House Resolution 119 - Introduced HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 119 BY ISENHART , DRAKE , KRESSIG , MOORE , MUHLBAUER , VANDER LINDEN , M. SMITH , HEIN , JACOBY , DOLECHECK , STUTSMAN , HUSEMAN , KAJTAZOVIC , PETTENGILL , KELLEY , FISHER , GAINES , SHEETS , LYKAM , BAUDLER , RIDING , KOESTER , MURPHY , LANDON , WOOD , R. TAYLOR , HALL , GRASSLEY , RUFF , SALMON , BEARINGER , FORRISTALL , RUNNING-MARQUARDT , JORGENSEN , THOMAS , HANUSA , R. OLSON , WATTS , DUNKEL , RAYHONS , DAWSON , J. SMITH , T. OLSON , HEATON , OLDSON , ALONS , HANSON , BRANDENBURG , LUNDBY , ROGERS , THEDE , COWNIE , H. MILLER , S. OLSON , BERRY , BALTIMORE , WOLFE , STANERSON , STECKMAN , GUSTAFSON , KEARNS , KAUFMANN , OURTH , BYRNES , HEDDENS , LOFGREN , ANDERSON , WORTHAN , PRICHARD , HIGHFILL , MASCHER , HAGENOW , ABDUL-SAMAD , L. MILLER , GASKILL , BACON , MEYER , GASSMAN , COHOON , SANDS , FORBES , SHAW , LENSING , HESS , WESSEL-KROESCHELL , HEARTSILL , HUNTER , MAXWELL , T. TAYLOR , UPMEYER , WINCKLER , WINDSCHITL , STAED , SODERBERG , and PAULSEN A Resolution commemorating the 25th anniversary of the 1 Resource Enhancement and Protection Program. 2 WHEREAS, the citizens of Iowa have built and 3 sustained our economy and culture on the state’s rich 4 soils, plentiful water, clean air, and other diverse 5 natural resources; and 6 WHEREAS, the future well-being of the people of Iowa 7 and our livestock and wildlife depend on these natural 8 resources; and 9 WHEREAS, the General Assembly established in 1989 10 -1- LSB 6168YH (4) 85 jr/rj 1/ 4

H.R. 119 a state resources enhancement policy in the Iowa 1 Code; and 2 WHEREAS, this policy seeks to protect the state’s 3 natural resource heritage for the benefit of present 4 and future generations with the establishment of a 5 Resource Enhancement and Protection Program; and 6 WHEREAS, the General Assembly directed that this 7 program be a long-term, integrated effort to protect 8 and wisely use Iowa’s natural resources through 9 the acquisition and management of public lands; the 10 upgrading of public parks and preserves; and the 11 support of environmental education, monitoring, and 12 research; and 13 WHEREAS, the Resource Enhancement and Protection 14 Program was passed unanimously by the Iowa House of 15 Representatives and signed into law 25 years ago by 16 Governor Terry E. Branstad on May 27, 1989; and 17 WHEREAS, the Resource Enhancement and Protection 18 Program has significantly benefited all 99 Iowa 19 counties by supporting a total of 14,535 projects since 20 its inception; and 21 WHEREAS, the Resource Enhancement and Protection 22 Program has financed these projects with $264 million 23 in state investments, leveraging two to three times 24 that amount in private, local, and federal dollars to 25 achieve its goals; and 26 WHEREAS, hundreds of Iowans gather every other year 27 in regional and statewide meetings to discuss and show 28 their support for the program; and 29 WHEREAS, the vision and planning that went into the 30 -2- LSB 6168YH (4) 85 jr/rj 2/ 4

H.R. 119 creation of the Resource Enhancement and Protection 1 Program are a source of pride to all stakeholders, 2 as demonstrated by the fact that the program and its 3 funding allocation formula have never been altered; and 4 WHEREAS, the Resource Enhancement and Protection 5 Program is documented to have created healthier 6 communities, improved quality of life, and sustained 7 economic development; created better soil and water 8 quality; expanded trails and outdoor recreation 9 opportunities; and enhanced knowledge about and 10 understanding of our ecological and environmental 11 assets; and 12 WHEREAS, Iowans desire to celebrate the success 13 and positive impacts of the Resource Enhancement and 14 Protection Program in this anniversary year; and 15 WHEREAS, Iowans strongly believe that the Resource 16 Enhancement and Protection Program is a successful 17 venture worthy of the continued support of the General 18 Assembly; NOW THEREFORE, 19 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, That 20 the House of Representatives commends all Iowans who 21 have contributed their time, energy, and commitment 22 to ensure the success of the Resource Enhancement and 23 Protection Program; and 24 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That each public body 25 and private organization in this state is encouraged 26 to consider the role it can play to further the 27 enhancement of and contribute to the preservation of 28 Iowa’s natural resources; and 29 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That individual Iowans and 30 -3- LSB 6168YH (4) 85 jr/rj 3/ 4

H.R. 119 visitors to our state are encouraged to participate 1 in an outdoor activity or event during the 25th 2 anniversary year to celebrate our success and enjoy the 3 blessings of our natural heritage. 4 -4- LSB 6168YH (4) 85 jr/rj 4/ 4