|
Ilwaco, Washington -- Today Congressman David Wu praised the official expansion and renaming of Fort Clatsop National Memorial Park to the new Lewis and Clark National Historical Park. The dedication ceremony was held at the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center at Cape Disappointment State Park in Ilwaco, Washington. A measure sponsored by Congressman David Wu and Congressman Brian Baird (WA) calling for the changes was recently passed by Congress and signed into law by President Bush.
"With the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial upon us, the expansion and renaming of Fort Clatsop National Memorial Park is important not only for the historical significance but also for the economic impact it will have on Northern Oregon," said Congressman David Wu. "Expanding Fort Clatsop will not only improve Clatsop county's economy, but will help accommodate the increasing number of tourists visiting Oregon during the Bicentennial festivities."
Today's dedication builds upon the success of the Fort Clatsop National Memorial Expansion Act ( P.L. 107-221), authored by Congressman Wu, which expanded the boundaries of the Fort Clatsop National Park Memorial from 130 acres to 1,500 acres and evaluated the significance of the three Lewis and Clark sites on the north shore of the Columbia river for potential inclusion into the Fort Clatsop National Memorial. On August 21, 2002 President Bush signed Congressman Wu's legislation into law.
The ceremony praised the enhanced preservation of several Pacific coast winter encampment sites of explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark and their famous Corps of Discovery. The newly expanded park will be the focal point of many events planned for “Destination: The Pacific”, the nationally sanctioned Lewis and Clark National Bicentennial Commemoration.
Added to the lands previously contained in the Fort Clatsop National Memorial are Clark’s Dismal Nitch (Megler Rest Area), Station Camp and a memorial to Thomas Jefferson, located within Cape Disappointment State Park.
### |
