[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 130 (Monday, October 11, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1881]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1881]]
              THE ``UNITED STATES BOXING COMMISSION ACT''

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CLIFF STEARNS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 7, 2004

  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing legislation to help 
protect professional boxers throughout our country. I am introducing 
the ``United States Boxing Commission Act'' to create a Federal entity 
responsible for coordinating, implementing, and enforcing uniform 
standards for the sport of boxing. Currently, the states and tribal 
organizations regulate professional boxing. Although they have taken 
great effort to require minimum standards for the sport, uniform 
enforcement has been a problem.
  Congress has enacted legislation to address the sport of boxing twice 
in the past decade. In 1996, we enacted the Professional Boxing Safety 
Act. In 2000, we again addressed boxing reform and passed the Muhammad 
Ali Act. The idea of a Federal Boxing Commission was raised in previous 
Congresses and it was deemed unnecessary at that time. However, after 
carefully reviewing the effectiveness of the laws we passed, I am 
convinced it is now time for a Federal Commission for professional 
boxing. Despite our previous efforts, enforcement of the law remains an 
issue and the sport continues to face problems that cannot be addressed 
by the states. In fact, at a hearing I held in my subcommittee, a 
current state boxing commissioner testified that the states need the 
Federal government to be directly involved.
  I do not think lightly of creating a new Federal commission. I would 
typically be reluctant to introduce such a bill because I believe 
strongly in states' rights, and most of them do an excellent job in 
regulating boxing. However, the history and nature of the sport provide 
overwhelming evidence that it only takes one state to lower its 
standards--usually in the name of money--and undermine the integrity of 
the sport. More importantly, the safety of a boxer is supposed to be 
paramount and protected by the state authority. When a state lowers its 
standards or fails to follow the law, it jeopardizes every boxer's 
safety.

  This legislation is intended to implement changes that are within the 
Energy and Commerce Committee's jurisdiction and is therefore narrower 
than what is required to fully address the issues boxers face. It 
creates the United States Boxing Commission which will have the power 
and authority to set minimum standards for the states to follow. It 
will not replace the state regulation, but will work with the states to 
develop appropriate minimum standards and to ensure their rules and 
standards are enforced.
  As I indicated, I support additional reforms that are necessary to 
fully address the problems of the sport and protect boxers. While it is 
my preference to do more, because those reforms are not within the 
Committee's jurisdiction, I am committed to work with my House 
colleagues and the Senate to address those concerns and ensure they 
become Federal law as well.

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