[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 41 (Thursday, March 13, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3761-S3762]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM
Mr. BENNETT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate
now proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 87, introduced
earlier today by Senator Nelson of Florida.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
The legislative clerk read as follows:
A resolution (S. Res. 87) commemorating the Centennial
Anniversary of the National Wildlife Refuge System.
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the
resolution.
Mr. GRAHAM of Florida. 100 years ago tomorrow, President Theodore
Roosevelt ordered that a small island in Florida's Indian River be
forever protected as a ``preserve and breeding ground for native
birds.'' With this simple promise of wildlife protection, the National
Wildlife Refuge System was born. A century later, the refuge system has
grown to include more that 530 refuges on more than 94 million acres
with locations in every state.
Florida's National Wildlife Refuges have been fulfilling the promise
of protecting wildlife for a full century. Pelican Island, the first
refuge, is being restored to its original size so that birds may be
able to find refuge there for the next hundred years. Archie Carr
National Wildlife Refuge in Titusville protects endangered sea turtles
so they have an undisturbed place to lay their eggs. And, Florida
Panther National Wildlife Refuge in Naples is protecting our state
animal, the Florida Panther, which is on the brink of extinction.
The National Wildlife Refuges in Florida have been protecting more
than just animals. As part of the greater Everglades ecosystem, Ten
Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge and the Arthur R. Marshall
Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge are protecting both the wildlife
and habitats that make up part of America's Everglades.
Florida is a destination for sportsmen and nature lovers throughout
the world. Be they avid hunters or fishermen or tourists traveling to
visit our unsurpassed beaches or the pristine beauty of Florida's
interior, the National Wildlife Refuge System is part of the allure,
with facilities and locations to cater to any person who wants to visit
nature.
Nationwide, more than 35 million people visit national wildlife
refuges to see some of the world's most amazing wildlife spectacles, or
to fish, hunt, photograph nature, and learn about our natural and
cultural history.
The centennial anniversary of the National Wildlife Refuge System is
a time to celebrate these natural treasures and recognize their value
to our society. Today there is a celebration of Pelican Island to
commemorate this historic day. Throughout the year, there will be other
celebrations in honor of 100 years of successful preservation. Because
National Wildlife Refuges have been such an important part of the
ecological preservation of our nation, I joined with my colleague from
Florida, Senator Nelson, in sponsoring a resolution that would reaffirm
the strong support that the National Wildlife Refuge System enjoys in
this body.
[[Page S3762]]
National Wildlife Refuges are a key component of our nation's
conservation network. Because of the establishment of the Refuge
System, wildlife of all types have a safe place to live and human
beings have a place to interact with the wildlife and nature in an
ecologically responsible way. The National Wildlife Refuge System has
had a successful 100 years and I hope we can continue to support the
system so it prospers for the next 100 years.
Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I join my colleagues from Florida in
commemorating the 100th anniversary of the founding of the National
Wildlife Refuge System. One hundred years ago, President Teddy
Roosevelt established the first wildlife refuge, Florida's 3-acre
Pelican Island. This small beginning has given rise to more than 500
National Wildlife Refuges throughout our country, demonstrating that
Americans want unique places for wildlife to flourish and allow for
recreation.
While Florida is home to the first refuge, my state of Vermont home
to two refuges, the Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge and the Silvio
O. Conte National Wildlife Refuge.
The Missisquoi Refuge, founded in 1943, was established to provide a
resting feeding area for migratory waterfowl, and as a general wildlife
refuge. It spans 6,592 acres on the eastern shore of Lake Champlain. It
is a mix of hardwood forests and open fields and home to the largest
heron rookery in Vermont. More than 200,000 ducks converge on the
refuge each fall and most of Vermont's black terns nest on the refuge.
Osprey nest on the refuge and Missisquoi River and the shoreline of
Lake Champlain provide outstanding fishing opportunities.
Our Silvio O. Conte Refuge, founded in 1997, is shared with New
Hampshire and Massachusetts. It was established to protect the
abundance and diversity of native species throughout the 7.2 million-
acre Connecticut River watershed. In addition to protecting rare
species, native plants and animals and their habitat, managers of this
refuge are working with partners throughout New England to help control
invasive species.
The wildlife and recreation opportunities provided by our refugees
are made possible by the dedication of the Fish and Wildlife Service
employees, who I could like to congratulate today. Without their
expertise and dedication to providing visitors with hunting, fishing,
wildlife observation, photography, interpretation and environmental
education opportunities, our refuge system would not be enjoying the
success we are celebrating today. They provided this public service to
more than 55,000 annual visitors at our 2 refugees and I hope that
these classrooms of natural continue to provide children and adult
alike a unique educational experience.
In addition, I would like to acknowledge the thousands of volunteers
nationwide who give their time and expertise to making the National
Wildlife Refuge experience a memorable one for all of us.
Congratulations to all involved in the National Wildlife Refuge
System.
Mr. BENNETT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the
resolution and preamble be agreed to en bloc, the motion to reconsider
be laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate, and that
any statements relating to this measure be printed in the Record.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The resolution (S. Res. 87) was agreed to.
The preamble was agreed to.
The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:
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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