Us Congress House Bill HR1464

Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 9/18/24
• Refer: 9/18/24

Caption

Recognizing the importance of engagement with the Latino community to get into outdoor recreation and participate in activities to protect United States natural resources, and expressing support for the designation of the third week of September as "Latino Conservation Week".

Impact

The bill outlines the positive impacts of outdoor activities on mental and physical health while emphasizing the economic benefits of investing in parks and trails. It suggests that for every dollar spent on creating and maintaining park trails, communities can save nearly three dollars in healthcare costs. This resolution aims to address the disproportionate hardships faced by Latino communities, particularly regarding access to healthy environments and the adverse effects of climate change, such as air pollution and health issues like asthma in children.

Summary

House Resolution 1464 emphasizes the significance of engaging the Latino community in outdoor recreation and conservation efforts. It expresses support for designating the third week of September as 'Latino Conservation Week'. The resolution's intention is to promote participation in activities aimed at protecting natural resources while providing equitable access to green spaces for the Latino community and other marginalized groups that have historically been underserved in this context. The resolution acknowledges the vital role of public lands in Latino heritage and advocates for their protection and accessibility.

Contention

Although the resolution aims to unify and advocate for the Latino community's engagement with the environment, some may argue that it does not address the deeper systemic issues related to access and equity fully. Critics may point out that focusing solely on outdoor recreation could overlook other necessary measures required to tackle the root causes of environmental inequalities faced by Latino and other marginalized communities. However, the resolution's supporters argue that recognizing and promoting Latino contributions to conservation and environmental stewardship is a crucial step toward equity.