island Sound; and
       (B) the ecological value of the land.
       (2) Criteria.--In considering land described in 
     applications submitted under subsection (b), the Committee 
     shall consider--
       (A) land cover;
       (B) size;
       (C) adjacency and connectivity to existing parks and open 
     spaces;
       (D) water quality;
       (E) current or prospective recreational use;
       (F) visitor demand;
       (G) scenic quality;
       (H) cultural resources;
       (I) erosion and flood hazard prevention;
       (J) environmental justice;
       (K) fish and wildlife productivity;
       (L) biodiversity;
       (M) scientific value;
       (N) water quality protection;
       (O) habitat restoration characteristics;
       (P) connectivity to other habitats that are vital to 
     sustaining healthy living resources in the Long Island Sound 
     watershed;
       (Q) risk of development; and
       (R) other criteria developed by the Committee under section 
     6(1)(A).
       (d) General Guidelines for Awarding Funds.--
       (1) In general.--The Committee shall award funds to 
     qualified applicants to help to secure and improve the open 
     space, public access, or ecological values of stewardship 
     sites, through--
       (A) purchase of the property of the site;
       (B) purchase of relevant property rights of the site; or
       (C) entering into any other binding legal arrangement that 
     ensures that the values of the site are preserved.
       (2) Equitable distribution of funds.--The Committee shall 
     exert due diligence to distribute funds equitably between the 
     States.

     SEC. 10. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       (a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated to 
     carry out this Act $40,000,000 for each fiscal year, to be 
     allocated from the national estuary program under section 320 
     of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1330).
       (b) Allocation of Funds.--For each fiscal year--
       (1) not more than 15 percent of funds made available under 
     subsection (a) shall be used to improve the facilities of 
     stewardship sites; and
       (2) at least 85 percent of funds made available under 
     subsection (a) shall be used to secure the values of 
     stewardship sites.
       (c) Federal Share.--The Federal share of the cost of an 
     activity carried out using any assistance or grant under this 
     Act shall not exceed 75 percent of the total cost of the 
     activity.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Ms. COLLINS (for herself and Mr. Feingold):
  S. 2351. A bill to establish a Federal Interagency Committee on 
Emergency Medical Services and a Federal Interagency Committee on 
Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council, and for other purposes; to 
the Committee on Governmental Affairs.
  Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Emergency 
Medical Services Support Act of 2004 with my colleague, Senator Russ 
Feingold. This legislation will strengthen Federal efforts to support 
community-based emergency medical services across America.

[[Page S4432]]

  A comprehensive, coordinated emergency medical services system is 
essential to assure quality care and prompt response in incidents 
ranging from automobile crashes to catastrophic weather to terrorist 
attacks. The emergency medical services system is a crucial part of our 
health care safety net.
  Unfortunately, for the past twenty years, Federal support for EMS has 
been both inefficient and uncoordinated. No fewer than seven Federal 
agencies are involved in various aspects of emergency medical services. 
Most, however, focus on only one segment of the EMS system and don't 
effectively coordinate with other agencies.
  In 2001, at the request of Senator Feingold and myself, the General 
Accounting Office researched the status of this vital system. The GAO 
report, titled, ``Emergency Medical Services: Reported needs are Wide-
Ranging with a Growing Focus on Lack of Data,'' exposed the need to 
increase coordination among Federal agencies as they address the needs 
of regional, State, or local emergency medical services systems.
  This legislation would formally establish a Federal Interagency 
Committee on Emergency Medical Services (FICEMS), which is currently an 
ad-hoc committee with little formal direction. It would require the 
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in coordination with 
the Department of Homeland Security, to provide organizational and 
staff support.
  This legislation would enhance coordination among the Federal 
agencies involved with the State, local, tribal and regional emergency 
medical services and 9-1-1 systems. It also would help Federal agencies 
coordinate their EMS-related activities and maximize the best use of 
established funding.
