[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 76 (Tuesday, May 20, 2014)]
[House]
[Page H4485]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          OCEAN ACIDIFICATION

  (Mr. KILMER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. KILMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to discuss the threat of ocean 
acidification to my region and others. I live in the most glorious part 
of this world. As a dad, it is a joy to share the Pacific Northwest 
natural resources with my two little girls.
  But those natural resources don't just contribute to our recreational 
experiences; they contribute to our economy, too. In Washington State 
alone, the shellfish industry contributes more than $250 million to our 
economy and supports more than 3,200 jobs. Our coast depends on a 
strong fishing industry.
  All of that is threatened by ocean acidification. Last week, in 
Tacoma, I listened to businesses, fishermen, and researchers detail how 
we are beginning to see the effects of our changing ocean chemistry. It 
has impacted shellfish--we know that--but we have not yet begun to 
comprehend how ocean acidification disrupts our larger marine 
ecosystem.
  That is why this week I am introducing the Ocean Acidification 
Innovation Act, which would encourage Federal agencies to better 
leverage existing Federal dollars by creating incentives for the 
private sector and researchers to strengthen our ability to research, 
monitor, and mitigate the impacts of ocean acidification.
  Mr. Speaker, we need to act now. Our economy depends on it.

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