[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 197 (Thursday, November 19, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1056]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       NATIONAL SEA GRANT COLLEGE PROGRAM AMENDMENTS ACT OF 2020

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                         HON. SUZANNE BONAMICI

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 19, 2020

  Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Speaker, as Co-Chair of the House Oceans Caucus, I 
rise in support of S. 910, a bill to reauthorize and increase funding 
for the National Sea Grant College Program.
  The health of our ocean reflects the health of our planet. The Sea 
Grant program's research, extension, and education efforts are 
essential to improve our understanding, conservation, and use of our 
nation's coastal resources. Affiliated with Oregon State University 
(OSU) as one of the 33 university-based programs, Oregon Sea Grant 
focuses on the ecological, social, and economic effects of many coastal 
issues, including evaluating development, adapting to coastal hazards, 
protecting marine fisheries, and understanding the cultural 
significance of marine resources.
  Oregon Sea Grant also fosters and increases public understanding of 
ocean and coastal issues through its management of the Visitor Center 
at OSU's Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport, Oregon. The Center 
is an ocean and coastal learning laboratory for all ages. Oregon Sea 
Grant extension staff are based in coastal communities and along the 
Columbia River to engage stakeholders on topics related to ocean health 
and coastal communities. As Co-Chair of the House Oceans Caucus, I have 
had the opportunity to work with the Sea Grant program and witness the 
value of their collaborative model to crafting meaningful solutions to 
the most significant challenges facing our ocean today, like ocean 
acidification, harmful algal blooms, hypoxia, marine debris, and 
tsunami preparedness.
  I am grateful to Oregon Sea Grant for their many efforts to protect 
and sustain coastal communities, and especially their work to 
strengthen the resiliency of our ocean and coastal ecosystems in 
Northwest Oregon. I urge all of my colleagues to support this bill.

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