[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Page 15887]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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   IN RECOGNITION OF THE CENTENNIAL OF BIG BASIN REDWOODS STATE PARK

 Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I take this opportunity to 
recognize the 100th anniversary of the creation of California's oldest 
State park, Big Basin Redwoods State Park, located 25 miles northwest 
of Santa Cruz. Big Basin holds the distinction of being home to the 
largest continuous stand of Ancient Coast Redwoods south of San 
Francisco.
  Big Basin Redwoods State Park was the first of California's 269 State 
parks to be set aside by the State legislature in September, 1902. Its 
creation was the result of a turn of the century community organizing 
campaign. San Jose photographer Andrew P. Hill gathered a group of 
writers, educators and women's club members for an exploratory 
expedition to the Santa Cruz Mountains, the area we know today as Big 
Basin. They formed the Sempervirens Club and began lobbying for 
preservation of the area as a public park. Their intention was to save 
these trees for posterity.
  Today we celebrate the foresight and dedication of Andrew P. Hill and 
his friends. Big Basin Redwoods State Park is seen as the birthplace of 
the movement to save California's coastal redwoods and the birthplace 
of the entire State park system.
  This system contains magnificent diversity and beauty ranging from 
the majestic forests of Northern California to the sun-baked deserts of 
Southern California and from the vibrant blue surf of the Pacific 
shoreline to the glorious peaks of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. It 
includes cultural and historical sites of national importance, wildlife 
habitats and natural preserves that are critical to the ecological 
health of thousands of plants and animals and a vast array of 
recreational opportunities for all citizens.
  Big Basin Redwoods State Park incorporates 18,000 acres of old growth 
and recovering redwood forest, mixed with conifer, oaks, chaparral and 
riparian habitats. The park encompasses 80 miles of trails that include 
numerous waterfalls, lush canyons and chaparral-covered slopes. Other 
features of the park are family and group camping facilities, tent 
cabins, backpacking camps, hiking, mountain biking and equestrian 
trails.
  On the 100th anniversary of the founding of Big Basin Redwoods State 
Park by the California legislature, I wish to recognize it as an 
enduring and unique place of historical and environmental importance. 
Today we celebrate the spirit and determination of a group of people 
that resulted in the preservation of a beautiful primeval forest that 
we enjoy today.

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