Expressing support for recognition of June 2019 as National Orca Protection Month.

IV 116TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. RES. 418 Expressing support for recognition of June 2019 as National Orca Protection Month. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES JUNE 3, 2019 Mr. HECK submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform RESOLUTION Expressing support for recognition of June 2019 as National Orca Protection Month. Whereas orcas are an icon of the Pacific Northwest; Whereas orcas are culturally and spiritually important to In- dian Tribes in the Pacific Northwest; Whereas the Puget Sound is home to three pods of Southern Resident orcas; Whereas the Southern Resident orca population has declined dramatically over the past 50 years; Whereas the Southern Resident orcas are among the most contaminated marine mammals in the world; Whereas the Southern Resident orcas are threatened by de- clining chinook salmon populations; VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:26 Jun 04, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR418.IH HR418 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS 2 •HRES 418 IH Whereas the Southern Resident orcas have been protected under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) since 2005 and are one of the most endan- gered marine mammal populations in the world; Whereas June 2019 has been recognized by the States of Washington and Oregon as Orca Awareness Month; and Whereas the Federal Government has an obligation to protect and restore the Southern Resident orca population: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives supports 1 recognition of National Orca Protection Month. 2 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:26 Jun 04, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\HR418.IH HR418 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS