[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 61 (Thursday, April 17, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3162-S3163]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   SENATE RESOLUTION 520--DESIGNATING MAY 16, 2008, AS ``ENDANGERED 
                             SPECIES DAY''

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

                              S. Res. 520

       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;

[[Page S3163]]

       Whereas the actual and potential benefits that may be 
     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 \2/3\ of endangered or threatened species reside on 
     private lands;
       Whereas voluntary cooperative conservation programs have 
     proven to be critical to 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 16, 2008, as ``Endangered Species Day''; 
     and
       (2) encourages schools to spend at least 30 minutes on 
     Endangered Species Day teaching and informing students 
     about--
       (A) threats to endangered species around the world; and
       (B) efforts to restore endangered species, including the 
     essential role of private landowners and private stewardship 
     in the protection and recovery of species; and
       (3) encourages organizations, businesses, private 
     landowners, and agencies with a shared interest in conserving 
     endangered species to collaborate in developing educational 
     information for use in schools; and
       (4) encourages the people of the United States--
       (A) to become educated about, and aware of, threats to 
     species, success stories in species recovery, and 
     opportunities to promote species conservation worldwide; and
       (B) to observe the day with appropriate ceremonies and 
     activities.

  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce a resolution 
to establish the third annual Endangered Species Day on May 16, 2008. I 
am introducing this resolution with Senators Collins, Cantwell, 
Lieberman, Clinton, Kerry, Brown, Snowe, Levin, Boxer, and Feingold 
whose co-sponsorship I appreciate.
  I want to commend my constituent, Mr. David Robinson, who first 
suggested the establishment of an Endangered Species Day. Mr. Robinson 
is an example of people who really do make a difference.
  The designation of Endangered Species Day will provide many wonderful 
opportunities for the public to familiarize themselves with the status 
and recovery efforts of endangered species in our country and around 
the world.
  Last year, more than 50 events were held across the country to 
highlight endangered species success stories. The Governor of Maine, 
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 Wild Animal Park, also held educational events.
  Based on the success of last year, I am confident that the events of 
this year's Endangered Species Day will continue to foster increased 
communication and awareness about many of the most endangered species 
by encouraging such activities as school field trips to the zoo or 
attending a lecture at the local library. In my city of San Francisco, 
the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and the Farralones National 
Marine Sanctuary plan to hold special tours and viewings of endangered 
species to commemorate this special day.
  Endangered Species recovery programs in California are examples of 
the conservation and management efforts that have helped significantly 
restore populations of California condor, the least Bell's vireo 
songbird, and the California gray whale. Over 300 species classified as 
either endangered or threatened currently call California home, and 
efforts to protect them will ensure that they continue to do so.
  Despite these success stories, we need to be aware that more can be 
done. At this time, we have more than 5,000 threatened species in the 
U.S. and abroad, which receive protection. One small step is to 
increase awareness about the seriousness of the circumstances facing 
many of these endangered species and educating the public about them.
  I am introducing this bill 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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