[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 27 (Friday, February 18, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E291-E292]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             FULL-YEAR CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2011

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 16, 2011

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 1) making 
     appropriations for the Department of Defense and the other 
     departments and agencies of the Government for the fiscal 
     year ending September 30, 2011, and for other purposes:

  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Chair, I rise today in strong support of this 
amendment to prevent federal funds from being used to open the Chicago 
area locks to protect the Great Lakes from the threat of Asian Carp.
  The Great Lakes are among our nation's most precious natural 
resources. They provide recreation and enjoyment for countless families 
in our region, and support more than $7 billion in fishing and 
approximately 800,000 jobs.
  Mr. Chair, this important resource is currently under great threat. 
The dangerously invasive Asian Carp is moving quickly towards the Great 
Lakes. These ravenous fish can grow as large as 100 pounds, will eat 
nearly everything in their path and have no known

[[Page E292]]

natural predators. If these fish are not stopped, we are risking the 
destruction of the delicate ecosystem of the Great Lakes and the 
countless industries and communities that rely upon them.
  Mr. Chair, current efforts to stop the Asian Carp are not getting the 
job done. Indeed, last year a live Carp was found well beyond the 
electronic barriers and only 6 miles from Lake Michigan. Despite the 
imminent threat, the Supreme Court has refused to consider Michigan's 
request to close the Chicago locks. Congress must act now; there is no 
time to lose. The Chicago-area locks must be kept closed to protect our 
region from this grave danger.
  I commend my colleague Congressman Camp for introducing this 
important amendment to keep the Chicago area locks closed and protect 
our Great Lakes. I urge my colleagues to join us in protecting these 
great bodies of water. We cannot allow the Great Lakes to become a 
smorgasbord for the Asian Carp. We must act now so that our communities 
and industries can continue to rely on these great bodies for 
generations to come.

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