[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 38 (Thursday, March 6, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E317]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      RECOGNIZING THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK

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                               speech of

                          HON. ADAM H. PUTNAM

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 4, 2008

  Mr. PUTNAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 
845 to bring awareness and recognize the 60th anniversary of our 
beautiful and unique Everglades National Park.
  The Everglades are truly a national treasure, an irreplaceable part 
of our national landscape with its vast wetland wilderness unlike any 
other in the world. The Everglades National Park is part of the south 
Florida ecosystem that includes over 3 million acres with subtropical 
wetland landscapes that stretch 220 miles from Orlando to Florida Bay. 
As President Truman noted when he dedicated the park in 1947, ``To its 
natural abundance we owe the spectacular plant and animal life that 
distinguishes this place from all others in our country.''
  The Everglades National Parks constitutes the largest subtropical 
wilderness in the Nation featuring slow-moving waters and provides 
critical habitat to ecosystems for countless animals including rare and 
endangered species such as the American crocodile, Florida panther, 
Western Indian manatee and more than 350 species of birds, including 
the Great Egret, Wood Stork, Swallow-tailed Kite, Cape Sable seaside 
sparrow, and Roseate Spoonbill.
  For good reason, it has been designated an International Biosphere 
Reserve, a World Heritage Site, and a Wetland of International 
Importance--in recognition of its significance to all people of the 
world.
  Many people have had a great impact on the establishment and history 
of the Everglades, including former Florida Governor Spessard Holland, 
who incidentally is a Bartow native. His work in the 1940s to secure 
thousands of acres needed for the creation of the park along with his 
25 year Senate career in which he championed and ensured resources were 
made available for projects was instrumental. He was one of the first 
great champions of the Everglades and I am so grateful for his work, 
without which, we might not be here celebrating the Park's 50th 
anniversary.
  Unfortunately, the Everglades have been negatively impacted by 
encroachment and disruption that has harmed wildlife and destroyed 
wetlands. I am pleased that Congress and the State of Florida have been 
working together through to restore and rehabilitate this treasure 
through the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, CERP. I join my 
colleagues in continued support and dedication to these efforts in the 
years to come to ensure and preserve the Everglades' majesty and beauty 
for future generations to enjoy.

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