[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 32 (Tuesday, March 2, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S2142]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CUMBERLAND ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE WITH SPECIAL THANKS TO DON BARGER 
                           AND TAVIA McCUEAN

 Mr. CLELAND. Mr. President, last week, after more than two 
years of negotiations, an agreement was finally reached to release 
funding for land acquisition on Cumberland Island National Seashore. 
Located off the coast of Georgia, Cumberland provides a unique 
experience for visitors by enabling them to view seemingly endless 
undeveloped beaches and dunes in pristine condition. The beautiful 
coastline is contrasted by marshes and vast forests of mixed hardwoods. 
The natural environment plays a critical role in habitat protection for 
several threatened and endangered species including the bald eagle, the 
loggerhead sea turtle and the manatee.
  The Island also allows individuals to visit the incredible cultural 
and historical remnants which exist on the Island. The remarkable 
history of the island indicates human habitation dating back thousands 
of years. First occupied by the Spanish in the early days of the 
colonial period, the island was eventually claimed by the English in 
the mid-1700s. Cumberland also has historical connections to the 
Revolutionary and Civil Wars. One unique historical reference to the 
island--brought to my attention by the Senate's own resident historian, 
the distinguished Senior Senator from West Virginia, relays the story 
that after his duel with Alexander Hamilton on July 11, 1804, Aaron 
Burr fled to Cumberland Island in exile--only to eventually leave after 
being snubbed by the island residents.
  With this agreement, we have not only preserved the Island in 
accordance with its designation as a National Seashore, but we have 
taken the critical steps necessary to restore and maintain the historic 
and cultural resources on Cumberland which had been seriously neglected 
for several years. The agreement also provides additional access to 
individuals wishing to visit the historic resources on the island. By 
releasing the monies for the land purchase and implementing these 
changes, we will be making the ultimate benefactors the future 
generations of Americans who will have the opportunity to experience 
the natural and historical treasures possessed by Cumberland Island.
  I would like to take a moment to publicly recognize and express my 
sincere appreciation to Don Barger, Southeast Regional Director of the 
National Parks and Conservation Association (NPCA), for his assistance 
in resolving the issues on Cumberland Island National Seashore. Don has 
been with NPCA since 1992. Having once climbed Mount Rainier, Don 
transfers this same motivation and dedication to his work. He is an 
avid and passionate defender of preserving and protecting our National 
Park System.
  Don played a vital role in crafting the Cumberland agreement by 
actively engaging and compromising with numerous interested 
stakeholders while at the same time fulfilling his duty to preserve the 
integrity of the Wilderness Act and the National Park System. His 
tireless effort and willingness to commit his time, energy and 
enthusiasm to this process reflect well upon him and on the National 
Parks and Conservation Association.
  I would like to pay special thanks to Tavia McCuean, Georgia State 
Director of The Nature Conservancy, who vigilantly pursued the critical 
land acquisition funds for Cumberland. The Cumberland agreement would 
not have been possible without the generous commitment of The 
Conservancy to contribute $6 million for the land purchase.
  There were certainly several occasions over the past two years in 
which Tavia and The Nature Conservancy could have lost all patience as 
repeated efforts to obtain the land acquisition funds were blocked. 
However, Tavia tirelessly and patiently focused her energy and that of 
her dedicated staff towards securing the release of these funds. Future 
generations visiting Cumberland Island will owe a great debt of 
gratitude for this experience to the efforts of Tavia McCuean and The 
Nature Conservancy.
  President Theodore Roosevelt once said, ``The nation behaves well if 
it treats the natural resources as assets which it must turn over to 
the next generation increased, and not impaired, in value.'' Both Tavia 
McCuean and Don Barger have done well in upholding this doctrine and 
truly represent the best of public spiritedness.

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