[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 26362]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



   TRIBUTE TO THE BLACK CANYON OF THE GUNNISON AND THOSE WHO MADE IT 
                                POSSIBLE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 20, 1999

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, it is with an overwhelming sense of pride 
that I now rise to pay tribute to a truly historic event in the proud 
and distinguished history of the great State of Colorado: the 
establishment of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
  As the House sponsor of legislation that redesignated the Black 
Canyon as a national park, it gives me great joy to describe for this 
esteemed body's record the beauty of this truly majestic place. In 
addition, I would like to offer my gratitude to a community of 
individuals instrumental in the long process that ultimately yielded 
the establishment of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
  Mr. Speaker, anyone who has visited the Black Canyon can attest to 
its awe-inspiring natural beauty. Named for the dark rock that makes up 
its sheer walls, the Black Canyon is largely composed of what 
geologists call basement rocks, the oldest rocks on the earth estimated 
at 1.7 billion years old. With its narrow openings, sheer walls, and 
scenic gorges that plunge 2000 feet into the clear blue majesty of the 
Gunnison River, the Black Canyon is a natural crown jewel second to 
none in its magnificent splendor. Though other canyons may have greater 
depth or descend on a steeper course, few combine these attributes as 
breathtakingly as does the Black Canyon.
  If ever there was a place worthy of the prestigious status that only 
national park status can afford, Mr. Speaker, it is the Black Canyon. 
But as you know, national parks don't just happen. In this case, it 
took nearly 15 years, several Congressional Representatives and 
Senators, innumerable locally elected officials, and a virtual sea of 
committed citizens in western Colorado.
  Included in this group are the good people of Delta, Colorado. During 
this long and at times difficult process, Delta's civic leaders have 
given tirelessly and beyond measure in the hopes of making the Black 
Canyon a national park. Again and again these great Americans rose to 
the challenge, doing everything in their power to fulfill this dream. 
Without Delta's leadership and perseverance, none of what we have 
accomplished would have ever been possible.
   It is with this, Mr. Speaker, that I give my thanks to the people of 
Delta who played a leading role in making the Black Canyon of the 
Gunnison National Park a wonderful reality for Colorado, America, and 
the world to enjoy.

                    A TRIBUTE TO GEORGE P. MITCHELL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. NICK LAMPSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 20, 1999

  Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of a man who is not 
only a great Galvestonian, but a great American, Mr. George P. 
Mitchell. On Friday, the City of Galveston will pay tribute to George 
for his service to the community by naming a street after him. Business 
took George away from the 9th District, but be came back to make it a 
better place to live.
  George Mitchell was born in the Ninth Congressional District, the 
area of Texas that I have the privilege to represent. Following his 
graduation from Texas A&M University and his service during World War 
II, he went to work for a newly formed wildcatting company. In 1959 he 
was appointed president and guided the progression of the company to 
its current status as one of the most extensive independent gas and oil 
producers in the nation and one of the largest real estate developers 
in the Houston-Galveston region.
  A man of great vision, George developed a real estate project in the 
1960's on a scale never seen in the flourishing Houston area. He 
created The Woodlands, a 25,000-acre planned community located 27 miles 
north of downtown Houston. Today, more than 40,000 people reside in The 
Woodlands and are living George Mitchell's dream.
  George has made the bulk of his substantial contributions to the 
Galveston community and the people who live there. He believes in 
Galveston and its residents, and has unfalteringly placed his time and 
energy into its progression. As I thank George for his contributions, I 
also must recognize his wife, Cynthia Mitchell, who was by his side 
lending strong support and partnership throughout his career.
  Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to speak on behalf of Mr. George Mitchell 
and all of his accomplishments. He is a man that I look to for 
inspiration as I continue to work for the communities and neighborhoods 
of Texas. When I drive down ``Mitchell Avenue'' it will be with great 
pleasure, as it recognizes a man who has committed his life not to 
himself, but to others.

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