[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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