[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 205 (Friday, December 4, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1088-E1089]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       BIG CAT PUBLIC SAFETY ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                             HON. RON ESTES

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 3, 2020

  Mr. ESTES. Madam Speaker, the House is set to vote on the Big Cat 
Public Safety Act. Sadly, my Democratic colleagues are pushing 
legislation inspired by a reality show feud instead of focusing on the 
harsh realities that real life families are facing because of the 
coronavirus pandemic.
  Madam Speaker, this bill does more harm than good for the very 
animals it seeks to protect. My district is home to Tanganyika Wildlife 
Park in Goddard, Kansas. It's owner, Jim Fouts, founded this park in 
2008 to conserve endangered tiger species and educate visitors through 
interactive experiences.
  Through its current operation, Tanganyika Wildlife Park has become 
one of the top big

[[Page E1089]]

cat breeding facilities, among 37 across the United States, for 
conservation. This legislation discriminates against smaller facilities 
that have safely worked to increase populations for rare and Endangered 
species.
  Additionally, like many other small conservation facilities, 
Tanganyika Wildlife Park was built privately with no government grants 
or funding. The Big Cat Public Safety Act is not about public safety; 
instead, it eliminates smaller operations that are saving animals' 
lives while also providing unique educational experiences in 
communities across the country.
  Instead of fixing a problem, Democrats have once again introduced a 
one-size-fits-all bill that hurts smaller facilities instead of 
addressing problems with some bad actors. And they've abdicated their 
responsibility to lead the People's House in a bipartisan manner when 
so many families and small businesses are hurting.
  It is ridiculous that we are voting on this bill rather than passing 
meaningful, common-sense measures to provide relief to Americans during 
our public health crisis.

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