[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 11908]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING THE SHEDD AQUARIUM

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RAHM EMANUEL

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 9, 2004

  Mr. EMANUEL. Mr. Speaker, I wish to extend my best wishes to everyone 
associated with Chicago's John G. Shedd Aquarium on the occasion of its 
Gala 2004 Night Tide Tango.
  Chicagoans are very proud to be home to the world's largest indoor 
aquarium. More than two million visitors who travel to our city to 
visit this lakefront treasure each year discover a diverse and 
contemporary institution dedicated to conservation, education and 
family fun.
  The gala event, to be held on June 12, gives me the opportunity to 
commend so many committed Chicagoans who have dedicated countless hours 
ensuring that the aquarium remains one of our city's brightest gems.
  I want to specifically recognize Chairman Stephen Byron Smith, Senior 
Vice Chairman Philip D. Block III, President and CEO Ted Beattie, and 
Gala Chairmen, Paula Epstein and Linda Mengelt. Each deserves high 
praise for devoting their time and energy to this undoubtedly 
worthwhile cause.
  I would also like to take this opportunity to express my admiration 
for the museum's originality and innovation. Visitors can enjoy the 
marine mammal pavilion featuring the crowd-pleasing beluga whales and 
Pacific white-sided dolphins, and I continue to be particularly 
impressed by the aquarium's emphasis on conservation and preservation.
  The Shedd Aquarium has also developed some of the most innovative 
preservation projects in the nation. These include breeding programs 
for animals such as the Tahitian land snail, African cichlids fish and 
West Indian rock iguanas, and Project Seahorse, which is working for 
the longterm survival of wild populations of seahorses in the 
Philippines.
  Most recently, the Shedd Aquarium opened the Wild Reef, an incredible 
exhibit with the most sharks in captivity anywhere on the planet. And 
we are looking forward to the new children's exhibit on sea stars.
  The Shedd Aquarium is much more than one of our city's top tourist 
destinations--it is also a place where students can learn about the 
importance of saving our environment and where researchers spend 
countless hours trying to preserve marine life.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored on behalf of the Fifth District and indeed 
all of Chicago to call attention to all of the meaningful work 
occurring at the Shedd Aquarium at the time of its 2004 gala event. I 
offer my heartfelt thanks to those officers, leaders, scientists, 
researchers and staff members who have dedicated their lives to 
ensuring that one of Chicago's favorite institutions is also making its 
impact felt throughout the rest of the world.

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