[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 19]
[House]
[Pages 26881-26885]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          TROPICAL FOREST CONSERVATION ACT OF 1998 AMENDMENTS

  Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 2185) to amend the Tropical Forest Conservation Act of 1998 
to provide debt relief to developing countries that take action to 
protect forests and coral reefs and associated coastal marine 
ecosystems, to reauthorize such Act through fiscal year 2010, and for 
other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 2185

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

       (a) Findings.--Subsection (a) of section 802 of the 
     Tropical Forest Conservation Act of 1998 (22 U.S.C. 2431) is 
     amended--
       (1) in paragraphs (1), (6), and (7), by striking ``tropical 
     forests'' each place it appears and inserting ``tropical 
     forests and coral reefs and associated coastal marine 
     ecosystems'';
       (2) by redesignating paragraphs (3) through (7) as 
     paragraphs (4) through (8), respectively;
       (3) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
       ``(3) Coral reefs and associated coastal marine ecosystems 
     provide a wide range of benefits to mankind by--
       ``(A) harboring more species per unit area than any other 
     marine habitat, providing the basis for developing 
     pharmaceutical products and fostering a growing marine 
     tourism sector;   
       ``(B) providing a major source of food and jobs for 
     hundreds of millions of coastal residents;    and
       ``(C) serving as natural storm barriers, thus protecting 
     vulnerable shorelines and communities from storm waves and 
     erosion.''; and
       (4) in paragraph (4) (as redesignated)--
       (A) by inserting ``and coral reef and associated coastal 
     marine ecosystems'' after ``forest resources''; and
       (B) by inserting ``and coral reef and associated coastal 
     marine ecosystem exploitation'' after ``tropical 
     deforestation''.
       (b) Purposes.--Subsection (b) of such section is amended--
       (1) in paragraphs (1), (3), and (4), by striking ``tropical 
     forests'' each place it appears and inserting ``tropical 
     forests and coral reefs and associated coastal marine 
     ecosystems''; and
       (2) in paragraph (2)--
       (A) by striking ``tropical forests'' the first and third 
     place it appears and inserting ``tropical forests and coral 
     reefs and associated coastal marine ecosystems'';

[[Page 26882]]

       (B) by striking ``tropical forests'' the second place it 
     appears and inserting ``areas''; and
       (C) by inserting at the end before the semicolon the 
     following: ``and unsustainable coral reef and associated 
     coastal marine ecosystem exploitation''.

     SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

       Section 803 of the Tropical Forest Conservation Act of 1998 
     (22 U.S.C. 2431a) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (2)(A), by striking ``Committee on 
     International Relations'' and inserting ``Committee on 
     Foreign Affairs'';
       (2) by striking paragraphs (4), (7), (8), and (9);
       (3) in paragraph (5)--
       (A) in the heading, by striking ``tropical forest'' and 
     inserting ``tropical forest or coral reef or associated 
     coastal marine ecosystem'';
       (B) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 
     ``tropical forest'' and inserting ``tropical forest or coral 
     reef or associated coastal marine ecosystem''; and
       (C) in subparagraph (B)--
       (i) by striking ``tropical forest'' and inserting 
     ``tropical forest or coral reef or associated coastal marine 
     ecosystem''; and
       (ii) by striking ``tropical forests'' and inserting 
     ``tropical forests or coral reefs or associated coastal 
     marine ecosystems'';
       (4) by redesignating paragraphs (5) and (6) as paragraphs 
     (9) and (10), respectively; and
       (5) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:
       ``(4) Conservation agreement.--The term `Conservation 
     Agreement' or `Agreement' means a Conservation Agreement 
     provided for in section 809.
       ``(5) Conservation facility.--The term `Conservation 
     Facility' or `Facility' means the Conservation Facility 
     established in the Department of the Treasury by section 804.
       ``(6) Conservation fund.--The term `Conservation Fund' or 
     `Fund' means a Conservation Fund provided for in section 810.
       ``(7) Coral.--The term `coral' means species of the phylum 
     Cnidaria, including--
       ``(A) all species of the orders Antipatharia (black 
     corals), Scleractinia (stony corals), Alcyonacea (soft 
     corals), Gorgonacea (horny corals), Stolonifera (organpipe 
     corals and others), and Coenothecalia (blue coral), of the 
     class Anthozoa; and
       ``(B) all species of the order Hydrocorallina (fire corals 
     and hydrocorals) of the class Hydrozoa.
       ``(8) Coral reef.--The term `coral reef' means any reef or 
     shoal composed primarily of corals.''.

     SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE FACILITY.

        Section 804 of the Tropical Forest Conservation Act of 
     1988 (22 U.S.C. 2431b) is amended by striking ``Tropical 
     Forest Facility'' and inserting ``Conservation Facility''.

     SEC. 4. ELIGIBILITY FOR BENEFITS.

        Section 805(a) of the Tropical Forest Conservation Act of 
     1998 (22 U.S.C. 2431c(a)) is amended by striking ``tropical 
     forest'' and inserting ``tropical forest or coral reef or 
     associated coastal marine ecosystem''.

     SEC. 5. REDUCTION OF DEBT OWED TO THE UNITED STATES AS A 
                   RESULT OF CONCESSIONAL LOANS UNDER THE FOREIGN 
                   ASSISTANCE ACT OF 1961.

       (a) Additional Terms and Conditions.--Subsection (c)(2) of 
     section 806 of the Tropical Forest Conservation Act of 1998 
     (22 U.S.C. 2431d) is amended by striking ``Tropical Forest 
     Fund'' and inserting ``Conservation Fund''.
       (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--Subsection (d)(6) of 
     such section is amended by striking ``fiscal year 2007'' and 
     inserting ``each of the fiscal years 2007 through 2010''.
       (c) Use of Funds To Conduct Program Audits, Evaluations, 
     Monitoring, and Administration.--Subsection (e) of such 
     section is amended to read as follows:
       ``(e) Use of Funds To Conduct Program Audits, Evaluations, 
     Monitoring, and Administration.--Of the amounts made 
     available to carry out this part for a fiscal year, up to 
     $300,000 is authorized to be made available to carry out 
     audits, evaluations, monitoring, and administration of 
     programs under this part, including personnel costs 
     associated with such audits, evaluations, monitoring, and 
     administration.''

     SEC. 6. REDUCTION OF DEBT OWED TO THE UNITED STATES AS A 
                   RESULT OF CREDITS EXTENDED UNDER TITLE I OF THE 
                   AGRICULTURAL TRADE DEVELOPMENT AND ASSISTANCE 
                   ACT OF 1954.

        Section 807(c)(2) of the Tropical Forest Conservation Act 
     of 1998 (22 U.S.C. 2431e(c)(2)) is amended by striking 
     ``Tropical Forest Fund'' and inserting ``Conservation Fund''.

     SEC. 7. UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATION ON OVERSIGHT 
                   BODIES FOR GRANTS FROM DEBT-FOR-NATURE SWAPS 
                   AND DEBT-BUYBACKS.

       Section 808(a)(5) of the Tropical Forest Conservation Act 
     of 1998 (22 U.S.C. 2431f(a)(5)) is amended by adding at the 
     end the following:
       ``(C) United states government representation on the 
     administering body.--One or more individuals appointed by the 
     United States Government may serve in an official capacity on 
     the administering body that oversees the implementation of 
     grants arising from this debt-for-nature swap or debt buy-
     back regardless of whether the United States is a party to 
     any agreement between the eligible purchaser and the 
     government of the beneficiary country.''.

     SEC. 8. CONSERVATION AGREEMENT.

       (a) Authority.--Subsection (a) of section 809 of the 
     Tropical Forest Conservation Act of 1998 (22 U.S.C. 2431g) is 
     amended--
       (1) by striking ``(a) Authority.--'' and all that follows 
     through ``The Secretary of State'' and inserting ``(a) 
     Authority.--The Secretary of State'';
       (2) by striking ``Tropical Forest Agreement'' and inserting 
     ``Conservation Agreement''; and
       (3) by striking paragraph (2).
       (b) Administering Body.--Subsection (c)(2)(A) of such 
     section is amended--
       (1) in clause (i), by inserting at the end before the 
     semicolon the following: ``to serve in an official 
     capacity''; and
       (2) in clause (iii)(III), by inserting ``or marine'' after 
     ``forestry''.
       (c) Eligible Activities.--Subsection (d) of such section is 
     amended--
       (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
     ``the tropical forests'' and inserting ``tropical forests or 
     coral reefs or associated coastal marine ecosystems'';
       (2) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``and water'' after 
     ``land'';
       (3) in paragraph (5), by striking ``tropical forest''; and
       (4) in paragraph (6), by striking ``living in or near a 
     tropical forest in a manner consistent with protecting such 
     tropical forest'' and inserting ``dependent on a tropical 
     forest or coral reef or associated coastal marine ecosystem 
     in a manner consistent with protecting and conserving such 
     resources''.
       (d) Grant Recipients.--Subsection (e)(1)(A) of such section 
     is amended by inserting ``marine,'' after ``forestry,''.
       (e) Review of Larger Grants.--Subsection (f) of such 
     section is amended to read as follows:
       ``(f) Review of Larger Grants.--Any grant of more than 
     $250,000 from a Fund shall be approved by the Government of 
     the United States and the government of the beneficiary 
     country.''.
       (f) Conforming Amendment.--The heading of such section is 
     amended by striking ``TROPICAL FOREST'' and inserting 
     ``CONSERVATION''.

