Aquarium Conservation Partnership Honors Members of Congress for Protecting the Ocean and Supporting Aquariums Through The Pandemic

November 19, 2021

For Immediate Release

Contact: Kim McIntyre, Executive Director, Aquarium Conservation Partnership Phone: 808-561-6929 Email: kmcintyre@mbayaq.org

Aquarium Conservation Partnership Honors Members of Congress for Protecting the Ocean and Supporting Aquariums Through The Pandemic

La Jolla, California; November 18, 2021: Today, the Aquarium Conservation Partnership honored Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, Senator Roy Blunt, and U.S. Representatives Alan Lowenthal, Nydia Velázquez, and Don Young for their support of aquariums, and ocean and freshwater conservation priorities.

The event, which took place virtually, was moderated by John F. Calvelli, Executive Vice President of Public Affairs for the Wildlife Conservation Society. The honorees are:

• Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (NY), Senator Roy Blunt (MO) and Representative Nydia Velázquez (NY), for their leadership to secure funding for aquariums and zoos in the COVID-19 economic relief legislation,
• Representative Don Young (AK), for his leadership in the House Oceans Caucus and his support of coastal resilience and restoration, as well as leading House support for aquarium COVID-19 relief funding
• Representative Alan Lowenthal (CA), for his leadership on the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act and support for ocean conservation priorities, as well as leading House support for aquarium COVID-19 relief funding.

“Today we are celebrating actions that five members of Congress have taken to support aquariums and ocean and freshwater conservation priorities, and honoring them as the 2021 Aquarium Congressional Champions. To be effective, aquariums must rely on and continue to build strong ties with our elected officials — to support conservation outcomes and address needs associated with aquariums,” said John F. Calvelli, Executive Vice President of Public Affairs at the Wildlife Conservation Society, and event moderator.

The Aquarium Conservation Partnership is a unique collaboration designed to build on the public engagement power of aquariums across the nation to increase conservation impact. As beloved, trusted science-based institutions in local communities across the U.S., aquariums showcase the wonders of nature, inspiring visitors to care, and more importantly, to take action for conservation. Collectively, our 25 members in 19 states welcome over 30 million visitors a year. ACP aquariums help advance federal and state conservation policies, mobilize thousands of visitors and online audience members to take action, and demonstrate our commitment to conservation in our business practices.