[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 3]
[House]
[Pages 3089-3091]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      RECOGNIZING THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK

  Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 845) recognizing the 60th anniversary of Everglades 
National Park, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 845

       Whereas Everglades National Park celebrated its 60th 
     anniversary on December 6, 2007;
       Whereas when President Harry S. Truman dedicated Everglades 
     National Park on December 6, 1947, he stated: ``Here is land, 
     tranquil in its quiet beauty, serving not as the

[[Page 3090]]

     source of water, but as the last receiver of it. To its 
     natural abundance we owe the spectacular plant and animal 
     life that distinguishes this place from all others in our 
     country'';
       Whereas Marjory Stoneman Douglas gave the Everglades the 
     name ``River of Grass'' stating, ``There are no other 
     Everglades in the world'';
       Whereas Everglades National Park has been designated an 
     International Biosphere Reserve, a World Heritage Site, and a 
     Wetland of International Importance, in recognition of its 
     significance to all the people of the world;
       Whereas the Everglades ecosystem encompasses 3,000,000 
     acres of wetlands and is the largest subtropical wilderness 
     in the United States featuring slow-moving freshwater that 
     flows south from Lake Okeechobee through sawgrass and tree 
     islands to the mangroves and seagrasses of Florida Bay;
       Whereas Everglades National Park is home to rare and 
     endangered species, such as the American crocodile, the 
     Florida panther, and the West Indian manatee, and more than 
     350 species of birds, including the Great Egret, Wood Stork, 
     Swallow-tailed Kite, and Roseate Spoonbill;
       Whereas the Central and South Florida region is an 
     international center for business, agriculture, and tourism, 
     with a rapidly growing population of varied ethnic, economic, 
     and social values, all of which are dependent on a 
     sustainable framework for the water resources of the region 
     to restore the Everglades ecosystem, provide adequate 
     freshwater supplies, and promote a healthy and sustainable 
     economy and overall quality of life;
       Whereas Everglades National Park is an essential component 
     of a larger ecosystem restoration effort, the Comprehensive 
     Everglades Restoration Plan, which has been described as the 
     world's largest ecosystem restoration project; and
       Whereas this restoration effort must succeed in order to 
     restore the natural Everglades ecosystem and ensure that the 
     treasures of Everglades National Park can be passed on to our 
     children and grandchildren: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) recognizes the 60th anniversary of Everglades National 
     Park; and
       (2) dedicates itself to the success of the Comprehensive 
     Everglades Restoration Plan.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
West Virginia (Mr. Rahall) and the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Bishop) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from West Virginia.


