[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 154 (Friday, November 18, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2405-E2406]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             NORTH AMERICAN POLLINATOR PROTECTION CAMPAIGN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 18, 2005

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank certain 
organizations and individuals for their outstanding work on the 
important, but often overlooked, issue of pollinators. As you know, 
pollinators are vital to food and medicine production, and their 
irreplaceable ecosystem services and declining populations merit 
attention and protection.
  I am happy to say that significant progress is being made. On October 
21, the North American Pollinator Protection Campaign, NAPPC, signed a 
joint memorandum of understanding with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service. The agreement proposes protecting pollinators on the nearly 
100 million acres of habitat over which the Fish and Wildlife Service 
has jurisdiction. These lands, combined with another 200 million acres 
protected by the U.S. Forest Service, attest to the growing momentum 
behind this issue.
  The successes of these organizations are impressive and encouraging, 
as is the dedication of certain individuals. On October 20, four such 
individuals were awarded the First Annual NAPPC Pollinator Advocate 
Award.
  Don Pedro Cahun Uh, of Mexico, was recognized for his outstanding 
efforts to preserve not only traditional Mayan culture, but also the 
declining populations of the Yucatan Peninsula's native stingless bees.
  Dale Bosworth, chief of the USDA Forest Service, pioneered pollinator 
awareness among U.S. Government agencies and paved the way for the 
protection of native plants and their pollinators on almost 200 million 
acres of land.
  Bruce Knight, chief of the USDA Natural Resource Conservation 
Service, exhibited exemplary leadership in the creation of a highly 
successful pollinator habitat program.
  Ron Krystynak, of the Canadian Embassy, was recognized for taking a 
lead role in North American pollinator conservation, and for his 
holistic approach to sustainable agriculture and ecology.
  These individuals represent a variety of perspectives and a 
singularly effective leadership on this issue. Their achievements will 
carry us closer to the goal of sustainable ecosystems and communities.

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