IV 

111TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 1625 

Recognizing the important role zoos, aquariums, and other wildlife organizations have played in the response efforts in the Gulf region following 

the Deepwater Horizon oil spill that began on April 20, 2010. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

SEPTEMBER 15, 2010 

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida (for himself, Mr. LIPINSKI, Mr. BACHUS, Mr. 

POSEY, Ms. CASTOR of Florida, Mr. LEWIS of Georgia, Mr. BISHOP of 

Georgia, Mr. CAO, Mrs. DAVIS of California, and Mr. DEUTCH) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 

Natural Resources 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the important role zoos, aquariums, and other 

wildlife organizations have played in the response efforts 

in the Gulf region following the Deepwater Horizon oil 

spill that began on April 20, 2010. 

Whereas zoos and aquariums’ expertise of animals has proved 

invaluable to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill clean-up effort; 

Whereas many zoos and aquariums already have established 

animal rescue and rehabilitation programs that have mobilized personnel and made use of existing infrastructure 

for response efforts in the Gulf of Mexico region affected 

by the oil spill; 


tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
2 

•HRES 1625 IH 

Whereas these institutions already have in place the resources 

needed to address short-term and long-term impacts of 

the oil spill on animals and habitats in the Gulf of Mexico 

region; 

Whereas Federal agencies, such as the National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration and the United States Fish 

and Wildlife Service, have identified zoos and aquariums 

as important partners in the rescue and rehabilitation efforts of the wildlife impacted by the oil spill; 

Whereas the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) is a 

nonprofit organization that since its founding in 1924 

has been dedicated to advancing the work of zoos and 

aquariums in the areas of conservation, education, 

science, and recreation; 

Whereas 210 AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums are found 

in 46 States, where they enhance the local economies, 

support more than 126,000 jobs, and attract 180 million 

visitors annually; 

Whereas AZA-accredited institutions are dedicated to training teachers and supporting science education; 

Whereas the AZA Species Survival Plan program asserts the 

dedication of these institutions to protecting endangered 

species; 

Whereas AZA-accredited institutions provide an opportunity 

for the public to engage in conservation efforts, with 

more than 60,000 people investing 3,000,000 hours volunteering at zoos and aquariums annually; 

Whereas 70 AZA-accredited institutions have contributed to 

the rescue and rehabilitation efforts in the Gulf of Mexico; and 


tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
3 

•HRES 1625 IH 

Whereas 11 AZA-accredited aquariums are part of the national Marine Mammal Stranding Network, assisting with 

rescue and rehabilitation efforts of animals affected by 

the oil spill: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) commends the response of zoos, aquariums, 

3 and other wildlife organizations in their rescue and 

4 rehabilitation efforts in the Gulf of Mexico region 

5 following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill; 

6 (2) acknowledges the important role of zoos, 

7 aquariums, and other wildlife organizations in re8 sponding to environmental disasters; and 

9 (3) expresses support for the expertise and con10 tributions of zoos, aquariums, and other wildlife or11 ganizations to conservation programs, science edu12 cation, and community development. 

Æ 


tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS