Congressional Record, Volume 156 Issue 75 (Tuesday, May 18, 2010)

[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 75 (Tuesday, May 18, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H3492-H3493]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

RECOGNIZING 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT

Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the
rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 211)
recognizing the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the East Bay
Regional Park District in California, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:

H. Con. Res. 211

Whereas, November 6, 2009, will mark the 75th anniversary
of the historic passage of a ballot measure to create the
East Bay Regional Park District (referred to in this preamble
as the ``District'') in California's San Francisco Bay Area
by a convincing ``yes'' vote of a 2\1/2\ to 1 margin in 1934
during the height of the Depression;
Whereas with the help of the Civilian Conservation Corps,
the Works Progress Administration, and private contractors,
the District began putting people to work to establish the
District's first 3 regional parks--Tilden, Temescal, and
Sibley;
Whereas over the intervening 75 years, the District has
grown to be the largest regional park agency in the United
States with nearly 100,000 acres of parklands spread across
65 regional parks and over 1,100 miles of trails in Alameda
and Contra Costa Counties;
Whereas approximately 14,000,000 visitors a year from
throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond take
advantage of the vast and diverse District parklands and
trails;
Whereas the vision of the District is to preserve the
priceless heritage of the region's natural and cultural
resources, open space, parks, and trails for the future, and
to set aside park areas for enjoyment and healthful
recreation for current and future generations;
Whereas the mission of the District is to acquire, develop,
manage, and maintain a high quality, diverse system of
interconnected parklands that balances public usage and
education programs with the protection and preservation of
the East Bay's most spectacular natural and cultural
resources;
Whereas an environmental ethic guides the District in all
that it does;
Whereas in 1988, East Bay voters approved the passage of
Measure AA, a $225,000,000 bond to provide 20 years of
funding for regional and local park acquisition and
development projects;
Whereas in 2008, under the strategic leadership of its
Board of Directors and General Manager Pat O'Brien, East Bay
voters approved passage of the historic Measure WW, a
$500,000,000 renewal of the original Measure AA bond--the
largest regional or local park bond ever passed in the United
States; and
Whereas throughout 2009, the District's 75th Anniversary
will be recognized through special events and programs: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That Congress--
(1) recognizes the 75th anniversary of the establishment of
the East Bay Regional Park District; and
(2) honors the board members, general managers, and East
Bay Regional Park District staff who have dutifully fulfilled
the mission of protecting open space and providing outdoor
recreation opportunities for generations of families in the
East Bay.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
California (Mr. George Miller) and the gentleman from California (Mr.
McClintock) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.

General Leave

Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent
that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and
extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution
under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from California?
There was no objection.
Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such
time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, as a lifelong citizen of Contra Costa County in the East
Bay of the San Francisco Bay area, I have witnessed firsthand the East
Bay Regional Park District's steady drive to protect open spaces,
benefiting millions of East Bay residents over several generations. The
East Bay Regional Park District is today the largest regional park
agency in the country.
Over the last 75 years, they have preserved nearly 100,000 acres of
parkland, established 65 regional parks, and built over 1,100 miles of
trails. Almost every weekend, I visit the East Bay Regional Parks on
one of their trails, one of the regional park systems, to walk with my
family and enjoy the outdoors in the parks. Generally it is the Briones
Regional Park that is near my home.
I commend the East Bay Regional Park District and all of the various
board members throughout the last 75 years on not only reaching this
milestone, but the vision that they conceptualized many, many years ago
to provide this incredible asset to the residents of the San Francisco
Bay area, specifically to the East Bay of San Francisco Bay.
I rise in strong support of this resolution commending the 75th
anniversary of the East Bay Regional Park District. I want to thank
Chairman Rahall, Chairman Grijalva, Chairwoman Bordallo, and Ranking
Member Bishop for their work to bring this resolution to the floor.
As a resident of this area, and very often talking to my neighbors
and to people I represent in this area, the pride that our area has in
the East Bay Regional Parks, the support that the citizens of this
region have given the park district over the last 75 years is testament
to a well-run system of parks throughout our area, of recreational
facilities, of trails, of support for families with children, for
people who ride horses, people who ride bikes, people who run, people
who walk, and accommodating the open spaces and historical and cultural
uses of the areas within the boundaries of the East Bay Regional Parks
in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.
I don't represent this area alone. I share the representation of the
park district with Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Congressman Pete Stark,
Congressman John Garamendi and Congressman Jerry McNerney, and I know
all of them share the pride that I do in the East Bay Regional Park
System.
As I stated earlier, the vision that they have presented to the
public and the support that it has received, and the cooperation they
have received from farmers, from ranchers, from cities, from the
counties, has just been an incredible model for other areas that have
to deal with the issues of preserving open space and the competing uses
of that space by various governmental jurisdictions and private
landowners.
I also want to pay tribute to the grand old man in implementing this
plan and working with all of the various landowners and the local
jurisdictions and procuring these lands at a fair price to the
taxpayers of our region, and that is Hewlett Hornbeck, who for so many
years brought about the implementation of that vision of the board of
directors of the regional parks.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. McCLINTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, the East Bay Regional Park District serves the people of
San

[[Page H3493]]

