Statement of Senator Peter Welch
Honoring Jane Goodall
Remarks as Submitted to the Congressional Record
October 1, 2025

I rise to pay tribute to Jane Goodall, whose pioneering scientific research on the behavior of chimpanzees and decades of tirelessly circling the globe to build support for the protection of endangered wildlife and the global environment are unmatched in human history.  Jane died today, at the age of 91.  I am one of the innumerable people who had enormous admiration for her, and who hoped that somehow she might live forever. 

Jane Goodall recognized early in her life that protecting nature is first and foremost about educating and motivating human beings, on whom the survival of all other species depends.  That became her life’s mission, and she also never stopped advocating for the ethical treatment of animals, as embodied in the Captive Primate Safety Act, of which I am a cosponsor.

Her passing touches the hearts of countless millions of people of every generation on every continent.  She was an extraordinary role model for young people of all nationalities and inspired many to seek careers in scientific discovery.  Despite the increasing destruction of the Earth’s environment caused by humans’ ever-increasing demand for natural resources, she never lost hope in our collective ability to save the planet.  We owe her immense gratitude for devoting her life to ensuring that we don’t lose hope either.