OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Executive Session

Floor Speech

Date: April 23, 2018
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Arts, Entertainment, and History

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Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, today marks the start of National Park Week.

As a fifth-generation Montanan and as someone who grew up in Bozeman--in fact, Mom and Dad moved there in 1964, just a short drive from America's first national park, Yellowstone--I am very excited to take this opportunity to celebrate the parks that are so very special to so many because, in Montana, hiking, backpacking, fishing, and white water rafting are a way of life.

I grew up spending as much time outdoors as possible, and I continue that tradition with my children today. In fact, my idea of a great time in August is to take our dogs, as many of our kids as we can get together--according to their schedules anymore--and take our backpacks and spend several days together in enjoying Montana's outdoors. As a father, I am grateful to share these experiences with our four children and instill in them a love for the outdoors. Frankly, what better place to do that and enjoy the outdoors than in our national parks.

While Montana is privileged to have two world-famous national parks in Glacier and Yellowstone, national parks are the pride of so many States from Florida to Colorado, to Maine.

Speaking of Maine, I am very glad to have partnered with my colleague from Maine in leading this week, as well as with an additional 26 of our colleagues around the country, supporting this resolution. I am pleased we will have the opportunity to recognize the tremendous value our national parks bring to so many.

As this week begins, I have one challenge for everyone. I challenge you to find time in your schedules and visit a national park. Our national parks are what make us distinctly American. In fact, you can go to findyourpark.com and find the closest park to you. I hope to see all of you out there sometime this year.

With that, I would like to turn it over to my colleague and my friend, the former Governor of Maine and now the Senator of Maine, Angus King, who joins me in leading National Park Week.

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