Sep. 03, 2020
HARRISBURG – On Wednesday, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives unanimously passed
House Resolution 984 sponsored by Reps. Curt Sonney (R-Erie), Keith Gillespie (R-York), Pat Harkins (R-Erie) and Parke Wentling (R-Crawford/Erie/Lawrence/Mercer) declaring Sept. 7 as Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Appreciation Day in Pennsylvania.
The date marks the anniversary of the U.S. and Canada signing the amended Great Lakes-Water Quality Agreement reaffirming their commitment to binational cooperation “to restore, protect and enhance the water quality of the Great Lakes to promote the ecological health of the Great Lakes basin.”
The Great Lakes including Lake Erie in Sonney’s district provide an abundant supply of clean, affordable water and are essential to support a healthy population, a thriving economy and a well-functioning ecosystem.
"Lake Erie is among Pennsylvania’s most valuable natural resources. It has extraordinary economic value for the Commonwealth and is a big part of our district and local communities," said Sonney, who is a member of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Legislative Caucus. "With sponsoring this resolution, I wanted to encourage all citizens to learn about the impact that the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River have on Pennsylvania’s economy and environment.”
Pennsylvania’s Lake Erie coastal region provides a home for an estimated 250,000 Pennsylvania residents and more than 3,000 jobs. It also features Presque Isle State Park, which attracts 4 million visitors who spend an estimated $76.9 million annually; a tourism and recreation industry that contributes more than $65 million to Pennsylvania’s economy; harbors and marinas that support a $71 million annual recreational boating industry; and a growing steelhead fishery that generates nearly $10 million in expenditures and $6 million in value-added activity in Erie County.
Representative Curt Sonney
4th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Tracy Polovick
717-260-6358
tpolovick@pahousegop.com
RepSonney.com