[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 126 (Thursday, August 1, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S5790]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 803--RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF PURPLE MARTINS TO 
 UNITED STATES ECOSYSTEMS, TOURISM, AND HISTORY BY DESIGNATING AUGUST 
            10, 2024, AS ``PURPLE MARTIN CONSERVATION DAY''

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

                              S. Res. 803

       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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