John Shaw: “I rise in support of S. 931, a bill which honors two south Floridian conservation pioneers, Ernest Coe and Marjory…”

“I rise in support of S. 931, a bill which honors two south Floridian conservation pioneers, Ernest Coe and Marjory Stoneman Douglas. S. 931 names the main visitor center at the Everglades National Park the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center and designates 1.3 million acres in the park as the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Wilderness. Ernest Coe, widely recognized as the father of the Everglades National Park, labored for more than 20 years with a single-minded determination to create a national park for the protection of the birds, panthers, and hundreds of other species of wildlife indigenous to Florida. Almost 70 years ago, Coe presaged the societal pressures which would have threatened this unique habitat and made the designation of the park his purpose in life. Floridians owe him a debt of gratitude, and, indeed, the entire Nation does. This bill also honors Marjory Stoneman Douglas. So much has been written about this woman's incredible life. Ms. Douglas has achieved near legendary status. At 107 years old, Ms. Douglas remains the single greatest icon of Everglades restoration and a true south Florida treasure.”