On the recordMay 18, 2011
I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record. There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows: S. 1023 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Haiti Reforestation Act of 2011''. SEC. 2. FINDINGS; PURPOSE. (a) Findings.--Congress finds that-- (1) the established policy of the Federal Government is to support and seek protection of tropical forests around the world; (2) tropical forests provide a wide range of benefits by-- (A) harboring a major portion of the biological and terrestrial resources of Earth and providing habitats for an estimated 10,000,000 to 30,000,000 plant and animal species, including species essential to medical research and agricultural productivity; (B) playing a critical role as carbon sinks that reduce greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, as 1 hectare of tropical forest can absorb up to approximately 3 tons of carbon dioxide per year, thus moderating potential global climate change; and (C) regulating hydrological cycles upon which agricultural and coastal resources depend; (3) tropical forests are also a key factor in reducing rates of soil loss, particularly on hilly terrain; (4) while international efforts to stem the tide of tropical deforestation have accelerated during the past 2 decades, the rapid rate of tropical deforestation…





