```

[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 858 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

<DOC>

118th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 858

           Recognizing the 15th anniversary of Outdoor Afro.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           September 25, 2024

Mr. King (for himself, Mr. Heinrich, Mr. Hickenlooper, and Mr. Padilla) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
                            on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
           Recognizing the 15th anniversary of Outdoor Afro.

Whereas, in 2009, Outdoor Afro started as a blog about nature written by Ms. Rue 
        Mapp, and has grown into a national not-for-profit network with 
        volunteer leaders in 33 States and the District of Columbia, guiding 
        hundreds of outdoor events each year based on a simple mission to 
        celebrate and inspire Black-American connections to nature through 
        recreational activities, including camping, hiking, birding, fishing, 
        gardening, skiing, biking, camping, environmental education, 
        conservation stewardship, and more;
Whereas, in the past 15 years, Outdoor Afro has cultivated and trained more than 
        1000 outdoor leaders, led thousands of outdoor events, and engaged well 
        over 150,000 participants;
Whereas Outdoor Afro has disrupted the false perception that Black Americans do 
        not have a relationship with nature and is inspiring access to remote 
        and pristine nature, as well as urban nature, including local parks, 
        trails, and open spaces;
Whereas Outdoor Afro promotes a healthy lifestyle and helps communities find 
        healing, connects to Black history found in natural areas, and inspires 
        an increased desire to protect vulnerable public lands for all to enjoy;
Whereas Outdoor Afro held its first international expedition in 2018 to climb 
        Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania;
Whereas, in response to the disproportionate number of Black children who drown 
        while swimming, Outdoor Afro launched Making Waves, a program to 
        strengthen relationships with water through water safety and swimming 
        lessons provided by certified swim instructors;
Whereas, since its inception, Making Waves has funded nearly 1,950 
        ``Swimmership'' scholarships and aims to reach 1,500 new swimmers in 
        2024;
Whereas Outdoor Afro has engaged millions of people through digital outreach and 
        is changing visual representations of who can connect with and lead in 
        the outdoors through this digital outreach;
Whereas Outdoor Afro's growing network comprises civically engaged men and 
        women, many of whom plan outdoor activities on behalf of children and 
        senior community members, restoring Black-American leadership in nature;
Whereas Outdoor Afro is a leading voice in the Black-American community for 
        advice on where to recreate, the best outdoor gear to use, and 
        environmental causes that need the greatest attention; and
Whereas October 25, 2024, marks 15 years since the establishment of Outdoor Afro 
        as a community that supports connecting Black Americans with natural 
        spaces and one another through recreational activities: Now, therefore, 
        be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) recognizes the 15th anniversary of Outdoor Afro; and
            (2) commends the leadership of Outdoor Afro for leading the 
        way for inclusion in outdoor recreation and nature for all.
                                 <all>
```