[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 71 (Thursday, May 17, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S3288]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   SENATE RESOLUTION 467--DESIGNATING MAY 18, 2012, AS ``ENDANGERED 
                             SPECIES DAY''

  Mr. WHITEHOUSE (for himself, Mr. Akaka, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Cardin, 
Ms. Collins, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Kerry, Mr. Lautenberg, Mr. Levin, Mr. 
Lieberman, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Reed of Rhode Island, Mr. Sanders, Ms. 
Snowe, and Mrs. Boxer) submitted the following resolution; which was 
referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 467

       Whereas nearly 2,000 species worldwide are listed as 
     threatened or endangered, and many more face a heightened 
     risk of extinction;
       Whereas the actual and potential benefits that may be 
     derived from many species have not yet been fully discovered 
     and would be permanently lost if not for conservation 
     efforts;
       Whereas recovery efforts for species such as the bald 
     eagle, the whooping crane, the gray whale, the American 
     alligator, the peregrine falcon, the Louisiana black bear, 
     and others have resulted in great improvements in the 
     viability of those species;
       Whereas saving a species requires a combination of sound 
     research, careful coordination, and intensive management of 
     conservation efforts, along with increased public awareness 
     and education;
       Whereas voluntary cooperative conservation programs have 
     proven to be critical to habitat restoration and species 
     recovery; and
       Whereas education and increasing public awareness are the 
     first steps in effectively informing the public about 
     endangered species and species restoration efforts: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates May 18, 2012, as ``Endangered Species Day'';
       (2) encourages schools to spend at least 30 minutes on 
     Endangered Species Day teaching and informing students 
     about--
       (A) threats to endangered species around the world; and
       (B) efforts to restore endangered species, including the 
     essential role of private landowners and private stewardship 
     in the protection and recovery of species;
       (3) encourages organizations, businesses, private 
     landowners, and agencies with a shared interest in conserving 
     endangered species to collaborate in developing educational 
     information for use in schools; and
       (4) encourages the people of the United States--
       (A) to become educated about, and aware of, threats to 
     species, success stories in species recovery, and 
     opportunities to promote species conservation worldwide; and
       (B) to observe Endangered Species Day with appropriate 
     ceremonies and activities.

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