69–006 

110TH CONGRESS REPT. 110–516 " ! HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2d Session Part 1 

RECOGNIZING THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF EVERGLADES 

NATIONAL PARK 

JANUARY 28, 2008.—Ordered to be printed 

Mr. OBERSTAR, from the Committee on Transportation and 

Infrastructure, submitted the following 

R E P O R T 

[To accompany H. Res. 845] 

[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office] 

The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, to whom 

was referred the resolution (H. Res. 845) recognizing the 60th anniversary of Everglades National Park, having considered the same, 

report favorably thereon with an amendment to the preamble and 

recommend that the resolution as amended be agreed to. 

The amendment is as follows: 

Amend the preamble to read as follows: 

Whereas Everglades National Park celebrated its 60th anniversary on December 6, 

2007; 

Whereas when President Harry S. Truman dedicated Everglades National Park on 

December 6, 1947, he stated: ‘‘Here is land, tranquil in its quiet beauty, serving 

not as the source of water, but as the last receiver of it. To its natural abundance we owe the spectacular plant and animal life that distinguishes this place 

from all others in our country’’; 

Whereas Marjory Stoneman Douglas gave the Everglades the name ‘‘River of Grass’’ 

stating, ‘‘There are no other Everglades in the world’’; 

Whereas Everglades National Park has been designated an International Biosphere 

Reserve, a World Heritage Site, and a Wetland of International Importance, in 

recognition of its significance to all the people of the world; 

Whereas the Everglades ecosystem encompasses 3,000,000 acres of wetlands and is 

the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States featuring slow-moving 

freshwater that flows south from Lake Okeechobee through sawgrass and tree 

islands to the mangroves and seagrasses of Florida Bay; 

Whereas Everglades National Park is home to rare and endangered species, such 

as the American crocodile, the Florida panther, and the West Indian manatee, 

and more than 350 species of birds, including the Great Egret, Wood Stork, 

Swallow-tailed Kite, and Roseate Spoonbill; 

Whereas the Central and South Florida region is an international center for business, agriculture, and tourism, with a rapidly growing population of varied ethnic, economic, and social values, all of which are dependent on a sustainable 

framework for the water resources of the region to restore the Everglades ecosystem, provide adequate freshwater supplies, and promote a healthy and sustainable economy and overall quality of life; 

Whereas Everglades National Park is an essential component of a larger ecosystem 

restoration effort, the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, which has 

been described as the world’s largest ecosystem restoration project; and 


smartinez on PRODPC61 with REPORTS
2 

Whereas this restoration effort must succeed in order to restore the natural Everglades ecosystem and ensure that the treasures of Everglades National Park 

can be passed on to our children and grandchildren: Now, therefore, be it 

PURPOSE OF THE LEGISLATION

H. Res. 845, as amended, recognizes the 60th anniversary of Everglades National Park. 

BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION

The Everglades National Park is a nationally and internationally 

significant natural resource. The Park, which was established on 

December 6, 1947, and is managed by the National Park Service 

of the U.S. Department of the Interior, is the largest subtropical 

wilderness in the United States. The Park area is home to rare and 

endangered species, such as the American crocodile, Florida panther, and West Indian manatee. It has been designated an International Biosphere Reserve, a World Heritage Site, and a Wetland 

of International Importance, in recognition of its significance to all 

the people of the world. 

In December 2000, Congress enacted the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 106–541). Section 601 of this Act authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to carry out the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (‘‘Plan’’). The primary and 

overarching purpose of the Plan is to restore the greater Everglades ecosystem, which includes the Everglades National Park. 

The Plan provides a framework and guide to restore, protect, and 

preserve the water resources of the greater Everglades ecosystem, 

and has been described as the world’s largest ecosystem restoration 

effort. The Plan proposes to restore the natural flows of water to 

and through the Everglades, as well as the water quality and more 

natural hydro-periods within the remaining natural areas of the 

Florida Everglades. The Plan is intended to result in a sustainable 

south Florida by restoring the ecosystem, ensuring clean and reliable water supplies, and providing flood protection for the region. 

