书城外语课外英语-美国各洲小知识(一)(双语版)
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第14章 亚利桑那州(2)

Also during that first year in office,Governor Napolitano tackled a problem that had been ignored for too long in Arizona—the underfunding of the agency that cares for abused and neglected(被忽视的)children.She began a series of reforms of the states Child Protective Services that continue to this day.

Under her leadership,the state has begun the phasein of voluntary fullday kindergarten.When complete,every parent in every family in Arizona will have the choice of sending their children to fullday K.

Governor Napolitano believes that while we prepare students for life in the real world,we must create real jobs that will be there when they graduate.That demands a rethinking (再想,重想)of the way we teach our children—from elementary school,through high school,college and workforce training.The Governor has never wavered in her support of higher education,and she created the P20Council to specifically to align(使结盟,使成一行)elementary,secondary and higher education to the workforce—in other words,ensure that what children and young adults study in school reflects the skills and knowledge they will need to be successful in business.

These efforts in the area of education and her work to build trade—particularly in hightech industries—are part of her strategy to secure the stability and growth of Arizonas economy for the long term.

She has been a champion of law—enforcement and border security,as well.Governor Napolitanos leadership is responsible for creation of the Arizona CounterTerrorism Information Center,a multiagency intelligence fusion center that tracks and shares critical data used to keep our cities and our borders safe 24hours a day,seven days a week.

By prepositioning fire equipment and putting plans in place early,Governor Napolitano has ensured the state would be able to handle several consecutive(连续的,联贯的)severe fire seasons.She has been at the forefront(最前线)of water management planning—particularly for rural Arizona—in response to the states extended drought.

Health care has been another key focus for the Governor:she worked with Universities and the community to create a new medical school in the Phoenix area to begin to address the critical shortage of doctors in Arizona;her prescriptiondiscount plan,the Copper Card,saves Arizona seniors100,000a week;and the expansion of the states Health Care Group insurance plan brings health coverage to thousands of individuals and small business that would otherwise do without.

Prior her election as Governor of Arizona,she served one term as Arizona Attorney General and four years as U.S.Attorney for the District of Arizona.Born in New York City and raised in Albuquerque(美国新墨西哥州中部大城),New Mexico,she is a distinguished alumna of Santa Clara University and the University of Virginia Law School.She has lived in Arizona since 1983,when she moved to Phoenix to practice law.

Governor Napolitano is a serious sports fan—the Arizona Diamondbacks (菱形斑纹)are her favorite—an avid reader and moviegoer(常看电影的人),a friend of the arts and a friend to all Arizonans.

〖MZ(3H〗State Bird州鸟〖MZ)〗

仙人掌鹪鹩是亚利桑那州最大的鹪鹩,长7到8英寸。它的嗓音相当沙哑且伴有的“嚓、嚓、嚓”声,听起来像汽车的引擎。这种鹪鹩的背面是棕色并且有白色斑点。它的下腹包括颈部颜色稍淡且有黑色斑点。它翅膀的羽毛有白色长条,尾巴上有黑色长条。在每只眼睛上各有一条很显眼白线。这种鹪鹩生活在本州南部和西部低海拔地区。它也存在于犹他州、德克萨斯州、新墨西哥、加利福利亚和墨西哥。

The Cactus Wren is the largest wren in Arizona,measuring 7to 8inches in length.Its song is a rather raucous(沙哑的)and unmusical chachacha which sounds like a car engine trying to turn over.The Cactus Wrens back is brown with white spots and its underparts[(动物)下体],including the throat,are lighter colored with black spots.The bill is as long as its head and curves down slightly.Its wing feathers have white bars and its tail has black bars.A distinctive white line appears over each eye.The Cactus Wren resides at lower elevations(海拔)in the southern and western part of the state below the Mogollon Rim.It can also be found in parts of Utah,Texas,New Mexico,California,and Mexico.

Cactus Wrens can be seen in their Sonoran desert habitat((动植物的)生活环境,居留地)and in open woodlands and grasslands where cholla cactus are found.They are omnivorous(杂食的,什么都吃的),foraging for insects on the ground and in trees and shrubs(灌木,灌木丛)and also feeding on seeds and fruits.They are active during daylight(日光,白昼)hours at any time of the year.Cactus Wren eggs and the young wrens are vulnerable to smaller predators(掠夺者,食肉动物)such as Blue Jays and snakes;the adult birds are rarely preyed upon.Their nests are footballshaped,made of grass,and lined with feathers.In urban areas,the nests may contain lint((旧时作)绷带用软麻布),string,paper,rope,rags,and other items.The nests are perhaps the most conspicuous nests in the desert.Cactus Wrens usually build their nests in cholla cactus([植]仙人掌)or thorny trees to protect themselves and their young from predators.Their nests serve as a home for yearround protection from the cold,the rain,and nighttime(夜间)enemies.

The female Cactus Wren lays 3—4eggs which are then incubated(孵卵)for about 16days.Only the females are involved with the incubation.The young weigh approximately 3—4grams at hatching.About 65%—70%of all nesting attempts are successful.The young leave the nest after approximately three weeks.Most pairs raise 2—3families between late March and July.

The Cactus Wren lives 2—4years and is protected by federal law,as are all songbirds in Arizona.It is illegal to hunt or possess live specimens.The Cactus Wren was officially designated the Arizona State Bird by legislative action on March 16,1931.

〖MZ(3H〗State Flower州花〖MZ)〗

萨瓜罗仙人掌花作为亚利桑那州的州徽图案是在1901年3月8日,正式被立法机关确定为州花是在1931年3月16日。这芬芳的、白色的萨瓜罗仙人掌花是最独特的州花之一。在5月和6月,这种白色花瓣黄色花蕊的仙人掌大约有3英寸。而花则能被发现在枝干的末端。这种花在较凉爽的夜晚绽放,在炎热的正午又会收起来。然而很难看见美丽的、乳白色喇叭状的花,因为它们只在夜间开放,花期也只能持续18个小时。这种花有甜蜜的香味,到5、6月开放的季节会吸引蜜蜂和苍蝇。到了7月就会长出鲜红的果实,它们是从墨西哥迁居而来的鸽子们的食物。

The Saguaro Blossom was adopted as the floral emblem of the Arizona Territory on March 8,1901,and officially confirmed as the state flower by the Legislature on March 16,1931.Prior to its adoption,a saguaro cactus appeared on the first territorial seal of Arizona in 1863.