Published July 1994 — Download PDF of the original newspaper column
Byrd's-Eye View By U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd National Gems
West Virginia's Harpers Ferry National Historical Park is celebrating an important anniversary this year-- its 50th birthday. To mark that event, I participated in a dedication ceremony early this summer for the Park's latest additions -- namely, the John Brown Museum and the Industrial Museum. As I spoke that day in Harpers Ferry, I was struck by the number of families who had gathered to enjoy the celebration and the park's many exhibits, and I felt gratified that the renovations and improvements at the Harpers Ferry facility had been made possible by nearly $30 million in federal funding that I had obtained over the past 15 years. In a larger sense, Harpers Ferry -- which, according to National Park Service officials, last year drew 375,000 visitors who pumped over $30 million into the local economy -- is one in a strand of National Park pearls that stretches across our country, standing as a prime example of the 'benefits offered by our system of federally supported parks. American writer Wallace Stegner said, "National Parks are the best idea we ever had. Absolutely American -- absolutely democratic. They reflect us at our best ....'' Our National Parks represent much of what is great in our country: They preserve our natural wonders, provide a place for recreation and peaceful reflection away from the stresses of our daily lives, and educate us about our history, advancing our understanding of the past in order to prepare us for the future. Indeed, investments in our park system are investments in the future, and if we want the benefits which we derive from the parks to be available to our children, our children's children, and generations beyond, we must continue to preserve and protect these valuable resources. In addition to Harpers Ferry, West Virginia is blessed with a number of park system units and facilities -- among them the New River Gorge National River, the Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge, and the proposed Wheeling National Heritage Area and Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge -- that bring to our state hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. These facilities not only enrich the lives of people who visit them, but they also expand economic opportunities in the communities in which they are located. As chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I have worked hard to maintain and improve not only West Virginia's national parks and facilities, but also the park areas across our nation which annually draw millions of men, women, and children. Our National Parks are gems that merit careful polishing, and I am committed to continuing my efforts to make needed investments in our National Park system. July 27, 1994