Commemorates the 75th anniversary of the dedication of Shenandoah National Park.
Acknowledges the historic and enduring scenic, recreational, and economic value of this unique national treasure.
[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 62 Introduced in House (IH)]
112th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. CON. RES. 62
To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the dedication of Shenandoah
National Park.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 23, 2011
Mr. Goodlatte (for himself, Mr. Wolf, Mr. Moran, Mr. Wittman, Mr. Scott
of Virginia, and Mr. Connolly of Virginia) submitted the following
concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Natural
Resources
_______________________________________________________________________
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the dedication of Shenandoah
National Park.
Whereas this historical milestone for Shenandoah National Park corresponds with
the Civil War sesquicentennial, enriching the heritage of both the
Commonwealth of Virginia and our Nation;
Whereas, in the early to mid-1920s, with the efforts of the citizen-driven
Shenandoah Valley, Inc., and the Shenandoah National Park Association,
the congressionally appointed Southern Appalachian National Park
Committee recommended that Congress authorize the establishment of a
national park in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia for the purposes
of uniting the western national park experience to the populated eastern
seaboard;
Whereas, in 1935, the U.S. Secretary of the Interior, Harold Ickes accepted the
land deeds from the Commonwealth of Virginia and, on July 3, 1936,
President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated Shenandoah National Park ``to
this and to succeeding generations for the recreation and re-creation
they would find'';
Whereas the Appalachian Mountains extend through 200,000 acres of the Shenandoah
National Park and borders eight Virginia counties of Albemarle, Augusta,
Greene, Madison, Page, Rappahannock, Rockingham, and Warren;
Whereas the Shenandoah National Park is home to a diverse ecosystem of 103 rare
and endangered species, 1,405 plant species, 51 mammal species, 36 fish
species, 26 reptile species, 23 amphibian species, and more than 200
bird species;
Whereas the proximity of the Shenandoah National Park to heavily populated
areas, including the Nation's capital, promotes regional travel and
tourism in partnership with its gateway communities, providing thousands
of jobs and contributing millions of dollars to the economic vitality of
the region;
Whereas the Shenandoah National Park, rich with recreational opportunities,
offers 520 miles of hiking trails, 200 miles of which are designated
horse trails and 101 miles of which are part of the 2,175-mile
Appalachian National Historic Trail; over 90 fishable streams; four
campgrounds; seven picnic areas; three lodges; six backcountry cabins;
and an extensive, rugged backcountry open to wilderness camping to the
millions of people who annually visit the park;
Whereas the park protects significant cultural resources including a National
Historic Landmark (Rapidan Camp, once a summer retreat for President
Herbert Hoover); a Historic District (all of Skyline Drive) listed on
the National Register of Historic Places; a structure (Massanutten
Lodge) individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places;
360 buildings and structures included on the List of Classified
Structures; 577 significant, recorded archaeological sites, 11 of which
are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and more than
100 historic cemeteries;
Whereas Congress named ten battlefields in the Shenandoah Valley for
preservation in the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic
District and Commission Act of 1996 and the Shenandoah National Park, an
integral partner in this endeavor, provides visitors with outstanding
views of strategic locations vital to the Civil War legacy in their
pristine, natural landscapes;
Whereas the Shenandoah National Park protects both tangible and intangible
resources, including the heritage of the American people through the
rigorous commitments of the Civilian Conservation Corps and the
advancement of Civil Rights as Shenandoah's ``separate but equal''
facilities became the first to desegregate in Virginia;
Whereas, on October 20, 1975, Congress passed legislation designating 79,579
acres within the Shenandoah National Park's boundaries as wilderness
under the 1964 Wilderness Act and the 1975 Eastern Wilderness Act which
protects the wilderness character of the lands ``for the permanent good
of the whole people;''; and
Whereas this exemplary National Park unit deserves the support of Congress to
preserve the ecological and cultural integrity, maintain the
infrastructure, and protect the famously scenic views of the Shenandoah
Valley: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring),
That Congress--
(1) commemorates the 75th anniversary of the dedication of
Shenandoah National Park; and
(2) acknowledges the historic and enduring scenic,
recreational, and economic value of this unique national
treasure.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1190)
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
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