Ralph Lee Abraham: “the Migratory Bird Conservation Act which I introduced with the Minority Leader, Senator Daschle, and our late colleague…”

“the Migratory Bird Conservation Act which I introduced with the Minority Leader, Senator Daschle, and our late colleague Senator Chafee, is designed to protect the habitat of the over 90 endangered species of migratory birds which spend the spring and summer months in the United States and the winter months in other Western Hemisphere nations. This will be the third time this bill has passed the Senate. It previously cleared the Senate in 1998 and early 1999, but, until Monday's 384-22 House vote, the legislation was stalled in the other chamber. Despite taking almost three years, this legislation remains very timely. Many bird species of birds are threatened despite the growing popularity of birdwatching. Every year approximately 25 million Americans travel to observe birds, and 60 million American adults watch and feed birds at home. According to the Fish and Wildlife Service, bird watching and feeding generates fully $20 billion every year in revenue across America. Protecting the various species of birds benefits the nation in a variety of ways. The increased popularity of birdwatching is increasingly reflected in the new tourist dollars being spent in small, rural communities. Healthy bird communities also prevent crop failures and infestations by controlling insect populations, thus saving hundreds of millions of dollars in economic losses each year to farming and timber interests.”