[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 49 (Friday, March 26, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S2160]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                 TRIBUTE TO SENATOR J. BENNETT JOHNSTON

 Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I wish to congratulate the former 
senior Senator from Louisiana, Senator J. Bennett Johnston, on 
receiving the prestigious Centennial Leadership Award. As chairman and 
ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, 
Senator Johnston oversaw the enactment of two decades' worth of 
legislation involving our Nation's national parks. It is most 
appropriate that my former colleague is being honored with this award, 
and I congratulate him on receiving it.
  The Centennial Leadership Award is an appreciation of Senator 
Johnston's leadership in advancing the National Parks Second Century 
Commission. In 2008, the National Parks and Conservation Association 
established an independent commission to develop a 21st century vision 
for the National Park Service. This Commission was comprised of over 30 
national leaders and experts with substantial knowledge of the Nation's 
National Park System. This Commission met several times, held public 
meetings, and produced a report recommending expansion of the National 
Park idea through educational opportunities, community conservation, 
and local partnerships to preserve our national heritage.
  In 2016, this country will celebrate the centennial of the National 
Park Service. As we get ready to celebrate these breathtaking 
landscapes and historic treasures, I am especially grateful to Senator 
Johnston for his leadership over the years in preserving these areas. 
Senator Johnston's leadership created the Jean Lafitte National 
Historical Park, the Cane River Creole National Historical Park and 
National Heritage Area, and the New Orleans Jazz National Historical 
Park. In addition, he also championed passage of the National Historic 
Preservation Act Amendments of 1990, the California Desert Protection 
Act, and has always been a staunch advocate of the Land and Water 
Conservation Fund. Without his forethought and perseverance, Americans 
might not have many of these magnificent parks to visit and recreate 
with their families each year.
  Again, I congratulate the former Senator from Louisiana on receiving 
this award. I think Senator Johnston said it best: ``The national parks 
truly are America's best idea.'' I couldn't agree more.

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