A resolution reocgnizing the 15th anniversary of Outdoor Afro.

Bill: 118-sres-858
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME]
Introduced: 2024-09-25
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Latest action: action_date: 2024-09-25
text: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR S6449)

Summaries:
action_date: 2024-09-25
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p>This resolution supports the recognition of the 15th anniversary of Outdoor Afro (a nationwide network of volunteers who celebrate and inspire Black-American connections to nature through recreational activities).</p><p>The resolution also commends Outdoor Afro's leadership for leading the way for inclusion in outdoor recreation and nature for all.</p>

tv_txt: III 118th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 858 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES September 25, 2024 Mr. King (for himself, Mr. Heinrich , Mr. Hickenlooper , and Mr. Padilla ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary RESOLUTION Recognizing the 15th anniversary of Outdoor Afro.

Whereas, in 2009, Outdoor Afro started as a blog about nature written by Ms. Rue Mapp, and has grown into a national not-for-profit network with volunteer leaders in 33 States and the District of Columbia, guiding hundreds of outdoor events each year based on a simple mission to celebrate and inspire Black-American connections to nature through recreational activities, including camping, hiking, birding, fishing, gardening, skiing, biking, camping, environmental education, conservation stewardship, and more; Whereas, in the past 15 years, Outdoor Afro has cultivated and trained more than 1000 outdoor leaders, led thousands of outdoor events, and engaged well over 150,000 participants; Whereas Outdoor Afro has disrupted the false perception that Black Americans do not have a relationship with nature and is inspiring access to remote and pristine nature, as well as urban nature, including local parks, trails, and open spaces; Whereas Outdoor Afro promotes a healthy lifestyle and helps communities find healing, connects to Black history found in natural areas, and inspires an increased desire to protect vulnerable public lands for all to enjoy; Whereas Outdoor Afro held its first international expedition in 2018 to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania; Whereas, in response to the disproportionate number of Black children who drown while swimming, Outdoor Afro launched Making Waves, a program to strengthen relationships with water through water safety and swimming lessons provided by certified swim instructors; Whereas, since its inception, Making Waves has funded nearly 1,950 Swimmership scholarships and aims to reach 1,500 new swimmers in 2024; Whereas Outdoor Afro has engaged millions of people through digital outreach and is changing visual representations of who can connect with and lead in the outdoors through this digital outreach; Whereas Outdoor Afro’s growing network comprises civically engaged men and women, many of whom plan outdoor activities on behalf of children and senior community members, restoring Black-American leadership in nature; Whereas Outdoor Afro is a leading voice in the Black-American community for advice on where to recreate, the best outdoor gear to use, and environmental causes that need the greatest attention; and Whereas October 25, 2024, marks 15 years since the establishment of Outdoor Afro as a community that supports connecting Black Americans with natural spaces and one another through recreational activities: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate— (1) recognizes the 15th anniversary of Outdoor Afro; and (2) commends the leadership of Outdoor Afro for leading the way for inclusion in outdoor recreation and nature for all.