[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 70 (Wednesday, April 26, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H2041-H2042]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     PROTECTING WEST INDIAN MANATEE

  (Ms. SCHOLTEN asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. SCHOLTEN. Mr. Speaker, as west Michigan's Congresswoman, it is my 
top priority to support the next generation. That means regularly 
engaging with kids and students across the district.
  Since I took office, I have heard from so many young people, having 
them write to me about the need to protect endangered species. In 
direct response to their concerns, I chose to cosponsor the bipartisan 
Manatee Protection Act.
  Manatees are wonderfully intelligent mammals. They can be over 10 
feet long and hold their breath underwater for nearly 20 minutes.
  We are at risk of losing these wonderful creatures forever. There are 
only 6,500 West Indian manatees left in the waters off the coast of 
Florida.
  This piece of legislation will give the West Indian manatees the 
protection status they deserve and ensure they do not go extinct 
forever. It is time to take action.
  I thank the students for sharing their passion for animals and their 
love of our world. I heard them, and I am responding to them.

[[Page H2042]]

  

                          ____________________