119-hres215

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 215 Introduced in House

    (IH) ]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
H. RES. 215

 Supporting the designation of March 15, 2025, as ``National Osceola 
 Turkey Day''.

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

 March 11, 2025

Mr. Scott Franklin of Florida (for himself, Ms. Salazar, Mr. Bilirakis, 
 Mr. Buchanan, Mr. Rutherford, and Mr. Soto) submitted the following 
 resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and 
 Government Reform

_______________________________________________________________________

 RESOLUTION

 Supporting the designation of March 15, 2025, as ``National Osceola 
 Turkey Day''.

Whereas wild turkey has been an important part of the history and family 
 traditions of the United States;
Whereas wild turkey was on the table at the very first Thanksgiving, and turkey 
 continues to be a mainstay during many holiday traditions;
Whereas wild turkey is a healthy, organic, and delicious source of lean protein;
Whereas, in the United States, turkey hunters have spent approximately 
 $76,900,000 per year since 1985 with an economic impact of $128,700,000 
 annually;
Whereas Florida has a rich history of wild turkey hunting, management, and 
 research;
Whereas Florida is home to the Wild Turkey Cost Share Program, which is the 
 largest public-private partnership program in the United States for the 
 maintenance of wild turkey habitat on wildlife management areas and 
 other public lands open to hunting;
Whereas, since the Wild Turkey Cost Share Program began in 1994, upwards of 
 1,000,000 acres of upland habitat have received funding for turkey 
 habitat management efforts;
Whereas, in the 2024 Florida spring wild turkey season, an estimated 31,085 
 hunters participated in turkey hunting, including an estimated 5,453 
 nonresidents of the Sunshine State;
Whereas, in Florida, revenue generated from the sale of wild turkey permits is 
 used for conservation, research, and management of wild turkeys or 
 promoting the cultural heritage of hunting;
Whereas turkey hunters are an important part of the Wild Turkey Cost Share 
 Program, and the money generated from the sale of turkey permits, which 
 are a requirement for hunting wild turkeys in Florida unless exempt, 
 allows the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to make 
 significant contributions to the Wild Turkey Cost Share Program each 
 year;
Whereas Florida is home to 2 subspecies of wild turkey, the eastern wild turkey 
 and the Osceola or Florida wild turkey;
Whereas the Osceola is 1 of 5 subspecies of wild turkey in North America;
Whereas the Osceola turkey exists only in peninsular Florida;
Whereas the Osceola subspecies of wild turkey is often perceived as mysterious 
 and the most difficult to harvest because of its small geographic range 
 and the often swampy habitat where it is found;
Whereas hunters in pursuit of the 4 subspecies of turkey in the United States, 
 known as a ``Grand Slam'', are required to hunt in Florida; and
Whereas March 1, 2025, is the opening day of turkey harvesting season in part of 
 Florida, and March 15, 2025, is the opening day for the entire State of 
 Florida: Now, therefore, be it
 Resolved, That the House of Representatives--

    (1) supports the designation of ``National Osceola Turkey 
 Day''; and

    (2) encourages the people of the United States to observe 
 National Osceola Turkey Day with appropriate ceremonies and 
 activities.
 <all>