Over 51,000 American casualties were attributed to this battle where Americans fought Americans. Like all American battlefields, Gettysburg belongs to the people. I would truly hate to see private enterprise enter into a partnership that could, in the future, impinge on a meaningful visitation to this sacred American legacy. Having said that, I am a great believer in free-enterprise, as I am an entrepreneur in a small business dedicated to the education, furtherance and promotion of Civil War history. But in no way do I want to see any part of the Gettysburg Park given over to private enterprise.
Lets face it.
Gettysburg does have its problems keeping up with the park, building renewal and maintenance. Among other things, they do need a new visitor center located near the battlefield. It is shameful to think our government does not care enough about our historical heritage to let the people's National Parks deteriorate to the point where they have to resort to private enterprise to remedy the situation. Representative Goodling, I am an avid conservative Republican, already disappointed by the party in failing to support issues the last Congress dedicated themselves to changing. I don't want this to be another disappointment for me in the party, or for that matter, the government in general.