House Oceans Caucus Co-Chairs Bonamici, González-Colón Recognize World Oceans Day
WASHINGTON, DC [6/8/22] – Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) and Jenniffer González-Colón (R-Puerto Rico), Co-Chairs of the House Oceans Caucus, celebrated World Oceans Day by introducing a resolution committing to the stewardship of ocean resources, cultures, and communities, and to increasing investments in scientific research and monitoring to better understand our changing ocean.
In 2008, the United Nations General Assembly designated June 8th as World Oceans Day. The bipartisan resolution introduced today acknowledges that the ocean covers more than 70 percent of the Earth, and that changes in ocean temperature, chemistry and marine debris threaten communities, industries, jobs, and the marine ecosystem.
"We all benefit from a healthy ocean," said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. "The ocean drives our economy, regulates the climate, and nourishes us. This World Oceans Day, we recognize that our ocean and coastlines are threatened more than ever by the climate crisis, ocean acidification, marine debris, and pollution. I've helped lead the effort in Congress to make significant investments to restore and protect our ocean, but more must be done. I look forward to working with the new Co-Chair of the House Oceans Caucus, Congresswoman González-Colón, to raise awareness about the critical issues that jeopardize the health of our ocean and take needed action to preserve this vital resource for present and future generations."
"As we commemorate World Oceans Day, it's critical we recommit to advancing bipartisan policies that protect and conserve our marine and coastal resources," said Rep. Jenniffer González-Colón. "I'm proud to join my fellow Co-Chair of the House Oceans Caucus, Congresswoman Bonamici, in introducing this resolution and look forward to working together to support the health and resiliency of our oceans for present and future generations."
You can read a copy of the resolution here. The resolution is co-sponsored by Representatives Nanette Diaz Barragán, Earl Blumenauer, Lisa Blunt Rochester, Ed Case, Gerald E. Connolly, Jared Huffman, Derek Kilmer, James Langevin, Doris Matsui, and Jimmy Panetta.
Bonamici and González-Colón co-chair the House Oceans Caucus, a bipartisan group of House members committed to taking action to protect the health and future of the ocean. This Congress, the Caucus has been focused on environmental stressors (including ocean acidification, harmful algal blooms, and hypoxia); marine debris; ocean data and monitoring; coastal resiliency; and illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. Last year, Congress passed the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which included billions of dollars for coastal restoration, marine debris prevention, mitigation, and removal, and port infrastructure, including initiatives to reduce port pollution.
###