[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 119 (Monday, July 16, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H6198-H6199]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     SUPPORT FOR OUR NATIONAL PARKS

  (Ms. FOXX asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, our Nation's national parks are a cherished 
part of our country's legacy, and it is critical

[[Page H6199]]

that they be preserved for generations to come.
  Unfortunately, the National Park Service is facing an insurmountable 
backlog of deferred maintenance that is growing more urgent as decades-
old agency structures reach the end of their anticipated lifespans. 
This is impacting some of our most beloved parks.
  The Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina and Virginia is the 
country's second most visited National Park, supporting approximately 
15,600 jobs and is a huge economic asset to nearby rural communities. 
Deferred maintenance has resulted in the unfortunate deterioration of 
its amenities and accessibility.
  The National Park Service Legacy Act would establish a National Park 
Service Legacy Restoration Fund directly aimed at addressing the 
agency's backlog and fixing the issues facing the Blue Ridge Parkway. 
As a proud cosponsor of this innovative legislation, I encourage its 
vote and final passage in the House this Congress.

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