8 



We know the way, Mr. Chairman, because we have other entre- 

 preneurs here today that are going to talk to you about the 

 Gloucester Herring Corporation and our way of helping balance the 

 trade deficit by exporting herring. 



We need your help, Mr. Chairman, and we are supportive of your 

 efforts and supportive of the legislative change you will submit 

 today. We are survivors, and we need your help to survive. We can 

 do it, and we will do it when the Subcommittee does the right thing 

 and intervenes on our behalf. 



I appreciate the opportunity to testify here today. 



[Mr. Tarr's statement may be found in the appendix.] 



Chairman Torkildsen. Thank you very much, Senator. Also I 

 will note for the record Representative Verga's role as well. He 

 could not be here to testify in person. He has been a strong advo- 

 cate as well. 



Mr. Tarr. I have a written statement I will submit to the Sub- 

 committee from Representative Verga as well, who could not be 

 with us today. 



Chairman Torkildsen. Without objection, it will be part of the 

 record. 



[Mr. Tarr's statement may be found in the appendix.] 



Chairman TORKILDSEN. Now it is now an honor to introduce the 

 mayor of Gloucester, someone whose has long been an advocate for 

 making sure this transition period is as painless as possible, if that 

 is even possible at all. Not only has he been a tireless advocate for 

 Federal and State assistance, but he has also taken the initiative 

 for the city of Gloucester itself, and seeing the people and economy 

 through this period of crisis, and that is Mayor Bruce Tobey. 



TESTIMONY OF HON. BRUCE TOBEY, MAYOR, GLOUCESTER, 

 MASSACHUSETTS 



Mr. Tobey. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 



It is a delight for two reasons to be down here: First of all, to 

 talk about something other than the reauthorization of the Clean 

 Water Act; but, second, for a chance to be heard 



Chairman Torkildsen. We will get to that in another hearing. 



Mr. Tobey. I will be back — but particularly today for the chance 

 to be heard on the effectiveness of the fisheries assistance we have 

 received from the Small Business Administration. 



Although the economy of my city has diversified dramatically in 

 recent years, still some 450 Gloucester breadwinners look to our 

 fishing industry to earn livelihoods. When we think with our heads, 

 that means Gloucester and our fishermen have taken very seri- 

 ously Federal promises to help the fishing industry in the after- 

 math of stringent Federal rulemaking. 



The same is true though when we think with our hearts. The 

 character and heritage of the historic port of Gloucester are histori- 

 cally linked with our fishing industry. 



One of the many promises that we received came from the SBA. 

 With the promulgation of Amendment 5 in 1994, what did the SBA 

 say? They and their money were going to be there for Gloucester's 

 fisheries. But have they put a dime on the table? No. 



Now, on the one hand, we need to face facts. The Gloucester fleet 

 is generally overcapitalized as it is, and too many of our boats are 



