[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 129 (Friday, October 4, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1749]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       NATIONAL PUBLIC LANDS DAY

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                        HON. ANIBAL ACEVEDO-VILA

                             of puerto rico

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 2, 2002

  Mr. ANIBAL ACEVEDO-VILA. Mr. Speaker, National Public Lands Day was 
celebrated across the land--and in Puerto Rico last Saturday, September 
28. This is an annual day of caring for our public lands with 
volunteers doing needed work to improve those special places we go for 
recreation and enjoyment of the outdoors.
  More than 700 volunteers worked in the Caribbean National Forest, 
known as El Yunque, and at the San Juan National Historic Site. This is 
the third year Puerto Rico has joined this hands-on effort that is 
directed by the National Environmental Education & Training Foundation.
  El Yunque is the largest block of public land on the island and one 
of the most popular recreation sites in Puerto Rico. Nearly a million 
tourists experience this lush tropical rain forest environment each 
year, recognized as the friendliest and most accessible tropical rain 
forest in the world. The Toyota Foundation coordinated efforts for an 
educational clean up activity with teachers and their environments 
clubs throughout Puerto Rico after having attended a one-day seminar on 
the importance of conservation of our island and around the world. 
Keynote speaker was Mario Davila, president of Toyota of Puerto Rico, 
who told volunteers of Toyota's worldwide commitment to the 
environment. Volunteers were enthusiastic and said they look forward to 
next year's National Public Lands Day.
  The National Historic Site is the defense fortification that once 
surrounded the old, colonial portion of San Juan, including sandstone 
walls dating to the 1630s. Here, volunteers worked in the San Felipe 
del Morro Fort and on the recently designated trail.
  I am delighted that so many were willing to give up a Saturday to 
join in this largest volunteer, hands-on effort to improve public 
lands--in Puerto Rico and in all 50 states and Guam.

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