[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 70 (Friday, May 23, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S5110]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. ENZI (for himself and Mr. Thomas):
  S. 802. A bill to provide for the retention of the name of the 
mountain at the Devils Tower National Monument in Wyoming known as 
``Devils Tower'', and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy 
and Natural Resources.


      THE DEVILS' TOWER NATIONAL MONUMENT DESIGNATION ACT OF 1997

  Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, I rise to introduce a bill which will enable 
Devil's Tower National Monument to retain its historic and traditional 
name.
  This, our first national monument, has been known as ``Devil's 
Tower'' for over 120 years. It is an unmistakable symbol of Wyoming and 
the West and is known internationally as one of the premiere crack 
climbing locations in the world. Consequently, Devil's Tower, and it's 
worldwide recognition by that name, is very important to my State, 
which depends so heavily on its tourism industry. And yet, there are 
those who would attempt to fix that which is not broken.
  I am fully sensitive to the feelings of those Native Americans who 
would prefer to see the name of this natural wonder changed to 
something more acceptable to their cultural traditions. Many tribal 
members think of the monument as sacred. However, I believe that little 
would be gained from a name change, and much would be lost.
  It is important to remember that there is no consensus as to which 
Indian name would be most appropriate. In fact, there seem to be as 
many proposals for new names as there are special interest groups 
proposing them. Among the candidates are Bear's Lodge, Grizzly Bear's 
Lodge, Bear's Tipi, Bear's Lair, Bear Lodge Butte, Tree Rock and 
several others. The only thing they seem agreed upon is what the 
monument should not be called: Devil's Tower.
  The initiative to change the name of Devil's Tower would accomplish 
little more than to dredge up age-old conflicts and divisions between 
descendants of European settlers and the descendants of Native 
Americans. This would be most unfortunate and would result only in 
economic hardship for all the area's citizens. My legislation will 
prevent such hardship and will embrace the least offensive option 
offered so far--the preservation the traditional name of Devil's Tower. 
I urge my colleagues to support this measure. I ask unanimous consent 
that the full text of the bill be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                 S. 802

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. DESIGNATION OF DEVILS TOWER.

       (a) In General.--The mountain at the Devils Tower National 
     Monument in Wyoming, located at 44 degrees, 42 minutes, 58 
     seconds north latitude, 104 degrees, 35 minutes, 32 seconds 
     west longitude, shall be known and designated as ``Devils 
     Tower.''
       (b) Legal References.--Any reference in any law, map, 
     regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United 
     States to the mountain referred to in subsection (a) is 
     deemed to be a reference to ``Devils Tower.''
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