[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 20 (Thursday, February 4, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E144]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                      INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION

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                           HON. BARBARA CUBIN

                               of wyoming

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 4, 1999

  Mrs. CUBIN. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing legislation to ensure 
that the name of Devils Tower National Monument remain unchanged. I 
introduced this bill during the 104th Congress, the 105th Congress, and 
rise now to introduce the same bill at the beginning of the 106th 
Congress. Since the time that this bill was first introduced, I have 
received numerous positive comments and support from constituents from 
around the Devils Tower area. In fact, my office has received a 
petition with an estimated 2,000 names from not only those in and 
around the Monument, but from all over the country of those concerned 
with changing the name of this beloved landmark.
  For more than 100 years the name ``Devils Tower'' has applied to the 
geologic formation in my state and has since appeared as such on maps 
in Wyoming and nationwide. The name was given to the Monument by a 
scientific team, directed by General George Custer and escorted by Col. 
Richard Dodge in 1875, and is universally recognized as an important 
landmark that distinguishes the northeastern part of Wyoming. The 
Monument has brought a vital tourist industry to that portion of the 
state due to its unique character and structure.
  According to a recent memo, released by the United States Board on 
Geographic Names, the National Park Service has advised the board that 
several Native American groups intend to submit a proposal, if one has 
not already been submitted, to change the name of the Monument. On 
September 4-6, 1996, former Superintendent of Devils Tower, Deborah 
Liggett, gave a presentation at the Western States Geographic Names 
Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah, giving the Native American 
perspective.
  The legislation that I am introducing today on behalf of the state of 
Wyoming will ensure that the name of the geological formation, 
historically known as Devils Tower, remain unchanged.
  It is my belief and the belief of hundreds of people from around the 
region that a name change will only bring economic hardship to the 
tourist industry in the area. I cannot and will not stand idly by and 
allow that to happen. I commend this bill to my colleagues and ask for 
their support.

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