[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 72 (Thursday, May 26, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S6013]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


               SAN JUAN NATIONAL FOREST CENTENNIAL MONTH

  Mr. SALAZAR. Mr. President, I rise today in recognition of one of our 
great national treasures. Next week, while the Senate is in recess, we 
will celebrate 100 years of the San Juan National Forest in my great 
State of Colorado. The people of southwestern Colorado will be 
celebrating this anniversary, as they should. I rise to underscore that 
I believe all Americans should celebrate this important milestone.
  The San Juan National Forest was created 100 years ago on June 3, 
1905, through Presidential proclamation by President Theodore 
Roosevelt. When you see it, you know why President Roosevelt set aside 
this remarkable place. It is located in southwestern Colorado on the 
western slope of the Continental Divide in one of America's most 
magnificent landscapes. The San Juan covers nearly 2 million acres, in 
an area more than 120 miles wide and 60 miles long. This unique scene 
includes alpine lakes, canyons, rapids, waterfalls, historic mines, and 
broad variations in elevation including mountain peaks of over 14,000 
feet high.
  Not only is it beautiful, but its rich history is deeply intertwined 
with the history of this great country. The San Juan was originally the 
homeland of the Ute Indians as well as an area that was frequented by 
the Navajo and Apache Tribes as well. Many pioneers who were looking 
for routes to the West traveled through the San Juan. Some of these 
individuals remained there establishing mining sites which contributed 
to development and a growing community.
  The San Juan National Forest benefits the communities of southwestern 
Colorado through the supply of timber, minerals, oil and gas, grazing 
pastures, recreation, clean water and air and other natural resources.
  All of these amenities offered by the San Juan National Forest are 
important to the quality of life and economic well being of 
southwestern Coloradans; this has been the case for the past 100 years, 
it is the case today, and hopefully will be true for the next 100 
years.
  I urge all citizens of Colorado and our Nation to join in the 
centennial celebration of the San Juan National Forest through the many 
activities scheduled for June 1-4, 2005, to celebrate this special 
place and show appreciation for our national forests.
  Finally, this year also marks the centennial of the U.S. Forest 
Service, the Federal agency which manages the San Juan and 154 other 
National Forests across our country. I want to thank the dedicated men 
and women of our Forest Service for their extraordinary work and 
continued commitment to our precious lands.

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