[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 60 (Tuesday, April 27, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E679]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNITION FOR THE INTERCULTURAL CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF DESERTS AND 
                                 OCEANS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GABRIELLE GIFFORDS

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 27, 2010

  Ms. GIFFORDS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
outstanding achievements of the Intercultural Center for the Study of 
Deserts and Oceans, also known as CEDO--El Centro de Estudios de 
Desiertos y Oceanos.
  On May 1 2010, CEDO celebrates 30 years of exploring and helping to 
protect the creatures, habitats and cultures of the Sonoran Desert and 
the Sea of Cortez. Its educational and research facility is located on 
the Sea of Cortez in Puerto Penasco, Sonora, Mexico, where students and 
visitors alike are exposed to its essential work to preserve this 
fragile ecosystem.
  CEDO was envisioned in 1975 when Peggy Turk Boyer, CEDO's executive 
director, first visited Puerto Penasco with professors John Hendrickson 
and Don Thomson of the University of Arizona's Ecology and Evolutionary 
Biology Department, as part of the University of Arizona's marine 
biology program.
  CEDO opened its doors in 1980. Since then, thousands of people have 
participated in CEDO's research, education and conservation programs. 
CEDO's biological field station annually provides hands-on marine 
studies to hundreds of university students and researchers. CEDO also 
has expanded its outreach by offering school field trips, eco 
adventures, summer camps for young marine biologists and community 
education programs.
  Gus, a 13 year old who spent time at CEDO, spoke for many others who 
have enjoyed the incredible opportunities that are available there. Gus 
wrote ``in one small trip, I experienced a colossal adventure. It's not 
every day that you get to do something as magical as I was able to do, 
but luckily, CEDO is dedicated to bringing people closer to nature and 
all of its creatures. I have gained a new determination to protect the 
beauty of Puerto Penasco and its unique environment. I believe that 
ordinary people, such as you and me, are the key to conserving the Sea 
of Cortez's irreplaceable natural wonder. Together, we can save the 
Sea. Thank you CEDO for your wonderful contributions to conservation.''
  The CEDO vision is that all residents and visitors to the Northern 
Gulf understand, appreciate and participate in sustainable activities 
and actions that support a healthy, thriving and productive ecosystem. 
CEDO seeks to learn about the region through research, share the fruits 
of that research through educational activities and then use this 
knowledge to bring people together to help protect this unique and 
irreplaceable ecosystem.
  Today, CEDO is working with researchers and fishermen in the Sea of 
Cortez to protect the Vaquita porpoise--the world's smallest and most 
endangered marine mammal species. Only about 200 Vaquitas remain--down 
two-thirds from a decade ago. CEDO is helping design a new type of net 
that will protect the Vaquitas and works with fishermen so they 
understand how they can ply their trade without harming the few 
remaining Vaquitas.
  The research and educational efforts of the Intercultural Center for 
the Study of Deserts and Oceans have substantially improved the 
biological health and the sustainability of the Sea of Cortez. CEDO 
also understands the importance of collaboration with other entities. 
More than forty funding and program partners are part of the diverse 
CEDO network.
  CEDO is doing critical conservation work for all of us and we look 
forward to everything that it will accomplish in the next 30 years. I 
commend the dedicated staff, board members and volunteers whose 
dedication sustains this essential environmental organization.

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