[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17768]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MISSISSIPPI NATIONAL RIVER AND 
                            RECREATION AREA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 20, 2013

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor National Park 
Service staff, volunteers and partners of the Mississippi National 
River and Recreation Area (MNRRA) on the 25th anniversary of its 
establishment as a national park. This 72-mile park corridor, winding 
northwest to southeast through the Saint Paul-Minneapolis metropolitan 
area, crosses some of the most naturally, culturally, economically and 
nationally significant areas in the United States. It is the only 
national park dedicated exclusively to the Mississippi River.
  The late Congressman Bruce Vento (D-MN-04) provided the vision and 
legislative sponsorship that led to the creation of the park in 1988. 
It is a true honor to have called Bruce a friend. He was a dedicated 
environmental advocate, and his leadership helped forge a uniquely new 
kind of national park--a partnership park. The National Park Service 
owns little of the land within MNRRA, but works seamlessly with local 
governments, state agencies, non-profits, businesses, educational 
institutions and individuals to protect our precious lands and 
resources along the Mississippi River in the Twin Cities.
  As the lifelong home of Congressman Vento, it is fitting that Saint 
Paul is the base of park operations. Both the headquarters as well as 
the visitor center in the Science Museum of Minnesota are nestled 
alongside the river in downtown Saint Paul. Despite being in the center 
of a busy urban area, this stretch of the upper Mississippi River is 
teeming with life, providing food and shelter for countless birds, fish 
and mammals. The very symbol of America--the bald eagle--is well 
represented in the park with one of the largest nesting populations in 
the country.
  The Mississippi National River and Recreation Area offers beautiful 
trails and scenic landscapes for people to enjoy in the heart of the 
Twin Cities. Some of the most important sites in our history are 
located here--Fort Snelling, Saint Anthony Falls and the confluence of 
the Mississippi with the Minnesota River. Even before settlers 
dispossessed this land in the 1800s, original Mdewakanton Dakota living 
here considered this their Eden, the center of the world.
  The Mississippi National River Recreation Area is truly a park that 
brings history, science and recreation together. No better example is 
the success of the Urban Wilderness Canoe Adventure--a special 
partnership between the National Park Service, local schools, 
nonprofits, businesses and many others--that is providing an 
opportunity for 10,000 urban youth each year to experience the river 
from voyageur canoes. Students learn about the river and its special 
significance through direct ``hands on the canoe paddle'' experience.
  While it is still relatively new by national park standards, it is an 
honor to celebrate this major milestone. Mr. Speaker, please join me in 
paying tribute to the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the 
Mississippi National River and Recreation Area.

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