IV 

118TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 1422 

Recognizing the 60th anniversary of the Wilderness Act. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

SEPTEMBER 3, 2024 

Mr. GRIJALVA (for himself, Ms. NORTON, Mr. HUFFMAN, Mrs. DINGELL, Ms. 

VELA ́ZQUEZ, Ms. MCCOLLUM, Mr. MULLIN, Ms. PORTER, Mrs. NAPOLITANO, Mr. NEGUSE, and Mr. RUIZ) submitted the following resolution; 

which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the 60th anniversary of the Wilderness Act. 

Whereas September 3, 2024, marks the 60th anniversary of 

the date of the enactment of the Wilderness Act (16 

U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), which gave to the people of the 

United States the National Wilderness Preservation System, an enduring resource of natural heritage; 

Whereas the Wilderness Act instituted a national policy to 

recognize the natural heritage of the United States as a 

valuable resource and to preserve wilderness for the use 

and enjoyment of future generations; 

Whereas, in the 60 years since the enactment of the Wilderness Act, Presidents and congressional leaders from both 

parties, working with land management experts within 

the Departments of Interior and Agriculture and wilderVerDate Sep 11 2014 20:53 Sep 03, 2024 Jkt 049200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR1422.IH HR1422

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•HRES 1422 IH 

ness advocates, have expanded and improved the National 

Wilderness Preservation System; 

Whereas the Wilderness Act has been used by Congress to 

protect nearly 112,000,000 acres of public lands as designated wilderness in 44 States; 

Whereas wilderness provides billions of dollars of economic 

activity and ecosystem services in the form of safe drinking water, clean air, wildlife habitat, and recreational opportunities; 

Whereas wilderness protects cultural landscapes, provides a 

place of refuge for wild nature, and preserves important 

parts of Indigenous and non-Indigenous community values; 

Whereas the next 60 years of the Wilderness Act presents an 

opportunity for the Federal Government to right the 

wrongs of the past and meaningfully include Tribal governments in the designation and management of wilderness areas; 

Whereas wilderness provides for and protects natural 

soundscapes and dark skies, which are increasingly rare 

resources in our developed world; 

Whereas wilderness serves as a natural laboratory for scientific research, providing a benchmark for assessing the 

health of our natural world while deepening our understanding of ecological processes and the impacts of 

human activities on the environment; 

Whereas wilderness offers solitude, solace, and opportunities 

for personal reflection and growth; 

Whereas wilderness is an egalitarian means of access to wild 

places, connecting people to the natural world, promoting 


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physical and mental well-being, and fostering a sense of 

wonder and responsibility for the environment; 

Whereas global climate change, biodiversity loss, degradation 

of wildlands, and nature deprivation are the existential, 

interconnected crises of our times; 

Whereas wilderness helps mitigate the effects of climate 

change by providing critical refugia for flora and fauna, 

reducing surface disturbances that exacerbate the effects 

of climate change, eliminating greenhouse gas emissions 

related to fossil fuel extraction, and contributing to the 

goal of protecting 30 percent of global lands and waters 

by 2030; and 

Whereas wilderness remains the most effective and durable 

conservation tool of the United States, preserving wild 

nature for the benefit of humanity and other species and 

providing a clear legal framework for safeguarding delicate ecosystems from degradation: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) recognizes the 60th anniversary of the Wil3 derness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.); 

4 (2) recognizes and commends the extraordinary 

5 work of the individuals and organizations involved in 

6 advocating for and maintaining the National Wilder7 ness Preservation System; 

8 (3) acknowledges the value of Traditional Indig9 enous Knowledge and recognizes the importance of 

10 including Indian Tribes in the designation and man11 agement of wilderness areas; and 


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1 (4) celebrates wilderness, a uniquely American 

2 idea and asset preserved as a gift to future genera3 tions, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, age, sex4 ual orientation, gender identity, economic status, po5 litical belief, or other diverse characteristics. 

Æ 


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