IV
119THCONGRESS
1
STSESSION H. RES. 215
Supporting the designation of March 15, 2025, as ‘‘National Osceola Turkey
Day’’.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
MARCH11, 2025
Mr. S
COTTFRANKLINof Florida (for himself, Ms. SALAZAR, Mr. BILIRAKIS,
Mr. B
UCHANAN, Mr. RUTHERFORD, and Mr. SOTO) submitted the fol-
lowing 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 his-
tory 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 ap-
proximately $76,900,000 per year since 1985 with an
economic impact of $128,700,000 annually;
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•HRES 215 IH
Whereas Florida has a rich history of wild turkey hunting,
management, and research;
Whereas Florida is home to the Wild Turkey Cost Share Pro-
gram, which is the largest public-private partnership pro-
gram 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 ef-
forts;
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 Sun-
shine 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 tur-
key;
Whereas the Osceola is 1 of 5 subspecies of wild turkey in
North America;
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•HRES 215 IH
Whereas the Osceola turkey exists only in peninsular Florida;
Whereas the Osceola subspecies of wild turkey is often per-
ceived as mysterious and the most difficult to harvest be-
cause 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 re-
quired to hunt in Florida; and
Whereas March 1, 2025, is the opening day of turkey har-
vesting 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
(1) supports the designation of ‘‘National Osce-2
ola Turkey Day’’; and 3
(2) encourages the people of the United States 4
to observe National Osceola Turkey Day with appro-5
priate ceremonies and activities. 6
Æ
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