Supporting the designation of March 15, 2025, as "National Osceola Turkey Day".
H. Res. 215 is a non-binding House resolution introduced in the 119th Congress that designates March 15, 2025, as “National Osceola Turkey Day.” The measure expresses support for observing the day with appropriate ceremonies and activities and highlights the Osceola (Florida) wild turkey as a unique subspecies tied to Florida’s hunting heritage. The resolution emphasizes the broader cultural, economic, and conservation context of turkey hunting in Florida—including habitat programs, permit revenues used for conservation, and the importance of turkey hunting to local communities and the state’s wildlife management efforts. As a resolution, it is a symbolic, bipartisan statement and does not itself create a law, establish a federal holiday, or authorize funding. Status notes: Introduced March 11, 2025, by Rep. Scott Franklin (with several co-sponsors) and referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. It is not an appropriations bill and does not impose new regulations or obligations beyond expressing the sense of the House.
Key Points
- 1Designation: The resolution designates March 15, 2025, as “National Osceola Turkey Day” and calls for observance with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
- 2Purpose and observance: It expresses support for observing the day and encourages participation by the American people in related ceremonies and activities.
- 3Osceola turkey significance: It highlights that the Osceola is a Floridian subspecies (found only in peninsular Florida) and is part of the broader U.S. turkey-hunting tradition, including the “Grand Slam” concept that requires hunting in Florida.
- 4Economic and conservation context: The measure references the economic impact of turkey hunting, the revenue from turkey permits, and Florida’s Wild Turkey Cost Share Program, which funds habitat management and conservation on public lands.
- 5Florida-specific context: It notes that Florida has a substantial turkey-hunting culture, habitat management efforts (including funding for upland habitat), and specific opening dates for turkey season (March 1 in parts of Florida and March 15 for the entire state), tying these factors to the observance of the designated day.