[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 84 (Friday, May 14, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E524]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 MAY 6 COMMEMORATION OF REP. JAMES BILBRAY ON 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 
      RED ROCK CANYON NATIONAL CONSERVATION AREA ESTABLISHMENT ACT

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                            HON. DINA TITUS

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 14, 2021

  Ms. TITUS. Madam Speaker, I first want to thank the Bureau of Land 
Management and Friends of Red Rock Canyon for helping facilitate 
today's event. I also want to thank our guests for joining me in 
commemorating the 30th anniversary of the designation of Red Rock 
National Conservation Area. Although we were not able to celebrate on 
the date it was signed, November 16, because of COVID, I felt it was 
important to honor the man who introduced legislation to preserve Red 
Rock Canyon for future generations, Congressman James Bilbray.
  Congressman Bilbray served as the Representative for Nevada's First 
District from 1987-1995. In that role, he led the legislative effort to 
permanently protect more than 83,000 acres of Red Rock Canyon. On 
November 16, 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed Congressman 
Bilbray's bill, H.R. 4559, The Red Rock Canyon National Conservation 
Area Establishment Act. In 1994, Congressman Bilbray successfully 
spearheaded an effort to expand the conservation area to more than 
176,000 acres to protect Joshua tree and desert tortoise habitat. H.R. 
3050, The Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area Boundary 
Expansion, was signed by President Bill Clinton in November of that 
year.
  Congressman Bilbray was ahead of his time. When he introduced 
legislation to protect Red Rock Canyon, the environmental movement was 
just in its beginnings in Nevada. It wasn't as easy or as popular to 
pass this kind of legislation, but he had the vision to know that this 
area was special and should be preserved for his grandchildren and 
future generations to enjoy.
  Saving this area from development was personal for the Congressman. A 
lifelong Nevadan, he camped in the area as a Boy Scout and frequently 
visited it with his family on picnics and hikes. Red Rock Canyon also 
holds significant cultural resources for the native Southern Paiute 
Tribe. Within the canyons exist rock walls with extensive petroglyphs, 
as well as indications of prehistoric inhabitation, such as shelter 
caves and agave roasting pits. The area is home to burros, bighorns, 
and desert tortoises, as well as unique flora. And in contrast to 
nearby Las Vegas, a town emphasizing entertainment and gaming, Red Rock 
offers respite and recreation of a different nature. It is because of 
Congressman Bilbray that Nevadans and visitors from around the globe 
can enjoy this unique desert landscape, the natural crown jewel of 
Southern Nevada.
  In honor of Congressman Bilbray's public service, a new plaque will 
be installed at the entrance of the Red Rock Canyon Visitor Center 
where over 2,000 people enter each day. We will see, know, and get to 
read about the incredible man who made this possible.

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