Raúl Grijalva: “the Act of August 25th, 1916, more commonly referred to as the National Park Service Organic Act, states that, ``there…”

“the Act of August 25th, 1916, more commonly referred to as the National Park Service Organic Act, states that, ``there is hereby created in the Department of the Interior a service to be called the National Park Service, which shall be under the charge of a director, who shall be appointed by the President.'' Since 1916, the National Park Service created by the Organic Act has grown to include 22,000 people, conserving and interpreting 391 units in a National Park System that will welcome more than 270 million visitors this year. Our National Parks are a source of enormous pride for millions of Americans and examples for the world regarding the conservation of places and resources which make a Nation and a people unique. And of course, Madam Chairman, much of the credit for the tremendous success of the National Park idea is due to the professionalism, commitment and expertise of the men and women working for the NPS. As the centennial of the Organic Act approaches, there is consensus-- among policy-makers and the American people--that this 100th anniversary must be viewed as an opportunity to recommit ourselves to building a stronger, more diverse, better trained and better equipped National Park Service.”