[Pages H3015-H3019]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

ASIAN ELEPHANT CONSERVATION REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2001

Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 700) to reauthorize the Asian Elephant Conservation Act of
1997, as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:

H.R. 700

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Asian Elephant Conservation
Reauthorization Act of 2001''.

SEC. 2. REAUTHORIZATION OF ASIAN ELEPHANT CONSERVATION ACT OF
1997.

Section 7 of the Asian Elephant Conservation Act of 1997
(16 U.S.C. 4266) is amended by striking ``1998'' and all that
follows through ``2002'' and inserting ``2001, 2002, 2003,
2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007''.

[[Page H3016]]

SEC. 3. LIMITATION ON ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.

Section 7 of the Asian Elephant Conservation Act of 1997
(16 U.S.C. 4266) is further amended--
(1) by striking ``There are authorized'' and inserting
``(a) In General.--There is authorized''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(b) Administrative Expenses.--Of amounts available each
fiscal year to carry out this Act, the Secretary may expend
not more than 3 percent or $80,000, whichever is greater, to
pay the administrative expenses necessary to carry out this
Act.''.

SEC. 4. COOPERATION.

The Asian Elephant Conservation Act of 1997 is further
amended by redesignating section 7 (16 U.S.C. 4266) as
section 8, and by inserting after section 6 the following:

``SEC. 7. ADVISORY GROUP.

``(a) In General.--To assist in carrying out this Act, the
Secretary may convene an advisory group consisting of
individuals representing public and private organizations
actively involved in the conservation of Asian elephants.
``(b) Public Participation.--
``(1) Meetings.--The Advisory Group shall--
``(A) ensure that each meeting of the advisory group is
open to the public; and
``(B) provide, at each meeting, an opportunity for
interested persons to present oral or written statements
concerning items on the agenda.
``(2) Notice.--The Secretary shall provide to the public
timely notice of each meeting of the advisory group.
``(3) Minutes.--Minutes of each meeting of the advisory
group shall be kept by the Secretary and shall be made
available to the public.
``(c) Exemption From Federal Advisory Committee Act.--The
Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not
apply to the advisory group.''.

SEC. 5. TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.

(a) Conforming Amendments.--The Asian Elephant Conservation
Act of 1997 is amended as follows:
(1) Section 4(3) (16 U.S.C. 4263(3)) is amended by striking
``the Asian Elephant Conservation Fund established under
section 6(a)'' and inserting ``the account established by
division A, section 101(e), title I of Public Law 105-277
under the heading `multinational species conservation fund'
''.
(2) Section 6 (16 U.S.C. 4265) is amended by striking the
section heading and all that follows through ``(d) Acceptance
and Use of Donations.--'' and inserting the following:

``SEC. 6. ACCEPTANCE AND USE OF DONATIONS.''.

(b) Technical Correction.--Title I of section 101(e) of
division A of Public Law 105-277 (112 Stat. 2681-237) is
amended under the heading ``multinational species
conservation fund'' by striking ``Rhinoceros and Tiger
Conservation Act, subchapter I'' and inserting ``Rhinoceros
and Tiger Conservation Act of 1994, part I''.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Maryland (Mr. Gilchrest) and the gentleman from American Samoa (Mr.
Faleomavaega) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Gilchrest).
Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support this legislation, H.R. 700, to
extend the Asian Elephant Conservation Act. This act was first proposed
in 1997 by the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Saxton) in response to
the dramatic decline in the population of Asian elephants.
There are many reasons why the population of this keystone species
has fallen to less than 40,000 animals in the wild. However, the
overriding reason has been the loss of essential habitat. In the short
time the Asian Elephant Conservation Fund has been in place, the Fish
and Wildlife Service has spent $3 million on 27 conservation projects
in nine different range countries. These projects have assisted in the
construction of anti-poaching camps, equipped field staff, and
educating local indigenous people about the critical importance of
conserving this species.
During our subcommittee hearing, Ms. Ginette Hemley of the World
Wildlife Fund testified that ``when tigers and elephants thrive, the
whole ecosystem thrives. When they suffer, the entire ecosystem
suffers, including the people that live in or around it.''
Mr. Speaker, I urge an aye vote on H.R. 700. I am confident by
reauthorizing this small investment of money we will provide huge
conservation benefits.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
(Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA asked and was given permission to revise and extend
his remarks.)
Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 700, a bill
to reauthorize the Asian Elephant Conservation Act.
I certainly would like to commend my good friend, the former chairman
of the Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife, and Oceans,
the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Saxton), for being the author and
the sponsor of this legislation, and certainly for his continued
leadership in protecting the world's imperiled wildlife heritage. I
also thank the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Gilchrest), our current
chairman of the subcommittee, for his leadership in bringing this
legislation forward.
Mr. Speaker, unlike African elephants, the plight of Asian elephants
was not widely known until 1997, only 4 years ago. Sadly, we have
learned that the population of Asian elephants, at one time flourishing
throughout Southern and Southeast Asia, is now fragmented into
populations scattered across 13 countries, most of which are shrinking.

