IV 

109TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 856 

Recognizing the national marine sanctuaries program as critical to managing 

the ocean and Great Lake resources of the United States, and commending local and State partners and volunteers of the program for 

their contribution. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

JUNE 8, 2006 

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN (for herself, Mrs. CAPPS, Mr. DELAHUNT, Mr. CASE, Mr. 

FARR, Mr. DAVIS of Florida, Ms. PELOSI, Mr. GILCHREST, Mr. GEORGE

MILLER of California, and Ms. ESHOO) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Resources 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the national marine sanctuaries program as critical to managing the ocean and Great Lake resources 

of the United States, and commending local and State 

partners and volunteers of the program for their contribution. 

Whereas the oceans and Great Lakes are critical areas of lifesustaining resources that the Nation must resolve to protect for present and future generations; 

Whereas the national marine sanctuaries program is a vital 

thread in the larger fabric of ocean science, conservation, 

and education, and influences how the people of the 

United States understand and care for the oceans; 


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•HRES 856 IH

Whereas the program, consisting of more than 400 partnerships, exemplifies cooperation between a Federal agency 

and State and local partners, and these partnerships harness the experience of scientists and other experts to further the research, monitoring, education, outreach, and 

enforcement goals of the program; 

Whereas the 13 designated national marine sanctuaries provide manageable and accessible areas in which partnerships, research centers, and educators can focus their efforts, and serve as living laboratories, classrooms, and 

recreation areas for the people of the United States; 

Whereas a process is underway to designate the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve 

as the 14th national marine sanctuary; 

Whereas the program depends on thousands of volunteers 

who contribute tens of thousands of hours, valued at 

hundreds of thousands of dollars, to the program; 

Whereas in 2005, approximately 3,400 volunteers donated 

more than 114,000 hours to the program; 

Whereas the program provides millions of school children and 

adults with key information and was cited in the United 

States Commission on Ocean Policy report dated September 20, 2004, as one of the leading forces in providing the Nation with ocean education; and 

Whereas the program is an investment in the future of the 

oceans and protects one of the largest segments of the 

United States economy, as well as the economies and 

travel and tourism industries of coastal areas: Now, 

therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 


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•HRES 856 IH

1 (1) recognizes the national marine sanctuary 

2 program as critical to the management of the ocean 

3 and Great Lake resources of the United States; 

4 (2) recognizes the program as a leading force in 

5 promoting ocean education and literacy; 

6 (3) commends the State and local partners and 

7 volunteers of the program for critical management 

8 of national marine sanctuaries and devotion to the 

9 conservation of these sanctuaries; and 

10 (4) acknowledges that investing in these sanc11 tuaries will provide economic and other benefits to 

12 present and future generations. 

Æ 


ccoleman on PROD1PC71 with BILLS