[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 92 (Thursday, May 26, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S2758]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   SENATE RESOLUTION 654--DESIGNATING JUNE 2022 AS ``GREAT OUTDOORS 
                                MONTH''

  Mr. DAINES (for himself, Mr. Peters, Mrs. Shaheen, Mr. King, Mr. 
Rounds, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Wyden, Ms. Rosen, Mrs. Capito, Mr. Padilla, 
Mr. Booker, and Ms. Klobuchar) submitted the following resolution; 
which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 654

       Whereas hundreds of millions of individuals in the United 
     States participate in outdoor recreation annually;
       Whereas Congress enacted the Outdoor Recreation Jobs and 
     Economic Impact Act of 2016 (Public Law 114-249; 130 Stat. 
     999) to assess and analyze the outdoor recreation economy of 
     the United States and the effects attributable to the outdoor 
     recreation economy on the overall economy of the United 
     States;
       Whereas the Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account, updated 
     in November 2021 by the Bureau of Economic Analysis of the 
     Department of Commerce, shows that outdoor recreation 
     generated more than $374,300,000,000 in economic output in 
     2020, comprising approximately 1.8 percent of the current-
     dollar gross domestic product;
       Whereas the Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account shows 
     that, in 2020, the outdoor recreation sector provided 
     4,300,000 jobs across the United States;
       Whereas the Great American Outdoors Act (Public Law 116-
     152; 134 Stat. 682) provides approximately $2,000,000,000 per 
     year to help eliminate the maintenance backlog on public 
     lands and waters and fully funds the Land and Water 
     Conservation Fund;
       Whereas regular outdoor recreation is associated with 
     economic growth, positive health outcomes, and better quality 
     of life;
       Whereas outdoor recreation activities at the Federal, 
     State, and local levels have seen a recent surge in 
     participation;
       Whereas many outdoor recreation businesses are small 
     businesses that were heavily impacted by the COVID-19 
     pandemic;
       Whereas outdoor recreation businesses are cornerstones of 
     rural communities and outdoor recreation is part of the 
     national heritage of the United States;
       Whereas it is imperative that the United States ensure that 
     access to outdoor recreation is inclusive, equitable, and 
     available to all its people for generations to come; and
       Whereas June 2022 is an appropriate month to designate as 
     ``Great Outdoors Month'' to provide an opportunity to 
     celebrate the importance of the great outdoors: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates June 2022 as ``Great Outdoors Month''; and
       (2) encourages all individuals in the United States to 
     responsibly participate in recreation activities in the great 
     outdoors during June 2022 and year-round.

                          ____________________