[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 22 (Wednesday, February 4, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E212]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  INTRODUCTION OF THE CORAL REEF CONSERVATION ACT REAUTHORIZATION AND 
                     ENHANCEMENT AMENDMENTS OF 2009

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 4, 2009

  Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, today I have reintroduced a bill to 
amend and reauthorize the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000. In the 
110th Congress, I joined my colleague, Congressman Eni Faleomavaega of 
American Samoa, in introducing H.R. 1205, the ``Coral Reef Conservation 
Amendments Act of 2007'', which the House of Representatives passed by 
voice vote on October 22, 2007. The bill I have introduced today, with 
Congressman Faleomavaega and 15 other colleagues, strengthens H.R. 1205 
without changing its original intent.
  Conservation of coral reef ecosystems is essential to protect public 
health, promote environmental sustainability, and ensure long-term 
economic progress for the jurisdictions we represent in Congress. The 
sovereign waters of the United States off the coast of Guam, and in the 
Pacific region as a whole, contain a majority of the shallow-water 
coral reefs in the United States, as well as some of the world's 
greatest coral reef biodiversity. These reefs, and reefs around the 
world, protect us from storm waves, provide habitat and shelter for 
fisheries, provide food and recreation for our residents, and are the 
basis for marine tourism industries.
  Today, however, various pressures on the world's reefs threaten to 
destroy them and the numerous ecosystem services that they provide. 
Unless the United States acts in conjunction with the global community 
to support focused, prolonged action on coral reef education, research, 
and management, the condition of our coral reefs will continue to 
degrade.
  Since its enactment in 2000, the Coral Reef Conservation Act has 
stimulated a greater commitment to protect, conserve, and restore coral 
reef resources within jurisdictional waters of the United States. As a 
result, we now have a much better grasp of the condition of our coral 
reefs, and more focused management capability than at any time in our 
history. The Coral Reef Conservation Act Reauthorization and 
Enhancement Amendments of 2009 would further strengthen the original 
legislation by establishing a new community-based planning grants 
program, by promoting international cooperation, and by recognizing the 
important contributions of the U.S. Department of the Interior in coral 
reef management and conservation efforts.
  This bill would also codify the United States Coral Reef Task Force 
established in 1998 by President Clinton through Executive Order 13089. 
The work of the Task Force and its mission to coordinate the efforts of 
the United States in promoting conservation and the sustainable use of 
coral reefs internationally is vital to our interests. Since 1998, the 
Task Force has acted to facilitate and support better management and 
conservation of coral reef resources at the local level. Many 
beneficial efforts, such as the development and implementation of local 
action strategies to address threats to our reefs, are underway thanks 
to the work of the Task Force and its member agencies.
  I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the 
aisle to advance this legislation to enhance our capacity for the 
conservation and restoration of healthy and diverse coral reef 
ecosystems, our ``Rainforests of the Sea''.

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