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

[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.
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