The William F. Ryan Visitor Center

BY DIRECTION OF THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES, THIS VISITOR CENTER IS DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF CONGRESSMAN WILLIAM F. RYAN 1922-1972 BILL RYAN'S YEARS OF PUBLIC SERVICE WERE MARKED BY LOVE AND DEVOTION TO HIS FELLOW CITIZENS AND BY AN UNCOMPROMISING STRUGGLE FOR PEACE JUSTICE. HOPE FOR THE UNDERPRIVILEDGED AND FOR ENVIRONMENTAL REFORM HE ENVISIONED GATEWAY NATIONAL RECREATION AREA AS VITAL TO THE PRESERVATION OF WILDLIFE WETLANDS AND BEACHES FOR MILLIONS OF URBAN RESIDENTS. HIS VISION AND LEADERSHIP WERE CRUCIAL IN MAKING GATEWAY A REALITY