III 

115TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 232 

Supporting the inclusion and meaningful engagement of Latinos in 

environmental protection and conservation efforts. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

JULY 26, 2017 

Mr. BENNET (for himself, Mr. HELLER, Mr. MENENDEZ, Mr. UDALL, Mr. 

COONS, Mrs. FEINSTEIN, Mr. CARDIN, Mr. PETERS, Mr. VAN HOLLEN, 

Ms. HARRIS, Mr. HEINRICH, Mr. MERKLEY, Mr. FRANKEN, Mr. CARPER, 

Ms. STABENOW, Ms. CANTWELL, Mrs. MURRAY, and Ms. CORTEZ

MASTO) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources 

RESOLUTION 

Supporting the inclusion and meaningful engagement of 

Latinos in environmental protection and conservation efforts. 

Whereas Latinos are the largest ethnic group in the United 

States, with more than 56,600,000 Latinos making up 

17.6 percent of the population of the United States; 

Whereas the Latino community is projected to grow to nearly 

1⁄4 of the population of the United States by 2050; 

Whereas Latinos should have greater representation in the 

decisionmaking process relating to, and management of, 

public land; 

Whereas Latino conservation initiatives break down barriers, 

improve access to public land, and encourage outreach to, 


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•SRES 232 IS 

and new opportunities for, the Latino community to use 

public land; 

Whereas Latino conservation efforts can range from outdoor 

activities, such as hiking and kayaking, to educational activities and community gatherings; 

Whereas increased access to outdoor recreation opportunities 

encourages Latino families and youth to engage with the 

outdoors and demonstrate the commitment of the Latino 

families and youth to conservation; 

Whereas each person should have the opportunity to discover 

his or her history, culture, and heritage by exploring and 

experiencing the public land of the United States; 

Whereas access to green spaces provides for healthier and 

more active lifestyles, which helps address numerous 

health disparity issues facing the Latino community, such 

as diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease; 

Whereas the participation of Latinos in conservation efforts 

can encourage the interest and involvement of Latinos in 

careers in conservation; 

Whereas the people of the United States must ensure that 

the public land and natural surroundings of the United 

States are protected for future generations; and 

Whereas the members of the largest ethnic group in the 

United States, as the environmental stewards of tomorrow, will play a significant role in securing the future 

success and preservation of the public land of the United 

States, especially as that group continues to grow: Now, 

therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 


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•SRES 232 IS 

1 (1) recognizes the role of Latinos in protecting 

2 and preserving the land, water, and wildlife of the 

3 United States; 

4 (2) supports the inclusion and meaningful en5 gagement of Latinos in environmental protection 

6 and conservation efforts; and 

7 (3) encourages Latinos in the United States to 

8 participate in ceremonies, activities, and programs 

9 that engage the community in the outdoors and 

10 bring awareness to the importance of conservation. 

Æ 


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