{time} 1430

In addition, Mr. Speaker, domesticated use of Asian elephants for
transport and other industrial activities has removed animals from
traditional areas and further stressed wild populations. With so many
changes to the natural habitat, domesticated uses are now one of the
several factors which are a threat to the future viability of Asian
elephants in the wild. This issue needs to be addressed in a manner
which addresses traditional cultural values and the continued survival
of the species.
Fortunately, Mr. Speaker, the Asian Elephant Conservation Act has
helped address these threats. Grants initiated under the act have
provided valuable financial assistance to impoverished areas to support
a wide range of conservation activities. Most notably, the development
of conservation strategies and education tools to address the growing
frequency of elephant-human conflicts, a scenario which often proves
deadly for the elephants, the local villagers, or both, has been
especially effective.
The grants have also supported important ecological studies,
construction of anti-poaching camps, and provided conservation training
in several range States. Progress, albeit slow, has been made.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 700 is a bill which was ordered reported by the
Committee on Resources by unanimous vote. In addition, the
administration fully supports this legislation, as do many
international conservation organizations, including the World Wildlife
Fund and the Wildlife Conservation Society.
Everyone agrees that the technical amendments to the existing act
contained in H.R. 700 will only improve the effectiveness of the grant
program throughout southern and southeast Asia.
Mr. Speaker, unfortunately there are still many remaining challenges
to overcome if we hope to sufficiently recover stable and ecologically
viable populations of Asian elephants throughout the animal's historic
range. Yet, that is a global conservation challenge that the United
States should not shy away from.
Conservation assistance made available under the Asian Elephant
Conservation Act is desperately needed, and again, I urge my colleagues
to support this legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to
the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Saxton).
Mr. SAXTON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman and the ranking member
of the subcommittee for the great work they have done in expeditiously
bringing this bill to the floor.
I am pleased to rise today to speak in favor of H.R. 700, the Asian
Elephant Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2001, which I introduced
on February 14 of this year. I was pleased it was reported favorably
out of Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans on
March 29, 2001, and was pleased that it was finally reported out of the
full committee on May 16.
Four years ago, I introduced this bill because I was startled to
learn that there were less than 40,000 Asian elephants living in the
wild. Furthermore,

[[Page H3017]]

