A resolution designating the week of April 19 through April 27, 2025, as "National Park Week".
- Bill Number
- S.Res. 180
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Passed Senate
- Latest Action
- 2025-04-10: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S2577; text: CR S2575)
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-16T15:12:44Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This Senate resolution aims to recognize the importance of the U.S. National Park System by officially designating the week of April 19 through April 27, 2025, as "National Park Week." It highlights the historical, cultural, and economic value of national parks while encouraging public engagement and support for their preservation.
Key Provisions
- Designation: The Senate declares the specified week as "National Park Week."
- Encouragement for Action: Urges people in the United States and around the world to visit national parks responsibly, participate in recreational activities, and support the parks through volunteering, education, and civic involvement.
- Background Context: The resolution includes "Whereas" clauses outlining the history of national parks (e.g., Yellowstone as the first in 1872), the role of the National Park Service (established in 1916), their locations across all states and territories, recent visitation numbers (nearly 332 million in 2024), economic contributions ($55.6 billion in 2023), and the ongoing mission to protect natural and cultural resources for future generations.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
There are no changes to existing laws. This is a non-binding resolution, meaning it expresses the Senate's opinion and does not create enforceable legal requirements or amend statutes. It builds on the legacy of the National Park Service without altering its operations or authority.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Provides symbolic support for the National Park Service (NPS), potentially boosting morale for its employees and highlighting their role in managing parks. It may indirectly encourage increased funding or attention in future budgets, though it has no direct fiscal effect.
- On Citizens: Promotes public awareness and participation, which could lead to higher visitation during the designated week, fostering education, recreation, and appreciation of natural and cultural heritage. This might enhance community engagement and volunteerism.
- On International Relations: Invites global visitors to experience U.S. parks, potentially strengthening cultural diplomacy and tourism ties, but with no formal international obligations.
- Economic Effects: By drawing attention to parks' economic role (e.g., billions in visitor spending), it could sustain or grow tourism-related jobs and local economies near park sites.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- National Park Service and Employees: Directly recognized for their preservation efforts; the resolution underscores their mission and challenges.
- U.S. Citizens and Visitors: Encouraged to engage with parks, benefiting from recreational, educational, and inspirational opportunities.
- Local Communities and Businesses: Near park locations, who rely on tourism for economic activity.
- Bipartisan Senators: Over 50 senators from both parties co-sponsored, showing broad political support for conservation.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: As a simple resolution agreed to by the Senate, it requires no presidential approval and has no force of law. It aligns with the Constitution's allowance for Congress to manage federal lands (Article IV, Section 3) but does not invoke new powers.
- Constitutional: No significant implications; it supports the federal government's role in public lands without infringing on states' rights or individual liberties.
- Political: Demonstrates rare bipartisan unity (with co-sponsors from diverse states and parties), signaling strong national consensus on environmental stewardship and public lands. It could influence public discourse on conservation during an election year but carries no binding policy shifts.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (59)
Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME], Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX], Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA], Sen. Lummis, Cynthia M. [R-WY], Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL], Sen. Curtis, John R. [R-UT], Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE], Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA], Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV], Sen. Scott, Tim [R-SC], Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO], Sen. Barrasso, John [R-WY], Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA], Sen. Cotton, Tom [R-AR], Sen. Hickenlooper, John W. [D-CO], Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS], Sen. Gallego, Ruben [D-AZ], Sen. Hoeven, John [R-ND], Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA], Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL], Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH], Sen. Budd, Ted [R-NC], Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI], Sen. Sheehy, Tim [R-MT], Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM], Sen. Young, Todd [R-IN], Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN], Sen. Capito, Shelley Moore [R-WV], Sen. Warner, Mark R. [D-VA], Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC], Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV], Sen. Hyde-Smith, Cindy [R-MS], Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI], Sen. Kennedy, John [R-LA], Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR], Sen. Rounds, Mike [R-SD], Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT], Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX], Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI], Sen. Cramer, Kevin [R-ND], Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH], Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME], Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT], Sen. Justice, James C. [R-WV], Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA], Sen. Ricketts, Pete [R-NE], Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR], Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN], Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL], Sen. Fetterman, John [D-PA] and 9 more
Recent Actions
- 2025-04-10: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S2577; text: CR S2575)
- 2025-04-10: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.
- 2025-04-10: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Designating the week of April 19 through April 27, 2025, as National Park Week. — issued 2025-04-10 — PDF (3 pages)