Expressing support for the Fourth of July, America's birthday, and the hundreds of businesses and workers that make up the fireworks industry.

IV 116TH CONGRESS 2D SESSION H. RES. 997 Expressing support for the Fourth of July, America’s birthday, and the hundreds of businesses and workers that make up the fireworks industry. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES JUNE 11, 2020 Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce RESOLUTION Expressing support for the Fourth of July, America’s birth- day, and the hundreds of businesses and workers that make up the fireworks industry. Whereas, on July 3, 1776, Founding Father John Adams wrote to Abigail Adams expressing his belief that the signing of the Declaration of Independence should be commemorated ‘‘with Pomp and Parade, with Shows, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more’’; Whereas, on July 4, 1777, reflecting the vision of John Adams, fireworks were set off in Philadelphia as part of a celebration to commemorate Independence Day; Whereas throughout our history, Americans in cities and towns large and small have celebrated the birth of our VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:51 Jun 12, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR997.IH HR997 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 2 •HRES 997 IH great Nation, with 16,000 fireworks displays on Inde- pendence Day in 2019 alone; Whereas an estimated 49 million Americans traveled on vaca- tion to these cities and towns during the Fourth of July holiday in 2019; Whereas 49 States plus the District of Columbia allow some or all types of consumer fireworks; Whereas retail sales of fireworks have skyrocketed in recent years; Whereas Americans spend more than $1 billion on fireworks annually, and close to $900 million is spent on consumer fireworks alone; Whereas the United States fireworks industry is committed to promoting the legal and safe handling and use of all fireworks; Whereas for the first time in over 10 years, Mount Rush- more, our Nation’s ‘‘Shrine of Democracy’’, will resume using fireworks in 2020; Whereas the fireworks industry serves as a livelihood for many small business owners and operators across the country; Whereas fireworks celebrations are important economic driv- ers for cities and towns across the country; and Whereas many cities and towns across the country are can- celing or are considering canceling their annual Fourth of July celebrations: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 1 VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:51 Jun 12, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\HR997.IH HR997 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 3 •HRES 997 IH (1) recognizes the historic importance of fire- 1 works displays in the United States, particularly in 2 annual Independence Day celebrations; 3 (2) recognizes that the fireworks industry 4 brings joy to communities and neighborhoods across 5 the country and is good for our national psyche; 6 (3) supports the commitment to bring fireworks 7 back to our Nation’s ‘‘Shrine of Democracy’’ at 8 Mount Rushmore; and 9 (4) urges cities, towns, counties, and other mu- 10 nicipalities to save the Fourth of July by reconsid- 11 ering postponing or canceling their Fourth of July 12 celebrations, so that Americans can enjoy our Na- 13 tion’s birthday while adhering to appropriate social 14 distancing guidelines. 15 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:51 Jun 12, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\HR997.IH HR997 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS