[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 124 (Thursday, July 15, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S4923]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           NATIONAL MOTH WEEK

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. President, today I rise to recognize the 10th 
annual observance of National Moth Week, which will be celebrated this 
year from July 17 to 25.
  What began as a plan for a statewide moth night in my home State of 
New Jersey evolved into a national week of recognition and quickly 
became an international citizen science project. In 2012, residents 
from East Brunswick, NJ, founded this initiative to promote the 
appreciation and conservation of moths and their important role in the 
ecosystem. Since then, thousands of people in all 50 U.S. States and 
100 countries have participated in observing and documenting moths 
during this week.
  National Moth Week encourages people of all ages and abilities to 
shine a light on nighttime nature and record what they see. Moths are 
incredibly diverse members of the Lepidoptera order of insects, with 
estimates of 150,000 to more than 500,000 moth species. They serve as 
pollinators of crops and flowers and a food source for birds and other 
fauna. Enriching mothing events have been held at U.S. National Parks 
and Monuments; State, county, and local parks; museums, libraries, 
nature centers, and backyards.
  This scientific event is an all-volunteer effort coordinated by the 
Friends of the East Brunswick Environmental Commission with the 
assistance of a team of entomologists, researchers, educators, and 
enthusiasts around the world. In addition, country coordinators in 
Asia, Africa, Europe, Central and South America, and Australia are 
helping to increase awareness, study and appreciation of moths, their 
incredible diversity, and ecological importance in their own countries.
  National Moth Week has brought people together from many different 
cultures and ethnicities for the purpose of observing and protecting an 
important natural resource and dispelling the negative conceptions some 
may have of moths. It proudly represents the best of the Garden State 
and its concern for the health of our environment and all of its 
inhabitants.
  It is my great honor to recognize the anniversary of National Moth 
Week and celebrate the vibrant research and scientific community in the 
State of New Jersey.

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