107TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. CON. RES. 408
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Whereas there are more than 2,200 animal exhibitors li-
censed by the Federal Government;
Whereas only 201 of these exhibitors have met the stringent
accreditation standards of the American Zoo and Aquar-
ium Association, and these exhibitors represent the pre-
mier zoological parks and aquariums in North America
and the world;
•HCON 408 EH
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 en-
dangered or threatened animal species;
Whereas American Zoo and Aquarium Association member
institutions support or conduct over 1,300 field conserva-
tion and research projects in over 80 countries and con-
tribute an estimated $50,000,000 per year to wildlife re-
search 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 ge-
netically-diverse breeding, habitat preservation, public
education, field conservation, and supportive research, to
help ensure survival for 140 selected threatened and en-
dangered 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 con-
servation 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
•HCON 408 EH
groups, have been at the forefront of efforts to save the
world’s flagship species and were instrumental in the en-
actment of the African Elephant Conservation Act (Pub-
lic Law 100–478; 16 U.S.C. 4201 et seq.), the Asian Ele-
phant 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 peo-
ple nationwide and enlist over 58,000 volunteers who in-
vest over 3,000,000 hours of time in support of American
Zoo and Aquarium Association member institutions:
Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That the Congress recognizes and honors the
American Zoo and Aquarium Association and its member
institutions of zoological parks and aquariums for their
dedicated service in animal welfare, conservation edu-
cation, conservation research, and wildlife conservation
programs.
Passed the House of Representatives July 15, 2002.
Attest:
Clerk.