[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 165 (Thursday, September 23, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1016-E1017]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING THE GLADYS PORTER ZOO

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. FILEMON VELA

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 23, 2021

  Mr. VELA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the outstanding work 
and lasting impact of the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville, Texas as 
they celebrate their 50th Anniversary. Since its opening in 1971, the 
Gladys Porter Zoo has served as a pillar of the community, committed to 
the preservation of nature through research, conservation, and 
education.
  The founder of the zoo, Gladys Porter, was an active philanthropist 
responsible for administering the funds established by her father's 
foundation, the Earl C. Sams Foundation. In the 1960s, Gladys and her 
husband Dean enjoyed traveling the world. Their love of traveling led 
to a passion and appreciation for nature and wildlife. As the vision 
for a zoo in the Rio Grande Valley came to fruition, Gladys and members 
of the Sams Foundation planned the project. Mrs. Porter was highly 
involved in the process of the zoo's planning, construction, stocking, 
and equipping. Upon the Gladys Porter Zoo's completion, it was given to 
the City of Brownsville by the Sams Foundation.
  The opening of the zoo was met with critical acclaim. In 1972, the 
zoo published its first newsletter entitled the `Zoo News'. The 
newsletter is still circulated as a quarterly publication and provides 
zoo members updates on the animals. In light of the energy crisis in 
1974, the zoo launched the ``Adopt-an-Animal'' program. This program is 
still widely popular today and encourages school groups, families, and 
individuals to ``adopt'' an animal, and financially support it for a 
year. In 1978, the zoo expanded its community education efforts by 
starting summer-study programs. These programs are focused on providing 
students with a hands-on learning experience through face-to-face 
engagement with the animals, indoor overnight camping, night tours of 
the zoo, and internship opportunities. The program has since grown in 
enrollment and is now offered to all youth grades K-12 in the spring, 
summer, and fall. These examples exemplify the zoo's continued 
commitment to public service and community engagement.
  In addition to the zoo's involvement with the community, the Gladys 
Porter Zoo has remarkably carried out its conservation mission by 
contributing to various projects focused on preserving endangered 
species. Joint ventures

[[Page E1017]]

between the zoo staff and Mexican authorities in the conservation 
efforts of the rare Coahuilan box turtle and Atlantic Ridley sea turtle 
led to recognition from both the United States and Mexican government. 
The zoo has also contributed to preservation efforts of endangered and 
threatened species including, the Western lowland gorillas, Philippine 
crocodiles, and Rhino hornbills. Over the years, the Gladys Porter Zoo 
has contributed funds to projects that specifically focus on animals in 
need of attention. These contributions include funding to Dr. Edward 
Louis, Jr. in support of his work with Galapagos tortoises, and the 
International Iguana Foundation, which actively works to conserve 
iguanas and their habitats.
  Madam Speaker, the Gladys Porter Zoo is a cultural staple for the Rio 
Grande Valley, while also serving the world of wildlife preservation, 
zoology, research, and education in countless ways. For 50 years, the 
Gladys Porter Zoo has proven to be a world-class zoological and 
botanical park through its exceptional work in wildlife preservation, 
research, education, and the community. I congratulate them on reaching 
this 50-year milestone; and for their continued efforts to support and 
educate the South Texas community on the need for conservation and 
preservation of our wildlife and planet.

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