Designating 1992 as the "Year of the Gulf of Mexico".
PL 102-178 (H.J.Res.327), enacted 12/02/1991

PUBLIC LAW 102-178—DEC. 2, 1991 
105 STAT. 1227 
Public Law 102-178 
102d Congress 
Joint Resolution 
Designating 1992 as the "Year of the Gulf of Mexico". 
Whereas the Gulf of Mexico, which is bordered by the United States 
on 3 sides, is a national treasure deserving of our time, attention, 
and best stewardship efforts; 
1 
Whereas, although the Gulf of Mexico is a body of water that is of 
prime economic import^ce to the United States and is a rec-
reational retreat for millions of Americans, there are signs of 
serious long-term environmental damage appearing throughout 
the marine ecosystem of the Gulf of Mexico; 
Whereas commercial fishing in the Gulf of Mexico accounts for more 
than 20 percent of the total commercial fish jdeld of the United 
States, and the Gulf of Mexico currently 5del(fe close to twice the 
amount of shrimp than all other United States fisheries combined; 
Whereas the estuaries, wetlands, and barrier islands of the Gulf of 
Mexico provide critical habitat for large populations of finfish, 
shellfish, waterfowl, shorebirds, colonial nesting birds, and 75 
percent of the migratory waterfowl traversing the United States; 
Whereas the Gulf of Mexico is an economic cornerstone for the 
States that border it, in that 90 percent of domestic offshore 
production of oil and gas comes from the Gulf of Mexico and close 
to 50 percent of the United States shipping tonnage passes 
through Gulf of Mexico ports; 
Whereas it is estimated that tourism-related dollars in States that 
border the Gulf of Mexico contribute an estimated $20,000,000,000 
to the economy of the United States, drawing millions of sport 
fishermen and beach users £innually; 
Whereas during the past few decades the Gulf of Mexico has begun 
to show signs of deteriorating environmental quality, including 
excess nutrients, toxic substance and pesticide contamination, and 
the presence of human pathogens, which are contributing to the 
deteriorating water quality and closed fishing and shellfish areas 
in the Gulf of Mexico; 
Whereas shoreline development, canal and channel dredging, and 
alterations of freshwater flow into the Gulf of Mexico estuaries 
are causing extensive losses of marshes, mangroves, and seagrass 
beds, which are critical and highly productive habitats to a wide 
variety of estuarine and marine organisms; smd 
Whereas it is in the best interest of the United States to preserve 
and enhance the natural and economic resources of the Gulf of 
Mexico by heightening awareness of the need for active participa-
tion in the protection of the Gulf of Mexico: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled, That— 
(1) 1992 is designated as the "Year of the Gulf of Mexico"; 
(2) all Federal and State agencies which have responsibility 
for matters affecting the Gulf of Mexico should take a respon-
sible role in the cooperative effort to increase the awareness of 
Dec. 2.1991 
[H.J. Res. 327] 
105 STAT. 1228 
PUBLIC LAW 102-178—DEC. 2, 1991 
the public regarding the immeasurable value of this resource 
and the current conditions which threaten its aesthetic and 
economic value; and 
(3) the President is authorized and requested to issue a 
proclamation recognizing such year and calling upon the people 
of the United States to observe such year with appropriate 
ceremonies and activities. 
Approved December 2, 1991. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.J. Res. 327 (S.J. Res. 194): 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 137 (1991): 
Oct. 22, considered and passed House. 
Nov. 18, considered and passed Senate.