Liberty Matters News Service

5/18/99

Sovereignty Bill Up for Vote

A vote is expected on the House floor this Thursday on H.R. 883, the "American Land Sovereignty Protection Act." Introduced by House Resource Committee Chairman Don Young (R-AK), the bill now has 183 co-sponsors. Currently, there are 47 Biosphere Reserves and 20 World Heritage sites designated in the United States by the United Nations. Two of these include Independence Hall and the Statue of Liberty. The United Nations’ designations represent over 68% of our national parks, preserves and monuments. Opponents of the bill actually argued that the United Nations’ designations promoted tourism (especially if you designate the most popular sites). If passed, this bill would require congressional approval before any more sites could be requested by the Executive Branch and designated by the United Nations. The bill has been brought to the floor of the House the past three sessions. Last year it passed but died in the Senate. This is our chance to build upon last year’s support and get it through both Houses. Call and ask your Congressman to vote for H.R. 883. Also call and ask your Senator to sign on to the companion bill S. 510. Faxback doc. 405

Clinton "Executes" Weapon Imports

President Clinton has struck yet again. According to a story in the WorldNetDaily (5/17/99), Clinton has signed an executive order that bans all imports of all foreign made weapons, guns, parts and ammunition to become effective in mid June. The story indicated that Clinton has had the U.S. Customs, the Secret Service and other agencies turn ships around that had any imported weapons on board denying them entry into our ports. It is unfortunate that politicians seem to use tragedy to implement their political agendas. This is one more example of this administration abusing the presidential office to avoid the will of Congress and the People. Faxback doc. 406

Land Grab Bills Hit Huge Snag in Senate

During the Senate hearing on S. 25, the companion bill to Don Young’s H.R. 701, the Conservation and Reinvestment Act of 1999, Slade Gorton (R-WA) said there were serious fiscal obstacles to the bill this Congress. The House-Senate conference committee knocked out a budget resolution that would raise the ceiling to accommodate spending for S. 25. Because of this, S. 25 needs $2-3 billion in "new spending" which has been said might have to come out of the Social Security Fund. It will take a 60-vote majority to reinstate the funds in the Senate. On the House side, the House Resource Committee has scheduled a field hearing on H.R. 701 and H.R. 798 by George Miller (D-CA) on Saturday, June 12th in Salt Lake City. If you wish to testify, you must contact the committee by May 19th at 202-225-2761.

Rails to Trails Wins Big!

On May 12th, AT&T agreed to pay landowners $45,000 per mile to settle a class action lawsuit for installing fiber optic cables on abandoned railroad right-of-way property in Indiana. AT&T and other companies have installed much of their fiber optic cable on railroad corridors under agreements with the railroad companies. However, railroad companies who have abandoned their rails don’t own the land, but only have easements that permit specific uses. When abandoned, the land usually returns to the abutting landowner. AT&T did not obtain permission from the landowners and now have agreed to compensate them. This is truly a great victory for property rights. Faxback doc. 407

Reintroduction of Wolf Illegal in New Hampshire

Last Friday the New Hampshire Senate said "No" to reintroduction of wolves in a big way …they made it illegal. HB 240 prohibits the introduction of wolf populations into the state. The bill passed by a vote of 14-9. The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Frederick King (R-District 1) said, "My concern is with people’s ability to make a living, which in my district is based on tourism and timber resources. In other places reintroduction’s have resulted in land being locked up." Faxback doc. 408

Salt Lake City Hearing For HR 701

On June 12th, the Resources Committee will hold one of three field hearings on H.R. 701 in Salt Lake City, UT. Rumor has it that many members of the Committee will not attend the hearing. Faxback Doc. 413