[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 123 (Wednesday, September 28, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10601-S10602]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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  SENATE RESOLUTION 254--MARKING THE DEDICATION OF THE GAYLORD NELSON 
        WILDERNESS WITHIN THE APOSTLE ISLANDS NATIONAL LAKESHORE

  Mr. FEINGOLD (for himself and Mr. Kohl) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural 
Resources:

                              S. Res. 254

       Whereas the Honorable Gaylord Nelson, a State Senator, 
     Governor, and United States Senator from Wisconsin, devoted 
     his life to protecting the environment by championing issues 
     of land protection, wildlife habitat, environmental health, 
     and increased environmental awareness, including founding 
     Earth Day;
       Whereas the Honorable Gaylord Nelson authored the Apostle 
     Islands National Lakeshore Act, which led to the protection 
     of one of the most beautiful areas in Wisconsin and 
     recognized the rich assemblage of natural resources, cultural 
     heritage, and scenic features on Wisconsin's north coast and 
     21 islands of the 22-island archipelago;
       Whereas the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore was 
     designated a National Park on September 26, 1970;
       Whereas, on December 8, 2004, approximately 80 percent of 
     the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore was designated the 
     Gaylord Nelson Wilderness;
       Whereas the Gaylord Nelson Wilderness within the Apostle 
     Islands National Lakeshore provides a refuge for many species 
     of birds, including threatened bald eagles and endangered 
     piping plovers, herring-billed gulls, double-crested 
     cormorants, and great blue herons, and is a safe haven for a 
     variety of amphibians, such as blue-spotted salamanders, red-
     backed salamanders, gray treefrogs, and mink frogs, and is a 
     sanctuary for several mammals, including river otters, black 
     bears, snowshoe hares, and fishers;
       Whereas the official dedication of the Gaylord Nelson 
     Wilderness occurred on August 8, 2005, 36 days after the 
     Honorable Gaylord Nelson's passing; and
       Whereas the Honorable Gaylord Nelson changed the 
     consciousness of our Nation and embodied the principle that 1 
     person can change the world, and the creation of the Gaylord 
     Nelson Wilderness is a small, but fitting, recognition of his 
     efforts: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes the Honorable Gaylord Nelson's environmental 
     legacy;
       (2) celebrates the dedication of the Gaylord Nelson 
     Wilderness within the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore; and
       (3) requests that the Secretary of the Senate transmit an 
     enrolled copy of this resolution to the family of the 
     Senator.

  Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, December 8, 2004, approximately 80 
percent of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in Wisconsin was 
designated the Gaylord Nelson Wilderness. Although we did not formally 
celebrate the new wilderness area until August 8, 2005, we have been 
delighting in the designation ever since December of last year.
  The designation of the Gaylord Nelson Wilderness within the Apostle 
Islands National Lakeshore on August 8, 2005 was a tremendous occasion 
for both Wisconsin and the country. I was deeply honored to participate 
in the ceremony marking the creation of the Gaylord Nelson Wilderness. 
I knew Gaylord, and am proud to occupy his Senate seat. Like all of 
those in attendance at the dedication ceremony, including Tia Nelson, 
Governor Doyle, Congressman Obey, local officials, tribal chairs, and 
many others, I was deeply saddened that Gaylord wasn't able to be 
sitting among us, having passed away on July 3, 2005.
  However, I do believe that, because the area, the magnificent 
Apostles, and the wilderness designation we were celebrating were such 
a part of Gaylord, he was in fact there with us that day, urging us to 
mark the achievement and to continue his life's work of building a 
national conservation ethic. As we all know, while his record of 
achievements is long and impressive, it is Senator Nelson's passion and 
commitment to protecting our environment that will remain the 
centerpiece of his legacy. For this reason, Senator Kohl and I have 
submitted a resolution to bring recognition to Gaylord's unwavering 
efforts on behalf of the environment and to celebrate the dedication of 
a wilderness area rightly named in his honor.
  Gaylord so believed in his responsibility to the environment that he 
started a revolution that has inspired millions of people from across 
the globe. The day he created in 1970--Earth Day--has become a cause 
for celebration, education, and reflection for all. Simply stated, 
Gaylord Nelson changed the consciousness of a Nation, and quite 
possibly the world. He was a distinguished Governor and Senator, a 
recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and a personal hero of 
mine. Most importantly, he was the embodiment of the principle that one 
person can change the world.
  August 8, 2005 marked the beginning of a new period for the Apostle 
Islands and I could not be more proud of this. In 1998, Representative 
Obey and I asked for a wilderness survey. Seven years later, we finally 
gathered to salute the awe-inspiring resource as well as the man who 
dedicated himself to protecting our environment, particularly those 
places where we humans are but humble visitors--wilderness areas. Let 
us not forget, however, that before we could talk about having a 
wilderness area within the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, we had 
to have a National Lakeshore. I am sure it will come as no surprise 
that Gaylord was essential in the effort to recognize the Apostle 
Islands as a national treasure.

  The wild and primitive nature of the Apostles and now the Gaylord 
Nelson Wilderness has always been an attraction, not only for Wisconsin 
residents but for people from across the globe. At the Apostles you can 
find pristine old growth forests; wetlands that are home to an 
astounding ecological diversity; birds that travel long distances and 
use the islands for respite; and amphibians, which can act as 
indicators of the Park's environmental health.
  It is a truly amazing place.
  And people know it. In fact, just recently, the Apostles was rated 
the #1 National Park in the U.S. by National Geographic Traveler. The 
rating was based on a variety of factors, most notably environmental 
and ecological quality, social and cultural integrity, and the outlook 
for the future.
  We have it all in the Park--ecological and cultural resources 
intertwined with one another. The history of the islands is a history 
of people living off, and very much in balance with, the land and water 
surrounding them. A visit to the Apostles and the Gaylord Nelson 
Wilderness can be, if we let go of the trappings of modern society, an 
enlightening voyage that challenges us to think about those who came 
before us, those who will follow us, and the connections between us and 
the natural resources we depend on for our survival.
  The Ojibwae, who Wisconsinites know were the original inhabitants of 
the Apostles, had great respect for the resources. They believed in 
taking something only if they were giving something in return. The 
Ojibwae people understood their dependence on the environment long 
before many others began contemplating such a relationship. 
Unfortunately, as a society, we have not always heeded their example. 
We must be better stewards of our land, our air, and our water. Gaylord 
pushed us toward that goal every day of his life. And, what better way 
to mark the dedication of the Wilderness Area named in his honor than 
for each of us to dedicate ourselves to actively carrying his legacy 
forward. That is Gaylord's challenge for all of us.
  So many people supported the creation of the Lakeshore and the 
Wilderness area. The support has taken many forms--all of which have 
added to the success of our Park and the wilderness designation. I am 
especially grateful for the families who have donated their properties, 
many of which are filled with childhood and other cherished family 
memories, for the betterment of

[[Page S10602]]

the whole Apostle Islands and now the Gaylord Nelson Wilderness. Future 
generations whom none of us will ever know will benefit deeply from 
their commitment to one of Wisconsin's most treasured places.
  Every time I visit the Apostles and pieces of what are now the 
Gaylord Nelson Wilderness, I depart with a sense of inner peace and 
clarity. A New York Times journalist wrote about the Apostle Islands 
National Lakeshore in 1972, saying he encountered a ``silence so 
intense you can hear it.'' I believe that what all those who visit the 
Gaylord Nelson Wilderness are bound to hear through that ``intense 
silence'' is Gaylord himself calling them to action.

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