PRINTER'S NO. 1401
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
234
Session of
2019
INTRODUCED BY SONNEY, HARKINS, WENTLING, BIZZARRO, BURNS,
CALTAGIRONE, SCHLEGEL CULVER, DeLUCA, DiGIROLAMO, GREINER,
HENNESSEY, HILL-EVANS, KINSEY, KORTZ, LONGIETTI, MILLARD,
MURT, OBERLANDER, READSHAW, RYAN AND MOUL, APRIL 15, 2019
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
APRIL 15, 2019
A RESOLUTION
Designating September 7, 2019, as "Great Lakes-St. Lawrence
River Appreciation Day" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, The Great Lakes system, including Lake Erie, Lake
Huron, Lake Ontario, Lake Michigan, Lake Superior and the St.
Lawrence River, is a globally significant resource and
ecosystem, holding 21% of the world's surface freshwater; and
WHEREAS, The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River provide
drinking water to more than 48 million Americans and Canadians
and supply 56 billion gallons of water per day for municipal,
agricultural and industrial use; and
WHEREAS, On September 7, 2012, by signing a revised Great
Lakes Water Quality Agreement, the United States and Canada
reaffirmed their commitment to binational cooperation "to
restore, protect, and enhance the water quality of the Great
Lakes to promote the ecological health of the Great Lakes
basin"; and
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WHEREAS, An abundant supply of clean, affordable water is
essential to support a healthy population, a thriving economy
and a well-functioning ecosystem; and
WHEREAS, As the major source of water for communities located
within the Great Lakes basin, the Great Lakes system is a vital
resource in which all the region's residents share a common
interest; and
WHEREAS, The Great Lakes system is an economic powerhouse for
the region, supporting industries including shipping,
agriculture, technology, manufacturing, recreation and tourism;
and
WHEREAS, The waters and shoreline of the Great Lakes system
provide exceptional habitat for thousands of species of native
mammals, birds, amphibians, fish and plants; and
WHEREAS, The Great Lakes basin is home to numerous beaches,
parks, forests, harbors, marinas, piers, lighthouses, boardwalks
and islands that provide recreational opportunities for
swimming, hiking, surfing, boating, kayaking, canoeing, fishing,
hunting, photography, wildlife watching and more; and
WHEREAS, Lake Erie is among Pennsylvania's most valuable
natural resources and has extraordinary economic value for this
Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania's Lake Erie coastal region provides a
home for an estimated 250,000 Pennsylvania residents and more
than 3,000 jobs, Presque Isle State Park, which attracts 4
million visitors who spend an estimated $76.9 million annually,
a tourism and recreation industry that contributes more than $65
million to Pennsylvania's economy, harbors and marinas that
support a $71 million annual recreational boating industry and a
growing steelhead fishery that generates nearly $10 million in
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expenditures and $6 million in value-added activity in Erie
County; and
WHEREAS, People greatly value the opportunity to live, work
and play in areas near waters that are vibrant, beautiful and
life-sustaining; and
WHEREAS, The region's environment, economy and people rely on
the clean healthy waters of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence
River; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate
September 7, 2019, as "Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River
Appreciation Day" in Pennsylvania; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives encourage all
residents to learn about the importance of the Great Lakes and
St. Lawrence River to the economy and the environment of this
Commonwealth.
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