IV 

116TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 775 

Recognizing and honoring Smokey Bear’s 75 years of service to the United 

States and commitment to preventing unwanted human-caused wildfires 

and promoting forest health. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

DECEMBER 19, 2019 

Ms. MCCOLLUM (for herself, Mr. JOYCE of Ohio, Mr. BISHOP of Georgia, Mr. 

YOUNG, Ms. HAALAND, Mr. GRIJALVA, and Mr. FORTENBERRY) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 

Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for 

a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for 

consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing and honoring Smokey Bear’s 75 years of service 

to the United States and commitment to preventing unwanted human-caused wildfires and promoting forest 

health. 

Whereas Smokey Bear has served the United States for 75 

years, preventing wildfires and protecting the Nation’s 

forests, above and beyond the call of duty; 

Whereas the Smokey Bear campaign is the longest running 

public service advertising campaign in United States history; 


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Whereas Smokey Bear was the first individual animal ever to 

be honored on a postage stamp and receives so much 

mail he has his own ZIP Code; 

Whereas Smokey Bear has worked diligently with the United 

States Forest Service to educate Americans of all ages 

and particularly America’s youth, the future stewards of 

our forests, about the need for vigilance regarding 

wildfires and forest health; 

Whereas Smokey Bear released videos for his 75th birthday 

that included celebrity voiceovers filling in for Smokey, 

all stating Smokey’s signature ‘‘only you can prevent 

wildfires’’ slogan and directing viewers back to Smokey 

Bear’s website to learn more about forest health; 

Whereas Smokey Bear’s website includes a ‘‘Benefits of Fire’’ 

section that describes fire as ‘‘one of nature’s most essential agents of change’’ that ‘‘can trigger a rebirth of forests’’; 

Whereas Native Americans and indigenous people long used 

prescribed fires to manipulate and improve landscapes, 

maintain prairies, and preserve healthy ecosystems; 

Whereas while there are benefits to occasional natural fires 

under specific conditions, it is important to remember 

Smokey’s ABCs: Always Be Careful with fire; 

Whereas Smokey Bear’s commitment to educating the public 

about wildfires can be applied to the need to improve 

public awareness about the benefits of prescribed fires, 

and how they are one of the most effective tools in preventing wildfires and managing the intensity and spread 

of wildfires; 

Whereas Smokey Bear’s dedication to forest health can be 

applied to educating the public about the benefits of natVerDate Sep 11 2014 00:44 Dec 20, 2019 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR775.IH HR775

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ural fires in maintaining healthy ecosystems dependent 

on periodic fires, supporting native vegetation, promoting 

wildlife diversity, and reducing excessive amounts of dead 

plant material; 

Whereas Smokey Bear’s message of vigilance can be applied 

to overall forest health and protection, including the management of invasive species, the effects of insect and disease infestations, the impacts of changing climates, water 

quality and quantity, and increasingly severe weather 

events; and 

Whereas the United States Forest Service, the National Association of State Foresters, and the Advertising Council 

have provided extraordinary support and dedication to 

the purposes and efforts of Smokey Bear: Now, therefore, 

be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) recognizes and honors Smokey Bear’s 75 

3 years of service to the United States; 

4 (2) expresses support for Smokey Bear’s com5 mitment to preventing unwanted human-caused 

6 wildfires and promoting forest health; and 

7 (3) encourages the United States Forest Serv8 ice, the National Association of State Foresters, and 

9 the Advertising Council to explore ways Smokey 

10 Bear’s message can be modernized to reflect current 

11 science and differentiate between unwanted humanVerDate Sep 11 2014 00:44 Dec 20, 2019 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\HR775.IH HR775

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1 caused wildfires and beneficial natural and pre2 scribed fires. 

Æ 


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