NEW CASTLE, Del. – Sen. Tom Carper and Rep. John Carney (both D-Del.) will join renowned documentary filmmaker Ken Burns to underscore Delaware's need for a national park on Thursday, April 28 at 1:45 p.m. at the old New Castle Court House. The Delaware Congressional Delegation introduced historic legislation to authorize the creation of a national park in Delaware – the First State National Historical Park Act of 2011 in February.  

Sen. Carper, Rep. Carney, Mr. Burns and Secretary of Department of Natural Resources Environmental Control (DNREC) Collin O'Mara will hold a press conference to highlight Delaware's need for a national park. Following the press conference, the Delaware officials and the filmmaker will tour the o ld New Castle Court House and the o ld Sheriff's House, two of the sites authorized to be included in Delaware's national park.  

In 2009, documentary historian and film maker Ken Burns, a former Delaware resident, told the story of "America's Best Idea" – the National Park System to a national television audience of millions. He will join Sen. Carper and Rep. Carney to highlight that Delaware, the first state to sign the Constitution, the first state in the union, is the last state to have a national park.  

The First State National Historical Park Act of 2011 would create a park celebrating early American Dutch, Swedish and English Settlements located throughout Delaware, and Delaware's role in the events leading up to the founding of our nation. The park will include sites and attractions in each of Delaware's three counties. The legislation also allows the Park Service to work with other historically significant sites that are not formally included in the national park, but affiliated with the national park's sites through support materials, tours and programs.  

WHAT:
Filmmaker Ken Burns, Sen. Tom Carper and Rep. John Carney to Hold Press Conference to Highlight the First State National Historical Park Act of 2011; Tour proposed park sites  

WHO:
Documentary Filmmaker Ken Burns
U.S. Senator Tom Carper
U.S. Congressman John Carney
Secretary of Department of Natural Resources Environmental Control (DNREC) Collin O'Mara  

Other Delaware dignitaries who will attend include:
Honorable Jim Baker, Mayor of Wilmington
Honorable Carlton Carey, Mayor of Dover
Honorable Jim Ford, Mayor of Lewes
Honorable Vance Funk, Mayor of Newark
Honorable Brian Bushweller, State Senator  

WHERE:
Old New Castle Court House
211 Delaware Street
New Castle, DE  

WHEN:
Thursday, April 28, 2011
1:45 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.      

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