     SEC. 9. CONSERVATION FUND.

       (a) Establishment.--Subsection (a) of section 810 of the 
     Tropical Forest Conservation Act of 1998 (22 U.S.C. 2431h) is 
     amended--
       (1) by striking ``Tropical Forest Agreement'' and inserting 
     ``Conservation Agreement''; and
       (2) by striking ``Tropical Forest Fund'' and inserting 
     ``Conservation Fund''.
       (b) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--Such section is 
     amended--
       (1) in subsection (b), by striking ``terms as conditions'' 
     and inserting ``terms and conditions''; and
       (2) in the heading, by striking ``TROPICAL FOREST'' and 
     inserting ``CONSERVATION''.

     SEC. 10. BOARD.

       Section 811 of the Tropical Forest Conservation Act of 1998 
     (22 U.S.C. 2431i) is hereby repealed.

     SEC. 11. ANNUAL REPORTS TO THE CONGRESS.

        Section 813 of the Tropical Forest Conservation Act of 
     1998 (22 U.S.C. 2431k) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``(a) In General.--'';
       (2) by striking ``December 31'' and inserting ``April 15'';
       (3) by striking ``fiscal year'' each place it appears and 
     inserting ``calendar year''; and
       (4) by striking subsection (b).

     SEC. 12. TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.

       (a) Part Heading.--The heading of part V of the Foreign 
     Assistance Act of 1961 is amended by striking ``TROPICAL 
     FORESTS'' and inserting ``TROPICAL FORESTS OR CORAL REEFS OR 
     ASSOCIATED COASTAL MARINE ECOSYSTEMS''.
       (b) Short Title.--
       (1) Amendment.--Section 801 of the Tropical Forest 
     Conservation Act of 1998 (22 U.S.C. 2151 note) is amended by 
     striking ``Tropical Forest Conservation Act of 1998'' and 
     inserting ``Tropical Forest and Coral Conservation Act of 
     2007''.
       (2) References.--Any reference in a law, regulation, 
     document, or other record of the United States to the 
     Tropical Forest Conservation Act of 1998 shall be deemed to 
     be a reference to the Tropical Forest and Coral Conservation 
     Act of 2007.
       (3) Availability of unobligated or unexpended funds.--
     Amounts appropriated to carry out the Tropical Forest 
     Conservation Act of 1998 (as in effect on the day before the 
     date of the enactment of this Act) that are unobligated or 
     unexpended as of the date of the enactment of this Act may be 
     used to carry out the Tropical Forest and Coral Conservation 
     Act of 2007.
       (c) Redesignation.--Part V of the Foreign Assistance Act of 
     1961 (22 U.S.C. 2431 et seq.) is amended by redesignating 
     sections 812 and 813 as sections 811 and 812, respectively.
       (d) Other Amendments.-- Section 703(a)(5) of the Foreign 
     Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2430b(a)(5)) is amended--
       (1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 
     ``or, as appropriate in exceptional circumstances,'' and 
     inserting ``or''; and

[[Page 26883]]

       (2) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``or an arrangement 
     under the structural adjustment facility or enhanced 
     structural adjustment facility, or in exceptional 
     circumstances, a Fund monitored program or its equivalent,'' 
     and inserting ``an arrangement under the structural 
     adjustment facility or enhanced structural adjustment 
     facility, a Fund monitored program, or is implementing sound 
     macroeconomic policies,''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Watson) and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.


