[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 143 (Wednesday, October 5, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 5, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
              SAGUARO NATIONAL PARK ESTABLISHMENT, S. 316

                                 ______


                             HON. ED PASTOR

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 5, 1994

  Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the distinguished chairman 
of the Natural Parks, Forests, and Public lands Subcommittee for his 
support of this bill. I also want to thank my friend and colleague, Mr. 
Kolbe, for all his efforts on behalf of the Saguaro National Monument. 
Finally, Senator Dennis DeConcini is to be commended for his work in 
crafting the legislation and working with the affected landowners.
  This is a modest, yet important bill. It seeks to authorize the 
acquisition of only 3,640 acres of land to a National monument that 
contains 87,500 acres. Though relatively small, this 4 percent increase 
in size is crucial to the preservation of the Saguaro National 
Monument. The lands to be acquired, all of which are situated along the 
Tucson Mountain Unit's current boundaries, contain unparalleled stands 
of saguaro cacti and habitat for desert wildlife such as the gila 
monster, muledeer, coyote, javelina, and desert tortoise.
  The additional lands will also provide crucial protection for the 
monument from the expanding Tucson metropolitan area. When the Tucson 
Mountain Unit of the Saguaro National Monument was established by 
President Kennedy in 1961, the Tucson metropolitan area contained 
265,000 people. Today over 660,000 persons inhabit a rapidly expanding 
region that threatens the monument's biological integrity. Now, more 
than ever before, it is in the public's interest to protect and add to 
one of the Sonoran Desert's most beautiful treasures.
  Finally, the bill will change the designation of the monument to a 
national park. Mr. Speaker, the lands contained in the monument would 
be a unique addition to our National Park System. The rough, untouched 
beauty of the Sonoran Desert is truly a national resource, and the 
monument is the crown jewel of the desert's lands.
  I urge my colleagues to support the bill and help to preserve these 
desert lands for future generations.

                          ____________________