H.Res. 822

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 822 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 822

Supporting the designation of October 23, 2025, as ``National Marine 
Sanctuary Day''.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

October 21, 2025

Mr. Huffman (for himself, Mr. Bergman, Ms. Bonamici, Mr. Nadler, Mr. 
Carbajal, Mr. Case, Mr. Panetta, Ms. Tokuda, Mr. Smith of Washington, 
Ms. Salazar, Ms. Norton, and Ms. Jacobs) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources

_______________________________________________________________________

RESOLUTION

Supporting the designation of October 23, 2025, as ``National Marine 
Sanctuary Day''.

Whereas, on October 23, 1972, the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries 
Act of 1972 (33 U.S.C. 1401 et seq.) became law and ushered in a new era 
of ocean conservation;
Whereas the National Marine Sanctuary System is a nationwide network of 
underwater parks that conserves nationally significant natural, 
historical, and cultural resources in marine and Great Lakes waters and 
promotes access to exploration and world-class outdoor recreation;
Whereas conservation, economic prosperity, and human well-being are deeply woven 
together in our national character as a maritime nation, and the ocean, 
coasts, and Great Lakes are central to the way of life of the people of 
the United States;
Whereas national marine sanctuaries provide vital habitats for countless species 
of fish and wildlife, safeguard historic shipwrecks and sacred cultural 
places that tell the story of America's history, and provide access for 
abundant recreational opportunities;
Whereas the conservation of marine and Great Lakes ecosystems is vital for 
maintaining healthy fishing grounds and sustaining productive coastal 
economies;
Whereas national marine sanctuaries anchor marine and coastal economies by 
generating billions of dollars annually and supporting numerous jobs and 
businesses in the fishing, tourism, recreation, and scientific sectors;
Whereas national marine sanctuaries drive economic growth by creating world 
renowned tourism destinations, promoting visitation, access, and outdoor 
recreation industries;
Whereas national marine sanctuaries connect people and communities through 
recreation, science, education, and stewardship and inspire community-
based solutions that help individuals understand and protect spectacular 
underwater habitats, wildlife, archaeological resources, and cultural 
seascapes of the United States;
Whereas national marine sanctuaries are hubs for developing innovative 
technologies to improve resource management, power the ocean enterprise, 
and advance public-private partnerships;
Whereas national marine sanctuaries can safeguard coastal communities from 
flooding and storms by increasing resilience;
Whereas engaging communities as stewards of these shared waters makes national 
marine sanctuaries unique and provides a comprehensive, highly 
participatory approach to managing and conserving marine and Great Lakes 
environments for current and future generations;
Whereas many of the greatest relics representing America's past as a seafaring 
nation lie at the bottom of the sea and lakes in our national marine 
sanctuaries and as the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, 
the National Marine Sanctuary System offers a unique opportunity to 
honor history and heroes while celebrating underwater treasures; and
Whereas, October 23, 2025, is recognized as ``National Marine Sanctuary Day'' to 
celebrate our connection to America's public waters in our ocean and 
Great Lakes that hold our shared maritime heritage and majestic wildlife 
and provide many recreational opportunities for the enjoyment of these 
treasured waters: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) supports the designation of ``National Marine Sanctuary 
Day'';
(2) encourages the people of the United States and the 
world to responsibly visit, experience, recreate in, and 
support the treasured national marine sanctuaries of the United 
States;
(3) recognizes the importance of national marine 
sanctuaries for their recreational opportunities and 
contributions to local and national economies across the United 
States;
(4) acknowledges the importance of national marine 
sanctuaries for conservation, increasing access to our public 
waters, and cultural preservation;
(5) celebrates the ability of the National Marine Sanctuary 
System to protect nationally significant places in the ocean 
and Great Lakes; and
(6) encourages Federal agencies to balance priorities and 
work together to support the priorities of the Marine 
Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 (33 U.S.C. 
1401 et seq.).
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