H. Res. 845, as amended, recognizes the 60th anniversary of the 

Everglades National Park and acknowledges the importance of restoring the greater Everglades ecosystem. 

SUMMARY OF THE LEGISLATION

H. Res. 845, as amended, recognizes the 60th anniversary of the 

Everglades National Park, which occurred on December 6, 2007, 

and resolves that the House of Representatives dedicate itself to 

the success of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan of 

the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY AND COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION

On December 5, 2007, Representative Alcee L. Hastings introduced H. Res. 845. 

On January 16, 2008, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure met in open session to consider H. Res. 845. The Committee adopted by voice vote an amendment that made technical 

changes to the introduced resolution. The Committee ordered H. 

Res. 845, as amended, reported favorably to the House by voice 

vote with a quorum present. 


smartinez on PRODPC61 with REPORTS
3 

RECORD VOTES

Clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the House of Representatives requires 

each committee report to include the total number of votes cast for 

and against on each record vote on a motion to report and on any 

amendment offered to the measure or matter, and the names of 

those members voting for and against. There were no recorded 

votes taken in connection with the amendment offered to H. Res. 

845 or with ordering the resolution. A motion to order H. Res. 845, 

as amended, reported favorably to the House was agreed to by 

voice vote with a quorum present. 

COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS

With respect to the requirements of clause 3(c)(I) of rule XIII of 

the Rules of the House of Representatives, the Committee’s oversight findings and recommendations are reflected in this report. 

COST OF LEGISLATION

With respect to the requirements of clause 3(d)(2) of rule XIII of 

the Rules of the House of Representatives, H. Res. 845 is a resolution of the House of Representatives and therefore does not have 

the force of law. As such, there is no cost associated with this resolution for fiscal year 2008, or for any fiscal year thereafter. 

COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XIII

With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of 

the Rules of the House of Representatives, and 308(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee advises that the resolution contains no measure that authorizes funding, so no comparison of the total estimated funding level for the relevant programs to the appropriate levels under current law is required. 

With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII of 

the Rules of the House of Representatives, the Committee advises 

that the resolution contains no measure that authorizes funding, so 

no statement of general performance and objectives for any measure that authorizes funding is required. 

With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(3) of rule XIII of 

the Rules of the House of Representatives and section 402 of the 

Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee advises that the 

resolution contains no measure that authorizes funding. Neither a 

cost estimate nor comparison for any measure that authorizes 

funding is required. 

COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XXI

Pursuant to clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the House of 

Representatives, H. Res. 845 does not contain any congressional 

earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined 

in clause 9(d), 9(e), or 9(f) of rule XXI of the Rules of the House 

of Representatives. 

CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT

With respect to (3)(d)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House 

of Representatives, H. Res. 845 is a resolution of the House of RepVerDate Aug 31 2005 05:22 Jan 29, 2008 Jkt 069006 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR516P1.XXX HR516P1

smartinez on PRODPC61 with REPORTS
4 

resentatives and therefore does not have the force of law. As such, 

clause (3)(d)(1) of rule XIII does not apply. 

FEDERAL MANDATES STATEMENT

H. Res. 845 contains no Federal mandates. 

PREEMPTION CLARIFICATION

Section 423 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 requires the 

report of any Committee on a bill or joint resolution to include a 

statement on the extent to which the bill or joint resolution is intended to preempt state, local, or tribal law. The Committee states 

that H. Res. 845 does not preempt any state, local, or tribal law. 

ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT

No advisory committees within the meaning of section 5(b) of the 

Federal Advisory Committee Act are created by this resolution. 

APPLICABILITY TO THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

The Committee finds that the resolution does not relate to the 

terms and conditions of employment or access to public services or 

accommodations within the meaning of section 102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act (Public Law 104–1). 

CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW MADE BY THE BILL, AS REPORTED

H. Res. 845 makes no changes in existing law. 

Æ 


smartinez on PRODPC61 with REPORTS