[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 143 (Wednesday, October 20, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2151]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   TRIBUTE TO THE BLACK CANYON OF THE GUNNISON AND THOSE WHO MADE IT 
                                POSSIBLE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 20, 1999

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, it is with an overwhelming sense of pride 
that I now rise to pay tribute to a truly historic event in the proud 
and distinguished history of the great State of Colorado: the 
establishment of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
  As the House sponsor of legislation that redesignated the Black 
Canyon as a national park, it gives me great joy to describe for this 
esteemed body's record the beauty of this truly majestic place. In 
addition, I would like to offer my gratitude to a community of 
individuals instrumental in the long process that ultimately yielded 
the establishment of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
  Mr. Speaker, anyone who has visited the Black Canyon can attest to 
its awe-inspiring natural beauty. Named for the dark rock that makes up 
its sheer walls, the Black Canyon is largely composed of what 
geologists call basement rocks, the oldest rocks on the earth estimated 
at 1.7 billion years old. With its narrow openings, sheer walls, and 
scenic gorges that plunge 2000 feet into the clear blue majesty of the 
Gunnison River, the Black Canyon is a natural crown jewel second to 
none in its magnificent splendor. Though other canyons may have greater 
depth or descend on a steeper course, few combine these attributes as 
breathtakingly as does the Black Canyon.
  If ever there was a place worthy of the prestigious status that only 
national park status can afford, Mr. Speaker, it is the Black Canyon. 
But as you know, national parks don't just happen. In this case, it 
took nearly 15 years, several Congressional Representatives and 
Senators, innumerable locally elected officials, and a virtual sea of 
committed citizens in western Colorado.
  Included in this group are the good people of Crawford, Colorado. 
During this long and at times difficult process, Crawford's civic 
leaders have given tirelessly and beyond measure in the hopes of making 
the Black Canyon a national park. Again and again these great Americans 
rose to the challenge, doing everything in their power to fulfill this 
dream. Without Crawford's leadership and perseverance, none of what we 
have accomplished would have ever been possible.
   It is with this, Mr. Speaker, that I give my thanks to the people of 
Crawford who played a leading role in making the Black Canyon of the 
Gunnison National Park a wonderful reality for Colorado, America, and 
the world to enjoy.

 REA CAREY HONORED FOR HER DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AT THE NATIONAL YOUTH 
                           ADVOCACY COALITION

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 20, 1999

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Rea Carey, founding 
Executive Director of the National Youth Advocacy Coalition (NYAC). 
NYAC is the only National organization solely focused on advocacy, 
education, and information addressing the broad range of issues facing 
lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered youth. Since the founding of 
the organization in 1993, Carey has worked with the board and staff to 
develop NYAC as an organization committed to lesbian, gay, bisexual, 
and transgendered youth leadership, national vision driven by 
community-based needs, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered 
youth activism without a broader social justice context.
  Rea's list of accomplishments in her six-year tenure is as extensive 
as it is impressive. Through her leadership, the NYAC's budget has 
grown from $80,000 per year to $900,000 per year, the staff has grown 
from one to eleven, an the breadth and depth of its work increased as 
well. Among other things, the NYAC convenes a ``National Summit'' every 
year focused entirely on the political, social, and mental/physical 
health issues facing lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered youth. 
It provides skills building and leadership training for youth, 
technical assistance to community organizations, fundraising, referral 
networks, and other many other services.
  Rea's large contribution to this success was recognized this year, 
when she was given an ``Award of Excellence'' by the Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention's Division of Adolescent and School 
Health for her ``imaginative and creative efforts'' in helping to 
educate America's young people about preventing HIV infection.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and all my colleagues to join me in honoring 
Rea Carey. While her good work at NYAC is done, I am sure that her 
career of good works is only beginning.

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