[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 106 (Tuesday, July 23, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1119]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 INTRODUCING THE WILDLIFE VETERINARIANS EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING ACT OF 
                                  2013

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 23, 2013

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the 
Wildlife Veterinarians Employment and Training Act of 2013. This 
legislation will serve as a source of job growth, promote robust public 
health policy, and develop affordable opportunities for individuals who 
are interested in becoming wildlife and zoological veterinarians.
  Wildlife and zoo veterinarians are the primary source of essential 
health care and management for wild animals in their natural habitat 
and in captivity. Not only do these physicians preserve natural 
resources and the lives of animals, but they subsequently help protect 
human health by preventing, detecting and responding to exotic and 
dangerous diseases.
  With the intensification of global interaction between humans, 
livestock and wildlife, the threat posed by emerging infectious 
diseases to humans and wildlife continues to increase. Controlling 
these pandemic and large-scale outbreaks of disease has become more 
problematic and much more pertinent of an issue. However, the United 
States faces a shortage of positions for wildlife and zoo veterinarians 
to ensure our safety from this threat.
  Following graduation, professionals practicing wildlife and 
zoological veterinary medicine go on to earn relatively low salaries, 
compared to their companions in animal medicine. Studies also show that 
on average, veterinarian graduates owe roughly $130,000 in student 
loans. The reality of a low salary, combined with high educational 
debt, amidst scarce employment opportunities, discourages students from 
pursuing these important careers. Furthermore, due to the severe lack 
of practical training and formal educational programs specializing in 
wildlife and zoological veterinary medicine, graduates are unable to 
make significant contributions to the field.
  My bill will directly address these issues which prevent and dissuade 
veterinarians from practicing wildlife and zoological medicine. It will 
contribute to the national job creation effort by funding new positions 
for wildlife and zoo veterinarians to enter upon graduation. The bill 
will also limit the amount of educational debt for students while 
providing incentives to practice wildlife and zoo veterinary medicine 
through the establishment of scholarships and loan repayment programs. 
Lastly, my legislation will advance education by helping schools 
develop pilot curricula around wildlife and zoo veterinary medicine and 
by expanding the number of practical training programs available to 
students.
  Mr. Speaker, we have reached a point in our history when we can no 
longer ignore the importance of protecting wildlife, domestically and 
internationally. Wild animals play a very critical role in our natural 
resources and contribute to maintaining a balanced ecosystem. With an 
increasing number of endangered species, invasive non-native species, 
and infectious disease threats, wildlife and zoological veterinarians 
must be prioritized and given the resources and recognition necessary 
to protect both animal and human lives.
  I urge my colleagues to extend a helping hand to America's 
veterinarians by supporting this important piece of legislation.

                          ____________________