[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 100 (Wednesday, June 30, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1253]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  SUPPORTING NATIONAL POLLINATOR WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 29, 2010

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, pollinators play a key role in the 
support of our ecosystem and agricultural production. Most Americans 
don't realize the day-to-day impact that bees, bats, birds, butterflies 
and other pollinators have on our crops, family gardens and natural 
habitats, but nearly 75 percent of the world's flowering plants and 
two-thirds of our agricultural crops depend on pollinators for 
survival. One out of every three bites of food we eat exists because of 
pollinators.
  Pollinator species, especially bees, bats and butterflies, are 
extremely sensitive to changes in their environment. In particular, 
Colony Collapse Disorder is threatening entire varieties of bees, 
including three that have recently been added to the endangered species 
list. One-third of all bee colonies in the United States did not 
survive the 2010 winter. As most pollinators are ``indicator species,'' 
their declining numbers provide cause for concern and should encourage 
us to examine how changing climate, increased pollution levels, and the 
increased use of toxic products and genetically modified crops is 
impacting our environment and our economy.
  I applaud the goals of National Pollinator Week and look forward to 
working with my colleagues on the newly formed Pollinator Protection 
Caucus.

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