[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 26573-26574]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



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

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 21, 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.

[[Page 26574]]

  Included in this group are the good people of Hotchkiss, Colorado. 
During this long and at times difficult process, Hotchkiss' 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 Hotchkiss' 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 
Hotchkiss 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.

         RECOGNIZING THE ST. JOSEPH, MISSOURI POLICE DEPARTMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. PAT DANNER

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 21, 1999

  Ms. DANNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor seven law enforcement 
officers from the St. Joseph, Missouri Police Department who are being 
recognized with the National Association of Police Organization's 
prestigious TOP COPS Awards. These brave individuals are receiving 
these distinguished awards for their valiant efforts in protecting 
their community from an armed killer on November 10, 1998.
  On that date, Sergeants Terry White, Steve Gumm and Billy Paul 
Miller, Patrolwoman Rebecca Caton, and Patrolmen Roy Wedlow, Henry 
Pena, Shawn Hamre and Bradley Arn, responded to a high-priority call to 
subdue an armed sniper who was randomly firing at vehicles attempting 
to cross a busy local intersection. The assailant fired approximately 
200 rounds of bullets from his assault weapon, fatally wounding Officer 
Arn, before being shot and killed by sergeant Miller. Thanks to the 
quick response and undaunted courage of these brave officers, no 
innocent bystander lost their life as a result of this tragedy.
  In addition, I wish to pay a special tribute to the family of Officer 
Arn. Survived by his loving wife Andrea and two-year-old twin daughters 
Molleigh and Mallorie, Officer Arn will be forever remembered in the 
hearts of the residents of St. Joseph for making the greatest 
sacrifices while protecting the community. He was truly one of 
America's finest, and I am honored to offer this tribute to him--as 
well as his family--today.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that the heroic acts of these brave law 
enforcement officers have not gone unnoticed, and I rise today to 
express my appreciation to them for their dedication in protecting the 
St. Joseph community. Each of these officers exemplify the finest of 
traits one must possess to be a member of the law enforcement 
community, and I congratulate them on receiving these awards.

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