[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 74 (Monday, May 7, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E975]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  TO REAUTHORIZE THE TROPICAL FOREST CONSERVATION ACT AND EXPAND THE 
PROGRAM TO INCLUDE THE CONSERVATION OF ALL FORESTS AND CORAL REEFS AND 
                   ASSOCIATED COASTAL MARINE RESOUCES

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                         HON. MARK STEVEN KIRK

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 7, 2007

  Mr. KIRK. Madam Speaker, today I introduce a bill to reauthorize and 
expand Rob Portman's landmark legislation, the Tropical Forest 
Conservation Act. This reauthorization will help developing countries 
reduce foreign debt and provide comprehensive environmental 
preservation programs to protect forests and endangered marine habitats 
around the world.
  Since enacted in 1998, Tropical Forest Conservation Act programs have 
generated a total of $135 million over 10 to 25 years to help conserve 
50 million acres of tropical forests in Asia, the Caribbean, Central 
and South America. But the rate of deforestation continues to 
accelerate across the globe in all types of forests.
  Similarly alarming is the rapid rate of coral reef and coastal 
exploitation. The burden of foreign debt falls especially hard on the 
smallest of nations, such as island nations in the Caribbean and 
Pacific. With few natural resources, these nations often resort to 
harvesting or otherwise exploiting coral reefs and other marine 
habitats to earn hard currency to service foreign debt. According to 
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 60 percent of the 
world's coral reefs may be destroyed by the year 2050 if the present 
rate of destruction continues.
  The Forest and Coral Conservation Act will credit qualified 
developing nations for each dollar spent on a comprehensive reef 
preservation or management program designed to protect these unique 
ecosystems from degradation. This legislation will make available 
resources for environmental stewardship that would otherwise be of the 
lowest priority in a developing country. It will reduce debt by 
investing locally in programs that will strengthen indigenous economies 
by creating long-term management policies that will preserve the 
natural resources upon which local commerce is based.
  Madam Speaker, this legislation has enormous consequences for the 
existence of critical ecosystems, the health of our planet, and the 
livelihoods of millions of people across the globe. I am proud to 
introduce the Forest and Coral Conservation Act, which will help 
preserve the world's most precious natural resources.

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