[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1112 Engrossed in House (EH)]


                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                        April 22, 2008.
Whereas the International Coral Reef Initiative has designated 2008 as the 
        International Year of the Reef;
Whereas the International Year of the Reef is a global effort to raise public 
        awareness of the value of coral reefs and the significance of the 
        threats faced by coral reef systems, and to mobilize action to develop 
        and implement innovative solutions and strategies to protect and 
        conserve these important natural resources;
Whereas over 225 organizations in 50 countries and territories participated 
        during the first International Year of the Reef in 1997;
Whereas coral reef systems provide economic, environmental, and cultural 
        benefits to millions of people around the world and are vital in 
        protecting shorelines and supporting coastal economies;
Whereas coral reef systems are the most diverse ecosystem on earth, supporting 
        at least 1,000,000 known species of plants and animals and 25 percent of 
        all marine life;
Whereas coral reef systems contribute $375,000,000,000 each year to the 
        worldwide economy;
Whereas over 50 percent of all federally managed fisheries species in the U.S. 
        depend upon coral reefs for part of their life cycle;
Whereas coral reef systems provide for one-fourth of the total fish catch in the 
        developing world;
Whereas coral reefs around the world are confronted by many grave threats, 
        including destructive fishing methods, damage by marine vessels and 
        divers, development, pollution, ocean acidification, increasing sea 
        temperatures, bleaching, and invasive species; and
Whereas increased public awareness, as well as public and private investment, 
        can prevent the further degradation of the world's coral reef systems in 
        order to preserve this precious resource for future generations: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the United States House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes the International Year of the Reef;
            (2) supports strong programs in environmental and marine research at 
        the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and other Federal 
        agencies to better understand the threats faced by coral reef systems;
            (3) supports the efforts of the International Coral Reef Initiative 
        to promote public awareness and encourage public stewardship of the 
        world's coral reefs; and
            (4) encourages further research and development efforts to preserve 
        coral reefs around the world.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.