[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 186 (Thursday, December 6, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2519]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


WILLIAM WILBERFORCE TRAFFICKING VICTIMS PROTECTION REAUTHORIZATION ACT 
                                OF 2007

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 4, 2007

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the exchange of 
letters between Chairman Conyers and myself be made part of the Record.

                                         House of Representatives,


                                   Committee on the Judiciary,

                                Washington, DC, November 15, 2007.
     Hon. Tom Lantos,
     Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of 
         Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Lantos: In recognition of the desire to 
     expedite consideration of H.R. 3887, the William Wilberforce 
     Trafficking Victims Reauthorization Act of 2007, the 
     Committee on the Judiciary agrees to waive formal 
     consideration of the bill as to provisions that fall within 
     the rule X jurisdiction of the Committee on the Judiciary.
       The Committee takes this action with the understanding that 
     by foregoing consideration of H.R. 3887 at this time, the 
     Committee on the Judiciary does not waive any jurisdiction 
     over subject matter contained in this or similar legislation. 
     The Committee also reserves the right to seek appointment of 
     an appropriate number of conferees to any House-Senate 
     conference involving this important anti-slavery legislation, 
     and requests your support if such a request is made.
       I would appreciate your including this letter in the 
     Congressional Record during consideration of the bill on the 
     House floor.
       Thank you for your attention to this matter.
           Sincerely,
                                                John Conyers, Jr.,
                                                         Chairman.
                                  ____
                                  
                                         House of Representatives,


                                 Committee on Foreign Affairs,

                                Washington, DC, November 15, 2007.
     Hon. John Conyers, Jr.,
     Chairman, Committee on the Judiciary,
     House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your letter regarding H.R. 
     3887, the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims 
     Reauthorization Act of 2007.
       I appreciate your willingness to work cooperatively on this 
     legislation. I recognize that the bill contains provisions 
     that fall within the jurisdiction of the Committee on the 
     Judiciary. I acknowledge that the Committee will not formally 
     consider the bill and agree that the inaction of your 
     Committee with respect to the bill does not waive any 
     jurisdiction of the Judiciary Committee over subject matter 
     contained in this bill or similar legislation.
       Further, as to any House-Senate conference on the bill, I 
     understand that your committee reserves the right to seek the 
     appointment of conferees for consideration of portions of the 
     bill that are within the Committee's jurisdiction.
       I will ensure that our exchange of letters is included in 
     the Congressional Record during the consideration of House 
     debate on H.R. 3887, and I look forward to working with you 
     on this important legislation. If you wish to discuss this 
     matter further, please contact me or have your staff contact 
     my staff.
           Cordially,
                                                       Tom Lantos,
     Chairman.

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