[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 6]
[House]
[Page 7110]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  OMNIBUS PUBLIC LANDS MANAGEMENT ACT

  (Mr. Lujan asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. LUJAN. Mr. Speaker, I know we came very close to passing the 
Public Lands Omnibus bill this morning, and I rise to urge this 
Congress to move forward with this bill and its important goals.
  America's vast landscapes are a big part of what make our country 
beautiful and unique. Congress has an historic opportunity to protect 
these beautiful landscapes and the natural resources associated with 
them by passing the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act of 2009.
  Since the day that President Theodore Roosevelt founded Yellowstone 
National Park, the Federal Government's responsibility to preserve and 
protect natural lands has not been a Democratic or Republican priority, 
it has been an American priority.
  The Omnibus Public Lands Management Act will benefit all of us. It 
allows for the preservation of historic sites, forest lands and 
wildlife habitats across the Nation, the assessment of land and natural 
resources, and preserves access for hunters and sportsmen.
  This important bill represents years of work by Members of the House 
and Senate from many States and from both parties, including two 
Senators from my home State, Senator Jeff Bingaman and my predecessor, 
Senator Tom Udall, in cooperation with local communities.
  It is important that we join together to protect and enhance the 
natural, cultural and historical resources which are integral to the 
identity of America.

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