Today we entered a monument to wilderness, in every sense of the word. Misty Fjords National Monument was established by presidential proclamation in 1979 as a way to preserve and protect the wilderness status of this remarkable landscape for generations to come. A national park is established by congressional approval to protect a combination of scenic, recreational, educational, and inspirational values. The designation of a national monument ensures the protection of just one thing, whether it be a historic building, a national landmark or, in this case, the ensured longevity of wilderness protection status in a land carved by glaciers.