[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 13441]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             INTRODUCTION OF NATIONAL TRAILS DAY RESOLUTION

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                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 21, 2009

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, as co-chair of the House Trails 
Caucus, I am pleased to introduce a resolution highlighting National 
Trails Day', which will fall this year on June 6, 2009.
  National Trails Day, which was founded by the American Hiking 
Society, is held every year on the first Saturday of June. It is a day 
of public events celebrating trails coordinated by the American Hiking 
Society in partnership with local trail clubs, parks, government 
agencies, and businesses. On this day, more than 1,500 trails events 
will take place around the country, including hiking, paddling, biking, 
horseback riding, bird watching, running, trail maintenance, and other 
activities.
  I am introducing this resolution to highlight the importance of this 
day and to call attention to our Nation's network of trails. Trails 
improve our quality of life, whether they are urban paths running 
through major metropolitan areas or wilderness tracks leading to remote 
mountaintops. Some of my favorite moments have been spent running or 
biking on the Leif Erickson Trail in Forest Park or hiking on the 
Timberline Trail around Mount Hood.
  Trails provide Americans with opportunities to engage in activities 
that improve our physical and mental health and they promote a greater 
understanding of nature and a connection to communities. In addition, 
the hundreds of thousands of volunteers who care for our nation's 
trails understand the value of volunteerism and stewardship of our 
public landscapes.
  This resolution recognizes the contribution of trail volunteers and 
organizations, highlights the opportunities trails provide to improve 
our physical and mental health, supports the goals and ideas of 
National Trails Day, encourages people to observe National Trails Day, 
and applauds national, State, and community agencies and groups for 
their work in promoting awareness about trails.
  I hope my colleagues will join me in celebrating National Trails Day 
and recognizing the value of America's 200,000-mile trail network. On 
June 6, I hope we can all take time to join our constituents in doing 
trail maintenance, hiking, or another fun outdoor activity in honor of 
this day.

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