[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 29 (Wednesday, February 24, 2016)]
[House]
[Page H865]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                AIPM ACT/NATIONAL INVASIVE SPECIES WEEK

  (Ms. GABBARD asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Ms. GABBARD. Mr. Speaker, in recognition of National Invasive Species 
Awareness Week, this is a great opportunity to call attention to the 
more than 4,300 invasive species that harm our domestic agriculture, 
local landowners, and communities throughout the United States.
  So, what are invasive species?
  In my home State of Hawaii, the coffee berry borer, coconut 
rhinoceros beetle, macadamia nut felted coccid, and others cost our 
local economy millions and threaten our unique ecosystem, our 
agriculture and waterways, as well as our food supply and public 
health.
  There is no one-size-fits-all solution to combat the thousands of 
noxious species that are present across the country. That is why I 
strongly encourage my colleagues to cosponsor and pass H.R. 3893, a 
bill I sponsored, the Areawide Integrated Pest Management Act, which 
would bring local stakeholders together with researchers and other key 
players in order to find sustainable, cost-effective, and comprehensive 
solutions that will better help all of us to manage and prevent the 
spread of these harmful pests and invasive species.

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