Steven Holt: “H.R. 4312 sponsored by the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Mrs. Johnson) directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct…”

“H.R. 4312 sponsored by the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Mrs. Johnson) directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to determine the feasibility and suitability of creating the Upper Housatonic National Heritage Area. The study would cover a 60-mile stretch of the Upper Housatonic River's watershed, including 9 towns in Connecticut and 18 towns in Massachusetts... As one who has canoed portions of the Housatonic, I personally support this legislation and we in the minority also urge passage of this study legislation. It should be noted that the companion legislation, S. 2421 sponsored by Senator Lieberman of Connecticut passed the Senate in July and is currently pending in the House. Had we approved that bill today, we could be sending completed legislation to the President rather than sending this House companion over to the Senate so late in the session, but I will accept the assurances of my colleagues on the majority side that politics played no part in setting aside Senator Lieberman's bill and advancing this particular bill. We regret the decision, but we certainly support H.R. 4312 on its merits.”