[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 544 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

<DOC>






115th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 544

Celebrating June 11, 2018, as the 20th anniversary of the establishment 
              of the United States Coral Reef Task Force.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             June 12, 2018

  Ms. Hirono (for herself, Mr. Rubio, Mr. Nelson, Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. 
Markey, and Mr. Merkley) submitted the following resolution; which was 
                        considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Celebrating June 11, 2018, as the 20th anniversary of the establishment 
              of the United States Coral Reef Task Force.

Whereas 2018 marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the United 
        States Coral Reef Task Force;
Whereas the United States Coral Reef Task Force--

    (1) was established under Executive Order 13089 (63 Fed. Reg. 32701; 
relating to coral reef protection) on June 11, 1998, ``to preserve and 
protect the biodiversity, health, heritage, and social and economic value 
of U.S. coral reef ecosystems and the marine environment'';

    (2) is composed of 12 Federal agencies, 7 States and territories of the 
United States, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States 
of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau; and

    (3) helps build partnerships, develop strategies, and provide support 
to carry out on-the-ground actions to conserve coral reefs;

Whereas more than 50 percent of all species in federally managed fisheries 
        depend on coral reefs at some stage during their life cycles;
Whereas healthy coral reef ecosystems are havens for biological diversity and 
        abundance, providing important habitats, spawning areas, and nursery 
        grounds for fish, crustaceans, algae, and other species;
Whereas, in November 2016, the International Coral Reef Initiative--

    (1) declared 2018 as the International Year of the Reef for the third 
time; and

    (2) encouraged--

    G    (A) strengthening awareness globally about the value of, and 
threats to, coral reefs and associated ecosystems;

    G    (B) promoting partnerships between governments, the private 
sector, academia, and civil society on the management of coral reefs;

    G    (C) identifying and implementing effective management strategies 
for conservation, increased resiliency, and sustainable use of coral reefs 
and associated ecosystems; and

    G    (D) promoting and sharing information on best practices relating 
to sustainable coral reef management strategies;

Whereas coral reefs--

    (1) directly benefit the economy of the United States by supporting 
coastal tourism, fisheries, biomedicine development, and traditional and 
cultural uses; and

    (2) provide an indirect economic benefit in the form of shoreline 
protection from high seas and severe storm surge from hurricanes and 
tsunamis;

Whereas coral reefs face ongoing threats from changing ocean conditions, 
        nutrient pollution from coastal runoff, invasive species, recurring 
        disease outbreaks and bleaching events, and poor coastal resource 
        management;
Whereas approximately \1/3\ of the coral reefs in the world are degraded, and 
        another \1/3\ of coral reefs are at risk of further degradation in the 
        next few decades without effective management and restoration; and
Whereas the conservation and restoration of healthy, fully functioning coral 
        reefs helps to sustain resilient coasts and vibrant economies by 
        providing food, promoting cultural values, supporting livelihoods, and 
        protecting human health and safety and coastal properties: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate celebrates June 11, 2018, as the 20th 
anniversary of the establishment of the United States Coral Reef Task 
Force in order to--
            (1) highlight the importance of the coral reefs of the 
        United States;
            (2) acknowledge the important research and management 
        accomplishments of the United States Coral Reef Task Force; and
            (3) encourage a continued focus on efforts to protect and 
        restore coral reef ecosystems of the United States.
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