New York, N.Y.—The nation’s leading park advocacy organization, the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), will tonight honor U.S. Representative Charles B. Rangel, Chairman, Ways and Means Committee, for his great efforts to ensure the restoration of the Hamilton Grange National Memorial in New York City. The benefit, Our Urban National Parks: The Most Inspiring Classrooms, will raise over $1.4 million to support national parks and commemorate the unique role that urban national parks may play in our nation. The event will take place at the Home of Jazz at Lincoln Center.

“This spectacular evening celebrates the unique role that our urban national parks hold in connecting millions of Americans, particularly our children, to our cherished cultural, historical, and natural heritage,” said NPCA President Tom Kiernan.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg will honor Congressman Rangel for his role in securing $8.5 million towards the restoration of the Hamilton Grange National Historical Site in New York City, which is part of the National Park System. He has demonstrated outstanding leadership and commitment to protecting national parks nationwide and locally, including his work with Grant’s Tomb and the African Burial Ground National Monument.

NPCA’s New York Gala draws hundreds of dignitaries, including members of Congress, business leaders, the National Park Service, and regional national park supporters. Eight-time Grammy Award Winner Natalie Cole will perform for more than 400 guests expected this year. Dinner Co-Chairs include Roberta and Steve Denning, Trina and Mike Overlock, Wendy and Hank Paulson, Cindy and Tom Secunda, and Tracy and Gene Sykes. The Master of Ceremonies is NPCA President Tom Kiernan. The dinner will highlight the national park's upcoming centennial in 2016—an opportunity to ensure our national parks are preserved and protected for their second century. 

NPCA will also display the winning landscape designs for Envisioning Gateway, an international public design competition for Gateway National Recreation Area that was launched earlier this year to solicit public input for a new vision for the metropolis’s urban national park. Winning entries will be presented to the National Park Service for potential inclusion in the next planning phase of Gateway’s General Management Plan, which is scheduled for 2009. NPCA is urging the public to visit the website to view the finalists and vote for the best park design elements before the end of this year.

Since 1919, the nonpartisan, nonprofit NPCA has been the leading voice of the American people in protecting and enhancing our National Park System. NPCA, its 330,000 members, and partners work together to protect the park system and preserve our nation’s natural, historical, and cultural heritage for generations to come.

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