Page

		Casework Requests
		Federal Jobs
		Flag Requests
		Grant Information
		Internships
		Service Academies
		Washington D.C.

	Operation Iraqi Freedom.
	War on Terror
	Homeland Security
	National Security
	Fire & EMS
	SMART Caucus
	Oceans Caucus

Home

Issues

Page

Oceans Caucus

As a co-chair of the bipartisan House Oceans Caucus, I have been a leading advocate of ensuring that the oceans receive the attention they deserve from Congress and the Administration. I have briefed senior officials of the current Administration on the need for action in protecting the seas and I continue to work closely with Admiral Watkins, the Chairman of the U.S. Oceans Commission, to implement provisions of the Oceans Blueprint for the 21st Century.

In response to the report issued by the U.S. Oceans Commission, I co-authored H.R. 4900, the Oceans Conservation, Education, and National Strategy for the 21st Century Act (OCEANS 21). The bill was established as a national policy to protect, maintain and restore the health of marine ecosystems. I also introduced the Ocean and Coastal Observation Act of 2004, H.R. 5001 which established a pilot program to develop a comprehensive system of ocean and coastal observations for the nation’s oceans, coasts, and Great Lakes, including enhanced security at United States ports.

I hosted along with my colleagues on the Congressional Oceans Caucus, Capitol Hill Oceans Week in Washington, D.C. last year. This week long event brings together numerous scientists, federal agencies, and non-governmental environmental groups to discuss oceans issues ranging from invasive species to enjoying marine areas.

Migratory Bird Conservation Commission

I am also a member of the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission. I understand that a large number of wildlife species benefit tremendously from healthy wetland ecosystems that are the result of the on-the-ground conservation made possible by the North American Wetlands Conservation Act. I have consistently worked for years to increase lands in the wildlife refuge system.

Last year, I worked to secure federal funds to purchase a portion of Valley Forge National Park which was to be zoned as residential. In order to preserve significant portions of these historical lands, Pennsylvania will continue to have the sanctity of a national treasure.