[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 81 (Wednesday, May 26, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E947]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   ENHANCED VISITOR EXPERIENCE FOR TOURISTS AT YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK

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                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 26, 2010

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to introduce legislation 
today supporting a project that provides an enhanced visitor experience 
for tourists at Yosemite National Park and an additional administrative 
site for employees outside the Park boundaries.
  Yosemite is the crown jewel of the National Park System; each year 
over 3.5 million visitors travel to Yosemite to enjoy the scenic 
vistas, hiking, and Valley destinations. This proposed legislation 
authorizes the National Park Service to purchase up to 18 acres of land 
in Mariposa County, from willing sellers, for visitor and 
administrative uses. The proposed site for this center will be at the 
junction of State Highway 140 and State Highway 49, located in Mariposa 
just outside the Arch Rock entrance to Yosemite National Park. A 
visitor center at this location will not only provide Yosemite National 
Park with an opportunity to enhance their visitor services, it will be 
a tourist destination for travelers in the gateway community of 
Mariposa as well.
  This non-controversial bill enjoys a broad array of local support 
including the Mariposa County Board of Supervisors, Chamber of 
Commerce, Economic Development Corporation, and County Tourism Bureau, 
in addition to the current Superintendent of Yosemite National Park and 
the Yosemite Fund. Additionally, this authorizing legislation is PAY-GO 
neutral and does not authorize direct spending.
  Madam Speaker, I am eager to lend my support to a project that will 
benefit the local economy of Mariposa by providing tourism 
opportunities as well as enhancing the visitor experience at Yosemite 
National Park. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this 
legislation as it moves through Congress.

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