[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 23489]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 NATIONAL WILDERNESS PROCLAMATION MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ANTHONY D. WEINER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 8, 2004

  Mr. WEINER. Mr. Speaker, it has been 40 years since Congress passed 
the 1964 National Wilderness Act, which has allowed parts of public 
land to be protected by law for future generations.
  It might surprise some to know that this groundbreaking act of 
legislation was derived in part from the work of a New York City 
resident, David McClure, who chaired the Committee on Forest 
Preservation at the state constitutional convention in Albany in 1894.
  McClure helped draft an article, which ensured that certain state 
land would remain ``forever wild.'' Those words, adopted by the 
convention and later approved by the voters, have never been altered 
and remain in effect for the 3-million acre New York State forest 
preserve in the Adirondack and Catskill parks. This visionary 
accomplishment was the inspiration for those who drafted the 1964 
Wilderness Act.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to insert into the Record a New York City 
Proclamation honoring the 40th Anniversary of the Wilderness Act and 
designating September 2004, in New York City, as National Wilderness 
Act Month.

                              Proclamation

       Whereas: While we thrive in a concrete jungle, New Yorkers 
     are not blind to the necessity of forest preservation. In 
     fact, our urban sensibility allows us a special appreciation 
     for green spaces and wilderness.
       Whereas: It has been forty years since Congress passed the 
     1964 National Wilderness Act, which has allowed a small 
     percentage of the nation's public lands to be protected by 
     law for future generations. It might surprise some to know 
     that this groundbreaking act of legislation was derived in 
     part from the work of a New York City resident, David 
     McClure, who chaired the Committee on Forest Preservation at 
     the State Constitutional Convention in Albany in 1894. He 
     helped draft an article that ensured that State land known as 
     the Forest Preserve in the Adirondacks and Catskills would 
     remain ``forever wild.'' Adopted by the convention and later 
     approved by the voters, the words of Article 14, Section 1 of 
     the State Constitution have never been altered, and remain in 
     effect for the three million-acre New York State Forest 
     Preserve in the Adirondack and Catskill Parks. This visionary 
     accomplishment was the inspiration for those who drafted the 
     1964 Wilderness Act.
       Whereas: Eleanor Roosevelt said, ``perhaps nature is our 
     best assurance of immortality.'' As we celebrate the fortieth 
     anniversary of this important act, New Yorkers are called 
     upon to follow in the footsteps of Mr. McClure and become 
     environmental stewards.

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