HRES820-119

That the House of Representatives— supports the designation of National Wildlife Refuge Week; encourages the observance of National Wildlife Refuge Week with appropriate events and activities; recognizes the importance of national wildlife refuges to wildlife conservation, the protection of imperiled species and ecosystems, and wildlife-dependent recreational uses; acknowledges the importance of national wildlife refuges for their recreational opportunities and contribution to local economies across the United States; identifies the significance of national wildlife refuges in advancing the traditions of wildlife observation, photography, and interpretation, as well as environmental education; finds that national wildlife refuges play a vital role in securing the hunting and fishing heritage of the United States for future generations; recognizes the important work of urban national wildlife refuges in welcoming racially and ethnically diverse urban communities that were long excluded, including work— to foster strong new conservation coalitions; to provide education and employment opportunities to youth; to improve communities; to build trust in government; and to connect individuals with nature; recognizes the commitment of the National Wildlife Refuge System to engagement, relationships, knowledge-sharing, and co-stewardship of National Wildlife Refuge System lands and waters with Tribes, Alaska Native Corporations, Alaska Native organizations, and the Native Hawaiian community; acknowledges the role of national wildlife refuges in conserving waterfowl and waterfowl habitat under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 703 et seq.); reaffirms the support of the House of Representatives for wildlife conservation and the National Wildlife Refuge System; and expresses the intent of the House of Representatives— to continue working to conserve wildlife; and to support the management by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service of the National Wildlife Refuge System for current and future generations.