[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 130 (Tuesday, October 2, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1777-E1778]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          IN RECOGNITION OF THE PRESERVATION OF THE ISLAND FOX

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. LOIS CAPPS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 2, 2001

  Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 
preservation efforts for endangered Island fox. This unique species 
inhabits San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, San Nicolas, Santa 
Catalina, and San Clemente Islands in the chain of Channel Islands off 
the coast of Southern California, and its once thriving population has 
declined in recent years.

[[Page E1778]]

  The Channel Islands have been called the ``Galapagos of North 
America'' and I believe that this is an accurate description of the 
extraordinary natural resources that exist on the islands. Each of the 
islands has a unique ecosystem, which is home to numerous indigenous 
species.
  The island fox is one of these distinct species. It is found only on 
the Channel Islands and is a distant relative of the gray fox. These 
playful animals have spent most of the last 10,000 years thriving at 
the top of the island food chain. However in recent years they have 
become threatened due to a variety of circumstances.
  However I am happy to report that extraordinary efforts are being 
made to reverse this trend towards extinction. In the last month the 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed listing the Island Fox as 
an endangered species. That act was an important step forward in the 
work to reestablish this species.
  Finally, I would like to recognize the inspirational efforts of the 
fifth grade students at Mound Elementary School in Ventura. They have 
chosen the preservation of the Island Fox as their G.A.T.E. project, 
and have formed their own organization, ``Save Our Species,'' which is 
an affiliated educational unit of Jane Goodall's ``Roots and Shoots'' 
organization. I believe that we should all follow the example set by 
these devoted young people and work together to ensure the Island Fox 
population returns to its historic levels.

                          ____________________