SENATE PASSES RESOLUTION MARKING FOURTH ANNUAL “ENDANGERED SPECIES DAY”
The U.S. Senate has unanimously passed a resolution designating May 15, 2009 as the fourth annual "Endangered Species Day." This bipartisan resolution, introduced by Senators Susan Collins and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) will help raise awareness about the enduring threats to endangered wildlife, fish and plants, and success stories in species recovery.
"The federal government plays a critical role in protecting threatened and endangered species. On May 15, we will celebrate Endangered Species Day to encourage greater awareness about the threats to endangered species and to promote species conservation worldwide," said Senator Collins.
The resolution is cosponsored by Senators Daniel Akaka (D-HI), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Russ Feingold (D-WI), John Kerry (D-MA), Carl Levin (D-MI), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).
Endangered Species Day was held for the first time in 2006 with events held across the country, thanks to the efforts of Senators Collins and Feinstein and others to support this educational event.
This year's Endangered Species Day will continue the need to raise awareness about threats facing endangered species and success stories in species recovery. It will provide an opportunity for schools, libraries, museums, zoos, botanical gardens, agencies, businesses, and conservation organizations to educate the public about the importance of protecting endangered species, and highlight the everyday actions that individuals and groups can take to help protect our nation's wildlife, fish and plants.
"The federal government plays a critical role in protecting threatened and endangered species. On May 15, we will celebrate Endangered Species Day to encourage greater awareness about the threats to endangered species and to promote species conservation worldwide," said Senator Collins.
The resolution is cosponsored by Senators Daniel Akaka (D-HI), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Russ Feingold (D-WI), John Kerry (D-MA), Carl Levin (D-MI), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).
Endangered Species Day was held for the first time in 2006 with events held across the country, thanks to the efforts of Senators Collins and Feinstein and others to support this educational event.
This year's Endangered Species Day will continue the need to raise awareness about threats facing endangered species and success stories in species recovery. It will provide an opportunity for schools, libraries, museums, zoos, botanical gardens, agencies, businesses, and conservation organizations to educate the public about the importance of protecting endangered species, and highlight the everyday actions that individuals and groups can take to help protect our nation's wildlife, fish and plants.
The bill has the support of 70 environmental organizations including:
• Association of Zoos and Aquariums
• Audubon California
• California Trout
• Center for Biological Diversity
• Earthjustice
• Endangered Species Coalition
• Environmental Defense
• Defenders of Wildlife
• The Humane Society of the United States
• International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW)
• National Association of Biology Teachers
• Native Plant Conservation Campaign
• Natural Resources Defense Council
• Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility
• Sierra Club
• Society for Conservation Biology
• World Wildlife Fund
• Zoological Society of San Diego
• The Gorilla Foundation / Koko.org
