[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 78 (Thursday, June 13, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1037]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING FRANCES BACA ON LAND DONATION TO SANTA FE NATIONAL FOREST

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TOM UDALL

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 12, 2002

  Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to announce the 
Santa Fe National Forest has received a donation of approximately 154 
acres of private land from Ms. Frances Baca, of Circleville, Ohio. This 
undeveloped forested land has been in the Baca family for over 50 
years. The Baca property was the last remaining private parcel of land 
in Santa Fe Canyon located within the boundaries of the Santa Fe 
Municipal watershed, just east of the City of Santa Fe.
  Ms. Baca inherited the parcel from her mother, Antoinette Hanna 
Baca--the first woman commissioned Officer in the National Guard and 
later appointed Assistant Adjutant General--who owned a larger parcel 
in the watershed but sold part of it to the renowned artist Randall 
Davey. Eventually, Randall Davey left his property and houses to the 
Audubon Society--which uses the facility as a conference and education 
center.
  After this donation, either the City of Santa Fe or the United States 
of America own all of the lands within the watershed. With the recent 
release of the Santa Fe Municipal Watershed Management Plan to improve 
forest conditions through thinning and burning portions of the 
municipal watershed, having access to this property is considered key 
to the successful implementation of the project.
  Among the most valuable assets in northern New Mexico are its deep-
rooted culture and pristine beauty. Together, they are a large part of 
why generation after generation has chosen to live here and why new 
neighbors arrive every day. This new land will only add to those 
treasures.
  I know how grateful the Santa Fe National Forest Supervisor Leonard 
Atencio is for this generous donation. I, too, want to thank Ms. Baca 
for this unprecedented gift on behalf of all New Mexicans and visitors 
to the Land of Enchantment. This land will forever serve as a testament 
to the legacy of your family and symbolizes the special connection that 
our citizens feel to the land.

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