[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 127 (Friday, August 3, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1724]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF GENOA NATIONAL FISH HATCHERY

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                             HON. RON KIND

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 2, 2007

  Mr. KIND. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Genoa 
National Fish Hatchery for 75 years of dedicated aquatic resource 
conservation.
  Established in 1932 through the Upper Mississippi River Wildlife and 
Fish Act, Genoa National Fish Hatchery is one of 69 Federal hatcheries 
managed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. The location was selected 
because of its proximity to the Mississippi River and its reliable 
source of broodfish and artesian well water, both of which are used to 
raise fish and fill ponds. Hatchery construction was completed in 1939 
by Franklin Delano Roosevelt's Works Progress Administration during the 
Great Depression.
  To support ongoing fish management and restoration programs, Genoa 
provides millions of eggs, fry, and fingerlings to State fishery 
stations, Federal hatcheries, National Wildlife refuges, Department of 
Army installations, and seven Native American Tribes.
  Genoa's location and its ability to create different rearing 
environments and water temperatures makes it one of the most diverse 
hatcheries in the Nation. Nineteen ponds ranging in size from one-tenth 
of one acre to thirty-three acres, six raceways, and seven intensive 
rearing buildings make it capable of collecting, culturing, and rearing 
cold, cool, and warm water fish species. Genoa raises, holds, and rears 
more species of fish and freshwater mussels than almost any other 
Federal fish hatchery in the Nation.
  Genoa's mission has changed and evolved over the years. Initially, 
its purpose was to raise bass and panfish for area waters. In the 
1950s, it evolved to sportfish restoration, predominantly northern pike 
and walleye. As science developed and needs for fishery conservation in 
the country changed, so did the hatchery's mission. In the 1990s, the 
value of hatcheries as important tools for recovering and restoring 
threatened and endangered fish and aquatic species was recognized. 
Genoa expanded its traditional missions to include recovering and 
restoring endangered mussels, lake sturgeon and coaster brook trout. 
Today, eggs, and fry are still provided to State conservation agencies 
to assist them in their fishery management programs.
  On multiple occasions, I toured this amazing facility and witnessed 
the ongoing and award-winning research performed by its hardworking, 
dedicated staff. Two staff members have received awards this year 
through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Doug Aloisi received the 
Project Leader of the Year Award for his leadership on imperiled native 
mussels and lake sturgeon and his strong outreach efforts. Roger Gordon 
received the National Recovery Champion Award for being the driving 
force behind mussel conservation. I am proud to have the hatchery in 
Wisconsin's Third Congressional District.

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