[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 8]
[Senate]
[Page 10900]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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 SENATE RESOLUTION 484--RECOGNIZING AND HONORING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY 
             OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE YOSEMITE GRANT ACT

  Mrs. BOXER (for herself and Mrs. Feinstein) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 484

       Whereas Yosemite National Park is internationally renowned 
     as one of the most extraordinary examples of natural beauty, 
     splendor, and majesty, and is a showcase of spectacular 
     waterfalls, fantastic geologic history, and abundant wildlife 
     that has provided sanctuary, comfort, and inspiration to 
     humans for thousands of years;
       Whereas, on June 30, 1864, President Abraham Lincoln signed 
     the Act entitled ``An Act authorizing a Grant to the State of 
     California of the `Yo-Semite Valley' and of the Land 
     embracing the `Mariposa Big Tree Grove''', approved June 30, 
     1864 (commonly known as the Yosemite Grant) which--
       (1) for one of the first times in United States history set 
     aside land for enjoyment and protection for future 
     generations; and
       (2) demonstrated--during some of the bloodiest days of the 
     Civil War--the unique vision of the United States to protect 
     what would become one of the most cherished and iconic 
     national parks;
       Whereas with President Lincoln's action, this vision was 
     codified and marked Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove as the 
     seed of the conservation movement in what is now known as 
     ``America's Best Idea'';
       Whereas June 30, 1864, marks the birth of the national park 
     idea, the concept that has inspired over 400 National Park 
     units in the United States and hundreds of national parks 
     worldwide;
       Whereas the land surrounding Yosemite Valley and Mariposa 
     Grove was designated the 3rd national park on October 1, 
     1890, and Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove were added to 
     Yosemite National Park in 1906;
       Whereas the land preserved within Yosemite National Park is 
     part of the ancestral homeland of several American Indian 
     tribes and groups;
       Whereas Yosemite National Park was dedicated a World 
     Heritage Site in 1984 and has fostered sister park 
     relationships with national parks in foreign countries 
     including--
       (1) Huangshan National Park and Jiuzhaigou National Park in 
     China; and
       (2) Torres del Paine National Park in Chile;
       Whereas Yosemite National Park, a leader within the 
     National Park Service, is--
       (1) the first national park to open a museum;
       (2) the first national park to hire a female law 
     enforcement ranger;
       (3) the birthplace of rustic style architecture and of big 
     wall rock climbing;
       (4) the first national park to formally implement park 
     education and interpretation programs; and
       (5) the first national park to partner with a nonprofit 
     stewardship organization;
       Whereas Yosemite National Park receives over 4,000,000 
     visitors each year from around the world;
       Whereas Yosemite National Park is home to a variety of 
     natural resource features, containing--
       (1) wilderness areas encompassing 94 percent of the park's 
     acreage;
       (2) more than 800 miles of trails including the renowned 
     Pacific Crest Trail and John Muir Trail;
       (3) 2 federally designated wild and scenic rivers, the 
     Tuolumne River and the Merced River;
       (4) the largest intact subalpine meadow complex in the 
     Sierra Nevada; and
       (5) 30 properties and districts listed on the National 
     Register of Historic Places and 5 National Historic 
     Landmarks;
       Whereas Yosemite National Park continues to embody amazing 
     opportunities for recreation and public enjoyment in one of 
     the most amazing natural physical landscapes in the world; 
     and
       Whereas the preservation of Yosemite National Park is a 
     testament to the commitment and determination of many 
     dedicated people and institutions over the past 150 years: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes and honors the 150th anniversary of the 
     establishment of the Act entitled ``An Act authorizing a 
     Grant to the State of California of the `Yo-Semite Valley' 
     and of the Land embracing the `Mariposa Big Tree Grove''', 
     approved June 30, 1864 (commonly known as the Yosemite Grant) 
     (referred to in this resolving clause as the ``Yosemite Grant 
     Act'') on June 30, 2014; and
       (2) encourages the people of the United States to observe 
     and honor the 150th anniversary of the establishment of the 
     Yosemite Grant Act.

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