[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 48 (Thursday, April 27, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S3699]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        2006 NATIONAL PARK WEEK

  Mr. THOMAS. Mr. President, I think each of us enjoy walking on a 
trail, learning a little more about our Nation's history, or perhaps 
paddling a canoe on a lake, river, or stream. Often we take part in 
these activities in our national parks. This week, April 22 to April 
30, is National Park Week, a time when we can recognize all of the 390 
units of the National Park System. There will be special events going 
on at parks throughout the system, and I encourage everyone to seek 
them out and take part in them.
  As I have mentioned before, I have a special attachment to 
Yellowstone National Park, the world's first national park, located in 
Wyoming, my home State. But Yellowstone, Grand Teton National Park, the 
other National Park System units in Wyoming, and those across the 
Nation, extending from Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands to Guam and 
American Samoa, all remind us of ourselves, where we have been, and 
perhaps where we will go in the future. They have been called by others 
the best idea we ever had.
  America's national parks provide people of all ages with a wide range 
of opportunities to learn more about our country's natural environment 
and cultural heritage. The National Park Service provides a variety of 
programs and activities for children, teachers, and communities 
designed to foster an interest in the natural environment and history 
and to cultivate a future generation of park stewards.
  The theme for National Park Week 2006 is ``Connecting Our Children to 
America's National Parks.'' This theme was chosen because of the vital 
role children play in the future conservation and preservation of our 
national parks.
  Through the creation of innovative education programs such as the 
Junior Ranger Program, the National Park Service is fostering a new 
constituency of park stewards. Today the Junior Ranger Program exists 
in more than 286 parks, striving to help connect youth to national 
parks and the National Park System and helping them gain an 
understanding of the important role of the environment in our lives.
  The Junior Ranger Program encourages whole families to get involved 
in learning about, exploring and protecting our Nation's most important 
scenic, historical, and cultural places. Children have great enthusiasm 
for the Junior Ranger Program because it helps connect them to 
something big our country and our shared heritage as Americans. 
Additionally, online through WebRangers, kids can ``virtually'' visit 
the parks at their own pace in their spare time and when they are not 
in the parks. In fact, one of the events that will take place this year 
during National Park Week is a virtual, shared visit to Carlsbad 
Caverns National Park, which could involve more than 28 million 
students.
  Of course, our visits to parks are enhanced through the interaction 
we receive from the people who work in them. During this week, we 
should also thank the thousands of National Park Service personnel, 
concession and contract employees, volunteers of all ages, and others 
who help to make our system of national parks the envy of and example 
for the rest of the world.
  As the chair of the National Parks Subcommittee, I will continue to 
see that our system of parks retains its high standards. I would 
encourage each of you to spend some time in a national park unit, this 
week and throughout the year.

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