Date: 1989-03-14
Speaker: DE LA GARZA (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker. I also would like to commend the distinguished gentleman from Washington for the excellent cooperation that he has given and the constant concern members of our committee have shown. Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of H.R. 829. the Wildfire Suppression Assistance Act. The purpose of this bill is to make permanent the temporary authority granted to the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior last year to provide for mutual aid with foreign firefighting organizations In fighting wildfires. Any agreements entered into under this authority would be made In consultation with the Secretary of State. Mr. Speaker. you will recall that last year extensive wildfires in the forests of the Western United States placed a tremendous burden on our Governments firefighting resources. We were fortunate to have our good friends and neighbors to the north. the Canadiam. offer their manpower and equip. ment to help us in controlling these wildfires. The Temporary Emergency Wildfire Suppression Act. enacted last year. allowed the United States to legally reimburse the Canadians for their fuel. equipment. and other assistance they were able to provide. Officials of the USDA Forest Service have told me that the assistance they received from the Canadian Government as a result of this authority was invaluable in helping to control the wildfires that ravaged Yellowstone National Park and the surrounding area. Mr. Speaker. the temporary authorIty provided to the Departments of Agriculture and the Interior expired December 31. 1988. This authority was made temporary simply to provide the other committees of Jurisdiction in the House with additional time to review it. In particular. Mr. FASCELL. chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. requested that the authority be provided on a temporary basis. until his committee had sufficient time to give the matter consideration this year. I am pleased to report that the Committee on Foreign Affairs has no objection to consideration of H.R. 829 today and I would like to insert into the RECOanD a letter to this effect. I thank Chairman FASCELL. as well as Chairman UDALL of the Colnmittee on Interior and Insular Affairs. for their support of this measure. Mr. Speaker. I urge my colleagues in the House to support this bill. Mr. Speaker. I include for the RECORD a letter from Chairman FASCELL concerning jurisdiction in this matter: COMMITTriE ON FoRvoIN AI AtIRs. Washington. DC. March 13. 1989. lion. E KIKA Dz LA GARIA. Chairmnat Committee on Agriculture. Longworth House Office Building. Washingtork DC. DER MR. CHAIRMAN: I am writing in response to your request that the Committee on Foreign Affairs forego action on H.R. 829. the Wildfire Suppression Assistance Act. without prejudice to the Committees jurisdiction. It is my understanding that the intent of H.R. 829 is Identical to legislation passed in the last Congress. but makes permanent the authorities contained in that legislation. Therefore. I have no objection to the consideration of this measure as reported by the Committee on Agriculture by the full House and would request that you make our correspondence on this issue a part of the record during Foor consideration. With beat wishes. I am. Sincerely yours. DANT B. FAscrLL. Chairman.