Summary of HRES 363 (Expressing support for National American Birding Week)

Overview

HRES 363 is a House Resolution that expresses support for designating a specific week, May 9 through May 18, 2025, as “National American Birding Week.” The measure is a non-binding expression of congressional sentiment and does not authorize funding or create new laws.

Main purpose

• To officially support the designation of National American Birding Week for the specified dates.
• To recognize the economic value of birding, biodiversity, and migratory bird conservation as complementary goals.

Key provisions

The introduced text sets forth five core statements the House would be expressing:
1. The House supports the designation of National American Birding Week.
2. Birding generates billions of dollars in economic benefits each year.
3. Migratory bird populations face a range of natural and human-caused threats to their survival.
4. Coordinated efforts by Federal, state, and local governments, conservation organizations, and businesses promote migratory bird conservation and economic development through birding.
5. Birders and the public are encouraged to attend events (such as the Biggest Week in American Birding) to learn about bird migration and to support conservation and related economic activities.

Who/what is affected

• Primarily symbolic recognition by the U.S. House of Representatives.
• Encourages participation by and awareness among birding enthusiasts, local communities, conservation groups, businesses, and government entities.
• May influence public awareness and tourism related to major birding events like the Biggest Week in American Birding.

Procedural and timeline notes

• Introduced: April 30, 2025.
• Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources (April 30, 2025).
• Submitted in the House (April 30, 2025).
• Sponsor remarks: May 8, 2025 (CR H1926) by the sponsor, with additional cosponsors listed.

Sponsors

• Primary sponsor: Marcy Kaptur
• Cosponsors: Robert E. Latta, Debbie Dingell, Janice D. Schakowsky

Potential impact

• Elevates awareness of migratory bird conservation and associated economic benefits.
• Encourages public participation in birding-related events and activities.
• May serve as a foundation for future non-binding or substantive measures addressing conservation, tourism, or related funding, though it does not itself authorize spending or regulatory changes.