The publication is reproduced in full below:
HONORING DR. PATRICK BURCHFIELD
______
HON. FILEMON VELA
of texas
in the house of representatives
Monday, September 27, 2021
Mr. VELA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the work of Dr. Patrick Burchfield, Director of the Gladys Porter Zoo, which is located in Brownsville, Texas. Under Dr. Burchfield's leadership, the Gladys Porter Zoo has grown significantly since it first opened in 1971, and he has served at the forefront of one of the world's most notable international endangered species recovery programs.
Dr. Burchfield joined the staff at the Gladys Porter Zoo in 1971, working in every capacity and eventually became director in 2007, which he earned through hard work and dedication to the Zoo.
As director of the Zoo, Dr. Burchfield has led efforts to make the zoo more inclusive and accessible to all members of his community--but especially those with disabilities. Last year, the zoo opened a newly renovated Giraffe Landing Feeding Experience--complete with an ADA-
accessible platform so that all may participate.
Under his leadership, the zoo has added facilities for critically endangered species such as Orinoco crocodiles and threatened species like nurse sharks. Along with creating a safe environment for these imperiled species, the Gladys Potter Zoo has showcased species that are native to the Rio Grande Valley such as diamondback terrapins, black-
spotted newts and red-crowned amazons.
Forty years ago, endangered Kemp's ridley sea turtles were on the brink of extinction, but this changed shortly after Dr. Burchfield, then the Zoo's Curator of Herpetology, stepped into the picture. In 1981, Dr. Burchfield, at the request of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, accepted the role of Coordinator for the U.S. contingent of the U.S./Mexico Binational Kemp's Ridley Sea Tuttle Recovery Program. Program activities included protecting the wild nests and hatchlings of this imperiled species at its primary nesting grounds in Rancho Nuevo, Mexico. From 1985 to present, the number of nesting female turtles rose from 283 to an estimated 7,000 to 9,000.
When asked why he cared so much about Kemp's Ridley sea turtles, Dr. Burchfield said, ``I saw an opportunity to try and do something meaningful, and that maybe we would have a shot at saving this species. So, my job was to do whatever I could do to help make that happen.''
Since 1992, Dr. Burchfield has been an instructor at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in the Department of Biology. He is primarily responsible for the development and implementation of the introductory zoo biology course, a prerequisite for all aspiring zoologists. In this capacity, Dr. Burchfield sought to further the efficacy of his animal conservation efforts by inspiring the environmental champions of tomorrow right in the heart of South Texas.
Madam Speaker, not only is Dr. Burchfield a leader in animal conservation, but he is undoubtedly one of the most humble men I have had the pleasure of meeting. His work has never revolved around self-
interest or accolades, but rather his genuine desire to save species and raise awareness about the need to preserve our planet's dwindling natural resources. I thank him for the essential role he has played in shaping a healthier future for all and for choosing to make Brownsville, Texas his home.
____________________
SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 168
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