[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 73 (Monday, June 2, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S5158]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          TRIBUTE TO BILL SHIELDS OF THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, it is privilege to take this opportunity 
to commend Superintendent Bill Shields for his 32 years of 
distinguished leadership in the National Park Service. His service has 
been renowned in many different aspects of the park system, and every 
region of the country is in his debt.
  One of the biggest challenges Bill has faced has been managing 
national parks in urban settings. In fact, Bill spent the majority of 
his career in urban park environments, and he has met special needs of 
these parks with great skill, wisdom, and understanding. As 
superintendent of Rock Creek Park, he had jurisdiction over 95 separate 
local parks which are prized by communities throughout the Washington 
area. He has skillfully balanced the needs of the parks with the needs 
of the general public and park neighborhoods. With parks such as 
Meridian Hill and Montrose and Dumbarton Oaks, he has dealt with many 
complex issues with diplomacy and exceptional judgment.
  Bill Shield's retirement after 32 years with the Park Service will be 
a great loss. But because of his guidance and leadership, many parks in 
the Nation, and especially in the Nation's Capital, will be enhanced 
and preserved for future generations.

                          ____________________