  The President has recognized the need for this coordination. He 
included a similar proposal in his reauthorization proposal for the 
``Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity act 
of 2003'' (SAFETEA) that was transmitted by Secretary Mineta to 
Congress on May 12, 2003. The Senate-passed highway bill also included 
a similar proposal.
  The legislation we introduce today builds upon the Administration's 
proposal by creating a more effective structure and enhancing the role 
of local EMS providers into Federal EMS programs. While I support the 
provisions in the Senate-passed bill, they fail to create a mechanism 
for individuals at the state and local levels to provide input into how 
Federal EMS programs should be coordinated.
  Local, State and Federal level emergency medical services systems are 
extremely diverse and involve numerous different agencies and 
organizations. To assure a viable, responsive emergency medical 
services system, Federal agencies need the input and advice of their 
non-Federal partners and from persons regulating or providing emergency 
medical services systems at the state and local level.
  According to Tom Judge, the Executive Director of Lifeflight of 
Maine, an air ambulance provider, and Jay Bradshaw, the State of 
Maine's EMS Director, improved coordination can help strengthen support 
for a wide range of emergency medical services, from rural EMS 
providers, to communications between EMS systems, to improving 
coordination between local EMS providers and their Federal partners.
  Another recent GAO report made it clear that the Center for Medicare 
and Medicaid Services needs to better coordinate its reimbursement with 
the Department of Transportation's matching grants for equipment and 
vehicles. Many of Maine's rural communities, such as Rumford, are at 
risk of seeing their first ambulance service closures due to low-
reimbursement rates. If DOT targeted assistance to the low 
reimbursement areas that are at risk of shutting down, we might be able 
to maintain service in these areas.
  Decisions at the Federal Communications Commission regarding spectrum 
management could make most of the existing EMS and Fire radios obsolete 
over the next few years. In St. George, Maine, the volunteer Fire 
Rescue has 30 mobile and portable radios, 40 pagers, and a base station 
that could become obsolete. In making future decisions regarding 
spectrum management, the FCC must work with Department of Homeland 
Security and the Department of Justice to help communities purchase 
interoperable radios if their old ones become obsolete.
  I am pleased to have the support of Maine EMS, LifeFlight of Maine, 
the American Ambulance Association, the National Association of EMS 
Directors, and others for this legislation.
  We must ensure that Federal agencies coordinate their efforts to 
support the dedicated men and women who provide EMS services across our 
Nation. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting their efforts by 
cosponsoring this legislation.
  Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, I am pleased to join my colleague from 
Maine, Senator Collins, today to introduce legislation that will help 
improve and streamline Federal support for community-based emergency 
medical services. Our proposal will also provide an avenue for local 
officials and EMS providers to help Federal agencies improve existing 
programs and future initiatives.
  Congress has long recognized the important role played by EMS 
providers. However, Federal support for EMS has been unfocused and 
uncoordinated, with responsibility scattered among a number of 
different agencies. In 2001, the General Accounting Office cited the 
need to increase coordination between the federal agencies involved 
with EMS issues but not much progress has been made since that report 
was issued. The Federal Government doesn't even have a good handle on 
how much it is spending on EMS or what the needs are for EMS. The bill 
we introduce today is a good first step towards addressing the 
deficiencies in our current EMS policies.
  This legislation establishes a federal interagency committee whose 
purpose will be to coordinate federal EMS activities, identify EMS 
needs, assure proper integration of EMS in homeland security planning, 
and make recommendations on improving and streamlining EMS support. 
Although Federal law, PL 107-188, called for the establishment of a 
working group on EMS, this legislation goes further in detailing the 
role and function of the interagency committee. The Senate Governmental 
Affairs Committee will certainly iron out any overlap that may exist.
