[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 44 (Thursday, March 12, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E664]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




INTRODUCTION OF THE MULTINATIONAL SPECIES CONSERVATION FUNDS SEMIPOSTAL 
                       STAMP ACT: MARCH 12, 2009

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. HENRY E. BROWN, JR.

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 12, 2009

  Mr. BROWN of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to introduce 
legislation today to financially assist some of the most endangered, 
charismatic and landmark wildlife species on this planet.
  This measure is modeled after highly successful efforts to raise 
money for breast cancer research, to fund domestic violence prevention 
programs and to assist the families of rescue workers killed or 
disabled in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
  Under the terms of my proposal, the U.S. Postal Service would issue a 
semipostal stamp depicting highly imperiled African and Asian 
elephants, Rhinoceros, Tigers, Great Apes and Marine turtles. The stamp 
would be issued at a premium price so that the Postal Service could 
recapture their costs and would provide any additional revenues to the 
Multinational Species Conservation Funds.
  While it is unclear how much money would be raised through the sale 
of semipostal wildlife stamps, we do know that since 1998, 802 million 
breast cancer stamps have been sold to the public which has raised a 
remarkable $59.5 million for critical breast cancer research. It is 
also important to note that these new wildlife stamps will not replace 
or undermine the breast cancer stamps which by law will be available 
until at least December 31, 2011. I am also convinced that stamp 
enthusiasts will not only buy more breast cancer stamps but will 
purchase wildlife flagship species stamps.
  For the past twenty years, the United States Congress has enacted 
Multinational Species Conservation Funds to assist African and Asian 
elephants, Rhinoceros, Tigers, Great Apes and Marine Turtles. Money 
appropriated to these funds are the only continuous source of revenue 
in the world for these species and approved conservation projects have 
stopped several of these animals from sliding toward extinction. 
Nevertheless, there is no denying that there are now less than 40,000 
Asian elephants, 15,000 Rhinoceros and 5,000 tigers living in the wild 
and that six of the seven species of marine turtles are highly 
endangered. Without further assistance several of these species will 
disappear in our lifetime and it is, therefore, essential that new 
creative funding mechanisms be developed to save these imperiled 
species. The semipostal wildlife stamp has the potential to raise 
millions of dollars at no cost to the U.S. taxpayer.
  Since 1988, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has funded more than 
1,600 conservation projects to assist these species. What is not well 
known, however, is that the agency was unable to support an additional 
1,300 meritorious projects which could well determine whether these 
species survive in the future.
  Since coming to Congress, I have worked together with a number of 
conservation organizations to establish and extend funding for the 
Multinational Species Conservation Funds. I am pleased that 24 
conservation organizations have endorsed this legislation including the 
African Wildlife Foundation, American
  Veterinary Medical Association, the Association of Zoos and 
Aquariums, Born Free USA, Caribbean Conservation Corporation, Cheetah 
Conservation Fund, Conservation International, Defenders of Wildlife, 
Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, Fauna and Flora International, 
Feld Entertainment, Humane Society of the United States, Humane Society 
International, International Elephant Foundation, International Fund 
for Animal Welfare, International Rhino Foundation, Jane Goodall 
Institute, The Nature Conservancy, Ocean Conservancy, Safari Club 
International, Wildlife Alliance, Wildlife Conservation Society, The 
WILD Foundation, and the World Wildlife Fund. These diverse groups 
which represent tens of millions of people understand that additional 
funding for these landmark species is essential.
  Finally, I would like to thank my Subcommittee Chairwoman Madeleine 
Bordallo, the former Chairmen of the Committee on Natural Resources, 
Congressmen Don Young and George Miller, Congressman Ron Kind, 
Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack, Congressman Peter King, Congressman John 
Tanner and Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen for joining with me as co-
sponsors of the Multinational Species Conservation Funds Semipostal 
Stamp Act.

                          ____________________