Speech #1050079168

They are the gentleman from Michigan . who happens to be the cochairman of the Congressional Boating Caucus. the gentleman from Michigan . the dean of the House. a bad one to leave off. my colleagues the gentleman from Ohio . the gentleman from Ohio and the gentlewoman from Ohio . the gentleman from New York . the gentleman from Michigan . also the gentleman from Washington . and also on the floor with us here today is the gentleman from New York . a tireless champion for the boating public as well. Madam Speaker. earlier this year I introduced legislation to modify the I68 program to allow greater flexibility for recreational boaters from the United States that wished to call on a Canadian port and return home without the inconvenience that that current program places on boaters. The INS is charged with the important responsibility of keeping our borders secure from illegal immigration. a mission which I wholeheartedly support. Current law requires vessels that have visited Canada undergo a facetoface inspection with INS upon return. but since 1963 boaters have been afforded the opportunity to apply for what is known as an 168 permit that would allow multiple crossings without inspection. This permit was issued without charge until 1995.