[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 28 (Tuesday, March 14, 2000)]
[House]
[Page H958]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL OCEAN DAY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from Hawaii (Mrs. Mink) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mrs. MINK of Hawaii. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce a 
resolution in support of establishing a National Ocean Day.
  A National Ocean Day would help to focus the public's attention on 
the vital role the ocean plays in the lives of our nation's people and 
the significant impact our people have on the health of this vital 
resource.
  The ocean covers 71 percent of the Earth's surface and is key to the 
life support systems of all creatures on this planet. It contains a 
wondrous abundance and diversity of life--from the smallest 
microorganism to the blue whale. The potential of the ocean's 
tremendous resources are not yet fully explored and likely includes 
life-saving medicines and treatments.
  Two-thirds of the world's people live within 50 miles of a coast and 
one out of six American jobs is in fishing, shipping, or tourism. Some 
90 percent of the world's trade is transported on the oceans.
  The health of our ocean ecosystems are threatened by global warming, 
pollution, over-fishing, and the destruction of coral reefs. We must 
take steps today to protect this irreplaceable resource.
  The State of Hawaii has designated the first Wednesday of June as 
Ocean Day in recognition of the significant role the ocean plays in the 
lives of Hawaii's people, culture, history, and traditions. I hope my 
colleagues will join me in calling for a National Ocean Day to help 
focus nationwide attention on the need for responsible stewardship of 
this precious resource.

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