IV

107TH CONGRESS

2D SESSION H. CON. RES. 408

Honoring the American Zoo and Aquarium Association and its accredited

member institutions for their continued service to animal welfare, conservation education, conservation research, and wildlife conservation programs.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

MAY 22, 2002

Mr. GILCHREST submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Resources, and in addition to the Committee

on Agriculture, 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

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Honoring the American Zoo and Aquarium Association and

its accredited member institutions for their continued

service to animal welfare, conservation education, conservation research, and wildlife conservation programs.

Whereas there are more than 2,200 animal exhibitors licensed by the Federal Government;

Whereas only 201 of these exhibitors have met the stringent

accreditation standards of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, and these exhibitors represent the premier zoological parks and aquariums in North America

and the world;
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•HCON 408 IH

Whereas more than 136,000,000 people visit American Zoo

and Aquarium Association member zoological parks and

aquariums each year;

Whereas American Zoo and Aquarium Association member

institutions care for more than 800,000 living animals,

many of which are among the last representatives of endangered or threatened animal species;

Whereas American Zoo and Aquarium Association member

institutions support or conduct over 1,300 field conservation and research projects in over 80 countries and contribute an estimated $50,000,000 per year to wildlife research internationally and $50,000,000 to conservation

education domestically;

Whereas American Zoo and Aquarium Association member

institutions have established the Species Survival Plan

program, which consists of long-term plans involving genetically-diverse breeding, habitat preservation, public

education, field conservation, and supportive research, to

help ensure survival for 140 selected threatened and endangered animal species;

Whereas American Zoo and Aquarium Association member

institutions provide formal educational programs to over

12,000,000 people annually and provide training in conservation education for 84,000 teachers annually;

Whereas the American Zoo and Aquarium Association and its

member institutions partner with local, State, national,

and international governmental agencies in conservation

education, research, and programs to enhance wildlife

populations and their habitats;

Whereas American Zoo and Aquarium Association zoological

parks and aquariums, along with other conservation
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•HCON 408 IH

groups, have been at the forefront of efforts to save the

world’s flagship species and were instrumental in the enactment of the African Elephant Conservation Act (Public Law 100–478; 16 U.S.C. 4201 et seq.), the Asian Elephant Conservation Act of 1997 (Public Law 105–96; 16

U.S.C. 4261 et seq.), the Great Ape Conservation Act of

2000 (Public Law 106–411; 16 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.), and

the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act of 1994

(Public Law 103–391; 16 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.); and

Whereas American Zoo and Aquarium Association zoological

parks and aquariums collectively employ over 32,400 people nationwide and enlist over 58,000 volunteers who invest over 3,000,000 hours of time in support of American

Zoo and Aquarium Association member institutions:

Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate

2 concurring), That the Congress recognizes and honors the

3 American Zoo and Aquarium Association and its member

4 institutions of zoological parks and aquariums for their

5 dedicated service in animal welfare, conservation edu6 cation, conservation research, and wildlife conservation

7 programs.

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