[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 124 (Tuesday, July 31, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1662]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    URGING THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA TO END THE COMMERCIAL SEAL HUNT

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                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 31, 2007

  Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my full support 
for H. Res. 27, a bill introduced by Representative Lantos, which urges 
the Government of Canada to end the commercial seal hunt. This bill 
addresses the inhumane treatment of seals.
  I would like to express my thanks to Representative Lantos for 
introducing this bill and raising awareness on the inhumane treatment 
of seals in Canada.
  At present, there is a practice of hunting and capturing seals for 
commercial purposes. The United States addressed this issue in 1972 
through the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which barred the import of 
seal products in our great country. Today, despite opposition from the 
United States and other countries, our Canadian neighbors continue to 
hunt seals.
  In Canada, seal hunters maim and kill their prey by shooting and 
clubbing. Each year thousands of seals experience this tragedy, of 
which a large portion are under 12 weeks old. This is unacceptable.
  I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, which will send a 
message to our Canadian neighbors about our discontent with the 
mutilation and killing of seals. Our great Nation opposed this issue 
years ago and should continue to do so.

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