[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14654]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           RECOGNIZING THE LAS VEGAS SPRINGS PRESERVE PROJECT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SHELLEY BERKLEY

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 5, 2007

  Ms. BERKLEY. Madam Speaker, today I urge my colleagues to join me in 
recognizing the Las Vegas Springs Preserve project, and how this one-
of-a-kind interactive, historical and educational facility will forever 
preserve and sustain the original springs where Las Vegas was 
established.
  When it opens in June, this $250 million non-gaming cultural and 
historical attraction will offer a fun, educational and recreational 
gathering place to commemorate Las Vegas' dynamic history and provide a 
vision for a sustainable future. The Preserve will feature a series of 
historic museums, galleries, outdoor concerts, events, an interpretive 
trail system, a botanical garden and the Nevada State Museum and 
Historical Society where Nevadans and tourists alike will find a 
unique, educational experience about the history of Las Vegas.
  Seeking the rich California coast, Spanish traders of the early 19th 
Century forged a path west that became known as the Old Spanish Trail. 
Upon discovering a vale of sanctuary, they named it ``Las Vegas''--
Spanish for ``The Meadows.'' In the years that followed, the Las Vegas 
Springs welcomed weary travelers, explorers, traders, settlers and 
Mormon missionaries--all of them drawn here by one common denominator--
water from the springs.
  Enticing many to remain and make use of its waters, land near the 
springs was purchased by the railroad, which created the Las Vegas town 
site. It was water from the natural springs that powered the railroads' 
steam locomotives. In later years, the Nevada Legislature created the 
Las Vegas Valley Water District. Among the Water District's inherited 
holdings was the Las Vegas Springs property.
  In 1978, the 180-acre Springs Preserve, located approximately three 
miles west of downtown Las Vegas, was listed on the National Register 
of Historic Places. The site represents one of the richest and most 
unique cultural and biological resources in Southern Nevada. As the 
largest commercial straw-bale construction project in the United 
States, the Preserve is erecting seven new green buildings intended to 
join an elite list of buildings nationwide that have achieved 
``Platinum'' Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) 
certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).
  Today, the Springs Preserve site is still owned by the Water 
District--a steward of water resources in the Valley for more than 50 
years. During this time, human progress has surrounded this timeless 
plot of land, but operational wells and water distribution facilities 
saved the site from development. The Las Vegas Valley Water District 
and the Springs Preserve Foundation have formed a public-private 
partnership that will serve as a unique model for teaching cultural and 
environmental sustainability. Beginning next month, the story of the 
Las Vegas Springs will be told through both guided and self-guided 
tours, interpretive stations and several museum galleries.
  As the representative of Nevada's First Congressional District, it 
gives me immense pride to recognize this outstanding and unique 
educational facility in the heart of my congressional district. With 
this example of pioneering preservation, sustainable construction and 
innovative education, visitors to the Las Vegas Springs Preserve will 
be inspired by what they see and be motivated to implement the ideals 
of preserving our past, while simultaneously creating a livable future.
  Again, I proudly urge my colleagues to join me in honoring this 
outstanding public-private educational facility.

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