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JOINT RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM
WHEREAS, America's National Park System is a living testament to our citizens' valor and our nation's hardships, our victories and our traditions as Americans and has been called "America's best idea"; and
WHEREAS,  the National Park System preserves the diversity, culture and heritage of all Americans and serves as a living classroom for future generations; and
WHEREAS,  the National Park Service celebrated its centennial in 2016 and currently manages more than 400 nationally significant sites and an invaluable collection of more than 75,000 natural and cultural assets that span 84,000,000 acres across all 50 states, the District of Columbia and several United States territories and insular areas; and
WHEREAS,  the National Park Service's mission is to preserve unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education and inspiration of this and future generations; and
WHEREAS,  in 2016, the National Park System had more than 331,000,000 visits, more than 3,000,000 alone to Acadia National Park in Maine; and
WHEREAS,  it is estimated that in 2016 park visitors spent more than $18,400,000,000 at national park sites, including more than $275,000,000 in Maine's communities adjacent to Acadia National Park; and
WHEREAS,  the National Park Service has the obligation to preserve our nation's history, promote access to national parks for all citizens, stimulate revenue to sustain itself and nearby communities, educate the public about America's natural, cultural and historical resources and provide safe facilities and environs for the enjoyment of these resources; and
WHEREAS,  in 2016, the National Park Service estimated a deferred maintenance backlog of nearly $11,300,000,000, which includes repairs to aging historical structures, trails, sewers, drainage and thousands of miles of roads, bridges, tunnels and other vital infrastructure, more than $70,000,000 of which is in Maine; and
WHEREAS,  it is important that America's national parks be maintained to ensure our natural places and our history are preserved and documented for future generations and for the adjacent communities that rely on the direct and indirect economic benefits generated by visits to national park sites; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED: That We, the Members of the One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Legislature now assembled in the Second Regular Session, on behalf of the people we represent, take this opportunity to express our support for the creation of a reliable, predictable stream of resources to address deferred maintenance needs in America's National Park System, including Acadia National Park; and be it further
RESOLVED: That suitable copies of this resolution, duly authenticated by the Secretary of State, be transmitted to each Member of the Maine Congressional Delegation.