                             General Leave

  Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include 
extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this bill and I 
yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I strongly support the Tropical Forest Conservation Act 
Reauthorization bill and urge my colleagues to do so as well. I would 
particularly like to recognize the efforts of Congressman Mark Kirk, 
the sponsor of H.R. 2185. Congressman Kirk is a long-time champion of 
this innovative debt-for-conservation program. Mr. Kirk's legislation 
extends and expands a vitally important environmental initiative 
launched during the Clinton administration.
  Mr. Speaker, over the past 9 years this program has resulted in 12 
Tropical Forest Conservation Act agreements in Asia, the Caribbean, 
Central and South America. These agreements have provided $135 million 
to help conserve 50 million acres of tropical forests. The Tropical 
Forest Conservation Act has become one of the most effective foreign 
policy tools that the executive branch has at its disposal to encourage 
developing states to take action to protect and preserve tropical 
forests.
  The program has been a tremendous success. It has provided needed 
funding to actively pursue debt swaps, buybacks, and debt restructuring 
with developing nations in return for concrete expenditures aimed at 
protecting vital natural resources. This mechanism inspires more prompt 
debt servicing and gives foreign governments a greater sense of 
responsibility for preserving the global heritage.
  H.R. 2185 would expand the program in a very significant way by 
extending its debt-relief-for-conservation mechanism to expenditures 
aimed at protecting coral reefs and sensitive marine environments. 
Coral reefs and coastal marine environments provide a host of benefits 
to humankind. They harbor a major share of the world's marine 
biological diversity, and act as vital nurseries and seeding grounds 
for many sensitive deep sea species. They also provide the foundation 
for economic, social and recreational activities of immeasurable value.
  Mr. Speaker, coral reefs are extremely sensitive treasures. However, 
the shocking reports of wide-scale coral bleaching that has occurred 
around the globe in recent years should serve as a wake-up call for all 
of us. Urgent action is needed to mitigate the contributions that human 
activities are making to this problem.
  H.R. 2185 provides just the kind of creative, targeted and mutually 
beneficial assistance that is clearly required to tackle this important 
ecological threat. H.R. 2185 will also enable more key countries to 
participate in the program. Currently, in order to qualify for the 
Act's mutually beneficial mechanism, a country must have an IMF 
agreement in place. Under the new language, eligibility would also 
extend to nations that are implementing sound macroeconomic policies.
  Mr. Speaker, the executive branch has partnered with us in crafting 
this reauthorization, and has expressed its interest in seeing it pass 
this year. I urge my colleagues to support passage of this important 
measure.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the bill H.R. 2185, which would 
reauthorize and amend the Tropical Forest Conservation Act of 1998. As 
the total territory of the world's tropical forests continue to 
decline, programs such as that created by the Tropical Forest 
Conservation Act of 1998 are an important component of international 
efforts to slow and hopefully reverse the decline at the start of the 
new century.
  Under the Tropical Forest Conservation Act, a country with a tropical 
forest within its borders may seek an agreement with the United States 
whereby some of the debts it may owe us can instead be utilized to 
support activities that maintain those tropical forests. The bill would 
reauthorize this important conservation program through fiscal year 
2010. The bill also amends the program in order to make coral reefs 
eligible for coverage under the program as well.
  This is an important response to the increasing evidence of decline 
in the world coral reefs, which, along with tropical forests, are a 
vital environmental resource. It is important that we preserve such 
underwater treasures, not just for future generations to enjoy, but to 
ensure the sustainability of our world's fragile ecology.
  Mr. Speaker, enactment of this bill would authorize a continuation of 
these important conservation efforts for the next 3 fiscal years. I 
support this measure and urge my colleagues as well to support this 
measure.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am very proud to rise today 
in support of H.R. 2185, a resolution that I introduced with my good 
friend Congressman Mark Kirk and the bipartisan support of 30 other 
cosponsors.
  I would like to first extend my appreciation for the hard work and 
efforts made by all parties who worked to craft this important 
bipartisan piece of legislation. Congressman Kirk and I worked closely 
with the Nature Conservancy, Conservation International, the World 
Wildlife Fund, the Wildlife Conservation Society, the Office of 
Management and Budget, and Departments of State and Treasury on this 
bill. I thank each of these bodies for their input, cooperation and 
support.
  This innovative program allows eligible developing countries to 
utilize all funds spent on tropical forest preservation toward foreign 
debt payments to the United States.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2185 builds on the already successful and sound 
economic and conservation law, the Tropical Forest Conservation Act, 
TFCA, of 1998.
  For 7 years, the program created by that act has simultaneously 
accomplished two key goals: providing relief for the burden of debt on 
developing countries and promoting increased international tropical 
forest conservation.
  The program's achievements speak for themselves. Since its inception, 
12 ``debt-for nature swaps'' have been signed in developing countries 
in Asia, the Caribbean, Central and South America, generating $135 
million in debt relief for these countries and conserving some 50 
million acres of tropical forests.
  Our legislation reauthorizes and expands this program.
  By reauthorizing the Tropical Forest Conservation Act, the House is 
continuing to strengthen the indigenous economies and civil society of 
developing countries while protecting both the world's forests and 
endangered marine habitats.
  Additionally, by continuing to protect our rainforests we are 
protecting future medicinal storehouses. The medicinal value of these 
rainforests cannot be underestimated. Today some 120 prescription drugs 
sold worldwide today are derived directly from rainforest plants. By 
conserving our rainforests, we are providing possible cures for life-
threatening diseases.
  By expanding this legislation, we are improving on an already 
responsible, sensible and successful initiative to conserve more 
ecosystems and relieve more countries' debt.
  One of the most significant expansions we made to the Tropical Forest 
Conservation Act in this bill extends the program to apply to all 
forests, coral reefs and associated coastal marine ecosystems. 
Including coral reefs and related marine areas under the scope of TFCA 
will encourage the conservation of these endangered marine 
environments.
  Coral reef ecosystems throughout the world face numerous threats and 
even possible extinction. Threats to coral reef, in turn, threaten the 
species and livelihoods that depend on them. Coral reef offers 
protections from

[[Page 26884]]

storms, wave damage, and erosion and also provides various economic 
opportunities from fishing to ecotourism.
  By providing incentives for developing nations to conserve their 
coral resources, we are in effect protecting coastal landscape's and 
maintaining coastal quality of water of some of the most important 
coral reef ecosystems in the world.
  Another important alteration we made to the legislation expands the 
programs eligibility to additional countries. Current law forbids 
governments of beneficiary countries to be grant recipients unless 
there are ``exceptional circumstances.'' However, for many countries 
their governments are the sole managers of their ecosystems, thereby 
preventing them from receiving the funds. By increasing the Treasury 
Department's authority to provide funds to governments of beneficiary 
countries, our legislation extends the programs' eligibility to even 
more developing countries.
  A final significant change we made to the program authorizes 
additional funding for audits and evaluation and allows these funds to 
be used for monitoring and administration. Increasing the funding 
amount allows the Treasury Department to better monitor all deals and 
improve oversight over the entire program.
  Top notch strategies and technologies needed to conserve and protect 
our international ecosystems can be found right here in the United 
States. In my State of Florida, several institutions have long been at 
the forefront of efforts to preserve these marine habitats.
  The Florida Aquarium, a non-profit education and research institution 
in Tampa, has developed cutting edge technologies and protocols for 
coral conservation including how to safely introduce cultural coral 
into wild reefs. Until the museum pioneered this technology, there was 
no viable solution to ``quickly'' rebuild destroyed and dying reefs. 
Developing countries participating in our debt relief initiative could 
greatly benefit from the museum's technology and expertise, and I 
strongly encourage these countries to seek out the museum as a resource 
in their efforts to rehabilitate coral.
  The Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, located outside of my 
district in Fort Pierce, does equally outstanding work to investigate 
the causes of and prevent coral reef degradation and deforestation. Dr. 
Brian Lapointe of the Center for Coastal Research at Harbor Branch has 
spent the majority of his career studying threats to the marine 
ecosystems in island nations such as Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, 
Martinique and St. Lucia. He has successfully assisted these countries 
by helping them understand the effects of human impact on coral reef.
  Dr. Lapointe and others at Harbor Branch Oceanographic have 
tirelessly worked to educate communities on rehabilitation strategies 
and future conservation techniques. People like Brian Lapointe and 
institutions like Harbor Branch Oceanographic can help countries that 
get assistance through the Tropical Forest Conservation Act program to 
restore and protect valuable and irreplaceable coral reefs and other 
marine ecosystems.
  This bill is a win-win-win situation. With the passage of this bill, 
Congress can further alleviate debt in developing countries, provide 
long-term sustainable financing for environmental conservation and 
protection for important world ecosystems, and advance medicinal 
research and increase United States assistance to developing countries 
and further our credibility overseas. Reauthorizing the Tropical Forest 
Conservation Act provides numerous benefits to developing nations, to 
the United States, and to our planet.
  I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this bill.
  Ms. CASTOR. Mr. Speaker, as we reauthorize the Tropical Forest 
Conservation Act, we take an important and critical new step to help 
the world preserve and restore its natural resources and vital 
ecosystems. This reauthorization will continue our efforts to preserve 
the world's forests, coral reefs, and associated coastal marine 
ecosystems. The Tropical Forest Conservation Act will create an 
invaluable debt-for-nature exchange that not only benefits the global 
economy, but also the global environment.
  Protecting our natural resources is a daunting responsibility, and 
coral reefs present unique challenges to protect and rebuild. They are 
fragile, slow-growing, and easily damaged by passing ships, changes in 
temperature, or severe weather. Despite these challenges, they are an 
integral part of our environment. Corals support economies, protect 
coastlines, and act as ecosystems for thousands of species of sea life. 
