Title: A resolution expressing support for the Fourth of July, America's birthday, and the hundreds of businesses and workers that make up the fireworks industry.
Policy area: Commerce

Summary:
This resolution recognizes the historic importance of fireworks displays in the United States and the joy the fireworks industry brings to communities and neighborhoods across the country, and it urges cities, towns, counties, and other municipalities to reconsider postponing or canceling their Fourth of July celebrations so that Americans can celebrate while adhering to appropriate social distancing guidelines.

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 635 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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116th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 635

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 SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             June 22, 2020

 Mr. Rounds submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
                     the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               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 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
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) recognizes the historic importance of fireworks 
        displays in the United States, particularly in annual 
        Independence Day celebrations;
            (2) recognizes that the fireworks industry brings joy to 
        communities and neighborhoods across the country and is good 
        for our national psyche;
            (3) supports the commitment to bring fireworks back to our 
        Nation's ``Shrine of Democracy'' at Mount Rushmore; and
            (4) urges cities, towns, counties, and other municipalities 
        to save the Fourth of July by reconsidering postponing or 
        canceling their Fourth of July celebrations, so that Americans 
        can enjoy our Nation's birthday while adhering to appropriate 
        social distancing guidelines.
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