[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 8 (Tuesday, January 19, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S430-S432]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
By Mr. HATCH (for himself, Mr. Bingaman, and Mr. Bennett):
S. 28. A bill to authorize an interpretive center and related visitor
facilities within the Four Corners Monument Tribal Park, and for other
purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
four corners monument interpretive center act
Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I rise today to the introduce the Four
Corners Monument Interpretive Center Act. The Four Corners is the only
location in our nation where the boundaries of four states meet at one
point.
Each year more than a quarter of a million visitors from around the
world
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brave heat and discomfort to visit the Four Corners. This legislation
will provide basic amenities to these travelers and provide an
important economic opportunity for the Indian Nations who share the
Four Corners area.
The Four Corners area is unique for reasons other than the makeup of
its political boundaries. This location was home to some of the
earliest Americans, the Anasazi people. Little known about this ancient
people, but the Four Corners area contains many of the clues left
behind to help us learn about their society. This heritage has created
an area of rich historical, archeological, and cultural significance as
well as natural beauty.
In more recent history, in 1949, the Governors of Arizona, Colorado,
New Mexico, and Utah met at the Four Corners Monument for a historic
meeting. Each Governor sat in his state's corner and ate a picnic lunch
together. The governors pledged to meet every so often to reaffirm
their commitment to working together for the good of the four states
and for the Four Corners region. This year marks the 50th anniversary
of that historic meeting. I think we should reaffirm their commitment
to cooperation by establishing this center that will promote
opportunity in this region.
This legislation is important for the Navajo Nation and the Mountain
Utes who share control of the existing Four Corners Monument. And, we
must be clear what we mean by ``monument.'' In contrast to the 1.7
million acre Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument recently
declared by President Clinton, the ``monument'' that marks the spot at
Four Corners is a simple concrete disk containing the four states'
seals.
Native Americans have set up small open air stalls around the
monument to exhibit and sell their native crafts. But, there is no
electricity, no running water, no permanent restroom facilities, and no
phone service in the area.
The interpretive center provided by this legislation would not only
assist these Native Americans economically, but it would provide a
valuable resource to visitors who would like to learn more about the
culture, history, and environment of the Four Corners region.
Mr. President, I wish to emphasize that this bill reflects the
initiative of the local tribes and elected officials. This is not a
federal imposition, but federal support of sustainable economic
development in an area that is in desperate need of it. The Four
Corners Heritage Council, which is comprised of tribal leaders, local
government and private sectors leaders, has been instrumental in
developing this bill.
Not only will the interpretive center benefit the local tribes, but
it will help to create more interest among tourists of other
attractions and sites in the entire Four Corners region. Within a 100
mile radius of the monument there are multiple sites and parks for the
enjoyment of tourists, such as Zion National Park, Arches National
Park, the Grand Canyon, Rainbow Bridge, Hovenweep, Mesa Verde, and
much, much, more. Because of its central location, the center would act
as a staging ground for the entire Colorado Plateau.
That this proposal reflects the needs of so many in the area, is
reflected by the strong support among all the region's tribal and local
governments, and the San Juan Forum, which represents federal state and
local interests in the four states. The Albuquerque Tribune
editorialized last year that ``the project merits New Mexico's strong
support.'' The state of Arizona has already set aside $250,000 for
their share of the project. In addition, the Arizona Department of
Transportation has produced draft plans for the new center and for the
road changes that would be required. The other states have also shown
interest as well, which is important as they will be required to match
the $2 million authorized by this bill for the project.
Mr. President, this bill represents cooperation of federal, state,
local, and tribal governments in an effort to reaffirm our ties to our
past while building for our future. I urge my colleagues to give this
proposal their full support.
Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I am pleased to speak in support of this
important legislation being introduced today by my friend from Utah,
Senator Hatch. The bill authorizes the construction of a much needed
interpretive visitor center at the Four Corners Monument. An identical
bill passed the Senate unanimously last September.
As I am sure all Senators know, the Four Corners is the only place in
America where the boundaries of four states meet in one spot. The
monument is located on the Navajo and Ute Mountain Ute Reservations and
currently operated as a Tribal Park.
Nearly a quarter of a million people visit this unique site every
year. However, currently there are no facilities for tourists at the
park and nothing that explains the very special features of the Four
Corners region. This bill authorizes the Department of the Interior to
contribute $2 million toward the construction of an interpretive center
and basic facilities for visitors.
