[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 101 (Wednesday, July 16, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7511-S7512]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               DESTRUCTION OF THE EYE OF THE NEEDLE ARCH

  Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, I rise today to express my outrage over an 
incident that occurred in my home State last May. Over the Memorial Day 
weekend, vandals on the Missouri River destroyed the Eye of the Needle 
Arch, as well as several other stone pinnacles nearby.
  Lewis and Clark, camping in the traditional homeland of the Blackfeet 
Indian Tribe, first noted these structures in their historic journal 
which, I might add, is replete with misspellings: ``Seens [sic] of 
visionary inchantment [sic]'' and ``eligant [sic] ranges of lofty 
freestone buildings,'' describing the Eye of the Needle Arch along the 
Missouri River.
  Former Montana Senator Lee Metcalf had the foresight to designate 
that stretch of the Missouri as ``wild and scenic,'' thus ensuring that 
generations of Montanans would marvel at these wonders.
  But what took Mother Nature millions of years to painstakingly carve 
out was destroyed probably in a matter of hours. The actions of the 
vandals have been decried in both local and national newspapers, and 
the people of Montana have been united in their condemnation of the 
acts. People have donated over $10,000 in reward money for information 
leading to the arrests of the individuals responsible. I rise today to 
add my voice to those who cry out for the loss of a true Montana 
treasure.
  My motivations for speaking on this subject are personal. To me, the 
Eye of

[[Page S7512]]

the Needle was a symbol of what makes Montana the ``Last Best Place.'' 
Its improbable existence was a miracle of creation and a testimony to 
Montana's rugged spirit.
  I plan to float the Missouri this weekend. I will see firsthand what 
has become of this treasure. In many ways, I am not looking forward to 
the experience.
  To know that this landmark was destroyed by human hands gives me 
pause to think on the absolute senselessness of the act. Tearing down a 
marvel of nature is not a statement of defiance, not a statement of 
courage, or even machismo. No, it is simply an act of raw brutality, an 
act of utter stupidity.
  In every cloud, there is a silver lining, and though it is not easy 
to see in this case, there is a positive lesson to learn from this 
incident. In an ironic way, we have gained a deeper appreciation for 
the wonders that surround us. They are precious; they are fragile. 
Perhaps this incident will remind us to protect the things that are 
near and dear to our hearts. For all our sakes, I hope this is the 
lesson we learn.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. TORRICELLI. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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