April 11, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 63 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Page S2443]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 167--DESIGNATING THE WEEK OF APRIL 20, 2019, THROUGH 
               APRIL 28, 2019, AS ``NATIONAL PARK WEEK''

  Mr. DAINES (for himself, Mr. King, Mr. Cramer, Mr. Bennet, Mr. 
Portman, Ms. Cortez Masto, Mr. Gardner, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Alexander, 
Mr. Heinrich, Mr. Blunt, Ms. Hirono, Mr. Cassidy, Mr. Manchin, Mr. 
Rubio, Mr. Reed, Mr. Hoeven, Ms. Stabenow, Mrs. Capito, Mr. Udall, Ms. 
McSally, Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. Barrasso, Mr. Warner, Mr. Enzi, Mr. Wyden, 
Mr. Boozman, Ms. Collins, Mrs. Hyde-Smith, Mr. Tillis, Ms. Cantwell, 
Mr. Cardin, Ms. Hassan, Mr. Peters, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Wicker, and Mr. 
Brown) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and 
agreed to:

                              S. Res. 167

       Whereas, on March 1, 1872, Congress established Yellowstone 
     National Park as the first national park for the enjoyment of 
     the people of the United States;
       Whereas, on August 25, 1916, Congress established the 
     National Park Service with the mission to preserve unimpaired 
     the natural and cultural resources and values of the National 
     Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of 
     current and future generations;
       Whereas the National Park Service continues to protect and 
     manage the majestic landscapes, hallowed battlefields, and 
     iconic cultural and historical sites of the United States;
       Whereas the units of the National Park System can be found 
     in every State and many territories of the United States and 
     many of the units embody the rich natural and cultural 
     heritage of the United States, reflect a unique national 
     story through people and places, and offer countless 
     opportunities for recreation, volunteerism, cultural 
     exchange, education, civic engagement, and exploration;
       Whereas the national parks of the United States continue to 
     attract record-breaking numbers of visitors, with 
     approximately 318,200,000 recreational visits to these 
     incredible places in 2018, the third highest level since 
     recordkeeping began in 1904;
       Whereas visits and visitors to the national parks of the 
     United States are important economic drivers for the economy, 
     responsible for an estimated $18,200,000,000 in spending in 
     2017;
       Whereas the dedicated employees of the National Park 
     Service carry out their mission to protect the national parks 
     of the United States so that the vibrant culture, diverse 
     wildlife, and priceless resources of the parks will endure 
     for perpetuity; and
       Whereas the people of the United States have inherited the 
     remarkable legacy of the National Park System and are 
     entrusted with the preservation of the National Park System 
     throughout its second century: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates the week of April 20, 2019, through April 
     28, 2019, as ``National Park Week''; and
       (2) encourages the people of the United States and the 
     world to visit and experience the treasured national parks of 
     the United States.

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