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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2019 - 2020
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | March 14, 2019 12:25 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Matthew D. Dowling |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Resolution-Funding of Deferred Maintenance in National Parks |
| In the near future, I will be introducing a resolution that encourages the United States Congress to address the funding of deferred maintenance in our national parks, which includes 18 National Park System sites located in Pennsylvania. Currently, there is a deferred maintenance backlog of over $11.6 billion in the United States, which includes the approximately $298 million at the sites in Pennsylvania. This backlog includes crumbling bridges and roadways, unsound building, outdated wastewater and electrical systems, neglected military sites, and deteriorating monuments and memorials. In some instances, the deterioration is so great that certain areas in these national parks are closed to the public due to safety concerns, which leads to decreased attendance. In 2017, over 10 million visitors enjoyed our national parks in Pennsylvania. From Fort Necessity to Gettysburg to the Upper Delaware River, Pennsylvania saw over $478 million in gateway communities. That spending supported 7,473 jobs and added a cumulative benefit of $691 million to our economy, money that helps businesses, schools, and families. In addition to the economic benefit provided by those visiting the parks and the jobs they support; the funding of deferred maintenance will also create jobs across Pennsylvania as people are employed to provide these necessary repairs and upgrades in the national parks. Please join me in cosponsoring this resolution to call upon Congress to support our national parks. |
Introduced as HR251