  This legislation also establishes an advisory council for the 
interagency committee that includes representatives from throughout the 
EMS community. The advisory committee, made up of non-Federal 
representatives from all EMS sectors and from both urban and rural 
areas, will provide guidance and input to the interagency committee on 
a variety of issues including the development of standards and national 
plans, expanding or creating grant programs, and improving and 
streamlining Federal EMS efforts. The advisory council is a critical 
component of this legislation because it is the channel through which 
local EMS practitioners can directly impact and help reform national 
EMS policy.
  I want to thank the American Ambulance Association, the Association 
of Air Medical Services, the Emergency Nurses Association, the National 
Association of EMS Physicians, the National Association of State EMS 
Directors, and the National Registry of EMTs for their support of this 
bill. I also want to thank all of those Wisconsinites who provided so 
much helpful input in coming up with this legislation. In particular, I 
would like to thank Dr. Marvin Birnbaum of the University of Wisconsin, 
Fire Chief Dave Bloom of the Town of Madison, and Dan Williams, chair 
of Wisconsin's EMS advisory board for their advice and guidance.
  EMS providers are a critical component of our Nation's first 
responder network. We must act now to streamline and coordinate federal 
EMS support and work to better understand the needs of the EMS 
community. I therefore ask my colleagues to join me in supporting this 
legislation.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. ENSIGN (for himself, Ms. Landrieu, Mr. Lieberman, Mr. 
        Inouye, and Ms. Collins):
  S. 2352. A bill to prevent the slaughter of horses in and from the 
United States for human consumption by prohibiting the slaughter of 
horses for human consumption and by prohibiting the trade and transport 
of horselflesh and live horses intended for human consumption, and for 
other purposes;

[[Page S4433]]

to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
  Mr. ENSIGN. Mr. President, I rise along with my colleagues, Senators 
landrieu, Lieberman, Inouye and Collins, in order to introduce S. 2352, 
the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act.
  As a veterinarian, I am well aware of the love that Americans have 
for their horses. Much of our Nation's early history and culture is 
associated with these animals. We think of George Washington's horses 
and the legend of Paul Revere's ride and the Pony Express. And more 
recently, we were reminded of how the Depression Era race between 
Seabiscuit and War Admiral raised the spirit of our Nation.
  While horses in the United States are not raised for food, last year 
alone, almost 50,000 horses were slaughtered in the United States for 
human consumption abroad. Pet horses, ex-racing horses, workhorses and 
even some federally protected wild horses are currently being 
slaughtered for human consumption in Europe and Asia. A series of 
recent polls show that Americans overwhelmingly support a ban on the 
slaughter of horses for human consumption.
  Often, owners who sell their horses at auction are unaware that their 
horses may well be on their way to one of the two remaining 
slaughterhouses in America where horses are killed for human 
consumption. These slaughterhouses are foreign owned and the product is 
shipped abroad as are the profits.
  States have tried to be proactive in preventing this form of 
slaughter in the United States. Several States have already enacted 
state laws prohibiting the slaughter of horses for human consumption. 
Several other States are currently considering similar legislation. 
However, due to the absence of a Federal law on this subject, the two 
existing foreign-owned slaughterhouses, which happen to be located in 
Texas--a State that has passed a law banning horse slaughter for human 
consumption--have still been able to operate.
  I know that some people have expressed concern about what will happen 
to horses if slaughter is banned. Many of these horses will be sold to 
a new owner, others may be kept longer, and still others will be 
humanely euthanized by a licensed veterinarian. Others will be cared 
for by the horse rescue community. The American Horse Slaughter 
Prevention Act does allow fines collected under the Act to be 
distributed to qualified horse rescue groups caring for horses 
confiscated under the Act.
  Some people have questioned whether this law will result in the abuse 
and neglect of unwanted horses. Thankfully, statistics do not support 
this claim at all. Recently released figures show that the number of 
abuse cases dropped significantly in Illinois after the State's only 
horse slaughtering facility was destroyed in a fire in 2002. Also, 
since California passed a law banning the slaughter of horses for human 
consumption, there has been no discernible increase in cruelty and 
neglect cases in the State.
