John Muir National Historic Site Expansion Act

Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend and colleague from California for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of H.R. 1719, the John Muir National Historic Site Expansion Act. This bipartisan legislation will expand the Martinez, California, historic site in my district that celebrates the life and legacy of John Muir.

Muir was a lifelong conservationist, a leading advocate of the National Park Service, and a cofounder of the Sierra Club. He worked to establish and protect national parks, including Yosemite, Sequoia, Grand Canyon, and Mount Rainier.

The John Muir National Historic Site, which includes the home where he lived, covers 330 acres of Contra Costa County where Muir championed the revolutionary idea that wild spaces should be set aside for all to enjoy.

This bill would make it possible for the National Park Service to accept a donation of 44 acres of land from the John Muir Land Trust, improving access to the park and its scenic trails, including those on Mount Wanda, named after Muir's eldest daughter.

The trail systems are accessible for hikers, bikers, and equestrians, including critical connections to the 550-mile Bay Area Ridge Trail and to nearby protected lands along the Franklin Ridge corridor.

As John Muir once said, ``everybody needs beauty, as well as bread, places to play in . . . where nature may heal and cheer and give strength to body and soul alike.''

Mr. Speaker, I thank my predecessor, Congressman George Miller, who championed this bill. I also thank the Natural Resources Committee chair, Chairman Bishop; Ranking Member Grijalva; the subcommittee chairman, Mr. McClintock from California; and subcommittee ranking member, Ms. Hanabusa for their leadership in bringing H.R. 1719 to the floor today.

I am grateful for the support of 21 of my colleagues from both sides of the aisle who cosponsored this legislation, and to Senator Kamala Harris for leading the bill's counterpart in the U.S. Senate.

I also thank the John Muir Land Trust for its hard work and dedication preserving and protecting this valuable parkland and shoreline in Contra Costa County for future generations.

This legislation puts a fitting emphasis on the National Park Service's centennial celebrations, helping to preserve the trails and lands that surround the longtime home of the man known as the ``father'' of the U.S. National Park Service.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this bipartisan legislation, the John Muir National Historic Site Expansion Act.

Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Committee on Natural Resources, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1719, the ``John Muir National Historic Site Expansion Act,'' authorizing the Department of the Interior to acquire an additional 44 acres of land to expand the John Muir National Historic Site, which currently stretches across 330 acres in the East Bay of San Francisco and includes the home where legendary naturalist John Muir lived until he died in 1914.

The John Muir National Historic Site, established by Congress in 1964, is located in Martinez, California and honor one of the nation's foremost conservationists, whom historians refer to as the ``Father of the National Park Service.''

The historic site preserves the 14-room Italianate Victorian mansion where the naturalist and writer John Muir lived, as well as a

nearby 325 acre tract of native oak woodlands and grasslands historically owned by the Muir family.

H.R. 1719 authorizes the Department of the Interior to acquire by donation approximately 44 acres to expand the boundary of John Muir National Historic Site.

The acreage to be acquired is directly continuous with Mount Wanda and will allow for better public access to trails.

In the 114th Congress, H.R. 1289, a bill identical to H.R. 1719, passed the House by voice vote.

Additionally, a similar bill, H.R. 5699, was introduced in the 113th Congress by former Congressman George Miller, and passed the House by a vote of 361-39.

Companion legislation, S. 729, has been introduced in the Senate by Senator Kamala Harris of California.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1719 is a fitting tribute to one of America's greatest citizen activists, the co-founder of the Sierra Club, and a central actor in the successful effort to establish Yosemite National Park.

I urge all Members to join me in voting for H.R. 1719.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1719 authorizes the National Park Service to expand the boundary of the John Muir National Historic Site and acquire 44 acres of land from the Muir Heritage Land Trust. The donation will expand the site and help carry on Muir's important legacy of conservation and environmental stewardship.

John Muir is one of our Nation's most respected and revered ecologists. His writings have inspired millions, and his activism and advocacy led to the establishment of some of our first and most iconic national parks.

From the moment he set foot in Yosemite Valley, John Muir was consumed with its natural wonder and beauty. He became Yosemite's most vocal champion, but he didn't spend his whole life there.

From 1890 until his death in 1914, Muir lived on a farm not far from San Francisco. It was from this corner of the bay area that Muir cofounded the Sierra Club and helped lay the groundwork for a century of conservation.

John Muir's tireless advocacy led to the creation of Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks, and his spirit and enduring legacy led to the protection of much more.

Passage of H.R. 1719 will contribute to John Muir's legacy and it will help to protect and conserve the place where he found solace and inspiration in his later years.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the bill's sponsor, Representative DeSaulnier from California, and I urge swift passage of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. DeSaulnier).

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1719) to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to acquire approximately 44 acres of land in Martinez, California, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1719 would authorize the expansion of the John Muir National Historic Site by approximately 44 acres.

Located in the San Francisco Bay Area, in Martinez, California, this site preserves the 14-room Italianate Victorian mansion where John Muir lived, as well as a 325-acre tract of native oak woodlands and grasslands owned by the Muir family.

The additional proposed acreage in this bill is directly adjacent to the current site and will allow for better public access to trails in the area. This acreage will be donated to the National Park Service and will not be acquired with any Federal dollars.

Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of this measure, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of the legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I attended the funeral of a close family member and was unable to fly back to the Capitol in time for votes today. Had I been present to vote, I would have voted ``yea'' on H.R. 1397, To authorize, direct, facilitate, and expedite the transfer of administrative jurisdiction of certain Federal land, and for other purposes, and ``yea'' on H.R. 1719, the John Muir National Historic Site Expansion Act.