Mr. President, the Four Corners Monument is more than a geographic
curiosity. It also serves as a focal point for some of the most
beautiful landscape and significant cultural attractions in our
country. An interpretive center will help visitors appreciate the many
special features of the region. For example, within a short distance of
the monument are the cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde, Colorado; the Red
Rock and Natural Bridges areas of Utah; and in Arizona, Monument Valley
and Canyon de Chelly. The beautiful San Juan River, one of the top
trout streams in the Southwest, flows through Colorado, New Mexico, and
Utah.
In my state of New Mexico, both the legendary mountain known as
Shiprock and the Chaco Canyon Culture National Historical Park are a
short distance from the Four Corners.
Mr. President, Shiprock is one of the best known and most beautiful
landmarks in New Mexico. The giant volcanic monolith rises nearly 2000
feet straight up from the surrounding plain. Ancient legend tells us
the mountain was created when a giant bird settled to earth and turned
to stone. In the Navajo language, the mountain is named Tse' bi t' ai
or the Winged Rock. Early Anglo settlers saw the mountain's soaring
spires and thought they resembled the sails of a huge ship, so they
named it Shiprock.
The Four Corners is also the site of Chaco Canyon. Chaco was an
important Anasazi cultural center from about 900 through 1130 A.D. Pre-
Columbian civilization in the Southwest reached its greatest
development there. The massive stone ruins, containing hundreds of
rooms, attest to Chaco's cultural importance. As many as 7,000 people
may have lived at Chaco at one time. Some of the structures are thought
to house ancient astronomical observatories to mark the passage of the
seasons. The discovery of jewelry from Mexico and California and a vast
network of roads is evidence of the advanced trading carried on at
Chaco. Perhaps, the most spectacular accomplishment at Chaco was in
architecture. Pueblo Bonito, the largest structure, contains more than
800 rooms and 32 kivas. Some parts are more than five stories high. The
masonry work is truly exquisite. Stones were so finely worked and
fitted together that no mortar was needed. Remarkably, all this was
accomplished without metal tools or the wheel.
Mr. President, 1999 marks the centennial year of the first monument
at the Four Corners. An interpretive center is urgently needed today to
showcase the history, culture, and scenery of this very special place.
New facilities at the monument will attract visitors and help stimulate
economic development throughout the region.
The legislation the Senate passed last year had wide-spread support
from state, tribal, and local interests.
Mr. President, I hope the Senate will again take prompt action on
this bill. I also urge the House to move forward this year to pass this
important legislation. I am pleased to co-sponsor this bill with
Senator Hatch, and I thank him for his efforts.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that a May 7, 1998, editorial
from the Albuquerque Tribune be printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the article was ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:
[From the Albuquerque Tribune, May 7, 1998]
Four Corners Visitors Center--And Beyond
When scheming to promote tourism, four heads are better
than one.
New Mexico, Utah, Arizona and Colorado have an opportunity
to create the proposed $4 million Four Corners visitors
center. The project merits New Mexico's strong support.
[[Page S432]]
The Tribune has liked the idea of forging a four-state
regional alliance for tourism ever since former Interior
Secretary Stewart Udall proposed his ``America's Scenic
Circle'' plan on these pages June 18. He argued that New
Mexico, Utah, Arizona, Colorado and the Indian tribes in
those states should reach out to the international tourism
market by joining forces. The cultural and natural
attractions in these states, taken individually, have great
appeal, he said--but nothing like they would if touted
together in respectful and tastefully designed packages.
The Trib revisited the idea of regional tourism alliances
again in the Insight & Opinion section April 30. There, state
and Albuquerque tourism officials explained how such
alliances could boost the effect of New Mexico's tourism-
marketing dollars.
The Four Corners visitors center would become a strong
footing for a four-state alliance.
It would be built at the Four Corners Monument Tribal Park,
where the four states meet. The exact site and design are
undetermined, and the Navajo and Ute tribes would have a say
in the development. We hope the design physically binds the
four states together. There is no visitors center at Four
Corners now.
The center was proposed by Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch last week
in a bill co-sponsored by Sen. Jeff Bingaman. Half of the $4
million cost would be paid with federal tax dollars. The
remainder would be split among the four states--giving each a
deep stake in the project.
The purpose of the center is to clearly interpret, showcase
and promote the special features of the region, from Shiprock
and Chaco Canyon in New Mexico to Mesa Verde in Colorado to
Red Rock in Utah to Monument Valley in Arizona. Every state
and tribe involved would benefit.
The bill does not say so, but the center also could become
the focus for continuing, broader relationships along the
lines that Udall proposed. It commits the four states to
working with one another at least in the Four Corners area;
it's not a quantum leap from that to ``America's Scenic
Circle.''
Let's use our four heads and support this move.
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