Ciscomani’s Bill to Make Chiricahua National Monument a National Park Is One Signature Away from Reality
“As the second bill I ever introduced and in my first 100 days in Congress, I am proud to have worked across the aisle and across both chambers to deliver this victory for our district.”
TUCSON — Representative Juan Ciscomani celebrated the Senate passage of the bipartisan, bicameral Chiricahua National Park Act, bringing Arizona one step closer to establishing its fourth national park. Ciscomani’s legislation, which passed in last night, will officially redesignate Cochise County’s iconic Chiricahua National Monument as a 12,000-acre national park. With passage in both chambers of Congress, the legislation now heads to the President’s desk for his signature.
“It’s been a long hike, but we’re at the summit. After years of work and persistence, Arizona is one signature away from having its fourth national park,” said Representative Ciscomani. “Chiricahua has long deserved this designation. As the second bill I ever introduced and in my first 100 days in Congress, I am proud to have worked across the aisle and across both chambers to deliver this victory for our district. This is an Arizona priority and a true team effort. I’m grateful to our local partners, including the City of Willcox, public lands advocates, and everyone who has worked alongside us to make this happen. I’m incredibly proud that we are now one signature away from making Chiricahua Arizona Sixth Congressional District’s second national park during our nation’s 250th birthday.”
Under the legislation, the 102-year-old Chiricahua National Monument would join the ranks of Arizona’s other national parks, including Saguaro National Park in southern Arizona, Grand Canyon National Park in northern Arizona, and Petrified Forest National Park in eastern Arizona. Chiricahua National Monument will join the group as Arizona’s fourth national park.
Designating Chiricahua as a national park would also help attract additional visitors to southeastern Arizona, supporting local tourism and economic growth throughout Cochise County and Arizona’s Sixth Congressional District.
Ciscomani has made the designation a priority since his first year in Congress. Earlier this year he spoke on the House floor in support of the legislation before its passage and has continued working with colleagues in both chambers to advance the bill. Watch his remarks HERE.
The legislation has also received strong support from local leaders across southeastern Arizona, who have highlighted the potential for the national park designation to increase tourism, support local businesses, and create new economic opportunities throughout the region.
Bruce Westerman, Chairman of House Natural Resources, stated:
“There is no better way to celebrate America’s 250th birthday than by designating a new national park, and, thanks to Representative Ciscomani’s tireless efforts, that idea is now a reality. After years of hard work, Chiricahua will now take its place among our country’s 63 crown jewel national parks – often referred to as ‘America’s Best Idea.’ Representative Ciscomani’s legislation will bring new jobs, tourism and economic opportunity to southern Arizona, and I congratulate him for creating our nation’s 64th national park!”
Greg Hancock, Mayor, City of Willcox, stated:
"As the Mayor of Willcox and a small-business owner, I can tell you firsthand that redesignating the Chiricahuas as a National Park would be transformational. Tourism isn’t just helpful to our community — it’s essential. A National Park designation would bring more visitors, support local jobs, and strengthen the entire economy of rural Arizona."
Camilla Simon, Executive Director, HECHO, stated:
"The passage of the Chiricahua National Park Act is especially meaningful as HECHO and members of our Hispanic Conservation Leadership Council, alongside Willcox Mayor Greg Hancock, are in Washington, D.C., this week meeting with congressional offices across Capitol Hill and advocating for Chiricahua and other conservation priorities important to Western communities. HECHO applauds the bipartisan leadership that made this achievement possible and Representative Juan Ciscomani’s tireless work over several years to advance this effort in the House. Designating Chiricahua as a national park will recognize an extraordinary landscape known for its towering rock formations, rich biodiversity, and cultural heritage, while supporting tourism, local jobs, and small businesses throughout Cochise County.”
Orlando Cazarez, Hispanic Conservation Leadership Council member, stated:
"Today’s passage of this bill recognizes the extraordinary value of places like Chiricahua National Monument and the surrounding Coronado National Forest, landscapes that define southeastern Arizona’s character. Protecting this remarkable place helps ensure that future generations can encounter the same sense of awe, memory-making, and connection to land that my own family has experienced."
Melany Edwards-Barton, IOM, CEO of the Sky Islands Regional Partnership, stated:
"The Sky Islands Regional Partnership, the Southeastern Arizona Chamber of Commerce, is proud to support the designation of Chiricahua National Monument as Chiricahua National Park. Chiricahua is a remarkable natural treasure and a defining part of southeastern Arizona. National park designation will bring valuable recognition to our region and create new opportunities for tourism, outdoor recreation, and economic growth, benefiting the small businesses and communities that make southeastern Arizona home.We commend Congressman Juan Ciscomani for his leadership and determination in moving this legislation forward in the House, and we extend our sincere thanks to Senator Mark Kelly for his continued leadership and advocacy for Chiricahua in the Senate. Their bipartisan work demonstrates what can be accomplished when Arizona’s leaders come together on behalf of our communities. We are proud to stand with our congressional delegation in supporting Chiricahua National Park and look forward to the continued economic and community benefits this designation can bring to southeastern Arizona.
Senator Mark Kelly, stated:
“Chiricahua is one of Arizona’s most extraordinary places. Designating it as our state’s fourth national park will protect this remarkable landscape for generations and bring new visitors and economic opportunities to southeastern Arizona.This achievement reflects years of collaboration between our federal delegation, local leaders, and tribal communities. I’m grateful to everyone involved for working together to get this across the finish line.”
Representative Greg Stanton, stated:
“Today’s Senate passage is a huge step forward for the Chiricahua National Monument, bringing it one big step closer to becoming Arizona’s fourth national park. This designation will preserve one of Arizona’s greatest natural treasures and draw visitors from around the world to bolster new economic opportunities across Southern Arizona. I was proud to help advance it through the House, and I’m glad to see it moving closer to the finish line.”
You can read the summary and full text of the bill HERE.
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