[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 97 (Tuesday, June 12, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3764-S3765]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     SENATE RESOLUTION 544--CELEBRATING JUNE 11, 2018, AS THE 20TH 
 ANNIVERSARY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE UNITED STATES CORAL REEF TASK 
                                 FORCE

  Ms. HIRONO (for herself, Mr. Rubio, Mr. Nelson, Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. 
Markey, and Mr. Merkley) submitted the following resolution; which was 
considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 544

       Whereas 2018 marks the 20th anniversary of the 
     establishment of the United States Coral Reef Task Force;
       Whereas the United States Coral Reef Task Force--
       (1) was established under Executive Order 13089 (63 Fed. 
     Reg. 32701; relating to coral reef protection) on June 11, 
     1998, ``to preserve and protect the biodiversity, health, 
     heritage, and social and economic value of U.S. coral reef 
     ecosystems and the marine environment'';
       (2) is composed of 12 Federal agencies, 7 States and 
     territories of the United States, the Republic of the 
     Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the 
     Republic of Palau; and

[[Page S3765]]

       (3) helps build partnerships, develop strategies, and 
     provide support to carry out on-the-ground actions to 
     conserve coral reefs;
       Whereas more than 50 percent of all species in federally 
     managed fisheries depend on coral reefs at some stage during 
     their life cycles;
       Whereas healthy coral reef ecosystems are havens for 
     biological diversity and abundance, providing important 
     habitats, spawning areas, and nursery grounds for fish, 
     crustaceans, algae, and other species;
       Whereas, in November 2016, the International Coral Reef 
     Initiative--
       (1) declared 2018 as the International Year of the Reef for 
     the third time; and
       (2) encouraged--
          (A) strengthening awareness globally about the value of, 
     and threats to, coral reefs and associated ecosystems;
          (B) promoting partnerships between governments, the 
     private sector, academia, and civil society on the management 
     of coral reefs;
          (C) identifying and implementing effective management 
     strategies for conservation, increased resiliency, and 
     sustainable use of coral reefs and associated ecosystems; and
          (D) promoting and sharing information on best practices 
     relating to sustainable coral reef management strategies;
       Whereas coral reefs--
       (1) directly benefit the economy of the United States by 
     supporting coastal tourism, fisheries, biomedicine 
     development, and traditional and cultural uses; and
       (2) provide an indirect economic benefit in the form of 
     shoreline protection from high seas and severe storm surge 
     from hurricanes and tsunamis;
       Whereas coral reefs face ongoing threats from changing 
     ocean conditions, nutrient pollution from coastal runoff, 
     invasive species, recurring disease outbreaks and bleaching 
     events, and poor coastal resource management;
       Whereas approximately \1/3\ of the coral reefs in the world 
     are degraded, and another \1/3\ of coral reefs are at risk of 
     further degradation in the next few decades without effective 
     management and restoration; and
       Whereas the conservation and restoration of healthy, fully 
     functioning coral reefs helps to sustain resilient coasts and 
     vibrant economies by providing food, promoting cultural 
     values, supporting livelihoods, and protecting human health 
     and safety and coastal properties: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate celebrates June 11, 2018, as the 
     20th anniversary of the establishment of the United States 
     Coral Reef Task Force in order to--
       (1) highlight the importance of the coral reefs of the 
     United States;
       (2) acknowledge the important research and management 
     accomplishments of the United States Coral Reef Task Force; 
     and
       (3) encourage a continued focus on efforts to protect and 
     restore coral reef ecosystems of the United States.

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