1.1 	A resolution
1.2 	declaring September 7, 2019, as Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Appreciation Day in 
1.3 	Minnesota, encouraging all Minnesotans to learn about the importance of the Great 
1.4 	Lakes and St. Lawrence River to the economy and the environment of Minnesota, and 
1.5 	urging recognition of this day across the region.
1.6 	WHEREAS, the Great Lakes system, including Lake Erie, Lake Huron, Lake Ontario, Lake 
1.7 	Michigan, Lake Superior, and the St. Lawrence River, is a globally significant resource and 
1.8 	ecosystem, holding 21 percent of the world's surface freshwater; and
1.9 	WHEREAS, the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River provide drinking water to more than 
1.10 	48 million Americans and Canadians and supply 56 billion gallons of water per day for municipal, 
1.11 	agricultural, and industrial use; and
1.12 	WHEREAS, on September 7, 2012, by signing a revised Great Lakes Water Quality 
1.13 	Agreement, the United States and Canada reaffirmed their commitment to binational cooperation 
1.14 	"to restore, protect, and enhance the water quality of the Great Lakes to promote the ecological 
1.15 	health of the Great Lakes basin;" and
1.16 	WHEREAS, an abundant supply of clean, affordable water is essential to support a healthy 
1.17 	population, a thriving economy, and a well-functioning ecosystem; and
1.18 	WHEREAS, as the major source of water for communities located within the Great Lakes 
1.19 	basin, the Great Lakes system is a vital resource in which all the region's residents share a common 
1.20 	interest; and
1.21 	WHEREAS, the Great Lakes system is an economic powerhouse for the region, supporting 
1.22 	industries such as shipping, agriculture, technology, manufacturing, recreation, and tourism; and
1.23 	WHEREAS, the waters and shoreline of the Great Lakes system provide exceptional habitat 
1.24 	for thousands of species of native mammals, birds, amphibians, fish, and plants; and
2.1 	WHEREAS, the Great Lakes basin is home to numerous beaches, parks, forests, harbors, 
2.2 	marinas, piers, lighthouses, boardwalks, and islands that provide recreational opportunities for 
2.3 	swimming, hiking, surfing, boating, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, hunting, photography, wildlife 
2.4 	watching, and more; and
2.5 	WHEREAS, Lake Superior is one of Minnesota's most valuable natural resources, providing 
2.6 	water for drinking and industry, shipping of commodities, commercial fishing. and waterborne 
2.7 	transportation. An estimated 3.5 million people visit Minnesota's "North Shore" every year, with 
2.8 	tourism generating more than $1 billion annually and supporting more than 20,000 jobs. Lake 
2.9 	Superior also supports an exceptional sport fishery valued at $1.58 billion; a recreational boating 
2.10 	industry that generates nearly 50,000 jobs and $3.7 billion annually; and Duluth-Superior Harbor, 
2.11 	with 1,000 vessels visiting annually carrying $2 billion in cargo and supporting 2,000 local jobs 
2.12 	with an economic impact of $210 million; and
2.13 	WHEREAS, people greatly value the opportunity to live, work, and play in areas near waters 
2.14 	that are vibrant, beautiful, and life sustaining; and
2.15 	WHEREAS, the region's environment, economy, and people rely on the clean, healthy waters 
2.16 	of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River; NOW, THEREFORE,
2.17 	BE IT RESOLVED by the Legislature of the State of Minnesota, that September 7, 2019, be 
2.18 	declared Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Appreciation Day in Minnesota. We urge appropriate observance 
2.19 	of this occasion throughout the State of Minnesota and by the states that share the Great Lakes and 
2.20 	St. Lawrence River.
2.21 	BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of State of the State of Minnesota is directed 
2.22 	to prepare enrolled copies of this resolution and transmit them to the governors of Minnesota and 
2.23 	the states that share the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River.