Political Quotes

“I want to speak briefly about a recent development in Colombia of which many Senators may not be aware. Colombia is ranked as the second most biologically diverse country in the world. The variety of plant and animal life is staggering, which reflects its similarly diverse geography--from Amazon rainforest to glacier-covered mountains, and Caribbean and Pacific coastlines. To its credit, Colombia has an extensive system of national parks and biological reserves. I have long been convinced that as security improves in that country and long after the oil wells are depleted, its national parks and other protected areas will be among Colombia's greatest resource, attracting eco-tourists from around the world. On August 21 President Santos took an historic leap forward by doubling the size of Chiribiquete National Park, which is home to a myriad of species including jaguars and is comprised of extraordinary rock formations and dense jungle. Chiribiquete was already Colombia's largest park, and it has now become the size of Belgium. There is more that needs to be done to protect Colombia's environment, particularly from the damage caused by mining and other extractive industries which has often occurred in, or adjacent to, environmentally fragile areas or indigenous reserves. But President Santos' single stroke of the pen has done more for environmental conservation and species protection than what most heads of state do in a lifetime.…”