[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 8]
[Senate]
[Page 10443]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         ENDANGERED SPECIES DAY

  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, 2 years ago I sponsored a resolution 
designating the third Friday in May as Endangered Species Day. This 
resolution passed by unanimous consent. There were no objections. The 
resolution was nonpartisan and noncontroversial.
  The goal of Endangered Species Day was simple: to give students an 
opportunity to learn about the threats facing endangered and threatened 
species and the work being done to save them.
  Last year, I introduced a similar resolution. Once again, it passed 
by unanimous consent and was noncontroversial. Over 60 events were held 
in cities across the country. It was used as an educational tool for 
teachers and a day for parents to take their children to the zoo.
  This year the resolution was offered for a third time. It was thought 
it would pass quickly and without controversy. However, this was not 
the case. It was held up by an unknown Senator. We could not clear the 
hold, so we were unable to get unanimous consent to pass the 
resolution.
  Now why is this important? The fact is that 90 events were scheduled 
in 28 States. Twenty events took place in California to commemorate the 
day. In my city of San Francisco, the Golden Gate National Recreation 
Area and the Farralones National Marine Sanctuary led nature hikes in 
search of the endangered tidewater goby and explained to children what 
they can do to save them. The Antelope Valley Conservancy hosted its 
third annual Endangered Species Day Conference that brought together 
Federal, State, and local leaders to discuss their recovery efforts. 
Similarly, the San Diego Zoo held public lectures on the affects that 
global climate change will have on endangered species.
  These events still went on as planned. Teachers continued to educate 
their students about what we need to do as a Nation and at the local 
level to protect our planet and endangered species.
  We know that global climate change, habitat destruction, and the 
illegal trade and hunting of endangered species carry serious 
consequences for their future survival. These threats are ongoing. More 
effective wildlife management programs are needed like those to save 
the California condor, least Bell's vireo songbird and the California 
grey whale.
  I am disappointed that this noncontroversial resolution was prevented 
from passing. The goals of Endangered Species Day are simple and 
uncontroversial: to build awareness about the threats facing our 
planet's species. If we don't recognize these threats and act now to 
address them, our planet's endangered species may soon become our 
planet's extinct species. I am hopeful that all those who took part in 
last Friday's events came away knowing that more work needs to be done 
to protect our planet.

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