[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 29 (Thursday, February 15, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S2044]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. SMITH:
  S. 617. A bill to make the National Parks and Federal Recreational 
Lands Pass available at a discount to certain veterans; to the 
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
  Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Veterans 
Eagle Parks Pass Act. This legislation would provide admission to any 
Federal park that charges an admissions fee by creating a ``Veterans 
Eagle Pass'' for honorably discharged veterans. I am pleased to 
continue the efforts of my colleague Congressman Thomas Reynolds, who 
performed yeoman's work to introduce and push forward this legislation 
in the House of Representatives.
  Currently, an annual America the Beautiful lands pass is available to 
anyone for eighty dollars. My legislation would allow honorably 
discharged veterans to buy an annual pass for only ten dollars. I feel 
very strongly that those who fought so hard to protect our great nation 
should have better and easier access to its public lands. It is only 
fitting to offer our veterans improved entrance to America's great 
public lands like Yosemite National Park in California, Fort Sumter 
National Monument in South Carolina, Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee 
National Wildlife Refuge in Florida, and Crater Lake National Park in 
my home State of Oregon.
  America's terrain is diverse, from flat plains to high mountains, 
raging rivers to still lakes. Our country is truly bountiful. Many 
veterans are avid outdoorsmen and understand the value and quality of 
our land. In a time of such turmoil abroad, I see no more appropriate 
opportunity to reward our veterans for their commitment and service to 
our nation.
  I am pleased that this legislation has received the support of the 
American Legion, AMVETS, and Veterans of Foreign Wars. We owe it to our 
veterans to provide them with this service.
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