Francisco, and the test of their satisfaction is the fact that they
have continued to support it with voter-approved bonds, each vote being
a vote of confidence in its work and each vote backing that confidence
with local funds.
It used to be that local projects that benefited local communities
were paid for by those local communities, and the East Bay Regional
Park is an example of this bygone era. Today the Federal Treasury is
too often treated as a grab bag for local projects, literally robbing
St. Petersburg to pay St. Paul. The success of the East Bay Regional
Park District is a reminder that the most successful local projects are
those that are paid for with local funds and superintended by local
voters. It is a reminder that Federalism works and that we need to
return to it.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the
gentleman from California (Mr. McClintock) for his comments, and what
he said is one of the reasons why this park district has such a high
level of support among its citizens. They voted many times to tax
themselves, knowing this money was going to be wisely used and they
were going to get a good and a fair bargain for all parties involved.
At this time, I yield such time as he may consume to Congressman Pete
Stark, another longtime supporter and beneficiary of the East Bay
Regional Park system.
Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished chairman for
recognizing me.
The 75th anniversary of the East Bay Regional Park District really
goes back to the early grassroots days of actually the Depression, when
people in our district banded together in that time to organize and tax
themselves to create this district. These parks are owned by everyone.
In the Great Depression, they created the district and the Civilian
Conservation Corps, and the WPA were the initial workers in these
parks.
It would be remiss for me not to recognize general manager Pat
O'Brien, who has worked so hard to keep these parks open. In my
district, you can move from the hills of Freemont to the crown park in
Alameda, to the hills behind Oakland and never be beyond walking
distance of these marvelous parks. So it is a compliment to the
chairman, and I would like to join with him in recognizing the
importance of our regional park district, and thanking the local people
in hopes that others may follow suit.
Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. I thank the gentleman, and I yield
myself 2 minutes.
Congressman Stark mentioned Pat O'Brien, and I want to thank him
because he has been such a wonderful manager of this system, along with
his entire staff, and certainly all of the volunteers who come to the
park, which number in the thousands, all of the time to take care of
these parks and make them accessible to the public, to host special
events. I thank the magnificent staff, the rangers of the park system,
who live in our communities and know the people who use the parks and
accommodate them.
It was said at one time, I don't know if it is accurate or not, but
it was suggested you could get on horseback and ride for 7 days and
never leave the park and never use the same trails. The park hosts
numerous stables that the private sector has outside of the park.
Again, thousands of people a year use the parks on horseback. It is a
great opportunity for children to be around horses and see people
riding them and learn about them from their owners.
This is a remarkable community asset in the midst of one of the most
urban areas in the United States in terms of density, and clearly
highly appreciated by the people. I would hope that all of my
colleagues in Congress would join us in voting for and supporting the
75th anniversary recognition of this world class park system of the
East Bay Regional Parks.
Mr. McCLINTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res.
211 to recognize the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the East
Bay Regional Park District in California.
I would also like to thank Representative George Miller for his
leadership in introducing this resolution and for his tireless work as
a representative of California's 7th Congressional District which
neighbors my home, the 9th Congressional District.
The success of the East Bay Regional Parks District is rooted in the
history of our own country, and in the belief that during times of
economic and social adversity, investments in people and environmental
preservation can be instrumental in promoting economic recovery while
benefiting current and future generations.
This resolution celebrates the 75th anniversary of the ballot measure
to create the East Bay Regional Parks District, a measure that passed
overwhelmingly during a time of great economic upheaval in 1934.
With the help of federal public works agencies, and sustained public
and private engagement, the Parks District established its first
regional parks including Tilden, Sibley, and Temescal Parks, all in my
home District.
Today the East Bay Regional Park District is the largest local park
agency in the United States and serves a population of 2.5 million
residents along with countless visitors seeking the unique sights,
sounds, and outdoor activities of the District's parks just a short
walk or drive from the some of the San Francisco Bay Area's largest
urban centers.
I am so proud of the legacy of the East Bay Regional Parks District
throughout the California Bay Area and its inspiring illustration of
the need to preserve our recreational and wilderness resources across
the nation.
I would also like to take a moment to recognize the supporters of the
East Bay Regional Park District, as well as its board members, general
managers, and staff.
Through the hard work of these individuals, and backed by the
unwavering support of local residents, the East Bay Regional Park
District remains committed to conserving and expanding park resources
for the recreational, educational, and scenic enjoyment of these open
spaces for generations to come.
With that in mind, I strongly urge my colleagues to support this
resolution, and in doing so, join in honoring the East Bay Regional
Parks District during this historic commemoration of its past, present,
and future in serving millions of residents and visitors in the
California Bay Area.
Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in enthusiastic support of
House Concurrent Resolution 211, which honors the board members,
general managers, and staff of the East Bay Regional Park District. For
75 years, these public servants and their predecessors have admirably
preserved the great outdoors for the Bay Area's communities and
millions of visitors.
The East Bay Regional Park District has grown to the largest regional
park agency in the United States, covering nearly 100,000 acres.
District employees have admirably protected the land and native
wildlife while providing invaluable recreational opportunities. This
harmonious interaction is demonstrated all over the park system. The
stewardship of fisheries allows anglers to catch striped bass, rainbow
trout, and sturgeon. The management of livestock grazing reduces the
threat of fires and preserves diversity of vegetation. The conservation
of water resources permits swimmers to enjoy our lakes and lagoons. The
East Bay Regional Park District also provides opportunities for
archeologists, hikers, scientists, and other recreationalists and
students.
Bay Area residents recognize that the Park System has contributed
greatly to their living environment and helped make the region one of
the best places in the country to live. In 1934, 1988, and most
recently in 2008, Bay Area voters extended its funding, maintaining
this natural treasure for the enjoyment of present and future
generations.
Lastly, Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Congressman George Miller
for introducing this Resolution and Chairman Nick Rahall for his
outstanding leadership of the Natural Resources Committee. From the
East Bay to the East Steps of the Capitol, they have been good stewards
to this country's natural wonders.
Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the
balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller) that the House suspend
the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 211.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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