[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 53 (Tuesday, March 27, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3845-S3846]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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   SENATE RESOLUTION 125--DESIGNATING MAY 18, 2007, AS ``ENDANGERED 
   SPECIES DAY'', AND ENCOURAGING THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES TO 
   BECOME EDUCATED ABOUT, AND AWARE OF, THREATS TO SPECIES, SUCCESS 
  STORIES IN SPECIES RECOVERY, AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROMOTE SPECIES 
                         CONSERVATION WORLDWIDE

  Mrs. FEINSTEIN (for herself, Ms. Collins, Mr. Feingold, Mr. Levin, 
Ms. Snowe, Mr. Kerry, Mr. Biden, Ms. Cantwell, Mr. Lieberman, Mr. 
Wyden, Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Crapo, and Mr. Sanders) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the 
Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 125

       Whereas in the United States and around the world, more 
     than 1,000 species are officially designated as at risk of 
     extinction and thousands more also face a heightened risk of 
     extinction;
       Whereas the actual and potential benefits derived from many 
     species have not yet been fully discovered and would be 
     permanently lost if not for conservation efforts;
       Whereas recovery efforts for species such as the whooping 
     crane, Kirtland's warbler, the peregrine falcon, the gray 
     wolf, the gray whale, the grizzly bear, and others have 
     resulted in great improvements in the viability of such 
     species;
       Whereas saving a species requires a combination of sound 
     research, careful coordination, and intensive management of 
     conservation efforts, along with increased public awareness 
     and education;
       Whereas two-thirds of endangered or threatened species 
     reside on private lands;
       Whereas voluntary cooperative conservation programs have 
     proven to be critical for habitat restoration and species 
     recovery; and
       Whereas education and increasing public awareness are the 
     first steps in effectively informing the public about 
     endangered species and species restoration efforts: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates May 18, 2007, as ``Endangered Species Day''; 
     and
       (2) encourages--
       (A) educational entities to spend at least 30 minutes on 
     Endangered Species Day teaching and informing students about 
     threats to, and the restoration of, endangered species around 
     the world, including the essential role of private landowners 
     and private stewardship to the protection and recovery of 
     species;
       (B) organizations, businesses, private landowners, and 
     agencies with a shared interest in conserving endangered 
     species to collaborate on educational information for use in 
     schools; and
       (C) the people of the United States to observe the day with 
     appropriate ceremonies and activities.

  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I rise today to submit a resolution to 
establish the second annual ``Endangered Species Day'' on May 18, 2007. 
I am submitting this resolution with Senators Collins, Feingold, Levin, 
Snowe, Kerry, Biden, Cantwell, Lieberman, Wyden, Clinton, Crapo, and 
Sanders whose co-sponsorship I appreciate.
  I want to commend my constituent Mr. David Robinson, who first 
suggested the establishment of an ``Endangered Species Day.'' 
Individuals like Mr. Robinson do make a difference.
  The designation of an ``Endangered Species Day'' provides a multitude 
of opportunities for young people, students, and the general public to 
learn more about endangered species both in our country and abroad.
  Last year, thirty-six events were held across the country to 
highlight endangered species success stories. The Governor of Maine, 
the Rhode Island State legislature, and the cities and counties of 
Santa Barbara, San Diego, and San Francisco also declared State and 
local Endangered Species Days. Zoos and aquariums across the country, 
such as the Roger Williams Zoo and the San Diego Zoo, also held 
educational events.
  Endangered Species Day 2006 provided an opportunity for schools, 
libraries, museums, zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens, agencies, 
businesses, community groups, and conservation organizations to educate 
the public about the importance of protecting endangered species and to 
highlight everyday actions that individuals and groups can take to help 
protect our nation's wildlife, fish, and plants.
  Based on the success of last year, I believe that ``Endangered 
Species Day'' fosters increased communication and awareness about many 
of the most endangered species by encouraging such activities as school 
field trips to the

[[Page S3846]]

zoo or attending a lecture at the local library.
  In my home State of California, I am especially proud of the 
conservation and management efforts that have helped significantly 
restore populations of California condor, winter run chinook salmon, 
the least Bell's vireo songbird, and the California gray whale.
  Despite these success stories, we need to be aware that more can be 
done. At this time, we have more than 1,800 species in the U.S. and 
abroad, which are designated as ``at risk'' for extinction. One small 
step is to increase awareness about the seriousness of the 
circumstances facing many of these endangered species and educating the 
public about these species.
  I am submitting this resolution with the hope that ``Endangered 
Species Day'' can spark the wonder and interest in our youth to 
continue the conservation efforts we have begun, but still are far from 
finishing.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution.

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