Honoring the life of Jacques-Yves Cousteau, explorer, researcher, and pioneer in the field of marine conservation.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend, the gentleman from Utah, Congressman Chaffetz, for yielding me the time.

Mr. Speaker, as the author of House Resolution 518, I would like to also thank the Natural Resources Committee ranking member, Congressman Doc Hastings, as well as Chairman Nick Rahall for their support and their assistance in moving this resolution to the floor today. Today is World Oceans Day.

I would also like to recognize the bipartisan support by members of the Natural Resources Committee, including Oceans Subcommittee chair Madeline Bordallo. Thank you very much, Madam Chair, and Congresswoman Lois Capps of California.

Later this evening, Mr. Speaker, Congresswoman Capps and I will be honored by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation for our work on ocean issues, namely, coastal restoration and coral reef rehabilitation. Of course, we take inspiration from the extraordinary life and career of Captain Jacques-Yves Cousteau.

Captain Cousteau was a pioneering explorer of the seas and of the many environmental issues that we face today. When explaining his relentless passion for ocean exploration and conservation, he said, ``People protect what they love.''

My congressional district, Mr. Speaker, includes the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, one of the largest coral reef tracts in the world, countless species of fish and wildlife, and three national parks.

Today, countless small business owners and their families are fighting to protect the ecosystem and the way of life that they hold dear. For 50 days, crude oil from the Deepwater Horizon oil rig has spewed 40 million gallons of oil in the Gulf of Mexico, resulting in the worst environmental disaster in American history.

According to recent analysis by the University of Central Florida, the oil rig disaster will cost Florida's economy $2.2 billion and 39,000 jobs in the tourism and fishing industry. I am certain that Captain Cousteau would be horrified by BP's nonchalance in responding to this crisis.

My constituents in the beautiful Florida Keys are particularly frustrated and angry at the lack of transparency and lag response times by BP. BP must work on all fronts at once. It is responsible for capping the leak to prevent more oil from gushing into the gulf, and it must provide the financial support to those individuals whose livelihoods have been devastated.

BP and the Coast Guard must also make a stronger effort at coordinating with our local governments, especially in the Keys, and utilizing the expertise and know-how of local businessmen and fishermen, as well as our many research facilities in Florida's colleges and universities.

As oil makes its way further into north Florida beaches, hundreds of fishermen, environmental activists, students, and other concerned residents have gathered together ready to assist in the cleanup effort. Commercial fishermen and charter boat captains have offered their assistance to lay boom and to skim oil before it reaches the shore.

In Key West, organizations like the United Way and the Florida Keys Environment Coalition have gathered volunteers ready to patrol the shoreline for tar balls. I am so grateful for the leadership of these great local organizations during this crisis. Their daily activism is a tribute to Jacques Cousteau.

Madam Speaker, June 8, 2010 was primary Election Day in my state of California, which necessitated my remaining in my congressional district on Tuesday, June 8, 2010, through Wednesday, June 9, 2010. Consequently, I was unable to return in time for rollcall votes 337 through 346.

I ask the Record to reflect that had I been present I would have voted as follows:

1. On rollcall No. 337, I would have voted ``aye'' (June 8) (H.R. 1061, Hoh Indian Tribe Safe Homelands Act).

2. On rollcall No. 338, I would have voted ``aye'' (June 8) (H. Res. 518, Honoring the life of Jacques-Yves Cousteau, explorer, researcher, and pioneer in the field of marine conservation).

3. On rollcall No. 339, I would have voted ``no'' (June 9) (Motion on Ordering the Previous Question on the Rule for H.R. 5072--FHA Reform Act of 2010 (H. Res. 1424).

4. On rollcall No. 340, I would have voted ``no'' (June 9) (On Agreeing to the Resolution Providing for the consideration of the bill H.R. 5072, the FHA Reform Act).

5. On rollcall No. 341, I would have voted ``no'' (June 9) (H. Res. 989--Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States should adopt national policies and pursue international agreements to prevent ocean acidification, to study the impacts of ocean acidification, and to address the effects of ocean acidification on marine ecosystems and coastal economies).

6. On rollcall No. 342, I would have voted ``aye'' (June 9) (H. Res. 1178--Directing the Clerk of the House of Representatives to compile the cost estimates prepared by the Congressional Budget Office which are included in reports filed by committees of the House on approved legislation and post such estimates on the official public Internet site of the Office of the Clerk).

7. On rollcall No. 343, I would have voted ``aye'' (June 9) (On the Motion to Instruct Conferees on H.R. 4173--Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2009 which instructs the House Conferees to end the culture of bailouts embedded in the bill.

8. On rollcall No. 344, I would have voted ``aye'' (June 9) (H. Res. 1330--Recognizing June 8, 2010, as World Ocean Day).

9. On rollcall No. 345, I would have voted ``aye'' (June 9) (H.R. 5278--To designate the ``President Ronald W. Reagan Post Office Building'' in Dixon, Illinois).

10. On rollcall No. 346, I would have voted ``aye'' (June 9) (H.R. 5133--To designate the ``Staff Sergeant Frank T. Carvill and Lance Corporal Michael A. Schwarz Post Office Building'' in Carlstadt, New Jersey).

Mr. Speaker, I rise to offer my support for H. Res. 518, a resolution honoring the life and accomplishments of the great environmentalist Jacques Cousteau.

Jacques Cousteau was an inventor, an explorer and a concerned citizen of our world.

He invented a waterproof housing for an underwater movie camera in 1936, and in 1943, with French engineer Emile Gagnon created the Aqualung, which allowed divers to swim untethered underwater for several hours. Cousteau fought for the French in World War II, and the Aqualung was used by divers to locate and remove enemy mines after the war.

In 1950 he purchased the ship Calypso from which to conduct his explorations of the world oceans, beginning the work for which he is perhaps best known: bringing the excitement of the oceans to the public.

He showed people around the world the beauty of ocean ecosystems-- from the Red Sea to Antarctica and from the Caribbean to the Indian Ocean--exploring the depths with a sense of adventure and exposing the oceans as the last earthy frontier to be explored.

He also lectured, produced amazing underwater photography, and published many books. Two of his films, ``The Silent World'' and ``World Without Sun'' won Academy Awards for best documentary.

His television program, ``The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau,'' which aired from 1968 to 1976, won multiple Emmy's and brought the marvels of his expeditions and the undersea world into American homes, inspiring many to love the sea and to pursue careers in marine science.

In 1974 he founded The Cousteau Society to help raise public awareness of ocean issues and help promote wise management of our ocean resources. And in 1985 he was awarded the Medal of Freedom by President Ronald Reagan. Finally, in 1989 he was honored by the French with membership in the French Academy.

Mr. Speaker, Jacques Cousteau taught the world how to appreciate, understand, explore, use, and preserve the oceans. We all owe a debt of gratitude to him and his family for raising the public awareness and support for the wonder and beauty of the world's oceans.

As we celebrate World Oceans Week, it is my hope that we can honor the wisdom of Jacques Cousteau by working together to improve the health of our oceans, so that our children and grandchildren will have a chance to enjoy and cherish them as he did.

I encourage all of my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution honoring the world renowned Jacques Cousteau.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 518, legislation honoring the life of Jacques-Yves Cousteau, explorer, researcher, and pioneer in the field of marine conservation.

First I want to thank the chief architect, the gentle lady from Florida, Ms. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, for her leadership on this important resolution. I also want to thank the gentle lady from Guam, Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife, my good friend Madeleine Bordallo, and all my colleagues on the Natural Resources Committee for their support on H. Res. 518.

This house resolution enjoys bi-partisan support as well as the blessings of the Cousteau family. And it is most fitting that we approve this measure to recognize the life and accomplishments of Jacques Cousteau on the 100th anniversary of his birth on June 11, 1910.

Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 518 recognizes an exceptional individual that has left an indelible mark on marine science, research and conservation. Over the span of his career, Mr. Cousteau produced over 120 films, authored or contributed to 50 books, invented the skin diving gear, and was awarded the prestigious United Nations International Environmental prize as well as the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Ronald Reagan.

In 1952-53, Mr. Cousteau sailed to the Red Sea on the Calypso and filmed the first color footage ever taken at 150 feet depth. Called ``The Silent World'', the documentary won the Academy Award for the Best Documentary Feature in the United States and was also awarded the top honor award at the Cannes Films Festival in 1956.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to know that the legacy of Cousteau lives on with his family. An article by Shelly Banjo in today's edition of the Wall Street Journal highlighted the works of Fabien Cousteau, grandson of Jacques Cousteau. Following the footsteps of his grandfather, the younger Cousteau is pursuing marine conservation projects to restore and protect bodies of water around the world. These efforts are not only important to sustain our oceans and marine resources, but they would also teach and educate everyone on the value of our oceans and aquatic life.

At the time when our nation is facing one of its worst oil spills in our history, the legacy of Cousteau continues to serve as a reminder to all of us about the importance and values in marine conservation and about managing our natural resources.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 518.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 518) honoring the life of Jacques-Yves Cousteau, explorer, researcher, and pioneer in the field of marine conservation, as amended.

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.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise in support of House Resolution 518. It's a resolution to honor the life and achievements of Jacques-Yves Cousteau, introduced by my good friend from Florida, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen.

Mr. Cousteau spent his lifetime as a researcher, explorer, and pioneer in the field of marine conservation. He produced more than 120 films, wrote more than 50 books, and was the first diver to take color footage at a depth over 150 feet. Mr. Cousteau's work brought the colorful, exotic, and unknown world of undersea life to the homes of people around the world and, in doing so, sparked a generation of conservation-minded ocean activists.

The Cousteau Society for the Protection of Ocean Life, founded by Cousteau in 1973, today boasts more than 360,000 members globally. House Resolution 518 would officially honor the brilliant and inspirational work of Jacques-Yves Cousteau and recognize his invaluable contributions to our understanding of the world's oceans. It is most fitting that we honor him today, Mr. Speaker, because today is World Oceans Day.

With that, I ask Members on both sides of the aisle to support the passage of this resolution.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, I want to go on record to say that I agree with the gentlewoman from Florida that this oil spill is a tragedy. I will work very closely with our chairman, Mr. Nick Rahall, to ensure that the laws are changed to prevent such a disaster in the future.

Mr. Speaker, I again urge Members to support this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.