[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 117 (Thursday, August 18, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 18, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
  TENTH ANNIVERSARY OF ILLINOIS AND MICHIGAN CANAL NATIONAL HERITAGE 
                                CORRIDOR

                                 ______


                        HON. WILLIAM O. LIPINSKI

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, August 18, 1994

  Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to commemorate 
the 10th anniversary of the Illinois and Michigan Canal national 
heritage corridor.
  Designated by Congress on August 24, 1984, the Illinois and Michigan 
Canal national heritage corridor extends from Navy Pier and Calumet 
Harbor in Chicago 120 miles to La Salle-Peru. Illinois, the sixth most 
populous State in the Nation, had no national park until the corridor's 
designation, which was seen as an innovative model for preserving the 
natural heritage of an urban area. The Illinois and Michigan Canal 
national heritage corridor was the first partnership park of its kind 
and is now a model for such parks throughout the Nation.
  While significant strides have been made in preserving the corridor, 
much work remains to be done. Presently, the Illinois and Michigan 
Canal itself, a national historic landmark, is included on the Federal 
Government's list of endangered landmarks. Local funding efforts have 
been instrumental in enhancing the historical, natural, and 
recreational resources of the corridor. However, Federal investment for 
capital improvements remains an important objective. Federal funding 
would address some of the capital projects along the corridor and tie 
the region as a great urban cultural park.
  I have introduced two bills designed to enhance and preserve the 
corridor. H.R. 1828 would provide Federal funding for capital 
improvements, define the eastern boundaries of the corridor and extend 
the National Heritage Corridor Commission for another 10 years. Another 
bill, H.R. 3999 simply defines the eastern boundaries of the corridor 
and extends the life of the commission.
  In the last 10 years, we have seen significant progress being made 
along the corridor. The corridor's rich heritage and recreational 
opportunities attract countless visitors to the area and enhance the 
pride of local residents. The Illinois and Michigan Canal national 
heritage corridor is of great historical significance to the State of 
Illinois, as well as the Nation. We must continue to work to preserve 
this unique treasure for future generations.

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