[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 134 (Thursday, September 17, 2015)]
[House]
[Page H6123]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   INTERNATIONAL COASTAL CLEANUP DAY

  (Mr. CURBELO of Florida asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. CURBELO of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Saturday, 
September 19, as International Coastal Cleanup Day. I encourage 
everyone nationwide to participate by visiting a local beach and 
assisting with this special event.
  Ocean pollution is a serious problem that negatively impacts 
wildlife, humans, and our economy, including many small-business 
owners. Debris found in ocean water and on shores is detrimental to 
aquatic life and has the potential to injure water sports enthusiasts 
and beachgoers, as well as destroy boats and their propellers.
  In 2012, more than 10 million pounds of trash were collected by 
500,000 volunteers in 97 countries. Earlier this year, my staff and I 
spent a morning cleaning up the beaches on Stock Island in the Florida 
Keys and saw just how much trash washes ashore.
  Unfortunately, this amount is just a snapshot of an even larger 
problem. Though International Coastal Cleanup Day happens annually, it 
is important that we make a stronger effort to protect our beaches more 
than once a year.

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