Introduced By: Representative Harwood
Date Introduced : May 12, 1998
WHEREAS, Rivers are used throughout the Nation as efficient transportation routes for commerce and industry, and are used in urban areas as public transportation corridors; and have facilitated economic and social growth by providing transportation, generating hydroelectric power, and supplying water for farms and rural towns; and
WHEREAS, Rivers support fish, waterfowl, and other wildlife that need greenways and clean water to survive in their habitats; and people throughout America live in close proximity to rivers and streams and use them for swimming, fishing, boating, and other forms of recreation and leisure; and they have been integral to the culture, heritage, and landscape of the United States and continue to be vital to its quality of life; and
WHEREAS, Rivers are important tourist destinations for the United States, which each year attracts more than 46,000,000 international travelers and generates more than $430,000,000,000 in tourism revenue; and are featured attractions for ecotourism and recreational travel, which are among the fastest growing sectors of the tourism industry; and each state and community is rediscovering the benefits of rivers and streams as they revitalize urban centers, neighborhoods, rural villages, and towns, and are using rivers as catalysts for economic development, community improvement, and environmental preservation; and
WHEREAS, The manner in which the people of the United States live along its rivers and streams affects water resources, environment, and geography on regional, national, and global scales; and
WHEREAS, There are more than 3,000,000 miles of rivers in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Rivers are major geographical features that are among the highlights of the National Park System; and
WHEREAS, The President and the Congress have declared their support for rivers through the national heritage rivers program, under which 10 rivers will be designated as heritage rivers; and
WHEREAS, It is appropriate for the people of the United States from time to time to reflect upon the manner in which their activities and lifestyles affect the rivers of the Nation; and
WHEREAS, Many efforts are being made throughout the Nation to celebrate the third Saturday in June as an annual National Rivers Day, and to use such day as an opportunity to inform and educate the people of the United States regarding the Nation's rivers and the importance of their preservation; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations hereby:
(1) recognizes the importance of rivers and streams to the Nation; and
(2) supports the efforts being made throughout the Nation to inform and educate the people of the United States regarding the Nation's rivers and the importance of their preservation; and
(3) encourages the people of the United States to reflect upon the manner in which their activities and lifestyles affect the Nation's rivers and streams; and
(4) encourages the people of the United States to participate in groups, organizations, activities, and events that promote awareness and contribute to the preservation of the Nation's rivers and streams; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he is hereby authorized and directed to transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to U.S. Congressman Patrick Kennedy, 1st District.
