[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 77 (Thursday, June 15, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S5946]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 MAGNUSON-STEVENS FISHERY CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT REAUTHORIZATION 
                                  ACT

  Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, I thank Senators Stevens and Inouye, the 
chair and ranking member of the Senate Commerce Committee, for their 
efforts in incorporating my amendment into the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act of 2005, S. 2012. My 
amendment makes Oregon's salmon fishermen eligible for disaster 
assistance. Their willingness to accommodate my concerns and help 
Oregon's salmon fishers means that I can withdraw the objection I 
issued 2 weeks ago to any unanimous consent request for the Senate to 
act on the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation Act. I also wish to 
thank Senator Smith and Senator Boxer for their important contributions 
and assistance. I look forward to swift passage of the legislation, as 
amended.
  The inclusion of the disaster declaration in the Magnuson-Stevens 
authorization is an important first step in getting relief for our 
salmon fishers and coastal communities that depend on salmon for their 
livelihoods. After waiting months for a disaster declaration from the 
administration, our salmon fishers now finally have some movement to 
help address their immediate financial needs.
  Even with this important language, the fight to help Oregon's salmon 
fishermen is far from over, and I will continue to press for 
congressional appropriations to fund the disaster assistance fishing 
families and the coastal fishing communities need.

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