Political Quotes

“The Great Lakes Basin is a vibrant and diverse environment. Ecosystems of the Great Lakes support a wide array of economic and recreational activities. The long-term health of those ecosystems is fundamental to ensuring the quality of life that Americans from the Great Lakes region have come to enjoy. Protecting these precious bodies of water is of the utmost importance, since they are the largest body of fresh surface water in the United States. While I am pleased that this bill is coming to the floor, I am disappointed to see that the language to institute a new model for a Michigan fisheries Cooperative Unit was not included. Michigan is home to some of the finest fisheries institutions in this country, and yet it does not have the Cooperative Unit designation given to 37 States. Despite working for more than a decade to redress this issue, it has repeatedly been blocked by some who see the benefits of a Michigan fisheries designation as a threat to their own funding. I believe the people of the United States want us to work through these fears to ensure that their best interests are of the utmost concern. This is not just about fairness. It is about capitalizing on Michigan's fisheries expertise.”