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[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 289 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

<DOC>

115th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 289

   Designating the week beginning on October 8, 2017, as ``National 
                        Wildlife Refuge Week''.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            October 5, 2017

    Mr. Coons (for himself and Mr. Kennedy) submitted the following 
             resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
   Designating the week beginning on October 8, 2017, as ``National 
                        Wildlife Refuge Week''.

Whereas, in 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt established the first national 
        wildlife refuge on Pelican Island in Florida;
Whereas, in 2017, 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 
        approximately 836,000,000 acres, 566 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 this protected 
        land offers 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, in 2017, 373 units of the National Wildlife Refuge System have hunting 
        programs and 310 units of the National Wildlife Refuge System have 
        fishing programs, averaging more than 2,400,000 hunting visits and 
        nearly 6,900,000 fishing visits each year;
Whereas the National Wildlife Refuge System experienced more than 31,400,000 
        wildlife observation visits during fiscal year 2016;
Whereas national wildlife refuges are important to local businesses and gateway 
        communities;
Whereas visitation to the National Wildlife Refuge System increased by nearly 30 
        percent from 2006 to 2016;
Whereas the National Wildlife Refuge System experiences more than 50,000,000 
        visits each year, which generate more than $2,400,000,000 in sales and 
        35,000 jobs in local economies;
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 Virgin Islands to Guam;
Whereas national wildlife refuges are home to more than 700 species of birds, 
        220 species of mammals, 250 species of reptiles and amphibians, and more 
        than 1,000 species of fish;
Whereas national wildlife refuges are the primary Federal lands on which the 
        production, migration, and wintering habitat for waterfowl are fostered;
Whereas, since 1934, the sale of the Federal Duck Stamp to outdoor enthusiasts 
        has generated more than $850,000,000 in funds, which has enabled the 
        purchase or lease of more than 5,700,000 acres of habitat for waterfowl 
        and numerous other species in the National Wildlife Refuge System;
Whereas 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 40,000 volunteers and approximately 200 national wildlife 
        refuge ``Friends'' organizations contribute more than 1,350,000 
        volunteer hours annually, the equivalent of nearly 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 refuge located within a 1 hour drive of 
        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, 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 8, 2017, 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 to enjoy this network of protected lands: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) designates the week beginning on October 8, 2017, 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.
                                 <all>
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