IV 

116TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 997 

Expressing support for the Fourth of July, America’s birthday, and the 

hundreds of businesses and workers that make up the fireworks industry. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

JUNE 11, 2020 

Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota submitted the following resolution; which was 

referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing support for the Fourth of July, America’s birthday, and the hundreds of businesses and workers that 

make up the fireworks industry. 

Whereas, on July 3, 1776, Founding Father John Adams 

wrote to Abigail Adams expressing his belief that the 

signing of the Declaration of Independence should be 

commemorated ‘‘with Pomp and Parade, with Shows, 

Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations 

from one End of this Continent to the other from this 

Time forward forever more’’; 

Whereas, on July 4, 1777, reflecting the vision of John 

Adams, fireworks were set off in Philadelphia as part of 

a celebration to commemorate Independence Day; 

Whereas throughout our history, Americans in cities and 

towns large and small have celebrated the birth of our 


kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
2 

•HRES 997 IH 

great Nation, with 16,000 fireworks displays on Independence Day in 2019 alone; 

Whereas an estimated 49 million Americans traveled on vacation to these cities and towns during the Fourth of July 

holiday in 2019; 

Whereas 49 States plus the District of Columbia allow some 

or all types of consumer fireworks; 

Whereas retail sales of fireworks have skyrocketed in recent 

years; 

Whereas Americans spend more than $1 billion on fireworks 

annually, and close to $900 million is spent on consumer 

fireworks alone; 

Whereas the United States fireworks industry is committed 

to promoting the legal and safe handling and use of all 

fireworks; 

Whereas for the first time in over 10 years, Mount Rushmore, our Nation’s ‘‘Shrine of Democracy’’, will resume 

using fireworks in 2020; 

Whereas the fireworks industry serves as a livelihood for 

many small business owners and operators across the 

country; 

Whereas fireworks celebrations are important economic drivers for cities and towns across the country; and 

Whereas many cities and towns across the country are canceling or are considering canceling their annual Fourth of 

July celebrations: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 


kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
3 

•HRES 997 IH 

1 (1) recognizes the historic importance of fire2 works displays in the United States, particularly in 

3 annual Independence Day celebrations; 

4 (2) recognizes that the fireworks industry 

5 brings joy to communities and neighborhoods across 

6 the country and is good for our national psyche; 

7 (3) supports the commitment to bring fireworks 

8 back to our Nation’s ‘‘Shrine of Democracy’’ at 

9 Mount Rushmore; and 

10 (4) urges cities, towns, counties, and other mu11 nicipalities to save the Fourth of July by reconsid12 ering postponing or canceling their Fourth of July 

13 celebrations, so that Americans can enjoy our Na14 tion’s birthday while adhering to appropriate social 

15 distancing guidelines. 

Æ 


kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS