110 HRES 1112 EH: Recognizing 2008 as the International Year U.S. House of Representatives 2008-04-22 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IV 110th CONGRESS 2d Session H. RES. 1112 In the House of Representatives, U. S., April 22, 2008 RESOLUTION Recognizing 2008 as the International Year of the Reef.

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

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.

Lorraine C. Miller, Clerk.