[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 44 (Thursday, March 12, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S3090]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   SENATE RESOLUTION 75--COMMEMORATING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 
         FOUNDING OF THE PHILADELPHIA ZOO: AMERICA'S FIRST ZOO

  Mr. SPECTER (for himself and Mr. Casey) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                               S. Res. 75

       Whereas Dr. William Camac, a legendary Philadelphia 
     physician, led a concerned community of citizens, educators, 
     and scientists to charter the Zoological Society of 
     Philadelphia--America's First Zoo--on March 21, 1859, housed 
     on a bucolic, 44-acre property in Fairmount Park along the 
     West Bank of the Schuylkill River;
       Whereas the Philadelphia Zoo has emerged over the past 
     century as a national and global treasure and as one of 
     Philadelphia's most cherished, enduring, and significant 
     educational, scientific, and conservation institutions and 
     cultural attractions;
       Whereas the Philadelphia Zoo was the site for breakthrough 
     research that led to the award of the 1976 Nobel Prize for 
     Medicine;
       Whereas since its inception, the Philadelphia Zoo, through 
     its myriad research and curatorial activities, has 
     consistently and successfully protected, promoted, and 
     preserved numerous rare and endangered wildlife species 
     around the world;
       Whereas since its landmark gates opened to the general 
     public, the Philadelphia Zoo has welcomed more than 
     100,000,000 visitors, including millions of school children 
     from the greater Philadelphia community over generations; and
       Whereas the Philadelphia Zoo's sesquicentennial on March 
     21, 2009 is an achievement of historic proportions for 
     Philadelphia, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the United 
     States, and the world conservation community: Now, therefore, 
     be it
       Resolved, That the Senate recognizes the 150th anniversary 
     of the founding of the Philadelphia Zoo on March 21, 2009.

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