S.Res. 117 – A resolution designating the week of April 15, 2017, through April 23, 2017, as…

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The Senate resolution designates the week of April 15‑23, 2017 as "National Park Week." It highlights the historic role of the National Park Service and encourages Americans and people worldwide to visit and appreciate U.S. national parks during that week.

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Designates April 15‑23, 2017 as National Park Week.
Encourages the public and the world to visit and experience U.S. national parks during that week.

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Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S2352-2353; text: CR S2370)

April 5, 2017

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Introduced in Senate

April 5, 2017

SenateFloor

Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S2352-2353; text: CR S2370)

April 5, 2017

Floor Debate

2 members

What members said about S.Res. 117 on the floor

1 Republican1 Democrat

Sen. Steve DainesR-MT · Apr 4, 2017

Mr. President, as a fifth-generation Montanan who grew up just a short drive from our Nation's first national park, Yellowstone National Park, and as chair of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources…

Mr. President, as a fifth-generation Montanan who grew up just a short drive from our Nation's first national park, Yellowstone National Park, and as chair of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, the resolution before us is critically important to reassure the public that the U.S. Senate recognizes the remarkable value our national parks bring to our national heritage.

I especially want to thank my good friend from Hawaii, Senator Hirono, who serves as ranking member of our subcommittee, for her partnership on bringing this resolution to the floor here this evening. She has been invaluable in working together to bring us to this moment.

In fact, 33 of our colleagues joined us in submitting this resolution--nearly half Republican and half Democrat--including Alaska, Washington, Tennessee, New Mexico, Oklahoma, West Virginia, Missouri, Minnesota, Florida, Michigan, Colorado, Virginia, Louisiana, Ohio, California, Wyoming, Rhode Island, Maine, Arkansas, Wisconsin, and New Hampshire. There are small States and large States, States that boast vast landscapes and big game like Alaska and Montana, diverse ecosystems like the oceans of Hawaii or the Florida Everglades. Other States boast historic and cultural treasures, like our hallowed battlefields in Virginia.

At a time when our country and Congress seem to be torn, it is only fitting that tonight our national parks are going to bring us together for a moment, to bridge this political divide, to bring remarkable opportunities for cultural education, outdoor recreation for

our families and for people around the world to enjoy, and, frankly, to bring us together as family and friends.

As the National Park System begins its second century this year, we have seen record visitation, with 331 million visits in 2016, but record visitation also brings additional strain to our national parks and strain to our infrastructure.

I am hopeful that with the adoption of this resolution, we can all be reminded of the importance of continued investment in our national parks to ensure their legacy truly endures for our children, grandchildren, and for generations to come.

Mr. President, as in legislative session, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 117, submitted earlier today.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.

Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Sen. Steve DainesR-MT · Apr 4, 2017

Mr. President, as a fifth-generation Montanan who grew up just a short drive from our Nation's first national park, Yellowstone National Park, and as chair of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources…

Sen. Debbie StabenowD-MI · Apr 4, 2017

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

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Agreed to SenateIssued April 5, 2017

III

115th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. RES. 117

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

April 5 (legislative day, April 4), 2017

Mr. Daines (for himself, Ms. Hirono, Ms. Murkowski, Ms. Cantwell, Mr. Alexander, Mr. Udall, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Heinrich, Mrs. Capito, Mr. Wyden, Mr. Blunt, Mr. Franken, Mr. Rubio, Ms. Stabenow, Mr. Gardner, Mr. Warner, Mr. Cassidy, Mr. Nelson, Mr. Portman, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Barrasso, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Enzi, Mr. Whitehouse, Ms. Collins, Mr. Reed, Mr. Cotton, Mr. Tester, Mr. Corker, Ms. Baldwin, Mr. Sullivan, Mr. Peters, Mr. Schatz, Mr. King, Mrs. Shaheen, and Mr. Leahy) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

RESOLUTION

Designating the week of April 15, 2017, through April 23, 2017, as National Park Week.

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, in 2017, the National Park Service began its second century of stewardship of the National Park System after the 2016 National Park Service Centennial, which celebrated 100 years of the work of the National Park Service 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 span from Maine to Hawaii and Alaska and many of the units embody the rich natural 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 attracted record-breaking visitation during the National Park Service Centennial, with 331,000,000 recreational visits to these incredible places in 2016;

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 its preservation as the United States marks the beginning of the second century of the National Park System: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate—

(1)

designates the week of April 15, 2017, through April 23, 2017, 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.

A resolution designating the week of April 15, 2017, through April 23, 2017, as "National Park Week".

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