[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 128 (Tuesday, September 8, 2015)]
[House]
[Page H5791]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 CONGRESSIONAL LAND CONSERVATION CAUCUS

  (Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, the summer months provided 
us with an excellent opportunity to get outside and take advantage of 
the natural resources, great parks, and public lands in our 
communities.
  In southeastern Pennsylvania, we are fortunate that we do not have to 
go much further than our own backyard to enjoy a wide variety of 
landscapes and public lands.
  In an effort to prioritize the conservation of our public lands, 
waterways, natural resources, and public policies related to the same, 
I recently established the bipartisan Congressional Land Conservation 
Caucus with Representatives Joe Pitts, Earl Blumenauer, and Mike 
Thompson of California. I appreciate their willingness to support this 
effort, and I urge my colleagues to join our caucus.
  It is my hope this group of Members will focus on issues related to 
land conservation, the protection of natural resources, and the 
preservation of open space across the country.
  I also want to thank Michael Rellahan and the Daily Local News for 
their in-depth observations on the past, present, and future of the 
Chester County government-led efforts to protect open space. It has 
been a remarkably successful program over the past 30 years.
  And, indeed, another county in my district, Montgomery County, has 
followed in their lead, as have many other counties in Pennsylvania and 
across the country.

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