Recognizing the 10th anniversary of Outdoor Afro.

IV 116TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. RES. 371 Recognizing the 10th anniversary of Outdoor Afro. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MAY 9, 2019 Mr. THOMPSON of California (for himself and Ms. LEE of California) sub- mitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources RESOLUTION Recognizing the 10th anniversary of Outdoor Afro. Whereas Outdoor Afro started as a blog about nature in 2009 and has grown into a cutting-edge nationwide net- work with volunteer leaders in 30 States, guiding hun- dreds of outdoor events each year based on a simple mis- sion to celebrate and inspire African-American connec- tions to nature through recreational activities like camp- ing, hiking, birding, fishing, gardening, skiing, and more; Whereas, in the past 10 years, Outdoor Afro, a national non- profit organization, has cultivated and trained more than 200 outdoor leaders, leading thousands of outdoor events, and reaching well over 150,000 participants; Whereas Outdoor Afro has disrupted the false perception that African Americans do not have a relationship with nature and is inspiring access to the most pristine nature as well VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:31 May 10, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR371.IH HR371 pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS 2 •HRES 371 IH as urban nature, including local parks, trails, and open spaces; Whereas Outdoor Afro not only promotes a healthy lifestyle, it also helps communities find healing, connect to Black history found in many natural areas, and inspires an in- creased desire to protect vulnerable public lands for all to enjoy; Whereas Outdoor Afro has shifted the visual representation of who can connect with and lead in the outdoors by of- fering activities such as hiking, biking, camping, environ- mental education, conservation stewardship, and more; Whereas Outdoor Afro held its first international expedition in 2018 to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, which was widely covered in the media; Whereas Outdoor Afro is engaging millions of people through digital outreach by reaching 50,000 people per day and is changing the narrative of who engages in the outdoors by posting thousands of photos and stories; Whereas Outdoor Afro’s growing network mostly comprises college-educated, civically engaged men and women, many who plan and act on behalf of children and senior com- munity members, thereby restoring African-American leadership in nature back to the home; Whereas more than any other group, African Americans turn to Outdoor Afro for advice on where to recreate, which outdoor gear to use, and which causes need our greatest attention; and Whereas 2019 marks the 10th year since Outdoor Afro has established itself as a community that supports recon- necting African Americans with natural spaces and one VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:31 May 10, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR371.IH HR371 pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS 3 •HRES 371 IH another through recreational activities: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 1 (1) supports the recognition of the 10th anni- 2 versary of Outdoor Afro; and 3 (2) commends the leadership of Outdoor Afro 4 for changing the face of conservation by leading the 5 way for inclusion in outdoor recreation and nature 6 for all. 7 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:31 May 10, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\HR371.IH HR371 pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS