[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 63 (Thursday, May 16, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E816]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


           PAYING TRIBUTE TO CROWLEY COUNTY HERITAGE SOCIETY

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                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 15, 2002

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
recognize the vital efforts of an organization that has dedicated its 
mission to preserving our nation's and Colorado's western values and 
heritage. This year the Crowley County Heritage Society will celebrate 
an important accomplishment to settling the West, the emergence of 
irrigated farming. As the society celebrates this vital piece of 
Western culture, I would like to commend the society's efforts toward 
preserving the early Colorado achievements and accomplishments.
  This May, the society has chosen to recognize the thoughtfulness and 
forbearance of our early Colorado settlers. As this country was 
expanding, the need to create abundant and rich soil became a backbone 
to ensuring our settlement of Western lands. Using an available water 
source, the Arkansas River, our forefathers built several reservoirs 
and canals to gather and transfer large amounts of water that would be 
used to irrigate otherwise fruitless soil. Through a long duct known as 
the Colorado Canal, water began to be diverted to Crowley County 
allowing aspiring farmers to reap the benefits of an otherwise desolate 
landscape. Years later, more reservoirs would be created, several under 
the Twin Lakes and Colorado Canal company, who would further construct 
reservoirs and canals to bring the precious resource of water to 
several counties throughout Colorado. This was a remarkable 
accomplishment for those early times in our history and I am thankful 
organizations such as Crowley County Heritage Society have chosen to 
honor our early pioneers.
  Mr. Speaker, as this country continues to change and forge our 
future, we will rely upon these heritage societies to remind us of our 
difficult and humble beginnings. Today many of us in the West take for 
granted the ability to raise and reap agricultural products from the 
land and it is imperative that we remember the trials and tribulations 
of those early days that ensured a future for us all. I would like to 
extend my thanks to Crowley County Heritage Society and commend them 
for their fine efforts over the years to preserve our past. I wish you 
all the best with your celebration and good luck in your future 
endeavors.

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