[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 134 (Thursday, September 18, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S5797]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 564--HONORING CONSERVATION ON THE CENTENNIAL OF THE 
                      PASSENGER PIGEON EXTINCTION

  Mr. BROWN (for himself and Mr. Portman) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Environment and 
Public Works:

                              S. Res. 564

       Whereas the Senate recognizes the importance of conserving 
     natural habitats for bird populations and preserving the 
     Nation's biodiversity;
       Whereas the death of Martha, the last passenger pigeon, on 
     September 1, 1914, at the Cincinnati Zoo, and the extinction 
     of the passenger pigeon helped to catalyze the American 
     conservation movement of the early 20th century, resulting in 
     new laws and practices that prevented the extinction of many 
     species;
       Whereas the story of the passenger pigeon can serve as a 
     cautionary tale and raise awareness of current issues related 
     to human-caused extinction, explore connections between 
     humans and the natural world, and inspire people to build 
     sustainable relationships with other species;
       Whereas the passenger pigeon (Ectopistes migratorius) was 
     once the most abundant bird in North America, with a 
     population exceeding 3,000,000,000 and with flocks so large 
     that they could darken the skies for hours and even days at a 
     time;
       Whereas due to unregulated market hunting in the 19th 
     century and deforestation, the passenger pigeon population 
     plummeted toward extinction;
       Whereas Project Passenger Pigeon, a consortium of over 150 
     institutions, scientists, conservationists, educators, 
     artists, musicians, filmmakers, and others throughout the 
     Nation, is using the centenary of the extinction of the 
     species to tell the story of the passenger pigeon; and
       Whereas the story of the passenger pigeon, once a symbol of 
     never-ending natural abundance, and its subsequent extinction 
     is unique in the annals of the history of the United States:
       Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate commemorates the importance of 
     this centenary, our natural heritage, the sustainability of 
     our ecosystem, and the conservation of our Nation's wildlife.

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