[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 670 Engrossed in House (EH)]

H. Res. 670

                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                    September 22, 2009.
Whereas Hawk Mountain Sanctuary is a year-round wildlife sanctuary that 
        introduces students and visitors to the natural beauty of the central 
        Appalachian Mountains of eastern Pennsylvania;
Whereas the 2,600 acres of woodland in the sanctuary and more than 13,000 acres 
        of private and public lands in the area comprise one of the largest 
        protected tracts of contiguous forest in eastern Pennsylvania;
Whereas the sanctuary consists of 8 miles of ridge and valley trails for 
        visitors to hike and explore;
Whereas Hawk Mountain Sanctuary was the first refuge for birds of prey in the 
        world;
Whereas over 12,000 raptors of various species find refuge in the Hawk Mountain 
        Sanctuary every year;
Whereas during the autumn months, visitors have the unique opportunity to view 
        numerous raptors of various species participating in a yearly migration 
        through Pennsylvania;
Whereas Hawk Mountain Sanctuary is internationally known as a global information 
        hub and a leader in the field of raptor biology and raptor conservation;
Whereas the sanctuary has a full-time staff of 16 employees and a volunteer 
        workforce of more than 200 dedicated members;
Whereas the sanctuary staff works continually with world-class raptor 
        scientists, conservationists, graduate students, and international 
        interns to collaborate, collect, and analyze information and to 
        formulate and test new conservation strategies;
Whereas Hawk Mountain Sanctuary offers weekend programs for local residents, 
        guided programs for students and groups, and fully accredited college-
        level courses in cooperation with Cedar Crest College, located in 
        Allentown, Pennsylvania;
Whereas the sanctuary makes a concerted effort to work with local and regional 
        conservationists in researching and preserving the ecology of the 
        Appalachian Mountains;
Whereas the springs, ephemeral streams, vernal pools, and four small ponds of 
        the mountains, as well as the nearby Little Schuylkill River and Kettle 
        Creek, provide a crucial habitat for rare plants, invertebrates, and 
        amphibians;
Whereas amateur ornithologist Richard Pough first noticed the area as an 
        important location for raptor activity and brought attention to the area 
        and its rich population of raptors by photographing the controversial 
        hunting of hawks for sport;
Whereas in 1934, national conservationist Rosalie Edge visited Hawk Mountain 
        after viewing photographs taken by Richard Pough, and with the guidance 
        of bird conservationists Maurice and Irma Broun, advocated for an end to 
        the sport hunting of hawks on the land before purchasing the land and 
        opening it as a sanctuary for public use;
Whereas Rosalie Edge deeded the 1,400 acres to the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary 
        Association, which was incorporated in Pennsylvania in 1938 as a 
        nonprofit organization;
Whereas in 1965, the Secretary of the Interior designated the Hawk Mountain 
        Sanctuary as a registered natural landmark;
Whereas in 1976, the Conservation Internship Program of the sanctuary was 
        initiated, and the program has since trained 280 young conservationists 
        representing 52 countries on 6 continents;
Whereas in 1987, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary received the prestigious Chevron 
        Conservation Award; and
Whereas in 2002, the Acopian Center for Conservation Learning opened and the 
        Wings of Wonder Gallery was dedicated: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) congratulates and salutes the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary for 
        celebrating its 75th anniversary;
            (2) commends the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary for its contributions to 
        the preservation of wildlife, especially birds of prey, and the native 
        ecology of the Appalachian Mountains and eastern Pennsylvania; and
            (3) commends the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary for its dedication to 
        educating the public and the international community about wildlife 
        conservation.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.