Napolitano, Curbelo Introduce Latino Conservation Resolution

(Washington, DC)—Today, Reps. Grace F. Napolitano (D-CA-32) and Carlos Curbelo (R-FL-26) introduced H. Res. 898, to support the inclusion and meaningful engagement of Latinos in environmental protection and conservation efforts.

“Our resolution proudly recognizes Latinos throughout our country and the vital role they play in caring for our environment,” said Napolitano. “It honors Latino environmentalists, like those from California’s San Gabriel Valley, who along with my colleague Rep. Judy Chu were responsible for President Obama’s designation of a national monument in October of 2014. The San Gabriel Mountains National Monument continues to increase access to parks and other recreational areas for more Latinos while protecting green space in Los Angeles County for future generations. As communities of color grow in the U.S., we must continue to work with our federal natural resources agencies to ensure Latinos and other minorities have a seat at the table and that all Americans have access to public parks.”

“As the largest minority group in the United States, Latinos play a significant role in shaping government policy, especially when it comes to protecting our natural resources in the United States,” said Curbelo. “Our country is filled with an abundance of national treasures, and we must work together to preserve them for future generations. I thank Rep. Napolitano for her engagement and advocacy for our community.”

H. Res. 898 is the House companion resolution to an identical resolution introduced by Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) and allows Congress to thank Latinos for their role in both protecting and preserving U.S. land, water, and wildlife. It also calls on federal resource agencies to ensure the input and participation of Latinos in conservation efforts.

“Latino Americans protect and preserve our land, water, and wildlife every day, but their contributions are rarely recognized as environmentalism on par with traditional activist groups,” said House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva. “With climate change impacting vulnerable communities, outdated pipes threatening our drinking water, and pollution impacting our quality of life from the inner cities to the great outdoors, we all have an important stake in better environmental policies, no matter who we are or where we live. Let’s use this important resolution not just to celebrate the Latino conservation efforts we’ve already seen, but to encourage the next generation of Latino environmental engagement and spread awareness in our nation’s fastest-growing community of the importance of strong environmental standards.”

The full text of the Resolution can be read here.

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