[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 8]
[Senate]
[Page 10645]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         TRIBUTE TO THE CUMBERLAND GAP NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to one of 
the great national parks in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Cumberland 
Gap National Historical Park, located southeastern Kentucky, near 
Middlesboro. The park will celebrate its 50th anniversary this year.
  In the 1920s, the idea of creating the Cumberland Gap National 
Historical Park was formed, and after 30 years of planning and hard 
work, the park was finished and dedicated, 50 years ago this coming 
July.
  The park will hold several special events in July celebrating the 
anniversary of the historic dedication, including the gathering of oral 
histories from people who were present during the creation, early days, 
and dedication of the park.
  At the time of the dedication, Cumberland Gap National Historical 
Park included 20,184 acres--10,679 in Kentucky, 7,478 in Virginia, and 
2,027 in Tennessee. Until 1980, it was the largest historical park in 
the country. It is estimated that more than 1 million people will visit 
the park this year.
  Efforts have been made by the National Park Service since 1997 to 
prevent surface coal mining in the area surrounding Fern Lake. In 
cooperation with my friend in the House, Congressman Hal Rogers, we 
were able to pass legislation that authorized the Secretary of the 
Interior to acquire Fern Lake and the surrounding watershed to preserve 
this natural resource.
  I value the importance of this park and have consistently secured 
funds to help acquire and preserve the lake. Located just southeast of 
Middlesboro, Fern Lake serves as the primary water source for the 
community and is visible from the Pinnacle Overlook, which is a popular 
visitor attraction at the Cumberland Gap National Park.
  This park shows the importance Kentuckians place on our natural 
environment, and I applaud the work of the individuals who helped make 
this park a reality and those who continue to safeguard its natural 
beauty for many generations to come.

  Mr. President, I ask my colleagues to join with me in celebrating the 
50th anniversary of the dedication of one of our Nation's most 
beautiful historical parks.

                          ____________________