Ryan K. Zinke

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the selfless service of Yellowstone National Park Superintendent Cam Sholly, a man who has demonstrated unwavering dedication to preserving and protecting America's best idea, our National Park system.

Cam Sholly is the son of a career National Park Service employee. He grew up hiking, fishing, camping and learning in our parks, to include attending elementary school in Crater National Park, middle school in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, and graduated high school a Gardiner Bruin in Yellowstone National Park. This upbringing shaped a deep love for public lands and America's great outdoors.

Truly born for the National Park Service, Cam started his career in 1990 working in Yellowstone's backcountry before serving as Chief of Ranger Operations at Yosemite National Park, Deputy Associate Director and later Associate Director for Visitor and Resource Protection at the National Park Service, Superintendent of Natchez Trace Parkway, and Regional Director for the NPS Midwest Region, overseeing 61 national park units across 13 states before returning to Montana and being chosen to lead Yellowstone National Park as Superintendent in 2018.

Cam's experience and deep knowledge of our National Parks molded him into the perfect leader Yellowstone needed through several of the park's most significant challenges since its founding in 1872. Cam led park operations during the COVID-19 pandemic and unlike many public lands managers, Cam made the call to keep the park open. With the pandemic limiting activities worldwide, Americans sought outdoor destinations. Yellowstone National Park hosted 3.8 million visits in 2020 and a record-breaking 4.8 million visits in 2021, while working to provide millions of visitors with a safe experience.

Cam's greatest challenge, and a defining moment of his leadership, came directly after the pandemic when historic floods triggered what hydrologists described as a 500-year flood. In 2022, the flooding destroyed miles of roads, washed away bridges, triggered massive mudslides and rockslides, damaged water and wastewater systems, and completely severed the North Entrance between Gardiner, Montana, and Mammoth Hot Springs. In one of the most successful emergency recoveries in National Park history, Cam was able to reopen 93 percent of the park within 20 days and rebuild two major road corridors in only four months. This recovery not only saved the public park experience, but the surrounding Montana communities that rely on tourism. Cam's resilience in the face of adversity turned what many expected to be a years-long closure into a recovery that allowed Yellowstone to welcome millions of visitors again while rebuilding for the future.

Cam Sholly's career reflects the very best of the National Park Service and the American spirit. Through decades of dedicated service, he has protected our Nation's greatest treasures while ensuring that millions of Americans can experience the beauty and wonder of our public lands.

Mr. Speaker, as our Nation celebrates its 250th anniversary, it is fitting that we recognize individuals like Cam Sholly, whose commitment to conservation, public service, and the stewardship of America's great outdoors will benefit generations to come. I thank Cam Sholly for his unwavering dedication to Yellowstone National Park, the State of Montana, and the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, as our Nation marks the 250th anniversary of American independence, I rise to recognize Sheriff Dan Springer, an extraordinary Montanan who works every day to ensure the safety and security of his community.

Sheriff Springer has a long history of serving Montana. For more than 30 years, Sheriff Springer has been involved in the community of Gallatin County, Montana, and became Sheriff in 2021. In that 30 years he has served as a patrol deputy, K9 officer, school resource officer, sergeant of the patrol and detective divisions, member and commander of the Special Response Team, commander of the Detention Center and the Missouri River Drug Task Force, chief deputy coroner, and undersheriff before rising to his current role with a unanimous vote

Since becoming Sheriff, Dan Springer has worked to uphold and strengthen the Gallatin County Sheriffs Office reputation of hard work, integrity, and service. Through his leadership, he has continued the department's commitment to public safety while fostering trust with the people of Montana.

Sheriff Springer takes on the tough jobs. When the crisis at the southern border reached a tipping point and spilled into Montana. Sheriff Springer looked for solutions. He was on the front lines fighting against cartels who were trafficking victims and drugs, murdering and assaulting our neighbors, and shaking down our business owners. Sheriff Springer worked with federal law enforcement partners to clean up the cartels and deport the criminals. In just a year of his plan being enacted, the bad actors know that they will find no safe harbor in the Gallatin.

Outside of law enforcement, Sheriff Springer has continued to serve his community through his active involvement in youth sports and leadership programs. As coach of the Varsity Boys Lacrosse team, he has led his team to seven state championships. Sheriff Springer works tirelessly to instill the values of leadership and integrity in the youth through his Leadership and Growth classes even off the field.

A beloved father, Sheriff Springer is supported by his wife, Marchelle, as well as his three children. Springer's success shines on through his children. His eldest daughter is excelling at Queens University, his son is in his second year at the U.S. Naval Academy, and his youngest daughter is a nationally recognized cheer performer and lacrosse player.

Mr. Speaker, Sheriff Dan Springer serves as a living example of the character of American law enforcement. He embodies the heart of the Gallatin County community and the spirit of Montana law. On this 250th anniversary of our Nation, we honor his tremendous integrity and his commitment to instilling those virtues in generations to come. I thank Sheriff Springer for his virtuous service to Montana and the Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Glacier Range Riders and their growing impact on the Flathead Valley and the State of Montana.

Baseball has long been considered America's pastime, bringing communities together through a shared love of competition and tradition. The Glacier Range Riders have brought professional baseball back to Northwest Montana since their founding in 2021. As members of the Pioneer League, an MLB Partner League, the Range Riders provide athletes with an opportunity to continue pursuing their dreams while giving Montana families the chance to experience professional baseball in their own backyard.

The creation of the Glacier Range Riders required a community coming together to build a home for baseball in Northwest Montana. Through the vision and commitment of community leaders, Glacier Bank Park rose from an empty field into one of the best venues in the Pioneer League. This undertaking proved the desire of the local community to create opportunities for families, athletes, and visitors while investing in the future of the Flathead Valley.

The name ``Range Riders'' was chosen to reflect Montana's rich western heritage and pays tribute to the generations of ranchers, outdoorsmen, and pioneers who forged a life on the frontier. These men and women left a legacy of hard work and determination that remains woven into the fabric of our state and is carried on through the Range Riders.

From the name of the team to the stadium, even the logo has a history. The Glacier Range Riders' logo reflects the rich cultural heritage of Montana and pays homage to the Native American traditions that remain an important part of our state's identity. The arrowhead design honors the history of the region while serving as a symbol of strength, perseverance, and community. Like the game of baseball itself, the logo brings people together to celebrate Montana's history and create new memories for future generations.

More than a baseball team, the Glacier Range Riders have created a place where families can gather, veterans can be honored, and lasting memories can be made. Each summer, friends and neighbors come together at the ballpark to enjoy America's pastime, celebrate their community, and share experiences that span generations. In an age when opportunities to bring people together are increasingly important, the Range Riders have created a venue that strengthens community ties and shows the very best of Montana. Throughout the summer months, thousands gather to watch the Range Riders, making a trip to the ballpark, another memorable part of the Flathead Valley experience.

Beyond the game itself, the Glacier Range Riders have had a meaningful impact on the local economy and community. The organization has helped attract visitors to Northwest Montana, supported local businesses, and created opportunities for young athletes to engage in the sport. The team's success demonstrates that professional sports can thrive in Montana while remaining closely connected to the people and communities they represent.

Mr. Speaker, the Glacier Range Riders represent more than wins and losses on a baseball field. They represent community, opportunity, and the enduring spirit of the American West. In just a few short years, they have become an important part of the Flathead Valley's identity and a source of pride for Montanans across our great state.