  Futhermore, it is currently illegal to ``turn out,'' neglect, or 
starve a horse, so this bill will not result in an increase in the 
number of orphaned horses in the United States. If a person attempts to 
turn his or her horses out, under current law, animal control agents 
will be able to enforce Federal humane laws. As I stated before, this 
bill seeks only to prohibit the slaughter of horses for human 
consumption. If a person wishes to put an animal down, it costs an 
average of $50 to $150 to have the horse humanely euthanized and 
disposed of--a fraction of what it costs to keep a horse as a companion 
or a work animal. That cost is not too big a burden to bear when no 
other options are available.
  The time for a strong Federal law banning this practice is now. This 
bill does not target other forms of slaughter, rendering, or euthanasia 
but rather focuses solely on the slaughter of American horses for human 
consumption. The House version of this bill, H.R. 857, currently has 
two hundred cosponsors. Please join Senator Landrieu and me in 
cosponsoring the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act.
  Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, today I join my colleagues in 
introducing the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act. This bill will 
prohibit the slaughter of horses for human consumption, a practice 
which many Americans oppose and of which many more are completely 
unaware. As a life-long admirer of these beautiful and noble animals, I 
was shocked to learn that tens of thousands of horses are slaughtered 
and exported each year for human consumption in other countries. Aside 
from the fact that there is virtually no demand for the human 
consumption of horse flesh in this country, the absence of humane 
treatment of these horses is very disappointing. We must ensure that 
this beloved animal is treated in an appropriate manner and that this 
deplorable act, which many Americans find unconscionable, is prohibited 
under Federal law. Therefore, I am proud to join my colleagues as a 
cosponsor of this legislation. I would like to take this opportunity to 
highlight a few issues about this important measure.
  The need for the humane euthanasia of horses is a sad reality for all 
horse owners. Each horse's life has inherent value and it is usually 
with great sadness and care that horse owners face the realities of 
infirmity, age, or other reasons which call for the putting down of 
their animal. However, the current practice of horse slaughter is void 
of the human compassion involved with appropriate euthanasia. The 
export of horses for slaughter and the slaughter of horses in the 
United States by unskilled and careless workers increase the suffering 
of these animals. These slaughter houses appear uninterested in the 
welfare of these animals, and take little note of the objections of the 
millions of Americans who find the consumption of horse flesh to be 
inappropriate.
  Throughout the development of this country, the human consumption of 
horse flesh has never been a widely accepted activity. This societal 
taboo is undoubtably due to the unique relationship enjoyed between 
mankind and horses for thousands of years. Horses have tread many steps 
with American men and women. They were there in our work, on our farms, 
for transportation and communication, in the taming of a vast American 
frontier, and on every battlefield prior to World War II. They have 
proven themselves loyal and gentle animals, without which the 
development of our country may not have been possible and certainly 
much more difficult. Horses demand the basic humane treatment that we 
should extend to all of God's creatures, and above that--our society 
has developed a heightened sense of respect and love for these 
indispensable animals. In modern times, horses have brought joy and 
entertainment to many. Through racing, recreation and even therapy to 
the handicapped, horses have touched the lives of many Americans. 
Clearly, they hold a special place in our lives and it is for these 
reasons that so many are strongly opposed to the slaughter of horses in 
this country for human consumption.
  I am very encouraged by the leadership and hard work of Senator 
Ensign, who is himself a veterinarian. His expertise in this issue has 
brought many groups together in support of this legislation, and has 
facilitated understanding of the bill's provisions. Having garnered 
broad support in the House of Representatives, I am firmly committed to 
seeing that this bill is brought to the attention of all of our 
colleagues here in the Senate. I look forward to working with Senator 
ENSIGN and other colleagues, to ensure that we address these important 
issues and pass a common sense bill that reflects the desires of many 
of our constituents, who support the humane treatment of horses and the 
prohibition of their slaughter for human consumption.

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