They may also provide information for the development of new drugs or 
understandings of human disease.
  The Florida Aquarium, a non-profit education and research institution 
in Tampa, has extensive experience in developing cutting edge 
technologies and protocols for coral conservation, including how to 
safely introduce cultured coral onto wild reefs. This facility has 
pioneered the methods and technology needed to confidently direct a 
coral health certificate program wherein aquacultured corals are 
certified as safe for introduction into the wild. Until the Florida 
Aquarium developed this certification technique for artificially 
aquacultured coral, there was no acceptable solution for doing so. This 
made rebuilding reefs time-consuming and expensive, and often led to 
the destruction of the wild coral that scientists were trying to 
restore. Today, the Florida Aquarium continues to lead the scientific 
community as the only institution in the world that can certify 
aquacultured coral for wild reefs.
  Mr. Speaker, developing countries participating in our debt relief 
initiative could greatly benefit from the Florida Aquarium's technology 
and expertise. I strongly encourage the coral initiatives under the 
Tropical Forest Conservation Act to seek out the Florida Aquarium as a 
resource in rehabilitating coral reefs world wide. I am proud to 
support this important legislation in its effort to preserve our 
natural resources.
  Mr. KIRK. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2185 to 
reauthorize and expand Rob Portman's landmark legislation, the Tropical 
Forest Conservation Act. This reauthorization will help developing 
countries reduce foreign debt and provide comprehensive environmental 
preservation programs to protect tropical forests and endangered marine 
habitats around the world.
  Since enacted in 1998, Tropical Forest Conservation Act programs have 
generated a total of $136.5 million over 10 to 25 years to help 
conserve 50 million acres of tropical forests in Asia, the Caribbean, 
Central and South America. But the rate of deforestation continues to 
accelerate across the globe.
  Similarly alarming is the rapid rate of coral reef and coastal 
exploitation. The burden of foreign debt falls especially hard on the 
smallest of nations, such as island nations in the Caribbean and 
Pacific. With few natural resources, these countries often resort to 
harvesting or otherwise exploiting coral reefs and other marine 
habitats to earn hard currency to service foreign debt. According to 
the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, 60 percent of the 
world's coral reefs may be destroyed by the year 2050 if the present 
rate of destruction continues.
  The Tropical Forest and Coral Conservation Act expands the current 
tropical forest conservation programs to include the protection and 
conservation of these vital coral ecosystems. H.R. 2185 will credit 
qualified developing nations for each dollar spent on a comprehensive 
tropical forest and reef preservation or management programs. It will 
also reduce debt by investing locally in programs that will strengthen 
indigenous economies by creating long-term management policies to 
preserve the natural resources upon which local commerce is based. Most 
importantly, H.R. 2185 will make resources available for environmental 
stewardship that would otherwise be of the lowest priority in a 
developing country.
  This legislation has enormous consequences for the existence of 
critical ecosystems, the health of our planet and the livelihoods of 
millions of people across the globe. I would like to thank Bill Millan 
from The Nature Conservancy, Lisa Handy from Conservation 
International, Beth Allgood from the World Wildlife Fund and Kelly 
Aylward from the Wildlife Conservation Society for all their efforts in 
helping to craft and forward this legislation. I urge my colleagues to 
support the Tropical Forest and Coral Conservation Act, which will help 
preserve the world's most precious natural resources.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Watson) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2185, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  The title was amended so as to read: ``A bill to amend the Tropical 
Forest Conservation Act of 1998 to provide debt relief to developing 
countries that take action to protect tropical forests and coral reefs 
and associated coastal marine ecosystems, to reauthorize such Act 
through fiscal year 2010, and for other purposes.''.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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