[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 191 (Thursday, December 13, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S15458]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE OUACHITA NATIONAL FOREST

 Mrs. LINCOLN. M. President, it is no surprise why Arkansas is 
called the Natural State. That is because we have been blessed with a 
tremendous abundance of mountains, hills, streams, rivers, and lakes 
that contribute to the beauty of our great State. For generations, 
national parks and outdoor recreation have played a big part in the 
lives of Arkansans. They also have been the source of our large tourism 
industry, attracting tens of thousands of visitors to our State to 
enjoy all that nature offers.
  One of the crown jewels of our National Forest System is the Ouachita 
National Forest. Encompassing 1.8 million acres and stretching from 
western Arkansas to southeastern Oklahoma, the Ouachita National Forest 
is the largest and oldest national forest in the South. In fact, on 
December 18, 2007, the Ouachita National Forest will celebrate its 
100th anniversary.
  Originally named the Arkansas National Forest, the Ouachita National 
Forest was created from public lands south of the Arkansas River by 
President Theodore Roosevelt on December 18, 1907. In 1926, President 
Calvin Coolidge renamed the forest the Ouachita National Forest to 
reflect the name of the mountains and river that run primarily through 
it.
  Home to breathtaking mountain views and picturesque streams and 
lakes, outdoor enthusiasts enjoy recreational activities like camping, 
boating, biking, and hiking on some of the 37 trails that run 
throughout the national forest. Its thriving wilderness areas provide 
ample grounds for fisherman and hunters, including nine different 
turkey hunting areas throughout the park. The forest also supplies 
ample timber resources to meet the needs of our Nation.
  As the 100th anniversary of the Ouachita National Forest approaches, 
I wish to express my appreciation for the lasting impact that the 
national forest has made for the people of Arkansas, Oklahoma, and our 
great Nation. Ouachita Forest supervisor Norman Wagoner has encouraged 
citizens to join the park staff in celebrating this historic 
anniversary at any of the forest's 11 district offices on December 18. 
The meet and greet will be a wonderful time to reflect on the past 
contributions of the park and the tremendous role it has played in 
Arkansas' heritage.

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