[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 24705-24706]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



 PROVIDING FOR CONCURRENCE BY HOUSE WITH AMENDMENT IN SENATE AMENDMENT 
         TO H.R. 4886, TARIFF SUSPENSION AND TRADE ACT OF 2000

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 24, 2000

  Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4868, 
the Miscellaneous Trade and Technical Corrections Act. This legislation 
is of great importance and its passage must be concluded rapidly in 
order to be voted on by the 106th Congress.
  This legislation contains vital provisions from H.R. 1622, the Dog 
and Cat Protection Act, a bill which bans the import, export, and sale 
of products containing dog and cat fur. This

[[Page 24706]]

issue is of the highest moral imperative. An estimated 2 million dogs 
and cats are killed each year for their fur as part of the 
international fur trade. These animals are kept in deplorable 
conditions, subjected to unbearable treatment and face brutal deaths 
including clubbing and skinning alive. This abuse of animal rights must 
be stopped.
  There is strong support for this legislation in Congress. The Dog and 
Cat Protection Act has broad bipartisan backing and 93 cosponsors. The 
Miscellaneous Trade and Technical Corrections Act was approved 
unanimously by both the House and the Senate. The concern for animal 
welfare is also shared by the American people. Over 65 million 
households have a dog or cat. In my own district of Cleveland, Ohio a 
local Television report by Dick Goddard succeeded in raising public 
awareness on this issue. His commendable work encouraged thousands of 
Cleveland residents to express their opposition to this abusive 
treatment of animals.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today to urge Congress to finish the Conference 
Report on H.R. 4868, and allow a vote on this vital piece of 
legislation. I believe that every effort should be made to ensure that 
the 106th Congress is allowed to vote on this issue. Americans deserve 
to be protected from unknowingly participating in this brutal trade.

                          ____________________