[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 602 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

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118th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 602

    Designating March 16, 2024, as ``National Osceola Turkey Day''.


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                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             March 20, 2024

    Mr. Scott of Florida (for himself and Mr. Rubio) submitted the 
        following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

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                               RESOLUTION


 
    Designating March 16, 2024, as ``National Osceola Turkey Day''.

Whereas wild turkey has been an important part of the history and family 
        traditions of the United States;
Whereas wild turkey was on the table at the very first Thanksgiving, and turkey 
        continues to be a mainstay during many holiday traditions;
Whereas wild turkey is a healthy, organic, and delicious source of lean protein;
Whereas, in the United States, turkey hunters have spent approximately 
        $76,900,000 per year since 1985 with an economic impact of $128,700,000 
        annually;
Whereas Florida has a rich history of wild turkey hunting, management, and 
        research;
Whereas Florida is home to the Wild Turkey Cost Share Program, which is the 
        largest public-private partnership program in the United States for the 
        maintenance of wild turkey habitat on wildlife management areas and 
        other public lands open to hunting;
Whereas, since the Wild Turkey Cost Share Program began in 1994, upwards of 
        1,000,000 acres of upland habitat have received funding for turkey 
        habitat management efforts;
Whereas, in the 2023 Florida spring wild turkey season, 25,056 hunters 
        participated in turkey hunting, including 4,761 non residents of the 
        Sunshine State;
Whereas, in Florida, revenue generated from the sale of wild turkey permits is 
        used for conservation, research, and management of wild turkeys or 
        promoting the cultural heritage of hunting;
Whereas turkey hunters are an important part of the Wild Turkey Cost Share 
        Program, and the money generated from the sale of turkey permits, which 
        are a requirement for hunting wild turkeys in Florida unless exempt, 
        allows the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to make 
        significant contributions to the Wild Turkey Cost Share Program each 
        year;
Whereas Florida is home to 2 subspecies of wild turkey, the eastern wild turkey 
        and the Osceola or Florida wild turkey;
Whereas the Osceola is 1 of 5 subspecies of wild turkey in North America;
Whereas the Osceola turkey exists only in peninsular Florida;
Whereas the Osceola subspecies of wild turkey is often perceived as mysterious 
        and the most difficult to harvest because of its small geographic range 
        and the often swampy habitat where it is found;
Whereas hunters in pursuit of all 4 subspecies of turkey in the United States, 
        known as a ``Grand Slam'', are required to hunt in Florida; and
Whereas March 2, 2024, is the opening day of turkey harvesting season in part of 
        Florida, and March 16, 2024, is the opening day for the entire State of 
        Florida: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) designates March 16, 2024, as ``National Osceola Turkey 
        Day''; and
            (2) encourages the people of the United States to observe 
        National Osceola Turkey Day with appropriate ceremonies and 
        activities.
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