[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 128 (Tuesday, September 9, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1372]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING THE EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, September 9, 2014

  Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the East 
Bay Regional Park District upon its 80th anniversary. Since its 
founding in 1934, the District has provided Alameda County and Contra 
Costa County residents with healthy recreation and environmental 
education. Encompassing over 65 parks and 114,000 acres of land, the 
East Bay Regional Park District is the largest regional park district 
in the United States.
  The East Bay Regional Park District emerged from a popular movement 
during the Great Depression that sought to provide residents with 
recreational opportunities and employment. The District began by 
developing parks within the region, including Temescal, Tilden and 
Sibley Regional Parks. By 1939, it started the process of acquiring 
land for Redwood Regional Park.
  Today, over 25 million people visit East Bay parks annually to walk, 
hike, bicycle and jog on the parks' 1,200 miles of trails. In addition, 
visitors have the opportunity to swim, boat and fish at the District's 
nine park lakes and twelve beaches. The District also hosts nine 
interpretive centers that educate visitors about the region's cultural 
history, wildlife and natural features.
  The East Bay Regional Park District has received numerous accolades 
for its dedication to natural preservation and East Bay recreation. It 
has received the California Parks and Recreation Society's Award for 
Excellence for Creating Community for its exceptional community-
building efforts through park-related events, one of five awards it has 
received from the Society in the past six years.
  I personally appreciate the impact that the East Bay Regional Park 
District has on our youth. When I was a girl growing up in El Paso, 
Texas, my sister and I broke barriers by being the only African 
Americans in our Girl Scout troop. We were fortunate to have access to 
nature through the Girl Scouts, and it impressed upon me at an early 
age the need to preserve outdoor open spaces where young children can 
learn about nature, the importance of our ecosystem and environment, 
and to have a natural environment in which to play. For the youth who 
grow up in highly urbanized East Bay cities, East Bay parks represent 
an environment that can broaden a child's perspectives of space and 
coexistence with nature.
  I commend the East Bay Regional Park District for providing our 
community with a wellspring of recreational and educational opportunity 
for the past 80 years. The District's continual efforts to foster 
community and learning benefit all Bay Area residents and visitors.
  On behalf of the residents of California's 13th Congressional 
District, I extend my congratulations on this important milestone and 
thank all of the people who have contributed to the success of the East 
Bay Regional Park District throughout the years. I wish the District 
continued success in the years to come.

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