IV 111th CONGRESS 1st Session H. RES. 475 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES May 21, 2009 Mr. Blumenauer (for himself, Mrs. Bono Mack, Mr. Kind, Mr. Connolly of Virginia, Mr. Wexler, Mrs. Christensen, Mrs. Lummis, Mr. Michaud, Ms. Bordallo, Mr. Thompson of California, Mr. Salazar, Mr. Polis of Colorado, Mr. Cleaver, Ms. McCollum, Mr. Capuano, Ms. Lee of California, and Ms. Matsui) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources RESOLUTION Supporting the goals and ideals of National Trails Day.

Whereas more than 200,000 miles of trails provide access to the outdoors for recreation, physical activity, inspiration, education, and exploration of natural and cultural treasures in backcountry, urban, rural, and suburban settings; Whereas trails provide invaluable economic, health, environmental, and transportation benefits to the Nation, including family oriented recreational opportunities and economic development opportunities for communities; Whereas trails in our Nation are developed and maintained thanks to public-private partnerships, and dedicated volunteers provide hundreds of thousands of hours in labor each year to trails, worth millions of dollars, throughout our communities and public lands nationwide; Whereas American Hiking Society founded National Trails Day® in 1993 as a national event held the first Saturday of every June to raise awareness of and appreciation for trails; Whereas Whereas National Trails Day is a nationwide day of public events, including hikes, paddle trips, bike and horseback rides, trail work projects, park clean-ups, and outdoor festivals, celebrated in communities and on public lands in all 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands; Whereas according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 64 percent of the United States population is overweight and 75 percent of Americans age 18 and over get too little physical activity; Whereas regular physical activity, including walking and bicycling on trails, helps control weight and reduce the risk of life-threatening diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and other serious medical conditions; Whereas the 17th annual National Trails Day promotes the many benefits of trails and recreational activities; Whereas national, State, and local agencies promote, support, and participate in National Trails Day, including the National Park Service, the Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and Federal Highway Administration; and Whereas in recognition of National Trails Day, volunteers and citizens all across the United States will be celebrating, building, maintaining, enjoying, and discovering our nation’s outstanding trails: Now, therefore, be it

that the House of Representatives— (1)recognizes that the important contributions of trail volunteers and organizations have created an outstanding network of trails across the country; (2)recognizes that trails and trail use improves the quality of our lives and our physical and mental health and well-being; (3)supports the goals and ideals of National Trails Day; (4)encourages the people of the United States to observe National Trails Day with appropriate recognition, ceremonies, activities, and programs to demonstrate the importance of trails to our communities and everyday lives; and (5)recognizes and applauds national, State, and community agencies and organizations for their work in promoting awareness about trails and National Trails Day.