WHEREAS,  Sieur de Monts National Monument was created by proclamation of President Woodrow Wilson in 1916 and was renamed Lafayette National Park in 1919 and Acadia National Park in 1929; and

WHEREAS,  Acadia National Park is Maine's only national park and was established to ensure that Maine's natural and cultural heritage, including its rocky coastline, granite mountains, clean water, diverse plants and wildlife and enduring Wabanaki and European histories, is protected and recognized within the National Park System as a part of America's heritage; and

WHEREAS,  Acadia National Park is one of Maine's most popular outdoor destinations, with over 2,500,000 visitors annually; and

WHEREAS,  Acadia National Park has inspired generations of outdoor enthusiasts to appreciate Maine's natural and historic wonders; and

WHEREAS,  Acadia National Park has been named by national public polls as "America's Favorite Place" and is identified as a top destination for hiking, scenic driving and family vacations; and

WHEREAS,  visitors to Acadia National Park spent more than $221,000,000 in Maine during their visits in 2014, supporting almost 3,500 jobs and generating more than $91,000,000 in labor income and $154,000,000 in value-added expenditures in Maine; and

WHEREAS,  more than 250 Maine organizations, businesses and individuals have joined together to plan and implement a community-based, year-long, statewide celebration of Acadia National Park's founding with an eye toward encouraging the next century of stewardship of Maine's beloved national park; now, therefore, be it