[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 111 (Friday, July 22, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1388-E1389]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2012

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. MARCY KAPTUR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 21, 2011

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2551) making 
     appropriations for the Legislative Branch for the fiscal year 
     ending September 30, 2012, and for other purposes:

  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Chair, I rise today in strong opposition to the 
amendments that would reduce funding appropriated in H.R. 2551, the 
Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2012 for the U.S. Botanic 
Garden.
  As you may know, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and James 
Madison initially had the idea of starting a national botanic garden 
and helped to establish one on the National Mall in 1820. It is a 
keystone on our mall and belongs to the American people. The mission of 
the U.S. Botanic Garden is to demonstrate the aesthetic, cultural, 
economic, therapeutic and ecological importance of plants to the well-
being of humankind. It is a national and global center for learning 
about how to sustain life on our planet, especially as climate changes 
and new challenges confront our society's plant life.
  According to the Architect of the Capitol, approximately 1 million 
people visit the U.S. Botanic Garden each year. About 12,000 different 
plant accessions comprising more than 60,000 plants are displayed for 
exhibition, study, conservation and exchange with other institutions. 
The Botanic Garden is America's encyclopedia for sustaining production 
and life itself.
  In addition to displaying some of the world's most rare and 
endangered plants, the U.S. Botanic Garden provides numerous 
educational opportunities through its partnerships, workshops, 
lectures, tours and demonstrations. Some specific education programs 
include the opportunity to earn a Certification in Botanical Art and 
Illustration, the Junior Botanist Program and several hands-on 
activities exploring plant materials. The Gardner instructs the next 
generation with partnerships across our nation.
  Mr. Chair, we are still in the midst of the worst economic crisis 
since the Great Depression, and a series of odd weather events. The 
U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics 
Service reports that greenhouse, nursery and floriculture operations 
account for 2.5 percent of all U.S. farms but employ nearly 5 percept 
of hired farm workers. This sector has a sales value of $16.6 Billion. 
It is a one-of-a-kind endowment America depends on.

[[Page E1389]]

  From my perspective, it is vitally important that we continue to 
support institutions such as the U.S. Botanic Garden not only because 
of its ability to preserve rare and vital plants essential to life but 
also for its potential to inspire the entrepreneurial spirit. We know 
its visitors will one day lead to increased economic output and job 
creation in the agricultural sector of our economy so dependent on 
innovation and advanced technology.
  Therefore, I urge my colleagues to reject any amendment that would 
reduce funding to the U.S. Botanic Garden.

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