[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 55 (Thursday, April 16, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Page S2242]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                       RECOGNIZING ORA ESTUARIES

 Mr. VITTER. Mr. President, due to their unique perspective, 
American entrepreneurs are often at the forefront of innovative 
solutions to local problems. This is especially true with environmental 
initiatives, and down in Louisiana where the ecosystems are diverse and 
delicate, the locals are best equipped to protect them. That is why ORA 
Estuaries of New Orleans, LA is the Small Business of the Week.
  Civil engineer and New Orleans native Tyler Ortego was a student at 
Louisiana State University when he and a friend discovered a way to 
fight coastal erosion using oysters. In 2005, Ortego patented the 
OysterBreak system, which essentially allows oysters to fuse together 
on a man-made rock-like material in order to create a living coastal 
reef. Now holding two patents, Ortego and ORA Estuaries are focused on 
rebuilding and revitalizing coastal regions. ORA Estuaries recently 
claimed the top prize of the New Orleans Entrepreneurial Week's ``Big 
Idea Pitch,'' and with the prize money hopes to move into food 
production and new versions of the OysterBreak system.
  Our coast and wetlands provide some of Louisiana's most important 
resources and beautiful habitats, and because our geography makes us 
vulnerable to natural disasters, it is absolutely vital that we protect 
them. Innovative technologies like ORA's OysterBreak system play a 
significant role in restoring our coasts and wetlands, which protect 
Louisianians and gulf coast residents from storms and flooding. 
Currently, ORA's natural reefs systems are deployed in four different 
areas along the Louisiana coast, including an oyster habitat 
restoration project run by the Nature Conservatory of Louisiana. ORA is 
looking toward expanding to all five of the Gulf States, as well as the 
Chesapeake Bay area and even North Carolina. Not only is ORA's 
breakthrough system protecting vulnerable shorelines, but the growth 
and retention of oyster colonies that naturally process and filter 
water interests scientists and environmentalists, as well.
  Congratulations to ORA Estuaries for being selected as Small Business 
of the Week. Thank you for your commitment to restoring and protecting 
our precious ecosystems and coastlines in Louisiana and the Gulf 
Coast.

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