we support the proper application of the original Wilderness Act and the Congressional Grazing Guidelines

Senators, by introducing the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks Wilderness Act, you have acknowledged the overwhelming desire of our community members.

Congress has specifically stated that wilderness can not be used to reduce animal unit months.

Climate change is a moving target, and clearly what would happen behind us to the east on the Organ Mountains could be completely different than what we saw in Hatch or down in El Paso.

I think it's amazing and truly gratifying to see our democratic processes work, because I think this is what this country's about.

the Dona Ana County Board of Commissioners has high regard for our area mountains, and we have been carefully watching the process by which wilderness legislation is being crafted.

I just wanted to give any of you an opportunity to comment on things you might have heard that you either agree or disagree with.

I am pleased to note that, with passage of S. 1689, families many generations from now will have that same opportunity--to enjoy a small slice of solitude while just outside of the bustling Las Cruces metropolitan area.

We have to look at it comprehensively and study it.

We don't get in the room and talk about it sensibly, we talk about it independently, and that's the problem.

Senator Udall and his staff also played a very positive role in finalizing the legislation.

I would beg to disagree. But please go ahead, but there's a huge difference in the law between a discretionary act and an act where you say 'shall' where you instruct an agency to do something.

Protecting the natural beauty of our mountains is incredibly important.

the bill certainly compliments what we're trying to do with Vision 2040.

These resolutions have been passed as legislative efforts began with former Sen. Pete V. Domenici, and are now maturing under Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall.

I believe that there is great potential for this area to provide tourism-related jobs.

There has been a real attempt to try to deal with the realities in working with the Border Patrol and having an understanding with them.

Thank you.