A bi-partisan effort between U.S. Reps. Mark Souder (R-Ind.) and Brian Baird (D-Wash.) formed a National Parks Caucus in April. In recent weeks, Souder and Baird solicited support for the congressional caucus among their colleagues in the House of Representatives. "Every year millions of Americans and tourists from around the world enjoy the beauty of our national parks," said Baird. "Our goal in the caucus is to raise awareness in Congress of the issues and problems facing our National Park Service and help them preserve these treasures for generations to come."

The caucus already has 32 members of Congress, who will safeguard the nation's park systems.

"I commend my colleagues for working across party lines and establishing a coalition of members to focus on making our national parks the best they can be," said House Resources Committee Chairman Richard Pombo (R-Calif.).

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