Chiricahua National Park Act

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6380) to establish the Chiricahua National Park in the State of Arizona as a unit of the National Park System, and for other purposes, as amended.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 6380, the bill before us for consideration.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6380, the Chiricahua National Park Act, introduced by Representative Ciscomani of Arizona. This simple, bipartisan bill redesignates the Chiricahua National Monument as Chiricahua National Park.

Located in southeast Arizona, Chiricahua is a remarkable place that is known as the Land of Standing-Up Rocks. It is a home to unique volcanic formations, miles of scenic trails, and a landscape shaped by both natural forces and human history. From its ancient volcanic hoodoos and pinnacles to historic sites conserving the history of prehistoric and indigenous people, early pioneers, and ranchers, there is truly no place in the country like Chiricahua.

Every year, visitors to this area enjoy unique outdoor recreational activities, including hiking, stargazing, camping, bird-watching, and horseback riding. Across the country, outdoor recreation contributes $1.3 trillion to the U.S. economy. Last year, Arizona saw the second highest growth rate in its outdoor recreation activity amongst all States.

By creating the Nation's 64th national park and Arizona's fourth national park, Representative Ciscomani's legislation would further boost Arizona's outdoor recreation economy, create jobs, and support small businesses in rural gateway communities.

Importantly, this bipartisan bill does not expand the site's boundaries or change its management. It simply recognizes the national significance of Chiricahua by elevating it to full national park status. The change would place Chiricahua alongside other flagship parks and help raise its profile and support increased tourism.

The bill has significant local support. Representative Ciscomani has worked hard with all affected stakeholders to address any potential concerns. Representative Ciscomani added new language to the bill this Congress to ensure continued access for traditional uses for Tribes in a way that respects cultural heritage while maintaining public access to the park without creating new precedents.

In short, this bill honors a place of exceptional natural, historical, and cultural value without changing its footprints or management framework. I commend Representative Ciscomani for the years of hard work that he has put in to make the dream of Arizona's fourth national park a reality.

I cannot think of a better time than during America's 250th anniversary to send this meaningful legislation to the President's desk, and I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan bill.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Ciscomani), the lead sponsor of the bill.

Madam Speaker, H.R. 6380 recognizes the national significance of the Chiricahua in southeastern Arizona while helping unlock more tourism and investment for surrounding communities.

Elevating this site to national park status will raise its profile, attract more visitors, and support local jobs without expanding its boundaries or changing its management.

I thank Representative Ciscomani once again for his strong leadership, his dedication, and his passion for this effort.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6380, offered by my colleague, Representative Ciscomani of Arizona, which would redesignate the Chiricahua National Monument as the Chiricahua National Park.

Located in the unique Sky Island ecosystem of southeastern Arizona, Chiricahua National Monument is known as the Wonderland of Rocks, which sounds magical. This unique and stunning landscape is filled with pinnacles, spires, and balancing rocks that inspire a sense of awe and wonder.

Chiricahua's rock formations are also a biodiversity hotspot that supports a variety of wildlife amid the flowering desert environment. This includes Apache foxes, javelinas, black bears, mountain lions, white-tailed deer, and over 200 bird species.

The monument is truly a special place that protects beautiful and important ecosystems, but that is only a part of its story. Tribal communities have deep ties and connections to the landscape.

Justine Jimmie, the deputy attorney general of the San Carlos Apache Tribe, testified on this proposal during the 2024 hearing before the House Committee on Natural Resources. Her written statement noted: ``The land that is now Chiricahua National Monument has been our homeland since time immemorial--long before the formation of the United States and before the U.S. Cavalry took our land to give to settlers, pioneers, and miners.''

This history is a history that cannot be ignored, which is why Tribal engagement has been such a critical component in building support for this bill, and I thank the bill sponsor for doing that.

The bill ensures Tribes can continue to access important and sacred sites, even permitting temporary closure of areas of the park for Tribal ceremonies. That is a key part of upholding our trust obligations and ensuring Tribal support for this redesignation.

The National Park Service itself has noted that the wealth of cultural and natural resources across Chiricahua's landscape makes it a strong candidate for national park status.

I am excited about the prospect of designating our Nation's next national park, but I also want to be very clear about what comes next. Our parks and public lands have been short-staffed and underresourced by the current administration, with nearly a quarter of the National Park Service staff departing the agency, some voluntarily and many others involuntarily, since the beginning of last year.

Madam Speaker, after approving the designation of this new national park, I urge for full resources and full staffing so that it can meet its mission.

As Congress continues to come together to create new national parks to protect our Nation's most special places, we must continue to do everything in our power to make sure our national parks have the staffing and resources they need for the next 250 years and beyond.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I thank the sponsor of the bill, and I urge my colleagues to support this exciting legislation to create America's next national park.

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

Madam Speaker, I thank Chairman Westerman and my colleague, Representative Wittman, for this time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of my bill, the Chiricahua National Park Act.

I also thank my colleague from Maryland because these were not easy words to pronounce: Chiricahua, javelinas, and so on. Arizona threw her a curveball on this one, but she did very well with all of that.

For more than a century, the remarkable landscape of Chiricahua National Monument in southeastern Arizona has inspired visitors from across the country. Known as the Wonderland of Rocks, this extraordinary area protects towering volcanic rock formations, deep canyons, and one of the most biologically diverse mountain ranges in the entire Southwest.

For the people of Cochise County and southeastern Arizona, Chiricahua is more than a beautiful landscape. It is a source of pride, a place where families enjoy the outdoors, and a very important part of the region's identity.

This legislation simply redesignates the monument as a national park, recognizing its national significance without expanding its footprint or changing existing land management.

Just as important, this bill supports economic opportunity in rural Arizona. The redesignation would help raise Chiricahua's national profile, attract more visitors, and strengthen tourism across southeastern Arizona. That is why this effort is widely supported by the local business community, along with local leaders and stakeholders who see the potential for responsible economic growth tied to outdoor recreation and conservation.

Arizona is already home to world-renowned parks like Grand Canyon National Park, Saguaro National Park, and Petrified Forest National Park. With this legislation, we would add another extraordinary landscape to this list.

Madam Speaker, this is a commonsense, bipartisan step that protects a national treasure in my district while supporting rural communities.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the Chiricahua National Park Act.