[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 180 (Tuesday, November 14, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2173-E2174]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     A VOICE FROM THE NEXT GENERATION SPEAKS OUT ON PROPERTY RIGHTS

                                 ______


                          HON. LAMAR S. SMITH

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 14, 1995

  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I want to bring to the attention of 
the House an especially timely and articulate letter I received from 
Honey Suzanne Hastings, a young constituent. She describes the impact 
the Endangered Species Act has had on her family as well as her own 
concerns regarding the weakening of property rights--an issue of 
particular interest to me and to many of my constituents. The letter is 
dated October 18, 1995, and reads in part:

       Dear Representative Smith: My name is Honey Suzanne 
     Hastings. I am fourteen years old and a freshman at Bandera 
     High School in Bandera, Texas.
       In the past I have heard there was a conflict over property 
     rights in Texas but it did 

[[Page E 2174]]
     not really mean much to me until my parents bought some hill country 
     land in a nearby country.
       It was their dream to retire and move out there when I 
     graduate from high school, raise some livestock and live off 
     the land.
       Soon after they bought the land they found out that an 
     endangered species would make it difficult for them to clear 
     enough brush and cedar for the animals to graze without 
     breaking the law.
       My Dad and Grandpa both served their country in the 
     military and have often told me how lucky we are to live in a 
     free America. They have both chosen to live in Texas because 
     of its great value of this freedom and the opportunity to 
     pioneer.
       This confusion over the rules about private property rights 
     is making it hard for my parents dreams to live off the land 
     to come true, and I hope that as my Representative you will 
     work hard to make sure that my folks and others like them do 
     not become endangered species.
           Sincerely,
                                           Honey Suzanne Hastings,
     Pipe Creek, Texas.

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