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[Congressional Bills 105th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 261 Introduced in House (IH)]

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;
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 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
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That the Congress--
            (1) recognizes the importance of rivers and streams to the 
        Nation;
            (2) supports the efforts being made throughout the Nation 
        to inform and educate the people of the United States regarding 
        the Nation's rivers and the importance of their preservation;
            (3) encourages the people of the United States to reflect 
        upon the manner in which their activities and lifestyles affect 
        the Nation's rivers and streams; and
            (4) encourages the people of the United States to 
        participate in groups, organizations, activities, and events 
        that promote awareness and contribute to the preservation of 
        the Nation's rivers and streams.
                                 <all>
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