Expresses support for designating March 6, 2025, as "Great Lakes Day" to recognize the Great Lakes' environmental and economic importance and encourages their preservation.
John James
Representative
MI-10
This bill expresses support for designating March 6, 2025, as "Great Lakes Day" to recognize the environmental and economic importance of the Great Lakes region. It highlights the Great Lakes' significance as a vital freshwater resource, economic driver, and ancestral home to Native American Tribes. The bill also supports initiatives like the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and encourages efforts to protect Lake St. Clair. Ultimately, it aims to raise awareness about the need to preserve and protect the Great Lakes for future generations.
House Resolution Backs 'Great Lakes Day' for March 6, 2025: A Push to Protect a $3.1 Trillion Economic Engine
The House is pushing for March 6, 2025, to be officially recognized as "Great Lakes Day." This resolution isn't just about a symbolic pat on the back for some big lakes; it's a nod to a massive freshwater system that impacts millions of lives and a huge chunk of the U.S. economy.
What's the Big Deal About Some Lakes?
The Great Lakes—Michigan, Huron, Erie, Ontario, and Superior—aren't just pretty scenery. They're the largest surface freshwater system on Earth. We're talking over 90% of the entire U.S. freshwater supply and 20% of the world's, providing drinking water to over 40 million people. These lakes border eight states (Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and New York) and have been home to Native American Tribes for thousands of years. This resolution highlights their ecological importance (think wildlife habitats) and recreational value (tourism dollars).
The Lakes by the Numbers
This resolution points out that the Great Lakes region is an economic powerhouse. We're talking about a $3.1 trillion contribution to the gross domestic product and $1.3 trillion in wages for over 25 million workers. From shipping and manufacturing to tourism and fishing, these lakes are essential to the livelihoods of a huge number of Americans. Think of the factory worker in Detroit, the fishing guide in Wisconsin, or the shop owner in a lakeside town in upstate New York – their jobs are directly or indirectly tied to the health of these lakes.
Protecting the Source
The resolution isn't just about recognition; it's also a commitment. The House expresses its support for continuing efforts to protect and preserve the Great Lakes, specifically mentioning the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. It also calls on everyone—citizens, local governments, and state authorities—to step up their game, with a particular shout-out to protecting Lake St. Clair. This means continued (and potentially increased) focus on things like preventing pollution, managing invasive species, and restoring damaged habitats. Basically, it's acknowledging that keeping the Great Lakes healthy is a shared responsibility and in everyone's best interest.