IV

105TH CONGRESS

2D SESSION H. CON. RES. 261

Recognizing the importance of rivers to the United States and supporting

efforts to inform and educate the people of the United States regarding

rivers and the importance of their preservation.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

APRIL 28, 1998

Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island submitted the following concurrent resolution;

which was referred to the Committee on Resources

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Recognizing the importance of rivers to the United States

and supporting efforts to inform and educate the people

of the United States regarding rivers and the importance

of their preservation.

Whereas there are more than 3,000,000 miles of rivers in the

United States;

Whereas rivers are major geographical features that are

among the highlights of the National Park System;

Whereas rivers are used throughout the Nation as efficient

transportation routes for commerce and industry, and are

used in urban areas as public transportation corridors;

Whereas rivers have facilitated economic and social growth by

providing transportation, generating hydroelectric power,

and supplying water for farms and rural towns;
2

•HCON 261 IH

Whereas rivers are important tourist destinations for the

United States, which each year attracts more than

46,000,000 international travelers and generates more

than $430,000,000,000 in tourism revenue;

Whereas rivers are featured attractions for ecotourism and

recreational travel, which are among the fastest growing

sectors of the tourism industry;

Whereas rivers support fish, waterfowl, and other wildlife

that need greenways and clean water to survive in their

habitats;

Whereas people throughout the Nation live in close proximity

to rivers and streams and use them for swimming, fishing, boating, and other forms of recreation and leisure;

Whereas rivers, throughout history, have been integral to the

culture, heritage, and landscape of the United States and

continue to be vital to its quality of life;

Whereas States and communities are rediscovering the benefits of rivers and streams as they revitalize urban centers,

neighborhoods, rural villages, and towns, and are using

rivers as catalysts for economic development, community

improvement, and environmental preservation;

Whereas the manner in which the people of the United States

live along its rivers and streams affects water resources,

environment, and geography on regional, national, and

global scales;

Whereas the President and the Congress have declared their

support for rivers through the national heritage rivers

program, under which 10 rivers will be designated as heritage rivers;

Whereas it is appropriate for the people of the United States

from time to time to reflect upon the manner in which
3

•HCON 261 IH

their activities and lifestyles affect the rivers of the Nation; and

Whereas many efforts are being made throughout the Nation

to celebrate the third Saturday in June as an annual National Rivers Day, and to use such day as an opportunity

to inform and educate the people of the United States regarding the Nation’s rivers and the importance of their

preservation: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate

2 concurring), That the Congress—

3 (1) recognizes the importance of rivers and

4 streams to the Nation;

5 (2) supports the efforts being made throughout

6 the Nation to inform and educate the people of the

7 United States regarding the Nation’s rivers and the

8 importance of their preservation;

9 (3) encourages the people of the United States

10 to reflect upon the manner in which their activities

11 and lifestyles affect the Nation’s rivers and streams;

12 and

13 (4) encourages the people of the United States

14 to participate in groups, organizations, activities,

15 and events that promote awareness and contribute

16 to the preservation of the Nation’s rivers and

17 streams.

Æ