[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 109 (Thursday, September 7, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1675]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNITION OF PETE HOSKINS, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE PHILADELPHIA ZOO

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                           HON. CHAKA FATTAH

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 7, 2006

  Mr. FATTAH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Alexander L. (Pete) 
Hoskins, who has diligently served as President and CEO of the 
Philadelphia Zoo for the past 12 years. Pete is the Zoo's 12th 
president and the fourth-longest serving leader since it opened in 
1874. America's first zoo and one of the region's foremost conservation 
organizations, the Philadelphia Zoo is home to more than 1,500 animals, 
many of which are rare and endangered. The Zoo, fulfilling its mission 
of conservation, science, education and recreation, supports and 
engages in conservation efforts to protect endangered species around 
the world.
  I am proud to have known Pete, not only as head of the Zoo, but also 
during his tenure at the Fairmount Park Commission and the City of 
Philadelphia. Pete has been serving the citizens of Greater 
Philadelphia for over 30 years. His vision and cultural destination 
advocacy reaches beyond the Zoo. He championed a plan to promote a 
network of family-friendly attractions in Fairmount Park, revitalizing 
the Park and positioning it as a family destination with the Zoo as 
anchor. The relocated Please Touch Museum will be a key step in making 
the ``Centennial District'' a reality. I am pleased that Pete, farmer 
chair of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, will continue to 
work on behalf of the arts and culture community in the Philadelphia 
region.
  During his tenure at the Zoo, Pete led an unprecedented, $100 million 
capital investment, including the Zoo's spectacular, $20 million Bank 
of America Big Cat Falls exhibit that recently opened. The list of new 
facilities and other Hoskins-led initiatives includes: New Animal 
Health Center, PECO Primate Reserve, Reptile House Renovation, Dodge 
Rare Animal Conservation Center, Lorikeet Landing, Monkey Junction, and 
Channel 6 Zooballoon.
  Pete also has laid the foundation to raise capital for three more 
master plan projects, including a series of new bird exhibits, a new 
elephant habitat, and a new children's zoo. In 1997, he guided the 
Zoo's Board and staff through the development of ``Vision 2020'' and 
the Zoo's master plan as the Zoo renewed and strengthened its mission 
to educate visitors and inspire them to take action in their own lives 
to protect animals and their natural habitats. All of the Zoo's new 
exhibits now include key conservation messages and opportunities to 
engage in conservation outreach.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to pay tribute to Pete Hoskins. His 
knowledge, dedication and vision for Philadelphia are truly an asset. I 
would like to thank him for his Zoo leadership and sincerely look 
forward to working with him for the betterment of Philadelphia into the 
future.

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