[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 124 (Thursday, September 26, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1667]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               AMERICAN FRONTIERS: A PUBLIC LANDS JOURNEY

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                         HON. DENNIS R. REHBERG

                               of montana

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 25, 2002

  Mr. REHBERG, Mr. Speaker, Westerners have an understanding about the 
importance of public lands to our region and its economy. We know there 
are forests for recreation and commodity production, ranch lands for 
grazing, wilderness for back country exploring, and national parks, 
monuments, rivers, and trails that welcome visitors by the millions 
each year. But a group of committed partners including federal agencies 
and organizations like the National Geographic Society organized a 
special trek to ensure that all Americans understand our common public 
lands legacy. American Frontiers: A Public Lands Journey, began July 31 
and will conclude September 28 in Salt Lake City. Of the two groups 
making the 3,200-mile journey entirely on the public lands and waters, 
one started at Glacier National Park in my home state of Montana. At 
Pipestone Pass in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, that group 
helped Montanans celebrate a newly constructed segment of the 
Continental divide National Scenic Trail at a ribbon-cutting ceremony. 
I congratulate the efforts of American Frontiers to foster a greater 
understanding of America's public lands legacy and am excited that they 
are bringing attention to the approximately 30 million acres of public 
lands in Montana. Special thanks to the Public Lands Interpretive 
Association that spearheaded this effort. I look forward to hearing 
accounts from this epic journey.

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