1106 



I urge my colleagues to give their strong support to this important 

 legislation. 



Mr. Bauman. Mr. Speaker, the coming weekend of national celebra- 

 tion promises to signify a great reaffirmation of the liberty and security 

 of one group of Americans in particular. I am speaking of the many 

 citizens working in our country's shellfish industry, citizens who hope 

 as I do that the House will quickly give final passage to the conference 

 report to accompany S. 586, the Coastal Zone Management Act amend- 

 ments. 



Section 16 of this bill includes the substance on my original bill, 

 H.R. 7153, now called the Bauman amendment, Adopted by the full 

 Merchant Marine Committee and voted upon affirmatively by the 

 full House, the amendment requires that a full evaluation and report 

 be submitted to Congress not later than April 30, 1977, evaluating the 

 impact of Federal water quality laws and proposed regulations upon 

 the shellfish industry. Proposed Federal regidations which were to be 

 promulgated by the FDA would have driven the many shellfish proc- 

 essors and watermen into bankruptcy. It has been estimated by the 

 President's Council on Wage and Price Stability that had these FDA 

 regulations gone into effect, they would have cost the shellfish industry 

 almost one fourth of their annual product value. This not only por- 

 tended increased prices for consumers of oysters and clams, but it 

 would have meant that the many families dependent on the shellfisk 

 industry as a way of life and a means of support would henceforth be 

 included in our national unemployment figures. 



Section 16 of the bill before us however, places a de facto morato- 

 rium on such severe Federal regulatory procedure. It specifically 

 prevents the Secretary of HEW and his agents, from promulgating 

 any Federal regulations with respect to the national shellfish safety 

 program and related areas prior to June 30, 1977. At such time as any 

 future regultaions would be promulgated, a 60-day public notice would 

 be given, and HEW would be required to publish these regulations 

 including an estimate of the probable cost of such regulations relative 

 to any benefits to be anticipated for the general public. 



I want to particularly commend my colleagues responsible for my 

 amendment's inclusion in this bill, especially the House conferees for 

 supporting a provision Avhich makes liberty and security concrete 

 realities for the shellfish producers and their families who are directly 

 benefited by the moratorium provision. Naturally, I am enthusiastic in 

 support of the final passage of this important measure. There are 

 many important parts of this bill but for the people of Maryland 

 dependent upon shellfish for their livelihood, section 16 is most im- 

 portant. 



Mr. Murphy of New York. Mr. Speaker, I move the previous ques- 

 tion on the conference report. 



The previous question was ordered. 



The Speaker pro tempore (Mr. McFall). The question is on the 

 conference report. 



The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced 

 that the ayes appeared to have it. 



Mr. Du Pont. Mr. Speaker, I obiect to the vote on the ground that a 

 quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not 

 present. 



