[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 164 (Thursday, October 17, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5901-S5902]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 362--DESIGNATING THE WEEK BEGINNING ON OCTOBER 13, 
               2019, AS ``NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE WEEK''

  Mr. COONS (for himself and Mr. Kennedy) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

[[Page S5902]]

  


                              S. Res. 362

       Whereas, in 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt established 
     the first national wildlife refuge on Pelican Island in 
     Florida;
       Whereas, in 2019, the National Wildlife Refuge System, 
     administered by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, 
     is the premier system of land and water to conserve wildlife 
     in the world and has grown to 567 national wildlife refuges 
     and 38 wetland management districts located in every State 
     and territory of the United States;
       Whereas national wildlife refuges are important 
     recreational and tourism destinations in communities across 
     the United States and offer a variety of recreational 
     opportunities, including 6 wildlife-dependent uses that the 
     National Wildlife Refuge System manages, specifically 
     hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, photography, 
     environmental education, and interpretation;
       Whereas the National Wildlife Refuge System receives more 
     than 50,000,000 visitors annually, which generates more than 
     $3,200,000,000 in sales and more than 41,000 jobs in local 
     economies;
       Whereas 382 units of the National Wildlife Refuge System 
     have hunting programs that receive more than 2,000,000 
     hunting visits annually, and 316 units of the National 
     Wildlife Refuge System have fishing programs that receive 
     more than 7,000,000 fishing visits annually;
       Whereas the National Wildlife Refuge System has hosted more 
     than 30,000,000 wildlife observation visits in recent years;
       Whereas national wildlife refuges are important to local 
     businesses and gateway communities;
       Whereas the National Wildlife Refuge System encompasses 
     every kind of ecosystem in the United States, including 
     temperate, tropical, and boreal forests, wetlands, deserts, 
     grasslands, arctic tundras, and remote islands, and spans 12 
     time zones from the United States Virgin Islands to Guam;
       Whereas national wildlife refuges are home to more than--
       (1) 700 species of birds;
       (2) 220 species of mammals;
       (3) 250 species of reptiles and amphibians; and
       (4) 1,000 species of fish;
       Whereas national wildlife refuges are the primary Federal 
     land on which the production, migration, and wintering 
     habitats for waterfowl are fostered;
       Whereas, since 1934, the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund, 
     which has been largely funded from the sale of the Federal 
     Duck Stamp to outdoor enthusiasts, has generated more than 
     $1,500,000,000 and enabled the conservation of more than 
     5,900,000 acres of habitat for waterfowl and numerous other 
     species in the National Wildlife Refuge System;
       Whereas national wildlife refuges provide protection to 
     more than 380 threatened and endangered species;
       Whereas national wildlife refuges are cores of conservation 
     for larger landscapes and resources for other agencies of the 
     Federal Government, State governments, private landowners, 
     and organizations in efforts to secure the wildlife heritage 
     of the United States;
       Whereas more than 38,000 volunteers and almost 200 national 
     wildlife refuge ``Friends'' organizations contribute 
     approximately 1,350,000 volunteer hours annually, the 
     equivalent of 650 full-time employees, and provide an 
     important link to local communities;
       Whereas national wildlife refuges provide an important 
     opportunity for children to discover and gain a greater 
     appreciation for the natural world;
       Whereas there are national wildlife refuges located in 
     several urban and suburban areas and there is a national 
     wildlife refuge located within a 1-hour drive of nearly every 
     metropolitan area in the United States, which has enabled 
     national wildlife refuges to employ, educate, and engage 
     young people from all backgrounds in exploring, connecting 
     with, and preserving the natural heritage of the United 
     States;
       Whereas, since 1995, national wildlife refuges across the 
     United States have held festivals, educational programs, 
     guided tours, and other events to celebrate National Wildlife 
     Refuge Week during the second full week of October;
       Whereas the United States Fish and Wildlife Service has 
     designated the week beginning on October 13, 2019, as 
     ``National Wildlife Refuge Week''; and
       Whereas the designation of National Wildlife Refuge Week by 
     the Senate would recognize more than a century of 
     conservation in the United States, raise awareness about the 
     importance of wildlife and the National Wildlife Refuge 
     System, and celebrate the myriad recreational opportunities 
     available for the enjoyment of the protected land and water 
     within that system: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates the week beginning on October 13, 2019, as 
     ``National Wildlife Refuge Week'';
       (2) encourages the observance of National Wildlife Refuge 
     Week with appropriate events and activities;
       (3) acknowledges the importance of national wildlife 
     refuges for their recreational opportunities and contribution 
     to local economies across the United States;
       (4) finds that national wildlife refuges play a vital role 
     in securing the hunting and fishing heritage of the United 
     States for future generations;
       (5) identifies the significance of national wildlife 
     refuges in advancing the traditions of wildlife observation, 
     photography, environmental education, and interpretation;
       (6) recognizes the importance of national wildlife refuges 
     to wildlife conservation, the protection of imperiled species 
     and ecosystems, and compatible uses;
       (7) acknowledges the role of national wildlife refuges in 
     conserving waterfowl and waterfowl habitat under the 
     Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 703 et seq.);
       (8) reaffirms the support of the Senate for wildlife 
     conservation and the National Wildlife Refuge System; and
       (9) expresses the intent of the Senate--
       (A) to continue working to conserve wildlife; and
       (B) to manage the National Wildlife Refuge System for 
     current and future generations.

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