Recognizing and honoring the 150th anniversary of the establishment of the Yosemite Grant Act.

Recognizing and honoring the 150th anniversary of the establishment of the Yosemite Grant Act. Whereas Yosemite National Park is internationally renowned as one of the most extraordinary examples of natural beauty, splendor, and majesty, and is a showcase of spectacular waterfalls, fantastic geologic history, and abundant wildlife that has provided sanctuary, comfort, and inspiration to humans for thousands of years; Whereas, on June 30, 1864, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Act entitled An Act authorizing a Grant to the State of California of the Yo-Semite Valley Mariposa Big Tree Grove (1) for one of the first times in United States history set aside land for enjoyment and protection for future generations; and (2) demonstratedduring some of the bloodiest days of the Civil Warthe unique vision of the United States to protect what would become one of the most cherished and iconic national parks; Whereas with President Lincolns action, this vision was codified and marked Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove as the seed of the conservation movement in what is now known as Americas Best Idea Whereas June 30, 1864, marks the birth of the national park idea, the concept that has inspired over 400 National Park units in the United States and hundreds of national parks worldwide; Whereas the land surrounding Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove was designated the 3 rd Whereas the land preserved within Yosemite National Park is part of the ancestral homeland of several American Indian tribes and groups; Whereas Yosemite National Park was dedicated a World Heritage Site in 1984 and has fostered sister park relationships with national parks in foreign countries including (1) Huangshan National Park and Jiuzhaigou National Park in China; and (2) Torres del Paine National Park in Chile; Whereas Yosemite National Park, a leader within the National Park Service, is (1) the first national park to open a museum; (2) the first national park to hire a female law enforcement ranger; (3) the birthplace of rustic style architecture and of big wall rock climbing; (4) the first national park to formally implement park education and interpretation programs; and (5) the first national park to partner with a nonprofit stewardship organization; Whereas Yosemite National Park receives over 4,000,000 visitors each year from around the world; Whereas Yosemite National Park is home to a variety of natural resource features, containing (1) wilderness areas encompassing 94 percent of the parks acreage; (2) more than 800 miles of trails including the renowned Pacific Crest Trail and John Muir Trail; (3) 2 federally designated wild and scenic rivers, the Tuolumne River and the Merced River; (4) the largest intact subalpine meadow complex in the Sierra Nevada; and (5) 30 properties and districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places and 5 National Historic Landmarks; Whereas Yosemite National Park continues to embody amazing opportunities for recreation and public enjoyment in one of the most amazing natural physical landscapes in the world; and Whereas the preservation of Yosemite National Park is a testament to the commitment and determination of many dedicated people and institutions over the past 150 years: Now, therefore, be it That the Senate (1) recognizes and honors the 150 th An Act authorizing a Grant to the State of California of the Yo-Semite Valley Mariposa Big Tree Grove Yosemite Grant Act (2) encourages the people of the United States to observe and honor the 150 th

Summary: Recognizes and honors the 150th anniversary of the establishment of the Act titled &quot;An Act authorizing a Grant to the State of California of the 'Yo-Semite Valley' and of the Land embracing the 'Mariposa Big Tree Grove'&quot; approved June 30, 1864 (commonly known as the Yosemite Grant) on June 30, 2014.