Recognizing 50 Years of the Land and Water Conservation Fund

Floor Speech

Ms. PINGREE of Maine. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues in honoring the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).

The Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1964 was established to assist federal, state and local governments in their efforts to create and sustain public outdoor recreation facilities.

LWCF success stories have taken place in every state in the Nation. My home state of Maine alone has received $40 million in grants for federal grant program projects since 1965. The program has helped preserve some of Maine's most treasured spaces--including the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge, Acadia National Park, the Saint Croix Island International Historic Site, and the Appalachian National Scenic Trail--as well as many more nationwide.

As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I will continue to fight for the full funding of the LWCF so that it can continue the great work it has been doing for the past 50 years. And I raise my voice along with those of others who are calling for a reauthorization of this important legislation.

Again, my sincere thanks go to the thousands of people across the country who work to make the LWCF a success. It is my honor to congratulate them and the LWCF program on this important milestone.

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