[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15405]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


      IN HONOR OF THE 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK

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                          HON. TOM McCLINTOCK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 29, 2015

  Mr. McCLINTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, on behalf of myself and 
Mr. Costa, to honor the 125th anniversary of Yosemite National Park.
  October 1, 2015 marks 125 years since President Benjamin Harrison 
signed the legislation establishing our third national park. This law 
preserved over 1,500 square miles for the public use, resort, and 
recreation of the American people for all time. Indeed, approximately 
275 million people enjoy the majesty of the park annually.
  The creation of Yosemite National Park added Tuolumne Meadows, the 
park's high country, Hetch Hetchy, and lands surrounding Yosemite 
Valley to those areas already protected by the Yosemite Grant Act of 
1864.
  Yosemite offers a vast expanse of natural beauty. This national 
treasure encompasses the iconic Half Dome and El Capitan, numerous 
waterfalls, deep valleys, grand meadows, ancient sequoias, and a vast 
array of recreational opportunities. Park visitors have the opportunity 
to explore an extensive trail system, camp at 13 different sites, bike, 
bird watch, fish in a number of streams and rivers, horseback ride, 
rock climb, swim, kayak, and raft. Yosemite is also home to the largest 
intact subalpine meadow complex in the Sierra Nevada, 30 properties and 
districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and five 
National Historic Landmarks.
  Mr. Speaker, Yosemite National Park is undoubtedly one of the most 
extraordinary features of our national landscape. I hope that 
generations to come will be able to enjoy its many wonders.

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