[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 108 (Wednesday, July 28, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1672]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI NATIONAL 
                        WILDLIFE AND FISH REFUGE

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. RON KIND

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 27, 1999

  Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to the Upper 
Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge on the occasion of 
its 75th Anniversary.
  The Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge is very 
important to the heritage and environmental conservation efforts of the 
Midwest. The refuge's mission is to provide public benefits associated 
with fish, wildlife, and wild areas by reserving the Upper Mississippi 
flood plain ecosystem for the enjoyment and use of this and future 
generations. For the past 75 years the Upper Mississippi River National 
Wildlife and Fish Refuge has provided essential habitat for a wide 
variety of plants, fish, migratory birds, and other animals.
  As a boy growing up on the north side of LaCrosse near the 
Mississippi River, I developed a special connection to the river. My 
fond memories of past camping trips on the river's sand bars and 
fishing with my friends have helped me to see first hand the importance 
of responsible stewardship. These boyhood impressions of the river have 
inspired me to work to protect the Great Mississippi from environmental 
damage.
  As one of the four co-chairmen of the Upper Mississippi River 
Congressional Task Force (UMRTF), I have had an opportunity to 
effectively address stewardship issues pertinent to the Upper 
Mississippi River and adjacent lands. With the help of the UMRTF, 
attention has successfully been focused on the importance of refugees 
in the Upper Mississippi River Basin and their need for funding.
  In recent years, the refuges have been asked to do more and more with 
less and less funding. Although the refuges have received added 
responsibilities, funding for maintenance, habitat restoration and 
outreach have all faced budget shortfalls. The Upper Mississippi Refuge 
currently lacks a full-time refuge manager. Although the master plan 
for the refuge calls for 60 staff members, only 28 staff are currently 
employed. With the aid of the Task Force, I am working to address this 
problem.
  As a direct result of UMRTF efforts, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service will increase refuge maintenance funding for the Upper 
Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge, and the Mark Twain 
National Wildlife Refuge by $1 million in fiscal year 1999. In the 
future, the Task Force will continue to focus attention on these 
refuges and the key roles they fill in providing essential habitat for 
a wide variety of plants, fish migratory birds and other animals.
  The Mississippi River is truly an environmental treasure. The Upper 
Mississippi refuge system plays a crucial role in protecting this 
national treasure so that current and future generations can enjoy the 
same environmental, recreational and economic benefits that we have 
enjoyed in the past.

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