SENATE RESOLUTION 36

(By Senators Sypolt, Smith, Hamilton, Cline, Prezioso, Baldwin, Lindsay, Plymale, Stollings, Jeffries, Rucker, and Maynard)

[Introduced February 10, 2020]

Recognizing the 75th birthday of Smokey Bear.

Whereas, Shortly after the start of World War II, Japanese submarines surfaced near the California coast and fired shells that exploded on an oil field close to the Los Padres National Forest; and 

Whereas, Americans feared that more Japanese attacks would cause substantial loss of life and property; and

Whereas, With many American men, including experienced firefighters, deployed to fight in World War II, communities were forced to look for alternative resources to minimize forest fire occurrence and encourage rapid suppression; and

Whereas, To reduce the number of preventable forest fires, the affected communities began urging all Americans to be more conscientious of his or her role in forest fire prevention; and 

Whereas, The United States Forest Service then organized the Cooperative Forest Fire Prevention Program with the assistance of the War Advertising Council and the Association of State Foresters to rally Americans and convince them that being more careful with fire would help America win the war; and

Whereas, The Cooperative Forest Fire Prevention Program included memorable slogans such as, “Forest Fires Aid the Enemy” and “Our Carelessness, Their Secret Weapon” that were promoted throughout the country; and

Whereas, The Smokey Bear Wildfire Prevention Campaign is the longest-running public service advertising campaign in United States history; and  

Whereas, Since the program’s creation in 1944, it has been instrumental in educating generations of Americans on the importance of exercising good judgement to prevent or stop the spread of forest fires; and

Whereas, The Smokey Bear Prevention Program remains a crucial part of the West Virginia Division of Forestry’s fire prevention curriculum today; and

Whereas, Through the Division of Forestry’s coordinated efforts with local schools and community leaders, Smokey Bear sightings are still responsible for educating adults and exciting children throughout West Virginia today; and

Whereas, On August 9, 2019, Smokey Bear celebrated his 75th birthday by reminding Americans that, “Only You Can Prevent Wildfires” at numerous celebrations throughout the United States; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate:

That the Senate hereby recognizes the 75th birthday of Smokey Bear; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to Smokey Bear and the West Virginia Division of Forestry.