WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), John Kennedy (R-LA), Chris Coons (D-DE), and 12 colleagues introduced a resolution designating the week of October 13-19, 2024, as National Wildlife Refuge Week. The resolution praises the benefits of national wildlife refuges and recognizes their role in promoting hunting, fishing and conservation.
“[T]he United States Fish and Wildlife Service administers the National Wildlife Refuge System to conserve, manage, and, where appropriate, restore fish, wildlife, and plant resources and their habitats within the United States for the benefit of current and future generations… national wildlife refuges are important recreational and tourism destinations in communities across the United States, and offer a variety of recreational opportunities, including sustainable hunting and fishing, wildlife observation, photography, environmental education, and interpretation,” stated the resolution.
The National Wildlife Refuge System contributes more than $3.2 billion to local economies annually and supports more than 41,000 jobs.
Cassidy, Kennedy, and Coons were joined by U.S. Senators Tom Carper (D-DE), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Susan Collins (R-ME), Jack Reed (D-RI), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Peter Welch (D-VT), Joe Manchin (I-WV), and Martin Heinrich (D-MN) in cosponsoring the resolution.
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