[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 56 (Tuesday, April 23, 2013)]
[House]
[Page H2168]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1410
                           NATIONAL PARK WEEK

  (Mr. COSTA asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, during National Park Week, we celebrate, 
perhaps, America's best idea and remember that these parks belong to 
all the people of America.
  Since they are part of our national heritage, it is every American's 
obligation to ensure that we preserve these national treasures for the 
next generation.
  Yosemite is one of the crown jewels of our national park system, and 
it has a special place in the hearts of Californians, as well as this 
Californian.
  Today, I'm introducing a bill with Senator Dianne Feinstein that 
would expand Yosemite National Park to include 1,600 acres that were 
originally intended to be part of the park. This would restore the park 
to its original vision and protect its most vulnerable western border.
  Our bill has the broad bipartisan support of local government, State 
officials, and many other groups.
  It has been said that there is nothing more American than our 
national park system.
  With this bill, we are restoring this national treasure to its 
original boundary and showing that we remain dedicated to this truly 
American idea.

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