{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://kilmer.house.gov/news/press-releases/kilmer-applauds-passage-of-bill-to-increase-investments-in-national-parks-", "Kilmer Applauds Passage of Bill to Increase Investments in National Parks", "2016-12-08", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Derek Kilmer", "K000381", "kilmer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.08.16\n\t\t\t Kilmer Applauds Passage of Bill to Increase Investments in National Parks  \n\t\t\tWashington, D.C. \u2013\u00a0Today, Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) applauded House passage of a bill to increase investments in our national park system. The bipartisan\u00a0National Park Service Centennial Act\u00a0would allow critical projects to move forward that can enhance the experience of visitors to the national park system. The legislation now moves to the Senate for passage before heading to the President\u2019s desk.\u00a0\r\nThe year 2016 marked the National Park Service\u2019s centennial. The\u00a0Olympic National Park\u00a0encompasses nearly one million acres of Washington state and protects 73 miles of Pacific coastline. A study conducted by the National Park Service found that in 2014 alone,\u00a0Olympic National Park\u00a0visitors supported 3,500 local jobs.\r\n\u201cThere wasn't a summer of my childhood that didn't involve family trips up Hurricane Ridge or visits to the Hoh Rainforest or other trips in Olympic National Park. \u00a0It's\u00a0an iconic place where folks can take in the great outdoors,\u201d\u00a0said Kilmer.\u00a0\u201cIt also is a driver of our economy, creating a positive impact on employers and their workers. With that in mind, we need to ensure our parks are getting the maintenance and resources they need to continue providing amazing experiences for visitors. I\u2019m proud to support this bipartisan bill that ensures that our parks enjoy another successful 100 years.\u201d\u00a0\r\nThe bill that passed the House today creates the National Park Centennial Challenge Fund, supporting public-private partnerships that will go toward key projects to build, maintain, and provide new educational resources for the parks. It also encourages volunteers to help out in the system by authorizing the Volunteers in the Parks program.\r\nFor President Obama\u2019s last State of the Union address Kilmer invited Sarah Creachbaum, Superintendent of\u00a0Olympic National Park. The National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) has also recognized Kilmer with the Friend of the National Parks Award for his support of national parks in Congress. \u00a0 \n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "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://kilmer.house.gov/news/press-releases/kilmer-applauds-passage-of-bill-to-increase-investments-in-national-parks-"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.5233471058309078, "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"}