[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 113 (Monday, July 29, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S9081]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     INDIGENOUS CONSERVATIONIST OF THE YEAR AWARD HIS MAJESTY KING 
                          TAUFA'AHAU TUPOU IV

 Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, all Americans are concerned about 
the world's environment and how to protect it. Parts of the world not 
close to most of us still affect all of us greatly. One part of the 
world that is remote to most Americans, but vitally important to all of 
our welfare, is the rain forest. All of us are endangered by the 
destruction of rain forests that is occurring all over the world. The 
rain forests constitute unique and irreplaceable ecosystems sometimes 
called the lungs of the earth. In addition to their function in 
replenishing the Earth's atmosphere, the rain forests provide essential 
protection against global warming, contain hundreds of plants found 
nowhere else on Earth, house many animals unique to the rain forests 
alone, and provide protection against destruction of coral reefs and 
marine life. I would like to bring to your attention the efforts to 
save these vital systems and to recognize an individual who is being 
honored for his own efforts to save the rain forests.
  His Majesty King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV of the Kingdom of Tonga has been 
selected to receive this year's Seacology Foundation Award as the 
Indigenous Conservationist of the Year in recognition of his superb 
efforts to preserve the rain forest and indigenous Polynesian culture. 
His Royal Highness' successes include providing royal protection for 
the peka or flying fox colony in Kolovai Village in Tongatupu Island. 
He is also responsible for protecting the primary forest of `Eau Island 
and for establishing a system of nature preserves throughout the 
Kingdom of Tonga. None of these achievements would have occurred 
without His Royal Highness.
  Seacology Foundation is a nonprofit foundation founded to help 
protect island ecosystems and island cultures. Seacology scientists 
include experts in endangered species, island flora and fauna, and 
island ecosystems. One hundred percent of the money donated to 
Seacology goes directly to building schools, hospitals, installing safe 
water supplies, and meeting other needs of the rain forest villagers so 
that they will not have to sell off the rain forest to survive. 
Seacology scientists donate their time as well.
  I congratulate His Majesty King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV and the Seacology 
Foundation for all of their efforts.
  I ask that the letter from Paul Alan Cox, Ph.D., chairman of the 
board of the Seacology Foundation, to His Royal Highness be printed in 
the Record.


                                     The Seacology Foundation,

                               Springfield, UT, December 15, 1995.
     His Majesty King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV,
     The Kingdom of Tonga.
       Your Royal Highness: It is with deepest respect that I 
     inform your royal highness that you have been selected as the 
     1996 Indigenous Conservationist of the Year by the Seacology 
     Foundation. This annual award is made to honor those 
     indigenous people who have performed heroic service in 
     preserving their own ecosystems and cultures.
       After careful consideration of the activities of your 
     majesty in providing royal protection for the peka or flying 
     fox colony in Kolovai Village in Tongatapu island (which is 
     the oldest flying fox refuge in the world), for your 
     protection of the primary forest of Eua island, for your 
     support in establishing a system of nature preserves 
     throughout the Kingdom of Tonga, and for your life-long 
     service as an interpreter and custodian of Tongan culture, 
     both ancient and modern, the Scientific Advisory Board of the 
     Seacology Foundation has unanimously voted to honor your 
     majesty with this award, which is the most prestigious 
     conservation award for indigenous people in the world.
       The Seacology Foundation invites you, at our expense, to 
     attend an award dinner in your honor and a presentation 
     ceremony in Salt Lake City, Utah to receive your award, which 
     will consist of an engraved plaque and a cash award of 
     $1,000. Fine Nau and I will meet with you personally to 
     arrange a convenient date for this event.
       Because of your stellar service, both public and private to 
     conservation, and because of the tremendous example of 
     dedication and courage that you have set for your own 
     people--the Polynesian Islanders--and for indigenous peoples 
     throughout the world, the Seacology Foundation is pleased to 
     bestow upon you the most distinguished award for indigenous 
     conservation in the world by naming you 1996 Indigenous 
     Conservationist of the Year. We offer you our sincere 
     appreciation for your tremendous devotion to protecting this 
     planet.
           Warmest personal regards,
                                     Nafanua Paul Alan Cox, Ph.D.,

     Chairman of the Board.

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