Mark Souder: “first let me speak to the underlying bill, which I strongly support and have supported since its introduction in the…”

“first let me speak to the underlying bill, which I strongly support and have supported since its introduction in the Congress. Ronald Reagan was not only an inspiration in my life, but many others. His speech for Barry Goldwater is what inspired me to get interested in politics when I was 14 years old. He inspired the bulk of the young conservatives, the middle-aged conservatives, and the older conservatives in America to a philosophy of government. To many of us, he stands as our conservative hero, much like Franklin Roosevelt is for liberals. Therefore, it is important that we recognize his sites and his importance to a strong political movement in America, not just some of his later sites, but also his early birth sites. For Teddy Roosevelt, we have multiple sites in the Park Service, for Franklin Roosevelt and for Abraham Lincoln and for others on the Mall. It is important that we have recognition for Ronald Reagan as one of those pillars of leadership in American history. Ronald Reagan's roots are in the Midwest, much like Abraham Lincoln's; and as a member of the Subcommittee on National Parks, Recreation and Public Lands, among many Westerners, let me add a concern that I have. The National Park Service has consistently opposed anything that has come up from the Midwest.”