[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Page 16660]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 243--SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF NATIONAL 
CLEAN BEACHES WEEK AND THE CONSIDERABLE VALUE OF BEACHES AND THEIR ROLE 
                          IN AMERICAN CULTURE

  Mr. LAUTENBERG (for himself, Mr. Martinez, Mr. Lieberman, Mrs. Dole, 
Ms. Stabenow, Mr. Stevens, Mr. Biden, Mr. Burr, Mr. Levin, Ms. 
Murkowski, Mr. Kerry, Ms. Snowe, Ms. Landrieu, Mr. Lott, Mr. Menendez, 
Mr. Durbin, Mr. Wyden, Mr. Feingold, Mr. Cardin, Mr. Carper, and Ms. 
Cantwell) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and 
agreed to:

                              S. Res. 243

       Whereas coastal areas produce 85 percent of all United 
     States tourism dollars and are the leading tourism 
     destination in America;
       Whereas over 50 percent of the population of the United 
     States lives in coastal counties;
       Whereas the beaches in these coastal counties provide 
     recreational opportunities for numerous Americans and their 
     families who, together with international tourists, make 
     almost 2,000,000,000 trips to the beach each year to fish, 
     sunbathe, boat, swim, surf, and bird-watch;
       Whereas beaches are a critical driver of the American 
     economy and its competitiveness in the global economy;
       Whereas beaches represent a critical part of our natural 
     heritage and a beautiful part of the American landscape;
       Whereas beaches are sensitive ecosystems, susceptible to 
     degradation and alteration from natural forces, sea level 
     rise, pollution, untreated sewage, and improper use;
       Whereas members of the Government, the private sector, and 
     nongovernmental organizations, along with citizen volunteers, 
     have worked diligently to clean up and protect our beaches 
     over the years;
       Whereas great strides have been made in understanding the 
     science of watersheds and the connections between inland 
     areas and coastal waters;
       Whereas the Federal Government should develop science-based 
     policies that are commensurate with that knowledge; and
       Whereas a 7-day week, commencing in June and including July 
     5, will be observed as National Clean Beaches Week: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of National Clean Beaches 
     Week;
       (2) recognizes the value of beaches to the American way of 
     life and the important contributions of beaches to the 
     economy, recreation, and natural environment of the United 
     States; and
       (3) encourages Americans to work to keep beaches safe and 
     clean for the continued enjoyment of the public and to engage 
     in activities during National Clean Beaches Week that foster 
     stewardship, healthy living, and volunteerism along our 
     coastlines.

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