{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://case.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3546", "Case, Neguse Introduce Resolution To Designate April as National Native Plant Month", "2025-04-07", "2025", "2025-04", "Democrat", "House", "HI", "Ed Case", "C001055", "case.house.gov", "case", "https://case.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27&Page=6", "scraper", "(Washington, DC) \u2013 U.S. Representative Ed Case (D-Hawai\u2019i-01), along with U.S. Representative Joe Neguse (D-Colorado-02), today introduced a resolution to designate April as National Native Plant Month to promote the importance of biodiversity, climate and water conservation throughout our country. The Senate passed its version of the resolution co-sponsored by U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono.\n\n\u201cNative plants are not just a vital part of our natural landscape; they are integral to the environmental health of our nation,\u201d said Case. \u201cFrom supporting biodiversity to enhancing local ecosystems, native plants play a crucial role in promoting sustainability and resilience in our environment.\u201d\n\nColorado is home to over 3,000 native plant species, all of which play a crucial role in environmental conservation. As biodiversity declines, we must continue to advocate for and take action that protects our environment while highlighting the importance of native plant species. That\u2019s why I\u2019m proud to join Rep. Case in leading the effort to designate April as National Native Plant Month,\u201d said Neguse, House Assistant Minority Leader.\n\nCase continued: \u201cIn my home state of Hawai\u2018i, our kuleana (responsibility) is to care for over 1,400 native plant species, nearly 90% of which are endemic, meaning they are found nowhere else on Earth. These plants are not only critical to the islands\u2019 biodiversity but also serve as living treasures that reflect the resilience and adaptation of life in an isolated, often harsh environment.\u201d\n\n\u201cNative plants are those best suited to our local climates and support native insects and wildlife,\u201d said Jennifer Neale, Director of Research & Conservation, Denver Botanic Gardens. \u201cWe connect people with plants, native plants in particular, through our horticultural displays, educational programming and scientific studies. We should all celebrate our native plants and the unique beauty they bring to our local landscapes.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Hawai\u2018i Nature Center\u2019s core mission is to connect children and families to nature via environmental education and outdoor exploration,\u201d said Todd Cullison, the Executive Director of the Hawai\u2018i Nature Center.\n\n\u201cA main focus is teaching our keiki about their island home and how to m\u0101lama \u2018\u0101ina (care for the land). A significant tenet of this is the ecological and cultural importance of native and endemic plants, how they provide ecosystem services like soil formation and nutrient cycling, promote clean water and provide habitat for native wildlife .\n\n\u201cThis resolution by Representative Neguse of Colorado and Representative Case of Hawai\u2018i further solidifies the importance of native plants and provides a pathway for future celebration and education that Hawai\u2018i Nature Center and other entities can embrace into the future.\u201d\n\n\u201cAt the National Tropical Botanical Garden, we are committed to the perpetuation of Hawai\u02bbi\u2019s irreplaceable native plants and native biodiversity everywhere,\u201d said Tami Rollins, Interim CEO, National Tropical Botanical Garden.\n\n\u201cHawaiian native plants are at the very foundation of our island ecosystems, the livelihoods of our communities, and the essence of Hawaiian culture. Dedicating a month to native plants across the country is a great way to foster appreciation and inspire action for these increasingly imperiled species that are critical to life on our island home - from the \u02bb\u0101ina of Hawai\u02bbi to the entire planet.\"\n\nCase continued: \u201cBeyond their ecological value, native plants in Hawai\u2018i hold profound cultural and historical significance for Native Hawaiian communities. For centuries, Hawaiians have relied on these plants for a variety of essential purposes, including as staple foods like sweet potato (\u2018uala), taro (kalo), and breadfruit (\u2018ulu), which were central to their diet and agricultural system. These plants also provided medicinal benefits, with species like \u2018a\u2018ali\u2018i (hopbush) and ni\u2018oi (chili pepper) integral to the holistic health practices of Native Hawaiians By designating this month, we can shine a spotlight on the importance of native plants in maintaining the ecological balance of our communities and encourage the public to take steps to protect and conserve these species.\u201d\n\nAttachment(s):\n\n\u00b7 Text of measure here\n\n\u00b7 Case remarks here\n\n\u00b7 Picture of \u2018\u014chi\u2018a lehua with \u02bbI\u02bbiwi bird - Hawai\u2018i courtesy Keith Burnett\n\n\u00b7 Picture of acacia koa - Hawai\u2018i courtesy National Tropical Botanical Garden\n\n\u00b7 Picture of native plants - Plains Garden at Denver Botanic Gardens courtesy Scott Dressel-Martin\n\n\u00b7 Picture of endangered Penstemon Penlandii - Colorado courtesy Scott Dressel-Martin\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T00:33:40Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://case.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3546"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.8912058547139168, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}