National park funding

With less than 10 years until the 100th anniversary of the national park system, the administration has taken a critical step toward restoring our national parks to their former glory. The recently announced budget requests an unprecedented $258 million increase for our national parks -- the largest ever proposed for National Park Service operations in the agency's 90-year history.

In Virginia, this increase will go far to help parks like Colonial National Historical Park. Additional funds will help increase interpretive and volunteer programs, as well as fund the operation of the new visitor and research centers in Historic Jamestowne.

Now the administration and Congress can work together to approve this critical proposed increase in national park funding, launch the National Park Centennial Challenge and put our parks on the road to recovery.

Our national parks have been called the best idea America ever had. Let's ensure the parks are healthy for the next 100 years to educate and inspire generations to come. Taking care of our national parks should be a national priority.