[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

[[Page S431]]

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.
                                 ______