Corolla Wild Horses Protection Act

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the chairman and the ranking member for their words today, and I'll take just a few minutes.

Mr. Speaker, as has been said by both, this is a plan to maintain and protect a part of North Carolina's history. As Mr. Wittman said, these horses have been traced back by genetic experts to the Spanish mustangs that swam ashore in the 1600s. They are really part of our heritage.

These beautiful little horses roam, as has been said by both sides today, over 7,500 acres of public and private land. This is in Currituck County out at Corolla.

These little horses are so special that the citizens of our area decided that they should try to create a foundation where they could work together with the Federal Government, the State government, and the county government; and it's known as the Corolla Wild Horse Fund. It is a nonprofit. These people are absolutely convinced and committed to making sure that for years to come down the road that these little horses will still have the ability to reproduce. And that's been part of the problem, Mr. Speaker, is that if you allow this herd to get down to about 60 horses, you will not be able to maintain the diversity of the herd.

That is why an expert, Dr. Gus Cothran of Texas A&M, as has been said in the comments by both sides, has said that you have to have a minimum of 120 horses but no more than 130. We are of the firm belief that H.R. 126 will do what is necessary to continue to make sure that we have a viable herd of these horses that have been traced back to the Spanish galleons that came to the coast of North Carolina and wrecked and these horses swam ashore. They've been able to live for that many years.

This is very close to legislation, and I want to thank the House in a bipartisan way, in 1998 we did the same thing that we are trying to do in Corolla down in Currituck County down at Shackleford Banks. And what was interesting, President Clinton was President at the time, and Erskine Bowles was Chief of Staff to President Clinton, and Erskine Bowles got behind the legislation, and that's exactly what we're trying to do. It was the Park Service down at Shackleford Banks; this is Fish and Wildlife, but thank you for your comments.

I want to thank the chairman for his comments because there's no reason that we cannot make both sides happy to do what needs to be done and to protect what, to me, when you look at this beautiful little horse, it is God's gift to the world. So thank you so much, Mr. Chairman and ranking member. Thank you for giving me this time to speak on behalf of these horses. I hope that we can pass this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 126) to direct the Secretary of the Interior to enter into an agreement to provide for management of the free-roaming wild horses in and around the Currituck National Wildlife Refuge.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on the bill under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

In 2007, the State of North Carolina, the County of Currituck, the Corolla Wild Horse Fund, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service signed a comprehensive wild horse management plan for the colonial Spanish mustangs that live on 7,500 acres of private and public lands in North Carolina. This plan expired last year, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service indicated that it will not sign a new agreement.

H.R. 126, authored by Congressman Walter B. Jones, requires the Secretary of the Interior to enter into a new agreement within 180 days of enactment. It will also cap the number of horses to no more than 130, allow the introduction of a small number of Shackleford Banks horses to improve genetic diversity, and will ensure that the Corolla Wild Horse Fund, which is a volunteer organization, will continue to pay for the cost of caring for and managing these horses in the future. These horses are living symbols of our colonial history. H.R. 126, which is a similar bill to one that passed the House by a voice vote last year, will ensure their survival at no cost to the taxpayers.

I urge adoption of the measure and compliment the author for his tireless leadership and his passion for this issue and reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Jones).

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

(Mrs. NAPOLITANO asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 126 directs the Secretary of the Interior to enter into an agreement with the Corolla Wild Horse Fund, as well as local and State authorities, to provide for the management of the wild horses in and around the Currituck National Wildlife Refuge. The agreement will increase the cap on the herd size and specify that the privately funded Corolla Wild Horse Fund will cover the cost of managing the herd.

This refuge was established in 1984 to preserve and protect the native coastal barrier ecosystem. The refuge provides habitat for the migrating wild fowl and for the endangered species, such as piping plover and sea turtles.

It is unusual to protect a nonnative species such as these horses in a wildlife refuge. Extra effort and resources are needed to ensure that the herd does not impair the ecosystem for the native animals and plants.

H.R. 126 is an imperfect solution, though a solution, to a very difficult problem. We must continue working with Fish and Wildlife Service and with the local community to achieve balance between the needs of the refuge and these wild horses.

With that, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam President, I understand there are two bills at the desk, and I ask for their first reading en bloc.

I now ask for a second reading en bloc and object to my own request en bloc.

There are two bills at the desk due for a second reading.

I object to any further proceedings with respect to these two bills.