Kirk Watson: “I strongly support the Tropical Forest Conservation Act Reauthorization bill and urge my colleagues to do so as well. I…”

“I strongly support the Tropical Forest Conservation Act Reauthorization bill and urge my colleagues to do so as well. I would particularly like to recognize the efforts of Congressman Mark Kirk, the sponsor of H.R. 2185. Congressman Kirk is a long-time champion of this innovative debt-for-conservation program. Mr. Kirk's legislation extends and expands a vitally important environmental initiative launched during the Clinton administration. Over the past 9 years this program has resulted in 12 Tropical Forest Conservation Act agreements in Asia, the Caribbean, Central and South America. These agreements have provided $135 million to help conserve 50 million acres of tropical forests. The Tropical Forest Conservation Act has become one of the most effective foreign policy tools that the executive branch has at its disposal to encourage developing states to take action to protect and preserve tropical forests. The program has been a tremendous success. It has provided needed funding to actively pursue debt swaps, buybacks, and debt restructuring with developing nations in return for concrete expenditures aimed at protecting vital natural resources.”