All in for America250: Public-Private Partnerships Supporting America’s Semiquincentennial
Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife, and Oceans
2026-02-10
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Source: Congress.gov
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The Committee on Oversight and Investigations will come to order. Without objection, the Chair is authorized to declare a recess of the Subcommittee at any time. The Subcommittee is meeting today to hear testimony on America First, U.S. Leadership and National Security, all in for the America 250, public-private partnership supporting America's semi-consensual on our public lands. Under Committee Rule 4-F, any oral opening statements at the hearing are limited to the chairman and the ranking member. I therefore ask unanimous consent that all the other members' statements be made part of the hearing record if they are submitted in accordance with Committee Rule 3-0. Without objection, so ordered. I ask unanimous consent that the following members be allowed to sit and participate in today's hearing. This is amazing because we never get this kind of participation. So first is the gentleman from North Carolina, Mr. McDowell. The gentlewoman from Utah, Ms. Molloy. The gentleman from Virginia, Mr. Whitman. The gentleman from Iowa, Mr. Nunn. The gentlewoman from New Mexico, Ms. Stansbury. The gentleman from Oregon, Ms. Hoyle. I told you, a whole bunch of these people. Gentlewoman from Washington, Ms. Randall. The gentleman from Arizona, Ms. Grijalva. The gentleman from South Carolina, Mr. Clyburn. The gentleman from Virginia, Mr. Scott. The gentleman from Maine, Ms. Pingree. The gentleman from New York, Mr. Tonko. The gentleman from California, Ms. Chu. The gentleman from California, Mr. Tontekano. The gentleman from Virginia, Mr. Beyer. The gentleman from Illinois, Mr. Garcia. The gentleman from California, Ms. Kalonga-Dove. The gentleman from Hawaii, Ms. Takato. Anybody else I missed? OK, without objection, so ordered. I now recognize myself for my initial statement. Good morning, everybody. Great seeing some shining faces and smiling faces out there. I thank all our witnesses for being here today, especially for those who have dedicated their careers to helping make some of the most spectacular places in America even better.
Today we are here not only to officially kick off the celebration of America's 250th birthday, but we're also here to talk about the enduring philanthropic work the foundations and nonprofit partners have done to make our public lands even greater over the decades. As we celebrate 250 years of America's history, it is important to note that, yes, our federal tax dollars are hard at work in ensuring these places continue to tell the story of America's treasured spaces. But much of this work is supported by volunteers and generous donors, sometimes a dollar at a time, others by large gifts. But either way, it creates a lasting legacy of a true American heritage you can all enjoy and be proud of. My home state of the great state of Arizona is home to some of our nation's most beautiful national parks, monuments, and recreation areas. from the Saguaro National Park in the Sonoran Desert, home to America's largest cacti, to Lake Powell and Antelope Canyon in the Grand Canyon National Recreation Area, and of course, one of the crown jewels of our national park system, the Grand Canyon, part of which is in my district. Arizona's public lands have been adored for generations and will continue to inspire Americans for years to come. The National Park Foundation has been an active supporter of Arizona's national parks and monuments, often in collaboration with local partners such as the Grand Canyon Conservancy. Projects these groups have completed include over 800 miles of trail restoration of Arizona's National Scenic Trail in the Grand Canyon, revegetation and rerouting of trails in Petrified Forest National Park, invasive species control and native plant restoration in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, and waste reduction and educational programs throughout Arizona's parks. I'm even working with industry partners right now to clarify an air management plan that would allow for additional economic development across the northern half of the state. Four national forests in Arizona are currently working on one of the greatest collaborative efforts to restore the forest in the state. Through the collaboration of stakeholders, which includes groups like the National Forest Foundation and industry partners, the forest plans and carry out
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