House+Bill+Number+1679

Anna P. and Jasmine M.

media type="file" key="House Bill 1679.mp3"  **Title of the Bill: ** __Caribbean Coral Reef Protection Act__

[|Bill Text]__
 * Bill Number : ** __HR 1679

To protect the coral reefs, and other coastal marine reasources form exploration, development, and other production activities for petroleum resources, that are located in a exclusive economic zone of the United States, that is contiguous to a foreign exclusive economic zone.
 * Sponsor of the Bill: ** __Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R)__
 * Summary of the Bill: **

 The United States wants to protect to Caribbean coral reef from Cuba. However, Cuba has extremely healthy coral reef compared to ours. Is the purpose of this bill to really protect the coral reef, or is it just an excuse to keep Cuba away from us? The bill may be called the Caribbean Coral Reef Protection Act, but the content of the bill centers more on Cuba. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;"> In 1959, Castro led a Cuban revolution and switched their form of government to communism. They made trade agreements with the Soviet Union, which infuriated America, and the USSR promised to defend Cuba if we were to attack them. <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif';"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;"> Many Cubans opposed to their government have tried to flee to Florida, and this bill is trying to further limit the number of refugees coming from Cuba.
 * <span style="color: rgb(0, 119, 255);">History of the Issue: **

Cuba's Coral Reef: <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Compared to the US' Coral Reef: [|Click here and scroll 3/4 of the way down to see Florida's bleached reefs.]

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">As you can see, Cuba's reefs are much healthier than ours, which are bleached.

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;"> Coral reefs can only survive in warm, tropical places with perfect physical conditions for them. Habitats for more species of life than any other environment are found in mature coral reefs. Thousands of algae cells, which make food for their host, live on each coral. It was first noticed by scientists that the reefs were being bleached in 1980, and they today continue to bleach. When a reef bleaches, the algae living on it leaves, and the coral reef does not get its food. If the algae do not return, the coral reef dies. Most causes for coral reef damage are results of human actions. Over-fishing causes reefs to die, but the main issue is global warming. It raises the sea temperatures. Coral reefs can live only in a thin range of temperatures, so the rise kills them. When tropical land areas develop, it pollutes the water, blocking light to the coral reefs and the algae. Walker, Pam, and Elaine Wood. __The Coral Reef__. New York : Facts on File, 2005.

<span style="color: rgb(0, 119, 255); font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 119, 255);">**Who does this issue affect:** <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">This bill affects many people as well as species. First of all this bill permits exploration, development, and other production activities for petroleum resources on coral reefs. Now there are many sides to this argument. Number one, it that with it against the concept of exploration, it deprives us from further knowledge on the reefs and the species that live there. This bill also is harmful to any businesses who are based upon things like drilling for oil, or using sonar activities. At the same time, this bill will reduce the lose of marine life around the reefs. For instance, if we stop drilling for oil, it will stop oil leaks that pollute our waters. With sonar activities, yes, they are not harmful to the coral reefs itself, but it does harm the many species living in or around the reefs. It is the same thing for development, but this time it wil not only harm but damage the reef as well. The whole entire area is left disturbed without another thought. It can also unbalance the whole food chain/eco-system. This bill also keeps away Cubans from the coral reefs for Florida. So in conclusion, the bill not only affects the reef, and us as humans, but the whole entire food chain/eco-system. The CCRPA effects Cubans who are in support of communism. They will be denied entry to the United States if it is determined that they could possibly benefit Cuba's government or the development of petroleum resources.

<span style="color: rgb(0, 119, 255);">**Why is this important:** <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">To prevent communist Cubans from entering the United States and refugees from escaping to Florida. To stop any further damages to the coral reefs, the marine resources, and marine life.
 * Pictures:**

<span style="color: rgb(0, 119, 255); font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;"> <span style="color: rgb(0, 119, 255); font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;"> <span style="color: rgb(0, 119, 255); font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;"> <span style="color: rgb(0, 119, 255); font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;"> <span style="color: rgb(0, 119, 255); font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;"> <span style="color: rgb(0, 119, 255); font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;"> <span style="color: rgb(0, 119, 255); font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;"> Podcast Text Bibliography
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