S.Res. 121 – A resolution designating May 15, 2009, as "Endangered Species Day".

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5 earlier actions

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Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S5394)

May 12, 2009

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

April 30, 2009

SenateIntro Referral

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4977-4978)

April 30, 2009

SenateIntro Referral

Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S4977)

Judiciary Committee

April 30, 2009

SenateCommittee

Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S5394)

Judiciary Committee

May 12, 2009

SenateDischarge

Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5394)

Judiciary Committee

May 12, 2009

SenateFloor

Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S5394)

May 12, 2009

Floor Debate

2 members

What members said about S.Res. 121 on the floor

2 Democrats

Sen. Dianne FeinsteinD-CA · Apr 30, 2009

Mr. President, I rise today to introduce a resolution to establish the fourth annual Endangered Species Day on May 15, 2009. I am introducing this legislation with Senators Collins, Boxer, Brown,…

Mr. President, I rise today to introduce a resolution to establish the fourth annual Endangered

Species Day on May 15, 2009. I am introducing this legislation with Senators Collins, Boxer, Brown, Cantwell, Feingold, Kerry, Levin, Sanders, Whitehouse, and Akaka whose cosponsorship and support of this resolution I appreciate very much.

The designation of Endangered Species Day will provide many wonderful opportunities for Americans to familiarize themselves with the status and recovery efforts of endangered species in our own country and around the world, including such magnificent species as the polar bear.

Last year, more than 100 events were held across the country to highlight endangered species success stories, and even more are slated for this year. Educational activities were held at zoos, aquariums, libraries, and schools across the country, including Disney's Animal Kingdom in Florida, the San Diego Zoo in California, the Port Defiance Zoo and Aquarium in Tacoma, Washington, and the Bronx Zoo in New York City.

Based on the success of last year, I am confident that this year's Endangered Species Day will continue to foster increased awareness about endangered species by encouraging educational activities such as school field trips to the zoo or attending an art fair at a local library.

Endangered species recovery programs in California are great examples of the conservation and management efforts that have helped to significantly restore populations of the California condor and the California gray whale. Over 300 species classified as either endangered or threatened live in California, and efforts to protect them will ensure that they continue to do so.

Despite these success stories, we must consider what more can be done. There are over 5,000 threatened species that receive protection in the United States and abroad. An important step to preventing further threats to and endangerment of wildlife is to increase awareness about the seriousness of the problem and educating our youth on what we can do.

I would also like to commend the Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, who recently lifted the Bush administration's last-minute consultation rule. This will allow the United States to take immediate action to ensure that independent wildlife experts are consulted on the impacts on endangered and threatened species.

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

Sen. Harry ReidD-NV · May 12, 2009

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Judiciary Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 121. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to,…

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Agreed to SenateIssued May 12, 2009

III

111th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. RES. 121

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

April 30, 2009

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

May 12, 2009

Committee discharged; considered and agreed to

RESOLUTION

Designating May 15, 2009, 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 15, 2009, 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.