[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 133 (Wednesday, September 17, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1428]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     IN RECOGNITION OF THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LAND AND WATER 
                           CONSERVATION FUND

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. PATRICK MEEHAN

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 17, 2014

  Mr. MEEHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 50th 
anniversary of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and to 
acknowledge its continued efforts to safeguard our nation's land, water 
resources and cultural heritage.
   Since its creation, the Land and Water Conservation Fund has 
preserved land in every state across America. The fund has supported 
more than 41,000 state and local park projects at no cost to hard-
working taxpayers.
   In Pennsylvania alone, the self-sustaining LWCF has provided more 
than $315 million in funding over the past five decades, benefiting 
restoration projects at national historic sites such as the Valley 
Forge National Historic Park and the Gettysburg National Military Park. 
In addition, the LWCF played a critical role in the creation of the 
Flight 93 National Memorial in Somerset, PA.
   The Land and Water Conservation Fund also spurs outdoor and 
recreational economic activity in and around preserved lands, 
accounting for jobs and a strong tax base for our communities.
   Mr. Speaker, the Land and Water Conservation Fund has helped to 
preserve and protect our nation's most precious lands and waters for 
the past 50 years. I celebrate the Fund and look forward to the 
excellent work the LWCF will do in the years to come.

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