Expressing support for recognition of June 2019 as National Orca Protection Month.

Expressing support for recognition of June 2019 as National Orca Protection Month.

Whereas orcas are an icon of the Pacific Northwest;

Whereas orcas are culturally and spiritually important to Indian Tribes in the Pacific Northwest;

Whereas the Puget Sound is home to three pods of Southern Resident orcas;

Whereas the Southern Resident orca population has declined dramatically over the past 50 years;

Whereas the Southern Resident orcas are among the most contaminated marine mammals in the world;

Whereas the Southern Resident orcas are threatened by declining chinook salmon populations;

Whereas the Southern Resident orcas have been protected under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) since 2005 and are one of the most endangered marine mammal populations in the world;

Whereas June 2019 has been recognized by the States of Washington and Oregon as Orca Awareness Month; and

Whereas the Federal Government has an obligation to protect and restore the Southern Resident orca population: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved,