IV 
110TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. RES. 1112 
Recognizing 2008 as the International Year of the Reef. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
APRIL 16, 2008 
Mr. BAIRD (for himself, Mr. KIRK, Mr. SERRANO, Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA, and 
Mr. SAXTON) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on Science and Technology 
RESOLUTION 
Recognizing 2008 as the International Year of the Reef. 
Whereas the International Coral Reef Initiative has des-
ignated 2008 as the International Year of the Reef; 
Whereas the International Year of the Reef is a global effort 
to raise public awareness of the value of coral reefs and 
the significance of the threats faced by coral reef sys-
tems, and to mobilize action to develop and implement in-
novative solutions and strategies to protect and conserve 
these important natural resources; 
Whereas over 225 organizations in 50 countries and terri-
tories participated during the first International Year of 
the Reef in 1997; 
Whereas coral reef systems provide economic, environmental, 
and cultural benefits to millions of people around the 
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•HRES 1112 IH 
world and are vital in protecting shorelines and sup-
porting coastal economies; 
Whereas coral reef systems are the most diverse ecosystem on 
earth, supporting at least 1,000,000 known species of 
plants and animals and 25 percent of all marine life; 
Whereas coral reef systems contribute $375,000,000,000 
each year to the worldwide economy; 
Whereas over 50 percent of all federally managed fisheries 
species in the U.S. depend upon coral reefs for part of 
their life cycle; 
Whereas coral reef systems provide for one-fourth of the total 
fish catch in the developing world; 
Whereas coral reefs around the world are confronted by many 
grave threats, including destructive fishing methods, 
damage by marine vessels and divers, development, pollu-
tion, ocean acidification, increasing sea temperatures, 
bleaching, and invasive species; and 
Whereas increased public awareness, as well as public and 
private investment, can prevent the further degradation 
of the world’s coral reef systems in order to preserve this 
precious resource for future generations: Now, therefore, 
be it 
Resolved, That the United States House of Rep-
resentatives— 
(1) recognizes the International Year of the 
Reef; 
(2) supports strong programs in environmental 
and marine research at the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration and other Federal agen-
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•HRES 1112 IH 
cies to better understand the threats faced by coral 
reef systems; 
(3) supports the efforts of the International 
Coral Reef Initiative to promote public awareness 
and encourage public stewardship of the world’s 
coral reefs; and 
(4) encourages further research and develop-
ment efforts to preserve coral reefs around the 
world. 
Æ 
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