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[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 929 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

115th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 929

 Recognizing World Oceans Day and the necessity to protect, conserve, 
           maintain, and rebuild the ocean and its resources.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              June 8, 2018

Ms. Bonamici (for herself, Mr. Young of Alaska, Ms. Wasserman Schultz, 
Mr. Payne, Ms. Bordallo, Ms. Velazquez, Mrs. Dingell, Mr. Panetta, Mr. 
Lewis of Georgia, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, Mr. Lance, Mr. Curbelo of Florida, 
 Mr. Sanford, Mr. Issa, Mr. Moulton, Ms. Hanabusa, and Mr. Ted Lieu of 
 California) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on 
    Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently 
   determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such 
 provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
 Recognizing World Oceans Day and the necessity to protect, conserve, 
           maintain, and rebuild the ocean and its resources.

Whereas the oceans cover more than 70 percent of our 
        planet;
Whereas the oceans generate the oxygen we breathe, regulate our climate and 
        weather patterns, and provide healthy meals for people every day;
Whereas scientists estimate more than 95 percent of the oceans remain 
        unexplored;
Whereas the health of our oceans is a reflection of the health of our planet;
Whereas changes in ocean chemistry pose a very real threat to marine resources, 
        industries, and jobs;
Whereas our oceans absorb chemical inputs, including carbon dioxide from the 
        atmosphere, and the breakdown of organic matter, and become more acidic;
Whereas ocean acidification harms oysters, mussels, lobsters, clams, corals, and 
        other species building shells, skeletons, and reproducing;
Whereas according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 80 
        percent of pollution to the oceans comes from land;
Whereas increased temperatures and nutrient runoff can result in colonies of 
        harmful algal blooms that grow excessively and produce toxins leaving 
        ocean areas and waterways in a hypoxic state that threatens marine life;
Whereas Tribes have a right and a deep cultural and historical connection to the 
        fish populations threatened by changing ocean chemistry;
Whereas according to the United Nations more than eight million tons of plastic 
        end up in the oceans each year;
Whereas marine debris is considered a growing global crisis that requires 
        collaborative work with partners from across the world;
Whereas we need to improve our understanding of the implications of 
        environmental stressors, such as harmful algal blooms and hypoxia, 
        marine debris, warming and more acidic ocean waters, overfishing, and 
        rising sea levels;
Whereas these problems are indicators of a changing climate and threaten our 
        economy and the livelihood of vulnerable coastal communities;
Whereas across the United States the ocean economy supports more than 3 million 
        jobs and contributes at least $352 billion in economic activity 
        annually;
Whereas, in 2008, the United Nations General Assembly designated June 8 as 
        ``World Oceans Day''; and
Whereas World Oceans Day provides an opportunity to recommit to protect, 
        conserve, maintain, and rebuild our oceans and its resources: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, that the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes World Oceans Day and affirms the individual 
        and collective duty, both nationally and internationally, to 
        protect, conserve, maintain, and rebuild the ocean and its 
        resources;
            (2) affirms the stewardship of ocean resources is vital to 
        both present and future generations; and
            (3) commits to increasing the investment of Federal funds 
        in scientific research and monitoring to better understand our 
        changing oceans.
                                 <all>
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