SENATE RESOLUTION No. 108
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
INTRODUCED DECEMBER11, 1997
By Senator CIESLA
A Senate Resolution expressing support of House Concurrent Resolution No. 131, and its goal to name 1998 the "Year of the Ocean."
Whereas, Congressman H. James Saxton has introduced House Concurrent Resolution No. 131 to name 1998 the "Year of the Ocean;" and
Whereas, This resolution declares that the ocean comprises nearly three quarters of the surface of the Earth, and contains diverse species of fish and other living organisms that form the planet's largest ecosystem; and
Whereas, This resolution further declares that these living marine resources provide important food resources to the United States and the world, and that irresponsible use of these resources has unacceptable economic, environmental, and cultural consequences; and
Whereas, This resolution further declares that the ocean and sea floor contain vast energy and mineral resources which are critical to the economy of the United States and the world, and that the ocean largely controls global weather and climate, and is the ultimate source of all water resources; and
Whereas, This resolution further declares that the ocean is a common means of transportation between coastal nations and carries the majority of the United States foreign trade, and that any nation's use or misuse of ocean resources has effects far beyond that nation's borders; and
Whereas, The United Nations has declared 1998 to be the International Year of the Ocean, and in order to observe the celebration, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and other federal agencies, in cooperation with organizations concerned with ocean science and marine resources, have resolved to promote exploration, utilization, conservation, and public awareness of the ocean; and
Whereas, This House is in full agreement with the declarations and goals of Congressman Saxton's concurrent resolution before the United States House of Representatives; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House expresses its support of House Concurrent Resolution No. 131, and its goal to name 1998 the "Year of the Ocean."
2. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by the President of the Senate and attested by the Secretary thereof, shall be transmitted to the Majority and Minority Leaders of the United States Senate, the Speaker and Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives, and to each member of Congress elected thereto from this State.
STATEMENT
This resolution expresses support for House Concurrent Resolution No. 131, which would name 1998 the "Year of the Ocean."
Expresses support for federal HCR 131, which would name 1998 the "Year of the Ocean."