III 112th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 132 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES April 6 (legislative day, April 5), 2011 Mr. Nelson of Nebraska (for himself, Mr. Durbin, Ms. Cantwell, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Moran, Mr. Bingaman, Mr. Blunt, Mr. Brown of Ohio, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Menendez, Mr. Johanns, Mr. Grassley, Mr. Cochran, Mr. Wicker, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Isakson, Mr. Wyden, Mr. Lieberman, Mr. Blumenthal, Mrs. Hagan, Ms. Landrieu, Mr. Tester, Mr. Levin, Mrs. Gillibrand, Mr. Coons, Mr. Cardin, Ms. Stabenow, Mr. Merkley, and Mr. Reed) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works November 8, 2011 Committee discharged; considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Recognizing and honoring the zoos and aquariums of the United States.

Whereas the 223 zoos and aquariums accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums support more than 142,000 jobs nationwide, making such zoos and aquariums a valuable part of local and national economies; Whereas according to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, accredited zoos and aquariums generate more than $15,000,000,000 in economic activity in the United States annually; Whereas according to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, accredited zoos and aquariums attract more than 165,000,000 visitors each year and are a valuable part of regional, State, and local tourist economies; Whereas according to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, accredited zoos and aquariums have formally trained more than 400,000 teachers, and such zoos and aquariums support science curricula with effective teaching materials and hands-on opportunities and host more than 12,000,000 students annually on school field trips; Whereas according to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, accredited zoos and aquariums provide a unique opportunity for the public to engage in conservation and education efforts, and more than 60,000 people invest more than 3,000,000 hours per year as volunteers at such zoos and aquariums; Whereas public investment in accredited zoos and aquariums has dual benefits, including immediate job creation and environmental education for children in the United States; Whereas accredited zoos and aquariums focus on connecting people and animals, and such zoos and aquariums provide a critical link to helping animals in their native habitats; Whereas according to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, accredited zoos and aquariums have provided more than $90,000,000 per year over the past 5 years to support more than 4,000 field conservation and research projects in more than 100 countries; and Whereas many Federal agencies have recognized accredited zoos and aquariums as critical partners in rescue, rehabilitation, confiscation, and reintroduction efforts for distressed, threatened, and endangered species: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate— (1)recognizes and honors the zoos and aquariums of the United States; (2)commends the employees and volunteers at each zoo and aquarium for their hard work and dedication; (3)recommends that people in the United States visit their local accredited zoo and aquarium and take advantage of the educational opportunities that such zoos and aquariums offer; and (4)urges continued support for accredited zoos and aquariums and the important conservation, education, and recreation programs of such zoos and aquariums.