Rick Allen: “although I support the Science-State- Commerce-Justice Appropriations conference report, I rise today to call attention…”

“although I support the Science-State- Commerce-Justice Appropriations conference report, I rise today to call attention to the need for more funding for our coasts and oceans. When, together with Representatives Weldon and Farr and former Congressman Jim Greenwood, I co-founded the Bipartisan House Oceans Caucus in 1999 in order to inform my colleagues about the oceans, we faced major policy challenges. Americans were faced with declining fish stocks, beach closures due to poor water quality, and laws that were inadequate to protect America's oceans. My constituents were asking why. In 2000, Congress finally asked why also. The Oceans Act of 2000 called for a National Commission on Ocean Policy and charged the Commissioners with conducting a nationwide fact-finding mission on the state of our oceans. The goal was to develop policy recommendations that would lead to a coordinated and comprehensive national ocean policy. The independent Pew Oceans Commission underwent a similar process, touring the country to listen to testimony from scientists, stakeholders, and others to identify the root problems threatening our nations' oceans. The products of these two commissions are nothing short of remarkable. Two comprehensive guides, based on the knowledge of our nation's experts, came to many comparable conclusions. Specifically, the two reports call on Congress to increase our investment in the study, management, and protection of our oceans.…”