[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 10]
[House]
[Page 14565]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF NATIONAL TRAILS DAY

  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree 
to the resolution (H. Res. 401) supporting the goals and ideals of 
National Trails Day.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 401

       Whereas June 2, 2007, is observed as National Trails Day;
       Whereas there are over 200,000 miles of trails in the 
     United States, providing access to public lands for 
     recreational and educational opportunities;
       Whereas trails enrich communities throughout the United 
     States by helping to protect habitats, watersheds, and 
     cultural and historic artifacts;
       Whereas 72.1 percent of all Americans age 16 and older 
     participate in at least one of twenty-two designated outdoor 
     activities, including hiking, backpacking, and trail running;
       Whereas National Trails Day events take place in all 50 
     States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the 
     United States Virgin Islands to celebrate trails, recognize 
     volunteers, and maintain local trails;
       Whereas thousands of volunteers and event coordinators 
     throughout the United States make National Trails Day events 
     possible; and
       Whereas 2007 is the 15th Anniversary Celebration of 
     National Trails Day: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved,  That the House of Representatives--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of National Trails Day; 
     and
       (2) honors the contributions National Trails Day has made 
     to inspire the public and trail enthusiasts to discover, 
     learn about, maintain, and celebrate trails.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
the Virgin Islands (Mrs. Christensen) and the gentleman from Utah (Mr. 
Cannon) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands.


                             General Leave

  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and 
include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands?
  There was no objection.
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  House Resolution 401 was introduced by the gentleman from California 
(Mr. Thompson). It expresses the support of the House of 
Representatives of the goals and ideals of National Trails Day.
  I want to commend Representative Thompson for his efforts to bring 
congressional recognition to this important annual event. This 
resolution is timely, given that the 15th anniversary celebration of 
National Trails Day was this past Saturday.
  National Trails Day is a long-standing event that is dedicated to 
celebrating, promoting, and protecting America's magnificent trail 
system. It was started by the American Hiking Society in 1993. Its 
goals are to raise awareness of trail, to celebrate our incredible 
national network of trails, and to honor and thank trail volunteers and 
partners.
  National Trails Day events take place in local, State, and Federal 
public lands from coast to coast. Activities include hiking, biking, 
horseback riding, trail dedications, workshops, park clean-ups, trail 
work projects, and much, much more.
  Last year, more than 100,000 trail enthusiasts across the country 
participated in over 1,000 National Trails Day events. At those events, 
volunteers contributed nearly 150,000 hours of labor to establishing, 
maintaining, and cleaning up trails across the country. Trail events 
take place in all 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, 
Guam and my district, the U.S. Virgin Islands. Many Federal agencies, 
non-profits, local groups, and corporate sponsors are all proud 
partners in supporting this annual event.
  Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 401 honors the contributions that 
National Trails Day has made to inspire the public to discover, learn 
about, maintain and celebrate trails. I urge my colleagues to support 
this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CANNON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume 
and rise in support of House Resolution 401.
  House Resolution 401 has been adequately explained by the majority. I 
thank the gentlelady, and urge adoption of this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands (Mrs. Christensen) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 401.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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