[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 64 (Tuesday, April 22, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H2510-H2512]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE REEF

  Mr. BAIRD. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 1112) recognizing 2008 as the International Year of 
the Reef.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1112

       Whereas the International Coral Reef Initiative has 
     designated 2008 as the International Year of the Reef;
       Whereas the International Year of the Reef is a global 
     effort to raise public awareness of the value of coral reefs 
     and the significance of the threats faced by coral reef 
     systems, and to mobilize action to develop and implement 
     innovative solutions and strategies to protect and conserve 
     these important natural resources;
       Whereas over 225 organizations in 50 countries and 
     territories participated during the first International Year 
     of the Reef in 1997;
       Whereas coral reef systems provide economic, environmental, 
     and cultural benefits to millions of people around the world 
     and are vital in protecting shorelines and supporting coastal 
     economies;
       Whereas coral reef systems are the most diverse ecosystem 
     on earth, supporting at least 1,000,000 known species of 
     plants and animals and 25 percent of all marine life;
       Whereas coral reef systems contribute $375,000,000,000 each 
     year to the worldwide economy;
       Whereas over 50 percent of all federally managed fisheries 
     species in the U.S. depend upon coral reefs for part of their 
     life cycle;
       Whereas coral reef systems provide for one-fourth of the 
     total fish catch in the developing world;
       Whereas coral reefs around the world are confronted by many 
     grave threats, including destructive fishing methods, damage 
     by marine vessels and divers, development, pollution, ocean 
     acidification, increasing sea temperatures, bleaching, and 
     invasive species; and
       Whereas increased public awareness, as well as public and 
     private investment, can prevent the further degradation of 
     the world's coral reef systems in order to preserve this 
     precious resource for future generations: Now, therefore, be 
     it
       Resolved, That the United States House of Representatives--
       (1) recognizes the International Year of the Reef;
       (2) supports strong programs in environmental and marine 
     research at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
     Administration and other Federal agencies to better 
     understand the threats faced by coral reef systems;
       (3) supports the efforts of the International Coral Reef 
     Initiative to promote public awareness and encourage public 
     stewardship of the world's coral reefs; and
       (4) encourages further research and development efforts to 
     preserve coral reefs around the world.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Washington (Mr. Baird) and the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Lucas) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Washington.


                             General Leave

  Mr. BAIRD. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to 
include extraneous material on H. Res. 1112, the resolution now under 
consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Washington?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BAIRD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I am very pleased to be here today to speak in support of H. Res. 
1112, a resolution I have introduced with my friend from Illinois, Mark 
Kirk. The resolution expresses the support of the House of 
Representatives for the International Coral Reef Initiative designation 
of the year 2008 as the International Year of the Reef, and for strong 
environmental and marine research efforts that will allow us to better 
understand the threats facing the planet's coral reef systems.
  From the Great Barrier Reef that spans over 1,600 miles just off 
Australia's northeast coast, to the coral reefs found within the Red 
Sea, to the coral reef system that began forming off the Florida coast 
nearly 7,000 years ago, coral reefs are among the most vibrant and 
diverse ecosystems on the planet. Known as the Rain Forest of the Sea, 
these important treasures are not only the source of food and shelter 
to millions of sea creatures, they also provide environmental, 
cultural, and economic value for people around the world.
  However, coral reefs across the planet are in peril and face an 
uncertain future. Global estimates suggest that 10 percent of the 
earth's coral reefs have already been seriously degraded, and an even 
greater share of reefs face serious decline. Rising sea temperatures, 
damage by divers and marine vessels, pollution, and other manmade 
threats have raised the specter that over the next century, a vast 
number of the world's coral reef systems will cease to exist.
  One of the most troubling threats facing coral reefs is ocean 
acidification, a phenomenon that occurs when the ocean becomes so 
acidic that corals and other shell-making organisms are unable to 
produce the calcium carbonate or to use the calcium carbonate that they 
need to form their shells. Another disturbing trend is the onset of 
coral bleaching, which results from rising sea temperatures causing 
corals to expel the algae that live within their tissues and provide 
the corals' different colors. Once the algae has been expelled, corals 
lose their color and, lacking the nourishment provided by 
photosynthesis that algae provides, the coral dies.
  In 1994, recognizing the increasing degradation of the world reefs, 
the U.S. partnered with other countries to establish the International 
Coral Reef Initiative. Through its efforts, the International Coral 
Reef Initiative has mobilized regional and national governments to 
pursue science-based management of coral reef systems, spurred the 
establishment of coordinated coral reef protection efforts, and 
assembled organizations and stakeholders throughout the world to 
address pollution and other manmade threats that imperil the coral 
reefs of the world.
  The International Coral Reef Initiative has declared 2008 the 
International Year of the Reef. The Initiative is leading an 
international effort to continue to bring the preservation of coral 
reefs into the global spotlight so that we can do what needs to be done 
to protect these vital national resources for generations to come.
  I would like to commend the International Coral Reef Initiative for 
its efforts and express my enthusiasm for the level of interest, 
participation, and action that has been generated as a result of its 
work. I would also like to thank Chairman Gordon and Ranking Member 
Hall, as well as their staff, for bringing this resolution to the 
floor. I look forward to working with them further to ensure that the 
world's coral reefs are protected and preserved, and I urge passage of 
the resolution.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1112, 
recognizing 2008 as the International Year of the Reef. For almost 15 
years, the United States has been an active participant

