[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 122 (Tuesday, September 26, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10152-S10153]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       NATIONAL PUBLIC LANDS DAY

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I rise today in recognition of the 13th 
annual National Public Lands Day, which will be celebrated on Saturday, 
September 30. Covering nearly one third of America's total land area, 
public lands are part of the essence of our country. Today, I am 
pleased to acknowledge the efforts of volunteers around the Nation who 
will come together to improve and restore one of America's most 
valuable assets.
  Since it's inception in 1994, National Public Lands Day has helped 
foster communities of volunteers around the Nation. When it started 
thirteen years ago, there were 700 volunteers working in only a few 
areas. I am pleased to report that this year nearly 90,000 volunteers 
will work at over 800 locations to maintain and enhance countless acres 
of public land for the enjoyment of future generations.
  Growing up in Searchlight--whether I was hunting or just hiking in 
the desert--I developed a great appreciation for public lands. 
Preserving these lands for both practical and aesthetic purposes is one 
of my top priorities.
  Given that more than 87 percent of the land in Nevada is managed by 
Federal agencies, I know that I am not alone in recognizing the 
importance of public land. Nevadans understand that public lands serve 
many vital purposes in our State; from hiking and hunting to mining and 
ranching.
  I would be remiss if I didn't also take time to recognize and thank 
the thousands of Federal employees who manage these lands year-round. 
The Bureau of Land Management, the Forest Service, the Fish and 
Wildlife Service and other Federal land agencies help ensure that the 
complex patchwork of Federal land management in Nevada serves and 
adapts to the changing needs of our communities and the public at 
large. They provide a vital, although rarely reported, service to our 
Nation.
  Through the month of October, volunteers and staff from land 
management agencies from across Nevada will gather at sites such as the 
Black Rock Desert-High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails Conservation Area, 
the Desert Tortoise Conservation Management Area, the Lake Mead 
National Recreation Area, Lamoille Canyon, and the Nevada Northern 
Railway, among others. They will remove litter, construct walking 
paths, restore fences, post signs, and perform tasks that will improve 
our public lands for everyone who is fortunate enough to visit them.
  Our public lands are part of what makes America a great nation. I 
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my gratitude to everyone who will participate in National Public Lands 
Day this year.

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