[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 75 (Wednesday, May 1, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S3138]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. PADILLA (for himself and Ms. Butler):
  S. 4228. A bill to redesignate the Cottonwood Visitor Center at 
Joshua Tree National Park as the ``Senator Dianne Feinstein Visitor 
Center''; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
  Mr. PADILLA. Madam President, I rise to introduce legislation to 
rename the visitor center at Joshua Tree National Park in honor of 
Senator Dianne Feinstein.
  This legislation would redesignate the Cottonwood Visitor Center at 
Joshua Tree National Park to the ``Senator Dianne Feinstein Visitor 
Center.''
  Dianne Feinstein was a towering figure not just in modern California 
politics but in the history of our State and our Nation. Her 
contributions to our Nation, particularly in environmental 
conservation, are a reminder of the public power of public service. For 
Californians, so much of our lands have been preserved thanks to her 
singular drive and leadership, from the redwoods of the Headwaters and 
the San Francisco Bay, to Lake Tahoe and, most notably, the California 
desert.
  Senator Feinstein was known as a great protector of the California 
desert, and some have lovingly referred to her as the ``Queen of the 
Desert''. Senator Feinstein was the driving force behind the 
establishment of Joshua Tree National Park, Death Valley National Park, 
the Mojave National Preserve, the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains 
National Monument, the Mojave Trails National Monument, the Sand to 
Snow National Monument, and the Castle Mountains National Monument. In 
all, it is estimated that Senator Feinstein protected over 3 million 
acres of the California desert.
  In 2019, on the 25th anniversary of the passage of Senator 
Feinstein's landmark California Desert Protection Act, Senator 
Feinstein wrote: ``When I think of the California desert, I think of 
magnificent landscapes and mountain vistas. I think of beautiful 
species like bighorn sheep, mule deer and desert tortoises. I think of 
unique vegetation like the beautiful wildflower blooms and iconic 
Joshua trees. And I think of the long history of local Native American 
tribes. The California desert is a true American treasure. Our efforts 
over the past 25 years have resulted in the largest areas of public 
lands protected in the lower 48 states--that is something truly to 
celebrate.''
  It is only fitting that we celebrate Senator Feinstein's memory by 
renaming the visitor center at Joshua Tree National Park in her honor. 
I look forward to working with my colleagues to enact this legislation 
as soon as possible.

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