[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Page 16629]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    GILA CLIFF DWELLINGS CENTENNIAL

 Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I would like to honor and give 
special attention to the 100th anniversary of the establishment of Gila 
Cliff Dwellings National Monument in my home State of New Mexico. On 
November 16, 1907, President Theodore Roosevelt signed the proclamation 
that recognized the Gila Cliff Dwellings and 533 surrounding acres as a 
national monument being what he called, ``of exceptional scientific and 
educational interest . . . as the best representative of the cliff-
dwellers' remains of that region.'' This unique monument, nestled among 
the spectacular scenery of the Gila National Forest, was once the home 
to the people of the Mogollon, who lived along the East fork of the 
Gila River during the late 13th and early 14th century. It is at that 
place where these impressive builders constructed a 42-room collection 
of homes in 5 spacious sandstone caves high along the face of a small 
creek-canyon. Today, this monument gives Americans a glimpse of the 
great cultures and societies that once occupied the North American 
Continent prior to the arrival of European settlers.
  This year-long centennial celebration is more than just an 
appreciation for the unique beauty that is defined by the many special 
places like this in New Mexico. In commemoration of this special 
centennial event, an unexcavated surface site referred to as the TJ 
Ruin will be open for a limited number of guided tours. Over the next 
few weeks other exciting events such as Stories in the Stars, Stories 
in the Shards, Rock Art and Storytelling will be taking place. There 
will be a number of other events, including an exhibit opening at the 
Silver City Museum, cowboy poetry, music, Dutch oven cooking, and 
Chiricahua Apache Culture Days that will be held throughout the 
remainder of the year to entertain those visiting the area and to 
celebrate the 100th anniversary.
  The attractive weather and abundance of forest and desert flora and 
fauna in the Gila region of southwest New Mexico attracts over 60,000 
visitors every year who contribute to the economies of southwestern New 
Mexico cities and towns such as Silver City, Cliff, Deming, Bayard, and 
Lordsburg. With over 1,500 miles of trails, the opportunities for 
mountain biking, hiking, and horseback riding are endless. There is 
also a great abundance of wildlife that roam the Gila region. For the 
fisherman, there is over 360 miles of mountain streams, creeks, rivers, 
and lakes that are a precious resource in the Southwest.
  The outdoors reminds us all of the things we hold so dear. Public 
lands make up over one-third of the United States, most of which is in 
the West. Those of us from the State of New Mexico cherish the open 
spaces afforded by the West. Like the Mogollon, we are reminded daily 
of our dependence on the land and therefore take a devout interest in 
its health and management. The Gila Cliff Dwellings and the Gila 
National Forest remain much the same as so many years ago, and I am 
glad this will be the case for generations to come.
  The next time you happen to be in New Mexico, I encourage you to come 
visit and take some time to enjoy all New Mexico has to offer. From the 
many beautiful mountains, to the rivers, the canyons, the wildlife, the 
culture and the history--the marvelous place we call the Gila has it 
all. New Mexico is a great place, and the Gila Cliff Dwellings help 
make it so. To all, past and present, who have worked hard to preserve 
the Gila Cliff Dwellings, I extend a heartfelt thank you and honor you 
this centennial year.

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