[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 17]
[Senate]
[Page 24474]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



  IN RECOGNITION OF THE COMPLETION OF THE ARCTIC RING OF LIFE AT THE 
                       DETROIT ZOO, ROYAL OAK, MI

   Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I ask that the Senate join me 
today in congratulating the Detroit Zoological Institute upon the 
completion of the Arctic Ring of Life. For over 75 years, the Detroit 
Zoo has educated and inspired millions, while promoting conservation 
and advancing our understanding of the natural world.
  The Arctic Ring of Life is one of the cornerstones of the Celebrating 
Wildlife Campaign, a series of projects which also includes the 
National Amphibian Conservation Center, and two other structures that 
are yet to be built: The Ford Center for Environmental Conservation 
Education and a new Animal Health Complex. Continuing the renaissance 
which the Detroit Zoo has experienced over the past 20 years, the 
completion of these projects will further solidify the Detroit Zoo's 
position as one of the leading zoos in the world.
  Polar bears have lived at the Institute since it first opened its 
gates in 1928. The Arctic Ring of Life builds upon the Institute's long 
relationship with the bears of the North. Sprawling over 4.2 acres, 
this exhibit will showcase more than just polar bears. It will provide 
a glimpse into life above the Arctic Circle. At the entrance of the 
Arctic Ring of Life, visitors will be greeted by a nine-foot granite 
polar bear sculpture. From there, visitors will travel through an Inuit 
village as it appeared in the early 1900's. The exhibit also includes a 
display of a tundra area containing colorful grasses, wildflowers and 
other arctic plants. This area will also be home to snowy owls and 
arctic fox, two of the most common arctic animals. Visitors will then 
enter into the Nunavut Gallery, an indoor room containing Inuit art as 
well as interpretive graphics.
  Beyond the gallery is the most unique part of the exhibit: a 
spectacular 70-foot-long passage that allows visitors to wind through a 
300,000 gallon marine environment. The first of its kind in the world, 
the tunnel will take visitors beneath both the polar bear and seal 
areas. Those visitors lucky enough to be in the tunnel when the bears 
are in the water are able to look around and marvel at the grace of the 
largest land predator swimming effortlessly in the water.
  After exiting the tunnel, visitors follow the edge of the glacier to 
the ``Exploration Station.'' Maintaining the exhibit's goal of 
educating while entertaining, children and adults can have a first hand 
experience with the tools of the arctic scientist while at the station. 
The equipment in the building includes a thermal imaging station which 
children can use to see how heat is escaping the body, and a remote 
video camera which can be used to survey the exhibit. Following one 
last spectacular overview of the whole exhibit, visitors exit with a 
new and enhanced understanding of the fragile arctic region and its 
importance for the world.
  The Zoological Institute is one of Detroit's most important cultural 
centers. Nevertheless, the zoo, like the city itself, has gone through 
periods of difficulty and turmoil. However, thanks to the dedicated 
work and contributions of thousands, the Detroit Zoo has prevailed. 
Beginning with the completion of the Great Apes of Harambee in the late 
1980's, the Detroit Zoo has renovated or opened many new exhibits in 
the past two decades. While the Detroit Zoological Institute has long 
been one of the best zoos in the country, it is now undisputably one of 
the best in the world.
  As a lifelong resident of Detroit, I am heartened to see the 
renovations done to the Detroit Zoo and the opening of this new 
exhibit. The Detroit Zoological Institute is an important cultural 
institution for not only the city of Detroit, but the entire State of 
Michigan. I trust that my Senate colleagues will join me in 
congratulating the Detroit Zoo on its growth and wishing it the best in 
the coming years.

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