Times Union:LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Mica's vote is against protecting animals

November 02, 2005 - 12:40 AM
Originally created Wednesday, November 2, 2005


LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Mica's vote is against protecting animals

On Sept. 24, U.S. Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new Education Center at the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve, which protects, studies and celebrates wildlife. What a great photo opportunity!


Just five days later, Congressman Mica voted against really protecting the animals. He voted for HR 3824, the so-called Threatened and Endangered Species Recovery Act, which actually weakens protection for many of the animals in Guana, including sea turtles, whales, manatees and many others. The original Endangered Species Act has protected plants and animals for 33 years. Only nine of the 1,800 endangered animals listed under ESA have become extinct; that's a pretty good track record! The House of Representatives also voted against the bipartisan substitute version of this bill, which would have strengthened the Endangered Species Act. Hopefully, clearer heads in the U.S. Senate will vote against this legislation so the U.S. can keep protecting our precious wildlife. Congressman Mica has disappointed his constituents again. But what else would we expect? The League of Conservation Voters has scored his voting record on environmental issues a dismal 9 percent.

Andrea Conover
Ponte Vedra Beach