[[Page H2511]]

in the protection of coral reefs around the world. In 1994, the U.S. 
was one of the founding governments of the International Coral Reef 
Initiative, ICRI. ICRI is a partnership among governments, 
international organizations, and nongovernmental organizations that 
strive to preserve coral reefs and related ecosystems. This year, the 
U.S. and Mexico share responsibilities for the joint secretariat of the 
ICRI.
  The first International Year of the Reef was designated by ICRI in 
1997, and this campaign proved to be very successful. Over 225 
organizations in more than 50 countries participated and helped raise 
awareness of the importance of coral reef conservation and catalyzed 
international conversations and national level policy initiatives. This 
was certainly true in the U.S.A. when in 1998 an executive order 
established the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force that led to coordination and 
the strengthening of U.S. Government actions to preserve and protect 
coral reef ecosystems. In 2000, this task force developed the National 
Action Plan to Conserve Coral Reefs, a comprehensive strategy to 
conserve those coral reefs.
  An example of the commitment of the U.S. Government to such coral 
reef conservation efforts included the establishment in 2006 of the 
Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument. President Bush 
set aside almost 140,000 square miles to receive the most extensive 
maritime environmental protection permitted under U.S. law. This 
national monument, which is, by the way, the largest in the U.S., 
includes a substantial number of coral reefs and related ecosystems.
  The goals of the 2008 International Year of the Reef campaign include 
strengthening awareness about the ecology, economic and cultural value 
of coral reefs; improving understanding of critical threat to reefs and 
generating both innovative and practical solutions to reduce such 
threats; and action to develop and implement effective management 
strategies for conservation and sustainable use of coral reefs.
  These worthwhile objectives will ensure the continued awareness of 
the American people in the environments that are not only beautiful, 
but provide substantial economic benefits. The National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration will lead the U.S. effort on this campaign, 
and I applaud NOAA's hard work in preserving coral reefs for the 
enjoyment of future generations. Their dedication does not go unnoticed 
in this Chamber.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support House Resolution 1112.
  And with that, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BAIRD. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Oklahoma. 
He and I have had the privilege firsthand of visiting some of the 
endangered reefs and hearing from some of the world's leading experts, 
and his eloquent comments about the leadership of our Nation in this 
regard are well put.
  I have no speakers at this time, and would reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from Washington, it has indeed 
been a pleasure to work with, and we have accomplished many things.
  With that, I would like to yield such time as he might consume to the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Kirk).
  Mr. KIRK. I thank my colleague from Oklahoma, and appreciate the 
leadership, and especially my friend from Washington for bringing 
forward this legislation. It is a strong resolution that follows up on 
a congressional recognition of 2008 as the International Year of the 
Reef in support of research and development to preserve coral reefs 
around the world.
  We all know that coral reef systems are vital to the ecology of our 
planet. They provide food and jobs and recreation to millions of people 
around the world. Most importantly, they provide key environmental 
benefits, including resistance to climate change and protection of 
shorelines from harmful erosion.
  Coral reefs and their surrounding ecosystems are now under siege. 
They face damage from marine vessels, destructive fishing methods, 
development, and especially increased ocean pollution. Climate change 
has contributed to increasing sea temperatures, which also threaten 
these critical habitats. 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 International Coral Reef Initiative deemed 2008 as the 
International Year of the Reef. It established a global campaign to 
raise awareness about the value and importance of coral reefs and their 
threats to sustainability. The effort also aims to mobilize action to 
develop and implement innovative solutions and strategies to protect 
and preserve this important natural resource.
  It's very important for the United States to lend its support and 
resources to this effort. I would also say it's very important for the 
Congress to complete its work on another piece of legislation that my 
friend and I backed, the Tropical Forest and Coral Reef Conservation 
Act, H.R. 2185. My colleague, Mr. Baird, and I supported this 
resolution, which is based on legislation coauthored by myself and Mr. 
Hastings of Florida. It would offer a key ``debt for nature swaps'' in 
developing countries to protect key coral reefs.

