Erik Paulsen: “I want to thank Chairman McKeon and Ranking Member Smith for their work on the NDAA. I also want to thank Chairman…”

“I want to thank Chairman McKeon and Ranking Member Smith for their work on the NDAA. I also want to thank Chairman Hastings and Ranking Member DeFazio for their work on the Public Lands portion of the bill. Included in this bipartisan, bicameral legislation is my bill to allow the Department of Treasury to authorize the minting of a series of commemorative coins to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the National Park Service in 2016. Our national parks are America's crown jewels and our greatest natural resources that deserve to be celebrated and preserved, so future generations can enjoy the beauty and history of our country. Today, the National Park Service comprises 401 areas, covering more than 84 million acres in every state, DC, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Minnesota is home to 5 national parks that are visited by more than 650,000 people each year and they contribute $34 million to the economy. I grew up in a family that often vacationed in our National Parks. And I've carried on this tradition with my four daughters and wife, where we enjoy camping, hiking, fishing and seeing America's beauty. Just this past August we camped in Glacier National Park--one of the girls' favorites.…”