•HCON 294 EH 
Whereas North Carolina state geologist Joseph Hyde Pratt 
first proposed a scenic road along the Blue Ridge Moun-
tains in 1906; 
Whereas, on November 24, 1933, at the recommendation of 
Virginia Senator Harry Byrd, Secretary of the Interior 
Harold Ickes approved construction of the new highway 
to connect the Great Smoky Mountains National Park 
with the Shenandoah National Park; 
Whereas, on September 11, 1935, construction began on the 
first 12.5-mile section of the Blue Ridge Parkway near 
Cumberland Knob in North Carolina; 
Whereas Stanley L. Abbott is widely remembered as the ‘‘fa-
ther of the Blue Ridge Parkway’’ for his work to oversee 
planning of the project; 
Whereas the Blue Ridge Parkway was established by Con-
gress as a unit of the National Park Service on June 30, 
1936; 
Whereas the National Park Service development program, 
‘‘Mission 66’’, oversaw the completion of most remaining 
gaps along the Blue Ridge Parkway during the 1950s 
and 1960s; 
Whereas the Blue Ridge Parkway’s final stretch of road was 
completed in 1987 with the construction of the Linn Cove 
Viaduct; 
Whereas the Blue Ridge Parkway provides recreational op-
portunities for American families at picnic areas, camp-
grounds, and on scenic drives through Appalachian 
mountain passes; 
Whereas the diverse topography and numerous vista points 
along the Blue Ridge Parkway make it the most acces-
•HCON 294 EH 
sible way to visit and experience Southern Appalachian 
rural landscapes and mountains; 
Whereas the Parkway is world-renowned for its biodiversity, 
which includes 74 species of mammals, 50 salamander 
species, 35 reptile species, 159 species of birds and 25 
species of fish; 
Whereas the Blue Ridge Parkway is the most visited unit of 
the National Park Service with nearly 20 million visitors 
each year; 
Whereas the Blue Ridge Parkway promotes regional travel 
and tourism by unifying the 29 counties through which 
it passes, engendering a shared regional identity, pro-
viding a common link of interest, and contributing to the 
economic vitality of the area; 
Whereas the Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the strongest eco-
nomic engines in the Southern Appalachian region, gen-
erating an estimated $2.3 billion in North Carolina and 
Virginia annually; 
Whereas the Blue Ridge Parkway has received volunteer sup-
port from thousands of Virginians and North Caro-
linians, including 1,400 volunteers in 2008 who provided 
more than 50,000 hours of service; 
Whereas the Blue Ridge Parkway is a great public works 
achievement that maintains natural, historic, and cultural 
significance for the people of Virginia and North Caro-
lina; and 
Whereas this crown jewel of the National Park Service de-
serves the support of Congress to preserve its ecological 
and cultural integrity, maintain its infrastructure, and 
protect its famously scenic views: Now, therefore, be it
•HCON 294 EH 
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
concurring), That Congress— 
(1) commemorates the 75th Anniversary of the 
Blue Ridge Parkway; and 
(2) acknowledges the historic and enduring sce-
nic, recreational, and economic value of this unique 
national treasure. 
Passed the House of Representatives September 22, 
2010. 
Attest: 
Clerk.
111TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. CON. RES. 294 
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 
Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Blue 
Ridge Parkway.