                             General Leave

  Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and 
include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from West Virginia?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, the pending resolution, introduced by our 
colleague from Florida, Representative Alcee Hastings, recognizes the 
60th anniversary of the Everglades National Park. It is the first of 
two resolutions the House is considering this afternoon in tribute to 
the Everglades.
  The landscape of the Everglades is completely unique, a grassy river 
40 miles wide and 100 miles long. While half of this wonderful 
landscape has been lost to agriculture, much of the remaining portions 
of this famed ``River of Grass'' are now protected by the Everglades 
National Park.
  I commend and congratulate our colleague, Representative Alcee 
Hastings, for keeping the issues facing the Everglades in the 
spotlight. I fully support passage of H. Res. 845 and urge its adoption 
by the House today.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak on House Resolution 
845, and I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  This bill, once again, has been adequately explained by Chairman 
Rahall, and I urge the adoption of this resolution.
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 845, as 
amended, recognizing the 60th anniversary of the Everglades National 
Park.
  Former Florida Governor Reubin Askew once stated, ``We must build a 
peace in south Florida--a peace between the people and their place, 
between the natural environment and man-made settlement, between the 
creek and the canal, between the works of man and the life of mankind 
itself.''
  Indeed, the natural areas surrounding and encompassing Everglades 
National Park represent the largest subtropical wilderness in the 
United States featuring slow-moving freshwater. The Everglades are 
naturally unique and provide tremendous benefits to south Florida in 
many capacities, but the park is also one of the most endangered 
national parks in our country.
  The Park totals more than 1 million acres, and the Everglade 
ecosystem itself encompasses 3 million acres of wetlands. More than 1 
million visitors come to the Everglades each year, learning of the 
Everglades environmental importance while igniting the State's tourism 
industry.
  The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure has a long history 
of oversight of the Everglades restoration. The Water Resources 
Development Act of 2007, P.L. 110-114, authorized the first three 
projects in the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Project--Picayune 
Strand, Indian River Lagoon, and the Site 1 Impoundment Project. 
Support for provisions like these was so strong that this Congress 
overrode the President's veto of the bill by a vote of 381-40, an 
overwhelming majority of the House of Representatives.
  We must continue to take action to preserve and protect this 
treasured wetland. This resolution reminds us of this precious natural 
resource, and I urge my colleagues to join me in agreeing to the 
resolution.
  Mr. MACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate one of the Nation's 
greatest treasures and to express my continued support for this 
important resolution introduced by my colleague from Florida which 
recognizes the 60th anniversary of Everglades National Park. It is our 
responsibility to ensure that a healthy and vibrant Everglades is there 
for future generations.
  In addition to being an international center for business, tourism, 
and agriculture, the Everglades is the largest subtropical wilderness 
in the United States and is home to numerous rare and endangered 
species. Growing up in southwest Florida and so close to the 
Everglades, I was able to experience all the Everglades has to offer.
  This resolution recognizes the continuing impact the Everglades has 
made on individuals throughout the world with the inception of the 
Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, CERP. The Comprehensive 
Everglades Restoration Plan is one of the most extensive ecosystem 
restoration efforts ever created which will restore and protect one of 
our Nation's greatest natural resources. CERP's main goal is to capture 
fresh water that now flows to the ocean and the Gulf of Mexico and 
redirect it to the areas that need it most. The majority of water will 
be devoted to environmental restoration, and the rest will enhance 
water supplies in south Florida. Make no mistake: the Everglades and 
Florida's unique environment are vital to our quality of life.
  Mr. Speaker, protecting the Everglades is important for the overall 
health of south Florida's environment and way of life. It is our 
responsibility to ensure that a healthy and vibrant Everglades is there 
for our children and grandchildren. I urge all of my colleagues to 
recognize and support this important bipartisan resolution.
  Ms. WASSERMANSCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House 
Resolution 845 recognizing the 60th anniversary of Everglades National 
Park.
  Not coincidentally, it was also 60 years ago that Marjory Stoneman 
Douglas famously said in her book, the ``River of Grass,'' that ``there 
are no other Everglades in the world.'' As we celebrate the 60th 
anniversary of the creation of the park, we must come to terms with the 
critical threats facing this unique ecosystem and re-dedicate ourselves 
to Everglades restoration. Let us not lose this truly unique national 
treasure forever.
  In 2000, we created the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, 
embarking on a historic Federal-State partnership with Florida to 
restore historic water flows, dramatically reduce water pollution and 
address development encroachment that threatens both the National Park 
and the larger Everglades.
  However, most of the more than 50 component projects that are part of 
the Restoration Plan are already behind schedule. For 7 years Congress 
has largely failed to follow through on its part of the bargain in both 
authorizing projects and funding those projects. This is not an 
auspicious start.
  I am happy to say, this is beginning to change. With passage of the 
Water Resources Development Act in 2007, we authorized several 
important components of the restoration plan. But our work is far from 
done. I call on my colleagues to work with me and the entire Florida 
delegation to make sure we properly fund this restoration work. 
Together we must ensure that 60 years from now we will be remembered as 
those that breathed new life into

[[Page 3091]]

