S.Res. 520Senate110th Congress (2007-2009)In Committee

A resolution designating May 16, 2008, as "Endangered Species Day".

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SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3162-3163)

Judiciary Committee

April 17, 2008

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

April 17, 2008

SenateIntro Referral

Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3162-3163)

Judiciary Committee

April 17, 2008

Floor Debate

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What members said about S.Res. 520 on the floor

1 Democrat

Sen. Dianne FeinsteinD-CA · Apr 17, 2008

Mr. President, I rise today to introduce a resolution to establish the third annual Endangered Species Day on May 16, 2008. I am introducing this resolution with Senators Collins, Cantwell,…

Mr. President, I rise today to introduce a resolution to establish the third annual Endangered Species Day on May 16, 2008. I am introducing this resolution with Senators Collins, Cantwell, Lieberman, Clinton, Kerry, Brown, Snowe, Levin, Boxer, and Feingold whose co-sponsorship I appreciate.

I want to commend my constituent, Mr. David Robinson, who first suggested the establishment of an Endangered Species Day. Mr. Robinson is an example of people who really do make a difference.

The designation of Endangered Species Day will provide many wonderful opportunities for the public to familiarize themselves with the status and recovery efforts of endangered species in our country and around the world.

Last year, more than 50 events were held across the country to highlight endangered species success stories. The Governor of Maine, and the cities and counties of Santa Barbara, San Diego, and San Francisco also declared state and local Endangered Species Days. Zoos and aquariums across the country, such as the Roger Williams Zoo and the San Diego Wild Animal Park, also held educational events.

Based on the success of last year, I am confident that the events of this year's Endangered Species Day will continue to foster increased communication and awareness about many of the most endangered species by encouraging such activities as school field trips to the zoo or attending a lecture at the local library. In my city of San Francisco, the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and the Farralones National Marine Sanctuary plan to hold special tours and viewings of endangered species to commemorate this special day.

Endangered Species recovery programs in California are examples of the conservation and management efforts that have helped significantly restore populations of California condor, the least Bell's vireo songbird, and the California gray whale. Over 300 species classified as either endangered or threatened currently call California home, and efforts to protect them will ensure that they continue to do so.

Despite these success stories, we need to be aware that more can be done. At this time, we have more than 5,000 threatened species in the U.S. and abroad, which receive protection. One small step is to increase awareness about the seriousness of the circumstances facing many of these endangered species and educating the public about them.

I am introducing this bill with the hope that Endangered Species Day can spark the wonder and interest in our youth to continue the conservation efforts we have begun, but still are far from finishing.

I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution.

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Introduced in SenateIssued April 17, 2008

III

110th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. RES. 520

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

April 17, 2008

Mrs. Feinstein (for herself, Ms. Collins, Ms. Cantwell, Mr. Lieberman, Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Kerry, Mr. Brown, Ms. Snowe, Mr. Levin, Mrs. Boxer, and Mr. Feingold) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

RESOLUTION

Designating May 16, 2008, as Endangered Species Day.

Whereas, in the United States and around the world, more than 1,000 species are officially designated as at risk of extinction and thousands more also face a heightened risk of extinction;

Whereas the actual and potential benefits that may be derived from many species have not yet been fully discovered and would be permanently lost if not for conservation efforts;

Whereas recovery efforts for species such as the whooping crane, Kirtland's warbler, the peregrine falcon, the gray wolf, the gray whale, the grizzly bear, and others have resulted in great improvements in the viability of such species;

Whereas saving a species requires a combination of sound research, careful coordination, and intensive management of conservation efforts, along with increased public awareness and education;

Whereas 2/3 of endangered or threatened species reside on private lands;

Whereas voluntary cooperative conservation programs have proven to be critical to habitat restoration and species recovery; and

Whereas education and increasing public awareness are the first steps in effectively informing the public about endangered species and species restoration efforts: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate—

(1)

designates May 16, 2008, as Endangered Species Day;

(2)

encourages schools to spend at least 30 minutes on Endangered Species Day teaching and informing students about—

(A)

threats to endangered species around the world; and

(B)

efforts to restore endangered species, including the essential role of private landowners and private stewardship in the protection and recovery of species;

(3)

encourages organizations, businesses, private landowners, and agencies with a shared interest in conserving endangered species to collaborate in developing educational information for use in schools; and

(4)

encourages the people of the United States—

(A)

to become educated about, and aware of, threats to species, success stories in species recovery, and opportunities to promote species conservation worldwide; and

(B)

to observe the day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.