                              {time}  1530

  This legislation was based on work by my previous colleague, the 
former Member from Ohio, Rob Portman. We worked together since the late 
1980s to pioneer a new strategy to support international ecology; that 
is, offering reductions for the debt of developing nations in return 
for investments in protecting key ecosystems. Using this technique, we 
created the largest park in the Western Hemisphere, the Beni Biosphere 
Reserve in Bolivia.
  All combined, debt-for-nature swaps have now saved an area 50 times 
larger than Yellowstone National Park. The key addition of the Tropical 
Forest and Coral Conservation Act is to extend this debt-for-nature 
authority to the Department of the Treasury to protect coral reefs. 
This legislation passed the House overwhelmingly on October 9, 2007, 
but still remains pending in the Senate. Like so many other things, we 
would like to see the Senate complete the good work of the House of 
Representatives.
  My hope is that by passing this legislation we continue to call 
attention on the attack of coral reefs across the world, on their 
critical role in preserving the biological diversity of the world, and 
especially the United States and its Caribbean coastline, and, most 
importantly, to pass the Tropical Forest and Coral Reef Conservation 
Act, so that we can offer more than just help on a resolution, that we 
can have visible support to developing nations so that they can protect 
their coral reefs, much as the United States should do on our own 
shores. I thank the gentleman from Washington.
  Mr. BAIRD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to commend Mr. Kirk for his leadership on this 
and thank him for mentioning Representative Portman, who is really a 
champion of efforts to preserve the global environment.
  Mr. Speaker, it is entirely appropriate that we do this today, on 
Earth Day. I wore a tie which my wife gave me for Christmas which has a 
picture of my twin 3-year-old boys on it. When we talk preserving rain 
forests or preserving coral reefs, I think all of us have this 
commitment, that our children and our grandchildren should one day be 
able to enjoy these. But if we do not act promptly, quite frankly, I 
fear that they will not be able to.
  I have witnessed firsthand the degradation of some of what were the 
most the magnificent reefs on Earth. If you did not know what they are 
supposed to look like, you might not recognize the difference. But when 
you go underwater and things that are supposed to be there are not, 
species of fish, certain types of corals, gone; when you see corals 
that have been knocked over; when you see bleaching of almost every 
coral you see; when you see areas where marine anchors have been 
dragged across them; when you see areas where excessive human pressure 
in the form of divers and other things have damaged the reefs; when you 
see invasive species that are devouring some of the creatures that 
should be there; when you see runoff from nearby rivers; that is what 
is happening already. As populations grow, as temperatures increase,

[[Page H2512]]

as ocean acidification worsens, it is a very, very real possibility 
that reefs which we are able to enjoy, that countless species depend 
on, that many nations depend on for their very survival, some of the 
coastal nations, our own areas in Florida and elsewhere on the coast 
depend on for security from storms, when you see these precious 
resources in peril, it is deeply moving and profoundly troubling.
  By recognizing the International Year of the Reef, I hope we can 
follow what Mr. Kirk said and urge Congress to take more actions to 
protect these valuable resources. I am proud that we can cosponsor this 
in a bipartisan fashion, and I will urge passage.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. BAIRD. I thank the gentleman from Oklahoma, I thank Mr. Kirk and 
all the cosponsors of this resolution. Again, this resolution is 
somewhat of a symbolic act. What we really need to do in addition to 
this is support the various efforts, both nationally and 
internationally, to preserve these magnificent resources for 
generations yet to come and for the entire world.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time and would yield back 
the balance of my time and urge a ``yes'' vote.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Washington (Mr. Baird) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1112.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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