WASHINGTON ' Today, on the centennial of the National Park Service, U.S. Senator Tom Udall, the lead Democrat on the Appropriations subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies, issued the following statement:

"Our National Park system has been called our nation's 'crown jewel' and our 'national treasure.' The parks have awed and inspired, informed and hosted outdoor adventures for generations of Americans. Today, the National Park Service turns 100, and I hope New Mexicans ' and all Americans ' will join me in wishing it a happy birthday!

"New Mexico is known for our spectacular scenery, fascinating history and unique cultural heritage. Our state is home to 18 National Park sites, including trails, which draw tourists from around the world and offer endless opportunities to learn and explore. Our parks have been an investment in our economy as well, contributing almost $119 million a year to communities across the state. From the castle-like stalactites and stalagmites of Carlsbad Caverns, to the pristine, snow white sands of White Sands National Monument, the massive, complex buildings of ancestral Pueblo people at Chaco Culture National Historical Park, the centuries-old cliff dwellings at Bandelier and Gila Cliff Dwellings national monuments, and the abundant hunting and fishing opportunities at our newest National Preserve, the Valles Caldera, our parks show off the best New Mexico has to offer.

"Like countless Americans, exploring our National Parks with my family when I was a child helped shape my relationship to our environment and our country's great natural and cultural heritage. The National Park system's birthday isn't just a chance to reflect on the past 100 years, it's an opportunity to cheer on a new century of adventures. But it's also a chance to redouble efforts to address the threats posed by climate change, crowding, chronic underfunding and a backlog of badly needed maintenance, which test our commitment to 'America's best idea.' I know that if we work together, we can meet these challenges. And as the lead Democrat overseeing the National Park system's budget, I call on Congress to join me in the fight to ensure our nation's greatest natural, historical and cultural treasures endure for the next century and beyond."