[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 85 (Tuesday, June 8, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H4225-H4227]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING THE LIFE OF JACQUES-YVES COUSTEAU

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 518) honoring the life of Jacques-Yves 
Cousteau, explorer, researcher, and pioneer in the field of marine 
conservation, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 518

       Whereas Jacques-Yves Cousteau was born on June 11, 1910, in 
     Saint-Andre-de-Cubzac, France, to Daniel and Elizabeth 
     Cousteau;
       Whereas Jacques-Yves Cousteau in 1930, after having made 
     his preparatory studies at the College Stanislas in Paris, 
     entered the Naval Academy in Brest and became an officer 
     gunner;
       Whereas after serving in the French Army during World War 
     II, he was decorated with the Legion of Honor, France's 
     highest honor;
       Whereas in 1950, Jacques-Yves Cousteau founded the French 
     Oceanographic Campaigns (COF), and he leased a ship called 
     Calypso and equipped her as a mobile laboratory for field 
     research and as a support base for diving and filming where 
     he traversed the most interesting seas of the planet as well 
     as big and small rivers;
       Whereas from 1952 to 1953, Jacques-Yves Cousteau took the 
     Calypso to the Red Sea and shot the first color footage ever 
     taken at a depth of 150 feet, for a documentary titled ``The 
     Silent World'';
       Whereas ``The Silent World'' was filmed using ground-
     breaking skin-diving gear that Cousteau invented with 
     engineer Emile Gagnan in 1943, freeing divers from heavy 
     helmets and allowing them to be free and weightless as if in 
     space;
       Whereas in 1956, ``The Silent World'' won the top award at 
     the Cannes Film Festival and the Academy Award for Best 
     Documentary Feature in the United States;
       Whereas in 1973, Jacques-Yves Cousteau created the Cousteau 
     Society for the Protection of Ocean Life;
       Whereas in 1977, Jacques-Yves Cousteau was awarded the 
     United Nations International Environment prize for 
     outstanding contributions in environmental advocacy;
       Whereas in 1977, the ``Cousteau Odyssey'' series premiered 
     on PBS, and seven years later, the ``Cousteau Amazon'' series 
     made its television premiere;
       Whereas in 1985, in honor of his achievements, Jacques-Yves 
     Cousteau received the Grand Croix dans l'Ordre National du 
     Merite from the French government and the United States 
     Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Ronald Reagan;
       Whereas throughout all of his voyages, Jacques-Yves 
     Cousteau produced over 120 films and authored or contributed 
     to roughly 50 books; and
       Whereas Jacques-Yves Cousteau passed away in Paris on June 
     25, 1997, after spending a lifetime of 87 years inventing, 
     exploring, and storytelling: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives honors the 
     life, achievements, and distinguished career of Jacques-Yves 
     Cousteau, explorer, researcher, and pioneer in the field of 
     marine conservation.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Salazar). Pursuant to the rule, the 
gentlewoman from Guam (Ms. Bordallo) and the gentleman from Utah (Mr. 
Chaffetz) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Guam.


                             General Leave

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Guam?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise in support of House Resolution 518. It's a resolution to honor 
the life and achievements of Jacques-Yves Cousteau, introduced by my 
good friend from Florida, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen.
  Mr. Cousteau spent his lifetime as a researcher, explorer, and 
pioneer in the field of marine conservation. He produced more than 120 
films, wrote more than 50 books, and was the first diver to take color 
footage at a depth over 150 feet. Mr. Cousteau's work brought the 
colorful, exotic, and unknown world of undersea life to the homes of 
people around the world and, in doing so, sparked a generation of 
conservation-minded ocean activists.
  The Cousteau Society for the Protection of Ocean Life, founded by 
Cousteau in 1973, today boasts more than 360,000 members globally. 
House Resolution 518 would officially honor the brilliant and 
inspirational work of Jacques-Yves Cousteau and recognize his 
invaluable contributions to our understanding of the world's oceans. It 
is most fitting that we honor him today, Mr. Speaker, because today is 
World Oceans Day.
  With that, I ask Members on both sides of the aisle to support the 
passage of this resolution.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to 
the author of this legislation, the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-
Lehtinen).
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend, the gentleman 
from Utah, Congressman Chaffetz, for yielding me the time.
  Mr. Speaker, as the author of House Resolution 518, I would like to 
also thank the Natural Resources Committee ranking member, Congressman 
Doc Hastings, as well as Chairman Nick Rahall for their support and 
their assistance in moving this resolution to the floor today. Today is 
World Oceans Day.
  I would also like to recognize the bipartisan support by members of 
the Natural Resources Committee, including Oceans Subcommittee chair 
Madeline Bordallo. Thank you very much, Madam Chair, and Congresswoman 
Lois Capps of California.
  Later this evening, Mr. Speaker, Congresswoman Capps and I will be 
honored by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation for our work on 
ocean issues, namely, coastal restoration and coral reef 
rehabilitation. Of course, we take inspiration from the extraordinary 
life and career of Captain Jacques-Yves Cousteau.

