[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 182 (Thursday, November 14, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S6602]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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               25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LAST GREEN VALLEY

 Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Mr. President, today I rise to recognize The 
Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor as it celebrates 25 years 
of protection and preservation of this environmentally sensitive, 
pristine area.
  Originally designated as the Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley 
National Heritage Corridor, the valley was officially designated as a 
critical natural resource by President Clinton on November 2, 1994. 
Twenty years later, it was officially renamed The Last Green Valley.
  For a quarter of a century, The Last Green Valley advocates have 
worked to care for the corridor through nonprofit stewardship. Overall, 
the valley comprises a 1,100-square-mile area, which ranges from 
eastern Connecticut to south-central Massachusetts. One of the most 
notable aspects of the valley is its rural characteristics despite its 
proximity to three of New England's largest urban areas. Among its 
707,000 acres, 77 percent of this range is farmland and forest.
  The Last Green Valley's designation as a national heritage corridor 
by Congress acknowledges its status as a unique national resource. 
Included in this designation are 26 towns in Connecticut and 9 in 
Massachusetts. The underdeveloped, green area so close to many large 
urban spaces makes it a point of special ecological interest and a 
great environmental asset to Connecticut and the nation.
  Dedicated to preserving the natural beauty and resources of New 
England from development and despoilment, The Last Green Valley sets a 
positive example of environmental conservation and protection. I 
applaud its accomplishments and hope my colleagues will join me in 
congratulating The Last Green Valley on 25 years of excellence.

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