[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 2 (Thursday, January 9, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E86]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




[[Page E86]]



 INTRODUCING A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE SIGNIFICANCE OF CORAL REEF 
                               ECOSYSTEMS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM SAXTON

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 9, 1997

  Mr. SAXTON. Mr. Speaker, I--along with my colleague from Hawaii, Mr. 
Abercrombie--am pleased to introduce a concurrent resolution declaring 
the significance of maintaining the health and stability of coral reef 
ecosystems.
  Coral reefs have been called the tropical rainforests of the oceans, 
and rightfully so--they are among the world's most biologically diverse 
and productive marine habitats. They are also vitally important to 
coastal economies, providing as the basis for subsistence and 
commercial fishing as well as coastal and marine tourism. Finally, 
reefs serve as natural protection to the coastlines of several U.S. 
States and territories, such as Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the U.S. 
Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa.
  For these reasons, and in honor of the fact that 1997 has been 
declared the ``International year of the Reef,'' I urge swift and 
favorable consideration of this resolution.

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