Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi

I applaud my colleague from California, Representative Lantos, for championing the expansion of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in San Mateo County. This bill would add close to five thousand acres to the park, including Rancho Corral de Tierra, one of the largest undeveloped properties on the San Francisco Peninsula and one of the few remaining ranchos from the era of Spanish land grants.

This acquisition, conducted through a public-private partnership, will allow the park service to protect spectacular views, three complete watersheds, and habitat of rare and endangered species and plants.

Of great importance for the future of the park, S. 941 also reauthorizes the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and Point Reyes National Seashore Advisory Commission. The Commission was established thirty years ago to provide for the free exchange of ideas between the National Park Service and the public, and it has ably carried out this mission.

I wish to acknowledge and thank all the members of the Commission for their dedicated service to the GGNRA and public, with special thanks to Chairman Richard Bartke and Vice Chair Amy Meyer. The GGNRA is one of the most complex parks in the country, and its diversity and vibrancy is due in no small part to the efforts of the Advisory Commission.

I look forward to working with Rep. Lantos, my colleagues on the Resources Committee, and my colleagues in the Senate to ensure that this bill is signed into law before Congress adjourns this year. Thank you.