[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 89 (Tuesday, June 5, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H5939-H5940]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF THE OUACHITA NATIONAL FOREST ON ITS 100TH
ANNIVERSARY
Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree
to the resolution (H. Res. 390) recognizing the importance of the
Ouachita National Forest on its 100th anniversary.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 390
Whereas on December 18, 1907, President Theodore Roosevelt
created by proclamation the Arkansas National Forest on
reserved public domain lands south of the Arkansas River;
Whereas on April 29, 1926, President Calvin Coolidge issued
an Executive Order to change the name of the Arkansas
National Forest to the Ouachita National Forest to reflect
both the name of the mountains embraced by the national
forest and the name of the principal river which drains the
national forest;
Whereas Ouachita is the French spelling of a Native
American word meaning ``good hunting ground'';
Whereas the Ouachita National Forest today encompasses
approximately 1.8 million acres in Arkansas and eastern
Oklahoma and offers a variety of recreation areas, scenic
areas, wilderness areas, historic resources, and timber and
other forest products to the Nation; and
Whereas the Ouachita National Forest is the largest and
oldest national forest in the southern region of the United
States: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That on the 100th anniversary of the creation of
the Ouachita National Forest, the House of Representatives
recognizes the important contributions of the Ouachita
National Forest to the success of the United States in
conserving the environment and ensuring that our natural
resources remain sources of pride for our citizens, our
communities, and our Nation.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
the Virgin Islands (Mrs. Christensen) and the gentleman from Utah (Mr.
Cannon) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands.
General Leave
Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands?
There was no objection.
Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 390 was introduced by
my colleague, the gentleman from Arkansas, Representative Mike Ross.
The bill would express recognition by the House of Representatives of
the importance of the Ouachita National Forest on its centennial.
The Ouachita is the largest and the oldest national forest in the
southern region of the United States.
On December 18, 1907 President Theodore Roosevelt proclaimed the
establishment of what he called Arkansas National Forest. Nineteen
years later, by Executive order, President Calvin Coolidge changed the
name of the forest to the Ouachita National Forest, reflecting the name
of both the local mountains and the main river running through the
forest.
The forest encompasses six wilderness areas, seven scenic areas and
11 shooting ranges, as well as 35 recreational areas, including the
26,445-acre Winding Stair National Recreation Area.
Mr. Speaker, Ouachita is a noteworthy unit of our National Forest
System, and it is appropriate that we take this action today to
celebrate the forest's centennial.
I want to commend and congratulate my colleague, Representative Ross,
for his commitment and leadership on this matter. We support the
passage of House Resolution 390 and urge its adoption by the House
today.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. CANNON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 390,
and yield myself such time as I may consume.
House Resolution 390 has been adequately explained by the majority,
and I urge its adoption.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to
the sponsor of the bill, the gentleman from Arkansas, Mike Ross.
Mr. ROSS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution
390, a resolution honoring and recognizing the importance of Ouachita
National Forest on its 100th anniversary. I am very fortunate to
represent a good part of the Ouachita National Forest within the Fourth
Congressional District of Arkansas.
I'm also pleased that the entire Arkansas Congressional Delegation,
Congressmen John Boozman, Vic Snyder and Marion Berry have joined me in
supporting and cosponsoring this bipartisan bill honoring one of our
Nation's true national treasures.
This marks the 100th birthday or anniversary, if you will, of one the
largest and oldest national forests in the
[[Page H5940]]
southern region of the United States, the Ouachita National Forest.
As Chairwoman Christensen indicated, in 1907 President Theodore
Roosevelt created the Arkansas National Forest on reserved public lands
south of the Arkansas River. And by 1926 President Calvin Coolidge
issued an Executive order to change the name of the forest to the
Ouachita National Forest, named after the Ouachita Mountains, which
stretch from near the center of Arkansas to southeast Oklahoma, and
after the principal river which drains the national forest, the
Ouachita River.
For the past 100 years, the Ouachita National Forest has remained a
vast, magnificent region that offers spectacular recreation, scenic and
wilderness areas for numerous visitors from throughout the world. The
forest provides an array of activities, ranging from ATV recreational
activities and opportunities, to hiking and to mountain biking to
horseback riding trails and swimming. The forest also contains five
lakes, often referred to as ``Diamond Lakes,'' which are known for
their crystal clear quality and beautiful scenery.
In addition to the scenic views and outdoor activities the forest has
to offer, the Ouachita National Forest is also one of the only places
in the United States that contains an incredible crater area which
allows visitors and rock collectors to dig for real diamonds and quartz
crystals.
Today the Ouachita National Forest also includes more than 1.8
million acres in Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma, and provides timber and
forestry products throughout the United States.
And while the word ``Ouachita'' is the French spelling of the Native
American word for ``good hunting ground,'' the forest also contains six
locations that have been designated as wilderness areas covering 65,000
acres. These areas provide environmentally safe habitats for wildlife
and fish, including many threatened and endangered species, as well as
watershed protection and improvement and wilderness area management.
This resolution honors and recognizes all the important services and
contributions that the Ouachita National Forest continues to make
available to visitors all across our country and throughout the world
who come here to visit and to the spirit and practice of ensuring that
our natural resources remain sources of pride for our citizens, our
communities and, yes, our Nation.
I'm proud to sponsor a resolution commemorating its 100th
anniversary, and I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of House
Resolution 390 today and honor Ouachita National Forest's centennial
celebration.
Mr. CANNON. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers on this matter,
and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands (Mrs. Christensen) that the House
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 390.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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