[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 20490]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   INTRODUCING HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE THE DYKE MARSH WILDLIFE 
              PRESERVE AS A UNIQUE AND PRECIOUS ECOSYSTEM

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES P. MORAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 30, 2009

  Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce a 
resolution recognizing one of the national capital area's most unique 
and cherished wetland and wildlife preserves and to celebrate the 50th 
anniversary of the legislation that was enacted to ensure its survival.
  In 1959, the U.S. Congress passed legislation designating Fairfax 
County's Dyke Marsh as a protected ecosystem, for the purpose of 
promoting fish and wildlife development and preserving their natural 
habitat. Until that time, the Dyke Marsh, which is the largest 
remaining freshwater tidal marsh along the Potomac River shoreline in 
this area, was in danger of disappearing as a result of commercial 
dredging and dumping operations.
  One of the key driving forces behind this legislation was our very 
own Honorable John Dingell of Michigan. His leadership, determination, 
and dedication to conservation and habitat preservation were essential 
to ensuring that the Dyke Marsh was not destroyed at the expense of 
further dredging and filling activities. Representative Dingell, along 
with the late Honorable John P. Saylor of Pennsylvania and the late 
Honorable Henry S. Reuss of Wisconsin, are to be commended on their 
efforts in championing this legislation 50 years ago, and one purpose 
of this resolution is to do just that.
  The Dyke Marsh was formed over 5,000 years ago and today provides a 
delicate, yet critical, habitat for a diverse array of more than 6,500 
species of plants and animals, including some that are threatened or 
endangered. Thanks to this insightful legislation and continued 
restoration efforts since that time, the value of Dyke Marsh today 
extends beyond its role as a preserve and protected ecosystem; it 
provides natural flood control, stemming of shoreline erosion, water 
quality enhancement, and aesthetic and recreational enjoyment for 
people of all ages.
  Please join me in celebrating the 50th anniversary of this 
legislation, in recognizing the importance and significance of the 
local treasure that the legislation protects, in reaffirming our 
commitment to protecting our precious threatened wetlands, and in 
honoring three individuals whose leadership and commitment to 
environmental stewardship were instrumental in the Dyke Marsh's 
preservation.
  I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

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