Political Quotes

“Today I rise to honor the Hilton Head Island Sea Turtle Patrol and their sister group, the Turtle Trackers. From the beginning of May until the end of October every single year, hundreds of sea turtles return to Hilton Head Island to lay their eggs on 14 miles of sandy beaches. These turtles are a crucial part of our ocean environment, and each nest is critically important for protecting their future as they are still endangered. For over 15 years, Amber Kuehn, has led the effort to protect the island's sea turtle nests. When she began the Turtle Trackers program, it was just Amber and about six other women. Today there are over 500 volunteers across Hilton Head Island who work hard to remove obstacles from the beach. They fill holes, and they make it easier for the mother turtles to return safely and return to the water every year. Her elite corps of 18 expert volunteers forms the Hilton Head Island's Sea Turtle Patrol. They travel the whole length of the beach every morning in search of sea turtle nests. Since they began their work, the number of sea turtle nests on Hilton Head Island has increased by over 300 percent. In 2021 they tracked and maintained approximately 423 nests. Mr. Speaker, I ask the House to join me in commending Amber and her team for their incredible conservation efforts. Beaufort, South Carolina, and Ostroh, Ukraine”