[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 173 Engrossed in House (EH)]


                 In the House of Representatives, U.S.,

                                                        April 29, 2003.
Whereas the National Wildlife Refuge System, operated by the United States Fish 
        and Wildlife Service, marked its centennial anniversary on March 14, 
        2003;
Whereas President Theodore Roosevelt stated in 1903 that ``Wild beasts and birds 
        are by right not the property merely of the people who are alive today, 
        but the property of unknown generations, whose belongings we have no 
        right to squander.'';
Whereas the vision of conserving wildlife embraced by President Roosevelt was 
        begun with the plants and animals located on Pelican Island off the East 
        Coast of Florida, and has since flourished across the United States and 
        its territories and possessions, allowing for the preservation of an 
        overwhelmingly vast array of flora and fauna;
Whereas the National Wildlife Refuge System is composed of 540 refuges 
        encompassing nearly 95 million acres, hosts 35 million visitors 
        annually, and benefits from the selfless efforts of 30,000 volunteers; 
        and
Whereas the National Wildlife Refuge System has established refuges in every 
        State in the United States, many of which are reachable within an hour's 
        drive of almost every major city: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes the achievements and contributions of the National 
        Wildlife Refuge System on the occasion of its centennial anniversary;
            (2) expresses strong support for the continued success of the 
        National Wildlife Refuge System;
            (3) encourages the United States Fish and Wildlife Service in its 
        efforts to broaden understanding and appreciation for the National 
        Wildlife Refuge System by increasing partnerships on behalf of the 
        refuge system to better manage and monitor wildlife and by continuing 
        its support of wildlife dependent recreational activities as embodied in 
        the Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 (Public Law 105-57); and
            (4) reaffirms its commitment to the National Wildlife Refuge System 
        and the conservation of the rich natural heritage of the United States.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.