[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 14 (Thursday, January 23, 2025)]
[House]
[Page H309]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       CELEBRATING CUYAHOGA VALLEY NATIONAL PARK 50TH ANNIVERSARY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Ohio (Mrs. Sykes) for 5 minutes.
  Mrs. SYKES. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to celebrate the 50th 
anniversary of Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
  While most people don't equate national parks with metropolitan areas 
and sprawling suburbs, Ohio's 13th Congressional District is proud to 
be the home of the Nation's most beautiful landscape, which is the 
Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
  In 1974, Congress created the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, as some 
of the land was designated as parkland, but it was with the leadership 
of former Congressman Ralph Regula, who slipped a few words into an 
appropriations bill in the year 2000, that it was ultimately signed 
into law by President Bill Clinton. The few words that he slipped in 
said that they were going to redesignate the Cuyahoga Valley National 
Recreation Area to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
  In the 50 years since the park was established, staff and volunteers 
in our community have worked hard to renew this natural and cultural 
resource for generations to come.
  The park is a vibrant landscape that is enjoyed by many all across 
the country each year. The park permanently preserves 33,000 acres of 
beautiful forests, portions of the Ohio & Erie Canal, and parts of the 
Cuyahoga River.
  The Cuyahoga Valley National Park is one of Ohio's natural treasures, 
drawing 3 million visitors each year, making it the ninth-most visited 
park in America.
  The Cuyahoga Valley National Park is unique. As I said before, it 
sits between the urban areas of Akron and Cleveland, but stepping into 
the park makes you feel like you are a world away from the hustle and 
bustle of urban life.
  The winding Cuyahoga River gives way to deep forests, rolling hills, 
and open farmland. Some of the park's trails also connect to the 
Buckeye Trail, which connects all four corners of our great State.
  As the only national park in the State of Ohio, it offers residents 
and tourists alike an opportunity to reconnect with nature, boost their 
physical and mental health, and explore our region's rich natural 
history.
  This anniversary would not have been possible without the dedicated 
community members, park staff, rangers, volunteers, and tourists who 
have protected, preserved, and visited this invaluable resource for 
over 50 years. Mr. Speaker, I thank them for all they do on behalf of 
Ohio's 13th Congressional District.

  Once again, congratulations to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park 
community on its 50th anniversary, and I look forward to more 
anniversaries to come.

                          ____________________