[[Page H4226]]

  Captain Cousteau was a pioneering explorer of the seas and of the 
many environmental issues that we face today. When explaining his 
relentless passion for ocean exploration and conservation, he said, 
``People protect what they love.''
  My congressional district, Mr. Speaker, includes the Florida Keys 
National Marine Sanctuary, one of the largest coral reef tracts in the 
world, countless species of fish and wildlife, and three national 
parks.
  Today, countless small business owners and their families are 
fighting to protect the ecosystem and the way of life that they hold 
dear. For 50 days, crude oil from the Deepwater Horizon oil rig has 
spewed 40 million gallons of oil in the Gulf of Mexico, resulting in 
the worst environmental disaster in American history.
  According to recent analysis by the University of Central Florida, 
the oil rig disaster will cost Florida's economy $2.2 billion and 
39,000 jobs in the tourism and fishing industry. I am certain that 
Captain Cousteau would be horrified by BP's nonchalance in responding 
to this crisis.
  My constituents in the beautiful Florida Keys are particularly 
frustrated and angry at the lack of transparency and lag response times 
by BP. BP must work on all fronts at once. It is responsible for 
capping the leak to prevent more oil from gushing into the gulf, and it 
must provide the financial support to those individuals whose 
livelihoods have been devastated.

                              {time}  1445

  BP and the Coast Guard must also make a stronger effort at 
coordinating with our local governments, especially in the Keys, and 
utilizing the expertise and know-how of local businessmen and 
fishermen, as well as our many research facilities in Florida's 
colleges and universities.
  As oil makes its way further into north Florida beaches, hundreds of 
fishermen, environmental activists, students, and other concerned 
residents have gathered together ready to assist in the cleanup effort. 
Commercial fishermen and charter boat captains have offered their 
assistance to lay boom and to skim oil before it reaches the shore.
  In Key West, organizations like the United Way and the Florida Keys 
Environment Coalition have gathered volunteers ready to patrol the 
shoreline for tar balls. I am so grateful for the leadership of these 
great local organizations during this crisis. Their daily activism is a 
tribute to Jacques Cousteau.
  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  House Resolution 518 recognizes the life of Jacques Cousteau for 
bringing the underwater world to the living rooms of the Nation through 
his television shows and documentaries.
  I, like countless others, was impacted by the dramatic way in which 
he showed us a world that was so foreign and so far away. The work that 
he did, with that staff and that crew, had a profound impact upon 
countless people, including myself. It's an honor to stand here in 
support of the passage of this important resolution and thank him and 
the great impact that he had for the deep appreciation and education 
that he gave relating to our oceans.
  We urge passage of this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I want to go on record to say 
that I agree with the gentlewoman from Florida that this oil spill is a 
tragedy. I will work very closely with our chairman, Mr. Nick Rahall, 
to ensure that the laws are changed to prevent such a disaster in the 
future.
  Mr. Speaker, I again urge Members to support this resolution.
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 
518, legislation honoring the life of Jacques-Yves Cousteau, explorer, 
researcher, and pioneer in the field of marine conservation.
  First I want to thank the chief architect, the gentle lady from 
Florida, Ms. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, for her leadership on this important 
resolution. I also want to thank the gentle lady from Guam, Chairwoman 
of the Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife, my good 
friend Madeleine Bordallo, and all my colleagues on the Natural 
Resources Committee for their support on H. Res. 518.
  This house resolution enjoys bi-partisan support as well as the 
blessings of the Cousteau family. And it is most fitting that we 
approve this measure to recognize the life and accomplishments of 
Jacques Cousteau on the 100th anniversary of his birth on June 11, 
1910.
  Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 518 recognizes an exceptional individual that 
