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;
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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, fish-
ing, 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 bene-
fits 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 her-
itage rivers;
Whereas it is appropriate for the people of the United States
from time to time to reflect upon the manner in which
•HCON 261 IH
their activities and lifestyles affect the rivers of the Na-
tion; and
Whereas many efforts are being made throughout the Nation
to celebrate the third Saturday in June as an annual Na-
tional Rivers Day, and to use such day as an opportunity
to inform and educate the people of the United States re-
garding 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.
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