[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 195 (Wednesday, November 19, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1102]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  COMMEMORATING THE 120TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY

                                  _____
                                 

                       HON. MARIA ELVIRA SALAZAR

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 19, 2025

  Ms. SALAZAR. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to commemorate the 120th 
Anniversary of the National Audubon Society, one of our Nation's oldest 
and most enduring conservation organizations. For over a century, 
Audubon has been driven by a simple but profound truth: what is good 
for birds is good for people and the planet.
  Audubon was founded in 1905 in response to the destruction of birds 
for the feather trade. Since then, Audubon has helped secure landmark 
conservation protections, from the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the 
Endangered Species Act to the ban on DDT. These achievements reflect a 
legacy of science-based advocacy and bipartisan action that has 
safeguarded countless species and habitats.
  They also understand that it all begins with birds, because if birds 
are in trouble, it's a sign our environment is too. By centering 
conservation efforts on birds, Audubon has been a leader in smarter, 
more sustainable solutions that help both wildlife and people. These 
efforts in turn have helped species such as the Bald Eagle, Brown 
Pelican, and Whooping Crane, all once on the brink of extinction, make 
remarkable recoveries.
  Our Nation's 26th President, Teddy Roosevelt, was a passionate 
conservationist and from an early age, had a deep appreciation for 
birds. In writing to renowned ornithologist Frank Chapman, President 
Roosevelt remarked, ``Spring would not be spring without bird songs, 
any more than it would be spring without buds and flowers, and . . . . 
besides protecting the songsters, the birds of the grove, the orchard, 
the garden and the meadow, we could also protect the birds of the 
seashore and of the wilderness.''
  Both my constituents and I agree with President Roosevelt--we must 
make serious efforts to protect as many birds as possible. That is why 
I led the introduction of the Neotropical Migratory Birds of the 
Americas Conservation Enhancements Act during the 118th Congress. 
Signed into law in April 2024, this bill reauthorized the Neotropical 
Migratory Bird Conservation Act, which provides financial assistance 
for projects to promote the conservation of neotropical migratory 
birds. By protecting birds, we can protect our environment and the 
natural beauty that surrounds us.
  As Audubon marks 120 years, its mission remains as vital as ever to 
protect birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. The legacy 
of the women and men who built this organization continues in the 
conservationists, volunteers, and community leaders who carry its work 
forward.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 
National Audubon Society for 120 years of unwavering leadership, 
innovation, and impact. Audubon is not just part of conservation 
history; it is a leading champion for the future of our Nation and 
planet.

                          ____________________