[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5687]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             NATIONAL PARK WEEK AND NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK

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                          HON. RICHARD E. NEAL

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 24, 2002

  Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, this week we celebrate 
National Park Week. This special commemoration was first proclaimed in 
1991 by President George H.W. Bush and has become an annual celebration 
of the National Park Service. This week is an opportunity to celebrate 
what the National Park Service is all about by educating the public 
about the great work performed by park rangers, resource specialists, 
scientists, managers and all the other important employees that make 
the National Park Service special.
  In conjunction with National Park Week, Mr. Speaker, we also 
celebrate this week, the many volunteers at our National Parks. These 
volunteers in parks, or VIP's, play a crucial role in helping Park 
Service staff with their duties. I am proud to recognize the park 
volunteers in my own district, Mr. Speaker. These volunteers at the 
John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor are 
making a difference. Whether helping guide a canoe trip down the 
Blackstone river or assisting with a historic village tour, these 
volunteers make important contributions to the success of the 
Blackstone Heritage Corridor.
  America's democratic experiment shines through in the 24 cities in 
Massachusetts and Rhode Island that make up the Blackstone River 
Valley. It is a quilt of America's past, present and future that tells 
the story of America's progression from an agrarian society to an 
advanced industrial powerhouse. The National Park Service provides a 
great and honorable service by preserving the vestiges of this rich 
past.
  Mr. Speaker, let us celebrate this week, the important and enjoyable 
role that our National Parks play in our lives as well as the 
dedication and hard work of their employees and volunteers. These 
individuals reflect America's commitment to its National Parks and thus 
deserve our full appreciation.

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