185-10

185-10 July 20, 2010 SUPPORT FOR AMERICA’S ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS WHEREAS, public zoos and aquariums serve as anchors for community development, tourism, and economic growth; and WHEREAS, public zoos and aquariums enhance local and regional economies, collectively generating $8.4 billion in U.S. economic activity, supporting more than 126,000 jobs and generating $2.65 billion in personal earnings; and WHEREAS, public zoos and aquariums serve as centers for conservation involvement in their communities, providing 180 million annual visitors with essential connections to the natural world; and WHEREAS, public zoos and aquariums serve as indispensable educational and training resources, with a special emphasis on science education for children and youth from underserved populations; and WHEREAS, public zoos and aquariums are working to conserve our nation’s wildlife heritage through conservation breeding, habitat preservation, field conservation, and research; and WHEREAS, the recession has created unprecedented pressure on both municipal budgets and the philanthropic community – two critical sources of funding for public zoos and aquariums; and WHEREAS, Congress excluded public zoos and aquariums from receiving much-needed recovery funds under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act; and WHEREAS, Congress continues to consider legislation to create jobs and strengthen the U.S. economy; and WHEREAS, public investment in zoos and aquariums around the country is a worthy investment that will save and create thousands of jobs and help continue excellent conservation education programs for the nation’s children for years to come; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the U.S. Conference of Mayors calls on Congress, working with bipartisan urgency, to bolster America’s public zoos and aquariums, ensuring their eligibility for Federal support in future legislation; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Congress and the Administration, through laws, regulations and policies, are urged to work with U.S. Conference of Mayors to support the education, conservation and community development missions of public zoos and aquariums that are so valuable to our nation’s children, to our local economies and to the future of our planet. Karen J. Carnevale Sal M. Anderton Township Clerk Council President Adopted: July 20, 2010