steven mather, the first director of the national parks service. good afternoon. it's a pleasure to be with you. and let me hasten to thank bill and gary, two pillars, if you will, two scholars and two outstanding friends of your national parks and your national parks service, that have known and worked with these gentlemen for many, many years. but also, to thank the leadership of the organization of american historians for the gracious invitation to be with you. when i think about it, scholars among all of you, and coupled with the opportunity to speak about an agency that i've been associated with directly and indirectly for over half of a century, it's difficult to discipline my long windedness, because it is something that i cherish the opportunity to share the richness of the national parks and the responsibilities of the park service with such an audience. but i will attempt to be brief, because we want to allow for some opportunity to interact with you ladies and gentlemen. i spoke earlier about steven mather, recognizing the benefits, one of the intangibl

steven mather, the first director of the national parks service. good afternoon. it's a pleasure to be with you. and let me hasten to thank bill and gary, two pillars, if you will, two scholars and two outstanding friends of your national parks and your national parks service, that have known and worked with these gentlemen for many, many years. but also, to thank the leadership of the organization of american historians for the gracious invitation to be with you. when i think about it, scholars among all of you, and coupled with the opportunity to speak about an agency that i've been associated with directly and indirectly for over half of a century, it's difficult to discipline my long windedness, because it is something that i cherish the opportunity to share the richness of the national parks and the responsibilities of the park service with such an audience. but i will attempt to be brief, because we want to allow for some opportunity to interact with you ladies and gentlemen. i spoke earlier about steven mather, recognizing the benefits, one of the intangibl