[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 72 (Tuesday, May 12, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S5394]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        DESIGNATING MAY 15, 2009, AS ``ENDANGERED SPECIES DAY''

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Judiciary 
Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 121.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The clerk 
will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 121) designating May 15, 2009 as 
     ``Endangered Species Day.''

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution 
be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be 
laid upon the table, that there be no intervening action or debate, and 
any statements relating to this matter be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 121) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 121

       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;
       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 15, 2009, as ``Endangered Species Day'';
       (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;
       (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.

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