[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 8]
[House]
[Page 11591]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



        IN SUPPORT OF H.R. 435 REGARDING 1999 WOMEN'S WORLD CUP

  (Ms. PELOSI asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, just briefly I want to commend the House for 
an action taken earlier on the passing of a suspension, which was the 
Miscellaneous Trade and Technical Corrections Act.
  This would temporarily suspend customs duties on participants in 
upcoming athletic events being held in the United States, including the 
1999 Women's World Cup. I commend the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. 
Thurman) who sits on the Committee on Ways and Means for her leadership 
on this, as well as the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Levin) who managed 
the bill here and the leadership on the Republican side, as well as the 
officials at the Women's World Cup organizing committee, especially 
their Chair Donna de Varona for their work to pass this provision.
  All of the players, trainers, coaches and family members 
participating in the Women's World Cup have been on a long and 
challenging road to reach the finals. Representing six continents, 
these individuals are some of the best athletes in the world. I 
welcome, and I know this entire Congress joins in welcoming them to 
this country and wish them all the best of luck.
  Our colleagues, in voting in favor of H.R. 435, welcome them indeed 
and help to ensure that the Women's World Cup is one of the most 
successful sporting events ever held. I thank my colleagues for their 
overwhelming vote.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of an amended H.R. 435, the 
Miscellaneous Trade and Technical Corrections Act, the original version 
of which already passed the House by vote of 414 to 1.
  I am pleased that H.R. 435 contains a provision to temporarily 
suspend customs duties on participants in upcoming athletic events 
being held in the United States, including the 1999 Women's World Cup.
  I commend the dedicated efforts of my colleague from Florida, 
Representative Thurman, who sits on the Ways and Means Committee, a 
well as of officials at the Women's World Cup Organizing Committee, 
namely their chair, Donna De Varona, for their work to pass this 
provision.
  When the 1999 Women's World Cup officially kicks off in 12 days, it 
will be the largest women's sporting event in history. With 16 
countries participating and over 400,000 tickets already sold, the 
United States will be host to an international contingent of some of 
the world's best athletes, as well as numerous foreign dignities. 
Preparations are currently being finalized to ensure that this event is 
an international success and that the United States remains the premier 
staging ground for international sporting events.
  As a courtesy to participants in international athletic events, 
Congress has historically voted to temporarily suspend customs duties 
on the personal effects of participants in such athletic events and 
participants in the Women's World Cup deserve the same treatment. 
Suspending these duties will allow for a smoother entry process by 
ensuring that participants and their families do not have to pay entry 
duties on the equipment and other items they bring with them.
  All of the players, trainers, coaches and family members 
participating in the Women's World Cup have been on a long and 
challenging road to reach the finals. Representing six continents, 
these individuals are some of the best athletes in the world. I welcome 
them to our country and wish them all the best of luck.
  I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 435 and thus help 
ensure that the Women's World Cup is one of the most successful 
sporting events ever held.

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