[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 21]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 28955]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    THE BIG THICKET NATIONAL RESERVE

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 1, 2009

  Mr. POE of Texas. Madam Speaker, the Big Thicket National Preserve 
consists of 100,000 acres of dense pines, hardwoods, and swampland. The 
area occupies seven counties including Liberty County and Jefferson 
County, bounded by the San Jacinto River and Neches River.
  In 1964 the mayor of Liberty, Dempsie Henley, and local naturalist 
Lance Rosier founded the Big Thicket Association; their efforts to push 
for national park status gained the attention of U.S. Senator Ralph 
Yarborough. After many years of fighting to preserve the Big Thicket a 
bill by U.S. Representative Charles Wilson to establish the Big Thicket 
National Preserve was passed by Congress in 1974. The creation of the 
Big Thicket National Preserve was established to protect the numerous 
and diverse population of plant and animal species; it was the first 
preserve established in the National Park System.
  The communities that border the Big Thicket National Preserve remain 
passionate about preserving one of Texas' unique land treasures. Like 
many true Texans, I remember growing up surrounded by the wild, free 
piney woods. Many summer days were spent wading in the area creeks, 
fishing for perch, blazing new trails, or quietly watching turtles 
sunbathe on logs. The Big Thicket National Preserve continues to play 
an important role in the lives of the people and families of the Second 
District of Texas.
  Madam Speaker, the Second District of Texas pays tribute to the 
foresight of our early Texas leaders and their commitment to the 
preservation of the Big Thicket. I love and appreciate this preserve, 
and will continue to help protect its natural beauty.

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