Sheila Jackson Lee: “As a member of the Committee on Natural Resources, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1719, the ``John Muir National…”

“As a member of the Committee on Natural Resources, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1719, the ``John Muir National Historic Site Expansion Act,'' authorizing the Department of the Interior to acquire an additional 44 acres of land to expand the John Muir National Historic Site, which currently stretches across 330 acres in the East Bay of San Francisco and includes the home where legendary naturalist John Muir lived until he died in 1914. The John Muir National Historic Site, established by Congress in 1964, is located in Martinez, California and honor one of the nation's foremost conservationists, whom historians refer to as the ``Father of the National Park Service.'' The historic site preserves the 14-room Italianate Victorian mansion where the naturalist and writer John Muir lived, as well as a nearby 325 acre tract of native oak woodlands and grasslands historically owned by the Muir family. H.R. 1719 authorizes the Department of the Interior to acquire by donation approximately 44 acres to expand the boundary of John Muir National Historic Site. The acreage to be acquired is directly continuous with Mount Wanda and will allow for better public access to trails. In the 114th Congress, H.R. 1289, a bill identical to H.R. 1719, passed the House by voice vote. Additionally, a similar bill, H.R. 5699, was introduced in the 113th Congress by former Congressman George Miller, and passed the House by a vote of 361-39. Companion legislation, S.…”