Louie Gohmert: “Mr. Speaker, while H.R. 189 went through both a hearing and a full committee, but not subcommittee, markup, several…”

“Mr. Speaker, while H.R. 189 went through both a hearing and a full committee, but not subcommittee, markup, several issues have gone unresolved. The National Park Service conducted a study as requested by this body to determine whether the Great Falls Historic District in Paterson, New Jersey, should become a national park. The study concluded that the area did not meet the criteria for inclusion in the National Park System. Now, if we entrust the National Park Service with the management of our own crown jewels, then why are we ignoring their expert judgment that this should not be a national park? I remind my colleagues that we requested the park service to tell us what should be done here. I recognize also it is our responsibility and our right as the legislative branch to decide what will become a national park regardless of what the park service tells us. There are times when it is necessary to disagree with them. However, in this case, we do not even know what the costs are. We don't know, nor does the park service have any idea, how it would manage the area. That is what we asked them to tell us and they are not in a position to do that at this time. Now, the park service has already got a full plate and a billion dollar maintenance backlog. They are not even keeping up with and taking care of the parks that have been entrusted to them.”