Marjory Stoneman Douglas's vision and saved the Everglades for 
generations to come.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support House Resolution 845 and 
vote for its final passage.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support 
of House Resolution 845, a resolution recognizing the 60th anniversary 
of Everglades National Park. I proudly introduced this resolution with 
my colleague and fellow co-chair of the Everglades Caucus, 
Representative Mario Diaz-Balart.
  I applaud Representative Diaz-Balart for his commitment to working 
together to preserve and restore the Everglades.
  I thank the chairman of the Committee on Natural Resources, 
Representative Nick Rahall, a true champion of protecting our Nation's 
natural resources, especially our majestic national parks, for his 
support for protecting Florida's environment.
  I also would like to thank the ranking member of the Committee, 
Representative Don Young, for his support as well.
  The bipartisan support this resolution enjoys is reminiscent of the 
past and present bipartisan support Everglades restoration efforts 
enjoy.
  Today we honor the 60th anniversary of Everglades National Park. The 
park, which spans 3 million acres of wetlands, is habitat to many 
endangered species and is an international center for business, 
agriculture, and tourism.
  Our work to restore the Everglades is the largest restoration effort 
of its kind in history.
  As a fifth generation Floridian and great grandson of a Creek Indian, 
my passion for these majestic wetlands extends back to my birth.
  I have seen species that have since become endangered, and a living 
ecosystem that has since been degraded by management and development 
activities.
  Regrettably, since the passage of landmark legislation in 2000, 
restoration efforts in Congress have been mired. Now the Everglades is 
paying a hefty price for Federal delays. Expected project completion 
timeframes have been shifted, and the restoration price tags increased.
  With new perspectives and new priorities, Congress is again 
reaffirming our commitment to the Everglades.
  Just last November, Congress overrode a President Bush veto and 
passed the Water Resources Development Act of 2007, authorizing $1.8 
billion in Everglades restoration funding.
  As we pause to celebrate the anniversary of the Everglades National 
Park today, we enhance our vigilant efforts to restore the park to the 
pristine ecosystem it once was.
  I thank the leadership of the House for their work on this bill, and 
urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
  Ms. CASTOR. Mr. Speaker, ``Here are no lofty peaks seeking the sky, 
no mighty glaciers or rushing streams wearing away the uplifted land. 
Here is land, tranquil in its quiet beauty, serving not as the source 
of water, but as the receiver of it. To its natural abundance we owe 
the spectacular plant and animal life that distinguishes this place 
from all others in our country.''
  These were the words of Harry Truman, 60 years ago at the dedication 
of the Everglades National Park. And it is in the same spirit that I 
support H. Res. 845, recognizing the 60th anniversary of Everglades 
National Park. The Everglades are a completely unique treasure for 
Floridians, and all Americans. So it is fitting that they should also 
be unique in the national park system. The Everglades were the first 
unit of the park system to be designated not for their scenic beauty 
alone, but for the extraordinary diversity of their wildlife.
  One of the largest bodies of fresh water in the United States, Lake 
Okeechobee, sits at the top of the Everglades. During the wet season, 
Okeechobee slowly pours water over its southern edge, and it flows out 
in a slow flood that slides south and spreads out over hundreds of 
square miles. The water flows south, but very slowly, sometimes as 
little as a hundred feet in a day. And it is remarkably shallow, as 
little as a foot in depth, which allows the incredible diversity of 
plant and animal life, unrivaled in the Nation.
  In 1947, when Marjory Stoneman Douglas published ``Everglades: River 
of Grass'' and Harry Truman dedicated the Everglades as part of the 
parks system, it was with the intention of preserving the Everglades 
for future generations. Douglas continued to fight for the Everglades 
for the rest of her life, and she led an ever growing chorus of voices, 
advocating for our environment. The Everglades became a touchstone for 
an entire movement of Floridians and other Americans who continue to 
fight to save our natural places, not only for future generations, but 
also for their own sake.
  Unfortunately, the Everglades still faces threats of the attrition of 
development, and the redirection of its waters. In the Water Resources 
Development Plan of 2000, Congress included a comprehensive restoration 
plan to bring the Everglades back to its natural state. The Everglades 
remain one of the Nation's greatest natural treasures, and I am proud 
to stand in recognition today of their 60th anniversary as part of the 
park system.
  Mr. PUTNAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 
845 to bring awareness and recognize the 60th anniversary of our 
beautiful and unique Everglades National Park.
  The Everglades are truly a national treasure, an irreplaceable part 
of our national landscape with its vast wetland wilderness unlike any 
other in the world. The Everglades National Park is part of the south 
Florida ecosystem that includes over 3 million acres with subtropical 
wetland landscapes that stretch 220 miles from Orlando to Florida Bay. 
As President Truman noted when he dedicated the park in 1947, ``To its 
natural abundance we owe the spectacular plant and animal life that 
distinguishes this place from all others in our country.''
  The Everglades National Parks constitutes the largest subtropical 
wilderness in the Nation featuring slow-moving waters and provides 
critical habitat to ecosystems for countless animals including rare and 
endangered species such as the American crocodile, Florida panther, 
Western Indian manatee and more than 350 species of birds, including 
the Great Egret, Wood Stork, Swallow-tailed Kite, Cape Sable seaside 
sparrow, and Roseate Spoonbill.
  For good reason, it has been designated an International Biosphere 
Reserve, a World Heritage Site, and a Wetland of International 
Importance--in recognition of its significance to all people of the 
world.
  Many people have had a great impact on the establishment and history 
of the Everglades, including former Florida Governor Spessard Holland, 
who incidentally is a Bartow native. His work in the 1940s to secure 
thousands of acres needed for the creation of the park along with his 
25 year Senate career in which he championed and ensured resources were 
made available for projects was instrumental. He was one of the first 
great champions of the Everglades and I am so grateful for his work, 
without which, we might not be here celebrating the Park's 60th 
anniversary.
  Unfortunately, the Everglades have been negatively impacted by 
encroachment and disruption that has harmed wildlife and destroyed 
wetlands. I am pleased that Congress and the State of Florida have been 
working together to restore and rehabilitate this treasure through the 
Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, CERP. I join my colleagues 
in continued support and dedication to these efforts in the years to 
come to ensure and preserve the Everglades' majesty and beauty for 
future generations to enjoy.
  Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, the Everglades National Park plays a major 
role in preserving an important ecosystem in the State of Florida. The 
Everglades act as a natural filter that helps provide fresh water to 
major cities in Florida. In a time when water is becoming an 
increasingly valuable resource, protecting this area for its natural 
filtering benefits is vital. While I was chairman of the House 
Appropriations subcommittee responsible for funding the programs that 
will restore the Everglades, I made sure that this task received the 
support that it needed. I again stand today in support of the 
Everglades and the Everglades National Park, an area that plays a vital 
role that is key to restoration of this ecosystem.
  Mr. BISHOP of Utah. I have no further requests for time, and I yield 
back the balance of my time.
  Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Rahall) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 845, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________