[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 53 (Wednesday, May 3, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E630]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   THE BUTTERFLY PAVILION & INSECT CENTER OF WESTMINSTER, COLORADO: 
          BRINGING WONDERS OF THE INSECT WORLD TO THE ROCKIES

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MARK UDALL

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 3, 2000

  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I think few people know that the 
Second Congressional District of Colorado is home to over 1,200 
spectacular butterflies from 50 different species, over 100 different 
species of tropical and sub-tropical plants, and a variety of exotic 
arthropods that are normally found only in faraway lands. This may seem 
impossible given our dry climate at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, 
but thanks to the Butterfly Pavilion & Insect Center located in 
Westminster, Coloradans have the opportunity to see these fascinating 
creatures and plants first hand.
  The Butterfly Pavilion & Insect Center is an educational facility for 
study of insects and other invertebrates. The facility exists to foster 
an appreciation of butterflies and other invertebrates while reminding 
the public about the need for conservation of threatened habitats in 
the tropics and around the world.
  The Butterfly Pavilion & Insect Center is the only stand-alone 
nonprofit insect zoo in the nation. Visitors to the facility find 
themselves surrounded by free-flying butterflies while walking through 
the lush, tropical conservatory. A chrysalis viewing area allows 
visitors to watch the amazing process of metamorphosis as adult 
butterflies emerge from their gemlike chrysalides. In the insect 
center, visitors can watch, touch or take a closer look at some of the 
world's most fascinating insects and their relatives. They can discover 
what it feels like to hold a rose-haired tarantula from Chile, a 
Madagascar Hissing Cockroach or a giant mealworm.
  The Butterfly Pavilion & Insect Center is a publicly supported 
scientific and educational facility and operates in collaboration with 
scientific advisors from zoos, universities and museums both locally 
and nationally. The facility is located at 6252 West 104th Avenue in 
Westminster, Colorado. It can also be found on the World Wide Web at 
www.butterflies.org. I encourage everyone to visit and learn more.
  I would like to commend this organization for their steadfast 
commitment in educating the public about these living treasures. I 
thank them for bringing this source of amazement and beauty to our 
great state.

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