[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 78 (Friday, May 21, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E912]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                         ENDANGERED SPECIES DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 21, 2010

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate 
Endangered Species Day. I hope that events around the country continue 
to be successful. It is important to shed light on success stories 
about recovering species and the importance of continued protection of 
those at risk.
  The protection of endangered species has become increasingly relevant 
in our country and around the world in the past century. In the early 
1970s, Congress passed the Endangered Species Act to protect plant and 
animal life from reaching the brinks of extinction. This act has been 
further developed and amended since its original enactment to protect 
and preserve more species and the habitats they depend on.
  To date, the Endangered Species Act has shown great progress and 
results. Almost 50 species have been recovered and delisted, while 23 
other species have been reclassified from endangered to threatened. 
According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Endangered Species 
Act has saved more than 99 percent of its listed species from 
extinction.
  Endangered Species Day was created in 2006 to recognize the national 
conservation effort to protect our nation's endangered species and 
their habitats. Local zoos, schools, libraries, museums, and community 
organizations around the country have taken the opportunity to host 
educational activities and events to generate awareness about the 
importance of protecting endangered species worldwide.
  In spite of these successes, we are still losing species at alarming 
rates. Worldwide, more than 16,000 species are threatened with 
extinction. Up to one-third of U.S. species are at increased risk of 
extinction, and more than 1,300 U.S. plants and animals have already 
been federally listed as threatened or endangered, and protected under 
the Endangered Species Act.
  As a Floridian, I am particularly concerned about endangered species 
in the Everglades. Florida has the third highest number of endangered 
species in the nation. Of the 108 species listed under the Endangered 
Species Act throughout Florida, 65 of them are located in the 
Everglades. If we do not act fast, we may lose some of our most 
incredible species, such as the Florida panther, the woodrat and the 
manatee.
  Madam Speaker, it is crucial to protect the diversity of our planet's 
species and educate ourselves about the issues and challenges affecting 
these species and their habitats. Wildlife conservation must continue 
to be one of our top priorities. I urge my colleagues to join me in 
celebrating Endangered Species Day and continuing to promote wildlife 
conservation.