Title: 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.
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources

Summary:
This resolution recognizes and honors Smokey Bear's 75 years of service to the United States.
The resolution also expresses support for Smokey Bear's commitment to preventing unwanted human-caused wildfires and promoting forest health.
Finally, the resolution encourages the Forest Service, the National Association of State Foresters, and the Ad Council to explore ways Smokey Bear's message can be modernized to reflect current science and differentiate between unwanted human-caused wildfires and beneficial natural and prescribed fires.

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 775 Introduced in House (IH)]

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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;
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 natural 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
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes and honors Smokey Bear's 75 years of service 
        to the United States;
            (2) expresses support for Smokey Bear's commitment to 
        preventing unwanted human-caused wildfires and promoting forest 
        health; and
            (3) encourages the United States Forest Service, the 
        National Association of State Foresters, and the Advertising 
        Council to explore ways Smokey Bear's message can be modernized 
        to reflect current science and differentiate between unwanted 
        human-caused wildfires and beneficial natural and prescribed 
        fires.
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