[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 60 (Saturday, April 12, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E769]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       CONGRESSMAN PHILLIP BURTON

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 11, 2003

  Ms. LEE.  Mr. Speaker, I rise to share my great appreciation for and 
admiration of the late Congressman Phillip Burton. During his two 
decades in the House of Representatives--from 1964 to 1983--Congressman 
Burton was a great champion for the interests of the people of the Bay 
Area. Time and time again, Congressman Burton fought for the little 
people, ranging from the underprivileged to seniors to workers. His 
voice was loud and strong for these people. And his voice was 
persuasive in bringing people of all backgrounds and different ways of 
life together.
  I had the privilege to know Congressman Burton while serving as a 
Hill staffer to Congressman Ronald V. Dellums. He was brilliant, 
compassionate, and a political whiz. During a reapportionment year, I 
remember Phil explaining to Ron the rationale for the boundaries of 
Ron's proposed new long District, and he said, ``Don't worry, Ron, you 
are in your brother's arms.''
  Powerful voice that he was for his constituents, Congressman Burton 
will probably best be known for his respect for the environment. His 
record of establishing and preserving parks, wilderness areas, trails, 
and rivers may be unparalleled in the history of this country. As the 
Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Parks, the Congressman did 
everything that he could to protect our precious natural resources. His 
National Parks and Recreation Act of 1978 represents one of the most 
sweeping pieces of environmental legislation ever to pass Congress. 
That legislation doubled the national wild and scenic rivers system, 
tripled our national trails systems, and, by adding more than 2 million 
acres, doubled the wilderness acreage in the National Park Service.
  In California, the Congressman's legislation ultimately protected 
nearly 5 percent of the state's land, including Redwood National Park. 
Even closer to my 9th Congressional District, Congressman Burton 
strengthened the beautiful Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
  Congressman Burton's contribution to our state and country has become 
recognized as an impressive legacy in the two decades since his death. 
Our appreciation of Congressman Burton and his efforts will no doubt 
grow only stronger in the coming decades as we struggle to preserve our 
precious, finite resources.

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