[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 90 (Thursday, July 13, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1220]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1220]]
             NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM CENTENNIAL ACT

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                               speech of

                           HON. BARON P. HILL

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 10, 2000

  Mr. HILL of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4442, 
the National Wildlife Refuge System Centennial Act. H.R. 4442 would 
establish a commission to promote awareness of the National Wildlife 
Refuge System among the American public as the System celebrates its 
centennial anniversary in 2003.
  For many years, my family and I have enjoyed hiking at the 
Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge near my home in Seymour, Indiana. 
And now a major new refuge has been established on Army property at the 
former Jefferson Proving Ground.
  Just last weekend, I attended the dedication of the Big Oaks National 
Wildlife Refuge at the former military facility. The new refuge 
encompasses more than 50,000 acres of grasslands, woodlands and forests 
and is home to white-tailed deer, wild turkey, river otters and 
coyotes. The refuge also provides managed habitat for 40 species of 
fish, 120 species of breeding birds, and the federally endangered 
Indiana bat. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources has identified 
46 rare species of plants on the site.
  Mr. Speaker, the Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge is the latest 
addition to more than 500 national wildlife refuges managed by the U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service. I urge all Americans to come and enjoy the 
beauty and recreation opportunities at Big Oaks. And while they are in 
the area, they should also spend some time at the Muscatatuck refuge.
  These and many other refuges are often the best kept secrets in town. 
H.R. 4442 rightly commemorates the centennial of the refuge system and 
will help make Americans more aware of the tremendous assets available 
to them through the National Wildlife Refuge System.

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