Gov. John Baldacci and former U.S. Ambassador to Japan Howard Baker were among 100 prominent Americans signing a letter sent to Congress on Thursday seeking a big boost in funding for national parks to prepare for their 100th birthday in 2016.

The letter, published in full-page ads in The Washington Post and Roll Call newspapers, was coordinated by the National Parks Conservation Association and keyed to the first hearings on the Bush administration’s 2008 budget request for the parks.

Bush’s $2.4 billion parks proposal for 2008 contains the largest-ever funding increase for the park system – a $258 million boost.

Former President Jimmy Carter, former first lady Lady Bird Johnson, actor Robert Redford, comedian Jerry Seinfeld, NAACP Chairman Julian Bond, journalist Walter Cronkite, historian David McCullough, former auto executive Lee Iacocco and Baker’s wife, former Kansas Sen. Nancy Kassebaum, all signed the letter.

Baldacci was one of four sitting governors signing the letter. The others: Phil Bredesen of Tenn., Bill Richardson of New Mexico and Brian Schweitzer of Montana.