nearly 50 percent of those elephants were living in various national
parks in India, while the remaining animals were scattered in
fragmented populations throughout 12 other countries in south and
southeastern Asia.
The primary reason for this serious decline in population is the loss
of essential habitat. It is no secret that elephants and man are in
direct competition for the same resources. In most cases, it is the
elephants who lost. In addition, Asian elephants are poached for their
bones, hide, teeth, meat, and they are still captured for
domestication, and conflicts between elephants and people are
escalating at an alarming rate, even today.
Furthermore, it was clear millions of people were not aware of the
plight of the Asian elephants. In addition, range countries lacked the
financial resources to help conserve this flagship species. Without an
international effort, the future of the Asian elephant was in serious
jeopardy.
In response to this problem, along with a number of other Members, I
proposed the establishment of the Asian Elephant Conservation Fund.
This concept was modeled after the highly successfully African Elephant
Conservation Act. The primary goal of my legislation was to obtain a
small amount of Federal assistance for on-the-ground conservation
projects.
Fortunately, this legislation was overwhelmingly approved by both
bodies and was signed into law on November 19, 1997. Under the terms of
this new law, the Congress could appropriate up to $25 million to the
Asian elephant conservation fund until September 30, 2002. In fact,
some $1.9 million in Federal funds has been allocated, and those monies
have been matched by an additional $1.1 million in private donations.
Those funds have been used to underwrite 27 conservation grants in
nine different range countries. The type of prospects funded have
included development of an elephant strategy in Sri Lanka,
identification of a suitable managed elephant range in Malaysia,
equipment for the local population assessment of Asian elephants,
school education to support Asian elephant conservation in India and
trace the mobility patterns of Sri Lanka's elephants.
These projects were carefully analyzed and competitively selected
from a list of nearly 100 proposals that were submitted to the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service.
While the early indication is that the worldwide population of Asian
elephants has stopped its precipitous decline, it is unrealistic to
believe that $3 million can save this species from extinction.
Nevertheless, this law has sent a powerful message. I am pleased to
have introduced this reauthorization, and am hopeful that it will pass
the House today.
Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 7 minutes to my good friend,
the gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. Abercrombie).
(Mr. ABERCROMBIE asked and was given permission to revise and extend
his remarks, and include extraneous material.)
Mr. ABERCROMBIE. Mr. Speaker, before I begin my formal remarks, I
would like to pay tribute to my good friend, the gentleman from New
Jersey (Mr. Saxton). I think he is being a bit modest by simply citing
the fact that he introduced this Asian elephant conservation bill and
gave me the privilege of being able to sign it with him as the ranking
member on his committee at that time.
I am very grateful to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Gilchrest) and
his staff, both for the majority and the minority, not only for the
reauthorization on the present H.R. 700, but for the incredible, great
work that the staff did with the introduction of the original bill.
My respect for the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Saxton), I can say
without reservation, was considerable before this took place, and has
only risen since that time. If there is anyone in this body that
carries through on the implications of any legislation with which he or
she is associated, it is the gentleman from New Jersey.
In this particular instance, as he cited in his remarks, the Asian
elephant simply did not have the kind of profile, either in world
opinion or in the consciousness of those interested in the environment
and conservation throughout the world, that the African elephant did.
The reauthorization in the previous bill is, of course, needed, and
the work that has been done with regard to the African elephant and the
role played by the United States of America in that has been
considerable and most positive, as has been cited. But in this
particular instance, because of the insight and the carry-through of
the gentleman from New Jersey, the Asian elephant was able to achieve
at least some place in the sun that it would not otherwise have
occupied.
The implications for southeast Asia in particular are considerable
because, as I will state in my more formal remarks, the Asian elephant
is in fact a flagship species with respect to all kinds of
considerations in the environment and conservation of other species,
and I firmly believe that in time to come, the gentleman from New
Jersey (Mr. Saxton) will be recognized not only as a pioneer with
regard to Asian elephant conservation, but as one of the primary
figures in the world environmental and conservation movement.
I wish to add one other thing, Mr. Speaker. I also want to pay
tribute to, and I wish he was on the floor so I actually could look him
in the eye when I was saying it, because of the pleasure it would give
me, I want to mention in particular the gentleman from California (Mr.
Pombo), who has been instrumental in educating me for one, I can tell
the Members, on the questions of conservation of wild animals and the
environment.
I think he has played a particularly positive role in support of the
kinds of things that the gentleman from New Jersey has taken the lead
on, and especially in the realm of wild animal conservation, the
gentleman from California (Mr. Pombo) is a leader. It is a pleasure to
be associated with him in this regard, as well.
That said, Mr. Speaker, with recent awareness of the increasing
threat to the welfare of the Asian elephant, an already endangered
species, a bill entitled the Asian Elephant Conservation Act of 1997
was introduced into the House of Representatives in June of 1997. It
passed the House in October, on October 21, and the Senate on November
8, and was signed into law by the President on November 19, 1997.
The act is designed to assist the conservation of Asian elephants by
supporting and providing financial resources for the conservation
programs of nations within the range of the Asian elephant, and
projects of persons with demonstrated expertise in the conservation of
Asian elephants. A grants program was established for awarding
proposals that fulfilled the purpose described by the act.
This act has been very successful, Mr. Speaker, and is not a foreign
giveaway program. The funds appropriated under this act are matched by
the recipient countries. It gives them the necessary support so they
can leverage this money with their own resources to establish
conservation and research programs, communication networks and
administration, to save these endangered animals.
Unless immediate steps are taken to conserve this magnificent animal,
it will surely continue to disappear from much, if not most, of its
traditional habitat. This program helps establish a win-win situation
where recipient countries can explore management strategies that
minimize poaching and negative elephant and human interaction in
farming communities. In short, recipient countries are able to find
solutions that are in their economic best interests.
Also assisting these countries on a wide range of projects are
numerous non-governmental organizations and the United States Fish and
Wildlife Service.
In closing, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank our good friends, the
chairman and the ranking member, for giving us the opportunity to
appear here. I want to say that while, for many, bills which come on
the consent calendar may seem to be pro forma in presentation, over and
over and over again when we examine the content and context of the
bills before us, we find that they are addressing issues of prime
importance, not only to people of the United States,

