[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 33 (Thursday, March 7, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S1271]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. UDALL of Colorado:
  S. 503. A bill to establish the Sangre de Cristo National Historical 
Park, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural 
Resources.
  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce 
legislation recognizing one of Colorado's most historically significant 
regions--the San Luis Valley.
  It is no exaggeration to say that the unique history and culture of 
the region we commonly call `the Valley' is one of the richest in our 
state, region, and nation, particularly as an example of early Hispano 
and Latino settlement. As an avid student of history--like so many of 
my colleagues--I find that the more I learn and experience the stories, 
people, and places of the Valley, the more I want to learn.
  First explored by Spanish Colonial expeditions in the 17th century, 
Hispano families from Northern New Mexico made many attempts at 
permanent settlement in this region, but weren't successful until the 
late 1840s, after the territory became part of Mexico. With the oldest 
town, San Luis, and the oldest water right, the People's Ditch, in 
Colorado, the San Luis Valley hosts some of the most intact Mexican 
territorial settlements in the Southwest. Many descendants of those 
original settlers continue to live in the region today.
  But despite this incredibly rich history, millions of people visit 
Colorado every year who are not familiar with the San Luis Valley. The 
legislation I am introducing today would create the Sangre de Cristo 
National Historic Park, named for the stunning mountain range that 
forms the eastern border of the valley. The Sangre de Cristo National 
Historic Park would link together a series of historically significant 
sites throughout the valley--protecting and preserving them for future 
generations to experience and learn from.
  Creating this park will help to tell the story of Colorado's earliest 
settlers.
  Telling these stories and protecting these sites is important because 
of their intrinsic value to our history, culture and future 
generations. But they are also important to the economy as our state 
and country are emerging from the worst economy in a generation. The 
Sangre de Cristo National Historic Park could serve as an anchor for a 
regional tourism economy that can bring jobs to the entire San Luis 
Valley and Southern Colorado while recognizing and celebrating the 
Valley's rich and important history.
  Over the last several years, I have held a series of town hall 
meetings in San Luis, La Jara and Alamosa to learn more about the 
recently created Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area and to hear 
the views of the local communities. I heard a great deal of support for 
the National Historic Park concept, and today marks an important step 
forward in the process of creating this meaningful, if overdue, park.
  I look forward to working with stakeholders, local communities and my 
colleagues to move this legislation forward.
                                 ______