[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 26 (Monday, February 25, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E178]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             NATIONAL INVASIVE SPECIES AWARENESS WEEK 2013

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                          HON. STENY H. HOYER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, February 25, 2013

  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in recognition of National Invasive 
Species Awareness Week, which will be observed this year from March 3 
through March 8.
  Invasive plant and animal species are dangerous to regional 
ecosystems and carry with them serious negative effects on our economy. 
Already, they are a threat to 50% of federally endangered or threatened 
native species. From reduced crop yields to declines in fish 
populations, the consequences of invasive species are significant. In 
the agriculture sector alone, they have led to an annual loss in 
productivity worth $7.4 billion. Researchers estimate that invasive 
species cost the United States more than $130 billion in damages every 
year.
  National Invasive Species Awareness Week, which is sponsored by the 
Weed Sciences Society of America, Dow AgroSciences, the National 
Network of Invasive Plant Centers, the Entomological Society of 
America, APS, and the Wildlife Habitat Council, helps raise public 
consciousness about this important issue. It features workshops and 
panel discussions at the Capitol and around Washington with experts in 
invasive species containment and prevention methods--as well as 
educational programs for students and families.
  National Invasive Species Awareness Week also highlights the work of 
local, state, federal, and tribal agencies as well as efforts by 
private organizations and individuals to combat invasive species and 
preserve local and regional ecosystems.
  In the State of Maryland, we have forged strong partnerships to try 
to address the problems posed by invasive species in our state. The 
Maryland Invasive Species Council is comprised of concerned scientists, 
land managers, business people and citizens. It works closely with our 
state agencies and the United States Department of Agriculture, 
particularly the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, the United 
States Department of the Interior, and the University of Maryland. 
Committed partnerships such as these are an important part of focusing 
attention and sharing limited resources in an effort to reduce the 
spread of invasive plants, animals, and diseases.
  I am proud to support the goals of National Invasive Species 
Awareness Week, and I join with many of my colleagues in Congress in 
wishing its sponsors and participants a successful program.

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