Political Quotes

“I thank the gentleman for yielding and appreciate his tireless leadership in leading this appropriation subcommittee's work and ensuring our Nation's lands and parks are funded and protected. I rise today, Mr. Chairman, under concern for a true national treasure that is in St. Augustine, Florida. It is the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument. In fact, actually 14 years ago, work began on a project to create a visitors center at the Castillo, which doesn't really have any facilities for more than 1.4 million visitors each year to that location. In fact, in Florida, it is the second highest visited National Park location, second only to the Everglades National Park. They have been struggling over the years to keep pace and make the visit meaningful and educational for those who visit. We also know that at Fort Sumter and also at Fort McHenry, which actually fewer numbers of visitors, we have new visitors centers; but we don't have one in this location. Since the passage of this law some 12 years ago, the Department of the Interior and National Park Service have completed extensive and necessary studies. I think we have probably spent $1 million. I brought one of the drafts and some of the other reports.…”