[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 192 (Thursday, December 17, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E3033]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 BUENOS AIRES NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

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                         HON. RAUL M. GRIJALVA

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 16, 2009

  Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to all the 
staff at the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge. The Refuge consists 
of a beautiful 118,000 acres of mountains, riparian zones, and 
grasslands in the Southern Arizona desert and contains majestic areas 
such as Brown Canyon, Arivaca Cienega and the Baboquivari Mountains.
  The Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge is a sanctuary for many 
different types of wildlife including the Pima pineapple cactus, the 
pygmy-owl and the endangered masked bobwhite quail.Additionally, 325 
bird species, 53 species of reptiles and amphibians, 58 mammal species, 
including mule deer, white-tailed deer, pronghorn, javelina, and 
mountain lions all call the Refuge home. Without the protection of the 
Refuge, many of these species would disappear and be lost to us 
forever. The Refuge is also a vital part of the community and offers 
guided tours, hiking, camping, horseback riding, mountain biking, 
excellent birding, and plenty of beautiful picnic areas. The Refuge 
even offers wonderful educational opportunities through volunteer 
projects and nature workshops.
  The men and women employed at the Refuge work tirelessly to preserve 
this beautiful area. Through their efforts, the Refuge has successfully 
reintroduced the endangered bobwhite quail and the pronghorn deer into 
the wild and ensures their continued protection. These people are truly 
the guardians of an environmental treasure and view their task as a 
privilege, not just a job.
  In addition to the wonderful staff at the Refuge, an exemplary group 
of volunteers known as the Friends of the Buenos Aires National Refuge 
dedicate their time to the community education conservation, and 
preservation of this wonderful land. This nonprofit group gives 
selflessly to promote the goals of the Refuge and with the help of the 
Refuge staff; they recently held the 1st Annual Grasslands Fair to 
celebrate this beloved land.
  The Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge, its staff, and the 
volunteers who dedicate their time are all truly valued players in the 
protection of America's wild lands. Being a member of the House 
Committee on Natural Resources and having seen our community grow to 
over a million people, during my lifetime, I know the importance of 
protecting areas like the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge. It 
gives me great joy to see such wonderful people giving of themselves to 
preserve and protect this spectacular region of southern Arizona.

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