[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 168 (Monday, September 27, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1028]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING DR. PATRICK BURCHFIELD

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. FILEMON VELA

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 27, 2021

  Mr. VELA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the work of Dr. 
Patrick Burchfield, Director of the Gladys Porter Zoo, which is located 
in Brownsville, Texas. Under Dr. Burchfield's leadership, the Gladys 
Porter Zoo has grown significantly since it first opened in 1971, and 
he has served at the forefront of one of the world's most notable 
international endangered species recovery programs.
  Dr. Burchfield joined the staff at the Gladys Porter Zoo in 1971, 
working in every capacity and eventually became director in 2007, which 
he earned through hard work and dedication to the Zoo.
  As director of the Zoo, Dr. Burchfield has led efforts to make the 
zoo more inclusive and accessible to all members of his community--but 
especially those with disabilities. Last year, the zoo opened a newly 
renovated Giraffe Landing Feeding Experience--complete with an ADA-
accessible platform so that all may participate.
  Under his leadership, the zoo has added facilities for critically 
endangered species such as Orinoco crocodiles and threatened species 
like nurse sharks. Along with creating a safe environment for these 
imperiled species, the Gladys Potter Zoo has showcased species that are 
native to the Rio Grande Valley such as diamondback terrapins, black-
spotted newts and red-crowned amazons.
  Forty years ago, endangered Kemp's ridley sea turtles were on the 
brink of extinction, but this changed shortly after Dr. Burchfield, 
then the Zoo's Curator of Herpetology, stepped into the picture. In 
1981, Dr. Burchfield, at the request of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife 
Service, accepted the role of Coordinator for the U.S. contingent of 
the U.S./Mexico Binational Kemp's Ridley Sea Tuttle Recovery Program. 
Program activities included protecting the wild nests and hatchlings of 
this imperiled species at its primary nesting grounds in Rancho Nuevo, 
Mexico. From 1985 to present, the number of nesting female turtles rose 
from 283 to an estimated 7,000 to 9,000.
  When asked why he cared so much about Kemp's Ridley sea turtles, Dr. 
Burchfield said, ``I saw an opportunity to try and do something 
meaningful, and that maybe we would have a shot at saving this species. 
So, my job was to do whatever I could do to help make that happen.''
  Since 1992, Dr. Burchfield has been an instructor at the University 
of Texas Rio Grande Valley in the Department of Biology. He is 
primarily responsible for the development and implementation of the 
introductory zoo biology course, a prerequisite for all aspiring 
zoologists. In this capacity, Dr. Burchfield sought to further the 
efficacy of his animal conservation efforts by inspiring the 
environmental champions of tomorrow right in the heart of South Texas.
  Madam Speaker, not only is Dr. Burchfield a leader in animal 
conservation, but he is undoubtedly one of the most humble men I have 
had the pleasure of meeting. His work has never revolved around self-
interest or accolades, but rather his genuine desire to save species 
and raise awareness about the need to preserve our planet's dwindling 
natural resources. I thank him for the essential role he has played in 
shaping a healthier future for all and for choosing to make 
Brownsville, Texas his home.

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