THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY METZGAR, BROOKS, CALTAGIRONE, CONKLIN, D. COSTA, DALEY, DAVIS, DERMODY, DiGIROLAMO, EVERETT, FLECK, GEORGE, GIBBONS, GINGRICH, GOODMAN, GROVE, HARHAI, HARHART, HESS, JAMES, M. K. KELLER, KULA, MAJOR, MALONEY, MANN, MARSHALL, MILLARD, MURT, MUSTIO, O'NEILL, RAPP, RAVENSTAHL, READSHAW, REED, ROCK, ROEBUCK, SACCONE, SAYLOR, SONNEY, VEREB, VULAKOVICH, WATERS AND YOUNGBLOOD, JUNE 14, 2012

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, JUNE 14, 2012  

A RESOLUTION

Recognizing and commending the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium for

its projects, such as the Botswana Elephant Rescue and

"Project Frozen Dumbo," which exemplify the zoo's commitment

to biodiversity and species survival and further its mission

of fostering positive, lifelong connections between animals

and people in a manner that brings honor to the zoo and this

Commonwealth.

WHEREAS, Biodiversity is important in the maintenance of the

Earth's interdependent ecosystems; and

WHEREAS, African elephants are a valuable component of

biodiversity; and

WHEREAS, The preservation and protection of these magnificent

creatures reflects honorably on humans as stewards of the

Earth's resources; and

WHEREAS, The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium maintains an

International Conservation Center (ICC) in Somerset County that

nurtures, protects and breeds African elephants; and

WHEREAS, The zoo has been internationally recognized as a

leader in the field of elephant husbandry through such projects

as the ICC and "Project Frozen Dumbo," a successful effort to

use native African elephants to artificially inseminate

elephants in America to increase the genetic diversity of the

species; and

WHEREAS, Another project the zoo participates in is the

Botswana Elephant Rescue; and

WHEREAS, Due to the Botswana Elephant Rescue, three African

elephants were saved from execution and brought to the ICC for

preservation and breeding; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize and

commend the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium for its projects, such

as the Botswana Elephant Rescue and "Project Frozen Dumbo,"

which exemplify the zoo's commitment to biodiversity and species

survival, and further its mission of fostering positive,

lifelong connections between animals and people in a manner that

brings honor to the zoo and this Commonwealth.