Press Release

September 23, 2011
CELEBRATING CHESAPEAKE BAY, U.S. SENATE PASSES RESOLUTION DESIGNATING NATIONAL ESTUARIES DAY

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate has unanimously approved a resolution declaring this Saturday, September 24, to be National Estuaries Day.  U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) cosponsored the resolution authored by Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Scott Brown (R-MA).  In addition, the following Senators also cosponsored the resolution: Senators Barbara A. Mikulski (D-MD), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), John Kerry (D-MA), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Joe Lieberman (I-CT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Patty Murray (D-WA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Olympia Snowe (R-ME), Mark Warner (D-VA), Jim Webb (D-VA), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

The resolution recognizes the importance of coastal and estuarine regions to our national economy and reaffirms the Senate’s support for protecting and restoring these vital resources.  Coasts and estuaries contribute more than $800 billion in trade and commerce to the U.S. economy each year and support more than 28 million jobs in commercial and recreational fishing, boating, tourism, and other industries.

 “A true national treasure, the Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in North America, with a length of 200 miles and 11,684 miles of tidal shoreline, more than the entire U.S. West Coast. For Marylanders, the Chesapeake Bay is our greatest natural resource, the cornerstone of our economy, and part of the fabric of our communities,” said Senator Cardin, Chairman of the Environment and Public Works Water and Wildlife Subcommittee. “Today and every day, we all must play a part in protecting and conserving our estuaries because clean, safe water brings stronger regional economies with more jobs, healthy water for us and our children, and lands that support productive farms and quality recreational opportunities.”

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