Bill Summary
This resolution designates the month of June 2020 as "Great Outdoors Month" in the United States. It acknowledges the importance of outdoor recreation in the country, citing statistics on its economic impact and positive effects on health and quality of life. The resolution also recognizes the current challenges faced by outdoor recreation businesses due to the COVID-19 pandemic and encourages individuals to responsibly participate in outdoor activities during the designated month and throughout the year.
Possible Impacts
1. Positive impact on small outdoor recreation businesses: The legislation could potentially bring attention and recognition to small outdoor recreation businesses that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, potentially helping them recover and thrive.
2. Improved health outcomes for individuals: The resolution encourages individuals to participate in outdoor recreation activities, which can have positive effects on physical and mental health.
3. Economic benefits for the overall economy: The resolution highlights the significant contribution of the outdoor recreation economy to the overall economy, potentially leading to further investments and development in this sector.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 629 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]
<DOC>
116th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. RES. 629
Designating June 2020 as ``Great Outdoors Month''.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
June 18, 2020
Mr. Daines (for himself, Mr. Peters, Mrs. Shaheen, Mr. King, Mr.
Cramer, Ms. McSally, Mr. Gardner, Ms. Hirono, Mr. Risch, and Mr. Crapo)
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee
on the Judiciary
July 1, 2020
Committee discharged; considered and agreed to
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Designating June 2020 as ``Great Outdoors Month''.
Whereas hundreds of millions of individuals in the United States participate in
outdoor recreation annually;
Whereas Congress enacted the Outdoor Recreation Jobs and Economic Impact Act of
2016 (Public Law 114-249; 130 Stat. 999) to assess and analyze the
outdoor recreation economy of the United States and the effects
attributable to the outdoor recreation economy on the overall economy of
the United States;
Whereas the Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account updated in September 2019 by
the Bureau of Economic Analysis of the Department of Commerce shows that
outdoor recreation contributed more than $427,000,000,000 of current-
dollar gross domestic product to the economy of the United States in
2017, comprising approximately 2.2 percent of the current-dollar gross
domestic product;
Whereas the Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account shows that, in 2017, the
outdoor recreation sector experienced faster growth in real gross
output, compensation, and employment than the overall economy of the
United States, while also providing 5,200,000 jobs across the United
States;
Whereas the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2019 (Public Law 116-6; 133 Stat.
13) encouraged the Department of Commerce to continue its work with the
Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account;
Whereas regular outdoor recreation is associated with economic growth, positive
health outcomes, and better quality of life;
Whereas many outdoor recreation businesses are small businesses, which have been
heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic;
Whereas, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, many outdoor recreation
businesses have experienced decreases in sales and have furloughed or
laid off employees;
Whereas outdoor recreation businesses are cornerstones of rural communities and
outdoor recreation is part of the national heritage of the United
States; and
Whereas June 2020 is an appropriate month to designate as ``Great Outdoors
Month'' to provide an opportunity to celebrate the importance of the
great outdoors: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) designates June 2020 as ``Great Outdoors Month''; and
(2) encourages all individuals in the United States to
responsibly participate in recreation activities in the great
outdoors during June 2020 and year-round.
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