(Washington, D.C.
May 7, 2009) Representatives Ron Kind (D-WI) and Jim Gerlach (R-PA) have reintroduced legislation to boost funding for the conservation of migratory birds. The House bill (H.R. 2213) and a companion Senate bill (S. 690) introduced by Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Mike Crapo (R-ID) dubbed the “Act for Songbirds” by conservationists, were introduced last year, but did not reach a vote before Congress adjourned. “Nearly half of our songbird populations are now in decline or facing serious threats effective conservation projects supported by the Act for Songbirds can help us to start turning that around,” said Darin Schroeder, American Bird Conservancy’s Vice President of Conservation Advocacy. “As the world celebrates International Migratory Bird Day, now is a good time to reflect on the amazing journeys taken by billions of birds each year it is a spectacle that we need make sure our children will also have the chance to see &ndash we urge Congress to do its part by passing the Act for Songbirds.”