[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1625 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1625

  Recognizing the important role zoos, aquariums, and other wildlife 
 organizations have played in the response efforts in the Gulf region 
following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill that began on April 20, 2010.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 15, 2010

  Mr. Hastings of Florida (for himself, Mr. Lipinski, Mr. Bachus, Mr. 
   Posey, Ms. Castor of Florida, Mr. Lewis of Georgia, Mr. Bishop of 
 Georgia, Mr. Cao, Mrs. Davis of California, and Mr. Deutch) submitted 
   the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
                           Natural Resources

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Recognizing the important role zoos, aquariums, and other wildlife 
 organizations have played in the response efforts in the Gulf region 
following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill that began on April 20, 2010.

Whereas zoos and aquariums' expertise of animals has proved invaluable to the 
        Deepwater Horizon oil spill clean-up effort;
Whereas many zoos and aquariums already have established animal rescue and 
        rehabilitation programs that have mobilized personnel and made use of 
        existing infrastructure for response efforts in the Gulf of Mexico 
        region affected by the oil spill;
Whereas these institutions already have in place the resources needed to address 
        short-term and long-term impacts of the oil spill on animals and 
        habitats in the Gulf of Mexico region;
Whereas Federal agencies, such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
        Administration and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, have 
        identified zoos and aquariums as important partners in the rescue and 
        rehabilitation efforts of the wildlife impacted by the oil spill;
Whereas the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) is a nonprofit organization 
        that since its founding in 1924 has been dedicated to advancing the work 
        of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, education, science, 
        and recreation;
Whereas 210 AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums are found in 46 States, where they 
        enhance the local economies, support more than 126,000 jobs, and attract 
        180 million visitors annually;
Whereas AZA-accredited institutions are dedicated to training teachers and 
        supporting science education;
Whereas the AZA Species Survival Plan program asserts the dedication of these 
        institutions to protecting endangered species;
Whereas AZA-accredited institutions provide an opportunity for the public to 
        engage in conservation efforts, with more than 60,000 people investing 
        3,000,000 hours volunteering at zoos and aquariums annually;
Whereas 70 AZA-accredited institutions have contributed to the rescue and 
        rehabilitation efforts in the Gulf of Mexico; and
Whereas 11 AZA-accredited aquariums are part of the national Marine Mammal 
        Stranding Network, assisting with rescue and rehabilitation efforts of 
        animals affected by the oil spill: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) commends the response of zoos, aquariums, and other 
        wildlife organizations in their rescue and rehabilitation 
        efforts in the Gulf of Mexico region following the Deepwater 
        Horizon oil spill;
            (2) acknowledges the important role of zoos, aquariums, and 
        other wildlife organizations in responding to environmental 
        disasters; and
            (3) expresses support for the expertise and contributions 
        of zoos, aquariums, and other wildlife organizations to 
        conservation programs, science education, and community 
        development.
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