[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 803 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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118th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 803

     Recognizing the importance of purple martins to United States 
  ecosystems, tourism, and history by designating August 10, 2024, as 
                  ``Purple Martin Conservation Day''.


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                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             August 1, 2024

   Mr. Braun (for himself and Mr. Fetterman) submitted the following 
    resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

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                               RESOLUTION


 
     Recognizing the importance of purple martins to United States 
  ecosystems, tourism, and history by designating August 10, 2024, as 
                  ``Purple Martin Conservation Day''.

Whereas purple martins (Progne subis) are the largest swallows in North America 
        and have 3 subspecies that are unique to North and South America;
Whereas, every year, approximately 8,700,000 purple martins migrate from South 
        America to North America for breeding season, visiting 48 out of 50 
        States, as well as portions of southern Canada and Mexico;
Whereas, beginning in July of each year, adult and juvenile purple martins 
        congregate at roosts and migrate to South America for the winter months;
Whereas, thousands of years ago, Native Americans began providing man-made 
        dwellings for purple martins after recognizing their utility as pest and 
        insect regulators;
Whereas habitat loss and the spread of non-native invasive bird species have 
        pushed purple martins to transition to man-made dwellings, upon which 
        purple martins now depend for survival east of the Rocky Mountains;
Whereas, in the face of population decline, successful conservation efforts of 
        modern birders in the United States have helped the purple martin to 
        remain a species of least concern; and
Whereas, in 2024, there are more than 220,000 active purple martin colonies 
        across the United States that offer aesthetic benefits, foster tourism, 
        maintain ecological diversity, and provide immense educational 
        opportunity for children and adults alike: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) designates August 10, 2024, as ``Purple Martin 
        Conservation Day''; and
            (2) recognizes the economic, educational, historical, and 
        aesthetic value that purple martins offer to people of the 
        United States of all ages.
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