[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 123 (Monday, July 30, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S10312]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   50TH ANNUAL BAT FLIGHT CELEBRATION

 Mr. DOMENICI. Madam President, I would like to honor and give 
special attention to the 50th annual Bat Flight Celebration Breakfast, 
at New Mexico's beautiful Carlsbad Caverns. Every evening over 300,000 
Mexican free-tail bats exit the caves to feed, only to return in the 
early morning hours. It is in these early morning hours, once a year, 
that visitors gather to observe the return of these thousands of bats 
to their homes inside these incredible caves. On Saturday July 28, 
2007, for the 50th time, over 600 visitors gathered and enjoyed a New 
Mexican breakfast while witnessing this magnificent in-flight return to 
the cave.
  Created by inland sea between 250 and 280 million years ago, the 
limestone caves of Carlsbad were declared a national monument in 1923, 
and the surrounding area was made a national park in 1930, in order to 
preserve its unique beauty and geology. Carlsbad Caverns National Park 
has more than 100 known caves and covers over 46,000 acres, with 
approximately 33,000 acres designated as wilderness. The park's most 
prominent feature is the cavern itself, which contains one of the 
world's largest underground chambers and countless spectacular 
geological formations, many of which are easily accessible along a 3-
mile paved underground trail.
  The next time you happen to be in New Mexico, I encourage you to come 
visit and take some time to enjoy all New Mexico has to offer. From the 
beautiful rock formations, the stalagmites and stalactites, the 
wildlife, the culture and the history--the unique caverns near 
Carlsbad, NM, have it all. New Mexico is a great place, and the 
Carlsbad Caverns help make it so. To all, past and present, who have 
worked hard to preserve Carlsbad Caverns and showcase the annual bat 
flight celebration, I extend a heartfelt thank you.

                          ____________________