[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 147 (Tuesday, November 29, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: November 29, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                COMMENDING THOSE WHO DEFENDED SALT RIVER

                                 ______


                            HON. RON de LUGO

                         of the virgin islands

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 29, 1994

  Mr. de LUGO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to make special mention of several 
men and women who deserve recognition for their selfless contributions 
that helped establish the Salt River Bay National Historical Park and 
Ecological Preserve on St. Croix.
  While it was my legislation that in 1992 became the law that created 
the 912-park on St. Croix's north shore, many concerned men and women 
devoted countless hours and incalculable energy to convincing the 
public, public officals, and the courts to protect Salt River Bay until 
it could become a park.
  The fight to save Salt River from developers who hoped to build a 
hotel and marina on its historic shore was long and arduous, and could 
not have been won without help from several lawyers who willingly 
provided their skills and expertise pro bono.
  Attorneys Britain Bryant, Stacey White, and Nancy Young of St. Croix, 
Katherine Harsch of St. Thomas, and Bob Dreher of the Sierra Club Legal 
Defense Fund in Washington were each involved in helping prepare and 
file legal briefs in the successful lawsuit the Virgin Islands 
Conservation Society brought against the developers.
  Their legal work in support of the Conservation Society's court 
actions were pivotal to preventing developers from building the hotel 
complex, a project that would have caused immeasurable damage to the 
park, the historic value, and its fragile environment.
  The former executive director of the Conservation Society's St. Croix 
Environmental Association, Joan Eltman, worked with tireless dedication 
to initiate many of the legal actions that brought the development to a 
halt. She also successful communicated to the public and the Government 
the many reasons why Salt River should be preserved.
  Mary ``Liz'' Wilson is one of the experts on Salt River. Her 
convincing arguments at public hearings, in the media, and before local 
groups helped persuade many in the community of Salt River's importance 
and why it was important to set aside this special place for posterity.
  Finally, Ro Wauer, who is now retired from the National Park Service, 
often wrote about Salt River and particularly helped convince many 
people of influence in Washington of Salt River's importance and value 
as a national park.
  The successful effort to create a national park at Salt River is an 
superb example of democracy in action. Grassroots people from all walks 
of life joined together and combined their talents to do what was 
clearly right. Their elected representatives in Washington took action 
and had the Federal Government do what was right. Together, we saved 
from desecreation one of the most important places under the American 
flag and safeguarded it for generations to come.

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