Alexander Lofgren Veterans in Parks (Vip) Act

Floor Speech

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Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues on the Natural Resources Committee, and I thank Representative Westerman for yielding me time to speak.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of my bill, H.R. 4300, the Alexander Lofgren Veterans in Parks Act. I was so proud to introduce this overwhelmingly bipartisan legislation with a fellow veteran, Congressman Gallego.

Our commonsense legislation would give our servicemembers, veterans, and Gold Star families free passes to all of our beautiful national parks and Federal lands for life. This is a reasonable piece of legislation that will support those who sacrifice so much for our liberties.

Our Nation is blessed to have some of the most beautiful national parks and public lands. Each year, millions of Americans access the more than 2,000 Federal recreation areas, including national parks, national forests, and wildlife refuges. This includes some of the Nation's most iconic national treasures, from Acadia National Park in Maine and the Dry Tortugas in Florida to the Redwood National and State Parks forest in California and the Gates of the Arctic in Alaska.

In 2020, the America the Beautiful annual pass became free for veterans and Gold Star families. However, this change for veterans has never been put into law and could be undone in future years.

My bill protects these veteran passes by codifying them into law and making them lifetime passes instead of annual passes that would have to be re-sent every year. Making these passes lifetime instead of annual also makes the job of the Park Service easier and ensures our veterans have full access to the benefits they so richly deserve.

Finally, my legislation also creates annual passes for current servicemembers, which can be converted into lifetime passes once they retire.

From sea to shining sea, we are a Nation of incredible beauty and biodiversity. Congress recognizes the mental and physical health benefits of outdoor recreation for current servicemembers and veterans. In fact, I think at our hearing, there was not a dry eye when Captain John Paluska spoke on behalf of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, as a 24-year Army veteran, I understand the sacrifices made by our military and their loved ones and believe that we must do whatever we can to honor these VIPs. My bill provides these Americans with free access to the land they have sacrificed to defend.

Our national parks are there for all of us. Getting outside into nature and enjoying our beautiful country provides an outlet and escape with mental and physical benefits. No one is more worthy of experiencing open access to these incredible places than the men and women who have fought to keep us free and the families who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Unfortunately, it is all too easy to pay lip service to the military's sacrifice but then not follow through with action to recognize their service. We can never fully repay our veterans for their service and their sacrifice, but we want to show our gratitude by giving them lifetime access to America's most beautiful landscapes.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to join in supporting my commonsense bill, H.R. 4300, the Alexander Lofgren Veterans in Parks Act.

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