[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 41 (Thursday, March 13, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S3750]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 87--COMMEMORATING THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF THE 
                    NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM

  Mr. NELSON of Florida (for himself, Mr. Graham of Florida, Mr. 
Inhofe, Mr. Jeffords, Mr. Daschle, Mr. Crapo, Mr. Kerry, Ms. Cantwell, 
Mr. Lieberman, Mr. Bingaman, Mr. Warner, Mrs. Murray, Mrs. Hutchison, 
Ms. Mikulski, Mr. Sarbanes, Mr. Lautenberg, Mr. Chafee, Mr. Durbin, Mr. 
Leahy, Mr. Levin, Mr. Harkin, Mr. Voinovich, Mr. Hollings, Mrs. Boxer, 
Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Akaka, Mr. Conrad, Mr. Allard, Mr. Dodd, and Mr. 
Edwards) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and 
agreed to:

                               S. Res. 87

       Whereas March 14, 2003, will mark the Centennial 
     Anniversary of the National Wildlife Refuge System;
       Whereas the United States Senate continues to fully support 
     the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System, and 
     shares President Theodore Roosevelt's view that: ``Wild 
     beasts and birds are by right not the property merely of the 
     people who are alive today, but the property of unknown 
     generations, whose belongings we have no right to squander'';
       Whereas President Theodore Roosevelt's vision in 1903 to 
     conserve wildlife started with the plants and animals on the 
     tiny Pelican Island on Florida's East Coast, and has 
     flourished across the United States and its territories, 
     allowing for the preservation of a vast array of species; and
       Whereas the National Wildlife Refuge System of 540 refuges, 
     that now hosts 35,000,000 visitors annually, with the help of 
     30,000 volunteers, is home to wildlife of almost every 
     variety in every state of the union within an hour's drive of 
     almost every major city: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) congratulates the National Wildlife Refuge System on 
     its Centennial Anniversary;
       (2) expresses strong support for the National Wildlife 
     Refuge System's continued success in the next 100 years and 
     beyond;
       (3) encourages the National Wildlife Refuge System in its 
     continued efforts to broaden understanding and appreciation 
     for the Refuge System, to increase partnerships on behalf of 
     the National Wildlife Refuge System to better manage and 
     monitor wildlife, and to continue its support of outdoor 
     recreational activities; and
       (4) reaffirms its commitment to continued support for the 
     National Wildlife Refuge System, and the conservation of our 
     Nation's rich natural heritage.

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