[[Page H3018]]

but in many instances we can say to people of the world. This bill is
in fact one of them. I am very, very pleased and proud to have been
associated with it, and count it as among the genuine privileges of
holding public office, particularly in the House of representatives, to
be associated with the individuals who have made this day possible.
Mr. Speaker, the Asian Elephant Conservation Act of 1997 was authored
by U.S. Representative Jim Saxton (R-NJ) and myself.
With recent awareness of the increasing threat to the welfare of the
Asian elephant, already an endangered species, a bill entitled Asian
Elephant Conservation Act of 1997 was introduced into the House of
Representatives June 4, 1997. Passed by the House on October 21 and by
the Senate on November 8, it was signed into law by the President on
November 19, 1997. The act is designed to assist in the conservation of
Asian elephants by supporting and providing financial resources for the
conservation programs of nations within the range of Asian elephants
and projects of persons with demonstrated expertise in the conservation
of Asian elephants. A grants program was established for awarding
proposals that fulfill the purpose described by the Act.
This act has been very successful and is not a foreign ``give-away''
program. The funds appropriated under this Act are matched by the
recipient countries. It gives them the necessary support so that they
can leverage this money with their own resources to establish
conservation and research programs, communication networks and
administration to save these endangered animals.
Unless immediate steps are taken to conserve this magnificent animal,
it will surely continue to disappear from much, if not most, of its
traditional habitat.
This program helps establish a win-win situation where recipient
countries can explore management strategies that minimize poaching and
negative elephant and human interaction in farming communities.
In short, recipient countries are able to find solutions that are in
their economic best interests. Also assisting these countries on a wide
range of projects are numerous non-governmental organizations and the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The United States must continue their leadership in this very
important conservation program. I cannot overemphasize that this is
where a relatively small appropriation has helped leverage a very
successful program that has stopped the decline of the Asian elephant
saving it from possible extinction.
We cannot allow the Asian elephant, which has such a direct impact on
so many other species, to become extinct. The goal of this legislation
is to stop the decline and hopefully rebuild the population of this
irreplaceable species by financing with a small amount of federal money
a number of conservation projects.
According to international experts, there are fewer than 45,000 Asian
elephants living in the wild. On a daily basis, these animals face the
loss of their forest habitat, poachers who kill them for their bones,
hide, ivory and meat, capture for use in Burma's timber industry, and
conflicts between elephants and man.
Unless immediate steps are taken to help conserve this species, it
will continue to disappear from its historic habitat. We should not
allow this magnificent animal to disappear from this planet. This
investment by the United States will significantly improve the
likelihood that wild Asian elephants will exist into the 21st century.
The act was modeled after the highly successful African Elephant
Conservation Act of 1988 and the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act
of 1994.
It established an Asian Elephant Conservation Fund to be administered
by the U.S. Department of Interior. The measure would be authorized for
5 years and $5 million per year.
The funding could be used for: Anti-poaching efforts, conservation
management plans, translocation of threatened populations, monitoring
of census figures and known populations, and public education for
elephant conservation.
This legislation is endorsed by organizations like the World Wildlife
Fund, Safari Club International and other conservation groups.
Mr. Speaker, I include for the Record the following information on
the Asian elephant:

