{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://ciscomani.house.gov/media/press-releases/ciscomani-reintroduces-bill-designate-chiricahua-national-park", "Ciscomani Reintroduces Bill to Designate Chiricahua National Park", "2025-12-11", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "Juan Ciscomani", "C001133", "ciscomani.house.gov", "ciscomani", "https://ciscomani.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON - Congressman Juan Ciscomani reintroduced his legislation to officially designate Chiricahua National Monument as Chiricahua National Park, reaffirming Arizona\u2019s commitment to protecting one of the state\u2019s most iconic natural treasures while boosting tourism and economic opportunity for Southeastern Arizona.\n\n\u201cChiricahua is one of Arizona\u2019s true gems \u2014 a place with incredible natural beauty, rich cultural history, and deep meaning for the communities surrounding it,\u201d said Congressman Ciscomani. \u201cUpgrading the monument to a national park will strengthen its national profile, support local jobs, and bring even more visitors to Cochise County and the surrounding region. I\u2019m proud to lead this bipartisan effort once again and continue moving this across the finish line.\u201d\n\nIn January 2024, Rep. Ciscomani visited and hiked Chiricahua to meet with staff, see the monument\u2019s trails firsthand, and highlight the importance of expanding Arizona\u2019s national park presence. A video from that visit can be viewed HERE.\n\nKnown as the \u201cWonderland of Rocks,\u201d Chiricahua National Monument attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. National park status would elevate its visibility, strengthen funding opportunities, and promote long-term conservation efforts\u2014all while honoring the history of the Chiricahua Apache and the region\u2019s unique landscape.\n\n\u201cThis change is long overdue, and it\u2019s an exciting opportunity to spotlight Southeastern Arizona on a national stage,\u201d Ciscomani added. \u201cI will keep working with my colleagues in both parties to advance this bill and make Chiricahua National Park a reality.\u201d\n\nCiscomani\u2019s bill has received strong support from local stakeholders, conservation groups, and community leaders throughout Southeastern Arizona who recognize the benefit a national park designation would bring to the region\u2019s rural economies.\n\nOn December 11th, 2025, Ciscomani testified in support of this legislation at a House Natural Resources Legislative hearing. The bill now advances to the full Natural Resources Committee for a vote before moving on to the full House for consideration.\n\nWatch Congressman Ciscomani\u2019s testimony from today HERE.\n\nClea McCaa, Mayor, City of Sierra Vista:\n\n\"The Chiricahua Mountains are a globally unique landscape, boasting awe-inspiring volcanic formations and extraordinary biodiversity. This natural treasure deserves the recognition and prestige of national park status, which would also honor its deep cultural significance as the homeland of the Chiricahua Apache and a gateway to the Southwest.\"\n\nGreg Hancock, Mayor, City of Willcox:\n\n\u201cAs the Mayor of Willcox and a small-business owner, I can tell you firsthand that redesignating the Chiricahuas as a National Park would be transformational. Tourism isn\u2019t just helpful to our community \u2014 it\u2019s essential. A National Park designation would bring more visitors, support local jobs, and strengthen the entire economy of rural Arizona.\"\n\nMelany, CEO, Sky Island Regional Partnership (SIRP):\n\n\u201cTransforming Chiricahua into a National Park honors the historic and environmental legacy of our region and serves to strengthen both conservation and the tourism economy in Cochise County. Congressman Ciscomani\u2019s leadership on this effort reflects his strong commitment to our community, and we are proud to support it.\u201d\n\nMatthew Nelson, Executive Director, Arizona Trail Association:\n\n\u201cChiricahua contains some of the greatest natural wonders in Baja Arizona. Having a National Park and a National Scenic Trail in Cochise County is going to have a profoundly positive impact on our rural communities. The Arizona Trail Association fully supports Congressman Ciscomani\u2019s bill, and we look forward to working with our local partners to make this long-awaited dream a reality.\u201d\n\nCamilla Simon, Executive Director, HECHO:\n\n\u201cHECHO proudly supports the Chiricahua National Park Act, a bill introduced by Representative Juan Ciscomani, which would designate the Chiricahua National Monument as Chiricahua National Park. Its stunning rock formations attract hikers, campers, birders, and families from Arizona and beyond. This designation would enhance conservation protections of this breathtaking landscape, increase tourism, maintain Tribal access, and boost the outdoor recreation economy in Southern Arizona, supporting local jobs and small businesses in Cochise County.\u201d\n\nBackground\n\nChiricahua National Monument was established in 1924 and spans more than 12,000 acres in Cochise County.\n\nThe legislation would not change land management practices or existing uses.\n\nThe proposal has enjoyed bipartisan support in previous Congresses.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://ciscomani.house.gov/media/press-releases/ciscomani-reintroduces-bill-designate-chiricahua-national-park"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.7196713015437126, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}