[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 695 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 695

Supporting an international park between Big Bend National Park in the 
  United States and the protected areas of the Coahuila and Chihuahua 
                  States across the border in Mexico.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 29, 2009

Mr. Rodriguez submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
                    the Committee on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Supporting an international park between Big Bend National Park in the 
  United States and the protected areas of the Coahuila and Chihuahua 
                  States across the border in Mexico.

Whereas the United States and Mexico share a common border, natural and cultural 
        resources, and histories;
Whereas the Chihuahuan Desert region provides an opportunity for the two nations 
        to share research and experience in managing a protected area in this 
        unique ecosystem;
Whereas there is a desire to conserve and educate others about the significant 
        natural and cultural resources that span the border of the United States 
        and Mexico;
Whereas the concept is based on the existing international park at Waterton-
        Glacier International Peace Park between the United States and Canada;
Whereas beginning in 1935 with President Franklin D. Roosevelt, meetings and 
        discussions have been held to explore an international park in the Big 
        Bend National Park of Texas and the Coahuila and Chihuahua States of 
        Mexico;
Whereas, on August 14, 1983, an agreement between the United Mexican States and 
        the United States of America on Cooperation for the Protection and 
        Improvement of the Environment in the Border Area was signed;
Whereas in October of 1988, an agreement of understanding between the National 
        Park Service and the State of Coahuila was signed by Coahuila Governor 
        Eliseo Mendoza Beurrueto, National Park Service Regional Director John 
        Cook, and Big Bend National Park Superintendent Jim Carrico for 
        cooperation between the two countries in research and preservation of 
        the shared environment along the border;
Whereas a similar agreement of understanding was later signed with the State of 
        Chihuahua; and
Whereas, on March 27, 2006, the United States and Mexico sign non-binding Joint 
        Declaration of Sister Park Partnerships between Big Bend National Park 
        in Texas, Maderas del Carmen (Coahuila), and Canon de Santa Elena 
        (Chihuahua) Flora and Fauna Protected Areas: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports an international park between Big Bend 
        National Park in the United States and the protected areas of 
        the Coahuila and Chihuahua States across the border in Mexico; 
        and
            (2) requests that the President, in conjunction with 
        Secretaries of Homeland Security, Interior, and State, discuss 
        with Mexico and study the probability of designating an 
        international park.
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