[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 73 (Tuesday, June 9, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H4246]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                DON HENLEY AND THE WALDEN WOODS PROJECT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 21, 1997, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Lampson) is recognized 
during morning hour debates for 5 minutes.
  Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I want to take a moment to honor a special 
man, Don Henley. Many of us know Mr. Henley for the numerous hit 
records that he has produced over the years. He has been recognized 
countless times for his fine musical achievements.
  But today I want to honor Don Henley for something far more than the 
hit music that he has brought to us over the years. I want to recognize 
him for the wonderful work that he has done with the Walden Woods 
project and the Thoreau Institute to preserve the area around Walden 
Pond. These woods served as an inspiration for Henry David Thoreau's 
great work, ``Walden.''
  Don Henley was drawn to Thoreau's writings as a high school student 
growing up in East Texas. He was troubled when he learned that the 
Walden Woods were threatened in 1989 by two commercial development 
projects. Plans were underway for the construction of an office complex 
700 yards from Thoreau's cabin site and 139 condominiums less than 2 
miles from Walden Pond itself.
  In 1990, Mr. Henley founded the Walden Woods project, a nonprofit 
organization focused on the preservation of the land within the Walden 
Woods ecosystem. The project was able to raise enough money to purchase 
and to protect 100 acres of the woods, including the two sites slated 
for development.
  Don Henley's work continues as the Walden Woods project has combined 
efforts with the Thoreau Society to form the Thoreau Institute. On June 
5, the Institute was formally inaugurated at the same beautiful 
landscape that captivated the attention and the appreciation of the 
great author.
  The Thoreau Institute will work to unite interest in saving the 
environmental riches of the woods with the study of Thoreau's scholarly 
writing. The Institute aspires to bring Thoreau's writings to 
individuals around the world.
  Last September, Mr. Henley was awarded a National Humanities Medal by 
President Clinton for his extraordinary work to save Walden Pond. The 
President noted that the award was given to those men and women who 
keep the American memory alive and infuse the future with new ideas.
  Mr. Henley has always been committed to the goals of preserving our 
environment and our natural resources. Through his hard work and his 
dedication, Don Henley has ensured that the legacy of Walden Pond will 
continue to be an inspiration for generations to come.

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