Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences Act

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mrs. KIGGANS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to speak in support of the EXPLORE Act today. It has been a privilege to work on this legislation with the chairman as a member of the Natural Resources Committee.

I am particularly proud that it includes my Military and Veterans in Parks Act, nicknamed the MVP Act after the invaluable role our former servicemembers have played in protecting our great Nation.

As a wife of a veteran, the mother of future veterans, and a former Navy helicopter pilot myself, I have a unique understanding of the challenges facing those who have served.

As a geriatric nurse practitioner who spent years caring for our Greatest Generation, I have also seen the effects of all types of injuries sustained on the battlefield, including post-traumatic stress disorder and countless other invisible wounds.

Unfortunately, almost two-thirds of all post-9/11 veterans are experiencing mental health issues, while 27 percent of all veterans have a service-related disability.

We should be going above and beyond to give those heroes every opportunity to reintegrate into civil society and lead happy and healthy lives.

That is why it is incredibly frustrating to me that accessibility remains a significant obstacle for disabled veterans in our national parks and other outdoor recreation sites.

Steep trails, inaccessible facilities, and inadequate accommodations limit the ability of veterans with disabilities to fully enjoy all of the fantastic recreation opportunities our Federal lands have to offer.

Between the beach and the bay, southeast Virginia is home to some of the most beautiful natural resources in the country. Residents and visitors alike enjoy hunting, fishing, hiking, kayaking, camping, and countless other forms of outdoor recreation often in one of our many national wildlife refuges as well as Park Service-managed lands.

The MVP Act ensures these outdoor activities are available to all of our veterans by directing the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and the National Park Service to each develop adaptive trails and campgrounds in the regions they manage, as well as accessible hunting, fishing, and kayaking opportunities.

As a primary care provider, I know the connection between outdoor recreation and improved mental health outcomes cannot be denied.

Research consistently demonstrates that spending time in nature can reduce stress, alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression, and enhance overall psychological well-being. For our veterans who suffer from both the physical and the invisible wounds of war, these benefits are particularly critical.

Though I have not been in Congress long, I have made it my mission since day one to advocate for the mental health of our servicemembers and veterans. It is a mission that guides everything I do here in Washington.

That is why it is my great honor to be standing here today in support of the EXPLORE Act.

I thank Chairman Westerman for his continued support for the MVP Act and for implementing it within the EXPLORE Act. I know this legislation will help improve the lives of our Nation's heroes.

These brave men and women have selflessly served our country, defended our freedoms, and protected our way of life. It is our duty to ensure that they receive the support and opportunities they deserve even after their service has concluded.

I hope my colleagues recognize the great need for the EXPLORE Act, and I urge them to vote ``yes.''

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I completely agree that it is important that those who have fought to preserve our country deserve to have full access to our public lands.

It is not enough to say thank you for your service. We must always turn that gratitude into concrete action, and the sections in this bill are actually turning that gratitude into accessible trails, they are turning that gratitude into health meadows and specifically directing our agencies to make sure that our veterans have access to the public lands for which they have fought for preservation.

Stansbury), my ``hermana,'' ``sister,'' whose legislation is included in the EXPLORE Act.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source