[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 2 (Thursday, January 7, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E47]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        DESIGNATING THE FLORIDA PANTHER AS AN ENDANGERED SPECIES

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                           HON. BILL McCOLLUM

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 6, 1999

  Mr. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing legislation that 
would declare the Florida Panther, specifically, to be an endangered 
species. As a longtime supporter of the recovery plan to restore the 
Florida Panther population, I believe that the Panther should be named 
by statute as a protected species under the Endangered Species Act.
  The Florida Panther is one of the most seriously endangered 
subspecies in the United States. Like most endangered species, there 
are multiple problems threatening the Panther and its recovery. Along 
with the usual issues of habitat loss, the Florida Panther also suffers 
from genetic isolation and inbreeding. The Fish and Wildlife Service 
has been initiating a Habitat Protection Plan along with the genetic 
restoration effort for the Panther. I believe that we need to support 
this endeavor to restore the Florida Panther population and name this 
species by statute as an endangered species. I urge my colleagues to 
support this legislation.

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