IV 118th CONGRESS 2d Session H. RES. 1496 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES September 24, 2024 Mr. Huffman (for himself and Mr. Graves of Louisiana ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources RESOLUTION Supporting the designation of October 23, 2024, as National Marine Sanctuary Day .

Whereas, on October 23, 1972, the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 ( 33 U.S.C. 1401 et seq. ) became law and ushered in a new era of ocean conservation; Whereas the National Marine Sanctuary System is a nationwide network that conserves spectacular ocean, coasts, and Great Lakes waters; Whereas communities across the United States can nominate their most treasured places in marine and Great Lakes waters for consideration as national marine sanctuaries; Whereas national marine sanctuaries protect biodiversity and vital habitats for countless species of fish and wildlife, safeguard extraordinary seascapes, historic shipwrecks, and sacred cultural places, and provide abundant recreational opportunities; Whereas the National Marine Sanctuaries Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1431 et seq. ) aims to coordinate plans for the protection and management of the National Marine Sanctuary System in coordination with Federal agencies, State and local governments, and Native American tribes and organizations concerned with continuing the health and resilience of these marine areas; Whereas the conservation of marine ecosystems is vital for a healthy ocean, coasts, and Great Lakes, addressing climate change, and sustaining productive coastal economies; Whereas national marine sanctuaries increase access to nature and support coastal communities, and generate billions of dollars annually in local communities by providing jobs in the United States, supporting commercial, Tribal, and recreational fisheries, bolstering tourism and recreation, engaging businesses in stewardship, and driving the growth of the blue economy; Whereas national marine sanctuaries connect people and communities through science, education, recreation, and stewardship that inspire community-based solutions that help individuals understand and protect the Nation’s most spectacular underwater habitats, wildlife, archaeological resources, and cultural seascapes of the United States; Whereas national marine sanctuaries are living laboratories to conduct cooperative science and research to improve resource management and advance innovative public-private partnerships; Whereas national marine sanctuaries can help make the ocean, coasts, and Great Lakes more resilient by protecting ecosystems that sequester carbon, safeguarding coastal communities from flooding and storms, and protecting biodiversity; Whereas the United States of America is a maritime Nation, and the ocean, coasts, and Great Lakes are central to the way of life of the people of the United States; Whereas engaging communities as stewards of these protected waters makes national marine sanctuaries unique and provides a comprehensive, highly participatory approach to managing and conserving marine and Great Lakes environments for current and future generations; and Whereas October 23, 2024, is recognized as National Marine Sanctuary Day to increase awareness about the importance of the National Marine Sanctuary System and a healthy ocean, coasts, and Great Lakes and celebrate the many recreational opportunities available for the enjoyment of this network of protected waters: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives— (1) supports the designation of National Marine Sanctuary Day ; (2) encourages the people of the United States and the world to responsibly visit, experience, recreate in, and support the treasured national marine sanctuaries of the United States; (3) acknowledges the importance of national marine sanctuaries to supporting community resilience, protecting biodiversity, and increasing access to nature; (4) recognizes the importance of national marine sanctuaries for their recreational opportunities and contributions to local and national economies across the United States; (5) celebrates the ability of the National Marine Sanctuary System to protect nationally significant places in the ocean, coasts, and Great Lakes; (6) calls on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to partner with communities and find consensus to complete designations of new national marine sanctuaries; and (7) encourages Federal agencies to balance priorities and work together to support the priorities of the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 ( 33 U.S.C. 1401 et seq. ).