[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 1]
[Senate]
[Page 535]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           100TH ANNIVERSARY OF MUIR WOODS NATIONAL MONUMENT

 Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I take this opportunity to observe 
the 100th anniversary of Muir Woods National Monument, located in Marin 
County, CA.
  It was U.S. Representative William Kent whose visionary actions would 
lead to the creation of Muir Woods National Monument. During the mid-
nineteenth century, the Gold Rush brought treasure seekers to northern 
California in large numbers. To accommodate this rapid population 
growth in San Francisco and other coastal cities, timber, meat, and 
crops were needed in much larger quantities. As a result, much of the 
easily accessible timber in Marin County was logged between 1840 and 
1870.
  Representative Kent witnessed this massive resource depletion and 
decided to take action to preserve coastal redwood forest areas. In 
1905, he purchased 612 acres of the Redwood Canyon from the Tamalpais 
Land & Water Co. On December 26, 1907, in order to best protect the 
land, Representative Kent and his wife, Elizabeth Thatcher Kent, 
donated 298 acres of Redwood Canyon to the Federal Government. On 
January 9, 1908, President Theodore Roosevelt declared Muir Woods a 
National Monument. This year, we celebrate its centennial anniversary.
  Coast redwoods, Sequoia sempervirens, are the dominant feature of 
Muir Woods' forest. These ancient wonders are also the world's tallest 
living tree species and the official tree of the State of California. 
This species of redwood is believed to have existed when the dinosaurs 
roamed the Earth. Visitors to Muir Woods are left fascinated as they 
get to experience living history by exploring the Bohemian and 
Cathedral groves of Muir Woods, where many trees are more than 1,200 
years old. Muir Woods is also home to douglas fir, tanbark oak, bigleaf 
maple, and bay laurel trees, leading conservationist and namesake John 
Muir to remark that Muir Woods ``is the best tree-lovers' monument that 
could possibly be found in all the forests of the world.''
  Only 15 miles north of San Francisco, Muir Woods National Monument 
offers a stunning glimpse of the redwood forests that once covered 
northern California's coastal valleys. For 100 years, Muir Woods 
National Monument has served as a recreational escape for nature 
enthusiasts, hikers, and those seeking a glimpse of northern 
California's rich history. It is a powerful reminder of the beauty of 
nature and the importance of conservation efforts.
  I commend the National Park Service staff and volunteers for 
maintaining the natural beauty and historical significance of Muir 
Woods National Monument. I look forward to future generations having 
the opportunity to study and enjoy this unique piece of our State and 
national history for another 100 years.

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