House Joint Resolution 84, sponsored by Representative Vital, honors the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) for its initiative, Project Milkweed, aimed at restoring the dwindling population of monarch butterflies. The resolution highlights the alarming decline of milkweed, the sole food source for monarchs, which has contributed to their classification as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature in June 2022. In response, TDOT has distributed milkweed seeds to the public, providing options for red and common milkweed, to help restore habitats for these vital pollinators.

In 2023, TDOT successfully distributed 780,000 milkweed seed packets and continued its efforts in 2024 by launching a Milkweed Giveaway during National Pollinator Week, offering 350,000 seed packets to Tennessee residents. Each household can request up to three packets, each containing twenty seeds, with the goal of balancing public demand and budget constraints. The resolution commends TDOT for its significant contributions to environmental conservation and the preservation of monarch butterflies, reinforcing Tennessee's commitment to being a leader in ecological sustainability.