[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 36 (Tuesday, March 4, 2014)]
[House]
[Page H2143]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                PRESERVING ACCESS TO SLEEPING BEAR DUNES

  (Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, tonight the House passed 
legislation addressing an issue that is near and dear to my heart and 
very important to Michigan involving Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park.
  For years, there has been a back and forth between the community 
surrounding Sleeping Bear Dunes and the National Park Service over the 
best way to make sure that this pristine treasure is accessible to the 
public.
  I have personally been involved in this process for over a decade, 
and I am glad to see my friend and colleague, Dr. Dan Benishek, who now 
represents the area, pick up the legislative torch that my friend Pete 
Hoekstra and I--we introduced bills to protect the Sleeping Bear Dunes, 
and Dan has finally been able to take it across the finish line.
  This bipartisan and bicameral solution ensures that beaches will 
remain open, public roads can be improved, hunting and fishing will 
continue to be allowed, and private property rights are actually 
protected.
  Tonight's legislative achievement would not be possible without the 
hard work and tireless efforts of local citizens, local business 
owners, and local advocacy groups such as the Coalition for Access to 
the Lakeshore.
  I look forward to President Obama signing this much-needed piece of 
legislation and the benefits that there will be for the visitors to the 
park, the local residents, and small businesses throughout northern 
Michigan.
  Most importantly, let's see Sleeping Bear Dunes preserved for 
generations to come.

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