Facts on the Asian Elephant

There are an estimated 35,000 to 45,000 Asian Elephants
living in the wild in 13 Asian nations.
The Asian Elephant is listed as ``endangered'' under the
United States' Endangered Species Act.
The major causes for elephants' ``endangered'' status are:
Loss of habitat caused by population growth (all Asian
Elephants required a shady or forest environment and the
forest habitat in Asia is rapidly disappearing); fragmented
populations of elephants (there are only 14 populations that
have more than 1,000 elephants each); and poaching for meat,
hide bones, ivory and teeth (bones and teeth are used in
traditional Chinese medicine).
The largest population of Asian Elephants in the wild are
found in: India (20,000 to 24,000), Burma (5,000 to 6,0900),
and Indonesia (2,500 to 4,500).
Wild elephants are still captured and trained for use in
logging operations in Burma.
The Asian Elephant is a flagship species and its
conservation has a positive impact on other animals like
tigers, rhinoceros, clouded leopards, Malayan Sunbears,
Hoolock gibbons, lion-tailed macaques and peacock pheasants.
The Asian elephant can weigh up to 5400 kg (11,900 lb). It
currently occupies forested habitats in hilly or mountainous
terrain, up to about 3600 m (11,800'). An adult eats
approximately 150 kg (330 lb) per day--mainly grasses but
also leaves, twigs and bark. It feeds during the morning,
evening and night and rests during the middle of the day,
requiring shade during the hot season to keep from
overheating. Elephants cannot go for long without water (they
require 70-90 liters (19-24 gal) of fluid/day) and sometimes
must travel long distances each day between their water
supplies and feeding areas.
One calf is born every 3-4 years after a pregnancy lasting
about 22 months. Although mature male elephants may live
alone, females live in family groups consisting of mothers,
daughters and sisters, together with immature males. Wild
elephants can live to be sixty years old.
The Asian elephant once ranged from the Tigris and
Euphrates Rivers in ancient Mesopotamia in the west, east
through Asia south of the Himalaya to Indochina and the Malay
Peninsula, including Sri Lanka and Sumatra and possibly Java,
and north into China at least as far as the Yangtze River. In
the 19th century it was still common over much of the Indian
subcontinent, Sri Lanka and the eastern parts of its range.
By 1978, Asian elephant were found in the same countries as
they are at present.
Female Asian elephants are not affected by ivory poaching
(due to their lack of tusks), so poaching has not affected
the overall population numbers of Asian elephants as
drastically as it has in the case of the African elephant.
The single most important cause of the decline of the Asian
elephant has been the loss of habitat. They have also been
affected by persecution due to the crop damage they are
perceived to cause.
Counties where it is currently found: 1996: Occurs in
Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, China, India,
Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka,
Thailand and Vietnam.
Maximum age: Sixty years in the wild (more than 80 years in
captivity).
Social organization: The Asian elephant is gregarious, and,
although males sometimes live alone, females are always found
in family groups consisting of mothers, daughters, sisters
and immature males. In the 19th century, these family groups
usually consisted of 30-50 animals, but much larger groups,
as large as 100 individuals, were not uncommon. Sometimes an
adult male can be associated with a herd. When not, adult
males usually remain solitary and disperse over relatively
small, widely overlapping home ranges; sometimes they gather
together in small but temporary bull herds. They do not seem
to be territorial, and there is a great amount of toleration
between them, except possibly when the cows are in estrus.
Asian elephants are very sociable and live in basic family
units of one adult cow and her offspring. Daughters remain
with their mothers, but sons leave at puberty, often joining
bull groups or remaining solitary. Bull elephants associate
with a family when a cow is in oestrus. This species does not
appear to be territorial. Males have home ranges of about 15
square km, and herds of females of about 30 square km, which
increases in the dry season. Seasonal migration has been made
virtually impossible, due to human development.
Females usually have one calf after a gestation period of
18-22 months and give birth every three to four years. The
calves weigh about 100 kg at birth and suckle for about 18
months. They can eat some vegetation after several months.
Asian elephants are now listed as endangered, and have long
since vanished from Southwest Asia and most of China. Sri
Lanka was once recognized for its large elephant populations,
but today the numbers are being reduced. As the number of
humans increases, the area of natural habitat that the
elephants rely on is being depleted. Elephants are being
forced onto farming areas, where they cause damage.

