[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 23409-23410]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      IN HONOR OF ESTUARY DAY 2003

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 25, 2003

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the city of 
Elizabeth's Estuary Day 2003. Estuary Day was held on Saturday, 
September 20, 2003, at the Marina in Elizabeth, New Jersey.
  Estuary Day 2003 provides families from the city of Elizabeth and 
surrounding areas the opportunity to learn about and celebrate the 
importance of the Elizabeth River and the Arthur Kill. In addition to 
providing recreational uses for residents, these two estuaries have a 
unique historical significance to the city of Elizabeth.
  Elizabeth's Estuary Day is part of National Estuaries Day, which 
seeks to promote awareness about the importance of estuaries. The 
National Estuary Program has been critical to administrating the goals 
of the Clean Water Act, and to improve the quality of estuaries 
nationwide. This program mandates the protection of public water 
supplies and the protection and propagation of indigenous population of 
shellfish, fish, and wildlife.
  Estuary Day provides an opportunity for many residents to become 
aware of the natural wonders present in their backyard. As estuaries 
are some of the most important ecosystems on the planet, it is 
important for residents to view our waterways as part of the community, 
and to maximize their recreational and environmental uses.

[[Page 23410]]

  Estuary Day presents the importance of protecting and appreciating 
our natural resources to the people of Elizabeth, by providing fun and 
educational activities. Such interactive environmental educational 
opportunities, presentations and environmental boat rides, allow for an 
in-depth and hands-on approach to learning about life within and around 
estuaries.
  Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Future City Inc., 
in conjunction with the city of Elizabeth's staff and Mayor J. 
Christian Bollwage, a committed member of the New York/New Jersey 
Harbor Estuary Management Committee, for planning Estuary Day 2003 in 
Elizabeth.

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