has left an indelible mark on marine science, research and 
conservation. Over the span of his career, Mr. Cousteau produced over 
120 films, authored or contributed to 50 books, invented the skin 
diving gear, and was awarded the prestigious United Nations 
International Environmental prize as well as the Presidential Medal of 
Freedom from President Ronald Reagan.
  In 1952-53, Mr. Cousteau sailed to the Red Sea on the Calypso and 
filmed the first color footage ever taken at 150 feet depth. Called 
``The Silent World'', the documentary won the Academy Award for the 
Best Documentary Feature in the United States and was also awarded the 
top honor award at the Cannes Films Festival in 1956.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to know that the legacy of Cousteau lives 
on with his family. An article by Shelly Banjo in today's edition of 
the Wall Street Journal highlighted the works of Fabien Cousteau, 
grandson of Jacques Cousteau. Following the footsteps of his 
grandfather, the younger Cousteau is pursuing marine conservation 
projects to restore and protect bodies of water around the world. These 
efforts are not only important to sustain our oceans and marine 
resources, but they would also teach and educate everyone on the value 
of our oceans and aquatic life.
  At the time when our nation is facing one of its worst oil spills in 
our history, the legacy of Cousteau continues to serve as a reminder to 
all of us about the importance and values in marine conservation and 
about managing our natural resources.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 518.
  Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to offer my support for H. Res. 518, 
a resolution honoring the life and accomplishments of the great 
environmentalist Jacques Cousteau.
  Jacques Cousteau was an inventor, an explorer and a concerned citizen 
of our world.
  He invented a waterproof housing for an underwater movie camera in 
1936, and in 1943, with French engineer Emile Gagnon created the 
Aqualung, which allowed divers to swim untethered underwater for 
several hours. Cousteau fought for the French in World War II, and the 
Aqualung was used by divers to locate and remove enemy mines after the 
war.
  In 1950 he purchased the ship Calypso from which to conduct his 
explorations of the world oceans, beginning the work for which he is 
perhaps best known: bringing the excitement of the oceans to the 
public.
  He showed people around the world the beauty of ocean ecosystems--
from the Red Sea to Antarctica and from the Caribbean to the Indian 
Ocean--exploring the depths with a sense of adventure and exposing the 
oceans as the last earthy frontier to be explored.
  He also lectured, produced amazing underwater photography, and 
published many books. Two of his films, ``The Silent World'' and 
``World Without Sun'' won Academy Awards for best documentary.
  His television program, ``The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau,'' 
which aired from 1968 to 1976, won multiple Emmy's and brought the 
marvels of his expeditions and the undersea world into American homes, 
inspiring many to love the sea and to pursue careers in marine science.
  In 1974 he founded The Cousteau Society to help raise public 
awareness of ocean issues and help promote wise management of our ocean 
resources. And in 1985 he was awarded the Medal of Freedom by President 
Ronald Reagan. Finally, in 1989 he was honored by the French with 
membership in the French Academy.
  Mr. Speaker, Jacques Cousteau taught the world how to appreciate, 
understand, explore, use, and preserve the oceans. We all owe a debt of 
gratitude to him and his family for raising the public awareness and 
support for the wonder and beauty of the world's oceans.
  As we celebrate World Oceans Week, it is my hope that we can honor 
the wisdom of Jacques Cousteau by working together to improve the 
health of our oceans, so that our children and grandchildren will have 
a chance to enjoy and cherish them as he did.
  I encourage all of my colleagues to join me in supporting this 
resolution honoring the world renowned Jacques Cousteau.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Guam (Ms. Bordallo) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 518, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

[[Page H4227]]

  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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