Salt Pond Visitor Center – Cape Cod National Seashore

If he were still with us Congressman and Speaker of the House Tip O’Neill would be celebratintg his 100th birthday on December 9, 2012! To celebrate this milestone, the Massachusetts delegation wants the Salt Pond Visitor’s Center at the Cape Cod National Seashore named in his honor. Congressman Ed Markey is leading this effort in the House along with Senator John Kerry in the Senate. From a Markey press release:

In honor of this milestone and his instrumental role in protecting the pristine beauty of the Cape Cod seashore, all twelve members of the Massachusetts Congressional delegation, joined by current Democratic Leader of the House Nancy Pelosi, have co-sponsored legislation introduced today in the House by dean of the Massachusetts delegation Congressman Edward J. Markey (D-Malden) and in the Senate by Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.). The legislation renames the Cape Cod National Seashore’s main visitor center The Thomas P. O’Neill, Jr. Salt Pond Visitor Center.

Read the full press release here and a follow-up story here in today’s Boston Globe “Political Intelligence” section on-line.

From 6th District Congressman John Tierney:

“This effort to rename the Salt Pond Visitor Center at Cape Cod National Seashore as the Thomas P. O’Neill, Jr. Salt Pond Visitor Center, is a great tribute to the former Speaker of the House’s fierce advocacy for the Cape Cod Seashore,” said Rep. John Tierney. “Tip O’Neill was a strong champion for families and communities across our state and this recognition is well deserved.”

Of local interest, former Lowell National Historical Park Deputy Superintendent George Price is now the Superintendent in charge of the Cape Cod National Seashore.

Last year the country’s first oceanfront national park turned 50. Because of the bill President John F. Kennedy signed on August 7, 1961, 44,000 acres of land is preserved and put out of the reach of developers and other interests.

Superintendent George Price noted last summer that he “is thankful the Cape Cod National Seashore came to be.”  He’s a believer in the power of nature. “This might sound corny, but it’s life-changing,” he said. ”And I think that’s very similar to a lot of other units of the national park system nationwide.  These are our country’s most special places.”

Happy Birthday Mr. Speaker. Let’s see this legislation passed.  H.R. 4400