[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Pages 4962-4963]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

                                 ______
                                 

  SENATE RESOLUTION 435--DESIGNATING MAY 21, 2016, AS ``KIDS TO PARKS 
                                 DAY''

  Mr. WYDEN (for himself, Mr. Hatch, Mr. Booker, Mr. Heinrich, Mrs. 
Feinstein, Ms. Hirono, and Mr. Alexander) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 435

       Whereas the sixth annual Kids to Parks Day will be 
     celebrated on May 21, 2016;
       Whereas the goals of Kids to Parks Day are to promote 
     healthy outdoor recreation and environmental stewardship, 
     empower young people, and encourage families to get outdoors 
     and visit the parks and public land of the United States;
       Whereas, on Kids to Parks Day, individuals from rural and 
     urban areas of the United States can be reintroduced to the 
     splendid national, State, and neighborhood parks located in 
     their communities;
       Whereas communities across the United States offer a 
     variety of natural resources and public land, often with free 
     access, to individuals seeking outdoor recreation;
       Whereas the people of the United States, young and old, 
     should be encouraged to lead more healthy and active 
     lifestyles;
       Whereas Kids to Parks Day is an opportunity for families to 
     take a break from their busy lives and come together for a 
     day of active, wholesome fun; and
       Whereas Kids to Parks Day will broaden an appreciation for 
     nature and the outdoors in young people, foster a safe 
     setting for independent play and healthy adventure in 
     neighborhood parks, and facilitate self-reliance while 
     strengthening communities: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates May 21, 2016, as ``Kids to Parks Day'';
       (2) recognizes the importance of outdoor recreation and the 
     preservation of open spaces to the health and education of 
     the young people of the United States; and
       (3) encourages the people of the United States to observe 
     the day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and 
     activities.

  Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, today I am submitting a resolution to 
designate May 21, 2016, as Kids to Parks Day.
  From the Painted Hills to Crater Lake and from Mt. Hood to the Oregon 
Caves, nature has given Oregon many wondrous treasures in every corner 
of my State. As a whole, Oregon boasts some of the most beautiful 
landscapes, varied ecosystems, and unrivaled outdoor recreation 
opportunities in the nation. Given Oregon's unmatched scenery, enjoying 
the outdoors is imbedded in the DNA of Oregonians, and opportunities to 
get outside and enjoy our treasures brings in visitors from all over 
the world.

[[Page 4963]]

  Kids to Parks Day builds on Oregon's outdoor culture, inspiring 
children and families to spend time together, enjoy nature and parks, 
and recreate on public lands across the country. Over 70,000 people 
have pledged to participate in this year's Kids to Parks Day, and over 
200 cities have proclaimed May 21 as the day in which to celebrate 
Those who choose to celebrate Kids to Parks Day will find that 
communities all across the country offer a variety of natural resources 
and public lands--often with free access--that promote healthy outdoor 
recreation and empower young people to become stewards of the 
environment.
  I am pleased to be joined on this resolution by my colleague from 
Utah, Senator Orrin Hatch, who has worked with me over the years to 
promote healthy recreation.
  This resolution promotes the values of healthy outdoor recreation and 
environmental stewardship, for kids of all ages, by encouraging them to 
get outside and visit local parks and public lands. Research shows that 
outdoor recreation has positive impacts on children's performance in 
school and their overall health. In addition, when kids have a 
connection to nature, they are more likely to get involved in efforts 
to preserve public lands for future generations of young 
conservationists.
  This resolution--designating Kids to Parks Day--is about more than 
just one day of recreation. It is about promoting the year-round use of 
parks and public lands by kids and their families. While National Parks 
are the crown jewels of this country's parks system, State and 
neighborhood parks serve as important year-round conduits to the 
outdoors, attracting the everyday dog walker, jogger, and birdwatcher. 
Neighborhood parks are easily accessible, and can broaden the 
appreciation for nature and the outdoors in young people, while 
fostering a safe setting for healthy adventure. Local parks and the 
miles of trails on Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management land, 
not to mention the widely-used reservoirs managed by the Army Corps of 
Engineers, are the backbone that supports recreation and access to 
public lands all across the country.
  Kids to Parks Day recognizes the significance of all open spaces and 
the need to preserve these areas for the health and education of young 
people. Today, I am pleased to celebrate the importance of our public 
lands and the importance of recreation. I want to take this time to 
encourage children and their families to spend time in the outdoors and 
celebrate Kids to Parks Day on Saturday, May 21, 2016.

                          ____________________