[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 31 (Thursday, February 16, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E378-E379]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                     MORRIS K. UDALL WILDERNESS ACT

                                 ______


                          HON. BRUCE F. VENTO

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 16, 1995
  Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join with Senator Roth and 
other ``true'' conservatives who want to preserve our natural heritage 
in introducing the Morris K. Udall Wilderness Act. This legislation is 
needed to provide permanent wilderness designation and protection for 
Alaska, a magnificent and special place, the Northern Coastal Plain, 
the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge [ANWR].
  The ANWR coastal plain is a unique ecosystem, long recognized for its 
rich biological diversity. Today over 200 notable species of wildlife 
depend upon the coastal plain for survival. The conspicuous--Muskoxen, 
wolves, polar and grizzly bears and the countless inconspicuous yet 
complex fauna and flora create a web of life, a substrata, like no 
place else on the face of the Earth.
  One of my first assignments in Congress was to serve on the Alaska 
Lands Subcommittee with then-Chairman Mo Udall and John Seiberling. 
Over a 4 year period, Congress debated the appropriate disposition, 
designation and use of the Federal land in Alaska.
  The final version of H.R. 39, signed into law by President Carter, is 
one of the most significant pieces of environmental laws ever enacted. 
While this legislation protected many of Alaska's unique resources, the 
final disposition of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge [ANWR] was 
left with limited safeguards, but not resolved. The House of 
Representatives strongly supported wilderness designation for ANWR, 
however, the compromise left open the possibility that this area could 
be opened for further exploration and development.
  For the past 14 years the coastal plain has been in a twilight zone 
enjoying the status of wilderness without the full force and protection 
of the law. Today, the failure to designate the coastal plain as 
wilderness haunts us and places this unique ecosystem at risk. Opening 
the coastal plain is a top legislative priority for the oil and mineral 
industries and their advocates in the U.S. Congress. The developers 
have kept the pressure on today to proceed and are mounting an 
aggressive offensive to enact legislation which would open this special 
area. If we allow such a policy to be implemented, the unique ANWR 
ecosystem will be irreparably harmed. America's natural legacy would be 
significantly diminished by such a policy path.
  The wilderness legislation which Senator Roth and I are introducing 
today is intended to challenge and defeat the concerted effort for a 
short term boom and bust exploitation policy. Our initiative is 
certainly the policy path supported by the American people. The public 
recognizes and supports a strong national stewardship role by our 
Federal Government to save our natural legacy, our future generation's 
inheritance.
  The American people want adequate protections for those special 
natural resources such as ANWR. The Udall Wilderness Act finally 
provides sound protection for ANWR.
  Serving with Mo Udall was a distinct pleasure and honor. Chairman 
Udall was dedicated to protecting our Nation's crown jewels for future 
generations. He took such responsibilities seriously but always had a 
knack for making his points with wit and poignancy. In talking about 
the Alaska lands legislation. Mo spoke eloquently to all Americans: 
``not in our generation, not ever again, will we have a land and 
wildlife opportunity approaching the scope and importance of this one. 
In terms if wilderness preservation, Alaska is the last frontier. This 
time, given one great final chance, let us strive to do it right.''
  We couldn't do better than to honor Chairman Udall with this 
designation that he fought so hard to achieve. The American reservoir 
of values, vision and inspiration that Mo Udall evoked will be enlisted 
today as the 104th Congress acts to determine the fate of ANWR.
  The wilderness designation of ANWR is indeed our last chance. 
Hopefully we will follow 
[[Page E379]] Mo's wise counsel and do it ``right'', as real 
conservatives.


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