[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 77 (Wednesday, May 26, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1102]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                  GALISTEO BASIN INTRODUCTORY REMARKS

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TOM UDALL

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 26, 1999

  Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to introduce 
legislation to provide for the protection of various historical sites 
in the Galisteo Basin of New Mexico. The Galisteo Basin has a rich 
cultural history dating back to 1598 when Spanish Conquistadors arrived 
in the area and found thriving Pueblo Indian communities. These 
communities, dating back to prehistoric times, had their own unique 
traditions of religion, architecture and art. The interaction of the 
Spanish and Pueblo Indian cultures witnessed periods of coexistence and 
conflict which has contributed significantly to present day ``New 
Mexican`` culture. Protecting what remains of the early pueblo 
communities is important to New Mexicans and to those who seek an 
understanding of early Southwestern history.
  These sites include examples of stone and adobe pueblo architectural 
styles, typical of Native American pueblo communities, both prior to 
and during early Spanish colonization periods; Native American 
petroglyph art, and historic missions constructed by the Spaniards as 
they sought to convert the native populace to Catholicism. 
Unfortunately, many of these sites may be lost through weathering, 
erosion, vandalism, and amateur excavations. This legislation however, 
creates a program under the Department of the Interior to preserve 
twenty-six archeological sites in the Galisteo Basin, conduct 
additional archeological research in the area, and provide for public 
interpretation of the sites.
  Although many of the sites are on federal public lands, other sites 
are on either state trust lands or on private property. Under this 
legislation, site preservation, research and public interpretation 
would be conducted on federal public lands and could be augmented with 
voluntary cooperative agreements with state agencies and private land 
owners. These agreements would provide state and private landowners 
technical and financial assistance to preserve sites located on their 
property. This legislation also provides for the purchase or exchange 
of property where the parties deem it appropriate.
  Mr. Speaker, this is a companion bill to a bill introduced in the 
other chamber by Senator Bingaman of New Mexico. By preserving these 
sites, we should be able to preserve the history and culture embodied 
in these sites for future generations. I am confident that this chamber 
realizes the importance of this bill in preserving New Mexican history 
for current and future generations. Therefore, I ask immediate 
consideration and passage of this bill.

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