[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 173 (Thursday, December 13, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2271-E2272]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    INTRODUCTION OF H. CON. RES. 287

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. SHERWOOD L. BOEHLERT

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 12, 2001

  Mr. BOEHLERT Mr. Speaker, Earlier this year, while on a visit to 
South Africa, I had the chance to learn about a fascinating partnership 
between governments and conservationists. The Peace Park movement is a 
great success story and one that the world can learn from, particularly 
in our present world, which is beset of conflict, turmoil and 
uncertainty.
  In 1997, Dr. Anton Rupert and His Royal Highness Prince Bernhard of 
the Netherlands formed the Peace Parks Foundation of South Africa, a 
not-for-profit organization, to establish and develop transfrontier 
conversation areas straddling international borders. Countries 
participation in a ``Peace Parks'' do not concede any national 
sovereignty but do allow the free movement of people and animals across 
the borders within the park. The goal of these parks are to create 
jobs, sustainable economic development and peace and understanding 
between the countries themselves as well as an appreciation of the 
importance of conservation.
  Today eight separate peace parks either exist or are under 
development. These transfrontier conservation areas parks encompass a 
total area of 232,000 square miles and straddle borders from Tanzania 
in the north to South Africa in the south. One of the most ambitious 
plan of the Peace Parks Foundation is the consolidation of the land and 
its resources of the South Africa Kruger National Park, Mozambican 
Coutada 16 conservation area and the Zimbabwean Gonarezhou National 
Park into the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park--the largest 
conservation area in the world.
  In October 2001, the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park was inaugurated 
when forty elephants from South Africa were released into Mozambique. 
Less than ten years ago this border symbolized the division and 
conflict between these countries and their peoples. For example, the 
apartheid-era South Africa government erected an electric fence along 
its border areas. Today the electric fence, which led to much acrimony 
and conflict between South Africa and Mozambique, is being dismantled, 
and the land mines are being removed and destroyed. The Great Limpopo 
Peace Park has helped replace gunfire, land mines and death with peace, 
understanding and life.
  In addition to advocating for and facilitating the creation of more 
parks, the Peace Parks Foundation also plays a crucial role in 
community development. The Foundation encourages new ways to utilize 
the natural resources on a sustainable basis and the development of 
tourism facilities. Last year the Foundation through its partnership 
with the Southern African Wildlife College and other supports secured 
scholarships for 29 students drawn from wildlife departments and field 
programs in nine Southern African countries. These scholarships allow 
the students to attend the Southern African Wildlife College and train 
to become conservation managers.
  I applaud the courage and vision of the Heads of State of the 
Southern African Development Community, who are patrons of the

[[Page E2272]]

Peace Park Foundation. These leaders are rewriting the textbooks on 
political border conflicts and helping to bring about sustainable peace 
and alleviate poverty in these rural areas. It is clear that peace 
parks go well beyond the conservation of biodiversity and play a major 
role in confidence building between countries and within regions.
  Today I am introducing a Concurrent Resolution to honor the Peace 
Parks Foundation. I want to thank the 12 Representatives who are 
joining me today in introducing this Resolution. I urge all of my 
colleagues to join us in honoring a truly visionary organization.
  I close with the remarks of Nelson Mandela who said: ``I know of no 
political movement, no philosophy, no ideology, which does not agree 
with the peace parks concept as we see it going into fruition today. It 
is a concept that can be embraced by all.''

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