John Muir Historic Site Expansion Act

Floor Speech

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Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

H.R. 1289 will authorize the National Park Service to expand the boundary of the John Muir National Historic Site and acquire, by donation, 44 acres of land from the Muir Heritage Land Trust. The donation will expand the site and help carry on Muir's important legacy of conservation and environmental stewardship.

John Muir is one of our Nation's most respected and revered ecologists. His writings have inspired millions, and his activism and advocacy led to the establishment of some of our first and most iconic national parks.

From the moment he set foot in Yosemite Valley, John Muir was consumed with its natural wonder and beauty. He became Yosemite's most vocal champion, but he didn't spend his whole life there.

From 1890 until his death in 1914, Muir lived on a farm not far from San Francisco. It was from this corner of the Bay Area that Muir cofounded the Sierra Club and helped lay the groundwork for a century of conservation.

Muir's tireless advocacy led to the creation of the Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks, and his spirit and enduring legacy led to the protection of much more.

Since he is known by some as the father of our national parks, I know he would be proud of all of our national parks today, especially as we are approaching the 100th anniversary of the National Park System.

My home State of Michigan has several beautiful national parks, including the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Isle Royale, and the River Raisin National Battlefield.

The passage of H.R. 1289 will contribute to John Muir's legacy, and it will help to protect and conserve the place where he found solace and inspiration in his later years.

I want to thank the bill's sponsor, my good friend Representative Mark DeSaulnier from California, for his leadership.

I urge the swift passage of this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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