116 HRES 418 IH: Expressing support for recognition of June 2019 as National Orca Protection Month. U.S. House of Representatives 2019-06-03 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IV116th CONGRESS1st SessionH. RES. 418IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJune 3, 2019Mr. Heck submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and ReformRESOLUTIONExpressing support for recognition of June 2019 as National Orca Protection Month.

Whereas orcas are an icon of the Pacific Northwest; Whereas orcas are culturally and spiritually important to Indian Tribes in the Pacific Northwest; Whereas the Puget Sound is home to three pods of Southern Resident orcas; Whereas the Southern Resident orca population has declined dramatically over the past 50 years; Whereas the Southern Resident orcas are among the most contaminated marine mammals in the world; Whereas the Southern Resident orcas are threatened by declining chinook salmon populations; Whereas the Southern Resident orcas have been protected under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) since 2005 and are one of the most endangered marine mammal populations in the world; Whereas June 2019 has been recognized by the States of Washington and Oregon as Orca Awareness Month; and Whereas the Federal Government has an obligation to protect and restore the Southern Resident orca population: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives supports recognition of National Orca Protection Month.