THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, December 3, 1994 TAG: 9412030294
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BOSTON GLOBE
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Short : 30 lines
The Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee plunged toward oblivion Friday as House Republican leaders confirmed plans to abolish the panel.
GOP transition leaders said they chose to abolish the committee because its jurisdiction over coastal and ocean matters could easily be distributed among other committees, most likely the Natural Resources, Armed Services and Public Works panels.
The new Republican majority in the House is expected to endorse the proposal in a conference next week and eliminate the committee on Jan. 4, when the 104th Congress convenes.
Reps. Owen B. Pickett, D-2nd, and Herbert H. Bateman, R-1st, who between them represent the majority of Hampton Roads' maritime community, are committee members. Bateman was slated to chair the panel in a Republican-dominated Congress. ILLUSTRATION: Bateman
by CNB