152 



Congressma Saxton 



June 5. 1996 



Page 3 



5. Mast iiTtportantly, preservation of our natural resources and saving uildlife is not a 

 selective issue akin to an effort to save fish for fisheaman and wildlife for hunters. 

 Birds are the one animate thiag that many of ns take for granted, but yec see and 

 enjoy everyday. Without birds, we would be overrun by insects, crops and forests 

 would be at risk, and our whole ecosystem would be out of balance. Tnis issue is 

 one of total national and intemational concern. 



6. The proposed excise tax on selective manufacturers is unjust. Does it make sense to 

 tax somebody who looks at the environment through binoculars but not through 

 their naked eye? Am I using up the environment if I take a picture of my favorite 

 bird? Should I be taxed if I want to buy a book to help identify birds and teach my 

 children about wildlife? Does it make sense for me to pay a fee (5% 2x) on food I 

 put in my bird feeder on a cold winter's day to help the bird sunive 2 severe winter? 



The bottom line is that the selecti\itv in the proposed excise tax is discrimi-a;or>' and 

 regressive. Preservation of our natural resources and thus wildlife is no: a seiecdve issue 

 but a national issue. The message [hi! needs lo be sent to Congress is tha: we as tiixpayers 

 and as citizens of this country want to preserve our natural environment for cur Uie and for 

 generations to come. This is trjly a general revenue issue. Certairiy, a bread-based effort 

 vnlnnmrfly supported by all our citizens is needed. 



hi this regard, we at Kaytee have just completed and opened a 6.CC0 square foot Education 

 Center where people can come and leim about birds, their habitat, their jigriricance to us, 

 and how each of us has a role if we are to 'save the birds". This S5G0,0CC ficSit}- wii its 

 exhibits has already attraaed over 13.000 people in the six months that it hi.5 been open, 

 over half of which have been school ciiidren. In addition, we have create.! ie Kaytee 

 Avian Foundation whose mission is t? sa". e birds thrcugh educacien. conser.aaon and 

 research- This year alone we iiave corrrriKed over $90,000 towards speria! project in 

 order to "help save the birds". We intend to continue to step up our efforts zs responsible 

 corporate citizens in a voluntary manner. 



