[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 13866]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING THE FRIENDS OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER 20TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 18, 2013

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the vital work of 
the Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR) on the 20th anniversary of 
its founding. Since its inception in 1993, this organization and its 
army of volunteers has dedicated itself to protecting America's 
greatest river here at the head of navigation. Countless hours of hard 
work and dedication by FMR in partnership with many other organizations 
and individuals is making a difference for generations to come.
  When the Friends of the Mississippi River was founded in 1993 its 
mission was to engage citizens in an effort to protect, restore and 
enhance the Mississippi River in the Twin Cities region. The river is 
one of our nation's most important natural resources, cherished each 
year by millions of residents and visitors alike. As one of the world's 
longest rivers, the Mississippi is a defining geographic feature of 
North America and its watershed drains all or parts of 31 states. The 
river's ecosystem is a natural resource of global significance, with 
nearly half of North America's ducks, geese and swans relying on the 
Mississippi River for food, direction and resting places during 
seasonal migrations.
  Thanks to the tireless efforts of its staff, board and the hundreds 
of members and volunteers that support it, FMR is a one of Minnesota's 
leading citizen organizations for land conservation, watershed 
protection and river stewardship. As the ecological vitality of the 
Upper Mississippi River continues to be under threat, FMR faces the 
important task of protecting the river's ability to support native 
plant and animal species. Today, FMR continues to lead efforts critical 
to the long-term wellbeing of the Mississippi River and the Twin Cities 
region. FMR provides expertise and technical assistance critical to the 
protection of the Mississippi River and it continues to engage public 
and private landowners, local governments and concerned citizens as a 
steward for current and future generations.
  FMR advocacy has helped to make the Twin Cities a model for watershed 
planning and decision-making. Over the past two decades, FMR has nobly 
fought for the protection and improvement of the Mississippi River and 
watershed, and their hard work deserves recognition.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in rising to honor the commitment and 
dedication of the Friends of the Mississippi River as we commemorate 
their 20th anniversary today, as they continue the legacy to restore 
and protect this river for future generations of Minnesotans and indeed 
all Americans.

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