Neil Abercrombie: “This resolution brings much-needed attention to the crisis that coral reefs are facing worldwide. I commend yet once…”

“This resolution brings much-needed attention to the crisis that coral reefs are facing worldwide. I commend yet once again the gentleman from New Jersey for his leadership in introducing and passing House Concurrent Resolution No. 8, and for focusing on the subcommittee's attention on the value of and threats to coral reefs. I also want to praise the efforts of the ranking member, the gentleman from California for his concern over cyanide fishing and the need to promote sustainable coral reef fisheries, ideas incorporated in the Senate amendments to the resolution. Coral reefs, as I have every opportunity to observe, being from Hawaii, are vital to the environment and the economy of many islands and coastal States, territories, and nations. They are among the most biologically diverse and productive ecosystems on Earth, rivaling the tropical rain forests on land.”