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I certainly would like to compliment my good friend, the
gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. Abercrombie), for his eloquence and for his
substantive remarks concerning this important issue of the Asian
elephant.
I realize that perhaps some of the members of the public are
wondering, in the midst of the $1.3 trillion tax cut, Social Security,
the health care problems, the hundreds of billions going to defense and
all this, why are we talking about elephants.
I would like to compliment again both the gentleman from New Jersey

[[Page H3019]]

(Mr. Saxton) for his sponsorship of the Asian Elephant Conservation
Act, and my good friend, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Gilchrest),
for his leadership in not only the subcommittee, but for bringing the
reauthorization of the African Elephant Conservation Act.
I recall that, and maybe this is something unique in our Nation and
something that we ought to be grateful for, I recall years ago when
there were problems with the dolphins. It was amazing, Mr. Speaker,
that it was not government that brought this to the attention of the
Congress, it was not business, it was the children of America.

{time} 1445

They were concerned about the slaughtering needlessly of some 200,000
dolphins a year by fishermen, and if they wanted to get after the tuna,
they had to slaughter these mammals that are so beautiful. Beautiful
creatures that the Lord has made as part of our environment.
Mr. Speaker, I think the same could be said about elephants, and I
think we need to compliment and, again, thank the gentleman from
Maryland (Mr. Gilchrest) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Saxton)
for their leadership in bringing these two pieces of legislation for
consideration.
Again, I want to urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and
I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this bill. I want to thank
also the members of our staff, from this side of the aisle, Mr. Dave
Jansen and Mr. Jeff Petrich, for their staff expertise and the
understanding of this piece of legislation for where we are now, in
bringing this bill for consideration by the Members. Again, Mr.
Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from American Samoa (Mr.
Faleomavaega) for his assistance, certainly the gentleman from Hawaii
(Mr. Abercrombie) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Saxton).
We did not get the Asian Elephant back again this time, as the
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Saxton) did, but certainly our thoughts
are in the right place. It used to be that people thought that the
habitat of the Asian and the African Elephant was an endless frontier.
Now we know it was not endless, and the frontier is gone. So it is
highly appropriate for us, along with the international community, to
set aside a small sliver of habitat that can in some small way reflect
the bounty that used to be so that generations unseen in the future
will be able to enjoy the magnificence of the creation that we now see.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, and colleagues, four years ago we
unanimously approved the Asian Elephant Conservation Act of 1997, in
order to protect the endangered Asian Elephant that proves so vital for
ecosystems in Southeast Asia. Our efforts were not in vain.
Four years ago the Asian Elephant was caught in a downward spiral
towards extinction. Poachers indiscriminately hunted them for their
hides, meat, tusks, and teeth. Farmers and urban expansion destroyed
their habitats. The effects of these actions were evident in 1997 when
there were only an estimated 35,000 elephants left in existence. Today
there are an estimated 35,000-50,000 elephants, demonstrating that
while our efforts have succeeded to some extent, much more needs to be
done.
Extinction of the Asian Elephant is still entirely possible, and we
must not simply stand idle while this happens. Like most ecosystems of
the world, the Asian Elephant is a vital part of its natural habitat,
and its existence and interaction with other species proves crucial in
maintaining an ecological balance within the Southeast Asian region.
For example, the elephants feed on bark from trees that they uproot;
smaller species of mammals, insects, and birds rely on ``leftover''
debris from these trees as a dietary staple. Extinction of the Asian
Elephant would have multiple and severely negative effects on the
populations of countless other species.
We must continue to protect this species from poachers and the
deforestation that threatens to permanently displace it. By
appropriating funds we will also actively discourage poachers, and
encourage education that will bolster conservation efforts.
Mr. Speaker, distinguished colleagues, please join me in support in
passing H.R. 700, so that we may ensure the survival of this beautiful
and vital species.
Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Whitfield). The question is on the
motion offered by the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Gilchrest) that the
House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 700, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of
those present have voted in the affirmative.
Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.

____________________