Restore America’s Parks October 11, 2019 The Honorable Mitch McConnell The Honorable Nancy Pelosi Majority Leader Speaker of the House of Representatives United States Senate United States House of Representatives U.S. Capitol Building, Room S-230 U.S. Capitol Building, Room 232 Washington, DC 20510 Washington, DC 20510 Dear Leader McConnell and Speaker Pelosi: We are elected leaders of cities, towns, and counties that are adjacent to national park sites. The preservation of these sites is critical to the health of our local economies. That is why we urge you to advance legislation, S. 500 and H.R. 1225, that would dedicate federal funding for their repair. As you may know, the National Park System has a nearly $12 billion deferred maintenance backlog that affects the upkeep of historic artifacts and buildings, water systems, roads and trails, and many visitor facilities. As gateways to national parks, we understand first-hand the economic importance of sustaining these special places in ways that attract visitation and tourism. Our communities provide the lodging, gas, food establishments, and other amenities that tourists require before, during, and after their park visits. According to the National Park Service, in 2018, the 318 million visitors to national parks contributed more than $40 billion in national economic output, which supported 329,000 jobs. Those jobs are economic lifelines for many of our residents. We are proud neighbors and partners of America’s national parks and understand the important roles these places play in protecting and providing access to our natural and cultural heritage. We need to repair and maintain these cherished sites, not only for the economic benefits they supply, but to keep intact our National Park System, which historian Wallace Stegner called “America’s best idea.” Please provide your leadership in guiding S. 500 and H.R. 1225 through to final passage. Sincerely, Alaska Charlie Pierce, Mayor, Kenai Peninsula California Rochelle Nason, Mayor, Albany Margarita Rios, Mayor, Norwalk Lee Brand, Mayor, Fresno Barbara Coler, Mayor, Fairfax Pauline Cutter, Mayor, San Leandro Ann Morrison, Mayor, Larkspur Rochelle Pardue-Okimoto, Mayor, El Cerrito Lance Walker, Mayor, Greenfield Ken Carlson, Mayor, Pleasant Hills Reinette Senum, Mayor, Nevada City Susan Seaman, Mayor, Eureka Chuck Puckett, Mayor, Tustin Linda Northrup, Mayor, Agoura Hills Robert Moon, Mayor, Palm Springs John Mirisch, Mayor, Beverly Hills Randall Putz, Mayor, Big Bear Lake Catherine Blackespear, Mayor, Encinitas Megan Sahli-Wells, Mayor, Culver Paul McNamara, Mayor, Escondido Mary Salas, Mayor, Chula Vista Serge Dedina, Mayor, Imperial Beach Elizabeth Brekhus, Mayor, Ross Bill Widmer, Mayor, Atherton Ron Kott, Mayor, Rio Vista Harvey Rarback, Mayor, Half Moon Bay Ron Lander, Mayor, Coalinga Ian Bain, Mayor, Redwood City Frank Gonzalez, Mayor, Sanger Daniel Yost, Mayor, Woodside John Wilke, Mayor, Maricopa Elizabeth Patterson, Mayor, Benicia Megan Sahli-Wells, Mayor, Culver City Harry Price, Mayor, Fairfield Mary Casillas Salas, Mayor, Chula Vista Amy Harrington, Mayor, Sonoma Gleam Davis, Mayor, Santa Monica Greg Gomez, Mayor, Farmersville Heidi Harmon, Mayor, San Luis Obispo Brett Lee, Mayor, Davis Bob Link, Mayor, Visalia Naresh Solanki, Mayor, Cerritos Donald Sedwick, Mayor, Laguna Hills Todd Rogers, Mayor, Lakewood Tom Butt, Mayor, Richmond Martine Watkins, Mayor, Santa Cruz Robin Grundmeyer, Mayor, Norco Ron Lander, Mayor, Coalinga John Valdivia, Mayor, San Bernardino Frank Gonzalez, Mayor, Sanger Alejandra Sotelo-Solis, Mayor, National City John Wilke, Mayor, Maricopa John Dell 'Osso, Mayor, Cotati Colorado Mirabai Nagle, City Council, Boulder Sam Weaver, Mayor Pro Tem, Boulder Aaron Brockett, City Council, Boulder Mike Lavey, City Council, City of Cortez Cindy Carlisle, City Council, Boulder Suzanne “Zan” Jones, Mayor, Boulder Dave Bowman, Mayor, Montrose Lisa Morzel, City Council, Boulder James Langfelder, Mayor, Springfield Delaware Jeff Hall, Commissioner, Kent County Janet Kilpatrick, County Councilwoman, New William Hare, Council President, Dover Castle County David Carter, Council, New Castle County Matt Meyer, County Executive, New Castle Tim Sheldon, Council, New Castle County County Tim Slavin, Council, Dover Ted Becker, Mayor, Lewes Dee Durham, Council, New Castle County Robin Christiansen, Mayor, Dover Michael Purzycki, Mayor, Wilmington Iowa Ray Peterson, Chairman, Clayton County Board Terry L. 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