[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 27 (Tuesday, February 10, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E236]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    INTRODUCTION OF THE CHESAPEAKE GATEWAYS AND WATERFALLS NETWORK 
                            REAUTHORIZATION

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                         HON. JOHN P. SARBANES

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 10, 2009

  Mr. SARBANES. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce legislation to 
reauthorize the Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network (CBGN), a program that 
connects those who live in the Bay watershed to the natural, cultural 
and historic resources of the Bay and thereby encourages individual 
stewardship of these resources.
  The legislation I am introducing today is identical to the bill that 
passed the House of Representatives by an overwhelming and bipartisan 
vote of 321 to 86 during the 110th Congress. Unfortunately, we were not 
able to get the bill to the President's desk but I am hopeful that we 
will complete our work on this legislation during the 111th Congress.
  Since 2000, Gateways has grown to include more than 150 sites and 
over 1500 miles of established and developing water trails in six 
states and the District of Columbia. Through grants to parks, volunteer 
groups, wildlife refuges, historic sites, museums, and water trails, 
the Network ties these sites together to provide meaningful experiences 
and foster citizen stewardship of the Chesapeake Bay.
  Madam Speaker, for a very modest investment, the Gateways program 
helps foster the citizen stewardship that will be necessary to advance 
Bay cleanup and maintain the gains we hope to make in the coming years. 
By reauthorizing the Gateways program and providing access to the 
beautiful sites that make up the network, we can help develop the next 
generation of environmental stewards, which is one of the best ways to 
truly ``Save the Bay.'' I hope that my colleagues will support this 
legislation so the Park Service can continue to play a key role in the 
Bay cleanup effort.

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