Erik Paulsen: “I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I want to thank him for his leadership, as well as Chairman Hensarling and all…”

“I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I want to thank him for his leadership, as well as Chairman Hensarling and all the staff on the Financial Services Committee for bringing this legislation forward. I also want to mention my partner in this effort, Congresswoman Kaptur, for her efforts in promoting this legislation. Mr. Speaker, President Teddy Roosevelt said: There can be nothing in the world more beautiful than the Yosemite, the groves of the giant sequoias and redwoods, the canyon of the Colorado, the canyon of the Yellowstone, the three Tetons; and our people should see to it that they are preserved for their children and their children's children forever, with their majestic beauty all unmarred. His leadership and tireless advocacy for conservation led to the creation of the National Park Service and System back in 1916. Today, the National Park Service comprises over 401 different areas, covering more than 84 million acres across America, including territories like in American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. These areas include some of our most cherished monuments, battlefields, lakeshores, recreation areas, pristine rivers, and pristine falls. Minnesota is host to five national parks who are visited by more than 650,000 visitors each and every year, contributing $34 million to our local economy.…”