S.Res. 803Senate118th Congress (2023-2025)Passed Congress

A resolution recognizing the importance of purple martins to United States ecosystems, tourism, and history by designating August 10, 2024, as "Purple Martin Conservation Day".

AI-Generated Summary

Updated January 20, 2026 at 6:19 PM UTC

The Senate resolution designates August 10, 2024 as “Purple Martin Conservation Day.” It highlights the role of purple martins in U.S. ecosystems, tourism, education, and history, and aims to raise public awareness of the bird’s value and conservation needs. The designation applies nationwide and is largely symbolic, encouraging appreciation and support for purple martin habitats.

Key Provisions

Designates August 10, 2024 as Purple Martin Conservation Day across the United States.
Recognizes the economic, educational, historical, and aesthetic benefits that purple martins provide to people of all ages.

Legislative Activity

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4 earlier actions

SenateFloor Latest Action

Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (text: 8/1/2024 CR S5790)

September 19, 2024

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

August 1, 2024

SenateIntro Referral

Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

August 1, 2024

SenateCommittee

Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.

Judiciary Committee

September 19, 2024

SenateDischarge

Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6204)

Judiciary Committee

September 19, 2024

SenateFloor

Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (text: 8/1/2024 CR S5790)

September 19, 2024

Floor Debate

1 member

What members said about S.Res. 803 on the floor

1 Republican

Sen. Mike BraunR-IN · Sep 19, 2024

Mr. President, I rise today on another topic, one that is dear to me. I have been involved in this pastime since I was 10 years old. Most of you may not know where I am going to go, but it is one of the most unique birds that the good Lord ever created. It is called a purple martin. It is a bird, about 8 ounces or so, that migrates back and forth from North America to the Amazon. Does it each year.

I became a landlord for them back many, many years ago. And it is the only bird, through adapting, that is now totally dependent on man-made housing--you have seen gourds out there. They are a bird that only lives in a colony; most song birds are territorial. A really unique bird.

There is actually an association called the Purple Martin Conservation Association, where avid supporters support it across the country.

Due to habitat loss over time, where their normal habitat would have been in the wild, many years ago Inuits lured them into their own communities because the purple martins only eat flying insects. Truly an amazing bird that has been under some pressure recently. And if that heritage isn't continued, since they are now dependent on man-made housing, we could lose one of the most unique birds that God ever created.

Efforts from conservationists across the country have been mostly behind making sure that this heritage remains. This is a resolution that celebrates the efforts of all of them. It designated this past August 10 as ``Purple Martin Conservation Day'' to recognize their work and to protect this natural treasure.

This resolution was endorsed by the National Audubon Society, North American Bluebird Society, the Purple Martin Conservation Association, and many other naturalists and conservation groups.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration and the Senate now proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 803.

I ask unanimous consent the resolution be agreed to; the preamble be agreed; and that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.

I ask that the scheduled vote occur immediately.

Bill Text

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Agreed to SenateIssued September 19, 2024

III

118th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. RES. 803

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

August 1, 2024

Mr. Braun (for himself and Mr. Fetterman) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

September 19, 2024

Committee discharged; considered and agreed to

RESOLUTION

Recognizing the importance of purple martins to United States ecosystems, tourism, and history by designating August 10, 2024, as Purple Martin Conservation Day.

Whereas purple martins (Progne subis) are the largest swallows in North America and have 3 subspecies that are unique to North and South America;

Whereas, every year, approximately 8,700,000 purple martins migrate from South America to North America for breeding season, visiting 48 out of 50 States, as well as portions of southern Canada and Mexico;

Whereas, beginning in July of each year, adult and juvenile purple martins congregate at roosts and migrate to South America for the winter months;

Whereas, thousands of years ago, Native Americans began providing man-made dwellings for purple martins after recognizing their utility as pest and insect regulators;

Whereas habitat loss and the spread of non-native invasive bird species have pushed purple martins to transition to man-made dwellings, upon which purple martins now depend for survival east of the Rocky Mountains;

Whereas, in the face of population decline, successful conservation efforts of modern birders in the United States have helped the purple martin to remain a species of least concern; and

Whereas, in 2024, there are more than 220,000 active purple martin colonies across the United States that offer aesthetic benefits, foster tourism, maintain ecological diversity, and provide immense educational opportunity for children and adults alike: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate—

(1)

designates August 10, 2024, as Purple Martin Conservation Day; and

(2)

recognizes the economic, educational, historical, and aesthetic value that purple martins offer to people of the United States of all ages.